Chapter 51 [Talon—Twenty minutes later]

Miranda wiped down the front counter with an extra purposeful swipe of her rag. The extra support from Alicia and the others gladdened her heart. She was relieved that Chloe wasn't going to push her out of her accustomed place upstairs. She did enjoy being around the townspeople when they were happy about their loved ones or accomplishments…even if it meant she wasn't meant to have them….

…such was the life of an orphan….

…especially one in a service business….

At least the Kents and Mr. Luthor include you! Be happy in that, Miri! She took a deep breath imbibing of the former theater's vibes. She had always enjoyed being there since childhood for some reason or another. Yes there were Lana's stories about her parents. But there was something else she couldn't quite pin down.

The coffee press stirred her from her reverie with its tail tale beeping. Get the mugs out, Kid. I'm ready for business!

If these things could only talk! She allowed herself an amused grin on that note. She put out about a dozen mugs for everyone. If more showed up, reinforcements waited under the counter. She put another pot onto perk. She pulled out the pastries and treats still remaining from before the standoff.

Right on cue, Lex unlocked the doors allowing the group from the hospital inside. "Hi, Miranda. How's everything?"

"Hi, Mr. Luthor. Coffee press is fine. So are the pastries and stock. We do have some cleaning to do around here though," the waitress noted.

"We can see that," Patricia assessed while running her fingers over the cracked counter and glancing at the debris piled in the corner.

"Makes you wonder what we're facing at the mansion once the riff raff's cleared out," Lex supposed while listing off in his head all of the latest countermoves to his father's scheming on that occasion at least. "Meantime enough of that. See the coffee's ready?"

"I have one pot I finished. Another's warming. And I have a third perking now," Miranda noted.

"That's our Miri," Lana complimented with a grin. "Leave it to you to keep this place running even if it looks like the middle of a war zone."

"That's because it was, Boss," Miranda replied saucily without giving an inch. "Leave it to you and the Farm Boy to stir things up." She added a good natured chuckle for emphasis.

"We're never boring. What can I say? Wish things were quieter but that's how it goes," Clark insisted.

"Life may have its idyllic moments, Clark, but the traveler has tempests and storms to endure as well," Byron quipped.

"Leave it to me to build our island sanctum, my Poet," his nurse countered pleasantly while adding a kiss to his cheek for emphasis. "I think we all have that for ourselves. Wish that Pete and Sam were around to share in things."

"They'll be around I'm sure," Lana presumed. "During the clean up, she asked about working here as a waitress after school. Don't see why not."

"No argument here," Lex agreed as he poured himself a coffee. "Might as well keep good people around. Makes for worthy fellow travelers along that road Byron was just talking about." He smirked at Patricia to make a point before continuing.

"We still have to deal with our fathers, Lex," Patricia reminded him.

"Oh I know. I figure we'll drop in on Dad this afternoon. We should thank him for the gracious consideration he's shown us and all that," Lex acknowledged with a spicing of sarcasm.

"Is that smart?" Martha queried.

"I'm with Mrs. Kent on that one, Lex. I'd stay clear of him," Chloe concurred.

"And let him think we're scared? I appreciate the concern. Dad wouldn't try anything so brazen in broad daylight even in his own office. He still needs me. Besides Dr. Swann's watching too. I'm sure we can talk to him on the way there?" Lex assessed.

"We will. I need to catch him up on things. In the meantime he'll be glad that the Traveler's safe. Miss Lang's out of her wheelchair and on an even standing. The standoff was contained. He'll be watching to insure that Lionel is neutralized," Patricia clarified.

"Can we speak to your Dad about this situation, Miss Swann?" Lana inquired hopefully.

"He'll insist that you do at some point. When it's beneficial to all parties, it will be arranged," Patricia noted. "I want Mr. Kent awake for that discussion."

"Thank you for keeping him and me in the loop," Martha expressed.

"We all need to be. Remember what we were talking about when Kara interrupted us. We all have to know and work together. I'm still for that." The heiress added a sip from her own cup. She glanced at her watch. "We should go, Lex."

"That's a good idea. Guys, be good, okay? Thanks for including us. Mrs. Kent, when we get back, I'll call KC and get the paperwork going," Lex concluded before leaving.

"I hope he's going to be all right," Chloe worried.

"Maybe we should keep an eye on things just in case?" Lana supposed.

"It wouldn't be a bad idea," Clark agreed while shooting Jasmine a quick look.

"Just take care, my friends. I could not stand for anything to happen." The princess of course would take Carpet and do her own surveillance just in case.

Martha eyed the group still marveling at who knew about Clark. How many people do know? It makes you wonder….

And with that another question remained hanging in the air…..