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Chapter the Eighth: Chemistry
Part Four: BOOM!
A/N: Monstrously long this chapter is. And I got really sleepy and tired of looking at it. Please be forgiving and have a giggle.
Thanks to all still reading.
The “I Love Lana Lang” Theme Song
Clana erm… Cathy and Heathcliff
Crater Lake sparkled in the sunshine. The air was filled with music, laughter, joyous yelling and spirited conversation. Vehicles were parked up and down the edge of the wood near the lake. The partying would go on well past evening. A few feet away from the swimming and splashing sat Lana Lang. She’d found a relatively dry and shady spot to read her book. Thankful for the wide brimmed hat she’d borrowed from Amber; Lana pulled her hair back with her hands, twisted it and tucked it under the hat. She unbuttoned her white eyelet lace blouse to just above her bra line. Then she slipped off her cute dusty gray ankle boots with bow trim and set them beside her. She rolled up her flared leg jeans to just below her knees and settled in to read.
Lana smoothed her hand over the familiar, worn cover as if caressing a lover. Oh to be the cover of Lana’s book in that moment! - thought several of Lana’s teenaged spies. Licking her lips in anticipation, Lana flipped to the pink ballerina bookmarked page.
“The crosses are for the evenings you have spent with the Lintons, the dots for those spent with me. Do you see? I’ve marked every day.”
“Yes – very foolish; as if I took notice!” replied Catherine in a peevish tone. “And where is the sense of that?”
“To show you that I do take notice,” said Heathcliff.
Lana’s breath caught as she imagined the intensity of Heathcliff’s gaze. Oddly Heathcliff had blue/green eyes very similar to Clark Kent’s. She could see the dark gleam in his eye and the answering super close up on Catherine’s face (which looked remarkably like Lana’s own) as she sneered at Heathcliff’s careful tally. Lana pressed her thighs together and swallowed as her eyes devoured the words on the page.
All too soon the spell was broken by Lana Lang’s wet and giggling girlfriends. Lana squinted as the water flung from her friends’ swinging hair splashed her. Lana quickly set her book out of harm's way. The girls were dragging an incredibly handsome boy over to Lana’s reading area. Bree, Amber, Tiffany and Tasha dumped the boy at Lana’s feet, straightened their bikinis and all began talking at once.
“His name is Danny Blaine!” “…actor…” “…track team…” “plays drums” “TOTALLY HOT!!!” “…free for Lori’s party…” “told him you’re dateless…” “…tried to play it cool…” “SO INTO YOU LANA!!!”
The din died down and all four girls were staring at Lana expectantly. Lana sighed. This was the fourth guy they’d tried to hook her up with. She thought that retreating to a quiet area with her book would have given the girls a hint.
“I’m not looking for a date right now. Seriously, stop it.” She gave them a very firm look.
The girls made disappointed sounds (“we should drown Wuthering Heights”) and went back to the water leaving Lana and… Danny alone.
“Sorry about that.” Danny and Lana said at the same time. They smiled at each other awkwardly. He was pretty cute. He had auburn hair that was almost brown. His shoulders and nose were lightly peppered with freckles. He had a strong jaw and nicely chiseled chest.
Lana helped him to his feet.
“You’re not swimming? The water’s great.”
“You’re not the only one they’ve dragged somewhere against their will. I wasn’t planning to come to the lake today.” Lana grinned and shrugged.
“Well, it wasn’t entirely against my will. I did want to meet you Lana. If you change your mind about the party, let me know.”
Lana smiled again and gave a small nod. Mmm… nice backside. As he neared the water’s edge Lana noticed her girl friends watching and giggling. Frowning at them she grabbed her book and shoes and went in search of an even more secluded spot to read in. She soon found a nicely shaped fallen tree branch. She rested her back against it and closed her eyes for a moment, soaking in the sun. Letting out a contented sigh, Lana thumbed open her favorite book, thinking of Clark.
“First and foremost, do you love Mr. Edgar ?”
“Who can help it ? Of course I do,” Cathy answered.
“Why do you love him, Miss Cathy?”
“Nonsense, I do—that's sufficient.”
CRACK! Splish Splash Splish.
With a start, Lana slowly lowered her book. That sound had come from the lake. Eyes wide, she scanned to the softly rippling surface of the lake. Relieved, she let out a breath. Lana chuckled, feeling a little silly. It’s nothing. She shook her head at herself and went back to reading.
“This is nothing,' cried Cathy: ' I was only going to say
that heaven did not seem to be my home; and I broke my
heart with weeping to come back to earth; and the angels
were so angry that they flung me out into the middle of the
heath on the top of Wuthering Heights; where I woke
sobbing for joy. That will do to explain my secret, as well
as the other. I've no more business to marry Edgar Linton
than I have to be in heaven ; and if the wicked man in
there had not brought Heathcliff so low, I shouldn't have
thought of it. It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff
now; so he shall never know how I love him: and that,
not because he's handsome, Nelly, but because he's more
myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his
and mine are the same…”
******************************
Through the softly rippling water, leaning against a hot rock, absorbing it’s warmth, Sean Kelvin watched Lana Lang. If only he could get close enough to those perfect ivory legs. It had been so long since he’d been out of the lake, sense he’d felt the air. Her warmth would be wonderful. Beneath the water he grinned, his misshapen blue face stretching weirdly.
Lana’s breath caught and her eyes stung with tears as Heathcliff retreated, heart wounded by Cathy’s words. They would be separated forever…
Lana didn’t even have time to scream as cold slimy hands grasped her ankles and dragged her beneath the green surface of the lake. The trees above rustled violently as if in the wind and the dappled sunlight shown over Lana’s beloved copy of “Wuthering Heights.”
Lana as Catherine Earnshaw
******************************
Huh?
Newspapers stacked as high as the ceiling all around Chloe forming a small room. There was a small hole cut out for a window and soft green light spilled in through it. Chloe sat on a green silk pillow with golden trim. Her laptop sat open on top of an ornate green box and she rubbed her temples slowly trying to get her thoughts together so she could finish her "Go Green or Else" article for the Daily Planet.
Truth… truth… TRUUUUUTTTTHHHH!
“Shh! I’ve got to get this done. Now where was I?”
Chloe gazed at the screen. The words blurred then came into focused, blurred then came into focus. Chloe closed her eyes tight and when she opened them she was face to face with Lana. Well, it looked like Lana. If Lana were painted green and decided to wear a sort of bathing suit made of leaves… The green Lana hovered a few inches above the ground.
Chloe sighed. “I’m dreaming.”
“Anise, Artemisia, Florence…” whispered green Lana.
“What?”
“Add a little Rose Mellow but stay away from Thu-Joan. She’s mean.”
Green Lana bared her teeth and pain spiked through Chloe’s skull.
“AH!”
She was staring up at a very ornate recessed ceiling complete with crown molding and golden gilding.
Chloe glanced around thrilling at the light and airy elegance of the French blue, gold gilded wallpaper. Her stomach sank when she realized where she was. Chloe sat up and scratched at her arm, discovering that she was hooked up to a couple of medical machines which monitored her heartbeat and who knew what else.
Sure enough a kind faced man in a dark blue suit entered the room. He’d probably detected a change in Chloe’s readings caused by waking up.
“Ah, Miss Sullivan, you’re awake. I’m Dr. Cummins. I will be your physician during your time here at the mansion. You are suffering mild neurological trauma which may escalate as time goes on. Mr. Luthor has ordered a few more tests that require your consent. If you will just sign he-“
“Actually I would like to see Mr. Luthor please.” Chloe hadn’t listened to a word blue suit man said. When it looked as though he was going to protest, she shouted.
“Now! I want to see Lex Luthor now!” He nodded politely and left the room shutting the beautiful door behind him.
Chloe winced as she yanked at the plastic tubes, ripping the tape away from her arm and chest. Flinging back the luxurious bed covers she realized that someone had changed her clothes. She was now wearing a white satin gown. Grinding her teeth she started toward the closet but halted when the door opened behind her. Lex Luthor rushed in with the blue-suited man behind her.
“Chloe, good, you’re awake. Dr. Cummins and I just want to help – “
“You have no right Lex! How dare you take my clothes and hook me up to those machines and test me?!”
“How dare I put you in a bed and call a doctor after you pass out from migraines which may be fatal if left untreated? Be reasonable.”
“You be reasonable Lex. Where are my clothes?!”
“In the closet.”
“She wrenched the door open and there they were, hanging next to a couple of bath robes and clothing bags. Lex put a hand on Chloe’s shoulder which she shrugged away.
“Leave us.” Lex barked at the doctor. Obediently he left.
“Chloe,” Lex continued in a soothing voice, taking her hand and leading her back toward the bed. Lex sat himself and Chloe on bed, away from the medical equipment. “Dr. Cummins has reviewed the files on my father’s project. These headaches are not going to stop. Here at the mansion you’ll be under the care of the best scientists and physicians.”
“Don’t play good Samaritan with me Lex. We both know this has more to do with your father’s secrets than my health.”
“Think what you want Chloe. You need my help. And I need yours. Please, help me.”
Chloe stared at Lex for a moment, his gentleness was creeping her out to the nth degree.
“Lex, why can’t you just walk away?” she said finally. “What do you want from Lionel?”
“I want him to love me.” Chloe caught her breath.
Lex seemed astonished by the admission, then saddened. For the first time, Chloe was tempted to help him stick it to Lionel, conditionally of course.
“Lay down Chloe.” He held the covers back and she obediently laid down. “Fill out these forms and the doctor will be in shortly to prepare you for the tests.”
Chloe took the forms and managed a small smile. Lex had a hungry look in his eyes again for a moment. Then he turned and left, closing the door quietly behind him. Chloe felt a spike of fear. Her headaches had been intense. She glanced at the forms. No. Whatever had happened to her in that lab, she didn’t want to be in Lex Luthor’s hands when she found out the truth.
She sprang out of bed and tossed off her gown. Scrambling into her clothes she breathed a sigh of relief. Her bag was on the floor of the closet. She slipped out of the room and ran blindly down a corridor almost giggling at the idea of running into Lex. Finally she reached an elevator. Pressing the button, she entered. It was heading down.
********************
“Mr. Luthor. Chloe Sullivan is in the East elevator going down to the ground floor and presumably out of the mansion. Should we stop her?”
“No. Bring the car around. I’m going into town.”
As the security hireling exited, Lex looked over at Noah Addams.
“Is the trace on Chloe Sullivan’s car secure?”
“Yes Mr. Luthor. Also, the silent alarm was triggered in Lab 3.”
Not again.
“And?”
“Even on the slowest setting it’s just an indecipherable blur.”
Lex clinched his jaw in frustration.
“One of the lead suits is missing, sir.”
******************************
Alicia/Clark Video
Clark Kent grinned as he hoisted the lead suit up on his shoulder. I’m just borrowing it. He told himself in answer to a twinge of guilt. In his backpack were a few science books and sheets of metal from his home planet, Krypton. It had taken Clark forever to collect the tiny shards which had been embedded in the soil of the Kent farm when his spaceship blew up. He had soldered together enough of the strange metal to suit his purposes.
It was very rare that Clark found himself at school on the weekends. There was always work at the farm and he wasn’t involved in any extracurricular activities right now, besides the Torch. Pete usually called dibs on sports columns. So Clark walked a little hesitantly through the empty halls. Occasionally he could hear the sound of laughter or sneakers squeaking but not from anywhere close. Clark was glad, he wouldn’t have to answer questions about the strange suit he was carrying.
Clark glanced over his shoulder as he rounded the corner and found himself nose to nose with a lovely blond girl he recognized from his chemistry class.
“Clark?”
“Hi.” He smiled. “You know who I am?”
“Yes.” She laughed softly. “We’re in chemistry class together.”
“Yeah I know it’s just that you, sort of keep to yourself in class.”
“Look who’s talking.” She grinned. Wow! Her smile seemed to make the hall brighten. “I’m Alicia Baker.”
He smiled back goofily. “Hi.” She glanced down at the lead suit in his arms.
“You’re headed to the lab?”
“Yes… Um… I um… I need to…” He glanced around the room.
“Reserve the lab.” Suddenly the pretty blond was all business. Her brown eyes hardened.
“Yes… I have a project that I’m working on…”
With a quick gesture, Alicia leads the way to the lab and Clark has no choice but to follow. She grills him with questions about what sort of experiment he’s conducting, what substances he’ll be working with, etc. Once they arrive in the lab she drills him on the Lab rules. He can’t help thinking about Chloe going on about journalism in the Torch.
“Stay away from this side of the lab. I’m working on getting an internship at the Metropolis Institute of Technology this summer. Professor Blaise has given me special permission to work on a personal project.” Alicia added defensively.
Clark smiled reassuringly receiving another mega watt grin in return.
“I could stay and help you with yours. Wow! Is that a lead suit?”
“Oh… no it’s going to take a while. I know what to do. Um… thank you. For showing me everything, and opening up the lab.”
“No problem Clark. Here’s the lab key. Make sure you lock up and slip it into my locker when you’re done.” After jotting down her locker number she added, “You’re supposed to sign up in advance to use the lab. You’re lucky I was here finishing up some things.”
As she turned to leave, Clark couldn’t help admiring her slender legs. She turned suddenly and he glanced up sheepishly.
“You should join the Chemistry club.”
“Really? Who – Who are the other members.”
“Just me.” She grins irresistibly and Clark’s knees feel a little wobbly.
After a moment he thrusts his head into the hall to watch her go but she seems to have vanished.
******************************
Lana was cold. She’d suddenly been blasted with intense paralyzing cold. Even if she had not been submerged in the lake she probably wouldn’t have been able to breathe. One minute she was reading her book, the next a world of green and cold. She couldn’t even move it was as though she were paralyzed. She managed to glance down and see her attacker. His hands still grasping her ankles, his deformed blue face contorted in ecstasy. A meteor freak!
She could feel her limbs weakening. Her chest was pounding from lack of air and fear. CLARK!!! Lana tried to yell but knew that her efforts were in vain. Slowly her eyes closed and she went limp.
******************************
Pete Ross made his way past a low stand of trees and into a sunlit clearing, grumbling.
“…Clark Kent…boneheaded…”
kick
“…Chloe Sullivan…”
kick
“…Lana Lang…make a decision…”
Pete’s kicking worked a partially buried red rock out of the hard dry soil. He tossed it into his very full satchel, and hefted it onto his back – satisfied that he’d gotten plenty of rocks for the “experiment.”
As Pete headed down the path that led into town, he noticed a familiar outcropping of rock. He started toward it. He took his time, partly because of the glorious day and partly because he didn’t want to bring his new rock collection within a hundred feet of his alien best friend. All hell was going to break loose; Pete could feel it.
A fat squirrel crossed the path and scurried down the sharp grassy slope. Pete suddenly recognized where he was. He and Clark had often ridden here their dirt bikes. He was directly above the Kawatche caves. Pete grinned and decided to take a rest inside the coolness of the cave, avoiding the inevitable for a little while longer.
Pete Ross marched leisurely down the steeply sloping rock and into the coolness of the caves. It actually had the potential to be the haven Clark often pretended that it was as a cover for studying these strange caves. Knowing the reality, the cool quiet of the cave seemed a bit sinister to Pete. The peaceful calm started to feel like the tense silence of a slumbering beast.
As the ground leveled Pete reached the familiar opening in the cave which housed some of the Kawatche tribes most sacred cave paintings. They were rumored to be prophesies about a great and powerful man who would save mankind. Pete slowly studied the wall until he found something incredibly odd. Strange symbols were carved into the wall, surrounding a strange octagonal hole. Pete let the satchel filled with rocks fall to the ground then approached the strange hole.
Clearing his throat he focused on the indentation.
"Uh... I know that you're in there. You're... Clark's dad. His real dad right? Well, Clark needs your help. He’s trying this... experiment because... well... I guess it's girl trouble. I'm guessing from last year that you and Clark don't get along too good but um... he's in love with this girl Lana. But I... I think Chloe deserves a chance with him. She loves him." Pete tried to ignore the painful lump that formed in his throat. He'd given up so many weekends filming Chloe's adventures... for nothing. Chloe would always love Clark. He hated Journalism. He'd rather make news than report on it but... whatever. Even as he thought these things he knew that the minute she asked he would be at it again. Anything for Chloe Sullivan.
This was stupid. Who was he kidding? This is Clark's mess and he could clean it up. What kind of sense did it make, talking to a wall? You probably had to have X-ray vision or super flatulence or something to talk to the dead alien voices. Huffily Pete hefted his bag and stalked up and out of the cave.
Three markings in the cave glow purple, in a formation which is eerily similar to a frowny face.
******************************
The warmth of the sun and the force of the wind woke Lana Lang from her stupor. A strong arm was firmly clasped about her waist and… below her the wide open fields rushed past and Lana could tell she was headed away from the lake and toward town. Somehow she was still alive. Somehow she’d been rescued. Somehow… she was flying!
******************************
Chloe gunned her little red beetle along the dirt highway. Hanging onto the steering wheel with one hand she dug through her bag with the other. Finally she had to face the facts. Her recorder was gone. Good bye Jr. Daily Planet reporter, hello teenage angst. Ah well, she’d gotten plenty of reluctant teen confessions to tide her over one week. She managed to pop a couple of aspirin while driving – she’d always been a multi-tasker. And with Clark’s new column – that brought a pang of fear. Clark… she’d have to face him Monday. Chloe took a deep breath, put on her sunshades and turned the music up. She’d had enough of being a whiny girl for two lifetimes. Once again her first love comes to her rescue. This next issue of the Torch was going to kick ass!
******************************
Clark was pacing impatiently around the lab when Pete arrived with the bag of rocks. Everything was all set and ready to go. Clark was wearing the lead suit. It was a tight fit but would do the trick. He’d fashioned the Kryptonian metal into a spherical makeshift compression container.
“Hey Pete.” Clark’s voice is slightly muffled by the suit.
“I’ve said all I’ve got to say Clark. You know how I feel about all this.”
“I appreciate this Pete.” Clark took the back and began shuffling through the rocks. In the bottom of the makeshift container, Clark puts a layer of red rocks until the whole bottom is covered. The suit is working. Clark feels nothing. Then nervously, Clark selects a green rock.
“I could do that for you Clark.”
“NO that’s ok Pete. I’ll do it.”
Pete swallowed, imagining Smallville High School going up in flames. He barely resisted the urge to take all the rocks and throw them out the window.
After adding a layer of large green rocks in the center of the red rock layer, Clark piled small red rocks on top. Finally he covered the top with metal and began to compress until the metal was crushed, covering the rocks like tin foil. Clark gestured at Pete who gathered the unused rocks and loaded them out of the room.
Placing his hands in a nearby sink, Clark slowly took of the helmet of the lead suit. Nothing. The metal blocked the radiation. Using all of his strength Clark began to compress the metal and the meteor rocks with his hands. with a growl he began heating the whole mess with his head vision. Ignoring the pain in his hands he continued and light and the pain and Clark’s roar built and built and built. Pete stood nervously outside the door ready to pull the fire alarm if necessary.
******************************
Lana slowly looked up through her wind swirled hair and saw the smiling face of… what’s his name! The guy who’d asked her out at her locker the other day. She’d given him the brush off twice and now here he was saving her. He could fly!
He had the most beautiful white wings that glinted iridescent green in the sunlight. A meteor freak! Lana thought in revulsion. She couldn’t pull away though; they were too high in the air. He must have noticed her reaction because he landed them on the windmill. Gracefully his wings folded up flat against his body until they were almost unnoticeable. She watched, torn between horror and admiration as he untied his jacket from his waist and put it on, completely obscuring them.
He chuckled at Lana’s amazed expression.
“People see what they want to see.” He shrugged. “Even in a place like Smallville, I find that it’s easy to hide. Maybe it’s because I live in a place like Smalliville. I don’t know.”
“How…”
“Well, during the first meteor shower I had the misfortune of being hit by a meteor rock blast of radiation while being attacked by birds.” He laughed. “What are the odds?”
Lana couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you…”
“Evan. Evan Fitcher.”
“Thank you Evan Fitcher. You saved my life.”
Evan blushed. Lana couldn’t bring herself to be creeped out by the fact that he’d been spying on her in some tree.
“I’ll fly you where ever you need to go.”
“I work a shift at the Talon. You can drop me off and we can have a coffee together. It’s on me.” She grinned.
“Alright!” Eagerly he took off his jacket, tied it around his waist. He spread his wings and held out his arms to Lana. He thrilled for a moment at the reality of having Lana Lang in his arms, even if it was only for transportation purposes. He’d never been so grateful for his meteor powers. Suddenly he thought of something.
“Lana?”
“Yeah?”
“I know you’re good friends with Chloe but… I’d rather stay off of her ‘meteor freak’ radar.”
“Sure Evan. Your secret is safe with me.”
They soared over Smallville. Evan said that people down below would most likely do a double take and convince themselves they’d seen a bird or a hang glider not even wondering about the lack of mountains. Evan landed her silently on the roof of the Talon at dusk. He secreted his wings under his jacket and they went downstairs to have a cup of coffee.
Evan wasn’t particularly interesting, but he wasn’t boring either. He spent a lot of time studying airplanes and all variations there of. He bored her with talk of flying cars. She bored him with literature. They finally found common ground talking about comic books and why or why not they could be considered literature. Even though Lana didn’t read comic books she found the discussion interesting and enlightening. After a little hesitation Lana decided to write her number on Evan’s hand with the footnote, “Just friends.” As Evan finished his third cup of coffee, Lana’s friends rushed into the Talon all talking at once.
“We were so worried… where did you go… all your stuff… you you’re your book so we KNEW something was wrong… Danny’s number…these cute boots… ARE YOU OKAY?!”
“Yes you guys.” They enveloped Lana in a huge hug. “I got a ride with…” Evan had disappeared. He was probably shy. “I got a ride with a friend.”
They began speculating about the “mysterious skinny guy” having a coffee with Lana. They teased Lana about her “weakness for weird loner types. “But at least she finds cute ones!”
They pumped her for information about her disheveled, shoeless-ness. So Lana finally told them she’d almost drowned and that Evan Fitcher had saved her. That brought a barrage of questions and concern but Lana was having none of it.
“It’s almost time for my shift to start girls. The next time you want to drag me to the lake against my will I’m staying home!”
Lana waved goodbye to her boisterous friends. She shrugged apologetically to her co-workers and made her way to the bar only to find herself face to face with none other than Lex Luthor himself.
***************************************
This is it, Clark thought. The point of no return.
He’d stopped using his heat vision but the small bundle in his lead clad hands seemed to be heating on its own. He seemed to be holding on for dear life rather than applying pressure now. The light glowed brighter and brighter until it was all Clark could see. Clark hoped Pete had stayed outside the room.
FLASH!!!
WHOOSH!!!
BIG BOOM!!!
Part Four: BOOM!
A/N: Monstrously long this chapter is. And I got really sleepy and tired of looking at it. Please be forgiving and have a giggle.
Thanks to all still reading. The “I Love Lana Lang” Theme Song
Clana erm… Cathy and Heathcliff
Lana smoothed her hand over the familiar, worn cover as if caressing a lover. Oh to be the cover of Lana’s book in that moment! - thought several of Lana’s teenaged spies. Licking her lips in anticipation, Lana flipped to the pink ballerina bookmarked page.
“The crosses are for the evenings you have spent with the Lintons, the dots for those spent with me. Do you see? I’ve marked every day.”
“Yes – very foolish; as if I took notice!” replied Catherine in a peevish tone. “And where is the sense of that?”
“To show you that I do take notice,” said Heathcliff.
Lana’s breath caught as she imagined the intensity of Heathcliff’s gaze. Oddly Heathcliff had blue/green eyes very similar to Clark Kent’s. She could see the dark gleam in his eye and the answering super close up on Catherine’s face (which looked remarkably like Lana’s own) as she sneered at Heathcliff’s careful tally. Lana pressed her thighs together and swallowed as her eyes devoured the words on the page.
All too soon the spell was broken by Lana Lang’s wet and giggling girlfriends. Lana squinted as the water flung from her friends’ swinging hair splashed her. Lana quickly set her book out of harm's way. The girls were dragging an incredibly handsome boy over to Lana’s reading area. Bree, Amber, Tiffany and Tasha dumped the boy at Lana’s feet, straightened their bikinis and all began talking at once.
“His name is Danny Blaine!” “…actor…” “…track team…” “plays drums” “TOTALLY HOT!!!” “…free for Lori’s party…” “told him you’re dateless…” “…tried to play it cool…” “SO INTO YOU LANA!!!”
The din died down and all four girls were staring at Lana expectantly. Lana sighed. This was the fourth guy they’d tried to hook her up with. She thought that retreating to a quiet area with her book would have given the girls a hint.
“I’m not looking for a date right now. Seriously, stop it.” She gave them a very firm look.
The girls made disappointed sounds (“we should drown Wuthering Heights”) and went back to the water leaving Lana and… Danny alone.
“Sorry about that.” Danny and Lana said at the same time. They smiled at each other awkwardly. He was pretty cute. He had auburn hair that was almost brown. His shoulders and nose were lightly peppered with freckles. He had a strong jaw and nicely chiseled chest.
Lana helped him to his feet.
“You’re not swimming? The water’s great.”
“You’re not the only one they’ve dragged somewhere against their will. I wasn’t planning to come to the lake today.” Lana grinned and shrugged.
“Well, it wasn’t entirely against my will. I did want to meet you Lana. If you change your mind about the party, let me know.”
Lana smiled again and gave a small nod. Mmm… nice backside. As he neared the water’s edge Lana noticed her girl friends watching and giggling. Frowning at them she grabbed her book and shoes and went in search of an even more secluded spot to read in. She soon found a nicely shaped fallen tree branch. She rested her back against it and closed her eyes for a moment, soaking in the sun. Letting out a contented sigh, Lana thumbed open her favorite book, thinking of Clark.
“First and foremost, do you love Mr. Edgar ?”
“Who can help it ? Of course I do,” Cathy answered.
“Why do you love him, Miss Cathy?”
“Nonsense, I do—that's sufficient.”
CRACK! Splish Splash Splish.
With a start, Lana slowly lowered her book. That sound had come from the lake. Eyes wide, she scanned to the softly rippling surface of the lake. Relieved, she let out a breath. Lana chuckled, feeling a little silly. It’s nothing. She shook her head at herself and went back to reading.
“This is nothing,' cried Cathy: ' I was only going to say
that heaven did not seem to be my home; and I broke my
heart with weeping to come back to earth; and the angels
were so angry that they flung me out into the middle of the
heath on the top of Wuthering Heights; where I woke
sobbing for joy. That will do to explain my secret, as well
as the other. I've no more business to marry Edgar Linton
than I have to be in heaven ; and if the wicked man in
there had not brought Heathcliff so low, I shouldn't have
thought of it. It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff
now; so he shall never know how I love him: and that,
not because he's handsome, Nelly, but because he's more
myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his
and mine are the same…”
Through the softly rippling water, leaning against a hot rock, absorbing it’s warmth, Sean Kelvin watched Lana Lang. If only he could get close enough to those perfect ivory legs. It had been so long since he’d been out of the lake, sense he’d felt the air. Her warmth would be wonderful. Beneath the water he grinned, his misshapen blue face stretching weirdly.
Lana’s breath caught and her eyes stung with tears as Heathcliff retreated, heart wounded by Cathy’s words. They would be separated forever…
Lana didn’t even have time to scream as cold slimy hands grasped her ankles and dragged her beneath the green surface of the lake. The trees above rustled violently as if in the wind and the dappled sunlight shown over Lana’s beloved copy of “Wuthering Heights.”
******************************
Huh?
Newspapers stacked as high as the ceiling all around Chloe forming a small room. There was a small hole cut out for a window and soft green light spilled in through it. Chloe sat on a green silk pillow with golden trim. Her laptop sat open on top of an ornate green box and she rubbed her temples slowly trying to get her thoughts together so she could finish her "Go Green or Else" article for the Daily Planet.
Truth… truth… TRUUUUUTTTTHHHH!
“Shh! I’ve got to get this done. Now where was I?”
Chloe gazed at the screen. The words blurred then came into focused, blurred then came into focus. Chloe closed her eyes tight and when she opened them she was face to face with Lana. Well, it looked like Lana. If Lana were painted green and decided to wear a sort of bathing suit made of leaves… The green Lana hovered a few inches above the ground.
Chloe sighed. “I’m dreaming.”
“Anise, Artemisia, Florence…” whispered green Lana.
“What?”
“Add a little Rose Mellow but stay away from Thu-Joan. She’s mean.”
Green Lana bared her teeth and pain spiked through Chloe’s skull.
“AH!”
She was staring up at a very ornate recessed ceiling complete with crown molding and golden gilding.
Chloe glanced around thrilling at the light and airy elegance of the French blue, gold gilded wallpaper. Her stomach sank when she realized where she was. Chloe sat up and scratched at her arm, discovering that she was hooked up to a couple of medical machines which monitored her heartbeat and who knew what else.
Sure enough a kind faced man in a dark blue suit entered the room. He’d probably detected a change in Chloe’s readings caused by waking up.
“Ah, Miss Sullivan, you’re awake. I’m Dr. Cummins. I will be your physician during your time here at the mansion. You are suffering mild neurological trauma which may escalate as time goes on. Mr. Luthor has ordered a few more tests that require your consent. If you will just sign he-“
“Actually I would like to see Mr. Luthor please.” Chloe hadn’t listened to a word blue suit man said. When it looked as though he was going to protest, she shouted.
“Now! I want to see Lex Luthor now!” He nodded politely and left the room shutting the beautiful door behind him.
Chloe winced as she yanked at the plastic tubes, ripping the tape away from her arm and chest. Flinging back the luxurious bed covers she realized that someone had changed her clothes. She was now wearing a white satin gown. Grinding her teeth she started toward the closet but halted when the door opened behind her. Lex Luthor rushed in with the blue-suited man behind her.
“Chloe, good, you’re awake. Dr. Cummins and I just want to help – “
“You have no right Lex! How dare you take my clothes and hook me up to those machines and test me?!”
“How dare I put you in a bed and call a doctor after you pass out from migraines which may be fatal if left untreated? Be reasonable.”
“You be reasonable Lex. Where are my clothes?!”
“In the closet.”
“She wrenched the door open and there they were, hanging next to a couple of bath robes and clothing bags. Lex put a hand on Chloe’s shoulder which she shrugged away.
“Leave us.” Lex barked at the doctor. Obediently he left.
“Chloe,” Lex continued in a soothing voice, taking her hand and leading her back toward the bed. Lex sat himself and Chloe on bed, away from the medical equipment. “Dr. Cummins has reviewed the files on my father’s project. These headaches are not going to stop. Here at the mansion you’ll be under the care of the best scientists and physicians.”
“Don’t play good Samaritan with me Lex. We both know this has more to do with your father’s secrets than my health.”
“Think what you want Chloe. You need my help. And I need yours. Please, help me.”
Chloe stared at Lex for a moment, his gentleness was creeping her out to the nth degree.
“Lex, why can’t you just walk away?” she said finally. “What do you want from Lionel?”
“I want him to love me.” Chloe caught her breath.
Lex seemed astonished by the admission, then saddened. For the first time, Chloe was tempted to help him stick it to Lionel, conditionally of course.
“Lay down Chloe.” He held the covers back and she obediently laid down. “Fill out these forms and the doctor will be in shortly to prepare you for the tests.”
Chloe took the forms and managed a small smile. Lex had a hungry look in his eyes again for a moment. Then he turned and left, closing the door quietly behind him. Chloe felt a spike of fear. Her headaches had been intense. She glanced at the forms. No. Whatever had happened to her in that lab, she didn’t want to be in Lex Luthor’s hands when she found out the truth.
She sprang out of bed and tossed off her gown. Scrambling into her clothes she breathed a sigh of relief. Her bag was on the floor of the closet. She slipped out of the room and ran blindly down a corridor almost giggling at the idea of running into Lex. Finally she reached an elevator. Pressing the button, she entered. It was heading down.
“Mr. Luthor. Chloe Sullivan is in the East elevator going down to the ground floor and presumably out of the mansion. Should we stop her?”
“No. Bring the car around. I’m going into town.”
As the security hireling exited, Lex looked over at Noah Addams.
“Is the trace on Chloe Sullivan’s car secure?”
“Yes Mr. Luthor. Also, the silent alarm was triggered in Lab 3.”
Not again.
“And?”
“Even on the slowest setting it’s just an indecipherable blur.”
Lex clinched his jaw in frustration.
“One of the lead suits is missing, sir.”
Alicia/Clark Video
Clark Kent grinned as he hoisted the lead suit up on his shoulder. I’m just borrowing it. He told himself in answer to a twinge of guilt. In his backpack were a few science books and sheets of metal from his home planet, Krypton. It had taken Clark forever to collect the tiny shards which had been embedded in the soil of the Kent farm when his spaceship blew up. He had soldered together enough of the strange metal to suit his purposes.
It was very rare that Clark found himself at school on the weekends. There was always work at the farm and he wasn’t involved in any extracurricular activities right now, besides the Torch. Pete usually called dibs on sports columns. So Clark walked a little hesitantly through the empty halls. Occasionally he could hear the sound of laughter or sneakers squeaking but not from anywhere close. Clark was glad, he wouldn’t have to answer questions about the strange suit he was carrying.
Clark glanced over his shoulder as he rounded the corner and found himself nose to nose with a lovely blond girl he recognized from his chemistry class.
“Clark?”
“Hi.” He smiled. “You know who I am?”
“Yes.” She laughed softly. “We’re in chemistry class together.”
“Yeah I know it’s just that you, sort of keep to yourself in class.”
“Look who’s talking.” She grinned. Wow! Her smile seemed to make the hall brighten. “I’m Alicia Baker.”
He smiled back goofily. “Hi.” She glanced down at the lead suit in his arms.
“You’re headed to the lab?”
“Yes… Um… I um… I need to…” He glanced around the room.
“Reserve the lab.” Suddenly the pretty blond was all business. Her brown eyes hardened.
“Yes… I have a project that I’m working on…”
With a quick gesture, Alicia leads the way to the lab and Clark has no choice but to follow. She grills him with questions about what sort of experiment he’s conducting, what substances he’ll be working with, etc. Once they arrive in the lab she drills him on the Lab rules. He can’t help thinking about Chloe going on about journalism in the Torch.
“Stay away from this side of the lab. I’m working on getting an internship at the Metropolis Institute of Technology this summer. Professor Blaise has given me special permission to work on a personal project.” Alicia added defensively.
Clark smiled reassuringly receiving another mega watt grin in return.
“I could stay and help you with yours. Wow! Is that a lead suit?”
“Oh… no it’s going to take a while. I know what to do. Um… thank you. For showing me everything, and opening up the lab.”
“No problem Clark. Here’s the lab key. Make sure you lock up and slip it into my locker when you’re done.” After jotting down her locker number she added, “You’re supposed to sign up in advance to use the lab. You’re lucky I was here finishing up some things.”
As she turned to leave, Clark couldn’t help admiring her slender legs. She turned suddenly and he glanced up sheepishly.
“You should join the Chemistry club.”
“Really? Who – Who are the other members.”
“Just me.” She grins irresistibly and Clark’s knees feel a little wobbly.
After a moment he thrusts his head into the hall to watch her go but she seems to have vanished.
Lana was cold. She’d suddenly been blasted with intense paralyzing cold. Even if she had not been submerged in the lake she probably wouldn’t have been able to breathe. One minute she was reading her book, the next a world of green and cold. She couldn’t even move it was as though she were paralyzed. She managed to glance down and see her attacker. His hands still grasping her ankles, his deformed blue face contorted in ecstasy. A meteor freak!
She could feel her limbs weakening. Her chest was pounding from lack of air and fear. CLARK!!! Lana tried to yell but knew that her efforts were in vain. Slowly her eyes closed and she went limp.
Pete Ross made his way past a low stand of trees and into a sunlit clearing, grumbling.
“…Clark Kent…boneheaded…”
kick
“…Chloe Sullivan…”
kick
“…Lana Lang…make a decision…”
Pete’s kicking worked a partially buried red rock out of the hard dry soil. He tossed it into his very full satchel, and hefted it onto his back – satisfied that he’d gotten plenty of rocks for the “experiment.”
As Pete headed down the path that led into town, he noticed a familiar outcropping of rock. He started toward it. He took his time, partly because of the glorious day and partly because he didn’t want to bring his new rock collection within a hundred feet of his alien best friend. All hell was going to break loose; Pete could feel it.
A fat squirrel crossed the path and scurried down the sharp grassy slope. Pete suddenly recognized where he was. He and Clark had often ridden here their dirt bikes. He was directly above the Kawatche caves. Pete grinned and decided to take a rest inside the coolness of the cave, avoiding the inevitable for a little while longer.
Pete Ross marched leisurely down the steeply sloping rock and into the coolness of the caves. It actually had the potential to be the haven Clark often pretended that it was as a cover for studying these strange caves. Knowing the reality, the cool quiet of the cave seemed a bit sinister to Pete. The peaceful calm started to feel like the tense silence of a slumbering beast.
As the ground leveled Pete reached the familiar opening in the cave which housed some of the Kawatche tribes most sacred cave paintings. They were rumored to be prophesies about a great and powerful man who would save mankind. Pete slowly studied the wall until he found something incredibly odd. Strange symbols were carved into the wall, surrounding a strange octagonal hole. Pete let the satchel filled with rocks fall to the ground then approached the strange hole.
Clearing his throat he focused on the indentation.
"Uh... I know that you're in there. You're... Clark's dad. His real dad right? Well, Clark needs your help. He’s trying this... experiment because... well... I guess it's girl trouble. I'm guessing from last year that you and Clark don't get along too good but um... he's in love with this girl Lana. But I... I think Chloe deserves a chance with him. She loves him." Pete tried to ignore the painful lump that formed in his throat. He'd given up so many weekends filming Chloe's adventures... for nothing. Chloe would always love Clark. He hated Journalism. He'd rather make news than report on it but... whatever. Even as he thought these things he knew that the minute she asked he would be at it again. Anything for Chloe Sullivan.
This was stupid. Who was he kidding? This is Clark's mess and he could clean it up. What kind of sense did it make, talking to a wall? You probably had to have X-ray vision or super flatulence or something to talk to the dead alien voices. Huffily Pete hefted his bag and stalked up and out of the cave.
Three markings in the cave glow purple, in a formation which is eerily similar to a frowny face.
The warmth of the sun and the force of the wind woke Lana Lang from her stupor. A strong arm was firmly clasped about her waist and… below her the wide open fields rushed past and Lana could tell she was headed away from the lake and toward town. Somehow she was still alive. Somehow she’d been rescued. Somehow… she was flying!
Chloe gunned her little red beetle along the dirt highway. Hanging onto the steering wheel with one hand she dug through her bag with the other. Finally she had to face the facts. Her recorder was gone. Good bye Jr. Daily Planet reporter, hello teenage angst. Ah well, she’d gotten plenty of reluctant teen confessions to tide her over one week. She managed to pop a couple of aspirin while driving – she’d always been a multi-tasker. And with Clark’s new column – that brought a pang of fear. Clark… she’d have to face him Monday. Chloe took a deep breath, put on her sunshades and turned the music up. She’d had enough of being a whiny girl for two lifetimes. Once again her first love comes to her rescue. This next issue of the Torch was going to kick ass!
Clark was pacing impatiently around the lab when Pete arrived with the bag of rocks. Everything was all set and ready to go. Clark was wearing the lead suit. It was a tight fit but would do the trick. He’d fashioned the Kryptonian metal into a spherical makeshift compression container.
“Hey Pete.” Clark’s voice is slightly muffled by the suit.
“I’ve said all I’ve got to say Clark. You know how I feel about all this.”
“I appreciate this Pete.” Clark took the back and began shuffling through the rocks. In the bottom of the makeshift container, Clark puts a layer of red rocks until the whole bottom is covered. The suit is working. Clark feels nothing. Then nervously, Clark selects a green rock.
“I could do that for you Clark.”
“NO that’s ok Pete. I’ll do it.”
Pete swallowed, imagining Smallville High School going up in flames. He barely resisted the urge to take all the rocks and throw them out the window.
After adding a layer of large green rocks in the center of the red rock layer, Clark piled small red rocks on top. Finally he covered the top with metal and began to compress until the metal was crushed, covering the rocks like tin foil. Clark gestured at Pete who gathered the unused rocks and loaded them out of the room.
Placing his hands in a nearby sink, Clark slowly took of the helmet of the lead suit. Nothing. The metal blocked the radiation. Using all of his strength Clark began to compress the metal and the meteor rocks with his hands. with a growl he began heating the whole mess with his head vision. Ignoring the pain in his hands he continued and light and the pain and Clark’s roar built and built and built. Pete stood nervously outside the door ready to pull the fire alarm if necessary.
Lana slowly looked up through her wind swirled hair and saw the smiling face of… what’s his name! The guy who’d asked her out at her locker the other day. She’d given him the brush off twice and now here he was saving her. He could fly!
He had the most beautiful white wings that glinted iridescent green in the sunlight. A meteor freak! Lana thought in revulsion. She couldn’t pull away though; they were too high in the air. He must have noticed her reaction because he landed them on the windmill. Gracefully his wings folded up flat against his body until they were almost unnoticeable. She watched, torn between horror and admiration as he untied his jacket from his waist and put it on, completely obscuring them.
He chuckled at Lana’s amazed expression.
“People see what they want to see.” He shrugged. “Even in a place like Smallville, I find that it’s easy to hide. Maybe it’s because I live in a place like Smalliville. I don’t know.”
“How…”
“Well, during the first meteor shower I had the misfortune of being hit by a meteor rock blast of radiation while being attacked by birds.” He laughed. “What are the odds?”
Lana couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you…”
“Evan. Evan Fitcher.”
“Thank you Evan Fitcher. You saved my life.”
Evan blushed. Lana couldn’t bring herself to be creeped out by the fact that he’d been spying on her in some tree.
“I’ll fly you where ever you need to go.”
“I work a shift at the Talon. You can drop me off and we can have a coffee together. It’s on me.” She grinned.
“Alright!” Eagerly he took off his jacket, tied it around his waist. He spread his wings and held out his arms to Lana. He thrilled for a moment at the reality of having Lana Lang in his arms, even if it was only for transportation purposes. He’d never been so grateful for his meteor powers. Suddenly he thought of something.
“Lana?”
“Yeah?”
“I know you’re good friends with Chloe but… I’d rather stay off of her ‘meteor freak’ radar.”
“Sure Evan. Your secret is safe with me.”
They soared over Smallville. Evan said that people down below would most likely do a double take and convince themselves they’d seen a bird or a hang glider not even wondering about the lack of mountains. Evan landed her silently on the roof of the Talon at dusk. He secreted his wings under his jacket and they went downstairs to have a cup of coffee.
Evan wasn’t particularly interesting, but he wasn’t boring either. He spent a lot of time studying airplanes and all variations there of. He bored her with talk of flying cars. She bored him with literature. They finally found common ground talking about comic books and why or why not they could be considered literature. Even though Lana didn’t read comic books she found the discussion interesting and enlightening. After a little hesitation Lana decided to write her number on Evan’s hand with the footnote, “Just friends.” As Evan finished his third cup of coffee, Lana’s friends rushed into the Talon all talking at once.
“We were so worried… where did you go… all your stuff… you you’re your book so we KNEW something was wrong… Danny’s number…these cute boots… ARE YOU OKAY?!”
“Yes you guys.” They enveloped Lana in a huge hug. “I got a ride with…” Evan had disappeared. He was probably shy. “I got a ride with a friend.”
They began speculating about the “mysterious skinny guy” having a coffee with Lana. They teased Lana about her “weakness for weird loner types. “But at least she finds cute ones!”
They pumped her for information about her disheveled, shoeless-ness. So Lana finally told them she’d almost drowned and that Evan Fitcher had saved her. That brought a barrage of questions and concern but Lana was having none of it.
“It’s almost time for my shift to start girls. The next time you want to drag me to the lake against my will I’m staying home!”
Lana waved goodbye to her boisterous friends. She shrugged apologetically to her co-workers and made her way to the bar only to find herself face to face with none other than Lex Luthor himself.
This is it, Clark thought. The point of no return.
He’d stopped using his heat vision but the small bundle in his lead clad hands seemed to be heating on its own. He seemed to be holding on for dear life rather than applying pressure now. The light glowed brighter and brighter until it was all Clark could see. Clark hoped Pete had stayed outside the room.
FLASH!!!
WHOOSH!!!
BIG BOOM!!!
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