Pairings: In several layers here—Romance: Clana, Chlex; Byron/Emily (yes, that’s right) Borderline: Lana/Jason; Friendship: Clex (straight), Lana-Chloe, Lexana, Lex/Jeanne-Marie (OC-see below); Chlark

Spoilers: This story combines yet another Covenant post-eppie with the rumor mill for Season 4 from spoiler sites out there. (There are two twists—this story presumes that Lana stays in Paris for at least the fall semester and Clark doesn’t go with Kara to the caves.) And of course, everything in the series so far is considered here too….

Summary: When Lana disappears in France, will Clark trust Lex and another opponent to help him find her?

Notes: Smallville belongs to DC and the WB. Please send comments to dante0220@yahoo.com.


Chapter 1 [Four months following “Covenant”]

[Metropolis Prison]

Lionel Luthor sat in his jail cell, reading the latest Daily Planet and waiting for the latest bit of news from the outside. During his stay, he had learned to blend in and stay in his space as much as possible. Fortunately, a well placed bribe or three enabled the process to continue uninterrupted.

On this particular day, Lex came to visit the cell. Whether it was for purely filial reasons or to send a subtle message about who held power these days, the young man didn’t care. Maybe it’s something in between. Mom would tell me to take the higher road anyhow. He shrugged. “Hi, Dad.”

“Lex, good to see you. Any news to report from LuthorCorp?” he inquired.

The bald one smirked. “You mean LexCorp. I finished acquiring your scraps this morning. Have to take care of the family business, you know. You taught me that.”

Somehow, Lionel kept a straight face, masking his rage. Ever since the failed poisoning, he had lost piece after piece of his empire to Lex. “And I’ll reclaim them from your stewardship when it’s time to do so, Son.”

“You aren’t listening, Dad. This isn’t ‘stewardship’. It’s a takeover. What’s yours is mine,” Lex indicated evenly.

“Be careful, Lex. You might force me to make a hostile move of my own,” the prisoner advised.

“You’re not exactly going to threaten anyone in there, Dad. Besides, you’re being watched 24/7. You squint wrong and there’s going to be a gun barrel up your ass.”

“Never underestimate me, Lex. I thought you would have learned that by now,” Lionel informed him, shrugging. “Oh well, at least the classifieds are informative.” He buried his face in the paper. “Do have a good day, Son.”

Lex shook his head. Why do I bother? “Whatever, Dad. See you later.” He turned and left, passing Walter Myers, his father’s lawyer. “He’s in a great mood, Myers. Have fun.”

How does Lionel put up with him? The toadie proceeded up to Lionel’s cell. “Afternoon, Lionel.”

“Afternoon, Walter. You just missed Lex,” the prisoner replied flatly, flipping another page.

“We passed each other in the hall. He feels pretty good about himself right now,” the lawyer noted.

“He does, doesn’t he? Too bad, he doesn’t know what’s really going on with his new empire.” Lionel grinned broadly. “When he does find out, it’ll be far too late for him to do anything.”

“Speaking of which, the dove is in the open. Hawk reports it’s in position,” the lawyer reported.

“Tell hawk to circle for a couple of months. I want the dove to feel its safe for a while before something happens,” the prisoner commented. “Anything on this front?”

“Nothing new other than your son’s acquisitions. When do you want to move on that front?” Walter wondered.

“Patience, Walter. Let’s see how things develop in the sky if you get my meaning,” Lionel assured him. “Good day.”

The lawyer left quickly. Everything was set to go. Now they needed to wait for the right time.





Chapter 2 [Kent Farm]

Clark sat in the loft, staring out the window at the cornfields beyond. He felt empty and barren, devoid of hope. He should be ready for senior year—the pageantry and the feeling of being in the top class. But it didn’t matter. Not really.

His friends were gone. Pete had moved to Wichita with his mother. Chloe was still missing. And Lex…he had been avoiding the farm boy like the plague or the Lionel lackey equivalent of that stuff.

But worst of all, she had left. His heart and soul had flown the coop, fleeing the heartache left by Jor-El and Lionel to Paris. There Lana was going to art school. While she wrote at first, her letters had come less and less frequently. He suspected that she had met someone else. I guess I should be happy for her. Why can’t I be? The answer hit him quickly. Oh yeah, maybe it’s because I didn’t leave with Kara. Makes me wonder why I didn’t. The irony of this reversal didn’t evade him. After all, it had been him fleeing his life here in Smallville to find something better in Metropolis and her staying back there that had started this whole downward spiral in their relationship over the previous year.

“Clark?” Martha asked, walking up the stairs. “Clark, there’s someone here to see you. Please come down.”

“Not now, Mom,” he noted.

“Clark Kent, stop feeling sorry for yourself!” she declared. “Haven’t you put off people long enough?”

Clark looked at his mother and shrugged. “Whatever. My friends abandon me. So what do I care?”

She rolled her eyes. “I give up.” For that summer, she and Jonathan had tried to get him to move on. “If you want to try, fine,” she said to someone else.

Footsteps echoed up the stairs.

“Mom, cut it out,” Clark stated.

“Wrong gender, Clark,” Lex informed him, assessing the younger man. “I was hoping to talk if that’s all right?”

“About what? You want another report on me?” Clark asked sarcastically.

“Man, this is some chip you’ve got on your shoulder, isn’t it. Clark, do you think you’re the only one suffering right now? Come on!” the billionaire declared.

The Kryptonian sprung to his feet angrily. “You have no idea what’s going on!”

Lex arched an eyebrow at him. “You know something, Clark? You’re right. And therein lies your problem.”

“Excuse me?” Clark wondered.

“Clark, your friends get sick of you hiding things from us! You make everyone miserable when you do this!” the billionaire informed him, getting right in his face.

“And you tell us everything? That’s rich, Lex. You had me investigated right under my nose!” Clark retorted.

“Yes I did and I apologized! Look, Clark, I regret the room! I regret what your Dad found out! But if you would tell people what’s going on—if you would trust them, they would stick around!” Lex shot back. “This is ironic, you know?” He sat down and rubbed his scalp. “In fact, if it weren’t you and her, I’d say it was pathetic.”

“Hey, leave Lana out of this!” Clark spat.

“Well, I’ll be! Clark, you do still care! You see? You could have told her AND SHE’D STILL BE HERE!” Lex realized.

“I thought that you and her were getting along so well that you’d be able to do that! You know all of the advice? That conversation I found you two having in the mansion? I mean she’s so close to you and all!” Clark pointed out.

Lex laughed at the latest comment. “You think…that Lana and me? That we’re….” He shook his head. “Sorry, Clark, but that’s just too much.”

The remark only made Clark get angrier. “Then WHAT is it?”

“Look, Clark, you’ve got an overactive imagination, all right? We’re just business partners and friends. I thought you understood that! If you can’t trust us then you aren’t worth having as a friend either!” Lex retorted, storming down the stairs.

“ARRGH!” Clark bellowed. His anger and frustration clouded his judgment so badly that he put his fist through the wall, shaking the barn.

Right in front of Lex.

“That…hole. Clark, you did that!” he realized.

Tired of the lies, the farm boy retorted, “I did so sue me.”

At that moment, the memories came back from Morgan Edge’s estate and the car wreck.

“I really did see you get hit by the car! And you let them put me away?” Lex yelled at him. “Clark, how could you do that?”

“I nearly killed myself trying to get you out of there! Or don’t you remember that?” Clark shot back.

At that moment, Martha and Jonathan rushed up the stairs to see the damage and the two men arguing.

“What’s going on here?” the farmer demanded.

“That, Mr. Kent, is what I’d like to know! Why didn’t Clark tell me about this? After everything I’ve done to help this town, our friends and your family, you still don’t trust me! Mr. Kent, you’re here because of me, all right? You think I’m my father, don’t you? Well, I’m not!”

“Lex, please,” she begged.

“No, Mrs. Kent, I don’t want to hear it,” the billionaire declared; his eyes tearing up. “I thought you trusted me, Clark. Guess I should have known better. But yeah, I know you tried to save me. For that at least, I will keep your secret safe.”

Clark bowed his head, feeling ashamed but still angry. “Thanks for that at least, Lex.”

Lex nodded. “I’ll let myself out.” He walked briskly to his Porsche and speeding off into the gathering dusk. So much for friendship. As if I could trust such things!

****



Meantime back at the farm, Clark ran his hands through his hair and thought back over the previous two years. “Lex is right. I should have told him and Lana.”

“Now wait a minute, Son,” Jonathan interjected.

“No, Dad! We should have trusted them! Mom, remember when I was blind this past year?”

“How could any of us forget that?” she asked him.

“Remember what you told him about trusting others?” Clark inquired.

She closed her eyes and nodded. “Yes. You heard that? Of course you did. Clark, we want to protect you. But I thought we agreed that you’d tell Lana?”

“I was going to but then Pete got beaten up by Lionel’s FBI guy and then Kara showed up before I could. The story of my life,” Clark explained feeling even more frustrated than ever. “I tried to catch Lana at the airport but…I saw her with Lex and….”

Martha frowned. “You thought that Lex was moving in on her, didn’t you?”

He nodded.

“And that’s why you’ve been hiding here for the past four months other than chores and school?” his father wondered.

“Yeah,” Clark admitted.

“Clark, looks like we’ve all been guilty of jumping to conclusions. Look, maybe some new friends will show up. And well…you can always do your thing to Wichita to see Pete for a weekend. Well if Judge Ross is okay with it,” his mother declared. “Let’s give this matter some time to settle down and then we can all apologize to Lex.”

Jonathan rolled his eyes.

“I saw that, Jonathan!” she informed him, finger up in the air and a firm expression on her face. “Clark, we’ll get through this, all right?”

“Sure,” Clark agreed, offering her a little smile.

“Now that’s more like it!” she cheered, kissing him on the cheek. “Dinner will be ready in a few minutes.” She clomped down the stairs and toward the house.

Jonathan looked at his son. “Clark, now remember, Son, never cross a woman like that.”

“Dad, I hope I have the chance to take your advice,” Clark replied. Hopefully, I’ll get another chance with Lana.

“You will, Son. You will. Now let’s get some dinner,” his father instructed, as they followed in her footsteps.





Chapter 4 [Paris—a week later]

Lana sat in a tiny café in Paris’ Latin Quarter spending equal time between her art textbook and a French-English dictionary. She loved the old city and its charm. During the first three weeks before school started, she and her roommate, Jeanne-Marie Thibodeau, had explored it and the surrounding countryside on a whirlwind tour. However, once reality set in, the language and cultural barriers made life difficult. Unlike the preconceived notion that everyone speaks English to Americans, she found the opposite to be true instead. So she struggled with her speech and tried to sketch a few buildings.

At that moment, a familiar voice greeted, “Lana! Bonjour!”

She smiled to see a medium built dark haired American sit down across from her. Jason was from Metropolis and running from the same forces that she was. The big difference though was that he could parlez-vous Français like a native. “Jason!”

They kissed each other’s cheeks and looked at each other. During the previous months, their friendship had been expanding but she didn’t want to push it. She was still struggling over how to move past Clark.

“How’s the drawing?” he asked.

She shrugged, smiling to hide her embarrassment. “I just can’t get it. I’ve been practicing just as you suggested but it’s not working for me. Guess I just don’t have what it takes.”

“Maybe you need a break. I was coming to ask you about coming with me for the weekend,” he suggested.

She looked at him curiously. “Jason, we barely know each other. Is this wise?”

He replied, “My parents own a chateau in the Pyrennes a few hours from Lourdes. I’ve been telling them about you and they’d like to meet you. Just as friends?”

She rolled her eyes and grinned. I could use some time away. Okay! “Fine. As long as we keep it separate beds.”

“Sounds good to me,” he agreed. “I’ll want to leave tonight. Be ready at 7. We can grab dinner on the train ride to Lourdes.”

“See you then,” she agreed, as he left. “A weekend in the Pyrennes! This has got to be better than Smallville!” As she tried to imagine herself there, she couldn’t see her new friend there.

Instead, she saw Clark in of all things, a pair of snowshoes, trying to make his way around a snow field on top of a mountain.

Why do you continue to haunt me, Clark? Why? She wondered sadly while finishing her drink and leaving the area.



*****

[Lana’s Apartment—about 6:30 PM]

She walked into her apartment eager to start her packing. Hustling into her bedroom, she pulled out her duffel bag and opened the closet. “Some sweaters would be a good idea and there’s that winter coat I bought while I was with JM,” she told herself. Laying five sets of clothes out on the bed, she smiled. “That should do it!”

“That should do what? Bon soir, Lana, what is the occasion?” Jeanne-Marie wondered, entering the room.

“Jason invited me to visit his parents for the weekend. Just as friends of course,” Lana noted, as she folded her turtleneck tops.

“Just as friends?” Her roommate struggled with American English sometimes but she had seen American men take advantage of other girls. “Lana, be careful. You barely know this guy.”

“I know but he’s been so nice to me. I’ve insisted on separate accommodations, JM. Besides, I need some space,” Lana replied.

“Fall break will be coming up soon. If a trip is what you need, we could go to Marsailles and visit my family if you wish. Lana, please! You’re already hurting badly enough. I don’t want anything to happen,” her roommate pointed out.

Maybe at JM’s urging or perhaps for another reason, Lana did feel like something was out of place. She considered the thought for a minute before shaking it off. “I’ll be fine, JM.” She tossed her jeans, socks and other things into the bag before zipping it shut.

The Sorbonne sophomore put her hands up in resignation. “As you wish. But please call me when you get there.” Hearing a knock from the door, she answered it to find Jason there. “Bon Soir, Jason, come in.”

“Merci,” he expressed, entering the simply-furnished apartment with its second-hand couch, wooden bookshelves and the sparsely decorated walls. “Everything all right with you?”

“I’m getting by, as you Americans might say,” she replied evenly. Then she looked up at him. “This trip. It is a bit sudden. No?”

“Actually my parents and I have been planning it for two weeks now,” he explained, staring at her incredulously. “What is this about?”

“Concern for my roommate. Jason, I agree with Lana. So far, you’ve seem like a nice guy,” JM assessed. Her face went dark, changing like the sky before a storm. “Don’t do anything to change that.”

He shook his head. “Why would I do that? I just want Lana to have some peace of mind. Maybe get her mind off of that guy from Kansas that she won’t let go of.”

“Hey, guys,” Lana cut in, hauling her duffel bag into the living area. “What are you arguing about?”

“We’ve both got good intentions,” he indicated, glaring at JM. “It seems that certain people want to protect you more than others.”

Lana shook her head. I left Smallville for this reason! I couldn’t take Clark’s overprotectiveness! “JM, you’ve made your point. I’ll be fine. Jason, can I call here when we get to your parents?”

“Sure. Will that satisfy you?” he asked the overbearing roommate.

Non but I will take what I can get. JM conceded, “Fine. I apologize for worrying, Lana. You’re a nice person and I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I know. You remind me so much of …well…you know,” Lana indicated, kissing her on the cheek. “See you on Sunday night.”

I remind her of the farm boy, do I? That merited a smirk. I guess I have made an impression. “Oui. Remember….”

“Call if anything happens, I know,” Lana repeated the instructions as she walked out the door with Jason.

Watching as the pair headed for the Metro station two blocks to the west, JM frowned. Her instincts were rarely wrong when it came to these things. Well they were in one case. You did snow me, Alex. She opened the telephone table’s drawer and fished around toward the back of it. There she found the small folded up piece of paper she had placed there two months earlier. She unfolded the scrap and looked at it in her hands, considering whether or not she should place a call to the number on it. Lana is young but she is of age. Still I was asked to report anything unusual. She punched out the numbers on the telephone pad and let the phone ring.

“Lex Luthor,” Lex answered.

“Alex, it’s JM. She just left for the weekend with him,” JM reported.

“With this new guy? Where are they going?” he wondered.

“To visit his parents in the Pyrennes. Does this seem funny to you? This just came up today,” she noted.

“You and I did some last minute things together,” he recalled.

“Alex, stop it! Maybe we did but there was planning involved. Sorry but I am concerned,” she pointed out.

Lex considered her words. She does have decent instincts for these things. “Well there’s no law that says she can’t go with him.” Clark would disagree but then he had his chance. “When are they supposed to be back?”

“Sunday night,” JM indicated.

“All right. Here’s what we do. Call me when she gets back. I don’t care if you have to get to a payphone and do it collect. That’s fine,” he proposed.

“And if something happens?” she inquired.

“Call me immediately. I’ll deal with it,” he commented. “Thank you for letting me know, JM. You’re doing the right thing.” With that, he hung up.

I hope so, Alex. She curled into her favorite chair and fretted for a while.





Chapter 5
[Lourdes—The following morning]

Lana looked around the picturesque mountain town, admiring the scenery. While she found it odd that Jason had undertaken this journey when he was ill, she thought it was sweet that he wanted her to have a good time. “I’ll find him something for that cold. Chicken soup maybe?” She took in a deep breath of mountain air and snapped a couple of pictures with the digital camera Lex had given her before she left. These will make some great images. She looked back toward the hotel. Once again, that sense of foreboding came over her—that there was more to this sudden trip than met the eye. JM and Clark have made you paranoid, Lana. Relax. Let Jason rest a day here. He says that his parents will be here tonight to take us the rest of the way. If that doesn’t happen, then you call JM.

She took a deep breath, contenting herself on that decision. Now onto the shrine of Bernadette and to take in some more mountain views!

*****



[Hotel]

Meantime Jason sat in his room with the shades drawn. He had made up the story of his illness to cover the need to spend the day in the room. He bit into a crusty piece of French bread and drank from the lukewarm tea Lana had left for him before her departure. When he’d been recruited for this job, he was supposed to wait for an opportunity such as that one and bring her to his employers.

What he didn’t know was that her opposing bouts of naivety and insight could be endearing. Or that Lana was such a good person.

The phone rang.

“Oui?” he asked.

“Where is the dove?”

“Circling around in the mountain air,” he replied, trying to cover up his doubts.

“Good. She bought the illness story then. I’ll send your ‘parents’ to meet you both for dinner,” the caller explained, laying out his plan in detail. “Make sure you keep your perspective, mon Ami.”

“I will,” Jason promised. “And the canary? What of her?”

The caller coughed. “Annoying. The others had to bind its beak shut to quiet it. I should have clipped its wings sooner. Ah well, soon they will have met their purpose. Very well then. We’ll see you soon.” With that, the caller hung up.

Soon this will be over and not too soon as far as I’m concerned. He went back to his bed and took a nap. It will be a long night for me but for Lana, it will be longer still. Much longer.


*****



[That evening]

After a day of sightseeing and occasional checks on her friend, Lana prepared for dinner. As she checked her white blouse, gray sweater and dark slacks, she took a deep breath. Here we go! Why am I so nervous? They know I’m not Jason’s girlfriend. Well, I should be able to make a good impression at the very least for his sake. She smiled anxiously to her reflection, as she made a few last adjustments to her hair and left the room.

He waited for her by the stairs. Here we go. “You look great, Lana.”

She surveyed his clothes and concurred, “So do you, Jason. I’m glad you feel better.”

He almost made a comment about his mother’s presence and all that but remembering her background, he let it die unsaid. Don’t blow it by being stupid. “Follow me.” He led her downstairs to the hotel dining room. There she saw a middle aged couple waiting for them in the corner. “Those are your parents?”

“Yeah. They’re great,” he assured her, leading her toward the table. “Mom! Dad!”

The woman smiled and embraced him. “Jason, you’re looking better, son!”

Her husband walked over to Lana and offered his hand. “We’re happy to meet you, Lana. Jason’s told us all about you.”

“He has?” she inquired, glancing at her friend. “Jason’s a great friend, sir.”

“Thank you, Lana. We appreciate that. The waiter should be here in a minute. Can we get you something to drink?” the older man offered.

“A glass of pink zinfandel perhaps?” she requested. I’d better keep the drinking down to make a good impression. “Thank you.”

“Be back in a minute. Have a seat,” he acknowledged.

****



Dinner went great for all concerned. The chef’s lamb practically melted in their mouths as did the side dishes. The conversation was upbeat. The soufflé topped everything off wonderfully.

“Another coffee, Lana?” Jason’s mother offered.

“If you don’t mind. I don’t want to overdo,” Lana replied.

“Nonsense. That’s fine. I’m getting one for myself.” The elder woman went over to the bar and poured two coffees. Then making sure that nobody was watching, she placed two small white pills in one of them before fixing it the way Lana liked it. The hawk wishes our dove to sleep. So be it. She came back over to the table and gave the doctored cup to Lana. “There you go.”

“Thank you,” the guest accepted, taking a drink. “I appreciate this.”

“I’m sure you do,” Jason’s mother assured her kindly, giving their companions a smile. Then she looked at her watch. “Goodness me! It’s getting on for 9:00. We’d best stay here for the night. Wouldn’t you say, Paul?”

Her husband nodded. “Indeed, Marie.”

Lana blushed. “Sorry that I kept us so late. I’ll pay you back for the room somehow.”

“Don’t worry, Lana,” Jason assured her. “Everything’s fine. So we get some extra rest before taking off in the morning? No sweat.”

The teenager stifled a yawn and felt a sudden wave of drowsiness surge through her. “I guess. Wow! Excuse me. Sorry about that.”

“You’ve had a long day of sightseeing and worrying about Jason. We understand. Get some rest, Lana. Is it all right if we leave by 7:30?” Paul reassured her.

“That would be great,” Lana agreed. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to pack. It was nice meeting all of you. Good night.” With that, she headed toward the stairs.

When she was out of earshot, Marie nodded. “You’re right, Jason. She’s very trusting.”

“Did you?” Paul asked, motioning to the cup.

“I did,” she noted. “Give her an hour and she’ll be out cold. Jason, you have the spare key to her room, right?”

“Right. I’ll take care of everything,” he agreed. “Be ready to check out by 11.” With that, he left the area, heading for his own room.

His “parents” considered the scene, knowing that the hawk’s aims were about to be met.

*****


[Two hours later]

Jason entered Lana’s room and inspected things. Sure enough, the duffel bag was packed. Her clothes for the next day waited for the next morning.

Best of all, the drug had indeed knocked Lana out.

He signaled to his collaborators.

Marie walked in and did her own visual sweep. Thankfully, the chill outside insured their victim wore her sweats to bed. “I’ll get her things. Take her to the back. Jason, see you at the desk in five minutes.”

Jason and Paul took Lana down the back stairs toward the waiting car.

Once alone, Marie closed the door and focused on the mirror.

Her image shimmered and seemed to shift, going from middle-aged to younger. Her hair fell to her shoulders and took on a darker shade. Her body grew thinner.

The face smirked, now clad in its familiar guise. The guise of one thought dead for the past two years.

Tina Greer checked the room, making sure that she accounted for everything. As she stuffed her friend’s clothes into a bag, she ran the fabric between her fingers. “Same old Lana. Nice to see some things haven’t changed.” Once she was ready to leave, she changed back into “Marie.” “Too easy.”

With that, she left the scene, heading for the desk and check out.






Chapter 6 [Mountain house—Dawn, the following morning]

The kidnappers’ vehicle, a gray SUV, trudged its way through the dark mountain night, negotiating paths that only a deranged billy goat would tread. Finally, just as pink highlighted the eastern sky, the vehicle stopped in front of a two story stone structure.

“We’re here,” Paul indicated. “Help ‘Marie’ with her.”

Jason nodded, taking Lana’s shoulders while his female accomplice took her feet. They entered the structure cautiously, making sure that everything was secure.

“I see you made it,” a shadowy figure presumed. “My friend and I are delighted. She’s unharmed?”

“As promised,” “Marie” agreed. “Is her cage ready?”

“Indeed,” a slender man with intense eyes, short dark hair and a cocky attitude concurred. “Only the best for our dear Miss Lang. That is what you’d want, right?”

She indicated, “Remember our deal, Garner.”

“Oh I know. You’ll get her when I get Clark Kent,” the scientist replied pointedly. “Wouldn’t you say, Hawk?”

“Indeed,” the shadow man concurred. “Meantime, get our dove into her cage. Maybe that’ll keep the canary quiet for a while.”

“Right,” “Marie” agreed, carrying Lana down the stairs into the cellar. Heading off toward the side, she made her way toward a locked oak door. “Here we go. Your new room, Lana.”

Beside her, Jason unlocked and opened the door. “There you go.”

“Thanks,” she deadpanned, grabbing the keys from him. “Get your ass upstairs. I’ll deal with this.” As soon as he was gone, she continued down the additional passage behind the door before stopping at a room right at its end. “Just a minute,” she told the sleeping girl before unlocking the door.

As she opened that one, she saw that Hawk had put the cages in with decent beds as promised. “Not bad. Certainly better than Kent and the others deserve but not for Lana.” She set Lana on the bed in one of the cells, walked out and shut the door behind her.

Behind her, a voice demanded, “Hey! What’s she doing here? You’d better not have hurt her!”

Shifting appearances again, Tina glared at the prisoner. “You really do have a big mouth, Sullivan! SHUT UP!”

Chloe returned the look with one of her own, shaking the bars. “So help me, we’ll get out of here somehow!”

“Yeah, yeah….I know. You’re waiting for Clark to rescue you. I imagine he’ll be here soon,” Tina announced with a dose of cynicism. “After all, he can’t resist Lana. You’ll just be an additional enticement. Besides, having you will make his bald buddy reckless. Have to run. She should be up soon.” With that, she slammed the door, locking it behind her.

Chloe rattled the cell door yet again, wanting to get to her friend. The previous four months had been hell. After the safe house exploded, the so-called FBI team drugged her. The next thing she knew she had been there—wherever there was. Now they have Lana too. She sat down on her bed hard, throwing her shoe against the bars. And they’re going to use us to get to Clark and Lex. Terrific!

The sound brought Lana out of the drug’s influence. She groaned, rubbing her forehead. “What hit me?” Her eyes fluttered open and she looked at the ceiling. “This isn’t my room! Where am I?”

“Welcome to my nightmare,” Chloe declared.

Lana’s eyes went wide. “Chloe?” She sat up slowly and looked at the cage. Oh great. This again! “Where are we?”

“Don’t know. I’ve been here for the past four months,” the reporter remarked. “Stringy hair, bad fingernails and a diet that rots. At least the company’s improved.”

“Thanks for that at least, Chloe,” Lana expressed. “The last thing I remember was eating dinner with my friend, Jason, and his parents in Lourdes.”

“Oh I see. So we’re in France,” Chloe realized. “That might explain the meals.”

“I don’t get this! What happened to him and his parents?” Lana asked.

“Was one of them a heavy set woman with dark hair?”

“That’s his mother. Why? Is she okay?” Lana asked anxiously.

Chloe shook her head and rubbed her forehead. “I don’t know how to tell you this, Lana, but you’ve been set up. She locked you in there. Talk about a blast from our past.”

“Excuse me?” Lana asked. “Chloe, she couldn’t have!”

“Oh but I did,” Marie indicated, walking into the room with Paul and Jason.

“Jason! What are you doing?” Lana demanded.

“I’m working with them. Tough break,” he replied. “Better luck next time.”

“I trusted you! And you did this to me?” Lana demanded.

“Typical Lana. Stop with the drama queen stuff already, will you?” Marie hissed before shifting into Tina. “Bars look good on you, you know.”

Lana stared incredulously. “You’re dead! Clark and I saw your body in the alley!”

“After he killed me in the alley, you mean?” Tina supposed. “I had help, didn’t I?”

“You did indeed,” Garner noted, walking into the area. “I don’t believe we’ve met, Miss Lang. I’m Dr. Garner.”

“You’re that monster from Sommerholt! The one who did those things to Ryan!” Lana realized angrily.

“The things people say about me. I suppose you had a role in that, Miss Sullivan?” the scientist asked.

“I didn’t need to. We saw your handiwork for ourselves. What’s next? Switching our brains with monkeys or something?” Chloe retorted, not giving an inch.

“In your case, that might be an improvement but actually no. Tina wants your cellmate here. Clark’s the one I want for my guinea pig. You two are going to get him for me,” Garner clarified.

“We’ll never help you hurt him!” Lana protested.

Garner shrugged. “You don’t have to do a thing except sit on that bed. Events are already in motion. By the end of next week, we’ll have him.”

“You’re sick!” Lana declared.

He looked at Lana and then asked Tina, “You’re thinking what I’m thinking?”

“She never changes. You can take her out of the country but you can’t take Kent from her heart,” Tina cracked, grinning at the prisoners. “Be by to see you two in a bit.”

“Enjoy each other’s company,” Garner added, as he and the others left, locking the door behind them.

“So much for my great weekend or art school for that matter,” Lana commented, testing the bars in front of her.

“They’re solid steel. You’re not going to pry them apart. No matter how hard you try,” Chloe informed her.

“I can’t let them use me to get Clark here!” Lana insisted.

“Use us, Lana. I’m sharing these five star accommodations with you, remember?” Chloe reminded her. “Besides they’re going to want more than Clark. Knowing Garner, they want Lex too.”

“Lex?” The former cheerleader asked. “Why him?”

“Lex turned on Garner a few months ago. I suspect it’s tied to Clark,” the reporter explained.

“And he helped get Tina back on her feet,” Lana realized.

“Give her the prize,” Chloe replied. “Seriously, Lana, while I’m sorry you’re stuck here, at least you’re here with me.”

“I can imagine being alone here for four months would be horrible. I feel the same way, Chloe,” Lana agreed. “We can hold out against what they’ll do to us.”

“And get ready to help the guys when they get here,” Chloe added, giving a tug on the bars for emphasis.

Somehow, they determined to be ready whenever the chance became available.





Chapter 7 [Tuesday night—Torch office]

Clark sat in the office, checking the editorial proofs for the next issue. After listening to Lex and his parents, he decided to try and resurrect certain aspects of his life. Maybe if I tread water long enough, it’ll all come back. To his credit, his announcement had found a few interested classmates willing to try things out.

Behind him on the drawing board, the mockups for the next issue were complete.

Then he heard a knocking at the door. “Yes?”

“Mr. Kent, do you have a minute?” Principal Reynolds asked.

The younger man’s eyes went wide as he saw the hulking administrator standing in the door. During the latter’s first days, he was constantly after Clark. Since then, he had backed off a bit. “Principal Reynolds, I was going to talk to you in the morning.”

“I see,” the principal replied, looking around the newsroom. “It still feels like Miss Sullivan is here, doesn’t it?”

“With all due respect, I wish she were. Then I wouldn’t have to be doing this,” Clark declared.

“Oh? Then why are you taking up this charge, Mr. Kent?” Reynolds asked.

“I owe it to Chloe to see her dream through. Besides someone needs to report school news responsibly for the students, faculty and community. Since Chloe trusted me, I need to carry on at least until another person’s ready. Mr. Reynolds, can I ask you something?” Clark explained.

“Certainly,” Reynolds agreed, liking what he was hearing so far.

“Once you told me that you felt I was wandering aimlessly. I think I know what you meant now. If someone has a responsibility to do something, then they have to do it even if they would rather be doing something else. Do you think that’s a fair statement?” Clark asked.

Reynolds studied the young man carefully, recalling the last two years’ experiences. My word! Can it be that Clark Kent is growing up? “That, Mr. Kent, is the measure of adulthood. How’s the paper coming?”

“All but two of the newbies met their deadlines and they straggled in a couple of minutes late. If you want, the mock ups are ready,” the student offered. “Come and see.”

The principal scanned the ten pages of mock edition on the drawing board and looked at the young man again. “And you did this in a week from nothing. Mr. Kent, let’s put this edition to bed. Very nice work.”

Clark grinned as he printed the computer copy. “Thank you, sir.”

“You’re welcome. Keep up the good work. Now let’s finish this. Rogers’ Press closes at midnight and we have three hours,” Reynolds urged, helping Clark to collect the pages and put them in an art portfolio. “Can I give you a ride?”

“I’d appreciate it. My folks are away this week and they took the truck. I don’t want to be any trouble,” Clark accepted.

“I live to reward such ingenuity, Mr. Kent. Let’s get this done and I’ll give you a ride home,” Reynolds assured him.

Just after they left, the phone started ringing and kept going for a while after that.

*****


[Kent Farm—10:30]

Reynolds stopped his car right in front of the Kent house. As he and Clark had approached, they noticed that there was a familiar vehicle waiting for them: a jet black Porsche.

“What’s he doing here?” Reynolds wondered. “Mr. Kent, should I call the sheriff?”

“Not yet,” Clark asked, getting out of the car. “Lex?”

The billionaire looked at him from the porch step on which he’d been sitting. “I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for the past three hours here, the Talon and school. Where have you been?”

“Torch comes out tomorrow. Principal Reynolds helped me get the proofs to the press so we could make deadline. Chloe wouldn’t miss a deadline and until she comes back, I won’t either,” Clark vowed. Then he noticed something besides anger in the other’s eyes.

Lex’s eyes showed concern but more noteworthy, there was fear mixed with outrage there.

“Mr. Luthor, what is your business out here?” the principal demanded.

“Not tonight, Mr. Reynolds,” the billionaire countered firmly.

“I will call the police, Mr. Luthor! So help me!” Reynolds threatened.

“It’s okay, sir,” Clark assured him. “I can handle this. Lex and I have something very important to talk about. Don’t we, Lex?”

“Absolutely. Thank you, Clark. We’ll see you later, Mr. Reynolds. Thank you for the concern for his welfare. Don’t worry, I won’t harm him in any way,” Lex assured them both.

“See that you don’t or there won’t be a place you’ll hide from me,” Reynolds vowed. There had been enough damage done to his student body of late. He aimed to stop that trend right where it was. He took off into the night.

When the principal had left, Lex declared, “Keeping the Torch going is an admirable thing, Clark. I’m proud that you’re honoring Chloe’s friendship like that.”

“There’s also a piece about the Talon in there too, giving you and Lana credit for the work you’ve been doing there,” Clark added.

“I’ll definitely need to see that edition,” Lex agreed, trying to keep a calm façade.

“Lex, what you said about trust, it woke me up. I know it’s too late but I’m sorry,” Clark apologized. “Call all of this a first step.”

The older man nodded. “And a hell of a one it is, Clark. I’m proud of you. Apology accepted. By the way, can you come to the mansion? We need to talk.”

“Lex, it’s almost 11 and it’s a school night,” Clark pointed out. Just then, he heard the phone ringing in the house. “Now who could that be?” He sped to the door, unlocked it and answered the phone in a few minutes flat. “Hello?”

“Hello, Clark, do you know who this is?” a familiar voice asked.

Clark’s eyes narrowed as he indeed recognized the voice. “Dr. Garner, what do you want?”

“Temper, temper, Clark. I am calling from such a long distance away. There’s someone who wants to talk with you,” Garner taunted.

“Who do you know that I would want to talk to?” Clark seethed.

“Clark? Is that you?” Lana asked in a weak voice.

“Lana? Are you okay? Where are you?” he immediately inquired, feeling the concern surfacing again.

“Clark, listen to me, Garner has Chloe and me. There’s a package waiting for you at Lex’s with instructions. Read it and follow them. Please be careful, Clark,” Lana stated before the phone was ripped away.

With his super hearing, Clark could hear Lana cry out in pain as she hit something hard. “Garner!”

“Yes, Clark? Oh don’t worry, she just tripped. It’s nothing serious. But how did you know that? Interesting question now isn’t it?”

“Get on with it,” Clark urged.

“Always in such a hurry, aren’t you? Well, Mr. Kent, this time—I’m the one in control. Deal with it. You heard your girlfriend. The packet at Lex’s mansion. Read it and call me for further instructions. If you don’t follow them, your pretty friends die slowly and painfully. Got it? Good!” With that, the line went dead.

Clark had to resist the urge to crush the receiver in his hand.

“That was Garner, wasn’t it?” Lex asked.

“Did you get a packet for me?” Clark inquired.

“Along with one for me,” Lex stated. “Come on, I’ve asked Nelson to have coffee ready. Hope your super talents include foregoing sleep because you’re going to need that.”

****



[Mountain lodge—Pyrennes]

Garner smiled. “He never changes. This is going to be easier than I thought.”

“You are way too sure of yourself! Why were you asking if Clark could hear me fall?” Lana demanded, as Tina pulled her off the floor. “Everyone seems to think he has powers or something.” Granted I suspect too but I’m not saying anything.

“Miss Lang, I can’t believe you don’t know that answer by now,” Garner replied. “Put her back in the cell.”

“With pleasure. Come on, Lana, let’s go,” Tina instructed, pushing her back into the passageway.

Feeling how sensitive her left ankle was, Lana didn’t want to push her luck with Tina at the moment. Be careful, Clark!





Chapter 8 [Luthor Castle—Midnight, Wednesday morning]

Lex served coffee for both Clark and himself and closed the doors. “I had the room swept for bugs before we started just to make sure things were on the up and up.”

“Thanks, Lex. Not that I don’t trust you but you taught me about being thorough,” Clark indicated, sweeping the area with his x-ray vision. “Yeah. We’re set. Never hurts to check.”

The billionaire smiled at his friend’s seriousness. “Not with something this important on the line.” He brought the packet in question to his friend. “There it is. Don’t worry. There’s no bomb in there although the x-ray did show something interesting.”

“What?” Clark asked, tearing the envelope open to find a folded note and the charm bracelet he had given to Lana during her last birthday. “At least we know it’s her,” he assessed while reading the note.


Mr. Kent,

By now, you know that we indeed have your precious Lana. Indeed, the bracelet was taken off of her just last night. Know that we also have Chloe Sullivan. Yes, she is alive and as mouthy as ever! To get them back, we don’t need money or valuables from your rich friend. There’s something more valuable that we want and that’s you.

Lex Luthor will fly with you to Europe under similar instructions. He knows where to go and what you’ll need to do. It’ll require you to skip school but then these are Lana and Chloe we’re talking about… One of my associates, a girl named Tina says hello by the way.

And, Mr. Kent, no police or they die. And especially--NO SUPER STUNTS or they die.

Once you read this, call +33 (01) 779-345-9087 ext. 278 and say that you understand.

The Kidnappers.


“I can’t believe this!” Clark exclaimed. “How could they know about me? And how could they have brought Tina Greer back?”

“You have been pretty obvious at Sommerholt between breaking Ryan out and then, breaking in. Besides, I heard that Garner had you in there,” Lex indicated. “As for Tina, there are my father’s experiments. This is trouble.”

“You’ve got that right. He lowered me into some tank. I got out but I don’t remember how,” Clark indicated.

“Anyhow, Garner has figured it out and so have the other kidnappers. If I didn’t find out before, they would have exposed you tonight,” Lex declared, handing his friend the other memo along with Chloe’s golden necklace. “I gave her that just before she and Gabe went into hiding as a token of my gratitude.”

“We’re going to get them back, Lex,” Clark asserted before reading the letter:


Mr. Luthor,

Please note that we have your friends in our sights. As of Saturday, we hold Lana Lang and Chloe Sullivan at a hidden location. Miss Lang’s roommate, Miss Thibodeau, is targeted and will be executed by snipers if you don’t comply.

We know what you’re thinking. We don’t want your bank bonds, money, investments or properties. Any common crackpot would demand those and they’re too easily traced as we all know. No, Mr. Luthor, we want two assets in exchange for the lives of our guests and Miss Thibodeau—you and Clark Kent. Yes, we said Clark Kent. You may not be aware of this but the boy has tricked you into thinking he’s normal. Truth is, he’s unlike any being we’ve ever seen—human, meteor freak, animal or mineral. And he can do amazing things. It’s almost amusing to see him dupe you, playing you like a sucker. Who would have thought a country boy could do that to the mighty Lex Luthor?

The next stage involves a few things. First, you are to get Kent back to your mansion and give him the packet which accompanies this one. Then you both are to go to Metropolis and take one of your planes to Paris. Proceed to the art school and meet with Miss Thibodeau. Once there, we will call with instructions.

Kent’s envelope contains another piece to the puzzle. Oh and Mr. Luthor, no police, no FBI or official interference of any kind or the ladies take a fall if you get our meaning.

The Kidnappers.

“Those were delivered at noon today,” Lex noted.

“Lex, I need to call that number on my letter,” Clark indicated. “It said that it was time sensitive.”

“Probably is,” the billionaire assumed. “Go ahead. There’s a trace on the phone next to you.”

“Thanks,” Clark accepted, dialing the number on his note.

At that number, the machine answered, “If you are Clark Kent, please say yes.”

“Yes,” he answered.

“Good,” the automated message answered. “Did you read the message?”

“Yes,” he answered.

“Did you understand the instructions?”

“I understand them,” Clark muttered.

“Very well. Proceed with Lex Luthor to Paris. He’ll know exactly what to do. Have a safe trip,” the machine concluded before signing off.

Clark slammed the receiver down, nearly breaking it. “Have a safe trip, it says! This is a joke to them!”

“Actually, Clark, Garner’s playing us both right now,” Lex indicated before taking another drink of his coffee.

“And how’s that?”

“He knows that you can be impulsive and reckless. As I said, think of Ryan at Sommerholt, me at the asylum and the incident with that bully from KU. He’s threatening Lana to make you panic even more,” Lex explained.

“And how is this playing you?” Clark wondered.

“Well, let’s see. There is the fact that they have Chloe and Lana. Lana’s roommate is an old friend of mine. My money won’t do any good. And then, there’s the fact that you played me, Clark. All intended shots at my ego. Nice tries but my head’s still firmly on my shoulders,” Lex informed him. “In fact, if my father weren’t in jail, I’d say he was the mastermind behind this plot.”

As Lex mentioned Chloe’s name, Clark heard the other’s pulse rate rise. “What is it, Lex?”

“Clark, I didn’t say anything,” Lex replied.

“But your pulse rate went up when you talked about Chloe,” Clark insisted. He grinned. “Ah ha! I’ve been so dumb!”

“I told you that I wasn’t trying to come between you and Lana, Clark. Maybe now you’d believe me?” the billionaire affirmed.

“Once again, Lex, I’m sorry,” Clark apologized. “We need to get to Paris but I don’t have a passport.”

“Leave that to me,” Lex informed him. “Meantime, I had Nelson prepare a room for you. Tomorrow morning, I’ll send a member of the staff over to tend to your parents’ animals and house sit while we’re gone. We’re also going to need back up. Any ideas?”

Clark thought a minute and then, he shook his head. “Pete can’t help us and….”

“I can speak to Byron and his mother,” Lex interrupted.

“And there may be one more person we can try. It’s a long shot but she might want to help us,” Clark stated.

“Who?” Lex asked. After Clark whispered the answer, he stared at him. “Are you kidding?”

“Desperate times call for desperate gambits, Lex. And this is one of those times,” Clark assessed. “Well, I need to be getting some sleep. Thanks for talking and good night, Lex.”

“Good night, Clark. Don’t worry. We’re secure here,” Lex assured him.

Yeah right. Sorry, Lex, but I won’t feel secure until we have them back. With that, he headed off for bed, waiting to hatch the next stage of his plan.

Onto Part 2