Soul of a Demon - August 26th
Twisted Shorts August Fic-a-Day Challenge - Day 26
Title: Soul of a Demon
Author: hermione2be
Rating: PG/FR13/K+
Crossover: BtVS/Smallville
Disclaimer: I do not own any of BtVS/Angel or Smallville people, places, or ideas. This fiction is done simply for pleasure and I receive no profit.
Summary: Athena's questions about herself and her power continue.
Notes: Athena Luthor Part 29 - Links Page
Seasons: Season 2 of Smallville
Word Count: 2990
Athena sat at the Kent’s dining room table with Clark, Martha, Jonathan, and two new friends of Clark’s - Kyla and Joseph. They were Native Americans who were studying the caves where Clark had fallen in a few days before.
“According to legend,” Joseph said, “a man came from the stars and fell in love with the mother of our people. Out of that forbidden affair, the Cowachi people were born.”
“Do you know which star he came from?” Clark asked.
“The legend only tells that he left one day and flew back into the sky, promising he would send another.”
“And that would be this Naman person you’ve been talking about, right?” Jonathan verified.
“Yes. Of course, that was five hundred years ago. He’s a little late.”
Athena chuckled.
“You’re not from around here, are you, Clark?”
“Um, actually, Clark is adopted,” Martha explained.
“These, uh, these symbols,” Clark pointed to the pictures of the cave wall that told of his coming. “They seem to make up some sort of alphabet.”
“That’s the really weird part,” Kyla said.
“Our people don’t have a written language,” Joseph replied. “I’ve seen a symbol here or there on artifacts, but never in a pattern before.”
Clark looked disappointed. “So you don’t know what they mean.”
“Grandpa’s studied a lot of ancient languages,” Kyla assured. “I’m sure with some time he can decipher what the symbols are.”
“If Luthor doesn’t get at them before we do,” Joseph said tiredly.
“Can you talk to him?” Clark asked Athena.
She sighed. “I can, but you are so going to hate the price I ask. It involves a tux.”
“You know Lionel Luthor?” Joseph said in surprise.
“He’s my father,” Athena said.
88888888
Clark and Athena followed Kyla into the caves.
“The pictographs are more detailed up here,” Kyla explained.
“What does it say?” Clark asked.
“It promises that one day Naman will protect the entire world.” She pointed to a different section. “It’s Ziget. He’s like a brother to Naman. Legend has it, one day he’ll turn again Naman, and together they’ll be the balance between good and evil.”
Athena approached the wall and touched a symbol that looked like an M and a question mark. “What is this?”
“That’s not important.”
“Why?” Clark asked.
“Because it’s not about Naman, not really.”
Athena touched the jagged green line that ran from the M to the primary symbol for Naman.
“What is it about?” Clark pushed.
“Another warrior. One who was of this earth both the human and demon parts.”
“Would he be an enemy?” Athena asked.
“She…It’s hard to interrupt. It could be that she is his equal or that she protects the earth while he protects the skies. They are always separated by Ziget.”
The wall shook and Kyla lost her grip. Clark was quick to save her, hunching over her to save her from a falling rock.
“How’d you do that?” Kyla asked.
“Just adrenaline, I guess,” Clark said. He approached Athena. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Nothing loosened over here.”
“No…” Kyla said as she followed Clark. “Yesterday you didn’t have a scratch on you and…What, you shoot fire from your eyes too?”
Clark’s poorly masked facial reaction made Kyla’s eyes widen.
“Oh, my God. I was just joking. You-you really are Naman.”
“I don’t know what I am,” he said. “You don’t seem very freaked out.”
“I always believed this day would come…”
88888888
“I’m sorry, Joseph,” Athena apologized. “Kyla…” She swallowed, still remembering the warm, wet feel of blood as she had killed a wolf that had attacked her father. Only for the wolf to morph into Kyla.
“She should not have used her abilities as she did. It was dangerous and foolish. You believed you were protecting yourself from a wild animal.”
“It was instinct. I never even considered…”
“You can feel Clark, can’t you, Athena?”
“Yes.”
“Then you are the other protector.”
“They call me a Slayer.”
“I have heard the name before. Your story is darker than my people’s. Eons ago a girl was given the soul of a demon. She because a fierce warrior who slayed demons across the face of the world. When she died a new girl became infused with the demon. And so on for millennia.”
“To me.” Athena touched a hand to her chest. “I have the soul of a demon?”
“So the story goes.”
“What is the Slayer connection to Naman?”
“I do not know. All I know is their story splits when Ziget keeps them apart.” He gave her a measured look. “The question becomes: do you believe your destiny is on these walls? Or that your Fate is your own choice?”
88888888
Athena cursed the promise she had made Lex as she sat in a paper robe in the exam room. She had managed to not have Lex’s new girlfriend, Doctor Helen Bryce, as her doctor. She had sighted that anything that she discussed with a doctor needed to not be a sticking point in Lex’s relationship.
Instead, she sat in the doctor’s office of a well-respected, older male general practice doctor. She knew Lex was in the waiting room, being the impatient, worried older brother. He was also a little irked that she had ordered him to remain outside.
Doctor Nelson looked through her chart. “Looks like everything is in order. What brings you in today, Athena?”
“My older brother,” she answered honestly. “And it has been almost two years since I’ve had a physical.”
“Of course.” He seemed to consider a moment. “Nurse Bea is going to draw some blood. You already gave urine. We’ll do a full physical, including a pelvic and breast exam.”
“Do we have to do the blood test?” she asked.
He gave her a kind smile. “We should get everything down. That way if anything changes we’ll know.”
“Right…”
He tapped her knee before he stood and addressed the nurse. “Bea.”
The nurse grabbed a rolling tray and approached. “Left arm or right?”
“Left,” Athena held it out. She tried to relax, but she was almost certain that the needle would not work. Which would mean she would have to falsify some lab work for Lex to look at in a few days so that he could assume she got all the tests. Her mind wondered as she considered how to do it.
“Okay,” Bea said, rolling the tray away.
Athena frowned and looked at the bright purple adhesive bandage. “You were able to get blood…”
“You’ve got good veins in that arm,” Bea told her as she labeled the tubes. “Be just a moment.”
Athena lifted the cotton away from her inner elbow and looked for any signs of broken skin. There was nothing. It looked like she had not been stuck with a needle just moments earlier. But it raised more questions. The nurse had been able to draw blood, but during the explosion she had not been injured by flying debris. “How?” she whispered.
88888888
Lex fairly jumped out of his chair in Doctor Nelson’s waiting room when Athena walked out.
“Well?” He demanded.
Athena raised an eyebrow at his tone. “I’m fine. They took urine and blood and should have the more extensive results tomorrow.”
“And the immediate results?”
She kept walking to the door and out into the late day sunshine.
“Athena,” Lex called as he caught up with her. “What were the immediate results?”
“I don’t want to discuss it here.”
“That was the deal, Attie.”
She grit her teeth and turned to face him. “Fine. My weight is good, athleticism has added muscle that makes my numbers look a little higher than they should be, but the doctor isn’t concerned. Nothing appears to out of place or damaged. My vitals are great and heart, lungs, and digestive system sound good. He’s satisfied with my workout routines and activity as well as my eating habits.” She resumed her path for the car. “Happy?”
“What else?” he demanded as he pulled her to a stop.
Athena reigned in her temper and decided the only way her brother was going to let it go was to overshare. “My breast exam revealed no anomalies. Same with my pelvic exam. Damn, they were both uncomfortable.” She placed her hands on her hips. “The doctor is concerned about my periods being irregular. Since the pregnancy test was negative - yay, virginity - he’s prescribed a low-dose hormone birth control. He wants me to give it three months and then come back for blood work and a conversation to see if we need to choose a different type of pill.”
“O-Okay.”
“Great. They took blood, I need a milkshake.” She reached the car and climbed in.
A moment later, Lex got in and turned on the car. He was silent as he pulled the car out of the lot and into traffic. When he pulled to a stop at a red light he looked over at her. “So you and Clark…”
“No,” she bit out.
“Right. Good.”
88888888
“Okay…” Athena said as she entered the Talon. “Why are you two playing in water?”
“Pipe leak,” Lana explained with a laugh. “Clark got the brunt of it.”
Athena tilted her head and had to admit soaked Clark in a white shirt was not a bad sight. She blinked when Lana started wheezing from being doubled over laughing.
“You’ve got the giggles.”
“Your face - and his!” she chuckled as she tried to get control. She exhaled as Clark - still red faced - crossed the coffeehouse to kiss Athena.
Lana stared a moment longer than she should have. A moment of jealousy existed before she felt guilty for it. Whitney had been missing for more than a month and the military had not provided any meaningful updates since then. Clark and Athena had been great. Almost every day one of them was available, keeping her company at the Talon. They dragged her out for a movie a couple times. She had even been to Luthor Mansion for dinner twice a week when Chloe worked late at the Torch.
She smiled at them as they quietly talked. She promised herself she was happy for them.
88888888
“So,” Athena said as she, Clark, and Lana walked down the hall. “There’s a festival in Grandville this weekend. Clark sorta has to work, but I thought we could hang out.”
“I need to cover a couple of shifts at the Talon.”
Clark and Athena exchanged a look. Then the hallway went unnaturally still. They turned to look at the source as several people parted. A uniform was visible. Then Whitney’s smiling face.
Lana’s books clattered to the ground. She ran out to hug him.
“Hmm,” Athena made a noise.
“What?” Clark asked.
“I’m thinking if you ever wanted to put on a uniform it would not look bad.”
Clark covered her eyes.
She laughed up and him. “I’m kidding. Sheesh.”
“We should pick up her things.”
“Yeah, I’ve got her locker combo, she can come back for them later.” They gathered Lana’s fallen things and shoved them in her locker.
88888888
“Fordman,” Athena said as she looked around the packed Talon. “You gave us all a scare.”
“It wasn’t my intention. Lana said you and Clark have been keeping her going for the last few weeks.”
“We’re burrs she couldn’t get rid of. Until there was definitive news, we didn’t want her to wallow too much. Which raises the question about Saturday, but I guess you guys won’t want to join us.”
“Probably not,” Whitney sneered.
Athena kept her smile in place. “Well, if you change your mind, we’d love to spend time with you both.”
He gave a curt nod and walked away.
88888888
Athena could hear the crack of billiards as she ventured down the stairs. She could also sense Clark nearby. Curious, she followed the feeling to Lex’s office.
“Good morning, Attie,” Lex greeted.
“Morning. What are you guys up to?”
“Discussing Lex’s love life,” Clark told her with a shake of his head.
“I found something things out about Helen,” Lex explained.
Athena cringed. “Please tell me you did not investigate your girlfriend who is a small town doctor.”
“Look before you judge,” he pointed the pool stick towards his desk.
She crossed the room and started to go through the pictures. She flicked through them.
“Did you ask her to explain her side of the story?” Clark asked as he lined up a shot. “It may not be what it looks like.”
“I wish I shared your eternal optimism, Clark,” Lex said wistfully.
“Then how about a little sisterly advice?” Athena suggested. “Apologize for being a paranoid bonehead. And without accusing her of anything, let her explain.”
“Did he rub off all your Luthor training?”
She sighed and threw down the pictures. “Helen is the first girlfriend you’ve had whose hair I haven’t wanted to tear out. And she doesn’t let you get away with things. She’s good for you.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“What, you want a giant “I approve of this one” sign?”
“It would cut out the questions.”
Athena approached and slapped at his shoulder. “You are so smart and so dumb at the same time…it is mindboggling.”
“Did you need something or did you just come to steal my pool partner?”
“Yes. That number for the PTSD specialist you used for the employees after the tornado.”
He frowned in concern and turned her to face him. “Are you okay?”
“Not for me. For Whitney. Something is bugging me and I’m hoping it will subside a bit if he’s assessed.”
“I’ll get it for you as soon as we’re finished.”
88888888
“Hey,” Clark greeted Athena, Chloe, and Pete as he sat down at their table.
Athena looked up at Clark. “Hey. We were wondering where you were.”
“What’s going on?” Pete asked.
“I know this may sound crazy… but Whitney may not be Whitney.”
“Oh, thank god,” Athena said as she rubbed her face. “I just thought I was letting my paranoia get the best of me.”
“I think he’s Tina Grier,” Clark explained.
“That makes sense. Lana was lamenting the fact that he seems to want to pick up where they left off. He even proposed they move in together. But he seems to hate me.”
“How is that different from the real Whitney?” Chloe asked.
“Whitney and I had come to an understanding. We were on good terms when he left. But Tina…she hates both Clark and I.”
“It can’t be Tina. She committed suicide a week ago. I just got the story in to Mister Giles.”
“What happened?” Clark said.
“She went into the therapy room, doused herself in paint thinner and lit a match. They found a note saying she didn’t know who she was anymore.”
The bell rang and Chloe ran off. The rest headed down the hall.
“There’s something else, Tina knows about our abilities,” Clark told Pete.
“You think?”
“Sort of had to use them to stop her,” Athena explained.
“Once she was declared insane, we didn’t think it would be a problem,” Clark said.
“Well, now you do have to worry,” Pete looked between them. “What about the rocks?”
“I don’t think so, but there is no way to know for sure.”
“Then you both better be careful.”
“We’re going to go find Tina. You warn Lana.”
“Warn me about what?” Lana asked as she caught her name in their conversation.
“Lana,” Athena said. “We don’t think Whitney is back, but Tina Grier is actually masquerading as him.”
“Why would you say that?”
“You just have to trust us,” Clark told her.
“This is insane.”
“It should say that on the Welcome to Smallville sign,” Athena quipped.
“We’re going to the Fordmans’,” Clark said. “You stay here with Pete until we get back.”
Athena matched his pace as they exited the school and ran for her car. They deposited their bags and headed for a secluded spot before Clark sped them across town.
When ringing the bell did not get them an answer, Athena picked the lock. She entered with Clark. They found blood in the entryway.
In the middle of the living room was Whitney’s mother, tied to a chair with tape across her mouth. Clark moved to untie her. Athena followed the blood trail through the kitchen and to the garage where a Marine lay beaten to death on the floor. He was no longer recognizable.
“Athena?” Clark called.
“Garage,” she said. “I’ve got a body.”
“Who is it?”
“A Marine.” She looked over his uniform, his bars and name tag still recognizable. “I think he was here to deliver news about Whitney.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because…I think he’s dead.”
“Athena?”
“An explosion. I dreamt it. I just thought it was my mind reaching for the worst possibilities while we waited for news.”
“But you don’t think so anymore?”
“No. I think I saw his death. That’s why I was paranoid about Tina. Some part of me knew he was dead.”
“Slayer premonition,” he said.
“I guess so.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. She dialed emergency and waited.
“9-1-1, do you need police, fire, or ambulance?”
“Police and ambulance,” she replied before giving the address for Whitney’s house.
“What is the emergency?”
“I have a woman who was being held captive, she needs medical attention. I also have a deceased Marine, Lieutenant McNult.”
“I have dispatched the closest emergency vehicles to your location. Are you in danger?”
“I don’t believe so. We have not seen the person who did this.”
“I can hear the police,” Clark reported.
“The police are on the street,” Athena told the operator. “Thank you.” She hung up and stared down at the mangled body.
“Athena?”
“Sometimes I wonder if we don’t do enough to stop these people,” she said as she stood.
He pulled her away from the body and out of the garage.
Title: Soul of a Demon
Author: hermione2be
Rating: PG/FR13/K+
Crossover: BtVS/Smallville
Disclaimer: I do not own any of BtVS/Angel or Smallville people, places, or ideas. This fiction is done simply for pleasure and I receive no profit.
Summary: Athena's questions about herself and her power continue.
Notes: Athena Luthor Part 29 - Links Page
Seasons: Season 2 of Smallville
Word Count: 2990
Athena sat at the Kent’s dining room table with Clark, Martha, Jonathan, and two new friends of Clark’s - Kyla and Joseph. They were Native Americans who were studying the caves where Clark had fallen in a few days before.
“According to legend,” Joseph said, “a man came from the stars and fell in love with the mother of our people. Out of that forbidden affair, the Cowachi people were born.”
“Do you know which star he came from?” Clark asked.
“The legend only tells that he left one day and flew back into the sky, promising he would send another.”
“And that would be this Naman person you’ve been talking about, right?” Jonathan verified.
“Yes. Of course, that was five hundred years ago. He’s a little late.”
Athena chuckled.
“You’re not from around here, are you, Clark?”
“Um, actually, Clark is adopted,” Martha explained.
“These, uh, these symbols,” Clark pointed to the pictures of the cave wall that told of his coming. “They seem to make up some sort of alphabet.”
“That’s the really weird part,” Kyla said.
“Our people don’t have a written language,” Joseph replied. “I’ve seen a symbol here or there on artifacts, but never in a pattern before.”
Clark looked disappointed. “So you don’t know what they mean.”
“Grandpa’s studied a lot of ancient languages,” Kyla assured. “I’m sure with some time he can decipher what the symbols are.”
“If Luthor doesn’t get at them before we do,” Joseph said tiredly.
“Can you talk to him?” Clark asked Athena.
She sighed. “I can, but you are so going to hate the price I ask. It involves a tux.”
“You know Lionel Luthor?” Joseph said in surprise.
“He’s my father,” Athena said.
88888888
Clark and Athena followed Kyla into the caves.
“The pictographs are more detailed up here,” Kyla explained.
“What does it say?” Clark asked.
“It promises that one day Naman will protect the entire world.” She pointed to a different section. “It’s Ziget. He’s like a brother to Naman. Legend has it, one day he’ll turn again Naman, and together they’ll be the balance between good and evil.”
Athena approached the wall and touched a symbol that looked like an M and a question mark. “What is this?”
“That’s not important.”
“Why?” Clark asked.
“Because it’s not about Naman, not really.”
Athena touched the jagged green line that ran from the M to the primary symbol for Naman.
“What is it about?” Clark pushed.
“Another warrior. One who was of this earth both the human and demon parts.”
“Would he be an enemy?” Athena asked.
“She…It’s hard to interrupt. It could be that she is his equal or that she protects the earth while he protects the skies. They are always separated by Ziget.”
The wall shook and Kyla lost her grip. Clark was quick to save her, hunching over her to save her from a falling rock.
“How’d you do that?” Kyla asked.
“Just adrenaline, I guess,” Clark said. He approached Athena. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Nothing loosened over here.”
“No…” Kyla said as she followed Clark. “Yesterday you didn’t have a scratch on you and…What, you shoot fire from your eyes too?”
Clark’s poorly masked facial reaction made Kyla’s eyes widen.
“Oh, my God. I was just joking. You-you really are Naman.”
“I don’t know what I am,” he said. “You don’t seem very freaked out.”
“I always believed this day would come…”
88888888
“I’m sorry, Joseph,” Athena apologized. “Kyla…” She swallowed, still remembering the warm, wet feel of blood as she had killed a wolf that had attacked her father. Only for the wolf to morph into Kyla.
“She should not have used her abilities as she did. It was dangerous and foolish. You believed you were protecting yourself from a wild animal.”
“It was instinct. I never even considered…”
“You can feel Clark, can’t you, Athena?”
“Yes.”
“Then you are the other protector.”
“They call me a Slayer.”
“I have heard the name before. Your story is darker than my people’s. Eons ago a girl was given the soul of a demon. She because a fierce warrior who slayed demons across the face of the world. When she died a new girl became infused with the demon. And so on for millennia.”
“To me.” Athena touched a hand to her chest. “I have the soul of a demon?”
“So the story goes.”
“What is the Slayer connection to Naman?”
“I do not know. All I know is their story splits when Ziget keeps them apart.” He gave her a measured look. “The question becomes: do you believe your destiny is on these walls? Or that your Fate is your own choice?”
88888888
Athena cursed the promise she had made Lex as she sat in a paper robe in the exam room. She had managed to not have Lex’s new girlfriend, Doctor Helen Bryce, as her doctor. She had sighted that anything that she discussed with a doctor needed to not be a sticking point in Lex’s relationship.
Instead, she sat in the doctor’s office of a well-respected, older male general practice doctor. She knew Lex was in the waiting room, being the impatient, worried older brother. He was also a little irked that she had ordered him to remain outside.
Doctor Nelson looked through her chart. “Looks like everything is in order. What brings you in today, Athena?”
“My older brother,” she answered honestly. “And it has been almost two years since I’ve had a physical.”
“Of course.” He seemed to consider a moment. “Nurse Bea is going to draw some blood. You already gave urine. We’ll do a full physical, including a pelvic and breast exam.”
“Do we have to do the blood test?” she asked.
He gave her a kind smile. “We should get everything down. That way if anything changes we’ll know.”
“Right…”
He tapped her knee before he stood and addressed the nurse. “Bea.”
The nurse grabbed a rolling tray and approached. “Left arm or right?”
“Left,” Athena held it out. She tried to relax, but she was almost certain that the needle would not work. Which would mean she would have to falsify some lab work for Lex to look at in a few days so that he could assume she got all the tests. Her mind wondered as she considered how to do it.
“Okay,” Bea said, rolling the tray away.
Athena frowned and looked at the bright purple adhesive bandage. “You were able to get blood…”
“You’ve got good veins in that arm,” Bea told her as she labeled the tubes. “Be just a moment.”
Athena lifted the cotton away from her inner elbow and looked for any signs of broken skin. There was nothing. It looked like she had not been stuck with a needle just moments earlier. But it raised more questions. The nurse had been able to draw blood, but during the explosion she had not been injured by flying debris. “How?” she whispered.
88888888
Lex fairly jumped out of his chair in Doctor Nelson’s waiting room when Athena walked out.
“Well?” He demanded.
Athena raised an eyebrow at his tone. “I’m fine. They took urine and blood and should have the more extensive results tomorrow.”
“And the immediate results?”
She kept walking to the door and out into the late day sunshine.
“Athena,” Lex called as he caught up with her. “What were the immediate results?”
“I don’t want to discuss it here.”
“That was the deal, Attie.”
She grit her teeth and turned to face him. “Fine. My weight is good, athleticism has added muscle that makes my numbers look a little higher than they should be, but the doctor isn’t concerned. Nothing appears to out of place or damaged. My vitals are great and heart, lungs, and digestive system sound good. He’s satisfied with my workout routines and activity as well as my eating habits.” She resumed her path for the car. “Happy?”
“What else?” he demanded as he pulled her to a stop.
Athena reigned in her temper and decided the only way her brother was going to let it go was to overshare. “My breast exam revealed no anomalies. Same with my pelvic exam. Damn, they were both uncomfortable.” She placed her hands on her hips. “The doctor is concerned about my periods being irregular. Since the pregnancy test was negative - yay, virginity - he’s prescribed a low-dose hormone birth control. He wants me to give it three months and then come back for blood work and a conversation to see if we need to choose a different type of pill.”
“O-Okay.”
“Great. They took blood, I need a milkshake.” She reached the car and climbed in.
A moment later, Lex got in and turned on the car. He was silent as he pulled the car out of the lot and into traffic. When he pulled to a stop at a red light he looked over at her. “So you and Clark…”
“No,” she bit out.
“Right. Good.”
88888888
“Okay…” Athena said as she entered the Talon. “Why are you two playing in water?”
“Pipe leak,” Lana explained with a laugh. “Clark got the brunt of it.”
Athena tilted her head and had to admit soaked Clark in a white shirt was not a bad sight. She blinked when Lana started wheezing from being doubled over laughing.
“You’ve got the giggles.”
“Your face - and his!” she chuckled as she tried to get control. She exhaled as Clark - still red faced - crossed the coffeehouse to kiss Athena.
Lana stared a moment longer than she should have. A moment of jealousy existed before she felt guilty for it. Whitney had been missing for more than a month and the military had not provided any meaningful updates since then. Clark and Athena had been great. Almost every day one of them was available, keeping her company at the Talon. They dragged her out for a movie a couple times. She had even been to Luthor Mansion for dinner twice a week when Chloe worked late at the Torch.
She smiled at them as they quietly talked. She promised herself she was happy for them.
88888888
“So,” Athena said as she, Clark, and Lana walked down the hall. “There’s a festival in Grandville this weekend. Clark sorta has to work, but I thought we could hang out.”
“I need to cover a couple of shifts at the Talon.”
Clark and Athena exchanged a look. Then the hallway went unnaturally still. They turned to look at the source as several people parted. A uniform was visible. Then Whitney’s smiling face.
Lana’s books clattered to the ground. She ran out to hug him.
“Hmm,” Athena made a noise.
“What?” Clark asked.
“I’m thinking if you ever wanted to put on a uniform it would not look bad.”
Clark covered her eyes.
She laughed up and him. “I’m kidding. Sheesh.”
“We should pick up her things.”
“Yeah, I’ve got her locker combo, she can come back for them later.” They gathered Lana’s fallen things and shoved them in her locker.
88888888
“Fordman,” Athena said as she looked around the packed Talon. “You gave us all a scare.”
“It wasn’t my intention. Lana said you and Clark have been keeping her going for the last few weeks.”
“We’re burrs she couldn’t get rid of. Until there was definitive news, we didn’t want her to wallow too much. Which raises the question about Saturday, but I guess you guys won’t want to join us.”
“Probably not,” Whitney sneered.
Athena kept her smile in place. “Well, if you change your mind, we’d love to spend time with you both.”
He gave a curt nod and walked away.
88888888
Athena could hear the crack of billiards as she ventured down the stairs. She could also sense Clark nearby. Curious, she followed the feeling to Lex’s office.
“Good morning, Attie,” Lex greeted.
“Morning. What are you guys up to?”
“Discussing Lex’s love life,” Clark told her with a shake of his head.
“I found something things out about Helen,” Lex explained.
Athena cringed. “Please tell me you did not investigate your girlfriend who is a small town doctor.”
“Look before you judge,” he pointed the pool stick towards his desk.
She crossed the room and started to go through the pictures. She flicked through them.
“Did you ask her to explain her side of the story?” Clark asked as he lined up a shot. “It may not be what it looks like.”
“I wish I shared your eternal optimism, Clark,” Lex said wistfully.
“Then how about a little sisterly advice?” Athena suggested. “Apologize for being a paranoid bonehead. And without accusing her of anything, let her explain.”
“Did he rub off all your Luthor training?”
She sighed and threw down the pictures. “Helen is the first girlfriend you’ve had whose hair I haven’t wanted to tear out. And she doesn’t let you get away with things. She’s good for you.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“What, you want a giant “I approve of this one” sign?”
“It would cut out the questions.”
Athena approached and slapped at his shoulder. “You are so smart and so dumb at the same time…it is mindboggling.”
“Did you need something or did you just come to steal my pool partner?”
“Yes. That number for the PTSD specialist you used for the employees after the tornado.”
He frowned in concern and turned her to face him. “Are you okay?”
“Not for me. For Whitney. Something is bugging me and I’m hoping it will subside a bit if he’s assessed.”
“I’ll get it for you as soon as we’re finished.”
88888888
“Hey,” Clark greeted Athena, Chloe, and Pete as he sat down at their table.
Athena looked up at Clark. “Hey. We were wondering where you were.”
“What’s going on?” Pete asked.
“I know this may sound crazy… but Whitney may not be Whitney.”
“Oh, thank god,” Athena said as she rubbed her face. “I just thought I was letting my paranoia get the best of me.”
“I think he’s Tina Grier,” Clark explained.
“That makes sense. Lana was lamenting the fact that he seems to want to pick up where they left off. He even proposed they move in together. But he seems to hate me.”
“How is that different from the real Whitney?” Chloe asked.
“Whitney and I had come to an understanding. We were on good terms when he left. But Tina…she hates both Clark and I.”
“It can’t be Tina. She committed suicide a week ago. I just got the story in to Mister Giles.”
“What happened?” Clark said.
“She went into the therapy room, doused herself in paint thinner and lit a match. They found a note saying she didn’t know who she was anymore.”
The bell rang and Chloe ran off. The rest headed down the hall.
“There’s something else, Tina knows about our abilities,” Clark told Pete.
“You think?”
“Sort of had to use them to stop her,” Athena explained.
“Once she was declared insane, we didn’t think it would be a problem,” Clark said.
“Well, now you do have to worry,” Pete looked between them. “What about the rocks?”
“I don’t think so, but there is no way to know for sure.”
“Then you both better be careful.”
“We’re going to go find Tina. You warn Lana.”
“Warn me about what?” Lana asked as she caught her name in their conversation.
“Lana,” Athena said. “We don’t think Whitney is back, but Tina Grier is actually masquerading as him.”
“Why would you say that?”
“You just have to trust us,” Clark told her.
“This is insane.”
“It should say that on the Welcome to Smallville sign,” Athena quipped.
“We’re going to the Fordmans’,” Clark said. “You stay here with Pete until we get back.”
Athena matched his pace as they exited the school and ran for her car. They deposited their bags and headed for a secluded spot before Clark sped them across town.
When ringing the bell did not get them an answer, Athena picked the lock. She entered with Clark. They found blood in the entryway.
In the middle of the living room was Whitney’s mother, tied to a chair with tape across her mouth. Clark moved to untie her. Athena followed the blood trail through the kitchen and to the garage where a Marine lay beaten to death on the floor. He was no longer recognizable.
“Athena?” Clark called.
“Garage,” she said. “I’ve got a body.”
“Who is it?”
“A Marine.” She looked over his uniform, his bars and name tag still recognizable. “I think he was here to deliver news about Whitney.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because…I think he’s dead.”
“Athena?”
“An explosion. I dreamt it. I just thought it was my mind reaching for the worst possibilities while we waited for news.”
“But you don’t think so anymore?”
“No. I think I saw his death. That’s why I was paranoid about Tina. Some part of me knew he was dead.”
“Slayer premonition,” he said.
“I guess so.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. She dialed emergency and waited.
“9-1-1, do you need police, fire, or ambulance?”
“Police and ambulance,” she replied before giving the address for Whitney’s house.
“What is the emergency?”
“I have a woman who was being held captive, she needs medical attention. I also have a deceased Marine, Lieutenant McNult.”
“I have dispatched the closest emergency vehicles to your location. Are you in danger?”
“I don’t believe so. We have not seen the person who did this.”
“I can hear the police,” Clark reported.
“The police are on the street,” Athena told the operator. “Thank you.” She hung up and stared down at the mangled body.
“Athena?”
“Sometimes I wonder if we don’t do enough to stop these people,” she said as she stood.
He pulled her away from the body and out of the garage.