Previously on New Perspective B&B Part 6
Suddenly without warning Mack collapsed to the grass.
Clark reacted immediately while Lex stood shocked. Letting go of Lana, Clark bent and scooped up her torso, "Mack?!?" he shook her lightly in his arms, "Mack?!? Come one, Mack!"
Lex bent at her feet waiting for her to respond. While both Lana and Chloe stood stunned and worried.
::To Be Continued::
REVIEW..please lol. It's much appreciated. I hope you guys like where its going and where it's been please let me know.
New Perspective: Bruised and Broken: Part 6
By Saint 2 Cynic
Clark scooped her up as Lex signaled to the helicopter pilot to start the engine.
Yelling to Clark, "Get her in the copter will airlift her to ER!"
Shaking his head in agreement, "Ok.
Lex headed to the chopper Clark followed on his way he yelled to Lana and Chloe, "Take the horses back and meet us there!"
"Ok!" Lana yelled back has she watched Clark carry Mack to the chopper.
On the way to the helicopter Mack mumbled something but Clark couldn't hear due to the noise of the blades. Clark yelled at her reassuringly , "Hold on, Mack just Hold on!"
As she mumbled a second time Clark's super hearing buzzed with her words, 'My blood, it's mine. Don't say yours..'
Understanding her as he gently passed her to Lex when they reached the helicopter, "Ok, Mack, Ok just hold on!"
Once Lex had her Clark climbed in. As one foot stepped in he looked back to Lana and gave her s slight smile before disappearing into the passenger area. As soon as Clark was in Lex yelled to the pilot, "GO! NOW!"
Both Chloe and Lana stood on the ground holding the horses reigns as they watched them fly up and over them.
"What do you think happened? And why does Clark has blood on his leg…" Chloe asked Lana once the chopper was far enough away to not have to yell.
"I'm just as lost…. Let's get these horses back to the Kent's and head to the hospital from there," Lana said as she started walking Dante over to where Mr. Smalls horse stood.
Following her with Comet, (looking at them both one could tell Lana was defiantly a lot more comfortable around horses,) "Lana, where did you get the other horse?"
None shallantly or trying to be at least, "Henry."
Shocked, "Henry? As in Henry Small?"
"Yeah," she said looking to the ground.
"Interesting…."
Changing the subject, "We should call Mrs. Kent and Pete with the cell phones, let them know."
Chloe already dialing and bringing the phone to her ear, "One step ahead of you."
::The Hospital::
Before the helicopter had fully landed Clark was out with Mack and heading for the elevator. Lex followed in close pursuit. The pilot called ahead to warn the hospital so as the elevator opened there stood a gurney with 2 nurses and a doctor surrounding it.
As Clark came closer the doctor addressed him, "What her name and the situation?"
"Mackenzie Small," lying her gently on the gurney, "She just passed out."
Lex hurried up and stood next to Clark out of breath.
Noticing the blood but, taking note of no puncture wounds, "Who's blood is it?"
Remembering what Mack had told him, "It's," he didn't want to say hers because he knew full well from here on out Mack would be the freak in town. But she had told him to, "It's hers!"
The doctor gave him a confused look as the elevator closed. Clark and Lex would have to wait for the next one.
Clark stood staring at the closed doors worry on his face as Lex looked at Clark face for answers to his own confusion. Then his eyes drifted to his leg, "What happened to your leg?"
Forgetting about his blood stained jeans Clark fumbled for an excuse, "I don't know it must be.." he felt horrible using Mack yet again, "be Mack's."
The next elevator came up and both Clark and Lex went in. Pressing the button for the ER, "Clark how could it be hers?"
Resting his back up against the corner, "That's for her to answer."
Knowing full well no matter what he said Clark wouldn't tell they rode the rest of the way in silence.
When they finally got down there the doctors and nurses were buzzing about attending to Mackenzie.
Lex tried to look in, as a nurse went to move the curtain he stopped her, "What's wrong? What's happening?"
"I'm sorry you'll have to wait in the waiting room," with that she closed the curtain and her shadow became one with the rest.
Dejected both Clark and Lex made their way to the waiting room to wait for word on Mackenzie and for the rest of the group to show up.
::½ hour::
"Clark!" Mrs. Kent made her way to her son.
Smiling Clark rose to his feet and gave her a hug, "Hi Mom."
"Your ok?" pulling away and taking a look at him.
"Yeah I'm" before he could finish everyone else was showing up. Noticing his dad, "Dad."
"Son, your ok?"
"Fine, Mack's the one in trouble," he looked at his father then back to his mom sheepishly. Noticing that no ones else was there, "Where's everyone else?"
Looking over her shoulder, "I could have sworn Lana was right…" Before she could finish Lana, Pete and Chloe came walking through the ER doors. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kent's step out of Clark's way so he could greet them. Since Lana and Clark had already had their moment she slowed her pace in order to let Pete and Chloe go ahead.
Hitting him on the shoulder, "Clark, man. I'm glad your ok."
Smiling, "Thanks Pete," his eyes drifted to Lana has he said the next part, "Me too."
Lana responded with a smile. Chloe interrupting their usual intense eye contact, "Any news on Mack?"
Lex who stood in the corner of the waiting room looking at the window answered from afar, "No nothing," he turned after his answer and walked over.
Just has he reached the group one of the doctors appeared out of the room.
His head bent as he walked over, "Is anyone here Ms. Small's next of kin?"
Without any hesitation Lana stepped forward, "I am."
From Mr. Kent to Pete even Clark were taken back by Lana's lack of hesitation.
Focusing his attention on Lana, "And you are?"
"Lana Lang," looking down then back up at the doctor, "I'm her sister. What's wrong?"
Slightly confused but not wanting to question, "Mackenzie is severely dehydrated. Beyond that it doesn't look like she has eaten or slept in several days. Lack of both have led her body to collapse, her immune system is a wreck, her vitals are too weak for comfort."
"Will she be ok?" Clark walked up next to Lana, lying his hand gently on the swell of her back.
Lana found comfort in Clark's presence, to show this she leaned a little into his touch and gave him a glance before looking back at the doctor for an answer.
"Should be, right now she's still unconscious if she doesn't wake up in the next day or so we'll have to place her on a feeding tube."
"Jesus.." Chloe let slip through her lips.
Everyone gave Chloe a look then returned their somber eyes back to the doctor.
"You're the two boys that brought her in correct?" Nodding to Clark and Lex.
Lex walked up next to Clark, "Yes we are."
"Could you two explain the blood on her clothes? She doesn't have a mark on her," as he said it the doctor realized just how weird that was.
Lex looked to Clark to answer and as did Lana.
With a bit of hesitation, "Mack can…" he felt horrible outing her but knew it was what she told him to do, "Well doctor you wouldn't believe me if I told you."
Not knowing what Mack had told Clark, Lana looked up at him almost shocked that he would give up Mack's secret for his own sake.
"Well your going to have to tell me son. Especially if it effects her medically," noticing Clark hesitation, "Why don't you come with me, we'll discuss this in private?" The doctor outstretched his arm waiting for Clark to walk past him.
"Yeah ok," Clark gave Lana a look then nodded to the doctor as he walked next to him.
As they turned there backs Lana called after the doctor, "Wait, can I sit with her?"
The doctor turned, "She is stable and since you are her next of kin I think it can be arranged," looking into the exam room, "Nurse?"
The nurse appeared out of the room, "Yes doctor?"
"Let Ms. Lang here sit with the patient while I talk with the boy who brought her in," before the nurse responded The doctor began to walk again prompting Clark to follow.
The nurse stepped back to clear the doorway, "Come on, honey."
Lana crossed her arms like she always had in such sad instances. Walking to the room he eyes met Clarks as he looked sadly over his shoulder.
Within seconds both had disappeared leaving everyone else remaining in the waiting room.
"Well we're going to head home," Mrs. Kent said, "Pete, Chloe do you two need a ride?"
"Yeah Mrs. Kent if you could drop us at my house so I could pick up my car I'd appreciate it," Chloe spoke for both her and Pete. Sensing that Chloe was up to something played along, "Yeah thanks Mrs. Kent."
Mrs. Kent smiled and began walking with them outside to the car. Mr. Kent stayed behind a bit to talk to Lex.
"Lex when Clark…"
Cutting him off, "comes back tell him to call you?"
"Exactly, thank you," Jonathan gave Lex his usual nod that kept him from having to shake Lex's hand.
As Mr. Kent walked away Lex took a seat with his coffee, returning to aimlessly staring at the full cup in front of him and the screaming silence inside his head.
::A nearby Hallway::
Noticing that no one was around the doctor reached the middle of corridor and turned to Clark, "Explain."
Nervously, "Mackenzie can heal more rapidly then normal."
"Excuse me?" his eyebrows furrowed as his forearms met his chest.
"When we were missing in the woods she was," Clark's eyes looked down the ground in search for a good story, "thrown from the horse. The horse freaked and dragged her into the woods. When I finally found her a rock had impaled her leg. When I finally got her leg free, it healed by itself within minutes," correcting himself, "Well no more like seconds."
"How could this be?"
"She told me it had something to do with her cell production. Listen you have to keep this to yourself doctor if the wrong people find out…" Clark stepped towards him making sure to keep eye contact. It hadn't hit him till that very moment that if to many people found out they would do to Mack what they did to Ryan. Run tests, use her as a lab rat and he wasn't about to let that happen.
Shaking his head understandably, "I understand son but, I'll have to run my own tests in order to make sure that this…" stopping to think to himself 'they didn't mention this at Harvard med' "this… well to put it frankly mutation is detrimental to her health. Add on to that the fact that it's best to know what all of this entails."
"But you have to keep it private doctor."
"Don't worry I'll take care of it," the doctor gently tapped Clark's shoulder and exited the hallway. Leaving Clark feeling less the comfortable about the situation then ever.
::Mack's room::
Lana sat holding Mackenzie's hand watching her intently. Whispering to her, 'I'm right here, Mack.' Lana knew full well that the Small's weren't going to show up and she fully intended on making her presence and support known.
Mack lay there completely still and silent even her breath was unrecognizable. There they were two young woman forever bound together by their fathers mistake and beyond that connected by their sense of abandonment established at such a young age. If only Mack would let her in, then they would both be able to heal.
Returning from speaking with the doctor Clark paused at the exam rooms window. While he watched Lana sit with Mack his mind drifted to everything that had happened and the domino effect he may have just created. A million questions rose, 'What if the town finds out about her? What if scientists haul her away?' then thinking about what went on in the woods with the meteor rock, 'Why do they effect her?'
Feeling his eyes Lana looked over to Clark and forced a smile. Clark took it as his cue to enter.
Opening the door gently and closing it behind him with even quieter intent. Lana watched him walk over and move a chair next to her. When he was finally seated she returned her eyes back to Mack.
Clark leaned over and kissed the side of her forehead. Whispering as he pulled back, "How are you doing?"
"She should be fine, so I'm ok," her eyes drifted to Mack's hand then to the floor, "What happened out there Clark?"
"We sitting talking and I brought up that Mack should talk to someone about you know," Lana nodded her head so he continued, "She got pissed got on Comet and tried to head for home. But when I realized she didn't know the way I went after her. Apparently I got on Dante a little to fast. He bucked a few times eventually throwing me off and dragging me into the woods….."
Lana's eye's blinked hard at the mental picture.
"He dragged me to a clearing and into a jagged meteor rock," Lana turned her body towards him as soon as he said meteor rock but stayed silent not wanting to interrupt, "Mack come after me and got it out. We would have been fine from there if there hadn't been fragments still lodged in my leg."
"My god, your ok now aren't you?" she said resting her hand on his knee.
"Fine, Mack eventually got them out. Lana you should have seen her if it wasn't for her I would be…" he hesitated to say it knowing how sensitive Lana was about losing the people she loved.
Finishing for him as her painful eyes glanced out the window, "Dead."
Clark reached and cupped her face turning it towards him, "Yeah but, thanks to her I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere anytime soon."
Lana swallowed hard and nodded lightly. Looking back at Mack, "Anything else?"
"Come to think of it yeah. Mack fell on a knife around the meteor rocks and didn't heal," after saying this he got up abruptly.
Watching him rise, "But she said.."
Clark looked down at her, "I know I know but her dad must have lied to her," Clark leaned down and gave Lana a gentle kiss. Pulling back, "I have to go see Chloe but, I'll be back I promise ok?"
Despite the fact that she wanted him to stay Lana knew he had his reasons, "ok."
Clark smiled then looked at Mack, "See ya later, Mack."
As he went for the door Lana called after him, "Clark wait."
He turned sharply, "yeah?"
"Why did you tell the doctor about her ability?"
"She told me too," he broke his eye constant with Lana and smiled weakly in Mack's direction, "I'll be right back, I promise."
As he reached for the doorknob Lana could after him once more, "Clark?"
"uh huh?"
"I love you," it was the first time Lana said those three words without the stress and pressure of extenuating circumstances.
Smiling, "I love you too."
With that he left and Lana remained waiting for Mack to wake up, waiting for everything to be ok, again.
::The waiting room::
Lex still sat there as Clark went to pass. Getting up at the sight of Clark, "What happened?"
"What?" Clark looked to the doors he needed to go see Chloe.
"With the doctor? What did you say Clark?" Lex tilted his head trying to get Clark's undivided attention.
"I'm sorry Lex but I can't say. It's Mack's business."
"Yeah business that apparently everyone else knows but me. Clark just tell me," at this he stepped between Clark and the doorway.
Noticing Lex's aggressiveness, "I'm sorry I can't. I have to go, I'll be back."
As he left Lex watched him suspiciously.
::The Torch::
Clark went on a hunch and super sped his way to the Torch hoping that Pete and Chloe would be there.
As he slowed down the hallway he heard them arguing.
"Chloe I don't think this is a good idea! Sometimes ignorance is bliss," Pete raised his voice trying to get her to listen.
As Clark walked in he saw Chloe at the computer and Pete standing across the room with a file in his hand.
"What's going on guys?"
Chloe looked up surprised, "Clark? Shouldn't you be at the hospital?"
"Yeah I would be but I need you do to me a favor?" Clark walked in and sat on the desk.
"What it is?" Chloe asked stepping back from the computer.
"Mackenzie, she wasn't born with her ability…"
Before he could finish Pete interrupted, "She got it either during or sometime after the meteor shower, we know."
Clark looked over to Pete confused then back at Chloe for an explanation.
"When I was looking into Mack's past. I found out that Mr. Small used to be one of Luthor Corps. top lawyers.." she said as she grabbed the file from Pete and walked to hand it to Clark.
Taking the file and opening it, "But Mr. Small hates Luthor Corp."
"Turns out it's not just because of their obvious environmental discrepancies," Chloe flipped the pages for Clark when they reached the one about what she was talking about Clark stared down at it intently. "When the meteor shower hit Lex was effected as we know but, what I didn't know was the Lionel Luthor had a dozen or so doctors run test after test to find out what effect they had on Lex…."
Understanding her point, "And you can't do test without a control subject."
"Exactly," picking up something from the printer and handing it to Clark.
Looking down at it, "her medical records, how did you?"
"Never mind that, look that age 3. She had about dozen," Chloe raised her fingers to symbolize quotations, "check ups" all by Luthor Corp doctors, in metropolis…"
"They weren't check ups they were doing tests on her," Pete cutting her off suddenly coming to a revelation.
"I don't know exactly; what they were doing and if it caused her freakiness but its something worth looking into. The information stops there but I'm going to continue to dig," Chloe stood waiting for Clark's reaction.
Clark continued to look at the file then looked back at Chloe, "Chloe do you think Henry knew?"
"No if he did why would he be so angry with Luthor Corp." shaking her head as she took a seat at a computer, "No, my guess is the Lionel Luthor told him it was part of his health plan or something. After the meteor shower a lot of people were urged to be checked out by a doctor, due to possible radiation from the meteors. Henry must have thought he was doing the right thing…"
"For once," Pete said under his breath but clear enough for everyone to hear.
Getting up, "It still doesn't explain why the rocks adversely affect her," Clark looked puzzled.
"What are you talking about Clark?" Pete asked.
"When we were in the woods there were meteor rocks. Mack got cut and she didn't heal right away as usual. Then when she threw away the rock her wound healed right up," shaking his head at the weirdness of it, "It just doesn't add up."
"No it doesn't," Chloe broke her stare with the computer and rested her hand on her chin, "The meteor rocks have never hurt those affected by them. Psychologically yes but otherwise they enhance some part of them. Why would they weaken Mack's enhancement?"
::Back at the hospital::
Once the coast seemed to be clear Lex made his way to Mack's room. Stealthily entering Lana was startled to see him she had been so lost in her thoughts she forgot he was there.
Smiling has he took the chair on the other side of her bed, "Any change?"
"No but, it's only been 2 hours or so," Lana had taken to sitting Indian style and leaning her head on Mack's bed.
Lex took her other hand and watched her for a reaction. When he didn't get anything he opted to sit in silence, stroking her hand with his thumb.
After about 15 minutes Lex's cell phone rang, causing Lana to jump out of her chair. Things were so still and quiet the loud, penetrate sound woke her.
Picking it up as he got up, "Sorry."
He walked out and spoke on the opposite side of the exam window.
As he left Lana returned to her comfortable position, her eyes suddenly succumbing to sleep.
Lex hung up and turned towards the room. When he looked closer he noticed Lana was asleep. Instead of going back in he decided to leave and come back later, he had business to attend to anyway. Pressing his hand against the window he whispered, "I'll be back Mackenzie."
::2 hours later: The hospital::
Lana woke up suddenly hoping Mack would be awake when she opened her eyes. When she realized she hadn't with disappointment she rubbed her eyes and ran her hands threw her hair. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw someone sitting in the chair opposite it her.
Happily, "Clark.."
"Hey," he took a moment to notice how adorable she looked upon just waking up.
"Come sit here with me," she motioned to the chair next to her.
Clark got up and moved over to her. As he sat down Lana came to the conclusion that she needed to the comfort of his arms. So she got up and sat in his lap. Wrapping his strong arms around her as she rested her head on his shoulder.
They sat that way for a few moments until Lana whispered, "If anything ever happened to you I don't know…"
Clark raised his fingers to her lips, "I know me too but let's not think about it because it will never happen."
"You can't promise that," Lana said as she tucked her forehead further into his neck.
"Yes I can because, I'll always find my way back to you and I'll always no matter the circumstance be here to protect you."
Knowing he was right she decided not to argue any further. Instead she smiled, smoothed over his hand with hers.
::Meanwhile: The Small House::
Mrs. Small slowly returned the phone to its receiver and looked at the wall in front of her. One couldn't tell whether it was anger or sadness that her face and body language projected on to the white tiles that stared back at her. Without saying a word she made her way up to Henry's study.
Standing the doorway she said coldly, "That was Smallville General. Our daughter is in the hospital."
Not removing his eyes from the book in front of him, "And?"
"Shouldn't we go see her?"
"Your honestly suggesting that?" Henry looked up over his glasses at her for a moment then returned to the text on his desk.
"Yes I am," she had yet to remove herself from the doorway.
"Funny, weren't you the one that sent her away in the first place?" he said with equal chill.
On the verge of throwing something at him, "Why the hell didn't you tell me she was back?"
Having read the same sentence 20 times over Henry closed the book slowly and looked at her, "And what would you have done, huh? Tell me."
Ignoring the question, "Was she kicked out of school?"
Shaking his head, "Yes we got a call and letter about it a month ago."
"Jesus, Henry. How could you keep this from me?" crossing her arms.
"Easily," signaling the discussion was over he pushed up his glasses and returned to his book.
Watching him for a moment Mrs. Small returned downstairs defeated and torn. She had her reasons for exiling her only daughter and to this very day she hated herself for each and everyone of them.
::to be continued:: I felt bad leaving you with yet another cliffhanger.
Reviews Please! It's much appreciated. I hope you guys like where its going and where it's been please let me know.