Started: August 10, 2002
Finished: September 7, 2002
Last Episode Seen Before Writing: Tempest
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters. If I did I would take Pete, give Clark to Maryclare, Lex to Lauren, and Chloe to Alicia. Then we'd all stone Lana.
New Circle
Chapter 1
"Your house is so beautiful, Chlo," Lana said, running her hand over the back of the over stuffed couch.
"Thanks," Chloe said with a grin. "Who would ever think that I would own a farm?"
"You once said, you can take the boy out of the farm, but not the farm out of the boy. Obviously you couldn't do either," Lana said fondly.
Both women laughed. They jumped when a high pitched scream rang through the house. The women exchanged looks and Chloe knew immediately.
"Lauren!" Chloe's eyes grew wide as she raced into her daughter's playroom. The five-year-old was sitting in the middle of a pile of dolls. Most were gifts from her Aunt Lana and Uncle Lex. Her eyes were squeezed shut and her small fists were on either side of her head. Chloe rushed to her side and fell to her knees.
"Lauren? What is it? What's wrong?" Chloe asked frantically.
Lauren didn't answer. Tears streamed from her eyes as she began to rock herself back and forth.
Chloe turned to Lana, pure fear in her eyes. "Lan, get Clark. Hurry!"
Lana ran from the room. She met Lex and Clark who were racing in from the barn where they were working on the tractor.
"Lana, what is it?" Lex asked, searching Lana's face with his eyes.
"Lauren," Lana breathed. "Something's wrong with Lauren."
At his daughter's name, Clark raced off in a blur. Lex wrapped his arm around Lana's waist and the two made their way back to the playroom. They stood in the doorway and watched as Chloe and Clark tried to figure out what was wrong.
Lauren still had her eyes closed tightly, only now she was in her mother's lap.
Chloe looked up at Clark, distress taking over her features. "Clark, she screamed and when I came in she was like this. She refuses to open her eyes, and she won't tell me what's wrong."
Clark knelt by Lauren. He had a vague idea about what was happening. "Lauren, does your head hurt?" he asked gently.
Lauren nodded slightly in answer.
"Sweetie, I need you to open your eyes. Open your eyes and tell Daddy what you see. Can you do that?" Clark asked gently. "Come on, baby. Open your eyes and tell me what you see."
Lauren took a ragged breath and opened her green eyes. She shrieked and flung herself away from her parents, shutting her eyes tightly once more.
Clark nodded in understanding, then stood and scooped Lauren into his arms. "It's alright, Laur. I know it's scary, but it will go away. Don't be scared, Mommy and Daddy are here."
Lana took a step into the room. "Clark, what is it?"
Clark looked to Lana. "X-ray vision," he said quietly. "She's getting x-ray vision."
Chloe stood. "But I thought-"
"Apparently she *is* getting powers. It's the only logical explanation. Her head hurt. That's what happened to me when I started getting x-ray vision. Terrible headaches. When she opened her eyes she was scared. I think she was scared because she was seeing through us," Clark explained as Lauren tucked her head into the crook of his neck.
"Clark, if there's anything I can do," Lex said compassionately.
"Actually, there is," Clark replied. "Lauren can't go to daycare until she learns to control this."
"I'll watch her," Lana offered. "I just have the night classes at the college, but by then you two are home. Then a few hours at the Talon, but Lauren can come with me."
Clark nodded. "I'm not totally positive that's what it is," he said, pulling Lauren away so he could look into her face. "Lauren, look at me. Tell Daddy what you saw."
Lauren's bottom lip quivered as she opened her bright green eyes. She looked around to make sure everything was normal. "I was scared, Mommy," she said, reaching out to Chloe.
Chloe took Lauren and held her tightly. "I know baby. Can you explain to Mommy what you saw?"
"You looked like those pictures," Lauren said, trying to form the right words in her tiny head.
"What pictures?" Chloe asked, running her fingers through Lauren's shoulder-length blond hair.
"The ones that you showed me. The ones the doctor gave you when you hurt your arm," Lauren tried to explain, her bottom lip quivering
"The *x-rays* from when you broke your arm, Chlo" Lex said, knowing what Lauren was talking about. "Did you show them to Lauren?"
Chloe shut her eyes and took a deep breath. "Yeah. Lauren, we looked like the picture?"
Lauren nodded.
"You're right, Clark. You're right," Chloe said, handing Lauren to Lex. She slowly walked from the room.
Clark started to follow her, but Lana put her hand on his arm to stop him. "Let me talk to her."
Clark gave in and he and Lex began to play with Lauren.
"Chlo? Are you okay?" Lana asked, putting a hand on Chloe's shoulder.
Chloe lifted her head to meet Lana's eyes. Chloe looked ready to cry. "I thought she would be."
"Normal?" Lana asked, putting her arm around Chloe's shoulders.
Chloe laughed. "We figured if she didn't show any signs by now, she wouldn't have any powers. How am I going to raise a child that I know nothing about? I can't tell her it will be alright, because I don't know that it will. I can't tell her that I understand, because I don't. I can't tell her it's normal for someone like her, because I don't know what it is to be someone like her," Chloe explained. She seemed almost afraid that she didn't know her daughter.
"Chloe, I don't know what to tell you. I wish I did. I don't know, but I know someone who does," Lana said, wishing she could make Chloe feel better. "Why don't I drop you off at Martha's?"
Chloe smiled gratefully. "You always have the best ideas. Thank you."
* * *
"You're sure?" Martha asked, reaching over to take Chloe's hand.
Chloe nodded at Martha from across the large kitchen table. "Her head hurt, then she was scared when she opened her eyes. She said that Clark and I looked like the x-ray I showed her."
Martha nodded. "That's what happened to Clark, but he was much older than this. But by this age he already had his strength and speed."
"I know. That's why we figured she wouldn't have any of his powers, but apparently we were wrong," Chloe said sadly.
"What is it about this that bothers you?" Martha asked, trying to comfort Chloe.
"That I know nothing about my daughter. She's half-superhuman. I don't know anything about that. I know about Clark, but like you said by this point he had strength and speed and nothing else. Lauren only has x-ray vision. I mean, it's not like we have a long line of precedents," Chloe told Martha.
"I didn't have any precedents either, Chloe. You just have to go with it. The fact that it's Clark's daughter makes it that much easier. With Clark, when he started floating, or having headaches we had no idea what was going on with our son. With Lauren you can see these things coming, Chloe. If she starts to float, or lift Clark's truck," Martha continued, her eyes shining with love. "Then you know what's going on."
"You're right," Chloe admitted, squeezing Martha's hand. "I should be grateful for that. I have Clark, right?"
Martha grinned. "Absolutely."
Chloe laughed. "Of course I'm grateful I have Clark, I mean that I have him as an example as to what will happen to my daughter."
"Now remember, Lauren isn't fully human, or fully superhuman. Her powers may not develop like Clark's. The human genes mixing with Clark's may form completely different powers. Do you understand?" Martha asked, narrowing her eyes at Chloe.
"You mean she may gain the rest of Clark's powers, or even totally different ones?" Chloe asked.
"Exactly. I know we discussed this when she was born, but I just want you to be ready if something else comes up. Now, what are you going to do during the day? She can't go to her play group," Martha replied, her eyes searching Chloe's face.
"Clark can't watch her because he ha has to work on the farm, and I have my job at the Ledger. So, Lana offered to watch her during the day," Chloe explained.
"Lana's a good friend," Martha said, thinking of the brunette.
"We're very lucky to have both Lana and Lex. They've been the truest of friends. To tell you the truth I thought it was over when they found out about Clark," Chloe admitted, standing and walking to the door.
"I'm glad they understood. Call me if you ever need an extra sitter," Martha told Chloe.
Chloe nodded. "Thanks, Martha. I think I'll go home and talk to Clark about it."
Martha embraced Chloe. "Come back anytime, sweetheart."
"I will," Chloe said, smiling brightly.
"Do you want Jonathan to give you a ride?" Martha asked, looking to the barn where her husband was.
"No, I'll walk. It's the benefit of living so close," Chloe replied, walking onto the porch. "Thank you, Martha."
"Bye, Chloe," Martha said, waving as Chloe's figure receded across the fields.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
When Lex found Lana she was laying out on a large, red, plush couch in the library. She seemed as if she was deep in thought.
Lex sat on the edge of the couch and tucked a strand of her long silky hair behind her ear. "You okay?"
Lana sighed, and continued to look into the fire. She brought her hand up and held onto Lex's wrist as his fingers caressed her cheek. "I want a child of my own, Lex."
Lex smiled. "I know."
"Why can't we have kids, Lex?" Lana asked, her brown eyes searching Lex's.
"You know why, sweetheart," Lex replied gently, taking a deep breath.
"Then let's do something about it. We've been trying for years now. Let's go see a doctor. We have to do something," Lana exclaimed, scooting so that she was sitting up.
Lex rested his hand on her thigh. "Alright. I'll call Dr. Vargas and set up appointments."
"I'm sorry; I just had great plans for a big family. Then to try and fail," Lana said softly, taking Lex's hand.
"I know, Lan. I know," Lex said, looking into her eyes. "Something else is wrong."
Lana looked into the fire. "Nothing, Lex."
"There's something," Lex said, trying to get a feel for what his wife was thinking. "If you decide to share I'll be in my study."
"Lex?" Lana asked as Lex neared the door.
"Hmm?" Lex turned back to Lana.
"Don't stay up too late," Lana replied. She was constantly trying to take care of him.
Lex grinned. "With a wife like you, why wouldn't I want to go to bed?" Lex ducked when Lana threw a pillow at him.
Finished: September 7, 2002
Last Episode Seen Before Writing: Tempest
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters. If I did I would take Pete, give Clark to Maryclare, Lex to Lauren, and Chloe to Alicia. Then we'd all stone Lana.
New Circle
Chapter 1
"Your house is so beautiful, Chlo," Lana said, running her hand over the back of the over stuffed couch.
"Thanks," Chloe said with a grin. "Who would ever think that I would own a farm?"
"You once said, you can take the boy out of the farm, but not the farm out of the boy. Obviously you couldn't do either," Lana said fondly.
Both women laughed. They jumped when a high pitched scream rang through the house. The women exchanged looks and Chloe knew immediately.
"Lauren!" Chloe's eyes grew wide as she raced into her daughter's playroom. The five-year-old was sitting in the middle of a pile of dolls. Most were gifts from her Aunt Lana and Uncle Lex. Her eyes were squeezed shut and her small fists were on either side of her head. Chloe rushed to her side and fell to her knees.
"Lauren? What is it? What's wrong?" Chloe asked frantically.
Lauren didn't answer. Tears streamed from her eyes as she began to rock herself back and forth.
Chloe turned to Lana, pure fear in her eyes. "Lan, get Clark. Hurry!"
Lana ran from the room. She met Lex and Clark who were racing in from the barn where they were working on the tractor.
"Lana, what is it?" Lex asked, searching Lana's face with his eyes.
"Lauren," Lana breathed. "Something's wrong with Lauren."
At his daughter's name, Clark raced off in a blur. Lex wrapped his arm around Lana's waist and the two made their way back to the playroom. They stood in the doorway and watched as Chloe and Clark tried to figure out what was wrong.
Lauren still had her eyes closed tightly, only now she was in her mother's lap.
Chloe looked up at Clark, distress taking over her features. "Clark, she screamed and when I came in she was like this. She refuses to open her eyes, and she won't tell me what's wrong."
Clark knelt by Lauren. He had a vague idea about what was happening. "Lauren, does your head hurt?" he asked gently.
Lauren nodded slightly in answer.
"Sweetie, I need you to open your eyes. Open your eyes and tell Daddy what you see. Can you do that?" Clark asked gently. "Come on, baby. Open your eyes and tell me what you see."
Lauren took a ragged breath and opened her green eyes. She shrieked and flung herself away from her parents, shutting her eyes tightly once more.
Clark nodded in understanding, then stood and scooped Lauren into his arms. "It's alright, Laur. I know it's scary, but it will go away. Don't be scared, Mommy and Daddy are here."
Lana took a step into the room. "Clark, what is it?"
Clark looked to Lana. "X-ray vision," he said quietly. "She's getting x-ray vision."
Chloe stood. "But I thought-"
"Apparently she *is* getting powers. It's the only logical explanation. Her head hurt. That's what happened to me when I started getting x-ray vision. Terrible headaches. When she opened her eyes she was scared. I think she was scared because she was seeing through us," Clark explained as Lauren tucked her head into the crook of his neck.
"Clark, if there's anything I can do," Lex said compassionately.
"Actually, there is," Clark replied. "Lauren can't go to daycare until she learns to control this."
"I'll watch her," Lana offered. "I just have the night classes at the college, but by then you two are home. Then a few hours at the Talon, but Lauren can come with me."
Clark nodded. "I'm not totally positive that's what it is," he said, pulling Lauren away so he could look into her face. "Lauren, look at me. Tell Daddy what you saw."
Lauren's bottom lip quivered as she opened her bright green eyes. She looked around to make sure everything was normal. "I was scared, Mommy," she said, reaching out to Chloe.
Chloe took Lauren and held her tightly. "I know baby. Can you explain to Mommy what you saw?"
"You looked like those pictures," Lauren said, trying to form the right words in her tiny head.
"What pictures?" Chloe asked, running her fingers through Lauren's shoulder-length blond hair.
"The ones that you showed me. The ones the doctor gave you when you hurt your arm," Lauren tried to explain, her bottom lip quivering
"The *x-rays* from when you broke your arm, Chlo" Lex said, knowing what Lauren was talking about. "Did you show them to Lauren?"
Chloe shut her eyes and took a deep breath. "Yeah. Lauren, we looked like the picture?"
Lauren nodded.
"You're right, Clark. You're right," Chloe said, handing Lauren to Lex. She slowly walked from the room.
Clark started to follow her, but Lana put her hand on his arm to stop him. "Let me talk to her."
Clark gave in and he and Lex began to play with Lauren.
"Chlo? Are you okay?" Lana asked, putting a hand on Chloe's shoulder.
Chloe lifted her head to meet Lana's eyes. Chloe looked ready to cry. "I thought she would be."
"Normal?" Lana asked, putting her arm around Chloe's shoulders.
Chloe laughed. "We figured if she didn't show any signs by now, she wouldn't have any powers. How am I going to raise a child that I know nothing about? I can't tell her it will be alright, because I don't know that it will. I can't tell her that I understand, because I don't. I can't tell her it's normal for someone like her, because I don't know what it is to be someone like her," Chloe explained. She seemed almost afraid that she didn't know her daughter.
"Chloe, I don't know what to tell you. I wish I did. I don't know, but I know someone who does," Lana said, wishing she could make Chloe feel better. "Why don't I drop you off at Martha's?"
Chloe smiled gratefully. "You always have the best ideas. Thank you."
* * *
"You're sure?" Martha asked, reaching over to take Chloe's hand.
Chloe nodded at Martha from across the large kitchen table. "Her head hurt, then she was scared when she opened her eyes. She said that Clark and I looked like the x-ray I showed her."
Martha nodded. "That's what happened to Clark, but he was much older than this. But by this age he already had his strength and speed."
"I know. That's why we figured she wouldn't have any of his powers, but apparently we were wrong," Chloe said sadly.
"What is it about this that bothers you?" Martha asked, trying to comfort Chloe.
"That I know nothing about my daughter. She's half-superhuman. I don't know anything about that. I know about Clark, but like you said by this point he had strength and speed and nothing else. Lauren only has x-ray vision. I mean, it's not like we have a long line of precedents," Chloe told Martha.
"I didn't have any precedents either, Chloe. You just have to go with it. The fact that it's Clark's daughter makes it that much easier. With Clark, when he started floating, or having headaches we had no idea what was going on with our son. With Lauren you can see these things coming, Chloe. If she starts to float, or lift Clark's truck," Martha continued, her eyes shining with love. "Then you know what's going on."
"You're right," Chloe admitted, squeezing Martha's hand. "I should be grateful for that. I have Clark, right?"
Martha grinned. "Absolutely."
Chloe laughed. "Of course I'm grateful I have Clark, I mean that I have him as an example as to what will happen to my daughter."
"Now remember, Lauren isn't fully human, or fully superhuman. Her powers may not develop like Clark's. The human genes mixing with Clark's may form completely different powers. Do you understand?" Martha asked, narrowing her eyes at Chloe.
"You mean she may gain the rest of Clark's powers, or even totally different ones?" Chloe asked.
"Exactly. I know we discussed this when she was born, but I just want you to be ready if something else comes up. Now, what are you going to do during the day? She can't go to her play group," Martha replied, her eyes searching Chloe's face.
"Clark can't watch her because he ha has to work on the farm, and I have my job at the Ledger. So, Lana offered to watch her during the day," Chloe explained.
"Lana's a good friend," Martha said, thinking of the brunette.
"We're very lucky to have both Lana and Lex. They've been the truest of friends. To tell you the truth I thought it was over when they found out about Clark," Chloe admitted, standing and walking to the door.
"I'm glad they understood. Call me if you ever need an extra sitter," Martha told Chloe.
Chloe nodded. "Thanks, Martha. I think I'll go home and talk to Clark about it."
Martha embraced Chloe. "Come back anytime, sweetheart."
"I will," Chloe said, smiling brightly.
"Do you want Jonathan to give you a ride?" Martha asked, looking to the barn where her husband was.
"No, I'll walk. It's the benefit of living so close," Chloe replied, walking onto the porch. "Thank you, Martha."
"Bye, Chloe," Martha said, waving as Chloe's figure receded across the fields.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
When Lex found Lana she was laying out on a large, red, plush couch in the library. She seemed as if she was deep in thought.
Lex sat on the edge of the couch and tucked a strand of her long silky hair behind her ear. "You okay?"
Lana sighed, and continued to look into the fire. She brought her hand up and held onto Lex's wrist as his fingers caressed her cheek. "I want a child of my own, Lex."
Lex smiled. "I know."
"Why can't we have kids, Lex?" Lana asked, her brown eyes searching Lex's.
"You know why, sweetheart," Lex replied gently, taking a deep breath.
"Then let's do something about it. We've been trying for years now. Let's go see a doctor. We have to do something," Lana exclaimed, scooting so that she was sitting up.
Lex rested his hand on her thigh. "Alright. I'll call Dr. Vargas and set up appointments."
"I'm sorry; I just had great plans for a big family. Then to try and fail," Lana said softly, taking Lex's hand.
"I know, Lan. I know," Lex said, looking into her eyes. "Something else is wrong."
Lana looked into the fire. "Nothing, Lex."
"There's something," Lex said, trying to get a feel for what his wife was thinking. "If you decide to share I'll be in my study."
"Lex?" Lana asked as Lex neared the door.
"Hmm?" Lex turned back to Lana.
"Don't stay up too late," Lana replied. She was constantly trying to take care of him.
Lex grinned. "With a wife like you, why wouldn't I want to go to bed?" Lex ducked when Lana threw a pillow at him.