Chapter 12 [Riverside Inn, Upper East Side—Next Morning]

Lana stepped out of the elevator into the lobby. The previous night's chicken and ziti dinner soothed her palate. She'd sank into her bed's softness. Exhaustion had drained every bit of strength from her limbs. She slept straight through the night without dreams or waking up once. Upon waking up, she showered and dressed in her packed blouse and slacks. She'd texted Martha about her progress. Then, she'd headed for the elevator.

You should take care, Jor-El advised. Your caution last night was well advised. We should find out how much this Virgil Swann knows. We should also reveal as little as possible about ourselves.

I can't believe how much he knows! Grimace contorted Lana's face. Does he watch *everything*? She shivered in spite of the room's relative warmth. No wonder Clark and his parents are so paranoid! Her senses picked up on Crosby's emotions. That other doctor's around here.

Yes. She is straight ahead and to our left. Very good. Jor-El complimented. Once more, her rapid learning and adjustments impressed him to say the least. Remain alert. Everything hangs in the balance.

Lana nodded. Her x-ray vision cut through a nearby pillar to find Crosby standing up from her seat. She took a composing breath. Here goes!

Crosby stepped into view. She and Swann had talked that morning. They remained unable to locate much less trace Kal's movements. Consequently, she'd decided to leave that update to Swann himself. "Good morning, Miss Lang. Are you feeling better?"

"Definitely! Thanks, Dr. Crosby. How are you this morning?" Lana covered her mouth with her hand. "Excuse me. Sorry. I did sleep all night." She squirmed. Embarrassment streaked Crimson across her cheeks.

Crosby looked all around them. Then, she assured Lana, "You need the rest. Now, Dr. Swann wants you to leave your bag here. You may need to stay another night if we can't find your friend." She led Lana toward the desk.

Another night? I hope Miri can handle it! Clark, where are you? Lana followed the other woman's lead.

Some things just weren't easy….

[Half an Hour Later—Swann's Observatory]

Lana munched on her cinnamon bagel and cream cheese. Coffee's caffeinated draught chased those mouthfuls. Video revealed more about Clark's intercessions on her behalf. Swann kept the "show" to those parts. As per the previous night's promise, he respected Clark's privacy in most regards. "It's kind of strange seeing Clark like that. I knew he was there. I just never thought he got involved all of those times."

"I imagine his parents were concerned as well. That incident with the college bullies came way too close to exposing Kal-El. Fortunately, Miss Lang, you resolved that issue." Swann told the computer to end the sequences. "I'll be honest. That situation earned you my respect. You stood beside Kal-El. You taught him that not every situation requires his full abilities. Your wits and martial arts proved to be enough. I hope he will take that to heart in the future."

"Thanks. That's all I want, Dr. Swann." Lana wiped a tear from her eye. "I've never seen Clark like that. He kept going on about he hurts people. I tried to help him understand. He wouldn't listen to me." She shook her head. "If only he hadn't tried to blow up the spaceship…."

Actions have consequences, Jor-El interjected.

You're the last being to get on him right now. You drove him to that point. You're right. I think we all need to think about that going forward. She kept a straight face. Still, her telepathic discussion distracted her from the main discussion at hand.

"Miss Lang?" Swann raised an eyebrow. "Are you all right?"

"Hmm? Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. I was just thinking about how we all pushed Clark in certain ways. I know this past year hasn't been the easiest for him or me. I'd like to talk to Mr. and Mrs. Kent about not isolating him so much? Maybe we can give him support?" Lana rubbed the back of her neck. "I know I need it too. We have some folks in Smallville who know about him besides me. I think Clark feels like he's all by himself. That's a lot of weight to carry."

"That is part of being the Son of Krypton," Crosby reminded her.

"Excuse me if this sounds snide, Dr. Crosby. But who cares? Smallville's got so many super powered people besides Clark. We have meteor fr…mutants. There was Kyla, Clark's…kind of ex…" Lana rolled her eyes. "She was Cowache. I guess she was half-Kryptonian and a skinwalker. Byron Moore knows about Clark. He's definitely someone who can help and needs help too. We have to deal with Mr. Luthor. Why not have more eyes rather than just one or two sets?"

"We would require individuals that we can trust, Miss Lang. As you are becoming very aware of, there are unscrupulous people who want to manipulate Kal-El and you for their own ends. You must be so careful. I have already shown you those individuals." Swann mulled over Lana's words. "Still, there is something to consider with the Cowache, Kyla, and Kal-El. Both remained isolated and caught between two worlds. She lost control as well. Pity."

"I'm overwhelmed by this stuff. I definitely need to practice with these abilities. I don't want Clark ending up that way. No man…or woman…is an island." Lana shrugged.

"No, Miss Lang, none of us most certainly are that. For now, we watch. The idea has merit." Swann noted his console's alarm light flashing. "Someone is breaking into the planetarium. Screen, show outside security video."

The screen switched to the outside feed. It revealed Kal breaking the door down. He stomped into the facility. "HEY! DOC! MY DAD TELLS ME YOU KNOW THINGS! LET'S TALK!"

Crosby frowned. "Sensors are picking up on high levels of red kryptonite radiation on him. That's what made him lose control."

It's the ring. The stone is attached to it, Jor-El told Lana.

"Dr. Swann, can you focus on the ring?" she suggested, passing along Jor-El's suggestion. The class rings' stones were red meteor rock fragments? SERIOUSLY? That's what made him act like a jerk last Fall? Clark really didn't know what he was doing. Was I that bad on Nicodemus? Guilt ate at her. Clark, I asked you before! Why didn't you tell me how bad it was? What did I do?

Swann studied the screen. "Magnify right hand." He confirmed the glowing stone on Kal's right hand. "The stone is the source! We have to get it away from him!" He watched the other security cameras. "He's coming right this way. I have countermeasures. Dr. Crosby and I will need time to prepare them."

It is up to you, Lana Lang. We must reason with Kal-El. Failing that, we must stop him, Jor-El admonished.

Lana clenched her fists. She didn't want to hurt Clark. Uncertainty still loomed over her new abilities. Still, given Kal's mindset, Choices were quite limited along those lines. I'll just have to do the best I can! This is kind of nuts! Clark, I love you! "I'll give you that time, Dr. Swann." She set her jaw and started back through the clutter maze toward the chamber's door.

Unstoppable force…meet immovable object….