A/N: The short story begins where the season 2 episode 'Super Menace!' ends. It's a missing scene between Superboy and Lana after he's cured from the bad effects of the Red Kryptonite.

Apologies

Superboy and Lana walked from the lab to the garage and he noticed that Lana kept her distance at least a foot ahead of him. Whenever he came close, she sped up, until they finally stopped by her car. Superboy glanced at the front right tire.

"Lana, do you have a spare?"

"Spare what?…oh…oh damn! Not another flat." She kicked the tire. "One of these days when I make real money I'll invest in something cool, like a jeep."

Superboy held out his hand. "This isn't a problem. I can take you home, it's a nice night for flying." He smiled.

Lana ignored him and rummaged through her trunk until she yanked out a tire. He could've sworn she grumbled something about "no flights, no tights."

Superboy attempted to help but she shoved past him and set the tire down.

"No thanks, the forecast said rain."

"I'll fly over the clouds, you won't get wet."

"And chance us getting hit by a lightning bolt? No way, Superboy."

"Okay, fine." She set out the tools disgruntled and he reached out again. "Lana, let me do that, it will only take a few seconds."

"No. I can do this myself. I'll never learn to handle my car properly if I rely on everyone else for help."

Lana adjusted the carjack and cranked it. Superboy crouched beside her and lifted the vehicle with one hand.

"At least let me hold it up. The tire's all yours."

Lana's crystal-eyed gaze could've froze him on the spot. "Don't drop it on me, okay?"

"Why in the world would I do that?" He asked flustered, but then looked down and nodded. "Never mind. Of course I won't. Go ahead, change it. Just don't make the lug nuts too tight, they'll spring right off and…"

Lana slammed down her tools. "I know what I'm doing, okay? I read the repair book. Are you a Super Mechanic now too? I don't remember seeing you ever drive a car."

Superboy didn't, but Clark Kent did since he was sixteen. But he couldn't tell her that.

They maintained an awkward silence. Superboy waited patiently while Lana worked. Avoiding further conflict, he didn't remark on her distracted handling of the job. He felt a surge of pity. She was furious and he tried to understand why. Hadn't she forgiven him at the lab? Lana joked that she didn't know if she could, but laughed it off to reassure him. The red kryptonite had messed with his mind in a bad way, but now that he was cured, he had no recollection of the damage and trouble he'd caused.

Lana tossed the wrench in the toolbox and wiped her hands, satisfied with her handiwork. Superboy gently lowered the car and they stood. He put the old tire in her trunk before she could blink. Her hair flew in disarray.

"Woah! You didn't have to do that, Superboy."

Superboy ignored her. "On second thought, I can get rid of the old tire for you."

Lana put up her hand. "It's okay. I'll dump it tomorrow, thanks anyway."

Lana opened the driver's side door. She pulled out sanitizer from her purse and wiped her hands. "One of the best new products ever." She looked at Superboy with a half-hearted smile. "I'm headed back to the dorm. Aren't you needed somewhere else?"

Superboy shrugged. "I don't know. I think I should lay low until General Swan makes a public announcement about the red kryptonite tomorrow afternoon. He promised to clear my name, remember?"

"Right. He definitely should. I have to go. I have a pop-quiz in psychology tomorrow morning."

Superboy held back surprise. He was glad he'd finished studying the textbook a few nights ago. "If it's a pop-quiz how do you know about it?"

"Word gets around fast at Shuster U. Professor Salk is kinda predictable sometimes."

"Yeah, I guess…I mean, I heard…um, Lana, he should give you an A+ for how you handled the situation tonight."

When she entered the car, Superboy shut the door. Lana gazed at him. "I don't think he'd count my little reverse psychology trick on you towards an 'Intimate relations' quiz."

Superboy cleared his throat. "Oh, I see. But you know what I mean, right?"

"Sure I do. Hey, maybe we'll see each other soon." Lana gunned her engine and Superboy stepped back from her window.

"Sure. Thanks for believing in me, Lana." He sensed a change in the air and humidity. "Be careful on the road, okay? You're right about the rain."

Lana couldn't look at him. She gulped down a lump in her throat, then took off before he saw her tears.

~Oo~

Lightning split the sky and thunder rumbled. Just as Lana hit the highway, the rains came. Her windshield wipers didn't work at full speed. She banged the steering wheel.

"Stupid piece of junk! You crappy car! I'm gonna tell Superboy to crush you into a tiny square and flick you to Mars!"

Lana's notorious temper got the best of her. The last few days were like a waking nightmare and she'd barely slept. Her best friend Clark called her a roaring lion when she lacked sleep and liable to bite anyone's head off.

Superboy's exposure to red kryptonite caused him to behave outright criminal and he'd even teamed up with the horrible murderer, Metallo. Superboy, in his altered state, hoped to double-cross Metallo and gain more power from the red kryptonite. From the beginning, Lana knew it had to be a mistake and that Superboy was somehow a victim. She felt like the only one left who had faith in him. Clark's roommate Andy McAllister strolled around campus trying to make fast cash by selling "Anti-Superboy" tee shirts with a slash across the red and yellow emblem. A bunch of students wore them proudly on campus and at "Anti-Superboy" rallies.

Clark had grown angrier by the day, all but kicking Andy out the window for his obnoxious behavior and growling every time someone mentioned Superboy or Metallo. His sudden transition from good-natured and sweet to furious and volatile was a shock that she still couldn't explain. To make the situation worse, the media reported on Superboy's worsening behavior. They'd attacked him from all sides and dubbed him, 'Super Menace!'

"Never mind all the wonderful things Superboy did for the world and and charity." She spoke aloud. "They couldn't see he needed help? That he wasn't himself?" Lana sniffled. "What am I saying? I treated him like a total jerk and he'll probably hate me now."

Lana gazed at the black sky momentarily. "I'm sorry, Superboy. I love you. I just need a little time, you really hurt…"

A truck horn blasted in front of her. Lana had veered onto the opposite lane. She grabbed the steering wheel and twisted it right, narrowly missing the monster-sized tractor. It would've caused a tragic accident, seeing as the tractor carried a cluster of vehicles on top of it. Passing cars blared their horns at her carelessness. Lana took deep breaths and gripped her wheel, she needed to pay attention and slow down if she wanted to make it home in one piece.

The rain, much needed in these parts, did not let up. As she coasted again, the car jerked and metal snapped. The lug nuts sprang off the tire. Lana screamed as the tire flew off and her car bounced on its side. She panicked and tried to drive off the road, but made a complete spin. She desperately tried to remember what they taught in Driver's Ed about these accidents, but everything was a blur. She screamed as other cars swerved to avoid a collision. The rain slicked highway made it hard for her old brakes to work properly. Lana braced herself. Any second now the car would flip over. She lowered her head and squeezed her eyes shut, awaiting the harsh impact.

"Superboy! Help me!" She cried out.

The flipping and crashing never came and the car halted in the marshy grass with a small jolt. Her door flew open…and sailed three feet in the air, landing in a nearby pond. Lana trembled and opened her eyes. Superboy knelt beside her. He gently clutched her shoulder.

"Lana! Are you hurt? I don't see any broken bones. Try not to move." He ordered and scanned her for internal injuries. She was only badly shaken with a few bruises and scrapes.

Lana grasped his arm and slid over while attempting to tug him into the car. Superboy soon found himself sitting behind the steering wheel. She slid onto his lap and tossed her arms over his neck.

"Superboy! Thank God you were here. I'm so sorry for how I treated you. You're right. I was angry and hurt, but I know it wasn't your fault. You never would've done that to me if you weren't exposed to red kryptonite."

Superboy pushed the seat back to make more space for the two of them. "It's okay. I'm glad I followed you. I didn't trust that tire when I saw how hard you hammered the bolts."

"I should've listened."

"Yeah, you should have, but I know you're not in the mood to deal with me right now."

Lana eyed him with guilt. "What do you mean, Superboy?"

"Lana, please, I need to know what I did to you."

Lana felt a giant wave of foolishness. She bit her lip and lowered her face against his shoulder.

"Never mind, Superboy. It's over. You're cured and that's all that matters."

Superboy shook his head and forced her gaze. "No. It does matter. I feel terrible. You have to tell me."

"It wasn't as bad as it seems. I'm just being a drama queen as usual." Lana looked around embarrassed. "I didn't mean to pull you in here, but you were drenched. I didn't want…"

Superboy's soft, blue-eyes could've melted her on the spot without heat vision. His gaze never failed to send pleasurable shivers through her. She leaned toward him with her lips puckered, but Superboy moved aside and she was back in the driver's seat.

"Lana, why can't you tell me what I did to you?"

Lana tossed up her hands. "Superboy, you're very persistent!"

"And you're very stubborn."

"You need to let things go. It's over with."

"Not for me. Not until I know how I hurt you."

"You didn't hurt me!"

"Now you're lying."

"I'm not a liar!"

"Well then you're shielding the truth. I can take it, Lana."

The tears she'd fought all night spilled over. Superboy reached out and she sobbed in his insignia.

"Lana…it's all right. I'd never want to hurt you. I never will. If something like this happens again, I'll fight it!"

"Superboy I…you…"

"Tell me." He prodded gently.

Lana sat up with a deep breath. "I was in the dorm. I'd just gotten off the phone with my mother and was dressed for bed. You kicked open my door and scared me to death. You teased me; you even tried to dump my goldfish out of the bowl. I begged you to let me help. I wanted you to talk to me."

Superboy tensed and made fists. "Did I?"

"For a second you acted like you cared but then yelled at me to get dressed."

Lana cautiously touched her jaw. Superboy noticed a few bruises through her concealer. He caressed her face and a pang of remorse shot through him when she shrank from his touch.

"Lana, what did I do? Why is your face bruised?"

Lana tried to smile, but gave up. "It didn't hurt that much. You…you grabbed me by the chin and flung me across the room on the bed, then threw my leather jacket at me."

Superboy groaned. He couldn't look her in the eye anymore.

"You wouldn't leave until I changed, but stood in the doorway blocking the view and making fun of everyone. Andy came to check on me, and you blew him down the hallway. You burned up his box of anti-Superboy shirts. Better those horrible shirts than him I guess."

Superboy lowered his face in his hands. "Poor Andy. Then what?"

"You flew me to a dive bar where you met Metallo. During the flight you kept pretending to drop me. At one point you did…about ten feet! I don't know what it was, but you caught me fast and just stared at me, I think…I think you tried to fight it, but whatever power the red Kryptonite had was too strong."

Superboy wanted to punch a hole through the roof of her car.

"I tried to convince you to stop but Metallo said I had a big yap so you shoved me out the door. You said there were a lot of other broads around. I didn't leave. I followed you and Metallo to the army base and spoke to General Swan. Their scientists had an idea to reverse the effects.

"So they took a chance and used you to confront me." Superboy glowered.

"No. I wanted to do it. I had to." Lana wiped her eyes and smiled. "See, I told you it was nothing."

Superboy banged the dashboard so hard it collapsed. Lana gasped but he held her back from leaving.

"Wait! I'm sorry! Lana, I did hurt you and it could've been much worse for everybody if the red K effects were any stronger. Lana, please forgive me."

Lana relaxed. Superboy was no longer a threat. He was very angry with himself and she even saw tears pool in his eyes. She clutched his hand.

"I already did at the base, but I'll say it again. Superboy, I forgive you. I know you'd never do that on purpose. The world will know it too. It's not like you went around destroying countries or landmarks or anything…well, the bartender said after Metallo left you shot pecans at all his mirrors and shattered them. Then, you laughed, yelled at a few patrons, but…nothing else!"

"Nothing you witnessed anyway." He sighed.

"No, Superboy. You're not like the rest of us. You're an immense force for good, it would take a lot to make you truly evil."

"Do you really believe that?"

"I know it." Lana hated to see him defeated. His handsome face fell downcast and his shoulders slumped. She moved closer and sat him up tall. "Hey, buck up, Champ! It's not the end of the world and I'm sure you'll repair the physical damages."

Superboy smiled and brushed his hand through her long, red hair. "But what about the emotional? All the mistrust and hurt feelings I caused. To you especially, Lana. I just can't…"

Lana tugged him close and interrupted with a long kiss. She slowly pulled away, allowing its sweetness to sink in. Superboy was dazed and she giggled. He licked his lips and smiled. Her laughter was music to his ears.

"Feel a little better? Do you believe that I forgive you now?" She teased him.

"Absolutely…but maybe you can convince me one more time?" Superboy leaned in to return the kiss but saw flashing lights and a tow truck pull up. He patted Lana's shoulder and she opened her eyes disappointed.

"Help is here, Lana. Someone must've called your accident in. I should go. Looks like the rain stopped too."

"Oh, wow, it did."

As he exited the car, Lana grabbed his cape. "Superboy, wait."

"What is it?"

Lana tilted her head toward the pond. "Umm…would you mind putting my door back?"

They both laughed and Superboy fixed the damages to her car.

~Oo~

The following day at lunch, Clark and Andy sat in a fifties-style diner just outside campus. Andy wore his normal Superboy tee-shirt, but in true Andy fashion, he marketed the anti-Superboy shirts as 'The Red-K' failure line. They were guaranteed to be worth big bucks in the future.

When everyone heard General Swan's humble announcement over the Government's failure to monitor the kryptonite experiment properly they'd cheered in the streets. Whatever damages were incurred would be paid for and the world had nothing to fear from the honorable boy of steel. Superboy went before the cameras and made a full apology for letting the world and those most dear to him down. The tides of public opinion immediately changed and Superboy's name and reputation was in the clear.

"Clark, did you watch the news this morning? Superboy is all right, he's not Super Jerk anymore."

Clark sipped his soda pensively. "Yeah, I'm glad. Look, Andy, I have to…"

Andy waved his hand. "Clark, are you gonna apologize again?"

"Of course. I'm really sorry for the way I behaved when…"

"Clark, stop. Let me tell you something, you getting mad like that was the most amazing thing I've ever seen! Well, next to a man flying of course…uh…among other stuff." He smirked at a pretty patron in a mini-skirt.

Clark looked puzzled. "What? You actually liked that I was mad?"

"You were being a real dork too, but it was totally awesome!" Andy leaned over and slugged his shoulder. Clark pretended to wince and grabbed it.

"Ouch! Not so hard. That'll probably leave a bruise, thanks, Andy."

"Jeesh, Clark, It's not like you even wear tee-shirts. Maybe you should get to the gym. You're supposed to go more than once a year."

Clark nodded and bit into his burger. "Yeah, you're right, Andy. Hey, remember the last time I even lifted the twenty-pound sets? Not bad, huh?"

Andy stared at him like he was a hopeless case. "Clark, it's a wonder you can carry your own weight. Anyway, I was upset, but then I thought about it. Thanks to your angry outburst, I finally know that you're part of the human race, buddy. You've put an indelible spot on that goody-goody reputation and joined us after all. Fantastic!"

Clark had to laugh. "Andy, I'm not perfect. I don't have wings and a halo."

"None that we can see." Andy tapped his forehead. "But, you're impossibly good, Clark. Thanks for apologizing anyway. I appreciate it."

Clark sat back relieved. Andy was one to get offended quick, but he was good-natured and brushed things off just as fast. The door bells jangled and Andy waved at Lana. She hurried over, looking much more refreshed than the night before.

"Hey, did I miss anything?"

"Same old stuff now that everything's back to normal. I heard you had car trouble last night?" Andy said.

"Oh yeah, my tire went bad and I was stuck on the road for a while. No big deal. But I'm ready to junk it. My mom said she'd go half on a jeep!"

"All right, Mrs. Lang! You'll be cruisin' in style." Andy said.

"How do you think you did on the quiz, Lana? It wasn't too hard." Clark asked.

She shrugged and slid in next to Andy. "Okay, I suppose. We all knew it was coming."

Clark sighed. He felt she'd avoided him all day. He kept his head down and concentrated on eating. "I think I passed. I had a chance to study earlier in the week."

"Sure, since nobody dared bother you." Lana quipped, but he caught the sarcasm.

Andy looked from Clark to Lana and was about to come to his friend's defense but Clark stared her straight in the eye.

"Lana, I don't know what came over me these last few days. I had deadlines and then with Superboy going bad, everyone on the Herald was breathing down my neck to keep tabs with the story. I was upset just like you both…but that was no excuse for me to take it out on you or Andy. Can you forgive me?"

Lana crinkled her brow and gazed at him. He was as earnest as Superboy, and his words were similar; it were as if…Lana dismissed her thought. She rolled her eyes with a wide grin and switched sides at the table.

"I guess I'm chopped liver again." Andy sulked.

Lana ignored him. She wrangled Clark's arm through hers and leaned her head on his shoulder. Somehow that felt warm and familiar to her. Clark smiled relieved.

"Of course I'll forgive you, Clark. Besides, it's refreshing seeing you show emotion like that."

Andy chuckled. "I rest my case, buddy. Even Lana agrees that you're finally one with us lowly humans."

"Andy, c'mon. I'm…human. If I wasn't, that never would've happened." Clark insisted, trying to quench his embarrassment. Sometimes he wondered if that were true.

"Andy stop teasing him." Lana scolded. "Why is it so impossible to think that a person can be kind most of the time? It's something to aspire too. I'm learning to work on my temper, what are you doing to better yourself?"

Andy put his hands behind his head and eyed the attractive waitress that pranced by balancing four plates. "Hey, I'm working on my tan, and my mojo."

Clark and Lana laughed. "Your what?" They said in unison and laughed again.

"My mojo! You know…my prowess…my charm…my sexual…"

"Andy, that's okay, we get it." Clark stopped him.

Andy shoved a bunch of fries in his mouth. "Lana, you wouldn't be glowing so much because of a corny test, what else happened?"

Lana giggled. "Okay, I have a date tonight."

"Who's the brave guy?" Andy sat up, feigning disappointment. "Why is it impossible for me to ever go out with you?"

"I don't know! Because you're you, Andy. I have a date with Superboy!"

Clark gaped at her and Andy snorted. "Oh, I get it, Now he's being super smooth. He wants to give you a personal apology for being a Super Jerk!"

"Stop calling him that, Andy. Superboy saved your life a few times and he's our good friend." Lana defended him and Clark hid a grin.

"Okay, okay! I didn't mean anything by it. I know. Superboy helped me have a relationship with my father. We're closer than ever thanks to him. I owe the big guy a lot."

Clark pulled a small envelope out of his plaid shirt pocket. "Actually, Andy, Superboy owes you. He told me to give you this. It's to cover the costs of the shirts he ruined. If it's not enough, he'll get the rest to you soon."

Andy took the envelope and counted out a hundred dollars. He wanted to pocket it, but Lana glared at him. He shook his head resolute and slid the envelope back to Clark.

"No. I won't take it. I shouldn't have made those stupid shirts in the first place. I was just mad, and I guess…"

"Disillusioned?"

"Yeah. He can keep it, use it on Lana's date or something." Andy smiled.

Clark pocketed the envelope and pushed his glasses up his nose. "Well, you know, that's what happens when we put too much stock in heroes and idols, they can disappoint us to the point where we do foolish things. And…I say that for myself too."

Andy and Lana contemplated on what he said. Lana took a few onion rings off Clark's plate. "You're right, Clark. It's okay to look up to someone for inspiration, but not take it to the extreme. Ideals and people can always fall short."

"Yeah. Even with the best intentions."

Andy pushed his plate aside and clasped his hands. "I love all this psycho babble and I'm sorry to dump ya, but that blonde waitress is just waiting for me to sweep her off her feet. I'll catch you guys later, and if she says yes, I'll see ya all tomorrow!"

Clark rolled his eyes and finished off the food. "Lana, are you hungry? I can get you something to eat."

"No thanks. I'm saving my appetite for tonight. Superboy and I are going to a fancy Italian restaurant and the owner is giving us a private room. General Swan hooked us up with a great reservation."

"Oh, sure. I gotta get back to campus, I have some last minute work before the paper goes to press. Are you okay now? Is there anything I can do to help you?"

"Never better, Clark. Thanks." Lana was about to walk away, but she quickly kissed him on the cheek. Clark blushed.

"I feel much better because I have you in my life too."

Clark watched longingly as she left. He paid his bill and stepped outside. He had a few more damages to undo as Superboy, like re-installing the bank vault door. It was still closed for business since he'd robbed it two days ago. The bar also needed replacement mirrors.

Aside from taking the test, Clark had another class, and deadlines at the Shuster Herald. He spent the latter half the day as Superboy, apologizing to everyone and fixing public property. The hours dragged on and he finally finished making amends within an hour before he was to meet Lana.

A slew of police cars sped by as he flew overhead, followed by speeding fire trucks and ambulances. He listened in on the communications. They were responding to a five-alarm fire. The smell of smoke filtered in the air. He looked over the horizon at black plumes and rippling orange flames shooting out from a tall, white brick building. It was the Crescent City Retirement Home.

"I'm sorry, Lana, but this has to come first." He flew fast to the scene.

~Oo~

Lana stared wistfully at the sky from her dorm room window and plucked at the royal-blue straps of her dress. She was tired of looking at the clock. It was nearly eight-thirty. Superboy had promised to meet her an hour ago. She kept checking herself in the mirror and applying and re-applying make up just for the heck of it until she got sick of her own reflection. She had a feeling her date was a no-show. She pounced on her bed and rested her chin on her arms, blinking back tears.

"Such is the life of a Superhero. He's always there when you need him, but never there when you need him."

She rolled over and grabbed her remote. As she flicked through the channels she stopped at a news bulletin showing the aftermath of a retirement home fire just a half hour ago. The building had been salvaged thanks to the firemen and Superboy's aide. In what could've been potentially deadly for all the residents, there were two casualties from smoke inhalation. A quick clip showed Superboy and the police offering comfort to the victim's families. The reporter explained that there could've been mass explosions due to the chemicals and oxygen tanks found within the building.

Lana gazed at the footage of Superboy blowing out the fire. In a large heroic feat, he cracked frozen lake water over the building and warmed it to raindrops with his heat vision to put out the flames before they spread to neighboring homes and buildings. Crescent county called his presence a miracle. Lana clicked off the TV and went to her window again. Her heart swelled with pride, and she felt foolish for thinking he'd stood her up without a reason. That was not his way.

Superboy obviously had more important things to do than have Italian dinners with star-struck co-eds. She drew the shades, then heard a low knock at her door. Lana sprinted to open it and saw Clark standing there with a pert smile. She needed a moment to make sure it was Clark Kent. He was dressed in a sharp pair of charcoal slacks with a matching blazer and a dark blue button down shirt – no tie. His dark hair, which was usually plastered in a side part, was combed back in soft waves. He held a large sunflower in his hand.

"Lana…um…wow! You look so nice."

Lana tugged at her curls, she didn't understand why a compliment from Clark would make her feel so giddy. "Thank you, Clark. I don't think I've ever seen you like this. You look fantastic!"

"Thanks! Andy put his foot down…and uh…Superboy wanted me to tell you that he's really sorry he couldn't make the date tonight, he had an emergency to handle and then something else came up."

"I know what happened with Superboy. I saw it on the news. Amazing as always." Lana smiled gently at him. Clark's nervousness was adorable. She waited for him to finish.

"Yeah…he asked me if I would take his place and I agreed. It's your date and I don't want you to be disappointed but…well…would you settle for me?"

He pushed up his glasses and held out the flower. Lana immediately took it and closed the door in his face. Clark stood open-mouthed and crestfallen and then turned away. Ten seconds later her door opened and Lana hurried to his side with her purse and laced her arm through his.

"Clark, I'll never settle for you. I'll go out with you any day."

They headed away from Shuster's campus and out on the town. For the best friends, it was one of the sweetest times they'd ever shared.

The End.