Chapter 9b

"Clark Kent, how many times have I told you not to drink from the carton. Use a glass." Mrs. Kent chastised.

"But mom, it tastes better this way."

Entering through the doorway, I see Clark trying to look apologetic, but the smile was giving him away. I couldn't help but smile as well – he looked like a little boy.

"What will our guest think? That I've brought up an uncivilized son."

"What guest?" He asked surprised, before seeing me standing in the doorway. "Liz? What are you doing here?"

"Clark! Where are your manners? I invited Liz for dinner." Mrs. Kent gave Clark a look, before turning to me. "Liz, just put that bag on the counter, honey. I'll unpack and start dinner."

Following her orders, I set the bag down. Clark doesn't seem to be happy to see me. Probably thinks I instigated the whole dinner invite…

"Do you need any help, Mrs. Kent."

"No, that's fine. Clark can show you around the farm while I prepare dinner."

I note Clark glance at his mother. "Sure mom."

Placing my bag next to the door, I follow him outside, waiting for the penny to drop… I don't have to wait long.

"So Liz, what are you doing here? I thought we covered everything this afternoon."

"Not pulling any punches, are we Clark?" Alright, so he's not impressed by my response. "Look Clark, it's not as if I planned this. I just happened to come across your mom in Aunt Nell's store, and she felt the need to invite me for dinner okay?"

"But why? Mom doesn't normally invite strangers over to dinner."

"Look, she just felt a bit sorry for me because my folks are not around and I'm alone in a new place. Besides, I did turn her down, but she wouldn't take no for an answer."

"That sounds like mom." Apparently, he's decided to ease off a little. "Sorry. I guess I'm just surprised to see you here, that's all."

We continue walking in silence, all the while taking in the sights and sounds of farm life. There was a basketball hoop attached to the barn, so I'm guessing he does play some sport. What is it with guys and basketball anyway?
Walking to the boundary, I lean against the fence next to Clark. Looking out over the fields, the silence brings me peace. Surprisingly, the silence isn't uncomfortable at all. I would have expected it to be considering Clark and I barely know each other.

"Liz? What are you thinking about?"

"The peaceful silence... You know, my best friend in Roswell always felt the need to fill any silence with idle chit-chat. She couldn't stand the quiet. Most of the time I didn't mind, but sometimes… You just couldn't hear yourself think, you know what I mean?" Turning to him, I see him nodding. "Actually, Chloe reminds me of her, the constant talking and questioning and the endless rushing from one place to another."

I didn't quite know the expressions yet, but he appeared surprised, a bit defensive. "Chloe is a wonderful person; she's just always looking for the next story. So, she has the need to be one step ahead."

"Clark, I'm not trying to insult her… that was just the impression I got, okay?"

Nodding he asked, "Are you enjoying Smallville so far?"

"It's okay, it's just difficult when you're the new fish in the pond, you know?" Thinking about the day I continue, "First day at school was a bit difficult, especially when you don't have anyone to hang with during free periods. Also, when you don't actually know where you're going, you turn up to every class late, and the teachers are not impressed by the tardiness..."

"Don't worry, I know all about that. Principal Reynolds has that one on my records – constant tardiness."

"But hey, it's all right, at least I know one of the local hang outs." I smiled at him, and my stomach fluttered when he returned it.

The last rays of the sun fade. "Should we go inside?" Clark asks.

"Yeah, I guess." Retracing our steps back to the house, I find myself wondering about Clark again. We've made great strides in developing our friendship, but I still had questions that needed asking, and I didn't know how much time I had left…

"Clark, where's your favourite place on the farm?"

"Oh, the barn."

"The barn!" That was a surprise.

"Yeah, my dad built it for me. Called it my Fortress of Solitude. Come, I'll show it to you."

Entering the barn, we walk up to the spacious hay loft, where the area was obviously Clark's space. There was a bookshelf and desk, lots of books haphazardly lying around. A basketball, 2 mismatched couches and a coffee table, lots of pictures on the wall… and to my delight, a telescope stood at the window.

"Wow Clark, this is wonderful." Unable to help myself, I immediately walk towards the telescope and look up at the heavens – the one constant in my life, the constellations that never changed... I loved looking at the stars; wondered about the life that existed far away from us, imagined new stars being created while others died… Focusing again, I point the telescope to the Whirlwind Galaxy…
Hearing Clark clearing his throat behind me, I straighten up and looking at him, see the raised eyebrows again and the smirk on his face. "Sorry. I should have asked first."

"It's fine, Liz. Lana's the only person, besides me who looks through that telescope. But she only does so when I'm not around." He grinned. "This is the first time I've been ignored entirely for the stars in the sky… the Kent charm must be slipping."

"Oh, I'm sorry… Did you think that you were charming?"

"Ha ha, very funny."

Walking over, I join him on the couch. "Seriously though. I couldn't bring my telescope with me – luggage constraints. So, any opportunity I find, I'm going to take advantage. Consider yourself warned…"

"Well, there goes my Fortress of Solitude." He smiled at me. "You know, I think that this has got to be the busiest area on the farm."

"Really, is there anywhere else you go to when you need solitude?" Leaning against the arm of the sofa, I wrap my arms around my legs and place my head on my knees and look at him.

Resting his head on the back of the sofa, he stretches his legs, crossing his ankles. He's quiet for a long time, and I wonder if he is going to answer. "Actually, there isn't. I'm yet to find anywhere that suits my need for privacy."

"Can I ask you a favour?"

Looking at me, he nods. "Yeah?"

"When you find that place, could you share it with me? I promise not to invade your private times, and you do the same for me… We can even work out a schedule."

"A schedule?"

I stare at him suspiciously. "Are you making fun of me?"

"No." He keeps a straight face for a total of 5 seconds before he bursts out laughing. "Come on Liz, you've got to admit that it's funny. You want to create a schedule for when we will be using this as yet non-existent place for privacy and solitude. So, let's just say you suddenly feel the need to be alone… you check the schedule but oops – it's Clark's turn at the new Fortress of Solitude… The only option for you is to then wait for a free slot on the schedule or find another place?" He laughs at me again.

"I like to be organised. So what… it was just an idea." It wasn't that funny, dammit!
"Okay, can I be honest with you?" Waiting for his nod, I continue. "In Roswell, we lived above a diner, my parent's diner actually. So there was never much space to be had. There were always people in and out; customers, cashiers, waiters, cooks, managers, friends – not that I minded the friends of course… Well, maybe sometimes… But I felt the need to have my own place, where I could think, where I could write in my journal in private, where I could look at the stars. That was my balcony; it was my area... my Fortress of Solitude." Yeah, until Max came along and ruined it for me… "Unfortunately, it was tainted – but that's a story for another time – and I haven't managed to find another one since. And now that I'm in Smallville, I don't know of any places that I could safely go to…" To my horror, I feel a tear sliding down my face and look down, trying to hide it from Clark.

"Liz?" His hand lifts my chin until I am looking at him. He stares me in the eyes, wipes my tears away and vows. "I will find that place. I promise. It will be just ours, okay? And you know what, anytime you feel the need, you can kick me off the schedule, alright?"

The tears are falling faster, but I smile at him all the same. "My hero…" Taking a tissue from my pocket, I mop at the tears. "Just give me a second okay?" Walking to the window, I stare out at the full moon, attempting to pull myself together. I don't know when I became so weepy and emotional. Clark must think I'm a complete train wreck.

Hearing him walking over to the window I start to tense up, but he only leans on the window frame, facing me. "I'm sorry, I must seem like a total dork, getting all weepy and emotional over nothing."

"Oh absolutely… the Kent charm normally reduces women to tears, but of course, that's only when they realise that they can't have any of this." Looking at him, I see him pointing at himself, and surprised myself by laughing.

"You are such a dork. What kind of woman would want a freakishly tall guy, anyway?"

"Huh, shows what you know. But then, what would one expect from someone so close to the ground. The air is not as fresh down there; it probably affected your brain function. You wouldn't recognise a good catch if it leaned down and bit you on the ass."

I'm completely amused by him. "Oh please, you consider yourself a good catch?"

"Liz, are you ticklish?"

"What?" Unconsciously, I back away, seeing his hands lift up threateningly. "No."

"Uh huh, so why are you retreating?" For every two steps I take, he takes one, gradually getting closer. "Liz, you might want to run…"

Screaming, I turn and bolt ending up behind the couch with Clark in front of it...

Clark! Liz! Dinner is ready!
Mrs. Kent's yell interrupts our impromptu game.

"Saved by the bell, but just remember, this is not over…" Clark grins at me. "We better go in before mom sends out the guard."

"Sure" Walking toward the house, I place my hands under my sweater to ward off the chill. "Hey Clark?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

"What for?" He looks as confused as he sounds.

"Just… for making me feel welcome. For listening, for letting me blubber. Pick any one."

Right before I walk through the door, Clark touches me on the shoulder. "Liz, you are welcome here anytime, even if you just want to look through my telescope."

Once again, my eyes are stinging, but I smile. "Thanks Clark."