Rating:  T (Teen) Language and some reference to character/societal issues.

Notes: Smallville and its characters belong to DC and the CW. All other characters are mine and fictitious. Please send comments to dante0220@yahoo.com .



Chapter 1 [Jefferson City, Kansas—Ralston Orchard: Six weeks after “Trust”]

With summer’s passing and fall’s arrival, the taste buds around Smallville looked to Martha’s kitchen for ingenuity.

And of course, she looked to her two super “kids” to haul stuff back. Which of course, they didn’t mind doing one bit.


****

Lana threw back her arms and inhaled the air deeply into her lungs. “This is wonderful!”

“The apples, being alone or getting a day off from the Talon?” Clark wondered impishly.

“All of the above. Why? What did you think I meant?” she sassed back, giving him a saucy stare. “It’s nice to get a day off from everything once in a while. Might as well be for a good cause.” She picked up a wicker bushel basket.

“Remember, normal pace out here,” he reminded her as he took a basket of his own.

“Spoilsport,” she groused while stealing a kiss off of his cheek and leading the way into the orchard.


****


[Three hours later]

As she had promised, Lana had kept her pace Earth-normal. She’d picked apples one by one and inspected them, making sure that only the best ones ended up in the pie baskets. (The scuffed ones, as she discovered, went into a separate basket for apple sauce.) “How are we doing?” she wondered.

“That’s it,” he assessed, putting the last basket in the back of his father’s truck and hopping down. “Did anyone ever tell you what a great help you are, Mrs. Kent?”

“Umm….” She rubbed her chin absently. “Not that I can remember. Why? Are you saying that I’m helpful?” She smirked at him.

“Every day,” he advised while locking the tailgate in place. “We need to pay for these so follow me.” He led them into a barn where several shelving displays of fruit lined the walls. “Mom wanted some cider as well.” He grabbed two gallon jugs and set them on the counter.

A portly older gentleman with thinning white hair and glasses met them there. “Is that everything, Clark?”

“We’ve got the apples already loaded that Mom asked for, Mr. Ralston. Thanks,” Clark replied respectfully. “Let’s see. We’ve got twenty baskets in the back of the truck and 2 gallons of cider. Mom said that would be $100. Right?”

“And one of her pies when I come to Smallville, Son,” Ralston chuckled while accepting the five twenty dollar bills. “You two do make a great couple. I heard a rumor that you tied the knot last summer.”

“We did, Sir,” she clarified with a big grin on her face. “It’s been great so far.”

“Glad to hear it. Me and the Missus, we’ve been together for over forty years now. Some times, you have your ups and downs but it’s been worth it. Be happy, Kids. Okay?” the older man replied.

“We will, sir. Thank you,” Clark expressed as they shook hands.

“My pleasure. Give my best to your folks. Oh, there was something else. Just a minute….” Ralston rifled through a package of receipts. “Yes. That’s right. Do you have room for two more baskets in your Dad’s truck, Clark?”

“Sure, I guess,” Clark agreed. “Need a delivery made?”

“Funny. This guy’s name is familiar but he hasn’t been out here in years though. David Dubois, you see him lately?” the apple man wondered.

“We sure do. He’s living at the Talon with his wife and kids,” she noted. “What’s going on?”

“Actually, he wanted me to reserve a basket of Macintosh and another of Maccouns. They’re right here. Umm, would you mind taking them to him? He’s nice enough but he’s kind of creepy….” The old man grimaced.

“We’ll be happy to deliver them for you,” she agreed. “Are those the baskets?”

“Indeed they are, Lana. Thanks for that,” the farmer expressed.

“Got it,” Clark indicated while hefting one basket and she took the other. “Thanks again, Mr. Ralston. Stop by when you get into town.” When they got out to the truck, he urged, “Let’s put these in the back to make sure they don’t get damaged.”

She climbed into the back and slid baskets around, creating space for Dave’s baskets. “Here we go.” She glanced back toward the barn and shook her head. [“Honestly!”]

Now what? [“Lana, what is it?”]

She rolled her eyes. [“I know Mr. Ralston didn’t mean to be a jerk but….”]

He rubbed her shoulder. [“You know that people are scared of the Protector. Professor Dubois can’t help that.”]

[“I know,”] she conceded. [“I wish they could see him the way we do.”]

[“Give people time, I guess. Hey, according to Pete, his class over at WKTU’s been going great. Speaking of which, he wanted to bring a friend with him for the weekend,”] he mentioned.

[“Friend?”] Her eyes lit up and she chuckled. “Pete’s got a girlfriend?”

“He didn’t say girlfriend but…she’s from Wichita. I guess he wanted her to see where he’s from and all of that. Think we can work with that?” he explained.

She grinned. “I think we can give Pete and Co. a warm welcome. Come on; Mom and Dr. Dubois are waiting for their apples.”

He nodded as they got into the cab and drove off. One thing’s for sure, they were both going to enjoy the day….

…or so they thought.



Chapter 2
[Smallville Cemetery]

Dave dusted off his deceased wife’s stone inspecting it to be sure that everything was in order. As he did weekly, he spent time with Angie, including her in on the goings-on and Angelina’s activities.

“You should see how the kids are doing, Princess,” he reported, grinning as he said it. “Colin and Peggy are already sleeping for most of the night. Angie and Cassie are being big helps. And you know Miri. One girl control center.” He laid a single rose on the grave. “I’ll bring Angie by this weekend. She wanted me to tell you she loves you, Sweetie.” He blew a kiss to the stone and then stood up. “Time to be getting back, Princess. I love you. April sends her best.”

He moved over and checked on Lana’s parents in similar fashion. After doing so, he headed toward the Subaru where he found Lex waiting for him. “Slumming, Lex?”

“Not hardly,” the billionaire retorted with a bit of mirth. “By the way, I was in Metro this morning. Mom’s stone is all set.”

“I do visit graves without playing landscaper, you know. I just like to keep Angie and the Langs caught up is all,” Dave replied with a shrug. “Meantime, I was hoping to get your help with something.”

“Something?” Lex’s eyebrow arched.

“Relax. It’s something fun I was planning for the kids is all.” Dave smiled. “I wanted to take Angie, Miranda, Martina and Cassie apple picking on Saturday. Figure we can make it a big trip and include Clark, Lana and Chloe. If the weather’s good, it could be fun.”

Hearing the idea brought the Smirk out on Lex’s face. “Now that’s the best thought I’ve heard from you in a while, Dave. No offense but you’ve been so doom and gloom lately…..”

“You know why that is,” the older man pointed out. “Come on; I need a mocha and then I want to see my babies…all of them.”

“Yes sir, Papa Moses,” Lex cracked.

“Smart ass.”

“That’s me all right,” Lex sassed as they went to their respective cars and headed for the Talon.





Chapter 3 [Talon—an hour later]

Leaving Clark and Jonathan to unload the apples, Lana rushed over to the café to check on things. As per usual protocol, she walked out of the alley and into the old theater. As she did so, she stopped cold at the sight of the corner booth….

…or rather who was sitting in it.

What the Hell? She wondered, heading over to the counter. “Miri?”

Her best friend stopped. “Lana? You promised you were going to take today off!”

“Clark and I just came back from Jeff City. Great apples all around. We’ve got a couple of baskets for your uncle,” the Boss reported.

“He’ll appreciate that although he was going to be heading out there this weekend with the cousins. Seeing her friend’s face droop, she asked, “But….?”

“But Mr. Ralston was nice enough….He’s scared of your uncle, Miri,” Lana whispered.

“Figures,” the sensei groused. “Uncle Dave can’t get a minute of peace, can he? Is that all?”

“Actually, is that who I think it is sitting in the corner?” Lana wondered, looking back toward the corner booth again.

“Yeah it is. Apparently, she’s out on parole. Uncle Dave’s asked me to play nice with her. She’s been coming in here for a couple of weeks now. Surprised you haven’t noticed before now,” Miranda pointed out.

“I’ll get a word in with her,” Lana insisted, heading in that direction.

Miranda grimaced. Terrific. Lana, I don’t like it either but she isn’t exactly causing trouble. Don’t start something!


****


[Corner Booth]

Alicia sat by herself, making sure she kept her nose buried in her books and out of other people’s business. While she knew that even being around there might not have been the best idea, she wanted to let her former neighbors know that she didn’t mean them any harm at that point. Algebra’s going to kill me if that lit class doesn’t first! She tapped her pen on the table while working on a quadratic equation.

“Alicia?” Lana asked almost primly.

Alicia glanced up and almost jumped. “Lana! Hi! Ummm, how’s everything going?”

“I was okay. When did you get out?” the manager asked.

Here we go again. First Pete and now Lana. Who’s next? Chloe with the journalistic third degree? “Right before the start of the Fall semester. Look, Lana, I’m really sorry about what happened the last time we ran into each other.” She frowned, bowing her head. “I’m just trying to study and make the most of my second chance.”

Remembering what she had just said about Mr. Ralston, Lana bit back the sharp reply she was going to give Alicia. “Just make sure you do that. We’ll be watching.” With that, she wheeled around and headed back for the counter.

Feeling everyone watching her again, Alicia squirmed. “Terrific. Here we go again.” She sipped on her coffee and collected her thoughts. As she did, she glared at the lead bracelet again. “Dumb thing!”

“It’s tough, isn’t it?” Sasha asked while straightening her glasses. “Mind if I join you?”

“Sure. You aren’t going to chew me out or anything, are you?” Alicia inquired anxiously.

“No. Just wanted to talk one reformed ex-con to another. Thought you could use a friend right now,” the bee controller noted.

“Thanks. I appreciate it. Can I get you another coffee?” Alicia expressed gratefully.

“Sure. Then I can talk about helping you to fit in again,” Sasha accepted.

I have one new friend! Alicia grinned while getting the waitress’ attention.


****



“Smooth move, Boss. Really subtle,” Miri chided gently when Lana had returned to the counter. “She was minding her own business.”

“I had to find out if she was…and to let her know what the ground rules are,” Lana tried to jump in.

Miranda shook her head. [“She was just studying. Believe me; I’m watching. So is Uncle Dave. But we’re giving her enough rope to hang herself with. You just stirred up the hornet’s nest.”]

[“I guess. I’ll go and help Clark at home. Keep a sharp eye out, Miri,”] Lana replied contritely before departing.

As she did, she brushed by Dave and Lex without stopping.

“What was that all about?” the latter wondered.

“Emergency at home maybe?” the former supposed as they continued in. He probed the mood spectrum in the room and felt the spike right over by Alicia’s booth. “I think I know what happened.”

“Alicia Baker? I thought I saw her in here last week but….”

Dave shrugged. “She’s also one of my students at the university. I’ll head for the counter in a couple of minutes. Have Miranda start on my mocha and I’ll go get it. Thanks.”

“Sure,” Lex agreed hedging for a second. As with Lana, he didn’t exactly trust Alicia either.


****


“Hi, Ladies,” Dave greeted the two teenagers. “Everything okay?”

“We were just talking, Dr. Dubois,” Sasha replied frankly. “Are you taking Lana’s side now?”

“Lana’s…? What?” He stooped down to their level. “Lana just brushed by Lex and me without a single word. What happened just now?”

“Alicia was sitting here studying. Lana came over and gave her the fifth degree,” Sasha reported. “I was just trying to be a friend is all.”

“As am I, Sasha. Thanks for that,” Dave expressed warmly. “Alicia, remember what I told you about earning people’s trust? This is a common reaction. Prove them wrong. What did you do when Lana said what she did?”

“I…umm…apologized about that stuff, Professor,” Alicia indicated. “And I told her that I wanted to make the most of my second chance.”

“That’s awesome, Alicia. Keep up the good work,” he complimented. “See you in class on Friday.” With that, he headed for the counter.

“Wow,” Alicia gasped.

“I’m impressed. He’s not usually so easy on people but I think you got a ringing endorsement,” Sasha informed her.

“I hope so,” Alicia agreed.


****


[the Counter]

Lex and Miranda waited for Dave to meet them there. “So what happened?”

The medievalist shrugged. “Lana presumed that Alicia was looking for trouble. She wasn’t. I’m glad Sasha’s being friendly.”

“Sasha?” Miranda asked in disbelief at the two women talking in the booth. “She’s not usually that open.”

“But she understands the situation,” Lex clarified. “Anyhow, I need to be getting back to the mansion. Dave, keep me in the loop on that apple trip, okay? It sounds like a great idea.” With that, he left.

“I told her, Uncle Dave, to leave Alicia alone,” Miranda noted.

“I imagine you did, Sunshine. Alicia’s got a tough enough road to hoe without the incriminations. I really would like to have her with us when we fight the Mystery Man,” he mentioned.

“What? Uncle Dave, that creep’s a big enough problem without having to worry about….”

He shut her up with a firm glance. “Miri, we need all of the help we can get. I’m going to talk to Steve about getting that bracelet off of her by December.”

“Good luck,” she muttered while taking off for another batch of customers.

Tremendous. He ran his hands through his hair, wishing that he had the answers for that particular mess in the making. He took his mocha and headed up the stairs toward his family, hoping to find some answers there.