It was a little after one in the morning, and Linda quietly padded down the stairs, carefully to avoid the creaky spot near the bottom. She tiptoed softly over to the refrigerator and opened the door; the soft yellow light was inviting as she pulled out the mostly-full bottle of milk on the top shelf. She nudged the door shut with her foot as she untwisted the cap. She set the cap on the counter and easily gulped down half the bottle, wiping the mustache on her upper lip, smiling as the rich, creamy flavors hit her taste buds; she didn't need to eat to get her nourishment, but she definitely appreciated the emotions associated with food and drink. She leaned against the counter, sighing softly.

A sound outside jarred Linda from her thoughts; she squinted her eyes slightly as she stared at the wall, and it appeared to effortlessly dissolve. She saw Jimmy on the other side, her back facing him as he leaned against the porch rail. She quickly switched back to normal vision and—still clutching the milk bottle—as she quietly padded over to the kitchen and opened the door.

"Jimmy?" she said softly. Jimmy looked over, startled from his stupor, and Linda winced a little. "Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you."

"You didn't," Jimmy reassured her. "I didn't wake you, did I?"

Linda shrugged as she came out and closed the door behind her. "Lot on my mind," she said, "and Clark, unfortunately, sounds like a semi downshifting on the interstate."

"Yeah, sorry about that," Jimmy apologized, shrugging a little.

"Why are you apologizing?" Linda asked.

"If I wasn't here," Jimmy replied, "Clark would be sleeping on the couch, and you'd be sound asleep."

"As I recall, it was my parents who said they didn't want you on the road so late," Linda pointed out, "and your mother agreed." She shrugged. "And it's not like I need that much sleep, really; two hours to me is like an eight-hour sleep to you." She held up the milk bottle. "Want some?"

"Thanks," Jimmy replied as he took the offered gift and took a few gulps; he smacked his lips a little, smiling. "That's good." He handed the bottle back to her. "So, you're feeling better?"

Linda nodded. "I think an hour or two in the sun should be what I need to fully charge." She leaned against the rail next to Jimmy. "So, why are you up?"

"Nothing, really," Jimmy replied, turning back to look out into the darkness.

Linda raised an eyebrow. "You were awfully quiet when Gar was here," she said gently, "and you didn't say much after he left, either."

"Just trying to figure out how to say I admit defeat," Jimmy replied.

Linda furrowed her eyebrows. "What are you talking about?"

"The guy can turn into any animal he wants to," Jimmy replied, "and—on top of that—he saved your life." He stared at her with a 'duh' expression, like she should know what he's talking about.

Linda looked at him, completely confused, but then she suddenly realized what he was talking about; she sighed. "You know Gar and I are just friends, right?" she asked. Jimmy didn't appear convinced. "So, what, you think that because we both have special powers, we should hook up?"

"Well, you'd certainly have more to talk about," Jimmy muttered.

"You really think I'm looking to hook up with a guy who has powers?" Linda asked, looking a little hurt.

"No, of course not," Jimmy said. "I just thought you might have more in common, that's all."

"Jimmy, I've lived most of my life without any powers," Linda replied. She glanced over her shoulder and saw a few metal garden rods leaning against the wall near the steps; she handed the bottle to Jimmy, walked over, and grabbed a rod. "I'm still getting used to the fact that I can do this." She took the rod and effortlessly twisted it into a loop, then just as easily untwisted it, returning it to its normal shape.

"I can understand why," Jimmy said slowly in awe.

"The point is," Linda said as she returned the rod to where she'd grabbed it, "just because I just found out my friend has powers doesn't change how I feel about him; Gar is my friend. Period." She leaned against the rail next to Jimmy, who still looked unconvinced. "I mean, think about it this way: Amy cared about the Doctor; he was exciting, they traveled everywhere and had adventures together, but who did she end up with?"

"Rory," Jimmy replied slowly.

"And who was Rory?" Linda asked.

"The boring one," Jimmy answered.

Linda snorted. "The guy was Amy's best friend," she said. "He didn't push her or coerce her into liking him; he didn't need to. He just waited until—'penny in the air, penny drops'—she realized she didn't need the TARDIS, the aliens, the adventures—or even the Doctor himself; she just needed him."

"You know, he died several times in between," Jimmy pointed out.

"Yeah, but he faced an entire Cyberman army with just a sword," Linda countered, "and punched Hitler and stuffed him in a cupboard," she tilted her head a little, "and when she had the choice to stay with the Doctor…she let an Weeping Angel send her back in time so she could be with Rory—knowing she'd never see the Doctor again." She shrugged. "I just want my own Rory—and I seriously doubt he's going to have superpowers."

Jimmy thought about what she said, and he pursed his lips, sighing. "So, do you think you're ever gonna tell Malverne?" he asked after a few moments. "I mean, the truth…about you—again?"

Linda shrugged. "I don't know," she replied. "I mean, I still hate myself for wiping his mind. It freaks me out that I have the capability to do that—and I'm not even at full power yet." Her features darkened slightly. "And being attacked yesterday was just another reminder that I may look human, but I'm not."

Jimmy could hear the bitterness in her voice and put a hand on her shoulder. "You know," he said gently, "kryptonite does affect humans, too."

"Not the way it affects Clark and me," Linda replied glumly, shaking her head slightly. "And most of my friends don't even know what happened."

Jimmy looked at her sympathetically, then he held out the milk bottle to her. She gave him a grateful smile before grabbing it and downing the rest of it. She smacked her lips, satisfied, then glanced at Jimmy; he stared at her, eyebrows raised, and Linda suddenly felt her cheeks grow hot as she adverted her eyes.

"I'm gonna guess you go through a cow's worth of milk per day?"

Linda looked back at Jimmy and saw him smiling, amused. She slowly smiled back, chuckling. "More like a cow per meal," she replied. The two just stared at each other for a few moments, then laughed softly before turning their attention back to the night sky.


The next morning, Gar had showed up at the farm promptly at nine—after calling ahead to let them know he was on his way. Clark and Linda had been relegated to the barn until Bruce had finished his research and the kryptonite was safely stored. Clark didn't mind the temporary quarantine too much-he busied himself with doing a few repairs on the tractor. Linda, on the other hand, tried to focus on painting, but her mind quickly drifted to all the possibilities of what was going on; she soon abandoned her project and walked over to the loft rail, staring intently in the direction of the house.

"I don't think so."

Linda looked down and saw Clark glancing up at her from near the tractor; he had his eyebrows raised, smiling. "Come on, Clark, just one peek," she said.

"No," Clark replied before going back to his work.

"Why not?" Linda whined before she jumped over the rail. Her knees bent as she landed on the hard ground below, but she quickly straightened up like nothing had happened. "I can take a little look; no one will know." Clark glanced at her, knowingly, and Linda sighed. "Okay, okay."

"Be patient," Clark said. "They'll come and get us when they're done."

"Look, I know you trust Bruce," Linda replied as she walked over to the tractor and sat beside her cousin, watching him work, "but do you really trust him enough to let him be in charge of an investigation involving the one thing that can kill us?"

Clark stopped working and turned to his cousin, looking very serious. "I trust him so much," he said, "that I gave him a small piece of it over a year ago."

Linda looked shocked and confused. "Why?"

"Because there have been times when I've been…out of control," Clark replied. He didn't like talking about those times, but it was something Linda needed to hear. "That small piece of rock was the only thing that was able to stop me."

"What about Mom and Dad?" Linda asked. "I mean, I know about the piece they keep in the hall closet."

"Because I know from personal experience how much it would hurt them to use it against me," Clark replied, "even if we all knew it was necessary." He shrugged a little. "Bruce has no problem using kryptonite against me if necessary."

"That's comforting," Linda replied sarcastically.

Clark smiled a little. "Look, I know you don't care much for him," he said, "but the one thing you can do is trust him."

"Even if he doesn't trust me," Linda replied, slightly annoyed. Clark sighed, almost like he was trying to be patient, but Linda wasn't going to back down. "Clark, you told me he was contemplating taking me away from you because he didn't trust me—and the only reason he didn't was because you said the League could monitor me; I don't exactly call that trust."

"Believe me," Clark said, nodding in agreement, "I had a few words with them—Bruce especially—about that; the only reason I allowed it was to show them you had nothing to hide."

"I know," Linda mumbled, pulling her legs to her, resting her chin on her knees, "but I didn't ask for any of this."

Clark put an arm around her shoulders, sighing. "There are times that I don't like it either," he replied, "but it comes with the territory of being," he shrugged, "well, us."

"I know," Linda said, "but it just seems like Bruce is picking on me because I'm not you."

"Actually, Bruce picks on everyone equally," Clark joked. Linda didn't even crack a smile, and the reporter sighed; he could see the frustration written all over her face—the same frustration he had dealt with for years. "Look, I know you think Bruce is being a jerk, but he actually respects you more than you might think."

"Right," Linda said, unconvinced.

"If he didn't," Clark continued, "he wouldn't have spent most of his first night here fixing your glasses," he saw the flicker in her eyes, "and he wouldn't have used that solar generator to heal your shoulder."

Linda stared ahead, and Clark could tell she was mulling what he had just told her. "He's still a grumpy ass," she replied after a few moments.

"No argument there," Clark replied, smiling a little; he was relieved Linda finally returned the smile and leaned over to kiss her forehead. "How about after this whole thing is over, I talk to Mom and Dad and see if they'll let you have a small party with your friends?"

"Didn't you get into trouble when you had a 'small party' with your friends?" Linda asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Only because Chloe and Pete didn't agree with my definition of 'small party,'" Clark replied, "and I didn't tell Mom and Dad about the whole thing."

"Yeah, they told me how long it took to get the plumbing fixed," Linda asked, amused.

"Well, if they say it's okay," Clark continued, "I was thinking only a few people—no more than ten; it could be a Halloween party—so you can have everyone come in costumes, and you could have it here in the barn."

Linda glanced up, looking around the barn; she tilted her head, thinking, then slowly got to her feet, keeping her gaze upward. Clark watched her eyes dance with a new spark, and he knew she was already planning things out.

"Can it be a Doctor Who theme?" she asked excitedly.

"Why don't we first see if Mom and Dad approve the idea?" Clark asked, smiling, "after we get through this investigation."

"And how long do you think that will take?" Linda asked.

"Sooner than you might think."

Clark and Linda turned their heads and saw Bruce standing just inside the barn. He appeared serious, but Clark recognized the slight hint of a smile on the businessman's face; he put his tools aside and stood up.

"What did you find?" Clark asked.

"Something very…informative," Bruce answered, glancing briefly at Linda.

(End of Chapter 8)