CROCUS

By: EscapeToCity

Disclaimer: None of these characters are mine. They are the property of DC/Time Warner, Millar-Gough, etc.



"Nell and Lana sent flowers."

"What kind, Clark?"

"Roses. Red roses."

He laughed briefly.

"At least they are colorful, Clark! It's so gray and lifeless outside! Now go rescue your mother from my evil laboratory, err, library!"

He kisses me.

"Right away, mad scientist!"

(I'm afraid)

Martha has thrown herself into work after Jonathan's massive coronary and subsequent coma. I offered her a very lucrative position with the reformed LexCorp. She spends ten hours a day here. She needs sleep. She cries when she thinks I'm not watching. It's killing him.

"Mom?"

She's taken to wearing glasses all the time. She never goes outside.

"It's just too cold, Lex."

Her life revolves between Smallville General, here, and her car.

Clark can't get her to go home.

"I'm fine, honey. Really. I mean, I've still got you."

She won't eat much anymore and has taken to sipping a neat scotch in the evenings. Sometimes more than sipping.

I, of course, understand what pressure can lead people to.

"I need to stay busy, Lex."

I've forgotten how much time has passed.

I hired top specialists from all over to examine Jonathan Kent. None of them could do what was needed.

"His prognosis is negative, Mr. Luthor. I've never seen anything like it. It's as if the heart was shocked by some sort of laser--"

"--laser, Doctor?"

"He won't make it to the New Year, Mr. Luthor. I am sorry."

(Don't make me leave, Lex)

Clark does his best for her. He virtually runs the farm these days. Not that there was much left to run; Martha has sold off most of the herd and a bulk of the acreage. Before anyone gets any ideas, she sold the land to the Nature Conservancy.

"You really are a good man, Lex."

"Why thank you, Mrs. Kent."

"Martha, Lex. Call me Martha."

"Of course."

"And Lex-- Jonathan thinks you're a good man too."

Most days Clark attends his single course at SCC then appears in my bed, teary and repentant. I still can't figure what for. Maybe someday.

(What would Jonathan Kent have to do with a laser?)

If Martha knows we're together she hasn't mentioned it. I doubt she cares with her husband so ill.



It was a new face this year that brought the light to me. I was waiting and waiting and waiting and there was this new face.

It was still friendly, but I'd gotten used to the old one.

Still, I live for one thing and one thing only.

This new face took me to my favorite spot in the warm, sunny part by the big old oak and settled me into a fine little cave next to two or three pals.

Sometime later, I started going up. My time was here.

I broke out on a chilly day but I dig the cold and I saw an old friendly crow hanging out on the fence.

I watched the sun for two days, just waiting. Waiting. I hate waiting. There's not enough time for that.

Third day. Getting late. I hope I still look great. I come from a line of bold purples and yellows, with just a hint of pink. Good stock.

The sun is going down and I am about to give up when I see her. There are two other faces behind her- one is the new planter. One has a shiny head. They stay back.

She's closer.

She's smiling and I smile back because that's what he always told me to do. Make her feel better.

She's saying something to herself and I've never been all that good at English but she's giggling so I know she's happy.

She sits in the grass in front of me and just watches.

END of 'Crocus'