Emotional Detachment

[4EverSmallville]

Spoilers: Through Season Three, Lana never came back from Paris.

Setting: 2016

Rating: PG 13 for mild language

Disclaimers: I own a character here and there, but nothing to boast about.

A/N: Clark hasn’t yet assumed the role of Superman & Clana doesn’t begin until the end of the Prologue. The Prologue is just to give a background on the story, it’s pretty much Clana from there. This is a Work in Progress.

Summary: Ace reporter, Clark Kent, is given a career making assignment, involving going undercover protecting the loved one of a familiar stranger. Can Clark solve the mystery around this family and still remain emotionally uninvolved?

Emotional Detachment ~ Prologue

~Metropolis 2016~

Cars flooded the streets of Metropolis, drivers honked madly as the stagnate traffic progressed a few inches every five minutes, pedestrians swore angrily at the motorists who dared creep into the crosswalks, and cyclists wended their way through the onslaught of edgy individuals, each trying to get to their own destination on time.

Taxis were useless in this part of town, unfortunately, so was every other possible mode of transportation. In downtown Metropolis, rush hour was every hour and every hour was a rush.

Life never stopped in the city, not even for the summer. There was always someone walking, someone driving, someone gossiping, someone arguing, someone buying, someone selling, someone for every daily activity to be carried out. The main populace of Metropolis was concerned with only themselves while the select few who were paid to protect and to serve were selfless on the clock but oblivious at any other hour.

***
The Daily Planet was no exception to the always in motion theory of Metropolitan natural law. Deliveries were constantly being made, articles cluttered cubicles, phones rang incessantly, computer keys clicked away, nothing ever stood still in this office, if it did, the culprit would find themselves immediately unemployed, Perry White would see to that.

Damn that Kent, Lois Lane thought enviously as she read the cover article for that morning’s edition. ‘High and Mighty - Rich, powerful, and upstanding citizen arrested in million dollar drug traffic bust, by Clark Kent’

Lois glared at Clark’s grinning mug shot next to his career-making article and beneath his clever pun of a title. This is the kind of article that gets recognition.

Seething, Lois wondered why it wasn’t her to get the great story. She was there, too. Yet somehow, he was closer. Why was that?

Lois jabbed at the power button on her computer, deciding that she would break the next big story, and it would be her picture next to the byline.

As her computer booted up, Lois let out a gasp. Her usual desktop, a collage of pictures of mostly herself and her cousin, had been replaced with an enlarged article that had never been to print. The title read: KENT BEATS LANE TO SCOOP, by Clark Kent.

Lois scowled furiously as she began reading the contents of the ludicrous article. ‘Lois Lane, incompetent investigative journalist and inadequate speller, has been beaten to the career highlighting drug traffic story by junior staff member, Clark Kent.’ Incompetent and inadequate?! Lois had just begun plotting the most covert of methods to sabotage Clark’s heightened ego when the perpetrator himself entered the bustling office.

“Hey Clark, great article!”

“Way to go Kent!”

“Nice one man!”

Uncharacteristic though it was for her co-workers to stop their busy tasks, the office seemed to come to a standstill as Clark Kent made his way through the crowd, smiling shyly.

“What’s all this noise?” came a booming voice. Perry White, a short, balding man, stepped out of his corner office to detect the source of the raucous and chew them out for it. His eyes fell on Clark, who was just as resolutely looking the opposite way, face slightly flushed from embarrassment.

“Since when do we applaud people for coming in late?” Perry snapped, glancing at the clock. “I’m docking your pay for that, Kent, don’t let it happen again.”

With that he retreated back into his isolated office, slamming the door loudly behind him. As soon as the walls stopped reverberating the sounds of Perry’s closed door, the office roared again, complimenting Clark on his job well done.

No one, of course, took Perry’s empty threat seriously, Clark was late everyday, and everyday Perry admonished him with the same words, yet Clark still seemed to afford his lavish penthouse apartment.

When Clark finally reached his desk, he greeted his partner and desk-neighbor, with a boastful grin, that all but said, “Na-na-na-na-na!”

“Why is it that you are so modest and humble with everyone else, but with me you’re this crazed egomaniac?” Lois inquired, turning her monitor so Clark could see her renovated desktop.

Clark’s smile widened as he saw his own work displayed on her screen. He lowered his voice slightly and gave her a cocky wink. “Everyone in here knows that I’m a good reporter, but you deny it perennially. Why is that ?”

Lois rolled her eyes and returned her gaze to her own screen, attempting to undo Clark’s little project. “You are not that good of a reporter.”

“I guess that’s a bit easier to say when you don’t get…fan mail,” Clark gestured at a pile of letters stacked neatly on the corner of his otherwise disorderly desk.

Lois turned in disbelief as Clark plucked a letter from atop the pile and proceeded to open it. He cleared his throat and read aloud,

“Mr. Kent, I think you are the coolest. When I grow up, I want to be just like you.”

Lois let out an exasperated sigh, whomever wrote that couldn’t have even read his latest article when they mailed it.

“Mr. Kent,” Clark continued, opening a second letter after he’d propped the last up for Lois to clearly see, “Your work is really impressive. You’re one of the best reporters in Metropolis - aw - and you’re one of the hottest guys too.”

“Oh, God,” Lois muttered aloud as Clark bit his lip, pretending to be touched.

“It’s letters like these that really keep me going, Lo’,” Clark said with mock sincerity, covering his heart with the sheet of paper in his hand.

Lois grabbed a particularly thick folder from her desk and whacked Clark in the shoulder with it. He chuckled as she tossed it angrily back onto her desk. She hated when he was conceited, and she truly despised when he had the audacity to call her ‘Lo’. She shuddered at the thought.

“Kent!” a yell quaked through the office, halting the light conversations and leaving a heavy silence.

“Perry,” Clark said quietly, steeling himself up for his next chastising lecture.

“What the hell did you do?” Lois asked, clicking furiously at her mouse. She couldn’t change her desktop back to it’s original state.

Clark gave her a half smile as he took the few strides to Perry’s office, head low like he was walking to the gallows.

***
Clark knocked cautiously on the door, loud enough to be heard, but quiet enough so as to avoid being pestilential.

When Perry didn’t respond, Clark opened the door slowly and poked his head inside. “Sir?”

Perry looked up from a fax he’d been reading and waved Clark inside. “C’min, c’min,” his words were oddly distorted as a cigar hung limply from his mouth.

“You-uh, wanted to see me, sir?” Clark said, as he closed the door.

“Yeah, yeah,” Perry affirmed, removing the Cuban from his lips and setting it in his ceramic tray. “Yeah, you feeling pretty good about yourself, right now, aren’t you Kent?”

Clark shifted uncomfortably. As much as he pretended around Lois, he truly preferred living out of the limelight. “Not really, sir, not -uh-no more than usual.”

“Well you should be!” Perry barked, causing Clark to jump slightly. “Hell of an article you wrote, I’ve been getting calls about you all morning.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. Have some confidence, Kent!” Perry handed him the fax he’d been reading when Clark had entered. “I got this a few minutes ago.”

Clark glimpsed the logo in the header and frowned. “Metropolis PD?”

Perry, once again absorbed in his cigar, gestured for Clark to read the memo.

“They want me to help with some kind of investigation?” Clark said aloud as he finished the document. “Why do they want me?”

“Because, Kent!” Perry shouted, clearly tired of Clark’s low self-esteem. “You can get to the bottom of things. You’re on the ball. No matter how bumbling you are off the clock, when you have an assignment, you get things done.”

“But sir, this sounds more like detective work than-”

“Are you aware that detective is a synonym for investigator?”

“Uh-yes, sir, but-”

“And are you an investigative reporter?”

“Yeah, but-”

“Then it is in your job description to take this case, Kent. I shouldn’t have to tell you to accept this job, it’s an honor. With journalism, you have to find the story. With this, they’re giving it to you, you just have to follow the bread crumbs. What do you say, Kent?”

“Uh-”

“Remember, Kent,” Perry lectured. “Confidence.”

Clark nodded, his grip tightening slightly on the memo. Confidence . “Yeah, yes. Yes, sir, I’ll do it.”

“That’s my boy.”

***

The detectives’ office in the police department was hardly any less busy than the Planet or the streets outside. People were constantly walking back and forth, paying no attention to the conference room where Pandora’s box was about to be opened.

Clark sat quietly in his seat at the only table in the room. His arms crossed in an impatient fashion, Clark’s blue-green eyes took in his sordid surroundings. Some honor.

The cool air conditioning would have been relieving after the hot, sticky weather outside, but Clark, being impervious to temperature, was perfectly comfortable. His windswept hair sat messily on his head and his black sunglasses were sitting on the cool metal table which wouldn’t look out of place in an operating room.

Two detectives were also stationed at the rectangular table with him, one on either side. Simpson, a wizened, bespectacled man who seemed to inhale every breath as his last. And James, a gorgeous, but stern-looking blonde, whose first name Clark desperately wanted to learn.

They were apparently waiting on a third party, something Clark realized when a man slightly older than him came in with a large cardboard box. He rested his package on the table as the door closed behind him, his short brown hair matted slightly, despite the air conditioning.

“Clark Kent?”

Clark stood at his name and offered his hand.

“Scott, Scott Matthews,” the man said, accepting Clark’s hand. “These are Detectives James and Simpson.”

Detective Simpson gave Clark a warm smile; Detective James only gave him a curt nod. Ouch.

“Have a seat, Mr. Kent,” Scott instructed, “have you been briefed on your assignment?”

“Clark, please, and, uh- no.”

Scott removed a folder from his box and slid it across the table at Clark, who stopped it with his hand.
“Read quickly,” he ordered, suddenly businesslike. “These two will answer any of your questions.”

He left the room before Clark could get another word in, leaving his large box behind.

Clark sighed, opening the folder.

The first thing he saw was a picture of himself, along with a detailed biography. He immediately noticed that the biography had nothing to do with his own life.

“What’s this?”

“Your new identity,” Simpson replied.

Clark picked out a Kansas State license and read aloud, “Tom Johnson? Do I really look like a Tom to you guys?”

When Clark realized that they were going to ignore his question, he ruffled through the folder.

“You will need to familiarize yourself with the contents of that folder. From this point on, Clark Kent ceases to exist,” James’ said.

Thanks, Perry.

“We will need you to empty your pockets and give us all of the personal items you have on your person. Keys, wallet, identification, press pass-”

“Why?”

“Because there needs to be no evidence that you are Clark Kent,” James’ answered in a strained voice as though she was explaining something simple to a very ignorant child.

“And so my picture everyday in the Planet is really going to make that conceivable?”

“You will no longer work for the Planet while you are on this case, you-”

“What?” Clark couldn’t allow that. He’d worked so hard to get where he was, the highlight of his career. As much as he liked to help others, he still had his own responsibilities.

“Calm down, Mr. Kent.” Simpson had spoken for the first time, and Clark noted just how soothing his voice was. “Maybe you should learn the details of your assignment, before you make any decisions.”

“Okay,” Clark agreed, his breaths slightly irregular.

“Have you ever heard of Teague Enterprises?”

Clark shook his head, no.

“Well the owner of the company, Jason Teague, has enlisted Metropolis PD to protect his son; he feels he’s in danger.”

“And that’s where this Tom guy comes in?” Clark offered.

“Yes,” Simpson nodded sagely. “We have provided Mr. Teague with Tom Johnson to protect his son.”

“Okay,” Clark said, glad that this plan was starting to make some sense. “But why me, then? Why not find some real Tom Johnson to protect his son?”

“Because,” James interrupted. “You do know that Lexcorp has recently excavated all of the meteor rocks from Smallville, right?”

“I do,” Clark answered shortly.

“Teague Enterprises is looking to purchase the entire stock of meteor rocks for unknown purposes.”

“Why do I get the feeling the purposes aren’t all that unknown?”

James quirked an eyebrow, clearly surprised at how quickly Clark drew conclusions. “Certain sources have revealed to us that Teague intends to use the meteor rocks for illegal human research.”

“Sources?”

“Lexcorp.”

“No,” Clark said, standing up.

“No what?” James asked, perplexed.

“If you guys have some kind of alliance with Lex Luthor,” Clark retorted, “I’m not interested.”

“You will have no direct contact with Lex Luthor,” James explained. “He is only assisting Metropolis PD in bringing down Teague.”

“Of course he is,” Clark spat, making his way to the door. He couldn’t believe he’d been suckered this far into their little scheme.

“We know about your past with Mr. Luthor, Clark,” Simpson said wisely as Clark reached for the door. “You were chosen because we knew you could remain objective and not be intimidated by Lex Luthor. We need someone who can remain emotionally uninvolved.”

Clark considered Simpson’s words as his hand rested on the doorknob.

Sensing Clark’s hesitancy, Simpson continued. “As Tom Johnson, you will have the inside scoop to Teague’s life. You will be able to find out what his intentions are as it pertains to the meteor rocks. You will be in close contact with his son at all times. You will need to remain emotionally detached…And if you do find out what Teague is up to, you will expose him, putting him in prison and putting your journalistic talents on the global map.”

Fighting crime, protecting the innocent, exposing the truth…isn’t that what he’d devoted his life to? And who was he to complain if there was a little self promotion to be had?

“Okay,” Clark said turning around. “Yeah, count me in.”

***
After reviewing the contents of the folder, relinquishing all of his personal items, and completing a brief, mandatory, but unnecessary lesson in self defense. Clark met his assignment.

He entered an office where Scott sat tiredly behind a desk before three chairs. A man and woman sat in two of them, while the third was unoccupied.

“Here he is,” Scott said, smiling grimly at Clark. “Jason Teague, Tom Johnson.”

The man in the chair stood and approached Clark. He was slightly shorter than Clark with neatly trimmed blonde hair. He stuck out his hand.

Clark shook it firmly, but his attention was diverted as the woman in the second chair turned around. Her eyes widened as she saw the man her husband was now greeting.

Clark’s face fell when he recognized the beauty who had risen from her chair to face them. Neither of them could put words together, but Clark’s mind was buzzing.

Lana???

***
A/N: That was the prologue, just to give background on Clark’s life up until that point. Let me know if you’d like to continue.

_______________________________________________

I'm putting the index here so everyone doesn't have to struggle through pages to find the last update. Thanks for reading.

Index to Emotional Detachment


Prologue & Chapter I - Reunion (http://kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=38536&perpage=15&pagenumber=1)

Chapter II - Ponderings (http://kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=38536&perpage=15&pagenumber=2)

Chapter III - Tactics (http://kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=38536&perpage=15&pagenumber=3)

Chapter IV - Confrontation (http://kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=38536&perpage=15&pagenumber=5)

Chapter V - Conflict (http://kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=38536&perpage=15&pagenumber=7)

Chapter VI - Disclosure (http://kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=38536&perpage=15&pagenumber=8)

Chapter VII - Cordial (http://kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=38536&perpage=15&pagenumber=9)

Chapter VIII - Busy (http://kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=38536&perpage=15&pagenumber=11)

Chapter IX - Insomnia (http://kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=38536&perpage=15&pagenumber=12)

Chapter X - Uncover (http://kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=38536&perpage=15&pagenumber=13)

Chapter XI - Mystery & Chapter XII Mystery II (http://kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=38536&perpage=15&pagenumber=15)

Chapter XIII - Unveiled (http://kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=38536&perpage=15&pagenumber=18)

Chapter XIV - Temptation (http://kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=38536&perpage=15&pagenumber=19)

Chapter XV - Alliance (http://kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=38536&perpage=15&pagenumber=23)

Chapter XVI - Nightmare (http://kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=38536&perpage=15&pagenumber=41)

Chapter XVII - Heedless (http://www.kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=38536&perpage=15&pagenumber=80)

Chapter XVIII - Passion (http://www.kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=38536&perpage=15&pagenumber=84)
_______________________________________________

[SmallvilleMan]

please continue!

[lastson15]

please keep it going :D

[Rain88]

WOW this is great keep going.

[Mythos]

Great stuff! This reads away beautifully! Good intro as well! :D The lead-up to Lana definitely gives it an "I wanna read more" !

:D

[Kal-El & Me]

This is really good. I like how you can include all these different characters like Lois and jason and I love the Tom twist. LOL.
Please continue ASAP.

[kewl]

great start, i'm so intrigued!!! please keep going and post soon :)

[ajfinn]

This is going to be great!! What an awesome idea!

[SmallvilleMan]

update please, i need one before i leave for the week.

[Meg101]

Awsome you had better continue!

[4EverSmallville]

Thanks for the replies everyone. SmallvilleMan, when are you leaving?

[SmallvilleMan]

Tomorrow morning, be gone for the week.

[4EverSmallville]

Emotional Detachment ~ Chapter I ~ Reunion

“I’m sorry, do you two know each other?” Jason asked, gazing from his wife to Clark then back again.

Lana was speechless but her mind was reeling with thoughts and questions. She’d been against this whole ‘body guard’ idea from the start, convinced that she, alone, could provide the protection her son needed. But Jason had insisted on hiring a professional, preached on about how she couldn’t keep her eye on him every waking moment, and actually yelled at her for disagreeing with him. Lana had adamantly protested recruiting some stranger to do a mother’s natural job, but Jason finally won out, arguing that she could use the break from work and parenting.

Lana had grown up without proper parenting; she would have killed to have a parent look after her the way she did her son. She wanted to be there to wipe his tears, to see him laugh, to stick his As on the refrigerator because she knew how much she wanted that as a child. She’d be damned if Sean didn’t have everything she didn’t have. But she most certainly didn’t have a body guard to shadow her around everywhere…Clark Kent?

Clark was like her body guard back then; whenever she found herself in trouble, which was sadly more often than not, he was always there to save the day, always. And now he’s going to do the same thing for Sean? And who the hell is Tom Johnson?

“Uh,” Clark stuttered, trying to recover. Five minutes into the assignment and he’d already fumbled with his façade. But how could he not?

Twelve years. Twelve years he had gone without seeing her angelic face, taking in her smooth curves, losing himself in her hazel eyes. Of course, he had many a night where he lay awake wondering what it’d be like to meet her again, but never, never had he imagined it to be anything like this.

How could he go through with this assignment? From her stunned appearance Clark knew she had recognized him. He chanced a glance at Scott who seemed to be waiting for Clark to come up with an answer. Answer? Clark thought, reading Scott’s expression. Has someone asked me a question?

Clark redirected his gaze back to Jason, trying valiantly to avoid Lana’s penetrating glare. “I’ve seen her pictures in magazines,” Clark answered, which wasn’t completely false. Lois had pillaged the local newsstand of every fashion magazine that had ever been put to print. It was not uncommon to find that one occasionally managed to find it’s way onto his desk. “Fashion, right?”

Lana, having been struck temporarily mute, did not respond. It was of no importance since Jason took the liberty of speaking for her, clearly eager to boast about his successful wife. He extended his arm and she strolled awkwardly to him, her heels piercing the silence, never taking her eyes off of the familiar stranger adorning the door frame.

“Yeah,” Jason beamed, pulling his wife closely. “Tom, I’d like you to meet my wife, Lana Lang Teague, top model and CEO in LL Fashions.”

“Nice to meet you,” Clark said, shaking her limp hand, hoping he didn't look as numb as he felt.

It was difficult for Clark to describe the tumult of emotions that seemed to scream out at him from Lana’s eyes, although he clearly recognized anger and confusion. Is it too late to back out of this?

“Tom here is one of our best men,” Scott interjected, patting Clark on the shoulder fondly like they’d been friends since the sandbox rather than strangers up until a few hours ago. Clark cast a glowering look at Scott which he inwardly prayed conveyed his complete and total displeasure with this assignment. Nowhere had the name ‘Lang’ been present in that portfolio, otherwise Clark would have turned it down instantly. How do they expect me to go on with this if she already knows my name is not Tom Johnson? What have I gotten myself into?

Noting Clark’s scalding glare, Scott diverted his attention to the couple and asked them to reclaim their seats.

“Tom, why don’t you have a seat here,” Scott indicated the vacant chair beside Lana as he took his own. As serious as the situation was, Clark chuckled to himself. His old friend Pete had always had a rule of proximity. If Clark took that seat next to Lana, he got the feeling that he wouldn’t have to worry so much about impressing her as protecting himself, she had been staring daggers at him since he entered.

“I’ll stand,” Clark informed, folding his hands neatly behind his back.

“Please, Tom,” Scott said, with no hint of pleading in his voice. “This may be a long discussion. I insist, sit down.” It wasn’t a request, but an order, and as much as Clark wanted to defy this man who had given him a project straight out of Mission Impossible, he resigned to taking the seat next to Lana, sitting as close to the edge furthest from her as possible.

Lana noted his positioning in the adjacent chair and smiled slightly with satisfaction. She still had the power to make him uncomfortable. That will be useful later when I ask him what the hell is going on.

“Mr. and Mrs. Teague,” Scott addressed, ignoring Clark cringe slightly at the name, “I want to assure you that on behalf of the Metropolis Police Department, Mr. Johnson will do everything in his power to protect your son and I’m sure Tom can confirm that.”

The three of them looked to Clark who’s eyes had been preoccupied with surveying the office, the many bookshelves, the darkness outside the window, the file cabinets that lined the wall. He had forgotten that he was now living under a pseudonym, and was, thus, not aware when he had been called upon.

“Can’t you Tom,” Scott prompted, trying to hide his annoyance at Clark’s lack of attention.

“Of course,” Clark answered, not quite sure what he’d been agreeing to.

“So if someone tries to shoot my son, you’d take a bullet for him?” Jason questioned, shifting slightly to see Clark’s reaction.

Is that likely to happen? Clark wondered. He was impermeable to bullets, but that still didn’t mean he enjoyed being shot. What if someone tries to shoot this kid? Clark thought suddenly, realizing that by taking this job he may be risking is secret.

“I’ll do whatever it takes,” Clark heard himself say, not believing how confidently the words were flowing.

“He will, of course, be suited with a bullet proof vest, if the need arises,” Scott offered.

A bullet proof vest over a bullet proof chest. Clark tried to decide whether that was irony or just strange. He had dipped once again into his own thoughts and was, once again, not listening when he was addressed.

“Sorry?” Clark said, snapping out of his reverie. He had just been wondering how he’d landed himself in this mess, and was silently reproved by a visibly disgruntled Scott.

“Mr. Teague was just wondering how much experience you’ve had in this area,” Scott hissed, his brown eyes sparking.

“Plenty,” Clark answered. He began reciting things he’d seen in the folder, “I’ve been responsible for the well being of others in some confidential cases, but as of yet I have never openly been accountable for someone’s life.”

“Openly?” Jason asked.

“Yes, sir. I have been obligated to watch from afar and act when the subject is in danger.”

Clark glanced at Lana who had been watching him; both turned away when their gazes met.

“Any more questions, Mr. Teague?” Scott inquired.

“No, we really have to get going.”

“Going?” Clark asked.

“Chicago, where we live,” Jason laughed. “I bet you’re excited to see your new place.”

It took all Clark had not to storm out of the room in a fit of rage. Chicago! No one said anything about Chicago! Just like no one said anything about living with them, or Lana.

“Our son, Sean, is just outside, Tom,” Jason said standing, “I’m sure you’d like to meet him.”

“Yes, sir, of course,” Clark agreed also standing. “I’d just like to have a quick word, if you don’t mind, with Mr. Matthews.”

“Not at all,” Jason approached the door and waited for his wife. Clark took the opportunity to truly absorb Lana’s beauty as she walked gracefully to the door. Her boots echoed on the wooden floor as she made her way, her legs were wrapped snugly in designer jeans, most likely her own, and she was sporting a fashionable jacket that practically screamed unattainable.

She’s as beautiful as ever, Clark concluded as Lana turned around once more before she left. Her hazel eyes met Clark’s pensive blue and unbeknownst to him, she shuddered. How, after all these years, can he still do this to me?

Lana had grown up supremely since she’d left for Paris. Her style had matured, she was no longer the fairy princess on Time magazine but a fiery enchantress who inadvertently turned heads with every step.

She allowed herself one long look at Clark, noting all his similarities and differences to the Clark she knew in high school. He was a little bigger than she remembered, his voice a little deeper, his hair stood long on his head, wild and free like it was when she found him in Metropolis all those years ago…

As much as Lana resented Clark for that trying time in her life, it made her stronger. It instilled in her enough bravado to look him straight in those crystal, blue-green eyes twelve years later and not feel intimidated.

She had never been intimidated by Clark, but his eyes had yet to lose the extraordinary ability to draw her to them and entrance her. Lana was in danger of drifting away in the blue-green sea whirling around in those eyes.

“Lana,” Jason compelled, retrieving her from her thoughts. “We have to go.”

He wrapped an arm around her waist and Clark watched silently as he guided her out of the room, closing the door behind them.

As soon as the door shut, Clark wheeled around to face Scott, all thoughts of Lana’s beauty completely forgotten.

“You are not serious!” he hissed angrily, trying to keep his voice low enough to remain in the room, but loud enough to express his anger. “Lana Lang? Lana Lang?! If you guys looked so deeply into my past to know about Lex, then surely you know that I lived next door to her until high school!”

“Calm down,” Scott instructed, looking cautiously at the door.

“Calm down?!” Clark asked incredulously. “Don’t tell me to calm down, tell me what you were thinking when you conceived this insane little ploy!”

“Clark!” Scott whispered impatiently. “We did know that you knew Lana Lang-”

Clark opened his mouth to speak but Scott continued hurriedly.

“But! But, she has her reservations about her husband, she will not tell him who you truly are.”

“And you know this for certain?”

“Did you know that Lana Lang has filed for divorce twice against Jason Teague?”

“No…why’s she-”

“Because, Clark. He’s rich and he’s powerful. It’s difficult to get away from men like that. I’m sure if you two work together, however, you can stop Teague.”

This was all too much. Clark was shaking slightly with anger at the idea of Jason forcing Lana into their marriage and binding her to it. Then a different idea struck him. “What kind of an idiot is this Teague?” Clark asked disbelievingly. “Does he not know that you guys are after him? Why would he come to the police to look after his son?”

“Reverse psychology,” Scott answered simply. “He knows that we’d set up a job like this. And he probably suspects that you are there to investigate. He will allow you access to all parts of his home. He will not deter you from any investigation you care to pursue. He will leave no evidence of his wrongdoings for you to find, but he will allow you to search wherever you so desire.”

“So…why am I going if there is no evidence?”

“Lana. He does not suspect his wife to reveal his secrets. She has filed for divorce because she knows what he gets up to, the kind of business he does. She doesn’t want her son to be apart of that. All you have to do is persuade her to tell you what she knows.”

“What happened to being emotionally uninvolved?”

“That’s the challenge. You have to get close enough to find out what she knows, but you can not allow yourself to have feelings for her, you can have no attachment to this woman that will inhibit your discretions and prevent you from doing your job. When the time comes, you have to remain emotionally detached, with her and her son.”

Clark gaped at him. He had only been kidding when he thought this was a deleted scene from Mission Impossible. Clearly, clearly this man had not seen Lana Lang. How was it possible to remain detached?

“That’s impossible.”

“It is not, Clark. You can do this, and you can contact me, Simpson, and James whenever you need to.”

“What about my friends? Can I call home?”

“I’m sorry, you are not to remain in contact with anyone you know aside from Simpson, James, and myself.”

Clark made a mental note to demand a hefty pay raise when he returned to the Planet. “So when she asks me about this whole Tom thing, do I tell her the truth?”

Scott sighed, as though he’d been awaiting that question, but not wanting to answer it. “The decision is yours, Clark. She will ask you about it, and you will eventually have to tell her. My advice is to get closer to her son, become friends with him. Then once you’ve established a relationship with him, tell her the truth.”

Clark couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Lying to Lana and this poor kid. Pretending to be friends with him. “Does this kid even need a body guard?”

Scott shook his head. “Teague hired us to give him a body guard because he knew we’d send a detective. Once the detective gets the all clear, he’d be in good graces with the police. But you have to get through to his wife and his son. I know you can do it, Clark.”

Scott offered his hand to Clark, who merely stared at it. How am I going to pull this off without getting caught? Or without getting emotionally involved, for that matter?

Clark shook Scott’s hand reluctantly, feeling heavily burdened by the task he’d just agreed to.

Scott had seemed confident in Clark, but as Scott reached for the door, Clark questioned himself for the first time. Is twelve years enough time for me to put my feelings for Lana to rest? He was about to find out.

***
A/N: That was the first chapter. Let me know what you think.

P/S: Rushed edition for SmallvilleMan:) , maybe they'll come out of their daze next update and confront one another ;) .

[Meg101]

Wow, hook line sinker I am addicted. Keep it up please!

[SmallvilleMan]

thanks and i'll find out in a week.:(

[ajfinn]

This is so great!!!! I can't wait for more updates!

[kewl]

wow, what a really great story!!! u r awesome!!!! and i love this part " A bullet proof vest over a bullet proof chest. " lol: ppms!

[Kal-El & Me]

All I can say is THIS IS REALLY GREAT! PPMS!

[Rain88]

WOw this is getting better and better each update please keep going.

[NYC300Z]

Hey great start! This story looks promising!! How about another rushed edition? I'm leaving for Virgina Beach tonight at midnight!!

oh well don't worry about it I wont be gone for that long!!

[binkys711]

WOW!!!THIS STORY IS AMAZING!!! GREAT START THIS IS GONNA GET REALLY INTERESTING!!! PPMS!!!

[ajfinn]

I really hope you post a few times before I get back. I'm so excited to read all of this story!!

[Ketchup]

Damn... I mean DAMN! This promises to be the best fan fic Ive read on this site so far. Keep it up!!!

[4EverSmallville]

Emotional Detachment ~ Chapter II ~ Ponderings

“So what do you think of him?”

Midnight. Actually, twelve thirty-four, central standard time. Lana had spent the plane ride home on the couch with her son dozing peacefully in her lap, watching disinterestedly as her husband of eleven years made casual conversation with her childhood sweetheart.

They had arrived at their luxurious home, rather modest for a family of their wealth and status, but still quite impressive. As soon as they crossed the threshold, Lana had laid her son to rest in his room before retreating into her own, leaving Jason to escort Clark to the guest bedroom.

Evidently they had shared a few words before bidding each other good night, because Jason had just finished giving Lana the tedious details of their conversation.

Lana had been soaking pleasantly in a tub full of warm, sudsy water, trying vainly to make sense of the entire situation. Her husband was doing nothing but distracting her with his constant comments on how great ‘Tom’ was. Of course he’s great , Lana thought glumly while trying to smile supportively. He’s Clark.

Jason sat on the edge of the tub, chatting away, while Lana allotted him an occasional nod; just enough to make him think she was listening, but still allowing herself room to think.

Should I even confront him about this? What am I thinking, of course I should. What’s he doing here? Is he really here to protect Sean-

“-and then he told me that he’s been on his own since he was eighteen. Both his parents died at the end of his senior year.”

How long does he intend on staying? Did he change his name? Where did Tom Johnson come-The Kents are dead?!

“What?” Lana disbelievingly asked. Jason was slightly surprised at Lana’s suddenly heightened interest in their conversation, but thought little of it.

“Yes,” he affirmed. “His father died of heart failure and his mother past away shortly after out of grief. Ever since then he’s had to look after himself.”

“Oh my god…” Lana said more to herself than her husband.

“Tell me about it,” Jason agreed. Silence engulfed them for several seconds as the soothing bubbles that had once enveloped Lana began to thin out.

“Hey, you still haven’t told me what you thought of him,” Jason prompted, attempting to strike up another one-sided conversation.

After a moment’s hesitation, she answered honestly, “I really don’t know what to think.”

Jason nodded. “That’s why I told him you and Sean would take him shopping tomorrow, show him around the city.”

“What?” Lana inquired. She had the next few weeks off from work and she’d preconceived the plan to spend more time with her son. Under her husband’s influence, she’d requested a break from working to relax, not to be Clark Kent’s personal tour guide. Unbelievable, she thought. All these years and he still had the power to greatly impact her life.

“Yeah, I figured it would be a good opportunity for you three to get to know each other,” elaborated Jason. “But I have to get some sleep, early flight tomorrow.”

“Where are you going?”

“Business trip.”

“How long?”

“About three weeks, if all goes well. Night sweetheart.”

Jason gave Lana a quick kiss then left her alone in the bathroom to marinate with her thoughts in an almost crystal-clear bath. Three weeks? Damn him. Three weeks alone with Clark? Damn them both.

***
Lana, even though it’s gonna be hard to see you go, I want to be there for you.

Clark if you have something to say to me, say it before I’m gone.

I just wanted to tell you…have a great time in Paris. I hope you find what you’re looking for.

You never have to apologize for opening up to me.

I think I have to stay away from you.

What I don’t understand is you’re willing to walk into bullets for me, but you won’t share what’s going on inside. Clark, if you don’t open up to the people that love you, you’ll always be alone. I can’t believe you want to spend your life like that.

I tried so hard to be the right guy for you. But I’m not. This will never work.
Clark you never had to try.

Your parents love you…I love you.

Your parents need you…I need you. I love you, Clark…

Lana’s eyes snapped open as she let out a gasp. She hadn’t had a dream like that since she was a teenager and she could only guess that it coincided with the unexpected return of Clark Kent.

Irritated, Lana rolled over, hoping to find the comfort of her husband’s warm body, but encountered nothing but lukewarm sheets and a small piece of paper.

In the darkness, Lana squinted to read:

The flight takes off at six and I need to be there two hours early. Take care of Sean and please try to be nice to Tom. Give him a tour of the house, too.
Love,
Jason

She crumpled the letter and tossed it over the side of the bed, not caring where it landed. Jason’s side of the bed was still very warm, she noted, he couldn’t have left too long ago. Lana glanced at the clock, three twenty-eight.

Knowing that going back to sleep was completely out of the question, she struggled out of bed and exited the room. Although she knew coffee would do nothing to pacify her nerves and grant her the slumber she longingly craved for, it was habitual for her to awaken and have a cup, no matter what the hour.

***
Clark had been lying awake, waiting for Jason's departure. Using his x-ray vision, Clark saw him creep silently past his door and out of the house.

Sleep having not been an option, Clark had taken his own virtual tour through the house with his x-ray vision and located a room on the first floor that piqued his curiosity. He intended on doing this job quickly, and despite Scott's advice, he intended on doing it without Lana.

***
The kitchen was only a few paces away when Lana heard the distinct whirring of a computer. Jason had already left and she knew Sean was fast asleep as she'd checked on her way downstairs. This left only one possible offender, Tom Johnson, the bodyguard, formerly known as Clark Kent.

***
Clark was unsure what he was staring at. The mixture of letters and numbers on the screen was just as bewildering as the documents in the cabinets he'd already rifled through.

The room was very secure, no windows, one door. Cabinets and compartments full of business reports lined the walls, there was one desk in the center of the room with a computer propped up. This was clearly a room for Jason's work, but there seemed to be no incriminating evidence in sight. How did Scott know?

"Finding anything interesting?"

Clark looked up suddenly to see Lana Lang Teague in the doorframe. Dressed in only matching blue shorts and a tank top, Clark knew she had just awoken.

He minimized the spreadsheet he'd been reading and gazed intently at Lana, momentarily mesmerized by her beauty. "Glad to hear you speaking," he said conversationally, while avoiding her eyes. "I was beginning to think you couldn't talk."

Lana nodded and advanced into the room, taking note of Clark's eyes, which had been focusing on a point over her shoulder and beyond before returning to the screen upon her movement. "Well, it has been twelve years. You might have forgotten what I sound like."

Clark gulped, trying to maintain his cover. His voice cracked slightly as he asked, "Twelve years?"

Lana, however, ignored him and came around the side of the desk. She was so close to him, and both of them were well aware. How easy it would be for him to reach out and touch her...

Clark averted his eyes from her altogether. I don't have feelings for Lana , he told himself sternly. He was not going to make it this easy for her to see through his visage.

"What are you doing?" she asked seriously, sitting down on the edge of the desk. Her shorts rode up slightly revealing her smooth thighs; Clark's eyes began to burn.

He cleared his throat and opened a different window on the screen. "I couldn't sleep. I came down here to check my mail."

I see some things never change , Lana thought as she smirked at Clark's lie. "That's not what I mean, Clark."

"Clark?" he repeated dryly.

"Did you really think I wasn't going to recognize you?"

"Uh-"

"So what are you really doing?" Lana was winning, that much was certain. Clark was quivering under her gaze and he was obviously struggling with his answers. To her surprise however, Clark spoke firmly.

"You must have me mistaken. We've never met. My name is Tom, your husband hired me to protect your son. And I'm just down here checking my e-mail."

Lana looked over Clark skeptically. He really must think I'm an idiot. But I'll play along...for now.

"Hm," was all she said as she lifted herself off the desk and proceeded back to the door. She turned when she reached it. "Make sure you're ready by nine tomorrow."

"Why so early?” Clark asked, trying to keep his voice level, his confidence in this plan waning with every syllable.

"You're going to be spending a lot of time with my son and I, Tom," Lana said from the doorway, emphasizing his false name. "I just want to get to know who you really are."

Clark gulped as she exited with a triumphant grin. Tomorrow, she decided as she climbed the stairs again, her thoughts of coffee completely vanquished. Tomorrow, I'm going to get him to open up.

***
I never got a chance to tell you how beautiful you looked tonight.

But what I realized is, there are no words for it. And when you have it you trust it, and you believe in it. Take a chance on it. And you’re willing to sacrifice anything to keep it no matter what the cost.

And what happens down the road if…things don’t work out. Will our friendship survive that?

She’s standing right here in front of me.

Maybe some of us want to celebrate the day you came into our lives.

Maybe it’s me that needs to start believing in you.

This might sound silly... but I have this fear that-- that one day you'll finally get a good look at me and... I'm going to disappoint you. That you'll see that I'm not as strong or as good as you think I am. And I'm afraid that it'll change the way you feel about me.
Nothing could ever do that.

It was really hard seeing you sick…I guess that’s my way of saying you mean a lot to me, Clark.

"I want to let you in on a secret, Clark. I'm not who you think I am. In fact, my disguise is so thin I'm surprised you haven't seen right through me. I'm the girl of your dreams masquerading as your best friend."

You are the one good, constant thing in my life and I don't want to lose you too.

Or what, you’re going to kidnap me too?

Lana…I really am sorry.
I know you are. It’s not enough anymore.

I’ve had feelings for you for a long time. And I know you’ve had feelings for me too.

Still, you have to admit it’s romantic.
Well, Lex makes it look easy.
Maybe it is. Lex learned to act on his passion…never hold anything back. I wonder if we’ll ever be able to do the same.

Having a relationship that’s built on secrets and lies is doomed to fail. Don’t you think so, Clark?
Absolutely.

Just remember…you can’t hide out here forever…

Lana bolted upright, her breathing ragged and uneven. She bit her lip as she felt silent tears rolling down her cheeks.

She hadn’t woken in tears since high school. She was stronger than this and despite her tears she trembled with untold anger. Why, why does he effect me this way?

Lana reflected sadly on her nightmare as she laid back down. Blinking back more tears, she thought of the happy memories that had haunted her. It surprised her at how much those memories hurt her, but it just emphasized in her mind how much he had hurt her. But hadn’t he given her some, most of the best times of her life? Hadn’t he always been there when she needed him?

She buried her tear-stained face into her delicate linens, trying to sort out her emotions. No matter how much she tried to mentally and emotionally blacklist Clark, heart warming images of them together flooded into her mind. Damn him, she thought sadly, remembering their first true kiss.

Even at his matured age, Clark still broke through Lana’s protective barrier, right through to her soul. She couldn’t shield him from her heart then, and she sure as hell wasn’t doing a decent job now.

Enough with this, Lana wiped furiously at her sopping eyes, trying to disperse her tears and those dreadfully pleasant memories. I’m crying over nothing!

But how could memories so sweet make me feel so terrible? Why is it that after twelve years of nursing a broken heart and twelve hours of contact, he’s undone it all? Why does reopening old wounds feel so painful yet wonderful at the same time?

In spite of her tears, Lana chuckled to herself, unaware that she was once again proving her own inveterate points true. Why has Clark not changed at all since high school, still confusing as ever. And who the hell is Tom Johnson???

Once all of her tears had abated, Lana realized that none of her numerous questions would be answered from the comfort and security of her own bed.

Climbing out of it with renewed determination, Lana entered the bathroom. Regardless of all the unexplainable thoughts that had now usurped her consciousness, one thing was certain, set, and engraved in Lana’s mind. She’d have her answers, today.

***
A/N: Firstly I should apologize and remind you all that this is a Work in Progress. And I know I’m going to be unbelievably repetitive with this, but I’d hate for you guys to be mad about that. I’m truly excited that this has been so well received. And I would have updated sooner, but that rushed edition cleaned me out so I had to write out and modify an entirely new chapter before I updated. It was fun though, no regrets. Let me know what you think.

P/S: :o :lol: to Ketchup. No pressure, then, right?:p I won't be so presumptuous as to agree, but you certainly have given me quite a standard to live up to, especially considering what I've read on this site. I appreciate that though, good motivation :D.

[NYC300Z]

Hey Great Update!! How long can Clark pre-tend to be Tom for?? Jason's leaving Lana alone with the body guard for 3 weeks is he crazy?!! PPMS!!!

[binkys711]

YAY!!!AN UPDATE!!!WHOOPY!!!*bouncing off the walls*YUPPY!!!I CAN'T WAIT 'TILL THE NEXT UPDATE!!!! PPMS!!!! BTW YOUR DOING AN EXTREMELY GOOD JOB ON THIS STORY;):D:D:D

[Ketchup]

Damn... I mean DAMN!

lol

Seriously, doing a great job on this. You storyline rocks!

[spacewalker_33.3]

dude! now i'm addicted to this fic....wow ur idea is amazing...look i'm in a camp, a boring one, so please post soon, i honestly cant wait ^^'

[kewl]

A W E S O M E!!!!! i just love this story!!! i got the feeling that deep inside lana still loves clark... :) PPMS!!!! :D

[Kal-El & Me]

I totally agree with you, Kewl.

I love the dream thing, 4eversmallville. I remember every one of those lines.

[mcgairman]

I like this story. It's innovative, and an orginial idea. I haven't really liked the way things went in Season Four, and Jason Teague was supposed to be a nice guy -- at least at first. This story could be one of the better on this board. Keep it up!

[dreammaster]

awesome story looking forward to the next update

[ajfinn]

GREAT update!!!!! I'm loving this story!!! Nice job :D

[ClanaAlways]

Love this story!

[booze_is_me09]

PPMS!! this a great story. i can't get enuff of it!!!

[SmallvilleMan]

need update pleaseeeeeeeee:)

[booze_is_me09]

definately need update! this is such an amazing story!

[kewl]

WE NEED MORE UPDATE OVER HERE PLLEASSEEEE???? :D

[NYC300Z]

Yeah I agree with Kewl we need an update over here!! Please PPMS!!!

[4EverSmallville]

Kal-el & Me - I'm glad you remembered them, that's what I was going for :).

I'm glad so many of you guys are enjoying my story, it's very inspiring. I usually don't post if I don't have an update, but I noticed a bit of persistance :lol:. So I have one thing to say:

Tonight, guys.

[Ketchup]

Yay! Everyone start chanting with me... To-night to-night to-night!

[Meg101]

Can't hardly wait!

[4EverSmallville]

Emotional Detachment ~ Chapter III ~ Tactics

Twilight in Metropolis was hardly the calm, quiet peace one would expect. On the contrary, the city was thriving with the tumult of life and energy that was customary only during the busy city rush hours.

Ranging from clubs to concerts, the buzzing nightlife complimented the dull glow that was created from the artificial ambience of lights, cars, and action.

Thirty-one floors above the raging parties and flourishing criminals, a patient individual sat in a dark office.

Time passed him as slowly as watching it trickle down an hourglass, but he seemed oblivious. His concentration focused and the tension in the single, spacious office paralleled that of the vast city stories below.

As unusual as it was to be sitting rigidly, immersed in complete darkness, this man was clearly unfazed by the lack of radiance. Had someone happened to enter his office at that moment, they would have been met with a seemingly empty room.

“Mr. Luthor?” came a curious voice, as the door to the shadowy office opened silently.

In response, the lone figure laid a gentle finger on a desk lamp that instantly illuminated most of the dark room, revealing an impressive work space, complete with picture window, file cabinets, desk, couch, and computer.

The bald man behind the desk watched his visitor inquisitively, not at all surprised by his late arrival. The typical feeling of superiority tickled at Lex Luthor as he watched his guest squirm uncomfortably under his gaze.

After several moments of silence, it became apparent that Mr. Luthor hadn’t the hospitality to greet his company.

Detective Scott Matthews emerged timidly from the shadows and stepped into the realm of light. “Everything is in order, Mr. Luthor.”

Lex leaned forward pensively in his chair, his dark attire framed by the back of his dark leather chair. His lack of response goaded Scott into further explanation.

“He accepted, as you said he would. They arrived in Chicago just over an hour ago.”

Satisfied, Lex nodded.

“Teague is going away on a business trip for several weeks.”

Again, Lex nodded. This bit of news was hardly unexpected. He’d preconceived it all.

“He seemed very taken with Teague’s wife,” Scott continued. “Do you think he will be able to get the information out of her?”

“I don’t doubt it,” Lex answered coolly, his voice filtrating the room for the first time in hours.

“Then we’ll have enough to incarcerate Teague?”

“Most definitely.”

“What will happen to his wife and son?”

Lex had taken his crystal gaze off of Scott and focused it out of the window to his far left, obviously lost in deep thought. “They will be taken care of.”

“Mr. Luthor, what exactly happened between you and Kent?”

At this, Lex snapped out of his reverie and directed his full attention onto his guest who was steadily wearing out his own welcome. “I don’t believe that’s of any of your concern, Matthews. You came to me looking for assistance in bringing down Jason Teague. I have provided you with a foolproof plan.”

And with the air of a dictator passing instructions down to a subordinate, Lex explained a small portion of his carefully concocted master plan. “Teague is using the meteor rocks for illegal human genetic research, as I’ve already informed you. His wife is well aware of this fact, which was the inspiration behind her most recent file for divorce. Under my influence, you’ve sent Clark Kent, someone she trusts, someone who will get the evidence no one else can. Kent will get the evidence from Lana, he will return it to you, and you, Matthews, will go down in history as the hero who conquered the notorious Jason Teague.”

“What about Clark Kent? Won’t he be looking for credit as well?”

“Don’t worry about Clark Kent. He will be dealt with accordingly.”

Scott could hardly contain his enthusiasm at Lex’s explanation. The plan certainly did sound foolproof, and he, he, will have landed a career-highlighting case before his thirty-fifth birthday. “Alright, Mr. Luthor. I’ll be sure to let you know when we get an update.”

Scott made his way to the door; Lex allowed him to grasp the knob before calling him back. “Just a second there, Scott. We’ve yet to discuss my settlement.”

“Settlement?” Scott asked curiously, turning around to face Lex who was smirking slightly.

“Yes,” Lex nodded, his smirk widening. “In return for handing you Jason Teague on a silver platter. You didn’t think I’d let you walk out of here with the case of your career and not ask for a thing in return, did you?”

The look on his face clearly said yes, but Scott waited patiently for Lex to voice his request.

“I don’t want anything too complicated,” Lex explained, reclining in his chair slightly. “Remember, I want to see Jason Teague go down just as badly as you.”

“What do you want, then, Mr. Luthor,” Scott probed, his palms growing sweaty.

Several things, Lex thought devilishly, but he’d settle for one at a time. His patience being one of the few virtues he possessed, Lex was in no real hurry to reach his goals. Victory would be much sweeter if he allowed everything to play out.

“I want the police to stop investigating my company and my business dealings,” Lex answered bluntly.

Scott looked shocked at Lex’s request. “Mr. - Mr. Luthor,” he sputtered, “I don’t have any control over - over who investigates Lexcorp.”

“Oh, I think you do,” Lex answered oily. “And if you don’t, you’ll have to find it. Otherwise, I’ll get Jason Teague on the line right now and tell him exactly what Metropolis PD is planning. And I’ll be sure to give you an honorable mention.”

“You-”

“Now, now,” Lex grinned. “Mr. Matthews, you didn’t really expect to make a deal with the devil and not get burned, did you? Count your blessings, if you follow my instructions, no harm will come to you…or your family.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“Not at all. I’m merely informing you that if word manages to get out to Mr. Teague about this conversation,” Lex slid a small box from the shadows of his desk and into the light. A tape recorder. “no one you know will be safe. Jason Teague is a very unstable man. Don’t let the innocent façade fool you…. I’ll be in touch.”

There was a certain suggestion of dismissal that was not lost on Scott. Glancing fearfully at the winding tape recorder, he exited the room silently with the heavy feeling of a man who’d just been painted into a corner.

Lex watched the door close smugly and allowed himself to dip into his own thoughts. Five…four…three…two-

The phone on his desk rang just as he thought ‘one’. Smiling to himself, he pressed the speaker button. Before the garbled voice on the other end could fill the room, Lex spoke.

“Jason…how unexpected.”

“Right,” came Jason’s sarcastic drawl from the other end. “Did Matthews stop by?”

“He did.”

“Well?”

“You’ll have to be more specific, Jason. I don’t read minds -”

“What did he say?”

Lex, having the upper hand, waited several seconds before responding, allowing Jason a few extra moments of fear. “He seemed rather confident that he’d bring you down.”

“Good,” Jason answered, his sigh clearly audible through the line.

“On to our second order of business, then. You have made sure that the detective won’t find anything incriminating in your house?”

“Yes.”

“You have planned the next few weeks out so that you will be far away from home, allowing the detective free reign?”

“Yes.”

“You have encouraged your wife and son to be hospitable to him, so he doesn’t suspect anything?”

“Yes, Lex. We’ve been through all this.”

“I’ll be in touch.” Lex disconnected the call before extinguishing the only light in the room.

Get the police out of his back pocket, bring Jason Teague to his knees, and capture Clark Kent. Stage one of his triple-threat plan was in motion.

***

“Pancakes or waffles?”

“Pancakes.”

“Sausage or bacon?”

“Bacon.”

“Eggs or hash brown?”

“Hash brown.”

“Milk or orange juice.”

“Orange juice.”

Ten year old Sean Patrick Teague had awoken early with the intentions of having a bowl of cereal, only to find the bodyguard already up and bustling about the kitchen.

His sandy-brown hair ruffled, Sean watched Tom with wide, bright green eyes as he skillfully prepared breakfast. When his parents had first told him he’d be getting a bodyguard, he hadn’t expected someone as young and lively as Tom. They had been chatting casually while he cooked breakfast and the conversation continued as they ate.

“Football or basketball?” Clark asked through a mouthful of pancakes.

“Baseball,” Sean returned from the opposite side of the counter.

“Baseball?”

“Baseball.”

“Okay…Cubs or Sox?”

“Sox.”

“Uh…math or science?”

“Art.”

“Art?”

“Drawing,” Sean clarified.

Clark nodded. He was taking mental notes of all of Sean’s likes and dislikes, feeling that if Jason had indeed cleared his house of all tangible evidence, he may have to resort to the kid.

“My turn.” Sean said as he finished off his glass of orange juice. He had taken an instant liking to Tom.

“Okay,” Clark said, taking their plates to the sink.

“So football or basketball?”

“Football.”

“Car or motorcycle?”

“Motorcycle.”

“Blonde or brunette?”

Clark chuckled as he actually found himself seriously mulling over that question. This kid wasn’t so bad.

“We’ll come back to that.”

“Okay, sunrise or sunset?”

“Sunset,” came a new voice from the doorway. Both Sean and Clark looked up to see Lana entering the kitchen, her hair pulled up into a loose bun and her eyes focused intently on Clark.

“You definitely look like you prefer watching the sunset,” Lana explained as she took the seat next to her son.

“Am I that transparent?” Clark asked Sean playfully as he handed Lana a plate of breakfast. He chose to ignore her less-than-subtle hint.

Sean sniggered as he posed another question. “City or country?”

“Country,” Lana answered before Clark could open his mouth. “I mean…where did you say you grew up…a farm?”

The color in Clark’s face drained slightly as he tried to veer around Lana’s badgering. Won’t she let me do my job?

“No,” he replied, his voice pitchy and dry. He cleared his throat and tried again. “No, uh. I grew up in the city. Metropolis.”

“Hm,” was all Lana said as she sipped her orange juice, gazing at a clearly uncomfortable Clark over the rim of her glass.

Sean watched the exchange between his mother and his new friend with mounting curiosity. He hated when adults talked around him, like they both had something to say and wouldn’t say it in front of him. Despite the normalcy of the conversation, Sean knew something was going on.

“How long are we going to be out, Mom?” Sean asked Lana.

“All day,” she replied as she speared a piece of pancake with her fork.

Both gentleman groaned, Clark in particular. Although for different reasons, they were both thinking the same thing. This is going to be a long day.

***
As Clark had no personal belongings, majority of the day had been devoted to him picking up the necessities. Sean, Clark quickly learned, was spoiled rotten by his mother, having gotten everything he’d shown the slightest bit of interest in. Lana’s SUV was soon teeming with shopping bags.

They were headed home for the day, Lana behind the wheel, Clark riding shotgun, and Sean sprawled out in the backseat, silenced by a handheld video game.

Lana had been bombarding Clark with biographical questions and to her complete dissatisfaction, he'd answered each one of them calmly, confidently, and with a slight smile that made her want to both slap him and kiss him senseless. The latter part of that desire frightening her more than anything, and caused her to be more unrelenting with her interrogation.

She was completely furious with herself for her sudden burst of infidelity, but it couldn’t be helped. His charming smile hadn’t changed a wink over the years and she hated that she still melted when she saw it. Lana had already decided that she would regroup tonight and formally rid herself of any lingering feelings, after she got him to slip up.

It had been over an hour since her last question; Lana decided to change tactics, feeling that if she sprung it on him when he least expected it, she’d get the answers she yearned for.

This had better work, she thought as she made her way through traffic and back to her home.

“So, when’s the last time you spoke to Chloe?”

“A week or two ago,” Clark answered carelessly, his attention focused on the blurs passing by his window.

Lana grinned as her grip tightened on the steering wheel. I knew it!

Sean had been listening to the discussion, and was just about to ask how they knew the same person when he noticed Tom blanch and slowly turn his gaze onto his mother, whose smile was growing steadily wider.

“Oh no…”

“Not oh no, Clark,” Lana smirked as she pulled into her own driveway. “Oh yes.”

***
A/N: Sorry for the long wait, since it’s still a work in progress, I had to do a lot of brainstorming with Lex’s scene, the criminal mind is not the easiest to delve into. I’m pleased with how it turned out though. Let me know what you all think.

[SmallvilleMan]

ahahhahaha, got him. That last part was great, clever girl that Lana is. That was too short though:( , more is needed. Keep up the good job.

[ILoveSmallville4ver]

Lana got Clark!!! That was funny. I love when people do that. This story is getting very interesting. I like the part when the kid asked Clark/Tom about the blondes or brunnettes. That was funny. Nice writing. Post soon please!

[binkys711]

YAY!!!smooth move Lana!;) AWESOME UPDATE!!!PPMS!!!

[kewl]

WOHOOO!!!! na na na na na na... lana got clark!!!! smart move lana, clever girl!!!! :rotfl: this story is one of the BEST!!!!! PPMS!!!! :lol:

[Ketchup]

Haha nice Lana, still know how to fool Clark into tellign you everything.

4EverSmallville, this just keeps getting better and better. Your Lex is amazing, a perfectly evil mastermind, just the way he's supposed to be. You are amazing! Keep it up, PPMS!

[dreammaster]

awesome chapter

[NYC300Z]

Wow just wow I never would have guessed that Lex was the one behind the scenes pulling all the strings....can't wait!! PPMS!!!

[Mythos]

This is very good indeed! Love the way you create ambiance. Lex's scene just cries out 'Villain"! Very good story, very good writing. Keep it up! Definitely want more of this :D

[booze_is_me09]

sweet post! keep 'em coming!

[spacewalker_33.3]

~great update, dude, i need more, and soon~

[ajfinn]

I love love love love this story! Whoo hoo!! Post more. NOW. Please :D

[ClanaAlways]

This story is great it's hilarious,interesting,and just so wonderful! Love it!

[SmallvilleMan]

el updato por favor!

[booze_is_me09]

PPMS! need more.... please:)

[SmallvilleMan]

Update please, this story is good. but it could be great with another update;)

[booze_is_me09]

ditto

[booze_is_me09]

WHERE U AT? PPMASAP!

[clana4ev3r]

that was so cool how lana tricked clark!! hella funny ppms! faster!

[mcgairman]

This Lana must have a little "Isabelle" in her too. She sure out-foxed Clark! This is a great story!! Keep it up!!

[SmallvilleMan]

*looks at his watch.* Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

[NYC300Z]

Yeah where u hiding?? PPMS!!

[4EverSmallville]

I'm so glad that you all are enjoying this, I truly am lol. Your persistance is more than inspiring :). And I do have something written, but it'd be considerably short, and I know it will be the biggest cliffhanger in this story. I'm working on having something up today, though. Don't be mad :lol:. Thank you all so much for your support!

Ketchup - I like bad boy Lex :).

NYC300Z - I'm glad you were surprised lol. To be honest, the Lex scene was rather spur of the moment, but I liked the element it added to the story :).

Mythos - Thanks, lol, I was hoping Lex's darkness was very clear.

SmallvilleMan - My Espanol is very limited, but I clearly understood that lol. I don't know how to say "Very Soon" in Spanish...I could always phone a friend, but I don't think anyone I know will be too happy to hear from me at this hour :lol:.

booze is me09 - How do you post back to back like that :lol:? Mine always combine when I do that, lol.

Thanks again to everyone and I promise, you will have your update very soon. :).

[4EverSmallville]

Emotional Detachment ~ Chapter IV ~ Confrontation

The dozens of shopping bags containing everything from designer clothes to home electronics were left, abandoned and forgotten in the back of Lana's SUV. The car had barely stopped moving before Clark unbuckled his seat belt, launched himself from the vehicle, and departed quickly into the house.

Lana was hardly concerned, he had no where to go. She smirked grimly, knowing that Clark had just crawled into a mouse hole and that her own inner feline was about to be unleashed.

"What was that?" Sean asked as Clark's figure disappeared through the garage door that led to the Teague home. He had neglected his video game on the car seat; it chirped madly as he was ejected from the level he'd spent the entire car ride trying to reach.

Lana's mind was too focused on Clark to even hear her son, let alone respond to him. She lowered the garage door instinctively and as it became one with the pavement, Lana got the distinct impression that she was locking her subject in with no means of escape.

"Who's Clark?" Sean pressed, his curiosity piquing higher and higher the longer his mother went without responding.

Robotically, Lana removed the keys from the ignition and exited the vehicle. Before she closed the door, she said, as an afterthought, "I want you to go straight to your room."

"What?" Sean asked, also leaving the car. There was no way he'd miss out on this, which was already proving to be far more interesting than the hundred dollar handheld. "C'mon Mom. How do you two know each other?"

"Sean," Lana said in exasperation. She loved her son, dearly. But he wouldn't give her a moment for her to collect her scattered thoughts. Her mind was already in disarray and it did her no justice to be interrupted constantly with his incessant badgering. "Please. Go to your room and don't come out until I say."

Sean's mouth dropped as he noticed that Lana was not joking. His mother had never seriously ordered him into his room, it was usually the elder Teague who administered that punishment. Even with only his ten years, Sean knew that whatever was going on was serious if his mother had to quarantine him.

Seeing her son's expression, Lana paused outside the door Clark had just disappeared through. "Sean," she said quietly, her voice softening as she met his bright eyes. "I love you very much, but I really need you to stay in your room for a while. I promise you won't be in there any longer than you have to be."

"Okay," Sean agreed half-heartedly.

***
The guest room was a high ceilinged, spacious room. The overhead lights glimmered beautifully when they were on, but Clark, who's mood did not parallel the bright atmosphere that they create, hadn't bothered to turn them on. A bed in the center of the room protruded from the wall, there were a few squashy recliners and a desk. The room looked very suitable for a hotel guest, and at that moment, there was nothing more that Clark wanted to be, a mere guest in this unfamiliar city.

Lana collected herself after making sure Sean was in his own room. She took several deep breaths outside Clark's door before knocking briskly, not quite knowing what she was about to say or do.

When no answer came, Lana took it upon herself to enter and was met by the orange glow of the sunset pouring into the room. Clark stood silently by the open window, staring blankly out, before turning, acknowledging Lana's presence with only a quirked eyebrow and a frown.

"Clark," she said seriously, unsure of where, or how to begin the intense discussion that was destined to follow. In response, Clark looked away; his eyes focused intently out of the open window, a tangible relic of the Clark she knew in a previous life.

"Clark," she repeated, more urgently this time. She needed him to speak to her, to make sense of this situation, to be with her. Lana was certain Clark was not aware of how desperately she needed him. She needed him then, when her life was on the line and her emotions were teetering over a cliff of despair and internal destruction. She needed him then, late at night when the loneliness and emptiness threatened to engulf her. And then, when she needed him, he was there, always. When she needed him he was there.

Lana needed him now, but he was of course, unaware. She had been experiencing these conflicting feelings in recent months, feelings that she couldn't explain until her eyes locked with his for the first time in more than a decade. They were familiar feelings that she hadn't come across since those blissful days back in Smallville. She recognized them immediately; they were feelings of need, a need for a certain someone to be there. Although Lana was fighting those feelings, who were, in turn, fighting her with equal ferocity, she inwardly knew that Clark had shown up, like he always did, to be there for her because she needed him. Fate works in strange and mysterious ways, and as much as she denied it herself, Lana's subconscious was more than well aware that one does not question fate because fate itself is not a question, but an infallible answer.

"Clark," she tried again, her persistence ebbing away at his own superhuman resistance.

He hated himself for accepting this job. It was obvious she was going to figure it out, she wasn't stupid. He hated that she'd seen through him so easily. But his hatred for himself increased exponentially when she'd called his name, saying it as though she wasn't just addressing or summoning him, saying his name like it meant something.

Impossible. He'd said it in Scott's office. That's what this was, impossible. How was he to not have feelings for this woman, this woman who he'd allowed to walk out of his life years before, unknowingly taking his heart along with her. And now, here he was, with a perfect opportunity to confess his true and unwavering feelings, but yet he stood, as stubborn as ever, staring out of a window in an unfamiliar city, looking over a cloudy, wind-swept sky, a poor substitute for a safe-haven a lifetime away.

Lana knew not whether to be angry, relieved, bewildered, or if it'd be hospitable to simply fall unconscious at that moment. This fresh wave of emotions caught her off-guard, simply staring wide-eyed and open-mouthed like a child before a natural disaster. There were so many different thoughts swarming her mind, all trying to have their say first, that Lana had to sit down on the edge of Clark's bed to avoid the faint-headed feeling that had tried to add itself without invitation.

Shouldn't she be furious at him lying? Then and now? For him having the audacity to believe that she wouldn't recognize him? For him just barging suddenly into her life, kicking down the door and unearthing feelings she thought were long since made six feet under?

Or should she be relieved, that during her time of distress and difficulty with her relationship with Jason, he arrived just in time to save the day? Should she have relief in knowing that Jason would be absent the next three weeks, giving her ample time to catch up with an old flame? And what about how great he and Sean seemed to get along?

The only thing Lana knew for certain was that she sure as hell had the right and the motivation to be confused. What is going on?

Feeling that her last would be easiest to begin with, Lana proceeded to ask Clark his motives for being in her home, in her life. She struggled with scrounging up the best words to jump start this heavy silence into a steady conversation, and in her frustration she let out a weak laugh and allowed her stressed body to collapse completely onto Clark's bed, her legs hanging limply over the side.

Hearing Lana's uncharacteristic act of pleasure, Clark wheeled around, her behavior having wrenched him out of his own intricate thoughts.

"This is funny?" he asked incredulously, although a certain sense of indignation also seemed to cling to his question.

"No, Clark," Lana replied seriously, rubbing her hazel eyes with dainty hands. "This is the furthest thing from funny."

"Then why are you laughing?" he asked rather aggressively. Here he was in emotional turmoil, while Lana lay giggling to herself on the bed.

"I'm not laughing at the situation, Clark," Lana responded, removing her hands to look thoughtfully at the ceiling, a slight smile still twitching gently at the corners of her mouth. She made it an unintentional habit to say his name each time she called upon him, almost as if she was intuitively trying to make up for lost time. She turned her head slightly to look at Clark, still stationed by the window. "I'm laughing because you haven't changed at all."

Clark's continued expression of indignation, now combined with one of confusion, coaxed Lana into further speech. "All these years apart," she began, but changed her mind in the middle of the thought. "Just when I think I've seen it all...here comes Clark Kent with the most unimaginable-"

"You think I planned this?"

"No, Clark," Lana answered, careful to keep her voice at a suitable level. She knew Sean would be doing his best to listen in. "I don't. I think you somehow got dragged into this mess and when you realized it, it was too late for you to back out."

And how does she know that? Clark wondered. Well that was Lana, always knowing Clark better than he could ever comprehend, reading him like an open book that she'd put a mark in, waiting patiently for twelve years to pull him out and continue her perusal. Clark went through Lana's words in his mind and something leapt out at him with mental neon lights.

"Mess?"

It was Lana's turn to look away.

***
A/N: I know it was short. But you guys are insistent :lol:. Let me know what you think, BTW the next chapter looks like it will be called Conflict.

[dreammaster]

Awesome chapter

[SVsleuth]

This story is the BEST - so unique, that we can't guess what will happen. Keep writing (soon); you're really good. :) I can really feel the emotional tension, (definitely NOT detachment), between Lana & Clark. Just awesome!

[kewl]

this is such a great story!!! u really have a way with words and i love how u described each situation in detail.... please keep going. this is very interesting....

[clana4ev3r]

PPMS!

[NYC300Z]

Yes Please continue soon....u had my insides squirming while I read ur last update!! It was really great!! PPMS!!!

[smallvillewolf17]

more more more more more

[Ketchup]

As a responce to your "rant" here's mine: :lol:

Your writing is amazing! When I say writing I dont only mean word choice, I mean everything in general: storyline, innovation, feelings, character realism. You seem to have a talent at conveying every detail of the environment you are describing, but doing so with the least possible amount of words, so as to not bore or tire the reader.

You also always keep me guessing, and each time your turn the storyline around, it feels l ike I jsut started reading the story. This feeling of so to say "freshness" is whats keeping me interested, and coming back for more, so keep it up! I love your sense of humor and hope to see more irony as this great fic gets closer towards its conclusion. I hope it doesnt end soon tho.

Well there's my rant. Just remember, you promised to update more often ;)

[Mythos]

Another fantastic chapter! Again the ambiance steams from the words. The capture of the essence of Lana's feelings for Clark is amazing! Great work! Can't wait for further developments! :D

[LoisNClark]

awesome chapter ppms

[booze_is_me09]

amazing post! this is such a intellegent story which means someone very smart had to think of it! keep up the good work! PPMS!

[binkys711]

AWESOME!!!!AMAZING!!!WOW!!!COOL:cool:!!!!PPMS!!!:D I AM LOVIN' THIS STORY!!!

[EyeluvTom]

Don't stop there!! Love your story and can't wait to see what happens next!

[4EverSmallville]

:lol: To all of the replies, you guys have me blushing and cracking up at the same time.

This is me just stopping in to make sure everyone is okay. I was showing this story to a friend and I had to break it up a little for her, and I wanted to be sure that everyone here understood what was going on. Everyone okay? Let me know.

Chapter V ~ Conflict - coming soon :).

[SmallvilleMan]

I hate when you do that too:rolleyes:

[4EverSmallville]

Do what? :confused:

[SmallvilleMan]

Reply to your story without writing a chapter, you have me thinking you wrote a chapter when you reply.

[4EverSmallville]

Oh, I'm sorry, I try not to do that. I hope you didn't think this was a reply :p. I just wanted to make sure everyone was following before I went any further.

I won't do it anymore though :).

[ajfinn]

Just read the update. Wow. I love it. And it's so cool to imagine Clark and Lana as adults, REAL adults . . . that still have the same feelings for each other. Such an incredible story, I'm on the edge of my seat, er, I mean, of the bed (with my feet dangling over) :D

[NYC300Z]

Are we ok??? ARE U OK?? that's the question... I'll be great as soon as u update!! lol

[booze_is_me09]

PPMASAP! GREAT STORY!

[kewl]

right now i'm not ok, but i will be once u post the next chapter!!!! :D

[clana4ev3r]

PPMS!

[spacewalker_33.3]

i need you to post more soon plz!!!! u really have to!!!!!!
oh btw, 4EverSmallville, luv ur avatar :D!!!

[LoisNClark]

need an update !!!!!!

4EverSmallville i also love your avatar:D

PPMS

[EyeluvTom]

Originally posted by LoisNClark
need an update !!!!!!

4EverSmallville i also love your avatar:D

PPMS

Yeah, update as soon as possible, but no rush! I also agree with LoisNClark, I love your avatar. :cool:

[SVsleuth]

WE ARE ALL FINE! WE UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING! WE NEED AN UPDATE! PLEEEEEAAAAASSSSEEEE!!!!!!


Love this story. :)

[clana4ev3r]

anytime today would be great.....

[ClanaAlways]

Please post soon! This story is great!

[booze_is_me09]

hope you're going to post soon!

[4EverSmallville]

Emotional Detachment ~ Chapter V ~ Conflict

Damn, Lana thought. In the past she always found herself opening up to Clark, revealing her innermost feelings without a second thought. That characteristic he had to draw out her deepest, most heavily guarded secrets, had obviously not dwindled over the years, as he extracted, with ease, information she wasn't aware she'd disclosed until the words had already drifted away. Along with the irresistible Kent charm, Clark had the striking ability to persuade Lana into pouring out her secrets like a cup of morning java. These capabilities he had were both what drew her to him and what fueled her inhibitions. Nothing was ever black or white with Clark, and the real stunning part about all of it was that he had no idea what he did to her. Damn, she thought again.

Lana wasn't really aware that she'd even uttered anything the slightest bit incriminating until he'd repeated her own words, thrusting them forcefully back at her like a court attorney interrogating a fumbling witness.

She sat up slowly, taking as much time as she dared to avoid Clark's query, or his gaze for that matter. Focusing her eyes on a random spot on the wall, Lana continued her mental deliberation.

Chancing a glance at Clark, who stood impatiently, his full attention now directed expectantly on her, she scrambled to rectify her mistake. Hang on Clark, the jury's still out on this one.

“Mess?” Clark prompted again, clearly seeking an explanation to her obscure choice of words. "What do you mean mess?"

"I didn't mean mess," Lana began slowly, not sure where her sentence was going to end. Her uncertainty proved unnecessary when Clark cut across her.

"People usually don't say things they don't mean, Lana."

How did this interrogation suddenly become about me, anyway? Lana mused, her anger surfacing again. Wasn't this about how the hell he ended up in my house?

"Well I did," she stated bluntly, finally meeting his pensive glare. Her confidence surging, Lana turned the tables quickly on Clark. "And this isn't about me, this is about you."

"Me?" Clark asked incredulously, folding his arms curiously as if saying 'I'd love to know how this is about me.'

"Yes, you," Lana retorted, rising, her voice coming along for the ride. "Why are you here? What are you doing? Are you really here to look out for Sean? What's with the -"

"What do you mean mess?" Clark interrupted, even louder than Lana.

"I didn't mean mess," she frowned, looking away. Poker face really wasn't her strong suit. Lying came as easy to her as higher math. "And don't try to turn this around on me!"

"Because you certainly aren't trying to turn things around on me," Clark shot back sarcastically.

"This is about you!"

"If you're not going to answer my questions, why should I answer yours?"

"Because since the day I met you I've been nothing but honest but all you could ever give me were lies and excuses!"

Lana was seething; her beautiful face radiated with emotion. She found herself, once again, straddling the thin line between fury and despair. She took several deep breaths, having surprised herself and Clark with her outburst. There she went again, revealing things she had never intended to say.

"Look, Clark," Lana began, feeling embarrassed and slightly ashamed for yelling. She knew it was quite petty to be clinging tightly to grudges she'd had since high school, but Clark wouldn't hear her apology.

"You're right," he said quietly. He couldn't have caught Lana more off-guard if he'd screamed in her face. This was clearly not the reaction she was expecting, especially not after their shouting match moments prior.

Lana continued to stare at him as he focused his attention back out of the window. The sun had long since set and they were now standing in semi-darkness, Lana holding back her breath as she waited for Clark's next words.

"I haven't been fair to you. You've been living happily without me for all these years and I suddenly turn up without explanation. I'm surprised you didn't tell Jason straight away."

Clark let his words sink in, dimly aware of the affect they were having. Scott had told him that she wouldn't inform Jason of Clark's true identity, but even the notification before-hand still didn't help to quell his shock that she even shook his hand when they'd first been re-introduced. He had wondered momentarily why she hadn't told Jason, and that question, now that it'd been brought to the forefront, nagged at him instantly as he watched her out of the corner of a blue-green eye.

Why hadn't she told Jason? That would obviously be the wise thing to do, yet when she saw him, she simply stared as if she'd never seen him before. Could her silence have been inspired by the inveterate notion that he'd come, once again, to rescue her from herself and her own dismal life? Aside from Sean, what did she really treasure...Lana's thoughts were interrupted as Clark's voice broke in.

"You're right," he said again with a heavy sigh. "I never could give you a straight answer."

Clark retained all of the advice Scott had given him in the office before he left for Chicago, and he called upon them before speaking again.

All you have to do is persuade her to tell you what she knows.

She will ask you about it, and you will eventually have to tell her. My advice is to get closer to her son, become friends with him. Then once you’ve established a relationship with him, tell her the truth.

Clark had gotten closer to Sean that day, he seemed to trust him. Of course, one outing together wasn't enough to form a lifelong friendship, but it was definitely a good foundation. Lana had asked him. He would tell her. There was only one tidbit of information that Clark seemed to either be forgetting or ignoring.

You have to get close enough to find out what she knows, but you can not allow yourself to have feelings for her, you can have no attachment to this woman...

Clark had spent ample time trying to find a loophole in this airtight assignment. He sifted mentally through his conversations with Scott, Simpson, and James.

When the time comes, you have to remain emotionally detached...

When the time comes, Clark had decided.

"But I'd like to start."

***
A/N: I hope I haven't angered too many people with my lack of update. I can see I'm going to be wearing out my 'this is a work in progress' excuse lol. Well, you'll be pleased to know that I've been doodling all weekend on this story, well a lot yesterday. I have some nice outlines which will hopefully assist me in updating faster so as to avoid starting a riot :lol:. I’m glad everyone’s following, please let me know if you aren’t. PM if you prefer :). But that's enough talking from me, I want to know what you all think :D.

P/S: Thanks for the compliments and thanks to jen for the avatar, this has been me ever since >>>:D.

[Mythos]

Once again a great update! I hope the pressure isn't too much on you for having to update so often. If it hurts the story by rushing it ahead then as far as I'm concerned you should take as much time on it as you want or need!

Regardless, I'm loving it! :D

[NYC300Z]

Nice....I like how Lana slipped up and Clark wouldn't let it go lol and how he decided to put off to later tring to stay emotionally unattached to Lana like he can pull that off. Hope u mean it when u say u'll have more frequent updates!! PPMS!!!

[Ketchup]

A-mazing update! Loved every bit of it, and cant wait to hear what Clark is going to tell Lana. PPMS!

[EyeluvTom]

Love the update. PPMSASAP!

[SVsleuth]

Love this story. Please keep it coming! :)

[ajfinn]

Still loving this story!! Can't wait until they get into a real conversation about everything :) What the heck has Clark been up to for 11 years? So curious where you'll go :D

[spacewalker_33.3]

this is a great story, you really know how to write, luv it, keep posting soon plz:D

[peaches4cream]

update this is a good dtory

[SVsleuth]

This is one of my favorite stories right now. When do we get the next update?

[SmallvilleMan]

you know, i dont like clark's motivation right now.

[dreammaster]

awesome chapter

[binkys711]

YAY!!!AMAZING UPDATE!!!PPMS!!!

[yojimbo]

Update plz

[kewl]

we need an update plz. thank u :)

[NYC300Z]

Yes we do update soon!

[ClanaAlways]

Plz update soon!

[4EverSmallville]

Emotional Detachment ~ Chapter VI ~ Disclosure

No one could ever say the windy city was without wind. Wind tore through the early evening traffic, whipped pedestrians, caused the sturdiest of skyscrapers to tremble like pines, and fueled the restless waves of the lake.

A single beacon of light illuminated the darkness miles out at sea, a mere speck of stardust for passing sailors to navigate by. Inside this light tower, on the highest floor, was a complicated navigational system complete with buttons, screens, and blinking lights. No one could grasp the true function of this system unless they had been briefed by the company that owned it. Luckily for the busy man in the circular operating room of the lighthouse, he had been briefed on his way to this technological oasis in the middle of the deep blue sea.

Leaning over one of the monitors, Lex Luthor caught the reflection of the man he’d been waiting for. “Your own personal Atlantis,” he said smoothly without turning around. “Creative, but it seems a little Roger’s and Hammerstein.”

“It’s an underwater empire, Lex,” Jason laughed, “not a fairy tale.”

“What’d you tell the police?” Lex inquired, turning to get a full view of his oblivious partner. The boastful conversation seemed light and pleasant, although the fairer had no idea of his partner’s dubiously criminal plans.

“They think we’re running a purification system down there,” Jason explained, walking pleasantly around the circular room taking a moment to observe the darkness outside of the wraparound window. “The governor’s already given his seal of approval.”

Lex smiled slightly, finding his partner’s ingenuity, although it would be useless to him in the long run, humorous.

“So why am I here then?” Lex asked, suddenly businesslike.

Jason shrugged as he settled into a chair behind the main system that lined the wall. “Thought you’d like to know things were running smoothly.”

“Surely a phone call would have sufficed.”

“Did you know the meteor rocks are being transported in by submarine?” Jason asked, clearly eager to brag about his own success. “Completely undetected.”

“Impressive,” Lex drawled monotonously, clearly not at all impressed. “Is that all you wanted to discuss?”

“No,” Jason answered, slightly put out by his partner’s disinterest. He hid it quickly however as he asked, “Did you know this Tom guy?”

“In a past life,” Lex replied coolly.

“You think he could do it?”

“Do what?”

“Catch us?”

Lex did his best to suppress the smirk that teased his lips at the sound of the word ‘us’. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned,” he began evenly, “it’s to never underestimate the man behind the mask.”

Intrigued by Lex’s descriptive, yet vague choice of words, Jason asked “What will happen to him, if he gets too close?”

Lex quirked an eyebrow and eyed Jason sinisterly, his gaze sending chills down Jason’s spine. “I assure you Jason. You don’t have to worry about Tom Johnson. When the bodyguard gets too close, we’ll know.”

“But what will you do with him?”

“He will cease to exist,” Lex answered simply. With one last intimidating glare, Lex Luthor swept from the well lit, circular room towards the elevator, leaving Jason to ponder his latest plethora of enigmatic words.

***
The silence between the two former paramours weighed heavily like a thick blanket of snow. The vicious blizzard of twelve years parted made the distance between them as vast and impassible as a raging hurricane, despite the fact that their current physical proximity was less than feet.

The term ‘ice breaker’ had never been more applicable than for the current frozen silence between Clark and Lana. He, waiting for her to pose a question, and she, standing silently, still working through his last statement.

“Start?” she uttered softly, unsure if voicing the thought too loudly would make it disappear. Her uncertainty carried her like a wave into her next question, “Start what?”

“Being honest.”

And so, the deep, frozen sea of lies and deceit was slowly melted away by honesty and trust. Lana listened attentively as Clark confided in her the details of his assignment, drinking in his words as though they were straight from the fountain of youth. He chose to avoid mentioning the select few details of his assignment, those which included him using her and her son for the gain of the Metropolis Police Department. He’d already decided that if it could be done without their involvement, that’s how it would be done.

Lana recalled the pain Chloe endured while on her constant diet of truth and related to it. Her mind was reeling with Clark’s assignment and the fact that he’d actually just opened up to her was a heart stopping phenomenon in itself.

So he’s really here to investigate Jason? That thought was hardly difficult for Lana to wrap her mind around, she always knew Jason was scandalous. But the fact that Jason knew about the investigator posing as a bodyguard was downright unnerving. “What do you need me to do?”

“What?” Clark asked immediately, shocked that Lana was trying to include herself in his assignment. Surely she hadn’t deduced that her involvement would be necessary?

“What can I do to help?” Lana asked firmly.

“Help?” Clark repeated, flabbergasted. “You want to see your husband go to prison?”

“Well if he’s doing everything you said he is, he deserves it right?”

“But-” he hadn’t been expecting a response like this. “But, he’s your husband.”

Lana looked down at her hands. How was she to tell Clark that if Jason was in prison, she could easily file the divorce she’d been seeking? What would he think of that? What would he think of her?

“He is my husband, and I love him. But he needs help,” Lana answered slowly. Am I lying? No, Jason is my husband, and he does need help. But do I still love him? I love him for giving me Sean…

She looked up at Clark to catch his reaction, but his expression hadn’t changed, still stony, still indiscernible. What is he thinking? He wants to be honest.

But in Lana’s experience, it was safer and much less devastating to conceal her feelings when it came to Clark. Hell, she didn’t even know what her feelings were at the moment. Everything was happening too fast. Should she tell him she wasn't sure if she was still in love with Jason? Should she tell him what she knew? Should she -

"Lana, I appreciate your offer, but it might get dangerous, and regardless of what I'm here to do, I'm still responsible for the safety of you and Sean," Clark spoke firmly, intruding into her private thoughts.

Lana smiled sideways at Clark. He's always trying to protect me, some things really don't change. Just like her ability to sense that Clark wasn't being completely forthright. She couldn't place her finger on it, but it was of no importance. They had made more progress as far as honesty went in the past half hour than they had in the past fifteen years. Besides, she had no intentions of revealing her conflicting feelings about Jason anytime soon.

The atmosphere between them had changed drastically from tense and ominous to delicate and casual. Darkness completely engulfed them as Clark made his way blindly to a recliner and collapsed, mentally exhausted. Lana on the other hand, was oddly pleased and wore a grin that brightened the dark room. She sashayed to Clark's bed and adjusted herself on the edge so she could clearly see Clark, as clearly as she could see him in the darkness.

"Okay, Clark Kent," she smiled, "tell me what you've been up to these past twelve years."

***
A/N: I just want to thank you all for your patience, :lol:. Please let me know what you think :). BTW, I'm seeing some light, pleasant Clana moments in the near future...

[binkys711]

YAY!!!BRING ON THE CLANA!!!AND 'BOUT TIME YA POSTED!!!WHOOPY!!!LOVED THIS CHAPTER!!!CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!!:D:D:D;)

[Rain88]

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THE CLANA IS COMING!!!!!!!!!!PLEASE KEEP POSTING REALLY LOVE UR STORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SVClana]

Awesome update! Can't wait for more Clana :]

[Ketchup]

This story is great! Cant wait for more =)

[NYC300Z]

Great Update!~ So Clark and Lana are getting along! That's great! Plz update soon!

[EyeluvTom]

Yah, Lana's not focused on the whole honesty thing! Clark and Lana getting along! I love, love, love your story! :)

[SVsleuth]

Worth the wait. I really LOVE this story! Please don't make us wait too long for more, OK? :):):):):)

[peaches4cream]

awsome keep it comin'

[kewl]

YIPPPEEEE CLANA is coming!!!! :D:D great update!!! PPMS!!!

[MOOman0618]

I agree...definatly worth the wait. But don't make us wait too long!;) I love your imagry. Very vivid.

[Mythos]

WOW! That's great! Can't wait to read more! The moodsetting is awesome. You can really feel the tension between them. And again a great capture of Lex. I was instantly reminded of the way he's portrayed in the New Superman Adventures cartoon. Ruthless, sarcastic, arrogant and briliant. Well done!

[booze_is_me09]

that was really great! keep up the good work and PPMS!

[blahblah]

Since this story is set in the future, is Clark Superman yet? If not, can he atleast fly by now?

[dreammaster]

awesome chapter

[4EverSmallville]

Originally posted by blahblah
Since this story is set in the future, is Clark Superman yet? If not, can he atleast fly by now?


Clark hasn’t yet assumed the role of Superman.

If the story calls for it, you'll know ;).

I'm posting because I do have an update lol.

[NYC300Z]

yay an update can't wait!

take my mind off of recent events u know! :)

[kewl]

yey an update is coming~!!! just can't wait!!!

[4EverSmallville]

Emotional Detachment ~ Chapter VII ~ Cordial

And Lana thought her life had been interesting.

Since high school Clark had endured more than she could possibly imagine. The most tragic event of his life’s story being the death of both his mother and father, their demise only having been a month apart. Silent tears carved a familiar path through her light makeup from her lashes to her cheeks, then taking the usual turn down to her chin. Mr. and Mrs. Kent had always been her idea of the perfect parents. They were selfless, loving, and although they didn’t have much, they gave all the same. They were her parents.

She used to wish the Kent’s would adopt her like they did Clark, so she could truly be a part of a family. The only thing that tainted that immaculate image of the perfect family was the fact that Clark would be her surrogate brother. Her dreams of adoption always ended with that dark, frightening thought.

It was then that she’d readjust her vision of becoming a Kent, finding herself being welcomed into the amorous fold in a flowing white dress. How easily she allowed Clark Kent to seep into even her darkest thoughts and carry her away, just like her knight in shining armor would.

He had barely begun his story before she was in tears. Lana knew Clark, although he had been blessed with amazing caregivers, reserved feelings of remorse and passion for his biological parents. To be deprived of your rightful parents was hard enough, she knew, but then to be stripped of his adopted parents too? The pain was almost unimaginable, yet it struck Lana almost instantly. She could relate, to an extent, when Nell left. But she didn’t really lose her, and semantics aside, Nell and the Kents were incomparable.

Lana closed her eyes to restrain the cascade, but the gates had already been thrown wide opened and she had no way of retrieving the tears once they had already begun to fall. She briefly wondered why she hadn’t burst into tears when Jason first mentioned the news to her. Shock, she concluded.

She had little time to wallow in her own tears of grief and mourning, however. Before the first tear had even fallen properly, Clark had hoisted himself from his chair and was instantly at her side. Rubbing her back soothingly and whispering words of comfort into her ear.

“Hey,” Clark consoled, wrapping his firm arms around her now trembling body. “Hey, it’s okay.”

Within seconds, Lana was crying a river into Clark’s shoulder, a river of anguish that rushed from her heart to his as he continued to calm her.

As her last sob faded into silence, Lana registered her position and reluctantly extracted herself from Clark’s reassuring embrace. She bit her lip slightly as she lifted her hazel eyes to his, full of care, full of concern.

“Sorry,” Lana muttered, her cheeks flushing from embarrassment. “I didn’t mean to, I just- I-I’m sorry.”

Clark smiled weakly at her; he hadn’t shed a tear, she noted, but he had long since reached the point in his life where he sincerely felt he had no tears left to shed. “Don’t be. It’s not your fault.”

There was a certain bitter, almost resentful tone to Clark’s words. As if he blamed himself, but Lana chose not to pressure him, feeling that even if he wanted to discuss it, she couldn’t handle the truth without breaking down all over again.

“Trust me,” Clark said, handing her a tissue from what seemed to be completely dark, thin air, “my life isn’t all that depressing.”

Lana accepted the offering and dabbed her streaming face with it, wishing she could wipe away the steady surge of pink that had commandeered her cheeks. She had only just become aware of the fact that her and Clark hadn’t been as close as this since their last kiss shared.

Lana recalled the day perfectly, he was worried about Mr. Kent. He was so upset…I wanted nothing more to ease his sufferings, to steal his pain away. ‘Hey, you know what? It’s gonna be okay’ ‘I didn’t mean to unload on you like that.’ ‘No…You never have to apologize for opening up to me…’

“Lana?” Clark prompted. Her eyes had never left his since he’d handed her the kleanex. They were sparkling with a fresh wave of tears as Clark continued to gaze into them, dangerously close to drowning in the shining, shimmering pools of hazel. How they could see each other at all in the darkness was a mystery neither cared to solve.

Lana closed her eyes, trying valiantly to rid herself of the image of Clark’s lips closing in on her. When she opened them once more, a considerable part of her hoped to see those same gentle lips approaching. She was disappointed of course, as Clark was too preoccupied with her beauty to note anything else.

As much as I hate to see her cry, I can’t deny that she looks as beautiful as ever…

“Sorry,” Lana repeated, blinking several times to restrain the remaining tears. She casually scooted back on the bed, praying she appeared to be getting more comfortable. For good measure, she tucked her legs beneath her and smiled slightly at Clark, who instantly returned the gesture with a stunning one of his own.

Clark was compelled to ask what they had been talking about, her beauty having vanquished any remaining thoughts from his mind.

“Continue,” Lana instructed, as though the last ten minutes had been spent laughing joyously rather than crying and reminiscing.

“Well,” Clark began, adjusting himself slightly on the bed so he was facing Lana. “I went to Met U for college, played football freshman year.”

“Why only freshman year?”

“I couldn’t afford to go, otherwise,” Clark explained. “After they saw my grades were solid they let me stay on with financial aid and good behavior.”

Lana smirked, “And did you have good behavior?”

“I had my bad days,” Clark laughed as Lana joined in.

“You didn’t want to play football?” Lana asked.

Clark shrugged, using the gesture to allot himself more time to decide on his answer. He fiddled with a loose thread in the blanket momentarily as Lana turned a desk lamp on. Clark smiled at her, despite the chilling impression that he’d just been placed under a spotlight. “Not that I didn’t want to…I just thought, there were more importing things to do in life, you know?”

Wow, Lana thought. Impressed with the maturity of his decision. “So, you were given a free ride to your dream college, playing the sport that you love, and you turned them down?”

Clark laughed, being instantly reminded of a strikingly similar conversation with Chloe. “Well it sounds crazy when you say it like that-”

“No,” Lana interrupted. “It sounds really mature, you should be proud of yourself.” Lana was thriving to add that his parents would be too, but she chose not to throw salt on her own fresh wounds.

Clark flushed and returned to the thread he’d been toying with. Regardless of all he’d been through, at that moment he seemed so innocent.

“So what kind of courses did you take?”

“Mostly journalism,” Clark said to the blanket. Lana couldn’t help but smirk.

“After college,” Clark ventured, regaining his lost composure, “I did a lot of traveling, soul-searching I guess.”

“Traveling? Where to?”

“All over,” Clark answered, knowing that a detailed account of his travels would take more time than he desired. Besides, regular trips to the Arctic weren’t the kind of things he’d like to discuss.

“Paris?” Lana offered, expertly disguising her curiosity.

“Once,” Clark responded with a shrug.

And you didn’t come to see me? Lana was hurt by this notion, although she ignored the fact that by that time she would have been married with child.

Clark had gone to Paris, in hopes of ‘running’ into Lana. He had no idea why he did it, but he’d worked up the nerve to get there but had talked himself out of it before even searching for her. Maybe things would be different if I’d looked for her sooner…

“Once?” her tone clearly asked the question that she did not.

“Yeah, but I was just- sort of passing through.”

“Hm,” was all Lana returned with, which was followed by another icy silence.

“Well,” Clark stabbed at the silence, “through all of that traveling, I did some journalism work. I worked with a few police stations on investigating tactics. Interned at a few newspapers. Solved a few crimes. And I finally settled down to the Daily Planet.”

Lana smiled, that last bit having reminded her of the Clark she knew back in high school.

“Ahem,” came an artificial cough from the doorway. Ten years old, standing impressively at an unheard of five feet, Sean loomed in the doorway, clearly displeased.

“Sean?” Lana said, clearly surprised. For the first time in ten years, she had completely forgotten about her son.

“I’m surprised you even remembered my name,” Sean sneered sarcastically. He couldn’t hold his grip however at the startled look on his mother’s face. Smiling slightly, he entered the room and bounded onto the bed between them. “I know I’m supposed to stay in my room, but when the yelling stopped I was having trouble eavesdropping.”

Unflinchingly honest, and positively charming, Clark would never have guess that this bright young boy only had ten years under his belt.

Lana exchanged a curious glance with Clark before her son broke in again. “So from what I gather,” he leaned back so his head rested comfortably into his mother’s lap as he pointed an accusatory finger at Clark. “Clark, isn’t always honest. Mom doesn’t like liars, either.”

“You speak from experience?” Clark asked with a grin.

Silently pleading the fifth, Sean returned with a grin of his own, “From the sounds of it, you do too.”

Lana smiled slightly at the pair, absently stroking her son’s soft brown locks. Trying to identify how much damage had been done, “What else did you hear?”

Sean frowned, not yet ready to reveal to his mother that his knowledge did not go beyond their brief shouting match. “What else did you say?”

Clark laughed openly at that remark, earning him an embarrassed grin from Sean and a roll of the eyes from his mother.

“Are you hungry?” she asked, having noted her own grumbling stomach.

“Starved,” Sean and Clark answered together.

Lana grinned broadly at Clark, unable to suppress her pleasure. Sean always did remind her of Clark, too much so in some ways. He’d really benefit from someone like Clark… Her smile faded as her eyes lingered on Clark, who was still smiling, but had returned to his loose thread from before.

“What do you want?” Lana asked. As Clark looked up, she added with a chuckle, “Sean?”

“Johnny Rockets,” Sean answered instantly, popping up from his mother’s lap in excitement.

“Johnny what?” Clark asked, confused. McDonalds would have been fine.

***
Johnny Rockets was known for it’s wonderful fifties décor and it’s enticing aromas could be whiffed from a half block away. The streets were rather busy as the nightlife had just begun in Chicago, and Clark, Lana, and Sean made their way gracefully through it all. Lana would have expected Clark to be out of place in such a large city, but he didn’t fail to surprise her, navigating through the crowds with such ease that she found herself watching him on more than one occasion, each time having been cut short by an angry passerby demanding that she watch where she was going.

“You don’t seem to be too overwhelmed with the crowds,” Lana commented as she rebounded off of the third unwary individual of the night.

“Whereas you’ve bounced off more people than have passed you by,” Clark chuckled; he was immediately joined by Sean, who couldn’t help but smirk at his mother’s blush. “I’ve been living in cities since college, I’m used to it.”

Sean led the way into the restaurant with Clark and Lana close behind. Expecting to see something a little more modernized, Clark was immediately taken aback by the sight of Johnny Rockets. The restaurant practically screamed of vintage fifties with bright booths, bar stools, and a classic jukebox in the corner.

Clark got the distinct impression that the door had been some odd time warp portal that sent him straight into an old fashioned soda shop. Neither Lana nor Sean seemed at all surprised by this trip down a memory lane that far outstripped the two of theirs combined. Sean proceeded boldly to the maître d’s podium and requested a booth for three.

Clark continued to look around in confusion; he had begun receiving vivid flashbacks of his own father’s memory. Clark saw Jor-el outside the Talon, on the farm, in the caves… His eyes went slightly out of focus as he lucidly recalled his father and Louise’s ‘roll in the hay’. Clark gave Lana a glance out of the corner of his eye, she was completely unaware of Clark’s quick mental turn into the gutter. He shook it off visibly and turned his attention to the maitre d who had begun describing the special of the day.

“Oh are you a family?” the blonde host asked curiously as she noticed Clark standing behind Lana for the first time, her eyes lingering with obvious interest.

“Uh, no-” Clark began but was instantly cut off by Sean.

“Yeah, we’re a family.”

Clark stared at Sean as if he’d never seen him before, but his chin nearly collapsed onto his chest when he saw Lana smile and nod.

“Well why didn’t you say so,” the girl whose nametag read ‘Melanie’ piped. She gestured automatically towards a sign by the podium Clark had neglected to read. ‘Family Night - Families Eat Free’.

“All I’ll need is your name and your preference.”

“Teague, non-smoking,” Lana answered, laughing silently at Clark’s dumbfounded expression.

“Teague?” Melanie repeated with a hint of surprise. Her eyes passed slowly from Sean, to Lana, before coming to rest on Clark, a faint glint of desire flashing behind her twinkling blue eyes.

“Jason Teague?”

“That’s my husband,” Lana replied, taking a quick, possessive step closer to Clark, who’s bemusement increased tenfold.

“That’s funny,” Melanie said her voice becoming oddly cold and unwelcoming. Her eyes never left Clark, who was sure he could power a television with the tension looming in the air. It couldn’t have been more evident that she found none of this even slightly amusing. “We just had a Jason Teague leave here earlier on this evening, with a bald guy.”

With a bald guy? Clark thought, his interest piquing. Clark’s expression of blank unawareness was replaced by one of polite puzzlement as he wondered whether this ‘bald guy’ could be Lex Luthor. And if so, what were they doing dining together? Was Lex really working with him or the police?

Melanie simply watched them curiously before leading the way to a booth by the window. “Someone will be back to take your orders.”

Before she could walk away, Clark tapped her slightly and whispered, “If you see Jason Teague in here again,” he passed her a small sheet of folded paper, “give me a call.”

Melanie opened the paper slightly to see a ten digit number scrawled neatly in ink. She smirked at Clark and raised an accusing eyebrow. “Sure your wife won’t mind?”

He smiled slightly as she pocketed his number and sauntered away, a noticeable spring in her step.

Clark slid into the booth across from Lana and Sean who were already immersed in a clearly heated discussion, neither seemed at all fazed by Jason's supposed cameo. Without preamble, Clark cut into their conversation like a white hot knife.

“Why did you tell them we were a family?”

Sean laughed at Clark’s outrage, “Because this is the best place in town.”

“And the most expensive,” Lana added with a smirk of her own. She found herself admiring the way Clark’s eyebrows furrowed when he frowned and his blue-green eyes squinting in what he obviously considered an intimidating glare. Lana, however, found it positively adorable. Look at those eyes…what’s wrong with me?

“So are you guys going to tell me how you know each other?” Sean asked, sifting through the jumble of menus Melanie had laid out for them.

“We knew each other in high school,” Lana answered stiffly.

“And?” Sean probed, continuing to rummage impatiently through the menus.

“And we lived next door to each other,” Lana supplied reluctantly, turning the page of her own menu, although taking note of nothing she saw.

“And?”

Lana looked up expectantly, hoping to exchange a reassuring glance with Clark. She was disappointed to find that his eyes were buried in his own menu, reading diligently, purposely avoiding her gaze.

So you’re making me do this alone? She scowled at him, unknowingly relinquishing her own special brand of heat vision across the table that after only seconds left Clark’s slightly pink forehead a startling shade of crimson.

“And that’s all you need to know,” Lana snapped shortly, never ceasing her individual act of flame throwing. Had she not been preoccupied scolding Clark with a scalding glower, she would have smiled at her son’s persistence, perseverance that would have made even Chloe Sullivan proud.

“I know there’s something else going on,” Sean grinned as he found his quarry amidst the pile. He opened the margarita menu and continued, “I’m not stupid, you know.”

“No,” Lana agreed, taking the margarita menu from her son and replacing it with the child’s menu. “But you are still a little boy.”

“Mom!” Sean sighed exasperatedly, clearly revolted at the words ‘little boy’. “I’m ten, and Dad let me try a margarita once before.” He tried reaching for the beverage menu but his mother tucked it away.

“He shouldn’t have,” she frowned, her nose scrunching in disapproval. Clark noticed this and smiled.

“Tom,” Sean addressed, having not yet been informed whether to address him by the fictitious name or his real one in public, “do you have kids?”

Startled, Clark chanced a glance at Lana, who was staring back at him. Unable to mask her sudden attentiveness, Lana looked back down at her menu, failing dismally at appearing disinterested.

“No,” Clark answered bracingly, as though the thought of children at his age was completely absurd. “No kids.” Both Clark and Sean missed Lana’s deep sigh.

***
A/N: All I want to know is, do I get credit for two updates in two days? :lol:. This was fun to write, I was going to continue the chapter, but that seems a good place to stop.

Special Thanks to SVSleuth for unknowingly supplying some of the transcript from the episode Legacy. Thanks to you I didn’t have to bother looking it up myself lol.

[Mythos]

THAT was AMAZING! What a terrific story! I don't know what credits you want but as far as I'm concerned you can have all of em! And it reads away so easily. Must be all that juicy dialogue ;)

Please continue! :D

[LoisNClark]

awesome update
ppms

[kewl]

WOW!!!! extremely awesome!!!!! i know i've said this b4 but it won't hurt if i say it once more or even the umpteenth time ..... I LOVE THIS STORY!!!! :D ;) amazing choice of words!!! keep up the good work and just keep em flowing ~~~~~ !!! :) :D

[dreammaster]

awesome chapter

[peaches4cream]

great

[SVClana]

Awesome chapter! Can't wait for the next one!! :)

[ajfinn]

Whoot whoot!! Loved those scenes! I'm so happy that there's more dialogue going on now!!! I can't wait for more!!!!!!! Yes, you get credit and kudos for updating two days in a row. It's addictive to write when you start to feel where your story is going, isn't it?

[MOOman0618]

This is a crazy good story. I am always so disappointed when I come to then end of your update. I always want more! But good job with the two in a row. KEEP IT UP!

[Ketchup]

Phew so long, but this story is soooo good!!! PPMS!

[clana4ev3r]

I like this sean kid man he's like chloe! digging for information!

[blahblah]

Very nice... This story rocks!! PPMS

[binkys711]

YAY!!!THAT WAS SO COOL!!!I LOVED IT!!!PPMS!!!possibly 3 chapters in 3 days?;):D

[NYC300Z]

Really Great Update!! Would have been on sooner but i'm in Jersey for a party! I'm heading to Brooklyn about now though to meet my friend and then drive back to Jersey! Reading ur story held me up but it was worth it!! PPMS!!

PS Thanks ;)

[SVsleuth]

[Special Thanks to SVSleuth for unknowingly supplying some of the transcript from the episode Legacy. Thanks to you I didn’t have to bother looking it up myself lol.

You're welcome. Glad to be able to unknowingly assist you with your story. :) That is, your very, very awesome story!! I really love this one. Please keep up the great writing. And I really liked the REALLY LONG update!

[clana4ev3r]

PPMS

[LoisNClark]

ppms

[Joshuabr]

Please keep going, this is very good.

[booze_is_me09]

please continue!

[EyeluvTom]

Update again soon!

[4EverSmallville]

Emotional Detachment ~ Chapter VIII ~ Busy

“Ready?”

“Yeah!”

“Okay.”

Clark launched Sean effortlessly, careful to hold back on his strength. He watched with obvious amusement as Sean sailed acrobatically through the air before diving, like a missile, into the large pool set decoratively in the vast back yard.

On first impression, Clark had taken their home to be rather modest and self-effacing for a family of their known wealth and stature. There was nothing too extravagant to be seen when they first pulled up in the driveway, but as they say, you can never judge a book by it’s cover.

Having been given the official grand tour of what Sean casually referred to as the Palace de la Sean, Clark couldn’t help but think that this grand estate could give Lex’s imported Scottish castle a run for it’s immeasurable amounts of money.

Thankfully more modern than the classic Johnny Rockets, there were all sorts of attractive adornments scattered throughout the humble home, and Clark privately wondered just how rich the Teague family really was.

There wasn’t much time to explore, however, as Sean had quickly darted off to his room to change into his swimming trunks, instructing Clark to do the same with the pair he’d made him purchase.

Lana had put up quite a struggle, adamantly protesting this midnight dip. With the combined complaining efforts of both Clark and Sean, they persuaded her only after Sean agreed to wait thirty minutes before diving in.

At this Clark laughed and shook his head, his long curls shining brightly in the moonlight. “When did you get to be so old fashioned?”

“Very funny,” Lana had replied with a sardonic smile.

Once Lana’s thirty minute disclaimer had been enforced and adhered by, Clark and Sean were thrashing about in the water while Lana looked on from the adjacent hot tub.

She watched the two silently as they laughed together, the sound the equivalent of a euphonic symphony to her ears. She hadn’t heard Sean laugh like that in ages…

Sean had suddenly leapt out of the water and stood a few feet from the edge, begging and pleading desperately for Clark to throw him in the water. Clark obliged, pulling himself slowly, painfully slow out of the water.

Lana took a quick intake of breath as the water ran smoothly down Clark’s chiseled back; each droplet managing to fill every perfectly defined crease as it fell back into the shimmering pool. Her interest mounted as Clark easily lifted Sean off of the ground and rocked him back like a newborn, his muscles alternately relaxing and contracting.

There he was, silhouetted against the gleaming moonlight, standing in all of his shirtless glory, holding her giggling child. The light from the moon in contrast with the blue glimmer of the pool painted a pale picture on Clark’s undeniably faultless body. His damp, dark curls, lying limply in all directions from the water, shined brightly; his eyes, which never seemed to decide whether they wanted to be completely blue or completely green, had absorbed the light of the pool and were now projecting an attractive azure that sent chills down Lana’s spine, despite the hot water.

The angel on her shoulder insistently whispered in her ear things like, “You’re married.” and “He had his chance.”

While the vindictive vixen on her opposite kept intruding with suggestive, primal thoughts like, “Damn!” and “Jason who?”

Lana soaked in confusion, not knowing who to believe. Her conscience was right in saying that she was married, but where was the harm in taking a peek? She reasoned with herself that no damage would be caused if she watched from afar. Besides, she thought as Clark hurled Sean through the air, he doesn’t even know how good he looks.

"Mom!" Sean yelled excitedly, jerking Lana violently from her private mental dwellings as he splashed recklessly into the hot tub. "Mom! Did you see that? Clark threw me at least fifteen feet!"

"He's exaggerating," Clark laughed bashfully, sliding into the hot tub.

Was he? Didn't he throw someone three times Sean's size thirty feet once before? And in his sophomore year, no less.

Through the soft swirls of steam lingering over the water, Lana saw Clark recline into it's depths, leaning his head back on the tub's outer rim and gazing wistfully at the twinkling stars above. They reflected magically in his enchanting eyes, who had once again shifted from a deep blue to a sexy sea-green. Taking her eyes off the divine sight across the way, Lana looked up at the stars as well as they winked and flashed down at her.

Stars being a rarity in the cloudy, Chicago night skies, Lana was surprised to see so many cluttering the dark mass. It was almost like she was back home in Smallville; having Clark there with her only increased the sensation that she was in the loft looking out at them by his side. Had the sky always been this starry and she was too preoccupied to notice, or did Clark somehow possess the ability to coerce the heavens into decorating the night sky, just for his and her viewing pleasure? She chuckled softly at the thought, knowing that Clark already enjoyed the luxuries of untold abilities, abilities that he unknowingly exercised on her with a single glance or a warm smile.

And there it was again. She'd started off just gazing at the stars, and had somehow ended with Clark. Twelve years later and her most irrelevant, random thoughts still ended with the same mysterious farm boy.

Although aside from his mouthwatering physique, no one who didn't already know could guess that this charming, city bred man, had spent the more influential years of his life bailing hay and mucking stalls.

Thinking of the man before her, Lana tried to decide which in fact, had been the more influential years of his life. Gone were the days of flannel and plaid, succeeded by a more sophisticated, fashionable attire of neat button ups, slacks, tees, and jeans. She noticed as they'd shopped earlier in the day that he'd bee-lined to the more expensive, designer racks. Although when she questioned him, he'd told her that Metropolis PD picks up the tab, and he might as well enjoy the handouts. She smiled as she remembered the grin he'd given her after that statement.

But all those years on the farm still showed in a more internal aspect. No, she could no longer look at him and tell that he was 'small-town', born and bred. But there was still that innate sense of justice, that chivalrously polite manner, and that dark mysterious side that attracted her and repelled her at the same time still rang more true than ever.

Lana noticed, however, that years alone and emotionally constricted had worn on him. She doubted he'd ever spoken to anyone about his parents' deaths; it was apparent from his withdrawn manner when they'd touched on the subject earlier. He did not cry. He hardly showed any emotion at all. Only years of training and suffering could perfect such detachment, and she knew it was so due to the fact that Clark Kent used to wear his emotions proudly on his sleeve. Even if he wouldn't disclose them, it was always obvious when they were there.

Her thoughts busy lingering elsewhere, a certain elsewhere to be precise, Lana didn't hear her cell phone ringing until the third chime broke the stillness of the night.

Drying one hand on a nearby towel, Lana answered the call and held it to her ear.

"Hello? Yeah."

She suddenly cast a weary look at Sean, who had begun blowing bubbles in the steamy water, showing no interest in his mother's one a.m. phone call. Clark however, had taken his eyes off of the stars and debated with himself whether it was right to listen in. Like Lana, Clark succumbed to the tempting devil on his shoulder.

"-busy tomorrow?" came a frantic, female voice from the other end.

"Yeah, kind of. I was -" Lana's response was interrupted by the urgent caller.

"It's crazy, we need you in here! They've lost your drawings and Leo wants them for a show he's doing in the winter. And Pierre is insisting that he didn't hide them, but he keeps telling us to use his drawing instead. Lana it's a nightmare-"

"Why don't I just drop off some of my backups tomorrow, I saved them all on a disc."

"That's great Lana, but Pierre is taking over and running things straight into the ground! I can't fix this by myself!"

"Rae-Rae relax. I'll be in tomorrow to help out."

"Oh thank you Lana! I'm sorry I called so late, but Pierre had us working overtime!"

"I'll talk to him tomorrow, too."

"You're a lifesaver, Lana. I know this is your vacation and all, so I'll come and pick you up at seven, okay? The least I can do is give you a ride."

"Okay, seven it is."

"Bye."

Lana ended the call and found herself suddenly blessed, or cursed, with the undivided attention of her ten year old son.

"Who was that?" he asked coldly.

"Rae," Lana answered, shrinking slightly under her son's glare. "I need to go in tomorrow."

"Can't she do anything by herself?" Sean whined, clearly upset. "We were going to the beach tomorrow."

"I know, but I really need to take care of this," Lana said softly, trying to console her son. "We'll go the next day, I promise."

"Whatever," Sean muttered, climbing dejectedly out of the water and storming into the house. Leaving Clark and Lana to watch him go; he with confusion and she with despair.

Clark looked to Lana expectantly, waiting for her to go after Sean. But when she sighed, rubbed her eyes with one hand, and slumped deeper into the water, he knew she had no intentions of moving anytime soon.

He took her actions, or lack thereof, as his cue to intervene, and waded out of the water after Sean.

“Where are you going?” Lana asked as she felt the water ripple around her.

Clark looked back at Lana while wrapping a dark towel around his waist. Without responding, he disappeared into the house after Sean.

***
Clark found Sean in his room, sprawled on the bed, clicking away at the remote in his hand.

“Hey buddy.”

“She send you after me?” Sean called from the depths of the blankets, not bothering to look at Clark.

“No, I came to see how you were doing,” Clark said, edging into the dark room.

“How do you think I’m doing?”

For ten years old, this kid has sarcasm down.

“Well that’s why I’m here,”

Sean scoffed. “Please. You don’t care about me. You’re here to investigate my dad.”

How does he know that?

“That doesn’t mean I don’t care about you.” Clark was unknowingly breaking the one and only rule his assignment came with. It had been engraved in his mind, yet in an instant, it was lost. “Why don’t we do something tomorrow.”

“Yeah? Like what?”

Clark looked around the room; in the darkness he noticed several baseball posters and trophies. “How about a baseball game?”

Sean finally looked at Clark, who was still dripping slightly on the dark carpet. “Really?”

“Sure,” Clark shrugged, hitching his towel up a little higher.

“Can we see the Sox?”

“I don’t see why not,” Clark shrugged again, glad that Sean had taken to this idea. Just as this thought struck him, Sean’s face slackened into a frown.

“Mom’ll never let us go.”

“We won’t tell her,” Clark offered, shrugging once more, this time with a mischievous grin.

Sean stared at Clark, clearly surprised at this suggestion. “Are you serious?”

“I was,” Clark nodded, ‘but if you’re not up for it-”

“When do you want to leave?”

Clark smiled and made his way to the door, “We’ll talk more about it tomorrow, get some sleep.”

***
The fog settled low, like thick gray clouds around his ankles. The night was oddly still, no wind, no crickets, no owls, just the deafening roar of uninterrupted silence.

On he walked, brisk and purposeful, his feet carrying him to a predetermined destination. The leaves, damp from the moist fog, crunched audibly under his feet, yet the sound was dulled even before it reached his super-sensitive ears.

The walk ended just as soon as it began, the walker finding himself before a familiar slab of rock, a grave inscription reminding him of a grave tragedy. Those words, inscribed into the rock, had been inscribed into his mind, heart, and soul. With every bat of his lashes those words appeared, more vibrant and visible than ever, despite the gray darkness that surrounded him.

Jonathan and Martha Kent - Beloved Parents - Giving Friends

Sinking to his knees, the lone figure traced the inscription on the tomb, in his mind, in his heart, in his soul. Those words had come to surround his total existence, not a day having passed without them making their way into his thoughts.

“My fault,” he muttered to the night, his melancholy piercing the silence with pure pain and misery. “This was my fault.”

All of his canned emotions, fear, anger, pain, sadness, all of his trapped feelings exploded out of him as he smashed his fist as hard as he could into the cemented marble stone. Expecting to see obliterated rock fragments, and possibly a little dust, the surge of pain that had erupted in his right hand was phenomenal and unexpected. He yelled in agony as his injured right hand swelled and reddened before his very eyes.

The wind picked up, sending a cool breeze through the quivering body before the rock. As though being carried to him by the wind, a cold, booming voice filled the young man’s ears.

“Their death was your fault, Kal-el.”

Tears streaming from his eyes, the young man looked up from his inflamed hand and gazed angrily into the sky.

“Had you accepted your destiny when it was first presented to you, their lives would have been spared.”

“You!” hissed the son of the bodiless voice.

“No, Kal-el, you. You denied your destiny. You ignored my warnings. You caused the death of the people you loved most!”

“No!” the young man was now on his feet, shaking and shivering with rage. “I didn’t mean to, you didn’t tell me-”

“I told you you would hurt everyone you loved,” the voice hissed, speaking over his outraged heir. “I told you, Kal-el. And you still defied me.”

“No!” the one called Kal-el screamed. “No! It’s not my fault. You killed them! You did this!”

“I did nothing,” the voice responded coolly. “I did nothing but advise you, you chose not to listen. You brought this upon yourself. Accept your destiny now Kal-el. You have nothing more to hold on to in this world.”

“NO!”

“Lara has taken sympathy on you, Kal-el. She has admiration for your resilience. I have no tolerance for it. I will not wait forever Kal-el.”

“NOOO!”

“Clark!”

Clark’s eyes snapped open to find Lana gazing down on him with concern. She had turned on the table lamp again and Clark blinked several times to adjust to the light.

He sat up instantly as he noticed her hovering over him. His hair was matted against his forehead, his breaths heavy and irregular, the blankets wild and disorderly around him. Clark looked at Lana open mouthed, momentarily forgetting the past forty-eight hours. He looked around wildly, scaring Lana slightly with his sudden movements. “Where am I?” he croaked.

“My house,” Lana whispered faintly, concern and fear expressed clearly in her eyes. “You were having a king-size nightmare. Nearly screamed the house down.”

Clark’s heart dropped. He’d visited the graveyard again. His recurring dream of eleven years haunted his resting hours like a shadow.

“Clark?” Lana asked uncertainly as his eyes turned vacant and far away.

He looked at her, still breathing heavily, his bare chest rising and falling noticeably.

“Are you okay? You’re really pale.”

“Fine,” Clark choked out, still trying to get his breathing under control.

“Clark, you’re drenched in sweat, the blankets are around you like a straight jacket, and you’re breathing a mile a minute. You don’t seem like you’re-”

“Fine,” Clark repeated, disengaging himself from the twisted sheets and stumbling towards his bathroom. Lana watched him curiously.

“What were you dreaming about?” Lana asked following him to the bathroom and leaning on the doorframe.

“Nothing,” Clark answered, turning on the cold faucet in the sink.

“It didn’t seem like nothing-”

“Lana,” Clark addressed warningly after he’d filled his hands and splashed his face several times with the frigid water. “It was just a bad dream, okay?”

“What’s not your fault?” she asked quietly.

“What are you talking about?” Clark asked, reaching for a towel and burying his face in it.

“That’s what you kept screaming over and over. ‘It’s not my fault. It’s not my fault.’ What’s not your fault?”

“I was rambling,” Clark answered shortly, draping the cloth over the shower.

“You seemed pretty specific-” she stopped as she saw him retract his right hand. It was purple and bruised, and she knew it hadn’t been like that before. “What happened to your hand?”

Clark looked down, noticing for the first time that the injury he had sustained while sleeping had somehow manifested itself in reality. Jor-el. “Nothing,” he answered. “I must have…hit it, while I was sleeping.”

“Let me see-”

“Lana.” Clark looked at her for the first time and she noticed the unsettled, troubled look in his eyes. “Just drop it.”

And with that he pushed past her out of the bathroom and out of the room.

***
Lana entered the kitchen the next morning not at all surprised to find Clark already there, pouring over the morning paper and sipping a smoking mug of coffee. His bruise from earlier had vanished, she didn’t question him.

“You didn’t go back to sleep last night, did you?” she asked, reaching into a cabinet for a mug for herself.

Clark simply looked at her, his glare more clear and resounding than any ‘no’ could ever be. He stared at her long after she’d looked away, taking in her morning attire. She looked like she’d walked right off the front page of a fashion magazine, Clark had to remind himself that she was a professional designer. Her dark jeans fitted her figure perfectly and as she reached up, her lacy black shirt rose several inches to reveal an elaborate ‘LL’ on the waist of her jeans. Involuntarily, Clark’s eyes rose higher to see distinct black print on her lower back.

“A tattoo?” Clark asked incredulously, wondering how he’d missed it last night.

Lana turned, still on her toes, to see him staring at her with interest. Blushing slightly, Lana pulled her shirt down to cover the mark.

“Let me see,” he said with a grin, rising from his seat behind the counter.

She turned around instantly, barely concealing a smile of her own. “Are you going to tell me what you were dreaming about last night?”

Clark’s grin faded slightly as he reached up to scratch his head, making his untamed hair even more unruly than it had been. Lana enjoyed the way his dark shirt tightened around his muscles as he reached behind his head.

“Why so interested?”

Why was she so interested? She didn’t know herself. “I’ve never heard you scream like that.”

“Well you’ve never been around me while I was asleep have you?” he reasoned.

“Are you saying you have dreams like that often?”

How had she gotten that so easily? Clark mentally went through his words, wondering how he’d walked right into that one when Sean descended the stairs.

“You’re up early,” Lana said conversationally as she noticed her son. It was obvious that she was trying to smooth things over from the night before, Sean would have none of it.

“Clark can you hand me the cereal?”

Ouch, Clark thought as he passed the box from the opposite end of the counter.

Sensing the tension, too, Lana asked Clark what they were planning to do for the day.

After exchanging a knowing glance with Sean, Clark shrugged his broad shoulders and casually turned the newspaper page. “Just hang out a little bit, nothing exciting.”

Lana nodded as silence settled over the table, it didn’t last long however as the doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it,” Clark offered, eager to separate himself from the uncomfortable silence.

Clark opened the door to find a woman of about Lana’s height and age staring back up at him.

“Hi,” Clark said, smiling down at her.

The woman’s answer was an occasional blink of her wide brown eyes, framed in stylish, square rimmed glasses. Her dark hair was pulled into a neat bun and she too seemed to be sporting ‘LL’ fashions.

“You must be Rae,” Clark concluded, offering his hand. “I’m Tom.”

I’m yours, Rae wanted to respond as she allowed Clark to shake her limp hand. However she was too speechless to even dream of being coherent, let alone flirtatious.

“Hey Rae,” Lana said warmly as she joined Clark at the door. “You’ve met Tom?”

Define ‘met’. Do you mean have we been introduced? Or have I taken him home and had my way with him?

“Earth to Rae?” Lana laughed, waving her hand in front of Rae’s face. She turned her attention, which had been fully devoted to Clark, onto Lana.

“Ready to go?” Lana asked.

Rae nodded vigorously, turning her gaze back onto Clark.

“Okay,” Lana said laughing again. “Be good Sean,” she called over a shoulder before addressing Clark. “Call me if anything happens, I’ll be home late.”

***
“Who was that?!”

The car had barely begun rolling before Rae had found her voice and started using it.

“That was Tom,” Lana answered, stifling her laughter. “He’s the bodyguard.”

“He’s hot!” she exclaimed honestly. Lana didn’t agree, but she didn’t disagree either.

“Trust me when I say Lana, that you will be guarding that body more than it will be guarding you.”

“What does that mean?”

“Lana,” Rae sighed as she steered through the morning traffic. “Have you looked at that man? He’s delicious. You’ll be fighting girls off with one of Sean’s bats! If you weren’t my best friend, I’d-”

“Rae,” Lana interrupted, a little uncomfortable with hearing Clark referred to as ‘delicious’. Another statement she neither confirmed or denied. “Why would I need to protect him? I’m not after him.”

Rae nearly crashed the car. “You have that man in your house and you’re not even interested?”

I never said I wasn’t interested. “Right,” Lana lied, her eyes focused on the road.

“Lana,” she said sympathetically. “I know you’re committed to your relationship with Jason, but… have you looked at that man?!”

Lana rolled her eyes and laughed. Of course she’d looked at him, more than she should have already. But she was not going to cheat on Jason…

“I don’t think you realize what you’re passing up,” Rae sighed as she arrived at their destination.

“I’m not passing anything up, Rae,” Lana said convincingly. “I’m really not interested.”

“Yeah,” Rae replied sarcastically. “Yeah, right.”

“Right,” Lana agreed, missing Rae’s sarcasm. She allowed her thoughts to linger slightly on Clark. She wasn’t interested…right?

***
“So your mom works a lot?”

Clark and Sean were in the parking lot outside U.S. Cellular Field, waiting for the game to begin. They were playing catch in a vacant area.

“She’s always busy,” Sean said, throwing the ball back at Clark with impressive force. They had taken Lana’s SUV to the stadium, Clark didn’t ask where Sean had gotten the keys. “These next couple weeks we were supposed to hang out, just us.”

Clark felt a little uncomfortable, having intruded on the mother-son bonding. “I’m sure you’ll still be able to do that,” Clark said, tossing the ball back to Sean.

“That’s what she always says, right before she gets an urgent phone call. Dad’s hardly ever around, and I only see Mom in the evenings. I know her job is important, but I wish she could take a little time off sometimes.”

Clark nodded. “She just wants what’s best for you. I mean, all that nice stuff you have doesn’t come cheap.”

“I know, but I’d give it all back if I knew things were going to be like this.”

***
It was past midnight. Lana had been home roughly two hours, and there was no sign of Sean, Clark, or a note explaining where they were.

Oh, she was ready to kill. ‘Nothing exciting,’ he’d said. ‘Just hanging out.’ She couldn’t wait to get her hands on him…

Who does he think he is? she wondered as she paced frantically by the front door. Taking Sean off without asking, and he took my car!

Lana was in a towering temper as her SUV pulled into the driveway. She resisted the urge to barge out of the house and confront them in the garage.

She settled herself behind the kitchen counter, folding her arms firmly across her chest, harnessing an expression of cold fury.

They entered together, laughing hysterically, fully clad with black and white baseball memorabilia. Sean was rambling about an ‘awesome catch’ while Clark laughed appreciatively. Neither noticed the angry woman only feet away. Lana cleared her throat to make her presence known.

“Mom!” Sean called, so surprised at seeing his mother that he didn’t notice her glare. “Mom! Clark caught the game winning home run! It was awesome, look!” He held out a tarnished baseball for her to see but she hardly glanced at it, her focus zeroing in on Clark, smiling smugly behind her son.

“You went to a baseball game?” Lana asked unnecessarily, the sports attire, matching hats, and game ball were enough clues.

“Yeah,” Sean replied enthusiastically, still failing to note his mother’s fury. “Yeah it was fantastic.”

“The game lasted all day?” For the first time, Clark noticed Lana’s less than pleased tone in her voice.
Which, once registered, was impossible to ignore.

“It went into extra innings,” Clark chimed in.

“Then we went out for ice cream!” Sean added, earning himself a ‘you’re not helping’ look from Clark; it went over his head.

“Sounds like you two had quite a night,” Lana surmised, a curious, indiscernible expression passing her countenance.

“Yeah,” Sean said slowly, his euphoria fading slightly, he finally caught on to his mother’s displeasure, and wanted no parts of it. “Well,” he said letting out an exaggerated yawn, “I’m gonna get some sleep-”

“The two of you took off, in my car, and didn’t even leave a note?!” Lana burst out as his foot hit the bottom stair. Sean closed his eyes, bracing himself. His mother’s rage was definitely uncharted territory, and he wasn’t too eager to explore it’s depths.

“Lana-”

“Clark I expected more from you,” Lana cut across him, “I can’t have you being a bad influence on my son.”

“He’s not a bad influence,” Sean said defensively.

“He is if he isn’t responsible enough to tell me when you’re going out,” retorted Lana.

“At least he takes me places,” Sean muttered bitterly.

Clark had been watching the exchange silently like a tennis match and was wondering who would draw first blood, judging from the scandalized expression Lana was currently sporting, Sean had won out.

“What does that mean?” she asked aghast.

“You’re so busy,” Sean elucidated, his eyes glued to the floor. His boldness rising, he glanced a Clark before issuing his next words directly to his mother. “You never have time for me anymore. Clark promised last night to take me to a game, and we went. He kept his promise Mom. When’s the last time you kept one of yours?”

If Lana seemed scandalized before, it was nothing compared to the shock that had replaced it. “Sean-” she began quietly.

“Save it,” he instructed before storming off up the stairs. A loud crack moments later told Lana and Clark that he had slammed his bedroom door, a clear sign that he didn’t want to be bothered.

Feeling overwhelmingly uncomfortable and out of place, Clark tried to make his way to the stairs before Lana spoke to him.

“You shouldn’t have left, you know.”

Clark stopped at the stairs, rested a hand on the banister, and shoved the other in his jeans’ pocket. Heaving a great sigh he turned to look at Lana, her arms still folded stoically across her chest. “Don’t blame this on me, Lana,” he stated sternly.

Not the response I was expecting. Lana had been anticipating an ‘I’m sorry’ or a ‘You’re right’, not this audacious response. She was just going to let him know that she could and would blame this on him. Her and Sean were doing fine until he arrived, trying to get on Sean’s good side. Probably just for his assignment.

“Besides,” he continued, looking at the floor. “I’ve got enough on my mind as it is.”

Enough on his mind? What does that mean. Does this have something to do with the dream he had this morning?

Lana didn’t get the answers she was craving for, Clark trudged moodily upstairs with a hanging head, and Sean had already bolted shut his bedroom door. Needless to say, none of the three occupants of this lavish home had a pleasant night of sleep that night.

***
A/N: *Sighs* Trust me, it was longer to write than it was to read :lol:. I had a few comments - No, the tattoo Lana has isn’t one like the Isobel tattoo. There was something else I was going to say, but I don’t remember :(. I’ll come back if I do though. I have the next chapter, Insomnia, down skeleton style, meaning I have the plot and structure already complete. It won’t be as long as this, thankfully lol. I still wish I could remember what else I was going to say though :lol:. Well, anyway then, we have a little domestic disturbance now, but I’ll leave you to speculate what the events of Insomnia will bring, all I will say is that Lana has some revelations ;).

[kewl]

wow!!! double foot-long update!!!! awesome chapter as always!!!!

[LoisNClark]

awesome chapter and it was even better because of how long it was;) ppms!!!!

[binkys711]

HOLY MACAROLE!!!THAT UPDATE WAS HUGE!!!:eek: I LOVED IT!!!:D i hope you always post like that;)THIS STORY IS AMAZING!!!your writting is superb!!! great job!!!:DPPMS!!! CAN'T WAIT 'TILL YOUR NEXT UPDATE!!!:D:D:D

[dreammaster]

awesome chapter

[SVsleuth]

Awesome, awesome, awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the really looooooong chapter. Lovin' it! I can tell you put in a lot of effort on this. your writing is super. Keep it up!

[Mythos]

There is only one thing I can utter about this chapter as I sit staring at my screen, vivid images generated by my mind flashing in front of my eyes depicting Clark's dream and the dialogue it contained....

brilliant......

:eek:

[blahblah]

Wow! That was a long and awesome update! PPMS.... I can't wait.

[booze_is_me09]

gosh! that was a crap load of clana!PPMS!

[ajfinn]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! Whoooooo hooooooooo!!!!! Of course this means I love your story more and more with each update!! :D

[spacewalker_33.3]

-“Trust me when I say Lana, that you will be guarding that body more than it will be guarding you.” - :rotfl:

This was an awesome update, i cant wait to read more, i luv this fic, keep it coming soon plz!!!

[MOOman0618]

Holy gigantic update Batman!!

And again I say this is such wonderful writing. I can see everything that is happening. You have a wonderful style and talent. I am definatly into these characters.

I definatly don't expect another update this long...but it would be nice! ;)

[NYC300Z]

AWESOME UPDATE!! Really loved it!! it was amazing! Couldn't even read it one sitting had to get up and think about everything that was happening!! Really fantastic update!! Plz work on insomnia and have it up soon!! I really hope it could be as long as this update!! PPMS!!!

[Cardinal]

You're too good for MY own good! Dang! I am truly jealous! I have daydreams of writing like this, fortunately for all of us, I know where the dividing line between talent and hack is. I'm on the hack side and you're not.

[booze_is_me09]

PPMS!

[itsallinthespelling]

great update. ppms

[EyeluvTom]

Loved the extra, extra long update and hope there are more in the future. Hope you update soon.

[4EverSmallville]

Emotional Detachment ~ Chapter IX ~ Insomnia

When your heart’s been through something like that, the scars don’t magically disappear.
No. No, I guess they don’t.

But, you know, it's like Lex says, a person isn't who they say they are in any one moment. They're who they've always been.

Alicia said that you…you told her the truth about yourself. Stuff you never told me. What did she mean by that?
You know, Alicia said a lot of crazy things.
She also said that you were still in love with me. But that was crazy too, right?
…Right.

Wow, Clark must’ve really messed with your head.
Yeah, he did. And I’m not gonna let that happen again.

Because one of these days, someone’s gonna come along that’s right for me, and I’m going to want to be with that person. And you’re gonna have to deal with that.

Are you still sure you don’t want to be that guy?

Clark, you can’t lie to me about something I saw with my own eyes.

After all, some people are just meant to be together.

Maybe one day I’ll figure out how Clark Kent does the things he does…

After several torturing hours of pointless tossing and turning, Clark weaving in an out of her dreams, and reliving old, and even painful memories, Lana finally dragged herself out of bed.

This is ridiculous, she thought as she pulled on some sweatpants. Isn’t it enough that I’m going to be seeing him every waking moment? Now I’m dreaming about him too?

Frustration and annoyance mounting with every passing thought, Lana recalled the terms on which they had gone to rest. Sean’s not talking to me and Clark’s keeping something from me. She laughed openly at the latter, not taking into consideration the ungodly hour that most people sleep through, knowing that some things certainly don’t change.

She padded barefoot across her room and out onto the landing. Her maternal instincts taking precedence, her body automatically carried her stealthily to the next room. Slowly turning the knob, Lana opened Sean’s door a fraction of an inch to see him sleeping peacefully, the blankets barely covering his body.

Lana scooted inside, careful not to make any noise. Leaning over her son, she replaced the covers, tucking him in neatly. She looked down on her son lovingly before planting a tender kiss on his forehead and exiting.

Back in the hallway, Lana intended to go to the kitchen for a cup of coffee, but her irrepressible curiosity led her to the room across from Sean’s.

Clark was asleep, muttering silently under his breath and shaking almost imperceptibly. He’s having another nightmare, Lana thought as Clark suddenly jerked violently. She wondered what, if anything, she could do to help him, but she wasn’t exactly equipped to tackle on a dream, and definitely not one this horrifying. Lana wasn’t even aware that Clark was afraid of anything.

Just as she was about to cross the threshold, Clark’s body relaxed and his mutterings ceased. He lay quite still, the blankets wrapped tightly around him. Lana continued to watch him curiously, but he made no further movements, so she eventually withdrew from the room.

***
An hour had passed since Lana’s midnight excursion; having not returned to sleep, she sat in the kitchen with a book propped up on the blender and the ingredients for a sub sandwich laid out before her. Just as she began to lather up a slice of bread with mayonnaise, the stairs began to creak as someone made their way down.

Looking up, Lana found herself eye to eye with a disheveled Clark Kent. His hair was as wild as ever, his skin was almost completely blanched, and his beautifully mysterious eyes had taken on that same frighteningly vacant, tortured look as the night before. She easily deduced that he’d had another nightmare.

They continued to stare at each other for several seconds, both surprised to find the other awake at four in the morning. Lana gave Clark her most scrutinizing gaze as he returned it with a curious one of his own. She noticed his bare chest as he noted her slender figure encased in dark sweats and a white tank top. Clark’s eyes unconsciously began to grow warm and they had actually glowed an intense red before he realized this and looked away, blinking furiously.

Silently complimenting herself for winning the implicit staring contest, Lana turned her attention to her sandwich and began slicing a tomato with considerable force.

“You still mad?” Clark asked unnecessarily, relieved that he hadn’t set Lana ablaze; but she was truly hot in all senses of the word.

Despite the glowing feeling that she experienced while Clark was staring at her, Lana dredged up her anger from before and took no shame in directing it at Clark.

“You took off, with my son, and didn’t tell me, and I’m not supposed to be mad?” her aggravation, though evident in her voice, was most apparent in the unrelenting way she began to slice her lettuce, reducing the mutilated vegetable to fine shreds.

Had Clark been a normal man, he wouldn’t have dared taken a step closer to an angry, knife-wielding Lana. But as he was who he was, he took a seat opposite her.

Lana let out an irritated sigh. She wondered if there was any point in trying to use logic to understand Clark Kent. She’d just told him off and he comes and sits down with her. What is he doing?

Clark settled himself in the chair across from Lana and simply tormented her with a curious blue gaze. She couldn’t stand for him to look at her that way, like he knew exactly what she was going through, exactly what was on her mind. He doesn’t know, no one does. He can’t just come into my life after all these years and think that look is still going to work.

That look, that pierced her like a knife, saw through her like an x-ray, and comforted her like loving arms, hadn’t at all lost it’s touch and Lana was thoroughly disgruntled about it. Her anger sent invisible sparks out of her hazel eyes but Clark was unfazed. He continued his unwavering gaze until Lana, giving in, finally looked down at her sandwich.

“Do you think you spend more time working than at home?” he asked seriously as she began stacking thin slices of turkey on her sandwich.

“What?” Lana snapped, stating the first thing that came to her mind.

“Do you think you spend more time working than at home?” Clark repeated evenly, as if there was no reason one should need to question his question.

“Why?” Lana asked, not seeing where this was going at all. Her anger was long since forgotten at the hands of Clark’s mysteriously random line of questioning. If only she had a dollar for every time she associated Clark with the word mysterious…

“Sean does,” he replied casually, plucking a loose piece of tomato from her sandwich and eyeing it curiously. It had been reduced to a mere sliver of it’s former state and Clark smiled humorously at it before popping it into his mouth.

Meanwhile on the other side of the counter, Lana, having been completely oblivious to Clark’s unwarranted thievery, was lost in thought. Had Sean told him that? Why would he tell Clark and not me? I had no idea he felt that way…

After three more pillages of Lana’s sub, Clark rubbed imaginary dust off of his hands and focused himself back onto Lana, who was still struggling with his last words.

“Hey,” he said softly, wanting to catch her gaze before continuing. Once he was positive he held her undivided attention, which took several seconds, he began speaking again. “Look, I know you’re busy trying to give Sean all the things you never had-”

He paused there for perfectly orchestrated dramatic effect. Lana inhaled his words as he issued them, unknowingly hanging on each syllable.

“-but by concentrating on that, you’re taking away the one thing he needs most, the one thing you never got to have.”

“What?” Lana exhaled faintly. While she waited anxiously for Clark to complete his thought, she had unintentionally held her breath in anxiety.

“A mother,” he answered quietly. Clark privately sympathized for Lana, knowing that she briefly had Henry Small, and at least knew to a certain degree what it felt like to have a father. Nell was more like an overprotective, and often overbearing sister, not the influential female figure that every young person needed.

Lana stewed in the obvious sincerity of Clark’s words as he used the abandoned knife to cut himself a portion of her large sandwich. Without another word, he traipsed upstairs, leaving Lana to her own thoughts.

***

She hadn’t been up there in ages. What possessed her to go there then, at the apex between night and day, was something extraordinary, beyond even her own mentality.

It had been her art studio; paintings, drawings, rubbings, photographs, a virtual collage of her college craftsmanship. Her art studio turned storage attic, now harbored pieces and portraits, skirts and outfits, suitcases and briefcases, all her tangible relics of the bittersweet years after Smallville.

Her mental and physical state of being had long since been removed from the equation. She was led through the disorderly attic that had the pell-mell look of a room that had begun with some structure and had spun wildly out of control, by a force that could only be described as spiritual and powerful. Almost as if she was having an out-of-body experience, this unknown authority directed her to a specific corner of the room.

Stooping down, Lana found herself before an old trunk she had used during college. She hadn’t seen it in years; like many of the other items in the attic, once it had been transferred from Paris to Chicago, it had, in effect, fallen off the face of the earth.

As if on auto-pilot, the mysterious influence that Lana had yet to properly identify, led her to unlatch the frayed trunk, releasing small clouds of dust that she instinctively blew away.

She smiled slightly as she gazed at the contents of the trunk. Old pictures of her and Jason, some of her first fashion drawings, photographs she’d taken for school, a copy of Forbes with Lex on the cover, a menu from her favorite French restaurant; it was hard for her to imagine that some of her most treasured memories were all stowed away in a musty trunk, forgotten in the corner of her attic.

Lana had taken nearly everything out of the trunk before she saw it, tucked neatly beneath the lining. Had it not come loose during her excavation, she wouldn’t have noticed it at all.

Throwing an unnecessary glance of precaution over her shoulder, Lana carefully removed the yellowing, unmarked envelope from the depths of the trunk.

She recognized it immediately and once again, looked around to assure herself that she was, indeed, completely alone.

Her best friend in high school and college had been Rae. They were just as inseparable in Paris as they had been in the states. Lana always had that extra flare to her work that allowed her to ‘make it big’, but she included Rae, who was more effective with the actual running of things than the designing, exclusively in her career.

Her senior year in Paris had been one of her most remarkable years of schooling. Moving to Paris, making new friends, meeting Jason, but most of all, missing Smallville. Missing a certain someone in Smallville to be precise.

Rae had wisely informed Lana that the only way she’d get over her lingering feelings was if she got them out. “The safest way to do that,” she had said, “is to write a keepsake letter.” Rae had gone on to explain that in the letter, Lana would write out all of her feelings, but rather than mailing it, she’d keep it if she ever needed to see it again.

As she began to remove the yellowing letter from it’s corresponding envelope, a very small, secluded, repressed fraction of her mind faintly registered what had led her to this letter in this trunk. Although the greater chose to ignore the lesser completely, she knew, deep inside, that it was her heart.

Dear Clark,

I don’t know how to begin so I’ll just say it. I love you, and I don’t know if I’ll ever stop. It’s been almost a year since I left Smallville and I still have these feelings, but you’ve never called or written to me. I guess I should blame myself since I didn’t leave you a number or an address. But I convinced myself when I left that if you really loved me you wouldn’t let me go at all. I know you said you wanted me to be happy, and I believe you, but what about you? Is this what you wanted? Are you happy?

Everyday I wonder if I made the right decision leaving Smallville, and everyday I have this struggle with myself. Because part of me still needs to know if things would have worked out between us. Part of me needs to know that things are officially over. I guess that’s what this letter is for, but we left on such strange terms. I know there was something you wanted to tell me before I left, I wish you’d have said it. I wonder what it was more often than I want to admit.

And I want to be angry at you, Clark. I want to hate you for leaving me and lying to me. I want to hate you for not showing up at the airport, for keeping all of your secrets, for not coming after me. But I can’t, I can’t hate you because of how much I love you. It scares me sometimes because I’ve never felt this way before, and so much of me doesn’t want this feeling to go away, but there is so much pain attached to it. I want to hate you for leaving me confused about my feelings, but I can’t because I love you. Every time I want to hate you, I can’t because I love you.

I wonder why I love you so much and why, no matter how hard I try, I can’t go a day without thinking about you. Clark you’re the most caring, selfless, loving person I know and I can’t understand why we can’t just…be.

I’m tired of dreaming about you, crying over you, wondering what you’ve been doing. I’m tired of wanting to be mad at you and wanting to love you at the same time. I’m tired of being so confused about my own emotions, but mostly I’m tired of being alone.

I met someone in Paris. His name is Jason. We’ve been dating all year and I think I could have a future with him. He reminds me of you sometimes. A little overprotective, always trying to help me, but there’s one thing he has that you’ve never had. He’s honest with me, he doesn’t keep things from me and maybe that’s why I feel so connected to him. I don’t know what will happen between us, but I know that nothing can happen if I don’t get you out of my head.

Lately I’ve been busy, keeping busy keeps me sane. It leaves me with less time to think about you. And I still can’t figure out if that’s good or bad. I just don’t understand why you couldn’t be honest with me, why couldn’t you just tell me what was really going on? Because I have had it in my mind for a long time that there is nothing you could say to me that would change my feelings for you. I love you. And I know you feel the same way about me, I know you do. But I can’t keep holding out hope for something that wasn’t meant to be.

I’m finding it easier to write my feelings down now and I’m glad I’m getting them out. I’m still not sure if you’ll ever see this, but if you do, just know that although I love you, I‘m moving on.

Do you remember what I told you after the incident with Seth? As much as it hurts me to say this, I gave you a chance Clark. I gave you so many chances to be honest with me. All you had to do was take one of them. But you didn’t. So when the right person does come for me, despite whatever feelings I have or don’t have for you at the time, I’m going to be with that person. And that’s something you’ll have to deal with.

I wish things could have gone differently and I still haven’t convinced myself that I wouldn’t try if you wanted to, but from writing all this, there is one thing that I know for sure. I do love you, but I’m finally ready to let you go. I hope you’re ready to do the same.

Love always,
Lana Lang

A/N: Not as long as the last one, how many of you are actually disappointed about that? :lol: Tell me what you guys thought of this chapter, it was my first real venture into Lana’s mind so I’d love the feedback J.

P/S: I have to thank everyone for the positive responses thus far. You all really and truly make my day, and after I read the responses for each chapter I’m so blown away at how well it’s received. I just wanted to thank all of you and say that it really does mean a lot J.

[binkys711]

THAT LETTER WAS SOOOO SAD!!!*wipes tears* THAT WAS AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING UPDATE!!!very, very deep!!!PPMS!!!This story is incredibly well written!!!keep up the absolutely incredible work!!!:D;)

[MOOman0618]

I am so amazed every time I read one of your updates! I loved this update and the letter. I think you pinned Lana's thoughts right on. There is so many directions this story could go and I am so anxious to find out!

[ILoveSmallville4ver]

That was amazing. You are such a great writer!

[NYC300Z]

Yeah really incredible! Yes the letter was really sad especially when she said she was ready to let him go. I wonder if she really meant it since she loved him so much. I can't wait to see them start getting closer. And how Clark is going to take Jason down and what Lex is gonna try and pull on the both of them! PPMS!!!

[dreammaster]

awesome chapter

[SVsleuth]

Great chapter, as always! :) Keep writing, Love it!

Edit: Read it again, now that I have more time to savor it. You are a truly awesome writer! I really love the way you develop their characters so well, and help us feel their emotions - Lana & Clark are SO emotionally attached to each other. Emotional Detachment is an impossibility.

I like how Clark challenges Lana to be a real mother to Sean. And it's funny how he steals part of her sandwich & she's oblivious! :lol:

The letter was awesome. Will Lana admit to herself that those feelings have never changed?

Can't wait for more. You should write novels & get them published. Seriously.

Or maybe put in an application to be a writer for Smallville????? :) :) :) :) :)

[LoisNClark]

Awesome chapter. Loved the added touch of the letter. Keep up the awesome writing.
PPMS!!

[Cardinal]

Words...words...words...in my hands that all they are - words. Words strung together with little inspiration or passion. But give that same wordset to you, and they come alive, leading the reader from scene to scene on a dizzying journey of the mind.

Bravo!

[ajfinn]

WOW!! Such a brilliant update. I loved that letter! And I loved how Clark is still immature & playful . . . and yummy at the same time. :D Excellent!

[booze_is_me09]

amazing post!

i'm looking forward to reading the next one!

OK, I'M DYIN TO READ THE NEXT ONE!PPMS!

[EyeluvTom]

Loved the update!! Can't wait for the next post!!

[Kal-El & Me]

LOVED THAT UPDATE!!! VERY POWERFUL!!! Can't wait to see Lana's reaction. PPMS!

[spacewalker_33.3]

great update, the letter was freaking amazing, it was sooo deep & sad, i liked it, i really luv this story, keep em coming soon!!! btw, i did miss the extra-long update, sorry but ur writing it's just too good for a short update :D:D i'm addicted to this fic ^^'

[NYC300Z]

oh for some reason I thought there had been an update and I got really excited. PPMS!!

[SmallvilleMan]

lol, 4ever likes to keep us waiting and laugh about it, How mean of her;)

[NYC300Z]

wow I never would have believed that she could be that mean ;)

j/p just PPMS!!

[Kal-El & Me]

PPMS

[Mythos]

once again amazing work! I can really feel all the emotional stuff Clark and Lana have experienced by the way you describe their thoughts! It's also really great to see how they've grown up but are still the same persons on some level! Very well done!

[kewl]

what a brilliant update!!!! lana's letter to clark was so sweet and sad at the same time..... PPMS!!!

[booze_is_me09]

HEY,you gonna update? PLEASE do it soon!

[SVsleuth]

Yay, I see you're here, Ashley. Updating soon? Been waiting for you to come back. LOVE this story. :):):):):)

[Scotty]

Your story brings a whole new perspective to the Clark and Lana relationship. I love it, though I feel sad that they have missed out on 12 years of their lives, and when Clark's parents died, Lana was not there for him. I can't imagine how he felt, loosing his parents, his friends have moved on, and Lana out of his life completely, I bet he felt totally unloved. I hope Lana realizes that all Clark really needed was more time. Clark and Sean are becoming good friends, maybe this wise ten-year-old can convince Lana of her wrongdoing.

[4EverSmallville]

I thought I ought to do this before I post, just to save time. Chapter ten - Uncover, in a few minutes.

Binks - I love the all caps lol. Thank you & I'm glad you liked the letter :).

MOOMan - I was hoping I'd be accurate with the letter so it's good to hear that you thought so. This story really could go just about anywhere lol, trust me I've considered several possible endings already :lol:.

ILoveSmallville4ver - Thanks :D.

NYC - I wonder if she meant it to, I don't know yet :p. I'm probably alone in thinking that Lex is the best part of the story lol, but I'm a big fan of bad Lex :D. And in this story, he is pretty bad ;).

dreammaster - Thanks :D.

SVSleuth - Twice? :lol: IMO the title adds a bit of irony to the story. :lol: Clark and the sandwich was my attempt at comic relief lol. I'll leave the pro writing to ajfinn ;).

LoisNClark - Are you a Clois shipper? :lol:

Cardinal - :o, judging from that passage, I don't think you'd do too badly with words yourself :).

ajfinn - Thank you, some things don't change :D.

booze is me - Give me about fifteen minutes from now lol, I don't want any casualties :lol:.

EyeluvTom - Thanks and it's coming.

Kal-El & Me - Then I hope you will be satisfied with the next post :).

spacewalker - Thanks, I know the long updates are fun to read, but they are a nightmare to write lol. j/k - What happens is I'll have the idea all set, and then I just get carried away :p.

NYC & SVMan - Yeah, I laugh lol. I don't deny it :p. I only laugh when you ask for updates, for some reason that always makes me want to laugh, what can I say?

Mythos - That's one of the things I'm striving for, to show how they've both grown up in some ways and haven't changed in others. Glad you caught it :).

kewl - Thanks :D.

Scotty - Great insight and I agree. I might also add that Sean will probably be playing a sizeable role in the future ;).

I hope I didn't miss anyone, and I hope I didn't make any enemies, I bet this post looks like an update. But - give me about twenty minutes and I'll be back with Uncover. Thanks in advance for the patience :D.

[SmallvilleMan]

I feel left out:( and it did look like an update:rolleyes:

[4EverSmallville]

Emotional Detachment ~ Chapter X ~ Uncover

Lana had two goals for her vacation. Number one, spend more time with Sean. Number two, get acquainted with some real rest and relaxation.

Huddled in the attic corner at five a.m., clutching a letter older than her son, Lana’s vacation aspirations had the longevity of a typical New Years Resolution.

Silent tears cascaded down her soft countenance, falling in slow sheets, and eventually splattering the collections of dust that had dominated the wooden floor.

She had no idea what was to be made of her present predicament; the only definite thought in her mind was that her current confusion coincided directly with Clark Kent. Had she been told in Paris that twelve years later she would still be battling her own feelings, Lana would have stared in amusement, followed by a swift smile, succeeded by a burst of uncontrollable laughter. Then, she knew that her feelings toward Clark were strong, but enough so that they would linger inside her for all these years? Reading her long, lost letter brought back memories and emotions that Lana barely knew she still contained.

And it only added to her befuddlement that this man, whose name had been taboo since the moment she autographed that letter, was now back in her life, giving her advice on how to raise her son. Of course, because things really don’t change, he had to be right.

The dull monotony of gray that had consumed the attic was gradually replaced with inspiring rays of pink and orange. A single window set decoratively in the sloping ceiling allowed the soothing essence of sunrise to permeate the room. Feeling somewhat invigorated by the growing brightness around her, Lana began to pile the contents of the trunk back inside their safe haven.

When the trunk was full to capacity, with the exception of the letter, which Lana had chosen, under the influence of that mysterious power, to hold on to. It was written with Rae’s disclaimer in mind, “If you need to see it again…” Lana had the distinct impression that she would be spending a great deal of time with this letter over the upcoming weeks.

She let out a long, labored sigh, wishing that her problems could vanish with the same ease as an exhaled breath.

It had yet to occur to her that she would need to leave the attic, the burden of everyday living having slipped from her mind altogether. Her thoughts were much too preoccupied with the recent developments in her life, which was beginning to mirror the complexities of a soap opera, reality show crossover. Her mind paralleled her lifestyle in it’s busy, ceaseless affairs.

What am I going to do about Sean? It kills me that he’s upset with me, and if everything Clark said last night is true, Sean has every reason to be upset with me. I really haven’t been spending enough time at home…

When is Clark not one of my main problems? she thought with a smile. If any of her current problems were serious, the situation with Clark was beyond compare. I completely chewed him out and he turns around and gives me advice, really good advice nonetheless.

And these late night encounters need to stop, Lana mused, a slow chill gliding down her spine. It was enough to be in his presence, to have Rae reminding her, and to be having frequent dreams about him, but she could do without running into him at unheard hours with his dazzling bare chest completely exposed. Sighing again at the conflicting manner in which her thoughts kept colliding, Lana was well aware that the moonlight meetings were as much a hindrance to her day as a highlight. She sighed again.

Lana was just wondering where she was going to hide her letter, knowing that the apocalypse would be upon her if anyone ever read its contents. Without warning, she shuddered at the possibility of Clark stumbling onto the document, or Jason or Sean. She was beginning to regret finding it at all when the attic stairs began to creak.

Panic mode was an understatement for the sudden alert and jittery experience Lana had in the corner. She leapt up, putting a safe distance between herself and the trunk.

As the door swung open, Lana made a hasty, unsuccessful attempt at hiding the letter behind her back.

“What are you doing?” Clark asked, suspicion and curiosity evident in his expression.

“Nothing,” she replied before the words had barely left his mouth. Her instant response, coupled with the steady flush rising in her cheeks led Clark to completely disregard her obviously false answer.

“What’s that?”

“What?” Lana inquired, in the same speedy, high pitched manner as before.

“Behind your back.”

Lana looked over her shoulder. “Oh this?” She pulled out the letter and stared at it, as if completely surprised to find it in her hands. “It’s just - it’s uh,” the longer Lana struggled with an answer, the more confident Clark became that he wouldn’t buy whatever she came up with. “It’s, you know. It’s nothing.” For added effect, she gave a casual wave with the letter, playing the ‘it’s nothing’ card to the best of her ability. The best of her ability, however, was still not enough to convince Clark. He continued to gaze at the letter for a time that far surpassed Lana’s comfort level.

She crossed her arms behind her back, taking the letter with, and flashed Clark an innocent smile. “So what are you doing up here?”

Focusing on Lana’s center, where the letter had disappeared behind, Clark resisted the urge to exercise his x-ray vision. He turned his attention to Lana’s eyes, which were a dead give-away to her poorly played lie. “I was looking for you. Rae is on the phone downstairs, she wants to talk to you.”

“Okay.” Lana waited for Clark to leave the attic so she could hide the letter in the midst of the dusty commotion, but he had no intentions of departing the room before her. They continued to stare at each other, each waiting for the other to move, until Lana said, “Okay,” again before exiting, careful to keep the letter furthest from Clark’s prying eyes at all times.

***
“Hello?” Lana had just entered the kitchen and picked up the phone on the counter. Sean was hovering over a bowl of cereal, not even bothering to look at his mother.

There was no answer on the other end, but Lana thought she heard slow, heavy breaths. “Hello? Rae, are you there?”

“God,” she gasped. “Even his voice sounds hot!”

Lana rolled her eyes and glanced at Clark whose head was lost in the depths of the refrigerator. She could have imagined it, but Lana was positive she saw a tinge of red burning on Clark’s neck...

“Earth to Lana?”

“Oh, yeah?” without intending to, Lana had allowed her thoughts of Clark to carry her away.

“Can you come in today?” Rae asked, suddenly very businesslike.

“Uhm-” Lana hesitated as she glanced at Sean, who had taken an unexplainable interest in his empty bowl. “I, uh-”

“Lana it’d be good for you to come in. You know, follow up on yesterday.”

“No,” Lana replied, shaking her head and setting a firm expression on her face. “No, Sean and I are going to the lake today.”

Sean looked up from his captivating bowl and stared, amazed, at his mother. She smiled at him as Rae continued to persuade her, though her argument fell on deaf ears.

Clark complimented Lana with one of his heart-warming Kent smiles, proud that she had taken his advice to heart. His smile widened as he noticed Sean, who was beside himself with glee.

“We’re going to the beach?” he asked the second Lana had pressed ‘end’.

“I promised, didn’t I?” Lana replied with a smile. Clark laughed at Sean's ecstatic expression.

“Clark you’re coming too, right?” Sean asked, his mile-wide grin still shining.

“No,” Clark answered, unsure why he’d been included in the mother-son plans. “No, you have fun with your mom.”

Lana, had at least tried to hide her disappointment that Clark, especially a shirtless Clark, wouldn’t be joining them for the day. Sean, however, allowed his eyes to grow wide and his mouth to fall open before recovering into a disapproving frown. “You have to come!” he whined.

‘Why?’ seeming like an overly rude and ungrateful response. Clark settled for a slight shrug. “I don’t want to impose.”

“You’re the bodyguard.”

Under her cool surface, Lana was secretly bursting with joy that Sean wanted to include Clark. It gave her satisfaction to know that she, at least, wasn’t the only one who wanted him around. She smirked as Sean pleaded with him to join them. Feeling that he needed a little more persuasion, Lana spoke in the most casual manner possible, “You really should come, Clark.”

“Okay,” Clark agreed, hoping he didn’t sound as easily won over as he felt. His desire to look around the house uninterrupted couldn’t hold a candle to the excitement he experienced at the prospect of Lana in her bathing suit.

Lana smiled at Clark’s immediate response and the two shared an unspoken moment of happiness as they looked into each other’s eyes. Sean watched on the sidelines as both of them drifted away to an unknown, but clearly blissful place. Was that all it took? he had thought when Clark readily agreed to accompany them. But his thoughts lingered elsewhere as he watched the longwinded, non-verbal exchange.

When he’d interrupted their first official bout in Clark’s room, Sean had concluded that their involvement with one another didn’t go beyond the old friends and neighbors argument they’d both corroborated. But as the seconds ticked away and their gazes remained locked, Sean reevaluated his assumptions. He’d thought he had the two of them pegged, but now he questioned if he’d even scratched the surface or the depths of the Clark-Lana relationship. As the air began to thicken with tension and tacit thoughts, Sean made a personal goal to find out what exactly went on between the former friends. His mother had never talked about her life before Paris, and he was determined to find out why.

***
“You know, what would you do if I let slip that you’re abusing your privileges to spy on women at the beach?”

The circular control room of the lighthouse was cool and brightly lit; the wraparound windows had taken on a dark tint in the sunlight and the two men on duty were reclining in their chairs, one working on the daily crossword while the other played the part of peeping Tom to perfection, ogling at any cleavage he could capture with the high-powered telescope.

“Don’t knock it ‘til you try it, buddy,” the gentleman behind the operating gears responded with indecent satisfaction and a crooked grin.

The older man made a lazy note on his puzzle and heaved a great sigh. “When will you young people realize that beauty is only skin deep. This disgusting habit your generation has to exploit and objectify-”

“Quit preaching old man,” the young man ordered, adjusting a knob on the desk so the screen before him zoomed onto a slim woman serving a volleyball, “Yeah…”

With astonishing agility, the older man ripped a page from his paper, balled it up, and launched it at his young, hormone-driven partner.

“Hey!” he shouted angrily. He had missed the woman’s serve and was enraged because of it. “Just because you’ve past your prime doesn’t mean you need to take out all your pent up energy on a desirable bachelor like myself.”

The older man laughed riotously as the younger refocused several knobs and set his eyes to seek out another beauty on the beach.

Moments of searching and scavenging later, the man found a more than suitable object for his attention. “Wow,” he said, aghast.

With an impatient roll of the eyes, the older man returned to his puzzle, still mumbling about ‘young people these days’.

“She’s perfect.”

The older man rolled his eyes again, “So were the last five half-naked girls. Get over it.”

“No! No, she’s perfect,” he repeated, not knowing what else to say about this woman. “Hey! Why’s she with him? I bet she’d like me better if I was down there. You think I could take him?”

His partner was unresponsive, having lost himself in clue eleven down of the premier crossword. “I need a seven letter word for ‘twist out of shape’…”

“Hey, hey you old man,” the young man pestered like a child, swatting blindly at the poor old man in the next seat. “You think I can take him down there with that hottie?”

Flashing a look that clearly said, ‘You’re not serious?’ the old man glared as the younger returned with a glance that answered his unasked question.

With a huge, audible sigh the old man rose from his chair, his bones creaking nastily as he came, and approached the younger man with a firm frown. The scalding rays his eyes were now emitting went completely over the headstrong young Romeo, who was much to preoccupied with the vixen on the screen and the lucky guy beside her.

When the old man finally rested his aged eyes on the screen, his mouth fell open in shock. Misinterpreting his wizened companion’s response, the love-struck man grinned widely. “I told you she was a hottie. You might be a wrinkled old prune, but you still got eyes, eh?” He gave the old man a wink and a playful elbow nudge.

“Idiot!” the old man snapped, taking his rolled newspaper and swinging it clean across the boy’s head. “Do you know who that is?”

“Your daughter?” he asked uncertainly, throwing his arms up as the angered senior citizen drew his arm back again.

“No, you dim-witted fool! That’s the boss’ wife!” the old man whispered, his eyes darting around unnecessarily, they were quite alone. But he knew that working for who they did, it was foolish and naïve to ever believe that.

“Really? Damn.” he looked back at the screen, only to see the woman give her gentleman friend a playful shove. “Well no wonder he’s so angry. I guess she likes her guys with hair, but look,” he removed the baseball cap he was wearing and ran a hand through his messy mop, “I’ve got loads!”

Without the protection of his hat, the next blow from his co-worker sent his head jerking forward. “Don’t be obtuse you filthy little monster, that’s not Luthor’s wife. That’s Teague’s wife!”

“She’s hot!” He threw up his hands again to block another swing. “If I was him I wouldn’t be running around here all the time. I’d be at home, getting-”

He was cut short by another forceful strike. “If I were you, I’d watch what I said about his wife. You don’t want to end up like the last guy.”

“Why, what happened to the last guy?” the younger asked, flinching slightly as his older counterpart rested a wrinkled hand on the desk.

“We don’t talk about it,” he said shortly, sending an involuntary shudder down his inferior’s spine. “The boss is going to want to know about this.”

***
“Go deep!” Clark shouted as he heaved a football into the air as Sean ran frantically to catch it.

Lana walked side by side with Clark as they watched Sean chase after the airborne ball. Neither of them met the other’s gaze, for fear of physical distractions. Each time Clark had tried to look at Lana he had been irritated by a warm sensation behind his eyes, her bathing suit and matching wrap around her waist sending the warm feeling shooting through his entire body. And whenever Lana dared look at the Adonis beside her, she was transfixed with how visible his muscles were through the thin white tee he was sporting, and consequently, each time she forgot to be coherent.

He focused on the sun, hovering over the blue water, while she kept her eyes on her son as he ran down the shoreline. Thus, without the added pressure of eye contact, the pair managed to have a pleasant conversation while strolling down the sandy shores.

“He really likes you, you know,” Lana offered, as she watched her son catch the ball.

“He’s a good kid, he reminds me of Chloe,” Clark returned, snatching the ball from the air as Sean through it back. “Very inquisitive.”

“What do you mean?”

“He hasn’t stopped asking me questions all day.”

“Like what?”

“Like how we know each other. What happened between us. Why we haven’t spoken in twelve years,” there was a brief moment of unease following Clark’s words, but Lana plowed through it, her curiosity getting the better of her.

“What did you tell him?”

“The truth,” Clark replied earnestly. To this, Lana laughed and gave Clark a sideways glance. “I can tell the truth, Lana. People do change, you should know that.”

“No, I know people change, just not in every way,” she answered, thinking back to the letter she’d found that morning.

“What does that mean?”

“That means Clark Kent still lies,” she surprised herself at how light this conversation was, their former discussions about truth and lies having been much more tense and uncomfortable. “It took you a full day before you even admitted your real name, and I had to pry that out of you.” She laughed again, joined in by Clark.

“I honestly didn’t think you’d even remember me,” Clark said through his laughter. “I mean, look at you.” He paused a moment to follow his own instruction and was instantly met with Lana’s undivided attention. They both, unknowingly, stopped their progression and turned to face each other, the sunset silhouetted majestically behind Clark. He tried to slide his hands into his pockets, only to find that his trunks didn’t come with any. Lana saw this and smiled.

“You’re rich and famous. You have your own clothing line. You’re married, you have a son,” Clark said the last words in almost undetectable disbelief. How he had wished, fantasized that he would be the man Lana ended up with. “I’m surprised you even recognized me.” His eyes fell shyly to the sand as he studied the flattened grains.

Before her mind could interject, Lana began speaking, “I could never forget you.” Her words, those five short words spoke of true passion and emotion that had not wavered for twelve long years. They had been so quiet they could have been a thought, but Clark heard every word perfectly and wanted nothing more than to hear them again.

Just as he opened his mouth to respond, Sean heaved the ball back, and Clark instinctively shot a hand out, to catch the ball before it caught Lana. As she also noticed the line-drive coming straight for her head, Lana darted into Clark’s embrace. One hand around the football and the other around Lana, Clark couldn’t help but smile at how lucky he could be.

She slowly withdrew from his arms when she realized he’d caught her assailant. Several uncomfortable moments later, Clark filled the silence between them as he indicated Sean approaching. “He’s got a nice arm.”

Still blushing profusely at the vulnerability tied to her actions and the private notion that she wished Sean had the ball again, Lana simply nodded and averted her eyes.

Yards away, Sean watched the pair of them, both a different shade of dark red. His suspicions had been confirmed, but he knew there was still more to uncover.

***
A/N: Comments, feedback, let me know. I don’t know how long it will be until the next chapter, I only have the first scene in mind. Thanks for sticking with me this far :D.

[Cardinal]

Woo-hoo! What an update! Loves me some Clana! :D

Not only do we get Clana...but you threw a monkey wrench into the story by allowing Jason to find out that there might be something going on between the "bodyguard" and his wife. Wow!

[dreammaster]

another awesome chapter

[SmallvilleMan]

Yeah, not too bad, not too bad at all;)

[booze_is_me09]

that was awesome! can't wait to hear more!PPMS!

[LoisNClark]

awesome update
ppms!!
ohh and yes I confess i'm a Clois shipper. How'd you figure out:p but i enjoy clana as well.

[SVsleuth]

Super chapter as always! You keep me on the edge of my seat. I'm really liking Sean. Clark's right, he's like Chloe. Smart kid.

One question: Whatever became of the letter when Lana went to the phone?

Still lovin' this story! :):):):):)

[Schfifty-five]

i love the story. its deeper than most and you can really picture whats going on. keep it up!

[NYC300Z]

Yeah really great update! I also liked ur pre-update post! lol Yeah so i'm guessing Jason listens in to what's going on at the lighthouse. I'm guessing he wont be happy with what his two employee's were just disscussing either. I wonder what exactly Clark told Sean. I love how Clark and Lana are slowly getting closer!

You only have the first scene in mind?? oh that's got me worried that we wont have an update for a while... PPMS!!!

[lanaland]

awesome...PPMS!

[MOOman0618]

I want to know what those two guys in the lighthouse are doing, and why they say both Lex and Jason are 'boss'. Yay for bad guys!

[EyeluvTom]

Can't wait for the next update!!

[Kal-El & Me]

"God," she gasped." Even his voice sounds hot!"
LOL.
Nice update. PPMS.

[binkys711]

AWESOME CHAPTER!!!Clana at the beach!BOOYAH!!!this story is amazing!!!great writting!!!I LOVE IT!!!"I could never forget you" deep....very deep...PPMS!!!:D (i'll try cutting back on the caps...:p:lol: )

[booze_is_me09]

i hope u update soon like tonite!PPMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[spacewalker_33.3]

“God,” she gasped. “Even his voice sounds hot!” :rotfl:

Clark filled the silence between them as he indicated Sean approaching. “He’s got a nice arm.”

-i would say that he got a nice and HOT body and i know Lana would've agree with me, i understand that Sean couldnt have say that but i can, he is sooo hottt, isnt he?, i cant imagine his body in twenty years, OMG, i'll buy fake nails to bite!- :lol: :cool:

awesome chapter as usual, luv it, keep em coming, and dont worry, take ur time, its worth the wait :D

[Ketchup]

Woohoo I leave for a week thinking that this story cant get any better and come back to find three MILE LONG updates that give you every right to earn a Pulitzer. AMAZING!!! PPMS!

[kewl]

Originally posted by 4EverSmallville
Emotional Detachment ~ Chapter X ~ Uncover

Lana began speaking, “I could never forget you.” Her words, those five short words spoke of true passion and emotion that had not wavered for twelve long years.

lana's words were so sweet!!!
WOOHOOO!!!! awesome update!!!! sean's a smart boy, teehee.... :D i'm sure sooner he'll find out all about her mom and this mysterious clark kent!!! i really love how clark & lana are starting to get closer again after twelve long years!!!! PPMS!!!! I JUST LOVE THIS STORY!!!!:D

[Kal-El & Me]

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




please?

[kewl]

yeah, update please! i really love this story!!!!

[4EverSmallville]

Emotional Detachment ~ Chapter XI ~ Mystery

It was that indescribable feeling, like a wild animal at bay, hidden behind the thick bars of love and commitment. But with time and distance, the renown theory that absence makes the heart grow fonder worked in it’s reverse effect. The dormant beast was contained by an even stronger force of innocence and passion, but as years passed and that passion waned, the beast thrived on the tension and animosity. The bars held less and less. Until at certain times, the caged monster broke free of it’s imprisonment and wreaked havoc until coerced back into it’s temporary bondage. He hated the person he was becoming, but when he became that other figure, exclusive feelings such as love and compassion were futile. Remorse was an unknown enemy to the beast, the raging fire that, once lit, burned with a passion unto itself and was more than difficult to extinguish. Fury and rage battled with loathing and antipathy as the demonic spirit conquered that of a once good man. How he hated the person he was becoming, but when the urge was upon him, he couldn’t always resist.

“This is a dangerous game you’re playing, Luthor,” Jason hissed into the cell phone, his anger causing his entire body to tremble with the stress of retaining it.

“Game?” the cool voice on the opposing end responded. “Could you please be a little more specific in your accusations, Jason? If you want to play games, stop by the mansion, I haven’t been able to put the pool table to good-”

“Shut up! You know damn well what I’m talking about so don’t try to pull one of your smoke and mirror, ‘I had no idea’ trademarks on me, because I’m not stupid.”

Lex chose not to respond to the last three words his furious partner spoke, smirking widely at their inaccuracy. It’s sad to see a man who’s lost his mind. But it’s tragic when he’s convinced himself that he’s sane…

“What do you know about Tom Johnson that I don’t?” Jason demanded in a low whisper, his temper mounting at the calmness of the second party to this conversation. It was beyond him, and downright insulting, that he could be in such a towering rage and this man had the audacity to be not at all fazed. What infuriated him even more, was that his correspondent actually sounded calm in his responses. The mere thought fueled the beast in him and it was all he could do not to let out a livid roar.

“I don’t know anything that you don’t know, Jason,” Lex lied suavely through the line. “We’re partners, there are no secrets between us. Right?”

“Right,” Jason sarcastically agreed. His mood was not at all improved by Lex’s answer, it was common knowledge that Luthors did nothing without ulterior motives. It was common knowledge to those who had been privy to some of Lex’s more indecent ventures, that Lex Luthor almost always knew more than he let on. “Then explain to me why my wife and son are out at the beach with him!”

At this point, Jason had to grab hold of something to subdue his anger and as his knuckles were already white from his death-grip on his cell phone, he turned to the star-struck twenty-year-old before one of the monitors. He was watching his wife with displeasing interest and Jason did not hesitate to wheel his chair around with incredible force.

“What the hell are you looking at?” he barked, causing the frightened man to jump slightly.

“I-I-”

“I-I-I,” Jason mimicked, still clutching the phone to his ear, though if Lex answered it was unbeknownst to him. “I don’t know what this old man told you,” he gestured obscenely towards the man in the next seat, “but if you ever even think about looking at my wife, if I ever see you trying to set your twisted, perverted little eyes on her, I swear. I’ll be sending what’s left of you home in a matchbox, understand?”

Too horrified to move, the ghostly white worker simply nodded and waited for Jason to back away, their close proximity having been more than a little disconcerting.

“Well, Luthor?” Jason prompted into the phone, his anger abated slightly after the successful torture session. Seeing the boy quiver with fear satisfied the raging monster for the time being, but his mood was far from pleasant and cordial.

“Oh,” Lex answered, feigning surprise, “oh you’re talking to me now? You see, it’s hard to tell when you go back and forth between hurling accusations and tormenting the work force.”

“Cut the sarcasm, Lex,” Jason snapped, in no mood for a match of competitive verbal jousting. “Tell me why he’s down there with Lana and Sean!”

“I’d say he’s just a fast worker,” Lex replied casually, grinning fit to burst at the expression he knew Jason was wearing.

“Fast worker?” Jason repeated incredulously, his rage building again. He began pacing the circular tower, contemplating his next action. “Fast working on what?”

“Oh I don’t know,” Lex sneered on the other end, “the investigation…your company…your wife.”

“What?! I’m going down there!” Jason bellowed, marching immediately towards the only exit, which happened to be an elevator.

“Jason,” Lex addressed, finally abandoning his amusing game of taunting. He had to admit that he took great pleasure in annoying Jason, it was most entertaining to see how drastic a change he underwent when he was rattled. No wonder Lana filed twice. “Don’t you see? He’s trying to use Lana and Sean to dig up more on you. It’s the perfect plan.”

As Jason pondered those words, Lex reclined in his own chair in his Metropolis office, beaming proudly. How well he’d orchestrated his perfect plan, and it was going far better than he’d ever imagined. Lana, Clark, and Sean becoming close within the first couple of days, Jason already nearing his breakdown, and Matthews was deep in his back pocket before the plane had even landed in Chicago, so deep in fact he’d need a latter to climb out. It’s good to be King.

“What should I do?” Jason asked, his anger, as well as the rampaging fire inside him, had dissipated completely. He was back to being cool, calm, and collected; though his voice seemed to parallel that of a lost schoolboy.

“Do you remember I told you he will be dealt with accordingly?” Lex asked in a soothing, reassuring voice. Sometimes he felt as though he should be commended for how beguiling and charming he could become at the bat of an eye.

“No,” Jason muttered, still lost in thought about his latest problem. At least the two times Lana had filed against him, she had valid reason. He knew he could get out of hand when he lost his tempter, and she knew it too. The first time she’d filed, his compassionate side took over and he ended up doing something he later came to regret. The second time, he was unrelenting in his vows, the proverbial vow of ‘until death do us part’. But now, she was off with another man, not even bothering to file again, or consider his feelings…

Or did I say that to Matthews, Lex wondered as Jason denied ever hearing the claim. Lex knew he’d said it to one or the other, but it mattered little to whom. “Well, he will be dealt with accordingly. Don’t interfere, allow them to get closer with one another. Let him play whatever games he wants to play-”

“But-” Jason began to interrupt, but Lex spoke over him.

“And when the time comes for him to expose you, Lana and Sean will realize that it was an act, that he really doesn’t care about them. He will be alienated, and you will be able to avenge your wife and son before he can do any harm to that positive public relations image you’ve worked so hard to maintain.”

“What do you mean, I’ll be able to avenge my wife and son?”

“Forgive my poor choice of words, Jason,” Lex supplied modestly. “You will regain the love and trust of your wife and son after they realize they instilled those very virtues into the wrong man, resulting in you becoming a closer family. You have nothing to worry about, Jason. When the time comes, we will be ready.”

No, no, he thought as he rectified his verbal error. Clark Kent is all mine.

***
Lana had retreated back to their large blanket and talked animatedly into her cell phone while watching the sun dip slowly below the horizon. After she found herself relishing in Clark’s warm embrace, she thought it best to distance herself from him, but as Rae reminded her several times during their current conversation, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Lana had yet to determine if Rae was seriously advising her to cheat on her husband, or simply giving her a friendly tease. Either way, Lana found herself thinking deeply into Rae’s words of wisdom.

The crowds had thinned considerably since the sun passed its peak; blistering rays were of no use to tanners if they were no longer at the appropriate angle for a good tone. Most of the families had also departed, dinner and quality time at home sweet home being more suitable than remaining at the beach with the other lingerers. As the sandy shores were drained of the tanners and sandcastle builders, they were replenished with a healthy population of hormones, in the form of dating teens and young couples.

“So where is he now?” Rae asked interestedly, unable to think of anything more worthwhile to do with her ‘break’ than to discuss Tom, the magically delicious bodyguard.

“Uh,” Lana looked around for several moments before she spotted Clark and Sean further down the beach. “He’s with Sean, down by the water.”

“And what is he doing?”

“They’re playing catch,” Lana answered with a roll of her eyes.

“Don’t roll your eyes at me, Lana, you know he’s hot.”

How did she know I rolled my eyes?

“I know you like I know myself, Lana, don’t you know that?” Rae continued, well aware of what was going through her friends mind.

“Right,” Lana agreed, tracing a lazy pattern on her blanket. She knows me too well, Lana thought glumly, wondering if Rae would realize that Tom and Clark were the same person. She had never met Clark, but Lana had talked about him enough back in their senior year. I wonder does she still remember that…

“Lana!”

“What?” she asked, snapping out of her reverie at the sound of Rae’s aggravated voice.

“You know what, you can keep denying that you’re interested in the man. But the fact that you keep zoning out on me speaks much louder than anything you can put out.”

“I wasn’t thinking about him,” Lana said defensively, though her eyes were focused on Clark as he played catch with Sean.

“Right.”

“I wasn’t!” Lana repeated, a little angry that she wasn’t being taken seriously. Though she couldn’t blame Rae for her skepticism, she felt the need to explain herself. “I was thinking about high school.”

“Why?” Rae inquired, unsure how anything from Lana’s past could compare to the sight she had to be beholding in the present. Rae had been wandering absently around the Metropolis PD’s web page, hoping to encounter a picture of Tom for her to print out and take home, but she’d had no such luck thus far. I wonder would I be borderline stalker if I ask to take a picture of him…

Ever since high school, Lana had been completely honest with Rae about everything and vice versa. But how was she to say that Tom Johnson was really Clark Kent, the man she’d pined over through senior year? And Lana just wasn’t ready to admit that she might still have feelings for him…she just didn’t know. Leave it to Clark…

“Lana, you’re doing it again, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” lied Lana.

“I know there’s something wrong, Lana, and I’m going to find out,” Rae promised. “I don’t know why you’re so uptight anyway. That man’s body just screams-oh here comes Pierre. I have to go, you know how he gets. Don’t think I’m letting this go though.”

******
Armed with only a mediocre strategy and unflinching perseverance, Sean dedicated himself to unlocking the shielded mystery between his mother and Clark Kent.

“You know I’m going to find out, right?” Sean said, after Clark had successfully dodged the umpteenth question he’d hurled his way. “It’s only a matter of time before one of you slips up.”

Clark adjusted his fingers in the laces of the football as he contemplated Sean. “I keep telling you, there’s nothing to find out.”

“Okay, so what’s up with the long, drawn out staring contests?” Sean asked as he caught the ball. His hair ruffled lightly in the wind as he squinted at Clark. “Don’t think I don’t notice; that second night in your room, in the hot tub, this morning at breakfast-”

“You’re looking for a mystery where there’s none to be found,” Clark interrupted smartly, though he couldn’t stop the grin that tickled at his lips.

“Then why are you smiling?”

Clark laughed, knowing that nothing gets past Sean. “You remind me of someone.”

“Who?” Sean asked. “Chloe?”

How did he know that?

“How did you know that?”

“Lucky guess,” Sean grinned, recalling that Lana had mentioned a Chloe to Clark during their shopping trip. “So how close of friends were you and Mom? I know you must have dated-”

“And how would you know that?” Clark asked feeling his stomach churn as his hands slipped on the football.

“Well you guys act pretty weird around each other for two people who don’t have some kind of history.”

Clark laughed again, though this time it was obvious his heart wasn’t in it.

“What happened between you two?”

“Nothing.” Clark replied, trying to keep as much emotion from his tone as possible.

“It doesn’t matter, I think I know anyway,” Sean said approaching Clark. “You’ve got a habit of lying when you don’t have to. I bet you lied to my mom, and that’s what happened. And that’s probably why I get shipped off to my own personal Alcatraz every time I tell a white lie.”

Is this kid psychic? Clark couldn’t come up with any response. He found himself face to face, or face to chest with a very bright, very bold, very direct ten year old. If Clark ever doubted that this boy was Lana’s, he had his confirmation in the way that he turned the tables and held the upper hand on him.

“So do you still like her?” Sean asked, his green eyes looking directly into Clark’s.

“What?” Clark asked, finding his voice, though his thoughts were so jumbled he’d have been better off without it. “Wh-what? She’s…I’m…I don’t…why would you-who said I…no.”

“Are you sure?” Sean asked, suppressing his own victorious smirk.

“Uh-yeah,” Clark answered, completely and utterly perplexed that Sean had such an effect on him. Yeah, he’s definitely Lana’s.

“It would be okay if you did,” Sean pressured, unknowingly repeating words Clark had heard from Lana years prior.

“What do you mean?”

Sean refrained from rolling his eyes, settling for closing them tightly. When he opened them, he found Clark staring blankly at him. Sean sighed in an annoyed manner as though he was dealing with a very ignorant child. “Because she likes you too.”

Sirens went off in Clark’s mind. Blazing, blaring, boisterous sirens that signaled to the rest of him the significance of Sean’s words. Firecrackers exploded like the fourth of July, an invisible orchestra played passionately, and it was almost unbelievable that his mind had been completely blank seconds before.

“She what?” was all Clark managed in a hoarse voice, as if he hadn’t used it since the day Lana moved away.

This time Sean didn’t bother to mask his irritation, he rolled his eyes exaggeratedly for Clark to clearly see. “She-likes-you-too,” he stated slowly, including hand gestures to match every word.

They began walking towards Lana as Clark continued the conversation, trying not to look too overjoyed. “What makes you say that?”

“I don’t know,” Sean said with a sardonic shrug. “Besides the fact that neither of you are willing to talk about what happened between you. Or that you’d been exchanging looks before you told us your real name. Or could it be the whole take a peek and look away game you’ve both been playing?”

Clark smirked at Sean’s sarcasm. “What do you mean-” At that moment, Clark had been about to ask what Sean meant about taking a peek and looking away, when they both look towards Lana. She held the phone to her ear and was watching them intently, yet when she noticed them staring back, she looked away and began fiddling with the blanket.

“Now do you see?”

“She’s married,” Clark said firmly, having to remind himself as much as Sean. It had never occurred to him that Lana might still have feelings for him after all this time.

Sean made a circular motion with his hand that clearly asked ‘And?’.

“You don’t care at all that she’s married?”

“I know that my parents aren’t meant to be together,” Sean replied, the teasing, irate expression he had been wearing replaced by a more serious scowl. “And I know my mom isn’t happy, but I can tell by the way she looks at you that there’s something there.”

“What are you saying?”

They had stopped again, yards away from Lana and speaking in very hushed voices. When Sean initiated his investigation, this was the last place he’d intended it to end up. He had never told anyone how he felt about his parents’ marriage, yet all of a sudden Clark knew. He definitely wasn’t trying to push Clark at Lana either, if he could have it his way, it’d just be Lana and Sean.

“I don’t know.”

***TBC
A/N: Well, this is an important chapter. I saw it going much further, but it would have ended up being nightmarishly long :lol:. So this seems like a lovely place to leave you hanging :p. Sorry about the delay, but when I finished the last chapter, I only had the scene with Sean and Clark in my mind, the rest of it was a time thing. It won’t be as long until the next chapter, since I was going to put it here lol. Don’t be surprised if the next chapter is Mystery II :p. Maybe it will be today or tomorrow for the rest of this bit, let me know what you’re thinking.

P/S: ***=Later; ******=Meanwhile.

[Cardinal]

Yay, a new update!

Magically delicious, huh? I guess that means Clark's nickname ought to be "Lucky Charms." :D

Sorry, I responded so fast to your post that my first look at your update only included the first half. Wow!

Will Lana tell Rae?
Will Clark and Lana have a heart-to-heart before they spontaneously combust?
Will Jason kill the new guy before or after dinner?

Stay tuned to the next exciting episode of...enter favorite soap opera here.

This fic is so good, it ought to be illegal.

[MOOman0618]

I love Sean! He is very smart and just like Chloe! Will their little talk give Clark the green light? Heehee...oh the wonderful things that will be happening!

[Ketchup]

As Cardinal stated, this fic is so good it ought to be illegal. :D

Amazing update, as always. This is the best fan fic ever!

[lanaland]

AWESOME CHAPTER...Maybe Sean prefer Clark than Jason and they will become a family:)...Well I can't wait to te next update ...PPMS!

[binkys711]

yay!!!awesome update!!!Sean is just like Chloe! that's so cute!:p PPMS!!!Clark/Lana/Sean....sounds just perfect;)

[4EverSmallville]

Emotional Detachment ~ Chapter XII ~ Mystery II

“I swear, he reminds me more and more of Chloe everyday,” Lana smiled taking a seat across the counter from Clark. She had just seen Sean to bed after their trip to the lake, and she was mentally and emotionally exhausted from the day’s events.

Setting a steaming mug of coffee before her, Clark grinned back, “I know what you mean. Today was pretty intense.”

“Tell me about it,” Lana agreed, but not for the reasons Clark suspected. Her mind was swarming with thoughts of the letter, her conversation with Rae, Sean’s persistent badgering…

“Somehow I think you look the worse for wear,” Clark deduced, taking in Lana’s tired expression. “I know Sean was relentless, but is there something else bothering you?”

Yeah, I found a letter I wrote senior year to you that confessed my undying love. My best friend is obsessed with you and wants us to get together. My ten-year-old is too smart for his own good, and oh yeah, almost forgot. I don’t think I ever stopped loving you after all this time, Lana managed a weak smile as she thought this. Yeah, that would definitely be an ice breaker.

“No, Clark, I’m fine,” she answered, careful to avoid his gaze.

“Okay, now you think you can say that while looking me in the eyes?” Clark asked, knowing she was hiding something.

Albeit reluctantly, Lana turned her eyes into his piercing blue stare and felt her heart flutter. She was teetering over a steep cliff of nerves and passion that would undoubtedly finish with her swimming around in the endlessness of that sea green euphoria. Her eyes fell more than once to his lips and she wondered whether they were as soft as they had been twelve years ago. She felt her problems melt away as she continued to hold his gaze, his infinite repertoire of unique abilities never ceasing to amaze her. The latest of which causing her to experience shudder after involuntary shudder, yet tranquilizing her whole state of being. His eyes, his voice, his touch all worked harmoniously towards the same gentle yet mind blowing effect. Because he had the power to vanquish all her worries with a single, heartfelt glance, she could remember no pain, no suffering, even that which she had experienced seconds before. All she knew at the moment was passion, a raging river of emotions that flowed through her very bloodstream, from her heart and back to it, as though she was reaching out to him, but pulled away at the last possible moment. But, unless she was imagining…is he getting closer?

“Clark, I-” Lana began, but was interrupted by a loud rapping on the door. Clark continued to watch her curiously, trying to solve the mysteries of the female mind, wondering what she was thinking, what she had been about to say, and how the two compared.

The knocking persisted and Lana forced an apologetic smile which Clark obligingly returned. She hoisted herself off the stool and trudged silently to the door, her mind reeling. She didn’t know what had been about to happen or what she had been about to say. But whoever’s here at eleven o’clock at night better have a damn good reason for-

“Rae?”

“No need to look happy to see me, Lana,” Rae grinned as she flounced into the house, her dark hair billowing behind her. “You know I don’t let things drop, we’re going to have an old-fashioned sleepover so we can get to the bottom of what’s bothering you.”

Lana continued to look flabbergasted at Rae, not knowing if it was a blessing to have a friend who cared so deeply or a curse. Rae peeked around the corner before letting out a squeal, blushing, and bouncing excitedly when her eyes set on Clark. Relaxing at the look on Lana’s face, she grinned mischievously. “And if we managed to corrupt a certain bodyguard…”

“Rae!” Lana hissed, afraid Clark would overhear her ravings. Little did she know, Clark was already tuned in and subtitles wouldn’t have made their conversation more lucid.

“Lana I’m kidding,” Rae chuckled, pulling her bag a little higher on her shoulder. “You need to relax a bit, I’m glad I brought some champagne with me, maybe that will loosen you up. I always said your bachelorette party was a bit of a bust. And you have to admit, he’d look pretty damn good in a fireman costume-”

“Rae!” Lana scolded, grabbing her firmly by the wrist and dragging her towards the staircase. They passed Clark in the kitchen who watched them go with a bashful grin and a slight blush. Lana’s heart stopped at the prospect of Clark hearing Rae rant on about him, and with this notion she doubled her efforts to put as much distance between the two as possible.

“Hey, Tom,” Rae grinned seductively, pulling back on Lana’s arm so they both stopped right in front of Clark. Lana gave one more tug at Rae’s arm, but it was pointless, she was standing so firm Lana wouldn’t have been surprised if she had been nailed to the floor.

“She speaks,” Clark joked with a charming smile. Lana instantly released Rae’s arm and stared between the two of them, her mouth open ever so slightly.

“Touché,” Rae answered, her grin widening. “Lana and I are going to have a few glasses of wine, would you like to join us?”

Lana’s mouth dropped a notch further.

“Well,” Clark said, donning a look of intense concentration. “You’re hardly coherent without alcohol, I’d hate to see how you are under the influence.”

“Touché again, Tom,” she chuckled with an impressed nod. “But it’s never any fun when you have to drink alone.”

Lana’s mouth was completely and fully open, and for added measure, her hazel eyes were practically bulging with astonishment. Are they…flirting?!

Clark had just opened his mouth to continue the heavy flirtatious banner when Lana cut across him with the abruptness of an axe at the guillotine.

“Tom can’t join us,” she said, the color rising in her cheeks. “He has work to do, right?”

With a slight frown, Clark reached behind his head to rub his dark, curly locks, causing his taut white tee to tighten around his toned abs. Both Lana and Rae began to salivate unknowingly.

“I’m afraid she’s right,” Clark grimaced. “Work before pleasure, right?”

Lana had half the mind to slap both of them right there, and then herself for staring so blatantly.

“I guess so, but if you finish early, you know where to find us.”

As he smiled and nodded, Rae grabbed Lana by the wrist and began to lead her upstairs. Wearing a satisfied smile, she wondered if they could convince him to pull out his badge, break down the door, and yell ‘This is the police, hands up!’ Lana however, had left her mind and voice back down in the kitchen.

Were they flirting?! And why does it bother me this much?

***
After the girls had departed, Clark had retired to the living room, which was directly across from the kitchen. He flopped onto the couch and grabbed the remote from the table. As of yet, he’d had no time to sit and relax, so the living room La-Z Boy seemed like the perfect place to start.

Clark skimmed the channels, wondering how Lois was faring at the Daily Planet without him when his cell phone rang. He frowned when he heard it, knowing he’d only given his number to the waitress at the fifties restaurant.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Clark it’s Scott, I’m just checking in on you,” came the voice from the other line.

“Oh, hey Scott,” Clark greeted, returning his attention to the television. “What’s up?”

“I was just wondering how you were coming along.”

“Alright,” Clark shrugged, knowing as far as investigating Jason Teague, he’d made about as much progress as he had with Jor-el.

“Clark this is serious, you can’t just blow this assignment off, lives are at stake,” Scott advised.

“I know, I’m working on it,” Clark sighed.

“You haven’t forgotten what we talked about have you?”

“Which part?”

“About you staying emotionally detached?”

“No, I haven’t forgotten,” Clark answered honestly. I’m ignoring it, but I haven’t forgotten.

“Has she found out the truth yet?”

Clark scoffed. “You knew she’d find out within the first day, I don’t know why you made me lie about it in the first place. Now that I think about it, you never made it clear why I was chosen for this anyway. The only thing I’ve found wrong with this guy is that he doesn’t spend enough time at home and he’s partners with Lex Luthor, neither of which are illegal I might add, weird, but not illegal.”

“You were chosen because you could do the job-”

“And some of your other field agents couldn’t?”

“You were recommended.”

“By who?”

Silence.

“By who?” Clark repeated, wondering who’d set him up for this madness. Whoever it was had to have known he wouldn’t be able to do it without falling for Lana…

“Why don’t you concentrate on the assignment? I know you care about Mrs. Teague-” Clark cringed at the name, “and I’m sure you’re wondering why she filed twice for divorce. The sooner you get to the bottom of all this, the sooner you’ll be back home in Metropolis.”

“Scott,” Clark sighed, “I don’t even know what I’m looking for.”

His patience waning, Scott’s voice became more urgent and demanding. “Didn’t I tell you to use Lana and Sean? Did I not say to find out what they know? You’re a reporter for Christ’s sake! Isn’t that your job, to find stories, solve mysteries even when it seems like there is none to be found? Landing the big one?!”

Having just said something similar to Sean earlier, Clark chortled quietly while Scott let out an exasperated sigh. “I’m a reporter, Scott, not a fisherman.”

“Okay, well, I’ll be checking in on you in a few days, don’t let me down Kent. A lot more is riding on this than you know.”

***

“I can’t believe you’re so tense about all this.”

Lana was pacing in her own bedroom, walking back and forth so much that, in combination with the alcohol, Rae was getting a little dizzy.

“I can’t believe you were down there going after him like that!” Lana shrieked, wringing her hands as she walked.

“Why does it matter?” Rae hiccupped. “What, does he have a girlfriend?”

Lana froze, the color draining from her face. Does Clark have a girlfriend?

“You know,” teased Rae as she saw her best friend blanch and pause in her pacing, “for someone who ‘isn’t going to cheat on Jason’ and is ‘really not interested’ you got pretty worked up while we were talking.”

In the past twelve years Lana had mastered the action behind the phrase ‘look that burns’, and sent her best imitation at Rae with scalding effects. “Lana,” she giggled, “lighten up.”

Lighten up? Lighten up?! How am I supposed to be able to lighten up?! And to think I was going to tell her about Clark…

“I can’t talk to you right now,” Lana fumed, turning abruptly and directing her path to the door.

“Lana,” Rae called out. “Seriously, what’s up with you?”

Rae watched curiously as Lana stopped in front of the door. She saw her shoulders drop heavily and heard the click of the lock.

“Lana-what’s-”

The look on Lana’s face not only silenced her, but managed to sober her up as well. “If I tell you something,” she whispered quietly, “you have to promise that you won’t tell anybody.”

“I promise,” Rae returned, her brown eyes wide behind the stylish frames. “What is it?”

Lana began wringing her hands nervously as she walked, with a purpose this time, to one of Jason’s drawers. “Do you remember, a long time ago in Paris, you told me to write a keepsake letter?”

“Uh-” Rae began, knowing she’d be being a poor friend to answer ‘not really’. She chose to remain silent as she got up from the bed and joined Lana as she rummaged through a drawer filled with socks of every color.

“Lana what is this about?” Rae asked, but she was answered as Lana held an old envelope under her nose. She took it with a furrowed brow as Lana made a gesture for her to read it. When it was originally written, Lana had never shown Rae the contents and her eyes flew wide as she read the very first line. Open-mouthed, Rae gazed at Lana questioningly, but Lana simply shook her head and waved for her to continue.

“Wow,” she said slowly as she folded the letter. “You had it bad for this Clark guy, but why are you showing me this now?”

Lana pursed her lips as she continued to stare at the letter in Rae’s hand. Her emotions battling so wildly and furiously inside her, Lana folded her arms across her chest, feeling terribly nauseous. She turned around so her back was to her best friend as she said her next words. “Because Tom Johnson is not the bodyguard’s real name.”

“What?”

Then it clicked, the letter, Lana’s reluctance to talk about him, the tension between the two… Rae’s eyes roved around the room, looking for one last shred of sanity for her to cling onto. Under other circumstances, Rae would have lightened the mood with a joke, but it was obvious that Lana was in no mood for humor. Even if she wanted to whip out the comedy card, she was too speechless to say anything at all.

Rae had just set the letter and it’s envelope atop the drawer of socks when something inside caught her eye. It was barely perceptible, but Lana’s search must have dislodged the manila envelope that perfectly matched the wooden color of the base of the drawer.

“Lana?” she called as she reached inside to remove the envelope. “Did you write two letters?”

“What?” Lana asked hoarsely, turning around to see Rae holding a large envelope. “Where did you get that?”

“It was in here,” she used the envelope to point back at the open drawer before extending it out to Lana who grasped it.

Her heart pounded in her ears as she unsealed the envelope and removed the thick sheaf of papers that were inside. Rae gasped as Lana stared, completely stunned. “Rae,” she whispered quietly. “These documents are from the first time I filed for divorce…and they have mine and Jason’s signature on them.”

***
A/N: What’s on your mind? This chapter goes hand in hand with the last, so make sure you read the first part of Mystery before you read the second. Did anyone catch my subtle hints from the first part of this? :lol:

Special Thanks to ajfinn, who gave me a little shove and I just took it and ran :p.

[Cardinal]

Nope, I'm not into subtlety much. I usually have to get hit between the eyes with a two-by-four before I notice anything.

Two updates in a day! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! An embarrassment of riches.

[spacewalker_33.3]

“No, I haven’t forgotten,” Clark answered honestly. I’m ignoring it, but I haven’t forgotten. :rotfl:

awesome as usual, i'm running out of words to express how much i luv this fic :D keep posting soon!!

[ILoveSmallville4ver]

Post more soon please, this is getting more and more interesting by the chapter! Jason and Lana are divorced???

[SmallvilleMan]

WOW, two chapters in the same day. This must be a record for you or maybe this is just to make us happy and for to not write another chapters for another:eek:

[clana4ev3r]

Rae and Sean should team up and get Clark and Lana together!!! :)

[MOOman0618]

This was yet another AWESOME chapter! I am always amazed at how wonderfully you use the English language. You describe things in a way I have never read before.

Did Sean have something to do with the second envelope? Does he even like his dad?

Is Clark super-eavesdropping? Probably not...but I think he should make a move!

I know I can't ask much more than two updates in one day, but...POST MORE SOON!

[Scotty]

I don't think they are divorced yet. They probably signed the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage which is what she needs for a court order to get the final divorce decree. Jason is a powerful guy though she could lose her son, and more. Unless, Clark finds something on him to put him in prison, then she would be awarded custody of Sean.

[kewl]

woohoo, two awesome chapters!!!! i love sean, smart kid!!! teeheee!!!! can't wait for the next update! PPMS!!!!


Originally posted by clana4ev3r
Rae and Sean should team up and get Clark and Lana together!!! :)

yeah, i agree!!! :D

[NYC300Z]

Originally posted by Cardinal
Nope, I'm not into subtlety much. I usually have to get hit between the eyes with a two-by-four before I notice anything.

Two updates in a day! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! An embarrassment of riches.

Yeah I'm like that too! lol

Sean and Rae team up lol that would be funny!

Really fantastic! Two updates! So wonderful. I'm curious how Clark's gonna find out any dirt on Jason. I wonder what Lana will think when she finds out about Clark's assignment. I'm also very curious to what Lex's master plan is...i'm real curious to find out!

PPMS!!!

[SVsleuth]

Just read both AWESOME updates, finishing at 3 a.m. - so you KNOW I love this fic! One of my favorite parts was:



Sirens went off in Clark’s mind. Blazing, blaring, boisterous sirens that signaled to the rest of him the significance of Sean’s words. Firecrackers exploded like the fourth of July, an invisible orchestra played passionately, and it was almost unbelievable that his mind had been completely blank seconds before.

“She what?” was all Clark managed in a hoarse voice, as if he hadn’t used it since the day Lana moved away.

This is absolutely teriffic!!! :):):):):)

[Kal-El & Me]

PLEASE POST MORE ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M DYING FOR MORE! DYING!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lanaland]

PPMS!!!!I can't wait....

[binkys711]

OMG!!!Lana and Jason are already divorced!!!!BOOYAH!!!perfect timing for Clark!!!I loved the way you described Lana's reaction when Rae was flirting with Clark, lol!:lol:PPMS!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS STORY!!!:D:D:D

[Mythos]

I'm so impressed by not only the recent updates but by your entire story, that for this posting I have sought refuge in stolen poetry. Should anyone grow bored while reading this then I have 2 things to say:
1:If you're halfway through and think "screw this", remember that the original is about 13 verses LONGER...
2: This is b/c of ashley's story. any complaints should be directed at HER ;)

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of some hidden Smallville lore,
While I read it, nearly napping, suddenly there was a snapping,
As of someone vastly tapping, tapping on a typing board.
" 'Tis some amateur," I muttered, "tapping on a typing board.
Only this, and nothing more."

Ah, distinctly I remember, as I became a true board member,
And each separate story sender wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished for better; vainly I had sought a setter
From these fics surcease of sorrow, sorrow for lost Smallville lore,.
For the rare and radiant knowledge hidden in true fanfic lore,
Worthless now forevermore.

But the silken threaded swirling rustling of each word unfurling
Thrilled me---filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating,
" 'Tis some amateur entreating substance on a typing board,
Some fresh amateur entreating substance on a typing board.
This it is, and nothing more."

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Sir," thought I, "or madam, truly your cessation I implore;
But the fact is, I was napping, and so gently you came snapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping on your typing board,
That I scarce was sure I read your-" Here I clicked the fanfic board;---
Darkness there, and nothing more

Then this shining light beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grand and wild decorum of the countenance it wore,
"Though thy words be shy and cautious thou," I said, "art sure no silly,
Faulty, dull, and bland amateur wandering through the Smallville lore.
Tell me what addictive pleasures thou hast yet to add as lore."

Quoth the readers: WE WANT MORE!!!!

[Cardinal]

Gaaah! I may never post again! Who can live up to that?

My normal 'great fic, keep updating!' posts are lame.

Thus quoth THIS maven, "I may post never more!"

[SVsleuth]

That was great, Mythos. Are you Lana's "Byron" in disguise?

Ashley, he's right. Your writng is awesome, as I've said before. We can't believe you're still in highschool! Someday, a famous author you shall be. (It's your destiny!) And we'll proudly attend your book signings, telling everyone, "We knew her back when she was writing fanfic on K-Site!" Keep up the great work. You'll go far.

[MOOman0618]

Wow Mythos...that was awsome! The Raven is my all time favorite poem!

You should be proud 4EverSmallville if your writing can bring out such...whatever that was.

[Mythos]

Originally posted by MOOman0618
Wow Mythos...that was awsome! The Raven is my all time favorite poem!

You should be proud 4EverSmallville if your writing can bring out such...whatever that was.

lol

I'm not even sure I know what that was... but it was, nonetheless

[Ketchup]

WHAT?!?! They are divorced??? I dont get it... Im soooo confused... Lex's doings? That would be my guess, cuz Jason would never sign a document like that. Damn, ur story's keeping me from reading the Da Vinci Code, which I finally got today. Hell I like ur writing better than Dan Brown's =D

[NYC300Z]

Originally posted by MOOman0618
Wow Mythos...that was awsome! The Raven is my all time favorite poem!

You should be proud 4EverSmallville if your writing can bring out such...whatever that was.

Yeah that was something! lol very interesting! although for some reason when I saw how long it was I thought it was a short update since 4ever always treats us to pretty long ones!! got a little dissapointed when I found out what it really was, but still interesting.

Ketchup's quote below sorry don't know how to double quote
"WHAT?!?! They are divorced??? I dont get it... Im soooo confused... Lex's doings? That would be my guess, cuz Jason would never sign a document like that. Damn, ur story's keeping me from reading the Da Vinci Code, which I finally got today. Hell I like ur writing better than Dan Brown's =D"

Wow I never thought of that! That would be crazy if Lex tricked Jason into signing the divorce. Somehow I don't think that's it though but we shall see!


PPMS!!!

[dreammaster]

another awesome chapters

[itsallinthespelling]

great updates. ppms

[booze_is_me09]

fabulous!!!!!!!!! PPMS!!!!!!!!!

[ajfinn]

Oh Wow!!! I'm just in awe of this story :) Happy grins all around!!!! And, I told you that I wanted to brag about being the first to say that you'd one day be an award winning author, and now others are already starting to say it ... so here's my moment to gloat:

I WAS FIRST TO SAY (LAST WEEK, I'LL HAVE YOU ALL KNOW, IN A PM) THAT 4EVERSMALLVILLE WILL ONE DAY WIN THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD, BEING THAT SHE'S STILL IN HS AND CAN WRITE THIS WELL!!! :)

There, I just wanted it in writing, since OTHERS seem to think they beat me to it :p Hee hee.

And as far as the "thanks ajfinn" part, I just gave you a tiny nudge about a particular thing, but you're the one who ran (and won) the marathon all on your own. You're fantastic!!

[spacewalker_33.3]

yeah, i think both of you are fantastic, i like both styles, both had made my way back home worth, cauze i thought i would be really bored ^_^ but i can say that both like to keep me at the edge of my seat, you enjoy that, dont ya? ^^'

[SmallvilleMan]

nah, they both are overrated;) :p

[ClarksGirl21]

this is such an awesome story .. i can't believe i've never read this before! this is soo great! update soon!

[Ketchup]

Originally posted by SmallvilleMan
nah, they both are overrated;) :p

Yes, very :rolleyes: :D :p just kidding!

[EyeluvTom]

Update soon!

[ajfinn]

Originally posted by SmallvilleMan
nah, they both are overrated;) :p


Originally posted by Ketchup
Yes, very just kidding!

Watch it boys! 4Ever and I are good friends, and you two are earning yourselves a good Lanabel butt kickin' :p

Now, down to business!! I'm freakin' DYING waiting for an update on this story, so SOMEBODY SAAAAAAAAAVVVVVEEEEE ME . . .

Looking forward to it :D

[NYC300Z]

Yes we are dying for an update to this story! Please update soon!!!