A/N - I must thank sepideh9 for helping me with this story, without her beta-reading this story it would not be nearly as good as it is. She was a tremendous help and her contributions were outstanding. There will be one or two more chapters the we will see the end of this story.
Gunn
Chapter 11 (Part III)
Lois brought her hands up to her head, and held them against her temples. She slowly moved backwards until she felt the ice wall hit her back. As she slid down to the ground, she let out a quiet moan.
Clark looked over at Lois, who was sitting against the wall with her hands on her forehead. "You okay Lois?" Clark asked with concern as sat down beside her and wrapped his arms around her.
"Yeah, I just got a dose of information overload" Lois replied shivering slightly.
"Jor-El is there some way; we can raise the temperature in here. Lois is freezing." Clark asked, receiving a small smile from Lois.
"The human's comfort is no concern of mine." Jor-El replied.
"Jor-El! I said raise the temperature or I will! I don't know what effect my heat vision will have on the Fortress." Clark demanded.
"Kal-El, I shall do as you wish." Jor-El conceded, as the temperature quickly became more comfortable.
"Jor-El, whenever Lois, Chloe, or my mom comes; you will make the Fortress a comfortable temperature." Clark demanded.
"Thank you Smallville. It must have been so hard, believing you were sent here to conquer." Lois said trying to imagine how Clark felt.
Clark took Lois's coat, gloves, scarf, and hat. He let her rest a couple of minutes as he found a place to hold the extra clothing. He turned back to Lois and tried to determine how she was taking the news.
After a couple of minutes, she seemed more comfortable with the situation. Clark walked back to her and asked "Lois is there anything else you want to know or would you like to look around? The place is yours."
Lois looked up hesitantly, and asked "Who are you Clark?"
She waited, afraid of his answer. But when he started talking, it wasn't what she expected.
"I'm still the boy you love to rib. The same naïve young man you dropped in that tank at the pep rally. The same boy that became your friend and the man that looks to you for advice, for I know you will be brutally honest…." Lois looked deep into Clark's eyes as he recited his identity to his love.
Lois' hands found her way into Clarks. Still gazing into the deep pools of blue, she saw the devotion, love, truthfulness, adoration, compassion, and joyfulness flicker across his eyes.
"…The same man you have helped become better, just by being you. The identical person that can't wait to see you, and feels a sense of belonging when ever you're around. The same being that told you he loves you. The unchangeable man you have always known. Lois, I am no different now than I was this morning or yesterday … I am and will always be your Smallville, Lois." Clark said sincerely and waited for Lois to decide.
His heart was pounding in his chest. He had been genuine, spoke from his heart, and at the same time, was beseeching Lois to be understanding; he was still Clark. After a minute or two of silence a smirk appeared on Lois's face, Clark smiled back relieved.
"Okay Smallville, how long has Chloe known about this?' Lois asked intrigued. She let Clark help her up and they meandered aimlessly, while conversing.
"Well, I don't really know. She told me she knew part of it when, in her words, 'saw me catch a car like a beach ball.' But she didn't know the whole story until the second meteor shower. That's the first time I was transported here and when this grew from the three stone of power." He said, gesturing to the Fortress with his arms.
"She was too close and was transported with me. I had to rush her to a hospital in the Yukon, she was hypothermic. That's when she found out about Krypton and my heritage." Clark said honestly.
"That makes sense; you were the one with a secret." Lois said under her breath.
"What do you mean 'the one with a secret'?" Clark asked puzzled.
"You heard that? … Of course you heard that, you are super boy after all. Oh well, Chloe asked me what would I do if I found out someone's secret right before I went back to school." Lois said playfully.
"I am not a boy!" Clark declared then hesitantly added "What did you tell here?"
"I told her if it was someone she cared about and the secret didn't hurt anyone, don't tell them just be supportive and hopefully they would tell her when they were ready." Lois said proudly.
"Thank you Lois, it would have been difficult if she just came up to me and told me she knew." Clark said. "I hate not being able to tell everyone, but seeing the way people treat the meteor infected people…" His voice faded out as his head drooped down to his chest.
"I understand Clark" Lois said taking his hand. She then proceeded to place her hand on his chin and lifted his head until their eyes were locked. "I'm really glad you trusted me enough to share this with me. Who else knows?"
"My friend Pete, Chloe, and mom are all that know the whole truth. The list of people that know I have powers is a little longer. There's A.C, my friend Bart, and several people I sent to Belle Reve know, but they don't know my heritage." Clark replied steadily gaining confidence.
He then added, "You are the first person I decided to tell, just because I needed you to know the whole truth about me." Looking into her entrancing hazel eyes, Clark felt the burden of his secret lift. "Thank you Lois. Thank you for being in my life, I could never explain all you do for me."
"Smallville, what do you mean? You're the special one – always looking for the good in everyone, always ready to lend a helping hand. You're really amazing." Lois said lost in Clark's blue depths.
"No, Lois. It's you who's amazing. Look at you! Here I am telling you a story that would drive most people away, yet you are still talking to me. You're a courageous woman. You make me feel whole and happy. Just hearing your voice makes my day. I wouldn't trade a single second of the time I spend with you for anything." Clark declared wholeheartedly.
"Smallville, I … I don't know what to say. I can't imagine what is like to be you; so different, yet the same. The fact that you use your abilities to help others says volumes about your humanity. You're more human than most humans." Lois said emotionally.
After a second of pulling herself together, she added "Do you remember anything about your biological parents?"
"I sort of remember my mother's love as they put me into the ship, her name was … is Lara. Actually, my first word was her name." Clark said tearing up. "I'm sorry… I just wish I would remember her."
Lois rested her hand on Clark's cheek, and caressed it. She was about to reply when Jor-El interjected. "I have a record of the launch of your ship. I could play it for you, if you like."
Clark turned back to Lois, a silent communication passes between them. She smiled and said, "Play it."
The Fortress darkened, a three dimensional image appeared. A room much like the one the stood in, yet it had a lived in quality. Benches and tables seemed to be made of the same material as the walls. A small metal spaceship sat alone on a pedestal. Suddenly voices could be heard entering the room.
A man that looked like Clark, with the only difference between the two being that his eyes were grey instead of blue, entered the room carrying a small blue bundle. He was quickly followed by a beautiful woman with Clark's blue eyes. They both seemed worried. "Jor-El, are you sure it's time?" the woman asked.
"From the readings in the lab, we have less than a quarter of a cycle Lara. If we want to save our son, we need to send him now." Jor-El exclaimed. He raised the bundle to his face and kissed Kal-El's forehead. "I will always be there for you, Kal."
He then handed the baby to Lara. "Lara, you know what must be done. I have been blessed to have you in my life. I only wish I could die with you, but I must help our son. The Kent's will do a great job of raising him, but he will need someone to tell him his heritage and to train him in the use of his powers. He will also need to raise the Kryptonian library. I have to go with him to guide him." Jor-El said tearing up. "I will love you forever Lara." He added as he kissed her. Then, he walked over to a metallic disc and stood on it.
Lara looked over at Jor-El; she placed Kal into the ship. Then she turned to Jor-El with tears in her eyes. "Your spirit will be with me always darling. You're all I could have wished for as a husband. My only regret is we will not get to grow old together and watch our son become as great a man as you. That's what General Zod has done to us. At least he has been dealt with and our son will never have to deal with him." Lara said as she walked over to a crystal control panel.
She found a crystal and removed it. Turning it over in her hand she said "I will love you forever darling." as she placed the crystal back in the control panel. A flash of bright light, and instead of Jor-El, a crystal sat on the metallic disc. Lara picked up the crystal, and she kissed it before placing in the spaceship.
She picked Kal-El back up and said "Kal, I will always be with you. When you look into your heart I will be there. I hope you one day find someone as special as your father is to me. Have a great life and make the memory of the Kryptonian people proud. I know you will be a great man, and you will be a light of guidance to the human race to form a better future."
Lara was weeping as she kissed Kal, before placing him back in the ship. She walked back to the crystal console and pushed a crystal into the console. As the ship took off, Lara felt the ground quake. She said "Have a good life Kal, I'll love you, always" as she collapsed to the floor.
The ground shook again and the room began falling apart. The view changed to the ship leaving the atmosphere. A couple of minutes later the planet exploded, rocking the ship in its flight. The room became brighter as the image vanished.
Sometime during the short footage, Lois' hand had fallen from Clark's face, and had landed on her chest, due to astonishment.
Lois was the first to speak, "Wow… I'm sorry Clark." She faced Clark and held his hand. He had tears in his eyes. "Are you alright Clark?" she asked as she brought her hand to his face and wiped away his tears.
"Smallville, Lois. Call me Smallville" Clark said grinning. "I'm fine Lois. Its just I've never seen my parents before." Drawing strength for their contact, he added "I never imagined Jor-El to be so ... loving. He's always been demanding."
"I can relate; look at my father, the General. I remember before my mother died, he was a different man." Lois said trying to empathize. She pulled him closer. "You're mother was beautiful. And you're father looked almost just like you." she said quietly.
"She was wasn't she? She actually reminds me of you. I wish I could have known her." Clark admitted quietly.
"Thank you Smallville. Do you want some time to yourself?" Lois asked.
"No, Lois I'll be okay." Clark said as he absentmindedly stroked her silky locks. "Is there anything else you'd like to know?"
"We need to figure out how to stop this General Zod. Do you know of anything that might help?" Lois asked.
"Well, you and Chloe need to gather some Kryptonite. Black Kryptonite might even help, just make sure that you keep it in a lead box around me. But, I will fight Zod. The Kryptonite is only a last resort. Brainiac is immune to it; I just hope Zod will be effected, otherwise I'll have another weakness he can exploit." Clark said resolutely.
"What's Kryptonite?" Lois asked confused.
"Meteor rocks… pieces of Krypton. Green Kryptonite weakens me and will kill me with continued exposure. Red Kryptonite acts like a drug; it makes me do things without considering the consequences. Black Kryptonite will split me into two people; I hope it might draw out the spirit of Zod from the body it inhabits. And finally, Silver Kryptonite makes me paranoid and makes me see things. There may be more varieties of Kryptonite I haven't come across yet. You realize this information can never get out." Clark replied evenly.
"I understand. When we get back, Chloe and I will stock up on Kryptonite, but you can't ask me not to help Smallville. I won't let you risk your life for all of us, while I sit and wait to see if you survive." Lois declared emphatically.
"Lois, you've been hurt enough by Kryptonians. Please, stay out of it. I couldn't live with myself if you were killed because of me." Clark protested.
"Oh, come on, Clark, why do we go through this? We both know that I'm gonna do what I want." Lois replied playfully, trying to lighten up the mood.
"Then why do you ask?" Clark asked exasperated.
"I'm trying to be nice, Smallville." Lois said, punching Clark's arm in a teasingly manner.
"We'll talk about this later… don't think this is over. Do you wanna know anything else?" Clark asked determinedly.
Lois smiled and said "You're definitely getting smarter Smallville. No, I don't think I could handle any more information. Let's get something to eat; if you like I can make you some of my 'gourmet' PB & J sandwiches."
Clark laughed and replied "I think I have something in the fridge we could eat. I would like you to come with me Tuesday to the portal. I want you to have the key, in case anything happens to me … If something happens to me, you must bring your father here; between him and Jor-El they maybe able to find a way to fight Zod." He retrieved Lois's coat as he spoke.
"Stop talking like that! We'll deal with Zod. Nothing will happen to you, I just found you and I need to see what happens to 'us'." Lois declared. Then, as Clark hadn't said anything, she added "Let's go. Nice meeting you Jor-El, I'll make sure Kal-El is here on time."
"Lois, did you just say us?" Clark asked stunned.
"Well that's up to you Smallville. I'm game if you are." Lois said coyly as she put her coat back on. She mischievously punched Clark and said "Let's go, I'm starving."