Chapter Eight

Clark had seen the trap with his x-ray vision. There were two people hidden in the trees, pushing a tree onto the road. Lana slammed on the brakes as Clark braced himself. The car swerved off the road into the ditch on the side of the road. The car fell onto the passenger's side as it slid along the ground. The window next to Clark shattered upon impact, spraying glass into the vehicle. Clark leaned forward to block the glass from Lana. The SUV slid to a stop as Lana clung to the steering wheel. She still had her eyes closed as Clark heard the news vans drive up.

They set us up to test me, thought Clark. And they put Lana in danger.

He took the lead box out of his pocket. He made sure Lana's eyes were still closed, and he opened it. He felt pain immediately and suppressed the urge to cry out. He brought the rock up to his face, and drew a long cut on his cheek. He cut some more scratches on his hands as blood ran down his face.

There, thought Clark. Now I look like I've been in a car accident.

Unfortunately, he had to keep the kryptonite out or the cuts would heal instantly. However, if he looked weak, it would prove helpful to his purpose. Lana opened her eyes and put her hand to her head. There was a gash on her forehead, and there were rips in her jacket. She looked over at Clark as he hid the rock in an inside jacket pocket.

"Clark, are you okay?" she asked as she saw the gash on his cheek.

"Yeah," Clark moaned as he put on a brave face for her. "How about you?"

"What happened?" asked Lana as she nodded.

"This is my fault," said Clark. "They wanted to test me. You got hurt…because of me."

Lana looked at him, aghast. "Clark, there is no way that this is your fault. You could never hurt me."

Clark smiled at her as she placed a hand on his. They were interrupted as reporters swamped their overturned car. There were flashes from cameras, and a news network had their video camera out. Clark started to shift around in his seat, trying to stand up. Clark moaned in pain as the rock continued to sear him. He got onto his knees, and reached for Lana.

"Here…" Clark told Lana as he grabbed her. "Take your seatbelt off…I got you."

Lana looked at the state he was in, and grabbed onto the handle on the ceiling of the car to help him. Clark put an arm around her back and one under her legs as she clasped the seatbelt.

"Ready?" she asked as she clenched the handle.

"I got you," Clark repeated as he winced. The flash of the cameras was distracting. Lana pressed the button, and her weight fell onto Clark's arms. He grimaced as he tried to lift her through the open window. She placed her hands on the outside of the car, and helped Clark heft her out. She pulled her head out as Clark pushed her feet up. She was now far enough out that she could put her elbows on the frame. She sat on the door as Clark swung her legs out. He slumped back against the roof of the SUV as he got his legs under him. Lana threw her hands through the window.

"Give me your hands, Clark," Lana said. "I can help pull you out."

Clark got a foothold against the seats, and clasped Lana's hand. He put his other hand on the frame of the car, and started pulling himself out. Lana grasped Clark's hand with both of hers, and started pulling. Clark got his elbow onto the frame and hauled himself out. He sat there for a second before jumping onto the ground. He winced as his legs gave out and he fell to the grass. He stood up shakily, and grabbed Lana around the waist as she placed her hands on his shoulders. She jumped off the car, and he set her on the ground. He wavered suddenly, and collapsed onto his knees.

"Clark!" cried Lana as she knelt down next to him. They were flooded by reporters as Lana wrapped Clark's arm around her shoulders. "Let's get you out of here."

Lana and Clark made their way through the throng.

"Leave him alone!" she yelled. "Can't you see what you've done to him? He's hurt!"

The town was in the distance, and they were only about a half of a mile away. Clark's vision began to darken; he had exerted too much energy saving Lana. His body was spent, and it was on the verge of passing out. He forced himself to stay awake; the hospital was the last place he needed to be. He focused on his walking, hoping that he could make it.

Lois, Chloe and Pete sat at the bar in the Talon, watching reporters run by outside.

"What's with the sudden excitement?" asked Lois.

"Well, Lana's bringing Clark with her," Chloe replied. "They must be here."

The reporters grew more concentrated as the noise level grew. The front door burst open, and Clark and Lana hurried in.

"Oh, my gosh," said Chloe. Clark looked like a wreck; he had blood on his face and hands, and he was growing pale. Lana looked a little better, but not by much. Pete and Chloe rushed forward, confused. Clark can't get hurt; he was Clark!

"Clark, how…" whispered Chloe. Clark gave them a look, and showed them a green glow in an inside pocket. Chloe understood immediately: play along. She nodded at Pete as he nodded back. He relieved Lana and brought Clark over to the sofa.

"What happened?" asked Chloe.

"They ambushed us," said Lana. "Put a tree across the road…the car fell onto Clark's side…he's hurt bad…"

"Lana, you're in shock," said Chloe. "You need to focus." She lowered her voice. "You need to get to the hospital; make sure the baby's okay."

"But what about—"

"We'll make sure he's okay," said Chloe as she gave Lana her keys. "My car's out back."

"Thank you," said Lana as she made her way to the alley.

Chloe hurried over to Pete as he got Clark up.

"We can take him upstairs," said Chloe. She got on the other side of Clark and shuffled him over to the stairs. Clark stumbled his way up the stairs.

"Just a little further," urged Pete. They got to the landing and hurried to the apartment door. Chloe wrenched it open as Pete got Clark through the door. He placed Clark onto the sofa as he passed out. Pete quickly pulled the glowing rock out of Clark's pocket and put it in the lead box in his other pocket. After several seconds, the cuts on Clark's face closed up. His hands healed, too. The only hint that Clark had been in an accident was the leftover blood. Clark came around and looked at them. Chloe hit him on the arm.

"Are you crazy?" she said. "You could've died!"

"I didn't have a choice," Clark told them. "The accident was so bad, there's no way I couldn't have been hurt."

"Well, next time, try a cell phone," said Pete. "I could've picked you two up."

"Sorry; the next time I'm on kryptonite surrounded by reporters, I'll try to use my head," joked Clark. They laughed a little until the door opened. Clark slumped over, looking up at Lois, as Pete and Chloe straightened their faces.

"Everything alright?" asked Lois.

"All fine here," said Chloe. "We're getting him patched up."

"Okay, I'll sound the all clear downstairs," Lois told them as she closed the door. Clark stood up and grabbed a towel to wipe the blood off.

"Where's Lana?" he asked.

"She went to the hospital…" said Chloe. "You know…just in case. Some injuries are internal, you know."

"I gotta see her," said Clark as he tossed the towel in the trash can.

"Remember to take the back door!" said Chloe. Clark was about to leave when Chloe stopped him. "Clark!" He turned around. Chloe pointed to the blood towel in the trash. "Do you really want someone to find that?"

"Good point," said Clark. He concentrated, and sent bursts of heat towards it. It burst into flames as he left for the hospital. Chloe and Pete looked at each other as Pete got a cup of water.

Lana sat on the hospital bed as the doctor came in.

"Okay, Ms. Lang," said the doctor. "Your injuries were only minor. A few cuts and bruises, and a bump on the head."

"How's the baby?" Lana asked, worried.

The doctor smiled. "Perfectly healthy. In fact, I've never seen a healthier baby."

"Thank you," said Lana. "And, would you mind not telling anyone? I want to do it when I'm ready."

"Of course," he said. "Well, you're free to go when you're ready."

"Okay," Lana said as the doctor left. She began to get her things together.

Clark got out of the elevator and approached the help desk.

"Can I help you?" asked the nurse.

"Lana Lang, please," Clark told her, anxious. The nurse searched her charts.

"To your right, room 234," said the nurse.

"Thank you," said Clark. He turned down the hall on his right and began searching.

226, 230, 231, 233…

Clark opened the door to see Lana reaching for the handle.

"Hey," said Clark. He hugged her. "You okay?"

"Fine, just a few scrapes," Lana said, hugging him back. They broke apart, and Lana stared at him. "I thought you had a cut on your cheek."

"Chloe and Pete can work wonders with medicine," said Clark.

Lana looked down at his hands; there weren't any cuts. In fact, he never looked better…except for the dried blood on his neck.

"So, they're letting you go?" asked Clark. Lana nodded. "Good, I'll walk you to the Talon."

"Jonathan, you better look at this," said Martha. She was watching a news program, and they were about to show a report…about their son.

"What is it?" Jonathan asked as he sat down next to her.

Martha didn't say anything as the screen switched to the report. There was an overturned SUV on a country road, having just gotten into an accident. The cameraman ran around to the front to look through the windshield.

"Oh, my gosh," Martha gasped. Clark and Lana were in the car. Lana was a little beat up, but that wasn't what concerned Martha. Clark had a gash on his face, and cuts on his hands.

"How…" muttered Jonathan. "Wait…kryptonite."

"What?" asked Martha.

"I saw kryptonite in his pocket," explained Jonathan. "He cut himself with it before the reporters showed up…to throw them off."

"But, Jonathan, why would he do something so dangerous?"

"I'm sure he had no other choice, sweetheart."

By now, Clark had jumped off the vehicle and was helping Lana down. Once Lana was off, Clark collapsed from the pain.

Clark opened the kitchen door, and walked in. He had just dropped off Lana at her apartment in the Talon to rest.

"Clark!" he heard Lana's voice scream. Clark jerked his head up to look in the living room. His parents were watching a news report about the accident. On the screen, he watched as Lana helped him up. "Let's get you out of here."

He looked at his parents, and they appeared horrified. Lana and Clark were making their way towards town.

"Leave him alone!" Lana yelled. "Can't you see what you've done to him? He's hurt!"

The screen switched over the anchorwoman. Martha clasped Jonathan's hand.

"I hope the baby's alright," she said.

Clark froze. "Baby?"

Martha and Jonathan jumped, and spun around.

"Uh…our baby…" said Martha. "You know, you'll always by my little boy."

Clark looked at her weird. "Okay, but don't…call me that again."

"It's a deal," said Martha. "How are you?"

Clark paused. "I didn't have a choice. They would've gotten suspicious."

"We understand, Clark," said Jonathan.

"How's Lana?" asked Martha.

"The doctor says she's perfectly healthy," said Clark. "Never been better."

"Good," said Martha.

"I'm gonna do some chores," said Clark, leaving the kitchen. He made his way to the barn, and ran up to his loft. He pulled a paper out of his pocket. It read: Dr. Stroker, Wednesday, 4:00. He had found it on the top of the wastebasket in Lana's apartment.

Why is Lana seeing a doctor? Clark thought. And why wouldn't she tell me?

He set the paper on his desk and sat on the sofa.

Is she sick? What's wrong with her?

Clark began to worry, and he took off in super speed for the Daily Planet.

Chloe had just gotten to her desk when Clark burst through the doors.

"Well, this is a surprise," said Chloe. "What's the occasion?"

"Lana," Clark said simply. "Something's happened to her."

Chloe paused. Did she tell him?

"I found a note in her apartment," Clark explained. "It was for a doctor's appointment. Do you know what's going on?"

Chloe looked at him. "Uh…"

"Is she sick?" Clark asked, getting anxious.

Chloe grabbed his hands. "Clark, calm down. Lana is fine. She isn't sick."

Clark let out a deep breath. "Then what is she seeing a doctor for?"

"Clark, she'll tell you when she's ready."

Clark narrowed his eyes. "You know."

"Clark, I promised I wouldn't tell," said Chloe. "And you can't blame her. You know what it's like to have to keep a secret…even from the people that you love. I know that she will tell you…you just have to give her time."

Clark sat there for a minute before getting up.

"Do you want me to tell her you want to talk?" asked Chloe.

"No, I'll just…" Clark began. "I'll just wait for her."

He left as Chloe plopped down into her chair. "Oh, I hate lying to him."

It had been four days since the accident…three months since Lana had gotten pregnant. Clark had been acting weird since the accident. He seemed to be going out of his way to be nice to her and take care of her. She was starting to wonder if he knew she was pregnant.

Lana made her way to his loft to find him staring out the window. He seemed to be staring at the horizon, waiting for the sun to set.

"Hi," said Lana.

Clark turned around and smiled. "How are you?"

"Great," said Lana. And she was great; this had been the first morning she had woken up not nauseous. She walked over to him and held his hands. "You should probably sit down."

Clark's face went blank as he followed her to the couch. They sat down as Lana took a deep breath.

"Clark, there's something I have to tell you," said Lana.

"Is this a bad time?" asked Chloe. She stood at the top of the stairs, having just arrived. Lana turned around and gave Chloe a look.

I'm telling him about the baby, mouthed Lana clearly. Chloe seemed to get it, and turned around.

"I'll wait downstairs," said Chloe.

Lana turned back to Clark. "Where was I?"

"You were about to tell me something," said Clark. "And before you do, I think I should say that whatever it is, I'll be there for you. It'll be alright."

Lana smiled. "I appreciate that." She placed her hands on top of his. "Clark, I'm not going to pressure you into anything, and I understand if you're freaked."

"Lana, what's going on?"

Lana paused. She looked into his eyes, and said, "I'm pregnant." Clark sat there for several seconds, and then smiled. "What?" Clark began grinning. Out of joy, or disbelief? "What is it?"

Clark held Lana's hands. "I found a note in your apartment for a doctor's appointment. I was afraid…you were sick. It's so relieving to know that you'll be alright."

Lana smiled as Clark looked down at his feet.

"So…who's the father?" asked Clark. Lana could tell that he thought she had hooked up with someone while he was dead. Lana looked at the floor, and back into his eyes.

"You are," she told him. His face grew serious as he pondered what she just said.

"Me?" asked Clark.

Lana nodded, and Clark looked at the floor.

"I know that this is sudden, and I'm not going to force you to take care of it. I just thought you should know." Clark looked at her. "The choice is yours."

Clark leaned in to kiss her. He pulled back and smiled at her. "I'm not going to leave you. I'll be there every step of the way. We'll take care of it together."

Lana smiled as they kissed again.

"Chloe knows, doesn't she?" asked Clark.

Lana nodded. "And Pete, Lois, and your parents. And we have our first ultrasound tomorrow before your welcome back party."

The people in the town had planned a party for Clark at the Talon, and he had reluctantly agreed to go along with it.

"I'll be there," said Clark as they got up and headed downstairs. Chloe was standing at the foot of the stairs, smiling.

"Oh, this is so great," said Chloe. "I'm gonna be an aunt."

"Aunt Chloe," said Lana, smiling. "I gotta get back to the Talon; I promised Lois I'd help out."

The three of them walked out to Lana's rental car, and she got inside. Clark leaned on the window.

"Don't worry," he told her. "I'll be right by your side."

He leaned in, and gave her a kiss. He stepped back as Lana drove off. Chloe came and stood by him.

"I'm glad she finally told you," she said. "Now I don't have to lie to you."

"Yeah, thanks for that, by the way," he said as they began to walk to the farmhouse.

"So…what now?" Chloe asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Will the baby have your special…advantages?"

"I'm not sure; probably."

"Well, that'll be interesting. I wonder what Lana will say when your child starts setting things on fire."

Clark stopped. "Oh, no…Lana."

"You have to tell her, Clark. She has a right to know that she's carrying a half-Kryptonian baby." Clark was silent. "Think about it; don't you think she's gonna start asking questions when the baby starts punching holes in the wall?" Clark didn't respond. "I gotta go."

Clark watched Chloe leave, and headed into the house. His parents were at the dining room table.

"Hey, Clark," said Jonathan. "I saw Lana stop by; how is she?"

"You knew?" asked Clark. They both looked up at him.

"Knew what, sweetheart?" asked Martha.

"That Lana was pregnant," said Clark. They froze.

"She told you," said Martha. "And we don't blame you for being angry—"

"I'm not angry," said Clark. "This is…a little unexpected, but it's great."

"Oh, I can't believe this," said Martha happily. "I'm gonna be a grandma!"

Jonathan smiled and hugged her. "We're real happy for you, son."

Clark smiled. "Thanks!"