Previously, in Chapter Nine:
Once Superboy had revealed himself to the world, Jason Trask began writing memos to his superiors requesting funding to link the Shuster's field meteor rocks to the arrival of Superboy. He had not publicly revealed how old he was; however, it was definitely plausible that it was his rocket ship that the folks in Smallville saw that night in May, 1968. Trask figured that would make him somewhere between 16 and 18, depending on how old he was when he arrived on earth.
Because the Teen of Steel was enjoying boundless popularity, the government did not want to rock the boat by investigating him. Trask found himself up against a brick wall. Frustrated, he began writing letters to the Luthor Foundation, asking for assistance in determining the extraterrestrial origins of the world's newest super-hero. One day he received a letter from Henry Geoffrey Wells!
Dear Mr. Trask,
I read your request with much interest and felt compelled to respond to you.
I too am aware of the possible UFO sighting in Shuster's field in May, 1968. I would be very interested in studying the meteor rocks that you have in your possession. You may be interested to know that the Luthor Foundation sends out radio signals into space attempting to locate extraterrestrial life.
Please call me, or if you have the ability to send an e-mail, my address is: HGWells@LuthorFound.org. I'd like to discuss this further. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Henry Geoffrey (H.G.) Wells
Jason Trask immediately made plans to travel to Metropolis to meet with the descendant of one of the greatest science-fiction authors in recent history.
and now...
Chapter Ten
The next morning, Clark again declined Lex's offer to fly him personally to Smallville. Of course, Lex, now privy to Clark's secret, smiled inwardly as Clark again protested that he had already bought a train ticket to Smallville and that he found the train ride more relaxing than flying, anyway.
<Well, why fly with me when you have your own personal airline… "Superboy express"…>, Lex thought.
The two men said their goodbyes and planned to meet up in a week at the Kent house, when Lex would be visiting his Aunt Lena. At that time, Clark would introduce Lex to Lois. Clark even suggested that Lex invite Bridgette Crosby out to the country for a nice change of pace! Lex, slightly embarrassed, told Clark he'd consider it, if he could get his nerve up to ask her.
As soon as Lex left, Clark couldn’t help but feel a bit relieved. Having to sneak out in the middle of the night was bad enough with Pete in the room, but lately, Pete had been sleeping in Lana's dorm room and he had the room to himself and Lois. God, how he missed that girl! She was in Connecticut, as he'd told Lex, but he was going to visit her at the roommate's home, and then bring her to Smallville. There was no way they wouldn’t be together on Christmas!
Clark headed over to the engineering building and took his final exam. Returning to the dorm, comfortable that he had aced the exam, he packed a small bag, cleaned up the room for the semester break, and discreetly flew out the window, heading in a northeast direction towards Connecticut.
Lois' roommate's family owned a bed-and-breakfast in the beautiful historic New England town of Woodbury, a living and breathing Currier-and-Ives picture postcard. For appearances' sake, Lois and her roommate were going to pick him up at the train station in adjacent Middlebury and drive him back to the Inn.
Clark flew above the train that he was supposedly traveling on, and as it approached the Middlebury station, he landed in the woods nearby, changed into his civvies, and walked to the train depot. He had spotted Lois and her roommate, Linda King, waiting in the lobby. Just the sight of Lois made his heart race, as always!
As the train stopped, Clark mingled with the exiting passengers. Looking up, he feigned surprise as Lois and Linda headed towards him.
Holding Lois in his arms always surprised him. He couldn't believe how natural it felt. They were two pieces in a puzzle; two special parts that were attractive by themselves, but unbelievably beautiful when connected. Gently stroking her soft brown hair as he kissed her in greeting, he whispered "I love you so much, honey" in her soft earlobe.
Lois' expressive, big brown eyes spoke volumes in response. "Clark, you know Linda, my roommate. Linda – Clark."
Linda, an attractive blonde, replied, "Clark – before Lois met you I actually *had* a roommate. Now I have all the privacy in the world, because she's always with you. I guess I should thank you for that – but sometimes I really miss Lois' babbling. It gets lonely. Any more at home like you?"
Clark blushed. "No, Linda, I really don't think so." Changing the subject, he continued, "I must say I haven't been out to Connecticut much, but the countryside here is really beautiful. Kansas - *my* home - is pretty with its corn fields and rolling hills, but it's very quaint here – white church steeples, beautiful Victorian homes – I love it."
Linda recognized Clark's desire to completely change the subject, and went along with the new direction. "My parents bought the bed-and-breakfast that we own when I was a little girl. I thought that all towns were as beautiful as Woodbury, CT – until I moved to Metropolis! I'm still not used to the "concrete jungle" – but it is more exciting than home, I'll say that for it!"
Riding along U.S. Route 6 to get to Linda's home, they passed a local family-owned diner, several historic restaurants, and lots and lots of antique dealers! Finally, they turned left into the Inn's long driveway.
Lois, who had been there for several days already, gushed, "Clark – isn't it beautiful? I'm a city girl at heart, but I could get used to the beauty of the country. Look at all the little peaks! Aren't they cute?"
Clark chuckled. "You mean the "gables", honey? And all of the bay windows, too? It's a very, very beautiful home, Linda. I'm really impressed. Are you sure your folks don't mind putting me up for the night?"
"No problem, Clark – except that you can't sleep with Lois. You have to have your own room. My parents are old-fashioned."
"So are mine, Linda; so are mine. Not a problem," Clark replied.
After being introduced to Mr. and Mrs. King, the three Met U students took a walking tour of Woodbury, stopping at the various antique dealers along the way, and ending up at Luke's diner for a cup of hot chocolate. Luke, the owner, was a good-looking, well built man in his thirties, who waited on his customers personally. It was apparent that Woodbury was a close-knit community where all of the townsfolk called each other by name. Totally opposite city life in Metropolis!
After dinner, Lois and Clark told Linda and her folks that they were going to take a walk and they'd be back shortly. Giggling, they headed towards the back yard and under the cover of the trees, Clark changed into Superboy. The two lovers zipped up into the air for a post-dinner flight around northwestern Connecticut. It was a clear night, with a bright gibbous moon which was reflected on the many white church steeples stretching towards the stars. Clark wrapped his cape around Lois for warmth and the two hovered in the crisp winter sky, kissing and hugging with the urgency of first real love.
"I've been wanting to do that all day," Clark breathed. "I just can't get enough of you, honey."
"I missed you too, Clark. How was your exam?"
"Aced it, of course! Lex Luthor stopped by the night before. Good thing I had already studied."
"So when do I get to meet your best friend, anyway?" Lois asked.
"Next week; he's coming to Smallville to visit his Aunt Lena. He's looking forward to meeting you, too."
"Finally I get to meet this guy. Sometimes I think you made up the whole friendship!! Anyway, Clark, I think we better get back – Linda will be looking for us. If you haven't figured it out yet, she's kind of jealous of my relationship with you. I really wish there was someone we could fix her up with."
"Hmm…Pete's with Lana, and Lex is in love with some research scientist at his foundation. I wonder if Hank's with anyone. I'll have to ask Lex."
"Hank? Who's Hank?"
"Only the great-great grandson of H.G. Wells," Clark replied.
"Oh, wow. Is he cute?" Lois asked.
Clark smiled. "I have it on good authority that he's not your type."
"Oh really, Smallville? And what exactly *is* my type?"
"You're looking at him," Clark said, hungrily kissing Lois' mouth so she couldn't give him a snarky come-back.
~~~~~
About a week later, Lois was helping Martha Kent in the kitchen, preparing a sumptuous dinner for Lex and his Aunt Lena. "So, Mrs. Kent – I've heard so much about the great Lex Luthor. Is it all true?"
"Lois, I think it's high time you called me 'Martha'."
"Ok, *Martha* - give. What's the real dope on Lex Luthor?"
"Honey, he's a wonderful man. He's done so much for Clark. He was so far ahead of the rest of the kids growing up – if Lex hadn't tutored him, he would have been terribly bored in school. He's been a role model to Clark, much like a big brother. Lex was pretty lonely himself, growing up in an affluent family that had more interest in dollar signs than taking an interest in their only son. If it weren't for the friendship and support of his Aunt Lena and Clark, Lex wouldn't be the man he is today."
"Why? Do you think he would have been a ruthless businessman, like his parents were?"
Martha thought about that for a moment. "Quite possibly, honey. Yes, it's quite possible that under different circumstances, Lex could have turned to the darker side of wealth. Thank God for his Smallville upbringing."
"Actually, Martha, if it weren't for you and Mr. Kent, Clark, with all of his great abilities, could have gone the other way too. Lots of people, finding themselves with Clark's great powers, could have used them for personal gain. I credit you both for bringing Clark up right."
Martha smiled and gave the young woman a hug. "I *knew* I liked you the moment I met you, Lois Lane. You know what? Change that to *love*. My son loved you at first sight, and so did we. It was fate. I'm so glad you were in the crowd that day at Niagara Falls, honey."
"Thank God for Red Kryptonite, Martha. If it wasn't for Clark being exposed to that, we would have never met. Makes him a little wild, huh?"
Martha smiled. "*More* than just a little! I was afraid of heights up until that day. I was so concerned with trying to talk Clark into taking me back home that I didn't concentrate on the fact that I was actually flying with him! Airplanes will never bother me again."
<Wonder how it would be to experience *wild* Clark>, Lois thought to herself. <Might be fun… Oh, Lois Lane! Not today. Lex Luthor is coming over. Maybe another time…>
~~~~~
Lex and his Aunt arrived several hours later. Attempting to honor his friend's secret, Lex had not advised anyone that he knew that Clark was Superboy. His scientific curiosity about his abilities and where they originated, however, were starting to get the better of him. He knew that Clark was adopted, but now, taking that to the next level, adopted from where? Earth? The solar system? Somewhere in the galaxy? He knew it would not be long before he would have to confront Clark and pepper him with questions. For the present time, however, he would have to content himself with a nice relaxing dinner at his old friends, the Kents. Meeting the new girlfriend would be interesting also. The great Lois Lane, who stole Clark away from Lana. <What a special lady she must be>, Lex thought.
Clark answered the door when the bell rang. "Hey! Happy New Year! Come on in, strangers! I want you to meet Lois."
Lex and his aunt, Lena Lovell, entered the foyer of the Kent farmhouse, removing their snow boots while Clark found Lois in the kitchen. Lois had on a red velvet top with matching black velvet ¾ length skirt. Her shoulder length brown hair was curled and she looked absolutely stunning. Clark was so proud to be showing her off to his lifelong friends!
Lex later thought to himself that he would never forget the moment he first laid eyes on Lois Lane. Not only did he understand Clark's infatuation with her, but he thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen!
"Lex…Lena…. Meet my girlfriend, Lois. Lois, this is Lex Luthor and his Aunt Lena. We've been friends forever."
Lois offered her hand in greeting to Lex, who unexpectedly picked it up and kissed it. "The pleasure is all mine, Lois. May I say that you're very beautiful? Clark has always had the best taste in women."
Lois, feeling a bit flushed, responded, "Oh, that's right – you must know his ex, Lana."
"Yes, I've known her since she was in grade school. Don't worry, she's no competition for you, Ms. Lane. Doesn't hold a candle to you - not at all."
"I'm Lena Lovell, Lois. So glad to meet you," Lex's aunt said, trying to stop Lex from making a fool of himself. She had never seen him so smitten before – and since it was his best friend's girlfriend, it seemed quite out of place as well.
Lois was grateful for the interruption. "Mrs. Lovell – it's lovely to meet you also. Let me take your coat; Martha's in the kitchen." The two women joined Martha, leaving Clark and Lex alone in the foyer.
Just then, Jonathan came in carrying firewood. "Lex! Happy New Year! Come on in the living room; I'm going to make a fire – let's catch up!"
Lex followed Jonathan, but turned to Clark with a wink and a "thumb's up" sign.
<I take it that means that Lex approves of Lois,> Clark thought to himself.
TBC
