A/N: Many thanks to all the great reviews on the last chapter! It makes my day to see people are enjoying this story as much as I enjoy writing it.
Special thanks to VisAVis2 who gave up time to help me with those pesky commas and semi-colons, and giving some help on plotting Chad's downfall.
Thanks also to guest reviewers; Isa - Sorry to disappoint with the absence of any phrases from Down Under :), also Trish and Alison. Another guest review asked about Lex Luthor, he gets mentioned in this chapter.
Not to much angst in this chapter, and it has a few lighter, humorous moments which are always so much fun to write.
Just want to point out that I uploaded the last chapter only a few days after the previous one, totally unlike me :), so if this chapter starts out not making sense you may need to read the previous one.
Happy reading!
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Chapter 12.
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Lois really hated school. It had been bearable with Clark by her side, but without him there it just wasn't the same. She hated leaving him in the morning, knowing he was bored shitless with being laid up in the house. She would spend the day worrying; was he all right? What if his birth father decided to take him on another trip to the ice zone? She wouldn't be there to watch over him.
Then there was Chad. Every time she laid eyes on him, she had to fight the urge to go and smack him out. Chloe would put a restraining hand on her arm. "He's not worth it," she'd say.
"But it would feel so damn good."
In fact Chloe was always by her side, every minute of the day.
"Did Clark put you up to this? He ask you to be my body guard or something?"
"He worries about you, Lois."
It was nice to have someone care, but Clark had the tendency to be overprotective. It was endearing, though sometimes annoying too. She had always been fiercely independent. Now she was at sixes and sevens with herself. All these new-found feelings she had towards him were often overwhelming. Her body was always betraying her whenever she was within touching range of him.
He had a problem with keeping his hands to himself, not in a sleazy way, because Clark wasn't like that. It was the little things, grabbing her hands in his, massaging her feet when she shoved them his way, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and the way his fingers would often brush against her cheek or neck. As for those lips of his? They were deadly.
If it wasn't for the plaster cast on his leg, she would have yanked him off to the bedroom by now.
Get a grip, Lois, she silently chided, not a good idea.
They were best friends who just happened to like kissing each other. Sex on the other hand, well –she couldn't chance it getting to that. What they had now was special, and she didn't want to ruin it by rushing things. Not that she had much choice, as it were. Clark was hardly capable of the act, currently. Probably just as well. It didn't stop her fantasizing about it. A girl could still dream.
Lois was dreaming about that very thing when driving home from school. She didn't see the dog run out onto the road until it was too late.
She heard the thump, and braked suddenly. The car came to a screeching halt. Lois glanced over her shoulder and saw the dog lying on the road. Her heart sank.
"Oh no," she murmured.
What had she done!
Jumping out of the car, she ran over to the dog. "Oh my god. Oh my god. Please be okay."
The dog lifted its head at the sound of her voice. She knelt down beside it, running her hands along its legs, feeling for anything broken.
"I'm so sorry."
The dog whined and managed to sit up. It offered some relief.
"You're gonna be fine. I'll patch you up."
Picking the dog up, she carefully placed him on the back seat of her car.
Clark was bored to death. It had been ten days since the operation. He had only four more days before the plaster cast would be removed. He couldn't wait. There was nothing worse than having an itch that couldn't be scratched. He'd resorted to grabbing his ruler from his pencil case, and pushing it under the plaster in an attempt to scratch the itch.
The ruler grew shorter as he pushed it further down. Nearly there – nearly - The back door flew open and a harried looking Lois came bursting through. Uh oh, it couldn't be good. What had she done now?
"Don't tell me you punched Chad out?" he cautiously asked, fearing the worst.
"No," she returned, dumping her bag on the bench. "Though it's not from lack of wanting to."
That was a relief. Every day she returned home from school, he was waiting for the news. Had she? Hadn't she? Lois was a law unto herself.
"I need your help, Clark."
It'd been a while since he was last needed to help with something, not that he could really do much.
"I hit a dog," Lois continued.
"With your fist?"
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I was pissed. I hit it with my car, Clark."
She what! Reaching for his crutches, he managed to get to his feet. Poor Lois, she really did look distressed.
"Is he okay?"
"I-I think so. He's in the back seat of my car."
She disappeared out of the door, and he followed, cursing his slowness. Clark had only managed to get through the door when Lois already had the back door of her car open. She was talking to the dog in a tender voice, trying to coax it out.
He negotiated the steps, finally getting better at it, and hobbled to the car.
She glanced over her shoulder at him, an exasperated look on her face. "Maybe you'll have better luck, Smallville."
Leaning over, Clark peered into the car. A shaggy-haired dog lay there, head resting on its front paws.
"Hello, boy."
The dog perked up his head, soulful brown eyes meeting his. "Are you okay, fella?"
"How do you know it's a boy, Clark?" Lois huffed beside him.
"He looks like a boy," he returned.
"He's a dog; they all look the same, unless you …" her voice broke off there as she lifted its hind leg. "Yep, it's a boy."
Clark shook his head, bemused. He ran a hand over the dog's head, ruffling its ears. "Let's see if you're okay."
Taking a few steps back, he called to the dog. "C'mon boy, you can get out of the car."
The dog gave a whine followed by a bark.
Resting his crutches on the rails, Clark sat down on the steps. "Maybe he'd feel more comfortable if we're not towering over him."
"Yeah, because you look terrifying, Smallville," Lois quipped.
Clark had no sooner sat down on the back steps, when the dog moved from its position. It hopped out of the car and stumbled towards him. He caught the dog in his arms.
"Okay, he's out now, Lois."
How did Clark manage it? "I can see that," she dryly returned.
Clark glanced up at her. The dog licked his cheek, and the widest smile she had seen in a long while lit up his face.
"I guess it's all part of the Clark Kent charm," she mused.
And who could resist it? Not even dogs, by the look of it. Clark was assessing the dog, his dark hair falling in his eyes.
"He's got a few scrapes, but other than that I think he's okay."
The dog was there to stay. Martha named him Shelby, and Shelby followed Clark everywhere, never leaving his side, much to Lois' annoyance. She had to fight for her spot on the sofa.
"I've been ousted by a dog," she had grumbled to Clark the following night. "Terrific."
But she couldn't really be mad. Least Clark had some company during the day. She could leave for school in the mornings feeling comforted with the thought.
Both Clark and the dog were sitting on the sofa when Lois descended the stairs that morning. It hadn't taken Shelby long to fit in, she mused, as if he'd always been part of the family.
"You look after him, Shelby," she instructed before leaving for school.
Shelby answered in his doggy way. Lois' hands rested on her hips. "Huh, I swear that dog understands every word I say."
Clark patted Shelby, a puzzled look on his face. "Where do you think he came from?"
"He's a stray. Who knows?"
"You really do have a thing for strays and lost causes," he smiled warmly, making her toes curl.
Yep, she was a sucker all right.
Clark couldn't help noticing the worry on his Mom's face when she returned home from work. He was sitting at the table, reading the paper.
"Are you all right, Mom?"
"I'm fine, just tired."
He watched her place her handbag on the bench, his jaw clenching. This was all his fault.
He knew the bills were piling up. Then there was the cost for the makeshift shower that had to be built in the laundry as he wasn't allowed to use the stairs.
He was useless like this, spending his days feeling frustrated at his inability to help out.
Lois had been a trouper, doing the chores he used to do. In exchange, he did her homework for her, along with his own; at least he could do that much.
"Maybe we should just order pizza tonight, save you cooking," he suggested.
She gave him a wan smile as she reached for the kettle. "I don't mind cooking."
He sighed. "We can't afford it, can we?"
"It's an expense we don't need."
Watching her fill the kettle and put it on, he once again felt completely useless.
"Where's Lois?" his mom asked, over her shoulder.
"Doing chores."
"She's a good girl."
"We would be totally lost without her here."
Lois came stomping through the door. "I'm still another mouth to feed," she muttered.
She had good hearing.
"We need you here, and providing a roof over your head, along with warm meals, is little payment for all you've down these last couple of weeks."
"Thanks Mrs K, but I was also thinking of finding some part time work."
"You don't need to, Lois, and I've put a pot of coffee on; do you want a cup?"
Lois shot her a grateful look. "You better believe it." She sniffed her hands. "I'd never thought I'd say this, but I think I'm starting to get used to the smell of cow manure."
She headed off to the laundry to wash her hands.
Clark returned his attention to his Mom. "Once I'm better I'll get a job."
"It'll be a couple of months before that happens, Smallville," Lois called out from the laundry.
Damn her good hearing.
"Thanks, Lois," he called back dryly. "I feel much better now."
She stepped out of the laundry. "I don't mean to be a Debbie Downer, Clark, but we have to look at this realistically. Unless we can find a way to restore your powers, it'll be at least four months before you are fit enough to do any sort of physical work."
"By that time you would have finished your final year of high school," his Mom added, "And then there is College …"
"I'm not going to College," he stated, cutting her off.
A flicker of annoyance crossed her face. "I'm not going to have you sacrifice your career for me – for the farm."
But he was adamant. It was his life and his choice. "I've made up my mind, Mom."
Clark could be stubborn. Lois was totally on his side. Mrs K couldn't expect him to keeping adding to the household expenses. She knew how much it bothered him.
"You don't always need a degree to get a good job," she piped up.
Clark shot her a grateful look. Sitting down at the table, she spied the steaming mug. "I'm dying for a coffee."
Glancing up she could see Clark and his Mom were still at loggerheads with each other. It didn't happen often.
"Lois is right," he began, "And seeing as I've had so much time on my hands lately, I've been doing some research on the computer about different occupations that I might like that don't require me to go to College. All I need is to graduate high school."
"Like what, Clark?" his Mom asked.
Lois picked up the cup and took a sip.
"Joining the Police force."
Lois choked on her coffee. He what?!
"Are you all right, Lois?" Mrs K asked, patting her on the back.
Her eyes watered. "I-It went – down the – wrong way."
Clark was frowning. She couldn't help giggling.
"What's so funny, Lois?" he snapped.
"It's just my warped sense of humour, Smallville. I just had a picture of you rescuing a cat from a tree and helping old ladies cross the street."
His face relaxed into an amused smile. He did need to lighten up. Lois knew the pain in his knee made him more irritable than usual.
"Oh, Clark. I don't know what we're going to do tomorrow," Mrs K began, resting her hand on his. "I can't afford to take the day off work to take you to the hospital."
"That's easily solved. I'll take, Clark. Any excuse to get out of school for the day."
Clark preferred to have his Mom take him to the hospital. Lois had a very – brash way of dealing with things; people. She would likely switch into her drill sergeant mode.
A wave of relief swept his Mom's face. "Thank you, Lois."
He sighed. At least she would keep him entertained.
Later that evening, Lois snuggled up to him on the sofa. She really had to stop doing this, cuddling him. He was seriously ruining her tough, hands off, girl act.
"The sofa is free for a change," she remarked, smiling to herself.
"Where is Shelby?"
She glanced at him. "Here's the thing, Clark. As much as Shelby loves you, he's still a dog and a dog's first love will always be food."
Leaning back, she glanced over her shoulder, through to the laundry.
"I gave him a big juicy bone. We shouldn't see him for the next hour."
She snuggled back up to him. "Now I have you all to myself."
A rush of laughter escaped his throat. "Very clever, Lois."
"Hmm, I know."
Her hand rested on his chest.
"Are you seriously thinking about becoming a cop?"
"Why, what's wrong with that?"
Pulling back she looked at him. "Do you know how many criminal offences I've committed, Smallville?"
A bemused smile hovered on his lips. "Underage drinking for one."
"That's only the start of it."
The smile was replaced with a frown. "It's probably best I don't know, Lois."
She leaned her head back on his chest. His fingers absently played with her hair.
"I thought you wanted to be a journalist?" she mumbled, feeling perfectly contented.
"I don't know," he sighed. "What are you going to do after school?"
"I think the General has in mind that I'll be joining the Army."
His fingers stopped fiddling with her hair. "Are you?"
Hearing the hesitation in his voice, she snuggled into him. "As if," she snorted.
She felt him relax. But the future, it hung between them. It was so uncertain. Lois ignored the tiny flutter of doubt she was suddenly feeling. Only it wouldn't go away. Just how long could this last? Her and Clark.
She couldn't picture herself living on a farm forever, being a farmer's wife. As for marriage, no way, not her. Not for a long while. She was only 18; so was Clark. They were both still so young, and unexperienced.
He wasn't even human, and what would happen when and if Clark's powers were restored? He was supposed to be the world's saviour, and she – she was just one human girl.
"You've gone quiet."
Raising her head, her eyes met his. "What are we doing, Clark?"
His lips brushed her forehead. "Let's just have this for now," he murmured.
The way he touched her, his fingers lightly brushing against her skin, making it tingle as he planted kisses down the side of her neck and across her shoulders, making it impossible to think of anything other than what he was doing.
"You are driving me crazy," she murmured in a husky voice.
Two could play at this teasing game. Unbuttoning his shirt, she ran her hands over his chest, followed by her lips.
He felt so good. He tasted – amazing.
"Uh – um, Lois," he muttered, his voice sounding hoarse.
Raising her face, she noticed the look of discomfort on his.
"I'm …" But the words appeared to get stuck in his throat.
Then it dawned on her. She glanced down to that part of his body. He hastily reached for a stuffed cushion, covering it, but not quick enough for her see he was aroused.
She returned her gaze to his, amused.
His face reddened.
She grinned. "Oh, well at least we know that part of your anatomy is still functioning."
It was a relief to finally have the plaster cast off. The doctor removed the sutures from the six inch scar across his knee. Lois was watching on with rapt attention, as he sat on the examining table. "That's some scar there, Clark."
Nothing like pointing out the obvious, he mused.
"It matches the other one on your thigh," she continued.
Glancing down at his leg, he was disconcerted to see the loss of muscle density in his quads. His fitness was going downhill at a rapid rate. He hadn't done anything much in the way of exercise for five weeks.
"The swelling has reduced significantly; that's a good sign," the specialist spoke.
It didn't look good to Clark. His knee was stuff puffy.
"And the x-rays show callus formation, which means the fragmented pieces of your patella are healing."
"That's great, isn't it, Clark," Lois enthused.
He nodded, trying to be equally enthusiastic, but not feeling it.
"In another week you can start physical therapy. You need to go three times a week," the specialist instructed. "And Clark, it's imperative that you don't miss a session."
"Don't worry, Doc. I'll make sure Clark is there."
No doubt she would. But how much was that going to cost? He knew his mom was struggling to make ends meet. Lois, true to her word, had been looking for some part-time work after school to help out. And he was – useless like this, nothing more than a liability, and an expense.
"How is the pain going?"
He nodded. Just lie, he told himself. "Okay."
Lois snorted alongside him. He clenched his jaw.
"He's in a lot of pain. Clark just isn't very talkative about it. You know, he's one of those 'suffer in silence' type of guys."
He shot her a sardonic smile.
"You still in considerable pain, Clark? You need to be honest."
He inwardly sighed. "It's mostly considerable."
He chose to ignore Lois' smug smile. Next time it would be his Mom taking him.
"It's only been two weeks," the specialist continued, "There is a lot of pain with this type of knee injury."
"For how long?" Lois asked.
He might as well not have a voice.
"Some people recover quicker than others. It can vary anywhere from three weeks to ten weeks."
Great, just what he didn't want to hear.
"What about sleeping?" the specialist enquired.
Yeah, right, sleep – what was that? He glanced up at the doctor to find him carefully scrutinising him. Hearing Lois take in a breath beside him, he nudge her in the hope she'd shut up.
"Given the dark circles under your eyes, you've been having problems."
Did he look that bad? He'd gotten so used to seeing his much paler complexion along with the dark rings under his eyes that he could no longer tell if it was normal or not.
"Yes."
"I'm going to prescribe you a stronger pain medication to take only at night. It'll help you sleep better."
Great, more drugs. He glanced at Lois, seeing the determined glint in her eyes. No doubt he wouldn't have a say in it either.
"And Clark. You have to get REM sleep to heal."
"It's just as well I was there with you, Clark," Lois chatted as they walked to the car. She was reading through the list of exercises he needed to start doing at home. "Don't worry; I'll have you in tip-top shape in no time."
He sighed. "I don't doubt it, Lois."
At this rate she was going to drive him crazy. The sooner he restored his powers the better.
"Did you call your Geologist friend in Metropolis?" he asked.
"Yeah, he's expecting us this Saturday."
Maybe they would finally have some answers.
"How's the knee brace?"
"Better than the plaster cast."
It was still cumbersome. He looked up to find Lois watching him, more like scrutinising him.
"You need a day out."
She tenderly brushed a strand of hair from his forehead. "See some sun and get colour back on your face again."
Her touch was soothing. If it weren't for the damn crutches, he'd be pulling her into his arms.
She smiled. "And finally I'll have you back at school with me tomorrow. It's been hell boring without you there."
Clark did, but didn't, want to go back to school. There would be people asking him questions. No doubt he'd be attracting a lot of stares. According to Pete, everyone at school had heard about his fight with Chad.
If only he could slip into school without being noticed.
Hearing Lois stomp down the stairs, he reached for his crutches.
Her eyes fell on him.
"How do I look?" he asked.
Given the expression on her face, it wasn't good. However, she forced a smile to her lips. "Better than you did two weeks ago."
That didn't tell him anything. "Lois," he began, "honestly?"
"At least you no longer look like death warmed over."
"Great," he muttered under his breath.
She walked towards him.
"Best just to swallow your vanity, Smallville, and your pride," she continued, patting his upper arm with her hand.
"I'm not being vain," he protested. "I just don't want to attract attention." He yanked a frustrated hand through his hair. "I hate pity."
Her face softened. "I don't think you have to worry, Clark. Most of the kids at school currently hate Chad. They don't pity you."
He blinked.
Lois bit down on her lip. "You know I always tell it how it is." She smiled, bemused. "We'd better get going; otherwise, we'll be late."
Clark braced himself for the many stares he was about to endure when he walked through the school doors.
"Just smile, Smallville," Lois hissed in his ear.
They walked down the corridor.
"Oh, hi Clark," someone said in passing.
He waved back.
"Sorry to hear about your knee," another said.
"Glad to see you back at school."
"Ah, thanks. Yeah, I'm glad to be back."
This wasn't as bad as he thought it would be, until Chad came into view. The last person he wanted to see, but it came as no surprise.
"Well, if it isn't Clark Kent," Chad remarked, slowing down to a halt.
His derisive gaze wandered over him. "You're looking a bit worse for wear there, Kent."
Clark stared hard at him, his jaw clenching. He'd never felt such dislike towards another person, except Roger Nixon. No way was he going to give Chad the satisfaction of getting to him.
"How's the knee holding up?" he continued.
"Clark's doing just fine," Lois butted in, stepping in front of him in a protective stance.
"Still getting your girlfriend to fight your battles," he jeered.
"No one cares what you have to say," she hissed.
Chad cast her a look filled with carefully controlled hatred. It was the sort of look that worried the hell out of Clark. He grabbed her by the sleeve. "Just leave it, Lois."
"Yeah, listen to your boyfriend, Lane." Shooting him an almost equally hateful look, he began sauntering off. "See you around, Kent."
"Clark is back only ten minutes, and already Chad's giving him a hard time," Lois fumed as they entered the Torch.
"It's all right, Lois. Just calm down."
She turned to him, angrily. "Calm down. I know of a good way I could do that. Punching the smug bastard, now that would calm me down!"
"Like plotting his downfall isn't enough," Pete remarked.
Clark's eyes narrowed. "You've been plotting his downfall, Lois?"
"Way to go, Pete," she exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air.
"Nobody is plotting to bring Chad down," Clark continued.
"Too late, Clark," Chloe piped up from her seat at the computer. "We're already on to it."
He shot an annoyed glare at Lois. This was her doing. She just couldn't let it go.
"Take a chill pill, Smallville."
She was infuriating.
"Better still, sit down. You need to rest that knee."
He did as she said, his knee aching horribly, but he was still annoyed at her.
Ignoring him, Lois turned to Pete. "Your mom's a judge. Any way we can get him sent to juvie?"
Pete looked doubtful. "We need evidence." He scratched his head, glancing his way. "What about Clark's good friend Lex?"
Lois scowled back at him. "You're friends with Lex?"
"Was," Clark quickly pointed out. "I haven't seen him in years. He's been in Metropolis with his dad ever since he was injured in the tornado."
He still remembered that day. Lex trying to help him find his father. Lex was responsible for Roger Nixon investigating him. At the time Lex had lied; he couldn't be trusted. The betrayal still hurt. He'd never trust Lex Luthor again.
"How did you end up friends?"
Clark sighed. "He lost control of his car on a bridge. He crashed through the guard rail and his car plunged into the river below. I got him out."
A shared understanding passed between them. He had his powers then. She knew.
"What about you, Chloe?" Lois persisted, glancing at the petite blonde. "You're dad works at Luthorcorp. Any cool inventions there that we could use? Truth serum, get him to spill his guts in front of the whole school?"
Pete laughed. "Yeah, that would be something."
"I'm afraid not. My Dad is tight lipped when it comes to his work. Maybe we could write something in the Torch?"
"Yeah, if we want Principal Kwan to shut us down," Clark pointed out.
"Oh Pete, doesn't your mom have access to all the court records? Wonder what dirt Chloe could dig up about his family if your mom cooperated," Lois suggested. "Or we could break into her office late tonight."
Clark had had enough. "Nobody is breaking into any office. Let's just drop this. Maybe he has a good reason for being …
"A jerk," Lois finished for him.
"Maybe he's different when his friends aren't around. I'll talk to him."
"Are you for real, Clark!" Lois exclaimed. "You want to be his friend now?!"
"Of course not, but revenge – doesn't that make us as bad as him?"
Lois blinked in disbelief, then shook her head. "He started it, Clark."
"It doesn't mean we have to finish it."
"You are such a typical boy scout," she snorted.
"And you're always in trouble, Lois," he shot back.
Her hands rested on her hips, a flash of annoyance in her eyes. The tension in the room grew thicker.
"I'm thinking about you here, Lois. We know just how dangerous he can be."
"I can take care of myself."
He shook his head, feeling irritated. She was so damn stubborn.
"I know how we can bring him down," a voice spoke from the doorway.
Clark's eyes landed on Lana Lang. He was momentarily surprised. What was she doing here?
"I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I just came to see how Clark was doing."
Her eyes met his; he noticed the concern and felt touched. "I'm fine, thanks for asking."
She smiled, and taking that as a reassurance, stepped into the room. Her eyes darted from one person to the next. "I want to help."
"I think we've got this …" Lois began.
"I went out with him. I know him better than any of you. I know his weaknesses."
Clark inwardly sighed. Not her, too. "Why are doing this, Lana?" he asked.
"You know why, Clark."
Yeah, he did. Chad had stepped on a lot of toes, and he could hardly blame her.
A wide smile crossed Lois' face. "Great," she began, holding out a hand. "Welcome to the 'Let's Bring Down Chad' club."
Lana took Lois' hand, smiling.
Clark shook his head. He was fighting a losing battle here. When Lois was on a mission there was no stopping her.
He was looking forward to the trip to Metropolis. Even though he had been back at school these last two days, he really hadn't been anywhere in what seemed like a really long time. The sun was shining, there was even a hint of warmth in the air.
Shelby followed him to the car. "Sorry, Shelby, you have to stay home," he said, opening the passenger door.
Shelby sat back on his hind legs, whining.
"Do my ears deceive me? Did you just say no to, Shelby?" Lois quipped, as she exited the house.
He rolled his eyes. "I don't always give into to him."
She merely snorted.
He climbed into the car. Lois dumped a large floral bag on his lap.
"What's this for?" he asked, as she sat in the driver's seat.
"Just snacks to keep us going for the road trip."
"It's only an hour, Lois."
She started the engine. "Exactly, Clark."
He began rifling through the bag. "There's enough here to feed an Army."
"I like to be well prepared."
"What, are you trying to fatten me up now?"
She cast a quick look his way, a grin on her face. "You sussed out my evil intentions, Smallville."
He smiled and shook his head.
"Hmm, but you are starting to get a bit on the lean side now. I'm sure it won't hurt for you to eat a packet of chips."
The hour dragged on. It didn't help that he had to be subjected to White Snake songs the whole way. It was a relief to finally get out of the car.
"I think I'm deaf now," he muttered.
"Don't be ridiculous, Clark."
"What did you say, Lois?"
Smiling, she took the bag from him. "It could be worse, you know."
"Like how?"
"I could have played my Deep Purple CD."
They waited patiently in the office for Lois' Geologist friend to return with his findings. Clark was waiting patiently, that was. Lois was pacing the office, poking her nose into bookcases and anything that happened to look interesting.
She always did have this restless energy about her.
"How can you just sit there, Clark?"
"I don't have a choice. Pacing is kind of difficult with crutches," he quipped.
She smiled at him. He had been in a good mood today. Getting out of the house was just what he needed.
Finally George returned. Lois was eager to hear what his findings were.
"The rocks are very interesting," he mumbled, as he sat down, placing the rocks carefully on his desk. "The mineral composition is not that different from Earth rocks. The trace elements, however, are like nothing I've ever seen before."
Okay, so what did that mean exactly? Grabbing a seat, Lois dragged it to his desk.
"You mean to say that both of the rocks are not from Earth?" she asked.
"I have no idea where the rocks are from, but they do have the exact same mineral composition, meaning they are from the same place, but they have different trace elements. That's not unusual for certain types of rocks."
She glanced at Clark. His attention was completely taken up by George. She could only wonder at what he might be thinking.
"They are chemically unstable," George continued, "Making it most similar to Obsidian, which is a product of volcanic eruptions. Obsidian is an igneous rock that forms when molten rock material cools so rapidly that atoms are unable to arrange themselves into a crystalline structure. The result is a volcanic glass with a smooth uniform texture that breaks with a conchoidal fracture. Obsidian is mostly black, but it can also be brown or green, and rarely blue, red, orange and yellow depending on the trace elements."
"So that explains why the rocks have the same composition?" Clark asked. "But are different colours."
George nodded. "The conchoidal fracture of obsidian causes it to break into pieces with curved surfaces. This type of fracturing can produce rock fragments with very sharp edges."
Lois ears perked up at that bit of information.
"Obsidian was used to make knives, arrow heads, spear points, scrapers and many other weapons and tools. It can be used to produce a cutting edge that is thinner and sharper than the best surgical steel. Today, thin blades of obsidian are placed in surgical scalpels used for some of the most precise surgery."
"So are you saying that these rocks can be used for the same thing?"
"Yes."
"And the trace elements?"
"Make absolutely no sense to me. Like I said, it's nothing I've ever seen before."
Lois' eyes met with Clark's. This was possibly a breakthrough of sorts. They now knew the green and blue rock were of the same sort, and a reason for their different colours.
"Thanks, George."
She reached for the rocks from his desk.
"You're welcome. It was interesting to study a rock I've never seen before. Where did you say you found them, again?"
"Meteor shower in Smallville. You know, the one that made the news about 15 years ago."
George nodded. "I might have to investigate it for myself."
Lois was suddenly keen to get Clark out of there before George asked any more questions.
"Well, we have to dash out; long drive back to Smallville."
Lois was quiet on the drive back to the farm. That was unlike her; she hadn't even put any music on. They were both lost in their own thoughts.
Eventually she spoke up. "You think on your home planet they used the rocks to make weapons?"
Clark wished he knew.
"If the green rock made you sick, and the trace elements are unlike those found in earth rocks that could explain why it was able to give humans certain abilities when exposed to it."
"I still don't see how that works," he sighed.
"Maybe it got under their skin, did something to their DNA?"
Clark glanced at her, surprised. She was smart.
"I didn't need it to get under my skin to make me sick; I just had to be near it."
"Maybe because you were sensitive to it, Clark. After all, the rocks are from your home planet."
Silence lapsed once again. He stared out the window at the passing scenery. What was his home planet really like? And not just the ice fortress his father had shown him. Were there trees there? Animals? Was it anything like Earth?
"What do you think would have happened if the green rock did get under your skin?" Lois asked.
He gave her a long, thoughtful look. "I think it would kill me."
"Would have," he corrected. "It doesn't affect me now."
He noticed the way she shivered. "You're not going anywhere near that rock, Clark, even if it no longer affects you."
Lois was sitting on the sofa, staring at the rocks, trying to understand how it worked. She was so close to solving the riddle; there was just one missing piece. The answers definitely came from the rocks. She was so lost in her own thoughts she didn't hear Mrs Kent approach.
"There you are, Lois."
She jumped slightly, and glanced up. "Hi, Mrs K."
"What have got there, Lois?" she asked, sounding curious.
"I found these rocks," she began, holding them out for Mrs Kent to see.
Mrs K went strangely still, a disconcerted look on her face. That was odd.
"Where did you get those?"
"I found them in the rubble …" her voice broke off there at the troubled look in her eyes. "What's wrong, Mrs K?"
Mrs Kent drew in a deep breath. "They found blue shards of rock in Clark's leg after - the accident."
That was the missing key bit of information. She slowly raised her eyes to Mrs Kent's. "Those shards of blue rock are the same as the green rock; they come from Clark's home planet."
"But it didn't make Clark sick," Mrs Kent began.
"They have different trace elements. What if – the blue rocks are responsible for Clark losing his powers?"
Clark stepped into the lounge room, Shelby on his heels, a puzzled look on his face. "What are you two talking about?"
Lois sprang up from the sofa. "I think I've figure it out," she gasped, excited by her findings.
He raised a questioning eyebrow.
"The rock." She shoved it towards him.
"Lois, I told you not to touch them."
She rolled her eyes. Now wasn't the time!
"You remember how George said the rocks were the same but had different elements?"
He nodded, looking unsure of where this was going.
"And you said the green rock could kill you if it penetrates your skin."
"Yeah …"
"What if the blue rock takes away your powers?"
Clark was still frowning. "But – how?"
"When they brought you into the hospital that day, they had found multiple shards of that blue rock in your leg, Clark," his mom explained.
His eyes searched her face.
"You probably don't remember it," his Mom continued, her voice softening. "You were so traumatised by your Dad's death."
Shadows flickered in his eyes.
"That has to be it, Clark," Lois said quickly.
"But the surgeon told me he had gotten them all out," Mrs K interjected.
"What if he missed one?"
Clark's eyes met hers. There was doubt there; she could see it so clearly.
"I had x-rays taken of my leg just the other day. It would have shown up if I did."
A sinking feeling resided in the pit of her stomach, one she didn't want to acknowledge.
"What if," he continued, the faint lines on his brow deepening. "It took away my powers - permanently?"
A heavy silence followed. Lois refused to believe it. She was not going to accept the resignation in his bleak eyes.
"All of this has been for nothing," he muttered in a harsh voice.
"But, your father …"
He turned to her, angrily. "Is just a voice in my head, Lois. A madman, for all I know."
His expression was rigid and his eyes blazed. She longed to comfort him, but she could see it was best she didn't. She'd never seen him like this before.
"There has to be another explanation …"
"Just leave it, Lois."
She blinked in disbelief. "So you are going to give up? Just like that?"
He could be so – frustrating.
"Yes," he muttered, dropping his gaze from hers. "I suggest you do the same."
Turning around, she watched helplessly as he hobbled away. Her shoulders sagged. She fought back the tears.
Mrs Kent put a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"Just give him time, Lois. He'll come around."
"How did you do it for all those years, Mrs K?" she sighed, sadly. "I would have throttled him."
Mrs Kent squeezed her shoulders. "It hasn't been easy being different, not knowing who or what he was. It's been his living reality his whole life, Lois."
Mrs K was so wise. Lois wished she had half of her wisdom and patience. She did have one thing neither Clark nor his Mom had, though; it was called tenacity. No way was she going to give up or admit defeat.
She would find an answer, because deep in her heart she knew there was one.
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A/N: Thanks for reading. I'm most anxious to see what people think! Especially seeing as this ends with a bit of a twist. Please leave a review and let me know. It's always really helpful when people tell me what scenes they preferred, or even to ask me a question and/or give a suggestion.
As I am on holidays for the next two weeks, and providing the writing flow is happening, you may not have to wait too long for the next chapter.
Cheers!
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