This will continue in Lana's POV
Slowly, deliberately, he pressed his palms into the handprints…….and………nothing.
"Clark, What's the matter? What happened?"
"I don't know." Clark tried putting his hands up against the wall a few more times before stopping. He glanced at his hands and then glanced at the wall. Clark took his left hand and placed it where it belonged on the wall. He then tried to put his right hand in the other empty space only to look at me with a perplexed expression.
"What?"
Instead of answering, Clark looked down at my hands. "One of these prints is too small for my right hand."I glanced down at my hands before understanding what he meant. "You think I have to put my hand into the wall too?"
Clark raised an eyebrow, "You see anyone else around here?"
I hit Clark playfully on the shoulder, "Ha, ha."
I squared my shoulders and took a deep breath. Wasn't I just telling Clark to stop stalling? And here I was trying to keep my heart from beating right out of my chest.
Clark, always sensing what I was feeling, dropped his hands from the wall and turned me towards him, "Hey, you all right?"
"You mean besides drowning in my own hypocrisy? Yeah, I'm great."
Clark gathered me in his arms. I breathed into his neck while trying to get a hold of myself. "Listen Lana, I've had a great deal more experience with this type of thing. You have every reason to be nervous." Clark pushed me away slightly and held me by the shoulders. "But like you said there really is no other way out of here."
I nodded my head, letting my mind get angry at myself so that I could gain strength from that anger. "You're right Clark. Let's get this show on the road."
I stepped away from him toward the wall. Clark came up beside me. He grabbed my free hand with his and squeezed. I nodded at him signaling that I was ready. Slowly, we both raised our hands and placed them in the open spaces in front of us.
Immediately I felt a strange course of energy go through me. There was a light so blinding I had to close my eyes as a wind whipped my hair all over my face. All at once, the wind picked up and knocked Clark and I back away from the wall and onto the floor.
Clark never once relinquished his hold on my hand.
As quickly as it started, the wind died down and an eerie silence took it's place. I sat up and blinked a couple of times trying to clear my eyesight of the spots that were hovering there and temporarily blinding me. As I tried to get my bearings back, I felt Clark's hand slip out of mines.
"Clark!" I yelled out immediately starting to panic. "Clark!" I frantically rubbed my eyes, trying to get my sight back. Why wasn't he answering me?
"Clark, please answer me! I can't see!"
Suddenly, soft hands guided me to my feet. I felt a whisper of a movement near my face. A palm stroked itself down from my forehead to the bottom of my chin, closing my eyes in the process. "Wha-." I whispered.
"Shh, dear one. Open your eyes." A soft voice commanded.
Slowly, I blinked and my eyes came back into focus. Standing before me was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Her eyes were the colors of lilacs and her hair was a jet black that flowed down her shoulders. She had a blue jewel hanging in the middle of her forehead from a silver headpiece. Her dress was a white so pure it practically matched the blinding light that had filled room.
Clark was next to me looking at her in awe. His hand reached out and guided itself down her face. She leaned into that hand as I heard him whisper, "Lara."
Lara?
"Kal-el. My beautiful Kal-el." She reached for his hand and held it to her face a second more before letting go. She turned her head towards me once again and stroked a hand through my hair. While I knew a part of me should be weirded out, strangely enough, I wasn't. Her hand was more comforting than my Aunt Nell's ever could be.
"Lana," She said softly. "You grow more beautiful with each passing day."
"Who-who are you?" I whispered.
Clark answered instead. "She's my mother."
I was too shocked to say anything more. I knew his father Jor-el had spoken to Clark many times through his ship and through the cave walls, but the ship had been destroyed and we were nowhere near the caves, so how was she doing this? And did this have anything to do with what was happening between me and Clark?
Lara smiled at me as if she could hear my thoughts. Which in actuality she probably could. "Do not worry Lana. All your questions will be answered in time. I've come forth to guide you as well as to warn you both."
Clark's eyes got a perplexed look in them. "How did we get here? Why are you here?"
Lara folded her hands in front of her. "Once you joined with your lifemate Kal-el, you were both given the power to contact me should you need help or guidance. All you had to do was ask."
I shook my head. "But we didn't-that is, I don't recall-oh." Now I remembered when we were in my room, I had said out right that I wanted answers. If I had known before that it was that simple………
Lara laughed slightly. "Nothing in life is ever simple dear one."
I jumped slightly. "So you can read my thoughts?"
"Yes." She said simply.
Clark shook his head. "I don't get it. Jor-el's essence was still alive in that ship. But how did you get here, wherever we are?"
"I am in your head Kal-el. I am alive within you. You keep my essence alive. This room is a figment of your imagination. I just couldn't be brought forth until you melded with your life-mate."
There was that word again.
Clark's body went rigid. "Meld? What do you mean by meld?"
Lara's eyes serenely held her son's gaze. "You know what I speak of Kal-el. Or at least your sub-conscious mind is aware of it. You are within the stages of a Kryptonian puberty. On Krypton, at about this age, you would be seeking out a life-mate. Someone who's soul matches the desires in your own…" Lara raised her palm up slightly and gestured in my direction. "Lana is your life-mate."
I shook my head. "But I'm not Kryptonian." I said stating the obvious.
Lara's lilac eyes swung towards me and I could feel the power held there. Power that Clark will one day hold in all it's glory. "Neither was your Aunt Louise. Yet Clark's father once loved her as intensely as Clark loves you. Your destiny will not be denied this time around. There is an immense energy in your bloodline Lana. Especially in the females. Clark was not meant for this Earth, but fate has intervened as it always does, and has brought you together." Lara's head tilted to the side and gazed at the both of us questioningly. "Did you not find it odd that a member of your family was so intimately involved with Clark's father? Did you not question how it was possible for it to happen a second time around within the same families, same bloodline?"
I could only helplessly glance at her. "Something was always keeping Clark and I apart. I could only focus on my hurt and longing. Nothing else."
Lara nodded in understanding. "Your love is rare. And as with all things rare, it comes with a price. You will never be the same Lana. You have to understand and except that before you can truly be with Kal-el and finish the process of becoming his life-mate. It will not be as easy on you as it would be for someone who was from Krypton."
My hands started to shake slightly in nervousness. "What do you mean I won't be the same? Will I be like Clark? Will I have….powers?"
Lara shook her head. "No dear one. You will not have powers like Clark. But you will have a power that you will find out together. You will need it to protect you in the future."
All this time, I had noticed Clark take on a rigid form. His body was stiff with emotions that I couldn't even begin to fathom.
But if there was one thing I could decipher, it was that he was angry. Very angry.
Clarks hand balled up into fists. "Are you telling me that Lana is going to be affected by my alien heritage? Are you telling me Lana's entire life will change because of me?" Clark said tightly.
Lara's gaze turned back toward her son, her eyes taking on a gaze any mother would give her son when he questioned her authority. "I am telling you that it is fate Kal-el. Lana's life has already changed because of you as I am sure you are aware of all the times you saved her life. Without you there would be no her and vice versa. Without her strength you would have given up a long time ago. Without that hope to move forward to a new day you would not be the young man you are today." Lara's eyes penetrated her sons. "Johnathan and Martha Kent did a superb job in raising you. They were there to guide you out of some of the roughest times in your life, and I will forever be grateful to them. But take heed Kal-el, you are still my son and I know what is best for you."
Clark looked like he stopped breathing for a second, his anger was suffocating. "I am tired of everyone telling me they know what's best for me. I know what's best for me. And I definitely know that changing Lana and her life is not what's best for her. I will not let her sacrifice her life and everything that is familiar to her just so that I can remain happy."
Lara's eyes drifted to me. "Has it ever occurred to you Kal-el that Lana has already made that decision for herself?" She said choosing to ignore Clark's outburst.
I stared back at Lara and realized that she was right. Was I scared? Oh yeah. But I was ready to do anything as long as I had Clark by my side.
"Lara's right Clark. I've already made my choice." I reached for his hand and grasped it tightly. "I love you Clark. No matter what happens next. I'll be here."
Clark shook his head. "No. I can't let you make that decision. Don't you understand? You'll always feel like you don't belong here. You'll always feel like you're different."
I smiled at Clark. "No Clark. It's you who doesn't understand. I don't care what the consequences are. As long as I have you by my side I'll always feel like I belong."
"But-"
My smiled faded as I looked at him more firmly, "No Clark. The decision has been made."
Clark's lips tightened and his hand raised to my face and he held it there. "I hope you realize what you're getting yourself into."
"I don't know Clark. But that's the point. It doesn't matter." I turned my attention back to Lara, who was giving me a curious look. A look filled with tenderness but also respect. "Now, I have a question for you. What's happening to us? Do we have to be by each others side 24-7? Because today I felt like I couldn't breathe without him."
Lara nodded her head once as if in confirmation to whatever it is she was thinking then answered my question, "In the beginning, yes you will have to be together. As I am sure you are aware, you're bodies burn with desire for one another." (Clark and I proceeded to blush at the same time) "This is natural as your bodies are getting themselves through the melding process." Lara grinned impishly. "It is okay to give into these desires Lana. Though I am aware that the viewpoints on Earth towards intimacy are very different than what we Krytptonians think, so you may have to be a little, ah, discreet about it."
I heard Clark groan next to me. "No matter how old I get, it will never be easy discussing sex with a parent."
Lara laughed and it was good to feel some of the tension lift. "No Kal-el. It probably will never get any easier."
"But what about the images and the fact that we're hearing each others thoughts? Is that going to get stronger?" I asked impatiently. I couldn't explain it but I felt like time was slipping through our fingers and there was so much more I wanted to know.
"It is possible that you will never be able to fully hear or understand each others thoughts, but you will be able to feel each other emotions as it is easier to do so. The images and the feelings they evoke are your bodies way of calling out to one another. This will die down some as the process completes itself."
"How long? How long will it take?" I said quietly.
Lara shook her head. "Normally it takes until the new moon rises, but your moon is not the same as ours…was. So I cannot say."
Clark shook his head. "I don't understand. What kind of changes will Lana go through besides that? You keep hinting toward something deeper than that. Something stronger."
Lara smiled. "Ah Kal-el. As always, you're more concerned with the welfare of others than of yourself. As for the changes Lana and you will go through that is for the both of you to find out on your own. I, unfortunately, cannot give you all the answers." Lara looked at us worriedly, "Our time grows short dear ones. Please be careful. There are many obstacles still left in your way. There is a danger very close by and I'm afraid for you. Be on your guard."
Clark stepped closer to her, worry written all over his face. "What kind of obstacles? What kind of danger? Mother-Lara. You can't leave us with no answers."
Lara's sorrowful gaze fell on the both of us. "I'm sorry my son I have given you all I can." She reached for both our hands and grasped them tightly in her own. "My love will be there to guide you both. Never doubt that. I must go. Clark's mind can only withstand so much strain from this." Lara came up to me and embraced me. She brought her lips to my ear and whispered. "Watch out for him Lana. His heart can only be filled by you."
I nodded slightly as I embraced her back. She glided toward Clark and took both his hands in hers. Clark stared into her eyes and searched them. "How can you love a man like Jor-el? A man so unlike you?"
Lara smiled, tears reflected in her eyes. "I love you Kal-el. And despite all his many faults your father loves you very much as well." With that she embraced him and ran her fingers through his hair as if to fix it. I guess Kryptonian mothers aren't very far from human mothers. Always doting. Always loving.
Clark's face changed in that instant. This whole time he had been trying to be strong. He had hid his longing behind a mask of indifference and anger. But now that his mother was leaving his mask crumbled and in it's place came the face of a scared boy of seventeen. A boy who missed his mother very much. A boy who only wanted to understand where he came from. "But, Lara there is so much I want to know. So much I want to ask you…"
One tear slid down Lara's face as she held Clark's face between her hands. "I know. But there is no time. You've grown up to be a fine young man Kal-el. More than I could ever ask for." She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and right before our eyes she started to dissolve. "Be well. I love you."
"No, wait." Clark reached for Lara once more but he slipped through his fingers like air.
I came up behind Clark and put my hands on his back and hugged him from behind. I buried my face into his back and squeezed him to me. "It'll be alright Clark."
Clark reached down and touched my hands. "She barely told us anything. It's all so confusing. Why do Kryptonians feel the need to speak in riddles?"
I squeezed him even harder until he finally turned around and hugged me back. He pulled away slightly and bent down to kiss me. I closed my eyes as his mouth slanted over mine. It felt like we stood there forever like that and when I finally did open my eyes I realized were weren't standing at all. In fact we were lying down on my bed again as Clark kissed me.
I pulled back and Clark opened his eyes. "We're back." I whispered.
Clark sat up in the bed and swung his feet over the edge of the bed, his back to me. His shoulders were hunched and his back rigid.
I lifted my hand to his back. "What's the matter Clark?"
Clark didn't turn around. "You mean besides the obvious?"
"Clark, I don't get it. What's wrong?"
Clark finally turned around slightly. "I'm tired of the questions. The only thing she did confirm is that I have put you in danger and changed your life. Again."
I felt a stirring of anger rise up from me. "Clark Kent! Did it ever occur to you that I might have a mind of my own? Did it ever occur to you that I'm here because I want to be?"
"But-.' Clark sputtered.
"No." I declared. "No buts. Now stop with the self-pity and give me a hug. Because right now I need you just like I know you need me."
Clark looked like he wanted to argue but instead he grabbed me into a bear hug. "Lara was right. You are strong. Life keeps giving you lemons-."
"And I make lemonade." I finished. "I know. It's the story of my life. Now let's see if we can experiment a little. Let's see what we can do to help this, uh, melding process along." I said with a saucy wink.
End of Chapter Twenty - Five
