CHAPTER 1:
Getting out of his truck, Clark couldn't remember the last time he felt so free and ready for the next step in his life. He had finally got over the angst of Lana and he was slowly coming to terms with the awful feeling of "Destiny". Today he was going to tell Lois that she was more than a friend to him, he didn't know what she was to him, but she was more than a friend and he needed to let her know.
He had been there and helped her get over Oliver and she had been there for him, as he worked his way through the fact Lana was engaged to Lex. Maybe it just needed some pretty ugly things to happen for him to finally realize he needed to deal with it and grow up and that one of the most important people in his life was the bossy, annoying, beautiful, sexy, kind-hearted, intelligent and wonderful Lois Lane.
He had rung her a couple of hours ago and asked if he could met her at her apartment around 6pm. She sounded a bit distracted but she eventually agreed to meet him at 6.
Clark had spent the last couple of hours getting ready and mentally rehearsing what he was going to say to her about where he had come from, how he feels about her and how she makes him feel good about himself and who he is. He just knows that she is the only person who sees him as just Clark Kent. He had even taken the time to write a note and pick a fresh bunch of white lilies for her.
Nervous as anything but finally knowing he needs to take the next step in their friendship he walked into the Talon and climbed the stairs to her apartment, taking deep breaths to give himself courage. Smiling to himself he decides to let himself in and give her a surprise. Grabbing the door handle he opens it wide with a big smile on his face and stops dead unable to comprehend what is happening in front of him.
Lois is lying on her couch wearing only her underwear, which would be a good thing if only Oliver wasn't lying on top of her, kissing her, wearing only his boxers.
Clark is standing there stunned not knowing what to think or do and all the fear and loneliness he thought he had finally started to resolve crashed back into him. Feeling like he has been standing there for a lifetime, yet could only be seconds, he feels, in slow motion, the flowers falling as they leave his hand. Lois and Oliver are so wrapped up in each other that they do not even hear him. Pulling the door he feels a tear start to run down his face as he lets go the door and walks down the stairs, knowing that this will be a picture he will never be able to erase from his mind.
Looking around he sped out as fast as he could and raced away, for once letting the tears fall, as he feels safe from prying eyes.
CHAPTER 2:
Feeling his lips on her she was lost. Knowing that here was a man that she could love forever if she could only get past his disappearing and continual fabrication of the truth. Within him she was sure was a man that could be someone to walk the path of life with and who would not try and stop her from achieving her dreams.
Having literally bumped into him as she left the Talon to pick up some milk for Clark's visit she couldn't believe that she was now in a serious make-out session with the delectable Oliver Queen.
"Oh sht, Clark," she thought to herself as she put her hands on Oliver's chest and pushed him back off her a bit so she could breath. Looking around she frantically looks at the clock and sees it has just gone 6.02.
"Oliver, Clark is coming over and we need to stop", she says as he continues to bite on the side of her neck, causing tingles to run down her body.
"Clark's a big boy, just call him and tell him you are busy and reschedule. Its not like anything is going on with you two is there?"
"No, nothing like that, he just wanted to come over and talk and after all the crap he has been putting up with Lana and Lex who can blame him."
"Well I am not getting up, as you, my sexy Lois, are a very comfortable bed, so just give him a call," he says, reaching down to the floor to find her cell in her jean pocket. Lois stares daggers at him and then shoves him off and sits up. For some reason, which she won't think about right now, she doesn't want Clark to see Oliver and her like this
Standing up she picks her jeans up off the floor and looks for her top. Thinking back she remembers Oliver and her fumbling to open the door as they kiss, before crashing into her apartment as Oliver slides her top off her as the door closed behind them.
Walking towards the door she stops, stunned, as she sees the lilies lying on the floor by the slightly ajar door. Her breath catches in her throat as her mind goes blank, "where had they come from".
Seeing the card and desperately hoping they are from Oliver she takes one look at the writing and knows they are definitely not from Oliver. With trembling hands she opens the card . . .
Dear Lois
I walked as though there was no road
Of which I'd take to turn
You held my hands oh so cold
You knew I had to run
I never trust I never see
The pain left from the past
The foolish me I could not begin
To forget it not that fast
A little smile, your lovely eyes
You took it all to understand
My foolish moods, my silly broods
You gazed and took my hand
Another smile, another laugh
Chances, they are a few
I take the road, I take the turn
and there's no one there but you
Thank you for being in my life and being my friend.
Clark
Turning around she can only think "I need to talk to Clark, now!" Racing over she grabs her cell off Oliver and dials Clark's number.
"Pick up, pick up, come on Clark pick up", she whispers, already knowing that he won't answer.
"What's wrong?" asks Oliver
"Hang on", she replies waiting for Clark to pick up his phone
"Hi, this is Clark, you know the drill, leave a message after the beep . . .
"Hey Clark, its me, give me a call, I found your flowers and want to thank you, hope you are alright and . . . Clark give me a call . . . please, we need to talk, please . . ." not knowing what else to say she hangs up her cell and prays he will call her back soon so she can explain.
"What's wrong," Oliver repeats
"Somehow between you and I arriving and now, Clark left me these lilies. They certainly weren't here before we came in so when did they arrive and what did he see, and where the hell is he now"
"Why does it matter, we are adults we can do whatever we like and it has nothing to do with Clark what you and I were doing. If he did see anything who cares, Clark just has to get over the fact that you and I are back together." Oliver said a little grumpy that she seemed to be more worried about Clark than being nice to him.
"Because Clark has been having a really tough time lately and the last time we talked, I mean really talked he was feeling lonely, with Lana being with Lex, Chloe in Metropolis all the time and his Mum being away so much. I am the only person he has been talking to and if you were any sort of friend to Clark you would know that he has a morbid fear of being alone." She snapped at him.
"Friends, Clark and I were never friends, he was always too worried about how I was treating you and always giving me some sort of attitude," he replied, "and he continually seemed to want to try and interfere, how a farm-boy could be so self-righteous is beyond me regardless of what he can do, and why on earth would you care whether Clark is lonely or not? Let him find some buxom farmgirl to date and then he wouldn't be lonely anymore."
"Don't be such an ass," she snapped, "Clark is always there when everyone needs him but who the hell is there for Clark right now?"
"What I want to know is why you are so upset that Clark might have seen us kissing on the couch?"
"I am not upset about that, I am upset about the fact he rang and asked if he could come over at 6 and I was making out on the couch with you and totally forgot about him. What sort of friend does that make me?"
"So you really aren't upset that you and I might have been caught making out on the couch?" he whispers in her ear, as his arms encircle her naked waist.
"No," 'Liar' her mind yelled, "I wouldn't have been making out with you if I didn't want to," she whispered back as she pushed her head to the side to allow access to kiss the side of her neck. This is what she has wanted with Oliver for a long time and this time she was not going to let it get away because of Clark or anyone.
CHAPTER 3:
Clark sat there, wondering if he had ever felt more alone in his life. What did he have for himself? His mom had her job, Lana had Lex, Chloe had the Daily Planet and Jimmy and the one person he really wanted to talk to more than anyone was with Oliver. Closing his eyes he listens to the rhythm that has been his balancing focus over the last couple of weeks, since he realized that Lois was more important to him that he had ever realized.
Blushing, he quickly stopping listening when he heard her racing heart and could hear her moans. Feeling like a stalker he slowly allowed his heart and soul to harden against all the pain he was feeling. If he was destined to be alone then now was the time to get used to it and stop wanting so many people to be there for him.
Now wasn't the time to start worrying or brooding but now was the perfect time to start his training, when everyone that had an emotional hold on him had something or someone in his or her life. Sadly smiling to himself he finally understood what Jor-el meant by "you will live with them but you will never be one of them".
Walking into the only place he had ever called home, he remembered all the great times he had had as a boy growing up with such loving and strong parents. His father had made the ultimate sacrifice to bring him back from Metropolis and this was what ultimately cost him his life. How could he now throw it away brooding about what couldn't be. It was time to be a man and find out what that meant.
Taking some photographs to remind him of the people he was about to leave behind, he slowly closed the door behind him and looked up into the night sky and wondered if he would ever look at these same stars in the same way ever again.
Remembering the words his father had told him once, he finally smiled as he remembered it so vividly as if it were yesterday.
"Clark, if a person keeps getting up after they fall then eventually they will stand there proud against the ravages of time and lesser men and they will know that they have beaten the toughest opponent in life – themselves. Clark that is when you can call yourself a man."
Taking a deep breath he sped into the dark night . . .
CHAPTER 4:
The next morning, Lois found herself driving into the Kent's farm. She could admit to herself that she was more than worried about Clark after both Chloe and her had received no answer or reply to their numerous voice and txt messages.
Knowing that Clark would normally be sitting in the barn brooding, she marched into the barn and up the stairs ready for whatever she was about to face. To her surprise it was empty and looked like it had not been visited for a while. Little did she know that since Clark and her had been getting closer he had not felt such a need for solitude.
Shaking her head at her assumption, she turns around and heads back down the stairs and walks towards the house.
Suddenly a scream rings out "Clark, oh my God, Clark" from the house. Knowing that voice anywhere Lois runs into the house, shuddering to think what she is going to see. She spies Martha sitting on the floor clutching a piece of paper with tears running down her face. Not knowing what else to do Lois crouches down next to her and pulls her into a hug and slowly takes the piece of paper from her hands.
Mom,
It is time, I wish there was more time for me to say goodbye and I just don't have the words to say goodbye.
Since the first day I saw Dad and your loving faces smiling at me I knew that I would be loved and safe. You have taken me as far as you can on this journey that has allowed me to mature into the person I am today but I need to find the man inside.
I am lucky that I have had one of the greatest role models in how to be a man in dad and I will always remember your words and his behavior and I will make you both so proud of me.
If anyone cares just let them know I need to do this and now is the best time. Everyone has got so many opportunities in front of themselves right now and I need to find my destiny and try and work out where I fit, but most of all, I need to allow myself to feel proud of myself.
I love you mom
Love Clark
P.S. Tell Lois that I hope her and Oliver will be happy and I am sorry for walking in without knocking.
Lois feels her heart sinking as she realizes that Clark is gone. "Leaving her, how could he leave her? Because how would you feel if you walked in on Clark and someone half naked?" her mind asks, "Oh my God Clark I am so sorry, please don't leave us, we need you", but all the time she knows it is too late. Clark has gone and she knows that a part of her has gone as well . . .
CHAPTER 5
5 years later . . .