Jonathan Kent woke up bright and early, just like he did every morning. He was a morning person and enjoyed having some quiet time to himself before the rest of the family woke up. He would usually spend this time doing some chores around the house, like feeding the animals or fixing things that needed to be repaired. He found it satisfying to be able to take care of his family in this way, and it always put a smile on his face.
However, there were times when Jonathan couldn't resist the temptation to wake up his teenage son, Clark. Clark was a heavy sleeper and would often sleep through his alarm, which meant he was often running late for school. However Clark had make a fuss more than one time about being woken up by his father like that during school days, however Jonathan knew he was doing a good job, because Clark had only been late a few times in the week, which meant he was doing something by waking up his son in the morning. Jonathan walked into Clark's bedroom, slowly walking along the floor till he reached the edge of Clark's bed. Flipping the blanket away from his son's face. ''Wake up sleepyhead,'' Jonathan was surprised to see his eyes open on the first attempt, groggily Clark opened his eyes, again surprised, Jonathan saw the smile on his face. Seemingly once Clark realized he no longer had his blanket, has it had been pushed away from him by his father, he instantly shivered as the cold, chilly, temperature took turns nipping at his skin. Bringing his knees up to his chest, his eyes clear of sleep, he softly let out a breath.
''What time is it?'' he asked, seemingly oblivious to the fact that his alarm clock once again had not been set.
''It's about seven in the morning, son. I thought it might be nice if you and I spent some time together this morning. Besides, you promised me you'd help me outside after you've had breakfast.'' Clark replied to his father's question, admitting to him that he hadn't remembered saying that, but that he was willing to help out now that he was awake. Clark got off the bed, wearing only a small pair of shorts accompanied by a pair of white socks. As he got on his usual attire, he watched as his father left the room. Jonathan nodded though he knew Clark couldn't see him anymore, as he headed down the hall towards the stairs, with a smile presented on his face. Once he was down the stairs, his first thought was of coffee. He knew he'd be needing it if he wanted to get anything done today. As he headed into the direction of the kitchen, he was surprised to not see his wife, Martha, there to greet him. He looked around to see if she had left a note or even a sign letting him know she had gone out. Eventually he managed to locate a small piece of paper pinned to the top of the freezer, which once he was able to tear it down without ripping the entire paper, he read each word carefully. ''Going in for my shift at the talon. Lana and I discussed working more early morning shifts. Hope you and Clark will be okay preparing your own breakfast.'' Jonathan sighed as he put the letter down on the counter. Martha had always talked about wanting to help out the family more, and this he assumed must be her way of doing so. Once he was done processing he pressed a small button on the coffee maker on his right, which let out a sound telling him that coffee was on his way. He took a seat in one of the chairs, making sure the table was covering up his thighs so he could see the surface in front of him. Once he felt the hard word against his knees, he began reading the newspaper, keeping him busy while he waited patiently for the morning's brew.
As he pressed on through the pages, he found himself focusing on the sound of someone's footsteps coming down the stairs, heavily. Looking up he called out to his son, then he saw his face. Clark. ''So, dad? What kinds of things am I helping you with today?'' he asked. As he took his time getting a piece of bread out of the bag from the load sitting atop the counter, though seemingly it seemed to take less time using heat vision than the toaster. Jonathan stared at him as he did this, watching as he helped himself to a glass of milk from the fridge before sitting down at the table across from his father. Clark had never taken interest in reading the newspaper, so Jonathan never bothered to show him any of the articles, well unless they were about sports, which he found the most interesting. ''Well to answer your question, I was planning on taking a look at the tractor. I was hoping you'd be able to hold it up for me while i take a look at the gears?'' Jonathan replied, taking once glance away from his paper.
''Sure thing. Sounds easy enough. Besides weekends don't give me much to do, or anyone to hang out. Chloe magically has something to do, and Lana's often at the talon. And I'm not really in the mood to handle Pete all day. It's bad enough I have to deal with him asking me questions, since coming out about my secret.''
''Now son, you can't blame him for asking questions. This is all new to him, and it's going to take him some time to adjust. He's probably just unsure how to react to such being changes. Just give it some time.''
''I am, it's just he's not the only one adjusting to ''new changes'' I'm adjusting to the way he looks at me. Every time we play basketball, it's like he thinks I'm going to cheat. I've only ever done that a few times. Now it's like he thinks that's all i do.'' Clark complained, as he took a sip from his glass.
''Well there's your problem. Maybe don't cheat from the beginning.'' Jonathan repied, eyebrows raised.
''Believe it or not, there are times where I actually play without using my abilities.'' Clark retorted.
''Yeah, and how often is that?''
''Um, doesn't matter. What's said we go out and see what's wrong with the tractor.'' Clark suggested as he nervously rose from his spot at the table.
Once they were both outside Jonathan made sure to remain a few inches away from Clark while he carefully lifted the tractor over his head. Once it was lifted, he slowly got himself on the ground, sliding himself till he was eye level with the bottom of the heavy machine. One thing he instantly took note of was that there seemed to be a ton of dust and rust all over the edges and ends of the tractor, which made it hard for him to analyze the whole picture. However, he was determined to figure out what the problem was. As he worked, Jonathan made sure to check on Clark, making sure he was handling the weight of the tractor alright. Something inside him had him worried. He couldn't help but be wary about what could happen if another solar flare just happened to pass over the farm. One of those and he'd have a face full of tractor bottom. The thought of Clark accidentally dropping the tractor, not just on himself, but on Jonathan as well, made him feel anxious. He wouldn't lie about that. However, he trusted Clark, since the last solar flare there hadn't been any problems like that. Which was a good thing. From the looks of it, Clark seemed to be his usual calm and collected self. Jonathan swore he even noticed Clark's alarm clock had some evidence of heavy strength on it. It appeared like someone had hit it very hard. Which told Jonathan Clark's abilities were indeed intact.
As Jonathan struggled to figure out what the problem was with the tractor, he accidentally hit one of the bottom pipes with the screwdriver in frustration. The loud noise seemed to have startled him for a second, causing him to slid down from his position under the tractor, as he came up in a gasping fit. Eventually he'd been able to control his breathing, as he nodded at Clark, signaling him to put the tractor down. Once the traitor was safely secured back on the ground, Clark instantly went over to try to comfort his father, who was looking oddly pale. By the looks of it he hadn't been able to pinpoint the problem, which Clark understood why that might frustrated someone, and he was sure with the intense heat they had been exposed to for the past twenty minutes was definitely not helping. ''Dad, it's okay. Just take a deep breath and try to calm down. If you want, I can take a look at it myself.'' Clark suggested as he tapped Jonathan on the back.
''Listen here, just because you possess these extraordinary abilities doesn't grant you the right to rely on them incessantly! What do you teach you anyways?!'' Jonathan's voice was booming now, his frustration palpable in every word he now uttered. The sheer disbelief in his tone was enough to make Clark take notice. ''I-I-what's wrong with you?'' The intensity of his emotions were etched onto his features, causing his veins to bulge and throb beneath his very flushed cheeks. The sheer force of Jonathan's rage seemed to radiate through the fields with an almost tangible tension. Jonathan's voice was filled with an overwhelming rage, one that seemed to resonate in the air, and mysteriously intensifying with every futile attempt Clark made to reach out to him. Each word that escaped his lips was laced with a vehement emphasis, as if each syllable carried the weight of years with pent up frustration. His volume seemed to rise, drawing out any and all other sound, as if the air trembled under the force of his newfound rage.
In that moment, Jonathan found himself succumbing to the darkest depths of his being, as if he was being controlled, as he was forced to commit an act that would forever haunt him. As Clark helplessly watched his father's retreating figure, a surge of adrenaline coursed through his veins, causing his heart to work overtime in his chest, as confusion began clouding his mind, leaving him momentarily unaware to his own surroundings. Leaving him vulnerable to the impending danger that lurked right in front of him. Suddenly and without warning, a sharp pain exploded in Clark's head, shattering his consciousness like a fragile glass. The impact of the rock, propelled by his father's fury, sent shockwaves through his body. The world around him sprung, his vision blurring, as the taste of blood filled his mouth. Then Clark was confronted with the words ''You're going to pay!'' echoing in his ears, just as a chill came over him. Slowly Clark drew his cold eyes up to look at his father, where he found the object used in the crime. The rock. No, now that he was looking at it closer, he realized it wasn't just any normal rock.
It was green meteor rock. The rock's entire surface was covered with the stuff. The green of the kryptonite, how it shone when the laid down upon it. No wonder his father had been able to land such a heavy blow against him, no wonder it had him bleeding. In that very moment, Clark's mind was racing, as was his entire body, as he kept his eyes glued onto his father's still expression. He couldn't believe what had just transpired. The one thing in the entire world that wad capable of harming him, no of killing him, and the man, standing there in front of him knew it. Inside he felt a deep sense of betrayal, a part of him wondered to himself if he would be ever able to forgive such a act. Right now, there wasn't the time to answer that question, Clark knew he needed to get away from this place, from Jonathan, away from the man who had just struck him, next blow and he might be dead. Slowly Clark tried to stagger to his feet after being knocked down from the heavy blow, however he'd only managed to use up more energy, for the every time he found himself losing his balance over and over again.
And as long as his dad held that rock firmly in his fist, Clark knew he wouldn't be able to go anywhere. He simply wouldn't have the strength, the pain and sickness it made him feel, was much to great. ''I don't understand-why-your-doing this..'' Clark tried to whisper, try as he may to bring his father back to reality. To open his eyes, anything to show him he was harming him. Bringing his eyes from the rock back to his father's still face, Clark began to notice his father's once still expression had shifted, twisting into a rather blood chilling smile. It was as if he was possessed by something evil. Could it have been the influence of the rock? In that moment, Clark couldn't rule out anything. In Smallville anything was possible. Clark knew he had no other choice but to try and disarm his father before it was to late, before the situation turned for the worse. Summoning the remaining strength he possessed, Clark found himself lunging forward, straight for his father, resulting in him grabbing onto his father's arms with both of his own. How Jonathan fought him the moment he'd done that. With Jonathan trying to break free from Clark's grip, Clark was stubborn to let go. The two men ended up in a wrestle on the ground now, each of them getting covered with the dirt from the soil below. However that was the least of anyone's worries. Eventually in a matter of strength and determination, Clark had managed to free the rock from his father's fist, watching with an unblinking stare as the rock landed a few feet away from them. Once it was away from them, Clark rose to his feet, as he was able to feel every part of his body again with zero pain.
''What's gotten into you, dad! Why did you just do that?!'' Clark was shouting now, pain and anger written on his face, and in every sentence his dry mouth tried to produce.
''I can't believe you just used meteor rock on me!''
Suddenly and surrounded by nothing but silence, Jonathan turned to look up at his son. The expression on his face was nothingless. It was as if he was unable to think for himself. Clark was beyond confused as he stared at his father, careful to keep himself ready for anything. At that moment, Clark wasn't sure what was going to happen. ''Did you hear me, dad? I hope whatever your going to say next, because right now, things don't look so good for either of us.'' Once Clark's voice finished traveling past the both of them, Jonathan's eyes seemed to clear from their blankness, as did his expression, it was as if he was waking up from a deep slumber. His breathing was heavy and panicked, as his chest rose up and down quickly, just as his forehead and under cheeks were swamped in sweat. Bringing his soft eyes up to look at Clark, there was a mixture of regret and sadness in those eyes. Then he softly let out ''I'm so sorry, Clark. I don't know what came over me. It was like I was possessed by something dark. Those weren't my own actions.''
Clark didn't know whether to believe him or not. He'd seen this once before, and during that Jonathan had shot Clark in the chest with a bullet, meant for someone else. However nothing like that had ever happened since. One thing was for sure, he couldn't keep the meteor rock in the barn anymore. He was sure that's where his father had gotten it. ''We're not keeping meteor rock in the barn anymore. It's much to dangerous.'' Clark blurted out. Jonathan simply nodded his head in agreement. ''I agree son, I'll take care of it. I'll make sure to dispose of it properly.''
''No, mom can dispose of it when she gets back. I don't want you anywhere near it. I'm sorry dad, I just don't trust you.'' Jonathan's eyes fell to the ground at this, utterly defeated at hearing his son's words. ''I understand. I'll do whatever it takes to earn your trust back. Clark.'' Clark couldn't shake the feeling of uneasiness that he could still feel lingering through the air, but he knew he couldn't allow another situation to happen, so in that moment he declared that he'd be staying out in the barn, in his loft, while he figured out what had just happened. If it happened with his father, who was to say it wouldn't happen with others around him. No Clark had to be away from people. At least for the time being. A part of him knew his father wouldn't have just done what he did unless controlled or manipulated somehow...