"Path" (Season Four Redone)

[aqua]

CLICK HERE FOR ANIMATED TEASER! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/Dennys/seasonfour.gif)

DISCLAIMER: Don't own anyone or else I would be swimming in money.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Um, first off. Hi. I'm not a Clana fan, but this is a Clana story. I'm not a fan of any ships actually, so don't expect me to have bias to anyone. I don't. But my friend, who is a diehard Clana fan, was saying how season four would have been great if Lana didn't go to Paris. So, I needed to flex my writing muscles and decided to write season four as if Lana didn't go to Paris.

I'm not going to write them episode by episde. There could be, say, scenes that were inbetween "Unsafe" and "Pariah." So I'm not going to be strictly by episodes, but you'll know which range of episodes this is in

Erm, yeah. That's it. Feedback appreciated, as always. :) Hope you enjoy!

Crusade. "Nightly Routine"

The sky turned into the rich color of blood red which slowly melted into the mellow orange. It lit up the town of Smallville as people flocked to see the marvelous sunset. It was a short, but sweet, thing as soon a heavy marble sky overtook the luscious sunset.

Lana gave a short sigh as she watched this sight from the Smallville Inn.
Everyday, when it was time for the sunset, Lana arranged a hard wooden chair on the tiny balcony that she had been provided. And every night, when the sun went down, she sat out there faithfully, in the sticky heat as she watched this.

And now she stayed out there. letting the gust of cool air wash over her and cleanse her of the small trickles of sweat that had been accumulating on her forehead.

Life was good.
That was the saying wasn't it? When everything was going well for you, when you had no worries, no regrets, no cares in the world. When you always had a shining smile plastered over your place and when you had a small bounce in your step. When your voice was full of joy and happiness.

That's when life was good.

Then life was pretty bad.

Lana Lang was plagued with worries, regrets, and lived and breathed all of the cares in the world. Her face usually had a set frown that was etched with sorrow and dispair. Her steps weren't bouncy. Rather, she dragged her feet behind her, reluctant to even walk. And her voice was flat. It never went up, never went down, never showing any emotion because all of the emotion was ripped out of her and stepped on with a harsh foot.

Life sucked.

Chloe was dead. Her safe house had exploded. Lana knew, of course, that this was no accident. She knew that Lionel Luthor was sitting behind bars, smiling like the Cheshire Cat. And Chloe was alongside her father, buried in the ground. Her best friend was murdered and she couldn't do anything about it.

The funeral was awful. Everyone who attended Smallville High was present. Three quarters of the crowd was sobbing into their handkerchiefs. Lana had to give the eulogy. She had no idea what to say, or why she was even giving it. That spot was reserved for family. But there was no family there. Chloe once said she had a tiny family and her closest thing to a sister was her cousin. Apparantely not that close, as she was absent from the service. Not family, just the people that she saw everyday, her classmates and the citizens of Smallville.

Except one.

Lex was off to an undisclosed location. She had almost lost another friend when she stormed into the Luthor Mansion and found him wriggling like a fish out of water between the shards of glass, clutching his throat, his face turning a deadly shade of purple. The ambulance soon arrived that Lana called and Lex was in the hospital for three days. She visited him each day and soon he got better and better. He wouldn't say what was wrong with him, but Lana had a good guess.

The Cheshire Cat.

And lastly, her own family was taken away.

Not Nell. No, Nell no longer seemed like her aunt. Just some woman that sent money monthly to her. Dean must have been taking up most of her time.

No, the Kents. The Kents had always been like the family she always craved. Always wished that she had. Martha and Jonathan Kent had been parents to her for four years. Clark had been so much more...

Jonathan Kent was lying in a coma and the doctors were firm in their belief that he would never get to milk the cows again. Martha Kent was a wreck and the farm was about to be sold. She spent every waking moment at that hospital, reading to him in a soft, hopeful voice, her eyes darting up from the pages every few seconds, as if he would suddenly awake because of his wife's words.

But he wouldn't.

And last but not least.

Clark.


Lana gave a last look to the world she was leaving behind. No more Kansas. She had woken up for the last time in the Sullivan household. She had served her last cup of coffee at the Talon. She had visited her friends one last time. She had seen them all one last time.

Except, she wanted to see one friend.

Her eyes started to scan the crowd stupidly. Lex had morphed into the sea of black already. No, she wasn't looking for him.

Clark.

She wasn't angry that he didn't drop her off. Less than it. Chloe said that he wasn't at the courthouse. She was worried. What if something was wrong? What if he was lying in a ditch somewhere? While she was galavanting off to Paris, putting on a beret and eating grapes.

Clark?

Lana almost choked on her tongue as she looked across the busy street and saw him. His tall and broad frame stuck out like a sore thumb, in his bright red and blue. Her eyes trailed his body down to his hands where she saw, clutched in them, a white rose that was dangling dangerously.

Screw the plane.

She pushed aside a smoking taxi driver, almost getting the cigarette in her eye. She dashed across the street, ignoring the annoyed honking cars. She squeezed her way through as she never took her eyes off that beautiful sight, the sight that she needed to see. The one that would convince the little voice in her head that was telling her that maybe Paris wasn't the right thing to do.

Lana waited impatiently as a bus zoomed by.

Soon it disappeared and she ran in her high heels to where Clark had been standing. But he wasn't there. There was no Clark Kent, just the white rose, laying on the ground. She bent down slowly and picked it up, fingering it as she continued to look around.

Where was he?

Lana always enjoyed summer mornings. They felt so refreshing. They made her feel so alive, so revigorated. It was like whatever happened before didn't matter. It never happened. It was a new day.

Wasn't like that anymore. She usually slept all morning and woke up in the afternoon. After doing whatever chores she had to do, she made sure to go back to her hotel room and watch the sunset. After that, it was time to go out again.

Lana parked her car at Smallville Medical Center and slowly slid out of it. She walked slowly to the hospital and pushed open the doors. Most of the receptionists knew her and Mrs. Kent, along with other people who went everyday. They exchanged a wave as Lana squeezed into the elevator and went to the appropriate floor.

As she got out and walked to Jonathan Kent's room, she peered inside to prepare herself for what was happening. She always did this stupid routine, when she knew that there would be no change.

"What are you reading today?" asked Lana as she hovered over Martha.

"Huck Finn," Martha said warmly, giving a kind smile as she carefully marked her page. She cast a look over the slumbering Jonathan and turned back to Lana. "It's his favorite."

Lana gave her a tiny smile. She never let Mrs. Kent know how broken down she had been over the last few months. She didn't want to bog the woman down with Lana's troubles, along with her own. No, Martha Kent always saw a bright, cheerful Lana Lang that immediately disappeared as soon as she exited to hospital room.

Another thing Lana noticed was how Mrs. Kent never used past tense. Whenever talking about her beloved husband, she always used "he loves" or "he is." She never gave up hope.

"Have the doctors..." Lana began.

"Same situation," Martha interjected, her face becoming spiteful. "They want me to pull the plug... But I won't. I know that he'll wake up sooner or later. And if it's going to be later, then I'll just wait."

Lana nodded, holding back a small stinging tear that was threatening to run down her face. Imagine that decision. It must have been exteremely difficult. But Mrs. Kent made it look simple, almost downright dumb to think that Mr. Kent wouldn't wake up.

It was what Lana was wrestling with. Could she still pick up the phone and pray that Clark was on the other line or move on? Could she put her life on pause for this one guy? For something that might not even last?

But what else was there?

Just emptiness.

"Could you drop this off in the kitchen?" Martha asked, reaching down beneath her chair and pulling out a thin envelope that was from the hospital.

Lana replied immediately, "Of course."

It wasn't a weird thing to ask. Martha knew that everyday, after visiting her and Jonathan in the hospital, she would stop by the house, walk through the loft, look through the telescope, and the leave. It was the end of her nightly routine before she went back to the small and dingy motel that she was condemned to.

Mrs. Kent had offered Lana a million times to stay with her at the farm. But Lana couldn't do that. She didn't deserve it. Because if she had only crossed the street faster, if only she had seen Clark before, then maybe he wouldn't be gone.

"Excuse me." The doctor's monotone voice drifted into the room as he walked in, giving a professional nod to Lana, which she returned. "Mrs. Kent, I was wondering if I could talk to you alone?" He threw an obvious look at Lana, who immediately gave a rushed goodbye and shuffled out of the room.

[dreammaster]

awesome start

[Cardinal]

No...Lana just misses Kal! At least there's no Jason. :D

[MOOman0618]

YES! NO STUPID JASON! I really enjoy your writing style...very vivid. I will most enjoy reading this story!

How much of season 4 are you going to keep and how much will be totally new?

[aqua]

Thanks for the comments so far! :) I really appreicate them.

Originally posted by MOOman0618
YES! NO STUPID JASON! I really enjoy your writing style...very vivid. I will most enjoy reading this story!

How much of season 4 are you going to keep and how much will be totally new?

The general plots of the stories, basically. Such as, there will be a Scabby Abby, Lionel and Clark will switch bodies, Isobel will appear (I'm rewriting how that whole arc was handeled) Just take the FOTW or problem of each episode and that's what I'm keeping. Everything else is fair game.

[SmallvilleMan]

I see, now that, that is cool:cool: Good job;)

[spacewalker_33.3]

nice start, that is a cool idea, u got me intrigued!

[ClarksGirl21]

yeah this is really cool! keep it up!

[binkys711]

WOW!!!THAT WAS AN AWESOME START!!!PPMS!!!dang it! she just missed Clark...erm...i mean...Kal...i mean...oh whatever!:p

[SVsleuth]

That was a great start. I'm going to love this! But why do some of you say it was Kal at the airport? It was still Clark. That happened before Jor-El sucked him away to wherever, & 3 months before he returned as Kal-El.

Great job, aqua. Keep going.... :)

[Rain88]

GREAT START I REALLY LIKE HOW UR DOING THE STORY. PPMS.

[4EverSmallville]

I think they mean Kal-El at the hospital, SVSleuth.

Great start, I can't wait to see how you approach the different episodes. I'm most anticipating the witch arc :).

[EyeluvTom]

That was great, can't wait for more! ;)

[LuvClana]

Wow! I can't wait to hear more! PPMS!

[Scotty]

I wonder if Lana will run into Kal-El on the way out? I'm hooked already! I can't wait for more.

[NYC300Z]

Nice Start! Yeah will Lana see Kal b4 she leaves? oh well maybe it's best to wait on that one...PPMS!!

[aqua]

Bordering Between Reality and Insanity


Lana shut the door to the house, completing her chore.

She slowly walked across the dead patches of grass and entered the barn. As soon as she walked in, the familiar musky smell wafted into her nostrils. How good it smelt. The mixture of the summer air, the hay, and of course, Clark, which was the single most greatest smell in the world.

Lana began to climb the steps, letting her hand run up the rough wood. She fingering a fuzzy red blanket that was hanging on the raling. It felt so soft, so good...

She reached the top of the loft and instantly many memories hit her all at once.

"I know, it's not your birthday for another seven minutes, but I wanted to surprise you."

"Speech, speech, speech, speech!"

"Whoever said anything about skinny dipping? Maybe in your dreams, Clark."

"We're going to be friends for a very long time. We may have our ups and downs, but that's just the way it works."

"I'm scared."

"Are you sure you don't want to be that guy?"

"Life is about change. Sometimes it's beautiful, sometimes it's painful... Sometimes it's both."

Lana slumped onto the couch, pondering that last statement.
Life certainly changed. Her best friend was dead. Her parental figure was in a coma. Her business partner was off on a secret journey. And the boy that she loved so much was missing.
Where was the beauty? Where was the wonderful light that came after the treacherous storm? The storm was certainly over. But there was no light. There never would be light, it seemed. Just an empty hole inside her that could never be filled. But it needed to be filled.

This was worse than death. Knowing that you have to wake up everyday with a piece of your life missing. Going through life doing the same thing over and over again. Sometimes, she didn't think it was worth living. It would be easier to throw herself off a cliff or to put a revolver to her head and ever so gently pull the trigger. It would be painful, but only for a few seconds. Then she would be in eternal peace. No more worrying, no more crying.

Peace.

That's just what she wanted.

Peace.

Lana snapped her eyes open and took in the place around her. She shook her head and stood up. Suicide thoughts were stupid. She wasn't going to commit suicide. Not yet, anyway. If Clark was dead, if it was announced without a doubt, she probably would. What would be the point of living?

But she had to live now. For Clark. If she didn't give up hope, if she kept coming to this wonderful loft, maybe she would hear his deep, warm voice or feel his soft touch.

Just maybe.

Lana ran her fingers across the couch and strode over to the loft window. The window were she watched the sunset with Clark. Where red and orange became one. The place where...

Her eyes looked sharply down below as she saw a truck barrelling into the gravel driveway. Lana checked her watch. Too early for Mrs. Kent to be home. Who was this?

Clark!

She hung out the window, letting the cool air push back her hair, let it flow wildly in the wind. She stared at the truck, imagining Clark jumping out and looking up at her with a great big smile. He would run up to the loft and kiss her like he never had before. There would be no more worry.

But when the door open her hope was crushed when it was indeed Martha Kent, her usually tense face looking a bit flustered. What was she doing home so early?

She saw Mrs. Kent hustle around the truck, her head swiveling around like a spy in a secret agent movie. She opened the car door, peered around again, and slowly reach into the passenger side and pull out a tall, broad shouldered young man with rich, wavy brown locks, a dark tan, and a rather confused look on the face that had been haunting her in her dreams every night.
Was she fantasizing it? Was her tired mind playing tricks on her? Or was this imagination finally coming true?

It was!

Lana gave a gasp and clutched the butterflies in her stomach that were bouncing around, begging to be set free. Her hand started to quiver and her knees started to shake as she stared at Martha leading her son like he was a little child. After one last look to make sure this was all real, she turned on her heal and made a desperate dash towards the loft stairs, skipping two, three, fours steps at a time, not caring if her ankle snapped in two. As long as Clark would be there.

She rushed around the side of the house, wondering where Mrs. Kent found him. If he was okay. If he was the same old Clark.

They were no where to be seen. She saw a small light flicker on in the kitchen and she gave a giddy grin as she jumped up to the door and rapped loudly on it, tapping her foot very impatiently as she waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Finally the door swung open and the same flustered Mrs. Kent appeared, her cheeks with splashes of color stretched out on her face. "Lana," she spat out, looking behind her and turning back looking very uncomfortable. "I thought you..."

"You found Clark?" Lana interrupted with the first happy voice that she had used in months. Her grin lit up the backyard as she started to rub her hands together, anticipating their first meeting.

"What?"

The reply was shallow. Martha looked confused and worried as her lips pursed together as she peered at Lana.

Lana repeated, feeling a little bewildered and out of the loop, "You found Clark, right?"

"Uh, no," Martha said, turning around and looking back at Lana, looking a little sad. "You must have seen something else. It's late, Lana, and you're probably tired. You should go home and go to sleep. Your mind's probably playing tricks on you, that's all, dear."

Lana stared long and hard, feeling as she did at the beginning of the summer: like her heart had been ripped out. Only this time, that this cruel person had shoved it back in and let it drop to the bottomless pit of her stomach.

"I'm sure..."

"I'm tired too," Martha cut in with a weary smile. "I'm going to lay down. Oh, and Lana, the doctors... They- they told me that- the doctors, I mean- need to do tests on Jonathan... all day, so I won't be at the hospital, dear. You should go shopping or something instead! I hear they just opened..."

"Mrs. Kent," Lana said, her lips barely forming the words as her voice started to waver. "Clark... I could have sworn... Maybe my mind... I..." Lana couldn't continue, she was at a loss of words. The shock, the disappointment, the horror of this all being her tricky imagination.

An emotion that Lana couldn't place appeared on Mrs. Kent's face as she said in a low tone, "I wish I could say I did. Goodnight."
Lana was left standing on the doorway, wondering if it was all just a dream. If she really was losing it. But she couldn't have been dreaming about that worried, cold Martha Kent, instead of the normal kind and comforting one.

But maybe...

But maybe...

Maybe she really was losing it.

[Cardinal]

Oh that's cold, Mrs. Kent! Lying to Lana like that.

[MOOman0618]

Poor Lana! She is totally freaking out! I wish Mrs. Kent would have told her the truth. Well...in just a little bit it should all be over right??

[Ketchup]

Woah finally got caught up with ur story. Your writing is amazing! As someone said before me - so vivid! PPMS and Mrs. Kent must be a pretty good liar =D

[4EverSmallville]

Oh, I felt bad for Lana there lol. She thinks she's losing her mind. That was harsh of Mrs. Kent, but I don't know what else she could have done.

Great update.

[NYC300Z]

I can't believe Martha lied to Lana like that.....she could have least told her Clark wasn't feeling ok and that he couldn't have visitors yet. I still can't believe she lied like that and then told her not to go to the hospital after she's been the only one supporting her...can't wait for Lana to find out the truth!

PPMS!!

[clana4ev3r]

:( Dude..... that sucks..... how could martha lie like that. :(

[dreammaster]

awesome chapter

[SVsleuth]

Great update. Hey, y'all, Martha's just as good at lying as Jonathan & Clark. They've been perfecting the art for 13 or 14 years, right? Anyway, in her mind, she hasn't found Clark, just a body that looks like him but is cold & distant. He doesn't know her, she doesn't know him. Martha didn't want Lana to have to go through what she is feeling.

Poor Lana, though. Now she thinks she's going crazy, hallucinating or something. She wants to see Clark SOOOOOOOOOOO badly.

Okay, please get on with the story, so Clark can be Clark again. This is great. Thanks for the update. :)

[booze_is_me09]

PPMS!

[aqua]

A Piece of the Puzzle or More Pieces?


Lana was sitting on the bed of her apartment, twiddling her thumbs when there was a soft knock on the door. She jumped up immediately and opened it to reveal a guilty looking Martha Kent.

"Lana," she spit out right away, going into a long and rambling speech, "I did find Clark and I'm sorry I didn't tell you but I was nervous because he was all different and I know it was very wrong of me and I felt so bad about it so I just had to come over here and tell you please forgive me it was a horrible thing to do but I didn't know what else to do so I came here and I brought Clark he's coming up right now oh Lana will you please forgive me?"

There was no room in her speech to squeeze in any form of puncuation.

Lana's heartbeat started to quicken and her heart fluttered. "Clark? Here?"

And then she saw his figure appear. It was the most magical thing in the world. They both stood still, their eyes becoming one until finally he ran over to her, grabbing her hips violently as his lips landed on hers with a crash when-

Lana's eyes opened suddenly from her dream. She looked up and instead of Clark's face, she just saw the blur that was a ceiling fan.

Lana gave a sigh. The dreams were becoming more and more realistic, which made it that much harder to wake up. Especially to this depressing life. The accumulation of her money, gone down the drain to live in this hell-hole.

But she deserved it, a voice in her head reminded Lana.

Why did she have to wake up? Why couldn't she remain in an eternal slumber, dreaming about her and Clark together forever. Dream about Chloe magically rising from the dead, coming out of the dirt with a steaming cup of coffee in her head. Dream about Lex coming home from wherever the hell he was and never leave his castle, and everytime her, Clark, and Chloe went over to shoot some pool, there he'd be, with his smug grin and a cup of some alchoholic beverage clutched in his hand.

Why, oh why, did life have to be this way?

Lana's hand grasped her comforter and threw it over the bed. After laying there, not moving, for a few minutes, she reluctantly hoisted herself up and stood up on the shaggy carpet, her eyes adjusting to the dim light as she moved like a tortoise to get dressed for the day.

This was the first morning that she had gone out in a long while. Lana checked the electronic clock and saw the bright red numbers reading 10:36. It was certainly early for her, but for some reason, she felt drawn to the sunshine.

Lana marched down the stairs and past Pat, the manager, who gave a sleezy toothless smile and a waggle of his big bushy eyebrows. She ignored his rudeness, not even bothering to give him a glance as her face was plunged in penetrating sunshine.

When she reached her SUV, Lana realized with a kick to the head that her keys were sitting right next to her lamp. She hesitated but decided that she didn't care to walk back up so she thrust her hands into her pockets and dragged her body down the practically empty streets of coffee, deciding that a strong cup of coffee was the needed thing to give her body a jolt.

Her mind was still buzzing from last night. She spent hours lying in that bad, her mind arguing with itself. Did she imagine Clark or was he really there? Why would Martha lie? But why was she acting so strange?

She wanted to believe her mind, but lately it was beginning to chip away at itself. She wasn't sure that her brain was even functioning correctly. Right now she was walking as if she was a zombie.

Lana pushed open the doors and walked into the bright busy walls of the Talon. Lex hadn't sold it and some unknown girl who she never saw in her life was behind the cash register. She shrugged, waited in line, still wondering if she was finally pushed to the edge, and ordered a cup of coffee when it was her turn.

"Here you are," the girl said, handing Lana a portable styrafoam cup with she grasped and turned around, not bothering to listen to the "Have a nice day." Like she really cares about her day.

"Excuse me," Lana grumbled, her bloodshot eyes staring at the prize: the door ahead. She hadn't been in this place in a long time and she saw a lot of people eager to make conversation, something that really wasn't in the lexicon of her abilities. "Hi," a young man who she had never met began, standing in front of her. "You look familiar. I'm Jaso-"

Lana said loudly, "I really have to go, sorry." Before elbowing him square in the chest before rushing out of the Talon and leaning against the glass window, giving a huge sigh of relief.

That was decidedly difficult. So many cheery people, smiling, joking laughing. It was draining on her, taking any happiness that was inside the deep caverns of her insides and taking it away.

She gave a long sip of her coffee and her jitters were immediately pushed aside with the warm liquid splashing through her. It felt so much better and gave her the strength to move on, so she got up and started to walk towards that big white building labeled Smallville Medical Center.

Lana was curious to see what was going on up there. Mr. Kent had tests done on him numerous times before and Mrs. Kent was always there, never discouraging Lana to keep her company. So why did she push away this time?

It just didn't make sense.

She gave a nod to the receptionist, got a short trip on the elevator, and made her way down the brightly lit hallway until she finally reached Jonathan Kent's room, which, to her great surprise, was filled with only the comatose man. There were on extra tubes attached to the machine next to him, no annoyingingly silent doctors hovering over him, and the shades weren't pulled down, which is what the doctors always did when they performed their tests.

Still confused, she walked into the room and tried to look for any sign that doctors had been, but all results were negative. Giving a small confused sigh, she lowered herself into the chair across from Mr. Kent's figure and decided to wait for a doctor to come, so he could give her the full story.

[MOOman0618]

I literally threw my hands in the air and groaned when I found that Lana was just dreaming!! Great update! I really feel sorry for her...she seems to have nothing left, no friends, no family, nothing. Hopefully Clark snaps out of it soon and all is right again.

[SVsleuth]

Me too. I was like, "Noooooooooo, it's just a dream?" Poor Lana. Maybe it was good that she went to Paris (on the show) after all. :\ Everyone always thought it would have been better if Lana never left, but so far, she's not very happy at all.

[dreammaster]

another awesome chapter

[aqua]

"Realization and a Roadblock"


"Why, hello," Mr. Kent's doctor said, his eyebrows crawling up his rough face in surprise. "I didn't expect you to be here this early. You usually come in the evening."

"Yeah," Lana said, ignoring the small talk and standing up. "Has all of Mr. Kent's tests been run?"

The doctor, again, looked confused.

"They were done a week ago, so, yes, they all are. Why..."

Lana's throat clenched up as she remembered Mrs. Kent's words. "Jonathan's getting some tests done tomorrow." She wasn't imagining that. Her fantasies were strictly about Martha's son. Certainly this happened. Certainly she was lied to, and certainly that look on Mrs. Kent's face...

Guilt.

It was guilt! She finally placed it. The way she kept giving quick glances over her shoulder, how her teeth were nibbling nervously at her bottom lip... How there were patches of red on her cheeks... How there was reluctance in her voice... It all wound up to guilt. How could she have been so stupid to not see it?

So that meant...

Clark...

Was home?

"I have to go," Lana said in a high-pitched, excited voice and shoved the doctor out of the way, sending him stumbling into the chair that she had just been sitting in. Lana dashed down the hallway and to the elevator, whose doors were closing in a mocking way. Lana gave a frustrated groan and began pressing the DOWN button with her shaking finger.

"Screw it," she mumbled to herself as she flung open the door to the stairs and began barrelling down them like there was no tomorrow. Sure, she knew that this was completely inappropriate behavior in a hospital and should be scolded by a nurse or doctor, but as her high heels skimmed the immaculate steps and her hands grapled with the railing, she really didn't care.

When Lana finally made it out of that stuffy hospital, she nearly died when she remembered that she had walked to the hospital. Stupid, stupid Lana, she told herself in her head.

It was exactly six minutes and 23.4 seconds later when she reached the rundown inn and ran into her room for her keys. However, when she arrived and began to pick them up, something happened that surprised, stunned, and startled her. Such a shocking event, so unexpected...

The next thing she knew, it was almost midnight as she awoke groggily in her bed.

[dreammaster]

awesome chapter short but awesome

[Ketchup]

Im feeling Lanabelle =D Awesome short teaser-update, with a cliffie... damn post more already! :D

[4EverSmallville]

Great updates. Sounds like Isabelle is on the way, but I wonder how she came about this time. And how long it will be before she sees Clark. Will he still be Kal-El? Will Lana tell Clark about Isabelle? Your fic definitely unearths some questions, I can't wait to read the answers.

[spacewalker_33.3]

nice update, i'm hooked again, oh well, that's becoming rutine....

[linn]

YEA

[blahblah]

This story is really great! PPMS!

On a side note; aqua, have you written any other smallville fics? I would love to read more of your stuff.

[aqua]

Originally posted by blahblah
This story is really great! PPMS!

On a side note; aqua, have you written any other smallville fics? I would love to read more of your stuff.

Thanks! :)

Yeah, I've written a two that go together but I really hate them so I never show anyone. I've also written an NC-17 fic called "Corset" that I'm reluctant about posting. It's not really that bad, really a kind of silly thing with campy jokes, but just to be safe I rated it that way. All the others are about Buffy.

If anyone wants to read it post here and I'll put it up later.

[MOOman0618]

Wow...so many ways this could go... Will Isobel meet Kal-El? That would be crazy.

Wow...thats it, just wow.

[aqua]

"Dreaming of Destiny"


What.

The.

Hell.

Lana's eyes were screaming at her to keep them shut. Whenever she tried to widen them, her long thick eyelashes would latch together, allowing only two slits of eyes. She could barely see through them and only saw big blotches of color. She found her hand under the very tangled sheets and felt around like a blind person for her clock. Her hands finally closed around it, but when she went to read it, a huge blur of vibrant red was staring her in the face.

Lana sighed and flopped down on her back. What happened? Did someone spike her coffee? She felt as if she was drunk beyond belief. Her head was throbbing, blocking out any other sound in the room. Her whole body was drenched in an icy cold sweat which caused her body to shiver uncontrollably.

And how did she get naked?

Lana groaned, her whole body aching. Her limbs were feeling as if they were rusted and would fall off if she even attempted to move them. Her throat was sore and her back had a painful sting in it.

She couldn't get out of bed. It was physically impossible. She was trapped, motionless. And so tired. Her energy was diminished. Why was she even here? Didn't she come back for something? Something... What was it?

It didn't matter. All that mattered was sleep...

Sleep...

She was so tired...

So she allowed her little slits to close themselves and her mind to slowly slip away...

She was diving into a great sea of sparkling blue waves that were crashing over each other. The water was wonderfully warm on her soft skin and it was as clear as crystal underwater. As she continued to swim, going deeper and deeper until she reached sea level, she realized that, strangely, there was no life under here. There were no tropical fish or bright coral reefs, or even seaweed. Just a neverending ocean.

When Lana reached the bottom of the ocean floor, she reached out and began to rub the tiny grains of sand within her small hand. She began to pick up more and more, loving the feel, until she began to dig for more, her hands going deeper and deeper, sand flying everywhere until she reached the bottom. To her surprise, there was nothing there... No more sand, just a big pit which she was sucked into.

Wherever Lana landed, she didn't know. She looked down and saw herself sitting on a cracked black rock. She looked around, but only to see billowing fog blocking her way. She tried to look past it, but it was too thick. So, she stood up and began to drift through it, investigating all of the fog until she saw a small piece of red at the end. The fog was lifting there. She had to get out of this fog. She was beginning to choke on it.

Lana began to walk at a slightly quicker pace to the red, which was eventually getting bigger and bigger until she reached the end. She was surprised to find herself in a circle of high flames. She turned around to go back into the land of the fog but all she saw was two enormous flames licking each other and spreading.

She whipped around to see a large wooden pole stuck into the dirt and tied to it was Lex, wearing his expensive designer suit and looking fine, not even giving a second glance to the menacing fire.

"Lex," Lana breathed, rushing to him, "we have to get out of here. The flames will kill us..."

"Oh, no," Lex's smooth, slippery voice replied as he let out a chuckle. "They can't kill either of us. You know you can put them out and I am one with the flames. They live in me. They have become me. They are me."

Lana's brow furrowed as she saw the flames beginning to inch towards them.

Lana told Lex in a loud, panicked voice, "Lex, we need to get out of here. Let me untie you."

Lex blinked in an annoyed way.

"I told you, Lana. I am the flames," he told her, nodded and giving a kind, serene smile, in which Lana didn't understand. And just as she was about to run around to untie him, she saw the pole to which he was tied to be engulfed in wild flames.

"Lex!" Lana shouted, her voice cracking. "You need to get out of here!"

"Lana," Lex said, his voice now serious and businesslike. "I am the flames. I am the fire. The fire is branded." Lana tried to reply but her voice was gone. Lex smiled at this and continued, musing to himself, "It's funny, but I wasn't supposed to be branded. You were, of course. Prophecies are tricky things. But I guess that there's a high power somewhere the picked me. It's really quite great."

Lana's hand went to her throat as she continued to shout at the top of her lungs. But nothing came out still.

"I am the fire," Lex said. "The fire is me."

And with that, he smiled a broad, crocodile smile which continued to get wider and wider. And Lana watched in horror as he opened his mouth and a giant flame shot out of it and covered his head, making its way down his body until it covered him. Lex Luthor had turned into a flaming ball of fire.

Lana's eyes widened and she tried to turn around but the wall of fire was beginning to burn her clothes. She smelt it. She turned back to the ball of fire that was Lex and saw herself in it. Not her whole body, but a ghostly face that mimicked hers.

"Come to me," the ghost that looked like Lana said in a slurring face. "The water is terribly warm."

Lana didn't have to reply. She jumped into the flame towards the ghost that looked like herself. Everything went black and she was surprised that she couldn't see any fire. Just black until she was spit out into the sky. Yes, this was the sky. she saw the misty clouds and small white stars twinkling in the dark night sky.

Lana looked down and saw that she must have been flying. She saw many houses down below her like little play things. There was the Sullivan's house. She squinted and saw Chloe and her mom playing tag with each other. Next door was the giant Luthor castle. She saw a purring cat sitting on the top and soon the face of Lionel appeared on the cat, grinning broadly, looking towards Chloe and her mom.

Lana tried to scream out, she really did. But Chloe and Mrs. Sullivan didn't hear it. So, the cat that was Lionel began to hunt its prey. As Mrs. Sullivan laughed gaily, Lionel sprang and devoured her whole.

Chloe gave a cry and rushed Lionel when...

But she couldn't see anymore. For some reason, she was skyrocketing higher and higher and the scene she was viewing was soon covered with black. And as her hair was dancing wildly in the wind she eventually reached the top of the world where it was only she and...

"We'll be together," a voice whispered in her ear and Lana wheeled around to see Clark floating behind her. He was wearing his traditional red and blue and looked so comforting.

Lana asked softly, "Will we? I'm not so sure."

"Of course," scoffed Clark, brushing aside a bee that was trying to get into its ear. He turned to it and scolded, "Lois, no." After the bee zipped away, he turned back to Lana and smiled brightly. "I made sure that we're one."

"We're one?" Lana repeated, not understanding.

"Of course," Clark said again, looking annoyed that Lana wasn't catching on. "My destiny encircles yours. You're in my destiny now. You and me. And of course, Him."

The Him definitely had an uppercase on it.

"Him?" Lana asked, cocking her head to its side.

"I didn't want to," Clark whined like a five year old, sitting down on a cloud and rocking back and forth, his hands pulling his long legs together so he was in a little ball. "But Daddy said I had to. But ignore him. You and me. Our destiny's collide. Because it's all about destiny. You know that."

"I'm not sure I do," Lana replied.

Clark said with a tiny smile, "You do. I wrote yours."

"How?"

"The sea is a vast thing," Clark replied vaguely, licking his lips. "The wind in the sea go together hand in hand. Just like you and me, Lana. We go together forever. That is, unless Daddy makes me have a timeout."

"Tell your Daddy you want to play," Lana said in an obvious voice.

"He wants me to work," said Clark, sneering. And Lana saw his red and blue clothes morph into jetblack. Clark didn't notice as he continued to rant. "All work, no play. But he can't see us here. So can we play, Lana, can we?"

"Of course," Lana replied, no able to refuse to his bright, hopeful eyes. Clark grinned and jumped up off the cloud and flew over to her, scooping her up in his strong arms and spinning around, laughing.

"You know," Clark told her confidentially as the world continued to spin, "your sister wants to play too. But not in a good way. A bad way. I'm sorry I let her out of her cage. But tell her to stay in the cage. You're the lock to the cage, Lana. You can keep her in."

"What?" Lana asked, her hands clutching the back of his neck as they picked up speed. "I don't have a sister, you know that."

"Oh, you do," Clark said, nodding his head. "You do. I woke her up."

"How?" Lana asked.

But before he could answer, he released her. Her hands flew off his neck and she let out a shrill scream, his name one her lips. And she saw him shaking his head as she continued to barrel towards the ground-

Lana woke up with a start.

[4EverSmallville]

:eek: I'm speechless.

[aqua]

Originally posted by 4EverSmallville
:eek: I'm speechless.

Good speechless or bad speechless? :rotfl:

[binkys711]

wow! that was a wierd dream!!!!:eek:what does it all mean?PPMS!!!I'm lvin' your story;):D

[MOOman0618]

Wow...can we say really trippy dream sequence? Yes, we can. That was awesome! Not exactly sure what happened, but it was awesome none the less!



Originally posted by aqua
"All work, no play.

I thought you were going to quote The Shinning

'All work and no play makes Clark a dull boy'

but you didn't...heehee

[aqua]

Originally posted by MOOman0618
I thought you were going to quote The Shinning

'All work and no play makes Clark a dull boy'

but you didn't...heehee

:lol: I was about to, but I wasn't sure if Lana had seen it or not. ;)

[MOOman0618]

Its a classic! And she owned a movie theater! She had to have seen it.

[4EverSmallville]

Originally posted by aqua
Good speechless or bad speechless? :rotfl:

Good, good. Definitely good :lol:. It was just that, at first I was going to say that I loved the paragraphs before the dream. They were descriptive, imaginitive, I understood what she was feeling, but like her, I didn't know why.

And then the dream. I'm trying so hard to select words that remain within the reasonable restraints of acceptable English but I'm having difficulty. Wow. The dream is what left me speechless :lol:.

[aqua]

Originally posted by 4EverSmallville
Good, good. Definitely good :lol:. It was just that, at first I was going to say that I loved the paragraphs before the dream. They were descriptive, imaginitive, I understood what she was feeling, but like her, I didn't know why.

And then the dream. I'm trying so hard to select words that remain within the reasonable restraints of acceptable English but I'm having difficulty. Wow. The dream is what left me speechless :lol:.

Awww, thanks a ton, it means a lot! :) Actually, the dream was a ton of fun to write and it was only supposed to be a paragraph or two but I just couldn't stop writing it. And the best thing, everything has a meaning, which is fun.

[Ketchup]

WOAH. That dream confused the crap out of me. You're writing is amazing, keep it up! =)

[NYC300Z]

Yeah that dream was so confusing and strangley it seemed to say a lot that made sense....does that make any sense?

PPMS!!

[aqua]

"Flipped"


Without a second glance at the rundown inn, Lana started the ignition with vigor and began her trek to the Kent Farm.

When she awoke from her strange dream, she was feeling much better. She could now freely open her eyes widely and the world around her slowly, yet surely, had taken form. Her joints were still feeling a little sore, but at least she could get out of her bed. It was a mess, the sheets in knots and drenched in her cold sweat. No way that she'd sleep in those without washing them ten times.

She had felt so much better after her shower. The headache that had fogged her mind soon ached less and less until it disappeared. She had to sing various songs to herself in the shower to get her voice back, although it still was a little raspy.

However, even though Lana was feeling 100% better then that drunken-like condition she had been in previously, her back still was killing her. It felt like someone was pinching it and just wouldn't like go. It didn't feel like joint or muscle pain, but just the surface. She was about to look at it while she was throwing her clothes on, but she needed to the Kents.

That's what she was doing before she woke up, getting the keys to her car. Clark was home, Clark was home! Her excitement couldn't even be put into words.

But her happiness was plagued with worry. She had gone to the Smallville in around ten or eleven. When she woke up the first time, she wasn't too sure what the time was, but she was sure that there was absolutely no light in the room. And when she woke up the second time, it was noon.

Twenty-four hours of her life vanished like sand running through her fingers. She had no idea where they went or what she did during them. It was the most frightening thing in the world. She wasn't sure if she should go the hospital, but what could they do for her? Tell her that maybe she had a bit too much to drink?

As she kept driving on, the sun streaming through the glass and into her squinting eyes, Lana wondered if it had something to do with the meteor rocks. They were known to do strange things.
With her mind working in overdrive, she was startled to find out that she had ended up under the swinging Kent Farm sign and was steering carefully into their dirt driveway. She parked it and slumped down into the coushy leather seat, her eyes not moving from the doorway.

What was she supposed to say? "You lied to me, let me see your son so we can have our potentially sexy reunion?"

Well, it was straightforward.

She sat there for probably ten minutes, her brain trying to pick out about a dozen words in the English dictionary that would make her request to see Clark mean, crazy, or anything else bad. She wanted it to be firm. Martha Kent loved Clark, but so did she, and she deserved to see him...

Loved.

She loved him, right?

Damn straight!

So with determination etched in the soft features of her pretty young face, she opened the car door and slammed it shut, flung her purse firmly over her shoulder, and walked in big strides to the door. Lana took a deep breath, replaying her lines over and over in her head until she decided that it was now or never. Her hands clenched into a small fist and she gave two solid raps on the door.

It was opened immediately, almost as if Mrs. Kent had been standing right near the door. Lana was taken back, stumbling a bit on the porch. Martha looked surprised too, as she had opened it saying, "Look, Lois, I don't..."

"Oh, Lana," Martha said, adjusting her shirt and giving a warm smile. "Sorry, I thought you were someone else." Again, the kindness was quickly replaced by guilt as she looked over her shoulder again. She turned back to Lana and wrinkled her forehead. "Um, this isn't really a good time for me... Uh- maybe if- well, you could..."

Lana interjected, her voice hard, but not too hard, "Mrs. Kent, I know that you're lying to me and that you found Clark. I don't need to know why, you may have your reasons, but please, may I see him?"

Martha's eyes gave a quick, but noticable widen and returned to their normal state. She coughed into her hand and smiled again.

"Lana," said Martha, her voice faltering a bit before returning to its normal mothery tone, "I swear that I haven't found Clark."

"Mrs. Kent, I know you did," argued Lana, firmly holding her ground.

"But why..."

"Mrs. Kent," Lana interrupted, her voice soft and not very audible. "Please. I have no idea why you're hiding him from me, and... and if I could only see him, it wouldn't matter. You've been my only friend for these past few months and you know how depressed I've been. My best friend was killed and my other close friend is off on some expedition. And the person that I stayed behind for... The person that I wanted to spend my whole time with was missing and now that he's found I can finally be happy again! A part of my life can finally be replaced and for some reason, you don't want that to happen. Please, Mrs. Kent... Please."

It started out as a simple plea, but as her words continued to flow out of her mouth, it had turned into a beg, full of small tears streaming down her face, blotches of makeup staining her face. Her hands were shaking a bit and her mouth was wet. She wanted to be strong, but this was involving Clark. How could she be strong?

Martha seemed affected by this. It even looked as if a empathetic tear was building up in the corner of her right eye. She pursed her lips, as if she was considering and finally opened the door wider.

Lana gave a huge sigh of relief as she slid into the kitchen, looking like the same old country kitchen. Mrs. Kent shut the door gently and turned around, looking very worried.

"Stay here," Martha ordered, hurrying past Lana, jumping up the stairs, leaving Lana to wait for a few minutes. Her thoughts were excited, slapping hands, excited that she was finally going to see Clark.

"Come up," Mrs. Kent's voice shouted from up above. Lana didn't need to be told twice as she dashed up the stairs and entered the dim hallway where Mrs. Kent was standing, outside of Clark's door, hard lines all over her face. Lana approached her warily, wondering why she was acting so strange. "Listen, Lana. Clark isn't himself. He has some sort of- amnesia, I guess you could say. He has no idea who I am or what's happened in the last few months. And... well, he is- I could say... violent? Just be careful with him, Lana. Please. If he begins to scare you, just come out here. Just be careful, Lana."

Lana couldn't believe her ears. Clark? Violent? He was never violent to her or anyone... although in Metropolis...

"Lana?" Martha asked, peering into the girl's face. Lana snapped out of her daze, gave a small smile, and nodded.

"I'm ready."

Lana put her hand on the doorknob and gave one more glance at Martha and noticed that she was clutching several glowing green meteor rocks in her hand. She didn't want to question it though. She just wanted to see Clark, her Clark. Clark could never be dangerous. It was always her Clark.

She opened the door and walked in.

[Ketchup]

I was wondering, are the stones of knowledge in ur story? But yea, great update, Im looking forward to reading more =)

[4EverSmallville]

Yes, great update :D. I especially enjoyed Lana's plea lol. But I wonder if we'll find out what she did during those 24 hours. I'm assuming she slept some of them off, but not all. We didn't find out in S4 what happened those twelve hours in Paris, I hope we get a clue here. Terrific job, I can't wait to see how Kal-El behaves with Lana.

[aqua]

Originally posted by Ketchup
I was wondering, are the stones of knowledge in ur story? But yea, great update, Im looking forward to reading more =)

Yes, and they will be in every episode, unlike season four, Clark will actually care about them. :)

Originally posted by 4EverSmallville
Yes, great update :D. I especially enjoyed Lana's plea lol. But I wonder if we'll find out what she did during those 24 hours. I'm assuming she slept some of them off, but not all. We didn't find out in S4 what happened those twelve hours in Paris, I hope we get a clue here. Terrific job, I can't wait to see how Kal-El behaves with Lana.

Yes, we will! That always irked me. Lana comes back to find out what happened, yet she never does. I know what happened and you'll find out in the first half of "the season."

[SmallvilleMan]

I have a feeling the whole Kalana thing isn't going to go well.

[4EverSmallville]

Originally posted by aqua
Yes, we will! That always irked me. Lana comes back to find out what happened, yet she never does. I know what happened and you'll find out in the first half of "the season."

:D Yes, that bothered me also. I'm glad you're clearing it up.

[NYC300Z]

i'm with u SmallvilleMan but lets hope it doesn't go too badly...

PPMS!!

[Scotty]

Finally she is going to see him. I wonder if Lana will see Kal-El fly? Don't keep us waiting too long!

[MOOman0618]

Will Martha need to use the meteor rocks? Will Lana see Clark fly away when the stone starts to ring?! So many things could happen. And I definatly want to know what happend in those 24 hours. Her ending up naked was always like...what the heck?

[binkys711]

WOW!!!:eek: this story can go so many ways:eek: I love the way your describing Lana's feelings and thoughts;)....hopefully the first Kalana meeting will go kinda well:pPPMS!!!

[aqua]

"Amnesia, Meteor Rocks, and Branded"


Lana's heart felt as if was going to pound so hard that it would break through her ribs and fly across the room. The beating was echoing in her ears and Lana began to nibble away at her lip. She had no idea why she was nervous. She knew Clark better than most people, what was there to be afraid of? But the way Mrs. Kent said it, the fearful tint that was in her eye... Lana felt, so deep inside of her that she didn't even know it, that this meeting would not be the romantic one that she had expected and dreamt about.

She let the door glide shut and gave a startled jump as she heard it go back into place. Stupid of her to be so jumpy.
Lana looked around and was a little more assured to see that it was the same old bedroom. It was as messy and cluttered and Clark-like as she remembered it and her hands became a little less clammy seeing it. It brought back memories of Clark (and also a few dreams that made her blush just thinking of them. It was hard not to... Even the shades were drawn and the lights were shut off!) Come on, Lana thought to herself, he couldn't be that bad.

And then she saw him.

He was lying on the bed, however, he was fully clothed, shoes and all, and wasn't underneath the covers. His wavy chocolate locks were a bit longer than usual. His stunning green eyes were protected by his eyelids, which made Lana guess that he was resting. Her eyes continued to travel down to his big, soft lips that immediately gave her a flashback to all of her dreams. His frame looked a little bigger and she was surprised to see that instead of flannel, he was wearing a black button down shirt. She didn't think that Clark even owned one. It did look fine on him though. Oh boy, it was getting kind of hot in this stuffy room.

Lana caught her breath, immediately captivated by this sight. She watched as his chest moved up and down in a rhythmic way and never took her dancing eyes off him as she slowly lowered herself on the bed, accidently kicking a round object near Clark, making sure not to make too much movement as to wake him up. She smiled to herself as she watched his angelic face.

However, a small green reflection was present on his nose and she followed it to the ceiling and was shocked to see about three dozen meteors rock sloppily taped up there, mocking her as they glowed away.

Meteor rocks on the ceiling...

Meteor rocks in Mrs. Kent's hand.

She had kicked something that rolled...

Lana's had turned around so fast that she almost caught whiplash. And there, right by her foot, was a little chunk of meteor rock. She reached down and scooped it up, staring right into it, seeing nothing but solid green. She placed it down on the floor and caught sight of a field of them under Clark's bed. Instead of the one's on the ceiling, they were rather small, but still present.

These last few days had been confusing, yes. She hadn't been sure if she was sane or not and she woke up a day later not knowing how she got into her bed. But perhaps this took the cake for puzzlingness. Why was Clark sitting on his bed with meteor rocks all around him? Would they help curb his dangerous impulses? If it was that simple, why be so secretive about-
She felt a large warm hand slap her wrist and wrap around it. Lana was airbound for a second as she registered this surprise. She looked to see Clark, still in the same position, except his eyes were wide open and there was a tiny sneer hidden in his features.

"Clark!" Lana breathed, catching her breath. "You scared me. Sorry if I woke you it's just-"

"What are you doing here?"

From all of her dreams and fantasies, Clark's first words were usually "I love you" or "I've missed you." Not that. And if it had been filled with the emotion and tenderness she imagined, it would have been find. But his voice... It wasn't Clark's. It was cold and almost mechanical. His eyes remained unblinkingly on her and she saw that there was no sparkle in them. They were completely flat, devoid of any emotion whatsoever.

Lana replied, stumbling over words, "Your mom... she let me in."

"Martha Kent?" Clark asked, his grip tightening on her delicate wrist. Lana let out a small wimper, but the pain didn't subside.

Lana replied, trying to sound as nice and kind as possible, "Yeah, Martha Kent. Your mom-" Her sentence was cut short by his grip getting even tighter and her letting out a yelp. She always knew that Clark was strong, but she never wondered what it'd be like to get the wrath of him. And it hurt.

"Lana?" Mrs. Kent's voice yelled from the other side of the door, sounding panicked. "Lana? Lana, are you okay?"

Before she answered, she turned to Clark, whose look basically told her what to say. She replied in the most lighthearted voice she had ever used in her life, "Fine, Mrs. Kent! I just... tripped, that's all!"

She waited until she was sure that the woman wasn't at the door anymore.

"Clark, please," Lana said, choosing her words carefully. "If you could just let go and we can talk. I'm not here to hurt you."

Clark laughed coldly and after a moment's consideration, reluctantly released her wrist. Lana gasped and examined it. With the slightest touch jolts of pain would go shivering through her body. Blinking back tears, she turned to Clark.

"Do you... Do you remember anything?"

"I remember," he responded right away, "being sent here to this mortal plain." He added bitterly, "To do the work that my father knew Clark Kent wasn't strong enough to do."

Lana remember times when Clark didn't seem himself or went through a mini identity crisis. But this Clark was crazy! He was acting as if he was a completely differen't person!

Lana pried gently, "Did your father tell you this before he went into the coma?"

And then the sound. The most horrible, worst sound. Clark laughed at this. Not a playful laugh or not one of pain. It was one of cruelty, amusement. It rang out softly but it was so powerful that Lana almost fell off the bed. No remorse was in it, no pity, no sorrow. Just emptiness.

"Jonathan Kent," said Clark vehemently, "is a foolish man. He knew that if he messed with my father that he would have to pay. And now look where he is; in an eternal slumber."

Lana felt heartbroken at this. This wasn't real. Clark loved his father more than anything. He wouldn't talk about him this way. Never!

"You," he said suddenly, his head slowly turning to her. "What do you want?"

She didn't really register the question and asked numbly, "Want?"
"Why did you come here?"

Lana, at this point, didn't know why she came here in the first place. Why... To see Clark, of course! But this wasn't Clark. This could never be Clark. This was just a shell, his body. This wasn't him. Something must have happened while he was away.

Whatever it was, it obviously affected him mentally.

"I came," Lana said, her mind beginning to go back into the fog it had been in for months, "to see you."

"Why?" he asked shortly, his eyes searching hers for an answer.

"Because I care about you," she replied simply.

It seemed as if Clark had been expecting that answer as immediately following that he said, "Then move those." He pointed up to the meteor rocks on the ceiling and with the other hand to the ones below the bed. "If you care about me, move those."

"Why?" Lana asked, her interest piqued. Her curiousity about them was overflowing.

Clark said, "they are hurting me. Martha Kent set them up so I won't be able to move."

Lana couldn't remember if Clark had ever been hurt by meteor rocks. At least, she didn't recall. Maybe this was just an amnesia Clark thing. As to if she should move them or not, she wasn't too sure. She wasn't keen on Clark running around Smallville, breaking everyone like twigs. Damn, her wrist was still aching.

"I don't know Clark," Lana replied, twisting her hands. "It may be for your own good."

Clark blinked.

"But you care about me."

"I do," Lana began, "but..."

"I care about you too," Clark interrupted. Lana's mouth stayed open. She had wanted those words since she arrived and they were said with so much emotion, so much caring that she couldn't believe it. "I care about you," continued Clark, his voice no longer robotic but now warm and friendly, "so much. I can't live without you. I need you. I love you."

Those three words. Such a powerful impact. She knew it was strange that Clark was suddenly himself, but she didn't care. And as Clark leaned up and cradled her head gently with his large hand, there wasn't anywhere else in the world she would want to be. And when his lips became one with hers and the jolt that she felt... She knew that she loved Clark too. She knew as his thumb began to rub against her cheek and his wonderfully soft lips were entangling with hers that Clark was so important to her. So important that she would do anything for him. This was the Clark that she knew, Lana decided, as the one that she loved. And just as she started to return the kiss, he broke it apart and stared at her pleadingly.

"Lana, please. They hurt."

Still, all that he had done could not be forgotten. He wasn't himself this whole time and suddenly he was her Clark? It had to be a trick, she knew, but if it was, couldn't she just play a little longer...?

"Clark," Lana said, her eyes downcast, "I... I don't know... I don't think- um- that it would be a good idea."

"What?" Clark snapped, his nostrils flaring.

Lana replied regretfully, "I know that it's hurting you, but... You aren't yourself and you could hurt people. I- I think that your mom's doing what's best."

Clark's penetrating glare didn't leave her face and there was a surreal moment of them just staring at each other. Finally he gave a snarl, breaking the spell and causing Lana to hurry off the bed, still intoxicated by the feel of his lips. But he didn't seem to be feeling the same way as he barked, "Get out."

Lana tried to talk but he gave another sharp "Get out!" Knowing that he was in such a dangerous state she nodded curtly and was just about to leave when she heard his voice, less angry and more gentle saying, "Wait."

Her hand rested on the doorknob and she turned
around. "What? Clark, I told you, I'm not gonna-"


"Come over here," he interrupted, as if her voice was going in one ear and out the other. Lana didn't think it was a good idea, mainly since he was scaring the living daylights out of her. But this was what she wanted after all these months. Clark! He was here and no matter what form he was in, it was still Clark. So, she obliged and hovered over him. "Turn around," he ordered her. Lana had a moment's hesitation but eventually turned around, knowing that she could bolt for the door at any second.

She gave an involuntary shiver as she felt his fingers tracing the small of her back, which happened to be visible due to the shirt she was wearing. Clark seemed to be tracing some sort of pattern, but what it was, she had no idea. But the pain that had been in it previously vanished at his soft touch.

"Branded," he murmured to himself. "Branded..."

And as soon as he repeated himself, he drew his hand away, placed it on his lap, and let his eyelids droop over his eyes. Lana turned around and saw him resting and wanted to shake him and tell him to do it some more. It was the most wonderful feeling that she had ever had.

But it was over. Sighing, she left.

[4EverSmallville]

I like this S4 :D. If it happened this way I'd probably have to watch it over right now :p. Great update!!! Kal-El's immobilized, Lana's branded...I wonder how he'll get away and how she'll figure out what the mark on her back is...this is great :).

[MOOman0618]

Kal-El is such a jerk! How is he going to get out of the meteor riden room? And what will Kal-El do about Lana/Isobel?

Great update!

[binkys711]

Originally posted by aqua
Oh boy, it was getting kind of hot in this stuffy room.

Lana turned around and saw him resting and wanted to shake him and tell him to do it some more. It was the most wonderful feeling that she had ever had.

But it was over. Sighing, she left.

These parts made me laugh!!!Funny!!!:rotfl:great touch!;)I loved the update!!!PPMS!!!

[blahblah]

Great updates! And yes, I'm sure many of us would love to read Corset. I know I would. :D

[SVsleuth]

Super update. I'm having a hard time with Martha using the meteor rocks against him, though. Even though it's Kal-El, she still would be afraid to hurt Clark, if he is still in there. And prolonged exposure could kill him.
And am I right that Lana hasn't even seen the tattoo, just felt pain there?

Interesting spin, though, & I'll keep reading. At least I can tell that my story & yours won't step all over each other. We're thinking quite differently.

[dreammaster]

another awesome chapters

[aqua]

Originally posted by SVsleuth
Interesting spin, though, & I'll keep reading. At least I can tell that my story & yours won't step all over each other. We're thinking quite differently.

Oh, that's good.. Is yours the same idea or what?

[NYC300Z]

PPMS!!

[C.A.chick]

keep going!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!PPMS

[Dr. Jeckyll]

Hearing great things about this story, can't wait to read it. Keep the good Clana we all love coming! :D

[Ketchup]

Haha Lana is funny =)

[aqua]

Erm, still writing the next chapter, but I was bored so I made this.. For some reason it wouldn't let me put it in the post. Anyway.. Tah Dah:

Teaser! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/Dennys/seasonfour.gif)

[clana4ev3r]

interesting teaser..... you got me curious

[4EverSmallville]

:D - I loved the teaser. S4 with a twist, I'm interested. I can't wait for the next update.

[binkys711]

OoOoOo..that teaser was interesting....i'm intrigued:eek::)PPMS!!!

[ajfinn]

This is great, Aqua! Can't wait to see s4 done differently. So interesting.

[SVsleuth]

Originally posted by aqua
Oh, that's good.. Is yours the same idea or what?

Aqua, my current one is developing into a S4 re-write, even though it wasnt really supposed to be when I started it. You can find the instructions for reading it correctly in my Alternate CLANA Scenes thread, post #38. The story is Alternate CLANA Scenes: GONE. In mine, though, Lana did go to Paris but the rewrite begins in the caves in GONE.

I did write 2 Alt. stories that had Lana not go to Paris: Those were the first 2 stories in my Alt. CLANA Scenes thread: FORSAKEN & COVENANT. In those, however, I did not continue them on into S4, like I think I am going to do with GONE. Hope that makes sense.

[aqua]

Originally posted by SVsleuth
Aqua, my current one is developing into a S4 re-write, even though it wasnt really supposed to be when I started it. You can find the instructions for reading it correctly in my Alternate CLANA Scenes thread, post #38. The story is Alternate CLANA Scenes: GONE. In mine, though, Lana did go to Paris but the rewrite begins in the caves in GONE.

I did write 2 Alt. stories that had Lana not go to Paris: Those were the first 2 stories in my Alt. CLANA Scenes thread: FORSAKEN & COVENANT. In those, however, I did not continue them on into S4, like I think I am going to do with GONE. Hope that makes sense.

Gotcha. ;)

Update up tonight! :)

[aqua]

Mistake


With one last longing glance, Lana shut the door softly and turned around, startled to see a distressed Mrs. Kent, wringing her hands, meteor rocks clutched in them.

"Was he okay?" she asked in a breathless voice, her chest heaving up and down rapidly. "Did he hurt you? What-"

"He was fine," Lana said in a soothing voice, giving the older woman a gentle squeeze on the shoulder. "You were right though. He definitely is not Clark... I wonder what happened to him." And before Martha had a chance to answer, Lana cut in with a curiousity ringing through her voice, "And what was with the meteor rocks in there, Mrs. Kent? He said that they made him weak?"

Her face scarred with grim determination, Martha said in an ashamed voice, "They... seem to weaken him. I don't know why, of course, but he just got weak around them and I couldn't control him. I don't want to hurt him but..." She blinked, her eyes filling with liquid. "Lana, I don't want to lose him."

Lana scrunched up her face and enveloped Mrs. Kent into her arms, allowing both of them to cry on each other's shoulders.



Clark looked up with a sneer.

"What do you want?" he asked sharply.

"To see how you are," Martha replied back, shutting the door and putting down three meteor rocks by it, which immediately lit up. She gulped and took long, slow steps over to him. "Are you in any pain?"

"What do you care?" asked Clark spitefully, turning from his mother and gazing at the ceiling. "You are the one causing it, Martha Kent."

Martha shook her head and drew up a chair to sit by the bed. She drummed her fingers on her lap for a few minutes before replying in a low voice, "I'm sorry, Clark... but whatever Jor-El did to you, I know that it's not really you."

"No," Clark responded evenly, "you are right. I am not Clark Kent. I am Kal-El, son of Jor-El and Lara from Krypton. I am not Clark Kent, son of Jonathan and Martha Kent. As much as you wish it, you know that I never was your son."

Clark's tongue lashing hurt more than any physical damage he could have done to her. She nodded and stared at the floor. Neither of them spoke until she finally said:

"I..." There are a pause before she finally spat out reluctantly, "I'm going to take out the kryptonite."

She watched carefully as Clark's eyes shone eerily black and his head swivelled around at her, his upper lip curling. "You are wise, Martha Kent. You knew that you couldn't hold me in here forever. Eventually your-"

"You're not getting out of this room," Mrs. Kent said loudly and firmly, almost enjoying his triumphant look fall. This wasn't Clark. This person who was taking over his body... She would find a way to get him out. But she couldn't kill him. No, she couldn't. So, she replied, standing up and leering at the shocking Kryptonian, "The exposure can kill you and I'm not killing my son. So, I'll remove the ones from the bottom of your bed so you'll be able to breathe a little easier. But I'll be outside that door with a handful of them so you'd better not even try to make a break."

A pause in which she could practically see the cool mind working. There was no response though, and she took that as an okay.

Martha flicked a stray hair behind her ear and stooped down and began to collect the various meteor rocks. She was thinking of a time table of how she could do this. Every hour or so? Enough to-

A loud crash took over her thoughts. Martha gasped and scurried out from under the bed, jumping up and looking to see no Clark in the room. One by one, the kryptonite rolled out of her hands as she saw the window shattered into a thousand shards and Clark landing in the bushes down below.

[clana4ev3r]

Great update!!! PPMS!

[Scotty]

Amazing update! I guess Lana wasn't around to see it though.

[Ketchup]

Man Kal_el is such an @$$hole. Great take on S4, keep it up!

[4EverSmallville]

:D - I'm glad there was an update, I wonder where Kal-El is off to.

[NYC300Z]

PPMS!!

[SVsleuth]

Great update. I almost expected him to just fly away through the window. What now???

[dreammaster]

another awesome chapter

[MOOman0618]

Definatly another great update! I can't wait to see what Kal-El will do next! Poor Martha! She has to be freaking out!

[Clana-follower06]

I just started this fic and I just have to say that I think it is amazing. PPMS!

[blahblah]

Great update!

[binkys711]

great update! Kal-El is gone?!where'd he go?! PPMS!!!great update!

[aqua]

Destiny


Kal-El gave a painful groan as he felt the shards of sharp glass did into his torso, making small cuts, his skin weak from the kryptonite. He lay there, in the flowerbed of Martha Kent's prized petunias, which were now squashed by his enormous figure, like a fish out of water, flailing like crazy. His arms began to scrape the ground and legs were kicking as he attempted to get up.

His strength was slowly staring to come back to him. He could feel it. His fatigue and his hurt were vanishing and a flicker of a flame was ignited in his chest, warming him all over. His mind became less noisy and more clear. His bones felt as if they were doubling in size as he eventually had the strength to heave his body up with her arms.

Kal-El gave a little wobble and leaned against the farmhouse. Anyone who was walking by would have thought he was heavily intoxicated. But, unlike being drunk, he skipped the hangover and jumped right to getting better. He finally felt good enough to step forward cautiously, like a toddler learning its first steps. The wobbles had subsided so he took another stride, this time making it larger. Another, another, and another until he was walking firmly away from the house.

Stupid woman, he thought with venom, his eyes scanning the horizon. To think that she could honestly stop him. She could probably stop Clark Kent, but he was weak. Kal-El was strong. He could conquer any challenge thrown at him by some mere mortal.

"Clark!" The voice of Martha Kent rang in his ears as he continued his path out of this place. He could hear her footsteps, but didn't bother to turn around. She couldn't stop him, no matter what she tried. He wasn't going to waste his time on this woman. But when that sickening sensation began to grow in the pit of his stomache and he gave a little falter, he turned sharply on his heel to see the woman frantically running after him, a piece of kryptonite held firm in her hand. He seethed with rage. She wasn't going to stop him, Kal-El, on his crusade, just because she wanted her son back.

He ignored the horrible feeling in his body and focused his anger on Martha Kent's arm and soon, he felt pleasure coming back to him as two thin beams shot out of his eyes and onto Martha Kent's arm, causing her to give a startled wail and drop the kryptonite. Kal-El, his mission succeeded, turned around and continued walking.

"Clark!" Martha Kent screamed again, and soon she was at his side. He looked immediately at her hand and saw that it was empty. She was afraid of what he would do to her if she threatened him with it again. She should be.

Stupid woman. She was of no use to him. She was a roadblock, an inconvience. Martha Kent, while precious to Clark Kent, wasn't precious to Kal-El. He had no fear or worry of killing this woman. So, his mind made up, he raised his arm to throw her across the farm when suddenly he heard high-pitched screech echoing throughout the place, penetrating his ears and knawing at his insides.

Kal-El's hands flew to his ears, covering them with all his strength, trying to expel the horrible sound that kept going on. It was worse than kryptonite as his knees dropped to the dirt and he doubled over. He ignored Martha Kent's hands on his. This sound... It was a sign.

And suddenly, the ringing stopped. There was no more pain. He gave a sigh of relief and his hands dropped to his sides. Kal-El swallowed and tilted his head up to the clear, calm sky. His eyes focused and his face became hard, full of determination. He rose to his full height, his eyes not once leaving his destination. He felt Martha Kent at his side, felt her eyes probing into his. He turned to her.

"I am Kal-El of Krypton," he said to her and then once again stared at the sky. "And it is time to fulfill my destiny."

It was time. For years Clark Kent had ignored his calling. But Kal-El was here for that. He was going to do his work. He was going to do what he needed to do, and nothing was going to stand in his way.

"Destiny?" Martha Kent repeated in a horrified voice. She gripped his shoulders, gave them a little shake, and made him look at her. "That's Jor-El talking! He did this to you!" Her voice continued to rise, shriller and shriller, as she continued to ring Kal-El's shoulders. Her hands moved down to his chest, they formed two fists, and began pounding on it, tears welling up as she cried pathetically, "I want my son back! Give me my son back!"

Kal-El looked at this woman without mercy. She was weak. He was strong. He didn't need her. She wasn't even worth a second glance.

He closed around her wrists and replied in a cold, firm voice, "Clark Kent is dead."

He gave her a push and as she fell back he squated down to the ground. His legs began absorbing power, his body contracting as he focused hard on the endless sea of blue. That's where he had to go. His destination. His destiny. His mind continued to repeat this as he leaped off the ground with a strong, solid push and into the air like a bullet.


Lana's SUV roared down Smallville's streets as he convoluted mind tried to sort out all of the events that had just happened.

Clark was home. But what was wrong with him? Amensia is one thing, but it didn't make you violent. He was crazy! The way he grabbed her, the way his eyes penetrated her, the way he kissed her... No, she wasn't going to think about that, it wasn't real. That wasn't Clark, it was someone else. Someone who was taking over his body. But it wasn't Clark. Lana couldn't allow herself to enjoy that kiss for one minute.

But who was it? Lana asked herself as she turned the corner easily. And what were with the meteor rocks? Lana, and probably Chloe, had suspected that Clark had been affected by the meteor rocks, but how could he if they were making him weak? Maybe he wasn't affected, but just lucky? But, the other part of Lana's brain argued, no one was that lucky. It was an impossibility.

And how could meteor rocks make him sick? No other rocks did that to anyone. Or did they? She didn't know! This was so confusing! Even though Clark was home, Lana felt more alienated and more alone than ever before.

Lana's hands gave a sharp twist on the steering wheel, causing the car to turn out of control until it crashed into a tree. Her airbag popped up into her face and her car alarm began to go off, the lights blinking. However, the sound of the alarm didn't reach her ears as a shrill ring was banging through them, disrupting her thoughts and causing her mind to throb like crazy. What was it? Oh, it hurt so much! It had to stop, please, make it stop!

And as if her prayers were answers, the ringing suddenly disappeared. She gave a heavy sigh and propped her head on her leather seat as she enjoyed the blissful quiet of the car alarm (who knew she could have been comforted by it?) What the hell was that ringing? And did anyone else hear it?

And why did she have Egypt dancing around in her head, along with some airplane rushing through the sky?

[linn]

great update!!

[NYC300Z]

oh why is Lana getting messages like kal-el is? Very interesting! PPMS!

[clana4ev3r]

that is interesting!!

[binkys711]

great update! yay! he flew! too bad Lana didn't see him fly away:\ and she heard the sound 2?! cool:cool: PPMS!!!

[Scotty]

PPMS! :D

[dreammaster]

another awesome chapter

[MOOman0618]

Awesome updates! Love it that Lana hears the ringing too!

[Dr. Jeckyll]

Nice update. PPMS!

[clana4ev3r]

where's our update???

[binkys711]

waiting for update.......

[MOOman0618]

Any update? Any at all? We sure would love one!

[LoisNClark]

Just started reading this fic and it's awesome. I really love this season 4.

PPMS!!!

[binkys711]

waiting for update........

[LanasLover16]

Where's aqua????? I need an update!

[katt12]

post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!