Chapter 5

Jor-El watched Lana's progress. Surprise and Astonishment marveled at her aptitude and learning curve. Not even on our world would a native Kryptonian learn so fast! Not even our simulators could have foreseen her growth. Amazing! He felt her aura's signature barreling toward himself. Then, the air stirred. Tell Tale Blur signaled her approach.

She skidded to a stop beside the scarecrow. The return sprint went better. Adjustments allowed her to steer direction and speed better on that occasion. Once again, she felt refreshed. Okay, now what?

Focus on it. What do you see?

She put her hands on her hips. His tests and lessons strained her patience. "I see the scarecrow."

What is inside of it? Remember what you did to the wall? Look through the thing.

Why didn't you just say so? She concentrated anew. At first, the Scarecrow seemed the same. Then, Top Layer vanished. She could see Straw cushioning the central post in its middle. So, I really have x-ray vision!

You already have better control than Kal-El in that regard. Make it burn from your eyes. Again, remember what Kal-El did in the theater? You have that ability as well. Focus on that thing. It will happen.

She glared at the scarecrow. She narrowed her eyes. She ground her teeth. Strain wore on her. Despite her effort, no heat burned in her eyes much less the scarecrow itself. I can't do this. How does he do this? She threw her hands up in the air.

Irony jabbed at Jor-El. The situation forced him toward human emotional responses. He would've rolled his eyes if he'd still had them. Think of something…well…pleasurable.

Pleasurable? She narrowed her eyes. You're synced into my head and you want me to…? Seriously? Disbelief raised her eyebrow at the glowing ball a few feet away from her. This is a nightmare! Now I get why Clark's as paranoid as he is.

I HEARD THAT!

Oh did you now? Kind of need the personal space! She sucked in a composing breath. Satisfaction's smirk spread across her face. She closed her eyes. Memoria swept her back to the previous night. Once more, Clark's arms encircled her waist. Their eyes sparkled into each other. Luna washed them in glittering Faerie dust. Their feet whispered across faded floorboards. Their hearts beat in sync. Amor joined their minds and souls. Their Star Dance dismissed worldly concerns and biases.

Once more, it was just them…them and no one else…

Sappy smile spread across her face. She savored the moment. Situation's pain faded before the Dream. Fantasy nudged her toward Desire's alternate outcome. Clark. Reality, however, drew her back to its present day. Heat burned at her eyes and forehead. She blinked. Her mouth twisted into a frown. What is this? She rubbed her forehead. I'm not sick! Why is my forehead so hot?

He buried his response to her insights deeper. Logic demanded his absolute attention to her progress at that moment in time. Your heat vision. Turn toward that thing. Focus now on it.

Crimson glowed in her eyes. Twin heat beams surged forward toward the scarecrow. They ignited Straw and Cloth on impact. Her forehead and eyes cooled off. The headache disappeared. Wow! That must've been what happened in the Talon! It's kind of intense! So how does he control this? And Chloe said he had no emotions. She shook her head over that particular observation.

This is why we are doing this, Lana Lang. Unlike Kal-El, I want you to understand instead of blundering around like a blind being in the dark. Look at your progress. In one afternoon, you've earned your place. You know how to use your x-ray and heat vision. You have used your super strength. You communicate with me using telepathy. It is my hope that your commitment will instill purpose in my son. In orderly discovery, practice and development, we can avoid Kal-El's previous errors in judgment. Jor-El assessed the burning scarecrow. Such as what happened with his x-ray vision….

What about his x-ray vision? Intrigue enticed her to his point. Clark would never! I can't imagine him…. Denial pushed that possibility away.

Jor-El made a noise like clearing his throat. Not deliberately…He exerted himself in your athletic learning session. He had a moment as you saw with his heat vision. Kal-El couldn't control his x-ray vision. He saw through his hand, his dark-skinned friend and your cleaning/changing area.

Cleaning/changing? What…I…? Realization dawned on her. "ARE YOU SERIOUS?" She facepalmed herself. "He was looking into our locker room? I was wearing a towel! I was…well…just like the comforter! Really?" Indignity stewed into her. "I think he and I need a talk about that."

Now you understand my point. Kal-El did not do it deliberately. He did not see anything of note. He fell from the rope he clung to before that happened. The soft substance broke his fall. Still, as with your theater encounter, that error could have exposed him to the humans around you both. I would offer guidance rather than the wait and see the blundering of Jonathan Kent. Jor-El grumbled over that point. Patience frayed over the chosen foster parents' methods and guidance along Earth-based understanding.

Now wait a minute! Mr. and Mrs. Kent love Clark! They care about him! If anything, they're so secretive because they want to protect him just like you do! Just as I do! You understand that I'd die for Clark! Right? She frowned at the energy ball. We all want the same thing! As I said earlier, Krypton's gone. As you said, he and I are Kryptonian. We may be Kryptonian but we have to live here on Earth and experience things at least so we don't stick out and attract attention. We kind of have to keep a foot in both camps. She could almost see Jonathan's, Nell's and Gabe Sullivan's reactions to her transformation. She knew their objections would be strong to say the least. Why can't you work with the Kents? We're all on the same team!

I'd be willing to…try, Lana Lang. Her point grated on Jor-El. Compromise burned in his craw. They were only supposed to be caretakers! When Kal-El was of age, he was to be ready to take his place! Look at you. You grasp our newly shared culture quickly and almost instinctively. They resist.

She shrugged. You changed your attitude. You did try to kill me before. Now, we can communicate. I'm kind of an outsider to everyone. My aunt was my guardian. I know my Mom and Dad wouldn't have agreed with her. But that's kind of what I have to deal with. Nell hates that I care for Clark. You'd agree with her view. She rolled her eyes again. Be with the upper class. Marry for money and security…blah, blah, blah…. Well, Clark and I both have different ideas, Joe.

Hearing Louise's pet name jerked Jor-El's heart strings. Seeing Lana say it strummed Memoria's harp once more. Heartfelt Sigh echoed across their shared link.

Lament slammed into her psyche. She felt his heartache. "I'm sorry. I…"

Telepathy please.

She puffed out another breath. I wanted to give you some personal space. I felt your pain. There's someone. I know that feeling. I don't want to hurt you.

Thank you. Jor-El regarded her once more. Once again, he chastised himself. Oversight, Assumption and Prejudice almost shoved the Promised One away from his son. You did not. There was someone on my last trip through Smallville. I see her in you. We can talk about her after our current situation is resolved.

This ancestor of mine you brought up before? She recalled his feelings. I get it. We kind of have to wait to talk about her. Maybe you might talk to Clark and me about her? It might help us. You won't try to separate us again? She wanted his word or whatever bound Kryptonians.

Without Hesitation's pause, Jor-El affirmed, You two are meant for each other. Now go and be careful. Just as you have his gifts so too do you have his weaknesses. The glowing meteor rocks will weaken you now. That is all. Pursue Kal-El. Bring him back here. Everything hangs on your success in that quest, Lana Lang. With that, the energy ball vanished from view.

The previous hour's experiences stretched Believability's limits. Power's surge twitched her muscles. Shocks tingled across her skin. Close Call, Survival and Turn of Events spun her head to be honest. Abilities stunned her. How does Clark deal with them? with this new knowledge and the gifts. How does he deal with this? She collected herself. Okay, first I'll go home and pack a few things. Then I'll leave a note for the Sullivans before I go. She got back into the waiting blazer. Renewed Purpose sent her on her way.

Preparations awaited. Pursuit came soon after….