NOTE: Thanks guys! Sorry it took a bit longer to post this. School is a bit of an obstacle for writing sometimes. I'm sure many of you understand :D. Ah, but it is the last day in Smallville! They may go there again but not for a while. Enjoy! Feedback is great too...
That night Clark returned a little earlier. Nonetheless, he could not sleep at all. He sat outside beneath the shining stars listening and pondering the day's previous conversations. The evening was cool and clear, a light breeze caressing his skin.
He turned his head when he heard Lois's footsteps approaching the door. It opened and she closed it quietly. She came and sat beside him on the porch steps. Her eyes turned up to gaze at the brilliant display of stars and a gleaming slice of moon. Her slender frame was wrapped tightly in a robe.
Clark slid an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to keep her warm. She leaned her head on his shoulder and laid a hand on his leg. They sat admiring the lovely evening in tranquil solitude for at least a half hour.
Lois finally shattered the quiet. "Do you think Jason will be okay?"
"I have no doubt about it," he murmured. "He always bounces back pretty quick."
His confidence settled her anxieties at once. "Thank you. When do you plan on telling him everything?"
"I'm not sure really. We'll just have to wait and see when he's ready. First I'll give him a brief summation then—when the time comes—I'll take him to the Fortress of Solitude."
Lois frowned at the mention of that place, mostly in deep thought. She suddenly felt him grow tense so that his muscles were taught and hard beneath her fingers.
"What's wrong?" she asked, studying his profile.
"My crystals. They were what connected me to my father, my mother even, and all my heritage and knowledge of the universes. Now they're gone. Lex Luthor has them."
Lois shuddered at the anger dripping from that name on his lips. "Clark, I'm sorry you don't have them—I know how important they were—but you shouldn't dwell on it. We'll find Lex Luthor and he'll pay for what he's done. Then you can get your crystals back."
"I hope so. But I swear, next time he and I meet…it will be the last."
It was finally time to say goodbye to Smallville and Martha Kent. Lois and Jason packed their things back in their bags and loaded them into the car. Jason pet the goat tied by the porch, wandered around the barn and house, and sat in Clark's old room for a while.
Lois steadied her emotions before approaching Martha to say goodbye. The elderly woman stood at the window by the old piano, her hands folded at her waist. Lois quietly came up beside her without turning towards her.
"I'd like to thank you Mrs. Kent for all that you've done and for letting us stay here. I've truly been blessed to meet you and stay with you."
Martha patted her arm. "My dear, you're like a daughter to me—and I think someday you will be—and it only gave me pleasure to have you and my grandson in my home. If I had a choice, I'd ask you to stay. But I know your lives are rooted in Metropolis. You're all welcome here any time."
"Thank you again."
She and Lois embraced tightly.
"And you can call me 'mom' if you want too," Mrs. Kent smiled.
Lois was stunned. She had just been thinking how much she wished she had a mother to talk to or to even be able to call someone 'mom'.
"Martha…I don't even know what to say." She met her gaze. "We will definitely come back and I hope often."
"I hope so too. Are you ready to go? I could fix you two lunch for on the way home."
"That would be nice of you, yes. Do you know where Jason is?"
"Last I saw he came inside."
"Okay, thanks."
She went upstairs and found him sitting on the floor of Clark's old room reading one of the books from the shelf. She sat on the bed in front of him.
"Hey, Jason."
"Hi mom. Are we leaving?" The sadness gleamed in his eyes.
"In a little bit, yeah."
"Do we have to?"
"Yes, we do. I have to go back to work and you'll have school. I'd like to stay too, but we can't. We'll come back to visit though when we can." She touched the tip of his nose. "Okay?"
"Okay." He closed the book and put it back on the shelf. "Where's dad?"
She was sure she would never tire of hearing him call Clark that. "He's around. I was actually going to go look for him."
"Is he coming with us?"
"I…don't know. He'll probably fly home."
Jason's face lit. "Can I go with him?"
"You'd have to ask him…"
He was instantly on his feet and out the door. Lois laughed and followed after.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it," said Clark to his mother. "I always wanted you to be able to have grandchildren, and for a while I thought I'd fail you in that area. It's good to finally see you with a grandson in your arms…even if he's older than I pictured."
She stroked his hand. "So am I, but I would've been content with just you too, Clark. You're my son and I love you."
"And I love you, mom." He wrapped the little old woman in his arms and kissed the top of her head. "I have to go. I'm heading for Metropolis the same time Lois and Jason are."
She nodded.
Jason came rushing into their midst. "Can I fly with you?" he pleaded with Clark, his head thrown back to look up at him.
Clark laughed softly and lifted his son up into his arms. "Aren't you going to keep your mom company?"
Jason shrugged. "Oh…I guess so. But I want to fly with you again."
Clark thought about it for a few minutes. "I don't think so, bud. Remember what happened at the park?"
Jason nodded.
"I may need to go help people, so it'd be best if you stayed with your mother."
"Can I for just a little bit? Then you can find mom's car and take me back."
"Your son is as persuasive as you were at his age," Martha chuckled.
Clark had a crooked grin on his handsome face. "All right. We'll fly for a short distance and then you'll go the rest with your mom."
Jason shouted for joy and threw his arms around his neck. "Thanks daddy."
Lois saw the exchange and laughed. She came and stood by Clark. "I see he's got you under his thumb."
"Ah well, he must get that from his mother."
She arched a brow at him while concealing a smile. "Is that so?" She turned to Martha. "Well, I guess we'll be going now."
Martha handed her a large paper bag. "Here's lunch and snacks for your trip. Do you have everything you need?"
"We do thanks to you," she smiled. "Thank you so much Mrs. Kent." She hugged her around the bag again.
"Thank you Lois. I'm glad you decided to come out here and take time away from your job for this." She smiled when Jason transferred from Clark's arms to hers. "Oh! You're getting big. I'll miss you, Jason."
"I'll miss you too, grandma."
They went outside and Martha stopped on the porch. She waved as Lois got in the car and Clark and Jason prepared to leap into the sky. She loved to see her son go off into the clouds ever since the first time she watched.
Jason waved in return as he and his father slowly floated from the ground. And then they were off. Lois was already driving down the driveway.
Martha waited until she could not see any of them any longer before sitting down in one of the wicker chairs nearby. She placed her hands in her lap and closed her eyes. She never thought she would be so disappointed to hear the peace and quiet again.
As Jason and Superman passed through the clouds, Jason had to ask a question that had been nagging at him.
"Will I be able to fly?"
Superman looked down at him, his arm firm around the boy. "Yes, someday you will. It'll be a few years from now though."
They dropped through the cloudy haze and Superman pointed down below.
"Do you see your mom's car?"
Jason strained his eyes. "Yeah. It's so small."
"Do you have trouble seeing it?"
"A little."
Superman nodded. He had glasses he actually needed for a few years since his body had to get used to earth and its sun before fully developing. He didn't know if Jason would need them though. He wanted answers, but he did not know where to get them. Jor-El was no longer available to talk to.
"Do you watch over me and mommy from up here?" asked Jason.
Superman was somewhat surprised by the question. He looked down at Lois's car and smiled. "Yes, I do. And that's why you never have to worry. I'm always looking out for you."
Jason smiled too and held his hand tighter.
"All right. It's time to go down now."
Jason was disappointed, but he did not complain. He was already learning from both his parents certain quality traits were more preferable than others. All he had to do to understand was observe Superman around other people.
Mona: That's good because I really am liking this family too :). And Jason sure has some good support. Thanks!
wierdIT:) Thanks. I thought that too...
