Ch. 25
Conflicting Emotions
Both Martha and Lois jumped up in shock to see both Lionel Luthor and Clark Kent standing side by side in the military base parking lot. Lois blurted out, "What the hell?"
Martha was a bit relieved to see that Clark was ok. But after her conversation with Chloe she knew this was the last place he should be there was Kryptonite here. Did Clark know that? Even if he did she knew her son and Kryptonite have never stopped him from saving people before. But this was all so different then all of Clarks previous rescues. And why was Lionel there? That disturbed her to her core. Lionel had come to visit her on many occasions ever since Jonathan passed away. He came to try to be there for her to be her friend during this difficult time. But she knew his intentions. She always has. She could see it in his eyes every time he talked to her. It disturbed her and yet a part of her…no she couldn't even think that her son needed her.
She unbuckled her seatbelt and said, "Lois, stay in the car."
"You're joking right?" Lois said.
"I need to talk to my son and Lionel."
"Clark, Lionel, what are you doing here?" Martha asked.
"I came to get Chloe." Clark said.
" Clark you can't go in there."
"Why not?"
She glanced at Lionel choosing her words carefully she said, "Because Gabe is there and this is a military base and if you go in there they have means to seriously harm you."
Lionel seemed to be ignoring her and elaborately examining the base as if looking for something.
"She is right Kal-el. There is Kryptonite hidden all over in this base. And there are men holding lead guns which most likely have Kryptonite bullets in them."
Martha's eyes became opened wide and she gawked at Lionel, "What did you just say?"
"Mom. This is Jor-el he is inhabited Lionel's body to help me." Clark said.
Martha's eyes became even wider. This infuriated her. This was worse then if it was Lionel. Jor-el had caused her family so much pain.
"How can you trust him after what he did to Jonathan?"
"I don't completely. But he has answers and if he can help Chloe then I will use his help."
Chloe lied on Lois' bed breathing deep into her oversized pillow. Her hot wet tears made a puddle on Lois red and blue striped pillow case. Chloe turned around, breathing hard. Her tears flowing down her cheeks seemed never ending. Every time she wiped her tears more came flooding out.
Now laying on her side she glanced at the picture the picture of the general, Lois' mom, Lois, and Lucy. They seemed happy. So full of life. Chloe tried to remember those days when her extended were in one piece, when they were happy. It was difficult. She was so little. Lois was not much older then her and she remembered. She wondered what her and Lois' life would be like. Would they be as close as they were now? Or would they drift apart like some families. They might have had happy well-adjusted lives with both of their parents. Neither of them would end up in Smallville. Would they? And they would have been completely different people. It's true they both have been through so much pain and suffering. But Chloe liked the people that both Lois and herself had grown into. All of the struggles they have been through had made them stronger. It was a catch 22. She wished so much that her and Lois had their mothers in their lives but that might mean she would have never known Clark. And she couldn't bare the thought. He brought the best and worse out of her and lately she seemed to become as stronger then she had ever been. He gave her the courage she needed to always look after and protect his secret. And look after and protect Clark, even from himself.
Chloe tried to push these thoughts in the back of her mind. It was bad enough contemplating never seeing him again, but never even knowing him it was far worse. Chloe sat up, there was no way she was going to sleep she had enough sleep for one day. And if she slept she might dream and who knows what horrible vision she will see next.
Chloe stared at the window of the dark room. There was nothing but brick wall. Poor Lois she thought. She had to live her when the general wasn't sending her to some private school in metropolis. As Chloe gazed at the brick wall she got a headache, her eyes were in pain. She squinted them and cover her for head saying, "Not again."
She saw inside the brick wall. She saw fibers of stone, then of a wall, then she saw inside the generals office. She saw two skeletons. Then she saw that it was her dad and the general in what seemed to be in a heated conversation. Focusing on this she shook her hands pointing to her ears, "Hearing powers go!"
Nothing happened.
She really wished she had time with Clark to help her control her powers. The though only brought her pain, reminding her that she may never see him again.
She continued to try to focus her on her hearing, finally sound came.
"What are we supposed to do? Just sit here and wait for her to turn like her mother. This is a military base she can do a lot of damage here." Sam argued.
"I'm sorry, but she's safe here. Away from him she's safe from him and herself."
"Are you absolutely positive about that?"
"What's the worse that could happen?"
"I thought it would be ok if we could just get the necklace off like before, but we can't so what can we do?"
"It was your idea to bring her here. But if you want us to leave, if we're no longer welcome…"
"Of course your welcome here Gabe. It's just she's dangerous now. I'm just glad Lois didn't come with her. Lois is safe from…"
"What are you afraid…You're afraid of my little girl? How could…"
"And you're not?"
Gabe stood there silent. He didn't answer. Chloe thought about what that meant. Her own father was afraid of her. Her uncle was afraid of her. If her cousin knew, she might be afraid of her too.
Chloe remembered all of the times her and Lois played here together when they were little. They always were close. But if Lois knew? What if she found out what was happening to her? Would she be afraid too? Should she be? It's not simply the fact that she has powers now. But she was being infected by the necklace the same necklace that caused her mom to hurt her dad. What if she couldn't control it? What if she hurt the people she loved? She had to get out of here. She had to figure this out. And this time she had to do it alone.
Chloe slammed her hands on Lois' desk in resolve. The legs on the desk crumbled to pieces.
"Oh great. Sorry Lois."
She backed away afraid to touch anything else. So she sped away.
She passed the guards walking back and forth in slow motion. Then she saw Clark, Martha, and Lionel in the parking lot. And Lois in the car. She hesitated for a moment but she didn't stop. She wanted to talk to Clark. He was the only person who would understand what she was going through. He is the only one who could possibly understand that. If possible she was starting to appreciate him even more, when going through a little bit that he has. It caused her to fall in love with him even more. That is what made this so unbearable. She needed Clark. She wanted Clark. But what if the prophesy was true? She knew Clark would never do that if he could help it. But what if he couldn't? All of the similar fears came flooding back. She didn't know where she was at. She couldn't decide here, where people could be in danger because of her. She would have to go elsewhere to get answers.
Clark stood there for a split second when he thought he heard Chloe behind him but when he turned around there was nothing there.
"If Chloe's here then I'm getting her. I don't care if Krypt…"
"Clark, No. It's too dangerous. Besides Chloe doesn't want to see you."
That hit Clark hard.
"What do you mean? Of course she wants to see me I'm her best friend."
" Clark she said it. She's confused with everything that is happening. I don't blame her. Let just let all of us sleep on it tonight and we'll see if we'll have a clear mind in the mourning."
"No mom, if Kryptonite is here, then it can harm Chloe too. I have to get her out of here."
Martha glared at Lionel and said, "Maybe we should talk about this at home in private."
Then Jor-el examined the base once again.
"Kal-el she's gone. Her presence is no longer within these gates."
"What?" Clark scanned the whole military base and she was no where to be found.
"Where could she be?" Clark asked out loud to himself.
"Listen to your Earth mother Kal-el. We need to leave this place."
At that moment guards came running at them pointing up their guns at Clark, Lionel, and Martha.
Lois had had enough she jumped out of the truck and marched to the soldiers.
She stood between the guards and Clark, Martha, and Lionel.
And yelled, "What the Hell do you think you GI Joes are doing?"
"Hey, aren't you?" One of the younger looking guards questioned the others looked at him like he was an idiot.
"The general's daughter, yeah. So if you would kindly lower your guns infront of my guests we'll be on our way."
"We have orders to let anyone in." The middle guard said.
"That's fine we were just leaving." Lois said.
"Isn't that right?" She asked Clark, Martha and Lionel. They nodded in agreement.
Clark noticed the guards seemed a little unsure of themselves even frightened. If it were other circumstances Clark would have laughed. Lois tenacity always amused him.
Lionel's eyes glared over then he said, "What's going on? How did I get back…"
Then he noticed Martha and stared at her for a bit until Clark said, "Remember Lionel we were just out here talking about why you were here…then you fainted and that's when my mom and Lois drove up."
"Oh." He said confused. Then as if he knew it wise to agree with Clark he said,
"Oh yes of course. I really must be going." Then he went straight to his car without another glance to any of them.
Lois glared at Lionel's back. Clark though she might burn a hole in it with that stare.
"Well, unfortunately Chloe won't listen to us and it's a lost cause to try to get her now. So we better go. I guess." Lois said with uncertainty beam through her voice.
Clark could tell that Lois was torn. That was her family in there. And she couldn't be there with them. She felt helpless in preserving and protecting her family. Clark saw how their family was getting torn apart. It was already fractured and broken to begin with. It was ironic that was how he felt about his family right now. It was fractured and broken with the death of his father. Chloe had said earlier that he was her family. He felt the same way. But at times she was more to him then a sister. And he knew that she had feeling for him that ran deeper then of sister for a brother. But they were family none the less. Maybe that's why he didn't freak out as much as Chloe did about the whole arrange marriage thing. And he knew the only reason why Chloe freaked out was like Lionel suggested it was her classic defense mechanism. She probably thought that Clark would freak and say how impossible that was and confess his undying love for Lana yet again. Yet Clark thought if given the chance he wouldn't have done that. Thinking about it now the thought of being married to Chloe had given him peace. His mom once told him that marriage is what to people who love and trust each other and are willing to go through life together. And he felt that towards Chloe, though it took him some time to realize it he did love and trust her completely. Through out this past year they have been going through life together as friends. But she was always by his side. She was his comfort and they were a team. He missed Chloe. He wished he could be by her side helping her figure this out.
He wasn't sure if he believed his biological father. But if his biological father was right, then Chloe was going to be ok. And he needed her on his side to help protect Smallville and the rest of the world for that matter. And if his biological father was wrong then he needed to get Chloe even more to save her some how from the wrath of the necklace.
Clark heard the tire slide against the gravel of the driveway when he broke out of his intense contemplation. Lois didn't say a word though out the whole drive which was extremely odd for her. She didn't even say goodbye. She grabbed her purse and went straight for her car.
Clark went after her.
"Lois Wait." Clark said touching her shoulder.
Lois was more then annoyed she seemed tense. Something was building up deep inside of her and it looked as though she was about to explode.
"What?" She snapped.
"I just wanted to say thanks for everything you did today." Clark said quickly it wasn't easy giving gratitude to Lois.
Lois shook her head she seemed to be somewhere else. Clark saw the pain and conflict in the lines of her face. He could tell that she was struggling with something.
Then she said starting out very slowly.
" Clark. I hope it works out with Chloe. I really do. But if I hear that the general and my uncle have a ligament reason for protecting Chloe from you…If you put my little cousin in the tiniest bit of danger…so help me being struck by lightning will seem like a picnic after I'm through with you."
Clark was shocked and hurt by what Lois' threats. He knew she was going into her protective over her family mode but despite their disagreements he thought that Lois knew that Clark would never hurt Chloe.
"Lois. I'd never hurt Chloe. You know that." Clark said.
"Before tonight I thought I knew a lot of things. I thought my father was a little tough and over protective but had good intentions. He always wanted to protect his family. I thought Chloe's dad was the same way. I thought that you were the kind of noble guy that has always protected Chloe. And I thought that Chloe would never give up on you. So that tells me that either the general told her some lie to keep her away from you or they told her the truth that you really are dangerous to her. And if you are Clark so help me…"
"Lois, you already made your threats. I get it. But I promise you to my last dying breath I will always protect Chloe. I've always had and this is no different."
"I hope your right Clark. For both of your sakes I hope your right." Lois said then she slammed her door and left.
Chloe found herself at the cave. She caressed the drawings on the cave wall. She put her fingers over the two headed monster then over a figure that looked like a woman. Chloe's necklace glowed levitating up towards the picture. The drawing began to glimmer and so did the tips of her fingers. When she let go she realized she was floating. Agitated she fell to the ground. The dirt splattered over her jeans and blue t-shirt.
Chloe sat there in frustration. Then something caught her eye. The opening in the cave wall had a bright white light shine before her. She was overcome with déjà vu remembering the first time she saw that light come out of there it led her and Clark to the fortress.
She felt mesmerized by the light. Her necklace was glowing and levitated forward. Chloe heard a strange ringing buzzing sound. She followed the light and the sound. As she walked in the passage way light surrounded her. This huge mass of light moved around her encompassing over Chloe's entire body. Every inch of her shimmered. Her blonde locks sparkled. She felt the sweet warmth of the light. It gave her peace. It reminded her of a warm sunny day. The light became brighter and brighter by the second until Chloe's eyes could not take it anymore. So she squeezed her eyes shut tightly. As soon as she did this she fell down to her knees. The buzzing sound became even more massive. With her eyes still closed Chloe reached out and touched what felt like stone. She felt engravings of what felt like a circle. The noise stopped. Her necklace still glowing levitating towards that circle Chloe removed her now tingling finger. Her necklace touched the circle placing itself inside of the circle becoming one with the stone.
Opening her eyes she was no longer overwhelmed with the bright white light, now she was surrounded by light of all of the colors of the rainbow and she saw odd shapes surrounding her. She must have been falling somewhere. Then she fell and landed on a strange white surface. The surface was hard, steady, and smooth. She looked up and she saw two large crystals. And then there stood leaning against the crystal a woman. Chloe blinked twice. It was Lara –el Clark's biological mother.