Chapter 1 [Day after "Pursuit"]

Sol peeked over Horizon's eastern edge. Breeze billowed through the trees' leafy canopies. Warmth began to raise temperatures. Routine shoved people out the door toward their fields, jobs or errands. Matters burned at them.

Adjustments made it all the more so for certain people….

[Sullivan House]

Lana rummaged through her closet. Issues ate at her. Indecision hovered between a purple top or a blue one. She glanced at the door and stairs beyond. Dread over the inevitable conversation with Chloe, her Dad or both. She ground her teeth. They're concerned about Clark and me. Then again, what did you expect? You disappear for a couple of days. Note or not, it's kind of suspicious. She shook her head. A smashed alarm clock's remnants sat in a bag toward the area's rear corner. Guess I need to be more careful? How does Clark do this?

Not as carefully as he should, Lana Lang, Jor-El chimed in.

Good morning to you too! Wish everyone would just understand. I know. We have to keep the Secret. I get it. Can you give me a minute? I have to dress. Privacy? She dressed in her purple top and dark slacks. Okay. Now I'm good. She inspected herself in the full-length door mirror. "Guess this'll do." She mused over the elder spirit's presence in the background. Was he watching us the whole time? Really?

I was watching Kal-El's interactions with you. I sensed his feelings for you and… Jor-El felt another presence coming toward her door. We will continue this later.

A knocking came from the door. "Lana?"

Lana's eyebrow raised. Mr. Sullivan? She checked her watch. Shouldn't he already be at the plant? A deep breath settled her nerves. Here it comes! I'd really hoped to talk with him tonight after my shift. Her feet dragged across the floor. She opened the door to find him already dressed in his white shirt and beige slacks. His tie hung loose around his neck. "Hi, Mr. Sullivan! Everything okay?"

Gabe cleared his throat. Conversations between Martha, Jonathan, Nell and himself had consumed his phone bill. Fortunately, her note and talk with Chloe eased things somewhat. "Now that you're back in one piece, Lana, it's better. I'm glad you're okay. Thank you for leaving the note for us. You know that your aunt's a wreck. Right?"

Lana bowed her head. The previous night's arguments with Nell still rang in her ears. "She and I have talked already, Mr. Sullivan." She exhaled a tortured breath. "I get that she's upset. I reminded her that I did let you know what was going on. Mrs. Kent knew as well. That didn't get me very far." She made a face.

"Oh? Your aunt doesn't like Martha Kent?" He scratched his head. "Martha's the nicest person in town! Why would that be?" He understood Lana's logic. Frankly, that kept the discussion at that point and not a grounding to be honest. "Martha and Jonathan told me that you met up with folks in New York."

"I stayed at a really great hotel too. I was safe. We had great meals. Everything was taken care of. I'm just glad I caught up with Clark there." She shook her head. "I wouldn't have wanted to think about crossing the Atlantic." Questions popped up in her head. Clark and I can't fly. I'm wondering if we could run across the Atlantic if we go fast enough?

Perhaps, Lana Lang. In time, Kal-El and you will be able to fly across. It is part of your abilities, Jor-El interjected.

For a few heartbeats, Daydream visualized such an experience. In her mind's eye, she visualized Clark and herself taking off from the farm. Rather than heading east, they went west over the Rockies and Pacific Coast toward the Land of the Rising Sun. There, a visit would've awaited with Miranda and her classmates in past years.

"Lana?" He tapped her arm. Concern moved his hand across her forearm. "Lana, you okay?"

"Hmm? Oh! Sorry, Mr. Sullivan. I was just thinking of what I might've had to go through. Just glad I caught up with him here! Sorry but I have to open the Talon. Thanks for being so good about it." Relief eased her mindset. She slid her purse's shoulder strap over her arm. "I can bring something home for dinner?"

"Nah! That's all right. I have a late meeting tonight. Chloe's going to be over at the Torch. Just so you know, Mr. Luthor's plane turned up missing. Fortunately, I guess a fancy Sultan or something found him stranded on some desert island. Can you believe that? Everyone else is missing. I pity Mrs. Luthor. Anyway, he'll be with us tonight at the LexCorp plant. You might shoot him a text or something?" Gabe frowned. Granted, he'd rather work for Lex than Lionel.

She froze in place. Shock numbed her. "Lex? Missing? What happened?" Her own issues suddenly lessened in importance.

He rubbed the back of his neck. "They'll tell us tonight. Maybe Chloe might know more. He's back at the mansion. Maybe you'll hear from him at the Talon?" His eyes scanned his watch. "We'd both better get moving. Thanks, Lana. I appreciate you talking to me and staying in touch. Next time, I just ask that you call here in addition to keeping the Kents in the loop?"

"Got it." Lana nodded. "Hopefully, Chloe will stop by for her coffee break. That way I can catch up with her as well. Have a good day at work, Mr. Sullivan." She slipped past him and into the hallway. She watched him turn back toward his own bedroom. Lex went missing? What happened to the plane? Surely, Mr. Luthor would've checked that plane over top to bottom! That so weird! She hustled toward the stairs.

Instinct, however, kicked in. A burst of super speed hustled her down the hall. She tripped on the stairs. She spilled down the staircase and onto the floor below.

Great! She rolled her eyes. She looked around the kitchen area. Chloe, for once, was already gone. Nobody had seen her mishap. This stuff is going to be harder than I thought. How can I focus on the little things if my abilities are going crazy?

TRAIN YOUR MIND, LANA LANG! YOU WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE SULLIVAN MORTAL WAS NOT LOOKING AT YOU! Jor-El lectured.

I got it! Not so loud! All right? Lana rubbed her forehead. Her temples throbbed. No rest for the boss, I guess! She grabbed her keys from their hook. Then, she headed out the door toward her waiting blazer. She climbed up into the driver's seat. Her fingers tapped on the steering wheel.

Clark's feelings flowed in waves from the farm. Depression and Guilt swamped her mind and consciousness. Clark? Clark, what's going on? Are you okay? She bit her lip. She needed to be at the Talon. Still, she knew Clark needed her as well. I just wish I understood this stuff! Lex needs us. Clark needs support. I still have to be at the Talon and training too! Good thing school's out! Jor-El, can you talk to Clark? Sorry I can't be there.

YOU HAVE YOUR DUTY, LANA LANG. I UNDERSTAND. I WILL SPEAK TO KAL-EL…AGAIN, Jor-El agreed. BE CAREFUL OF LACHLAN'S SON AND GRANDSON. THEY HAVE THEIR OWN AGENDAS.

Great! So, everyone's got their issues this morning. Wonderful! Lana backed out of the driveway and drove off toward the Talon. Priorities conflicted up against one another.

No peace for the Kryptonian indeed….