Chapter 5

(Lana's eyes flutter open and she quickly sits up.  She is in a large windowed room.  The floor is metallic and pale white.  The walls are a stark blue.  Directly in front of her are floor to ceiling windows, which give a view of a rose red sun reflecting in slowly drifting crimson waters.  Standing slowly, Lana turns.  There is a circular depression in the middle of the room, about ten feet in diameter, which is ringed with what looks like seating.  In the middle of it is something similar to a keyboard with a small, pulsating orb hovering beside it.  Lana walks up to it and reaches out her hand to touch the orb when a sudden whooshing noise interrupts her.  She turns and sees that a door has opened.  Two people, a male and a female, walk through.  Neither of whom Lana recognizes.  The male wears a lavish green robe over a tight black body suit which covers all of him, save for his head.  An odd symbol which Lana does not recognize is emblazoned on his chest.  The female wears something similar, only instead of a robe it is a scarlet dress that nearly skims the ground.  A different symbol is emblazoned on her chest.  They seem to be in the middle of a conversation as they walk to the depression in the center of the room.)

Male: "All I can tell you Lara is that if he persists in predicting the end of the world, it'll be the end all right - of his political and professional career."

(Lana watches them as the male seats himself while Lara picks up a small child.  Lana fixedly stares at the child, seeing something... familiar... in its eyes.)

Lara: "But what if he's right, father?"

Male: "Try convincing the council!  He hasn't one supporter of his theory.  They even avoid him in the hallways and do you know why?"

(Lana's intent gaze upon the child is interrupted as there is once again a sudden whooshing sound.  Looking over, she sees who she knows is Jor-El.  He wears the same garb as Lara above his tight black body suit.)

Jor-El: "Why's that, Sul-Van?"

(Sul-Van turns, slightly startled at his entrance, but he quickly regains his composure.)

Sul-Van: "Because you can never be wrong, Jor-El.  You can never let it go.  You have an ego the size of Argos."

Jor-El (Looking over his shoulder at Sul-Van as he approaches Lara): "I never let my ego get in the way of the facts."

Sul-Van: "Well let me let you in on one little fact.  Unless Brainiac agrees with you, it's all over.  No more expeditions, no more research, no more-"

(He is interrupted as the ground begins to violently shake.)

Jor-El: "It's another temper!"

(The child begins to cry as several ceiling tiles are dislodged and crash to the ground.  An ornate statue that was against the wall falls over, smashing to pieces upon the floor.)

Lara: "Shh, it's alright Kal-El!"

(Outside, screams can be heard as several building come crashing down and minor fires break out across the city.  The temper subsides.)

Lara (Kneeling, holding Kal-El to her chest): "Hush, shh, shh, shh."

(Jor-El and Sul-Van approach the windows.  As they do, the window panes part forming a doorway.  Jor-El moves towards the balcony and surveys the damage done to the city.  Sul-Van walks up beside him.  He squints slightly.)

Sul-Van (His voice low): "You better be wrong, Jor-El.  You better be dead wrong."

(Everything begins to fade to black as Lana feels herself falling backwards.)

Clark (His voice distant, muffled): "Lana?  Lana, wake up."

(Lana's eyes flutter open once again and she finds herself in her bed.  Her covers are twisted about her as if she has been struggling in her sleep.  Clark stands over her, his eyes reflecting concern.)

Lana: "Where... where's Chloe?"

Clark: "She's still sleeping."

Lana: "What happened?"

(Clark sits down on the edge of her bed as she sits up.)

Clark: "There was a cave-in at the Kawatchi caves.  You and Chloe were caught in them..."

(Lana gives him an odd look then places her hand on top of his.)

Lana (Whispering): "Chloe might believe that, but I know what really happened Clark."

(Clark begins to fumble for something to say, but Lana puts her finger to his lips, silencing him.)

Lana: "And I think I know why you did it."

(Lana draws him in closer to her and hugs him tightly.)

Lana: "It's no one's fault what happened to your dad.  Just let it go, Clark..."

(Clark hugs her back and all the emotions that he held within over the past few days break free of their confines.  Clark's chest heaves as he openly sobs into Lana's shoulder.  They slowly rock back and forth as Lana delicately caresses his back with her hand.)

Lana (Whispering in his ear): "Hush, shh, shh, shh."

(Without knowing why, Clark feels himself relax in her arms.  As a tear rolls down her cheek, Lana smiles sadly and hugs Clark closer to herself...)