I'm so sorry that I haven't posted in awhile. I'll try to make it up to you by posting a bunch this week.

Reality Sinks In-Part Eight

The Funeral

Notes: This is two days later than the last chapter and the day of Jonathon's funeral.

Two days had passed since Jonathon's death. Martha had no idea where Clark was and she had no interest in finding him. As hard as that would be to believe for most that had known her, but every person has there breaking point. The point where they no longer can control how they feel or act because the world is dimmer and the sun doesn't seem to shine the same.

She found it very easy to blame him for the death of Jonathon even though deep down she knew better. Martha knew that admitting that Jonathon would have died anyway was admitting that it was out of her hands already. That he couldn't have been saved more or less.

She even hoped he would not attend the funeral, but she knew he would. Chloe had found out the details about the funeral and passed them on to Clark. Chloe hadn't fully understood all the details about the past three days, but she decided to act now for Clark and ask him questions about it all later when things calmed down.

Clark sat on the couch in the apartment in jeans and a t-shirt, just staring at his hands and daydreaming about happier days. He had done this a lot in the past couple of days and he almost felt like he couldn't control it. Lana walked in the room and saw him doing it again which worried her, but they didn't have time to deal with it at the moment. "Clark, here's your black suit. You need to get dressed so we're not late. The funeral starts in hour and a half and we need to be a little early,"Lana said handing him the suit. Lana was already dressed. She was wearing a black short sleeve dress and had her hair pulled up. It didn't take Clark long to get dressed, so Lana and him had a lot of time to sit on the couch and wait for Chloe and Pete to arrive. They all were going to ride together and sit together to lend moral support.

After a long half an hour silence there was a knock at the door. When Lana opened the door, the blonde reporter was standing in front of her. "Hey Lana,"Chloe said hugging her. "Clark's on the couch. He'll be glad to see you. We just have to wait for Pete and we can leave,"Lana said closing the door. Chloe walked straight for Clark who stood up to hug her. "I'm here for you okay. Anything you need, you just ask. I here and I'm a really good listener,"Chloe said as she pulled back from their tight hug. "Thanks Chloe. I appreciate everything you've done,"Clark said. Just as Clark finished talking their was another knock on the door which was Pete.

"Man, this whole thing sucks and I want you to know I'm here for you. I love ya man,"Pete said as he hugged Clark. "Thanks. Let's get going,"Clark said nodding to Lana. Pete and Chloe really didn't know what to say on the ride to the funeral. The car was filled with a very uncomfortable silence due to the lack of any other phrases coming into their heads except I'm here for you or is there anything I can do. It was killing Chloe and Pete not knowing what happened at the hospital and why Lana and Clark were now living together.

When they arrived at the funeral home, Lana parked the car and took the key out of the ignition and no one moved. "You guys I appreciate you standing by me. . . .I would really like to keep a low profile and sit in the back somewhere,"Clark's voice as he spoke sounded as if he was recovering from a cold because it was raspy and dry. When they walked inside the funeral home and Clark saw the casket and the large picture of his father to the side everything became real. He suddenly had another feeling that he was gonna have a break down. As Lana noticed this, she immediately took his hand and mouthed, "It's okay. Breathe." They filled up a bench near the back. Clark looked up to the front and saw his mother talking to the reverend while she sat on the first bench. The place had about a hundred people in it and was nearly filled up. When it was about to start Clark felt a tap on his shoulder.

When he turned around he saw the famous bald billionaire. "Clark I'm sorry,"Lex said as Clark stood up and gave him a quick hug. "Thanks for coming,"Clark said conveying his gratitude. They all scooted down and made room for Lex. The reverend came up to them right before the service was set to start. "Excuse me. Are you the son of the deceased?"he asked. "Yeah, I'm Clark Kent,"Clark replied. "May I speak with you?"the reverend asked. "Uh . . .yeah,"Clark said getting up and climbing through Lex to get out of the bench and walk with the reverend to the corner.

"I just want to say I'm so sorry that you lost your father. Now your mother refused to comment on the subject, but I wanted to give you the opportunity to speak or ask someone to speak for your father. I know you're young and that you probably don't want to, but it's always nice if a family member or someone close to the deceased shares their memories. Now I don't want you to feel pressured at all,"the reverend said noticing the change in Clark's appearance at the mention of getting up and speaking. "I'm sorry reverend. I just can't,"Clark said regaing his posture and walking back to his seat.

"What did he want?"Lana asked him in a whisper. "He wanted me to speak,"Clark whispered back in her ear. "Did you say yes?"she asked still whispering. Clark just shook his head no. All the attention was directed to the front of the room as the reverend began the services.

"We are all here today to honor the memory of Jonathon Kent a beloved husband and father. Jonathon is survived by his wife Martha and son Clark. Jonathon was a beloved man in the Smallville community who stood for compassion, hard work, and good morals. Jonathon was raised in Smallville and took over his father's farm when he passed on and continued to run it until his death. I'd now like to call up Martha Kent to say a few words,"the reverend said. Clark was stunned that his mother was actually going to speak.

"I have loved Jonathon for many years and will continue to love him throughout the remainder of my life. Jonathon gave everything he had to better his family and their existence,"she paused and wiped a tear from her eye. "He always told me that I thought I was too smart for the simpleness of farm life which was not true. I loved working hard and creating a family with him. When we found out I couldn't have children, it broke both our hearts because that was something we both wanted more than anything. When we found Clark and adopted him, a void in our life was filled and Jonathon finally had a son to teach everything he knew to. This is exactly what he tried to do for Clark. When there was a miracle a couple years back and I became pregnant with a child of our own, we were both overjoyed to finally have our chance to go through the whole process. When certain events left me with a miscarriage, we both were filled with an overwhelming amount of guilt and pain that we knew would follow us around until we met our end. The death of my husband and partner is no different,"Martha said as she started to look directly at Clark who had a tear stained face.

"I will have an overwhelming feeling of guilt over the death of my husband and an overwhelming pain and this is something I have to learn to live with. Jonathon loved Smallville and loved all of his friends and neighbors. I beg you all to pray that he finds a safe journey to heaven. Jonathon was a good man and I will miss him. Life will never be full until it's time to meet him in heaven,"Martha said wiping her tears from her face and taking her seat.

When the service was over, it was time to pass by the open casket for last respects. As the row of them started to go up there with Clark leading them, Clark turned and grabbed Lana's hand and pulled her up to walk next to him. Lana put her arm around his back and prepared herself as they reached the casket which held Mr. Kent. Mr. Kent was dressed in a black suit and tie and looked completely different than he used to. Lana just glanced to Clark who looked like he had the wind knocked out of him. He reached into his jacket pocket and took out a picture that had his father, mother, and himself looking like the happiest people alive. He glanced at it for a moment before laying it next to his dead body. "I love you dad,"Clark said as the tears streamed down his face. He took one last look and nodded at Lana that he needed to leave and they walked out.

When they got out of the funeral home, Lana quickly noticed the glistening tears and tried to save him his dignity before Pete and Chloe came out by wiping his tears away. When they all reached the car, Clark was the first to break the silence. "Would you mind if we just went back to the Talon?"Clark asked Lana. "Of course not,"she replied. They went back and Lana made them all cappuccinos to drink. Clark didn't drink his which made Lana worry. "I'm actually kind of tired. I think I'll just go to bed,"Clark said getting up from the table.

"Clark what happened at the hospital,"Chloe exploded as she stood up. She finally let her desire for the truth overcome her. "Do you think this is all some big story Chloe? Do you think my misery is some big climactic plot? Not everything is A DAMN HEADLINE,"Clark yelled as he picked up a chair and threw it against the wall which broke off it's legs. He then ran upstairs, leaving Chloe crying, Lana's jaw on the floor because she was stunned, and Pete speechless. "I didn't mean to . . .do that. It just came out. Oh God I'm horrible,"Chloe said wiping her eyes. "No, it's okay. He's hurting. I'm sure he'll feel bad about this later. Why don't you guys go home and I'll call you when he's feeling a little better. It's been a long day and I know he appreciated you guys coming,"Lana said in kind of wife like way. Pete took the hint quick and honestly was relieved that he wasn't going to be the one to get in all the emotional stuff which was hard for him. He stood up and gave Lana a hug and told her the courtesy line, "If there's anything I can do," and left. Chloe took just a second longer. "Tell him I'm sorry,"Chloe said hugging her. "I will Chloe. Don't feel bad. This wasn't your fault. It was a break down waiting to happen,"Lana said trying to make her feel better. They said goodbye and Chloe exited.

Lana opened the door to find Clark in bed with a shirt and some sweat pants on. She somehow knew that talking was the last thing he wanted to do, so she grabbed her pajamas and went to the bathroom to change. When she came back out she saw him still awake staring at the ceiling. She quietly got into bed and stayed on her side, laid on her back, and stared at the ceiling with him. Without warning he just slipped his hand on top of hers. They laid silent, hand in hand, staring at the ceiling.