Hidden: Unwelcome Truth

[superman_lives_on]

Originally posted by happycamper
I have to agree! But unfortunately, it's not an instant process.

* * *

“I’m still not sure. Part of me wants nothing else but to play the hero. But what about all the people I can’t save? People are going to resent the fact that I can’t save everyone, and to be honest, I think I’m going to hate myself for it, too.”

Lana understood that this was Clark’s dilemma, that he felt an obligation to be responsible for everyone’s safety and happiness. “Even if you worked at being Superman for 24 hours a day, you still couldn’t save everyone. Besides,” Lana added slyly while squeezing his thigh, “then you wouldn’t have any time for me. But the occasional presence of a superhero will give everyone hope when they think all may be lost, and maybe even more importantly, you could show everyone how important it is to care for others.”

Who said anything about it being an instant process? Just don't let it be glacial, either! Please?

This part of the chapter has given me hope, though, that Lana will be able to reach Clark.

As for the Clark/Kal-El/Superman dynamic... Looks like it's the situation in the movie, but reversed, after a fashion. Interesting. And I agree with Chloe--without Lana to keep him grounded, Superman wouldn't really be Superman--he'd just be a cold, distant presence...little better than the Kal-El we saw in "Crusade".

[happycamper]

Oh! (slaps self on head).

I wanted to welcome you, Iowanmom. I don't think I've ever seen you on one of my stories before. I would like you to know that I really love Chloe, too. It's just I think the whole point of the show is the Clana...

But Chloe is usually an important - if supporting - part of my stories, and I hope one that provides a little humor and understanding (see 'Recriminations!' for proof).

Thanks again!

[Iowanmom]

Originally posted by happycamper
I wanted to welcome you, Iowanmom. I don't think I've ever seen you on one of my stories before. I would like you to know that I really love Chloe, too. It's just I think the whole point of the show is the Clana...

But Chloe is usually an important - if supporting - part of my stories, and I hope one that provides a little humor and understanding (see 'Recriminations!' for proof).

Thanks again!
Thanks, happycamper. I truly cherish writers that communicate with their readers, accepting their feedback, good or bad. Not many writers do this. Allowing yourself to connect with us makes for a better story and a more enjoyable thread. I can only thank you. :)

I'll try not to wear out my welcome and gush about Chloe all the time... I tend to do that in spades. *sigh*

I can tell how much Chloe means to you and it's not just because I've seen you occassionally in the Chlark section:

Originally posted by happycamper
[“I think we really need to stop thinking about Clark for at least a little while, because it hurts us both too much.
This statement alone speaks so much about what Clark means to Chloe and it truly touched me. This is what I long for... Chlark doens't have to be romantic to hook me. Thank you for allowing them to be friends in your fic. It's little details like this that draw me, allowing me to relish your work. It's an honor, really. I love it, I crave it. Thank you. :)

I am not caught up yet, but hope to do so soon. And forgive my ingnorace with not finding you before. I didn't know you were a writer. I hope to read more soon. I am a fan, hon. :)

[maitriniazngurl]

Hey, Great update HC I almost didn't reconigize u again.. because you changed your avatar.. again. :D

Chloe and Lana sure seem to be getting closer, while your fic keeps getting more and more interesting. Clark does need Lana to get him stable, but I can't help feel like I'm missing something. hem.. :)

Anyways.. post when u can. :D

[SVsleuth]

I almost missed this update, hc! I love how important Lana is for Clark and for Superman. And Chloe's role is great in this fic too. Clark is fortunate to be surrounded by two women who care deeply about him.

Oh, and thanks for the clarification. Once you mentioned it, about the effects of the suit, I remembered I had read it. I guess that's what comes from reading so many fics - they get jumbled up in your brain, and some of the details get lost along the way.


PPMS!

[LetMeGo]

Great update hc! I really enjoy the interaction between Lana and Chloe and their mutual love and concern for Clark. I hope Clark can see what Superman means to the world and how he can influence people for the better.

And by the way… Happy Birthday! :D :D

[*#~ ClAnAfAn99210~#*]

good update

[clark&lanafan06]

Good Update ! PPMS !!!!!

[*#~ ClAnAfAn99210~#*]

nned an update soon

[NYC300Z]

Great Update! Lana's getting through to Clark! Chloe's being supportive and now we just have to get Clark and Lana to talk things out so they both know where things are headed and everything will be alright right?

PPMS!

[Venezuelan Lana]

these were awesomes updates, the ones I missed lately! I hope you can post more soon! I'm dying to see what happens next!

[Cardinal]

I can see it now...Lana will have a job jar for Clark and one of the slips of paper will say "Spend two hours as Superman." :p

[*#~ ClAnAfAn99210~#*]

update soon

[buddy232]

Great update!

Love the story!

Please continue!

[*#~ ClAnAfAn99210~#*]

updates oon

[happycamper]

Hidden: Unwelcome Truth

Chapter Seventeen



Lana turned off the small television she and Chloe shared in their dorm room when she heard the knocking at her door. Opening it, her normal expression turned into an almost giddy smile when she saw who was waiting.

“Clark!” Kiss. “I saw everything on the news.” Kiss. “You were wonderful!” Long, enthusiastic kiss.

Blushing, Clark closed the door behind him as Lana dragged him over to the small couch. “Thanks, Lana. I was glad I could help those poor people.”

“The pictures of you flying that lifeboat to shore were just great,” Lana gushed at Clark. “They said you managed to save everyone on that freighter.”

“Yeah, the captain, his wife and daughter, and 11 crewman,” Clark explained. The storm was so bad that they couldn’t abandon their ship, but I had them all get into one of their lifeboats after I arrived so I could fly them to Gibraltar.”

“That little girl was so cute,” Lana told him. “The news showed an interview with her after you took off, and she said she wasn’t afraid after Superman arrived, and that she was going to marry him when she grew up.” Lana looked on in delight as Clark’s blush renewed, and slyly added, “What is it about you and young women Clark? Am I going to have to fight off hordes of your admirers?”

A startled Clark reacted with concern at Lana’s words, but relaxed when he saw the twinkle in her eyes. “It’s only you Lana, it’s always been only you.”

Lana looked at her love, Even though I don’t know why it worked out that way, I’ve always known that to be true. Of all the women in this world, why was I the one lucky enough to be chosen by this most wonderful man. “That’s only because you can’t resist the delectable Lana Lang.”

I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you, even before I knew what love was. How is it that I’m lucky enough to have that love returned, even after all the terrible things I’ve done. You know my weakness, Miss Lang. But now that I have Superman as an ally, I feel so much better knowing that I’ll never again have a healthy competitor.”

About to bestow another kiss, Lana pinched him instead. But realizing the futility of such punishment, she settled for some serious tickling. Lana was attempting to get up to avoid the retribution she knew was coming her way when the door opened.

“Whoa, did I come at a bad time?” Looking at the two, the blonde asked, “I could always come back in half an hour.”

“Don’t be ridiculous Chloe,” Lana told her. Clark was just telling me about the freighter rescue.”

“Yeah, good job, Kent! I saw the coverage,” Chloe told them as plunked herself to a seat on the side of her bed, “It’s good that you make an occasional rescue away from Metropolis, anyway.”

“Yeah, this is definitely my center of operations,” Clark said, “but I don’t always limit myself, if you know what I mean.”

Chloe smiled at Clark, and then shifted into a stare as she considered him closely.

Seeing the change of expression, Clark warily asked, “What is it, Chloe?”

“You know, all of the people who rescue you love you, and most of the people in this world are perfectly happy to have a “friend” like you around to help. Even those robbers you stopped last week were impressed with the way their bullets just bounced off the man of steel, and told me in an interview that they were just grateful you didn’t squash them like bugs the way even they knew they deserved.”

“You know I don’t want to hurt anyone Chloe, even the bad guys,” Clark admitted.

“I know that,” Chloe responded, “and I’m sure most of the world knows that too. It’s just that you have some of the world’s governments worried – honestly, even some of the people in our own – and Superman never talking their officials or to the press hasn’t helped. There’s even a few people complaining about not being rescued, and asking why Superman wasn’t there to save them or the ones they loved.”

“It hurts, Chloe, but I can’t save everyone. I don’t know about things until after they occur, just like everyone else.”

“Clark, I know,” Chloe responded, unhappy to have touched such a sore point with her friend. “I’ve written articles about that, saying that you obviously aren’t blessed with precognition, so you can’t be expected to stop most accidents or crimes. I’ve also tried to tell everyone that even if you worked 24 hours a day you couldn't save everyone, and they just needed to think of you as a friendly guy who can sometimes lend a helping hand.”

Clark smiled sadly at Chloe and told her, “I know you have Chloe, and I’m grateful.”

Lana saw Chloe’s sympathetic smile, and then saw that she suddenly perked up. “What, Chloe?”

“Lana,” Chloe responded, “what Clark really needs is a live interview. He can explain himself enough to satisfy the government, and at the same time he can introduce himself to the world. If he explained some of his abilities, people would better understand both what he can and cannot do.”

Clark began his objections, “Chloe, I’m not sure...”

“I think that would be a perfect idea,” Lana interrupted. She looked at Clark, who was giving her a betrayed, ‘you too’ look, and she laughed. Kissing him, she said, “Chloe’s right. People would understand you better, and the Government is a lot less likely to conduct a big investigation if they’re satisfied with who you are.” She kissed him again, and was satisfied to see that the look of objection had left his face.

“Okay, Chloe,” Clark conceded, “when do you want to meet Superman?”

* * * *

The next evening, Chloe looked up from her new cubical at the Daily planet to see Superman outside, mouthing...something. ‘Roof’, that was it, roof. She held up all 10 fingers, and the figure nodded.

Grabbing her digital recorder, she yelled out, “Jimmy!”

She heard a scurrying sound, and then a freckle-faced redhead peered around the corner of her partition. “Yes Miss Sullivan, what can I do for you?”

“It Chloe, Jimmy. How many times do I have to remind you,” she responded with a slight frown. “Anyway, Jimmy, grab your digital video camera. You’re going to have a share in the biggest scoop of your life.”

Jimmy brightened, and took off, only to arrive back in less than a minute. “Okay, I’m ready Chloe, where are we heading?”

“To the roof, Jimmy,” Chloe responded.

In disbelief, Jimmy moaned, “The roof?”

Chloe gave him a tight smile. “You heard me, let’s go.”

The two took the elevator to the top of the ‘Daily Planet’ building, and then climbed two flights to reach the doorway to the roof. Jimmy already understood that Chloe had a peculiar sense of humor, but he still had a need to know what she intended. “What kind of story are we going to get out there?”

Chloe ignored the question as she stepped outside. “Look, Jimmy, train the camera on me while I make my opening statement, and then get shots of our subject. If you can frame us both in the shot that will be fine, otherwise keep the camera trained on the subject with only an occasional reaction shot back to me. Got it?”

“Okay Chloe, but who are we going to interview up here on the...?”

“Get the camera rolling Jimmy,” Chloe interrupted, and then waited until he gestured his readiness. “Hello Metropolis, this is reporter Chloe Sullivan of the ‘Daily Planet’ along with staff photographer Jimmy Olsen. We’re going to have an exclusive interview tonight with the world’s only genuine superhero, Metropolis’ own Superman.” Chloe gestured upwards and to the left for the benefit of Jimmy and any future audience.

Jimmy smoothly shifted the camera to where Chloe had pointed, and muttered, “oh my goodness, it’s really him.” Jimmy tracked Superman as he slowly descended in an upright position from about 40 feet above the roof, the revolving globe atop the city’s leading newspaper providing a perfect backdrop. As Superman softly touched down, Jimmy was able to gain perspective on just how tall and imposing a figure he made. Looking about 25, he had a commanding and confident mien, steely blue eyes, and sharply chiseled features. Jimmy instantly could see that Superman was a person that very few others would challenge even if he didn’t come pre-packaged with all of his extraordinary abilities.

“Hello Superman, I’m Chloe Sullivan, and behind the camera is Jimmy Olsen. Thank you for seeing us here tonight.”

“Hello Ms. Sullivan, Mr. Olsen, I’m grateful for the opportunity to talk with you tonight,” Superman responded in a strong and low-pitched voice.

“Please, call me Chloe,” she said, and at his nod, continued, “I guess the first question I have to ask you is if you object to the name that little Erin Reilly bestowed upon you after her rescue?”

The air of utter confidence cracked for just an instant, as he responded, “Well, I actually find the name and the attention a bit...embarrassing. I really didn’t want any type of notoriety, and I’d have been happy to be just known as a friend.” Suddenly providing a warm smile, he continued, “I guess the name is better than anything I would have come up with.”

“I’m glad for that. Given that Erin’s name for you matches the symbol on your chest, could you tell all of us what that ‘S’ actually symbolizes?”

Shrugging, Superman responded, “Actually it’s not an ‘S’, it’s just that particular shape surrounded by the shield is the sigil of my house...a sort of family crest, that is.”

Chloe stared at Superman, finding it difficult to believe that under that taller, older, and somehow harder figure was her best friend Clark. “Speaking about family, I guess the question that is uppermost on the minds of most people is if you are actually human?”

“I certainly think so, at least in most part. I was actually born in a star-system quite distant from Earth, but I spent many of my years growing up here with all of you on this wonderful planet. You’ll also find that if I’m cut, I’ll bleed the same red blood that any human would. I guess the only real difference is that it would be much harder to cut me. I do have the same emotions that any human would. I can be happy or sad, angry, or even feel love. That is one of the reasons I like to help people, because like most men, I’ve developed a love for all mankind.”

“It almost sounds that being Superman is like a part-time job for you,” Chloe observed.

“In many ways, it is. I’m still training, and trying to develop my extra abilities,” Superman explained. Suddenly turning very serious, he added, “There is real evil in the universe, Chloe, evil that would think it nothing to enslave or destroy all of mankind. My real job is to protect the people of this planet from those types of threats. But you guessed right in your previous articles; I have no precognitive skills,” he continued as the pain and regret of losing even one life showed clearly in Superman’s face, “so I can’t be there in time to save everyone from accidents or sudden disasters. It would be a bad idea to depend on me to make a rescue, because all I can really do is provide an occasional helping hand.”

Chloe, nodded, as if in understanding. “Could you explain to our readers and listeners what it is you believe in?”

Superman smiled, “Sort of like a politician’s platform you mean?”

Catching the reference, Chloe had to fight from smiling in return, suddenly seeing an impish version of Clark hiding under that seemingly stolid exterior. “Something like that.”

Staring off for a few seconds in thought, Superman glanced back down to Chloe, and told her, “I guess you could say I believe in truth, justice, and the American way.”

Chloe frowned up at Superman, before asking, “I can understand the first two, but is ‘the American way’ really an appropriate belief in our modern, multi-cultural society?”

Superman shook his head. “No, that really is my honest belief. I’m not saying that this country is perfect, but I do believe it comes closest. There are a few others that may approach it, but all too many are much, much worse. I think the entire planet would be better off if more of its people believed in the American way.”

Chloe frowned again in thought. “So is there any possibility that you would provide an assist to see that others followed that path?”

Superman gave an honest laugh, “I have no interest in or desire for riches or political power. I’ll happily leave that to the many politicians that are already on this earth of ours. But as a warning, I won’t allow myself to be used or manipulated for that purpose, either,” he insisted. But then thoughtfully, he added, “I think people generally get the Government they want or deserve. If people really want freedom badly enough, they can always manage to grasp it for themselves.”

Superman suddenly stared off the side with a look of concentration on his face. “I’m sorry, Chloe Sullivan, but there appears to be a fire off in the distance, and I may be able to help. Unfortunately, I’m going to have to cut this interview short.” Nodding at the two, he then said, “Good-bye...”

“Thank you Superman,” Chloe yelled out him as he launched himself in the direction of the distant fire. Jimmy took a quick shot in the direction Superman had gone, and focused on the fire in the distance, before returning to the shot of Chloe. “This is Chloe Sullivan and Jimmy Olsen, and you just saw an exclusive interview with the world’s extraordinary new friend, Superman. Good-bye to you all.”

* * * * *

The next morning, Lex Luthor lounged in his Metropolis office finishing his breakfast. He noticed that the ‘Daily Planet’ had a front page filled with pictures and the exclusive interview with Superman. All the morning news shows had also featured the interview, having been provided clips they reluctantly attributed to the ‘Daily Planet.’

Lex was amused. He could see how unhappy the morning hosts had been about a lowly newspaper having the temerity to poach in their territory with a video interview, especially one as important as that with this caped creep Superman.

What a Boy Scout: truth, justice and the American way. If the pictures didn’t clearly show that Superman is older and bigger, I’d have thought it was the shy farm-boy himself. I thought only Clark could spout that type of drivel about helping others while still managing somehow to reject thoughts of power or fame. If it were me...

But Superman was obviously here to stay, and Lex would have to factor him into his future plans. Even Lex had to admit that his obvious honesty and virtue was glaringly clear in the interview. No, he’s definitely someone that can negatively affect all my plans.

Lex pondered the situation a little longer, and factored in Clark’s absences and the sudden appearance of this new hero. Even if he’s not Clark, Superman could pass for a cousin, and Clark has certainly revealed his own tendencies towards a hero-complex. And why is it that of all the reporters in the world, the one that gets the exclusive interview with this compulsive do-gooder is our own Chloe Sullivan?

Reaching over to the intercom, he called out, “Molly, have my chief of security meet me in my office in 30 minutes.”


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

[justsuper]

Awesome work, happycamper! Very intriguing. I really appreciated how you explained the American Way. I thought that was right on. When I read that Bryan Singer was taking the phrase out of Superman Returns - I was pretty miffed that they would mess up classic Superman lore like that. And, it's pretty insulting to America in any case. But you handled it very deftly with great diplomacy. Nice work!! PPMS!!!

[deanyouk]

Lex is too smart for his own good lol... A brilliant update happycamper..... keep them coming :)

[Cardinal]

Yeah, Clark and Chloe just blundered by having her do the interview.

Superman needs to stay clear of all of Clark's nearest and dearest if he intends to protect his secret.

[clark&lanafan06]

Great Update ! PPMS !!!!!!

[superman_lives_on]

I have to admit, all of the admiration the women are bestowing upon Superman is kind of amusing. :) The little girl saying she was gonna marry him--loved Clark's reaction to THAT! :lol:

The interview was neat, too...a bit show-offy, but honest. But Lex is too quick on the uptake... This could mean trouble... :eek:

[SVsleuth]

Super update, hc! :) Thanks for the happy clana moments... and that was a reallt cool interview, especially the "Truth, Justice & American Way" explanation. Lex looks like trouble, though.

PPMS!

[*#~ ClAnAfAn99210~#*]

not kool, lex is figuring it out

[maitriniazngurl]

Hey, Awesome update!!

I loved the clana moments.. but baldie seems to be taking the hints.. Lex is going to figure it out real soon!! Loved Clark and the little girl :)

Update soon.

[buddy232]

Aweful Update!

Love this story! It has a lot of emotional ties as well as Clana!

[NYC300Z]

Yeah it looks like Lex is going to become a major problem for Clark and Superman! Chloe was a little careless or a bit too obsessed to realize maybe her doing the interview wasn't the best idea we'll see though!

PPMS!

[justsuper]

Miss you happycamper! Where are you? Truly looking forward to more!!!!

[LetMeGo]

That was great! Sounds like Lex is going to be a problem! I hope you can update soon! :)

[*#~ ClAnAfAn99210~#*]

PPMASAP!!!!!!!!!

[SVsleuth]

Do we get an update soon, hc? Please?

[*#~ ClAnAfAn99210~#*]

yes plz

[happycamper]

Sorry! :(

I have to admit that when I envisioned the story in my head, I only saw how it lead up to the interview...and I haven't been struck with a whole lot of inspiration since then. :(

I probably should have gone with my first impulse, and had a slightly different interview that would have ended it all. But I'll make an effort to see where I can take it from here.:\


:D hc :D

[*#~ ClAnAfAn99210~#*]

Mr. Clean needs a life!

[happycamper]

After having admitted yesterday that I didn't know where I was going with this story, I decided to stay up late and finish the next chapter. Finally had a chance to do some editing this afternoon (HST), so I thought I'd go ahead and post. :)




Hidden: Unwelcome Truth

Chapter Eighteen



He spied her at a table outside the coffee shop in a scene straight from the banks of the river Seine. As always, she was beautiful in a light dress and almost no make-up, and appeared a perfect resident of la Ville Lumière even though they were both currently located thousands of miles away, right in the middle of Metropolis. I would hire her at any price if I were the owner to just sit and drink her coffee; her simple presence makes the shop appear much more authentic than all of that useless Parisian decor.

As he approached her table, he noticed that her beauty had somehow even increased in the few months since he had seen her last. No longer just a very pretty girl, Lana had become a lovely young woman that he was certain would only get even more attractive as she fully matured. He reached her table and stood by it silently, content to just see her up close as she studied what looked to be a textbook, until she suddenly felt his presence. She looked up at him with a blinding smile that caused his heart to lurch, but one that quickly faded from her face when she recognized exactly who he was.

“Lex,” Lana Lang finally acknowledged, “You startled me. I was waiting for Clark.”

The realization that it was Clark who was the recipient of those wondrous smiles drove Lex into a jealous rage. How is it that a mere farm-boy has the love of the most beautiful woman I have ever met, while all my riches and power are as if nothing. “Hello Lana,” Lex managed in a near-normal imitation of his usual suave manner. “It’s been months since I’ve seen you. You look more lovely than ever.”

“Thanks Lex. It’s, ah, good to see you. Would you like to sit down?”

“Thanks Lana, I think I will,” he responded. “Garcon, a black coffee,” he called out to the young waiter, before returning his attention to the discomfited Lana. It was wonderful how a sweet young woman could be manipulated into acquiescence out of simple politeness – if it were only so simple in regards to her affections for Clark. “So Lana, I take it you are still going out with our young hero?”

Lana stared at Lex for a second, as if to determine what he actually meant, before responding, “Yes Lex, we’re still the happy couple.” Her gaze suddenly softened, and she smiled as she thought of her boyfriend.

Lex saw the glow in her face as she smiled, and correctly guessed that she was thinking of the farm-boy. The sight was so enchanting that Lex had to almost physically stop himself from reaching out to touch her face. All my patience in waiting until she had reached a sufficient age, and all my plots to split her away from Clark and towards me were useless. Useless! Although he kept it from the surface, anger at his failure caused him to take his interrogation further than he had planned. “That’s good to know, Lana, and I’m happy for you both. I was worried, since I haven’t had the opportunity for a real conversation with either of you since the day of Clark’s resurrection and return.”

Lana realized where this conversation was headed, and decided to fire the first shot. “Why Lex, we talked a few times after that when you were trying to get me interested in researching the alien menace with you. In any case, I thought Clark’s medical records would have even satisfied someone like you that he was just a regular guy.”

Lex smiled at Lana, delighted that she had the gumption to attack. “That’s right, the records did indicate that Clark was normal. Still, it’s not everyday that one disappears from his hospital bed after being declared dead, and then comes back a few hours later fully healed.”

“You’re wrong Lex,” Lana responded, and with perfect truth added, “it took him many months to recover from what happened that day.” To be completely honest, I think it’s only been in the last few weeks that he has actually recovered – mentally, at least.

Lex was taken aback by Lana’s words, for he had come to know Lana well, and knew her last statement was not a lie. “And then he disappears, only to return when Mr. Kent died.”

Lana frowned. “He never disappeared. Those of us who loved him always knew where he was and what he was doing.”

Lex realized that he would get nothing discussing Clark with Lana, for she obviously was still besotted with him and would never give up any of his secrets...at least in the absence of some more persuasive means. He couldn’t very well abduct her in the middle of Metropolis, so he shifted targets. “So what do you think of this new hero of ours? What did Chloe call him, Superman? I understand he has all the women swooning.”

“Yeah, he’s a real hero, and pretty good looking, too,” Lana admitted. “Still, he could never hold a candle to my Clark.”

Lex carefully watched for Lana’s reaction to this new hero’s name, and was disappointed by the lack of any real response. Seeing instead that same damnable glow rise up in her face again at the mention of the farm-boy’s name frustrated him immensely. He finally spit out, “It’s funny that of all the reporters in the world, this Superman would chose Chloe as a conduit to the world.”

Lana laughed. “Well Chloe’s rather cute, after all. And you should know by now that Chloe can be relentless when she really goes after the truth. Now that she’s a full-fledged reporter, there’s no telling what or who she’s going to go after next, Lex.”

Lex was about to respond to this challenge when he noticed a presence at his side. Looking way up, he recognized Clark. “Why hello, Clark, I was just having a few words with your lovely girlfriend. It’s really nice to see you again.”

“Me too, Lex. It’s sad I haven’t seen a good friend in such a long while.”

Lex understood the hidden message in Clark’s words, but chose to ignore it. “And how’s Mrs. Kent doing these days. I hope she’s well.”

“Mom’s fine. And Lex, let me thank you again for the flowers you sent to Dad’s funeral. They were really nice.”

For a second, Lex’s humanity almost broke through to the surface in remembrance of possibly the only man he had actually respected. "I’m really sorry I wasn’t able to make it to the funeral,” he responded with real regret. “I was in Taipei in the middle of some important negotiations and I couldn’t break away. I would have given almost anything to be able to pay my respects to Mr. Kent in person.”

“Thanks Lex, I’m sure he knew how you felt and would have understood,” Clark answered, surprised at Lex’s sincerity. Maybe knowing Dad had an effect on Lex, after all. It’s just too bad that they couldn’t have had some more time together – maybe Dad could have taught Lex how to be a real friend.

Lana rose from her seat and kissed Clark’s cheek. Lex watched Clark change instantly from regretful to happy. But then again, Lana’s presence seemed to have that same effect on any man.

“Sorry, Lex, but we’re already late. It was really nice to see you again and have a chance to talk,” Lana told him as she started opening her purse.

“Don’t worry Lana, I’ll get the check,” he responded, and received a small smile in return in gross overpayment.

“Thanks again for everything, Lex,” Clark told him as he tucked Lana’s hand in his own.

Lex watch the couple walk away. He still cared for both of them, if in different ways, but the bile still rose in his throat as he saw how happy they were together.

* * * *

“So how much do you think Baldie knows?” Chloe had heard Lana’s explanation of the conversation she had with Lex earlier that day, and was worried about the possible consequences for her best friends.

“I don’t think he knows anything, Chloe,” Lana responded. “He’s just suspicious and was trolling for information. He obviously didn’t make the connection between Superman and our own Clark.”

Clark had frowned at Chloe for her reference to Lex, but she ignored his disapproval. “Maybe the interview with Superman wasn’t such a good idea after all,” Chloe admitted, sitting back on her dorm bed. Knowing the effect it would have on her own career, she still added, “maybe our caped crusader needs a new spokeswoman.”

“No, that’s the last thing we want to do,” Clark said. “Lex is even smarter than we sometimes give him credit. I think Lex is already suspicious about similarities between me and Superman, so it would only be confirmation if our hero were to suddenly start talking to someone other you, Chloe. Besides,” he smirked, “I think Superman is comfortable with you.”

Chloe just laughed at Clark’s snarky comment. “Thanks, but do you know how frustrating it is to be in such close proximity to two hot guys you can do absolutely nothing about?” Chloe laughed again, but turned suddenly serious to ask, “But do you really think...”

“Clark’s right,” Lana decided. “We all better keep acting the same way as if nothing’s changed. We were lucky, because I think Lex gave away more of his thoughts than he wanted. He seemed almost angry that I was still with Clark, and I got this creepy feeling he wanted me for himself.”

“Eeuww,” Chloe volunteered.

Clark just leaned over on the couch he was sharing with Lana to kiss her. “Who could blame him. He just better not act on his wants if he intends to stay healthy.”

“Yeah, he was pretty awful today. The only time I thought he was being sincere was when he was talking about missing Mr. Kent’s funeral,” Lana told Chloe.

“I noticed it too, Lana. I really think he cared for both Mom and Dad,” Clark responded. Thinking about the past few years, he continued, “They were a good influence and example, and brought out the better side that was always there in Lex.” Glumly, Clark added, “He really was a good friend once. Maybe if I would have treated him better and been more honest, he wouldn’t have slid back so far back to the dark side.”

“Don’t beat yourself up about it, Clark,” Chloe told him. “All of the Kents were a good influence on him. But there’s a real darkness inside Lex, and I think that it would have sprung out no matter what any of you did. You managed to give him a couple of good years, but I think that darkness would have overcome him in the end no matter what you tried to do for him.” Chloe stared up at Clark, and explained, “I watched him. He said he was your friend, but he was always jealous that you had your parents...and Lana. He always lusted after her but was able to hide it from almost everyone.”

“Oh eeuww, Chloe, are you sure? I always thought back then that he just wanted to be my friend.”

“I’m sure,” Chloe confirmed. “What grown man wants to be ‘just friends’ with a sixteen-year old girl? And I saw some of the looks he gave you when you were turned away or not paying attention. He was smooth, but anyone close by who was not completely oblivious,” she glanced significantly at Clark before turning back to Lana, “would have seen it.”

It wasn’t worth trying to defend himself from Chloe’s accusation, so Clark just shook his head at the thought of this new enemy who had once been his friend. Looking at the two young women once again, Clark told them, “Well, it getting late, so I better start making my rounds.”

“Okay,” Chloe smiled up at him, “just try to get me a good story if you can. Jimmy is really looking forward to his next meeting with Superman.”

“I’m going to see Clark out,” Lana told Chloe, “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” They exchanged looks and information in that silent female language.

Lana leaned up against Clark through most of the short trip to just outside the dorm. After leaving the pathway, she quickly embraced and kissed him. “Be careful, Clark,” she told him. At his nod of agreement, she kissed him again, this time almost melting against him, pressing up her body to his. In a suddenly husky voice, she asked, “I’ve missed you so much, Clark...when are you going to rescue me?”

Clark understood what she was asking, and yearned for nothing more himself. But...resuming the physical part of their relationship would be such a danger to Lana, even though giving it up was quickly driving them both crazy. He finally forced himself to say, “Lana, spend the weekend at the farm. Mom’ll be away visiting my granddad, and we can talk about where we’re going, and some of the problems involved in what we both want so badly.”

Lana reluctantly agreed. But before he flew off, she kissed him once again, and slowly drew her arm in a caress from his muscular shoulder and down his tight back. She was not happy, but could see in his eyes as he left that he would at least share her yearning frustration.

Turning back, Lana re-entered the dorm. Chloe would want to know how it went, and Lana wasn’t looking forward to sharing her failure.

Lana smiled – maybe she could get Chloe to split a pint of chocolate crunch ice cream with her. It was poor consolation, but certainly better than nothing at all.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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[Nemu]

1st?
Well... his doubts are true... and the weekend should help them...

Baldy needs to die...


This was interesting...

PPMS :D

[SVsleuth]

2nd! Nice Chapter, hc. Lex gets nothing. Lana says "Eww" at the idea of Lex having ever had his eye on her romantically. :D:D:D Fun stuff. Clana rules! PPMS!

[Cardinal]

This comment from Chloe:


Originally posted by happycamper
“Thanks, but do you know how frustrating it is to be in such close proximity to two hot guys you can do absolutely nothing about?”

Takes on new meaning when run through the filter of Lana's intended seduction at the end of the chapter. ;)

Sounds like the normally prim and proper Miss Lang is suffering from some serious sexual frustration.

[superman_lives_on]

Hmm... Lex still has a hint of humanity left, eh? It's a shame there couldn't be more of it... *sigh* Rest in peace, Good Lex. :(

I have to admit, Clark does seem mostly recovered...but I dunno if he's truly given up the self-loathing complex yet. Only by doing that will he able to really grow into being Superman--and not just as a disguise or as another persona.

I have to say, Lana's obvious sexual frustration is kinda amusing. :) I wonder when that'll be resolved?

[clark&lanafan06]

Great Update ! PPMS !!!!!!!!

[maitriniazngurl]

Very Nice update!! I love Lana's response to Lex's attempts towards Lana! Very funny..

Update soon. :D

[buddy232]

I love the characters of Lana and Chloe. They seems like the S4 characters.

Great update, Please continue!

[NYC300Z]

Yeah lets hope they figure something out over the weekend!;)

PPMS!

[happycamper]

Hidden: Unwelcome Truth

Chapter Nineteen



Clark slowly walked up the familiar stairs of his first Fortress of Solitude, suddenly aware of how comforting the loft had always been for him. He had spent most of this Saturday morning on patrol, and was reluctantly coming to realize that he really couldn’t save everyone. Oh, he had always understood the impossibility on an intellectual basis, but actually being out there and still unable to do anything for most of life’s tragedies was forcing that understanding into his gut and heart.

My failures are actually more exhausting than my successes. That little boy couldn’t have been more than four years old. The mother was almost untouched...but I was still too late. And what the mother did...

Clark shuddered and was glad that he still had some time to himself before Lana’s arrival. The life of Superman was filled with soaring joy when he was able to help, but all too often it was only pain that assaulted his heart when he could not. Triumph and near worship or else resentment and recriminations. Neither reaction was anything he wanted, and Clark wondered just how long was he going to be able to manage seeing either response from those he tried to save.

Wearily, Clark turned on his stereo. He knew he should clean up for Lana’s arrival, but thought that a few minutes of music would allow him to assume the familiar veneer of humanity that he knew Lana expected to see. But as he sprawled back on the couch the music didn’t prove soothing. There was a weirdness to the sounds he was hearing...almost like an echo?

Clark closely examined the barn and saw the bugs, transmitting every sound inside the barn to some type of receiving unit nearby. Clark’s face hardened. Lex! What will it take to finally get him to stop! Clark used his x-ray vision to examine the area around the farm and spotted the car hidden in some trees just outside the farm. Yes, he was even able to see the receiver besides the driver, as well as a directional antenna that could be used to pick up conversations at a distance.

Clark sped to his room for his digital camera, and then back to the barn. As a means of proving what Lex had been up to, he took a close-up of each microphone in the location they had been hidden before removing it. He took more pictures after speeding behind the vehicle, framing the car within the backdrop of the farm. Clark then continued taking pictures as he approached the vehicle, getting pictures of the specialized equipment and the driver, until he finally got a shot of the driver’s face from just outside the open window.

“Hey farmer, just what do you thing you’re doing,” the man asked menacingly.

“Just a little insect hunting,” Clark drawled lazily. “It’s amazing what loathsome things you can actually find around a farm if you bother to look.” Clark continued taking pictures as the man exited the car, an expanding baton cradled in his hand.

Frank Barton was pissed – he knew that he was dangerously close to losing his job as Lex’s chief of security because his monitoring had somehow been discovered by this hick farmer, and he needed to make sure those pictures never saw the light of day. The farm-boy looked big and strong, but he would never be able to deal with all the special forces training Frank had received before being drummed out for conduct unbecoming.

“Well farmer, you have two choices. You can either give me the camera and walk away in one piece, or I’ll just take that thing away from you the hard way.” Frank was amazed the young man showed no fear, but just continued taking pictures. “You asked for it,” Frank said, as he swung the baton. Amazingly, the guy even took a shot of him swinging the weapon, before suddenly reaching out and catching it in his hands.

Frank was shocked at the farmer’s strength and quickness, but immediately chopped down at his target’s neck, only to have his hand broken by contact with a blocking hand. Surprised and in pain, Frank tried to kick with his left foot, only to have it smash into the suddenly raised foot of the other. He was enraged at being destroyed by someone barely old enough to shave, but all his resistance immediately ceased when the target’s hand suddenly closed around his own his neck with astonishing speed. The hand was surprisingly soft for someone who worked his days on a farm, but Frank was viscerally aware that it could literally crush his life away without any effort.

“I know you, you’re Frank something, Barton, I think.” the young man suddenly said. “Let’s go discuss this whole unfortunate situation with your boss.”

A half-hour later Frank was sweating and almost shaking in fear. The conversation between the young man and Luthor had been surprisingly cordial, almost as if it were a conversation between friends. But he detected dangerous undercurrents between the two, and even fear on the part of Luthor. But Frank couldn’t miss seeing the disgust and anger in Lex’s eyes each time he glanced in his direction. So when Clark Kent left, Frank understood his first order of business would be to see if he could manage to get away in one piece from his former employer. He had failed Luthor, and knew that there would be consequences.

* * * *

Clark jogged away from the mansion, but flew to Lana and Chloe’s dorm room as soon as he was out of sight. He almost felt sorry for ex-Chief of Security, but put Frank’s plight firmly out of his own mind when he decided that the man deserved whatever Lex ended up doing to him. There were certainly a lot of other people more worthy of his concern.

Clark was relieved when he found nothing in their room, and was content that Lex would think very carefully before pulling the same stunt again. He laughed as he considered Lex’s reaction to Clark’s little talk. Lex just blustered when I confronted him about the pictures of his chief of security, but looked almost ready to mess his pants when I explained the consequences to his health if he were to ever try a stunt like that again, especially if it involved anyone I care for. Maybe Lex was actually gaining a little empathy – he certainly seemed to understand I was telling him the absolute truth about what would happen to him.

As he returned back to Smallville, Clark pondered his thoughts and actions since the discovery of the bugs, and became a little worried about his reactions. There was a time when he wouldn’t have wished harm on the worst of his enemies, but was now finding it all too easy to consider taking retribution into his own hands. He decided he desperately needed the calmness, the sanity Lana provided him, and worried that his stints as Superman was slowly draining him of his humanity.

These thoughts continued to harp at him as he quickly showered and returned to the loft. Have I really changed so much since Dad’s death, or was this darker side of me always waiting within me for an opportunity to reveal itself? Fortunately for Clark, Lana finally arrived and his fell mood was suddenly lifted by the smile she gave him in greeting.

“Darling,” Lana exclaimed, before throwing herself into Clark’s embrace. But as she burrowed her head into his chest, she felt the tension in his body. Lana leaned her head back to look up at his face, and saw remnants of the pain he had been feeling. She reached up for a kiss.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Clark told her, and the pain finally dissolved away as he softly kissed his true love.

Later, Lana caressed the side of his face as she asked, “What is it, love?” Lana felt the almost automatic tightness begin to return to Clark’s body, but then felt it gradually relax as she continued to look into his eyes and continued her caresses.

“It’s Lex again, Lana, and...and some other things,” Clark finally admitted.

Lana drew Clark over to couch and seated herself beside him. Taking his hand into both of hers, she asked, “So tell me what Lex has done this time.”

As Clark started to explain what had happened that day, she was horrified about the implications, until Clark had assured her that he had checked her room while she was on the way to Smallville and found nothing. He continued explaining what had happened, and while Lana never gave any indication of her worry about what he had told Lex, she was actually relieved that Lex had escaped without any damage. As he finished, she slyly observed that they appeared safe from Lex, at least for the near future.

“But that just it, Lana,” Clark replied. “I should never have threatened Lex that way, or left his security chief in his clutches. I should be saving people, not threatening to hurt them.”

“Everyone can get a little angry,” Lana responded, “I wouldn’t mind smacking Lex in the head right now myself.” Lana saw how bothered Clark remained, so she contented herself by holding him.

“Lana, I think I’ve been slowly losing my humanity since my return. I don’t think the part of me that was raised on this planet can put up with the pressure. I don’t think I can manage to be perfect the way Superman needs to be.”

“Who said Superman has to be perfect, anyway,” Lana retorted. “I don’t think I remember reading that on the job description.”

“But Lana...”

“No buts,” Lana interrupted. “No one can ever be perfect, even a hero with all kinds of superpowers. You’ve always felt responsible for everyone around you, and been too critical of yourself when you weren’t perfect. I’ve told you before that you can’t save everyone, but that doesn’t mean you should be beating yourself up each time you fail, or give up even trying in despair.”

The vehemence in Lana’s words startled Clark, and he could only manage a meek look in response to her tirade.

“I’m sorry Clark,” Lana managed to say in a more normal tone. “It’s just that I can’t stand seeing you hurt yourself this way. Your real job is to protect all of us from the really evil things in the universe – the one’s that would hurt us all. The other things you do are just a blessing, and it’s a victory over uncaring fate every time you do manage to save someone.”

Clark just nodded, understanding what Lana was trying to do, but still unable to make himself believe what she was telling him.

Lana looked at her boyfriend, and knew that there was more. “It’s not Lex, is it, that’s hurting so much? Now what’s really wrong.”

Clark looked away from Lana’s face, as he started to explain. “I was on patrol this morning, just lazing along and enjoying the sun. I heard a frantic scream, and rushed to help. A tractor-trailer was out of control, and I actually saw it roll over and crush the side of a car. The woman driving it screamed again. I got there seconds later, and helped her get out. Except for some scratches when the bag deployed, she wasn’t hurt.”

Frightened at where she guessed this was going, Lana could only grasp harder at Clark’s hand.

“She just looked at me and then at her car, where the trailer still lay after crushing its entire passenger side. She looked back at me, and almost wailed out, “my baby.’ I was frantic, and threw off the trailer, and tore the car apart to reach her baby. But I was too late.”

“I’m so sorry Clark,” Lana told him, with tears falling freely.

“The little boy couldn’t have been more than three or four years old. I lifted him out of the booster seat, and couldn’t help staring at him as I held him in my arms. His face was untouched and looked so peaceful, almost as if he was only sleeping. I looked up at his mother, who must have been in shock with grief. But I wasn’t able to let go of the boy, and just looked back and forth from his face to hers. And do you know what she did?”

“Love, she was in shock like you said,” Lana tried to reassure him. “You can’t believe that she actually meant what she said.”

“No Lana, it was even worse. She tried to comfort me. She kept saying that it wasn’t my fault, that it happened instantly, and that I wasn’t too late, that no one could have arrived in time to save him. Lana, she had just went through the most terrible thing that can happen to a person – losing her child – and yet she still found room in her grief to try helping me. I couldn’t cry, even though I wanted to so much, but we mourned together until the emergency vehicles arrived.”

“Look at me Clark,” Lana commanded.

Clark raised his eyes to meet hers.

“That poor woman exemplified the best in all of us, Clark,” Lana told him. “But the only reason she did what she did was because she saw that same thing in you. She saw how hard you fight to save people, how much you cared about what happened to her son, and how much his loss affected you. You can’t do better than your best, and you have to accept that sometimes even Superman won’t be enough, the same way she did.”

Clark did cry then, despair and unhappiness slowly exiting his body along with his tears. Lana held him her arms, crying for her boyfriend and for what had happened that day.

As Clark finally relaxed afterwards, Lana smiled up at him and observed, “I may be no psychiatrist...”

Clark managed a small grin, and asked, “But what Lana?”

“I don’t want to appear self-serving or anything...but I know exactly what I would prescribe to relieve all this tension you are feeling.” As she said this, Lana swung around and straddled Clark’s lap, facing him. With both hands clasped behind the back of his head, she kissed him. Then again. And then a third time.

“Lana, there isn’t anything I want more...”

“So what’s stopping you, lover?”

“I worry – since I got back my strength – that I might lose control and hurt you,” Clark admitted.

Lana looked up at her boyfriend and smiled. “I trust you, love. You’d never hurt me, physically at least.” At Clark’s wince, Lana continued, “And since I’ve found out the truth, even that is no longer an issue. But if you don’t do something soon, you’re going to soon find out if I can hurt you!

They both laughed at what Lana had said, but Clark knew that Lana was growing impatient, and with good reason. He looked at her, and asked, “are you sure.”

Lana responded with a brilliant smile, and a nod yes.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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[LetMeGo]

1st!! :D

Great update!

Clark's struggle with his grief and anger... you convey that so well. And Lana being there for him, being able to tell that there was more to his mood than met the eye. Wonderful! She's really filling the role of soul mate very well. I'm still worried about Lex though, he's never been one to give up easily.

Can't wait for more! PPMS!! :D

[Nemu]

that was good... soo sad aboutt he child... but the mother's reaction... soo good...

the baldy part was funny...

PPMS

[clark&lanafan06]

Great Update ! PPMS !!!!!!!!

[NYC300Z]

Lex is such a jerk, and I have a feeling that this latest incident is just going to make him come up with even worse plans! Clark has some serious issues to get over, but it looks like Lana is finally going to get what she wants!;)

PPMS!

[SVsleuth]

Awesome chapter, hc. You brought real tears to my eyes as Clark told Lana about the little boy and his mother. Very well written. Bravo! PPMS!

[*#~ ClAnAfAn99210~#*]

wow they finally did 'it'!!!

great update hc

[superman_lives_on]

Well, I'm glad to see that Clark's slowly coming to realize that he can't save everyone--and I'm glad to see that Lana came right out and told him that he has to stop being so hard on himself! And...whoa...the woman didn't blame him at all, but tried to comfort him... I'll be glad when he's able to accept such comfort from a stranger.

To me, Superman is not the alien part of Clark Kent--Kal-El is. Superman, at best, is a blend of the two--the result of a reconciliation, not merely a disguise/persona. When Clark has learned to let go of guilt for things beyond his control--as he's slowly learning to do--then that harmonious blend will be in place.

As for Lex... Man, he really is a slimeball... :mad: *sigh* He'll pay for it.

And the Clana...loved it. That's all I can say. :)

[justsuper]

Hey happycamper - I miss you!! You are one of the best writers on the board in my opinion - so when you're not around, it's always so empty! Looking forward to your next update!

[happycamper]

Sorry for how long this has taken. :( I was all prepared to post last weekend, but an update by OMK (and a very good one - you all should give his story a try) was uncomfortably close to what I was about to put up, necessitating a substantial re-write on my part...

This was supposed to be the penultimate chapter, but I'm no longer sure what I need to do. :\

As a final excuse, you may have heard we had a pretty substantial earthquake this morning and lost all power. I was lucky enough to be in area that came up early, but my clearwire is still down so I'm doing this by dial-up.

Anway, enough excuses:



Hidden: Unwelcome Truth

Chapter Twenty



Wearily entering the dorm room in which she still lived, Chloe Sullivan still felt very satisfied at the direction her own life had taken. Becoming a staff reporter for the ‘Daily Planet’ had allowed her to achieve a life-long dream, and the articles she now wrote ran the gamut from politics to her own special relationship with everyone’s favorite Man of Steel. Perry White was even encouraging her to finish her schooling, and he had instituted a sort of time-sharing policy that would allow Chloe to mix morning classes with afternoons and an occasional evening on the job. Now if only she could convince Lana to room with her in slightly more upscale quarters after the end of the semester in a couple of weeks, everything actually would be near perfect.

In a way, this is all due to Clark. It wouldn’t be immodest to admit that I always had the talent and drive to be a reporter – even at a paper like the ‘Daily Planet’ – but those interviews with Superman allowed me to get my foot in the doors years before it would have been possible otherwise. I owe him, and Lana, too.

Chloe realized that Clark had become the man she had envisioned since she first became aware of his special gifts. Superman saved people, like any hero should. But more than that, his selflessness and love for mankind was totally obvious to anyone who saw him in action. What other person with his gifts would be saving people without thought of reward when almost anyone else would be using those same abilities to amass power and fortune. The world was only beginning to understand how much they owed Superman, and would never know how much they owed Jonathan and Martha Kent for raising Clark into the man he had become.

Chloe’s ruminations were interrupted by the sound of a key in the dorm room’s door, and the entry of the man who had been occupying her thoughts. “Hey Clark,” she called out to him.

“Hi Chloe”, he responded. “Sorry I didn’t knock. Lana didn’t think you would be back this early on a Sunday afternoon and told me to just come in. She’s seeing someone in one of her class about an assignment, and should be back in a few minutes.”

Don’t mention it Clark. You know, ‘Mi Casa’ whatever,” Chloe reassured him, as she studied just how...relaxed (?) he looked. Lana must have done something really right this weekend. Clark looks so much better, and the haunted look he usually wears when he isn’t his super alter-ego seems almost to have vanished. What could have caused such a....”

“Hi roomie,” Lana said as she entered the still open door.

Chloe looked over to see her very casually dressed roommate. Lana was without make-up, but still appeared almost glowing, and with what appeared to be a very satisfied expression on her face. “Hey Lana,” Chloe responded, and with a bright smile added, “I see you finally had that little discussion with Clark.”

Clark looked at her in puzzlement. But then seeing the knowing, almost salacious smile on Chloe’s face, he reddened. Lana just smiled serenely at her roommate.

“Yes we managed to clear a few things up,” Lana told her, and then with a wicked little grin added, “I dare say both of our tension levels have been reduced to almost nothing.”

Seeing the embarrassment that Clark was enduring, the two young women exchanged arcane female signals that signified an agreement to discuss the matter later. Chloe was ecstatic, and had to stop herself from doing a little victory jig, and couldn’t wait to hear how Lana had finally managed to break through Clark’s defenses. But in the meantime, they would mutually rescue Clark by attempting to change the subject. If either of them could think of something else to say.

“I never realized how much I missed Smallville,” Lana finally offered.

“Or at least some of its residents,” Chloe demurred, unable to resist. “But is seems the country air was good for both of you.” Seeing the renewed blush on Clark’s face, she decided Clark was just too easy. Guiltily she turned to Lana, “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about our living arrangements after the semester ends. Since I finally have a regular salary, what do you say about getting some better digs with at least two bedrooms?”

Looking over at Clark, Lana said, “That’s probably a good idea. We could even do a little entertaining with an apartment and bedrooms of our own.” Lana almost felt guilty about how her teasing was affecting Clark, but decided it might actually be good for him. At least in the long term.

“Yeah, we could at that,” Chloe replied with a grin. I any case, anything would be better than being cramped again in this dorm room. I was thinking of those new apartments past the other side of campus. It’s still close to school, but would also be more convenient to the ‘Planet’.”

Lana visualized the area in her mind, and remembered the wooded park close by. “Actually it would be perfect, especially if we got an apartment on the park-side of the complex. It would be convenient for our favorite super-hero, too.”

“Sounds great Lana – I’ll check on availability. In the meantime, why don’t I treat you both to dinner in celebration,” Chloe told them.

A befuddled Clark asked, “To celebrate what?” The very patient looks both young women gave him only caused him to blush again in response.

* * * *

Under normal circumstances, Lex would never have agreed to see someone like this Milton Fine. He was a mentalist – an entertainer, really – who reputedly was not only capable of reading information mentally, but to also alter that information. Lex was convinced that it was all a fraud. Still, Fine was supposed to be the very best at what he did, and seemed to have an impressive organization. More importantly, he just maybe could help Lex with the large, dark-haired problem affecting his love life.

“Mr. Luthor, thank you for seeing me,” Milton Fine told Lex as he held out his arm.

“Just make it Lex,” he responded as he shook the offered hand. As he was doing so, Lex looked carefully at the man. Looking no more than thirty or so, Fine was medium sized and appeared younger than the forty to fifty years in age he must have been to have accomplished the things included in the dossier his operatives had compiled. “Can I get you a drink? I have this exquisite single malt scotch...”

“Thanks. I’d love that. And Lex, I’m Milton or just plain Milt if you prefer. My group is aware of your sudden interest in space research since the last meteor shower, and of your special interest in what may have accompanied it.” Lifting the glass Lex handed him, he added, “Salud!”

“A votre sante!” After a long sip, Lex put down his drink to ask, “You’re not putting any credence into those rumors of an alien invasion, are you? You know those reports of aliens have all been classified as the ravings of individuals traumatized by the meteor fall,” Lex parried.

Fine smiled. “I think we both know better, Lex.”

Lex returned the smile. “Perhaps. But what exactly is it that you want from me?”

“I propose that we join forces, with you as the leader of our combined effort,” Fine told him.

“I’m flattered Milton, but why is it that I can’t but help be just a little suspicious that you would be willing to turn over control of your entire organization to me?”

“I’ll be honest Lex. You have resources – both money and contacts – that my own organization doesn’t have at the present time. But like you, I’m worried about those visitors to Smallville, and what it possibly portends for all of mankind. Do you believe that those two extraterrestrials were the only one’s of their kind? And does the fact that those two appear to be gone mean that we are forever safe from conquest from more of their kind?”

Lex stared at his visitor, and could only see what appeared to be genuine concern, and decided. “It’s my turn to be honest Milton. I saw some of the powers those aliens used to defeat the police and army units sent against them. My whole purpose since that day has been to come up with a way to ensure that they or any others that choose to invade Earth are utterly destroyed. I have devoted time and the resources of LexCorp to ensure that we have a means of accomplishing this.”

“Exactly Lex, we think alike. But there is one alien invader that is still present on our Earth right now,” Fine responded, “and no one is currently doing anything about him.”

Lex frowned at Fine. “I haven’t heard anything about another alien.”

Fine smile again. “I’m talking about this Superman that’s suddenly appeared in the last few weeks. Think about the powers he’s revealed. He’s certainly not human – and doesn’t his capabilities remind you of the other invaders you dealt with?”

“But Superman has been helping mankind," Lex was forced to admit. "He’s been a real hero – rescuing people, stopping crime, and being the good example for the rest of us to follow. He hasn’t been destroying or pillaging anything that I’m aware of.”

“Lex,” Fine said before laughing. “Maybe he’s just smarter than the other two. Sure he’s shown himself to be a hero, for now. But what if he’s just waiting for a better opportunity? Maybe he’s just scouting around, gathering information for the invasion to come. Or what if he is trying to get the masses to love him, and accept him as the world’s greatest hero? It would be easier for him to conquer the world for himself if the people on this planet thought he was only taking control for our own good. I don’t trust anyone who professes that much nobility – there has to be some other motive underneath it all.”

“Now that you mention it,” Lex admitted, “he been just a little too much of a Boyscout for my own peace of mind.” He glanced again at Fine, pondering the options. “Okay, so we agree to join forces to find out all we can about Superman, and then destroy him.”

“Exactly, Lex.”

“One more thing Milton. There is a young man of my acquaintance, Clark Kent. He was my friend for years, until I started finding out the truth about him and how treacherous he had always been. While he’s no Superman, he could be his poor relation. As a mattter of fact, he even looks a little like him. Clark’s always going around doing good deeds, but I suspect him of doing so much more. I can’t touch him right now, but maybe your organization...”

Waiting for the answer he so wanted to hear, Lex missed the renewed interest that suddenly glimmered in his visitor at the mention of this new name. “Certainly Lex. Clark Kent may be connected with this Superman, and if he is, we can eliminate him at the same time.”

“So we’re agreed. Why don’t we have another drink in celebration of our new alliance,” Lex suggested.

Drinks in hand, the two smiled at each other – satisfied – and shook hands once again. Now that they had agreed on their goals, they could determine specific plans and actions at their leisure. Both Clark and Superman would soon be taken care of once and for all.

* * * *

Chloe was still very satisfied as she drifted off to sleep. Oh, she still had her own feelings about Clark, but always knew that he was meant for another. What she had instead were two great friends that were closer than any sibling could ever had been. The three of them were lucky – each had grown up an only child and so never knew the comfort that a brother or sister could provide until they finally achieved it for themselves.

And now that all of the secrets between them had finally been banished, Clark and Lana had really become the perfect couple. Clark will save the world while Lana will always save Clark – she was the one person on Earth that could keep him grounded and human. The way they had acted this evening was so sweet - I really think there could never have been a couple more in love with one another.

Surprising even herself, Chloe discovered that she felt absolutely no jealousy or envy towards the two, for she knew she wasn’t some sort of pitied third wheel. There would be someone in her life someday, but in the meantime she would remain the secret but rather important sidekick to a superhero, as well as the loving friend of two very special people.

Life really was wonderful now and I can finally say that there isn’t anything in the horizon that could make it less than perfect.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

[superman_lives_on]

I think the tense of Chloe's thoughts is a little "off". Maybe you should read through them more carefully...

Personally, I'm glad this isn't the penultimate (or, God forbid, the final) chapter. There're still a lot of things that can happen--indeed, some that need to happen. Namely, Clark needs to fully let go of his useless guilt complex and realize that it's all about choices, not abilities--and Lex and Milton Fine (or rather, Brainiac) need to be taken care of.

And will Zod (the REAL Zod, not the constipated version we saw on Smellvile) make an appearance?

Update again soon!

[*#~ ClAnAfAn99210~#*]

good point! thats the word i was looking for;constapated. and hopefully he will.......

[SVsleuth]

Nice update, hc. Hope the earthquake didn't affect you too much.

That was funny how Lana & Chloe made Clark all embarrassed. At least in the new apartment, Clark & Lana can have a bit of privacy.

PPMS!

[Sakura]

good ppms

[NYC300Z]

oh how wrong Chloe is.....what will this new alliance hold in store for the future!?

PPMS!

[LetMeGo]

The plot thickens! Great update! Loved the Clark/Lana/Chloe interaction. Lex and Fine are a scary combination... just how will they stop Superman?

[happycamper]

Hidden: Unwelcome Truth

Chapter Twenty-One



A single week later, Milton Fine almost gloated in his satisfaction at his partnership with Lex Luthor. The item at the very top of his agenda – finding out the identity and location of Kal-El – had been given to him by his erstwhile ally. Fine had investigated this Clark Kent since then and confirmed his identity as Kal-El – whom these primitive humans also called Superman.

Superman! How far had the House of El fallen, for its heir to associate with – and even love – these worthless masses. Kal-El chooses to believe he is the protector of this ragged humanity. Soon, he will find that he can protect nothing! Instead, Kal-El’s death at the hands of Zod’s most loyal servant will clear the way for his triumphant return, and then ruin and destruction will fall upon these humans until the entire planet is laid to waste.

All it took were little bits of knowledge and technology to satisfy the greed and ambition of Luthor. The power that he thought was available to the man who could introduce these things to the world blinded him to the dangers that this knowledge represented. Fine had actually had come to believe that his former partner didn’t care about possible consequences, as long as he himself prospered and remained in control. Luthor had given him Kal-El and the means to speak to the entire world, and would soon even give himself over to Zod. Indeed, Luthor would make a fitting vessel for Zod, a human who would not weaken the merger with reluctance at what needed to be done or sympathy for the plight of his fellows.

As self-satisfied as his programming allowed his cybernetic brain to be in anticipation of his ultimate victory, Milton Fine – Brainiac – split into a dozen copies of himself. While not painful to what was essentially an advanced computer and cyborg, doing so was still disquieting – input suddenly came from multiple sources and the abilities and power normally available to Brainiac had been significantly reduced for each of his parts. Nonetheless, the still-powerful copies were necessary to teach these humans a lesson in humiliation they would never forget, and to gain the undivided attention of their supposed protector, Kal-El.

The copy that had chosen to remain in Metropolis looked at his eleven ‘brothers’ and asked if all knew what to do. At their nods, he said, “It is now our time...and Zod’s. Let us go about our tasks.”

* * * *

>>>8:00 am, Central Standard Time.

Television and radio communication throughout the world was suddenly interrupted by a rogue signal. Those watching saw a nondescript man in his 30’s. Those on radio only heard the voice, which was pleasantly modulated and spoke in the languages of his listeners. But the message it conveyed was far from pleasant.

“I am a representative of General Zod, military leader of the planet Krypton. He demands the immediate and unconditional surrender of your Governments. To show the power of General Zod and his Kryptonian forces, examples will be made in 15-minute intervals. I will return in time to accept your surrender.”

Political and military leaders were aghast at the claims but highly skeptical, until the hysterical reports of a saucer hovering above what had been the UN building was announced by the media. They were able to transmit clear pictures of the Turtle Bay complex blowing up.

>>>11:15 pm, Mie Prefecture, Japan (8:15 am Central Time)

The great Shinto shrine at Ise was established in the seventh century by Temmu, the first Mikado (Emperor) of a united Japan. It is the principal location of worship for the Shinto religion but the location had already been considered sacred grounds for millennia before that. The series of wooden structures and sacred sakaki plants stood little chance against the blasts of fire from an unknown source. Fortunately, there was no loss of life.

>>>8:00 pm, Bihar, India (8:30 am Central Time)

Prince Siddhartha Gautama sat down under a pipal tree here in Bodh Gaya almost 2,500 years ago and achieved enlightenment, and in doing so, birthed Buddhism. The Mahabodhi Temple is built on the site of the original pipal, which was called the Bohdi (enlightenment) tree.

Countless pilgrims come to worship at the temple and to see an ancient sisal tree that is claimed to be a direct descendent of the original. Consequently, scores died as a god-like figure first felled the sacred tree, and then began systematically destroying the temple.

>>>6:45 pm, Moscow, Russia (8:45 am Central Time)

“Kremlin” means citadel in the Russian language, and that’s exactly how the triangular-shaped, walled complex functioned for centuries. While the original fortified complex was soon engulfed by the city that surrounded it, it was still instantly recognizable because of the series of domed churches, towers, and other examples of medieval Russian and Byzantine architecture that are interspersed with modern government offices.

After the attacks in Japan and India, the Russian military was in a state of Red Alert. While no one really understood how or why – other than what had been conveyed in the terse message less than an hour ealier – it was obvious that some powerful force(s) were attacking centers of worship and national pride. While the Government had been safely ensconced in the old Cold War bunkers, an entire battalion of troops had been stationed to guard the complex.

The invader announced his presence by crushing the Trinity Tower entranceway from Red Square, and then set about destroying the other churches and towers in the complex. The nearly one-thousand soldiers fought valiantly, but their best effort proved to be little more than flea-bites as they – and the more than 300 civilians who joined the fight – were almost entirely wiped out.

>>>6:00 pm, Mecca, Saudi Arabia (9:00 am Central Time)

The enormous Masjid al-Haram, the Grand Mosque, contains the Kaaba – a brick structure towards which all Muslims pray five times each day. It is also the structure around which the enormous crowds on the Hajj circle in a procession lasting days. Fortunately the Hajj ended in early February in 2006, so there were only thousands present – instead of hundreds of thousands – when a man-shaped figure descended from the sky onto the roof of the Kaaba in the center of the Mosque. His subsequent destruction of the Kaaba and the sacred black stone resulted in surprisingly few deaths, a situation that was quickly reversed by the stampedes both away and towards the Kaaba by masses of men. The rain of bullets and RPG’s that followed resulted in the total destruction of the Grand Mosque, which along with the stampedes, resulted in the death of thousands.

>>>5:15 pm, Athens, Greece (9:15 am Central Time)

The Parthenon is the central attraction of the Acropolis in Athens. Built by the Athenians after the defeat of the great Persian invasion of Darius, its perfect lines have been admired by all in the almost 2500 years since its construction. Literally only a shell of the original building, it was easily thrown down by the invader. Three tourists who objected to the destruction were the only casualties.

>>>5:30 pm, Jerusalem, Israel (9:30 am Central Time)

Temple Mount is sacred to the three great monotheistic religions. It was the site where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac at the rock protruding from the center of the hill, as well as where Solomon erected the sacred temple. For Christians, it is also associated with the life and ministry of Jesus. The Muslims converted the cathedral that had been built there into the Dome of the Rock mosque after its capture, in celebration of the Prophet’s purported ascent to heaven from the rock.

Because it is a sacred site, it was relatively unguarded except for a small contingent of Palestinian policeman. All died when the temple and sacred rock were destroyed. Before the rubble cooled, groups were already fighting about what would be built in replacement.

>>>5:45 pm, Giza Plateau, Egypt (9:45 am Central Time)

The Giza Plateau contains numerous temples and tombs as the necropolis of ancient Memphis, including the pyramids and the Sphinx. The invader blew the tops off the three great pyramids with fire. Then the head of the Sphinx, which had already been damaged by Napoleon’s cannon almost two centuries ago, was severed from its lion-like body, and then reduced to rubble. Casualties were very light.

>>>5:00 pm, Rome, Italy (10:00 am Central Time)

The Basilica of St. Peter is on the south side of the Tiber River, and was erected over the spot where St. Peter was buried after his martyrdom. It is the mother church of the Roman Catholic faith, so the squares surrounding it were filled with thousands of the faithful, each praying that it would somehow be saved when the invader suddenly appeared. Fortunately, the Pope was in Africa seeing to the growing number of the faithful located on that continent, but many Cardinals and other officials remained inside as a profession of their faith. They and thousands of the faithful were all martyred in the destruction of the Basilica.

>>>5:15 pm, Paris, France (10:15 am Central Time)

La Tour Eiffel is a tower constructed entirely of iron near the river Seine on the Champ de Mars. It is one of the most recognized symbols in the world, and at 1000 feet, the tallest structure in Paris.

The invader saw what almost appeared to be an empty city, with the only signs of life a few police cars moving slowly around the attractions. Even as he approached the tower, no one offered any resistance. Quickly severing two of the bases from the tower, it toppled over onto the boulevard it fronted. Disgusted by the lack of reaction, the invader then burned the Lourve before departing.

>>>4:30 pm, Salisbury Plain, England (10:30 am Central Time)

The current Stonehedge was constructed sometime around 2100 BC, and consists of a circle about 108 feet in diameter, with 30 upright sandstone sarsens (blocks). Each stands about 13 feet above the ground, and about 6 feet wide and 3 feet thick. They originally supported a continuous ring of sandstone lintels, many of which have now fallen in ruin. This entire structure was all contained in the center of a large, circular ditch and was used by the ancients for both studying and worshipping the stars.

Military units had been set up as quickly as possible throughout the city of London and at castles over the rest of England, so the arrival of the invader at Stonehenge caught the military and country unaware. He quickly threw down the sarsens, reducing most to rubble. Casualties were limited to a few dozen Wiccans and other nature worshippers.

>>>11:45 am, Washington, D.C. (10:45 am Central Time)

The President stood on the grounds just outside the White House, waiting to see if either his capital or his temporary home would be attacked. The Vice President was safe in an undisclosed location, and while the President had allowed the Secret Service to spirit his family to safety, he told himself that he would be damned before allowing himself to run from these invaders. He laughed at himself; maybe the martial traditions of his home state had taken too close a hold, but better another Alamo to rally his people than an ignominious retreat.

“Mr. President, the invader’s been spotted heading towards the mall,” Special Agent Roberts told his Commander-in-Chief, “and it looks like his target is the Washington Monument.” The pain on the faces of both men was evident at the news, but at the same time there was a sense of relief in the recognition that they wouldn’t be asked to make that ultimate sacrifice just yet.

“So what’s going on,” the President asked.

“The stinger missiles have been launching from the teams on the rooftops, but they seem to have little effect on the invader,” Roberts almost groaned. “He almost seems to be waiting for something...wait a minute, they’re reporting Superman has arrived, and he’s assumed a blocking position.”

At the excitement in the voice of the head of his protective detail, the President suddenly remembered: Superman rescued people in danger. But now what the President and the people of the country could only pray for was that he could also fight!

* * * *

The Washington Monument is the largest obelisk in the world, measuring more than 555 feet in height. Built by piling stone upon stone without benefit of rebar or other reinforcement, it is composed of a total of almost 36,500 blocks. White marble on the outside and granite in the interior, the 55-foot wide base has walls 15 feet thick. The width of the tower is 34 ½ feet at the 500-foot observation level, with the walls reduced to only 18” in thickness. The monument is a true national treasure.

At 15 minutes before noon in the local time, the last clone of Braniac flew slowly towards the mall in Washington, D.C. This city was the capital of the ‘United States’, the leading military and economic power on this planet, and it possessed weapons that could even injure the cloned copies of Brainiac, assuming the military leadership of this nation could persuade themselves to live with the destruction that would result.

A series of missile launches disturbed his journey, some exploding with proximity charges and other exploding soon after missing him. The warheads on these missiles were puny and of little danger. Still, he proceeded slowly, because a critical part of Braniac’s plan was to draw Kal-El away from his Smallville home, leaving it defenseless for the mission of the final clone. Success there would ensure victory and the destruction of Kal-El, so it was necessary that Kal-El be given enough time to reach Washington and “save it” from the invaders.

Reaching what the human called the mall, Braniac admitted that he was impressed. Even these humans could occasionally construct a structure worthy of some small regard, and the Monument and its surroundings were just such an example. Puny like their makers in terms of the size of the construction, they still provided a sort of grandeur that even he could sense. It was a pity all would have to be destroyed, but the need for ruin was an integral component of his master, Zod.

Suddenly sensing that the son of Zod’s most bitter enemy had finally arrived, the invader prepared for fire and destruction.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

[LetMeGo]

1st :D

Whoa… the destruction of some of the most sacred places on earth. A very disturbing picture! It would certainly get Superman’s attention. But what does Brainiac have in store for Smallville? I’m on the edge of my seat! PPMS!

[NYC300Z]

2nd It seems like Braniac has succeeded in goals I wonder what will happen to Smallville? How long will it take Clark to defeat the copy?

PPMS!

[*#~ ClAnAfAn99210~#*]

that was good

[superman_lives_on]

Oh God... This is NOT good news at all! :( Very comic-bookish, though--that scale of destruction in so many famous places... What exactly will Brainiac be doing in Smallville while the last clone keeps Superman busy? I have the horrible feeling that it involves the caves and what lies beyond... :(

[SVsleuth]

:) Oh no! This is terrible! And Superman seems likely to fall right into the trap! PPMS!

[superman_lives_on]

Uh...is there going to be an update on this any time soon? :(

[escout]

:) WOW I didn't know that you had a story posted!! I just found it now and I have a lot of reading to do to catch up!!!!:)

Your story is WONDERFUL. I am going to try to catch up today!!
Keep up the GREAT work.

[happycamper]

Sorry for the big delay between posts. I've been busy at the office, but that's really no excuse.

I will say that this story went beyond where I intended it to end, but felt forced to add more. And I have been disheartened by everything that seems to be going on.

Nonetheless, I feel obligated to finish, so I'm posting the penultimate chapter to the story...



Hidden: Unwelcome Truth

Chapter Twenty-Two



As usual Clark woke with the rising sun, ready to do another day of chores. But this day was different because he couldn’t get up – not without disturbing the slumber of the woman he loved!

Clark and Lana had returned after classes for a weekend at the Kent farm, and had been occupied each other for much of the evening and night. Clark smiled as looked across to that matchless face and thought again how lucky he was that they had gotten together once more.

How can she still love me after all that’s happened? I know I don’t deserve her love, but I’m so grateful that she’s willing to give it to me anyway. I’ve always loved her, but I don’t believe even she suspects how much, or how I’ve always modeled my entire life to be someone worthy of her. And even now, each time I feel myself losing bits of my humanity, she is the one that always manages to reel me back.

Almost as if she could feel his stare, Lana suddenly opened her eyes, and saw Clark’s loving gaze. She couldn’t help but smile at him, and was rewarded with an answering grin in return. How lucky I am that he loves me – I really did win life’s lottery when Clark chose me among all the women of this world. Fully content with life, Lana snuggled deeper into Clark’s arms.

“Um, Lana,” Clark finally said, “Can I have my arm back? I really need to get up for a few minutes and do my chores.”

“Just five more minutes, love. This is just too comfortable to give up.”

“Lana,” Clark began, and then decided to take some direct action. He moved his free arm to Lana’s side, and began a slow caress. Lana almost purred in response.

“Clark!” Lana suddenly squealed, as he pressed lightly against a particular spot on her side.

Clark continued as Lana – who was simultaneously laughing and squirming madly – attempted to get away from his reach. “I’m sorry you forced me to that,” he leered at her, “but the cows really can’t wait much longer.”

Finally managing to move her vulnerable side out of reach, she pouted up at him. “I can’t believe you resorted to something like that.”

“Well I really needed my arm back, and I wasn’t kidding about the cows.” Clark stretched over to give Lana a quick kiss, and told her, “I’ll be back in about 25 minutes.”

Lana quickly got up and changed the bedding, and then showered and made other preparations for the day. Contemplating the clothes she had laid out, she decided it was entirely too early and decided instead to wait in bed for Clark’s return.

Afterwards, Lana lay beside Clark running her hand through his still unruly hair.

“I don’t know why you insisted that I shower first, now I’m just going to need another one,” he complained in jest.

“Well as much as I’ve come to appreciate the Kent cows, their smell is something I can really do without,” Lana responded primly. Then suddenly taking on a wicked tone, she added, “We both need a shower now, but if you play your cards right, we can take it together.”

Clark’s eyes widened, and then he couldn’t help but grin at her. But his face suddenly assumed a serious mien as he admitted, “I love you Lana Lang, but I really don’t deserve you, you know. Everyone calls Superman a hero, but you’re the only one that can rescue me! You saved me after Dad died, and in every day since then it’s been you that keeps the humanity alive in me. But no one will ever know that, or appreciate how thankless a job it’s been for you.”

A misty-eyed Lana stared a Clark for many seconds before responding, “I love you, Clark, but there’s no heroism inside me. I’ve loved you even during the worst times that we had, and now that those problems are behind us, I’ll do whatever’s necessary to keep you here with me. I admit I worry about what you do but...”

‘That’s another thing. I’m responsible for causing all that worry and fear,” Clark admitted.

“Hush, Clark,” Lana admonished. “I though we agreed that you weren’t going to blame yourself for things you can’t control.”

“But Lana...”

“No,” Lana told him firmly. “You can’t blame yourself. You can’t change who you are. There are thousands and thousands of people in dangerous jobs like the police and firefighters, not to mention what our soldiers have to go through. They do it for little pay or recognition because it’s necessary, and because they believe it’s the right thing to do.” Lana looked at him intently and told him, “You’re the same way. Yes, I worry, but I also worried about the small-town hero back in high school, too. I’ve always known that loving you involved those risks, and that trying to change that would change you into something completely different. You would be less than your full self, and no longer the man with whom I fell in love.”

Clark considered what Lana had just said, and the truth of what she said was self-evident. He complained, “I love her, but why does the girl of my dreams have to be so smart, anyway.”

Lana smiled indulgently at her poor Clark. “You should be happy you have me. Chloe and I are still waiting for the super-intelligence to finally kick in.” She then quickly kissed him, to avoid any other complaints.

* * * *

Clark and Lana were washing the breakfast dishes together, both content with their domesticity. Lana was thinking that Clark seemed almost fully healed, and was finally beginning to accept that everything that went wrong was not his responsibility or fault. Clark was thinking that the shower they had shared before breakfast was by far the best he had ever had.

The happy couple was just finishing up when Clark’s heard the ringing from his cell phone. “Clark (!),” he heard Chloe almost yell from the receiver after he’d picked it up, “have you been watching the news?”

“No, we’ve just finishing breakfast. What’s wrong?”

“Just watch the news and ... do something!”

Clark sped over and turned the television on to Fox News. Brit Hume – looking grimmer than normal – was explaining, “Over the past few hours, a series of attacks have been taking place at 15-minute intervals. Starting at 9:15 am Eastern Time in Japan, targets of great religious and historical value have been destroyed, many with great loss of life. The attacks have been moving steadily eastward, with the most recent being the Basilica of Saint Peter. The familiar face cut away to show a tape of a man-like being blasting the Basilica and the crowd around it with what looked like fire-bolts.

In tears, Lana looked at Clark, who only stared grimly at the scene. Hume was suddenly back and announced, “We have word of another attack, this time in Paris. We have a live feed.” A shaky shot emerged, obviously taken from a speeding vehicle traveling over empty streets. The film then cut to a shot of the Eiffel tower, which was toppling over on its side. By then the vehicle had reached the Plaza in front of the Lourve, and the camera cut-away to a close-up of the being causing all of the destruction.

“Brainiac,” Clark said calmly.

The film then showed Brainiac sending power-bolts of fire, which the camera followed to the Lourve, which now had a toppled roof and was aflame. The camera shifted back to the flying figure, who finally glanced the camera’s way. He gestured in the direction of the camera and there was momentary brightness, and then complete darkness and quiet.

“Oh no,” Lana moaned.

“I’m sorry we’ve just lost the live feed," Brit Hume managed to say seconds later, “we’re fearing the worst, but hope to get contact again...”

“Father, can you hear me,” Clark said out loud.

“Yes, my son. Brainiac has started the attack in his quest to free Zod. This is the beginning of the task for which you have trained.”

“Father, shall I return to discuss strategy with you.”

“No, my son, these attacks – though horrid – are merely a diversion. A clone of Brainiac awaits near the caves. When you confront the clones, he will take the opportunity to attack and destroy the fortress. But he is unaware that I am waiting for him. Separated, he has not the power to defeat my defenses, so your task will be to defeat those attacking your humans. Remember the blue crystal...and take care...and always remember that I love you”

“Yes father, I will. And...and I love you, too.”

Looking up at him, Lana asked, “Clark, what is it?”

Changing into Superman, he told her, “Come on Lana, we need to get you to Metropolis where it’s safer.” Taking her into his arms, he lifted off at a safe speed to take her back to Met U. and her dorm. But seeing the look Lana was giving him, Clark decided he’d better come clean.

“It’s Jor-El,” Clark told Lana. “He told me that it’s Brainiac that’s attacking those shrines and landmarks. I’ve mentioned him, Brainiac’s the Kryptonian construct that I’ve been training to fight. Well, Brainiac can apparently split himself into multiple units. While these attacks are intended to intimidate the Governments of Earth, the real reason is to force me to fight him away from Smallville, so one or more of his clones can get in the caves to attack the fortress.”

“What are you going to do then, protect the caves?”

“No. Jor-El said he could protect the fortress if only a portion of Brainiac attacks it. I’m going to meet the other clones head on. Don’t you see, it’s my fault that all this is happening.”

“Clark! I thought you’d fixed that martyr complex. You’ve done nothing to bring this on,” Lana told him sternly. “He may be using these attacks to draw you out, but wouldn’t he have to do the same thing to defeat mankind – or even worse – if he had defeated you ahead of time, or even if you weren’t here at all to protect us?”

“Yes Lana, but...” Clark stopped, as she gave him the same look a nanny would give a small child. “Yes, you’re right. He has to defeat mankind as well as me.”

As they landed in a copse hidden from the dorm nearby, she beamed approval, and kissed him gently as he placed her back on the ground. Running up to the dorm room she shared with her best friend, Chloe greeted them with relief.

“Clark, he’s just destroyed Stonehenge,” Chloe told him in greeting. “The only thing east of the UK is us. I figure we have 10 minutes or so before the next attack.”

“Where do you think he’s going to hit us?”

“He could hit the Statue of Liberty in New York,” Chloe responded, “but I’d put my money on Washington DC.”

“Makes sense,” Clark agreed. “I’ll circle between the cities, but I agree that the target is likely to be Washington. I’d better get ready.”

Both young women were suddenly teary-eyed. “Be careful, Clark,” Chloe told him as she kissed him on the cheek, “I can’t take time to find a new best friend.”

He turned to Lana, who told him, “Makes us all proud love. And when you’re fighting him, just remember how mad I’ll be at you if you don’t make it back.” She then grabbed him by the shoulders to place an urgent kiss.

Straightening, he suddenly assumed the confident and almost other-worldly demeanor of Superman. “Don’t worry ladies – I don’t intend on disappointing either of you,” he told them, before launching himself to do battle.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

[Nemu]

:D
And now Supes goes into battle...

PPMS!!!!

[superman_lives_on]

Well, it's about time--good to see you back in action! :)


Originally posted by happycamper
“Hush, Clark,” Lana admonished. “I though we agreed that you weren’t going to blame yourself for things you can’t control.”

“But Lana...”

“No,” Lana told him firmly. “You can’t blame yourself. You can’t change who you are. There are thousands and thousands of people in dangerous jobs like the police and firefighters, not to mention what our soldiers have to go through. They do it for little pay or recognition because it’s necessary, and because they believe it’s the right thing to do.” Lana looked at him intently and told him, “You’re the same way. Yes, I worry, but I also worried about the small-town hero back in high school, too. I’ve always known that loving you involved those risks, and that trying to change that would change you into something completely different. You would be less than your full self, and no longer the man with whom I fell in love.”

Clark considered what Lana had just said, and the truth of what she said was self-evident. He complained, “I love her, but why does the girl of my dreams have to be so smart, anyway.”

Lana smiled indulgently at her poor Clark. “You should be happy you have me. Chloe and I are still waiting for the super-intelligence to finally kick in.” She then quickly kissed him, to avoid any other complaints.

[...]

“Clark! I thought you’d fixed that martyr complex. You’ve done nothing to bring this on,” Lana told him sternly. “He may be using these attacks to draw you out, but wouldn’t he have to do the same thing to defeat mankind – or even worse – if he had defeated you ahead of time, or even if you weren’t here at all to protect us?”

“Yes Lana, but...” Clark stopped, as she gave him the same look a nanny would give a small child. “Yes, you’re right. He has to defeat mankind as well as me.”

Nanny and a small child...hahaha. :lol: Good one. And, of course, I'm glad Lana came right out and squashed Clark's useless guilt before it could really take root. He needs some super-intelligence, that's for sure! :lol:

This is going to be one tough fight... But this is the second-to-last chapter, you say? Oh wow...I wonder how things will turn out?

[SVsleuth]

Hc, I'm mad at you! I was so busy reading your fic, that you beat me to #1 on Card's update! :mad: - just kidding ;)

thanks for coming back to give us an update. Wonderful happy Clana, and then... Superman starts his fight with Brainiac... hope all ends well and soon. PPMS!

[*#~ ClAnAfAn99210~#*]

lol

[maitriniazngurl]

Wow... I am SORRY I completely lost track of this story...

AWESOME UPDATES!! I love the clana! Wishing for more... :D

PPMS!!

[NYC300Z]

Well now we know what he was doing all that time! Ok let's see what he can do!

PPMS!

[happycamper]

Well, it's honestly not the story I really intended, but it does finally come to a close. Many thanks to all that have been reading it, and especially to those of you who provided comments.




Hidden: Unwelcome Truth

FINALE



Alpha and Bravo Companies from the historical Marine Barracks at 8th and I Streets were awaiting Brainiac at the Mall. Headquartered less than a mile away from the Capital building, they had dispersed into hastily prepared strong points – sandbags and furniture – around the Capital building and the monuments and museums of the Mall. This quick deployment was a departure from their usual routine, for the Marines stationed in the nation’s capital were ceremonial in nature. They made up the Silent Drill Platoon, ceremonial marchers, the Color Guard, the body bearers, and even the US Marine Band.

The crowds that would normally have filled the Mall on a weekend morning had been evacuated, along with the staffs of the museums, monuments, and the Capital. In a nation proud in the safety of their capital from land attack despite the new age of terrorism, these Marines – and a few hundred capital police and citizen volunteers – were the only forces available to defend these historical sites despite the fact that Washington D.C. was ringed by military bases. Too little time, and the dispersal of almost all of the nation’s great military forces throughout the country and in Europe and Asia, left them alone to hold the breach.

Fortunately, they were well armed from the stocks of the Marine Barracks, with Stinger missiles and M72 LAW antitank rocket launchers, and with enough small arms for both themselves and the volunteers who stood with them. Ceremonial they may have been, but they – and the Commandant of the Marine Corps who lived with them at the Barracks – were first and foremost Marines, and each man and woman was prepared to give their lives to defend their positions and country.

The Mall and surrounding areas were eerily quiet without the crowds, with only the whispers of the brave defenders to broach the silence, along with the derisive comments of the print and television press from both the United States and the world. They had stationed themselves nearby in the hope of capturing in living color the destruction of America’s greatest symbols.

* * * *

With the destruction of Stonehenge, the US Military Command awaiting the attack of the alien creature had hoped to identify its approach in order to hit him with heavy anti-shipping rockets from both sea and shore. They had even been given the release codes from the National Command Authority for the use of a nuclear-tipped cruise missile if the creature could be identified far enough from land

But Brainiac literally flew under the radar, so the only warning of the approaching creature received by the defenders at the Mall were the explosions of the Stinger missiles launched by Secret Service agents from the rooftops of the Washington buildings that they had been assigned since the events of 9-11. A man-sized object flying at a few hundred feet is a difficult target, but the weight and density of Brainiac’s metallic core was sufficient to trigger the proximity-fuses of the Stingers. The Secret Service crews rejoiced at the impacts – until the unshaken Brainiac responded with a few fireballs or – even worse – ignored them completely as he made his way slowly to the city’s center.

Approaching from the south, Brainiac flew over the Potomac River on his way to his target, the Washington Monument. He came to a stop over the Tidal Basin as he contemplated his next moves. He would start with that monument, and make his way east, destroying the buildings surrounding the mall until he reached the Capital Building. In the meantime, more of those infernal rockets were hitting him, but he held himself motionless as if to prove to the defenders that he had nothing to fear from them.

Consequently, satellite transmissions from the news crews allowed more than a billion people to see the creature that had been attacking humanity. Most were desperately hoping that its defenders would be able to somehow defeat this alien menace. But all too many – along with the crews that were sending out the television signals – were hoping to see a wholesale destruction that would finally humble the entire United States.

Brainiac felt the imminent arrival of his real foe, but took the opportunity to send his first firebolt at the base of the Washington Monument. There was a great deal of damage, but the 15-foot thick granite walls seemed almost to soak up the firebolt and the obelisk remained standing. The entire world bore witness to that attack, as well as the sight of another flying creature dressed in red and blue that suddenly arrived and smashed the villain into the water of the Tidal Basin.

Brainiac rose slowly from the water and faced his attacker. Because of the directional microphones of the press, those billion plus viewers were then able to hear his booming voice ask, “Son of Jor-El, you have a single chance to avoid utter destruction. Join me in defeating these weakling humans and you will be given a place of honor at General Zod’s side.”

For a timeless moment Superman stared at his enemy before responding, “I will never join you, or your precious general,” and the suddenly released breath of all the relieved viewers came out as one.

“Then you have arrived just in time to meet your ruin. But never fear, I will complete my work here after I have vanquished you. And in time, all on this miserable planet will bend their knees to Zod.” Brainiac then launched a firebolt at Superman that staggered him, and sent him flying back hundreds of feet. Quickly returning, Superman hit Brainiac with a blow that caused him to reel back in turn.

What followed was a monumental struggle, as each battered the other in turn, Clark’s punches being met by the blows and firebolts of Brainiac. Neither seemed to hold the upper hand as they continued their battle. At one point Superman managed to knock Brainiac into the ground at the pools edge, and as the creature rose from the crater dug by his impact with the ground, a dozen Laws rockets were launched at him by Marine crews. Unlike the proximity-fused Stinger missiles intended to down aircraft, these rockets required a direct hit. But three of the rockets did manage to hit Brainiac, and the shaped charges intended to burn their way through the foot of hardened steel protecting the front of an enemy battle tank did have an effect!

The rockets didn’t actually damage Brainiac – at least not more than the equivalent of burning a patch of paint from a car. But they did cause Brainiac to feel the cybernetic equivalent of pain, and caused him to become enraged. Splitting himself into four separate units, three continued to rise to face Clark, while the fourth began slaughtering the rocket crews and the other Mall defenders.

This was the moment for which Clark had been waiting, and he unleashed his heat vision on one of the units facing him. Concentrating his attack for several seconds, he managed to break through the weakened defenses of the single unit and it suddenly melted and fused. The loss stunned the other three, and Clark quickly turned to the one that had been killing the Marines and other citizens defending the capital. He again used his heat vision as it tried to continue its attacks, until it too melted and fused into a lump of exotic waste metal.

The remaining two units had rejoined to marshal their resources, but with only half of Braniac’s previous level of strength. Superman now had the upper hand, and battered at Brainiac until he finally managed to smash him into the ground once more. Superman hovered above the crater and once again played his heat vision over what remained of the original Brainiac. Ten seconds later, it too melted and fused.

Washington had been saved. A billion people were cheering, including many who would have never believed before this day that they would ever rejoice in the saving of the American capital. And in a small dorm room a thousand miles away, two young women were crying in celebration – and in relief.

* * * *

It was evening before he managed to return. Superman had helped transport the wounded to medical facilities all around Washington, and also helped with the recovery of the remains of the brave defenders that had fallen. Superman assiduously avoided the howled questions of the press, but humbly received the personal thanks of the President.

A tired Superman made his way back to Smallville and showered and changed into some familiar plaid, before flying back to Metropolis. But it was only Clark Kent who knocked on the door of the dorm room. It pushed open at his touch, and he was confronted with two very happy young women. The dark-haired one launched herself at him faster than a speeding bullet, and began smothering him with kisses. The blonde-haired one held herself back, but was almost dancing in her impatience and need. Finally noticing, the dark-haired one gestured to the other, and the blonde joined the assault on Clark.

It was several minutes later before Clark managed to break away, and sit himself on the side of Lana’s bed. Lana instantly curled up beside him while Chloe contented herself with flopping into her own. He could see the questioning look in their eyes, so he began gathering his thoughts in an attempt to explain.

Chloe managed to beat him to the punch, asking, “So how did your meeting with the President go?”

Clark reddened, but managed to reply, “Pretty well. He said he was thanking me on behalf of the entire country, and if there was anything I needed or wanted in reward. I apologized to him for not being able to save those that died defending the Mall, and suggested that any thanks or reward be given to the defenders instead.”

Seeing the knowing look passing between Lana and Chloe, Clark interjected, “No, they did deserve most of the credit. I even told the President that when he told me I was being too modest. It was those Marines rocket crews that angered Brainiac enough to split himself into the individual units, and the Marines sacrificed themselves to do it. It was their bravery that allowed me to defeat Braniac’s units in detail. I had been waiting for such a chance, but there’s no telling how long it might have taken otherwise.”

Seeing the pain caused by his memory of their sacrifice, Lana asked, “So were you and Jor-El successful in destroying Brainiac for good?”

Clark shook his head. “Brainiac was composed of nine units or clones. I defeated four, and shortly after the battle Jor-El informed me that he had destroyed the four that had attacked the Fortress through the Kawatchee caves. But one more remains along with the ship that powered them.” Seeing the sudden looks of concern, Clark continued, “Don’t worry, with that much of Brainiac gone, he shouldn’t be a problem for many years. Even the Earth governments could destroy what’s left of him now, and it will take a lot of time for the ship to regenerate enough of Brainiac to be a danger to me or to the rest of the world.”

Lana could see that Brainiac wasn’t a big concern to Clark, but that there was something else that he still found disconcerting. “What else is it, Clark?”

“Um,” Clark began, and as both women stared at him, Chloe was forced admit to herself that Lana could see far more deeply into his thoughts and emotions.

“Jor-El also said that Lex was connected with Brainiac in some fashion,” Clark admitted. “They were working together, and Lex probably supplied Brainiac with information. Not about taking over the world, but something else. Maybe it had to do with Lex’s obsession with aliens,” Clark continued, and then turning to Lana, “or maybe it had to something to do with us.”

Clark looked at the two as they frowned. But suddenly Chloe’s expression changed to amusement, and then she started laughing.

A surprised Lana asked, “What is it you find so amusing about all of this, Chloe?”

“It’s Lex. If he was working with Brainiac, then he must be terrified about how close he came to actually helping an alien conquer the earth. And, he must also be absolutely terrified that the rest of the world will find the connection, and blame him for what happened. He’s going to be laying low for years!”

“But just like Brainiac, he’ll be back, this time as an enemy,” Clark added regretfully.

“It’s okay Clark,” Lana told him, “even if he was a friend once, it was his choice to turn to evil. I think that this choice was always his own destiny, and while your friendship may have delayed it, he was always going to choose that pathway in the end.”

In an attempt to change a subject that was clearly painful for Clark, Chloe asked him, “So what are you going to do now?”

Clark’s regretful expression gradually turned to amusement as he contemplated the question asked by his best friend. “Well, I’m not going to Disneyland,” he told her, and both young women replied with laughter of their own.

“As someone close by keeps reminding me," Clark continued, “I can only do the best I can. I’ll always regret the deaths at the Mall, but I realize those Marines made a willing sacrifice in a cause they believed in, and that their bravery made it possible for the rest of us to avoid much worse. We’ll need to watch out for both Brainiac and Lex, but that will be something for the future. In the meantime, I guess its back to patrolling.”

Looking stony-faced at the complaints both were making at his announcement, he finally admitted, “Unless, of course, I can convince a certain girl to take a moonlight flight with me back to Smallville...”

“Well, okay Clark,” Chloe began, only to break into laughter at the shocked looks on the faces of both her friends. “I was only kidding guys, so go. I understand Mrs. Kent will be back in a couple of days, so you two should take every advantage while you still can. But I do expect to fly with my best friend sometime soon, so don’t you forget it.”

A minute later, Lana was cradled in Clark’s arm as flew – relatively slowly – back to Smallville and the Kent farm. She reached up to Clark’s face, and softly caressed it. He turned and looked into her eyes, and asked, “So, any regrets?”

“None. I’ll always worry, but I have faith in you, and know that your love will always bring you back to me. So how about you, anything you regret?”

Clark snorted. “Sorry, but you know me too well. I’ll always have regrets about everything. But I think my biggest is that I didn’t tell you everything sooner. I don’t know if anything would have turned out different, but I appreciate now how much easier everything would have been for me if we could have shared things the way we do now. I thought I loved you since I was five years old, but I’m only finding out now how much more to love there can actually be.

Lana beamed up at him. “Partners?”

“Forever,” Clark responded, as he shifted Lana’s hand up and kissed it.

FINIS

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[Nemu]

nice finish!!!

Good work...

[Binger210]

Ah... It's sad to see a story end.

Good job, though! I enjoyed the action. Also nice to see you detail the names of the weapons. I don't see that very often. :D

[LetMeGo]

Great ending hc! :D :D

This story truly evolved as it went along. Clark’s progression through the story was great! I enjoyed it immensely! I agree with Binger, your attention to details… like the description of the weapons… is one of the things that sets your writing apart. Thank you for providing us with an exciting read!

[superman_lives_on]

Partners...sounds like perfection. :D ;)

Quite an ending...kinda sad, though. :(

[NYC300Z]

Great ending! Glad to see Clark's got everything in control. :cool:

[happycamper]

Thanks everyone, for the very kind comments. :)


Originally posted by LetMeGo
Clark’s progression through the story was great!

Thanks. The one thing I really wanted to accomplish was to keep Clark as himself, but at the same time getting beyond his compulsive need to blame himself. I know there were comments pointing out this need during the course of the story.


Originally posted by superman_lives_on
Quite an ending...kinda sad, though. :(

Sad? For a story by me, this was filled with rollicking level of happiness.

I thought everyone had already figured out that even my user name was actually referring to the phrase in its usual usage. You know, "Not a . . ."

In any case, I am glad this story is finally completed. I have had another story in the back of mind for a while, and hope to begin it soon.

Thanks again!

hc

[SVsleuth]

Ooo, I missed a Finale last night!

Better late than never...

Wonderful story, hc. Thanks for writing, and giving us a Clana together forever ending ;)

I'll be watching for your next fic. ;)

[Hahaveryfunny]

Can we have an epiloge please? Where are they in a few years after this happened? Marriage? Kids? What? PPMS!