Beyond the Sun

37

"He'll try and kill you, you know?" Annie stated while slowly sitting down on the steps of the porch. Clark looked at her with a deep set frown, "Sorry, just...remember what Jor-El said, this guy tried to pull off a coup, he isn't a nice guy. Considering you're like the lone child to differ from others on Krypton, he clearly isn't planning on throwing you a welcome home party." Annie said while it was clear that Clark had been musing over similar things. "Don't..."

He frowned even more and turned to look at her, he had just been looking at the ground below his boots, but now he looked at her darkly. "Don't, what? Don't hand myself in? Did you not hear the same thing I did? If I don't, he will-"

"Most likely attack Earth, yeah, I figured. We are a planet full of many armed forces. I'm just saying, if he's going to try and pick a fight, don't think for one minute that we're going to just accept it laying down." Annie said while shaking her head. "Just...people will want you to hand yourself over, because it's easier to sacrifice one for the greater good of the many; only...I don't think it is when that one is greater than a many, especially if that many are gangs who inflict evil on others, or murderers who are still on the loose. Why should you sacrifice yourself so evil like that can continue living?" Annie mused and rubbed her temples with her hands. "This is hard...morality is hard..."

"But what of the good, Annie?" Clark whispered quietly while pulling her hands away. He turned them over in his and ended up holding them lightly. "What of all the innocent people who haven't done anything wrong in all of their lives?" He said looking at her with an unwavering gaze. "What of my mum, and of you..." Clark said even quieter as he looked down at their hands. "We don't know anything, yet, Annie."

"You think I'm being dramatic?" She asked with a glare. "I'm not being dramatic! If he's travelled so far just for you, like he seemed to state, doesn't that just scream manhunt, to you?" Annie asked while scooting up the stair until she was by his side. Taking her hands from his, she placed them gently against his face and made him look at her. "Clark, Kal, remember I once said to you to always follow your heart because it's a good incentive...do the same now. I can't tell you what to do. You can't let my words sway your decision. Just...I'm scared, in general..."

"You've never called me that before...well, yet."

"Kal? Yeah, I just wanted to know what it was like. And it's really weird." Annie said with a small smile, he leaned against her hands and sighed. "I'll stick to Clark, that's what I've always known you as, and what I will always know you as; no matter what." Annie said while he slowly raised his eyes up to look at her. "Do what you think is right. You've never been wrong before." She smiled and removed one of her hands so she could lightly kiss him on the cheek. "I know you'll come to the right decision, I have faith in you." Annie said while leaning her head against his.

He let out a thoughtful sigh while pulling her closer, he leaned his head on top of hers and shut his eyes as he wrapped his arms around her. She placed her hands against his chest and just sat and listened to his heart beating steadily away. It was rather relaxing to hear, oddly enough considering the seriousness and the drama of everything.

"Annie, your phone is going crazy in here." Martha said while walking out and looking at the pair. She looked a little guilty for clearly interrupting a moment. Yet Annie smiled and kissed Clark one last time before leaving his side and walking up and over to Martha.

"Hello?" Annie asked while moving away from the pair.

Clark stood and looked at Martha as she walked down and stood by his side. He looked conflicted for a moment before looking up as Annie appeared. "What's wrong?" He asked, she looked a little flustered, "Annie, what is it?"

"I've...I've got to go...that was Doctor Hamilton, I'm needed. I'm so sorry," she said while watching as Clark moved away from Martha and moved up to stand in front of her on the porch. He placed his hands on her shoulders and ran them down her arms, he placed his hands over hers, she was still death gripping her phone.