Chapter 3 [Kent Farm—Exactly at the Same Time]

Martha sat at the dining room table. Exhaustion threatened to set in over the previous week's ups and downs. She, Jonathan and Clark had returned Electronics, Sporting Goods and Fancy Clothes from the latter's shopping spree. Some stores took said items back without argument. Other establishments, however, remained obstinate until the very bitter end. Still, in the end, Refunds cleared Credit Balances.

Phone calls to each creditor verified that fact.

At least that's done. If I see another gaming system or stereo system, it'll be too soon! Tea soothed her throat and calmed her. Questions remained as to Potential Fallout from the whole ordeal. She and Jonathan took Clark's debit card away for the time being. While she knew Clark couldn't help what happened, Hope remained that such a lesson would reinforce Limits' and Boundaries' graces. His apology and cooperation, not that she was surprised in that regard, curtailed the need for a grounding. Frankly, she worried more about the Wild Coyote and the High School. She knew that Ethan had talked to all concerned. The Wild Coyote settled on a promise from Clark to stay out and an apology to Lana for his actions. Clark would need to talk with the Principal. Let's hope he doesn't get a suspension or worse! Frankly, if she wasn't so concerned with exposing the Secret, she'd talk to a lawyer about those class rings.

Alas. That wouldn't be happening…

Sometimes I wish we could tell the world! Granted, I wish Clark had never bought that ring. A frustrated sigh escaped her lips. Still, there are people he can trust. Pete's been really good with the secret. Maybe Lana and Chloe? They care about Clark. Jonathan, we have to trust *someone*.

She glanced through the window. There, she saw Lana pull up on Winter's reins and dismount. "Lana? What…?" She checked her watch. She knew Clark had gone to pick flowers and attempt (yet another) apology. What happened with Clark? Did he find her? She got up from her chair and walked outside. "Lana, how are you? Clark was going to find you."

Lana beat down Anger and Frustration. She understood that Martha and Jonathan had no role in Kal's escapade. She'd witnessed Kal ram Jonathan up against the latter's truck. "Clark found me. We talked. He apologized again." She shrugged. "He offered me flowers. Flowers? After what I just went through?" She sucked in a deep breath. "I'm dealing with my embarrassment right now. Kind of tough, you know?" She bit her lip. "How's Mr. Kent? We all saw Clark hit him in the parking lot." Compassion took the edge off of her voice.

"Mr. Kent should be taking it easy. I know our doctor would want him to be resting. Try getting him to do that." Martha rolled her eyes. "Thank you, Lana, for asking about him. I do appreciate it. I'm actually getting ready to put some coffee on. Would you like some?"

"That would be great, Mrs. Kent. Thanks! Winter and I went out to Crystal Lake after I rode away from Clark. I let her take a drink there. Still, it's a long ride for her. Anyhow, I admit I have some questions about Clark and…well me too. Winter just had a drink so she's good." Lana's face brightened a little. Inner Emotional Tempest still raged. Still, she wanted to try and talk to Martha. She followed the older woman into the house. Recalling the latter's preferences, she left her shoes by the door.

"That's good." Martha ground some fresh coffee beans. "Sorry I don't have any ready. I've been trying tea." She took two fresh mugs from the cabinet. "Is milk all right?"

"Milk's great, Mrs. Kent. Thanks! I'm ready to have a coffee that's not from the Talon actually." Lana caught herself and rolled her eyes. "Guess that sounds really weird. Huh?"

"No…no it doesn't. Our coffee's different. I guess it's just as good." Martha regarded Lana carefully. She discerned Anger's tone in the other voice. Determination and Upset lit up her eyes. "Lana, I know you didn't want to hear Clark's apology. I'd like to apologize for what happened. All we know is Clark got really sick for that time. It's kind of like what Mr. Kent and you went through with the Nicodemus flower. I couldn't believe what he did or said at that point. Apparently, I heard you had your own issues?"

Lana rubbed her forehead. "I wish I could remember. Everyone tells me I dressed in leather and did what I wanted. I embarrassed a lot of people. Still, I didn't treat Clark like that."

Martha recalled that Clark chose to keep the truth from her. "Actually, Lana, that's not true. You treated Whitney and Clark that way. Clark went with you to the school's swimming pool. Apparently, you…umm…" She rubbed the back of her neck.

"I what, Mrs. Kent? Clark said I didn't do anything to embarrass or hurt him. I asked him about that. I'd never…." Lana studied Martha's expression. She detected an unwillingness to press on.

"No. Normally you wouldn't, Lana." Martha squirmed. "Understand that we haven't said anything to Nell about this either."

"Said what, Mrs. Kent?" Lana shook her head. "What happened?" She saw Clark walking toward the door. "Right on cue. I'll ask Clark." She got up and walked to the door. "Hi, Clark."

"Lana?" Surprise widened his eyes. He'd hoped to get a night to put some thoughts together for her benefit. He saw Martha fixing coffee at the counter. "Is everything okay? How's Winter?"

"Winter's fine. Thanks for asking, Clark." Lana stepped aside. "Your Mom was just telling me about what happened when I was infected by that flower last year. Funny. You said I didn't do anything to you." Her eyes met his. "Can't even give me the truth then?"

He bowed his head. "No. I was trying to spare your feelings. People should look past certain things. I know you were already beating yourself up. What good would it do to tell you? All right. Fine. If you want the truth, I can give it to you." He walked into the kitchen. "I'm really going to need some of that coffee, Mom."

"That would be a great idea." Martha poured three mugs. "I've got it right here, Clark. So what did you not tell your Dad and me?"

"Yes, Clark. What did I do while I was under the influence?" Lana pressed. She really didn't appreciate the attempt to flip blame from him to her in this case.

Clark took a gulp from his mug. "Well, you tried to get a rise out of Whitney. When that didn't work, you came to the Torch looking for me. You tried to seduce me. Then, well…you led me to the pool. You…dove into the pool and pulled me in after you. You got out of there before Principal Kwan found me. I didn't tell him you were in there with me. I took Saturday Detention but it's okay."

"I jumped in." Lana raised an eyebrow. "There's something else isn't there?" She sipped from her own mug. "Sorry, Clark. I know you well enough to know when you're holding something back. Whatever it is, I can take it."

"What else happened, Clark? I'd like to know too." Expectation raised Martha's eyebrow. Mother's eyes penetrated into both teens' psyches. Tone went up an octave.

He sighed. "Lana, remember, I was trying to consider your feelings and stand by you."

"I know, Clark. Thanks. It's okay. I wish you had told me up on the windmill. Whatever it is, you can tell me now. I just hope it wasn't too scandalous." Lana watched him wince. "Oh what did I do?"

"You…umm…." He looked at his mother and then back at Lana. "You stripped down to your underwear and did this really great dive off the diving board. It definitely wasn't your normal self, Lana. I knew that then. I know that now."

"I?" Lana stared at him. Embarrassment streaked Crimson across her cheeks. "Clark, I…" She bowed her head. "I feel awful."

"I'm sorry I held that back. Again, it was for your benefit, Lana. I know you weren't in control." Pained Sigh escaped her lips. "Just like I wasn't in control." He put his hand up. "I'm not excusing what I did or how I treated you. There's no excuse. I value you as a friend too much to hurt you."

"So, you just want to be friends or did you mean it when you said you love me?" Lana repeated her earlier question from their fence encounter. "As I said, you can't have it both ways."

"Lana,…it's not that simple." He remembered Lex's advice. Then he looked to Martha. He tried to figure out the right thing to say.

"Clark, just tell Lana the truth." Martha weighed how to tell Jonathan about what Clark was about to reveal to Lana at that point. It's not about his abilities. It's just about how he feels. Maybe we can let them have a relationship? Maybe we can eventually tell her? Worry unsettled her once again toward Jonathan's attitude. We can't keep Clark in a cage forever!

He nodded. Years' Passage had witnessed his personal pining-fest. Telescope enabled him to watch her from afar. Whitney, Nell and Necklace had kept them apart. His voice croaked, "I meant it, Lana. I feel that way. I…I…just never had the courage…"

"Never had…what?" Coffee's latest draught went down her throat hard. Disbelief twitched her ears. Sigh escaped her lips. She rubbed her forehead. "Clark, I'll say it again! You can't have it both ways!"

"Why not? You did. I let you off because I knew you weren't in control of that Alpha Lana inside of yourself. You worked to earn everyone's trust back. You're genuinely sorry and care because that's the person you are. Why can't you return that to me? I'm not asking you to overlook anything. I am sorry about what happened with Jessie. I've got to face the Principal in the morning." He bowed his head. "I just hope I don't get suspended."

"Lana, Clark's life is…." Martha started to interject.

"Complicated? Confused? Full of secrets and evasions? With due respect, Mrs. Kent, I know that. I have so many questions! There have been so many things happening over the past two years. Just about every time, Clark, you're right in the middle of things! Kind of a weird coincidence." Lana frowned. "I know what I saw on the day of the twisters. Then, what you did in the Wild Coyote? Wow, Clark. I never knew you were that strong! And the fires? You were around three of them but had nothing to do with them? And you knew where to find me when Tina and that deputy buried me? Really?" She saw Excuse forming in his face. "No, Clark. Please don't. I just wish you'd be honest with me. I can keep a secret." She finished her mug. "Thanks for the coffee, Mrs. Kent. I'm sorry I had to raise my voice. I just want to understand."

Martha nodded. She knew Exasperation pushed Lana in that regard. Too often, Instinct had pushed Clark forward on Amor's behalf. She could feel Jonathan's opposition. Still, Lana had seen Strength, Heat Vision, X-Ray Vision and Flight. Denial weakened before Protestations. She shook her head at him ever so slightly.

He bowed his head. Heart screamed at his brain to tell Lana everything. Brain held back fall back into lock step with the parents. Paranoia manacled and gagged him. Tear drizzled down his cheek. "Lana, I…."

"What is it, Clark? Whatever it is, it's okay. I know there's something there. Can't you tell me?" Lana put her hand on his arm. Her eyes begged him for Truth's and Trust's bond. She could see he wanted to tell her. Still, his mother stood in the way.

"Lana, please. Clark's had a long week. I know you have too. I'm not making light of it. He needs time." Martha stepped between the two teens. "Mr. Kent and I…."

"I get it." Lana got up from her chair. "Mrs. Kent, I hate having to say this. Clark needs people who understand around him. I care! All right?" She frowned. "Thanks though for letting me know what I did before. It really helps. Clark, do me a favor?"

"Sure, Lana." He looked up into her eyes.

"Next time I do something like that to you, please be honest with me. I know you were trying to spare my feelings and stand by me. I really appreciate that, Clark. Really. I think though we need Trust and Understanding. I need some time to think. I'd like to see you at the Talon and at school. But if we ever have anything more, I need that. Whatever it is, you don't have to lie to me." Lana squeezed his hand. "Nell's going to be looking for me pretty soon. Thanks for the coffee." She pulled her boots back on at the door and headed out toward Winter.

He watched Lana until she and Winter were well out of sight. He frowned. "I wish we could. Mom…"

Martha nodded. "I'll talk with your Dad when he gets back tomorrow from the Grange. What Lana just said changes everything. Why don't you get your chores done? I'll have dinner ready soon."

"Sure, Mom. Thanks." He pulled on his own boots. Depression and Frustration weighed down on him. Hope seemed to splinter under Issues' and Paranoia's respective concerns. Agendas all seemed to make sense. Still, how could he know what he was? How could he know what he was supposed to be? How could he have a future? His eyes swept across the area taking in Barn, Storm Cellar and toward the neighboring farm.

Seemed there were a great many things…