|
Post by RedGigant on Sept 8, 2009 11:37:07 GMT -5
Second Chance by RedGigant
Show: Smallville Pairs: Chloe/Clark Lana/Lex Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: None of the characters or places are mine. Summary: Futurefic. Chloe/Clark romance. In a not-too-distant future Clark has an opportunity to bring Chloe back to life two years after her death, but is the price too high? Would Superman do anything to save his best friend, the woman he loves? Warning: Superman fans might not like this story. My apologies in advance. Feedback: Welcomed and appreciated. Let me know what you think about the story.
Part One – The Dream
Chapter 1
December 24, 2012
As Clark Kent entered the Daily Planet building and saw the Christmas tree in the lobby nostalgic thoughts filled his head. He thought of Chloe Sullivan, his long time best friend, the day he lost her, and how he’d discovered only after losing her forever, the one thing he had always blocked from his heart: that he was in love with her.
Now he had Lois in his life and was happy with her. But if Chloe were at his side, he never would have left her for Lois. And suddenly he was filled with longing. He wanted Chloe, wanted her near to him, to take her in his arms and to kiss her. He wanted her as anyone wants what they can never have again, even if only for a second.
He remembered how years ago, Chloe engaged him as the Daily Planet’s Santa Claus. A tear formed in the eye of the man of steel.
Lex Luthor was standing close to Dr. Franklin, watching him work on a device in his secret laboratory in Metropolis. Lex’s mind, however, was far away in the memory of a strange dream he’d had some years ago as he lay unconscious after being shot on a Christmas night. A dream that had led him to the ultimate decision to pursue the dark side of his nature. In that moment all had become clear; only a powerful man can have anything that he wants and keep it. But the years since have taught him that all the power in the world couldn’t give him what he wanted most: the love of Lana and the love and respect of his father.
He remembered the days he was married to Lana and how his manipulations ruined their relationship. And yet, deep in his soul he desired a second chance; he would give all his power for another minute with Lana. He knew it was impossible, so he focused all his energy and power on his new plan to destroy Superman. It probably would not give him the same happiness he longed for with Lana, but it would help.
“The device is completed for the first test, Mr. Luthor” said Doctor Franklin.
“It would be best for you for the test to be successful. I want a test tonight.”
“How do you know Superman will show up tonight?”
“Superman is so predictable, Dr. Franklin, he can never let someone be in danger. This is his weakness.”
*****
Some hours later in Metropolis on Christmas Eve.
Lex was standing on the roof of a Metropolis high-rise building with Dr. Franklin working on the device readying it for the test. They were facing another skyscraper.
“How can you be certain Superman will be here tonight?”
“I told you before, he is so predictable,” Lex replied, a little irritated that Dr. Franklin would dare to doubt him. Lex then took a transmitter from a pocket of his dark coat and very calmly and deliberately pressed a key on it. To Dr. Franklin’s shock an explosion was set off in the building they were facing, fire was appearing through several windows.
“I hope you are ready, Dr. Franklin.” Lex demanded. “He will be here quite soon.”
“The device is fully operational!” Dr. Franklin answered. Within seconds in the distant dark sky over Metropolis, a red and blue spot was seen headed towards the burning building. Superman flew close to the building and as he almost disappeared inside it, Dr. Franklin activated the device which produced a pulse of energy. To Lex’s surprise, the pulse did not just affect Superman, but him also.
*****
Clark awoke in his bed on a beautiful sunny day at the Kent farm in Smallville. He knew it was the day before Christmas, but didn’t know how that was possible. Next to him he felt the warmth of a woman’s body and when he cautiously turned, he saw Chloe sleeping peacefully at his side. Her blonde hair was very long and she was visibly older than when he had seen her the last time. His first inclination was to surround her with his arms in his protective way and pull her closer to him.
“Clark?” she questioned as she slowly awoke.
“Where are we?” Clark asked carefully.
“Where we have been for the last seven years, in our home, Clark… since the day you renounced your powers for me.”
“I don’t remember anything,” a confused Clark mumbled.
Chloe put a hand to his forehead. “Are you okay?” she asked, in the tone of a wife worried about her husband’s health.
“Fine…only I don’t remember anything after trying to help people escape a fire from an explosion in a Metropolis skyscraper.”
“That happened seven years ago on Christmas Eve. After that you decided to renounce your powers so you could spend your life at my side.”
“But how? You are…”
“Dead? Yes, Clark, but that was in another reality. In this one we are together and we’ve been happy since we were teenagers.”
“Am I dreaming?”
“No, Clark… I am here with you.”
“I am very happy to see you…but it isn’t real.”
“Clark! It is real. I am real. You married me seven years ago.”
“It was Lex, he did something to me. I saw him near the building.”
“Clark, Lex is your best friend, he is married to Lana, and they will be coming to the Christmas Eve party tonight. What did you think he did to you? Lex is a good person.”
“No, Chloe, you probably don’t know but I believe Lex caused the explosion and the fire as a means to lure me into a trap.”
“Clark, please… you are scaring me.”
“Sorry, Chloe…I don’t mean to scare you. I want to say something to you. I don’t know if you are you… if you are even real or only an illusion of my mind. I need to tell you. Chloe, I am sorry I didn’t realize that I loved you before…I’ve regretted it every day from the day I lost you…I never forgave myself for it. I love you so much, Chloe, you are the most important person in my life. I never recognized it until the moment I lost you!”
“Thank you Clark. You didn’t lose me. Well, only for a short while, but when you renounced your powers we were together again.”
“How is this possible?”
As Clark asked the question and before Chloe even had a chance to give him any answer, a small boy with blonde hair came rushing into the room.
“Daddy, daddy, can I go to the barn with you? Can I help with the farm chores this morning? Can I, daddy? Please? Please say yes?”
Chloe could see Clark was overwhelmed and startled with the child’s natural over abundance of energy and lifted the boy into her arms.
“Jonathan, let your daddy be; he doesn’t feel very well this morning.”
She sat down on the bed and placed Jonathan at her side, and before he could start with more questions she tried to keep him quiet with, “Shh… You can come with me to see the cows, but only if you don’t bother your daddy.”
“But mom, I want to go with daddy!”
“Hush…”
Chloe got up from the bed with Jonathan in her arms and went to the room across from theirs. She lowered Jonathan onto the floor and took a small action figure from amongst his toys, sat down beside him and gave it to him.
“Make your Superman fly, Jonathan, I want to see it.
Clark saw them from the bed and a smile spread across his face. For a moment he forgot Lex Luthor, his life as Superman and the day he lost Chloe. For one moment he was completely happy watching the woman he loves and their son. For this one moment he knew he was capable of renouncing all of it, including his duty to humanity, for this new life.
Some minutes later after Clark got up from the bed and entered the bathroom, he was surprised to see his father standing up against the door, dressed as he had always been when he was alive and living in this house with his mother, and he didn’t seem at all surprised to see Clark.
“Hello, Clark,” he said with his familiar understanding smile.
“Dad?”
“No, Clark, I am only a product of your mind, like Chloe and your son.”
“I know I was injured by Lex’s weapon. Am I dead?” he asked with a calm acceptance.
“No, Clark, you are critically hurt, but you are alive and you can live.”
“How can you know that?”
“I only know what you know, son. Remember I am only in your mind. But I am here to tell you that if you give up your powers you can have this life…if you want it.”
“After all the years of always steering me onto the correct path and reminding me of my duty to humanity and of all the ways I can use my powers to help people, how can you now tell me something like this, Dad?”
“Because I also love a woman… and I, too, would give everything up for her if I had to decide.”
“Is it a temptation? Or a trap? I experienced that once before many years ago in the barn when I was possessed by a Phantom.”
“No, it is a second chance. You can switch to another reality, another version of your history where Chloe is alive; where you and Lex are best friends, but where you don’t have powers. You won’t be able to help anyone. It is your decision. If you want it, you can obtain it, but another person has to want it also.”
After saying these ominous words, his father disappeared without a trace from the bathroom. Clark walked out of the bathroom and finding Chloe next to the door, pulled her into a tight hug.
“Chloe, I need to ask you a question.”
“What is it, Clark?”
“It is a strange question.”
“Clark, you can ask me anything you want…you know that there are no more secrets between us.”
“You think I made a good decision when I renounced my powers?”
“It’s not a strange question, Clark. I know you regret it every day; every time you hear about someone needing your help. For the first time in your life you made a selfish decision; I think you are more human than you believe. But I think it was a bad choice.”
“But Chloe, this choice saved your life.”
“I sacrificed my life for you in the past and I’d to it again without a second thought because I love you. Any other time I would be more than happy to be at your side; but I believe my life has no importance in comparison to all the things… all the good you can do. I have always wanted you to be the hero you were destined to be.”
“I don’t want to lose you again, Chloe.”
“I know. I love you, Clark.”
“I love you too, Chloe… I love you so much.”
Clark and Chloe kissed standing up near the bathroom door while in the background they could hear the sound of their son playing. Clark knew it was just a fantasy, a product of his mind while he lay somewhere else unconscious. And yet kissing Chloe felt real and not like some fantasy. He had loved her for a long time as a friend, even when he knew there was something more between them; something that he had blocked from his mind and heart and yet had missed so much during the last two years since her death. Now she was finally in his arms in some other time or reality, a fantasy he could make real. And no matter how well he knew and understood that his duty was to let her go and return to the life he was destined for, he felt he couldn’t do it.
--tbc--
|
|
|
Post by RedGigant on Sept 25, 2009 18:59:07 GMT -5
Chapter 2
Lex awoke in what at one time had been his bedroom in the Mansion in Smallville.
As his eyes focused he could see on the other side of the room Lana brushing her long dark hair. He had an eerie feeling of déjà vu; I am in the same vision of my future I had years ago, he thought.
“Lex, are you awake?” ask Lana
“Yes,” he answered.
“Can you take Alexander to go shop for the tree?"
“The tree?”
“Lex tomorrow is Christmas and we haven’t bought a tree yet. You know Alexander always wants to pick out the tree.”
“I know.”
Lex got up from the bed, put on a robe and went out to the balcony, where his mother waited for him.
“Hello Lex.”
“Mom, I was waiting for you. Why are you torturing me with this same vision again?”
“Lex, it is not meant as torture; it is your second and last chance to make the correct choice.”
“Like the last time, when I could see that which I could obtain if I chose love…and gave up power? I will just be alone with my pain.”
“No, Lex, you didn’t understand anything the last time; you didn’t see the future. It was a test…if you had chosen the correct way and not followed your dark side; you could be married to Lana. No-one can predict what will happen; what you saw was the product of the darkness inside of you that wants to dominate. Make the correct choice this time, Lex. You won’t have another opportunity like this. Unfortunately, this time you will need another to make the same decision, also.”
“Clark…Superman?”
“Yes, how do you know that?”
“I’m not sure how I know, but I just know.”
“Make the right decision, son, and you will never regret it.”
And his mother vanished from his side, but the smile on her face stayed with him for some time.
*****
Lex arrived at the Christmas tree lot in his family car with Alexander strapped securely in the back in his child’s seat. Lex helped him get out of the car.
“I can choose the tree? I want the biggest,” said the boy while reaching his arm up to the sky.
“Yes, Alex, you can.”
In the distance Lex spotted Chloe and Clark. They were dressed very warmly because of the cold December weather, smiling happily as they walked hand in hand looking at the trees. Lex felt reluctant to talk with the man who had once been his friend but then became his mortal enemy. But he knew Clark would be the only one who could help him make the choice his mother offered so he slowly walked over to the couple.
“Clark.”
“Lex?”
“Can I talk with you about something?”
“There was more than enough time during our last conversation to say everything. What could you possibly want to talk about, Lex?”
“It’s something private.”
“I don’t have secrets from Chloe.”
“I know, but I think you don’t want her to hear it.”
“Lex, if you have something to say, say it, if not, leave us alone.”
“Clark, what reason do you have to be angry with your best friend?” asked Chloe
“He is not my best friend, not anymore; he wants to kill me.”
“Clark!” protested Chloe.
“Well, if it’s necessary, I will say it now. You know we are here trapped by something in my weapon. I have had a vision that we can return to our lives if we choose correctly, but I believe it is necessary for you to want it too.”
“What do you mean, Lex? You want to return to become a powerful criminal?”
“No, Clark, I think we can return to a life very similar to this.”
“I cannot trust you, Lex.”
“You never trusted me, and it was the reason I went to the dark side.”
“You are the only one responsible for your choices, Lex. I don’t blame myself for the faults of others as I did when I was young. I am a man now and I know my responsibilities.”
“So you’ve made your choice; you want Chloe to die.”
“I would expect that from you, Lex, you’re capable of anything to defeat me.”
“I only want what is best for all of us.”
Chloe interrupted, “Lex, I know the truth; I am dead and I accept it.”
“But if Clark wants to he can change it; we can change it. I’ve made my decision; I want this life. A life of evil and darkness is only a life of solitude. I don’t want that any more.”
“Clark knows his duty, Lex. And I am on his side in this, too, even at the cost of my life.”
At that moment they were interrupted by Alexander as he gripped Chloe’s legs.
“Aunt Chloe… where is the baby?”
“Hello, Alexander… the baby? He arrives in seven months.”
“Do we need to wait so long?”
“Yes, it is necessary; but when he arrives, he will be your friend, just like Jonathan.”
Clark and Lex were speechless; neither of them knew Chloe was expecting a second son. Clark’s face cracked a small smile; he knew it was not real… only a beautiful dream.”
“Alex, go look at the trees again, I need you to tell me which one you want.”
“I chose it already, daddy!”
“But you can look at it one more time just to be sure.”
“I don’t need… I am sure”
“Please, Alex, I need to talk a little more with Uncle Clark and Aunt Chloe, okay?” And Alex went back to check the trees one more time.
“Clark, I know you don’t trust me, but I promise you that if both of us make the right choice, I will reform my life and never go back to the dark side; I would renounce all my wealth and power to obtain love and a life of happiness.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Chloe, please, make him understand.”
“Lex, I don’t know anything about it, but I believe Clark’s choice is good.”
“I’ll see you at the party tonight,” Lex muttered angrily and turned away towards Alexander.
Chloe’s face turned dark, and Clark noted it.
“What are you thinking, Chloe?”
“About my baby… I will never see him if this is a fantasy.”
“Chloe I am sorry, I ever let you know…”
“No, Clark, I am glad you don’t have secrets from me, even though there are some horrible facts, I am here to help you. I am your wife and before that I was your best friend. When we fell in love we promised each other to never lose our friendship; well, you don’t remember because it’s a fantasy, too; but it’s like I remember… and I don’t want you to not want me as your best friend, too… you need my help now like you have during other times so I can help you to choose the correct way.”
“I need you more than before, Chloe. Without you I am lost; the last two years were the worst of my life because I didn’t have my best friend and I couldn’t stop blaming myself because I wasn’t able to save you. I can’t lose you again.”
“But, Clark, you know the correct choice. You can’t renounce your powers for me; you will regret it all your life.”
“No Chloe, I will regret it if I lose you another time.”
“You think Lex can turn into a good person? I don’t know how bad he is in your other reality, because in this reality he is a good man and he and Lana are happy. But if you know he is evil, what do you think about it?”
“I don’t know, Chloe. I feel he was sincere in his speech, but he could be tempted by the dark side again, as he has been in the past.”
“I am sure you will make the right decision. Don’t worry about me. I have lived the happiest years of my life with you. Even though you don’t remember them, I do and even though it is a fantasy and I don’t really exist, I have had the opportunity to be happy at your side. It may be a fantasy but I had my chance with you after all.”
When Clark heard these words from Chloe tears formed in his eyes. He decided in that moment to make good use of the time they had in this fantasy; to make Chloe as happy as he could. And he could be happy at her side, too, even if it was only for a little while.
--tbc-
|
|
|
Post by RedGigant on Sept 25, 2009 19:00:59 GMT -5
Chapter 3
It was evening at the Kent farm as Chloe and Clark were in bed, laughing.
“Clark, please… the guests will arrive soon… we need to be dressed.”
“I won’t let you! I am the man of steel; I won’t let you run away from me!”
“Clark, stop, please!”
Chloe got up from the bed and started to dress for the Christmas Eve party. Clark, a little angry, got up, too, and went to Chloe grabbing her by the waist and lifted her into the air. That’s when he realized he didn’t have his powers, because even as light as Chloe was he suddenly felt each pound of her weight. He gently let her back down onto the floor and kissed her on the cheek.
“Clark Kent, get dressed for the party and let me dress too.”
“Yes, Madam!”
Clark was dressing at Chloe’s side. From time to time he looked at her.
“Clark, please let me concentrate with this, you looks don’t help me to be beautiful for the party.”
“You don’t need anything to help you to be beautiful, Chloe. I don’t know how I didn’t see it before.”
“You had another on your mind and you were blinded by her.”
“Chloe, please don’t make me feel guilty.”
“Clark, it is fine. Now you are with me and that’s the only thing that’s important to me.”
“Don’t worry about me, the happiness that you gave me the last seven years is more than I deserve.”
“No, Chloe, you deserve more than that, you deserve a long life of happiness.”
“Typical Clark Kent, always worried about making everyone happy.”
“You are not just anyone, Chloe, you are my wife.”
“Yes… in this reality, but I think you will need to go back to your reality.”
“But I don’t want to!”
“Clark, we should do what you suggested before, let’s just enjoy this night that we are together.”
“Yes.”
Clark went to the wardrobe and without knowing how in front of him was his father.
“Hello son.”
“Dad?”
“The time you need to make a decision is approaching.”
“I have made my choice already. I can’t betray humanity. I have a responsibility and cannot avoid my duties with a selfish decision.”
“Are you sure? You won’t have another chance like this; and it is not a selfish decision. Not only will you be happy if you choose this life; Chloe and your family will be too. And also there is the unique opportunity to stop Lex.”
“What are you saying?”
“If you choose this life and Lex does, also, he will turn good and will never be a menace to society. If you don’t, he will construct the device that nearly killed you the last time; you know, given time he will try again and again until he succeeds. You are his obsession, Clark, and what can you do for humanity if you are dead?”
“Well, if it’s not Lex, there are others with evil plans. Who will stop them?”
“Clark, you can’t support all the weight of the whole world on your shoulders. I believe you are here for a reason, but what if this reason is to stop Lex Luthor?”
“No, it’s a trap…you are not my father. My father would only want me to do the right thing.”
“You have reason to doubt that I am your father. I am a product of your mind; but if I have the form of your father it is because in your conscience you know that you learned from him that you have the capacity to make the right choice. I am only here to remind you that not all is so simple to decide.”
After saying these words his father disappeared and Clark turned to Chloe.
“You heard what we said?” asked Clark.
“Only what you said,” she answered.
“Chloe, I saw my father, and he wants me to choose a life of happiness and not one of duty. I know it’s a temptation, but I can’t resist anymore.”
“Clark, whatever you decide, I am at your side.”
“How can you be so strong Chloe? Your life is at risk and you don’t seem the least bit affected.”
“No, Clark, I want to stay with you more than anything, but I don’t want you to regret a bad decision. I know you will do what is needed and I don’t want to be the cause of humanity losing its hero. I always want you to be a hero, Clark; I love you more than my life.”
Clark wrapped Chloe within his arms and they hugged in silence for a long time. Clark wanted to finally give Chloe everything she deserved because for years she had done everything for him, loving him and helping him without ever asking for anything from him in return. He felt angry at himself for not paying more attention to Chloe’s needs, even after she gave everything whenever he needed her, even her life. And now he didn’t know how to give her the same in return.
*****
Lana was dressing in front of the mirror in the bedroom of the Luthor mansion. Alexander is running around in the room.
“Alex, stop, leave your mom alone. We want to go to the Kent farm for the Christmas Eve party; there you can play with Jonathan; but right now leave your mom alone so she can finish getting dressed!” ordered Lex.
“I am almost ready, Lex.”
“Take your time, the party isn’t going anywhere. We still have lots of time.”
“Lex, you are acting strange today, so distant and deep in thought.”
“I have to make a decision, Lana, something that can affect our life.”
“What is it, Lex, can I help you?”
“No, Lana, it’s a business decision. I just need to know if you are happy in you life with me?”
“You don’t need to ask, Lex. You know how happy I am at your side.”
“Would you be happier with Clark?”
“Clark is my past, Lex. It’s curious that you talk about it today. It was seven years ago at the Kent ’s Christmas Eve party when Clark left me for Chloe. At the time I didn’t understand the reason, but they are made for each other and have been happy ever since then. And we have been happy, too, Lex. I never thought of Clark in a romantic way anymore.”
“Even if I can’t know if this is real, I am happy with you, Lana. No amount of wealth or power can compare to the happiness our life brings me.”
“What are you saying?”
“Nothing…”
Lex looked in the mirror and saw himself at Lana’s side, “You are beautiful, Lana.”
*****
Clark walked out onto the porch at the Kent farm. The evening wind caressed his face. He took a profound breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them he could see a figure in front of him, a man almost identical to himself.
“Jor-El?” Clark asked.
“Yes, my son.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I am here to make sure you make the correct decision.”
“It’s my decision, you don’t control me anymore.”
“I can’t force you to choose a certain path, but I want you to remember your duty, the reason I sent you to Earth, to protect them from disasters and evil and assure that their destiny is not the same as Krypton’s.”
“But what happens if Lex kills me?”
“I don’t know the future, my son, but fear is not a good basis for making a decision. A decision should be made from reasoning and a sense of duty.”
“You are a scientist, and reasoning is normal for you, but I am a fighter and fear makes me survive.”
“You know your way now, my son. You know what your obligations are. You won’t let anything blind you.”
“Like Chloe?”
“She is only one human life; you can save thousands if you chose the correct way.”
“But for what cause does she need to sacrifice her life for the sake of humanity? Sacrifice mine, instead.”
“Each history has been written, my son. Sacrifice your powers to save one life; or, sacrifice one life to save humanity and fulfill your destiny. You can choose only one path.”
“I don’t want to sacrifice Chloe again.”
“Then evil has won.”
“And Lex? He can be good if I choose this life?”
“But you know until you defeat Lex another villain can appear.”
“I don't want this destiny. You forced me to follow it in the past, but after I completed my training I became free of your influence forever. I am my own man, father, I will decide my destiny.”
“Yes, son, but you must think of your responsibilities. Your powers on Earth seem extraordinary but we are not gods. It is necessary that we respect the course of history. If you make this choice, I can never again be with you. You will have denied your heritage and betrayed your race more than your duty to humanity.”
And then as suddenly as he had appeared Jor-El vanished.
His choice clear in his heart and mind, the only choice he knew he could live with, Clark turned and walked into his home.
*****
Metropolis, night of December 24, 2012
Ann Keller, television reporter, was facing a camera in the streets of Metropolis, standing in front of several units of firemen working in a building that is being consumed in flames.
“The cause of the fire is not yet known. A few witnesses have said they heard an explosion; so it could be a gas explosion or possibly a bomb. The fire chief said they have found some explosive residues and have alerted the Metropolis Police and the bomb squad.”
“For the moment we have confirmation of three mortalities and more than ten injured; fortunately there are only offices in the building so very few people were inside because it is Christmas Eve and most businesses were closed for the holiday.”
“A witness said that Superman flew to the building to help in the rescue task but when a sudden flash of light was seen he disappeared without a trace.”
--tbc--
|
|
|
Post by RedGigant on Sept 30, 2009 11:17:50 GMT -5
Part II – Back in Time
Chapter 4
Smallville, night of December 24, 2005
Clark went inside his home and suddenly appeared in 2005 on Christmas Eve. He didn’t know how it happened, but he understood his decision had been made even though he had not thought it would mean he would be traveling back in time. The house was decorated with some Christmas lights.
The home was full of the guests for the Christmas Eve party and could see Chloe standing close beside his mother. He went to her, gently took her by the arm and led her away from all the other people.
Lana caught sight of them from a distance and her face turned in surprise; not only because of the strange way Clark had separated Chloe from the others, but also because she could see how Clark had looked at Chloe. It was a look like none Lana had ever seen from Clark before; she recognized that Clark was in love with Chloe and she felt hurt. Wasn’t it just a few hours earlier that Clark seemed to be in love with her? Lana didn’t understand what had happened.
“I need to talk to you about something,” said Clark to Chloe when they were out of earshot from the rest of the guests.
“What happened, Clark? Does it have anything to do with the work I gave you this morning? You’re acting strange.”
“Chloe, you won’t believe what happened.”
“You’re looking at me in such a strange way; like you haven’t seen me in ages.”
“That’s exactly what happened. Chloe, I haven’t seen you in two years.”
“Clark, this morning we were at the Daily Planet...” Chloe started to say but Clark interrupted her. “No, Chloe...for you, it was this morning...for me it was seven years ago.”
“What?”
“A few hours ago, I was in the year 2012.”
“You traveled in time? How?”
“Not exactly. It’s so strange, Chloe. There I was the hero my biological father had always wanted me to be and I could fly. I was rescuing people from a fire in a skyscraper in Metropolis when suddenly some strange energy injured me and I was in another reality.”
“Another reality?”
“Like a dream. And I must decide between my life as a hero and my personal life.”
“With Lana?”
“No, not with Lana.”
“What are you trying to tell me?”
“You need some time to get used to this, Chloe.”
“Get used to what?”
“In my dream you are my wife, and I don’t have powers.”
“It is only a dream.”
“No Chloe, I chose this life, I lost my powers to save you.”
“For saving me? From what?
“Chloe, I didn’t really want to tell you like this; but there are no secrets between us, not anymore. So, I’ll tell, but try to remain calm, okay? The future has changed, it’s different now.”
“What is it you don’t want to tell me? What happens in my future, Clark ?”
“Chloe, in the world I’ve returned from you have been dead for two years.” Chloe’s face filled with concern. Clark took her in his arms to console her; but suddenly and without his realizing it, his hug turns to something more than friendly. Chloe’s reaction was surprise, but she didn’t reject him.
“Don’t worry I saved you from this bad future.” Clark whispered to her in the hug.
“How do you know?”
“I know. I need you to believe me. I didn’t lose my powers for nothing.”
“How can you renounce your powers just to save me?”
“I would always do anything to save you, you know. I could never let something bad happen to you. There was really nothing to decide; there really was no other choice. And Chloe, the two years without you were the hardest of my life. I need you in my life without you I am lost. You are the most important person in my life.”
“Clark, you never say things like that to me,” said Chloe surprised.
“I always knew you are important to me; but now remember, I have lived another seven years more....”
“You have a lot of things to explain to me.”
“Chloe, the future changed now, anything that happened in the other reality will happen now…I hope.”
“So, the things in the other reality were so bad?”
“No, Chloe, it is Lex. I think he injured me. But in my dream I was advised that if I chose to lose my powers, Lex becomes good and the world was no longer in danger because of him. I hope my dream hasn’t lied to me.”
“Clark, I hope it, too. But there is something more; the way you hugged me...”
“I’m sorry, Chloe. This evening, I mean--for me, it was this evening, we were in bed laughing and playing and we were happy. I suppose I can’t forget it so easily.”
“We were in bed... together?”
“We had been married for seven years. We had a beautiful son and were awaiting another child...”
“Wow!” Chloe appeared at a loss for words, she could hardly believe what she was hearing.
“Chloe, it was only a dream.”
“So you don’t want it to become reality?” said Chloe with an insinuating smile.
“Chloe, I love you. I want you at my side; but I think I need to give you some time. We need to take small steps, move slowly.”
“Clark, are you sure that is what you want? I mean, now that you’ve saved me and you don’t have powers, wouldn’t you prefer to be with Lana?”
“Lana? Oh, yes... sorry, my mind is still in my other reality where I haven’t been with Lana for many years.”
“Oh, I don’t recognize you! Clark Kent not wanting Lana Lang? Definitely, you come from another world!”
“Chloe, it is not funny! How can I go to Lana and tell her I don’t love her anymore because I am in love with another?”
“I think you need to tell her the truth.”
“The truth? But she doesn’t know about my secret yet. How I can tell her the truth?”
“Well, be as truthful as you can and it will be fine. And are you sure that you love me? Maybe you’re just afraid of losing me.”
“Chloe, I am sure of it. There is no-one else I want to be with. Lana and I broke up. I mean, in my reality. And I understand now that she and I can’t have a future together. I think it is because she doesn’t accept me as I am; but it is not the reason. She found out about me and our relationship still wasn’t successful.”
“So you want me as a consolation prize?”
“Chloe, I know at this time you are right to think that. But I don’t love you because I have no-one else. I love you because of who you are. I never realized it before, but I have always loved you.”
“Clark, I have waited for you for such a long time. Now you come to me and suddenly you see me in the way I have always dreamed of for years? You have to understand, it’s confusing for me. I know you come from the future... or, well, something like it; but I am still a little surprised.”
“I think I need to talk about it with Lana. And, Chloe, I’m sorry that I’m not being more romantic in the way I’m telling you all this.”
“It’s fine; we’ve been best friends for such a long time and there are no secrets between us. Maybe that ruins the romance a little but it is great for me. I always want to be at your side for anything you need of me; I don’t need ‘romantic’ settings. How or where you say the words is not what’s important to me, Clark. The fact that you couldn’t wait to tell me how you felt is what makes it romantic for me.”
“I need to talk with Lana now.”
“One moment, Clark, I have a question?”
“What is it?”
”In your dream you said you were in 2012, and we are married for seven years, it is now… How is it possible?”
“I don’t know, Chloe, it is only a dream.”
“Yes, but I love you, Clark.”
“Chloe, you don’t think we need time to get used to this new situation?”
“Yes, if you need, but I’m okay with it.”
Clark approached Chloe and started to kiss her. In the distance Lana was watching them and started to cry.
On the television a special report was airing. “The political world is shocked by the announcement of the Kansas senate seat candidate, Lex Luthor, who was shot this morning in Grandville. From his hospital room in Metropolis, Mr. Luthor announced that he is giving up his run for the senate seat and turning his support to his opponent, Jonathan Kent.”
Clark turned to the TV when he heard the report.
“Chloe, it’s happening... I changed history: in the other reality, Lex turned bad after his fight to become Senator. But there are a lot of dangers that can still come to us; and now, without my powers who will defend humanity from them.”
“Do you regret your decision?”
“No, Chloe, I would do it again without hesitation; only, I am worried for the future.”
“It’s not necessary to have super powers to be a hero, Clark. You can still be the hero you were destined to be, even if you are just a normal farm boy from Kansas.”
“You trust me so much... but I am not sure.”
“Now you sound more like my Clark, the Clark I’ve always known, and not the hero that just came from the future.”
At that moment Clark heard a profound and very familiar noise in his ears, the call of the House of El. He had thought to never hear this sound again; but he knew he had to answer it; that he would have to go to the caves to get to the Fortress. His biological father was calling him and he had a feeling it couldn’t be for anything good.
“Are you okay?” asked Chloe seeing Clark with pain on his face and covering his ears with his hands.
“Chloe, I need to go to the Fortress. I will return as quickly as I can.”
-tbc-
|
|
|
Post by RedGigant on Oct 24, 2009 18:43:39 GMT -5
Chapter 5
Clark went to the barn and retrieved the hexagonal key. As he no longer had his powers he drove to the caves in his truck and carefully, with much apprehension, dropped the key in the slot.
“Welcome home, my son.”
“I believe you rejected me.”
“When did I say something like this?” asked Jor-El with an unaltered voice.
“In my dream.”
“I was never in your dream.”
“Why did you call me here?”
“I have summoned you because I know you have lost your powers. If I could return them to you, I would. But it is impossible because your energy was wasted by your travels between realities.”
“Don’t you mean I failed you as well as humanity and that I betrayed my heritage?”
“Kal-El, a hero is not always one who can impose justice by force. A hero knows when it is necessary to sacrifice himself for others. You gave up your powers but this sacrifice was not for nothing. Lex Luthor was on the path to killing you and dominating the world. I do not know what can happen now but your decision stopped him, and it was the correct way. I am proud that you knew when a personal sacrifice was necessary.”
“But I didn’t do it to just stop Lex.”
“Your thinking is not a mystery to me. I was mistaken in believing the humans would influence you to completely forget your duties and risking your mission. After all, I lived all my life on another world; you must forgive my limited knowledge of human behavior. Now I have a better understanding of human compassion and how it has brought out the best in you.”
“But now what happens with the dangers that can come to us?”
“Kal-El humanity survived all dangers for many millennia without our help; I sent you here because the Earth’s destiny will be different than the fate of Krypton. And this mission isn’t accomplished yet. Without powers you can continue the mission, it is more difficult now, but you demonstrated your capacity to accomplish it. I believe in your capacities and I am here to help you in any way you need.”
“But you know I made this decision for a selfish reason I can’t forgive myself for it.”
“Kal-El, if you do not forgive yourself for being human, you cannot be a good Kryptonian. You grew up amongst humans and it is normal for you to have these feelings for them. But if you are angry and filled with remorse, you will fail in the mission; and the mission is more important than your powers or the reason that you have to make a decision.”
“As you know, I was once a visitor on Earth also and I felt for one human the same things you feel. I regret that my heritage did not allow me to live on Earth with her. I cannot blame you for making the same choice I am sure I would have if the decision would have been mine to make.”
“Thank you, Father.”
“I would ask another thing from you.”
“What is it, Father?”
“Even having no powers, you can do another service to your Kryptonian heritage. I know of your love for the human girl you have chosen. It is my desire that you join your life with hers. I hope one day your heir will be the first son of the new Kryptonian era.”
“If I no longer have any powers, why would you want me to have a son?”
“The heritage of Krypton will live on in him and that is what is important. Now it is time for you to return to your life, my son. Remember, if you ever need me, I am always waiting to help you.”
“Thank you, Father.”
*****
Clark went to the MetU student dorms to talk with Lana. She had left the Christmas Eve party without saying anything to anyone just moments before Clark made his departure to the Fortress. He knew she must be angry with him. He quickly knocked on her dorm room door and Lana opened it.
“Are you searching for Chloe?” asked Lana visibly annoyed.
“I want to talk with you.”
“About how amazing it is kissing Chloe?”
“Lana, please. It is not what it looked like.”
“Every time someone says that it’s not what it looked like, it usually is just that. And you’re not going to tell me you weren’t kissing Chloe, because that IS what it looked like.”
“Lana, you can’t understand it; it’s impossible to explain, but I am not the same person I was this morning.”
“Right! You ARE different: suddenly you don’t love me anymore and you now love Chloe instead? What’s not to understand; it’s very simple Clark, isn’t it?” she replied with more anger than Clark was ready for.
He realized she had a right to be very upset with him which only made his attempt at an explanation more difficult. But he did owe her an explanation, no matter how difficult, so he took a deep breath and tried once more.
“Lana, I know it will sound strange, but I know what will happen to us. We don’t have a future together.”
“Only because you don’t want it,” she bit back angrily
“No, Lana, it’s not just because I don’t want it. Please trust me, Lana, I need you to believe me because it is not my intention to hurt you, it never has been. I believed I loved you more than anyone else for years; but we’ve never really had a stable relationship and I know it will not be any better if we try to have a future together.”
“What are you talking about? You’re not making any sense, Clark.”
“I had a vision of the future, Lana, and we are not together. You are happier with someone else. You are happier than you ever were or could have been with me.”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying: a vision of the future? How is that possible? Are you kidding me? Or do you just want to humiliate me?” Clark realized this would be much harder than he expected; well, he really hadn’t thought that far ahead. He’d known she could be really angry, and he should have remembered he had never been very good at calming down an angry female. He had hoped hearing of her own happiness in the future might make her a little bit more understanding, but even that was not working very well for him.
“I am sorry, Lana. I didn’t want to do it, but it’s the only way; I don’t want to lie to you.”
“By telling me something like this? A lie might have been better.” she snapped back, her voice filled with bitter pain.
Clark realized that at this time he would not be able to make her understand. It would take her time to absorb it all. Soon her life would be consumed with Lex, but she could not know this now and it wasn’t his place to tell her. He would have to take the blame for his carelessness. He knew seeing him kiss Chloe must have hurt her a lot more than he could imagine. He had not been thinking straight; he had only thought of how happy he was to be with Chloe and the time-shifting between realities had at that moment not even been a concern. It wasn’t the first time in his life he’d acted before thinking and had to face the consequences later. So right now, before he turned and walked away, he tried the only thing he could do: to apologize one more time.
“I am sorry, Lana. I hope that someday you will be able to forgive me.”
*****
Clark arrived at the farm and found Chloe sitting in the living room. She was visibly affected by the events of the night.
“I was worried about what Jor-El said?” she asked Clark when he sat down beside her after he arrived at the farm.
“He said I can be a hero without powers, I thought he was angry with me but he wasn’t.”
“Clark, Jor-El is a computer; a computer doesn’t have emotions.”
“I think you are right; he was only worried about me completing my mission.”
“It’s because he is programmed to make sure that you complete your mission.”
“I always thought of the AI as my biological father, but he is only a computer,” said Clark a little deceived.
“No, Clark, he is the memory of your biological father, but he is a computer too.”
“I think that the real Jor-El was like I imagined in my dream, he would be disappointed about my decision.”
“How can you know that? He could be more compassionate than you imagined. You can’t know a person through a computer re-creation of him.”
“Jor-El did make one other request.”
“One other request?”
“He wants me to have a son.”
“And how does he expect you to accomplish this mission?”
“With the help of a beautiful blonde.”
“I have thought of Jor-El as many things but never as a matchmaker.”
“Chloe, are you trying to make me laugh?”
“No, I was just surprised. You know me: sarcasm is my way of coping with problems.”
“And is it a problem?”
“I don’t know. I’m only afraid of what could happen to us.”
“So, you don’t want me with you?”
“What are you saying? How did you arrive at this conclusion? Clark, listen to me! This morning you told me that you are in love with Lana and you only wanted me as a friend. And this evening you tell me that I died in the not-too-distant future and you lost your powers to save me from this fate And now you want to have a son with me. Don’t you think it’s normal that I am a little worried?”
“Yes, you’re right. It’s a lot to absorb in one day. As I said before, you need some time to get used to the situation.”
“I never said I don’t want you with me; only that I am confused about everything that happened.”
“I am sorry, Chloe. Since the day I told you who I am, I haven’t had any secrets from you and have taken advantage of your friendship by always venting about all my worries. I didn’t show enough respect for you.”
“Clark, it's okay. I am your best friend and this is my mission, but don’t blame me for worrying a little bit about my future after everything you’ve told me.”
“I don’t blame you for worrying. I only...I love you, Chloe.”
“Clark, I have waited forever to hear you say that to me, and even though now is not the best moment for me to hear it.... I love you, too.”
“So, you don’t want us to start a relationship?”
“Clark, you lived seven years more but are as stupid as ever! I didn’t say anything about not wanting you in my life. I want that. Only I am worried about the things that can happen to me. How did I die?”
“You die saving me.”
“How exactly?”
“I don’t think it’s the right moment for you to know that.”
“Clark, please, my life is at risk. I want to know. I always think the truth is the best, even more so between best friends.”
“I don’t know if you are now, but in the future you are infected by Kryptonite.”
“Am I a meteor freak?”
“No, Chloe, you never hurt anyone; it’s quite the opposite. You heal people. But when you heal them you die... only for a few hours, but you are clinically dead. And when you healed me, you died and never came back to life.”
“But how were you injured? You are indestructible.”
“Not if my aggressor was from Krypton. Chloe, it’s best for you to take things slowly. For now you aren’t in danger and we can manage whatever happens to us. Remember, I am here to protect you. Even without my powers I will die protecting you. So, if you want, we can be more than friends, when you are ready.”
“Clark, it has nothing to do with you. I am just a little confused about this news. But if I only have a few years to live, I don’t want to fill them with worry or anger. I want to be happy. And if you really love me, I don’t need to wait for anything. I can be worried and happy and have you with me at the same time.”
“Of course, don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere. I am here for you and I saved you. You have a chance to be happy and I know we will have a long life of happiness together.”
“How do you know that?”
“I see the future, you remember?”
“No, it is only a dream.”
“No, it’s something more. I need you with me. I love you more than anyone. I didn’t realize it before because my feelings for Lana blinded me and kept me from seeing how important you are to me. But now that I know I won’t leave you for anyone. I love you so much... and I need you at my side to be the man I want to be. Lana was only a teenage whim. But you, Chloe, you are the woman of my future. Now that I don’t have superpowers I need you even more. But it is so much more than just this. I need to see you every day by my side. I want to kiss you every day. Without you I am lost... I cannot live without you... I don’t want to” He paused for a long moment and then continued. “Chloe, I love you so much. Please stay with me. And if you want, marry me.”
“Clark, it’s a little strange...I am only nineteen.”
“Yes, I know. Don’t worry, I traveled back in time and it’s hard for me to think of you as a nineteen-year-old girl. I think of you as being my age... so... I’m sorry.”
“What! You think we can’t marry only because I am surprised? I love you, Clark; I have for many years and I have always waited for something like this. I just want to be sure it’s not a dream. And, I’m worried about all the things you said; and I’m sorry you lost your powers. But I love you. I’ve always loved you, Clark, and I want to marry you.”
- tbc -
|
|
|
Post by RedGigant on Oct 24, 2009 18:47:05 GMT -5
Part III – A New Future
Chapter 6
December 24, 2012
Lois Lane entered the Daily Planet building with the determination that was characteristic of her and took the elevator to the third floor. As soon as she walked out of the elevator and headed to her desk she could feel little arms wrapping around her legs.
“Aunt Lois, I want to write on your computer. Can I? Can I, please?”
“Hey, Jonny! Where is your mom?”
“Mom is at your desk.” The little boy said, pointing at Lois’ desk just a few feet away from them.
Lois took Jonathan in her arms and they went to Lois’ desk to meet Chloe, who was seated on Lois’ chair.
“What are you doing in Metropolis, Chloe?” asked Lois, letting Jonathan slide out of her arms to stand back on the ground.
“Last-minute Christmas shopping, you know Kent ’s Christmas Eve party is a big business,” said Chloe with a wide smile.
“Chloe, I am sorry, but this year I can’t come to your Christmas Eve party, this afternoon I fly to Gotham A billionaire invited me to his Christmas Eve party, and I want to search around the city and see if I can spot Batman, too.”
“You are always involved in hero stuff.”
“Once upon a time you liked heroes, too.”
“I still like them, but now I am a farmer’s wife and a part-time journalist in a small newspaper. There are no heroes to report in the Ledger.”
“How could you leave your job at the Planet? Don’t you miss it?” Lois picked Jonathan up and sat him down in front of her computer, and the little boy started to type.
“Lois, everyone has priorities, and my family is my priority now. I didn’t leave journalism, but I prefer writing on my computer at home and go to the Ledger’s office two or three days a week instead of working at a big newspaper. I can’t take care of Jonathan if I work here, and when the baby arrives… he or she needs me more.”
“What are you writing Jonny?” Lois asked the boy.
“My first article for the Daily Planet. When I am old, Mom told me that I could work here like you.”
“Oh...”
“And talking about my newest nephew, how do you feel?" Lois asked Chloe.
“Fine… better than some days ago,” answered Chloe rubbing her stomach.
“And where is Smallville? You and he haven’t spent a moment apart in the last seven years.” Lois asked, a little jealous that she didn’t have someone as devoted as Chloe’s husband.
“Clark is at the farm; he doesn’t want me to be late... so I need to leave you, Lois. I only wanted to know if you would come to the party, but I can’t compete with a billionaire and a guy in a bat costume.” Chloe said a little disappointed.
“I am sorry, Chloe. I think Mr. Wayne will give me an interview. I met him at a Luthor party last week; and he IS good looking, too."
“Oh… It is good! Bye Lois,” said Chloe taking Jonathan in her arms.
“Bye Chloe, Jonny.”
“Bye Aunt Lois.”
*****
Five hours earlier
Clark awoke in his bed on a sunny day at the Kent farm. As every day, at his side there was Chloe, who was still sleeping. When he moved gently, Chloe started to wake up. “Clark?” she called to him in a sleepy voice.
“Morning, Chloe.”
“What happened to you?” asked Chloe when she realized how concerned his voice sounded.
“You know… today is the day, I was injured in Metropolis in the other reality.”
“I know, but now we are in this reality. You don’t need to worry about it anymore.” said Chloe trying to calm her husband.
“But I don’t know what can happen tonight.”
“Tonight, the Kent’s Christmas Eve party is happening.”
”I know.”
“And it’s our anniversary, too!”
“Our anniversary?” asked Clark not realizing what Chloe meant.
“Yes, our unofficial anniversary, you know, the day you told me that you loved me.”
“Oh...Chloe, I am sorry, I didn't know what you meant.”
“Are you sure, that you remember it?” Chloe asked a little disappointed.
“Yes, I remember it... of course. How can you think I would forget the day I learned I could have you with me again?” assured Clark smiling at her.
“Chloe, everything all around us is like in my dream: you are pregnant, we have Jonathan... today is a sunny day. I think we will meet Lex when we go shopping.” said Clark, thinking about how his supposed dream was more identical to the life they are living at this moment.
“I need to go to Metropolis for some shopping, Clark.”
“No, please. You can’t stay in Metropolis today.”
“Clark, no pulse of energy will injure me... not today. I will come home early.”
“Please, don’t be late; I don’t want you to be in Metropolis tonight.”
“Clark, it is morning. I will come here for lunch.”
*****
Metropolis: Luthorcorp Secret Lab, some hours later.
Lex was searching for some papers in Doctor Franklin’s desk when the doctor entered his office.
“What are you doing here, Mr. Luthor?”
“I have made some investigations into your research, Dr. Franklin. My purpose in hiring you was to help meteor infected people through your research; not to make some weapon to kill them.”
“But Mr. Luthor, you know these people are dangerous.”
“For this reason it’s necessary for you to find a way to cure their illness and not a way to destroy them. You are fired! And, according to our contract all your research is the property of Luthorcorp; you will not be able to use it. Even your notes will be destroyed.”
“You are making a mistake, Mr. Luthor, you will regret it.”
“I made some mistakes in my past, Dr. Franklin, but now I know what the correct path is.”
*****
The same night at the Kent Farm.
Clark and Chloe were in the bedroom dressing for the party.
“The last time I went to this party, I found myself seven years in the past. I had to wait seven years to know what happened at our party tonight,” explained Clark with a smile.
“Are you saying that these were bad years?”
“Absolutely not. If I could I would gladly relive those seven years again.”
“I hope it doesn’t happen,” observed Chloe, who didn’t want to lose what they had in this moment of their lives.
After they were dressed, Chloe and Clark walked down the stairs to the living room to receive their guests. Chloe went to the kitchen and found Martha there.
“Martha, leave that to me,” said Chloe, taking from her some bowls filled with food for the party.
“No, honey, you are pregnant, you should be taking it easy,” protested Martha.
“Clark, we need you in here,” Martha called him for help.
“Mom, leave it now; the guests are arriving,” said Clark when he entered the kitchen.
The first to arrive were Lex and Lana with little Alexander. Lex kissed Chloe’s cheek and shook Clark’s hand Lana and Chloe hugged and kissed each others’ cheeks, and Clark kissed Lana on the cheek also. Alexander rushed to Chloe and pulled on her dress demanding her attention.
“Where is the baby, Aunt Chloe?”
“Hey Alexander… Oh… the baby, he is coming, but we need to wait a little more to see him.”
“What time?”
“Six months.”
“We have to wait that long?”
“Yes, Alexander but don’t worry, you can play with him when he arrives just like with Jonathan… and why don’t you go and play with Jonathan now?”
“Yes.”
“How is your new book?” Lex asked Chloe.
“Making progress, but I am taking it slow and easy. I don’t want to let it interfere with my work at ‘The Ledger.’ Journalism is after all my first love.”
“I know,” answered Lex nodding.
“Is Lois coming to the party?” asked Lana.
“No, she is invited to a party in Gotham,” answered Chloe.
“From a magnate called Bruce Wayne?” asked Lex, suspicious and sure about the answer.
“I think she said a name something like that, yes,” answered Chloe surprised that Lex would know about her cousin’s possible new love interest.
“I introduced them at a party last week; and I think your cousin is more interested in him than she wants to recognize,” explained Lex.
A few minutes later Gabe Sullivan arrived from Metropolis where he again works for Luthorcorp after having been rehired seven years ago. He had since been promoted to a high level executive position in the company.
“Dad,” Chloe called out to him when her father entered the house. She went to his side and Gabe kissed her on the forehead.
“How are you?” Chloe asked her father.
“I'm doing well. And you… how are you?”
“I am fine… Dad, only a little tired, today has been a long day, the party preparation was tiring.”
Soon more guests arrived, like the neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Glen, and some of Chloe’s friends from ‘The Ledger.’
An hour later, when everyone was busy talking and enjoying the party, a television that had been left on in the living room started to interrupt its regular programming with a news report.
“Good evening. This special report has just come in: We are live in downtown Metropolis where a strange explosion injured an unknown number of people in an unused warehouse alleged to be the property of Luthorcorp. According to a witness, a pulse of white light just suddenly appeared. There are several firemen attempting to rescue victims. No official report has yet been released by the police.”
Lex turned towards the TV very concerned. He didn’t know how it was possible that Dr. Franklin had been able to get back into the high security lab. But it was just more proof how badly the scientist wanted to test the device he had invented to kill meteor infected people. For a moment Lex hoped Franklin was one of the victims, so he couldn’t do more damage with his obsession.
Clark was shocked, too. He knew Lex didn’t want to kill him in this reality and he had no reason to do it because he no longer had any powers. But he felt that fate searches for a way for some things to happen. He only hoped that the same would not happen to Chloe and him, since they had survived their ‘fate’ at such a high cost; even though he knew he would make the same decision again.
Clark had lived the last seven years happy but concerned about the possibility that he could lose Chloe again and be returned to his life in the other reality. But as the hours passed, he knew that the change in their history was permanent... Chloe had her second chance and Lex, too. It had been necessary for Clark to give up his powers; although he didn’t feel like a hero for doing it, he knew he had to make this sacrifice, not just for himself but for the others as well. And the side effect that Lex was no longer evil was a good thing for Metropolis and for mankind, even though Clark had only made the choice to save his best friend... the woman he loved... Chloe. He knew a hero wasn’t supposed to make selfish choices like that, but heroes have feelings, too, even if they come from a distant galaxy and are not human.
Hours later as Clark and Chloe were in bed, he was gently caressing her hair as she rested her head on his chest.
“Today, I feel that the future is our own,” Clark whispered near Chloe’s ear.
“The Kent family survived another crisis,” answered Chloe turning her face and smiling at him.
“Chloe, in my dream you told me you didn’t want me to give up my powers to save you, and I felt you were still angry because you would never know our baby.”
“Clark it’s only a dream?”
“No, Chloe, it’s more than that. It helped me make the decision to give you a new life. That you are so concerned about my life as a hero that to you it didn’t matter if you lost your life for it; that you love me more than your life. It helped me make the decision to give you a new life, the life that you deserved. I needed to do it. In the other reality your death was my fault because of my powers. I couldn’t accept you sacrificing your life for me, even though you wanted to. Today was a day more like the one I dreamed of. I think that experiment caused something like a displacement from one reality to another. But today I feel I am here and I don’t need to go anywhere else I am sure of us Chloe, as sure as I am that I gave you a new life.”
“My hero.”
“I am not a hero, Chloe, I am only a man.”
“Superman?”
”No, only a man, Super Clark left some time ago.”
“I like Super Clark but my husband is better. Because you love me.”
Chloe and Clark, although awake in each others arms, remained in bed silently enjoying just being together just like other people with an unknown but promising future together. Chloe took Clark’s hand in hers and put it over her stomach. They didn’t speak but they both knew what it meant; they had a future as a family; a future they had conquered, not without sacrifice, but a future they felt was meant for them.
Clark was thinking about his dream seven years ago. Chloe, the actual Chloe, would now have the possibility to know her second son or daughter. He had given her a new life. He loved her so much. He had renounced everything for her, even though he knew it might not have been the right thing to do and in spite of it not being what Chloe had wanted from him. He would gladly do the same thing again in a heartbeat with no regret because Chloe was his whole life. No-one loved him as Chloe did and in this reality he could give her what she deserved: to be loved by him in the same way she had always loved him: unconditionally, from the moment they had met.
-tbc-
|
|