Smallville

The Evil Legend

Chapter Twelve – Cliffhangers

                The evening hours at the school, had left Clark bewildered with optimism, anger; and still wondering what he had done from earlier. Rogue was trying to fill him in, as they sat out- side in the courtyard, but his mind was else where, and wasn't really in the mood to talk to anyone. Rogue could scene that, as he got up in the middle of her story. Looking around she saw Logan coming from across the lawn, over to where they were sitting. Clark groaned and tried to walk past him. Logan wasn't about to let him go; "What's going on?" Logan growled; as he grabbed Clark by the arm.  Clark tilted his head; "Nothing." He said through his clinched teeth.

                Logan stopped and watched Clark leave, as he let him go. Turning back to Rogue, she just shrugged her shoulders. She was getting a little tired of these fits. It was the first time she could touch someone, and everyone was suddenly worried about her. Bobby was jealous, and Logan just plan didn't like the kid. He just looked at her as if asking her what was going on. In responds she walked up to him; "Why can't you act nicely for once around Clark?" She paused; "He's been through a lot already. He's already told me what happened at home, and now he thinks he can't even stay here!" Rogue shouted, as she started to walk off; "Wait a minute. He told you what happened back home?" Logan asked her, now wondering himself what this kid was hiding from. Logan knew what it meant to hide things, and didn't let it out until he meet Charles. Rogue shifted to the side and watched Clark cross the basketball court, and went inside. This was the first time Logan actually wanted to take the time to know what was actually on, instead of going on by his own instinct and; 'not listening to the other side of the story.'

                Sitting down on the bench again, Logan followed and listened. He was actually interested in the fact that he had more powers than a normal mutant, why he came to New York to begin with, and what his future plan was here. Even though Logan didn't know much about his past, he was jealous Clark was running from a past. He'd love to be in Clark's shoes, and actually know what he was running from, hiding from, or know where he came from. All that was still in his head, and he was surprised he had parents. Logan wondered how his parents were doing. Charles would like to here this story. Though there only problem would be to get Clark to sit down and tell the whole thing. They didn't need any other problems, and right now Logan still didn't trust him around Rogue. He could tell what type of kid he was, and that scared him. Sooner or later, he'd leave Rogue, and forget everyone here who helped him. If Clark was willing to go out with Rogue, and watch her; then he'd have to stay.

                                "He can't remember everything Logan." Rogue paused; "Last night, he was having dreams again. Like you do, only he was fighting himself." Rogue tried to explain it as best she could. She didn't understand it herself either, but this kid had issues; that he had yet to converse about.

                                "Can't remember?" Logan snapped the question, feeling the fear of what else this kid had hidden.

                                "He said, it's like having a split personality, he can't remember what he did in Michigan, or when he was with Magneto." Rogue explained; "All he knows is that, he's never felt this way about anyone. The girl he left back home, doesn't even know what he really is." She told him; "But I do." Rogue finished. Logan stepped back afraid to know the answer to this long awaited question, Charles been trying to find in Swann's mind for the past few weeks since he came here.

                                "What is he?" Logan asked her. She looked up seeing Scott coming over to them. Before Rogue could finish her story, Scott approached them.

                                "Charles will be back this evening." Scott told them; "He just called me, saying he had one more place to go with Bobby." He finished and saw that he had just walked into a conversation he shouldn't have. Logan nodded; "Thanks Scott." He told him. Scott had been amazed at Logan's behavior lately, not only was he using manners around him since Jean had died, he had been nice. That scared Scott, but was thankful that he was getting the treatment now instead of later; or maybe he was just around Rogue, and had to act nice. Forgetting what they were talking about Logan headed back into the school leaving Scott and Rogue outside. The other students watched from afar seeing the argument subside slowly. They had all feared the same thing when this new mutant came into their school. He wasn't normal like they were; "Are you ready to eat?" Scott asked Rogue. Rogue shook her head. She had to talk to Clark again. There was something still bothering him; "No, thanks. I'll be fine." Rogue assured him, and headed back inside. Scott just wished he had someone else to actually talk to rather than Logan. Storm had been got at some board meetings for the school, and it drove him nuts watching everyone.

~*~

                He sat alone in the dark, seeing his own reflection through the mirror. He didn't like this person whom he saw in front of him. He was too easy, a Boy Scout, and not what these alien mutants needed. Screaming inside Clark's head, Kal'El moved through the day hearing the thoughts of Clark, and it annoyed him like hell. The ring only sat so far away from him in his room, yet he didn't dare put it on. Clark had his girl, Clark had all the fun, and Clark always let Logan push him around. He was so glad he actually confronted him this evening outside. That was the first time he had ever seen Clark do that, maybe it was his anger along with him building up so fast they couldn't all get out. This left him at advantage against Clark. He knew Clark was unaware of it, and enjoyed that game even more. Watching him wash his face in the mirror of the bathroom, Kal'El's face shined back at him and grimaced back evilly, knowing he'd win in the end of taking over Clark's body once more.

~*~

                Clark jumped back from the mirror seeing the reflection that had just appeared. Did his reflection in the mirror grimace back at him, as though a demon was inside of him, waiting to unleash itself? His heart beat faster, knowing he had no idea what was going on with himself. He was about to ask Scott or Logan for help, but knew he'd never ask, unless he knew it was something he couldn't get out of on his own. This had been going on for sometime after he had taken off the class ring. His thoughts ran wild all day trying to explain it to Rogue, but all he ended up telling her was his past, and where he was from. He almost told her he was an alien, but left that part out. He just told her, he was different than what she was. She still wasn't understanding, but understood the story. So that helped him even more. His parents had always said the devil was going to come back to haunt them, but maybe they didn't know that that devil would have been him. His inner self that had been showing up at every mirror, window, or reflection for the past few days, had given him headaches. This was so painful for him, he had to sit down. Looking to the side of the twin size bed, he looked at the class ring. The sunlight glowed brightly into the room flickering off the gold that was engraved in it. Folding his head into his hands, he closed his eyes; and tried to push all the thoughts out of his head.

                                "Dinner is ready;" Rogue startled him, as he jumped from the bed.

                                "Sorry is this a bad time;" Rogue asked him. Clark took a few deep breaths, and sat back down cupping his head in his hand again; "No I'm fine." He mumbled.

                                "What's bothering you?" Rogue asked; "You know you can tell me Clark." She assured him with a smile. He smiled back; "That's the first time I've probably seen you smile all day." She said truthfully. He nodded agreeing; "There's so much that's hard to explain to everyone. I know Charles wants to know more about me; but I'm not sure I can trust him." Clark told her. Rogue put her hand on his, seeing nothing happening; she added; "Charles really cares about you. He even went to Swann again this morning to find out more about you." She paused; "You have so many secrets Clark, and you need to let them out sooner or later; or they will lock you up inside." She pointed out. Clark had never thought of his powers or being alien that way. Maybe he could tell Rogue, and she wouldn't think of him as a freak. Knowing that half of the school was already freaks anyways. Though the thought of wondering how many out of those mutants weren't in Smallville during the meteor shower, how many of them knew who he was, and how many would find out and slip it to the world, would be his biggest fear.  

                Getting up from the bed he took the ring, and placed it inside the night stand. He heard Kal'El's voice yelling at him, as the drawer shut engulfing it into silence. They slowly made their way downstairs. Smaller students ran past almost knocking Rogue into Clark's arms. He remembered their kiss from the other night, and wanted so much to be back in her arms, but remembered she was seeing Bobby. The thought of going through a Whitney situation again wasn't something he wanted to deal with; unless she had already made it clear to Bobby, Clark was her's now.

                Jones sat at the long table in the dinning room on the other side of the small room, along with Jamie and Peter. They all waved at Clark as he came in, and went back to their meal. Clark nodded acknowledging they were there, and took his seat next to Rogue. He just feared Kal'El wouldn't slip something from his mouth that wasn't appropriate to Logan, feeling his anger surface as he saw him looking his way, with an uneasy look; "Logan still doesn't trust me with you does he?" Clark asked Rogue. Rogue looked across the table seeing him watching their every move; "Just play along." Rogue told him, as she leaned over her seat and kissed him. Syrian watched this and looked at Jamie; he smiled and laughed a little at Logan's face, as he shook it away from the make out scene on the other end of the table.

                Clearing his throat, Logan waved to Scott as he came out of the kitchen with the hot meal flaming on the platter; "What did you cook?" Jamie asked seeing the flames go almost to the roof of the dinning room.

                                "It's ribs; and corn. Plus I've made some fruit salad. The cook had taken ill, so I filled in for his place. Nightcrawler helped of course." Scott assured them, as he sat the flaming platter down right in front of Clark and Rogue. Startled they broke apart from their make out scene and jumped back away from the flaming ribs.

                                "Sorry if I over cooked them; but my red beams haven't really helped me with cooking. Nightcrawler had to re-cook another set of them in the oven." Scott explained. Everyone started laughing, as they saw Nightcrawler appear with the fruit salad, and the rest of the meal. His tale had caught fire from the gas oven in the kitchen, and he hadn't even noticed. Clark's body shivered from the cold air that came through the kitchen. As it went through his system, Clark sneezed; sending Nightcrawler across the room. Before he hit the wall, Clark regained his composer and caught him, as the tray went flying from his hands. Clark jerked forward, and caught the tray; as the food landed nicely back on it. Everyone sat there speechless, seeing what had just happened. Clark stood there seeing their faces; all but Logan seemed impressed; "Are you okay?" Rogue asked him as she got up. Clark knew he wasn't, but always waited till the last minute before he told anyone. Knowing that too many people already saw him do what he just did, there was no way out of it this time.

                Hearing the door open at the far end of the dinning room, Storm came in. She had been gone all morning long at a board meeting with some of the other teachers that had helped out at the school for sometime; "I just smelled the food and knew you'd be in here." She paused seeing Clark help Night Crawler up; "What happened?" She asked him. Clark shrugged, and watched Logan get up from his seat.

                                "Are you getting another power?" Logan asked him. Clark shrugged and started to leave the room, when Logan grabbed his arm; "You're staying right here." Logan growled. Jamie got up seeing Clark shrugged Logan off his arm; "I don't need to stay here!" Clark snapped at him. He ran over to Clark and grabbed his arms and pulled them behind his back; "You think you can hold me?" Clark snarled at Jamie. Jamie saw his eyes glare back at him, and let go seeing there was really no point in holding him. Logan ran up to him, as he went for a punch. Hearing Logan fumble backward; shocked that he didn't even dent the boy he watched him leave the room.

                                "We can't let him lose on New York!" Logan growled at them. Scott helped him up; "I don't think the kid is really leaving. He just wants to be a lone." Scott told him. Scott looked down at Logan's hand seeing blood rivulets of blood trickled down his knuckles; "I guess you won't be able to stop him." Scott told him.

                                "I'll talk to him." Rogue told them as she left the room after him. Logan growled upset that he hadn't really watched what those two do alone in the room. He knew Rogue hadn't been truthful to Bobby yet, and here she was going behind his back already.

                The bedroom was dark; he didn't feel like turning on the lights, as he laid his head down on the pillow. This month had been crazy, and had taken him to a place he should have found earlier when he was younger. He liked this school, and felt like he could actually use his powers without being a freak, yet after what had happened in the dinning room. It felt like they wanted to look at him to make sure he was okay. The thought of even being under an x-ray scared him; he wasn't sure what they would do if he allowed them that pleasure. Did they even have a doctor here at all? He asked himself, getting up he saw the ring's reflection through the half closed drawer of the nightstand. He rubbed his forehead trying to get all the troubles out of his head. Knowing he was truly alone now, with out his parents to come and rescue him, told him he didn't have to go home. Not anymore, but something about that still didn't feel right. He knew he had done many things in the past to make his parents upset with him, but would they forgive him for what he did now?

                'You're a disgrace Clark! You know I can fix everything for you. You don't need these untamed mutants for help.' Kal'El paused knowing he had gotten Clark's attention; "You've made them angry, and confused; I say take the ring and leave. They can't help you. I can help you." Kal'El's voice beamed loudly through the mirror on the other side of the room. The thought of controlling Clark even with out the class ring, was something he longed for; "Rogue doesn't love you. Remember you're on your own. By yourself; this hell of a world doesn't need you! You son of a bitch;" Kal'El shouted loudly through the mirror across the room. Clark shook his head angry at the voice; he wanted him to stop talking, putting idiotic ideas in his head. Getting up from the bed he sped over the mirror and saw Kal'El glaring back at him; "You know I can fix things." Kal'El told him. Clark shook his head again trying to focus. His anger surfacing again, and felt Kal'El's power taking over. Breathing hard he didn't even realize he had his hand up ready to fight Kal'El. The picture of him in the mirror haunted him day in and day out, and he was tired of it. Using his last bit of anger, he punched the mirror hearing Kal'El shouting inside his head; "This isn't over!" As the mirror cracked and shattered in pieces.

                Rogue heard the glass shatter from the bottom of the stairs. Worried that something had gone wrong she ran down the corridor to Clark's room, finding him on the floor in tears. Glass pieces were on the floor surrounding him. His eyes were blood shot, and his hand was bleeding. She didn't understand why he was bleeding, but walked over and helped him up. Storm hurried in after her and took hold of his other arm. Seeing his hand covered in blood, she was now worried. After all they had put him through why was he suddenly bleeding? Looking at the mirror in the room she noticed there was no mirror; "I'll be right back. Keep him steady." Storm told her. A kid that strong; must have just gone through some kind of hell to be bleeding. They had to take him back downstairs to examine him, or they may find out too late what Magneto wants him for. Hurrying back down stairs she ran into Scott; "I need a vial!" She ordered; "There's some in the bathroom down the hall." Scott told her. Logan was just behind him when he over heard; "What happened?" He asked, seeing Storm hurry from the bathroom back up stairs; "I'm not sure." Scott told him, as they followed.

                As they emerged in the bedroom they saw the glass from the mirror, and Clark exhausted from something they couldn't understand; "What did you do?" Logan growled. Clark's blood shot eyes looked at him, as a warning sign of; 'Get the hell away from me,' look. Logan backed away knowing he couldn't do anything to help the kid. He wanted to help, but knew how he was just like that kid when he saw the look in his eyes. Watching Storm take the sample of blood from Clark's hand, she watched as the hand slowly began to heal it's self. She was amazed at how fast he healed, and knew only one other person in the room that could do that. They carried him downstairs to the lab, where Clark's greatest fear came to life. The flat bed came out of the x-ray machine. Clark tried to relax as he watched Strom, look at his blood and take pictures of it. As he lay there, he felt the flat bed move, as it went inside the small x-ray tube. As he lay there, he saw the lights come on around him. His breath started to go faster, not knowing what was going to come next.

                Logan's eyes darted to every picture that came up on the computer screen's over head. His blood moved fast under the microscope, as they watched the blood trying to heal skin when there wasn't any. He could see that his body worked faster, than any normal human's would; "What is wrong with him?" Logan asked Storm, as she brought the x-ray's back over to the light. Clipping them on to the board they all stood around it in awe, about how this kid worked; "I'm not really sure, how he's able to keep a normal pace, seeing how fast he can go." Storm told them.

                                "How fast;" Scott asked her. She shrugged; "I'm not sure." She turned to see Rogue come in behind Nightcrawler; "Charles is back; "He wants to know what's going on." Rogue told them.

                                "Tell him to meet us down here." Storm told her. Rogue nodded and left the room. The room fell silent again, as they continued to look at the x-rays they had on Clark.

                Charles slowly rolled into the room stopping at the front of the room; he looked back seeing Clark nervously laying on the flatbed of the x-ray machine; "Is he okay?" Charles asked them.

                                "He's nervous." Storm told him; "And still doesn't trust us." She added, watching Clark tilted his head back watching and hearing what they were talking about.

                                "What happened?" Charles asked them. Clark couldn't take it anymore and started yelling; "He's trying to control me!" He shouted; "It's that damn ring!" Clark yelled. Charles moved over to his side, and saw that the strong kid was starting to brake again; "What ring?" Charles asked him wondering himself now what was really going on in his head. Clark looked at the door to see Rogue standing there holding it; "The one she has in her hand." Clark told him. He still wasn't sure if this was a good idea, but it was better to tell them, than to have someone take him away.

                Rogue walked up to Charles and handed him the ring. Sitting down next to Clark she took his hand. She felt his body heat warm her skin once more, and didn't want that feeling to end. She had missed touching him, and knew she'd have to tell Bobby her final choice tonight, or he'd do something rash and it would make Clark leave. She knew he needed help, and was glad he finally agreed to do so.

                Charles handed the ring over to Storm and watched her place it by the blood sample they had on the plastic slide. They watched on the video screen as his blood glow a brighter shaded of red underneath, as it moved through the blood stream. Storm looked down at Charles; "It looks like it moves up to his brain, and cause's some kind of development side affect." Storm started to explain; "But why would it go to his brain?" Scott asked her; "I think this type of ruby is a meteor rock from outer space. Which affects him emotionally leaving the side affects deadly." She paused; "That is depending on how long he has it on his hand or how long he's around it; no matter where in the room. There's probably still some moving around in his body that hasn't flushed out yet." Storm told them.

                                "So what would it do to normal humans?" Charles asked.

                                "I'm not sure, but it looks like it would heal. For our part that is, but Clark on the other hand would have to heal on his own term." She told him. Everyone turned to Clark seeing him slowly sitting up; "So did Swann tell you anything?" Clark asked him still a little upset that Charles was trying to pry it out of his brain.

                                "No, he's good on his word. You should be thankful you have a good doctor like that." Charles told him assuring. He looked at them, wondering what they were all thinking at that moment, but kept his temper down, still feeling Kal'El wanting to surface.

~*~

                Metropolis sky line shinned brightly, as Eric, John, and Mystique walked up the marble steps of the Metropolis Rehab Health Clinic. The tall building stretched about five stories above the street. It had a few balconies near the top, as the sun shimmered through the beams, back down to the marble steps, leaving a smooth tone to them. Eric thought it was nice Rehab Clinic, and could tell the Luthor's had helped him out. Opening the glass doors Mystique entered followed by John, Eric had told them to dress like a family, and he was very surprised that they did so. Mystique wore jeans, with a loose fitted top that brought out her bright blue eyes. John wore his normal school clothe he had left from the following year. He, himself wore a suit, that fit a father image, and also a highly paid businessman. He smiled seeing only one lady working behind the desk. Making their way the marble floor even squeaked under his shoes. Hearing the phone ring at the desk, they waited at the small sitting area near the entrance. After the lady finished her call, she grabbed her note pad and walked over to them; "Can I help you?" She asked them. Eric leaned his head back, and looked right into her hazel brown eyes.

                                "We are here to see Eric Marsh." Eric told her. Her eyebrow went up into her hair line. She knew that Eric's family never came to visit, or called for that matter.

                                "I'm his uncle." Eric told her. The lady still wasn't really convinced but didn't complain either.

                                "He's in room 600A on the third floor, oh; bear in mind. He thinks he's more powerful than a locomotive." The lady warned. Eric's eyes widened wondering why this teenaged boy thought he was a locomotive. John moaned as they made their way to the elevator; "Hopefully he won't think can leap tall buildings in a single bound." John added. Eric laughed a little about that. The ride was silent, until they entered the long corridor of the third level. John was getting board, and started counting the doors, as he flipped his lighter. Eric groaned, and looked down at him. John shrugged his shoulders; "What?" He asked, seeing he was driving the man nuts.

                                "I don't want any mess ups while we are here. As soon as we get Eric, we need to head over to the Luthor Plant down the street, and I don't want this building to go up in flames." Eric said angrily. The dim lights lined the walls that were a creamy color green. Seeing the halls were only marked by numbers at the top of each four way, he had to make sure they didn't pass the 600-700 halls, some older people sat at a sitting area in the corner of the wall that was cut out of the building in each four way turn. Mystique grabbed his arm and pointed upward seeing the sign; "This way." She hissed, as he followed her. John jumped up his pace and saw where they were heading. There was a small room to their right, as Eric knocked softly. After not hearing anything, he knocked again; "Eric Marsh?" Eric called out, trying to get his attention. Hearing nothing, Eric moved his hand in a wave motion and saw the door creak open. The window was open slightly, allowing some air to flow through the room. A small coffee table sat near the bed, with a book lying upside down. An old smell came to their noses, as they sniffed the air to make sure it wasn't appalling. The bed was in the center of the room, as tubes and machines sat near the opposite side of it. The teenaged boy, sat up slowly in his bed. His tired eyes drifted to look at the old man that approached him. Eric Marsh wasn't in the mood for company, and most of the faculty here knew that. His blond hair, looked like he hadn't showered in months, as well as the clothes he had on. John wondered if this kid ever cleaned.

                                "I see you haven't improved." Eric said, as he sat down on the other side of the room. The boy looked at him confused, and too tired to ask why he was here, "My friends have looked into your past records, and saw a future. So; I took their word for it, and thought you'd be able to help us." Eric said to him. Eric Marsh still wasn't grasping the conversation. Another swishing sound was heard from the machine on the other side of the bed. Eric watched as the green liquid was coming out of his body; "What happened to you?" John asked, seeing he was pain.

                                "I was being control by a powerful kid that ran this town." Eric Marsh began to explain his crazy idea of how he was the hero in Smallville; "I could move faster than anyone on my team. The whole town thought I could fight." Eric began. They all sat down now, resting their shoulders or leaning forward on the small crouch in the corner of the room; "This freak came and took all that away. My power, my ability to do the impossible;" He stated, his voice rose up a notch; and Eric could tell this kid wanted out of this joint. Eric slowly got up from his seat and walked over to the boy. Leaning over the bed he wondered now if this whole idea was going to work. Mystique saw the look on his face; "Trust me on this." She said to him out load.

                                "On what;" Eric Marsh asked him.

                                "Eric, what if I told you that I could help you get everything back that you lost." He started to explain knowing he got the boys attention; "Go on I'm listening." He said to him; "My friends and I here know what you went through. We actually are able to fix what you lost." He paused.

                                "What do you mean?" Eric asked him.

                                "Wouldn't you like to have your power you lost for the rest of your life? You wouldn't have to search for another fix. You could stay the way you were." Eric explained.

                                "How would that be possible?" Eric Marsh asked him.

                                "My friends here have the one key, to do the impossible. All we need is your help to get one lose end." Eric told him. Eric Marsh liked the idea, though his body still wasn't in the mood to move around just yet; "I like your idea, but there's one thing." Eric Marsh told him; "I don't have my power anymore." Eric told him.

                                "You see, you won't need it anymore after we fix you. These doctors don't know what they are doing. The layout we have for your future will be more than you bargained for." Eric told him. Eric Marsh smiled, and sat up even more; "What's this lose end your talking about?" He asked.

                                "That will be explained in good time." He paused; "Right now, we will be leaving." He told him, as he waved his hands again and Eric Marsh almost chocked on his spit, as he watched his bonds brake, and the bed come apart. He screamed as the tubs came out of his arms. Small droplets of blood hit the floor, as Mystique moved fast to gather them in a vial. Before they test the kid, they'd have to do it with his blood.

                Alarms went off down the long corridors, as the paramedics and doctors rushed down to Eric's room. The group hurried fast through the long corridor, seeing the group of paramedics hadn't figured out they had already left. Mystique held on to Eric Marsh, as police now entered the building. Video cameras in the halls turned in every direction to see where they were going. Eric turned to John, "A little help here." He snarled back at him. John just didn't understand this man sometimes. First he told him not to use his powers, now he wanted him to. Taking his lighter out of his pocket, he clicked the flame. Placing the flame right on his hand, Eric Marsh watched in awe, as the kid threw the ball of flame he gathered in his hand at the video cameras in the corridors.

                Eric Marsh now knew what the man meant, and would love to be cured from this awful solitude that kept him hidden away from the world. He would find the person that sent him here, and destroy him once and for all. Finding his strength, Mystique allowed him to run with them. Seeing they weren't going to head for the elevators, Eric headed upstairs to the balconies that hung over the top floors. She had a pretty good idea what he was going to do once they walked on that metal platform. Seeing the police now behind them, she turned and ran back to back them off; "Where is she going?" Eric asked Eric as they reached the fourth floor; "She's going to give a few of those cops a damn brake." Eric snarled. The kid knew he was just a little pissed, and looked at John; "Don't look at me." He told him, as he set another video camera in flames. Seeing the platform only a few feet away, Eric grabbed John and Eric Marsh as they held on to the rail. Turning his head back he saw Mystique take out another one of the guards doing back flips all the way back of the hall. She smiled at him, and ran to catch up. Feeling the balcony shake lose, he held on as they moved through the air with nothing beneath them. He was shocked, and bewildered at this power. He now was very positive that the old man was going to give him the power back he once had. Turning back he saw Mystique take a running leap landing right on the balcony; "Thanks for dropping in." Eric Marsh told her. She smiled, and walked over to Eric, as they flew into one of the dark alleys, their next stop was LuthorCorp.

~*~

                Chloe rolled over on her stomach eating the last bit of chocolate malted-milk balls. Going through her interview files and folders of Dr. Swann she had received from him, she still wasn't convinced that he told her everything about Clark. Turning to a visitor folder, she had taken from his office, she knew the building would be closed tonight. Taking her cell phone out, she knew the one person she had to call to make this all work. She didn't really care for the money on this job; she just wanted the truth even if it was going to hurt. Hearing the ring on the other side of the phone she waited. It clicked and a male voice spoke; "Hello." Mr. Luthor said softly into the phone. Chloe smiled on the other end hoping with all her might he'd be able to do this.

                                "Mr. Luthor. Hello, this is Miss Sullivan." She paused.

                                "Oh, Miss Sullivan, how is the story going?" He asked.

                                "Good, though I'll need a special favor." She told him.

                                "What's that?" He asked.

                                "I need supplies and tools to break into the New York Planetarium." She paused knowing she got his attention; "I know Dr. Swann is hiding something, and I need the proof, so the only way I can do this, is to break into his building." Chloe informed him with of her plan. She could tell the old man liked her idea; "I see, will you need any back ups?" He asked her.

                                "I think I'll be okay with that, just need the gear and layouts of the building so I know where I'm going." She assured him. She heard Lionel sigh a little on the other end. 'Did he still not trust her?' She asked herself.

                                "I'll have my men send you the information over as soon as possible. Be sure to inform me on any information on Clark once you find it." Lionel told her.

                                "I'll be sure to do that." Chloe told him assuringly; "Thank you Mr. Luthor. You won't be disappointed in my findings." Chloe told him.

                                "I'm sure I won't be. I'll talk to you in the morning then." He told her as he said goodbyes, and hung up. Chloe rested her head on the pillow as she flicked the TV on, to an older soap opera, was this her life, a long on going story with out love? She still didn't know where her future was going to lead her. She just knew it wasn't with Clark any more.

~*~

            The evening news made Clark twitch in his seat, as he sat next to Rogue in the sitting room. Hearing Eric Marsh's name on the reports didn't help him one bit. He wanted to know what Magneto was up to, but Charles said it was best to have him stay here. Bobby sat a foot away watching them sit together, his arms folded in anger. He still didn't like Clark, just as much as Logan did, seeing the man standing at the door frame of the room. The news report kept Clark's mind wondering, with out seeing Bobby standing in between them with his arms folded; "Can we talk a minute?" Bobby asked Rogue. Marie looked at him, wondering what was going on. The feeling suddenly erupted from her gut, knowing what that tone of voice meant; "I'll be right back." Marie told Clark, he nodded his head allowing them to leave the room. Clark just wanted to make sure this was going to go over well. Once he saw Marie's hair disappear behind the door frame of the room, Logan approached him, and sat down on the side of the couch Marie had left. Logan just looked Clark up and down, as if to find some kind of flaw he couldn't see in front of him. He saw the kid twitch which was more than what he'd hoped for.

                        "I hope you know what your doing;" Logan thrust the words out of his mouth, as if he was protecting Marie. Clark grumbled low in this throat, but felt Logan's hands already at his throat; "I've been keeping my eyes and ears open. You son of a bitch;" Logan snarled at him through his teeth. Clark grimaced not even moving from his spot. Hearing the metal in Logan's hands slowly move through his skin, Clark looked him straight in the eye; "Take your damn hands off me;" Clark whispered as a threat. Logan slowly released his hands, knowing all he'd get if he hit him, were bloody hands. He didn't want to play around with these idle hands that could brake his own.

            The silent corridor of the evening left Bobby pacing back and forth. She knew this was going to be hard on him and maybe for her as well, but didn't want her heart to stray any farther from Clark. Stopping about half way down the long corridor Bobby turned to face her; "Do you love him?" He asked her. Marie felt like her heart was going to brake, hearing him say those words so unfeelingly; "I don't want this to become a war between you and Clark." Marie paused feeling her temper rise already; "You don't understand what it's like to actually touch skin for the first time." She stopped watching him move closer to her; "I feel safe around him, like my world is coming together." Bobby walked closer to her now; "For what it's worth, make it last. I don't think Clark is planning on staying here too long." Bobby in formed her.

                        "Why?" Marie asked him.

                        "He has family, and people he's missed back home. Probably even a girlfriend." Bobby told her.

                        "He doesn't have a girlfriend." She stopped herself; "Not anymore. The girl he was with back home didn't even know his abilities. I'm the first one since Kyla that he's allowed in. He feels the same way Bobby."   She choked on her words, as small tears fell from her soft brown eyes.

                        "Well, I hope it's worth it." Bobby told her, and left the corridor up the steps alone. Logan came tarrying out of the sitting room, arms folded in disgust; "Don't let it go to your damn head." Logan scowled at her, as he followed Bobby upstairs for the night.

~ End of Chapter Twelve

Authors Notes: Thanks so much for reading. I hope you enjoy the next chapter. Please we need more reviews. We are finally up to 45 so far. Please give us more. Thanks. Have a good week. Chapter thirteen coming soon, don't miss out.

Thanks from the help of: The Die Hard, MRP, and Chloe-look-alike-reborn. You guys are great. And to all my friend out there who've helped me read this through, and sending me great reviews. Keep them coming.