Clark landed in the loft and extracted himself from the red leather flight jacket, pulling his phone from an inner pocket as he tossed the jacket aside. He opened it to see new messages from Lois and smiled. She's on her way here, good, he thought. Oh, there's another: "I love u too." His heart swelled so much that he thought he couldn't contain himself. He tried to straighten up around the loft but found himself constantly looking toward the stairs. What would he say now? What would he do when he saw her? He couldn't wait to hold her again. This was it – time for everything. He was ready. They were ready. Noticing how at ease he felt with the decision, he heard steps and turned with excitement to see her standing at the top of his stairs.
"Lana?"
"Hi Clark," she said, stepping forward once onto the loft platform.
He instinctively moved back, though he realized he felt no pain.
"What are you doing here?" He couldn't hide the shock in his voice.
"Good to see you too," she said, a little embarrassed.
Not meaning to be hurtful, he said, "Sorry, I just …," but he trailed off.
"Oliver called me," she said, stepping forward again. "I came to help find Chloe." She stepped forward once more and was pleased to see he wasn't grimacing.
"Oh, um" was all he could manage as he noticed her moving closer. Why didn't he feel anything? Why wasn't he doubled over in agony?
"Lana?" he questioned, tentatively, and she closed the distance between them, taking his hands in hers.
He looked at her hands holding his with wonder and then his gaze met hers. She saw the question there and smiled triumphantly.
"The levels are diminishing rapidly. There's almost no trace in my blood or skin anymore." She paused, watching his face as it sunk in. Smiling uncontrollably now, she asked, "Isn't it wonderful?"
He stood in what seem to her like awe and whispered, "Yes, wonderful" while still staring at her. She raised herself up, stretching on the tips of her toes, and kissed him gently. He felt as though he were in some sort of trance. He couldn't move. He didn't kiss her back but he didn't push her away either. He was frozen.
Lois, on the other hand, was racing back to her car while quietly sobbing. Once she'd made it to the driver's seat, she steeled herself to keep from breaking down right there. Survival mode kicked in, and she pulled away refusing to glance back as the barn shrunk in her rear view mirror.
Lana watched Clark intently. His lack of response unnerved her. She'd imagined him being ecstatic, grabbing her up and making up for lost time on her lips.
"Clark?" she asked quietly.
He shifted nervously and broke eye contact. He removed his hands from hers and stepped back.
"Are you okay?" she asked, suddenly worried. That must be it, she thought, the traces are getting to him, making him sick, weak, unable to respond. Yes, that's it.
He saw the flash of concern and understood the basis. "No … I mean, I'm okay … no pain …" he trailed off again and averted his eyes.
Reality began to sink in for her. "I thought you'd be happier," she said, timidly, backing away and looking down.
She sat down on the sofa, head in her hands. Clark hated seeing her hurt but he also couldn't help but wonder why Lois hadn't shown up. He knelt on the ground near where Lana set huddled and took a deep breath.
"I'm very happy," he began slowly, "that my friend is well and that we can be friends again."
"You said 'friends' twice," she quipped. "I get it," and she stood quickly turning her back to walk away.
"Lana," Clark said, and she stopped, keeping her back to him. He continued, "I'm so sorry. I never expected any of this." She could hear the sorrow in his voice and felt bad for putting him through all of this.
"I'm sorry too, Clark." She turned to face him. "It was ridiculous of me to think you wouldn't move on. I know neither of us expected me to recover, but I always hoped we'd find a way." She paused. "I guess I thought you did too."
"Lana, I'll always care about you but …," his words were failing him. How did he tell her the truth without hurting her more?
"But … Lois?" she questioned knowingly.
"Yeah, Lois," he replied.
