Encounter

[oldmankent]

”Encounter”


Chapter One

The spacecraft had crossed the great abyss between its point of origin and its destination and was now approaching the outer rim of the targeted galaxy. The spacecraft, which had been darkened and powered down for the long journey between galaxies, was now waking up as the master computer, recognizing through the ship’s sensors the programmed star coordinates, activated the life support systems necessary to transport living beings through the vacuum of outer space. The corridors of the ship became illuminated with artificial light. Unmanned computer stations and control panels began to charge up. A mixture of oxygen and nitrogen began to circulate throughout the ship. The temperature began to increase inside the ship to the degree necessary for normal humanoid functionality.

Deep inside the multilevel spacecraft was a section known as the Central Stasis Containment Area. This area contains four hundred of the stasis units which house the crew of the ship in a state of suspended animation for the long periods of time that the ship travels between galaxies. These units are lined up row after row in the shape of a pyramid in order of rank. One unit stands at the head of the rest - the Captain’s unit.

It was the Captain’s stasis unit that became activated first. The unit gradually changed from a darkened interior to light. The oxygen level increased as did the temperature. The canopy that covered the unit gradually cleared and the inhabitant of the unit was revealed.

He was tall and robust. His jet black hair had grown long – down to his shoulders over the course of the journey and a beard of the same dark color now filled his face. He breathing began to change. He began to breath deeper and more rapidly. His massive chest moved up and down in the stasis unit as his nostrils flared and there was movement underneath his eyelids. The eyelids opened and revealed a clear, piercing blue-green eye underneath. He could see the reflection of his own eyes in the clear canopy and a smile came to his face. “I’m alive. I guess I made it.” Then his thoughts changed to his first priority.“My crew. I have to ensure that the ship is safe for my crew.”

He activated a sensor near his right hand and a display appeared on the inside of the canopy. On the display appeared a series of symbols in the language that was indigenous to his point of origin – the planet, Krypton. “Atmosphere – Nominal. Temperature – Nominal. Warning Lights – None. Okay. I guess it’s time for Captain El to rise and shine.” He activated another sensor and the canopy lifted up. He shivered momentarily as the atmosphere of the ship met with his naked flesh. He sat up and looked at the two units that fanned out from his unit.

To his right was his First Officer, Sun-Ben. To his left was his Science Officer. Ten-Vik. He looked at his own name plate.


KAL-EL
CAPTAIN

He rose from the unit and dressed in the navy blue jump suit that he had left at the side of the stasis unit when they first began their journey. On the suit was the insignia of the Kryptonian Star Fleet along with his rank. He noticed that it was loose around him. His muscular frame had become even leaner confirming the expected weight loss after almost three years in suspended animation.

El walked to a small monitoring station and activated a display that provided him with a real time view of where he was along with a navigation chart. “We’re just outside the perimeter of the galaxy. Perfect.” Kal-El then began the resuscitation of his First Officer and his Science Officer. The two were quickly revived. They dressed and joined him at the monitoring station.

“Good morning, Captain.”

“Good morning, Sun-Ben. I guess we can call it ‘morning’. We’re right where we’re supposed to be. At the boundary of the 28th galaxy. Begin revival of the crew. Get our esteemed Medical Officer to make sure everyone is fit and then let’s get everyone fed. Three years is a long time to be without a solid meal. I’m going to the Bridge.”

The First Officer and Science Officer answered in unison.

“Yes, Captain.”

Kal-El left the stasis area and walked down the corridor of the space craft to the elevator. He was grateful to be awake. To be able to see the lights in the passageways. To feel the power of the engines beneath his feet. He took the elevator up to the Bridge – the command and control center of the ship.

El sat in the Captain’s chair and activated the main view screen and the navigational sensors. He gazed in awe at the galaxy before him and the energy field surrounding it. Now matter where he traveled the vastness and the mysteries of the universe overwhelmed his intellect. He thought of his past, his mission and his future.


**********

Kal-El was the only son of Jor-El and Lara. At an early age he displayed an uncommon aptitude in mathematics and the sciences. Brought up in one of the leading families in the aristocratic society of Krypton, Jor-El expected his son to follow in his footsteps and the footsteps of generations of El before him – the governance of Krypton. Instead Kal-El, exhibiting a genetic trait inherited from his mother, established his independence from his father and chose another course for his life – the exploration wing of the Kryptonian military. All his life he wanted to know – everything. Exploration of the twenty eight known galaxies would provide him the means of doing this.

Jor-El, feeling shame over Kal-El’s disobedience distanced himself from his son. They had not spoken since his son joined the Academy. Kal-El, who in his quest for knowledge had studied numerous methods of self-discipline, graduated from the Academy at the top of his class and earned his Ensign’s commission in record time. In his various assignments he exhibited great intelligence, loyalty and bravery. He was a born leader. He rose rapidly through the ranks and at the unprecedented age of twenty seven reached the rank of Captain. In a few short years he had earned the privilege that others had earned in decades – he would command his own ship. And not just any ship.

He was given the task of journeying to the 28th galaxy to a planet towards the center of the galaxy. The third planet in orbit around a yellow sun. It had not yet been named or explored. It was simply known as the Green Planet.

Kryptonian archeologists in their various explorations had discovered prophecy after prophecy in star system after star system of a being endowed with unimaginable powers. A being that possessed limitless knowledge and wisdom. All of the findings led to the Green Planet. Kal-El did not believe these so-called prophecies. He believed in what he could see and in what he could touch but he was eager to find the answer. He was eager to go where no Kryptonian had gone before.

The vehicle that was constructed for this mission was the finest in the Saber class of intergalactic spacecraft. It possessed the most advanced in Krytonian hyper-drive engine technology and the latest in weaponry. Its crew was hand-picked after months of testing. Kal-El, as its chosen commander, was given the honor of naming his craft.

Most captains named their crafts after creatures who exhibited speed and strength. But no Kryptonian could understand the name with which Kal-El christened his ship. For fear of being declared unfit for command he dared not tell anyone of the origin of the name. Night after night she came to him in a dream. Long, dark silken hair flowing in the wind. Large eyes that beckoned him to her. Full lips that whispered only one word. It was when he asked, ”Who are you?” She would answer and then he would awaken, saying her name over and over again. No one understood the meaning of the name of the ship. Why would this new Captain call his ship – the Lana?

It had been rumored that upon Kal-El’s departure from Krypton, hundreds of young women and their mothers took to mourning. At the age when most Kryptonian women took a mate, the most eligible bachelor and stunningly handsome male on the planet would be absent.

Kal-El sat in his command chair as four hundred crewmen took to their stations and began bringing the ship’s systems to full capacity. After two hours of carrying out these procedures and reporting status to the First Officer, the Lana was ready to move ahead. The First Officer making his final check approached El.

“Captain, all systems are operational. Sir, we’ve received our first communiqués from Krypton. The crew is anxious to hear from home.”

”Let’s hold off on that until after we’ve crossed the barrier.”

”Sir, I took the liberty of examining the communiqué log. You have received something…from your father. It was sent shortly after we went into stasis.”

Kal-El thought for a moment. ”I haven’t spoke to my father in six years. Why would he speak to me now?” Kal-El surmised that Jor-El would only communicate with him if something ominous was happening. Something that would prompt him to turn the ship around and head back home.

”It doesn’t change anything. Distribute the communiqués after we’ve crossed the barrier.”

”As you command, Captain.”

“Thank you, Sun-Ben. Bring the ship to red alert. We’re crossing the galactic barrier.”


**********

[SVsleuth]

I love this story. I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it elsewhere. ;)

[maitriniazngurl]

GREAT story so far! I love to see Clark all military! :)
plz update soon!

Oh... SV... where else could this story be?? I'm just interesting in reading it... plz. :) if u don't want to say thats fine

[oldmankent]

Chapter Two

Lana Lang, Lois Lane and Chloe Sullivan were roommates in an apartment in the great city of Metropolis. Lois and Chloe were reporters with the Daily Planet. Lana was an editor for Cosmopolitan. The three had been friends since childhood. The three had graduated from Smallville High School. Attended and graduated from the University of Metropolis and had stayed in the big city to seek fame and fortune. The three women found that fame was much easier achieved than fortune. Hence, they became roommates in order to share expenses.

Lana, Lois and Chloe lived hectic lives. Chloe and Lois worked the city beat of the newspaper. They were on called practically twenty four hours a day. No event was too small for them. They covered events ranging from major scandals at city hall to street festivals in Little Italy.

Lana edited the work of other writers. An aspiring writer herself, she bided her time at the magazine, waiting for her chance to author the article or book that would make her name well known in the literary world. ”Well known and well paid.” Her job provided her with an income that was enough to be comfortable but not complacent. And although the work was challenging she grew tired of continually reviewing other people’s words. Especially when 90% of what she edited consisted of articles titled “10 Ways to Make Him Your Sex Slave”.

It was Friday evening. The week had been long. Lois and Chloe had both put in sixty hour work weeks. Lana had stayed late into Thursday night to meet a deadline. Chloe and Lois left the Daily Planet thinking of the night and weekend ahead. Lana left her building thinking of meeting her two roommates for happy hour, dinner and then some after dinner cocktails at a one of the clubs in the city. This was a weekly routine for the three women that they enjoyed tremendously.

Usually the place they close for happy hour would be the same place that they would eat dinner. Their favorite was a combination Irish pub that specialized in Italian food. In this case it was place within walking distance of the Daily Planet called ‘O’Spinelli’s”. The owners, Tom O’Malley and Luigi Spinelli had been friends since childhood. They looked on the three women as their daughters. The women felt comfortable here. They could get a decent but inexpensive meal and not be accosted by men on the prowl while they ate. They usually preferred that the accosting took place later that night when they would go to Club Zero.

Chloe and Lois usually arrived first and were seated in a booth that was reserved for them at the back of the dining area. It was usually twenty minutes later, after taking the subway from her job, when Lana walked in. By this time Chloe and Lois were on their second adult beverage of the day. As Lana walked to the table Lois spoke to Chloe.

“Watch the men at the bar. It’s the weekly case of mass whiplash.”

As Lana walked to the table the men who were seated at the bar turned their heads in her direction. Of course, Lana was oblivious to this as she was oblivious to her natural beauty. Lois and Chloe watched the men try to pull their eyes away from the sight. They also watched how the women who were with the men reacted. Most of the time the women would simply say ‘uh hum’. Occasionally they would tug on the sleeve of the man they were with and on rare occasions the man would end up with a drink being poured over his head. Lana sat down and Lois spoke.

“Lana, how do you do it?”

“Do what?”

Lois turned to Chloe.

“See. What did I tell you? She’s oblivious to it.”

Lana didn’t understand.

“Oblivious to what?”

Lois continued.

“See that, Chloe. Lana is even oblivious to the fact that she’s oblivious. Lana you are an Oblivion.”

“Oblivion?”

“Yes. You are an inhabitant from the Planet Oblivia and you have come to the Earth to totally discombobulate the male of the species.”

“Really? Have I succeeded?”

Chloe nodded her head.

“Oh yeah! At least every Friday at 6:30 when you walk in here.”

The three women laughed together. A few men from the bar decided to approach them and were quickly intercepted and turned around by O’Malley and Spinelli.

Chloe and Lana each had a chef salad with a bottle of Amstel Light. Lois had a cheeseburger and fries with a pint of Guiness Stout. Bites of food were intermixed with conversation.

“So what interesting stories are there in Metropolis this week?”

“Oh Lana, it’s the usual mayhem. Death, destruction and Lex Luthor. How he beats going to jail is beyond me.”

Lois answered.

“Being a multi-billionaire who is CEO of a multi-national corporation who can hire the best legal minds money can buy probably has something to do with it. So tell me, Lana. What was the most interesting thing you worked on this week?”

“I had to edit an article titled, “Three Words That Will Make Him Yours Forever.”

Lois responded.

“Oh. I know what the words are – It’s So Big!”

Lana and Chloe laughed at the remark. Lana responded.

“Is that what you say to Oliver all the time?

“I don’t have to say anything to Oliver. All I have to do is show him these.”

Lois put her hands underneath her breasts. Lana turned her attention Chloe.

“So is Jimmy taking you out tomorrow?”

Chloe sighed.

“Another film festival.”

“What is it this time?”

“Alfred Hitchcock.”

“Well. That’s not so bad.”

“I know at least the movies are in color. Last week he took me to a Marlon Brando film festival. Six hours of Viva Zapata, The Wild One and On The Waterfront. He memorizes the dialogue from every movie. Do you know what it’s like sitting next to someone and hearing them repeat ‘I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender’?”

Lana responded.

“It could be worse. He could have memorized Pulp Fiction. Chloe, why don’t you tell him that you’d like to do something else?”

Lois answered.

“Because she wants to be Mrs. James Olsen. That’s why.”

Chloe hit Lois in the arm. Lois continued to tease Chloe.

“A typical Chloe Sullivan date with Jimmy Olsen. Go for pizza. Go to the movies and then go back to his place and have sex – once.”

Chloe shot back.

“As opposed to a typical Lois Lane date with Oliver Queen. Go to dinner. Go see a stage show and then go back to his place and have sex.”

“You left out one important thing, Chloe.”

“What’s that, Lois.”

“Go back to Oliver’s place and have sex – multiple times.”

The two women then turned their attention to Lana.

“And what about you, Ms. Lang. What are your plans for tomorrow?”

Lana was momentarily silent.

“Well, I thought I’d…I’d…curl up with a good book and a glass of wine.”

Both Lois and Chloe sighed.

“Lana, what about that cute guy you met at Club Zero last week?”

“He was a Democrat.”

“And the guy from the week before?”

“He was a Republican.”

Chloe and Lois were frustrated. Chloe spoke.

“It’s always one thing or another with you, Lana. He’s too short. He’s too tall. He’s skinny. He’s fat. He’s bald. He’s hairy.”

“Well, I can’t help it. I’m picky. I’m not going to settle for anything less than the man of my dreams.”

“And do you have a man of your dreams?”

Lana began to whisper.

“Well, can I tell you a secret without you making fun of me?”

Both women nodded their heads and leaned closer to Lana.

“I’ve sort of been having this recurring dream.”

“When did it start?”

“Three years ago.”

Lois raised her voice.

“Three years ago? You been having the same dream for three years and you haven’t told anyone?”

Lana shook her head.

“I didn’t want anyone to think I was going crazy.”

Chloe spoke.

“What’s the dream?”

“I always dream of the same guy. He’s coming towards me. He’s tall and broad. Dark hair and blue-green eyes. He picks me up and the next thing I know is that I’m floating in the air.”

Lois responded.

“So you’ve been dreaming about having sex with the same guy for three years?”

“I didn’t say I was having sex with him. I said I was kind of….flying with him.”

Chloe tried to be reasonable in her assessment.

“Well, some people dream of falling. You dream of flying.”

“He’s wearing a red cape.”

Lois shouted out.

“Bartender! We need another round!”


**********

[kentfamily]

This is great stuff!! More please!

[oldmankent]

Chapter Three

“Shields up!”

The Kryptonians had journeyed from galaxy to galaxy for centuries. They had reduced the time it takes to travel thousands of lights years by creating an artificial worm hole. In other words, a short cut that would quickly take them from Point A to Point B. The results were that journeys between galaxies that previously took decades would now take years. Journeys within galaxies that previously took years would now take days.

Although they had made tremendous progress there was always one dangerous problem that they could not solve - the energy barrier that surrounded each and every galaxy. The barrier enabled each galaxy to have its own distinct set of physical laws. It displaced time and space to such an extent that anything could happen. Going through the barrier was as dangerous for the Kryptonians as going around the southern tip of South America in the dead of winter to circumnavigate the globe was for 18th century Earth seamen. They could strengthen the infrastructure of their spacecraft. They could strengthen the energy shields that protected their ship. But they still could not get around the barrier. They had to go through it. And going through it was still as much a roll of the dice now as it was when Kryptonians first began venturing to other galaxies. In the end the chances of success depended on the quality of the craft and the quality of the officer who commanded it.

“Shields are up, Captain.”

“Damage control parties are standing by, Captain.”

“Engines are at maximum efficiency, Captain.”

Kal-El addressed his first officer.

“Sun-Ben, have our last log entries been sent back to Krypton?”

Kal-El nodded his head. Sun-Ben knew that this was the Captain’s to signal to move forward. He spoke to the Helmsman.

“Proceed.”

The Lana moved forward slowly, at sub-light speed. Moving against the barrier at anything approaching light speed would result in such friction against the shields that the ship would be turned into a cinder. As the ship began to enter the barrier the shields began to heat up. Kal-El began to receive reports from his Science Officer and they progressed.

“Outside temperature at 50% of shield capacity.”

Kal-El said nothing. He remained seated in the commander’s chair, showing no emotion or concern.

“Outside temperature at 75% of shield capacity.”

The view on the main screen was changing. The stars had disappeared. Streaks of light began to crisscross to form colors that Kryptonians had never before seen. The internal lights of the ship began to blink on and off.

“Outside temperature at 100% of shield capacity.”

Kal-El spoke.

“Ten-Vik, what else do the sensors tell us?”

“Captain, the sensors tell us that nothing is there.”

“Explain.”

“Captain, the only answer I can give is that our science has not yet advanced to the degree to understand what the barrier is made of. Intuitively, we know that it is there but we can’t detect it through our science. I imagine if we could detect it, we could find out what it is made of and if we could find out what it is made of than we could find a way to easily get through it.”

Kal-El nodded his head.

“Such are the wonders of the universe.”

“Outside temperatures at 125% of shield capacity. It’s getting hot out there, Captain.”

Sparks began to fly out from the instrumentation. Crewmen began to shield their eyes with their hands so as not to be blinded. To the individual the walls of the ship began to fade in and out. One moment you would be on the Bridge with the other crewman. The next moment you would be completely alone within the blinding light of the barrier.

“Outside temperatures at 150% of shield capacity. We can’t take much more of this.”

The Chief Engineering officer, Po-Sin, shouted.

“Captain! Engines are overheating. I don’t know if I’ll have enough power to put us in reverse and pull us out of here!”

“We’re not pulling out, Sin! We’re going forward!”

The navigator, a young Ensign just out of the Academy, was panicking. His inexperience made it impossible for him to handle the continual flux of one moment existing and the next moment not existing. Kal-El, rose from his seat walked towards him and placed a hand on his shoulder. He spoke softly so that only the Ensign could hear him.

“I need you to stay focused, son.”

The Ensign calmed down and felt himself strengthened by Kal-El’s reassuring hand.

“Outside temperature at 175% of capacity. Sections of the hull are losing integrity. We’re burning up!”

“Captain, the engines are ready to explode. We’ve got to get out of here!”

Kal-El moved away from the helmsmen and back to his chair where he remained standing. The crew on the Bridge were steadfast at their posts but he could see the fear in their eyes. They began to disappear and reappear as did the Bridge and the ship itself. Kal-El found himself alone among the stars.

Then she appeared.

At first the image was distant and hazy but gradually she began to take shape. First, exquisite hair was flowing out from behind her. Her large eyes filled Kal-El with wonder. Her full lips formed as if to speak He swallowed hard and called out.

“Lana!”

She reached out her hand. Kal-El extended his. His mind was filled with only wanting to touch her. Their fingertips were almost touching.

And then he heard the screaming.

He was back on the Bridge. The crew was losing control. Sparks and flames were erupting on the instrumentation panels and throughout the Bridge. He walked forward to the helm and saw the control that steered the ship. The helmsman was lying on the floor unconscious.

“I said we’re going forward!”

He pushed the control and the ship jumped forward. The crew was thrown out of their seats. All the lights went out.

And then the lights came on.

The crew on the Bridge looked up to see Kal-El standing erect by his command chair. Then they turned to look at the view screen in front of them.

The stars had returned.

The crew quickly helped each other up to their feet and return to their posts. They began taking their readings. Then they began to report to the Captain.

“Engines are cooling down, Sir.”

“Outside temperature at 100% of shield capacity. 90% 50% 10%. Temperature has returned to normal.”

Kal-El returned to his chair and activated the intercom.

“Damage Control, report to the Bridge.”

“No structural damage, Sir. We’ve got some blown circuits that need repair but for the most part we’re whole.”

“Engineering, report to the Bridge.”

“We need to do some repairs, Captain, but nothing critical. We just need to cool down for awhile.”

“Sick Bay, report to the Bridge.”

“Mostly bruises, lacerations and some fractures, Captain. Nothing life threatening.”

The First Officer, Sun-Ben, approached Kal-El.

“You made it, Captain.”

“We made it, Sun-Ben. Hold our position here. Initiate repairs. Whoever gets done first and done correctly gets their mail first. That should be incentive enough to get the job done in a timely fashion. Have the navigator set a course for the Green Planet. I’ll be in my quarters.

Hearing what my father has to say.”


**********

[maitriniazngurl]

I can't wait for them to meet... I live the conversation b/t chloe, lois, and lana.

[kentfamily]

More pleeeeaaazzzzee...

[oldmankent]

Chapter Four

Lana was cold. She wrapped her arms around herself to try to control the shivering. She looked at herself. She didn’t understand why she wasn’t dressed for the cold. Instead she was wearing a red silk nightgown. No coat. Not even a robe. Nothing on her feet. She felt goose bumps running up and down every inch of her skin. She could see her breath coming out of her mouth. The wind was cutting through her. She was about to drop to her knees.

She was standing in a place she had never been before. Huge crystalline pillars came out of the ground and crisscrossed overhead. She looked upwards and saw the bright sun reflecting off the hard edged crystals. “Where am I?” It was frightening, intimidating and beautiful all at the same time. The wind stopped.

He was standing before her.

He was magnificent. Dark, bushy hair blowing in the wind. His shoulders were wide. Lana could only imagine what his massive chest looked underneath his….”costume? What is he wearing?” His outfit was sky blue. The red cape was draped over his shoulders. He moved towards her and when he was directly in front of her Lana had to stretch her neck to look at his face because he was so tall.

He was so large, so imposing. Yet Lana felt no fear. She looked into his eyes. His gaze penetrated through her. He reached out his hand.

She placed her hand in his.

She was no longer cold. She moved closer to him and he reached around her and easily picked her up and held her in his arms. She moved into him as if it were the most natural thing in the world for her to do. She placed her ear on his chest. His heart rhythmically beat. Her eyes moved below.

They were off the ground and rising in the air.

A smile appeared on Lana’s face. She felt as if she were right were she belonged. She looked back up into his eyes and cupped his face with her hand. She spoke.

“I’ve waited so long for you.”

His lips were moving. He was speaking. His voice was so strong yet so gentle.

“I’ve traveled so far for you.”

Lana pulled his head down to hers. His lips were upon her. His lips were full and warm. He drew her into him and Lana willingly surrendered. She felt heat rising within her. She felt a hunger deep inside that only he could feed. She gave him her neck. She tingled as he slowly caressed her skin with soft kisses. His breath was upon her ear. Lana’s heart beat rapidly.

They were now standing in the air. His hands were so large that they encircled her narrow waist. They were face to face. Lana placed her hands at the back of his head and intertwined her fingers with his thick hair. She opened her mouth slightly. She spoke again. It was almost a whisper.

“I love you.”

He whispered back.

“And I’ve always loved you.”

His mouth was slightly opened. Once again he moved his head down and their lips collided. Lana felt sensations she had never felt before cascading throughout her body. She moaned with desire. She wanted him so much. She wanted him now.

“Lana, wake up! Lana, wake up!”

Lana bolted upright in her bed. She looked around her. She was in her room. She was wearing a red nightgown. Chloe was sitting on one side of her bed and Lois was sitting on the other side of her bed. She looked at her alarm clock. It was 4am.

“What? What is it?”

Chloe was the first to answer.

“We could hear your moaning all the way in our rooms. At first, we thought you were with someone. But bringing someone back to the apartment while we were here is not the Lana Lang that we know.”

Lois continued.

“We came into your room and you were making love to your pillow.”

Lana was stunned by what she was hearing.

“I was what?”

Chloe again tried to be the voice of reason.

“You were pretty hot and heavy with your pillow.”

Lana placed her head in her hands while Lois continued the interrogation.

“So was it him again?”

Lana lifted up her head.

“Who?”

“Him. The guy with the cape in your dream.”

Lana silently nodded her head.

“So you were having sex with the guy in your dream?”

Lana raised her voice.

“I wasn’t having sex, Lois!”

“Well, what was all that moaning?”

Chloe interjected.

“Was it the same dream?”

Lana shook her head.

“No. It was different. I was standing in some kind of ice palace.”

“So you were having sex in an ice palace?”

“No Lois! I wasn’t having sex in an ice palace!”

“But you were having sex with this guy?”

“No. I wasn’t having sex with this guy!”

“You were having sex with another guy?”

“Lois, I wasn’t having sex at all!”

“Well, listen honey. Either you were having sex with someone or you were eating some pretty good chocolate because I haven’t heard moans like that since….since…I don’t think I’ve ever heard moans like that.”

“God! Lois! Is sex all you ever think about?”

Lois was silent for a moment and then answered as if Lana were asking a stupid question.

“Well, yeah.”

Chloe tried to be supportive.

“Was it the same guy?”

Lana nodded.

“And you don’t know who it is?”

Lana shook her head.

“You’ve never seen him before? Movies? Television? In your magazine?”

Lana was getting upset as she continued shaking her head. Lois eased up and placed her arm around Lana. Chloe held her hand.

“Believe me, Chloe. A guy like this I think I’d remember.”

“Are you going to be alright?”

“How can she not be alright? Did you hear those moans?”

“Lois, you’re not being helpful.”

Lana reassured both women that she would be alright and both women left the room. She was about to turn off her light when she felt something that wasn’t there when she first went to bed. She placed her hand between her legs. She was wet. “Damn! I was having sex.”

Once again Lana placed her head in her hands.

“God, why is this happening to me?”

She heard Lois’ shrill voice outside of her room.

“Lana’s obsession about having sex with strangers has made me horny. It’s too late to call Oliver. Where’s my vibrator?”


**********

[kentfamily]

So far so good.

[oldmankent]

Chapter Five

“My son…”

Kal-El was surprised by his father’s somewhat affectionate tone.

After breaking through the galactic barrier Kal-El left the bridge and went to his quarters.

The Captain’s quarters was larger than the rest of the crew’s but still small by civilian standards. Even though the spacecraft was enormously large, spanning the length of a football field, space was still at a premium. Kal-El’s room had a bed that was adequate to fit his large frame, a desk with an accompanying chair, a small table and two chairs for visitors and a remote console in case the Captain needed to command the ship from his quarters.

Kal-El sat at the console and activated the main viewing screen.

“Computer, this is the Captain. You have a communiqué for me?”

The computer answered in a monotone voice

“Communiqué is labeled with secured access. Voice recognition and DNA scan are required.”

Kal-El was surprised at the response. “Why would my father place a security restriction on this?” He could not think of an answer to his own question. He initiated the procedure.

“Computer, this Kal-El, Captain of the Kryptonian Galactic Cruiser, Lana. Serial Number …..”

Kal-El began to recite the names of Kryptonian symbols. The computer paused for a moment and then continued.

“Voice recognition complete. Proceed to DNA scan.”

An outline the size of a hand formed on the viewer. Kal-El placed his right hand on it and the viewer lit up. Kal-El could feel a tingling sensation as a beam of light crossed over his palm. Again, there was a pause and then the computer continued.

“DNA scan complete. You may access the communiqué.”

Jor-El appeared on the screen. Kal-El was surprised by his appearance. His father had visibly aged from the last time Kal-El had seen him.

“My son, it has been too long since I have spoken such words to your face. I deeply regret that you and I have been apart for so long. I regret even more that I am now speaking to you under such dire circumstances.”

“Computer, pause.”

The image stopped. Kal-El rubbed his still unshaven chin with his hand. “Dire circumstances?”

“Continue.”

“Kal-El, what I’m about to tell you consists of three items.”

A smile came to Kal-El’s face. “That’s my father. Always organized. I wonder what his love letters were like to my mother. ‘Dear Lara, I love you for three reasons. Number One..” He ended his moment of amusing thought and turned his attention back to the communiqué.

“First, I must tell you how proud I am of you. I know that we have had our problems and the fault is mine. Someday, when you become a father you may understand that it is sometimes difficult for a father to understand why his son would not want to follow in his father’s footsteps. We Kryptonians take pride in putting aside out personal feelings and seizing our destiny. But frequently that destiny is decided by others. I followed in my father’s footsteps as he followed in his father’s. You decided your own path. The very fact that you are able to think independently is proof that are indeed special. I should have recognized this. Forgive me. An old man’s pride can be blinding.

To my second point.”

“Computer, pause.”

Tears were forming in Kal-El’s eyes. For years he had yearned to hear such words from Jor-El. But he was hearing them now from a two dimensional image. At this moment he and his father should be embracing. He breathed deeply and re-focused his attention.

“Continue.”

“Eons ago beings with far greater intelligence than we could ever hope to achieve visited Krypton and thousands of other worlds throughout the universe. Their name has been forgotten and their race has since faded into eternity. But their mark remains.

They had the ability to see into the future and by doing so they were able to foresee which worlds would be essential in the continued enlightenment of the universe. They were also able to foresee critical events in the history of these worlds. Events that would shape the course of a world and its people. In order to assist these worlds in achieving their ultimate destiny they chose certain beings indigenous to each world and genetically marked them so that from their bloodline would come forth the leaders necessary for the critical event.

Long ago the family of El was marked in such a fashion.

I did not know this until my father told me while he was on his deathbed as his father told him.

Fear not, my son. I am in good health. But I must tell you at this time that you carry this marker.

I had always thought that that the leader our family would produce would be at a critical time for our home world.

But I was wrong.

As our archeologists unearthed on other worlds the prophecies that point to the Green Planet I realized that they had misinterpreted their findings. Our archeologists have said that on this Green Planet we will find a being of enormous power and of enormous wisdom.

They are wrong.

The true prophecy is that this world will be given a being of enormous power and enormous wisdom.

I began to have my suspicions when you were chosen to lead the expedition. My suspicions were confirmed when you named your ship. You chose a name that has no meaning on our planet. Yet it must have meaning to you. No one in your position would give their ship a name that is gibberish in our language. Something must have caused you to do this. It was then that I knew that you are the gift to this Green Planet.

I had always thought that this awakening would be for Krypton but it may be that Krypton is not as important as we Kryptonians think it is. Stars are born and are destroyed every second somewhere in the universe. It may be that it is Krypton’s turn to pass into eternity.

Know this, my son. Krypton may pass away but the bloodline of El will not. Just as something has happened to you to awaken you it may be that on this Green Planet the same thing is happening to one of its people. Someone who was chosen long ago in the same way we were chosen.

How this is to happen? I do not know. I only know that I believe.

Finally,

For a long time the ruling counsel has kept our people in ignorance about the unrest in the outer provinces of our world. We suppressed news of uprisings thinking that these problems could be solved in silence. Now this unrest has turned into a full scale civil war and the rebellion is led by General Zod. It had turned father against son. Mother against daughter. Husband against wife. Brother against sister. Our entire planet is at war. Whole populations have been wiped out in the blink of an eye.

It may be that the end of our civilization is near.

Hearing these words may cause you to think that your place is here on Krypton. My son, do not come back!

Your destiny no longer lies with our world.

But heed this warning. Just as I am telling you of the war that has spilt our world in two, your crew must be hearing the same news from their own families.

And you have no idea which members of your crew are disciples of Zod.

Just as his disciples appeared where we never expected the same may be true on your ship.

Trust no one!

My son, I do not know what the future will bring or whether or not this will be the last time you and I communicate but know this. I have never loved anyone but your mother and you are the fruit of our union. A son we have always been proud of. A son we have always loved.

I regret that I will not see how it is that you are to become the gift to this Green Planet but know that my love and your mother’s love with remain with you all the days of your life.”

Jor-El’s image disappeared. Only two words remained on the viewer.


COMMUNICATION ENDED



**********

[Clana227]

Hey great update can't wait for what is next!!!!!!

PPMS

[oldmankent]

Chapter Six

Kal-El was unaware of how much time had passed after the end of his father’s message. He suddenly caught himself and realized that he had been staring at the now blank view screen. He felt numb at the news. The news about the prophecy and his part in it hadn’t even fazed him. Right now all he could think of was home. He knew if he let it, grief would overwhelm him but the years of self discipline and training and the responsibility that was placed on his shoulders took hold of him. “I am the Captain. I’ll have to save my grieving for later”. The crew would be expecting decisiveness on his part now. There was no room for wavering or weakness.

“Think! Think!” , he prompted himself as he continued to stare at the view screen.

“Computer,”

The view screen lit up, awaiting the Captain’s command.

“Computer, how long after we entered stasis was the first message from Krypton received?”

“72 hours 11 minutes 13 seconds.”

Kal-El though for a moment. “So we received our first communiqué from home three days after we went to sleep.”

“Computer, who received the first message?”

“Kal-El, Captain, Krytonian Galactic Cruiser, Lana.”

Kal-El smiled at the answer. “Jor-El was always ahead of the curve.” It pleased Kal-El to think that his father wasted no time in warning him.

“Computer, how long after we entered stasis was the last message from Krypton received?”

“121 hours 53 minutes 7 seconds.”

“Are you telling me that the last communiqué this ship received from Krypton was five days after we went into stasis and nothing else has been received in the three years following that?”

“Affirmative.”

Kal-El pondered over what he had just heard. Every message that the Lana received was between three and five days after the crew went into suspended animation and nothing was received in the three years after that. “Not even a routine check-in.” Clark spoke to himself.

“Why wouldn’t Sun-Ben tell me that?”

“Insufficient data.”

“No computer. I wasn’t asking you that. I was asking myself. My first officer had seen the message log. Why wouldn’t he tell me that we haven’t received a message in three years?”

Could Sun-Ben be a disciple of Zod?

“Computer, how many crewmen received messages during the three to five day period after stasis?”

“399”

There were 400 crewmen on the craft. All of their families must have gone into a panic over what was happening on Krypton. It was natural that they would try to contact their loved ones on board the Lana. Natural for everyone except one.

“Computer, who did not receive a communiqué?”

“Po-Sin, Chief Engineering Officer, Krytoinian Galactic Cruiser, Lana.”

Why would everyone on board received a message except Po-Sin? Was his family too late in their attempt? “Or did he already know that something was going to happen?”

Is the reason that no further communiqués were received from home because there was no longer a home to send them?

Kal-El realized that there were too many questions and not enough answers. What he had just gone through, what he was thinking about home, every member of the Lana was now thinking. The crew would want answers. They would want him to lead.

He took a shower and washed off three years of staleness. He shaved his beard and cut and groomed his own hair. He put on a fresh, crisp uniform. “It’s time to face the crew.”

He opened the door to his quarters to exit and before him dozens of people were waiting outside his door. All eyes were filled with uncertainty, with worry, with fear. All eyes were on him.

“Has one of me senior officers suspended your duties?”

No one answered because no one understood the question.

“Has anyone told you to stop working?”

The crowd outside his door realized that they still had their duties. Gradually the crowd dissipated. Kal-El walked to the elevator and took it to the Bridge. On the Bridge, he was met with the same reception as he was outside his quarters. Both the junior and the senior officers were on their feet waiting for him. Sun-Ben approached.

“Captain, I have to report to you an incident of dereliction of duty.”

Kal-El took Sun-Ben by the side.

“Who has been derelict in their duty?”

“I was, Sir. I should have alerted you to the fact that this ship has not received a communiqué in three years. I have no excuse except to say that going through the galactic barrier temporarily diverted my attention. I will accept without complaint whatever punishment you deem fit, Sir.”

Kal-El looked Sun-Ben in the eyes. He was either a very smooth operator or he was being truthful.

“Now is not the time for punishment, Sun-Ben. We have more important things to think of.”

Sun-Ben gave a slight bow in affirmation. Kal-El sat down in his command chair. The young Ensign who had momentarily panicked during the barrier crossing spoke up.

“Captain, I’ve laid in a course back to Krypton.”

“Who told you to do that, Ensign?”

“No one, Sir. I assumed that we…”

He stopped when he received an icy stare from the Captain. He thought for a moment and then his inexperience caused him to continue.

“Well, we all talked about what was happening, Sir, and we took a vote…”

Kal-El cut him off.

“You took a vote?”

The Ensign nodded his head.

“Well, I’ll remember that, Ensign….when this command becomes a democracy.”

The Ensign, rightfully admonished, turned back to his station. The remainder of the Bridge crew went back to their stations. Kal-El opened up the intercom to speak to the entire ship.

“This is the Captain.

By now you have probably viewed your first communiqués from Krypton and have received word of a civil war that has started in our home world. You, like me are understandably anxious for more news from our families and loved ones. No news is not good news.


I have not received any orders that would countermand our original mission.

Whatever your political leanings are, there is no room for politics aboard this ship. This ship has been commission by the High Council of the Government of Krypton and you and I all have sworn allegiance to the people of Krypton.. Therefore, nothing regarding our mission has changed. Our primary objective is to reach, explore and if feasible make contact with the inhabitants of the Green Planet. I expect each and every crewman to remember this and to carry out your duty.

Kal-El out.”

There was silence on the Bridge. The first officer approached Kal-El.

“We await you orders, Captain.”

Kal-El nodded his head. He looked over the Bridge and saw that Po-Sin had his head lowered. It was obvious that he was in distress and was having difficulty maintaining his composure. Kal-El spoke quietly to Sun-Ben.

“What’s wrong with Po-Sin?”

“Everyone received word from home except Po-Sin. He has a wife and three children and he has heard nothing from them.”

Kal-El thought of his original suspicions. “This isn’t going to be easy.” He left his seat and walked to his Engineering Officer and placed his hand on his shoulder.

“Po-Sin, if you need to leave the Bridge it’s okay.”

“Captain, where would I go?”

Kal-El nodded his head and went back to his command chair.

“Navigator, lay in a course for the star system of the Green Planet.”

“Course laid in, Sir.”

“Number One, estimated time of arrival to the system?”

“Five days, 14 hours. 16 minutes, 59 seconds.”

“Engineering Officer, sttaus on our engines.”

“Engines at 100% efficiency and hyperdrive is operational, Captain.”

“Open up the worm hole.”

Multi-colored beams of energy issued out of the front of the spacecraft and intersected at a point thousands of miles away. At the point of intersection the fabric of time and space became distorted and a wormhole opened up – an artificially made corridor – an express lane through the galaxy.

“The corridor is open, Captain.”

“Helmsman, engage!”

The Lana moved forward and entered the wormhole. Upon contact it was immediately sucked into it and the hole closed up behind it and disappeared.


**********


Chapter Seven

Chloe Sullivan opened her eyes and looked at her alarm clock.

“6:30. sh*t! Another sleepless night.”

She rose from her bed, put on her robe and slippers. Took a deep yawn and walked out of her bedroom. As she entered the living area of the apartment she was surprised that the lights were on. She walked into the kitchen. Seated at the table was Lois. She was also clothed in a robe and slippers. A cup of black coffee was in front of her.

“Lois, why are you up so early?”

“I didn’t sleep that well. I thought I’d get up and get a head start on Friday. Maybe we could start an early weekend at O’Spinelli’s tonight.”

“I could go for that. Maybe I could drink enough so that I could pass out. That’s one way of getting a full eight hours of sleep.”

“So you heard the greatest show on Earth in Lana’s room last night too?”

“Oh God! She’s getting worse, Lois.”

“Hey! I don’t know what Mister Dreamboy has but if Lana could bottle it she would be a very wealthy woman.”

“I can’t believe she’s been having these dreams for three years. What happened three years ago that would trigger unrelenting, overwhelmingly passionate sexual dreams for our virtuous Ms. Lang?”

“Let me think. Bush was reelected.”

“I don’t think that would do it, Lois.”

“Okay. The Red Sox won the World Series.”

“Try again.”

“Brad Pitt broke up with Jennifer Aniston and moved in with Angelina Jolie.”

“That’s got to be it.”

Both women gave a small laugh but then grew serious.

“Seriously, Lois. How are we going to help Lana?”

“Well, I don’t want you to laugh at me but I think we should take her to see Madam LaRue.”

Chloe, who was taking a sip of hot coffee, spit it out.

“Madame LaRue! That phoney psychic fortune teller. The one on 8th avenue who’s real name is Hazel Quackenbush. Oh Lois, are you out of your mind?”

“Hey, she told me my fortune.”

“What did she say?”

“She said I’d be a movie star.”

“Lois, filming yourself while giving Oliver oral sex does not make you a movie star.”

Lois was silent as she thought about what Chloe had just said.

“How did you know that Oliver and I film ourselves?”

Chloe just shook her head.

“How do you know that this Madame LaRue would be able to help Lana?”

“I don’t. But maybe something is going on with Lana's pysche or Karma or some bullsh*t like that. But short of getting her admitted to the psyche ward what else can we do?”

Lana’s door opened and she walked into the living area. She was also clothed in a robe and slippers. To Chloe and Lois, Lana appeared to be having difficulty walking. She staggered into the kitchen. She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat at the kitchen table with her two friends. She looked at their faces and recognized the lack of sleep in their eyes.

“Was it very bad last night?”

Lois answered.

“Does a bear sh*t in the woods? Is the Pope Catholic? Does Britney Spears lip sync?”

Lana was disturbed at the news.

“I’m really sorry. The dreams are becoming more vivid. In fact, it’s as if they aren’t dreams anymore.”

Chloe and Lois looked at each other. Lana could see the worry in their eyes.

“There’s something else.”

“What?”

“I think I’m falling in love with him.”

Chloe responded.

“You’re falling in love with a figment of your imagination?”

Lana lowered her head so that her friends wouldn’t see her eyes and nodded her head. Chloe responded again.

“Lana, what are you doing for lunch today?”


**********

Kal-El had never felt closer to anyone in his life. The fragrance of her hair enchanted him. He let its silky smoothness run through his fingers. When they kissed he felt a fire deep inside. They explored every part of each other’s body and shuddered with each new discovery. Her lips were soft and moist. Her breath against his flesh caused minute explosions underneath his skin.

“I don’t even know who you are and yet I love you. I’ve always loved you.”

“Don’t leave me. Don’t ever leave me.”

“My Lana, my love.”

“I'll be waiting for you.”

She moved rhythmically with him. They joined and exploded together. He could think of nothing but her.

She completed him.

She possessed him body and soul.

He heard the beeping sound. It was low but steady. Kal-El opened his eyes. He rose from his bed and moved to the console. The Bridge was summoning him.

“Kal-El, here.”

“Captain, we’ve reached the system of the Green Planet.”


**********

Feedback is greatly appreciated.

[kentfamily]

Love your writing style. Cant wait till Kal El meets Lana.
Please update soon.

[oldmankent]

Chapter Eight

The Lana had now come out of hyperdrive and the artificial wormhole had been created. The ship was now at the outer edge of the solar system with the yellow sun at its center. Kal-El left his quarters at the news of the arrival and went director to the Bridge.

“Ten-Vik, what do the long range sensors tell us?”

“This system consists of the yellow sun at the center with 8 planets and 166 accompanying moons and 3 dwarf planets and 4 moons. Of the 8 planets, the 4 closest to the star are terrestrial while the 4 most distant are gas giants. There are also two distinct asteroid belts.

The Green Planet is the third closest to the yellow star.

Right now we are in the proximity of the most distant orbiting body – one of the dwarf planets.”

Kal-El nodded his head in understanding.

“Navigator, plot a course to the third planet. Helmsman, take us in at point five hyper speed. Let’s take it slow. I don’t want any surprises. What’s our estimated time of arrival?”

“Six hours, Captain.”

“Proceed.”

The spacecraft traveled past Neptune and Uranus. It then slowed down and stopped to observe Saturn. The entire Bridge was fascinated at the sight of the rings surrounding the planet. They then moved on to Jupiter and were astonished by its size and the volcanic activity on its surrounding moons.

The craft then moved to the inner four planets. They briefly looked at Mars and then arrived at the Green Planet. They moved slowly and came out from behind the moon. Ten-Vik, Science Officer, spoke.

“Captain, mid range sensors indicate primitive radio waves emanating from the planet. Probably used for warning purposes. Sensors also indicate that the planet is surrounded with hundreds of non-natural satellites. Most likely used for communications purposes but may be able to transmit images from outer space back to the planet.”

“Ten-Vik, do you realize what you’ve just said?”

“Yes, Captain. I believe I’ve just told you that there is intelligent life on the Green Planet.”

Kal-El smiled at the response. Even though the fate of their home world must be weighing heavily on everyone’s mind, they were still doing their job and doing it with a touch of humor. Kal-El addressed his First Officer.

“Number One, we can’t afford to let them discover us. Disrupt their radio waves, communications and image processing so that they don’t see us when we are in the proximity of their satellites. Make it appear as sunspot activity.”

“Yes, Captain.”

Kal-El then addressed all his officers on the Bridge.

“I want a status report in two hours. I want to know everything there is to know about this planet. We’ll meet in my briefing room.”

Kal-El left his seat and made towards the exit. Sun-Ben intercepted him.

“Captain, I have some preliminary findings that you may find interesting.”

“Tell me at the meeting, Sun-Ben.”

Kal-El didn’t wait for a response. He entered the elevator and waited to be taken to his quarters. He had only one thing on his mind at this moment.

He wanted to take a nap.


**********

Just before noon Lois and Chloe took the subway across town to Lana’s office building. They took the elevator up to her floor where they were met by a secretary and directed to Lana’s office. The door was open and they didn’t bother to knock when they entered. As they entered they saw a sight that they did not expect. Lana had her head down on her arms on the desk with her eyes closed. Chloe shook Lana’s shoulder and Lana immediately raised her head.

“Lana, what are you doing?”

“I was trying to take a nap.”

Lois added.

“Why? Do you want your entire office to be part of Lana’s Orgasmic Hit Parade?”

“It’s not that.”

“Well, what is it?”

Lana looked at her two friends in all seriousness.

“I just want to be with him.”

Chloe and Lois looked at each other. Both were saddened by Lana’s response but in a way both felt a slight pang of envy. Although each was seriously involved with someone, the thought of putting one’s life aside for a very special person was something they had not experienced.

Lana grabbed her coat and the three women left the building and again traveled across town on the subway until they reach 8th Avenue. 8th Avenue in Metropolis was famous for its renovation and re-creation. At one time it had been a venue for strip clubs and adult parlors. Now it had been turned into an upscale area of designer shops, coffee houses, quaint restaurants, and book stores. Right in the middle of this resurrected community was a remnant of the previous eyesores. A large neon sign,


FORTUNES TOLD

Upon entering the premises the first thing Lana noticed was that it smelled as if the windows had not been opened for decades, which was true. The place was dark, musty and dusty. As they opened the door a bell rang. The three women could see a room ahead of them. A middle aged woman was seated at table. She was having her hand held by someone seated across from her who they could not see. But they heard a voice speaking that sounded like someone who was born and raised in Brooklyn trying to sound like a gypsy.

“Your late husband wants you to be happy and the answer to your question is no. He has not been reincarnated into a canary.”

The woman wiped tears away from her eyes with a tissue and smiled at receiving news that she obviously wanted to hear. She opened her purse and pulled out two crisp $100 bills and handed them over. She rose from her seat and then left the establishment.

A heavily made up woman came out of the room to greet the three women. She was heavy set and wore an outfit that resembled a frock. Her hair was dyed reddish-orange and would have probably been completely gray had she not died it. Her face was white from pancake makeup and her lips were painted bright red. She immediately recognized Lois. She extended her arms and gave Lois a big bear-like hug that Lois reluctantly complied with. After the hug ended Lois brushed off the leftover makeup residue that was left on her business suit. The woman spoke in a thick accent

“So good to see you. Ms. Lane. I see that you are making a name for yourself at the Daily Planet. Just as I predicted.”

“I don’t remember you saying that to me.”

“I must have said it to someone else. Yes. I said. The name of Lois Lane will be read wide and far.”

She then looked at Chloe.

“Oh! I knew right away that it was you who is being haunted by dreams while you sleep. Come the spirits await us. I am Madam LaRue.”

Lois answered before Chloe could.

“Actually, it’s our friend here, Ms. Lang. She’s the one who is having a problem at night.”

LaRue looked Lana up and down. She put her arm around Lana and guided her into the room. The four women sat at a round table.

“What is it you wish to know, my child.”

Lois answered for Lana.

“She wants to know why she is visited by the same man every night in her dreams.”

“Are these dreams frightening you, my child?”

“They did at first. But now I look forward to them. Quite frankly, I was thinking of going home early today to take a nap.”

“What are these dreams about?”

The three women were silent. LaRue looked at each one of them for an answer. Finally, Chloe spoke up.

“Well, the dreams are sort of sexual in nature.”

“And this is a problem?”

Lois answered.

“It’s getting to be a problem for my cousin and me. The noise is keeping us awake at night.”

“Noise?”

Lana shyly answered.

“The person who comes to me in my dreams is very…passionate.”

“How passionate?”

Lois answered.

“We’re talking shouting from the mountaintop passionate.”

LaRue thought about this for a moment.

“Perhaps, you are being visited by an incubus.”

“No. I don’t think he’s an incubus.”

Chloe again was the voice of reason.

“Lana says that she falling in love with him.”

Lana quickly added.

“And he loves me!”

Both Chloe and Lois expressed surprise at this remark. LaRue followed up.

“Has he told you that he loves you?”

Lana nodded yes. Lois added.

“I guess that rules out the incubus.”

LaRue stood up from the table and dimmed the lights. Then she sat back down and took hold of Lana’s hand. She closed her eyes and started a low moan.

“I see darkness. A shape is taking form. It is a man. He is tall. He is dark. He is handsome.”

Chloe shouted out.

“Give me a f**king break! This is what we’re paying two hundred dollars for!”

LaRue was getting angry and was about to chase the women out when Lana gripped her hand.

“Please, Madam LaRue. Tell me what my vision is about. I’ll believe you.”

LaRue saw the sincerity in Lana’s eyes. She closed her eyes again and concentrated. This time there weren’t any phony moans. Both LaRue and Lana began to breathe in unison. LaRue suddenly bolted in her chair as if she had received an electrical shock but she held on to Lana’s hand and seemed to go into a trance.

“He is close. He is very close.”

The room seemed to grow darker by itself. This was not what Chloe and Lois expected and they became very attentive.

“Your destiny and his destiny has been decided long ago. His destiny and this world's destiny have been decided long ago.”

Lana spoke.

“Where can I find him?”

“Look up into the sky.”

LaRue’s eyes opened. She shook her head as if she had been asleep.

“Did I tell you anything?”

“You don’t remember?”

LaRue shook her head. Both Lois and Chloe each gave LaRue a hundred dollar bill. Not wanting to get residue on her outfit, Lana just shook her hand. The three women exited the place and began to walk towards the subway. Lois finally broke the silence.

“Look up into the sky. What a crock of sh*t!”


**********

[kentfamily]

Its getting closer! Their encounter is very close!

Please update.

[oldmankent]

Chapter Nine

Kal-El was not able to take his nap. As he arrived back at his quarters the ship’s Chief Medical Officer was standing outside his door waiting for him.

“Captain, I need to speak to you.”

Kal-El was anxious to get to his bed.

“It can’t wait until the briefing?”

“I’m afraid not, Captain. What I have to speak of involves the entire crew.”

Kal-El nodded his head. He was the Captain. The crew and the ship came first. They entered his cabin. He invited the Chief Medical Officer to sit down. He poured two glasses of Surellian Tea and sat down with the doctor.

“What’s going on, Doctor?”

“Captain, have you noticed any change in your uniform? I mean, how does it fit?”

Kal-El stood up and examined his navy blue jump suit. It fit snuggly on his broad shoulders and large chest and tapered down to his narrow waist.

“It fits perfectly.”

“It shouldn’t.”

Kal-El sat back down.

“I don’t understand.”

“Captain, when you spend three years in stasis you can expect to lose a certain amount of body weight and muscle mass. Typically for such a long period the average Kryptonian will lose about 10 – 15% of their body weight and about 5% of their muscle mass. It is standard Fleet policy to carefully monitor the diets and calorie intake of anyone coming out of stasis. We don’t want them binge eating and gaining a lot of useless weight. Your uniform should feel loose on you.”

Kal-El felt his large arms filling the sleeves. He remembered that the uniform was loose on him when he exited the stasis unit but that was only five days ago.

“When did this start?”

“About six hours ago when we entered this star system.”

Kal-El was stunned.

“You mean to tell me that everyone on board gained back all of the weight they lost in six hours?”

“There’s more, Captain.”

“When we crossed the galactic barrier several members of the crew were injured. A few had fractured limbs.”

“I know that. How are they making out?”

“They’re perfect.”

Kal-El remained silent. The doctor recognized that the Captain did not understand.

“They not only healed. It’s as if they were never injured in the first place.”

“How is that possible?”

“I have no idea. In addition, we have several members of the crew who have been identified through DNA testing to have congenital heart defects. These people are perfectly healthy now but at some point later in their lives they will develop heart disease. By identifying these people early in their lives we can begin treatment before the symptoms develop and the disease progresses.”

Kal-El nodded his head.

“I remember. We were all tested as children.”

“Captain, these people no longer have the congenital anomaly. It’s as if their DNA had been changed.”

Kal-El left his seat and stood up. He thought about what the Doctor was saying.

“So what I’m hearing is that when we entered this star system we started changing.”

The Doctor stood up with him.

“Yes. We’re changing for the better but we’re still changing. I have the lab working on it but we still don’t have any answers.”

“Doctor, I understand now why you wanted to speak to me alone. Let’s keep this quiet. I don’t want the crew to become alarmed thinking that we’re being infected with something, even if it’s something to our benefit, until we understand what it is.”

“Of course, Captain. I’m in total agreement.”

Kal-El was about to see the Doctor to the door when they heard screaming outside the cabin. Both men ran out of the cabin into the corridor. There they found a crewman screaming and holding his eyes as if he had been blinded. Another crewman tried to help him by grabbing hold of him. The blinded crewman reacted in a panic and pushed away the helper. The crewman who tried to help was thrown into the wall of the corridor. The wall bent with the impact. Both the Captain and the Doctor ran to the blinded crewman and took hold of him.

“Crewman, this is Captain Kal-El. Get a hold of yourself!”

The crewman gradually calmed down. He took his hands from his eyes. Kal-El could see nothing visibly wrong with his eyes.

“What happened?”

“I don’t know, Captain. It was terrible. All of a sudden everyone became a skeleton. It was like I could see through everyone.”

Kal-El looked at the dented metal wall. He expected the crewman who was thrown into the wall to be injured. Instead he got to his feet as if nothing had happened.

Both Kal-El and the Doctor looked at one another. Both knew that the plan to keep what was happening quiet was not going to work.


**********

After the session with Madam LaRue Chloe and Lois called the Daily Planet and told their boss that they were hot on a story and would be out of the office for the rest of the day. Lana called her boss at the magazine, told her that she was feeling ill and wouldn’t be in for the rest of the day. They three women traveled to O’Spinelli’s and got a very early start on their Friday after work tradition.

It was now mid afternoon and each woman had consumed three Cosmopolitans. The first round of drinks took the edge off. The second round loosened up their tongues. The third round resulted in the three women loosing all barriers to decorum. Lois finished half of her third drink with a single gulp and then spoke to Chloe.

“Does Jimmy tell you that he wuves, excuse me. Does Jimmy tell you that he loves you?”

“Sure he does. All the time. Especially when he’s about to come inside of me. Why? Doesn’t Oliver tell you that he loves you?”

Lois shook her head.

“No. I say to him, ‘I love you’, and he answers back, ‘me too’, but he never says ‘I love you’ to me. What does that mean ‘me too’?”

Lana answered.

“It means he loves himself too.”

The three women started giggling. The Chloe began to speak.

“Lois, how many men have you slept with?”

Lois, who was about to finish her drink, put her glass down and started counting on her fingers.

“Nine.”

Chloe followed up.

“You’ve had sex with nine men?”

“That’s not what you asked me.”

“Okay, let me re-praise, I mean rephrase the question. How many men have you had sexual intercourse with?”

Again, Lois started counting on her fingers.

“Twelve. No wait. Fourteen.”

Both Lana and Chloe looked at one another in amazement. Lois added.

“Of course, that doesn’t include other acts that are not defined as ‘sexual intercourse’. Now Chloe it’s time for you to come clean. How many men have you had sexual intercourse with?”

Chloe held up a single finger.

“So you have sex with Jimmy but you don’t sleep with him?”

Chloe shook her head.

“Either he leaves or I leave before the morning. He’s afraid that his parents are going to make a surprise visit at 3 o’clock in the morning.”

Lana was slowly sipping down her drink as she listened to Chloe and Lois. She thought she was doing quite well with her alcohol intake but it never occurred to her that because she weighed the least of the three women the alcohol was having the greatest effect on her. She looked up from her drink to see Lois and Chloe staring at her. Lois spoke.

“It’s time to fess up, Lana.”

“What?”

“How old were you when you lost your virginity?”

Lana answered without hesitation.

“Twenty seven.”

Chloe and Lois thought about Lana’s answer for a moment and then Chloe spoke.

“Wait a minute. You’re twenty seven now. We haven’t seen you with anyone.”

“I lost it a week ago.”

Again, Lois and Chloe thought about Lana’s answer. This time Lois started to energetically shake her head from side to side.

“No! No! No! No! No! No! You’re telling me that up to a week ago you never did it with anyone and when you did do it, it was with what’s his name?”

“I don’t know his name.”

Lois looked at Chloe.

“Technically speaking, is losing your virginity to a dream actually losing your virginity?”

“I don’t know. Is having sex with your vibrator actually having sex?”

“No. I mean yes. I mean I don’t know. Don’t ask me these questions. It makes my brain hurt.”

Chloe addressed Lana.

“Now wait a minute, Lana. You dated Whitney Fordman all through high school and you never…”

Lana shook her head.

“No.”

“And you dated Jason Teague all through college and you never…”

Again Lana shook her head.

“Nope.”

“And you have dates all the time and no one has..”

“Uh-uh”

Lois was looking at Lana in admiration. Lana’s face dropped.

“You know what’s a major bummer? I’ve met the man of my dreams and I can’t introduce him to any of my friends.”

Chloe and Lois nodded their heads in agreement. Then Lois spoke.

“Men suck!”

The three women lifted their glasses to toast Lois’ comment, finished their drinks and then ordered another round.


**********

Kal-El entered the briefing room. All of his officers came to attention. He sat down and everyone followed. Kal-El looked at his Frst Officer to begin the briefing.

“We’ve been orbiting the Green Planet for the past two hours. What have we learned? Life Sciences?”

“Two thirds of the planet’s surface is composed of water. Atmosphere is nitrogen/oxygen. There are approximately six billion inhabitants on the planet. Wide range of types of terrain. Mountains, forests, deserts, plains. The inhabitants are humanoid. In fact, they called themselves human beings.”

“Technology?”

“The inhabitants call their planet, Earth. They have reached of space travel that is primitive by our standards. They routinely orbit spacecraft around their planet but have not ventured beyond their home world. The inhabitants are somewhat of an anomaly, technologically speaking. They seem to have some sophisticated technology but it is not shared equally by all inhabitants of the planet.”

“Culture?”

“Unlike Krypton, this is not a homogeneous society. Although they are all humanoid they diverse in color and physical makeup. There are hundreds of separate cultural and political entities which they call countries or nations. There are hundreds of different languages and dialects.”

“Anything else of importance.”

“I’ve been monitoring their communications. The planet is extremely polarized in their cultural and political differences. They spend an enormous amount of their economic output on what they call defense. Certain areas are heavily industrialized. They are consuming their natural resources at an astounding rate without replenishment. There seems to be a great deal of emphasis on entertainment. Almost as much emphasis as we place on education. Singers, actors and athletes are spoken about with the same degree of esteem as their leaders, scientists and teachers. Sometimes even more.”

Kal-El listened attentively to everyone and then he spoke.

“That was an excellent report. Now let me ask this question. Are the inhabitants of this planet ready to make contact with beings from outside their star system?”

Ten-Vik, the Science Officer answered.

“Absolutely not. These people have problems making contact with their own kind let alone someone from another world. They are extremely suspicious and violent. The entire history of their planet has been filled with war punctuated by very brief periods of peace. They fear what they do not understand and they destroy what they fear. Are they ready to meet us? Absolutely, positively no.”

Kal-El nodded his head in agreement and then addressed his First Officer

“Ten-Vik and I will go down to the surface to make a first hand assessment. What type of cover story have you come up with?”

“We’ve decided that the best place for you to visit is one of their political entities called the United States of America. Although it is not the largest unit nor the most populated it does seem to be the center of activity down there. It’s a strange entity. It seems to be made up of descendents from all of the other political entities on the planet. You will be speaking a language called English, which you will learn in the Educational Assimilator. It’s much simpler than our own language. It’s phonetically based and uses just 26 symbols.”

Kal-El raised his eye brows at the comment. The First Officer continued.

“Captain, we ran all of the data through the computer in order to come up with acceptable names and profiles for you and Ten-Vik. This will be part of the Assimilation session.”

“So what’s my name and what do I do, Sun-Ben?”

“The computer has given you the name, Clark Kent. You’re a newspaper reporter. That’s an occupation which allows you ask any question of anyone about anything without arousing suspicion. The computer has decided that Ten-Vik’s name should be Peter Ross or Pete for short.”

“For short?”

“The humans give themselves names and then they shorten them or even change them altogether. Peter becomes Pete. Matthew becomes Matt. Richard becomes Dick.”

“Dick? How do they get Dick from Richard?”

“There are still many things we don’t understand about this planet. Ten-Vik’s occupation will be a pollster.”

Ten-Vik followed up.

“What’s a pollster?”

“It seems to be a person who asks questions. Whereas the Captain as a newspaper reporter will be able to ask about events – who, what, when, where, how? You will be able to ask how people feel about everything.”

“Feel?”

“Yes. There seems to be a great emphasis on feelings?”

Kal-El shook his head.

“No wonder they never get anything done. What else?”

“They mostly wear clothes made of processed animal skins, fabricated chemicals or processed plant life. We’re clothing both of you in what’s called ‘leather’ jackets. Captain, you will be wearing black while Ten-Vik will be wearing brown. You will be clothed in matching shirts and pants made of other materials.

You’ll be transported to one of their urban areas. A city called Metropolis. It should provide a comprehensive example of the people and their culture.”

Kal-El and Ten-Vik left the briefing room and went directly to the Assimilator Unit. There they placed themselves inside a portal. Beams of light descended onto them. In the light was displayed information about the language, the history and the culture of Earth. When they exited the unit they had a working knowledge of English and a rudimentary knowledge of the culture.

From the Assimilator Unit, Kal-El and Ten-Vik, now Clark Kent and Pete Ross went the teleportal unit. There they met the First Officer, Sun-Ben. He handed them what appeared to be cell phones and wallets. Kal-El opened the wallet and saw dozens of $100 bills.

“What’s this?”

“It’s called money. They exchange it with one another when providing goods and services. From monitoring their communications we’ve ascertained that this may be the most important object on their planet.”

“I don’t understand.”

“They spend an enormous amount of time and energy trying to accumulate as much of this as they can.”

“But it’s just paper.”

Sun-Ben raised his eyes, indicating that he was at a loss as to an explanation.

“Captain, we’ve adapted our hand weapons and communications devices to resemble what seems to be the standard human communications device. It’s called a cell phone. You should not attract attention with these instruments.”

“Good, Sun-Ben. You are in command of the ship. If you don’t hear from us in 72 hours assume the worst. Take the ship out of orbit and return to Krypton.”

“Yes, Captain. Good luck.”

The last thought that Kal-El had before his molecules were separated and transported down to Metropolis was ..

“I wish I had time for that nap.”


**********

“Get the f**k out of the way, *******!”

These were the first words that were directly spoken from a human being to Kal-El, now Clark Kent, as he tried to cross a busy street during rush hour in downtown Metropolis. The words were spoken by a taxi driver. Both Kal-El and Ten-Vik were astonished by the surroundings. The city was congested with people and automobiles. People were rushing from one place to another. No one was making eye contact.

They were in the nerve center of the city. Theatres lined the avenues. Lights were projected onto and from buildings. There were enormous video screens displaying news and advertisements. As they walked down the street they were captivated by the variety of sights. Street vendors selling watches. Policemen patrolling the sidewalk. Patrons eating in expensive restaurants. Homeless begging for money.

The two men stood at a street corner studying the automobile traffic and the effect that the traffic light had.

“What do the lights mean, Ten-Vik?”

“I think red means stop. Green means go and yellow means go very fast.”


**********

It was early evening. The sun was beginning to set. The three women staggered out of O’Spinelli’s. It was an hour before that they had lost count of the number of adult beverages they had consumed. They stopped and raised their hands to shield their eyes from the setting sun.

“I’m going to Oliver’s. Maybe if I’m lucky he’ll tell me that he loves me tonight.”

“I’m going to Jimmy’s. Maybe he’ll let me stay the night. Where are you going, Lana?”

“I’m taking the bubway, I mean subway, home. I’m going to sleep as soon as I can.”

The three women parted and Lana began to walk across the street to go to the subway station. She took little notice of the traffic.


**********

Clark and Pete had finished their study of the traffic lights. Clark’s attention was drawn to an automobile horn that was blasting from across the street. A young woman was in the middle of the street and a car was almost upon her. Clark became alarmed and obeyed an inner voice that told him to take action. He began to run towards the woman but something was different. In a split second he had crossed the avenue running between the cars, taken the woman in his arms and was now on the other side of the street with her being carried in his arms. He was astonished that even though she was petite; she weighed next to nothing in his arms. Her long hair had fallen across his hands and he instantly recognized its silky texture. He looked at her face and realized that he had never seen anything as beautiful in his life except ……….he caught himself.“No. It can’t be!”


**********

Lana thought everything was in slow motion. First she heard the horn. She turned and saw the heavy SUV closing in on her. She commanded her legs to move but they didn’t listen. A moment later she was out of the avenue. She was being held. She looked upwards and saw the clear blue sky blending with the hues of the setting sun above the buildings. “The sky is so beautiful today.” Something was moving into her line of sight. No. It wasn’t something. It was someone. A face. She looked into the expressive blue-green eyes. Her heart jumped in her chest.

“You?”


**********

[kentfamily]

Hey! Don't keep me hanging?!

Just keep it on coming.:D Update.

This getting exciting! The meeting!:eek:

[Clana227]

Hey can't wait for more.

Just getting exciting now.

[oldmankent]

Chapter Ten

Clark held Lana in his arms. His breath became short and he trembled when he realized that she was actually flesh and blood.

Lana’s head was woozy as she felt the strength of Clark’s arms holding onto her. She placed her hand up to his face.

“Are you real?”

Clark didn’t know what to say. He merely nodded his head. This was not a dream. This was real. He was awake. He was conscious. This was really happening.

Lana pulled Clark’s face down hers and pressed her lips to his. The moistness of Lana’s lips was beyond anything that Clark had experienced in his visions and he began to lose himself in the sensation. He would have continued except that Lana’s hand fell from his face and hung by her side. Clark lifted his head from hers.

She had passed out and her head fell against her chest.

“Alright! What’s going on here?”

A small crowd had formed around Clark and Lana and a police officer made his way through it.

“What are you doing with this young woman?”

Several voices rose in the car.

“She was in the middle of the street!”

“She was almost hit by a car!”

“He saved her life!”

The police officer looked at Lana and then he looked at Clark.

“Oh! So you’re a hero, are you?”

Clark was hesitant to answer.

“Somebody needed to do something. Why not me?”

The officer nodded his head. He bent down to take a sniff of Lana.

“Just as I suspected. Drunk as a skunk.”

“Drunk?”

“An overindulgence in beverages containing alcohol. Resulting in the loss of self control and sometimes consciousness, Captain.”

Clark turned to the voice. Pete was by his side. The police officer overheard Pete’s use of Clark’s title.

“Captain? You two are in the service together?”

Both Clark and Pete remained silent for a moment. Then Pete spoke up.

“We really don’t like to talk about it.”

The officer nodded his head in understanding.

“You two look like Special Forces guys. I understand. Irag is a rough place.”

Clark looked at Pete. “Iraq?” From the look in Pete’s eyes Clark determined that the best thing to do was to remain silent. The police officer continued.

“Well, let me take this young lady off your hands. We’ll have to book her on drunk and disorderly.”

Clark spoke up.

“Is that really necessary? I can take the young lady home.”

The officer looked Clark directly in the eyes.

“Do you know this woman?”

“I believe her name is…Lana.”

Pete looked at Clark with a confused expression. The police officer opened Lana’s purse and removed her wallet. Inside he found her driver’s license.

“Lana Lang. Lives right here in Metropolis.”

Clark knew that Pete was looking at him and he whispered under his breath,

“Don’t ask.”

The police officer continued to study Clark.

“Do you have a name Mister…”

“Kent, Clark Kent.”

“Can I see some form of identification Mr. Kent?”

The officer was surprised at Clark’s strength as he casually flipped Lana over his left shoulder and held her with his left arm and removed his wallet from his back pants pocket with his right hand. He pulled out an identification card. The police officer studied it.

“Clark Kent from Warwick, New York. What brings you to Metropolis Mr. Kent?”

Clark looked around on the sidewalk and saw a newsstand. There were piles of newspapers. One pile had newspapers from the Daily Planet.

I’m a reporter. I’m hoping to get an interview with the Daily Planet.”

The police officer continued to look at Clark’s face. He handed Clark back his wallet.

“Okay. I think I can trust you. But I have this young lady’s address and I’ll be checking on her to make sure she gets home safely and if anything happens to her I’ll be looking for you Mr. Kent.”

Clark nodded his head. The police officer flagged down a yellow taxi and told the driver to take Clark and the unconscious Lana to the address he had read on her driver’s license. Pete stopped Clark just before he entered the taxi.

“Captain, I mean Clark. What are you doing?”

“I’m taking her home.”

“Clark, should we be doing this?”

“Ten, I mean Pete. Continue studying the area. Find us a place to spend the night. I’ll contact you later. Understood?”

Pete nodded his head.

“Acknowledged and understood, sir.”

Pete caught himself and Clark gave him a look. Pete placed his hand on Clark’s arm.

“Clark, do you know what you did back there?”

Clark didn’t understand. Pete continued.

“You moved faster than I’ve ever seen anyone move. Be careful, Clark.”

Clark nodded his head. He placed Lana in the backseat of the taxi and got in beside her. The cab drove off and made its way through the city.


**********

The taxi started weaving in and out of the rush hour traffic. Several times Clark thought that the taxi was going to collide with another vehicle. As the taxi continued to make its way through the streets of Metropolis Clark noticed that the driver kept looking in his rear view mirror to observe Clark. Clark began to grow very self conscious. Finally, the driver spoke.

“Hey! I know you!”

Clark grew alarmed.

“No. I think you’re mistaken.”

“No. I’m not. You’re the dude!”

“Dude?”

“Yeah. You! You’re the quarterback! The quarterback for the Pats!”

“Quarterback? Pats?”

“Oh! You can’t fool me! You’re the guy who throws all those TDs to Moss!”

“Moss?”

“Say, what you doing in Metropolis? You scoping out the Sharks?”

“Sharks? I didn’t think we were anywhere near water.”

“Oh! Bellichek sent you, didn’t he? He’s spying on the Sharks. He’s a sneaky motherf**ker! Say! You guys going to run the table?”

“Run the table?”

“Hey! I got a C note that says you going to run the table. You run the table man, win the Bowl and get MVP, you tell Kraft to open up his pockets cuz you want some serious f**king money!”

“Money?”

“sh*t yeah! You tell Kraft that you want Manning money! No. f**k that! You tell Kraft that you want A-Rod money! He say he ain’t got no money you tell him to go sell more motherf**king cheese!”

“What does a rod have to do with money?”

The driver didn’t answer because he was too busy laughing to himself. Clark was trying to understand what ‘ain’t go no money’ meant. The driver looked at Lana.

“Say, you got a fine lookin woman there. But you always got a fine lookin woman on your arm. You got all these super models and sh*t.”

“Super models and sh*t?”

The taxi pulled up to an apartment complex. The driver got out of the car and opened the door for Clark.

“That’ll be ten.”

Clark handed him a $100 bill from his wallet.

“sh*t! I can’t break no C note, man!”

Clark was trying to process the ‘can’t break no’.

“I don’t want you to break it. I want you to take it.”

The driver’s face bloomed in a smile.

“You give me a C note for ten buck fare. You da man!”

The driver held out his fist in front of Clark. Clark surmised that he was supposed to do the same. He held out his fist and the driver slightly punched it.

“You da man!”

Clark removed Lana from the vehicle and held her over his shoulder. The taxi pulled away and Clark could hear the driver saying through the open window, “I got me a C note from da man!”. Clark’s briefly thought that his officers needed to improve their investigative skills, “This planet has sharks inland,” and that he definitely needed to improve his language skills.

He removed Lana’s key to the front entrance from her purse. He took her inside the building and then found the buzzer listing with her room number. He entered the inside of the building and walked up the stairs with Lana. He was surprised that the effort of carrying her was so easy. He found her room and knocked on the door several times and did not receive a response. He opened the door , placed the key back inside the pocket of his jacket and went inside.

The apartment was empty. He shifted Lana from over his shoulder to carrying her in his arms. He searched through the apartment to find her bedroom. He chose the tidiest room in the apartment. His choice was confirmed when he found something on the dresser.

It was a drawing.

Of himself.

He bent down to gently place Lana on her bed. She stirred and opened her eyes as he sat by her side. She spoke as if she was in a semi-conscious state.

“You ought to be ashamed of yourself.”

Clark didn’t understand.

“You deflowered me, you brute.”

She raised her arms to him as her smile stretched from ear to ear.

“Make love to me again.”

Lana’s arms suddenly dropped like dead weights. Her eyes closed. Her head turned to her side and she fell back to sleep. Clark removed her shoes, turned her over on her stomach and covered her with a blanket. He looked one last time at the drawing and then left the room and then left the apartment.

As he moved down the steps of the apartment and as he reached the final step to the sidewalk something happened. He moved off the step to the sidewalk and for a moment….

He was floating on air.


**********

[Jephael]

Man, this is one juicy tale! I really like how you made Pete into a Kryptonian. Makes me curious to find out who the other members of the crew turn out to be on Earth.
Also, nice job on referencing Lana's old boyfriends from the real series.

[kentfamily]

WOW, great update! Hope you have more!

[oldmankent]

Chapter Eleven

When Clark left Lana’s apartment he didn’t immediately notice that he was floating about eight inches off the ground. He was too preoccupied with what had just happened. Her response to him. The drawing he found in her room. Was she having visions of him the same way he was having visions of her? He felt his heart grow light. He felt like he was walking on….

Clark looked down at his feet and the sudden realization that was walking on air caused him to drop down to the sidewalk. He quickly looked around to see if anyone had observed him but the immediate area was empty. “What is going on?”

He contacted Pete through his communicator/cell phone and was informed that Pete had checked them in to a hotel called the Hyatt Regency. Clark took another taxi to the hotel. This time the driver was Russian immigrant who had no interest in football but recognized Clark as a non-native of Metropolis and assumed he was a businessman looking for adult entertainment. He made Clark the offer to obtain assorted controlled substances and women who were willing to do anything that Clark required or a firearm should Clark need one. Needless to say Clark declined the offers.

Clark exited the taxi with the driver’s ‘business card’ just as confused about this new world as ever. He entered the hotel and found the room. He found Pete watching television.

“Anything interesting, Pete?”

“This is a strange world, Captain. I’ve spent the last couple of hours walking down the streets of this city and just observing people. These humans are obsessed with food and with sex.

There are numerous places that sell food to people and they are all filled to capacity. These people spend a great deal of their time eating whether they need to or not. I was in this place called McDonald’s. It’s an eating establishment that serves very unhealthy food that is disguised to be pleasing to the palate and to the eye. I watched a person order food for a single meal that would feed two Kryptonians for a day.”

“Okay, so the human overeats.”

“But then this person insisted on a non-caloric drink to go with the meal.”

“I don’t understand.”

Neither do I, Captain. These humans spend an enormous amount of time gaining weight but then they seem to spend a lot of their time and energy trying to lose the weight they shouldn’t have gained in the first place.”

“Why don’t they just change their eating habits?”

Pete shrugged his shoulders indicating that he did not have the answer. Clark sat down with Pete and looked at the television.

“Okay, what is this?”

“It’s called television. It seems to be the humans’ main source of information and entertainment.”

“Okay, how does it work?”

“There’s a variety of programming for people to choose from. The hotel television listings are on this menu.”

Pete and Clark started looking through the hotel entertainment guide.

“Pete, what does ‘adult’ entertainment mean?”

“I don’t know, Captain. Perhaps it is geared towards news and the important events of this planet. Shall I choose it?”

Clark nodded his head. Pete started going through the programming menu.

“This ‘Jenna Jamison’ seems to be listed a great deal. She must be important to this planet.”

Pete made the selection and both men began to watch the video. About fifteen minutes into the video both men began to experience discomfort with their eyes. The discomfort then turned into a burning sensation. Then the burning sensation turned into two thin red beams of heat that fried the television set. Both men ran into the bathroom. Clark went into the shower, turned on the water and soaked his eyes. Pete placed his head underneath the sink. After a few minutes both men stopped with the water and faced each other. Clark spoke.

“You were saying that the humans were obsessed with sex.”


**********

That night for the first time since before he was named Captain of the Lana, Clark did not have a vision. He did not have a vision because he could not sleep. His kisses with Lana in his previous visions were unlike anything he had ever experienced before. Yet the real kiss, even though it was brief and tainted by Lana’s inebriation exceeded anything that he had ever dreamed of.

He could not stop thinking about Lana. The softness of her face. The length and texture of her hair. The feel of her body as held her. The hours seemed like days and the minutes seemed like hours. The night dragged on.

The room had two beds and Pete slept soundly but Clark tossed and turned. His eyes would open and he would stare into the darkness. Then he would close his eyes and hope for sleep to overtake him. But in a few minutes he would begin the same steps over again. And so it continued throughout the night.

The sun started to rise and Clark rose with it. Pete was still asleep. Clark got dressed and decided to take a walk and experience the city as it came to life. He put on his jacket, picked up his room key and placed it inside his pocket. His hand felt something else inside his pocket. He withdrew his hand and found…

…a set of keys.


**********

Two taxis arrived at the girl’s apartment at the same time. Lois exited one taxi. Chloe exited the other taxi. Both met at the front entrance of their apartment. Both looked surprised to see the other.

“Chloe, did you spend the entire night with Jimmy?”

Lois received her answer in the smile that rose up on Chloe’s face.

“I guess I got courageous. I told him that from now on I wanted to stay the night. I told him I didn’t care if his mother made a surprise visit. And I told him that I wanted to do something different rather than eat pizza and watch old black and white movies.

He’s taking me to the Met U football game today and then to a non-pizzeria for dinner. After that we’re going to the Alien Invasion film festival. I figured two out of three isn’t bad.”

Chloe noticed that Lois was also smiling.

“Lois, why are you so happy?”

“He finally said it. Oliver told me he loved me last night.”

“He just came out and said it?”

“Of course not. I threatened to cut him off if he didn’t tell me so he surrendered. He’s going to take me out to dinner tonight. Say! Why don’t you and Jimmy come to dinner with us? Oliver is sure to pick up the tab.”

“Lois, that would be great. Why don’t you and Oliver go to the game with us?”

Lois enthusiastically nodded her head in agreement. She both started to walk up the steps to the front door when both of them stopped. Looked at each other and said the same thing at the same time.

“What about Lana?”

They went through the front entrance and then walked up the stairs to their door.

“We should invite her but unless she finds a date she will sort of be the odd man out.”

“We’ll ask her but if I know Lana she’ll stay home with a book.”

As they two women entered their apartment Lana was exiting her bedroom. Lois and Chloe were surprised that Lana was clothed in the same outfit from the day before. They assumed that she was just getting back to the apartment as they had but just a little bit earlier.

“Lana, did you just get in?”

Lana shook her head.

“I don’t think so.”

“What do you mean you don’t think so?”

Lana didn’t answer immediately. She opened the refrigerator and got a bottle of water. She then gulped down the ice cold water to help counter the dry mouth effect of a hangover. When she was finished she wiped her mouth with her sleeve.

“I woke up, like this, in my bed. I have no idea how I got here. I was covered with a blanket and my shoes had been removed from my feet.”

Chloe became very concerned.

“So someone could have brought you home?”

“It’s possible”

Lois asked what was most on her mind.

“Did you….you know?”

“Lois, I still had my clothes on this morning.”

“Oh Lana, many things can happen while fully clothed.”

Lana gave Lois a look that said ‘don’t go there’. Chloe was starting a pot of coffee. As Chloe was doing this Lois spoke.

“Lana, Chloe and I, along with our respective significant others are going to the MetU football game today and then going out to dinner. Why don’t you join us?”

Lana dropped her eyes.

“Oh, thanks. But I think I just relax here. Maybe curl up with a good book.”

Lois answered.

“And catch a few Z’s with dream boy.”

“You know, it’s funny. I did not dream about him last night.”

The girls were about to question Lana’s comment when the downstairs buzzer sounded indicating that there was someone downstairs who wanted to gain entrance. Lois answered.

“This is Officer Brown of the Metropolis Police Department. I like to see a Ms. Lana Lang.”

All three women looked at one another with a questioning expression. All three shrugged their shoulders. Lois buzzed the release downstairs and the police officer was let into the building. They could hear his heavy footsteps ascending the stairs. Lois opened the door to get a look and confirmed that it was a policeman coming to see Lana. He entered the room and immediately recognized Lana.

“Ah, Ms. Lang. It’s good to see you. I just wanted to make sure that you made it home in one piece.”

Lana walked up to the officer.

“I’m sorry, Officer, but do we know each other?”

“I guess you wouldn’t remember. After all you were passed out on 5th Avenue.”

Both Chloe and Lois looked at each other. Their eyes spoke the same thing. “Our Lana? Passed out?”

“I was going to book you for drunk and disorderly last night. But your friend convinced me that he would get you home safely. I guess he did.”

“My friend?”

“Mr. Kent.”

“Mr. Kent. I don’t know any Mr. Kent.”

“Well, I guess I shouldn’t call him your friend. He actually saved you from being struck by a car. He volunteered to take you home. Normally I wouldn’t let a stranger do such a thing but there was just something about Mr. Kent that told me I could trust him.”

Chloe approached the officer.

“Exactly, what did Mr. Kent look like?”

“Oh, I’d say about six feet four inches tall. Two hundred twenty five pounds. In good shape but I’d expect that from a guy who was in the Special Forces.”

Lois interrupted.

“Special Forces?”

“Well, his friend called him Captain. But they didn’t want to talk about the service. I assumed that they must have been over in Afghanistan or Iraq on some secret mission. Although I have to say his hair was definitely not a military cut.”

Lana was curious.

“What do you mean not military cut?”

“Oh! He had a big bushy head of black hair.”

Lana’s eyes opened wide. She ran into her room and ran back with her drawing in her hand. She showed it to the policeman.

“Did he look like this?”

“That’s him.”

Lana now could not get the words out of her mouth fast enough.

“Do you have an address? Do you have a phone number? Did he say where he was staying? Does he have dreamy blue-green eyes? Is he married? Does he have a girl friend? Is he gay?”

Lois added a few of her own questions.

“Is he rich? What kind of car does he drive? Does he have a job? How big is his wiener?”

Lana gave an annoyed look at Lois. Officer Brown tipped his hat, excused himself and exited the apartment.

Lana was in a state of extreme excitement. Lana went to into the bathroom and came back with two large towels.

“I have to find him! If I have to get drunk again and jaywalk every avenue in Metropolis I’m going to find him! I’ll going to get cleaned up and then I’m going to find Mr. Kent!”

Lana walked with the towels back into her bedroom. Both Chloe and Lois looked at one another.

“Have you ever seen her like this?”

Chloe shook her head. The two women were about to go back to their coffee when their attention was diverted to the sound of a key being inserted into their door. They looked at one another. Chloe got a butcher knife and Lois stood in front of the door in a martial arts stance.


**********

[Clark had left the hotel and began to walk the empty streets. The sun was low is the eastern sky. The morning rustiness that was a common occurrence both on Krypton and on his spacecraft was not present on this planet. For some reason he felt an energy pulsating through his veins that he had never felt before. The energy put a smile on his face as he heard his own footsteps on the pavement.

An occasional truck drove past him. They would stop in front of businesses and unload boxes. Shops began pulling back the metal gates that shielded their windows and doors. Shop keepers would appear and began sweeping with brooms the sidewalk in front of their property. As he passed they would see his smile. They would smile in return and wished him a ‘good morning’.

He made his way through the theatre district. The titles were on the marquees and there were posters displaying scenes from each of the shows. The Phantom of the Opera, The Producers, Rent, Inherit the Wind, Jersey Boys, Hairspray, A Streetcar Named Desire. Porgy and Bess. “There’s so much and everything is different.” On Krypton, everything was the same. Kryptonians were different in appearance but they all behaved in the same manner. “Perhaps we’re not giving the humans enough credit. They’re all different but they all seem willing to share what makes them different with each other.”

The theatres and other business began broadcasting recorded music onto the street and Clark found himself surrounded by a universe of sound. Rock, Country, Blues, Jazz, Hip Hop, Rap, Classical. Again he was astonished at the variety an individual could choose from. He also became aware that the majority of the tunes dealt with the emotion of love. Boy meets girl. Girl meets boy. Man meets woman. Woman meets man. They fall in love. They fall out of love. They break up. They find each other. “These humans place a great emphasis on a single emotion.”

He stood by one theatre. On the marquee was the title, My Fair Lady. He listened as a recorded song from the show was played.

I have often walked down this street before
But the pavement always stayed beneath my feet before.
All at once am I several stories high.
Knowing I’m on the street where you live.

Are there lilac trees in the heart of town?
Can you hear a lark in every other part of town?
Does enchantment pour out of every door?
No, it’s just on the street where you live.

And oh! The towering feeling
Just to know somehow you are near.
The overpowering feeling
That any second you may suddenly appear.

People stop and stare. They don’t bother me.
For there’s no where else on earth that I would rather be.
Let the time go by, I won’t care if I
Can be here on the street where you live.

Clark looked down at his feet and saw that he was about two feet off the ground. Again, the realization made him drop to the sidewalk. He shook his head in confusion.

He made his way to the center of the center of the city and traffic, both pedestrian and on the road was increasing. People were hurriedly moving from one place to another. He walked by a newsstand and stopped. “What do these humans read?” He gasped at what he saw.

The Daily Planet, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, Time, Newsweek, US News and World Report, Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Fortune, People, Ebony, SciFi Magazine, Playboy, Hustler, Playgirl, Better Homes and Gardens, Bride, Rolling Stone, Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Variety, Readers Digest. Then he noticed that many of the magazines and newspapers were in different languages.

“There’s so much and everything is so different. Yet its all seems to work.”

Clark started feeling hungry and then realized that the last time he had eaten was aboard the ship. He saw a number of people going into a small eatery on the corner of the avenue. The aroma of baked goods filled his nostrils. He looked on the sign above the shop.


BAGELS

He walked in the shop and for the first time in his life he saw a bagel. But like the newsstand even the bagels were different – Plain, Egg, Garlic, Raisin, Wheat and more. He noticed that the proprietor spoke in a Yiddish accent. An Asian woman was taking orders and an African American man was working the register. He listened to the conversation taking place between the customers and the workers and surmised that they were talking about sports.

“Who’s MetU playing this afternoon?”

“The Cornhuskers.”

“Oh! Easy win! The Cornhuskers suck this year.”

He overheard what people were ordering and followed their example. He ended up with a cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese and a cup of coffee. He went to pay at the register where the African American man was. Clark said good morning.

“So are you going to tell her, man?”

Clark did not understand.

“I beg your pardon.”

“Are you going to tell her that you love her, man?”

“What gives you the idea that there’s someone that I love?”

The man laughed at Clark’s question.

“Look at everyone in this shop. Everyone is tired and grumpy and looking for that first jolt of caffeine. You come in here with a smile from ear to ear and your face lit up like a sun lamp. You probably didn’t sleep all night cuz you were thinking about her. Right?”

Clark hesitated but then he nodded his head. The man continued.

“There’s only one thing that could make a man that happy.

He’s in love!”

Clark paid for his food and left the shop shaking his head and with an even bigger smile. “I think I like this planet.” He placed his hand in his pocket and pulled out the keys from Lana’s apartment. He looked at them for a few moments and then returned them to his pocket and hailed a cab. The streets were busier than when he started but it was still empty enough so that he could easily call a cab. He remembered the address from the previous day. This time the driver was relatively quiet and he quickly made his way to the apartment.

Clark exited the taxi and it drove away. He looked upwards to the floor where he had left Lana and he caught himself humming. “Knowing I’m on the street where you live.” He walked up the steps and opened the front door with the first key. He passed the buzzers without a second thought and made his way up the stairs. He found the door to the apartment and placed the key in the lock. He turned it and opened the door.

As he opened the door he heard a loud scream.

“Kee! Ya!”

There, in front of him, flying through the air, were two large feet that were closing in on his head.


**********

Lois saw the head poke through the door. She wasn’t going to wait to see who it was. She would shoot first and ask questions later. She jumped up in the air and kicked both of her legs outward in the direction of the head. The kick was textbook perfect. Just like she had been taught on the army base with her father. She let out a yell releasing all of her energy into the kick. Her aim was perfect. The targets nose was about to be hammered into his skull. Then….

Lois thought she had hit a brick wall. She thought she had broken both of her legs. She yelled again but this time she yelled from the pain of the target not giving way and her thigh bones being shoved into her hips. She fell to the floor holding both of her legs.

Chloe stayed in the background as the door opened. She saw Lois launch herself into the air. Then she saw Lois hit the floor. Without a second though Chloe ran forward with the butcher knife in her hand. The target was large enough that she did not have to aim carefully. She swung her arm forward. Then….

She found herself falling forward out of the apartment, through the doorway, into the hallway and finding that her own momentum had slammed her into the wall across the hall with the butcher knife imbedding itself into the wall.

Upon opening the door Clark saw that someone had launched a double kick directly at his face. The kick hit him on his forehead right above his eyes. He knew he should have been propelled out of the doorway and into the wall across the hall. The end result of a splitting headache would have the least damage he should have sustained. Instead he found himself standing erect as if nothing had happened. There wasn’t any damage to his head and there wasn’t any pain. His assailant was writhing in pain on the floor in front of him. He looked up and saw that another assailant was headed towards him. This one was swinging a large knife. Instinct told him to move out of the way and he followed that instinct. But….

Everything slowed down. He watched the blonde woman sail past him. He could actually see her eye lids move to open wide her eyes in surprise and the individual hairs of her head swing backwards from her momentum. The knife hit the wall first and she followed a split second later. A loud BANG followed and she fell backward to the hallway floor.

Several scenarios went through Clark’s mind. He could respond in a likewise manner. He could flee the scene. He decided to help. He lifted up his hands as if surrendering.

“I come in peace!”

He went to assist the woman on the floor in front of him. He pulled the keys from his pocket and spoke rapidly, hoping she would understand and wouldn’t attempt another attack.

“I was just returning Ms. Lang’s keys. I thought she would still be asleep. I was just going to drop them off and then leave. I never thought that someone would be here.”

He looked at Lois’s legs and then he was looking through Lois’s leg. Clark was stunned. He could see the large bones of her legs and determined that nothing was broken. He shook his head and the view disappeared and he helped Lois to her feet. Then he went back to Chloe and helped her stand up. Chloe was somewhat disoriented. Lois spoke.

“You’re Kent.”

Clark was surprised at her declaration. He remained silent and let her continue.

“Officer Brown told us about you. God! You Special Forces guys are tough!”

This was the second time that Clark had been referred to as Special Forces ad he still had no idea of the meaning. Chloe had now staggered back to join Lois.

“How do we know you didn’t come back to take advantage of Lana?”

“If I was going to do that wouldn’t I have done it last night when she was unable to put up any resistance?”

Both women studied him cautiously. They could not find a flaw in his response.

“Hey! What’s all the noise out here?”

Lana had left her bedroom in route to the bathroom to take her shower. She had removed her clothes in the bedroom and now had a towel loosely wrapped around her. She held it close to her with her hands. When Lana saw Clark her eyes opened wide and her hands dropped to her side.

“Oh my God! It’s you!”

The towel dropped with her hands and Lana was unabashedly exposed to Clark and the two women. She was totally oblivious to her nakedness in front of her two friends and the man of her dreams. Before she said another word Lois and Chloe grabbed a hold of her and pulled her back into the bedroom.

The sight of Lana caused Clark to become instantly aroused. He was grateful that the three women quickly left the room as his eyes started to become irritated.

“Oh no! Not again!”

He began rubbing his eyes in the hope that he could stop what was going to happen. But it was to no avail. “I have to get out of here!” Within a split second of this thought he found himself out of the apartment and back outside on the street. “How did I get here so fast?”

Fortunately it was mid-morning on a Saturday in a residential area and most people were sleeping late. The street was still empty. Streaks of razor thin red light began shooting out of his eyes. Clark pointed his head upwards so that the flames shot into the air. But in shifting his head upward one of the beams hit a fire hydrant half a block away. It exploded and water shot up into the air.

Chloe and Lois had pulled Lana into her bedroom and quickly covered her with her robe.

“Was that really him?”

Both women nodded. Lana broke free of them and ran out of her bedroom back into her living area. It was empty and the door to the apartment had been left open.

“Damn it!”

Lana ran out of the apartment, down the stairs, through the entrance of the building and into the street. She saw Clark with his back turned to her and to the building. He was rubbing his eyes. “You are not getting away!” Lana ran as quickly as she could, clothed in only a bathrobe and in her bare feet. She jumped up as high as she could onto Clark’s back and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Clark Kent! You are not getting away from me!”

Clark was rubbing away the burning sensation from his eyes from his burst of heat when two arms became wrapped around his neck. His first instinct was to toss whomever it was over his shoulder. But then he heard Lana’s voice call out his name and he smelled the scent of her hair as it whipped across his face and then the softness of her cheek by his ear.

“Clark Kent! Are you married?”

“No. I’m not married.”

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

Clark did not understand the term.

“Well, I have friends who are both men and women.”

“Cut the crap, Clark! Do you have someone special waiting for you at home?”

Clark assumed that Lana was not referring to his mother.

“No. No. No, Lana. I don’t have someone special in my life.”

He thought “Not until I started dreaming of you.”

“Are you gay?”

“Well, I’m usually a happy person.”

Clark felt Lana’s arms tighten around his neck.

“You know that’s not what I mean. Do you like men instead of women?”

Clark winced at what Lana was suggesting.

“No, of course not. I like women very much.”

Lana hung onto him. She was astonished at the strength and breadth of his shoulders. She thought of Chloe’s and Lois’ plans for the day.

“Do you like football?”

Clark had no idea what football was but he remembered the conversation at the bagel shop.

“Go MetU! Cornhuskers suck!”

Lana felt herself melting into Clark’s neck. Suddenly his arm reached around and easily pulled her off his back and held her in front of him. Their faces were inches apart. Lana’s robe had opened and she rubbed against Clark’s chest. She whispered to him.

“I have no idea what’s happening or why. I only know I want to be with you.”

She felt Clark’s breath in her face. He whispered back.

“You don’t know how far I’ve come to be with you.”

“Oh, Clark.”

They could no longer resist the force that drew them together. Their lips fused as they molded into one another. Lana was lifted a foot off the ground. Her arms encircled Clark’s head. They lost all sense of time and place as sensations that they had only dreamed about began to take root in each of their beings. Clark’s arms were enormously strong but gentle. Lana’s body was soft and easily curved into his body.

Lana finally broke away to catch her breath. She leaned her forehead against Clark’s. She then became aware of the exploding fire hydrant and the water shooting into the air and filling the street.

“What happened to the fire hydrant?”

Clark looked at it with her. “How am I going to explain this?” He would tell her what he knew.

“I have no idea.”


**********

[Clana227]

Oh my gosh, that was awesome sorry for the repetitiveness on my part but that's the only thing that can describe that chapter.

PPMS

[kentfamily]

I loved this chapter, I liked the humour. Lois is so funny. I love it that the 3 girls are friends.

You write well. You should be a writer for a show. The dialogue is well written, its better than Smallvile's dialogue.

Please update.

[oldmankent]

Chapter Twelve

Lois and Chloe ran down the steps after Lana. As they exited the building they found the couple in an all encompassing embrace that was more attuned for a couple that had been just married and about to commence their wedding night rather than a couple that had just met. The two women stopped and watched from a distance.

“Chloe, what do we know about this guy?”

“We don’t know anything. All we know is that this is the guy of Lana’s dreams.”

“Well, how do we know that he’s not something else?”

“What do you mean, Lois?”

“Lana’s been saying that she’s been seeing him in her dreams. What if she’s really been seeing him secretly and her dreams are some kind of Freudian denial thing that she can’t admit it to herself?”

“When did you become a shrink, Lois?”

“Hey! I’m an ace reporter. I read psychology stuff.”

“Lois, you can’t even spell psychology.”

“Chloe, look. Lana says to us that she lost her virginity a week ago in a dream. How do we know that this guy didn’t really take her virginity for real and she’s been in a state of denial about it? She can’t face the fact that she lost her virtue to a stranger. Albeit, a knock your socks off handsome stranger but a stranger nonetheless. ”

“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard of in my life. When would this have happened, Lois? She’s been home every night.”

“What if she meets him on her lunch hour? What if she met this guy online and she met him for lunch and she’s been meeting him everyday for a week for sex that is so wild that she dreams of it at night?”

Chloe looked at the couple that was oblivious to their surroundings and then she answered Lois.

“Our Lana? Meeting some stranger on her lunch hour for sex?”

“Why not? I’ve done it.”

“Lois, you would do it in a church during a Sunday service. For crying out loud we’re talking about Lana here. Besides her dream guy doesn’t exactly look like the type of guy who needs to go online to meet someone.”

“I’ve never done it during services but that’s beside the point. Hey, there are all kinds of weirdos out there. Ted Bundy was a great looking guy too and look what he did. “

“Are you saying that Clark Kent could be a serial killer?”

“Look at it this way Chloe. If Lana was meeting him on her lunch hour and the only day she didn’t meet him last week was yesterday when we took her to see Madam LaRue. Then according to Officer Brown, this guy miraculously shows up to save Lana from a traffic accident.”

“Lois, are you saying…”

Lois nodded her head.

“He might have been stalking her. All I’m saying is that we need to find out more about Mr. Kent.”

Clark and Lana began to realize that they weren’t alone. Clark noticed that Lana was in her bare feet and covered just with bathrobe. He positioned her so that he cradled her in his arms. Lana was surprised that he could move her so easily. Clark was surprised that he carried her without much of an effort. Lois held the front door opened as the couple made their way up the steps. Lana could not conceal her joy and she spoke to Lois and Chloe.

“Lois, Chloe, meet Clark.”

Clark smiled at them and repeated their names. Chloe and Lois smiled back. They then made their way into the building. As they re-entered the apartment, Lana noticed the butcher knife embedded in the wall. She turned to Lois and Chloe.

“How did our butcher knife get in the wall?”

Chloe answered.

“It’s complicated.”

Lana took this as meaning ‘you don’t want to know’. Clark placed Lana back on her feet and she tried to pull the knife out of the wall without success. All three women tried pulling with the same result. Clark took hold of it and withdrew the knife. Lois couldn’t help but comment.

“What kind of vitamins do they give you guys in Special Forces?”

Lana remembered what Officer Brown had said and she looked at Clark.

“You’re are definitely an officer and a gentleman”

Lois continued.

“I didn’t know they were now training you guys to be ninjas.”

Clark didn’t know how to respond. He assumed that the ‘Special Forces’ reference had something to do with the military. He had no idea what a ‘ninja’ was. He did not want to lie to Lana but he needed to know more about her before her revealed his origins. He decided that silence was the best policy at this point. He shyly dropped his eyes. Lana interpreted this to mean that Clark was a war veteran who did not want not want to speak about his experiences. “I hope he wasn’t wounded.” Her heart went out to him and she placed her hand into his.

“It’s okay. When you’re ready to talk about it I’ll be there for you.”

He gave her a smile and she gave him a lingering kiss on the lips.

“I need to take my shower now.”

He nodded his head in understanding. Lana left him and went into the bathroom. After a few seconds she ran out of the bathroom and back to Clark. She pulled his head towards hers and their lips fused again. Lana pulled back and wiped her lips with her tongue.

“You’re not going anywhere, right?”

“I’m staying right here. I promise.”

Lana turned slightly giddy. She walked slowly back towards the bathroom. She kept turning her head towards Clark. Once again she ran back to him and kissed him hard on the mouth.

“You are delicious.”

She finally made it to the bathroom. The door closed and the sound of water running through the shower could be heard. Clark then became aware that he was being observed by Chloe and Lois. He smiled at them and an uncomfortable silence ensued.

Lois finally broke the silence. “It’s time for the interrogation to begin.”

“So Clark, what’s your favorite color?”


**********

The next couple of hours were an enormous struggle for Clark and not because Chloe and Lois were in their ‘getting to know you’ mode. Matters would have been simple if he was just there for Lana but the fact of the matter was that Clark, or Kal-El, was still an officer in Kryptonian Galactic Fleet and his first responsibility was to carrying out his orders and completing his mission. He was still responsible for 400 people aboard his ship and in the back of his mind were the unexplained incidents on board the ship - the display of extraordinary abilities that he had also experienced. “There must be a reason.” There was still the question of what had happened back home on Krypton. His father’s words and the meaning of the prophecy weighed heavily on him. “What does it all mean?” Finally, there was Lana herself. Each time he tried to concentrate on a particular issue her image intruded in his mind. That his vision had now become flesh and blood was incomprehensible to Clark.

In Clark’s mind, Lana was the most extraordinary creature that he had ever met. It was as if someone had pulled out of his mind all of the characteristics that make up the perfect woman and put it all together and came up with Lana Lang. When he held her it wasn’t enough that he was feeling the curves of her body and the softness of her skin. Something else was present. Some type of connection that was beyond his ability to understand.

Logic told him that he had had other responsibilities before he could commit himself to this woman. Logic also told him that even if he did have the opportunity to commit he should get to know this person first. Logic also told him that he was an alien being in a strange world.

His heart told him otherwise. His heart told him that what was happening was good and should only be accepted.

“So Clark, what’s your favorite color?”

“Excuse me?”

“Just trying to break the ice, Clark.”

Clark’s return of Lois’ smile masked his anxiety of not being more acquainted with these inconsequential human expressions.“Breaking the ice? Why can’t humans just come out and say what they mean?”

“So where do you call home?”

Clark remembered that part of his cover and responded that he was from Warwick, New York. Lois, being familiar with all things military was about to ask him if he went to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Clark being a graduate of the Academy on Krypton remembered his tactical training for battle. “The best defense is a good offense.” He asked Lois a question before she could ask hers.

“So what do you do for a living, Lois?”

Lois, who believed the most interesting person in the world, was herself, proceeded to tell Clark her life history. Every time Chloe tried to get Lois back on track, Lois would stop her and continue with her story. For his part, Clark would ask such pertinent questions as ‘Why? What? Where? And Who?’ Lois just could not resist dropping famous names in the conversation. Seeing that Clark had no recognition of names such as Paris Hilton, George Clooney, Madonna and O.J. Simpson only caused Lois to elaborate and exaggerate even more on her supposed relationship with these people.

While this was going on Lana had lost track of time in the shower. The wet heat soaked her body into relaxation and the few moments she had spent with Clark had placed her in a state of bliss. That the man she had dreamed about every night for the past three years was in the next room caused her to be giddy like a schoolgirl. She began to soap and massaged her limbs while holding fast Clark’s image in her mind. She closed her eyes as she imagined that it was Clark’s hands that were caressing her skin. She closed her eyes as a tingling sensation began to cascade throughout her body.

Occasionally, Clark would glance at the bathroom door. He could hear the water running in the shower and more than once he had to mentally shake his mind to stop fantasizing about Lana in the shower and stay focused with Lois and Chloe.

“I must be boring you with all of these stories?”

“No. No. Go on, Lois. Please tell me about your dinner with Jerry Springer.”

“Whoever Jerry Springer happens to be”, thought Clark as he once again glanced at the bathroom door. But this time his vision went beyond his fantasy. The door dissipated before him and he now had a view of the bathtub and the vinyl shower curtain surrounding it. The room was filled with steam but his vision cut through it and the shower curtain soon disappeared. Before him stood Lana with the water pouring over her skin. She leaned back her head as the heat soothed her body. She bit lightly bit her lip as she rubbed a soft sponge with soap along her arms, down her legs, around her neck, up to torso, across her…..

“Clark, is something wrong?”

Clark’s eyes were noticeably red.

“Clark, I have some Visine.”

Clark stood up from his chair, rubbing his eyes and quickly walked to the door.

“That’s okay. I just need some….air.”

He left the room. Lois looked at Chloe.

“You know I’m beginning to like him.”

“Yeah, you’re some ace reporter, Lois. You’ve told him everything there is to know about you. I’m beginning to wonder as to who is really being interviewed here.”

Clark left the building and stood outside, aware of the eruption that might occur any second. But unlike before he stood erect and began to breath deeply. “I will master this.” He relaxed and remembered the self discipline he employed while getting through the Academy on Krypton. The burning in his eyes lessened. “Definitely a hormonal reaction.”

Clark re-entered the apartment. Lana had left the bathroom and was now dressing in her bedroom. Lois spoke.

“So have you air-ed out your eyes?”

Clark focused on the wall between where he was and Lana’s bedroom. Lois and Chloe were dumbfounded as to what Clark found so fascinating with the wall. His eyes remained normal and a wide smile came to his face as his heart skipped a beat.

“My eyes are just fine.”


**********

Chloe and Lois were temporarily distracted from continuing their inquisition when the downstairs buzzer sounded. The girls realized that their boyfriends had arrived. Oliver’s voice could be heard outside the door.

“Hope no one’s naked because we’re coming in!”

They entered the apartment and Oliver spoke again.

“Damn! No one’s naked and I was hoping for pre-game orgy!”

The girls ran to their respective men giving them a kiss that was much, much more than just an affectionate peck. Both men then realized that another person was in the room. Lois brought both men over to Clark.

“Oliver, Jimmy, I’d like to meet Clark Kent. He’s Lana’s….”

Both men waited for Lois to finish. She changed and addressed her comment to Clark.

“Just what are you to Lana? Friend? Boyfriend? Significant Other? Slave? Concubine? Lord & Master? Stud Monkey?”

Oliver recognized that Lois was embarrassing Clark and stopped her.

“Don’t mind Lois. She gets a little unhinged if she misses her medication.”

Oliver and Jimmy approached Clark and extended their hands. Clark had observed this gesture on the street and assumed it was used as a greeting. He shook their hands. After the gesture was completed both Oliver and Jimmy shook their hands as if to shake off some pain. Jimmy looked Clark up and down and then spoke.

“You’ve got quite a grip there, Clark. You ever play ball?”

Clark shook his head.

“Really? A big guy like you?”

Oliver placed his arm around Clark and took him aside.

“So just what are you to Lana?”

Clark was in a predicament. How does one explain the concept of soul mate? The more he remained silent the more questions would be raised. He soon learned that Oliver was not as easily distracted as Lois.

“Are you her friend?”

“No. I think I’m more than that.”

“Are you her boyfriend?”

“I don’t know if that’s an accurate description of our relationship.”

“Are you her lover?”

“There are many different kinds of love.”

“Have you been having sex with her?”

“I’m not the kind who tells.”

“You don’t like to give answers, do you?”

“It depends on the question.”

“How long have you known Lana?” `

“Do you mean in the Biblical sense of the word?”

“No. How long have you two been acquainted?”

“Physically or metaphysically?”

“Physically or metaphysically? Come on, Clark. When did you start seeing Lana?”

“Time is really relative to where you are in the universe and the speed at which you’re traveling.”

Oliver always liked a challenge and there weren’t many people who could keep up with him. He was starting to like Clark.

“So you are Lana’s…”

“I’m her…”

“Yes, come on.”

“I’m her…”

“You’re her what?”

“He’s my…”

The bedroom door opened and Lana had appeared. She was dressed stylishly and moved to Clark’s side and took him by the arm.

“He’s my…”

Oliver patiently waited for an answer.

“He’s my….He’s mine. And that’s all you need to know, Oliver.”


**********

Lois and Chloe went into their respective bedrooms to change. Oliver joined Jimmy on the sofa to watch ESPN College Football Game Day on the television. Lana placed both of her hands on Clark’s arm and pulled him to an isolated corner of the apartment. Lana had never felt like this before. She held Clark’s hand and felt his strength become her strength. The closer she placed herself to him the closer she wanted to be. Lana had always considered herself to be a happy person but now she was very something that was much more. She was feeling absolute joy. They stood facing each other only inches apart from one another.

“Clark, I have to tell you something but first I need you to know that I’m not some kind of Play Misty For Me, Fatal Attraction stalker chick.”

Clark had no idea what Lana was alluding to but he remained silent with his heart pounding in his chest. Lana continues.

“Clark, I’ve never felt this way about anyone. It’s as if someone pulled out of my head every idea of what I thought the person I wanted to spend my life with, put it all together and came up with you.”

Clark could see the trepidation in Lana’s eyes. She was almost shaking with anxiety.

“Clark, I know this sounds crazy. We’ve known each other only about two hours and we haven’t even had a decent conversation yet but I just have to say this and get it out of the way.”

Clark waited.

“Clark, I’m in love with you. I can’t explain it. I feel foolish for saying it like this and if you think I’m crazy and you want to walk out and never see me again I understand. You’ll break my heart and cause me to hold men in distain for the rest of my life and I’ll probably turn into a recluse who lives in some log cabin in Montana who stuffs dead animals and eats wild mushrooms and never takes a bath and let my toenails grow until they curl up in my boots. But I’ll understand if you want to leave right now and turn your back on the woman who will unconditionally love you for the rest of your life and make love to you night and day and who will bear your children and who will take care of you and worry about you and support you and fight for you and be there for you in thick and thin. I’ll understand if you want to turn back on all of that. ”

Clark’s smile extended from ear to ear. “These humans are so dramatic.” His eyes lit. He lifted his hand to Lana’s face and felt the softness of her cheek.

“If I’m going to walk out then we’re going to have to walk out together because I’m in love with you.”

Lana’s mouth went dry. For the past hour while she was in the shower and getting dressed all she had thought about was telling Clark how she felt. She didn’t understand it. She couldn’t explain it. Everything she was feeling defied everything she had always thought about falling in love. She didn’t believe in love at first sight. She believed in attraction at first sight. She believed in lust at first sight. Yet, could this be called love at first sight? Clark’s image had first begun to appear three years earlier. He came to her night after night. At first she was frightened but as the years went by she grew accustomed to his presence, welcomed it and then needed it. Now, for the past week he had become more than her nightly visitor. He had become her lover. Now he was standing in front of her. He was flesh and blood and the reality of his presence exceeded her visions. A voice deep inside of her told her that he was the one. She didn’t believe in the idea of soul mates. That was subject that she edited for the magazine she worked for. “People get to know one another slowly. They become friends. Then good friends and then they become more. It’s not supposed to happen this way.” Yet it was happening. For the past hour she had thought about revealing her feelings to him but what if she was wrong? She left her room determined to tell him how she felt. She saw that Oliver was relentlessly questioning him and the question of who is he was relevant. “He is my…my what?” But the answer she gave seemed so perfect. “He’s mine.”

But when she said it Lana grew fearful. “What if I’m moving too fast? What if he doesn’t want to belong to someone? Instead of saying that he’s mine, am I really saying that I’m his? That is, if he wants me.”

She told him what was in her heart and waited for the axe to fall. But it didn’t fall. He said the words she had dreamed of but never expected to hear. She placed her hands on his chest and looked into his eyes.

“Lana, whatever your story is I believe you. I think we both have a story to tell.”

Lana’s hands went from Clark’s chest to the back of his head. He lowered himself down to her and their lips became one. They slowly caressed each other’s mouth. Savoring the flavor of each other. Their eyes remained shut, holding inside the feelings that were straining to explode outward. Both knowing that this was just the beginning.

Oliver looked from the television and saw that Clark and Lana were oblivious to everything. “Jeez! How can I concentrate on football when that’s going on behind me?” He looked at Jimmy and it appeared that Jimmy had no idea that Clark and Lana were in a passionate embrace as he munched on peanuts and drank a bottle of beer. Oliver rose from the sofa, walked to Lois’ bedroom door, and knocked.

“I’m coming in!”

Clark was in ecstasy. He wanted time to stand still. He never wanted to leave this place. He never wanted to leave Lana. But the blissful silence of their embrace was suddenly interrupted. He opened his eyes and lifted his head.

“Did you say something, Lana?”

Lana continued to line Clark’s neck with small kisses.

“I…can’t…speak….when…I’m….busy….kissing….you.”

Clark cleared his mind and focused his hearing.

“Oliver, didn’t you get enough last night?”

“Oliver, stop it. Let me get dressed.”

“If you don’t stop it we’re not going to get to the game on time.”

“Oliver, stop it! Keep you hands away from me.”

“Oliver, I said…. I said…. Don’t….Don’t…..Don’t…stop. Oh, Oliver, Do that again!”

Clark felt his head being pulled downward by Lana’s hands. Once again he closed his eyes and completely lost himself in her touch. For a moment his hearing picked up another sound. It was Jimmy cracking open more peanuts.


**********

[Clana227]

I said it once I'll say it again great update and I can't wait for more

[kentfamily]

Cant wait for your next update! That was great. Everyone in a romantic mood. Where was Chloe and Jimmy? I thought they were at the apt. too?

Anywho, cant wait for your next chapter!!

[oldmankent]

Chapter Thirteen

“Jimmy! What are you doing?”

Jimmy looked up at Chloe, shifting his attention from the college pre-game show. He brushed a mess of broken peanut shells off his pants.

“What?”

“Look at the mess you made!”

“Where?”

Chloe retrieved a brush and a dust pan from the closet and started sweeping up the mess.

“Men! Honest to God! You guys just don’t see a thing!”

“What?”

Clark and Lana ended their kissing upon Chloe’s entrance into the room although they still kept the distance between them as small as possible.

“Clark, I need to ask you something?”

Clark nodded his head waiting for the question. At this point he would have answered truthfully and without hesitation any Lana that Lana posed to him.

“Clark, I want nothing more than to stay here with you today and get to know you. But I’d like us to go out with Lois and Chloe. I don’t go out with them that often and for the first time I have someone that I really want to go out with. Besides, it will be fun.”

Clark looked into Lana’s eyes and knew he could not refuse her. His smile told her that he would do whatever she wanted.

Lois and Oliver exited her bedroom. Both had smiles on their faces and were holding hands. Chloe immediately noticed them. She took Lois by the arm and pulled her to the side.

“Were you doing with Oliver what I think you were doing with Oliver?”

“Well, yeah!”

“Lois, do you have any sense of propriety? We have a stranger in our apartment. Lana is here along with Jimmy and you and Oliver are in your bedroom having a quick one.”

“It wasn’t that quick.”

Chloe just shook her head in exasperation. Oliver and Jimmy approached Clark and Lana.

“Okay, here’s the game plan. We go MetU stadium. We tailgate for awhile. We go inside and watch MetU kick Nebraska’s ass. We catch a bite to eat after the game at a non-pizzeria so Chloe can be satisfied. And then we go to the Alien Film Festival at the Paramount Theater to satisfy Jimmy. He just can’t live without his black & white film fix.”

Clark grew concerned hearing that aliens were sponsoring on film festival on this planet. “I thought that no one had ever visited this world before.”

Jimmy joined them.

“They’re showing two great movies – The 1951 versions of The Thing and The Day The Earth Stood Still.”

Clark now understood. “Perhaps, these ‘movies’ will give me some idea as to how humans would actually view a visitor from another planet.” Oliver continued.

“My limo is taking us. We can drink and party all day. Afterwards the limo will drop Chloe and Jimmy off at Jimmy’s, me and Lois back at my place, and you and Lana back wherever you want.”

Lana squeezed Clark’s arm.

“What do you think?”

“Lana, as long as I’m with you I don’t care where we go or what we do.”

Hearing Clark made Oliver roll his eyes.

“Oh God! Give me a break! There’s nothing more pathetic than seeing a full grown man smitten by the love bug!”

The three couples exited the apartment and entered Oliver’s limousine. Lois and Oliver along with Chloe and Jimmy sat on one side of the vehicle while Clark and Lana sat by themselves on the other side. Oliver was opened the refrigerator and brought out a bottle of champagne. He poured glasses for everyone. Lana looked at Clark.

“Here’s to us.”

Clark followed Lana’s lead and clicked his glass with everyone. Clark quickly learned that the easiest way to become popular on Earth was the same way as on Krypton. Be a good listener. He asked questions and found that everyone was willing to share information with him without hesitation. They were fun loving and humorous and caring. They cared for each other and they cared for other people. Oliver was wealthy but had set up several foundations to help the less fortunate. On the surface Lois gave the appearance of being a self centered carefree spirit but Clark discovered that she was an intrepid reporter and had a razor sharp sense for where a story was going and what was newsworthy. Jimmy and Chloe were both career oriented. It was obvious that they cared deeply for one another and were struggling with where each fit in the other’s future.

In the short drive to the stadium his respect for Lana grew by leaps and bounds. He already knew she was beautiful and affectionate. Now he learned she had a sharp sense of humor and an even sharper sense of right and wrong.

They entered the parking lot and exited the limousine. Oliver seemed to know everyone and introduced Clark to various groups. Everyone shook his hand and gave him a variety of MetU paraphernalia ranging from baseball caps to banners. He confirmed Pete’s observation that humans were obsessed with food. Food was everywhere and everyone was willing to share their food with Clark. Clark found himself devouring huge sausage sandwiches and gulping down numerous cups of beer. He found it humorous that on chilly November morning there were men parading shirtless with their bodies painted a variety of colors. He also found it curious that he was aware of the cold weather but wasn’t in the least way affected by it.

Several times a person tossed a football to him. He surmised he was supposed to toss it back. The first time he observed how others held the football with the tips of their fingers just over the laces. The first time he positioned his hand in the same way and squeezed the ball. It exploded in his hand. Everyone thought that the ball had been over-inflated. Another time he correctly tossed the ball back and the person who caught it fell to the ground by the momentum of Clark’s throw. Jimmy witnessed this and was astonished by what he saw.

“Whoa, CK! You sure you never played ball?”

Clark just shrugged his shoulders and then heard his cell phone ring. He excused himself and answered it. Habit caused him to answer it in an official tone.

“Kal-El here.”

“You meant to say Kent, didn’t you, Captain?”

“I’m sorry, Pete. Kent here.”

“Captain, I’m just reporting in.”

Clark took a deep breath and remembered that he was still in charge of 400 people.

“I’m sorry, Pete. I should have informed you of my whereabouts.”

“Captain, I contacted the ship to let them know that we’re alright. Everything seems to be normal…for the moment.”

“What does ‘for the moment’ mean, Pete?”

“There are an increasing number of incidents on board. There are more and more crewman who are displaying unusual abilities.”

“Has the laboratory discovered why?”

“Not yet, sir. Medical scans show no infections or viral invasions. But obviously, something is different about this star system.”

“I don’t understand why it’s affecting us only. I haven’t seen any demonstrations of any unusual abilities by the inhabitants of this planet. Check in hourly with the ship. Keep me posted if the incidents reach a point where we might have a problem controlling the crew.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Pete, one last thing. Have we heard anything from home?”

“Nothing, Captain.”

Both men remained silent for a moment and then Pete spoke.

“Captain, I can hear the noise in the background. If you don’t mind me asking, what are you doing?”

“I’m tailgating, Pete.”

“Oh. Captain, how does one exactly tail a gate?”


**********

Lana held Clark by the arm as the couple entered the stadium. Lana had attended a few MetU football games since she graduated from the university and she always met former classmates in the alumni section. She had attended games with dates and semi-serious boyfriends but she had never attended a games with someone who had made her feel more relaxed, secure and confident than Clark Kent. She reveled in taking him by the arm and in overhearing spectators make comments that they had never seen a more gorgeous looking couple.

Lana had already told Clark that she loved him. She didn’t understand and couldn’t explain the force that drew her to him but whatever it was it was getting stronger with each passing minute. Its strength was increasing because Lana was now beginning to like Clark Kent in addition to loving him. In examining Clark, Lana had come to the conclusion that it was easy to fall head over heals in love with Clark Kent. He was tall, dark and handsome with the physique of a Greek god. Strength and raw sexuality oozed through every pore of his body. His voice was deeply masculine and he carried himself with confidence. ”How could a woman not fall in love with him?” Lana was no stranger to raw animal attraction. Good-looking people date other good-looking people. But she had never experienced the overwhelming physical magnet that she was now experiencing. She thought of the article she has just edited for her magazine, ’10 Ways To Make Him Your Sex Slave’, and came to the conclusion that it wouldn’t take much to make her Clark’s sex slave. ”You had me at hello” In fact, what she was willing to do for Clark couldn’t really be called slavery since it would be totally voluntary on her part.

But now she was really liking him. She now not only envisioned them as lover but as best friends. There was no one in world she’d rather be with than Clark Kent and she could not see her feelings changing – ever.

Clark was the most personable, unassuming man she had ever met. He was totally unaware of his own attractiveness and magnetism and totally interested in everything Lana. That not only included Lana herself but the world she lived in. He looked at everything like he was seeing it for the first time. He judged no one and was genuinely happy to meet anyone. Whether they were the wealthy benefactors of the university or the common laborers sweeping the restroom floor. Clark Kent treated each and every individual with respect and as a very special person.

Lana was used to seeing tailgaters at the games before. She took for granted that before the game there would be all kinds of people in a celebratory mood. It was understood and accepted that fans would be overeating, overdrinking and engaging in juvenile but generally harmless behavior. In the cold of a Kansas winter, young men would strip off their shirts and parade their half naked bodies while painted in the colors of the university. The crowds inside the stadium would yell and cheer and groan and stand up in the movement of The Wave. Cheerleaders would cheer and the marching band would quickstep in keeping the crowd entertained during halftime. All of this was accepted as being part of college football. Lana never gave any of it a second thought. Yet Clark seemed fascinated with everything that was happening around them. He broke out in laughter with he saw the men covered in paint. The couple bought hotdogs at the concession stand and Lana laughed at Clark and the way he seemed to be studying the processed meat sausage encased in a bun. He flicked off some mustard with the tip of his finger and held it to his nose to smell it. Then he carefully tasted it. The spiciness of the mustard seemed to surprise him and then he took a bite out of the hotdog.

”Hey! This is good!

”Clark, you make me laugh. You act like you’ve never eaten a hotdog before.”


Clark would then laugh and the couple made their way to their seats. As they sat together Lana would catch Clark looking at her. But it was more than just a passing glance. He seemed to be studying her as if he were trying to memorize every part of her.

”Clark, why are you looking at me that way?”

”What way?”

Lana was transfixed by the intensity of his gaze.

”That way. The way you’re looking at me now.”

”Lana, I guess I just can’t seem to get over that me dream has come true. You’re real and you’re right her in front of me. I’m sorry if I’m making you uncomfortable. I’ll try not to look anymore.”

Lana squeezed his arm.

”You look all you want.”

Lana was familar with young men devoting their attention to her but she had never grown accustomed to it. She was familiar to young men being smitten with her. She was also familiar with not being able to return their feelings. There were many times when men declared their undying devotion to her after a few dates. There were even times when men were ready to make a lifetime commitment to her after several hours into their first date. Lana had politely but firmly turned each one of them down. ‘Let’s just be friends’ seemed to become her middle name. As the years passed Lana began to think that perhaps her standards were too high. There were many wonderful men who would have made wonderful boyfriends and husband but they didn’t fit Lana’s picture of the man who was right for her. She moved past each and every one of them. There were many nights when a man would see her home at the end of a date, attempt to kiss her and Lana would give him her cheek. As the door closed behind her she would lean against it and wonder, ”What’s wrong with me?” The next day she would receive a delivery of roses and a phone and a request for another date. And then she would make a decision.

And she always knew what the decision would be before the phone call and the roses.

But Clark was so different. Lana knew that if he asked her to go out with him tomorrow night she would say ‘yes’ without hesitation. She was ready to ‘yes’ to the next night and the night after that and the weeks and months after that. If he asked her to live with him she was ready to pack her bags and leave her two roommates without a second thought. If he asked her – dare she think it – if he asked her to marry him, she was ready to give an unconditional yes. After three hours of knowing Clark Kent, Lana Lang was already dreaming of the her wedding gown. She couldn’t help but love him. She squeezed his arm.

”Clark, you do know that I’m crazy about you, don’t you?”

Clark stopped and looked her in the eyes. There was an obvious expression of concern on his face.

”Clark, why are you looking at me that way?”

”I thought you said you were in love with me.”

”I am in love with you.”

”I’m sorry, Lana, but I don’t understand why being in love with me would cause a loss of your mental faculties and result in insanity.”

Lana silently studied his face his face for a few moments and then she broke out in uncontrolled laughter.

”You are really good, Clark Kent. You really had me there. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who can keep a straight face as good as you can.”

Clark brought his hand up to his face and began feeling it.

”Straight face?”

”You’re doing it again!”

Lana turned to him and placed her hands on his shoulders.

”Clark, this may seem silly but I need to know that you’re as crazy about me as I am about you. I’ve never felt this way about anyone. It’s all happening so fast and I just don’t act this way. I guess I need to have some reassurance that this is really happening.”

Lana grew concerned when Clark did not answer immediately. He took a few moment to reflect on what she had just said

”I guess I’m in desperate need of psychiatric help, Lana. Nothing like this has ever happened to me either.”

Lana lost all restraint and pushed herself into Clark. Her hands reached for his head and he brought his lips to hers. As their mouths met and savored each other’s taste all sense of time and space was lost. All they could feel was the beating of each other’s heart. They became acutely aware of the increased breathing of the other. They opened their eyes when they heard someone shouting.

”Hey! Go get a room!”

They broke and Clark took Lana’s hand.

”Lana, I am insane about you.”


**********

The societal culture of the Planet Krypton was structured and very formalized. All activities were performed in the context of improving the individual and by improving the individual the Kryptionian society as a whole would be improved. There was little that was done without purpose. It was through such purposeful activity that Krypton progressed into one of the most technologically advanced planets throughout the twenty-eight known galaxies. The structure was so successful that it was never questioned. When Kal-El rejected the course that his father had set for him it was seen as a rejection of Kryptonian society. To reject one’s father was seen as a rejection of society’s leaders and society’s rules. Normally, any Krptonian who would do such a thing would be considered an outcast. It was only through Kal-El’s superior intellect and extraordinary self-discipline that he was able to rise above this rebellion and reach officer status in the Kryptonian Galactic Fleet. The human concept of ‘fun’ was something that was incomprehensible to a Kryptonian and it was ‘fun’ that Kal-El, now Clark Kent, was experiencing for the first time in his life.

Clark tried his best to act like a knowledgeable football fan. Everyone in the stadium cheered for the MetU team. At the same time everyone in the stadium jeered the Cornhuskers. Clark later found out that the ‘Cornhuskers’ actually had nothing to do with corn. They were from another university called Nebraska. The ball they played with was oval in shape and Clark quickly learned that the goal of the game was for one team to attempt to move the oval ball down the field across the goal line while the other team attempted top prevent the ball from being moved across the goal line. Each team has eleven players on each side. They would line up and face each other. The ball would be put in play. All twenty-two players would run around in what Clark assumed was a pre-established pattern. The person with the ball would be slammed to the ground by the other team and then the whole thing would start all over again.

The entire stadium would erupt in cheers when one of the players ran a great distance with the ball. Sometimes one player would hand the ball to another player and at other times the ball was thrown into the air a great distance by one player while another player ran underneath it and caught it. Clark also noticed that the crowd cheered when a player on ‘defense’ delivered a particularly violent hit to a member of the opposing team. Clark appreciated the skill that it took for these sleek and swift players to play the game. He did not understand what the ‘linemen’ did. It seemed that they just continued to beat on each other throughout the entire game. He observed that the terminology of the game was militaristic. ‘Bombs’ were thrown on offense. The defense would ‘blitz’.

The part of the game that Clark liked the most was when MetU scored a ‘touchdown’. Each time a touchdown was scored Lana would jump up and down, grab hold of him and give him a passionate kiss. He noticed that this was also occurring with Lois and Oliver, and with Chloe and Jimmy and just about every couple within viewing distance. On this particular Saturday MetU seemed to be scoring a great many touchdowns and Clark found himself wishing that they would score even more.

Clark noticed that one player in particular seemed to bear a great deal of responsibility. When the ‘quarterback’ led his team to a touchdown he was proclaimed a hero. When the quarterback failed to lead his team to a touchdown he was proclaimed a ‘bum’. Clark did not know what a ‘bum’ was but he assumed that the verbal venom that accompanied the word meant that it was a very bad thing.

Everyone had an opinion as to how MetU should be playing. When MetU ran the ball unsuccessfully there were spectators who complained that they thought MetU should be throwing the ball. When MetU threw the ball unsuccessfully there were spectators who though that the ball should have been run. On this particular day Nebraska did not score a single point yet there were spectators who were seated in rows above the three couples who did not seem satisfied.

”MetU sucks! I could coach better than that stupid son of a b*tch!”

Clark looked back to see group of overweight men who were obviously inebriated.

”Lana, MetU is beating Nebraska badly. Why are those men complaining!”

”Don’t pay any attention to them, Clark. They get drunk before they come into the stadium and then they ruin the game for anyone sitting near them. Guys like that are one of the reasons I don’t go to many games.”

”Why are they allowed into the stadium?”

”They’re big contributors to the school. They think their money allows them to do whatever they want.”

Clark continued to stare at the group. ”I guess it does.”

As Clark finished one of the men threw his cup of beer into the ground below almost striking Chloe. The beer splashed onto several spectators. Clark didn’t like what was happening and he decided to do something about it. He left his seat and began to walk up the steps to the rambunctious group.

”Clark, what are you doing?”

Lana’s words were more of a panicked cry than a question. She tried to pull him back but he was too quick. He took the steps two at a time and in a few seconds he stood before the group.

”Excuse me. Please stop your behavior. You’re ruining the game for everyone.”

The six men looked at Clark and began to laugh. One of them stood before him and held a cup of beer in front him.

”Suck my dick, *******!”

He then tried to pour the beer over Clark’s head. Clark was a trained military officer in excellent physical condition and knew he would have no trouble dealing with a drunken opponent but even Clark was surprised at the speed at which he grabbed the spectator’s hand before a drop was spilled and turned it back over the belligerent fan’s head.

”Why you son of a b*tch!”

Clark had decided that he would use his Krytonian hand-to-hand combat training in a defensive mode only. He placed himself in a fighting stance and readied himself to block whatever blow was about to be delivered. The drunken fan threw an overhand right fist that Clark easily blocked with his forearm. The block caused the bones in the attacker’s fingers to splinter. He clutched his fist and cried out in pain. His five companions moved in a row towards Clark. Clark shot out his right hand to push the lead attacker away. The blow struck him in the chest and he fell backwards as if he had been struck by a sledgehammer. He fell into the four companions behind them and they all fell over like a row of dominoes.

A team of security guards were now at the scene. The drunken group shouted that Clark had come out of nowhere to attack them without provocation.

”This jerk attacked us! The stupid bastard broke my hand! I’m going to sue the sh*t out of you buddy!”

Lana was now by Clark’s side and holding him by the arm. The security team was about to lead Clark out of the stadium and to the nearest police officer when Lana shouted back that Clark was only defending himself. This caused the fans that were seated nearby to join in the protest. Dozens of fans came forward to assert that Clark was the one who was attacked and was only defending himself.

”This ******* threw the first punch! The bunch of them is always drunk and they ruin the game for everyone! They shouldn’t be allowed in the stadium!”

”Shut up b*tch! Do you know how much money I give this f**king school?”

Clark responded by grabbing him by the neck and lifting him off the ground. The man’s eyes opened wide in astonishment as he recognized that he was dealing with something that he was ill equipped to handle.

”Apologize to the lady.”

”What?”

”I want you to apologize to this lady for your foul language and behavior. Then I want you to apologize to everyone seated around you.”

The six drunken fans muttered apologies to Lana and the fans around them. They were then led out of the stadium by the security team. Clark was asked if he wanted to file a complaint. He declined.

Lana proudly walked with him to their seats.

It was easy for her to see that Clark Kent was tall, handsome, intelligent and personal.

Now she had just discovered that he was brave and willing to stand up for what was right even if the odds were against him. She increased her hold on him and leaned her head against his arm.

For Lana, this was as close as she had ever been to heaven.

Clark wanted to feel the same way but worry took hold of his mind. ”How did I get to be so strong?”


**********

[kentfamily]

Sorry, but I didnt like the use of curse words by those creeps at the stadium.

Maybe keep it a little more clean?
But I still like your writing technique and story! Keep adding on to your story.. Up date please.

[oldmankent]

Chapter Fourteen

Although Lois had witnessed Clark’s handling of the drunken fan from a distance she had seen more than enough to convince her that Clark was not only in the military but that he was much more than just a soldier with the Special Forces. Visions of The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum circulated in her head. She whispered to Chloe.

”Did you see what he just did?”

”Yeah. Clark is quite a guy. He must have some kind of special martial arts training.”

”I think it’s more than that, Chloe”

”What do you mean?”

”He just took on six guys like they didn’t exist. There’s only one place where a guy like Clark Kent can receive that kind of training.”

”Where?”

”Langley.”

Chloe almost burst into laughter.

”Langley? Are you saying that Lana Lang’s dream man is….”

”CIA!”

”Lois, this is real life. We are not in an Alfred Hitchcock movie. What would make you think that Clark Kent is some kind of secret agent?”

”Chloe, it all fits. We know that he’s been an officer in the military. The police office told us that his friend called him ‘Captain’. The police officer also said he was in the Special Forces. He’s probably some kind of secret government agency killing machine.”

”Lois, why would the CIA have someone in Metropolis?”

Lois became alarmed at her own imagination.

”What if he’s hiding out? He could be putting all of us in danger.”

”Yeah, Lois. He’s hiding out all right. Being seen in public in a football stadium with a billionaire and his big mouthed reporter girlfriend is a perfect way of hiding out and not being noticed.”

”Okay, so he’s not hiding out. But it also explains why Lana is so smitten with him. Clark Kent has probably been trained in the art of seduction. The Russians used to have special spy schools to teach the art of sexual seduction. He’s seducing Lana to find out what she knows.

”Lois, Lana works for Cosmopolitan. I doubt that Clark is trying to seduce her so that he can find out ‘The 10 Ways To Make Yourself Irresistible So That He Never Says No’. I doubt if she’s privy to some kind of secret international conspiracy. Ask yourself - what would a CIA agent be doing in Metropolis?”

Lois’ eyes opened wide.

”Something is going to happen. Something is going to happen in Metropolis. The CIA knows about and they’ve sent their best agent into the city. Chloe, something is going to happen and you and I are going to make the front page of The Daily Planet with the story!”


**********

The University of Metropolis had defeated the University of Nebraska 63 to 0. Clark felt pity for the beaten Cornhuskers as they walked off the field and were taunted by the fans.

”Paybacks a b*tch!”

Clark kept shaking his head at the language he heard from the humans. ”Why do the humans hold female canines in such high esteem?” He made a mental note to ask Lana when they had a private moment. It was one of the many things he needed to ask her once he revealed to her who he really was.

The three couples left the stadium and then decided where to eat. Oliver and Lois wanted to go to a five star restaurant. Jimmy and Chloe wanted to go TGI-Friday. Lana and Clark didn’t care where they ate as long as they were together. The three couples ended up at the girl’s old standby – O’Spinelli’s. O’Malley and Spinelli were surprised to see the girls two nights in a row but they were happy nonetheless. Lana, Chloe and Lois were like daughters to them and they were always thrilled to see them. They were also happy to see that someone accompanied Lana. Clark made an immediate favorable impression with a warm smile and a firm handshake. O’Malley and Spinelli called their wives to meet Lana’s young man. Both women looked Clark up and down and murmured ‘Ooh la la!’ under their breath.

Again, Clark was amazed at the camaraderie that the humans displayed especially when eating. On Krypton, eating was eating. The consumption of nutrients in order to maintain the energy supply that the body required to operate efficiently. But on Earth eating was something entirely different. It was not only used to maintain the body’s energy supply but the humans used the act of eating to socialize and to exchange information. ”You’re wrong, Pete. The humans aren’t obsessed with food. They’re obsessed with each other. Food is just tool for social interaction.” Clark was amazed at the variety of food that was available.

He followed Lana’s lead and ordered the house specialty – corned beef and cheese ravioli. Although they were part of the larger group they were oblivious to the other two couples and entirely focused on each other.

”You still haven’t told me much about yourself, Clark. Do you find it difficult to trust people?”

Clark enjoyed Lana’s directness. He was also impressed by her astuteness.

”Lana, I know I haven’t said much about myself and it’s not because I don’t trust you. I hardly know you but there’s something about you that tells me that I can trust you with anything. I will tell you everything you want to know about me…”

He bent over and whispered in her ear.

”when we’re alone.”

There was something about Clark that told Lana that she could believe everything he said. Something that told her that she could trust him with anything. She was feeling a warmth build up inside of her and she started to regret that she had agreed to go with Chloe and Lois. Lana wanted to end the night quickly not only because she wanted to know more about Clark but because she wanted to turn her dreams into reality. Lana wanted to desperately make love with Clark. She took her fork and took ravioli from his plate and began to feed him. He ate ravenously.

”Clark, do you have some kind of tapeworm or something?”

”Tapeworm? You mean a parasite?”

Lana nodded.

”No. Why do you ask?”

”Clark, you’ve been eating the entire day like you have a bottomless pit for a stomach.”

Clark realized that what Lana was saying was true. He should have stopped eating hours ago but he continued to eat anything and everything without any ill effect. He was just as dumbfounded as to the reason as Lana.

”Clark, can I tell you something without you thinking that I’m crazy?”

”But I thought you were crazy.”

Lana punched him in the arm.

”Not that kind of crazy. Not in love with you crazy. I mean crazy crazy. You know. I mean lock me up in the asylum crazy.”

Clark put down his fork and gave Lana his full attention.

”No, Lana. I won’t think you’re crazy.”

”Clark, I’ve been dreaming of you. I mean, I dreamed of you before I even met you.”

Clark studied her carefully.

”How long have you been dreaming of me?”

Lana answered quietly and she found it difficult to meet his eyes.

”Three years.”

Lana expected Clark to react suspiciously to her answer. She was surprised when he didn’t.

”That would be about the same amount of time that I’ve been dreaming of you. In fact, Lana, one of the reasons I’m here is to find you. You don’t know how far I’ve come to find out if you were real.”

Lana’s eyes opened wide in amazement.

”You’ve been dreaming of me too?”

”The dreams have gotten more intense over the past week. It’s like they weren’t dreams anymore.”

”Clark, did you make love to me in your dream?”

Clark’s slightly red face and dropped eyes were the answer to Lana’s question. Lana leaned into him. She placed her hand on the inside of his thigh.

”What does it all mean, Clark?”

Clark wrapped his arm behind her.

”I don’t know. But whatever it is we’ll find out together.”


**********

The Paramount Theater was Jimmy Olsen’s favorite place to watch movies. It was built during the 1950s when Cinemascope was in vogue and wasn’t anything like the modern day multiplexes. The building contained a single widescreen that lay behind a curtain. There weren’t any of the pre-show advertisements that accompany 21st century movies. Instead an organist in the upper corner of the theater played a variety of tunes to keep the crowd entertained. The crowd became filled with anticipation when the organist stopped playing and the organ withdrew into an alcove. The lights in the theater dimmed and the massive curtain was pulled back to reveal the screen.

Modern crowds and movie going tastes almost put the Paramount out of business but Jimmy Olsen convinced Oliver Queen that the theater was a historic landmark. Queen bought it and then donated it to the city under the condition that it would remain open indefinitely. The theater became a haven for old time movies that are seldom seen on the big screen. Movie fans could finally see on the big screen, Gone With The Wind, Citizen Kane, The Searchers, Ben Hur, Lawrence of Arabia, and El Cid. The theater occasionally brought back Star Wars for the children of the children who saw original film in all of its wide screen splendor. The most popular events were the film festivals. The theater would be filled to capacity for the Humphrey Bogart/James Cagney film festival, the Marlon Brando/James Dean film festival, the Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers film festival and the most popular of all, the Worst Movies Ever Made film festival.

The Alien Invasion Film Festival filled the theater to capacity. To Clark, the fans in the theater were just as interesting as the fans at the football game. Dozens of people had their faces painted a pale green. Many had donned pointed ears and had antenna attached to their heads. ”Is this how the humans view alien life? They see us as little green men?”

Clark also noticed that, just like the football game, food was a big part of the experience. Lana prompted him to buy a giant bucket of buttered popcorn for them the share. Clark’s eyes opened wide at the taste.

”Wow, Lana! This is good!

Lana leaned her head against Clark’s shoulder.

”Oh, Clark. You are so funny. Do you realize that we’ve done more on our first date than some couples do on their first three dates.”

Again, Lana noticed the pensive expression on Clark’s face.

”Clark, what’s wrong?”

”The ‘date’ – 2007 November 24th.”

Lana mistook Clark’s confusion for sentimentality.

”November 24th. It’s a date I will always remember.”

They continued to munch on their popcorn as the organist stopped playing, the lights dimmed and the curtain pulled back to reveal the screen.

Before the main features came on, the theater played a fifteen-minute montage of old outer space monster movies. The movies were made during the 1950s and early 1960s. They were cheaply made and were usually seen in drive-ins. There were some middle-aged fans that remembered seeing these films on television when they were children before the advent of cable television. It started with the black and white ‘Man From Planet X’. Clark noticed that ‘the Man’ looked just like some the green-faced viewers in the theater. Then came ‘Invaders From Mars’. The aliens were clothed in green costumes. They captured humans and drilled small antennae in their heads to control them. In ‘Earth Versus The Flying Saucers’ mankind battled a fleet of alien spaceships that were defeated with sound waves. In ‘It Came From Outer Space’ the aliens were so grotesque that seeing them drove the humans insane. The montage ended with ‘Plan 9 From Outer Space’. Alien invaders turn the humans into vampire-like zombies. The crowd howled at what is generally considered the worst movie ever made especially when it was obvious that the flying saucers were automobile wheel covers that were being dangled in the air by fishing line. Clark was entertained but slightly concerned at the same time.

He felt a tapping on his shoulder. Jimmy was trying to get his attention.

”Clark, have you seen any of those movies?”

”No, Jimmy. I missed them.”

Clark thought that was the end of it but Jimmy continued.

”My favorite alien invasion movie is a little more modern. Did you ever see ‘Predator’?”

Clark shook his head.

”You missed ‘Predator? Ah, Clark! You missed it when the Predator took off his helmet and Arnold says, ….”

Jimmy tried speaking in an Austrian accent.

” You’re one ugly mother f**ker!”

Jimmy started laughing at his own poor imitation. Clark wanted to laugh with him but didn’t know what the joke was.

”Arnold?”

”Yeah. Arnold. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Governor of California.”

Clark gave a little smile but was not amused. ”The Governor of California. Their leaders encourage the populace to have this distorted point of view about aliens.”- Lana chimed in.

”’Predator’ was good but my favorite was ‘Alien’. When the baby alien popped out of the guy’s chest I jumped out of my seat.”

Clark looked at Lana.

”The alien jumped out of the guy’s chest?”

Lana nodded.

”Yeah. It was really gross.”

The first movie began, ‘The Thing From Another World’. Clark observed that it was a very simple story. A flying saucer crashes in the North Pole. Several military men discover it and its lone occupant frozen in a cake of ice. The alien is taken to Artic research station where it accidentally gets thawed out. It then proceeds to kill the occupants of the station and drain their blood. It uses the blood to grow – more aliens. In the end the military men defeat the aliens by burning it with a large dose of electricity. The movie ends with a warning – ‘Look to the skies!’

Clark enjoyed the movie. It was fast paced and the actors portrayed the characters with a tongue-in-cheek spontaneity. There was another conflict in the movie beside the one between the alien and humans. It was between the military and the scientists. The scientists wanted to study the alien whereas the military wanted to shoot first and ask questions later. Clark couldn’t help but think of Pete’s answer when he asked of his assessment of humans, ”They fear what the do not understand and they destroy what they fear.” The movie seemed to confirm this.

The next movie was ‘The Day The Earth Stood Still’. This was a more thought provoking movie. The alien was humanoid in appearance and came to Earth to offer its leaders that chance to join a society of advanced civilizations. Peace was maintained by a police force of giant robots that seemed to respond to the words, ‘Gork Klattu Barada Nikto’. The movie depicted the humans as reacting with fear and violence towards the alien but the lead character, a widowed mother and her son helped the alien and demonstrated to him that not all humans are fearful of what they do not understand. The movie ended with the words – ‘The choice is yours.’ Clark looked at Lana and wondered if she would be like the widowed mother. Fearful at first but then understanding and helpful. ”It’s only a movie but sometimes the art forms of a culture represent the culture. If I told Lana who I really am, would she fear me?”

The festival ended after midnight. The limousine dropped Chloe and Jimmy off at his apartment and then Clark and Lana off at her apartment. Lana walked up the steps to the front door of the building with Clark by her side. Clark noticed that she seemed a little tense.

”You’re coming in. Right?”

Clark nodded his head. He noticed that Lana’s hand was slightly shaking as she tried to get her key into the lock.

”Lana, is something wrong?”

”I’m just a little nervous, Clark. I’ve never asked a man to come in before.”

Clark took the key from her and opened the door. They walked up the stairs and went inside her apartment. Lana went in her bedroom for a few minutes. She told him eh wanted to get into something a little more comfortable.

He walked to the window and looked at the full moon in sky. He thought of Lana. He thought of home. ”Lana, I wish I could introduce to my mother. She would love to meet you.” He thought of the visions he had of her. The visions had been as close to perfection as he had ever experienced. Now he was close to making perfection a reality. ”But first I have to tell her everything.”

Lana went to the bedroom and closed the door behind her. She took off her coat and shoes. She looked at the bed and thought of the dreams she had of Clark. ”This is it. But not until he tells me everything like he said he would.” She was about to open the door. ”I hope he’s not leaving Metropolis.”

When Lana came back out she found Clark looking out the window at the full moon. She took him by the hand and led him to the sofa where they sat down. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he wrapped his arms around her waist. ”I love him so much. Don’t ever leave me, Clark.” The desire they had for each other was overwhelming but each found the strength to hold back. They proceeded slowly and kissed softly and lightly. Savoring each other. Burning each moment into their memories. The delay made their feelings for each other even more acute but each held off. Each one wanted to make this a very special moment. Clark pulled away and looked at Lana.

”Lana, what did you think of those movies?”

Lana saw the concern on Clark’s face. She didn’t understand what was troubling him.

”There only movies, Clark. None of it is real.”

”What if they were real? Do you think that mankind fears what it doesn’t understand and destroys what it fears?”

”That’s a deep question to think about at 1:30 in the morning.”

They both remained silent for a moment. Then Lana spoke.

”I guess it’s up to the individual, Clark. I could say that if I met an alien I would not be fearful but I really would never know until it happened. I don’t know how I would react until it was the moment of truth.”

Lana noticed that Clark was thinking about what she had just said.

”Does that make me a bad person?”

Clark shook his head and then he smiled at her. Clark knew that Lana was the most honest person he had ever met. Whatever her reaction would be, it would be true. ”A person can’t ask for much more than that.”

”No. Just a honest one.”

Clark took Lana’s hands in his own and looked into her large hazel eyes.

”Lana, I love you. But before we can go on you need to know some things about me. When I said I traveled far to be with you I meant farther than Warwick, New York.”

Lana waited for Clark to finish. ”I hope he’s not going to tell me that he doesn’t have a job.”

”Lana, I’m from a…..”

They both heard Clark’s cell phone ring. He stood up and looked at it the display. It was Pete.

”Lana, I have to take this.”

He activated his communication device.

”Yes, Pete.””

”Captain, I know it’s late and I’m sorry to bother you this late but we’ve received another communiqué.”

”It’s from Krypton, Sir. It’s from home.”


**********

[kentfamily]

Cant wait for your next chapter. Keeping me on the edge of my seat.
Please update.

[oldmankent]

Chapter Fifteen

The hours that Clark had spent with Lana had been the happiest of his life. Just being in close proximity to her was enough to make his heart jump. Throughout the day he had felt her hand in his. The scent of her hair and the barely perceptible aroma of her perfume aroused his passion. The softness of her skin and her slight breath on his face made him shudder when she brought her face close to his. The sound of her voice soothed him and made all his worries and concerns fade into nothing. When he kissed her the world and the universe disappeared. All that existed were Lana’s lips lingering on his. Their hearts beat in rhythm – together.

All of this was erased with a single sentence.

He was not Clark Kent. He was Kal-El. He was an officer in the Krytonian Galactic Fleet. He had taken an oath of allegiance to Krypton and to the defense of its people. He was in command. Command. Honor. Duty. There was a ship that was his to command and to protect. There were four hundred crewmen for him to protect. Four hundred Kryptonians that he was responsible for. Other commanders thought that the crew was there to serve them but what set Kal-El apart was that he instinctively knew that he was there to serve his crew. They looked to him. They depended upon him.

”Home.” As much as he wanted it to be Earth was not his ‘home’. Krypton was his ‘home’. And even if he wanted to make Earth his new ‘home’ there was four hundred souls on board his ship who looked to him to bring them ‘home’. Each of them had their own definition of ‘home’. ”I never should have forgotten who I truly am. I was only deceiving myself.”

Lana had thought Clark had received news of a loved one’s death. She watched him carefully. He stood apart from her – alone and isolated. The blood drained from his face. It seemed to Lana that within a few seconds Clark’s smooth forehead became creased with lines of worry. His broad shoulders that he had kept so straight now sagged as if the weight of the world had been placed upon them.

She moved next to him and placed her arm around him to comfort him. ”His burden is my burden.” That was her job. She was there for him. ”Whatever it is, please share it with me”

”Clark, what’s wrong?”

It took a moment for Kal-El to recognize the name ‘Clark’ as his own. He tried to smile at Lana but his facial muscles would not respond to a lie.

”Clark, please. Whatever it is, let me help.”

Kal-El placed his arm around Lana.

”Lana, I….I….Lana, you don’t know much about me. I can’t tell you everything you need to know about me right now but I can tell you that there are people who are depending on me.”

Lana recalled that the police officer did refer to Clark as ‘Captain’. She tightly held his hands.

”Clark, I’m here for you. You have to understand something. I want this to be more than just a physical relationship. We hardly know each other but at the same time I feel like I’ve known you forever. You can tell me anything.”

Clark nodded his understanding.

”Lana, I have to go.”

Lana felt Clark’s arm leave her. He didn’t try to kiss her goodnight. He didn’t look at her. He just walked towards the door. Lana desperately called out to him.

”Clark, when am I going to see you again?”

He didn’t answer right away. He stopped at the door with his back to her. His voice was weak.

”I don’t know.”

Lana felt helpless as Clark left the apartment. ”This can’t be happening. It was just a moment ago I was ready to give myself to him and share my life with him and now he’s gone. No! I’m not going to let this happen.”

Lana ran out the door of her apartment.

”Clark!

She was out of the building and into the empty street.

He was gone.


**********

Clark did not try to stop the momentum of his speed. He had to get away from Lana as quickly as possible. If he had stayed any longer he would have forgotten about his duty as an officer. Lana would have made him forget who he really was. In the blink of eye he was back at the hotel with Pete. He did not ask Pete how he had spent the day. The two men transported back to the spacecraft. They were met by Sun-Ben.

”Hello, Captain. How was your visit?”

”News of my visit can wait, Sun-Ben. I understand we’ve received another communiqué from Krypton?”

Kal-El, Sun-Ben and Ten-Vik spoke as they walked to the briefing room. As the Science Officer, Ten-Vik was reading reports that were handed to him by his assistants as they walked. The three men entered the briefing room where other senior and junior officers were waiting for them. Sun-Ben spoke.

”Captain, the communiqué wasn’t addressed to anyone in particular. I’d like to play it for you now.”

Kal-El nodded his head. Sun-Ben activated the audio.

The room was filled with a series of sounds but no language. At first it seemed like gibberish but as Kal-El listened he determined that there was a rhythmic pattern to the sounds. The sequence of sound started off strongly. It then lessened in intensity and then it became faint. Finally, it faded away in the middle of the rhythmic string. Sun-Ben explained.

”Captain what you’ve just heard is an ancient Kryptonian distress signal that hasn’t been used for centuries. It was used in ancient times when Kryptonian spacecraft were in distress. It’s much like the S.O.S. that humans use with their ancient Morse Code. The first part of the signal indicates a cry for help. The second part of the signal indicates a set of coordinates to identify the point of origin".

”When did we receive this?"

”Seven days after we entered stasis."

”I don’t understand. Why wasn’t this with the rest of the communiqués we received when we came out of stasis?"

”Because this distress call was transmitted by ancient radio waves and not accelerated light waves like our standard communications. We simply missed it.”

Kal-El understood. There was no reason to assume that anyone would try to communicate with them using ancient technology.

”Whoever sent this, why would they use ancient technology?”

He looked to his Science Officer for the answer. Ten-Vik answered.

”I can only think of one reason, Captain. Our standard means of communication travels on accelerated light waves. This requires enormous amounts of power. It may be that the power was not available. We know that something happened on Krypton three to five days after we went into stasis. It may be that whatever happened, the power needed to communicate with us was no longer available. The distress signal may have been a last cry for help.”

Kal-El thought for a moment about what he was hearing.

”We know that the first part of the distress is a signal for help. The second part is coordinates for a location. Do we know the location of the coordinates?"

Sun-Ben nodded.

”Yes, Captain. It’s Krypton.”

Everyone in the room except Kal-El let out a gasp.

”Are you telling me that the distress call isn’t from another spacecraft but from an entire planet? Are you telling me that an entire planet is calling for help?”

Sun-Ben simply nodded his head.

Ten-Vik spoke up. He addressed the junior officers in room.

”I have to speak to Captain and the First Officer. I’d like everyone else to leave the room.”

All of the officers except Kal-El, Sun-Ben and Ten-Vik left the room.

”What is it, Ten-Vik?”

”Captain, the laboratory has determined the cause of the strange powers we’ve all been experiencing. It’s this system’s star – the yellow sun. Our molecular structure is different from the humans. We react differently to their sun’s rays. When the humans are exposed to their sun, their skin tans. But we become super beings. We become enormously strong and fast. We defy their gravity. We literally become gods in this star system.”

”Can we do anything to stop it?”

”We’re working on that but right now the answer is no. Captain, the reason I sent everyone out of the room is because I don’t think we should officially declare 400 hundred crewmen to be gods. Pretty soon everyone is going to understand that they’ve become all powerful. For all I know they could be listening through the walls to what I’m saying right now. When this happens, some of our crewmen might decide that they don’t want to be ordinary people on Krypton. They might decide that they’d rather be gods on Earth and there is nothing we can do to stop them. Discipline will become a greater problem the longer we stay here. The longer we stay here the greater the danger we become to the planet below.”

Clark loved Lana and he was beginning to love her world. But he was now hearing that his presence and the presence of his crewmen might be a threat to that world. If he left and returned to Krypton it would take three years to get there. If he could return to Earth it would take another three years. He turned to Sun-Ben.

”Make preparations to leave orbit. We’re going back to Krypton…..If it’s still there.”

Sun-Ben spoke.

”And what if Krypton no longer exists?”

Kal-El didn’t answer him. Sun-Ben knew that there wasn’t another option. He left the room. Kal-El walked out with Ten-Vik. At an intersection in the corridor Kal-El separated from Ten-Vik and walked in the direction of the transport unit.

”Captain, where are you going?”

”There’s someone I have to say goodbye to.”


**********

[kentfamily]

Oh no! He cant leave! They just met.

I hope Krypton, is not in any great danger.
What will 400 Kryptonians do on earth? It will be the end for humans. Not all Kryptonians are nice.
Anyway, great chapter. ;)
Please update.

[oldmankent]

Chapter Sixteen

Lana Lang was heartbroken. She had thought she had known the pain of heartache but she now knew she was wrong. She had suffered the assorted heartaches of adolescence. Her mother had comforted her during those times. Assuring her that ‘the sun would rise in the morning’ and it did rise. Within a day or so the hurt had disappeared and Lana moved on with life.

She had numerous relationships during her college years and young adulthood but none of them had ever caused her the pain of a broken heart. The ending of the relationship usually resulted in heartache for the young man. Lana felt disappointment. She felt sorry for ending the relationships with someone who was a ‘nice guy’ but that was all and life went on.

Now she was feeling actual physical pain.

She had run out into the street to catch Clark but she was too late. There wasn’t even a trace of him. Lana thought that a taxi must have just passed by at the right moment and had taken Clark away. ”I don’t even know where he’s staying.” She slowly walked back to her apartment and into her bedroom. She sat on her bed and stared out at the night sky through her window. Tears filled her eyes and then rolled down on her face. She felt cramps in her stomach as she heaved with sorrow. Had she done something wrong? Had she chased him away? Was she being punished for something she had done? Was it the law of averages? Was it now her turn to experience as so many young men had experienced with her? What about her dreams? They had to mean something. There were no answers.

There was only emptiness.

Dawn emerged through the window. Light entered her room. The sun had risen. The pain remained.

”Lana.”

Lana turned around to the sound of the whispered voice. Clark was standing in the doorway of her bedroom. ”He came back!" Lana ran to Clark and jumped into his arms.

Clark held her tightly. He felt her tears on his face. His heart was breaking for what he had done to her. His heart was breaking for what he was about to do.

She brought her hands up and held the sides of his head. She leaned her forehead into his. Her tears had now changed from the tears of heartache to the tears of joy. ”You came back!"

”Whatever I did to drive you away, I’m sorry. Please don’t leave me.”

Clark was dumbfounded that Lana actually thought that she had driven him away. He chastised himself for not only causing pain to the person he loved but leaving her to think that she was the cause.

”Lana, you didn’t do anything. It’s not you. It’s me.”

Lana’s tears were subsiding. The strength of Clark’s arms made her feel secure.

”Clark, I don’t understand.”

Clark knew it was the moment of truth. If he had to leave Lana he wasn’t going to do it with her questions not being answered.

”Lana, I’m a traveler. An explorer. I was sent here to explore and to evaluate.”

”You were sent to Metropolis?”

”No, Lana. I was sent to what we call the Green Planet. I was sent to what you call Earth.”

Lana pulled back her head and looked directly into Clark’s eyes. Something in his eyes told her that he was being truthful.

”You’re telling me that you’re from another planet?”

Clark nodded his head.

”It’s called Krypton. It’s light years away. It took us three of your Earth years to get here.”

”Us?”

”I’m the commander of a spacecraft with 400 crewmen. We’re in orbit around your planet right now. We’ve masked ourselves so that we won’t be discovered by your radar or your satellites.”

A voice inside Lana told her that the man who was holding her needed professional help. Another voice inside her told her that if she believed him she would need professional help.

”Prove it.”

Clark motioned with his head for Lana to look below at her feet. She moved her head and looked at her feet. She was much shorter than Clark and her feet were suspended in air about midway between his knee and his ankle. Then her eyes traveled past her feet to Clark’s. His feet were enormous. A slight smile came to her face. ”I wonder if it’s true what they say about men with large feet?” Then the smile became a gasp. His feet were not on the floor.

He was floating in the air.

”Oh my God! You can fly?”

”Only in your star system. There’s something about your yellow sun that has a unique effect on our molecules. We don’t understand yet. It seems to endow us with the powers of super beings. I’m just learning to control it.”

He slowly descended to the floor. He now sat on the bed and cradled her in his arms.

”My people have explored many planets and on each on of them we’ve found evidence of a higher intelligence that once colonized thousands of planets. That evidence has singled out your Earth as a very special planet. We’ve come here to find out why.”

Lana dried what was left of her tears with her sleeve. She was sitting in Clark’s lap and listening to him. She was surprised that she was taking what Clark was telling her so calmly. It was almost like he was telling her what religion he belonged to, what political party he voted for, how many times a week he ate pasta.

”But there’s something else. Something personal.”

Lana could see that Clark was struggling in what he had to say.

”It’s okay, Clark. You can tell me.”

”Lana, there’s something about this planet that has drawn me to it and that something is really a someone and that someone is you.”

She held him tightly.

”Lana, I’ve been having visions of you since before my journey began. Your image has carried me across the universe. I knew you before I ever met you.”

”Clark, the same thing has been happening to me. It’s like someone picked out of mind the qualifications for the perfect man for me to love and that man is you.”

Clark pulled her closer. Lana closed her eyes as the magnetic force that had brought him to Earth and had filled Lana’s dreams chained them together. Clark fused his lips with Lana’s. Each held their breath for seemed to be an eternity. They broke and Lana cushioned herself in his chest.

”Clark, don’t you think that there’s a higher power at work here? All of this has to be happening for reason.”

”I do believe that. But there’s a problem.”

Lana looked up at him.

”Something has happened to my home, my planet. We don’t know what. We have to go back and find out. As much as I want to stay here, I can’t. I have a responsibility to the 400 people who serve under me. I have a responsibility to bring them home or at least to find out what happened to their homes and their families.”

Lana nodded her head in understanding. She left Clark’s arms and stood up. She took his hand and pulled him to stand up with her.

”Then take me with you.”

Clark was in awe.

”You would leave everything that know and love…for me?”

”Yes! I would do anything for you, Clark. I would go anywhere with you. We are meant to be together. Nothing can change that.”

Clark was once again struggling.

”I believe that too, Lana. But I can’t bring you with me. For one thing, I don’t know if I have anywhere to bring you to. For another thing, I can’t put my own happiness before that of my crew. I have to lead by example. I can’t ask my crew to sacrifice if I’m not willing to sacrifice. I can’t bring with me the person who completes me if at the end of our journey Krypton is gone and everyone has lost everything that they have ever loved. ”

Lana understood.

”Then I will wait for you to return.”

”But Lana, at the very least it would take six years. Depending on what we find I might never return.”

”I don’t care if it takes six years or sixty years. I’ll wait as long as it takes.”

Clark felt his communicator vibrate in his pocket. ”Not now! Can’t they wait?” He activated his communicator in front of Lana. He no longer had any secrets to hide.

”Kal-El here.”

It was his First Officer, Sun-Ben.

”Captain, we have an unexplained disturbance entering the Earth’s system.”

”What do you mean by an unexplained disturbance?”

”Captain, we have a large meteor shower that is headed straight for this planet.”

”How is that possible? Why didn’t our long range sensors pick this up as soon as it entered this star system.”

”Unknown, Captain. For some reason our instrumentation isn’t working properly.”

Lana saw the lines pf worry crease Clark’s forehead. She took hold of his arm and drew close to him. The voice on the other end of the communicator was becoming excited.

”Captain, impact on the planet is imminent!”

”Put up our shields!”

”Captain, shields are not operating!”

”Blast out of orbit, Sun Ben! Get the ship out of here!”

”Engines are not responding!”

Both Lana and Clark could hear panicked voices on the other end of the line. They heard a voice in the background speaking to Sun-Ben.

”Sir, one of the escape pods has jettisoned from the ship!”

Sun-Ben tried to composed himself.

”Captain, we’ve analyzed the meteors. They have the same atomic structure as…”

He stopped. Clark shouted into the communicator.

”As what, Sun-Ben? They have the same atomic structure as what?”

”Captain, the meteors. The meteors have the same atomic structure as Krypton!” Captain, our instruments! It’s as if our instruments have been saba….

An enormous explosion shattered the windows of Lana’s apartment and all of the windows in all of the buildings of Metropolis. Lana screamed and Clark held her close as the sound of glass crashing to the street throughout the city filled the air. Clark ran to the window and looked up to the sky. He was paralyzed with awe over what he was witnessing. A bright light spread throughout the sky as the early morning dawn became like the sun at noon. In the distance he could see the bright red streaks of meteors filling the sky.


**********

[Jephael]

Whoa, now it's getting good!

[kentfamily]

Whoa! That was great! Cant wait to find out whats going to happen next. Kal El's crew. What happens to them.

Cant wait update now!;)

[oldmankent]

Chapter Seventeen

The Kryptonian galactic cruiser that had crossed the universe to Earth had been purposely disabled in three distinct ways. First, its long range sensors were inactivated so that the crew did not realize that the meteor shower even existed until it was upon them. Second, the meteors would have disintegrated against the wall of energy created by spacecraft’s deflector shields but the mechanism that communicated the command from the Bridge to the shield activators had been disconnected. Lastly, the ignition that would have blasted the ship out of orbit and out of the solar system had been short circuited. The crewman on the Bridge pressed the button that would have launched the craft to safety. But there was no response. Like an automobile engine that would not start on freezing morning. Had Kal-El had the opportunity to examine the evidence of ship’s destruction he would have come to a single conclusion – all of this was done by a lone saboteur who not only knew the inner workings of ship in great detail but also knew exactly when and where the meteor shower would show up. Someone who knew of the destruction of Krypton before it occurred.

The meteors cut through the hull of the ship as if it were made of paper rather than a metal that was harder than anything found on or created on Earth. The Kryptonians, strengthened by the Earth’s yellow sun would have survived had not the meteors been composed of fragments of their home that had had made radioactive by the catastrophe that destroyed that world. The effect was to immediately nullify the powers that the crew had attained. Their bodies immediately exploded once they were exposed to the vacuum of outer space.

As the meteors sliced through the craft they reached the reactor core – the heart of the ship - the energy source that powered the engines that produced the energy to create an artificial wormhole and then propelled the ship through the hole at accelerated light speed. Once the protection around the core was breached the carefully controlled process of combining interstellar elements to produce the energy for the hyper-drive engines ceased. The result was that those elements combined into an uncontrolled critical mass that created an explosion of Armageddon type proportions. The spacecraft had been orbiting at about a third of the distance to the Earth’s moon. Had the spacecraft been any closer to the Earth the planet’s protective atmosphere would have been torn away in the explosion and every living thing on the planet would have died instantly. As it was, the ship was far enough away that the planet’s atmosphere protected it and its inhabitants.

The explosion did have one positive effect. It broke up the large meteor fragments into thousands of smaller fragments. Meteors, the size of Nevada were shattered into meteors the size of baseballs and meteors the size of Volkswagens. These smaller baseball type fragments burned and disintegrated against the Earth’s atmosphere the same way meteors have burned against the atmosphere for millions of years. The larger Volkswagen type meteors were reduced in size as they penetrated the atmosphere but still survived the heated entry. The result was that numerous meteors the size of cannonballs impacted the Earth’s surface just south of Metropolis in the area of Smallville.

The masking process that had kept the Kryptonian spacecraft hidden from Earth also prevented Earth from detecting the meteor shower with its own observatories. The massive explosion that occurred over the mid-western United States took the entire world by surprise. Seismic meters all over the world registered the explosion. In the western United States, which was still an hour away from dawn, the entire eastern sky was momentarily lit up. Defense systems all over the world went into immediate red alert status. The initial thinking was that a nuclear bomb had been exploded above the United States. At first there was no doubt that the country had been attacked and immediate retaliation must take place. But the question remained - retaliate against who? Missiles were readied for launch. Bombers took off from airfields. Armies and navies were mobilized. Within an hour of the explosion the nations of the world stood ready to strike out – at each other. It was only later in the morning after the meteors had fallen on and nearly destroyed the community of Smallville after scientific teams went into the countryside, that it was determined that the explosion was something that was not man-made.

The initial consensus of scientific opinion was that two comets had collided to form the explosion and the meteors were the result of that explosion. Of course, the scientific community was at a loss to explain where the comets came from in the first place.

On the street to the common inhabitant of Metropolis who was sleeping that Sunday morning it was as if dynamite had been exploded right outside their door. Their dwellings shook and the windows were shattered. The concussion of the explosion produced an effect on each person like the effect of standing next to the massive speakers at a heavy rock concert. Some people completely lost their hearing. Most were left with a ringing in the ears that would take weeks to subside. There was no one in Metropolis who was not personally affected. This created the unusual phenomenon in that each individual thought that they were personally being attacked. This led to over a million emergency 9-1-1 calls being made within the span of two minutes.

The astronomical amount of emergency calls soon overwhelmed the telephone circuits and the entire system stopped working. Those calls that were answered created a dilemma for the dispatchers. They didn’t know where to send the emergency teams since the emergency seemed to be everywhere and could not be localized. Once the telephone circuits stopped working the callers were left with nothing but silence on the other end of the line. Six million inhabitants began wailing for help at the same time.

Even if there were enough emergency teams to respond the dispatchers themselves and the members of the emergency squads were also rocked by the explosion. People in shock were calling other people in shock for help.

The death toll would have been higher had not the explosion occurred on an early Sunday morning when the streets were relatively empty. Shattered glass falling from skyscrapers became lethal projectiles as they cut to ribbons anyone who happened to be on the street below. Semi-empty buses, taxi cabs looking for their first fares of the day and police cruisers beginning their shift were cut to pieces as if they were being shot up by machine guns.

Gas lines and electrical lines were severed. The combination of the two began a series of fires that started out small but were soon spreading throughout the city.

As the explosion subsided and the sky returned to its normal morning hue the citizens of Metropolis were hit with an even greater shock.

As their suffering went on without relief they began to realize that help was not on the way.


**********

Clark shielded Lana's tiny body with his own massive frame as the sound of the explosion filled the air and the windows of her apartment blew out. Shattered glass shot out at them and struck him everywhere – from the back of his head all the way down to the heals of his feet. When he was sure that there would be no more he released Lana. She gasped as she examined his back and saw that his jacket had been ripped to shreds. He removed his now useless jacket to reveal his torn black tee shirt. Lana gasped again. She had expected it to be filled with blood but not one splinter of glass had penetrated his skin.

Clark walked to the window and looked upward. The great flash of light that had turned early morning into midday had disappeared. In the distance towards the south he could see the red trails of meteors falling to Earth. He brought the communicator up to his ear and listened. He heard nothing but static.

”Kal-El, here! Come in!”

His answer was more static. Lana could see that his face was filled with panic.

”Clark, what is it?”

”Lana, the ship I told you about. The planet that’s my home, Krypton. They’ve both been destroyed!”

They both looked out the window onto the street. The street lights that had been dimming with the onset of dawn were now blown out. In every direction that they looked every window had been broken. The street and sidewalks were filled with glass. Some were imbedded in the ground like arrows. Lana could see a police officer lying on the ground at the end of the block. A large sliver of glass had been thrust into his back. Blood pooled beneath him. Clark stepped out of the window but instead of dropping to the ground he remained motionless in the air. He commanded himself to move in the direction of the injured officer and Clark’s body responded to the command. He knelt by the officer’s side. Lana saw him look up at her. Despair filled his face as he shook his head. He left the officer and went back to her.

He was filled with turmoil but still had enough presence of mind to quickly explain what was happening to Lana.

”When we came out of stasis from our journey we discovered that the home we had left behind was in a crisis – a civil war. We’ve received no word from home since that time.”

He pointed to the streaks of meteors to the south.

”Those meteors are what’s left of my home, Lana. Krypton has been destroyed.”

Lana was astonished at what he was saying. She could understand a house being destroyed like in the wildfires of California. She could understand a city being destroyed like Hiroshima. But an entire planet was beyond her comprehension. Clark continued.

”The explosion that filled your sky – that was my ship. It’s gone. The 400 crewman that I was responsible for are gone."

He looked at Lana.

”Had I not come back to say goodbye to you I would be dead.”

Lana held Clark tightly. Her heart was breaking for him. He led her the same way. His tearful eyes were closed as he thought he thought of Sun-Ben and Ten-Vik. Then he opened his eyes and pulled away from Lana.

”Clark, what is it?”

”Do you hear that?”

Lana shook her head.

”Voices. Millions of voices calling for help.”

He looked out of the window. Alarms were beginning to sound. The fires were becoming larger and were spread throughout the city. The streets were still empty.

”Your people need help, Lana. I’ve got to do something!”

Without waiting for a response Clark launched himself out of the window towards the countless cries for help that only he could hear.


**********

[kentfamily]

Happy New Year!

Home sick with the flu. This is great comfort reading.

Please write more.

:\

[The Black Cat]

Very good chapter
PPMS!

[oldmankent]

Chapter Eighteen

There are six major hospitals in the City of Metropolis with the Metropolis University of Medicine and Dentistry being the largest. When the explosion took place the employees on night shift in each of the hospitals were just getting off duty to give way to the employees coming on for the dayshift. Although shocked like the rest of the population of the city the hospitals soon put into effect their respective disaster plans and the employees from both shifts stayed at the hospitals to take care of the mass of casualties that they expected to come in at any moment.

However, the influx of casualties did not immediately happen. The roadways were filled with debris and had become impassable. The emergency vehicles that could get on the road soon found their tires flattened and their vehicles disabled by the debris. The city became faced with a terrible dilemma. The ambulances and other emergency vehicles could not get to those who needed help and those who needed help could not get to the hospitals. Some helicopters were available but where would they go? When the entire population of the city is crying for help how is it decided who gets help first? The Kansas National Guard was being called out. Snowplows were to be used to plow the streets of the debris. Once this was done the way would be cleared for the casualties to make it to the hospitals but this would take hours to complete, perhaps even days.

The medical and emergency infrastructure of the city was ready to act but all anyone could do was wait.

Fires began to break out all over the city. Hundreds of homes were catching fire and even if the fire trucks could get through the streets there just weren’t enough fire companies to deal with the situation. Soon the hundreds of small fires would become one large fire.

Metropolis United Medical Center was the first to experience what became known as ‘the phenomenon’ that day.

Hospital personnel began to find injured people lying on the stretchers in the emergency rooms. When asked how the arrived at the hospital the patients couldn’t answer. They said that at one moment they were in their homes crying for help. The next moment they were in the hospital. A patient would be wheeled into a private room to be examined by a doctor and in the time that took another patient would be mysteriously brought into the hospital by some unseen force. The doctors and nurses began to notice that all of the patients who were brought in were the most critically injured. They were all suffering from severe lacerations and trauma. There were no minor sprains, bumps and bruises. Nor was there anyone who was already dead. It was as if the injured were being triaged before they were brought to the hospital.

Soon the rest of the hospitals in the city were experiencing the same phenomenon.

Mabel Parks was a sixty five year old woman who was readying herself to go to church with her husband when the explosion occurred. The front window of her condominium exploded inward and a sheet of sharp glass hit her thigh, severing one of the major arteries. Her stunned husband tried to call 9-1-1 but couldn’t get through. He crawled to her and held her in his arms as the blood pooled below her. His makeshift tourniquet seemed to be only delaying the inevitable. He began to weep over the helplessness of the situation when he felt his wife suddenly pulled from his arms and taken from him. He later recalled that he felt a rush of wind through his home but had no idea of what had happened or where his wife had gone. It was a day later, after telephone service was restored that he received a call from his wife at one of the medical centers. She had found herself in the emergency room where doctors saved her life and her leg.

Maria Sanchez had been up for half hour feeding her infant son when the explosion hit. She was thrown from her chair and her baby landed across the room into the wall. His cries filled the apartment and no amount of a mother’s love could make him stop. The phone wasn’t working. Maria left her apartment with the baby in her arms to try to run the nearest hospital. She tried to run through the street but soon her feet were cut and bleeding. She could barely make a step at a time and then fell to her knees with her baby in her arms. She closed her eyes for a moment and when she opened them she and her baby were inside a hospital that was over a dozen blocks away from her home.

Bob Perkins had risen early to go on a hunting trip south of the city. He was preparing his shotguns in the workshop in his garage when the garage door and windows blew inwards. Bob was flung across the floor. The electrical wires leading to the junction box had been cut and were sparking against the concrete floor. Old rags and flammable paint materials had spilled on the floor in the blast. Perkins had enough awareness to know that the sparks would ignite the soaked rags and he cursed himself for being so negligent. He tried to get to his feet but was unable to do so. Pain shot through his spine with each movement. ”I must have broken my back.” He tried to crawl but couldn’t get far. He looked with desperation at the sparks flying from the junction box. ”I’m not going to make it.” He began to pray.

Perkins’ next memory was of being examined by a doctor in the hospital.

”What happened? How’d did I get here? I was a dead man.”

He could hear the commotion of the crowded emergency room. A nurse spoke to him.

”Honey, a lot of people today are asking the same questions.


**********

It takes a special kind to person to be a member of the Kryptonian Galactic Officer Corp. Many are called but few are chosen. Officer candidates not only have to be prime specimens both mentally and physically, they also have to be able to make the toughest decisions and make those decisions quickly. The spacecraft they command and the lives of the crewmen who serve under them depend on their decisions.

Kal-El had been trained to make the difficult decisions but he had never experienced anything as difficult as the decisions he had to make in the aftermath of his ship’s explosion. His hearing picked up tens of thousands of cries for help. As he began to respond he became more aware of the powers that the Earth’s yellow sun had endowed him with. As he flew and super -speeded he became aware that everything slowed down around him. He could reach such a speed that he could see everyone but they could not see him. He would enter an apartment where people were injured and he would assess the entire situation in what amounted to a microsecond. Were the injuries critical? Was the injured person in danger of losing their life or could the person remain where they were until the human’s own emergency services could get to them? Kal-El was aware that the human hospitals had limited resources. The humans could not get to the injured. Therefore, it was up Kal-El to decide who would be treated first. It was up to Kal-El to decide who would live and who might die.

A young person who was close to death was brought to a local hospital. But if it was a choice between a young person close to death and an elderly person close to death, Kal-El would have to decide between the two.

And so Kal-El found himself moving at blinding speed, street by street, block by block, building by building, room by room throughout the city. Finding the injured, judging whose need was the greatest and bringing them to the human’s medical facilities. Leaving behind the dead and those who could not be saved.

He discovered new powers as he went along. He discovered that his breath could reach a tornado-like velocity. If he went through a building and he noticed a fire starting he simply blew it out. He found he could use two powers at the same time. He could speed through the building and X-ray the injured at the same time or he could speed through a building, X-ray the injured, rescue the injured and blow out a fire at the same time.

He had no sense of time as he systematically went through block after block. When he was finished he found himself at the top of a skyscraper overlooking the city streets below. The humans were starting to respond. Kal-El would leave it to the humans to take care of those who were not critically injured. He would leave it to the humans to take care of those he had left behind. He looked at himself. His clothes had been torn. All he now wore were black pants and a ripped black tee shirt. His clothes were soaked with blood. The realization hit him that he was now alone on this planet and all he had nothing. All that he possessed were the ragged, blood stained clothes that he was wearing.

It was a cold November morning yet he felt no chill. He began to tremble. Not from the temperature but from the realization of what he had just done. That he had held the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in his hands and had determined their fate. His conscience began to torment him. ”Did I do enough? Was there someone I could have saved that I didn’t?” He looked down at the clogged streets. ”I have to do more!” He dived off the building and swept back down to the street.

Max Vickers worked for the city sanitation department. He converted his truck to a snow plow and looked out at the avenue that he and four other trucks were preparing to plow. ”We’ll never get through this. Snow is one thing but how are we going to through glass and concrete?” He opened the door of his truck and was about to lift himself into it when he was thrown back by an enormous gust of wind. He got up to his feet and waved with his hands at the cloud of dust that surrounded him, trying to brush it away. The dust dissipated and his view became clear. The avenue that had been filled with debris was now clear. The glass and the concrete had been blown away and piled on the sides of the street. He looked down the street and saw what appeared to be a tornado creating a path. The other drivers got out of their trucks and joined. Each one unable to explain what they had just witnessed.

Bystanders said they witnessed the roads being cleared in a blink of an eye. Street by street. Avenue by avenue. Block by block. Ambulances, police cars and fire trucks were now on the road and responding to the calls for help.

The Reverend Timothy Chamberlain was a retired minister. He assisted at Saint Luke’s Episcopalian Church on Sundays. He was inside the sacristy of the church when the blast hit. He was uninjured and ran as fast as his seventy five year old legs could carry into the main part of the church. All of the stained glass windows were shattered and he counted his blessings that the congregation had not yet arrived. He heard cries for help outside the church. He went outside and saw a woman lying in the street. He knelt by her side and saw that she was bleeding to death.

”Help! Someone, please help me!

He then realized that the entire street had been decimated. Tears filled his eyes as boyhood memories came back to him. Memories of being a child in London in 1941 during the Blitz. He spoke words to comfort the woman, blessing her and helping her prepare for the end. She closed her eyes and as a tear from his eye fell towards her she was taken from his arms and his tear fell through his empty arms to the pavement. His breath was taken away over what had just happened and he remained motionless. A short time later a massive wind swept through the street and he was thrown back to the doors of the church. He slowly got back to his feet as the dust settled. The street had been cleared.

Chamberlain went back into the church and made his way to the steeple. With all of his strength he pulled on the ropes to ring the church bells. At first it was difficult. His old muscles ached. Then the bells gained momentum and began to ring loudly.

Soon church bells were ringing throughout the city.


**********

Mary Pendrak lived in the apartment across from Lana’s. She was eight five years old and suffered from a weak heart. She resisted being put in a nursing home from her children and was grateful that the three women across the hall took and an interest in her. Lois Lane would buy her groceries. Chloe Sullivan would take her to her doctor’s appointments and Lana Lang would keep her company.

An early riser her entire life, Mary was in her kitchen when the blast hit. Her hip was broken and she felt an excruciating pain in her chest. She closed her eyes hoping that somehow the pain would go away.

She didn’t know how much time had passed but when she opened her eyes Lana was on the floor with her. Lana held her upright and was trying to get Mary to drink some water out of a glass.

”Lana, my nitroglycerin tablets!”

Lana ran into Mary’s bedroom and found the tablets. She went back to the elderly women and placed a tablet underneath her tongue. It brought some relief and Mary smiled at Lana.

”Lana, when are you going to find a nice, young man and get married?”

Lana chuckled that Mary, in the middle of the one of the worst days in the history of Metropolis, should be worried about Lana’s marital state. She was about to answer Mary when she heard Clark’s desperate voice.

”Lana! Lana, where are you?”

Lana called back. Clark came through the door. His clothes were in bloodied shreds. His face was dark with soot. He knelt by Lana and Mary.

”Are you alright?

”I’m fine, Clark. But Mary needs to be taken to a hospital.”

Clark was about to pick up Mary when she stopped him.

”Don’t make a fuss about me. I’ve lived my life."

She looked through Clark’s dirty face into his eyes.

”You’ve been busy, young man, haven’t you?”

”I guess you can say that.”

Mary smiled and looked at Lana.

”Is this your young man?”

Lana nodded.

”Do you love him?”

”Yes, Mary. I love him with all of my heart.”

Mary looked back at Clark.

”Do you love my little Lana?”

Clark nodded.

”I love her and only her.”

Mary swallowed hard. She took Lana’s hand and Clark’s and brought them together. She smiled at both of them.

”I don’t know who you are, young man. But somehow I know that you and my dear Lana are meant to be together. I can see it in your eyes. Both of you, take care of each other. You are going to need each other.”

Mary’s smile remained. She closed her eyes and breathed her last breath.


**********

[shortcircuit85]

That was a great update! The last couple of lines were the best. It was nice to see Kal think about his actions, and if he did enough.

Keep the updates coming!

Thanks,

[kentfamily]

That was so bittersweet. I am sad that the older woman passed away. I wished Sun Ben was alive aka Pete Ross.

Next Chapter please;)

[Jephael]

He was on Earth with Clark the whole time though, wasn't he? He should be alive too!

[kentfamily]

Sun Ben and Kal El went back to the spacecraft and then Kal El wanted to go back to earth to say good bye to Lana and thats when Krypton exploded and the Meteors hit the space craft and earth.

Sun Ben died on the ship.

[oldmankent]

Chapter Nineteen

As Kal-El, Clark was amazed at the humans’ capacity for sacrifice. No matter what a person’s age or status the humans would do whatever is necessary to save the life of another human. Kal-El, as a Kryptonian Galactic Fleet officer, had journeyed to many planets and had seen many different civilizations. He had seen these civilizations during times of disaster and crises both natural and of the civilization’s own making. Each civilization would base their rescue attempts on a being’s probability of survival or their social status. No so with the humans. Kal-El observed that with the humans every life was important. Kal-El had always been at odds with his own race in this matter. Often in Kryptonian moments of crisis, efforts would be abandoned because the probability of the victims’ survival were not favorable. Kal-El always felt that every effort should be made to save a life but was overruled by his superiors. Now he was seeing that the humans’ attitude in this matter was the same as his own.

As Clark, Kal-El amazed Lana with his capacity for helping others and it was more than his powers. Lana was certain that if Clark had no powers at all he still would have tried to save as many people as possible. For the first time in her life Lana became aware of uniqueness of being human because she had met in Clark a being from another world. And here was that being doing deeds that were beyond anything she could ever imagine in order to save humans, beings from another world to Clark. Here was a being who was doing all that he could to save a world that was not his own. When she had first met Clark she had thought that she could never love him more. Now as he held the body of her neighbor Mary in his arms and tears fell from his eyes because he could not save the elderly woman, Lana’s heart opened up even more and her love for Clark grew to a level that she had never thought possible. His clothes were soaked with blood not his own yet he seemed to be bleeding for all who were victims of this terrible tragedy.

Rescue teams were now combing through the city. The couple could hear the sirens of ambulances and fire trucks which were now moving unimpeded through the city streets. An ambulance took Mary to a makeshift morgue that was being set up just outside of the city. Clark stood motionless at the window watching the inhabitants of the city help each other. Lana moved next to him. Clark’s left arm moved around Lana’s back and Lana’s right arm encircled Clark’s back. The movement was instinctive. Performed without a second thought. Each drew strength from the other. Clark tilted his head downward to look at Lana. He became aware of the state of his clothes. Lana did not shy away from him because he was filthy. ”She’s amazing. It doesn’t matter what I look like or what I am. She’s here with me.” An overwhelming grief was beginning to take hold of Clark – the realization that everything he knew was gone. His friends, his mother and father, his spacecraft, his home. He was truly alone. Yet as he looked at Lana he realized that there was one person who was willing to share the burden of his grief with him.

As Lana looked into distance towards the south fear seized hold of her. She ran from Clark towards the telephone. She picked up the receiver and there was no dial tone. She activated her cell phone and had the same result. She ran back to Clark.

”Clark! My parents! They live south of the city in a town called Smallville. The meteors might have hit there! I can’t get in touch with them! There’s no telephone service!”

Clark’s anxiety grew with Lana’s. The feeling was new to him – to have the same worries as someone else. To care for someone so much that their problems became your problems.

”Lana, I can fly. I’ll take you to your parents.”

”Clark, you have to be careful. A lot of things have happened today both bad and good. You don’t know humans like I do. They can be wonderful and bloodthirsty at the same time. When a disaster like this happens people are going to look for someone to blame. Even though you saved countless people today if people find out you’re from another world they might not be so understanding. You have to be very careful.”

Clark nodded his understanding.

”Right now everyone’s attention is taken with the disaster. Not everyone is going to be looking up in the sky. I’ll fly in the clouds and where there are no clouds I’ll land and run. Trust me. I’ll get you back to your parents.”


Lana nodded her head. Clark made her put on a heavy winter coat. He easily picked her up and cradled Lana in his arms. He stepped out the window onto the fire escape. He lifted off into the shadows and then went straight up into the nearest cloud. Lana was amazed at the feeling of freedom as they floated through the air. Clark began to pick up speed and Lana became grateful to him for making her wear the winter coat. The cold air beat against her face and she covered her head with the coat’s hood. She looked at Clark. The wind cut through his thick hair but had absolutely no effect on his face as he moved against it. The cloud cover dissipated and Clark floated down to the ground in a wooded area.

”Aren’t you tired?”

Clark shook his head. He too was amazed at his strength and his stamina.

”No. I feel like I can do this all day.”

Clark began to move on his feet. Lana felt like she was on a motion simulator ride in an amusement park. Clark was running through the trees. It seemed like he was just missing hitting a tree. Lana would flinch with each evasive movement of Clark’s. Each time she felt like they were going to crash into a tree trunk but each time they remained untouched. Once out on the highway, they became a blur to the traffic that was traveling south. When cloud cover reappeared Clark instantly shot up into it. Clark skimmed the lower layer of the clouds and Lana looked below. She could see the ‘Welcome To Smallville’ sign below.

”This is it.”

As Clark descended from the sky he could that the landscape was pockmarked with craters. The area was most farmland but in the distance was a small downtown type of community. He could see several small fires in the town that the local fire company was attending to. They landed in one the fields that had been plowed in the fall harvest. They started walking towards one of the craters. As they got closer to the crater Lana felt Clark pull on her arm.

”Clark, what’s wrong?”

The color had drained from his face. His clear forehead had become creased with lines.

”I don’t know. I’m feeling….pain.”

”Pain? Pain where?”

”Everywhere! My entire body is in extreme pain.”

As they moved closer Clark’s pain became more acute he was doubling over. He fell to his knees as they came to the edge of the crater. Lana looked into it and could see a green glowing meteor. The glow was pulsating in intensity. Clark was in agony. She pulled him away from the crater until he was no longer in pain.

”I want to try something.”

Lana ran back to crater. The meteor was not glowing. Lana shouted back at Clark.

”Clark, move towards me until you start to feel pain!”

Clark moved forward until the pain began. Lana looked at the meteor. It was glowing. She motioned Clark to move backwards. When he did the meteor became dormant. Lana ran back to him.

”Clark, there’s something about the meteor. As you move towards it, it starts glowing as if you are somehow activating it.”

Clark thought for a moment about what Lana was saying.

”These meteors are actually fragments of Krypton, my home world. Whatever destroyed Krypton must have created some type of radioactive fallout. Radioactivity that can harm only me.”

The couple watched a truck drive up to the crater. The truck had a ‘LuthorCorp’ insignia on its side. Several men exited the truck and started working around the crater. The couple left the field. Once again, Lana was in Clark’s arms. As he ran she directed him to her parents’ house. They stopped a short distance away from the house and moved towards it.

Next to the property were a fire truck and an ambulance. Lana’s heart began to pound in her chest. As she moved closer it became clear that the house had been destroyed. Clark moved with her until he began to feel pain. Lana left him and began to run towards the house.

"Mom! Dad!”

There was panic in her voice and several people moved from the property towards her. A couple held her back. Lana recognized them.

”Mr. And Mrs. Sullivan, what happened? Where’s my mom and dad?”

”Lana, you don’t want to go up there.”

Clark saw a military officer approach Lana. Clark determined that the officer must be of high rank by the way the other military personnel were treating him. He spoke to Lana.

”Lana, we were worried about you. Chloe and Lois have been looking for you in Metropolis. We never thought that you would make it back to Smallville so quickly.”

Lana didn’t pay attention to him. She tried to break free of the grasp of the others but was unable to do so. Finally, she addressed the military man.

”General Lane! What’s happened to my mother and father?”

The General became stoic.

”Lana, I’m sorry. The meteor shower. They….It happened quickly, Lana. They didn’t suffer. They never knew what hit them.”

Lana collapsed to her knees. Despite the pain as he got closer to the property Clark made his way towards her. He knelt by her and she held him tightly. He could feel her tears mixing with the dried blood on his shirt.

”Clark, they were the only family I have."

Clark didn’t know what was greater – the pain from the meteor rocks or they pain he was sharing with Lana. He heard the General’s voice.

”Are you alright, son. You don’t look so hot.”

Another couple joined the group. They were a little older than General Lane and the Sullivans. They helped Lana rise to her feet.

”You’re staying with us. There’s nothing for you here. You come home with us.”

The man helped Clark to his feet.

”Are you okay, son? I think you need to go to the hospital.”

Lana realized what was happening.

”Mr. And Mrs. Kent, this is my boyfriend – Clark Kent. He’s suffering from…from…shock.”

She moved Clark farther away from the house until he was no longer affected by the meteor rocks. Another LuthorCorp truck pulled up to the house and a group of men exited the truck. No one paid attention to them. They were focused on Lana and Clark. The Kent’s were surprised at Clark’s last name. The man spoke.

”Any relation to the Minnesota Kents?”

Clark shook his head.

”No. My family isn’t from around here or Minnesota.”

The elderly woman looked at Clark’s appearance.

”What happened to your clothes?”

Lana answered.

”He lost everything in the explosion above Metropolis.”

The woman looked at her husband. The couple seemed to talk with their eyes as if they were both thinking the same thing. The woman responded.

”Clark, I’m Martha Kent. This is my husband, Jonathan.”

Clark felt a coat being placed over his shoulders. Jonathan had removed his winter coat and placed it on Clark. He spoke.

”Clark, you and Lana are coming home with us.”


**********

[shortcircuit85]

That was GREAT! I was wondering if you would bring in Martha and Jonathan, and you did. I loved the way that you have tied all the charaters together. Keep up the great work. Love the story so far.

Thanks,

[Jephael]

Originally posted by kentfamily
Sun Ben and Kal El went back to the spacecraft and then Kal El wanted to go back to earth to say good bye to Lana and thats when Krypton exploded and the Meteors hit the space craft and earth.

Sun Ben died on the ship.

Oh, I see. Man, poor dude!

BTW, love this new chapter! It's awesome to see Ma and Pa Kent involved!!!

[kentfamily]

This chapter was very interesting. Lana's parents were alive until the meteor shower hit. They still died from it. Cant avoid fate. Too bad for them.

Keep up with the writing.

[oldmankent]

Chapter Twenty

The Kents drove back to their farm in their pickup truck. Lana sat between them in the front seat while Clark sat in the back of the truck. The Kents were well aware of Lana’s sorrow and they tried to make light conversation to try and get Lana’s mind off her parent’s death. Martha noticed that Lana kept turning her head around to look at Clark. Martha carefully asked her questions.

”I didn’t know you had a boyfriend, Lana.”

Lana was cautious in her responses.

”Everything has sort of happened very quickly.”

Jonathan joined in.

”That’s the way it happens. You spend your whole life trying to find that special someone and then all of sudden BANG! It happens. Isn’t that right, Sweetheart?”

He looked at Martha to get her concurrence but Martha didn’t respond. Being a normal, clueless husband, Jonathan was unaware that Martha was making conversation not only to get Lana’s mind off her parent’s tragic death but to find out more about the strange young man she had brought back to Smallville. Martha looked at the rear of the truck. Clark was seated with his back to the rear window. He was seated in the open in the cold. The wind should have been knifing through him. Instead Clark seemed oblivious to the cold. True. He was wearing Jonathan’s coat but it still should be a very uncomfortable ride for him. Neither Martha nor Lana knew that Clark’s hearing was activated and he was listening to the conversation.

”He’s a handsome man. What does he do for a living?”

Clark thought, ”I need to talk to Lana about this. We need to get our stories straight.”

Lana was momentarily silent and then thought of Officer Brown’s assumption that Clark was in the military.

”He’s in the service.”

”What branch?”

Clark thought, ”Branch?”

Again, Lana remembered the brief conversation with Officer Brown.

”Special Forces. He doesn’t like to talk about it.”

Martha glanced over to Jonathan and Jonathan returned her glance. The answer seemed to satisfy Martha and she no longer felt the need to probe. She placed her hand on Lana’s hand.

”I’m sure your parents would have liked Clark very much.”

Lana tried to keep the tears inside. She nodded her head.

”Yes. They would have liked him.”

Inwardly she felt, ”They would have loved him. He would have been like a son to them.”

Although the Kents eyed Clark with careful curiosity they did not hesitate to bring him into their home. Their country farmhouse was warm and bright. Clark observed that it was clean and tidy but still had that comfortable ‘lived in’ look. Upon entering Martha went upstairs and left Jonathan alone with Lana and Clark. Clark noticed that there was a photograph of young man over the fireplace. He was in a blue military uniform. As he looked at the photograph Jonathan stood by Clark.

”That was our son, James. He was a Marine.”

”Was?”

”He was killed in Iraq. He would be about your age right now.”

Jonathan was closely examining Clark.

”You’re about his size. Let me get you some clothes that you can change into after you’ve cleaned up.”

Jonathan walked up the stairs and passed Martha who was on her way down. She was carrying a bathrobe, towels and some sweat clothes. She handed them to Lana.

”Lana, you take a shower and get cleaned up. You can wear these sweat clothes of mine. I don’t have your figure. At least not anymore but my clothes should fit you comfortably until we can get some clothes for you in the morning. You two must be starved. I’ll start making dinner while you clean up.”

Martha spoke to Clark.

”We have only one bathroom so you’ll have to take turns.”

Lana went upstairs and passed Jonathan as he came back down with a pair of blue jeans and a flannel shirt. He held them up to Clark.

”These should fit you until we can get you some clothes of your own.”

Jonathan looked at Martha and she smiled her approval. Clark took the clothes.

”I’m sorry about your son.”

”He was our only child. He wanted to serve his country.”

Clark noticed a metal next to his picture. It was silver and shaped like a cross with a design of a ship in the middle. Jonathan spoke.

”He was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism. He died in an ambush while saving the lives of the other men in his platoon.”

Again, Clark was struck by the human’s willingness to sacrifice. ”The Kent’s son died so that other’s might live.” Martha, spoke.

”I understand that you’re in the service.”

Clark was as evasive as he could be in his answer.

”It’s not something I really like to talk about.”

Martha and Jonathan didn’t push on the issue. Jonathan spoke.

”Clark, I know that you and Lana are a couple but Lana will be sleeping in James' old room and you’ll have the couch.”

Clark was trying to understand exactly what Jonathan was trying to say. Martha noticed the perplexed look on Clark’s face.

”What my husband is trying to say is that even though you and Lana are probably ‘familiar’ with one another, since you’re not married, we’d like you to respect the rules of our household and have separate sleeping arrangements.”
Clark thought for a moment and then remembered what Ten-Vik (Pete) had told him, ”These humans are obsessed with food and with sex.” Clark’s eyes opened wide in recognition.

”Oh! You mean…Yeah. Uh. No. Lana and I….we haven’t…”

Lana had finished cleaning up and had walked down the stairs, she overheard the ‘Lana and I’ of the conversation.

”We haven’t what?’

Lana stood next to Clark, placed her hand in his and waited for an answer.

”Mister and Mrs. Kent are concerned about sleeping arrangements.”

Martha spoke.

”I can see just by the way you stand next to each other that you two are terribly in love and the most difficult thing in the world to do is people who are in love is to be apart…”

Jonathan joined in.

”After all, we were young once.”

Lana’s eyes now opened wide in recognition.

”Oh! You think that Clark and I are….Oh! No. No. No. No. We haven’t….No.”

Now both Martha and Jonathan opened their eyes in recognition.

”Really? You mean you’re not having…”

Both Clark and Lana dropped their eyes and energetically shook their heads. Both thought at the same time. ”No. No. No. Not yet.”

A smile came over Martha’s face. She took Lana by the arm and went into the kitchen. Clark was about to go upstairs to clean up when Jonathan placed an arm around his shoulder and spoke in a fatherly tone.

”Saving yourself for marriage. That’s my boy!”


**********

Clark had left everyone and was now in the Kent bathroom. He pealed his torn clothes off and stepped inside of the shower. After everything he had been through Clark thought his muscles should at least have a dull ache. But there wasn’t even the hint of soreness. Not a scratch. Not a bruise. Not even a bump. Still, the hot water flowing over his limbs was like a tonic. It washed away the dirt and the dried blood and relaxed him. He got out of the shower and examined himself in the mirror. Kal-El had always been in excellent shape but now his musculature had become even more defined.

He started to put on the clothes that Jonathan had given him when he noticed that there was something in the pocket of his old pants. He dug into the pocket and pulled out the Kryptonian communication device that had been disguised as a human cell phone. He examined it and saw a light indicating that he had received a message. He activated the message and a three dimensional holographic image streamed out of the communicator and stood in front of him. The figure was that of Ten-Vik (Pete). Clark kept the water running in the shower in order to mask any sound.

”Captain, your father and my father were long time friends and as such your father requested that I keep a sharp eye on you during our journey without you knowing about it. Jor-El was keenly aware of all of the prophecies involving the Green Planet and he was convinced that you were the center of the prophecies. He thoroughly briefed me on the prophecies and although I have to admit that I don’t normally put much credence in things like prophecies, I’m a scientist not a priest, there is no denying that there seems to be a special connection between you and this planet that not even you are aware of.

If the prophecies are true and you are the being of enormous power and wisdom that will be given to this planet than you must know that the journey will not be a direct one. The prophecies have stated that there will be signs along the way to guide you to your final destiny. The prophecies do not say what these signs will be.

The prophecies state that an ancient intelligence earmarked specific generations to appear at critical points in the planet’s history. I believe there is a reason why you have been chosen and I believe there is a reason why you have been drawn to a particular woman. What role she is to play in this journey I do not know. I doubt that the humans even know about the prophecies. They seem to think that they are the only beings in the universe. For them to acknowledge that ancient beings visited their planet and mapped out their destiny would be against everything that the humans believe about themselves and the uuniverse in general. The young woman that you have been drawn to is probably having dreams or visions and she is probably terrified because she doesn’t understand what is happening to her.

There are many humans who believe that there is a reason for everything. When one considers what brought us to this planet, the trouble at home on Krypton, the ususual abilites we’ve been experiencing, and the manner in which you in particular seem to be drawn to the humans, I’m beginning to be converted to this way of thinking.

Captain, I’m sending you this message because I’m experiencing an unusual premonition. The humans believe in their ‘feelings’. They place a great emphasis on intuition. I am having a type of premonition today that is telling me that I won’t be seeing you again.

Captain, it’s been a honor to serve with you”

The image stayed on. It appeared that Ten-Vik was being interrupted. Clark heard him say ‘Enter’. He was looking at someone. The Clark heard Ten-Vik say, ‘Ensign, what are you doing?’.

Then the projection ended.


**********

The Kents had every excuse not to be hospitable people. The death of their only son could have caused them to withdraw from the world and to isolate themselves in sorrow. People would have understood. But the Kents were not the type of people who carry a cross for the world to see. At dinner they said a simple prayer to the Almighty. Giving thanks for the food on their table and for all their blessings. Although they did their best to try to draw Lana out, to get her mind away from her tragic loss, they also knew that Lana’s sorrow was a burden that only she could shoulder.

So much had happened within the last 48 hours that it was only now, after she had bathed and changed and was in a relaxed state that the reality of her loss finally hit her. She sat on one side of the table and picked sparingly at the sumptuous meal Martha had prepared. Thought after random thought entered her grief stricken mind.

The every other day telephone calls that she made to Smallville would now end. She would no longer have to skillfully evade her mother’s questions about the men in her life and the routine but playful inquiry of ‘when are you going to make me a grandmother?’ would no longer be asked. There would no longer be the careful inquiries into her financial state by her worried father. Her father, always ready to leave a few hundred dollars with his daughter if she would only say the word. Lewis would no longer be there to ask her questions about her car and to make sure that the antifreeze had been changed for the winter and the air conditioner had been recharged with coolant for the summer. Laura would no longer spend hours cooking and freezing home cooked meals that she would put in Lana’s freezer when they made an unannounced visit to Metropolis.

They would never meet the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

Lewis would never have the opportunity to ask Clark, ‘so what makes you think you’re worthy of my only daughter?’

Laura would never have the opportunity to gush over her only daughter’s engagement ring and to brag to her bridge club about her daughter's handsome fiancé.

Lana’s mother would never have the opportunity to plan a wedding. To argue over invitations and the guest list and the seating arrangements at the reception.

Lewis would never have the opportunity to ask ‘so how am I supposed to pay for this?’ He wouldn’t have the opportunity to lose sleep over the ever increasing cost of the wedding and then in the end happily hand his daughter a generous check.

Laura would not be sitting in the front pew of the church, trying to keep the tears from flowing from her eyes as she remembered helping Lana take her first steps.

Lewis would not lift his daughter’s veil, kiss her on the cheek and give her to the man who loved her above all else. He would not have to hold back the tears as he realized that he was placing his daughter's life into another man’s hands.

There would be no phone calls in the middle of the night announcing the birth of a grandchild.

They would not have the opportunity to spoil their first grandchild. To buy cribs and carseats. To gush at the child’s every movement, whether it be smiling or spitting up, as if no child in the world had ever done such a wonderful thing before.

Pop Pop would not be there to hold his grandchild on his knee and tell the child stoires of the good old days and how tough things were when he was young.

Mom Mom would not be there to tell Lana how ‘mothering’ was done in her day and to provide home remedies for ear infections and diaper rash.

An area of Lana Lang’s life had come to an abrupt and irrevocable end.

Lana placed her fork down on her plate and lifted her eyes.

”Christmas is less than a month away, isn’t it?”

The Kents sadly nodded their heads knowing what Lana was thinking. For the rest of Lana’s life this time of year would always be a reminder to Lana of what she had lost.

Clark remained silent. Thinking that ‘Christmas’ was another thing about Earth that he would have to learn. Right now he didn’t know if it was a good thing or a bad thing.


**********

[shortcircuit85]

Another Great chapter! Loved the conversations with the Kents. The feelings that Lana is having was well written. Keep up the great work.

Thanks,

[kentfamily]

Hey, I thought Sun Ben was Pete. Ten Vik is Pete, and yeah! he is alive.

Another great chapter. You write so well, do you have anything written/published out there? I really think you should write Sci Fi's and have your writings published if you don't.

[oldmankent]

Chapter Twenty One

Clark was laying on the sofa in the dark. His eyes were open and he reviewed the events of the day.

It had been an enormously long day for everyone and the Kents and Lana had turned in early. He was grateful for the Kents warm welcome and hospitality. The dinner that Martha had made was wonderful and he would have enjoyed it even more if circumstances had been different. He had devoured Martha’s meatloaf, mash potatoes and fresh string beans. He was particularly satisfied with the pie a la mode. He had never tasted apple pie and vanilla ice cream before. He would have enjoyed everything even more had Lana fully participated in the meal. If he could have taken on her burden he would have. He would do anything to keep Lana safe and from being hurt. But as he thought about it, it became clear that the burden he was carrying wasn’t all that dissimilar from the burden Lana was carrying.

He no longer had a ship or a home to return to. He no longer had a race that he was part of. He no longer shared a common culture and language with beings of his own kind. He no longer had a common heritage with anyone. All of his friends, everything that he knew was gone.

His mind’s eye showed an image of Jor-El and Lara. His father had left him a lasting message of pride in his son but he preferred the man to the message. He would no longer see his mother’s loving eyes. He would no longer hear his mother’s comforting voice.

He would never hear his mother ask, ‘Are you sure she’s the one?’

He would never hear his mother state, ‘But you’re so different.’

She would never get the chance to hear him answer, ”But I love her."

He would never have the chance to see the smile of acceptance on her face, knowing that her son had finally found the happiness that everyone seeks.

There was still much that he had to tell Lana.

He heard footsteps walking down the stairs. Then he heard her whisper.

”Clark, are you awake?”

He sat up on the sofa and Lana sat next to him, their sides touching.

”Can I stay with you for awhile. I don’t want to be alone.”

He placed his heavily muscled arm around her and she snuggled into him.

”Clark, I can’t stop thinking about how much you’ve lost.”

Clark’s heart was breaking for Lana. He was amazed that one who had suffered so much would be thinking of him.

”Lana, we need to talk. You need to know why I came to Earth.”

Both Clark and Lana were tired but neither one could sleep.

”You mentioned earlier that before you and I even met you were having dreams of me.”

”Those dreams were very intense, if you know what I mean.”

A smile came to Clark’s face.

”I think I know what you mean because my dreams have also been intense.”

A smile came to Lana’s face.

”By intense, you mean…you know.”

Clark vigorously nodded his head.

”Oh yeah.”

Lana leaned into Clark and he continued.

”But there’s a reason why this has been happening to you and me.

The people of my planet were space travelers for hundreds of years. We explored our own galaxy and many other galaxies. These explorations have taken us to many planets where we’ve found ancient inscriptions that all lead to here, Earth.”

”You’re telling me that there are ancient writings on other planets about Earth?

Clark nodded his head.

”Why?’

”I’ll tell you what little I know. It would appear that thousands of years ago an advanced civilization visited many planets including Earth and Krypton. They were able to see into the future of these planets and identify critical points when the planet would be in need of leaders who could guide them. They were somehow able to identify and mark a line of generations of people so that at the right moment the right person would appear.

These prophecies indicate that a person of enormous power and wisdom would be found on Earth. I was sent here to find out more.

It took my ship three years to get here. Before I left Kryton I started having visions of you.”

”Clark, for the past three years I been having dreams of you.”

”Lana, I think that somehow this ancient race of being has marked our line of ancestors so that at a certain moment in history you and I would be brought together."

Clark recognized the look of disappointment on Lana’s face.

”Lana, what’s wrong?

“It’s not very romantic to be told that the love of your life was predetermined for you."

She dropped her eyes. Clark lifted her chin up so that she was looking directly in his eyes.

”Don’t you believe for a minute that what you and I feel for each other has been somehow programmed into us. We may have been programmed to meet each other but we were never programmed to fall in love with each other. You are everything I’ve ever desired. You are everything I ever will desire. I’ve never loved anyone before you and I will never love anyone other than you.

Lana raised her hand to Clark’s face.

”I love you so much, Clark. I thought I was alone but I’m not. It’s just you and me now, isn’t it?”

He nodded his head. She leaned into him and he held her tightly. They remained this way for a few moments when a sound caught their attention. Clark’s communication device was sounding off.

”Who could be calling you, Clark?’

”You don’t understand, Lana. It’s not a cell phone. It’s a Kryptonian communicator disguised as a cell phone. Only another Kryptonian would know how to use it."

Clark carefully placed the device on the table so that both he and Lana could hear. He activiated the device. He wanted to say ‘Kal-El, here’ but he thought better of it.

”Hello?

The voice on the other end was strong and authoritative.

”Hello, son of Jor-El.”

”Who is this?”

”I am one of the two last survivors of the planet Krypton.”

”You’re the occupant in the escape pod?”

”Yes.”

”You killed Ten-Vik?”

”Yes. You knew me as the Ensign on your Bridge. The one you scolded about your ship not being a democracy. Others know me as….General Zod.”

”Zod?”

”I learned to change my appearance on a planet in one of the distant galaxies I have visited.”

”What do you want?”

”I was going to offer you the opportunity to rule this planet with me. But after witnessing your efforts to save this pitiful race of humans I’ve changed my mind. You are cut from the same idealistic cloth as your father. So I’m calling to warn you. I will rule this planet. Kneel before Zod with the rest of these humans and you will live. Defy me as Krypton did and you will suffer fate as our home world.

Know this Kal-El. My ability to change my appearance remains. You will never know who I am until it is too late.

Stay out my way and you and those you love will live. Interfere with my plans for this planet and the last two survivors of Krypton will soon become one.”


**********

[Jephael]

Man, that sounds pretty scary!

[kentfamily]

I agree with japhael. It does sound threatening and scary. How did Zod know Clark was alive?

[oldmankent]

Chapter Twenty Two

Like most normal people in the United States Lana Lang had never experienced true, paralyzing fear. She had experienced the standard amount of fearful moments in her life – a child’s fear of imagined monsters in the closet, a teenager’s fear of having to face an angry father after an automotive fender bender (the father always turned out to be more relieved and thankful for his child’s safety than angry), a young adult’s fear of leaving the home nest and going out into the world on your own. But she had never experienced spine shaking, stare death in the face fear until this moment. She heard Zod’s voice. She listened to his threats. She had seen what Clark could do. She had witnessed his incomprehensible power and she immediately knew what that power could do in evil hands.

She fell into Clark’s arms, shivering uncontrollably with fear. She buried her head into his shoulder like a scared kitten. She felt the strength pulsating in his well-muscled chest while at the same time feeling the comforting warmth from his body. And this moment she felt a confidence, a confidence in the future that she had never felt before. Something told her, ”As long as we’re together everything will be okay.”

All military officers in every culture on every planet know that their trade is for battle. Civilization and progress may have changed the public’s perception of the military from that of warrior to that of peacekeeper but the soldier’s mission is essentially the same since armies were first created – face and destroy the enemies of your country, your culture, your planet. Kal-El, as an officer in the Krytonian Galactic Fleet, knew that even though he called himself an explorer his primary purpose was to go into combat. To defeat the enemies of Krypton and to protect the planet’s population. Kal-El had been trained for battle and possessed the honor expected of an officer. He was ready to give up his life for Krypton. Facing an enemy, any enemy, did not frighten him.

But this was different. His ship and crew no longer existed. The Kryptonian Galactic Fleet no longer existed. Krypton no longer existed. This was not a war in the conventional sense. Now he was faced with a challenge like that of the gladiators of antiquity. Man against man and Earth was the arena. And the stakes were different . He was no longer fighting for Krypton but for a planet that was alien to him. He was no longer fighting for the Kryptonian race but for a race of humans who would fear him and possibly seek to destroy him if they knew what he really was. He was no longer fighting for the honor of his family but for the life of a woman that he loved beyond all understanding and for the lives of her people.

He felt Lana bury her head in his chest. He held her tightly. He was only beginning to understand the power he possessed on this planet. He could only guess at what Zod understood about the power of a Kryptonian on Earth. He fully understood what Zod was capable of. Zod destroyed and entire planet, culture and race. Zod would not have any problems with his conscience in dealing with the weaker humans. Clark feared terribly for Lana. He had only known the Kents a few hours and he feared for them.

”Clark, who is Zod?”

”Lana, on Krypton Zod was the commander of all our armed forces. He openly disagreed and confronted the governing civilian authority of my planet. For his insubordination, Zod was dismissed as commander of the armed forces. We all thought that was the end of it. We didn’t know that Zod was fermenting civil unrest. After I had left Krypton on my journey to your Earth Zod launched a full scale civil war. Zod destroyed Krypton. He took away from me my home, my family, everything that ever meant anything to me.”

Clark maintained a steady emotional demeanor as he said the word, home. But Lana knew what was in his heart and right now her heart was breaking for Clark.

”Lana, I was coming to say goodbye to you when my ship was destroyed. On Krypton we are just as powerless as humans but your sun gives us extraordinary powers. We were going back to Krypton to find out what happened to our home but there was one more thing. I couldn’t take the chance of 400 crewman discovering they could be little gods on your planet. I came here to explore not to conquer.”

”You said you loved me yet you were willing to leave me so that so you’re your crew wouldn’t become a danger to Earth?”

Clark sadly nodded his head.

But Clark, what about you? Didn’t you ever consider doing what Zod is planning to do?”

Clark looked at Lana in disbelief.

”Lana, I don’t think you understand. I’m an officer in Kryptonian Galactic Fleet. Even more than that I am a son in family of El. I have to maintain the honor of my rank and of my family. I don’t take advantage of the weak and the defenseless.”

Lana’s heart was bursting with love for Clark. He was everything she had ever dreamed of. Not only handsome, strong and heroic. But he had a sense of honor that was ingrained in every fiber of his being.

She pulled him towards her and their lips fused. Clark inhaled the clean fragrance of her washed hair and became lost in her scent.

”Lana, I don’t know what to do. I can’t let anything happen to you.”

Lana knew what Clark was thinking. She knew everything about the man she had always imagined giving her heart to.

”Clark, don’t be noble and tell me that you have to leave me so that you can protect me. I’m not going to let you go that easily. Besides I have an idea.”

Clark looked at her with curiosity.

”Clark, the bottom line of the prophecies you told me is that the right person is supposed to show up at the critical time on Earth.”

”Bottom line?”

Lana smiled at him.

”It’s a human expression. It means to sum up.”

Clark thought for a few moments and then nodded his head in agreement.

”Well, if that’s true than the quickest way for you to defeat Zod is for you to find and accept your destiny.”

”Alright but how do I do that?”

”Clark, if you and I were destined to come together than maybe you were also destined to come to Smallville. Maybe the answer or at least the start of the answer is here.”

Again Clark thought about what Lana was saying. Could Earth and Lana really be his destiny? A smile began to form on his face. Lana’s optimism was infectious. Every terrible thing that had happened – the civil was, the destruction of Krypton, the destruction of his ship, the death of Lana’s parents – everything had a greater purpose.

Lana recognized what Clark was feeling. If his life had a great purpose thansurely that meant that her life had a great purpose. They held each other tightly. Each drew strength from the other.

”What’s all the chatter down here?”

The lights came on. The Kent were standing by the stairs at the entrance to living room. They were in their robes. Jonathan looked at Martha.

”I told you we wouldn’t be able to keep these two apart. ”

Clark and Lana suddenly became very self conscious that they were semi-clothed and in a close embrace. Lana tried to explain.

”Mr. & Mrs. Kent, it’s not what you think. Nothing happened.”

Martha looked at Jonathan with a disbelieving expression.

”Just because nothing happened doesn’t mean that nothing was going to continue to happen.”

Clark realized that once again the humans were talking about sex without actually saying the word, sex. He stood up before Lana and the Kents.

”Mr. And Mrs Kent, I give you my word of honor that Lana and I will not have sexual intercourse while we remain under your roof.”

The mouths of the Kents and Lana’s mouth dropped at hearing Clark’s words. Clark felt very proud of himself and then realized that he was part of an uncomfortable silence. He looked at Lana.

”What? What’d I say?”

Both Martha and Jonathan turned around and began walking up the stairs. Clark’s enhanced hearing kicked in and he could hear Jonathan and Martha whispering to each other.

”Martha, are we going to leave them alone like that?”

”You heard Clark. We have his word of honor that they won’t, they won’t…they won’t do it.”

Jonathan stopped at the top of the stairs and looked back at Clark and Lana, thinking about what he had just heard Clark say.

”He’s a better man than I am.”


**********

[shortcircuit85]

Great chapter! Love the conversation at the end. Jonathan Kent always got the last word in.

What will Lana and Kal-El find in Smallville?

PPMS

Thanks,

[Jephael]

My GOD, that was just too funny at the end!!!

[The Black Cat]

That was great. The last part was really funny. PPMS!

[kentfamily]

The last part was cute and funny and light hearted after the call from Zod and the heavy conversation that he and Lana just had.
Great writing, keep it going.

[kentfamily]

Hows it going? Please update. Thanks.

[oldmankent]

I've spent the past month finishing up '24'. That fic has officially concluded on another site today. I want to thank you for your patience with this fic. Below is a short update. It's not much but it's something. I'm still not sure where I'm taking this.


Chapter Twenty Three

The reality of their respective losses began to hit Lana and Clark the next morning. Lois, Chloe, Oliver and Jimmy were the first to arrive at the Kents. The foursome had been flown by General Sam Lane to Metropolis. The two women comerserated with Lana. The two men stood by ready to give any type of support. Clark could see that Lana was trying to be stoic but her eyes were wet and red. Clark took his cues from Oliver and Jimmy. He said nothing but was there for Lana when she needed him. Her needs were only a hand to hold and a shoulder to cry on.

Soon neighbors from all around Smallville began calling on Lana at the Kents. All types of people were stopping by at the farm. Young people who knew Lana and older people who knew her parents. People from all walks of life. Soon the driveway leading up to the farmhouse was filled with vehicles and the house was filled with people. Many of the women brought covered casseroles. “Food again? What is with humans and food?”, Clark thought. But it wasn’t only the people who brought food it was also the Kents. They made sure that everyone who came to their house was offered something to eat and drink and made to feel welcomed.

On Krypton death was considered to be an uneventful part of life. Kryptonians were taught to move on quickly. The life of a dead Kryptonian was quickly commemorated and then the body of the deceased is disposed of and the Kryptonians resumed their normal everyday activities. But the humans were different. With the death of Lana’s parents everything seemed to stop for her and for everyone she knew. A normal Kryptonian would have considered this a weakness. A inability to move forward. But Clark thought otherwise. It was his obersevation that this was just another opportunity for the humans to gather and support each other. “It seems that that they support each other during the good moments such as their football games and during the terrible moments such as a person’s death. These humans are an interesting species.”

Although Lana and her grief was the center of attention, Lana never forgot about Clark. Despite his extraordinary looks Clark could have easily melted into the crowd and might have preferred it that way so as not to call attention to himself. Instead Lana made sure that Clark was always by her side and included in any conversation. People took special notice of the physical closeness of the couple. Lana would hold Clark’s hand, intertwining her fingers with his and at the same time she would place her free hand on his forearm as if she were fortifying herself. Even when not holding hands there seemed to be a magnetic force that kept them in close proximity to each other. When separated they would look around the room to find each other. Of course, Clark with his height was easy to spot. Lana would search for Clark and upon finding him would lock her gaze on him. After a few minutes Clark would feel something and he would instinctively turn his head as if he were being called. Their eyes would meet and any anxiety they might have felt disappeared.

This continued throughout the day into the early evening. The Kents told both Lana and Clark that they could stay at the farm as long as they wished. The Kents welcomed the company. They knew Lana from when she was child and watched her grow up. And there was something about Clark. Soemthing they couldn’t put their finger on that just made it easy to like him. As the night grew late the Kents retired to their bedroom leaving Clark and Lana alone. The couple sat together watching the television. The Kents thought Clark and Lana would want to watch something that was entertaining to relieve the stress of the day. Instead the couple spent their time watching all of the cable news networks. They flicked from one new station to another. It was as if they were looking for something.

As the Kents walked upstairs, Martha spoke.

“Maybe we should let them sleep in the same room.”

“Martha!”

“Well Jonathan just because they sleep in the same room doesn’t mean that they would, you know, do it. Besides Clark promised that they wouldn’t do it.”

Jonathan stopped Martha on the top of the stairs.

“Alright Martha, let me ask you something. If you were Lana Lang and you slept in the same room as Clark Kent would you, you know, make him break his promise?”

Martha looked back on stared at Clark’s broad shoulders and massive chest for a few moments before she answered

“In a New York minute.”

Clark remained on the couch.


**********

[The Black Cat]

That was good. PPMS!!

[kentfamily]

Nice come back. I will be patiently :cool:waiting for your next chapter. :cool:

[oldmankent]

Chapter Twenty Three (Continued)

The next day brought a different activity and a far greater emotional impact.

Despite the anguish created by her parents’ death Lana, being their only child, was the only person who could make arrangements for their funerals and settle their estate. The Kents let her borrow their car and she and Clark drove into town. The bodies of her parents were in the morgue at Smallville Medical Center. Despite the fact that the Langs were known by the medical examiner and were inside their own house when they died, Lana was still required by law to identify the bodies since she was the next of kin. The medical examiner rolled out the slabs and displayed the corpses. Lana simply nodded her head. The medical examiner tried his best to comfort her.

“It happened quickly, Lana. They didn’t suffer.”

She nodded her head. His comment didn’t relieve her suffering but she appreciated the effort. Then she and Clark went to the funeral home to make arrangements.

All of this was new and strange for Clark. On Krypton, a person’s remains were disassembled to its basic elements as soon as possible. But the humans seemed to take great pains to preserve and honor their dead. Lana had to decide on the type of casket, the type of lining inside the casket, the type of lining inside the grave, the hours of the viewing, and the day of the funeral. The funeral director arranged for two cemetery plots near the church that Lana’s parents attended. After all of this, Lana was presented with a bill as graciously as possible. Her eyes opened wide when she saw the final price tag. She showed it to Clark. He realized that the amount was more than what he had brought with him to Earth. The director was understanding and told Lana that nothing had to be paid until her parents estate was settled.

Lana had maintained a stoic demeanor through these proceedings but then she was required to do something that would require all of her fortitude. She had to go back to her parents’ house and find clothes for their final resting.

As they drove up to the house they could see the hole in the side of the house where the meteor had crashed. They could also see a truck with the LuthorcCorp insignia and several men working in and out of the house.

“What’s LuthorCorp doing here?”

They exited their car. Lana looked at Clark to see if he was feeling any of the effects of the meteor rocks. He shook his head. Lana approached one of the men. He was tall with a large stomach. He was unshaven and had a well chewed cigar in his mouth.

“Excuse me! What are you doing here?”

The man looked up and down at Lana and smirked. He looked at Clark and the smirk disappeared. He answered in a gruff tone of voice.

“Who are you?”

Lana grew assertive.

“Never mind who I am. Who are you and what are you doing in my parents’ house.”

“Your parents? Huh? Lady we have orders to clean out the house.”

“What do you mean you have orders?”

“Orders from Lex Luthor. He says the house belongs to him.”

“This house does not belong to Lex Luthor. I want you to leave.”

The worker looked at all 5 feet two inches and one hundred and five pounds of Lana and then looked at the man next to her with the male model features and his smirk returned.

“I’ve got a job to do, Lady. You and pretty boy are in the way.”

Clark stepped forward.

“Ms. Lang asked you leave. Please comply.”

The worker began to laugh

“Please comply? What kind of talk is that? Maybe you better leave before I do some damage to that pretty boy face of yours.”

The worker turned from Clark and Clark moved directly in his path.

“Alright. You asked for it.”

An overhand right was launched at Clark’s face and he immediately caught it with his hand. Clark tightened his grip – just a little. The chewed cigar fell from the worker’s mouth and his knees buckled. Clark let go as other men from the work crew gathered around Clark, Lana and the humbled LuthorCorp employee. Lana had her cell phone in her hand.

“I’m going to call the police. Now please leave!”

The crew from LuthorCorp left and Clark and Lana enetered the house. The meteor had crashed into the living room. The room was obliterated but the rest of the house remained intact. The meteor itself was gone. Both Clark and Lana assumed that it had been taken away by LuthorCorp before they arrived. But then Lana noticed that the other parts of the house looked like it had been searched. Lana noticed that the drawers in the desk in her father’s office were all opened. Papers were thrown over the floor. The lock on her mother’s jewelry box had been broken. But none of the jewelry had been taken. Clark had looked through the house and then joined Lana in her parents’ bedroom.

“Nothing was taken, Lana. But it looks like someone was looking for something.”

“I don’t understand. What would my parents’ have that would be of interest to LuthorCorp?”

They didn’t have the answers. Lana opened the door to the walk-in closet and began to look at the clothes. She held a man’s sweater in her hands and began to cry. Clark was trying to understand. On Krypton one was allowed to grieve but for only a short time. To do more was considered to be self indulgent. He had briefly grieved for his parents, his planet and for his crew. There was a part of him that wanted to express more emotion but a lifetime of training prevented him from doing so. He saw Lana sobbing and did the only thing he could think of. He held her.

“Lana, what can I do to help you?”

“You are helping me, Clark.”

Clark picked her up and Lana wrapped her arms around his neck. There was a voice inside of Lana that told her that Clark was holding it all inside. “When you’re ready, Clark, I’ll be here.” Clark could feel her tears soaking through his shirt.



**********

There funeral Mass was held at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church.

The casket containing Lana’s parents were brought into the church and set in front of the altar. Lana and Clark were led to the front row along with Lois and Oliver, Chloe and Jimmy, and the Kents. Clark observed that everyone was wearing clothes that were dark in color. There were men who had black bands around their upper arms.

In making an assessment of the humans Clark did not take into account the role of religion. He had been on other planets and had seen other cultures that worshipped a single diety or a number of dieties. Such practices had long been forgotten on Krypton. But he didn’t know what to make of the humans. They spoke of ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ but their history was filled with war. They said ‘Thou shalt not kill’ or ‘Thou shalt not steal’. Yet their prisons were full. The humans spoke of an afterlife where the righteous would be rewarded. Yet they did little to reward the righteaous in this life. There was much to learn.

He looked around and saw that the church was filled to capacity. The priest spoke of the humility and the goodness of Langs and that the attendance at the service was a testament to that goodness and that they would be rewarded. He then invited others to come up to the pulpit to speak. About a dozen people did so. Lana was the last.

“Everything that I am, all that I have learned is due to my parents. Even though they are gone I know in my heart that they are watching over me. They will be with me forever.

I grew up in Smallville. Everyone here has always helped me and helped one another and they continue to help one another. Everyone here has been so kind to me. But I ask you now to be kind to someone else – a stranger to everyone but me.

He holds it all inside. He is strong for me but I know that he is hurting – terribly. I’ve lost my parents but I still have a home. He has lost….”

Lana looked directly at Clark and spoke silently.

“…everything. Please, show him what the people of Smallville are made of. Please take him into your hearts as you have taken me.”

Clark put his head in his hands and his tears came like a flood. Oliver and Lois reached over and put their arms around him to try and comfort him. Lana left the pulpit and took her seat next to Clark. She wrapped her arms around him. He looked her in the eyes.

“How did you know?”

“I just do. That’s all.”

They nodded to each other. Each one drawing strength from the other.

As they walked out of the church a line of people formed to meet with Clark. They shook hands, embraced him, offer condolences and to offer help of any kind. No one asked him questions about where he was from or what happened. All offered their friendship.

The procession made its way to the cemetery. The priest led the procession. Clark observed the ritual. The priest would say something and the crowd would respond. It was as if they had said the same words hundred of times before.

His vision became focused and he saw a large limousine enter the cemetery. It stopped behind the other cars. The driver got out, opened the rear door and a tall man exited. Clark noticed that he was completely without hair. He stayed in the back of the crowd.

The service ended and the crowd dispearsed. Clark and Lana remained until there was no one else left. It was then that the hairless man approached them.

“Ms. Lang.”

Lana turned in the direction of the voice.

“Ms. Lang, I’m Lex Luthor. First, I want to apologize for the misunderstanding with my men the other day. Second, please accept my deepest condolenses for the your loss. If there’s anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to call on me.”

Lana nodded her head in acceptance of the apology and the offer of assistance. But Clark could see that there was something different in her eyes – a certain distrust he had not seen before. Luthor continued.

“I know I shouldn’t bring this up now but there’s a reason my men were at your parents’ house. Your parents sold me the house.”

Lana was completely taken aback.

“My parents sold you their house?”

Luthor nodded.

“Do you have any type of bill of sale or a deed or something like that?”

“Well, it was a handshake type of thing.”

He pulled out a check from his inside coat pocket and extended it to Lana.

“Here’s a check for the house and the surrounding property.”

Lana’s spine stiffened. Luthor continued.

“It’s three times the market value.”

“I’m not interested in your money, Mr. Luthor.”

“It’s quite substantial, Ms. Lang. Seven figures.”

“I’m not selling the house, Mr. Luthor. I’m going to repair it and I’m going to make Smallville my home.”

A silence ensued as Luthor stood motionless extending his hand with the check in it. Lana would even look at it. After a few moments he withdrew his hand.

“I’m sorry to hear that. Perhaps we could do business another time.”

“I don’t think so, Mr. Luthor.”

He nodded his head, turned around and walked back to his car. The car left the cemetery. Clark and Lana were left alone. Clark spoke.

“What is in your parents’ house that he would come here on the day of your parents’ funeral and offer you more money for the house than what it’s worth?”

“That’s the sixty four thousand dollar question, Clark.”

They walked back to the car with Clark thinking. “How can a question be worth money?”


**********

They remained at the Kents a few more days. Each day they would scour the news. Clark would buy several newspapers and he and Lana would examine them. To the Kents it seemed that no news report was insignificant to Clark and Lana. Each night the Kents would retire to bed and leave the couple watching and reading the news.

“Clark, are you sure Zod won’t try something big?”

“No. It’s not his way. He wants power but he likes to play games. Besides he’s an unconventional soldier. We studied his tactics at the Academy. He’ll use an indirect approach. He’ll do small things to make himself powerful and then without his enemy knowing it he’ll be in such a powerful position that his enemy will have no choice but to surrender. Besides, he’s seen the same information on your race as I have.”

“What does that mean?”

“When faced with aggression humans tend to respond in kind. Even if it means suicide. Look at your MAD policy of nuclear deterrence. Mutually Assured Destruction. If you attack us we’ll attack you. If everyone dies. So what? If Zod were to display his power on grand scale humans would do something about it. The humans might not succeed in their resistance but surrender would not be easy. Zod wants to rule over a kingdom. He needs live subjects not dead ones. But Zod also knows that humans are easily corrupted. Many times in your history good people have been seduced by evil leaders. He’ll take his time and play his game.”

Lana put her paper down and placed her arms around Clark’s neck.

“I can think of some good games.”

They gently pulled into each other and caressed each other’s lips. Lana sat on top of Clark with her legs straddling him. Her tongue entered his mouth. She pressed herself into him. She whispered to him.

“I love you, Clark.”

Clark whispered in Lana’s ear.

“I love you too, Lana. But it wouldn’t be right for me to break my promise. Isn’t that right, Mr. Kent?”

Both Lana and Clark heard a pair a feet scrambling upstairs and then a door opening and closing. Clark activated his hearing. He could hear Jonathan speaking to Martha.

“That son of a gun has some pair of ears!”


**********

After ten days, the Langs' wills were probated and Lana was the sole beneficiary. She was left the house and several acres of property plus a substantial sum in savings and stocks and bonds. In addition the Langs had a substantial life insurance policy. In short, Lana found that her assets were now equal to the sum that Lex Luthor was offering her.

Clark and Lana drove to the house that now belonged to Lana and stood outside looking at the task of repairing that was now before them.

“Clark, how good are you at carpentry?”

“I don’t know a thing about carpentry?

“How about plumbing?”

“Not a thing.”

“How about electrical work?”

“Nope.”

She drew closer to him and placed her hands around his waist.

“What are you good at?”

“I can pilot a Kryptonian Galaxy Cruiser across the universe to find you.”

Lana moved up on her toes and kissed him.

“That’s pretty good but that’s not what I need right now. Right now I need you to become Mr. Home Improvement.”

She took his hand and led him back to the car.

“Where are you taking me?”

“To get some training.”

They drove a few miles down the road until they came to a large shopping center. Clark looked at the large sign in front of him.


HOME DEPOT

**********

[shortcircuit85]

Another couple of great updates. I love the interaction between Lana and Clark. You write a very real dialog between them. I also enjoy the Kent's part at humor.

Thanks,

[Jephael]

That funeral scene was great, and the Home Depot bit at the end was like icing on the cake!

[kentfamily]

Home depot, cute.

[oldmankent]

Chapter Twenty Four

Lana led Clark into the Home Depot and directed him to the ‘How To Do It Yourself’ book section. On display were about 100 books with subjects ranging from how to water your lawn to how to install your own roof. She handed Clark a book titled ‘Electricity for Dummies’.

“Here. Start with this.”

Clark gave Lana a look that indicated that he didn’t understand. He was visibly upset.

“But I’m not a dummy.”

“No one said you were.”

“Lana, I do have degree from the Academy of Krypton. I finished my studies in record time and I was first in my class.”

“I understand that, Clark. No one is questioning your intelligence.”

“Then why are you insinuating that I’m some type of mental defective?”

Lana intertwined her arm with Clark’s and leaned next to him.

“Clark, I’m sorry. We have all kinds of books that have the title ‘For Dummies’ in it. It doesn’t mean that it is meant for a dummy. It means that we humans frequently think of ourselves as dummies if we don’t know how to do something. These books are meant for beginners.”

“Well, admitting that you don’t know something is the first step on the path to knowledge.”

“I know that, Little Grasshopper. The ‘Dummy’ part is meant to be humorous. We have all kinds of ‘Dummy’ books. There’s ‘New Jersey For Dummies’, ‘Ancient Greece For Dummies’, ‘Sex For Dummies’.”

“There’s a book called ‘Sex For Dummies’”

Lana nodded her head.

“I think there’s a ‘For Dummy’ book on everything.”

“Well, how do you know if you need it?”

“Need what?”

“How do you know if you need a ‘Sex For Dummies’ book?”

Lana found herself turning red and getting a little tongue tied.

“Well, I don’t know. I guess…I guess your partner…the person you were having…you know…doing it with would tell you if you weren’t good at it.”

“If I weren’t good at it would you tell me?”

“Well, Clark, I never thought that you wouldn’t be good at it. I mean we haven’t done it…for real that is. I know in the dreams I had about you…I know you were very good but….until we do it for real neither one of us will know if they other is good…at…it.”

Clark thought for a moment.

“Well, Lana, I’ve observed that humans are very sensitive to feelings. You don’t always come out and say what you’re thinking. What if I wasn’t any good and you didn’t want to hurt my feelings. How would I know if I was good or not?”

Lana nodded her head. She let go of Clark’s arm and started to walk away.

“Clark, I’m going to look at carpeting now. We’ll figure this ‘Dummy’ thing out later.”

Clark watched Lana walk away. He held the ‘Electricity For Dummies’ book in front on him and started fingering through the pages. He read the Table of Contents and turned to the first chapter. He began reading the words and turning the pages. Without noticing he started to read the words faster and faster and turn more and more pages. In a few minutes he was at the last page of the book. He found that every word and every diagram was embedded in his memory. He knew the exact page where a specific subject was written. He knew it word for word and understood everything completely. He placed the book back in the rack. He went to the beginning of the rack and picked up the first book.

“Architecture? At least it’s not for dummies.”

Within a couple of minutes he had flipped through every page, read and memorized every word and picture. He went to the next book and the next book and the next book. In less than ten minutes he had gone through every book in the rack. Satisfied with himself he walked to the carpeting section and found Lana talking to one of the store employees about a sample of carpet she was holding. She saw Clark and a smile immediately appeared on her face.

“Hi! How did you do with the books?”

“Great. Better than I expected.”

Lana instinctively drew close to him.

“I never asked you. What’s your favorite color?”

“Oh. I don’t know. I guess the color on the horizon with the red sun reflecting off the dual moons is probably my favorite color.”

Lana wanting to please Clark by decorating in his favorite color smiled at him.

“What color is that?”

He whispered in her ear.

“You don’t have it on this planet.”

Lana nodded and looked at the employee.

“Could you leave us alone for a few minutes.”

The employee left and Lana showed Clark a sample of carpet.

“How do you like this?”

“I like red.”

“It’s not red. It’s cranberry.”

“Cranberry?”

Lana nodded. It was then that Clark took notice of the women who were accompanied by men in the carpeting section. He activated his hearing and observed that the men said very little except to agree with everything that the women were saying. He answered Lana.

“Right. Cranberry. Do you like it?”

“I’ve always been partial to this color. But if you don’t like it….”

“No. No. No. I think it would be great.”

“But, Clark, I was thinking. Maybe I should be different.”

Lana showed Clark another sample.

“I like purple.”

“It’s not purple. It’s plum.”

Clark nodded his head and began to walk away.

“I’m going to look at some more “For Dummy’ books.”

Lana gave Clark a big smile and he walked away back to the book section. “I’ve read all of these.” He walked out of the store and stood on the sidewalk. He noticed that next to the Home Depot was a store named Barnes & Noble. He saw that there were books displayed in the window. He walked into Barnes & Noble and saw row after row of books.

“Wonderful!”

Barnes & Noble also how a “Do It Yourself’ section with a variety of ‘For Dummies’ books. Within a few minutes he had completed every book. He then thought about his discussion with Lana. He went the Customer Service desk where a very attractive, twenty something woman was working.

“Excuse me. Can you help me find something?”

The woman looked at Clark. Her eyes grew wide. She moistened her lips and flashed a smile at him.

“I’m sure I can. What are you looking for?”

“Can you tell me where I can find ‘Sex For Dummies’?”

“I doubt if you need it.”

“I beg your pardon.”

“Aisle Six – Back of the store – Erotica.”

Clark smiled and walked away. He heard the woman speak as he walked away.

“Don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything else.”

Then his hearing picked up her whispering.

“I’m available for personal lessons.”

Clark found the Erotica section in an out of the way corner that seemed to be isolated for the rest of the store. He easiliy found the ‘Sex For Dummies’ book. He easily scrolled through it in less than a minute. As with the other books he started at the beginning of the section and worked his way through book by book. “I can’t believe humans actually give names to some of this stuff. Missionary position. Sixty nine. The Venus Butterfly.” He was flying through a book on sadomasochism when he heard a voice.

“Clark?”

He looked up.

“Hi, Mr. Kent!”

Jonathan Kent walked next to Clark. He looked down at the book Clark was reading. There was a picture on the page.

“Hmm. That’s quite a large whip. Clark, I know it’s none of my business but what are doing reading books like that?”

Clark closed the book and put it back on shelf.

“Well, Lana and I were talking about sex…”

Jonathan swallowed hard. He quickly looked around to see if other people were listening. Clark continued.

“…and I asked her how would I know if I was good at it and she really didn’t know how to answer me.”

Jonathan took Clark by the arm. His head moved closer to Clark’s.

“Even though you said you weren’t, Martha and I thought that you and Lana were already….you know..”

“Having sex?”

Jonathan nodded his head.

“No. No. We haven’t had sex. That’s why I need to know what to do so I can be good at it.”

“What about the other women you’ve been with? I’m sure you didn’t have a problem with them.”

“What women?”

“Wait a minute. A good looking guy like you. Are you saying that you’ve never had…you know?”

“Sex? No. I haven’t.”

“Didn’t you go to college?”

Clark didn’t know how to answer the college question. He gave Jonathan a quizzical look. Jonathan continued.

“Clark, like I said its none of my business but I don’t think you’re going to need a book. Anyone with eyes can see that you and Lana are crazy about each other. If you two have any problems you’ll work it out.”

Jonathan placed his arm around

“Clark, I’m proud of you. Saving yourself for the right woman and know that you’ve found her you’re saving yourself for marriage.”

Clark didn’t respond. He only thought, “Marriage?”

Both men turned when they heard Martha’s voice.

“Clark? Jonathan? What are you doing here?”

Martha was standing next to Lana. Both women took the arms of their respective men and pulled them out of the store. Clark spoke to Lana.

“Do you know that certain people find it pleasureable to be handcuffed?”

“Clark, we need to talk.”

Martha spole to Jonathan.

“Are you trying to tell me something, Jonathan? Isn’t our sex life exciting enough for you? In the Erotica section! A man your age!”


**********

[Nemu]

Lucky Clark isn't their son in this... or else the end of this chapter would have been wayyy more awkward...

Funny it was... Martha's comment...

I can't wait to see what Lana will have to tell Clark...

PPMS!!!

[The Black Cat]

Excellent!! PPMS!

[kentfamily]

That was funny. Getting caught in the Erotica section. What does Lana have to talk to Clark about?

Patiently waiting for update.;)

[Jephael]

Whoa, that was freaky! I can't help but wonder how this scenario might've played out in the regular Smallville timeline. Sure as heck would've been awkward!!!

[oldmankent]

Chapter Twenty Five

Lana was all business after she retrieved Clark from the book store. She didn’t want to discuss anything except the task at hand. Lana seemed to go out of her way to avoid physical contact or eye contact with Clark. She bought lumber, assorted nails and hardware, wiring and conduit, carpeting, paint, paint supplies, and wallpaper. Then she rented a Home Depot truck to take all of it back to her house.

They sat in silence as Lana drove. Clark really didn’t know what to make of the situation. He thought she would be interested in some of the things he had learned at Barnes & Noble.

“Do you know that the Venus Butterfly position….”

“Clark! I’m not interested!”

“Why are you angry?”

“I’m not angry!”

“Then why are you yelling?”

“Clark, it’s kind of embarrassing for a woman to pull her boyfriend out of the Erotica section of a bookstore. Besides, didn’t you see the way the Customer Service girl was looking at you?”

“How was she looking at me?”

“Like she wanted to give you a personal demonstration of the Butterfly whatever it is.”

“Why would she want to do that?”

Lana pulled over to the side of the road and stopped the truck.

“Clark, in case you hadn’t noticed you are a really, really good looking guy. Tall, dark and handsome. There are plenty of women out there who would like to snatch you from me and get you into their beds!”

Clark was speaking in a very calm tone.

“But wouldn’t that require cooperation on my part?”

Lana was about to shout an answer back but stopped. Clark had his gaze fixed on her eyes. He continued.

“I love you, Lana. Why would I want to be with someone else?”

Lana felt ashamed of herself. She moved closer to Clark. Her hands came up to his neck and pulled his face to hers.

“I love you, Clark Kent.”

They closed their eyes and then molded into each other. Neither one noticed the police cruiser pull up behind them. They were soaking in each others presence as the police officer was politely tapping his finger on the window. After a few solid taps the couple opened their eyes and pulled away.

After a routine license and registration check the good natured officer moved them along.

The couple arrived at Lana’s house and inspected the damage. Lana told Clark of her plans for the house and he listened attentively. They moved into the basement of the house. It was a finished basement that had two entrances – one connecting it to the kitchen area and another connecting it to the garage. Near the entrance to the garage was Lewis Lang’s workshop. Lana showed Clark the area with all of the tools she expected he would use in repairing the house. Clark nodded to indicate his understanding and then his hearing became activated.

He heard water dripping.

“Clark, what is it?”

“Lana, do you have a leak?”

“Not that I know of.”

The sound of ‘drip, drip, drip’ caused Clark to carefully inspect everything in the basement. He walked into the utility area and confirmed that the furnace, water heater, washer, dryer and plumbing were in perfect working order. Clark then realized that the noise wasn’t in the basement. He activated his X-ray vision and began to inspect the walls. He searched through the wallboard and then the cinder blocks behind the wallboard until he stopped at a spot near the beginning of Lewis’ workshop.

“Lana, do you know that there’s a big hole behind the foundation of your house?”

Lana moved close to Clark so that they were touching.

“No. What kind of hole?”

“It looks like an entrance to something.”

Clark asked Lana if he could take the wall apart and she said okay as long as he would fix it. He removed the wallboard. Then he dug his fingers into the cinder block and carefully removed them one at a time. When he was finished a large hole surrounded by solid rock was before them. Lana got a flashlight to look in the hole. They were both surprised when they saw a set of steps that had been chiseled into the rock. The steps led downward. Clark spoke.

“Maybe I should go alone.”

“No way, Clark. This is my house. Remember?”

He nodded his head. She handed Clark another flashlight and he stepped in first. Lana followed with one hand holding her flashlight and the other hand resting on Clark’s back. They walked down several dozen steps until the area leveled off. They both shined their flashlights around the area to see what they were standing in. Lana saw the stalactites hanging from the ceiling.

“This is some sort of cave.”

Clark saw little beads of water dripping from the top part of the cave.

“Why would your parents build a house right on top of an entrance to a cave?”

Lana shrugged her shoulders.

They walked through the cave until they were stopped by one of the walls. The shined the lights on the walls and saw enormous drawings that appeared to have been made by a primitive culture. One of the drawings seemed to be of a bracelet that had stones of jade in it. Another drawing appeared to be of a tribe of Native Americans. Lana and Clark stopped and stared at the drawing of a two headed creature. Two long necks were intertwined and the faces of the heads growled at each other. They separated and started to inspect different areas. Lana was the first to call out.

“Clark, you have to see this.”

Clark moved next to Lana as she shined her light on a drawing of fire falling from the sky. On the ground underneath the crashed meteors were drawings of green rocks. Clark spoke.

“Is that a retelling of the past or a prophecy of the future?”

They decided to exit the underground cave and go back up the steps into the basement when something caught Clark’s attention. There was another section of the cave lying in the shadows. But unlike the rest of the cave this section looked like it had been carved out by tools. In the middle was a hexagonal slab. In the center of the slab was a triangular indentation. Inside the center were three carved out symbols. Clark’s eyes opened wide and he let out a gasp.

“Clark, what is it?”

“The symbols. The symbols are…Kryptonian.”

Clark had no explanation as to why there was a cave with Kryptonian symbols buried underneath Lana’s house. Clark reviewed with Lana his memory of the message he received from his father. That evidence had been found of an ancient advanced civilization that had visited Krypton and other planets. Could this actually be evidence that the ancients had visited the Green Planet? Could this slab, whatever it is, in this place (underneath Lana’s house) actually be evidence of the connection between Earth & Lana and Kal-El and Krypton? Further, he had no explanation for the Kryptonian symbols of air, fire and water. The indentation in the center of the slab looked like it was supposed to contain something. For some reason it looked incomplete. But Clark had no idea of what that ‘something’ was.

They returned to the basement and Clark replaced the cinder blocks and then overlaid the wallboard.

“Why would your parents build their house right here?”

“Maybe they didn’t know. Maybe it was the contractor who placed the house here in this location.”

Clark and Lana went upstairs into here father’s office. Lana started searching through the files in her father’s desk. She came across a copy of the deed for the house. Then she came across a copy of the design of the house and an outline of the property. In the corner was the name of the contractor.


WILLOWBROOK CONTRACTORS, INC.

“Does this mean anything to you?”

Lana shook her head. Then she thought for a moment and changed her mind.

“Willowbrook Contractors. I’ve read about them. There a Native American firm.”

“Native American as in the Native American drawings we saw in the cave? Maybe we should go to see them. Maybe they have some answers.”

Lana nodded in agreement.

“But not today. We have a lot of work to do here. Why don’t you get started on the front of the house? I’m going to return the truck to Home Depot. Pick up my car that I left in the parking lot. Then I’ll go to the grocery store to get something to make for dinner. Okay?”

Clark smiled and nodded in agreement. Lana moved close to Clark and lifted herself on her toes.

“Give me a goodbye kiss.”

Clark lowered his head and placed a soft but short kiss on Lana’s lips. Lana pouted.

“More.”

This time Clark took Lana in his arms and pulled her up so that her head was even with his and her feet were off the ground. He closed his eyes and pressed his lips on Lana’s moist mouth with just a slight opening of his mouth. Lana could feel his breath caress the inside of her mouth and she lost all sense of time and place.. He finally released her. She nodded her head into his, caught her breath and savored his aftertaste. He whispered to her.

“Are you sure you don’t want to hear about the Venus Butterfly?”

Lana punched him in the chest and dropped to the ground.

“Big talker. We have a saying here on Earth. Actions speak louder than words.”

Clark stood still as he watched Lana walk to the truck. Several times she turned to look back at him to see if he was still looking at her. Lana wasn’t disappointed. He remained in the same spot while she drove away and until she was out of sight. Then he turned his attention to the house.

He went back into the basement to get Lewis’ tools. He strapped a leather tool belt to his waist, took hold of the power saw and the drill and then went back outside the house. He closed his eyes and envisioned all of the ‘How To” books he had read a short time ago and with the information he formulated a construction blueprint in his mind. He arranged the building materials in the sequence of his plan. Then he set out to work.

He moved the furniture out of the living room. The he went outside and cut away the wrecked remnants of the outside wall. He measured and cut vinyl siding for the outside walls, planks of two by fours and plasterboard for the inside walls and panels of finished oak for the inside floor. The two by fours of the frame were replaced first and the electrical wiring repaired. Clark used his heat vision to weld electrical wires together and his thumb for a hammer on wood planks. Then he replaced the outside siding and finished with the plasterboard and the oak flooring inside. The inside walls were primed, dried by Clark’s breath, painted, dried, repainted and dried again. The oak floor was sanded, stained, dried, sanded, stained and dried again. The carpeting was replaced and the furniture returned to its original location. Then Clark started on the lawn. He leveled the trench in the ground that the meteor had made and spread start up grass seed and fertilizer over the bare patch of ground. It was the beginning of December. It hadn’t snowed yet but it was cold. He used his heat vision to slightly warm the air above the grass seed so that it took root. According to his reading the grass should be fully grown by spring. He put the tools away back in their original locations, washed the paint brushes and cleaned up the work area so that it was spotless. He put his work clothes in the washer, cleaned off his work boots and changed into a fresh tee shirt and blue jeans.

He was sitting down at the kitchen counter with a cup of coffee and scanning the newspapers looking for signs of Zod when he heard the engine of Lana’s car moving into the entrance of her long driveway.

Lana expected to see Clark working outside and was disappointed when she didn’t see him. “Typical man. He’s probably watching football when he should be working.” Then she observed that the only evidence that there was ever a hole in the wall was the leveled ground leading up to the wall where the trench created by the meteor had been. She stood in front of the house, looked at her watch, observed that she had only been away for an hour and a half and gasped.

“Oh my God!”

She walked into the house expecting to find chips of wood and paint or at least dust. Instead she found that the inside of her was clean and neat. Clark greeted with a small kiss and took the grocery bags she was carrying from her arms. Lana seemed flabbergasted. Clark didn’t understand why.

“Clark! You finished! Everything!”

Clark answered nonchalantly. Never thinking that he had completed a multi-day task in less than an hour in his first time at doing such a task.

“Yes. I did. I read the books. Made a plan and then did the work.”

“But it’s…it’s….”

“What?”

“Clark! It’s perfect! You did everything just how it should be done. You even cleaned up.”

“While I was in the book store…”

“What? More about the Venus Butterfly?”

“No. No. I saw this book titled ‘Men Are From Mars. Women Are From Venus’. Now I know for a fact that there’s no life forms on those planets and I was curious as to just how someone could write such untruths. But the author was actually writing about the differences between human men and human women. And it said…..”

Lana jumped onto Clark and started kissing him wildly. The passion that had been suppressed for weeks was erupting like a volcano. Lana was running her hands through Clark’s hair. She devoured Clark’s mouth like a hungry animal. During Lana’s ravenous frenzy occasional words came out of her throat.

“I…love…you…so….much! No one…has….ever….been….this….good….to….me!”

Clark could feel Lana alternate her arms. One clutching his neck while the other removed itself from the sleeve of her winter coat then she switched to the other arm. Clark’s hands circled around her narrow waist and Lana pushed her body into Clark’s. Lana dropped her arms and made Clark let her go. She reached up and pulled him by the neck and buckled her own knees so that she and Clark dropped to the floor of the kitchen. Lana was amazed at the strength she possessed as she tore off Clark’s tee shirt. She moved her mouth to his neck and ear lobe. The sound of his increased breathing made Lana even more excited. Clark managed to spit out a few words.

“Lana, what….what…what…are…you…Oh Wow….doing?”

“I’m making my dreams come true, Clark. And I’m going to make your dreams come true. I love you and I’m going to make love to you…right now!”

“Lana, wait.”

“Wait? Wait for what? I’ve been waiting for three years and you’ve waited for a zillion light years.”

Clark’s eyes were rolling up in his head as feeling that he had only dreamed of were now cascading through his body. He regained focus and moved Lana away.

“Lana, wait! Something’s wrong!”

Lana was dumbfounded.

“Wrong? What’s wrong?”

Clark found himself groping for the right words.

“It’s just…it’s just…it’s just that I love you.”

“Well that’s the idea, Clark. I love you and you love me and were together and now the time has come to really be together!”

Lana tried to assault his mouth again but Clark kept his distance. He got to his feet.

“I’m so confused.”

In a blink of an eye Clark was out of the kitchen and out of the house.

Lana just sat on the floor shaking her head.

“This better not be something he read in one of those books!”


**********

[Nemu]

Or maybe it is something good he read in a book... who knows...

lol that was funny in a way...

Poor Clark... and Lana...

Well I guess I will have to take some time from my busy schedule and read the chapters I skipped...

PPMS!!!

[kentfamily]

The remark that Lana made was funny at the end. The caves are under the house,eh!? I wonder what will come next? That Lana and Kal/Clark have met in the past? He has been here before?

Cant wait for the next update.

[oldmankent]

Chapter Twenty Six

Clark speeded to one of the rooms, replaced his tee shirt and then speeded out of the house. He soon found himself in the middle of what used to be a cornfield. “What’s the matter with me? I am the Captain of the Kryptonian Galactic Cruiser. Only one hundred out of five billion Kryptonians can boast of such a position. I make life and death decisions every day." He launched into the air. He kept going higher and higher, faster and faster. Finally he was in orbit. It was only then that he realized that this was the fastest and the highest he had gone since he discovered that the Earth’s yellow sun had given him powers. He took a deep breath and descended until he was just outside of Smallville on one of the highways. He started walking with his hands in his pockets, oblivious to the December cold. He walked until he found himself near the church that Lana’s parents attended. He walked up to the door, opened it and went inside.

The church was empty. The lights were turned off except for the glow of candles. The temperature was slightly chilled. He sat in one of the seats in the rear of the church.

“This place is quiet.”

“What did you expect? It’s a church.”

“Who said that?”

“I did.”

Clark looked quickly looked around. He was completely alone. He shook his head.

“I must be dreaming.”

“You’re not dreaming.”

Clark looked around again. The voice seemed strangely familiar.

“Who are you?”

“I’m your conscience, stupid.”

“My conscience? How come I’ve never heard you before?”

“Because you’ve never been alone in a church before.”

Clark was quiet for a moment. “He’s got a point.”

“Okay. Fine. You’re my conscience. What do you want?”

“The question is what do you want?”

“That’s not an easy question to answer.”

“Why?”

“Because so much has changed.”

“What has changed?”

“A month ago I was a Kryptonian Galactic Officer on a mission.”

“And what are you now?”

“I don’t know what I am. I have all of these powers and I may be part of a mysterious prophecy. A month ago I knew who I was, what I was doing and where I was going. Now I’m just confused. A month ago people looked to me for answers. Now all I have are questions.”

“You sure do make things sound complicated.”

“Well aren’t they?”

“You tell me.”

“Well everything is complicated! Except for one thing.”

“And that would be?”

“How I feel about Lana Lang.”

“How do you feel about her?”

“If you’re really my conscience you don’t have to ask that question.”

“You’re right. I don’t. So what’s the problem.”

“She deserves better than me.”

“She doesn’t want better than you.”

“I don’t know who I am! I don’t know where I’m going. I don’t know what everything means!”

“What do you know?”

“I know that being with me could be dangerous. Zod is out there.”

“Kal-El, three years ago you started this journey. Did you know where it would lead?”

“No.”

“But you still made the trip.”

“What’s your point?”

“If you are the type of man who has the courage to leave his home to make a journey into the unknown what makes you think Lana Lang could do less than you?”

“But it would be so unfair to her.”

“Isn’t that here choice?”

Clark remained silent. The candlelight glowed on his face.

“There’s more.”

“Yeah? I’m waiting.”

“We’re very close to being….intimate.”

“And this is a bad thing? You didn’t have a problem being intimate when she was just a vision.”

“How do you know about that?”

“I’m your conscience and I was clear as long as the mind blowing, ground shaking sex with Lana Lang was a dream.”

“But it’s different now.”

“What’s different? Are you having a problem with the old equipment? Need any ****** or Extenze?”

“No! It’s not that.”

“Then what is the problem?”

“I want her. More than anything. But I want more. I want to give her more.”

“So then give her more and ask her for more.”

“It’s that simple?”

“Yep. Most of the great questions that plague us do have simple answers. Most of the time the answers are right in front of us but we have a tough time seeing them because of the way we complicate our lives. That’s why humans go to a place like this.”

Clark continued to listen.

“Your relationship with Lana Lang is a pretty simple thing. But you’ve complicated it with your own doubts about yourself and where you are going. Stripped to its essentials one thing is clear – You love Lana Lang and Lana Lang loves you and that’s it. The question that only you can answer is what are you going to do about it?”

Clark then heard another familiar voice.

“Clark, what are you doing here?”

Clark looked up to see Jonathan and Martha Kent standing in front of him with the parish priest.

“Mr. Kent. Mrs. Kent, I didn’t expect to see anyone here.”

“After our little event in the book store Martha made me go to Confession.”

The priest sat down next to Clark.

“I’m Father Rocco. You look troubled, my son. How can I help you.”

A smile came to Clark’s face.


**********

“Well I hope you’re happy.”

Lana was staring at her image in the mirror. Her face was stained from a flood of tears.

“How can I be happy? Clark ran away!”

The mirror image spoke back to her.

“You mean you chased him away.”

Lana was flabbergasted. First, because her image seemed to have a mind of its own, Second, because her mirror image was so confrontational. Third, because she was uncertain as to whether or not what she was hearing was the truth.

“I did not chase him away.”

“Lana, you practically raped him.”

“I…I…I…I jumped his bones. I thought that’s what he wanted.”

“For someone who is well educated, has a promising career and who likes the sophistication of the big city, you really don’t know much about men. Do you?”

Lana became stubborn.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh really? You finally have a relationship with a man who just oozes testosterone from every pore and you try to turn him into one of those girlie man, metro males that you’re so used to seeing in Metropolis.”

“That’s not true!”

“Come on, Lana! He’s a man. A real man. In addition he’s a soldier. A warrior. A conqueror. Yes, he wants you just as much as you want him but when are you going to learn that it has to be his idea.”

Lana was silent.

“So even though we’re both aching for each other I have to wait until he’s ready to take me, claim me as his own and then ravish me?”

“Jeez Lana He reading books like “‘Men Are From Mars. Women Are From Venus”. Next thing he’ll be listening to opera and eating quiche.”

Lana was now crying up a storm.

“Well, what am I supposed to do?”

Lana now felt like her mirror image had a reassuring arm around her.

“Lana, what do you want?”

Lana was now sobbing like a child.

“I want Clark Kent!”

“You have to let him know that he doesn’t have to change. You have to let him know that you’re in love with him and not some future vision of him. You have to let him know that you’re not going to try to change him like a Venusian changing a Martian.”

“But what if he leaves the toilet seat up?”

“Lana!”

“What if he won’t share the remote control for the television?”

“Lana!”

“But what if he has no sense of fashion and starts to wear white socks with sandals?”

“Lana!”

The voice was no longer her own. She turned to it. Clark was standing in the doorway.

Lana ran to him and jumped into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Lana ran her fingers through the thick hair on the back of his head. She snuggled close to neck. She inhaled his scent.

“Oh Clark! I’m so sorry!”

Clark answered in a somewhat amused tone of voice.

“What are you sorry for?”

Lana’s a slightly pulled her head away so that her forehead was touching Clark’s forehead. She tried to keep her hands from playing with the hair around Clark’s ears but found that her hands had a mind of her own.

“I though I chased you away when I tried to jump your bones. I know you’re a soldier and a warrior and you have to have to the thrill of the conquest.”

“Lana, what are you talking about?”

“I’m sorry I was so aggressive with you.”

“What’s makes you think I didn’t like it?”

“Well, you ran away.”

“Only because I was confused. I’ve wanted you since the first moment I saw you. But I just needed to sort things out.”

“Have you sorted things out?”

Clark nodded his head.

“Yes. I have.”

“And?”

“Lana, I love you and I want you but there has to be more.”

Lana began to think of what she saw at the bookstore. She remembered that Clark had mentioned something about handcuffs. She swallowed hard and became stoic.

“Clark, I understand that a man has certain needs. I mean I understand that a Krytponian man may have certain needs that may seem unusual to a human. Whatever it is I’m willing to give you whatever you need.”

Clark felt just as confused as when he was in church but he decided to press forward.

“Lana, I don’t think I’m making myself clear. When I say ‘more’ I’m saying I need to give you more.”

“But Clark, you’ve already given me so much.”

“But I haven’t given you my life. Lana, for the past three years you have been the vision that has guided me. I’m now asking you to be the vision that will guide me for the rest of my life.”

Lana was still in Clark’s arms. He was deeply looking her in the eyes.

“Lana, please marry me and let me be your husband.”

Lana moved her head away from his and pulled his head closer to hers. She was hugging him so tightly yet it seemed like it wasn’t close enough. She had to be part of him. She now felt tears of joy.

“Oh, Clark! You are my dream come true. Please let me be your wife.”

They closed their eyes and melted into one another. Although passionate, it was not all consuming. It was more of an acknowledgment that both knew that the other’s feelings would never change. Being with each other was where they were meant to be. Lana whispered.

“When can we get married?”

Clark whispered back.

“Right now.”

“How?”

Clark slowly lowered Lana to the floor took her by the hand and led her downstairs. It was then that she noticed that he was wearing a dark blue suit with a white shirt and a dark blue tie. Waiting downstairs were the Kents and Father Rocco.

“Mr. and Mrs. Kent? Father Rocco? What are you doing her?”

Father Rocco spoke.

“Mrs. Kent can be very persuasive.”

Jonathan added.

“Actually, it’s her lasagna that’s very persuasive.”

Martha elbowed Jonathan in the side and Father Rocco let out an ‘ahem’. He continued.

“Mrs. Kent convinced me that it would be in everyone’s best interests if I officiated at your wedding – tonight. If you accepted Clark’s proposal and from the look on your face, Lana, I can see that you did. Of course, the Church frowns on such quickie weddings. Usually, you have to arrange a marriage a year in advance. But Mrs. Kent convinced me that two upstanding young people should be an exception.”

Jonathan added again.

“She promised him a year’s worth of her lasagna.”

The comment was met with another ‘ahem’.

“So perhaps Lana you’d like to change into something a little more appropriate.”

Lana went back into her room, cleaned the tears from her face, put on some makeup, arranged her hair and put on a white dress. When she left the room she stood at the top of her stairs while Clark stared at her beauty from the room below. Jonathan spoke quietly to Clark.

“All that in less than a half an hour. You’re a lucky man, Clark.”

Lana descended the stairs and stood next to Clark. Jonathan stood off to Clark’s side while Martha stood off to Lana’s side. Father Rocco was holding small black leather bound book. He began to speak.

“During the days of the pioneers it was not uncommon that a man and a woman would decide to share their lives together but would be unable to marry because priests, ministers, rabbis, and even judges were few and far between in the wilderness of the west. So the couple would pledge themselves to each other and live as husband and wife with the promise that as soon they crossed paths with a man of the cloth or a judge they would marry. In a way we are doing the same thing tonight. Although the Church frowns upon a wedding without the prescribed process and you don’t have a marriage license, tonight you are committing yourself to each other before God with the promise that you will legally bind yourselves to each other as soon as possible.”

Both Clark and Lana nodded their heads in understanding and acceptance. Then they turned at looked each other. Martha took out a tissue to dab the tears that were starting to form in her eyes. Father Rocco opened his book.

“Love is patient; love is kind. Love is not jealous, it does not put on airs, it is not snobbish. Love is never rude, it is not self seeking, it is not prone to anger; neither does it brood over injuries. Love does not rejoice in what is wrong but rejoices with the truth. There is no limit to love’s forebearance, to its trust, its hope, its power to endure.”

Clark’s heart swelled in his chest. He had never before heard such words.

“Love never fails. When I was a child I spoke as a child, thought as a child, reasoned as a child. When I became a man I put childish things behind me. In the end there are three things that last forever: faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these in love.

And so do you, Clark Kent, take Lana Lang as your wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse; for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?”

Clark nodded his head. Lana whispered underneath her breath.

“You’re supposed to say ‘I do’.

“Oh? Okay. Yes. I do.”

Father Rocco turned to Lana.

“Do you, Lana Lang, take Clark Kent as your wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live?”

“With all my heart I do.”

Father Rocco stopped and turned to Jonathan.

“What about the rings?”

Jonathan shrugged his shoulders and looked at Clark. Clark didn’t understand and looked at Lana. Lana pulled him to the side so that the others wouldn’t hear.

“Clark, we’re supposed to have rings as sign of our fidelity to each other.”

Clark thought for a moment. He looked at Lana’s ring finger and calculated an exact measurement in his head. He left the room for a few minutes and went to the basement to Lewis’ workshop. He took couple of large nails, melted them down with his heat vision, molded them into smooth rings and then cooled them down with his breath. He came back to Lana and showed her.

“Is this okay?”

“Perfect.”

They came back to the center of the room. Martha and Jonathan looked at the rings and then looked at each other. Both wondering how the rings were produced so quickly. Clark and Lana exchanged the rings and pledged their fidelity to each other. Father Rocco concluded the makeshift ceremony.

“In the eyes of God I now pronounce you husband and wife. What God had joined together let no man drive apart.”

Clark and Lana remained motionless. They continued their visual lock. Searching ever deeper into the other’s eyes. Nothing and no one else existed. They did not hear Martha push Jonathan out of the house. They did not hear Jonathan ask “How did this house get fixed so fast?” They did not hear Father Rocco asked, “So when am I getting my lasagna?” All they heard were two hearts beating in unison.

Clark picked Lana up into his arms. Her hands went around his neck. He lifted off the floor and slowly floated up the stairs to the second floor of the house. His feet set down on the floor. He walked in Lana’s bedroom. Lana reached with her arm

And closed the door behind them.


**********

[shortcircuit85]

Great update! A quickie wedding? lol, that was great.

Thanks,

[Nemu]

Well that was good... and you keep a funny side going on all along which is nice...

The kents and the priest were funny.. .Bribing a man of god with Lasagna... lol

PPMS!!!

[kentfamily]

This chapter made me smile. It was also funny with their conscience talking back to them, that was very funny. I laughed out loud.
And that Lasagne I could smell it from here. Now I am craving lasagne.
Wow! A quickie wedding is right!? What is next?
Will be waiting patiently for your next update.;)

[The Black Cat]

Great update. It made me smile too. PPMS!

[Jephael]

Cute chapter, though at some point I'd love to see the Kents find out Clark's secret. It just doesn't seem right to have them left in the dark!

[kentfamily]

Waiting for your next update. :)

[oldmankent]

Chapter Twenty Seven

Lana rose from the bed and put on her robe to keep warm from the December chill. She walked to the window, slightly pulled back the curtains and looked out at the full moon shining brightly in the night. The thought of what she had just experienced with Clark made her smile and she looked back at the bed and her sleeping husband. She looked out at the sky again and then she heard it. It was a low humming. She looked back at Clark. He was still asleep. “He doesn’t hear it?” She looked around the room – the alarm clock, the small television and DVD player, inside her closet. Nothing. The sound was coming from somewhere else.

Lana put on her slippers and stepped out of the room. Outside in the hallway the humming was more distinct - Not mechanical. Lana thought it was more musical in nature. Steady and rhythmic. But it was still distant. As she walked down the steps the sound became clearer. Lana was now in the kitchen. She looked at the refrigerator and the dishwasher. The sound was not from those two appliances. She looked at the door the led to the basement. She opened it.

The sound compelled her to move forward.

Lana turned the basement light on and walked down the steps. She scanned over the expansive basement – the utility area at the far end, the entertainment area in the center and finally her father’s workshop area. In between, the family area and the workshop, where Clark had removed the plasterboard, she heard the sound.

Clark had not fully repaired the plasterboard. There was a visible crease outlining the entrance. Lana dug her fingers into the crease and pulled away the board. Lana now faced the cinder block foundation. Clark had dug an outline through the blocks and a bright light was shining through the outline. She dug her fingers into the outline of the cinder blocks and slowly moved them out of the hole. The block were heavy for Lana and she strained to lift them. As soon as they were out of the hole she dropped the blocks on the floor, taking care not to drop them on her feet. As each block was removed the light grew brighter and began to fill the basement.

Lana removed all of the blocks and made her way through the entrance. The humming was now echoing in her ears. Not overpowering but strong and steady. Lana was now at the bottom of the cave. There was no need for a flashlight as the light removed all darkness. Every figure was illuminated. Every drawing now showed its full color. “Magnificent!”

Her attention was drawn to the source of the sound - the chamber that contained the stone slab with the Kryptonian symbols. As Lana walked towards it she became surrounded with pulsating light.

Lana was now warm. The chill and the dampness of the caves had disappeared. She moved into the chamber. It was strangest sensation although the chamber was filled with bright, white light, it wasn’t blinding. Lana could clearly see the slab. In the center, in the indentation the three Kryptonian figures pulsed with colors that Lana had never seen before. The colors streamed out forming a spotlight on three of the walls of the chamber. The symbols of air, fire, and water were being projected into a much larger image.

The images then began to move towards each other. Lana looked at the center of the slab and the stream of light that had emanated from it had disappeared. Yet the projections of the walls remained. The projection on the center remained stationary while the projections on the walls flanking it moved towards the center. Now the three symbols formed a triangle. The three closed until they became one. The fused imaged exploded and Lana screamed and thrust her hands in front of face.

Lana’s eyes opened wide. She was in her bed in the dark. She reached over for Clark and felt nothing. She turned to look at him. He was gone.

“Clark?”

There was no answer. Lana scrambled to her feet and put on her robe and her slippers. She hurried out of the bedroom into the hallway. The house was dark. She hurried down the steps into the kitchen. The kitchen was also dark but the door to the basement was open and the light to the basement had been turned on. She stood at the entrance of the door.

“Clark?”

No answer. Lana moved quickly down the stairs into the basement. The lights were on. She looked at the wall between her father’s workshop and the entertainment area. The plasterboard had been removed along with the cider blocks. The blocks were piled neatly on top of each other. Lana went through the entrance. The could see the stream of a flashlight in the back of the cave.

“Clark?”

“Lana?”

Hearing Clark’s voice caused Lana to feel an immediate sense of relief.

“Clark, what are you doing down here?”

Clark was in the inner chamber of the cave. He was focusing the flashlight on the center of the slab. He was in a pair of jeans but was shirtless and shoeless. Lana hurried next to him and he placed his arms around her.

“I had a dream. No it wasn’t a dream. It was more of a vision.”

“Tell me about it, Clark.”

“I woke up and went to the window to look at the moon. I looked back at you. You were sound asleep. Then a strange sound started.”

“A humming. More musical than mechanical. Steady and rhythmic.”

Clark looked at Lana. He didn’t know what to say. He continued his story.

“The sound led me here to the chamber. The slab was bathed in light. The images in the center were..”

“Were being projected onto the walls.”

Clark stopped and stared at Lana.

“How do you know?”

“I had the same vision. The colors of that were being projected. I’ve never seen colors like that before.”

“You can’t see them on Earth. Those colors are only found on Krpton.”

Lana continued.

“The three images were projected on the walls and then they moved together and fused. That’s when I woke up.”

Both were silent. Both were pondering what they had just heard.

“Lana, before you and I met. We used to have intense visions of each other.”

“Intense. That’s a subdued way of putting it.”

Clark, not recognizing the playful tone of his bride’s voice, continued.

“After we met the visions stopped. Now that you and I have married and have..”

Clark grew slightly tongue tied and began to turn red. Lana finished his sentence.

“And have consummated our relationship.”

Clark felt relieved.

“Consumated. Yes. Consumated. That’s a good way of putting it.”

Lana interrupted.

“Rather than saying we had steamy, wild, passionate, mind blowing, eye popping, toe curling, hair raising, earth shaking, neighbor waking, wall cracking, hell raising, barn burning, shouting from the mountaintop sex.”

Clark hugged her tightly.

“Was it all that?”

Lana faced him and slid her hands up his naked chest.

“Is was for me. It better be for you.”

Clark lifted Lana off her feet and drew her into a delicate kiss. He whispered in her ear.

“It was all that and more.”

Lana wrapped her arms around his neck.

”Are you telling me I'm a good lay?"

”I’ve never seen a culture that uses so many expressions to describe sexual intercourse. You get laid. You get banged. You get porked. You get screwed. And the way you humans describe reaching orgasm. You’re coming. You make it sound like you’re going somewhere."

”What do you want me to say? Oh Clark! I’m arriving!"

”And then there’s this F word of yours. You use it as a verb, a noun, and an adjective. You get F’ed. You’re a dumb F. Something can be F’ing good or something can be F’ing bad. I’ve never seen a culture that uses so many words to describe the same thing. Yet no one finds the words to say what they really mean."

Lana’s face drew closer to Clark’s.

”Then is one expression that means only one thing and there is only one way to say it. When I say I love you it means I love you.

They molded into each other as they sought each others’ mouth. They continued the exploration they had begun hours before. They paused to savor each other and to catch their breath. Lana grew serious for a moment as she looked at the cave.

“What does it all mean, Clark?”

“I don’t know, Lana. But it seems that now that you and I have 'consumated' our relationship we're sharing the same visions. In this universe there’s an answer for everything. You and I will find the answer to this - together. We should probably start with Willowbrook Construction.”

Lana was now back on her feet. She took Clark by the hand to lead him out of the cave.

“Come back to bed, Clark. I need you to make me arrive again.”


**********

[Jephael]

Man, you sure love describing their sex life! LMAO!!!

[Nemu]

lol the funny is still present...

I like this fic (well what i read of it at least) and some of your other fics mainly because even in the most drama filled updates you find a way to bring something to make us smile...

PPMS!!!

[kentfamily]

Wow! They are one, now. They share the same visions and all. It's getting exciting. I cant wait for the next chapter. :):):)

[oldmankent]

Chapter Twenty Eight

The morning sun slowly came through the window and turned the darkness into light. Clark was nearest the window and was the first to have the light move over his eyelids. His eyes slowly opened and his vision came into focus. The light of the yellow sun seemed different today. Yes. He always felt its fortifying effect but today he felt something else besides strength.

Clark inhaled and he could feel the air move deep within his lungs. He not only felt but he could feel his heartbeat increases. He could sense the rush of blood throughout its chambers, moving through veins and arteries and being directed to every cell throughout his body.

A smile came to Clark’s face.

He felt peace. He felt life. He felt whole.

“Why are you smiling?”

He turned to the melodious, sweet sounding voice. Lana was looking at him and smiling too. He turned to her and moved closer. He placed his hand on her hip and moved it slowly until it rested on the indentation of her waist. He ran his fingers over Lana’s smooth, warm skin.

“What are you doing?.”

“I’m touching you.”

“I sort of figured that out. But why are you touching me?”

“Lana, you’re so…so…soft. And you have these….these…curves to your body. It’s absolutely fascinating.”

Lana let out a short laugh.

“Clark, you act like you’ve never seen a woman before.”

“Not like you I haven’t.”

Lana snuggled closer to him and placed her hand on his massive arm. The tips of their noses were touching.

“Tell me about the women on Krypton.”

Clark became slightly tongue tied.

“There’s not much to tell. They’re the same as human women. Two arms. Two legs. Two ears. Two eyes.”

Lana decreased whatever space remained between them as she ground into Clark’s chest and hips.

“Two breasts.”

“Yes. They have those too.”

“I bet you had quite a few girlfriends.”

“Girlfriends?”

“Yeah. You know. Women who were more than just friends to you.”

Clark thought, “Here we go again. A girlfriend is a girl who is more than a friend.” He decided not to pursue understanding the human expression.

“Lana, things are a little bit different on Krypton than on Earth. We don’t ‘date’ as humans do. Arrangements are made between families for couples to meet. Once this is done a marriage will follow shortly thereafter. It’s rare that the couple is actually ‘in love’ before they marry. My parents were one of the exceptions.”

“Your parents loved each other?”

“Yes. Deeply.”

“So did they make an arrangement for you?”

Clark shook his head.

“Independent thinking was not something that was encouraged on Krypton. I went against my father’s wishes when I joined the galactic fleet. He wanted me to follow in his footsteps into government. I wanted to explore. I didn’t speak to him for six years. ‘Arrangements’ are made for upstanding, obedient sons. Not for pariahs.”

“You didn’t speak to father for six years?”

Clark sadly nodded his head.

“He sent a message to me after I had left for Earth. He told me how sorry he was for everything that happened between us. He told me he was proud of me.”

Lana could see the sadness in his eyes.

“I hope I could be as good a man as he was.”

“What about your mother? Did you see her?”

The question brought a smile to Clark’s face.

“Mothers always seem to find a way to get around the stubbornness of their husbands and sons.”

Lana felt warm and safe in Clark’s arms. She had never before experienced ‘pillow talk’. Unlike other married couples who get to know one another during the courtship, Clark and Lana were now undergoing the ‘get to know you’ phase of their relationship after their marriage vows. Both loved hearing the voice of the other.

Clark nibbled on the tip of Lana’s nose as he he gently squeezed her and changed the subject and tease Lana.

“Getting back to the issue of girlfriends, there are many women who find pariahs attractive, even on Krypton. Companionship was not a problem.”

“Is that your way of telling me that you’ve been around.”

“No. I guess what I’m saying is having a ‘girlfriend’ is one thing. Having a ‘vision’ is quite another. And no one could compete with my vision of you.”

Lana turned slightly sideways so that she nestled her head under Clark’s chin.

“Clark, I’ve been thinking. My parents left me enough money so that I don’t have to return to my job at the magazine. I’m going to stay right here in Smallville and begin work on the novel I always wanted to write.”

“I’ve been thinking too. Since I now have a wife to support I should get a job. But I don’t know if there’s a demand for Galactic Fleet Commanders.”

Lana smiled at Clark’s sense of humor.

“Lana, one of the things that amazes me about your civilization is the amount of information that is provided to ordinary people. I need real time information as to what is going on in your world in order to search for Zod. I need to be in a better position of getting this information than just watching television or reading the newspapers. Do you think you could get your friend, Lois, to arrange an interview for me at the Daily Planet? Working there would put me in a position to have access to all the news from all around your world before the general public gets it.”

“I’ll ask her. I’m sure there won’t be a problem. But you’d have to work in Metropolis. I’d be here and you’d be there.”

“Aren’t you forgetting something? I do move kind of quickly.”

Lana pushed Clark onto his back and climbed over him. She caressed his neck with her soft lips. He felt her breath slightly touch his ear. He closed his eyes as the sensation tingled his body. Lana whispered.

“You weren’t very quick last night. In fact you were oh so slow.”

Lana’s lips moved to Clark’s mouth. She gently forced his lips to part with her own as she savored his flavor. Lana started trailing small kisses from his lips to his neck to his ears and back again. He whispered to her again.

“We need to …to…find out more about Wi…Willow…Willowbrook Con…struc….tion.”

Lana was kissing his chest as she whispered back.

“They build things, Clark. Right now I’m more interested in what I have to build.”

“What are you….doing?”

Lana was moving rhythmically on top of him.

“It’s time for you to explore again, Columbus.”



**********

[Nemu]

Woah... Lana is on a mission there...

That was good!

PPMS!

[kentfamily]

Next update. Sorry that you have writer's block. I hope it will end soon, I had just read your new thread, The Caper, I love Audrey Hepburn, I especially loved Breakfast at Tiffany's.
I hope you write more on The Caper. :cool::cool:

[oldmankent]

Chapter Twenty Nine

Lana and Clark reviewed the old contract for the construction of the Lang house. It was dated from 1980. Lana figured out that her parents must have moved into the house while her mother was pregnant. The contracting firm was called Willowbrook Construction. The address and number were listed on the contract and it was signed by the firm’s president, Joseph Willowbrook.

Lana called the telephone number on the contract. She received a recorded message from the phone company that the number was no longer in service. Lana called information services and found that there wasn’t any type of listing for Willowbrook Construction. The couple drove out to the location that was listed as the address on the contract. They found a Wal-Mart at the location.

The couple went inside the store to see if there was any one who could give them information about what existed at the location before the Wal-Mart was built. Inside the store the couple split up. Lana would speak to the managers to see if there was anyone who was there long enough to know what had previously existed on the site. Clark would take his first journey, outside of the Home Depot and the Barnes & Noble, into a place that was just a single part of the largest retail business in the world.

Clark’s first stop was in the health section as he entered the store. He understood the vitamin and supplements section and thought it commendable that humans knew the importance of such substances in order to remain healthy. In front of the vitamin section was display of fresh Krispy Kreme donuts. He stopped, opened the box and inhaled the inside of the box. A smile came to his face as the aroma of freshly baked donuts delighted his sense of smell. Then he read the list of ingredients and the nutritional information and his smile quickly disappeared. ”How can humans eat these things?” He became even more dismayed when he observed that next to the donuts was a display of Stacker Weight Loss pills. He walked through the store and looked at all of the displays. ”I don’t understand. These humans eat Twinkies, Tasty Cakes, potato chips, Cheese Doodles, pizza, pizza with extra cheese, deep fried potatoes with bacon and cheese and then drink mocha lattes with heavy cream. Then they consume weight loss pills and buy exercise bikes and treadmills to lose the weight that they never would have gained in the first place if they did not consume this garbage. Why do humans subject themselves to this?”

When Lana found him he was examining hair products in the beauty aid section. The women passing by thought it unusual that a man would be so interested in hair products. They wondered if the full, shining hair on Clark’s head was due to one of the products. Small groups of them formed outside the aisles to watch what product Clark would select.

”Clark, what are you doing?”

”Lana, you humans are amazing.”

He spread his arms.

”All of this is just for your hair. You have chemicals before you wash, during your wash and after your wash. There are countless coloring agents. If your hairy is curly you can straighten it out. If it’s straight you can curl it. If it’s oily you can dry it out. If it’s dry you can oil it. There are over thirty different types of shampoo here.”

Clark was holding one of the hair products. Lana took it from his hand and placed it back on the shelf. Then Lana took him by his arm and began to lead him out of the store. Behind them the women stormed the shelf to buy whatever it is they thought Clark was using on his hair.

”You had quite audience. I never expected you to be examining hair products. I’m surprised you’re not inspecting the condoms.”

”Condoms?

She stopped when she saw that he didn’t understand what she was referring to.

”Yeah. You know. It’s something you put over your…your.”

Clark waited patiently for Lana to explain. She didn’t want to get into a very personal discussion while they were in public. She lifted up on her toes and whispered in his ear.

”Don’t you have birth control on Krypton?”

”We have birth control but what does that have to do with a condor?”

”Condom.”

”Right. Condom.”

”Condoms are like a tight rubber….rubber….rubber sheath that a man puts on his…on his…on himself when he’s having sex.”

”Puts on what?

”Jeez Clark! Do I have to spell things out? You know. On the part he’s having sex with. On your equipment.”

Clark thought about what Lana was saying and his eyes opened up wide in recognition.

”You put something on it? Why? Doesn’t that sort of spoil the whole thing? I mean, Lana, that’s a pretty sensitive area. Doesn’t that hurt?”

”Well, it helps prevent the woman from becoming pregnant by keeping the man’s, the man’s…stuff…..from going into her. We could probably use it for that alone. I had to change the sheets things times last night. And it prevents disease.”

”Disease? On Earth you can get a disease from having sex?”

”You probably don’t have sexually transmitted diseases on Krypton?”

”Why would you want to give the person you’re having sex with a disease?”

Lana shook her head and pulled Clark out of the store.

”You’ve got all the knowledge of the twenty eight known galaxies and you know what a rubber is for. Come on, Clark. We’re going to the town hall.”


**********

Lana thought herself lucky. The manager had been with the store since it was first constructed. He remembered that there was old office building at the site previous to the construction. He suggested that there would probably be records at the town hall that might help Lana. Plus the employees are town hall had been employed there for deacdes. They probably had every event in Smallville, no matter how trivial, burned into their memories.

Lana and Clark arrived at town hall. Found the Records department and searched through the zoning history. There had been an office building before the Wal-Mart. Its only occupant was Willowbrook Construction and that was it. After Willowbrook Construction sold its land the construction company just seemed to disappear. The town clerk was an elderly gentleman named Sidney Sizemore. He was several years past the standard retirement age. Sidney was a widower with grown children. Working occupied his time and it kept him from being lonely. He took an immediate liking to the young couple.

”Hello, can I help you?”

”Hi! I’m Lana La…Kent. That’s right. I’m Lana Kent.”

Lana smiled as she used Clark’s last name in referring herself.

”And this is my husband, Clark.”

Sidney shook hands with the couple.

”We’re trying to find the whereabouts of the construction company that built my parents’ house and it seems to have disappeared.”

”Which house?

” The house at 8 Cedar Lane.”

The clerk closed his eyes and thought for a moment.

”You mean the Lang house. Why you must be Lana. Look at you. You’re all grown up and married.”

He turned to the women who worked in the office with him.

”Hey girls! Remember the Langs. This is their little girl, Lana. And this is her husband!”

The women stood up from their desks and surrounded the couple. Everyone made a fuss over the handsome couple. Lana didn’t want to be rude and show impatience with people who meant well but this was not why she came to the town hall. Clark just smiled as the women took the liberty of running their hands up his well-muscled arms. The older women seemed to be particularly fascinated with him.

”Oh my God! Think of the children these two are going to have. The most beautiful babies ever. Look at that head of hair! What kind of shampoo do you use?”

While the women made a fuss over Clark Sidney continued his conversation with Lana.

”I remember Willowbrook Construction. They were a Native American outfit. They did outstanding work. Built everything on time and under budget. They built most of the homes in the developments in this area. Your parents’ house was the last one they built.”

”The last one?”

”Yeah. It was really strange. For years they built house after house. Then they built your parents house and stopped. There were plenty of people who wanted to contract them but they stopped building. Sold the site of their office building to Wal-Mart, packed up and left. No one knows why? They were making plenty of money. It’s not like they had to go out of business.”

”Where did they go?”

The town clerk shrugged his shoulders.

”No one knows. Maybe they went back to reservation.”

”Reservation?”

He nodded.

”They’re Kawatches. After Custer decimated the tribe they were relocated out of Kansas. Their reservation is in Oklahoma.”

Lana and Sidney went back to Clark. Two of the women, Gladys and Hazel, who were close to Sidney in age, were trying to find out all they could about Clark.

”So when were you and Lana married?

”Yesterday.”

Hearing Clark’s answer Hazel went back to hear desk, took out a calendar and marked a date that was nine months from the previous day’s date. Not understanding Clark asked Gladys.

”What is that lady doing?

”Hazel is the town gossip. She does that with everyone who gets married. She wants to see who had to get married.”

”Had to get married?

”Yeah. She’s old fashioned. She’s not like me. I’m new fashioned. She wants to see which bride had a bun in the oven.”

”Bun in the oven?”

Gladys playfully elbowed Clark in his ribs.

”Yeah. You know. She likes to know who’s pregnant while standing at the altar.”

”Pregnant? Oh Lana’s not pregnant. Besides, we’re going to use birth control. Probably con…”

Clark saw Lana and Sidney standing next to him. Sidney looked surprised at what he was hearing. Lana did not look happy.

”…doms. I’ve done it again, haven’t I?”

Lana warmed up at Clark’s look of innocence. She placed her hand in his and pulled him with her.

”Where are we off to now?”

”Oklahoma.”

Sidney and the women in the office watched the couple as they left. Sidney summed up what everyone was thinking.

”Something tells me that they’re going to run out of Trojans pretty quickly.”


**********

[Nemu]

Oh man parts of this update was simply hilarious...

And good!!!

And here they go off to Oklahoma... hoping to find some more answers...

I wonder what happened for the Willowbrook have ended business...

PPMS!!!

[Jephael]

Man, is this story gonna be all about sex? I can just see Clark stopping in the middle of a fight with Zod to talk about foreplay.

[kentfamily]

I thought that was agreat update. It was funny and light hearted I hope you can write more soon.:):lol::)

[The Black Cat]

Excellent chapters. Can't wait for more

[kentfamily]

Hi. I was hoping you would write your next update. I am waiting patiently.;):\:)

[oldmankent]

For those of you who may be wondering about the time line of this story, Clark and Lana first met on Friday, November 23, 2007. They had their first date on Saturday, November 24th. Disaster struck with Clark’s ship exploding and the meteor shower following on Sunday, November 25th. They traveled to Smallville that same day and Clark met the Kents. Lana learned of her parents’ deaths and their funerals took place on Saturday, December 1st. They stayed at the Kents until December 10th. Lana moved into her parents’ house and Clark stayed at the Kents a few more days until he and Lana were married on Thursday, December 13th – about 3 weeks after they first met. This is now the day after their wedding, Friday, December 14th. As you can see a lot has happened in a very short time.


Chapter Thirty

It is about five hundred miles from Smallville to the Kawatche Reservation in Oklahoma. If Clark was flying alone he could reach the location in a few minutes without even trying. But with Lana accompanying him in his arms it would take longer. Being human, Lana would not be able to withstand the effects of moving through the air at hundreds of miles per hour without any type of protective covering and she would not be able to breathe in the thin air at the high altitudes. So the couple decided that they would spend the remainder of the day driving through Kansas to Oklahoma in Lana’s SUV. When night would fall they would pull over to a rest stop, park the vehicle and slowly fly at a low altitude the rest of the way to the reservation under the cover of darkness. They would bring a small tent, back packs and some camping essentials with them. They would spend the night under the stars and then head for the reservation at daybreak.

After leaving the town hall the couple went back to Lana’s house. Clark took notice that Lana didn’t say ‘lets go back to my house and pack some things.’ Instead she said, ‘let’s go home and pack some things.’ The sound of home had an unexpected effect on Clark. He started to choke up and he felt wetness in his eyes. Lana took immediate notice of this.

”Clark, what’s wrong?”

Clark took a moment to compose himself.

”I never knew that one word would have such an effect on me.”

”What word?”

”Home.”

”I don’t understand, Clark.”

”Lana, Krypton was my home world but even on Krypton I was basically on my own. I was estranged from my father and only saw my mother when he wasn’t present. As a student I lived at the Academy on Krypton. When I joined the Fleet I lived on board the ship I was assigned to or I lived on one of our military bases.

I guess what I’m saying is that since the time that I left my parents I may have had a place to live but I didn’t have a home. Not until now. A home is more than just a shelter and a place to go to sleep. It’s someone to go home to. Just the sound of the word makes me happy. Hearing you say the word makes me ecstatic.”

Clark laughed to himself and slightly shook his head.

”Who would have thought that I would have to cross twenty eight galaxies in order to find a home?”

Lana reached over from the driver’s seat and took his hand and warmly held it. The Jeep was stopped at a traffic light.

”Clark, I think we’re probably going to have to get you a driver’s license and teach you how to drive a car. You may be able to get from one place to another in a blink of an eye but you might have a problem explaining that to people.”

Clark nodded his head and tried to impress Lana with what he had learned in the short time he had been on Earth.

”I already know what your traffic lights mean. Red means stop. Green means go and yellow means go very fast.”

”Yellow means slow down and prepare to stop.”

”That’s not what I observed, Lana. When the light turns yellow humans accelerate their vehicles in order to get through the light before it turns red.”

”But that’s not what they’re supposed to do, Clark. They’re supposed to slow down in order to stop safely.”

”But hardly anyone does that. And I’ve observed that if someone does do that the driver behind them gets very angry and activates some type of instrument that makes a terrible noise and then yells out something with that F word that’s supposed to be ill mannered to say but what everyone says repeatedly.”

As the red traffic light turned to green Lana pressed down on the accelerator to move the Jeep forward. At that moment another vehicle crossed in front of her. A vehicle that had speeded up at the yellow light and had crossed through the intersection just as yellow turned to red. Lana slammed on the brakes in order to avoid a collision. She pushed her hand into the horn and screamed out.

”****ing *******! The light was red!”

Clark looked at her.

”See what I mean.”


**********

The couple went back home, changed their clothes for staying in a cold outdoors environment, loaded the camping equipment into the Jeep and headed on the highway for Oklahoma. They had taken little notice of the white van that had followed them from the town hall back to their house and parked across the street. When they left their house they took no notice that the white van continued to follow them.

The gravity of not knowing what they would find on the reservation weighed heavily in the back of their minds but at the same time they were looking forward to the trip. Although Clark had received a substantial download of information about Earth and humans before he departed his ship he realized that he there’s no substitute for experience. He had briefly experienced the urban conditions of the city of Metropolis and he had seen the countryside from a high altitude but now he was going across country and seeing everything at ground level. The more he learned about Earth and humans the more he wanted to learn. Lana was only too happy to be his guide. Everything was new in Clark’s eyes and it caused her to re-examine things she had long taken for granted.

Even in the dead of winter the landscape was a colorful contrast to that of Krypton. Although the fields were bare for the winter, they were dotted with farmhouses and barns of assorted colors and designs. When they cross into an area of evergreens Clark made Lana stop the car. He got out and inhaled deeply, taking the fresh aroma of the trees deep into his lungs.

In the early afternoon the couple became hungry and they stopped at a roadside diner. The couple sat at a booth. But instead of sitting across from each they sat next to each other on one side of the booth. They were finding it very difficult to be next to each other and not touch each other. A waitress came to the table, smiled at them and handed them two large menus.

”You two must be honeymooners.”

Not understanding the term ‘honeymooner’ Clark kept silent. Lana answered.

”We were married yesterday.”

”Ah! I knew it.”

Clark asked.

”How are you able to tell?”

”Well, for one thing couples who have been married a long time sit across for one another not next to each other. But the way your wife is cozied up to you tells me that your wedding night must have been one to remember.”

Lana blushed and the waitress laughed.

”See. What I tell ya! Where are you going on your honeymoon?”

”Oklahoma.”

”Oklahoma?”

The waitress gave a slight nudge with her elbow into Clark’s massive upper arm.

”You got something against Hawaii. Listen to the voice of experience. Don’t be a jerk like my ex. Spend a couple of bucks on the woman you love.”

The waitress left and the couple looked at the extensive menu that included hundreds of items for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. Clark didn’t know what to order so he followed Lana’s lead and ordered a cheeseburger, French fries and a Coke. The waitress addressed Clark.

”How do you want your burger?”

”On a plate, please.”

”Oh! In addition to being handsome he’s a comedian. Lucky girl.”

Lana answered that they would both take their burgers medium well. The waitress laughed again as she once again poked Clark in the arm.

”I can tell your marriage will last a long time. You’ve already learned to let your wife make the decisions.”

She spoke to Lana.

”You hit the jackpot, honey. Good looking, funny and smart.”

It didn’t take long for the burgers and fries to come to table. Clark picked up a French fry and examined it before placing it in his mouth. Once he became accustomed to the taste he chewed enthusiastically.

”Interesting. Who knew that sliced potatoes cooked in liquefied animal fat could taste so good?”

For a brief moment Lana’s hunger disappeared. She looked twice at her plate before picking up a fry and eating it.

”Clark, sometimes actually knowing what it is that you eating can make you lose your appetite. Besides you have to put ketchup on your fries”

Clark’s taste buds tingled with the addition to his fries. Then he devoured the burger in a few bites.

The waitress returned to the table and asked if they wanted dessert. Feeling stuffed, Lana declined while Clark had large slice of cherry pie with whipped cream.

A woman entered the diner with a dog on a leash. Clark watched her carefully as the dog led the woman to a seat at the counter. The cook and the waitress greeted her as if she were a regular customer.

”Lana, what is that creature with that woman?”

”That’s a dog, Clark. It’s a pet.”

”A pet?”

”We like to have animals as companions. Dogs, cats, birds. Dogs are the most common.”

Clark noticed how the dog obeyed the woman’s command and quietly sat on the floor next to her while she had a cup of coffee.

”That dog seems to be helping that woman find her way.”

”That’s a seeing eye dog, Clark. The woman is blind and the dog has been specially trained to guide her.”

Clark found himself amazed at what he was seeing. ”Fascinating.

Once again, the waitress returned to the table to give them the check. As she did so she looked out the window.

”That’s strange. That van parked outside the window. They’ve been sitting there for the last hour but they haven’t come in.”

She placed the check on the table and left. Clark stared at the van.

”There’s nothing in the van except the driver and the passenger next to him.”

He continued to focus his vision.

”That’s a LuthorCorp van. The insignia has been painted over but I can see it underneath the paint.”

”Do you think they’re following us?”

Clark thought for a moment before answering.

”It makes sense. Out of all the houses in Smallville Lex Luthor wanted to buy yours.”

”Ours. It our house now.”

Again Clark smiled as his heart became warm with Lana’s house.

”Our house. And he was willing to pay a great deal more than what it was worth. Why? He must suspect something about the caves and he thinks we will him to the answer.”

”So what do we do?”

”When we get back to Smallville let’s assume that we’re being watched. For now leave a big tip and your purse on the table and let’s just casually walk by the van as we go to our car.”

The couple left the diner and walked past the van without stopping. As they passed the van the waitress who took care of them ran out the door.

”Hey there, sweetie! You left your purse!”

Lana acted surprised and ran back to the waitress to retrieve her purse and to express her gratitude. For this brief moment the occupants of the van were diverted and focused their attention on Lana. Clark slipped behind the van, took hold of the end of the exhaust pipe in his hand and crushed it shut. Then he casually walked to the car and Lana joined him. Lana started the Jeep and pulled out of the parking lot. She watched the van in her rear view mirror.

”They’re following us.”

”Speed up. If they increase their speed it will only make their engine work harder.”

The Jeep went from 65 miles per hour to 75 miles per in a few seconds. The van followed. Lana continued looking in the rear view mirror and started to laugh when the van slowed and finally stopped as the engine siezed. The two men exited and opened the hood over the engine. Neither one knew what was wrong.


**********

Lana turned on the radio and roamed over assorted stations. As with everything else human, the variety of music captured Clark’s imagination. Rock and roll, Country-Western, Rap, everything was being heard with curiosity and without judgment by Clark. Lana settled on an station that played oldies from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. She grew festive as she started to sing along with some of the tunes.

”Oh yeah I’ll tell you something I think you’ll understand. When I say that something. I wanna hold your hand. I wanna to hold our ha…a..and. I wanna hold your hand.”

She screeched as she hit the last part of the verse and she took hold of Clark’s hand.

”Come on, Clark. Sing along. It’s early Beatles.”

”Beatles?”

”Yeah. That’s the name of the group who sings this song.”

”Earth musicians name themselves after insects?”

Lana laughed at Clark’s question.

”Yep. We’ve also got Rolling Stones, Doors and Fleetwood Mac.”

”Fleetwood Mac?”

” And then there are the obscure groups like the Lemon Pipers and the 1910 Fruit Gum Company.”

”Fruit Gum Company? That’s another thing I’ve been meaning to ask you, Lana. Do humans have a need to constantly have something in their mouths?”

”What do you mean, Clark?”

”Well, I see all of these people chewing. They have gum in their mouths. It serves no purpose other than to fill their mouths. And then there are other people who have this….this thing that makes smoke.”

”Cigarettes?”

”Cigarettes! That’s it. It unhealthy. It causing all types of human illnesses. It discolors their teeth and it leaves a terrible smell. I can’t see any purpose to it other than the necessity to have one’s mouth occupied.”

Lana lifted up her hand and placed it affectionately on Clark’s face.

”Oh Clark. You are so much fun to be with.”

Clark listened to one of the tunes being played. A song by Little Anthony and the Imperials.

”Lana, what’s a Shimmy, Shimmy Coco Bop?”

At the top of the hour the news was broadcast. First, came the local news of the community, and then came the Associated Press reports of national and world news. The world news made the couple stop the car.

”And we have a report from Kelly Anderson in Siberia. Kelly, we been told that there is something strange going on in that remote part of the world.”

“That’s right. Here in the small, coal mining town of Kerkun the inexplicable has happened. The entire population of the town; approximately 750 men, women and children, have disappeared. There isn’t even a trace of them. It’s as if one moment they were here living their lives and the next moment they were gone. Forensic experts have descended on the town to try and find some clue as to what has happened but have not been successful. Of course, conspiracy theorists are claiming that a UFO has abducted the entire town.”

“Thank you for that report, Kelly. In sports….”

Lana looked at Clark.

”Zod?”

Clark nodded his head.

”Zod.”

”But why a small town in the middle of nowhere?”

”Because he could. It’s a Kryotionian military tactic. It’s more of a demonstration of his will rather than his power. Show your enemy what you’re willing to do for something that is worthless and your enemy will then have a pretty good picture of what you’re willing to do for something that is valuable.”

”Clark, those people weren’t worthless. Those were 750 human beings.”

”Lana, of course they’re not worthless – to you – to me. But to Zod they’re just pawns in a game.

He is sending a message and it is meant for me. It’s both a challenge and a warning.”


**********

The landscape was now covered with snow. It grew dark and the couple pulled into the parking lot of a rest stop. Whereas other drivers parked as close to the food court and the gift shop of the rest area as possible, Lana and Clark parked in an isolated end of the lot near a wooded area where they would be left alone. Clark spoke.

”How far to the reservation?”

”About 200 miles.”

”We should be there I less than an hour.”

Lana placed her hands on Clark’s midsection and lifted herself up to kiss him.

”Keep me warm now and I’ll keep you very warm later.”

For a few brief moments they melted into each other. Then Clark picked her up and silently lifted up into the air. In the darkness Clark moved quickly over the tree tops until he was over open land. He followed the lights of the cars on the highway below. Passing them with ease until the cars and the headlights were no more than a blur. Lana kept her face covered and tilted downward to fend off the effects of the wind. They reached the boundary of the reservation. They crossed over a string of buildings and houses and landed several miles away from the complex.

With his breath Clark blew the snow away from the ground and made a clearing for them. They landed on the ground and unloaded the backpacks. Within a few minutes, Clark had a tent set up, sleeping bags unrolled and ready for them, firewood gathered, and a fire started.

They sat next to each other at the campfire. Lana noticed that Clark continually looked up at the stars in the clear night sky.

”What do you find so interesting up there, Clark?”

”The stars. There’s so many of them and they’re so beautiful. I’ve traveled to them but I never really looked at them before.”

Lana looked up and realized Clark’s meaning. There were so many things that she had never really taken the time to look at before. Not until Clark came into her life.

She reached up and placed her hands around his head and brought his face to hers. She softly caressed his lips with her own, moving slowly from one lip to another - savoring his flavor. She broke for a moment and whispered.

”Clark, I love you so much.”

Clark responded by pulling her closer to him. He opened his mouth and Lana began to explore it. She opened her coat and pushed herself into the warmth of his body. Clark wrapped his arms around her, got on his feet and began walking to the tent. Before he got to the tent the area became filled with light. The area was lit up with torches. The light blinded the couple for a few moments. Clark activated his vision and saw about two dozen men surrounding them. Half held the torches. Half had rifles pointed at the couple. There was one man who was unarmed. Clark’s and Lana’s eyes now became adjusted to the light. The man without a rifle moved forward. He was tall and barrel chested. Not the type of physique created in the gym but from decades of hard, manual labor. His hair was gray and hung down to his shoulders. His face was creased and weathered from the sun and the wind. Making him appear ten years older than his actual age. His eyes were clear and conveyed wisdom. He looked at Clark and sized him up. Then he looked at Lana. He turned to the men who had accompanied him.

”Put your rifles down. These people mean us no harm.”

Then he walked forward until he was looking Clark directly in the eyes.

”We’ve been expecting you.”


**********

[Nemu]

oooh!!!

Man OMK you have a way of making any update funny... that traffic light bit was hilarious...

And the rest too...

So they were expected... hmmm...

PPMS!!!

[shortcircuit85]

Another Great update. What is the challange that Zod has for Clark? I'm enjoying the comments that Clark has about Humans.

Thanks,

[kentfamily]

Thank you for the update. Next update.

[The Black Cat]

Great chapter! PPMS!

[kentfamily]

Its been a long while since you wrote. Are you updating this story? Hope all ;)is well.