Chapter Three

Ashley stared at herself in the bathroom mirror; she was still the same girl she had always been. There was nothing hugely different about her, aside from the paleness of her skin which was finally starting to look healthy again. She ran the brush through her hair quickly, letting her hair fall a little more naturally and making sure her long fringe was covering her scar. She reached up and touched it briefly; it was not as red and angry as it had once been but it still made her uncomfortable. She didn't want to have to think about that day ever again, she didn't want to have to see any reminders either. She sighed and wondered if it would ever disappear completely, leave her with a faint silvery line running down her forehead that looked pretty rather than ugly. There was nothing else she could do about it now, she smoothed down her skirt and left the bathroom, heading down the stairs to meet Clark. She didn't want to leave him with her father for too long, nobody should have to endure the supposedly innocent questioning of a girlfriend's father. Clark stood up from his seat on the sofa the second he saw her, she looked stunning and he felt so lucky to have found a girl that made him feel so uncomplicated.

"Bye Dad," said Ashley as she grabbed Clark's hand and pulled him out of the farm. Silently, hand in hand, they started walking across the fields, Ashley wanted to show Clark her secret garden and he was happy to do whatever she wanted. They had the beginnings of a perfect relationship, Ashley made Clark feel normal and Clark made Ashley feel accepted, it was as though fate had thrown them together, knowing it would work itself out.

They sat down on the grass verge that led on to Ashley's garden; flowers of every size and colour jostled for space in the soil and Clark listened intently as she told him about each of them and how she had begun planting them when she was nine years old. After the conversation had died away, they lay in the blazing sunshine for what felt like hours, soaking up the heat, the beauty of the day and the ease of each other's company in comfortable silence.

"Have you called your friends since you woke up?" said Clark finally, leaning back a little to get a better view of her. "They must be pleased you're back," Ashley shook her head and gazed at Clark.

"I haven't called them," she admitted. "I don't even know why, I think I just want to get away from my past. I don't want to go backwards, I mean, I've only been out in the real world for just over a week but things are so good, I feel like I'm moving on," She laughed softly to herself, brushing a fly from her bare leg. "I think it's because of you,"

"Me?" asked Clark incredulously, sitting up straight and looking deep into her eyes. "I didn't do anything,"

"Clark, you saved my life. Not only that but you didn't pass me off as a freak when I got back, you ignored my scars and made me feel special for all the right reasons," She could feel herself turning red with the embarrassment of admitting her deepest thoughts to Clark but a part of her didn't care. It was all true and she wanted him to know.

"You are special," he smiled, moving in closer and stroking down her arm gently. "And I don't ignore your scars; they're just a part of you that I love. You think they make you ugly but they don't, you are so beautiful," She smiled silently, letting Clark's every word wash over her, he leaned forward slowly, making sure it was the right moment. His lips pressed against hers so tentatively at first but they soon gathered passion, Ashley entangled her hands in his hair, pulling and grabbing while he moved his own down her body to her waist, pulling her so close that she was practically sitting on his knee.

She loved kissing Clark; it was everything she had ever dreamt it would be. She loved being in his arms, he made her feel sage and while she knew it was an after-effect of their first meeting, it didn't matter. She was caught up in a haze, she still couldn't believe that things had worked out; she never thought that he could feel anything but pity for her. If she was honest with herself, she still felt ugly in comparison to Lana but when she wasn't there, when her and Clark were alone, he made her feel like the most beautiful girl in the world. Ashley could have happily spent all day in the garden, lying in Clark's arms and kissing him for what felt like an eternity but he was due to meet Chloe at the Talon to go over his article on the basketball team before they went to print. Clark asked Ashley if she wanted to come with him and so they walked into town, hand in hand. Clark was oblivious to the sideways glances and lazy looks they were getting but Ashley was used to the gossip and small-town mentality of the Smallville population. They whispered about the girl who was struck by lightning and the fact that the boy who saved her was now her boyfriend. She didn't care what they said anymore, if they thought Clark was with her out of pity then more fool them.

"Hey guys," smiled Chloe as they entered the coffee shop, Ashley sat down with her while Clark went to order their drinks. "What have you two been up to today? You're looking a little rosy-cheeked," Ashley giggled girlishly.

"Chloe, he's amazing," she sighed. "He's so soft and tender but then he's just so rough and passionate. It's like there's two sides to him," Chloe smiled as Ashley touched her slightly swollen lips. "And they both know how to kiss," Chloe laughed out loud, drawing the glances of the other café patrons. Clark looked over as she attempted to stifle her giggles but it was too late. He walked to the table, flanked by the waitress carrying a tray of coffees.

"What's so funny?" he asked, smiling his thanks to the departing waitress, Ashley smiled at him and squeezed his knee under the table. Chloe shook her head definitely and he smiled broadly. "Fine, what did you want to talk about?"

"Your article is perfect but I'm moving it to page four," said Chloe, sipping her coffee calmly. Clark moved to protest but Chloe interrupted him. "I know the front page was yours this week but something's come up and I need it,"

"Well, what's so big that I get stuck on page four?"

"It's still a little sketchy but I've got another week to work on it, you'll see," she said enigmatically. "Don't worry, you can have the front page next time, I promise,"

"As long as it's not an exposé on the cafeteria," sighed Clark.

The three of them sat laughing and talking and drinking endless amounts of coffee for the rest of the afternoon. Shortly before four o'clock, Lana walked in and seeing the gang, joined them immediately. She had been so busy lately that she hadn't even met Clark's new friend. Everyone looked up as she pulled up a chair and joined them.

"Hey Lana," said Clark. "Where have you been hiding?"

"Here, mostly," she sighed. "Or with my nose stuck in a book, I don't even know how I got so far behind. I've just been doing so many shifts here and meeting with Lex," She trailed off, there were no more excuses. She had been too busy to make time for her friends and admitting that felt awkward, especially with the stranger at their table. "I'm so sorry, I'm Lana," She offered her hand out across the table.

"I know," smiled Ashley, shaking Lana's hand briefly. "I'm Ashley," There was an awkward silence as the two sized each other up, Lana felt rude for looking at her, she knew Ashley's story and knew it was only human nature to be curious but it wasn't in Lana to be so blatantly rude as to stare at Ashley's scars. "I'm sorry, I should really get going. My Dad will be worried about me; it's a nasty side-effect of knowing exactly where to find me for the last six months,"

"Do you want me to walk you home?" asked Clark as Ashley stood up. She shook her head quickly and leaned down, kissing Clark full on the mouth and not caring what people thought. She was marking her territory and although she felt a little silly, she also felt like it was necessary, she needed to let Lana know that Clark was hers now. Clark watched her leave the Talon with a dazed look before turning to face Lana and Chloe's questioning looks. "What? She was just saying goodbye,"

"I don't use my tongue to say goodbye," laughed Chloe. "What is it with you two? You haven't spent one day apart since she came back to school, you're all over each other like a rash. I don't get it,"

"I think it's sweet," offered Lana. "She obviously cares about you a lot, you look good together,"

"Thanks Lana," said Clark. "She's great and we have so much in common. I like spending time with her, something that Chloe can't seem to understand. You thought she was some psycho or something," Chloe pulled a face at Clark's lecture and stuck her tongue out at him.

"So, is she like your girlfriend now?" asked Lana innocently.

"Well, we haven't really discussed it. I mean, I guess so, I don't know," Clark seemed quite uncomfortable with the question which immediately answered it for Chloe. He really liked this girl; he just didn't want to admit that fact in front of Lana.