An Invisible Caress or Death

Disclaimer: I wish, I wish, I wish oh how I wish, but no matter what Smallville and its characters are not mine. I only play with them, torment Clark, and then send em all back home. SIGH.

CHAPTER 14 One step forward, five steps back

Martha felt Clark go limp in her arms and she screamed, not now, it wasn't fair.

The doctor ran in closely followed by Oliver and Lois, 'what is it Mrs Kent?' he asked without breaking stride.

'He – he's not breathing.' Martha whispered cradling Clark against her breast. Gently Doctor Lewis eased the limp form from her arms and laid Clark down on the bed, Lois wrapped her arms around Martha and moved away to let the doctor work.

'What do you need doctor?' Oliver asked unable to look at the still form of the indestructible Clark Kent.

'You know CPR?'

'Yes...'

'Good start doing the breathes, Lois can you get my bag for me please.' Lewis barked out the orders without taking his eyes from his patient. 'Okay Clark you have to stop doing this son.' He muttered as he started to do compressions in time with the breathes Oliver was doing. When there was no response he pulled out a needle and a vial of a clear thick liquid, filling the syringe he checked for air bubbles before injecting it directly into Clark's heart and then together with Oliver they started to do the CPR once again. 'Breathe Clark.' Lois started to chant under her breath her eyes fixed on his too-pale face.

'Lois help me with the curtains.' Martha said suddenly tearing herself out of her state of shock, 'we need to let as much sun as possible into the room.'

Lois opened her mouth to ask why but saw the look on Martha's face and decided to file it away for later when the crisis was over. They pulled the heavy drapes back and flooded the large bedroom with the warm sunlight bathing the bed in a golden glow.

Just then Oliver and Lewis stopped the CPR and waited to see a response, they all held their own breathes unconsciously as they willed Clark to start breathing again. He had been down for nearly ten minutes the longest time ever, a small tremor passed through his lean body and then suddenly he gasped for breath, choking slightly as oxygen flooded his lungs again.

'Clark?' The doctor stared down at his patient, worried at the blank look in his eyes, 'look at me Clark.'

'Wha?'

'It's alright but you have to stay calm, I'm going to replace the nasal line with an oxygen mask for a short while, just stay nice and calm for me okay.'

Clark nodded as he fought to maintain control of his confusion and his mounting panic. Breathing deeply Clark relaxed as his body re-oxygenated sleepily his eyes fluttered shut and he slipped into sleep instantly, his mind and body succumbing to the exhaustion as the battle to survive continued.

'Thank you Doctor.' Martha said in a soft whisper, 'Lois, Oliver honestly I don't know...'

'Hey Mrs K it's fine don't sweat it.' Lois said grabbing Oliver's arm, 'come on you can get me a coffee.'

'Doctor Lewis ... I – I don't know how to ...' Martha said as she took a position next to Clark on the bed to keep a vigil at his side.

'No need Mrs Kent and it's Jonah.'

'Please call me Martha, I think we're going to be spending a bit of time together while he gets better.'

'Mrs ... Martha what about the sun? Why were you so anxious to flood the sunlight through?' Lewis asked genuinely interested.

'We found out by trial and error, well actually flares from the sun, has an effect on Clark's powers. It is like the sunlight is a recharger for him.'

'So the sun can enhance his powers?'

'I'm not sure about enhance but it renews his power,' Martha explained, 'when we had those solar flares it was like Clark's power went into overdrive and then would cut out completely. He was actually having power surges.'

'Thank you for telling me Martha it helps a lot in planning his rehabilitation. I am just ... I pray that he will recover from the toxicity of the kryptonite.'

'I – I need to know what, what did they do to my son?' Martha asked gazing down at Clark marvelling at how small he looked now.

'Lex wanted to see just what the meteor rocks would do to Clark.' Jonah described in halting details what Lex had subjected to, including the serum of crushed rock that he had injected in various parts of Clark's body. The cage and the placement of rocks inside him.

Martha's face paled even more as she listened her eyes fixed on Clark whose eyes were open and fixed on her face. 'Sweetheart how long have you been awake?'

'A few minutes.' Clark said pulling the oxygen mask off, 'thanks so much doc for everything.'

'How are you feeling Clark?' Doctor Lewis asked quickly giving his young patient a check up. 'I – I can't believe this, you're improving by the minute.'

'Thanks, so nice to be warm again, I thought I would never be warm again,' Clark smiled and then he turned his attention back to his mother, 'Mom.'

'Sweetheart, I am so sorry.' Martha said, 'this should never have happened to you.'

'Mom please, it's just ... it's over.' Clark said finding himself in a big hug. Stifling a yawn he sat back on his pillow and settled back down, his strength may be returning but he still felt exhausted.

'Sleep Honey we'll just be outside.' Martha said brushing a kiss over his forehead.

Clark watched his mother and doctor leave before he pulled the IV out of his arm and slipped out of bed. Swaying slightly he finally managed to stay on his feet, pins and needles shot through his legs after so long without use but he made his way to the window. Leaning against the window frame Clark virtually drank in the sunshine, his strength and health returning exponentially.

Inhaling deeply he turned and looked around the opulent room for what seemed to be the first time. His gaze falling on the ensuite door, a shower, he glanced at the shut bedroom door and then headed towards the bathroom.

As the hot water hit his skin, the deep ache washed away and Clark felt as though he was almost reborn. Feeling stronger, although not completely back to his former self he was well on the way, he relished the feel of the water on his face sloughing away the dirt, sweat and blood, his skin shining with a healthy pink glow. As he reluctantly stepped from the shower and started to dry himself taking note of his fading scars and the lack of bruising and cuts. They were rapidly absorbed back into his system and new skin replaced them.

Finding some of Oliver's clothes Clark quickly dressed not quite his size but close enough for him to be comfortable. Looking at himself in the mirror it finally hit him that he was free, and still alive. The only shock to him was the amount of weight he lost, and the only way to fix that was lots of good home-cooked food like his mom's.

As he finished dressing he heard the voices coming from the living room. Unable to help himself Clark concentrated enough to hear them clearly. A frown appearing on his handsome face as he heard the conversation, no longer the snivelling weakling he was when Lewis brought him here, he found it almost insulting that they should be making decisions about him without even asking how he felt.

Inexplicable anger flooded through him and he felt a heat rush following, swallowing he forced himself to calm down before he set the room on fire. Instead, he stood, stretched and drew himself up to his impressive full-height and went to the door his hand on the doorknob when he heard another voice suddenly and he froze. The soft honeyed tones sent chills over his skin. His feelings stirred and he had to swallow down a rising tide of bile.

Taking a deep breath Clark opened the door and stepped into the living room silencing the conversation instantly as he felt everyone's shocked stare. 'What?' he asked innocently.

'Clark sweetheart should you be up so soon?' Martha asked moving quickly to her son's side, his glowing skin like a beacon for good health and suspicion.

'I'm okay mom; I'm not going to break.' He said but let her guide him towards the sofa and he leaned into her touch slightly.

'It's good to see you up my boy.' Doctor Lewis said with a smile, 'but I still want you to be sensible, you might be feeling fine now but...'

'Yeah I know doc, and thanks but now I am away from those ... rocks... I feel a lot better.' Clark said with a slanted gaze at Lana's pale face.

'Smallville you have been fitting and having heart failure let the doctor do his job.' Lois said fretfully staring at him in disbelief, only a short while ago he was not breathing now he looks so ... new. 'I'm ah gonna go and see Chloe and tell her the good news, I'll catch ya later Clark.'

'Thanks for not giving up on me Lois.' Clark said softly his green eyes shining with emotions he kept at bay in his own superhuman way.

'No probs at all Smallville.' Lois grinned.

'I'll walk down with you Lois.' Oliver said giving Clark sometime with his mom and the doctor, he glanced at Lana who nodded and silently left the room. Her thoughts and emotions in utter turmoil. Clark was back, complete and healthy and all she wanted to do was to run to him kiss and hold him and never let go but after betraying him like she did, a small sob slipped from her lips as she ducked her head and hurried into the lift behind Oliver and Lois.

'Clark.' Martha said cupping her son's face in her hands.

'I'm fine mom honestly, now I am away from the rocks and the sun ... I feel a lot better and hungry.' Clark smiled shyly.

'Well that I can fix, but ...'

'What mom?'

'Do you want to go back to the farm or stay here?' Martha asked hesitantly.

'Home mom, Lex is not going to scare me away from my home.'

'He is going to try and kill you again Clark.'

'This time I will be ready for him mom, and this time I'm not so weak.' Clark said a little defiantly.

'Clark please ...' Doctor Lewis tried to interrupt but the look Clark gave him made him think twice.

'I know that you're only looking out for me and I appreciate it really, but mom, doc I am truly better and I need to get back to my life.' Clark said earnestly, 'I want ... it has been so long since I ... I just want to go home.'

'I know Clark, but...' Martha reached over to cup her hand on his cheek, 'but I don't want to lose you.'

'You will never lose me mom.' Clark said covering her hand with his own large one, 'but if I keep hiding and let Lex think that he has broken me, then I will never get back to normal. I just want normal again.'

'I know Clark, I know.' Martha sighed and then turned to look at the doctor, 'so Jonah what are you going to do now? You won't be able to go and work for Lex anymore.'

'I have that covered Mrs Kent.' Oliver said as he stepped off the lift and joined the others, 'Doctor Lewis has a position waiting for him in Star City.'

'I – I don't know what to say...' Jonah stammered.

'Just say thank you and stay away from the Luthors that's all.'

'That I can promise.' Jonah smiled thankful that they didn't want to take his involvement in Clark's torture to task. 'Clark, I – I am so sorry for everything that happened and what I did.'

'What you did was rescue me from that kryptonite prison and help me get back to my family and friends, everything else doesn't matter doc, if it wasn't for you I would have died there.'

'Oh Clark.' Martha cried her tears threatening to fall again.

'Mom I'm sorry I didn't want ... I'm sorry mom.' Clark said his pale green eyes clouding and growing dark, 'you have been through so much because of me.'

'Don't Clark please, there is only one person to hold responsible for what happened and no one else.'

'I still don't understand why.' Oliver said, 'I mean I know about Clark and his abilities but why did Luthor have it in for you like he did?'

'Lana.' Clark said softly, 'Lana and jealousy of my life, he always wanted what I had with my parents and friends. I guess I never really understood just how much.' Clark said, 'I died inside when Lana chose to be with Lex, and when she started acting like him I thought ... but then apparently she had a hand in my rescue I don't understand.'

'No one does Clark I don't think that Lana even does.' Martha said, 'I think that deep down she is trying to come to terms with what she got herself into by being with Lex.'

'So what now?' Clark asked, 'nothing has changed not really.'

'Except that you are healed and healthy,' Martha answered smiling warmly at her son, 'and back with us where you belong.'

'You do know that Lex won't give up that easily.' Oliver said.

'Yeah I know but I don't think that he knows how quickly I can heal.' Clark said, 'I can use that to my advantage.'

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Lex paced his office angrily, there was no sign of Clark anywhere, it was as if he had fallen off the face of the earth.

'Lex you are going to wear a hole in the floor pacing like that.' Lana purred as she came into the room watching him prowl like a caged tiger.

'Where have you been Lana?' Lex stopped moving and stared suspiciously at the young woman.

'I went to Metropolis to see Chloe in hospital.' Lana replied smoothly, 'and then I went to do some retail therapy.'

'Buying what?'

'Well you will see later this evening.' She cooed with a sly smile on her face, 'so Lex what has you so riled up for?'

'Clark is still missing, you haven't heard from him or seen him have you?'

'Clark? Why would I even want to?' Lana asked shocked, 'Lex I helped you capture Clark I wanted to find out his secret as much as you did, I wanted to know why he could never be honest with me, with anyone. If I had Lex I would have brought him back.'

'Yes, yes I suppose you're right.' Lex sighed taking Lana in his arms he held her close, his lips brushing over her hair, 'I will get him back and get to know everything about his background Lana I can promise you that.'

The phone ringing startled both of them, growling Lex stalked over to the desk and grabbed the cordless, 'what?' he barked angrily before listening to the other voice, his gaze drifting to Lana's face as he took in the news, hanging up he kept his back to Lana while he composed himself. 'Guess who has returned home.'

'Who Lex?' Lana asked sounding a little bored.

'A certain Kansas farm-boy we both know intimately.' Lex sneered, 'I have a man watching the Kent farm and he just reported the return of Clark and his mother to the farm in one of Oliver Queen's limousines.'

'They're home?' Lana gasped, 'but ... why, why would he risk coming back when he would know that you are searching for him.'

'One way to find out Lana.' Lex said his gaze narrowing slightly as he regarded her carefully, 'I want you to go over and see them.'

'Me? Why?'

'They wouldn't suspect anything if you go but if I did then...' Lex let his voice trail off, 'no it would be much better if you go and find out what you can.'

'If you really want me to ... but wouldn't you like to see what I bought today?'

'What ... are you stalling Lana? Why would you be worried about seeing the Kents?'

'I am not stalling.' Lana snapped back, tossing her thick long hair over her shoulder, she stalked out without another glance at Lex, 'but when you find out what you missed out on this evening, then we'll see who stalls with whom.'

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Clark slowly made his way up the stairs to his loft, it felt like years since he left, so much had happened to him he couldn't believe it, it feels so surreal.

'I never thought that I would see you standing up there again Clark.'

Spinning around Clark stared down at Lana Lang, 'Lana what, what are you doing here?'

'I heard you were back and I wanted to find out for sure.' Lana said elegantly walking up the wooden steps.

'Why?' Clark blinked backing away slightly.

'Clark the truth ... we need to be honest now.' Lana said as she sat down on the couch and flicked her hair over her shoulder, she gazed up at him with large luminous eyes, 'I am so sorry I ever listened to Lex about you, I – I have no real excuse except that he caught me at a vulnerable time and I let him.' Lana said taking a deep breath, 'I kicked the Red habit and started to see things for what they really are.'

'Which are?'

'I was manipulated into believing that you were an evil being and that Lex was only protecting me,' Lana tore her gaze from Clark's face and stared at her feet instead. 'When I started to see things as they truly were ... I was in so far Clark I didn't know how to get myself out.'

'Lana leave Lex, you can come and stay here with me and mom.' Clark said crouching down in front of Lana, he took her smaller hand in his large one and stared into her eyes, 'I can forgive anything but ...'

'Clark it's not that easy.' Lana said pulling her hand out of his and shivered involuntarily. 'I – I can't leave Lex.'

'Why?'

'Yes Lana why not tell Clark why.' Lex smirked, 'sorry I didn't want to break up such a loving reunion.'

'Lex.' Clark hissed standing up he moved between his former friend and Lana.

'Isn't this cosy, reminds me of days long ago.' Lex said curling his lip sarcastically 'oh that's right we don't want to remember past betrayals do we? No let's concentrate on the present and why you are looking so – healthy all of a sudden Clark. Last time I saw you, you were looking decidedly like you were on death's door.'

'What can I say it's in the genes?' Clark quipped, 'now get off my land Lex.'

'Ah so you're feeling all big and strong again.' Lex smirked, 'perhaps you need a little cutting down again.' He said bringing out a small lead box from behind his back.

Clark stared at it paling and stumbled backwards slightly the horror of his captivity still to new to bring to the surface.

'Lex don't be a bore put it away.' Lana said moving in front of Clark 'you are not going to use that in here and not now.'

'And tell me why not?'

'Because it is well known already that Clark has been returned safely, if something happens to him now or if he disappears again so soon, the entire town and sheriff's department will be on our doorstep.' She said silkily moving away from Clark towards Lex, 'and we do have something rather interesting to unveil.'

'Lana you don't have to go.' Clark cried out moving closer to her.

'Yes, yes I do Clark, you have your life and I have mine.' Lana said turning enough to look up at him. 'Use your freedom wisely Clark.'

Taking the box from Lex she moved down the stairs without looking back trusting Lex to follow close behind. She heard Lex say something but was unable to pick up on it. Looking back she saw Clark's pale face as he watched Lex follow her down, the guarded look in his eyes sent chills down her spine.

TBC