Chapter 16

Clark woke up that morning later than he usually would. And he really wasn't surprised by it either. He found himself awake countless times during the night just staring at the ceiling for mere seconds before realizing that he was awake. Then he would glance at his clock and see the time. And every time he was disappointed to see that time had only advanced a half-hour since the last time he checked. He couldn't help it. He was just so excited that he was finally going to get to know a member of his own family. Not that he didn't consider Martha and Jonathon Kent family, he couldn't have asked for, nor would he exchange his parents for anything else in the world. They were perfect. But at last he was going to have someone in his family who actually knows what to do, the next time a new ability pops up. Or someone who knew what it felt like to be called simple, ordinary, weak, insignificant. When in fact you can probably do any task on this planet better than anyone. Yes at last, today is the day, he will feel normal.

There was something else on his mind though. When he'd gotten dressed and ready for breakfast, he was going to ask his parents if it was possible for Cevin to stay on the farm with them. Technically he was a family member as well so why shouldn't he?

He was brought out of his internal debate by the smell of his mother's delicious blueberry pancakes and scrambled eggs.

Well I better get down in a hurry before the food gets cold. He thought to himself.

When he got downstairs he was surprised and excited to see his mom making the couch ready to be slept on and his dad nowhere in sight; which wouldn't be an odd thing if there was no breakfast.

"Morning mom. Where's dad?" he said as he walked over to his mother and gave her a quick peck on the cheek, and headed towards the kitchen."

"Good morning sweetheart. Your dad went to the hospital."

"Is he alright?"

"O he's fine sweetie, he just to pick up Lois."

"Lois?"

"Mmm-hmm" his mother replied nodding her head. "The doctor said that Lois would be allowed to get released from the hospital, if she found a place where suitable guardians would be able to regularly check-up on her during early hours of the morning. She asked your father and I if she was allowed to stay with us for a couple of weeks. Could you go grab a spare pillow for yourself sweetie. Thanks."

"What?"

"Now Clark, I know your frustrated at being kicked out of your own bed again, but just try to think of Lois. You said yourself that you felt really torn up when you thought she died." She said as she walked off to do the laundry.

"No, mom it's not that." He said as he followed her. "Lois can't stay here." He said firmly, which made Martha turn sharply.

"And why not?"

"Because, she isn't family."

Martha gasped. "Clark Kent, how could you say that? You of all people should know that just because you're not blood related, doesn't mean that you're not family. Lois is as much a part of this family as you, your father and I. I'm surprised that with everything that she's been through with this family you can even think that. What's gotten into you?"

"I know mom, I'm sorry. It's just that," letting out a sigh. "What about Cevin?"

"Cevin? What about him, you two are going out today aren't you?"

"Yeah we are and I can't wait, it's just that I was hoping that Cevin would be able to stay with us at the farm. I didn't mean to trivialize Lois' importance. I know how much she means to both you and dad. I care about her too."

More than you think. She thought to herself.

"Clark, I know that you're very excited at finally meeting someone who knows exactly what it's like to be a little different," she said with a smile, causing Clark to grin like a child, "but honey, Lois is our priority now, she's the one that needs our help, and from what Cevin has told us, it's not like he's wandering the streets looking for a place to live."

He was about to respond when they heard knocking on the front door.

Clark turned to his mother with a questioning expression on his face.

"Well don't keep your brother waiting." She said encouragingly, with a twinkle in her eye.

"He's early. He said he'd be here at noon."

"Well maybe he finished whatever he had to do early. Clark quite being rude and open the door." She said giving her son a little push towards the door.

After regaining his balance, he ran to the door as a child would when running to meet Santa Clause. Stopping briefly at the door to compose himself, before excitedly swinging it open.

"He-… Lana?" shocked to see his girlfriend standing in front of him, and a little disappointed.

"Hi Clark." She said, and stood on her toes to give him a quick hello kiss.

"Hi, um, Lana. What are you doing here?"

"Lana, hi there sweetie. It's good to see you."

"You too Mrs. Kent."

"Clark where are your manners, Lana would you like to come in and have some breakfast. You'll have to excuse my son, he woke up on the rude side of his bed today."

Lana let out a soft giggle, "No thanks Mrs. Kent, I just came here to talk to Clark, is it alright to go to the barn? I have some things to that I want to discuss with Clark."

"Yeah sure. Clark, I'll leave the food in the fridge for you. You can heat it up after."

"Thanks, mom." He said as both he and Lana walked off to the barn together.

They walked in silence, and Lana realized that Clark was acting very strange around her, it was as if his mind was else. She gently slid her hand into his hoping to snap him out of his current trance.

It didn't work. He was still walking as if he were a zombie. This bothered her. The fact that something else had his attention, and something that she didn't know what had his attention.

A million things were go through Clark's mind. Most had to with Cevin. He wandered where he and Cevin were gonna go. How they'd get there. Car? Plane? Maybe Cevin would just fly them. He also wanted to go see Chloe. To find out what organizations he's involved in. He'd heard of El Flower Shops, and vaguely of its mysterious CEO. But he was never in the headlines nor did anyone have a name to him. Yep he'd definitely go see Chloe after Lana left. And strangely enough, he thought about Lois, how scared and vulnerable she looked the night before. It was rare when Lois opened up and let him in behind her securely guarded walls, but when she did he wanted nothing more than to envelope her in his arms and tell her that everything was going to be all right. And he'd do it if was sure that she wouldn't take a swing at him and say something along the lines of Smallville don't you ever do that again. He started to smile, no matter what the situation she was always able to make him smile.

As they reached the top of the barn stairs, Lana turned to face Clark to see him smiling.

"What are you smiling at Clark?"

"Huh, oh, nothing, what is it that you wanted to talk about Lana?"

She was furious, but didn't show it. She hated when it was so obvious that something was on his mind yet still refused to tell her. She'd drop it however, for now.

"Well, I was hoping we could have a couples day out. Have a nice a little picnic, maybe share a romantic dance and then," she said as she moved seductively in front of him and wrapped her arms around his neck, "we can either go skinny-dipping at crater lake or," inching her face closer to his and lowering her voice to emphasize her point "Chloe went back to Metropolis earlier in the morning, that means I've got the apartment above the Talon all, - to, -my,- self. But I'm willing to share it with you."

Clark smiled shyly, but then remembered what he was going to do today, and pushed her away from him.

"Lana, I'm, ah, I'm sorry. But I can't I already had plans for today."

She was still facing the barn wall, when both her expression and tone, changed form one of seduction, to one of outright rage.

Turning to face him, "Plans huh? With who?" she asked in a cold tone.

"My, my brother."

"Brother? Clark you don't have a brother."

"I thought I didn't but it turns out I have and he's been looking for me all this time, he's gonna be here around mid-day and then just have a guys day out. I'm really sorry Lana, but you know how exciting it can be to someone who you're biologically related to."

"Clark I'm getting tired of this. Of us and I was hop—"

"Lana, I promise you that we'll talk as soon as I get back but right now I have to get ready to leave I'm sorry." He said as he walked off and down the stairs.

"Me too." She said to herself, as a tear slid down her face.