Stranded
DJ Dubois
November 2011
Rating: T (Teen)
Pairing: Clana
Notes: This story takes place during Season 2. Smallville belongs to DC and the CW. Please send comments to .
Chapter 1 [December 23rd —Talon]
Another year had passed for Smallville's residents. The seasons had rotated through. Crops had been sown and reaped. Spring rains, summer scorching heat and a few hailstones had tested the folks. Now Jack Frost's breath chilled them placing their priorities on the perfect cup of Talon java.
Clark sat at his usual corner table and drank deeply from his mug. Despite not feeling the cold as his neighbors did, he still had a lot of things on his mind. He knew his parents were struggling financially due to the meager crop. He wanted to get gifts other than cards for them and his friends. Unfortunately nobody had any extra jobs around.
And then there was Lana…..
He sighed knowing how difficult things had been between them. After rescuing her from the tornadoes, the red meteor class rings had sabotaged their efforts at a relationship. With Byron Moore's help, he'd been able to salvage their friendship and get it back onto solid ground. Atleastshe'stalkingtome,Ishouldbegratefulforthat.He dug into his pocket and pulled out a simple red and blue beaded bracelet. WishIcouldgethermorethanthis!
"What do you have there, Clark?"
Clark quickly put the bauble back in his jacket pocket. He looked up to see Lex standing there with a mug in his hand. "Hey, Lex. Sorry I was daydreaming."
"A noble trait, Clark. Dreamers become planners at some point. Present for the assistant manager, I presume?" the billionaire presumed while sliding into the chair across from the super teen. "Haven't seen you for a couple of weeks. Everything okay?"
"The usual winter stuff. Weak harvest means money's tight. Mom and Dad are stressing. Lana's fighting with Nell. At least I survived the last batch of tests. Now we have this journal assignment," Clark revealed.
"Journal assignment? Thought you guys were on break for the next ten days?" Lex presumed.
"School's out. Doesn't mean Mr. Talbot's giving any ground," Clark groused. "He's going to get lots of farm stuff. Boring."
"Boring can be good too, Clark. You could have my father's sense of protocol for meetings and Christmas parties." Lex frowned and buried another swig to assuage his own sense of indignation.
"Ouch. Party really crashed?" Clark presumed knowing his friend had to go to LuthorCorp's Christmas party in Metropolis on the night before.
"Even if Dad's curled up in the mansion, the show's got to go on, right?" Lex shrugged. "Lots of hot air, drunken idiots and women hitting on me. After Desiree, I'm trying to be careful."
"Can't blame you there," Clark concurred while recalling the former biology teacher's escapades.
"Someone will come along for me. Just need to be patient. Same for you." Lex motioned toward the counter. "You're earning your stripes back. Just be a good friend right now."
He nodded and considered the bracelet burning a hole in his pocket. Then he saw Lana standing moodily behind the counter. "Nell's still harping on her."
Lex rolled his eyes. "Nell wants Lana to move to Metropolis. You know how that's going."
"Yeah. It's really intense. Wish she'd open up," Clark replied.
"Maybe she needs a little incentive?" Lex motioned with his head toward the counter. "Buy her a coffee and offer an ear? You're really good at that."
"Given what's been happening, I don't know…." Clark hedged.
"Hesitate and you lose," Lex urged. "Go on before I drag you over there."
"Fine." Clark stood and slowly made his way over to the counter. With each step, he noticed more of the frustration wearing on her. He could see her frowning. Her shoulders sagged. "Hey, Lana."
She straightened her hair with a sweeping motion of her right hand. "Hi, Clark. Coffee okay?"
"It's great. Just saw that you're tense. Buy you a coffee and talk after work?" he offered.
The offer instantly warmed her heart. Even if he'd disappointed her with the biker bar date, she knew he still cared. She felt glad she'd listened to Byron in that regard. "How about now? I'm booking off early."
"Sure." He dug out a five and handed it to her. "That good? Get a pastry too."
"You drive a hard bargain, Mr.Kent. Those scones have tempted me all day," she supposed with a humorous lilt to her voice. She refilled his cup and topped off her own. "Come on." She led them into the back where they sat down on some crates. "What's going on?"
"Just dealing with the farm and the journal assignment. Noticed you've been down the past couple of days. Anything going on?" he declared.
"I have to get some paperwork to Metropolis for my emancipation hearing. Even though it's Christmas Eve, they still need it by noon tomorrow. Unreal." She shook her head. "Nell's not even going to be in Metro. She and Dean have this big trip. At least you'll be with your folks."
"Not much of a Christmas this year though. Money's tight. Mom's got something going. I'm sure they won't mind if you want to come over for dinner? I'd like that," he pointed out.
Given her options, she presumed it was as good of an offer as she would get. "All right, Clark. If it's okay with your folks, I'll be there."
He grinned. "That's great." Then he collected himself. "At least you'll get a first class dinner out of it."
"And some great company too." She drank from her cup. "I appreciate how you're stepping up."
"I just want to be a great friend. I know I made a jerk out of myself last fall. I want to make it up to you without any strings attached," he assured her.
"Just be yourself and don't keep secrets. That way we'll be okay." She checked her watch. "I would like a favor if that's okay?"
"Sure." His heart skipped a beat at the thought of helping her. "Name it."
"Since you're in the Good Samaritan mood, mind helping me get some supplies for here? I need to get it taken care of before I can leave tomorrow. It'll take about an hour. Then I'll drive you right back to the farm," she requested.
"I don't need to be back before six. Let's get to it," he agreed.
"Thanks, Clark." She grinned and let her eyes sparkle at him.
For a brief minute, everything was okay again in Clark's world.
[Kent Farm—about 5:23 PM]
After a supply run to Granville and back to the Talon to unload it, Lana drove Clark back to the farm. She worried that she'd kept him from chores or something really important. Hopethathisfolksareokaywithhimhelpingme.She winced.
"What's wrong?" he wondered.
"I'm worried you're going to get in trouble. I just don't want to rock the boat," she fretted.
"Lana, you're not rocking the boat. Mom was fine," he insisted. "I'm just glad I remembered my cell."
"You and me both," she concurred while parking in front of the house. "Here we are. Safely home as promised."
He of course knew that outside of a load of meteor rock, there wasn't anything that would dent his hide much less make them unsafe. But he played along. "I can always trust you, Lana." He rubbed her shoulder. "You hang in there. Knock 'em dead at that hearing."
"With that kind of support, how can I lose?" she supposed while flashing a brilliant smile. "Thanks again, Clark." She saw his mother coming out. "Let's say hi." She got out and walked out. "Hi, Mrs. Kent! Sorry I held Clark up."
Martha smiled warmly. "It's no trouble, Lana. Clark called and let me know what was happening. We're always glad to help each other out. Of course you're welcome to join us for Christmas dinner too by the way. We'll look forward to having you. Just get the paperwork in for your hearing and then let us take care of the rest."
Whycouldn'tMomandDadhavesurvivedthemeteorshower?MaybeIcould'vehadalifelikethis!You'resolucky,Clark!"Please let Mr. Kent know I'm really grateful for this, Mrs. Kent. And to you as well," Lana expressed.
Clark wanted to say more but held back.
"As I said, it's our pleasure. Are you all right for dinner tonight? Mr. Kent has to stay overnight in Garden City. I have extra if you'd like," Martha offered.
"I'd love that. Clark, mind a hand with the chores? Since you helped me, I can help you," Lana offered.
He looked at his mother before declining, "I think Dad took care of everything before he left. Right, Mom?"
"He sure did. I just milked the cows and put hay down. I could use some help with a cake I'm making. Why don't we do that while Clark finishes what's left?" Martha proposed.
She glanced at them suspiciously. Herewegoagain.Whatareyouhiding,Clark?Ohwell.TheyaredoingsomedinnersforyouandClarkdidhelp.Letitgo.She headed with Martha into the house.
He shook his head. WishIdidn'thavetoworryaboutmyabilities.WhatIwouldn'tgivetobenormalaroundher.He walked toward the barn with a heavy heart.