Special thanks to my beta, Aurora Novarum, for nurturing my Daniel love and educating me in all things Stargate. Her assistance has been invaluable. Also a shoutout to the TWoP Smallville and Stargate SG1 forums for many hours of entertainment and education.

This follows the events of the Smallville episode Blank, although you don't need to have seen it to understand the story. I'm assuming that since ascended beings are not bound by space that they are free of time constraints as well.

It had been a rough day. I didn't realize just how hard life must be for Clark Kent. But babysitting him that day when he had no memory - well, let's just say I got a lot more respect for what it's like to be him. It's funny. I always thought it would be him telling me about his powers, instead of the other way around.

It was probably for the best that he didn't remember how I helped him that day. I know I was just relieved that the rest of his memory came back. As much as I liked being Clark's guardian angel, it was hard having a "zombie friend". I just wished he would trust me with his secret, because I knew after that day that there was so much I could help him with if he did.

Oh, and I could have done without the eye-ejaculate when he laid eyes on Lana. But really, what else could I have done? At least I stopped the fire before it spread.

I remember my dream that night, sort of. I remember Clark walking away from me, but I don't remember why. All I know was that I was watching him feeling frustrated and sad. But everything after that point is crystal clear in my mind, as if I really lived it.

I heard a soft voice say, "Can I join you?"

I turned and there was a good-looking man, I guessed mid-thirties, wearing a cream-coloured v-neck pullover sweater with diagonal ribbing. He had short light-brown hair and piercing blue eyes. There was an air of peace and understanding about him, and a glow in those eyes that told me I could trust him. But I didn't recognize him.

At the time, I just figured he was my subconscious wanting to tell me something, so I decided to just go with it. No questions asked. After all, it had been a long and stressful day. Looking back, I should have known better.

I returned to watching Clark's retreating back. "Sure. Seems like I have nothing better to do."

"Thanks", he said and sat down next to me. I'm not even sure what we were sitting on - a bench, a log, I guess it really doesn't matter. He followed my gaze. "Your boyfriend?"

I laughed. "Hardly. I'm not raven-haired with the initials LL." Funny enough, those words didn't carry the pain they used to. Acceptance. What a wonderful thing.

The man looked a little confused. I tried to clarify. "He's supposed to be my best friend though...not that you can tell half the time."

He nodded. I could feel his warm gaze. "Ah, all I could sense is that you were close. Probably a good thing. I'm told romance can get in the way of a good team dynamic."

He had a point, but I couldn't quite let it go. Something compelled me to explain to this man. Guess Clark's reaction to Lana affected me more than I thought.

I continued to look where Clark had left. "Once, we could have gone down that path. Maybe I would have had a chance. But you know the story - got scared, pushed him away, regretted it ever since. Can't turn back time, though."

"Not on this plane of existence, anyway." There was deep sympathy in his voice.

I turned to look at him. A comfortable silence fell. It was obvious he was trying to figure out what to say next.

He looked away from me towards the path where Clark had been. "You know, this seemed like a good idea at the time."

"What did?"

"Coming here, talking to you, giving you encouragement for the times ahead." He moved to get up. "Maybe I should go."

I grabbed his arm. "Please stay. Tell me what you came to tell me."

He played with his hands for a while, then lifted up his head to look at me, transfixing me with those big, compassionate baby blues.

"You're the keeper of a very big secret. It's a huge responsibility."

I pointed toward the path. "Him?"

He got up and starting pacing. "I shouldn't even be talking to you. I'm not allowed to interfere. It's just..."

He seemed torn - part of him wanted to run, but determination blazed in his eyes. There was something he considered important he wanted to tell me, and now it seemed he ran a big risk in doing so. I didn't even stop to wonder why or how. I just wanted to take away his inner conflict. Some reporter, huh?

I took his hand and sat him back down. "Just?…", I said as gently as I could.

I saw him make his decision. He turned those eyes back on me. "Clark can be a force for good or the biggest threat to our planet. He's at a crossroads, and you have more influence on his path than anyone else."

I snorted. "I'm not Lana Lang. He doesn't really care about me. I'm just there for him when he needs me. I know that."

"The way you've rebuilt your friendship speaks to the ties between you. You're the one who shows him the bigger picture. The one who sees all he could be. I believe that deep down he wants to be the person he sees when he looks through your eyes. You remind him of the best of humanity. You need to keep doing so."

It all sounded good, but really. There was no way I had more influence on Clark than his parents or his precious Lana. Hadn't I just seen that play out today?

"You overestimate my importance to him. Why aren't you talking to him instead of me?"

"It's...complicated." He looked at his hands sheepishly for a moment. "But that's besides the point anyway. He wouldn't be sitting here talking to me. He fears his power. He fears the unknown." He fixed his steely gaze on me. "But you embrace them. That's why you can hear me now."

I couldn't argue with that. In fact, I wondered if maybe that was what Clark and I were fighting about before he arrived.

He stood up. "I need to go. I've been here too long already. It's just..." He sat back down and stared at his hands for a moment before turning his gaze back to me .

"There was something about you that drew me here. Your love for him..." He moved his hands around, as if he could pull words out of midair, "...tested and refined, it's like..." He was growing increasingly frustrated until he suddenly found the words he sought,"...this beautiful bright light, a beacon that will guide him home."

He was talking about my vision of Clark, but I was in awe of his vision of me. Could that be truly who I am? A beacon of light, truth and beauty?

A shadow passed over his eyes. "And I don't want you to lose hope or your passion for the truth in the process. It can happen before you even notice it's gone."

Something in his voice triggered a torrent of tears. He obviously didn't expect my reaction as he seemed momentarily taken aback. He sat there for a moment, looking unsure as I tried to pull myself together. I failed miserably. I dropped my head, no longer being able to see through the veil of tears.

I felt him pull me towards his chest. The movement felt awkward, like it was something he didn't do often. Somewhere my female brain registered that his arms were surprisingly strong and muscular, but at that moment I couldn't think of anything but his silent, consoling presence. It felt like years of pain was being washed out by a tidal wave. "Just let it come", he softly whispered, so I did. I soaked in his warm, healing aura and let it fill the spaces that had been so hurt by Clark all these years. The wounds I had never wanted to acknowledge.

After what seemed like forever, I felt a sense of peace wash over me and I was finally able to stop crying. He released me and reached into his pocket. He seemed surprised when he pulled out a handkerchief, which he handed to me. I blew my nose in a very undignified manner and finally found a voice. "You seem prepared for a damsel in distress."

He looked confused until I pointed to the handkerchief. He grinned. "Well, matter doesn't mean much here, does it?"

"In a dream world? I guess not."

"You're going to be ok now?" I nodded, and he rose. "Chloe, I really must go."

I got up as well. "Thank you...?" I opened up my palm towards him.

"Daniel. Maybe I'll see you again." He smirked. "Remember, the truth is out there."

And he disappeared in a flash of light.