The Time For Goodbyes Arrived Today
How can you just walk away from me?
When all I can do is watch you leave?
Cause we shared the laughter and the pain,
We even shared the tears.
You're the only one who really knew me at all.
So, take a look at me now,
Well, there's just an empty space,
There's nothing here to remind me,
Just the memory of your face.
Take a look at me now,
There's just an empty space,
And you coming back to me is against the odds,
And that's what I've got to face.
"Take A Look At Me Now" performed by Phil Collins
May 26, 2005
Luthor Towers
It didn't take long for him to fish his phone out of his pants, but it did take forever for him to use it. He held it in his hand as he walked from room to room. He tapped it against empty shelves and bare walls. He squeezed it tightly until he heard a small crack and realized he just broke the case. To see if it still worked, he made an experimental call to Chloe. Once she was on the line, he couldn't hang up.
"He's left me, Chloe."
"Clark? What? Who left you?"
"Lex. He's gone."
"What? Why?"
"That's not important. He had his reasons. I gave him reasons."
"Oh, Clark. I'm so sorry."
"I can't stay here. Could I stay with you for a while?"
"Sure. Stay forever if you want. I could use someone to help me with the rent."
"Thanks."
"Are you packed yet?"
"No."
"Want some help?"
"Yeah."
"I'll be there in twenty minutes. I still have some boxes from when I moved in here. I'll bring them with me."
"Thanks, Chloe."
"Just returning the favor, Clark. See you in a few. Bye."
Before he could respond, the phone beeped off. Looking around one more time, he shook his head. Amazed, he couldn't believe how completely Lex had extricated himself from their apartment. Drinking in a deep breath, he returned to his bedroom and started taking his clothes off hangers.
Surprisingly, it didn't take very long for him to pack. With Chloe's help, he boxed up all his clothes, books and assorted bric-a-brac in two hours flat. After that, it took two trips to get all the boxes to Chloe's apartment. After loading the car the second time, Clark asked her to wait in the car while he did one last inspection of the apartment.
Upstairs, on the eighty-third floor, in a place he once called home, Clark stood one last time in the doorway. His keys rested on the kitchen table. With one last sweep of his eyes, he knew there was nothing left to do. Pulling up his jacket sleeve, he glanced at the watch on his wrist. Shutting his eyes, he pushed his sleeve back down. Firmly, he grasped the doorknob and took a step out.
"Au-" whispered Clark, as he stopped short. Hesitantly, he looked back. Drawing in a deep breath, he shook his head. Planting his feet, he said two last words then he pulled the door shut and walked away.
-{()}-
Smallville Cemetery
As the limousine drove past wrought iron gates, Lex watched the screen in front of him intently. He watched as Clark shook his head and said, "Goodbye, Lex." Flicking the screen off, he looked out the window. His eyes ran over the row upon row of headstones as the vehicle parked. A minute later, the driver's voice came over the intercom.
"Mr. Luthor, we've arrived, sir."
"I'll be taking a walk."
A moment later, the driver opened his door and continued to hold it as Lex Luthor stepped out of the car. Staring straight ahead, he didn't even look at the driver as he said, "Stay with the car. Be ready to leave when I get back. I won't be long."
"As you wish, Mr. Luthor."
It took a few minutes for him to find it, but find it he did. Looking at the headstone, he crouched down to read the inscription: Jonathan Kent, February 12, 1961 – December 12, 2004, Beloved Husband, Father and Friend.
"Well, Mr. Kent, you managed to do in death what you could never do in life. You came between us. You got me out of his life."
"You're probably somewhere shaking your fist at me. I can hear you yell that I broke my promise. You think I left him, but you'd be wrong. I kept my word to you. He left me first. Truth is - he left me months ago. For you, actually. All that remained was formality."
"I bet you're scared that I'm going to tell people what I know. Well, you can rest assured that no one will ever find out about it from me."
Ripping out a few blades of grass, Lex flicked them away. Standing up, he rubbed his hands together as he took a couple steps back. With a slight bow, he whispered, "Well done, Mr. Kent."
As he approached the limousine, the driver obediently held the door open and efficiently closed it behind him. Leaning back into the seat cushions, he pulled the small lead box Clark once gave him out of his pocket. Opening it, he saw what the custom jeweler delivered just last week – A gold ring fit for a king. In the round setting, the original chunk of meteor rock was round cut and solidly set. With a slight glow, it was impressive to the eye. From afar, the rich emerald color was strikingly beautiful.
Plucking out the ring from the box, he slowly slid it up his right ring finger. Drawing his hand into a fist, he admired the workmanship. Quickly, he closed the box and slipped it back in his pocket. Pushing the intercom, he ordered, "Get me back to Metropolis, now."
-{()}-
If I had known the way this would end,
If I'd read the last page first,
If I'd had the strength to walk away,
If I had known how much this would hurt…
Even if I'd seen it comin'
You'd still have seen me runnin'
Straight into your arms.
I would've loved you anyway,
I'd do it all the same,
Not a second I would change,
Not a touch that I would trade,
Had I known my heart would break,
I would've loved you anyway.
"I Would've Loved You Anyway" performed by Trisha Yearwood
THE END