Ledger

"Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment."

Benjamin Franklin 1706 -1790

It was just an ordinary cardboard box, taken from the back room of the grocery store. There was nothing special about it, except for possibly the items it held, and only to the man sitting in the worn leather chair in the faded but clean little editor's office of the Smallville Ledger. To Perry White, the box was the beginning of a whole new chapter in his life. He hadn't applied for the job at the Ledger, and was pleasantly creeped out when he received the offer. While being an editor had never really occurred to him, the Smallville Ledger job could not be turned down for one very significant reason. The same news conglomerate that owned the Smallville Ledger, ALSO owned the Daily Planet. The logic of course, was that just as the major league baseball teams recruited from their triple 'A' and farm teams, when a spot opened on the Daily Planet, Perry could simply transfer up to the "Bigs" again. Perry White was not the kind of journalist who had ever considered writing a book as other 'freelance writers' had. There was always one more story to ferret out, one more daily challenge to write the news that was fit to print and not that simply fit in the space of a column. He lived and breathed the newspaper life, and was glad to have it back. The box was pretty well emptied now. The ubiquitous tools of a writer, a battered copy of "The Elements of Style", Roget's Thesaurus and a huge Oxford Dictionary had been unpacked. The award plaques had already been hung on the wall, along with some photos from the early days. Perry sighed, sitting back in the chair with a loud creak. It was a small newspaper, but the readership was good sized, all of Lowell County and some of the neighboring ones as well. And while it definitely was a step up from X-Styles and paid better than free lance work, he felt his expectations sink.

"Well, Smallville, here I am." Perry said, looking out the window at the busy town center. Big plans aside, it was still a crappy little town in the middle of Kansas. "Somebody shoot me..." Even after three years of sobriety, sometimes NOT drinking had its drawbacks. Like being completely alert and oriented right now. He swiveled away from the window, determined to make the best of this, reminding himself of the future and the Daily Planet. The story of the moment was State Senator Kent. Perry flipped open his notebook and went over his scribbled notes again. He'd met her briefly a few years ago when trying to get an interview with her son for X-Styles. Then, he'd thought she was stunning, and smarter than she let on, letting her belligerent husband take control of the situation. No one was more stunned than Perry when that pretty farmwife took over her late husband's State Senate seat. Perry had also made note of Lionel Luthor's involvement with her. No one was asking "What the Hell?" and that was Perry's particularly favorite question to ask. Even if it meant poking sleeping bears. Dialing the State Legislature building main number, Perry pressed the buttons at the prompts, rolling his eyes. There was a statement to be made about the fall of society and automated response systems, but he wasn't going to make that one now. The extension to Martha Kent's office was found and the connection was made. Two rings, and then a click. "You have reached the office of Senator Martha Clark Kent. Please leave a message, or press #233 to be connected with Lois Lane, or '0' if you feel you have reached this message in error."

"Great Caesar's Ghost..." Perry grumbled, pressing the three digit extension provided. Lois Lane was another anomaly. Barely enough college credits to re-matriculate, the girl had somehow fallen into a pretty nice cabinet position with Senator Kent. And, had made a name for herself as efficient, loyal and smarter than she seemed, even her detractors could not debate those points. Her reputation as a straight shooter would come in handy too, Perry thought. It was rare in political circles, and invaluable to a reporter looking for an in. The phone rang, and was answered on the third ring.

"Lois Lane." Her voice was clipped and professional.

"Miss Lane, Perry White. I'm the new editor in chief at the Smallville Ledger. I was wondering if…"

"Look, I'm not her press secretary," Lois began, and Perry grimaced. "But how can I help you?" She finished, slightly impatient.

"I need a half hour of Mrs. Kent's time when she is back in Smallville. She is pretty popular, and I haven't seen the kind of in depth piece done on her that should have been done when she became Senator." Perry replied. He heard Lois sigh deeply. "Miss Lane?"

"First, call me Lois, everyone does." She snapped genially. "Second, I'd love to have her sit down to interview with you, hell, I'd love her to have an interview with anyone. But she's in a meeting." Distracted by something going on behind her, Perry could hear Lois giving directions in a hushed tone to someone in the office with her. He cleared his throat to get her attention.

"When will she be back in Smallville, Lois? I'll have no problem fitting her in then." Perry opened his new appointment book The new book was annoyingly new. He eyed the blank pages, scooped the book up and tossed it in the garbage can.

"Okay." He could hear her reach for something. Pages ruffling. Lois Lane's Day Planner was probably far from empty, Perry thought with a raised eyebrow. Lois whistled absently on the other end of the line. "We'll be heading back tomorrow. She likes to spend the first day back baking, helps clear her head. Why not come by the farm Saturday? If nothing else, maybe you can get her banana bread recipe for the food page."

"Kent Farm, Saturday around 2." Perry flipped open his appointment book and wrote it down. "I like the suggestion for the food page, Lois." It was a good idea, and Perry made a note to ask for the recipe, and also to see if the Ledger back issues had any of her other recipes. He'd make a point to use those in the article, too.

"Good, because I don't know what else you'll get." Lois replied. "But a sweet little article about Martha Kent still being a woman of the people on the food page would really do her some good." The girl went silent, as if weighing her next words before saying them.

Perry sat up, interested. "Does she need that spin right now?"

Lois snorted. "I'll tell you what, Mr. White. Come out to the house on Saturday, and you tell me. See you then." Lois hung up, and Perry replaced the phone in it's cradle. He looked down at the Daily Planet society column. The black and white photo stood out perfectly from the lines of print. Martha Kent, resplendent in an elegant evening gown, leaving a benefit gala on the arm of Lionel Luthor. The headline underneath was all Perry needed to understand Lois' concern. "Socialite Senator!" He clipped the article and picture, and slipped it into the research file he'd started on Martha Kent. Fluff pieces were for rookies, Perry thought, but it was looking more and more that the Martha Kent story had more to it than banana bread and benefit galas.

Clark nodded as Lex's security guard waved him through the gates. Lori was safely up in Metropolis with Chloe, taking in the Metropolis Museum of Art's newest exhibit "Treasures of Camelot – Medieval Art and Artifacts". Chloe was covering it for the Planet, and Lori was glad to keep her company. It was just as well. Until Clark was sure what Lex remembered, he wanted to keep Lori far, far away from his former friend. He made his way to the study, and, for reasons that he attributed to Lana's continued presence in the Luthor Mansion, he knocked on the door.

"Come in." Lex called, and Clark entered, peering around the door. "Clark." Lex rose from his desk. "Have to say, this is quite a surprise. Both the visit and the knock on the door."

Clark smiled in spite of himself, and came into the study. "I didn't want to disturb you if Lana…"

"Oh." Lex nodded, frowning slightly. "I appreciate the manners, even if they were meant for Lana. So, what can I do for you, Clark? I'm sure your buddy Oliver could help you out…"

"No." Clark said firmly. "I wanted to talk to you. Set some things straight."

"I understand. I'd like some answers too. Maybe we can help each other out." Lex walked back to his desk and took out a blue folder, and held it out to Clark across the desk. "This is the insurance company report of the damage at Cadmus. Millions of dollars worth of technology and research lost, and a dead scientist. They've covered everything, of course, and Cadmus is shut down. Permanently." When Clark didn't reach for the file, Lex dropped it on the desk with a loud slap. "Why was my lab destroyed, Clark?" His voice was quiet, but Clark knew that Lex being quiet was Lex at his most dangerous. It also meant that Lex remembered a great deal more than anyone thought he might.

"I don't know." Clark replied calmly, recognizing Lex's lie and countering with one of his own. "Accident maybe."

"Accident." Lex raised an eyebrow. "An accident that destroyed a military grade security system, accident that smashed glass thick enough to hold thousands of gallons of water?"

"Happens all the time." Clark leaned forward, ignoring the folder. "I'm sure there were things going on there that you'd rather not have come to light, Lex." Their eyes met and after a brief moment, Lex chuckled darkly.

"Blackmail? From a Kent? I'm shocked." Lex said, mock horror in his voice. "Or are you just going to beat me up? Cut to the chase, Clark. Why are you here?"

"I'm here to make sure you stay away from my family and friends, Lex. I was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt before but now…" Clark straightened, keeping control over the conversation. "You put innocent people at risk for your own gain. You experimented…on people." They both recognized the hesitation at the end of that sentence, but Lex continued if it had not occurred at all.

"The telepathic abilities of your little friends could have helped the blind, the deaf. Think about it, Clark. Millions of mute children able to communicate with their parents, if we'd been able to study the abilities of those girls more closely for a little longer. Your 'accident' was a serious setback to important and expensive research." Lex said, and Clark shook his head, folding his arms over his chest. Clark was resolute. Clark was stone, and Lex found himself just a little daunted as Clark spoke again.

"There are other ways to do that research Lex, if it's that important. Eventually you are going to have to learn that you can't take advantage of people to achieve what you want. As it is, your subjects are gone now." In his mind, Clark could see this conversation being played out over and over again between Lex and himself, over different things, both in the past and in the future. It was a troubling thought.

"Yes, they are." Lex agreed. "Gone where though, Clark?" Lex waited for the typical Kent waffling, playing on that minute hesitation just a moment ago, but to his surprise Clark's voice didn't waiver and his glare only grew deeper.

"Home and safe." Clark's voice held an edge of finality and threat. "That's all you need to know, Lex."

"Really, Clark?" Lex placed his hands on the desk. "You're setting terms now?"

"No, not terms, Lex. Limits." Clark shot back. "This isn't a game. Lives are at stake."

"The last person to set limits with me was my father when I was 13. He wasn't very successful." Lex smiled maliciously. "I don't imagine you'll do much better."

"Just remember what I said, Lex." Clark turned to leave and then looked back at Lex, who had not moved. "Lois told me Lana left you and then came back. I don't know what caused her to leave, or what inspired her to come back, but don't hurt her any more, Lex."

"Still pining over Lana, Clark? Don't you think your current girlfriend would have a problem with that?" Lex said, and for the first time, actually regretted his words immediately. Clark had walked back to the desk, his green-blue eyes blazing, and Lex could feel a very carefully controlled rage pouring off the younger man. He had gone too far. Clark's next words were measured, even and heavy. There could be no mistaking the intent behind them, and Lex found himself wondering when exactly it was that Clark Kent had really and truly grown up and how he could have possibly missed it.

"No. I'm not pining over Lana, Lex. I've moved on. But I won't stand by and let you hurt her, either." Clark shook his head. "Only you know your real reasons are for being with Lana, Lex. Whatever they are, don't hurt her. Do at least that much." Clark turned and walked out of the study. The door slamming shut resounded through the room like a cannon shot.

:Worthy.: The darkness inside Lex almost crooned joyfully as the distant echo of the front door being slammed shut could barely be heard. :Worthy. It will be the work of a lifetime to destroy such a one.: the voice in his mind told him, but Lex pushed it away like a fly. Since he'd come home from the Keys, it had been a great deal easier to subdue that demanding presence. The rage Zod had unleashed within him was hard to live with. But the gift of being able to harness it was proving very useful, so he was willing to leave well enough alone. Lex looked down at the desk, and opened the folder. His memory was cloudy just from the moment he had discovered Lana in what used to be his Clark Kent research room, until waking up on the LuthorCorp jet, but not cloudy enough to block out everything. He was willing to accept he and Lana had reconciled. That wasn't out of the ordinary in relationships, and even though Lex knew the pendant wasn't WHY Lana had forgiven him, he was sure it helped, just as Lex was sure that he had not purchased it. Lex touched the picture of Callista, in her non-aquatic form at a concert in Metropolis. He traced Callista's face and smiled. I remember you, Callista. Someday, I'll see you again, Lex thought, memorizing her form. She haunted him, and Lex could feel a connection with Callista he was sure would not fade anytime soon, even if he were to never see her again. The damage at Cadmus would go away, not just to cover his own ss. It would be an unspoken nod to Clark and Oliver, both of whom had managed to save Lex's life by somehow getting him to the right help. And in a small way, it would be a gesture to appease the lone figure that seemed to only reside in his dreams, a slight, green haired girl that wept over him while he was hurt. Lex didn't know her name, or if she was even real, but hopefully in leaving Clark and Oliver out of the Cadmus mess, she'd be satisfied.

There were other issues on the table, and Lex sat down, closing the file. His father was plotting something, yet again, and Lex wanted to know what it was. Wondering how much memory loss his father was counting on, Lex smirked to himself. Lionel Luthor was going to be very, very surprised when he discovered that Lex wasn't all that damaged after all. The day was coming to balance accounts, Lex thought, and Lionel Luthor was on the top of the list to be dealt with.

Lois tapped Morse code with her foot, looking at her watch. Ten minutes before the closing speeches for this session, and Martha was still in her 'meeting'. Nothing improper went on, Lois was pretty sure of that, but all the time spent with Lionel Luthor was hurting Martha's once spotless reputation at the State capital. People greeted her and she waved, absently, holding the usual stack of folders. Finally, Martha Kent appeared, alone and dignified in a stylish green suit, her auburn hair pulled away from her face with a dark green velvet band. She smiled, seeing Lois waiting, and hurried over faster.

"I'm so sorry, Lois, I really am." Martha sighed, taking the folders. They practically ran to the door of the State Assembly, their footsteps echoing in the

hall. "Anything I need to know about?"

"I have an interview set up for Saturday, at the farm." Lois replied when they stopped at the large bronze doors. "The new editor of the Smallville Ledger wants to meet you, do an in depth piece about you. I told him it was baking day, and he said he thought it was a great idea. Real woman of the people stuff. "

"Oh, baking day..." Martha's green eyes widened. "Lois, I told Lionel I'd go with him to the opening of the new community center that he and Oliver are funding as part of their literacy project in Metropolis. It's a great example of what I want the Senate to pass statewide and Lionel…" She hesitated, seeing Lois' disapproving frown. "What is it?"

"Look, Mrs. Kent, this isn't the right time, but I have to tell you it's IMPORTANT that you are home baking on Saturday. You've gotten enough photo ops with Daddy Luthor to wallpaper the guestroom at the farm. Please listen to me. Let this guy come, take his pictures ask his questions and leave. You need this interview." Lois put a hand on the door, holding it shut. "Mrs. Kent?"

Martha looked down, and then nodded. "You're right. This isn't the right time for this conversation, Lois. We'll talk about it when I get back to the office, okay?" She smiled up at her young friend. "You don't approve of Lionel, do you?"

"No." Lois pulled the door open. "I don't. But neither do they." She looked into the Senate chamber at the other State senators who were being called to order. "And neither do the people that voted for Mr. Kent."

Martha sighed and went into the room, and the large door slowly closed behind her. Lois shook her head, pulling on the hem of her grey jacket. Making a sharp turn that would have General Lane smiling with pride, Lois walked back to her office. When she got there, she informed her secretary that she was not to be disturbed and locked the office door. Going to her briefcase, she opened it and pulled out a large blue leather covered journal, almost the twin to the one she'd given Clark for his birthday. She'd been keeping a journal since her mother died, and with Mr. Kent passing on, Lois thought Clark might have wanted the outlet. Finding her favorite pen, Lois opened the journal and began to write. She wasn't the greatest speller, but having a place to put her thoughts had been extremely helpful, especially since she'd gotten this job. Lois had always liked writing, for herself. Not as much as Chloe, maybe, but something about the rhythm of the actual motion of writing and sound of the pen on the paper was kind of like meditation for her.

Typing on the computer also had that effect, and Lois turned up her computer speakers, listening to the mix of music she'd downloaded. Not a fan of the strummy alt-rock Clark seemed to favor, especially in his mopey moments, or of Chloe's modern techno stuff. For Lois, it was the classics. The familiar guitar and drums of AC/DC's "If You Want Blood" thrummed through her office. When that song came on, Martha's staff knew to stay away from Lois' office.

She tapped her toes in time to the music and finished her entry for the day.

Clark found Chloe and Lori in the museum, pointing at a plain bronze cup, speaking in whispers to each other. It was no surprise, given the name of the exhibit that the cup was supposedly a copy of the Holy Grail itself, and this copy was over 1,000 years old. Lori was pointing out the idiosyncrasies of the engraving and the lack of detail, and Clark wondered if she had, at some point actually seen the Holy Grail itself. He grinned to hear Chloe ask that very question, and Lori, surprised, laughed.

"Well, no." Lori said, her soft accent completely at home amongst the artifacts. "But we have a copy in Lyonesse that is much more accurate, and much older than this one." Seeing Clark, she smiled wider, and held out a hand. "Here's one, Chloe. Now when Oliver gets here, we can get dinner."

"Hey, Clark." Chloe smiled. "Don't know why Lori is taking archeology and art history courses at MetU. She should be teaching them. Thanks to her, my little article on the cool new exhibit may just be an expose on the horrors of art fraud."

"Take it easy on the museum, Chloe." Clark laughed, closing his hand around Lori's.

"They're the victims here, Clark. The people have a right to know…" Chloe offered, and then laughed. "Well, I'm writing both. Pauline Kahn can decide which she wants to print."

"Smart decision." Clark and Lori said together, and they all laughed.

"Every entrance I make should be with a laugh track." Oliver appeared, tie loose and looking more than a little uncomfortable in his expensive suit. "Hello, intrepid reporter." He kissed Chloe, and she grinned.

"Hello, Captain of industry. Clark and Lori are ready to eat." Chloe closed her notebook. 'You?"

"Only if I can stop at the townhouse and change." He looked over at Clark and Lori. "You guys don't mind, do you? If we stop at the store on the way, I can have a pot of the famous Queen family chili going in no time. Might be fun to stay in for a change."

Clark and Lori looked at each other. "Sounds like a plan. We'll get dessert." Clark offered, as Lori nodded eagerly. The four of them walked from the exhibition room, and Chloe looked up at Oliver questioningly.

"Are you really okay, Oliver? You seem frazzled." Chloe asked, and Oliver nodded slowly.

"Yeah, just left a lot undone lately." He smiled, putting his arm around her shoulders. "Nothing to worry about." Chloe bit her lip, looking up at him with a worried expression. "See, like that. Completely unnecessary."

Chloe grinned. "I reserve the right to worry. Girlfriend's privilege. You were odd on the boat too, when you were talking about Persephone needing money. What aren't you telling me?"

"I'm not telling you how much I love seeing you in reporter mode." Oliver said, laughing. "All curious and probing. It's cute, really."

"Oliver." Chloe stopped, taking his hand in hers. "If there was a problem, you'd tell me, right? You wouldn't let me find out about it in the Business section, would you?"

Oliver looked down at her, nodding solemnly. "Yes, Goldilocks I promise. You'd be the very first person I'd tell if there were a problem. I just had actual issues to deal with today as far as the family business goes, and…"He rolled his eyes. "Nothing Business Section worthy, but a hassle just the same. All I want is to stay in tonight with my girl and my friends. Rent a movie or two, eat chili and just relax."

"Well, when you put it that way…" Chloe's smile was soft. "You deserve a night in then."

Oliver hugged her briefly and they walked quickly to catch up with Clark and Lori. Oliver was sure to not let himself think about the problems at Queen Industries around Lori. The stock had dropped quite a bit with all the weird weather last week, and profits had been down already. Oliver hadn't worried too much about his personal fortune, but the company was all that was left of his father and grandfather, and keeping it out of a tailspin was the least he could do. Which would mean infusing it with cash from his personal funds after all. Today hopefully capped the damage, but Oliver wouldn't know until Tokyo's market got the news. Taking his own advice to Chloe to heart, Oliver focused on her hand in his, and her laugh. It was better to not worry about these things anyway. In the end, it all came out even, no matter what you did.

Martha returned to her office after the session and sat down at her desk. Her secretary appeared, as if on cue, with a cup of hot tea.

"Here, Senator." She set the cup down, and Martha nodded, looking up at the young woman with a smile. The tea, softly scented with lemon was comforting, and reminded Martha of afternoons in her father's law office. He always had tea when working on a big case. Less jarring, he'd always told her, and Martha breathed in the fragrant steam, glad that Dad had been right.

"Thanks, Rachel." The secretary grinned, placing phone messages on Martha's desk. "A reporter from Smallville called. He said he'd spoken to Lois, but wanted to confirm the interview with you. Your son called, wanted to let you know that he was in Metropolis with friends, and that he'd be home tonight to look after everything. And…" Rachel grimaced. "I got a strange call from someone who said that Mr. Luthor suggested they call. The name wasn't familiar, but here's the number."

"Oh," Martha put out her bottom lip and looked at the message. "I can't imagine who this would be. Well, thanks, Rachel." Martha looked at the little antique clock on her desk. "We have committee meetings tomorrow and that's it. Might as well call it a night."

Rachel nodded. "I have some shopping to do anyway. All of your presentation materials are ready for tomorrow, Senator Kent. Why don't you knock off early too. You look tired."

"I'm fine." Martha replied, and the girl smiled again and headed toward the door and left, pulling the door shut with a click. Lois would be in very soon, and Martha wanted to think a little about what she had said earlier. It was no mystery that Lois thought both Lex and Lionel were interchangeably untrustworthy, which had been pretty much Jonathan's viewpoint as well, but Clark felt differently, asserting that Lionel had changed. Clark seemed so sure, and Martha also, sensed a significant difference in Lionel. She valued his guidance tremendously. But Lois' concern was valid. Martha was no fool. She'd sensed the change in how she was perceived. At first, she was very much the babe in the woods, and was treated accordingly. Then as she proved herself, Martha found she had gained a level of respect. Now, as her friendship with Lionel was more and more exposed, Martha could feel that respect slipping away. It didn't matter to that the relationship was not at all romantic, at least on her end. Martha dropped her head into her hands. Thinking of Jonathan, she looked up at the picture of he and Clark that she had framed on her desk.

"What would you do, Jonathan? I could really use a hint." Martha asked his picture and frowned at his enigmatic smile. The phone rang and Martha smiled herself. Well, Mrs. Kent, that phone isn't going to answer itself…'You'd answer the phone. That's what you'd do." She picked up the receiver. "Martha Kent."

'Senator Kent? This is Perry White." Martha felt herself recoil. Remembering his ruthless pursuit of Clark, her hand hovered over the phone, ready to break the connection. "Before you hang up, I have to tell you something. Will you give me two minutes?"

"You have one minute." Martha said stonily drawing her hand back, and Perry chuckled.

"Fair enough. I'm the editor of the Smallville Ledger now, and I wanted to do a piece on you." Perry told her. "I talked to your Chief of Staff and she said Saturday was good, but I don't want to come out to the house unless YOU say it's okay. Otherwise, I could maybe afford coffee and a doughnut at the Talon, but only if I'm nice. And I don't go when Ms. Lang is there."

Martha sighed, but she smiled a little too. "She has reason to not like you, Mr. White."

"I know that. So do you and Clark have reason. That's why I'm calling. Things are different for me now. 'One day at a time,' and all that." He paused, but Martha didn't say anything, so Perry continued. "This is mainstream journalism. No more X-styles or tabloid crap. What do you say?" Perry asked, fidgeting with pencils on his desk, finally knocking over the whole cup. "Besides, my sources say you make damn fine banana bread."

Martha laughed. "Jonathan loved my banana bread." She looked at her late husband's picture again. Her breath caught a little, because it certainly did seem he was answering her desperate question. "I should be back from Wichita tomorrow night. I'll meet you at the Talon at eight. I have enough pull with Lana to keep you from getting kicked out, I think. And I'll pay for my own coffee. "

"Great." Perry nodded, wanting to do the wave like they did at the baseball games

after a home run. "And a front row seat for baking day with Senator Kent? I'm a very willing taste tester. I understand the editor of the Ledger gets to be a judge at the County Fair, too. I can use the practice with home cooked food."

"Let's get through coffee first." Martha smiled in spite herself. Perry sounded the same, quick talking and persuasive, but Martha could tell he was sincere.

"Fair enough. That's all I ask. Okay, tomorrow, eight o'clock. I'll be the one dodging the killer looks of the owner. 'Bye, Senator."

"Good bye, Mr. White." Martha hung up, and looked at Jonathan's picture again. She knew it was her imagination, but he seemed to be smiling wider all of a sudden.

Lana walked out to her parent's grave and knelt beside it. The sun was going down, a perfect summer sunset, with crickets chirping in the background. She'd been coming out here a lot lately, and the grave was perfectly landscaped. Placing the small bouquet of summer flowers in the little urn she'd filled with water, Lana sat back on her heels and looked at their headstone. Just to her left, Mr. Kent's grave, also impeccably kept, stood alone and empty. Frowning, Lana pulled a handful of flowers from the arrangement she brought for her parents and walked over to Mr. Kent's grave. She stooped to pick up the little glass jar to fill it at the tap. When Lana returned, she set the vase back and put the flowers in. Lana thought back to that terrible night that Mr. Kent had died, fighting with Clark, nearly getting killed herself. Lana tried hard to remember exactly where it was that things started spiraling out of control, but she couldn't. It all blended together into a hopeless blob of misunderstandings, rushed judgments and miscommunication.

"Mr. Kent, I…" Lana looked over at her parent's grave again, feeling slightly disloyal. "I need to talk to you. Sometimes, there are things I just can't talk to my parents about." She smiled, a little embarrassed. "I guess that's silly. But I always looked up to you, and wished you were, well, that I had a father like you. I'm in over my head, Mr. Kent and I feel like I'm drowning. Ever since Clark and I ended our relationship, things have been out of control for me. It's not his fault, although I thought it was. There is so much that I don't understand, about anything. I've been alone for so long – I know, there's been Aunt Nell, but I always felt like I had to struggle to get out from under her. My dream to leave Smallville was HER dream for me. All my life I've been defined by how people saw me, and not by who I really am. Now with Lex…it's all so confusing, and I don't know how to make it right."

"Start small." A male voice said from behind her, and Lana jumped, frightened. Henry Small stood there, looking sheepish and rumpled. "I saw you here, and thought I'd say hello. We're over there." He gestured with the bouquet of sunflowers he was holding toward the Small family plot. "But, the best way to get a grip on a big situation you are in is to start in small chunks. Mark Twain said it best, 'The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.' I take that advice every day. "

Lana blinked. "I, well, thanks." She shrugged, smiling. "I didn't expect to get real advice tonight, but…I don't know if you knew about Jonathan Kent dying last year."

"I read about it." Henry sighed. "He was a good man, from what I knew of him. Lana, I'm glad I ran into you. I was wrong to let you just disappear the way I did. I really handled it badly. Finding out you were my daughter was a big shock for both of us." He held out the sunflowers. "Look, you take these. I'd rather they were really brightening up someone's day instead of out here."

Lana took them with a small smile. "Thanks. How is your wife?"

"Um, fine, I guess. We were divorced two years ago." Henry told her, looking a little lost. "It was for the best. I've been keeping up with you through town gossip. Co-owner of the Talon. Pretty nice."

"I guess." Lana looked over at the tall, red marble obelisk that marked the Small family plot. "You should go make your visit before it gets dark. The caretaker really doesn't like anyone in here after sunset."

"Right." Henry turned, looking at the obelisk. "You know, I really think it might be better if I spent some time visiting with my living family. You busy?" He smiled shyly, and Lana recognized something very familiar there. Henry Small had that same little seed of insecurity she did, and Lana suddenly felt the same desire, to spend time with living family.

"I can't think of anything I have to do right now." She replied, smiling. "We have fresh pie at the Talon."

"Sounds great." Henry's smile widened. "Pie sounds perfect.'

Lori's eyes sprung open. The dorm room was dark and quiet, except for Chloe's even sleeping breaths, curled up in the other twin bed across the room. She sat up, pushing the sheets and blanket back and walked silently to the bathroom. Closing the door, Lori flipped on the light and stared at her reflection. Nothing was different, she was still herself. Sighing, Lori filled the sink with water and peered down, concentrating past the silver drain.

The dream came back to her, and Lori saw Gisela emerge from the Leviathan, glowing phosphorescent green in the gloom of the crevasse. Curling her tail, Gisela rested on a nearby rock, singing softly. The Beast groaned and shuddered, falling to sleep again. Ronal's voice beside her was what made Lori start awake, hearing him speak the prophecy written before Atlantis had even felt the first tremors that led to it's sinking. Lori opened the drain and sat down on the edge of the tub. She listened to the water go down the pipes, and with it she bade her troubled heart to go too. No summons from Atlantis, in dreams or otherwise would make her go back now. It was too soon.