SUBSTITUTION Six (Day 19) Song: A Beautiful Lie by 30 Seconds to Mars
It's a beautiful lie
It's a perfect denial
Such a beautiful lie to believe in
So beautiful, beautiful lie makes me
'He loves me. He's always loved me. Clark will always love me'. Lana internalizes while she peers into the bedroom mirror, putting the finishing touches on what she deems a walking sex outfit. A tight maroon dress specifically picked out to entice Clark back into her arms. Things have been tough lately, Clark has been increasingly distant with her. But he loves her, she knows he loves her, of that Lana is sure. After everything they've been through both together and apart, after the train wreck that was her marriage to Lex, even after the whole power transference debacle, Clark loves her and sticks by her. That is a truth, Lana has come to depend on. So what is a little temporary distance, she can forgive him that. His little petty anger about her and Lex? They've worked too hard to be at this place in their relationship. So many times she'd had to endure the struggle of his secrets and bold face lies, struggle to protect him from Lex once she found out his secret, struggle to protect herself, but their love conquered. It will continue to overcome all. Their passion for each other transcends trivialities. They're destined for each other. She deserves his love after everything, and if it's one thing Clark has never failed to do - is love her.
Who would she be to give up on that love? How stupid would it make her to abandon the most powerful man on earth, when he so desperately needs her. Whatever Clark is going through, whatever he's angry about, they'll get passed it, she'll be right by his side the whole way. After all, he has no one else, everyone else has abandoned him. She runs her hands over her stomach and tiny hips, smoothing out her dress.
Chloe, the one who was supposed to be his BFF, the one who'd known his secret the longest, the one that supposedly stood by him when he needed help. Where the hell is Miss Perfect Reporter now? Abandoned him! Lana scoffs silently. And good riddance really. Chloe has always been a stain on their relationship. Lana isn't stupid, the girl acted like her friend, acted like she supported them, but the truth has always been that Chloe was just biding her time for Clark to finally see her. Clark and Chloe's shattered friendship was a long time in the making in Lana's opinion. Honestly, she isn't surprised that Chloe has run off, having now unmitigated proof that Clark will always love her no matter what.
Lana frowns slightly into the mirror. Part of her, is a little saddened by the loss of her friendship with Chloe, they were once so close. Lana shrugs at her reflection. Although she didn't fail to notice, the resentment in Chloe's eyes when she came back from Hong Kong… not 'dead'.
Lana takes one last once over at her image and walks out of the bedroom. What had Chloe expected really? For Lana to just forfeit Clark's love to her? For Lana to just let him go? Never going to happen. Clark's love belongs to her, even if Clark and Chloe had gotten together in her absence, it really didn't matter. Clark has always… Always been hers. And now after all of their trials, Lana deserves his love, the love that is only hers and she'll be damned if she let little inconsequential annoyances stand in between their relationship.
She pauses in the kitchen, stunned motionless. Lana gapes, surveying the cluttered counter top at the contents littering the surface that should have been in the refrigerator. Two days ago it was merely condiments, the orange juice jug and water bottles, now there's solid food, along with butter and milk, all items she purchased yesterday.
Lana glances toward the living room at Clark's lounging form, seeing his black mane over the top of the sofa, then returns her shocked eyes to the display, "Clark?" She takes a step in his direction. "…um, why are the refrigerated items all out on the counter?"
"No room." His gruff voice sounds out from the living room. Clark sits silently, body unresponsive to her inquiry or her presence. His arms stretched out over the back, his gaze focused on the darkened fireplace, seeming he is waiting for Lana to finish preening.
Lana nods dumbly, "OK, but…" She swallows, walking over to the refrigerator and opens it, what she sees inside causes her to seethe, anger, shock and annoyance coiling together in the pit of her stomach. "Clark." Her voice is stern as she shuts the refrigerator door forcefully. Clark turns his head to look at her over his shoulder as she continues. "Now, I think I have been more than fair, putting up with this… this… your weird coffee fetish but…." she's almost sputtering in anger, waving her hand at the counter. "… this is ridiculous. I just bought this food yesterday. You can't leave it out."
"I told you Lana, there is no room." His tone is hard and unyielding. That's her problem. Clark thinks. She never understands. Why is she here anyway? He shouldn't have to put up with this shit. It's his fucking house and his damn refrigerator! But no… It's always about her, isn't it?
Lana rolls her eyes as she proceeds to open the refrigerator once again. "Well there would be room…"
Suddenly Clark's unmovable body blurs in front of her hands slamming into the refrigerator, Lana stumbles back a step and gasps, blinking rapidly as her mind reorients, catching up to his sudden appearance. She tilts her head to look up at him, shocked as he towers over her, his body rigid with tension.
"Don't touch them!" He growls out. His voice low and unmistakably threatening. Lana swallows hard. Trying to ascertain what just happened. Clark can't be threatening her, he wouldn't. Clark loves her, he would never hurt her, especially not over anything as silly as coffee containers.
Searching his cold pale green eyes, Lana nods working her mouth to speak, she's lost her words. Nodding, she clears her throat, "OK." She placates. She looks back to the counter, before returning her gaze to him. "OK. Um… are you ready." She asks timidly. Clark nods mutely, his eyes boring into her, assuring she receives his message clearly. No one is to touch his coffee. Absolutely no one!
Clark loves her, Lana reminds herself stepping away from him to retrieve her purse as Clark watches her movements coolly. He's always loved her. Lana glances at him once she's at the door, indicating she's ready. Clark nods silently yet again walking slowly towards her.
She doesn't want to do anything to jeopardize their reconciliation and neither does Clark, she believes. That is what this night is all about, isn't it? Them reconnecting, getting back to a happy place. After all, last night it was Clark's suggestion to spend the evening in Metropolis. For days, she's been asking for a night out, and he's finally relented. She'd be a fool, to let this little disagreement of Clark's new obsession with coffee - ruin their potential at a solid blissful future together. Clark loves her.
--
Lie awake in bed at night
And think about your life
Do you want to be different? (Different…)
Try to let go of the truth
The battles of your youth
'Cause this is just a game
She said she'd be here. Where the hell is she? She promised. Clark looks around the slightly crowded floor of the Ace of Clubs, scanning the mass of party goers for the beacon of golden hair. Where is she? He remembers that she didn't want to come here, but she'd promised Lois that she would.
"Come on." Lois whined.
"Um no! I don't think so Lo." Clark picked up on the agitation in Chloe's voice.
"Look, you need to get out anyway, and I need another half of a couple, for Couples Night. It will be fun." He heard the smile in the brunette cousin's voice. Clark was almost sick at the thought of Chloe going out to have fun without him. It was then, that something fierce and demanding swelled in him. He had to see her. By any means, he just needed to see her.
"Sorry Lo, but you're not my type." Chloe had teased.
"Please…" Lois scoffed. "I'm tall, dark and reasonably good looking. Totally your type and as for you… you know I have a thing for sexy blondes. Please Chlo!" Lois begged. Clark could almost swear Chloe rolled her eyes at her cousin, her customary response to compliments..
"Free drinks before 11." Were Lois' final words. There was a long moment of silence, as Clark too waited for Chloe's response. He heard Chloe breathe heavily, a long suffering sigh.
"Fine. OK." Chloe agreed painstakingly.
It had been a complete accident that he'd overheard their exchange last night, but he was happy that he did. He hasn't seen her in two weeks. He needs this. Just a glimpse, and he'll be fine.
"Clark?" Lana's voice calls him back to their table. He turns his eyes back to her. "What are you looking for?"
He waits a beat before responding. "Nothing." She's not here yet. He would know if she were here already. Lana smiles shyly at her boyfriend. "I'm really glad you suggested this place. I've seen it on my way to Isis and I've always wanted to come."
Clark fails at forming a smile in reply and promptly turns his head back to the crowd in search.
"So. Have you ever been here?" Lana tries to engage him again as she too looks around the club, taking in the atmosphere. "There's a lot of people here tonight, I didn't think this would be your type of scene Clark."
"It's Couples Night." He responds flatly.
"Really?" Lana smiles widely, pleased at the information. This is promising. She turns her head back to him, only to receive his side profile. "Clark."
Another cool turn of his head to address her. His gaze is on her, but all of his senses are attuned to the club. He'll know once she arrives. Just a glimpse.
His tiny companion sighs, "Look, I know things have been really… off between us lately." Lana places her hand over his on the table. Clark shifts his gaze, peering down at their hands, his own flat underneath hers, motionless, unresponsive. Lana continues. "…but I know we can work this out. I know we can be happy together again. We love each other no matter what right? And a love like ours just doesn't…"
"I don't know how I feel anymore." Cutting off her words, Clark whispers to their layered hands, observing Lana's immediate reaction of curling her hand around his.
"What?" She gasps. She stairs at his face for a moment, before shaking her head in vehement denial. "You love me Clark!" She explains to him. Her tone is resolute and unrelenting. "We love each other!"
Clark remains motionless, his eyes are still downcast. He's not so certain of that anymore. Had he ever been absolutely certain? He feels so disconnected from that person that saw nothing but her.
Lana breathes deeply, shutting her eyes. She needs to approach this calmly, and with a level head. That's the only way to get through this. Sure they haven't been communicating well lately, and sure they have been distant and angry most of the time, but doesn't that happen in relationships. Of course Clark is a little confused about what he feels right now. It's understandable. There were moments during the past few weeks, when she too had her doubts, but she remembered that he loves her. All she has to do is remind Clark of that love. Opening her eyes, Lana begins softly, lovingly. "I know we've been fighting a lot lately…"
Clark nods and intones sullenly. "Yeah, um... and I'm sorry about that, but…"
Lana holds up a hand, to halt his explanation. "No Clark. I'm to blame as much as you are, but that doesn't mean that we don't love each other." She squeezes his hand affectionately. "Look at me... " At her request Clark raises his eyes to her slowly as Lana offers a sweet smile. "We love each other Clark." She points out. "With a love like ours, we can get through anything. Look at everything we've been through to get where we are. Your constant lies to protect your secret. My marriage to Lex. It all means something Clark, something real and true and now look at where we are. After all of that, we are here together." She punctuates with an encouraging smile.
"We didn't get here alone Lana." He counters lowly. They couldn't have gotten this far without her - Chloe. None of it matters without her by his side. Clark blinks. Why had he never seen it before? Damn it! What's taking her… Her heartbeat resonates loudly in his ears, ferociously, steadily picking up pace, closer, louder. At once, he's alert, his back automatically straightening in response. God, she's close. She's so close, he can almost sense her. Clark's blood begins to sing in his veins, his body hums in awareness. His own heart picking up speed to match hers. His gaze shifts just over Lana's shoulder. She hasn't entered yet, but she's close. He can feel her.
Lana stares for a beat, unaware of Clark's drifted attention, before dismissing his words with a shake of her head. "It doesn't matter, none of that matters. We're here now! And I am not letting you go Clark." She finishes decisively. "I'm not!"
Unreachable, her words are lost on him, their table goes silent and still as if separated from the energy and life swirling around them. The crowd cheering , people laughing and couples dancing, Lana and Clark are alone.
The tiny brunette lets out a frustrated breath, "I'm going to the restroom." She rises from her seat across from him. "I'll be back." She informs leaning over and plants a chaste kiss on his cheek.
--
Chloe comes to an abrupt stop right outside of the doors. "He's in there Lois." The pace of her heart rapidly increasing.
Lois looks back over her shoulder in confusion, hand on the door. "What?" She turns fully toward her cousin, and approaches her slowly. "Who?" Her eyes widen with recognition as she notices the obvious panic engulfing her cousin.
Chloe shuts her eyes, needing to quiet the telling buzz in her body. She doesn't need this. Not now. She hasn't felt this in weeks. It feels like a life time ago, that she welcomed this sensation, it used to thrill her, excite her, but now it's unwanted. She's petrified. She doesn't need him to be here. God, why is he here? This is her city damn it! She intakes shallow ragged breaths. This is not happening. She has to leave. She can't go in there.
Lois places her hands on Chloe's shoulders, "Chloe look at me." She instructs calmly. Chloe opens her eyes slowly. Her gaze pleading, begging her cousin to understand. She can't go in there. He's in there. Lois swallows from the sight of the visible pain rendered in her cousins eyes. "Listen…" Lois breathes. "… he doesn't matter Chloe. Don't give him this much power over you."
"Lois. I can't…" She voices desperately, almost frantic. She can't do this. Her eyes begin to burn with unshed tears. She just can't.
"No!" Lois shakes her head. "Either you're another pet on Ol' McDonald's farm and let him control you, or you take your life back!" Her words holding an urgency, that surprises even her. Smallville will not control her little cousin this way!
Chloe stares up at Lois, her eyes watering from emotion. She heaves an unsteady breath.
Lois continues. "You're strong Chloe. Sullivan-Lane's are made of stronger stuff." She coaches. Glancing at the entrance briefly, Lois adds. "But if you're not ready. I will understand."
Chloe nods, and swallows thickly. Fisting her hands at her sides she steels herself. She's stronger than this. She's in control. It was her decision after all and she followed through with it, and now she can persist in it. She's strong. She can do this. She can do anything. Taking a deep breath, she smoothes her hands down her dress, collecting herself, before answering.
"OK." She smiles shakily. "OK. Momentary freak out." She assures as Lois smiles encouragingly. Chloe knows it's a farce. The pounding in her chest attesting to the lie, but she can fake it. Shit, she's been faking it for years. Placing her hand above Lois' on her shoulder, she squeezes lightly in appreciation of her cousin's support. Her smile widens. "I'm good. Let's go in." If my Krypto-heart explodes in the process, at least I get to see him one last time. She muses silently.
Lois reciprocates her smile, circling her hand around her tiny cousin's shoulder. "You are my date after all. And I don't like to be ditched." She teases. "You look hot, by the way. I appreciate the effort. Who knows... you may even get lucky." She laughs.
Chloe giggles circling her own arm around Lois's waist. Yeah... lucky.
--
'Cause this is just a game
It's a beautiful lie
It's a perfect denial
Such a beautiful lie to believe in
So beautiful, beautiful lie makes me
There she is! All goes silent as he watches Chloe ascend the stairs. Life ceases, coming to a halt. Time seems to stand still and the world around him holds it's breath at her arrival. Her steps are fluid, her ascension graceful. She is magnificence. Clark's pulse quickens, heart clamoring in answer. That smell, her smell filling him to complete and total distraction. Home. His eyes scour her body, taking in every inch of her luscious frame. God, she's gorgeous. The scarlet halter dress molded to her curves, accentuating her cleavage, making his mouth water. Clark unconsciously licks his lips as he visually devours her. His gaze ravenously drinking in her creamy skin, his fingers itch to touch her. Clark clenches his fists tightly on the table, the feminine curve of her hips crying out to him to be held. She's an enchantress, a seductress and Clark's powerless to fight her. To fight it. There's no denying, this is no lie. He wants her. He knows that now. His entire body pounding to the rhythm of her heart, the call of her body. Her life. He needs her. Every nerve sizzling, roaring to fiery life as her gaze locks on his. Her green eyes are utterly vibrant with energy. Clark's drowning in her. Needing so badly to feel her in his arms, the assurance of her closeness, to be near her, to touch her. Chloe.
Chloe knew he was there. She could feel him, that inexplicable awareness of his nearness. But God, to see him. As his intense blue green eyes meet hers, all the air collides, and pushes forcefully out of her. She can't breath. He's so beautiful. She thought her heart would explode outside, but now new life beats inside of her. Her pulse rushing furiously, calling for him, craving him. How did she live without seeing him? Chloe can't think, she can only feel. Only see. The world no longer exist, as Clark begins to rise from his table. The lights of the club bouncing off of his lush dark hair. Perfection. His eyes hungry and feral. Chloe licks her lips. She wants him, that's no surprise, but this need roaring in her veins catches her off guard. She wants his strong solid arms wrapped around her securely. To lean against his broad masculine chest clad in a sleek navy blue button down. Chloe's entire body beats and hums as he comes to a stand-still, his body extended to it's full height, his muscles flexing with the control of his immense power. She clenches her fists at her sides, wanting so desperately to be held. To feel the safety of his body against hers as he enfolds her, engulfs her, surrounds her. Clark.
But then...
A light touch on his arm pulls him away from his ethereal enthrallment. His head turns slowly as Lana crosses in front of him. "I wasn't gone long was I?" She asks in complete ignorance to Chloe's arrival.
Clark returns his gaze to it's original focus over Lana's head as she takes a gingerly seat at their table. His eyes lock once again with Chloe's. However, Chloe's are now shielded. That veil that he's become so familiar with lowered, now firmly back in place in his extremely brief interlude with Lana. No! His body shouts as his Chloe turns and follows Lois across the room... away from him. No! Not again. Clark despairs. He glances toward Lana. Damn it! She ruins everything. If it weren't for her... He looks at Chloe's retreating form, further away now. Her dress gliding over her back with every step. No!
--
"That wasn't so bad, now was it?" Lois asks lightly as they settle around an empty table. Lois knows, she'd seen it all. 'Not so bad' is an utter fallacy. The connection created between her cousin and her hick best friend was fierce and tangible. Explosive. She smirks to herself, when these two crazy kids finally get a clue, watch out.
Chloe stares mutely at the table, her pulse unrelentingly frantic. Her breath coming in short pants. She's infirm, feeling woozy and lightheaded. She needs air. "I need some air." She informs the table as she rises stiffly. "I just... I need..." She can't speak, can't think. She needs to breathe. Moving from the table, every step exact and precise. She's suffocating, not enough air. She needs to get out, get away.
--
All of his senses are attuned to Chloe. Her rapid pulse, her unsteady breathing, the warmth of her voice, the fruity smell of her body spray laced with the intoxicating smell of her skin. Hearing her exit, Clark jumps up at once. "I'll be back." He informs hastily, eyes locked on her invisible trail.
"Clark!" Lana calls stunned, wide-eyed at his sudden movement.
He doesn't respond as he rushes out as fast as humanly possible. His long strides answering her ardent call. So powerless.
--
Chloe leans against the wall behind the club. Taking deep measured breaths, her hand over her heart massaging lightly, ineffectually trying to soothe it's racing beat. The door toward her right opens swiftly, startling her unwitting meditation. At the sight of him, her useless attempt at control shatters. Her pulse begins anew. Her body trembles with desire... and fear. She stares helpless as he approaches her slowly. So tired of fighting, of fronting. She just needs him, wants him. Clark
Right there. His mind shouts. She's right there... so close. He prowls slowly steadily, helplessly drawn toward her. They peer into each other's eyes once again. The pull in her jade orbs, so powerful, Clark gives in. He doesn't want to fight it, he's so tired of fighting it. He just wants her, needs her. Chloe.
They stare intently into each other, absorbed and drowning in the other's essence, as Clark comes to a stop directly in front of her. The stark need and want, hunger reflected in both of their gazes. Clark intakes a deep deliberate breath. Breathing her in. So close. His body whirs in response to her heat, her life. Needs her. Needs to touch her.
Chloe stands still, the warmth of his nearness spreading over her, coating her skin and setting her body ablaze. God, she's missed him. Needed him.
"I..." Clark croaks hoarsely, breaking the intense silence. He clears his dry throat and tries again to speak. "...I've missed you." His voice is low and to Chloe, oh so seductive. She shivers as it caresses the air surrounding her.
Not good. She wants so badly to reciprocate. God knows she's missed him desperately... but she can't give in, she won't. Nothing's changed. Despite her desires, and her aroused response to him, everything else remains the same. Shifting her eyes to his chest, Chloe breaks their potent connection and Clark immediately feels the loss.
"How have you been?" He asks sullenly, trying fervently to illicit some response from her. He needs to hear her voice. He needs her to speak... to him.
"Fine." She directs her answer to his chest. His massive solid chest, his shirt rippling with every breath. Her hands shake at her sides, the desire to reach out almost uncontrollable... almost. Lifting her eyes to meet his briefly she adds. "And you?"
Simultaneous and without thought they both reach out at the touch of each other's gaze. Both hesitating, both slightly pulling back inches from each other's arm. Both fighting, one losing the battle, the other struggling to hold fast. Clark relents first. Grabbing her arm and pulling her toward him.
At once, he's drowning in feeling, in the sensation of having her in his arms. His body molding around hers, fastening her to him, his arms tighten around her back and waist. God... was it always this good. His body stiffens, awakens. He lowers his head to her neck, breathing her in, his lips grazing her skin slightly. Chloe shivers noticeably from the light brush of his mouth. Though her mind tells her to not give in, to not succumb, her body betrays as it weakens in his embrace. All she knows now is this. All she can feel is him. Her arms raise to his waist, circling him. Clinging to him fiercely.
Clark's arms tighten further, at her bodily reply, something violent and undeniably fierce surging to life inside him. So good. She feels so good. This is what he's needed. What he's craved. He'll never let her go. Chloe belongs to him and he to her. Never let her go.
Chloe burrows deeper into his hold. She never wants to leave. Never wants to give this up. Although she tries to deny, everything she is, everything in her - belongs to him. Her eyes begin to burn with hot emotion. She just wishes it were the same with him. Turning her head into his chest she breathes him in. His masculine scent heady and overpowering. Fleetingly, she recognizes that he smells different, he feels different. Something inside of her interprets, that he smells and feels like hers. A tear slips from her eye. But it's not true. Clark has never been hers. Will never be hers. She clings to him tighter, savoring the moment. Memorizing the feel of him, the scent of him. Indulging in his warm exhalation as it kisses her sensitized skin. If this is all she'll ever have, then she'll take this moment to treasure it.
Clark too clings to her, feeling the internal shift she's undergoing. No! He can't explain it, but he knows. He knows she's beginning to pull away from him. No! Not now, not while she's with him. Not after everything. He can't live without this. Without her. Please. No! He can feel his power draining, leaving him.
Chloe steps back, feeling his hold loosen. She refuses to meet his eyes, hiding her sadness. Shielding him from the pain she knows resides there. She can't cry in front of him. She won't allow him to see how much this is killing her. Clark stares down at her bent head, distraught. Where does he go from here?
"Chloe... " He pleads. Unconcerned by the desperation revealed in his voice. "Chloe... " He says again. Her name a priceless supplication on his lips. "Chloe please." He says slowly. His voice sounding full of too much emotion.
"Clark... " She breathes out. And the finality in her tone breaks him. This is it. There's nothing left of him. So powerless. He can't breathe. He doesn't want to breathe. He doesn't want anything but her.
"Clark." She intones again this time with resolve. "I'm sorry." She whispers. Slowly raising her head to face him. She chokes out a gasp at the desolation in his eyes. Instinctually and without hesitation she places a gentle hand on his chest, trying to comfort him in the only way she knows how.
Her delicate affectionate touch destroys him. Nothing's left. Why? Doesn't she know he needs her. "Please... " He begs in a whisper.
Chloe shuts her eyes tight at his desperation. It's too much. Feeling Clark take a step, closer, she shakes her head, silently begging him to stop. She can't do this. She's barely holding on as it is. Entirely too much.
He moves in again, as she backs away countering his forward motion, until there's no where else to go. Sandwiched between the wall and the huge Kryptonian, she opens her eyes. An inch of room separating them. "Please Chloe... " What is he asking her for? What does he want? She can't read him, can't even attempt to read him over the onslaught of her own thoughts and desires.
"Clark... " She gasps as he lowers his head to her neck once again. The warmth of his body blanketing her. His nearness seducing her.
Clark slowly raises his right hand to her shoulder, his head bent, needing to get closer. But not daring to touch her, he trails his hand directly above her body, down to her arm. Never touching, yet steadily caressing the bubble surrounding her. Feeling her. Drawing her to him.
She gasps, her breaths coming in pants at the energy flowing from him. It's indescribable. He doesn't touch her, not a finger, but as his hands slowly smooth over the invisible air hugging her body, she can feel him, so intensely, so vividly as if his hands are all over her. As if his body is pressed tightly to her. Something inside of her drawing him to her.
Clark's hands travel further down her arm. "Chloe... " He whispers in her ear. She trembles beneath him. When his hand lowers to her wrist, and stills as she flips it over without provocation. Inches away from each other, scarcely touching, he can feel her. All of her. The sensation indefinable. Overpowering, all around him, he's drowning in her from the inside. Her energy her essence flooding him, filling him senseless. He begins to pant from the feel, it's so much. So good. More. He wants more.
Chloe's breath picks up as well. She moans from the intensity of this evanescent exchange. When Clark performs the same action on the other arm, again without intent, she flips her hand over to meet his. Face to face, palm to palm, never touching, but filled with all encompassing feeling. His essence surrounds her, engulfs her. She's submerged in him... what feels like all of him. Her chest heaves as his alien eyes, no longer blue-green but a glowing crystal blue bores into hers. She has the feeling her eyes may mirror his own. She's never felt anything like this before. So much, so good... she's terrified. Her body begins to shudder uncontrollably. She can't break it. Yet something in her craves this, it doesn't want to break the connection. She needs to stop this. It's too much. She has to fight, has to... But... No!
"Enough!" She cries out. Clark stumbles backward suddenly, as if pushed by an unseen entity. Probably the same something that slams into her chest violently, pushing into the wall.
Facing her, Clark's eyes now back to normal, stunned and filled with the pain of her rejection, Clark reaches out for her again, only to have Chloe evade his grasp. "Chloe." He pleads. They have to finish. He can't survive without it. Without her.
She shakes her head, unable to hold back the tears from falling. "No Clark." She steps away from him.
"Please... " He cries. "I need you."
She intakes a sharp breath at his words. Shutting her eyes tightly, she swallows, trying to dislodge the forming knot in her throat. "No... No you don't." She says before turning from him and entering the club.
He can hear her voice as it whispers from just on the inside of the club, and it kills him. "I've missed you too Clark... I'm so sorry."
He braces his hands on the wall of the building, trying to hold himself steady. So weak, her words wounding him deeper than he'd known mere words could ever cut. Clark chokes back a quiet sob. Not having the strength to hold himself up any longer, he slides down to his knees. Head bent towards the ground, he heaves a ragged breath, and exhales a whimper with his unwitting tears. It hurts. Something drags and scrapes on the inside of him, burning him savagely. He's dying. He can feel it. Unable to prevent it, an agonized moan escapes from his chest, the tears marking a steady stream down his face. It's over. He can't deny this. She's left him for good. Clark sobs, overcome with despair. What is he going to do without Chloe? He needs her so much.
--
It's time to forget about the past
To wash away what happened last (happened last)
Hide behind an empty face
Don't ask too much, just say
'Cause this is just a game
"Clark?" A soft voice calls him out of the dark desolate hopelessness. "Clark?" it calls again.
The big Kryptonian, sits silently, unmoving against the wall. Shrouded in darkness and weighted in misery. He can't move, doesn't have the energy to move. All his power focused on taking his next unwanted breath.
Lana crouches down beside him. Lifting his sweaty bangs from his forehead. "Clark? What happened to you?" He can hear the concern in her voice, but can't muster a response, or even a reaction.
"Clark?" Lana's really beginning to worry. She's never seen him like this before. "I've been looking for you for awhile now. Have you been out here this whole time?" Why isn't he responding. She searches around him for some explanation. Is it meteor rock? It has to be. Not finding any, she runs her hands over him, checking him for injury.
Clark shuts his eyes at the feel of her hands. He doesn't want this. His body violently rejecting her touch, Clark rises from his position suddenly as if burned by her. Needing to separate himself from her contact. Not her! The feeling of disgust and dissatisfaction comes upon him swiftly, with an incomprehensible fervency.
Lana watches him in bewilderment. "What's going on Clark?" She stands back, seeing the wildness in his eyes. "Are you OK?" She asks cautiously.
"Fine." He grunts out in reply.
"OK... um... you don't look well. Maybe we should go." She takes a step toward him but stops as he stumbles back against the wall away from her. "Clark?" She inquires. Something is definitely wrong
"I'm fine. Just... just go. I'll follow you to the car." He commands, wishing that she would leave him alone entirely, but knowing he needs her at the moment. He's pretty sure, he doesn't have the strength or concentration to drive back to Smallville by himself. And he knows he doesn't have the strength in speed. It's gone, all gone. Chloe took it with her.
Lana stands silently for a moment, studying his haggard, dejected form. Then nods her acquiesce, before turning around and entering the club.
He follows reluctantly. No choice. He has no choice. He's stuck.
It's a beautiful lie
It's a perfect denial
Such a beautiful lie to believe in
So beautiful, beautiful lie makes me
