Exhausted as he is Clark still finds it hard to go to sleep. Giving up he gets up and stares out into the night. The soft sounds of his childhood home filling his ears, giving him a sense of peace amidst all the turmoil that has surrounded this day. Going to the old computer he had in his room, Clark turns it on. Ok maybe I can find out something on this thing. Connecting to the internet, Clark tries various sites that talk about solar events. It appears that nothing is going on there, so what is wrong with him. God! Give me a clue. Feeling tired beyond belief Clark goes back to bed. Finally falling asleep.....

Walking home as quickly as he can, he changes into comfortable jeans and t-shirt grabbing a jacket he heads to his truck that he doesn't use much in the city. It being faster to use a cab or walk when not in Superman mode. Of course it being much, much faster when he is Superman.

Driving out to the country, relaxing and breathing in the fresh air, Clark mulls over his predicament. No powers evident....no superspeed, no strength, no x-ray vision, no heat vision, no superhearing. The list keeps growing. What a time for a bunch of technologically advanced weaponed gang members to show up. How can I fight that. I hope that it is just some solar flares and that things will be back to my normal tomorrow.

Chapter 3

Arriving at the farm just before sunset, Clark gets out and lets the peace surround him. Calming his fears. Seeing his mother's car in the yard, Clark decides to go inside and talk to her first.

Opening the door he is greeted with the familiar sights and aromas that marked the early part of his life. The smell of dinner on the stove, and desert hang in the air.

"Clark! My you startled me. Why didn't you call and let me know you were coming?" Martha greets her son warmly with a hug.

Relishing the love he feels in his mother's embrace he feels better than he has all day. Hugging her back gently, "I didn't want to impose, Mom."

"Impose...since when would having you home for dinner be an imposition?" Giving him the eye just as all mother's can. Making him feel loved and silly at the same time.

"That is ok Mom I will get something to eat when I get back to Metropolis. I really only stopped by for the key." disengaging himself from her embrace.

"What key?" Martha's eyebrows furrow. She sits down at the kitchen table motioning him to sit too.

"You know the key to the fortress. Mom are you alright?" Now it is Clark's turn to be concerned. It seems like she doesn't know what I am talking about. What is going on? Is she sick or something?

"Clark, I don't know what you are talking about. What fortress? Are you alright? You are acting a little strange? Let me feel your head." Rising and laying a hand on his forehead. "You don't feel feverish."

"Mom, you know I don't normally run fevers. I am not sick. A little tired, yes, but sick no. I have lost my abilities for some reason and I need to go to the fortress and find out what is going on." Perplexed by her behavior. "I will be back later."

Going quickly out the door, Clark notices the look on his mother's face. She looks confused. This causes alarm bells to go off in Clark's head. God, I hope Mom isn't sick. She has always been so strong. This day is going from bad to worse.

Finally getting to the barn he goes to the loft and picks up the book where he has hidden the key for these many years and opens it. His jaw drops in unbelief. The key isn't there. The book is unmarked as if he had never hidden anything there.

He goes back to his mother. "What is going on Mom? " After he explains what has happened all day. "I know I am not crazy."

His mother looks on with concern as he tells her everything that has happened all day. Clark doesn't notice the flicker of fear that crosses her face when he mentions his abilities. "Maybe your just over tired."

"Yeah, maybe your right. I have felt tired all day long, and really dragged out. Do you mind if I stay the night in my old room?" Fatigued suddenly worse than ever.

"Of course you can. Just let me fix you something to eat." Starting to get up.