Title: Vulnerable

Author: Ashley Graham

Rating: K+ -Just to be safe…there is some swearing and a bit of blood…

Summary: Who exactly found Clark in the middle of the road in Hidden, after he was shot? This is an AU version of what I wish had happened…Hints of a future CLIOS relationship, nothing too obvious since Clark is with Lana at this point in time.

Authors Note: You may notice that there isn't much of Lana's emotions, or even as much of Chloe's…the reason being is because I felt that the Kent's needed a bigger role in this episode to begin with…I mean, their son was shot…I expected more than a whimper from Martha and a few emotional hugs at the end…there was too much of Lana crying for Clark. (I'm biased I know- ughh Lana just makes me soo furious!)

Anyways, just wanted to explain my reasoning for having more Martha, Jonathan and Lois emotions, in comparison to Lana's feelings.

Vulnerable

The Kent Farm

Martha scrubbed the plate in her hand thoughtlessly as she stared out her kitchen window. She couldn't help the uneasy feeling in her stomach, which she was sure was from the ominous phone call Chloe Sullivan had received earlier this morning.

Jonathan had returned not long ago, with no news about the rumored missile silos that had been activated. The sheriff had pretty much told him to butt out, and to go home while trained professionals handled the situation.

Sighing, Martha set the breakfast dish down and wiped her hands dry. She opened the front door and stepped out onto her porch, leaning up against the railing and allowing the soothing suns rays to calm her nerves.

"Don't worry sweetheart, I'm sure that the cops and the army personnel have found the silos and the kid that activated it." Jonathan suddenly said from behind her. He wrapped his arms around his wife's slender shoulders and held her close. He didn't really believe his own words, but there wasn't much else they could do but hope.

"I hope Chloe and Clark are okay…" Martha finally replied with a frown of worry.

"I'm sure that they're just fine. Clark can handle himself pretty well."

"I don't know Jonathan, Clark…Clark isn't used to being so vulnerable, he can get hurt now. I don't think he's had enough time to adjust to not having his powers."

"You're right…he hasn't, but he's a grown man now, as he displayed this morning…" Jonathan said with a sigh, his forehead crinkling into a frown at the memory.

Martha chuckled, "You weren't so eager to say he was a grown man with Lana around…"

"Well, he may be 18…but I wasn't expecting to wake up to that." The farmer replied defensively.

Before his wife could continue to tease him, they heard the sound of tires crunching the gravel. Looking up, the parents felt their hearts start to pump faster when they saw that it was a police cruiser.

"Good morning Officer, what brings you by?" Jonathan said, walking down the porch steps and towards the man who had just gotten out of the car, Martha right on his heels.

"Jonathan, Mrs. Kent," The man began politely, tipping his hat in Martha's direction.

Martha smiled slightly and said, "Please, Officer Davis, call me Martha."

Davis smiled faintly in response, wondering how quickly the smile on her face would disappear when he gave them the news he had been sent to deliver.

"Does this have to do with the missile silos? Did you guys catch the kid responsible?" Jonathan asked curiously.

"Uhm, no…we haven't found the silos…this visit isn't about that…"

The uneasiness in Martha's stomach became worse as she said, "Then what brings you here so early?"

"I'm afraid that I have some bad news, your son has just been taken to the hospital."

"What?!" Both Kent's replied simultaneously.

"A driver discovered him lying in the middle of the road, barely conscious. I'm not sure what exactly happened, but I was informed that he has been taken to Smallville General with serious injuries."

"Oh my god, oh my god no…my baby…" Martha whispered her eyes wide with horror as she clung tightly to Jonathan.

"I'm supposed to escort you to the hospital." Officer Davis concluded, wondering how this day could possibly get any worse. He knew the Kent boy, he was a great kid…was always helping people out. How someone could possibly want to hurt him is beyond my understanding.

"We'll follow you in the truck." Jonathan replied as calmly as he could manage. I never should have let them search for Gabriel, what the hell was I thinking? He yelled at himself inwardly as he got behind the wheel of his truck.

Martha buckled up her seatbelt with trembling fingers, her face tight with worry and fear.

The officer flicked on his sirens and was soon speeding down the road, Jonathan and Martha following closely behind. Neither of them bothered to lock up the house, the only thing on each of their minds was what had happened to Clark and Chloe.

Luther Mansion

Lex rubbed his hand against the back of his head as he parked his Porsche. His little meeting with Lana at the Talon hadn't exactly gone over nicely, but at least she hadn't completely freaked out on him. She only tried to kick me out, he thought with a small grin.

Shaking his head, Lex stepped out of the car and made his way up the steps to the castle. He was just about to pull open the heavy door when his cell phone rang shrilly from his pocket. I don't think I can go a day without this thing ringing at least 50 times! Groaning, he snapped the device open and said, "Hello?" in a rather annoyed tone.

The person on the other end spoke anxiously, and soon Lex felt his face pale. "What? When was he brought in? Who did it?" He demanded.

The person paused before answering.

"What do you mean you don't know what happened?!" Lex exploded, his temper getting the better of him. "Alright…yes…ok, thank you…I'm on my way…"

Lex promptly snapped his phone shut and hurried back down the steps. Jumping into his sleek sports car, he threw it into reverse and peeled out of the driveway, driving to the Talon at breakneck speed. What kind of trouble did you get yourself into this time, Clark?

The Talon, Not Long Afterwards

Lana was just putting the finishing touches on her make-up when she heard her front door opening. Frowning, she wondered if it was Clark…he was the only one who would walk in without knocking. This thought was shot down however, when she heard Lex Luther call her name.

Groaning, she exited her bathroom and glared at the billionaire. "I thought I told you to leave?" She snapped.

"I just received a phone call from one of my sources at the hospital." Lex began, ignoring her tone.

Lana was preparing to ream Lex out even more, but stopped when she saw the worried expression on his face, so instead she settled for a, "So?"

"It was about Clark, he was just admitted to the hospital. He was shot, Lana…from what I was told, it doesn't look very good."

"Oh my god…" Lana whispered, her eyes widening with fear. She quickly grabbed her purse and keys and swept past Lex.

"Lana wait. Let me drive you, my car can get us there a lot faster." Lex called as he hurried after the visibly trembling woman.

Lana froze on the steps, and after a second of contemplating his offer, she nodded her head. "Alright." She said quietly.

Smallville Memorial Center

Jonathan and Martha flew through the hospital doors, leaving Officer Davis way behind as they looked around the reception area anxiously.

"Mr. and Mrs. Kent?" An exhausted voice called from behind them.

The worried parents turned around to see a very weary looking Lois Lane waving to them. They hurried over to her, Martha speaking first, "Lois? What are you doing here?"

"I cam back from Geneva early…was on my way to your farm…and, and I found Clark laying in the middle of the road…Chloe was no where in sight…" She explained softly.

"Where's Clark?" Jonathan asked warily, fearing suddenly that his son wasn't even alive. Lois was covered in blood…Clark's blood. It was all over her shirt, on her jeans, there were even places on her face that she had missed in her hasty attempt to clean up.

Before the young woman could answer, a flurry of activity could be seen from down the hall.

The two Kent's immediately ran towards the commotion.

Lois stayed where she was, fighting with her urge to see what was going on; this was a private family matter.

"Clark?" Martha cried as they neared the team of doctors and nurses, who were currently swarming over a gurney. The group had just exited a trauma room.

The teenager didn't respond to his mom, he remained limp and unconscious.

Jonathon shook at the sight of his only son. Blood was all over Clark's chest, an oxygen mask covered his mouth and nose, and his complexion looked pale and waxy. "Doc? What's wrong with him? Is he going to be okay?" He asked worriedly, he could feel his chest tightening as his heart pumped erratically in his chest.

"We're taking him up to surgery right now. I'm not positive but I think the bullet punctured his lung, I have to open him up immediately." The professional response came immediately.

"The bullet?" Jonathan said, his eyes wide with disbelief as the full weight of the situation hit him.

"I'm sorry, you'll have to wait in the waiting room, I'll update you on his condition as soon as possible." The doctor said, her eyes betraying her obvious worry.

Martha whimpered and fell in her husbands embrace as the medical team disappeared from view.

"My baby…oh god…"

"It's going to be alright sweetheart…it's going to be fine…Clark is the strongest person I know…" Jonathan whispered as he maneuvered back over to Lois, who had been staring down the hall at them.

"Where are they taking him?" She asked worriedly, wringing her hands as the three entered the empty waiting room.

"To surgery, they think, they think the bullet pierced his lung…"

Lois nodded and sat down heavily in a chair, looking at the terrified parents sympathetically.

"Where's Clark?" A voice suddenly cried from the entrance of the room.

The three looked up to see Lana standing there, Lex Luther hung behind her, giving Jonathan a wary look before entering the room. He wondered briefly whether Clark had told his father his suspicions regarding the attack and hostage situation they had recently been in. It seemed that his former friend had not, for the father didn't pounce on him when he took a seat opposite of Martha.

"In surgery, how'd you find out?" Lois replied quickly.

"I have some friends that work here; they phoned me as soon as they recognized Clark." Lex answered smoothly.

"What happened?" Lana asked as she dropped down into a chair.

Lois sighed and carefully explained in detail what had happened, with the Kent's throwing in bits and pieces of information.

"Gabriel must've brought Chloe to whichever missile silos he activated. He warned her to get out of town…so he must not want her dead…" Jonathan surmised.

"I hope his opinion of her doesn't change…" Lois said, running her fingers through her hair.

TBC

I added a little bit of Lex to this chapter…decided to keep that from the actual episode since he did actually go to the hospital (if you have the s5 DVD there is a cut scene where Lex actually goes to the hospital).

I was surprised at the amount of feedback my first chapter received, but I was extremely happy about it! How's about you surprise me with some more terrific reviews?! I really want to make my first SV story a successful one!

I will probably post the next update before Christmas…if I'm feeling charitable! ; )

Ashley•