Chapter 7: Revelation
~~~
"Fly?" Clark asked, but it was too late, the little girl had vanished.
Clark turned his head all the way around and found himself in a field. 'Okay, this can't be too hard,' he mused. Aiming his arms toward the sky, Clark closed his eyes, jumped and willed himself to fly. He promptly landed on the ground with a thud. 'How the hell am I supposed to this?' he thought. The last time he had remotely come to flying was when the tornado hit. He tried to remember what he felt then, seeing Lana screaming for help through the vortex. Fear had pierced his heart then and Clark had leapt up in desperation. 'Lana's in trouble, Lana's in trouble," he repeated to himself as he imagined the Lana in grave danger. 'Got to get to her.' Her angelic face appeared in the clouds and mesmerized him before he realized he was levitating toward it.
"Cool."
~~~
"Okay, are you ready?"
"I don't think I'll ever be ready for this."
"Jonathan, we'll get through this."
She gave him a rather pathetic look of assurance before getting out of the car, and pushing the buzzer on the gate.
"Luthor Manor, do you have an appointment?" a stern voice asked through the intercom.
"Um, could you please let Mr. Luthor know that the Kents would like to see him?"
"One moment. Okay, proceed to the main entrance."
The gate unlocked and automatically opened. The Kents got into their car and drove up to the front as thunder clapped and it began to drizzle over the gothic castle.
~~~
"Ouch!" Chloe yelped as the top of her head began to get smacked by hail.
She was still a hundred feet from the house when she began to run toward the loft. When she got to her destination, she shook off her coat and cursed her luck. Chloe climbed up the ladder and looked out through the window. 'That's odd, Clark's telescope isn't here,' she thought before spotting her car out in the distance. She cringed as the hail grew larger with time.
"Damn!" she cried out once again as a golf-ball sized piece of hail assaulted her from the open window. She fell on the sofa, held her head and began to pout.
~~~
As Clark awakened, he noted he was in a very odd situation. It was dark outside, and hail assailed his window. His muscles were sore, and he felt like he had come back from the dead. Most alarming, or rather comforting, was that Lana Lang had her arms around him and her leg intertwined with his. She continued to snore softly as he turned his head and looked at her in amazement. Her cheeks were wet and her hair messed, indicative of crying. His heart nearly stopped when she sniffled and slowly opened her eyes.
"Clark?"
"Lana?"
"You're awake." she exclaimed, still in a sleepy reverie.
"Yeah."
"Good." she flatly stated as she closed her eyes once more, a small smile on her face.
"Lana, you've got to wake up. What happened to me?"
"You left me. But you're back now."
"Lana, snap out of it."
"Don't wanna. Clark's awake and he's in the flannel pyjamas I picked out for him. Hehe, so sexy."
"Lana!" Clark shouted, a little louder than he wanted to.
"Wha - " she said as she fell off the bed. "Clark??" she asked before a grin spread onto her face from ear to ear. She jumped back onto the bed and wrapped her arms around him once again.
"This is nice, Lana, but could he tell me what happened to me, and why you're here?"
"It's a long story, but - oh shit!"
"What is it?"
"You've got to go Lex's right now!"
"Why, what's going on?"
"Okay, you fell in a coma a week ago and we couldn't take you to the hospital because you're an alien, so your parents went to tell Lex your secret so he could help us, and - "
"Whoa, slow down Lana... wait - you know I'm an alien?"
"Yeah, we'll talk about it later. Look, you've go to get over there now!"
Clark nodded his head and heading to the door. He stopped and turned around before planting his lips on Lana's and drew her into a passionate kiss. When he finally pulled away, they were both out of breath.
"Clark?"
"Yeah?" he responded, still panting.
"Don't worry about it. Your secret's safe with me..."
[A/N: Eek, I plagiarized from Sweet! I'm a bad, bad man]
Clark smiled before Lana continued.
"And you have horrible morning breathe."
A look of horror came over him as he slapped a hand over his mouth.
"I am so sorry."
"Don't worry about, now use that super-speed and get going!"
He smiled again before complying, leaving Lana all alone to her thoughts.
'Maybe I should have told him to change first,' she mused.
~~~
"So, Mr. Bouwmeister, it seems our working relationship is at an end."
"But, sir, I've worked for Luthorcorp for twenty years! Please, I have three children to put through college. It was one mistake, it won't happen again."
"That's right it won't. You see I'm not very lenient; one lie is enough to set me off. You remember that the next time you deal with a real businessman. Get his sorry ass out of here."
The two guards grabbed the man by the scruff of the nuck as they hurried him out of his office, passing the Kents on their way.
"Sorry about that, Mr. Kent. Mrs. Kent. Just some business that I had to take care of."
Jonathan and Martha looked at each other in reluctance before stepping into the office.
"So, what brings you to my humble abode? Has Luthorcorp or myself done something to alienate you?"
"Um, no not this time. We actually came to ask you for a favour," replied Jonathan.
"Why Mr. Kent, you've refused all my offers of help so far, why the sudden change of heart?"
"Well, you see the thing is, I guess Clark's just finally convinced us that you're an all right guy - "
Lex looks over at him, skeptically.
"And that if the opportunity presented itself, you'd do the right thing. Like saving a life of someone close to you."
"You're sounding rather serious today. It must a dire situation for you to be asking anyone for a favour, let alone Lex Luthor."
"Oh, believe me it is, but you see ultimately, I wouldn't be asking if it wasn't for Clark."
"For Clark? Is he in some kind of trouble?"
Jonathan dwelled on this question a second before looking over at his wife for some assistance.
"Well you see, Lex, Clark is sick and he's - "
"Much better now," Clark exclaimed, walking into the office.
His parents looked at him in shock and relief as they ran over and hugged him.
"Well that's very touching. It's nice to see you up and about, but what's this favour you wanted, Mr. Kent?"
"Well um. Let's see, remember all those cattle that died on our property because of whatever was in those Luthorcorp containers? Well we were wondering if your offer of compensation was still open."
"That's all? You sounded like it was a matter of life and death."
"Well, we're barely hanging onto the farm by a thread, and as I remember it, you did take full responsibility, so it's only fair that you compensate us."
"Okay, I'll write out a cheque," he replied as he reached for a pen and his chequebook. He wrote out the cheque, ripped it out and handed to Jonathan.
"Thanks, Lex, we won't be taking up any more of your valuable time," Jonathan said, before the three of them made their way out, smiles all around.
"Wait. Just one more thing."
"Yes?"
"Clark, want to tell me why you're in your pyjamas?"
The three Kents looked over at Clark's attire before Martha placed a hand over his forehead and responded.
"Oh my, you're not better, silly. You're still feverish."
~~~
Chloe awoke to the sound of a rooster crowing in the distance. She winced as her hand grazed the bump on her head as she yawned. She surveyed her surroundings, and came to realize she had dozed off on Clark's sofa. She flipped onto her stomach, placed a blanket over her, and peaked out at the entrance as she heard voices approach.
"So, you sure you're all better now?"
"Yeah Lana, everything's working 100%. I feel great."
"Good, cuz I was kind of sick of playing nurse-maid to you."
A pained expression fell over Clark's face before Lana punched him playfully.
"I've got a shift at the Talon, so I'll come back here later, okay?"
"Yes, m'am," he replied before taking her into a kiss.
Their lips moved against each other, their tongues playing out a slow teasing dance, and their teeth gently nipped against flesh. Chloe hated to admit it, but it looked like they've been at it for years... like they were made for each other, as she continued to watch them grind their hips together. They each had one arm running through each other's hair, and the other, cupping parts that made Chloe blush. As they slowly untangled themselves, Lana backed away slowly with a seductive look on her face. She bit her lip, turned around and walked away, her waist swaying in her jeans, leaving a distinct impression on Clark.
"Damn."
Lana giggled as she continued to walk over to her truck. As Clark turned around and walked toward the ladder, Chloe pulled the blanket carefully over herself and pretended to be asleep.
"Chloe?"
"Huh? Oh, hey Clark," she responded in a sleepy voice and proceeded to yawn.
"What are you doing here?"
"Oh, I came by to see how you were doing last night, but no one answered the door and it started hailing, so sought refuge in your loft, and I guess I fell asleep. Sorry."
"That's fine Chloe, I appreciate your concern, but I'm better now."
"Yeah, I - I uh - see that. You know, I better be going. Nice to see you're fine now," she replied as she started down the ladder.
"Chloe."
"Yes, Clark?"
"Why do you have a bump on your head?"
"Uh, long story, I'll tell you tomorrow, bye."
Clark shakes his head and walks over to the window. He spots the telescope case in the corner. He opens the case and runs his fingers over the various pieces. He wipes them down with a rag and puts the telescope back together. Clark points it to Lana's house and focuses on her bedroom. Remembering all the times he'd spy through the lens, wanting, wishing, he takes one last glance (for real this time) before repositioning the instrument and locking it in place. He walks away, whistling a tune. The telescope lies in its familiar place with only one difference: it points toward the sky.
~~~
Chloe trudged back toward her car with a deep sense of sadness, her lower lip still trembling. She stood in shock at the sight before her. Her car was where she left it, obviously a victim of the hailstorm from the night before. All the windows were shattered or cracked and there were dents on all sides. Chloe's resolve crumbled as she collapsed on the ground. In her head, she continues chanting the mantra she's repeating in her head since she left the Kent's:
'Journalists don't cry. Journalists don't cry.'
An unsettling chill gripped her body and then she felt it... complete and utter despair.
~~~
A/N: EPILOGUE TO FOLLOW
~~~
~~~
"Fly?" Clark asked, but it was too late, the little girl had vanished.
Clark turned his head all the way around and found himself in a field. 'Okay, this can't be too hard,' he mused. Aiming his arms toward the sky, Clark closed his eyes, jumped and willed himself to fly. He promptly landed on the ground with a thud. 'How the hell am I supposed to this?' he thought. The last time he had remotely come to flying was when the tornado hit. He tried to remember what he felt then, seeing Lana screaming for help through the vortex. Fear had pierced his heart then and Clark had leapt up in desperation. 'Lana's in trouble, Lana's in trouble," he repeated to himself as he imagined the Lana in grave danger. 'Got to get to her.' Her angelic face appeared in the clouds and mesmerized him before he realized he was levitating toward it.
"Cool."
~~~
"Okay, are you ready?"
"I don't think I'll ever be ready for this."
"Jonathan, we'll get through this."
She gave him a rather pathetic look of assurance before getting out of the car, and pushing the buzzer on the gate.
"Luthor Manor, do you have an appointment?" a stern voice asked through the intercom.
"Um, could you please let Mr. Luthor know that the Kents would like to see him?"
"One moment. Okay, proceed to the main entrance."
The gate unlocked and automatically opened. The Kents got into their car and drove up to the front as thunder clapped and it began to drizzle over the gothic castle.
~~~
"Ouch!" Chloe yelped as the top of her head began to get smacked by hail.
She was still a hundred feet from the house when she began to run toward the loft. When she got to her destination, she shook off her coat and cursed her luck. Chloe climbed up the ladder and looked out through the window. 'That's odd, Clark's telescope isn't here,' she thought before spotting her car out in the distance. She cringed as the hail grew larger with time.
"Damn!" she cried out once again as a golf-ball sized piece of hail assaulted her from the open window. She fell on the sofa, held her head and began to pout.
~~~
As Clark awakened, he noted he was in a very odd situation. It was dark outside, and hail assailed his window. His muscles were sore, and he felt like he had come back from the dead. Most alarming, or rather comforting, was that Lana Lang had her arms around him and her leg intertwined with his. She continued to snore softly as he turned his head and looked at her in amazement. Her cheeks were wet and her hair messed, indicative of crying. His heart nearly stopped when she sniffled and slowly opened her eyes.
"Clark?"
"Lana?"
"You're awake." she exclaimed, still in a sleepy reverie.
"Yeah."
"Good." she flatly stated as she closed her eyes once more, a small smile on her face.
"Lana, you've got to wake up. What happened to me?"
"You left me. But you're back now."
"Lana, snap out of it."
"Don't wanna. Clark's awake and he's in the flannel pyjamas I picked out for him. Hehe, so sexy."
"Lana!" Clark shouted, a little louder than he wanted to.
"Wha - " she said as she fell off the bed. "Clark??" she asked before a grin spread onto her face from ear to ear. She jumped back onto the bed and wrapped her arms around him once again.
"This is nice, Lana, but could he tell me what happened to me, and why you're here?"
"It's a long story, but - oh shit!"
"What is it?"
"You've got to go Lex's right now!"
"Why, what's going on?"
"Okay, you fell in a coma a week ago and we couldn't take you to the hospital because you're an alien, so your parents went to tell Lex your secret so he could help us, and - "
"Whoa, slow down Lana... wait - you know I'm an alien?"
"Yeah, we'll talk about it later. Look, you've go to get over there now!"
Clark nodded his head and heading to the door. He stopped and turned around before planting his lips on Lana's and drew her into a passionate kiss. When he finally pulled away, they were both out of breath.
"Clark?"
"Yeah?" he responded, still panting.
"Don't worry about it. Your secret's safe with me..."
[A/N: Eek, I plagiarized from Sweet! I'm a bad, bad man]
Clark smiled before Lana continued.
"And you have horrible morning breathe."
A look of horror came over him as he slapped a hand over his mouth.
"I am so sorry."
"Don't worry about, now use that super-speed and get going!"
He smiled again before complying, leaving Lana all alone to her thoughts.
'Maybe I should have told him to change first,' she mused.
~~~
"So, Mr. Bouwmeister, it seems our working relationship is at an end."
"But, sir, I've worked for Luthorcorp for twenty years! Please, I have three children to put through college. It was one mistake, it won't happen again."
"That's right it won't. You see I'm not very lenient; one lie is enough to set me off. You remember that the next time you deal with a real businessman. Get his sorry ass out of here."
The two guards grabbed the man by the scruff of the nuck as they hurried him out of his office, passing the Kents on their way.
"Sorry about that, Mr. Kent. Mrs. Kent. Just some business that I had to take care of."
Jonathan and Martha looked at each other in reluctance before stepping into the office.
"So, what brings you to my humble abode? Has Luthorcorp or myself done something to alienate you?"
"Um, no not this time. We actually came to ask you for a favour," replied Jonathan.
"Why Mr. Kent, you've refused all my offers of help so far, why the sudden change of heart?"
"Well, you see the thing is, I guess Clark's just finally convinced us that you're an all right guy - "
Lex looks over at him, skeptically.
"And that if the opportunity presented itself, you'd do the right thing. Like saving a life of someone close to you."
"You're sounding rather serious today. It must a dire situation for you to be asking anyone for a favour, let alone Lex Luthor."
"Oh, believe me it is, but you see ultimately, I wouldn't be asking if it wasn't for Clark."
"For Clark? Is he in some kind of trouble?"
Jonathan dwelled on this question a second before looking over at his wife for some assistance.
"Well you see, Lex, Clark is sick and he's - "
"Much better now," Clark exclaimed, walking into the office.
His parents looked at him in shock and relief as they ran over and hugged him.
"Well that's very touching. It's nice to see you up and about, but what's this favour you wanted, Mr. Kent?"
"Well um. Let's see, remember all those cattle that died on our property because of whatever was in those Luthorcorp containers? Well we were wondering if your offer of compensation was still open."
"That's all? You sounded like it was a matter of life and death."
"Well, we're barely hanging onto the farm by a thread, and as I remember it, you did take full responsibility, so it's only fair that you compensate us."
"Okay, I'll write out a cheque," he replied as he reached for a pen and his chequebook. He wrote out the cheque, ripped it out and handed to Jonathan.
"Thanks, Lex, we won't be taking up any more of your valuable time," Jonathan said, before the three of them made their way out, smiles all around.
"Wait. Just one more thing."
"Yes?"
"Clark, want to tell me why you're in your pyjamas?"
The three Kents looked over at Clark's attire before Martha placed a hand over his forehead and responded.
"Oh my, you're not better, silly. You're still feverish."
~~~
Chloe awoke to the sound of a rooster crowing in the distance. She winced as her hand grazed the bump on her head as she yawned. She surveyed her surroundings, and came to realize she had dozed off on Clark's sofa. She flipped onto her stomach, placed a blanket over her, and peaked out at the entrance as she heard voices approach.
"So, you sure you're all better now?"
"Yeah Lana, everything's working 100%. I feel great."
"Good, cuz I was kind of sick of playing nurse-maid to you."
A pained expression fell over Clark's face before Lana punched him playfully.
"I've got a shift at the Talon, so I'll come back here later, okay?"
"Yes, m'am," he replied before taking her into a kiss.
Their lips moved against each other, their tongues playing out a slow teasing dance, and their teeth gently nipped against flesh. Chloe hated to admit it, but it looked like they've been at it for years... like they were made for each other, as she continued to watch them grind their hips together. They each had one arm running through each other's hair, and the other, cupping parts that made Chloe blush. As they slowly untangled themselves, Lana backed away slowly with a seductive look on her face. She bit her lip, turned around and walked away, her waist swaying in her jeans, leaving a distinct impression on Clark.
"Damn."
Lana giggled as she continued to walk over to her truck. As Clark turned around and walked toward the ladder, Chloe pulled the blanket carefully over herself and pretended to be asleep.
"Chloe?"
"Huh? Oh, hey Clark," she responded in a sleepy voice and proceeded to yawn.
"What are you doing here?"
"Oh, I came by to see how you were doing last night, but no one answered the door and it started hailing, so sought refuge in your loft, and I guess I fell asleep. Sorry."
"That's fine Chloe, I appreciate your concern, but I'm better now."
"Yeah, I - I uh - see that. You know, I better be going. Nice to see you're fine now," she replied as she started down the ladder.
"Chloe."
"Yes, Clark?"
"Why do you have a bump on your head?"
"Uh, long story, I'll tell you tomorrow, bye."
Clark shakes his head and walks over to the window. He spots the telescope case in the corner. He opens the case and runs his fingers over the various pieces. He wipes them down with a rag and puts the telescope back together. Clark points it to Lana's house and focuses on her bedroom. Remembering all the times he'd spy through the lens, wanting, wishing, he takes one last glance (for real this time) before repositioning the instrument and locking it in place. He walks away, whistling a tune. The telescope lies in its familiar place with only one difference: it points toward the sky.
~~~
Chloe trudged back toward her car with a deep sense of sadness, her lower lip still trembling. She stood in shock at the sight before her. Her car was where she left it, obviously a victim of the hailstorm from the night before. All the windows were shattered or cracked and there were dents on all sides. Chloe's resolve crumbled as she collapsed on the ground. In her head, she continues chanting the mantra she's repeating in her head since she left the Kent's:
'Journalists don't cry. Journalists don't cry.'
An unsettling chill gripped her body and then she felt it... complete and utter despair.
~~~
A/N: EPILOGUE TO FOLLOW
~~~