-1Chapter Forty-Getting Back to the Past
Lana had let Clark walk out of the Talon. When she had come to her senses she knew she had to go after him. She had…but she couldn't find him. She looked all over Smallville but no one had seen him since graduation. She would have asked Chloe and Pete but they had gone on a romantic camping trip. She had asked Lois whom she found at the farm with Max. Lois had simply told her that if Clark wanted her to know where he was that he would tell her.
She grew frustrated not only at the lack of location for Clark but at herself for letting him go in the first place. She had her reasons but she should have told Clark. Seeing him inject himself had brought up painful memories that she had long buried. Just seeing him like that had terrified her. Seeing him like that had only brought thoughts of death to her mind. She just couldn't be around that.
Her brother was the reason. He had gotten addicted to a serious drug that ruined his life. She loved Adam, he was the greatest older brother anyone could ask for. At least until he fell into the wrong crowd. He had poisoned his body to the point of hospitalization. She had come home from catching a movie with Chloe and found Adam on the floor, drained of color and in spasms.
She had called an ambulance and got him to the hospital. That had only lead to more horrid events. Her parents had been called and they rushed over to hospital. Only they never made it. They were one their way to their car and had been shot by a thief who wanted their money. If they hadn't been called they would have stayed inside and no where near the thief. Later that night Adam died from heart failure.
Smallville held to many bad memories and Nell had left because of it. Lana couldn't leave, her heart was in Smallville. All she had of her parents were in Smallville. She had worked her way to becoming legally an adult and worked out an arrangement with Lex to re-open the Talon. Then Clark came along and saved her from her life. All she wanted to do know was get him back.
Weeks passed until Chloe and Pete finally returned from their camping trip. Lana confronted Chloe on Clark's whereabouts. The blonde refused to tell. She was good at keeping secrets even from her friends. She had promised Lana to keep Adam a secret and she had promised Clark to keep his location a secret. Clark had a feeling someone at sometime would want to find him. He had begged to be left alone long enough to get everything straight.
Clark hadn't made Pete promise however. Lana found that out when she corned the athlete and got him to tell her where Clark was. With his location she also learned why he left. It was because of her. She felt even worse about the entire situation. She was the only thing Clark had stayed in Smallville for. She even remembered that conversation.
A few more questions with Pete and she learned that Clark had taken the Luthor name. He was the new heir to the Luthor fortune and thereby kicking Lex off the family tree. There wasn't much more to learn about Clark since no one knew anything else. So Clark was in Metropolis and no longer a Kent, but what was he doing with himself and should Lana go after him?
"Kal, my boy. It's a simple job," Edge said from behind his desk in his office.
Clark had settled into his apartment and got his school settled. He was going to Met U with Chloe in the fall while playing football to pay for it. He had talked to Lionel and gotten everything straight. Lex was cut off from his money since he was found guilty. Clark was in control of a large sum of money, vast properties and fast cars.
He owned the Luthor Mansion in Smallville along with all the valuables inside the huge home. All he really needed was something to do in his free time. He had gotten used to being busy on the farm. He just couldn't take the quiet and relaxed life that came with his apartment.
"I told you Mr. Edge. I won't be doing anymore street work. I came for a desk job," Clark said trying to get into his head.
"Kal, I only have street jobs," Mr. Edge said.
Clark stood from his seat and walked over the edge of the desk. "I will not do any street jobs. If you don't have a desk job then I'm gone," He said.
"Kal, listen to me. You have great potential of making it to the top. I suggest you get your head out of the clouds and off the thoughts of that girl you left back in Smallville. You don't need that slut and her problems. Lex is in jail and you have the ability to get inside information on Luthorcorp," Mr. Edge said as he too stood and walked around the table.
Clark glared at him before finally grabbing him by his collar and jerking him forward," First off, Lana is not a slut. Second, I will not throw my life away again. Third, I will not double cross Lionel for your own personal agenda."
Edge starred at him in shock. Clark had never snapped at him or man handled him before. Something had snapped in the boy, correction, man. Clark Luthor was no longer Kal, he was a true Kent. He defended the people he cared about and wasn't afraid of what would happen. All in all, it impressed him.
"I'll make you an agreement then. Work with a close friend of mine and I won't put you on the streets," Edge negotiated.
"I done with you Edge. I won't work for any crime boss again. Kal is dead as far as your concerned," Clark said. He roughly pushed Edge away who stumbled over the corner of his desk and toppled to the floor. Clark brushed off his hands and left the office.
Clark learned of Lana's knowledge of his whereabouts when Chloe showed up at his apartment. They had argued for half an hour. Chloe wanted Clark to come back with her but Clark refused. He wanted nothing to do with Smallville at least for now.
She told him of how Lana wanted to talk to him. Clark had responded that she should have when she had the chance. Chloe shot back with the truth and Clark snapped. He pushed her out of his apartment and told her to never come back. He wanted nothing to do with Smallville or its residents.
He had over reacted to Chloe and he felt bad about it. Once he had a few days to sort it out. Lex Luthor had been released from prison a few days before and Clark had learned that it was because of him. By accepting the Luthor fortune it gave Lex the argument that he had been after his money and power. Since they were unable to give him back his assets they gave him his freedom.
Clark didn't truly understand but he did know that Lex had gone back to Smallville. The bald freak had moved back into the mansion which Clark could easily kick him out. Instead Clark sat where he was and didn't make a move. Not until Chloe returned to his door.
Lex had gone after Lana. Chloe told him that Lex had forced himself and Lana had tried to defend herself. Clark didn't know the full story since Chloe didn't know. He called up an old friend after the blonde had left. Oliver Queen was a buddy through one of his foster families. The two of them had gotten close as brothers until Oliver had to leave on assignment. He asked a favor from Oliver and he agreed. It was then that Clark left for Smallville to take care of business once and for all.
Clark didn't stop anywhere as he rode through town and towards the mansion. He parked his bike and stormed into the large home. Lex was in his study and looked up when Clark practically ripped the door from its hinges as he barged in.
"Clark, my son. Long time no see since you put me away," Lex said standing from his seat and walking around.
Clark didn't say a word as Lex neared. Instead he reared back and slammed his fist into Lex's face. The bald man fell to his knees and hands, his lip split and bleeding. He looked up at Clark who reached down and grabbed him by his jacket. He lifted Lex from his feet.
"Touch her again and I rip you limb from limb," Clark said his anger seeping through his lips like venom.
"This is about Lana then. She never tasted so sweet," Lex said hoping to hit a nerve. He succeeded. Clark tossed Lex into the bookshelves, books rained down on him. Clark pulled him out from underneath the worn leather books and punched Lex again. He tossed the piece of shit human into the door and Lex crashed through landing in a mass of limbs and wood.
Lex rolled over coughing and spitting blood, "You're going to pay for the damages done to my home,"
"No Lex, not your home. Mine." Clark said before bringing his boot down onto Lex's head. Steve walked around the corner and smiled to Clark. "Hey Steve, do you mind taking care of this?"
"Not at all Master Luthor," Steve said.
"It's still Kent," Clark said. Steve nodded before moving to take care of Lex. As Steve moved Lex to another room Chloe came around the corner.
"I saw you speed your way through town and head here. What did you do to Lex?" She asked looking at the damage done to the furniture.
"I made him understand why he should lay his hands on Lana," He replied with a huff.
"You beat the crap out of Lex because of what he did to Lana?" Chloe asked.
"I did. That bald worthless piece of shit will never force himself on Lana again. Even if it was just a kiss." Clark said.
"What are you going to do now?" Chloe asked.
"I'm thinking about having a cup of coffee. Care to join me?" Clark asked with a small smile. Chloe smiled back and motioned her head to the door. Clark followed her out and to her car. He jumped into the red bug and rode with Chloe to the Talon while trying to figure out what he was going to say. He had gone back to his past and was now riding to the unknown future that awaited him.
He wasn't Clark Kent anymore. He wasn't Clark Luthor aside from what was on paper. He still had the spirit of Kal and the strength to face anything. Yet he didn't know anything about himself or what was to become of him until he talked to Lana. His future was in her hands. Maybe just maybe, hope against all hope, he would get back to the past he most wanted. The past where Lana and he were happy and in love.