A/N: Thanks for the wonderful support for this story! I think I've replied to most reviews, but if I haven't I just want to give a huge thank you! Thanks to guest reviewer, Alison, who gave me lots of feedback which I very much enjoyed reading. And, Chewbie, you'll get to see a lot more from Clark's POV this chapter.
Claudia - I've written a nice little hot, romantic scene between Clark and Lois just for you :)
This chapter hasn't been edited, except by me, which means there may be a few errors. I try to fix as much as I can. My fault too, with the time difference from living in Australia I hadn't allowed my beta reader VisAVis2 enough time to edit. I wanted to upload tonight as I have a truck load of marking to do and I MUST get it done. Here is some advice for all - don't become a teacher :)
There is an interesting twist to this chapter and I'm most keen to see if people like it. Without giving anything more away. Enjoy!
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Chapter 13.
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Mrs K said to give him time, but just how much time did Clark need? It had been four weeks since their day trip to Metropolis. Every time she attempted to bring up the blue rock discussion, he'd clam up tighter than any sea shell. A careful guarded look would cross his face, the sort of look that told her in unspoken words to - let it go.
He was upset and angry. Lois got it. And she didn't blame him. But how can he stay pissed for that long?
"When you sulk, Clark. You really do it well." She had informed him the other day.
His mood fluctuated as much as a tide going in and out. One day he would be in a relatively good frame of mind, and the next, like a bear with a sore head. Not that she blamed him that either. Physical therapy was a bitch. She could tell he worked hard to fight back the tears when at his PT sessions. How much it hurt him when the therapist put him through his paces.
If only he wasn't so stubborn, and was willing to talk about there being an alternative with the blue rocks, then he wouldn't have to keep suffering. Not that she had any answers, but unlike him, she was going to remain positive. They just had to dig a little deeper, look a bit harder. The loss of his powers couldn't be permanent. Why would his father have bothered to contact him if they were? It didn't make sense.
"What if we re-visit Hobson's Pond," she'd suggested.
The look her had shot her way would be enough to kill the most faint hearted, lucky she wasn't. "I'm never going back there," he had muttered, fiercely.
Okay, so it still wasn't the right time to discuss it yet. She was beginning to think there never would be a right time.
Sometimes she attempted to kiss him out of his sulky moods, when Mrs K wasn't around. Most times it worked, despite being Kryptonian, he was still very much a young 18 year old male with rampaging hormones. And sometimes it really was just better to leave him alone.
Clark hadn't gone to school that day. He'd woken up that morning in a bad frame of mind. The physiotherapist had told him he couldn't stop using the crutches till his range of movement was at 35, but it was only at 30. Though he could partial weight bear on his leg now.
She knew the pain was physically and mentally draining. By the end of the school day his leg would be swollen, even his foot looked like a pin cushion. Lois would get the ice pack from the freezer and put it on his knee. She'd massage his quads that had atrophied significantly. Clark would protest.
"Just swallow your male ego and pride, Smallville," she'd berate. "Now is hardly the time for it."
It had been another typical boring day at school. Chad gave his usual smirk in passing. Lois resisted the urge to punch him out. Lana and Chloe had formed an unlikely friendship. Though Lana didn't hang around them during breaks, not wanting to make Chad suspicious, she was always at the Torch in the mornings.
Lois didn't mind. Lana had even arranged a job interview at the Talon for her.
She was excited to tell Clark her good news when she returned home from school, but he was fast asleep on the sofa. She let him be and went upstairs to get ready for her job interview. She really needed this job. Unbeknown to Clark, she was going to save up her money for a MRI scan. The hard part would be convincing him to go through with it. His nose was already sorely put out of joint from his inability to help out or contribute financially.
By the time she went back downstairs, Clark was awake. He was flickering through the television channels with the remote, eating a packet of chips.
"You should start easing up on the crap food, Smallville" she remarked, grabbing the packet of chips from him, she began eating them. "You don't want to put all that weight you had lost back on."
He looked as if he really didn't care. She sighed. Yep, he was having one of those days today.
Looking up from the television, his eyes wandered over her before resting on her face, a puzzled frown denting his forehead.
"Are you wearing make up?"
So he'd actually noticed.
His frown intensified. "And a hair band?"
"Don't look so surprised, Smallville. I have a job interview."
His eyebrows shot up.
"Lana's Aunt owns the Talon. Lana arranged an interview for me."
He blinked, surprised. "You've been getting friendly with, Lana, a lot lately."
"Yeah, turns out she's not as stuck up as I thought."
"Which has nothing to do with Chad?"
Lois shrugged. "She hates him as much as I do."
Clark's jaw clenched. Why wouldn't she just let it go? But then Lois wasn't particularly good at that. She was still going on about the rocks. On the drive back from physio yesterday afternoon, she had mentioned something about having an MRI scan on his leg. Maybe the x-ray had missed something? Maybe a shard of blue rock had embedded in his bone, before he had informed her it was a huge expense his Mom couldn't afford.
"Oh, don't give me that look, Clark," Lois sighed, walking into the kitchen with the packet of chips he was enjoying just moments ago. "What Lana and I have planned is revealing the truth," she continued over her shoulder.
Shoving the chips in the cupboard, she called out. "And you don't need to be eating these."
There were some days, she really did frustrate him. Reaching for his crutches, he managed to get off the sofa and followed her into the kitchen. One thing he had mastered over the last six weeks were the damn crutches he'd come to loathe.
"And what do you two have planned?"
Lois turned to him, giving him a secretive smile. "You'll see."
See what? Why did he have a bad feeling about this?
"Lois," he began.
Leaning towards him, she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Wish me luck, Clark."
She was out the door before he could even say 'good luck.'
Sighing to himself, he shook his head. Now what did he do? He was so bored. There were some chores he could negotiate.
He needed to work off his frustration. Making his way to the barn, Clark noticed a sleek black Porsche pull up. There was only one person he knew that drove such a car; Lex Luthor.
Stopping in his tracks, Clark watched the car door open. At that precise moment, he wasn't sure what he felt? Only that Lex Luthor couldn't be trusted and what was he doing here?
The man himself stepped into view. A cold wind tousled Clark's hair, he shivered, feeling wary and uncertain.
"Long time no see, my old friend," Lex spoke.
Clark didn't even know how to respond to that. He stood rooted to the spot. Lex walked up to him, smiling in his usual way, a smile that never reached his eyes.
"Lex," he managed to murmur.
Lex took in his appearance. It was probably just as well he had returned when he did to see him like this. That should convince Lex that he was just like everyone else.
"What happened to you?" he asked.
"I fractured my knee cap."
His eyes rested on his face. "Sounds rough." His gaze was intent and searching. "You're not looking yourself these days, Clark."
What did Lex mean by that? There was always a double edged, cryptic meaning behind his words.
"What are you doing back here, Lex?"
"I'm working back in Smallville," he replied.
Clark's heart sunk. Terrific.
"I thought we could resume our friendship," he continued.
Not a good idea. It was best he stayed away from Lex, but then it's not as if Lex could really find anything on him when he no longer had his powers.
"It did mean something to me once, Clark. Can't we let bygones be bygones?"
He looked so sincere. There was a time Clark looked up to him, trusted him. But it was a long time ago. Those memories returned in full force now.
'You know Lex, I don't know what to believe anymore.'
'Believe that I am your friend.'
Lex had tried to help him look for his father. Though it were the maps Pete had given him from the county planner's office that led to them discovering the crypt. Clark shivered at the memory. Shoving the cabin that had crush landed atop the crypt, was the last time he would ever use his powers. It seemed so strange to think of now, but he couldn't help feeling a sense of loss.
"I – I don't know," he stammered.
"Well I'm back for a while, there will be plenty of time to work on it."
Clark nodded, not knowing what else to say.
"I am really sorry for what happened to your father, Clark. And I mean it."
He believed him. He knew Lex hadn't planned on anyone getting hurt, even if they had. Lex had looked up to his Dad.
"How is your father?" he asked.
"Good ole Dad. He's a fighter you know. Luthor's are made of stern stuff, nothing can bring a Luthor down." There was a hint of bitterness in his voice. "He's back to his usual self. Always filling my held with grandiose dreams of greatness. He's been sending me all around the world looking for pieces of a crystal."
Clark's mouth went suddenly dry. A thread of unease crept up under his collar.
"You all right, Clark?"
He nodded, and cleared his throat. "What does he want crystals for?"
Lex shrugged. "Who knows why my father does half the things he does. He seems to think they're alien in origin and will unlock the key to untold knowledge."
His grip on his crutches tightened. His biological father's voice whispered through his head. Find the crystals, Kal-El. Or all hope is lost.
Was it a coincidence? How did Lionel Luthor even know about the crystals?
"Did you find any of them?" he slowly asked.
"I've found two out of the three pieces. My father believes the third piece is here in Smallville, which is why I'm back."
Clark stood, stock still, too overwhelmed to move. So much was left unsaid, words that couldn't be spoken, questions he couldn't ask without making Lex suspicious.
"It's kind of funny, isn't it," Lex began, his curious gaze fixed on his face, causing Clark to squirm uncomfortably. "The day your father died, all of the mysterious heroic saves suddenly stopped."
Did that mean Lex was still trying to figure him out? He hadn't let it go? Clark tried to ignore the speculation in his eyes.
"Yeah – I guess it is," he murmured in reply.
"I should get going," Lex continued.
Turning away, he walked back to his car. "Call by sometime, Clark."
Stopping to glance his way, as he opened the car door, Lex said in an eerily familiar way. "We have a lot of catching up to do."
Clark watched the car speed down the driveway, a sinking feeling residing in the pit of his stomach.
It couldn't be good. He had a bad feeling about all of this. If by chance Lex Luthor did have the crystals his father had instructed he find, then what did he intend to do with them?
Was the third piece really here in Smallville?
Maybe it would be a good idea to resume a friendship with Lex Luthor. If they were his crystals, he had to get them back.
Don't be stupid, Clark, he silently chided, Lex was a dangerous man. It was best to stay away from him.
Where would the third piece of crystal even be? Turning away from the barn, Clark made his way to the storm cellar.
He needed answers.
As usual the little space ship hummed when he ran his hand over it. He was filled with a sudden desire to open it. He traced his finger along the octagonal shape etched into the ship, forcing his mind back to the day of the tornados.
He'd rushed home after leaving Lana at the hospital, and found his Mom in a panicked state. Roger Nixon had stolen the key from Lex Luthor.
From what his Mom had told him. The key inserted itself into the ship, and the ship flew.
He tried to fit the jumbled memories into some semblance of order. His Mom had found the ship returned to the barn. Once he was home and well enough, they had moved it back into the storm cellar.
If the spaceship could only operate with the key, then the key still had to be in it?
So who had the key now?
There was only one person who could; his Mom.
Clark made his way back to the house. Where would she have put it? His eyes rested on the stairwell. More than likely in her bedroom. Ignoring doctor's advice, Clark slowly made his way up the stairs. It was just as well no one was home.
He felt guilty going through her drawers, but he was filled with a desperation to find the key and open his spaceship. There had to be answers inside of it, maybe even the third part of the crystal? Though it was doubtful if the other two pieces were already here on earth, and just how did they get here?
His Mom had done a thorough job of hiding the damn thing. Yanking open her wardrobe, his eyes rested on an old tool box. Why would she have a tool box in her wardrobe? Lifting it down, he slowly opened it. Sifting through the silk paper, his fingers felt something cold and metallic. Pulling it out, he gazed at it in awe; the octagonal key. It was strangely beautiful and unlike anything he'd seen before. Turning it over, he noticed the symbolic inscriptions on it. They were the same as the ones on the spaceship. If only he could read it. Returning his attention to the tool box, he noticed something else. It was a thin, flat looking sort of metallic slate. It contained the same symbols as the key. Was it part of his ship as well?
"Clark," a voice called from downstairs.
Lois! She was home. Quickly pocketing both the key and the slate, he shoved the tool box back onto the ledge.
"Clark! Where are you?"
He exited his Mom's bedroom, pulling the door shut harder than he intended. It closed with a resounding bang. Wincing, he heard Lois' footsteps bound up the stairwell.
Now what did he tell her? He wanted to keep the key a secret, opening the spaceship was something he had to do alone.
Coming into view, her eyes widened when she saw him. "Clark!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing up here?"
"I – I had to …"
"You are not supposed to use the stairs!" she continued, angrily.
"I got up them easily enough."
"That's the easy part, going down them is tricky. What if you fall?!"
He opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off. "And what are doing up here, again?"
He swallowed. Think of something, and make it quick before she gets suspicious. He could see her eyes scrutinizing his face.
But it was Lois. There was no pulling the wool over her eyes.
"Well," he began. "I just had to get something from my Mom's room."
"Like what?"
He took a deep breath. "It's sort of private, Lois."
"Oh."
"It's something that belongs to my father, and I just can't talk about it, okay," he continued.
Which was near enough to the truth. She didn't need to know that it had to do with his biological father.
Clark wasn't himself that evening. He seemed uptight, which was probably better than him being all depressed and mopey.
Lois was suspicious. Something must have happened when she went to the interview. Trying to get him to talk was futile. She soon gave up.
Instead, she chattered away happily at the dinner table, telling Mrs K all about her new job at the Talon. Every now and again her eyes would rest on Clark. He looked a million light years away.
Lois' eyes met with Mrs K's concerned gaze. Both of them knowing something was wrong, but neither knowing what to say or do about it.
Clark waited till he was sure Lois and his Mom were asleep before he quietly left the house, and made his way to the storm cellar. The key and metallic slate were safely pocketed in his coat. It was a chilly night, but he barely felt it. His thoughts were completely taken up by what he was about to do; open the spaceship.
He managed the stairs, could hear Lois' voice chiding him in his head. It did little to ease his nervousness. The spaceship lay upon the table, looking forlorn, a lost relic from another world. It was out of place here on earth. Taking the few steps towards it, he stood still once he reached the table. His eyes raking over its sleek metallic shape.
'Stop procrastinating,' he chided, as his hand fiddled with the key in his pocket.
He had to do this.
A nervous anticipation took hold as Clark fitted the octagonal key into the ship. He held his breath. The small spaceship lit up, and before his very eyes, the metallic strips of roof peeled away.
He stood there in awe, trying to process it all. Taking a hesitant step, he peered inside. It was so small, had he really arrived to earth in this? How had he survived? It was like – nothing he'd seen before. Peering even closer inside of it, he noticed a rectangular slot. It needed something further. Reaching inside his pocket, his hand rested on the metallic slate – that had to be it?
He pulled it free from his pocket and without a second thought inserted it into the slot. The centre of the spaceship was replaced with symbols basked in a golden light. They swirled around in a circle, six rows, forming a cone. Unable to tear his eyes away, Clark continued to be transfixed by the symbols. The harder he looked, the more he concentrated – the symbols – they began to make sense. He could read them.
On this third planet from the star Sol - you will be a god among men - They are a flawed race - Rule them with strength, my son - That is where your greatness lies.
Clark suddenly stepped back from the ship, horrified as the words sunk in. A god among men – a flawed race – rule with strength.
His hurt lurched into his throat at the thought.
Was he sent here to conquer? Just what kind of planet was he from?
What if it was part of who he was? Is that the kind of person he will become if he had his powers? Because if that was so, then maybe it was better that he had lost them.
Lois wasn't the most patient person, and Clark was sorely testing what little of it she had. He was more distant than ever, seemingly distracted all of the time.
Watching him put little effort into his exercises that evening, her frustration increased.
"You know, from what I can gather, Clark, it almost seems that you don't even care about getting better."
When he didn't answer, her frustration turned into exasperation.
"Well if you're perfectly happy being in constant pain, hobbling around for the next four months, so be it. Oh, and then there is that other operation you have to have to fix the ACL tear. There goes another six months, and it could be a whole year before you'll really be normal again."
He glanced her way, clearly annoyed. But she was just getting started.
"That's providing nothing goes wrong, and if you're lucky you may get back full movement, but the prognosis for that wasn't crash hot. Didn't the specialist say something about how you could suffer long term instability, and you won't get full strength back in your quads, like ever?"
"They always give the worst case scenario, they have to," he dismissed.
"You're probably gonna have problems with that knee your whole life, Clark, until your old enough to have a total knee replacement."
"Lois!" he snapped, "Are you done yet?"
She saw the storm swirling in his eyes. He blinked, as if trying to hold back tears. She was being a bitch and instantly felt bad.
"Sorry, Clark. Just that I hate seeing you this way, always struggling – it kind of gets to me."
There was a strained haunted look on his face. It made her want to pull him into her arms, and something wasn't right with him. Ever since she had returned from the job interview two days ago, he had been detached and restless.
"Clark – what is going on with you?"
Pain streaked across his face, the deep shadows in his eyes worried her.
"What if – I was sent here for another purpose?" he swallowed, averting his eyes from hers. "What if I was sent here to conquer the human race – and rule it?"
She wasn't at all sure where this was coming from, but they needed to talk.
"Okay, Clark." She led him to the sofa. "Sit down before you fall down."
He did as she instructed. Lois sat on the coffee table, eyes focused on his distraught face. She waited for him to speak, knowing he would.
His gaze was set on his clenched hands.
"The other day," he began. "You caught me upstairs, and I told you I was looking for something in my Mom's room."
She nodded. "Yeah."
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out an octagonal metallic disc and handed it to her.
"I was looking for this."
Lois gazed down at the metallic disc with awe. It was beautiful.
"What is it?"
"The key to my spaceship."
Her eyes quickly met his, gobsmacked.
"It opens it," he continued in a hesitant voice. "I opened it the other night for the first time."
For once, Lois was speechless. He did what – and why? She drew in a breath. "You told me you getting something that belonged to your father."
"Technically speaking I was."
Oh, right, that was clever of him.
Her eyes returned to the key. "What happened when you opened it?"
Reaching into his pocket, again, he pulled out a scrap piece of paper. "My biological father had left me a message." There was bitterness laced in his voice. "Here."
She took the crumpled piece of paper from him. On this third planet from the star Sol, you will be a god among men. They are a flawed race. Rule them with strength, my son. That is where your greatness lies.
Feeling Clark's eyes boring into her, she glanced at him. "Well your father is right about one thing," she began. "We are a flawed race."
"And his isn't?"
Lois sighed, handing the piece of paper to him. "Don't read too much into it, Clark. Two words that stand out to me the most are 'strength' and 'greatness'.
"And what about the word 'rule'."
The warmth in her eyes made him feel better, she wasn't rejecting him.
"Well, Smallville, what better person than you."
And just like that she had made his burden lighter. "But what would I know about ruling anyone?"
"Not yet, and maybe we are looking way into the future here? To a point in time when you will be?"
He still didn't like the thought. There was so much he didn't know.
"What made you open the spaceship?" she asked.
He dropped his gaze from hers, knowing he had to be honest, tell her everything. Carrying the burden on his own only made him feel so empty inside.
"Lex Luthor dropped by."
She blinked, surprised. "Oh, your old chum. What did he want?"
"To be my friend again."
Her eyes narrowed. "And you believe that?"
He shook his head. "I don't think I can trust him, but Lois – He's looking for three crystals. Well his father is making him, and – he already has two of the missing pieces."
Her eyes widened. "Your crystals?" she stammered.
"Maybe – apparently the third one is here in Smallville."
Lois let out a long slow hiss. Her eyes sought his, he noticed the all too familiar determined glint.
"Okay, Clark. I think it's obvious who your new best friend is going to be; Lex Luthor."
He had the sinking feeling she was going to say that.
"You don't want the crystals falling in the wrong hands. Lionel Luthor is the last person you want opening the door that is meant for you."
Lois was right. He was older, not so much the innocent 15 year old boy he'd been back before. He'd been put through the wringer these last two months. It had changed him, given him a new found perspective. He could pretend to be Lex's friend. If his biological father had left the crystals for him, then no way did they belong to Lionel Luther. They were his crystals. He wanted them back.
"What's going through your head, Clark?" Lois asked.
He glanced at her. "Lex did say to drop by for a chat."
"Great."
"Just so it doesn't make him suspicious I think I should wait at least a week."
A wide smile crossed her face and before he had a chance to respond, she cupped his face with her hands, catching his lips with hers.
Pleasantly surprised, he pulled back. "What was that for?"
"I'm glad to have you back, Smallville."
He felt a smile tilt up the corners of his mouth.
Clark had a new found determination. He worked hard over the next week during his PT sessions, and with the exercises at home. By the end of week, his range of movement was at 40. He no longer had to use both crutches, and was allowed to either use a walking cane or one crutch. Of course he was going to use a crutch and not a walking cane. It reminded him too much of an old man.
He still had his pride, that Lois enjoyed teasing him about. And while the answers to the restoration of his powers went unanswered for the time being, he was focused. The most focused he'd been in a long while. With Lois by his side, knowing everything, the loneliness he'd felt his whole life melted away.
He didn't have to go through this alone. There would no more secrets between them.
It had been a long time since Clark had visited the Luthor mansion. He felt some apprehension as he gazed up at the imposing austere sandstone structure, much like a medieval castle that had defied time.
Clark glanced up at the 82 foot high turret. He'd forgotten just how impressive it was. The trees that lined the entrance were bereft of any leaves, like the ivy growing up the walls. It gave the place a sense of eerie isolation. Winter had just finished with the changing month to March, but ice still crunched beneath his boots. It felt colder here.
Shoving his hand in his pocket, he felt for Lois' note. She had scribbled down all the things he should and should not say. Then she had paced the kitchen, worrying.
'Maybe I should come with you, wait in the car?'
'I'll be fine. Lex won't hurt me. He doesn't operate that way.'
Besides, he didn't have his powers anymore. There was nothing suspicious about him. He was no longer the enigma Lex had once made him out to be.
Clark was greeted at the entrance by the butler. "Lex has been waiting for you."
It sounded ominous in his ears, he shivered and followed the butler to the lion's den.
Lex sat on a black leather revolving chair at a wide glass topped desk. He looked up from his desk as Clark entered the room. A warm fire crackled in the sandstone fireplace that reached to the ceiling. It almost felt like he was stepping back in time.
"It brings back memories, doesn't it," Lex spoke, pushing up from the chair.
Clark glanced at him, nodding. "Yes."
"I'm glad you decided to call by," he continued, walking across the floor towards him.
"Yeah, well I think part of me wants to see if you've changed."
Lex smiled. "Take a seat, Clark." He gestured to a mahogany two seat sofa. "Do you want a drink?"
"Just a soda, thanks."
Hobbling over to the sofa, he was glad to sit down and take the weight off his knee. He lowered himself onto the leather seat.
"It doesn't seem right," Lex remarked.
Clark glanced over to where he stood, near a tall glass topped bar.
"What?"
"You struggling around with a broken knee cap." Again there was that speculation, mixed with confusion in Lex's eyes. "You always seemed so resilient."
The old days, Clark mused, ignoring the growing sense of unease.
"Guess I just got unlucky," he returned.
Pouring himself a generous amount of scotch, Lex left the bar and sat down on the sofa opposite him, handing him a glass of soda water.
"Had did it happen?"
"Playing football. I took a heavy knock and there went the knee."
Lex grimaced. "Contact sport, never was my thing and for a good reason."
"Yeah, I can't see you playing it either," Clark quipped.
Lex smiled, amused. His eyes resting on his face.
"You're no longer the lanky naive boy I left behind," he began, a curious glean in his eyes. "You've grown up."
"I guess so, kind of had to with Dad dying." He cursed the catch in his throat.
"I really am sorry that ever happened, Clark."
There was such sincerity in his eyes that Clark found himself believing him. Quickly averting his eyes, he gazed down at his clasped hands. "I know."
"If anybody should have died that day it should have been my father," Lex muttered, taking a large scull of the amber liquid in his glass.
Clark didn't know what to say. Obviously Lex hated his father as much as he had done three years ago. Curiosity aroused, he looked at Lex. "Nothing's changed then?"
Given the bitterness etched in the lines bracketing his mouth; no.
"It's never going to change," Lex slowly replied, taking another sip.
He was knocking that drink back quickly. There was a bleakness in his eyes, or so Clark thought, but it vanished as quickly as it had come, leaving him wondering.
"You were the only good thing in my life, Clark."
Was Lex serious? Sometimes it was hard to tell. He managed a nod. There was such sincerity in his eyes. It hurt to see it.
"I'd like that again," Lex continued.
Clark swallowed, feeling touched. "Me too."
A look of relief crossed Lex's face, a brief satisfied smile on his lips. "Friends it is."
Another half an hour passed by. Clark talked about the last three years, not that there was a great deal to talk about, and he left Lois out of it. Lex didn't need to know anything about her.
Lex began talking about the crystals, as Clark hoped he would. Getting up from the sofa, Lex crossed the floor to his desk, returning with an ancient looking small, rectangular box. Placing it on the coffee table, he opened it.
Clark leaned forward in is seat to get a look at them.
Inside the box lay two pieces of black crystal. It really could be any type of black crystal. It didn't mean it was alien.
"It doesn't look that mysterious to me," he commented. Which was true, he didn't know what to expect, but this wasn't it.
"It contains a mineral composition that isn't found anywhere here on earth, Clark."
Much like the rocks, he silently mused.
"And your missing something," Lex continued.
Picking up the two pieces of crystal, he handed them to him.
Clark stared down at them suddenly worried. Was this some sort of test? What would happen if he touched the rocks? Would his biological father suddenly burst through his consciousness again?
"What's wrong, Clark?"
Great, and now Lex would be suspicious. He had no alternative but to take the crystals. Praying that nothing bad would happen, he slowly took the crystals from Lex's hand.
"Look at them closely," he instructed.
Clark did has he bid, peering at the black crystals, relieved nothing had happened. He noticed a single symbol on each of the crystals.
"I've not been able to find one person who can tell me what those symbols mean."
Quite suddenly, and unexpectedly, Clark knew. The words hung on the tip of tongue; fire and air. An insistent throb started at the base of his skull. How was it that he could suddenly read the symbols? It had to be from when he opened the ship.
Feeling disconcerted, he handed the crystals back to Lex. Why was Lex showing him the crystals? And the last thing he needed was Lex to become suspicious of him.
Sitting back, he ran a finger along the rim of his glass, trying to look nonchalant. "You have any idea where the third piece is?"
Lex leaned forward in his seat. "Not yet, but Smallville sits upon a labyrinth of tunnels from an ancient native Indian tribe. One thing I've learned is that whoever left the crystals here, they liked to hide them in ancient relics."
"You think it was from thousands of years ago? That whoever put the crystals in the relics did it at the time they were made?"
A hint of a smile crossed Lex's face. "You are curious, Clark." It was more a statement than a question.
Clark averted his gaze from Lex's. He shrugged. "I have to admit, it's kind of interesting."
Lex was gazing at the crystals, mesmerised. "You have no idea on the amount of time my father has spent searching for these. For something so small it's hard to believe they hold any power."
Clark shifted uncomfortably on the sofa. The crystals made the hair on the back of his arms and neck stand up. It was if they were calling out to him. He had a sudden urge to snatch the crystals out of Lex's hand, in fact it was beginning to become overwhelming.
He had to get out of there.
"I probably should get going," he began, putting his glass down onto the coffee table. "Final year of school and I have a ton of homework to do."
Lex looked up. Again, there was a hint of knowing in his eyes. It made Clark feel even more uncomfortable than he already did.
"Of course." He placed the crystals back in the box.
Clark ignored the ringing in his ears. Damn. The sooner he was gone the better. Reaching for his crutches, he stood up.
"Thanks for calling by, Clark," Lex said. "It was enlightening."
What did he mean by those words?
"Yeah, it was." And in more ways than one. Clark didn't have any doubt in his mind that those crystals were the very ones his biological father had told him to find.
"I'm glad to have our friendship back, Clark."
His words sounded sincere enough, but Clark was sure Lex had ulterior motives.
"Yeah – me too," he returned over his shoulder.
He didn't know why he stopped in the doorway on his way out. When he glanced back at Lex, it was to find him staring intently at him. Lex knew a lot more than he was letting on.
Clark had no sooner arrived home when Lois was instantly there. By the look of it, she must have waited by the back door the whole time.
"Thank god you're home!" Her eyes raked over him. "And still in one piece."
She pulled him into her arms. It felt nice to have someone care so much. Since being honest with her over a week ago, everything was back to normal. They talked a lot, cuddled a lot, still disagreed on enough occasions. She still teased and bossed him around. Nothing had felt better in a long while.
"I told you, Lex, wouldn't hurt me."
She raised a sceptical eyebrow. "So what did he want?"
"I'll tell you all about it, but I need to eat some dinner."
Lois heated up a plate of beef casserole. He sat down on a stool at the bench. Shelby trotted up to him, tail wagging. Clark ruffled his ears.
"Where's Mom?" he asked.
"She was called out on business."
"You didn't tell her I went to see Lex?"
"No – but maybe you should."
"She has enough to worry about."
Taking his plate out of the microwave, she handed it to him. He could see the dozen of questions she was itching to ask reflected in her eyes. Picking up the fork, he began to eat. He was starving.
"She's a big girl. She can handle it, not to mention she's had to bring up an alien for a son," Lois quipped, amusement dancing in her eyes. "I never tire of hearing about your boyhood days."
The fork froze halfway to his mouth. "She tells you about that?"
Lois smiled. "Yeah. It gives me a whole new insight into Clark Kent."
He could only imagine the stories his Mom had to tell. Stories she couldn't tell to other mother's during play group sessions. 'Oh by the way, Clark, tossed a tractor today. We're so proud of him.'
"Our childhoods are vastly different. You were such a saint, and I was …"
"A spitfire," he finished for her.
Her smile widened.
"You make a cute spitfire," he continued with a smile.
Resting her hands on the bench, she leaned towards him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. He suddenly had a good view of her cleavage and – look away, he told himself – just don't look there. His time spent with Lex had left him feeling rattled. These light hearted moments with Lois provided a relief from the seriousness that was often his life.
"You're being adorable, Smallville."
He tried to concentrate on the dinner plate in front of him, but his appetite had suddenly shifted.
"Sorry." His voice sounded husky, betraying him.
Lois' grinned. She stepped around the bench, teasingly within in his grasp. His meal now forgotten, he pulled her towards himself.
He lightly brushed his knuckles across her cheek. "I can't help it when I'm around you," he murmured.
Lifting a hand to her hair, he brushed some strands off her face. Her hands circled his waist, and sudden desire over-rode all of his senses. His hands moved from her shoulders to her waist, moulding her body so tightly to him he could feel the beating of her heart. She wound her arms around his neck. The kisses she scattered over his face were feverish and moist.
Lois was the epitome of self-inflicted torture. A deep groan of pleasure escaped his throat. He wanted to be lost in this moment, not face tomorrow, bury his face in her short curls and nibble her cute ears. Wild thoughts of making love to her filled his head. He had never known such intimacy with a girl before. He wanted to feel her deep inside of him.
He tried to rein in his wayward thoughts, but it was impossible. His hands had a mind of their own. They began to unbutton her blouse. His fingers itched to feel the softness of her skin. Somewhere in the back of his mind, a voice was exclaiming – stop! Stop now before this goes any further.
"Don't stop," she whispered in his ear, as if sensing his hesitation, her breath hot against his neck.
That really didn't help. His fingers continued with the urgency of removing her blouse. Yanking his coat off, her hands fluttered to the buttons on his shirt.
His lips caught hers in a long, passionate kiss. Now free of her blouse, his hands explored the softness of her skin and the perk roundness of her -
A sudden, shrill sound of the phone ringing broke the mood. They both pulled away.
He stared back, his breathing ragged. Her face was flushed, eyes widening at what they were about to do.
"I should probably answer it," she quickly said in a husky voice, grabbing her blouse from the floor.
Heart pounding in his ears, Clark felt as if he were on fire. He drew in a deep breath and buttoned up his own shirt. He tried to concentrate on his dinner as Lois spoke to his Mom. Since getting some mobility back, and with the pain easing up in his knee, his thoughts had been taken up with fantasying about making love to her. He wanted his first time to mean something, to be with a girl he loved with his whole heart.
And she was the one.
"Okay, Mrs K, see you soon."
Lois put the phone back on the hook. Clark forced himself to eat, needing the distraction. She slowly turned around, leaning against the wall, as if trying to compose herself.
An awkward silence followed. He continued to eat, not really tasting it.
"We should probably talk about Lex," she eventually spoke.
Yep, talking about Lex would definitely kill the current desire that was spreading through him like hot oil.
He nodded.
Lois paced as Clark recounted everything that had taken place between him and Lex. She needed the distraction, wanting to put some distance between them. Her body still burned from his touch. Part of her cursed the phone for ringing, but the other part was kind of relieved. It was too soon. Even though her body had a way of betraying her whenever she was around him. No other guys had ever had that effect on her. What was so different about Clark?
She forced herself to concentrate on what Clark was saying, and soon concern took over.
"Why would Lex be so forth coming in not only telling you about the crystals, but also showing them?"
"Lex has always been suspicious of me. Ever since I rescued him from the car. I sort of ripped the roof off it to get to him. He could never see how it was humanly possible. I think he had a faint memory of hitting me with his car, which he had."
Her concern deepened. "What if he knows, Clark?"
"I think he knows something, but it would only be speculation and seeing me like this," he gestured to the brace on his leg. "Would only confirm that I'm normal."
Lois chewed her bottom lip. She had a bad feeling about this. "I don't know – I don't trust him."
"Neither do I, but he does have the crystals, and I'm convinced they are the crystals my biological father wants me to find."
Her worried gaze met his. She was glad he was open again to discussing his origins, the rocks and his father, but it was still disconcerting as well. Especially when people like Lex Luthor were lurking about. If Lex found out who and what Clark was – what would he do to him?
"Are you sure?"
He nodded. "They had a symbol on them - and," he paused for a moment, a troubled look in his eyes, "I could read it."
"Since when?"
"I opened my spaceship."
Silence filled the room, the ticking of the grandfather clock the only sound. Lois was shell shocked. His biological father was pulling the strings. It felt as if Clark was merely dancing to his tune. She felt uneasy about that too.
"Say something, Lois." His voice sounding anxious.
She slowly turned her gaze to his. "What do the symbols mean?"
"Fire and air."
Great, even better, now she was totally not reassured.
"I think I've figure it out too. They are two out of the three elements needed to re-build the fortress."
Clark continued to get smarter. Was that his biological father's doing? Had he downloaded information into Clark's mind when he'd opened his spaceship? Her throat went dry.
"What are you going to do? You have to get that third crystal before Lex does."
"I know," he sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair.
Clark may be convinced that by not having his powers was a good thing when it came to Lex, but it also made him vulnerable. He needed his powers back and pronto.
Hearing Mrs K's car pull up, the subject of Lex Luthor and the crystals came to an abrupt halt.
But when Lois climbed into bed that night, she couldn't help worrying and wondering what would happen next. Her attachment to Clark frightened her. The thought of losing him was – unbearable. Trust her to fall in love with an alien, as if her life was never meant to be trouble free. She shivered slightly, pulling the blanket tightly across her shoulders. The future before her was filled with so many uncertainties. Deep in her heart, she knew her destiny was entwined with Clark's. She would do whatever it took to protect him.
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A/N: Most anxious to hear what people think. Please send a review and let me know. Trying to capture Lex's character isn't easy. I'm not sure how well I did it? But it was sure fun to write! As always, I really do love it when people tell me what they liked the most, and/or give little suggestions here and there. As for the restoration of Clark's powers, I had initially planned it for this chapter, but it ended up too long. It will definitely happen! As I'm sure you all know, hence the title :)
Cheers!