Hawaiian Paradise (Dubois Chronicles 1.27)
DJ Dubois
Originally Written August 1987; Revised December 2005

Rating: M (Mature): Language, some fighting, adult themes, sexual encounters.  IF YOU AREN'T 17, FIND ANOTHER STORY TO READ!!!!!  Thanks for your attention!

Xover Notice:  This story mainly deals with Smallville but there are references to Xena, Mutant X and Forever Knight.

Notes: Smallville belongs to DC and the WB. Xena Warrior Princess belongs to StudiosUSA and Renaissance Studios. The characters from “Forever Knight” belong to Sony Tri-Star. Adam Kane is from “Mutant X” which belongs to Marvel Studios. All other characters are mine. Please send comments to dante0220@yahoo.com .

 


Introduction [Queen’s Hut—Amazon Village c. 90 AD]

Gabrielle, Bard-Queen of the Amazons, writes….

After the adventure in the north, David and the others stayed occupied with their studies and lives. All concerned wanted to finish their affairs before Dahak attacked again. For April, Frank and Steven, the knowledge weighed on them heavily. To their credit, they remained at David’s side.

At this point, the need to relax met up with practical necessity in Smallville. Accordingly, Lillian invited David and Karen to join her, Lana’s parents, her family and a “baseball team” (whatever that is) in Hawaii. Opportunities knocked for everyone….Even Lewis had something in store for Laura.

During this time, Lionel did something truly horrible. For it was here that he took the pictures we saw in the Talon later. Under the guise of doing something charitable, he undermined everything.




Chapter 1 [Amherst, McKnight Field—three weeks following “Misadventures”]

Dave blew an icy cold breath, watching it hang in the frigid air. Although no snow covered the ground, winter still held the region fast. Most afternoons, he spent in his room studying his notes and putting the Big Report together. Another night’s work and I’ll be done! Finally! He thought about all that he had been through to do it. Once I finish reconstructing the whole thing, we’ll have an idea of what we’re up against.

“Dubie, come on.” Charles nudged him.

“Huh?” Dave shook himself back to reality to see his catcher frowning. “What’s wrong?”

“You’ve got that look again,” his friend pointed out. “Snap out of it. Coach is waiting.”

Dave cursed silently while getting off of the bench and removing his coat. Over his sweatshirt, a beige padded fishing vest insulated his chest. He flexed his arms to increase circulation while stepping on the mound. Come on, Dubois, you can do this! For the previous year, he had waited for his chance to try out for the high school varsity baseball team. He looked over at the white haired stocky man watching him from the third base coaching box. “Let me know when you’re ready, Coach.”

Tom McDaniel nodded, offering no expression either way. While he normally insisted everyone come up through the ranks, he knew that it wouldn’t be fair to the young man to deny him a chance to try out especially after all the latter had been through. Besides, if half of what Charles had reported to him, Dave would be the answer to the hole in the bullpen.

Charles yelled out, “Just like at the Cape.” He flashed a sign between his legs.

Dave went into his motion, snapping a curve into the younger man’s glove.

“Again. Same pitch,” the coach urged.

Dave repeated the procedure, putting the ball dead center in the mitt.

The catcher eyed the coach and gave a different sign with his fingers.

Slider. The pitcher slung that toss toward the plate, just missing the target by a hair.

“Again.”

Dave grimaced and went into his motion. This time, he hit the glove again.

“Better,” Charles called out.

The coach looked over at his dugout where three other teens sat waiting. “Jones! Get up there!”

Harry Jones shrugged, grabbing the aluminum bat and heading for the plate. There, he waited. “Bring it, Dubois!”

Dave threw the slider but took something off of it.

Jones swung and missed the slider, then the curve and finally missed the forkball. “What was that last one? Coach, check that ball!”

“It’s clean, Jones. Repold, you’re next.”

The stocky African-American hitter leaned over the plate. “You aren’t goin’ in there again!”

“I wouldn’t do that,” the catcher advised while putting down some fingers.

“Make me move, Alvarez,” Repold dared him.

Dave purposefully missed inside, making the batter jump back. “Stay in the lines, Repold.”

“You did that on purpose!”

“It was a strike. Get back in there,” Dave advised pointedly before hitting the corner. “That’s two.”

On the third pitch, Repold connected, driving the pitch off of the left center field wall with a loud thud. “See? You ain’t so hot!”

“Get back in there,” the coach directed. “Relax, Dubois.”

Dave nodded and threw a slider.

Repold hit a ground ball back to Dave. “I can’t believe I didn’t get that!”

“All right!” the coach called out. “I’ve seen enough! Dubois?”

“Yes, Coach?” he asked.

“Sorry, Son, you didn’t make it. You’re too inconsistent. Then there's your delivery,” the coach informed him.

“Excuse me? Sir, I….” Dave bit back any further response, feeling his head go numb. Why do I even bother? He trudged off of the mound and removed his glove quickly. With a glare toward the older man, he left without further comment.

“Coach, what’s going on? You knew Dave throws sidearm. With all due respect, what’s the deal?” Charles insisted.

“Can’t have someone like that. He either does it my way or he’s not on the team,” McDaniel insisted. “You’re lucky I need a catcher, Alvarez. Otherwise, you’d be gone too.”

Charles frowned. I should just quit right now. Then again, Dad would kill me. I’ll talk to him later. He unstrapped his gear and flung it into the bag. As his friend had, he departed quietly.

The older man shook his head. “Unreal.” Seeing Steve Petersen watching the whole thing, he sighed. There’s going to be trouble over this. So help me…..


****


[Cemetery—Ten minutes later]

Charles rushed into Center Cemetery, looking for his friend frantically. I really wish he’d go some place beside this! “Dave!”

“Here,” Dave muttered, kneeling before his grandfather’s stone. “I really want to be alone.”

“Look, Dave, I’m sorry about that. I had no idea.”

“I don’t blame you. I just need some time, okay?” the older teen requested.

“Just don’t pull another disappearing act,” Charles advised before departing.

“After everything, they still doubt me,” Dave said morosely to the granite.

“Especially after everything that’s happened,” Mrs. Colavitto indicated after appearing on the scene. “I’m sorry.”

“As I just said to Charles, you’re not responsible. Don’t worry about it,” he responded. “What does he know? He’d rather torch another year. The guys on that team deserve better than to lose due to his anal attitude!”

“He is the coach. Still, be patient. Your opportunity is coming. Trust in our friends,” she assured him before vanishing.

They’re all I have left. He got up and headed for the gate, looking for something.

He just didn’t know what—at least not yet.



Chapter 2
[Cappuccino Express]

Steve stalked into the café feeling outraged by the “tryout.” As Sports editor, he wanted to handle this himself and be on site when Dave got the nod. He’s been working so hard with Charles! He thought about the newly rediscovered knowledge of the Witch and her activities. After everything, he deserves a break!

“Steve? What’s going on?” Karen asked with concern. “Where’s Dave?”

“In the cemetery, I’d imagine,” he retorted tersely.

For the past hour, she had picked up on Dave’s depression but couldn’t figure out why. “He didn’t get it?”

“Nope.”

She winced. “He messed it up?”

He shook his head. “Actually, he wasn’t bad. He gave up one hit. The coach doesn’t want a sidearmer on the team.”

“That’s it? Of all the….!” She felt her own bile biting at her stomach. Great. And I can’t get away. “You just missed Garth and April although that might be a good thing. He and the other guys on the team were just here talking about how great it would be to have Dave pitching for them.”

“His stuff is definitely better than anyone they have now,” he assessed, taking the cocoa. “Dave’s pissed.”

“Yeah,” she agreed, feeling her boyfriend’s feelings loud and clear. She poured him a cup of coffee. “I’ll check on him, all right? I don’t want any torch jobs on the team in the paper. While I’d like to see one, we have to stay on the high road.”

“I know,” he muttered while taking the hot drink and paying her. “Don’t worry. Right now, I’m going home and cooling off.” He turned and left.

Terrific. She saw several of the baseball players looking at her with concern. And now, they’re stirred up. [“Dave?”]

[“Yeah?” her boyfriend answered. “Are you all right?”]

[“I’m fine. Steve told me what happened. Sorry I can’t get away,” she apologized. “Can we talk when I get home?”]

[“Fine,” he retorted. “Sorry, I’m not doing too well right now.”]

[“Hang in there. I love you,” she declared.]

[“You do the same,” he agreed, tuning out.]

Why do these things have to happen? She took the coffee pot and started her rounds of the tables making sure everyone had a full cup. When she got to the baseball players’ table, she asked, “Refills, guys?”

“Hey, Karen, we overheard Petersen talking with you,” one of them told her.

“I gathered as much. Then you know as much as I do,” she replied. “I wish the coach hadn’t done that.”

Another athlete agreed, “We need him. Coach calls the shots though.”

“Unfortunately. Sorry, guys, it’s been a long day,” she apologized.

“We’re disappointed too, Karen,” the first athlete assured her. “Especially if he’s half as good as your brother says he is. Can you let Dave know?”

“I sure will. He’ll appreciate that,” she concurred. “Thanks, guys.” With that, she went back to the counter, wondering how she was going to deal with this latest situation.



Chapter 3 [Alvarez House—7:00 PM]

After he got home, Dave went right to his room, not wanting to expose the others to his brooding. He had taken the long way home, allowing himself to think on what had happened. Face it, Dave, you aren’t meant to enjoy normal things like most people. He sighed and took out his notes. I can get these read and finished.

No sooner did he do so, than he heard a knock at the door. “Yes?"

Dr. Alvarez poked his head in. “Got a minute, Dave?”

Dave took a deep breath. “For you, sure. I guess I made a real fool of myself today.”

The superintendent looked at him with confusion. “How do you figure that? I’ve heard the opposite from Steve Petersen and Charles. You didn’t blow.”

The teenager wiped his eyes. “Yeah. Fat lot of good that does me.”

“Actually, it does you a lot of good.” Dr. Alvarez sat down next to him. “I’m sorry about what happened today, Dave. It’s not right and I intend to investigate it. For now though, I’m proud of how you’re handling it.”

“Then why does it hurt? Why do I keep being cheated?” Dave demanded testily. “Ever since the funeral, I’m seen as a freak. I might as well be back in Rowenshire.”

“Dave, we don’t see you that way and you know it,” the elder man countered.

“I wasn’t referring to you or the family, Dr. A,” Dave argued.

“People are afraid of what they don’t understand. There is something going on inside of you that’s scary and dark. You have baggage to deal with that few could. From what we saw with those goons from last winter, Quebec and in the cemetery, I have to admit that there’s a lot that intimidates me.” He shrugged. “But then, I know you’re a quality young man. You’re a great friend to Caroline and Charles. You more than pull your weight around here. I’ve never seen Karen so happy as she has been for the last year. You’re four months away from graduation despite the odds against it. Keep your head up, Dave. We’ll figure something out.” He glanced at the cards and notes. “How’s it coming?”

“I’ve got about a third of it done,” Dave informed him. “Hopefully, by Monday, I’ll finish it.”

The sooner the better. “Okay. Hang in there,” he indicated before leaving the room.

“Dr. A?”

He stuck his head back in the room.

“Thanks for caring.”

Dr. Alvarez smiled warmly at him. “De nada, Amigo. It’s our pleasure.” With that, he left.

Maybe there’s hope after all…..


****


Jeannie watched as her husband joined her in the kitchen. “How’s he doing?”

He sat down at the table and sipped from his coffee cup. “I’m worried. He’s too quiet about this.”

“He doesn’t want to bother us with any more problems, Ricardo. Not after what happened in Canada,” she reminded him.

“I know. I just wish he knew it was okay. I can handle normal teenage stuff, Jeannie. The hocus pocus is beyond me though,” he lamented.

“At least he’s trying to work with us,” she commented as the phone rang. “Hello?”

“Hi, Mrs. Alvarez, it’s Laura Potter from Smallville. Sorry to call so late. I was wondering how this afternoon went?” Laura started.

“That’s all right, Laura. Actually…”

Laura sighed, “What happened?”

“I’ll let you talk to Dr. Alvarez,” she indicated, handing the receiver to him. “It’s Laura Potter.”

He nodded. “Hi, Laura. How’s everyone out there?”

“We’re all fine. It’s a little slow but that’s Smallville for you! So, umm…what happened with Dave’s tryout?” she replied.

He responded, “I wasn’t there but several of his friends and classmates were. They said Dave did all right but the coach won’t give him a place because of the way he throws the ball.”

“Excuse me? That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard! You mean to tell me after all that Dave’s been through with rehab and everything that the coach said no based on the fact that he throws sidearm? You can do something, I hope?” Laura exclaimed furiously.

“I intend to. Meantime, Dave’s working on that other project too. He says it should be done by next week,” he reported.

“That’s good news at least,” she agreed. “It’s amazing. I’ve been trying to get this information for a couple of years. He’s wrapped it up in just a few months.”

“You mind telling him that? He’s upstairs but I’m sure he’d like to hear you say it,” he requested.

“Put him on,” she agreed.

Dr. Alvarez rushed back up the stairs. “Dave, phone!”

Dave stuck his head out of the door. “Now who?” He followed his host down the stairs. Picking up the phone, he asked, “Hello?”

“Hey, Dave, sorry to hear about what happened today. Dr. Alvarez told me,” she revealed. “How are you?”

“Disappointed and ticked off. Wondering if I’m ever going to fit in,” he retorted morosely. “Granted, I have every boogey-person from here to Tokyo on my back but I’m a person, you know?”

“You don’t have to tell me or anyone else here. Wait until I tell Mrs. Luthor about this,” she noted.

“Please don’t.” He winced, imagining the strings pulled and feathers ruffled.

“Noted,” she relented. I’ll ask her not to do anything directly up there but I will tell her. “I heard that you’re almost done with the research.”

“The last trip almost killed me but yeah, I’ve got it all here. I’m writing up the narrative for next week. I’ll have to have Clarise LaMontagine and Nikki diCosta go over it to make sure it’s okay for public consumption. You’ll get the full copy no matter what,” he reported.

“What do you mean the last trip killed you? Dave, what happened now? You didn’t go up to Northfield at night, did you?”

“Laura, your ancestors’ master scorched me out of the fireplace in broad daylight. The demon itself. We now have its attention too,” he explained. “I nearly ran into a storm getting Karen out of trouble in Vermont.”

“So the freak blizzard was its work too? Come on, Dave,” she chided.

“I heard it laughing at me. The sooner this is done, the better,” he added. “Say, do you think Auntie would want a visit? Winter break is coming up week after next and well….?”

She giggled. “With how she feels about you? Are you kidding? Besides, everyone down here would love to see you. And Karen?”

“She won’t let me out of her sight, Laura.”

“I don’t blame her,” she teased. “Even if there’s a problem with the Luthors, I imagine that Martha and Jonathan would be happy to let you stay with them again.”

Thinking of the kindly couple made him smile. “How are they anyhow?”

“Like everyone they’re hanging in there. I was helping at the farm last week. You know, there’s a big project he’s working on. If we can get you out here, think you’d like to lend a hand?” she commented.

“You know better than to ask after what they did for us last year,” he replied. “Always happy to help Smallville out.”

“I thought so. Gotta go. Lew’s waiting for me,” she concluded. “Keep your head up, Dave. You’re a good person.”

“Say hi to him. Thanks, Laura, for calling. I appreciate it,” he expressed before hanging up.
Looking at the two parents, he asked, “And you’re thinking what?”

“You might want to take a break from all of the jet-setting for a while,” Mrs. Alvarez noted.

“I’m talking about a vacation from the research. Besides the Kents might need some help. It might be good for me to just hang out for a week just to hang out. No research, no worries.” He smiled. “Just fun and a little hard work to help our friends.”

“When would this be?” Dr. Alvarex inquired.

“I guess it would be up to Auntie. Let’s wait and see,” he surmised. Then the phone rang again. “Hello?”

“Dave, it’s me,” Karen answered. “Are you busy right now?”

He sighed, feeling her anxiousness through their link. “Karen, you should better than to ask that. What’s wrong?”

“We just got two really big shipments in that need to be put up tonight. Mrs. C and I are by ourselves. Would you mind helping out? She’d be willing to pay you,” she requested.

“That’s not necessary. I’ll be right there,” he assured her while hanging up. Turning to her parents, he advised, “I’m heading to the Express. Be right back.” He ran to get his coat and then out to the garage. Cranking Bessie up, he took off into the night.

“I hope everything’s okay,” Jeannie expressed.

“I’m sure it will be,” her husband indicated hopefully.



Chapter 4 [Cappuccino Express—eight minutes later]

Dave knocked on the glass door and peered inside at the dimly-lit interior. Seeing nobody there, he was concerned.

In his head, he heard the familiar snarl.

Cool it. They’re probably in the back. Seeing Mrs. Campbell walk toward them and unlock the door, he added, Told you so.

The Voice went silent.

“Sorry to call you like this, Dave. The truck got here only twenty minutes ago. Come in,” she apologized.

“That’s okay. I’d rather have Karen call me then strain her leg again,” he assured her.

After locking the door, she led him back to the storeroom where his girlfriend surveyed the giant pile of frozen hamburger and chicken patties, wrapped boxes of ice cream and various types of canned goods. “Can’t stay out of trouble, can you?”

She smirked at him. “And I figured you’d want a piece of it, Dave. Thanks for coming.”

“Put another one in my column,” he teased. Seeing the small puddle starting to leak out of the pile’s left side, he noted, “We’d better get that stuff into the cooler PDQ.”

The owner nodded and opened the cooler. “The ice cream goes on the left. The beef and chicken are on the right. Keep them separated if you would.”

He smiled. “Sounds good. Say, umm, Mrs. C, you wouldn’t happen to have any of that chili around, would you?”

She chuckled. “A bowl of that is the least I can do for you both. I’ll get it started and then be back to help out.” She went toward the front.

“Thought you didn’t want anything for helping out,” Karen cracked.

“This will build up an appetite, Dear,” he retorted while hefting a box of burgers into the cooler.

“If you say so, Boss,” she countered, putting an ice cream package in its place.

“Boss—I like the sound of that.”

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t go getting any ideas.”

“Who me?” he laughed while placing two more packages in their place. He snickered, “I needed this.”

“Physical labor?”

He shook his head. “Just being around you, Karen.”

“Too bad Mrs. C’s here, we could….you know,” she insinuated suggestively.

“We’d melt the ice cream,” he told her. Still he wouldn’t have minded one of their “snuggle sessions” at that point. “Rain check?”

“Try getting out of it.” She put the last dessert box in the cooler. “How are you doing on your end?”

“Two packs left,” he revealed while picking one up.

“I’ve got the other one,” she declared. After they had set them both down and closed the cooler door, she added, “Before we start on the cans, how are you doing? I heard from Steve about this afternoon.”

“I’m surviving, I guess. It’s too bad but it won’t be that big of a deal in the long run,” he assessed while heading over to the cans. “Where does she want these?”

“On the back shelf. What do you mean by ‘not that big of a deal’? Dave, you deserve to have some fun!” she lectured.

“It’s up to the coach. He says no; it’s no,” he presumed.

“Not if Daddy has anything to say about it,” she countered. “We all know you can play. He didn’t even offer you JV?”

“Not even that,” he reported while setting more cans in place. “Man, these beans are heavy!”

“On the shelf as well as in that delicate belly of yours,” she teased. “Is there anything else?”

“No. Why?”

“You have that mood thing going in your head,” she noted. “What is it?”

“I was speaking to Laura before you called. Mr. Kent needs help with some things at his farm,” he answered.

“So if Mrs. Luthor can get you down there, go. I’ve got two double shifts to do this weekend. It would keep you occupied and out of trouble in the meantime,” she suggested.

“You trust me?” he asked half-seriously.

“I’m not worried. Laura will keep an eye on you for me.” She shrugged; her eyes sparkled at him, letting the latter know she was teasing again. She kissed him. “I know you wouldn’t do that.”

Just as they set the last can in its place, the owner came back. “That was fast. Dinner’s almost ready. By the way, Dave, pick up the phone. There’s a call for you.”

“A call? What?” he wondered. Picking up the phone, he asked, “Hello?”

“David, it’s Aunt Lillian,” Lillian advised. “Helping out, are we?”

“You know how I feel about my friends, Auntie. How are you and Alex doing?” he asked.

“We’re fine. Laura told me about the Kents. If you would like, how about this weekend?” she offered. “I can have the car pick you up whenever you’d like.”

He looked knowingly at Karen before replying, “I can drive to the airport after school.”

“Nonsense. You deserve to be spoiled a little. Give me a time,” she insisted.

He rolled his eyes. “1:45 in front of the school. Miss Jenkins won’t mind letting me out early.”

“1:45 it is. Alex will be so excited to see you.” She coughed. “As will I.”

“Me too. See you Friday night for dinner. Is there anything I can bring from here?” he offered.

“Just yourself and that project of yours. I’d like an update,” she informed him.

If I needed a spur to get it finished, that’s it. “I’ll have something ready. Love you, Auntie. Say hi to Alex.”

“I will. And I love you, David.”

Hanging up, he exhaled deeply. “Laura doesn’t waste any time. I’m heading to Kansas for the weekend.”

“Oh?” Mrs. Campbell asked.

“Nothing too exciting, Mrs. C. Just another friend needing help,” he assured her. “After this afternoon, I need some downtime anyhow.”

“Now I don’t feel so guilty working all weekend,” Karen indicated.

“If you say so. Well, dinner’s on. Let’s go,” Mrs. C. concurred while leading them out to where the bowls and chili pot sat waiting. “Dig in.”

Feeling hungry all of a sudden, the two teens did exactly that.



Chapter 5 [Thursday night—9:45 PM]

Dave pulled the last page of the typewriter and nodded. “Finally!” He wiped his hand across his forehead to deal with the sweat beading there. “Draft 1’s done.” As he said the words, he felt a familiar cold presence. Looking at the window, he saw Nikki diCosta levitating there. Opening the window, he advised, “You could knock, you know.”

“I was testing you,” she retorted tersely. “Besides, I’m here on business. The account actually.”

“Just finished the edited version,” he commented, handing her the freshly completed report. “This is what I wanted to hand in. No mentions of the Community as promised.”

She nodded curtly while scanning over the project. For the better part of ten minutes, she read it over before commenting, “You were wise to leave out what happened in France, Dubois. We would appreciate a copy of this paper. In case the Enforcers get too close, I will have evidence of your good intentions.”

“I’m taking copies of that to Smallville tomorrow afternoon. Lillian and Laura Potter have helped in this effort. They’ll keep quiet,” he reminded her.

“Very well, Dubois. I will be right back,” she indicated, taking off with the report in her hand.

“Hey! Wait!” he groused. “Shit! That took me three hours to type up!” He considered his handwritten notes for a few minutes.

[“Dave, what’s going on?” Karen asked through their link.]

[“Nikki diCosta just swiped my paper. Terrific,” he groused. “Looks like I’m going to have to pull a real all-nighter now.”]

She entered the room and sat down beside him. “Take a break for tonight, Dave. So you don’t have it done until next week. I don’t want you killing yourself.” She rubbed his shoulders soothingly.

“I wish your parents weren’t here,” he sighed.

“I know,” she agreed wistfully. “I think they know something’s going on.”

“Yeah right,” he lamented. Just then, he heard a rapping at the window. “You’re back.”

“Of course I’m back, Dubois. Did you think I was going to let you go into that bothersome woman’s lecture without this?” She handed him a manila envelope. “Treat that with great care. And have a good weekend with your friends.”

“Does everyone know?” he snarled.

“We are always watching you, Dubois. Remember that,” the Elder reminded him. “Au revoir!” With that, she left.

“Isn’t this special?” he complained.

“We knew that anyhow. Dave, at least it’s finished,” she assured him.

“This version. The long version’s still waiting to be done,” he clarified. “I figure I can be done by 2 and get four hours of sleep. I can nap on the plane ride to Smallville.”

Knowing better than to try and argue with him, she conceded, “Fine. Just don’t get sick on us.” She kissed him before leaving.

He shook his head before getting back to typing.



Chapter 6
[Miss Gatchell’s class]

For the majority of that day, Dave had dragged himself from class to class. With only two hours of sleep, he felt really out of it. At lunch, he drank several cups of coffee to prepare for the next big test.

Before he made the last walk, he stopped at his locker to check everything over. His duffel bag was ready for the weekend trip with clothes and the other copies of the report waiting for Smallville. “All set.” He secured the door and marched down the stairs toward the room in question. Just as the bell rang, he walked in and took his seat.

“Feeling your oats, aren’t you?” Mrs. Gatchell supposed.

The other students in the class rolled their eyes. Rumor had it that Dave had something ready for the teacher. They just didn’t want it to spark a snipe-fest.

“Please. It was a really long night,” he requested while producing the report in question. “It’s finished.”

That made his classmates stare at him incredulously.

“Your version of the history? This ought to be good,” the teacher scoffed.

Seeing his girlfriend tense, Dave shook his head at her. Then he turned back to the older woman. “It should be. I went through Hell to get that information.” The Enforcers not to mention Dahak…She has no idea and best she never does. “I even had it proof read last night.”

“You did?” she inquired.

“By an expert in the field,” Karen chimed in. “I was there to make sure everything was on the up and up.” She added a glare for emphasis.

“I’m sure. This is your work, isn’t it?” she queried.

Dave snorted, feeling his head turn numb. “Excuse me? I just spent the last three months compiling that information and writing that report. Look, Miss Gatchell, part of being a good historian is keeping an open mind to the evidence. Just read it. I do my own work. You can count on that.”

“Of course. If I did find out that someone else wrote this…” she suggested.

He laughed darkly. “Like one of your profs? I’ve seen records that haven’t been looked at it in 300 years! Don’t start with me! I DON’T CHEAT!”

“Dave, come on. Don’t let her do this,” Garth interceded. “We know the truth.”

“Do you, Garth?” the teacher asked. “Then enlighten us.”

“Read it there,” Garth retorted. “Meantime, can we start talking about the Boston Tea Party?”

“Yes. Let’s do that,” Miss Gatchell conceded. I'm not letting this go however…..


****


[After class]

As they left the room, he expressed, “Thanks for the help in there, everyone.”

“You didn’t have to let her bait you,” April lectured.

“Nobody accuses me of cheating,” Dave retorted. “Have fun in English. I’ll see you in Monday.”

“Where are you going?” Steve queried.

“Road trip. Miss Jenkins knows about it. Gotta run,” Dave noted. “Karen, keep them on their toes.”

“You know I will,” she agreed. “Wish I were going with you.”

“Me too,” he agreed before they kissed. “Don’t kill yourself.” With that, he rushed upstairs.

“So where is he going?” Garth asked.

“Smallville. The Kents need help. Dave volunteered,” Karen told them, feeling crestfallen over the prospect of a work-filled weekend without him there. “Let’s go, everyone.”


****


[Out front of APRHS]

Dave hurried out the front door to find a white limo waiting for him. “Right on time.” Seeing the formally dressed driver approach him, he asked, “I didn’t keep you waiting, did I?”

“Not at all, Mr. Dubois. I just got here. All set? I can drive you to the Alvarezes if you’d like. Mrs. Luthor instructed me to get you what you needed,” the chauffeur assured him. “I can get you a coffee if you’d like.”

“Actually, it’ll be my treat if you want to go to the Cappuccino Express. Other than that, I’m set,” Dave counter-offered.

“Very good.” The man opened the door for him and let him get inside. As he started the car, he added, “Let’s go.”

With that, they headed off.



Chapter 7
[Smallville Airport—four hours later]

Lillian sat with her son in the terminal waiting for the plane to arrive. From talking to Laura earlier that week, she knew of Dave’s latest disappointment. I wish they would treat him normally!

“Mama, when’s he going to get here?” Lex asked.

“Soon, Dearest,” she assured him. Seeing the plane descending from the northeast, she added, “See? He’ll be on the ground soon.”

He looked out the window to see the plane wheeling around toward the terminal and come to a stop. “Can we go out?”

“Now we can,” she agreed warmly, leading him out toward the company jet. “David!”

Dave carried his duffel bag over his shoulder. “Auntie!” He rushed over to embrace her. “How are you?”

“Dealing with every day. More importantly, how are you doing?” she asked with concern, leaning on her cane.

“Now that the report’s handed in, much better. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone starting with your travel companion here,” Dave indicated. “Want to read this weekend, Lex?”

“Yeah!” The boy hugged his older friend tightly.

“After I helped Mr. and Mrs. Kent, we can do that, okay?” Dave promised.

“Okay,” Lex conceded, knowing that patience was a virtue.

“That’s my boy,” she complimented her son.


****


[Lionel’s study, Luthor Castle]

Even as the limo brought his guests back from the airport, Lionel prepared for his visitor. While he would be in Metropolis for much of the weekend, Lillian had asked him to at least say hello to their guest before he left. Even as he did, he already had a plan in motion to solidify the long term goal. Just the day before, he had heard that Wayne Edwards, Smallville High’s best relief pitcher and spare outfielder, had sprained his knee in a farm accident and would be out for the next three weeks. After placing a few phone calls, he arranged a “tryout” for Dave at the school during the next afternoon. This injury couldn’t have happened better if I had planned it!

He dialed the phone and waited for an answer.

“Yes?” Stuart Dubois asked. “What is it, Lionel?”

“Your son is on his way from the airport. The next stage of the plan is underway,” Lionel reported.

“In Smallville? Lionel, what are you talking about?” the consultant inquired incredulously.

Your blindness makes you as infuriating as it does a useful tool! He ground his teeth. “Hawaii, Stuart.”

The other man recalled the plan. “Like I’m going to help pay for that brat and his snotty girlfriend to go all the way there? Yeah right!”

“Stuart, we agreed on this. One of the players at the high school is injured. I can arrange for David to take his place for the tournament and we wait for our opportunity. Don’t cross me,” Lionel insisted.

“Yeah whatever,” Stuart relented, recalling the whole custody mess back in Massachusetts. “Just get that stuff.”

“Leave that to me. Talk to you soon, Stuart.” Lionel hung up and finished the glass of bourbon on his desk. Let Lillian think I’m helping the boy. Anything to make things easier for me! He scanned through the folder on his desk before putting it back in the envelope and securing it in the safe. This is going to be too easy!


****


[Downstairs—a few minutes later]

As they entered the structure, Dave looked around anxiously. Even though he knew nothing would happen with Lillian being with them, he still felt uneasy. “Nice to see the place hasn’t changed.”

“A few things but not that much,” she concurred. “By the way, Uncle Lionel wanted to speak with you in the study upstairs while Rollins puts your things away.”

“He does?”

“You have nothing to worry about. Go on. Afterwards, we’ll head over to the Kent farm,” she assured him.

And the Greeks had nothing to fear from the Trojan horse either. He sighed and headed up the stairs. Upon reaching the study, he knocked at the door.

“Enter,” Lionel advised.

Here we go. Remember he’s paying for you to be here. Collecting himself, Dave entered the imposing sanctum. “Uncle Lionel, thank you for flying me out here this weekend.”

“Anything to please your Aunt Lillian and Lex,” the industrialist replied. “Please take a seat. How is school going?”

“It’s going along all right. The last few months have been challenging but overall, I like living with the Alvarezes,” the teenager replied. “Especially after Gram’s death, they’ve been a godsend.”

“I’m sure.” Lionel walked over to the bar. “Can I get you a soda?”

“I’m fine. Thanks,” Dave declined, not trusting his host to deliver a clean drink. “Auntie wouldn’t tell me anything on the way back from the airport. How is she doing?”

“You mean the cancer? You tell me, David, since you’re the expert. The doctors, of course, can’t stop it,” Lionel responded testily.

“After what I’ve just finished, I guess I am the expert. Well except for maybe Dr. O’ Connor and a woman I met up in Canada,” Dave retorted. “Let’s get something straight while we’re at it, Uncle Lieonel, you uncorked all of this garbage. I’ve tracked it to its source and received several burns for my problems.”

“The situation in Northfield? I heard. Freak flare up in the fireplace,” Lionel assumed.

“Try Lichtenfeld’s master. You and Dad have done it now. A full fledged demon’s on our tails. Then there are the creeps who tried to kill Laura Potter and me in the archive seven weeks ago. No, we trapped the ghost but the garbage is just starting,” Dave clarified. “Auntie’s cancer was caused by blue fire just like the other cases.”

“Yes…well, I trust you’ll recommend a way of dealing with it at some point. By the way, I heard about the tryout in Amherst for the baseball team last Monday. Quite unfortunate. Would you care to try again?” the host proposed.

“Huh? Don’t tell me you pressured somebody up there for me?” Dave wondered, smelling a rat from across the room.

“Not up there. Down here. You’ve had so much to deal with, I figured that you could have another opportunity. Coach Rigley would love to help you out,” Lionel explained. “Especially since they’re going to need a player for the tournament.”

“Tournament? Wait a minute, I’m not a student at Smallville High. How could I be on their team legally?” Dave inquired suspiciously.

“It’s only a couple of exhibition games at Manoa Pacific University. The school’s main bench player injured himself two days ago. Quite a coincidence,” Lionel pointed out.

Dave eyed his host suspiciously. “Imagine that.” His brow furrowed. “How did Smallville get hooked up with the reigning college champ? State championship or not, that’s a blowout waiting to happen.”

“One might think. Of course, you could do something if you passed your tryout tomorrow. You wouldn’t want to disappoint the town. But then again, you aren’t really a part of it. I’m sure they’ll….”

Dave snarled. “I’ll be there! Just so you know, I’m more a part of this town than you’ll EVER BE! And I will do anything for my friends!” He turned and stormed out of the study.

Predictable as ever. He smirked. Now to get Lillian to talk the Alvarezes into sending their daughter out with him unsupervised…..

 

Onto Part 2