Disclaimer: If I owned them, there would be LOTS of Clana! Too bad I don't :(
Summary: What would happen if Martha and Johnathan Kent were murdered? Short.
A/N: This was only supposed to be a two part story with Clark and Lana's POV right after the Kent's are murdered, however, I've decided to continue with a few more POV's. This might be a little confusing...please review and let me know what you think. I may continue with Chloe and Pete POV's also...
WATCHING
She watched them with sorrow – as she took his hand in hers, gripping it so tight, her knuckles turned white. She watched as she gently guided him to a quiet place, away from the bridge and the cars. He didn't resist. They hadn't said anything to each other yet and she knew they wouldn't. No words would be exchanged between them today. Only silence. But through the silence, she would give him her strength. He needed it.
He hadn't responded to her yet – didn't even look at her. His gaze was still empty as he stared straight ahead. As she watched him, she knew that he wasn't aware of her. He wasn't aware that she had guided him away from the bridge or that she had taken the small lead box from his hand. He wasn't aware of the vice-like grip she had on his hand or of the strength that she was desperately trying to will into him.
She watched her exercise tremendous control over herself as unshed tears sparkled in her eyes, threatening to overflow, but never slipping. She watched as she carefully pulled his stiff body to hers, gently embracing him, softly stroking his back.
She watched the sudden spark of recognition in his eyes and the subsequent torrent of emotions that assaulted him. Tears gathered in his eyes and, as she tightened her embrace, he let them fall. She watched him shake with emotion and she watched her continue to hold on tight.
Taking in the sight before her, she finally shed her own phantom tears until she felt a presence behind her.
"Thank you." The presence said.
She turned, "For what?" The shimmery form of a woman stood before her. There was something distinctly familiar about her, although she was sure she had never met her before.
"For taking him in, taking care of him...for being there for him and loving him...when I couldn't." The presence answered.
It was then that she knew. She had never met the tall brunette with mysterious blue-green eyes, but she had met her son. She knew the woman's son very well, in fact – better than she knew herself. This woman's son was the boy she had called her own son for so many years. And for that reason, she immediately recognized the look she was giving her: the look that the boy she called her son had given her so many times. It was the look he gave her when he felt guilty for something that he had no control over. The look he gave her when he couldn't save someone or when he accidentally hurt someone.
She stared at the brunette for a moment, then replied, "It wasn't your fault." The woman blinked, surprised and confused at her reply, so she continued, "You never meant to hurt your son. You did the best you could...you gave him a chance at life – you saved him." She paused, then continued again, tears shining in her translucent eyes as a smile played on her lips, "I should thank you, you gave me a chance to be a mother."
The other woman brightened and smiled, "My name is Lara-El."
"I'm Martha Kent."
Both women turned and back to the scene Martha had been watching. He was still tightly wrapped in her arms, and while he wasn't shaking so violently anymore, tears still streamed down his face.
"I am worried about him." Lara said.
Martha continued to watch them. They had always been close. He had been smitten with her the first time he saw her – he was five and couldn't even speak properly, yet he was in love.
Martha chuckled and Lara looked at her questioningly. Without shifting her gaze, Martha began to tell Lara the story of Clark and Lana. She told her about how clumsy he was around her even when she wasn't wearing the Kryptonite necklace and how he used to go out of his way just to see her everyday. She told her how both had helped each other through the tough times and how they always wanted to share the fun times. She told Lara about both of their willingness to help others and everything else that made what the two of them had special.
Lara listened intently, laughing with Martha occasionally. She was eager learn about her biological son. But as Martha quieted, Lara had the feeling that Martha had left something out. "What is it?" she asked.
Martha sighed. "The last couple of years have been tough on them both. They just seemed so sad and tired...no one that young should look like that," She paused, "The rift between them was only getting bigger, and then he told her...about himself, his powers, and where he was really from." Martha stole a quick glance at Lara.
"How did she react?" Lara asked quietly.
"Well, she was stunned – it is quite a surprise to learn that the boy you thought you were in love with isn't even human. But, she did take it surprisingly well, though it didn't really help mend the rift between them..." Martha trailed off.
Lara thought for a moment, then simply said, "Everything happens for a reason."
Martha looked at Lara. She saw the pain in the other woman's ghostly eyes and finally understood how hard it must have been for her to part with her only son.