Numb

Clark looked at Lionel shocked. Oh my God! He knows, he can't be bluffing! He made a flying motion. He knows I'm Superman, or maybe he's not certain yet.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" asked Clark trying to maintain his composure.

Lionel smiled. "Oh come on Clark… I've suspected there was something different about you, ever since that day I went into your body and then later on I was all of a sudden healthy again. But the day of the second meteor shower, I possessed one of the stones, when it suddenly started glowing and the next thing I know, I'm seeing visions, blurry and mixed up visions, of what is to pass. I knew right then and there that you were the chosen one. Later on when Superman appeared, it wasn't that hard to put it all together. … But Clark… don't worry. I haven't betrayed your secret for so many years, I don't plan on doing it now."

Clark remained silent, he tried to think what were his options now, but most of all what it was that Lionel wanted from him. "So… what do you want from me Lionel? I mean why come back after all these years? What is it you want?"

Lionel looked at Clark with a hint of sadness. "What every parent wants Clark. I want you to save my son."

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Lana held Laura in her hands, who was almost asleep already.

"So should we go look for him?" asked Chloe.

"I will go look for him Chloe. I will give you the keys to my house. You are my guests tonight." Said Lana. "But please could you please take Laura and put her to sleep?"

"Sure thing Lana… Are you sure you don't want Pete or myself to come?" asked Chloe again with concern in her voice.

"Yeah… I think I can help him better, if I'm by myself… We'll see…"

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"Save Lex? What makes you think that Lex needs saving Lionel?" asked Clark perplexed.

"He's spiraling out of control Clark. All this power gathered on one man is just not natural. He can't handle it. If you think he was bad up to now… it's only going to get much worse. He is becoming delusional. If he keeps this up, he will destroy himself. That's why I want you to save him Clark."

Clark looked annoyed and tried hard to maintain his cool. "Lionel I have dedicated my entire life helping others, looking after others who can't look after themselves, and do you know what I go in return? A ton of heartache and my life a mess. And now you come and ask me to help someone who has continually shown disregard for other people's lives? Even if you do mean well, and you did help me all those years, I just can't deal with this now Lionel… Please go…"

Lionel looked surprised. He didn't expect this reaction from Clark. "But Clark… How can you say no? It's who you are, it's what you do…" said Lionel pleadingly.

"I said go Lionel. My mother just died. At least respect that!" said Clark a bit more angrily.

Lionel saw that there was nothing more he could do to persuade Clark, so he thought he'd let it pass for now. He got up and prepared to leave. He then turned around and looked at Clark.

"Do you think your parents would be proud of their son now?" asked Lionel with bitterness.

Clark lost it, he got up and grabbed Lionel by his shoulders. "Don't you mention my parents again! You are the last person to speak about parental matters…"

Then Clark before he had a chance to say anything else, heard a voice from behind him, "Clark!" It was Lana who ran towards them. "Clark what's going on?"

Clark snapped out of it and let go of Lionel who was a bit shaken. "Hello Miss Lang." he said when Lana approached them.

Lana couldn't believe her eyes. "Mr. Luthor? You are alive?"

"Well… for now… Miss Lang… But I'd better go… Mr. Kent could fill you in on the rest if you want." He said with a light smile. Then he turned to Clark. "I'm sorry Clark… But I do need your help… I hope you change your mind…" said Lionel before turning around and leaving.

Lana remained silent and looked at Clark who still had his back turned to her and looked downwards. He felt the sting of shame, for losing his temper and almost manhandling a 60 year old man and what's even worse, Lana saw him like that.

He sighed with frustration and sat down on the grass in front of his mother grave. Lana slowly walked to him and sat beside him on the grass.

She didn't say anything just sat there and at one point she reached her hand and placed it on top of his as she squeezed it supportingly. That was one of the reasons Clark was always in love with her. She always tried not to pressure him. Like now… There were probably a million questions in her head but she didn't say anything. She was just there for him to lean upon.

Clark couldn't keep his cool anymore. As he started crying he leaned his head on Lana's shoulder. Lana who was taken aback by this, and still felt a bit uncomfortable around Clark, managed to keep it under check, and she pulled him into a warm embrace as he started crying even harder. As she held him her heart started to ache for him. It was obvious that he was not in a good place right now, and Lois was probably right. He needed her and she was determined to help him, even if that meant having to deal with all the issues she had, concerning their relationship and Clark leaving her behind.

As Clark let it all out, crying unabashedly in Lana's arms, she stroked his hair and whispered to him soothing words. They remained like this even after Clark had finished crying. It felt great for him to draw from her strength and he remembered all those times in the past years, when he couldn't imagine his life without Lana Lang. He was just glad he didn't have to know what that would be like.

To be Continued…