Chapter 12 [Kent Farm]

Martha glanced out the window. Morning's chores and work went up in smoke pretty much. Granville's fire department finally showed up to deal with the fire. She and Jonathan had Sheriff Adams in their face about Lana's and Chloe's absence from the scene. The 911 fiasco demanded an investigation. Peter's photos merited a trip to the Planet. Still, Clark could've done that on his own. Talon remained short handed too.

"Sweetheart, it's going to take time for them to get back here from Metropolis." Jonathan looked up at her. His mind spun over Morning's implications on top of everything else. "Chloe and Lana need places to live." He sucked in a deep breath. "I hope they find Gabe." He rubbed his forehead. "Lionel Luthor's got to be involved."

Martha frowned. "I don't doubt Lionel knows something, Jonathan. I don't think, however, he would blow up his own subdivision and jam 911 while he's doing it. I don't think Lionel can jam that system. We don't know what Hansei Arighatto's capable of exactly. It's considerable." She glanced up the stairs toward the guest room. "About Lana, I was going to make a suggestion. We'd have to make some things clear to the kids first."

"What?" Jonathan stiffened. "Martha! She can't….!" Impropriety's potential immediately came to mind.

"Where else does she go then? It's here or Metropolis. Lex is going to have enough people to deal with at the mansion. I don't want a repeat of Ryan's situation with Nell and her there. She and Clark are bonded by what Jor-El did. Maybe she could help? You know she's good with chores when she's here." Martha looked at him. "Jonathan, Lana needs our help and support. Clark can help her. She can help him. You should have seen them in New York working together. She listened to me. We have to cover for her now as well. At least Chloe and Lex know now as well."

"We still need that discussion with Chloe. Same with our visitors. I knew that trip would be trouble, Martha." Jonathan took a big mouthful from his mug. He followed Martha's reasoning about Lana needing to stay there. "As long as she and Clark understand the ground rules, fine. We can see how it goes."

"That's all I'm saying and…." Martha saw Clark and Lana through the window. "They're back!" She opened the door. "Kids?"

"Hi, Mrs. Kent!" Lana waved to Martha. The run back from the Planet had allowed her to decompress. Travers' interview required Lana to think on her feet. She'd kept Swann and Arighatto's demonic episode out of the spotlight. She'd credited Spider-Man with saving the day. She even referred Travers to Petersen for further official information. "Glad that's over with." She stretched her arms over her head.

"Lana and Chloe did great with the Planet folks. Apparently, Ms. Travers called Sheriff Adams. She knows that Lana was there. Mr. Parker let Chloe take credit for this morning's pictures. By the way, he was in Metropolis last night in case anyone asks. That covers him and us." Clark shrugged. "Sorry about the lying."

"Actually, Clark. Glad to see you all thought it through." Jonathan emerged through the front door. "We owe him a thank you for working with us. Lana, are you all right?"

"I'm okay, Mr. Kent." Lana frowned. "Chloe found out about my meteor weakness." She shook her head. "I didn't say anything. Mr. Arighatto did it to us again!"

"What did he do? Was he there?" Jonathan narrowed his eyes. Suspicion and Paranoia flooded negative thoughts through his mind. "Did he see you do anything?"

Clark stepped in between Jonathan and Lana. "Dad, Mr. Arighatto found out about that at the museum. He put the green dust in with the explosives so that Lana and I couldn't help!"

"Or maybe to kill me, Clark." Lana sighed. Realization struck at her with Sledgehammer's force. "I felt weak halfway up the driveway. Imagine if I'd been in there? No. He's still trying to send his message." She shook her head. "No. He waited until after Chloe and I left the house and got halfway up the street. I heard the bomb timer but I didn't know what it was."

"You have super hearing too?" Clark frowned. "Really?"

LANA HAS FOCUSED ON HER TRAINING. PERHAPS YOU MIGHT FOLLOW SUIT, KAL-EL? Jor-El interjected with Snark's barb for effect.

I am trying! Clark threw his hands up in the air. What you did was a direct download or something.

IF YOU WOULD COME TO ME FOR YOUR EDUCATION, I WOULD DO THE SAME FOR YOU AND HER!

We really don't need this right now. We need to figure out how to know where Mr. Arighatto is. He could be anywhere. Even Miri can't track him and she has to live in his house! Lana put her hand on Clark's arm. "What we need is some way to focus and hone the skills we have."

"I thought that's why you went to New York." Jonathan exhaled a terse breath. Patience frayed with each passing heartbeat. He looked around the yard. Granted, Lana's rapid development with certain abilities ahead of Clark's offered options.

"That was Dr. Swann's intention, Jonathan. He couldn't foresee what happened with everything. The plane crash ruined the whole trip. Everything else went downhill after that." Martha glanced at him. "I'm grateful that Peter, Gwen, her father, that Lieutenant deWolff and Agents Petersen and Singleton kept matters where they were."

"And there are Princess Jasmine and that Snapdragon too, Mom. She saved Miranda and you." Clark ran his hands through his hair. "I wish we had her number at the embassy. She needs to know about this too."

"Why, Clark? Who's this Princess?" Jonathan snapped at him.

Martha ground her teeth. "Jonathan, Clark wasn't saying to tell her everything. He just wants to tell her about the subdivision explosion and Chloe's situation. I'm sure her Head of Security would appreciate it.

Maybe Lex can get that message to her?"

"I'd prefer if he did that, Martha. The kids don't need to be…." Jonathan started to disagree.

Lana's phone buzzed at her. "Now what?" She answered it. "Hello?"

"Good afternoon, Lana. This is Princess Jasmine. Are Chloe and you all right?"

Lana pointed to the phone. "She's calling me." Then she switched back to the conversation. "Good afternoon, Princess. Wow. I wasn't expecting you to call. Clark and I have been dealing with things. Lex, Chloe and everyone else is in Metropolis. We're picking up the pieces here."

"Yes my father's satellite has images of those houses. On behalf of our sultanate, my father and I express our sympathies. The Ming T 'sai continue their cowardly strikes." Jasmine watched Sheriff Adams standing at the edge of the house's burnt out remains. "I have grave news as well. I will speak to Chloe directly. Our sensors detected enhanced readings of Kryptonite around the site. This was aimed at Mr. Kent and you as much as it was Chloe, Lana. Dr. Swann and I finished speaking a few minutes ago."

"Wait. You can see us too?" Lana looked up at the sky. Apprehension threatened to overwhelm her in that instant. "We were talking about training. We were kind of distracted by everything. We really need to work on focusing this telepathic stuff."

"I agree. So would Dr. Dubois. We have to figure out the demon's aura and where he is. He knows your weakness. As I do, other Travelers have revealed the meteors' effectiveness on themselves. Please assure Mr. and Mrs. Kent that we do not spy on that farm as routine. Today is a drastic situation. Your safety is my primary concern. Snapdragon would have been in route to you if the situation had worsened. At least Mr. Peter is in a better situation. Now, he can rest."

"They took the pictures?" Lana pumped her fists. "Finally! Some good news!" That'll help with Peter's money situation!

"Yes. Alex told me the Daily Planet has hired him to a full position starting later this summer. They work with Miss Gwen's situation now. You two are too important to leave to chance. I do not want to leave my sister in the wind. I will be there soon enough. Please tell the Kents that we shall speak soon after. I want their trust. Thank you and be blessed, Lana. Take care!" Jasmine hung up.

"Wait! She called you here?" Jonathan pointed at the ground for emphasis. The fact that a foreign Princess knew the Secret really made him feel uneasy. "How did she…?"

"She has access to information like that." Clark shrugged. He held up his phone. "Dr. Swann just texted me too. He writes in code. Anyway, he's glad we're all right. He's sorry about Mr. Sullivan." He twisted his lip. "Poor Chloe!"

Lana grimaced. "At least she's with everybody. She and Miranda will be at Lex's along with everyone else. Maybe I'll grab the couch or clear out the apartment above the Talon? Kind of need a new place to sleep?"

Martha exchanged looks with Jonathan. Then she cleared her throat. "Maybe you might move in with us, Lana?" She put up her hand. "There'd be rules and guidelines. You'd have to help with chores and keep your grades up once school starts again. Of course we know you two can keep your doors closed."

Clark's eyes rolled. "Mom, really? I'm not going to…."

Lana put her hand on Clark's arm. "It's okay. We can behave like adults, Clark. Treat it like an old- fashioned engagement. We just can't peek or do anything…well…." She cleared her throat. "We can kiss and hug, right?"

"Hope we can hold hands once in a while?" Clark shook his head. "Did you say…?"

"I said 'kind of like'." Lana patted his arm. We're bonded, Clark. I don't need to wear a ring. We're Krypton-joined/married/whatever. As soon as we graduate high school, we find a minister and make it official. Okay? Her lips affixed Commitment's seal onto his cheek. A knowing smile spread across her face. "Why? I'm moving in. I'm figuring out where I fit in here. We respect your folks."

Jonathan exhaled a deep breath. Relief eased his outlook on the arrangement. "Exactly. Thank you, Lana. We'll talk about things. By the way, Son, holding hands, hugs and kissing is allowed. Lana's got the right idea. We can talk more tonight. Sorry but I think they needed you at the Talon. Sheriff Adams wanted to know when you got back here."

"I'll have your room ready." Martha handed Lana her keys. "Maybe you should drive in? We can figure out what else is going on tonight."

"I'll do some chores when I come back." Lana glanced at herself. "I kind of need to do some shopping too. Down to my only outfit." She winced.

"I can lend you some shirts." Clark smiled at the thought.

Lana raised an eyebrow. She could imagine Miranda's wisecracks over her adopting (even temporarily) the plaid and flannel. "Maybe for chores, Clark. Come by later. I'll have some coffee waiting." She headed for the blazer. Then she got in and drove off toward town.

Clark watched her vanish from sight. His telepathic senses picked up on her of course. Still, Lana's words penetrated even his personal fog bank. She said this is like an old-fashioned engagement. Really? His heart skipped a beat. His parents offered her a place. Jor-El accepted her now….

…Frustration seemed to burn away finally….

Granted, Parental Expectations dampened his own enthusiasm. And who knew what Jor-El expected? (Did he want to know?)

"Mom? Dad? Thanks for trusting us. I know this is all weird and everything." Clark turned back toward them.

"We know, Clark. It is for us too." Martha raised an eyebrow. "Lana and you have cared for each other since you were kids. Now all of this happens. She loves you. She wants to be part of our family. I wish we were two years from now. But we can try this arrangement and see how it works out. I think you'll both be fine."

"Lana said it best, Son. Treat it as an engagement. If she wants to wear a ring, that's fine. You two should be eighteen. Preferably you'll be graduated from high school at least. The eighteen part is a requirement." Jonathan put his hand on Clark's shoulder. "Be the adult we know you can be. Learn to live with and love each other. You're a couple. Jor-El approves so less headaches that way. That's another reason your mother and I are willing to work with Lana and you. Besides, we can all look out for one another. I wish there was somebody closer who could help with training other than New York that is."

"Yeah. I wish that Dr. Dubois was closer too. It'd be nice to have another Kryptonian or someone from that solar system to train with. Guess she's been here on Earth a long time too," Clark suggested.

You can always ask, Clark. Dubois stepped into view from the barn. "HELLO, MRS. KENT!" She waved to Martha and Jonathan.

"What the? Who?" Jonathan jumped from Dubois' unexpected appearance.

"That's who Clark was just talking about." Martha shrugged. "She helped us up in New York. Dr. Swann trusts her." She waved back. "I'M PUTTING ON COFFEE!"

Dubois nodded. That definitely sounded like what the doctor ordered. She followed everyone into the house.

Discussion to come….