Chapter 37

"True Colors"

After the movies had ended, Lois, Chloe, Pete and Jimmy, decided to hang out at 'The Talon' and have some coffee to kill some time. They walked out of the theatre talking and laughing, the day had done wonders. Lois barely missed Clark and Linda now. Chloe suddenly noticed the expression on Lois' face change. She glanced in the direction Lois was looking to see Lana approaching them, her bodyguard Ted close behind.

"Hey, Pete, welcome home," Lana spoke.

"Thanks," Pete smiled.

"How are you doing Chloe?"

"I'm good, Lana," Chloe responded.

"Jimmy, right?"

"Yeah."

"Lois," Lana sneered.

"Lana," Lois responded as calm as she could.

"Looks like Clark finally wised up," snickered Lana.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lois challenged.

"It means Clark finally realized he doesn't want gutter trash like you," Lana replied with an evil smile. Chloe watched, frightened of what Lois would do to Lana if allowed the opportunity.

"You know what, Lana-" Lois started, her voice filled with anger.

"Lois! Just walk away," Chloe intervened, pushing her cousin back from Lana. Lois' knuckles turned white as she clenched her fists tighter and tighter.

"No," Lois pulled out of Chloe's grip and walked back up to Lana refusing to back down from this challenge. She crossed her arms to prevent herself from hurting Lana. "You know what, Lana, you're the one who's 'gutter trash'."

"Oh, man," Pete said watching Lois.

"You think you've made something of yourself just because you've crawled into bed with the 'rich rat', Lex Luthor. You're nothing but a lying, backstabber. You hurt Clark countless times, you betrayed his friendship, and then you have the nerve to come back and try to use him to benefit yourself. You are so lucky that he's gone with his cousin to see his parents, because if he could see you and your true colors right now he would be so disappointed. He tries so hard to see the good in you. He wants to be your friend and believe in you, but that can never happen."

"So what?"

"'So what'? Clark doesn't deserve that, Lana! If you ever truly loved him, then you would have the decency to leave him alone and let him move on with his life, like he's been trying to do since you left, but you keep trying to use him like a yo-yo," Lois said leaving Lana speechless.

"Go, Lois," Jimmy commented as he, Pete, Ted and Chloe all watched Lois and Lana in astonishment.

"I'm going to leave with my friends now, Lana, because honestly, the sight of you is making me sick," Lois said turning to her friends and walking away with them following close behind.

"That was intense," Chloe commented once outside 'The talon'.

"That was awesome!" Pete shouted. "I've been waiting for someone to tell Lana off since I found out she left Clark for Lex. I mean, Clark's my best friend and he didn't deserve what she did to him. I always thought it would be Chloe who set Lana in her place, but it was so much better coming from you. Even better than I imagined. Did you see her face? Pure shock," Pete laughed.

"I honestly thought you were going to punch her," Jimmy commented.

"I have more self-control then that," Lois replied.

"Could have fooled me," Chloe mumbled.

"What was that?" Lois demanded.

"Nothing," defended Chloe.

"That was amazing," Pete said.

"Yeah it was, but Clark's reaction is going to be terrible. He'll be furious when he finds out, and Lana will definitely play this for all it's worth," Lois commented.

"Lois, you did a good job in there. I expected you to hit her, but you didn't. You kept your cool and I'm proud of you," Chloe smiled.

"At least someone is. Clark isn't going to be so proud of me."

"So what?" Jimmy asked.

"He'll scrutinize me, and act like I'm a child who can't their temper."

"We all saw what happened in there. And in my opinion, you did nothing wrong," Jimmy reassured.

"Yeah, that's right," Pete agreed.

"Lana got what she deserved," said Chloe.

"I never thought I'd hear you say that," Lois smiled.

"Lois, you did what everyone else wanted to do. The problem is everyone else is afraid of Lex," Jimmy said.

"I'm not worried about Lex, I just don't want to let Clark down."

"Don't worry about Clark. I'll tell him what happened," Pete reassured.

"Thanks," Lois smiled.

"No problem," Pete smiled in return.

"Okay, we'll see you tomorrow," Pete said as him, Chloe and Jimmy were leaving the Kent house.

"Yeah, I'll see you guys tomorrow," Lois responded.

"At least Clark and Linda will get home tonight, so we can all go do something tomorrow before Chloe, Pete and I head back to Metropolis," said Jimmy.

"Yeah. If you want we can show you where the carnival and ball are going to be," suggested Lois.

"Yeah. That'd be great," Jimmy answered.

"Maybe, if there's time we could go horseback riding tomorrow," Pete commented.

"That would be fun, you want to go horseback riding Jimmy?" Chloe asked.

"I've never gone horseback riding before, but it sounds like fun. I've always wanted to try it, it looks like it would be fun, especially from the old black and white westerns I've watched," Jimmy said.

"Black and white westerns? You're such a nerd, Jimmy," Chloe commented.

"Horseback riding isn't hard at all, Jimmy," Lois commented. "It real easy once you get the hang of it."

"I bet Linda would like it too. She seems to love the animals around the farm, especially the horses. I wonder if she's ever gone horseback riding before?" Chloe said.

"I don't know," Lois said.

"Well ask her tomorrow. Simple solution," Pete commented. "Anyway we should head out. We'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye," Lois waved as her friends left. Once Pete, Jimmy and Chloe were gone Lois headed back into the Kent's house.

"How were the movies?" Martha asked.

"Good, but we ran into Lana and her bodyguard."

"Lana?" Asked Martha concerned.

"Yeah. She and I got into a fight," Lois said calmly as she grabbed a pillow and blanket from the pantry.

"Oh?" Martha asked, not knowing what else to ask.

"It was nothing big," Lois stated as she turned and kicked the pantry door shut with her left foot because her hands were both occupied.

"As long as it was nothing big. I found some rides to rent for the carnival," Martha said as she watched Lois walk around the kitchen looking for something.

"What kind of rides," Lois asked as she opened the cupboards.

"A Ferris Wheel, a ride called The Scrambler, The Tilt-A-Whirl, A Merry-Go-Around, and some others. I also found some games and a dunk tank."

"Great. Thank you so much, Mrs. Kent. I really appreciate that," Lois said.

"It was no trouble, Lois, Lionel gave me all the numbers to call."

"Remind me to thank him tomorrow."

"I will. What are you doing?" Martha finally asked.

"I'm going to wait out on the porch for Clark and Linda to get home," Lois replied.

"They won't be back until much later," Martha responded.

"I know."

"Do you want me to sit with you for awhile?"

"Sure, if you want to. It'd be great to have some company for a while."

"Okay, sweetie. Let me get a jacket and I'll be right out."

"Sure. I'm going to run upstairs and grab one of Clark's sweatshirts."

"Alright. I'll be right here."

Lois jogged up the stairs and into Clark's room. She opened the closet and grabbed a black, zip-up hoodie. She closed the closet door and noticed a picture she remembered Chloe taking, but she had never noticed it in Clark's bedroom before. The picture was of Clark and Lois, both were laughing and surrounded by unpacked boxes. Clark was laying in the floor of their apartment and Lois was laying on his chest. Lois suddenly found herself remembering that day. Chloe had been taking pictures of them moving into their new place, Clark had tripped over an unpacked box and fallen on the floor. Lois, as usual, had been mocking him when he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her down onto the floor with him, and Chloe just happened to snap the shot while everyone was laughing. Lois smiled as she recalled that day. The picture made her realize that the times in her life that she had the most vivid memories of or the times she had truly experience joy had been when she was with Clark. He made her happy and a better person. When she was with him she felt more sure of herself. How could she not feel the way she felt? She truly was falling for Clark Kent.

"Lois, is everything okay?" Martha called from the bottom of the stairs.

"Oh, yeah, Mrs. Kent. Everything's fine. I'm coming," Lois said pulling the sweatshirt on and running downstairs. "I'm all set," She commented. The two women headed out onto the back porch of the Kent house.

"You are now ready to use the knowledge you possess as a Kryptonians to fulfill your destiny," said Jor-El.

"We have put much faith in you," Zor-El added.

"You two have been called and chosen to be protectors of these people," Lara explained.

"We trust you will do whatever you can to protect them from their worst enemy, themselves." said Allura.

"They are a weak race, yet they hold great power, if only they could learn to control and use that power. They have a great capacity for good, that is why we have sent them you. Two of Krypton's last survivors," Zor-El told Clark and Linda. "Do you understand your destiny?"

"Yes," Clark and Linda said simultaneously.

"Then we send you on your way," Zor-El said.

"Good luck. This fate now lies on your shoulders. Do not let them down," Jor-El warned.

"We won't," Linda said.

"You may leave now. We are here for guidance if you need us," Jor-El said finally.

"Clark."

"Dad?" Clark turned to see his father.

"Hi, son," Jonathan said.

"Dad, this is my cousin, Linda."

"I know who she is, Clark. We met the first time she came to the fortress as Kara."

"You didn't tell me you knew my father," Clark said looking to Linda.

"It wasn't important," Linda said.

"Son, it doesn't matter how she met me. All that matters now is your destiny. I have great faith in you, Clark. I always knew your destiny was far bigger then you ever dreamed. I've always been proud of you, but now your destiny is in your control. Now you have to go make me even prouder, Clark."

"I will," Clark said.

"Goodbye, son."

"Bye, dad," Clark smiled then turned back to Linda.

"Ready?" Linda asked.

"Let's go," Clark said and the two left the fortress to return to Smallville.

Clark and Linda entered the Kent farm house at 5:00 a.m.

"I'm going to go to bed," Linda yawned.

"Hey, what happened to all that talk on the way home, 'I'm a Kryptonian, I don't get tired'?" Clark quoted his cousin.

"I lied," Linda said.

"Well, there goes what we stand for, 'Truth, Justice and the American Way'."

"I still stand for all that, but I need my sleep like any other person. You can't run on solar power forever."

"Okay, you go rest."

"Thank you, Clark. Goodnight… Or morning, whichever," Linda said as she headed to the closet and retrieved a pillow and blanket then headed to the couch.

"I'll see you in a little while," Clark answered as he headed upstairs to rest for a while. The training he had received with Linda had beaten them both out. Clark quietly entered his room so he wouldn't wake Lois but was surprised to find his bed empty. Where is she? Did she decide to spend the night at Pete or Chloe's house? Clark wondered. Finally he decided to go ask his mother where Lois was. He quickly crossed the hall to his mother's bedroom and crept in the room silently. He hated to wake her, especially when she looked so peaceful. This was one of those times he wished he had one more power, telepathy. Finally he decided he had too wake her, he needed to know where Lois was. "Mom," Clark whispered as he nudged his mother gently.

"Clark?" Martha asked as she rubbed her eyes tiredly.

"Yeah, it's me mom. I just got home."

"What time is it?"

"5:00. Mom, where's Lois?"

"Did you check your bed?"

"Yeah, she's not there."

"Then she must have fallen asleep on the back porch."

"The back porch? What's she doing out there?" Clark asked.

"She wanted to wait out there for you to get home. I stayed with her for a few hours then came to bed. She said she'd be in shortly."

"Okay. Thanks. I'll go get her and you go back to sleep," Clark said kissing his mother's forehead then heading to the door.

"Goodnight, Clark. I love you."

"I love you too, mom. Goodnight," Clark said shutting the door quietly behind himself. He headed back downstairs stopping outside the living room to see if Linda was still awake, but she was sound asleep on the couch. Clark quickly exited the house through the back door. There was Lois, just like his mother had said she would be, sound asleep, her legs covered by a blanket and her head resting on a small blue pillow. "Sleeping beauty," Clark commented as he pulled the blanket up over her shoulders and pushed a piece of hair back from her face.

Lois moved when Clark's hand touched her face. "Clark," she whispered. Clark wondered if he had woken her up, but was relieved to find she was still asleep. He looked at her as she slept. It brought a smile to his face to see how peaceful and relaxed she looked. Finally he picked her up, cradling her in his arms for a moment as he watched her sleep. He was surprised when she cuddled into his chest. He carried her into the house and upstairs into his room. He placed her on his bed then headed out to the linen closet where he grabbed a blanket and pillow for himself. He returned to his room where he set up a bed for himself on the floor. He leaned down to Lois' side and kissed her gently on the forehead then took a blanket from the foot of the bed and covered her with it. Just as he turned to leave her he felt a hand grab his wrist.

"Clark?" She whispered as he looked back at her.

"Yeah, it's me. I'm here."

"Where are you going?"

"I'm not going anywhere."

"How was your visit with your family?"

"Good. Better then expected," Clark said as he sat down on the floor.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm going to sleep on the floor," Clark said pointing to the bed he had made for himself.

"Why?" Lois asked looking at Clark like he was crazy. "There's plenty of room for you here on the bed. I don't take up that much room."

"Yeah, but I didn't want to wake you."

"Well I'm awake now so climb in."

"I'll stay here."

"Why would you do that? Chloe, Pete and Jimmy already know we share a bed and so does your mom and Linda. We've shared a bed before, it's no big deal. Are you afraid I'm going to bite you or something?"

"No."

"Then get up here."

"That's okay. I'll stay here on the floor."

"Smallville, you sleep on that floor and I'll get down there with you."

"Fine, I'll get in the bed."

"Good boy, Clarky. I know you'd see things my way."

"Like I had a choice."

"Be quiet and go to sleep, Clarky."

"I'm not a dog."

"Quiet, Smallville."

"Sure, you're all nice until you get me into bed with you."

"Don't ever make a comment like that again," Lois said looking at Clark with disgust.

"It sounded different in my mind."

"I'm sure it did. You probably had me pictured baked in your mind too."

"Lois!"

"You're a guy, Smallville. It's okay, I get that. Picturing girls naked is what guys do, especially if they're sleeping in the same bed as a girl."

"Lois! Just stop!"

"Sorry. Didn't realize you were so touchy. So, what's this big surprise you were talking about yesterday anyway?"

"I'm not going to slip up that easy."

"I thought all that uncomfortable 'picturing me naked talk' would distract you enough to make you tell me the surprise. Not that you would picture me naked."

"No. I don't really need to picture much anyway."

"Look who's talking, you and Clark Jr. were hanging out in a cornfield."

"What?!"

"Never mind. Just tell me what the surprise is."

"Lois, you'll just have to wait and see. I know the reporter in you wants to know, but you thank me for not telling you later. You'll find out very soon what it is, but for now we sleep."

"Fine," Lois gave in.

"Sweet dreams, Lois," Clark whispered.

"You too, Clark." Lois answered.