Chapter 6
"You know, you'll burn a hole in the arm rest if you keep doing that." Carina said, making Clark sigh as he stopped. He hated that he had to use a jet, but it was the price he had to pay to keep his secret. He had wanted to run right to the facility, but Jack and the rest of Clark's family had dissuaded him of that idea. Not only would he reveal his powers to three people who didn't need to know, pissing Sarah off when she inevitably found out since she and Zondra hadn't gotten along in years, Shaw knew about his powers and had probably planned accordingly. Thankfully when Jack had called President Palmer he had been more than happy to help the two men who had saved his life two years earlier. The only downside was that for as fast as they were traveling they still had another hour before they would be over the facility that was holding Casey and Sarah.
"I'm sorry, I'm just worried. If we're too late, If anything's happened to them I...I don't know what I'd do."
"You really care for them don't you?" She asked and he nodded.
"When I said they were my family, I wasn't lying. A while after we met, I found out that my parents, who were actually undercover CIA at the time, were working with the Luthors and my ex as part of Fulcrum. I heard my parents say that if they didn't find what they were looking for, Lionel and Lex would come for me. They would take me and torture me for what they wanted. Sarah and Casey had known me less than a week, but they protected me. They committed treason to keep me safe, and they stood by me when everyone else was either incapable or was a traitor. They helped me bring down Fulcrum, and made me who I am right now. I'd be dead or locked up in a lab if it wasn't for Casey and Sarah."
"Speaking of Sarah, what's going on between you two?" Amy asked from beside Carina, all three of the spies listening intently for his answer.
Clark paused for a moment, trying to decide how best to answer the blonde's question. Finally he decided to throw the spy book out the window, and just tell the truth.
"When Sarah and I first met, I was her asset, and she was my handler. Her cover was as my girlfriend, but it didn't stay a cover. I found myself falling for her, wanting to spend more and more time with her, to the pint where I finally just said screw it. I told her that I couldn't lie and say that she and I were a cover, and by some miracle she felt the same way. To put it simply, Sarah Walker is the love of my life, and my best friend. She is my whole world, and God help Shaw and anyone else that decided to take her from me."
"You passed." Carina said, and Clark raised an eyebrow in question.
"Sarah is my best friend, and I wasn't going to trust her with just anyone. I can see that you love her, and that you're not going to hurt her."
"The only thing I want is for Sarah to be safe and happy."
"I know, that's why you're not in pain as a result of sleeping with her."
"Well I thank you for that. Do me a favor and save the claws for Shaw and his men."
"Oh it will be a pleasure." She replied.
"Oh and ladies, there is one thing. Shaw's life is mine."
After hearing how much he loved their former teammate, none of the CATS were going to deny the young Agent's request.
"Oh my God." Clark said as he looked at his two teammates. He, Jack and the CATS had jumped straight from the plane to the roof of the building where Sarah and Casey were being held. They had taken Shaw and his men completely by surprise and had cleared the room in a matter of seconds, leaving Shaw as the only living soul aside from the two that Clark was currently freeing. Sarah fell from the ceiling, as Clark caught her in his arms. He looked her over, and couldn't help the curse that spewed from his lips. Sarah's wrists and ankles were torn from being hung from the ceiling and her back was coated with dried blood from where she had been beaten. Her lips were busted and she her left eye was shut from pain.
"Sarah, Sarah look at me."
"C...Clark?"
"Yes. I'm here it's okay."
"Can it with the lady feelings Kent." Casey said with a wince as he fell to the floor.
"It's good to see you too Casey. How are you feeling?"
"Like I could take on all of Mao's commie army." He replied, and Clark smiled for the first time in over twenty-four hours. Casey was nearly as bad as Sarah, but he wasn't going to show it. Part of Clark wished Casey would just admit he was hurting, but that wasn't his style. He was just glad his friend was alive.
"Carina, can you watch Sarah for a minute?" He asked, and the woman nodded, taking her from Clark.
He walked over to Shaw and punched him in the face, knocking out three of his teeth before he slammed his knee into the other man's stomach. He would of keeled over in pain if it wasn't for Clark holding onto his collar.
"How are you alive Shaw? Tell me and I may kill you quickly."
"As...Ask your father."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"It's like he said... Ask your father. Hello Kal-El."
Clark turned, unable to believe what he was seeing; standing there looking healthy as could be was none other than Lionel Luthor. However, it wasn't Lionel that spoke. Lionel was just a vessel, a conduit for something Clark thought he had left behind nearly a year ago.
"Jor-El. How are you here? More importantly, why did you help a madman like Shaw? Even you have to understand that Shaw is not a man you should ally yourself with."
"Clark, what's going on?" Sarah asked weakly.
"I'll explain later. Carina, Amy, Zondra, get these two out of here. I'll be along shortly." He said, and without another word he charged at the vessel of Jor-El. It had been a few months since he had used his powers, but they still came naturally to him as he felt his fist impact on Lionel's face. However, he had little time to celebrate his victory as the man spat the blood from his mouth and kneed Clark in the gut before shooting him in the shoulder with a burst of heat vision. He winced, and then screamed as he felt Jor-El break his arm, pushing him onto the floor with his elbow at Clark's throat.
"You were supposed to rule them with strength Kal-El. You were not meant to mate with them."
"I am not God. I will not rob them of their free will, and I will love whom I please."
"I see that you must be taught discipline. Very well, soon you will see the error of your foolish choices."
"And you'll see the error of your stupidity. You see, you forgot about something."
"Oh, and what is that?"
"Me." Jack said from behind him as the kryptonite bullet pierced Lionel's skull.
"Humans are more intelligent than you give them credit for. They need defending, not ruling. Now do me a favor and die." Clark said coldly as he pushed the vessel of Jor-El off of him, watching in cold satisfaction as the life left it's eyes.
"You alright Clark?" Jack asked as he helped him up.
"Yeah, good thing you had that kryptonite bullet."
"It pays to be prepared." He replied, and Clark nodded before moving over to Shaw. He grabbed the man by his collar and slammed him into the wall before picking up his weapon. He looked at Shaw, pure hatred raging in his eyes, making the other man gulp.
"What did you do to her?"
"Nothing she didn't want." He replied, and Clark eyes turned to ice before he emptied the entire clip into Shaw's body.
Jack didn't say a word, just looked at the body on the floor in disgust before walking out of the building with his friend.
"Sarah's fine, just asleep. We treated her as best we could and gave her a sedative. She should be out for a couple of hours." Zondra said as soon as Clark got onto the plane.
"Good, and Casey?"
"I'll be fine Kent. Believe me, basic training's worse." Casey said from his seat at the back of the plane, and Clark chuckled at his friends response.
"Where's Shaw?" Casey asked, although he thought he already knew the answer.
"Dead."
"You're sure?"
"I put a full clip into the bastard, so yeah Casey I'm sure. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go be with Sarah. Call me when we get ready to land in Paris." He said before walking to the plane's medical bay without waiting for a response. He felt tears fall from his eyes as he looked at the woman he loved looking so peaceful in sleep, free from the horrors that Shaw had inflicted on her.
"Never again. I swear to you Sarah, I will never allow you to be hurt like that again." He said softly, taking her hand in his as he sat in the chair next to her bed. Within moments he had passed out, mentally and emotionally exhausted.
"NO!" Clark and Sarah yelled simultaneously as they woke up.
"Sarah?"
"Clark?"
"Yes. I'm here, and you're safe." He said, moving to wrap his arms around her, only for her to lean out of his reach.
"Sarah, what is it? What hurts?"
"This...living. It hurt. I'd sooner have died than lose you."
"Why would you lose me Sarah? I'm not going anywhere."
"How can you even look at me? I'm damaged goods, literally."
"No, you're not. You are still the same woman I fell in love with, you're still my Sarah. Although, I'll understand if you can't be with me anymore."
"Why would I not want to be with you?"
"The man you fell in love with Sarah...I think he's gone. I killed Shaw. I put an entire clip into his chest and-"
"Thank you."
"What?" He asked, wondering if he had heard her properly.
"Thank you for saving me. Thank you for loving me."
"I should be thanking you." He replied, before kissing her. This kiss wasn't soft by any means; it was full of longing, and relief and desperation as if both of them feared the other would vanish or come to their senses and leave. Then the kiss changed, becoming less intense as both of them felt the love the other had for them. Clark Kent and Sarah Walker had both faced more in their lives than anyone should have to, but in that moment both knew it was all worth it. They had finally come home.
"Sorry to interrupt, but there's been a change of plans. We're not going to Paris." Carina said as she stuck her head into the room.
"Where are we going?" Sarah asked as she attempted to sit up. She was finally able to after some help from Clark.
"Washington D.C. Apparently on orders from the President. He's sending Marine One to pick you two, Bauer and Casey up."
"Be sure to thank him for me." Clark said, and Carina grinned.
"You can thank him yourself. He's flying you to the White House, and having his doctor look you all over."
"Are you three sticking around?" He asked, referring to the three former CATS.
"No, I think our girl's in good hands."
"Carina...thank you." He said, and she nodded, offering him a grin before walking out. She had barely walked out before Zondra walked in. Clark felt Sarah tense at the sight of her, and he squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"It's okay Sarah. Zondra helped me save you. You can trust her."
"Can I have a minute with Sarah Clark?" She asked, and Clark nodded, giving Sarah a quick kiss on the cheek.
"I'll be right outside." He told her before walking out, giving Zondra a look before shutting the door.
"What do you want Zondra?" Sarah asked, and the other woman sighed before she spoke.
"I wanted to apologize for the way we left things. I know you didn't plant that tracker, I think I've known for a while. I was just too proud to admit it. I just can't believe it took seeing you almost die to admit it."
"It's okay, we both made mistakes. I know you're no traitor. You passed every test."
"Alright, so now that we've kissed and made up, tell me about Clark."
"What about Clark?"
"Well, he just dosen't seem like your type. I mean a farm boy from Kansas?"
"Believe me, he is so much more than that. He's everything I could ever want."
"Is he good in bed?" She asked, and Sarah grinned.
"I guess that answers that question. Now what about-"
"Okay, I think that's enough Zondra. No need to give her all the details love." Clark said as he walked through the door.
"You were listening?"
"Superhearing's hard to turn off." He replied with an easy grin, making Sarah fix him with a glare.
"Anyway, I'd better go, we'll be landing in about forty minutes." Zondra said, and Clark nodded
"I'm sorry about earlier by the way." He said, and Zondra smiled.
"We're good, and for the record never apologize for making the hard calls." She told him before walking out, leaving Clark and Sarah alone once more.
"What was that about?" Sarah asked.
"Well I was extremely unhappy when I found out what had happened, and Carina suggested that I leave it to the pros. I told her they either did this my way or they could leave. I also told Zondra that I was aware of what happened between you two, and that if she betrayed me I would put a bullet between her eyes."
"Would you have?"
"I would do anything to get you back Sarah. No line is too difficult to cross when it comes to keeping you safe." He suddenly averted his gaze, making Sarah raise an eyebrow.
"What I've just said probably sounds crazy, but I can't help it. I've-"
"Never felt like this before." She finished and he nodded.
"It dosen't sound crazy at all. Before I met you, I was the Wild Enforcer of the CIA. Cold, calculating, ruthless, my life nothing more than the next mission. When I got the assignment to come to Smallville I told myself it would be just another job, and you would be just another asset to be burned once my job was done. But then you have to go and be so selfless. You didn't care that I was CIA, you didn't care about your own safety, all that mattered was your family. When we talked outside the school I actually felt like a real human being. Do you remember what you asked me?" She asked, and he smiled as he remembered their first conversation.
"Do you have a place to stay?"
"When you asked me that, I didn't know what to say. For the first time in my life it seemed like someone was being kind to me solely for the sake of it, and not just so I can do a job or so they could get into my pants. If I'm honest with myself, that's when it stopped being a cover."
"It was never just a cover Sarah." He replied. He hesitated for a minute as if gathering his courage, and then he spoke.
"I was going to wait to do this, make it special, but I realized that nothing is more special than every moment that I spend with you."
He slowly got down on one knee and pulled out a black satin box, opening it to reveal a beautiful diamond ring.
"Sarah Walker, I never want to spend another moment without you. Will you marry me?"
"Yes." She choked out, tears of joy on her face as Clark took off the ring that the CIA had given her and replaced it with the one that was in his hand. Suddenly the machine beside Sarah's bed began to beep erratically, and the door was thrown open as Carina, Zondra, and Casey burst into the room.
"What the hell is going on?" Carina asked, and Sarah didn't say anything, choosing instead to just raise her left hand.
"What it's just-" Casey started and then saw the ring on the chair by the bed.
"You didn't." He started, and Clark just nodded, making Carina and Zondra squeal with joy.
"I thought you were going to wait." He whispered as he gave Clark a brotherly hug.
"I decided to move up the timetable."
"Good. It would've been such a pain to listen to you plan all this out." He replied, and Clark just grinned.
"So how long until you finally ask out Lois?"
"Excuse me? Where the hell would you get a crazy idea like that?"
"Oh come on Casey, the only person you give more shit to than me is Lois, and it dosen't take a man with powers to know she's into you."
"If you breathe a word to her or Sullivan-"
"What? You'll shoot me? Good luck with that." He said with a grin before he noticed Jack standing in the doorway.
"Come join the party Jack. We were just talking about how shocked we are that Walker agreed to marry down." Casey said from behind Clark.
"That shock never leaves you. I'm sorry to ruin the whatever this is, but we're about to land." He said, and the people in the room nodded and said their goodbye's, leaving the newly engaged couple alone.
"Clark, just how long have you been planning on asking me?"
"Longer than I realized. In fact I think my mother realized it before I did. That's her engagement ring you're wearing." He said, making Sarah tear up again. Clark just held her in his arms, the two of them enjoying being together. All too soon the moment ended as they landed, and were transferred to Marine One for the short flight to the White House. Sarah and Clark held hands the entire flight, seeming to have whole conversations with just their eyes. When they landed on the South Lawn they were surprised to be met by none other than President David Palmer himself, accompanied by his personal physician and a medical team.
"If you'll just help her on the gurney we can-"
"No, I'll be fine. I'll get checked out after the briefing." She said, to which the Doctor immediately protested.
"Agent Walker, from what we have been told-"
"Doctor, I think that my fiancee has made herself perfectly clear. I will personally escort her to see you as soon as the briefing is concluded." Clark said in a tone that brokered no argument.
"Then let us get to the briefing." The President said as he led the four into the White House to the Oval Office where they found Lois, Chloe, Martha, Jonathan, General Beckman and the President's Chief of Staff Mike Novick all waiting for them.
"Now, I don't want to make my doctor any more antsy than he already is, so how about we get this started. Clark if you would be so kind to explain what happened once you got to where they were holding Agent Walker and Major Casey?"
"When we found where Major Casey, and Agent Walker were being held, myself, Jack, and the three remaining members of the Clandestine Attack Team went in and extracted them. Owen Shaw, who was also in charge of the Ring from what I understand is dead for good this time."
"Are you sure?" Beckman asked.
"I put a full clip into the bastard's chest. I promise you he is dead."
"Excellent work Agent Kent, you have passed your final test."
"Excuse me? I'm not sure I heard you General."
It wasn't Clark that asked this, but the President, and anyone could see that he was angry.
"The events with Owen Shaw capturing Agent Walker were not only to bring down the Ring, but they also served as Agent Kent's Red Test. It was a bit unorthodox but-"
"A bit unorthodox?! General, do you have any idea what Shaw did?!" Clark thundered, pulling his weapon and pointing it straight at the General's head. Mike Novick moved to the phone that would summon Secret Service only to find Jack's weapon pointed at him.
"You move and I'll blow your fucking head off."
"Clark please put the gun down."
"Mr. President, if you were in my position, and Beckman was Lyle Gibson, would you put the gun down?"
"Clark please tell me he didn't-"
"He did." Sarah said quietly, tears falling down her face. She didn't say anymore, but she didn't have to. Everyone knew what Lyle Gibson had done to President Palmer's daughter.
"Give me one good reason not to blow your brains out right here, right now." Clark said calmly, his voice carrying an undertone that no one had heard him use before. The undertone of someone who would have no guilt about shooting a four star General in front of the President of the United States.
"Clark, I understand what is going through your mind right now, but I cannot just allow you to kill someone no matter how much they may deserve it." The President said before looking at Beckman.
"General, you are hereby relieved of your post, and are discharged effective immediately. The only reason I do not give you a dishonorable discharge is because of your many years of service. Now go clean out your desk. You're done."
"I understand sir. For what it's worth, I regret my actions." She said softly before walking out of the room.
"Clark, it's over. Put the gun down." Sarah told him, and he slowly lowered the weapon, Jack doing likewise as soon as Beckman walked out of the room.
"I will still keep her under surveillance so that she dosen't betray us." Mike said, and the President nodded.
"Agent Walker...Sarah, I understand that no words can make a difference. However, please take as much time off as you need. You and Clark are both on leave effective immediately with all expenses paid. If there is anything else I can do, please let me know."
"There is one thing." She said, and Palmer smiled once he told her.
"What are you doing here Kent, and why the hell did you bring a cop?" Dominic Torreto asked as he allowed them inside.
"Technically, it's government agent, and how did you know?"
"He didn't, I did. So what brings Clark Kent and Sarah Walker to Morroco?" Brian asked as he walked into the room with Mia, Giselle, Han, Roman, Tej, Leo, Santos and Letty following behind.
"To give you these, and to invite you to a wedding." He replied, pulling the documents from his jacket.
"As of midnight yesterday, you're all free." He said, handing them each a pardon signed by the President.
"Oh and there's one more thing the President wanted me to tell you. There's a catch to these."
"Of course there is." Brian grumbled, but Clark held up a hand.
"You have to live in 1327."
"Are you serious right now?" Roman asked, and they all laughed.
"I am deadly serious. Now, I'd like you all to meet my bride to be. Sarah Walker, meet Dominic and Mia Toretto, Brian O'Connor, Giselle Harabo, Han , Tej Parker, Leo, and Santos. The loudmouth's Roman Pierce, and the girl with the beer and the bad ass attitude is Letty Ortiz."
"You've got fine taste in women Kent."
"Yes I do Roman, and this particular woman knows two hundred ways to kill you." He replied, smirking as he heard Roman gulp.
"So, what have you been up to since Rio farm boy?" Letty asked, and he smirked.
"Taking a long vacation after shutting down two terrorist organizations."
"Bullshit." Tej called out.
"It's not, I've seen the reports. Not bad Kent, Walker." Agent Luke Hobbs said as he walked into the house.
"How have you been Hobbs?" Sarah asked, and Clark raised an eyebrow.
"I've been good. Up until yesterday I was chasing this band of yahoos. You remember Hernan Reyes?"
"The Brazillian drug lord that ran Rio up until...a year and a half ago. He was killed by DSS, but his money was never recovered." She finished turning towards Clark.
"You told me you went your seperate ways."
"We did, and then I got called for a job. Reyes was a bastard and the payoff was a hundred million. I got eleven million dollars and Reyes worked with Edge so it was a win all around."
"What did you do with the money?" Hobbs asked, and Clark laughed.
"Wedding's and honeymoon's don't pay for themselves." He replied, resulting in him being kissed hard by Sarah.
"So you're a cop now?" Han asked Clark, but Clark shook his head.
"I used to be CIA, but I'm in between jobs right now."
"I hate to cut this short, but we've got a few other things to take care of. We'll see you all in a month. Hobbs, you'd better be there too." Sarah said, and Hobbs nodded.
"So how do you know Hobbs?" Clark asked as the two sat down to dinner later that evening.
"We worked together on a joint op to take down a man named Hamir Saayat. He was a major arms dealer who sold mostly to groups like Al-Quadea. Hobbs was the only man there that wasn't mentally undressing me."
"He's happily married, and he has too much respect for women to do that." Clark replied, and Sarah smiled and nodded.
"So, have you thought anymore about the President's offer?" She asked, and he nodded.
"Sarah, I'll only take it if you're with me. We have enough money to never work another day in our lives. Say the word, and we pack our bags and retire to some tropical island."
"You have no idea how tempting that is. But I would miss the life. The adventure, the excitement, being undercover with you."
"Sarah, are you sure this is what you want?" Clark asked, and Sarah smiled,touched by her fiancee's concern.
"I'm sure."
"Well then Mrs. Carmichael, I guess we need to call the President." He replied, and she nodded. He pulled a phone out of his pocket and dialed the number.
"Yes Mr. President, this is Clark Kent. We accept."
"That's good to hear my friend, and may I be the first to welcome you to the TPG."
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this last chapter! The next installment, The Price of Secrets Part 3 will be up soon!