Notes: Smallville belongs to DC and the WB. Miranda and Sandra are my characters. Please send comments to dante0220@yahoo.com.

Spoilers: Everything so far. This story takes place right after "Exodus".


Chapter 1 [Kent Farm]

Lana sat on the Kents' front porch and shook her head sadly. For the past several hours, she had paced around the farm, hoping that Clark would come to his senses. Just the night before, everything seemed right.  They were up in the loft professing their love for one another by the moonlight. She could still see the sparkle in his eyes and the warmth in his smile. His kiss made her feel so light. For a minute, she could almost swear that they were floating.

Then several disasters had buffeted Smallville. She knew that Martha was in the hospital after she and Jonathan had overturned their truck right here on the property. The older woman had lost her baby. Lex's wedding, although it did proceed, did not have the feeling that one would expect from such an event. The town reeled from the earthquake, which had buffeted it earlier in the day. 

I know I shouldn't be so selfish, but I can't help it. I thought he loved me. He said he did, but he left. Why would he do that? She wandered over toward the crater once again and looked around. Earlier in the day, she and Clark had talked-well, she had talked; he was ranting in shock about something. He said that he was a danger to everyone around him. I can't believe that. Clark wouldn't harm a fly-well except if the fly touched me; Lex, Pete, or Chloe that is. She descended the rickety remains of the staircase into the hole and paced around, trying to put herself in his shoes. What was he thinking? He said something about a Voice and that we would all be hurt if we stayed. What could do that to us? Then the realization hit her. He was scared. I thought he was in shock but he was scared for all of our sakes. 

Climbing back out of the hole in the ground, she thought about that revelation. If he's scared, then this has got to be serious. Damn it, Clark, when are you going to realize that I'm not afraid of you. That I can stand on my own two feet. This relationship is worth fighting for. You're worth fighting for. "I'm going to find you, Clark. No matter what. I'll find you." Looking around, she yelled, "And whoever you are, Voice, you'd best stay out of my way!" With that, she started walking toward the road.


****

Unknown to Lana, something stirred within the hole. Although he had blown it up, Clark had neglected to dispose of the ship's fragments. Almost in response to this latest challenge to Jor-El's purpose, the metallic fragments flew together, reassembling itself within seconds. 

Once together, the ship floated upward and streaked toward Lana, determined to stop her.


****

Lana felt a strong wind gust, as if something blew past her. What the? Then she stared at the metal thing floating in the air in front of her. "What?"

The ship hovered in her path, barring her way. 

As she tried to go around it, it moved with her.

Finally, she frowned in frustration. What else can happen today? Well, I'm fed up with this! "And what are you supposed to be? Get out of my way!"

I cannot do that. I cannot allow you to interfere with Kal-El's destiny.

She looked around nervously. Did I just hear a voice in my head?

You did. At that moment, a light glowed from the dome in its center. I cannot allow you to interfere. You would ruin everything.

"Interfere in what? And who is this Kal-El?" she demanded.

His destiny. He is supposed to rule you all. You would stop him. Forget about him-the one you call 'Clark'.

She swallowed hard and stomped her foot on the ground. "No! You're the Voice! You're the one who threatened us! Do you know what you're doing to him? Stop it!"

I cannot.

"Well, I will!" she vowed. "And who are you to try and force him to do this!"

I am Jor-El, his father. His real father.

She gaped at the vessel. Clark always said that he didn't know who his real parents were or where he came from. This would be key for him to know. Then again, if this is the Voice, no wonder he reacted like he did. "No father in his right mind would treat his son that way. You're dead. How can you make such demands of him?"

The Voice continued, It is his purpose. It is why he keeps his gifts from you.

"Gifts?" she asked incredulously. Does he mean Clark's secret?

The machine made a noise that could have been mistakened for laughter. Yes, Little One, I did mean the Secret. He has fantastic gifts and talents. Surely you've wondered how he's helped all of you? A light shone from the bubble in its center.

In her mind, Lana saw the events from the fight outside of the Talon once again. She knew that Clark had beaten the bullies, but now she saw the whole thing. Somehow, he was using superhuman abilities.

And this....

Now she saw Clark in the Talon. This was from Sasha's attack when she sent the bees after him. Amazingly, she saw him blow on the insects except that the exhaled air froze them stiff. How?

And this...

She saw Clark break out of the furnace at the old Smallville Iron Foundry and step out without a scratch-or much else for that matter. Oh wow. Her cheeks flushed. He's walking through fire without any protection. Then again, he's...geez....

And last of all this...

Now she saw the scene from the twister in her mind once again. She saw herself trying to hang on as the truck was buffeted by the high winds. But then, out of nowhere, her earlier suspicions were confirmed. Clark appeared to fly out of the storm and land on top of her, protecting her from harm. So he did that. Afterwards, she saw as he ran her into town faster than a truck would have driven her there. 

You see now? He's meant for greater things than this meager existence.

"Why not let him choose for himself? Better to live among the living than to follow a dead man's fantasy. With those who care for him and love him!" she retorted.

So be it. If you will not turn back, I will destroy you. With that, the Ship glowed brightly and unleashed a burst of energy at her.

Clark, I love you. She gulped but stood her ground, not allowing this thing to take anymore from her than it had already. As the energy slammed into her, she filled her mind with thoughts of him and their love. Even as the heat buffeted her, it couldn't burn her for her heart protected her. 

For almost an hour, this trial continued before the ship stopped.

She gasped for air but she managed to straighten herself and stare the ship right in the dome. 

Amazing! You are unlike any other Earth woman, Lana Lang. No wonder my son cares for you as he does. You are worthy of him.

What? "What do you mean I'm worthy of him?" she asked, seeking clarification.

Our world is gone. Kal-El-Clark-is alone now. I would not have him endure this life in that state.

"But you've isolated him from everyone!" she protested. 

The ship continued. I have erred in parting you both. You must go to him. But first, I need to do one thing. Stand still. 

What now? She didn't understand but she complied. 

Suddenly, a blinding light enveloped her. Her body and mind burned with intense heat. "What is this?" she inquired.

You are already different than your fellow mortals. I am completing the cycle. You will be Kryptonian much the same as Kal-El's mother. You will have all of his talents and I am giving you the knowledge to control and use them. 

After several minutes, the light dimmed and her sight returned to normal. Or what seemed normal. 

She felt a strange rush come over her for a moment and then, it was gone. "What did you do to me?"

I told you. I've changed you into a Kryptonian.

"And I have the same gifts that Clark has?" she wondered.

Yes. The ship rotated so that its nose pointed at the scarecrow out in the field. Run to that thing and burn it.

What? How would I do that? She pondered.

The vessel sighed. Just do it. 

All right. No need to get pushy. She took a deep breath and rushed toward the field. As she did, she saw everything blur around her. Finally, she stopped but she was no longer in the field. In fact, she was in the alley in back of the Talon. How?

The Voice declared, You've overshot your mark. Come back and do what I've asked. Then you can go after my son.

All right. She sped back down the road. As she was doing this, she couldn't believe how fast she was going. Within a couple of minutes, she stood in front of the scarecrow in the middle of the Kents' field. Okay, now what?

Focus on it. What do you see?

She did so. At first, all she saw was the scarecrow. Then the top layer turned invisible somehow. She could see the straw as well as the post in its middle. How? "X-ray vision?"

Yes.

I wonder if Clark knows he has this? Good thing, he's a gentleman. "Okay, now what?"

Burn it, the Voice commanded. Make it burn from your eyes.

My eyes? For a long minute, she squinted, trying to make the thing combust. I can't do this.

Think of something...well...pleasurable.

Clark. She took a deep breath, imagining how she would have liked that night in the loft to have gone. She saw their passion, felt their embrace, and the surge of emotion. Simultaneously, her forehead and eyes burned. What is this?

Channel it on the thing in front of you.

She did and felt the heat escaping from her eyes. Then she saw the scarecrow ignite and burn. Wow. That's what happened in the Talon.

That was an accident. Do not hold it against him.

She shrugged. We all have to learn sometime and Lex did cover it. "All right. Now what?" 

Now do you believe what I've told you? The Voice queried. Go to him now.

You won't try to separate us again? She wanted its word.

You two are meant for each other. Now go and be careful. Just as you have his gifts so too do you have his weaknesses.

Weaknesses? Then she realized what it was talking about. The meteors. He always gets sick around them!

And now, so will you. That is all. With that, the ship took off, vanishing into the sky.

Her head spun with this new knowledge and the gifts. How does he deal with this? She collected herself. Okay, first I'll go home and pack a few things. Then I'll leave a note for the Sullivans before I go. With that, she sped down the road toward the Sullivans with renewed purpose.




Chapter 2 [Somewhere between Metropolis and Kansas City]

Clark sped up I-35 on the 'borrowed' motorcycle. While his eyes were focused straight ahead, his mind and heart were still looking back. 

Back to Smallville.

Back to Lana.

I should never have left her like that.

He looked at the red meteor ring on his hand. While it had made him forget everything for about the first hour, the intense emotions it stirred made him remember everything in painful, graphic detail about the previous day. All I do is hurt people. I shouldn't be there to do that anymore.

Then he heard the Voice again. My Son.

Not him again. At that point, Bad Clark surfaced again. "What is it, Old Man? I'm busy!"

You will listen to me, Kal-El.

Yeah right. Bad Clark scoffed at that statement. "After all of the crap you just pulled and after you forced me to turn my back on Lana, you want me to listen to you? Why should I?" 

Things are different now, my Son. You will return to Smallville at once.

"After you made me an outcast? A thing? No way!" 

If you will not come back, there is someone who will bring you back. That is all. With that, the Voice went silent.

Like anyone can make me do anything I don't want to. Bad Clark snorted and looked at the ring again. I'm not going back there.



Chapter 3 [Smallville]

Lana rushed back to Chloe's house and looked around. Fortunately, nobody was home. The last thing I need is for Chloe to start asking questions right now. Frankly, I'm not sure about the answers myself.

Then the Voice told her. You will not say anything to that one. At least not yet.

It's back. "Umm, where are you? I don't see the ship," she wondered, looking around and out her bedroom window.

I don't need it to talk with you. I am one with you now. What are you doing?

"Packing. I need to make a couple of calls so that people won't get suspicious. Then I need to make one more stop before I can go," she explained.

Very well.

Lana picked up the phone and thought for a minute about the situation. Lex is gone so he's out of the picture. I'll have to get some help on this one. She dialed Miranda Arighatto's number.

"Hello?" Miranda asked.

"Hi, Miri, this is Lana. How are you?" Lana replied.

"I'm okay. That tremor didn't damage anything here or at the Talon. I wonder what happened?" Miranda asked.

Wouldn't you be surprised? "Umm, hey, have you seen Clark? I'm looking for him."

"Actually yeah, I did. About four or five hours ago, I ran into him at the "Stop and Go" store just off of I-35. He's acting weird again," her friend recounted.

She nodded, remembering him putting the ring on. What is it about that ring? "And you haven't seen him since?"

"No, I haven't. Lana, what is it?" Miranda inquired.

"I have to go out of town for a little while, Miri. I know it's a lot to ask, but can you and Sandra run the Talon for a couple of days?" Lana requested. "I need to find him. It's urgent."

Miranda took a deep breath. "Okay. You owe me a favor though when you get back."

"Right...well as long as it doesn't involve Clark," Lana agreed hesitantly.

Miranda chuckled, "Now, Lana, I'm not going to pull a Chloe and try to come between you. I was talking about a couple of extra shifts and bring him back safely."

"Sorry. You've got a deal. I'll check in with you soon. Thank you," Lana concluded, hanging up. She sat down at her desk and scribbled out a note for Chloe and her father. All right. Well, Chloe will have a cow, I'm sure, but this will at least keep them in the loop. After placing the note on the kitchen table, she looked around to make sure nobody was watching before taking off towards downtown. There was one more stop she needed to make before she could leave.


*****

[Smallville Medical Center]

For three hours, Martha had tried to sleep. She had attempted nearly every tactic one could think of to do so, but it was no use. The tears fell too hard from her eyes and her heart burned. While it had been bad enough to lose the baby earlier in the day, now she dreaded Clark's reaction to this situation. Jonathan, how could you lecture him like that? Today was not the time. Not for the first time, she had chewed her husband out over his temper.

Then she saw Lana peering at her through the door. "Lana. Come in, please."

Lana stepped into the room carefully and closed the door. With everything she had just learned, she needed to verify the facts. "How are you, Mrs. Kent?" Without waiting for an answer, she rushed over and embraced the woman she regarded as her surrogate mother.

Now what? "Lana, what is it?" Martha asked. "Is it about Clark?"

"Yes. He left," she replied.

Martha closed her eyes. "I wish he hadn't."

"Mrs. Kent, I know all about what happened with him and his father. He was rambling about being a danger to every one of us before he rode off on the motorcycle. He was talking about a voice," Lana recounted.

"Voice?" Martha wondered, trying to cover her tracks.

"Look, Mrs. Kent, I understand you want to protect Clark. I do too. But I know everything now," Lana indicated. Leaning close to the other's ear, she whispered, "The ship told me everything. The voice is Clark's natural father, Jor-El."

Martha stared at her. How much does she know? "Clark said he...well...destroyed it."

"Apparently, it rebuilt itself. It tried to kill me, but I'm still here." Lana shrugged but kept her voice inaudible except to Martha. "Somehow, and get this, it made me like Clark."

The older woman gaped. "Lana, Clark's one of a kind."

"Thanks to the ship, he's one of a pair," Lana corrected her. After dropping the blinds and locking the door, she took out a piece of paper and focused, setting it on fire. 

"I see," the patient responded. "And what else can you do?"

Lana blew on the paper with her icy breath and put it out. Then she sped over to the wastebasket and dropped the remains in there before speeding back to the bed. "How's that? Sorry, Mrs. Kent, if I'm scaring you, but I needed to talk with someone."

Martha smiled warmly. Now Clark can be with her. She patted the younger woman's hand. "Do you know how long Clark has dreamed of seeing you like this, Lana?"

The younger woman chuckled and blushed. I can imagine. "For a while, I'm sure. I just wish he'd learn to trust me. He said he loved me the other night, you know. Then he said it again just before he left."

"I wish we could go get him back," Martha sighed.

"Well, I just spoke to Miranda Arighatto. She's going to take over the Talon while I do just that. With how fast I go, you know how much ground I can cover," Lana noted. Seeing the other woman's objection forming, she shook it off. "Don't tell me not to go. You know how stubborn the Kent men can be."

Martha rolled her eyes, admitting defeat. She has that right. "I do indeed. Just be careful and bring him back safely. Oh, there's a scientist he went to see in New York some time ago. Give me a piece of paper and I'll write down his name." Taking a note card from Lana, she wrote a name on a piece of paper. "This man knows about Clark apparently."

Lana read the paper. Dr. Virgil Swann, huh? That'll be my first stop. 

"Oh, Lana, hand me my purse, please," Martha told her. "Sorry to be so demanding." 

"No problem, Mrs. Kent," the younger woman agreed. Seeing Martha take out some money, she declined, "That's okay. I have some money in the bank. I can use an ATM."

"Now you listen, Lana. You're going after Clark and whether he's your boyfriend or not, he's still my son. You're doing Mr. Kent and me a favor and I don't want you running out of money out there, all right? It's only $40.00 but it'll buy a few meals. Just stay safe and bring my boy home. You're not the only woman who loves that guy, you know," the anxious mother explained in a tone not to be argued with.

Lana sighed and accepted the money. "Thank you and I will bring him back." She hugged Martha. 

She's strong all right. "Uh, Lana, can you ease up?"

Lana blushed. Whoops. "Sure and thanks for accepting me."

Martha smiled warmly. "Why shouldn't I? You're a fine woman and now, you're a perfect match for Clark. Now go and find him."

Lana smiled and departed from the room. Once she was outside, she ducked into an alley and sped away, heading for the interstate. New York, here I come.


Chapter 4 
[Rest stop outside of Minneapolis, that night]

Clark pulled into a rest stop and parked the bike by a grassy embankment. Rolling up his jacket, he fashioned a pillow for his head. Lying down, he stared at the stars and wondered about his future. What should I do? I should rule these people but I love one of them. For the past couple of hours, his mind had flipped back and forth between his 'good' and 'bad' personalities, leaving him confused. Accordingly, he decided to think on his next move before he made it.

Kal-El. Jor-El's voice called inside of his mind. 

Great. It's him again. Clark surfaced and shook his head. "What is it?" 

You will listen, my Son. 

"And let you hurt those whom I care about? No way!" Clark protested, his good side seizing control for the moment.

They are of stronger stuff than you can imagine.

The teenager ground his teeth. "If you've hurt Dad or Lana, so help me...."

She is one surprising woman for one of this world. No, Kal-El, she has passed my test.

"Test? What test? What did you do?" Clark demanded.

I discovered that the one called Lana is truly special, Kal-El. As for the answers you seek, go to the specialist on our culture you talked to before. There you will realize what I am talking about. 

"She is, isn't she? But you better not have hurt her."

She's uninjured.

"You promise?"

You have my word. She's in excellent health. Now get rid of that ring.

"I like it. Don't tell me what to do," Clark rebutted, feeling the bad side taking control as he admired the red stone on his finger.

Kal-El, do not defy me on this one. Go to the place you call 'New York'. There you'll find your answers. That is all.

Crap. He thinks he has all of the answers, doesn't he? 

I am your father.

"Yeah, well, my Dad here does too. Look where it gets him," Bad Clark cracked. "Still, to see Lana again, yeah!" He put the jacket back on and started the motorcycle, heading north on I-35 and east on I-94. She better make it worth my while. It is a hell of a trip.



Chapter 5 [New York-Dr. Swann's facility: A Day Later]

Lana finally came to a stop in an alley just off of 32nd and Madison Avenue in New York City. Taking only one stop to rest in a hotel room outside of Wheeling, West Virginia, she made it there in just under a day. How does Clark do this? She huffed, trying to get her breath.

You're almost there, the Voice told her.

Just a minute. She sighed. I thought I was in shape, but this is ridiculous. I really do need to work on my stamina.

Don't be too hard on yourself. That will come in time. Now, do you see the building across the street? That is where you will find the one we seek.

All right. She stepped out of the alley and looked around. Granted, she had made several trips to Metropolis but this place was larger than life. I guess it's true what they say about it. She blended into the crowd and crossed the street. In front of her stood the Swann Building. Nobody's going in and out of there. Weird.

We need to enter, the Voice stated.

She nodded and stepped inside. A quick look around revealed a very spacious lobby area that must have been spectacular at one time. While she couldn't identify the exact period, she knew that the décor and the furniture were at least twenty years old. "Hello?" she called out. 

She heard her voice calling, echoing off of the woodwork and tile.

This is really getting creepy. She shuddered, feeling more than a little anxious at this point. 

As she crossed the lobby's center, the lights snapped on. "Huh?" she asked.

Then a voice came over the loud speaker. "Can I help you?"

"Yes. My name is Lana Lang and I'm looking for a Dr. Virgil Swann. I'm from Smallville, Kansas," she explained.

"That's nice. Tell me, Miss Lang, why have you come here?" the PA voice asked.

Can I tell him? She wondered how much she was supposed to say.

Yes. He knows about us, the Voice assured her.

"I'm a friend of Clark Kent's. I also know all about him and his background," she stated to the PA system.

"That's no mean feat, Miss Lang," the PA voice continued. "If so, look to the television monitor to your right. Can you read what's on it?"

She turned and looked at the screen. Across it, three pictographic symbols appeared. They look like the cave symbols. "Uh, 'speak friend and enter'." She smiled sheepishly, hoping she read the message correctly.

"Indeed," the PA voice agreed. "Follow the lit hallway."

Lana saw one passage's lighting snap on, illuminating her path. Weird. Remember, Lana, this is for Clark. You're doing this for him. Proceeding down the hallway, she navigated the passage until she entered a spacious room at its end. "This must have been some lab at one point," she admired. Now it seemed little more than a storage room.

"It was that, Lana," a voice concurred. "Now it's an observation point."

She turned to see a man approaching her in a mechanized wheelchair. "Dr. Swann?"

He nodded. "Yes, Lana. And you are most impressive. I've been watching you since you left Smallville."

"Excuse me?" she asked.

He chuckled, "Come now. I've had my eye on the Kent farm for a while now. Do you remember when Clark went off to find his true origins? He came here because I sent him a message."

"You were the one who spammed Chloe's computer," she realized.

"Well, I do like to be persistent," Swann noted. "Although spam is a nasty term for it."

"Sorry. And you know who I am?" she inquired.

He nodded. "When you've been studying about Krypton and its relationship to Earth as long as I have, you watch everything and everyone related to that bond. You, my Dear, are at the center of it. Or have you forgotten about the picture on the cover of Time?"

She winced. He would have to bring that up. "And how much do you know about the last few days?"

"I wouldn't have missed the tremor that hit Smallville, Lana. Although, seeing you here is a surprise," he told her. "The Kents' storm cellar was a clear sign of what happened. Clark shouldn't have tried to destroy the spacecraft."

"He tried but it didn't work. It survived," she revealed.

That comment got his attention. "I know. It was seen leaving the Kent Farm by my surveillance. That was quite a stand you had, Lana. Very impressive indeed, especially since Clark failed in his attempt at it." He wheeled over to his computer and punched some keys. "This is fitting too given how close you are to him."

"How do you know about that?"

"He mentioned you on his last visit-well, not by name, but I knew there was someone. Once I figured out it was you rather than Chloe Sullivan, I kept an occasional eye on you," he noted. "Rest assured though, I do respect people's privacy and what I know about you and Clark will remain a secret. You can trust me on that."

I hope so. She looked around. "I was told that Clark would be here. Both his mother and the ship mentioned that you would know where to find him."

He looked at her skeptically. "I'm afraid I don't know either. I did see him leave your town. I never would have left someone that way, but he truly doesn't understand what he's facing."

Now it was her turn to cast a skeptical glance. "And you do?"

"Sort of. Lana, you are now involved in a much larger enigma. Clark has many questions, doesn't he? He comes from a world that is now gone. He is now the last survivor of that culture. And it seems, you now share that with him," Swann pointed out.

"So, I've been brought into a very close circle," she guessed.

"In layman's terms, you are correct. It's no longer a question of just knowing his secret, Lana. Rather, you are now included in it. In addition, you have a secret of your own to carry. You both will have to help each other bear this burden," he told her.

She nodded. I wanted to know for so long. Now that I do, I understand why Clark never told us. Oh, Clark, I'm so sorry I doubted your sincerity. "I'll be there if I can be, Dr. Swann."

He smiled. "I have no doubt of that." Then he saw a light flash on his desk. "It seems we have another visitor. Clark has just arrived."

She smiled. "I can go and get him."

He frowned. "Let him find his way back here. There's something different about him." He typed on the keyboard, initiating a scan. "I'm picking up on a very intense source of radiation coming from him."

It's the ring, the Voice told her.

"Dr. Swann, can you focus on the ring?" she suggested, passing along Jor-El's suggestion.

He looked at her curiously before realizing, "The stone, of course!" His sensors triangulated on it and confirmed the suggestion. "It's the source, all right. We have to get it away from him."

"You can try," Bad Clark sniggered, storming into the room. "But I don't think you're capable of it, Wheels."



Chapter 6

Lana approached him carefully. "Clark, stop it, all right? That ring's making you sick. Just give it to Dr, Swann, all right?"

"Well, this is a surprise! Did Mom and Dad get you up here?" Bad Clark scoffed. "Okay, guys, you can come out now!"

"They aren't here, Clark," she told him, trying to remain calm. "Give him the ring now."

"Make me," he snarled.

She felt a tear crease her cheek. I have to do this, don't I?

Unfortunately, the Voice concurred. Don't hurt him.

"Aw the Hell with this!" the other teenager sighed. "If you aren't gonna welcome me, it ain't worth it. I'm leaving!"

"Don't let him leave," Dr. Swann told her.

"Right," she agreed, zipping in front of her boyfriend. "No you aren't, Clark."

"What? How did you do that?" he asked.

"Trade secret," she retorted. "Now, give him the ring, Clark. Don't make me hurt you."

Bad Clark laughed. "You hurt me? Go ahead and take your best shot."

She frowned. "Snap out of it! I'm sick of these fits of yours!" she snapped, slapping him hard across the face.

He backed away, staring at her in shock. "Hey! I felt that!"

"He said you'd be like this," she stated cryptically.

"Who said what? I..." he wondered before realizing the answer. "Oh, I get it. My so-called natural father has turned you against me too. What did he promise you?"

"He tried to kill me actually," she informed him. "I survived."

"Terrific," he growled. Looking to the ceiling, he yelled, "Now you're turning her against me too! What's the matter? You want her to rule now instead?"

I told you, Kal-El, she proved herself. However, I have no intention of taking her from you.

"Yeah? That's a different tune than the one you told my goodie-good side, Dad," Clark doubted.

Things have changed. Give up the ring and return to Smallville with her.

"Clark, listen to him," she requested. "Stop this!"

"Why? Why shouldn't I start by conquering this city? This place?" Bad Clark retorted.

"Because the Clark I know and love wouldn't do that! Wake up!" she screamed at him.

"That's what I was bred for, Sweets! I don't care what my goodie-good side says! That's all I'm good for. Ask my stepfather! I'm just a thing!"

"NO!" she bellowed. "You are not! You made a mistake, but your heart was in the right place! Now you aren't alone anymore. Accept that and move on! You don't need that ring!"

He scowled and put his hand in his pocket. "No! I won't let you take it from me! You won't put me away again!"

She shook her head, wiping her tears away. "Remember, this hurts me more than it does you!" She streaked toward him, dropping her shoulder and ramming into him, hurling him across the room. Streaking over, she took hold of his left arm and twisted it, trying to get at his hand.

"Quit it!" he directed, flinging her across the room and into some shelving.

"No, I won't," she refused, throwing herself back into the fray again. 


****

Even as the two lovers fought, Dr. Swann maneuvered his wheelchair around the sides of his desk. Finally he saw an open lead lined box around the back. Tipping it with his wheel, he caused the green stone within it to spill onto the floor. With another tap of his wheel, he sent the stone rolling toward the combatants. Forgive me, Lana. This is going to hurt you both.


****

Clark and Lana wrestled on the floor; each trying to get the upper hand. For several minutes, they tumbled about the room, upsetting tables and chairs among other things. Still they kept struggling.

"I told you, get off!" he snarled.

"And I said, no!" she insisted, trying to pry his hand open. "Give it up!"

He smacked her. "Fine!"

How could he? She sighed, rubbing her cheek. Lana, remember the ring's making him sick. It isn't his fault. 

But in that moment of indecision, he pinned her to the ground. "Now, say uncle!"

"Get off of me!" she insisted.

"Not until I get something!" he stated. Then at that moment, he gasped.

What? Then she felt a sharp pain as well. Looking at her hand, she saw her veins bulging and turning green not to mention the nausea. How is this happening?

"He has a green rock!" Bad Clark spat, struggling with his own convulsions.

"What?" she asked. Then she remembered, the meteors can kill us.

"I've noticed they make you sick," Dr. Swann stated. "As much as I hate doing this, you have to be stopped, Clark." 

"Get it away from her!" the sick teenager demanded.

Lana fought the knot tightening in her middle. "No. I...have to...do this," she told the doctor.

The researcher nodded, wheeling himself closer to them. 

Calling on a surge of strength, she forced her boyfriend's hand open. Surprisingly, she managed to get the ring away from him. However, as she did, she recalled everything from the year before. Now she remembered the Nicodemus epidemic and everything she did while under the insidious flower's influence. No! 

Oh come on! You know it was good and you want more, her alpha-personality declared.

"No!"  She yelled, fighting to hold off the effects as she smashed the ring and melted it with her heat vision. With its destruction, she felt her mind coming back to her just as things started to turn black. Got to get rid of that...thing. She took hold of the meteor rock, enduring the pain as it burned her hand before tossing it away from them both. Clark, I love you. With that, she fell on top of him and everything turned black.



Chapter 6 [An hour later]

Lana opened her eyes to find herself lying on the floor. Strangely, while her head hurt, the nausea was gone. "What happened?"

"Apparently you share Clark's weakness to the meteor rocks as well," Dr. Swann told her. "Sorry about what I had to do. The rock is back in its box so you're safe."

She nodded. "How long was I out?" she inquired, sitting up.

"It's been about an hour," he told her.

"Where's Clark?" she asked.

Dr. Swann motioned with his head toward the corner of the room.

Before she turned her head, she heard Clark's sobbing. As she did, she saw him sitting against the far wall, curled up in a ball with his head between his legs, and his body quivering.

In response, her own heart sank and her eyes watered.

"Go to him," the researcher advised.

She nodded, standing up and walking over. "Clark?"

"Lana?" Clark asked, looking up at her. "Lana!" He embraced her. "You're okay!"

"Well, it was a close call, but we made it," she replied, trying to reassure him.

"Lana, I'm so sorry....I never meant to hurt you, but it seems that's all I'm good for. I just hurt everyone," he sighed.

She took his head in her hands and picked it up. "That is the farthest thing from the truth, Clark. You have no idea how much joy you bring to everyone! Besides, your parents need you. And I need you!" She kissed him passionately. "Never, ever doubt that."

"You came for me," he whispered.

"I ran all the way," she retorted. Then she smiled, allowing her eyes to sparkle at him. "I did stop somewhere in West Virginia though. Hey, it was my first time."

"You're allowed to do that...this time. He chuckled, feeling his spirits picking up before he asked, "So you do have those abilities, then?" 

She nodded. "Your Voice decided it couldn't beat me, so it let me join you, I guess. It said I was Kryptonian now or something."

He grinned and kissed her again. "That's awesome! We can be together now!"

She slapped him playfully. "I tried to tell you that before, Clark, but you wouldn't listen. Now come on, let's go. No more moping. Promise?"

He nodded. "I promise."

"And one other thing, you don't have to save the day on your own, all right? Remember, we're here to help you. I'm here and I'm not leaving you," she asserted.

He took her hand and together, they walked back over to where the researcher sat in his chair. "Thank you, Dr. Swann," he expressed.

"That's all right, but you should thank Lana. I don't like having to do what I did there, Clark, but I won't tell anyone about it. It seems we both were wrong. You're no longer the last of your kind. Congratulations," Dr. Swann replied. "And, Clark, one other thing, you're an extremely lucky young man to have a woman like that at your side."

He grinned and looked at her caringly, running his hands through her dark brown hair and letting it slide through his fingers. "I know and I won't run from her again."

She smiled, feeling her eyes tear up as she embraced him. "You have no idea how long I've waited to hear you say that. Now, come on, let's go home."

Together, they waved to Dr. Swann and left the room. As they left the building, they found the motorcycle where he had left it parked.

"Can I give you a lift?" he asked, his eyes twinkling.

"I'll have to think about it," she teased him. "Of course, what do you think?"

He helped her onto the back of the bike and got on himself. Then they took off into the sunset, heading for the western horizon and the western plains of home.



Chapter 7 [Kent Farm-Two Days Later]

Jonathan sat on the porch staring out onto the field. For the past three days, he had only done the essential chores for keeping the farm running. He was in shock, not believing what had happened to them. First, Martha miscarried their baby. And then Clark ran away.

All of these things happened because he lost his temper. Because he blew up in his son's face when all the latter tried to do was protect them. How could I be so stupid! What kind of father am I when I can lecture Clark about consequences and I can't even see them for myself? 

"It'll be all right, Jonathan," Martha assured him grimly. "You'll see." She handed him a glass of lemonade. 

"I hope so," he sighed, taking a sip of the tart sweetness. 

She listened, taking some solace in the birds' chirping nearby. But then, she heard an engine sounding like a motorcycle nearby. "Jonathan!"

He heard it too. Looking to the road, he saw an incredible sight. 

Clark and Lana turned into the driveway and stopped right in front of them.

Lana grasped her boyfriend's hand. "Go ahead. It'll be okay."

He nodded and got off of the motorcycle. Trudging up to his father, he said, "Dad, I'm sorry."

Jonathan nodded. "No, Clark, I'm the one who's sorry." He clasped his son tightly in a warm embrace. 

As they did so, Lana walked over to Martha and smiled. "I did it. I brought him home."

Martha's eyes watered as she hugged the younger woman, kissing her cheek. "I knew you would, Lana. Thank you so much. You know, there will be a day when we can talk about this whole thing as a real family."

Lana's eyes shone warmly at Martha. "I hope so, Mrs. Kent. Meantime though, I should let you all catch up. Can I come by tonight?"

"Absolutely," Martha agreed.

"Need a ride?" Clark offered.

His girlfriend swatted his arm playfully. "No thanks, Silly. Hey, stay out of trouble, all right?"

Clark grinned and kissed her. "I'll try. See you tonight and make sure Chloe doesn't see you."

"That's what the Voice told me too. I'll try!" Lana concluded, zipping off across the field toward the Sullivans.

The farmer stared in awe. "Did she just do what I think she did?"

"Yeah, Dad, she did," Clark noted.

"And she has your powers?" 

"All of them it seems," Clark detailed.

Jonathan shook his head. It seems that Clark isn't the only super person in Smallville anymore. Will wonders never cease?

****

[Later that Evening]

Clark stared at the stars through his telescope, still wondering about his origins. "I wonder if I'll ever have all of the answers?"

"We can keep looking for them together, Clark," Lana assured him, climbing the stairs. Her eyes twinkled at him. "It's so good to see you here."

He came over and kissed her. "Yeah and it's good to see you too."

"I mean, I thought I was going to have to run to Metropolis to see you," she teased him.

"Stop it," he laughed. "Look, Lana, I made a huge mistake and well, I'm so glad that you cared enough to come after me. And standing up to the ship-hey, that's a big deal in anyone's book."

She shrugged. "I do anything for you, Clark. I just need to ask you to stand with me too while I adjust to all of these gifts. Can you show me how to act well...normal?"

"Sure," he agreed.

"I need to ask. Does anyone else know about you? I know Chloe doesn't and neither does Lex. Somehow though, I figured that Pete might know something," she guessed.

"And how would you come up with that?" he inquired, hugging her closely to himself.

"He always knows more than he's telling. He's never been a good liar, you know? Don't worry, I won't be mad at him or you," she explained.

Clark replied, "Pete's known about me for almost a year. If you decide to tell him, that's your decision. I'll say this about him; he can keep it a secret. You know, he almost died in doing so?"

"I'd say he's quite a friend," she concurred.

"Not as good a friend as you, Miss Lang," Clark slurred.

"And how good a friend is that, Mr. Kent?" she wondered.

He kissed her again, feeling the passion flow between them. As they did, a shooting star passed through the sky. And somewhere in the dark night sky, a red star twinkled.

Not even Jor-El could disagree with that bliss.

THE END....

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