Zod was busy.
Since his departure from Smallville, the General and his servant had traveled hundreds of miles, from Los Vegas to Monticello and finally to this facility, two miles outside of Metropolis. It seemed fitting that the final phase of restoring the black ship’s hard drive would take place so close to its original point of arrival on this planet. With the moon high in the night sky, Zod and the Construct set down in the main compound of the Metropolis Nuclear Facility.
With the capacity of the boiling water reactors lowered to half power at night, there was no need for a full crew to run the station and only one shift was in operation along with a handful of security guards to ensure the facility protection. Zod and the Construct were detected almost immediately upon landing in the compound. Strobe lights fell upon them from guards on high towers. The facility was almost prison like in its fortifications.
“Hold it right there!” Someone shouted from a tower. “You’re trespassing.”
“Continue to the reactor core,” Zod commanded the Construct. “I will tend to this.”
“Yes Master,” the Construct nodded and proceeded across the concrete floor towards the nearest entry into the building.
“HALT!” The guard shouted again impotently but his demand barely rated a second glance from the Construct.
Zod wasted no time with warnings. His eyes blazed red and the air between the tower and himself shuddered with heat just before the blast consumed it entirely, sending fragments in all directions. After that, alarms screamed throughout the facility as more guards appeared with their weapons, opening fire.
Elsewhere, his enhanced hearing became aware of voices being ushered out of the building evacuation procedures were initiated. With amusement, he noted that some of the frightened voices believed there was a terrorist attack underway while others thought some natural calamity had taken away. Zod listened to this cacophony as sound as he was assailed by a barrage of lead projectiles. They bounced off him harmless and drew in a deep breath, before exhaling with one, forceful puff.
The humans attacking him were hurled through the air, flung about carelessly as if they had been borne away by a tornado. The General did not pause to see where they had landed. It wasn’t necessary really since none of them were moving once he was done. Workers in the facility had wisely departed the premises, careful not to get in his way which was just as well, Zod had no time to deal with the primitives of this world when there was much to do.
He would not be robbed off his dream again, now when there was nothing to stop him from accomplishing it.
The path to the reactor core was not difficult to find after Zod stepped into the door leading into the reactor building. As anticipated, he had a trail of bodies to follow, even if he did not use his x-ray vision to detect the Construct. Those who did not die by the Construct’s bare hands were nothing more than charred remains of ash. The emergency klaxons continued to whine with warning lights flashing.
It did not take him long before he reached the control rod drives. Workers in white laboratory coats and fragile environmental suits, lay strew about unmoving.
“They tried to stop me,” the Construct explained.
“They’re irrelevant,” Zod retorted indifferently. “Get on with it.” He ordered, a hint of impatience creeping into his disposition. Had they been on any civilized world, this rigmarole would be unnecessary. This third rate backwater with its primitive nuclear generators convinced Zod that the race needed expunging for its sheer ineptitude.
The Construct nodded and took the hard drive from inside his coat pocket. The last two attempts had returned it to its hexagonal shape but it still lacked spark needed for it to begin generating its own formidable power reserves. What twenty nuclear facilities would take a hundred years to accomplish, this small piece of technology could produce by the hour. The components were there, all it required was a starter.
Clutching it in one hand, the Construct reached into the reactor core with the other and began draining it of all its powers. Immediately, the lights around them started to dim as the reactor began to hum louder and louder. The Construct began to glow with white light as he acted as a conduit, drawing out all the power and funneling it into the hard drive which began spinning on the top of his palm.
Across its smooth dark surface, symbols came to life with a soothing amber glow.
***********
He woke up on the couch.
Clark Kent looked up and saw Lois's head lolled against her shoulder, snoring lightly as his own head rested against her lap. Eyes shifting across the room, Clark found himself in the living room of the Kent house. Next to him, Clark saw Chloe curled up in Jonathan’s chair, in a similar state of slumber. Glancing out the window, Clark saw that it was dark outside and tried to remember what had happened. As his memories flooded his mind, Clark attempted to sit up and winced at the pain. Looking down at his bare shoulder, he could feel the ache from a now completely healed gunshot wound which served to remind him how mortal he was despite of his invulnerability.
It was not the first time he had been shot nor was it the first scar from a bullet he had ever received but it still struck him to see it nonetheless. An image returned to him in a flash and once again Clark was wincing at the memory of Lois standing before him, pointing a gun and completely unafraid to use it.
God, he had always known she could be strong but until now, he never knew how steely her determination could be. Clark didn’t know if he had that much iron will.
For a few minutes, Clark did nothing but watch the two women who had risked everything to save him.
He watched and let the disturbing events of the day seep into his skin like the blood in wood. The images came slowly at first and then they flashed with such speed, that Clark was overwhelmed. However, being overwhelmed was nowhere as bad as actually remembering it for real, being able to reference it like any other memory, even if it wasn’t him in control. Knowing red kryptonite was responsible did not alleviate his anguish. Every time this happened, it was like waking from a bad dream, except it wasn’t a dream and he didn’t have the luxury of forgetting all that had happened.
And no one else around him did either.
The last time he was under the influence, he had hurt everyone he cared for and this time, this time his behavior was so much worse. He looked at Lois who was wearing one of his plaid shirts and a pair of Martha’s sweats and knew this was son because she didn’t have any clothes left. Clark’s stomach hollowed remembered why. He had torn them off her body when he took her repeatedly and even though she had submitted willingly and could not be held accountable for the responses of her body, Clark knew it had been a means to an end.
She had endured it because of him.
The thought made Clark sick to his stomach.
When Clark thought of all the times he had wanted to spend the night at her apartment, all the feelings she had inspired, the idea that he had taken her spread out over the kitchen table like some cheap tramp was beyond description. Clark had so wanted their first night together to be something special and now for the rest of her life, she’d have the memory of a scene straight out of some tawdry porn film as her first sexual experience with him.
Clark had also wanted to tell her the truth about his heritage, about being Kryptonian before taking that step so Lois would at least know what she was getting into. Clark felt cheated and worse yet, he felt as if he had betrayed Lois.
Then there was the other fear; that perhaps on some level his boldness as Kal would be something he’d never be able to live up to. Clark knew he’d never have the courage to be as bold with Lois as Kal had been. Kal had taken what he wanted and Lois had responded to it on some level. How could he ever be sure that it was Clark Kent she wanted sharing her bed, not Kal? It was a foolish thought and probably unfair considering what Lois had been willing to endure to get him back, but Clark’s psyche was often a paradox of insecurity and confidence and this time he had good reason to fear.
Unable to stay in the room because his guilt felt like bile in his mouth, Clark lifted his head of Lois's lap, careful not to wake her or Chloe. He was still dressed in his boxers but right now, he didn’t care. Leaving the two women in the house, Clark retreated to his sanctuary in the barn, the place where this whole nightmare had begun. He had yet to deal with the fact that Zod had taken over Oliver’s body and now he had two Kryptonians to deal with instead of just one. It should have been his main priority but as he stared out into the moonlit night, all he could think about was what he had done in the last day.
Not just to Lois but Christ, to Lana and Lex. He had almost killed Lex and recoiled as he remembered what he had said to Lana, not to mention Chloe. Even if he was angry at Lana for her decision to be with Lex, she hadn’t deserved the venomous words he had said to her. Nor had Chloe. Clark was mortified that he had rubbed her face in her unrequited feelings for him. Chloe had been there for him when he had felt completely alone. She did not deserve such humiliation.
No one did.
“Damn it!” Clark swore and lashed out, his fist snapping a support beam in half with a loud crack. Splinters went in all directions and Clark heard the slight heave of the beam above him. He wanted to scream in fury and outrage at what Fine had done to him. It wasn’t fair! Everything had been going so great! He hadn’t been this happy in so long. Why did these things keep happening to him? It was as if the price for these supposedly great powers was a state of perpetual misery where he continued to harm the people that he loved.
Lois. God, how could he ever face Lois?
“Hey Smallville.”
And the misery just kept on coming it seemed.
“Lois,” Clark turned around and saw her at the top of the steps, looking at him with concern. He was unable to meet her eyes for long, especially with images flashing in his mind of whispering cruel things in her ear while manhandling her like a slab of meat. Instead, Clark averted his gaze and went to the loft window staring at the cornfield swaying in the night’s breeze.
“Smallville,” Lois noted the look and guessed perceptively what was on his mind even if he hadn’t said the words. Clark had the most expressive eyes of anyone she had ever met and from the first; her ability to read him had surprised even Lois who considered herself a good judge of character. Sometimes she could see straight through him and some times he was a mystery.
Today, it was more of one rather than the other.
“You should be resting. Getting shot up with red and green kryptonite in one day takes a lot of out of a person. You gotta get your strength back to deal with Zod.” She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
Her arms around his body felt good and the comfort she offered even more welcoming but Zod’s name inspired nothing but hatred.
“Zod,” Clark spat with disgust. “I guess that’s not a bad idea considering I’m the one who let him go.”
“Clark,” Lois said gently even though she knew that there would be no easing their way through this. “You weren’t yourself.”
“Yes I was Lois,” Clark retorted, turning around to face her. “Yes I was. Every time, I turn into Kal, it’s always me! He’s not another person Lois! He’s the part of me that I don’t dare show! All those feelings exist somewhere inside of me! I almost killed Lex and what I said to Lana…”
“Stop, please stop,” Lois pleaded as she took his face in her hands and made him stop. It cut her life a knife, seeing those expressive eyes so filled with pain and anguish. Lois couldn’t stand it. “Maybe part of Kal is you but he’s a part you should never have to see. We all have a side of us that’s just like him, aggressive, cruel and selfish. We’re just lucky enough not to have to see it because of red kryptonite. I’m not angry at you Clark and none of the people who know you and love you, are angry for something Fine had no right to do to you.”
Clark wanted so much to believe her. As much as he wished he could admit Kal was someone else, he couldn’t. It would be a lie and Lois deserved the truth. He was every much Kal as Clark Kent was. “How can you say that Lois?” Clark blinked, eyes becoming moist with emotion. “I remember how I touched you, how I treated you. Lois, I was like an animal and what did to you…!” He faltered unable to say it.
God it hurt her seeing him like this. However seeing his pain gave Lois a sense of clarity she had never had about their relationship and making the realization gave her a sense of liberation as well as strength to do find the right words to say to him.
“I can say that because I love you Clark.”
There. She had said it.
Even though Lois had known how deeply she had fallen for Clark, she had never felt brave enough to say it to him until now. She had thought speaking the words might jinx it somehow and things had been going so well between, Lois hadn’t dared to risk it. So many relationships, full of hope and expectation had come crashing down because she had opened herself up to soon and the result had been heartache. Lois didn’t want to happen with Clark. As happy as he had made her, Lois had become too conditioned to hurt to let herself become so vulnerable.
But if it meant that ridding him off the agony he was going through now, then she would shout it from the rooftops.
Clark’s eyes widened in surprise. Staring into Lois's one hazel ones, he knew she wasn’t lying. She did love him and Clark knew how he felt about her. So not like Lana where he had cultivated his feelings over time. All those years of yearning and dreaming, not seeing the forest for the trees. Coins in a piggy bank, he almost smiled. Lois's own words. He had been saving for a bike never realizing it was a Harley he was getting.
His love for Lois was so unexpected, it had struck him deaf, dumb and blind all at once. He had never imagined that she could make him happy let alone that he could fall for her.
In truth, Clark Kent never seen Lois Lane coming.
“I love you,” Lois repeated, staring into his eyes. “I didn’t realize how much until I thought I might lose you and I was prepared to move heaven and earth to get you back Clark. I didn’t care if I had to play a part to keep Kal off balance, Clark. None of it mattered because the man I wanted, no the man I loved, for once needed me to save him. Clark, even when you were Kal, you still cared about me. I see that more than I see the guy who went all Sex God on me. The only thing that made me go through what I did was knowing that I’d get you back. Don’t ever think for a moment that I don’t love you because I do and I always will. You’re in my heart Clark. That’s all there is to it.”
Clark embraced her hard, burying his face his hair. “God Lois,” he whispered. “I am so sorry for everything I did. I never wanted to hurt you or anyone.” Closing his eyes, the tears ran down his cheeks as he held her, not understanding what he had done do deserve this unconditional love from her, especially after how he had treated her. There were still deep wounds that needed healing between them but for right now, he could manage. When this business with Zod was done, he and Lois would need to mend.
Knowing that she loved him was enough. For now.
***********
The hard drive was spinning harder now.
It spun so fast that one could not longer see any shape except a glowing orb of bright amber. It illuminated the darkened interior of the almost exhausted nuclear reactor. Zod saw the device approaching its fully functional capabilities and concluded that it wouldn’t be long before he could use it to reshape the earth’s crust and rebuild Krypton. This time, Kal-El would be at his side as an ally, a delicious bit of irony that was sure to cause Jor-El to spin in his grave.
If he had one that is.
The humming that had filled the air at the onset of the process had metamorphosed into a loud drone the more and more power was siphoned from the reactor core. As the Construct began diverting every available bit of energy out of the facility, other systems in the building began losing power. Electrical systems throughout the complex were failing, the emergency klaxons had fallen into silence and now the lights were flickering out one by one, like candles snuffed out by the wind.
“We’re almost done General.” The Construct announced.
“Finish it,” Zod commanded.
As always, the Construct obeyed without question and retrieved his hand from the reactor as the hard drive devoured every last particle of energy left remaining. Zod watched dispassionately as the Construct too began to break down. The formidable energy contained in its matrix, being drained into the hard drive of the black ship. As the Construct began to disintegrate before the General’s eyes, Zod reached down and reclaimed the device. It stopped spinning almost immediately upon contact. Falling dormant, Zod looked up long enough to see the Construct vanished into wave of blue energy, expanding outward and creating a volatile mix with the spent uranium rods.
Leaping into the air, Zod smashed through the ceiling of the complex as he felt the rumble of the earth beneath him. He flew straight into the atmosphere until clouds were beneath his feet and gave him a good view of the explosion as everything in a two mile radius was vaporized.
After the gunshot and the removal of the red and green kryptonite from Clark Kent’s body, the onus of Lois and Chloe’s thoughts had been on his recovery. Kryptonian or not, a gunshot wound was a serious thing and though Chloe assured Lois that Clark claimed to be a fast healer, neither woman could rest easily until they saw his recovery for themselves. Restoring Clark Kent to his true personality had taken all their attention so it was forgivable that both were unaware what was taking place outside Smallville.
Chloe had fallen asleep on Jonathan Kent’s favorite armchair at some point in the evening, exhausted from the day’s events until she was rudely awakened by the ringing of her cell phone. Eyes snapping open to the electronic sound of Cyndi Lauper voice tearing shrill through her ears. Uttering a muffled curse because she didn’t want to wake up Lois or for that matter Clark who had to be exhausted after his ordeal, Chloe immediately fumbled for her handbag to retrieve the phone. Fortunately, she noted as she flipped it open to receive the call, neither of them were in the room.
“Hello?” Chloe offered a groggy greeting as she blinked herself awake and sat up straighter in the chair.
“Chloe, what’s happening? Is Clark alright?” Martha Kent’s frantic voice demanded.
With an inward groan, Chloe rebuked herself for not calling the woman before this. She and Lois had been so wrapped up in dealing with Clark and the aftermath of the gunshot that they had neglected to call Martha.
“Clark’s okay,” Chloe replied immediately, guilty compelling her to reveal that piece of information before anything else. “We managed to get the Red K out of Clark,” she explained. “He’s fine now Mrs. Kent.”
“Thank God!” Martha exclaimed with a near sob of gratitude deepening Chloe’s guilt for not calling sooner. “When we heard about those nuclear reactors being destroyed, I thought Clark might have had something to do with it.”
Chloe blinked. Nuclear reactors?
“Nuclear reactors?” she stuttered to catch up. “What nuclear reactors?”
“Haven’t you heard?” Martha declared. “It’s all over the news. At least three reactors have exploded in the last six hours. The last one was at Metropolis about an hour ago. The authorities haven’t been able to explain why there’s no fallout but they’re calling it a terrorist attack. Lionel and I were sure that Zod has something to do with this.”
He probably did, Chloe thought silently, not about to discount the coincidence. The last time the Kryptonian general had appeared on Earth, the planet suffered Dark Thursday. “Mrs. Kent I’ve got to go, I’ll get Clark to call you as soon as possible. Stay by your phone.”
“I should come home,” Martha started to say when Chloe cut her off remembering Lois's warning about clearing the board for Clark when they returned him to his right mind.
“Mrs. Kent, you need stay where you are.” Chloe said quickly. “It’s safer that way. Zod might be gunning for people Clark cares about and you’d be top on his list.”
Martha Kent had been down this road before and as much as she disliked the idea of staying away, she knew the warning Chloe gave was all too real. “You should make yourself scarce to Chloe,” Martha reminded her, ever considerate of those who were important to her son.
“I’ve already been given my walking papers,” Chloe assured her. “As soon as I can, I’ll be heading out your way. See you soon, Mrs. Kent.”
“See you Chloe and please have Clark call. I just need to hear his voice.”
Understanding all too well, Chloe made her that promise and was determined to keep it.
***********
Chloe wasted no time seeking out Lois and Clark once she had ended the call with Martha. It didn’t surprise her to find the duo in the loft and surmised that considering what had transpired between the couple in the last 24 hours, that they had some talking to do. Chloe did so hope that Clark wouldn’t blame himself for what was completely beyond his control. Unfortunately, Kal’s intimacy with Lois had complicated matters and Chloe knew Clark all too well.
Brooding was definitely in the cards when this was all over.
“Hey you guys,” Chloe announced herself as she climbed up the stairs, “you up here?”
Of course they were but it was only polite to ask.
Chloe.
Clark Kent felt another wave of shame as he heard his best friend’s voice. Someone else to whom he had to apologize. Why did freeing his inhibitions have to turn him into such a complete bastard? Clark asked himself as he saw Chloe’s familiar face appear. Locked in Lois's embrace as she tried her best to comfort him in light of what he had done, Clark pulled away as she saw Chloe.
“Hey Chloe,” Clark greeted, trying to make his voice sound as normal as possible, instead of the despair he felt.
“Clark,” Chloe smiled and hugged him warmly because the look on his face, showed him clearly needing absolution. She doubted a hug would be the remedy to all his guilt but it was the best she could manage right now. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Chloe,” he started to apologize, not knowing what else to say because he remembered Kal’s cruel words to her.
“Clark, its okay,” Chloe stopped him just as Lois had and Clark wondered what he had done to deserve such unswerving affection from both of them. “I’ve been through the Red K dance, I know what its like…”
He begged to differ but took her words in the spirit it was intended.
“I just hope you know what you mean to me,” Clark said staring into her hazel eyes, so much like Lois but not different as well. “I’d never hurt you,” he lifted his eyes to Lois, “either of you.”
“Smallville, it’s cool.” Lois assured him with an affection wink. “Now come on boys and girls,” she said in an effort to move past this subject for now. As much as she wanted to comfort Clark and let him have time to deal with this, she remembered what Joe had said at the fortress and knew they were on the clock. “We’ve got bigger problems to deal with than Kal.”
“Oh my God!” Chloe’s eyes widened remembering the news that had been imparted to her. “Clark, your mother rang a short time ago. She told me that its been all over the news that at least three nuclear reactors have gone critical in the last few hours, including the one outside Metropolis.”
“What?” Lois exclaimed with understandable horror. “Why aren’t we glowing in the dark like the Toxic Avenger?”
“Clark, remember when that Zoner named Bern came after you?” Chloe spoke up, having considered the question before turning up here.
“Yeah,” Clark retorted. How could he forget? Bern had killed Raya. “I remember and I think I know what you’re getting at.”
“Well if someone could fill me in, that would be just peachy,” Lois quipped. “Remember, my secret decoder ring is still in the mail?” She gave them both impatient stares.
With a small laugh, Clark squeezed her hand because she could always make him smile. Perhaps that’s why he enjoyed being with her so. Lois had a way of making things feel not so bad. In that way, she reminded him of Martha. “Sorry Lois,” he gave her a conciliatory look. “Bern was a Zoner. A criminal from the ….”
”Phantom Zone,” Lois concluded. “Joe already filled me on the Phantom Zone and all the really cracked space eggs that got tossed into that little basket. So he was one of those guys who got out?”
“Joe?” Clark glanced at Chloe who merely shrugged and gave him the familiar expression of resignation the he had coined a ‘Lois moment’. It was a look he and Chloe shared a lot.
“Your holographic dad or whatever his name is,” Lois retorted and nudged him to continue.
Only Lois would come up with something like that and once again, Clark found a little smile despite his mood and the urgency of the situation. “Right,” he decided to continue instead. “Bern escaped the Zone the last time I ran into Zod. He had to fill up on power by hitting nuclear power stations.”
“Yeah,” Chloe added, “worked his way all the way to Clark.”
“Nice,” Lois shrugged. “So we’re assuming that this it’s Zod hitting all those stations this time?”
“It’s too much of a coincidence,” Chloe met Clark’s gaze.
“It is,” Clark declared, having guessed why Zod might need the power. “Zod went to Lex’s mansion to get the hard drive of the black ship, the one that Fine came in. That’s what he used to cause Dark Thursday.”
“Clark, he was going to use that thing to reshape Earth in Krypton’s image,” Chloe declared, remembering what Lana had told her about that whole business. “But didn’t you destroy it?”
“I did and what was left, Bern drained of all its power.” Clark answered. “But Lex didn’t get rid of it. He kept what was left, probably to analyze it for Luthor Corp labs. Zod wanted it back and I’m guessing that he’s used the power in the nuclear stations to fix it. If he doesn’t, Fine will. Either way, to get it working again, they need power.”
“Which would explain why none of the explosions have caused nuclear fallout,” Chloe concluded. “There’s been a lot of damage but no radiation, at least according to your mom.”
“Well thank goodness for small favors,” Lois snorted. “Look if he’s powered up this thing from three reactors, then we got to find him before he decides to try again.”
“We aren’t doing anything,” Clark stated firmly. “I am. Lois, Chloe, you both need to get out of town. Head as far away from here as you can. Meet up with my mom and just stay away, I’m going to deal with Zod and I don’t want any of you hurt.”
”Clark,” Lois protested. “You can’t do this by yourself. You can’t go up against Fine and Zod on your own.”
“Lois,” Chloe stepped in. “You said it yourself, Clark needs a level playing field.”
“Oh I just knew you were going to throw that in my face,” Lois grumbled, giving Chloe a dirty glare. “How can you stop them both?” She turned back to Clark, frightened for him and frustrated because there was nothing she could do to help.
“I’ve got my father’s crystal,” Clark said firmly, hiding his own anxiousness at facing Zod again. He had barely managed to survive the last time. He didn’t want Lois to his doubt at whether he could defeat the general again. “It sent him back to the Zone once, it will do it again.”
“Does he know about this crystal?” Lois inquired, trying to piece together everything she was hearing without asking twenty questions.
“Yeah,” Clark answered reluctantly. “He knows about it.”
“Clark you can’t pull the same trick twice. From everything I’ve heard, this guy is a general with delusions of grandeur, a bad case of megalomania and some crazy ideas about planetary redecorating. If you’re going to use that that thing on him, you better have some kind of plan or else he’s gonna see you coming for miles.” Lois pointed.
“Thanks Lois,” Clark gave her a look. “I wasn’t quite nervous enough already.”
“Well snap out of it farm boy!” She said swatting him on the arm. “The world needs saving and you’re the only one who can do it. Fortunately, all is not lost.”
“It isn’t?” Both Chloe and Clark said in unison.
“You’ve got me,” Lois smirked. “And I do have a plan.”
***********
Zod returned to the Luthor Mansion and found it devoid of life.
There was no sign of Luthor or his female. No sign of Kal-El either. Kal-El had no interest in the rekindling of Krypton on his beloved Earth and Zod had no patience to explain to him that there would be no stopping the chain reaction he was about to put into effect. The hard drive of the alien ship now fully restored awaited use and it was only Zod’s sense of irony that compelled him to return to this place to begin the rebirth of Earth in the image of Krypton.
Wearing the face of Oliver Queen, Zod made his way through the debris covered path he had created when he first came to the mansion. The destruction remained untouched, with bodies still lying amongst the rubble as he walked through the corridor. He wondered where Kal-El was and wondered if he had taken Luthor’s female for himself. Zod recalled he had feelings for the girl from their last encounter. No matter, Kal-El would come to him soon enough when he set the process for Earth’s metamorphosis into motion.
Arriving at the parlor where he had left Lex Luthor and Lana Lang, Zod walked to the wooden desk now covered in a film of dust. Lowering himself into the leather chair, the Kryptonian general lifted the lid of Luthor’s computer laptop and waited patiently when the screen came to life a second later. Once the primitive data unit was functional, he reached into his jacket and retrieved the hexagonal hard drive once again. Entering the activation sequence against the touch sensitive pads on the device, Zod allowed himself a smug smile when he saw its symbols illuminate with amber light.
“Shall we try again,” he said to himself as he placed the device above the laptop’s hard drive and with a wave of his hand set it on its course. It began to spin as before but this time, its effect could be seen as Kryptonian symbols filled the computer screen in rapid, seemingly out of control sequences.
The hard drive began to spin faster, sending Kryptonian programming into the world’s communications network, overriding every firewall, security program and encryption barrier in existence. Zod did not have to see the panic being caused by these primitives as they tried to understand who had taken control of their computers, computers which controlled orbital defensive satellites above the planet surface. The Kryptonian programming would reach the swarm of hardware currently above the Earth, modifying its purpose for something grander than its original designers had intended.
Sitting back in the leather chair, he relaxed for a moment, watching the symbols flashing across the screen with even greater speed and waiting for all the satellites revolving around the Earth, realigned to direct their aim towards the planetary crust. Tectonic plates would begin to shift, shuddered out of billions of years of formation and on a sub atomic level, the geological structure of the Earth began its sudden change.
Across the planet, the air filled with a sharp whine.
Loud and penetrating, there was not a human alive who did not react to the screeching noise that came from above. Those who lived through Dark Thursday would also recognize the sound almost immediately. They would remember that the sound had been only the precursor to an even more terrifying symptom of Earth’s coming demise.
Earthquakes.
As the ground began to rumble and the world wide panic spread, Zod remained where he was in his leather seat. He need do nothing but exult in the chaos, armed with the knowledge that in a matter of hours, the Earth would tear itself apart taking on a new shape and the human race, save for a select few, would be little more than a footnote in the history of New Krypton.
The minute the sound screeched through her ears, forcing her hands over them in reaction, Chloe knew what it was.
Lois and Clark had the same reaction within the confines of the barn, Clark worst of all because his hypersensitive hearing amplified the sound. He doubled over in pain, caught by surprise Chloe suspected, while Lois, forgetting her own discomfort had automatically come to his aid. The sound was piercing but would not last long. This too, she knew from experience. The last time she had encountered it Clark had was trapped in the Phantom Zone and Lois had been unconscious, near dead from the planet crash Fine had caused to murder both her and Martha.
"What the hell is that?" Lois demanded out as she tried to help Clark.
Chloe didn't answer because her voice would be competing against that awful screech and it would take too long to explain. Best to wait it out. Instead, she shifted her eyes to Clark, hoping that he would adjust his focus as he often did when overpowered by too much stimuli. To her and Lois, this was uncomfortable, for Clark, it had to be painful.
It took Clark a few seconds to shut it out but by the time he did, the noise had died as suddenly as it began. Straightening up and lowering his hands from his ears, he saw Chloe to do the same. Her expression was strangely devoid of surprised and seemed almost as if she expected the silence. With a flash of insight, it occurred to him she knew what this was.
"Chloe," Clark stared at her. "What just happened?"
"Wait for it," Chloe said, wanting to know for certain if she was right. The next few seconds would confirm it.
"Wait for what?" Lois blurted out because the word 'wait' was as foreign to her as 'tact'.
It started subtly at first, slowly intensifying until Chloe could feel tremor pass through the soles of her feet, traveling through her bones and up her spine. With that sensation overtaking them all, there was no longer any denying it. Around them, the barn began to shudder and if Clark didn't know what it was then, he certainly knew it by the time the first jar of old washers shattered against the dusty floorboards of Jonathan's workshop.
"It's beginning," Chloe exchanged a look with Clark whose breath caught when the realisation dawned upon him what was happening.
"WHAT?" Lois exploded. "Just because you are from Krypton you don't have to act so goddamn cryptic!"
"Its Zod," Clark explained already moving past both women and heading towards the steps. "He's fixed the hard drive from the alien ship."
"This is what happened on Dark Thursday Lois," Chloe retorted before following Clark. "It started with that sound and then the earthquakes hit."
"Oh my God," Lois uttered a soft exclamation. "You mean right now? He's redecorating right now?"
"If you call shifting the Earth's crust so that the planet looks like Krypton, redecorating," Clark said in a deadpan. "I've got to stop this then I'll figure out how to get Zod back in the zone."
Lois could tell by the timbre of his voice that he was running on nothing but urgency, not thinking through what was ahead of him. That was Clark's way; she had come to learn since they had started dating. People mattered so much to him he didn't think of the consequences and sometimes he had to for the very same reason.
"Clark wait!" She called out following them both down the steps. The tremors had now become full on shaking and even as they descended, Lois was having trouble maintaining her balance. "You can't just go over there and fight him without your father's crystal."
"Lois, I can't afford to waste the time." He said grabbing both women like some kind of circus strongman and zipping out of the barn into the open fields where there would be little danger of them being harmed by anything.
Letting them go in the middle of the recently harvested field, Clark could feel the intensity of the tremors growing. Even from this distance, he could see its effect on the Kent household not to mention the bar. The nightmare of Dark Thursday and the destruction it wrought because one again, he had not followed his father's instruction was taking place before his eyes again. He just couldn't let it happen a next time.
"Smallville think!" Lois said placing her hands on his shoulder as if that would do anything to stop him if he chose to go. "You have once chance of stopping him, one chance and if you screw it up, we all lose."
Chloe wasn't sure what Lois was thinking she was accomplishing by this 'pep talk' but she knew Clark had barely managed to defeat Zod the last time and this time, without the crystal, Zod could very well kill him. "Clark, just listen to Lois a minute. Let's think about this before you rush off and do something to make things worse. "
"Lois, Chloe," Clark said impatiently, "every second I waste is another second where people are going to get hurt."
"Clark!" Lois spoke in a tone that Chloe had rarely heard her use. "People are going to get hurt a lot worse if General Krypton gets his way. This guy is a soldier, meaning he knew how to kick serious ass before he got superpowers. You've had them all your life and I'm sorry to be the one to break it to you Smallville, but you're not a soldier and you don't know how to fight like one. Without the crystal, he'll have the advantage and as you're the only chance this planet has of getting through this thing, I'm asking you to think."
Clark wanted to protest and refute her words. It had stung a bit when she declared that having superpowers all his life had given him an unfair advantage but it was a fact he could not deny. Raya herself had said it when he first spoke of facing Zod, the man was a General and for all intensive purposes, Clark Kent was a farm boy. During their last encounter, Clark had only been able to get as close to Zod as he had because he had kneeled before the general in defeat.
As ego bruising as it was, Lois was right, he couldn't take the chance of moving too quickly and losing.
"Alright," he said meeting both of their gazes. "I'm thinking. What do we do?"
***********
When the tremors had started, Zod was somewhat surprised that Kal-El hadn't appeared to make some pathetic attempt to stop him. After all, the young man had laughably warned him to leave Metropolis and Smallville untouched. Technically Zod had kept his word, he had made no move against those two cities but he had promised nothing about the planet. Despite the Construct's confidence that Kal-El would continue to be an ally whilst he remained under the thrall of red kryptonite, Zod did not share it.
Allegiance balanced on such a knife's edge was no absolute and the more Zod considered the idea as the Earth tore itself apart around him, the less he liked the idea that some day Kal-El might turn on him. And there was that other possibility as well, that the boy might have ambitions of his own. Certainly the moral inhibitors in his personality had been vanquished in the river of red kryptonite running through his blood. Did Zod want an ally that could challenge him?
Unable to decide at the moment because Zod was not one to waste resources, he would belay the question for now. Besides, the notion of having Jor-El’s child as his right hand in the new order was too delicious to discard so easily and Zod was not immune to trapping of vengeance on his old nemesis.
When Kal-El arrived at the Luthor Mansion, the source of the earthquakes currently tearing his adopted home world apart, Zod was careful to ensure he had scanned every inch of the young man’s person before reaching his presence. Zod had made that mistake once and paid for it dearly, he was not about to repeat it now that he was so close to getting everything that he wanted.
Around him, the Luthor home shook and shuddered but largely remained intact. The memories of Oliver Queen he had ingested when taking this body revealed that Luthor most likely had the mansion’s structure reinforced to survive such a disaster. However, Zod suspected that no amount of precaution was going to prevent the structure from crumbling once the transformation of the Earth was complete. Watching the device on Luthor’s laptop continue its endless spin, Zod waited for Kal-El to arrive.
Clark came to a stop in front of Lex’s desk and stared across it into Zod’s face. Around him, he ignored the effect of the tremors on the mansion and more importantly, what he had done the last time he was here. What he had said to Lana and how he had almost killed Lex. However, those memories were nothing in comparison to the soul sucking despair he felt when he saw Zod’s wearing Oliver Queen’s body. It took every ounce of control the young Kryptonian had not to show the shock and horror at what he had done to his friend. Clark held his impassive mask in place even though his soul screamed nothing but anguish
I did this to him. I watched Fine hold him down while I did this to him.
“I thought we agreed that Metropolis and Smallville was mine,” Clark spoke with Kal’s confidence, attempting to project as much of that arrogance as he could. Dressed in Kal’s expensive clothes, remembering Lois's advice which was ‘to just act like a jerk’, Clark Kent stood before Zod trying to buy time. He kept his eyes fixed on Zod, ignoring the hard drive that was spinning within his line of sight. The less attention he paid to it; the better.
Zod displayed Oliver’s charming smile as he eased back into the chair, dusting off a stray bit of debris from his shoulder. “They are still yours Kal-El,” Zod said smoothly, “however; they will be a part of New Krypton.”
“New Krypton,” Clark nodded, seemingly impressed. “I suppose I could get used to the sound of that,” he pulled up a chair and lowered himself into it, keeping his gaze fixed on Zod.
“It is the path your father should have chosen for you,” Zod continued to speak. “Instead of sending you here as little more than a farmer’s livestock, he should have sent you here to fulfill Krypton’s legacy. This primitive world would have welcomed what we could have given them.”
“I guess,” Clark retorted, feigning boredom at his conversation. “Never been there, never gonna now.” He shrugged.
Zod’s eyes narrowed. “It is the planet of our birth. Krypton was a shining jewel of civilization in an otherwise savage galaxy.”
“Couldn’t be that good,” Clark replied. “Everyone keeps saying you destroyed it.”
“Everyone?” Zod raised a brow in interest.
“Fine, Raya….”
“Raya ,” Zod uttered a low chuckle. “Jor-El’s little whore.”
Clark’s jaw almost clenched in response but he managed to hold it back and surprised himself by responding with a smirk, “She was very beautiful.”
“She was nothing,” Zod said dismissively, “now your mother. Your mother was a beautiful woman.”
Despite himself, Clark couldn’t help but show some interest. “Really? You knew my mother?”
“I doubt that there was anyone on Krypton who did not Lara Lor Van. Your father was the scientist. Your mother was the soldier. I knew her well.” Zod’s eyes seemed to drift and for a moment, Clark saw something in the man’s eyes that made him uncomfortable, that appeared too much like how Clark looked in the mirror whenever he thought of Lana and Lex together. “She was a formidable woman,” Zod concluded, “and much too good to be have wasted her life on playing a home maker. She could have greatness but instead, she chose to die with your father.”
Zod almost spat out the words and Clark decided then, he didn’t want to know because the parallels to his own life could be more than he could stomach.
Around them, the quakes were becoming more and more violent and Clark dared a look over the building, wondering if the supports were going to hold out. “We should get out of here before this place comes down.”
“Frightened Kal-El?” Zod taunted.
”Kal,” Clark said sharply, remembering his aversion to his Kryptonian name when he was under the influence. “I’m not afraid. This is a new jacket.” He smirked.
“Tell me about Miss Sullivan,” the general inquired.
Clark blinked. “What?” A bit of his personality showed because the question took him by completely by surprise. “Why do you care about her?” Clark asked, insides knotting. Zod had never had any dealings with Chloe.
”Oliver remembers her,” Zod replied, watching Kal-El’s reaction with great interest. With serpentine eyes, the general watched and continued to prod, dissecting the young man with his questions. “Those memories indicate a sharp mind, adaptable with just enough complacency to be useful to me.”
Hearing Chloe discussed like that was almost as disturbing as believing that Zod’s feud with Jor-El could have been the result of his feelings Lara. “Useful.”
“I need an heir Kal-El. I want a new bloodline, descended from Zod to crown my new empire. You have chosen your consort to rule Metropolis and Smallville; I want Miss Sullivan to rule New Krypton.”
No. No. No.
Even as the tsunami of rage rose up inside of him, Clark’s reasons was making a desperate attempts to rein in the fury that was flaring out of control, shattering the façade he had been trying so hard to main. However, the idea that Zod had designs on Chloe, the one person who had stood by him for no other reason than friendship, sickened him to the core and cause something to snap inside Clark Kent with such finality that he barely noticed it had broken until it was too late.
“Not Chloe! NOT EVER.” Clark’s eyes burned with crimson that for once had nothing to do with red kryptonite.
Clark slammed into Zod with the force of a locomotive. The two men smashed through the wall and kept going, one after the other. Suddenly the roar of the earth quaking under them seemed far and hollow because all Clark could hear was the roar of fury in his ears. Consumed by the idea of Zod turning his twisted desires towards Chloe, Clark felt a rage he had not experienced since Alicia was murdered.
Only this was much, much worse.
Clark did not see the walls exploding around him but felt the support beams holding Lex’s mansion give way, each time he and Zod barreled straight through them. They finally reached the grounds of Lex’s manicured lawns, existing through the outside wall of the mansion before skidding through the meticulously tended Kentucky bluegrass. Soil and grass piled up around them as they tore deep groove in the lawn before finally coming to a stop.
“You’ll never get your hands on her!” Clark shouted, throwing a punch before Zod had time to recover, driving the older Kryptonian deep in the dirt. Lois had said he didn’t know how to fight like a soldier, well maybe he didn’t but that wasn’t going to stop him from beating Zod to a pulp or die trying. “NEVER!” He screamed enraged.
“All too easy,” Zod smirked, blocking the blow as if expecting the outburst and blasted Clark off him with a burst of heat vision.
Clark sailed across the air in a neat arc, landing on a concrete bench and collapsing it beneath the force of his impact. Zod immediately got to his feet and looked at Clark, smiling.
“All too easy, Kal-El,” Zod gloated triumphantly. “You’re still a boy and so predictable. I knew it was just a matter of time before you would show your true nature although I am disappointed by how easy it was to provoke you to act. You are ruled by your emotions. Lara would be disappointed.”
Clark ignore the obvious taunt, knowing now that he had thrown down the gauntlet, he had no choice but to follow this fight wherever it might lead. Whatever, it might cost him. God help him, he may have to sacrifice Oliver to stop this.
Getting to his feet, Clark faced Zod, readying himself for a fight.
To the death if necessary.
***********
Across the frozen wasteland, Lois Lane was running as fast as she could towards the fortress, knowing that she had no time to waste. In the distance, the crystal structure waited patiently for her to arrive while beneath her feet, the ground shuddered and quaked treacherously. Clark had wanted her to leave, go far away where Zod would not find her, at least for awhile anyway. If he failed in stopping the Kryptonian warlord, far away would not be enough. However, Lois convinced him that she could help and he needed all that the assistance he could get.
Dressed for it this time, Lois made good pace across the icy tundra, seeing her breath form clouds of vapor as she moved. Heart pounding at the exertion, she crossed the space between the fortress and the spot where the cleft in the Kawatchee cave wall had deposited her after Clark had sent her through. Chloe had wanted to come with her as well but both Clark and Lois had decided that if this desperate plan of theirs failed, someone on Earth had to know how to stop Zod. There were other heroes out there, Clark had said, other heroes who might be able to do what he might not.
The idea of failure and the death that might result was something Lois kept firmly out of her thoughts because compared to the destruction of Earth, it seemed rather a small price to pay.
It was quiet.
Even though the earth was heaving in protest beneath them, even though each could hear sounds of calamity from distance places, in that moment as they looked upon each other, there was nothing but silence.
It was the silence that came when two armies faced each other across the field, the pause that held each side in place, anticipating the battle to come. It was like the first drop of blood, hanging pendulously in a single drop, waiting to fall and splatter. It is like the moment waiting for wakefulness to become sleep, that small window of time when there was nothing but the silence and men have sold theirs souls just to make it stop.
Some call it the hour of the wolf.
The last time they had faced each other, Clark Kent who had existed his entire life in a safe cloak of invulnerability learned just how fragile he was to someone from his own world. Even though it had been part of an agenda, Clark had remembered how humiliating it was to hear those three words.
Kneel before Zod.
Even now, the memory felt like ash in his mouth and as he stood his ground, waiting for something to happen while around him the Earth was continuing its painful rebirth as Krypton, Clark knew he would never do it again while there was breath in his body.
“I warned you Kal-El,” Zod broke the silence. “I warned you what I would do if you interfered with me again. This time, I will make you pay by killing everything on this Earth that means anything to you. When you betrayed me, you signed their death warrant. Remember that Kal-El when you bury them.”
Don’t.
Don’t let him bait you.
This is what he wants. He wants you to come to him. Don’t give him the advantage.
Clark repeated these words to himself like a chant. He had already tipped his hand by reacting to Zod’s intentions towards Chloe. Clark knew he could only make that mistake once. Lois had told him to keep a cool head. She had imparted to him every iota of useful information she could think of, words that had been branded into her memory by a father who saw her more as one of his troops than his daughter. For once Clark had been grateful to heed the advice.
“That the best you can do?” Clark goaded. “You sound like the villain in a bad movie. What next, you’re going to get me and my little dog?”
Zod’s expression became menacing and without response, shot forward towards Clark, determined to slam into him with the force of a 747. Clark held his ground, watching leaves and dirt corkscrew into the air with the sudden rush of wind. Watching closely, he saw Zod about to hit him in mid sternum when suddenly at the last minute, when Zod’s fists were inches away from him, Clark turned sharply, letting the man speed past. However, instead of letting him fly by completely, the last son of Krypton pulled back his fist and dropped it into the small of Zod’s back.
The power behind his fist stopped Zod in mid flight and drove him straight into the ground. As the General reeled, Clark used his super speed and moved in. Grabbing Zod’s head with both hands, Clark bashed his skull into the ground so many times that each impact against the dirt was little more than a blur. However, Zod was not about to take this abuse without retaliation. As Clark pummeled him overhead, the Kryptonian wrenched himself free by propelling himself upward.
Suddenly Clark felt himself aloft as Zod gained altitude. Not about to be taken on any unwilling flights, Clark let go and tumbled into the ground, creating a small dust cloud when he landed. Zod flew high enough to get free and then he was heading back towards Clark. This time however, the General greeted him with a burst of heat vision that more or less seared the expensive coat Clark was wearing to impersonate Kal, off his shoulders.
Flung back by the intense heat, Clark impacted against a tree, snapping its trunk in half as he tore through it. Zod continued his assault with heat vision, igniting the leaves as the deadly rays advanced towards Clark. Wasting no time, Clark picked up the blackened tree trunk and swung. He had never been allowed to play baseball but Clark did know how to hit. The trunk connected with Zod and sent him zooming through the sky and crashing into garage where Lex kept his fleet of expensive cars.
I hope he lands on the Ferrari, Clark thought to himself.
When Zod did not come out straight away, Clark zoomed across the debris strewn grounds, slowing just before he reached it. Suddenly, a wall exploded outwards as the said Ferrari flew out of the building towards it, followed by the Porsche, the Masseratti and every automobile contained in the garage. Clark dodged the cars flying towards him, swatting some aside and using his super breathe to deflect others from landing on top of him.
In the midst of avoiding the barrage of prestige cars, Clark lost sight of Zod.
Using his enhanced vision as he dodged the vehicles, he scanned the area for some sign of the General. He did not have to search for because Clark looked up just in time to see Zod plunging down on him. Like he had been struck with a pile driver, Clark was driven into the ground, his feet splitting the earth like one of the posts he managed to dig into the dirt on the farm with his bare hand. Clark sank all the way down to his armpits and was preparing to break free at super speed, when Zod zoomed in for the kill.
Throwing powerful right and left cross against Clark’s jaw as the younger man tried to free himself; each blow was hard enough to make a Kryptonian’s teeth rattle. As he suffered the blows, Clark’s rapidly disorientated mind clung to the words Lois had tried to make him remember. Don’t let him get close. Blood filled his mouth as he struggled out to claw his way out of the dirt but Zod’s blows did not stop.
“I did not want this Kal-El,” the enemy growled as he continued to beat Clark senseless. “I would have been perfectly content to let you be my ally but I knew that you are too much your father’s son. Sooner or later, you would betray me. It’s in your blood.”
Lashing out more out of desperation than fury, Clark turned the full force of his heat vision at anything directly before. A gust of heat, like a wind tunnel on fire not only flung Zod away from him but burned every living thing in the area. Vegetation turned into ashes, soil became fused like glass. The superheated air was shimmering before him as Clark hauled him out of the ground. Aching and bleeding, he saw Zod crashing into the tar driveway in front of the mansion, his landing breaking the slab apart.
Inhaling deeply and blowing out sharply, Clark sent another gust of wind at the General, hoisting him into the air as if a twister had ripped leaf from a branch. Speeding ahead, little more than a red and blue blur of colour, Clark went after Zod and jumped. While he could not fly, he was more than capable of reaching Zod in the air and throwing a punch at his enemy. There to meet Zod when both of them were on the ground, Clark continued to keep him off balance, alternating between, punches, blasts of heat vision and super breath, determined not to give Zod a chance to breathe.
“Are you afraid to face me?” Zod hurled at him when the General shattered another wall on Lex’s mansion. “You find like a frightened child!”
Clark refused to let himself be goaded, knowing that could be a fatal mistake. He could feel wet running out of his ears, taste the metallic tang of blood still. He would heal eventually but even Clark Kent had his limits. Zod on the other hand, seemed to become more enraged at the fact that he was being thwarted by Jor-El’s inexperienced son.
“Whatever works,” Clark retorted and snatched one of those pretensions statues framing Lex’s front garden and throwing it at Zod.
Zod vaporized it in mid air, heat vision splitting apart the marble lion figure into tiny fragments. Beneath them, deep fissures began to appear in the cement driveway, running across the concrete like ugly veins while the Luthor mansion continued to disintegrate under the intense seismic activity. A section of the opulent structure started to give way, no longer able to withstand the earthquake or the abuse inflicted upon it by the two warring combatants.
Clark paused a moment, distracted. Unfortunately it was all the time that Zod needed before the General was before him. Taking a cautionary step back, Clark tried to recover his mistake but Zod had anticipated the movement.
“An interesting strategy,” Zod retorted as he locked his hand around Clark’s arm. “Hit and run tactics. Very wise when dealing with a far superior opponent,” Zod sneered as he punched Clark so hard that the young man was driven to his knees. His blow followed another and Clark attempted to block him and wrench free. Instead, the General brought his skull down against Clark’s nose.
Bone crunched as the younger Kryptonian staggered back, bleeding profusely.
”Its strategy I might employ myself,” Zod retorted as he took advantage of Clark’s disorientated state and continue to pound him relentlessly, ensuring every punch was delivered for maximum damage. “I am a general Kal-El. I have done things you cannot even begin to conceive. I commanded Krypton’s armies! I could have brought her to greatness if it wasn’t for weaklings like your father! Scientists and pacifists who could never understand that non-violence is the breeding ground for subjugation! Did you think a simple farm boy like you could even begin to outthink me?” Zod demanded furiously. “Look at your world Kal-El! While you’re wasting all your time with this pathetic excuse of a fight, your precious Earth is destroying itself!”
Clark jaw was almost broken and he was trying to see through a swollen blood filled eye. “It was never about outthinking you Zod,” Clark smiled through the bruises and the blood on his face. “It was always about keeping you busy.”
***********
Chloe was waiting when Lois had finally emerged from the Kawatchee caves.
As it was, she counted herself fortunate that she was able to make it outside at all. The seismic chaos caused by Zod’s device had caused such violent tremors that Lois was fearful she might be buried alive after Jor-El returned her to the cleft in the chamber. Lois suspected that what was at the fortress was not Clark’s dad at all but some kind of information system with the memory anagrams of Joe, utilizing a kind of AI intelligence far beyond human comprehension. Perhaps that was why Fortress Joe was always so cryptic, because he could only say what Real Joe had programmed him within the parameters of its design.
It did not make any real difference because Fortress Joe was more than forthcoming when Lois appeared at Krypton’s last bastion in the universe and brought him up to speed on the plan she and Clark had devised. Okay, she devised it but Clark was the one doing the hard work. Thinking about him, Lois forced the worry from her mind. In the last two days, she had been let in on the secret of the century and was she, Lois Lane, intrepid reporter of the Inquisitor thinking that this could be the most momentous occasion in human history?
No, she was thinking about her boyfriend who might be getting the snot pounded out of him.
Fortress Joe showed her what she needed and then sent her straight back to the Kawatchee Caves which was shaking so badly that Lois had real fear as she raced through the darkened chambers that the roof would come down above her head. When she saw daylight against, Lois did not imagine that there could be anything so sweet. However, she had no time to savor the sensation. No sooner than she appeared, Chloe’s voice snapped her back to the mission at hand.
“Lois!” Chloe hurried to her. “Thank God,” her cousin sighed with visible relief. “I was sure that whole cave was going to collapse. We have to get going. Clark’s at the Luthor mansion. That’s where the tremors are originating. Looks like Zod likes to keep to familiar ground.”
After Lois had gone through, Clark and Chloe had tried to trace the origins of the damaging signal. Unfortunately, with the alien hard drive commandeering all lanes on the information superhighway, that task was easier said than done. Venturing a guess that Zod would use the mansion as his base of operations since his second resurrection, Clark chanced a quick trip to confirm his theory. He had paused long enough to tell Chloe before rushing off to face Zod again. All she could do was wait until Lois returned from the fortress while he went off to distract Zod.
“Okay,” Lois nodded as she returned Chloe’s embrace and started moving towards the car. “You know what to do, make your stops at the mansion and then keep going.”
“What?” Chloe stared at her. “Lois I’m not leaving you there!”
“Chloe don’t fight me on this one okay?” Lois looked at her sharply. “I might get myself killed doing this. I don’t want the same to happen to you. Besides, you heard what Clark said, if we fail then someone else has to be able to warn others, tell them what’s happening. Chloe,” Lois said trying not to sound as melodramatic as she uttered the warning, “you’re our last line of defense.”
***********
Zod had been so enraged by a farm boy challenging him that he hadn’t heard what Clark had, the rumble of a car’s engine just beyond the mansion’s line of sight. He had heard the engine stop but briefly and then resume its course. Knowing that it was going to cost him, Clark made a pretty good show of defending himself, even when he let blows through he could have blocked. Zod needed to be distracted and Clark was all too aware of what was at stake. Lois's plan was a gamble, a one shot that Clark was willing to suffer because she was right. He had defeated Zod the last time because Clark had been able to take him by surprise.
To only way to do it now, was to surprise him again.
“It was always about keeping you busy.”
Zod’s fist halted in mid air as he hovered over Clark, understanding filling his mind. Turning his head towards the mansion, he saw Lois Lane through the walls, breaking into the ruined structure, moving down the halls of what was left of Luthor’s parlor where the alien hard drive continued to wreak havoc. The girl was moving fast with skill he noted. The farm boy may not be a soldier but the girl…the girl could have been. Searching Oliver’s memories, Zod remembered that Lois was the daughter of Sam Lane, a three star general.
Appropriate, he thought venomously. A general had given her life. A general would take it away again.
“How long did you think you are going to be able to keep her from me?” Zod sneered at Clark.
“Long enough,” Clark blasted heat vision into two focused beams of crimson into Zod’s eyes.
Zod screamed. It was possibly the first time he had actually screamed. The pain seared through the back of his skull and only his invulnerability saved him and his vision. Staggering backward, his eye lids blistering, his visual receptors struggled to compensate for the overload. Clark wasted no time and closed the distance between them. This time, it was Zod’s turn to suffer. Pouncing on the general, Clark flattened him against the concrete floor and drove him into the ground, using his fist like jackhammers.
Taking advantage of his rather underhanded attack on Zod, Clark hit him so hard repeatedly that the concrete beneath Zod cracked. What windows that hadn’t been broken by the earthquakes were shattering one by one by the force of his blows. Like explosions, each time he hit, another crack appeared on the glass. Clark did not recall ever needing to use his strength like this. It felt good to unleash it all; it felt good to not have to hide who he was.
Hell, it even felt good to beat the living shit of out of Zod.
“This is MY HOME!” Clark growled. “You will never hurt anyone here again! Even if I had to send you and Oliver to the Zone! Do you hear me? NEVER!”
Beneath him, Zod’s flesh began to bruise, began to soften like his had. He could feel blood on his knuckles, the ache in his arms as he continued to beat on the General, unleashing all the repressed fury he had been keeping inside of him, the rage he felt because of what he had done as Kal, caused by this animal’s servant, Fine. Fueled by had and frustration at what had transpired the last two days, the indignities and the violence he was committed, Clark Kent allowed himself to feel fury at the injustices of his life of late.
“I can’t believe you thought I was ever going to join you. Earth is my world! All that’s left of Krypton are memories I don’t have. I laugh thinking you actually believed I was going to help you all kill all those people!”
“NOBODY LAUGHS AT ME! NOBODY!”
Zod’s scream of fury was like an animal’s roar. Fingers dug into his forearm as Clark was suddenly surging into the air, leaving the ground far behind him. Zod was flying, taking them into the sky. The General’s blistered face was healing rapidly as they flew up into the clouds. Clark felt the wind billowing under him, felt the cold rushing against his cheek as they disappeared into the thick cumulus. Trying not to feel fear, Clark hung on as the Luthor mansion became tiny beneath him.
“If you can believe anything Kal-El,” Zod growled at him hoarsely, “believe whether you can FLY!”
With that, he released Clark and watched the young man fall.
***********
Jesus Christ on a crutch, Lois thought as she shifted through the damaged ruins of Lex’s mansion, is Lex going to be seriously PO’ed when he comes back. Lois had only been to the mansion a number of times before Clark’s falling out with Lex. However, she remembered thinking how gauche it was that anyone would move a Scottish castle from its ancestral lands to Kansas just so they could use it stroke themselves over the prestige of their lineage.
Still, Lois still had to admit feeling horrified at seeing the mansion in this state.
It wasn’t easy moving through the building especially with the ground shuddering before her and Lois needing to avoid the barrage of falling debris. She shouldn’t be in here but if Clark was risking his life fighting Zod, than she was going to risk her own fulfilling her part of the plan. A support beam fell behind her with a loud crack, covering Lois in dust as she reached the doorway to the parlor. It was the most logical place to start and the one room that hadn’t been completely demolished yet. Knowing Luthor, he probably built himself one structurally indestructible room to protect his sorry ass.
Out of breath slightly when she arrived in the parlor, Lois felt another lurch in her stomach as she saw the destruction inside. An almighty crack had split the floor, leaving a gapping breach half a foot wide across the polished wooden floor. Broken edges jutted upwards like a small row of spears pointing at the air. Almost everything that wasn’t bolted down was on the floor. Shelves, tables and ornaments covered the ruined Persian rug. However, Lex’s desk remained intact as Lois's eyes was drawn to the spinning amber light that circled the room like the strobe inside a nightclub. It was drawing energy from the laptop, using it as a conduit to continue its rampage against Earth.
It was the epicenter of all the chaos.
Lois ran across the floor, maintaining her footing as the ground shuddered and quaked, making her fight for every inch of space between her and Lex’s desk. She saw the hard drive continuing its turn to transform Earth into Krypton. She couldn’t help but stare at it for a while, marveling the technology. How far ahead was Krypton in comparison to Earth? Was it any reason that Zod and Fortress Joe had such an appreciative view of humans? Compared to Krypton, Earth must be something out of the Stone Age.
Her first impulse was to reach for it but Clark had warned her against it.
“Okay, no smashing you into a thousand little pieces,” she told the thing. “Well do the next best thing then.” Producing the gun Lionel had provided, the one still containing Kryptonite shells laced with lead, Lois took aimed and fired.
Not at the hard drive but at the laptop.
The first bullet made her jump slightly as the laptop exploded beneath her as the casing was blown apart by the impact. There was really no need for the others but Lois wanted to make sure. She almost emptied the entire magazine into the thing, turning it in to little more than a collection of plastic and metal fragments. The hard drive stopped spinning almost immediately. Cut off, the Earth suddenly went still as the tremors abruptly stopped. Like a spinning top suddenly out of steam, the hexagonal disk began to slow.
Suddenly, Lois felt the familiar gust of wind sweep into the room and pause behind her. She prayed it was Clark but somehow, she had really doubted it. Swinging around, her fingers still poised on the trigger of her weapon, she was ready to fire at the first sight of Zod.
“What have you done?” The General demanded glaring at the laptop she had completely destroyed.
It was unnerving to see Oliver’s face staring at her and for a fraction of a second; Lois almost forgot that it was not a Kryptonian megalomaniac standing before her but Ollie, the only man other than Clark she could have loved. She wondered if he was still in there and remembered what Clark had said about Lex the last time Zod occupied a human host.
With that in mind, she did not hesitate to pull the trigger and fire the rest of the Kryptonian bullets into him.
He barely noticed them and seemed almost amused when nothing happened. “You humans are priceless,” Zod closed the distance between him and Kal-El’s female in a blink of an eye. Hand around her throat; he hoisted her off the floor with one hand while crushing her gun in the other. “I’m not going to bother explaining the whole business of Kryptonite only affecting those were who are actually born on Krypton as opposed to the ones who arrive in the manner which I did.”
Lois struggled to break free but she knew it was useless. As it was, his grip around her throat was vise like and she could barely breathe, let alone respond.
“I warned Kal-El what I would do if he betrayed me again,” Zod stared at her mercilessly. “What happens to you now is with his compliments.”
He was falling.
Beneath him, the ground was starting to loom large and though Clark Kent knew that he would most likely survive the impact, he couldn’t be sure that he would come out of it in any shape to fight Zod. Being injured did not frighten him. However, being too injured to help Lois terrified him beyond belief. Zod had gloated as he zoomed past Clark, heading towards the house, heading towards Lois with the satisfaction of knowing that Clark as in no position to pursue him.
As the wind rushed through his hair, billowing through his clothes, Clark felt furious that he was caught like this. He was a Kryptonian and he should know how to fly! He should! Not for the first time, Clark swore at himself for not taking the time he should have had to train with Jor-El, to learn about his heritage or at the very least, learn the extent of what he could do. Seeing the Luthor mansion beneath him, Clark used his enhanced vision to seek out Zod and Lois.
God! Zod was closing in on her.
“LOIS!” Clark let out a scream of anguish at his inability to warn her.
He couldn’t lose her! Not now and it wouldn’t be like losing Alicia. It would be a thousand times worse than that. He and Alicia’s relationship had been driven by like minded insecurities because of their abilities. He was able to be himself in front of her because of her own secrets but with Lois, there was never any of that pressure. She had accepted him for what he was, for no other reason than he was Clark Kent, exasperating farm boy. Even after what he had done to her as Kal, Lois still loved him.
And Clark loved her.
Completely, without hesitation, with the utter certainty that she was the one that Martha had promised was out there for him. Even with Lana there was never this doubt that it would not work out with them. After he had finally admitted how he felt about Lois, Clark couldn’t begin to imagine looking back at Lana and now he couldn’t imagine how he would ever live without Lois.
The ground was getting closer; he could see trees appearing against the verdant green below him. Closing his eyes, Clark forced himself to focus. He could fly. He knew it. He had done it. As Kal-El, he had been able to fly, Martha had seen him do it and that time when he had found himself on the highway, he had flown. All Kryptonians could and better or for worse, he was Kryptonian and he had to learn!
Now.
Clark didn’t have much time, less than a minute or so he estimated before he plunged to the ground for what was certain to be a painful landing. Closing his eyes, he tried to calm himself down and dredge up memories that he had tried so hard to bury. He had told the truth to his parents that he didn’t remember anything about being Kal-El during the three months that he was missing. However, something had happened to him when he first discovered the fortress. Jor-El had attempted to train him then and during the aborted process, he had been assailed with a myriad of images, a kaleidoscope he still couldn’t make complete sense of.
However, what it did shake loose were clearer memories of that period of time following his emergence in the cornfield where Lois had found him.
It was easy. He knew that much. Zod had taken to it without any trouble at all. The girl Kara had done the same. It was just a matter of will and right now, as Clark saw the fissured driveway of the Luthor mansion rushing up to greet him, Clark had he had found plenty of will. Focusing all his energy into believing he could fly, into knowing that he was capable, Clark’s aching jaw clenched, his teeth ground against each other.
The wind was rushing at him, blowing through his hair, shielding him from nothing. He could feel it against his skin, the currents rushing defiantly past him, refusing to stop, refusing to give him what he needed. Clark opened his eyes and saw the concrete below coming to claim him and instinctively, folded his arm’s, protecting his face from the impact when suddenly, the rushing air past him stilled.
Blinking twice, Clark lowered his hands and realized that he wasn’t falling. He was barely a meter off the ground but he was still off the ground.
Hovering.
***********
Chloe should have done this. She really shouldn’t have.
Lois had told her to carry out her part of the plan and leave but when she saw Clark and Zod gaining altitude and then the General leaving Clark to fall, Chloe was spinning the wheel of her car and speeding towards the mansion. There was only one place he would head to if abandoned his fight with Clark and that had to be back towards the device. The same device Lois had sneaked into the mansion to disable. Although Chloe felt some concern for Clark, she knew he was pretty indestructible, he’d survive the fall.
Lois, however, wouldn’t survive an encounter with Zod.
And neither would you, her inner voice reminded as Chloe made her way through the ruined mansion, trying to decide what it was she attempting to accomplish here. She couldn’t answer that question but did notice that the building was not longer shaking and shuddering around her nor was the ground tearing itself apart with violent earthquakes. Lois must have stopped the alien hard drive somehow.
Zod couldn’t be too happy about that.
Just how unhappy he was became known to Chloe when she stepped into what was left of Lex’s parlor and saw Zod’s hand clenched around Lois's neck while dangling her off the ground like a marionette puppet. Chloe’s stomach lurched as Lois continued to kick violently, trying to break free of a grip she had no hope of escaping before realizing with horror that her cousin was losing consciousness. Driven out of fear, Chloe picked up an iron poker that had spilled out of is stand in the tremors and crept up behind Zod before smashing the cast iron rod against the arm choking the life out of Lois.
“Let her go!” She demanded.
In retrospect it had about as useful as trying to defend oneself with a baked bean against charging rhinoceros.
The rod vibrated hard in her hand as she had attempted to wrap it around a steel girder. Shuddering, it forced Chloe to drop it against the floor, making a loud clattering noise as it landed. Wide-eyed with fear, Chloe retreated, remembering that one blast of heat vision could end her life and everything she ever dreamed of being. Worst of all, she’d die being unable to be of any help to Lois at all.
“That is quite a request,” Zod half turned and fixed his high-powered gaze at Chloe, a small smile crossing his lips. “How nice to see you, Chloe.”
That she knew her name surprised her.
Chloe quickly reminded herself that this was Oliver Queen’s body and no doubt, Oliver’s memories were at Zod’s disposal. “Let her go, please,” Chloe demanded, uncertain why she was making the request. Perhaps it was because he was speaking to her almost politely that made her try. She had nothing to lose.
“As you wish,” his green eyes lingered on her and for some reason, Chloe felt her skin crawl. Unclenching his fist, he let Lois collapsed to the ground. She didn’t move after piling on the debris covered floor in a heap.
“Lois!” Chloe hurried to her side to see if she was alive. Zod’s powerful handprint against Lois's throat created an ugly discolored bruise and Lois's breathing was labored. Chloe wasn’t even sure if she was breathing.
“I have been waiting to meet you Chloe,” Zod’s hand grabbed her by the arm and pulled her away from Lois.
“Me?” Chloe didn’t understand as she stumbled to her feet. “What do you want with me?”
Zod produced an almost serpentine smile. “I want to give you the chance to save your cousin. Give me what I want and I will let her live instead of the painful death she so richly deserves for plotting against me with Kal-El.”
“What about Clark…?” Chloe stuttered, stalling for time.
“There is nothing you can do for Kal-El,” Zod’s expression hardened. “His fate is sealed whatever your decision. Hers is not however.”
Chloe was genuinely puzzled. Her contact with Oliver Queen was infrequent at best. Of course they ran into each other Clark’s barn every now and then but other than that, she barely knew him. What possible impression could she have left in his mind that engendered Zod’s interest?
“What do you want?” She asked finally, feeling this nagging fear in her pit of her stomach that was growing in intensity.
“An heir.”
Chloe’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding?” Her exclamation was one part shock, disbelief and plain bewilderment. “Why me?”
In a small way Chloe was flattered, the way a baby seal was flattered just before some seal hunter staved in its skull for a Park Avenue fur coat. Keeping calm her obvious horror, she played the game for now because somewhere out there, Clark Kent was going to come to their rescue them and she had to keep Lois alive until then. Zod had no reason to keep her alive and every reason to kill her.
Zod’s hand brushed against her cheek and Chloe fought the urge to flinch, even though she was terrified out of her mind. “I will establish the bloodline of Zod on this world. You will be my consort and the mother of my children. You have intelligence and spirit. Qualities my sons will need. In exchange, I will let you keep a select number of loved ones alive for your amusement.”
It was almost surreal and years of hiding her feelings for Clark Kent was probably the only reason why Chloe managed to hide her horror at what he was suggesting. “Sounds like an offer I can’t refuse.” She swallowed thickly, glancing at Lois. It concerned her to no end that Lois still wasn’t moving.
“A wise piece advice would be not to,” Zod warned.
“Then I won’t,” Chloe was sweetly, trying not to shake. “Now let me help her, please...”
“I need one other thing from you first,” Zod lowered his face to hers. His lips inches away from hers.
Chloe shuddered, “what?”
“Your laptop.”
***********
In actual truth, Lois Lane was very much awake.
She had been listening and not only had she been listening, her hand was clenched firmly around the crystal that she had retrieved from the fortress. When Chloe had come to check on her, she had slipped it into Lois's hand to keep it from Zod. While she listened in horror at what Zod was proposing to Chloe…major gross factor here…she wondered where Clark was. Chloe was supposed to meet Clark once Lois had shut down the device. The plan was to distract Zod long enough to shut the thing off and bring Zod here, giving Clark enough time to meet Chloe and get the crystal.
However, it had gone wrong because Clark had not come. So where was he?
Wherever he was, Lois couldn’t let Zod get to that laptop.
Waiting until Zod’s back was turned while he dragged Chloe out of the room, Lois got to her feet and tried to reach the General. Her throat was still burning with pain but she had to move. All their lives depended on it. Grabbing his arm, she slammed Jor-El’s crystal against his bicep praying it would work. Zod turned around, eyes widened as he stared at her. It only took him a second to see what she was pressing against his flesh.
Eyes widening with fury, Zod snapped his arm against her with enough force to send Lois flying across the room. Lois uttered a sharp cry as something sharp tore through her shoulder and started to bleed onto her chest.
“LOIS!” Chloe screamed. “You son of a bitch!” She struggled to break free as she saw her cousin impaled with one of the jagged edges of the torn up floorboards.
Suddenly the wall behind them both shattered and Clark smashed into the room, splitting Lex’s heavy oak table in two as he sped through it like a streak of red. Pausing near Zod long enough to get Chloe free and throwing a powerful uppercut against the General’s chin and sent him through the ceiling away from Lois and Chloe.
Dropping to the floor, he saw Jor-El’s crystal amongst the debris and retrieved it, preparing to go after Zod when Clark saw something that froze him to the spot.
“Lois…?” The word escaped in a strangled whisper.
He saw blood, rivers of red running down her shoulder, spreading across her shirt and the sharp point of wood that protruded from her flesh. He saw the bruise on her neck as Chloe ran to her, weeping in fear.
Oh God, Lois.
“Clark, we have to get her to a hospital!” Chloe cried, uncertain whether or not to move her. She was already reaching inside her jacket, trying to find her cell to call an ambulance if it was even possible to do so.
So much blood.
Clark was at her side in a second but this time, Lois did not stir. He could see the wooden shard through her skeleton, could see the broken bones that was not visible to the eye.
Please let her be alive. Please don’t take her away from me.
“Lois,” Clark looked at Chloe with anguish. “Lois, say something.” His voice pleaded with her. He needed her to say something, anything. Clark wanted to wake up and tell him to quit panicking, to smirk at him in that way she had, to call him Smallville. Clark needed to hear her voice or nothing he did ever did in this life would matter. Nothing.
“Clark she’s out of it,” Chloe raised her eyes to him and implored, seeing his panic. This hit too close to home after what happened with Alicia. “We need to get her to a hospital now!”
However Clark was no longer listening. Not since seeing Jonathan die had Clark Kent felt such deep, terrible despair. In his hand, Clark was still clenching Jor-El’s crystal in his palm. He looked up at the ceiling, his eyes narrowing as he slid the object into the pocket of his jeans. Barely aware of anything but his fury, Clark Kent leapt into the air screaming his enemy’s name.
“ZODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!”
Clark flew through the ceiling, raining mortar and debris down against the ground before soaring through several floors before exploding out the roof of the Luthor mansion. Roof tiles broke around him as he reached the open sky and found Zod waiting.
“Is she dead yet, Kal-El?” Zod sneered as he hovered not far above the mansion.
Clark did not respond.
He kept flying. He had learned how to fly out of desperation but now hatred was helping things along considerably. Like a projectile, Clark slammed into Zod and kept going. They left the mansion far behind them again but this time Clark was no longer the novice. True, he was not as adept as he would like but his rage gave him focus and his adrenaline made his senses sharper. In mid air, he threw another punch at Zod, sending the General spinning through the sky. Clark didn’t let him come to a rest until he sped up to Zod again, delivering another powerful blow, one after the other.
The ferocity of the boy’s attack took the General by surprise.
And something else had changed. The boy wasn’t holding back. In all their previous bouts, Zod had detected the slight hint of resistance because the humans who raised him had crippled him with senseless moral values that had no place in a true son of Krypton. However as Zod fended off Clark’s blows, taken back somewhat by the savage punches, he knew that moral code was the farthest thing in Kal-El’s mind now. The boy hadn’t been fighting to kill before.
He was now.
Clark couldn’t see anything but Lois lying there, covered in blood. Zod had destroyed Krypton, had threatened to destroy everything and everyone that he cared about. This couldn’t continue. Zod would keep coming back, over and over again until he got what he wanted, until Earth was destroyed. Clark couldn’t protect Lois all the time against this animal, against this aberration wearing Oliver’s face. Using his super speed, Clark pounded Zod with such fury that the General had little opportunity to shield himself.
Grabbing Zod while the man was disorientated, he flew across the landscape, marveling at how he could have denied himself this pleasure for so long. Driven by will he did not think he possessed, Clark flew to the waters of Crater Lake and plunged beneath its murky surface. It occurred to him then that this terrain would be completely alien to Zod if everything he knew about Krypton was correct. Diving straight to the bottom of the volcanic lake, Clark could feel the heat of magma churning beneath the lakebed.
He could see Zod trying to accustom himself to the terrain but Clark would give him no such time. Using his heat vision, the water began to boil, creating even more confusion for Zod to overcome. Steam, heat, bubbles created a confusing mixture that Clark was accustomed to after way to many games of Marco Polo with Pete and Chloe over the years. Once he had created enough chaos, Clark went in for the kill again, attacking Zod until his limbs ached. Until he started to see the water discolor with red and realized that Zod was bleeding.
Good.
By the time Zod had been born, Krypton’s surface had become so crystallized due to the rapidly changing environment that complete immersion in water was almost impossible. Water was too strictly rationed for it to be used for so frivolous a purpose. Of course at that time, the possibility, that Rao the native Kryptonian sun was going nova, never occurred to anyone and was responsible for much of this climatic changes. However, little of that mattered now because Zod was seeing his blood in the water because Kal-El, fueled by rage, fighting with the advantage that came with hatred, not to mention raw, youthful talent had been pushed too far.
No!
He refused to be beaten by a child! He would not be. Zod attempted to swim out of this alien environment but a hand wrapped around his ankle and proceeded to beat him against the lake bed. Swinging back and forth, slamming him into the hard bedrock, Zod began to see more red staining the water.
It was time to finish this. Clark swung Zod around and threw him towards the surface before following the General as he was flung out of the water. Flight and speed making it easy for him to catch up with Zod’s landing site, Clark landed on the soft sand. Zod was barely able to fight back, still reeling at the thrashing he had received beneath the water and Clark saw him for the first time, bleeding, broken, and ready to be killed.
Helpless.
It would be so easy to end him now. To finish him once and for all. If Clark was at all sensible, he would kill Zod and be done with the General and any lingering threat to Lois and his family. This animal had hurt Lois, had tried to kill her! He couldn’t bear to lose her, not after losing Jonathan. It was too much. He couldn’t go through the pain of losing Lois, like he had Jonathan.
Jonathan.
The memory of the man who shaped his life returned to Clark at that moment, as if even in death, Jonathan Kent had one last lesson to teach. The man who gave him everything of value in his life, who taught him the lessons that would follow Clark to the grave had only ever asked one thing of his son. To be a good man.
And good men didn’t kill.
Closing his eyes, Clark blinked away tears and knew he could not do it. No, not could... would not do it.
The fury of Lois's injury was subsiding and he wanted to kill Zod badly but if he killed Zod then he would become the very thing that Jonathan Kent had tried so hard to prevent. He would become a killer. Opening his eyes as Zod’s fight had left him, albeit temporarily, Clark decided that it was time. Reaching into his pocket, he produced the crystal.
“NOO!” Zod’s eyes widened at the doom approaching and tried to jump up but Clark slammed a boot down against his chest and held him in place.
“I WILL KILL YOU KAL-EL! I SWEAR IT! EVEN IF YOU SEND ME BACK! I WILL FIND A WAY TO REUTRN AND I WILL DESTROY YOU AND EVERYTHING YOU HOLD DEAR! I WILL TEAR THIS WORLD APART BECAUSE OF YOU! BECAUSE OF YOU!”
“It’s over Zod!” Clark barked and kicked him in the jaw before lowering down long enough to press the crystal displaying the family crest of El against the man’s cheek. “Send my regards to other prisoners in the Zone.”
“NOOOOO!!!!” Zod continued to scream, fighting the inevitable as the crystal began to glow.
Clark stood back and watched dispassionately as Zod began to writhe and scream, fighting against the power of the crystal that was tearing his essence away his briefly acquired host. Their eyes locked in the instant before the Zod’s wraith like body ripped itself free and in his departure, Zod hissed.
“You have won nothing. This is far from over…!” Zod hissed before his words broke into mindless screams of agony as he was pulled out of Oliver Queen’s body. However, his freedom from flesh was short lived because the glowing crystal was soon dragging Zod back into his prison. Clutching wildly at the air with fingers he no longer possessed, Zod’s intangible form disappeared into the trap created by his greatest enemy.
Screaming words he could no longer understand, Clark stared with an expression of stone as the crystal stopped glowing and fell from Oliver’s cheek, leaving a burn that would vanish soon enough. Oliver’s eyes flew open and he sat up, making contact with Clark for a second before he lapsed into unconsciousness.
Walking across the sand, Clark kneeled down next to Oliver and retrieved his family crest before slipping it back into his pocket. The danger was over but the aftermath remained and Clark had a lot of work to do. Chloe would have gotten Lois help already but Clark was leaving nothing to chance, he needed to get back to her. Also he would have to come up with some way to explain to Lex what he had seen. Clark had an idea of sorts and it was a scenario that seemed to work well over the last six years.
There was no reason to believe it would be any different now.
Picking up Oliver, Clark Kent took comfort in one good result to come out of all this. Leaping into the air, Clark Kent, not Kal-El flew into the air, eager to greet the sky.
A/N – The scene of Clark’s hovering over the ground is just my little homage to Superman Returns and the barn scene.
Zod was gone but nothing was back to normal.
Standing at the front of the Luthor Mansion or rather what was left of the place, Clark surveyed the damage and wondered if Lex would even bother to rebuild it when the destruction he and Zod had caused was so thorough. Entire sections of the mansion had been demolished. One part of roof had collapsed entirely, unable to withstand the loss of too many support beams. Between his fight with Zod and the seismic disturbances caused by the black ship’s hard drive or rather what was left of the Brain Interactive Construct; Clark wouldn’t be surprised if the only thing holding up the mansion was paint.
Good.
Using his enhanced vision, he could see Chloe still leaning over Lois, tending to her. Speeding into the building, leaving a debris cloud behind him as he closed the distance between them, Clark tried not to panic at the sight of Lois's blood. As it was, seeing her like this had almost unhinged him enough to consider killing Zod. Right now, he needed to be in a better frame of mind to be of any use to her.
“Clark!” Chloe exclaimed with a look of visible relief at his appearance. She quickly got to her feet, and hurried towards him, meting him mid way with a big hug. “Thank God you’re alright! Where’s Zod?”
“Gone,” Clark answered, his jaw tensing at the sound of the villain’s name. Clark did not want to think about Zod right now. Even though the enemy was banished to his prison in the Zone, the destruction he had let behind was still here and Clark was going to have to deal with it. However, for now, his hatred subsided for a more pressing concern. Rushing to Lois's side, he swallowed in horror as he sighted the jagged piece of wood that continue to protrude from her left shoulder. Clark supposed he ought to be grateful that Lois was still unconscious and oblivious to the pain for now.
Seeing her like this once again sent fresh shivers of fear through him. Clark couldn’t lose her! He couldn’t even imagine it.
“Lois?” Clark’s called out as he knelt down and tried to find the best way to remove the wood impaling her shoulder. “Hold on Lois, I’m right here.”
Her lack of response made Clark even more terrified about losing her.
“Clark I’ve called an ambulance,” Chloe explained quickly sensing his struggle to not panic and keep calm. However, she had no good new to offer him which made her almost as frustrated as he was about to be, ‘but its going to take time. With everything that’s happened today because of the earthquakes, they don’t know when they can get here. You’re going to have to take her to the hospital yourself. It will be far quicker than us waiting around for an ambulance to maybe show up.”
”You’re right,” he nodded quickly, still somewhat dazed. He couldn’t even hold her in his arms as he weighed the prudence of trying to remove the jagged stake from her shoulder. Getting her to the hospital though, that he could do. That was he could manage. Get his Lois the help she needed before it was too late. Forcing the frantic thoughts from his mind, he focused and had some idea of what to do next. “Chloe help me,” he asked.
“What can I do?” Chloe answered without hesitation.
“Lift her up a bit so I can get to this bit of wood that’s got her trapped,” Clark ordered.
“Shouldn’t we try and take it out?” Chloe asked as she lifted Lois's shoulder and was rewarded by a painful groan that hollowed out both her and Clark’s stomach at the same time. “Without super strength, you should be yank it right out of her.” Lois would scream at that but at least she would be free.
“No,” he shook his head, having dealt with farm animals enough to know where prudence was needed when tending to their injuries. “Sometimes, keeping it where it is, slows down the loss of blood. If we take it out,” he reached under Lois and snapped the protrusion at the base, freeing Lois from her trapped position against the floor. Like a bug on someone’s science project. “If we take it out, she could bleed out even worse.”
“Oh God,” Chloe winced as she saw the broken edges of what used to be the polished wooden floorboards of the Luthor mansion, covered with Lois's blood. “Go Clark, get her to the hospital.”
“I’m on my way,” he said hoisting Lois off the ground. It made the urgency tighten like a noose around his neck when she barely stirred.
“Chloe, I left Oliver in your car. He’s still unconscious. Drive him to the farm and keep him there. When he wakes up, tell him I’ll explain everything when I get back. He needs to hear it from me.” Clark tried to hide the guilt on his face but couldn’t manage it.
“Clark it wasn’t your fault…”
“Please,” he said holding up his hand to keep her from saying anything further. “I don’t want to talk about that right now. Just get going. I’ll call you as soon as I can.”
She nodded and realized that Clark’s guilt was something she couldn’t help him with. Although she wanted to go with him to the hospital, Chloe understood the importance of what he was asking of her in regards to keeping an eye on Oliver Queen. “I’ll wait for your call.”
Giving her a nod of acknowledgment, Clark turned to leave. With Lois firmly in his arms, he sped out of the mansion, creating a small tornado of debris and dust behind him as he let. Clark was no sooner out the door when he used his new found ability and pushed off the ground. He was gaining more and more control with each effort to fly and as he soared, could not help but feel a slight rush of exhilaration as he left the ground beneath him.
Holding Lois close to him, Clark wished more than anything that he could share this with her right now.
***********
Oliver Queen woke up in the front seat of a strange car disorientated and aching.
For a few seconds, he merely sat on the front seat of the car, trying to discern where he was and how he’d come to be here. Looking around him, he made the obvious jump that he was in a car and judging by the interesting color scheme of the steering wheel cover, a girl’s car.
“Did anyone see the truck that hit me….?” Oliver groaned, asking no one in particular.
He was suffering what amounted to the worst hangover in creation and it was all the more annoying because Oliver didn’t quite remember drinking in the first place. He wanted a good drunk to go with a hangover like this, he thought absurdly. It took a few minutes of staring at through the windscreen, processing slowly that he was at the Kent farm before suddenly, it returned in a kaleidoscope of swirling images.
Clark!
The memory returned with such force that Oliver instinctively reached for the door handle and pulled it open, needing to get out of the car. However, he had underestimated how much strength he had in his condition and spilled onto the dirt unceremoniously. All this succeeded in doing was bringing Chloe Sullivan out of the house and hurrying to him.
“Oliver!” She exclaimed upon reaching him. “Take it easy. You’re pretty out of it.”
”No kidding,” Oliver deadpanned as he got a face full of dirt.
“I’m sorry I left you in the car,” she apologized as she took him by the arm and helped him to his feet, “but you were a little heavy for me to carry into the house by myself.”
“Hey I don’t like fast women. Buy me dinner first at least,” he retorted, trying to focus. “What the hell happened to me? I feel like five miles of bad road.”
Oh was he going to love this story, Chloe thought with a frown. “You had a bit of an episode…”
Oliver stared at her with a raised brow as they both stumbled awkwardly up the porch steps of the Kent house.
“An episode?” he stared at her impatiently, wanting answers. “Of what, Veronica Mars?”
Chloe rolled her eyes, “I think I’ll let Clark tell you,” she returned just as firmly, not at all ready to touch that one. “I’m just the delivery girl.”
“Great,” Oliver muttered, having little energy to debate the matter. “I’m being stalled by Fed-Ex.”
***********
The Smallville Medical Centre was in chaos.
When Clark arrived at the familiar locale where he had so often come to visit his friends and family, he was revisited by images of Dark Thursday. The hallways were filled with injured people and frantic hospital staff attempting to cope with the overwhelming burden. Some people were languishing on gurneys in the corridors, while others spilled over from the waiting rooms, seeking some news about the loved ones being treated. Clark tried to fight the guilt that reminded him that he was inadvertently responsible for all of this.
After all, he had unleashed Zod.
Hurrying to admitting with Lois in his arms, fighting his way through the other people in the place, Clark hated how familiar he was with the route. Too many of his friends and family often wound up here, for one reason or another.
“Please I need help!” He called out to anyone who could hear. “My girlfriend….she’s hurt!”
Fortunately, Lois's state attracted attention and a rather frazzled doctor hurried to him. The man looked like he was run of his feet as he approached them. “Nurse, get a gurney over here! We’re taking this one in immediately!”
“Let me guess, she got hurt in the earthquake?” The doctor asked as he started giving Lois a quick examination, checking her vitals and such as the gurney was pushed towards them by an equally overworked nurse.
“Yeah,” Clark nodded mutely, having no presence of mind to make up a good excuse. “Please can you help her?” He demanded, needing to hear someone say it.
“We’ll do our best,” the doctor offered him a faint smile but Clark noted he would not make any promises. Considering how many of the same requests he must have been getting from others today, Clark supposed that it was understandable.
When the gurney arrived, Clark had to let Lois go and watching her being spirited away from doctors and nurses down the hall towards the surgery room made Clark feel so helpless he could hardly stand it. Like one of the lost souls drifting through the hospital, he went through the motions of filling out the appropriate forms at administration, giving them just enough details to catalogue Lois as one of the many casualties of the day. All the while, he was bombarded thanks to his enhanced hearing with more and more horror stories about what had occurred it in what was being called Ash Wednesday.
Unable to do anymore and knowing he had other things to deal with while Lois was in surgery, he could see them treating her to the walls and knew it would be sometime before he was allowed to see her, Clark decided to leave the hospital for the moment. It was becoming too hard to block out all the voices and compounded his own guilt for the part he had played in their misery. After making the duty nurse promise that they’d call him as soon as Lois was out of surgery, Clark headed back towards the Kent farm to deal with Oliver.
He had some explaining to do and Oliver deserved to hear it from him.
***********
It seemed to Oliver Queen that while he had his blackout, the world had gone completely and utterly bugfuck.
Eyes glued to the television set, the images on the screen were almost surreal. The news was even worse. Three nuclear power plants had been wiped off the map, killing hundreds in the immediate area. Despite the one mile blast radius originating from each plant, there was virtually no radiation fallout. Unfortunately, there were no survivors from any of the stations and no evidence to determine what was wrong. Authorities were attributing the catastrophe as some strange prelude that brought about the events being labeled as Ash Wednesday.
The entire globe had suffered the same seismic disturbances that had caused so much damage during Dark Thursday only this was prolonged and like before the cause was undetermined. It was almost certainly being attributed to some aberrant geological behavior but the exact nature of it was a mystery, particularly when it seemed that part of the effect was to effectively knock out every satellite orbiting the planet. Oliver supposed that it was some thing to be proud of that the images he was watching now was probably being broadcasted by Queen Industries hardware.
Still there were other mysteries, closer to home.
A trip to the bathroom found Oliver staring at himself in the mirror, examining bruises on his skin he did not remember acquiring, freshly healed scars that hadn’t been there before. Closing his eyes, he tried to remember where he had been and the only image that came to mind was Clark and that amazing palace of ice, somewhere out in a snowy landscape. Drawing in a deep breath, Oliver was gripped with the fear that whatever had happened on Ash Wednesday, the missing hours of his life was at the heart of it.
He could see it in Chloe’s eyes even though she was trying her hardest not to show it.
Stepping out of the bathroom at the sound of the front door opening and closing, Oliver saw Clark entered the Kent house. Chloe, who had been in the kitchen making them something to eat, hurried out of the kitchen.
“Clark, how’s Lois doing?” She demanded anxiously.
Not looking at her but staring instead at Oliver, Clark answered, “they’ve got her in surgery right now. They couldn’t tell me anything. I’m heading back there soon. I just came back to see how you guys were doing.”
By that Clark meant him, Oliver guessed.
“We’re just fine,” Oliver stared him down. “Well Chloe is anyway. Me? I’m just a little confused about what the hell happened to me.” The usually unflappable billionaire snapped with understandable anger.
“Chloe,” Clark turned to his best friend for a moment, “maybe you should go to the hospital. I’ve got a lot of things to deal with,” he tried not to throw a glimpse at Oliver when he said those words. “I don’t want her to wake up alone.”
“Gotcha,” Chloe nodded in understanding. She would have been at the hospital herself if it were not for the fact that she had been asked by Clark to keep watch over Oliver post-Zod possession. “I want to go there anyway. I’ll call you was soon as I hear anything.”
“Thanks Chloe,” Clark said offering her a little smile and surprising her with a kiss on the forehead, “for everything.”
“Anytime Clark,” Chloe smiled, giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze before she left the duo their privacy. Besides, she really didn’t want to be present for the fallout when Oliver was told what he had been up to the last two days.
Oliver didn’t speak until Chloe had shut the door behind her.
“That bad huh?” He looked at Clark as he crossed the floor back to the sofa.
Clark let out a sigh and started to speak but Oliver cut him off.
“What happened in that place Clark?” Oliver lowered himself into the seat and almost glared at the Kansas farm boy. “What did you do to me?”
“It wasn’t me Oliver,” Clark declared, pacing the floor. “Oliver, I’m sorry about what happened. I really am but I wasn’t myself.”
“Wasn’t yourself?” Oliver glared at him with an even more cutting stare. “Clark, you let that whatever it was hold me down while God only knows what happened.”
There was no way around this, Clark thought with anguish. So far all Oliver knew of Clark Kent was that he had powers. No doubt the billionaire classified him as just another meteor freak. There was no reason for Oliver to suspect that Clark was anything but what he seemed, a farm boy with some extraordinary powers. Clark could maintain the ruse he supposed, fabricate some story and tell Oliver that the same thing that happened to Lex Luthor had happened to him and leave Krypton and Fine out of the equation.
However, he could not. For his part in this mess that had encompassed the globe, Clark owed Oliver the truth.
Slowly, he began to explain about his origins, about Krypton and the meteor showers. Clark spoke for almost thirty minutes without pause and during that time, Oliver Queen merely sat and listened, saying nothing. A brow arched in surprise every now and then over some of the more fantastic parts of the tale but all in all Oliver did not interrupt. Clark revealed how Milton Fine had infused him with red kryptonite, used its influence to convince him to release Zod before implanting the General into a new body.
When Clark was finished, he waited for Oliver to answer.
It sounded so far fetched that Oliver almost didn’t believe it. No, rather did not want to believe it. However, he knew what he had seen on the television set, the destruction and the chaos. Hadn’t he paid someone to find out how exactly Lex had managed to storm the Pentagon that day? Lex hadn’t been able to answer. Even under the threat of death, he hadn’t been able to explain just how he was able to walk through a hail of bullets.
“Oh God,” Oliver let out a heavy breath, trying to deal with it.
“Oliver I am so sorry,” Clark repeated himself. “I never meant to hurt anyone….”
“Just stop it,” Oliver retorted. “Don’t apologize, okay? I can’t deal with that right now. Lois,” he looked up at Clark. “Is she okay?”
“No Oliver,” Clark shook his head somberly. “She’s not.”
Clark’s first impulse after telling Oliver what had happened was to return to Lois's side but the truth was, there was little they could do at the hospital until she was out of surgery. Telling himself that Chloe would alert him the moment that changed, Clark and Oliver embarked on a break neck course of damage control.
While most of Clark’s turn as Kal had taken place at the Luthor mansion, Zod had traveled extensively across the country. The destruction of the three nuclear power plants however, ensured that there was no one left to identify Oliver although this did not make the archer any happier. Still, as both Zod and Kal, they had both been seen at the Luther Corp building displaying some extraordinary powers. Neither felt too comfortable with that situation and thus decided that while Metropolis was still in a state of confusion, this was the best time to do something about it.
”We should have taken the truck,” Oliver grumbled as he tried not to look down. God only knows how fast they were moving. This should have been an exhilarating experience but all Oliver could feel was terrified. Beneath them was a view he had only ever seen through the window of a plane. What was even more astonishing was the fact that he was seeing this thanks to Clark carrying him through the air.
“No time,” Clark said over the sound of rushing wind. “We need to get there fast, before the power returns to the building. Half of Metropolis is blacked out. If we go in now and destroy those security tapes while their system is down, they won’t even know we were there.”
“Lex knows,” Oliver pointed out, closing his eyes and trying not to get sick. It would be most undignified if he threw up from this height, not to mention severely traumatize whomever was down there to experience its landing.
“Yeah but Lex didn’t remember a thing when Zod took over his body,” Clark explained. “He knew that Fine had to prepare him to accept Zod’s essence. If we tell him that’s what Fine did to both of us, there’s a good chance he’ll believe it.”
“I guess you’re right,” Oliver found he could not refute that statement since he had hired a mercenary to try and get the truth out of Lex shortly after Dark Thursday. Lex had remembered nothing either so it could very well go down as Clark described it. “Its not like I have super powers now to prove it anyway.”
“Exactly,” Clark nodded. “Once we get the security footage, there won’t be any evidence either other than Lex’s word.”
“Yeah because we both know that Lex is one to let things go, ” Oliver snorted sarcastically. “And what about Lana?”
Clark bristled at that, recalling all too well what he had said and done to Lana while Lex and Zod had been in Metropolis. His words to her had been particularly sharp and Clark knew that despite how he felt about Lois, there was still apart of him that had difficulty dealing with Lana being with Lex. If she had gone to anyone else after their break up, Clark might have handed it better but her choice of Lex, who had not only been a trusted friend but was also showing his dark side rather prolifically, still made Clark sick to his stomach.
Still, no matter how angry he was with Lana, he could not deny that where she was now had a lot to do with how he had treated her. He had never been able to trust Lana and considering how easy it was to be with Lois, how well she taken the truth, Clark wondered if he had done Lana a disservice by underestimating her so much.
For the first time in too long, Clark finally made up his mind about what to do with Lana Lang.
“Let me deal with Lana,” Clark said quietly as the roof of the Luthor building came into sight. “I think its overdue.”
***********
As expected, the Luthor Corp building was empty.
When the seismic disturbances had started shaking the city apart, the entirety of Luthor Corp’s staff would have been evacuated from the building as per standard emergency procedures. Walking through the empty hallways, Clark couldn’t help finding eerie that the place he had was so accustomed to see bustling with activity, looked like a ghost town. This was the central hub of the Luthor Empire and seeing it like this was unsettling.
Still, there was no denying that this building like so many others through Metropolis had become death traps during the tremors. Fissures ran through the walls, with broken glass, mortar and gyprock fragment sprayed across the carpeted floors. Some rooms were soaking wet, no doubt a result of the automated sprinkler systems that activated when the sudden blackouts caused power surges that resulted in small electrical fires.
Clark scanned the rooms as they made their way through the empty corridors, heading towards the security station where all the security footage for the last 24 hours was kept. From previous visits, Clark knew roughly where it was but another quick scan with his x-ray vision pinpointed the location exactly.
“It’s at the room at the far end of the hall,” Clark announced after reaching the appropriate floor.
“How can you tell?” Oliver inquired, surveying the damage with morbid fascination.
“Oh I’ve got x-ray vision,” Clark explained.
“X-ray vision too?” Oliver growled and paused, staring at him. “Clark, what other powers do you have?”
Clark supposed that there was no harm in telling him since Oliver knew just about everything, his alien origins, Zod and the fortress after all this. Besides, it was nice to not hide the truth from his friends. Clark could get used to it. Reciting the laundry list of abilities as they reached the security room and entered, Clark was grateful that all electronic devices in the place were fried beyond repair. Lex would have a field day with this particular conversation.
“Talk about being outclassed,” Oliver muttered with a frown as they stepped inside the central hub of Luthor Corp’s security after Clark twisted the lock open to gain entry into the room.
Clark chuckled, “hey you wear green leather well.” He gave the man a smirk.
“I hate you,” Oliver snorted before taking a look inside the room. It was more or less what they expected, with wall to wall monitor screens, sophisticated listening equipment, computer panels and servers containing all the video and audio footage recorded on a day to day basis.
“This is it Clark,” Oliver looked around. “We’ve got to destroy all of it.”
“Right,” Clark nodded and concentrated. Using his heat vision, the red beams of energy moved through every piece of equipment, causing it to burn. Oliver stepped out of the room as it began to fill with noxious smoke and wondered if the sprinklers would kick in this time. Somehow, he doubted it with power extinguished throughout the building. In any case, it was a moot point as Clark put out the flames a short time later with his super breath.
“Nice job,” Oliver remarked as he returned and saw that every piece of electrical equipment, even the screens, had been turned into a charred mess of a fused metal, plastic and glass. There was no way that any footage of either him or Clark would survive this treatment. “Clark, if you weren’t such a boy scout, I suggest a career in Industrial espionage.”
“Very funny,” Clark gave him a look. “We better get out of here. I want to get back to Smallville. We should check out the Luthor Mansion too, just in case. Lex will probably be on his way back to town now that everything has settled down.”
“I’ll hire a car and drive back,” Oliver suggested, not looking forward to flying again or worse yet, being carried.
“Don’t be such a wuss,” Clark grinned. “My way is faster.”
“Your way doesn’t have airsick bags,” he returned.
Whatever response Clark was going to make was silenced by the sound of his cell phone playing the first few bars from ‘Star Wars’.
“You’re kidding me….” Oliver sniggered.
“I’ll drop you,” Clark warned and reached into his coat to answer the call. He recognized the number immediately, “Chloe?”
***********
Both Clark and Oliver entered the doors of the Smallville Medical Centre and were greeted by the same chaos that Clark had seen when he had brought Lois here earlier. The number of sick and injured had not thinned out and though it appeared some services had been restored, the after effects of the seismic disturbances continued to send ripples across the community of Smallville and throughout the globe.
Flying back to the farm, Clark took the truck to the hospital instead of risking another flight. Oliver spent much of the drive on his cell phone, speaking to his staff at Queen Industries who had feared that their employer had been harmed in the disasters that had affected Star City as well as the rest of the globe. Oliver supposed it was a justifiable concern considering that he had been missing for almost two days. It was still difficult for the emerald archer to comprehend that two days of his life was unaccounted for and that someone else had occupied his body during that time.
“I don’t care what it costs,” Oliver declared over the phone as they entered the crowded hallways. “Use whatever resources we have to aid the disaster relief. This mess isn’t going to clean up after itself and we’ve seen just how effective FEMA was after Katrina. We do not want a repeat of that. Get a hold of Lucius Fox at Wayne Enterprises, that kid who’s running Kord Industries and Simon Stagg. Yes, I know Stagg’s not particularly civic minded but tell the old coot disaster relief should be tax deductible. The others will know we need to pull together at a time like this. I’m switching off my cell now, I’ll check in with you in an hour.”
Clark was barely listening to Oliver and knew that part of the man’s determination to mount disaster relief was to assuage his own guilt at what Zod had done using him. Clark supposed that Oliver found it no easier to forgive himself than Clark did because of red kryptonite. Whether or not it was their doing to begin with, the end results around them could not be denied. Scanning through the walls of the hospital floor, he located Chloe inside a private room with Lois. Whether or not it was because Lois was a senator’s aide or simply because her injuries were severe enough to warrant a room of her own, Clark couldn’t tell but the fact that Lois was out of surgery had to be a good sign.
“She’s this way,” Clark looked over his shoulder to tell Oliver, resisting the urge to use his super speed to cover the distance to Lois in a blink of an eye. He was worried enough about her to not really care.
“Lead on,” Oliver snapped the cell shut and slid it into his jacket.
Clark did answer, thinking only of Lois. Even from where he was he could see how pale she was. Seeing her weak was not something Clark Kent was accustomed to and it didn’t take him long to realize he didn’t much like it either. He was used to seeing Lois strong, fierce, almost preternatural in her passion. Her fearlessness left him in awe and since they had been together, Lois had a way of making him feel as invincible in spirit as he was in the flesh.
“Clark,” Chloe greeted as the two men stepped into the room, rising from the chair she had parked herself in since Lois had come out of surgery. “I tried to call you back to tell you what room…”
“Its okay,” Clark replied dismissively and went to Lois's side. She was still unconscious and a fresh surge of panic tightened his chest at the sight of her. Leaning over her, Clark brushed her cheek with his fingers tenderly. “What did the doctor say?”
“Well,” Chloe let out a deep breath, collating the doctor’s diagnosis and his prognosis in her head to recite for Clark’s benefit. “That piece of wood punctured her right lung and ruptured her spleen. The head trauma isn’t too bad, she’s got a nasty concussion but she’ll be okay Clark,” Chloe came to his side and squeezed his arm with reassurance. “She’ll be okay.”
Clark released a held breath and reached for Lois's hand. “Thank God,” he whispered under his breath.
Oliver stood at minimum safe distance, remembering nothing but feeling sick nonetheless that he had been the one who did this to Lois. However, the feeling was almost as awful as seeing Clark clutching her hand and knowing that not only had he almost killed Lois but it seemed he had lost her well and truly before that.
“You and Lois?” Oliver found himself asking before he could stop himself.
Clark froze and looked over his shoulder. Hell. Hell. Hell.
Clark cursed himself for being a fool. That wasn’t Oliver who had said he was perfectly alright with their relationship that had been the Brainiac construct. Of course the Construct would know about Lois. Undoubtedly it had watched Clark weeks before hand, waiting for the opportune moment to approach the Kryptonian, disguised as Oliver, saying all the right things.
“I’m sorry,” Clark stammered. “It just kind of happened…”
“Guys,” Chloe rolled her eyes in exasperation. “I think this is a discussion that can wait until later.”
“Hey look it’s fine,” Oliver recovered his composure and his surprise. “Its not like I expected her not to move on…” however, he couldn’t deny that it hurt to know she was truly lost to him now. He still cared about Lois and suspected he always would.
Lois Lane would be one of the losses in his life that Oliver Queen would always regret.
“Oliver…” Clark tried to explain, his fingers still intertwined in Lois's own. “I’m sorry; I should have told you before this. With everything that happened, it just slipped my mind.”
“Clark you don’t have to explain anything,” Oliver swallowed away his hurt and reinforced his composure with his usual flippant bravado. “We broke up and you got around to making your move. I don’t blame you for that.”
“You gotta be kidding me,” a weakened yet irate voice interrupted. “You guys are NOT a having a pissing contest over me next to my hospital bed.”
Clark’s head snapped around and he found his hand being squeezed back weakly.
“Lois!” He burst out, lifting her hand to his lips. “You’re awake.”
“How you doing Smallville?” Lois stared at him through droopy eyelids, a small smile of affection crossing her face as she held his gaze for a few seconds. In that few seconds, volumes were exchanged as she saw how happy and relieved he was to see her and she showed him how happy she was to wake up to his hand in hers.
“Miss me?” She asked cockily but her voice small and fragile like the rest of her.
“Lois,” Clark blinked to contain the emotions churning inside him at knowing she was alright and everything was going to be okay after that. “Oh God I thought I lost you.”
“Never happen Smallville,” she uttered a small laugh before surveying the room through her rather hazy vision. “Everybody’s kind of blurry so I’m guessing I’m on some serious drugs.”
“Only the good stuff for you,” Chloe said happily as she stood on the other side of the bed, reaching for Lois with a careful squeeze of her shoulder. “We were so worried.”
“Hey,” Lois blinked a few times, trying to focus. Her voice was not much more than a whisper and was getting slurred the more she spoke. Licking her dry lips, she regarded those around her, “Takes more than an intergalactic general from a phantom dimension to do me in.”
“Lois,” Oliver stepped forward reluctantly, uncertain whether or not she would want to see him since he was the one who did this to her. “Lois I am so sorry…”
“Ollie,” Lois stopped him before he could say anything further, knowing him well enough to see through the façade he was projecting for the benefit of the others in the room. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“I’m myself,” Oliver answered unable to meet her eyes, especially after hearing Chloe’s recital of all of Lois's injuries. “The jury is still out on okay.”
Lois wished she could say more to take away the hurt she saw in his eyes. Even though she didn’t love Ollie, it was not easy to forget that she could have. Had it not been for one kiss, she would be with Ollie, not Clark right now. Lois opened her mouth to speak but couldn’t think of anything to say that would make this easier on him. Like Clark, he would have to deal with what had happened on his own. She only wished he had someone at his side to make it easier since it wasn’t going to be her.
”I think we need to let Lois get some rest,” Chloe spoke, ending the moment between the former lovers. “Let’s give these two a moment,” she looked up at Oliver sympathetically, seeing a mixture of guilt and jealousy in his eyes.
“Yeah,” he nodded, stepping away and throwing a glance of acknowledgment at Clark, “let’s do that.”
Allowing Chloe to lead him, Oliver left the room without further word.
Clark watched him go briefly and turned back to Lois once they were alone. “Don’t ever do that to me again,” he said basking in the sight of. “I’m not strong enough to lose you.”
“Sure you are,” she smiled at him, getting drowsier by the moment as fatigue and drugs created a potent siren song of sleep. “You saved the world Clark.”
“We saved the world,” Clark returned automatically. “Lois, without you and Chloe I wouldn’t have been able to send Zod back to the Zone and I’m not strong enough to lose you.” He reaffirmed. “When I thought that you could be dead…” his voice shook and he had to drop his eyes to the floor to compose himself. “I just started to shut down, I couldn’t think…”
“Hey it’s okay,” she made herself say to stop the emotional rollercoaster he was on. Ill or not, Lois couldn’t bear to see him like this. “I’m not ready to leave you just yet.” Lois assured him. “Got to win that Pulitzer, read the Joy Luck Club and drive you crazy the first time we take a trip together. Can’t go before all that’s done can I?”
Clark uttered a small laugh, “I guess not,” he gave her a little smile. “God, you make me feel good.” He stared at her with wonder. Even like this, she could lift his spirits up and Clark became more certain than ever before of how he felt. It was time he told her.
“Lois,” Clark stared into her eyes, “I love you.”
Lois strength returned long enough for her to react to that statement and when she did; she rewarded him with another radiant smile. However, she was Lois and being Lois, she simply could not allow herself to react the way most girls did when presented with such news.
“Well duh Smallville,” she met his gaze with a gleam of mischief. “Not telling me anything new here. How can you not love me? I’m pretty amazing.”
“Right,” Clark laughed a little more, knowing it when his girl was trying to make him feel better. “I forgot.”
“You so need me around to keep you on your toes,” Lois reminded and started to feel the last of her energy reserves draining. “Clark, I hate to do this but I think I’m not going to be able to stay awake much longer…” her voice was fading fast.
“Then don’t,” he retorted and leaned over her and planted a soft kiss against her lips and then her forehead. “You rest, Chloe will be here. Oliver and I need to deal with a couple more things and then I’ll be back.”
“Clark,” Lois's eyes caught his again at the mention of Oliver’s name. “Take it easy on Ollie, okay? He’s dealing with being used to destroy the world and you and me being a thing, all at once. That’s a lot to take in.”
“I know,” Clark appreciated all too well what the man was going through. “You get some rest.” He kissed her again on the forehead and released her hand, somewhat reluctantly. “I won’t be long.”
Lois nodded, watching Clark draw away towards the door. Letting her exhaustion catch up to her, she added finally before she closed her eyes, “Hey Smallville,” she uttered softly, halting him in mid-step.
“Yeah Lois?” Clark looked over his shoulder at her.
“I love you too,” she smiled before closing her eyes and letting sleep take her.
Even though he remembered the destruction prior to Ash Wednesday, having seen Zod rip through walls like paper, Lex Luthor was not prepared for the sight that awaited him when he returned to the mansion.
His home of six years had been nothing less than routed. An entire section of the building had collapsed and the lawns were crisscrossed with fissures, broken glass from every shattered window and other signs of violence. Standing outside, studying every piece of smashed brick, broken window and other bit of destruction, Lex couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed. His father had taught him to rein in his emotions, practically from birth; however, seeing this scene filled him with a profound sense of loss.
This had been his home for the last six years. Lex was rather surprised by how attached he had become to it. This place had been the scene of much tragedy and much happiness but Lex had still hoped to raise his child here with Lana.
“Lex, are you alright?” Lana came up along side of him, recognizing the pain she saw in his eyes as he stared at his home.
They had returned to Smallville only a short time ago, after Lionel had called them while they were on route to Hawaii, informing them that everything to do with Zod and Kal-El was over. Lionel didn’t give many details only to say that Lois Lane had managed to destroy the device that Zod was using to reshape the world in the image of Krypton. She had been hurt badly in the process but apparently, what she had done was enough to free Oliver and Clark from being vassals of the Kryptonians. Lana, who had seen first hand such a transformation, knew that much of the story was true.
“Seeing the place like this…” Lex said dropping his gaze, unable to look any more.
“I’m sorry Lex,” Lana tried to be comforting but she hadn’t lived here long enough to grow an emotional attachment to the place.
“I know it’s just a place,” he replied, lifting his eyes to hers. “But it’s been my home for the past six years I sort of got attached to it.”
“I know,” Lana nodded in understanding. She had felt similarly when she left Aunt Nell’s farm for the last time. “We can always rebuild it Lex,” she suggested. “If that is what you want, why don’t we?”
Lex lifted his eyes to the building, “I don’t know Lana,” he sighed. “Maybe, it is time to let this place go. Maybe we should start our family someplace else…?”
Lana did not know what to say to that and was almost grateful that they were interrupted so she didn’t have to. A car drove into the driveway from the main track and Lana recognized the truck immediately as belonging to Clark Kent. However, he wasn’t alone. In the seat next to him was Oliver Queen. Lana glanced at Lex and saw his jaw tightening.
“Lex, let’s hear them out.”
“Why not?” Lex snorted, his hand moving instinctively to his throat where there was still ugly bruises of Clark’s fingers against his skin. Most of his injuries had been superficial but Lex could not forget how intently both men had tried to kill him. “I can’t take the moral high ground after Dark Thursday can I?” He took her hand and flinched at the white scar in the centre of her palm where Zod had driven a poker straight to it.
***********
“This is going to be fun,” Oliver gave Clark a look as they climbed out of the vehicle and saw Lex and Lana surveying the damage done to the Luthor Mansion.
“Be nice,” Clark ordered under his breath. “Damage control, remember?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Oliver waved his hand dismissively at Clark before the two men approached Lex and Lana. Despite himself, Oliver could not help be struck by how much destruction he as Zod and Clark had been able to inflict on the grand looking mansion during their last battle. It would take a massive overhaul to return this building to its former glory but Lex had the money to do it.
“Back to the scene of the crime?” Lex asked snidely as they both approached.
“Okay we deserve that,” Oliver retorted, giving Clark another look at why this was not a good idea. “Look, we’re just here to say sorry Lex. We don’t remember much what happened but judging by everyone’s colorful descriptions, it wasn’t pretty.”
“That’s putting it mildly,” Lex tried not to look at Clark or notice the way Clark was looking at Lana. “You killed a lot of people and injured just as many.”
“No more than you did when you were taken over by Zod, Lex,” Clark had to interject. “We didn’t come here to fight,” his gaze fixed on Lana’s, “we came here to apologize.”
“Sure Clark,” Lex said sarcastically. “Go ahead and apologize for nearly killing us both.”
“Lex,” Lana interrupted and gave her fiancé an imploring look, “please.”
“Look Lex,” Oliver broke into the conversation before this became ugly. “I came here for more than just a social call. Could we please talk in private?”
Lex raised a brow at that, not liking the idea of leaving Clark alone with Lana but knew that she would be displeased with him if he tried to be too possessive. With a sigh, Lex realized he had little choice but to give Oliver the audience he requested and reminded himself that it was he whom Lana was marrying, not Clark Kent.
Still even now, old habits died hard.
“Of course,” Lex turned to Lana and tried not to throw Clark a dark look. “Lana could you give us a moment?”
“Sure Lex,” Lana said happy for the trust, “Clark, how about some coffee in the guesthouse? Apparently that’s still standing.”
Clark was happy to oblige and found that he was pleased that they could talk as friends despite everything that happened. Neither spoke however, until they reached the small garden framing the walk to the front door of the guest house. Clark knew he was being paranoid but he had no desire to talk honestly with Lana with any structure belonging to Lex over his head. It was not an issue of jealousy but prudence. Lex’s liking for surveillance equipment was a little too intense for Clark’s comfort.
“Lana, let’s talk here,” he said moving toward the grass under one of the tall trees at the far end of the garden.
“Alright Clark,” Lana studied him, guessing he had more to say than just a simple apology. For once she held back the questions until he was ready to speak. Besides, if there was one thing Lana had learnt by now, Clark Kent would not tell her anything unless he wished to.
How many times had he done this? Clark wondered as he stood his ground and looked across the space between them, trying to tell her the truth but never quite managing. For how it had turned out between them, Clark knew that he had much to account for. Perhaps if he had trusted her, things might have turned out different. Or perhaps they would still be apart but at least the truth wouldn’t be hanging above them like the Sword of Damocles.
“Lana…” he started to speak.
“You’re Kal-El, aren’t you?”
Clark stared at her. “What?”
“You are Kal-El,” Lana stated firmly. “You’ve always been Kal-El. Fine did something to you when he used Oliver but you are Kal-El. When those two Kryptonians came here from the black ship a year and half ago, they were looking for Kal-El. They weren’t looking for someone who just showed up, it was someone who was already here.”
The urge to lie was overwhelming but Clark could not do it. He could not lie to her, yet again. Exhaling the breath he had held while he debated the decision which really, he had made before this, Clark met her eyes and nodded.
“Yes,” he answered softly. “I’m Kal-El.”
Lana blinked, feeling as if a great weight had been lifted of her shoulders. It had been so long since she had been free of it that its absence left her somewhat drained. “Why didn’t you tell me?” She asked, a pained look on her face.
“Lana you have to understand,” Clark explained in a speech he had prepared for five years but never had a chance to use until now. “From the moment I could walk, my parents taught me never to reveal the secret. I didn’t know I was Kal-El until our freshman year. All I knew what that I was different and because I was different, people could come and take me away if they knew it. At first, I hid it from you because that’s what my parents taught me to do but the more different I became, the more powers I started to show, I became afraid that you wouldn’t understand.”
“Clark I loved you more than I will ever love anything again,” Lana declared without hesitation. “I would have understood. I wish you had given me the chance.”
Loved. She said loved. Clark ached a little at hearing that even though he knew how he felt for Lois was eternal. “I’m sorry Lana,” he apologized sincerely. “You’ll never know how sorry I am. I just didn’t want you to think I was some kind of freak.”
“Clark, you’ve been there every time I was in trouble,’ she looked at him with affection, knowing that she would always love him but their time was past. They both knew it. “Now for the first time I understand how you could be there all the time or why every time someone was in danger, Chloe, Peter, your parents, even Lex, we somehow managed to survive. You’ve been there for all of us. You should have given us the benefit of the doubt.”
“I know,” he couldn’t disagree there. He had underestimated how Pete and Chloe had reacted greatly and now it appeared he had underestimated Lana too.
Lana reached for his hand and squeezed it tight, “thank you for trusting me now. It’s too little too late but I appreciate the gesture. I hope you know that I’ll never betray that trust Clark,” Lana stared at him with a look that he knew to indicate that she meant it. “Whatever happens, I’ll protect your secret, just as you’ve always protected me.”
”Thank you Lana,” Clark said feeling so much regret because she was right, he should have given her the benefit of the doubt but it was too late now. That moment was past and both of them had embarked on different paths.
Their futures whatever it might be would run in a parallel course but they would never run together.
***********
“You okay?” Oliver asked as Clark drove them back to the farm.
The Boy Scout had been quiet after they left the Mansion and Oliver guessed he was still dealing after his talk with Lana. Man he was glad that he was an arrogant little snot when he was a teenager and was incapable of having that serious a relationship with any girl. Still, Clark was with Lois now, a thing that Oliver was getting used to even though he knew it was unfair that he should feel jealous. He had more or less moved on when this whole thing with Zod had started and what feelings he had on the matter was mostly a hint of regret at what might have been.
“Yeah I’m fine,” Clark answered throwing a glance his way before facing the road again. “How did things go with you and Lex?” He asked, not wishing to discuss this subject because it was still too raw.
“Good,” Oliver answered, recognizing the tact and going with it. “Lex has agreed to join the disaster relief initiative I’m setting up with Wayne Enterprise, Kord Industries and a few other corporations.”
“Its good that they’re helping,” Clark replied thinking about the aftermath of Ash Wednesday and how much work was still left to recover from the disaster.
“Well not all us corporate types are like Lex,” Oliver threw him a grin. “Lucius Fox is a good man even if he is only running Wayne Enterprises for that idiot Wayne and the Wayne Foundation does good work. Ted Kord’s been pouring a lot of money into helping the underprivileged so he was more than happy to get on board.”
“Great,” Clark commended, impressed that Oliver knew how to work the system to help people less fortunate than him. “Hey did Lex have any questions about Zod?”
“A few but you were right,” Oliver answered, “he did buy the amnesia story.”
“I figured he would since he used it himself,” Clark retorted unsurprised that Lex had made inquiries. “Did he say anything about the footage at Luther Corp or the mansion?”
“Not much,” Oliver answered. “Then again, you know Lex. He wouldn’t tell us even if there was anything to tell.”
“True,” Clark nodded, knowing Lex all to well after the last few years. “Lana is going to let me know if he decides to pursue this.”
Oliver raised a brow, “Really?”
“Yeah,” Clark looked pensively ahead once more. “I told her the truth about me. Well most of it anyway. I don’t think it was that much of a surprise to her but she was really good about it.” Letting out a heavy sigh, he threw a glance at the other man. “I really messed up there Oliver. I should have told her a long time ago.”
“Hey Clark,” the older man patted him on the shoulder. “You can look back at all the mistakes you’ve made and regret them but they don’t change with time and the more you keep looking, the more you forget the good times and remember only the bad. You and Lana have walked away friends. Most people don’t even get that much. You’ve got Lois now,” Oliver surprised himself by being able to say that without any resentment, “take what you learnt from Lana and make it work this time.”
“I intend to,” Clark answered firmly because if this entire experience with Zod and red kryptonite had taught him anything, it was how much Lois loved him and what she had been willing to do to save him. Not only Lois but Chloe too and underestimating the people that he cared about was not a mistake he was making again any time soon.
“Hey Oliver,” Clark spoke up as the Kent farm came into view. “You’re a good friend you know.”
Oliver threw Clark a grin, “thank you Clark. I know it would have been simpler for you to kill Zod when he took over my body but I appreciate the lengths you went to get me back.”
“Hey it was my fault to begin with,” Clark pointed out.
”It was,” Oliver smirked, “but now that you got this flying thing down, I do have a favor to ask.”
“A favor?” Clark looked at him suspicious. “What kind of favor?”
Oliver grinned. “Have you ever been to Star City?”
He was cheating.
He knew that. However, all was fair in love and war and when one had a friend who was not only an alien with incredible powers, like flight and supervision but also owed you one, it was a foolish man who didn’t take some advantage of it.
Oliver Queen watched the building from a roof top across the street. His target was a modest two storey building, the first floor being home to a somewhat successful mother and daughter floral business and the second floor being the apartment where they resided. Clark had been less than happy to lead Oliver back here after searching the city for only a day and half. However, a timely reminder about how it was his green arrow costume that allowed Clark to kiss Lois the first time and discover his feelings for her, silenced the argument promptly.
Besides, it seemed Fate had a sense of humor. The place was called the Sherwood Florist.
“You are so totally pathetic,” the deriding voice stated behind him.
Damn. She was good.
Turning around, he found himself standing before the object of his search, the tall, svelte blond in the fishnets and high black boots calling herself Black Canary and for whom the word ‘bombshell’ was created entirely for.
“How long were you planning on waiting out here?” She stared at him with a look of clear exasperation as she regarded him with arms folded.
“Oh I was going to give it another half an hour before I made my move,” Oliver gave her his most charming smile.
“Your move?” The Canary snorted, “what makes you think that I’d be the least interested in any of your moves? Men who stalk me make me nervous.”
“Stalk is such an ugly word,” Oliver retorted. “I was just checking you out in case you were some psycho chick who just likes wearing fish nets in public.”
The girl was trying not to smile but she was no more immune to charm then the rest of her gender, “Says the man who’s dressed up like Robin Hood.”
Looking over his shoulder at the store, Oliver added smugly. “Well considering what you named your store, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was your way of grabbing my attention. I mean Star City is the home of the Green Arrow.”
“Since when?” She retorted indignantly, dropping her arms to rest on her hands on her hips. “You got named in Metropolis by the National Inquisitor. Wasn’t that article right next to the one about the cow who gave birth to a Buick? If anything, Star City should be called the home of the Black Canary.”
“And yet you still named your store after me,” he pointed out. “Come on Maid Marian, lighten up. We would have run into each other sooner or later, so I jumped the gun a bit.”
“You are not so charming that you can talk your way out of this,” she declared but had not moved which gave Oliver an indication that she was not as indignant as she appeared.
“Really?” Oliver replied, liking her spunk. It reminded him of Lois somewhat but the boots definitely made her a lot sexier. “And here I was about to ask you to join me.”
“Dream on Green Arrow,” she retorted and turned on her heels, walking toward the edge of the roof to make her exit. “I don’t work with partners.”
“Who said I wanted to be partners?” He said flippantly. “I actually meant joining me on a date?’
“A date?” She stopped and turned around with a look of surprise. “You’re kidding. This is how you ask someone out on a date?”
“Well what would you like Maid Marian?” Oliver followed her, closing the distance between them. “Me hanging off your balcony and serenading you? Isn’t that how Robin Hood used to do it?”
The Canary glared at him through narrowed blue eyes and once again, Oliver thought that blond hair really worked for her.
“What would this date involve?” She asked, her brow crooked in interest.
Success. Oliver smiled inwardly before answering, “Nothing too romantic and something simple. There’s a drug shipment coming in from Gotham at midnight. 100 kilos of china white being unloaded off a Columbian freighter. I figured we’d take care of that and then maybe have a little light supper.”
Damn. He was good.
“Sounds like it could be fun,” she remarked, finally gracing him with a smile, “The Black Canary and the Green Arrow working together.”
“You mean the Green Arrow and the Black Canary,” he corrected.
“Why does your name get to be first?” She stared at him as they started to leave the roof.
“Because, I’m the Green Arrow and Star City is the home of the Green Arrow.”
“Green Arrow Bandit,” she snorted, “and the Bandit always comes last.”
“In what universe?”
“Haven’t you ever seen Smokey and the Bandit…?” She winked at him.
“That’s a cool movie,” Oliver commented. Great taste in movies too. "This could be love, Maid Marian.”
“Stop calling me that,” she growled, “Bandit.”
The man was infuriating but Dinah Lance did so like those.
***********
“What did you have to do for Oliver in Star City?” Lois asked as she sat on the p.
Three weeks after the whole debacle with Zod and red kryptonite, Clark was finally allowed to take Lois home. Because she was still convalescing, Martha had insisted that Lois come to stay at the Kent farm and Clark was thrilled at the idea of having Lois under the same roof again even if the irony was not lost on him.
So much had happened in the last three weeks with Clark running the same exhausting routine he had in the aftermath of Dark Thursday, helping secretly with repairs during the night while carrying out the routine of his life during the day. However, even if it was Fine that had tricked Kal into opening the Phantom Zone and unleashing Zod, Clark still felt as responsible as Oliver for all the destruction that had taken place.
”Oh nothing, I just had to help him track down some wildlife,” Clark answered as he was seated next to Lois on the porch swing. A small smile had crossed his lips at thinking how Oliver had shanghaied him into tracking down Star City’s newest heroine, a very attractive blond calling herself the Black Canary.
“Do I even want to know?” Lois asked giving him a look before nestling into crook of Clark’s shoulder, snuggling closer to him. It felt good to be in his arms again. This was what Kal could never compete with, the quiet moments where they could just sit together and talk. Lois never knew something so simple could be so fulfilling and with a little smile of her own, she found it equally ironic that this little piece of heaven had come from such an unlikely source.
If only either of them had even guessed.
“Probably not,” Clark chuckled. “But I think Oliver’s going to be okay about the two of us seeing each other.”
“I’m glad,” Lois said sincerely pleased by that news. “He’s a good guy. I would have hated for things to end badly because of us.”
“Me too,” Clark agreed, kissing her gently on the hair as he pulled her close to him. “Oliver’s a good friend.”
“You know telling Lana the truth was also a good call Smallville,” she raised her eyes to him. “I’m glad you did that. She actually called me on the phone and we had a good chat about things.”
Clark wasn’t so sure how much he liked that but if Lois decided this was a good thing, he would trust her word on that. “About what?” He asked attempting to sound indifferent though he was very curious. Girlfriends exchanging stories could not be a good thing.
“Don’t be nosey Smallville, just girl talk. Chloe and I are meeting her at the Talon for lunch tomorrow.”
“Why does that fill me with fear?” Clark gave her a playful look.
“Because you’re smart,” Lois winked. “So be afraid, Kal-El, be very afraid.”
Hearing his Kryptonian name sounded odd coming from Lois but it was one of those things he was getting used to. As always, Lois's ability to deal astonished Clark. She had taken the truth about his heritage, about Jor-El, Clark still couldn’t get used to her calling him Joe and red kryptonite better than he had ever believed she would. Of course he had kept one thing from her and swore Chloe to secrecy until he had a chance to tell Lois himself.
“I have a surprise for you.” Clark remarked as he stood up and took her by the hand.
“Another surprise Clark?” She looked at him with a raised brow. “I don’t know if I can handle any more this month.” She reminded. “It’s been a pretty full couple of weeks.”
Not to be discouraged, Clark let her off the porch and looked up. “Do you trust me?” He asked wearing a serious expression that immediately engendered the same from her.
“Do you even have to ask?” Lois gave him a look.
Smiling, Clark wrapped his arms around Lois's waist and knew that she’d get her arms in order soon enough. Pushing off the ground once he was holding her securely, they lifted gently into the air at first, rising off the ground gradually. A slight wind brushed at their skin as he took them up gracefully, thankful that practice had helped him to perfect this moment for her. He watched Lois's face, waiting for her reaction, delighted at last to share this with her.
At first Lois didn’t know what Clark was up to until she felt the breeze whipping strands of hair against her face and she looked down to see the farm growing smaller and smaller beneath their feet. “Oh my God Clark!” Lois exclaimed, panicked at first and immediately tightened her arms around his neck before realizing that they weren’t falling to the ground to face a horrible death.
“Are we really flying?” Lois asked after a moment, her voice filling with awe.
“Either that or that Pilates class you’ve been taking is doing wonders for your weight.”
“Very funny, don’t forget I know what kryptonite is now Mister,” she teased as she looked down, feeling the air beneath them and the clouds surrounding them. “Oh my God Smallville, this is so amazing. When did this happen? Is it a new power?”
“Actually I think I could always do it,” Clark confessed. “I just wasn’t motivated enough to try and I had this thing with heights.”
Lois laughed out loud until she realised he wasn’t joking.
“You’re not kidding?” she asked astonished when she saw the serious expression on his face.
“Hey, everyone has a phobia okay,” he replied slightly miffed. “Mine just happened to be heights.”
“So I’m guessing you’re over that now?”
“Slightly,” Clark laughed with her, holding her close. “I’ve been wanting to show this to you for weeks. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to fly at all.”
“What do you mean?” Lois looked at him, thinking it odd that surrounded by clouds, the moon and the unblemished stars in the sky, all she could see were the dancing flecks of gold in his blue eyes.
“When I thought Zod was going to reach you first, I couldn’t think of anything else but to get to you as quickly as possible. That’s when I learned to fly Lois,” he confessed. “For you, I had to.”
“Jeez Smallville,” Lois blinked, her eyes misting over in emotion. “You really know how to hit a girl where she lives don’t you? I think making someone fly has to be the nicest compliment I ever got.”
“I wouldn’t fly for anyone else Lois,” he said smiling. “And I’ll never want to fly with anyone else but you.”
Leaning forward, Clark Kent capture Lois Lane’s lips in a tender kiss, beneath the stars and surrounded by twilight, flying above the clouds like they were always to supposed to.