Fic: Do You Believe in Fate? (18/?)
Title: Do You Believe in Fate? (18/?)
Author: Babette babettew54
Category: Smallville
Characters: Clark Luthor/Alt-Lois Lane, Jonathan/Martha, Perry White, Jimmy Olsen, Bruce Wayne, Tess Luthor, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Conner Kent, Kara Zor-El
Rating: M
Word Count: 3,600
Disclaimer: DC Comics/Warner Brothers owns these characters. No profit is being made from this story. This is strictly for my own amusement.
Author’s Notes: In this next chapter, the mysterious masked man will be revealed along with his accomplice, or was she, and later while Bruce is on paternity leave, he asks Clark to oversee the final negotiations but not without a few shocking surprises. Please read and review. Thanks, everyone! :D
Banner by Ctbn60
Previously:
ACT I: Redemption
( Chapter 1)( Chapter 2)( Chapter 3)( Chapter 4)( Chapter 5)
( Chapter 6)( Chapter 7)( Chapter 8)( Chapter 9)
ACT II: Seven Days
( Chapter 10)( Chapter 11)( Chapter 12)( Chapter 13)( Chapter 14)
( Chapter 15) ( Chapter 16)( Chapter 17)
x-posted to: (AO3); (FFN)
~o~o~
Chapter 18: Thinking of You First
Later that same evening in downtown Metropolis:
An extremely agitated young man had just exited an elevator headed to the executive offices of a Fortune 500 company hell-bent and determined, up until a few days ago, of purchasing LexCorp. If this Daily Planet article was true, as reported by Lois Lane, then their hopes were now dashed.
According to the article, Bruce Wayne had signed a deal to purchase all the stock and controlling interest in the weakening company. The remaining owners, Clark Luthor and Lutessa Luthor, had apparently agreed to the sale. Millions if not billions were now off the market.
Cursing a blue streak and ripping off his mask, he entered Karen Starr's office, the owner and chief executive officer of Starrware Inc., but she was nowhere to be seen. "Where the hell is she?" He asked, cursing and muttering to himself.
"I'm right here," Karen answered him seemingly bored. She turned in her high back, desk chair to face her exceedingly troubled chief financial officer.
Terry Sloane glanced at the stunning blonde and felt the usual stirring in his loins. She was one hell of a lay. "And where were you this evening? Half of my crew was arrested by that alien menace, Superman."
Karen had little interest in Superman, or Terry thought. "I'm not surprised. He has the entire League behind him. He can't be stopped. Why do you even bother trying to kill him?"
"Because …"
She grinned because she knew what was coming. "Because ..?"
Terry stood up straighter. "Because … I'm Mr. Terrific! Everyone in this city needs to know that he's not as invulnerable as everyone thinks. He can die and stay dead just like everyone else. I'm the only superhero that can make a difference, not him. He came out of nowhere. Where's he been all this time anyway?"
Karen didn't answer him as she thought about his question. She hadn't been there long either. Lex Luthor had found her spaceship, kept her hidden for the past few years as his protégé and had set her up in her own company. She was a fast learner, had picked up the language, and now here she was.
She slowly stood up and walked over to him. Her long shapely legs were revealed to him with her pencil skirt and her gorgeous blonde hair flowed over her shoulder. Terry tried to calm his racing heart and his driving hunger for her.
"Terry, listen, I want you to stop this vendetta against Superman. This city is large enough for both of you." She paused. "This is about Lex, isn't it?"
"No, it has nothing to do with him."
"Are you sure because you know as well as I do that he never truly trusted me to make this place work, but I proved him wrong and he hated me for it."
"He also loved you." It was a true statement.
"Love? Lex didn't know the meaning of the word." Karen then pushed the memories of their time together from her mind. There was a small part of Lex, a part she was not able to reach, but she never gave up trying to reach him, to save him, but it was not to be.
Terry sighed. He came over to her and touched her shoulder. "I'm sorry it still hurts to think about him."
"I'm Ok." She changed the subject. "Tell me what happened tonight."
"The usual … Superman found our hideout and the hidden green-k," Terry responded.
"So it's over?"
"No, it's not over."
"But Terry, you have to stop this. You can't win, just give it up."
"Why should I?" He watched her closely. "If I didn't know any better, it sounds as if you want him to win."
She turned abruptly to hide her face. "No, I don't."
"Look at me, Karen," he said and pulled her arm.
She instinctively pulled away from him, but when she raised her arm, he went flying across the room. "Terry!" She ran to him and tried to help him up from the floor.
He pulled away from her. "Stay away from me." He stared at her then he rubbed his arm. "I thought you could control your powers."
"I can control them at least I thought I could do it."
Terry suddenly put it all together. "You're like him, aren't you? You're not human."
"Don't be ridiculous," she replied and walked back to her desk.
"Then explain it to me, so I can understand it." He slowly stood up and leaned against the wall. "Where do you come from? Who are you truly?"
"You know me. I'm Karen Starr. I own this company."
"No, there's more."
"That's all there is. There is no more." She walked over to the window and looked up at the sky. At that moment, Superman flew by. She could hear the sonic boom clearly.
Terry followed her, and he too saw him fly by, so strong, so powerful, and so different from everyone else on Earth, except her.
Sighing, she turned to him and decided to take his mind off of Superman. "There's no more, Terry." She paused as if she could read his mind. "Just think about this," she whispered and pulled him to her and kissed him.
Terry was enthralled as he kissed her back. He just hoped he wouldn't end up like Lex, dead and buried because of his love for her.
~o~o~
The next morning, the Daily Planet bullpen:
Clark was reading Lois' article about the sale of LexCorp and decided to do a bit of research into the other companies who had submitted offers to Tess. There may be a connection between Tess and her distribution of the green-k to the masked man.
Starrware Inc. was a long-standing Fortune 500 company, formerly owned by Lex, but was now owned by Karen Starr. He pulled up her company bio on his computer. She was lovely, but she was also a smart woman, to be brought up into the company by Lex Luthor and survive it. He couldn't help but be impressed.
"And who is that?" Lois asked as she leaned over his shoulder.
"The owner of Starrware Inc., a company that wanted to buy LexCorp, but it hadn't worked out.
"Oh, I see. She's lovely. Karen Starr?"
"Yeah," he replied distracted. "It says here in this article that her chief financial officer, Terry Sloane, was not happy about Bruce Wayne sweeping in and practically stealing the company from them."
"Hummm, do you think there's something there, something we should look into?" Lois asked.
"I'm not sure," Clark murmured, still distracted.
Lois leaned closer to his ear. "Do you think they may know your secret? She did know Lex for a long time," Lois worriedly asked.
Clark frowned as he continued to stare at Karen Starr's photograph.
"You should go see her." Lois thought about it for a moment beginning to worry. "I don't like this, and with Lex's name all over this, we can't take any chances."
He frowned, but he trusted her instincts. "I agree. I'll call her office and make an appointment."
~o~o~
Later that same day at Starrware's headquarters:
Clark was extremely impressed as he walked up to the entrance of Starr Towers. It was located not far from LexCorp, only a few blocks away. Outside on the sidewalk, Clark looked up, and it was at least fifty stories tall or more.
After exiting the elevator, Ms. Starr was there to greet him which surprised him. She must be terribly busy.
"Mr. Luthor, welcome to Starrware." She greeted him warmly with her hand out.
Clark was stunned. She was even lovelier than her photographs. He shook her hand. "It's very nice to meet you, Ms. Starr and thank you for agreeing to see me. I'm just an intern and …"
"Well, we all have to start somewhere," she said, encouraging him then he followed her into her well-appointed office.
"How long have you owned Starrware?"
"Only a few years," Karen replied, then she took a seat, but instead of sitting at her desk, she took a seat on the sofa. "Please," she said, inviting him to sit next to her.
Clark took out a pad and took a seat. "I see, and from what I understand Lex Luthor was your mentor." It was a statement not a question.
She had to smile "I see you've done your homework."
"Well, yes I have." She was silent. "Is it true?"
"Yes, it's true."
Clark was stunned again. He shook his head. "I'm finding this all unbelievable. I mean, I thought I knew Lex, but he never mentioned you."
She sighed. "Lex was very secretive, so I'm not surprised." Suddenly distracted, she whispered. "Did you hear that?"
Clark frowned as he stood up, ready to leave. "What did you hear?" Of course, Clark heard a woman's scream but how was it possible she could hear it?
"It was nothing. Please sit down." Karen had let her guard down with him. She'd never done that before.
Clark narrowed his eyes then x-rayed her and there on her chest was the 'El' symbol in silver on a black background. He stood up, not knowing what to think with this shocking turn of events. "Ummm, I have to leave."
Karen didn't know what to say. She knew he was Superman. She too had seen the 'El' shield under his clothing. "Clark wait, don't go!"
He was almost at the door then he stopped dead in his tracks. "Karen?" Clark's heart was pounding as he slowly turned to her. "Who are you?"
Sighing to herself, it was time. She told him the truth. "My name is … Kara … Kara Zor-El and … I'm your cousin."
Clark was truly stunned, but he had the forethought to listen again and the screaming had stopped. The police were nearby and the woman's purse had been reclaimed.
Karen watched the play of emotions on his face and knew what was happening. "Is everything alright? Do you have to leave?"
He shook his head at her question. "No, everything is fine."
"Maybe we should sit down again." When he just stood there staring at her, she walked over to him and took his arm. "Take a seat. Do you want something to drink, a glass of water maybe?"
Clark finally found his voice. "Yes, thank you, Karen, I mean, Kara. I don't know what to call you."
"Well, you can call me Karen. Lex gave me the name."
He frowned not liking that at all. Her name was Kara. "I see." He paused for a moment. "Do you know how he died."
"Murdered probably. I have no idea, and I truly don't care." He watched him digest that statement. "I know I should be more grateful to him, but he wanted to control my entire life, not just this company."
"I see," Clark murmured, understanding how she felt.
She gave him the water. He took a sip and placed the glass on her side table.
He watched her take a seat then decided to change the subject. "I have a million questions."
"I know you do," she said, but couldn't look at him.
"Karen, you know you can tell me anything. We are family."
Her head came up at that. "No, we're not. I don't know you. That 'S' on your chest doesn't make us family."
Clark didn't believe that. "But, of course it does. We're blood and …"
She interrupted him. "No, it doesn't." She suddenly stood up because Terry was now in the building. "You should leave."
"But, Karen, what is it? Why won't you talk to me?"
He sounded hurt, and she hated herself at that moment. "I'm sorry Clark, but we can't be friends."
Clark was getting emotional. Family meant everything to him. He couldn't lose her, not when he had just found her. "But why not, please tell me why?"
"Clark, stop it, just go, please." She walked over to the door and opened it. "Just go."
"I can't lose you Karen. We're family. And no matter how much you may want to, you can't change that fact." He walked over to the door, but she wouldn't look at him, and then he was gone.
She closed the door and barely holding herself together, she walked over to the window. He was hovering outside watching her.
Karen pulled the blinds closed and walked away. She had forgotten that he could see through anything, but she didn't care.
Clark got the point. He took off up into the sky. His eyes watered, but he kept flying higher and higher into the blinding light of the sun. He thought about Karen, his one true living connection to his parents, his home, and his true heritage. He would not lose her, he couldn't.
~o~o~
That evening at the Kent farm:
At the dinner table, Clark told them about Kara but left out her rejection of him. It hurt to think about it.
Lois was so excited and thrilled for him. "Oh Clark, that's fantastic news! I can't believe this, but it looks as if we own Tess a thank you."
"It appears that we do." Clark was despondent, and everyone picked up on it.
"Clark, what aren't you telling us?" Martha asked, concerned by his demeanor.
He shook his head, still unbelieving. "Well, she wants nothing to do with me."
"Oh no, but why not!? What's her problem?" Lois asked as she took his hand.
"I understand why she would feel this way. She doesn't know me and even though she was close to Lex before he died, she knows how he died, so she probably hates me for killing him."
"She doesn't know anything about that. Did she say anything about Lex?"
"No, not really."
"Well, don't make assumptions until you can talk to her again." That was Jonathan.
Clark was ready to call it a night. He took a deep breath. "Let's not … let's not talk about her anymore. She was abundantly clear. I won't bother her again."
"Clark, I'm so sorry to hear that, but it's her loss," Lois said and squeezed his hand.
He tried to bring up a smile, but it didn't work. "Thank you for saying that. Are you finished eating?"
"Well, yes, but …"
He stood up and turned to his parents. "I'm not terribly good company this evening. Lois and I … " He couldn't finish.
"Oh, Clark, we understand. I'm so sorry," Martha came over to him and hugged him close. "Please call us if you want to talk, Ok?"
"Thanks Mom." He tried to smile, but it came out as a grimace.
Jonathan spoke up. "We love you Son." He too gave him a hug then he took him by the shoulders. "You'll always have us, Son. Don't forget that."
"I won't forget, I promise and thank you, Dad."
He took Lois by the hand and then they went out onto the porch. They stood there for a minute then he pulled her close. "Thank you for being here."
"Where else would I be?" She asked and hugged him tighter.
He held her close, thinking about Kara.
~o~o~
Meanwhile, in Karen's apartment in Metropolis:
I'm sorry Kal-El, Kara silently whispered to the night sky.
In Smallville, a woman's voice came into Clark's mind. It did sound familiar. He pulled away from Lois. "You haven't called me Kal-El since the day we met."
She frowned. "Clark, I didn't say anything."
Then it dawned on him. "Oh, my goodness, Karen is speaking to me. "Karen, Kara, can you hear me?"
Lois took his arm. "Clark, what are you doing?"
"Wait, let me try it this way." He closed his eyes and spoke to her through his mind. Karen, I can hear you. It's Kal-El. Kara?
Kal-El, it is you. You can hear me. She wasn't truly surprised, but inside she was immensely happy to hear his voice.
I heard you fine Kara. Well, it appears you can't get rid of me after all. We'll talk soon. Good night, Kara.
Shaking her head, she closed her eyes, feeling awful about her next words. It was better this way, even though it was tearing her heart out.
Clark, stay out of my head. I mean it. We can't be friends. Just accept it, please.
Kara, Kara? She wasn't answering.
"Clark, Clark what just happened?" Lois asked, but the look on his face had her worried and excited all at once. He seemed so happy and after what happened at dinner, she was happy for him, although she hated Kara or Karen, or whatever name she called herself, for how much she had hurt him.
Clark shook his head to clear it. "It appears that Kara and I can communicate … telepathically, but she still wants nothing to do with me."
"But why, Clark, why is she doing this?" She paused as she thought about it. "I don't like this. She's hurting you and I don't trust her. What reason could she possibly have for turning against you and hurting you like this, and until we know what those reasons are, you stay away from her."
"Lois, you can't tell me what to do."
"I didn't mean it like that exactly."
"What did you mean? She's my cousin, and we have a connection. I don't have any control over it. It just happened."
"What I meant to say was that she hurt you, If anyone hurts you, they hurt me." She thought about it for a minute. "You're too close to the situation. I'll go talk to her."
He frowned, but the more he thought about it, the more he thought it was for the best. Kara had hurt him deeply but maybe there was a reason why. Lois would find out the truth, and she had excellent instincts about such matters.
"Alright, you talk to her." He began to wonder about Kara's reasons for hurting him like that. "I did find it strange that she didn't accept me right away."
Lois took his hand and squeezed it. "She hurt you deeply, and I want to know why, and I know you do too."
"Yes, that's true, I do want to know."
"Then it's settled, I'll call her and find out what the heck is going on with her. And I don't think it's the LexCorp sale. She's got tons of money and she'll make more of it."
He grinned. "That's true. She is rich."
Lois chuckled. "Yes she is."
"I'm sorry I got upset. It's just …" He hesitated, knowing deep inside how much Kara's acceptance meant to him.
"I know," she said and went back into his arms.
He held her tightly, maybe a bit too tight.
"Clark?" She whispered then tried to pull away.
"I'm sorry, Lois, I don't know what came over me."
"It's Ok, I'm fine."
He felt horrible, then he x-rayed her.
"Clark, stop that, I'm alright."
"But, I could have hurt you. I couldn't bear that."
She took his arm. "Clark, let's go home. You're still in shock about this whole thing, and you're not thinking clearly."
"I'm so sorry, Lois. You're right."
"Come on, let's go." Lois took him to her place and proceeded to take his mind off of Kara's rejection by showing him just how much she loved him, would always love him, and it didn't matter whether he was right, or whether he was wrong, whether he was weak or strong or feeling low,
Her love would always be there.
TBC!
~o~o~
Song inspiration: When You Really Love Someone, Alicia Keys.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed my introduction of Kara into this story. It's not hard to understand why she rejected Clark. She needs to keep Clark away from Terry until she can fix the problem. The telepathy angle has been used before in my Superman stories and I love using it. It's an incredible ability between Kryptonians.
BTW, I wanted to thank a remarkably faithful reviewer for his wish and suggestion to bring one of his favorite characters into this story and it is undoubtedly happening. I love Kara too! Stay tuned for more. Thanks for reading everyone. Thank you faithful reader for the suggestion. Reviews and comments are the epitome of love! Thank you all so much.
Author: Babette babettew54
Category: Smallville
Characters: Clark Luthor/Alt-Lois Lane, Jonathan/Martha, Perry White, Jimmy Olsen, Bruce Wayne, Tess Luthor, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Conner Kent, Kara Zor-El
Rating: M
Word Count: 3,600
Disclaimer: DC Comics/Warner Brothers owns these characters. No profit is being made from this story. This is strictly for my own amusement.
Author’s Notes: In this next chapter, the mysterious masked man will be revealed along with his accomplice, or was she, and later while Bruce is on paternity leave, he asks Clark to oversee the final negotiations but not without a few shocking surprises. Please read and review. Thanks, everyone! :D
Banner by Ctbn60
Previously:
ACT I: Redemption
( Chapter 1)( Chapter 2)( Chapter 3)( Chapter 4)( Chapter 5)
( Chapter 6)( Chapter 7)( Chapter 8)( Chapter 9)
ACT II: Seven Days
( Chapter 10)( Chapter 11)( Chapter 12)( Chapter 13)( Chapter 14)
( Chapter 15) ( Chapter 16)( Chapter 17)
x-posted to: (AO3); (FFN)
~o~o~
Chapter 18: Thinking of You First
Later that same evening in downtown Metropolis:
An extremely agitated young man had just exited an elevator headed to the executive offices of a Fortune 500 company hell-bent and determined, up until a few days ago, of purchasing LexCorp. If this Daily Planet article was true, as reported by Lois Lane, then their hopes were now dashed.
According to the article, Bruce Wayne had signed a deal to purchase all the stock and controlling interest in the weakening company. The remaining owners, Clark Luthor and Lutessa Luthor, had apparently agreed to the sale. Millions if not billions were now off the market.
Cursing a blue streak and ripping off his mask, he entered Karen Starr's office, the owner and chief executive officer of Starrware Inc., but she was nowhere to be seen. "Where the hell is she?" He asked, cursing and muttering to himself.
"I'm right here," Karen answered him seemingly bored. She turned in her high back, desk chair to face her exceedingly troubled chief financial officer.
Terry Sloane glanced at the stunning blonde and felt the usual stirring in his loins. She was one hell of a lay. "And where were you this evening? Half of my crew was arrested by that alien menace, Superman."
Karen had little interest in Superman, or Terry thought. "I'm not surprised. He has the entire League behind him. He can't be stopped. Why do you even bother trying to kill him?"
"Because …"
She grinned because she knew what was coming. "Because ..?"
Terry stood up straighter. "Because … I'm Mr. Terrific! Everyone in this city needs to know that he's not as invulnerable as everyone thinks. He can die and stay dead just like everyone else. I'm the only superhero that can make a difference, not him. He came out of nowhere. Where's he been all this time anyway?"
Karen didn't answer him as she thought about his question. She hadn't been there long either. Lex Luthor had found her spaceship, kept her hidden for the past few years as his protégé and had set her up in her own company. She was a fast learner, had picked up the language, and now here she was.
She slowly stood up and walked over to him. Her long shapely legs were revealed to him with her pencil skirt and her gorgeous blonde hair flowed over her shoulder. Terry tried to calm his racing heart and his driving hunger for her.
"Terry, listen, I want you to stop this vendetta against Superman. This city is large enough for both of you." She paused. "This is about Lex, isn't it?"
"No, it has nothing to do with him."
"Are you sure because you know as well as I do that he never truly trusted me to make this place work, but I proved him wrong and he hated me for it."
"He also loved you." It was a true statement.
"Love? Lex didn't know the meaning of the word." Karen then pushed the memories of their time together from her mind. There was a small part of Lex, a part she was not able to reach, but she never gave up trying to reach him, to save him, but it was not to be.
Terry sighed. He came over to her and touched her shoulder. "I'm sorry it still hurts to think about him."
"I'm Ok." She changed the subject. "Tell me what happened tonight."
"The usual … Superman found our hideout and the hidden green-k," Terry responded.
"So it's over?"
"No, it's not over."
"But Terry, you have to stop this. You can't win, just give it up."
"Why should I?" He watched her closely. "If I didn't know any better, it sounds as if you want him to win."
She turned abruptly to hide her face. "No, I don't."
"Look at me, Karen," he said and pulled her arm.
She instinctively pulled away from him, but when she raised her arm, he went flying across the room. "Terry!" She ran to him and tried to help him up from the floor.
He pulled away from her. "Stay away from me." He stared at her then he rubbed his arm. "I thought you could control your powers."
"I can control them at least I thought I could do it."
Terry suddenly put it all together. "You're like him, aren't you? You're not human."
"Don't be ridiculous," she replied and walked back to her desk.
"Then explain it to me, so I can understand it." He slowly stood up and leaned against the wall. "Where do you come from? Who are you truly?"
"You know me. I'm Karen Starr. I own this company."
"No, there's more."
"That's all there is. There is no more." She walked over to the window and looked up at the sky. At that moment, Superman flew by. She could hear the sonic boom clearly.
Terry followed her, and he too saw him fly by, so strong, so powerful, and so different from everyone else on Earth, except her.
Sighing, she turned to him and decided to take his mind off of Superman. "There's no more, Terry." She paused as if she could read his mind. "Just think about this," she whispered and pulled him to her and kissed him.
Terry was enthralled as he kissed her back. He just hoped he wouldn't end up like Lex, dead and buried because of his love for her.
~o~o~
The next morning, the Daily Planet bullpen:
Clark was reading Lois' article about the sale of LexCorp and decided to do a bit of research into the other companies who had submitted offers to Tess. There may be a connection between Tess and her distribution of the green-k to the masked man.
Starrware Inc. was a long-standing Fortune 500 company, formerly owned by Lex, but was now owned by Karen Starr. He pulled up her company bio on his computer. She was lovely, but she was also a smart woman, to be brought up into the company by Lex Luthor and survive it. He couldn't help but be impressed.
"And who is that?" Lois asked as she leaned over his shoulder.
"The owner of Starrware Inc., a company that wanted to buy LexCorp, but it hadn't worked out.
"Oh, I see. She's lovely. Karen Starr?"
"Yeah," he replied distracted. "It says here in this article that her chief financial officer, Terry Sloane, was not happy about Bruce Wayne sweeping in and practically stealing the company from them."
"Hummm, do you think there's something there, something we should look into?" Lois asked.
"I'm not sure," Clark murmured, still distracted.
Lois leaned closer to his ear. "Do you think they may know your secret? She did know Lex for a long time," Lois worriedly asked.
Clark frowned as he continued to stare at Karen Starr's photograph.
"You should go see her." Lois thought about it for a moment beginning to worry. "I don't like this, and with Lex's name all over this, we can't take any chances."
He frowned, but he trusted her instincts. "I agree. I'll call her office and make an appointment."
~o~o~
Later that same day at Starrware's headquarters:
Clark was extremely impressed as he walked up to the entrance of Starr Towers. It was located not far from LexCorp, only a few blocks away. Outside on the sidewalk, Clark looked up, and it was at least fifty stories tall or more.
After exiting the elevator, Ms. Starr was there to greet him which surprised him. She must be terribly busy.
"Mr. Luthor, welcome to Starrware." She greeted him warmly with her hand out.
Clark was stunned. She was even lovelier than her photographs. He shook her hand. "It's very nice to meet you, Ms. Starr and thank you for agreeing to see me. I'm just an intern and …"
"Well, we all have to start somewhere," she said, encouraging him then he followed her into her well-appointed office.
"How long have you owned Starrware?"
"Only a few years," Karen replied, then she took a seat, but instead of sitting at her desk, she took a seat on the sofa. "Please," she said, inviting him to sit next to her.
Clark took out a pad and took a seat. "I see, and from what I understand Lex Luthor was your mentor." It was a statement not a question.
She had to smile "I see you've done your homework."
"Well, yes I have." She was silent. "Is it true?"
"Yes, it's true."
Clark was stunned again. He shook his head. "I'm finding this all unbelievable. I mean, I thought I knew Lex, but he never mentioned you."
She sighed. "Lex was very secretive, so I'm not surprised." Suddenly distracted, she whispered. "Did you hear that?"
Clark frowned as he stood up, ready to leave. "What did you hear?" Of course, Clark heard a woman's scream but how was it possible she could hear it?
"It was nothing. Please sit down." Karen had let her guard down with him. She'd never done that before.
Clark narrowed his eyes then x-rayed her and there on her chest was the 'El' symbol in silver on a black background. He stood up, not knowing what to think with this shocking turn of events. "Ummm, I have to leave."
Karen didn't know what to say. She knew he was Superman. She too had seen the 'El' shield under his clothing. "Clark wait, don't go!"
He was almost at the door then he stopped dead in his tracks. "Karen?" Clark's heart was pounding as he slowly turned to her. "Who are you?"
Sighing to herself, it was time. She told him the truth. "My name is … Kara … Kara Zor-El and … I'm your cousin."
Clark was truly stunned, but he had the forethought to listen again and the screaming had stopped. The police were nearby and the woman's purse had been reclaimed.
Karen watched the play of emotions on his face and knew what was happening. "Is everything alright? Do you have to leave?"
He shook his head at her question. "No, everything is fine."
"Maybe we should sit down again." When he just stood there staring at her, she walked over to him and took his arm. "Take a seat. Do you want something to drink, a glass of water maybe?"
Clark finally found his voice. "Yes, thank you, Karen, I mean, Kara. I don't know what to call you."
"Well, you can call me Karen. Lex gave me the name."
He frowned not liking that at all. Her name was Kara. "I see." He paused for a moment. "Do you know how he died."
"Murdered probably. I have no idea, and I truly don't care." He watched him digest that statement. "I know I should be more grateful to him, but he wanted to control my entire life, not just this company."
"I see," Clark murmured, understanding how she felt.
She gave him the water. He took a sip and placed the glass on her side table.
He watched her take a seat then decided to change the subject. "I have a million questions."
"I know you do," she said, but couldn't look at him.
"Karen, you know you can tell me anything. We are family."
Her head came up at that. "No, we're not. I don't know you. That 'S' on your chest doesn't make us family."
Clark didn't believe that. "But, of course it does. We're blood and …"
She interrupted him. "No, it doesn't." She suddenly stood up because Terry was now in the building. "You should leave."
"But, Karen, what is it? Why won't you talk to me?"
He sounded hurt, and she hated herself at that moment. "I'm sorry Clark, but we can't be friends."
Clark was getting emotional. Family meant everything to him. He couldn't lose her, not when he had just found her. "But why not, please tell me why?"
"Clark, stop it, just go, please." She walked over to the door and opened it. "Just go."
"I can't lose you Karen. We're family. And no matter how much you may want to, you can't change that fact." He walked over to the door, but she wouldn't look at him, and then he was gone.
She closed the door and barely holding herself together, she walked over to the window. He was hovering outside watching her.
Karen pulled the blinds closed and walked away. She had forgotten that he could see through anything, but she didn't care.
Clark got the point. He took off up into the sky. His eyes watered, but he kept flying higher and higher into the blinding light of the sun. He thought about Karen, his one true living connection to his parents, his home, and his true heritage. He would not lose her, he couldn't.
~o~o~
That evening at the Kent farm:
At the dinner table, Clark told them about Kara but left out her rejection of him. It hurt to think about it.
Lois was so excited and thrilled for him. "Oh Clark, that's fantastic news! I can't believe this, but it looks as if we own Tess a thank you."
"It appears that we do." Clark was despondent, and everyone picked up on it.
"Clark, what aren't you telling us?" Martha asked, concerned by his demeanor.
He shook his head, still unbelieving. "Well, she wants nothing to do with me."
"Oh no, but why not!? What's her problem?" Lois asked as she took his hand.
"I understand why she would feel this way. She doesn't know me and even though she was close to Lex before he died, she knows how he died, so she probably hates me for killing him."
"She doesn't know anything about that. Did she say anything about Lex?"
"No, not really."
"Well, don't make assumptions until you can talk to her again." That was Jonathan.
Clark was ready to call it a night. He took a deep breath. "Let's not … let's not talk about her anymore. She was abundantly clear. I won't bother her again."
"Clark, I'm so sorry to hear that, but it's her loss," Lois said and squeezed his hand.
He tried to bring up a smile, but it didn't work. "Thank you for saying that. Are you finished eating?"
"Well, yes, but …"
He stood up and turned to his parents. "I'm not terribly good company this evening. Lois and I … " He couldn't finish.
"Oh, Clark, we understand. I'm so sorry," Martha came over to him and hugged him close. "Please call us if you want to talk, Ok?"
"Thanks Mom." He tried to smile, but it came out as a grimace.
Jonathan spoke up. "We love you Son." He too gave him a hug then he took him by the shoulders. "You'll always have us, Son. Don't forget that."
"I won't forget, I promise and thank you, Dad."
He took Lois by the hand and then they went out onto the porch. They stood there for a minute then he pulled her close. "Thank you for being here."
"Where else would I be?" She asked and hugged him tighter.
He held her close, thinking about Kara.
~o~o~
Meanwhile, in Karen's apartment in Metropolis:
I'm sorry Kal-El, Kara silently whispered to the night sky.
In Smallville, a woman's voice came into Clark's mind. It did sound familiar. He pulled away from Lois. "You haven't called me Kal-El since the day we met."
She frowned. "Clark, I didn't say anything."
Then it dawned on him. "Oh, my goodness, Karen is speaking to me. "Karen, Kara, can you hear me?"
Lois took his arm. "Clark, what are you doing?"
"Wait, let me try it this way." He closed his eyes and spoke to her through his mind. Karen, I can hear you. It's Kal-El. Kara?
Kal-El, it is you. You can hear me. She wasn't truly surprised, but inside she was immensely happy to hear his voice.
I heard you fine Kara. Well, it appears you can't get rid of me after all. We'll talk soon. Good night, Kara.
Shaking her head, she closed her eyes, feeling awful about her next words. It was better this way, even though it was tearing her heart out.
Clark, stay out of my head. I mean it. We can't be friends. Just accept it, please.
Kara, Kara? She wasn't answering.
"Clark, Clark what just happened?" Lois asked, but the look on his face had her worried and excited all at once. He seemed so happy and after what happened at dinner, she was happy for him, although she hated Kara or Karen, or whatever name she called herself, for how much she had hurt him.
Clark shook his head to clear it. "It appears that Kara and I can communicate … telepathically, but she still wants nothing to do with me."
"But why, Clark, why is she doing this?" She paused as she thought about it. "I don't like this. She's hurting you and I don't trust her. What reason could she possibly have for turning against you and hurting you like this, and until we know what those reasons are, you stay away from her."
"Lois, you can't tell me what to do."
"I didn't mean it like that exactly."
"What did you mean? She's my cousin, and we have a connection. I don't have any control over it. It just happened."
"What I meant to say was that she hurt you, If anyone hurts you, they hurt me." She thought about it for a minute. "You're too close to the situation. I'll go talk to her."
He frowned, but the more he thought about it, the more he thought it was for the best. Kara had hurt him deeply but maybe there was a reason why. Lois would find out the truth, and she had excellent instincts about such matters.
"Alright, you talk to her." He began to wonder about Kara's reasons for hurting him like that. "I did find it strange that she didn't accept me right away."
Lois took his hand and squeezed it. "She hurt you deeply, and I want to know why, and I know you do too."
"Yes, that's true, I do want to know."
"Then it's settled, I'll call her and find out what the heck is going on with her. And I don't think it's the LexCorp sale. She's got tons of money and she'll make more of it."
He grinned. "That's true. She is rich."
Lois chuckled. "Yes she is."
"I'm sorry I got upset. It's just …" He hesitated, knowing deep inside how much Kara's acceptance meant to him.
"I know," she said and went back into his arms.
He held her tightly, maybe a bit too tight.
"Clark?" She whispered then tried to pull away.
"I'm sorry, Lois, I don't know what came over me."
"It's Ok, I'm fine."
He felt horrible, then he x-rayed her.
"Clark, stop that, I'm alright."
"But, I could have hurt you. I couldn't bear that."
She took his arm. "Clark, let's go home. You're still in shock about this whole thing, and you're not thinking clearly."
"I'm so sorry, Lois. You're right."
"Come on, let's go." Lois took him to her place and proceeded to take his mind off of Kara's rejection by showing him just how much she loved him, would always love him, and it didn't matter whether he was right, or whether he was wrong, whether he was weak or strong or feeling low,
Her love would always be there.
TBC!
~o~o~
Song inspiration: When You Really Love Someone, Alicia Keys.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed my introduction of Kara into this story. It's not hard to understand why she rejected Clark. She needs to keep Clark away from Terry until she can fix the problem. The telepathy angle has been used before in my Superman stories and I love using it. It's an incredible ability between Kryptonians.
BTW, I wanted to thank a remarkably faithful reviewer for his wish and suggestion to bring one of his favorite characters into this story and it is undoubtedly happening. I love Kara too! Stay tuned for more. Thanks for reading everyone. Thank you faithful reader for the suggestion. Reviews and comments are the epitome of love! Thank you all so much.