Title: Letting Go

Feedback: Yes please.

Summary: (a Smallville/Gilmore Girls crossover) When Clark runs away from Smallville, where does he go? In a weird twist of fate, he finds himself in Stars Hollow, where Lorelai and Rory have just returned from Europe. What starts out as a coincidence slowly becomes a summer that they will never forget.

Rating: PG-13/R

Pairings: Clark/Rory, with Lex/Lana and Lorelai/Dean.

Spoilers: Everything up to end of season 2 of Smallville and end of season 3 of Gilmore Girls. For those of you who are unfamiliar with either show, here's the breakdown: Clark runs away from Smallville after his alien father calls out to him and everything in his life had turned to a disaster. Despite his love for Lana, he still leaves without any explanation (along with his red kryptonite ring which turns him into bad Clark), breaking her heart. Lex, on the other hand, just got married but his wife supposedly tries to kill him and the season ends as his plane is crashing into the ocean. In Stars Hollow, Rory has just graduated and is about to go on the trip to Europe with Lorelai but she isn't as happy as she should be because Jess inexplicably left her to go to LA, while Dean, her other ex-boyfriend has just announced his engagement to Lindsay.

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters from Gilmore Girls or Smallville.

Note: I have had ideas about writing a Clark and Rory story for awhile now but I hadn't fully conceptualized the premise until now. I think the inspiration for this story came after I had made my Clark/Rory video and saw the potential for them. And the way both shows had written their season finales and left the summer so open ended, they just fit perfectly together.

****

She tried to keep as quiet as possible as pulled herself away from the sheets. Although this was the same ritual she would go through night after night, it still doesn't get any easier, but he makes it easier as he rolls away on his side. As she hooked her black bra back on, she tiptoes around the bed to look at him. She couldn't help but gaze at him. Being on her own for long time now, she had encountered a lot of men in her life and most of the time, their faces became as forgettable as the next. Yes, in most of those instances, she had been completely drunk, but when she came to in the middle of the night, as she looked over at the mystery man of the night, it was never a surprise that he would be a disappointment, but she was okay with that. It was normal.

This time, however, this guy was special. You just couldn't help but notice how good looking he was. He was literally beautiful. Even as his head was hanging from the side of the bed, snoring ever so softly, with a little drool running from his mouth onto his pillow, you still couldn't ignore the fact that he was different. Yes, he was very, very well built and muscular but his face was gorgeous. She pulled up her skirt up and knelt beside the bed, letting out a heavy sigh. She was going to hate leaving him but her rules were never to spend more than three days with a guy, no matter what. At least in this way, a guy who was perfect now wouldn't be a total disappointment later. And if the guy was a total asshole, she'd have a fuck and then leave. No strings attached. The system had worked well in the past and she wasn't going to bend the rules now. That didn't mean however that she didn't feel a tiny tinge of regret at this moment. The last three nights had been a blast. A fun blur. He may have a face of an angel but he was one of the most outgoing, adventurous guys she'd been out with. And he was never a disappointment in bed. But in the last three days, in as much time she had spent with him, she didn't know a thing about him. "I didn't even know your name." She thought to herself as she shook her head and touched his dark locks. She wasn't too worried that he would wake up suddenly. She could see that he was in such a long deep sleep now. Nothing seemed to even make him budge a bit. And maybe she was more reassured of this fact because he had gotten completely plastered that night and was practically unconscious by the time he went to sleep that night. She smiled slightly as he stirred a little. Now both his head and arms were slightly hanging off the bed. She slipped on her heels as she stood up slowly. She knew he was going to be one of the few that she would remember. As she was about to grab her purse and leave, she tiptoed back around the bed again to his side. In an impulse that she couldn't really explain herself, she came close and slowly, and very gently pulled off the ring that had been on his finger from his right hand. Since the moment she met him, she had been eyeing the ring. It was a class ring of sorts. He probably just graduated high school or something, but something about the ring was so enticing. Maybe it was the ruby. The red aura from it just seemed to radiate. She held the ring between her fingers as she gazed at it and then turned her head quickly towards him, seeing if there was any chance that he would suddenly wake from his slumber. Despite taking the ring off his finger, he didn't twitch a bit. She quickly put in her purse. Whenever she had a lover that she didn't want to forget, she would take one item from him before leaving him, as a token to remind her of them and this ring was going to be the keepsake to remember him by. She pulled herself up quickly and walked towards the door. She took one last glance at the room and at him and exited the room, closing the door behind her. Three days ago, he had been a dream and now he was only a memory.

***

"Argh!" he groaned as he tried to block the light from hurting his eyes. Sunlight was streaming through the window and it was trying to aggravate him out of bed, but he wouldn't have it. As he tried to grab unto his other pillow, he reached out to find nothing. He waved his arm out in search for it, but all he got was air. He began to squint his eyes as he looked towards the window. He squinted his eyes in bewilderment as his eye level almost reached the ceiling. "That can't be right." He thought to himself as he shook his head. He was about to plunk his head face first into the pillow when he got a dose of the stark reality. He gasped loudly, finding himself floating three feet off the ground. BAM! Down he went, as gravity finally took hold and brought him back down to earth. "Ouch." He sighed as he felt the impact of his fall. As he began to open his eyes a little wider, he realized that the strange soreness that he felt all through his body was the least of his problems. "Where am I?" he asked himself as he looked around at his room and wiped the sleep from his eyes. The walls were yellow from tar and tobacco, the roof was leaking and the room stank from an unintelligible smell. He looked over at the other side of the bed to find a door to a bathroom of sorts, dark and dank as the room he was in.

As he began to pace from one end of the room to another, he tried to piece together the little memories he could still recall. One by one, flashes of his life passed through his mind. His mother… father…the baby…the explosion… Lex…Chloe…Pete…Lana…Lana. The pain of it came flooding back. As he sat on the edge of the bed, the anguish of his decision to leave Smallville, his family, and Lana just hit him suddenly. All he could remember was his parents in the hospital room, grieving for child they could never have, the baby brother or sister that was never be. Lana's tearstained face as he pulled away from her and walked away.

I love you Clark…

The words began to resonate in his mind in complete clarity. He had imagined her saying those very words to him over and over again. He had waited his entire life for Lana to see him the way he saw her. And when it finally happened, there was no way for him to stay. For everything to be the same.

"Lana…" he whispered as he hung his head low. A part of him wanted to go home but then in his heavy heart he knew that he just couldn't face his parents, Lana, everyone, just yet. Days, weeks, maybe months of his life had gone by and he couldn't remember a thing. How could that be? Suddenly, he remembered. The ring. Clark quickly looked at his hands. No sign of the ring in sight. As he stood up quickly, he hastily scanned the room for the ring, searching under the bed, under the sheets, in the bathroom, but he couldn't find it anywhere.

"I must have taken it off somewhere." Clark figured to himself. "Probably when I was getting drunk." The effects of his hangover was hitting him fast and severe pounding was taking its toll on his mind. He had never been sick a day of his life, but he felt his stomach churning and his mind getting blurry. The room was spinning and reality just kept pulling down on him.

"I need to get out of here." Clark exclaimed as he searched around the room for his clothes. Pulling on the white t-shirt, dark jeans, leather military boots, and leather jacket in lighting speed, he quickly scanned through his pockets for money, id, anything. He found a wallet and looked in shock at the driver's license.

"Cal Els" he muttered, as he quickly realized that his other self had gotten a fake pseudonym to keep from getting found. As he looked for cash, he could find nothing.

A wave of panic rushed over him as he wondered how he could manage without any money. Nothing to pay for phone call, a motel room and definitely nothing to get out of here. In desperation he started to scan the room with his x-ray vision to look for anything. "Come on Clark." He mumbled to himself. "You must have some money hidden somewhere." The worry started to overtake him as quickly did a 360 around the room but found nothing, however, as he looked up toward the ceiling, his prayers were answered. In the corner of the ceiling, there was an air vent. As he looked closer, he could form something in the shape of a bag. There was something in it but he just couldn't see it with any certainty what it was. Clark quickly pulled a chair so that he could climb on top of it and open the vent. With one smash of his hand, he broke through the metal grid of the vent with ease. He reached through and pulled out a black knapsack. Pulling the zipper open, Clark's heart quickened as he discovered what were the mystery contents of the bag. Hidden inside another paper bag were wads of cash. Pulling a thick stack of 20s held together by a bank seal, the gravity of the situation began to dawn on him. "Oh my God." He knew that he had no control over what his other self did but he didn't think that he would stoop this low. Did he run through the bank and just took what he could or did he take people hostage and held up a bank? The thought of it made him feel sicker and scared. "What other things could I have done these last few months?" Clark thought to himself. He put it all in the back of his mind as he concentrated on the task at hand. He needed money and how disgusted he was with it, here it was and now he needed to get out of here and fast. He opened the door and let out a sigh of relief that at least something looked familiar to him. Park right out front was his motorcycle. He quickly jumped onto it and thought of what he must do now. Check out of the motel, find out where the heck he was and what to do next because he couldn't go home. Not yet.

****

"Oh my God we're home." Lorelai exclaimed with a sigh of relief as she looked towards Rory. "That plane ride felt like forever!" They had just gotten off the plane and after getting the backpacks from the luggage area, they walking around the terminal, trying to get home.

"Uh huh." Rory answered in agreement. "My neck still hurts from sitting in the seat for so long."

"Poor baby." Lorelai pouted in a mocking tone.

"Hey!" Rory replied as she swatted her mom. "Yes poor baby. Your only daughter is suffering pains and all you can do is make fun of her?"

"I'm sorry." Lorelai apologized. "Do you want mommy to massage it for you?"

"Yes please!" Rory said with a wide grin as she walked ahead of Lorelai so that she could massage her neck.

"Rory, you do realize it might be hard to massage and walk at the same time. Especially with these backpacks on?" Lorelai said all she could see of Rory was the massive backpack obscuring her view.

"I'm sorry." Rory said. "I forgot about that. You could give me a massage later."

"Deal!" Lorelai replied as she squirmed, feeling the weight of the backpack pulling on her shoulders. "Rory, who's idea was it to backpack?"

"Hey it was yours and dad's!" Rory exclaimed in defense. "I'm just following in your footsteps."

"Well the next time that we go to Europe, remind me of the pain we've experienced, lugging our belongings on our backs." Lorelai replied. "Not only do we have our stuff but everybody's presents in it as well. I was naïve before."

"Never again." Rory answered in allegiance. "And hostels?"

"Nyet to that too." Lorelai said as she thought in disgust. The things she has seen the last two months just made her skin crawl. Why did she ever think the idea was great in the first place? Sharing rooms with complete strangers where anybody could grope or knife you at any second? No thank you. "The next time we do this, it's going to be all comfort sweetie."

"Indeed." Rory replied as she nodded her head. As they continued walking, a familiar voice could be heard at a distance as she turned her head and smiled.

"Lorelai! Rory!" Sookie squealed with delight as she ran towards them.

"Sookie! You can't run! You might hurt the baby!" Jackson exclaimed as he tried to stop her.

"Sookie!" Lorelai said with a wide grin as she ran to Sookie with arms open wide. " I didn't know you were coming!"

"Well I knew when your flight was from Rory," Sookie exclaimed as she came over to hug Rory as well. " and since no one was picking you guys up, I thought I should surprise you."

"Wow Sookie!" Lorelai exclaimed as she touched Sookie's pregnant tummy. "Do you know when the sex of the baby?"

"Yeah Sookie, is it going to be a boy or girl?" Rory asked as she admired Sookie's pregnant state.

"Well I know but Jackson doesn't want to know until the baby is born." Sookie replied as she looked over at Jackson.

"Hey, I'm an old-fashioned guy. At least it will be a real surprise." Jackson answered. "Sookie spoiled it for herself."

"Don't listen to him." Sookie said as she smiled at them. "Tell me everything? Was your trip awesome? Spill on every single detail!"

"Amazing!" Lorelai excitedly. "We'll tell you all about it but first, take us home Jackson. We miss it."

"Definitely." Rory replied as she put her arm around her mother and leaned her mom's shoulder. Back to Stars Hollow, back to her life…back to reality.

****

"I'll get that right away for you sir."

Today, like every other day, Lana was running. Running every which way and back. At times she wanted to complain but she really couldn't. This was what she asked for. Business. A lot of business. Ever since she had gotten the dirt on the Beanery, business at the Talon was really good. And ever since the summer, business was even better. With school being out and nothing much to do in a small town, people came in swarms for their ice cappuccinos and lazy summer movies in their theater. All in all, life was good. Life was busy, which was great because she didn't have to think of things. The things that bothered her, that worried her. Namely, it helped her not to think about Clark. No, she had more pressing matters at hand. Like serving coffee and muffins to a crowd that just couldn't let up. Even if there wasn't chaos in the coffeehouse, she just couldn't let herself think of him. It just hurt too much.

As she ran towards the counter, she looked up at the clock that hung by the ceiling. It was 10:35. "He's late." She mumbled to himself as she went about her business. But as she served another round of ice cappuccinos to a couple, he came through the door and sat at his usual spot in the corner of the café. She smiled and quickly got his coffee (two creams, one and a half sugars) and his bagel, just as she always did every morning. And like every morning, the moment he came through the doors, it was also her time to take a break. As he was reading the papers, she placed his order on the table and eased herself into the chair across from him.

"You're late." Lana exclaimed as she tipped the top of the newspaper to see his face.

"I'm sorry." Lex replied as he tipped his head to the side hoping for forgiveness. "Something unexpected happened."

"Is it anything serious?" Lana asked, her tone suddenly getting worried, as flashes of hope went through her mind. Maybe Clark called, she thought to herself.

"No it's nothing like that. More like something slightly unpleasant, but nothing serious." Lex reassured her. "My father came by."

"Oh." Lana answered, understanding. "Not exactly the person you want to face early. Especially since you're not a morning person."

"Exactly." Lex said as her took a sip of his coffee. "Basically it was more of the same fake concern he has for me after the ordeal. Trying to convince me that he is still sorry about the accident and that he had no hand in it."

"Maybe he's telling you the truth." Lana said in a hopeful tone as Lex furrowed his brow, not convinced. "He is your father. It's natural for a father to be worried about his son after all that you've been through. You were gone for a month." Looking down, her voice got softer. "We almost thought you had died."

"Hey." Lex said as he touched her hand. "I'm alive remember. Yes I could have died from the plane crash and being on a deserted island, but I survived. If there is anything that is good from being a Luthor is my resilience. I should have died long ago but I'm always fortunate enough to have always come out of it, unscathed and stronger than ever. It is hard to keep a Luthor down."

"I know." Lana replied as she looked up with a small smile. "I'm just glad that you're okay. That you came back to us."

"I'm glad too." Lex said, returning a smile and then returning to the subject at hand. "I guess what it comes down to is that I don't trust my father. I mean how can you trust a man who hired a woman to spy on me, a woman who ends up to be your wife and who tries to kill you on your honeymoon."

"Helen." Lana sighed. A subject they had continually avoided ever since he had returned. She still couldn't believe that she had left Lex in the plane alone as the plane crashed into the ocean. She just seemed so normal and very much in love with Lex. How could she have known how devious she really was inside? Lana couldn't imagine how Lex was handling that.

"And you wonder why I have problems trusting people." Lex said. Despite its slightly mocking tone, the truth behind it still laid beneath the surface. "People either try to kill you or…"

"…they abandon you." Lana replied finishing his sentence as she began to be lost in her own thoughts.

"You're thinking about Clark aren't you?" Lex remarked as he watch her looking away.

"Kinda hard not to." Lana said with a laugh, trying to mask her feelings. "Especially when the one person who you thought would never leave you ends up taking off without any explanation to God knows where."

"He's going to be back Lana." Lex replied.

"Is he Lex?" Lana asked, trying to hide her tears. "I mean you weren't here. You didn't see how lost he was. I kept asking him what was wrong but he kept pushing me away. He just stood there with a blank expression on his face, saying that it was his fault. That it was his fault that his mother lost the baby, that the cellar was destroyed. He didn't make any sense." Lana wiped the tears across her face. "The more I pushed, the more he pulled away. And then before I knew it, he jumped on his motorcycle and drove off."

"Clark will come back when he's ready to." Lex said with a reassuring tone as he pulled his chair closer to Lana. As he got closer to Lana, he rubbed her shoulder. "He just needs to clear his mind, get away from it all and figure things out on his own. Don't lose faith on him now. He loves you."

"I guess in my heart I know it too." Lana replied as she looked into Lex's eyes. "But I don't think I trust him."

"I do, just like I trust you Lana." Lex said. "And that's saying a lot coming from me. I mean, you are the only two people in this world that I trust, no questions asked." Then he reached for her hand. "So the question is, do you trust me?"

"I do." Lana said softly.

"So trust me when I say that Clark will come back." Lex said and then changed to a happier tone. "Now tell me what else is going on with you. Have you heard from Chloe?"

"She's doing fine. She's been really happy in Metropolis working for the Daily Planet." Lana answered. "Actually, she's coming home tomorrow."

"Is my imagination or do I hear a sound of disappointment in your voice?" Lex looked at her questionably. "I thought you'd be glad to have Chloe home."

"I am, but that brings me back to my next problem." Lana explained. "I've been thinking about it and I don't think I can stay at Chloe's house anymore."

"Why? Is she a horrible to live with?" Lex said mockingly. "Let me guess: you're the neat freak and she's the mess."

"No, nothing like that. I love living with her. It's like having a sister, you know?" Lana replied. She knew he could understand since he had been living as an only child most of his life. "I love her but…I guess I'm afraid of what will happen when she comes home, especially after what had happened with Clark and all."

"Oh." Lex said, realizing the implications. When he had gotten back, Lana had explained to him how her and Clark had gotten together but they hadn't had a chance to tell Chloe before she found out on her own. "I thought you both had gotten past it."

"In a way we have." Lana answered. "But on the other hand, it's more like we've been avoiding it. I'm just afraid that when she comes home, we're going to have to face reality and with the added burden of living with her, it will make life more miserable for the both of us, something that neither of us will be wanting for our junior year."

"So what are you going to do?" Lex asked.

"I don't know." Lana said honestly. "I mean, I want to move upstairs into one of the apartments upstairs but the renovations won't be done until the end of summer. Maybe I can wait until September to move out of Chloe's house…I don't know."

"Or you could just live with me for a month and then when the apartments are done, you could move in there." Lex suggested.

"Oh no Lex. I couldn't impose on you like that." Lana replied. "I can deal with this."

"Come on! There is no imposition. I offered, remember?" Lex said in defense. "And how could you be a bother? I live alone in a mansion. I mean, yes I like my privacy but it'd be nice to have some company. What do you say Lana? I mean what are partners for?"

"Lex…I don't know…"Lana said, unsure.

"What are friends for?" Lex asked. "You can any wing of the mansion you want. And servants. And I promise I won't be a terror to live with. Come on, do I have to beg?"

"Well, I guess not." Lana said with a smile. "But it's only for a month okay? The minute the apartments are done, I'm out of there."

"Deal!" Lex exclaimed with a smile, clearly excited. Suddenly his cell phone rang and he picked it up. "Hello?" The voice sounded muffled. "Damn! The reception's bad…can you wait?" and then he turned to Lana. "Okay, do you want to move in tonight?"

"I…um…okay." Lana answered, still unsure.

"I have to take this call Lana but I'll come by later and help with the moving, okay?" Lex replied as he stood up from his chair and began to walk out of the Talon.

"Yeah, that's fine. I have to get back to working anyways." Lana replied. "Can you come by around 6?"

"Sure." Lex replied as he waved at her. "I'll see you then!"

As he walked outside, he spoke into the cell. "Hello? Are you still there?"

"Hey."

"Can you speak up? I can't really hear you."

"Lex?"

"Clark?"

To be continued.