4/16/05 - 11:30PM - Bratt Flats - Smallville, KS
Chloe found herself back inside her old house alongside the Kents. Thankfully there was no extra security in the house. When the community is gated there is very little need to get extra alarm. Chloe then found it strange to welcome the Kents to her house though technically it didn't belong to her anymore. Still tricky to sell this though. Once her father got fired, Lionel Luthor had him replaced with another manager who was more or less happy to stay where he lived but appreciated the money to go on more vacations with his family. So the house was still shown around by her father, sometimes by people who just wanted to meet her for putting Lionel Luthor behind bars. Though released on a technicality and now living back at the Luthor Mansion having ended his strange Phoenix effect that came from an almost miraculous healing of his rare liver disease.
Now her father had found some work back at the LuthorCorp near Metropolis but wasn't assigned a position until after she graduated. Until then, Lex was giving her dad a very respectable extension of his severance.
"My Dad's room is pretty cozy with a nice bed for you both, I still have my old room. Most of this place is furnished to show around for people but I'd suggest you keep it clean."
"No problem dear." said Martha.
"I'm just glad we are safe for now." Chloe then sighed. "I just wish I knew where Clark was."
"I'm right here Chloe."
Chloe almost jumped out of her skin as she saw Clark this time without the military fatigues, sticking to his usual red jacket, blue shirt and jeans. Next to him was a very tall brunette in glasses, wearing a red plaid blouse, white leather jacket and blue jeans. Come to think of it..
"Diana?"
"Yes Chloe its me." she said as she took of her glasses. I'm not going to hurt you Chloe. Your cousin and friend were the exception because they attacked me. You don't have to fear me or you Mr. and Mrs. Kent. Well?"
"Well what?" said Chloe.
"Aren't you going to hug your best friend."
Seeming as if a light switch was turned on Chloe ran up to Clark and hugged him very tight, the Kents followed afterwards. Several minutes seemed to pass by before anyone decided to let go.
"Clark what is happening here?" said Martha. "And who are you Diana? Why do you want our son and why would anyone be coming after us?"
"First of all Mrs. Kent I think Clark has some explaining for Chloe." said Diana. "Because the truth is all of you are tied together because you know the truth about Clark. Its Chloe who doesn't know all of it and right now I believe its time she knows.
"Know what Clark?" asked Chloe.
"I saw the interrogation Chloe, both of your interrogations."
The Kents looked saddened at the idea of their son having to see them having to protect him.
"You guys managed to trick that investigator but not Chloe and more importantly none of you could have hoped for Lois' father to do that to any of you. And its all because of me. Chloe I know several weeks ago that you saw me lift a car above my head and then disappear right in front of your eyes."
"Oh, well, I, um." In rare moment for Chloe she couldn't be able say anything.
"I'm so sorry I was never able to tell you before now. You have no idea how much I've wanted to tell you."
"Clark don't. How many times have I let the truth destroy reputations and lives. I have for the longest time been untrustworthy. That day I got that truth gas in my system, Lana looked me in the eyes and told me she couldn't trust me. I wanted to find out your secret from Lionel Luthor so he could get my father his job back. Believe me right now I'd prefer to live in a bell tower and work alongside gargoyles for the rest of my life than do that again. I've kept quiet waiting for the day you'd tell me. Because I know in my heart I don't deserve to know. Especially after what happened to Alicia."
Clark had to admit Chloe was taking things far better than he thought. He was happy in more ways than he could say. But he was still afraid for her, his parents knew who he was and it was causing them so much pain and of course Alicia. 'How can I do this to her?' he thought. Especially when she didn't know everything.
"There is more Chloe." he looked at his parents who having heard everything Chloe said couldn't help but feel close to Chloe despite the bad things as well as the good things. "What you've seen me do. All the abilities I have." Clark paused for a moment as he needed time to tell it to her. "I can hear a dog barking ten miles away, I can generate heat from my eyes, see things through solid object with X-rays and I'm.."
"Hold on a second," said Chloe as she nervously brought her arms to her chest. "X-ray vision?"
"Yes, I... Chloe! I'm not a pervert. I've always been respective of your privacy."
"Alright. Continue." Chloe said as she heard the Kents laugh at Chloe's embarrassment.
"I'm also invulnerable to many things on the planet with the exception of magic like those witches used against us on the birthday you don't remember. Also to the various forms of the meteor rocks."
"So the meteor rocks that gave you these powers can also hurt you?"
Clark then stopped for a moment and hoped that Chloe wouldn't say anything else. "The meteor rocks never gave me these abilities. I wasn't born in Smallville when the meteor shower hit. But I came with the meteor rocks, because I traveled alongside them as they left the planet I came from."
"Planet you came from?" Chloe suddenly had her legs become shaky, having realized they were standing a few feet from the door, she decided to sit down. Thankfully they were not far from the living room as Martha Kent held her as they sat by the couch.
Chloe took a few seconds before she decided to continue. "So wait a minute. That means you're like an alien?"
"His planet was called Krypton, Chloe" Diana spoke up. "Almost eighteen years ago his planet had been destroyed, what's left of it is now the meteor rocks we call kryptonite. The planet was once a mighty civilization that was prosperous and peaceful until war destroyed it. The war was won by the forces of good but it was the final triumph of a planet that accomplished wonders. Now the only things that live on from that planet are those irradiated rocks and the best friend you know as Clark. He was born Kal-El, to a mother and father who loved him and wanted the best for him."
Diana looked at the Kents for a moment seeing a brief moment of disbelief as it was difficult for them to grasp everything Jor-El's memory had done was motivated out of love.
"They gave him a chance for life sending him to this world Trusting a family they knew would care for him as if he were their very own. To live among the people waiting for the time when he would be ready to follow the path to become the world's greatest hero."
Chloe sat there, attempting to take it all in. As she looked at the Kents, the family who found him. This woman who somehow knew everything about Clark and knowing that he was not of this world.
"But you look so... human?" Chloe said to Clark.
"Yet he is still the same person you've known, Chloe." said Diana.
"Clark, I... I think you're so amazing. You save people's lives and take zero credit." Chloe then smiled as she continued. "To me, you're more than just a hero - you're a superhero.
"Chloe..." Clark sighed.
"She's right Kal-El." said Diana.
"I'm serious, Clark. If more humans were like you, the world would be a better place."
"You're right again Chloe. The world does become a better place."
Now Chloe was confused again. What do you mean about the world to 'become a better place?'"
"You all know about Clark, now. But you don't know about me and where and when I come from. There is so much more and we have to tell you. But first I think we need to stay awake perhaps get all of us something to eat."
"The pantry's bare and all the stores are closed right now." said Chloe as she suddenly felt her stomach rumble. The soldiers at the base fed her and the Kents something to eat but it was so uncomfortable being there they had all but lost their appetites. But now that they were free their appetites were furiously restored.
"Don't worry Chloe I'll find some stuff at the Talon along with some milk."said Clark.
"And I'll get some groceries at the store" said Diana. "I'll take what we need and have you guys cook something to eat here. I'll be sure to leave my money. I was good enough to leave my satchel full of money back in the car Dick used to bring you here."
"We'll be back in a few seconds." they both said.
"In a few seconds?" said Chloe as Diana and Clark disappeared. "Oh."
No sooner did Chloe say the word both Clark and Diana returned. Chloe saw them both carrying several large boxes of groceries and Diana with the same black satchel.
"Okay now I know that both of you are super-powered."
"We'll put this boxes in the kitchen, the snacks will tide you over as we'll continue my story and Chloe..." Diana paused for a moment. "I think even you'll be more fascinated. As for you Mr. and Mrs. Kent. I can tell you so much and it will never be enough."
The two sped into the kitchen as Chloe, Jonathan and Martha made themselves busy. After a while Chloe sat down at the dining table as she heard Diana and Clark continue their story.
Martha was in the kitchen moving around getting used to the new surrounding but she knew her way around the kitchen as she prepared some chicken fried steak with Jonathan having cut up some vegetables for a salad and Clark brewing some coffee. They had dinner with fresh milk to drink and a really good pecan pie from the Talon for dessert. As Chloe and the rest looked at Diana with peaked interest as she recounted to them what she was doing from her time at the base to the incident at the Talon. Diana couldn't help but apologize to Chloe and Martha for what she had done.
"I think its Lois and Lana who need your apology." said Martha as Diana looked humbled as she promised to apologize to Lois. As far as she was concerned she not only fought more skillfully and bravely. Lana on the other hand, well as far as she was concerned the girl had behaved hastily in bringing that knife. But she promised to apologize.
She then returned about the car chase, the bridge and her brief fight with Clark. As Chloe wondered how Clark could have been bested by Diana. She explained that Clark though strong, he was not yet skilled. Had he began the training his father's memory had set for him he might have had a better chance. She then recounted how ashamed Clark was about what Jor-El, his biological father had done to his life and Chloe once again noticed how hurt Diana was. This girl really knew Clark, more than that she was proud of him. Diana told of her life and the origins. A child of Zeus and a mighty queen of mythical warriors. Chloe was once again ready to condemn Zeus' actions when she heard the horrors committed by Hera. Her family's fight and fierce vindication. Once or twice Martha and Jonathan looked horrified. Diana told them that's what happens when you actually live a Greek tragedy. But even more she talked again about what Clark was to become. Chloe realized during the whole time Diana never once referred to Clark as anything but Kal-El. To Chloe it seemed like the Kents, Clark included treated it like it was so 'alien.' Thought she noticed something very interesting with Clark as he heard her say his actual name. It was like his eyes lit up as if her saying it made him incredibly happy. He likes her. Chloe thought to herself as she looked at Diana who also seemed to have the same look in her eyes as she said his name. Don't worry Clark. She likes you back.
Diana then told them about Hardcastle and how he was a deeply troubled man who was the victim of a terrible alien invasion and how after years of being reconstructed he had become a broken man who blamed Clark for everything he had to endure. Diana was sent back from a future that was great and glorious. One that had brought peace on Earth and united all of humanity. A future she was willing to fight and if necessary die to ensure it happened.
All the humans on that table couldn't have felt more proud of the people they had come to know and from that moment onward understood more they never ever thought possible.
"So this Hardcastle more or less can't stand who he is because he's a violent racist?"
"More or less. Everything I have tried has been to protect Kal-El, but without the device he used to go back in time I can't be able to send him back. Worse, I accidentally let him gain access to a computer full of information about Kal-El as well as being able to communicate with certain information I've obtained. Thankfully I managed to secure most of it, but the key word is most. Who knows what he could do with it. Worse, who to show it to. The computer is exceptionally advanced and even though he's mostly a machine. He's no computer expert. But he may get clever about what he is capable of and take it from there. However..."
"However what?" said Chloe.
"I did use the phone I brought with me to spy on you."
"What?"
"I needed to keep tabs on Kal-El. You are the most connected to the rest of the world I had to perform at trick to duplicate your phone's contents on to mine."
"That... sounds really cool. Though very big brother or in this case big sister-ish."
"I still have that phone in my bag. If I could be able to access the computer I could be able to find him."
"I could be able to help you. If I could.."
"I appreciate it Chloe. But the technology is outdated by several decades. Plus after everything you've been through, after everyone here has been through I think you should get some sleep."
Chloe wanted to disagree but from her time looking for a prom dress, enduring a holdup at the Talon, being arrested by her own uncle and then being thrown in a holding cell and a prison break. But after the long drive and the very good dinner she felt it in her to finally get some sleep. Apparently all the Kents did.
"She's right Chloe." said Martha. "But I have to ask you Diana are we going to be safe here?"
"For at least a few hours Martha. But until then all of us have to get some rest. The software on this phone is pretty advanced, unfortunately so is the laptop. I need time. Until then you two take Mr. Sullivan's room. Chloe can use her old room and Chloe do you have a guest room?"
"Yes we do."
"Clark can sleep there and I'll take the couch."
"No Diana I'll take the couch, you the guest room."
"Ever the gentleman Kal-El. By the way Chloe you wouldn't happen to have any extra clothes do you. I'm sure you could all use a shower before going to bed."
"I'm afraid not." said Chloe.
"That's alright Clark and I will get some more. I'll go to your home and get some things there."
"Please tell my dad I'm okay. If anything I need you to bring him here so he can be safe."
"Chloe he is safe where he is, in fact until I can determine what to do next you are not to contact anyone. The same goes for all of you."
Martha and Jonathan accepted it and so did Clark and Chloe a bit unwillingly for they both wanted to know how Lois and Lana were doing at the base.
"As long as nobody knows where we are. They are safer as they are."
Clark and Diana both left everyone and within seconds brought back some clothes.
It was decided that the women use the showers upstairs while Clark's father took a shower first downstairs as he sat calmly in the middle of the room. It definitely took a little bit longer than most because of the day they all had. Everyone needed the soothing warmth of a shower as it calmed them all down. Clark sat down in the middle of the room as he was joined by Diana who was still waiting for Chloe or Martha to finish their shower first. The silence between them was comfortable at first but before it could get uncomfortable Diana decided to speak up.
"I'm so sorry about what happened. I know its Hardcastle's fault but still you didn't deserve to have this happen to any of you especially your parents. They have done so much for you and I know you could never be more grateful for everything they've done for you. But believe me when I say to you that you are worth it. They have done so much for you because every second of every day has brought them joy. Both your friends and your family. Especially when you have more of each in the future."
"What?"
"What do you mean 'What?' I've talked to you about your other friends before especially ones like us. You'll meet other fellow humans who you're very close to and..."
"Not that. You also said family. Do I have a family?"
"Oops." said Diana. "I'm not going to say too much about that other than yes you do have a family, of sorts."
"What do you mean?"
"Your DNA is incompatible with most humans. Try as you have in the future you have and believe me you have tried, you cannot be able to reproduce with a human. Some hybrid DNA has allowed you to create a composite of both Kryptonian and human but only with limited success. You do find someone to fall in love and marry. But it has been immeasurably difficult for what you do. That for the longest time before you brought peace to the world that you couldn't become attached to one single person. But you eventually became happy and that's all I can say for now."
Clark was so numb at the idea he could finally live free from loneliness. But wanted to know, needed to know who that person was. But then he remembered what Diana told him that want and need were different.
Eventually Chloe and Martha finished with their shower as Diana left to go upstairs. Jonathan was finished so Clark's turn followed. Both took their time as well. Clark still feeling the need for a longer shower as he reflected upon his whole day, from Lois' silly alarm prank to doing her shift and of course finding Diana. Being held by the arms like a little baby. The car chase, the jump off the bridge, the events in that forest. Flying to Texas, enjoying a meal, seeing his long lost dog. Those awful interrogations, finding Chloe's contact and of course the prison break. Yet through it all he had to admit he was happy to have met Diana. Though while thinking about her made him want to change the shower to a slightly cooler setting.
Diana was upstairs having finished her shower where she had all but relaxed under the water. She found a nice replacement for the blouse that had been torn by a bullet. But she wasn't ready to give up the white leather jacket yet. She got herself a pair of jeans and a similar blouse all set for tomorrow, while she donned a pair of blue pajamas and prepared to go downstairs, when Martha Kent stood waiting by the door.
"Oh hello, Martha. What can I help you with?"
"Hello dear. Jonathan and I were wondering about many things after what you had went through with Clark today and we'd like to talk to you two about it."
"You don't trust someone you've just met. I understand that, especially considering what happened. But I assure you everything I said to all of you was the truth."
"We understand that and we are grateful for what you have done for us. We just want to know something. Something very personal."
"Well I'll do my best, but Kal-El's super hearing could kick in at any time. More importantly for your own safety I shouldn't reveal too much."
"What is Clark to you?"
"I don't know what you mean. At least I don't think so. He's a friend a very good friend who... Convinced me to save the world after I myself turned my back on it."
"What happened?"
"I don't want to reveal too much, Mrs. Kent. But I and several other of our friends fought major threats to this world and other adversaries but when it came to our lives... It seemed as if we all lost the will to fight on. Yet something special united us all and we couldn't have been more proud of each other."
"Personally, Kal-El and I have lived through many adventures and have shared many experiences. These things must remain private but all you need to know is that I would lay down my life for him. I'd die first before giving up on him."
"Is that all?"
"Its all I can tell you for now. Let it go Martha."
"Thank You, Diana. Goodnight."
Diana then left the room as she then saw Chloe all dressed for bed.
"Diana may I speak with you for a minute?"
"Sure Chloe."
Chloe invited her into her room where it all seemed a little less styled than that a teenaged girl would have.
"I know." said Chloe as she walked around the room seeing a much more simplified style. "Its not my usual style. I'd have a little wall with the paranormal and unexplained but at least its still comfy. Anyway I wanted to thank you personally for what you did for me and the Kents but most importantly for Clark."
"Thank You Chloe. I have to say its wonderful to meet you again after all these years."
"So we actually meet. Can I ask how that came to be, or is it like you told the Kents about Clark? You can't say too much."
"Exactly Chloe."
"How are you going to have this timeline restored to normal? Oh with the ring you say will erase our memories." Diana nodded her head. "I understand the whole paradox thing, I've seen Back to the Future. I still wish I'll have that talk with Clark one day."
"You will Chloe. You will."
"Still, I've got a question to ask you."
"I'll do my best to answer it."
"Actually its the same question the Martha Kent wanted to ask you but you successfully managed to avoid."
"What are you talking about?"
"I saw you two looking at each other. Now maybe I'm mistaken but what exactly are you to him?"
Diana started to shuffle nervously when she saw a pencil and a notepad on Chloe's nightstand. She reached for half of it and started writing. She then turned it around.
'Just a friend Chloe' Diana's writing proclaimed. After which Diana wrote another note.
'Leave it at that!'
"Okay." said Chloe as Diana continued writing for a bit.
'We may have dated once and a while, but we've always been very good friends.'
"That explains it."
'Please don't ask any more personal questions' Diana wrote. Afterwards she then spoke up. "Your lives come first. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Diana." said Chloe though with a smirk on her face.
"Goodnight Chloe." said Diana. Before leaving the room she then took the scraps of paper that she wrote and swallowed them up.
Diana went downstairs still feeling the weird feeling of paper down her mouth as she saw Jonathan Kent going upstairs. "Hello Diana."
"Goodnight Mr. Kent. Listen I want you all to get as much rest as you can. But at moments notice you get prepared to leave in hurry, understood."
"Yes Diana. I have still have many questions for you. I am glad that you come from a bright future. I just wish they was a way that can make things better now. Especially after what you just told us."
"No change happens, Mr. Kent. Things happen as they should and that is that."
"I just.. I was so quick to judge Jor-El. I loved Clark so much, raised him over the years. He was my son and Martha's, not somebody who's civilization ended. And I was so eager for Clark to live the life he wanted. But when you mentioned that story of me and Martha, I... I love my life with her and I don't regret anything except how much my father needed me so much. I wish I never gave Clark that trait, my greatest flaw. Maybe he should have listened to Jor-El sooner. Nor took the blame for his step-sibling. I wish I had never been so jealous that I wanted to believe in the worst of Clark's species. I wanted to believe I rescued him not Jor-El. There was so much he didn't deserve to endure and I'm culpable for that."
"You did the best you could Mr. Kent. Maybe you could have done things differently, but what's done is done."
"Still, you are so proud of what he's done but you refuse to call him 'Clark.' You call him by his birth name with such pride. I can never say it like you say it to him."
"In time all will know him by another name and its a name we both can say with pride. But until then, get some rest and don't worry. Goodnight."
Jonathan continued climbing the stairs as he walked up to the bedroom with his wife.
Clark just finished his shower and put on his clothes consisting of a t-shirt and sweats as he walked by the couch only to see Diana walk by and he could hear the heartbeats pounding in his chest as he saw how gorgeous Diana looked in her pajamas. They were sleek blue showing the contours of her curves, from her legs to her breasts. Her long dark hair was tousled and was shining with some moisture from the shower she had taken. Now more than ever he saw how lovely her face looked. How beautiful she was period. He didn't want to be caught staring so he decided to speak up.
"So um, Diana how long do you think before we have to move?"
"The best thing we can do is just rest as long as we can, but I just spoke to Jonathan and I made it clear that if we had to, we should prepare to leave as quickly as possible."
"I understand."
"Goodnight Kal-El."
Clark couldn't help it anymore as he gave her a very gentle hug goodnight. "Thank You, Diana for everything you've done. Goodnight." He turned back to the couch all set up to go to sleep when Diana still stood there looking confused.
"I'm sorry Diana, is there something wrong? Do Amazons not hug where you come from?"
"Yes we do Kal-El. But we hug with all our might."
"I don't... Oh. So you being as strong as me I can't hurt you if I hug you with all my strength."
"Exactly." said Diana with a smile. "I would have though after our tussle in the forest today convinced you of that."
"I'm sorry its just that.. ever since I was a boy I always had to be careful. Every handshake every... hug. I've cared a great deal for people and always felt as if I was holding air sometimes. Sometimes its their scents and their touch that remind me they are actually there."
"So come over her and try again. This time with all your strength." said Diana.
Clark wrapped his hands around Diana as she wrapped her hands around him. Clark stood there at first frightened for her but started to feel a very strong embrace from Diana reveling at how strong she was. He then returned as much strength as Diana was hugging him back. It was wonderful. Her arms squeezing his back caused the muscles to loosen comfortably. He closed his eyes then smelled in her hair with the scent of shampoo and perfume. He felt the warmth and softness of her skin as their cheeks brushed each other. How firm and soft her body felt from the muscles in her back to the fullness of her chest against his own. It was so amazing he didn't want it to end. Thankfully Diana decided to break it at the same time he did, hopefully not noticing how much he enjoyed it.
"And that is how you hug an Amazon, Kal-El." Diana said with a smile.
For the briefest moment Clark thought she looked a little winded as if she had trouble breathing. He didn't want to think he had hurt her or ... was it something else? No I'm was just imagining it.
"Goodnight, Diana."
"Goodnight, Kal-El."
Clark returned to the couch as Diana left for the guestroom. Sleeping under the blankets found in a closet, Clark was able to drift slowly and happily fell to sleep. It was such a great feeling to actually be hugged by someone as tightly as that. To think the night before he was imagining that very thing and now it truly was better than he had hoped for. The last thing he thought as he fell to sleep was how wonderful a woman Diana was. A Wonder Woman.
Diana fiddled with the phone one last time knowing the information was going to be a while to process. She then slid under the covers of the bed as she yawned and slowly fell to sleep. But then she realized it was the little things she was remembering earlier with Clark. The trouble they had endured was chaotic and fierce and she knew deep down it could only get worse the next morning. The meeting at the diving school, the dress shop where she wanted to try on a dress that all but turned into an invitation she couldn't accept. Being revealed by the sheriff. Meeting Clark and getting him out of there. Fighting Clark in the woods and telling him close to everything.
Going out on a date at that Texas restaurant. Showing him Krypto and the planning and assault of that base. She wanted it to end right there at the base but Hardcastle escaped. Meeting with Chloe and the Kents and that nice little dinner. A whole other day awaited. Still she had to think positive. She felt it nice to end that day on that hug. She knew that Clark never had a real hug in a long time. To her Clark looked more handsome than he did when she last left him. She wanted to tell him the entire truth. Funny that the first words they shared were the actual first words spoken years from now. Only they were more flirtatious that time. But still that hug, the feel of his chest and his arms. The last thing she thought before falling to sleep was that he certainly lived up to his name. A Super Man.