A/N: Thanks so much for all the wonderful reviews on the last chapter! They always make me smile and very happy that all my hard work does pay off.
Thanks also to guest reviews. Isa - you got it! The media focuses so much of physical perfectionism, but love really comes down to how that person makes you feel when you are with them. I kind of hate the pressure that is put on young girls these days and the obsession with this beauty myth. I guess that is why I made Clark and Lois ordinary at times. I'm so glad you saw that and appreciated it. I try to give the characters as much realism as possible.
Thanks also to guest reviewer's Chewbie and Alison (writing is my escapism), who constantly leave reviews which are always very encouraging and make my day.
Special thanks to VisAVis2 for giving up her time to edit this chapter!
That said, enjoy!
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Chapter 16.
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Clark had resumed his sleeping arrangement on the sofa. The bed had been given back to Pete, and the house had returned to a semblance of normality. There was space in the lounge room. Everything was as it should be. Except for him. He was different, once again.
Adjusting to the changes was often disconcerting. Not feeling pain was the upside, being useful was a great feeling after being useless for so many months. The problem stemmed from learning to readjust his powers and acting normal. He'd already pulled the fridge door off its hinges, several times. Broke the sofa when he flung himself on it too hard, forgetting his strength.
"You think you could go a day without breaking something, Smallville," Lois had remarked, amusement dancing in her eyes.
He wasn't used to thinking about how to approach certain tasks and applying his strength accordingly. It generally only happened when he put too much vigour into whatever said task he was attempting to complete. When it came to people, he seemed to manage it better or what Lois would term, 'handle with kid gloves.'
"I'm not about to break, Clark."
"But what if I hurt you – besides, it'll settle down in a few days. I remember it being like this before; my Dad taught me how to deal with it."
But his Dad wasn't here anymore, and it was times like this that he sorely missed his constant, reassuring advice.
Then there was school. Monday had been a public holiday, but it was now Tuesday. He would be going back to school in total possession of his powers, and it had been a long while. To complicate matters he had to, somehow, pretend he still had an injured knee.
"You need to slope your shoulders, Clark," Lois had already instructed, like a dozen times. "Grip the crutch tightly, putting your weight on it."
She had made him practice it over and over, driving him batty. "Your buddy Lex doesn't strike me as the type to miss the tiniest details."
"That's because he doesn't."
"Even more reason for putting some effort into being convincing."
Convincing, he could do that. He'd done it before. Snapping the knee brace into place, he grabbed the crutch with a newfound determination. He could do this.
Lois bounded down the stairs. She walked over to him, giving him the once over. He noted the frown denting her forehead.
"What now?" he asked in exasperation.
"You look disgustingly healthy."
He began to squirm under her scrutiny. "I can't help that."
"I guess we can say that you're sleeping like a baby now and that accounts for the sudden disappearance of the dark rings under your eyes."
He nodded. "I guess."
"In another week you can leave the brace off, just use the crutch. That'll make sense."
He sighed deeply. "Back to the lies."
"Well at least you won't be alone." She grinned up at him. "I'll be your lying sidekick."
He couldn't help smiling in return. "That'll make a nice change."
Turning around, she wandered into the kitchen. He followed.
"Oh look, Mrs K left a bowl of strawberries for us."
Picking up a strawberry, she put it in her mouth. "She's so sweet and thoughtful. She even left us a couple of bagels."
Lois proceeded to pop a strawberry in his mouth. It was something she often did. "You might not feel hunger, but you still need to eat, Clark."
He was touched by her thoughtfulness.
The school day passed by with little incident, apart from the word of what had happened to Chad spreading like wildfire. People kept gawking at him and Lois. She took it in stride, like she always did, but it made him feel uncomfortable, even if the majority of what people said were words of praise.
Good going, Clark! I hated the guy.
He had it coming.
It's about time someone took him down.
He was surprised by how many people couldn't stand Chad.
"Don't worry, Smallville. By the end of the week it will have all blown over, and we'll be old news."
Chloe was fervently writing her news articles about the events of Prom night when they entered the Torch that morning. She glanced their way.
"A Miraculous Escape," said with flourish. "Good title or not?"
He shot a quick, nervous sideways glance at Lois.
"Sounds great, Chloe," she enthused.
"I have so much to write," Chloe continued. "But first …"
Snatching up a sheet of A4 paper, she held it up for them to see. "Justice is served," she grinned, "Catchy title, hey?"
Clark nodded. Chloe handed the paper to him. He looked down at the picture of Chad's smug face, feeling the intensity of his anger burn like battery acid in the pit of his gut.
"Can you edit it for me, Clark?"
"Sure."
Taking the paper from her, he sat down at his desk. He clenched and unclenched his hand, as the memories returned, barely paying any attention to Lois and Chloe's conversation.
He could make Chad pay. He could hurt him so bad now that he had his powers back and – forget it Clark, he inwardly chided. It would only make him just as much a monster. Words could be equally powerful.
It didn't take long to edit. Chloe had left out too many details. She needed to paint Chad as the vile thug he was.
"Okay, I'm done."
Chloe and Lois looked his way. "That was quick," Chloe remarked, sliding out of her seat.
He handed the paper to her, his jaw clenching.
She took it from him, her eyes scanning the article. Clark chanced a glance at Lois. There was a strange expression on her face, as if she was troubled by a particular thought. Was she remembering that night too? The foundation she had carefully applied on her face this morning barely concealed the bruise on her cheek.
"A bit subjective, Clark," Chloe spoke, breaking his train of thought. "How can you remember so much?"
He noticed the incredulous look on her face and swallowed. Oh, yeah right, by the way Chloe, I suddenly seem to have this photographic memory. He almost smiled at the thought. At least he couldn't hurt anyone with that ability.
"I guess Smallville's had so much time on his hands, that his writing skills have suddenly become - amazing."
He shot Lois a grateful look, getting the double meaning of her words.
"You quote everything, word for word. I know because I was on the listening end, remember?" Chloe continued.
She was looking at him as if she had discovered something new and she was impressed. "I might make a reporter out of you yet, Clark."
Chloe returned back to her desk. Lois pulled him aside.
"Try acting a bit dumber, Clark. I'm mean you used to have it down pat before."
He shot her a sardonic smile.
Her gaze swept over him, a puzzling frown denting her forehead. "What, are you super intelligent now?"
He didn't know how to answer that, because he couldn't remember having this ability before either.
They were interrupted by Lana and Pete entering the Torch.
"This calls for a celebration," Pete exclaimed. "I was there when they arrested that son of a bitch and you should have seen his face."
The next ten minutes consisted of rapid back-and-forth conversations between them all. Clark leant back in his chair in thoughtful contemplation. If it hadn't been for his spaceship, neither he nor Lois would be here. There would be no celebration, and only bone jarring grief to deal with.
It was a sobering thought, and quite suddenly, he felt – older. Like he'd lived a hundred years.
"I seem to have a lot more abilities than last time," he told Lois in the car on the drive home. "Maybe it has something to do with my age?"
He'd been mulling over it all day.
"My strength appeared to increase with age, as did my speed," he continued. "I also began to heal from injuries a lot quicker too. I remember putting my arm in the grinder at 15 years of age, and it was perfectly intact."
"Like some sort of invisible force field," Lois quipped.
"I guess."
He had so many questions, maybe he should talk to the spaceship, but he was apprehensive of doing so considering what Jor-el had said to him last time. 'Time to accept your destiny.'
He already knew the answer to the one question he had asked, "What if I don't.'
'You have no choice, Kal-el.'
Besides, he knew what he had to do, get the other two crystals from Lex and rebuild the fortress. No doubt he would get all the answers there. A feeling of apprehension crept over him. What if his father forced him to do the training once there?
"You've gone quiet," Lois observed as she pulled into the farm.
"Just – thinking."
He was still a worry at times. Lois tried to imagine what it would be like for him. She wished she had his powers, how cool that would be, but it came with a price; his biological father's grandiose plans for him.
It would suck not being in control of your own destiny. But seeing Clark in action – he was, well – amazing. The things he could do.
She chattered away as they walked up the path to the house. She hadn't even noticed he had stopped, till he spoke.
"Can you smell that?"
Turning, she frowned at him. "Smell what?"
"Smoke."
She shook her head. "You're imagining it, Smallville."
Turning back around she continued talking, unaware that Clark wasn't even there. It wasn't until he didn't answer a question she had asked that she turned around to find the farm empty.
"Clark?"
She blinked, dazed. Where did he go?
"Clark?!"
He was back in a couple of minutes. His clothes were all singed, but there wasn't a mark on him.
"There was a fire," he explained rather sheepishly.
"Where?"
"Other side of town."
Her eyebrows shot up. "How did you know?"
He ran a hand up the back of his neck. "I could smell the smoke."
She blinked, surprised.
Oh, the smoke that hadn't been imaginary after all, she realized.
"You part blood hound too?" she frowned. "I guess that's another one of your super abilities."
He shrugged. "Maybe. I also heard their cries for help."
"Was everything okay?" she asked hurriedly, concerned.
"Yeah, I got everyone out of the house."
She gripped his arm. "What if someone saw you?"
"They didn't. I moved too fast for that."
Her eyes raked over him with speculation and awe.
"What does it feel like – saving people?"
His eyes shone. "Good, like I can make a difference."
Clark's heroic deeds made the six o'clock news. They were both sitting on the sofa with Shelby firmly positioned in the middle of them, despite Lois' attempts to push him off.
"I don't suppose you could give Shelby a super push, Clark," she muttered.
He gave a look that told her otherwise. Of course, it was precious Shelby, as if that were ever going to happen.
Resigned to her fate, Lois gave up on her attempt. Guess there would be no snuggling up to Clark now. Her attention was soon diverted elsewhere when the infamous fire made the news.
Her eyes were glued to the screen.
One of the witnesses was being interviewed. "I don't know how it happened – I thought I was a goner and then suddenly I found myself outside unharmed along with my wife and daughter."
"And you didn't see anyone?" the reporter asked.
The man shook his head. "It was like a miracle."
Lois slowly turned her head to look at Clark. "This isn't good."
He frowned, puzzled. "Why?"
"Don't you see? This will only confirm Lex's suspicions."
He considered that for a moment. "How? No one even saw me."
She resisted the urge to shake him.
"Firstly, you and I make a miraculous escape from the rock fall and now another family makes a miraculous escape from a burning house."
She took a deep breath, her worried eyes meeting with his. "Maybe you shouldn't do anything heroic, Clark."
Doubt flickered in his eyes. "What is the good in being like this if I can't save people?"
He was right. Knowing Clark, he couldn't just idly stand by and watch people die when he could save them. She still didn't like it. Lex was on the prowl and it was only a matter of time before he discovered what Clark was. She inwardly shivered. What would Lex do to him if he did find out the truth? She would have to make sure that never happened.
It was all Chloe could talk about the following morning. She pinned the article to her wall of weird.
"Looks like our mysterious hero has returned."
Lois gave him a concerned look. He understood her fears. Welcome to my world, he felt like telling her.
"So tell me about this mysterious hero?" she casually asked, slinging her bag off her shoulder, dumping it on his desk.
Clark made himself appear busy. Hurriedly sitting down, turning the computer on, shuffling through papers he was paying no attention too.
Chloe turned to Lois. "Three years ago, there were these miraculous saves all over town and then they suddenly stopped." Her forehead puckered into a frown. "I don't know why, maybe whoever it was had left town?"
Her eyes shot to the both of them. "Maybe that is why you guys didn't have a scratch on you in that rock fall."
"I don't remember seeing anyone," Lois returned.
Chloe glanced his way. "What about you, Clark?"
Play dumb, he told himself. "Huh – what?"
Chloe rolled her eyes, returning to her desk. "Maybe this hero can move so fast he's invisible to the human eye."
Clark didn't dare look up from his computer. He could already feel Lois' eyes burning a hole into him.
"Just maybe," Chloe continued, picking up a pen and twirling it in her hand. "He's not even human."
Lois gave out a forced laugh. "Really, Chloe? What makes you say that?"
"Because every meteor affected person has used their power for their own selfish intentions, but not this particular person."
Clark shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
"How cool would it be if they were an alien?"
He couldn't help but look up, seeing the dreamy look on Chloe's face. "And you would be okay with that?"
"Are you kidding? Compared to most people, I think aliens would be a step up."
Of course she would, she was Lois' cousin after all. He couldn't help feeling warmed by her words. It gave him a faint glimmer of hope. Maybe there would be a day when he could be accepted for what he was.
The following morning, Clark fought his way to the dressing table, nearly tripping over the number of clothes and various items strewn across the bedroom floor. Lois wasn't the neatest person around. He managed to catch the edge of the dressing table to stop his fall, sending it crashing to the ground. Just great, he silently muttered.
The noise was enough to wake Lois up.
"What are you doing, Clark?" she mumbled, pushing her tousled hair out of her eyes.
"I need some clothes."
She was frowning, her eyes resting on the now up turned dressing table.
"You generally open a drawer for that," she quipped.
"Funny," he returned, hoisting the chest of drawers back into place.
Lois scrambled out of bed.
His eyes rested on the skimpy nightie she wore. It left little to the imagination. He could see the contour of her breasts. His eyes began to burn, a sensation he wasn't familiar with. Screwing them shut, they felt as if they were on fire. He couldn't control the sensation, he had to let it out. Opening his eyes, he saw the curtains in front of him light up in flames.
Lois let out a small scream, jumping back.
His eyes widened in shock. What – was – that?!
"Clark!" she exclaimed.
He had the fire out within a minute, staring at what was left of the singed curtains in dismay.
"Did – you," Lois began slowly, turning to look at him.
He ran a hand up the back of his neck. "Great, so I'm maturing into a fire starter."
He could see the amusement in Lois' eyes.
"It's not funny, Lois."
"I think it's pretty cool, shooting fire from your eyes." She gave him a speculative look. "I wonder what other abilities are going to surface?"
So did he! And he wasn't at all sure what to make of this.
"What if I had set you on fire?"
She shrugged. "But you didn't."
Small consolation.
"What triggered it?" she continued.
Colour flooded his cheeks. Turning hastily, he grabbed a blanket from the bed and wrapped it around her till no bare skin could be seen.
Realisation dawned on her face. "Oh."
She raised her eyes to his. "You suggest I dress like a nun now, Smallville?"
"If that's what it takes, Lois, then yeah."
He couldn't help smiling at the disgruntled look on her face.
She found Clark out in the yard. A number of empty tins were lined up on the top fence rail. Clark was, carefully obliterating each one of them with exact precision of shooting fire from his eyes.
Impressive. She couldn't help shivering slightly.
She tried being nonchalant when it came to his powers, but who was she kidding. He was freaking awesome. Okay, the fire thing had been freaky. The expression on Clark's face had been priceless, but it was still remarkable. And it looked as if he was getting the fire thing under control.
Raising a hand, she began to count up all of his abilities. Finger number one, he could run faster than a blink of an eye. Finger number two, he had amazing strength. Finger number three, he could see through solid objects. Finger number four, he could shoot fire from his eyes. Finger number five, he could hear a conversation take place from another room, and the other side of the whole town; she'd discovered the other day.
He also had a heightened sense of smell. That made six abilities so far. Oh, then there was the whole photographic memory.
He really was a God in many ways.
"What are you doing, Lois?"
"I'm just counting up all of your powers."
He raised an amused eyebrow.
"You haven't seen this one yet."
With a whoosh, he leapt off the ground and onto the roof of the barn.
Her mouth dropped open.
"You'll catch flies, Lois," he quipped.
She shut her mouth and folded her arms.
"As for us mere mortals, I guess we just use a ladder," she remarked, dryly.
He casually jumped off the roof, landing steadily on his two feet, beside her.
"Show off," she muttered under her breath.
He smiled; she welcomed it.
"At this rate, Smallville, I'm going to run out of fingers on my hands."
"Then use your toes."
Cute, she mused.
"Just think of all the things you could do, steal test papers and memorise the questions. Casually zoom into a liquor shop and take a ton of beer."
"Lois," he admonished.
She sighed. "Okay, so you happen to be a super hero with a strong moral conscience," she gave him a speculative look. "Probably just as well."
She shuddered to think what someone like Lex would do with Clark's powers.
Clark ran a hand over his chin, frowning at his reflection. He couldn't remember having this problem before. The door opened and Lois stood there. Her eyes wandered from his reflection to the hand basin, a frown denting her forehead. She took the two steps to reach him, snatching up the scissors.
"Clark, why are my nail scissors broken?"
He gave her a sheepish look. "I tried cutting my hair with them."
She frowned. "Why?" She waved the scissors in front of his face. "And how did they … end up like this."
He sighed. "I can't cut my hair with normal scissors - apparently."
He ran a hand over his chin, a perplexed look on his face. "Just like I can't shave with a normal razor."
An amused smile hovered on her lips. "And here I was thinking you just wanted to grow a beard."
"I've had enough teasing about it from Chloe and Pete today," he muttered. "And I tried shaving yesterday, that's when I realized I couldn't."
"And this wasn't a problem before?"
"I was like 15, Lois. I never needed to shave."
Before he realised what she was about to do, her thumb brushed along his jaw. Her simple touch was both distracting and pleasurable. He had been trying to keep her at an arm's length distance all week. Afraid of hurting her, especially after the fire shooting from his eyes incident. Even though he had gotten that under control, he was still anxious about some other, sudden power, hitting him at an inopportune moment.
Her eyes rested on his hair. "Does this mean you have to become a long haired hippie?"
She might be finding this whole thing amusing, but it was a serious problem. Before he had a chance to respond, her fingers slipped through his hair.
"It feels normal."
His heart thudded in his chest and his eyes fell to her lips. Try to not think about kissing her, he silently chided.
"That's the problem, everything feels and looks normal, but everything about me is anything …"
"But normal," she finished for him.
He could see the understanding in the warmth of her gaze. Standing on her toes, she slipped her arms around his neck.
"I'm sure some things haven't changed, Clark," she murmured, her voice husky.
Damn, but he could feel his resolve breaking. He was going to kiss her. He might be an alien for all intents and purposes, but he still felt desire. That certainly hadn't changed as a part of his so called anatomy responded to her body pressed against his.
Given the surprised look on her face along with a teasing smile, she had noticed. "Looks like I was right."
He groaned, and lowered his lips to hers. Her lips parted under the pressure of his and he pulled her closer. The kiss was intense, erotic and sensually sweet. His hands ploughed through her hair as he deepened the kiss. He could hear the moan deep in her chest. It gave him a sense of satisfaction that she wanted this as much as he did.
Her hands, somehow, had unbuttoned his shirt. Her cool smooth fingers, teasingly stroked his chest before circling around his waist and lower and lower they moved.
It was getting out of control. If he didn't stop this soon, there would be no turning back.
Lois could feel him withdrawing. "Don't stop."
God, she sounded so desperate. How was it that Clark had the ability to render her a complete lovesick fool?
"I have to – otherwise …"
Her eyes meet with his and time hung suspended, momentarily, and in his open gaze she saw her own thoughts reflected.
He didn't say anything. Not a word. Instead he reached out a hand and burrowed his fingers into her hair, finding her scalp with his fingertips and the touch of his fingers on her scalp sent wild shivers trickling through her. How was it that his touch could do that to her? And he wanted to stop – damn it.
"We're both 18, Clark."
Hesitation flickered in those beautiful eyes of his. "What if I hurt you?"
She sighed, and this had been the problem. "You won't."
"You can't be sure."
"It's not like I haven't done it before."
His eyes widened. She bit down on her lip. Oh, crap. Why had she just blurted that out? Will you never learn girl, she silently chided. Smallville was so innocent – a virgin, and she was …
"Just before last summer I was with this guy, Wes. He was 19 and I had just turned 18, and it sort of happened," she murmured, feeling the need to explain herself.
Clark was silently contemplating her words. She nervously ran a hand through her hair. "That's why the General sent me to Smallville, to separate us, and then he had Wes posted out to Timbuktu."
It had been a relief in many ways. Things were beginning to get far too serious between them.
"Did you love him?"
Trust Clark to ask that.
She shoved her hands in her pockets, averting her gaze from his. "I don't know, I think I was just infatuated and I wished we'd just stayed best friends."
That didn't come out right.
"I was kind of glad it ended," she sighed. "My track record isn't that crash hot."
Uncertainty and doubt crossed his face. "Is that what will happen to us?"
"No – I mean, I don't know – I don't want it to."
His face relaxed a fraction.
"But you have to admit, Clark that the future – well anything can happen."
He was quiet, looking lost in his own thoughts.
She clenched her hands together, again. "Does that make me a slut?"
She hated that his opinion mattered.
His face softened. "No – of course not."
"Because you are still pure as driven snow, Clark."
He sighed. "Yeah, well, you saw what I was. I was hardly going to get a girl," he pointed out, his face reddening. "I'm sure if I had more confidence and summoned up the nerve earlier I might have also had sex with a girl by now."
He was cute when he became all flustered.
"You were really socially awkward," she added, smiling at the memories. "But kinda cute too."
He snorted. "Yeah, right, I was chubby."
"I miss those days."
He rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"It was so much fun teasing you."
He scowled.
"But what attracted me to you was this person." She poked him in the chest. "This person in here, because I like being with this person. I like his company." She poked him again. "And I like the way he makes me feel."
"Would you quit poking me."
"No," she returned and poked him some more, a sudden playfulness hitting her.
"Lois," he half laughed, enveloping her hands in his.
He had such large hands, they were warm and it felt nice. And now he was gazing at her with just as much warmth in his eyes.
"You really knew how to put someone in their place," he murmured and she could see he liked that about her.
"It's a gift," she quipped.
He laughed and letting go of her hand he lightly caressed her face causing goose bumps to pop out all over her skin. Suddenly his eyes wavered with uncertainty. His breath came heavy.
"You know what I am," he murmured. "D-Do you think it's possible for someone like me to be with a human girl?"
She rested her hand on his chest, over his heart. "Of course, you have a heart like us?"
Her gaze fell to his chest. "I can feel it beating."
An unsure smile flickered on his face. "I don't know the first thing about getting into a relationship."
"You're doing a good job for a newbie."
His smile widened.
"I think we just keep things as they are with a bit of the um more physical stuff thrown in," she suggested.
Once he managed to dispel his fears about hurting her. Hopefully that wouldn't take too long.
"Clark!" his Mom called from downstairs. "Lois!"
They broke eye contact.
"Guess its dinner time," she sighed.
One of these days it had to happen, when Clark was ready.
"What have you two been doing?" Mrs K asked as they descended the stairs.
Oh, nothing much, just trying to seduce your son, Mrs K, she silently quipped. That would go down well, she mused.
"Clark has a dilemma," she said instead, her amused gaze resting on him. "He can't shave."
A resigned look settled on his face, Lois was in a teasing mood which meant he was on the brunt of it, as always.
His Mom turned to look at him. "Really, Clark."
"Apparently."
"He broke my nail scissors trying to cut his hair," Lois continued.
A smile tugged at the corners of his Mom's mouth. "I remember that happening."
Lois' eyes lit up with glee. "Now this I need to hear."
He squirmed uncomfortably as he sat down on the bench stool. Did they really have to go there?
"It wasn't really a problem till Clark hit puberty, then his hair just got harder to cut."
Lois was smiling like the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland.
"So what did you do, Mrs K?"
"I had to end up using a hack saw."
Merriment danced in her eyes. He shook his head. He was never going to hear the end of this.
"Wow that would have made for some interesting haircuts."
"I got pretty good at it," his Mom smiled.
"I'm going to have to give it a try sometime."
He wasn't let her anywhere near him with a hack saw. He briefly wondered if that would still work, maybe he should try it later.
"Oh, by the way, Clark, there was a fancy looking envelope in the letter box for you," his Mom began.
He welcomed the change in subject.
"I left it on the bench."
Getting up from the stool, he spied the envelope near the sink. His Mom wasn't kidding when she said it was fancy. Who would send him anything so refined looking?
Picking the envelope up, he turned it over. Lex Luthor's name was on the back. Of course, who else, Lex was the only rich person he knew.
Feeling curious, he opened the envelope and slipped out what looked to be an invitation. The room had gone suddenly quiet. He glanced up to find both his Mom and Lois watching him.
"It's an invitation from Lex," he said, glancing down at it. "For all three of us to attend a social function at the Luthor Mansion on the 20th of April."
"That's this Saturday night, and he's inviting all of us?" his Mom exclaimed.
Which was good, wasn't it? Because if Lex had only just invited him, there is no way he would go, or maybe Lex knew that, which is why he also invited his Mom and Lois. It was kind of odd that he would invite Lois – wasn't it?"
"Clark?" his Mom continued.
Lois snatched the invitation out of his hand. Her eyebrows shot up. "Wow, how exclusive, now this should be interesting."
"I don't know," he began, hesitatingly, "He has to have an ulterior motive."
"But this could be your chance to get the crystals, Clark."
But he was reluctant. Once he had the crystals there was no putting off the inevitable.
"There will be lots of people around, the perfect cover to do some snooping, or in your case, Clark, use your x-ray vision to see through walls."
He sighed. It looked like they would be attending.
"I'll RSVP."
Once Lois was distracted, he quietly snuck out the back door. The last thing he needed was for Lois to bear witness to what he was about to do. He'd never live it down.
He super sped into the barn, looking for the necessary tools.
After ten minutes had gone by, Clark was willing to admit defeat. He'd tried using a file to shave with, it hadn't work, neither had the hack saw on his hair, in fact nothing did!
"Seriously?!"
There had to be something that would? Otherwise Lois would be right, he would have to join the local hippie community. He could just picture the amusement she would get out of that.
Running a hand through his hair in frustration a sudden thought took hold.
If the blue rock was much like Obsidian maybe he could, using his heat vision, melt a bit of it down into thin blade like sliver's and replace the normal blades in his razor with it.
It could work.
Feeling pleased with his ingenuity, Clark retrieved the blue rock from his bedroom. He took it into the bathroom. Time to test out his theory.
But much to his astonishment there was no heat vision. He blinked at his reflection in the mirror. Of course – it rendered his powers useless – which meant … His eyes rested on his razor.
Holding the blue rock in one hand, he picked it up with his free hand. He dragged the razor over his jaw, his eyes widening in surprise.
It worked. He was finally able to shave.
Once he had finished shaving, he placed the rock in the hand basin and stepped back. He could feel his powers return. It would seem it only made him powerless when it was in contact with his skin.
Then another thought took hold.
Lois wanted to get more physical, and he wanted that too. He wanted his first time to be with someone special. And there was no one more special to him than Lois. Now he had just found a way he could without the fear of hurting her? Maybe he could make a bracelet of sorts from the blue rock. He could wear it when he needed. It might even come in handy in the future.
Excited by his findings, he pocketed the blue rock and went to make a hasty retreat.
Pulling the door open, Lois stood there.
"Where did you …" her voice broke off there, when she noticed his now smooth jawline. "You found a way to shave?"
"Yes."
"How?"
He would have to tell her. Reaching into his pocket he pulled the blue rock out.
Her eyes widened, before quickly meeting his. "Clark," she admonished. "You shouldn't be playing with that."
"I need to understand how it works."
"We already know – remember, you just spent three years without your powers."
He gazed down at the rock. "It's also kind of useful."
"In what way?"
He told her what he planned to do with it. She was still doubtful.
"What if it falls into the wrong hands?"
"Only you, me and my Mom know about it."
Eventually she relented.
"Lucky for you, Smallville. I just happened to get an A in metal work, the only A I ever had."
Saturday night came around all too quickly. Lois stared up at the imposing sandstone entrance. The place was like a mansion, a creepy gothic castle that made her shiver. And Lex Luthor was Dracula himself.
She had waited for this night in nervous anticipation. Clark had to get the crystals, but when he did, not only would it make Lex suspicious, but it also meant Clark would have the fortress re-built, giving his biological father direct access to him.
Times like this, Lois almost found herself wishing she hadn't fallen in love with an Alien. Her life would be so much simpler, but it would also be boring.
She straightened her skirt, tugged on her blouse.
"You look beautiful," Clark whispered in her ear, as they walked towards the entrance.
Naturally, Clark always found her beautiful no matter what she wore. It was one of his endearing traits and she welcomed the compliment.
Lex was the cordial host. Always charming and polite. Lois had always been a good judge of character. Lex reminded her of a snake. Ready to strike at the right moment.
Lionel was doting on Mrs K, much to Clark's annoyance. He hadn't stopped going on about it.
"Your Mom's a big girl, she can take care of herself, Clark."
"Why is he so interested in her?"
She rolled her eyes. "You might not notice this, but your Mom is still a very attractive lady."
She smiled at the disgruntled look on his face. Spying the drink waiter walk by, she reached for a glass of champagne.
"How many glasses have you had?"
"Don't be such a bore, Clark. You want to know how expensive this champagne is. I'll never get to drink it again."
Lois really did like to drink and she was a law unto herself. Nagging her was futile. She would only dig her heels in and probably drink more.
A sharp, sudden shrill filled his head. He clutched his ears. It felt as if his head would explode.
"Clark?" Lois began.
"Can you hear that," he gasped.
"Hear what?"
The ringing in his ears intensified to the point it became unbearable. Using his x-ray vision, Clark pinpointed the source of the ringing. Lex had the crystals in his hand. Without thinking, acting on instinct alone, Clark super sped into the library, grabbed the crystals from Lex's hand and back out again. The ringing instantly stopped as he pocketed the crystals.
Lois stood there, blinking and dazed. "Did you just suddenly disappear, Clark?"
He was about to answer when Lex came barging into the room. "There has been a breach in security."
Clark tried to remain nonchalant, but his heart was pounding in his chest.
"No one is to leave until everyone has been searched."
Lois tugged on his hand. "Did you get them?" she whispered.
He nodded.
"What are you going to do, Clark? We're about to be body searched."
He glanced down at her. "You go first, and then I'll slip the crystals into your purse."
They stepped into the queue. It moved quickly, but not quick enough for Lois. She felt on edge.
Finally it was her turn. The security guard patted up and down the sides of her body.
"Just watch those hands, buddy," she snapped.
"I need to see the contents of your purse, Ma'am."
Sighing in fake annoyance, she opened her purse.
"You can move on," he dismissed.
She turned to look at Clark and felt a rush of air on her face. Clark must have done his thing.
Peering into her purse, she saw the two crystals carefully concealed within.
"Whoa," she murmured.
He was amazing!
She watched on as Clark was made to empty his pockets, remove his shoes. Lex came into view, his gaze carefully assessing Clark. It made her shiver.
The sooner they were out of there the better.
"What's going on, Lex?" Clark asked.
"I don't know. One minute I'm standing there with the crystals in my hand and within the blink of an eye they are gone."
A carefully controlled mask stole over Clark's face. Let's hope Smallville improved at lying, because it really wasn't his forte.
"That sounds – impossible."
Lex' eyes were fixed on Clark causing Lois to squirm uncomfortably. Luckily Lex was interrupted by an outraged Lionel.
"We need to talk son, now!"
They left the grand ballroom and Lois grabbed Clark by the arm. "I think it's time we high tail it out of here."
"What was that all about?" his Mom asked as they walked to the car.
"I took the crystals," he murmured.
Her eyes widened. "Clark – that was risky."
"I had no choice, Mom. The ringing in my ears was so intense I couldn't do anything else."
Her face softened. "Okay, well let's just hope Lex doesn't suspect anything."
It wasn't a moment of jubilation. No – it was out of necessity, because he had to. The crystals would determine his future, and it was a future filled with much trepidation.
What would happen to him next? Would he be forced to 'fulfil his destiny', the one he had no choice about? Would it mean leaving everyone that had ever mattered to him behind?
Would it mean he'd never see Lois again? He couldn't imagine his life without her in it.
The silence that filled the car spoke volumes. He wasn't alone with his thoughts. His Mom wasn't keen about the crystals and what he had to do, but like him, she knew he had to do it.
Lois' usual chatter was absent. She spent most of the time gazing out the window, lost in her own thoughts as much as he was.
After they exited the car, he turned to Lois. "Meet me in the barn in five minutes."
His mother shot a worried gaze his way. "Don't do it tonight, Clark."
He shook his head. "I'm not. It can wait till tomorrow. I just want to talk with Lois."
What he wanted didn't require any talking, but he wasn't about to tell his Mom that.
Once in the barn, Clark removed the two crystals from his pocket. They hummed with a life of their own, waiting – waiting for him. He carefully placed them with the other crystal in the concealed hidey hole he'd made. Maybe he could put off the inevitable. Surely the crystals would be safe there.
But he was only fooling himself. Lex Luthor was furious, and he'd stop at nothing to get the crystals back. He couldn't put it off. Time was of the essence now, even if it meant fulfilling his destiny. The one he wasn't sure about or even wanted.
Taking his jacket off, he draped it over the chair and opened the drawer to his desk. Tonight may be his last night. He would spend it being human. It would be just Lois and him. And if by chance he didn't see her again, he wanted one last memory to take with him. Picking up the blue bracelet he slipped it onto his wrist.
"Clark," he heard Lois call.
Closing the drawer, he turned around as she walked up the stairs. He could see the questions in her eyes, mingled with apprehension.
He held out a hand towards her. "Come here."
She went willingly. He pulled her into his arms. She wove her hands around his neck, her fingers tangling in his hair. Seeing the complete trust and warmth in her eyes, made his longing for her suddenly increase. Then her eyes rested on the bracelet on his wrist.
"It's the only way, Lois."
Her eyes slowly travelled back to his face.
"I know this probably isn't fair – I don't know what will happen to me tomorrow and – I just wanted to make love to you – in case there was never another chance."
His voice stuttered and stammered. He was nervous and rested his hands on her shoulders. "Its bad timing and all, but I …"
She pressed a finger to his lips. "Shut up, Clark, and just kiss me."
Hope lit up his face, a warm quick smile turned up the corners of his mouth before his lips journeyed over her face, kissing every inch of it, as if he couldn't get enough of her.
A low moan escaped from her throat as his lips met hers, with such intensity that her heart thudded wildly in her chest. Oh God he was so beautiful, so everything that was wonderful.
His kisses trailed fire down her neck, across her shoulders to her breasts.
Her hands flew to the buttons of his shirt. "I want to make love to you right now," she breathed.
Nothing had seemed more right than sharing this intimate moment with him. Two people, filled with need and longing, no guarantees of a future. She would take what she could get. If this is all they would ever have at least it would be a memory that would stay with her forever.
To impatient to fiddle with buttons, she ripped the shirt apart. Several buttons went flying in different directions. A dazed but pleased smile crossed his face.
She returned to planting teasing little kisses across his chest, her hands hovering at the top button of his trousers.
"I'll be gentle," she whispered and smiled at the barely concealed passion in his eyes. "Seeing as you're new at this, Smallville."
His trousers slipped to the ground. He kicked them aside.
She continued with the kissing, slowing inching lower down his abdomen, and even lower still.
"Wow – um – Lois," he got out in a hoarse voice.
He captured her face in his hand.
"You're beautiful," he whispered in a husky voice.
She looked at him daringly and began undoing the buttons of her own blouse. She tossed it aside and didn't miss seeing the male appreciation in his eyes. She unclasped her bra, flicking it away. His hand moved to caress her breasts before sliding down to her slender waist, to her hips, drawing her closer against him. His mouth captured hers in a long heart stopping kiss that made her groan.
"I just want to make love to you Lois and now."
"Uh – huh." It was about all she could manage.
She couldn't remember it being like this with Wes. Clark was so tender, sensual and passionate.
His lips skimmed kisses from her shoulders across her breasts to the gentle hollow of her stomach. He couldn't seem to get enough of kissing her, touching her. His world turned upside down as she moulded her body so tightly to his that he could feel the beating of her heart.
"I need ..." he whispered, his voice becoming a raw plead. "I need ... I need you."
They somehow managed to find the sofa. What was left of their clothing was quickly dispensed of. She gently straddled her legs around his waist and drew him closer, his stomach twisting in pleasure. He closed his eyes tight, felt his heart swell, his blood pound in his ears. Fastening his mouth to hers, he surged into her arching body, felt her trembling and lost himself to the moment. This is what he had missed. He never knew it could so mind blowing and amazing. He had never felt so alive. Being with her, making love to her cast away the last of the lonely shadows from his life.
Afterwards he couldn't breathe, but then neither could she. He held her tightly to himself, never wanting to let her go. She smoothed back the hair that had fallen onto his forehead and stroked the planes of his face. She looked more beautiful than ever, her cheeks aglow with colour.
Then she smiled, her eyes happy and content before she buried her face in his chest. His hand came to rest on her hair.
"Not bad, Smallville."
Fiddling with the silky strands of her hair, he felt ridiculously happy.
"But you have to promise me one thing." She raised her face to look at him. "You take me with you tomorrow."
What?! No, it was too risky.
"It could be dangerous," he began.
She pressed a finger to his lips. "We're in this together, Clark."
Seeing the determination blazing in her eyes, it was hard to say no. As much as he wanted to, because the thought of anything happening to her was a thought he didn't want to entertain. At the same time he didn't want to be alone.
"Promise me, Clark."
He reluctantly nodded. "Okay."
They would face whatever happened tomorrow together. He would swallow his doubts and fears. It would be okay.
It had to be.
Lex sat back on the leather chair, watching through the security footage. Whoever had stolen the crystals from him was nothing more than a blur. Even when he went through the footage, frame by frame, there were no identifiable features. Whatever it was – it couldn't possibly be human. Maybe it was time he looked at the security footage from the grand ballroom.
His eyes searched for Clark. Of course he would be with Lois. Those two were inseparable. Young love, he mused before a bitterness took hold. Clark was only fooling himself. There was no such thing as love. He'd learn that the hard way one day. Then the oddest thing happened. One moment Clark was happily chatting away to Lois, then he was suddenly clutching his head. Lois had placed a hand on his arm. There was a pained look on Clark's face.
He paused the footage, his eyes resting on the time; 2205. Calling up the footage from the library, he paused it at the exact moment the crystals vanished from his hand. What he discovered was - impossible. It couldn't be right – the time was the same. Numbers didn't lie. It couldn't be a coincidence.
Returning to the footage from the grand ballroom, he moved to the next frame. Clark was still clutching at his hair. In the next frame he was slightly out of focus, and the next - nothing. Clark had simply vanished in the following five frames. Then he was back, as if he'd never left.
Lex leaned back in his chair as a realization took hold; Clark Kent could move faster than the speed of light.
He stared, long and hard, into the amber liquid of his drink.
Clark wasn't human. He'd always had his suspicions but never any evidence. That had all changed now.
He poured himself another glass of Scotch.
Know thine enemy, hadn't his father always taught him that?
But Clark Kent wasn't an enemy. He was different. And if there was one thing that fascinated him more than anything – the oddities that existed in life. The crystals didn't matter. He had found something infinitely more precious.
The duplicity of friendship offered an umbrella in getting to Clark. It was an umbrella he had to keep open. It was a door that could never be shut. One day Clark Kent would share all of his secrets with him.
He could wait.
Lex took a long deep scull of his Scotch. A good predator knew all about the waiting game.
.
.
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A/N: Thanks for reading! Love to know what people thought of the chapter. I know it's another long chapter. I just can't rush my writing and I wanted to have a little fun with Clark's powers before the story began to get all angst driven again, which it does in the next chapter.
Let me know what scenes you liked the most and I'm always very keen to know if I did Lex justice at the end.
This story will have one more chapter, but I'm happy to do a sequel if enough people are interested.
Cheers!