Chapter 4
Kent House"Clair knows about this, not us." Jonathan always concerned.
"Jonathan, wait for him to finish his shower. Come sit with me." Martha comments and takes Jonathan to their bedroom.
Clark showers. He is still shaking from the dream. They always seem so real. So many different places, so many images, and he always takes them. I can't find them. They disappear. I search everywhere. He gets out of the shower. He towels off. He wraps a towel around him and goes to his room to get clothes.
"We are giving him space. He needs that right now. He will tell us." Martha assures Jonathan. They sit on their bed.
"I'm just worried. He isn't talking to us. He is talking to her." He adds. "I know she's safe. She has proven that. I just feel lost."
"I am worried, too." Martha answers. "I'm even afraid."
"Me, too." Jonathan puts his arm around Martha and kisses her hair. "We will get through this, we are together."
"Yes, I wouldn't be able to make it without either of you." Martha comments.
"That goes for me." Jonathan comments.
"I guess it's unanimous." Clark appears. He is dressing in jeans, his favorite red tee and boots. Martha get up and wraps her arms around Clark. He tries to tame his curling hair and hug her back.
"Don't like the curls? I think they suit you now." She answers. He leaves it alone.
"Are ready to talk to us?" Jonathan starts to get up.
"Let's all sit down." Clark says. They sit with Clark in the middle. I don't want it to hurt.
"It's okay. Whatever it is, we can and will deal with it." Martha answers and comforts her son.
"The middle has always felt the safest, when I was little." Clark observes. He starts telling them about his dreams during the kidnapping. He talks about dreams of Lara and Jor-el, the dream about Chloe, and the destruction. He takes a deep breath. He turns to his mother and sees a mixture of pain and joy.
"It's okay. I don't mind sharing with her." She answers and kisses Clark's cheek. Just with her that's all "I know there's more, if you want to wait. It's okay."
"Thanks, for the first time since the hospital, I'm hungry." Clark says.
"That's good to hear." Martha answers with a deep breath.
"I have to ask. Clark, why did you tell Clair before us?" Jonathan asks.
"She's safe. She feels like a sister, in some way." Clark answers. "It doesn't hurt her."
"Interesting, we have some things to talk about tonight." Jonathan answers. "Let's go eat."
The Kent family comes out to the porch. The group is buzzing around, and munching on the vegetables and fruits. Clair turns and asks "Are we ready to eat?"
"We are." The group at her back answers.
"So are we." Jonathan answers.
"Great." Clair says. "Let's get the meat out."
"I'm not helping with that." Mel adds.
"We know." The rest of group comments in unison.
"So she's the vegetarian." Jonathan jokes.
"Yes." Martha answers laughing.
They walk down to the tables. Clair is putting the meat on platters. There is chicken, ribs, sausage, and a few steaks. Each platter goes to the table. "Grab a seat." Clair orders as she puts the last platter on the table. This group doesn't take anytime find seats. They start to fill their plates. Clark and Chloe sit together. Jonathan and Martha sit together.
"Okay, I want to see you eat." Chloe says as she fills her plate with a piece of chicken, two pieces of sausages, and some ribs. "What do you want as she picks up the other plate to fix it for Clark. Please eat. Please eat for me.
"This plate will work for me, how about you?" Clark answers and gives her a smile. Chloe looks right at him and thinks. He looks more like my Clark, now.
"Fine. I will fix mine, now." She teases and fills that plate with the same. She relaxes.
"Here." Clair says and places a porterhouse on Jonathan's plate. "This is for you." He looks at the steak and then to Martha.
She smiles. "Yes, it's yours. The doctors said you could have this once every two weeks, as long as you stay on the diet. And relax." She states. Jonathan's smile is all she needs.
"Let's eat." Clair says. "It's an order."
All begin to eat and the clatter of utensils is the only sound. Gabe has grabbed the potato salad and seems to be holding it as a hostage. Mel has the salad, the fruit salad and looks for the potato salad. Clair grabs the salad. Mel and Clair exchange looks and then laugh.
"Here Mel, you can have all the green peas. Clark hates them." Chloe says and laughs. She looks up at Clark and he gives her the raised eyebrow. I got you back. Then Clark and his parents laugh.
"They're mushy. Okay." Clark says.
"That's funny. You know Jack says Clair wouldn't eat them because they were mushy. I mean she was 8." As soon as JB says it, he regrets it. You idiot. Shut up.
"It's okay. I'm okay." Clair answers. Hey mom. What do you think? Pretty cool.
"Sorry Clair." JB says. "I didn't mean." JB says feeling so guilty.
"You forget it, JB. I'm good. We're good." Clair adds.
"Maybe you should have never joined the FBI, you seem happier now." Johnny says.
"She really didn't get a choice." Mel says and pops Johnny in the arm. "I can't take either of you anywhere."
JB looks to Johnny. He says, "Let's just shut up and eat." They both nod and return to their plates. Clair just laughs.
Almost to SmallvillePete has talked almost non-stop to Frank, about cars, his friends, what he wants to take in college next year. "I've been doing so much talking. You probably wanted it quiet, or listen to music. It's a really nice stereo." Pete says.
"Nope. I like hearing about how much your friends mean to you. What you like? Now I know the name Clark. Who is the she you have talked about, she went to Paris?" Frank asks.
"That's Lana. I want to hear about it. I can't believe she's decided to stay in Smallville." Pete says and Frank can hear the sorrow in his voice.
"Who is the one you miss so much?" Frank says. I can hear it in your voice.
"That's Chloe. She died this spring, a big accident." Pete answers. I miss her quirky wall of weird.
"Sorry about that, I know it's hard to lose people." Frank adds. "Just so you know. My niece is the one who put in the stereo and A/C. I told her she could if the dash remains the same. It's a great job. I think this guy she's seeing is worth keeping. If I need anything done from now on, that's my guy."
"Definitely." Pete agrees.
They arrive in Smallville. "You want to stop." Frank says.
"No, I want to get to Clark's as soon as possible." Pete says. "They know I am coming, right?"
"Nope." Frank answers. This will be good.
"They might not be there." Pete says and his mind races. Frank laughs.
"Sorry, I couldn't resist. Don't worry, Pete. Jonathan and Martha know we're coming, but Clark doesn't. It's a surprise for him." Frank teases.
"You had me going. Not funny." Pete adds.
"Frank, what branch of the service are you in?" Pete asks. It's about time.
"I am a Marine. I am also retiring." Franks says.
"Can I ask why you are retiring?" Pete says.
"Sure, her name is Clair. She needs me, right now. That's my niece." Frank answers.
"That's good. I'm glad you are getting to see your niece. She must be special." Pete says.
"She sure is, to me." Frank says. "Is that my turn?"
"Yes, it is." Pete says. I know that turn by heart.
The head up the dirt drive.
"Looks like we're going to crash a party." Frank adds.
"Serious party." Pete comments. I don't recognize any of these people.
"I think I'll park here." Frank comments, "Let's get out. I could you a party. How about you?"
"I guess so." Pete answers still confused.
Clark looks up. A look of worry crosses his face. JB looks over and sees Frank getting out of the car. "Don't worry Clark. That's just Frank, Clair's uncle."
"You invited your uncle." Chloe states puzzled.
"Well, he's bringing a surprise." Clair says and smiles.
"A surprise!" Clark almost shouts and he stops.
Chloe grabs his hand and he looks up. Pete is getting out and stretching. Chloe looks at Clair, and then she stands up. Pete looks up and their eyes meet. He turns to Frank.
"Go on. I've been waiting this whole trip." Frank tells Pete.
"What are you waiting for?" Clair says to Chloe.
Chloe runs straight toward Pete. "Are you real?" Pete says, he puts up his arms to block her.
"Of course I'm real." Chloe answers and tries to hug him.
"No way. Are you some Meteor Freak Clone?" Pete says.
"What?" Chloe says. "No. Pete it's me. The girl you kissed in the hospital elevator with Clark looking on."
"Well you know this place, I had to ask?" Pete says and hugs her.
"I know." Chloe answers. She fights her tears.
"And no way does this get you out of trouble for making me think you were dead. You have a lot of explaining to do." Pete says.
"I know." Chloe says fighting the tears.
Clark gets up and walks over to his friends.
"Not one word, not one word. I mean it." Pete answers and tries to control his tears, too.
"Not from me." Clark says and puts his arms around both friends.
Frank walks over to Clair. He gives her a hug. "That's good view." They are looking at the friends.
"I agree." Clair answers. "Thanks for the assist."
"Anything for you, sunshine." Frank says.