Chapter 11

[Smallville—Loft]

Clark stood at the barn's upper door. Breeze caressed his face. Clouds wafted high above. Sol burnished the sky. Birds flew by.

It's so easy for them to do it. Their parents encourage them to do it. My father can't stand it. He frowned. Depression sagged across his shoulders. He hates telepathy. He can't stand me flying. What's next?

Clark, it's not fair. Lana came up the stairs. Sleep had eluded her on the previous evening. We're not doing anything unreasonable. You'll be in or above the clouds. We've practiced around town.

He shrugged. It's Dad being Dad. He doesn't want us to be exposed. But we have to try. Professor Dubois will make sure we're okay. He breathed in and out. "I just wish I felt better."

She wrapped her arms around his waist. "Clark, I really care about your Dad and his feelings. There's so much to respect. I'm glad he's going to be my father-in-law…well co-father-in-law. He's still wrong in his views about Krypton. Your Mom cleared it. Lex and everyone's behind you. It's going to be all right."

He brought out his phone. "I was looking at the map app. It also showed me a picture of their house. I can do this. I wish I could carry you there.'

"We'll get there, Clark. Professor Dubois will get us there." She rested her head against his back. "Remember when you flew to the Talon. You blanked everything else out. You focused on the goal." She pointed at the phone. "Just visualize that part of New York in your mind. Hey. I got an idea. You remember where that guy you went to see is?"

"Sure. He's not that far from there. I know where Dr. Swann's observatory is!" He relaxed. Tension eased its grip on his shoulders.

THEN FOCUS ON THAT LOCATION. YOU BOTH CAN RUN FROM THERE, Jor-El suggested. JONATHAN KENT DOES NOT UNDERSTAND.

You both don't get each other or the other side involved. Clark rolled his eyes. Think about the good we're going to do. We can do this. It's just like swimming. I'm moving through air instead of water. I've flown dozens of times. It's just a little longer.

That's right! You can do it, Clark! Lana cheered. She put her hands on his shoulders. "I have faith in you, Clark. You can do this."

You heard her, Clark! Jennifer rushed down the driveway and up the barn stairs to their side. "Good morning. Hope everyone's all right and ready to go." She sucked in a big breath.

"I'm just going to do my best." Clark flexed his arms. "I was going to visualize Dr. Swann's observatory since I've been there before."

"That's right." Jennifer handed them each a dark ski mask. "Put these on just in case we're seen." She pulled one over her face. "This is a good plan, Clark. So how do you feel?"

"I'm fine." Clark forced himself to relax. He took several deep breaths.

RELAX, KAL-EL. FORCE EVERY OTHER CONSCIOUS THOUGHT AWAY! YOU ARE AS LIGHT AS A FEATHER! REMEMBER YOUR PROPULSION THROUGH WATER! FLEX YOUR LEGS AND PUSH OFF INTO THE AIR! Jor-El directed.

Clark squatted down. Energy flowed both through his coiled knees and body in addition from the earth below. Then he streaked through the door and cleared the house by plenty. He disappeared into the clouds.

"He did it!" Lana cheered.

"Of course he did." Jennifer picked Lana up. "Some day you will too. Hang on around my neck." She took off on his trail. She ascended through the clouds to cover her own progress from prying eyes. "We're fine, Lana. Just keep hanging on." She pointed straight ahead. "Clark's about three miles ahead of us. He's going faster than I might've imagined."

"He is? And where do you think we are now?" Lana looked all around at the cloud bank.

"A few hundred miles already. This is much faster than running as you two normally do. Hang on. We're catching up." Jennifer poured on the speed. Within a few heartbeats, she'd caught up to him. "Keep going straight ahead. You're doing fine."

Clark nodded. He followed the diagonal path from Kansas northeast across the Rust Belt and the Great Lakes. Wind billowed in his face and mussed his hair. He kept to the clouds' cover. Where do we go next?

Turn right now. Jennifer turned hard right. She zipped away toward the southeast.

Hey! WAIT! Concentration wavered. Panic enabled Gravity to grab hold. He fell.

CLARK? Lana called out to him.

FOCUS, KAL-EL! FOCUS! SHE IS STILL WITH YOU! Jor-El lectured.

Deep breath, Clark! Jennifer's hand stabbed out of a particularly dense cloud bank. She arrested his free fall. See? I'm right here!

Sorry. I didn't see you. Clark shook his head.

It's okay, Clark. Even if you hit the water, you'd be all right. Calm down. You'll be fine. Jennifer hovered in place. She allowed him to regain Composure's grace.

I'm good. He floated once again without her assistance. Southeast?

Southeast. Just follow us. Are you all right, Lana? Jennifer directed.

I'm fine. Clark, you're okay? Lana glanced over at him.

I'm fine. Just froze up for a second. He waited for them to head in that direction. Then he followed in their path. Water gave way to Mountains. Towns dotted the countryside.

We're over the Hudson River Valley. We just follow it to New York. Jennifer turned due south. She ascended higher into the clouds. Change in plans. We're going to land in the suburbs and run in. I don't want to risk you crashing, Clark. It is your first flight.

All right. He frowned because he wanted Swann to see his flight.

It's okay, Clark. She's experienced. We aren't yet. You'll get there, Lana reassured.

Reassurance had its desired effect. He flew up to Jennifer's course heading. He felt her aura straight ahead of himself. In barely a few more minutes, he felt her descent.

SLOW YOUR PACE, KAL-EL! YOU CANNOT COME IN SO FAST! Jor-El coached in his mind.

Clark nodded. Instinct forced him to extend his arms. The action slowed his speed. He dipped down beneath the clouds. Float not fly! He floated toward the ground. His feet kissed the ground.

"Awesome, Clark!" Lana clapped her hands.

Approval coaxed a nod from Jennifer. "I'll second that! Well done, Clark. I thought I was going to have to help you land. That was great for a first landing."

"Thanks. Sure wish we could've landed at the observatory. I kind of wanted Dr. Swann to know that I'm working on this stuff." Clark rubbed the back of his neck.

"So where are we?"

"Swann knows. Knowing him, he was tracking us all the way from Smallville." Jennifer pointed toward the distant skyline. "Manhattan's thirty miles that way. That's our next stop." She set Lana down. "Ready to stretch your own legs?"

"I kind of ready to try some running. That's was really great to be up there!" Lana marveled at the sky. She shook her head. "Someday, I'll be able to do that for myself."

"It's a real rush. I still need more practice." Clark shook his head. "I almost fell into the water back there."

"Look, Clark, you got startled. That was my fault. At least you did what Jor-El and I told you to do. After that, you were fine again." Jennifer noted. She pointed toward the City. "Come on. Good breakfast awaits." She rushed off toward New York.

"Bet I beat you!" Lana disappeared in a blur and puff of wind.

She never starts even! Clark shook his head. He ran after them at super speed. In another dozen heartbeats, he streaked across a bridge and into the Big Apple. He followed through the streets, around buildings and cut through alleys. Are you doing all right?

I'm fine, Clark. I think I can handle the super speed. Lana cut a quick right. Keep up, Pokey!

Pokey? SERIOUSLY? Clark rolled his eyes. He managed to follow without running into the building to his left. He wove his way through several more intersections and up streets. Manhattan's concrete jungle gave way to residential blocks. Finally, he saw them duck into another alley. The girls and their shortcuts! He went into the alley and came to a stop.

"You know, Clark. We could've ordered a pizza while waiting for you." Lana raised an eyebrow. Sauciness jabbed through her tone.

"Yeah that's me. Slow poke. Must be the flying." Clark shook his head. "Where are we?" He brought out his phone again. "We're five blocks away?"

"You don't go running right up to their front door, Clark." Jennifer shook his head. "Come on, Kids."

"Right." Clark chided himself on the inside. You know better than that!

It's all about learning, Clark. You're doing it. I'm still learning. Lana advised.

Learning's curve really stank. That was for sure….