Chapter 13 [Five Minutes Later]

[A/N: Dubois visited the Kent Farm (albeit the version in the original Super Lana series).]

Dubois looked about the Kents' living room and kitchen. Memoria recalled her first and only visit to an alternate version of this farm. Fixtures remained much the same. Emotions strummed her senses. Clark's insecurities seemed greater. She perceived their bond's formative moments rather than that alternate future's established couple. Distrust and Overprotection radiated from Jonathan's aura. Martha managed to temper those feelings somewhat. Hospitality still remained. "You have a nice home here."

"Thank you. Sorry we didn't have coffee ready. We're not even unpacked after getting back here. Then the Sullivan House exploded. Lana and Chloe are all right. We're not sure about Gabe Sullivan." Martha brought out mugs.

"Princess Jasmine and Dr. Swann have already scanned the area. Neither Clark, Lana nor I can go near there. There's still trace Kryptonite in the air around that entire place. Someone wanted to send us a message. He could've killed Lana and Chloe in there. He chose to let them leave and be safely away. Then he pushed the button."

"Mr. Luthor and Lex were arguing yesterday morning. Chloe made the connection between Miranda and her former identity on her laptop. Mr. Luthor warned her. Apparently, Mr. Arighatto warned Lex to keep Chloe under control." Clark frowned. "Can I help you, Mom?" He carried two full mugs to the table. "We've got milk and sugar too." He grabbed the honey for Jonathan.

Dubois shook her head. "Do they really think that Steve Petersen, Garth Singleton or Nyoki Tuishiama would have missed Miranda? Really?" Sarcasm prompted an eye roll and scoff. "I'll take some of those, Clark. Thank you." She fixed her coffee. "They're being transferred to Metropolis. Nyoki just reached an agreement with Metropolis University. You have support. They kept Clark, Lana and you out of their report, Mrs. Kent. You can thank Spider-Man for that. He put a target on his back. Arighatto's targeted him."

"He was badly hurt, Dad. Peter and he were nearly blown up yesterday morning in that apartment. Then he fought off those ninja guys and that demon guy. He got pictures. I saw them at the Planet this morning. They gave him a job. I guess they want him to take Ms. Donnelly's Journalism class." Clark shook his head. "She's really tough."

"She's the best, Clark." Martha drank from her coffee. "Too bad our money's so tight. I'd suggest you might take it this summer. You were saying that you have that extra study next year? Maybe one of them would fit with that class? I'm sure Mr. Reynolds and Ms. Donnelly would encourage that."

"It is something that doesn't need your gifts, Clark. You're already involved with the Torch." Jonathan exchanged looks with Clark and then Dubois. "So, you're a Kryptonian?"

Dubois shook her head. "No. I'm from another planet in Rao's system. It's called Ralptor. Rao is the name of the star. Anyhow, my given name is Jara Sa. My parents were political dissidents who were banished to this place called the Phantom Zone. Before they were captured, they sent me through a transportation device here to Earth. I ended up like Clark did alone and not knowing where I was. I was in the woods of New York State. The year was 1752. It was winter. I was lucky that David Dubois' ancestor found me. They adopted me. I'm named after Angela's mother, Jennifer. So I'm actually related to Miranda and David. He knows me as a friend only. Lana and I share a male ancestor as well. She has our blood as well. That is why Jor-El has allowed Clark that choice. Unfortunately, he was not allowed to be with Louise MacCallum, Lana's great aunt. I believe she is a cousin or niece. I do not know. I'm also related to Heloise and Sister Clarise as well."

"Sister Clarise is still around?" Martha scratched her head.

"She is. She's in the same chateau in Canada. I believe you will see her here at some point. She has an interest in Clark and Lana as well. She does not want issues to come up either." Jennifer took another drink from her mug and set it down. "Thank you, Mrs. Kent. That's wonderful. The issue of focus is important. It is a matter of concentration and focus. You have to push away the static around yourself. Clear your mind. Then you can do those things which are natural to us. You can sense energy and auras. You've already discovered telepathy. Lana and you can fly. That's going to be a little while."

"Fly?" Martha's eyes went wide.

"Yes. Under the yellow sun, that is an ability we have. It takes that focus and concentration. We can do it. I just flew here from New York in about forty-five minutes. But that's a ways off for Lana and you. Right now, you need a basic understanding of your abilities. Miranda's sensei knows of travelers like us. He will train with her this summer on several things. That focus is one of them. She will help you. There will be an exchange student coming from Japan this fall. She can help as well. Her name is Yori. I am not saying to reveal yourselves to her. I am saying that some meditation with them can help with discipline and focus."

'I can see that." Martha nodded.

"You can? Martha, what does she mean?" Jonathan didn't quite follow.

Martha put her finger up. "She's talking about the different parts of using their powers. Remember when we practiced with Clark on his heat vision and x-ray vision? He had to learn how to focus and control those abilities."

"Just like with my strength, Mom." Clark glanced at Dubois. "We have to learn about the telepathy and people listening in." He frowned. "Mr. Arighatto taught us that."

"He will do that. Dr. Swann will be glad you understand that. We can work on that. Even Spider-Man surprised me. For some who isn't a telepath, he handles the telepathic messages very well. You have an issue with awareness, Clark. Pay attention to your surroundings." Dubois put her hand on Clark's forearm. "You have Lana and yourself to look out for now. You are her concern as well."

Jonathan conceded a nod. "That's good advice, Clark. You can't just rush into something. Look around. Think through things. Look at what happened with the Ship. You acted rashly. We should've talked about it."

"Dad, Jor-El was threatening to kill you to get to me. What was I supposed to do? I didn't have Dr. Swann, Professor Dubois, or anyone that could understand him or the situation." Clark ran his hands through his hair. "There was no good solution."

"You could have contacted Dr. Swann. Your parents have a point. I wish I could have gotten involved. I was overseas doing research last month unfortunately. Use that as an object lesson. You were more careful in New York on this last trip. That's a good beginning. Keep up the good work. We'll work on that. I'd also like to talk with you both as we go. Communication is a good thing." Dubois looked over Martha's blouse. "I see you like it."

"You have a good eye for clothes. By the way, I have some money…." Martha started.

"Thank you but that's not necessary. I appreciate your hospitality, Mrs. Kent. Heloise and Sister Clarise were happy to help you. Now that Nell isn't around, they can come back. I believe they will." Dubois finished her coffee. "Thank you for that and the visit. I have to be getting back. Summer school awaits. Speaking of summer school, talk to Ms. Donnelly, Clark. Who knows? Take care." She walked toward the door. "Nice meeting you, Mr. Kent."

Jonathan nodded. His reaction surprised him to be honest. Issues remained with her training offer. Still, Diplomacy had made inroads even into his thinking on the matter. If only she could talk to Jor-El like this. "Thanks for introducing yourself. It makes things easier."

"I appreciate your help, Dr. Dubois. Maybe…if David is alive? If he is, we'll definitely welcome him." Martha beamed. "He had a Dijon ham recipe."

"The ham recipe's his?" Clark raised an eyebrow. "Dad, even you like that!"

Jonathan conceded a shrug. "He made it for us when he was your age. I tried one bite and was hooked." A small smile brightened his face. Then he stood. "All part of that greater outlook as Dr. Dubois' saying. We stabilized him here." He walked Dubois to the door. "Let's do this again when Lana's here. We still need to have a conversation with the kids and Chloe Sullivan about trust and issues related to the secret."

"That's important. If you'd like, I can be here as well. They need advisors from both cultures, Mr. Kent. Stability, as you said, is an important thing. Have a good night." Dubois walked back to the door. She pulled her shoes back on. Then she walked out the front door and ran at super speed for the nearby woods. From there, she took off into the late afternoon sky.

"All of that?" Clark tried to digest Dubois' multi-step departure.

"She's being careful, Clark. Lana and you should take a page from her book." Martha refilled their mugs. "Let's enjoy this for a few minutes. Then we can get back to chores."

Clark nodded. He knew the others still worked through matters in Metropolis. Meantime Lana balanced matters in the Talon and with their new life at the farm. Engagement still excited yet weighed on him as well.

Much to work through….