Clark walked out of the crater. He could see Pete running full tilt.
"You OK? What happened?" He said breathlessly.
Clark grimaced, "Heights, don't like heights. It startled me and I lost my concentration…Kaboom." He kept brushing himself off. "But it was really cool while it lasted."
After a few more mishaps, Clark had flying down by lunch. He headed back, showered and dove into lunch. Someone had managed to bring sandwich fixings. He needed to thank them later. While eating, Chloe and Sullivan entered the kitchen beaming.
"We found satellite photos of the area and a layout of the Shrine grounds." They said as they made themselves sandwiches.
"Excellent, thanks." Clark took the papers from the girls.
The door opened again, Lex slipped into the room with an easy smile on his face. "I come bearing gifts for our savior."
Clark closed his eyes and inwardly groaned. Savior, he was many things: son, friend, teenager, student, alien and at times, a hero. However, savior did not make the list. It should never be on the list, unless he was bringing coffee to Chloe.
"Thanks Lex," he replied.
"The meteor rock is here," Lex handed him a small lead box. "And here is the map." He placed the framed page on the table.
Clark scanned the page. It was identical to the one in his universe. At least this time he would not have to go near that grotesque mask.
"Well, I guess I can go after I finish eating."
"You don't have to do this. I can have the jet ready…"
"Thanks Lex, I can get there faster. It turns out I know exactly where the artifact is," Clark replied. "And I plan on using it to lure Kal here. I can get there and back before dinner. That means I need to go by myself."
Pete had protested going alone and Lex was about to do the same. "It is not like I have a passenger compartment. Plus, I don't think anyone else's body can withstand the speed I will travel."
Lex kept quiet, he had expected as much. He still had to keep up appearances though.
"OK Clark you win, but you had better promise to come straight home," Lex said with a wink and a shake of his finger. He rose out of the chair and walked back out of the room.
"I don't trust him Clark," the Chloes said in chorus.
Trying not to let loose a snicker, Clark looked at both of them. "Neither do I, but for right now let's give him the benefit of the doubt."
Clark had a couple of tasks to do before he left. First, the Black K needed to be ready and waiting when he returned.
"Ladies, I need a favor. Can you inspect the Kryptonite?"
They nodded as he crossed the lounge area to get as far away as possible. Chloe opened the box.
"How do you feel?"
Clark grabbed the counter. "Yep, that's real."
Chloe snapped the box closed. Sullivan looked at him, "Definitely refined, no rock around it."
Clark picked up one of the tables, "Let's go out into the hanger and make some Black K."
He placed the table down and walked to the far side of the hanger. Chloe and Sullivan put the box on the table, "Now what?"
Clark looked at them; they reminded him of the Doublemint twins. When they answered in unison, it amused him and gave him the creeps all at the same time.
Shaking his head in amusement, he called out, "When I tell you, put the Kryptonite on the table and step back. I'm going to focus my heat vision to turn the rock into the Black Kryptonite."
He was hoping that this would work. It should. He took a deep breath. "OK now."
The girls took the rock out of the container and placed it on the table. He felt a slight numbing. He fired. The rock glowed and then started to change. He increased the intensity and the stone flashed black. Closing his eyes, he stumbled backwards.
Sullivan ran to the table and replaced the stone. Chloe ran to him and grabbed his arm. "Easy there Kent, don't want you overdoing it."
"Guess I was standing too close." He felt pins and needles tingling throughout his body. It was a peculiar sensation for him.
They started back to the lounge. The sensation was subsiding by the time they walked into the room.
"I'm OK now."
Chloe smiled and gave him a bottle of water. "Don't feel too bad Clark. I've had a headache most of the day." She took a bottle for herself.
"Anything else or just a headache?" Clark asked after taking a sip.
"Just a headache, probably stress related. You know, stuck in an alternate universe and watching your best friend almost die kind of stress."
"Oh, sorry 'bout that," Clark replied teasingly.
"Yeah, well don't do it again," she retorted hitting him with her shoulder.
"Deal," he held out his hand and she took it.
"See any Tylenol?"
He scanned the cupboard, "Over there, above the sink."
Second on his list was gathering supplies for his flight to China. He perused the sat photos and other materials. Borrowing a backpack from one of Pete's entourage, he placed everything in it. He left enough room for the statue encasing the stone.
"About ready for your trip?" Chloe asked.
"I'm a little nervous but I'll get over it," he replied. He picked up the bag and walked toward the exit of the hanger. Pete, Sullivan and a few others met him at the door.
"Be careful Clark," Pete started. "Come back as quickly as you can."
Clark nodded. Chloe grabbed his arm and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Stay safe ya big lug."
They all walked outside. Clark looked at everyone, waved and took off into great blue yonder.