A/N: A small reminder for this chapter, Lana came back to absorb the kryptonite in her quit but never got back together with Clark. Also, as you may have just guessed, this chapter has Lana in it.
Disclaimer: I wouldn't bet my life that I own anything but the plot and neither should you.
One talk with Bruce Wayne about their similar late night activities later and Clark was feeling more confident about the possibility of Batman joining the League. Oliver had been useless at the meeting, too preoccupied with sulking over Bruce copying his costumed vigilante/abrasive playboy billionaire act to offer anything constructive. However, Bruce seemed genuinely interested in the idea of creating an organization that people could call on for help to 'rival the evil of the common criminals on the street,' as he put it in his raspy growl, though Clark thought it was more because he liked the idea of having friends who understood him.
Leaving Wayne Manor, Clark stopped dead in his tracks when he heard a voice whispering his name the same way the chords of a once loved song call to you years later.
"Clark, can we talk somewhere?" Lana asked. Her voice was as faint as an echo on the breeze and it took him a minute to spot her leaning against a tree across the vast lawns Bruce kept.
"Race you to the farm?" He asked just as quietly and took off when she agreed.
As they ran, Clark could see her appear on his left, smiling but keeping space between them. He slowed to a walk when they reached the fields where they used to ride and Lana did the same.
"I know you're busy, but thanks for seeing me, I've missed it," she said.
"Anytime. So, how have you been since the last time?"
"Really, really good. I've been travelling a lot and I'm doing so much good in the world. It's funny but whenever I hit a problem, I think back to something Oliver said and suddenly my path is clear, even if what I have to do is hard."
"Really? What did he say that was so inspiring?" Clark was intrigued as to what Oliver could have said during the short time they knew each other that made such an impact on her.
"He asked me 'What would Clark do?'" Lana grinned. They shared a laugh and walked on in silence, twenty feet apart but still attuned to each other.
"What brought you to Gotham?" Clark asked suddenly, breaking the calm.
"First tell me how you found out who Batman really is," Lana countered.
"X-ray vision, remember? And Oliver followed him home a couple nights ago too."
"Ah. I met the elusive Bat in Nepal a while ago, before he donned the cape and the mask, and we got to talking about how corrupt Gotham was and how badly the city needed help to take down the mob. After I got back to the US, I came across gangs and shell companies in other cities all reporting to Maroni in Gotham. I'm not sure anyone knows how far they've spread but it's clear they've got a much bigger operation that the police are willing to accept."
"That's why you went to see Bruce, to warn him about how big they're getting," Clark deduced.
"Something needs to be done, especially since the police are refusing to investigate. And when I saw you coming out of Wayne Manor, I thought I'd better warn you as well since they've almost definitely made it to Metropolis. Plus I really wanted to catch up."
They reached a grassy hill and Lana lay down, staring up at the sky. Clark mimicked her actions a good distance away, turning to look at her when she spoke.
"I've been thinking while I was away and I realize I was drawn to you because of what you represented. You were my connection to a world I didn't even know existed at first. You've had your powers your whole life, Clark, but as someone who's experienced the mediocrity of normal life, the pull of your world was so strong. And now that I've found my place, I realize we were leading ourselves on. We're not meant to be together and I confused you with your ideals and what you stood for. I'm just a human, Clark, and I'm so sorry for all the pain I've caused you."
"Lana, there's a reason I've struggled with wanting to be human and normal my whole life," he said kindly. "As a people, your ability to love and protect always amazes me. You are capable of so much without any powers to help you. That kind of courage can't be overlooked. You guys make mistakes, but Kryptonians aren't any better. Lana, I'll always love you but not in the same way I thought I did in high school."
"You have Lois now." She stated it as a fact.
"What? How did you know?"
"Clark, for an organization that depends on secrecy to keep the world safe, your friends really love to gossip. And even if they hadn't said anything, it's pretty obvious by the way you treat each other."
"Then why hasn't she caught on to that yet?"
"We see the truths about others better than we can see them about ourselves. She'll come around," Lana promised.
"It's a little nerve-wracking, we're not even in a relationship and even the strongest emotions I've ever felt pale in comparison to what I feel when I'm around Lois. With you I could be normal, but with Lois I can be more than I ever thought I could. Extraordinary. Super."
Lana tried and failed to suppress a sniff.
"I don't mean to hurt you by saying all this," he began but she cut him off.
"No, we both should hear it, and I'm glad you've finally found your soul mate. I'm only hoping someday I'll find the one who makes me feel the same way," she smiled.
"If I know you, you'll find someone even more special than a corn-fed, small-town reporter like me. Just don't rule anyone out based on first impressions."
"I recall giving you that same advice and you not wanting want to listen. That's how the best ones always start."
"Next time I'll pay more attention," Clark promised with a bashful grin.
"Uh-huh," she nodded skeptically. "You mean the next time you stumble across your soul mate buck naked in a cornfield?"
"How did you hear about that?" he groaned.
"Another juicy tidbit I picked up by the vigilante water cooler. Just because I can't get near you doesn't mean the rest of the League is off-limits," she reminded him.
"Traitors," he muttered along with a few creative ideas on how to repay them for their kindness.
Lana just laughed. "You sound more like Lois every day. Have you told her your secret yet?"
"No. But I will. Every day I get a little closer to shouting it at her in the middle of the Daily Planet bullpen just to shut her up, but I'd like for it to be perfect."
"She's the only person I've ever seen get you all hot and bothered like this, it's an interesting change from your normal moping about. I'm sure however you tell her it will be perfect, but don't wait too long for the right moment. It tends to come up on you pretty fast if you're not ready."
A fire alarm in the next county began ringing. It was faint even in the still night but they both heard it clearly with their enhanced ears.
"I should go get that," Clark sighed. "Can we part as friends?"
"Always. I'll never risk your friendship again, and not only because I'd hate to have you as an enemy," she answered lightheartedly.
"Don't wait so long for the next visit."
"I'll be around."
With a parting wave, the two figures disappeared and the field was silent once more.
A/N: I wanted to use this chapter to settle the whole Lana-debacle in a better way than the show did. I was disappointed when they took the 'let's make it so Clark can't ever be with her or else he risks death' route and not the 'Clark realizes he doesn't have feelings for her in that way, acknowledges that and moves on and now finds himself having feelings for Lois that are even stronger and healthier' but hey, that's what fanfiction's for.
Also, thank you so much to those of you who've left me reviews, you are my drive to keep writing even when I'm busy.