People Make Mistakes Chapter (9/13)

Banner By: Andrea

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Chapter 9
August 17th 2010



Lois had quickly tied up the garbage bag full of plastic bags and containers from the Talon and tossed it onto the back porch right before her father came into the house. The last thing she needed was for the general to see she hadn’t actually cooked tonight, but the truth was Clark was right. She was a terrible cook. She burnt everything in a ten mile radius.

Lois glanced at the clock on the stove and frowned. It was eight twenty-five and Chloe and Oliver where nowhere to be seen. She was going to kill her little cousin if she decided to blow off dinner in favor of some quality time with Oliver.

She picked up the plate of fried chicken, took a deep breath and made her way towards the table a few feet away. Sam Lane looked up from his conversation with the Kent boy and smiled at his daughter. She really did look all grown up.

She’d matured a lot in the past few years and he had a sneaking suspicion a lot of it had to do with Clark Kent. He sighed. Well as far as the men in her life goes she could have done a lot worse. He watched her put down the plate of chicken and grinned.

“That looks damn good Lo’”

“’Course it does. Chloe and Oliver should be here any minute.”

Clark pulled some mashed potatoes onto his plate before passing the bowl to the general. He took it with a nod of thanks as Clark spoke.

“Wonderful.”

Lois frowned.

“Smallville…”

The warning was clear in her tone and Clark scowled. Sam watched the interaction between the two as he grabbed for a biscuit.

“What? You know Oliver and I haven’t exactly been getting along lately and did you know that he asked Chloe to move in with him?”

Surprise crossed Lois’s face as she sat down across from her Father. Oliver and Chloe were moving in together? Why hadn’t she mentioned it?

“They are?”

“Yeah.”

“She is so gonna hear it from me! You know first she didn’t tell me she and Oliver were…together. Then when they finally went public I had to find out through the tabloids and now this? Jeez the next thing you know she’ll be married with kids and I won’t know until my niece or nephew is knocking on the door to tell me.”

Sam chuckled and Clark grimaced.

“Let’s hope not. We don’t need any mini Oliver’s running around.”

Lois shook her head.

“You really need to cut Oliver some slack Clark. I still have no clue why the two of you keep butting heads. If I didn’t know any better I’d say you were jealous.”

Clark choked on his chicken as Lois finished talking while giving him an odd look.

“Good thing I know you better…”

“Yeah.”

The general cleared his throat as he caught Clark’s eye.

“So you’re not friends with Mr. Queen?”

Clark hesitated and shrugged.

“It’s complicated.”

Before he could say anything else the kitchen door burst open. Three heads glanced up as Chloe barreled through the door Oliver and Mia trailing behind her. Lois gave her a playful glare.

“Look who finally decided to show up.”

Chloe barely spared a glance at her cousin as she walked up to the general and slammed the file on the table in front of him. Oliver winced as Lois’s eyes widened.

“Chloe what the hell is going on?”

“You know Lo’ that’s a really good question why don’t we ask the general.”

Confusion settled on the brunettes face as she turned towards her Father. Sam wiped his mouth with a napkin before looking towards Oliver, a frown on his face. Oliver shook his head.

“Don’t look over here. I had nothing to do with this.”

Sam sighed and Lois looked around the room and spoke.

“Seriously what’s going on?”

Chloe didn’t bother looking away from her Uncle though. She held his eyes as she spoke and he could hear the anger and hurt in her voice.

“How could you not tell us?”

“Chloe--”

“No. I don’t want excuses, I want answers.”

He knew his niece well enough to know she wasn’t going to budge. He had somehow managed to stumble into the exact situation he’d been trying to avoid. He glanced between Oliver and Clark.

“If the two of you don’t mind I’d like to speak with the girls alone.”

Oliver nodded and placed his hands on Mia’s shoulders as he guided the teenager towards the living room. Clark hesitated briefly before following behind them. Sam watched them go and took a deep breath. This wasn’t going to be a pretty conversation. Chloe sat in the seat Clark had just vacated and waited.

“Well, then pixie…what is it that you’d like to know?”

Chloe frowned at the use of his nickname for her. She wasn’t in the mood to be charitable right now especially not if he and her Mother had spent their entire lives lying to her and Lois.

“Is Karen Bingham your sister?

Lois looked shocked at Chloe’s question as she glanced between her cousin and Father.

“Chlo’ why would you ask him that? That doesn’t make any sense.”

“Answer the question general.”

His lips fell into a tight line and he gave her a curt nod.

“Yes.”

“Dad…”

“So she’s the reason you wanted to talk to my Mother?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Chloe--”

This time he was cut off my Lois’s angry voice.

“Answer her question Dad.”

He sighed.

“Because I needed to tell her that Karen had finally been found.”

He watched as the girls frowned and he leaned back in his chair letting out a heavy breath.

“When you were five years old Chloe and Lois you were seven, Karen Lane, our sister was seventeen. She was out late one night and was mugged. The man who mugged her stabbed her and someone saw. They also saw her body heal itself when she walked away without a scratch.”

He swallowed hard as he licked his lips. He hadn’t told this story to anyone, ever. It hurt to think that he’d failed to protect his baby sister, but it was time. They needed to hear this.

“A couple of weeks later she was kidnapped. We looked everywhere for her, but we never did find her.”

Chloe shook her head.

“We would have remembered her…”

Sam took off his hat and tossed it on the table as he looked at Chloe, pain filling his eyes.

“Not if your Mother told you not too. You know how her ability works Chloe.”

Lois gaped at her Father before speaking.

“You mean to tell me you erased our memories? How could you do that?”

“It was the only way to make sure everyone stayed safe. It’s why when Moira realized how much her abilities could hurt you she left. Everything that we’ve done over the years has been to prevent what happened to Karen from happening to either of you.”

They sat there quietly digesting the information that he’d given them. Chloe’s head jerked up as she thought of Nathan.

“So she was our Aunt…which means Nathan’s our cousin?”

The general made a face.

“Who’s Nathan?”

“Her 8-year-old son.”

Surprise crossed Sam’s face.

“She has a son?”

“Yes.”

“Where is he?”

“The Metropolis Orphanage.”

The general scowled.

“I need to get him out of there.”

Chloe swallowed hard and spoke, voice calm for the first time since she found out she was related to Karen Bingham.

“Actually I don’t think that’s something you need to worry about.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“Oliver and I actually met with his case worker the other day…we filed adoption papers for him…it’s sort of a long story.”

Okay that was it. Lois had no clue what was going on with anyone and it was starting to piss her off. She through her hands up and put a halt to the conversation.

“Stop! Everyone just stop talking and give me a second to digest. I’m going to put aside the fact that my cousin is moving in with Oliver and adopting a child with him for a second because that’s something I can’t wrap my head around right now. Let’s go back to Karen.”

She pointed to her Father and continued speaking.

“You said she can heal herself. That’s how they found out about her in the first place. What I don’t get is if she has that…power then how come she didn’t heal herself this time?”

Chloe sat up straight as a thought occurred to her.

“She did.”

Lois looked at Chloe.

“Huh?”

“Lo’ she did heal herself. On the night that Karen died she and Nathan were heading to a motel and they were attacked by two muggers. They were rescued by the Green Arrow, but at the last minute a van jumped the curb and ran her over. He got Nathan out of the way, but wasn’t quick enough to pull Karen away.”

Realization crossed Lois’s face and for the first time she understood why she hadn’t heard any stories about the Green Arrow lately. Why Oliver had been so moody recently. He blamed himself for her death.

“Oh god that’s horrible.”

Chloe nodded and smiled.

“I know, but then her body disappeared Lois. You’ve been working on the story for weeks. When it was found the other day it was completely healed remember? Which means that somewhere between the morgue and the old abandoned factory Karen’s body healed itself and she woke up.”

The general frowned as he pondered what his niece said. She was right. That was the only way to explain it. He looked towards the girls and spoke.

“Which means someone took her from the morgue. Someone who knew about her ability and knew how to stop it from working.”

Chloe nodded as she reached over to the papers she’d brought with her. She started pulling things out and when she found what she was looking for she handed it to her Uncle.

“Whoever kidnapped her back when she was younger either let her go or she escaped. There is no record of her until she got married at the age of 28. Which is when Karen Bingham starts popping up. Then five years ago her husband died and she’s been on the move ever since. Before she came to Metropolis she’d been living in Florida. Any clue what would make her come back here?”

Sam gazed over the paper and nodded.

“She was in trouble. She must have come back here looking for your Mother and me. This is the last place we lived before she was kidnapped. I failed her again.”

He shook his head and Lois and Chloe exchanged a look. This did not look like the general they were used to. His jaw was tight and Chloe reached out a hand, most of her earlier anger gone.

“Uncle Sam…it’s not your fault.”

“I need to speak with Moira…and I’d like to meet Nathan.”

Chloe nodded and looked at Lois.

“I think we all have a lot to figure out, but it’s late. I’ll talk to Oliver about Mom and maybe we can fly you over to see her tomorrow. Nathan too, but from here on out you need to promise to be honest with us. We’re all in this together now.”

Lois nodded.

“Seriously Dad. This was a hell of a lot of crap to keep from us. I vote we all get some rest and meet up tomorrow afternoon. Get everything out in the open and figure out what’s going on and who was after Karen.”

Sam ran a hand over his face and sighed.

“I suppose you’re right. Are you girls alright?”

They each gave him a small smile before Lois spoke.

“I think we’re still processing, but you should head back to Metropolis. One of us will call you tomorrow.”

He nodded and stood. He opened his arms and they both moved in for a hug. As he held them in his arms he whispered an apology before releasing them and heading towards the back door. They watched as he disappeared behind the door and sighed.

“Well…this wasn’t exactly the dinner I had in mind.”

Chloe chuckled lightly, feeling much better than when she’d first walked into the house. She opened her mouth to say something when she heard yelling coming from the other room.




_____

Clark, Oliver and Mia sat in silence as General Lane spoke to Chloe and Lois in the kitchen. Mia shifted in her seat and glanced at Oliver who was looking down at his hands. Clark sat across from him, body tense as he looked around the room not making eye contact with either of them.

She rolled her eyes. Sometimes she had trouble believing that she was the teenager around here. She cleared her throat and Oliver lifted his head as she spoke.

“Are we still getting things ready for Nathan tomorrow?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t we be?”

Mia shrugged and motioned to the kitchen.

“Well cause of everything going on. We didn’t get a chance to tell Chloe. Do you think she’ll be upset with us?”

Clark watched as Oliver’s face softened when he addressed her.

“No. I think if anything after today’s news she’s going to be happy that Nathan is coming to live with us.”

“And me?”

Oliver sighed.

“Mia you know Chloe loves you. She’s gonna be so happy when we tell her. You have nothing to worry about. Although I can’t say the same for General Lane. Boy is she pissed.”

Mia chuckled lightly and nodded.

“Oh my god I know right? The last time I saw her this pissed was when Bart spilled his soda on one of the computers at the Star City Watchtower.”

Oliver nodded.

“Oh god that was a horrible day.”

Clark frowned as he listened to their conversation. Who was Nathan and what was Mia referring to? And since when is there another Watchtower in Star City? Clark’s voice cut through their conversation and they shifted their attention to him.

“Who’s Nathan?”

“He’s Karen Bingham’s son.”

“The woman you tried to save?”

Oliver’s jaw clenched, his voice clipped when he spoke.

“Yes.”

“He’s coming to live with you?”

Oliver was about to answer him when Mia spoke up.

“Oliver and Chloe adopted him.”

Clark’s eyes bugged out of his head as he looked between the two people sitting in the room with him.

“You did what? That’s ridiculous! How could you do something so careless Oliver?”

“Clark back off okay, you have no clue what you’re talking about.”

Clark glared at the blonde in front of him.

“No, you know what Oliver I won’t. I don’t know what you’re trying to prove here, but this is taking it too far. Dating Chloe is one thing, but asking her to move in, adopting a child with her. Those are commitments. Commitments I don’t see you sticking around for.”

Oliver’s hands balled into fists as he tried to control his anger.

“Clark my life with Chloe is none of your business. After everything you’ve seen…everything you’ve done what gives you the right to pass judgment on me? I love Chloe.”

“Yeah you love her until you get bored and move on to the next woman.”

He looked toward Mia and pursed his lips together. She was getting increasingly angry with Clark. He could see it. One thing he loved about Mia was her extreme loyalty. There isn’t anything she wouldn’t do for him and Chloe and vice versa.

He needed to stop this before it got any further though. He didn’t want to bring her into his and Clark’s arguments. Oliver shook his head.

“You still don’t get it Clark. This is it for me. And I get that you don’t believe that, but it’s true. You need to let it go. You can’t stay angry at me forever. What happened, happened. We all go our own ways sometimes.”

Clark snorted.

“Please Chloe didn’t go her own way Oliver. She went your way. Had you not been around she would have stuck with me when dealing with the Kandorians. She wouldn’t have gone behind my back and created weapons that could kill me. She would have done what I asked. I would have been her first priority.”

Mia didn’t even give Oliver a chance to respond. There was a hint of disgust in her voice when she spoke.

“Do you hear how incredibly selfish that sounds? You’re angry with Oliver because Chloe decided to fight beside him instead of you? How childish is that? You’re acting like this is first grade and Chloe’s your favorite toy. She’s a person and a pretty damn good one at that.”

Clark turned his glare on the teenager.

“Listen, Mia is it? You have no clue what we’re talking about. This doesn’t have anything to do with you. Maybe you have some kind of hero worship for Oliver, but take a look around. He really isn’t too much of a hero these days, he gave up on that just like he gives up on everything else. So you might want to find some other billionaire to lean on.”

His words were like a slap in the face and Mia reeled back tears in her eyes. Oliver stood his voice loud.

“How dare you. You know what it’s one thing for you to be a royal jackass to me Clark it’s another for you to attack Mia. She hasn’t done anything to you.”

It was Clark’s turn to stand, glare on his face as he pointed at Mia.

“Are you kidding? God forbid anyone says anything bad about you this one jumps down their throat. No one can have an opinion about the great Oliver Queen that isn’t 100 percent positive.”

“I’m warning you Clark…”

Clark scoffed right as Lois an Chloe walked into the room.

“What are you gonna do about it Oliver really?”

“You need to leave my family alone. I’m sorry you’re still pissed about how things played out with Zod and the Kandorians, but you know what…things worked out for the best. Everyone is safe and the world wasn’t destroyed.”

“No only my friendship with Chloe…thanks for that by the way.”

“Don’t blame me for that, that one’s on you Clark. You ruined that relationship all on your own. You won’t ruin mine with her. I won’t let you.”

Clark nodded.

“Right of course…your family. A woman who you’ll only ever be second best with, a teenager who gets by on your paycheck, and the child of the woman you let die. Some family.”

Lois sucked in a breath at his harsh words and Chloe glared at the man she used to call her best friend. When Oliver’s fist came back and he lashed out going for Clark, Mia shifted attempting to pull him back as Clark moved forward accidentally knocking into her and shoving her back a few feet and into the couch.

Chloe ran over to Mia worry on her face as she helped the wincing teenager sit up. The anger in Clark’s eyes left as he saw Chloe helping her up. He moved forward, but Oliver blocked his way pure furry on his face as he spoke.

“We don’t need your help.”

Chloe's voice was soft when she spoke.

“Mia hun you okay?”

“Ow…yeah I’m good.”

Oliver turned giving Mia a once over making sure she was okay before he motioned towards the back door. She nodded and they started to head out when Clark called out.

“Chloe--”

She froze and nodded for Oliver and Mia to go ahead. Oliver clenched his jaw but left with Mia in tow to start the car. Chloe turned and she could see the guilt on Clark’s face.

“I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to--”

She cut him off.

“You never do Clark, but that doesn’t make it okay. She’s seventeen years old. Oliver found her, pulled her out of the gutter and gave her a place to call home…a purpose. Of course she would stand by him just like he would her. You used to be the kind of person that knew not all families were blood related. What happened to that guy? What happened to my best friend?”

Clark swallowed hard, the disappointment that was clearly written on her face made him sick to his stomach. There were exactly three people in the world who he never liked to disappoint. His Mother, Chloe, and Lois.

“People make mistakes Chloe…”

She nodded.

“You’re right, they do, but it’s how they handle those mistakes afterwards that determines the person they are and if I were you Clark I’d take a long look in the mirror at the person you’ve become and see if that’s the person you want to be.”

She turned to Lois and squeezed her arm lightly telling her she’d see her tomorrow before taking off. Lois plopped down on the couch, face stony as she shook her head. He sat across from her slowly, but she didn’t look at him.

“I’m sorry I fought with Oliver.”

“Are you?”

He raised an eyebrow as she looked at him.

“What?”

“Are you sorry Clark? Because sometimes…I just don’t know anymore. It’s like there’s two sides to you and one of them is this amazing guy who’s kind and loving and one of the best people I’ve ever known. And the other…well he’s not the nicest guy out there. I just need to know which one you are.”

He hung his head and shrugged. Voice soft and broken.

“I don’t know anymore Lois.”

She nodded and stood before leaning down and placing a kiss against his head.

“Well maybe it’s time you find out.”

She walked around the couch leaving him sitting there as she went upstairs to bed. And as he sat there alone in the dark with his thoughts, he couldn’t help thinking that for the past year he had not been the man his Father raised…or the hero that Metropolis deserved and maybe, just maybe it was time that changed.

Chapter 10