A/N: All the usual disclaimers apply. Please review and let me know what you think. Much like Johnny 5 I need input!

Blood Ties: Chapter 3

Martha stood on the porch of her house waiting for her husband to return from the fields. They had seen the tractor headed back to the barn as they had driven by. Her mind raced as she tried to decide how to explain the young man that was sitting at their kitchen table. Lana had been kind enough to drive her back to the house after her episode at the talon. She had received a call on her cell several minuets ago telling her that there was an emergency at the talon that needed her attention. Apparently the employee that had taken over was up to her knees in foam from the already over taxed cappuccino machine. Though Martha felt bad she was relived that her son's girlfriend had left. Lana did not know Clark's secret and if Wil was who she hoped he was, her presence would have only complicated matters even more.

As Martha watched the tractor approach the barn she wondered what her husbands reaction would be.

~*~*~*~

Jonathan smiled and waved to his wife as she crossed the yard towards him. She seemed to have a concerned look on her face and that made him worry.

"Martha, Is everything ok?"

"Yes and no. I need to talk to both of you. Something happened at the talon today."

"What happened Mrs. Kent?" Pete automatically began to worry about Lana. Pete had managed to keep his feelings for the raven-haired girl a secret but with Clark gone they had been spending a lot more time together. It was starting to get difficult to be around her and not say something.

"Everyone is fine, but I do need to introduce you to someone. I met him at the Talon this afternoon. I don't know how to say this but I think he might be related to Clark."

Long moments passed as the statement sunk in. Jonathan looked at his wife not knowing what to say. Pete finally broke the silence.

"Why do you think that he is related to Clark? I mean did he the go speeding around the talon or something?"

"No, but I think you will understand when you meet him. Lets just say there is a family resemblance."

~*~*~*~

Jonathan sat at the kitchen staring at his coffee. He was beginning to wonder just how much shock his mind could take before it shut down completely. All the events of recent weeks were beginning to take their toll. Looking up from the cup of dark liquid in front of him he locked eyes with his wife. She had explained why the young man sitting at the table with them was there. His first reaction had been disbelief and then concern. Who was this boy that looked so very much like his son? What did he want and would it prove to be another tragedy for his already beleaguered family?

Wil had calmly told them that he knew about Clark's secret, and what's more that it was a secret that he shared. He had explained that he had come here from another world in search of his only known living relative, and that it was the boy they had raised. A quick demonstration of speed and heat vision had convinced Jonathan and Martha that he spoke the truth.

"Mr. Kent, I understand that this is a lot to accept. Hell, I wouldn't blame you if you told me to get out and never come back. You have been through a lot lately and this is just another twist in an already complicated life. I just want you to know that I mean you and your family no harm. I would like to help if you will let me."

Jonathan Kent looked at the young man in front of him. He wanted to be angry with him. Things had been so difficult for Clark. His son had never felt that he belonged here. He had always wondered if there was another like him, and what it would be like to have someone to share his secret with. Pete had helped to fill that gap, but Clark had always worried that sharing his gift with anyone would cause them harm. With Wil he could be open about the rather unique difficulties that he had faced. If only he had been here before that damn ship started poisoning his son's mind. Why couldn't he have shown up in time?

"Wil, I just don't know what to say. Your right, we have had a complicated life. With Clark's gifts and all the strange things that have happened in this town since the meteor shower it has been trying. All I have ever wanted was to live a normal life with my family. Instead I have spent the last 17 years constantly wondering when the government men in the chemical suits were going to show up to take my son. I don't regret taking Clark in. He had been a blessing and I would never change that. In fact if he were here right now I would likely be begging him to forgive me for the way I have mishandled things with him. We so badly wanted him to have a normal childhood and not have to worry about any of this." Jonathan paused for a moment his eyes focusing on some faraway place.

Snapping back to the present Jonathans expression changed to one of steely determination. "I appreciate the offer, but this is something that we will handle ourselves. For the sake of my family I would ask that you not share this information with anyone. I know that you understand why this is so important. If anyone were to discover Clark's powers." Jonathan's voice trailed off his mind spinning with the things that would happen if the wrong person found out about Clark.

Wil slowly stood from the table. Looking to Martha and then Jonathan he released a sigh. "I don't understand your decision, but I'll respect it. As for the danger to your family I assure you that I will not tell anyone about Clark. However, you must understand that I have no such concerns for myself and as I obviously have no family here, I'll be leaving now."

As Wil began to gather his things Martha stood. "This is Ridiculous! Dammit, Jonathan we can't do this alone! Our baby is out there alone and Wil may be our only chance of getting him back." The tears of a concerned mother began to stream from Martha's eyes. Glaring at her husband she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. " We don't even know where Clark is. How are we supposed to find him, let alone bring him home? He would have come back by now if he was going to. You are going to have to face the fact that we are in over our heads. If you want our son back then your going to have to swallow that damn pride of your and ask for help!" The tears flowed like a waterfall as she finished. Sobbing uncontrollably she collapsed into her chair.

Jonathan rushed to his wife's side. He could see that she needed this to come to an end, no matter what the conclusion. The tears came in an instant when he realized that his pride had nearly cost them the only chance to find their son. He stood and turned to face Wil. With his hand on his wife's shoulder he looked the young man in the eyes.

" Please find my son and bring him home."

~*~*~*~

Chloe had promised that she would stop by the talon on her way out of town and let Lana know that she was going. Lois had called and offered the apartment to her for the week. She had some big assignment in Gotham and wanted Chloe to come and house sit for her. Chloe had jumped at the chance to get out of Smallville for the week. Things had been really tense for her lately. She was worried about Clark, Lana wouldn't shut up about how much she missed him, and Pete was constantly telling her how concerned he was for Clark's parents.

Normally she would have pulled the Chloe Sullivan, Stoic supporter bit and helped her friends with their problems, but lately she was just not in the mood. Lana and Clark had lied to her about being together, Clark had run off and Pete was trying to fill in as resident hero to all.

She needed a holiday from the drama. Smiling she finished packing her bags and made for the car. She would stop off at the talon and get her coffee fix and then it was just her and the road to Metropolis.

~*~*~*~

Wil had stayed the night at the Kents house, but he didn't get any sleep. The conversation with Clark's parents had been very emotional for all involved. Jonathan had finely relented and asked for His help in finding their son.

Rising early, he had left before Pete arrived, not wanting to add additional stress or deal with the inevitable offer of assistance that Martha had told him would come. He would have been glad to have the help in searching for Clark, but if Pete got injured it would be his fault. Better that all the slings and arrows of this journey land on his slightly tougher skin. Besides, the Kents needed Pete's help on the farm for the time being.

Wil had arrived at the talon well before it opened leaving him time to think about a great many things. He wanted to tell Lana that he would be out of town for a week or more, though he was having a hard time trying to decide what to tell her. Lana didn't know about Clark's abilities and it was not his place to tell her. Trying to explain why he was going looking for a complete stranger might be a bit rough so he decided that he would simply tell her that it was personal business and leave it at that.

He also thought long and hard about lying to people. It was really starting to bother him that he had to lie to nearly everyone around him on a daily basis. His mother had always taught him that honor and integrity were very important. Honesty was something he prided himself on not that long ago, but that had changed. The rational that it was protecting those around him was starting to wear thin.

Wil was roused from his thoughts as Lana pulled up.

"Hey Wil, what are you doing here so early? Your shift doesn't start for another hour."

"That's why I'm here. I need to leave for metropolis this morning, so I'm not going to be able to work the shift. I know that you took a chance offering me the job and I'm sorry if I let you down. I'm will be gone for a while, and I'm not sure when I'll be back."

"Is everything ok? You're not in trouble are you?"

" No, its nothing like that. I just have some personal business that I need to get settled. Hopefully I wont be gone for more than a week. If you can hold the job for me, that would be great but I'll understand if you cant. This is rather last moment after all."

Lana smiled and motioned him toward the door. "Come inside and we will get you some coffee before you go." She wondered what would make him leave so suddenly, but decided not to push. Wil had been great with Mrs. Kent yesterday and really seemed to be a good person. Lana decided that she would give him the benefit of the doubt.

~*~*~*~

Chloe pulled into the talon and made her way inside. Lana saw her coming in and greeted her

"Hi Chloe"

"Hey Lana. Stopped by as promised to say fare thee well and get my morning fix!"

"Chloe I need to tell you about someone first. Remember me telling you that I hired a new person to cover the morning shift here?"

"Yeah. You had said that there was something else you wanted to tell me, but then I got that call from Lois."

"Well he is here, but we need to talk before you meet him."

"Why, is he like all Quasimodo or something?" Smiling Chloe did her best humpback Impression.

" No, he is like all Clark or something." Lana's serious tone made Chloe stop the goofing around.

"Come again? What do you mean 'like all Clark'. If you mean that he is a mystery farm boy that has a penchant for never being there when you want him, but always there when you need him I'm not interested. If you haven't noticed I tried that once and he decided that he liked you instead." Chloe recoiled a bit at the venom in her voice. She thought that she was finally getting over her whole Clark crush.

Lana winced a bit at the words. Chloe had reason to be mad. They should have told her sooner.

"That's not what I meant. Wil and Clark could be brothers. The physical resemblance is spooky. Anyway what I actually wanted to say was that he needs a ride to metropolis and I thought that you might be willing to give him a lift. It's up to you. Let me get your coffee."

Lana walked over to the other end of the counter to start getting Chloe's coffee ready. Just then Wil came out of the hallway leading to the bathrooms. Chloe nearly gasped as he came into view. Lana was right the resemblance was amazing. A flood of old emotions mixed with several brand new ones surged to the front of her mind.

Blushing at several of them she suddenly became very interested in a napkin on the counter.

Wil stopped at the end of the counter where Lana was standing.

"Well, I guess I'm off to the bus stop. Thanks for understanding Lana. I'll get back as soon as I can."

"Wil, before you go let me introduce you to my roommate." Lana walked down toward where Chloe was standing. Wil followed her as he inspected the petite blond at the counter. After looking her up and down Wil decided that this would be worth a little of his time. He had seen several fairly attractive women in Smallville since he landed, but this one made his stomach flutter.

"Chloe, this is William Gibson. Wil this is Chloe Sullivan, My roommate and best friend" Lana smiled when she saw the way Chloe was looking at Wil. She was glad that she had warned her, or else Chloe might have made the same mistake she had.

Chloe extended her had toward will, praying that it wasn't trembling as badly as it seemed to be. "It's a pleasure to meet you will" 'at least I hope it will be.Oh my god, Sullivan get a grip. He's hot, but damn' she added mentally.

"Thanks, Its good to meet you too. Wil smiled a 1000-watt smile at her as they shook hands.

Chloe looked at him and cocked her head to the side a bit. Grinning like a devil she said, "so, I hear you need a ride to Metropolis.

~*~*~*~