Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. A little jump into an AU season 5 due to the changes this story required, i.e Clark never becomes mortal and he doesn't get back together with Lana etc, etc. Anyway enjoy.

3 months later.

So Clark is getting ready to start college soon. Happily the summer passed by fairly peacefully except for this guy who was actually trying to destroy Smallville with a nuclear weapon. Thankfully Clark is bullet proof because when he and Chloe confronted him he tried to shoot Clark. Anyway Clark managed to subdue him no problem. On the personal front he and Willow are getting on great. They've gone out on a few dates now. They're even up to proper kisses and Willow's kisses are really quite nice. Clark can't deny how attracted he feels towards Willow now despite the bump she now has or maybe because of it.

On the down side he and Lana are really not getting on. A situation made worse by her boyfriend Jason breaking up with her. Clark had never liked him but for some reason Lana seems to think Clark had something to do with it which he didn't. In Clark's view Jason only stuck around because he hoped through Lana he could get to the stones. When it became apparent to Jason that he couldn't get the stones, he upped and left.

On a similar theme Clark's friendship with Lex is not too rosy either. Not that Clark hasn't been trying because he has but there is an undeniable gulf forming between them which is not helped by Lex's secret projects that Chloe has stumbled on. He'll have to look into this underwater weapon Chloe says Lex is working on. At least he and Chloe are getting on. In fact Chloe knowing his secret and having the ability to talk openly to her has lifted a lot off Clark's shoulders which he is immensely grateful for.

As for Buffy and the rest, he and Willow visit when they can. Willow is designing a security system for a new headquarters they plan to set up in Scotland. Clark has to admit Willow really is brilliant even though he can barely understand it all. It's some sort of combination of science and magic. The science he can deal with, the magic not so much. Willow has been trying to teach him a little bit, he even learned Latin. His training with Jor-El is going well. They're still working their way through Krypton's history. Jor-El feels it important that Clark gets a full understanding of the Kryptonian race. Considering the age of the Kryptonian race Clark has a feeling that this will take several months yet.

Anyway at the moment he is cooking breakfast when he hears Willow enter. He turns to look at her "Good morning"

"What's good about it?" Willow snaps.

Ok that's not good.

"Sorry" Willow says. "I'm just feeling a bit cranky this morning"

Clark smiles gently "It's fine Willow". Boy Clark hopes that is not the start of Willow's mood swings. Clark brings up another topic "I was talking to Jor-El and he offered to scan the baby's genetic structure"

"Any particular reason?" Willow asks.

Ooh Clark will have to word this carefully. "He wanted to make sure it was stable. Apparently it has been a long time since a human and a Kryptonian had a baby"

"Why is that?" Willow asks.

"Because it is very rare. Our species are barely compatible. The odds that you and I managed it are large"

Willow looks sternly at Clark "How large?"

"Very" Clark says.

Willow's hands descend onto the bump "Then this baby I'm carrying is a miracle in other words"

Clark goes up to Willow and kisses her "Yes it is. A wonderful miracle just like you"

Willow blushes "Aw you are sweet you know. Ok when does Jor-El want to see us?"

"This weekend if that's alright"

"It should be. I don't suppose you could get him to turn up the temperature for me"

"I should be able to. I don't think he would want any harm to come to the baby. So why don't you sit down and I'll make you breakfast"

"Ok thank you"

"No problem" Clark says cheerfully as he turns back his attention to breakfast.

Willow sits down at the table and watches him work. He really is sweet and the dates he has been taking her on these last few months have been nice and she has to admit she loves his kisses. The feel of his constantly warm lips is really quite nice and she has to admit she really is attracted to him. The fact that the summer has been nice and quiet was a bonus. Willow herself has been keeping busy designing a new security system for Giles and co. When he asked her, out of the blue she may add, she had thought of going evil on him for dropping this workload on her but she got over it. Now if she could only get over the very strange cravings she is beginning to have. She blames Clark for them. It has to be his alien genes that are responsible.

Willow's gaze turns to her bump. Five months along and she is definitely showing now. She can't help but wonder what her baby will be like. She can definitely sense the life force the baby emanates now and she can tell that Jor-El was right, the baby will be like Clark. She wonder's what sex the baby will be. Does she want to know? Does Clark? "Clark"

Clark turns his head "Yes"

"When Jor-El scans the baby will he be able to tell the sex?"

"Not sure. Probably"

"Do you want to know?" she asks in all seriousness.

Clark stops and completely turns round to face Willow "Do you?"

Willow thinks then reaches a conclusion "I think so. I would like to use he or she and not it when describing our child and knowing now would gives us a few months to work on a name. So back to you. Do you want to know?"

"Truthfully I wasn't bothered either way but I agree with all your points. So if it's want you want we'll ask Jor-El"

"It's what I want"

"Well then I'll ask this weekend" Clark says as he gets back to making breakfast.

Willow raises another point "So what do we tell Dr Mitchell about how we found out the sex?"

"I don't know. When's the next appointment with her?"

"Next week. I suppose we'll have to mention that we now know that the baby will have your powers"

Clark shrugs "I guess but they'll be a bit intermittent at first, mine were"

"Really?" Willow asks.

"So my parents tell me. One moment I could lift a truck, the next I was normal so to speak and fast asleep. I think it came from overexertion. Like I said I store energy like a battery, too many super powered feats"

"and you run down" Willow says finishing Clark's train of thought

Clark smiles as he places Willow's breakfast down on the table "Exactly and being little meant my body couldn't store as much energy as it can now. In fact according to Jor-El it would take years for my body to run down now"

"I didn't know he was up to teaching you biology" Willow remarks.

"He went over the basics due to the fact you're pregnant. We're still mostly on Kryptonian history"

"So did he say if anything weird would happen while I'm pregnant?"

"No but I think that maybe why he asked to scan you and the baby. Why? Are you ok? Has anything happened?" Clark suddenly tensed up with worry.

Willow shakes her head "Only if you count odd cravings as weird"

Clark relaxes "Oh right. He said the pregnancy would follow a human one in time scale if that's any comfort"

Was it? Willow supposed so. It could be worse, like lasting years or something.

"How's the security system coming?" Clark asks

"It's coming along. Gives me something to do since magic and battling hell minions is probably out of the question till I give birth. How's the preparation for college coming?"

"Good" Clark answers.

"So any plans for today?" Willow asks.

"Not really. Thought maybe I would take an easy day at the lake. Do you want to come?"

Willow shrugs "Sure. After all, Buffy and I did do all that shopping last month to accommodate my growing waistline and it would be a shame to let that swimsuit go to waste"

That weekend Clark is getting ready to take Willow up to the Fortress. It had been an interesting week. While he and Willow were at the lake he had ended up meeting one Arthur Curry or AC as he liked to be known who can actually swim faster than Clark. Turns out he was investigating that new weapon Lex was developing and that Chloe had mentioned. It seemed to kill all marine life so AC tried to blow it up.

Now Clark couldn't allow that. That crossed a line as far as he was concerned but he and AC did manage to destroy the weapon in the end much to Lex's annoyance. Clark couldn't figure on what had happened to Lex. All those years he claimed he wasn't like Lionel and yet he is turning out just like him.

As for what exactly AC is Willow had asked Giles about that and his theory was that possibly AC was from Atlantis and that yes it actually existed hidden behind some sort of magical barrier. Of course AC had gone and left a somewhat broken hearted Lois. That had saddened Clark. For all the aggro Lois caused him he wanted her to be happy.

The weekend comes and Clark and Willow are in the cave ready to go up to the Fortress.

"So has he mellowed since I was last up here?" Willow asks in reference to Jor-El.

"A little bit actually. I think the AI matrix has adjusted to more frequent interaction with me. So ready?" Clark asks.

"As I'll ever be" Willow replies.

Clark takes her hand into his and drops the key into the slot on the altar and he and Willow are transported up to the Fortress. As soon as they arrive the ambient temperature increases to something that is comfortable for Willow.

"Father" Clark calls out.

"Kal-El. You have brought your chosen as we discussed" Jor-El states.

"I have" Clark answers back.

A crystal chamber begins to rise out of the ground.

"This crystal chamber will allow me to ascertain the current health of the unborn child"

"You'll have to go inside" Clark explains to Willow and he leads her over.

"This won't hurt will it?" Willow asks.

"I assure you the process is pain free" Jor-El's voice reassures.

Willow nods and quickly kisses Clark and walks inside. The chamber door closes and Willow is encompassed by a light for several minutes. The light then fades and the door opens "The process is complete" Jor-El states.

Clark holds out his hand to Willow and she takes it as they walk back to the control panel. Clark alters a crystal and a holographic image of the child appears along side a 3D map of the DNA.

Willow stares at the perfect representation of her child in awe.

"The scan indicates the blending of the genetic codes is stable. The child is in perfect health" Jor-El states.

"Can you identify the gender?" Clark asks knowing Willow wished to know.

"Yes. The child is female"

Willow's face bursts out into a huge smile "I'm having a girl?"

Clark wraps his arms around her shoulders and kisses the top of her head "We're having a girl" he says with a hushed tone. He's going to have a daughter, he can barely believe it.

Willow virtually melts into Clark's arms. She going to have a daughter, a precious little girl that will be hers, theirs.

They stood there together for several minutes just looking at the image before Clark says "Would pink be too obvious for the nursery?"

Willow laughs "Yes it would but at least it'll help us narrow down clothing and possible names?"

Oh names. Clark hadn't really thought about that "Got any ideas about a name?"

"No, you?"

An idea hits Clark "What about Lara? After my mother"

That's not bad Willow thinks, then a better idea hits her "What about Tara?"

Clark knows the significance of that name. "Are you sure you would be ok with using that?" he asks with genuine concern.

"I have to come to terms with her death sometime and besides it would be a good way of remembering her. Tara was full of light, goodness, purity and I know our daughter will be the same"

Clark smiles "Our daughter. I like the sound of that"

"Me too" Willow admits. She likes a lot of things lately, standing here in Clark's arms, she likes that. She really likes Clark. Sure he's a bit naïve at times but he just smiles that smile of his and her resolve cracks. That smile. He just flashes it and her anger fades regardless of what he has done. His smile warms her heart just like Tara's use to.

That's what happens when you're in love a voice in her head suddenly says. That's when it hits her, she's fallen in love with Clark.

On the way back to their apartment Clark couldn't help but notice Willow's silence. "Willow are you ok?"

"I'm fine"

"You sure? You seem lost in thought?"

Lost in love would be accurate Willow thinks but she doesn't know how Clark would react if she told him. "I'm sure" she lies.

Clark can tell something is off and he's not quite sure what to do about it. Normally he doesn't push but he just has this feeling that whatever is bothering Willow is important and if she's bothered, he's bothered. Saying that if she's happy, he's happy. They have seemed to develop a bond beyond the obvious facts that they're married and Willow is carrying his daughter. He wonders if their daughter will look like her. He hopes so, he does love her red hair and her beautiful smile and her wonderful laugh.

That's because you're in love a voice in his head suddenly says. He looks at Willow and then he realises the truth. He is in love with her.

"Come on pick up" Willow says as she waits for someone to answer the phone. She needs to talk to Buffy about her in love with Clark revelation and since Clark went off to see Chloe this is the perfect time.

"Hello" It's Dawn.

"Hey Dawn. It's Willow. Is Buffy there?"

"Hey Will. Sure hang on. Buffy!"

Willow has to hold her ear away from the phone at Dawn's shouting.

"She's just coming. So what's up Will? How are you?"

"I'm good"

"Well here's Buffy" Dawn says

"Hey Will" Buffy's voice sounds on the phone.

"Buffy. Erm are you alone? I need to say something kind of private"

"Sure hang on. Dawn beat it. Ok I'm alone, now what's the problem?"

"I don't know how it happened Buffy. I mean I realised I liked him and sure he's sweet and caring and funny and he gets these cute little dimples when he smiles but that doesn't explain how it happened"

Buffy was lost at the end of yet another Willow babble "Ok Will you'll need to keep to the point, Buffy's brain doesn't work at babble speed"

Willow takes a breath and collects herself "I'm in love with him"

"Him who?"

"What do you mean him who? Clark of course"

The penny drops for Buffy "Oh"

"Is that all you have to say?"

"Calm down Willow. Now have you told him?"

"No. I'll probably freak him out. We're only up to kissing"

"Kissing? Really? Is he good?"

"He's incredible and you're getting me off my problem"

Buffy sighs "Look Will I know it's been a while for you but your only option is to tell him how you feel. I mean this is Clark Kent we're talking about, he isn't going to run off and leave you high and dry when your pregnant. He wouldn't do that"

Willow has to concede that "No he wouldn't"

"So you'll tell him and let me know?"

"Yes" Willow concedes.

"Good. Now if you need me for anything I'm only a phone call away"

"I know and thank you Buffy"

"You're welcome" With that Buffy hangs up the phone. Wow Will in love with a man. It's a strange, strange world.

"I'm in love with her Chloe" Clark says

"In love with who?" Chloe asks. She had come to the Kent farm liked Clark had practically begged her to on the phone and now he was hitting her with this.

"Willow"

"Oh" Chloe says

"Is that all you have to say. I need help here Chloe" Clark says desperately.

"Calm down Clark. Now have you told her yet?"

Clark shakes his head "No. I'm not sure how'll she react. I mean we're only up to kissing"

"Well that's something. Are they at least good kisses?"

"Electrifying but that's beside the point Chloe. What do I do?"

Chloe wanted to hit him with a piece of kryptonite for being so thick "You tell her"

"But,…, but…"

"But what Clark? But what if she doesn't return your feelings?"

Clark nods

"So you'll be back to where you started in Vegas. I mean is she going to go running off with your child?"

Clark shakes his head "No she wouldn't do that". Clark knew Willow well enough to be sure of that.

"Then tell her or don't and sit around brooding"

Clark sighs "I'll tell her"

Chloe gives Clark a comforting hug "It'll be fine. You'll see"

"Thanks Chloe"

"Don't thank me yet. I'll be using this as leverage against you for years to come"

Clark gives her a look and Chloe smirks in response. Oh she's never going to let him off the hook about this.

Dinner that night had been in silence as neither Clark or Willow had worked up the nerve to express their feelings and the silence continued until they said goodnight and headed for the still separate bedrooms they slept in. Willow opened her door and Clark was about to go into his room when they both stop and look at each other and at the same time,

"Clark I love you"

"Willow I love you"

They both stare at each other "Did you?" the both say.

They both walk towards each other and Clark strokes some hair off Willow's face and tucks it behind her ear. "I did and I do, love you"

Willow stands on her tiptoes "I love you too".

Their lips are now only inches apart and Clark lowers his until their lips crash together. Willow's arms lock around Clark's neck and it isn't until the need for air is too great that they break apart. They rest forehead to forehead.

"So what now?" Clark asks

"Now we act like a normal married couple" Willow answers as she releases her arms from Clark's neck and takes his hand and leads him into her bedroom. No from now on it was their bedroom and tomorrow they would talk about turning Clark's room into a nursery for their daughter but tonight they would be together as husband and wife. A husband and wife who loved each other.

Author's Note: I have to mention that I have added an epilogue to my original inspiration for this story, that would be my story called A Surprise Guest. Please feel free to go and read it if you haven't already done so.