Chapter Five

"You're what?" asked Chloe.

"I know," Lana said. "I just found out a few days before Clark died."

"Oh, gosh. Who…who's the father?" Chloe asked.

Lana looked at her hands, and told her, "Clark."

Chloe's eyes flew wide open. "Clark?"

"Yeah, Clark."

"Well, did Clark know about this?"

"I never got the chance to tell him."

"What about the Kents?"

"No. And I don't think I'm gonna tell them."

"What? You have to tell them, Lana. I think they would start to suspect something in three or four months when your stomach starts growing."

"Chloe, think. The way they would look at me…"

"Lana, if anything, they'll be happy. You're carrying their grandchild…Clark's child. That baby is the last thing that they have of Clark."

Lana thought about this. "You're right. I'm gonna go tell them now." She jumped up and turned back to Chloe.

"You don't mind me rushing off in the middle of our day out, do you?" asked Lana.

"Not at all," said Chloe. "Go ahead. Go surprise them."

"Mr. and Mrs. Kent?" asked Lana as she came through the front door.

"Lana," said Martha from the kitchen. "Come in."

Lana walked inside and sat down at the island in the kitchen. She took several breaths, preparing herself for what was to come.

"I have to tell you both something," Lana said.

"Sure. What is it?" asked Jonathan.

"I never even got a chance to tell Clark this," Lana continued. She looked down at her feet, breathing deeply.

Clark's parents had stiffened at the mention of Clark, and they were now noticing how Lana was handling this.

"What is it, Lana?" asked Martha.

Lana looked back up at them. "I'm pregnant."

"What?" asked Martha.

"I know; it's sudden," said Lana. "It's as much of a shock for me as it is for you. But things happen, and—"

"Who's the father?" asked Jonathan. Lana froze and stared Martha in the eye.

"It's Clark, isn't it?" asked Martha. Jonathan and Martha both waited for Lana's answer.

"Yes, it's Clark," answered Lana. Both the Kents were speechless.

"How long has it been?" asked Martha.

"A few weeks," Lana replied.

"Whoa," Martha muttered under her breath. "That's…wow."

"Are you guys disappointed?" asked Lana.

"Not at all, Lana," replied Martha. "This baby…it's like a gift from Clark…The last thing we have of him. If there's anything you need, we can help."

"Thanks," said Lana.

The next day, Lana entered the apartment above the Talon to find Lois packing up to head back to Metropolis.

"Hey, Lana," said Lois. "How's today going for you?"

"Not too bad," said Lana. "Except for…"

"Yeah," said Lois. "We all miss him."

"There's something I want to tell you."

"Sure, anything."

"It's…well…I'm pregnant."

Lois stopped, and the smiled. "Oh, good one, Lana." She saw the look on Lana's face. "You're serious."

"I know, it's a shock."

"Uh, bit of an understatement. So, have any idea whose it is?"

"I'll give you three guesses: tall, dark and bumbling," said Lana.

"It's Clark's?" Lois exclaimed.

"Yes," said Lana.

"That's amazing."

"I know. It makes me feel as if…Clark has given me one last thing to remember him by."

"Hey, Clark," said Martha. She stood at the headstone of Clark's grave that read:

CLARK JOSEPH KENT

1987-2005

BELOVED SON

DEVOTED FRIEND

HE MADE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE

"Lana told us what happened…and that she told you," said Martha. "It's like…you were watching over us, and you gave us a gift. I'll treasure it for always, and I'm sure Lana will, too. I love you, Clark. And I always will."

Afterlife

"Let's go meet your parents, Clark," said Lana. "They're waiting for us."

"Sure," said Clark. He got up and they went around the corner. Lana turned to him, and pulled out a coat and a scarf. Clark immediately understood: they were going to the Fortress. Why Lana thought his parents would be up there, he had no clue. Lana put on the coat and pulled the scarf around her neck.

"Let's go," said Lana. Clark picked Lana up, and ran off at superspeed. As he was running, Lana turned to him.

"Superspeed?" asked Lana, shouting to be heard over the wind speed. "What happened to flying?"

Flying? Clark thought. I can fly?

Clark stopped where he was, then squatted down and launched himself into the air. To his surprise, Clark soared through the air towards the sky. Lana giggled in excitement. Clark smiled, in spite of his fear of heights. He flew on towards the Fortress. Once they got there, Clark set Lana down and she headed toward the crystal panel. To Clark's surprise, there were two people standing there: a man and a woman. The outfits they wore were unlike anything on this earth.

Unlike anything on this earth, Clark thought as he put the pieces together.

The man turned to Clark, smiling. He had gray hair and a gaunt face, but he had an air of confidence around him. The woman was smiling also, and had long blonde hair. Her face shown with love.

"Hello, Kal-El, my son," said the man.

"Jor-El?" asked Clark.

"I would expect you to call me father," said Jor-El, laughing.

"Jor-El," said the woman.

"Lara…" said Clark.

"Kal-El, my son," said Lara. She came forward and hugged Clark. Clark hugged her back, embracing her for all those lost years. "It seems you have brought Lana here to see us again."

Clark smiled as he realized that his life (or death) couldn't get any better than this.

Real life

Martha and Jonathan sat at the dining room table, each holding a mug of coffee. It had been exactly two months since Clark had died. They sat in silence until Martha broke it.

"Two months today," said Martha. "It's hard to believe he's been gone that long."

"I know," said Jonathan. "But, Clark wouldn't want us to mourn over him like this. He would want us to get on with our lives."

"You're right, Jonathan," said Martha. "You're right. I guess it's time to move on."

Afterlife

"Kal-El," said Lara. Clark had come back to the Fortress to visit his parents.

"Mom," said Clark.

"There's something I have to tell you, my son," said Lara.

"What is it?" asked Clark.

"You cannot stay here, Kal-El," said Lara.

"What do you mean?"

"You were not meant to be here. Your destiny is far greater than you can imagine. You must go back."

"What are you talking about?"

"Your father is at this moment making it possible for you to return. You cannot stay here. You must return to protect this world. Kal-El, I love you. I will always love you. I only ask that you live…for me…Always know that I love you."

Real life

A gray pair of eyes returned to their natural color as Lionel sat up in his padded cell at Belle Reive. He stood up slowly, and punched through the glass window, shattering it completely. He stepped out of the cell and looked straight ahead. He suddenly sped off at superspeed.

Lionel approached Clark's grave in a spiffy suit and black jacket. He looked down at the grave solemnly.

"Hello, Kal-El, my son," said Lionel, revealing that he was possessed by Jor-El. "Your eminent destiny is too important to sacrifice. You will return with all your natural gifts. Unfortunately, this rectification does not come without a price…The life of someone close to you will be exchanged for yours.

"You're about to face your darkest hour, my son. But, remember: The lessons that we learn from pain are the ones that make us the strongest. Always know that I love you."

Lionel stretched his hand forward so that it hovered over the grave. Energy emitted from his hand and weaved through the dirt as Lionel left the graveyard.

The energy stretched through the dirt down towards Clark's grave. The energy hit the coffin and penetrated its thick wood. The energy hovered over Clark's decaying body. The energy suddenly dove into Clark's body, making him glow as his body returned to normal. Clark took a deep breath as his eyes snapped open.