05/14/14

Last day of the crossover challenge.

Off to the next challenge!

Chapter 7

In order to go swimming Clark had to borrow a pair of swim trunks from Garth, and Imra a swimsuit from Ayla. Luckily Clark and Garth were close enough in size and Ayla had gotten a swim suit too big for her in hopes of a growth spurt at which Garth commented that Ayla simply couldn't resist a sale and got promptly glared at by his twin. The robot, however, refused a swim suit on the grounds he would not be swimming because he didn't want to find out whether or not he would be the 'hairdryer' that got everyone electrocuted.

They took the scrap yard's spare truck to the lake, Mekt having taken the main one with him out of town. On the way the four teen sat squished together in the front while Garth drove and Brainy rode in the bed of the truck, laying down with a tarp laid over him.

After they made sure the area was clear, the teens uncovered Brainy and headed for the lake. Garth was the first to jump in, running up a rock ledge to canon ball down to the wall. Though he was shivering he encouraged the others to join him.

Not being stupid, Clark didn't go into the water until Ayla and Imra had slowly made their way in, wincing with every step until they were deep enough to dive under the water. He climbed the rock ledge to jump into the water like Garth and when he resurfaced he was greeted by a splash to the face.

Immediately, Ayla slashed Garth in revenge for Clark, "Be careful, you could knock off Clark's glasses."

Shaking his head, Garth dismissed it with a chuckle, "Don't worry about it, those things are glued to Clark's face."

Still frowning, Ayla turned to Clark and asked, "Why do you wear those things swimming anyway?"

Adjusting the glasses, Clark shrugged, "I like being able to see."

The answer seemed to be good enough for Ayla, swimming further into the water as Garth tried to convince Imra to get on his shoulders so they could have a chicken fight.

After a few laps around the safer part of the lake, Clark noticed Brainy sitting on the beach, just watching them. He swam out and sat next to the robot.

"What is the point of swimming?" Brainy asked.

"Exercise but mostly just for fun," commented Clark. "You know we could test you to see if you'd be okay in the water and I could teach you how to swim."

"That is unnecessary," replied Brainy. "I do not require exercise and I am enjoying myself just observing."

"Yeah but that can't be very fun," commented Clark, to which Brainy shrugged. "We should at least see if you're okay with water, just to be on the safe side."

Brainy was silent for a bit before turning to Clark, "And how do you suppose we do that without risking anyone's safety?"

Throwing Brainy into the lake definitely was not an option. Not only could Clark get his friends, or at least Imra, electrocuted, Brainy could sink of the bottom of the lake or get damaged by being submerged in water.

After a moment Clark told Brainy to hold out his hand and though Brainy looked confused, he followed the instruction.

Holding up his own hand, Clark let some of the water from his arm, drip down to his hand and off of his fingers onto Brainy's palm. Both waited a moment but Brainy seemed to have no reaction.

"At least you seem okay with small amounts of water," commented Clark, taking Brainy's hand and spreading the water a bit to test it further, adding to it as well seeing as his hand was still damp from being in the lake.

As Clark did this, Brainy was silent, watching Clark cover his hand with lake water, starting with the palm and going over the fingers.

"I hope you two realize that if you were Vulcan you would be making out right now," Ayla shouted at them and she stood on the shoreline.

Seeing Clark's face turn redder, Brainy became curious, "What is making out?"

"Lots of kissing," Ayla explained, turning to Garth and Imra, whom had walked out of the lake just behind her. "You two, demonstrate."

Now Imra and Garth turned redder but Brainy was just more confused, "But what is kissing?"

The teens looked at each other before they tried to explain. Kissing was when someone pressed their lips against another person, whether against someone's cheek or forehead or other body part. When two lips met for a kiss it was typically in a romantic nature.

"Like Superman and Lois Lane in the comic books," Brainy theorized.

"That's right," Imra smiled at Clark's face becoming red again.

"But Lois Lane is fictional, whereas Superman is not," said Brainy.

"That's right," nodded Ayla.

"Then who does Superman kiss in real life?" asked Brainy

"Probably the kittens he rescued from trees," joked Garth, not sure why Imra was giving him a dirty look now. "What?"

"Superman can kiss whoever he wants to kiss," stated Brainy, "He's Superman."

At that Imra giggled, Clark awkwardly drew pictures in the sand and Ayla nodded, stating that Superman could kiss her anytime he wanted.

"Enough talk about Superman," Garth grabbing the towels, tossing one to each of the girls before starting to dry himself off. "When are we telling the other about this?"

"Telling the others?" Clark hoped his voice didn't just squeak.

"You can't really expect us to keep this," Garth suggested towards Brainy, "From our friends? They can even help, like when Mekt comes back."

"I think the less people that know the better," said Clark.

"Come on, they can keep secrets," protested Garth.

"But we have a government agent after Brainy, if they don't know they can't get hurt," protested Clark.

"Oh but Ayla and I are worth risking?" demanded Garth.

"That's not what Clark means and he didn't want to involve you either," Imra stepped in, "I insisted."

Garth huffed, "Just admit it Imra, Clark doesn't trust anyone but you and that's only because you can read his mind." He swung around to look at Clark, "And yes we all know you're hiding something from us; it's obvious but none of us pushed because we thought you'd tell us in time but you obviously don't trust us, your so-called friends."

"Garth," Imra started but Garth was already walking back to the truck.

"Garth, please," Clark called, both grateful and uncertain when Garth turned back to him. "You are my friends I just… My folks and I have been keeping this secret my entire life; I don't know how to share it. I do consider you all my friends though, really."

After a bit Garth sighed and walked back over, sitting on Clark's other side, "Admitting you have a problem is the first step into realizing you've been a jerk."

Despite himself Clark chuckled and Garth smiled.

In the end they gathered up their friends and they met at the scrap yard where Clark and Imra explained everything before they introduced Brainy. After all of Clark's worrying, their friends reacted just fine. Chuck started asking Brainy a thousand questions, none of which Brainy knew the answer to and Luornu wanted to play with his hair, insisting that maybe make-up could cover his unusual coloring to help him blend in. Brin just observed Brainy silently, just like Brainy did to the others, and Tinya suggested places they could hide Brainy after Mekt returned from his trip.

"What are we going to do about that government agent," Brin asked after a bit.

"Not much we can do but try to keep her from Brainy," Clark sighed.

"Oh keep away," Tinya smiled, "I'm game."

Seeing all of his friends so willing to keep this secret, Clark almost reached for his glasses. He almost blurted out his own secret but he held it in, if only just for a little bit longer. He would wait and see how this secret panned out before he endangered them all and himself any further.