A/N: Hi everyone. I'm sorry for the long delay in posting... besides being really really really busy at work, I've also been having hassles posting, but I'm sure you are not worried about my issues. However, since I also took so long, well I figure I owe you at least 3 chapters, so here you go, all 3 posted tonight... Cheers & enjoy.

Chapter 9a

And here I am… sitting alone at the Talon, my hand tingling and feeling even more confused than before. I had to admit though, Clark was absolutely correct. What right did I have to push him for answers when I wasn't prepared to return the favour? I couldn't be upset or angry that he wouldn't take me into his confidence… Wouldn't that be the height of hypocrisy? But, I had to wonder – what was he hiding? It couldn't be as bad as aliens crash-landing on earth… or my turning into one… which brings me back to the main issue – the flashes from earlier…
In retrospect, I realise that I had pulled away from the connection too fast. Well, that was understandable, as I hadn't been expecting them at all. But, of course that has now raised a few questions; when was it going to happen, under what circumstances and how could it be prevented. Add to that, my powers were dodgy at best, and if I was going to have any success in making sure that Clark wasn't hurt or worse, killed, then I needed to practice.

Taking out a pen and pad, I make notes.
Where would it happen?
When?
How do I stop it?
How do I get more details?
- Dreamwalking? Can I do this?
- Projection? How will this help?

Powers acquired:
- Flashes
- Premonitions
- Blasts
- Changing molecular structure

Powers to be tested:
- Healing
- Force Field
- Mind-warping?!?!

Where can I practice?

"Did Clark leave already?"

Quickly closing my notepad, I look up at Lana. "Yeah, he said that he had chores to do."

"Oh, I wanted to talk to him." Clearly upset, Lana asked, "Did he say anything else? We were supposed to meet up later?" Placing my shake on the table, Lana then gestured towards Chloe. "I delivered Chloe's order to her already."

Watching Chloe sitting across the room apparently grilling Clarence Brown, I realised that I had been abandoned for a story. What was even more disturbing was that I couldn't handle Lana at all, and I was praying that she would go away to serve other customers.

"I would sit with you for a bit, but we're just so busy at the moment." Lana gave me an apologetic smile. "But, when it slows down, we can have a chat. We haven't really had a chance to get to know each other yet."

Okay, that was not a great idea.
"No, it's okay. I have to go. I have tons of homework. Could you please give Chloe her stuff?" I pulled out my purse, left money on the table and left, not sure that my powers wouldn't start building up again.

"What? Liz." I hear her calling after me.

Breathing a sigh of relief, I stand outside the Talon. This was going to become a serious problem. Firstly, Lana was my cousin. I'm sure she would notice that I was avoiding her. Secondly, we lived together, so avoiding was going to be a problem. So, we have a serious problem, and I need to get it resolved soon.

Absently watching the Smallville residents walking up and down the sidewalk, I realise that I have no idea which way to go. Deciding that since the school was to the left, it was probably a better bet to go right and unexpectedly come upon Aunt Nell's flower shop. Before I know it, my legs have taken me to the entrance, and a tinkling bell heralds my entrance, interrupting the conversation between Aunt Nell and a red-haired woman.

Beaming at me, Aunt Nell gestures for me to come further into the store. "Hi Liz. What happened to your lip?"

"Oh, nothing major, just a little accident at school. More embarrassing that painful."

Aunt Nell frowns at me, then asks, "Have you just come from next door?"

"Yeah, Chloe figured that I needed to be introduced to the Smallville social scene. Apparently, I've already experienced fifty percent of it."

Laughing, Aunt Nell came from behind the counter, and wrapped her arm around me, simultaneously pulling me toward the middle-aged woman that she had been talking to. "Liz, this is Martha Kent. Martha, this is my niece from Roswell, Elizabeth Parker."

Shaking her hand, I smile. "Hello Mrs. Kent. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Hello Elizabeth, it's a pleasure to meet you too." She looked confused.

"Martha, this is Nancy's daughter."

"Oh, of course. It's been such a long time."

Facing me, Aunt Nell spoke. "We all went to school together, and even though your mom was older and Martha was younger, we all hung out together. Our very own clique…" She had a far-away look in her eyes.

"Yes, those were the good old days." Mrs. Kent reminisced.

"You speak for yourself, Martha. I'm not old." Aunt Nell pushed at Mrs. Kent's shoulder gently.

"So Elizabeth, when is your mother coming for a visit."

"It's just Liz, Mrs. Kent. Elizabeth is a bit too… cumbersome."

"Sure Liz." Smiling, she acquiesced.

"Anyway, mom and dad said that they would visit once things settle down a little at the Crashdown – that's our restaurant in Roswell. It's really busy during the holidays, and what with all the tourists in town."

"Oh, that's lovely. It will be wonderful to see Nancy again. We can have a girl's night out." Martha smirked at Nell. "Plenty of wine, no men and a lot of gossip to catch up on."

The ringing telephone interrupted the conversation.

"Excuse me, let me just get that." Aunt Nell left to go to the back, presumably to the office.

"So Liz, you're going to Smallville High?"

"Yes ma'am. Today was my first day as a senior."

"That lip looks painful, are you sure you're okay?" She looked concerned.

"Yeah, don't worry, it's fine. I should have been watching where I was going instead of focusing on my book."

"Okay." She stared for a minute longer, then asked, "So, how was your first day at school?"

"It was okay, I guess. It's just that it's a little difficult when you don't really know anyone."

"Oh darling, that's terrible." Martha was hugging me. "And I suppose, it's even more difficult with your parents so far away." Hugging me tighter, her voice sympathetic, Martha asked, "Well, what are you planning to do tonight. Nell has just told me that she will be busy doing the books tonight, so won't be going home early."

"Oh, I'll probably make a sandwich or something and do my homework."

"No, I don't think so. You're going to come to my house for dinner. You can also meet my son. He's in the same grade at school, a wonderful person, always looking out for others."

I finally came to the realisation that Martha Kent was trying to mother me, and I smiled at her in appreciation. I certainly didn't need mothering, but every now and again, a hug from a mom was a special cure for all ills. But inviting a practical stranger to your home for dinner… "That's okay, Mrs. Kent. I'll be fine."

"No darling, I insist. How about this? I'll check with Nell whether it's okay with her and then you can ride home with me. I know she also mentioned something about Lana working tonight next door, so you have no excuse." Her face showed her determination, and then humour. "Maybe, you could also convince my son to do his homework with you while I prepare dinner."

Letting go, she approached Aunt Nell who had just appeared in the doorway. After a quick chat, Mrs. Kent returned grinning. "Let's go, Liz. Nell said that it's not a problem. I hope you don't mind a quick trip to the grocery store. My boys go through orange juice like it's going out of fashion."

"It's no problem, Mrs. Kent." Waving goodbye to Aunt Nell, I followed Mrs. Kent. Before I knew it, we were travelling down the road, 3 grocery bags in the back of the red pick-up, bound for the Kent household.

"So, what do you do, Mrs. Kent?"

"Didn't I mention? We have a working farm. And when you have a farm, there's always plenty to do. Plus, I also have my garden to keep me occupied. Oh, and I also bake pies and pastries for the Talon."

Finally, I saw the light at the end of the tunnel… "Oh, you're Clark's mom." Seeing Mrs. Kent looking at me, I shrugged and elaborated. "Chloe mentioned that you baked pies."

"Oh okay, so have you met Clark already?"

"Yes ma'am. We met when Chloe was showing me around the school this morning."

"Why, that's wonderful. If Clark knows you, he'll be a bit more open. Normally he's quite shy around the girls."

"Mrs. Kent, is he going to be uncomfortable with my being there tonight? I would hate that?"

"Not at all, darling. We don't mind having a few extra for dinner. The more, the merrier."

Finally coming to a stop in front of a yellow house, with a wrap-around porch, I was speechless by the beauty of it. Colourful, well-tended flowers bloomed in the garden; there was the obligatory red barn, the cows in the field, the beautiful red retriever, green fields, growing crops, a big green tractor and even bales of hay. I was enchanted, and turned to Martha, knowing I was sporting a huge grin.

"Mrs. Kent, this is absolutely beautiful. I've never been on a farm before, but it's what I expect, and also a whole lot more. Wow! It must be wonderful, waking up to this every morning."

I'd apparently said the right thing because Mrs. Kent was beaming at me, before grabbing me in a big hug.

"I'm glad you like it dear. It's our home, and it's nice to see it through someone else's eyes, especially when they appreciate it. Come, let's go inside."

Going to the back, I slung my bag over my shoulder and lifted up one bag, while Mrs. Kent carried the other two towards the house.