Foundations

DJ Dubois

August 2002

Notes: The characters from "Forever Knight" belong to Sony Tri-Star. The characters from "Xena Warrior Princess" belong to StudiosUSA and Renaissance Studios. The characters from "Smallville" belong to DC Comics and Tribune. The characters from "Mutant X" belong to Marvel and Tribune. The characters from "Dark Angel" belong to Tribune. All other characters and scenarios are fictitious and belong to me.

Prologue [Amazon Village, 82AD]

Gabrielle, Bard-Queen of the Amazons, writes…

Rebuilding takes on many shapes and forms: Often the work is hard and tedious, yet the cooperation and goodwill engendered in the process provides a solid foundation for things to come. Here, the village has been rebuilt, and the sisterhood remains strong. In the future, our friends are forming a group of their own. The "Society of Tolerance," as Dave calls it, is coming together as this scroll tells….

Chapter 1 [Dallas-Fort Worth Airport]

Lana sipped on a latte from the coffee cart outside of the gate area and stared out the window to the west. She couldn't believe that she and Clark were finally on their way to start school. Even more bizarre, she wanted to do this to prove that a normal person could live amongst so-called new mutants. However, she had just discovered that she was a mutant as well.

It's hard to believe, she mused, taking another sip. Now, I know how Clark feels.

As if on cue, the object of her thoughts approached her. He had a serious look set on his face as well. "Hey. What's going on?" he asked, already knowing what the answer would be, but wanting to make sure.

"Clark, how do you deal with it?" she wondered, glancing up at him.

"How do I deal with what?" he responded, taking a peek around to make sure that nobody was close enough to overhear.

She looked around nervously before whispering, "You know. Being unique."

He nodded, riding the wave of uncertainty rising up within him. Despite the fact that she had known who he really was for the previous three months, Clark still felt nervous talking with her about his abilities. Still, she desperately needed somebody to relate to. I have to do that for her. "It's a challenge," he replied. "I think the toughest thing is having to act as if I can't do something when I really can do it."

"Like the desk in the Torch's office?"

"Exactly," he agreed. "You don't know how many close calls I've had over the years."

"I can imagine that Chloe's investigative mind is a tough thing to dodge," she cracked, sipping on her coffee and recalling her friend's face.

"That it is," he concurred. "She was always suspicious of me. At least, that's not a problem anymore."

She sighed, recalling the attack on The Torch, and Chloe's reaction to her extraordinary friends. Fortunately, by the time of the lunch at the Talon, the reporter had calmed down a bit. "I'm glad of that, Clark. Chloe's been such a good friend to us. Professor Dubois' self-control at lunch had something to do with that, I think. She realizes that we're still the same people we were before."

He looked at the History professor sitting across the gate area from them with his wife. The Duboises had made pleasant small talk at certain points on the flight, however, they had left the teenagers to themselves here in Dallas. "Well, it wasn't easy for him to hold the Child back, Lana. Trust me."

She sighed. Granted, she was dealing with her new abilities, but she thought for a second on what it was like for the Professor. Not only did he have his powers, but the task of governing two separate mutant personalities inside of himself. I'm glad I'm not in his shoes. "I wonder how he does it."

"Lots of stress," he informed her, a little nervousness showing on his face. "After you and Dr. Dubois were kidnapped, I saw him go really berserk. Trust me, you don't want to be anywhere near him when that happens."

She shuddered, recalling his accounts of the attack on the classroom not to mention the looks that the students were giving the Professor even after a week. Besides, Clark didn't show fear all that often whether he was acting or not. Finally, having seen him blast his way through a reinforced concrete barrier, she didn't really want to consider what the Other could do with that kind of power. "I hope we never get like that."

"We won't. Professor Dubois will make sure of that, Lana," Clark reassured her, rubbing her shoulders.

"Well, I wonder what's waiting for us out there?" she asked, turning back toward the window.

"A new experience. Going to school with a lot of other people in a big city. And to be with people like ourselves will be nice as well," he replied honestly. At least, I won't have to hide from everyone anymore.

"I wonder what our classmates are going to be like? You know, it's so weird. Back in Smallville, we knew all of our friends from as far back as we could remember. Now we have to deal with not knowing."

Clark thought about those last words for a minute. "I figure it's going to be an adventure, Lana. We're going to experience a lot of new things. I'm looking forward to meeting new people." He flashed the warm smile for her benefit.

She giggled. What was it about Clark that made even the most serious doubts vanish? If she had to go through this adjustment, she was so glad to have him and the two professors to guide her. "Thanks, Clark."

"For what?"

"For being you," she told him, kissing his cheek. "C'mon, they're going to be announcing the flight pretty soon."

Across the area, Dave sat next to Angie, nervously sipping on a cup of tea and thinking about the future. Granted, while he had been talking about bringing new mutants to the university to study, it seemed like such an easy thing to do. Surprisingly, the paperwork had gone smoothly with the administration. However, the attack on Smallville had given him some food for thought. What would happen if the GSA attacked again? Was it right to expose the so-called "regular" students to that threat? How would he arbitrate the understanding and peaceful coexistence between the two groups? And then would Nick have enough control over the vampire Community to insure peace from that front as well?

What the Hell am I getting them into? What am I getting myself into? He shook his head and sighed.

Beside him, Angie observed his body language with concern. The trip to Smallville had been nerve wracking for them both to say the least. With Eckhart's attack and demise, nobody knew what would happen next. She knew that he was having some doubts about his ability to mentor new mutants on how to function in regular society, especially given his own issues. This is necessary. He has to lead. And I'll be right beside him every step of the way.

"Umm, Dave?"

"Yeah?" he responded.

"What's up?" she inquired although she could guess at the reason.

"Nothing. Why?"

"Dave, this is me you're talking to, remember? Now what's wrong?" she insisted, the knowing frown on her face.

She knows me too well. "Well, I don't know how I can lead these kids when I can't even keep myself in control. I can't even control the Child. If I can't do that, then how can I do that with them?"

"Now you're sounding like Eckhart, Dave," she admonished. "It's not about control. It's about guidance. You're not these kids' babysitter. We're here to be role models and maybe a bit of guidance. Adam will help us with their powers. Hey, we're not alone in this, okay?"

"I guess. It's still seems so overwhelming," he admitted, sipping on his tea as he watched Clark and Lana.

"Having feelings of deja-vu again?" she asked.

"Uh huh. They really do remind me of Karen and me at their age," he noted. "I want to spare them all of the heartache."

She rubbed his shoulder. While it had been fun at first to let him reminisce, it was starting to get a bit old for her. "Look, they have to live their own lives. I really admire that protectiveness of yours. It's one of the things I love about you, but he's not you and she's not Karen, okay? Trust me, I agree with what Lex said at the airport. You're doing okay and so is Karen. Besides, you've got me, Buster."

"I know that, Angie," he told her, kissing her cheek. "Remember what I told you on our wedding night?"

"Besides 'I do'?" she teased. Seeing his expression, she nodded. "Yes. Just remember that we have to live in the present and not the past. You've been doing so well with that lately."

"I have you to thank for that, Princess," he asserted, giving her another kiss.

She giggled. "Keep that up and I'll have to start charging for admission."

He grinned. "Just try it. Oh, and thanks."

"For what?" she wondered.

"For keeping me on the straight and narrow," he stated as the flight was announced. "That's us. Let's go!"

Seeing their teenaged students coming toward them, the two faculty members stepped into the boarding line and headed toward the plane. Soon, they would be back in Tucson, and the real work would begin.