Chapter 5 [Smallville—Kent Farm]

Lana inspected the cooking crock pot. Her wooden spoon stirred up Cheeses, Pasta and Cream therein. Aroma wafted into her nostrils. That's going to be so good! Mrs. Kent's going to be surprised! She put the lid back on the pot. She checked on the baking cornbread. That's going to be so great! Just hope I got the right amount of honey and cream in there! She hustled about the house at super speed. Broom swept the floors clean. Polish and Rag restored the tables' shine. Vacuum attended to the rugs.

All about herself, House seemed to exhale with Cleanliness….

Satisfaction lightened her own mood. I'm going to pull my weight. Mr. and Mrs. Kent said it was okay. I'm not taking anything for granted! She went back to her cooking creations again. She opened the refrigerator to find a bowl of chopped lettuce, green peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes waiting for dressing. She poured herself a glass of water from the tap. She enjoyed the cold and wet drink. Wish I had something for a main thing. Maybe the mac and cheese might be enough with a salad? Mrs. Kent would come up with something. She sighed to herself.

Martha came in the door. She held a bag of groceries in her arms. "Hi, Lana. I…." She sniffed the air. "What's that? It smells wonderful!"

Lana took the paper bag and set it on the counter. "It's kind of a surprise. You're so busy. I figured since I'm off, I'd get dinner?" She shrugged. "Are there more groceries?"

"There's another bag in the truck. Thanks, Lana." Martha watched Lana walking toward the truck. What have you been up to? She peered into the crock pot. Peter's macaroni and cheese. She noticed the oven light and looked through the window. And cornbread? You have been busy!

"I think this is everything!" Lana pushed through the ajar door. "I tried to clean too. Hope it all looks okay."

Martha walked around the front room. She could see the furniture's shine and the clean floor. "I have to say, Lana, I am really impressed. Thank you so much. You're a real lifesaver."

"Just trying to be part of the family. You know?" Nerves jabbed at Lana's resolve. She so wanted to impress Martha with her efforts.

"Lana, you more than pull your weight around here. You're working at the Talon and managing it. You do chores outside with us. You've helped me with this meal. Now I just have to get a salad."

"Check in the fridge. I just didn't see any burgers or meat." Lana rubbed the back of her neck. "I just don't want Mr. Kent and you thinking I'm taking advantage."

Martha shook her head. "Lana, you most certainly are not! You're going to school. You work at the Talon and manage it. You do chores with us. And now you've just cleaned this place. Unbelievable. Clark really helps us. You're doing more." She opened the fridge to find the salad bowl. "And a salad too. You know. I think you have enough here as is. I'm not complaining. Mr. Kent and Clark will love what you're making."

"I'm thinking another fifteen minutes." Lana set the table at super speed. "Clark's been working with me on this. It's great practice."

"I can tell. You're learning so fast." Martha knew Lana had practiced with her x-ray vision, heat vision, strength and speed. She'd seen Lana develop icy breath as well. "Clark hasn't talked that much about flying. Anything on that?"

Lana sighed. "He's doing what Mr. Kent suggested. He's been flying around the back field and into the woods." She closed her eyes and concentrated. Slowly she floated off the ground and into the air. For a full ten seconds, she hovered in the air. Then she lowered herself back to the floor once more. "I'm going to get some practice in outside too."

"That was great!" Martha nodded. "Just take it a step at a time. We're not on a time table or anything. Remember it took Clark seventeen years to learn what you have in just three months."

"Clark and Jor-El have really helped me. Before she went back to New York, Professor Dubois did as well. She and I still chat online about these things. She has so much experience!" Lana took another draught from her cup.

"After 260 years, she certainly does. I'm glad she's helping Clark and you." Martha got up and walked to the sink. She poured herself a glass of water as well. "At least Clark and you have someone else besides Jor-El to learn from."

"If I could fly, Clark and I could head up to New York to see her. Besides I'd really like to help Peter and Gwen pack too." Lana took another gulp of water.

"Maybe Lex could fly you up there for the weekend? I'm sure he's heading up there at some point. Just be careful with the flying. Mr. Kent and I just don't want any accidents or you two getting discovered." Martha sipped on her own drink.

"I'll run that by Lex. Maybe he might be good with that." Lana typed a text message to Lex. "Hi. Are you heading to New York in the next few days? Was hoping to help out up there if you are. Thanks."

"Hi, Ladies!" Jonathan walked through the door. She sniffed the cooking food. "That sure smells great! What's for supper?" He kissed Martha on the cheek.

"Lana surprised us with macaroni and cheese, cornbread and a salad. I came back from the food pantry to find her hard at work." Martha smiled. Approval beamed from her eyes toward her future daughter-in-law.

"Well now! That's what I like to hear!" He nodded. "Thank you, Lana. I'm sure it'll be great! You're making Clark look bad."

Lana rolled her eyes. "I doubt that. He does enough around here." Her phone buzzed. "Just a sec." She looked at it. "It's Lex." She answered it. "Hey, Lex."

Jonathan rolled his eyes but kept the response to himself.

Martha shook her head at him.

"Hi, Lana. Just saw your message. I am flying Peter back tomorrow but I'll be there for a couple of days. I'd help but we need you back at the Talon day after tomorrow." Lex frowned. He tapped his fingers. "Maybe one of our friends can help?"

"Maybe. Sorry, Lex. You're right. I can't leave the Talon understaffed. Thanks for the call though." Lana scratched her head.

"Hey. It's never a problem. If it had been this morning, definitely. We just need to balance everything. I'll tell them that you're thinking of them. Take care." Lex hung up.

Lana shook her head. "Nice thought." She hung up.

"What was that about?" Jonathan stiffened. Suspicion flared up in his mind.

"He's flying Peter back to New York tomorrow. I hoped to get a ride so I could help Gwen and him pack up for a day. We're good around here for the day. Right?" Lana put her phone back in her pocket.

"Yes. That's nice, Lana. I'm sure Peter and Gwen will understand. Why don't you talk with him?" Martha suggested.

"I'll do that. There might be another way though." Lana focused. Professor Jennifer Dubois? Hi. Sorry to bother you.

You're not bothering me, Lana. Nice to hear from you. What's on your mind? Jennifer answered over their link.

I have tomorrow off from work. I was hoping to help Peter and Gwen in New York. I haven't tried to fly yet. I was wondering…you're not flying around here? Are you? Lana grimaced. That sounded so lame.

No it's not lame. Actually that's very nice of you. I'll come and get you tomorrow morning. Then I'll bring you back tomorrow night. I wanted to catch up with Clark and you anyhow. I'm going to call you. Hand me off to Clark's Mom. Okay? Plan on a good deed tomorrow. Thanks, Lana. Jennifer went silent.

"Lana?" Jonathan sighed. "Lana…" He shook the teenager's shoulder.

"Jonathan, stop. She might be thinking. Leave her alone." Martha shook her head.

"Or using that telepathy again." Jonathan frowned.

"Mr. Kent, it's okay. Yes I was talking to someone." Lana bristled. "She's about to call anyhow. I'm not trying to get around you."

Right on cue, the phone rang in her pocket.

Lana answered it, "Hi, Professor. Thanks for calling me back. Here's Mrs. Kent." She handed the phone to Martha.

Martha accepted it. She put the phone up to her ear. "Hello? Who am I speaking with?"

"Hi, Mrs. Kent. This is Jennifer Dubois. How has everything been going?" Jennifer powered down her computer.

"I'm fine! Thank you for asking. Sorry but Lana was just doing the telepathic thing with you. Right?" Martha sought clarification for her own needs (and to put Jonathan in his place).

"That's correct. Lana was just asking me to fly her to New York and back tomorrow. She wants to help our friends with their packing. I told her that's fine. I was going to ask if I can stop by for breakfast. I can bring something with me. Do you folks do doughnuts or muffins?" Jennifer offered.

"Thank you but I'm making pancakes tomorrow. I remember you like blueberry." Martha rubbed her chin.

"That's right! Thanks for remembering! I wanted to make sure Mr. Kent and you see me there. We talk. Then I can bring Lana back and forth over and above board," Jennifer slid a couple of books into her bookcase.

"We appreciate that. In fact, have you eaten tonight?" Martha looked over Cooking's symphony in progress.

"Not yet. I was going to get something out." Hunger watered in Jennifer's mouth.

"Maybe you can fly out here tonight? Dinner's almost ready. Lana's making Peter's crock pot macaroni and cheese, cornbread and there's a salad. Maybe you can bring some apple cider?" Martha inhaled the scents.

"I'll be there ASAP!" Jennifer hung up her phone. Jonathan's still ticked about the telepathy. He really needs to get over himself. Resentment stabbed at her heart. She checked everything over. Then she secured her door and walked out the side exit into an alley. From there, she streaked high into the darkening skies overhead toward the north.

First Potluck's needs and then Stomach's needs would be met….