Clark sighs as he picks at the splintered edges of the barn's first level hatch door. He'd gotten a phone call from his on-again off-again girlfriend Lana Lang asking if she could come over to talk, so she'd be there any minute.
From Clark's vantage point, the sun could be seen slowly sliding down the horizon; making way for the dark night ahead. Clark's head twists to listen as he picks up on the feint sound of a vehicle door slamming shut, and then high heels clicking on the pavement outside.
He turns and leans back against the hatch as Lana makes her way into his vision, walking slowly up the wooden steps. He smiles at her as she finally comes to a standstill in front of him.
"Hey."
"Hi, Clark." She says, brushing a long strand of her brunette hair out of her face and behind her right ear.
Clark pushes away from the hatch and walks closer to her.
"So, what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?" He asks, running a hand through his own dark locks.
Lana sighs heavily, and stares at Clark for a few seconds, "I've decided I'm leaving Smallville." She says in a small voice, as she looks away from him to the table, off to the side.
Clark blinks slightly, his mouth opening and closing slightly of its own accord. He watches her posture and expression quietly, before giving a slight nod of his head. "There's really nothing left to say, is there?" He asks finally with a gentle shrug. "It looks like you've already decided." He states.
She nods, her small hand coming up to cover her mouth. "I'm coming back, Clark." She tells him, "I just don't know when yet." She takes a breath before continuing, tears in her eyes. "I need to go and find myself, and I think Paris is the perfect place to do that..."
Clark frowns slightly and moves toward her, "Lana..."
"No, just listen Clark, please." She pleads with him, "With everything that's happened here…I'm - I'm becoming someone else; someone I don't want to be. When I look into the mirror, I don't recognize the face looking back at me anymore!" She smiles slightly, "When I'm with you is the only time I feel how I always want to feel..." She stresses to him.
Clark nods once again, "I know…I've noticed." He tells her sadly, "I know you don't need my approval, but you have it…" He continues, "When you see what you need to see; when you find you, come back to me?" He asks, stepping closer to her and enfolding her in his large arms.
Lana melts into him and begins sobbing into his chest, nodding her head vehemently, "Of course; I'm doing this for us..." She mumbles.
Clark smiles into her hair slightly, before whispering to her, "I know.
I can't get close if you're not really there..."
She giggles and blows out a small relieved breath, before carrying on reciting a fraction of the poem they had made together.
"...I can't get inside if there's no soul there..."
Clark nods and kisses her softly on the head. "Take your time..." He tells her quietly, "I won't go anywhere."
Lana looks up at him and kisses him sweetly on the lips. "Thank you for understanding...It means a lot."
He chuckles slightly, wrapping her back into a hug. "I'll picture you with the wind in your hair, on top of the Eiffel Tower." He tells her, "I'll keep your things right where you left them. I'll be here for you, if you need me." He finishes, closing his eyes as he tries memorizing her presence.
"I love you so much, Clark."
"I know. I love you too."