b for those of you who don't know this is a bit of a tribute to John and his daughter Karis, who he calls Biscuit. /b
"Don't worry Chris, there's nothing to be afraid of..." Clark said an hour later as they stood in front of the glistening lake. The boys had all strapped on their life jackets, Clark was going to be with Jeremy, Kyle, and Chris, Pete was going to be with Charlie, and Jake and Daniel would be in David, Matt and Will's boat.
"Sure...nothing to worry about, kinda like that heights thing you have," muttered Chris climbing unsteadily into the small boat, trying to keep his balance. Clark chuckled gently and helped the other two boys into the boat, and then climbed in himself.
"It's a little windy to be out on a lake isn't it?" Chris asked, his older side suddenly showing rather than his six year old side.
"Chris, don't worry about it," Clark suggested, however he was starting to worry about it, his side hurt, looking down he was horrified to see his veins turning green.
"Oh boy," he whispered. If Clark had been a sailor however he might have noticed the wind was really bad for being on a small lake even. However, he was standing when the boom swung around and hit him dead in the chest, sending him surprisingly over the edge of the boat. As Clark swung his arms to keep balance he sent the boat flipping over, dumping all three of the kids into the lake with him.
"CLARK!" yelled Pete as he watched his best friend and the three boys fall into the water. Chris, Kyle and Jeremy instantly popped back up due to their life jackets, Clark however did not.
"Stay with your kids Pete, get the boats back, and grab the other three," with that Daniel dove into the water, he looked around, Clark was near the bottom, his eyes closed, surrounded by green rocks. He instantly grabbed Clark and hoisted him towards the shore.
"Clark!" Pete called against as he and the boys finally managed to get close to the shore. They all surrounded Clark, Pete looked at him.
"He's not breathing," muttered Daniel, as he leaned down and began mouth to mouth. It only took a moment, Clark spat the water out of his mouth and groaned in pain.
"Clark, man are you all right?" Clark asked.
"Unfortunately yes, what happened?" He asked slowly sitting up, but clutching his ribs.
"You got hit by the boom, it sent you over the edge of the boat, the boat toppled but everyone is fine, let's get you to the nurse."
"I'm fine," stated Clark, it was true, minus a little soreness, he was fine, whatever had hurt him on the Lake was gone now and he felt fine.
"Son, people don't get hit with booms and suddenly get up and are fine," stated the nurse as she continued to press at his ribs.
"Well I am, can you stop doing that?" He shifted as she poked at the few final ribs.
"Aren't we fussy. I'm done, you may go now, but I think you should try and get some rest," Daniel sighed in relief as Clark nodded and stood up, he tried to smile gently at his friends.
"She says I should get some rest..."
"Don't worry about it Clark, we'll stay with you!" chimed Will.
"No, you guys go on your nature hike, you're here to have fun, I'll be fine by the time you get back for lunch," he explained gently.
"Are you sure buddy, we wouldn't mind staying?" Pete stated.
"Go, please," Clark said. Daniel smiled and patted Clark on the arm.
"All right boys, you heard Clark, let's go hiking," the boys seemed hesitant but quickly followed Pete and Daniel. Clark sighed, keeping a hand on his ribs he headed down to the main cabin in hopes of some food, or something.
He was surprised to see Sam sitting inside the cabin speaking with one of the girls, seriously, apparently as the girl was crying. Clark decided this probably wasn't a good time to hang around, so he headed back outside, until he saw Chloe standing by Kara, who was crying.
"Clark, come here," Chloe called. Clark was instantly alarmed as to why his sister was crying and headed over to her.
"What's wrong? Kara, what happened honey?" He asked kneeling down to look her in the eye.
"Dana apparently knows a little about the Kent family, she called your parents poor farmers and various other nasty names," Clark looked at Kara and tried to force a smile.
"Kara, mom and dad aren't poor. We may not be rich but in the twelve years you've been living in our house has there been a time when you asked for something that you didn't eventually get?" Kara shook her head.
"We don't get everything we ask for sweetie, but that's because mom and dad get us what we need before what we want. Dana's probably jealous, think about what we have Kara, we're the richest people in the world, we don't have a lot of money, but we've got to parents who adore us deeper than they love each other, and we're adopted," Clark felt Chloe touch his shoulder and then move off to the side, as Clark placed both hands on her shoulders, "mom and dad love you, and me, and the boys and Katie. They love us, and when you get right down to it, we don't need anything more than that. We can survive on love Kara. My first memory of mom and dad was their love for me, what about you?"
"I remember mom holding me in our rocking chair... and dad singing to me," she whimpered.
"Dana's wrong Kare, we're the richest kids alive and probably the happiest," he whispered pulling her into a tight hug.
"I don't wanna stay here anymore Clark, can't we go home?" She whimpered.
"No babe, we're going to stay here, because in six days mom and dad are gonna come here and grab us all in a hug and tell us how much they missed us and you know what we're gonna tell them?" She shook her head, leaning against his shoulder.
"We're gonna tell them how much fun we had."
"But I'm not having fun Clark," Clark sighed and held her close again.
"No, but you will, give it time hey I know where there's a good cup of hot coco and a phone, if you really miss mom and dad," the girl nodded. Clark stood up and reached for his sister's hand. He looked over at Chloe.
"I'll leave you two alone, I'll be in the cabin if you need me sweetheart," Chloe said hugging Kara. She nodded and headed inside the main building with Clark. He bypassed Dana and Sam and headed for a small lounge area where there was a phone, sitting down on the couch he pulled Kara into his lap and dialed the phone number quickly.
"Hello?" Came the voice on the other end.
"Mama," Kara said, her eyes tearing up again.
"Sweetheart? What's wrong?" Martha asked in concern. Jonathan stood from the table and moved over to her, worried himself.
"I miss you," she whimpered. Martha smiled as she looked at her husband, "She misses us," Martha whispered to her husband. He chuckled.
"I was expecting the boys to call first."
"Kara, are you all right? Do you want us to come get you?" Martha asked. That had been deal number one, anytime any of the Kent children needed their mother or father, they were there.
"No...I just miss you...Clark's here," she whispered.
"I'm sure Clark will take good care of you, why don't you let me talk to him, and then I'll put daddy on the phone okay?"
"Okay mama." Kara handed the phone off to her brother, he smiled, still holding her close and spoke.
"How are you?" Martha asked.
"Well, I've got a pretty funny story to tell you about a boom, my chest, and a nice forming bruise...we were sailing and the wind blew the sail around, sending the boom flying into my chest...mom something else happened."
"Do you want to tell me later?"
"That would be best, but...mom, I miss you too," he whispered.
"Clark, honey we miss you guys too," Jonathan was getting antsy to talk to his children so she handed him the phone.
"Hey son, are you telling me that out of four children there my two five year olds are the only ones that don't miss me?" Clark laughed.
"Actually, they're fine, they slept in my bed last night. We miss you guys, but we're having a great time."
"Good, let me talk to my little girl." Clark handed the phone to Kara and she smiled gripping it.
"Daddy, we got nick names last night and mine is Biscuit," she grinned. He chuckled.
"Biscuit huh, well that's perfect for you. Take care of yourselves Biscuit, we'll see you Sunday okay?"
"Okay daddy, I love you," Clark smiled, and waited until she hung up the phone. She turned to her brother and grinned, hugging him quickly, "thank you Clark."
"Your welcome Biscuit."