Chapter 5

[Luthor Mansion—2018]

Clark coughed harshly burning his mouth and throat. Bloody phlegm flowed from the side of his mouth unabated. His face perspired from the kryptonite fever burning through his body. His eyes scanned the room but found nobody there. So much for that doctor. Lex just wants me to rot. He sighed.

At least if he couldn't feel anything in his body, he didn't have to deal with the fiery agony there either….

He fought to keep his eyes open. Yes, even as painful as the flashback proved to be, it was preferable to this state of affairs. He'd rather be at the farm or in town with his mother, friends and Lana over lying there as a helpless invalid….

…helpless to stop crime from rampaging across the world….

….helpless to stop Lex from preening and strutting in triumph over his condition….

It was getting harder but he needed to remember more. He knew what Lana and the others had told him about her side of past affairs especially at the end. Those facts embellished his perspective all the more in their proper glorious light.

On that note, he closed his eyes and imagined how things must've gone for her on that morning years earlier…..

[Route 54—Just Beyond Smallville's northeastern border—About two hours after the Kents' Impromptu Breakfast]

Even as Clark reaffirmed his priorities, Lana sped toward the home town as quickly as she could manage. Thanks to the pills, she'd slept—albeit fitfully and brief—but slept she had. She'd also arranged to stop by her oncologist to be checked over again.

On the passenger seat, Dr. Smithson's report waited ominously in a manila envelope. Just on its own, it seemed to make the air heavier in the vehicle.

Calm down! You know what it is. There's got to be something. She turned off of the state road and headed down Main Street toward the Ledger. Hopefully Chloe will be okay with me dropping in like this! She parked the car and sat there for a minute.

Her hands had already started twitching again.

Sweat beaded across her forehead.

Although muted, Pain's initial jabs started anew.

No! It's only been a few hours! She sucked up a deep breath and opened the blazer's door. She snatched up the cane and used it to support herself. Then she grabbed the envelope before closing her door and heading inside.

How's she going to handle this?

[Ledger Editor-in-Chief's office]

Just inside of the century-old newspaper's flagship building, Chloe Sullivan Queen sat in her office and typed away on an email to her cousin. Since hearing the news of Lois and Clark's epic break up that morning, she'd tried to talk some sense into Lois…to get the brunette to see the light.

Unreal. After all of the ups and downs, she's just thrown the ring back in his face and told him to get lost. Lo, you're being an idiot! She sipped on her lukewarm cappucinated creation despondently. She knew Lois wanted her career and to be the star.

Still was it worth throwing away Smallville's prize catch?

She glanced over at the pictures around the office. The current Queen family portrait with Oliver and their son, Clark, sat prominently in front of her. Her wedding portrait with Oliver flanked its left side. Notably on its right though she saw the picture of the old gang from the Torch on the day before their high school graduation.

The last day things had seemed normal….

She could see herself sitting at the old desktop computer with Lana sitting right next to her. Over their shoulders, Clark and Pete grinned for the camera.

Those were the days. Back then we all thought it would be Clark and Lana getting together. Lex cost them both happiness. Clark did try to move on. Wish Lana could've. She hasn't texted or called recently. Wish she'd cut back on ISIS and the globe-trotting. It can't be good for the cancer even if she's getting it treated. She sighed again and shook her head. I know you wanted to be with Clark, Lana. Now though it's killing you and you're going to be alone. She heard the door chime tink at her. The staff shouldn't be back yet. Wonder who it is?

"Hello?" Lana's voice called. "Chloe?"

"Lana?" Chloe rushed out of the office and saw her friend limping toward her on the cane. She stopped cold and tried to collect her emotions.

"Cane's that ugly, huh? And here I tried to have it made special," Lana supposed half-seriously. She grinned to hide her pain. "Sorry I just dropped in. I got the urge to do a mocha at the Talon. Figured you'd be up for one of your cappuccino double shots."

Chloe nodded and checked her watch. "Sure. I have a few hours before the reporters check back in. They'll call my cell if they need me. I just need to pack up my laptop. Take a seat for a sec. I'll be right back."

Lana efforted her way into an old creaky oak chair. She set the folder on the desk beside her and glanced around. Hard to believe Chloe's back here in Smallville. We all thought she'd be taking the Daily Planet by storm. Yet here she is and married to Oliver Queen no less. Funny how life works.

Nausea unsettled her stomach sending sharp pains through her body.

"Now what? I…." She held her hand over her mouth while looking around frantically for a bathroom. She felt light headed. Pain cut through her middle accompanying the surge up her esophagus. She managed to grab a trash can to retch into before it would've hit the floor.

The room brightened beyond reason….

"Chloe? CHLOE!" she called while trying to stand. She wavered on her feet before collapsing to the floor in an unconscious heap.

"Lana? Lana, what is…?" Chloe's eyes went wide. "LANA!" She ran over to her friend's side and examined her quickly. She could see the other woman spasming and the dried vomit around her mouth. "Okay. You're seriously scaring me. We need help. And more help than Smallville can provide." She knew the local 911 would direct Lana to Smallville Regional.

Given Lana's situation that could be a death sentence….

Whatever was going on would require the best doctors….

Her eyes glanced toward Clark's picture. She frowned knowing that Lana was probably the last person he'd want to see. Especially when he's hurting, I don't want to cause him more pain. But it's Lana's life. She sucked in a deep breath. Guess you're going to hear from me sooner than our coffee break today. Clark, I'm so sorry.

And with that, the reporter dialed the phone and waited for a response….