Chapter 128 [Smallville High—Noon]

The students checked their lockers one last time. The boxes with them held personal effects. The locks had been turned into their home room teachers. Their books resided with the subject teachers once again. Papers overflowed from waste baskets. Summer now called to them.

And with that, another year passed….

[Torch]

Chloe typed away on the internship's last story. She'd put a preliminary version in the Torch's last issue a week earlier. Accomplishments and Short Comings graced that version. She included Clark's, Dubois', Peter's, Gwen's, Sam's and her own accomplishments in that regard. She looked forward to Sam being with them for senior year. For this—the Planet's version—she'd interviewed everyone in-depth. She went out to the reservation with Clark to talk with the tribal elders and Chief Willowbrook. She talked to Peter and Gwen about their shifting plans and the discovered opportunities midstream. The Duboises shared their return from Exile's refuge to their life. We really did it. It was nothing like we thought it would be at the beginning. Too bad it's over. I would've liked to have kept going. She skimmed the document on her screen. Then she composed an email, attached the document and sent it.

"You are prompt, Miss Sullivan. I will say that for you."

She stiffened. Now? She turned to see Travers watching her from the doorway. "Ms. Travers! I'm sorry!"

"Mr. Parker and you are a pair." Travers strode into the news office. "So this is the Torch." She nodded.

"I apologize that I didn't get here on my last trip."

"That's okay. You're busy. I wouldn't take your time." Chloe gulped from her coffee.

"And why not? Something like this is part of the story. Something like this is worth being interrupted over." Travers coughed at the Wall of Weird. "And this is the scifi wall?"

"Yeah." Chloe squirmed. "People around here react to the meteors."

"So I've been told. Belle Reeve has a few inmates from here." Travers turned back toward her. "Miss Sullivan, how would you like to do a real summer job? You would have to spend the summer in Metropolis. I can promise you a better experience than the internship you had two years ago. You have earned that much." She considered the email on her phone. "Is the piece still there?"

"It's here." Chloe brought the article back up. She got out of the chair. "Here you are."

"Thank you. This will take a few minutes." Travers scanned the article. "Who took the pictures?"

"Pete Ross did. He was at Mr. Parker's workshop." Chloe replied. She somehow kept her teeth from chattering.

Travers nodded. She filed that insight away. "This internship program has definitely paid dividends for everyone. I like what I'm seeing. Perhaps June 1st?"

"My Dad and I will figure out living arrangements. I'll be there." Chloe nodded. "Thank you!"

"Well I think for your work this term, we can help you." Travers raised an eyebrow. "I will treat you like a real reporter however. If you do well, I reward. You screw up and I will lecture you. I am not J. Jonah Jameson but I have my own sharp tongue and standards. There are some things you need to work on. As I told Mr. Parker, I do not waste talent, Miss Sullivan." She held her hand out. "Do we have a deal?"

"I say yes but I need to talk with my father." Chloe hedged.

"Of course. I will be here until tomorrow. Perhaps you might follow me over to the Talon? I am in the mood for a really great cappuccino." Travers motioned toward the door.

Chloe shut down the computer and grabbed her coat. "Lead on. Follow me!" She kept herself under control on the outside. On the inside though, she was jumping up and down.

Opportunity knocked again….

[Front Office]

Gwen brought the borrowed books up to the office assistants' desk. Despite Jitters' early appearance and Dr. Connors' dropping out, she'd benefited from the experience. She learned a great deal from watching the middle school and high school teachers. She taught a few classes under their supervision. Even Dubois himself had shown up to watch her a few times.

Met U accepted her transfer with flying colors. Her science credentials stood out. Experience and Recommendations rounded out a strong application. They put her on scholarship starting with the fall semester.

That'll give us time to move and get settled! She signed the books back over to the staff. Her mind already weighing the packing process. Regret lingered over the old house and its memories. She knew Aunt May lamented the situation about Forest Hills. Her mind still hung on the previous night's standoff at the mansion where Jasmine and Miranda were concerned. What is wrong with her father? Does he have a bolt loose? Still new experiences were to be had.

And with certain friends' abilities to get back and forth quickly, there was always a seat on someone else's ride.

"Mrs. Parker? Do you have a minute?" Reynolds called.

"Of course!" Gwen smiled to the secretaries. Then she headed to his office. "What can I do for you, Mr. Reynolds?" She followed him into the office.

Reynolds shut the door behind them. "I want to thank you, Mrs. Parker. I know this has been a very challenging time. Mr. Parker and you have carried yourself well. I am glad that Dr. Connors is recovering back in New York. Even with the chaos, you act as if everything is in control. The faculty have enjoyed your time with them." He held up a sealed packet. "Your evaluations are excellent. I have shared that with Metropolis University's College of Education. When it comes time for your student teaching, I would hope you would consider doing it here. Wherever you go, I am sure you will be a credit to that school."

"You all are so great. Your patience really helped. You didn't have to let us watch so much. I know Mrs. Donnelly's classes are helping him. It's been a pleasant surprise." Gratitude sparkled in her eyes.

"Mr. Parker said the same thing. I wish Jonah Jameson had been more understanding. Still, I am glad that his new opportunity opened up. And I understand that he helped the Duboises." Reynolds nodded. "Excellent." He put out his hand. "Best of luck with your new studies."

"Thank you." Gwen shook his hand again. "I appreciate it. You take care." She headed out the door and into the parking lot.

"All set?" Lex smiled.

"Let's move onward and upward!" Gwen took one last look at the school. Then she got in the Porsche's passenger side. "How's Peter? Did he check in?"

"Onward and upward indeed. There was good news. I have to say Jasmine has some powerful friends. Peter's back at the mansion. He got back an hour after you left for here. It seems our Wall Crawling friend spoke to T 'Challa in person." Lex shook his head.

"He just spoke to him? Wow. I married a super hero and a diplomat. Who'd have thunk it?" She rubbed her forehead.

"You should be proud of him. He helped to keep things from really going south." Lex got in the driver's side and drove them back toward the waiting coffee goodness and coming transition.

Even Transition needed Cafferine's boost after all….