Lana's nerves calmed as she took in the surroundings of the countryside. She didn't want to admit it but for some reason she felt more at ease at this very moment than she had in a long time. Lana had lived in Smallville most of her life and never quite took the time to soak it all in. Even now as the sun was going down everything seemed to light up and had to admit it was breathtaking.
The car engine roared as Kal picked up speed sailing down dirt roads, past farms, cows and fields going 70 miles an hour into the unknown.
Lana had so many questions whirling around in her head that she wanted to ask but as Kal slightly grinned and turned on quiet music along with her seat warmer all thoughts seemed to vanish as they both settled into silence comfortable silence enjoying the ride.
"Still don't trust me?" Kal asked tossing a sideway glance at her as he pulled onto the highway.
She put on her best confident face. "I haven't figured it out yet."
"Well, you can relax," He cried as he changed lanes. "I am not kidnapping you or anything I just want to show you a good time."
"I'm just afraid at what your definition of good time is." Lana said turning her head to look at him.
Kal roared in laughter as he picked up speed leaving the highway occupants in the dust.
Lana's breath escaped her as the car slowed down and pulled up in a vision of beauty. Staring back at her was visions of blue and green as waves crashed up onto the shore with the best view of Metropolis she had ever seen. It was night so the city was lit up making it look so marvelous.
"Kal," She gasped at a loss of words. "This view is amazing." She reached for the car handle and got out wrapping her arms around herself as the night air tickled her skin causing goose bumps to form.
She felt Kal's arms around her as he slid his leather jacket around her body. Lana looked up shyly as she accepted it helping him pull it on.
"Thanks." She smiled causing him to smile back down at her. "How did you ever find this place?" She asked curiously.
"Well, I actually own one of the apartment's over there." He said pointing to blue lit up building.
"Wait a minute…" Lana said confused. "You are telling me you actually own an apartment complex."
"Apartment room," He corrected her.
"I am not even going to ask where you came up with the money to buy yourself an apartment." She walked up to the wet sand letting her toes sink into the ground as the waves brushed up against her feet.
"Trust me you don't want to know." He said coming up next too her.
Kal reached into his pocket and took out a pack of Camel cigarettes. Reaching into his jacket packet that Lana was wearing he took out a lighter and lit it up.
He inhaled the smoke and let it escape through his nose. Lana didn't know why but found it extremely sexy watching him smoke. She always thought she would hate smokers. The smoke invaded her nostrils and Lana had to admit that she enjoyed the smell of the nicotine. It was calming.
"You know those things can kill you." She said looking at him watching him smirk as he inhaled again.
"Are you trying to tell me something?" He asked playfully.
"Yes, I am saying that cigarettes can kill you…you can get liver cancer and your teeth turn yellow and…"
"Worried about me, are you?" Kal teased grinning
Lana looked at the scenery and than back at him trying to form words. "I'm just stating the facts."
"Okay…" He said pleased that he made her squirm.
Kal took the time to take Lana over. She looked so beautiful tonight. The lights from the city played with her hair making it shine. The chilly air nipped at her tiny nose that he loved so much making it turn a reddish pink color. He couldn't help but be reminded of a rabbit's nose.
"How did you ever find this place?" Lana asked breaking him out of his thoughts.
Kal inhaled his cigarette deeply. "One night I was driving back to Smallville and came across this place. I sometimes come out here when I need to think or just be alone." He said letting the smoke release from his body as he talked.
Kal seemed to go into his own thoughts. He seemed so sad and so lonely. At school he was always around people and putting on a show for everyone. He seemed to have the perfect life. He had the teachers wrapped around his little finger and could get any girl he wanted…his life seemed perfect. It just goes to show that it doesn't matter how popular you are, you can still feel totally alone.
"Hungry?" He asked throwing the nub of the cigarette into the ocean.
"Starving" She smiled shrugging his coat off and giving it back to him as they walked back to the car.
The car slowed as they pulled up to a bright red sign reading "Al's Steak/Pub house." Motorcycles were nicely lined-up in a row and some of the locals were outside having a cigarette. It wasn't exactly the most inviting place she had ever been to but with Kal she felt safe.
"We are eating at a bar?" Lana asked curiously, as she stepped out of the car.
"Oh, Lana do you think so little of me?" He asked closing his door. "Do you really think I would take you to eat in a place like this?"
"I don't know, would you?" She asked unsure.
"Come on" He laughed as he grabbed her hand bringing her inside.
As the walked inside a cloud of white smoke clouded, the area and she could barely breathe. She began to cough and felt extremely out of place. She was wearing jeans and a blue tank as everyone else was wearing leather jackets and chains.
"Hey Jake," Kal called out getting the bartenders attention.
"Well well well, look who decided to grace us with his presence."
"Nice too see you too, Jake." Kal said tightening his hold on her hand. Lana could tell that Kal didn't like the guy so much. He tensed quickly and got into animal stance making sure to attack anyone that messed with them.
"You got the stuff." He asked drying a glass cup in his hand.
"Would I be here if I didn't?" He asked a bit annoyed.
"He's in the back" He said and Kal spared a quick glance at him before turning back to Lana.
"I'll just be a second." He said gripping her waist. "I just need to talk to the manager." Kal leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.
Lana felt a warm chill go through her body as he lips connected with her skin and she turned giving him a questioning look.
"It's ok, no one will mess with you; people know me here." He said disappearing too the back.
With one more look at Jake, he reluctantly let go of Lana's hand and retrieved too the back.
Lana took a seat at the bar and looked around shyly. This was definitely not somewhere Whitney would take her. She felt sheltered in a way. Everyone here was drinking, playing pool, when she was used to Pizza and coke with a game of truth or dare.
Minutes passed and she wished Kal would hurry up. She was drawing attention and already 2-women hit on her and one guy kept staring from afar. Whenever she would look his way, he would wink and lick his lips. She felt her stomach turn as he got up and walked over to her.
He wore a tank making his beer gut hang out and she noticed he was in desperate need of a shower. His shoes clinked as he walked reminding her of something out of the Western movies Chloe loved to watch so much.
"Hey you," He called out coming closer.
Lana pretended not to notice keeping her attention to the clock above the bartenders head.
"Hey I'm talking too you princess."
Lana immediately noticed the nickname, since Kal called her that all the time but this was the first time the nickname sent cold shivers up her spine.
"Hey!" He tried again grabbing her arm forcing her to stand up.
"Let go of me!" Lana said feeling panicked
"Oh, come on I thought small town girls were supposed to be nice. I just want to talk to you."
"Hey Hal, I wouldn't mess with her…she's Kal's girl." The bartender said suddenly making Lana feel grateful.
His grip on her loosened as he dropped her arm. "Kal's girl eh" He smiled grabbing her ponytail and pulling it back with force. His head dropped by the crook of her neck and felt his tongue roughly lick it.
Lana took deep needed breaths. She closed her eyes when she felt his hand tightened around her waist. Lana wanted to scream but felt her voice leave her in fear that if she screamed he would try something worst.
"Hal just let the girl go."
"It's okay Jake." He said too the bartender "Kal owes me one"
Gripping her arm he started taking her outside. Lana felt herself go into panic mode. Was this really happening? Why wasn't anyone stopping this? She looked around the room hoping for someone to say something but their heads hung low as if they were scared to say something.
"Let her go." Lana felt relief flood over her body recognizing the voice. Kal walked right up them and grabbed Lana out of his grasp. When he knew she was clear Kal brought his fist up and hit him with so much force, he slammed into the wall causing a little dent too form.
Lana gasped, bringing her hands up to her mouth in shock. Her heart raced as she watched him pick the guy up as if he weighed nothing and held him by the collar as he slammed him against the wall again.
"If you ever touch her again and I will fucking kill you" Kal said with venom in his voice.
"Oh, come on Kal I was just having a little fun with the girl" He said raising his hand.
He brought him forward and then back against the wall. "Alright fine I'm sorry."
Kal blinked starting to feel a little weird. He looked over at Hal's right Ring Finger and instantly took a step back letting Hal down. He felt himself grow weaker as he leaned against his knees trying to get a hold of himself. The only other time he ever felt like this was when he was around Green Kryptonite and there it was on Hal's finger taunting him.
"What? Big strong guy felt weak?" Hal asked taking a step forward.
Lana instantly stood by Kal's side rubbing his back with her hand. "You stay away from him." She spat angrily.
Hal ignored her as he took a swing and hit Kal square on the jaw. Kal flinched back against the bar as trickle of blood dripping down his face. Kal rubbed his face and felt the blood against his fingers. He had never experienced this before and never wanted to again. It hurt like hell.
"What's the matter Kal…feeling sick?" He laughed kicking Kal in the stomach with intensity that made Kal yell out in pain.
Kal grabbed his stomach as he fell over. "Stop it!" Lana cried trying desperately to get this guy to back off.
"You know what princess let's go outside and finish what I started." He reached for Lana but was knocked unconscious as a woman took an ashtray and broke it over his head.
Lana looked up as her and the woman nodded smiling taking her purse and leaving the bar.
Kal groaned feeling intense pain. "Kal are you okay?" Lana asked concerned.
"Yea just…just…get me away from here."
Lana obliged lifting his body letting him lean against her. "Do you have first aid?" She asked facing the bartender with anger.
"Yeah!" He said happily feeling grateful he could do something. He handed it too her and led Kal to the back where he fell into one of the booths.
Kal hissed as Lana poured alcohol on a napkin and brought it up over the wound.
"Fuck! That shit stings." He spat
"So what, you can handle getting into fights and violence but you can't handle a little alcohol." She laughed as he gave her a funny expression. "God, you are such a baby."
"Don't fucking touch me" He yelled swatting her hand away as she tried to clean the cut.
"Do you want the cut to get infected," She asked feeling exasperated. "I swear you are worse than a 5 year old." She said reaching back over his cut.
Kal flinched but didn't pull away as he let her clean the wound.
"You know it's your own fault for getting into that fight but… I'm glad you got hurt." She said getting a curious look from Kal.
"You're telling me that me being in pain is bringing you pleasure…and I thought I was twisted."
Lana sighed hitting his arm. "What I meant was that I'm glad that you can get hurt. For awhile I thought you were invincible." She said reaching for a band-aid.
"Invincible?" He asked clearing his throat suddenly feeling nervous. "What makes you say that?"
"Well, I mean you have such a reputation around school. I mean you hear these stories about you getting into fights and living life on the edge and no one has ever seen a scratch on you." She said ripping the band-aid open.
"Well, maybe the scars are on the inside." He said a bit sadly and than automatically playing it off by smiling. Lana caught the sadness though even if it was there for a second. What kind of scars could he be talking about?
"I want to thank you though. I don't know what would have happened if you didn't come out." Lana said feeling herself shake.
"Hey! It's over. I'm the one that brought you over here in the first place. I don't know what I was thinking bringing you in here… I'm just sorry that Hal tried something."
"Kal Kent apologizing? I believe that's a first." She laughed putting the band-aid over his wound.
She smiled a bit looking at his face not being able to hold back a giggle.
"What is so funny?" He asked seeing her amusement.
"Nothing, it's just with the band-aid on like that it sort of makes you look like Nelly." She said standing up.
"Nelly the rapper" He asked. "Should I feel insulted?"
"I don't know…but I've always liked a guy that used accessories to boost up his image."
"Oh, that's it…run."
"No" Lana shrilled in delight as he started chasing after her. Lana was fast but Kal was faster. She almost got to the car when she felt Kal grab her by the hips and twirl her around her back suddenly against the car.
Their laughter subsided realizing how close their faces really were. Kal leaned in, their lips almost touching. Lana could feel his warm breath against her face and could not remember wanting to be kissed as bad as she wanted to kissed right now. His lips hovered over hers and was about to capture them when…
"Hey Kal, you forgot you're sunglasses"
Kal leaned his head down and laughed at how bad his luck was. He grabbed the glasses from the guy and thanked him. He walked back over too the car and got into the drivers seat.
"Still hungry" He asked revving up the engine.
"Yeah" She said.
'Just not so much for food' she whispered under her breath.
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