Moving On

By Serena

A/N: Set after Bulletproof. Just because I'm so DANG tired of Clark and Lana, and I have to say that I'm pretty ticked at Clark for just throwing Lois away like she's nothing and just takes back Lana just like that.

Disc: Don't own. If I did... Clark and Lois would be together by now - or close to it. Lana would be gone.


"I'm sorry, Clark. About everything. But I think we both know where this was headed, and I…" Lana didn't have to finish her sentence.

Clark stared down at the table, torn between arguing that he could be that person for her, that he loved her just as much as before and admitting that she was right. Finally, he sighed heavily and looked up at her. "Lana," he said quietly. "I'll always love you." He stood, towering over her petite form. "And I know. I know you're right. I won't – can't be the person you want me to be. I can't be there for you. I can't… I can't… love you like you want me to."

Tears glistened in her eyes. "I think we both knew this would never work," she whispered. "We knew it would come to an end. It just wasn't enough."

Clark nodded. "In the end," he replied sadly, "I think we both are realizing that what we thought we had between us isn't what we expected. I'm sorry, Lana." His hand reached out and squeezed hers gently, and she smiled.

"Clark Kent, you are an amazing man," she said. "You'll find someone to share a life with… but it isn't me." She kissed his cheek and left the farmhouse, her bags in both hands.

Clark watched her leave, and a tear ran down his face. But they both knew this was for the best. It was time for both of them to move on. Lana couldn't be with someone who was juggling work at the farm, now just recently the Daily Planet, and saving people anonymously all at once. And Clark couldn't be with someone who had so many secrets piled up inside of her that he didn't know where to start. Lana still held some dangerous emotions – they had come out against Lex, even though she had been under the influence of superpowers – but still, he felt distant from her. They both knew it would never be the same after Bizzaro and BrainIAC. He – it – had been the catalyst for a myriad of emotions and unresolved consequences to come crashing down on them.

It was time for her to leave Smallville to discover her own destiny.

It was time for him to embrace his.

Clark heaved a sigh and went into the barn to feed the animals. As he gathered the hay, a familiar voice said, "Still got the old farmboy routine, down, huh, Smallville?"

Clark didn't have to look to know who spoke. He smiled and tossed a bale of hay into a horse's pen. "You bet, Lois."

Lois Lane walked into the barn. "And here I hoped that you would grow out of that little phase. Maybe that it would wash away from all the time working at the Daily Planet." She shook her head and smiled.

Clark grinned back. "Aw, come on, Lois," he said. "This isn't a phase – this is who I am. I'll always be the farmboy from Smallville."

She nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Well, can't hurt to hope, right?" She patted his back.

"Keep hoping, Lois," Clark told her, his eyes glittering with amusement. "I'm not changing just because of a job."

"Oh, I don't know," Lois said, shrugging. "Somehow… I think there's more planned for you. Maybe it's just a crazy hunch. But deep down underneath all that plaid and brooding, you're hiding something. I'll find out what it is, too." She backed away, grinning. "I'll see you around, Smallville." She smiled, bit her lip, turned and left the barn.

Clark stared after her. And slowly, a wide grin spread across his face.

This was the future. He was looking forward to it.

So, that's it short. To the point. Let me know what you think.

- Serena