A Lifetime of Tomorrows

[Cardinal]

I figure, if you were rested, it might not be quite so funny. Most of us have a lower resistance to anything late in the day.

Glad you enjoy it anyway!!!!!! :D

[kewl]

great double update card!!! keep it going!!! PPMS!!! :D

[Cardinal]

Chapter 24: Memoria

Friday night

“Julian!…Julian!…Julian!…Julian!” screamed Lex, as he stood on the castle’s parapet, clad only in blue linen pajamas.

Lana raced out onto the balcony, grabbed Lex by the wrist, and pulled him off his precarious perch. His collision with the stone floor broke him out of the mental state he was in. As he began to collect his wits, Lana leaned over him and asked, “Lex, what were you doing?”

His confused expression was supported by his first words, “Where am I?”

--------------------

Saturday morning

Clark is mucking out the stalls in the barn as the early morning light streams in through the open barn door. Lana walked quickly through the doorway and headed straight for Clark.

“Hey, You,” said Clark, smiling as his very own ray of sunshine entered the barn. “I didn’t expect you out here for a few hours yet.”

“Hi, Clark,” replied Lana. “Have your folks left for Metropolis yet?”

“Yep. They left just after five this morning and won’t be back for days.”

Closing the distance between them, Lana stopped in front of Clark as he leaned on his pitchfork. She stretched up to collect a good morning kiss at the same time that Clark leaned down for the same purpose.

As they pulled back, Lana said, “I guess great minds think alike.”

“After a kiss like that, I’m not sure I’m thinking at all.” Stopping to hang the pitchfork on the wall, Clark said, “So what brings the light of my life here so early? It couldn’t be the desire for a breakfast of bacon, scrambled eggs, and toast, could it?”

“Nooooo. While I love the idea of you cooking for me, I needed to talk to you about Lex.”

“What about him?”

“I think there’s something wrong with him. I was dropping off the Talon payroll last night and I found him out on the ledge, screaming for someone named…Julian?”

At this, Clark sagged like a tire with a slow leak.

Picking up on this, Lana asked, “What is it, Clark?”

“Julian was the name of Lex’s baby brother. He died of SIDS when Lex was a kid.”

As Lana turned her head away from Clark in sympathetic anguish, Clark asked, “Did he give you any kind of explanation?”

“No. He shrugged it off as a bad dream.”

“Last time Lex had a breakdown,” said Clark, pointing to a barn stall, “I found him over there, singing a lullaby to a blanket he thought was Julian.”

“Well, maybe he’s had a relapse,” said Lana.

“Whatever it is, I think you better stay clear for a little while.”

“Clark, he’s my friend.”

“Lana, the last time Lex went off the deep end, you got trampled by a horse. Besides, when I tell you what he said to Chloe, he might not be your friend anymore.”

“Lex didn’t mean to hurt me.”

“But he did, and I promised myself I wouldn’t let that happen again. Now, with us finally together, I’ve got even more reason to keep you safe. I’ll talk to him.”

“Okay, Clark, you win.”

“Now, how about that breakfast?”

--------------------

Following a hearty breakfast, Clark was preparing to visit Lex when someone knocked at the door. When he opened it, he was faced with a delivery man for FedEx.

“Clark Kent?” asked the man.

“Yes?” replied Clark.

“Package for you.” Holding the clipboard toward Clark, he said, “Sign here please.”

Hurriedly scribbling his name on the proffered clipboard, Clark then exchanged it for
the package.

After he opened the envelope, he reached in and pulled out a letter. Lana came to the door, curious to see who was visiting early Saturday morning.

“What is it, Clark?” asked Lana upon seeing the letter.

“It’s from Dr. Swann.” As he finished the letter, he handed it to Lana and said, “Here, read it yourself.”

It read:

Dear Kal-El,

My life’s work has been to discover the existence of extra-terrestrial life. Once I found you, I wanted to help you reach your full potential.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to complete that journey with you. For some time now, I have been fighting an incurable disease. Which one is irrelevant, only know that there is no hope. In the little time I have left, I have been trying to find someone to take my place. Someone with the resources and influence to protect you and with the same passion for saving this world that I possess.

I believe I have finally found the right man. He will come to you soon as he doesn’t like the idea of the Luthors reading his e-mails to and from you. I won’t tell you his name, he will identify himself to you by reciting the second half of the message I gave you when we first met.

I am sorry, I will miss you Kal-El…Clark. I will miss seeing the man you become. You will do great things.

Best Wishes,

Dr. Virgil Swann

Kissing her lightly on the cheek, Clark said, “I need to go see Lex and find out what’s happening with him.”

“I’ll see you later, Clark.”

--------------------

During their visit at the mansion, Lex claimed nothing was wrong and that his moment on the parapet was nothing more than a sleepwalking episode. Not satisfied with Lex’s explanation, Clark followed Lex to the Summerholt Institute. Once there, Lex consulted with Dr. Garner and then went to a lab in the back of the facility where he was immersed in a tank of green fluid. The whole time, Clark was following the proceedings using super-hearing and x-ray vision. Learning that Lex was being treated by Dr. Garner, Clark became worried.

As Lex strolled out of the front doors of Summerholt to his waiting silver Mercedes coupe, Clark was waiting for him.

“What are you doing with Dr. Garner, Lex?” asked Clark.

“I thought I told you to stay out of this,” replied Lex.

Moving around the car towards Lex, Clark said, “Lex, you know what he did to Molly. And to Ryan. Lex, he’s dangerous.”

“I really don’t have to explain myself to you, Clark.”

“Yes, you do, Lex, ‘cause I can’t understand why my best friend keeps lying to me.”

“What if you lost seven weeks of your life?”

Eyes widening as he suddenly comprehended what was going on, Clark said, “That’s what this is about.”

“Clark, if I could retrieve those memories, they would give me the answers to the questions that have been plaguing me.”

“But Dr. Garner knows no boundaries, Lex. If you get caught up in his experimental research, it could kill you.”

“I don’t care. I’m gonna remember everything.” That includes your secret, Clark.

[MOOman0618]

Good stuff Card...I will stop myself from guessing who this new protector will be, I seem to have an unfair advantage. :p Now...will what memories will Lex recover in this version. We shall see!

[linn]

that was a great update ppms!!!!

[SVsleuth]

Yay! Another update! Wondering what Lex said to Chloe - and who the new protector is... PPMS!

[Cardinal]

Chapter 25: Knight Watchman

Saturday night

Wondering what he could do to stop Lex. Clark returned to Smallville to talk to Lana.

Knocking on her door at the Talon, Clark waited. A faint ‘just a minute’ could be heard from behind the door and, after a brief pause, the object of his affection opened her door and smiled. It never ceased to amaze him how much comfort he could derive from a simple smile as long as that smile came from Lana.

Waving Clark inside, Lana noted immediately how upset he was. She asked, “What’s wrong, Clark?”

Not sure where to start, Clark just stood there.

Closing the door behind him, Lana said, “Maybe you should start by telling me what you meant earlier today when you said I might not be Lex’s friend if I knew what he said to Chloe.”

“Okay.” Shrugging his shoulders, Clark proceeded to tell Lana all about the conversation between Lex and Chloe in the hospital. From the beginning of the story until the end, Lana’s expression steadily grew darker, her facial muscles tightened until Clark could see the strain, and her whole body was stiff with anger.

“That @#$^%$@ *******. How could…I thought Chloe was his friend.” And then, “I trusted him. He’s been a good friend to me, but how could I be so blind?” Lana started to hit the wall with her fist, when Clark grabbed it.

“If you need to hit something,” he said, “hit me. I’m not breakable, and you’re not likely to hurt your hand hitting me, either.”

“Thanks for the offer, Clark, but I don’t want to associate what I’m feeling right now with you or that yummy bod of yours.” Frowning and mumbling, mostly to herself, Lana said, “I wish I was better at swearing. Right now, swearing a blue streak seems like the best alternative to destroying my apartment.”

As Lana finally wound down from her fury over learning what Lex can be like on the inside, Clark said, “I know what’s happening with Lex now, and it’s not good.”

“What? Is he sick?”

“No, he’s not sick. I wish it was as simple as that, Lana.”

“Why don’t you sit down and tell me about it?”

Taking her own advice, Lana sat on a low sofa and patted her hand on the cushion beside her as an indication Clark should do the same. Distractedly, Clark moved to fulfill Lana’s request almost without thought.

Having lowered his long frame onto the sofa, Clark said, “Lex’s nightmare wasn’t a normal nightmare, it was a ‘spontaneous memory.’ It appears Dr. Garner has been using an experimental treatment to stimulate the parts of Lex’s brain that had atrophied as a result of the electroshock therapy. Various memories have been coming back to him. The one you saw him live out last night was from his childhood, but who knows what memory comes next.”

Confused by Clark’s attitude about Lex regaining his memory, Lana asked, “Not that he’s on top of my list of favorite people right now, but that’s good for him, isn’t it?”

“It may be good for him, but not for me, Lana. One of the memories Lex is trying to recall is where I saved his life from Morgan Edge by standing in the way of a speeding luxury sedan.” Becoming visibly more agitated as he spoke, Clark said, “Lex saw me do it and he saw what happened, or more accurately, didn’t happen to me that day. The car crumpled up around me, but I wasn’t moved from the spot, much less hurt. In a fit of pique, I then pushed the car back 30 or 40 feet. Lex was as wide-eyed as a kid on Christmas morning and said something that confirmed he’d seen what I did. Almost immediately after, he was taken away by a doctor and orderlies and sent to Belle Reve.”

Turning to face his girlfriend, Clark said, “Lana, I’m ashamed to admit what happened next. I went to visit Lex in Belle Reve. I talked to him and he told me he ‘knew my secret.’ Even though I knew he wasn’t insane, and I knew he’d been drugged and manipulated by his father to look crazy, and I knew that getting him out of Belle Reve would be easy for me, I left him in there for the sole purpose of protecting my secret.

“I’ve said to my parents that my secret would never be worth someone else’s life. In this instance, I came very close to crossing that line. Keeping my secret required Lex to lose his freedom for a time and to undergo painful treatments that could have turned him into a vegetable. He’ll not be happy when he learns the truth.” Despondent and nearly in tears now, Clark leaned close to Lana and whispered, “Truth be told, I won’t be able to blame him one bit. I was supposed to be his friend. Eventually, I did try to save him from the shock therapy, but I was too late.”

Torn between her dismay at what Clark had happened and her need to protect him and his secret from everyone, Lana could only ask, “Why, Clark? Why’d you leave Lex in there? Would he really have been a danger to you? Lex was closer to you than Pete was for a while and Pete hasn‘t betrayed your secret.”

Shifting his position on the sofa, Clark said, “The problem with that particular comparison is, Pete is loyal to me, Lex is loyal to himself, first and foremost. Lex is willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants, Pete isn‘t.”

“Well, the way I see it, Clark, you have two choices. One, try and stop Lex from re-learning his past. This is ethically shaky at best and difficult to do short of kidnapping someone. If you’re upset with yourself now for what you didn’t do back when Lex was in Belle Reve, think how much worse you’ll feel if you succeed in stopping Lex this time.

“Option two is sitting tight and taking your medicine. If he regains his memories of your strength and invulnerability, and your subsequent refusal to break him out of Belle Reve when you had the chance, you’ll have to deal with his anger.” Taking Clark’s left hand in her right one, Lana said, “Can you handle that?”

“Lana, there’s one thing I forgot to tell you. If Lex regains his memory of me saving him from Morgan Edge, he’ll also relearn the fact that I get crippled by exposure to green K. Morgan Edge was beating the crap out of me with a necklace made of green K just before he tried to escape from Lex.”

“Oh…well…that would have been nice to know before I tried my hand at giving sage advice to you, Clark. Now…with the way things are between you, that knowledge would only serve to give Lex the upper hand and put you in serious danger.” Pausing to gather her thoughts, Lana finally asked, “Is there anything you can do to stop him?”

“Short of destroying Summerholt room-by-room? Nothing that I know of right now.”

“We’ve got to think of something, Clark.”

Wrapping his arm around her, Clark answered, “We will, Lana. We will.”

[SVsleuth]

:) BUFFERING!! :)

CONGRATS ON POST 1400!!!!YAY!!!!!

CONGRATS ON POST 1400!!!!YAY!!!!!

CONGRATS ON POST 1400!!!!YAY!!!!!

[Cardinal]

--------------------

As the weeks went by, the end of the school year and Clark’s appointment with his father began to loom large. Jonathon’s trip to Metropolis ended early as he was found to once again have the heart of a twenty-year-old. Apparently, Jor-El had healed more than the damage from the fall from the barn roof. No word came from Lex on whether or not he had regained any of the damaging memories. Lana and Clark spent all of their free time with each other, trying to store up enough good memories to last them during a long summer apart. Lana received her long-awaited acceptance to the Paris School of Art, which she gleefully tore up in front of Clark.

Finally, one week before the end of school and Clark’s departure, a Maroon and Black Maybach slowly rolled up the compacted dirt driveway at the Kent farm. Watching from the loft, Clark hurried downstairs to see who could be visiting. A distinguished older man in a black, English-cut suit stepped out of the driver’s side door and headed around the car to open the right side door to the passenger compartment.

Out stepped a man in his late twenties. His wavy black hair was slicked back, he wore an air of confidence like most men wore a shirt, also, he had on what Clark had learned to recognize as the best in tailoring from Savile Row in London. Being around Lex had to be good for something, thought Clark.

Curious to see who this was, Clark stepped out of the shadowed doorway and headed for the ultra-expensive German car.

“Can I help you?” asked Clark.

“Maybe,” said the young man. “I’m looking for Clark Kent.”

Reaching his guest, Clark held out his hand and said, “You’ve found him.”

Extending his own hand to grasp Clark’s, the young man identified himself saying, in a bright, pleasant voice, “Hi, I’m Bruce Wayne.”

Stunned, Clark was still shaking Bruce’s hand as he asked, “THE Bruce Wayne, the billionaire industrialist from Gotham City? You’re in the supermarket checkout rags as often as Paris Hilton.”

“The one and only,” replied Bruce, reclaiming his hand as he winced at the strength of the kid‘s grip. Looking around quickly, Bruce asked, “Could we go inside? There’s something I need to say to you and it needs to be private.”

As an answer, Clark led Bruce inside the house, but not before asking if Bruce’s driver would like to come inside.

“No, Alfred wouldn’t hear of such an informality. He’ll stay out here in the car and read a book. I thank you for asking though. It’s kind of you to do so.”

“No problem.”

Closing the door behind his guest, Clark was about to speak, when Bruce cut in, his voice hard-edged and fast, nothing at all like the genial guest that had just introduced himself. “That’s your first lesson, Mr. Kent. Don’t go anywhere isolated with someone you don’t know. You never know what they might have up their sleeve.”

Taken aback, Clark said, “I can take care of myself, Mr. Wayne.”

“Even if you have the abilities Virgil claims you do, you still have to be vigilant or something like this could happen.”

At that, Bruce pulled a small box out of his pocket and opened it. Inside was a piece of green K. Reeling in pain, Clark struggled to get away. Bruce stepped up to Clark leisurely and said, “If I wanted you dead, you’d be dead right now, and all the ‘powers’ in the world couldn’t stop me. Remember, Mr. Kent, you can’t afford negligence anymore than the rest of us can. Constant vigilance, always be aware of where you are and who and what is around you.”

Finally closing the box, Bruce took a step back and waited for Clark to recover.

“How’d you know about…”

“About your weakness to Kryptonite? Virgil Swann told me when he recruited me for this babysitting job. Though I still have my doubts about you, Clark, Virgil was insistent and I’ve never known him to be wrong about something like this…oh yeah, to identify myself, I am supposed to recite this message, ‘We will be with you, Kal-El. For all the days of your life.’”

Shaken to his very core, Clark asked, “You’re the man Dr. Swann recruited to take his place?”

“Yes, Clark. He recruited me because I know something about secret identities and keeping secrets. Come on out to the car, I’ve got something to show you.”

Following his guest out to the Maybach, Clark watched as Alfred stepped out and walked purposefully to the trunk, opening it just as his master reached the back of the car. Inside was a black suit of what appeared to be form-fitting armor of some sort. Using his x-ray vision, Clark saw a number of gadgets below the suit, locked away in storage cases. Living in Smallville didn’t make Clark completely unaware of the outside world, in fact, being best friends with Chloe, Clark knew exactly what this suit meant when put together with the fact that its owner is from Gotham City.

“You’re…you’re…” stuttered Clark.

Taking pity on his young charge, Bruce said, “I’m Batman.”

Thanks, SV. Way to blow post #1,400 on a buffer. :D

[SVsleuth]

CONGRATS ON POST 1400!!!!YAY!!!!!

CONGRATS ON POST 1400!!!!YAY!!!!!

CONGRATS ON POST 1400!!!!YAY!!!!!


Awesome update. COOL! BATMAN is sent by Dr. Swann! Great idea! PPMS!

[dreammaster]

awesome chapters

[NYC300Z]

just read your last 3 chapters! Sorry i missed them i've been having problems with k-site...oh well can't wait to read more!:D

[linn]

tHAT t was a awesome update,ppms!!!!!

[MOOman0618]

Originally posted by Cardinal

As Lana finally wound down from her fury


:lol: I think I would like to see Lana in a fury!


Yea for Batman!! Great updates, I am excited to see what else Bruce will show our young Clark. Post more soon...even though you have three stories going at once!

[Cardinal]

Chapter 26: Batman to the Rescue

Closing the trunk, Bruce headed back toward the house with Clark trailing behind. Alfred resumed his station behind the wheel of the Maybach. When they reached the kitchen again, Clark had recovered his mental balance to ask, “Why’d you show me that Mr. Wayne?”

“The name’s Bruce. Having a kid your age call me Mr. Wayne makes me feel old.”

“In that case, call me Clark. The only Mr. Kent around here is my dad.”

“Where are your parents anyway?”

“They went into town for lunch. With Dad’s recent health problems, they came to the realization that you’re not guaranteed tomorrow, so they take more time to enjoy each other today.”

Smiling, in a distant sort of way, Bruce, said, “Your parents are wise, Clark. You aren’t guaranteed tomorrow. I’m glad they learned that without someone having to die first.” Looking back at Clark, he said, “As to why I told you my secret, I thought it was only fair since I know yours. Plus, knowing my secret might make you feel more comfortable with me. If I’m to help you, a good working relationship will be necessary.”

Reaching into the inside pocket of his suit jacket, Bruce pulled out a mini CD-R. Handing it over to Clark, Bruce said, “Install this on the computer you use to send e-mail. The Luthors have been reading your e-mails to and from Dr. Swann. They won’t be reading the e-mails you and I send each other. This is an encryption program that will stop that from happening. It’s loosely based on the PGP program that became readily available a few years ago, but with a few special twists. Only the N.S.A. guys at Fort Meade have a chance of cracking this code, and even they’d have a hard time.”

Turning the disk in his hand, Clark stared at it while asking, “Why now? I got that letter from Dr. Swann weeks ago. What caused you to come to Smallville now?”

“Two reasons: first, I’ve spent the time since I agreed to be Virgil’s replacement learning everything there is to know about Clark Kent. From Virgil’s recordings of outer space signals, to your adoption records, right down to the grades you make in school. If I’m to help you, I need all the information I can get. The second reason is that Virgil’s on the edge of death, he likely won’t last the summer, and I wanted to establish our relationship before then.”

“How long are you going to be in town?”

“I think I’ll be here through the end of your school year, Clark. I’ve got things to see here, like those caves I’ve heard about, and people to meet. In particular, I want to meet with everyone that knows your secret. I’ll be better able to help you if those people can act as my eyes and ears in Smallville.”

“That shouldn’t be hard to arrange. Besides my parents, the only other ‘secret keepers’ are my girlfriend Lana Lang and my best friends Pete Ross and Chloe Sullivan. Chloe, in particular, will go ape over the chance to meet you.”

“Why? All of my press coverage as Bruce Wayne paints me as a playboy, hardly the kind of person to interest a serious reporter like Miss Sullivan.”

As Clark raised his eyes at Bruce’s knowledge of Chloe’s passion for reporting, Bruce replied, “When I said I studied everything about you, that included your family and closest friends. I may not know everything about them, but I know enough. Now, why would Miss Sullivan be interested in me. She doesn’t suspect the Batman connection, does she?”

“No. Her interest in you is tied to the fact you’ve been close to Vicki Vale. Ms. Vale has long been one of Chloe’s journalistic heroes and she’d jump at the chance to pick your brain for a few tidbits about her hero.”

Chuckling at the thought of being wanted only for his access to someone else, when it was usually the other way around, Bruce said, “I’ll be back tonight after dinner to talk to your parents. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, I’d like it if your friends were there, also.”

Stopping at the door on his way out, Bruce turned back to say, “Let’s keep the Batman thing between us. I may tell your folks to ease their fears, but I’d like to keep it from the others.”

“I can keep it from Pete and Chloe without any problem, your after-hours identity is your business, not theirs. Lana, however, gets to know everything. My business is her business.”

“It’s like that between you two, is it?” asked Bruce. “Well, I believe I can live with that. I’ll see you tonight.”

--------------------

Lex worked feverishly at his desk in the library. Having recently completely recovered the memories he’d lost to the shock therapy, he was still having trouble assimilating what he had relearned. Clark is an alien. He has abilities, who knows how many abilities, but I bet he’s got more than just strength, invulnerability, and really good hearing. Lex was particularly proud of himself for piecing together the proof of Clark’s hearing ability.

It had to do with Clark telling him about Lionel intending to have him “sharpening pencils” in his new job to keep him out of trouble. Lex had gone through his father’s cell phone records and found out exactly when the call was made. Then he found out where Chloe had class at that time. He knew Clark was only at school to pick up books due to his sudden and still unexplained blindness, so he was at or near his locker. Since Chloe was on the other side of the school at that exact time, Clark had to have some special way of hearing her at that distance through all of the intervening crowd noise.

At least I was able to get rid of Agent Loder. He was a potential problem. Now that I have my memories back, combined with Dad’s files, I should be able to learn everything I want to know on my own.

Lex still hadn’t decided what use this information might be to him. It was the knowing that was important, why didn’t Clark understand that? My therapist said I have an almost psychotic need to know, to be in control. We could’ve been such great friends, we could’ve scaled the heights together, if only Clark had trusted me.

Lex was broken out of his musings by a sudden sound from his intercom. “What was that,” asked Lex, “I didn’t hear you the first time.”

“A slightly crackly voice said, “This is the front gate, Mr. Luthor. There’s a man here asking to see you. He doesn’t have an appointment.”

“Who is he?”

“The driver’s license says, ‘Bruce Wayne.’”

Really, thought Lex, that name’s a blast out of the past. I haven’t seen him up close and personal since boarding school.

“Send him up,” said Lex.

“Yes sir,” the gate guard replied as the intercom went silent.

[MOOman0618]

I AM THE BUFFER KING!!

[Cardinal]

A few minutes later, Bruce Wayne was ushered into the library by a burly LuthorCorp security guard. Lex stepped around his desk to greet his old acquaintance with a handshake. Lex pointed to a high-backed seat in front of his desk as he headed back around the desk to his comfy executive chair. The first thing Bruce did was reach in his pocket and pull out a small electronic device, turn it on, and place it on the nearest corner of Lex’s desk.

“What, may I ask, is that?” asked Lex.

“It’s one of the newest gizmos put out by my electronics division,” said Bruce. “It puts out a blanket of white noise that renders any recording devices within one-hundred yards absolutely useless. I’ve no idea how it actually works, I only know that it does.”

“Don’t you trust your old schoolmate?”

“It’s because I know you from school that I don’t trust you. I remember Lex Luthor, willing to take advantage whenever possible. Things will be said today that I don’t need anyone else to know.”

“What brings you to Smallville, Bruce? It’s a long way from Gotham City. Especially if you’re coming by car.”

“I’m here on personal business, Lex,” replied Bruce.

“Anyone I know?”

“As a matter of fact, yes. The Kent family.”

Stunned by this revelation, Lex asked, “How do you know them?”

“A friend of mine has been involved with them for a while. He’s no longer able to help them and asked me to take over his position with the family. You might have heard the name before, it’s Dr. Virgil Swann.”

Suddenly getting a bad feeling about this, Lex said, “Taking up Swann’s work, huh? Why?”

“Someone has to protect them from you, Lex. Virgil thought I’m just the guy to do it.” Leaning forward for emphasis, Bruce said, “We both know I can do it, too. What I want, no, what I require is for you to leave the Kent family and their associates completely alone. No digging into the past, no investigating what Clark Kent. As far as you are concerned, the Kents and their friends on longer exist.”

Amazed that anyone had the cojones to come into his mansion and order him around, Lex asked, “And if I don’t agree?”

“If you don’t agree, certain Federal agencies will learn of LuthorCorp research facilities in coastal Oregon, a remote part of North Dakota, and the mountains of Colorado that are all involved in highly illegal research. The resulting fines will empty LuthorCorp’s cash accounts and will kill its credit rating, making it impossible to raise new cash for the foreseeable future.

“Should the legal penalties involved not be sufficient to dissuade you from bothering those under my protection, there is this:” continuing in a voice filled with menace, Bruce said, “I will come after you personally, Lex. The one thing you and I both know from boarding school is that I’m tougher than you and I’m much more ruthless when it comes to getting what I want. You won’t know when or where, but at a time of my choosing you will cease to exist. Count on it.”

Standing and retrieving his electronic device, Bruce said, “It’s been good seeing you, Lex. Don’t get up, I’ll see myself out.”

--------------------

Later that night, after a long, satisfactory conference at the Kent house with Clark, Lana, Chloe, Pete, Martha, and Jonathon, Bruce was preparing to make one more visit tonight.

Pulling on the Batman armor for protection, minus the usual Bat-headgear, Bruce then proceeded to cover the distinctive shape of that armor with a black, turtle-neck sweater and black sweat pants. A little burnt cork applied to his face to hide his white skin in the moonlight and Bruce was ready.

“Is this really necessary, Master Bruce?” asked his long-suffering manservant Alfred.

“Yes, Alfred, Lex is the kind of guy that needs a personal reminder. He needs to be absolutely convinced I can do as I say.”

Handing Bruce his utility belt, Alfred replied, “Very well, Master Bruce.”

Two hours later, in the wee hours of the morning, Lex was woken out of a deep sleep by the fact that he couldn’t breathe. Eyes popping wide open, Lex struggled against the thick cloth covering his mouth and nose and the hand holding it in place.

A deep gravelly voice said, “You’re wasting your effort, Lex. You aren’t strong enough, and besides I’m not going to kill you tonight anyway. This is just an object lesson to make sure you know, deep inside, that I can get you any time I want. Remember, Lex, I own you.”

Having said this, Bruce switched the plain cloth he was holding in place with one hand with the chloroform-soaked cloth he was holding in place with the other. He waited for Lex to fall unconscious before removing the cloth and making his way back out of the mansion.

Making his way back to his room at a local hotel, Bruce was greeted by Alfred, ever-proper, even at 4 in the morning. Helping his master out away his special equipment, Alfred asked, “Did everything work out, Master Bruce?”

“Alfred,” replied Bruce, “I believe Lex will do as I wish. He definitely won’t try to get back at me tonight. We brought enough security people of our own to stop that.”

“But, Master Bruce, young Luthor has his own security people and they didn’t stop you.”

“Yeah, but Lex doesn’t have me to get inside and do the dirty work..”

[MOOman0618]

Originally posted by Cardinal
Amazed that anyone had the cojones to come into his mansion and order him around, Lex asked, “And if I don’t agree?”

HA!! :lol: :lol: cojones!


Yet another awesome update! I think I am going to like Batman teaching Clark a few tricks. I am curious to find out what Lana and Mr. and Mrs. Kent's reactions are to Bruce being Batman...and if Bruce can keep his secret from Chloe. Post more soon.

[linn]

that was awesome as Clark meeting Batman....ppms!

[NYC300Z]

Cool update. I wonder how big of a role Bruce will play from now on??

PPMS!

[SVsleuth]

Yipes! You updated while I was away! Off to read it.......


EDIT: Awesome chapter, Cardinal. Wow, someone to intimidate Lex. This will be fun! PPMS!

[dreammaster]

that was totally awesome chapter

[Cardinal]

Chapter 27 - One More Day

Bruce was surprised when Clark told him of his impending “visit” with Jor-El. Dr. Swann hadn’t known about it, so he couldn’t have told Bruce about it in turn. The rest of Clark’s last week, Bruce spent learning the town, exploring the caves, and talking to the young man he hoped would come to use his immense talents in the service of those would can’t defend themselves. With the right sort of PR, a man of Clark’s talents could be a hero for the whole world, not just one city like Batman was.

When Lana and Clark weren’t latched onto each other during Clark’s last week, Bruce was giving Clark advice on how to carry himself, what situations to stay out of even with superpowers, and how to pick which battles he’d need to fight. He thought teaching Clark any sort of self-defense, either now or in the future, would be pointless. If he used martial arts techniques with his superpowers, he’d kill someone without thinking, and the only way he’d need to use martial arts would be if green K had taken away his abilities, in which case he’d be incapacitated anyway.

Through it all, Bruce was trying to gauge what kind of man Clark Kent was. Will this young man be worth the effort?

--------------------

Pacing back and forth in his library office, Lex thought back to the events of the night when Bruce Wayne wafted right through his security arrangements and made him soil himself, in fear of what might happen. Bruce had protected a young, awkward Lex Luthor back in boarding school, and Lex had been witness to his brutal methods then. Lex had no doubt whatsoever that Bruce Wayne was still as capable of that type of action now.

I may not be able to go after Clark Kent anymore, he thought, but I’ll be damned if I let a liar like Clark steal the woman I love. She’ll finally know the truth and be able, for the first time, to make an informed decision about who she wants to be with.

--------------------

The last day of school arrived and Clark was dreading it. Clark hadn’t slept the night before, and he was at the Talon when it opened to greet the manager with a smile, a kiss, and a bouquet of lilacs.

“Hey, Clark,” said Lana, taking the rose after the kiss. “Are you all packed for your trip?”

This joke brought an unwilling laugh to Clark’s lips. Over the last week, Lana had made the surprising choice of making light of Clark’s impending journey. Instead of the weepy girl she used to be, Lana was facing this separation with bravery and class. Her support was invaluable for Clark.

“Yeah,” said Clark, “I’ve got everything I’m going to take right here. Memories of you are packed in my head, the love we share fills my heart to overflowing, and my guts are acid-filled and queasy because I’m leaving you.”

Wrapping her arms around Clark, Lana said, “Yes, but only for the summer.”

“Only for the summer,” said Clark. Looking down at Lana he asked, “Can I get a coffee and a blueberry bagel? I want to sit and spend some time with my girlfriend.”

“One coffee and one blueberry bagel coming right up. Just let me put these flowers away first.”

Watching Lana hustle up the stairs, Clark wondered what he could have done to deserve a woman like Lana. Once they finally got together, it seemed like they always had been a couple, instead of the brief two months or so that showed on the calendar.

Returning moments later, Lana stepped behind the counter, pouring a fresh cup of the best Blue Mountain coffee from Jamaica. As she brought a bagel out of the display case and placed it on a plate, Clark took his first swallow of the premium brew and smiled his appreciation at Lana.

“Thanks,” he said.

“For you, only the best,” Lana replied.

“I agree. You are the best.”

Glowing a pale pink at the unexpected compliment, Lana said, “I don’t know about that, but I think together, we’re the best.”

As 8:00 rolled around, Lana checked her watch and told Clark he better be heading to school or he’d be late. Clark let Lana know he wasn’t going to first period today. Instead, he was going to spend more time with his girlfriend and then escort her to their second hour English III class.

“Clark Kent cutting class? Will the wonders never cease?”

“Yeah. I was listening to the radio last night, ‘cause I couldn’t sleep and I heard this song by Diamond Rio. It so fit what I was feeling, that I looked it up on the ‘net so I could copy the lyrics for you.” Pulling a slightly crumpled piece of paper out of his blue jeans, Clark began to read, in a voice that grew less steady with each successive line.

“The song is ‘One More Day,’ and it goes like this:

Last night I had a crazy dream
A wish was granted just for me
It could be for anything
I didn't ask for money
Or a mansion in Malibu
I simply wished, for one more day with you

One more day
One more time
One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again
I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still, for one more day with you

First thing I'd do, is pray for time to crawl
Then I'd unplug the telephone
And keep the TV off
I'd hold you every second
Say a million I love you's
That's what I'd do, with one more day with you

One more day
One more time
One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again
I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still, for one more day with you

One more day
One more time
One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again
I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still, for one more day with you

Leave me wishing still, for one more day
Leave me wishing still, for one more day.”

Tears rolling down her face, Lana had to stop and serve a couple of customers, and when she got back, Clark said, “The song made me realize that all I want is one more day in your company. One more time to hear you laugh. One last stroll arm-in-arm through freshly-mown fields. One last swim at Crater Lake. So, what do you say, will you skip school with me?

"I don’t really want to go to Smallville High and spend the day signing yearbooks while being apart from you all but two hours of the day. I want to be with you from now until the sun is ready to set and we’re standing right where Jor-El needs me to be.”

Nodding her head yes, Lana tried to control her sniffles as she said, “Yes, Clark, I’m yours. I just have to wait for my relief to get here and we’re gone.”

--------------------

The rest of the day, Clark and Lana spent doing whatever came into their heads and not really caring what it was, as long as they were together.

They visited the Smallville Stables and rode Tyson and Donatello under a clear, blue sky.

That was followed by an impromptu picnic in the park topped off by a shared chocolate-swirl ice cream cone as they walked hand-in-hand from the Dairy Queen to Clark‘s truck back at the park.

After an early afternoon dip in Crater Lake, they went to the Clark’s loft. Once there, Clark open the bottom half of the Dutch doors and they sat down on the edge, legs dangling, hands entwined. Her head leaning on his shoulder, his head leaning on top of hers as they whiled away their remaining time.

At 5 p.m., Pete and Chloe showed up for dinner at the Kent farm. No one wanted to talk about what was on all of their minds, but talking about anything else wasn’t possible. At the end of dinner, Clark kissed Chloe and his mom, hugged Pete and his dad and said, “This isn’t ‘good-bye,’ it’s just ’see you later.’”

Lana and Clark drove over to the cave compound and let themselves in. Clark handed her the gate key and the contents of his pockets save one: the octagonal key.

Clark judged it to be close enough to time as he stepped toward the location of the key slot. Turning to Lana who was crying freely now, Clark said, “Just like the song said, Lana. This day just left me wishing for one more day with you.”

Holding the key up in front of the slot, Clark let go and the key oriented itself and shot forward into the slot. The symbols glowed white and Jor-El’s voice asked, “Are you ready, Kal-El?”

“No,” he replied, “but I’m here anyway to fulfill my half of the bargain.”

“Then step into the light, my son and join me.”

Clark took one step, then another and, just before he was consumed by the light, he turned to Lana and said, “I love you, I will come back.”

[SVsleuth]

Yow! Another update in the same day??? you must be taking lessons from Me! (Dont worry - I don't expect 15 updates in 2 days! :lol: Off to read...

EDIT: Super sweet. And a perfect song, too: One More Day.


Clark took one step, then another and, just before he was consumed by the light, he turned to Lana and said, “I love you, I will come back.”

That was such a perfect ending. So now we don't need a 2nd meteor shower, right?

[NYC300Z]

wow such a bittersweet update...very nice lyrics! so perfect! Lex is still up to no good plans...hope Bruce protects Lana from him in Clark's absence!

PPMS!!!

[Cardinal]

Barring an unexpected burst of inspiration, there should only be one more update for this fic.

YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!

Clark needs to come back and I have something that has to be done to fulfill something that was said in the follow up to this, "The Wedding." That story is located in the "Cardinal's Odds & Ends" thread.

[NYC300Z]

Okay i'm looking forward to your update! only one more? It better be a real long one...so much to do...Lex tring to get to Lana while Clark is gone....Clark has to come back...what's in store for the future...oh man how can there only be one more update?

PPMS!!:D

[EEE]

I like it

[linn]

that was so good ppms!!!!

[dreammaster]

another awesome chapter

[akuma]

Update soon please!!!!

[kewl]

super sweet update!!!!! can't hardly wait for the next one! :D

[Cardinal]

Chapter 28 - Homecoming

Sunsets used to be Lana’s favorite time of day. She loved the vibrant colors layered above the horizon like a quilt, the back-lit cloud-sculptures more fantastical than any artwork by Picasso, Dali, or Escher and, of course, the company.

Sunsets were made for spending with Clark. They had not been very important to her until she got to know Clark. Just like sunsets, Clark shows you something new, and possibly unexpected, every day. Just like Clark, sunsets are some of the most beautiful things she has ever seen. In her mind, Clark and sunsets have become inextricably linked.

Now, with Clark gone, Lana tried very hard to be busy indoors when the sun began to set. Each parade of color, a painful reminder that Clark wasn’t here. Each cloud, a Rorschach test to which the answer was ‘Clark.’

So many times over the weeks since he left, she found herself turning to him to relate an idea, or to ask his opinion, or just to gaze up at his chiseled face, only to remember his absence a heartbeat too late.

It’s just for the summer, she thought. I can do this…keep holding onto that thought, and it may pull you through yet, Girl.

To fill the time formerly devoted to Clark, Lana made good on her promise to make herself useful on the Kent farm. Time not spent working at the Talon or with Chloe and Pete, was spent learning the farm life. Since Chloe and Pete were spending increasingly large amounts of time with each other as a couple, Lana spent more and more time at the farm.

From Mr. Kent she learned exactly what went into running a farm on a day-to-day basis. Not having the strength to do any heavy lifting herself, Lana was instructed how to drive a tractor and operate a hay baler. Jonathon was pleasantly surprised that Clark’s inamorata was more than willing to get her hands dirty.

When not out in the fields working on her first farmer’s tan, Lana was in the house with Martha, learning something a bit more practical for any woman hoping to marry Clark Kent. She was learning how to cook. With the way Clark eats, Lana knew how invaluable learning from the master would be. Her short-term goal was to be able to cook Clark’s first meal after his return to Smallville and not have him know his mother wasn’t the cook. Long-term, she wanted to match Martha’s prowess in the kitchen.

For the Kents, having Lana at the farm on a daily basis was a source of comfort. It was like a small piece of Clark had never left. Jonathon and Martha took care to tell Lana simple stories of Clark as a child, things only they would remember. Like the time a young Clark tore a small dogwood out of the ground and brought it to his mother simply because she had said how much she liked its pale blossoms.

During one of her increasingly rare excursions with Pete and Chloe, Lana went swimming at Crater Lake. Conservative as ever, Lana wore an aquamarine, one-piece swimsuit. As Pete and Chloe drove up in Chloe’s Beetle, Lana pushed on her sunglasses, grabbed her beach towel, sunscreen, and small cooler and stepped out of her SUV.

“Hi, guys!” Lana said as she waved to the new couple.

Chloe and Pete picked up their beach supplies and headed over to join Lana. Chloe’s green one-piece went well with Pete’s knee-length shorts which were black with a wide, green stripe down one side. Shaking her head, Lana asked, “What’s up with you two? Have you started buying clothes together?”

“Hi, Lana!” Chloe said as she waved back. “We did buy these swimsuits together, but nothing else. Pete’s still dressing in that 'farm boy homeboy' style and he thinks my style is a little too eclectic for him to emulate.” Pausing to wait for Pete to catch up, Chloe said, “It’s good to see you somewhere other than the Talon or the Kent farm for once. I was beginning to think you had moved in over there.”

“No, Chloe, I still sleep at your house. I just like spending time with the Kents. It‘s not quite like being with Clark,” Lana said, as Chloe rolled her eyes, “but it’s nice. Clark and I haven’t really dated before now, so this is the first time I’ve had to become really familiar with them.”

“What do you do out there, Lana?” asked Pete.

“Inside the house, I’ve been learning how to cook. If it was later in the year, I’d be learning about canning fruits and vegetables. Also, I can help clean that house. That was something Clark used to do…of course, he was a little bit faster at it than Martha and I are.

“Outside, I’ve been learning how the farm runs. Feeding the cattle, moving them from field to field, stuff like that. I’ve even learned how to drive the tractor.”

“Lana the farmer,” said Chloe, “that’s one I never would have imagined.”

“It’s nice…exhausting, but nice. Now, if I only had my favorite farmer out there to spend time with, everything would be perfect.”

“This is probably a stupid question,” said Chloe, “but, have you heard from him, wherever he is?”

A slow smile crossing her face, Lana said “No, and yes.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” asked Pete.

“Well, Clark hasn’t been able to send me a postcard, if that’s what you’re thinking,” Lana said. “He did, however, arrange for something special to be sent to me. I just got it the other day and I still think about it all the time.”

“Don’t keep us waiting,” said Pete, “what was it?”

“He figured out what day was the half way point between the end of school last year and the beginning of school next year. Then he arranged for the florist to deliver a bouquet of lilacs to me with a note.”

As they set their stuff down on the beach, they shook out their beach towels and Lana said, “The note said to ask Mrs. Kent for a CD Clark had made for me. I took that CD and the lilacs, ran up to the loft and popped it into Clark’s CD player. It was a recording of him saying how much he missed me, how much he loves me and how he can’t wait to come back to me. He told me we were half way done with being apart, and he finished the CD with a song.”

“Clark sang?” asked Chloe.

“Umm…no,” said Lana. “Come to think of it, I’ve never heard him sing before.”

“Knowing my man, Clark, it’ll be a country song,” said Pete.

“It was a country song and it’s perfect. It’s ‘I’ll Still Be Lovin’ You’ by Restless Heart. I’ve got the CD in my SUV, let me go get it.”

Lana returned with a CD-R and placed it into Pete’s boombox. She skipped over the track containing the personal message from Clark thinking, No one gets to hear that, not even Pete and Chloe. Finally reaching the song, Lana pressed play and let them listen.

[MOOman0618]

BUFFERING LIKE THIS IS THE SECOND TO LAST BUFFER THIS THREAD WILL EVER HAVE!

[rosewolfe87]

Buffer!

Damn

[SVsleuth]

Well I'm late, but BUFFER anyway! :)

[Cardinal]

“I’ll Still Be Lovin’ You” - Restless Heart

Changing my life with your love,
Has been so easy for you.
And I'm amazed every day,
How I'll need you,
'Til all the mountains are valleys,
And every ocean is dry, my love.

I'll be yours until the sun doesn't shine,
'Til time stands still,
Until the winds don't blow.
When today is just a memory to me, I know,
I'll still be lovin',
I'll still be lovin' you.
I'll still be lovin' you.

Never before did I know,
How loving someone could be.
Now I can see you and me,
For a lifetime.
Until the last moon is rising,
You'll see the love in my eyes, my love.

I'll be yours until the sun doesn't shine,
'Til time stands still,
Until the winds don't blow.
When today is just a memory to me, I know,
I'll still be lovin',
I'll still be lovin' you.

Instrumental Break.

I'll be yours until the sun doesn't shine,
'Til time stands still,
Until the winds don't blow.
When today is just a memory to me, I know,
I'll still be lovin',
I'll still be lovin' you.
I'll still be lovin' you.

I'll still be lovin',
I'll still be lovin',
I'll still be lovin' you;

I'll still be lovin',
I'll still be lovin',
I'll still be lovin' you;

At the conclusion of the song, both girls were tearing up while Pete scratched behind his ear and said, “What have you done to Clark, Lana? He used to be one of the guys, but now he's been emasculated. You sure you weren‘t making him read romance novels or something before he left?”

Lana’s attempted rebuttal to Pete’s attack on Clark’s masculinity was overridden when Chloe jumped in and said, “Thinking ahead like that is a very sweet thing for Clark to have done. You might want to take note, Pete. Both of us were happy at the end of the song. A little romance goes a long way.”

Damn, Clark, Pete thought, you’re getting me in hot water and you’re not even here.

Holding his hands up in surrender, Pete said, “Okay, okay. Mr. Smooth gets full credit for being thoughtful.” Looking at Chloe, he asked, “For future reference, what are your favorite flowers?”

“Do you believe him, Lana? We’ve been dating for about three months and he still doesn’t know my favorite flowers.” Turning to Pete, Chloe said, “Right now, I’d say my favorite flowers are the type know as Lotsa.”

“Lotsa…Lotsa?” asked Pete. “I’ve never heard of that flower before. I‘ve heard of a Lotus before, though I‘ve never seen one.”

“Oh, before you make this up to me, you will, Pete,” said Chloe. “You’re gonna go into the florist and order ‘Lotsa’ flowers for me on a regular basis.”

At this, Lana tried to stifle a laugh and Pete groaned at Chloe’s tortured pun.
“Very punny, Chloe,” said Pete.

“I do it all the time just for the halibut,” Chloe said. “I don’t even need a special porpoise.”

Lana’s laugh turned to a groan as Pete said, “Somebody stop her before she puns again.”

Lana put her special CD back in its jewel case and the three friends headed for the water. Joining a large crowd enjoying the hot summer sun and the relatively cool water, they waded far enough out for the girls to be covered up to the tops of their shoulders.

Settling into the water, Chloe asked, “Lana, what’s been going on over at the Talon? A source at the courthouse told me about a change of ownership. I didn’t even know Lex had the Talon up for sale.”

“Welllll…” said Lana, “you have to keep this to yourselves ‘cause Bruce hasn’t called me to confirm that the sale has gone through, but, basically, what’s happening is that Bruce Wayne is buying the Talon from Lex.”

“Whatever for?” asked Chloe.

“It, umm…has to do with a little confrontation I had with Lex when I turned in the payroll a couple of weeks ago.”

“What did Kojak do to you, Lana?” asked Pete.

“Nothing,” replied Lana.

Moving to her roommate’s side, Chloe wrapped an arm around her midsection and said, “If Lex laid a hand on you, he’d better find a deep hole to hide in before Clark comes back.”

“I repeat, Lex didn’t do anything,” Lana said. “It was what he said that caused the problem.”

“Do you want to talk about it, Lana?” asked Chloe.

“Maybe later,” Lana said, “I came out here to enjoy myself.”

[MOOman0618]

BUFFERING LIKE THIS IS THE LAST BUFFER THIS THREAD WILL EVER HAVE!

[rosewolfe87]

lol, i'll second that Buffer!

[SVsleuth]

Late again ... BUFFER again anyway...

[Cardinal]

Later that evening, the three friends were eating pizza upstairs in Chloe’s house while her dad watched TV downstairs.

“Okay, Lana,” Chloe said, “are you ready to talk now?”

Taking a deep breath, Lana said, “I went over to the Talon after work on that Friday with the payroll for that two week period. We met in Lex’s library office as usual. This time, however, Lex was preoccupied with a three-ring binder that was sitting in front of him on the coffee table.

“When I put my paperwork in front of him, he pushed the binder over to me and said, ‘While I look over the payroll, I think you need to read what I’ve got here.’

“I didn’t know what was going on, so I picked up the binder and started reading. It was a file containing everything he or his father had ever collected on Clark.”

“What was in it, Lana?” asked Pete.

“Lex didn’t have everything,” said Lana, “but he was close enough. I was scared of what Lex might do with this information. Apparently, Lex misread my fear of him as being fear of Clark, so Lex made his move.”

“No!” said Chloe, “What happened next?”

“Lex told me Clark was nothing but a liar and that I deserved better than that,” said Lana. “He then went on to say how he had been in love with me for a long time and how he’d always be truthful with me, how I’d never have to wonder if he was telling the truth.”

“Lex is in love with you?” asked Pete, “Clark will just love that.”

“That’s not the worst that happened, though,” said Lana. “When I told him I knew everything already, that there were things about Clark that Lex didn’t even suspect, and that I still love Clark, Lex went crazy!” Throwing her hands in the air in exasperation, Lana continued, “He told me I had been brainwashed, that if I really knew what was going on, I’d never be able to stay with Clark.”

Both Pete and Chloe could tell from looking at Lana just how upset this was making her.

“If Lex had just told me about Clark, and hadn’t told me I was too stupid to decide things like this for myself, I might have tried to let him down easy. Instead, I let him have it with both barrels.”

“What’d you say, Lana?” asked Chloe.

“I told him I was perfectly capable of deciding who to spend my time with. If he didn’t like it, well, he wasn’t required to like it, he was just required to live with it.”

Gritting her teeth, Lana said, “That was the first barrel. The second one was me telling Lex that even if I wasn’t in love with Clark, I could never be in love with him, that I had always seen him as a big brother and confidant.

“Let me tell you, that went over like a lead balloon. He folded up the payroll report and said maybe he didn’t need to keep the Talon open anymore, that he’d held onto it for the wrong reasons…at that point, I excused myself and left ’cause I was afraid to stay any longer. When I woke up the next morning, I called Bruce at that number he left us and explained to him what had happened. Bruce said he’d take care of it and, the next thing I know, Bruce is calling me to let me know that he was buying the Talon to keep Lex out of my hair.”

“Wow, he must be serious about helping Clark,” Pete said.

“Yeah,” said Chloe, “though that is pocket change for Bruce.”

--------------------

It was the middle of August in Smallville, and Bruce had owned the Talon for roughly a month. The only difference from before was that Lana delivered the payroll information to a Wayne Enterprises accountant by e-mail instead of hand-delivering it to Lex.

With the start of school less than two weeks away, Lana was beginning to get worried about whether Clark was going to come back in time for the start of the school year. That he might not come back at all never crossed her mind, so strong was her faith in Clark.

She was driving out to the Kent farm one night to pick up some pies for the Talon, when she noticed that the storm that had been threatening all evening was beginning in earnest. Her cell phone was at her ear as she talked to Martha to make sure the pies were ready when one of the sporadic bursts of lightning struck the road right in front of her. She was so startled that she lost control and veered into the field. Not again, she thought, the last time I drove off the road during a storm, I was sucked up by a tornado. Of course, Clark was there to save me, so that’s a trade I’d happily make. One tornado ride in exchange for Clark being here to save me.

As she slowed her SUV, three lightning bolts shot down out of the sky and combined in midair. The resulting superbolt shot straight down at the ground. Upon striking the earth, the bolt turned into a dome of coruscating energy which expanded rapidly and struck toward Lana’s vehicle, then dissipated. Lana got out of her SUV to check on possible damage to her vehicle when she saw, in the reflected glow of her headlights, that there appeared to be something in the field where the dome had been. Something besides flattened corn.

Stepping forward to see what it could be, Lana realized that it appeared to be a bare-chested human who was laying on its side in the center of the ring of devastation.

“Oh my God,” she said as she began to race into the circle to see if there was anything to be done for the mystery person. She wondered, Who the heck would be in a cornfield in a storm like this anyway?

The sound of her voice seemed to act as a trigger since the person began to stand as she spoke. Though he was facing away from her, Lana noticed two things straight off, first, the person was completely naked, and second, given the shape of the body, it was a man.

She asked, “Are you okay?” Hitting her forehead with her left hand, Lana thought, D’oh! That was a brilliant question, Lana. He’s only been hit by a lightning bolt! Okay, let’s try another question.

“What’s your name?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” he replied.

Shaking her head, Lana mumbled to herself, “I’ve been thinking about Clark so much that random strangers are beginning to sound like him.” Out loud, she said, “You need to go to a hospital. Why don’t you come over here. I’ll get you a blanket out of my SUV and I’ll give you a ride to the hospital.”

Lana walked back to her SUV, opened the hatch, rummaged through her emergency equipment and came up with a decent-sized blanket. Heading back to the naked man, she noticed he had turned around to face her and was in the process of trying to avoid looking below his waist when she saw his face. The blanket fell from her hand, completely forgotten as she ran across the flattened corn, screaming, “Clark, Clark, Clark!!!” and she tried to crush him in a bearhug.

“Who is this…Clark?” the man asked.

“You are,“ she said, looking up at the face of the man she loves, “don’t you remember?”

At this point, it occurred to Lana that she was holding her naked boyfriend in the middle of a field. She stepped back and retrieved the blanket which she then held in her left hand for him to take. While waiting in vain for him to grab the blanket, Lana was unable to resist the temptation to peek at what Clark was supposed to be hiding. Oh, this is so wrong, she thought, but I can’t help myself.

“Are you going to use this, Clark?” she asked.

If Lana had been looking at his face at this moment, instead of elsewhere, she would have noticed that his eyes were transfixed by the turquoise and silver bracelet on her left wrist.

“Bracelet…that, that bracelet…I know that bracelet,” the man said. Then, his hands went to his head and he screamed. Lana reflexively took a step back, but then she stepped forward, wrapped him in the blanket and hugged him tight until his agony subsided.

“I…where am I?” Clark asked.

Looking up past the smooth curve of his upper chest toward his face, Lana said, “You’re home, Clark. You’ve come home.”

The Freaking End

[rosewolfe87]

BUFFER BUFFER BUFFER!

[MOOman0618]

2nd!!

[rosewolfe87]

oh...damn.

[MOOman0618]

Way to end this story on a high note! This was definitely a quality Clana fic.

There was some great Clana in the last two chapters. You never disappoint. I think I would like to see Farmer Lana also... :) And now that you are all done with this guy, you can finish your Wedding story. I know you have some good stuff planned for that!

[rosewolfe87]

Wow! I loved that ending!

[SVsleuth]

Okay, I think K-Site will let me post now. Card, this CAN'T really be the END, can it? Where do we go re-read your other fic for the continuation? Odds-N-Ends, The WEDDING???? I can't remember how it ties in. I'll have to sort it out tomorrow - no that's later today.

This was a great fic, Card. Really enjoyed it. I loved how it was Lana and not Lois in that last scene. Super! Keep writing.:)

[Cardinal]

The continuation of this fic is in the "Odds & Ends" thread. That thread contains both the Proposal and the Wedding fics.

The events in "Odds & Ends" are 3 years in the future from the events of this fic.

Thank you all for reading this story!

[rosewolfe87]

Hey Cardinal, it looks like we had the same idea of posting our fics here and on Sweet. lol.

[Cardinal]

Yeah, here, there, and a third place, too. I just can't mention that third place while I'm here! :D

[rosewolfe87]

lol, i'm probably a member of that third place too.

[NYC300Z]

Cardinal that was awesome! Very nice the way you built that up! It was kind of obvious that it was Clark! lol oh and the first part was so emotional it was amazing!

[SVsleuth]

Okay, I got some sleep, then came right back to RE-READ this awesome ending while my brain is working better. Again, super job, Cardinal. I'm off to re-read the Proposal & The Wedding.

[dreammaster]

awesome ending

[akuma]

AWESOME, what more can i say??

[linn]

wow....that was a awesome update......

[binkys711]

dude! Card! you really went al out! such a great story! Glad I finally got to read it! That story was uttery amazing! baaad Lana starring where she shouldn't be:p The story was fantastically done! :D great job!

[kewl]

sad that it has to end/...... great story!

[Iowanmom]

Originally posted by Cardinal
“CLARK!!!” Martha screamed. Only then did she remember that Clark had done his chores early and taken Lana to the Kawatche caves in the Kents’ red pickup.
AHHHHHHH!!!! Cardinal. I have actually Gasped out loud!!!! uggg, I'm on pins and needles. I must read more. Damn, what will happen next.... ugg the suspense... no, wait, I can read more. Whew!! **continues to read on** :D :lol:


Originally posted by Cardinal
“Clark, what do these caves have to do with your family or your planet? Creepton, Crapton…what’d you call it?” Lana asked, eyes filled with mirth.
ABSOLUTELY hilarious. LMAO!!!
Okay, okay. **still giggling** I'm going to read more. It's just that you some funny stuff here and I feel bad if Idon't comment on it, so I thought I might this time. :D

**off to read**

[Cardinal]

Oh, please feel free to comment. Especially on a story that hasn't had any comments in such a long time.

Comments are always welcome! :D

[Iowanmom]

Originally posted by Cardinal
Rolling his eyes skyward, Clark answered, “It’s called Krypton, K - R - Y - P - T - O - N! That’s how I think it’s spelled, anyway, since I’ve never seen it written in English. This is the third time, at least, that I’ve told you.” Man, I tell Lana one itsy-bitsy secret, and she loosens up like we’ve been dating forever! She’s never ragged on me like this! Chloe, maybe, Pete, definitely, but Lana? Shy, retiring, stick-her-nose-in-a-book, Lana? Where has she been all my life?

Okay!!! Here goes. Too funny, Cardinal. This is so true to form. Remove all the lies, the secrets, the half truths and you have an open, fun loving, gentle teasing relationship just begging to take flight. Beautiful, Cardinal, beautiful. Absolutely funny. Really, this is great!!!
**off to read more** :p

[eriii1]

Awesome story! PMMS!

[kewl]

welcome eriii1 :D

[eriii1]

Thanx kewl. It's great to be here!

[kewl]

you're welcome and enjoy your stay! :D

[Iowanmom]

Originally posted by Iowanmom
Okay!!! Here goes. Too funny, Cardinal. This is so true to form. Remove all the lies, the secrets, the half truths and you have an open, fun loving, gentle teasing relationship just begging to take flight. Beautiful, Cardinal, beautiful. Absolutely funny. Really, this is great!!!
**off to read more** :p
You know, following 'that girl's lead from BTBR, I came back to this fic to see if I made it here. I remember reading the beginning and the scene where Lana is teasing Clark about the name of his home planet and Jonathan falling, but I continued to read on and I must say nothing else seemed familiar.... I was curious why I'd halted. Then I came upon this:

Originally posted by Cardinal
“Why are we meeting Pete? I thought it was going to be just us today,” Lana pouted slightly. At least it’s not Chloe. She couldn’t miss the fact that Clark and I are back together, and she always screws things up between us every time we get close. Well, not this time!

Another thing I’ve just thought of: I found out Clark’s secret before Chloe did! Hah!

I can’t believe myself. With all the things Chloe and her dad have done for me and as close as we have become friend-wise, all it took was one thought of her getting between Clark and me, and I was ready to b*tch slap her into next week.
I'm sitting here... just stunned. I don't know what to say, Cardinal. I mean it was bound to happen. But because you treat Chloe so well in BTBR, I am floored to read you dissed my girl!!! I am absolutely floored. Well, not you personally, Card, but wow. I don't know what to make of it. Really, I'm not complaining. I just.... am shocked.

To me, those few sentences paint a very nasty Lana, but this is Clana. I guess not all Clana fics can have Chloe in a better light, huh? Don't mind me, I've just been smacked in the face with reality and it stings a bit. I... I... simply don't know what to say. I am shocked.

I mean for me to be putting on my Clana hat, truly enjoying and relishing the Clana on BTBR, and to see my exstatic and very accepting quote above, the few lines from Lana's thoughts have truly left me.....speechless and shaken. Who knew you had it in ya? Not me. But that is the risk of being here where I don't belong. Right?

Anyway, (as I try to shake this depressing and rather painful realization off), I'm going to continue to read because you said I'd enjoy Chloe in this fic, even tho I am weary.

Sorry I seemed to have left it before. I don't know why I did for sure, but I look forward to hopefully seeing in this fic, a Chloe that you have successfully been able to paint for me in the past.

Moving on,
I liked the trust issue being focused on. Lana indeed has been waiting a long time for Clark to be truthful. Wow, this Lana seems.... I don't know, almost gruff.... jealous, ummm I don't know what else...

I thought Pete finding out about Lana knowing was great. Now he has someone to talk to. When Clark turned and called Lana Dearest, that was a hoot. I laughed. Very funny, the exchange between Clark and Lana. You paint a confused Pete very well.
I love Pete. Did you know that??? :)
*will read more soon*

[Cardinal]

To me, Lana and Chloe had, at that time, a barely-beneath-the-surface rivalry going on over Clark.

Chloe always seemed (intentionally or not) to sabotage the Clana moments and Lana was definitely going to try and stop any Chlark near the end of Season 1 in "Crush."

Maybe Lana relished her victory too much, but she did realize she was being rough on Chloe.

[Iowanmom]

Originally posted by Cardinal
Of course there's not enough Chlark. If you'll notice, Chloe still hasn't made an appearance in any of my stuff. It seems the only way to give Clana a chance to take root and grow is to kill off the noxious weed. That way, when Chloe comes back, Clana will be firmly entrenched, and will be able to stand up to Chloe the Remora.
Actually, I forgot to put this quote in my reply, but this is what sent me off on my tangent.... This was the additional shocking reveal that had me replying without thinking. *sigh* It doesn't matter. This was one of your first works.

It seems I need to refamiliarize myself with season 1. I use to watch my DVD's all the time. It is funny how I see things differently. But again, that doesn't matter. I do look forward to reading through this and seeing Chloe through your eyes for the first time.
:)

[Cardinal]

I do seem to remember warning you that this was written for a Clana audience, and no, I've never been a fan of ROMANTIC Chlark, though I DO think TPTB should have fully explored it at the beginning of Season 2 instead of using the ultra-lame "just friends" line.

I DO blame the way TPTB used Chloe for the killing off of Pete. She kept getting more and more of the 'friends' bits that should have gone to Pete, the best friend. Once that happened, there was nothing for Pete to do. :(

[that girl]

I loved it, Cardinal! Bringing Bruce in was a stroke of genius. And killing Lionel off was definetly not something I was expected. I'll read the Odds & Ends thread at some point but my life is getting busy so it might not be right away.

Great story!

[clanaalltheway]

great story!!