Lovely Lane Chapter 14

Thanksgiving

Clana meet Densi at the Metropolis airport on Tuesday evening. They are going to stay in the loft apartment tonight, tour Met U and eat at Paolo & Maria's tomorrow, then get to the Kent Farm Thursday morning for Thanksgiving.

They do Wednesday lunch at the restaurant, it's less crowded then. Sitting at a back table, they talk.

"So, Lana," Kensi starts. "Criminal justice minor? Have you decided what you are going to do with that?"

"No, I'm having quite a difficult time sorting that out. Could you give me some ideas, you are deep into law enforcement. You and Marty both."

"Yes, we are." Marty nods. Kensi continues, "There are a myriad of roles to choose from in law enforcement. Many don't carry a weapon, and aren't very dangerous."

Marty picks up the topic. "Then there are your Wiccan skills. I've not heard of anyone with that skill set being in law enforcement. At least not openly using those skills. Have you Kens?"

"No, I have not. But, to add complexity to the discussion, you and Clark are an unbelievable team. I shudder at the word invincible, but my god, you have to be close!"

"Amen to that!" Marty nods vigorously.

Clark admits, "I know. But I have 2 weaknesses that you don't know about. Lana covers them both, at least if she is in the vicinity of me. We have done teamwork and enjoy it. But being compensated for that is hard to envision."

"Yeah, I get that," Kensi admits.

"And there are big parts of my story that you don't know about, that complicate things further." Clark studies the menu, which he knows by heart.

"Are we good enough friends to share that with us?" Marty asks softly.

"I don't know, yet." Clark admits.

"Let me share a little bit of my story with you," Lana suggests. She looks at Clark, he gives her the go ahead with a slight nod.

"You trust Lana to tell this part of your story?" Kensi wonders.

"I trust her completely, with everything. As I think you do with each other."

"We do," Densi and Marty both nod.

Lana starts: "Clark and I have known each other since we were 5 y/o. He says he has loved me since then.

"I have" he injects, with a grin.

"I'll let him keep thinking that! Anyway, in HS our relationship was hot & cold. Things kept happening that I wondered about; and I asked him. But he kept denying or outright lying. Telling me that I didn't see what I knew I saw. Example: during Sr. Prom I left early to drive home and got caught in a tiple tornado. My truck was lifted into the air, I thought I was going to die! Suddenly, Clark appeared outside the driver's side door. He ripped the door off, got in and held me close, shieling me from the flying debris. Next thing I know, I am laying in a ditch being rescued! Later when I asked him how he did that, he said I must have been dreaming."

"What!" Kensi snorts. "Dreaming my ass!"

"Exactly. He just kept lying and obfuscating. It was really hard, difficult or impossible to maintain a relationship under those circumstances."

"Did he explain anything?" Marty is incredulous.

"Well, he kept telling me that he was being secretive to protect me. And that he would share it all when he was ready. But he never was ready to share!"

"Really Clark? I would have kicked your ass, turned around and walked away," Kensi busts out.

Clark has his head in his hands, and just shakes it back and forth with a sheepish look.

Lana continues: "Well, we finally did part ways. After HS graduation I decided to attend Met U, Clark went to Central Kansas. 1 year apart taught us a lot!"

"It sure did," Clark admits. "I came to my senses and begged for another chance with her, for us. I promised to tell her everything. With that letter promising to tell all, I included a letter telling all."

"Did you read it?" Marty inquires looking at Lana.

"No, I took another option. I came to the farm; we went up to the loft and he told me everything and I asked my questions. And he answered me fully. And here we are."

"Wow, you saved yourself a kick in the ass!" Kensi looks directly at Clark.

"Well, that year apart was worse than any physical punishment she could have doled out. Believe me!"

"For me too," Lana admits.

"So, are you willing to trust us?" Kensi asks.

Lana replies, "It's not about trust, it never was. Though I didn't believe it at the time. I see it now."

Kensi and Marty are confused.

BACK AT THE LOFT

The discussion continues.

Clark starts: "Let me explain what I meant when I said to Lana that I was protecting her, by not sharing my secret. There are two unique parts to me. 1) my extraordinary abilities, and 2) why I have them & how I keep them.

"My abilities you already know, at least most of them . . . you don't need the whole list to appreciate my uniqueness; and to appreciate what I could add to your team. Just consider what value I would bring to a major crime syndicate for example.

"Let's demonstrate. I see that both of you are armed with knives.

Marty & Kensi look at each other. "How do you know that?" Marty wonders out loud.

Clark disappears for a second, then reappears with two knives in his hands. Marty & Kensi check their knife holsters – they are empty! "Did you bring firearms along on this trip?" Clark asks.

"Yes."

"Where are they?"

"In our bag, over there," Kensi points.

"Will you get your sidearm out and give it to Lana, please?" He asks Marty, who complies.

Lana takes the weapon, checks to make sure it is loaded, goes to the loft window and turns around. Clark goes to the head of the stairs and turns around.

Before Kensi & Marty can react, Lana empties the clip right at Clark's chest.

"NO!" Densi shout simultaneously.

Clark bends down, picks up the smashed slugs, walks over to Densi and hands them the slugs and shows them the holes in his shirt. "Any questions," he smiles.

"How?" Marty gasps.

"Dense molecular structure," Lana says.

"What?" Kensi whispers.

"My skin is so dense that it is impermeable to anything I have ever tried," Clark states. "So, how valuable would I be to a crime syndicate? Or, how would you arrest me? Or, what if you could discover how I do that and could equip your thugs with the same ability? Or, what if you discovered that somebody, I love knew my secret and you could abduct & torture her/him until they broke and told you what you wanted to know? Any questions now? Hm?"

Kensi & Marty look at each other with wide eyes.

Lana adds, "When he told me everything, I began to understand why all the secrecy. It was still hard, all those years. And the more I thought about it, I realized that if our positions had been reversed, I probably would have done the very same thing."

"So, you see, learning my 'secret' will put you in danger. Even knowing that there is something special about me adds to your risk. Do you see what we are saying?"

"Yes," Densi whisper simultaneously.

"The dilemma for Clark and me is this; just like you (probably), we long for a few really close friends. Friends who we can be totally ourselves with, who we don't have to filter our speech when we are around them. But, it's risky, for us and for them. Do you understand?"

"Yeah, now we do. Right Kens?" Marty admits.

"Totally," Kensi nods. "So, what are you, we gonna do?"

"Well, we've talked about it and what do you think about this? We give you a day or so, say until Friday morning. We resume this conversation; then you tell us whether you are willing to take that risk, and commit to total secrecy. We mean you 1) tell NOBODY what you know, and 2) you don't even let on that there is anything special about either of us. Can you commit to this plan?"

"You realize that we already know a lot?" Marty advises.

"We do. We already are trusting you with a lot."

Densi look at each other and nod. "We are in, thus far."

"Good, let's split for the night. I think mom would like some help tomorrow. We'll see you for breakfast."

THANKSGIVING DINNER

Everyone has helped out, and are now seated around the table in the dining room at the Kent Farm.

Jonathon starts, "I am so glad to welcome Kensi and Marty to our home for his special day, and this special dinner. As many families do, we take turns around the table and share what we are thankful for during the past year. Our guests may pass, but I encourage all to take part. Who would like to start?"

"May I?" Kensi asks. Jonathon nods.

"I am really thankful that Marty and I met Lana and Clark. I sincerely hope that our friendship can grow and prosper. And thank you so much for the invitation to join you all for this special day."

Marty motions to go next, Jonathon nods. "I second Kensi's thoughts. Having had a rough childhood, and not a good, supportive family, I am thankful for the good, stable family circle I have been invited to be a part of. Thank you so much."

Lana goes next; "I am overjoyed that Clark and I have finally gotten in the same book, in the same chapter, and on the same page. And to add this loving family environment . . . my heart overflows. I love you all!"

Clark continues: "I am so thankful that Lana gave me, us, another chance. Even after the way I treated her all these years. I feel like I don't deserve her, but she tells me that's not true. Any way you slice it . . . thanks are not enough. But it's all I have here and now."

Martha has misty eyes: "Seeing this table full of people I love and respect, makes this mom's heart proud! Thank you all for being here and sharing this day with us!"

Jonathon thinks for a moment. "It's risky going last at a time like this. What more can be said? For the longest time I thought a day like this would never happen for Martha and me. But here we are. And my heart, too, overflows. As I learn about each of you, I am proud of each of you, what you have accomplished, and what you are looking forward to doing with your lives. Thank you so much for being here with Martha and me. Now, will you bow your heads with me as we thank God for this meal, this day and each other?"

They bow, grace is said, Jonathon stands and begins to carve and the meal begins.

FRIDAY IN THE LOFT

The final session of the discussion (hopefully) begins.

"So, guys, have you come to a decision?" Clark asks.

"Yes, we have," Marty responds. "We appreciate all you've shared with us. That in itself demonstrates a great deal of trust. Both of us see a lot of value in our friendship and we would like to go all in with you and Lana." He looks to Kensi and she nods.

"I agree with Marty. Just like you, we have our secrets and really no friends outside of work who we can be totally ourselves with either. It feels so good to be in the presence of those kind of total friends. I am also all in, thanks for the trust."

"That's great. Clark has one more thing to ask of you," Lana adds.

"Yes, I do. I need you to promise me one more thing. If you ever get in a situation where your life is threatened, and the issue is telling your adversary what you know about me, tell them the truth! DO NOT RISK YOUR LIFE! I, or Lana and me, will deal with that person. Or those persons. It has happened before, and I've handled it. Can you look me in the eye, and shake on that?"

Kensi cringes, 'That feels like . . . betraying you!"

"Amen to that!" Marty nods. "And what about our co-workers? They will be on our ass to find out what we know."

"Can Hetty help you put the clamps on that?"

"Probably."

Lana speaks to that, "We'll call her and fill her in and ask her assistance."

"Does she know all?"

"Not yet, but I assume we will fully inform her soon."

"So, can we promise and shake on it?" Clark asks. He holds out his hand to Marty. "Do you promise, Marty?"

"I do promise."

"Kensi?"

"I do promise,"

"Thank you."

Clark starts: "Ok, here we go. I was not born on planet earth."

Kensi's and Marty's eyes get big.

TBC