Title: 2200 - Taken

Author: Nadia Mack

Rated: K+

Spoilers: Season 4

Summary: One event changed everything.
Disclaimer: I Own Nothing

Author's Notes: Yay! I've finally had this story moved here. This will come in three updates. The first is relatively short, setting up the events that follows (which are pretty long). Originally, this was divided into three stories. 2200 Taken, 2200 Aftermath and 2200 Resurrection. Some of you that have already read this know this story as the 2200 Series, which is what I named it for so people don't get lost if I had posted it separately. I hope those who haven't read it enjoys it, this was one of my favorites.

Smallville, Kansas 2007

Tension is running high in the Kent family. Just when they thought they've seen the last of Lionel Luthor, his investigation on Clark Kent had suddenly resurfaced. Unbeknownst to the Kents, as well as his son, Lex Luthor, Lionel had silently been continuing his quest to discover all of Clark's secrets.

It was just a few weeks ago when the family had celebrated their son's wedding to Lois Lane. The confident strong young woman who came into their lives just three years earlier. The ceremony was small and intimate. Taking place on a pier between Metropolis' skyscrapers and the bay's luminescent back drop.

It was beautiful.

Their happiness came to an abrupt end when a close friend was given information that a private department in the D.O.D (Department of Defense) have been gathering and conducting evidence of the bizarre unexplainable things that occur in Smallville. Worst of all, their main suspect was Clark Kent.

And nothing would ever be the same.

1900 - Kent Home

"Lois, what are you going to do?" Chloe asked nervously. She knew better than anyone - well, next to Clark of course, that when Lois Lane sets her sight on something, there's no stopping her from achieving it. She'd die trying first.

"I can't just sit here and do nothing." Lois rushed into her closet and drew back a backpack. Unzipping it, Chloe was surprised to see what was in it.

She watched as Lois checked the cartridge. "Lois," she spoke again softly. The sight of her older cousin inspecting the gun put her in a state of unease. "Lois, where did you get that?"

Lois looked at her regretfully.

"I'm sorry, Chlo. But I have to do this."

They've been through hell and back. She remembered times that were simpler, less emotionally taxing. When she and Clark finally took the plunge and made it official, their lives were happier. Now, their future just seemed light years away.

"Why couldn't we just wait for Clark and the rest of them?" Chloe asked out loud. She really wanted to know.

She watched her cousin shake her head.

"There's not enough time. This has to end. There's Kryptonite all over that place. If I let him know - bring him with me - I risk losing him. I'm not taking that chance," explained Lois. When she had learned the truth about Clark and his past, at first she was shocked, but the friendship and love that they shared was never tainted because of it.

"Do you even have a plan?"

Lois looked at her cousin once more.

"I thought I'd go in there, guns blazing, a couple C-4's, you know, the regular," she jokingly replied. They both knew this wasn't the time. Lois took a deep breath. "We'll get through this," she added comfortingly.

"What do I say to Clark?" Chloe asked weakly.

Lois reached out and hugged her dear cousin. "You don't have to say anything," she answered softly.

"I can't do that - I can't - Won't lie to him," cried Chloe.

Before she knew it was even there, Chloe felt a quick pinch on the side of her neck.

"I know," she heard Lois say. Chloe saw the sight of the tranquilizer gun fall from Lois's grasp. The room became dizzy; her arms and legs becoming numb. Chloe looked up to Lois. "What... did... no." She collapsed on the bed.

Lois leaves.

2000 - Kent Home

The Kent's Arrive home.

"Lois! LOIS!" Clark called out as he super speeded up the stairs. He tried calling her cell, but there was no answer and it wasn't like her not to answer. His parents had tried calling Chloe as well, but there was no luck there, either.

Martha Kent ran to the answering machine to hear of any messages. There was none.

"DAD!" They heard from upstairs.

Martha and Jonathan hurried to the second floor.

Going into Clark's old room that was changed to fit both him and Lois, they saw Chloe on the bed. Martha put her hand to her mouth.

Her husband moved in front of her. "Is she - " Jonathan reluctantly asks.

"She's alive. She's just asleep," answered Clark. He heard his mother breathe out a sigh of relief.

"What happened?" asked Jonathan.

"I don't know," Clark replied confused. "I came in and saw her, then." He brought the tranquilizer gun up. "I found this." There was only one other person that wasn't in his room at the moment that knew where to find it.

Clark closed his eyes.

"Lois"

2030 - Military Facility outside of Smallville, KS

Over the years, Lois had learned well how to dodge security, one of the perks of being a General's daughter. Using the map she had received from a source, she made her way through the labyrinth of tunnels until she reached her destination. What she found scared her.

All around, the wide expanse of the room contained everything Kryptonite. Of course, they didn't know it was called that, but over the past couple of years, she had become too familiar with it and what it could do, particularly when it's anywhere near her husband.

Across the room, a gigantic billboard was laid out, practically taking up the entire back wall. It eerily reminded her of Chloe's 'Wall of Weird.' This time, though, it was a lot more dangerous. This time, a lot more people knew. She didn't have to stare at it for long, knowing all too well that each photo that looked back at her had one way or another intersected their lives.

"You shouldn't be here," someone said from behind. Lois's eyes turn cold. She knew that voice, and she wasn't surprised he was here.

She turned around, hiding her emotions behind a mask she had learned to perfect since she was a child. Lois points the gun towards her father.

"I won't let you do this?"

He made no move. "He's a threat to National Security, Lois," he explains. He didn't have to ask her why and how she got down there. He had a pretty good idea of what she knew.

"National Security?" she mocked. "He's done nothing but help people," she argued.

"If people knew what he was - "

"Careful, General. That's my husband your talking about," she cut him off venomously. She didn't care that Clark is from another planet and that he could do the things no human could achieve. What mattered to her wasn't just because she loved him, no, it went deeper than that. She knew in every fiber of her being that no person, no matter how different they may be, deserved the kind of fate Clark is being threatened with.

"Lois, be rational!" he spoke loudly, trying to get her to understand.

Lois refused to put the gun down. "Oh I'm rational," she exclaimed.

"You'd kill me - You're own father - for HIM. You're willing to pay that price to protect him!" he challenged.

"If it meant keeping him safe from the likes of you, then it's a price I'd pay gladly," she replied back with great conviction. A brief silence befell them.

"How long?" She spoke, her voice barely audible.

"What?"

"How long have you known?" She repeated once more.

The General takes a deep breath. "Three years," he answered.

The day Clark Kent showed up at his niece's burnt safe house, a black-ops division was created to watch and observe. You don't throw a trained soldier 20 feet above ground and 30 feet away and not expect the military to intervene in some manner. Since then, he'd collect, watch, and observe. Mr. Kent's case was always far too different than the others. Eventually, they discovered where exactly he came from, and they knew it wasn't Earth.

If Lois wasn't so focused on the task at hand, she would've decked him right then and there. "Three years," she scoffed. "And the fact that I married him meant nothing to you"

"That was - unexpected." And it's true. It was unexpected. They were like oil and water when they first met. He never for one second thought they would become anything more than friends.

"Unexpected," she angrily repeated. "All this time, you knew. You've watched him struggle, watched people try to hurt him. Torture him. You knew all that and you did NOTHING"

The last three years has been a whirlwind for her. Coming to Smallville, at first it was to discover who killed her cousin, but when she discovered that Chloe was alive, everything that came afterwards threw her by surprise. The biggest was falling in love with one Clark Kent, and she never regretted it.

There was silence.

Both generations stood forth, each unwilling to back down. Lois's arm were steady, General Lane mentally noted that she's had it up for several minutes, and even while they were at odds, he couldn't help but feel incredibly proud of her. If only things could've been different.

"Lois, you're playing with fire"

"Hmm - I've always been fond of the flames." Her eyes flickered with an intensity he has never seen before. He had hoped his mind games would put her off balance, but he knew better. This was his daughter, and he taught her well.

"What can I do to stop this?" he asked, and for a moment, he didn't look like a 3-Star General, for a moment, it was her father; but as fast at it had come, it quickly disappeared.

"Make it go away," she answered. It was all she wanted.

"You know I can't do that"

"Then we'll be standing here a very long time until you do"

The General had just about enough of this and took the initiative to step forward. As he did, he was met with a fast spark by the side of his boot. The smell of burnt rubber permeated through the air. She shot him. She actually pulled the trigger and nearly shot him.

"Lois! Dammit, put the gun down!" He'd forgotten how good of a shot she was.

"Make it. Go. Away." She repeated to him once more.

General Lane thought for a moment. "If I do this, you'll have to do something in return."

Her eyes went wide. "What?"

"I'll protect Clark Kent if you agree never to see him again"

Shaking her head defiantly, "You can't ask me that"

"It's one or the other, Lois. You can't have it both ways."

"Why?" She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

He remained steadfast.

"Yes or No, Lo"

Conflict welled in her. Too many people were involved. Too many lives at stake. Agreeing to his offer would mean he and the family she had grown to love dearly would be safe, but at the same time, she may very well never see Clark again. Could she let him go? Will she ever get over it? This isn't just a man, this is her husband and her best friend.

"Time's ticking, Lois. Make your choice"

"How do I know you won't turn your back on your word?"

Sam Lane was saddened by the lack of trust shown from his daughter. Even worst, he knew she had a right to feel that way. Only a small handful knew about Clark Kent. It had to be that way to prevent mistakes.

"This isn't the General promising you, Lois. As your father, I promise I'll protect him"

"Your promises have meant little to me, both as a General and my father. What makes this any different?"

"Because - You're my daughter and I love you"

Suddenly everything began falling apart worst than it did when she realized her husband and everything that was tied to his life was at risk. She felt as if she was drowning. Sometimes she wondered if she and Clark had never left their honeymoon, would the chaos chase after them even then.

Her life suddenly went black.

2045

The military base was equipped with tunnels that ran for miles, and it didn't seem to end. General Sam Lane held his unconscious daughter in his arms as he made his way through. About a quarter down the first mile, he caught the sight of a familiar figure.

"Lieutenant, get her to safety," he ordered, gently placing her in his arms.

The Lieutenant noticed the General was preparing to double back. "What about you, General?"

"I'll be fine"

"General?"

General Lane pointed to his daughter. "Protect her with your life, is that understood!"

The soldier stood straight. "Yes, Sir!" As the two were far enough, General Lane turned back around to the other direction.

"I have a promise to keep," he whispered to himself.

He runs back.

2100

Waking dizzily, Chloe sat up uncomfortably.

"Are you all right, Chloe?"

She looked up to meet Mrs. Kent's worried gaze with the feeling of nausea threatening to spill over. It all suddenly came back to her, and it came back to her in full force.

"Oh my god. Lois," she whispered.

Martha lightly gripped her shoulders, steadying her.

"Do you know where Lois went?" Jonathan asked calmly, moving besides his wife. The last couple of hours had been difficult. Clark had found the research documents on himself while searching for his watch in one of Lois's suitcases. He didn't know what to think, because he hadn't been able to contact her.

And it worried him.

Chloe remained silent. Not knowing what to say.

"Chloe, please," pleaded Martha. "If you know where Lois is - "

"I don't," she sadly admitted. "I don't know where exactly she went, but I know it's at the base." As if on cue, Jonathan reached into his pocket and dialed Clark's cell number. Relaying to him what Chloe had just revealed. He left 10 minutes earlier to see if he could find any traces of her that would indicate where she had gone. This is the closest break they have gotten.

2110

Clark ran faster than he ever had before. Running at practically the speed of light, getting into the base was relatively easy, but the area was massive, no doubting the different levels and passageways existing for top-level projects making his job a little harder. After receiving the phone call from his dad, he quickly made haste.

Searching, his super hearing catches a crackling sound.

Focusing, he saw the reason.

Fire.

He stopped close enough to get a better look, but far enough that nobody saw him. An entire 2-floor building was engulfed in flames.

Nervously, he scanned the area. His mind reeling over the possibilities.

Suddenly...

He sensed her, her heartbeat.

His rhythm.

He quickly ran to her, but was stopped by an officer.

"Let me through," he commanded. Clark watched another officer place his wife behind a military owned van. She wasn't moving and it scared him. "What's wrong with her? Where the hell are you taking her, she's my wife?"

"Let her go, Mr. Kent," a voice spoke from behind.

Clark spun around. "General?" His eyes go wide, then angry. "You did this?"

"It wasn't suppose to go down like this"

"I'm not letting you take her," he spun around once more to get to her but the second he reached her side, pain took over his body. He collapsed just seconds of holding her hand. Grasping for breath, he looked up to see General Lane approach him.

And take out something in his pocket.

Kryptonite.

"I know these things make you weak," he says, watching Clark Kent wither in pain. "I don't know who you are, or what you want, but I'll be damned if I let you take her down with you."

"Please," Clark pleaded, his body continues to weaken. "Don't."

The General bent down. "I won't kill you. But if you go anywhere near her... I will. The vehicle is filled with a lot of these green rocks, don't think of even following."

He straightened himself out and headed to the passenger's seat. Closing the door, he sped off.

With everything that mattered to him.

Clark looked on with nothing but tears streaming down his face before seeing watching his life, his future, disappear.

2130

Clark super speeded back to the Kent Farm, informing Chloe and his parents what had happened. With their shocked expressions, they quickly put their heads together to figure out how to find Lois, and with Chloe's help, they surely did.

Upon arriving at General Lane's office, Clark busted through the door.

"WHERE IS SHE?"

The General looked up from his desk.

"You won't find her here."

Clark's anger rose up ten folds, speeding towards him like a runaway freight train, but stopped inches from his so-called father-in-law before taking a hold of his collar and slamming him against the wall. Martha and Jonathan looked on from behind, unable to make themselves move.

"WHERE'S MY WIFE!"

"She isn't your wife any longer"

The young man's eyes turned cold. All feeling of control fading away. He could only think of one thing.

One person.

His wife.

"Clark," Martha mumbled weakly from behind. She looked at Jonathan, tears welling in her eyes. Both parents looking absolutely helpless. Chloe stood next to them, failure to help her cousin eating up at her and numbness slowly devouring her. She wanted to throw up.

"Are you going to kill me, Mr. Kent," he challenged. "Because if you do, you'll be proving to me exactly what I always thought you were."

Clark's grip grasped tighter. Both men not willing to back down.

"What do you want from me?" Clark tried to make himself calm down, but he couldn't. Despair and not being able to see his wife is destroying him.

"Let go of me and I'll tell you."

2137

General Sam Lane exited the complex but was surprised to see Mrs. Martha Kent follow.

"How could you do this?" She yelled out angrily. "How could you do this to your own daughter?"

"I'm doing what's best for her, Mrs. Kent"

"Best? BEST? By refusing to let MY SON see his own wife, THIS is what's best for her? To whom exactly, Sam. To them or for yourself."

"Don't call me - "

"Don't," she stopped him. "You may be the General to an entire Army but you're not a General to me. You're supposed to protect and serve. But instead, you're taking away OUR children's happiness"

"I can't protect her if her life is in constant danger around him, that is the reason why"

"You're not trying to convince anyone but yourself"

"She is my daughter!"

"She's mine too. And when she learns about all of this, and by God, she will. She will never forgive YOU. She will hate YOU."

"Good day, Mrs. Kent"

It was the last time General Sam Lane ever set foot in Smallville.

And the last time Clark Kent would ever see his wife.

2200 - Long Term Care Facility in Blue Cove, Delaware

In a room were machines monitoring vital signs.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

A woman lay in bed, her head motioning from side to side before opening her eyes where she was met by bright luminescent light that pierced her eyes fiercely. She tries to motion her arms and legs, and though they felt numb, she was relieved that she could move. Forcefully clearing her vision, a figure of a man stood beside her.

"Who?" She began softly, the light still clouding her vision "Who are you?" She shook her head once more, clearing her head. "Where am I?"

"Relax, take it easy. You're safe." The man briefly explained that he was her doctor.

"Where am I?" She asked once more.

The doctor ignored the question.

"Do you know your name?" he questioned.

She lifted her hand to her head, massaging her temples.

"Lois... Lane," she answered in-between breaths.

"And do you know what day it is, Ms. Lane?"

She took a deep breath. Closed her eyes and concentrated hard. Thinking back, the last thing she remembered heading to Cancun for spring break.

"April..." She couldn't quite remember the date. But the year... "2004," she answered with confidence. "It's the year 2004," she said once more.

The look on the doctor's face made Lois wish she couldn't see as clear as she did when she first woke up.

"What's wrong?" She wondered.

"Ms. Lane," he began monotonously. "It's September 21, 2007"

Lois looked at him like he was certifiably insane.

"What?"

End of 2200