Note for the Readers: Ok Folks this is the last part. I have enjoyed doing
this thx for all the great feedback. I am currently writing a sequel.
Think of the Epilogue as the prologue for the second part. Mainly cause it
deals with the future. Capes, tights, college, maybe not quite in that
order though ( If anyone is interested in it being posted let me know!
…….Smallville High Gym……
Steve entered the Gym some fifteen minutes after walking Lana to her car. The music was playing a fast popular song and most of the teenagers were out of on the floor dancing the best ways they knew how. Clark was on the sidelines having some punch and laughing at something that Steve couldn't see. Steve joined his friend and they stood in silence for several minutes.
"Lana?" said Clark, turning from Pete's antics on the dance floor with several girls, including his date.
"Went home," replied Steve. "Too much public too soon, I guess. She'll be all right."
"I hope so," said Clark.
"She will," said Steve. "We just have to give her time. Where's Chloe?"
"Right here," she said from behind them. She stepped up beside Clark and he put an arm around her. "What happened to your date?"
"She needed to go," explained Steve again. "Too many couples I guess."
"Oh," said Chloe, feeling a brief pang of guilt. "I guess I never thought of that."
Steve shrugged. "No reason you should," he said. "She knew what she was doing. Speaking of couples you guys were melting a hole in the dance floor out there earlier." He grinned at them. Clark and Chloe both blushed slightly
"Hey I think it's great," said Steve still grinning. "So does this…."
PHHHHHHHH came a voice over the speakers as the band ground to a halt.
"Attention everyone," said Mr. Parker, one of the dance chaperones. "Please listen. The radio has just announced that several tornados have been spotted moving toward Smallville. There are said to be possible touchdowns in Smallville itself as well as the surrounding areas sometime in the next hour or so. The high school and the downtown areas are expected targets. So for everyone's safety we are moving to the basement of the school in the next minutes so please gather your things and remain calm."
"My folks," said Clark.
"Clark I'll get my cell phone and we'll call them," said Chloe as she turned and walked to where she had left her bag.
"Lana," said Steve suddenly. "Would she have made it home by now?"
"Probably," said Clark, trying to be calm.
"Clark," said Chloe as she handed him the cell phone, he took it from her and could here the static of the line.
"Mom?" said Clark, trying to hear her over the noise of the student's confusion as the chaperones began herding them to he the doors. "Okay they are moving us to the basement now. I love you."
"Well," said Chloe. "Are they all right?"
"Caught 'em on the way to the storm cellar," said Clark with obvious relief.
"Come on kids lets go," said one of the female chaperones as she stopped and herded the three teenagers to the exit.
"What about Lana?" said Steve. "She said she might stop by the Talon on her way home."
"Here," said Chloe, taking the phone from Clark's hand and dialing in Lana's cell number. "No answer," she said after several seconds. "It probably means she's at home with the phone in her car."
"Chloe!" Pete shouted from somewhere else in the rush of students hurrying down the hallway.
"Here," she replied as she took a step toward the line of people that had moved on while the trio had stopped. She felt a brush of wind and when she turned she was alone.
…..Smallville High main entrance…..
……Seconds Later…..
Clark watched the familiar blur as the hallways whipped past him. All of sudden he put everything into stopping as a human shape appeared in the doorway in front of him.
"Clark," said Steve calmly. "Going somewhere?"
"Steve," said Clark. "We don't have time to talk about this."
"Agreed," said Steve. "Look whatever you can do and whatever secret you are hiding is none of my business. From the stories I've heard speed isn't your only gift."
Clark kept silent.
"This time Clark," said Steve putting a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Your responsibility is here. With Chloe, and Pete and everyone else here that might need you if this place gets hit. Tonight Lana is my responsibility."
"Steve," said Clark.
"Besides," Steve interrupted with his ever-present grin. "I'm faster."
With that, Steve was gone in a flash. Racing down the highway in the direction he had seen Lana drive off in.
Clark Kent stood irresolute in the doorway. The winds were howling fiercely, and the teenager could see the trees in the distance bent almost completely double. There was debris on the wind as well. Leaves and tree limbs and cornhusks whipped along the road as Clark smelled the signs of a storm. Watching the winds howl as they blew a new friend into the distance. He couldn't believe he was still standing here and just watching while a friend could be in danger. He took a step outside just as a hand touched his arm.
"Clark?" said Chloe.
Clark turned to look at her. He saw the fear and confusion in her eyes. How he had gotten here so fast and what he was doing. Clark knew she thought he had a "hero" complex, and at times he wondered if she was right.
"Clark, what's wrong. Where's Steve?" she asked when he didn't respond.
Steve's last words rang in his mind. Your responsibility is here. With Chloe…in case this place gets hit.
Clark took a deep breath and led Chloe away from the door. "He went to check on Lana."
"You mean he went," she said emphasizing that last word.
Clark nodded.
"In a tornado," she said incredulously. "He's crazy!" she said staring at the now closed door.
"Or brave or both," replied Clark. "Either way we'll have to hope she's safe." Or he's fast enough, he added silently. "Come on Chloe, we'd better get to that basement."
"Yeah," she agreed as the two hurried down the hallways toward the entrance to the basement. They had gotten about halfway there when Chloe suddenly stopped.
"Wait a second," she said. "Clark, how did you get to the doorway so fast? You and Steve disappeared at the same time."
Clark never got the chance to respond.
The tornado didn't land on top of them, it actually touched down outside in the parking lot. The car it threw the wall at the two of them was more than enough. Clark grabbed Chloe instinctively; the roar of the tornado outside had given them a second's warning. It was just barely time enough for Chloe to wonder what it was.
Clark threw the two of them to the ground and made sure Chloe was firmly beneath him as the cab and body of a Ford F150 came crashing through the wall of the school. The car itself missed Clark by a bare centimeter and debris from the wall slammed into his back and sides as he used his body to shield Chloe.
When the dust settled a minute or so later Clark peered through the rubble to see that Chloe's eyes were closed and blood was running down her head. For a single frightening moment he thought he hadn't been fast enough then his x-ray vision kicked in and he saw her heart beating. Taking a deep breath he levered himself off of her and used his strength to push enough of the truck back through the whole it had made for him to stand. Reaching over he picked up Chloe carefully in his arms and carried her too the school's basement.
….Kent Farm….
….Storm Cellar…
Jonathon and Martha Kent sat in their storm cellar and listened to the wind howl outside. It had been a relief to hear from Clark, and the two of them were no more nervous than they would be in any other storm. They had been sitting for somewhere close fifteen minutes when Martha's head came up.
"Did you hear that?" she asked her husband. "Sounds like something's hitting the cellar door."
"Probably just some debris," said Jonathon as he stood and moved a step closer to the stairway. He listened intently for a moment then stiffened before charging up the stairs and reaching for the lock on the door.
"Jonathon!" Martha yelled. "What…."
"Someone's out there banging on the door!" he replied as he worked to get the door open.
"In the storm?" she replied rushing to his aid. She got there just as he got the door open. She gasped at the figure lying by the door. "Lana!" Martha quickly grabbed the unconscious teen while the wind howled and roared as it tried to pull the door off its hinges.
Jonathan Kent struggled to control the door until Martha was inside.
"Close it!" she yelled as she laid Lana on the floor of the cellar. Hearing her husband yell she rushed back up the stairs and the two managed to get the door closed and locked again. As soon as it was shut Jonathon collapsed onto the stairs, breathing heavily.
"I'm fine," he panted as Martha tried to fuss over him. "Was that Lana?"
"Yes," replied Martha, making her way to the motionless young woman. Lana's dress was torn in several places and she had dirt and debris in her hair. Martha felt her pulse. "Strong heartbeat." she reported to her husband as he walked over.
"Those cuts look superficial," Jonathon observed.
"Get me one of those blankets," ordered Martha. "And then cover that." She pointed at Clark's ship, which was stashed in a back corner of the cellar, most of it covered with hay and old boxes.
"Right," he said throwing a blanket to his wife and throwing a tarp over the mound that was the spaceship. He also grabbed the lantern they had hung there and moved it to the front of the cellar, casting the back half into near darkness. "There."
Martha smiled at him as Lana began to moan and her eyes fluttered open.
"Lana," said Martha softly. "Are you all right?"
Lana's eyes focused slowly on Martha's worried face. "Mrs. Kent? What happened?"
"You were outside our storm cellar honey," said Martha. "But you're safe now."
"Do you remember anything?" asked Jonathon.
"It's a blur," said Lana as she sat up slowly. "My truck got rolled and thrown into a ditch, then…" she trailed off.
"Then?" said Martha quietly.
Lana looked at Mrs. Kent. "I don't know," she said in a strange voice, "It all happened so fast."
……The Next Evening Early Twilight…..
……….The Fortress of Solitude……….
Clark stared moodily out of his loft's window. The evening previous had been a busy one. Smallville had not received much more damage than Clark witnessed. His parents were safe and back in his home by the time he and Chloe got out of the basement and called the limo to pick them up. Finding his parents nursing Lana had been something of a shock. She was home now, resting. The doctors said she had some bumps, bruises, and a little shock, otherwise she was fine. What they couldn't understand was how she got to the Kent farm in the first place. Her truck had been found rolled on it side halfway between Talon and her home. No one could figure out how she had gotten from there to the Kent's cellar. Lana herself claimed to not remember anything clearly after the accident.
Clark knew, but he was not at liberty to say. So was Chloe, but she too was keeping silent. Not that it would seem to make any difference. Steve had vanished along with the tornados.
Clark sighed. Chloe had still not asked him again how he managed to keep up with Steve after they had left her in the hallway, nor how they had escaped
from that truck. She was obviously thinking something though. When Clark had gone to see her today she had been happy to see him, but the looks she gave him bordered on suspicious. Clark turned as he heard footsteps, he face registering shock.
"Steve!"
"In the flesh," said Steve, his voice sounding tired. "More or less."
"Where have you been?" Clark asked. "When you weren't here with Lana I thought that…."
"Nope," said Steve as he sank into Clark's couch painfully; he hurt everywhere. "Still here, not by much though. What did I miss?"
"Lana's all right," said Clark leaning against the loft windowsill. "So is everyone else. Chloe and I almost got clobbered by a truck and part of a wall after you left but…"
"You were there," finished Steve, smiling grimly. "Well that's something."
"Yeah," said Clark suddenly uncomfortable. "But now she suspects… something."
Steve snorted. "I'm surprised it's taken her this long,"
"What do you know?" asked Clark, staring intensely at his friend.
"Only what I've seen," said Steve. "You raced me to the school entrance last night. Also when that Thomas guy through Chloe in front of that bus, for an instant you moved like me. Before whatever stopped you stopped you. Then later when Thomas had you by the throat and I threw him off you I saw your skin rippling. Then of course there are all the times you happen to be in the right place at the right time to help people. What happened, the meteors?"
"Sort-of," said Clark.
"Doesn't matter," sighed Steve as he stood slowly. "Like I said yesterday it's none of my business. But if you want some advice, I'd tell her before she figures it out."
Clark stared at him.
"She's special Clark," said Steve. "You know that. You feel it: if she figures it out herself or finds out the hard way it'll hurt both of you more than the secret is worth."
"I know," Clark sighed, agreeing. "I just have to work it all through first. And then find a way to get my folks to accept it."
"I think they will," said Steve. "Eventually. Anyways my other reason for coming was to say goodbye."
"Goodbye?" said Clark, startled.
"I'll be gone by the end of the week," said Steve. "I got accepted to a private school in Central City. I'd applied before my folks died, but didn't really think I'd get in."
"So you're leaving," said Clark.
"Yeah."
"You'll write I hope," said Lana from the stairs.
"Lana!" said Clark, surprised. "How long have you been there?"
"Just long enough to hear he was leaving," said Lana, surprised by Clark's look of relief. "So you will write?"
"Or email," said Steve with a smile. "Whichever is better."
"Email," advised Clark, Lana looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "I've seen his handwriting. I'm surprised he can read it."
"That bad?" she asked.
"Chick scratch is easier to read," said Chloe, coming up behind Lana. "But why are we standing here talking about Steve's handwriting?"
"Because I'm leaving," said Steve, smiling slightly at Chloe's startled look. "Got accepted to a private school in Central City. So I'm off to the big city."
"Well we'll miss you," said Chloe as she walked over and hugged Steve before going to stand by Clark, her hand finding his and grasping it tightly. Clark smiled involuntarily at the contact.
"That we will," agreed Lana as she sat down on the couch and Steve joined her. "Now what about a going away party?"
"Now that is a great idea," said Steve grinning at her.
Epilogue
……Smallville High……..
……Graduation 3 yrs later…….
The yells were joyful as the graduating seniors flung their hats at the sky, the sun shinning over the Outdoor Smallville High graduation ceremony. Some students attempted to catch their hats, some were too busy, especially a short blond and her much taller brown haired companion.
"Guys get a room!" yelled Pete as he grabbed his friends by the shoulders as they separated.
"One of these days," Chloe grinned as she winked at Clark, and he blushed. She smiled, after three years together he still blushed. Pete walked away laughing after hugging Chloe and shaking Clark's hand.
"We're still celebrating tonight, right?" asked Chloe as the couple walked hand in hand toward where their folks were waiting.
"Mom's making more food than I have ever seen in my life," said Clark. "Your Dad's coming?"
"It took some convincing," said Chloe. "But I finally got him to come. Looks like Lana beat us here," she noted.
Clark looked up and saw Lana standing beside Nell, Gabe, and Clark's parents. She should have looked happy. Instead she looked disappointed. In the years since the Spring Formal tornado Lana and Steve had kept in touch quite a bit more than either of them had anticipated when he left. Steve had even managed a few trips down for spring breaks to visit. He had promised to try and come to the graduation, but it looked as though he hadn't been able too. Clark knew Lana had been looking forward to seeing him and he wanted to say something to her, but he never got the chance. As soon as his mother caught site of Clark and Chloe she practically tackled him. Chloe made way so she wouldn't be trampled.
"Congratulations honey," said Gabe Sullivan as he hugged his daughter briefly. They had never been close but they still loved each other.
"Thanks Dad." She smiled at him.
"Well I guess I'll offer you mine as well," said Johnathon when Martha showed no signs of releasing their son.
"Thanks Mr. Kent," said Chloe. "Are you sure there is nothing we can bring tonight?"
"No," laughed Clark's father. "I don't think anything else could fit in the house. Now if you'll excuse me I'll go rescue Clark from my wife."
"Lana," said Chloe when Gabe and Nell moved off to talk to other parents. "You all right?"
"Yeah Chloe," said Lana, her voice resigned. "I just thought he'd be here."
Chloe put her hand on Lana's shoulder in sympathy, and Lana smiled at her in gratitude when a familiar voice interrupted them.
"Actually I am here. I was just trying to make it a surprise."
"Steve!" Lana said as she spun from Chloe and ran to him. Throwing her arms about his neck and hugging him as hard as she could, her blue cap lost in the rush "You made it!"
"That I did," said Steve smiling at her when she released him, as he reached down to pick up her cap. "I missed the opening but I did hear your speech."
"You did?" she said as she accepted her cap back from him and set it firmly on her head.
"Yupp," he nodded. "I wouldn't have missed it."
"Well it wasn't actually my speech," admitted Lana. "Chloe wrote most of it."
"Lana!" said Chloe, embarrassed. "I did not. I just helped you phrase it a little."
"I'm sure," said Steve. "How've you been Chlo?"
"Well enough," she smiled at him. Three years had caused many changes in their young friend. He wasn't near as tall as Clark but he had still gained a little height, and his clothes had gone from jeans and t- shirts to slacks and collars. "It's been a while."
"Too long," said Clark from behind them. Steve turned and shook Clark's hand firmly. "When did you get here?"
"Soon enough to see the speech," grinned Steve. "Or she'd have hunted me down." He said pointing to Lana, who gave him a playful shove, her smile bright and constant now. Lana had given one of the speeches at the ceremony and had been terribly nervous about it.
"Steve, Mom says we have room for one more at the table tonight," said Clark. "You interested?"
"For your Mom's cooking? Of course," said Steve. "Unless Lana has other plans?"
"Nope I already have my seat reserved," she grinned as she slipped an arm through his. "I don't suppose you need a ride?"
"Actually I do," said Steve smiling. "Took a taxi from Metropolis so I am without a vehicle."
"Then let's go talk to Nell," said Lana already dragging him in that direction. "See you guys tonight!"
"Later," said Steve, laughing as he was dragged off.
"Well I'm glad he made it," said Clark.
"So was she," laughed Chloe. "Think they'll ever get together?"
Clark shrugged. "Who knows. If they do I wish them the best. I, however, have got everything I need right here." He said putting his arm around her.
She smiled at him as they walked toward his parents and her Father. "You know farm boy, I couldn't agree more."
…….Smallville High Gym……
Steve entered the Gym some fifteen minutes after walking Lana to her car. The music was playing a fast popular song and most of the teenagers were out of on the floor dancing the best ways they knew how. Clark was on the sidelines having some punch and laughing at something that Steve couldn't see. Steve joined his friend and they stood in silence for several minutes.
"Lana?" said Clark, turning from Pete's antics on the dance floor with several girls, including his date.
"Went home," replied Steve. "Too much public too soon, I guess. She'll be all right."
"I hope so," said Clark.
"She will," said Steve. "We just have to give her time. Where's Chloe?"
"Right here," she said from behind them. She stepped up beside Clark and he put an arm around her. "What happened to your date?"
"She needed to go," explained Steve again. "Too many couples I guess."
"Oh," said Chloe, feeling a brief pang of guilt. "I guess I never thought of that."
Steve shrugged. "No reason you should," he said. "She knew what she was doing. Speaking of couples you guys were melting a hole in the dance floor out there earlier." He grinned at them. Clark and Chloe both blushed slightly
"Hey I think it's great," said Steve still grinning. "So does this…."
PHHHHHHHH came a voice over the speakers as the band ground to a halt.
"Attention everyone," said Mr. Parker, one of the dance chaperones. "Please listen. The radio has just announced that several tornados have been spotted moving toward Smallville. There are said to be possible touchdowns in Smallville itself as well as the surrounding areas sometime in the next hour or so. The high school and the downtown areas are expected targets. So for everyone's safety we are moving to the basement of the school in the next minutes so please gather your things and remain calm."
"My folks," said Clark.
"Clark I'll get my cell phone and we'll call them," said Chloe as she turned and walked to where she had left her bag.
"Lana," said Steve suddenly. "Would she have made it home by now?"
"Probably," said Clark, trying to be calm.
"Clark," said Chloe as she handed him the cell phone, he took it from her and could here the static of the line.
"Mom?" said Clark, trying to hear her over the noise of the student's confusion as the chaperones began herding them to he the doors. "Okay they are moving us to the basement now. I love you."
"Well," said Chloe. "Are they all right?"
"Caught 'em on the way to the storm cellar," said Clark with obvious relief.
"Come on kids lets go," said one of the female chaperones as she stopped and herded the three teenagers to the exit.
"What about Lana?" said Steve. "She said she might stop by the Talon on her way home."
"Here," said Chloe, taking the phone from Clark's hand and dialing in Lana's cell number. "No answer," she said after several seconds. "It probably means she's at home with the phone in her car."
"Chloe!" Pete shouted from somewhere else in the rush of students hurrying down the hallway.
"Here," she replied as she took a step toward the line of people that had moved on while the trio had stopped. She felt a brush of wind and when she turned she was alone.
…..Smallville High main entrance…..
……Seconds Later…..
Clark watched the familiar blur as the hallways whipped past him. All of sudden he put everything into stopping as a human shape appeared in the doorway in front of him.
"Clark," said Steve calmly. "Going somewhere?"
"Steve," said Clark. "We don't have time to talk about this."
"Agreed," said Steve. "Look whatever you can do and whatever secret you are hiding is none of my business. From the stories I've heard speed isn't your only gift."
Clark kept silent.
"This time Clark," said Steve putting a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Your responsibility is here. With Chloe, and Pete and everyone else here that might need you if this place gets hit. Tonight Lana is my responsibility."
"Steve," said Clark.
"Besides," Steve interrupted with his ever-present grin. "I'm faster."
With that, Steve was gone in a flash. Racing down the highway in the direction he had seen Lana drive off in.
Clark Kent stood irresolute in the doorway. The winds were howling fiercely, and the teenager could see the trees in the distance bent almost completely double. There was debris on the wind as well. Leaves and tree limbs and cornhusks whipped along the road as Clark smelled the signs of a storm. Watching the winds howl as they blew a new friend into the distance. He couldn't believe he was still standing here and just watching while a friend could be in danger. He took a step outside just as a hand touched his arm.
"Clark?" said Chloe.
Clark turned to look at her. He saw the fear and confusion in her eyes. How he had gotten here so fast and what he was doing. Clark knew she thought he had a "hero" complex, and at times he wondered if she was right.
"Clark, what's wrong. Where's Steve?" she asked when he didn't respond.
Steve's last words rang in his mind. Your responsibility is here. With Chloe…in case this place gets hit.
Clark took a deep breath and led Chloe away from the door. "He went to check on Lana."
"You mean he went," she said emphasizing that last word.
Clark nodded.
"In a tornado," she said incredulously. "He's crazy!" she said staring at the now closed door.
"Or brave or both," replied Clark. "Either way we'll have to hope she's safe." Or he's fast enough, he added silently. "Come on Chloe, we'd better get to that basement."
"Yeah," she agreed as the two hurried down the hallways toward the entrance to the basement. They had gotten about halfway there when Chloe suddenly stopped.
"Wait a second," she said. "Clark, how did you get to the doorway so fast? You and Steve disappeared at the same time."
Clark never got the chance to respond.
The tornado didn't land on top of them, it actually touched down outside in the parking lot. The car it threw the wall at the two of them was more than enough. Clark grabbed Chloe instinctively; the roar of the tornado outside had given them a second's warning. It was just barely time enough for Chloe to wonder what it was.
Clark threw the two of them to the ground and made sure Chloe was firmly beneath him as the cab and body of a Ford F150 came crashing through the wall of the school. The car itself missed Clark by a bare centimeter and debris from the wall slammed into his back and sides as he used his body to shield Chloe.
When the dust settled a minute or so later Clark peered through the rubble to see that Chloe's eyes were closed and blood was running down her head. For a single frightening moment he thought he hadn't been fast enough then his x-ray vision kicked in and he saw her heart beating. Taking a deep breath he levered himself off of her and used his strength to push enough of the truck back through the whole it had made for him to stand. Reaching over he picked up Chloe carefully in his arms and carried her too the school's basement.
….Kent Farm….
….Storm Cellar…
Jonathon and Martha Kent sat in their storm cellar and listened to the wind howl outside. It had been a relief to hear from Clark, and the two of them were no more nervous than they would be in any other storm. They had been sitting for somewhere close fifteen minutes when Martha's head came up.
"Did you hear that?" she asked her husband. "Sounds like something's hitting the cellar door."
"Probably just some debris," said Jonathon as he stood and moved a step closer to the stairway. He listened intently for a moment then stiffened before charging up the stairs and reaching for the lock on the door.
"Jonathon!" Martha yelled. "What…."
"Someone's out there banging on the door!" he replied as he worked to get the door open.
"In the storm?" she replied rushing to his aid. She got there just as he got the door open. She gasped at the figure lying by the door. "Lana!" Martha quickly grabbed the unconscious teen while the wind howled and roared as it tried to pull the door off its hinges.
Jonathan Kent struggled to control the door until Martha was inside.
"Close it!" she yelled as she laid Lana on the floor of the cellar. Hearing her husband yell she rushed back up the stairs and the two managed to get the door closed and locked again. As soon as it was shut Jonathon collapsed onto the stairs, breathing heavily.
"I'm fine," he panted as Martha tried to fuss over him. "Was that Lana?"
"Yes," replied Martha, making her way to the motionless young woman. Lana's dress was torn in several places and she had dirt and debris in her hair. Martha felt her pulse. "Strong heartbeat." she reported to her husband as he walked over.
"Those cuts look superficial," Jonathon observed.
"Get me one of those blankets," ordered Martha. "And then cover that." She pointed at Clark's ship, which was stashed in a back corner of the cellar, most of it covered with hay and old boxes.
"Right," he said throwing a blanket to his wife and throwing a tarp over the mound that was the spaceship. He also grabbed the lantern they had hung there and moved it to the front of the cellar, casting the back half into near darkness. "There."
Martha smiled at him as Lana began to moan and her eyes fluttered open.
"Lana," said Martha softly. "Are you all right?"
Lana's eyes focused slowly on Martha's worried face. "Mrs. Kent? What happened?"
"You were outside our storm cellar honey," said Martha. "But you're safe now."
"Do you remember anything?" asked Jonathon.
"It's a blur," said Lana as she sat up slowly. "My truck got rolled and thrown into a ditch, then…" she trailed off.
"Then?" said Martha quietly.
Lana looked at Mrs. Kent. "I don't know," she said in a strange voice, "It all happened so fast."
……The Next Evening Early Twilight…..
……….The Fortress of Solitude……….
Clark stared moodily out of his loft's window. The evening previous had been a busy one. Smallville had not received much more damage than Clark witnessed. His parents were safe and back in his home by the time he and Chloe got out of the basement and called the limo to pick them up. Finding his parents nursing Lana had been something of a shock. She was home now, resting. The doctors said she had some bumps, bruises, and a little shock, otherwise she was fine. What they couldn't understand was how she got to the Kent farm in the first place. Her truck had been found rolled on it side halfway between Talon and her home. No one could figure out how she had gotten from there to the Kent's cellar. Lana herself claimed to not remember anything clearly after the accident.
Clark knew, but he was not at liberty to say. So was Chloe, but she too was keeping silent. Not that it would seem to make any difference. Steve had vanished along with the tornados.
Clark sighed. Chloe had still not asked him again how he managed to keep up with Steve after they had left her in the hallway, nor how they had escaped
from that truck. She was obviously thinking something though. When Clark had gone to see her today she had been happy to see him, but the looks she gave him bordered on suspicious. Clark turned as he heard footsteps, he face registering shock.
"Steve!"
"In the flesh," said Steve, his voice sounding tired. "More or less."
"Where have you been?" Clark asked. "When you weren't here with Lana I thought that…."
"Nope," said Steve as he sank into Clark's couch painfully; he hurt everywhere. "Still here, not by much though. What did I miss?"
"Lana's all right," said Clark leaning against the loft windowsill. "So is everyone else. Chloe and I almost got clobbered by a truck and part of a wall after you left but…"
"You were there," finished Steve, smiling grimly. "Well that's something."
"Yeah," said Clark suddenly uncomfortable. "But now she suspects… something."
Steve snorted. "I'm surprised it's taken her this long,"
"What do you know?" asked Clark, staring intensely at his friend.
"Only what I've seen," said Steve. "You raced me to the school entrance last night. Also when that Thomas guy through Chloe in front of that bus, for an instant you moved like me. Before whatever stopped you stopped you. Then later when Thomas had you by the throat and I threw him off you I saw your skin rippling. Then of course there are all the times you happen to be in the right place at the right time to help people. What happened, the meteors?"
"Sort-of," said Clark.
"Doesn't matter," sighed Steve as he stood slowly. "Like I said yesterday it's none of my business. But if you want some advice, I'd tell her before she figures it out."
Clark stared at him.
"She's special Clark," said Steve. "You know that. You feel it: if she figures it out herself or finds out the hard way it'll hurt both of you more than the secret is worth."
"I know," Clark sighed, agreeing. "I just have to work it all through first. And then find a way to get my folks to accept it."
"I think they will," said Steve. "Eventually. Anyways my other reason for coming was to say goodbye."
"Goodbye?" said Clark, startled.
"I'll be gone by the end of the week," said Steve. "I got accepted to a private school in Central City. I'd applied before my folks died, but didn't really think I'd get in."
"So you're leaving," said Clark.
"Yeah."
"You'll write I hope," said Lana from the stairs.
"Lana!" said Clark, surprised. "How long have you been there?"
"Just long enough to hear he was leaving," said Lana, surprised by Clark's look of relief. "So you will write?"
"Or email," said Steve with a smile. "Whichever is better."
"Email," advised Clark, Lana looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "I've seen his handwriting. I'm surprised he can read it."
"That bad?" she asked.
"Chick scratch is easier to read," said Chloe, coming up behind Lana. "But why are we standing here talking about Steve's handwriting?"
"Because I'm leaving," said Steve, smiling slightly at Chloe's startled look. "Got accepted to a private school in Central City. So I'm off to the big city."
"Well we'll miss you," said Chloe as she walked over and hugged Steve before going to stand by Clark, her hand finding his and grasping it tightly. Clark smiled involuntarily at the contact.
"That we will," agreed Lana as she sat down on the couch and Steve joined her. "Now what about a going away party?"
"Now that is a great idea," said Steve grinning at her.
Epilogue
……Smallville High……..
……Graduation 3 yrs later…….
The yells were joyful as the graduating seniors flung their hats at the sky, the sun shinning over the Outdoor Smallville High graduation ceremony. Some students attempted to catch their hats, some were too busy, especially a short blond and her much taller brown haired companion.
"Guys get a room!" yelled Pete as he grabbed his friends by the shoulders as they separated.
"One of these days," Chloe grinned as she winked at Clark, and he blushed. She smiled, after three years together he still blushed. Pete walked away laughing after hugging Chloe and shaking Clark's hand.
"We're still celebrating tonight, right?" asked Chloe as the couple walked hand in hand toward where their folks were waiting.
"Mom's making more food than I have ever seen in my life," said Clark. "Your Dad's coming?"
"It took some convincing," said Chloe. "But I finally got him to come. Looks like Lana beat us here," she noted.
Clark looked up and saw Lana standing beside Nell, Gabe, and Clark's parents. She should have looked happy. Instead she looked disappointed. In the years since the Spring Formal tornado Lana and Steve had kept in touch quite a bit more than either of them had anticipated when he left. Steve had even managed a few trips down for spring breaks to visit. He had promised to try and come to the graduation, but it looked as though he hadn't been able too. Clark knew Lana had been looking forward to seeing him and he wanted to say something to her, but he never got the chance. As soon as his mother caught site of Clark and Chloe she practically tackled him. Chloe made way so she wouldn't be trampled.
"Congratulations honey," said Gabe Sullivan as he hugged his daughter briefly. They had never been close but they still loved each other.
"Thanks Dad." She smiled at him.
"Well I guess I'll offer you mine as well," said Johnathon when Martha showed no signs of releasing their son.
"Thanks Mr. Kent," said Chloe. "Are you sure there is nothing we can bring tonight?"
"No," laughed Clark's father. "I don't think anything else could fit in the house. Now if you'll excuse me I'll go rescue Clark from my wife."
"Lana," said Chloe when Gabe and Nell moved off to talk to other parents. "You all right?"
"Yeah Chloe," said Lana, her voice resigned. "I just thought he'd be here."
Chloe put her hand on Lana's shoulder in sympathy, and Lana smiled at her in gratitude when a familiar voice interrupted them.
"Actually I am here. I was just trying to make it a surprise."
"Steve!" Lana said as she spun from Chloe and ran to him. Throwing her arms about his neck and hugging him as hard as she could, her blue cap lost in the rush "You made it!"
"That I did," said Steve smiling at her when she released him, as he reached down to pick up her cap. "I missed the opening but I did hear your speech."
"You did?" she said as she accepted her cap back from him and set it firmly on her head.
"Yupp," he nodded. "I wouldn't have missed it."
"Well it wasn't actually my speech," admitted Lana. "Chloe wrote most of it."
"Lana!" said Chloe, embarrassed. "I did not. I just helped you phrase it a little."
"I'm sure," said Steve. "How've you been Chlo?"
"Well enough," she smiled at him. Three years had caused many changes in their young friend. He wasn't near as tall as Clark but he had still gained a little height, and his clothes had gone from jeans and t- shirts to slacks and collars. "It's been a while."
"Too long," said Clark from behind them. Steve turned and shook Clark's hand firmly. "When did you get here?"
"Soon enough to see the speech," grinned Steve. "Or she'd have hunted me down." He said pointing to Lana, who gave him a playful shove, her smile bright and constant now. Lana had given one of the speeches at the ceremony and had been terribly nervous about it.
"Steve, Mom says we have room for one more at the table tonight," said Clark. "You interested?"
"For your Mom's cooking? Of course," said Steve. "Unless Lana has other plans?"
"Nope I already have my seat reserved," she grinned as she slipped an arm through his. "I don't suppose you need a ride?"
"Actually I do," said Steve smiling. "Took a taxi from Metropolis so I am without a vehicle."
"Then let's go talk to Nell," said Lana already dragging him in that direction. "See you guys tonight!"
"Later," said Steve, laughing as he was dragged off.
"Well I'm glad he made it," said Clark.
"So was she," laughed Chloe. "Think they'll ever get together?"
Clark shrugged. "Who knows. If they do I wish them the best. I, however, have got everything I need right here." He said putting his arm around her.
She smiled at him as they walked toward his parents and her Father. "You know farm boy, I couldn't agree more."
