-1Chapter Thirty Two- The Appeal
It had been a month since the incident at the Kent Farm. Clark hadn't showed up or his body according to the police. The blood sample had come back as positive. The shooters hadn't been found either. The investigation was leading to the conclusion: Clark Kent was killed and the body moved.
For Lana, this month had been the worst of her life. Clark was gone and all of her thoughts were focused on him. It was Christmas break and when Chloe and Pete weren't with family they were with Lana. She stayed in her apartment staring at the couch where Clark had spent many nights snuggled up with her.
Everyone had difficulty believing Clark was dead, especially Chloe. Only his close friends had known about his paranoid living. Clark had known someone was after him. The fact that Clark's farm was shot to pieces the day after the announcement of Lex's appeal, sparked Chloe's investigative reporter instincts. On top of that, no one could find Max and the appeal was tomorrow.
Lois looked up the stairs to where Lana's apartment was. Lana hadn't come down since she got back from the farm. Chloe was at the Torch working on some story. Lois figured Chloe was burying herself in work just like she was doing. Pete however, was at the farm. He was fixing the farm up as a dedication to Clark. Pete knew how much hard work Clark had put into the farm, so it was only kind to fix the farm in memory of him.
Lana couldn't stop thinking of her last moments with Clark. He had seemed stress that Sunday night but she couldn't help but believe he knew. The way he answered the door with a bat, how he'd been covered in sweat, the way he was breathing. He was scared which meant he had to of known.
Her mind turned to better memories. She remembered how she felt when she woke in his arms so many mornings. She missed his warmth, his strong arms that held her close. She missed his smiles that he only shared with her, and his gentle kisses. She'd come to realize just how much she was in love with Clark Kent.
The court case was in full swing. The jury listened to every word spoken by both attorneys. A strong case was against Lex and the coming witnesses testimony would be the nails in the coffin. Lex's calm exterior was surprising. He leaned back in his chair with a smile on his face.
Max was called as a witness. Max stood from his seat and walked to the stand. He took the oath and sat down. The attorneys went on with their questioning. Max answered as truthful as he could. Another nail slammed into Lex's coffin as Max was released from questioning. The judge called for the next witness.
"I call Clark Kent to the stand." The attorney said.
A small buzz filled the courtroom as Lex's smile grew. Lex had a feeling Clark wasn't going to make it. The buzz continued to grow as a young man stood from the back of the courtroom. The man walked forward with a limp.
The attorneys turned and watched as the young man walked forward. He stepped up to the stand and took the oath. Lex's face held a look of shock and fear. Those who noticed would never forget the moment they saw Lex Luthor looked terrified about his future.
The young man took a seat. The attorney stepped forward and asked his questions. The young man answered both attorneys questions and was finally released to return back to his seat. He limped back to his seat next to Max.
The case came to a close and the jury went off to gather a verdict. The courtroom was filled with a low roar. When the jury returned the judge didn't have to call for silence. Lex Luthor stood, his face a mask to how he was truly feeling. The court found Lex Luthor…guilty of all charges and the appeal was brought to an end.
Chloe found her final clue. The paperwork for the Talon had gone through. The owner had signed and the signature was only two weeks old. She jotted down her research and grabbed her coat. She had a dead man to find.
"What are your plans now?" Max asked knowing the answer already.
"I'm going home," Clark said.
Clark didn't waste time. Lionel and his limo were waiting out back. Clark pushed his way through the crowd and took the back exit to avoid the media. He headed for the limo and climbed in. He fixed his coat and tie as he settled in for the long drive.
"I take it Lex's new style is a jumpsuit." Lionel said.
"I hope he likes the color orange," Clark responded. Lionel laughed at Clark's humor.
"I have a present for you," Lionel said pulling out a large envelope. Clark took it from Lionel's hands and opened the packet. Inside was the deed to the Kent property in Clark's name. "You've proven yourself to be a fine young man. Everything from the will is yours. All funds have been transferred to your account and I just want to wish you luck," Lionel said raising his glass.
"Thank you," Clark replied pushing the papers back into the envelope and placing it in his inside jacket pocket.
"I've also made a phone call. Your ongoing murder investigation has been taken care of. I simply said you were placed under witness protection," Lionel continued.
Clark nodded in response while looking out the window. They just left the city and it was only a number of miles until he could see Lana again. He patted his chest, just below his neck. Lana's class ring rested gently on its chain against his skin.
After a long drive Clark finally saw the sign welcoming them to Smallville. Clark sat up and looked out the window at the Talon. He noticed Chloe jog down the sidewalk and disappear inside the Talon. Clark took a breath to calm his nerves and opened the door.
Lionel stopped him, "Thank you, Clark. You risked more than a brave man would to put an evil man behind bars."
"Mr. Luthor, Lex is still your son. After all, apples don't fall far from the tree," Clark responded.
He pulled himself form the limo and closed the door behind him. Perhaps now he was truly finished with the Luthor's. He was in possession of the contents of his parents will and Lex was behind bars. He felt like a free man.
Clark made his way into the Talon and looked around for Lana. Instead he found Lois who was busy behind the counter. Clark made his way over and waited for her to finish her work.
"Can I get you anything?" She asked still looking down.
"A latte and where might I find Lana?" Clark asked. Lois slowly looked up at him, her eyes wide.
"Clark?" She somehow managed to ask. Clark nodded and she ran around the counter, pulling him into a tight hug. He grunted in pain and she pulled back, "Are you okay?"
"I'll be fine. Just go easy on the shoulder." He said touching his right shoulder softly.
"What?" She asked not able to get her entire question asked.
"I couldn't dodge all the bullets," He replied knowing what she was going to ask. "So where's Lana?"
Lois pointed up to Lana's apartment, "I'll bring your latte up."
He smiled before turning to the stairs. Lois watched as he struggled with his limp on the stairs. She figured he got shot in the leg as well. Overall, Clark didn't look that well.
Clark stopped at the opened apartment door. He could hear Chloe and Lana talking about something in her living room. He leaned against the wall to catch his breath and listen in on what they were saying.
"Lana, I'm telling you. I have proof." Chloe said, the need for Lana to understand evident in her voice.
"I really want to believe you, Chloe. But look at all the evidence," Lana argued.
"I know this is eating you alive. Can't you just grab on to the hope that they may be wrong?" Chloe went on.
After a moment Lana answered Chloe's question with one of her own, "What did you find out?"
"He signed for ownership two weeks ago," Chloe said.
Clark could hear something like a notebook being dropped onto the coffee table. He figured they were talking about him since he did sign for the Talon two weeks ago. He'd hoped Lex wouldn't find out but from what info he had on his 'death', he had a feeling Lex really believed he was dead. Instead of Lex figuring it out, Chloe did.
Clark limped into the room gathering the attention of the girls. Lana stepped from behind Chloe and stared at him. Chloe smiled, happy that Clark was alive and that she was right. Lana's eyes rolled to the back of her head and Chloe reached out and caught her before she hit the floor.