Chapter 2

Martha looked up anxiously at the darkening sky through the kitchen window. She was starting to worry: Clark had been gone for four hours. He was missing Lois' wake and people were starting to ask for him as they left.

She looked over her shoulder into the living room and surveyed the small crowd it contained. All of the political 'friends' and acquaintances had left; leaving only a few friends behind. Perry White was making small talk with a morose Oliver who was barely paying attention. Cat Grant was talking to the younger Jimmy Olsen. Martha's expression softened as she watched the young photographer. He was so similar to his older brother. She felt a surge of pride for Clark and Lois taking the boy under their proverbial wings.

"Grana!" Little Jonathan crawled into the kitchen more quickly than should have been possible. Martha checked that no one had seen as put the now clean dishes down and knelt to pick up her beloved grandson.

"You need to slow down Sweetheart." She told him quietly. "Unless you're with family you can't do that. Understand?"

"Ta!" He was too young to comprehend the need for secrecy. Too young to ever remember his mother.

"Sorry Mrs Kent. He got away from me." Tess entered the room carrying a cardboard box. "It's all the alcohol in the house." She answered Martha's unasked question. "Oliver was eyeing off the brandy so I thought I'd take it away before he got wasted."

"Fair enough. He's taking over Clark's patrol this week isn't he?" Martha lowered her voice to a near whisper."

"Yeah. I don't think a drunk Oliver would do anyone any good." Tess answered as she shoved the box into a cupboard on top of the fridge. " Think he'll look there?"

"No."

"Oh and Perry was looking for you. I think he wants to leave." Tess said. "I'll take him if you want to talk." She reached for Jonathan.

"Thanks." Martha passed him to her. "I should probably thank him for keeping the press away today." She started walking to the living room when there was a knock on the door.

"I'll get it." Tess said and opened the door

"Hello Tess. Fancy seeing you here." President Elect Lex Luthor smirked at her. "Wait, I forgot, you're the nanny aren't you? Hello Jonathan." He ran a finger down the baby's face. "You look like exactly like your father." Jonathan frowned at the stranger touching him, turned his head and bit him. "Ow. Little…" Lex quickly retracted his finger. "I see you have your mother's attitude too."

Tess held back a smirk. Jonathan was getting a treat for that one. Lois had trained her son well. "Lex, what are you doing here?" Tess leant against the doorway, her poker face rivalling her half-brothers'.

"I came to pay my respects. Aren't you going to let me in?"

Behind her, Tess heard a distinctive, "Hell no," from Oliver.

Tess raised an eyebrow. "You came to pay your respects with a four man escort?" "Expecting resistance?"

"I'll be happy to give it to him." Oliver muttered darkly. Tess refrained from rolling her eyes. Oliver could be juvenile sometimes.

"It's normal for me." Lex shrugged. "Are you going to let me in or are you going to leave the President Elect standing outside?"

Martha stepped forward. "Lex, I appreciate your condolences but I think it would be better if you left." She stood beside Tess, a united front.

"As you wish Senator." Lex said, inclining his bald head toward her. "Please pass on my condolences to Clark."

"Goodbye Lex." Tess unhooked the door with her foot and kicked it shut. A minute later they heard the car start up and leave.

Perry stood up. "Come on Grant. We should be going too."

"Yes boss. Jimmy, do you want a lift?" Cat asked, standing and smoothing out her skirt.

"If it's no bother." Jimmy stood and looked to Mrs Kent. "We're so sorry for your loss."

"If you ever need anything…" Cat trailed off, the offer made clear.

"Thank you both of you. Take care on the roads." Martha moved out of the way to let them through.

"Tell CK I'm thinking of him." Jimmy added as he left.

Perry walked up to Martha and took her hands. "Martha, if you need anything please call me. And tell Clark that he can take as much time as he needs."

"Thank you Perry." Martha smiled at her old friend.

"That goes for you too Ms Mercer." Perry said as he grabbed his jacket. "If you need anyone to baby sit the little tyke…"

"You'll be first on the list." Tess smiled. She took Jonathan's hand and waved good bye with it. "Say bye bye Jonathan."

"Ba Ba." Jonathan crowed loudly.

"Close enough." Perry shrugged and left.

"Do you two need a hand cleaning up?" Oliver asked. "I have a few minutes until I need to leave."

Tess smiled at him. "You can change Jonathan."

He balked at the suggestion. "I think I'll just go. If I see Clark…"

"Tell him to come home." Martha suggested. "I'm getting worried. It's not like him to disappear like this."

"Will do." Oliver kissed her on the cheek. "Take care."

"You to."

Tess through an arm around him, giving him a sideways hug. "Don't do anything reckless Oliver. Please."

Oliver gave her a lopsided grin. "Me? Reckless?" Tess glared at him. "I'll be safe." He promised and walked out the door.

"Do you think he'll be ok?" Tess asked Martha.

"As well as any of us." Martha replied sadly. "Can you put Jonathan down? He's missed his bed time already."

"Sure." Tess left. "Come on Baby let's get you to bed. Maybe one of us will sleep tonight." She walked up the stairs, her free hand gently rubbing circles on Jonathan's back. She turned to up the hall and found Clark sitting on the floor opposite his bedroom door.

"Clark? How long have you been here?"

He looked up through bloodshot eyes. "A few hours or so. He asleep?"

"Not yet. I was just about to put him down." Tess shifted on the spot, unsure of what to do.

He waved her passed. "Go ahead, he needs the sleep."

She quickly went into the nursery, changed him and placed him in the cot. She kissed his forehead and pulled up the blanket. "Essa…" Jonathan garbled,. "Essa say."

"I'll stay for a little while Baby." Tess turned off the lights. "I've got to sleep too.." She turned of the lights so only the nightlight was on. She sat with him, singly softly until he fell asleep. "Sweet dreams baby." She backed quietly out of the room

"Is everyone gone?" Clark asked.

Tess nearly jumped. "Yes. Perry said you could take as much time as you need."

Clark nodded. "That's good. I can't go back there tomorrow." She should be there.

"Maybe later," She murmured as she sat down next to him.

"Maybe."