Chapter 11 [Next Morning]

As was her custom, Martha roused herself before sunrise. Despite not having the large farm or amount of cooking that she once did, chores still waited for her. She wanted to check on the livestock and enjoy the early morning views around the farm. She glanced out of the bedroom window toward the east. She inhaled deeply of the sweet pure country air and grinned. "Another great day." Then she turned to the nightstand where a picture of Jonathan sat. "Good morning, Sweetheart. It's another great day."

Still she didn't hear anything…not from the picture. That was to be expected. No. There was nothing from Clark's room. That's odd. Normally he's the first one up to do chores. Strange. She pulled on her robe and walked down the hall. She rapped on the bedroom door. "Clark? Clark, are you in there, Sweetie?" She opened the door and almost jumped in surprise.

Other than his bags still sitting at the foot of the bed undisturbed, there was no sign he'd been in there. The bed still remained made from the previous day. Nothing else had been disturbed.

Obviously he hadn't slept there….

Now where? She rolled her eyes. Not that they don't love each other but I hope not so fast…. She went back in the bedroom and changed into her chore clothes—a brown flannel shirt, blue jeans and work boots—before descending the front stairs. She crossed the living room and stood before the guest room. "Let's hope everything's okay." She rapped on that door. "Lana? Lana, is everything okay?"

No answer came from there either.

She swung the door open to find an identical situation to the one upstairs. "Now where did they go? I hope Clark didn't go…" She sighed knowing how emotionally draining the previous day would have been for him. "Please tell me Kal didn't take over. Wonderful." She instinctively worried; her mind flashing to the aborted fling in Las Vegas between Kal and Alicia Baker. "Calm down, Martha. He wouldn't…not with Lana as she is. This isn't high school." She let her mind consider the options. "The barn. Check the Loft. Maybe he went up there."

Her feet hustled her out of the house and into the early morning air. They banked right at the lamp post and carried her into the adjacent structure with alacrity.

"Clark? Lana?" she called. She frowned while checking the stalls and Jonathan's old work area on the ground floor. Then she glanced up toward the ceiling. "Upstairs." She crept up the stairs and into the Loft proper.

There she found the younger couple asleep on the couch in mid-cuddle. She saw the old blue comforter from his school days drawn over them both protecting against the nocturnal chill. She admired the peace on their faces…the contentment in being with each other….

…the shutting out of tragedy looming outside….

She recognized it well. She'd shared that bond with Jonathan since the day she'd lent him his notebook at Metropolis University. She'd looked to her husband for so many things in those days…

…and did still.

They've rediscovered it. Pity it took this for it to happen! She checked the two slumbering guests over and made sure everything was okay. Then she crept back down the stairs and headed for the house to get breakfast ready.

Chores could wait for once. She wouldn't disturb them.

[Half an Hour Later]

Clark stirred slowly and forced his eyes open. His eyes adjusted to the dim twilit around Lana and himself. We really fell asleep out here? Wow. He glanced around the Loft area swearing that he'd heard someone there a little earlier but chalking it up to his imagination.

Time enough to focus on the outside, Life and reality…..

For now, his source of warmth nuzzled up against his side. He admired how soft her hair was even after the passed years. He loved the smoothness of her skin. Her breathing remained even betraying no sign of the pain she would feel again when awake.

Sleep well. I won't let anything hurt you. He kissed the crown of her head in gentle affirmation while being careful not to wake her in the process. He reclined back against the soft cushion and let her rhythmic breathing ease his own tension. While on holiday, he had time to spend with her and make sure that everything was all right. But what about after that? Where would his priorities lie when Duty called once again? What do I do then?

He stared in angst at the rafters above them. His gut churned. Superman or Clark, I guess. Lana or the Planet? Do I have to make those choices? Maybe I can work something out here and commute at least for a while? Lana doesn't need Metro. She needs this. So do I. Question is—can I do it? He sighed.

"Such a pained breath, Mr. Kent," she whispered in his ear before her lips caressed his cheek. "Good morning."

"Good morning, Sleepy Head," he teased her while kissing her lips gently. "Sorry we didn't make it back to the house. Enjoy the view?"

"Don't worry. I slept better than I have in years, Clark." Her eyes shone warmly at him in the brightening dawn. "With you here, I'm whole. I told you that. I wish we could've had the last few years."

"You did what you had to for those people. You're a hero. We have our season now. Let's treasure that. Okay?" he assured her.

"Okay. Being a hero isn't so easy, you know? How do you do it?" she wondered.

"Because you and my parents inspire me every day," he informed her with a grin on his face. "I don't know how you do it. You just do. From the day I met you, it's been the case."

"Yeah over a chocolate chip cookie," she teased. "I just wish I hadn't had that meteor around my neck."

"You didn't know how it affected me. You needed to remember your parents. I know that. It's okay." He shrugged almost playfully. "Hey being with you yesterday was fun…well besides you scaring Chloe and me at the Ledger. I got to put the suit on for something other than fighting bad guys. We made those kids happy. We did that not just me."

"I just told you to stay longer, Clark. The kids really take to you," she presumed.

"And I take to you," he informed her. "Thank you for easing the pain from…well…" He let the sentence drop off into the ether lest he ruin the mood.

"My pleasure." She rubbed the flannel across his chest with the side of her face. "Glad I still have that effect." She smiled gently. "Wonder what your Mom has cooking? I wish we could stay here but…."

"We're both getting hungry. Yeah I considered that too." He threw back the comforter and stretched slowly so as to disturb her as little as possible. "Give me a sec." He super sped down the stairs and through the barn's lower level. Then he returned in just under two minutes flat.

"What was that?" she queried in surprise.

"Chores. Helps when you have super speed," he quipped almost mischievously. "Gives me more time to kiss the girl."

"Oh it does?" she supposed with equal satisfaction. "I could make a fuss since you left me up here to deal with the cows."

"It is a farm after all, Dear," he pointed out with a smirk on his face.

"It is that all right." She slapped at his left leg playfully before forcing herself to stand. "Maybe we could see what's going on in the house?"

"Sounds like a plan. Ladies first. I can help you down the stairs?" he offered.

"I've got it but thanks, Clark," she declined. Granted she appreciated his efforts to be a gentleman. She wouldn't change that about him. Still she wanted to tackle this challenge by herself. With only the cane's assistance, she tapped and shuffled her way down the stairs.

He simply followed silently allowing her the space yet being ready to catch her if needed. As much as he wanted to protect her like a China doll, she needed to push on and persevere.

And he needed to suppress his natural hero drive to let her do it….

Worries be damned….

She made it to the bottom and grinned playfully at him. "See? And no mud on my shoes. Not bad…." She stepped to the left….

And her left shoe landed with an unceremonious splat….

"No mud…Okay." He stifled a laugh.

She rolled her eyes at the stink she'd raised. "Whatever, Clark. You try it."

"I have. You raise it to an art form," he teased.

"Glad to see I do that," she retorted with a slight bit of warm snark. "Don't worry. I'll wipe my feet."

"Mom will thank you for that," he quipped with a grin and a kiss on her cheek. He led her back toward the house and opened the door. His nostrils clearly discerned the aromas from the kitchen. "Mom?"

"In here, Clark!" Martha turned from where she was flipping pancakes in the cast iron skillet. "You two fall asleep while looking at the stars last night?"

"We did, Mrs; Kent. Sorry," Lana apologized while feeling sheepish about the whole affair. She kicked off her shoes at the door and left them outside.

"It's quite all right, Lana. After everything else, you two need to reconnect. Why not some quiet time in the Loft? The world can wait for a night. I think you both needed it," Martha pointed out gently. "Feeling better?"

"Much actually." Lana grinned and beamed at the sights and smells around herself. "Funny what being in a secure place with friends does for someone?"

"Funny what it does indeed," the mother supposed while shooting her son an approving look before turning back toward the simmering breakfast. She felt encouraged by the younger woman's cheery outlook. "Clark, can you make some coffee please?"

He let his eyes linger on the guest. Then he went to the fridge and grabbed the bag of grounds. He set up the coffee maker and let it start brewing.

"You might make a good barista yet, Clark," Lana jabbed good-naturedly.

"I have a great teacher," he retorted with equal measure. He opened the cabinet and produced three mugs.

"Glad to see I was some influence," Martha teased while winking at the younger woman.

Now it was his turn to fight an eye roll. He chose not to respond and allow them the moment.

"You two have anything planned for today?" Martha queried.

"We need to do anything around here?" he wondered.

"Maybe the morning chores? Otherwise we're set for now," his mother requested.

"That's done," he affirmed. He turned to Lana. "How about a picnic?"

"A picnic? Clark, is that okay? I know you need time to get over Lois. I don't want to push…." Lana of course wanted it more than anything. However she knew he needed to heal over that last break up.

"You didn't. I proposed it. You and me up at Crater Lake? I know a great deli in Milwaukee. Trust me," he explained. "What do you think?"

"Milwaukee, huh?" Lana giggled.

"Hey I get around. Have cape will fly," he quipped.

"I'm sure you do," Lana agreed as Martha set a platter of hotcakes down in front of them. "I forgot how big your pancakes are, Mrs. Kent."

"And fluffy too," he chimed in while bringing the butter and real maple syrup to the table.

"My pleasure. Just enjoy yourselves," she expressed. She admired his efforts to cheer her up even adding some humor she didn't know he had. She's helping him all right….helping him right past Lois. "Need me to do anything, Clark?"

"I've got it. Maybe though I can bring you some of those brats you like?" he offered.

Martha's mouth watered. Several times he'd come from Wisconsin with great cheese and exquisitely crafted/cooked sausages in hand. "Trust him, Lana. Those are good."

"I'll take your word for it," Lana accepted as she bit into the breakfast.

"Now you enjoy. Have a great day. Don't worry about things. It's about a wonderful day," the hostess wished.

The couple gazed into each other's eyes. The warmth therein allayed all concerns washing them in sweet bliss.

And so the day started…..