Chapter 5 [Swann Observatory]

Clark and Lana raced toward their destination. Hudson's route led them through towns and picturesque backdrops. Palisades loomed above them. Eventually, small towns gave way to suburbs. Suburbs transitioned to Manhattan itself. Each took the lead for a few blocks apiece in their neck and neck race.

Her final burst sewed up the victory. She leaned against the observatory's wall. Satisfaction spread a Lex-like smirk across her face. Her eyes spied Clark skid to a halt three steps in front of her. "About time you got here, Clark. I might think you were getting tired." Impishness sparked in her eyes. She set the pilot's body down on the pavement.

"You beat me by a dozen steps, Lana. It wasn't that big of a difference." Truth be told, he'd held back and let her win that particular race. "You looked great."

"Yeah I did. Flattery, Mr. Kent, might get you a kiss." She raised an eyebrow at him.

The door buzzed and opened. Crosby stuck her head out. "Perhaps you two might come inside? Dr. Swann and the others are waiting. Bring him with you." Terse expectation and Impatience raised an eyebrow at the two teens. She motioned toward the hallway in back of herself.

"Raincheck?" Disappointment sagged down on his moods.

"Count on it." Lana nodded to him. Then, she picked up the pilot again and hustled through the door. We just got here! We can't even kiss after surviving that fall and running all the way here? A terse huff came through her teeth.

Lana, it's okay. Everyone's just stressed out by what happened. I'd like to know how Mom and Miranda got back here so fast. Clark pursued her into the facility. The temporary patches evoked guilt in him. Their presences reminded him yet again. Red Kryptonite was never ever a good solution to any crisis…

…any crisis….

Clark, hey. Lana stopped her pace. His emotions registered loud and clear to her. She turned to face him. "We've talked about this. You know better now. We're here to figure out how to train and move forward. Right?"

"Yeah I know." Clark conceded a nod to her.

"So let's hear what Dr. Swann and Jor-El have to say. Then, we'll find training and practice that works for us? We have to fit that in with our lives and look 'human normal' while we're doing it. Neither of us can touch that red rock again. You know that. I know that. Let's talk to your Mom and Miri. See what everyone has to say." She took his hand and led him the rest of the way down the hall toward Swann's bunker of sorts.

"Clark! Lana! You're all right!" Martha sprinted out. Relief eased her heart and mood. "I can't believe you did that!" She cringed at the pilot. "Do we know what happened?"

"Poison? We don't know. Guess we're tougher than we thought?" Clark returned the embrace. "Miranda and you all right?"

"We're fine, Sweetie." Martha squeezed her arms around his waist still tighter. "Your Dad will be relieved. Dr. Swann is too. Come on. He's waiting." She led them into the room and the Command Center at its interior.

Swann turned in his chair away from the monitors. "Ah! Miss Lang! Mr. Kent! It's good to see you. You made excellent time I see. Everything all right?"

"Uh yeah. At least I know I can survive a 10,000 foot drop. Right?" Lana squirmed at that thought. "Thanks, I guess, for keeping an eye out. Guess we need to find out what happened?" She looked about for a place to set the body down again.

"Place him on the table. I will call NYPD. They can send someone to pick up the body." Swann frowned. "I wish you'd worn gloves, Miss Lang. Still, under the circumstances, we can hope the police will understand. Their toxicology report will show blood poisoning of some kind more than likely."

"Okay. Well, when we're going down with the ship, I'm not going to stop for gloves. Kind of a desperate situation. We figured on getting him medical attention or trying to get it." Lana looked about the area. "Where's Miranda?"

"She's in the back. Lex called. You didn't answer so he tried her." Martha looked to Clark. "I called your father. He knows we're all okay. You should call him. Dr. Swann and he talked as well."

Clark could well imagine Jonathan's mindset in that regard. "I just hope the police don't try to arrest us for the pilot's death." Those implications spun his mind.

"He was already slumped over in his seat not breathing and with no pulse. I was trying to get him medical help. The end." Lana shrugged. "I didn't kill him."

"No. You did not." Swann nodded. "I will share the video and audio from the cockpit with the police. That and their forensic analysis should protect you. Excuse me." He turned. "Computer, dial New York Police Department."

Everyone looked at each other. Official red tape wasn't something they wanted to deal with….