-1First chapter: A picture is worth a thousand words

Gently she took the frame in her hand, smiling lightly at the picture she saw before her. She could not believe that this had been her life.

Much had changed, this past year some for the better and some for the worse, but mostly she liked the way things turn out to be. She looked nothing like herself in the picture neither did Chloe who was standing beside her. Lana had her long black hair straight, her face was cleared of all make-up and her clothes were simple. She looked very tired, almost weak but trying her best to smile, knowing the blond beside her would kill her if she didn't. She could remember this moment like it was yesterday.

………………………….. (Flashback)…………………………………………

"Now, are you sure you got it all?" Chloe said looking over at her friend and her new roommate "Yes I'm sure" Lana assured her taking a look at the red 1961 Ford Falcon. "Beside I don't think that there could be anything more in that car"

"No I think you are right" Chloe said laughing slightly at the sight before her.

It had taken them the day to pack; they really didn't need much, they had decided to buy their furniture and the rest of their needs, in Metropolis. The only thing the car was packed with, was clothes and their other personal belongings, but nonetheless it was as they had taken everything they could find and pressed it in there.

"So I guess this is it?" Chloe said looking at the dark brunette in front of her.

"Yeah I guess it is" Lana said looking away, walking over to the beginning of the stairs that lead up to the house. She sat down at the bottom of the stairs, soon to be joined by Chloe. Lana didn't know how long they just sat there, sitting in silence, no words spoken between them. Lana looked around her. All her life this had been her home, she had never had much experience with trawling, beside that one time in Paris, which really wasn't something she liked to be reminded of much. She had left Smallville just about four years ago, not knowing what to find or what to look for.

Today she stood practically in the same situation, only this time she knew what to find and what her point was.

Lana knew that she had to leave Smallville no matter how hard it got or how much she was going to miss all the things she had to leave behind. She had been stuck here for a while and her life had just kept going in circles. This had been a fact for a very long time, and the day Chloe had suggested that she moved with her to Metropolis, was the day her destiny was sealed.

"You know we don't have to leave right away, we could wait for a couple of hours if you need to say your last goodbye…or something" Chloe said smiling to her friend.

"No I think it's best if we leave now, its only going to be harder if we wait" Lana replied looking briefly up at the Sky.

"I just needed a moment to think and say goodbye to Smallville even if it is not forever" she said looking over at Chloe.

"I totally understand Lana, after all this has been your life forever, it would be weird if you didn't" Chloe said moving a little bit back obvious sitting uncomfortable on the hard wooden stair.

"Thanks, I guess it always was easier on you; you never seem to be a girl that could settle with a town like Smallville" Lana said smiling back at her.

"Well I have always been a big city girl" Chloe looked amused and then she looked at Lana. "But hey…That's just me, she said exact.

There was an awkward moment between them and then Lana began to speak again like she was miles away.

"Do you ever feel, what you do and what you have been doing, has just been the wrong thing all along?"

Lana looked over the land once again "I mean, Chloe what if we got it all wrong?" She said looking over at her with confusion in her eyes.

Chloe looked at her, not really knowing what to say, it wasn't like this had come to her as surprise, in fact she had rather expected this. She knew that there were a lot more to Lana's question, then the philosophy questions to life, but she also knew that she wouldn't call her on it.

"Well…there is no correct answer to that, and if there was I definitely don't have it." Chloe took Lana's hand and looked at her nervously. Her voice changed, a sad tone linked to it.

"But...YES, of course I have been there, feeling that everything I did was a mistake and no matter what I did, it couldn't get any worse, but of course it DID!" Chloe's eyes were watery and for a moment Lana almost thought tears would fall, and then Chloe gave her a small smile and said, "But then again I didn't think that I would ever get over it, but of course I am!"

It was Lana's turn to smile back now, she knew that Chloe had overcome a lot these past years, and that she also had her own problems and some were the reasons she decided to move to Metropolis and work them out. Lana could only understand, after all it was the same reason she did.

Chloe all of a sudden, came aware of the depression in their conversation. "Listen to us!" she burst out and stood up in front of Lana, "You should think, we don't have anything to live or be excited about, but here we are moving to Metropolis, practically having the whole world lying a head of us" Lana looked at her in disbelief, but Chloe just kept on talking. "This is supposed to be a happy day, no more moping over lost pasts" she said annoyed.

Lana began to speak surely." I know it is, it's just the unknown that starts asking so many questions" Lana fumbled with her fingers. "If only there were a simple way, to leave these ghosts behind us". She looked at Chloe once again with a sarcastic smile. "You don't have something like a button we could click on, that would make them disappear?" Chloe returned her smile. "No I don't have a button we could click on and..." Chloe suddenly became silent while an idea was coming through to her. "Wait right here" she said turning backwards nearly running towards the car, "I got just the thing".

Lana saw the satisfaction on Chloe's face and she got to admit, it made her a little bit nervous. Chloe Sullivan was an excellent reporter and with that it depended on her to get one great idea after an other. Lana loved and respected Chloe more then anything, but sometimes her ideas got a little too much for her, especially the really bizarre ones, which should be on her own wall of weird.

After Chloe basically had turned the car inside out, and held a search party, it finally looked like she had found what she had described as "the thing" only now Lana was more confused then before.

"A camera...? But what are you going to do with that?"

Chloe looked at Lana with a big smile on her face." tell me you're not, going to make me answer that"

Her smile dropped when Lana still looked confused.

"Okay you are!" Chloe said disappointed

"Well I am going to take a picture" the smile returned to her face like it never left, but Lana's on the other hand fell completely.

"Yeah I figured out that much! But why?" Lana said fighting her desire to slap her, not believing Chloe had thought of her as so stupid. "To make a memory of course, isn't that why people take pictures?

Lana looked confused again. "Well yes, but why would we want to remember this moment?"

Chloe sat down and joined Lana once again on the stairs." Because you and I are going to make a pact"

Lana looked at her unsurely. "We are???"

Chloe began to nod and Lana spoke again "Well do you mind telling me what it's about??

Chloe smiled widely "Of course not, it's easy though, all we got to do is let go of the past, live in the moment and click on a button, she explained holding the silver camera out.

Lana began to chuckle lightly "Chloe please, if that was all it took to make me forget, I would have done it years ago" Lana looked at Chloe, grateful for what she was trying to do.

"Unless that is a magic camera, it is not going to work"

Chloe looked disappointed "No of course not, how could it, you are not even trying to believe it" she said childish and then serious again she said: "Lana we have been given chance to totally start over, do you really want to begin it, with heartbreaking memories from the last 18 years?

Lana began to speak "No of course not, but..." Chloe didn't let her finish "No buts Lana, when we leave Smallville there's only you, me and our future, no mourning over lost loses, Life's to short"

Chloe looked at her with no hesitation. "We can do this Lana, together we can make it happen."

Lana just simply smiled, after all how could she not? "Ok let's do this"

Chloe pulled her towards her for an embracement" that my girl" she said proudly.

Letting go of Lana, but still holding an arm around her, Chloe took the camera in her hand and held it up in front of them. She put on her best smile" Now say cheese" Lana looked at her in amusement and said. "You are totally insane, you know that?" trying her best to be insulted, Chloe looked at her and replied, "Just shut up, and smile".

Her finger pressed the button, and with that Lana and Chloe left their ghost's behind, got in the car and drove out of Smallville determined to focus on their future.

... (End of flashback)...

Lana put the picture back on its place, and she quickly came back to reality when she noticed that she was late, she scanned the apartment for her keys, and started running towards the door, while grabbing her jacket, she briefly took a look at herself in the mirror. She looked acceptable.

She ran down those many stairs and out on the cold raining street, trying to catch a cab, she looked at her watch knowing fully, she never was going to make it on time. The man waiting for her would not be happy.

Half and hour later she entered the elegant restaurant completely soaked, a head waiter approached her and looked disapproving at her. Lana smiled sweetly knowing she wasn't dressed up for this occasion at all. "He's been expecting you Miss Lang"

The waiter showed her to the back of the restaurant where a table was set fore two, when she approached it, the man at the table looked up, showing off his handsome features and giving her what she would barely describe as a smile.

Lana sat down seeing her order had already been taken, she turned to the waiter and kindly muted a small, "Thank you" when he nodded and disappeared, Lana turned once again and faced the man across the table.

He looked at her with a serious face, and spoke, "Twenty minutes, Lana"

"You better have one good explanation".

Lana looked at him with a big smile on her face. "Of course I don't, but you know me Jack, once I get into my work I just can't get out. She spoke exhilarating. Jack took her hands and broke into a welcoming smile for the woman in front of him. "You are an unusual person, Lana Lang.

She looked him deep in the eyes. "Yeah but, you love me anyway" Jack laughed

"How could I not, your absolutely adorable" Lana pulled her hand rapidly from him and looked insulted. "Adorable?" she questioned "gee thanks Jack" she said to the man, who had just managed to lower her confident and did nothing but smile at it. Jack was the kind of person who liked, to have an affect on people and he did it like himself incredibly remarkable, but that was just one of the things he was.

Jack Andrews was a very successful business man, he owned his own company by the time he was 23 and was in the lead of several big companies by the time he turned 25. Lana was indeed astonished, when he told he wanted her as one of his top employees, but that didn't stop her from saying yes, unknowingly he had his own reasons for hiring her, but more surprisingly when she found out that she didn't mind.

Over these couple of months they had become unbelievable close, and she could honestly say, that she couldn't imagine life without him. He was the man in her life and he was there to stay. Jack was a true gentleman, he was charming and honest, and to the public eye he was known as a rebel which could be true. Jack hated to do what other people wanted, instead of looking out fore himself, which was why he rarely did it. He was known to be a man, who got what he wanted and when he wanted it, but he also had a side to him he didn't let other people see, and Lana believed that she was one of the few that had seen it. Jack could be a compassionate and to time caring guy, he also was extremely funny and Lana truly enjoyed being in his presents.

"So are you ready for tonight?" he asked her after they were done eating and she responded certain, "I am going to add a few more details to the contract but other than that there's nothing more I could think of that would fit inside that agreement.

He looked pleased, "And you're confrontation? For the meeting next week, how is that turning out to be?". Lana sat up straight and said very satisfied, "It was done late last night, printed and copied this morning, laying on you desk right as we speak". Jack looked at her completely impressed. "Damn! Lana, now that's the reason I hired you!". His face fell and he corrected himself, "No actually that's the second reason", he said amused. Lana hastily lifted her leg and kicked him hard on his inner side; Jack let out a wimp and Lana then looked at him, in amazement and said totally shocked. "I CAN'T believe you just said that!"

Jack, who obvious was still in pain, replied, "Well, you have got remarkable good, since". Lana still not sure what to believe looked at him and said, "You're just saying that, so I won't be mad at you and forget to show up tonight, leaving you alone with all those clients". He looked at her with a secure expression on his face, "You would never do that to me".

"Sure?" she questioned, raising a brow at him.

"Positive".

Lana slowly got up from her chair. "Well, if that's the case, I better get my…"

A smirk appeared on her face "Adorable self home and get fixed up for tonight" His smile was big after that comment, but it dropped fast when she raised another. "I heard, that there should be quite several, attractive bachelors at this event" her smile was wide as she bent over and kissed him on his cheek "Cute, very cute" he replied. "I'll see, you tonight" she said as she began walking away from the table. "You can count on that" he yelled after her, Lana just looked back at him and smiled, while she moved her way through the restaurant. Out towards the now, so bright and sunny street, she passed by the waiter who obviously, still found her selection of outfit outrageous.

The clock turned 6:05 p.m. and Lana Lang found herself in the familiar building of Magnetic Enterprise. She opened the door to her office, surprised to find it not as empty, as it should have been.

From the dark, a shadow rose from the leather chair, behind the desk. "Hallo, Lana" a male voice spoke. Lana, whose heart just jumped to her throat, got herself together and asked. "Lucas?". The male turned on the lamp, on the desk and confirmed her question. "Sorry if I startled you", he said with a smirk. Lana had her hand upon her heart, still not able to keep it stable. "Well that's…"and then she realized. "What are you doing in my office?", Lucas Luthor gave her a full smile and looked at her. "Isn't it obvious?", Lana still in doubt was about to reply, but didn't get the chance as Lucas started talking again. "You about to present a company, which is one of the worlds most powerful and successful, with a contract that I am going to invests Millions in…surely its understandable, that I want to check up on everything before we pronounce it to the world". Lana had an apologetic look on her face, "Of course it is! I just thought, you would want, to go over it with Jack", she said closing the door and walked over towards her desk. "Now why would I do that, when I could talk it over with you?".

"After all you have been the one on this account for months, I am sure you can give me more information and exact details on this then any one else".

Lucas stepped away from the desk, to give Lana her space and took the seat beside her. Lana looked at him half annoyed and half flattered. "As true as it is, it's not a reason to sit in here like a bat, scaring the life out of me", Lucas just smiled.

"I would have arranged a meeting for us sooner, but you Miss Lang, are impossible to get hold of".

"Well…, I have been extremely busy", Lana said hoping he would let it go, she looked at him with a hesitant smile and said, "But as this is urgent, we could take a quick look at it right now".

Lana barely got through half of the contract before they were interrupted.

She was about to explain the potential of the various co-operation, when Jack came through her door.

"Lana I was wondering if…Lucas..?", He said confused.

"Jack…Lana was just filling me in on the rest of the details, before the meeting",

Lucas explained. "Oh, I could have done that". Jack responded

"But as I'm here now, I can take over…", Lucas got up from the chair, turned around and faced him. "That won't be necessary I think we are finish".

Lana was about to protest, when Lucas spoke again.

"I trust Lana enough to know that what she will deliver, will be more then just great, her work has always been impressive". He started smiling, "but of course I don't have to tell you that Jack, after all you were the one hiring her".

"Now if you would excuse me", he started walking towards the door, "I have something I should take care of before we start the meeting, so I guess I see you both later". And with that he walked out the door. Jack turned to Lana shaking his head. "I should probably leave too, but I'll be seeing you in just a few", he said holding the door, "You're gonna be amazing in there", and then he too left the room.

6:55 p.m. Lana refreshingly headed several floors down in her best looking suit; her hair was pulled up with a clip although she had left some locks to frame her face. She decided to cross over the pool area since the meeting would take place next to it.

Her high heels pounded against the hard stone floor next to the enormous pool. She never did understand why men like Jack needed a pool inside an office building, but he had assured her it was all to impress. Lana could loudly hear the voices that came inside from the room, quickly she checked her reflection in the standstill water before going in and she could honestly say she was satisfied.

Lana heard one of the team members introduce himself. "It is truly an honour to meet you Mr. Luthor", Lana smiled ironically at the last name that brought her so many memories. She knew very well that Lucas preferred to be called by his first, and that he would inform the person on that and although the Luthor did, it wasn't quite the one who did it.

Lana was about to open the door when she heard the voice clear and the same as ever.

"Oh…please call me Lex".

She felt her heart stop; it was like someone had just stunned her. Her body backed away from the door, not seeing where she was stepping, she suddenly felt herself losing balance and falling backwards, in towards the over large pool. The cool water was freezing and in no time it had surrounded her body.