A/N: I do not own these characters or the shows they came from. I'm just borrowing them for a bit.
A/N 2: Sorry for any confusion. This is AU, but goes off right after the beginning of the second season. From what I remember, when Clark gets shot by human-made bullets he still gets bruises that don't fade right away from them (he's still young and hasn't developed all his powers yet) and in a later episode in the series (spoiler-Jeremiah I think) he can get hurt by a Kryptonian blade with no Kryptonite around. Nearly dies from it, I think. Anywho, for the purposes of this fanfic, I'm kinda of the opinion that if it ain't from Earth and her yellow sun, it isn't good for him. Weapon-wise, anyways. And the creature's claws could be considered an alien natural weapon? (author's voice trails off into a squeak) Hope this clears things up. (smiles at nice reviewers:)
On with the story!
Deep in the bowels of Cheyenne Mountain, in a well-guarded high security cell, one alien eye opened. The creature emitted the lightest of growls, and then seemed to fall back into a tranquilizer-induced trance.
In a separate area of the complex where research and development occurred, in two separate bays lay two different spaceships. It was quiet, but the silence was suddenly broken by an almost inaudible beep coming from the bullet-shaped larger ship found by a fire-ravaged shed. It sounded for several minutes, and then stopped. The process would be repeated for a few minutes every hour. Electronic eyes scoured the bays, but the personnel manning the monitors had had their attention pulled elsewhere. Otherwise, all was dormant.
A few levels above, in the Infirmary, much fussing was being done over the occupant of one of the beds. Many of the beds in the area were filled with light casualties of the Reetou. Dr. Frasier had asked for help and got it, and medical personnel were attending to the other patients.
"So no one actually died in the attack?" General Hammond's voice held surprise and relief.
"Several people were injured, some seriously, but they have been stabilized and we haven't lost anyone." Dr. Frasier's voice held a note of pride for her people.
"Good, that's good." Gen. Hammond said. "And how is the civilian?"
Dr. Frasier nodded her head at the bed receiving the most attention.
"He's stable for the moment, I'm about to remove the knife, and if you can ask his family to move it would make things easier."
Jonathan, Martha and Lex had stayed close to Clark and refused to leave him alone. Even O'Neill hadn't believed the teen's "I'm fine." Sam had stayed by his side as well. Now Gen. Hammond approached the overcrowded bedside and announced gently, "The doctor would appreciate it if you could all move aside just for a little while, she needs room to work."
Reluctantly, Clark's parents looked at each other, then at Clark, and Martha sighed.
"All right. Clark, we'll be right over there. We won't leave, I promise." She smiled at her son and taking Jonathan's hand moved a very short distance away.
Lex glared at the doctor and said, "Take very good care of him. We'll be watching." He smiled reassuringly at his friend and moved to stand next to the Kents.
Maj. Carter nodded at Dr. Frasier. "I'll stay and help."
Dr. Frasier nodded and smiled gently at Clark.
"Hi, let's have a look at this, shall we? Can you sit up for me?"
Clark did so cautiously.
Dr. Frasier carefully cut the cloth of his shirt off around the wound and then gently used forceps to ease the alien knife slowly out of Clark's shoulder. Blood dribbled out. She was quick to catch it in a beaker, which Maj. Carter covered and placed on a nearby tray. Luckily the weapon had not nicked an artery as Sam had feared. The doctor placed the knife in a strong bag and Sam took it and sealed it, placing it on the tray as well. Dr. Frasier smiled at Clark and asked, "Does it hurt much?"
"Um, a little." Clark winced.
"I can get you some aspirin in just a little bit. I don't think you should have anything stronger just yet." Dr. Frasier replied.
"Uh, okay" Clark said, thinking that it probably wouldn't do much.
"How does it look?" Sam asked her friend.
Dr. Frasier was examining the wound. Carefully with antiseptic wipes she cleaned her patient's shoulder.
Then she gasped, startled, as before her eyes the wound began to close.
"Holy Hannah!" Sam exclaimed.
"Really need to study those meteor rocks." O'Neill muttered.
Teal'c just raised an eyebrow, a contemplative look on his face.
"Well." General Hammond cleared his throat. "I suppose we'll be signing forms before anything gets discussed."
Daniel was excited and turned to Lex. "Does this happen a lot?"
"I don't know." Lex replied. "But I had my suspicions."
Lex turned to Gen. Hammond. "You are correct. Those forms get signed and Clark's rights get protected before anything else."
Jonathan and Martha looked at each other, worried, then turned to look at their adopted son. Martha tried to smile reassuringly at Clark.
"It'll be okay," Jonathan murmured to his wife. He sounded as though he was trying to convince himself, as well.
Clark looked around at his family, friend and new acquaintances. He swallowed. He suddenly understood the saying Chloe sometimes used as a screensaver on her computer at the Torch.
"May you live in interesting times." It had proclaimed. This promised to be a very interesting time, indeed.
To be continued.
A/N add-on: Yes, I know it's short. I apologize. I had a stomach bug and literally couldn't get on the computer. I'll try to make it longer and better next time. Oh, and I have no medical training whatsoever so I ask for forgiveness if I got that part wrong. Enjoy your week!