The Marshall and Superman
Chapter 9 Growing Together
RELAXING IN THE LOFT
"Lana."
"Yes, love?"
"How did your last case go? You just got home this afternoon after 4 days. I really missed you!"
"I missed you too. I can't say much, as you know, but I can say this. It was a trial in a small town in West Virginia; unexpectedly, the perp was sentenced to Colorado Super-Max so we were called in for transport. Well, there was no airport for our planes to land so we used wheels. We were attacked but successfully completed our assignment. It was hairy there for a while! I wish you had been there with me."
"I wish so too! You should have called me." Clark sighs.
"I was about to do that. Then I remembered your caution about bread crumbs, and I didn't. We made it ok."
"I wish we had a way to talk situations like that over," Clark posits. "Then we could decide together if I should assist you . . . wait a minute!"
"What, sweetheart?"
"You know how your personal strength and speed are increasing, probably secondary to our frequent love-making times together."
"Yeah, so?" Lana smirks.
"Well, one of the abilities I wish I had is telepathy. I wonder if my biological father could give that to us, both of us?"
"You mean so that we could talk, mind to mind, without being necessarily close by each other?" Lana is getting excited. "Kind of like my mind reading ability?"
"Yes, that's it! Then like on your last case we could talk it over quickly and decide if I should help you!" Clark is getting excited also.
" But maybe I should have called the JL?" Lana wonders.
"But, when things were hairy, did you have the time to do that, love?"
"Not really. So, how would we find out if your dad can, and will, do this?"
"We go up north to the Fortress and talk with him. It's about time I introduce you to that part of my life!"
"Good thing I got cold weather gear for Christmas!"
"Yup, it is! Of course, I can keep you warm too you know."
"I know; but sometimes I need a little reminder!"
"Coming right up," as he rolls over and covers her with his warm, muscular body.
She purrs as they make slow, reverent love!
NORTHEN FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE
Jor-El greets them as they walk into the Fortress of Solitude. "Kal-El, it is good to see you again. And who is the beautiful lady on your arm?"
"Hello father. This is Lana, my wife."
"Hello Lana, it's bout time I make your acquaintance. It looks like Kal has chosen well!"
"Thank you, and I am glad we are finally meeting." Lana blushes.
"Father, we have a request of you. Lana works as a US Marshall. We met when she was assigned to protect me as I waited to testify in a high-profile criminal trial. During that time, we fell in love, and are now married."
"She was protecting you? Is this some kind of human joke?" If you could see Jor-El's face, you would see a smirk.
"That was my assignment," Lana pipes up. "When we were ambushed and Clark saved us both, I learned about his Superman persona. Then I realized how absurd the situation was. But I made sure Clark knew that I had fallen for the man, not the super hero."
"An important distinction!" Jor-El admits.
"Yes, it is, father. Anyway, there are times when Lana wishes that she could talk with me when she is on a case; so, we could discuss whether or not my assistance is needed. And should I travel to where she is and assist her and her team."
Lana adds, "We are wondering if you can assist us with the ability of telepathy?"
Silence.
"He's thinking," Clark whispers.
Lana slips her hand into her husband's as they wait.
Finally, Jor-El speaks, "That can be done. I could add one more ability for Lana – only one more. What would you choose, my dear?"
Lana and Clark look at each other. They whisper back and forth; she decides on flight and tells her father-in-law.
He responds, "Lana, flight is an outgrowth of increased speed. You are incrementally achieving that now. If you push your training hard, flight should come. Might you choose something else?"
The couple discuss further. She chooses heat vision.
Jor-El responds again, "A wise choice. Since that is an ability of the eyes, I can give you both heat & x-ray vision. A wise choice indeed!"
Jor-El directs them to adjoining crystalline chambers; they step in and the process begins. 1 hour later and the bluish light that had surrounded them dims and goes out. The chamber doors snap open and Lana & Clark step out. They look at each other with smiles on their faces.
(Clark, baby, can you hear me?) Lana thinks.
(YES! This is amazing!) Clark responds.
"What is the range of this?" Clark asks.
"It has the same range as your super hearing. So, you both need to train to increase the range of both."
"Can it be turned off, for some privacy?"
"Yes, with training. The easiest way is with exposure to blue Kryptonite. But you realize the risk of that."
"Blue Kryptonite exposure strips me of my powers temporarily. They return when the exposure stops." Clark explains to Lana.
"That's dangerous!"
"Correct! I don't think we should do that intentionally."
"Agreed!"
They leave the Fortress, traveling through the portal to the caves and home.
JULY 4TH
It's going to be a big day in Smallville. There is a parade scheduled for the morning, and US Senator Martha Kent is riding a float. She has begged Clark & Lana to ride with her; they agree, they can't refuse mom.
After a huge group picnic lunch there will be prizes awarded for various cooking and baking categories. Both Lana ad Martha have entered apple pies; Lana used the recipe that her mother left her. Clark is rooting for them both. His mom is a previous winner, but he thinks his wife has a shot.
Despite their misgivings, both Clark and Lana enjoyed the float ride. Lana had kidded him that he should wear his Superman suit. Of course, he declined. Lana had vowed to count the number of times she waved – she gave up after 110!
The pie contest was a photo finish. Martha took the 1st place blue ribbon; Lana finished 2nd and got a red ribbon. Not bad for a rookie!
After a light supper at home, Clark and Lana retired to the loft for dessert. Course #1 was a beautiful Kansas sunset. Course #2 began with kisses, progressed to making out, then petting, then slow/gentle/respectful love making. Clark was always respectful pf Lana's desires and needs. She loved him more every time they connected.