CHAPTER 29

A few seconds later...

Her eyes widen as Clark sets her down in the middle of the fortress. "Wow," she says as she stares at the crystal-like pillars while the softly blowing snow continues to fall. "What is this place anyway?" she asks as she starts to walk around; her eyes taking in the scene before her.

"This is what my father calls my Fortress of Solitude - my biological father that is," he replies as he leans back against one of the pillars with his arms folded across his chest.

"Your what?" turning to look at him. "I thought your real parents were dead?" a confused expression on her face.

"My real parents are Jonathan and Martha Kent," he answers back.

"I know that," coming up to him and resting her hand on his shoulder. "I should have said biological. I'm sorry."

He heaves a sigh. "It's okay. I know what you meant. I didn't mean to sound so defensive."

"I know," she answers. "Giving birth to a child doesn't automatically make you a parent. A parent is the person who raises you," a wistful smile on her face.

"You really miss them, don't you?"

"I do."

He's about to answer when he hears the booming voice of Jor-El. "Kal-El, my son. I see you have brought Ms. Lang with you."

"You did say you wanted to see her," he replies.

"That's correct," his voice replies. "I need to scan her."

"Scan me?" her eyes widening.

Clark takes her hand and looks up. "So how does this work?" he asks Jor-El just as they hear a rumbling noise directly beneath their feet. Both of them jump backwards just as a long, flat pillar breaks through the ice. "I guess you have to lay down on it," turning to Lana.

"That's correct," answers Jor-El.

"I don't know about this," a clearly worried expression on her face.

"It'll be okay," trying to reassure her.

"Are you sure?" she asks.

"I'll be here every minute," smiling back at her.

"Alright," taking a deep breath, then exhaling as she lays down on the pillar.

Clark kneels down next to her while still holding her hand. A beam of light appears from above and slowly inches its way down from her head to her toes and back again, then concentrating on her stomach and abdomen. After about thirty minutes, the light disappears. "See?" standing up and helping her to her feet. "I told you it would be okay," looking down at her.

"I'll believe you when I hear the results," she replies.

"I can accept that," he responds. "So...Jor-El," once again looking upward. "What's the verdict?" he asks him.

"I am pleased to inform you that Ms. Lang's body is now strong enough to carry a half-Kryptonian/half-human baby."

"That's great," a smile on his face at first. "Wait a minute," a confused look on his face. "You said her body is now strong enough. What did you do to her?"

"Yes," a frown on her face. "What did you do to me?" her hands on her hips.

"I can assure you that the change in your body is not permanent, Ms. Lang. I simply strengthened your molecular structure so that you could carry the baby to term. Once you give birth, then your body will revert to normal."

"Are you sure about that, Jor-El?" Clark asks.

"I am," he responds.

"You better be," Lana mutters under her breath before turning to Clark. "I'm tired. I just want to go home and take a nap."

"Don't you have any questions for Jor-El?" looking curiously at her.

"Not right now," she says. "It's been a pretty overwhelming day for me. Maybe we could come back when I've had a little time to process all this?"

"Of course," wrapping one arm around her waist and the other one behind her knees. He lifts her up. "I'll take you back to the Talon," walking over to the portal. "We'll be back, Jor-El," disappearing into the beam of light.

They return to the Talon a few seconds later. "Let me know if you need anything, okay?" giving her a peck on the cheek.

"I will," laying down on the bed and closing her eyes.

"Bye, Lana," exiting the bedroom, then the apartment. He makes his way downstairs and sees Lois chatting with A.C.

"Smallville," she calls out to him. "Come over here," gesturing towards him.

Now what does she want? he wonders as he walks towards them. "What's up, Lois?" he asks as he sits down on the stool next to her.

"You remember A.C., right?"

"Sure I do," he replies. "He saved you from drowning."

"I wasn't drowning," she insists. "I just swallowed a little bit of water."

"You were turning blue as I recall," A.C. quips.

"Not exactly your color," Clark responds with a smirk.

"Very funny," rolling her eyes.

"So what did you want anyway?" he asks as the waitress comes over to him and brings over his usual decaf coffee.

"I wanted to tell you what happened to us today at the lake," she says.

Clark quirks his eyebrows. "What happened?" taking a sip of his coffee.

"We were debating on who was the better swimmer-"

"Which was me, by the way," A.C. interrupts with a grin.

"I want a rematch," turning to poke him in the chest.

"Can you please get on with the story so that I can get home in time for supper?" Clark sounding a little irritated.

"Is Clarkie a little cranky because he hasn't seen his snuggle bunny today?" she says teasingly.

"Not that it's any of your business, but I will be seeing my snuggle bunny tonight," he retorts. I can't believe I referred to Lex as my snuggle bunny. He would never let me hear the end of it if he found out.

She just grins back at him as she continues with her story. "Where was I anyway? Oh, yeah. After the race, all of a sudden A.C. clutched his head and his ears started to bleed."

"His ears bled?" a concerned look on his face. "Are you okay?" looking over at A.C.

"I'm okay now," he replies. "Thanks for the concern."

"That's not the weird part," Lois interrupts. "The weird part is that all of a sudden, dead fish started popping up on the surface of the lake."

Clark stares at her in shock. "That is weird," he says at last.

"A.C. said he heard a piercing sound just before the dead fish appeared."

"That must be why your ears bled," Clark remarks thoughtfully. "We need to find out what's going on," getting up from his stool.

"Where are you going?" Lois asks.

"To the one person who might know what's going on."

"Who's that?"

He turns around and looks at her.

"Lex."

TO BE CONTINUED...