Clark groaned under the pressure Lois was applying, and she looked down to see his eyes following Lex's movements. "Don't worry I'll get you out of here." She tried to sound reassuring, but at her words Kent seemed to get more agitated.
"I'd rather stay here...no hospitals." He tried to push his way up to a sitting position, but soon found he was far too weak.
"Just stay still, don't try to talk." Lois gazed back to Lex. He had abruptly ended the phone conversation and was rushing over with the thing he had been searching for. When Lane spotted just what he had found she gaped. "You're not coming anywhere near with that!" Saying no more she dived for her weapon back, but Luthor was far closer and grabbed it.
"You don't understand. I have to do this...move out of my way." Luthor appeared jumpy, and to Lois it added to his insanity and guilt.
Having no weapon Lane backed away slightly, her bloodied hands clenching in rage as she watched Luthor lean over Clark. If he had wanted to stab the cop he could have by now, but his obvious intention would still have the same effect; Clark would die. "You can't go digging around in his chest with that thing! He's lost too much blood already! Are you insane?" For a moment Lois forgot she was talking to the chief suspect in the Rainman case. "You touch him with that knife and he dies, I'll make sure you do too. Cop killers still face the death penalty in Kansas..."
Luthor appeared to get a grip, his face calming as his hands stopped trembling. "I have no intention of letting my friend die thinking I'm a killer." He looked down, and through the pain Clark looked back. There was a fear in his eyes, and yet he still nodded to Luthor to carry on and dig out the bullet.
No! My God, just what planet are you from?"
Luthor squirmed. "You should be asking him that question..."
Lois watched in horror as Lex did as he was requested, plunging the penknife deep in her partner before she had time to react. In an act of desperation she turned and ran, hoping to find a phone in one of the unlit offices and call for help. Not that it would do Clark any good now...
Lois ran faster than she thought her legs could ever carry her, the passageways seeming far longer on her return journey. Up ahead she spotted what looked like an open office and ducked inside, thinking there would be an outside line. The phone sat temptingly on the table, and without hesitation she grabbed it, only to find no dial tone. Somehow Luthor's security system was blocking her. Angry that even now he could stop her, she slapped it back noisily in the cradle and then turned to make a dash back out the door.
"I'm afraid you'll have to come with me ma'am..."
Lois looked up to see a fresh-faced security guard looking at her apologetically, and by his side stood a much older man in an overcoat. His graying hair and somewhat odd appearance made her instantly think of Albert Einstein.
"You don't understand...I'm a cop...my partner is dying back there. I need a line out!" She pleaded
with both strangers, but the guard took a firm grip of her arm and gently tugged.
Her words were not lost however, as they seemed to jog the elder man's memory. He nodded at the sentry, then scurried away as fast as his short legs would allow. Watching him go, Lois had the strange feeling that he was the one Luthor had been talking too on the phone. Even if you've come to help you're too late now...
Klein used the back way into Luthor's office as he always did. He had worked here for years now, and had known Lex even longer. No one else was allowed in this way, but then no one else held the respect of Senator Luthor quite the way he did. Someone had once explained that perhaps it was his straightforward, innocent honesty that Lex appreciated. Klein suspected however, that it was more likely it was his approach to certain scientific projects, and his total loyalty in matters of secrecy.
Hurriedly he pressed his thumbprint on the scanner provided, his hand trembling with concern, then entered Luthor's inner chamber. By the couch he could see his superior already leaning over the young man he had come to tend, and as he drew close he realized Lex had begun to try and remove the bullet.
Amazingly the wounded man was still conscious, and as he spotted Klein's light blue lab coat began to struggle, trying desperately to pull away. The effort was futile and only aggravated his injury, bringing a fresh onrush of blood to his lips. Trying to disregard the look of terror on his patient's face, Klein leaned over, examining Lex's work. As he grasped the true extent of the damage his face grew grim and he began to panic.
"Lex, this is far worse than I thought..." The doctor kept his voice low, hoping the young cop wouldn't hear, "I know he's different, but you can't just dig a bullet out that deep without surgical instruments, and with the nature of the bullet..."
Even though his words were discouraging the doctor began to take charge, his greatest concern being that Clark's ribcage would hamper the proceedings, not to mention the amount of blood he had already lost. With the greatest of care he took Lex's makeshift scalpel, and although jittery attempted to remove the bullet from the cop's chest. More blood leaked from the entry wound and Klein paused, feeling for a pulse. The throb beneath his fingers was both fast and weak, and even with his patient's physiology the doctor feared he had arrived too late. What if I can't get the slug out of his lung in time? What if his ribs are in the way? I have no way of spreading them...
Clark didn't know the man who had entered Lex's office, but right now the one thing his mind did recognize was a lab coat and that could only mean one thing; this was a scientist. The thought sent sharp spikes of fear through his already dazed mind and he thought about running. Run where, you're dying...what does it matter who he is? More terror spread across his dysfunctional cortex and he tried to rise. Why can't I get up? Lex will use me for a guinea pig...
The scientist was taking over now, probing with the sharp blade even though he appeared a bundle of nerves. Clark watched until his eyes grew out of focus, but at least he felt no pain now. Gone was the acute discomfort, the agony that the kryptonite caused, gone was the pain from the bullet wounds. Now all that awaited was life or death, and all in the hands of this scientist. Perhaps if life meant spending his days here in some padded cell, being this man's project, then Clark would choose the easier option...
Lex paced around his office as if he were waiting for a major stock report. He poured a scotch from the large selection at hand, but then found he had no appetite for alcohol. Instead he returned to his favorite Tynant water and found the taste much more satisfying. It had been a long day already, and as he turned to seat his weary body he found himself reflecting on its events.
The past was a strange thing, creeping up on a person when they least expected it. Perhaps now was the time to reveal all to an old friend... provided he lived. Luthor swiveled his chair a little and let his gaze fall upon Clark Kent. The detective seemed to sense his attention and murmured in his half sleep.
"Chloe?"
Lex smiled at the affection in the frail voice. "Not quite Clark, just stay still. I'll get Dr Klein back in here." Luthor began to rise, but Clark's urgent tone made him pause before heading to the door.
"I don't need a doctor."
It was time to tell all. Grabbing a fresh bottle of water Lex crossed to the fallen cop's side and kneeled, his tone becoming soft and almost gentle. "You've already had the attention of the good Dr Klein. Lucky for you he made it through a gridlock just in time to help me out." Lex gazed momentarily at his deep lavender shirt. Dark blood stains spattered most of the front, and some of his right sleeve.
Clark scrutinized the spectacle as Lex helped him sit up and handed him a glass of ice cold water to sip. "How long was I unconscious?"
Lex let a sly smile creep across his already furtive expression. "Don't worry; it's been minutes, not hours." He backed away a little and tugged out a flattened emerald slug from his desk drawer, "although Klein says if we hadn't gotten this out when we did things could have been pretty bleak."
A startled look akin to that of a scared rabbit flashed over Kent's face as he realized Lex knew far too much. "How did you know? I mean you didn't just take my word..."
Lex took a seat on the couch and clasped his hands together. It was time to delve into the past, to explain the present. In a way it would be amusing to see Clark's reaction. "I've known who you are, and where you came from for over ten years Clark. Remember when Helen took your blood? Unbeknownst to you, and her I saw it. I had no way of knowing it was yours to begin with, but then after Walden things just seemed to add up."
"But you never..."
"No, I never told you what I knew, but I have always watched over you. You thought Pete got you through the police medical? Not even his efforts were quite all it took to falsify the necessary reports."
Clark sat agog at the amazing revelations that were unfolding. He sipped more water, his throat dry and his mind throbbing. "Why? Why keep tabs on me? You know how I feel about your kind..."
Lex's lip curled in a cunning smirk. "My kind? Don't believe all you read in the papers Clark, especially not if Miss Sullivan wrote it. Let's just say some people wanted my name blackened, even went to the lengths of framing me for my dear father's murder, although they couldn't make that one stick." Lex stood, and this time he found the need for the already poured scotch.
Clark watched the millionaire saunter across for the beverage. "Why take all this slander if it's not true, and what about the Rainman killings? Moore named you, and then there is your sword..."
Lex added ice from a bucket, ignoring the obvious accusations. "Don't get me wrong, I will sometimes bend the rules to get what I want. If I let people think the rumors about me are all true, they're much less likely to cause me problems in my little 'transactions'. As for Byron and the Rainman thing, well that goes much deeper..."
"Deeper?" Clark began testing himself, trying to put pressure on his arms to gain leverage to stand, his body however still felt drained and he flopped back onto the couch, waiting for Luthor's reply.
"Yes, much deeper. You see it is my sword that was used in the killings, that I will grant you. My dear brother Lucas couldn't make the murder of father stick on me, so he's trying again, and mopping up Luthorcorp's sordid mess in the process. Against popular belief, he has control of the company now, not me." Lex noted his friend's still weakened state and returned to his side, whirling the melting ice in his glass in exasperation.
"Lucas? You expect me to think your brother arranged it all?" This time Clark lifted his tattered shirt and lightly prodded a blood covered dressing, when no immediate pain came he tugged it away to find only a small mark. "Why would Lucas want you out the way if he already has control?" He tried to stand again, and felt his knees begin to buckle.
Lex noted it too. "I don't know all the answers yet, but we can discuss them tomorrow in full when you're feeling better...right now I think we should get Klein back in here..."
The name Klein brought apprehension to Clark's weary mind every time Lex mentioned him, and fear crept in with it. He was the one in the lab coat; he's a scientist, not a doctor... "I can go home and rest, I don't need prodding."
Lex carried on his journey regardless of his younger friend's protestations. When he reached the door he looked back briefly, concern returning to his face. "You almost died tonight Clark. Klein says the amount of time you were exposed, coupled with the massive blood loss means your cells need more time to regenerate. He thinks you should be back to full strength in a few hours, but he's checking a blood sample right now..."
"My blood!" For an instant the cop's expression returned to that of an innocent, anxious farm boy, then he regained his composure and tried to act a little more unruffled.
Lex had to grin. "Relax Clark, he's seen it all before. Klein is the man I showed it too after 'acquiring' it from Helen. He knows all about you, probably more than you do. If he hadn't been here tonight..." Luthor let his words trail as he vanished in the other room, then returned with the nervous doctor only moments later.
The little man appeared even more edgy now he wasn't under pressure, but as Clark gazed at him he couldn't help but sense sincerity. Now as the scientist approached, the blue lab coat didn't seem so daunting after all, and his small bowtie made the detective want to grin. He might be scientist, but he certainly isn't any Dr Hamilton, or I'd be strapped to a table right now.
"I doubt you'll remember me, but my name is Dr Klein." The doctor moved forward a little, taking his time not to alarm his reluctant patient. "Lex tells me you're still feeling somewhat fatigued?"
The lab coat syndrome reared its ugly head again and Clark backed up slightly, wishing he could run. "I'm okay now..."
Klein looked knowingly at his patient, and then took a seat by his side, surprising Clark with his flustered and yet determined approach. Still not trusting any scientific mind to the full the cop edged away, testing his returning strength with every new movement. Klein let the awkward moment pass then reached out a hand.
"What say we try again?" He offered his palm, and for a second only silence greeted the room, then Clark grasped it warily and shook hands. "I just want to be sure you're alright?"
The cop sighed. In all his life, Helen Bryce was the only doctor who had known anything of his secret. Now it was hard to accept that someone could know all and still be trusted. "I'm feeling better, just not so...strong." He dared to tell the truth, and was rewarded with an answer to his dilemma.
"I just looked at your blood sample; the cells are regenerating quite rapidly now the source of the radiation has been removed. I was worried about any residual effects after your exposure, but they appear minimal, you should be back to normal in a few hours..."
Klein let his words sink in then gently moved to check under the dressing he had applied. Finding it already gone, he was pleased to see that most of the scar tissue had vanished, leaving only a small raised blemish.
Lex watched and was surprised the young detective had let his old friend so close without more of a tantrum. "He can't stand up doctor..." Knowing Clark would never admit quite so much the millionaire decided to confess all for him.
Clark scowled, wondering whether he really could trust either of them, but made no attempt to pull away this time when Klein felt his pulse. The doctor nodded, satisfied with what he found, then became uncomfortable when he realized he didn't know who to explain to first.
Ultimately he chose his patient over his very powerful boss. "You should be able to get up soon, your body is healing just fine, although I wouldn't suggest any of the heroics Lex informs me you get up to just yet." The scientist's brow knitted as he tried and failed to flash Clark a stern look. He was just far too good natured to be so stringent.
As it happened Clark had no intention of doing anything for awhile anyway. He may have recovered enough to sit up, but he definitely wasn't ready for any kind of police work. The thought of work brought the sudden realization that he had no idea where his partner was, or what she was telling people. She had run when she saw Lex stick him with the knife, and if she had gotten through to the department they could be in big trouble real soon.
He gulped. "Where is Lois? Did she get away?"
Klein looked at his superior curiously. "Is she the young lady I saw earlier?"
Lex nodded and moved in closer to his two friends. It was getting late and both should be in bed, especially Clark, but first they needed to sort one last problem. A devious look crossed his face, and then he gestured for them to follow him. "Lois didn't get very far," he turned a corridor and once again lights came on automatically. "One of my security staff picked her up and is keeping tabs on her in a secure store area." He smiled. "I'm afraid my penknife, albeit an expensive one, was no substitute for a precise medical instrument, and I was no replacement for a surgeon. Lois realized this and the rest is history..."
Clark stopped in his tracks, becoming conscious of the fact that he had stood up and was walking unhindered, and that he had a whole bunch of explaining to do. Lois was no fool, and this time he could see no way of wriggling out of his predicament. She would tell the world his secret, even if Lex didn't, and then his life and career would be over. He looked down at the tiled floor, smelling the floral disinfectant the cleaner had used much earlier in the day, and noting his acute senses were slowly returning. How will Lois react when she learns about them? What will she think of me when she knows I'm an alien?
Lex and Klein paused, observing their guest's sudden reluctance to move on. It didn't take either of the men too long to fathom out what was going through his mind, but as always Lex came up with the answer to the conundrum first in his usual suave and sophisticated manner. Gently he took the still vulnerable cop's arm and led him into an office nearby. Klein followed, fascinated by the problem, and how Lex would solve it...
Lois hated being in confined spaces, she hated the way the air seemed to be sucked from the room the very moment the door was closed, even though you couldn't really call this area small. Right now though she felt guilty, guilty because somewhere outside in Luthor's office her partner was probably dead or dying, and all she could think of was claustrophobia. The thought of being trapped brought on another bout of hysteria and she began to hammer on the doors, pounding until her fists became red with the effort. No one came, no one save the guard could even hear, and he was taking no notice.
Trying to stay focused she glanced around, searching for clues that may one day incriminate Luthor. Why bother? He's a cop killer. If I get out of here he'll go down for that...
Footsteps echoed outside, disturbing her thoughts and bringing the welcome idea of escape. Frantically she searched among the packing crates, needing an impromptu weapon if the door should be opened. At the back, amongst a box of newly delivered items she finally found something heavy enough for the job. Trembling she pulled away the excess foam padding to reveal a brand new electron microscope. It was bulkier than she had imagined, and obviously had some special purpose, but for today it would be a weapon of the utmost potency.
Shakily Lois positioned herself behind the electronic door, hearing the heavy footfalls coming ever closer. Deep down inside she hoped the visitor was Lex, not the young guard who had left her here, because she would enjoy nothing more than smashing down her improvised club on his very bald cranium. She swallowed hard, suddenly ashamed at her own ideas. You're a cop, not a murderer...
The door began to hydraulically move, sending shivers down her spine as the hiss of air caught her by surprise. Poised, she felt her muscles stiffen as a jolt of adrenalin kicked in, then a shadowy figure entered and she became the hunter.
"Lois?" The soft masculine voice queried.
Lane didn't stop to think, she didn't stop to even wonder. Instead she brought the cumbersome object down on her victim as best she could. The microscope slammed across his temple with tremendous force and he faltered; for a moment it appeared he might even fall. Lois waited, and then as seconds ticked by the accent and tone of the voice finally kicked in. She moved up through the darkness, scrutinizing her target in total disbelief as she recognized her partner.
"Clark?" Her own lips trembled as she asked the question she already knew the answer too. It couldn't be him, not standing here full of life. Even if Luthor hadn't finished him he would need hospital care for several weeks. It isn't real, maybe they gave you something, maybe you're dreaming... Confused and shocked, she dropped the microscope and gaped.
Kent put a hand to his forehead, feeling the bump and tiny trickle of blood where the weapon had landed. As he backed away slightly dazed, Lois got her first full view of his features, and it finally became more than her overloaded brain could take. She felt herself falling as her mind shut down in self defense, falling to the cold harsh floor.
In a heartbeat Clark forgot his own personal weakness and was at her side, catching her with his outstretched arms. As her full weight rested on him his knees began to crumple under the strain, but Clark would never fail anyone in need, and somehow he still managed to tenuously hold on.
Lex entered the room, flicking on the lights, and Klein shortly followed. Seeing he now had two patients to tend the doctor pulled out a chair and let Clark set down his troublesome partner before he dropped her. As he let go his tight grip she revived somewhat and blinked, thinking she had simply had a nightmare.
Clark tugged out the next chair, slumping down on it and probing his head again. "Did you have to hit me so hard?" Normally he wouldn't have even felt the impact, but right now he wasn't exactly up to full strength. The small cut had already gone, but he could still feel the throbbing it had caused behind his right eye.
Lois scowled, then seeing he was very real had to fight off another fit of dizziness. "You should be dead..." She gazed at Luthor, then back to his cohort Klein. "And you..." There was something wrong about the whole situation, something very suspicious. "Is this all some conspiracy? Was Clark in on those murders all along?"
Lex shook his head, wondering if he should start the narrative that would explain all, but then he saw Clark's face and knew the cop needed to do this by himself. If he got in trouble then Lex could always join in as reinforcements. Klein had decided he was best kept out of the situation altogether, and was busying himself checking Clark's more recent head wound.
"I'm not in on anything," Clark explained as the doctor looked him over yet again, "but there is something you have to know about me. Many years ago, when I was just a kid, Smallville my home town was hit by a meteor shower. Things were never the same there after that..."
Lois nodded. She had always been pretty much a city girl, but her cousin Chloe had long ago told her about the mysterious goings on in the creepy little town. "I remember Chloe talking about something...the wall of weird I think it was. But how does this all fit in with the murders, and how the hell did you survive that chest wound?"
"It has nothing to do with the murders, but everything to do with my wounds..." Clark let that little piece of information sink in. He hoped deep down Lois would link him to being a meteor freak without much prompting, because he really didn't want to have to lie too much. Deceiving was one thing, but out and out non truths were something else.
"You expect me to believe the meteors did something to you? That's why you're so difficult to hurt?" A hint of sarcasm crept into her voice, but she still watched him with amazement nonetheless.
"He heals rather rapidly too, as I'm sure you've noticed." Lex interceded; knowing he could obfuscate and lie easily when Clark would not. "If you ask your cousin she'd be happy to fill you in..."
"Chloe knows about this?" Lois looked paler with each new revelation. "And what about the murders?"
The three men in the dimly lit room frowned simultaneously. This was going to be a long night of explaining, white lies, and hopefully a rebirth of long lost friendships...
Outside Kent's Apartment...
The putt putt putt of the Volkswagen's engine reminded Clark of a fishing boat he had once been in with his dad; small, old, and yet very reliable. He looked over at the car's driver and decided the 69 Beetle suited him just fine. Klein was a scientist, but also a decent moral man who had apparently saved his life. Why he worked for Lex was a mystery, but the fact that he did gave some credence to Luthor's story.
Klein somehow sensed he was being watched, and as he turned onto Clark's street he dared to steal his eyes away from the road. "I'm glad Lex insisted I drive you home, there's so much I want you to know, so much you need to know about yourself. I don't expect you trust Lex very much, and I wouldn't blame you, but he's not half as bad as people think..."
Clark didn't answer straight away. He needed to know so much more about Lucas Luthor before he made any final decisions, but then Lex had promised to come up with evidence, on the condition Clark went home and get a good night's rest first. Both Klein and Lois had seconded that motion, even though Lois still seemed in a daze at the things she had been led to believe. Right now she was checking in on Daryl, as he would be the obvious next target, then she was heading back to the precinct with a whole lot explaining to do about a certain call in for help. Clark wished he could be there for that little lie.
"Why do you think Lex kept it from me that he knew where I'm really from?" The detective finally asked as Klein pulled to the curb. "I mean why leave it until now?"
The scientist shrugged, his tiny bowtie bobbing up and down with the movement. "I doubt he would ever have told you, but this Rainman case has begun to really get to him. Lucas carried on those dire experiments of his father's, and Lex was powerless to stop him. Lucas is a devious man Mr. Kent, be careful of him, because it would appear he now knows your secret too..."
"It would make sense that he would want me out of the way, I should get back to the station and have them move the surviving kid..."
Klein smiled softly, putting a hand gently on the cop's arm. "I'm sure your partner can deal with that. Go rest up, your body needs it."
Clark considered it, and was about to protest when he remembered something he had forgotten. "I have visitors..."
Klein raised a brow and gazed around the street. It was empty save a vagrant walking by with a shopping cart. "You can hear them from here? I take it your heightened senses are returning?"
Clark grinned then pointed to the battered red pickup Klein had parked behind. "Um, no, that's my dad's truck!" Smiling at the elder man he climbed from his cute little car, being careful not to bump his head and make a dent in the roof. "I think I may be in trouble when I get inside, with the case and all I kind of forgot they were coming over..."
Klein started his classic back up and raised a hand. "Don't stay up too long, I know you might feel one hundred percent now, but just indulge an aging scientist? Oh and remember, Lex is coming over in the morning to try and sort out this mess ..."
Clark watched the bug shaped yellow vehicle trundle away, then jogged as fast as he could up the stairs. No one was around at this time in the morning, so his super speed kicked in and he was at the door and inside before his parents knew it. In the background he could smell black coffee, and wondered just how long they had been waiting here.
"Clarkie!" A shrill girl's voice shouted from the spare room, and the patter of feet told him she was headed this way, closely followed by what he discerned to be his parents footfalls.
The ten year old appeared first, her strawberry blonde hair bobbing at her shoulders as she ran to greet him. Arms outstretched, Clark grabbed her and whisked her off her feet for a second. Her blue eyes danced at the sight of her big brother, and she quickly wrapped her arms around his neck in a huge hug. "I've missed you so much... and mom and dad have been really worried where you've been..."
"Yes Clark," Jonathan Kent appeared in the doorframe with Martha right at his side, "just where have you been? You knew your mother and I were coming over. When we rang the precinct around ten and you still weren't accounted for we got pretty concerned!"
Clark softly dropped Karyn to the floor, and was about to try and explain himself when his little sister let out a muted cry. "Clark!" As she looked down at her hands, a red sticky substance had rubbed from his shirt onto her fingers and her dress. Never having seen her brother hurt before she stared horrified at the sight.
"I'm ok, it's ok..." Understanding the panic on her face, he whisked her back up in his arms and let their eyes meet. "Nothing wrong with me, see? Tomorrow we can even go shoot some hoops if you like?"
The promise of attempting to beat him at basketball seemed to placate her and she giggled. "I thought you were bleeding!" She punched him in the arm to test his invulnerability, and once satisfied it didn't hurt she punched him lightly again. "You big doof Clarkie, you scared me!"
Jonathan let the pair have their moment, then decided it was high time he and Martha knew what was going on. "Karyn, why don't you go wash that off, then we'll have some of your cookies..."
Karyn nodded and obediently skipped into the bathroom, excited at the prospect of Clark tasting her latest culinary experiment. She had spent most of the afternoon exploring his kitchen, and had made some rather interesting and unique biscuits. Once she was out of ear shot both parents rushed up to their son and began bombarding him with questions.
Martha was first to almost break down at the sight of his shirt, and the congealed blood that still covered most of one side of his chest. "Oh my..." Her hands instinctively covered her mouth as she gasped in shock and surprise. "What happened? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, at least I am now. It's been a long day." He sighed, then gestured for them all to go sit down. His old couch appeared more inviting every time he let his overlarge frame plop down on it. "I guess I better start at the beginning." He offered.
Jonathan exhaled. "I guess you better had son, because for some reason I'm getting the distinct impression the name Luthor is going to be involved."
Clark nodded. He didn't know how, but parents always had the uncanny knack for being right and yet wrong at the same time. Jonathan had always had a bad feeling about Lex; maybe he was right, maybe not. Only a little more time would tell. Patiently he sat and retold all he knew, while Martha examined every part of him to satisfy herself that he really was alright. The blood soaked shirt had alarmed her most, and she kept returning to it, almost afraid that he would start to bleed again. No amount of coaxing could seem to convince the doting parent otherwise, and she scowled at his attempts to thwart her prodding.
After twenty minutes Karyn returned with a plate of cookies, and Clark gave in on his narrative, not wanting his sister to hear the gory details of what had occurred to innocent children, and ultimately his own near death experience. "I can tell you better tomorrow," He looked over at his dad, "when I have more facts..."
Jonathan rubbed a hand over his weary eyes and nodded. He wasn't getting any younger, and another night of waiting for the whole story wouldn't matter now he knew his son was safe. "Just taste your sister's homemade delights, and then we better be headed back to our hotel, I think it's been a rough day for everyone."
The detective smiled, and daringly took one of the huge creations from the plate he was offered. It certainly didn't look like any traditional cookie he'd ever seen, but once he bit into it he was pleasantly surprised at the taste. "Mnn, pretty good!"
Karyn chuckled. "Maybe you wouldn't say that if you knew what I put in there!" To prove that the ingredients couldn't be too bad, she took one of her own inventions and munched on it, letting crumbs fall everywhere. "See they're safe really!"
"Just like Mom's." Clark winked at his still fretful mother, but she wasn't letting him get away without a fight.
"It's time we were going." She said matter of factly, her eyes peering at Jonathan for support. "And I think it's time you were in bed Clark."
The twenty seven year old rolled his eyes, but did as he was told anyway. Super powers or not, there was nothing worse than defying your mom at any age. In truth he didn't need much persuading anyway, being tired was a new concept to him, and one he sincerely hoped he didn't have to put up with too often. "I'll just take a shower and clean up, then I'll go to bed for a few hours. I promise."
"Can I stay with Clarkie? I'll make sure he does as he's told..." Karyn was tugging at her brother's sleeve pleadingly, but all the begging in the world wasn't going to make any difference tonight.
"No honey, he needs to rest..." Martha held out a hand and grudgingly Karyn complied, walking to the door with her parents as slowly as her small legs would carry her. "We'll be over first thing Clark, make sure you rest..."
"Sure thing mom." Clark watched them go then checked his watch. By the time he'd showered he wouldn't be in bed long before he had to rise again for his shift, and nothing was going to stop him getting to the bottom of this case now. If there was one chance in a million Lex was telling the truth, then he owed it to him to give him a chance. Sighing he zipped into the bathroom and quickly undressed, letting the soothing warm water relax his rejuvenating body. After a quick drink, he dropped into bed and was asleep before his head hit the soft, downy pillow...
Clark was back at the farm, the sun beating down on his impenetrable skin, as he laid out a new section of wire fencing ready to tack to the wooden staves. It was a gorgeous day; a day to relax once the chores had been done. He smiled as he measured out the latest section, and although it seemed so very real, Clark knew this was a dream. It wasn't something his mind had conjured up from nowhere, but a deep rooted memory of a time he would never forget, a time some two years ago when Karyn had yet to learn his secret.
He seemed to watch himself working in the midday heat while his parents had gone off into town. He had been on holiday, and had wanted to spend some valuable time with his family and friends. Karyn had been in the house, shelling the 'evil green peas' as he called them, or so he had thought, but then Karyn had never been predictable...
Heavy rock music began to filter down to Clark's highly tuned ears as he began pounding in the first few tacks. The sound came in on a separate channel to his thumping of the hammer, and he paused, looking up at the source. Karyn had supposed to have been in the kitchen, and yet the music was quite clearly coming from the loft which she had acquired in his absence.
"Hey Clark!" Karyn's voice had been taunting, wanting him to look up at what she was doing, and to this day the sight that had awaited him still sent a chill through his heart.
She had been balancing precariously on the barn roof, her arms extended like some tightrope walker without a safety net. She smiled when she saw she had his attention, then began to walk across the ledge stopping to put all her weight on one leg at the very edge.
Clark dropped his hammer with the shock of what he was seeing. The Kent's had wanted another kid so badly, and he had wanted a sibling. If he let anything happen to her now life wouldn't be worth living. His heart pounded in his chest as he waved furiously for her to stand still.
"Karyn, don't move. I'm coming to get you down..."
The eight year old found her older brother suddenly tiresome. She had seen him up here before when she had been much younger, maybe he had thought she was too young to remember, but she wasn't. "Aww Clarkie! You sound just like mom and dad."
She moved closer to the edge, closer to the small section of rotted timber that Jonathan had been meaning to replace. Her sneakers slipped as she overbalanced slightly, letting her body rock and slide straight onto the decaying wood.
"Karyn!" Clark's fears came true in just the blink of an eye. His sister was tumbling, then hanging with just her tiny fingertips from the ledge. With his vision he could see them slipping with her perspiration, even as he launched himself into flight. It might be broad daylight on a Kansas farm, but Clark didn't care who saw what he did. Karyn had to live.
Just as the dry wood began to give way with her feathery weight and she sensed herself falling, she felt something move beneath her. A strong and protective arm wrapped around her waist and suddenly she felt airborne, weightless even. A squeal popped from her mouth before she knew it, and she squeezed her eyes shut in fear as her body didn't drop as she knew it should. Instead, she realized currents of air were brushing her pale face, and she dared herself to look.
"Clarkie?" She looked straight into the eyes of her brother, a brother who was defying gravity in order to save her from a very untimely death. Gently he let his frame hover to the ground and contact with the earth with a soft thud, whilst still holding her tightly in his arms. Karyn gaped for a moment, then jumped from his grasp excitedly. "Wow! Can we do that again?"
Clark rolled his eyes, exasperated. "No..."
"You were flying! Wait till I tell mom!" She hopped from one foot to the other, suddenly forgetting she had nearly just broken her neck with her own imprudence. "Does dad know?" A grin appeared across her face as the thoughts of blackmail flashed through her mind. Maybe he'll let me cook now when mom's not around...
Clark took hold of her firmly by the shoulders, trying to look as unyielding as Jonathan once had with him. It wasn't going to be easy, but he had to make his little sister keep this secret from even his parents, well at least let her think that for a short while. Otherwise she might blab to everyone. "It might not be a good idea to tell anyone about this for awhile, if you know what I mean...it can be our little secret..."
Karyn grinned. "And maybe I can get to cook more often...and beat you at basketball..."
Clark agreed, knowing underneath that he would have to tell his parents soon, and that when he did they would freak even more than they had when Pete had been told. Karyn was far too young to be burdened with this knowledge, even if she didn't know he wasn't quite human. And yet now it was too late, she knew...
Clark woke in a daze; the recollection had been so real he found his body was covered in sweat, despite the cool morning air blowing in through the open window. It was strange really, because he could run at lightning speed and never perspire, but things like this still apparently affected his nervous system enough to cause it. He groaned as he glimpsed the time on his bedside alarm and realized he had overslept...another first since he had been in Metropolis. Why didn't the alarm go off? Kent picked up the clock and understood all too clearly what had happened. Next he gazed at the phone and his suspicions were confirmed; that was off the hook too.
"Mom!" The detective's angry voice hid a hint of affection as he comprehended what had happened. Martha had been so concerned for his health she had strategically removed any distractions that might awaken him. Now he was late for work, and even his super speed couldn't save him...
The Kent's Hotel Room...
The hotel room was sparse but adequate, its lightly painted walls reflecting the early morning light. Karyn rolled over, not wanting to wake yet in this strange environment, but she was so used to rising before dawn on the farm she couldn't help herself. She yawned, pulling back the covers to meander into the bathroom, but something stopped her.
He stood in the corner, his eyes watching through the dark blue mask as if he were a hawk watching a field mouse. Karyn froze, but found she couldn't speak. He liked that, liked seeing such a pretty, young thing afraid of him. In a way, he wished Luthor had given him the task of killing the kids instead of Moore. When the girl appeared transfixed rather than afraid after all, he grew angry, crossing the room in double quick time to take her before her parents awoke. He didn't want to have to get messy, but if the Kent's were half the trouble of their son....