the duties of a daughter ((tag clark))

[slayers_desire]

It was a quiet day, and April was getting a quick nap while Jonathan was down for his daily nap. A hand rested on her pregnant belly, showing a little now that she was in her second month.

The nausea seemed to be the worst thing for her, and so she was resting just to feel back to 'normal' before going out for grocery shopping.

The sound of her PINpoint ringing brought her out of her mid-morning slumber. "Hello?" She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.

"April, it is Shasta here, have you seen Spike?" The worried voice of the woman on the other end of the line made April awaken even further.

"No. Was he supposed to be here today?" Her father hadn't mentioned he would be visiting.

"Well no... but he just... left. It was really weird. Wes hasn't seen him either. And I am just... worried."

April reached out with her voices, frowning with the sense of chaos and frustration when she tried to contact her father. "Okay Shasta. Don't worry. We will find him."

After hanging up the phone, April reached out to her husband, to see if he was at the Daily Planet, or busy responding to a situation as Superman.

Comments

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Superman is still getting back into the swing of things after his long absence. While most of the job is something that will never be forgotten, he has to readjust to listening for cries for help and the sounds of sirens, getting back in the habit of filtering out the ones that emergency services can handle just fine without him.

Part of getting back in his groove is just flying patrol over the city, taking in the sights and sounds of Metropolis and all its people.

He's just passing over the LexCorp tower when he feels that familiar brush against his mind. Hey there, beautiful.

[slayers_desire]

She smiles softly at his greeting. Hey there handsome. You haven't by chance seen Spike in Metropolis today?

[kalel_ofkrypton]

He lands on the Daily Planet rooftop, underneath the spinning golden globe. I don't think so. Were we expecting a visit?

[slayers_desire]

No. We weren't. But I just received a concerned phone call from Shasta. And I can't get a good sense for him either

[kalel_ofkrypton]

He frowns a little. That's unusual. Not really like him. Spike's gone to ground before, but not usually without someone knowing where he is, or giving some kind of warning.

[slayers_desire]

He promised after the whole zompire problems that he would let us know of any problems too.

She feels something in the room with her, a presence, and slowly stands to pace around. Trying to place the sensation.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Do you think we should go looking for him? he asks, taking off and heading towards their apartment.

[slayers_desire]

Something is not right. I can feel that much...

[kalel_ofkrypton]

I'll be there in a moment. He lands on the balcony in no time flat, entering the apartment.

[slayers_desire]

April still senses that presence in the room with her, and is trying to use her powers to strengthen the connection. A ghost-like shape appears after a few moments of concentration.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

He can't quite see it himself, but he can feel it over the bond through her. "What is that?" It isn't the first time they've encountered spirits or ghosts, but they've never had one in the apartment before.

[slayers_desire]

"I think... it is Mother, trying to contact me from beyond." Last year, April was able to help Drusilla find peace. So she never expected to see or feel her again. But here she is.

And once April correctly identifies the spirt, she takes on that familiar form of Drusilla. Except, draped in white.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

He believes her, of course, especially after they both met the spirit of his dad several years ago. Clark doesn't claim to understand it, but he knows perfectly well that sometimes, those who have crossed over can come back for a time.

But the presence of April's mother, at the same time that her father is missing, does not bode well at all.

[slayers_desire]

"Are you here because of Spike?" April immediately asks the most important question. The spirit, since it has no voice, can only nod. And gently touches her heart. Then her head.

"Heart. Head..."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark puzzles over that, not sure what the spirit might mean. I don't understand...

[slayers_desire]

Neither do I. But it must be important

"Is there anything you can say, to help us look for him?" The spirit pauses, then turns to point at the red symbol on Clark's chest.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"One of my powers?" Clark guesses, unsure. His powers do often come in handy, and he was planning on using them to try and find Spike already.

[slayers_desire]

"I think... maybe that is what she is trying to say." The spirit is already fading slightly. "She doesn't have much power left..."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Is there anything else she can tell us?" This may be their only chance to get a lead on where Spike is.

[slayers_desire]

Drusilla touches her heart and head again. She stands, moving over to Clark, touching his chest again. Then she gently moves over to April, and her last movement is to touch the pregnant belly before disappearing.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark is quiet for a moment, not sure what to say. The last time they spoke to someone on the other side, the message was much clearer. At the same time, that last gesture... it makes him a little sad that Drusilla won't know her grandchildren the same way Spike does.

[slayers_desire]

Right now, that emotional conflict knowing that they have two parents (Drusilla and Jonathan) who will never know their grandchildren is making April weepy. Especially not knowing what might be wrong with Spike.

"What should we do?"

[kalel_ofkrypton]

He hugs her tightly, as reassuringly as he can. "We'll find him."

[slayers_desire]

She finds comfort in his reassurance, and returns the tight embrace. "Where do we start looking?"

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Let's try retracing his steps, see if we can find any clues. You said Shasta saw him last?"