FRAGILE
*Daily Planet*
Chloe sat at her desk staring at her computer, not looking for research or her next big story, but trying to figure what to do. She was always good at helping people and she liked helping people. That is part of the reason she became a journalist and wanted to work at the Daily Planet, she wanted to help people. Not that she liked to brag or anything, but had helped some people and it made her feel good. This time was different though, this time it was her friends who needed her help and she didn't know what to do or what she could do.
*Chloe's Point of View*
There's nothing worse in the world than feeling helpless. That's the way I feel right now. My best friend Clark, is hurting and has been mentally destroyed inside. I've gone to see him every day and every day I get the same reply or lack there of, I should say. He just looks up at me with those lost eyes, like he has lost his soul and his heart has been stolen from him. As Clark's best friend, I have seen him through the good times and the bad times, but I've never seen him like this. Maybe I'm overreacting about this, I mean, he just lost the love of his life and it was a shock. Why shouldn't he be upset or sad? Except this is Clark we're talking about, I've seen him bounce back before, but some how I know this time is different. There's no longer that sense of a hero inside of him, only a broken down man. What makes matters worse, is this couldn't have come at a worse time, not with Lionel and Fine on the loose. What am I going to do? I hate to confront about this, but it has to be done. Then there was Lana. How can someone completely change in two weeks? Two weeks ago I was looking at this strong woman, who was more than ready to marry my best friend and help him become who we all know he is. She was so happy, so brave and everything you'd want to be. Now I see a completely different person, someone who I hardly recognize anymore. It is a scary thing to wake up one morning and not know who your best friend is. I wish I knew what was going on, but I have no clue and it's getting harder every day. How could she do that to Clark? That's what I want to know. How could she throw away something like that? Something special? What I do know is how much she loves Clark, even if she told him she didn't. She told me that she would sacrifice her life for his and not think twice about it. She told me every night how happy she was and how much she loved him. Then she turns around and does something like this? I just don't understand and it sucks.
*Chloe and Lana's dorm room, later in the day.*
Lana and Lex walk into Lana's room hand in hand. "I hope you enjoyed yourself tonight." Lex said.
"Yeah, I guess." Lana told him with little emotion.
"I thought we had this discussion?" Lex asked.
"So now I have to pretend I'm happy?" Lana wanted to know.
"It would make things more easy and more tolerable." Lex said.
"For whom?" Lana smirked.
"You're the one who agreed to this." Lex snapped back.
"I had no choice, remember?" Lana replied, folding her arms.
"Then start acting like you care." Lex told her.
"You can have your hand holding and your kisses, but I can't make myself love you." Lana said, Lex looked back at her blankly, hurt from her comments, knowing they were true.
"Love or not, you're mine." Lex kissed her, then Chloe walked in and he pulled away. "Hey Chloe, I was just leaving." He grinned at Lana and left as Chloe stood there in shock.
"Chloe, I can explain." Lana said with a worried look on her face.
"Explain what? That you broke up with Clark to be with a man who tried to kill you, because you knew Clark's secret? I don't think there is anything to explain." Chloe said, brushing by Lana coldly.
"I didn't mean for it to happen this way. I was going to tell you." Lana tried to explain.
"Yeah…" Chloe said, brushing off her attempts to apology.
"You have to believe me." Lana said, looking at Chloe with begging eyes. Chloe turned to her, looking her straight in the eyes.
"I don't know if I believe anything you have to say anymore." Chloe said and then shrugged, turning back to her desk.
"What is that suppose to mean?" Lana shoot back.
"It means, I don't even know who you are anymore." Chloe paused. "You do you know how many nights you kept me up, telling me how much you loved him? Telling me how happy you were? Why did you do that? CAN YOU TELL ME THAT!? Obviously it wasn't true, it was just one big lie. You never really did love him and God knows how long you've been with Lex. Maybe that whole working with Lex to help Clark was just one big show. So, don't you dare give me this, why don't you believe me BS. Not after what you've done and said. Not after I have to see that look in his eyes. Not after what you've done to him and to his heart. You abandoned him, when he needed you the most. I don't know if he'll ever be able to forgive you for that or that I will ever be able to forgive you for that.." Chloe said. Tears beginning to well up in Lana's eyes. Lana turned away, Chloe still stared glaringly in her direction. Then Lana gathered up strength and turned to Chloe.
"You need to help him." Lana sternly said.
"He won't listen to me, he won't listen to anyone." Chloe replied.
"Make him listen then. Chloe, I'm just a girl, but he's not just a man, he's something special. He's going to save the world, he doesn't need me or anyone else for that matter. He has the strength inside of himself, I've always believed that and I know you do too. Make him realize that too." Lana said, emotion running through words. For a second, Chloe's anger subsided and she saw the girl who had always loved Clark. She saw the sparkle and love in her eyes as she talked about him. Chloe paused for a second, before speaking again.
"I have to go." She grabbed her things and brushed pass Lana to the door. Lana stood there, taking out her necklace from under her shirt and looked at it lovingly.
*Kent House*
Clark walked down the stairs slowly, hoping everything that had happened over the past week was a nightmare. It was just one big nightmare that he still hadn't woken up from and was going to end anytime now. Part of that was true, it was one big nightmare, but it was reality. No matter how many times he woke up, nothing could change what has happened. So, Clark just dragged himself down the stairs and sat down at the kitchen table. Martha placed a cup of coffee in front of Clark. "Here you go sweetheart." She said, he nodded to her in thanks. Taking a couple of sips as he stared emotionless out the window. Martha took a seat next to him. "Clark, I really think you should get out today." Martha told him.
"Why?" Clark asked, not turning to her.
"You can't stay here forever, you have to face the world again." Martha said.
"There's no reason to." Clark told her.
"Just because you lost Lana, doesn't mean you have to lose yourself." Martha told him, looking worriedly at him.
"It's too late, the day she walked out, was the day I lost myself." Clark said.
"Maybe Lana wasn't the one, maybe deep down you know that yourself. Not all adult relationships go the way we want them to." Martha explained. Clark then put down his coffee and turned to her, emotion starting to fill his eyes.
"How could say that?" Clark asked in a whisper.
"I just want you to feel better Clark." Martha replied apologetically.
"Lana's the only girl I've ever loved, she isn't just any girl mom. She was the one and I believe that with all my heart. There is just no point in going on, if it isn't with her." Clark said, putting on his cup of coffee.
"Clark, if your dad was here….." Martha began, but Clark put his hand up to stop her.
"But he isn't here and now neither is Lana." Clark got up and walked away, Martha stared sadly in his direction as he walked away.
*Clark's loft, later in the day*
Clark is sitting on his couch with a lead box in his hand, flipping the top on and off. Chloe then came up the stairs. "What are you doing?" She asked.
"Nothing." He replied. She walked up to him.
"I hope you're not doing what I think you are." Chloe said, looking from the box to Clark.
"What would it matter." Clark shrugged and Chloe took the box of his hands.
"WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU!?" She yelled at him and tossed the box aside.
"It just isn't worth it anymore." Clark replied.
"I'm sorry for what happened Clark. I know how much you're hurting, but doing that won't solve anything. You can't just make problems go away." Chloe told him.
"I wasn't going to do anything, I was just thinking." Clark argued, Chloe sighed and took a seat next to him.
"If I could make your pain go away, I would. However, I can't, the only way it will go away is if you move on. Even then, I can't promise you it will, but you have to move on. I know this is a lot to put on you now, but we need you. You have to be strong Clark." Chloe said, pleading to him.
"There's nothing left Chloe, there's nothing left." Clark told her, his hand over his heart. Chloe looked back sadly.
*Lana's dorm room*
Lana laid on her bed, holding her necklace on her finger. 'Did I have another choice.' She asked herself. She had asked yourself that question all week and come up with the same answer. That answer was no, there was no other choice, there wasn't any other way out. She did exactly what she thought Clark would and that's protect the one he loves. Which is what she did, protect the one she loves.
However, the way Chloe talked about Clark disturbed her. How was he feeling? How badly was this affecting him? She knew it would hurt, but was it as bad as Chloe made it seem? Maybe she needed to do something, but would he even talk to her? 'I have to try.' She told herself. 'I'm not going to let him destroy himself over me, over us. He's much more than a boyfriend or husband. Clark is a hero.' She said, trying to convince herself. She loved him too much to let everything slip away.
*Hardware Store*
Clark is standing in line, waiting to pay for his things when he hears a loud bang. He turns around to see broken glass and nails all over the floor. A little girl is also standing next to them. She slips out before anyone can see her. Clark then pays for his things and leaves as the store employees clean up the mess as well as look for the person responsible.
When Clark gets outside, he see's the girl and goes up to her. "Did you do that?" He asked, she nodded. "Why?" Clark asked.
"I guess you could say I'm special." The girl replied.
"Special?" Clark questioned her, the girl looked scared by his reaction. "We're all a little special, where are your parents?" Clark wanted to know, he looked around trying to spot someone.
"I don't know." The girl told him, Clark put on a worried expression.
"Well, why don't you come with me to my house and maybe we can find them. My name's Clark Kent." Clark extended his hand, giving her a warm smile.
"My name's Maddie." The girl said, shaking Clark's hand. She feels comfortable around Clark.
"We can talk more when we get to my house." Clark said, then they left.
*Kent House*
Clark and Maddie walk in the house, Martha was going through papers until she heard the door close. Clark puts down his things and brings Maddie into the kitchen. "Mom, I want you to meet Maddie." Clark introduces her, Martha smiled warmly and bends down to Maddie's level.
"It's nice to meet you Maddie, I'm Clark's mother, Mrs. Kent." Martha says, Maddie smiles back.
"Hi." She replies.
"Why don't you sit down, well I get you something to drink and eat." Martha offered, Maddie nodded and took a seat. Clark followed Martha into the kitchen. "How did you find her?" Martha asked once they were further enough away from Maddie.
"On the streets next to the hardware store." Clark told her.
"Where are her parents?" Martha wanted to know.
"I don't know." Clark shrugged.
"We can't just pick up little girls off the street Clark." Martha told him.
"I know mom, but she looked scared and she's...special." Clark said as Martha's eyes widened.
"She's special?" Martha said looking back to the girl.
"Yes, I'm not sure what she can do, but she says she's special." Clark explained.
"Alright, I'm sure we can make room for her, but we need to find her parents." Martha said and Clark nodded. Martha then brought a plate of cookies and a glass of milk. "Here you go." Martha handed Maddie the cookies and milk. She placed them on the table and started to eat.
"Maddie, we need to talk." Clark said.
"Sure, about what?" Maddie asked cheerfully.
"Your parents, sweetheart." Martha told her, Maddie, stop eating.
"I don't want to talk about them." Maddie firmly replied.
"But it is important, otherwise we can't help you." Martha tried to convince her.
"No!" Maddie said. She then got up and ran out the door. Martha put his hand on Martha's shoulder.
"Let me talk to her." Clark said. Martha just nodded.
*The Loft*
Maddie ran up the loft stairs, trying to find a place to hide. "Maddie? Maddie?" Clark yelled, coming up the loft stairs. He finally spotted her, looking out into the sky.
"What is this place?" She asked.
"My dad called it my Fortress of Solitude. It's a place where I come to think and be alone." Clark explained.
"I need one of those." Maddie said, looking up Clark. He smile down at her.
"Well, if you ever want to borrow mine. You're more than welcome." Clark told her and she smile up at him. She had never meant anyone like Clark before. He was so kind and warm to her.
"You said you were special too, what did you mean?" Maddie wanted to know.
"Well, can you keep a secret?" Clark asked her.
"Yes." Maddie said, shaking her head up and down.
"I have these abilities that allow me to do things you could only dream of." Clark said, smiling warmly at her expression.
"Wow…" Was Maddie could mutter.
"You also said you were special, what can you do?" Clark said, looking down at her.
"I can break glass." Maddie replied.
"How did that happen?" Clark wanted to know.
"I really don't know, it just did, when I was little." Maddie said, with a pained expression her face.
"Did something bad happen when you were little?" Clark said, recognizing her sadness.
'My mom died." Maddie told him.
"I'm sorry to hear that. I know what it's like to lose a parent and someone you love." Clark told her. Maddie then saw a picture on Clark's desk of Lana.
"Who's that?" Maddie asked, going up to the picture of Lana.
"It's a picture of a girl I know." Clark sighed, having all his feelings from the previous week return in a second.
"She's pretty, did you like her?" Maddie said, looking from the picture to Clark.
"No, I loved her." Clark said, tears welling up into his eyes.
*Kent House*
There was a knock on the door and Martha answered the door. "Hi, Mrs. Kent." Lana said, standing there, feeling very awkward.
"Hello Lana." Martha said, in a less than cheerful voice.
"Is Clark around?" She asked apprehensive about the answer she might get.
"He's in the loft." Martha told her.
"How's he doing?" Lana asked, already knowing it was the wrong question.
"How do you think someone who just had their heart broken is doing? How do you think someone who had trade their father's life for the life of the girl they loved only to have her break his heart, is doing? I always thought you were smarter than that, but I guess I thought you were a lot of other things as well." Marthascoffed at Lana.
"I'm sorry….." Lana said, about to break down.
"So I am." Martha then shut the door, looking back for a second, before heading back into the kitchen.
*Clark's Loft*
'Okay, you expected that.' Lana thought to herself as she tried to regain her composure. 'They don't understand, just like I never did.' Lana told herself and made her way up the loft stairs. "Clark? Clark?" She said, making her up the loft stairs. Clark turned around and there she was. He thought she would never again walk up those stairs after her last visit, but there she was, standing right in front of him.
"What are you doing here?" He wanted to know. Maddie looked at both of them.
"We need to talk." Lana said.
"I thought we did all of our talking." Clark said coldly.
"Please?" Lana begged.
"Maddie, why don't you go back into our house, until I come back?" Clark gave in.
"Okay." Maddie said, taking one last look at Clark and Lana. There was an uncomfortable silence, until Clark broke it.
"You wanted to talk, didn't you?" Clark firmly asked. It was clear right away to Lana what she had done.
"I want to know how you're doing." Lana said, showing concern in her eyes.
"Great, never better, next question." Clark sarcastically replied.
"Just because we broke up, doesn't mean I don't want to be friends." Lana offered.
"Oh, so you can break my heart, but we can still be friends. Isn't that nice of you." Clark said, getting more upset.
"I know you're upset, but…" Before Lana could finish, Clark interrupted.
"Stop, just stop right there. You don't know anything." Clark told her. Lana was now doing her best not to cry and tell him the truth, but she had to be strong.
"THIS ISN'T ABOUT US CLARK! THIS IS ABOUT YOU AND YOUR DESTINY!" Lana shouted at him, trying to fight back.
"Don't talk to me about destiny, you lost that right the day you walked out on me." Clark snapped back.
"Whether you like or not, I still care about you and I won't let you destroy yourself, not over me. You're more important and special than I will ever be. You're the one with the future, you're the one who is going to change lives. I'm just the small town girl who was lucky enough to be around for the short ride. Stop being a coward and be the hero you should be." Lana ranted at him. Clark stared at her as she glared at him, then he finally began to speak.
"There is no future, because there's nothing left. Like or not, when you walked out, you took my heart with you." Clark then got up and walked out, Lana stared ahead in pain. Lana knew there was only one last option here.
*Kent House*
"Mrs. Kent?" Lois says walking into the kitchen. Martha comes right in when she hears Lois.
"Lois, nice of you to come by." Martha said cheerfully.
"Well, you said it was kind of urgent." Lois replied.
"It kind of is. I was wondering if you would be interested in being my Chief of Staff?" Martha said. Lois looked at her surprised.
"Me? Couldn't you find someone maybe a little more qualified?" Lois asked, making Martha laugh.
"Probably, but I'd rather have someone who I can trust." Martha told her and Lois smiled.
"Thank you Mrs. Kent." Lois said and they hugged.
"I was also hoping you could help Clark watch over Maddie. She's a girl Clark found at the hardware store, she has seemed to have lost her parents." Martha explained.
"Sure, kids are easy, it's adults that are hard." Lois laughed and went into the living room with Maddie.
Clark walks back in, shutting the door and laying his head on the door. He had never acted like that toward Lana ever before. He had always loved her so much that her faults seem to disappear to him or he usually thought he deserved it. This time was different though, he felt anger toward her, something he would never have thought could have been possible. Although he knew it was just the pain talking, trying to heal itself and shield itself from further hurting. No matter what happened, he knew that he would always love her. Martha then walked up to him, rubbing his back.
"I'm sorry." She said, already knowing what had happened.
"I yelled at her mom, I treated her horribly." Clark shook his head.
"You were just upset, that's all. You gave so much of yourself only to have her do that to you. It's okay to get so of it out." Martha said, sympathetically. Clark nodded and then sighed.
"Where's Maddie?" Clark asked.
"She's with Lois. I thought, considering your state of mind, you could use some help." Martha told him.
"You're probably right." Clark confessed.
"Good, they're in the living room." Martha said pointing to them and Clark made his way in there.
"So, we can play monopoly, maybe go to the park or play dolls." Lois says to Maddie as they girl looks like she's getting annoyed.
"I don't want to." Maddie replies.
"Come on, it will be fun." Lois tries to convince her.
"No!" Maddie says again.
"Oh come on." Lois tries to take Maddie's arm, but she pulls away and her milk glass shatters in pieces. Clark rushes in the living room.
"What happened?" He asked in shock.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to break it." Maddie said. Clark didn't understand.
"What do you mean?" He wanted to know.
"I broke the glass, I'm so sorry." Maddie told him and started to tear up.
"It's okay, Lois, why don't you get a broom and something to scoop up the glass with." Clark instructed her.
"Sure..." Lois said, looking wide eyed at the glass before slowly walking away. Clark looked down to Maddie.
"Is that what makes you special?" Clark asked calmly.
"Yes." She said calmly, still looking upset at what she did.
"It's okay Maddie, we all make mistakes. Sometimes even the best of us have problems controlling our gifts." Clark told her with a kind smile.
"Thank you for being nice to me." Maddie said.
"It's okay, but for me to help you, I need you to tell me something about your past." Clark said.
"My mother died when I was little in a car accident. I don't where my dad is." Maddie explained.
"Well, who was taking care of you?" Clark wanted to know.
"My adopted mother, but she died a couple of days ago." Maddie told him, eyes tearing up.
"It's going to be okay." Clark said, gently rubbing her shoulder.
"I'm afraid, I don't know where to go or what to do." She said, holding back tears.
"Don't worry, I'm going to find your dad and get you some help." Clark said, trying to reassure her. Lois then came in and helped pick up the glass. "Lois, I need you to stay here with Maddie, until I come back." Clark informed Lois.
"Where are you going?" Lois questioned him.
"To find her dad." Clark replied, then smiled at Maddie, before leaving.
*Daily Planet, about 10 minutes later*
Chloe is sitting at her desk, moving her pen around her fingers in thought, when Clark walks in. "Hey." Clark said, standing in front of her desk.
"Hey, how are you doing?" Chloe said, looking concerned.
"She actually came by to see me today." Clark told her, looking away slightly.
"She did? How did it go?" Chloe asked cautiously.
"I kind of gave it to her." Clark said in a sad tone.
"Oh…." Was all Chloe could say.
"I've never acted like that toward her before. Even when I was on red k." Clark said, turning back to Chloe.
"That's something you have to expect when you get your heart broken like that. Sometimes the only way to feel better is to get out how you feel, which is horrible. Maybe after a while, you two can go back to being friends." Chloe said with hesitation.
"I don't know, my heart is in pieces and it may never heal." Clark expressed some hope as Chloe nodded, not trying to give away what she knows.
"Just give it time. Is that what you came by to talk to me?" Chloe desperately wanted to change the subject.
"I was hoping you could help me. I found a lost little girl today and I brought her home. She has an unusual power to shatter glass and her dad is missing." Clark explained.
"What happened to her mother?" Chloe asked.
"She died in a car accident." Clark replied.
"Who was taking care of her until now?" Chloe said.
"Her adopted mother, but she also died." Clark told her.
"Tough luck, maybe we can find something." Chloe turned to her computer and found an article on the murder. "It appears the adopted mother was killed by shattered glass." Chloe looked toward Clark.
"She wouldn't have done that. Is there anything on the dad?" Clark needed to know.
"Only that he has a mother in a nursing home in Metropolis." Chloe told him.
"I'm going to go see her." Clark said and then walked out.
*FOS*
Lana stood alone in the Fortress. It was a really big place and although beautiful, kind of scary. She had only been here with Clark and he made it seem safe. This time she was alone, on a mission to help Clark. She had used the key to get here, taking it after she left the loft. She knew Jor-el was the only option she had left and she had to talk to him. What she was going to say, she didn't know, but she loved Clark too much, to see him destroy himself. It was up to her to save him and she wouldn't let him down. "JOR-EL! JOR-EL!" Lana yelled.
"Why have you come here?" Jor-el responded.
"Clark needs your help." Lana told him.
"If he needs my help he can come here." Jor-el said.
"He won't come to you, he doesn't trust you or forgive you for what happened to his dad." Lana informed him.
"Then that is his choice. I did what was best for him, I couldn't stop what was in motion, nor could I make the choices for him." Jor-el explained.
"That's because you don't tell him the truth. You don't tell him what he needs to hear, you give him orders and demands, like he's a solider. He's no soldier, he's your only son." Lana made a plead to him.
"Then what I am suppose to do? He won't listen to me and you're right, he doesn't forgive me for what happened." Jor-el said, in a tone which he never used before. One of worry.
"Be honest with him. Tell him how the people he loves need him more than ever and how he can't quit, because of me." Lana told him.
"You understand this destiny?" Jor-el asked..
"Yes, he's going to be the world's greatest hero, I know it and I believe it." Lana said with full confidence.
"And you were willing to sacrifice yourself for it?" Jor-el asked, knowing what she did.
"Yes, how did you know?" Lana replied.
"I guess you could say I know a lot of things and see a lot of things." He paused and then began again. "I know I have seemed like a monster to him, but I do love him,, just like you do and I'm glad he met you. You have changed my perception of human emotions, they are much more powerful than I have known." Jor-el confessed. "I will try to help him." Jor-el then said.
"Thank you, for everything." Lana said gratefully and then left.
*Lex's Mansion*
Lex is on the phone when Lana walks in. "I'll call you back." Lex closed his phone and turned to Lana. "Take a seat." He told her.
"I'd rather stand." She snapped back.
"Suit yourself." Lex said.
"Is there a reason you called me here?" Lana asked annoyed by Lex's presence.
"I don't need a reason, you're my girlfriend." Lex said with a smirk.
"Okay, then I'll go." Lana turned to leave when Lex got up and grabbed her forcefully by the shoulders.
"If you continue to play games like this, then when I reveal Clark's secret I'll make sure he ends up like a caged rat." Lex paused and stared at her with no emotion. "You have no idea what I'm capable of and if you keep up with this attitude. I assure you, Clark won't be the only one who pays." Lex said, darkness filling his eyes.
"I'm sorry." Lana mummered and Lex let go of her.
"Good, now there was another reason I called you here." Lex confessed.
"What was it?" Lana asked, visibly shakened.
"What were you doing talking to Clark?" He questioned here.
"I just wanted to see him." Lana said.
"What did you tell him?" Lex wanted to know.
"I didn't tell him anything, I wouldn't do that to him." Lana told him as Lex examined her to see if she was telling the truth.
"I believe you, but it might be best to keep your distance from him. You wouldn't want me to get the wrong idea, would you?" Lex asked.
"No." Lana replied.
"Good, you can go now." Lex said and Lana walked away defeated.
*Kent House*
Lois and Maddie are sitting on the couch watching t.v. when someone knocks on the door. "I'll get it." Lois gets up and answers the door.
"Hello ma'am, I'm here from Child services, looking for a little girl named Maddie." The man explains.
"Is she in trouble?" Lois asked.
"No, but she needs to come with me." The man looks in and see's here. He walks past Lois to the living room.
"Hey!" She says, following him.
"Maddie, you need to come with me." The man says and grabs her arm. He drags her out to his car.
"No!" She screams as they approach the car.
"You don't want to make her upset, trust me." Lois tells him.
"She's only a little girl." The man replies.
"Okay…" Lois said, then when they got up right to next to the car, the window shattered into pieces and glass went every where. The man was killed and Lois was knocked out.
"Did I do that?" Maddie asked, becoming teary eyed.
"No, I did." A voice said from behind her.
"Who are you?" She asked.
"I'm your father Maddie and I want to take you home." He told her as she looked scared.
*Metropolis Nursing Home*
Clark walks up to the front desk. "Hi, I'm looking for a Ms. Baker." Clark said.
"She's in room 104." The nurse informed Clark, then he walked away. When he got to her room, he knocked on the door.
"Come in." The old lady said. Clark walked in and took a seat.
"Hi, you don't know me, I'm Clark Kent." He introduced himself.
"Nice to meet you, are you a friend of my son?" She asked.
"No, I'm a friend of his daughter. I was wondering if you could tell me where he is." Clark explained.
"Last time I saw him, was at Belle Reeve. He was put in there for robbing a bank with his ability." She told Clark.
"Was that the ability to break glass?" Clark needed to know.
"Yes, it was. How did you know?" She asked.
"His daughter can do the same. I'm trying to help her. Do you know if he's still in Belle Reeve?" Clark questioned her.
"No, but I sure hope he is." The mother said and Clark nodded.
"Was he dangerous?" Clark said, knowing he must have been to be in Belle Reeve.
"Let's just say, there was always a few screws loose." She said and Clark nodded, Clark got up, when she stopped him. "I don't remember for sure, but he always seemed interested in a glass picture at this place called the Talon." She informed him.
"Thanks." Clark said, then left.
*Kent House, a little later*
Clark walks into the house as Martha greets him, looking worried. "What's wrong mom?" He asked.
"Something happened with Maddie and Lois. I found shattered window glass outside when I came home. Lois was cut up, I brought her to the hospital and Maddie was gone." Martha explained.
"If I think I know what happened. I'm going to find Maddie." Clark said, then superspeeded away.
*The Talon*
"Come on." Maddie's father said, pulling her along.
"What are we doing here?" She asked.
"I need to pick up something." He replied. He looked around and finally saw the glass picture he was looking for. Once he found it, he shattered it's glass. All the people in the Talon screamed and ran out.
"Why did you do that?" Maddie wanted to know.
"To get what's mine." He said, pulling out the jewels, when Clark superspeeded in.
"Get away from her!" Clark yelled at him.
"No, I'm her father, she's coming with me!" He shouted back.
"You're the one who killed the Child service man and hurt Lois, aren't you?" Clark said as Maddie looked on scared.
"Yes and I'm also the one who killed her mother. Now if you don't step back, I'm going to hurt you too." He said, glass shattered in Clark's direction, knocking him to the floor as he shielded himself.
"Don't hurt him!" Maddie yelled, looking worriedly at Clark.
"Shut up." He told her and Maddie turned to him with anger.
"No!" She yelled in his face.
"Don't get me upset." He warned her, but Maddie stood her ground and stared him down. "That's it!" He said and glass shattered, but instead of going into Maddie, it went into her father. He fell to the ground.
"Maddie!" Clark shouted and hurried to her, giving her a hug.
"I couldn't let him hurt you." She said and Clark nodded, then embraced her again.
*Chloe's dorm room, that night*
Chloe and Clark were sitting on Chloe's bed, talking about what happened early in the day. "Is Lois okay?" Chloe asked.
"Yes, she's fine, but I think she cut her lip. Doctor's said it would be painful for her to talk." Clark informed her.
"Oh, good, now we won't be the only ones who suffer." Chloe and Clark laughed.
"Very true." Clark paused. "We got Maddie a nice adopted family, I think she'll be fine." Clark said.
"I hope so, she must have had a tough life." Chloe said.
"It's always tough, when you have to grow up and be different." Clark sighed, then Lana walked in.
"Listen Chl….." Lana began, when her eyes locked on Clark. They stood there, looking into each other's eyes. Until, Clark finally broke their stare and turned to Chloe.
"I'll talk to you later." Clark brushed by Lana and walked out. Lana turned to the door helplessly and then walked into the bathroom. Hoping to hold back her tears for just a moment longer. Chloe looked on, studying Lana's reaction very closely, then looking thoughtfully at the door.
*Clark's Loft*
Clark had gotten out of there as soon as he could. He could no longer look into the eyes of the girl who broke his heart. He couldn't look at the eyes, who had always told him that she loved him. It was too much for him. "Kal-el" Jor-el called out as Clark snapped his head upward.
"Not now." Clark thought.
"Kal-el." Jor-el called again and this time Clark superspeeded to the caves with the key that Lana had put back. He transported himself to the FOS.
*FOS*
"I really don't want to deal with you now." Clark said as soon as he got to the fortress.
"We need to talk Kal-el." Jor-el said.
"Talk about what? Are you going to take another life away from someone I love or have you called me to tell me you were right about love and human emotions." Clark said in an anger tone.
"I have call for you as a father." Jor-el said, in a more commanding tone.
"You could never be my father, I don't care what you say." Clark said without emotion or care.
"I couldn't stop what was already in motion." Jor-el told him.
"Save it, I don't need to hear your crap." Clark began to walk away, when Jor-el spoke again.
"I loved my Louise, just like you love your Lana." Jor-el said, emotion in his voice, for the very first time. Clark stopped and gulped as he turned away.
"And how did you feel when she was gone." Clark wanted to know.
"Like I had no reason to go on." Jor-el replied.
"Then how did you?" Clark really needed to know.
"Because I realized that I had more important things to do than sulk and mope. I had to fulfill my destiny, I had to save my world. We're different my son, we don't have the luxury of moping, especially you. You must find Milton Fine and stop him, before it's too late." Jor-el said, finally talking to him like his son.
"What if I can't stop him?" Clark asked.
"Then everyone you love and everything you know will be destroyed." Jor-el said. Clark sighed and looked helplessly into the crystal.