Chapter 3
Luthor Mansion
Lex is looking at his laptop screen. He thinks. Who sent this? He opens the file and watches. Then in a sudden flash of fury, he throws his engraved letter opener. The door to the 'War Room' opens and the opener just barely misses Janine.
"That good. Huh." She smirks and pulls the opener from the door.
"I missed you." Lex says. "Sorry."
"You missed me, was that because of the previous action." Janine quibbles and pats the letter opener to her other hand. "Or did my trip to London, make you miss me."
"Again, I'm sorry." Lex answers Janine and gets up from behind the desk. He meets her in the middle of the room. They kiss passionately.
"That a better welcome." Lex smirks.
"It will do for now. Would tell me what this was all about?" She asks shaking the opener.
"Not right now." Lex answers.
"I can wait. How was the trip to Greece?" Janine asks walking away. She heads over to the couch. Lex follows.
"More questions than answers." Lex answers and shakes his head. They sit down.
"Then maybe you should let me help." Janine teases as she rubs the back of his neck. "So tight." She wonders. What was on your laptop that upset you so?
Kent Farm"That's a lot to ask of us. Especially Clark." Jonathan answers.
"I know. If I didn't think it would work, I would not have brought it up, or even asked." Clair answers.
"Clark has to agree." Jonathan and Martha are firm on that.
"I think that's the best way to go. He has to be comfortable with it. We can't pull it off with out him." Clair agrees.
"I will go get Clark." Clair says getting up from the table.
"We will all go." Jonathan says. He gets up and shakes his head.
"Much better." Martha gets up as well.
All three walk to the barn, where JB and Johnny are sitting. The two agents smile and JB puts his finger up to his lips, "They're asleep." He whispers.
"Are you sure?" Clair asks smiling.
"I checked." Johnny answers.
Clair laughs softly. Martha and Jonathan seem relieved. "He's still having the nightmares." It was more of a statement than a question. "Let's leave them there until lunch is ready."
"Yes, we still have a few things to do." Martha answers. Jonathan nods in agreement. They all walk towards the other house.
Wichita Federal Court BuildingA man walks inside and to the security desk. "I am looking for Judge Ross' office." He says in a matter of fact tone.
"Who?" the security guard looks up and makes sure he heard correctly.
"Judge Abigail Ross" he snaps. Why am I doing this? Clair. I'd do anything for that little girl; no she's a woman. Not that I like it. And Caitlin, you left this world to early.
"Sign in please." The guard hands the man a pen and pushes the registry towards him. The guard picks up the phone and calls. "I need your ID." The man digs it out and hands it to him. Anyone near them could hear the audible gulp from the security guard. "It's a Colonel MacMurry." He says to the receiver and then hangs it up. "Here is a visitor's badge. Judge Ross is on the fourth floor, 2nd door on the left." The guard answers and is still visibly shaken.
"Thank you." Colonel MacMurry says and walks down to the elevators. He smiles. Just think if I had worn my uniform. He chuckles and presses the button for the elevator. The doors open and he walks in, pushes the fourth floor button.
He looks at himself in the reflection of the doors. I don't look so scary. What is it? He chuckles. The elevator doors open and the Colonel is greeted by Judge Abigail Ross and her staff security, who have been waiting.
"Colonel." The judge greets him and she looks grim. "How was your trip?" She continues her attempts at friendliness. Since Pete will not tell me what happened, I have had to resort to having security around 24/7. I am only doing this because Pete has begged to see Clark since the kidnapping and hospital stay.
"Very good. How has your day gone?" he asks. I already know you have heard from my niece and that this isn't something you are happy with.
"It's okay. You know this is the only way I would agree to let Pete go without my security." She adds and starts to walk away from the elevator.
"Yes, m'am. I understood that in order for him to go to Smallville, was for him to have a bodyguard." The Colonel walks with her. I wish I could assure you he'll be save. "You son still hasn't told you about the attack."
"No, Colonel. He has not." She snaps. Apparent to all that Judge Ross is not happy.
"Judge Ross if you are not comfortable with this I can go. My niece can be persuasive, just tell me?" the Colonel stops at her office door.
"Truthfully, I don't. However." She takes a deep breath. "I am hoping that Pete will talk to Clark or his parents. Maybe then, he'll confide in me."
"Do you think it is related to you? "the Colonel asks. "He had been kidnapped before." He finishes the statement. I don't need an answer. I know from that look in your eyes.
"That's my fear Colonel. That's my fear. Being a judge and mother, are the most difficult of jobs." She adds and then opens the door. Pete Ross looks up from one of the many boxes.
"Mom, everything okay?" Pete asks. He can tell even being a high school senior that something is wrong.
"It's okay. This is Colonel Frank MacMurry. He is going to see you to Smallville and the Kent's Farm." She just barely finishes before.
"Mom!" Pete almost shouts. "Really. I have to take the army with me."
"This is the only way." Her voice rises up. "Understand!" there's the Judge.
Frank gives the family a second, and then he decides to speak up. "Pete, you want to see your friend, right?"
"Yes, sir." Pete's voice is showered in disappointment.
"Well, I didn't bring the army with me. So don't worry about that. I just wanted to see my niece, the two just happen to be in the same place right now. I'm just helping myself as much as you. Besides, I don't get to drive my '62 Starfire all that much. I brought it for the road trip because." The Colonel cannot finish. Pete's eyes are wide as saucers. "I was told you liked cars."
"That's the last year the Starfire was made, right?" Pete is now excited. That car it's got to be awesome.
"I believe you're right, Pete." He smiles. "I guess that means we're going."
"Yes, sir." Pete says and looks at his mother. She smiles and looks relaxed for once.
"Good. And just call me Frank. I'm not in uniform. Okay?"
"Yes, sir. Sorry Frank." Pete says.
"I want you safe, that's all." She hugs Pete.
"Mom. Don't do that in front of people. It's embarrassing." Pete whispers.
"Sorry." She says and pulls back. Not one bit
"Here Pete, you'll need this." A young woman picks up a bag from the Judge's private office.
"I'll bring him back on Sunday. Correct?" the colonel confirms.
"The weekend? I can stay the weekend." Pete grabs his mother is a big hug.
Frank smiles and he thinks. He was so worried earlier.
"You'll do what he says, and call me?" She orders.
"As soon as I find Clark. I promise." Pete answers.
The two men walk out of the office. Pete is still shaking his head. "Pete, Don't forget this too." The young woman comes to the elevator with Pete's backpack.
"Thanks, Kat." Pete says and smiles.
They get into the elevator and the doors close. "She's cute." The colonel observes. I know you like her. She seems to like you back. Do you know it?
"Huh!" Pete's shocked.
"Hey, I might be old, but I'm not dead." The colonel laughs at his own joke.
"Katrina, I like her, but she's in college. I don't think I'd have a chance." Pete says.
"My niece tells me older women like younger men. I'd go for it I was a younger man." He chuckles and Pete starts laughing too. The elevator doors open and the two laughing men walk to the parking lot. Pete's now in love with a black two door Starfire. "She's a beauty."
"Yes, sir. Sorry Frank." Pete adds. "She's fantastic, awesome, and a whole lot of words I am going to have to learn." Frank opens the doors and puts Pete's bags in the truck.
"Get in. We're burning daylight." Frank says and Pete jumps into the car. They head out of town.
Clark's LoftThe barn is quiet. JB and Johnny have checked several times on Clark and Chloe who have been sleeping. All of the sudden, the silence is broken. Clark bolts. Chloe screams. JB and Johnny hit the stairs and both men are there in seconds. Clark is across the floor. He is soaked completely from a cold sweat. He is curled up in a ball. He is shaking.
"Get Clair." JB orders quietly to Johnny, who is halfway, down the stairs and building speed.
"Clark." Chloe says softly. She gets her wits together. Clair said to talk soft. He will relax and come out. Slow and Easy! She makes her way to Clark. "Clark. I'm here." She slowly and gently makes her way. "It's okay." She tries to touch him. He flinches. She reaches his shoulder. "You're soaked." She says softly. "Clark, It's Chloe. It's me. I'm your Woodard, you're my Bernstein." She reaches his face and his eyes meet her eyes. He begins to focus.
"Chloe?" Clark is disoriented. He looks around and starts to sit up. "Where am I?"
"Your loft, your fortress." She answers still using a soft voice. Then multiple footsteps can be heard. Martha, Clair, Johnny and Jonathan appear.
Clark looks at Martha and Jonathan. "Where were you? I looked everywhere. You left me." It was a child's voice from their past. Clark pleads still wrapped up, but leaning against his desk. Martha turns to Clair and then walks slowly to Clark. She puts her arms around him.
"Clark it was only a dream. I'm here and so is your dad. It was just a bad dream." She soothes a child she once knew.
"Promise?" he says.
"Promise." She says and holds him.
Clair, JB, and Johnny stand discussing. The two men leave. Clair turns back and looks at Martha. She seems so fragile and so strong at the same time, like beautiful china. "Felling better, Clark?" Clair asks Clark gently. He seems to be getting his wits about him.
"Clair, these dreams seem to be getting worse." Jonathan says making his way to Clark.
"This one was really bad." Chloe says. "I'm scared."
"Don't be scared. It's not unusual behavior. You know what this is." Clair answers.
"Yes, I know it's post-traumatic stress." Chloe walks back towards the couch. She sees where Clark had been is soaked as well. Her hand goes down and touches it. It's cold and wet. Make it better. Make it go away.
"I'm working on it. It takes time. I know you're not patient." Clair answers.
Clark starts to stand up. "Honey, maybe you should just wait." Martha says. He walks carefully and sluggish to the barn window. He catches the breeze.
"I'm okay, mom." Clark answers.
"I think its time. I really do." Clair says to Clark.
"I think I'm ready." Clark answers and keeps looking out the window.
"Why do you take Clark inside to change clothes and we will finish up with the table." Clair says and takes Chloe's hand. They head out of the barn. Chloe and Clair go to the tables set up outside. Martha and Jonathan take Clark inside to change. The agents continue to move around, they try not to make Clark feel any worse. They all know what it is; they too have been through it.
"He is going to be okay? No BS, no psychobabble, just straight answers." Chloe asks angry.
"He is going to be okay. Time it's a great equalizer and healer." Clair answers. "We all need it at times." She stresses the last word. "Talking to his parents will help. He is so close to them. He needs them." She puts her arm around Chloe's shoulder. "Come on little sis' let's finish, so we can all eat even Clark."
"Okay." Chloe says. "You're sure he'll be okay?"
"Clark is the strongest person I know. He'll be great in time." Clair smiles and takes a bite from an apple. "These are so good."
"This looks so great, how did you do it all." Chloe says and takes a bite from the fruit salad. "Now this is good." They're start making sure all of the dishes and utensils are ready.
Luthor Mansion"What do you mean it just happened?" Lex shouts at the receiver. "Nothing could have happened." There is a pause. And then Lex shouts again. "I'll want to see the proof when I get there." Lex takes a deep breath.
"What is it Lex?" Janine asks. He walks back to the couch and sits. She starts to rub his neck and shoulders. "So tight again. Lex let me help you. I can, you know." She tempts him.
"Okay, I will tell you all after dinner. I have to go right now." Lex kisses her and gets up. "Surprise me with some fabulous creation you make." He gets his keys and jacket. Maybe you all to myself?
An Airport HangerLex arrives at a hanger. There are several guys in Star Wars and Star Trek T-shirts. He makes his way to the guy in Ralph Lauren. The guy looks up. "Show me." Lex snaps. He turns on a second monitor and pulls up a radar and typography map that overlay one another. There are already marks on it. Some note historical sites, some gravesites, and some noted are not even on land. "The most recent hit." The guy shows it in red and it's not on land but in the Mediterranean Sea.
"This one." He answers. "Lex, this guy is one step ahead of us, we are one step ahead of them."
"I know that already, Bryce." Lex answers. I should make him change his name. That thought made Lex smile. "This guy also knows every site. We don't. Especially, the ones that aren't even in the books or not even theories. These are not something that anyone would have knowledge of unless."
"Exactly." Bryce answers. "These guys follow us. Well let me remind you that the military doesn't like you when you in their pond. You are making a big gamble on this. We are going to get caught. We need to back off."
"No!" Lex snarls. "We are too close. I can taste it. I want it." Lex's voice softens. "Why haven't I asked you to change your name Bryce?"
"Okay. I was wondering when would you bring that up." Bryce adds. "I had to remind you. They are close."
"I know and I am working on that issue." Lex answers. "I will have that taken care of in no time. How is he getting his data? Do we have any pictures of him or his actions?" Lex asks.
"Nope. This guy as you call him, is a ghost. I'll keep working the data I have and what you have given me." Bryce answers.
"Good. I check on you later. Keep it under control." Lex orders.
"It's done. Don't worry." Bryce adds. Keep these guys in games and junk food; they're happy and working. Money takes care of a lot of things.