Chapter 11 – Under Pressure

A month had passed since that eventful night. Lois and Clark were happier than ever before. Neither could believe they were with the other. They greeted each other with a smile and kiss every morning when they woke and every night before going to bed. Clark still slept on the couch in the living room. Jonathan had been very strict about that and Clark somehow controlled his urge to join Lois up in her room. Lois, however, was a different story. Each night at some point, she found herself sneaking downstairs, joining Clark on the couch. Every night she would fall asleep, lying on his chest. Clark had gotten in the habit of waiting up until she came down before he could go to sleep. They were able to keep it a secret for a few weeks before Martha woke up one night and found them. She didn't say a word, only smiled and went back upstairs. Lucky for both of them, Jonathan never knew.

Graduation had come and gone as everybody began planning for the next phase of their lives. Chloe earned an internship with the Daily Planet and had moved to Metropolis just a couple of weeks after. Lois and Clark had both been accepted to Metropolis University, where they would join Chloe in the fall. Clark, Chloe, and Lana made it a weekly point to all get together and talk. Clark didn't want Lana to have the carry the burden of his secret by herself and made sure she had people to talk to; people she could turn to when things got tough. He didn't want to lose her like he did Pete. So when they got together they would talk about how their lives were going and answered any questions that Lana had.

"So what's it like when you run? How can you see everything when you're going so fast?" asked Lana.

Clark laughed, "Well, it's really not like how you see things when you're going fast in a car. I can slow things down and see them as if I were simply walking."

"Whoa, I still can't exactly wrap my head around this whole thing. But I have to admit it's so cool that there's somebody like you."

Chloe interrupted, "The fact that Clark, minus his abilities, isn't much different than you and me is what amazes me more than anything. He's from another planet but at the same time might be more human than anybody I've ever met."

"It's true, I credit that to my parents," catching Lana's raised eyebrows, "my Earth parents." He clarified.

"So does Lois know?" questioned Lana.

Chloe looked at Clark eagerly waiting his response.

"No she doesn't. And I'm starting to doubt whether I should ever tell her. My secret has already almost got you two killed. I don't think I could ever handle anything happening to Lois because of me."

Lana frowned, "I think that is completely selfish of you Clark. Did you not learn anything from what happened with us? Trust me, not knowing everything about your partner will eat at you until you can no longer take it. You either need to tell her soon or let her go forever."

"I can't let her go, I could never do that. She's my destiny, I'm certain of it."

"Well that leaves just one option. You have to tell her everything. And the sooner the better, like before the fall when we all start college." Chloe forcefully interjected.

Clark rubbed his face, "I know, I know. But what if she rejects me? I can't lose her. We have a connection that is stronger than anything I've experienced."

"That's the risk you have to take when it comes to love. If the risk is worth it, then you have to go for it," Lana advised.

Clark nodded his head in agreement. "You all win. When the time is right, I'll tell her."

Chloe and Lana looked at each other with huge smiles.

"Has anyone ever told you all about your power of persuasion? It's really not fair." Clark joked.

During their weekly meetings they also spent time trying to figure out what had happened to Lex and Lionel. Lionel's investigation had ended as they deemed it a suicide. There were still no reports on Lex's whereabouts. The information on the case was very limited. Most of the files were classified and taken over by the FBI. The police would only say that it was an open investigation. Rumors made their way across the national news broadcasts that Lex had died in the mansion fire. Since the death of Lionel Luthor and the disappearance of his son left Luthor Corp without a leader, the board awarded the company to Oliver Queen who had just purchased controlling interests.

The three of them believed that there had to be some sort of connection between Lionel's death and Lex's kidnapping but there was no evidence to support it. Jimmy had used every resource he had to try and uncover anything he could but the fact was, he was a simple photographer. Chloe had the hunch that someone very powerful had orchestrated the whole thing. She had her suspicions that it may have been Oliver Queen since he now found himself in charge almost out of the blue. She still had no idea why Lex was kidnapped and not simply killed.

Although Clark had gotten use to not having to worry about Lex as much, he still found himself thinking about his old friend. Chloe was able to use her job at the Daily Planet to research the events that happened in Gotham the year before. She would bring articles to their get togethers and share them with Clark and Lana.

"It says here that half of the city of Gotham was poisoned with some type of psychological toxin through the water supply." Chloe read.

"What happened? How did they stop it?" Lana asked.

"It doesn't really say but there was a train crash in the heart of the city and that's when toxins were stopped before spreading through the rest of Gotham."

Clark sat there reading through article after article. His mind was racing. He had seen a few news reports about an attempted attack on Gotham but heard that the attempt was foiled by an unknown vigilante. It comforted Clark that there were others out there protecting the world. He had already met a few other extraordinary people who had abilities similar to him. There was Bart who could run faster than Clark could ever dream of; then there was AC who was basically a fish that could swim faster than Clark. And finally Victor Stone who he had met not long ago who was half man, half machine. He knew one day he would meet Gotham's protector but he had other objectives he needed to focus on.

"Clark what do you think?" Chloe asked.

Clark snapped out of his deep thought, "Well, I think there might be a connection but I don't even know where to begin."

"Maybe you can start here," Chloe said as she pulled another article out of her bag. "They call him the Batman. Apparently he dresses like a bat or something but he's basically cut the crime rate in half all by himself, and the rate is still falling. The police hate him because he makes them look bad. They have a warrant out for his arrest but it seems like the city could care less about that. The major crime organizations have all moved out of the area. The people seem to really love this guy because he's given the city a second chance."

"Wow Chloe, why don't you just crown him king already?"

"Is that a hint of jealousy Mr. Kent?" Chloe asked as she and Lana exchanged smiles.

"No it's not that, it's just…there has to be some kind of motive for why he's doing this. What is he getting out of this?"

"Maybe it's just the satisfaction that his city is safe. Or maybe he just knows it's the right thing to do, you know, kind of like you. Who knows, maybe one day you'll be dressed similar standing side by side protecting the world." Chloe answered.

Clark busted out laughing, "Yeah right Chloe, you wouldn't catch me dead wearing a ridiculous outfit like that. The guy wears a cape, I mean come on."

Chloe rolled her eyes, "Well it wouldn't hurt to start coming up with some type of disguise once you move to Metropolis. It's not Smallville, your chances of being seen go up by like 90%."

"Don't worry I'll think of something. But please promise me that if I ever resort to dressing in tights and wearing a cape, that you'll just go ahead and shoot me."

"Not that it'll do anything but okay." Chloe laughed.

"So this is where you think I should start? Do you really think it's a good idea I go off to Gotham right now while I'm still trying to figure out what to do with the stones? I was planning on uniting them soon."

"You said that last week."

Lana interrupted, "Wait a second, it says right here that he killed someone, the city's district attorney, Harvey Dent. That doesn't sound like a hero to me. It says it just happened last week. "

"I knew one of you would see that. While that's what the media would want you to believe, my sources in Gotham say it's completely false. Apparently the good ole D.A. was injured in an attack on his life and half of his face was burned off. He went crazy and went on a killing spree. They found him lying on the ground where it appears he fell from a reasonable height. The police commissioner says it was the Batman who did it but the media is spinning the story and the public has no idea what is true. The police have issued a city wide manhunt for the Batman, no surprise there." Chloe said, rolling her eyes.

Clark grabbed the paper from Lana and skimmed through it. "It says here that a criminal named the Joker, who had been terrorizing the city, had been found by police hanging upside down off the side of a building. It looks like it was this Batman who took care of him. "

"So a visit to the city doesn't seem so bad after all does it?" Chloe asked.

"I guess it couldn't hurt to visit Gotham, see what I can find out. I can take Lois with me and the two of you should come too. Chloe you could maybe write a story or something for the Planet. Lana, you just need to get out of Smallville for a change."

"Hey, I get out every now and then!" Lana protested but also laughed.

"That sounds like a great idea Clark, how about this weekend?" Chloe responded.

"Sure, I'll just need to talk to Lois. There's no telling what she already has planned in her mind."


Back at the farm, Lois sat at the table staring out the window. She was happy. She felt safe. She was looking forward to her future while appreciating her present. She watched as the familiar cardinal landed on the porch swing and quietly chirped. Lois didn't want to admit it but the bird was growing her. It reminded her of Clark and that made her smile. She watched the bird take off and fly into the loft. Lois got up to see where the bird went. She made her way up to the loft and looked around but couldn't find the bird.

"Louie? Are you in here? Smallville told me that was your name; I hope that it's okay that I call you that too. I just want to talk that's all." Lois looked over and saw the bird standing on Clark's desk. "And what might you be doing? Does Smallville always let you do that?" Lois sat down on the couch facing the bird. "This is weird; even I have to admit it. I'm sitting here about to seek advice from a bird. But anyways, Louie, I need someone to talk to. You see I love Clark. He's everything I could ask for and more. But sometimes I feel that he's holding something back, like there's something about him that he isn't telling me. I still can't shake the night Wes attacked him. I never asked him how he did it, how he took out a green beret in training, and he never said anything about it. He only wanted to know if I was okay and if I needed to talk about Wes. I look at him sometimes and feel like he's destined for something far greater than me. I don't know why I feel that way, there's just something about him, something in his eyes. I hope one day he'll be able to tell me what that destiny is and I just hope he doesn't leave me behind."

The bird chirped away and then took flight again, knocking off a book that was lying on the desk. When the book hit the ground, a metallic octagonal shaped disc fell out and bounced before stopping at Lois' feet. She picked the disc up and examined it. She rotated it around in her hands noticing multiple symbols inscribed in the object. She didn't recognize the symbols but they reminded her of the paintings in the cave.

When Clark got home, he went into the kitchen where he found his mom slaving over the stove.

"Mom, that smells amazing. Do you want some help?"

"Oh thanks honey but I think I can manage. Plus your father is supposed to be helping me anyways. I can use him not being here as leverage later." Martha smirked at Clark.

"I'll never understand the thought process of a woman. Do all of you plan this kind of stuff out?"

"You know I can't tell you that, it's a secret." Martha winked.

"I just hope Lois never picks up on it."

Martha laughed, "Good luck with that one honey."

"Speaking of Lois, have you seen her?"

"I saw her walking towards the barn not long ago."

"Ok thanks. And I'll to give Dad a heads up on your plan." He joked.

When Clark walked up to the loft, he looked around and didn't see Lois. Shelby was curled up on the couch, sound asleep. He started to go back down when he saw it. He froze, unable to move. He stared at the open book lying on the ground. The specially carved out slot was empty. His heart dropped.

"Oh no, Lois!"