Conclusion [A Year Later]

The seasonal cycle took another of its turns. Thanksgiving, Christmas and Chanukah provided plenty of chances to celebrate the holidays. Winter's blast and snowy cover proved ample fodder for a "reunion"/sequel to the first poetry session. With Lex's help, the Kents and their friends headed north to New York State for a bit of maple sugaring. Chores continued. Plans were laid for the following year.

Change indeed proved a hallmark for all concerned. Lex increased his hold on LuthorCorp. Chloe's internship with the Ledger meant more responsibility for Pete, Clark and Lana where the Torch was concerned. Lana delegated some responsibility for the Talon to Miranda and Jasmine given everything else that was going on. The Talon's theater held weekend showings of different movies and held cultural events. The Duboises, as expected, moved to town albeit in stages. Dave came first to work with the county and state libraries before Christmas. Angie followed after the February maple sugar trip to New York. And then Nell hastened things by moving to Metropolis. After arguments ensued between Lana and her, Jonathan and Martha brought Lana in under their roof.

Clark admittedly wasn't too keen about the couch. Still Lana was there. In addition he pitied Chloe for having to endure her cousin as a roommate after the latter's move from Fort Riley.

And so, things continued to come together…..

[Cowache Caves]

Lana marveled at the pictographs adorning the cave walls. She couldn't believe such a large repository of Kryptonian history and culture had practically sat right on the edge of town. She practically devoured the knowledge from them. Given what Jor-El and Lara had told her, she'd come to understand a great deal about the culture she would marry into one day. "Are you seeing this, Clark?"

"Is it another war?" Clark wasn't quite as interested in the history and literature. He did read over the scientific records.

"There was a civil war with Jor-El on one side. Some guy named Zod was on the other. It was kind of harsh on Krypton," she told him.

"Civil wars are that." He glanced at the pictographs in her section. "Want to run a race?"

She rolled her eyes. "You don't want to find out more?"

"Nope. Want to race," he insisted.

"You mean get beat again," she corrected. "Okay. Fine." She sped out of the chamber in a flash/

You always have to let her get a head start. Don't you? He rolled his eyes at himself. Then he rushed toward the cave's entrance and followed her trail.

[An Hour Later—Kent Farm]

After a run to the Nebraska border and the barn chores, Clark and Lana sat down for dinner with Martha and Jonathan. Both had built up an appetite between the race (even if Clark still couldn't beat her for trying) and their other tasks.

"How did today go? Find out anything new?" Martha glanced at the two teens. She passed the mashed potatoes to Jonathan.

"It's great, Mrs. Kent. There's so much history down there! We're discovering science, art and even music. Krypton was a great civilization. It's too bad what happened to it," Lana described.

"And what was that?" Jonathan asked. Even if he still wasn't the most keen on the Kryptonian studies, he wanted to seem more encouraging toward their efforts.

"The planet blew up, Dad. We still haven't found out why. Maybe Jor-El might tell us when he see him next," Clark clarified.

Seeing Jor-El next? Terrific. Jonathan cleared his throat. "And your family, Lana? How 's everything at the cemetery?"

"Mom and Dad's site is okay. Clark and I made sure Aunt Louise's plot is clear. We're good for now. I'll go back and visit later this week," Lana noted. "I would go more but school, chores, the Talon and practice on the abilities makes it tough."

"Everything in its time, Lana. You'll get there. Just be patient," Martha assured her. "We'd rather you do what you can and keep your health. I'm glad Miranda and Jasmine could deal with the Talon a little more."

"Even with super abilities, guess we have limits," Lana supposed. She grinned and shrugged.

"We do all right." Clark agreed. "Still we can watch out for each other." He hugged her shoulders with his right arm. Due to his parents, he went no farther than that.

"Absolutely, Clark," Jonathan concurred. "Absolutely."

And so, Lana's desire and Clark's inspiration flowered into something greater. Whereas things had seemed so dark and chaotic a year earlier, now they made sense. As Reynolds had declared, one small detail could bring Change's avalanche down on a scene. People moved toward their assigned places. Harmony ensued. Granted further changes would come but that is a matter for another time.

Right now let's allow Clark and Lana to enjoy the bridging of their worlds. Shall we?

THE END