Chapter Ninety-One
Clark held his baby brother in his arms. The two brothers were sandwiched between their mom and dad on the couch. The joyous reunion of Clark and his parents was followed by a cheerful introduction. Martha collected up Christopher and presented Clark with the cooing bundle.
"Clark, this is your baby brother. His name is Christopher."
The baby's eyes were scrunched shut in soundless sleep. Clark marveled at the tiny toes and fingers, and he listened how his parents suspected the ship had somehow brought about this miracle. He listened to how things had gone on the farm while he was gone. Clark thought carefully before speaking about his time with Alex. He wanted them to know he had been safe but didn't want them to think he had too much fun. Instead, Clark focused on explaining why Hamilton had been interested in abducting him.
The family had to stop their conversation of Clark's secret as word had spread that not only was Clark Kent back, but he was awake and recovering from his ordeal. There were many visitors to the Kent household that day. The first to come over was the sheriff to take his statement on what happened. Clark was honest as he could be; he explained how he was kept by someone who had mistaken him for a dead loved one. Clark himself had been confused as the people and places he came across looked familiar. Then, unexpectedly he was dropped back home and being scared that he was going crazy kept his distance. The truth of the other Earth and being kidnapped for his blood were the things he left out.
These were things he did share with Pete, Lana, Chloe, and Lex when they arrived. Pete and Lex seemed ready for Clark to be scared of them, but he greeted them warmly, knowing full well they were his friends. From them he heard about the rescue and how Dr. Hamilton was now dead. The question on why Hamilton had abducted him was left unasked. Clark was grateful as he would be unsure of what to say.
His friends left to let Clark rest some more. His mom was ready to tuck him back into bed, but Clark explained how he needed to see one more person first.
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Alex's mind wandered as he searched in vain for the Kryptonian key. He and Molly were in "John Madison's" lab searching for it. Molly had discovered the Eurydice device easily enough. The woman had a nose for tech. But the location of the power source eluded her. Molly found this extremely frustrating, but Alex kept the knowledge to himself of it being from another world that prevented her from feeling it.
"It should be here somewhere," Molly mumbled as she rummaged messily through the desk.
Alex aimlessly looked over desks and shelves. His desire to search was for Molly's sake. This Earth or that Earth made no difference to him. In one world, his brother was dead. In this world, how could Clark forgive him?
Alex had brought Clark's unconscious body to the Kent farm after getting him out of the hospital. There were mixed reactions from the Kents; the most prominent one was fear at seeing Clark looking dead. Alex had handed over Clark to their care and left with Molly. She had known Hamilton's address and the two had gotten something to eat and spent the night there. Chloe and Pete most likely had returned to their homes. Looking back, it was possible they thought he was their Lex and not Clark's kidnapper.
"Clark's doing fine, you know," Molly broke the silence, noticing Alex's grim demeanor. "I might have listened into Chloe's phone conversation an hour ago. I'm not sure exactly what happened, but it's not so much of a headache being around tech now."
"Good."
A knock on the door interrupted Alex's musings. There, in the doorway, dressed in flannel and jeans was Clark Kent. The boy was smiling and looked more natural and like himself Alex had ever seen him in Warrior Angel T-shirts.
"Hi, Alex. You must be Molly. I hear I owe you a pretty big thank you."
"Don't mention it. Glad to help." Molly glanced between Clark and Alex. "Um, I think I'm going to go grab a cup of coffee."
"How are you feeling?" Alex asked when they were alone.
"Better. Still not a hundred percent, but..." Clark shrugged. "So, how are you getting back?"
"Right now, we aren't. Molly was able to locate the device, but we're missing the key. Apparently, Molly can't speak to Kryptonian tech. So, unless we manage to find Zatara and he's able to help us, we're stuck."
Clark scanned the room with an intense gaze. Alex knew he was using Xray vision. Clark walked straight towards one of the falsified, framed diplomas hanging on the wall. Hidden behind it was the key.
"Hamilton was always clever. I tend to ignore those things. Thank you," Alex said as he took the octagonal disc.
"What was I?" Clark asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Just…why did you do it?" The look on Clark's face wasn't that of anger or hurt betrayal. Just pure, innocent inquiry.
"Why?" Alex repeated. Because of Lionel. Because I wanted to protect you. Because Julian was taken from me, and I wanted to love you and have you love me. "The why doesn't matter, does it?"
"Yeah, Alex, it does. Just tell me."
Alex sighed. Clark deserved the truth. Alex found himself explaining everything again. Using Eurydice and seeing him that first time, thinking it was Julian's spirit. Discovering the other world; trying to distract himself from Clark only for Julian to die. Wanting to say goodbye to both, but scared knowing there was a Lionel alive on this Earth that Clark might meet the same fate as Julian had.
"So, the whole time, it was about protecting me?"
"Yes. You asked what you were, and to me, Clark, you were my brother. But I did a poor job if you have to ask."
"That's the thing. It's hard to accept what happened because there were so many things that were good."
Alex brightened slightly at the compliment and began to hope.
Clark continued, "Alex, it was an awesome summer. The whole 'amnesia' thing aside, I felt more normal than I had in a long time. I didn't have to worry about hiding my secret. That much, at least. My friend's lives weren't in jeopardy every week. I didn't have to see my parents worry about mortgage payments and feel helpless at not being able to do anything. I just got to hang out and have fun."
"Then come back with me," Alex pleaded. "Be my brother. We'll do whatever you want. We can donate all the money away to charities; we could buy a farm and live off the land. I'll even wear overalls."
Clark smiled at the mental image. "You know I can't do that."
"I know." Alex closed his eyes in surrender. "And I respect you for that. Your family is your family. You stay with them, no matter what. I only hope that you can forgive me. The one thing I wanted was to keep you from harm. Instead, my actions led to it."
"Alex, I do forgive you. I mean that." Clark put a hand on Alex's shoulder.
"That means the world to me." Alex returned the gesture. "Thank you, Clark."
"I was hoping it'd be okay if I came with you. Just for a quick visit; let everyone know on the other side I'm okay. I'd like to say goodbye to Jeff and Lois and…"
"Chloe?" Alex finished for him. "Clark, you are certainly welcome to come. But this time, we'll do it the right way and get your parents' permission."
