Crisis Part 6

At the Baker Household…

"That was delicious," Martha Kent complimented as dinner came to a close.

The Kents and Bakers were situated around the dining table at Alicia's house. Clark's girlfriend insisted on the Kent family coming over for dinner. Mrs. Baker served tossed salad, roasted asparagus, and fish; a heart-healthy meal Mrs. Kent appreciated being served. Mr. Kent was polite and ate everything on his plate, even though Clark could tell he would have preferred actual meat. Mrs. Kent insisted on bringing a blueberry pie for dessert.

"Thank you," Mrs. Baker said. "That means a lot coming from you. Alicia's spoken highly of your cooking."

"It's been a pleasure having her over," Mr. Kent said.

"Why don't I make some coffee to go with dessert?" Mrs. Baker rose from the table.

"I'll help," Mrs. Kent offered.

"Oh, no. You're my guest. Why don't you go into the living room. Alicia, you can show off your science trophies. I have such a brilliant daughter."

Alicia excitedly led his parents to the corner in the living room where she had an entire shelf dedicated to her awards. Clark hung back, stacked the dinner plates, and brought them into the kitchen. Mrs. Baker was standing by the sink, her eyes squeezed shut and her body was trembling.

"Mrs. Baker?" The woman jumped at Clark's presence. "Is everything okay?"

"There was this boy Alicia liked a lot. It didn't end well," Mrs. Baker said in an earnest whisper.

"Alicia told me about Adam." He placed the plates next to the sink. "Mrs. Baker, I want you to know that I'm not going to be like him. I accept Alicia's ability and I'm not going to hurt her. I care about her, very much."

"No," Mrs. Baker shook her head. "That's not…"

"There you are." Alicia wrapped her arms around Clark's waist. Mrs. Baker quickly turned back to the sink to fill up the coffee pot. "I wondered where you went."

"Just bringing in the dishes."

"Aren't you sweet." Alicia kissed him. "But you don't need to do that. You got it, mom, right?"

"Of course, dear. You entertain your guests." Mrs. Baker seemed to force a smile.

Alicia pulled Clark towards the living room. He glanced over his shoulder and couldn't help but wonder what the woman was so afraid of.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

"Well, that was…" Johnathan started to say.

"Awkward?" Martha sighed. The two of them were in the truck on the way back to the farm. Clark had hung back, and he would either run home or Alicia could teleport him back in seconds. But for the adults, it was getting late, and the conversation had dried up. Over dinner they had talked about how much Smallville had changed since the Bakers returned. The conversation about Mrs. Baker's job at Luthor Corp had been short as Martha could tell Johnathan didn't appreciate that topic. And Mrs. Baker couldn't really talk about agriculture. When they tried to listen to the kids schooling, the topic of the Smallville Shooter had come up.

And Alicia's ability.

Mrs. Baker's smile had faltered when the conversation took this turn. She didn't seem to know what to say and seemed very uncomfortable with the topic.

"I suppose that's to be expected," Martha continued. "As much as I'd like to speak with someone about the trials of raising a super-powered toddler, the first time sharing that truth would be hard. All of this must be hard for her. Learning about the others. And then, having to worry about your child being shot."

Martha was lucky she didn't have to worry about Clark being taken down by a bullet or being hit by a car. But lately, his powers had been failing. It was difficult to say if they would return to normal or disappear for good. Clark had mentioned his theory of his glitches being related to the solar flare. Only time would tell if he was correct.

Johnathan only grunted. Without asking, Martha could tell her husband was hesitant to sharing Clark's secret with anyone. And if Clark got more serious with Alicia, that's just what might happen. She continued, "I think Alicia's been good for Clark. He hasn't really made friends who've had powers."

"At least we can be thankful he's not on that list."

"Yes," Martha agreed. "There is that."

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Clark and Alicia sat on the bench on the porch with cups of hot chocolate.

"So, I've been thinking about your powers." Alicia said, sliding closer.

"Oh?"

"The glitches you have. Your powers either disappear or enhance what you already have, like going too fast or uncontrollable heat blasts. That makes me wonder how you were able to see straight into space that one time. Your eyes can do something else besides shoot flames, can't they?"

Clark delayed responding by sipping his drink. At this point, Clark didn't know why he bothered trying to keep that power hidden. Or his true heritage.

"Yeah," Clark confessed.

"I knew it!" Alicia said excitedly. "What is it? What is it?"

"I can see through things."

"Are you serious? Like…how?"

"Most of the time it looks like an Xray. If I concentrate harder I can see the actual image on the other side of something."

"Clark, why aren't you more excited? You just said that like it's the most boring thing in the world. Do you not realize how amazing you are?" Alicia passed her fingers through Clark's hair.

"I guess it's just normal for me."

"Care to demonstrate?"

"Sure." Clark turned his head to give Alicia time to hide something in her hand or pocket. But Alicia had other ideas as she put her finger under Clark's chin and guided his line of sight back to her.

"What color underwear am I wearing?"

"Uh…" Clark immediately felt his face blush. Alicia bit her lip and giggled as she got in Clark's lap so they were face to face.

"It's okay, boy scout." Alicia moved Clark's hands so they were now on her waist. "You have my permission."

Alicia leaned back to give Clark a better view. Thankfully, a small strip of her bra strap was plainly visible.

Clark gulped. "Pink."

"Close enough." Alicia rewarded Clark with a peck on his rigid lips. She leaned in closer and whispered in his ear, "Fuchsia."

Alicia proceeded to nibble his ear and suck on his neck. Clark was about to protest as they were next to an uncovered window and her mother was inside. He became distracted as a small red light flashed into his eye. Clark turned his attention to the tree by the side of the house. Near the top, up in the branches was Van. He wore dark camo and had painted his face matching colors now that his mask was destroyed. Clark's super sensitive ears picked up on the click.

Clark went into superspeed mode. He picked up Alicia and twisted his body, bringing them down to the porch.

"Get inside!" Clark shouted as he felt a trio of bullets pound into his back. Alicia disappeared and Clark ran to the tree. Clark leapt up and grabbed Van's boot, pulling him to to the ground. Van's bag opened and his calling card, a meteor rock labeled "Freak" spilled out causing Clark to retreat back.

"You…" Van backed away on all fours, "you're one of them! You're a freak!"

Clark assessed how he could get closer to Van without going near the meteor rocks. Van meanwhile pulled out a pistol and expertly fired at Clark's heart. The bullet ricocheted off and Van's eyes only grew wider.

"What in the name of David Copperfield!" The voice of Sherriff Adams barked.

Alicia hadn't gone inside the house, but must have gone to the sheriff's office instead, bringing Adams to the scene. The sheriff seemed shaken after her first teleportation ride. After taking in Van's appearance and the arsenal surrounding him, she pulled out her own gun.

"Van McNulty, put the gun down!"

Clark went over to stand in front of Alicia. Van had gotten to his knees with his hands raised.

"Okay. I'm cooperating."

"Slide it over to me."

"I got something else in my sleeve, sheriff." Van slid the pistol across the ground. "I'm going to take it out, okay?"

"Slowly!"

Van pulled out a thin, metallic cylinder. He acted as if he was going to slide it over like the pistol, but an ear splitting noise filled the night air. Clark, Alicia, and Sherriff Adams fell to their knees from the pain it inflicted. Through blurry eyes Clark saw Van grab the bag and run. Sherriff Adams managed to shoot a few rounds in his direction, but she missed. Clark got closer to the device; it seemed similiar as the one Van had used before. Clark pressed the button at the top to turn the noise off.

"What is going on?" Mrs. Baker rushed over to join them.

"That's what I want to know. All of you inside," Sherriff Adams barked. She then got on her radio to call for backup.

"That was some quick thinking," Clark praised Alicia.

"Let's get him!"

"No!" Clark pulled Alicia close. "No. It's too dangerous."

"Clark…"

"Please." Clark kissed her forehead. "I just got you back. So, not tonight. We'll get him tomorrow."

At Luthor Corp…

It was over. It was all over.

Lionel glanced over his choice of music and decided on Les Pecheurs de Perles. It was one of the first operas Lionel had seen. Pearl divers scared of the mysteries of the sea, making them turn to both the mystical and practical. Lionel could relate at doing everything, even the unconventional, in order to achieve one's goals.

That's how Lionel had lived his life. To overcome the odds, Lionel had used everything at his disposal, creating an empire. Even now, Lionel had left no stone unturned and found the miraculous to try and achieve his goal of reversing death. Now, only a few drops of the precious liquid were left. Dr. Teng was under orders to start fresh and create a serum that revitalized both body and mind. But that took years and Lionel wanted it done in weeks. Dr. Garner was no closer to revitalizing the brain tissue. Cyrus Krupp's body had been found cremated due to the improper handling of paperwork. Alicia Baker couldn't uncover any more metas with healing abilities, and Chloe Sullivan had just proven Clark Kent was just a normal farm boy. The Kawatche caves were a dead end. His team hadn't discovered more artifacts. Not to mention the octagonal key was still missing.

In the end, everything Lionel had accomplished, all that he had done, it hadn't been enough.

Lionel toasted the life he led and took a final swallow of scotch. No one had overcome as many trials as he had. Or had come as far. Months remained, maybe a year if he was lucky, before Lionel would be reduced to an invalid. Doctors had explained what Lionel could expect. There would be pain; loss of mobility. Lionel refused to have his life's story end with him confined to a bed as Lex laughed at his failing body. And then, he would simply take everything Lionel had built.

A special box was waiting for Lionel on the coffee table. He opened it to pull out a pistol he kept for emergencies. The weight in his hand as he lifted the gun was reassuring. With a thought, Lionel could point the gun whichever way he wanted. And right now, he wanted to point it at his head.

Lionel Luthor was still in control.

Ah! I have to take another break to catch up. We are getting to the climax of the Smallville Shooter story arch, and somehow I can't keep up. It will get finished; I have my outline completed. I just need to catch up.