2

Clear blue skies, small farms and endless corn fields. Clark Kent had no doubt about where he was. Smallville. Here, the air smelled so fresh, unlike the clogged and polluted skies of Metropolis. Looking up, you could see endless clouds instead of helicopters and airplanes. Instead of skyscrapers, looking into the distance you could see rolling plains that stretched on for miles.

But amidst the quiet and rural outskirts rested a bustling town. As Clark drove into downtown Smallville, he saw new restaurants and shops that had been erected since his departure to Metropolis. Even with these new additions, he could see that the feel of Smallville was still being preserved. Here, you wouldn't find fast food franchises…the main street was filled with privately-owned diners, flower shops, and antique stores that were quite a sight for the urban visitors.

Spotting his favorite childhood diner, he pulled into an empty parking space and proceeded into the restaurant.

The smell of food hit him as soon as he was inside. Before entering, he hadn't been that hungry, but the scent of food tends to awaken the appetite. He quickly surveyed the restaurant before his eyes settled on a brunette woman who sat in a booth at the end of the restaurant, grinning back at him. Clark's own smile widened as he started―

There was a sudden crash as he stumbled right into a waitress, her dishes shattering on the floor. The woman began to fall before Clark instinctively reached out and grabbed her in an instant. Stunned, she looked up at him, unable to say anything.

"I'm―I'm so―so sorry, ma'am," Clark stuttered, helping her gather the broken pieces of glass and china on the floor.

"It's fine," the waitress replied, still a little thrown-off by Clark's reflexes. After all of the fragments were on the tray, she hurried back to the kitchen, embarrassed.

Clark stood up and readjusted his glasses before going to sit down in the booth across from the brown-haired woman.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," he apologized, digging a menu out of the menu holder at the edge of the table.

"It's fine," Lana Lang replied with a smile. "I'm sure you've been pretty busy lately."

Clark chuckled. There was no statement more true that she could have said to him.

Clark browsed the lunch menu. "So tell me what you're doing these days. You've gotta have at least five kids by now."

Lana laughed. "Sorry to disappoint you. I'm married, but we haven't talked about having kids yet. I don't think either of us want to make that sort of decision until we're living in a bigger house."

The waitress came to the table and placed two glasses of water in front of them. "Let me know when you're ready to order."

"Thank you," Clark said.

Clark watched Lana from across the table. She was one of those people that just never changed. She still had the same hair, the same smile that captured his heart many years ago. But there was something different about her, something troubling her. It was the way that she would look out the window and try to avoid lingering eye contact.

Lana pushed a strand of hair out of her face before taking a sip of water. "I've been watching the news."

Clark took a breath. "Lana―"

"Clark…you almost died." She was now visibly tearing up. "Your mother left as soon as she heard the news. Things were pretty intense over here."

"I'm sorry," Clark said.

Lana wiped a tear away from her eye. "I still worry about you. We all do."

"Lana, you really shouldn't trouble yourself worrying about me. I can take care of myself," Clark assured her.

"Oh, I know," Lana admitted, "But events like last week remind me that even Superman needs help from time to time."

Lana stopped suddenly, frozen almost in terror.

"Wh―what is it?" Clark asked, concerned.

"Did I say that too loudly?" Lana replied apologetically.

Clark laughed, relieved that it wasn't something more serious. "I don't think so."

A shadow fell over them as a very large woman suddenly appeared at their table, startling them both. She had to be the most ugly and truly frightening woman that Clark had ever laid eyes on. She had graying hair pulled up in a bun, and a large mole on the side of her cheek. Wearing a green apron, she was clearly a waitress. Clark and Lana looked up at her, almost in fear, unsure of what to do.

"Hello…" Clark looked up at her nametag. "…Patty."

"Mary left early, so I'm taking over her shift. What can I get you two?"

"We'll have two beers," Lana answered.

"Make that one," Clark interjected.

"Clark, you definitely look like you could use a drink," Lana reasoned, not allowing Clark to get away with that one.

"I'm going to be flying," Clark stated with a sense of finality.

Lana looked at the waitress, then back at Clark. "Oh―"

"I'll tell you what. How about I get back to you?" Patty said, noticeably irritated, and walked back to the kitchen.

"Maybe you should just get a coffee," Lana offered.

"Coffee will be fine," Clark agreed, looking over the menu. "I could use the caffeine."

Lana turned her attention to the front door as a young man entered the diner, carrying a newspaper under his arm.

"I bet Chloe would be glad to see you," Lana said to Clark.

He put down his menu. "How is she?"

Lana folded her hands. "She's been working in London for a few years now."

"London? Doing what?" Clark asked.

"She's been traveling the world doing journalism. I'm not entirely sure why she settled in London."

"That's swell," Clark said with a smile, "I'm glad she's finally out doing what she loves, out experiencing the world and all."

"Yeah…" Lana replied. "We'd better hurry. We'll be feeling the oppressive wrath of Patty if we don't decide soon."

"I think the coffee looks good." Clark looked up. "As we'd decided earlier."

"Hopefully their turkey melt recipe is still the same," Lana said.

Patty appeared again, noticeably ruffled. "You ready yet?"

They ordered and Patty huffed off to the kitchen again.

"I hear Chloe is moving back to the States. Hopefully we'll be seeing more of her," Lana said, playing with a packet of Sweet'N Low.

"Definitely," Clark agreed. "Give me a call when she gets back. I'd like to visit."

"Of course," Lana replied.

Patty returned with their food and drinks.

"The rumor is that Lex Luthor has reappeared," Lana said without hesitation before taking a bite of her sandwich.

Clark had been taking a sip of coffee and bit right through the mug when she said it, spilling coffee all over the table. Several people turned their heads to see what had happened before going back to their meals.

"Oh, Clark, I'm sorry…" Lana apologized as she gathered napkins.

"It's fine," Clark replied, taking the cup and breaking it further to disguise the bite marks.

"Well," Lana continued, "I'm just saying that you should be careful. After what happened last week, I don't think I can bear it again."

"I know," Clark said, "You don't have anything to worry about. Lex Luthor isn't getting away with anything this time."

Lana smiled.

Clark looked down at the broken fragments of the coffee mug. "I think I'm going to need another coffee."