An Assistant's Assistance

[Clana227]

great job, Card loved the idea of saving Johnathon Kent's life too.
PPMS

[Cardinal]

Chapter 4 - Father Knows Best

Clark couldn’t believe what he had just heard. Lana had just admitted that she knew all about the price that had to be paid in return for his life. How long has she known? How did she learn?

“How did you learn about that?” Clark asked. “That’s a more closely kept secret than where I’m from.”

Not sure how to handle this, Lana said, “We don’t have time for 20 Questions right now. Just get us back on ground level because we need to talk to this Jor-El character.”

Clark thought his eyes were going to bug out of his head when he heard Lana mention Jor-El. How the flip does she know that name? I swear, if Chloe's been talking to her, I’ll wrap her VW around a tree.

“Close your mouth, Clark, the doctor’s not here with a tongue depressor.”

Clark wasn’t sure if he could take any more surprises from Lana right now, but he was about to find out because Lana pointed down to the floor of the Fortress far below her and said, “Down there, Clark. Now. I have to pass on a message to you and Jor-El from a woman trapped in something called the Phantom Zone.”

Dumbfounded by Lana‘s inexplicable knowledge, Clark did as he was asked. He scooped his new fiancée up in his arms and leapt off of the precipice. As they picked up speed on their trip downward, it suddenly occurred to Clark to wonder how Lana was going to survive the landing. The gravitational forces caused by a sudden stop from the speeds they were reaching might cause her some internal injuries. As much as he hated the idea, he needed to try and slow down their descent and the only possible way was to try and fly.

Clark forgot all about how much he usually hated heights, all he wanted was to move upward just enough to slow their downward fall. Unfortunately, he thought ‘UP’ with great force and they rocketed skyward, accidentally shooting out of the top of the Fortress before coming to a halt a good five hundred feet in the air when Clark thought ‘SLOW DOWN’ and ‘STOP.’

Lana assumed that flight was something special he’d been saving, so she was as calm as can be. Clark, on the other hand, was panicking like never before. Setting a classroom, and the Talon, on fire was small potatoes compared to hovering five hundred feet in the air without having any idea of how flying really worked.

“Wrong direction, Clark,” Lana said humorously. “But I do like this demonstration of another ability…or are you going to tell me you just learned how to fly?”

That last comment was intended as a joke, but when Lana saw the sickly pallor of Clark’s face, she realized she was riding along with a student pilot…one who had never had a single flying lesson in his life.

Lana decided that distracting Clark right now would be a bad idea, so she kept quiet and began silently praying. Clark, meanwhile, was reviewing his thoughts just before they shot skyward. All he could remember was thinking ‘UP,’ and thinking it very hard. So maybe thinking ‘DOWN’ would work, only this time, he wanted to think it very softly.

Wonder of wonders, it seemed to be working. Clark and Lana started floating straight down at a pace that might not harm an egg upon landing. Lana wondered why they were moving so slowly, but she wasn’t about to ask him to speed up. For his part, Clark was proud of himself for figuring it out all by himself and was smiling like Lewis Carroll’s Cheshire Cat. It took them several minutes to reach the floor of the Fortress, but Clark was not going to risk moving faster with Lana along for the ride.

Once they hit the ground, Clark and Lana embraced as Clark said, “I’m glad you liked the demonstration and yes, that was my first time flying…unless you want to count what happened while you were in Paris with Jason.”

“Sorry, Clark. I…don’t seem to remember anyone named Jason. Do you?”

“Nope. There was an assistant football coach by that name, but you definitely weren’t dating him.”

“Didn’t think so.” Turning for a quick look around the Fortress, Lana saw the console and immediately headed for it. “Is this Jor-El really your father?”

“Yes.” Clark followed her, but decided it would be better for him to hold off on mentioning Jor-El’s role in his disappearances after their sophomore and junior years in high school. She might not be especially understanding of that, and from what she said, this is important.

“How do I contact him, Clark?”

“Just call out to him. He should answer.”

Lana turned to face the vast open spaces of the Fortress from her position at the console and said, “Jor-El!”

She was met with silence.

Once again, “Jor-El!”

More silence.

Finally, Lana spoke softly and said, “Jor-El. I have a message for you from Raya, an old assistant of yours who is trapped in the Phantom Zone.” He who ignores a shout, Lana thought, strains to hear a whisper.

That brought a response from Jor-El.

“You would be the one called Lana Lang, beloved of my only son, Kal-El.”

Works every time! Lana thought. “I don’t know Kal-El very well, but I love Clark Kent…still, that’s not what I’m here for right now. I have a message to pass on to you and to Clark.”

“How do you know who Raya is? Outside communication for one trapped in the Phantom Zone is impossible.”

“Maybe, but she was standing right next to me when she gave me the message.”

“Explain, Child.”

Sneaking a look at Clark, Lana enjoyed the fact that, for once in their lives, she was the one with the information. Turning back to the console, she said, “Well, to tell this in an understandable way, I’ll have to tell the entire story.” She reached over, clutched Clark’s hand, and said, “There are some things you’ll hear that will be painful for you. Other things I say may make you angry, but I beg of you in advance, please give me a chance to explain later.”

That scared Clark more than he wanted to let on, so he just squeezed her hand in response.

“Anyway, this story starts today, only, this is the third time Clark and I have lived this day. The first time…”

Lana’s tale went on for a long time. In it, Clark learned many things he’d rather not have known: that Lana had died in a car wreck while being chased by Lex, that he’d changed time to save her but had only exchanged her life for that of his dad, that he’d driven her away in a misguided attempt at saving her life only to send her into the arms of the man he was trying to save her from, and that that man had inadvertently helped release General Zod from his extra-dimensional prison.

Lana’s tales of the destruction wrought by Brainiac and Zod were horrific. She wasn’t sure how he had been defeated, but she did note that she thought it had to have been Clark, since no one else could hope to compete with Zod.

Lana then related Raya’s story, how Raya had found the time crystal and had sought her out in the Luthor Mansion. Then, at last, she mentioned Raya’s offer, ‘Trapped in the Phantom Zone…a last service to the House of El…No price too great.’

Clark was focused on Lana, he wanted to beg her forgiveness on the spot for the things he had put her through. Even though he hadn’t made his mistakes yet, she had already suffered because of them.

Jor-El was more practical, he was sorting through Lana’s tale and found it to be true. She knew too many otherwise unknowable things to have made this up, things even Kal-El did not know. She was also correct about Raya. His one-time assistant could not be safely brought out of the Phantom Zone now, and no one should have to live an eternity like that if they had not earned it. So Jor-El consented to do it. It was possible to contact her from this side. In fact, the very act of contact would kill her, and her death would be enough to balance Kal-El’s resurrection.

Once Clark figured out what was going on, he tried to protest, but Lana held him back, and said, “Clark, she’s stuck in Hell and this is her only way out. She sacrificed her freedom on Earth to help you regain the support you need here at the Fortress. My reset of time also returned those criminals that had escaped, and it saved countless lives and untold property damage here on Earth. After sacrificing her freedom to help you and this planet, you owe it to her to allow her to make this last sacrifice.

“Besides, if you don’t, the person that dies, and I’m convinced they will die tonight, could be me, or your dad, or your mom, or Chloe, or maybe even Lois. If someone has to die for you, shouldn’t that be someone that is irrevocably trapped in Hell?”

Clark’s shoulders slumped in defeat, he knew she was right, he was just tired of other people paying for his mistakes. Seeing no more protest from his son, Jor-El turned on his Phantom Zone projector and searched for Raya. Once she was located, he locked in on her body and made contact. Her death was immediate, her body disintegrated, she never knew what hit her.

“The life has been exchanged,” Jor-El intoned.

Clark’s friends and family were safe.

Before Clark and Lana left to try and make it to the election party on time, Jor-El had one parting thought for his son: “According to Lana Lang’s memories, I told once you that there was one trial you had yet to experience. Due to the greatness of Raya’s double sacrifice, you might never have to. DO NOT WASTE THIS CHANCE.”

[SVsleuth]

Yay! Another update!

That was awesome, how Clark had to learn to fly to protect Lana, and how Lana had to tell Clark & Jor-El what had happened in the 1st 2 time streams. Seems Lana skiped over the being pregnant with Lex's chils part. But I guess she didn't want to overwhelm him. Maybe she'll tell him later.

Can't wait to see what else happens differently this time around.

Raya made a huge sacrifice, giving up her own freedom on Earth in order to help Clark/Kal-El regain access to the Fortress, and to save many lives on Earth. Sad that anyone had to die, but at least Lana and J/K should be safe now.

Thanks for the update. And congratulations to the St. Louis Cardinals on their 7-2 win in game 1 of the World Series. Thanks for your Clana dedication that had you writing this update while watching your Cardinals. PPMS!

[Nemu]

2nd?


Yeah Clark... if you ever have to listen to Jor-El it is this time... do not mess up this chance...

Oh yeah... I KNEW IT!!!!!

lol... ok... im still confused about the grave trial Clark had to face... was it the death of someone... or is it everything about Zod?

Great work Card...

PPMS

[NYC300Z]

3rd! So Clark gets off lucky. He wanted to beg Lana for forgiveness even after he heard what happened with Lana and Lex or did Lana leave out some info? oh well that still shows how Clark always completely blames him self! I hope everything goes well for them for the rest of the day! Can't wait to see him showing Lana off to his parents and to see what Lex thinks!

PPMS!

[happycamper]

I'm stupid, and missed the meaning of what Raya had told Lana. I was halfway expecting Lana to make a sacrifice of herself...

Great job! I always assumed the test was the loss of one he loved. That is a test that anyone would be happy to avoid!! But the "might never have to" makes me think you're saying it is Zod?

The election party should be nice this time and with a very happy ending!

[deanyouk]

So great....

[*#~ ClAnAfAn99210~#*]

that was good+!!!

[Cardinal]

Chapter 5 - Start Spreading the News

Clark and Lana were hand-in-hand as they walked out of the Kawatche caves. Their bodies were pressed so tightly together that their clasped hands had to be held slightly in front of their bodies. Their moods, mirror images of each other, were happy, but subdued. The thought of the high price that had been paid for their happiness quelled any tendency they might’ve had to race around town celebrating their engagement.

Clark and Lana were going to go ahead and attend the election rally/victory party. They had enough time to get ready and still make it on time. Clark sped Lana to his house where her SUV and her change of clothes for the party were both located. Since their unexpected pow-wow with Jor-El had taken much of the afternoon, Lana hadn’t been able to go to the Talon early and help Lois decorate. So while Lana was taking her garment bag into the Kents’ house, she called Lois on her cell phone to apologize for the no-show.

Lois didn’t answer, which surprised Lana since she vaguely remembered Lois was planning on staying at the Talon after finishing the decorations so she could keep tabs on the early election returns while waiting for the party to start.

Clark took the first shower, even though he had gallantly offered it to Lana. Lana pointed out that he could shower quickly and then dress in his room, while she’d need to use the bathroom mirror to get ready after showering, so he should go first.

As Clark finished towel-drying his hair with a burst of super-speed, he could hear the water running in the shower, and he smirked when he realized that having Lana naked in his shower had been a hormonal teenage fantasy of his that had now come true. Of course, those thoughts led to other, related, thoughts and soon, Clark was seriously considering acting on those thoughts for the first time since his death. Now’s not the time for that, he thought, but sometime soon, it will be.

Lana took her time getting ready which was something Clark never begrudged her, because the results were always so spectacular. When she finally appeared, she was just pulling on her blue-gray double-breasted overcoat. Once she adjusted her white wool scarf and grabbed her purse, she was ready to go.

Lana was impressed to see Clark looking sharp in a dark blue suit, light blue oxford shirt, and a white-and-blue-striped red silk tie. He pulled on a black wool overcoat for show, and escorted his lady to her SUV.

By the time they made it to the Talon, the early arrivers were already celebrating the first set of official returns which showed Jonathan in the lead. Because this night belonged to Jonathan, and because Raya’s death dampened their excitement, Clark and Lana were trying to go low-key with the news of their engagement. Not seeing the Kents yet, the newly engaged couple searched out a few important friends and quietly broke the news.

Chloe was first, and she was flabbergasted at the news. It’s a rare occasion when Chloe Sullivan is caught speechless, but this was one of them. Her mouth hung open like a fish gasping for air as she flailed away in her mental dictionary, desperately trying to find the right words. The only thing she managed to utter, however, was a shriek…and then Lana showed her the ring.

That brought her out of her funk and she said, “Shut up! You two did not just get engaged,” as she pulled Lana’s hand in close for a proper inspection. Her characteristic snark came back full force as she said, “Hey, Clark, this ring is great! It doesn’t even look like you got it out of a vending machine.”

Clark gave Chloe the evil eye while Lana rolled her eyes. Clark’s glare had no effect on her as she fired an ear-to-ear grin at her two best friends. “It was only a matter of time for you two. I’m so happy for you both.”

Chloe then launched herself at Lana for a bearhug. She knew much of what Clark and Lana had gone through to reach this point in their lives, and she was genuinely thrilled for them. With her mouth near Lana’s ear, Chloe asked, “So, are you ready to take on this big lug?”

Also whispering, Lana replied, “Yes, Chloe, both sides of him. The humble man that I love, and the super-powered hero that I admire.”

When Chloe heard this confirmation that Clark had finally grown himself a brain and let Lana in, she gave Clark a big thumbs-up behind Lana’s back. After the girls stepped back, Clark asked Chloe if she had seen Lois yet this evening.

“No,” Chloe replied, “and that’s strange. With her mouth, I should be able to hear her if she was anywhere near this place tonight.”

Becoming concerned, Lana said, “I tried to call her earlier to apologize for missing out on the decorating, and she didn’t answer her cell. Maybe something’s wrong. She’s worked too hard to miss this party.”

“Yeah,” Clark replied, “when was the last time Lois missed a party?”

Clark decided to start at the obvious location, her upstairs apartment. He trotted up the steps with Lana and Chloe close behind. When a sharp knock on the door went unanswered, he used his x-ray vision and immediately found a body lying on the floor of the apartment. Clark charged inside and picked an unconscious Lois up off of the floor. Chloe was already on her cell phone calling 911, and Lana was checking Lois for any obvious injuries after shutting off the water in the sink.

Minutes later, Lois was awake but somewhat groggy as the paramedics rolled her into the ambulance for the short trip to Smallville Medical Center. Just before she was pushed into the waiting ambulance, she saw the ring on Lana’s finger and grinned. She picked Clark’s face out of those crowding around her and cracked, “So, Smallville, you finally nutted up and took the plunge. How sweet!”

The Kents pulled up just as the ambulance was leaving. They had been out for a quiet dinner before heading over to the Talon. Not seeing any panicked faces, Jonathan’s first inclination was to ask ‘Who died?’ but then he remembered that death was a touchy subject with Clark right now. Before he could think of a new way to phrase his question, Martha asked, “Who’s in the ambulance and what happened to put them there?”

Chloe rolled her eyes and said, “Danger-prone Lois knocked herself unconscious in her apartment. We found her just a few minutes ago.”

“Is she going to be all right?” Jonathan asked concernedly.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Kent…or should I say Senator Kent? Lois’ head is much harder than whatever she hit.”

As everyone moved back inside, Clark and Lana waited for the crowd to disperse a bit before approaching his parents. They didn’t know anything about what Clark had planned, much less the shocker that Lana had added to his schedule, so they were stunned to see a diamond ring sparkling from her ring finger as she strategically placed her left hand on Clark’s chest.

“Mr. and Mrs. Kent,” Lana said. “I know that this is as much of a surprise for you as it is for me.”

“Does this mean what I think it does?” Jonathan asked. Martha didn’t waste her time with stupid questions, she just made her way forward to get a closer look at the ring, and to welcome Lana to the family.

“Yes, Dad, all of it.” Clark shook his head in wonder. “She knows, and yet, she’s still wearing my ring.” The four of them spent several moments in heartfelt congratulation until the crowd quieted to hear the local TV station declare a winner.

When the crowd finally became silent, the four of them could hear the news anchor say, “…Jonathan Kent has just been elected to the Kansas State Senate in a staggering upset over corporate mogul Lex Luthor.”

The Talon erupted in cheers, and congratulations were coming in fast from the crowd of Kent supporters. When Jonathan’s cell phone rang and he moved off to answer it, that reminded Clark of one more person he needed to inform of his engagement tonight. He needed to get on the cell phone and call long-time friend Pete Ross. Pete was safe in Wichita these days, but they still kept in touch, and this was one piece of information Pete would definitely want to have.

Clark had no sooner dug out his phone than Lana’s phone rang. She checked the caller id and saw it was Lex. She looked at the iridescent blue of her phone’s screen for several long seconds before putting her phone away. Too much pain came of answering his call last time, Lana thought. I know he’s hurting right now, but I can’t take that chance. I’ll talk to him tomorrow…by phone.

[SVsleuth]

Yay for Lana! She ignored Lex's call!

So now Chloe and the Kents know Clark has told Lana all, and has proposed. So glad eveyone is happy - except maybe Lois, who is at the hospital.

And glad Clark & Lana can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing the price has already been paid by RAYA and no one else ought to die this night.

PPMS!

[Nemu]

ok 2nd?
Pretty wise idea Lana...

And shouldn't Clark and Lana keep an eye on the Senator?

Nice touch to add Pete (in a way) in the story...

PPMS

[happycamper]

3rd

So everyone important already knows about the engagement!

I'm glad that everything seems to be going so well. Raya's sacrifice has made everything possible.

Even though things would be different this time, I'm still glad that Lana decided to ignore Lex's call. Definitely better to wait until he's sobered up.

This is certainly a much better outcome!

[NYC300Z]

4 oh there are some loose ends still left. Will Jonathon still go and meet Lionel? What will happen at the meeting if he does? Lana is still going to talk to Lex? Even if it's by phone what is she going to tell him? It could still cause problems when Lex learns she's engaged to Clark!

PPMS!

[ClanaLover]

5 smilies, 5th reply.

Awesome updates Card! PPMASAP!!

Hey, SV never told me you updated, much less updated twice! No fair...

[Cardinal]

Chapter 6 - A New Beginning

With Lois not there to supervise things, it took a little while to get things organized, but eventually, the photographer corralled the Kents for a photo shoot. Lana was going to sit to one side and watch, but Clark wouldn’t have it.

“You’re one of the family now, Lana,” Clark said with a grin, “so get over here. Please?” Lana demurred but gave in when Jonathan and Martha enthusiastically seconded the idea.

The photographer took a number of family shots before concentrating on Jonathan and Martha, and finally, just on Jonathan. Martha looked on with adoring eyes as Jonathan posed. She rarely got to see her farmer husband all dressed up, but she thought he cleaned up just fine.

Martha snuck a peek at Clark and Lana, who were both still nearby, but off in their own little world. For years, Martha had privately wondered if he would ever be able to find that special someone, a someone who would have to be extra-special to deal with him and his heritage. Looking at Lana, Martha couldn’t imagine anyone being a better daughter-in-law. Lana was going to work out well.

Once the last guests left, Clark and Lana took it upon themselves to clean up the Talon since Lois was incapacitated and the Talon staff needed the place to be spotless when they opened for business the next day. All that was involved was Lana locking the doors and staying nearby to act as a lookout while Clark used his super-speed to clean the place in no time.

Amazed as the mess disappeared as if by magic, Lana clucked her tongue and said, “You are going to be sooooo handy to have around the house, Clark.”

Clark lifted the numerous trash bags with one hand and, as he headed for the back door, looked back over his shoulder and replied, “As long as I get to be the one sharing that house with you, then being handy is fine with me.”

Lana locked up with the spare key she had always kept at Lex’s insistence and they headed to Clark’s place. From the darkness of the house, the Kents appeared to already be in bed, so Clark and Lana headed to the loft. They had left their heavy overcoats in the SUV, but Lana had a walking heat source beside her to help keep her warm.

“This super-speed of yours will also come in handy in our relationship, now that you’ve officially let me know about it.”

“How so?” Clark asked, as they climbed the last few steps to the loft.

“I live a three-hour drive away from you right now, but for you, the trip might only be a fifteen minute run, so I expect frequent visits from you.”

Clark led Lana over to the half-open Dutch doors where he turned to her and said, “Five minutes.”

“Huh?”

“The trip takes only five minutes when I’m really in a hurry…which is roughly five times as long as the one minute it took for me to fall in love with you the first day we met.”

Lana never tired of hearing Clark tell her how much he loved her, but now that she had experienced the bitter pain of their future breakup, his declarations of love were sweeter still. “I don’t know if you heard this or not the day you got shot,” Lana said, “but it’s just as true today as it was then. ‘From the first moment that I saw you, I knew that no one could make me happier than you.’”

The two of them fell into a kiss, one of warmth and building passion. Not sure if Clark was ready to resume a physical relationship with her, and not wanting to get all worked up only to be turned away yet again, Lana broke off the kiss and retreated to the couch.

Confused, Clark took a seat beside her and asked her, “What’s wrong?”

“Kissing you like that, especially in this place, leads me to…” Shy about saying what she wanted now that the moment was upon her, Lana struggled to get her words out. “It leads me to want something more. Tonight of all nights, I want to be close to you, Clark. I want to celebrate our love, and the gift of life we’ve been given. What I want right now…is you. But what I need to know is, are you going to turn me away again? You’re not going to hurt my body, so…”

The rest of Lana’s words were muffled by Clark’s lips pressing against hers. Soon, their tongues were questing, probing into each other’s mouth. As Lana began pushing the blue suit coat from Clark’s shoulders, he pulled back and said, “Not here, not now at least.”

“Why not?” Lana asked. She was afraid Clark was still worried he’d hurt her and she was steeling herself to be disappointed once again.

“Because it’s Kansas in January. If we do what we both want to do, you’ll freeze your sexy butt off.”

“Well, my 'sexy butt' thanks you for your consideration, but I want some lovin’, Clark, and I want it right now. So what are you going to do about it?”

Clark stood, shrugged his coat back onto his arms, and picked her up. A second later, they were at the door to her SUV, where Clark instructed her to put on her overcoat. Once she had complied and locked the SUV again, Clark picked her back up and said, “Bury your face in my chest. It will be the only way to keep it warm.” As soon as Lana did as she was bid, Clark was off like a shot. Five minutes later, they were standing at the door to the dorm room she shared with Chloe.

Lana grinned when she realized that Chloe was gone for the night in Smallville and likely wouldn’t come back to Metropolis until Lois checked out of the hospital in the morning. Lana quickly fished her room key out of her pocket and unlocked her door. Still holding her in his arms, Clark shouldered the door out of the way and stepped across the threshold. Lana raised an eyebrow at that, but Clark just winked and said, “I’m getting in some practice for our honeymoon.”

When Clark set Lana down, she wasted no time removing her coat and pulling Clark down with her to sit on her bed. As their hungry mouths moved closer together, Lana murmured, “Now, where were we?” and then her lips captured his with a passionate kiss as their clothes were sent flying. Soon, there was nothing between them except for the love they shared.

At last, Clark and Lana were together and moving toward the same goal, in life, as much as in bed. There were many special challenges ahead for them, from the everyday trials of a working marriage, to the real possibility of Lex becoming a host for Zod, to Lionel blackmailing Jonathan. But whatever challenges were set before them, they would face them together, now and forever more.

The End

A/N: There will be a one chapter epilogue to this fic. I'll write that after I get back to my long-neglected main fics and get them moving again.