Chapter 19

Harmony decided to slow down after the meteor shower, especially when Clark revealed to her that Jor-El had taken his powers. Clark was mortal. Harmony chose to let go of all the many other activities that packed her schedule in favor of helping her cousin adjust to life as a mortal.

They worked tirelessly to rebuild after the destruction of the shower. Clark and Harmony led the team of friends who helped rebuild the Kent farm. They stuck with the original floor plan, rather than taking the destruction as an opportunity to make changes. Over the next few weeks, Harmony spent most of her time with Clark. He was very uncertain about his newfound mortality, and Harmony wanted to help sooth the hole he felt inside of himself that was once filled by his ever-growing powers. But with the loss of his powers, and the gain of his mortality, came many things, least of which was a relationship with Lana and the discovery of Clark's heritage by Chloe.

Thrilled though Harmony was about Clark's new love affair with Lana, Chloe's discovery of Clark's true blood bothered her. She stayed close to Clark, mostly to keep a close eye on Chloe.

Though Clark was still strong for his age, and fast, his life was significantly altered by the loss of his powers, and he struggled to come to terms with their absence. One day, he and Harmony sat together in Clark's loft.

"I'm not sure about this, Harm," Clark was saying. "Not having to lie to Lana is so nice, but I just don't feel like myself."

Harmony glanced up at her cousin. "A part of you isn't yourself, Little Cuz," she answered gently. "You're Kryptonian, whether you like it or not. Jor-El stole part of you. Your powers are part of who you are, part of your soul. So of course you don't feel like yourself. Without your powers, you really aren't you."

Clark sighed. "But I was raised human. Kryptonain isn't who I am."

"But it is," Harmony insisted. She tried to explain. "Human, but with Kryptonian roots. One-of-a-kind, very true, but Clark, you are Kryptonian. It's like an American who's raised in Chicago, but born in Paris, to parents who were born in Paris and have lived their whole lives in Paris, and then sent their child to Chicago. The child is raised American, but that doesn't change his French roots. He's still French, even if he doesn't grow up French. It's still a part of who he is."

"You've seen the Kryptonians!" Clark shook his head. "I'm nothing like them!"

"You've only met two, Clark!" Harmony retaliated. "Are you going to judge an entire race on two crazy individuals? I know your parents raised you better than that."

Clark shook his head. "I know. You're right. That's not fair at all. I'm just a little confused by it all. I've always wanted to be human, to be like everyone else, but now that I am, I don't know what to do with myself."

Harmony chuckled. "Just live. Smile, be happy. Love Lana, enjoy the moment, and try to remember that you're not invincible anymore. Oh, and don't forget that now you need a car to get around. No more being faster than a speeding bullet. Next time you try that, you'll just look like a dork sprinting as fast as he can down the side of the road."

Clark grinned. "Thanks, Harmony. You always know just what to say to annoy me."

Harmony grinned back. "How are things going with Lana?"

Clark's lopsided smile couldn't have been more sheepish. "More amazing than I ever imagined. I'm crazy about her."

"Or just crazy. I'm happy for you, Little Cuz," Harmony paused, studying the floorboards for a moment. "What about Chloe? We haven't really talked much about her."

Clark sat up straight. "Harmony, do you still have problems with Chloe knowing the truth?"

"Yeah, Clark, I do," Harmony kept her tone non-threatening. "I just worry, that's all."

"But there was a time when you said that she could probably be trusted," Clark retorted. "What happened?"

"I've had time to think since then," Harmony stood up, walking over to the window. "Pete's left since then, because you trusted him. I just don't know if it's safe for anyone outside the family to know. How can we be sure she won't be forced to confess what she knows?"

"She's not going to tell anyone," Clark insisted. "She wouldn't do that. Besides, who'd believe her? I don't have my powers to back up her story."

"That's not the point, Clark!" Harmony whirled. "You know as well as I do that she could easily be compelled to say things that she might otherwise never even tell herself in her own mind, with the right kind of encouragement. You know the kind I mean."

"My secrets will never be Chloe's pillow talk, Harmony!" Clark shouted, leaping to her feet.

"But they could be the forced results of a torture session, Clark!" Harmony shouted back, locking eyes with her much larger cousin. "My concern is for her safety. What kind of position have you put her in? Can you even answer that?"

Clark stared hard at Harmony for a minute, then sighed, conceding to her point. "How do I know that I haven't put you in the same position? Or Mom or Dad? What about a future wife? How can I be sure you guys are an safer than anyone outside the family knowing?"

"We're family, Clark," Harmony took his hands and gently pulled him back down to the couch. "It's our job to protect you and your secret. Chloe is your friend, and a very good one, but your secret is not her responsibility. I know she cares about you. I know she'll never willingly give you up. But it's not a burden she's meant to bear. It's our burden. We're your family. We're each other's burdens, responsibilities, all that jazz."

Clark smiled. "I know what you mean. I just don't think Chloe's going to see it that way. You think you can give her a fair chance? I trust her. You were ok with Pete knowing."

"Knowing your secret eventually became too much of a burden for Pete, which is why he moved to Detroit. You know that. But as far as Chloe's concerned, I guess I can give her a fair chance, as long as she doesn't know how far your secret goes," Harmony tipped her head pointedly at a chest covered by a felt blanket. The chest contained Secret's suit and weaponry.

"No, Harmony, that involves you. Mom and Dad don't know about that. All they know is that we have something set up between us, and whatever it is, it worked to save Lex. I'll never tell anyone about that." They both looked at the stairs, hearing at the same time feet ascending toward where they sat. They fell silent.

Chloe's head popped up. "Hey, you two!"

"Come on up," Harmony invited. "We were actually just talking about you."

Chloe finished the climb into the loft, seating herself next to Clark. "I know. I listened for a while before coming up the stairs."

Clark started to retort, but Harmony shushed him. "Good. It puts you on equal footing. You know what I think, you know what Clark things, and now you know what you have to work with when you rebut. Would you like to do that now, or get back to me?"

Chloe shook her head at Harmony. "You never can give the answer that anyone expects, can you?"

"Nope."

"So you want a rebuttal, huh?" Chloe turned on Harmony. She stood tall, looked the older girl square in the eyes, and grinned. "Here you go. No amount of torture, in any form, will ever make me turn on Clark. Above all, he's my friend. Past, present, or future, that's all that matters. He can talk to me when he needs to, about anything. I'm here for him when he needs me. Sometimes, a person needs someone outside his family to talk to. Someone he's not emotionally attached to. When it comes to his abilities, I'm that someone, now that Pete's gone. Clark trusts me, and so should you. He and I had this conversation, and at the time, he was as concerned as you are. I understand where you're coming from, but I assure you, it's unnecessary. As for whatever Clark said about that something that had to do with helping to save Lex, I don't know about that, and I'm not going to go digging. That's going to stay between you and Clark unless you guys choose to bring me into the fold, since, if I heard correctly, even Mr. and Mrs. Kent don't even know. I've done far too much damage in my day by digging when I knew better. I know that if Clark wants me to know whatever it is you two are hiding, he'll tell me. Until then, even cousins need their secrets. Fair?"

Harmony nodded. "Fair enough. You've had your say. Just answer me this: Do you understand where I'm coming from? Fully understand. I know you said you do, but I want to know if you truly understand how much Clark's powers have cost him. For all the good he's been able to do with them, they've also cost him an awful lot over the years."

Chloe nodded. "You're his cousin. The closest thing to a big sister that he has. It's understandable that you'd be overprotective of him, and you certainly have a lot to be protective of. But Clark's my best friend. I will never betray him. I don't know how many different ways there are for me to say that. If you'd like, I could figure it out."

"Good. I'm not saying that I won't ever trust you, Chloe. I am saying that I'm going to come to that time in my own time. I just think that knowing what Clark is is a huge responsibility. It's a heavy weight to bear. Pete moved to Michigan because it was a burden that became too much to handle. Yes, knowing the truth about Clark does answer a lot of questions, but you'll find that it'll put you in some very awkward situations at times. You're really gonna have to control that reporter's instinct now, Chloe. Clark's powers have cost him enough in his life, and even without them, they're still a threat. I don't want them costing him any more," Harmony leaned close to Chloe.

Chloe leaned closer to Harmony, "They won't. Not because of me. He's my friend, with our without powers, no matter what planet he was born on. Anyway, Clark, I came by to tell you that Lana needs your help at the Talon."

Clark stared at the debate as it unfolded in front of him, then jumped when Chloe addressed him. "Ok, I'll be down in a minute," Clark stood up as Chloe jogged down to her car. "Thanks, Harm," he hugged her as she smiled up at him. "You really are like a big sister to me."

With a sad smile, Harmony watched as he hopped into Chloe's small red VW Bug and peel down the driveway. "What haven't you told us, Jor-El?" Harmony stared suspiciously at the stars twinkling overhead. "What do you have planned next?"