Keeping a careful eye out, he shuffled through the pictures at lightening
speed until he lit on one with Chloe in the midst of a group of unfamiliar
teens. Most of the kids looked fairly normal, but there were a few that gave
him pause.
"Ok, either they've got the leads in the most bizarre school play possible...
or something is seriously off." The quiet exclamation escaped Clark almost
without his knowledge as he held up the picture for closer inspection.
Hearing Chloe's footsteps on the stairs, he returned the photographs to the
couch - minus the one that had caught his attention - and turned to face her
with a smile on his face. "Ready?"
She smiled back but with a hint of suspicion. Clark was acting weird. Like
the stereotypical kid caught with a hand in the cookie jar. Something was off.
But until she knew for sure what it was, exactly, she couldn't let him see any
sign of anything other than 'good ol' Chloe' in her eyes. "Sure. Let's go."
---------
"Chloe!" Martha smiled widely at the sight of the young woman walking toward her
at Clark's side. Absently, she noted how good they looked together while she
scrutinized the teen for any signs of change. It was a ridiculous thought but
she'd unconsciously been expecting to see whatever it was the minute she came
into view. As if some of her son's enhanced vision had somehow lent itself to
her and she'd be able to see it instantly. Whatever it was, Chloe showed no sign
of it as she matched the elder woman's smile with one of her own.
"Mrs. Kent, it's so good to see you!"
The duo embraced and for a second it seemed as if she forgot her son's presence,
wrapping an arm around Chloe's shoulder and leading her around the table to waiting
chairs. "How was Westchester? Did you have a good time?"
"I had a *incredible* time." The teen replied enthusiastically with shining eyes.
"The classes were amazing!"
"Tell me about them." Martha encouraged with a smile, leaning forward.
----------
Giving his mother some time, Clark retreated to the truck, where he pulled the picture
from his jacket and stared at it intently.
He couldn't see any signs of make up or prosthetics on any of them and the girl who
looked to be literally *emerging* from the wall...well, he didn't know of any way to
fake it. "None that I have access to anyway." He muttered, returning the picture to his coat.
"Access to what?" Lex Luthor asked, approaching from the side, with his ever present smile.
"R-rated movies." Clark returned, deadpan, then grinned a half-beat later. "What brought
you out this morning?"
"Oh, nothing much." The elder man replied, leaning against the truck and grabbing an apple,
eyeing it critically. "I see Chloe's back."
"Yep, got in the other day."
"How's she doing?"
His concerns about the situation must have registered with Lex as he frowned.
"Something wrong, Clark?"
He started to argue then shook his head. "I don't know. There's something
different about Chloe. I don't know..." He shrugged. "She's just different."
"Different how?" Lex prompted, his gaze going to the young blonde.
"I honestly can't say." Clark replied, meaning both that he didn't know and
that he couldn't. He didn't know yet what could be wrong with Chloe, had very
little inkling of an idea actually, but he knew whatever it was, he didn't have
the right to discuss it with Lex. Anything that was different with Chloe was
Chloe's private concern and he simply knew he didn't have the right.
Lex nodded, seeing what the reasons behind the younger man's statement. "Ok.
Anything I can help with?"
If there was anyone with the resources to tell him...
"Thanks, but I don't think so." He smiled. "But I reserve the right to ask
at a later date."
The billionaire laughed. "Deal."
They were silent then for several moments then Lex noticed his friend's gaze
continually straying to Chloe and lingering.
"Anything else you want to talk about?" He prompted, an amused smile twitching
about the edges of his mouth.
"Huh?" Clark looked over, genuinely confused.
The expression on his face brought a laugh from his friend. "I know it's cliche
to say, but Clark if you were any blinder you'd be walking into walls."
"What?"
"Chloe."
Clark looked back at his friend, watching her talk with his mother. "What
about her?"
"Oh, nothing much. Except you're looking at her like she's Lana...only better."
"WHAT?!" The teen nearly yelped, his gaze going to Lex's face with lightening
speed. "CHLOE?"
"Chloe." Lex affirmed with a nod. "You're falling for her."
To say Clark was shocked by the words coming out of his friend's mouth was
an understatement. He was downright bewildered. "Me...and Chloe? Lex..." He
shook his head. "That's..."
"True." Lex interjected with a smirk. "You can argue all you want Clark, but
it's painfully obvious that whatever feelings of friendship you have toward
the lovely Miss Sullivan have definitely moved beyond friendship. It's about
time too, if you ask me."
"I didn't." His friend countered immediately then sighed. "I don't know what's
going on with her...me..us." He sighed heavily. "It seems like I don't know much
of anything lately."
"Do you care about her?"
"Yes."
"That's all you need to know." Moving closer, Lex gave his friend a genuine smile.
"True, honest emotions are rare in this world, when you find it, you're blessed.
Don't throw it away on an illusion, Clark." His gaze went to where Lana and Whitney
were talking, looking every inch the 'Royal Couple' of Smallville High. "Illusions
lose their luster sooner or later and all you're left with is the thought of what
could have been."
Lex's wording and tone spoke volumes to Clark and he offered a sympathetic smile.
"Speaking from personal experience?"
"Never said that." Lex grinned, his guards very carefully in place once more. "But
I am serious Clark, don't discount what you're feeling simply because it doesn't
have the 'Lana Lang' feel to it."
----
"Hey honey," Martha smiled up at her son as he approached the chatting duo. "What
did Lex want?"
Involuntarily, his gaze went to Chloe and he couldn't help the automatic smile
that touched his face, or the instant replay of his conversation with Lex in his
mind. "Just dropping by to say hello, and grab a few apples." He grinned at his
mother. "I think he's addicted."
"Sounds like a great headline," Chloe teased impishly. "Kent Produce found to be
more addictive than heroin."
Clark grinned. "Sounds good, Chlo', just watch out for Mom. She's protective of
her produce's secrets."
"Fiercely." Martha agreed with a grin of her own, seeing the furtive looks her son
kept sending in Chloe's direction. To say they intrigued her was an understatement.
Though she always tried to be supportive of her son, his apparent feelings for Lana
Lang had always been a point of concern for her.
Like her husband, Martha Kent firmly believed her son was headed for very great things.
But unlike Jonathan, she saw those great things as but a small part of a very big picture.
She didn't doubt that her son was capable of carrying the burden of his gifts but she didn't
like the idea of him shouldering that burden alone. She wanted him to find someone to help.
Someone who would love and accept him no matter what they had to face together. Someone who
would be able to live a life dominated by protecting Clark's secret and his innate instinct
to help. Someone who would accept *him*, gifts and all..
And as sweet a girl as Lana Lang was, Martha didn't think she was that someone. If Clark had
moved on from his crush, she couldn't be happier about it. If his thoughts and heart had turned
toward Chloe, she was happier still.
"Ok, no exposes then." Chloe announced with a laugh, breaking into the elder Kent's thoughts.
"A ringing endorsement, maybe?"
"Sounds good to me." Clark agreed, resting his hands on her shoulders. "I like the idea of the
Torch championing the small business."
A bright sparkle entered the slender blonde's eyes and she smiled. "Y'know, Clark, that isn't
a half bad idea."
"Uh oh," He leaned over to look at her face, watching the thoughtful expression settle in. "I
think I started something."
"I don't doubt it." His mother put in with an amused smile. "Care to let us in on it, Chloe?"
The Torch's editor smiled and shook her head. "Not yet, Mrs. Kent. It needs some more work
before it's ready."
The two Kents shared a smile at the young woman's enigmatic comment.
"Chloe!" Lana's cheerful voice cut into the quiet moment as she and Whitney wandered over.
"You're back!"
"To stay." Chloe agreed with a small smile. "I see the Talon's doing great."
The slim brunette's head bobbed in a quick nod before she rested it against
her boyfriend's shoulder. "Yeah, it's turning out well."
"Hey, Whitney, how's your Dad doing?" A concerned expression crossed Chloe's
face as she turned her gaze to his.
The tall football player smiled faintly. His weariness at those oft-repeated
words apparent. "He's still fighting."
She reached out to touch his hand. "I know it's not much, but...if you need
anything..." Her eyes held empathy, no sign of sympathy or pity in sight, she
knew how it felt to be where he was and she hated to what it had to be doing
to him. "Just call, y'know?"
Whitney's smile strengthened a little and he nodded. "Thanks Chloe." Not
comfortable with the subject, he gestured at her. "How was New York?"
"Really great." She enthused, understanding. "We didn't get into the city
much, but Westchester's great." Her eyes turned mischievous. "Like I said to
Pete, you'd love the school's football games....very exciting."
"Think the Crows could take 'em?" He countered with a grin.
"Not a chance." Chloe deadpanned. "But it'd be a fantastic game!"
"I'll bet." Whitney dusted a hand across her hair then surveyed the almost
protective stance Clark had taken up behind her. His eyes lit with subdued
amusement and he inclined his head, drawing back a little.
Clark returned the nod and while both girls completely missed the exchange
as they discussed Xavier's school, Martha noted the exchange and fervently
wished that Jonathan was there to see it. If he found this *half* as intriguing
as she did...They were in for quite a discussion that night.
She smiled with approval. Quite a discussion indeed.
-------
"Are you serious?" Jonathan looked over the rim of his coffee cup at a smiling
Martha. "Clark and *Chloe*? Chloe Sullivan?"
"Yes!" She murmured quietly, her eyes flicking toward the ceiling in an unconscious
reminder that their son didn't have to be in the room to understand every word that
was being said. "I don't know if Clark's even aware of it yet but everyone else
certainly seems to be."
"Well..." He leaned forward, setting his cup down in favor of taking his wife's
hand in his, playing with the wedding band on her finger.
"Well what?" She echoed, her gaze softening.
"What do you think?"
"Of the idea?" Martha prompted then smiled. "Jonathan...The way he looked at her..."
She cleared her throat and blinked hard. "How could I not love it? I don't think he
realizes it yet...but..." She lifted her shoulders briefly. "It's obvious that his
feelings have changed...become more than they were."
He chuckled softly. "You'd be surprised."
"Oh really?" She moved to sit next to him with a bemused look on her face. "And what
makes you think that?"
Sliding a hand along his wife's face, Jonathan's smile changed to a softer, more
intimate one. "Because a man knows when he meets the right one. He might deny it
a while...but he knows."
"Are we still talking about Clark?" Martha questioned, unconsciously leaning
into his touch.
"Clark?" His eyes took on a playful look of confusion. "Who's that?" His lips
skimmed across hers, eliciting a sigh from her.
"Conflicted son of ours," She murmured teasingly. "Has a tendency to see through
stuff, runs real fast, heavy into teenage angst at the moment..."
"Oh, right, him.' Jonathan kissed her slowly. "He'll figure this one out quick.
He's smart that way. Takes after his old man."
"Uh huh." With that she sat back, nearly causing him to pitch forward into her
lap and giving him the sinking impression he'd just said one of those things
that men say on sitcoms and end up sleeping on the couch for.
Damn.
"Though, he really gets that intuitive thing from you." One thing Jonathan had
inherited from his father was his charm and he turned it maximum, hoping to get
back to where they'd been moments ago. He and Martha hadn't had nearly enough
alone time lately and he was missing those moments. Their son definitely came
first in the long run but their marriage was right up there on his list of
priorities as well. He loved his wife too much to risk losing her, though,
by the mischievous gleam in her eyes, that was the last thing to be concerned
about at the moment. "Not to mention that ability to see the best in people."
He wisely chose not to mention that one of those people was Lex Luthor, it didn't
seem like something that would help further his cause at all.
Martha considered his attempts with a perfectly straight face then smiled. "Nice save."
"I thought so." He agreed with a nod.
"Don't push your luck." She countered with a laugh, leaning forward to kiss him.
"No ma'am." Was murmured against her mouth as her husband drew her closer.
The sound of Clark clearing his throat interrupted them and - reluctantly - they
drew apart.
"Sorry to interrupt." He put forward, with an amused twinkle in his eyes.
"It's all right, Honey." His mother smiled back shifting in her seat. "I
forgot to ask when you go back, how'd your day with Chloe go?"
Getting a drink from the fridge, Clark leaned against it. "It was good; spent
some time at the market and at the Torch office before we went by the Beanery
for a cup of coffee and another talk. Then I took her home."
A meaningful look passed from husband to wife before both smiled at him. Clark
had the distinct impression that recent topics of conversation had probably
included him and Chloe at some point before things had gotten...off track so to speak.
"What did you talk about?" Jonathan questioned, seeing that their son was waiting for
someone to ask the question.
"That's just it," He frowned, moving to sit down. "She practically grilled me about
everything that had gone in town since she left. Didn't let me get a word in
to ask about Westchester or the school. The other night it was almost the same.
She was...sketchy about details."
"What else is bothering you?" Martha prompted gently, touching his hand.
Pulling the picture from his jacket, he passed it across the table to them.
"That. I think it must have been taken at the school..." He pointed. "Check
out the girl in the back."
"Oh my God..." Martha stared. "Is she walking out of the *wall*?!"
"Looks like it." Clark agreed.
"Let me see that." Jonathan took the photo and held it up, staring at it
intently. "That's impossible..there's no way anyone could walk through a wall
like that..."
"Those boys Whitney fell in with could." Martha pointed out.
"But they were using some kind of ink laced with meteor rocks," Clark reminded.
"How would some girl across the country be doing that? And just to walk around
in a school?"
"Point taken." His father frowned. "Martha..."
The woman next to him was frowning as well. "There is another possibility."
"Which is?" Both her husband and son questioned at once.
Pushing away from the table, she crossed to where some mail still sat. "We
got this in the mail yesterday." Picking up a flyer, she returned. "It's
from that MutantWatch organization. Hate-mongering as usual." She sighed.
"I haven't gotten around to throwing it out yet, to be truthful I hate even
touching it."
"You and me both." Jonathan directed a death glare at the paper. It was
organizations like this one that made him fear so much for his son. He'd
long hid the fear that MutantWatch would accidentally stumble across Clark
in one of their witch hunts and the idea scared the hell out of him. "So you
think the kids in this picture could be mutants?"
"It's an idea." Martha countered. "Unless you can think of another idea as
to why that boy's covered in blue fur or that girl's emerging from a wall."
Neither one could.
"So..." Clark began cautiously, staring at the picture. "If you think they're
mutants...then why was Chloe there? Could she..."
Could Chloe Sullivan be a mutant?
TBC
speed until he lit on one with Chloe in the midst of a group of unfamiliar
teens. Most of the kids looked fairly normal, but there were a few that gave
him pause.
"Ok, either they've got the leads in the most bizarre school play possible...
or something is seriously off." The quiet exclamation escaped Clark almost
without his knowledge as he held up the picture for closer inspection.
Hearing Chloe's footsteps on the stairs, he returned the photographs to the
couch - minus the one that had caught his attention - and turned to face her
with a smile on his face. "Ready?"
She smiled back but with a hint of suspicion. Clark was acting weird. Like
the stereotypical kid caught with a hand in the cookie jar. Something was off.
But until she knew for sure what it was, exactly, she couldn't let him see any
sign of anything other than 'good ol' Chloe' in her eyes. "Sure. Let's go."
---------
"Chloe!" Martha smiled widely at the sight of the young woman walking toward her
at Clark's side. Absently, she noted how good they looked together while she
scrutinized the teen for any signs of change. It was a ridiculous thought but
she'd unconsciously been expecting to see whatever it was the minute she came
into view. As if some of her son's enhanced vision had somehow lent itself to
her and she'd be able to see it instantly. Whatever it was, Chloe showed no sign
of it as she matched the elder woman's smile with one of her own.
"Mrs. Kent, it's so good to see you!"
The duo embraced and for a second it seemed as if she forgot her son's presence,
wrapping an arm around Chloe's shoulder and leading her around the table to waiting
chairs. "How was Westchester? Did you have a good time?"
"I had a *incredible* time." The teen replied enthusiastically with shining eyes.
"The classes were amazing!"
"Tell me about them." Martha encouraged with a smile, leaning forward.
----------
Giving his mother some time, Clark retreated to the truck, where he pulled the picture
from his jacket and stared at it intently.
He couldn't see any signs of make up or prosthetics on any of them and the girl who
looked to be literally *emerging* from the wall...well, he didn't know of any way to
fake it. "None that I have access to anyway." He muttered, returning the picture to his coat.
"Access to what?" Lex Luthor asked, approaching from the side, with his ever present smile.
"R-rated movies." Clark returned, deadpan, then grinned a half-beat later. "What brought
you out this morning?"
"Oh, nothing much." The elder man replied, leaning against the truck and grabbing an apple,
eyeing it critically. "I see Chloe's back."
"Yep, got in the other day."
"How's she doing?"
His concerns about the situation must have registered with Lex as he frowned.
"Something wrong, Clark?"
He started to argue then shook his head. "I don't know. There's something
different about Chloe. I don't know..." He shrugged. "She's just different."
"Different how?" Lex prompted, his gaze going to the young blonde.
"I honestly can't say." Clark replied, meaning both that he didn't know and
that he couldn't. He didn't know yet what could be wrong with Chloe, had very
little inkling of an idea actually, but he knew whatever it was, he didn't have
the right to discuss it with Lex. Anything that was different with Chloe was
Chloe's private concern and he simply knew he didn't have the right.
Lex nodded, seeing what the reasons behind the younger man's statement. "Ok.
Anything I can help with?"
If there was anyone with the resources to tell him...
"Thanks, but I don't think so." He smiled. "But I reserve the right to ask
at a later date."
The billionaire laughed. "Deal."
They were silent then for several moments then Lex noticed his friend's gaze
continually straying to Chloe and lingering.
"Anything else you want to talk about?" He prompted, an amused smile twitching
about the edges of his mouth.
"Huh?" Clark looked over, genuinely confused.
The expression on his face brought a laugh from his friend. "I know it's cliche
to say, but Clark if you were any blinder you'd be walking into walls."
"What?"
"Chloe."
Clark looked back at his friend, watching her talk with his mother. "What
about her?"
"Oh, nothing much. Except you're looking at her like she's Lana...only better."
"WHAT?!" The teen nearly yelped, his gaze going to Lex's face with lightening
speed. "CHLOE?"
"Chloe." Lex affirmed with a nod. "You're falling for her."
To say Clark was shocked by the words coming out of his friend's mouth was
an understatement. He was downright bewildered. "Me...and Chloe? Lex..." He
shook his head. "That's..."
"True." Lex interjected with a smirk. "You can argue all you want Clark, but
it's painfully obvious that whatever feelings of friendship you have toward
the lovely Miss Sullivan have definitely moved beyond friendship. It's about
time too, if you ask me."
"I didn't." His friend countered immediately then sighed. "I don't know what's
going on with her...me..us." He sighed heavily. "It seems like I don't know much
of anything lately."
"Do you care about her?"
"Yes."
"That's all you need to know." Moving closer, Lex gave his friend a genuine smile.
"True, honest emotions are rare in this world, when you find it, you're blessed.
Don't throw it away on an illusion, Clark." His gaze went to where Lana and Whitney
were talking, looking every inch the 'Royal Couple' of Smallville High. "Illusions
lose their luster sooner or later and all you're left with is the thought of what
could have been."
Lex's wording and tone spoke volumes to Clark and he offered a sympathetic smile.
"Speaking from personal experience?"
"Never said that." Lex grinned, his guards very carefully in place once more. "But
I am serious Clark, don't discount what you're feeling simply because it doesn't
have the 'Lana Lang' feel to it."
----
"Hey honey," Martha smiled up at her son as he approached the chatting duo. "What
did Lex want?"
Involuntarily, his gaze went to Chloe and he couldn't help the automatic smile
that touched his face, or the instant replay of his conversation with Lex in his
mind. "Just dropping by to say hello, and grab a few apples." He grinned at his
mother. "I think he's addicted."
"Sounds like a great headline," Chloe teased impishly. "Kent Produce found to be
more addictive than heroin."
Clark grinned. "Sounds good, Chlo', just watch out for Mom. She's protective of
her produce's secrets."
"Fiercely." Martha agreed with a grin of her own, seeing the furtive looks her son
kept sending in Chloe's direction. To say they intrigued her was an understatement.
Though she always tried to be supportive of her son, his apparent feelings for Lana
Lang had always been a point of concern for her.
Like her husband, Martha Kent firmly believed her son was headed for very great things.
But unlike Jonathan, she saw those great things as but a small part of a very big picture.
She didn't doubt that her son was capable of carrying the burden of his gifts but she didn't
like the idea of him shouldering that burden alone. She wanted him to find someone to help.
Someone who would love and accept him no matter what they had to face together. Someone who
would be able to live a life dominated by protecting Clark's secret and his innate instinct
to help. Someone who would accept *him*, gifts and all..
And as sweet a girl as Lana Lang was, Martha didn't think she was that someone. If Clark had
moved on from his crush, she couldn't be happier about it. If his thoughts and heart had turned
toward Chloe, she was happier still.
"Ok, no exposes then." Chloe announced with a laugh, breaking into the elder Kent's thoughts.
"A ringing endorsement, maybe?"
"Sounds good to me." Clark agreed, resting his hands on her shoulders. "I like the idea of the
Torch championing the small business."
A bright sparkle entered the slender blonde's eyes and she smiled. "Y'know, Clark, that isn't
a half bad idea."
"Uh oh," He leaned over to look at her face, watching the thoughtful expression settle in. "I
think I started something."
"I don't doubt it." His mother put in with an amused smile. "Care to let us in on it, Chloe?"
The Torch's editor smiled and shook her head. "Not yet, Mrs. Kent. It needs some more work
before it's ready."
The two Kents shared a smile at the young woman's enigmatic comment.
"Chloe!" Lana's cheerful voice cut into the quiet moment as she and Whitney wandered over.
"You're back!"
"To stay." Chloe agreed with a small smile. "I see the Talon's doing great."
The slim brunette's head bobbed in a quick nod before she rested it against
her boyfriend's shoulder. "Yeah, it's turning out well."
"Hey, Whitney, how's your Dad doing?" A concerned expression crossed Chloe's
face as she turned her gaze to his.
The tall football player smiled faintly. His weariness at those oft-repeated
words apparent. "He's still fighting."
She reached out to touch his hand. "I know it's not much, but...if you need
anything..." Her eyes held empathy, no sign of sympathy or pity in sight, she
knew how it felt to be where he was and she hated to what it had to be doing
to him. "Just call, y'know?"
Whitney's smile strengthened a little and he nodded. "Thanks Chloe." Not
comfortable with the subject, he gestured at her. "How was New York?"
"Really great." She enthused, understanding. "We didn't get into the city
much, but Westchester's great." Her eyes turned mischievous. "Like I said to
Pete, you'd love the school's football games....very exciting."
"Think the Crows could take 'em?" He countered with a grin.
"Not a chance." Chloe deadpanned. "But it'd be a fantastic game!"
"I'll bet." Whitney dusted a hand across her hair then surveyed the almost
protective stance Clark had taken up behind her. His eyes lit with subdued
amusement and he inclined his head, drawing back a little.
Clark returned the nod and while both girls completely missed the exchange
as they discussed Xavier's school, Martha noted the exchange and fervently
wished that Jonathan was there to see it. If he found this *half* as intriguing
as she did...They were in for quite a discussion that night.
She smiled with approval. Quite a discussion indeed.
-------
"Are you serious?" Jonathan looked over the rim of his coffee cup at a smiling
Martha. "Clark and *Chloe*? Chloe Sullivan?"
"Yes!" She murmured quietly, her eyes flicking toward the ceiling in an unconscious
reminder that their son didn't have to be in the room to understand every word that
was being said. "I don't know if Clark's even aware of it yet but everyone else
certainly seems to be."
"Well..." He leaned forward, setting his cup down in favor of taking his wife's
hand in his, playing with the wedding band on her finger.
"Well what?" She echoed, her gaze softening.
"What do you think?"
"Of the idea?" Martha prompted then smiled. "Jonathan...The way he looked at her..."
She cleared her throat and blinked hard. "How could I not love it? I don't think he
realizes it yet...but..." She lifted her shoulders briefly. "It's obvious that his
feelings have changed...become more than they were."
He chuckled softly. "You'd be surprised."
"Oh really?" She moved to sit next to him with a bemused look on her face. "And what
makes you think that?"
Sliding a hand along his wife's face, Jonathan's smile changed to a softer, more
intimate one. "Because a man knows when he meets the right one. He might deny it
a while...but he knows."
"Are we still talking about Clark?" Martha questioned, unconsciously leaning
into his touch.
"Clark?" His eyes took on a playful look of confusion. "Who's that?" His lips
skimmed across hers, eliciting a sigh from her.
"Conflicted son of ours," She murmured teasingly. "Has a tendency to see through
stuff, runs real fast, heavy into teenage angst at the moment..."
"Oh, right, him.' Jonathan kissed her slowly. "He'll figure this one out quick.
He's smart that way. Takes after his old man."
"Uh huh." With that she sat back, nearly causing him to pitch forward into her
lap and giving him the sinking impression he'd just said one of those things
that men say on sitcoms and end up sleeping on the couch for.
Damn.
"Though, he really gets that intuitive thing from you." One thing Jonathan had
inherited from his father was his charm and he turned it maximum, hoping to get
back to where they'd been moments ago. He and Martha hadn't had nearly enough
alone time lately and he was missing those moments. Their son definitely came
first in the long run but their marriage was right up there on his list of
priorities as well. He loved his wife too much to risk losing her, though,
by the mischievous gleam in her eyes, that was the last thing to be concerned
about at the moment. "Not to mention that ability to see the best in people."
He wisely chose not to mention that one of those people was Lex Luthor, it didn't
seem like something that would help further his cause at all.
Martha considered his attempts with a perfectly straight face then smiled. "Nice save."
"I thought so." He agreed with a nod.
"Don't push your luck." She countered with a laugh, leaning forward to kiss him.
"No ma'am." Was murmured against her mouth as her husband drew her closer.
The sound of Clark clearing his throat interrupted them and - reluctantly - they
drew apart.
"Sorry to interrupt." He put forward, with an amused twinkle in his eyes.
"It's all right, Honey." His mother smiled back shifting in her seat. "I
forgot to ask when you go back, how'd your day with Chloe go?"
Getting a drink from the fridge, Clark leaned against it. "It was good; spent
some time at the market and at the Torch office before we went by the Beanery
for a cup of coffee and another talk. Then I took her home."
A meaningful look passed from husband to wife before both smiled at him. Clark
had the distinct impression that recent topics of conversation had probably
included him and Chloe at some point before things had gotten...off track so to speak.
"What did you talk about?" Jonathan questioned, seeing that their son was waiting for
someone to ask the question.
"That's just it," He frowned, moving to sit down. "She practically grilled me about
everything that had gone in town since she left. Didn't let me get a word in
to ask about Westchester or the school. The other night it was almost the same.
She was...sketchy about details."
"What else is bothering you?" Martha prompted gently, touching his hand.
Pulling the picture from his jacket, he passed it across the table to them.
"That. I think it must have been taken at the school..." He pointed. "Check
out the girl in the back."
"Oh my God..." Martha stared. "Is she walking out of the *wall*?!"
"Looks like it." Clark agreed.
"Let me see that." Jonathan took the photo and held it up, staring at it
intently. "That's impossible..there's no way anyone could walk through a wall
like that..."
"Those boys Whitney fell in with could." Martha pointed out.
"But they were using some kind of ink laced with meteor rocks," Clark reminded.
"How would some girl across the country be doing that? And just to walk around
in a school?"
"Point taken." His father frowned. "Martha..."
The woman next to him was frowning as well. "There is another possibility."
"Which is?" Both her husband and son questioned at once.
Pushing away from the table, she crossed to where some mail still sat. "We
got this in the mail yesterday." Picking up a flyer, she returned. "It's
from that MutantWatch organization. Hate-mongering as usual." She sighed.
"I haven't gotten around to throwing it out yet, to be truthful I hate even
touching it."
"You and me both." Jonathan directed a death glare at the paper. It was
organizations like this one that made him fear so much for his son. He'd
long hid the fear that MutantWatch would accidentally stumble across Clark
in one of their witch hunts and the idea scared the hell out of him. "So you
think the kids in this picture could be mutants?"
"It's an idea." Martha countered. "Unless you can think of another idea as
to why that boy's covered in blue fur or that girl's emerging from a wall."
Neither one could.
"So..." Clark began cautiously, staring at the picture. "If you think they're
mutants...then why was Chloe there? Could she..."
Could Chloe Sullivan be a mutant?
TBC