Previously on New Perspective: Bruised and Broken Part 2

"It's getting late," walking over to him and bending down, '"It was good catching up with you," She kissed him on the cheek, "Get some sleep. I'll talk to you later."

As she went to walk away Lex grabbed her hand, "It doesn't have be goodnight does it?"

New Perspective: Bruised and Broken Part 3

By Saint 2 Cynic

Mack kept her back towards Lex and looked over her shoulder, "Someone has a little more then a buzz," she turned still holding his hand she walked over to the chair and bent down.

Lex thinking she was going to kiss him closed his eyes and opened his mouth a little in anticipation. But quickly snap his jaw shut and opened his eyes when he felt the glass come out of his hand.

Mack stood their knowing full well what he thought she was doing and smiled, "I think you've had enough," she walked over and put it on the liquor cart, "Goodnight Lex, get some sleep."

Making her way to the door Lex continued to pursue her. He managed to stumble his way toward the door trying to block her from leaving, "Come on Mack, why not?"

Crossing her arms, "School night," She attempted to move around him but he persisted in standing in her way, "You've left me with no choice."

Lex leaned in yet again for a kiss, Mack backed up and yelled, "Donald!"

Donald who had been just down the hall immediately popped his head in, "Ma'am?"

Looking around Lex to talk to Donald, the butler, "Hello Donald. Could you see that Mr. Luthor here gets to bed," whispering, "he's had a bit too much to drink."

Nodding, "Yes of course ma'am."

Lex smiled, "Nicely played."

"As always," rubbing his bald head playfully, "Goodnight, my friend."

This time when she moved to get around him and through the door that Donald was holding open he let her. Standing there his back still towards the door staring in front of him as if she was still there. He whispered, "Goodnight, Mack."

::Outside the Luthor Mansion: Night::

Mack walked to her bike, putting on her jacket she shuffled the helmet from one hand to another. Getting on the bike, kicking up the kickstand, she paused for a moment before she put on her helmet and looked up at the mansion. With a slight smile she popped on the helmet and went home.

::Kent Farm: Night::

"You sure you have to go?" Clark said looking down at Lana as she leaned against the Jeep.

"Do I want to, no," taking hold of one of his hands, "Do I have to, sadly yes."

Clark stuck out his bottom lip again showing his disappointment, "Fine," he whined, "if you have to."

Lana laughed a little, "Clark Kent are you whining?"

"yes and I have every right to. Saying goodnight to you means I have to wait till tomorrow to do this," he leaned down and kissed.

He pulled away and looked at her, Lana's eyes and lips were still trying to catch up with the end of the kiss. Clark smiled looking at her.

Finally opening her eyes and seeing his smile she decided to tease him, "You might have to wait longer."

Stepping back, "What do you mean?"

"I mean just because you want this," stepping towards him, resting her hands on his chest and kissing him, "doesn't mean you get it."

Mr. Kent suddenly appear out of the horse stables. Walking by them he nodded to Lana, "Goodnight Lana."

Startled once again Lana removed her hands from Clark's chest and awkwardly said, "Night Mr. Kent."

As Mr. Kent got out of vocal range Clark started laughing. For it he received a playful slap from Lana just before she opened the car door and stepped in. She started the car and rolled down the window as she put on her seat belt.

Clark his crossed arms in the window and rested his head on them, "Night."

Clicking her belt in, she smiled wide at the sight of him leaning on the window. 'God, he's so cute,' she thought to herself. She kissed him on the forehead, "Night."

Clark stepped back from the car as Lana put it in reverse and checked her mirror. Clark watched her as she left waving to him.

Standing there in the driveway lit only by the lights from the porch. Clark Kent was finally content, no longer alone. He smiled then heading back to the house with his hands in his back pockets and his head down.

::The Next Morning: Smallville High::

Mack had finally got to school on time, now to only find her Biology book. Clark walked down the hallway and noticed Mack looking into her locker with a look of utter confusion. As he walked up Mack bent on one knee to search through the bottom.

"Lose something?"

Startled Mack stood up fast, too fast it seems since she hit her head directly into the top of the locker.

"Shit!" she yelled after doing it and turned to Clark as she rubbed her forehead.

Clark watched in shock as the blood trickled down her forehead as the cut sealed itself off and disappeared. Removing her hand from her forehead and looking at the blood now on her fingers then back at Clark for his reaction. His mouth unintentionally wide open, Mack in embarrassment wiped the blood off her hands with a gym shirt from her locker then used it to wipe off her face.

After doing so she looked back up Clark his mouth still open, "You can close your mouth now, Clark it's over."

"Umm no," closing his mouth and feeling guilt, "I mean sorry I didn't mean to."

"It's fine Clark," looking back into her locker, "There it is! Right in front of me the whole time," Mack waved around the book for Clark to see then closed her locker and turned to head down the hallway.

Clark following, "Must be weird huh?"

"What?" putting her book in her messenger bag.

"Never getting hurt."

"I get hurt Clark," she said moving out of the way of a jock, "I just don't stay hurt."

"Well yeah but, I mean do you feel it?"

They had reached Biology Class and now stood in front of the doorway.

"For a few seconds, I guess," as she said it Chloe walked up to get into class. Mack moved to the opposite side of the doorway to get out of her way. Continuing, "Still on for today?"

"Defiantly but first we have to survive Mr. Taber."

Mimicking an old Chinese woman, "Ahhh grasshoppa this is true."

Clark started laughing and was still laughing as Lana walked up.

Looking from Mack to Clark, "What's so funny?"

Mack just shrugged at her and looked to Clark. Clark sensing the answer to the question now lie on him, stopped laughing and raised his eyebrows, "We were just talking about Mr. Taber."

"Yeah such a hard ass," Mack said jokingly. Yet, Clark and Lana weren't laughing both just stood there seemingly looking over her shoulder, "What?"

The person behind her coughed and tapped her on the shoulder. Mack turned around to find Mr. Taber not looking to happy. As he pushed up his glasses Mack's face cringed, "Well this is awkward. You know we really should stop meeting like this."

Both Lana and Clark retreated into class before they burst out laughing.

"Get into class, Ms. Small. Wouldn't want you to be late," putting his hands at his hips.

Mack turned and walked in, "No, wouldn't want that."

::The Torch: mid school day::

Mack stood in the doorway and saw Chloe sitting at the computer. Knocking to get her attention,

::Knock: Knock::

Chloe looked to the door expecting Clark hopefully with an apology ready to go. Instead she saw Mack and disappointedly said, "Mack, wasn't expecting you."

"Me neither, can I come in?" her thumb ran uncomfortably up and down her bag strap.

"It's school property, come on in," Chloe got up, grabbed some papers and walked around to another computer.

Walking to a computer, "So you got information on me, on this thing," tapping the computer lightly.

"Yeah."

"Technology today, nothings off limits and no ones safe," looking down at the screen sheepishly.

Chloe's tone became one of annoyance, "If you're here to tell me off again, your welcome to leave."

Resting her bag on the computer chair, "Nah, that wasn't a pot shot, merely an observation. I would apologize for yesterday but I'm a firm believer that if you say sorry to much it quickly loses it's value."

"Yes, I suppose it does," walking over to the filing cabinet.

"So I'm here to say that I don't hold it against you. You had every right to do what you did. Ask questions"

Chloe didn't respond.

Sensing Chloe wanted her to leave, "And I also wanted to say that I don't want to be the reason for any tension between you, Clark, Lana and Pete," looking down during her revelation, "If it feels like I've been doing that since I got here, so for that I do truly apologize."

Chloe kept her eyes on the files in front of her and failed once again to respond. Mack took that has her queue to go. Without a goodbye she turned to leave.

As she reached the doorway Chloe spoke up, "Thought you never apologized."

Turning to her, "No I do….. just only when I mean it." She nodded to Chloe and left.

::The Talon: around 5 o'clock::

Mack rushed in through the front doors, she was in such a hurry she practically mowed down a guy who was leaving. "Sorry," she kept going, "Opps sorry man." As she made her way through the center aisle she yet again unconsciously swerved around where Dylan had died. As she passed by the counter having seen Clark waiting for her, Chloe sitting next to him and Lana at the counter.

Holding up her finger to him as she passed, "One minute, One minute that's all I need.

Before Clark could get a word in she was running up the stairs with her soccer bag hitting against her back and disappeared into the apartment.

Clark laughed and took a sip of his drink.

Amused Lana asked Clark, "Is she ever on time?"

"Can't say she doesn't try," turning in his stool towards Lana.

"True," grabbing a tray and delivering the drinks.

"Where you two off to?" Chloe asked,

"Horseback riding, I've taken as my personal responsibility to get her over her fear of horses."

Practically choking on her drinking, "She's afraid of horses? The girl who threw and gun through Morgan Edge's wrist wrestled for a gun and rides a motorcycle like she was born on it?"

Clark just shrugged, "I'm as confused as you."

Mack ran down the stairs dressed and ready to go. She reached Clark and held up her finger again. Both Clark and Chloe smiled in amusement.

Taking down her finger, "Ok I just needed to breathe. Ready to go?"

"If you are?"

Looking down at what she was wearing, "What this the wrong outfit?"

"No," getting up, "I just meant you did it so fast, never mind let's go," getting up and nodding to Chloe, "Later Chloe."

As they walked by Lana, Clark ran his hand across her back.

Looking up in response to his touch, "Have fun."

Walking backwards toward the door, "Oh yes! Me and a horse, should by magical. Wonderful World of Disney Magical in fact."

Clark took her by the shoulders and turned her around to go out the doors, "Lets go," he looked over his shoulder to Lana, "I'll call you later."

Calling after him, "Ok."

Chloe began talking to her before Lana had a chance to settle behind the counter, "Horseback riding huh?"

Rounding the pillar and making her way behind the counter, "Yupp."

Chloe let out a, "Uh huh," right before she took a sip.

"You have something to say?" folding her hands on the counter.

"Oh, nothing," she said setting down her cup.

"You want to tell me so let's save the banter."

"Fine, if I had a boyfriend that looked like Clark I wouldn't be so comfortable letting him go horseback riding with a girl that looks like that. No strike that I girl that can still look like that after what? A two hour soccer practice."

"Please Chloe," Lana spoke as she refilled the pastries, "first of all it's Clark, there's no one I trust more in the world. And Mack she wouldn't do that."

Doubtingly, "She wouldn't?"

"No, she wouldn't so you can stop trying to make me paranoid. It's not going to work," she said matter of factly as she closed the lid on pasty dish.

Pretending to put up a white flag, "Ok, I surrender but tell me something else does she always do that?"

Looking at her curiously, "Do what?"

Talking to her as if she didn't know, "Walk around that spot," pointing in back of her, "in the middle."

Lana just responded with a look what-the-hell-are-you-talking-about look.

"Fine, next time she walks in the front door, watch her. It's weird."

::The Kent Farm::

Martha Kent stood in the driveway tapping her foot and looking at her watch nervously. Clark noticing her annoyance pulled in slow and parked. Both he and Mack got out in unison. Knowing he was in trouble Clark held out the keys to his mother and waited for her to yell.

Sure enough out it came, "Clark I have a delivery to make.."

"I know mom, I'm sorry I'm late."

Martha hadn't noticed Mack she was so pissed, "Well I was fine with you taking the truck because you said you would be back be 5 o'clock and it's now,' looking at her watch, "5:30."

Stepping forward to take the blame, "I'm sorry Mrs. Kent it was all my fault. Clark was waiting for me."

Startled by her and slightly embarrassed she hadn't noticed her standing there, "Oh, I'm sorry I didn't see you there," Martha looked at Clark for an introduction.

Taking his cue he gestured to Mack, "Mom this is Mackenzie Small," gesturing back his mother, "Mack, my mom."

Nodding to her, "Good to finally meet you Mackenzie."

"You too, Mrs. Kent."

There stood an awkward silence between the three for a moment.

"Well," looking at her watch a second time, "I should get going." She walked past Clark and went to the driver side of the car. Looking at Mack, "Nice meeting you." With that she got in the car.

Calling after her and waving, "You too, ma'am."

Martha sped off leaving Mack and Clark standing there.

Turning to him, "I'm sorry man, if I had known I would have left practice early."

Brushing it off, "She'll get over it, don't worry about it."

"Ok, if you say so."

"How about you go into the stable while I grabbed the food?" before she could answer he started off to the house.

Yelling to him, "You expect me to go in there alone?"

He didn't answer he just laughed and went into the house.

Doing as she was told Mack walked into the stable and walked over to Comet. Petting him gently, "Hey there buddy."

The horse nodded his head a bit, seeming to be respond to her touch. She continued to pet him until Clark came in. Pleased with her comfortable nature around the horse, "See their not that bad."

"No they're not when they're in a stall," stepping back so Clark could get in.

"You want to ride Comet or Lana's horse Dante?" he said leading the horse out of the stable so he could saddle it.

"Dante? That's like the name of death," taking a look at the horse, "Shotgun Comet."

Laughing, "Comet it is."

Mack sat on a bale of hay waiting for him to finish saddling Comet. When he was done he handed off the reigns to Mack, who looked at them with a disgusted face, "And I'm supposed to do what?"

Opening Dante's stall, "Just lead him outside."

Mack stood and started leading the horse outside all the while saying, "This isn't so bad, no big deal. Just leading the horse. Not a problem."

As Mack waited outside Mr. Kent walked by from feeding the cows. "Going for a ride Mack?"

"Oh hey Mr. Kent," looking at the horse then back at him, "yeah something like that."

Laughing, "Clark told me your not a huge fan of them."

"Well from afar they're really pretty," looking down sheepishly, "up close their very big and…"

Clark emerged from the barn with Dante in tow, "very alive."

Amused, "Well you two," nodding to both, "have a good time. Be safe."

"Will do, Dad," he smiled at Mr. Kent as he turned to leave for the house. Looking at Mack, "Ready?"

Acting like a pro, "Oh sure I'm ready to go Sea Biscuit on this horse."

Correcting her in a teasing tone, "Sea Biscuit was the horse."

Pretending like she knew, "Yeah I knew that."

After their exchange Clark helped her onto the horse then threw himself on to Dante. He moved Dante around the back of Comet and came along side of Mack.

"Ok now just put a little pressure right before his back legs, with your feet and he'll start walking."

Mack gave him a worried look and did as she was told. Comet took his command and began walking. Clark did the same with Dante. Clark looked on as Mack held the reigns like her life depended on it. He couldn't help but laugh.

"What so funny?" she said nervously trying to steer the horse through the path way that led to the open field.

"It's just I saw you the other day going full speed toward a 18 wheeler, then with no fear at all slip between it and Lana's Jeep," walking the horse around her again, "I just don't get how your afraid of horses."

Sitting up straight, "The many mystery's of Mackenzie Small."

They both laughed and continued at a steady pace through the field, onto a path in the woods finally emerging into yet another field. Mack took a look around soaking it all in. Smallville Kansas maybe be small, it defiantly had it's charms. Looking at Clark thinking, 'and cute farm boys.' They continued non-stop for about an hour until there were what Mack referred to as 'East Bumble.'

Stop his horse in the middle of a random field surrounded by woods, Clark waited for Mack to catch up.

Pulling up along side of him, "My butt is going to kill me tomorrow isn't it?"

Laughing, "Yeah, I'm afraid so."

Not caring, "I suppose it's worth it." She leaned forward and pet Comet's right shoulder. Coming back up she was met by Clark looking at her with eyebrows up, "What now?"

"Looks like someone likes horseback riding."

Playing it off, "Whatever helps you sleep, Kent."

Clark laughed and looked around, "You want to stop and eat here?"

"Whatever, works."

They both descended from their respected horses. Mack had a bit at trouble at first but managed to land on her feet. Clark grabbed the basket off the back of the horse and set it down. Then grabbed the blanket off and spread it out. Without instruction to do so Mack tied the horses to a near by tree.

Clark kneeled on the blanket and began to rifle threw it's contents. Mack walked back over and knelt on the opposite side of the blanket.

Looking down into the cooler, "Turkey or PB+J?"

"Oh so we're going French tonight?" she said teasing him, "PB+J."

"Good because I wanted Turkey," he said relieved and threw Mack the PB+J sandwich.

Now sitting Indian style Mack placed it in between her legs and left it there. Clark very content sat back eating his precious turkey. While he ate they sat in silence. When Clark was finally done he wiped his hands on his jeans and looked at Mack signaling the need for conversation.

"You didn't eat," he sad concerned.

Looking down at her sandwich, "I thought I was hungry but I guess not."

Sitting up, "Ok. So I wanted to ask you something?"

"And what was it?" She was hoping against hope it had nothing to do with Morgan Edge and that night.

"What was Lex like in Metropolis?"

Breathing a sigh of relief, "He was well Lex, I guess. He carried himself much like he does now," smiling down at her hands and looking back to Clark who was extremely interested, "But what you see is defiantly what you don't get."

Leaning in, "What do you mean?"

Running her hand threw her hair as usual, "Lex, the man, the myth. He's like a maze where the walls constantly change. Once you think you've got it figured out, once you think you can see the end of it, the walls switch positions and leave you lost again."

Grabbing an apple from the cooler and taking a bite, "Yeah, he's defiantly not one dimensional."

"Well none of us are, Clark. We're all just a bunch of contradictions trying to find a balance."

Clark amazed at her analysis, "You must think about that stuff a lot to have such quick smart opinions on it."

"More lately then usual I suppose," as she said it she looked off into the field, "The suns beginning to set."

Ignoring her obvious change subject, "How are you doing lately?"

"Don't start, Clark. Ok?" still looking out to the field.

"Mack, you have to talk to someone."

Mack stood up as he said it, looking him down at him obviously not to happy , "I knew it." Walking to the horse shaking her head.

Clark's eyes watched her get up and his body followed her to the horse, "Knew what?"

"I knew you brought me out here today to get me to open up, I so called it," she said this frustrated as she pulled the stur-ups down.

"Mack I know what your going through come on just hear me out," he walked to the front of the horse and held its reigns.

Mack threw herself on the horse like she had been doing it forever. Looking down at him from the saddle. Her eyebrows pressing to her nose, her forehead firm with anger, "You know what I going through? I highly doubt it being that I haven't told you a single thing about what I," she put emphasis on the 'I' , "am going through. Just get out the way Clark."

Clark moved to the side knowing that whatever he did he couldn't stop her. She began to trot off then turned the horse sideways, "Thanks though it was nice until about 5 minutes ago."

"Come on, Mack don't go!" he called after her. His eyebrows suddenly shot up as he realized Mack didn't have a clue as to how to get back, "Wait Mack Wait!" He ran over to Dante and untied him. Leading him away from the tree Clark hopped on quickly. A little to quickly for Dante's taste.

The horse bucked and turned around on its hind legs. Letting out a loud "NAYYY!"

Clark nervously tried to hold on, "Calm down, boy!."

The horse landed sharply the bucked again. Hearing the commotion Mack turned the horse sideways again to see what was going on. Her eyes went wide at the sight of Dante freaking out.

On the third buck the horse let out another loud "NAYY!" This time Clark fell backward off it and the horse sprinted towards the woods, dragging Clark with it. His foot was tangled in the stur-up.

Seeing this Mack quickly turned Comet towards the direction Dante was headed. Being dragged like a rag doll, it was all happening to fast for his powers to be of any use so he called out for Mack, "MACKK!!!!"

As he said it he and the horse were getting smaller and smaller, finally disappearing down the over side of a hill. Mack kicked the horse urgently, without giving thought to the fact that she didn't know how to handle a horse outside of a trot. Comet just started strolling in the direction Mack turned him.

Kicking him hard, "Go fast or something!!" kicking him again, "GO DAMNIT!"

With that on last kick Comet shot off after Clark and Dante. A little to fast for Mack's taste because she couldn't stop cursing, "Shit Shit this is shit shit this is too fast! Oh crap."

As they reached the top of the hill and went down it, Mack couldn't see Clark anymore. Figuring they went into the woods she pressed the horse down the hill. As they hit the woods she realized there wasn't exactly a path to follow.

Slowing Comet down she turned in her saddle looking around frantically, "CLARK!?!?!?!" No answer. "CLARK IF YOU CAN HEAR ME SAY SOMETHING!" Still no answer Comet continued to navigate through the woods, shoot her eyes from side to side slowly getting more worried, "CLARK, WHERE ARE YOU?!?!"

Mack stop Comet and sat in silence waiting for an answer.

Just as she was about to yell again, "Mack! Over… over here!"

Mack jumped off Comet and tied it to a tree, "Clark? Keep talking so I can follow your voice!"

Clark's voice was weak yet full of volume, "Over here, I think there's something in my leg."

Mack's stroll turned into a sprint as she searched for the location of his voice. Finally coming to a little clearing she stopped short. There in front of her was Dante, his head bent calmly eat grass. Then there was Clark his face riddled with pain, "Mack."

Running over to him as she got closer she saw what was hurting him. Somehow while he was being dragged Dante managed to run him into a jagged rock. The rock ran right through his leg. In shock she looked closer.

As she bent down to see it Clark forced out, "What is it?"

Her eye's went wide but she didn't speak.

In excruciating pain Clark spoke through his tightly closed jaw, "Mack what is it?"

She looked at it then back at him, "The rock.. The rock it went through your leg," she looked at it horrified then back at him again, "Clark it's a bright green rock."

::To Be Continued::

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