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Hi Everyone,
Laura Lake / Gold Wing begins a new story arc this week, with "The Mystery of Burntwood Manor"
Eighteen year old Laura looks into buying an abandoned mansion.
Clark / Laura Crossover
PG 13
How'd you like to read about a new character that I created for the Smallville Universe? My fan fic is called "Gold Wing" and introduces an original super hero.
What if Clark had another love interest outside of Lana / Lois / Chloe? How about a teenager with super abilities that nearly match Clark's, yet she's human?
Let me know what you think of her: Please welcome Laura Lake. See Laura's origin story in the General
Section, under "Last Daughter of Krypton", Death in the Heartland.
Thanks
Gardy1
Teaser:
Laura Lake: Gold Wing
Guest starring Clark Kent, Chloe Sullivan, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen.
Central Nebraska, 2007. – “You know Clark, I’ve just about had enough of these caves.” Chloe grumbled, as she circled through the same cavern for the third time. “C’mon Chloe, where’s your sense of adventure? We need to check out these symbols to see if any match the Kryptonian scribbling back at the Kawatchi Caves.”
“You did not just say that, Clark.” Chloe stopped in her tracks. “Haven’t we had enough adventures for a lifetime?” The future Superman grinned widely. “You’re not going soft, are you Chlo’?” He teased. “No! I thought we’d seen all the cave drawings that exist.”
“So did I.” Clark admitted. “I haven’t yet located any Kryptonian symbols. These are all something totally different. My hope was that they held a clue to where Kara and Brainiac had gone.
”Chloe kept snapping pictures of the symbols with her cell phone camera. “I have no idea what culture these pictographs belong to. We’ll have to send some files to an expert, if I can find a trustworthy one.”
Clark continued to examine the drawings closely, but hadn’t gotten any nearer to a solution. “Maybe I should check the outer area surrounding the cave.”“Did you check the walls with your x-ray vision in case there was a hidden antechamber like back at the Kawatchi Mound?” Chloe asked.
“Yes. There wasn’t anything.” He replied. “Have you decided on who you’re taking to the Daily Planet Charity Ball?” Chloe quickly changed the subject.“I don’t have time for that.” Clark answered sourly.
“Really? Or is it just that you and Lana have called it quits again?” Chloe always found a way to get under Clark’s skin. “Thanks for stating the obvious, Chloe.” Clark said bitterly. “Clark, you need to move on, Lana will.” She added.
“I’m depressed enough without having to smile pretty at some Charity Benefit.” He said with disdain. “You’re missing the point, Clark. The dance benefits the Metropolis Underprivileged Children’s Fund. You can sacrifice an evening of mooning over Lana for a good cause.
”Chloe followed Clark out of the cave. “Are you going?” He asked with disinterest. “Yes. Jimmy’s taking me. C’mon Clark, we can dress up nice and help kids at the same time.” Clark was about to give in, when he was suddenly hit by a major force that knocked him clear across the edge of the meadow.
The impact shock shook Chloe to her core as she fell to her knees, and tumbled into a ravine a few feet below her. Thankfully, she remained uninjured. “What the hell was that, an earthquake?” She complained loudly.
“What the…?” Clark asked as he quickly returned to his feet. Turning around, he spied a young girl with long black hair sprawled alongside the edge of the ravine. “Ow! My head!” She exclaimed as she sat up.
Chloe was flat on her backside at the base of the ravine. “Clark, are you okay?” She called back up. “What am I saying, of course you’re okay.” Unless there’s kryptonite around, she silently scrambled back up the ditch to the level ground near the bottom of the cave entrance.
Clark gingerly headed toward the fallen girl. Wait a minute! I actually felt that impact! He observed, rubbing his own forearm. “I’m sorry dude!” The girl climbed to her knees. “I wasn’t watching where I was going. Are you alright?” Clark nodded as Chloe joined them.
Clark and Chloe quickly exchanged glances. The same thoughts crossed their minds. Did we just find a new meteor freak?
Chapter 1: See Laura's origin story : Death in the Heartland. Here's the link:
Revealed
“I’m kind of new to this high speed running thing.” She spoke before she thought. “High speed running thing?” Chloe echoed. The young girl reddened. “Oops! Apparently I also have a problem keeping my mouth shut.” She glanced away.
“Hi. Laura, Laura Lake.” She carefully shook Clark’s hand. “Clark Kent.” He responded. “And you must be his girlfriend?” Laura fished playfully. “Uh, no. We’re just good friends.” Unfortunately, Chloe added mentally. “Chloe Sullivan.” She took Laura’s slim fingered hand as well.
Clark thought he felt a surge of electricity as he and Laura made contact. “Are you sure that you’re all right Clark?” Chloe asked, noting that he seemed to be favoring his right arm. The young superhero was stunned to see a bright brown soft ball sized bruise on his forearm where Laura had collided with him. Chloe’s eyes widened. An injured Clark Kent was never a good sign, she mused.
Laura fidgeted, unsure of what to do or say next. “I didn’t expect anyone to be out here.” She opted to question them. “Why are you two out in the middle of nowhere like this anyway, or shouldn’t I ask?” She made it a point to check out Clark from head to toe. Nice! She thought lustily.Her eyes appeared to flare yellow for a moment.
“We were …uh…” Clark began. “Exploring the caves behind us.” Chloe finished for him. “Oh.” Laura was suddenly worried. Had they discovered her secret? “Is anyone out here with you?” Clark grilled as he used his x-ray vision to verify whatever Laura said. “No, I was just out running by myself.”
She glanced at Chloe who had come up behind him. Clark took a second to check out Laura. She looked to be a bit younger than his cousin Kara. The teen beauty had long straight shoulder length raven black hair, which also had two or three long strands of bright canary yellow streaks just before each ear.
The highlights framed her thin face.Laura had big sky blue eyes, a smallish nose, and highly placed cheekbones that gave one the impression that she was of Eastern European descent. Her lips were thin and she’d put on a far too bright shade of red lipstick. Clark noted that she’d also overdone her black eye make up. It reminded him of a classic Goth style and had the effect of creating a mask across her eyes.
Laura was favoring her neck, rubbing it, perhaps due to the collision. She stretched leisurely and twisted her waist back and forth. Chloe noted the girl’s uncomfortable silence. Young Laura was definitely hiding something, based on Chloe’s assessments of her body language.
“Laura, do you live around here?” Chloe decided to make small talk. The teen bent over, then arched her back. “Yeah, not too far away.” She replied evasively. “Now you two, on the other hand, are not from around here, are you?” Laura skillfully deflected the questioning.
“Are we that obvious?” Clark attempted to be charming, but his heart just wasn’t in it. “Well, I’m from Falcon Claw, a little farming town across the lake from here. Everyone knows everybody else, and you two would’ve stuck out like sore thumbs.”
Laura grinned broadly, displaying a full set of lily white teeth. She’d put Chloe at ease for the moment, yet the jury was still out.“That sounds like Smallville.” Clark commented craftily. “Where?” Laura was truly puzzled.
Good job, Clark! Chloe silently praised. That can possibly eliminate Laura from the meteor freak persuasion. “It’s a small town in Kansas.” He informed her. Laura nodded as she brushed the dust off of her bright yellow tee shirt.
“Kansas? That’s a long way from here for a joyride.” Laura said skeptically. She’d since noticed Chloe’s small car partially hidden behind some foliage. “Like I said, we were exploring the caves.” Chloe defended. Laura approached them cautiously.
Clark, for an instant, thought that she resembled a lioness stalking her prey. Maybe I’m just being overly paranoid, Clark rationalized, what with Brainiac and Lex Luthor still on the loose. “Find anything interesting?” Laura feigned innocence.
“No, not really.” Chloe lied. “Yeah, I don’t understand the cave drawings myself.” Laura had called Chloe’s bluff. The hairs stood up on the back of Chloe’s neck as Laura circled ever closer. Clark eyed her suspiciously, calculating a possible next move.
“Any idea what this yellow stuff is in the water?” Clark asked as Laura froze in her tracks. He simultaneously reached down into the creek streaming just below his feet and the yellow minerals washed over his hand and in between his fingers. It left an oily residue on his alien skin.
Laura momentarily looked horrified before she caught herself and returned to a disinterested poker face. “Nope.” Laura lied. “It’s probably just sulfur or some wonderful Nebraska clay.” She deadpanned.
“I wouldn’t drink it if I were you. It could be poisonous.”To her dismay, Laura was becoming more adept at lying every day. Her gut told her that it was wrong to lie to Clark and Chloe, despite the fact that she’d just met them.
An omission was nearly the same as a falsification, her best friend Tim had said the other day. Clark wiped the mineral deposits on his jeans. He suddenly felt odd. Oh no! Clark thought.
Before he could react, he sneezed, blowing down an old dried up ash tree roughly ten feet tall. Chloe put her head in her hands. “Bless you!” She mumbled as Laura continued to stare at Clark.
There was no covering up that event, He mused with disdain. Clark flashed his best innocent grin at her. “It must’ve been rotted.” Laura defended, much to their surprise. “So you two were exploring the caves in the middle of nowhere because…?” Laura pressed.
Chloe thought that Laura was far too smart for her own good. “It’s for a…” Clark was about to say ‘a school project’ like he’d done a number of times before. Chloe came to the rescue.
“An article that I’m working on for the paper.” She smiled brightly. “I’m a journalist for the Metropolis Daily Planet.” Laura’s eyes widened. “Now, that I’ve heard of.” She relaxed a bit. “A reporter, eh? That’s way cool!”
Clark had decided that he was willing to trust Laura for the moment.“Nothing interesting ever happens here in this backwater town.” Laura continued. “Why would a major metropolitan newspaper be even remotely intrigued by these caves?”
Clark answered: “We have similar caves and writings near Smallville.” He offered. Chloe’s eyebrows rose. Too much information, Clark, she silently criticized. Laura purposely slipped in between Clark and Chloe, moving faster than an ordinary human.
By Clark’s estimation, Laura was shorter than he, but taller than Chloe or Lana, roughly the same size as Lois Lane. She appeared to be bustier and a bit stockier than the Planet’s newest reporter as well.
Laura turned her back on the caves in an attempt to distract the visitors from her secret mineral stash. “I know this area pretty well.” She began, gesturing towards the greenish brown valley before them. “That body of water is called Crater Lake.”
“Word is that a small asteroid or piece of a comet hit here just after the last ice age, forming the crater. It likely pushed up these mounds of land and the runoff of the melting ice created this small stream, which we call Comet Creek, appropriately enough.”
“It appears to be running from a source up in the foothills, into the caves, and through these ravines into the lake.” Laura hesitantly took Clark’s elbow and ushered him away from the cave entrance. Chloe trailed behind, filled with suspicions. This was too much of a coincidence.
“You can see clear across the valley from here.” Laura added. She shaded her eyes with one thin hand. “Yes, it’s beautiful.” Clark placated the teen, fully aware that she was probably trying to railroad him. How did I become so jaded? He wondered silently, though he would not be swayed.
“You come out here because…?” He probed. Laura hadn’t expected him to keep digging. Suddenly she didn’t mind being grilled by the tall handsome stranger. Chloe cleared her throat loudly, distracting them. Clark and Laura’s eyes met briefly.
“I’m kind of a lone wolf.” Laura confessed. “I enjoy the wide open spaces, and Nebraska has plenty of them.” Clark accepted her at her word, though he couldn’t help reviving the painful memory of the Kiwatchi girl, Caia, who actually was a wolf.
Laura reminded him a lot of her. Chloe wanted to move Clark along, yet she was also extremely curious about Laura. That impact with Clark should have decimated the teenager. It didn’t seem to faze her a bit.
Once a paranoid journalist, always a paranoid journalist, she rationalized. Suddenly Laura’s cell phone rang, playing a recent Lifehouse tune. Clark winced as the ringtone resembled his Senior Prom’s theme song.
“Yeah Tim?” Laura answered. Clark slunk away to rejoin Chloe. “What do you think, Chlo’?” He questioned. “Something’s just not right, Clark.” The pretty blonde cub reporter replied. “She magically appears and happens to run into you, and there’s not a scratch on her, I might add."
"There’s also something that she’s hiding about the caves. What if she’s not a meteor freak?” Clark nodded. “She could be like Bart Allen, Mr. Impulse, acquiring that blinding speed by accident.” Chloe frowned.
“Or she could be one of Lex’s freak creations sent here to spy on you, to say nothing of being an agent of evil for Brainiac." Clark couldn’t truly rule out any of those possibilities. “I hate to do this…” He x-rayed Laura from head to toe with his unique vision.
“She’s not an android. I saw all required body parts.” Clark stated morbidly. “I will say that her muscles seemed to be packed rather densely.” Chloe scratched her head. “She’s kind of scrawny to be a super freak.” Clark sighed.
“I’ll try one more thing.” He turned his head away from them, pretending to admire the valley. He focused his superior hearing on Laura’s phone conversation. He hated to eavesdrop. Still, there could be safety concerns, Clark justified his intrusion.
“Hello, my mutant malcontent.” A cheerful young male voice said from the other end of the conversation.“I have news. I just couldn’t wait until your return.” Tim began. “Yeah because it would take me all of thirty seconds, if that, to trot back to Falcon Claw.” Laura said cockily.
She seated herself on the fallen tree trunk that Clark’s inappropriately timed sneeze had knocked down. Tim Servo was Laura’s best friend and confidante. The boy genius was the only person she’d told about her unusual abilities.
He immediately accepted her, which was very important to the basically friendless super teen. “The lab tests are back." He stopped for a dramatic pause. “They confirmed my original hypothesis that the mineral that you so humbly named Loracite.
(pronounced Laura – Site) is in fact a new element."
"It does not appear on any periodic table.” Clark was listening with fascination. As Chloe patiently waited nearby, she aimlessly flipped the yellow rocks into the creek. “Really?” Laura risked a glance at Clark whom she thought was ignoring her.
“There’s more, my sweet.” Tim shamelessly flirted. “Are you sitting down?” “Yes Tim-ster.” Laura sighed. “Unfortunately, the Loracite has been reorganizing your DNA.” Tim informed her, waiting for the shock to wear off. It didn’t. Laura’s big blue eyes widened as she quickly lowered her voice.
“You mean that I’m a permanent mutant? A freak?” “I’m afraid so, sweetie. However, freak is such a harsh word.” Tim responded. “Great!” Laura kicked a small rock across the creek and it sailed for hundreds of yards, finally shattering to dust after it impacted a rocky outcropping near the end of the visible valley.
“At least we were prepared.” Tim reasoned, trying to lessen the overall blow. Laura suddenly remembered that she wasn’t alone. “Uh Tim, can we talk later? I’ve met some people out here.” Tim paled. “Some people?” He echoed as Laura shifted the phone to her other ear.
“Two of them actually, they were prowling around the caves.” She replied. “Crap!” Tim exclaimed. “Get rid of them!” Laura grimaced. “Chill, Tim!” Her friend was growing more anxious by the moment. “Can’t you just kill them?”
Laura laughed. “Funny, Tim! Who do I look like, Doctor Doom?” Tim brushed back his tousled brown hair. “They could be Feds, Area 51 even, or members of a foreign terrorist dictatorship, perhaps the shadow government or worse yet, the Environmental Protection Agency. Do they know about the Loracite?”
Laura grinned thinly. “Before you send the black helicopters out after me, let me finish.” She took a long appraising look at Clark’s physique. “I don’t think they know anything. They were just out exploring.” Tim scoffed.
“Likely story and my Uncle Steve dresses up like a prom queen and hits the town every Saturday night!” Laura glanced at the phone. “Ignoring that disturbing imagery, Tim, I’ll see you later.” Laura snickered. That boy is wrong on so many levels, she thought.
“Be careful, and don’t give them any reason to suspect you.” He advised. Too late for that, Laura mused. “Fine, I’ll move them along. Bye Tim.” She clicked off the miniature flip phone.
Laura returned her full attention to Clark, forgetting that Chloe was nearby. “Sorry about that. I have to get going.” Clark detected a genuine sadness in her voice. Naturally, he’d heard every word of her conversation, and now knew what all the mystery surrounding her was about.
Clark strangely wanted to tell Laura all about him, about the cave drawings, about Chloe, Lana, Lois, and everything, but he didn’t dare. After all they’d just met. “Can we give you a ride somewhere?” He offered, startling Chloe.
Clark was being direct, since when? She wondered. He was attempting to be trusting and aggressive? That didn’t make any sense, she considered the options. There appeared to be no harm in questioning Laura further.
“Um…yeah. I guess that would be okay.” Laura reluctantly agreed as she felt her heart begin to race. I just want to get them away from my Loracite, she silently planned some informative, yet meaningless conversation for the ride back to Falcon Claw.
It’s not as if they could injure or kidnap a mutant like me, Laura briefly wallowed in some self pity. I hate wallowing…
Chloe shook her head. She hated to leave a new mystery unsolved. Clark was also thinking along those lines. “Just a minute.” Laura stalled. “I want to grab some of the yellow minerals for my friend’s school science project.” She lied and whipped out a good sized test tube.
Placing her backpack nearby, Laura vaulted up the incline landing softly on the dusty bank of the creek. “Nimble, isn’t she?” Chloe asked as her voice dripped with sarcasm. “Clark, my Spidey-sense is tingling…” She began.
“You should’ve gone before we left.” Clark joked, cracking Chloe up. “Nice!” Chloe continued to chuckle. When did you develop a personality? She thought sourly. Laura meanwhile scooped up some raw Loracite rocks, and scraped some of the yellow mineral from the bottom of the shallow creek, placing both in the test tube.
With Laura out of earshot, Chloe pressed the point. “Well, what did you hear?” Clark gestured for her to wait. “We’ll talk about that later. Suffice it to say, Laura’s not a meteor freak. She’s speedy, but basically harmless, though I wish we knew more about her.”
As the gifted teen returned, Clark felt another sneeze coming on. This time he covered his mouth, softening the blast. Ah Choo! “Bless you!” Laura and Chloe chorused. Clark thanked them and sniffled. As soon as Laura packed away the samples, he felt better. An allergy? Clark scowled.
Laura gathered her backpack and followed them to the car. Chloe accepted Clark’s analysis for the moment. He held the door open for Laura and she smiled appreciatively. Chloe rolled her eyes.
How does he do it? Only Clark could find a turbo babe in the middle of nowhere and she’ll probably end up falling for him. She mentally grumbled.
“Sorry about the mini-car, but with gasoline over four dollars a gallon, my NASCAR days are over.” Chloe quipped. Once inside, Laura examined Clark more closely from the cramped back seat. She decided to trust him.
It made no sense, she silently admitted, but then what about all this does? Maybe he’s a freak of nature like me? She silently debated telling him the truth as Chloe headed back towards the main road.
“How’s that arm, Clark?” She asked warily. “It’s still bruised and a little stiff.” He replied. “Yeah, sorry about that.” Laura apologized. “To be honest Clark, you should have been knocked out at the very least.” She added, without giving it much thought.
“I felt like I ran into a brick wall.” Laura was pushing it. Clark gulped. “I could say the same about you, Laura. That was a solid hit.” He challenged. “Be thankful that you’re still in one piece.” She smirked.
Perfect, I just wonder…Laura was considering all types of options and scenarios. “Okay, I’m done ignoring the eight hundred pound gorilla in the car.” Laura fished. “No offense, Kent.” He turned to face her and was greeted with a brilliant smile. “None taken.” Clark returned the toothy grin.
“You should be flat on your back pushing up daisies.” Laura joked, though Clark didn’t find that at all amusing. “How long have you had supernatural abilities?” She’d thrown down the gauntlet. “Who says that they’re supernatural?” Clark countered.
Chloe was tempted to slam on the brakes and physically toss Laura out of the car. “Okay, if I’d hit Chloe by accident on my jog, you’d be going home alone today.” Laura said. Or maybe not, she smiled lustily.
“Who says that Chloe doesn’t have special abilities?” Clark verbally fenced with her. “Can we just change the subject?” Chloe pleaded. “No!” Clark and Laura chorused.
“Fine.” She glanced at the open road ahead of her.
“By the way Laura, where exactly am I supposed to be going?” Chloe questioned. “Oh sorry! Take Route 16 west to Randella Road and turn left.” Laura was growing frustrated.
“I’ll start.” She volunteered.“I was normal as far as I know, until my thirteenth birthday. All of a sudden I found that I could run faster, jump higher, and swim better than the other kids. All of that without breaking a sweat.” Laura explained.
"I rarely ever got tired or sick. Now I’m about to turn eighteen. I have to graduate high school next semester and decide what to do with my life.” She shared. “Now it’s your turn.” Laura prodded.
Nice try, sister, Chloe mused. “Wait a minute. We just met.” She protested as Clark remained characteristically silent.“Yeah and?” Laura countered. She had the persistence of Lois, Clark observed.
“Fine, I was born this way.” Clark exaggerated. “Born what way?” Laura probed. Chloe sighed. “You might as well not bother with a secret identity, Clark.” She criticized. “Just put up a billboard.”
“I can run faster than nearly anyone on Earth.” Clark stated, trying to cut his losses. After all, Laura hadn’t really seen him use any of his abilities yet. “Really? I’ll have to race you sometime.” She flirted.
“That still doesn’t explain how I hit you with full speed and all you have is a bruised forearm.” Laura was way too observant for Chloe’s taste. “Fair enough.” Clark added. “I can also withstand a lot of impacts.”
Chloe scowled, wondering why Clark was being so free and easy with stories of his abilities. “Oh, here’s the turn off.” Laura interrupted, pointing towards the upcoming intersection.
Chloe sped up and skidded slightly on the gravelly road, as she changed directions. She couldn’t wait to drop Laura off. “Are you two heading back to Smallburg today?” Laura asked sarcastically. “Yes, we’re heading to Smallville tonight.” Clark replied coldly.
“Can I have your phone number?” Laura asked, shocking Clark with her directness. “Oh? Can I have yours?” Clark challenged. “Sure.” Laura answered without hesitation. She’d called his bluff as well. Clark didn’t need another problem.
On one hand Kara was more than enough for him to handle, on the other he wanted to keep Laura close until he found out what she was up to. Clark’s goal was to keep both girls away from exploiters like Lex Luthor. He continued to wrestle with the mixed feelings.
“Okay.” Clark finally said as Chloe stared daggers at him. “Clark, you’re not serious!” “Shoot, Clark.” Laura instructed. “I’ll put you right in my cell phone directory.” She had punched up her contacts list, which consisted of exactly three names. Miss popularity she was not.
Clark gave her his number and in fairness, she gave him hers. “You know, Clark, why not just put an ad in the paper?” Chloe chastised him. “Would you rather that Laura and her abilities fall into the wrong hands, say Lex’s?” He countered.
“Whoa! Wait a second! I’m no one’s stooge!” Laura protested. “I’m my own person, I owe no one!” Clark was very glad to hear that. Did she have the potential to join Oliver Queen’s band of misfits? Only time would tell. “Do you work at all?” Chloe inquired.
“No, just on my Aunt Wanda’s farm.” Laura responded. “Do your parents know about your abilities?” Clark grilled. “My parents died when I was a little girl.” Laura said with an edge to her voice. “I’m sorry, so did mine.”
Clark was technically telling the truth. “Does your Aunt Wanda know?” Chloe followed up. “Nope.” Laura sighed. “I didn’t want her to worry about me, or drag me to some quack doctor.” Chloe was satisfied with that answer.
She began to relax her opinion of Laura. Maybe Clark’s got a point, she considered, but he’s too trusting and naive. “Turn right at the next road.” Laura directed. “It leads to an access way to my Aunt’s farm.” She felt an odd pain in her stomach.
Would I ever see Clark or Chloe again? Was I just hungry? Ever resourceful, Laura had already memorized Chloe’s car model and license plate. She was confident that she could find her new friends. After all, how many Clark Kents and Chloe Sullivans can there be in or around Smallville?
The real mystery was their interest in the cave drawings…and Clark’s powers. “Here we are.” Laura forced herself to appear cheerful. “Did you guys want to come in for a while?” Especially you, Clark, she flirted silently. “Just don’t rat me out to Aunt Wanda. Promise?”
She asked politely, and again Clark was hesitant. He finally talked himself into it. It would be foolish to waste an opportunity to find out more about the gifted teenager, he rationalized.“Okay, it’s a deal.” Clark decided, speaking for Chloe.
He guessed that the cub reporter’s curiosity would get the best of her. She hadn’t as of yet, voiced any objections. Chloe pulled up alongside the modest bluish green ranch house at the center of the property.
The farm was fairly large with a greenish brown and white barn complete with grain silo nearby. “What do you guys grow on the farm?” Clark asked her, making small talk.
He opened the car door for Laura, impressing her again. “We have corn, wheat, apples, cherries, and an assortment of common vegetables.” Laura replied happily.
“Any livestock?” He inquired, using his x-ray vision to confirm that they were alone.
For all he knew, this could’ve been another Luthor trap laden with kryptonite. He berated himself for being overly paranoid. Laura unexpectedly took Clark’s hand, much to Chloe’s annoyance, as they surveyed the property.
“Just a few cattle and a couple of horses”, Laura answered. “We don’t make enough income to support a larger spread. My Aunt Wanda is also a partner in a local hardware store.” She beamed as she escorted Clark up the front porch and into the front door of the house.
Chloe trailed them, silently cursing the situation. It was obvious to her that Laura was already infatuated with Clark. She’d ‘been there, done that’ in the past and immediately recognized the signs. “Aunt Wanda?” Laura yelled, making Clark wince. “She’s not home.”
Clark had verified that, moments ago. “This is our house.” Laura announced, gesturing towards the large den with bricked walls, a stone fireplace, thick pine paneling, and a comfortable looking couch at the room’s center. Chloe immediately began searching for clues.
She started by investigating the photograph assortment atop the fireplace’s mantle. “It’s a simple t wo-bedroom, two bath.” Laura explained. “It’s enough for Aunt Wanda and I and it was quite affordable. In fact, the realtor seemed to be happy to be rid of it.” She rambled.
If Chloe wasn’t here, I’d show you the upstairs, Laura thought lustily. “Are these your parents?” Chloe had zeroed in on the centerpiece of the photo collection. It showed a young man and woman posing in front of an old general store. “Yes.” Laura said shortly, refusing to get upset.
“Oh! The Lakes!” Chloe exclaimed. “I remember reading the original story in the Daily Planet archives. Laura! They were murdered!” She added excitedly. “You are a good reporter, aren’t you?” Laura asked icily. Chloe reddened. “I’m sorry! Sometimes I don’t think before I get started.”
“That’s alright.” Laura accepted her apology. Clark detected a note of depression in Laura’s voice. “The case is listed as unsolved.” Chloe informed them, mostly for Clark’s benefit. “I don’t remember all that much about them.” Laura added wistfully.
“I don’t know everything about my biological parents, either.” Clark empathized. “Some of what I do know, I wish I didn’t.” He added sourly. Chloe wouldn’t let the subject go. “No suspects were ever questioned.” Laura affirmed Chloe’s statement.
“True. Any evidence had been wiped clean by a series of twisters which hit the area that day.” Laura recalled. “Don’t worry. I’ll find their killers, and bring them to justice. Mark my words, that day will come.” The conviction in her voice sent chills up Chloe’s spine.
Clark was taken aback by Laura’s directness. “Killers?” He echoed, latching onto the phrase. “Yes. My good friend’s father, Mr. Trent, had sworn under oath that there could’ve been two shooters at least, to the Falcon Claw Police Department. Of course, no one else saw anything.”
Laura’s voice took on a less menacing tone. “The Trents originally saved me and took me in, until they could contact my Aunt Wanda in Greensborough. She gave up her personal life to take care of me. That was just over twelve years ago.” She explained further.
Clark was noticing a pattern here. Laura’s story was akin to Lana Lang’s, Oliver Queen’s, and a number of the meteor freaks that Clark had defeated or dissuaded. He felt that he had to do something to prevent Laura from allying herself with the wrong people, like Lex or Tess Mercer.
He didn’t want her to follow in the other’s tragic footsteps, namely, using her unique abilities for revenge or destruction. Things tended to happen for a reason, Clark mused. He could’ve been meant to encounter Laura now, while she was young, to prevent trouble in the future.
Chloe was about to interrogate Laura further, when Clark interrupted. “Ready to go, Chlo’?” He cut her off. “You must be starved by now, after all the exercise today.” Chloe took the hint. Translation: ‘Back off of Laura’. “Uh…yeah.” She stammered. “Sounds good, Clark.”
“Did you guys want to stay and order a pizza?” Laura offered sheepishly. “I have no culinary skills at all.” Just like Lois, Clark thought with a bemused smile. Clearly Laura didn’t want to be alone. He wished that he could take the young girl back to Smallville with them.
That wasn’t really an option, Clark thought with resignation. Sooner or later, she’d find out about Kara and I and our bizarre histories. Then he’d have to explain everything to her. Laura had her own life to live. Yet, he could still invite her to visit. “Hello? Earth to Clark?” Laura joked.
Chloe decided to play the bad guy. It was obvious that Clark was waffling. “Thanks Laura, but we have to get going. I still have an article to write for the paper before tomorrow morning.” Laura glanced down at her feet sadly.
“Thanks for the invite, though.” Chloe added. Clark had made up his mind. “Hey Laura, why don’t you come out to Smallville and visit sometime?” He asked and immediately the teenager’s face brightened. Chloe simply shook her head.
“Ooh, sounds like a rockin’ good time.” Laura quipped. “Thanks, I’ll just do that.” Laura steeled her resolve, went up to Clark and hugged him. Chloe rolled her eyes, and Laura hugged her just for show. “It’s been nice meeting you.” She added, far too sweetly.
“Good luck researching the caves. Let me know if you find anything interesting. I could always use the info for a term paper.” Laura added as Chloe nodded. She sighed deeply as she led her visitors back to Chloe’s car.
Clark spotted a motorcycle parked beneath a tarp alongside the Lake’s barn. “Is that your ride?” He gestured towards it. "Yup. That’s my dad’s 1985 Gold Wing.” Laura replied seriously. “I don’t have a license for it yet.”
Chloe’s eyebrows rose. “You don’t really need a car or motorcycle, do you?” Laura shrugged. “It’s mostly for sentimental value, as is my dad’s red Mustang. “I’ve got it covered and locked up inside the barn.” Laura continued.
“I have to try and keep up appearances." Laura admitted as Clark nodded. “I can relate to that!” He recalled his early infatuation with his dad, Jonathan’s motorcycle. "I also have a dirt bike and a ten speed." Laura added. “Good bye! See you soon?” she asked hopefully.
Clark flashed his devastating smile. “You can count on it.” Laura fought back a tear. Why am I being such a wuss? She wondered silently.
Maybe the Loracite is starting to wear off? She waved as Clark and Chloe drove away.
Maybe she had just fallen in love?
Next: chapter 2: Companion
Laura Lake / Gold Wing begins a new story arc this week, with "The Mystery of Burntwood Manor"
Eighteen year old Laura looks into buying an abandoned mansion.
Clark / Laura Crossover
PG 13
How'd you like to read about a new character that I created for the Smallville Universe? My fan fic is called "Gold Wing" and introduces an original super hero.
What if Clark had another love interest outside of Lana / Lois / Chloe? How about a teenager with super abilities that nearly match Clark's, yet she's human?
Let me know what you think of her: Please welcome Laura Lake. See Laura's origin story in the General
Section, under "Last Daughter of Krypton", Death in the Heartland.
Thanks
Gardy1
Teaser:
Laura Lake: Gold Wing
Guest starring Clark Kent, Chloe Sullivan, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen.
Central Nebraska, 2007. – “You know Clark, I’ve just about had enough of these caves.” Chloe grumbled, as she circled through the same cavern for the third time. “C’mon Chloe, where’s your sense of adventure? We need to check out these symbols to see if any match the Kryptonian scribbling back at the Kawatchi Caves.”
“You did not just say that, Clark.” Chloe stopped in her tracks. “Haven’t we had enough adventures for a lifetime?” The future Superman grinned widely. “You’re not going soft, are you Chlo’?” He teased. “No! I thought we’d seen all the cave drawings that exist.”
“So did I.” Clark admitted. “I haven’t yet located any Kryptonian symbols. These are all something totally different. My hope was that they held a clue to where Kara and Brainiac had gone.
”Chloe kept snapping pictures of the symbols with her cell phone camera. “I have no idea what culture these pictographs belong to. We’ll have to send some files to an expert, if I can find a trustworthy one.”
Clark continued to examine the drawings closely, but hadn’t gotten any nearer to a solution. “Maybe I should check the outer area surrounding the cave.”“Did you check the walls with your x-ray vision in case there was a hidden antechamber like back at the Kawatchi Mound?” Chloe asked.
“Yes. There wasn’t anything.” He replied. “Have you decided on who you’re taking to the Daily Planet Charity Ball?” Chloe quickly changed the subject.“I don’t have time for that.” Clark answered sourly.
“Really? Or is it just that you and Lana have called it quits again?” Chloe always found a way to get under Clark’s skin. “Thanks for stating the obvious, Chloe.” Clark said bitterly. “Clark, you need to move on, Lana will.” She added.
“I’m depressed enough without having to smile pretty at some Charity Benefit.” He said with disdain. “You’re missing the point, Clark. The dance benefits the Metropolis Underprivileged Children’s Fund. You can sacrifice an evening of mooning over Lana for a good cause.
”Chloe followed Clark out of the cave. “Are you going?” He asked with disinterest. “Yes. Jimmy’s taking me. C’mon Clark, we can dress up nice and help kids at the same time.” Clark was about to give in, when he was suddenly hit by a major force that knocked him clear across the edge of the meadow.
The impact shock shook Chloe to her core as she fell to her knees, and tumbled into a ravine a few feet below her. Thankfully, she remained uninjured. “What the hell was that, an earthquake?” She complained loudly.
“What the…?” Clark asked as he quickly returned to his feet. Turning around, he spied a young girl with long black hair sprawled alongside the edge of the ravine. “Ow! My head!” She exclaimed as she sat up.
Chloe was flat on her backside at the base of the ravine. “Clark, are you okay?” She called back up. “What am I saying, of course you’re okay.” Unless there’s kryptonite around, she silently scrambled back up the ditch to the level ground near the bottom of the cave entrance.
Clark gingerly headed toward the fallen girl. Wait a minute! I actually felt that impact! He observed, rubbing his own forearm. “I’m sorry dude!” The girl climbed to her knees. “I wasn’t watching where I was going. Are you alright?” Clark nodded as Chloe joined them.
Clark and Chloe quickly exchanged glances. The same thoughts crossed their minds. Did we just find a new meteor freak?
Chapter 1: See Laura's origin story : Death in the Heartland. Here's the link:
Revealed
“I’m kind of new to this high speed running thing.” She spoke before she thought. “High speed running thing?” Chloe echoed. The young girl reddened. “Oops! Apparently I also have a problem keeping my mouth shut.” She glanced away.
“Hi. Laura, Laura Lake.” She carefully shook Clark’s hand. “Clark Kent.” He responded. “And you must be his girlfriend?” Laura fished playfully. “Uh, no. We’re just good friends.” Unfortunately, Chloe added mentally. “Chloe Sullivan.” She took Laura’s slim fingered hand as well.
Clark thought he felt a surge of electricity as he and Laura made contact. “Are you sure that you’re all right Clark?” Chloe asked, noting that he seemed to be favoring his right arm. The young superhero was stunned to see a bright brown soft ball sized bruise on his forearm where Laura had collided with him. Chloe’s eyes widened. An injured Clark Kent was never a good sign, she mused.
Laura fidgeted, unsure of what to do or say next. “I didn’t expect anyone to be out here.” She opted to question them. “Why are you two out in the middle of nowhere like this anyway, or shouldn’t I ask?” She made it a point to check out Clark from head to toe. Nice! She thought lustily.Her eyes appeared to flare yellow for a moment.
“We were …uh…” Clark began. “Exploring the caves behind us.” Chloe finished for him. “Oh.” Laura was suddenly worried. Had they discovered her secret? “Is anyone out here with you?” Clark grilled as he used his x-ray vision to verify whatever Laura said. “No, I was just out running by myself.”
She glanced at Chloe who had come up behind him. Clark took a second to check out Laura. She looked to be a bit younger than his cousin Kara. The teen beauty had long straight shoulder length raven black hair, which also had two or three long strands of bright canary yellow streaks just before each ear.
The highlights framed her thin face.Laura had big sky blue eyes, a smallish nose, and highly placed cheekbones that gave one the impression that she was of Eastern European descent. Her lips were thin and she’d put on a far too bright shade of red lipstick. Clark noted that she’d also overdone her black eye make up. It reminded him of a classic Goth style and had the effect of creating a mask across her eyes.
Laura was favoring her neck, rubbing it, perhaps due to the collision. She stretched leisurely and twisted her waist back and forth. Chloe noted the girl’s uncomfortable silence. Young Laura was definitely hiding something, based on Chloe’s assessments of her body language.
“Laura, do you live around here?” Chloe decided to make small talk. The teen bent over, then arched her back. “Yeah, not too far away.” She replied evasively. “Now you two, on the other hand, are not from around here, are you?” Laura skillfully deflected the questioning.
“Are we that obvious?” Clark attempted to be charming, but his heart just wasn’t in it. “Well, I’m from Falcon Claw, a little farming town across the lake from here. Everyone knows everybody else, and you two would’ve stuck out like sore thumbs.”
Laura grinned broadly, displaying a full set of lily white teeth. She’d put Chloe at ease for the moment, yet the jury was still out.“That sounds like Smallville.” Clark commented craftily. “Where?” Laura was truly puzzled.
Good job, Clark! Chloe silently praised. That can possibly eliminate Laura from the meteor freak persuasion. “It’s a small town in Kansas.” He informed her. Laura nodded as she brushed the dust off of her bright yellow tee shirt.
“Kansas? That’s a long way from here for a joyride.” Laura said skeptically. She’d since noticed Chloe’s small car partially hidden behind some foliage. “Like I said, we were exploring the caves.” Chloe defended. Laura approached them cautiously.
Clark, for an instant, thought that she resembled a lioness stalking her prey. Maybe I’m just being overly paranoid, Clark rationalized, what with Brainiac and Lex Luthor still on the loose. “Find anything interesting?” Laura feigned innocence.
“No, not really.” Chloe lied. “Yeah, I don’t understand the cave drawings myself.” Laura had called Chloe’s bluff. The hairs stood up on the back of Chloe’s neck as Laura circled ever closer. Clark eyed her suspiciously, calculating a possible next move.
“Any idea what this yellow stuff is in the water?” Clark asked as Laura froze in her tracks. He simultaneously reached down into the creek streaming just below his feet and the yellow minerals washed over his hand and in between his fingers. It left an oily residue on his alien skin.
Laura momentarily looked horrified before she caught herself and returned to a disinterested poker face. “Nope.” Laura lied. “It’s probably just sulfur or some wonderful Nebraska clay.” She deadpanned.
“I wouldn’t drink it if I were you. It could be poisonous.”To her dismay, Laura was becoming more adept at lying every day. Her gut told her that it was wrong to lie to Clark and Chloe, despite the fact that she’d just met them.
An omission was nearly the same as a falsification, her best friend Tim had said the other day. Clark wiped the mineral deposits on his jeans. He suddenly felt odd. Oh no! Clark thought.
Before he could react, he sneezed, blowing down an old dried up ash tree roughly ten feet tall. Chloe put her head in her hands. “Bless you!” She mumbled as Laura continued to stare at Clark.
There was no covering up that event, He mused with disdain. Clark flashed his best innocent grin at her. “It must’ve been rotted.” Laura defended, much to their surprise. “So you two were exploring the caves in the middle of nowhere because…?” Laura pressed.
Chloe thought that Laura was far too smart for her own good. “It’s for a…” Clark was about to say ‘a school project’ like he’d done a number of times before. Chloe came to the rescue.
“An article that I’m working on for the paper.” She smiled brightly. “I’m a journalist for the Metropolis Daily Planet.” Laura’s eyes widened. “Now, that I’ve heard of.” She relaxed a bit. “A reporter, eh? That’s way cool!”
Clark had decided that he was willing to trust Laura for the moment.“Nothing interesting ever happens here in this backwater town.” Laura continued. “Why would a major metropolitan newspaper be even remotely intrigued by these caves?”
Clark answered: “We have similar caves and writings near Smallville.” He offered. Chloe’s eyebrows rose. Too much information, Clark, she silently criticized. Laura purposely slipped in between Clark and Chloe, moving faster than an ordinary human.
By Clark’s estimation, Laura was shorter than he, but taller than Chloe or Lana, roughly the same size as Lois Lane. She appeared to be bustier and a bit stockier than the Planet’s newest reporter as well.
Laura turned her back on the caves in an attempt to distract the visitors from her secret mineral stash. “I know this area pretty well.” She began, gesturing towards the greenish brown valley before them. “That body of water is called Crater Lake.”
“Word is that a small asteroid or piece of a comet hit here just after the last ice age, forming the crater. It likely pushed up these mounds of land and the runoff of the melting ice created this small stream, which we call Comet Creek, appropriately enough.”
“It appears to be running from a source up in the foothills, into the caves, and through these ravines into the lake.” Laura hesitantly took Clark’s elbow and ushered him away from the cave entrance. Chloe trailed behind, filled with suspicions. This was too much of a coincidence.
“You can see clear across the valley from here.” Laura added. She shaded her eyes with one thin hand. “Yes, it’s beautiful.” Clark placated the teen, fully aware that she was probably trying to railroad him. How did I become so jaded? He wondered silently, though he would not be swayed.
“You come out here because…?” He probed. Laura hadn’t expected him to keep digging. Suddenly she didn’t mind being grilled by the tall handsome stranger. Chloe cleared her throat loudly, distracting them. Clark and Laura’s eyes met briefly.
“I’m kind of a lone wolf.” Laura confessed. “I enjoy the wide open spaces, and Nebraska has plenty of them.” Clark accepted her at her word, though he couldn’t help reviving the painful memory of the Kiwatchi girl, Caia, who actually was a wolf.
Laura reminded him a lot of her. Chloe wanted to move Clark along, yet she was also extremely curious about Laura. That impact with Clark should have decimated the teenager. It didn’t seem to faze her a bit.
Once a paranoid journalist, always a paranoid journalist, she rationalized. Suddenly Laura’s cell phone rang, playing a recent Lifehouse tune. Clark winced as the ringtone resembled his Senior Prom’s theme song.
“Yeah Tim?” Laura answered. Clark slunk away to rejoin Chloe. “What do you think, Chlo’?” He questioned. “Something’s just not right, Clark.” The pretty blonde cub reporter replied. “She magically appears and happens to run into you, and there’s not a scratch on her, I might add."
"There’s also something that she’s hiding about the caves. What if she’s not a meteor freak?” Clark nodded. “She could be like Bart Allen, Mr. Impulse, acquiring that blinding speed by accident.” Chloe frowned.
“Or she could be one of Lex’s freak creations sent here to spy on you, to say nothing of being an agent of evil for Brainiac." Clark couldn’t truly rule out any of those possibilities. “I hate to do this…” He x-rayed Laura from head to toe with his unique vision.
“She’s not an android. I saw all required body parts.” Clark stated morbidly. “I will say that her muscles seemed to be packed rather densely.” Chloe scratched her head. “She’s kind of scrawny to be a super freak.” Clark sighed.
“I’ll try one more thing.” He turned his head away from them, pretending to admire the valley. He focused his superior hearing on Laura’s phone conversation. He hated to eavesdrop. Still, there could be safety concerns, Clark justified his intrusion.
“Hello, my mutant malcontent.” A cheerful young male voice said from the other end of the conversation.“I have news. I just couldn’t wait until your return.” Tim began. “Yeah because it would take me all of thirty seconds, if that, to trot back to Falcon Claw.” Laura said cockily.
She seated herself on the fallen tree trunk that Clark’s inappropriately timed sneeze had knocked down. Tim Servo was Laura’s best friend and confidante. The boy genius was the only person she’d told about her unusual abilities.
He immediately accepted her, which was very important to the basically friendless super teen. “The lab tests are back." He stopped for a dramatic pause. “They confirmed my original hypothesis that the mineral that you so humbly named Loracite.
(pronounced Laura – Site) is in fact a new element."
"It does not appear on any periodic table.” Clark was listening with fascination. As Chloe patiently waited nearby, she aimlessly flipped the yellow rocks into the creek. “Really?” Laura risked a glance at Clark whom she thought was ignoring her.
“There’s more, my sweet.” Tim shamelessly flirted. “Are you sitting down?” “Yes Tim-ster.” Laura sighed. “Unfortunately, the Loracite has been reorganizing your DNA.” Tim informed her, waiting for the shock to wear off. It didn’t. Laura’s big blue eyes widened as she quickly lowered her voice.
“You mean that I’m a permanent mutant? A freak?” “I’m afraid so, sweetie. However, freak is such a harsh word.” Tim responded. “Great!” Laura kicked a small rock across the creek and it sailed for hundreds of yards, finally shattering to dust after it impacted a rocky outcropping near the end of the visible valley.
“At least we were prepared.” Tim reasoned, trying to lessen the overall blow. Laura suddenly remembered that she wasn’t alone. “Uh Tim, can we talk later? I’ve met some people out here.” Tim paled. “Some people?” He echoed as Laura shifted the phone to her other ear.
“Two of them actually, they were prowling around the caves.” She replied. “Crap!” Tim exclaimed. “Get rid of them!” Laura grimaced. “Chill, Tim!” Her friend was growing more anxious by the moment. “Can’t you just kill them?”
Laura laughed. “Funny, Tim! Who do I look like, Doctor Doom?” Tim brushed back his tousled brown hair. “They could be Feds, Area 51 even, or members of a foreign terrorist dictatorship, perhaps the shadow government or worse yet, the Environmental Protection Agency. Do they know about the Loracite?”
Laura grinned thinly. “Before you send the black helicopters out after me, let me finish.” She took a long appraising look at Clark’s physique. “I don’t think they know anything. They were just out exploring.” Tim scoffed.
“Likely story and my Uncle Steve dresses up like a prom queen and hits the town every Saturday night!” Laura glanced at the phone. “Ignoring that disturbing imagery, Tim, I’ll see you later.” Laura snickered. That boy is wrong on so many levels, she thought.
“Be careful, and don’t give them any reason to suspect you.” He advised. Too late for that, Laura mused. “Fine, I’ll move them along. Bye Tim.” She clicked off the miniature flip phone.
Laura returned her full attention to Clark, forgetting that Chloe was nearby. “Sorry about that. I have to get going.” Clark detected a genuine sadness in her voice. Naturally, he’d heard every word of her conversation, and now knew what all the mystery surrounding her was about.
Clark strangely wanted to tell Laura all about him, about the cave drawings, about Chloe, Lana, Lois, and everything, but he didn’t dare. After all they’d just met. “Can we give you a ride somewhere?” He offered, startling Chloe.
Clark was being direct, since when? She wondered. He was attempting to be trusting and aggressive? That didn’t make any sense, she considered the options. There appeared to be no harm in questioning Laura further.
“Um…yeah. I guess that would be okay.” Laura reluctantly agreed as she felt her heart begin to race. I just want to get them away from my Loracite, she silently planned some informative, yet meaningless conversation for the ride back to Falcon Claw.
It’s not as if they could injure or kidnap a mutant like me, Laura briefly wallowed in some self pity. I hate wallowing…
Chloe shook her head. She hated to leave a new mystery unsolved. Clark was also thinking along those lines. “Just a minute.” Laura stalled. “I want to grab some of the yellow minerals for my friend’s school science project.” She lied and whipped out a good sized test tube.
Placing her backpack nearby, Laura vaulted up the incline landing softly on the dusty bank of the creek. “Nimble, isn’t she?” Chloe asked as her voice dripped with sarcasm. “Clark, my Spidey-sense is tingling…” She began.
“You should’ve gone before we left.” Clark joked, cracking Chloe up. “Nice!” Chloe continued to chuckle. When did you develop a personality? She thought sourly. Laura meanwhile scooped up some raw Loracite rocks, and scraped some of the yellow mineral from the bottom of the shallow creek, placing both in the test tube.
With Laura out of earshot, Chloe pressed the point. “Well, what did you hear?” Clark gestured for her to wait. “We’ll talk about that later. Suffice it to say, Laura’s not a meteor freak. She’s speedy, but basically harmless, though I wish we knew more about her.”
As the gifted teen returned, Clark felt another sneeze coming on. This time he covered his mouth, softening the blast. Ah Choo! “Bless you!” Laura and Chloe chorused. Clark thanked them and sniffled. As soon as Laura packed away the samples, he felt better. An allergy? Clark scowled.
Laura gathered her backpack and followed them to the car. Chloe accepted Clark’s analysis for the moment. He held the door open for Laura and she smiled appreciatively. Chloe rolled her eyes.
How does he do it? Only Clark could find a turbo babe in the middle of nowhere and she’ll probably end up falling for him. She mentally grumbled.
“Sorry about the mini-car, but with gasoline over four dollars a gallon, my NASCAR days are over.” Chloe quipped. Once inside, Laura examined Clark more closely from the cramped back seat. She decided to trust him.
It made no sense, she silently admitted, but then what about all this does? Maybe he’s a freak of nature like me? She silently debated telling him the truth as Chloe headed back towards the main road.
“How’s that arm, Clark?” She asked warily. “It’s still bruised and a little stiff.” He replied. “Yeah, sorry about that.” Laura apologized. “To be honest Clark, you should have been knocked out at the very least.” She added, without giving it much thought.
“I felt like I ran into a brick wall.” Laura was pushing it. Clark gulped. “I could say the same about you, Laura. That was a solid hit.” He challenged. “Be thankful that you’re still in one piece.” She smirked.
Perfect, I just wonder…Laura was considering all types of options and scenarios. “Okay, I’m done ignoring the eight hundred pound gorilla in the car.” Laura fished. “No offense, Kent.” He turned to face her and was greeted with a brilliant smile. “None taken.” Clark returned the toothy grin.
“You should be flat on your back pushing up daisies.” Laura joked, though Clark didn’t find that at all amusing. “How long have you had supernatural abilities?” She’d thrown down the gauntlet. “Who says that they’re supernatural?” Clark countered.
Chloe was tempted to slam on the brakes and physically toss Laura out of the car. “Okay, if I’d hit Chloe by accident on my jog, you’d be going home alone today.” Laura said. Or maybe not, she smiled lustily.
“Who says that Chloe doesn’t have special abilities?” Clark verbally fenced with her. “Can we just change the subject?” Chloe pleaded. “No!” Clark and Laura chorused.
“Fine.” She glanced at the open road ahead of her.
“By the way Laura, where exactly am I supposed to be going?” Chloe questioned. “Oh sorry! Take Route 16 west to Randella Road and turn left.” Laura was growing frustrated.
“I’ll start.” She volunteered.“I was normal as far as I know, until my thirteenth birthday. All of a sudden I found that I could run faster, jump higher, and swim better than the other kids. All of that without breaking a sweat.” Laura explained.
"I rarely ever got tired or sick. Now I’m about to turn eighteen. I have to graduate high school next semester and decide what to do with my life.” She shared. “Now it’s your turn.” Laura prodded.
Nice try, sister, Chloe mused. “Wait a minute. We just met.” She protested as Clark remained characteristically silent.“Yeah and?” Laura countered. She had the persistence of Lois, Clark observed.
“Fine, I was born this way.” Clark exaggerated. “Born what way?” Laura probed. Chloe sighed. “You might as well not bother with a secret identity, Clark.” She criticized. “Just put up a billboard.”
“I can run faster than nearly anyone on Earth.” Clark stated, trying to cut his losses. After all, Laura hadn’t really seen him use any of his abilities yet. “Really? I’ll have to race you sometime.” She flirted.
“That still doesn’t explain how I hit you with full speed and all you have is a bruised forearm.” Laura was way too observant for Chloe’s taste. “Fair enough.” Clark added. “I can also withstand a lot of impacts.”
Chloe scowled, wondering why Clark was being so free and easy with stories of his abilities. “Oh, here’s the turn off.” Laura interrupted, pointing towards the upcoming intersection.
Chloe sped up and skidded slightly on the gravelly road, as she changed directions. She couldn’t wait to drop Laura off. “Are you two heading back to Smallburg today?” Laura asked sarcastically. “Yes, we’re heading to Smallville tonight.” Clark replied coldly.
“Can I have your phone number?” Laura asked, shocking Clark with her directness. “Oh? Can I have yours?” Clark challenged. “Sure.” Laura answered without hesitation. She’d called his bluff as well. Clark didn’t need another problem.
On one hand Kara was more than enough for him to handle, on the other he wanted to keep Laura close until he found out what she was up to. Clark’s goal was to keep both girls away from exploiters like Lex Luthor. He continued to wrestle with the mixed feelings.
“Okay.” Clark finally said as Chloe stared daggers at him. “Clark, you’re not serious!” “Shoot, Clark.” Laura instructed. “I’ll put you right in my cell phone directory.” She had punched up her contacts list, which consisted of exactly three names. Miss popularity she was not.
Clark gave her his number and in fairness, she gave him hers. “You know, Clark, why not just put an ad in the paper?” Chloe chastised him. “Would you rather that Laura and her abilities fall into the wrong hands, say Lex’s?” He countered.
“Whoa! Wait a second! I’m no one’s stooge!” Laura protested. “I’m my own person, I owe no one!” Clark was very glad to hear that. Did she have the potential to join Oliver Queen’s band of misfits? Only time would tell. “Do you work at all?” Chloe inquired.
“No, just on my Aunt Wanda’s farm.” Laura responded. “Do your parents know about your abilities?” Clark grilled. “My parents died when I was a little girl.” Laura said with an edge to her voice. “I’m sorry, so did mine.”
Clark was technically telling the truth. “Does your Aunt Wanda know?” Chloe followed up. “Nope.” Laura sighed. “I didn’t want her to worry about me, or drag me to some quack doctor.” Chloe was satisfied with that answer.
She began to relax her opinion of Laura. Maybe Clark’s got a point, she considered, but he’s too trusting and naive. “Turn right at the next road.” Laura directed. “It leads to an access way to my Aunt’s farm.” She felt an odd pain in her stomach.
Would I ever see Clark or Chloe again? Was I just hungry? Ever resourceful, Laura had already memorized Chloe’s car model and license plate. She was confident that she could find her new friends. After all, how many Clark Kents and Chloe Sullivans can there be in or around Smallville?
The real mystery was their interest in the cave drawings…and Clark’s powers. “Here we are.” Laura forced herself to appear cheerful. “Did you guys want to come in for a while?” Especially you, Clark, she flirted silently. “Just don’t rat me out to Aunt Wanda. Promise?”
She asked politely, and again Clark was hesitant. He finally talked himself into it. It would be foolish to waste an opportunity to find out more about the gifted teenager, he rationalized.“Okay, it’s a deal.” Clark decided, speaking for Chloe.
He guessed that the cub reporter’s curiosity would get the best of her. She hadn’t as of yet, voiced any objections. Chloe pulled up alongside the modest bluish green ranch house at the center of the property.
The farm was fairly large with a greenish brown and white barn complete with grain silo nearby. “What do you guys grow on the farm?” Clark asked her, making small talk.
He opened the car door for Laura, impressing her again. “We have corn, wheat, apples, cherries, and an assortment of common vegetables.” Laura replied happily.
“Any livestock?” He inquired, using his x-ray vision to confirm that they were alone.
For all he knew, this could’ve been another Luthor trap laden with kryptonite. He berated himself for being overly paranoid. Laura unexpectedly took Clark’s hand, much to Chloe’s annoyance, as they surveyed the property.
“Just a few cattle and a couple of horses”, Laura answered. “We don’t make enough income to support a larger spread. My Aunt Wanda is also a partner in a local hardware store.” She beamed as she escorted Clark up the front porch and into the front door of the house.
Chloe trailed them, silently cursing the situation. It was obvious to her that Laura was already infatuated with Clark. She’d ‘been there, done that’ in the past and immediately recognized the signs. “Aunt Wanda?” Laura yelled, making Clark wince. “She’s not home.”
Clark had verified that, moments ago. “This is our house.” Laura announced, gesturing towards the large den with bricked walls, a stone fireplace, thick pine paneling, and a comfortable looking couch at the room’s center. Chloe immediately began searching for clues.
She started by investigating the photograph assortment atop the fireplace’s mantle. “It’s a simple t wo-bedroom, two bath.” Laura explained. “It’s enough for Aunt Wanda and I and it was quite affordable. In fact, the realtor seemed to be happy to be rid of it.” She rambled.
If Chloe wasn’t here, I’d show you the upstairs, Laura thought lustily. “Are these your parents?” Chloe had zeroed in on the centerpiece of the photo collection. It showed a young man and woman posing in front of an old general store. “Yes.” Laura said shortly, refusing to get upset.
“Oh! The Lakes!” Chloe exclaimed. “I remember reading the original story in the Daily Planet archives. Laura! They were murdered!” She added excitedly. “You are a good reporter, aren’t you?” Laura asked icily. Chloe reddened. “I’m sorry! Sometimes I don’t think before I get started.”
“That’s alright.” Laura accepted her apology. Clark detected a note of depression in Laura’s voice. “The case is listed as unsolved.” Chloe informed them, mostly for Clark’s benefit. “I don’t remember all that much about them.” Laura added wistfully.
“I don’t know everything about my biological parents, either.” Clark empathized. “Some of what I do know, I wish I didn’t.” He added sourly. Chloe wouldn’t let the subject go. “No suspects were ever questioned.” Laura affirmed Chloe’s statement.
“True. Any evidence had been wiped clean by a series of twisters which hit the area that day.” Laura recalled. “Don’t worry. I’ll find their killers, and bring them to justice. Mark my words, that day will come.” The conviction in her voice sent chills up Chloe’s spine.
Clark was taken aback by Laura’s directness. “Killers?” He echoed, latching onto the phrase. “Yes. My good friend’s father, Mr. Trent, had sworn under oath that there could’ve been two shooters at least, to the Falcon Claw Police Department. Of course, no one else saw anything.”
Laura’s voice took on a less menacing tone. “The Trents originally saved me and took me in, until they could contact my Aunt Wanda in Greensborough. She gave up her personal life to take care of me. That was just over twelve years ago.” She explained further.
Clark was noticing a pattern here. Laura’s story was akin to Lana Lang’s, Oliver Queen’s, and a number of the meteor freaks that Clark had defeated or dissuaded. He felt that he had to do something to prevent Laura from allying herself with the wrong people, like Lex or Tess Mercer.
He didn’t want her to follow in the other’s tragic footsteps, namely, using her unique abilities for revenge or destruction. Things tended to happen for a reason, Clark mused. He could’ve been meant to encounter Laura now, while she was young, to prevent trouble in the future.
Chloe was about to interrogate Laura further, when Clark interrupted. “Ready to go, Chlo’?” He cut her off. “You must be starved by now, after all the exercise today.” Chloe took the hint. Translation: ‘Back off of Laura’. “Uh…yeah.” She stammered. “Sounds good, Clark.”
“Did you guys want to stay and order a pizza?” Laura offered sheepishly. “I have no culinary skills at all.” Just like Lois, Clark thought with a bemused smile. Clearly Laura didn’t want to be alone. He wished that he could take the young girl back to Smallville with them.
That wasn’t really an option, Clark thought with resignation. Sooner or later, she’d find out about Kara and I and our bizarre histories. Then he’d have to explain everything to her. Laura had her own life to live. Yet, he could still invite her to visit. “Hello? Earth to Clark?” Laura joked.
Chloe decided to play the bad guy. It was obvious that Clark was waffling. “Thanks Laura, but we have to get going. I still have an article to write for the paper before tomorrow morning.” Laura glanced down at her feet sadly.
“Thanks for the invite, though.” Chloe added. Clark had made up his mind. “Hey Laura, why don’t you come out to Smallville and visit sometime?” He asked and immediately the teenager’s face brightened. Chloe simply shook her head.
“Ooh, sounds like a rockin’ good time.” Laura quipped. “Thanks, I’ll just do that.” Laura steeled her resolve, went up to Clark and hugged him. Chloe rolled her eyes, and Laura hugged her just for show. “It’s been nice meeting you.” She added, far too sweetly.
“Good luck researching the caves. Let me know if you find anything interesting. I could always use the info for a term paper.” Laura added as Chloe nodded. She sighed deeply as she led her visitors back to Chloe’s car.
Clark spotted a motorcycle parked beneath a tarp alongside the Lake’s barn. “Is that your ride?” He gestured towards it. "Yup. That’s my dad’s 1985 Gold Wing.” Laura replied seriously. “I don’t have a license for it yet.”
Chloe’s eyebrows rose. “You don’t really need a car or motorcycle, do you?” Laura shrugged. “It’s mostly for sentimental value, as is my dad’s red Mustang. “I’ve got it covered and locked up inside the barn.” Laura continued.
“I have to try and keep up appearances." Laura admitted as Clark nodded. “I can relate to that!” He recalled his early infatuation with his dad, Jonathan’s motorcycle. "I also have a dirt bike and a ten speed." Laura added. “Good bye! See you soon?” she asked hopefully.
Clark flashed his devastating smile. “You can count on it.” Laura fought back a tear. Why am I being such a wuss? She wondered silently.
Maybe the Loracite is starting to wear off? She waved as Clark and Chloe drove away.
Maybe she had just fallen in love?
Next: chapter 2: Companion
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