Author's note: My very first fic! I've written this eons ago, and undergone multiple revisions. I have a copy of this posted at a different site, although I had it discontinued. So this time around I decided to shorten it. That being said, I'll be posting the modified version in one posting, although I'll be dividing into 2 parts.

This fic is a remake of Season 3, around episode 8. I know that tiny detail makes this story really, really, really out of date. But I'm missing the old school Clana, one without Lex in the equation.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

"Code Red, OR Three"

"Dr. Taylor…Room 215…Dr. Taylor…Room 215"

The hall was filed with noise - nurses scurrying to get to their patients, doctors calling out orders, the collective cries and moans of patients…yet nothing seemed to faze the lone figure standing outside a particular room…

Through the small patterned window on the door, he could see her lying on the bed. He couldn't tell whether she was sleeping or not, with her brows knit close together and mouth slightly open, it was difficult to figure out. But one thing was for sure, she was in pain and it was his fault. Shaking his head roughly as to drown out the memories of seeing her lying unconscious on the barn floor, he entered the room.

"Hey," he croaked out, unsure if he was even allowed to speak to her.

"How's Lex?" Her throaty reply broke his heart, it was obviously taking a lot out of her to even hold a conversation.

"Lex isn't doing so good."

"I'm sorry, I know how much you wanted to help him."

He wanted to shake his head at that. She shouldn't be apologizing, that was his job. But as he sat before her now, he wasn't sure which of his mistakes he should be apologizing for. Must he say sorry for lying to her face every single time? Or about how he pushed her away since he got back from Metropolis? The list goes on and on.

"Um…The doctors say that you're doing better," he replied, trying to at least lighten the mood. The doctors told him that it would take weeks for full-recovery, he expected that much…

"I almost died, Clark."

…but her answer, he definitely didn't expect. There was a tinge of accusation laced with her words, her slight frown wasn't doing good for his depressed mood either. "I know," was all he could say.

"I always thought you were being paranoid."

"About what?"

"That being around you is too dangerous…but it's true." Hearing her say those words, he regretted more than ever his decision to involve her in all of these. Hurting her was the last thing he wanted, she should know that by now…

"Lana—"

"It's okay Clark, I know. You were only looking out for me, but you're right …I think I have to stay away from you," she interrupted, before closing her eyes, marking the end of their conversation. What could he have said? All rights were relinquished with his mistakes.

Lana pushed her eyes closed and bit her lower lip, willing the pain to go away. The effects of the medication were wearing off and her leg was throbbing with pain. And yet she wasn't so sure which was more agonizing – dealing with her injuries or the knowledge that she succeeded in pushing Clark away.

Her vision was blurred because of the pain-relievers but she was pretty sure that those were unshed tears she saw on Clark's eyes. She had hurt him, that much was clear. She was hurting too, very much actually, but she had to end it. She was tired of making excuses for Clark's behavior, tired of waiting for him to finally open-up, tired of hoping… It wasn't that she was scared of Clark, it was the opposite actually. The physical injuries weren't the reason she pushed him away, it was the emotional torture that she couldn't put up with.

In one fleeting moment of vulnerability, she felt the overwhelming urge to take it all back – to accept him with open-arms and tell him that she didn't mean to blame him. But she knew she had to be strong this time…for both of them. In hear weakened state, sleep was difficult to fight off so she allowed it to embrace her, but not without saying the words she was dying to tell Clark…

"I'm sorry…"

The empty room didn't answer her back.

First part's done. On to the final and only chapter. Heh.