Chapter 101

[Next Day]

Clark sat on the couch. Disbelief muddled his thinking. He couldn't believe he'd shared his Secret with everyone…

…or that his parents were all right with that….

This is just too weird! He rubbed his forehead. He got up and walked over to the upper door. He looked out over the plowed ground and prairie beyond. So much of a world. I can't believe Peter knows so many people! Wow!

HE SERVES, KAL-EL. I AM GLAD YOU AND HE HAVE YOUR ALLIANCE. IT IS VITAL, Jor-El assessed.

Good morning to you too. Clark pulled on a ski mask. He sucked in a couple of deep breaths. I'm going to try again.

CLEAR YOUR MIND, KAL-EL. FOCUS. NO DISTRACTIONS. Jor-El directed. VISUALIZE YOUR DESTINATION.

Clark nodded. His mind cleared of everything and everyone. He thought of the Talon. He flexed his legs. He felt the energies flowing through himself. He squatted and launched himself into the air. He felt himself streaking through the air. He scraped the very tops of the trees. He avoided the power lines.

All too soon, he passed over Smallville proper. He alighted in the alley next to the Talon. I did it! I really did it!

OF COURSE YOU DID. WELL DONE, MY SON! WELL DONE! Jor-El praised.

Unreal! He hustled out of the alley and toward the café. He walked in to find Lana checking in the muffin delivery. Miranda checked the coffee press over. Lex worked on his laptop. "Hi, Guys!"

"Clark, you're out early." Lex checked his watch. "Where are your folks?"

"Back home. I kind of worked on something." Clark grinned.

Lana dropped her pad on the counter. She grinned. Her eyes sparkled. "You did it, didn't you?" She pumped her fists. "YES!"

"He did what?" Miranda narrowed her eyes.

Lex shook his head. "You flew in from the farm?"

"I made it! I wore a mask so nobody would recognize me. I know it's only here but…" Clark started.

"Clark, yesterday you floated ten feet and for three minutes. You just flew ten miles! It's progress! Way to go! Get your coffee and a pastry or something. I've got it." Lex patted him on the arm. "I'm proud of you, Clark."

"How are Peter and Gwen doing this morning?" Clark accepted the coffee from Lana.

"He's great. I hope he decides to talk to the Planet, Clark. It'd be good for them to be in Metro or Wichita. Met U. has great programs for them to transfer into. I can make a few calls if I have to. Besides having Spider-Man around is a good thing too."

"I talked with Mr. Sanders on Friday. He thinks they both have potential as teachers if that's what they decide to do." Lana set his cappuccino and a big bowl of chili on the counter. "I'm with Lex on that one." Pride shone in her eyes. She put her hands over his ears. Her lips pressed down on his.

When the moment had passed, Clark gasped. "Wow!"

"You deserve a reward, Clark. Why not?" Lana smirked at him. "I'm making sure you're not hungry. Have your lunch."

"Thanks." Clark brought his meal out. He saw Lex closing the laptop. "Sorry I'm disturbing you."

"Excuse me? Clark, what good's an accomplishment if you can't share it? That's great. I think I can afford a bowl of chili for that." Lex saluted him with his mug. "Just keep working on everything. Keep your eyes open for Arighatto. He probably saw you again."

"Great. Someone I can't see." Clark put a spoonful in his mouth. "I definitely needed that."

"The chili or Lana's service?" Lex teased.

Clark shook the gibe off. "It's good, Lex."

"And he can have both." Lana put her mug down next to Clark. "We're slow enough. I'm glad everything worked out last night and with this. It's great!"

Clark nodded. "Let's hope it continues."

"No reason why it can't. We'll just have to see how it goes with the wedding next weekend." Lex shrugged. "I'm hoping Mrs. Parker and the others will like things."

"We'll do our best," Lana vowed.

"That's the spirit right there. With that attitude, I'm sure they will." Lex smiled and took another sip of coffee.

Planning commenced at that point….