Lois & Clark Forums Forums Fan Fiction Lois & Clark Fanfic Green, Green Glow of Home - Matchmaker style 8/10

This is a little longer than what I usually post, but I think it will be worth it.

The Green, Green Glow of Home - Matchmaker style 8/10

Disclaimers: The characters in this story are property of DC, December 3rd productions and Warner Bros. No Copyright infringement is intended. I have just borrowed the characters for a short time.

Rated PG-13


* * denotes emphasis
< > denotes thoughts
As always comments are welcome. (ken.janney@kjanney.com)


Previously


As soon as Jimmy was in and the door closed Rachel pushed down on the gas pedal and peeled away. As they started to head out of town, Rachel asked, "Where are they?"

"They were at the Irig farm."

Rachel picked up the microphone of her two-way radio and keying the mic said, "Unit one to Base. This is the sheriff. I need back-up. Have all cars report to the Irig farm, ASAP."

After receiving acknowledgements from her deputies, Rachel put the mic in its clip and then said to Jimmy, "By the way, my name is Rachel Harris."

"Pleased to meet you, Sheriff."

She paused for a few seconds before she asked, "How well do you know Clark Kent?"

Jimmy smiled and said, "Me and CK? We're best buds."

"Has he ever mentioned me?"

If Jimmy answered it was drown out by the roar of the engine. Seconds later, before she could ask him to repeat his answer, a call came in on the police radio for the sheriff. The dispatcher said, "Sheriff, I've got some woman talking about UFOs and the government and Superman. It's probably a crank. Should I blow her off?"

Rachel realized, from the description, just who it was and said, "No, it's okay, patch her through." Then keying her mic again she said, "Go ahead Lois."

Lois was frantic as she said, "Sheriff, you have to get to the Kent farm, immediately."

Rachel replied, "Copy that. I'm on my way to the Irig farm to check out the disturbance there."

Lois said, "Forget that! That's where I am. They're packing up to leave. You need to get to the Kent farm … now. The Kents are in danger."

"I'm on my way!" Rachel put on her lights and siren because to this point she had been code 1, no lights, no siren. A short time later she was halted at the railroad crossing by a long slow freight train. Rachel knew that it would be useless to try to go around. She knew the rail schedule, this was a regular run and it would have all of the alternate routes blocked as well.

She picked up her mic and keying it sent, "All units respond directly to the Kent farm. The freight has me blocked. I'll get there as quick as I can."

Jimmy, seeing that they weren't moving and probably wouldn't be for some time thought that now would be an appropriate time to try the signal watch and try to get Superman's help. He leaned out of the car window and holding his wrist up triggered the signal while muttering to himself as if speaking to the superhero he said, "I'll apologize later, big guy.

While they are waiting, Rachel removed her revolver from its holster and began to load it.

Jimmy could see that her hands were shaking somewhat so he asked, "You ever fired that before?"

Rachel had a nervous smile to go along with her shaking hands as she replied, "Of course I've fired it. But, only on the range."

Jimmy quipped, "Not exactly a confidence builder."

When she finished loading she replaced the gun in her holster and returned to the other topic, "This, Lois. Does she love Clark and does he love her?"

"Gee, Sheriff, I don't think so, unless something has changed, she pretty much loves her work. He might have some feelings for her, but who can tell?"

Rachel smiled and nodded her head.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As soon as Lois closed her cell phone she started the truck up and headed for the Kent farm.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Trask had ordered his agents to bind the three people that were in the shed. He picked up the case and after he had removed the container with the greenly glowing rock, he deposited it where he felt it would be safe.

Eventually the back doors of the van opened. Clark blinked in the sudden light. His movements were very restricted because of the shackles on his wrists and ankles. To top it off the wrist shackles had been thrown over a brace in the ceiling of the van before being closed about his wrists so that he was literally hanging by his wrists. It was fortunate that the low overhead of the van allowed him to sit on the floor. Trask confronted Clark and said, "Your situation grows desperate, Mr. Kent. I now have your parents." He was emphatic, but as he continued he became frantic, "What I want is Superman. If you want to save them, you'll tell me what I want to know. I'll make a deal with you, a trade. You give me Superman and I'll let them live."

Emotions flitted across Clark's features, fear predominating. Fear for his parent's welfare and fear for Lois' life. His personal danger never entered his mind. His only concern was for those he loved. In a flash he weighed his options and knew that there was only one answer. He stated, "You have to promise that you'll let them go. Do I have your word on that?" He had decided on a desperate ploy. He just hoped it would work. The fact that right now he was vulnerable could make or break the situation, but, he had to try.

Eagerly, almost like a child with a toy being dangled in front of him, Trask said, "Oh, I do. I do. I absolutely do. Of course … you have my word."

Clark said, "Okay then, he's right here. I'm Superman."

Trask just stared at him. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. What Trask was seeing put the lie to Kent's words. Clark Kent was shackled and helpless, unable to free himself and he was claiming to be Superman. What if he was only acting weak?

When Trask didn't answer or even move, Clark tried again, "Really, Trask, I'm Superman."

Trask finally responded by asking in a skeptical tone, "Are you now?" His face didn't change from one of disbelief as he pulled his sidearm. He preferred a cross-draw holster so his weapon was on the left side of his belt. In this case he used his left hand to pull the weapon out. It was more awkward, but he wanted to emphasize what he was doing for Kent's benefit. Once the weapon was in his hand, Trask jacked the slide back apparently to chamber a round and then he quickly brought the weapon to bear, pointing it at Clark.

Seeing this action Clark was afraid that he had overplayed his hand. Being vulnerable, if Trask shot him he could actually be seriously injured or even die. Fear took over and Clark cringed back and shouted, "Wait! No, Trask, no!"

With that malevolent grin on his face at Kent's response to his threat, Trask pulled the trigger and all that they heard was the metallic click of the hammer falling on the firing pin. There was no explosion because he hadn't loaded a round into the breach. Clark slumped back as far as the chains would allow, gasping for breath the fear having rendered regular breathing problematical. Trask laughed as he said, "That was fear, Mr. Kent, stark terror. This gun wouldn't harm Superman so he wouldn't be afraid. So much for you being noble and trying to shield Superman. It was a nice try, but I want the real thing. Now, where is he?"

Clark kept his mouth shut even in the face of Trask's raging menace.

Trask, seeing that Clark was being less than cooperative decided that additional motivation was needed. He decided to give him some time to think about the situation and slammed the doors of the van closed.

Trask went to the shed to check on the job his underlings had done. He noticed that Wayne Irig appeared to be unconscious, probably a result of all that he had been through and the pain of his broken fingers. Satisfied that they were secure Trask moved over to the van again and opening the doors again, Trask said, "Maybe you won't talk on your own account, but what about your family?" Seeing that Clark remained uncooperative, he jacked the slide on his automatic again after seating the magazine. "This time I'm not kidding. Now, you tell me just where Superman is or I start on you. First the knees, then the elbows. Do I need to draw you a diagram? If that doesn't work …" He pulled out a matchbook and held it up for Clark to see.

Counting on the fact that even Trask wouldn't commit cold blooded murder of innocents in this way Clark kept silent.

In frustration, Trask slammed the doors shut again.


And now:


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 08
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Trask was becoming impatient. He had been baulked at every turn. He had Lane and Kent and the Superhero hadn't come to their aid unlike the last time. He walked over to the door of the shed and checked on the unwilling occupants. He signaled to one of his agents. He indicated the gasoline can. The agent picked it up and starting inside the shed, poured gasoline first on the hay and then laid a trail out the door and twenty feet across the yard.

Once the agent dropped the can he headed for the van to join his companion. Trask addressed the Kents, "Remember, you give your lives in the cause of humanity."

For some time, he stood there looking into the sky, waiting for the superhero to appear.

Signaling to his two guards he said, "Scout the perimeter." Obediently the guards headed for the road leaving Trask there by himself staring into the sky looking for the primary color wearing superhero.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In the back of the van, Clark struggled against his bonds, to no avail. His powers had not returned and he had no idea as to just when or if that would happen. At the end of his strength and almost at the end of his rope, he slumped in despair and exhausted from his struggles, dropped into a fitful doze. After a short time Clark suddenly was pulled to wakefulness when he heard an ear-splitting beeping noise. He snapped out of his half doze and smiling said, "I'm back!" Setting himself for another try, Clark grasped the chain linking the manacles and pulled. The links broke! He smiled at this success and broke the shackles off of his wrists and then broke them off of his ankles.

Suddenly Clark heard the rasp of a match being struck. He knew that there could be only one reason for that sound. He had never seen Trask smoke so it had to have something to do with his parents. Quickly moving to the back of the van he placed his hands on the doors and shoved. The doors almost exploded outward, completely leaving their hinges and falling to the ground.

Just as Trask was dropping the match on the gasoline trail the doors of the van burst out and he looked up in surprise.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

No one had noticed when Lois drove up. She stopped on the other side of the house from the barn and shed and quickly exited the truck. She didn't even close the door of the truck for fear that the noise would reveal her arrival. She ran into the house and careful that she would not be observed looked out through the kitchen windows. She saw the van she and Clark had been in earlier parked near the shed and a few people moving around. She knew that Clark and the Kents had to be out there. She retraced her steps out the front door and circled the house keeping it between her and the shed. Peering around the corner she saw Trask and his guards busy in the shed. As quietly as she could she scurried across the open space to the side of the barn. Once she was out of the open and she didn't hear anyone yelling she breathed a sigh of relief. She went down the side of the barn and across the back. Peeking around the corner, it appeared that there was no one watching so as fast as she could, she crossed the space to the back of the shed.

So far she had seen neither hide nor hair of Clark or his parents, but based on the level of activity in the shed, that was where they had to be. She listened at the back wall, but she could only hear a murmur, nothing that was distinct enough to make out, just voices.

While she stayed out of sight she heard Trask talking. She couldn’t tell what he was saying, but she recognized the voice. He seemed to be at a distance so presumably he was over at the van. <Clark must be in the van. That makes sense, they would have used that to transport him from Irig's.>

Suddenly she heard Clark's voice; there was fear and panic in his voice. She could hear quite distinctly, "Wait! No, Trask, no!" Hearing that she almost broke her cover, but hearing Trask laugh and no gunshots she steeled her resolve to stay hidden until needed.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

When Trask dropped the match on the trail of gasoline, it ignited and formed a trail of flames which raced toward the shed. That was when the doors flew off of the van and Clark jumped out. Instantly taking stock of the situation he supersped over and using his super lungs inhaled, sucking the air and the flames from the gasoline, snuffing the flames. Then he exhaled, blowing the superheated air up and away from the gasoline.

Trask was staring at him in amazement, stunned at seeing this. It suddenly dawned on him that if he had actually shot Clark, unless he had been ‘playing ‘possum’, he could have done away with this menace to society. As he watched, Clark disappeared into the shed and remained there. Trask had only one thought now, the rock. He needed to get it and see just how it affected him. He hastened to where he had placed it and opening the lid, lifted the rock out of the container.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Lois heard the noise of the doors being torn off of the van. Smiling and shooting her fist into the air, she whispered to herself, "Yes! He has his powers back."

Then she heard what sounded like a giant vacuum cleaner and smiled. Seeing a disturbance in the air she looked up in time to see flames shooting up like from a flame thrower over the roof of the shed. She felt like dancing a jig, but restrained herself. Nothing was settled yet. She had to be patient, not one of her natural character qualities. Clark might still need her as his secret weapon and the little man had cautioned her to be careful, always a wise move when dealing with Trask.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Inside the shed, Clark was examining the individuals that were bound. He was surprised to see Wayne Irig and noted that he appeared to be unconscious. He started to free Martha and as he did he whispered, "Superman is back."

Suddenly, Martha saw Trask move into view over Clark's shoulder. She shouted, "Clark, behind you!"

At her shout, Clark stood and spun around. When he did, he saw Trask approaching, still at a distance. Turning back to his parents he said, "Just a minute." He moved to the doorway, exited the shed and moved to confront Trask.

He watched Trask. Trask was simply standing there with his hands behind his back, looking like a soldier in the parade rest posture.

In a threatening tone, Clark said, "Don't take another step, Trask."

With a smirk, Trask said, "Fighting words, Mister Kent. Or should I call you, 'Superman'?" He considered the implications for a second before continuing, "A secret identity. Very clever."

Slowly, a step at a time, Clark started moving toward Trask. As he closed the distance he was speaking, "You're going to prison, Trask. For murder, for kidnapping, for Official Misconduct. Where's Lois? What'd you do with her? I swear, if you've harmed her, I won't be held responsible for my actions."

Confidently, Trask tried one final threat, "Oh, but I'll tell everyone your secret."

Clark was fed up with Trask. In a determined tone he said, "I … don't … care. This ends … now, Trask!"

Trask smirked and said, "I agree, but the question is … for whom?"

At superspeed Clark closed the distance intent upon securing Trask for the police. When he was within ten feet of Trask he started to feel the same pain he had experienced the other night when his father had accidentally exposed him to the rock. The closer he got the more intense the pain was. His speed faltered and when he was almost within arm's length the pain was contorting his features. He tried to back pedal, to get more distance, but his strength and speed failed him. Trask followed Clark as he backed away, maintaining the distance. Suddenly, Clark's knees went weak and he collapsed to the dirt.

Seeing this Trask began to smile. Behind his back, Trask had been holding the green rock. Trask was pleased to see that Clark had to fight to even breathe.

Standing over Clark, Trask smiled that malevolent smile and said, "You think you're better than humans, don't you? Flying around, oh so perfect and superior. Well, those days are over now, aren't they?"

Clark gritted out, "You're wrong!"

There was a gloating tone to his voice as Trask said, "No, as it happens, you are wrong. It's over now. I have won and this little piece of home is going to be the death of you, Superman."

Clark was holding his stomach like he had a stomach ache and bent over. He craned his head around and looked up at Trask. It took all of his effort to even breathe, let alone talk.

Suddenly, Trask dropped the rock next to Clark and spun, delivering a spinning wheel kick which sent Clark sprawling in the dirt.

Neither Trask nor Clark saw Lois peeking around the corner of the shed. Lois had a worried expression on her face, but she knew that there was nothing she could do just then. She had to watch and wait for her opportunity. If she were to reveal her presence there was nothing stopping Trask from using her against Clark. She just hoped that Trask didn’t pull that gun of his and shoot Clark. She knew that because of that rock he had to be vulnerable again, but it was possible that Trask didn’t know that and was depending on the rock to do the dirty work.

When he had kicked Clark, he had rolled away from the Kryptonite so Trask picked up the green rock and moved it closer to him. As the distance decreased Clark's pain increased exponentially. When Trask had it close, Clark was writhing on the ground in pain. Trask said, with the air of one who has won a major conflict, "I've won."

Trask could faintly hear sirens in the distance. Coming to a decision, he pushed the rock on the ground even closer to Clark and said, "Unfortunately, I won't be able to stay for the services." Knowing that his operations were outside the law, he knew that he had to leave. He only hoped that his adversary would be dead before help arrived. Trask turned his back and headed for the van and escape.

Clark was in so much pain he could only writhe on the ground and was close to losing consciousness. He was totally helpless.

When she saw Trask turn away, Lois saw her chance. <I have to get that rock away from Clark!> She scurried out from her concealment and stooping picked up the rock. As quickly as she could she ran away bearing the dangerous mineral. She didn't stop until she was on the other side of the shed and at least fifty feet from Clark. Using her hands, heedless of what it was doing to her fingernails, she quickly scooped out a hollow in the dirt, dropped the rock in it and then pushing the dirt over it with her hands covered it up again.

As soon as Lois took the rock away, Clark started to recover. He knew that he was without his powers and was vulnerable again, but at least the pain was gone. Knowing that there was only one way to prevent Trask from escaping, he started pushing himself upright and shouted, "Trask!" He had to use himself as bait to keep him from getting away.

Surprised, Trask turned expecting to see Clark still groveling on the ground, but instead saw him rising to his feet said, "Oh, very brave, and very foolish." He un-holstered his weapon. Waving it negligently around he said, "Now, let's see. Who should go first? You … or the human traitors who have sheltered you all these years?" Trask decided to save the best for last and headed for the shed.

Perceiving the threat to his family, as Trask passed close to him, Clark charged Trask hitting him like a linebacker tackling the quarterback knocking him off of his feet. Trask had been showboating and as a result, with the collision Trask lost his grip on his automatic and it went flying.

After the collision as they were picking themselves up, Clark appeared to be played out from that effort. He was bent over at the waist trying to catch his breath as if he had run a race.

Trask seeing this sneered and said, "That's okay, Superman, I don't need a gun." Trask approached and launched an unarmed attack. He had been given the fundamentals of the martial arts in basic training, but apparently hadn't had much use for it since and his sloppiness was apparent as he launched a kick which lacked the power and thrust of a practitioner, but was still strong enough to bowl Clark over in his weakened condition and sent him sprawling on the ground.

Disdaining Clark's pitiful efforts to prevent him from harming his parents, Trask walked right past him toward the shed.

With a supreme effort of the will, Clark launched himself at Trask's legs and grabbed them, pulling Trask to the ground.

Even in this weakened state, Clark displayed a superheroes courage and proved that it wasn't just super-powers that make Clark Kent a superman, but a super-heart. Clark and Trask battled man-to-man. It quickly became obvious that Trask was the superior street fighter, but Clark had the most to lose.

While they were on the ground they grappled. Trask was finally able to get in a solid punch and Clark released Trask. Clark stumbled back against the side of the shed near where Lois had been hiding. Trask moved in and launched a side-kick which Clark avoided. Clark again tackled Trask, spinning him around and throwing him into the side of the shed, shattering the window. Trask threw him off and Clark fell backwards over a bale of hay. Trask pursued him, rolling over the hay bale, coming up on his feet in a fighting stance. He was too close to Clark though and Clark managed to sweep his feet out from under him causing him to fall heavily.

Clark could feel himself recovering from the exposure and he was very thankful that it was a bright sunny day.

Lois returned at this time to her post at the corner of the shed. She watched the fight, waiting for her chance to enter the fray.

She saw Clark sweep Trask's feet causing him to fall, and gasped when she saw that as Trask got up he had a long handled spade in his hands. Apparently it had been on the ground next to him when he fell. Using it like a baseball bat he took a swing at Clark.

Clark was able to duck under the spade, but Trask wasn't to be defeated that easily. He used the handle of the spade to jab Clark in the stomach. Clark bent over and in reflex grabbed the handle as he did.

Trask tried to wrench the spade free and failed. Thanks to the sunlight Clark’s strength was returning and he was able to wrest it from him and toss it aside.

Seeing this Lois did a silent cheer. She couldn’t be out there, but she could cheer her husband on.

Seeing a hay fork lying nearby, Clark decided to act preemptively and picking it up, snapped the handle over his knee, near the tines so that it couldn't be used as a weapon and threw the two halves away.

With a roar of frustration, Trask tackled Clark. Because of the sunlight, minute by minute, Clark could feel his strength returning. As a result, he managed to stay on his feet, but he gave ground. Their momentum carried them out onto a short dock in the pond and then the two of them tumbled off the dock and into the water. There they started trading blows.

Trask was able to get the upper hand briefly and forced Clark’s head below the water intent on drowning him. Clark’s strength prevailed however and he was able to break Trask’s hold and rose, gasping above the surface.

Fortunately for Clark, because of Lois' actions, his exposure to the Kryptonite had been shorter than the time in the shed. Then Jonathan had inadvertently left the box open and that had prolonged his exposure. He didn't have his superpowers just then, but because of the shortened exposure he was still strong and thanks to the sunlight growing stronger by the minute. His strength was possibly more than that of an ordinary Earthman and Trask unexpectedly found himself on the wrong end of a beating.

Little by little, Clark was able to beat down Trask’s defenses and get in some strong blows. Trask was becoming groggy and was at Clark’s mercy when finally, they were standing in chest high water and Clark was poised to deliver a blow that would have at the very least knocked Trask out, if not fracture part of his face when seeing just a pathetic beaten man he stopped abruptly.

Clark stood poised with his fist cocked for what would be the final blow and Trask, seeing all of his plans going up in smoke, said, "Go ahead, Superman. Kill me. I would have killed you."

Lowering his fist Clark said, "That's not the way I work, Trask." Clark grabbed his arm and dragged him out of the pond. He walked him over near the shed as the sirens grew louder.

Not expecting any more problems from his beaten foe, Clark released him and headed for the shed to untie his parents.

As the fight had progressed, Lois had shifted her position so that she could see better. When Clark turned to go into the shed, she saw Trask perform what looked like a feat of legerdemain and a chrome plated double-barreled derringer materialized in his hand. He was leveling it at Clark's back when Lois shouted, "Clark! Look out!" And breaking cover she ran at Trask.

In response to Lois' warning, Clark started to duck, just as Trask pulled the trigger firing both barrels. Along with Clark ducking, Trask from the corner of his eye he saw Lois headed for him and he flinched which threw his aim off. In view of this new threat as soon as he had fired; he reached for more cartridges in his pocket.

As she was running at Trask, Lois heard an exclamation of pain and recognizing Clark’s voice she went mad with anger. All she wanted to do was strike out at the author of Clark’s pain. Heedless of the danger Trask presented. She closed with him and leapt into a flying side kick. Her right foot caught Trask just under the chin, knocking him off balance making him fall backward, arms flailing.

Lois picked herself up off the ground and quickly assumed a ready stance.

One look at Trask and she relaxed. Her hands, which had been up in a fighting stance, ready to do battle, fell to her sides as she gaped at the scene of what she had done.

Trask would no longer present a threat to Clark, or anyone else for that matter. She was both appalled and relieved at the same time. Appalled at what had happened and relieved that this chapter of their story would now be irrevocably closed.

When Trask had fallen, it had been onto the tines of the hay fork that Clark had cast aside. One of the tines was protruding through the center of his chest with two more flanking it, one through each of the lungs.

Turning away from the grisly scene, she ran to Clark and kneeling next to him, turned him over. She gasped, and started crying and calling his name as if it was a mantra. He was limp and his left side was covered with blood. She cradled his body weeping despondently.

Suddenly, Jonathan, Martha and the little man in the derby were beside her. She bawled, "Oh, Martha, he's been shot. We need to do something!"

Martha knelt next to Lois and felt for a pulse at Clark’s neck. She nodded and placed a hand on Lois' arm. She said, "He's alive."

"But he's been shot! He's bleeding!"

Looking at Jonathan, Martha said, "First aid kit."

Jonathan nodded and headed for the house.

Relief flooded over her when she realized that Clark was alive and looking around she spotted the little man in the derby. She asked, "You again! What are you doing here?"

Martha looked around, not realizing just who she was speaking to at first, then realizing who her question was directed at said, "We thought he was with you. He released us from the ropes."

Nodding an acknowledgement, the dapper little man smiled and then turning, walked away.

A few seconds later, just as Jonathan was returning with the first aid kit, a couple of police cars pulled up near them. In the back were the two agents that Trask had sent to patrol the perimeter. Patrolman Cooper stepped out of one of the cars and took in the scene. He said, "Sheriff Harris will be here shortly. We'll wait and see what she wants to do."

A couple of minutes later Sheriff Harris and Jimmy pulled up. Lois was still kneeling on the ground cradling the injured Clark in her lap, crying inconsolably and mumbling Clark’s name over and over while Martha applied first aid.

Seeing this Sheriff Harris nodded her understanding of how things stood. Yes, Clark had taken her to the Senior Prom, but, that was in the past and she could see that Lois was in his future. Heaving a disappointed sigh over things that might have been she turned to her deputy and said, "Stand by until we have the details." Then she turned and asked, "Okay, what do we have here?"

Jonathan replied, "Well Sheriff, if you look in the shed you'll find Wayne Irig all tied up. We were in there with him until a minute ago. He's still unconscious. I wouldn't strike any matches around here for a while. Trask tried to murder us by setting the shed on fire. He was about to murder Clark and would also have murdered Lois if he hadn't been stopped. He was obsessed to the point of insanity with the destruction of Superman. He was beating on Clark because he thought that would draw Superman to his rescue."

Sheriff Harris turned to the deputy asked, "Where's this Trask?"

Coop pointed to Trask's body. The gun was near his hand and the extra cartridges were scattered around. Rachel asked, "How'd that happen?"

From where Lois was kneeling on the ground, she spoke up, the anger she still felt came out in her voice as she said, "He shot my husband and I lost it. I gave him a flying kick and he fell. I didn't know that was there. It was an accident."

Rachel was stunned, Out of everything Lois had said, she latched on to one of Lois’s statements and blurted out, "Husband?!?!?"

With obvious love in her eyes, Lois looked down at Clark and said, "Yes, husband. We hadn't told anybody. It was a secret." After a few seconds, Lois was able to speak again and she was nearly frantic as she said, "Sheriff, over at the Irig farm, they are packing up to move. You need to get over there and stop them. Don't let them get away!"

In almost a state of shock at this revelation, Rachel replied, "I have other cars responding to Wayne’s farm."

Lois spoke up, "Sheriff, Carol Sherman, the woman over on the Irig farm, was duped into participating in this. Once she found out the truth, she only participated under the threat of death. She was worried about her little girl. I’m sure she’ll testify about what she saw. Maybe she could be classed as a material witness. Go easy on her, okay?"

Rachel said, "I'll do what I can. You may need to testify on her behalf."

Before moving Trask, the medical examiner would have to be called, so the Sheriff went into the shed to check on Wayne Irig. The Sheriff needed to see what was there so that she could give eye witness testimony. She called Jimmy over, "Mr. Olsen, do you have your camera handy?"

Jimmy replied, "Yes I do, Sheriff. What do you need?"

"Could you take some crime scene pictures for me?"

"Sure thing Sheriff, just tell me what you want."

Rachel had Jimmy take pictures of Wayne before she untied him and the gasoline trail as well as Clark in his wounded, depleted condition.

When Wayne came around he said, "That fella Trask, he wasn't EPA! He was with something he called Bureau 39, I overheard them talking. He injected me with some kind of babble juice and when that didn't work he started busting my fingers."

Rachel said, "Wayne, now, I want you to get yourself into the hospital and get those fingers taken care of and tell them that I need a copy of the report, you hear me?"

Wayne replied, "Right Sheriff."

Rachel turned to one of her deputies and said, "Hank, take those prisoners in and lock them up. Coop, you stay here with me. I’ll need to go over to the Irig place and you’ll be in charge here. Later, I’ll give Mr. Olsen here a ride back to town. He left his car there."

Seeing that Clark had recovered consciousness, she moved over next to him and asked, "How are you Clark? You don't look the best. It looks like you need to go to the hospital too."

Weakly, Clark replied, "No, I don't think so Rachel."

Martha spoke up, "I think one bullet just creased his arm, the other passed clear through his shoulder. It was bleeding a lot, but it has slowed down, thanks to some first aid. It was the pain that knocked him out. It was a near thing, but I think he'll be okay. I don’t think there’s anything they can do in the hospital that a little TLC can’t do." Martha looked significantly at Lois as she finished.

Rachel moved over and stood above Trask. She said, "Don't touch anything." She raised her voice slightly as she said, "Mr. Olsen, before you go, I have one more job for you." Then she addressed her deputy, "Coop, call for an ambulance, please."

Jonathan spoke up, "When I went into the house for the first aid kit, I tried the phone. The line's dead."

Nodding, Deputy Cooper moved over to his car and got on the radio. When he finished he reported, "An ambulance is on the way Sheriff. I put in a call to the phone company too. They’re sending out a line truck."

"Thanks, Coop. Stand by till they clean up."

"Will do, Sheriff."

Even though he was awake, Lois continued to hold Clark, cradling his upper body in her arms and rocking back and forth. Unashamedly, Lois showered him with kisses, tears of joy and relief that he would recover streaming down her cheeks while everyone else looked on.

Jimmy moved over and started taking more pictures. He made sure to catch pictures of the derringer as well as Trask. Jimmy was really earning his crime photographer stripes on this trip.

As soon as Jimmy finished up, Cooper went into his trunk and brought out an evidence kit. He donned a pair of rubber gloves and pulled out a plastic bag. He picked up the derringer and placed it in the bag. He sealed it and wrote the details on the outside. He did the same with the gun that Trask had dropped and the ammunition. The bags all went into the kit and back into the trunk.

Rachel, seeing Lois and Clark together and after Lois' declaration of their wedded state turned away in disappointment. It just wasn't meant to be.

Rachel turned to Lois and said, "Lois, it sure looks like you have more influence over Clark than I ever did. You take care of him now, ya’ hear?"

Lois looked at Clark, smiled at Rachel and said, "I'll take care of him Sheriff."

Coming out of her morbid mood somewhat, Rachel chuckled and said, "Lois, why don't you just call me Rachel. After all," Rachel nodded in Clark's direction as she continued. "We have something in common."

Lois looked again at Clark and pulled him to herself as she said, "Yeah, Rachel, I guess we do."

Rachel said, "I guess I'll see y'all later. I need to go check on the rest of my deputies and make sure we got the entire bunch," as she turned and headed for her car she said, "Mr. Olsen, could I trouble you for another task? I might need more pictures."

Jimmy smiled and said, "I'm all yours, Sheriff."

Rachel said, "Hop in and we'll go. When we're done, I'll take you to your car so that you can get to wherever it is you need to go."

"Thanks, Sheriff." Jimmy could see promotion to staff photographer in his near future.

After a while the ambulance arrived. The EMTs looked at Clark's wounds. Seeing that the bleeding had stopped they applied some antibiotic ointment and redressed the wounds. Using a body bag, after removing the implement of death, they hauled away Trask's body by placing it on a long board and transferring it to a stretcher in the back. Wayne rode with the EMT in the back as they transported him to the ER to take care of his hand.

Deputy Cooper followed the ambulance when it left.

As soon as the ambulance and the patrol car had turned onto the road, the dapper little man returned, so that only left, Jonathan, Martha, Clark, Lois and the dapper little man.

The little man said, "I suggest that we bring out some lawn furniture and sit in the sun so that Mr. Kent can heal."

Lois addressed him, "How do you know so much about us?"

"That, my dear Miss Lane is, as they say, ‘a long story'. I suggest that we all get comfortable."

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TBC