-1Jitters
Clark was downstairs listening to his mother go over the check list while his father was outside working on the truck.
"Don't use the upstairs bathroom. We haven't gotten to work on the pipes yet," Martha continued as she leaned against the counter while checking off items on her list.
"Where's that left over pizza?" Clark asked moving behind her to the fridge.
"Second shelf. There's chili for dinner," She said as he opened the fridge door.
He nodded his head to the beat of the music playing through his headphones. He stood back up with a piece of pizza in one hand and the plate in the other. Martha reached over and pulled off his headphones.
"Any chance you heard me?" She asked.
"Chili for dinner and stay away from the upstairs bathroom," He said with a smile before taking a huge bite out of the pizza, leaving only half of the slice left.
Martha smiled and took the plate from him.
"Clark!" Jonathan called from outside.
Clark quickly looked in the direction of his father calling. Martha noticed how serious his expression became. Ever since they learned he was from the future, Martha noticed the huge change in Clark's interaction with Jonathan.
"Can I get a hand out here please?" Jonathan called again.
Martha watched as Clark was out the door in a millisecond.
"Yea, dad?" Clark asked popping up at Jonathan's side.
"Do you mind?" He asked making a small gesture with his hand.
Clark smiled and walked over to the back end of the truck. He took a bite from the piece of pizza in one hand and lifted the back end of the truck with another. If he had been at the strength level that he was at in his future body he could have lifted the whole truck.
Jonathan climbed under the truck and got to work, saying something about a bad day blowing a back axel. Cars never were Clark's thing. He preferred to fly. Martha walked up and continued with her check list.
"I left the number of our hotel on the night stand."
"That ought to do it," Jonathan said climbing out from under the truck. Clark set the back end down and took another bite of his pizza. "I'm definetely raising your allowance," His father said with a chuckle.
Clark smiled as his mother went on. "If you need anything just call us," Martha said looking back over her check list.
"Mom, it's just a couple of nights in Metropolis. I'll be fine. Besides I've lived on my own and got along just peachy," He said flashing his charming smile.
"He'll be fine honey," Jonathan said opening the door for her.
Martha smiled and gave Clark a hug, "I keep forgetting that you've already lived a life where you don't need your mother."
"I'll always need you mom," Clark said, "but right now dad needs you to go with him for your anniversary."
"Yes indeed," Jonathan said still holding the door open. Martha smiled jumped into the passagener seat of the truck.
"Oh, I almost forgot," Clark said pulling out a envolope from his back pocket. He left a greasy pizza finger print on the corner as Jonathan took it.
"Thanks son," Jonathan said handing Martha the card.
She took it with a smile and Jonathan closed the door. Jonathan rushed over and jumped into the drivers seat. Clark finished his pizza and watched as they drove off. The Kent farm was his for the next few days.
Clark grabbed his back pack and rushed to meet up with Chloe and Pete to catch the bus. His friends smiled and greeted him as he slowed to a jog.
"Morning Pete, morning Chloe," He said.
They fell into line with each other and headed to the bus pick up location. "So what are you going to do now that you're parent free for a weekend?" Pete asked.
"I was thinking of having a few people over," Clark said.
He remembered how it turned out last time but Lana had shown up. He would risk it again just to see her. "Is Clark Kent, the perfect son, suggesting a party?" Chloe asked shocked.
"Just come at 8 and keep it low profile," He said climbing up onto the bus.
"Wanna bet that he's hoping Lana will come?" Pete asked.
"The money should be on if the poseable action figure boyfriend will be with her," Chloe chimed in.
"I heard you," Clark called as they followed him onto the bus.
Later that night the Kent Farm was raging in full party mode. Over half of the high school had shown up and were breaking it down in his living room. Clark didn't mind one bit as long as he didn't get busted this time. The music was raging and bodies were grinding against each other. Luckily this time he remembered to remove all the breakables in the house.
"Do you recognize half these people?" Chloe asked.
"Does it matter? Have a good time!" Clark called over the people for Chloe to hear.
She looked at him confused. He wasn't acting like the Clark she knew and he hadn't been since he saved Lex Luthor from drowning. Clark jumped in and danced with a few people before splitting and cleaning up a bit. He made it to the kitchen and dropped off the trash in his hands.
"Pretty cool party!"
Clark turned to see Lana standing in his kitchen doorway. He remembered all the times she had stood there for better and for worse.
"Hey!" He said above the crowd noise with a smile.
"I never thought I'd see the Kent Farm as a party place!" She said. He moved closer so he could hear.
"I thought I might as well get that one high school party out of he way," He said then mentally kicked himself.
"I don't think I would chance it," She said.
"You get used to it after the first few dishes," He said on cue as a dish was heard shattering against the floor.
"I don't think I'm brave enough," She responded.
"I think you're pretty brave," He said in response.
He could see her cheeks blush and she looked away. It was a good sign.
"So…you flying solo tonight?" He asked.
"You mean what am I doing here without Whitney?" She asked.
Clark smiled as he was busted and looked down.
"I am capable of enjoying myself without him," She answered.
An explosion happened in the sky right outside of the Kent farm. Clark moved to shield Lana before realizing it was coming from outside. She looked at him with furrowed brows as he moved to the window.
"Fireworks? Full of surprises tonight Clark," She said behind him.
Clark smiled remembering Lex's way of hooking him up.
"Tell me about it," He said before moving from the window and heading outside along with a group of people. People cheered and clapped.
Pete jumped down the stairs behind Clark, "How cool is this? You're going to be the talk of the town!" Pete exclaimed.
Clark looked back and smiled before trying to locate Lex. He knew his bald friend would be around somewhere.
"That was the idea," Lex said from behind them. "Think of it as a party gift."
"Thanks," Clark said.
"Don't worry about the police. I've got it covered," Lex explained with a smile.
Clark smiled in return. "I know this kind of party can make or break a reputation. I wanted yours to be a hit," Lex continued.
Chloe and Pete clapped Clark on the shoulders and turned back to look at the light show in the sky. Clark was drawn to Lana who leaned against a post on his front porch and smiled as she watched the fireworks as well.
"I hear you're taking a tour of my plant tomorrow?" Lex asked as he noticed Clark entirely focused on Lana.
Chloe turned back to Lex, "It's a class field trip."
"What did you do wrong?" Lex asked.
"Is it that bad?" Clark asked, half listening to their conversation and entirely focused on the girl of his dreams. A girl came up behind Lex and slid her arm through his.
"Sorry I took so long. Someone overflowed the bathroom," She said through a heavy accent.
Her words got his attention. "I'm officially dead."
The party moved back inside and Clark followed Lana inside. She sat on the couch and talked to a few of her friends. Clark moved to ask Lana to dance when Whitney kneeled in front of her. The two said a few words before Lana followed Whitney outside. Clark kept near the door just in case. Sure enough he could hear Lana calling his name.
She came through the kitchen door, "You need to come out here."
The urgency in her voice propelled him forward. He broke off at a run leaving a stunned Chloe in the kitchen. Lana tried to keep up with Clark as Chloe ran to catch up as well.
"Kent, get up here." Whitney called.
Clark rushed up the stairs and motioned for Lana and Chloe to stay behind. Whitney was holding a pitch fork and handed Clark a flashlight. They slowly inched forward without communication. They saw movement under a tarp as they got closer. When they were in reach, Whitney reached down and pulled the tarp off. Clark stopped Whitney from stabbing the familiar man with the pitch fork.
"Earl? Everything okay?" Clark asked as Whitney stepped back breathing heavily.
"I came to see your dad," He said. Clark noticed he was covered in sweat and was breathing erratically.
"He's in Metropolis for the weekend. What's going on?" Clark asked.
He reached to help Earl up but as he got closer he got sick to his stomach. He saw the veins in his hands laced with green. Kryptonite.
"Call an ambulance!" He called down to the girls.
Clark sat in the waiting room with Chloe. "He was shaking like a junkie," She said from his side with a soft drink in one hand.
"That wasn't from drugs," Clark said remembering what Earl had been through. His father had been so upset over it that it had taken weeks for him to get back to himself.
"Then what was it?" She asked.
"
Some type of exposure," He said with thinking.
"How do you know that?" She asked.
"Uhm.." He said, eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights. "He worked for Luthorcorp and had a bad run in with some chemicals." She watched him suspiciously. "Look it wasn't drugs, okay. Earl is a good guy," Clark went on.
"How do you know that?" She asked hoping he might slip some more inside knowledge.
"He used to teach me guitar," He said remembering how Earl had helped around the farm and tried to teach him. Well until he kept snapping all the strings and Earl had gotten tired of replacing them. Earl was the reason Clark had gone and tried again. If he could play a guitar then he could hold someone's hand, or spoon in bed. If he could play a guitar then he could have an intimate relationship. It taught him control and a way to impress the ladies.
"How come I haven't seen you play?" She asked still fishing for information.
"I don't own one or I would play for you," He said with his charming Kent smile. He knew what she was up to but hopefully he could charm her off it. Two police officers walked in and asked for Earl Jenkins. Clark moved from his chair and Chloe followed.
"Excuse me. I'm a friend of Earl's," Clark began but a crash came from down the hall.
The four of them moved quickly and Clark rushed into the room before Chloe and the police. Earl was shaking violently and tossed the two nurses away. Clark moved to get Earl to stop but was tossed right through the window.
Clark looked up to the ceiling feeling his strength return since he was away from Earl again. He leaned up and watched as Earl looked at him horrified before he fell to the floor. Chloe rushed to his side and checked to make sure he was okay. Clark put the final pieces together about what had happened. After talking to the police for few minutes he headed back home.
The house was trashed when he walked in. He slid on some liquid that was on the kitchen floor. With a sigh he slipped into super speed and cleaned the house. When he was done he leaned against the kitchen counter. Clapping came from the stair way like Clark knew it would.
"We called six times last night and talked to six different people. None of which knew who you were," Martha said walking forward with a plunger in hand.
"Yep," He said not sure of what else he could say.
"You did this before?" Martha asked as Jonathan gave his stern father look to his son.
"Yep," He said again.
"And got caught?" Martha continued with the questions.
"Yep," He said again.
"Yet you still did it?" Jonathan asked stepping in with the questions.
"Yep," He said again.
"I'm disappointed," Jonathan began but Clark jumped in.
"I found Earl last night. He's at the hospital and wanted for murder," He knew that would get them off the topic of his rebellious ways.
"Earl?" Jonathan asked with shock.
"He didn't mean to kill anyone. He's been exposed to meteor rocks that are embedded into his skin. His body is trying to push them out but it's killing him," Clark explained.
"The doctors told you?" Martha asked.
"No, I remember what happened," Clark explained.
"Did he get off the charges?" Jonathan asked.
"He'll get help but maybe you should go see him," Clark suggested.
Clark didn't go with. He knew what Earl would say and how Jonathan would react. It was easier for him to stay at the farm and get back on his mother's good side, at least until he had to go to his field trip. The bus arrived shortly later and Clark got prepared for what was to happen.
The bus arrived at the plant and Clark walked in with his class. When he had his chance he split from the group hoping he could find Earl before he took the class hostage. He super sped through the building and found where the entrance to level three should have been. After a second of punching he revealed the elevator.
As he was speeding back he noticed that Earl was holding the class hostage. Clark rushed back hoping to get Earl some help. Clark rushed back to the doorway and watched as Earl paced with his gun.
"Earl! You need to calm down," Clark said.
"Please Clark you have to help me find level three," Earl said his hand shaking.
"I'll help you find level three just leave them alone," Clark said trying to reason as he stepped in cautiously.
"Thank you Clark for believing me," Earl said rubbing the sweat off his head.
The phone rang and Chloe's father answered.
"It's Mr. Luthor," He said holding the phone out.
"Put it on speaker," Earl said walking over. Clark took this chance and rushed to Lana's side. Chloe and Pete were next to her as well.
"You guys okay?" He asked removing his jacket and setting it next to them.
They nodded before turning back to Earl. Mr. Luthor had said something that made Earl mad. He began to shake and grabbed on to one of the pipe valves in the room.
"Earl!" Clark exclaimed worried. He stood and rushed to his side, immediately feeling the effects of Kryptonite.
Earl ripped off the valve and jerked at Clark. The metal hit Clark in the face and the force of it sent him flying on his back. When his vision focused he was looking up at Lana.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
"I'll be fine. I need to get him out of here so you can get out," Clark said thinking of his plan. Earl was listening to him. Perhaps he would still listen.
"Clark, we can take him. Both of us against him. He doesn't stand a chance," Whitney said.
"I can't," Clark said.
"Whitney don't," Lana said.
Whitney moved to get up but Clark grabbed his arm and pulled him back down. "I'm not going to let you get yourself hurt. Let me talk to him before you go jumping him," Clark said. Lana looked over at him with a small smile.
Clark stood and walked over to Earl. Earl turned away from the camera that he was using to communicate with Mr. Luthor. Earl turned as he noticed movement from behind him.
"Clark, I'm so sorry." He said.
"Don't worry about it Earl. I just want to help you. Show me where level three is," He
said hoping it would lure Earl out of the room.
"You really believe me?" Earl asked.
"You're family. Of course I do," Clark said. Earl nodded and moved for the door. As they moved toward level three Lex walked down the hall.
"Who sends their son to do their dirty work?" Earl asked.
"I'm here to negotiate," Lex said.
"Just get everyone out of here," Clark said.
Lex nodded and moved past them to the room where everyone was. Clark watched as Lex moved to help everyone. Clark went with Earl to the elevator.
"I told you it was here," Earl said.
"I believed you," Clark said "But you have to believe me. There's nothing down there.
Lionel has shut it all up and you need to let it go and get help."
Lex walked up, "Sorry Clark but I want to see what Mr. Jenkins believes is down there. My father has been up to something and I want to know what." Clark turned to Lex and for the first time since he'd come back in time he was seeing the Lex he knew in the future.
"That's not a good idea Lex," he said.
"I think it's brilliant. Get in the elevator," Earl said pointing the gun at Lex.
Lex moved and joined both of them in the elevator. Earl pressed the blackened button and the doors closed. When they reopened they were faced with an empty room with a lone platform running from end to end. Earl rushed out and looked around frantically. Lex moved after him hoping to see what Earl had seen. Clark stayed by the elevator.
"WHERE IS IT?!?" Earl screamed.
"Lionel moved it," Clark said simply. Lex looked back at him.
"I WANT TO KNOW WHERE IT IS. HOW CAN I GET BETTER IF I DON'T KNOW
WHAT IT WAS?" Earl screamed.
His body began to frantically shake and the bolts and screws began to snap. Lex tried to hang on as the platform snapped and began to fall. Clark moved forward and watched as Lex slipped but managed to grab on to Earl's legs. Clark carefully moved forward while slowly growing weak. Clark reached out and grabbed Earl's hand. The weight immediately hit him as he tried to pull them up.
Lex looked up and watched as Clark struggled but finally managed to pull them up. Lex looked at him amazed but followed him to the safer platform. Earl sighed in relief as Clark and Lex made it up. That quickly changed as he began to shake again. Clark and Lex looked to each other and without words, simultaneously moved forward and dove into the elevator along with Earl.
"Clark, how did you pull us up?" Lex asked.
"I didn't think I could but I had to try. I guess the adrenaline kicked in," He said with shrug hoping Lex wouldn't ask any more about it.
They made it back up and Clark saw his parents. They rushed forward and hugged him tightly. Clark hugged them back and watched as paramedics carried Earl away. Lex joined his father's side for a quote with the press.
"Clark!" His parents pulled away so Clark could talk with his friends who rushed forward.
"What were you thinking?" Chloe asked.
"I had to get Earl away from you guys. Are you all okay?" Clark asked.
"We're fine. Are you okay?" Lana asked.
"I'm great now that Earl is getting help," Clark said.
"I can't believe you Clark," Chloe said.
"We could have just knocked him out and gotten the hell out of dodge," Whitney said with his arms folded over his chest.
"If we had attacked Earl we would have all gotten hurt. It was best to talk our way out of that situation instead of fighting," Clark said.
"I agree with Clark," Lana said. "You could have gotten yourself killed."
"Sure, agree with the farm boy," Whitney said before storming off.
"I'll go talk to him. I'm glad you're okay Clark," Lana said with a smile.
"I'm glad you're okay too," He said back. He watched as she walked off.
"So things with Lana are good?" Chloe asked.
Clark just smiled.