-1Coming Home
Clark sat on the couch in his living room with Lana and his parents. Martha and Jonathan were so happy to have him home but also upset with him for leaving the way he did. They had no idea what happened. One minute the truck was exploding, the next he was driving off on the bike. Then they learned that he'd been shot in between those two events. They were completely bewildered by what happened.
"Clark, can you please tell us what drove you to run away?" Jonathan asked.
"I wish I could dad," He answered looking to Lana. To cover up his hint, he smiled at her and took her hand in his.
His dad nodded, "Well, whatever reason, we're glad you're home. But let me tell you that you are grounded."
"Dad!" He said shocked. He was a grown man. He couldn't get grounded for going about minding his own
business.
"You took off and hid out in Metropolis. We didn't know what had happened to you. So yeah, you're grounded," Jonathan said.
"We're just glad you're home safe and sound. We just don't want to let you out of our sight," Martha said.
"I know," He said softly.
His parents loved him. But there were times he had to remember that he was living in the past and not in his world. He loved this world, especially at times when he was holding Lana's hand and smiling with his father. He just hoped he wouldn't wake up one day and have this all be a dream. It would crush him.
"I should be getting home," Lana said.
"I'll take you home," He said standing.
"But you're grounded," Lana said with a smile.
"He can take you home. But he'll be coming straight home afterwards," Jonathan said.
"Yes sir," He answered.
With a smile he led Lana out to the truck and opened the door for her. She climbed into the passenger seat. He rushed around to the drivers seat and jumped in. He looked over to her to her and leaned back in the seat.
"What?" She asked.
"Thank you. For coming after me and not giving up on me," He said with a small smile.
"Clark, I love you. I would never give up on you," She said. She reached over and cupped his cheek.
His smile grew and he took her hand in his. He gave it a gentle squeeze before letting it go so he could start the truck. The ride to Chloe's house was quiet. But it was a peaceful quiet.
He had made a point to go back to the caves and get everything sorted out with Jor-El. It was a hard battle but in the end Jor-El had released him from his bond and removed his brand. But Jor-El had made it clear that he would be back for him and he would get him to see his true destiny and not the future he knew to be true.
The school year had started back up. He was hardly on talking terms with Chloe. Pete was on Chloe's side. But things with Lana were great. She knew a lot about him and he didn't regret telling her any of it. They would sit in the loft and talk. She would even knock things over just so he would catch it. She was amazed by his super speed. And the thought of being able to do more, she just couldn't believe it. Super speed was one thing but other abilities on top of that, was just unbelievable.
So to say that everything was perfect would be hitting the nail on the head. He couldn't be more happier than how he was at that moment. But of course like all other things, when life is perfect something had to happen to have it come crashing down. It was only a matter of time.
The final bell rang and Clark rushed to Lana's locker to meet her. Since Chloe and Pete weren't on talking terms with him, he literally spent every second he had with Lana. Not that she minded considering he'd been gone for months. She saw it as making up for lost time.
"Hey, handsome," She said reaching her locker. She opened up the metal door and dropped her books inside.
"Hey beautiful. Guess what," He said with his famous Kent smile.
"What?" She asked with a smile that caused her nose to crinkle. His stomach did butterflies.
"Dad said I could spend the afternoon with you today. Sort of a free day from being grounded," He said.
"That's great. I planned on going to the pool later. You can keep me company," She said. The thought of seeing her in a bathing suit and all wet was a turn on.
"I wouldn't miss it," He said taking her books that she pulled out of her locker.
He draped one arm across her shoulders and walked her out to her jeep. He was surprised to hear that she bought a car during the summer but when it proved to be her means of getting to his house, he didn't mind at all.
They reached her car and he opened the door for her. She smiled and climbed in behind the steering wheel. He closed the door and walked around to the other side to get in. Before they pulled off someone tapped on Lana's window. Clark looked over and saw some guy saying hi. Lana smiled and said hi back before pulling off.
"Looks like you've got an admirer," He said looking back and trying to get another look at the guy. For some reason he had a bad feeling about him.
"Well he's just out of luck," She said.
"Oh! And why's that?" He teased.
"Because I have this amazing boyfriend that no one can compete with," She answered.
He smiled and leaned back into his seat. She pulled up to the Talon and parked her jeep behind it. She turned her car off and they got out. When they walked into the Talon it was packed full. They grabbed a booth and pulled out their homework. Sooner they got done the more one on one time they would have.
But as their luck turned out she ended up having to go help on the floor. So he finished his homework and looked over hers. Marking what math questions she'd need to work on. Of course it wasn't many considering she was extremely smart. Second in the class, him being the first.
It finally slowed down and they headed to the pool. Lana had her suit but he didn't so he stripped to his boxers. He dived in after her and chased her around the pool. She couldn't stop laughing as he kept beating her at Marco polo. He'd cover his eyes but use his x-ray vision to find her.
Around the eighth round he noticed someone at the bottom of the pool. Lana was floating right above them. Before he could call out that person grabbed her ankle and pulled her under. He slipped into super speed and rushed to her side. He pulled Lana out of his grip and noticed that it was the guy from earlier, in the school parking lot.
He carried Lana to the surface and sped her over to the side. She coughed up water and brushed her hair from out of her face.
"You're okay. I've got you," He said pushing her out of the water.
He heard a shot and turned to see blood rise in the water. A second later a meteor rock splashed into the pool. He jumped out quickly and looked up to see who had fired the gun. He slipped back into his x-ray vision but the person was already gone. He turned his attention back to Lana who was still coughing.
The next day he made sure Lana got to class safely before going to hunt down Chloe and Pete. Sure they had their differences at the moment but he was going to their help. He found them both in the Torch office.
"Clark," Pete said noticing him first. Chloe looked up from her computer but didn't say anything.
"Pete, Chloe. I need your help," He said.
"Oh so now you come running to me. What makes you think I'm going to help you?" Chloe asked.
He could hear the hurt in her voice. She was still really upset with him for how he treated her in Metropolis. And of course, Pete being the "secret admirer" he was on her side.
"Lana was attacked last night at the pool. She was saved by a rifle wielding commando," He explained.
"I'm glad she's okay," Chloe said.
"Me too. I'm glad I was there to pull her out but what concerns me is that the shooter tossed a meteor rock into the pool with the word 'freak' written on it. I think we have a serial killer," He said.
"So naturally you come running to me for help," Chloe said.
"Look, I know you're still upset with me and I'm sorry for how I acted. But please, this is for Lana. Someone tried to kill her. I need to make sure she's safe from this shooter," He said.
"Alright. I'll help but don't think I've forgiven you just yet," She said.
He nodded and walked over to her side of the desk. She began pulling up files on her computer and getting to work. The day passed quickly and when a teacher stopped in to retrieve Clark, Chloe chipped in saying he was working for the Talon on a special edition.
"So I'm working for the Torch again?" He asked.
"It was never clear who's idea it was for you to quit. I'd like to say I'm busy with my column for the Daily Planet but truth is I do miss having you around. Even if we're not on the same terms right now," Chloe said with a smile.
After the day was over Clark rode with Lana to the Talon. He wasn't letting her out of his sight. He pulled out the year book and found out who Jake's friend was. Van, the military brat in their class. Something wanted to click in his brain but before he could figure it out Chloe interrupted his train of thought.
"We can rule out the yoga masters theory. My connection at the coronor's office hooked me up. You won't see this in the official report," She said pulling out some photos. Each one held a snap shot of the gills behind his ears.
"That's disgusting," Lana said under her breath.
"I find the bullet hole more disturbing," He said a little hurt by her comment.
What would she say when she found out he was an alien. There was no point in wondering 'if' she found out. He knew she would find out.
"Forgive me if I don't have more sympathy for the guy who tried to kill me. Thankfully that shooter was there when he was," Lana said.
"I was there. I wouldn't have let anything happen to you," He said.
"I know. But it's comforting to know that someone else is out there protecting us from the meteor freaks," She said.
"Killing someone isn't being a hero. There's still a killer," He said.
There was always another way to resolve a conflict. Killing was never the answer. He knew that for a fact and had enforced it for his entire life.
The next day at school he hunted down Van. He found him near his locker with a ear piece in.
"Van!" He called out running up to him. Then he briefly introduced himself. "Clark Kent."
"Hi," Van said looking over at him.
"Sorry to hear about your friend," He said.
"Thanks. Jake was always a bit girl crazy but I never thought he'd hurt someone," Van said turning to open his locker. Van noticed him looking down at the electrical device attached to his pants. "Police Scanner. I just want to hear when they catch Jakes' killer."
He nodded and connected the dots. He was waiting to hear if they caught him so he could get the dodge out of town in time. He couldn't tip his hand in knowing that Van killed Jake. He would just have to keep a close eye on him.
"What do you think about this shooter?" He asked.
"I think he's a good guy. Not many people around here to take out the meteor freaks. The whole city is infected and needs to be cleaned out," Van answered. Clark simply nodded. Van slammed his locker door shut. "Look I need to go."
Clark watched as Van rushed down the hallway. Then Clark rushed to meet Lana at her classroom so he could walk her to her next class. He smiled when she walked out and he took her books from her. She smiled softly and walked with him to her locker.
"Clark, I'm sorry about last night. I know you're upset about this guy going around shooting these meteor fre…"She stopped herself from finishing what she was saying, "infected. Meteor infected."
He looked over at her and realized that she thought he was upset not only because of the shooter but also because he was killing off meteor freaks and that he was 'one of them'. She thought he was taking offense of her dislike of meteor freaks.
"Lana, its okay. You've been attacked by so many that its okay for you to hate them," He said. She opened her locker and traded out books.
"I know but my boyfriend also happens to be among the weird abilities society," She said before closing her locker.
He smiled softly and pulled her into a hug, "It's okay. You still love me and that's all that matters. You can call me a freak if you want."
She smiled and looked up at him, "You're not a freak. But you are freakishly good at kissing me breathless."
His smile dominated his face as he leaned down and captured her lips. He pulled her lower lips between his and sucked them gently. He pulled back slightly and grazed his teeth over her upper lip. Someone coughed and they jumped apart afraid that a teacher had busted them.
"Clark, I found some stuff out," Chloe said.
She looked away from the two and headed to the Torch office. He released Lana from his hold on her and walked her to her next class. He gave her a quick peck and watched as she made it to her seat. He turned and rushed over to the Torch office.
"What have you got Chloe," He said bursting through the doors.
"That 'freak' rock hasn't been the only one. There was a mechanic gunned down two weeks ago. I kept a file on him because I believed he could stretch over a fair amount of distance after I saw him drop a wrench under my car and reached for it. It was a few feet away from him. But unlike Jake, he never went psycho." Chloe said handing him a folder.
He flipped through the papers, "So Lana's hero isn't a hero. He's hunting them."
"Smallville's own version of a hate crime. But why?" Chloe asked.
He tossed the folder down and leaned against the desk, "Revenge. It's Van."
"What brings you to that conclusion?" Chloe asked. He tapped into what he could remember.
"Van's father was military and was killed. By Tina Greer when she pretended to be Whitney. He was the officer that came to inform Whitney's mom that he died in action. So naturally Van wants to take out as many freaks as he can," He explained hoping he remembered the details right. Some of his memory was crystal clear after having Kal take over while other parts still came as a blank. Today was just something he would never forget.
"Tina's dead so he goes terminator on the rest," Chloe said catching on to his train of thought.
He nodded and decided to go after proof and hints as to who he would go after next. For some reason he could remember who Van tried to kill after he killed Jake. Although he did remember Lana being taken to lure him out. Or something like that. But it wasn't until later tonight. So he still had time to get some evidence.
"Chloe, would you mind walking Lana to her next class. I don't want anything to happen to her while I'm gone," He said.
"I'm not her best friend right now," Chloe said.
"And neither are we but we're getting along just fine," He said with a smile.
She sighed and agreed. He rushed off and found Pete and asked him to come with him to hunt down Van's hunting cabin in the woods. He was sure he'd get answers there.
"My definition of a hike ended about two miles ago," Pete called out from behind him.
"It's just up the way a little further," He called back.
Sure enough they reached the cabin only minutes later. It was a quick search considering the cabin only had two rooms. When Pete was looking he broke the lock on the only door and opened it up. Inside was the word 'freak' written on the walls along with flyers hanging on the wall. A few had x's through them. Those were the ones already dead. The only one not dead as far as he knew was Lex Luthor.
"Pete call the cops. I've got to warn Lex," He said rushing past Pete and out into the woods.
When Pete wasn't looking he slipped into super speed and took off for Metropolis. Lex would be at Luthorcorp since he was working there again. Something about defeating the beast from the inside. He just hoped he got to Lex in time.
He noticed the bullet breaking through the air heading straight towards the back of Lex's head. He reached forward and grabbed the bullet before spinning and pulling Lex to the ground.
"Lex look out!" He and Lex slammed to the ground and another bullet crashed through the window on his car leaving glass to rain down on them.
"Clark?" Lex asked.
He looked around and noticed Van up in a neighboring building's window. Lex's people rushed over so he moved to go after Van. He sped off around the building and went to stop Van at the doorway out. Van crashed right into him and toppled over, his backpack spilling out. A meteor rock rolled near him and he immediately doubled over. It was only seconds more before he was to weak to stay on his knees. He toppled over.
Van stood over him and held a meteor rock over his chest. "You're one of them. I saw you catch that bullet. So what are you, hmm, a bullet proof freak? These rocks make you sick…" Van said laying one on his chest and noticing how much sicker he got.
When sirens filled the street behind them, Van took off. He rolled over getting the rock off his chest. After a few attempts he was able to crawl away until the effects wore off on him. He made his way to the Luthorcorp building and saw Lex with his body guards inside.
"Lex," He called out walking up the stairs. Lex's body guards moved in tighter around him for protection.
"It's alright. He's with me," Lex said breaking out from the circle. "How'd you know someone was going to try and kill me?" They moved over to where people wouldn't hear their conversation.
"It's the same person who shot Lana's attacker," He answered.
"And of course if Lana's involved, Clark Kent pulls on his tights," Lex said with a chuckle.
Clark did a double take and wondered if he realized his joke. He shook his head and disregarded the thought. This Lex knew nothing of Superman.
"Van had a hit list and you were next on it," He explained.
"Why did he pick me?" Lex asked.
"I don't know. But it's obvious that he's crazy," He said.
The next day he made sure that either Pete or Chloe were with Lana while he went out searching for Van. He couldn't find him anywhere so he headed back to the Talon. The lights were out when he got there which was odd. It was a bit early for the Talon to be closed, especially on a Saturday.
"Lana!" He called out walking inside.
The doors hadn't even been locked. He got a horrible feeling that this was a trap but if Lana was in danger then he was going in. He slipped into X-ray vision and noticed two people towards the back. One was tied up on the floor, the other held a gun.
He rushed forward when the lights were tossed on. He stopped in his tracks when he saw the gun pointed to Lana's head. There would be no chance for him to catch the bullet in time.
"I don't know how you did it. But I know you're not fast enough to catch a bullet this close to someone," Van said. Lana closed her eyes and fought back a sob.
"Leave Lana out of this. She's not a meteor freak. Just don't hurt her," He said holding his hand out.
"No she's worse. She's a meteor freak lover. After all she claims to love you but does she know what you can do?" Van asked and pushed the gun at her. She winced and tried to pull away.
"Just untie her and let her go," He said holding his hands out. He was tempted to shoot Van with his heat vision but Van might still fire the gun and there would be nothing he could do to save her.
"No, I think I'm going to let her watch you die. You see, I made special bullets," With that Van pointed the gun towards him and fired.
He went to catch the bullet but it went through his hand and into his chest. He fell backwards and rolled on the floor in agony. It was a kryptonite bullet and it was killing him. He didn't notice Van leave, or notice that Lana had kicked her way out of her restraints. She rolled him over on his back and ripped open his shirt. He was trying to breath but he was dying.
"Oh god, Clark!" Lana said.
She rushed to the kitchen and came back with some pliers. He couldn't tell what it was since his vision had blurred. It was only a matter of seconds before he blacked out.
Lana pried the bullet from his chest and tossed it away from him. She went to pull his shirt off to stop the bleeding when she noticed his skin immediately patch itself. His wound had healed right before her eyes. Within seconds Clark was moaning and opening his eyes again.
"Lana?" He called her name when he saw her leaning over him wide eyed and her jaw slacked.
"Clark…care to explain why you don't have a bullet wound anymore?" She asked.
He looked down and saw the healed skin and dried blood.
"Umm…well Lana….it's hard to explain," He said, his strength returning.
"I'd also like to know what happened to your scar," She said.
It wasn't hard to miss his smooth chest that was lacking that horrible brand he had only days before.
"I had it removed," He answered.
"How?" She asked completely shocked to her core.
"It's a long story and I'm not sure how to explain it right now. But I need to go after Van," He said.
"There's no need. I heard sirens out behind the Talon. I think sheriff Adams got him," She said reaching out and softly touching his chest. He leaned his head back and sighed. He looked towards the back door and looked through it with his x-ray vision. Sure enough Van was being loaded into the back seat of the vehicle.
"I'm just glad you're safe," He said with a small breath.
"Me too," She said finally smiling down at him.
He had managed to avoid Lana's questions as the cops and paramedics rushed inside. He was somehow able to get them to believe that Van had missed him and that he was okay. Lana had backed up his story. But she wasn't giving up on her questions. She had seen him heal with her own eyes. When she drove up his drive way he wiped the grease from his hands and walked over to her car. She got out and closed the door behind her.
"Lana hey," He said.
"Hey yourself," She said digging her hands into her pockets.
"I'm guessing you came for answers," He said looking down at the rag in his hands.
"Well, I came to see my amazing boyfriend, but yeah, that would be nice," She said.
"I guess you could say I'm bulletproof. Except for meteor rock bullets," He said.
"That makes sense. All the times you've been there for me," She said softly.
"Yeah. Meteor Rocks are my only weakness. I have skin like steel. Nothing can hurt me," He said.
She reached out and softly touched his chest.
"But your scar?" She asked.
"I was branded by my biological father," He said. What more could he say. It was the truth but hard to believe.
"What happened to it?" She asked.
"It eventually healed. It just took a bit longer than that bullet wound," He explained.
She moved her hand up to his neck and pulled him into a hug.
"You're amazing and I don't care what all you can do. You're still Clark Kent and I love you," She said.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and smiled, "You don't know how happy that makes me to hear that."
"So was that your other ability you warned me about?" She asked.
He was caught. He could say yes and then have her catch him doing something else or tell her the truth. It was all about telling the truth but he didn't know how she would handle learning anything more right now.
"Looks like you'll have to wait and see," He said in a teasing manner.
"Ooo, the mystery of Clark Kent," She teased back. "It doesn't matter if you do. I'll still love you the same." She said into his chest.
He didn't answer her but simply held her tighter.