Chapter 36 [Two Days Later]

[Smallville High]

Fresh off of (yet another) quiz, Clark meandered through the bustling halls. His mind swam with the rapidly approaching end to the school year. Hard to believe we're almost halfway there! He opened his locker and swapped books out. Granted he had chores and homework but he also mused over the battles and strife related to that year. Hard to believe we survived the twisters and ended up learning about ourselves. He glanced at Lana's picture smiling back at him. And to think I don't have to compete for Lana anymore! Wow!

"Feeling relaxed, Mr. Kent?" a familiar voice queried expectantly.

Clark shut the door slowly to find Reynolds standing there. "Good afternoon, Principal Reynolds. Did I do something?"

The older man shook the notion off. "You're fine, Mr. Kent. I wanted to compliment you."

"You…do?"

Reynolds nodded. "Why yes. You participated in two major fundraisers and kept your grades up in the process. That's quite commendable. It is an excellent start in the direction you should be heading."

"Thank you. I appreciate it," Clark expressed in disbelief.

"You're welcome. I expect to see more of this when we return next year. Once again, nice job, Mr. Kent. Please let Miss Lang know as well when you see her? Have a nice evening," Reynolds concluded before heading back toward his office.

Clark rubbed his forehead in disbelief. He couldn't fathom that Reynolds would actually compliment him on something more than once. He walked slowly outside; his brain spinning more over that fact than anything else.

And why wouldn't he, Kal-El? Jor-El interjected over their link. You are acting with purpose and definition rather than denying what is around yourself.

Clark rolled his eyes. He's unreasonable.

For all of his faults, the dark skinned human wants you to reach the peak of your potential much as I do. You are capable of so much more. Keep that in mind, my Son, Jor-El concluded before going silent.

Both of them now? Wonderful! Clark looked around before rushing off toward the Talon.

He needed a talk and he needed it now….

[Talon—about twenty minutes earlier]

Fresh off of her own gauntlet of exams, Lana walked briskly into the café. Between school, her new status, the fund raising and the cold war between Jor-El and the Kents, she'd felt overwhelmed. Needless to say, the Talon had been relegated to second tier status behind everything else. It isn't fair. This is my dream place and yet I ignore it. Wish life would let up for a while.

"You okay, Boss?" Miranda queried from where she was grinding coffee for another espresso run. She eyed the building bunch of Crows congregating in front of the counter. "Could use some help here."

"I'm on it. Thanks, Miri," Lana noted while rushing to the back, punching in and putting on her apron. She headed back out to the counter and started in on orders as fast as (humanly) possible. As she moved through the progression, she managed to slow her breathing and keep control. She admittedly felt tempted to blaze through the orders at super speed and deal with them….

…Secrets, on the other hand, do need to be kept however….

How does Clark deal with this stuff? She cranked out a latte and set it on a tray for the waitress to grab on her next go-around. She scanned the pastry shelf to make sure goodies remained there. She smiled and presented a pleasant countenance to every person in front of herself. She accurately counted change at that same pace. She kept control no matter what.

"We did it," Miranda noted with relief as the last customer came through. She wiped the counter down with a wet rag and a tired flourish. "Everything okay?"

"Sure. Why?" Lana replied even if she didn't feel that way exactly.

"You seem out of it. Hope you're not getting sick. Is Captain Plaid treating you okay?" her lieutenant wondered.

"Of course! It's almost like I'm a member of the family now. The stress has gone way down," Lana assured her. It has on that front at least!

"Honesty does wonder for relationships," Lex concurred as he approached the counter. He had a slight weightiness to his gait. While endeavoring to maintain a cheerful expression, his smile drooped at the corners of his mouth ever so slightly.

"Trouble at the office?" Lana wondered. She clearly could pick up on the billionaire's mood despite his efforts to hide it.

"My father's at it again. Still you don't want to hear me complain about that. Life is meant to be savored with the glories of triumph and rewards for labors well spent," Lex noted as he spun the mood back toward the positive end of the spectrum.

"Rewards?" Lana quirked a curious brow.

Lex smirked. "Yes indeed! I have excellent news about this place." Seeing Clark rush in, he waved the farm boy over. "Glad you're here, Clark. I was going to give some good news about the complex to the ladies. Grab whatever you want and join us at the corner booth." He motioned toward the red headed waitress moving about the establishment. "Pepper, can I have a minute please?"

Pepper hustled over. "Yes, Mr. Luthor?"

"Can you watch the counter for a couple of minutes? Promise this won't take long," Lex requested. Getting a nod from the younger girl, he added, "Meet me in the corner."

Lana advised Miranda, "Go ahead. I'll do Clark's coffee. Then we'll meet you there." After the other girl had left, she switched to the telepathic link. What is it, Clark? You're worked up over something.

Mr. Reynolds complimented us on the fundraising. Then Jor-El told me that Reynolds wants the best for us. Something about some challenge to rise to or something like that. I mean what's the big deal? Don't we do our best? he wondered.

She considered the point for a minute allowing it to ruminate in her head. Then she answered, Clark, I think we have challenges that we have to rise up to. I guess what he meant is that we get stronger with each test? I don't know. She smiled at him while giving his hand an affectionate squeeze. That's why we have each other. She kissed him on the cheek while handing him his warm mug. "Come on. Let's see what Lex has in store." She led him over toward the table where their friends awaited them. "What's going on, Lex?"

"Big plans actually. Take a seat, Guys," Lex invited while motioning across the table toward the empty seat. When the couple had slid in, he grinned. "Remember what you told me, Lana, about the extra theaters?"

Her eyes went wide. "Of course! Did you…?"

"I definitely did. I finished buying the buildings up in back of us." Lex laid a blue print of the Talon's block on the table and pointed out certain details, "Smithson's and Regal's were both ready to be sold. Their owners are ready to retire and their children have long left town. Why not put the space toward something useful, right?" His eyes twinkled at his friends. "I had lunch with them separately and offered them a more than fair price for their investments. Given what we have planned, they were more than happy to sell."

"So how many theaters do you think…?" Clark queried expectantly.

"Three from what it looks like. We might not have all of them going at once but it allows for variety, right?" Lex shrugged and sipped his coffee.

"That'll be great! We can actually compete with the one in Granville! Maybe we can offer a concession stand in there too? I know we have coffee and treats out here but what's a movie without popcorn, you know?" Lana suggested.

"You read my mind, Boss," Miranda agreed as she sipped on her drink as well. "People are still talking about The Lord of the Rings. Maybe we can do classic and contemporary or figure out some mix? Do a poll?"

"I know my parents would love that mix. Not everyone's into the action and drama stuff," Clark agreed. He hugged Lana's shoulders. "Knew you'd get your dream."

"Considering that you coached her in creating it, Clark, yeah, I'd agree with that," Lex teased good-naturedly. "Seriously though, Lana, it's a great dream. What would we be as friends if we didn't help each other to achieve them? This will benefit the entire town and revive the downtown too as I believe you put it. Besides the NCHP will be more than happy to arrange grants to help with construction if we keep the 1930s motif going. I'm game if you are."

"NHCP?" Clark interjected.

"They're the National Council on Historic Preservation, Clark," Lex explained. "They're the agency that gave us the support to retrofit this place into the café you see before us. Trust me. I think they'll be very happy to assist…if for nothing else to stick it to Dad and everyone else."

"Are you kidding? As long as we can have the sound and picture quality in there, why not?" Lana supposed. "You think that agency would be great with that?" She sighed. "You're having issues with your Dad over this too?"

"Dad's never satisfied unless he's crushing the common man. It's a huge flaw of his. I'm not one to repeat such hubris. Besides better to win the populace over with honey than vinegar. Right, Clark?" Lex clarified.

"It's a great strategy, Lex. Your Dad's money doesn't win him many friends. I'd rather do things the way my Dad does personally. He may not be rich but he has friends, family and great neighbors. We have food, a great house, the farm provides and we're cared about. What else can you want?" Clark proposed.

"What else indeed?" Lana cuddled closely against him enjoying the soft flannel against the side of her face. "Sounds like a happy life to me. We appreciate your help of course, Lex, but…."

"No need to explain. I agree wholeheartedly. Let's enjoy the moment," Lex agreed while eliciting a tacit nod from Miranda.

And so, the dreams brewed and spun their delights. Proposals sprung up into realistic goals. Happiness would soon be upon them….