The Fallen Sky: Lol. I got a kick out of the image of you pointing at your screen and calling Isobel evil. I wasn't too sure you guys would get what happened, not that you're dumb, but because I wanted to make it obvious, but not say it outright, so I had to depend solely on my writing to kind of have that balance. I'm relieved it's seemed to work out.
And you're right about "my Lois." ;) She's definitely the Lois from around season 4. That was my favorite Lois.
Thorber stone: lol. Play nice guys! And thank you! Oh, God! A Lizzy t-shirt? Oh man, what have I done?;)
As for the fowl incident, I noticed it after I posted. Lol. I guess that's what happens when you try to write parts of a story on your phone while using sure-type. At first, it put in "fuel," but then I went back to correct it. Fowl and foul were right next to each other. I could've sworn I touched foul, but oh well. I'll probably just keep to writing on my desktop;)
Jeremy Shane: thanks!
{(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)}
Dr. Emil says Maddie's baby is fine. Maddie too. Therefore, Clark shouldn't be so worried. But he is. And not just about Maddie and her baby. He's worried about his family; his wife and children.
There's a little girl in his home who calls herself Isobel. There's a little girl in his home who looks like Lana. And once upon a time there was a witch who looked like Lana and called herself Isobel.
She lived centuries ago. Died centuries ago as well; but this is Smallville. It wasn't the weirdest thing he'd seen when she was resurrected and took possession of Lana's body not even twenty years ago. But she was one of the most formidable opponents he'd come across during his high school years. She was a ruthless witch who wanted the Stones of Power. And she would do whatever it took to get them. That included stripping Clark of his powers and beating him near to death when he got in her way.
And now he's supposed to take a chance on this little girl in his home. This little girl named Isobel.
"Clark, go home." Maddie says suddenly, sighing quite heavily and dramatically. She's not in a hospital per se. Dr. Emil is only one man with a few selected aides after all; but she is in a hospital-like setting, and the way Clark's been hovering over her off and on for the past few hours is making her feel like she's on her death bed. Or very close to it at least.
Clark shakes his head. "You're still in the hospital. You're not fine."
"Yeah, but only for observation." She rebuttals.
"And I'm observing." He says stubbornly, taking one of Maddie's hands into his own.
Maddie rolls her eyes. "Seriously, you're making my husband look bad."
"No I'm not."
"And don't say he's making himself look bad by not being here because I'm fine." She cuts him off.
Clark shakes his head. "I wasn't going to say that." He says gently.
"Oh?"
"No. I was going to say that you're my family. I have the right to worry about you."
Maddie inhales sharply. She has a father. Everyone has a father, except maybe that child, Isobel; but her father is a murdering monster. She has nothing to do with him. Clark saw to that.
She was nine when she met him. He made her feel safe with him right away. Which was strange. Every foster parent she'd had tossed her away when she displayed some sort of magic, when she accidently broke a pitcher, or a window, or a wineglass. She'd gotten used to feeling unwanted and temporary…until she met Clark. He understood her. Took the time to get to know her, saved her from her lunatic of father, helped her learn to control her powers, and found her a stable home.
They kept in touch after she went to live with her grandmother. She was surprised. She thought he'd forget about her, like most people did. They sent emails back and forth until one day she didn't send one. She was testing him, unconsciously of course. She tricked herself into thinking she was too busy. The next day, she tricked herself into thinking she was too tired to write back. The next day, she tricked herself into thinking she forgot. And it seemed he'd forgotten her too. But that was okay. She was used to that. At least she still had her grandma.
That weekend started off uneventful. But nothing rarely happens at eight o'clock in the morning anyway. Until the doorbell rang. She let her grandma get the door. She was sleepy still. Suddenly, the covers were snatched off her head. She looked up, scowling at her grandmother, but she wasn't there. Clark was.
"You haven't been answering my emails." He accused. "Did you forget about me already?"
Maddie's grin was so big it hurt her face. She leaped out of bed and into Clark's arms. He took her to the farm that weekend. And many more weekends after that. It wasn't long before she was considered family. Mrs. Kent was like a mother to her, and Clark was, well he was only ten years older than her, so he wasn't like a father. And he wasn't really a friend either, that's a little creepy. Maybe he was something of a brother with a huge dose of paternal instincts. What do you call that? She doesn't know, but it changed her life for the better.
And now she can't help thinking about another little girl. One who's practically in the same situation she had been in. One who needs a family and someone to believe in her. One who needs Clark to believe in her. And she realizes Clark hasn't mentioned her, not once. And she wonders if he's even met her yet.
"Have you been home at all yet?" Maddie asks suddenly.
Clark shakes his head, getting the sneaky feeling of where this conversation is heading.
"Are you avoiding Isobel?" She questions bluntly.
Clark blinks. He is, but he didn't think it was that obvious.
"Go home Clark." Maddie sighs. "I know it's probably going to be hard to face her, but she can't help that she looks like Lana. She's a sweet kid."
Clark thinks he's imagined the way Maddie's voice faltered when she described Isobel as a sweet kid; but he feels he knows better. And he doesn't press.
"Isobel's lucky." Maddie continues. "I wish you'd become my father." She smiles up brightly at her.
If Clark could have his way, he would've. He doesn't want to play father to Isobel. He'd take Maddie over her any day.
But he smiles back. down at the young mother-to-be.
"Go." She urges.
Clark chuckles. Just one more thing before he leaves though.
"I Love you, Maddie."
"I love you too Clark."
Clark's gone seconds later, but he doesn't go home.
He makes a call to his mother, hoping she's not busy; but knowing she is at the same time. It's the only reason she wasn't able to get away from D.C. in time for Maddie's baby shower. But he needs her for this, and he knows she'll give him the time. Not just because he's her only son, but because well, it's mostly because he's her only son. And it's not like he'd interrupt her busy day if it weren't an emergency.
Martha answers on the second ring. "Is everything alright, Clark?"
Clark smiles ruefully. "Yes. And no. You're….I need your help." He settles for, because telling his mother she's about to become a grandmother again is like accepting the fact that Isobel's becoming family, and not just a guest in his home until she proves herself too dangerous to be around.
"Whatever I can do, just let me know." She answers patiently.
Clark sighs. "Chloe wants to adopt a child. A little girl." He starts off.
Martha gives a low whistle, something his father used to do a lot. When he passed, she kinda picked up the habit. It's comforting in a way. "Six kids? Clark…"
She's waiting for the rest. Clark knows she is. So he carries on. "She's there already. Oliver's getting the paper work."
"That was fast." Martha puts in when Clark pauses there.
"Andrew and Casey found her at the Luthor Mansion. She's…special."
No longer wanting to beat around the bush, Martha asks her son directly. "What do you need from me, Clark?"
"Come with me to meet her."
"You haven't yet?"
"No. Not yet."
Clark can practically hear Martha frowning on the other end of the line. He can run faster than a speeding bullet, lift a hundred times his weight, hell, he can freakin' fly; yet he needs his mother to come with him to meet his new daughter.
"Give me five minutes." She concedes moments later.
"I'll be there in six."
{(O)(O)(O)}
Things have been going pretty good so far. Well, as good as can be after the guest of honor is rushed off to see Dr. Emil. But the one thing that's bothering Casey, is her dad's absence. He hasn't been home yet, not once. Here it is, dinner time, and he hasn't set foot on the Kent Farm.
All the guests have gone now, including her aunt, Lois. She left Sam behind though. Personally, Casey thinks her aunt would've stayed for dinner too if Isobel hadn't insisted on calling her Tante instead of Lois. It was a little weird, but so is the kid so Casey shrugged it off.
Lois couldn't. No matter how many times Lois told Isobel that her name was Lois, Isobel still called her Tante. If Casey didn't know any better, she'd say Isobel was purposely trying to get a rise out of Lois Lane; but the kid didn't smile like she was getting a kick out of it or anything.
Casey wanders into the kitchen, alone. Isobel's with Jonathan and Noley. Her mother is loading up the dinner platters to set in the middle of the table. She could help she guesses, but Lizzy's already doing that.
"Casey, get the silverware, please." Chloe says.
So much for not helping. She obediently starts gathering enough utensils for eight before remembering her dad's not here. "Mom? Do you think dad's gonna make it for dinner?"
She doesn't get an answer to her question, the front door is opened, ('cause no one ever knocks in Smallville), and her grandmother enters.
"Hi Grandma!" Noley comes out of nowhere to greet the older woman.
Martha greets her overly exuberant granddaughter, but not as she usually does. She's been caught off guard and is staring at the newest addition to the Kents. Clark didn't tell her she looks just like Lana.
She covers her mouth and her eyes water just a little. And Casey remembers she knew Lana when she was a little girl. Like, when Lana was three. She remembers the story about how the girl asked her grandmother to make a wish, and the same day she and Jonathan Kent found a little boy in the cornfield. Of course it wasn't anything as romantic as that. There was a meteor shower that killed, and injured, dozens. Both of Lana's parents being among the deceased. But still, Martha always remembers Lana when she remembers how she got to be so lucky as to have found her son.
"This is Isobel." Casey speaks up a little nervously. Her dad is standing in the doorway now, but he's just standing there staring at Isobel. No smile, which is unnerving, but no frown, so that's sort of okay, she guesses.
Martha stops gaping at the child and gives her a warm smile. "Hello Isobel." She greets.
The child says nothing back.
"Isobel, its bad manners when someone says hello to you and you don't say it back." Casey reminds her.
"Hello, Grandma." Isobel says to Martha.
Martha's eyes widen just a little and Casey winces, realizing that she didn't introduce them properly. Isobel probably thinks Grandma is actually her name.
"Is it okay?" she asks.
Martha nods. "Of course it's okay." She agrees easily.
Casey can't help herself, she gives Martha a big hug…well, as big of a hug that she can give without crushing her. Which Martha returns with equal fervor. It's not that hugs from Casey are rare; but the ones initiated by her are pretty scarce.
Then her dad comes in fully. His eyes still locked on Isobel.
Isobel frowns and cocks her head to the side. She starts looking around, searching for something, and she finds it the second she steps around Martha. Her eyes lock on Clark and he actually kind of flinches.
Well, that's not good.
"Dad, this is Isobel," Casey intercedes. "Isobel, this is Dad."
Isobel studies Clark, her head tilted up, eyes roaming across his face. The way she holds his gaze, it's uncomfortably intense. There almost seems to be a hint of recognition, but it's gone quickly.
Finally, Isobel holds out a tiny hand. "Hello, Papa." She says in a small voice.
Clark doesn't look like he's about to take the child's hand, but then Casey gives him a pleading look.
He squares his shoulders. He should try.
"Dinner!" Chloe calls from the dining room. Everyone rushes out. Everyone except for Clark, Casey, Isobel, and Jonathan.
Martha gives her son's arm a squeeze, before joining her grandchildren and daughter-in-law.
"Are you ready to eat dinner, Isobel?" Clark frowns at Isobel. She's still got her hand held out. He hasn't shaken it yet.
"What do I have to do?" She replies.
"Go to the table with the rest of the family." he answers while taking her hand in his and guiding her to the dining room table. It's one of the few additions to the Kent home. He's got a much bigger family than his parents had. So naturally, he needed a much bigger table. It seats ten comfortably.
It's quiet at the table. Too quiet. There are too many kids and a Sammy here for it to be so quiet. But everyone's watching him as he leads Isobel to the table.
He sits her between Andrew and Noley, purposely separating her from Casey and Jonathan. They notice, but keep quiet. As soon as Isobel's settled in her chair, he fixes her a plate. It's a small plate. Lana never ate much anyway.
Then Clark sits next to his wife. She smiles at him. He kisses her and smiles back.
"Gross, not at the table guys." Casey rolls her eyes. But Clark notices she's smiling at him. he knows she wants Isobel to stay the most. He heard it from Chloe over the phone at least ten times today. He gets up and kisses her too.
"Dad!" she complains. But there isn't a single soul at this table who doesn't know she doesn't mean it.
Clark sits back down. And it seems the mood is broken. Everyone lightens up and start to dig in.
Clark watches the child carefully as she eats. She has a butter knife, but he fights himself to let her keep it. It's not very sharp, but he just doesn't want to take any chances with her.
She eats slowly, frowning as she shoves tiny spoons-full of cranberry sauce into her mouth.
"What's the matter with you?" Andrew finally asks her.
"I don't like the way this taste."
"Then stop eating it." He instructs, like it's the most obvious thing to do. Then he scoops it off of her plate and onto his, frowning at her the whole time. What kind of person prefers peas over cranberry sauce. The kid is obviously an alien.
Once the cranberry sauce is gone from Isobel's plate, everything disappears quickly. Neatly, but quickly.
"Do you want more, Isobel?" Casey smirks.
She nods her head. "What do I have to do?"
She's just about to tell the child to hold up her plate so she can put more on it when Jonathan cuts in.
"Isobel, what can you do?"
Everyone gives Jonathan a questioning glance, and then their eyes are back on the child…whose spoon is hovering midair. She moves her hand to the right, just a little, and the spoon slowly moves to the right as well.
"Isobel!" Clark exclaims.
"Yes, Papa?" The child answers, not the least bit startled. She focuses her gaze on Clark, and the spoon still hovers.
"That's enough." He says, making a conscious effort to calm down.. "Put the spoon down."
Isobel puts her spoon down and looks at Casey expectantly. Martha's the one to remember the child had been asking for seconds.
Clark pulls on Chloe's arm a little. "Chloe, can I talk to you for a minute?" he asks, but it's mostly a formality. At his guidance, she's out of her seat and in the kitchen within seconds.
"She can't stay." He says bluntly, no preamble. Not for this.
"What do you mean she can't stay!?" A voice, not belonging to Chloe yells at him from behind. He turns around, and two of his children, Casey and Jonathan, are standing before him.
"Casey…"
"You didn't even give her a chance, Daddy." She whispers before stalking off.
Clark sighs, then looks to Jonathan, one of his wisest children. He knows he's going to get the truth, not just the truth, but the logical, rational truth.
"She's right Dad." He says calmly. rationally. "You didn't give her a chance. She didn't hurt anyone, just lifted her spoon."
Clark sighs. His children are right. He knows it, but Isobel…she still puts him on edge.