Heat
The summer had come gone. The three twisters had hit Smallville and much damage had been done. Clark remembered the event and was there to prevent Lana from being pulled into the twister. Whitney had gone off to basic's and Chloe and Pete had gone to the dance but only as friends. Both Jonathan and Martha survived the twisters since they stayed in the storm cellar. Somehow they knew Clark was okay. Which Clark was, by Lana's side.
Now it was the first day of school and Clark sighed in relief. He had changed some major events and hopefully things wouldn't get out of control. Lex didn't have any crazy reporters after him. Lana was away from Whitney. Chloe didn't hate him. And Pete was still clueless. But Clark's spaceship was missing again and that worried Clark. Some parts of the past just couldn't be changed.
Clark smiled at the camera in his face. Lana smiled at him from the other side and encouraged Clark to continue.
"Well, Whitney, you shipped out over there. I'm sure it's pretty warm." He looked down and mentally kicked himself for being an idiot, "That really sucked."
"It's okay, Clark, just say what you feel." Lana said as she lowered the camera. She gave him a big smile and he smiled back.
"What's with Clark Kent, movie star?" Pete asked as he joined them in the hallway.
"Lana's making a video-letter for Whitney overseas," Clark explained.
"Thought it was the least I could do. Hey, do you wanna give it a shot?" Lana asked moving out of the way as a horde of students rushed past.
"Watch how the pros do it." Pete bragged. Clark swore his ego was the size of his head. "The town's still rebuilding after the storm. The first week of schools a bear. You're missing the worst heat wave in 25 years. Bottom line, stay safe and come home soon." Pete gave Clark a 'see how its done' look and added, "p.s. The football team's toast without Fordman on offense."
Lana laughed and stopped the camera, "That was perfect, Pete."
"Yeah, super." Clark added feeling a bit out staged.
It didn't bother him too much though. Clark knew he would win Lana's heart. He knew they were meant to be together.
"Try not to choke this time," Pete said and gave Clark a slap on the chest.
Clark smiled and nodded his head. Pete waved to Lana and walked off.
"How about it, Clark? Wanna try take two?" Lana asked holding the camera back up.
"How about a rain check?" Clark asked.
"Sure. Why don't you come by the Talon later." She suggested.
"All right." He replied.
She smiled, "All right, see you."
She took off down the hall and looked back to Clark before walking into a classroom. Clark smiled and watched her disappear.
"It's good to see some things never change," Chloe said stepping up to Clark's right.
"Chloe!" Clark said.
He wrapped her in tight hug. She was back from her summer internship in Metropolis. Clark had visited her a few times but with her work she didn't have much free time. He was so glad to see her.
"It's good to see you too Clark, but I need air." She said as he pulled away.
"How was the internship?" He asked.
"It was great. Since dad is giving LexCorp another shot, here I am back in the boonies." She said as they began to walk down the hall to where they needed to be.
"I'm glad you're staying. I really missed you this summer." He said. Pete just wasn't as much fun as his crazy blonde friend. "I wanna hear all about stories."
"There aren't any stories. Although I did meet this hot young intern and he made me forget all about Smallville for three whole months." She said.
He smiled and knew who she was talking about. Jimmy Olsen.
"Well, I'd like to meet him." He said with his famous Kent smile.
"I'll bring him around." She said with a smile.
The bell rang and he groaned. He did hate having to take his classes over again. Chloe shrugged and headed up the stairs to her first class. His shoulders dropped and he too headed to his first class.
"Oh great," Pete said as they followed Chloe and Lana into the Biology room.
"What?" Clark asked somewhat paying attention to everything. He was zoned out.
"Every year, the incredibly aged Mrs. Kowalski kicks off biology class with an ancient sex-ed film." Pete explained.
"Sounds like fun," he said as he took his seat next to Pete.
This fine young woman walked into the room and greeted the class.
"Good morning, I'm Ms. Atkins."
She flipped her hair over her shoulder and stepped in front of the blowing fan. She looked like a super model at a photo shoot. Pete's jaw dropped along with every other male's jaw. Except Clark. She looked familiar but he couldn't place it. He shook his head and looked back at Lana and Chloe who were watching both him and Pete. Chloe looked upset with Pete and Lana smiled at him. He smiled back and turned his attention to the front of the class room.
"I'm your new biology teacher on health and human development." She went on. "I'm sorry about the air conditioning but it looks like we'll have to suffer through this together."
"Bring on the pain," Pete said.
Both Clark and Lana chuckled at his comment. Ms. Atkins lowered the screen and closed the blinds. Shortly after she started the movie and Clark was lost in thought about Lana and meeting her at the Talon later.
All through out the movie Clark would take peeks at Lana. She was so incredibly sexy. The way she was hot and sweating. It amazed him how that one sweat bead would travel so vigorously slow down her neck and chest before disappearing in her cleavage. He knew he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.
He turned back to catch another glimpse of Lana. She was chewing on the end of her pencil and it turned Clark on. He didn't know what it was but the heat started below his belly. Instead of traveling lower like he was suddenly worried about, it traveled upward. His eyes began to burn and he realized what was happening. He couldn't stop it. He blinked a few times and turned forward. His vision blurred and suddenly his fellow classmates began to panic. The screen was on fire.
'Oh shit,' He thought.
Everyone stood outside near the fire truck. A honking sound broke apart the group. Clark looked over and saw Lex pulling up in his silver sports car.
"Lex." Clark said and walked over. Pete followed.
Lex jumped out of the car and left his door open.
"I came as soon as I heard," he said as he jogged towards them.
Clark looked shocked as Lex ran right past him and to Ms. Atkins side. Lex gave her a huge hug and a kiss. Ms. Atkins mentioned his name so he walked over. She was telling Lex how he had put out the fire and was the reason why she was okay. Lex looked extremely grateful.
"I'm sorry, Clark. I'd like you to meet, Desiree Atkins. My fiancée." Lex introduced her when he noticed Clarks confused look.
When Lex said her name something clicked in his mind. She was one of Lex's bad wives…one of the meteor freak wives since all of his wives had been bad. Except Lana but Lana wouldn't be marrying Lex this time.
"Oh," He said afraid to say much else.
The firemen cleared the building and students started to head back in along with Ms. Atkins. Lex turned to Clark and smiled. Pete shook his head and headed inside as well.
Lex pulled out an envelop and handed it to him. It was the wedding invitation…for tonight.
"I know it's short notice but I was hoping you'd be my best man," Lex said.
Clark was taken back. This sure was quick and he didn't remember Lex saying he was dating anyone. He had to be right about this lady being the meteor infected wife. Meaning Clark had to protect Lex and get his heat vision under control. All in the days work for Clark Kent.
Clark walked in the kitchen door and saw his mom at the table hunched over bills. His dad was at the fridge getting a glass of lemonade.
"Hey Clark. How was school?" His mom asked.
"It was alright. You know; class work, seeing everyone again, catching the building on fire with my heat vision, meeting the biology teacher who Lex is marrying tonight, and helping Lana with a video message for Whitney which I have mixed feelings about." He said setting his backpack down.
"Wait a second. You caught the building on fire? With your heat vision?" Jonathan asked, "Since when do you have heat vision?"
"Since today and I need to get it under control before I hurt someone." Clark said taking a seat.
"That's an understatement. Is everyone okay?" His dad asked.
"Yeah, I put the fire out before it spread." He answered.
"As long as no one was hurt. You just need to get a handle on this ability just like all your other abilities. So what happened?" Martha asked.
"We were watching a sex-ed video and my eyes started to burn and next thing I know," Clark said.
Jonathan and Martha looked at each other.
"Sounds like it's connected to your hormones. You just need to stay close to home until you figure this out." Martha said.
"I can't. I'm Lex's best man for his wedding tonight. I'll be fine as long as I don't get excited." Clark said.
Martha tried not to look surprised and Jonathan tried the same. At the time they forgot their son had already grown up and they were really talking to a mature adult and not their teenage son who shouldn't know about some of those things yet.
After the wedding Clark meet up with Lana at the Talon. He knew he should probably go home but it was Lana and he could never pass down a chance to be with her. First he had to get past Whitney's video.
"And Pete's taping all the Sharks games for you, so you won't miss a thing…though the way they're playing, you might want to. Anyway, I haven't forgotten what we talked about, so don't worry. Just come home soon and be safe." He said.
Lana smiled and turned off the camera, "That was great. Thanks so much for doing this, Clark." She moved to put her stuff away and asked, "So what did you and Whitney talk about?"
Clark was caught. Whitney had asked Clark to watch out for Lana and keep her safe till he came back. Guy code said: stay away from Lana and keep all the other guys away as well. Of course Clark had agreed eventhough he was glad that Whitney was going away.
Clark winced but he wasn't going to lie to her, "Just that he wanted me to keep an eye on you." He waited for the explosion. Lana slowly turned and eyed him down. "Not that he doesn't trust you."
He suddenly felt like he was digging a hole so he shut up.
"It's hot. Do you want an iced coffee? I'm going to go make an iced coffee." She said. Clark knew she was upset as she stepped passed him. "One of the perks of management, 24-hour access to the cappuccino machine."
She was rambling now.
"So what did you say to Whitney?" He asked hoping to get the answer he was looking for.
That Lana had told Whitney she wanted to break up. It was what Clark was waiting for. It was something he never forgot. Mainly cause he screwed it up so badly.
"Started my message five or six times, but I can't finish. There's so much I want to say." She explained as she made the iced coffee.
"It's not easy being in a long-distance relationship." He said knowing first hand.
He had been away from Lois so many times and for so long. Jor-el saw to that with his training for his destiny. Like before, he wanted nothing to do with it.
Lana smiled softly, "I miss him and I'm worried about him, but it's difficult putting your life on hold. I'm not sure it was the wisest decision for either of us." She looked back at him, "I get his e-mails. He's having a really tough time. First with basic training, now being shipped out." She went on and Clark couldn't help but feel sorry for Lois who had basically gone through the same with him. "He needs someone he can count on."
Clark sighed and rubbed his forehead. Lois had been there for him. She had gone through what Lana was going through now. He saw how hard Lana was dealing with this and he couldn't imagine what Lois had done. Probably bury herself in work. She kept herself sane because she knew that Clark needed her there and he had. Yet here he was running wild in the past trying to get together with Lana. He loved Lois and Lois loved him, but so had Lana. Now he was just really confused and needed to go for a long fly.
"Besides, I do have you to look out for me, don't I?" She asked coming around the counter with two iced coffees.
"Always." He answered. "I know I haven't been around much this summer. But ever since the storm, the farm has just been a disaster."
He couldn't tell her how he was searching for his missing ship, the key to the missing ship, and trying to remember the past which would just slip right through his fingers.
"Seems like we're all trying to find our way back from that day." She said putting straws in their drinks.
"Except for Lex. I've never seen him so happy before but I have a bad feeling about his new wife." He said voicing his concerns.
Maybe Lana noticed something off. If that was the case then maybe he was right meaning he finally remembered something before it happened.
"It's kinda weird." She said.
"I'm so glad I'm not the only one who thinks that," He said relieved.
"Still you have to admit, it's romantic." She said with a far away daze and a huge smile.
"Lex makes it seem easy," Clark said with a small smile.
Lois had always made it hard on him. He'd show up with flowers from Africa and she would get onto him for flying so far away in the middle of the night and how flowers were just a waste of a vase and water and they never lasted cause they died just like all human beings.
"Maybe it is." She said.
'You don't know Lois' He thought.
"Lex learned to act on his passion. Never hold anything back. I wonder if we'll ever be able to do the same." She continued.
Clark smiled and watched her. The way her hair bounced with just enough curl and how her eyes sparkled as she talked about romance. He pictured the time they were together at the farm. She had gotten his powers and he didn't have to hold back. The way she was rough with him. It was a one time thing but it had been his favorite. All those times he had wanted to hunt down blue kryptonite and have a crazy night like that one again. He felt the familiar burn and started to blink rapidly. He looked away and got up from his seat.
"Clark, what's wrong?" Lana asked.
"I'm not feeling so well," He lied.
He tried to fight it off but flashes of Lana appeared. She was beneath him, on top of him, biting his nipple and how it had hurt but how he liked it. She touched his forehead and he couldn't catch his breath. Fire erupted from his eyes and so did the Talon.
Lana screamed and backed away. She covered her head to protect herself from the exploding espresso machine. Clark couldn't get his vision to stop as the fire trailed to the wall. He blinked and reached for Lana.
"You okay?" He asked as he looked back to the flame.
"Yeah, I'm fine. What happened?" She asked.
"I'm going to call 911. Get outside where its safe," He said. She nodded and rushed outside.
The next day Clark skipped school and practiced on the scarecrow. His dad tried to help but it was awkward. He knew his trigger but he needed to control it. At first he needed to say Lana's name to trigger it without hormones. After an entire day he had it under control.
That night, his thoughts about Desiree were true. She came to his loft and tried to seduce him. The next day he did some research on her and found her alias. With info in hand he went to talk to Lex. Lex twisted words on him and even though Clark tried to explain. Instead Clark left without having reached Lex at all.
Clark walked down the hallway lost in thought. He heard a locker slam shut and it caught his attention. It was Lana and she was highly upset.
He rushed to her side hoping everything was okay, "Lana! What's wrong?"
"I've just been evicted from the Talon." She said not looking up at him.
"What?" He asked shocked.
"Lex is using the fire to justify taking back the building," She said finally looking up at him.
When she mentioned fire he knew it was his fault. He had to fix this. She started to storm away but he chased after her.
"No, he can't do that. It wasn't your fault." He said.
"He knows that. He was just looking for an excuse," She said angrily, "People warned me about doing business with him. When I saw how hard he fought to keep the plant open…I actually thought he'd changed."
"Lana, you brought the Talon back from nothing. It means everything to you." He said rushing to stand in front of her so she'd listen.
"And this proves it was never really mine," she shot back.
Clark had nothing to say in response so he watched as she left. Clark noticed Desiree eavesdropping and put the dots together. He walked up to her and she smiled sweetly but he didn't buy it.
"Lana looked upset. Did she tell you what happened?" She asked.
"She did and for some reason I have a feeling it wasn't entirely his decision." He said with venom.
He wanted to crush her head for doing this to Lana but he couldn't do that. He was one of the good guys and even though he had the power and the knowledge of how to hide the body…he just couldn't do it.
"Well you're right." She said with a sneer. Clark's anger rose even higher. Maybe he'd catch her on fire. "I wanted to prove a point."
"To who? Lana?" He asked.
"No, to you." She said, "I want you to understand something. I can control what happens to the people you care about. I had Lex close down the Talon in a heartbeat. Imagine what would happen if I turned him against this town, your friends, or even your parents."
"I won't let you do that," He said staring her down. He wouldn't let her play this game.
"You want this to stop, then stay out of our lives," She dropped the ultimatum.
"I'm not going to back off," He answered with stern glare.
Clark sat at home having just finished his homework. Mom had called him down to dinner and he was telling them about what happened to the Talon and with Desiree. His mom freaked and got all mother like with talk about calling the school and getting Desiree suspended.
A knock came at the door and Jonathan went to answer. He heard his dad greet Ethan, the sheriff. Ethan came in and informed them of a eye witness account of Clark catching Desiree's car on fire. Clark was being arrested. His dad nodded at him to go along with it and Clark put his hands behind his back. Desiree was a very evil woman.
Clark sat on his bunk in his jail cell. This was not a place he wanted to be. He heard the outer door click open and heard Chloe as she stepped on through to come to the outside of his cell.
"Sorry we didn't have time to back a file into a cake. How are you holding up?" She asked. He noticed Lana hot on her tail.
"Besides being accused of being a serial arsonist and trying to sleep with my best friends wife, I'm great," He said with sarcasm as he stood up and walked to the bars.
He smiled at the two of them and tried to hide his depression for not being able to do something about this.
"We've got some good news. Chloe followed up on your Alison Sanders clue," Lana said passing a newspaper through.
He took it and read through the article while listening to Chloe, "Apparently she was popular with the Smallville boys even as a teenager."
"She was with her boyfriend when the meteors hit," Lana explained as she handed him something else.
"The Ledger article doesn't say, but let your mind wander as to what they were doing." Chloe said.
"A few weeks later, he lost it and murdered her parents. She inherited everything," Lana continued with the dark past of Desiree.
"Fast forward five years. Desiree is now a teacher. She marries a wealthy executive only to see him offed by one of her moonstruck high-school students." Chloe continued with her theory.
"Same confession and denial six hours later," Lana added.
"The classic black widow scenario." Chloe concluded.
"So she tried to seduce me to kill him," Clark said letting them know he got the idea of it.
"But lucky for us, Clark Kent seems to be immune to some members of the opposite sex," Chloe said.
Clark and Lana locked eyes and then darted apart. He noticed how red her cheeks got. Ethan opened the door and motioned for the both them that it was time to leave.
"Hey, my dad went to go see Desiree. I gotta get out of here." He said as they started to leave.
"Just hang on, okay?" Chloe asked.
Clark looked Lana in the eyes and slowly nodded. She smiled softly and they both turned to leave. Clark watched and sighed. He was trapped and his dad was in trouble. He noticed the box on the wall and came up with a plan.
Clark super sped to the mansion and burst through the doors. Clark screamed for his dad to stop but the bullet burst from the barrel. Clark saw the bullet in slow mode. He burned the bullet till it melted. Things moved in normal speed again and Clark rushed to stop his dad. He was able to knock Jonathan out and turned around to see Lex on fire. With seconds to act, he used his heat vision on the door knob to stop Desiree and then ripped off the curtain and wrapped Lex up which smothered the flames.
It was later the next day, well the next night that he took a long walk to the Talon. He wanted to check up on Lana and also thank her for her help. Not to mention he really wanted to see her. He knocked on the door and waited a few seconds.
The door opened and he smiled at Lana, "Hey, Clark." She said stepping aside to let him in.
"Hi, Lana." He replied stepping through the doorway, "I thought I'd help with the repairs."
"Thanks," She said, "Good news is, I think we're almost ready for our grand reopening."
They walked further inside tot the lobby.
"What's the bad news?" He asked hoping he wasn't going to have to go all superhero tonight.
He really just wanted to be Clark Kent and spend some time with Lana.
"I still can't figure out how to use the new espresso machine," She said with a chuckle.
Clark laughed too. That wasn't too serious.
"It looks very…Italian," He said looking it over.
"It's a gift from Lex." She explained, "Along with roses and an offer to rework our partnership agreement so that this could never happen again."
"I like the sound of that." He said sticking his hands in his back pocket.
"Me too. Lex told me what happened with Ms. Atkins and your dad." She said with concern. "It's lucky you were there." She sat down on the bar stool and looked him over. "It's funny how she managed to seduce everyone but you."
He shrugged knowing this was a sticky one, "Yeah, I guess she just wasn't my type."
"And the jailhouse, how did you manage your escape?" She asked.
He knew she wasn't buying his answers.
"There was a fire. The sheriff opened the door. I just made a run for it." He explained which in a way wasn't a lie.
"Three fires. You were there all three times," She looked at him suspiciously.
"Weird coincidence huh?" He said with a shrug, "Guess I'm just that hot."
Lana laughed, "Or just part of the mystery that is Clark Kent."
Clark noticed the camera and changed the subject, "How's the letter for Whitney going?"
"I decided to tell him how I really feel," She said.
"What happened to putting on a brave face?" He asked.
"Wasn't fair to either of us. I haven't been honest about my feelings," She answered. "I know its gonna hurt and my timing is crummy but having a relationship that's built on secrets and lies is doomed to fail."
Clark heard her words and knew how true they were. But this was his second chance and he wasn't going to lie to her but telling her his secret would take time. Right now it wasn't the right time. But this time it was going to be different. He wouldn't wait until she was walking down the aisle to marry Lex.
"Don't you think so Clark?" She asked.
"I do." He said simply.