Stars and Water
Chapter 29
Lex stood and looked out the window without really seeing; his focus was on Chloe and Lois and the plan that was in place for the Daily Planet. It would punish Chloe and that horrible woman Lois, as well as destroying the Planet itself. Lex's face was a mask of grim determination as he thought of how much he once admired Chloe. Not that long ago they had worked together against his father. He had trusted her and that made her even more to blame in his eyes. Lois, on the other hand, had always been an enemy and destroying enemies was what a man did to survive. He had a right to defend himself, he thought, his lips turning up slightly. The sun reflected off the glass and his thoughts were filled with devouring flames.
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Chloe was typing madly and scanning her notes while looking at the pictures Jimmy had provided. She was in the zone and words were buzzing in her head faster than she could type. The construction crew that had been working on the building was making a lot of noise and it was distracting most people but not Chloe. The ceiling could fall in and she'd keep writing.
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Lois walked in past the construction crew and stifled the urge to make a rude gesture when one of them commented on her figure, settling for a glare instead. She was dressed professionally in a steel blue, pinstriped suit for crying out loud, she didn't want to be treated as a sex object. Lois didn't notice that one of the men kept apart from the others and watched her with an alert, predatory look. When he called someone on his cell phone she had already gone to her desk and started scrolling on her computer, sorting her Email, junk, junk, junk, ugh, how she wished she could just delete the whole thing but of course then she would miss the one important lead buried in all the garbage.
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Maria s mouth dropped open in amazement as she listened to Clark talk about his classes, "How can you possibly take that many, and what do you mean you've already read the textbooks?" They were meeting for a quick lunch between classes. Maria was sitting cross-legged on the ground eating a bagel and Clark was leaning against a tree munching on an apple with his long legs stretched out in front of him. She smiled to herself as she noticed the looks he was getting from the girls who walked by and how blissfully unaware he was of the attention.
Clark looked at her with a smile playing around the corners of his mouth, "Well, I had a few minutes this morning before I came to see you so I took the time to read them. I think the classes will be interesting."
Maria realized her mouth was still gaping and she shut it and swallowed hard. Why did anything about Clark surprise her anymore, she thought. He was telling her about his schedule and how he would work all his classes in and she listened in awe as he discussed what he had read and obviously understood from his books. Clark was excited and his eyes were sparkling and when he began to talk about his journalism class he broke into a full blown dazzling smile. Maria felt her heart flip, we are in public, she reminded herself, smiling back.
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Martha picked up the call, "Lionel! Of course I'll meet you for lunch tomorrow. Sounds wonderful, a walk is just what I need. I've been cooped up in meetings all week and I could really use a break from this filtered, conditioned air." She laughed at his response. "Twelve thirty will be fine, see you then." She hung up with a smile, even though she didn't completely trust Lionel he was still a good friend and she enjoyed her time with him. He had protected Clark's secret for years and that won a lot of points with her.
She wondered how Clark was doing in school and resisted the urge to call him. He would probably call her after he got the care package she had sent anyway. She knew she needed to let him be on his own but it was so hard, after protecting him for years, to just let go. She grabbed another pile of papers on her desk and pulled them close, back to work, she thought, I'm sure Clark is fine.
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Lex's hands were trembling as he poured himself a drink. The call had confirmed that all was set for the Planet and on schedule. With that settled he turned his mind to Dr. Desantis. The team in Star City had been assembled and was primed to move on their Target at Queen Industries. It would look like an attack on the lab, linked to the Green Arrow and his fellow terrorists. He really wished he could be there in person to witness the death of Dr. Desantis but one couldn't have everything. He had placed two of his most trusted employees in charge and knew it would be handled professionally.
Lex would have a personal hand in his plan for Maria and his way to avenge himself on Clark would be tied into that plan. He swallowed his drink in one gulp and poured himself another. A surge of excitement shot through him that was almost sexual in it's intensity, soon he would know the truth about that liar Clark Kent. Lex looked at his watch and headed for his personal jet, time to head to Metropolis. Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough. He was looking forward to an eventful birthday.
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Her soft hand was warm in his and Clark felt his heart hum with contentment. He'd been able to spend hours with Maria today, between classes, during meals, and now just walking together in silence. This kind of relationship was a new experience for him and he reveled in it. The sun had gone down and as darkness closed in the lights along the path were coming on one by one as they walked to his dorm. Loud music drifted out of the windows and bounced off the brick walls, pop rock warring with rap trying to drown out country, all forming a cacophony of celebration. The music swept past the silent couple and was ignored as Clark looked at Maria in wonder. Her eyes were shining up at him with her soul bare to see, she loved him and he felt a lump in his throat at how open she was about it. There were no games with Maria, no trying to figure out what she wanted or worry about what she thought. She demanded nothing and it made him want to give her everything.
When they got to his dorm room they were delighted to find that his roommate still hadn't shown up. They stepped inside and Clark pulled Maria into a kiss that started out sweetly tender and shifted into overwhelmingly sensual as his warm hands roamed gently over her body. She gasped as her body reacted with a trembling shiver and a surge of heat. Feeling her tremble Clark cupped her face softly in his hands and barely touched her lips in another kiss. Then he pulled her closer and tucked his face into her neck, "I love you so much Maria" he whispered, his voice shaking with emotion.
Clark began kissing Maria's neck and she shivered again. She was feeling happy and mischievous so she decided to find out if Clark Kent was ticklish and if so where. She started unbuttoning his shirt but as she did she ever so lightly ran her fingertips over his ribs and up. Clark jumped a bit and she smiled, this was going to be interesting. She ran her hands down his arms, smoothing the muscles as she went. Then she suddenly darted in and tickled his ribs again. Clark jumped and laughed; now he knew what she was up to. If she wanted to tickle him she was going to have to catch him first.
What followed was like playing with the wind. Clark would suddenly appear and kiss her and then before she could get him he was gone in a breeze. Then she felt his hands graze her ribs and she laughed. "Unfair Kent, I can't even see you to get you back!" she cried.
Suddenly he appeared before her and his merry eyes were dark with passion, "Ah, but I can see you." he said, letting his eyes rove over her with appreciation, "and you're beautiful." and this time he didn't disappear but came to her and held her close.
"I should really get back." Maria said as they stretched out next to each other across Clark's bed.
"Yeah, it's getting late." said Clark, shifting so that her head was pillowed on his shoulder and wrapping her carefully in his arms to keep her from falling off the edge of the narrow bed. Turning his head he kissed her in a slow lingering kiss and Maria had to use all her self control to keep from pushing him for more. Taking deep breaths she allowed herself to relax into him and enjoy feeling loved and held. His body felt blissfully warm next to hers and his plaid shirt was soft against her cheek. Maria closed her eyes for a moment, rubbing her face against his shirt and sighing as he gently stroked her back.
Clark listened to Maria's breathing even out and felt her body become loose and heavy as she drifted to sleep in his arms. He decided to let her sleep for a little bit before taking her home, she was so tired and besides it was awfully nice to have her in his arms.
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Maria woke up slowly, she was so warm and comfortable it was hard for her to think about moving. Clark had shifted on the small mattress and a good deal of him was now sprawled across her body. His breath was warming her neck and his soft hair brushing her cheek smelled of shampoo.
Maria saw the golden light of morning streaming in the window and was amazed Clark wasn't awake already. What time was it? Were they late for class? Maria struggled a little trying to turn to see the clock but couldn't lift herself enough to see where it sat on top of his desk. It was a shame to wake him, he looked so peaceful. Maria gently stroked his back with her free arm; the other was pinned between their bodies, and whispered his name. "Clark, Clark, sweetheart, wake up." She murmured. He stirred a little and she felt him sigh. "Come on honey, wake up, rise and shine."
"Mmm Maria?" he mumbled and lifted his head a little to look at the clock. "It's only seven o'clock." his head dropped back down, "We can still sleep." And he nuzzled her neck, "or not." He whispered suggestively in her ear. Maria felt her body ignite as his breath tickled her neck below her ear and his lips followed in a trail of feather light kisses. Was he suggesting what she thought he was?
Suddenly Clark lunged upright and stood with his head cocked to one side, listening. Looking at Maria with alarm he hissed, "I think my roommate's here!" and he blurred into a super speed room clean up that had Maria in a whirlwind of flying blankets and pillows. By the time the door opened the bed was made and Maria and Clark were both sitting demurely in chairs.
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"What do you mean you don't know where she is?" Lex was growling into the phone and his hands were shaking with fury as he listened to the idiot stammer on the other end. It was impossible to get good help these days.
"I don't know Sir she hasn't come back to the room. I'm sorry; I really don't know where she went." Naomi's voice was shaking as she pleaded with Lex. "Please, I didn't do anything wrong! I can't help that she's gone! No I don't think she suspects. How could she?" Naomi was searching her mind, could Maria suspect? She was pretty sure she had carried off the whole goofy roommate shtick. Naomi wondered about Maria and what she had done to make Lex so ruthlessly angry. "Yes Sir, I understand. I'll let you know when she comes back." Naomi heard Maria greet someone in the hall and had to lean against her desk as the relief washed through her. "Never mind I hear her now. Of course I have the package ready. I have to go". and she closed her cell phone with a snap.
Naomi pounced on Maria the moment she entered the room. "My God Maria where have you been? I've been so worried about you". Maria was surprised at the intensity in Naomi's voice, she sounded shaken and Maria felt a stab of guilt as Naomi continued, "We girls are supposed to stick together against the big, bad world out there but we can't if you don't at least tell me when you aren't coming home, that way I will know when to call the police and when to have a friend over. You know?"
Maria began to apologize but before she finished Naomi waved it off. "Don't worry about it roomie." She said as she opened a box sitting on the desk. "Hey, I got some jelly donuts from a bakery down the street. You want one?" she held out the box enticingly under Maria's nose. The donuts smelled fantastic and Maria's stomach let her know she hadn't eaten yet. Naomi seemed to really want to share and Maria thought she was trying awfully hard to make friends. Well, maybe she was lonely. Maria smiled and took one and found it odd that she couldn't catch Naomi's eyes when she thanked her.
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Clark was heading to class after meeting his roommate, a talkative young man named Zack. He seemed like a nice enough guy and Clark thought they would get along okay as long as Zack didn't collect rocks or something. Clark had an uneasy feeling about today, he wasn't sure why but it felt like a storm was brewing even though the sky was a cold, clear, blue. He decided to call his Mom on his cell as he walked to class.
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"Clark! Sweetie it's so good to hear your voice." Martha said happily, then her tone shifted to concern, "Is everything okay?" She was at her desk plowing through another pile of papers and looking at the clock occasionally, almost ten o'clock, far too early for lunch. "Sweetheart I'm meeting Lionel for lunch, why don't you come join us; it's the first free moment I've had in days and likely to be the last for at least three weeks. After lunch you and I can go for a walk and you can tell me all about school while I show you a bit of Washington DC. Oh good, I'm glad you have time. I can't wait to see you." Martha hung up the phone and smiled. Nice to have a son who can cross the country in minutes, she thought. Then she looked at the mound of paperwork and her smile fell. Better start shoveling, she thought, sometimes working as a Senator reminded her of cleaning out the stalls on the farm.
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Lex listened as his man in Washington reported. Everything was on schedule. "Make sure you don't miss your opportunity," he said. "Take him down on the way to the restaurant, outside and in the open. Report in when you've completed your objective." A shiver of excitement ran down Lex's spine, after today he would truly be out from under his father's control. Happy Birthday to me, he thought.
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Clark found it difficult to concentrate in class. His feeling of foreboding just wouldn't lift and he found himself worrying about Maria. He tried text messaging her but she didn't respond. Well, she was in the middle of class so maybe she couldn't check her phone. Clark decided to call her later.
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Maria ate the jelly donut as she decided on what to wear for class. I need a shower, she thought, and she started towards the bathroom. Suddenly her legs went limp and she dropped to the floor unable to stop herself. It was like her body belonged to someone else and she watched in a haze as Naomi approached her. Naomi gently straightened her limbs and laid her out in a comfortable position on the ground. "I meant to catch you but you fell faster than I expected" she said soothingly. Maria struggled to speak but couldn't force out a sound. She watched Naomi talking to someone on the phone but she couldn't understand what was being said. The room whirled away from her and then all went dark.
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Lois had gotten a red hot lead in the midst of all that spam and she just had to share this one with Chloe. It was about another one of Lex's experiments and gave a website to go to for more information. She and Chloe had put their heads together all morning doing research, and were still madly writing and making phone calls as others at The Planet wandered out to lunch. The construction crew left as well and the building was silent except for the dual sounds of tapping computer keys. Lois sniffed and raised her head to look around the empty room, "Do you smell smoke?" she asked Chloe.
To be continued…
Please review!! Was it confusing? I wanted it to jump around and be kind of like how a movie flashes from person to person but I wasn't sure if it would work. Did the-----help or distract you? Do you want to know what happens next? Let me know what you think!!!