Legacy (Clark and Tess)

[Buziel0809]

One random question: What do people do for fun in small American towns like Smallville? I live in outback Australia our version of fun in taking tourists to find Drop Bears but I don't think that happens in America.

Don't they go to the carnival or agricultural fairs? Something like that.

[Mercy_Mermaid]

Don't they go to the carnival or agricultural fairs?

Ok, thanks that helps

[FWvidchick]

living in small town america.. we have potatoe farms around here. Well hmm festivals are fun,fishing, bowling is popular, or you drive to one of the bigger towns or cities to get your happy.

[Mercy_Mermaid]

Thanks for all your help and the feedback, it honestly makes me write faster.

Disclaimer: I do not own Smallville anywhere except my dreams.

Chapter 4

Tess had a point but he was loath to admit it. He was hiding behind his cape, hiding from his friends and from his life.

Clark stood on the footpath outside the Daily Planet gazing up at the multistorey building. The bronze façade he’d walked through a thousand times glared at him, a little more worn that he remembered. People entered and left the revolving doors, not even glancing at the tall, dark haired man with the black glasses.

It felt strange to wear the glasses again, heavy yet comforting but it was necessary. It was a part of Clark Kent, a part of him. Lois would murder him if he forgot such an integral piece of his disguise. She wouldn’t be there to frantically mime ‘glasses’ at him when he forgot anymore. He’d have to remember for himself.

A familiar figure walked out the doors. “Kent!” Perry called as he walked over to the younger man.
“Perry? How did you know I was here?” Clark asked, confused. For a human, it would be impossible to see him from Perry’s 15th floor office.

“I’m Chief Kent. I know everything.” Perry replied evenly, now standing beside Clark. “I take it Tess talked some sense into you.”

“In a manner of speaking,” Clark said, staring up at the building. He could see his office on the 10th floor and the dust that had gathered in his absence.

“Good. You’re too good a reporter to spend your days as a farmer.” Perry remarked. “I’m still awaiting your Pulitzer winning piece.”

Clark glanced at his boss. “I’m not even in the building yet.”

“But you will be. You just need a swift kick to get you there,” Perry told him. “You are smart kid Kent, just a little lost.”

“More than a little Chief.” Clark admitted softly, stuffing his hands sullenly into his dress trousers’ pockets.

“So go in there and find your way.” Perry gave him a pat on the back that could have passed for a slight push. “And don’t call me Chief!”

Clark almost chuckled. “Yes sir.” He took a few steps forward then paused. He took a deep breath to calm himself and walked through the door. Clark Kent was back.

**Clark completed his last fly over a relatively quiet Metropolis, grateful for the lack of calls for help. Being the intrepid reporter was more tiring than he remembered.

He veered west. Heading towards familiar rows of con as the world passed below him in a blur of dark blues and greens with the occasional street light guiding his way. Clark heard Jonathan crying before he reached the farm. He shouldn’t be up at this hour, he thought worriedly.

A soft melodic voice started singing. “Hush little baby, don’t say a word. Tessa’s gonna buy you a mocking bird.” Clark landed lightly on the front step. Through the open door he saw Tess turn towards him as she kept on singing. “And if that mocking bird don’t sing, Tessa’s gonna buy you a diamond ring.” She was pacing up and down the lounge room holding Jonathan to her chest and tracing small circles on his back.

“Hasn’t he gone to sleep yet?” Clark asked walking into the room.

“Nightmare,” Tess answered quietly between verses of the nursery rhyme. Jonathan hiccuped into her shoulder, his cries dying down. “There’s spaghetti on the stove.” She nodded towards the kitchen.

“Thanks. I’m starving.” Clark ambled to the stove, heating the pot with his heat vision as he went. He grabbed a spoon and dug in.

“There’s this little human device you may have heard of called a bowl…” Tess trailed off teasingly, a small smile playing on her lips. As soon as she stopped moving, Jonathan started to fuss.

“Do you want me to take him?”

“No. I’m good.” Tess went back to pacing up and down the kitchen, humming under her breath. “I see your wearing glasses again.”

“Am I?” Clark took them off and put them on the kitchen table. “I forgot I was wearing them. I went to the Planet today.”

Her eyes widened with surprise. “I thought…”

“I needed to.” Clark said between mouthfuls. “I didn’t realise how much I missed it.” He was downplaying the event and they both knew it.

“Lois would be happy.” Tess told him then continued on hesitantly. “Clark… I’m sorry if I was a bit hard on you.”

“You were. But I needed it. I need someone to keep me in line on the straight and narrow.”
She looked at him with sombre eyes. “I’m hardly straight and narrow. My moral compass is so screwed up south became north.”

“But now it’s mostly north again. You’re trying. We’re both trying.” Clark said sincerely. “I noticed that you didn’t include yourself on the list of people I trust. You should.”

She froze; her eyes lit up with surprise and a hint of happiness. She opened her mouth but no sound came out.

“I trust you with my son. That’s the ultimate trust.” He told her simply.

“Clark...” She didn’t know what to say. Jonathan started to cry and she went back to pacing. Her mind was racing. He trusts me. He trusts me.

“We may have had a tumultuous start but we’re friends now. How many times do I have to tell you that?”

”I know it’s just…” She struggled to find words. “Hard,” she finished lamely.

Clark nodded, somewhat understanding. He’d heard and pieced together enough about Tess’ past to comprehend the trust issues at play. They fell into a companionable silence only broken by Jonathan’s occasional whimpers. Clark spoke up suddenly. “I haven’t said thank you have I?”

She shook her head, confused. “What?”

“For everything.”

Tess frowned. “Clark it’s two am. You’re gonna have to be less cryptic.”

“You’ve practically been raising Jonathan since Lois… got sick and keeping everything here going. You and Oliver organised the funeral. You take care of me when I need it and I haven’t said thank you.”

“What’s gotten into you? You’re acting like…”

“Clark?” He offered and she nodded. “Maybe it’s sinking in that this is the hand I was dealt so now I have to deal with it.”

He could feel her eyes analysing him as if trying to see his soul. “If you say so.” She yawned.

He walked towards her. “Here I’ll put Jonathan to bed. You sit before you fall over.”

She passed over the now sleeping baby. “I’m not that tired.”

“Sit,” he ordered. She obeyed, sinking into a chair at the kitchen table. “Good girl.”

She pulled a face at his patronisation at his back disappearing up the stairs.

Clark walked into the blue nursery and to the cot under the windowsill, navigating the litter of toys on the floor. “I guess you were a busy boy today, huh?” He gently lowered his son in the cot and pulled the thin summer blanket over his shoulder. He kissed his forehead. “Sleep well Buddy.”

He went back downstairs to find Tess asleep at the kitchen table, her head resting atop her arms. He picked her up gently, careful not to wake her. She tensed immediately and started to stir. “Relax Tess. It’s just me.” He whispered softly. She relaxed slightly and fell back asleep. Clark carried up her up the stairs bridal style.

She seemed lighter than he remembered and he could feel her ribs through the cotton T-shirt she wore. I’m going to have to take better care of you, he thought. He walked back into the nursery and put her on the camp bed that she’d claimed for herself when she started staying the night. She curled up automatically into the foetal position as Clark pulled a sheet over her.

He left the room noiselessly. He stopped at the doorway, peering back in at his sleeping son and friend. A sudden idea struck him and he immediately knew how to say thank you properly.

A/N: Anyone who correctly guesses what the idea is gets a cookie.

[lana4ever]

GREAT UPDATE! i'm thinking it's a new bed?????

[FWvidchick]

^^ I second the guess but then u were asking about fun things to do in a small town so now I am not sure I second it. LOL

Great addition. PPMS.

[Mercy_Mermaid]

i'm thinking it's a new bed?????

Not exactly but close. You get a quarter of a cookie.

I second the guess but then u were asking about fun things to do in a small town so now I am not sure I second it.

You get a quarter of a cookie too. The fun things bit won't be for a while. I got bored in art class on my last day and came up with a chapter outline plan thing. The fun thing is about chapter 11ish.

[needtheanswers]

Mercy, this is a wonderful story, so poignant. As much as I love Clois, I can't wait for more Cless

[sportswizard1983]

My guess is that Clark gives Tess a day off from watching Jonathan. Since you said the fun things won't be for a while, can't really think what else it'll be... anyways, great update! ppms

[rebakathy]

Great update! Glad to see Clark is showing Tess how much her helping him means to him. Can't wait for more!

[Cat 25]

“I trust you with my son. That’s the ultimate trust.” He told her simply.
Wow, that was such a great thing for Clark to say to her. I loved hearing it.
She tensed immediately and started to stir. “Relax Tess. It’s just me.” He whispered softly. She relaxed slightly and fell back asleep. Clark carried up her up the stairs bridal style.
Again, really, really awesome. You were right about Clark needing a push and I think Tess did exactly the right thing. My guess is he's going to make a whole room for her, so she doesn't just feel like a guest, but more like she has an actual place in his family.
The only thing I don't like about this story is that the chapters aren't long enough. I would love, LOVE more story. And some longer convos between C & T. I understand she was really tired, but I hope they can do more talking again soon.
Anyway loving the story. So glad I'm not alone in the Cless Quest. I've always wanted to see Australia, is it really beautiful where you live?
-The Cat

[Mercy_Mermaid]

QUOTE]My guess is he's going to make a whole room for her, so she doesn't just feel like a guest, but more like she has an actual place in his family. [/QUOTE]

Wow... I didn't think people would guess that. Well done You get a cookie. That's exactly where I was going with it.

The only thing I don't like about this story is that the chapters aren't long enough.

Well you should like the next chapter

I've always wanted to see Australia, is it really beautiful where you live?

It's pretty beautiful yeah, I'm near the Gold Coast so I'm pretty lucky. Have you heard about the Gold Coast? I think it's the most famous Australian place. It where all the surfing beaches and theame parks are. And the shops. Can't forget the shops

Oh and thanks for the feedback. Feel free to be as critical as you want (without flames) I'm using this to improve my English skills.
-Mercy

[Buziel0809]

Nice update! I like the fact that Clark pointed out to Tess that he trusts her - my fav part of the story. Can't wait to see what happens in the next chapter.

The only thing I don't like about this story is that the chapters aren't long enough. I would love, LOVE more story. And some longer convos between C & T. I understand she was really tired, but I hope they can do more talking again soon.

I second that just because Cat has spoiled me enough with her incredibly long stories.

[lana4ever]

waiting for an update paitently and yes longer chapters would be great cat has spoiled us lol whichreminds me cat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! are you gonna write more?

[LordOnox]

That was a great chapter, I'm so excited to see where this goes next!