-1Chapter Thirty One-"All units to the Kent Farm…"
The football season was over and the Smallville Crows were the best in Kansas State. Only three losses for the entire session. Overall Clark was the best quarterback having made eighty percent in complete passes, and a total of 72 rushed yards. Because of Clark's hard work and success on the field he now stared down at a list of his scholarship offers. Over a dozen choices and a full ride to go with the one he picked. He stood from the kitchen table and headed to the living room. It was Sunday and Lana wasn't at the farm yet. He knew she had to work today so he wasn't freaking out…yet. His phone rang and he leaned over the side of the couch to get it.
"Hello?"
"Clark, it's Max." It was hard to hear Max over the background noise.
"Where are you?" Clark asked.
"Metropolis, down by the courthouse." He said trying to talk over the street noise.
"Courthouse? Is everything okay?" Clark asked.
"Lex is going to appeal. We've been re-called as witnesses." Max said.
"How is that a problem? We'll just testify again and put him away for good." Clark said.
"We can't testify if we're dead. I suggest you stay low." Max said.
"Same to you, Max. You're more than welcomed to stay here." Clark offered.
"Thanks but Edge has a place for me here. Remember he can help." Max said.
"I know but after the Luthor's, I'd rather survive on my own." Clark said.
"I understand. I have to go. Take care Clark." Max said.
"You too." Clark replied , a second later the line went dead.
Clark hung the phone up and leaned back on the couch, rubbing his eyes. Lex was appealing after all. Clark had a feeling it wasn't over and he was right. This time when Lex is found guilty, he'll be put away for good. That was something Clark would be grateful to have put behind him.
A knock came at the door and Clark jumped from the couch. He made his way to the door, his paranoia peeked. He grabbed the bat from behind the door and raised it. With a deep breath he yanked open the door. He began to bring the bat down until he saw that it was Lana who jumped back a few feet to miss his attack. He sighed and rested his head against the door while he gathered himself.
"Everything okay?" Lana asked as she stepped back up to the doorway. She noticed the sweat on his brow and his heavy breathing. He nodded and stepped aside to let her in. He closed the door behind her and put the bat back in its spot. "You don't look so good," She said.
She grabbed his arm and dragged him over to the couch. She dropped her purse by the couch and pulled him down next to her on the couch. She touched his forehead but he wasn't hot. He leaned back and closed his eyes at her gentle touch.
"I'm fine, just stressed." He said opening his eyes to look at her.
"Then lets get this studying done so you can rest." She said turning and opening the book on the coffee table.
Clark thought about telling Lana that Lex was appealing but he didn't want to worry her, especially with finals tomorrow. They worked late into the night and finally stopped when Clark began to doze off. They closed the books and headed upstairs to Clark's bedroom. He changed into some sweats while Lana changed into one of his t-shirts. They crawled into bed and Clark pulled the covers over them. Lana laid with her back against Clark's muscular chest, her head resting on his left bicep. Clark's right arm snaked it way around Lana's waist and soon they both were asleep in the safety of each others company.
Clark woke the next morning to the most beautiful eyes staring up at him along with the warmest smile.
"Morning beautiful," His voice was raspy from sleep.
"Morning," She replied, shifting herself closer to him.
He ran his hand up her back while his other played with a strand of her silky hair.
She closed her eyes and let out a soft moan, "This is perfect."
It was at that moment Clark's alarm clock went off. With a groan they rolled out of bed. Lana rushed to the bathroom and Clark followed. She smiled as he reached the doorway once she was already inside.
"Too slow," She said with a smile.
Clark slumped his shoulders and gave in with raised arms. She laughed and closed the door. Clark ran his hand through his messy hair and headed back into his bedroom. He quickly got dressed before he headed downstairs and began to cook breakfast. Lana came down shortly after and redressed. Her hair was combed out and pulled into a low ponytail.
"Hmm, what smells so good?" She asked coming up behind him.
"That would be breakfast. A lovely arrangement of bacon, eggs and toast." Clark said holding a plate up for her. She kissed his cheek and took the plate from his hands. He grabbed his plate and joined her at the kitchen table.
"What's this?" She asked looking over his scholarship papers.
"The scholarship offers I've received." Clark said picking up his fork.
Lana looked over the list while she ate. They finished eating and quickly got ready for school and their finals. Clark jumped in the jeep with Lana and finally made their way to school. They made it just in time for their first class. They rushed inside their classroom just as the late bell rang. They took their seats and Lana gave Clark a thumbs up for good luck. The room was silent as the teacher passed out the large stapled packets that was their final. The rest of their classes were exactly the same way and when the day was over and Clark and Lana were back in the jeep they sighed in relief.
"How do you think you did?" She asked as she drove him home.
"Good enough to pass." He replied as she pulled up his driveway. She pulled her jeep to a stop and shifted in her seat to look at him.
"Want me to stay?" She asked.
"As much as I would love it, I have a ton of chores I skipped this morning. How about I meet you for dinner at the Talon?" He asked.
"Sounds like a plan." She answered. He smiled and leaned over, kissing her softly.
"Thanks for the ride. I'll see you tonight, beautiful." He said.
She nodded and brushed some hair out of his eyes. He kissed her one last time before he got out of her jeep. He waved as she drove off. With a bit of a rush he ran inside and changed into his work clothes before burying himself in chores. It was a few hours later when he heard a car pull up his driveway. He grabbed a rag and wiped the grease from his hands while he made his way to the barn door.
Noise erupted the still silence of the farm. Wood splintered to Clark's left and on the ground in front of him. The barn door was filled with holes. Clark dropped his rag as he realized what was happening. A pain rippled up his thigh and into his lower back as his leg gave out. He fell just as the pillar collapsed, sending chunks of debris to rain down on him. A sharp pain tore into his shoulder as he tried to drag himself to safety. More bullets rained down on him.
"All units to the Kent Farm…"
Lana had never felt so scared until she heard those words echo from the officers radio while they were in line at the Talon. Chloe and Pete were with her when the words echoed. Lana dropped the glasses in her hand.
"Go, I'll cover." Lois said.
Lana nodded numbly as Chloe and Pete rushed out with her. Pete drove the two stunned women, his sports car going as fast as it would. They saw the police lights a mile away and when they got close enough, they found that they couldn't pull up through the driveway. They piled out of the car and rushed to the edge of the driveway.
An officer stopped them, "You're not allowed past this point."
"What happened?" Lana asked looking for any sign that Clark was okay.
"I'm afraid I can't tell you." The officer said.
"She's his girlfriend. She has a right to know." Chloe said.
The officer frowned and looked over his shoulder. When he was clear from view of his superiors he explained what he could, "The barn is all shot up, over a hundred rounds were counted. Inside the barn is a large amount of blood that has a trail leading outside and stops where tire tracks begin. From the amount of blood, whoever was shot isn't expected to be alive. No one has found Mr. Kent and we're subject to believe he was the victim. We won't know for sure until the blood results return."
At his words Lana's knees grew weak and she fell into Pete and Chloe's arms. Tears trailing down her face. Chloe rubbed her hair and tried to fight her own tears. Pete looked up at the barn and wished to every star in the sky he saw, that the victim wasn't Clark Kent