Chapter 14
Complete silence pervades the room for quite awhile. Finally it is Jean who breaks the silence. "Is this a joke?" she asks.
"No Jean," Charles says. "What Clark is saying is the truth."
"You knew?" Scott asks, looking and sounding a little hurt that secrets were being kept.
"Yes Scott I did," Charles confirms for the leader of the x-men.
"Don't blame the Professor Scott," Clark says in the Professor's defence. "I asked him not to say anything."
"Why?"
Clark manages a sad chuckle at that. "Why? You keep what you are a secret because of the fear of how people will react and this is despite the fact you are human. How do you think people will react to finding out I'm an alien...a being not born of this world."
That gives Scott pause for thought while everyone else is trying to absorb the revelation. Most are simply too stunned to react yet. It is Kurt that finally speaks next. "So you really are an alien?" he asks Clark.
"Yes. I am."
"Zhat is so...COOL!" Kurt says with much enthusiasm.
It makes Clark feel a small bit of relief that at least one person hasn't shunned him.
Kitty speaks next. "Do you really look that? Or do you change shape? Are you green? Do you have antennas?" she quickly reels off the series of questions. It may sound kind of geeky but she feels like Kurt. This is just so cool to meet a real life alien.
"Yes. No. No. Definitely not," Clark reels off as answers.
"How much of it was a lie?" Scott asks still sounding a little hurt.
"Which parts?" Clark asks back.
"Any of it? All of it? You said your parents found you in a field? Was that true?"
"Yes that's true. My spaceship crashed down into a field while my parents were driving past it and that is where they found me."
Quite a few of the student's eyes widen at the mention of a spaceship.
"You-you have a spaceship?" Kitty asks in wonder.
"Had a spaceship," Clark corrects her. "I destroyed it." Before anyone can ask why or how he adds "Long story which should wait until later."
"Are zhere others like you?" Kurt asks.
A fleeting moment of pain and loneliness flashes across Clark's features at that question. "No," he says very softly. He then explains. "You see the meteor shower that hit Smallville was dragged down in the wake of my ship. The rocks are pieces of Krypton."
Puzzlement came across Jean's face as she asks "How are they pieces of Krypton?" having not put it together.
"Because Krypton is gone."
"Your people? What about them?" Storm asks, having finally moved past her shocked state.
Clark bows his head slightly. "Gone. I'm all that is left. The Last Son of Krypton." And as he said the words it hit him again. That feeling of isolation and loneliness.
There are a few gasps at that and a few people put their hands to their mouths as that revelation sinks in.
"Oh my God," Kitty whispers in horror as the realisation hits her of just how lonely Clark must be. "I'm like so sorry Clark."
There is another silence that follows that. Rogue just looks at Clark. Dear God she thought she felt lonely and isolated but...how did he cope with it she wondered. How did he cope with being the only survivor of his race.
"So...any other questions?" Clark asks the assembled group. They might as well deal with it all now.
Logan to everyone's surprise asks the next one while he mentally notes to remember to have a long talk with Charles about this later when they are alone. "Is that why this Luthor is after ya?"
Clark shakes his head a little. "I have no idea why Lionel is after me beyond what I already said really. At first I raised his suspicions when I saved his son's life...I think. After that...a lot of the people altered by the meteors were dangerous and I had to stop them. I guess it looked suspicious how I always seemed to be there when something weird happened and how I always managed to survive unharmed. I don't know if Lionel's suspicions about me stretch beyond me being meteor infected or even if he believes in extraterrestrials."
"He does believe in them Clark," Charles suddenly adds to this conversation.
Everyone looks at the Professor. Charles has decided if Clark is going to be honest so should he. "You see Virgil Swann and I belonged to a group who called ourselves Veritas that also included Lionel Luthor, Edward and Genevieve Teague and Robert and Laura Queen. Virgil had been looking for years for proof of alien life and he found it. Hidden amongst some of Earth's most ancient civilisations were texts all written in the same language. Your people's language Clark."
Clark blinks rapidly. Dr Swann never mentioned any of this to him and why the hell not would be a question Clark would be asking him next time they meet.
Charles continues. "From what Virgil managed to translate he found in every one of these cultures the same story about a Traveller from far across the stars who told a story...a prophesy if you will, that the last survivor of his race would be sent to Earth and that was what Veritas was about. We were awaiting your arrival."
"Why?" Clark asks him.
Charles quotes a particular line Clark is familiar with. "Please protect him and deliver him from evil. That is why Clark...or at least that is what is was about for Virgil, myself, Robert and Laura. Lionel, Edward and Genevieve on the other hand most likely wanted to use you...use your power to glorify themselves." Charles moves on to the end of Veritas. "However before you arrived circumstances changed. Robert and Laura died in a plane crash shifting the balance of power within the group to Lionel and the Teagues. Time passed, you had not arrived and it began to seem that perhaps Virgil had been mistaken. My work with mutants became my main focus and we all simply went our separate ways. I know I never mention this to you before and I understand if what I am saying feels like a betrayal Clark. For that I am deeply sorry."
Clark is hurt and feeling betrayed but he can put that aside for a moment. "What does Lionel know?"
That is Martha and Jonathan's question as well and they too are feeling hurt and betrayed.
"Probably exactly what you think he knows. After all if he knew the truth what do you think he would have done by now?"
"Tried to snatch me."
"Well that isn't happening," Kitty says in no uncertain terms. "It doesn't matter if Clark is an alien. Right?" When there is no support for her she turns and fixes all the others with a glare. "Right?" she asks them more forcibly.
"Right," a few of them say but even then it is a mumble. Most of them are still trying to absorb all of this.
Emotions bubble through Clark at this. "I need some air," he says abruptly and before anyone can stop him he zips off with his usual gust of wind.
Charles takes a moment while he rubs his forehead. "I think maybe it is best for everyone if we take some time to absorb these revelations."
With that every one goes off on their own to think over what has happened.
Jean finds herself sitting in the kitchen as her place to think about things.
"You weren't very supportive you know."
Jean looks to see Kitty has entered the room.
"It was a shock Kitty," Jean says in defence of herself.
Kitty sits herself down at the table. The lack of anyone supporting her and Kurt in support of Clark was bugging her rotten. In fact she was pretty darn angry about it. "So like what happens now?" she asks Jean.
Jeans shakes her head. "I don't know. I mean before I thought Clark should stay and we should support him."
"And now?"
"Now...he lied to us Kitty."
"We lie all the time," Kitty points out. Jean looks at her friend puzzled by that statement so Kitty elaborates. "To our human friends. You know like your friends Paul and Taryn and hey don't forget your boyfriend. You lie to him."
Jean shifts uncomfortably in her chair. Kitty is hitting pretty close to the mark. If anyone should understand why Clark would want to keep it secret it should be them. It is just...god he is alien. You would never suspect...yet it actually makes sense of a few things like the sheer array of powers he possesses. Well beyond a mutant's but maybe not an alien's. Not to mention it explains why she can't read his mind.
Jean bites her lower lip. The conversation spiralled off topic so quickly she realises there is a lot of things they never asked Clark. God they never even gave him a proper chance to explain why he chose not to tell them before. That was the very least they should have done. It leaves Jean not feeling so great about herself.
"In the end I guess you have to decide whether anything has really changed Jean. You either want Clark to stay or you don't," Kitty tells her. She stands back up. "Think about it," she says as she leaves Jean on her own to do that very thing.
Scott is in his room lying on his bed when there is a knock on the door. "Come in!" he tells whoever it is.
The door opens and in walks Kurt. "Scott can ve talk?" he asks.
Scott sits up. "Sure Kurt. What is on your mind?"
Kurt gives Scott a look that says it should be bleedin obvious what he wants to talk about.
Scott takes a moment but he catches up. "Oh right Clark."
Kurt moves to sit on the chair next to the desk in Scott's room. Once comfy he says "So I vas vondering vhat you think."
Scott rubs his face with his hand. "I'm not sure what to think Kurt. I mean he lied to us." There was a detectable hint of anger and betrayal in Scott's voice.
"Ja, he did," Kurt says in full acceptance of the point. "But I get vhy he did."
"You do?"
Kurt nods and holds up his arm with his currently inactivated holowatch on it. "It is not easy being different."
"Kurt we are all different."
"But you don't look like I do. You haven't been called a freak or a demon or monster. You haven't had mobs chase you through zhe streets."
Scott blinks under his shades. The pain and anguish in Kurt's voice was stark. "That really happened to you?"
"My ability to teleport only activated shortly before zhe Professor found me and I couldn't control it at first," Kurt explains. "I teleported right into zhe middle of zhe nearest town." It was not a pleasant memory for Kurt having people, some literally with pitchforks and burning torches like in some movie, chasing after him calling him names. It was actually the Professor that saved him. The mob had cornered him and just when Kurt thought that was it this strange blank expression came across the faces of the people in the mob before they simply turned around and left. It was when Kurt was trying to work out what had just happened that the Professor rolled around the corner and the rest as they say is history.
"Is that...do you think that is what Clark thinks will happen to him if people knew? That he would be chased through the streets?"
"For certain? Nein but if he is anyzhing like me zhen I would say zhat zhe thought has crossed his mind." Kurt stands up. "Look I know I goof around sometimes."
Scott arches an eyebrow. "Sometimes?" he queries sceptically.
Kurt smiles slightly. "Ok a lot of zhe time but in zhis case I know vhat I'm talking about. I'm not saying you don't be angry at Clark but just try to put yourself in his shoes and ask vhat vould you have done. He deserves zhat at least."
Scott looks at Kurt curiously. He had only rarely seen this side of Kurt. The serious side where you could get a hint at what he must have gone through looking like he does. The side that can actually make good points that deserve to be thought upon.
Kurt leaves after that to allow Scott to think about it. As he walks down the hall he bumps into Kitty.
"Well?" she asks him.
"I zhink I got the point across," he tells her. "Vhat about you vith Jean?"
"I think I got the point across too."
Kurt and Kitty had decided that they were going to try and do everything they could to get Clark to stay and that meant getting everyone back on side like they were before Clark's revelation.
"Who next?" Kitty asks Kurt.
"Vhere's Rogue?"
"Where she always is. In our room...brooding. It is like best not to bother her until she is in a good mood."
"Rogue has good moods?" Kurt asks sounding genuinely surprised.
What counts as a scowl on Kitty adorns her features. "That had like better been a joke Kurt."
Meanwhile the lounge is where you find the other 3 girls, Jubilee, Amara and Rahne, sitting in silence until Jubilee decides she has had enough of the quiet. "So is someone going to say anything?" she asks.
The silence continues.
"Oh come on anything. Anything at all."
Rahne finally says "He doesnae look like an alien."
"Well only if all aliens aren't smokin hot," Jubilee quips causing the other 2 to look at her. "What?" she asks them. "He is. Just because he is like some...child of the stars or something doesn't make it less true."
Amara stares at Jubilee. Child of the Stars. That phrase...she knows that phrase. It is from her people's history. A Child of the Stars came to her kingdom and helped lead the rebellion against Selene, the cruel immortal sorceress, who used to rule her kingdom. Selene was defeated but they did not know how to vanquish her. With the help of the Child of the Stars, however, they were able to banish her and place some kind of barrier around Nova Roma through which Selene could never enter the land again.
Amara had never really thought what Child of the Stars meant just assuming it referred to some sort of benevolent god who had taken pity on her people but maybe it meant something else entirely. Maybe it was referring to a being like Clark who visited this world. She wondered if Clark was related in anyway to this mythical being of her people.
Rahne turns to Amara. "What do ye think?"
Amara is caught a little off guard being too caught up in her thoughts. "I...sorry what?"
"About Clark."
From what she took from her history Amara responds "I think that it doesn't really matter what he is. What matters is the type of person they are and if they are willing to help others selflessly."
"Wow that was like really profound there Mara," Jubilee says.
"Aye," Rahne says in agreement. "And also I would take Clark over Bobby any day." Bobby could be really immature sometimes and those damn pranks he loved playing on her...well some days she was half tempted to 'wolf-out' so to speak and bite him.
"Oh he isn't that bad really," Jubilee says in a surprising defence of Bobby. Sure he was a little immature at times but he wasn't all bad.
"Isn't that what Kitty says about Avalanche," Amara says to Rahne.
"Aye," Rahne confirms.
Huh. Makes Rahne and Amara suspect Jubilee might be warming up to the iceman.
Jubilee moves on oblivious. "So what do you guys think though? I mean I still don't want Clark to leave. I mean so he's an alien big deal. Right?"
"I don't want him to leave," Amara confirms for reasons beyond just liking Clark.
"Me neither," Rahne says in agreement with her friends.
"Well alright then," Jubilee says happily. "As soon as Clark comes back from 'getting some air' we'll tell him."
The other 2 nod in agreement just as Kitty walks in not realising that there is no persuading she needs to do as far as these 3 are concerned.
In the rec room are Bobby and Jamie playing a computer game, Roberto and Sam playing a game of pool and Ray simply sitting in the corner watching the pool game. Evan has gone off to think on this on his own the way he always does; on his skateboard.
"Are you ever going to take the shot?" Roberto asks of Sam since it seems he has been dallying over his current shot forever.
"Don't rush me," the native Kentuckian says back. It was a tricky shot and he needed to take his time over it.
"You can't help but note how we are avoiding the elephant in the room," Bobby wryly observes.
All the others fix him a glare.
"We are not avoiding it," Ray argues with him.
"If you want my opinion," Bobby says.
"We don't!" all the other 4 boys say at the same time.
Bobby ignores them. "Not all that much has really changed. We either want Clark and his parents to stay or we don't and they leave."
"Ah can't believe ah'm about to say this but Bobby is right," Sam says sounding in disbelief that he is saying that.
"Had to happen some time," Jamie quips which earns him a small glare from Bobby who in retaliation freezes Jamie's hand allowing him to win the racing game they were playing.
Jamie shakes his hand free of the controller. "I think Kurt was right. It is kind of cool if you think about it."
Roberto actually chuckles. "Yeah. Finally someone more freaky than us mutants," he says light-heatedly and in not in any way trying to demean Clark.
Ray thinks about where he was before he ended up here. He lived down in the sewers with the Morlocks, mutants whose physical mutations meant they could no longer live above ground. Ray had ended up there after his parents kicked him out when his powers developed. He learned down there what it meant to be shunned and isolated from society and it was not something he wished upon anyone. He learned that there is a whole lot more to people than what they might look like or what they are. That being said he says "My opinion hasn't changed from earlier. I thought Clark and his parents should stay then and I still do. This whole alien thing...in the end the only thing that matters is what type of person they are."
The others look at Ray strangely, surprised that he could say something profound like that. In the end they also all agree with him. Sure it was a shock at first but you get over that and they all find that their opinions haven't actually changed. Clark should stay and as soon as he gets back they'll tell him so.
"Well Chuck I have to say that you are full of surprises," Logan tells Charles. He is currently in the Professor's office leaning up against the wall. Hank and Ororo are there too as the Professor finishes explaining his association with Veritas.
Charles feels Logan also means he is full of secrets too. He decides to address that. "We all have parts of our lives before we came together here that we keep to ourselves Logan. Up to now my association with Veritas did not affect our work here. It was part of someone I use to be."
Logan chews that over. What Charles is saying makes sense. God knows Logan has his secrets and that is just the stuff he can remember. "How angry are they?" he asks and Charles knows Logan means Martha and Jonathan.
"They are understandably upset that I was keeping secrets that revolved around their son from them. Once they have calmed down I will go and speak with them." Charles had barely needed telepathy to ascertain that. Charles is caught by Ororo sitting there looking lost in deep thought. "What are your thoughts Ororo?" he asks wishing to know her thoughts the traditional way with her airing them.
Ororo looks up at Charles. Her thoughts have actually been cycling around a single thought. "I was thinking about how terribly lonely Clark must be if he is truly the only one of his people left."
"I believe it pains him more than he tries to let on," Charles feels he should share his observation.
Logan hates all this touchy feely lets deal with people's feelings crap. "As much as I adore all this sharing," he says less than genuinely, "bottom line is what do we do now?"
Charles must say Logan is correct. "My personal view is that I wish Clark, Martha and Jonathan to stay. However considering tonight's revelations I will understand if anyone feels differently. Not to mention I am unsure what Jonathan, Martha and Clark's choice will be."
Logan turns to Hank sitting in a chair. "You're awful quiet about this whole thing."
Hank glances at Logan. "To coin a phrase if you have nothing useful to say don't say anything at all."
That puzzles Logan slightly. "Wait a second...did you know about this?"
"I am Clark's doctor Logan," Hank says as his explanation. "However as for Charles' revelations I was in the dark as much as you were."
Logan shakes his head. "You know what this really isn't making any difference to anything. We brought the kid here to keep him out of Magneto's hands. Now he may be an E.T. but the simple fact is that that reason remains. The Boy Wonder is way too powerful to risk Magneto getting his hands on him."
"Would Magneto still want Clark if he knew the truth?" Hank puts forward uncertain that he would considering Magneto's agenda of mutant supremacy.
Logan snorts. "All he sees mutants as are weapons for his war. All he would see Kent as is a really big weapon."
"Logan is correct," Charles confirms. He takes a moment's pause. "However that can't be the reason that they stay. They must stay because it is what they want. I must go see Jonathan and Martha, apologise to them for keeping what I knew secret and let them know we want them to stay if that is what we do indeed want." Charles waits to hear what the other's think.
"Well I of course wish them to stay," Hank says.
"I've already said my piece," Logan says.
"Clark must know that he is not alone," Ororo says which means she wants him and his parents to stay too. On a more personal front she strongly wishes Martha to stay. Making friends is difficult considering her life and Martha has become one of the best she has had in her life for many a year.
Charles nods in gratitude as he makes his way out of the office. Hank decides that maybe this is a good moment to catch up on some work and departs the office leaving Storm and Logan. Ororo gets to her feet. There is still the issue of dinner that must be made but before she goes she needs to say something to Logan. "You know you may be able to fool everyone else but not me."
"What do you mean Ro?" he asks his friend.
"You only wanting Clark to stay because you want to keep him out of Magneto's hands," she says in a way that expresses how she is not buying that. "It wouldn't kill you Logan to admit you care about him and Jonathan and Martha and that that is the reason you don't want them to leave."
"I admit nothing darlin'," Logan says as he decides to make his exit.
Ororo watches him go with a little shake of her head. Underneath that gruff exterior Logan was a kind caring man. She was his friend and she knew this because she had seen it...on one or two rare occasions. Maybe one of these days she will actually get him to admit it. She soon makes her way to the kitchen and as she wanders along the halls she bumps into Evan coming back in.
"Hey Auntie O," he says using that nickname he has for her.
Ororo looks her nephew over and has to say he is far too under-dressed to be out at this time of year. He will catch his death of cold. A points she makes to him.
"I guess," he is just about willing to concede. "But I just needed to think about stuff and boarding helps me think."
"And what do you think?" Ororo asks eager to hear his opinion.
"I'm not sure. I mean...Man! An actual E.T. living with us all this time. It messes with the brain if you know what I mean."
Ororo thinks she does. It was a surprising revelation to say the least. "But does it really change who Clark is?" she asks of him.
Evan scratches his head and thinks on that. "I guess not," he decides.
"Does it change your decision about whether he and his parents stay or not?"
Evan shrugs. "I don't have a problem with them staying," he says in that understated way of his.
Ororo smiles with some pride at her nephew for his decision. "Well I have to go get dinner started. I'm going to make your favourite," she tells him.
"What's the occasion?" Evan asks a little puzzled as to why he is getting his favourite.
"Do I need a reason to do something nice for my favourite nephew?"
"Auntie O. I'm your only nephew," Evan points out since his mother is Auntie O's only sister and he is an only child.
"Well how else would you be my favourite," she quips with a laugh.
"Oh. Harsh Auntie O. That is harsh," Evan says but with a smile as he shares in on the joke.
Jonathan Kent can only come to one conclusion after tonight's revelations and that coming here had been a mistake. It actually pains him to think it because while at first he hadn't been sure coming here was the absolutely right choice the last month had begun to change his mind. Clark had been happy here. He had begun to let people in which was never easy for him.
Jonathan will admit he had been happier here than he thought he would be. The kids were good souls generally. He himself had started to fall into a routine around here he was happy with but Charles had been keeping secrets involving Clark from them and now...well any trust he was building with the man has just be shattered.
Right now he is simply sitting in his and Martha's room. Martha is staring out the window most likely looking for Clark. While Jonathan was concerned for Clark he also had this feeling that unlike last time he ran off Clark will return. Clark, like himself, no doubt just needed to be alone with his thoughts.
Jonathan stands up and makes his way over to his wife and wraps his arms around her waist. He kisses the top of her head. "He'll come back," he assures her.
Martha sinks into her husband's embrace hoping...praying that he is right. This summer past without Clark had been hell on her. She doesn't think she can go through it again. "Why can't our lives ever be simple?" she asks Jonathan.
"I think simplicity went out the window the second we found Clark Martha."
"Why can't people leave him alone?" she asks angry that certain people, especially Lionel, just seem to be endlessly obsessed with her son.
"I wish I knew sweetheart," Jonathan says wishing he had the answer.
There is a knock at the door and Jonathan leaves Martha to go answer it. He opens the door to find Charles there. "What do you want?" Jonathan asks in a hostile tone.
Charles had expected that. "To apologise."
"Well you've done so now please..."
"Jonathan wait," Martha says cutting him off before he finishes. "Let him in."
Jonathan turns his head to look at his wife with an expression asking 'Are you sure?'. Martha nods in response and Jonathan steps aside. Charles rolls in and Jonathan shuts the door.
"Did you mean it?" Martha asks Charles.
"Mean what?" Charles asks choosing not to use his telepathy.
"What you said about protecting Clark from evil," Martha elaborates from what Charles said earlier.
"I did," Charles confirms. "In a sense that is why I set up this school. To protect my students from the evils in this world that would exploit them."
"All his life all I have ever wanted is for Clark to find people and a place he could be himself with. I still want that place to be here."
"Martha?" Jonathan queries as he makes his way to his wife's side.
"I'm tired of it Jonathan. Tired of having to keep all the secrets, tell all the lies," she explains to her husband.
Jonathan rubs her arm seeing how truthful that statement is. She is tired. "Martha don't you think I get tired as well but we both said we'd do whatever it took to keep Clark safe."
"Taking him away from here won't make him any safer Jonathan. I'm not willing to give up on this just yet." She looks at Charles. "Assuming you are willing to let us stay."
"Personally I want you to stay and so do Logan, Ororo and Hank," Charles tells the Kents. "As for the students...I cannot give you an answer. They must be allowed to decide for themselves."
Jean finds herself wandering rather aimlessly around the mansion. She had been thinking on things as Kitty suggested. In fact she was kind of surprised how serious and solemn Kitty had been during that conversation. She hadn't been really aware Kitty had that side to her nature. Jean guesses that even after all this time as friends Kitty can still surprise her. The sensing of a familiar mind brings Jean out of her internal musings as she finds Scott walking towards her. "Hey Scott."
"Hey Jean," Scott says caught a little off guard. He hadn't noticed Jean having been lost in thought after his conversation with Kurt. He had been trying as Kurt suggested to put himself in Clark's shoes. What if he was an alien all alone in the world? What would he have done?
The answer is that Scott feels he would probably have done what Clark did and keep it secret and try and blend in as best he could. Hell that is exactly what he tries to do being a mutant.
"Interesting evening huh," Jean says since she is struggling to think of what else she can say.
"Yeah."
"Not sure I've ever seen this place so quiet," Jean remarks because since Clark's revelation it seems everyone has gone off for quiet contemplation.
"Well not since it was just the two of us," Scott amends.
Jean smiles nostalgically. "Those were the days. No worrying about the next prank Bobby would play on you."
"No worrying about whether Kitty would phase through the door while you're changing...or something."
Jean eyes Scott curiously and wonders whether he is being hypothetical or whether Kitty has actually done that and if she has why the hell has Kitty never mentioned it? She means come on she bets Scott must be pretty fit and...um this so not an area her mind should be straying to considering how Scott is only her friend despite that annoying small voice at the back of her head that says they should be more than that. Jean continues to ignore it.
Scott runs his hand through his hair. "Do you think we overreacted?" he asks her in relation to what happened before with Clark.
Jean shrugs unsure how to answer. At first she would have said no but now...maybe in hindsight they had. "It was a shock," is all she can mange to think of to say.
"Do you think we made Clark think that we thought he was a monster or something?"
Jean's eyebrows rise a little. "Why do you say that?"
"Something Kurt said to me," Scott replies without going into detail.
God Jean hopes not. That would be...ugh what the hell is wrong with her. This whole school is about showing that mutants and humans can live together without any sort of prejudice and here she is possibly rejecting Clark because he is something different. "I am stupid."
Scott looks at her in total shock that that word passed her lips. "Jean?"
"I am a total moron," she continues.
"Jean?" Scott queries once more but all he gets from her in form of a response is for Jean to grab his arm and start dragging him off. "Um Jean where are we going?"
"To see Mr and Mrs Kent," she informs him.
"Why?"
"To apologise and tell them we want them to stay."
"We do?"
Jean stops for a second and looks at Scott hard.
"Oh right we do," he says in agreement because basically yeah that was what he was coming around to thinking. The two of them head to Mr and Mrs Kent's room and on the way they bump into virtually everyone else who had decided on doing the same thing. Everyone except Rogue that is.
Kitty explains that Rogue is still brooding and that if you value certain body parts bothering her is not a good idea right now. All the boys visibly wince as their minds turn to one particular body part.
Jean and Scott step forward and knock on the door determined that they are going to get Clark and his parents to stay.
Meanwhile not too far away Clark sits looking out into the night. It was all happening as he feared. His new friends' reaction seemed to be following Pete's reaction. That they now saw him as different to before. When Pete had said that he couldn't look at Clark the same way anymore...god that had hurt more than anything kryptonite could do to him.
On top of that of course is Lionel's appearance. Everywhere he goes he brings trouble and danger to all those around him. Maybe he should have just done what Jor-El wanted him to do and leave. At least then he wouldn't be facing this heartache.
Clark does appreciate that Kitty and Kurt stood up for him back there but in reality they can't possibly realise what danger he can bring.
As reality bites Clark drops his face into his hands. There is only really one solution. The original one. He can't stay here. For everyone's sake he should go. The quicker the better.
Author's Note: I know. I know. Another chapter full of introspection and soul searching but it needed to be done IMO. The next chapter will wrap this little bit up as Clark makes his final choice about staying or leaving as well as Clark getting to the bottom of what the Professor and Dr Swann know about him and then I will move the story on. Thanks to everyone who wrote reviews.