Clark surmised that if X-ray vision was back then his other two extra sensory powers would be back in short order. His hearing would only hurt him but the heat vision that was more problematic. After a short discussion with Pete; a quick search for a functioning fire extinguisher; and a decision on an appropriate location. Clark, Pete and both Chloes started out toward one of the airport's tarmacs.
"Clark I am not leaving your side! I may not have always had your back, but you damn well better believe I'm not leaving it open now!" Chloe shouted as they made their way away from the group of very combustible buildings and the materials housed within them.
"Thank you, but this might get a little messy. I don't want anyone to get hurt." Clark paused, "Hold that thought."
Just as he had expected the head ache, profuse sweating and fire in his optic nerves started.
"Might as well stay now," he grunted.
After a wind sock, the metal runway markers and the tarmac itself were sacrificed, he regained control of his heat vision.
It was well into the evening when the foursome began making its way back to the hanger. Pete interrupted the silence, "I sent Lana to Lex's for any news of Kal or the third stone."
Clark stopped short and stared at Pete in disbelief with Chloe following suit.
"Lex knows?" Clark barked.
"Of course," Pete replied, "Kal-El ripping the door off his jet and summoning the stone to him was a dead giveaway."
"Oh… it's just another subtle difference in our realities," Clark said, "He never saw me in my time line."
The group started walking again. "Which stones does Kal-El have?" Clark questioned.
"I'm not really sure, but the ones he's found are from Egypt and the other is from Mexico or South America."
Clark nodded.
"I'm also worried about this Black K. I don't have any idea where to start looking for that."
Clark smiled into the darkness, "I just might be able to help you out with both those items, Pete."
After the foursome had finally returned to the hanger, Clark's hearing made itself known with head ringing clarity. He quickly grabbed his ears and gritted his teeth.
"I take it your hearing is back," Chloe stated.
Clark nodded through the grimace while trying to control the wayward ability. After about five minutes of- "Whoa too loud!" and "What did you say?" -it was also under control.
Clark's head popped up, "Lana is back and she's brought company."
One of the side doors swung open and in swaggered Lex.
"So this is our Savior!" A smug grin plastered on his face. "You think you can save C.K. and all of us?"
Clark froze, "What?"
Pete frowned, "What are you up to Lex?"
Trust was not something Lex had earned in Pete's eyes, but he needed the pompous ass and his resources.
"I need to know if our boy here can deliver." Lex stopped in front of Clark and put each of his hands on Clark's respective shoulders looking straight into his eyes. He then let go and walked toward the office area at the far side of the hanger. Clark stared at Lex aghast at such an intimate touch. He diverted his attention to Lana; she had silently entered the hangar. Lex continued towards the offices at a quick pace as Lana ran to catch up.
"Why don't we get a drink and talk schemes and plans!" Lex called over his shoulder.
The arrogance this Lex exuded was disconcerting to say the least. Clark closed his mouth and turned to follow. He stopped. A sound brought his attention back to the door where Lex and, he assumed, Lana had just entered. He scanned outside the door.
"Take cover!" Everyone heard a faint report of gunfire as Clark took two rounds of a large caliber gun to the chest. The force of the impact knocked him back two steps. He looked down at the smoldering remains of the bullets on the floor. Anger flared its head. Thank goodness the others had dove for cover under tables and behind the office counters at his first warning. He regained his balance and glared at Lex.
"You're testing me? I see Luthor Corp security logos Lex. We are going to have a little talk when I get through. The rest of you stay down, they have live ammo."
He could see the Luthor Corp security setting up a perimeter. Clark smirked under his breath, "I'll show you what I got Luthor…"
Clark stamped his foot. The resulting shockwave knocked everyone off their feet including the men outside. Then Clark in a whoosh of air was gone. All anyone inside heard was a smattering of gun fire, a few men shouting and a thunderous crash. Not even a minute had gone by when Clark was standing behind the counter holding Lex off the floor by his shirt collar.
In a low growl, Clark addressed Lex, "How dare you have them fire live rounds in here. Someone could have gotten killed. The bullets could have deflected off me and gone anywhere. Don't ever think about doing something like that again."
Clark let him drop. "Here these belong to you." He handed Lex a bag with all the bullets from the assault weapons the troops had been carrying.
"Your Hummer and that really oversized popgun are unusable. Oh and here's the little bug you put on my shoulder. Good hearing." He said as he tapped his ear. "I'm tired so I think I'll go to bed."
Clark spun around and stalked off towards his and Chloe's sleeping area. Chloe scrambled from behind the counter and followed snatching sideway glances at the group.
Pete glared at Lex, "A test huh?"
He proceeded to walk to the door with Sullivan, Lana and Lex in tow. When he reached the door he let out a whistle. What greeted his eyes were twenty Luthor Corp employees cuffed by their own hand ties, a pile of rifles and the Hummer flipped on its head with a large molten mass that must have been the gun next to it.
"Well Lex, I think he passed."
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A/N: Please feel free to review. The opening is just a tid bit of things to come. I thought it a nice way to start. If it not, then I am here to learn that.