The next morning Clark awoke at 9:00am. It was late for farm life, but early for living in a deserted airport hanger life. He looked over at Chloe snoring on her cot. He would let her sleep. He wasn't sure if she had slept since they first arrived. He realized he did not even know how long they had been here. He stood up and looked at his pallet on the floor. The floor did not bother him but he really would not mind a bed. Clark decided he had better go take care of a few personal needs. After that, he came back and checked on Chloe- who was still asleep. He then made his way to the makeshift kitchen.
As he got closer he could hear talking, three different individuals as a matter of fact, three different heartbeats. The temptation to eavesdrop overcame him.
"…you think your always right Lex," he could hear Pete, "He can be trusted, he is not going to go all psycho on you."
"Pete, with all his powers… Well, with all his powers he's dangerous," Lex concluded.
So after his little demo last night Lex thought he was dangerous. He had never hurt anyone consciously. He was always mindful of his extreme physical powers and the frailty of those around him. He had always pulled his punches. Lex would bear watching. However, right now his stomach would be in full revolt if he did not eat soon.
Clark paused, and then knocked on the door. He poked his head inside, "Good morning!"
Pete, Lex and Lana froze.
Clark continued, "Thought I heard voices." He flashed a genuine smile and glanced at the counter, "I thought I smelled coffee!"
He strode into the room straight to the coffee maker. He grabbed a Styrofoam cup and poured. "Aah! Heaven."
The other three exchanged nervous looks- that Clark did not miss- and smiled at him.
"Lex brought some pastries," Lana spoke first.
"Beats the granola bars and Cheetohs," Lex added.
Clark had to agree with that.
After a while, others started to filter into the kitchen. There were about fifteen people embroiled in the soap opera that was his life. No, scratch that, the soap opera that was this universe's Clark's life. He wondered if everyone was in on the secret or if everyone thought him a meteor- afflicted freak. He would ask Pete if he got the chance, right now it did not matter.
He studied the trio across from him. Trust. Who could he implicitly trust? Pete? Definitely. He had been in search of help at great personal risk to himself. Lex? Only as far as his personal interests were the same as Clark's. Once those interests diverged, then all bets were off. He also thought of Clark as a threat, not a confidence builder. Last but not least, Lana. He snuck a peek at her again. Something was just not right. She kept this glassy look in her eye. Drugs? Possibly. He did not know her background here. Were they voluntary or involuntary? He was not ready to trust her yet, if ever.
About an hour later the two Chloes appeared in search of sustenance and…
"Coffee!" Chloe exclaimed, "Please tell me you have cream and sugar."
After Sullivan showed her where everything was, they noticed the pastries. "Thank you Nellie Bly!" she cried as she dug in.
When the two Chloes were licking their collective fingers, Clark decided it was time to start some serious discussion on their plans.
"I have been giving a lot of thought as to how we can help your Clark. I need two things. One being the stone and the other being the black meteor rock." Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Lex do you have a manuscript page in your collection that has a hidden map on it?"
Lex looked stunned for only a second before his features returned to his nonchalant expression.
"Yes…"
"Does the map have a temple with a river and strange writing resembling the ones painted on the caves?"
"Yes it does." Lex furrowed his eyebrowless brows.
"Good," Clark let relief wash across his face; at least that was the same.
Lex interrupted Clark's thoughts, "But Clark, that map depicts a river where there is none. The temple is nowhere near water."
"Yeah I know, I have already had this conversation, but I still need that map."
"No problem, I'll bring it here this afternoon."
"While you're at it Lex, do you have any refined meteor rocks?"
Lex actually blinked at that question, "Yes…"
Clark continued slightly amused he had cracked his friend's cool composure. "I need a piece about two inches by one inch if possible."
"That I can also bring this afternoon. Anything else, gold, frankincense, myrrh?"
Clark shot Lex a dour look, "No but thanks for asking."
Snickering, Pete asked, "What's the refined stuff for?"
"I can make the Black Kryptonite out of it," Clark answered.
Lex soaked all the information in, "Sounds like we are going on a road trip to China. I can have the jet fueled and ready to go by late this afternoon."
"Hopefully Lex that won't be necessary," everyone looked at him. "I think it's time I learned to fly."
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Clark once again found himself in the middle of the tarmac. This time trying to gain some semblance of control over a power that terrified him. This power represented everything alien about him. Something he had tried to deny for so long.
On the other hand, he had successfully taken on a leadership role and it was not backfiring in his face. He had sent Chloe y Chloe on an internet search for info about the Shrine. Satellite photos, schematics, anything about that damned temple. Directions would be nice.
Even Lex had acquiesced to him being in charge. That had surprised him. His other surprise was seeing Lex and Lana so chummy.
"What's the deal between Lex and Lana, Pete?"
"Lana's been living with him since Nell died two years ago in a car accident."
Clark stood on the runway, eyes closed, and breath even. He was searching, for what he did not know. If he could fly as Kal-El then he should be able to now. He figured it would just emerge like the others but this one seemed different. It was there but he could not access it. His mother had told him what Dr. Crosby had said after he flew off, "He has embraced his Kryptonian heritage." What that meant seemed obvious but self doubt always crept into his mind. Kryptonian or human. Human or Kryptonian. He is physically Kryptonian and mentally human, what a conundrum.
He opened one eye at Pete. "This might be a little personal but, does she do drugs or is she on medication?"
While sitting on one of the metal landing signals, he looked up at Clark. "I think she was on some anti-depressants after her aunt died. Other than that…" Pete finished with a shake of his head. "Lex took care of everything."
Pete frowned, "I don't trust him though. I know he has been trying to help in his own unique way… I mean he's the one that offered the portal technology. Had a chip implanted into my arm. The mechanism has a mental component so only I can use it. He suggested the plan to find another Clark to help stop Kal-El."
"Very magnanimous of him, even the Lex I know does not do anything altruistically."
"Altruistically? What the hell kind of word is that?" Pete grinned impishly. "Been researching the Thesaurus Clark?"
"S.A.T.s," Clark shot back.
"Right…You are correct though, Lex is always looking out for number one." Pete said.
"Does he really think I am dangerous? I heard you guys earlier. More importantly, do you think I'm dangerous?"
Pete smiled sheepishly, "Thought you did…I don't know about Lex but no, I don't think you're dangerous. I think Kal has rattled his cage though. Wait a minute, why do you ask about Lana?"
"Her heart rate, glassy eyes, and quick breathing," Clark closed both eyes again and started concentrating again. "Pete, Lex has his own agenda and Lana is part of it."
"I know. I just did not know who else to turn to. I made a deal with the devil, but I'd do it again to save C.K."
Keeping his eyes closed, Clark smiled. "I've missed having you around Pete."
After much soul searching, Clark found the on switch in his head. He had to accept that he is what he is. A Kryptonian living on Earth and accepting the duality that went along with it. 'I am Kal-El of Krypton and Clark Kent of Earth,' he thought. Always so freaked out at the things he could do and who he is; he lived in fear. Would he be rejected? Would he be turned into a pin cushion by some government branch? Enough, what could they do to him really?
Clark's eyes shot open making Pete jump. He had been standing as still as a statue for almost thirty minutes. He watched as Clark bent his knees and energy crackled around him. The ground beneath his feet indented and he shot into the air.
"Whoo hoo! You go boy!" Pete shouted.
"Yes," Clark said to himself letting his confidence build. "YES!" Clark screamed. Then he looked down.
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A/N: Love all the feed back. This is just my reaction to Season 4. No magic. Please feel free to review.