*Lana and Chloe's dorm room*
Chloe slept peacefully in her bed as Lana stirred in hers, sweat dripping down from her head.
~Dream Sequence~
Lana stood in a factory, there were tubes every where with seemingly different kind of substances every where. She couldn't make out what the substance was as she continued to walk around. Suddenly, Fine stood in front of her. "You." She whispered.
"Yes, me." He coldly replied with a smirk on his face.
"What is this place?" Lana asked.
"This a factory, owned by Lex." He said without emotion in his voice.
"Lex…..What do you want with it?" Lana questioned him.
"Not what I want from it, but what it will give me. Not that it means anything to you, nothing you can do about it." Fine told her.
"Clark won't let you do this." Lana told him with confidence and he laughed at her.
"Kal-el won't know." Fine said with ever greater confidence.
"I'll tell him everything!" Lana stared hard into Fine's eyes.
"Why would he believe you? The woman who betrayed him."
~End of Dream Sequence~
Lana shot up from her sleep as the sweat streamed down her face. She breathed heavy as she looked around, glad it was just a dream.
*Later that night*
It was raining furiously as Lana drove back to her dorm that night. Thundering and Lightning soon followed as it was becoming very hard for Lana to see. Struggling to see, Lana finally lost control of the car and she spun off road. Her car was stuck in a mud pit, coincidently there was a large pile of meteor rocks. Lana got out of her car and threw he hands up in the air. "Great." She huffed, it definitely wasn't her day she thought. In fact, she thought, it definitely hadn't been her year. "I wish 2006 would go away." She said to herself, when thunder hit the meteor rocks near Lana, which created a force so strong that it knocked Lana out.
*The Next day, Clark's Loft*
Clark is stacking hay when Chloe walked in. "You're doing that awfully slow for someone with super speed." Chloe pointed out as Clark continued to stack hay.
"I'm doing my chores more slowly now a days. It helps take my mind off things when I have to concentrate on what I'm doing." Clark explained.
"Oh…." Chloe paused and Clark noticed she looked worried.
"Is something wrong?" Clark asked and Chloe nodded.
"Lana's missing." Chloe said as she gauged Clark's reaction.
"Are you sure?" Clark replied.
"She didn't come back to the dorms last night and I already checked with Lex, she wasn't with him." Chloe told him.
"Maybe she just needed to get away." Clark said with a bit of worry.
"And not tell anyone? All her travel bags are still in our room." Chloe protested.
"She's a big girl. I'm sure she can handle herself." Clark said as he began to stack hay again
"You could act like you care, even a little bit." Chloe told him.
"Why should I?" Clark muttered.
"Because you still care about her…You still love her." Chloe said as Clark stopped stacking the hay. He turned to Chloe.
"No, I don't." Clark walked away as Chloe stared on, not knowing what to say. When Clark was finally gone, Chloe muttered to herself.
"You would…..If you knew the truth." Chloe sighed.
*The previous night* Lana awoke in the puddle. "Ugh." She said as she was covered in mud and dirt. She walked up into the road and saw a truck coming. It looked like the Kent's truck. The truck stopped in front of Lana. Martha emerged from the truck. "Lana? Is that you?" She asked. "YES!" Lana shouted and Martha walked up to Lana. "Are you alright?" Martha questioned as she checked Lana. "I'm fine, my car just got stuck in a mud puddle." Lana explained. "Ok, well, why don't you come back to the farm with me. You can stay the night." Martha offered as Lana looked confused. "Oook." She agreed and Martha helped her into the truck. "There should be a blanket in back. Wrap it around yourself dear." Martha instructed her. Lana did so, then Martha began the drive back to the farm. The drive back was silent as Lana looked a confused at how nice Martha was being to her, considering what had happened. "Mrs. Kent, I can't apologize to you enough about what happened with me and Clark. I just need you to know that I had to do it. I can't really explain it." Lana confessed as now Martha was confused. "What did you do? You have me a little confused." Martha laughed a little. "You don't know what I did?" Lana was now even more confused than before. "I'm afraid not." Martha answered. "Mrs. Kent, I know what I did was wrong, but please don't patronize me like this." Lana pleaded. "I think you need a goodnight rest. If you still want to talk in the morning, then we came, but for now. I think you need some sleep." Martha smiled warmly as they pulled into the Kent farm as Lana stared on.
*The next day* Clark stared at her from the door. He sighed as he wondered how this could have happened, how he could have lost her. Lana's eyes began to squint open as she saw Clark at the door. Like him, she was unable to speak. Finally, Lana broke the silence. "I'm sorry I took your bed last night." Lana apologized. "It's alright, my mom did tell me you needed it." Clark said with a small smile. "Don't worry though, I'll get dressed and out of here as I fast I can." Lana told him and he nodded slowly. "I understand….." Clark nodded and before he began to leave, Lana spoke up. "You know, I would never betray you the way you think I would." Clark turned around confused as Lana began again. "After everything that happened, I still need you to know….I would die before I told anyone your secret." Lana said with teary eyes as Clark looked on in disbelief. "What are you talking about?" Clark questioned as his mind went crazy with confusion. "Clark…." Lana said with a serious look. "I know you're angry and probably hate me, but please don't treat me like I'm stupid." Lana pleaded. "Lana….." Clark trailed off. "I really don't know what you're talking about. Why would you need to protect me?" Clark asked her as Lana ran her hands thru her hair. "Because I care about you care. I mean, you trusted me enough with your secret and I would do anything to protect that." Lana explained and as Clark gulped. "My secret?" Clark looked worried at her. "Yeah….." Lana gave him a 'duh' type look. "Just give me a second and I'll be out of here." Lana changed the subject and closed the door on him. Clark immediately flipped open his phone and called Chloe. "Ugh….Clark, it's 7 in the morning, this better be important." Chloe mumbled. "I think Lana knows my secret." Clark quickly told her. "What makes you think that?" Chloe wanted to know. "Because she keeps talking to me about my secret, like she knows it and she keeps telling me how she's going to protect me." Clark explained. "When did she tell you that?" Chloe said, now very wide awake. "Just a couple of minutes ago, when I went into my room. See, my mom saw Lana last night on her way home and Lana's SUV was stuck in a mud puddle. Lana spent the night at our house and right now, she's getting dressed. " Clark informed Chloe. After he did so, there was a very long silence on the other end of the phone. "Chloe?" Clark questioned, wondering if she was still there. "Clark, did you say Lana is in your room right now?" Chloe asked. "Yes." Clark replied. "Well, how can that be when I'm looking at Lana fast asleep in her bed right now?" Chloe eyes were fixed right on Lana in her bed as Clark looked toward his room in disbelief. Lana then emerged from his room and began to walk downstairs toward Clark. "Meet me at the Talon around 11 Chloe." Clark told her. "Ok….." Chloe said trailing off as she continued to stare strangely at Lana asleep in her bed. Clark hung up his phone and turned toward Lana as faced him. "Tell your mom thanks and I'm sorry to have intruded." Lana said and began to walk toward the door. "Wait…." Clark said and walked toward her. "Up in my room you talked about protecting my secret. What did you mean by that?" Clark seriously asked her as Lana rolled her eyes. "You know what I meant." Lana replied, becoming upset. "Please, just pretend that I didn't." Clark asked again, being very sincere as Lana looked on and could tell her was. "The secret about you being Kal-el from Krypton." Lana calmly said as Clark looked on in shock. "How could you know that?" Clark whispered. "You told me, the day you were affected by Silver Kryptonite." Lana said as Clark turned away and then back to her. "What's going on Clark?" Lana wanted to know. "I'm not your Clark." Clark said as now it was Lana's turn to look confused. "What? Come on Clark, what do you mean you're not mine?" Lana questioned with her arms up in the air. "I don't know Lana, but the truth is, in my world I never told you my secret. Well, actually, I did, but then I changed time and didn't tell you." Clark explained. "Yes, you changed time to save my life, but you're saying that you didn't tell that day in the hospital?" Lana asked, needing to hear that again. "No, I didn't and the fact is, you may be standing here, but my Lana is sleeping in her bed in Metropolis. I just talked with Chloe and that's what she told me." Clark said as Lana held her head in confusion. "How could this happen?" Lana shook her head. "I don't know, but we'll find out. Why don't you get some rest for now." Clark suggested and Lana nodded. "Alright." Lana walked back up to Clark's room.
*Lex's mansion, in the afternoon*
Chloe reluctantly walked into Lex's mansion. Lex looked amused to see her there as he stared up from his desk. "Chloe? What I did I do to be honored by your presence today?" Lex asked with a smirk.
"I'm looking for Lana." Chloe immediately told him.
"Well, then that would be two of us. She hasn't answered my calls." Lex said as he got up from his desk.
"So you have no clue where she is?" Chloe asked as Lex stopped right in front her.
"Not a clue, but you can trust that I'll be looking. Kind of funny that you came to me and not Clark." Lex pointed out as Chloe nodded, not wanting to give away what she knew.
"Clark's a little preoccupied." Chloe said and began to walk to the door.
"Or maybe he doesn't care anymore. I mean after all, Lana did leave him for me." Lex said as Chloe stopped in her tracks.
"Call me if you find anything." Chloe said and walked out wanting to punch a wall.
*Talon* Clark is sitting at a table when Chloe walked in and sat down in front of him. "You know, a couple of years a go this would have seemed strange." Chloe joked and Clark nodded. "Yeah." Clark said. "So, what do we know?" Chloe asked. "Well, apparently the Lana at my house is from a different world. A world where I told her my secret the day I was inflicted with silver k." Clark explained. "Wow, glad to see one Clark can open up." Chloe said as Clark gave her a shocked look. "Thanks Chloe…" Clark rolled his eyes. "It's the truth, so where is she now?" Chloe wanted to know. "She's resting in my room." Clark replied. "Ok, let's go see if we can get any more answers." Chloe said and they got up from the table to leave. *Kent House* Lana couldn't rest for obvious reasons, so she decided to walk around the Kent house. Everything seemed to be exactly the same as it was in her world, as the same pictures and everything. One thing she couldn't stop thinking about was how Clark didn't tell her his secret here. She couldn't help, but wonder how it affected them here and if Lex knew Clark's secret. Clark and Chloe then walked in on Lana, who was seated on the couch. "Wow, I'm seeing double." Chloe joked as she took a seat next to Lana. "Glad to see Chloe's the same in this world." Lana smiled and Clark took a seat as well. "So, Lana, why don't you talk to us about your world." Clark told her. "Ok, well, me and Clark started dating the day after the meteor shower when I came to his loft. There we told each other we loved each other and kissed. Then we had a great summer and became each other's "first" in regards to sex. Clark was then shot and killed….." Lana began and ran through all of the events of their year, excluding her deal with Lex as well as what had happened between her and Clark. "I don't believe it. That's almost exactly what happened here, besides me telling you my secret. Which I'm guessing changed a lot of what happened in most events." Clark said. "He's right, it's like we follow the same events, with the exception of you and Clark." Chloe agreed with Clark. "That's amazing, but how am I suppose to get out of here. If you don't mind me asking." Lana said. "I don't know, but I can look into it. Just give me the address where Mrs. Kent found you." Chloe offered and Lana gave her the address. "I'll get right on it." Chloe said and got up. "Wait…" Clark stopped her. "You have to make sure our Lana doesn't come here." Clark told her and Chloe looked at him sadly. "I don't think we need to stop Lana from coming here Clark." Chloe said as Clark nodded sadly. Lana took notice of that. "I'll keep in contact." Chloe said before leaving. "So…." Lana said and Clark turned back to her. "Uh, what do you want to do?" Clark asked. "How about we go horseback ridding? I haven't been horseback ridding in a while." Lana suggested. "Sounds like fun." Clark agreed and they shared a smile. After Clark and Lana have lunch, they got to the stalls and get their horses. Each brings their horse out, Clark helps Lana get on and then gets on his own as they begin to ride. As they ride, Lana turns to Clark. "What happened?" She asked as Clark was caught off by her question. "What do you mean?" Clark turned to her. "I mean, what happened between you and your Lana?" She wanted to know. "I couldn't tell her the truth….." Clark said with sadness. "Why?" Lana immediately asked. "Because I wanted to protect her and if she knew my secret, everyone would come after her to get to me. I couldn't allow that to happen, not to her." Clark explained with emotion. "I'm guessing that's because of the day of the your dad's election, when she was in a car accident." Lana figured out. "And with all my powers, I couldn't stop it." Clark whispered. "So you blamed yourself, just like my Clark did, despite the fact that it was my and her fault for going." Lana said. "Lana…." Clark began before trailing off. "No Clark, Lex is an evil man and she, nor I should have trusted him. It wasn't your fault, she would never believe that and neither did I. Now tell me what happened after the day of your dad's election between you two." Lana urged him. "I pushed her away, until Simone came, when I told her that I didn't love her anymore." Clark said and Lana immediately stopped her horse. "You did what?" Lana said in an angry tone as Clark stopped his horse too. "I thought I was doing the right thing. I couldn't tell her my secret, so what was the point? I want her to be happy." Clark responded. "How could she ever be happy, if the man she loves can't tell her, he loves her?" Lana questioned him as Clark looked on not knowing how to respond. "But at least she wouldn't be dead." Was all Clark could say. "Yes, she wouldn't be dead physically, just emotionally." Lana said. "It isn't like it matters anymore. She's with Lex and she hates me." Clark pointed out as Lana smiled innocently at him. "She could never hate you Clark." Lana paused and began again. "We may be from different worlds, but from what I can tell we're the same people, in love with the same man. Believe me when I tell you this, Lana Lang will always love Clark Kent, no matter what." Lana told him with absolute sincerity. "I just don't know….." Clark sighed as Lana walked her horse up to him and took his hand. "Well, that's why I'm here." Lana smiled reassuringly at him. *That night, Clark's loft* Clark is looking out into the stars when Lana walked up the stairs. "Wouldn't this be a good time to use that telescope?" Lana smiled at him. "Uh…I kind of broke it when I saw my Lana with Lex." Clark sheepishly told her and Lana nodded. "I find it hard to believe that she would be with Lex." Lana said. "Yeah….I guess I should have saw it coming. Maybe I was right when I was on Silver K and told him it wasn't about me, but it was about her." Clark said as he turned away for a second. "Lex is very persuasive, but the important part is that she doesn't love him." Lana said with reassurance. "Maybe, but she's with him." Clark made a sick face as Lana looked him at him thoughtfully. "But not for long." Lana told him as Clark looked at her questionability. "What do you mean?" Clark wanted to know. "I'm going to get you two back together." Lana informed him of her plan. "But Lana…." Clark said. "No buts Clark, both of you deserve to be happy." Lana said with a demanding tone. "I don't she's going to go for it." Clark wasn't optimistic. "Well, I have a plan and we'll talk about it tomorrow." Lana smiled confidently as Clark looked worriedly at her.
*That night at the Talon*
Chloe sat at the table in the Talon looking very impatient as Clark walked in. "Chloe, I thought we decided that Lana's a big girl and she can take care of herself." Clark said as he took a seat.
"No, you decided that Clark." Chloe snapped at him.
"Lana's a big girl, she can take care of herself." Clark repeated his statements from the morning.
"Do you really believe she's okay or is that just your anger talking?" Chloe questioned.
"What do you want from me Chloe?" Clark shook his head at her.
"I want my best friend back, I want that caring individual and loving man back." Chloe told him with emotion.
"I wish I could find him." Clark muttered.
"You have to let go of your hate and your anger." Chloe took his hands. "It will destroy you if you don't, please, let it go and help me find her." Chloe pleaded with him.
"Ok, she's still your friend and she means a lot to you, so I'll help." Clark gave in, but not completely.
"I'll take it." Chloe smiled.
*Clark's room, that night* Lana tossed and turned in the plaid sheets as she dreamed yet again. It was the same dream she had in her old bed the night before. Suddenly, except this time it seemed more real than ever and she woke up with a scream. "Is everything alright, Lana?" Clark said as he stood at the door, having heard her scream. "Just a bad dream." Lana shook it off, not really wanting to talk about. "Ok." Clark said, not wanting to push and began to leave before Lana stopped him. "Clark…." Lana said and he turned to her. "I knew this may seem inappropriate and maybe even awkward, but I was wondering if you would sleep with me. I know you're not my Clark, but you are Clark and I just want to feel safe." Lana tried to explain and Clark smiled at her. "Sure." He said and joined her in the bed, subconsciously rapping his arms around her. Lana smiled at his touch and settled into sleep. *The next morning.* Lana and Martha are cooking some food as they talked. "I heard you had quite a nightmare last night." Martha said as Lana sighed. "Yeah, but it wasn't too bad." Lana again tried to shake it off. "But it was bad enough for my son to have to sleep with you." Martha raised her eyebrows, giving Lana the motherly look that was almost impossible to avoid. "It's complicated." Was all Lana could mutter. "It always is sweetheart, I think would know." Martha replied. "Yeah….." Lana paused and decided to open up before Clark walked down. "What smells so good?" Clark said. "That would be breakfast." Lana cheerfully smiled at him. "Me and Lana cooked you up something special." Martha told him. "Sounds great." Clark took a seat as Lana and Martha followed. They all dug in and ate. After breakfast was finished, Martha went to finish some work as Clark and Lana discussed their plans. "Well, I just called Chloe and she said our Lana is out for the day on a field trip." Clark informed her. "Hmmm, even better." Lana said as Clark looked at her curiously. "I thought you wanted to talk to our Lana?" Clark said. "I do and I will tomorrow as for today…" Lana smiled brightly. "What? I don't think I like that look." Clark said as looked at her as if she had three heads. "I just was thinking of how we could have fun with Lex. I mean, seeing as how your Lana isn't here." Lana said as Clark now smiled. "Sounds like fun, for you." Clark told her. "It will be." Lana said, thinking about how bad she wanted to do this. *Lex's mansion that afternoon* Lana walked into Lex's office, trying her best not to shiver at how horrible it made her feel as she saw Lex look up in surprise at her. "You look surprised to see me." Lana said with a fake smile, something she was getting good at. "I thought you had a field trip today." Lex said in surprise. "Yeah, I did, but it just ended earlier than expected, so here I am." Lana said motioning with her hands. "And I'm not complaining." Lex got up and went to kiss her, but she turned away seconds before his lips reached hers. "You know, I was thinking….." Lana sat on the "About what?" Lex asked, taking a seat next to her. "I was wondering if you buy me a "A new car?" Lex was taken aback by her request. "Yeah, I really don't like the SUV anymore. It's too big for a girl like me. How about a car like the silver one you have?" Lana requested. "Well, uh, what's this about Lana?" Lex wanted to know, becoming very confused. Lana got up and walked around the couch. "I was just wondering Lex. I mean, I am your girlfriend, that must come with something, right?" Lana looked at up questionably. "It comes with me." Lex said, getting up to meet her. "How about a necklace?" Lana asked. "Lana, this isn't you. Are you okay?" Lex ignored her request. "I'm fine Lex, it's just…" Lana trailed. "What is it?" Lex needed to know. "Nothing, I'm sorry I asked for those things. I just want to fell good again and I can't have Clark." Lana nodded sadly as Lex looked annoyed at the mention of Clark's names. "Don't worry, I'll make you forget about Clark." Lex tried to reassure her as he stroked her hair. She placed his hands on his shoulders. "I just miss his well built shoulders….." Lana brushed off Lex's shoulders as if hinting his were
*Clark's room, that night*
Clark twisted and turned in his bed, finally he just sat up. He didn't want to feel this way anymore. He didn't want to care about her. He didn't want to know her, but his heart wouldn't forget. It couldn't forget that no matter what happened, he would always be in love with Lana Lang. That same heart couldn't help, but be worried that something had happened to her and he would never forgive himself if it did. Although he couldn't help, but think how things had gotten her. How could he have lost her and at the same time have no clue what happened? What happened? Was something he did? Was it something he said? How could they not be together? Why were they not together? To think, he now yearned for the days of knowing what had happened as he fell back into his pillow.
*Clark's Loft that night* Clark stared out into the night as he did so many times before, almost as if searching for the answers that had plague him over the years. "We never just look at the sky anymore, do we?" Lana stepped beside him as they stared out into the sky. "I guess not." Clark sighed. "Now, we look out into the sky, hoping to find the answers that we so desperately need." Lana said. "But those answers never do seem to appear in the "No, they don't, because if they did…." Lana then turned to Clark and smiled. "What mystery would there be to life?" Lana asked as Clark turned to her. "Probably not at all, but as for me, I think I've had all the mysteries I can take for one life time." Clark turned back out into the sky. "How true." Lana agreed, before Clark turned to her thoughtfully. "There's something I've been meaning to ask you all day and I'm not sure how to ask it." Clark said as Lana turned to him and gave him a warm smile. "Just ask it Clark, you don't need to know how to say something. All you need to do is say it." Lana told him and he nodded. "What was it like?" Clark asked, not being specific and Lana didn't understand him. "What was what like?" Lana returned his question and Clark took a deep breath. "What was it like being with your Clark and knowing the secret?" Clark asked slowly, as if trying to get his statement as correct as possible. Lana took a deep breath and made sure to look Clark in the eyes when she told him this. "It was like reaching one of those points we all dream of. It was like knowing what absolute happiness was and feeling like life couldn't get any better. If I was give three wishes, I would have given them back, because I didn't need them, there was nothing in the world that could top my life, nothing." Lana explained as Clark looked on mesmerized. "I don't know what to say." Clark stumbled across his words. "You don't have to, I know." Lana gave him a small wink and Clark cracked a small smile. "Well, our Lana will be back tomorrow, so you can talk to her, if you want." Clark informed her. "Great…." Lana clasped her hands. "Are you sure about this? I mean, you're not going to tell her my secret? Are you?" Clark now seemed concerned. "No, you should be the one to tell her the truth. I'm just going to show her the way." Lana let him know and Clark looked at his watch. "Why don't we get some sleep for tomorrow?" Clark suggested and Lana nodded as they headed back in. *Clark's room, late in the night* Clark held Lana as they slept, when Lana began to muttered and soon the muttering turned louder. Suddenly, she awoke breathing hard. It was the dream, the same dream she had been having the past few nights and they were becoming more real every time. "Are you okay?" Clark whispered, noticing her breathing had picked up big time. "Yeah….I'm fine." Lana told him, still her back to his. "Remember when you told me." Clark began and then corrected. "Or your Clark that you could always tell when he was lying?" Clark asked. "I do." Lana answered. "Well, so can we." Clark told her and Lana took a deep breath. She thought to herself, she really needed to talk to someone besides Chloe and who else could she talk to than the man she loved or the man in another world who was the man she loved? Lana sat up on the bed and Clark did the same. "I haven't been completely honest about what happened in my world." Lana confessed. "Oh." Clark said, urging her to go on. "I'm not with my Clark anymore, because I made a deal with Lex and that deal required me to be with him." Lana told him. "What deal?" Clark needed to know as Lana gulped. "Me for Clark's secret, Lex knows the truth about you in our world and if I didn't agree to be with him, he was going to tell the world." Lana began to cry slightly as Clark brought her into a hug. "Lana….." Clark couldn't believe what he had just heard. So many emotions flowed thru his body. He wanted to kill Lex and then scold Lana for doing something very dangerous. Then he wanted to tell her how courageous she was and take her into arms, even though she wasn't his. "That's unbelievable Lana, you were willingly to sacrifice yourself of his secret. I couldn't imagine anything more courageous, but at the same time, it's incredibly dangerous. I assume Clark doesn't know." Clark rubbed her back in comfort as she cried. "I couldn't tell him, instead I told him I didn't love him and now he hates me. He said things to me that I would never have imagined, but I know I deserved it. I don't care though, as long as he's safe." Lana repeated, for what seemed like the millionth time, mostly to herself. "But what about your safety?" Clark questioned. "I'm not the one who's going to save the world, I'm just a small town girl." Lana quickly answered. "No, you're not. Take it from me, you're more than that, you're his heart. I think you should tell him." Clark advised and Lana lifted herself from his shoulder. "Looks like we both have secrets to tell the people we love." Lana said as she wiped away her tears. "That we do, lets hope we have enough courage to do so." Clark said with hope as they stared at each other warmly.
*The Next Day, Lex's mansion*
Clark hesitated before he walked into Lex's office, so to speak. He stood there and stared at Lex as Lex worked on his laptop. "Lex." Clark called out as Lex lifted his head from his laptop and a small smirk formed on his face.
"Clark, what a surprise." Lex said, not all that surprised.
"Don't play games with me, Lex. You're not surprised to see me, you were just wondering when you'd see me." Clark firmly told him. Lex got up front his desk and walked toward Clark.
"Of course, I mean, how I could I think Clark Kent wouldn't come to save the day once Chloe told him Lana was missing? Although, some would wonder why he would care about the girl who broke his heart and ran to his former best friend." Lex explained as Clark did his best to hold back his anger.
"Because Clark Kent will always care about Lana Lang, no matter what, even if she's with people, like you." Clark said, speaking of himself in the third person.
"That's very admirable of you Clark, I'm sure she would be appreciative of that, just as I am." Lex lied.
"Do you have any idea of where she could be?" Clark asked, ignoring Lex's previous statement.
"No, I don't, but I have do I'll let you know, just like I will Chloe." Lex brushed past Clark.
"You don't seem too concerned." Clark pointed out and Lex stopped.
"I have my people searching every inch or this city as am I going to now. Make no mistake about it, I do love her and she loves me." Lex stuck the last part of those words in Clark's heart and then walked out.
*Clark's Loft, that night*
Chloe walked up the loft stairs and saw him leaning up against the railing, clearly deep in thought. "I heard you went to see Lex today." Chloe broke Clark out of his thoughts.
"Yeah." Clark replied, before turning to Chloe.
"I know how hard it must have been for you to do that." Chloe acknowledged.
"Only hard in that I had to restrain myself from ripping off his head, literally…." Clark explained.
"One of the bad things about being so strong, you can literally do things." Chloe joked, but no kind of humor could make Clark smile.
"I just don't want to care anymore. Every day I think about finding some red kryptonite and being Kal for the rest of my life. Not just because I want the pain to stop hurting, but because I don't want to be Clark Kent anymore." Clark explained as Chloe moved up to him.
"There are always times in our life when we feel that way Clark. We just have to keep hoping things will get better." Chloe tried to comfort him.
"I just don't see things getting better and the worse they get, the more angry I feel." Clark confessed as Chloe took his hand.
"Just promise you'll stay with me. I'm not going to lose you Clark and I'm not going to let you lose yourself." Chloe said and took Clark into an embrace.
*Kent's Kitchen, the next morning* Lana and Clark sat at the table, drinking some coffee. "Were you able to get any sleep last night?" Clark looked concerned at Lana. "A little, not like that dream was preventing any good sleeping I was having." Lana scoffed. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, you've made the last few nights good sleeping for me. I can't remember the last time I've been able to hold my Lana when he slept." Clark looked away in thought as Lana smiled warmly at him. "I'm glad I could do that for you." Lana sincerely replied. Then they heard a knock on the door and it was Chloe, she walked in. "Hey Clark, other Lana." Chloe took a seat. "Is Lana back from her field trip?" Clark wanted to know. "She's back and she has talked with Lex….." Chloe said as she raised her eyebrows in angst. "She isn't too happy is she?" Clark gulped. "Nope and guess where her anger is directed at?" Chloe asked and Clark looked sheepishly at her. "Me?" Clark threw out there. "Yep, well, you and imposter Lana as she put it." Chloe informed them. "That's perfectly fine, because the anger she has will be nothing compared to the one I have for her, for being with Lex." Lana butted in as Clark and Chloe exchanged amused looks. "Sounds good to me, so you want me to call her? Where do you want to me?" Chloe questioned Lana. "Yes, call her and tell her to meet me in the loft." Lana said and Chloe made the call, telling this world's Lana everything, then hung up. "We're good." Chloe said and Lana looked relieved. "Great, but what are you two going to do until then?" Lana wanted to know. "We're going to investigate how you got here. I think I may have found something where Mrs. Kent found you. Me and Clark will check it out." Chloe let her know. "Sounds good." Lana replied as they all shared looks. *The Loft, later in the day* LANA walked up the stairs, not knowing what to expect, but she knew she was angry. How dare someone impersonate her and how dare Clark put them up to it. Why else would that person go to Lex and tell him how much better Clark was than him? I can't wait until I meet this person, I'm going to rip her to pieces. LANA finally reached the top and saw the person facing the window. "How the hell are you?" LANA stared a whole thru the person when she turned around and LANA saw herself. "Surprised? You know, maybe five years ago this would have seemed impossible." Lana smirked at the shocked LANA standing in front of her. "Who…..It can't be….You look exactly like me." LANA gulped. "That's because I am you. Why don't I explain." Lana lead LANA to the couch. "I don't know how or why, but I was transferred from my world to yours. From what I can tell and everything I've been told from Chloe as well as Clark, everything's the same, except for one thing. That one thing difference is what happened between you and Clark and me and my Clark." Lana explained to the now dizzy LANA. "That's a lot…..But what I don't understand is the act you pulled on Lex, why would you do that?" LANA wanted to know. "Because Lex is an evil prick, to put it simply. He should considered himself lucky that I didn't beat the hell out of him." Lana said in a dead serious tone as the other LANA looked on with wide eyes. "Maybe in your world, but…." LANA began before Lana put her hand up to stop her. "Stop being naïve, I just told you he's the same in my world. Lex is as evil as his father, maybe more." Lana said as the other LANA shook her head. "Lex is the one who's been honest with me, not Clark." LANA tried to tell the other Lana. "But Clark's the one who really loves you. Think about it, how many girls has every truly been with? How many times has he been there for you, when you needed him the most? And if you really thought it about, how many times has he been there for you when you didn't know it? I know you're hurting and angry about him for what he did, but sometimes you just have to forget and remember what's important. He truly does love you." Lana explained as LANA tried to keep her composure. "He told he didn't love me, he kept secrets, I couldn't imagine being more hurt than he made me." LANA confessed, pain and anger covering her face. "And so you ran to his former best friend." Lana paused as the other LANA turned away upset. "Listen, we all mistakes, especially when it comes to the people we love. Clark made a mistake, but he did it because he loved you more than anything else in this world. He was willing to sacrifice his happiness for you. I know that's hard to understand, I'm not sure I would understand it, but love is unexplainable." Lana tried to convince LANA, who's look softened. "How could he have told me he didn't love me? Why can't he understand that all that would make me happy is being with him? No one else can complete me like him." LANA said, tears welling up in her eyes. "Well, it's Clark. For as many good qualities as he has and he has almost all of them a person can have, sometimes he doesn't think straight. Can you remember all the times we told our Clark that he looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders?" LANA nodded and Lana began again. "It's true, he does and he takes on so much responsibility. He blames himself for his father's death, he blames himself for Pete leaving and he blames himself for everything bad that happens to you. Now a lot of that I can't further explain, because that's only something he can do, but I think you need to know that." Lana said, almost breaking thru LANA's walls of anger. "We've been down this road before, I can't go thru this pain again." LANA replied. "And you shouldn't have to go thru the pain again, but if you let him slip away, you'll be passing up something that could be great. Give him a chance, one that you both deserve." Lana urged her and then they heard a voice. "I'd love another chance." Both Lana's turned around and saw Clark. "And here it is." Lana said and got up. She left both LANA and Clark there.
*I40*
Clark and Chloe are driving on I40 in Clark's truck. "What exactly are we looking for Chloe?" Clark wanted to know.
"I don't know Clark, anything. I remember Lana saying she was going to the library and this is the way. There must be something, maybe the people at the library can help us." Chloe explained.
"Ok." Clark accepted her answer. They kept driving until they saw an off ride SUV. Clark stopped the truck and they got out.
"This is Lana's SUV, but there's no sign of her." Chloe said searching the car as Clark walked up on the pit.
"Ahhhh…." Clark suddenly held his stomach in pain as he used his x-ray vision to see kryptonite.
"What is it Clark?" Chloe rushed to him.
"Kryptonite…." Clark whispered and Chloe backed him away from the pit, until he could stand on his own power.
"It must be all over the place." Chloe looked thoughtfully into the pit. "There was a thunderstorm the night Lana went missing, I wonder if the kryptonite pulled one of it's magic tricks and did something to Lana when thunder hit it." Chloe theorized.
"Wouldn't surprise me, but if the kryptonite did do something, I don't see how we can help…." Clark said and finally hit him. What if Lana was gone? Chloe noticed his look.
"Don't worry, we'll find her." Chloe reassured him.
*Later that night, Inside the Kent House* Lana sat at the Kent kitchen table when a knowing smile on her face as the other LANA and Clark walked up to her, hand in hand. Lana turned around with a smile. "How did it go?" She asked, despite already knowing. "As good as can be." Clark said, smiling at his LANA, who smiled back. "I never had a doubt." Lana said with confidence. "I don't how to thank you." Clark said as he turned back to Lana. "That goes double for me." LANA said with utmost gratitude. "You don't have to thank me for anything. I take enough satisfaction in knowing that two people who are in love are together and as Clark knows, I could use some good satisfaction these days." Lana confessed as both Clark and his LANA looked sadly at the pain on Lana's face. "I assumed you were happy with your Clark." Lana said, some what confused as Clark looked on knowingly. "I was…" Lana sighed, when Chloe walked in. "Wow, this is kind of weird." Chloe said as she looked between both Lana's, then smiled when she saw Clark and LANA hand in hand. "I guess everything worked out as planned." Everyone smiled at that. "So, you were in this too?" LANA asked her friend. "Guilty as charged, are you upset?" Chloe hesitantly asked. "Not at all." LANA grinned at Chloe. "Good, now on to our other Lana. Me and Clark checked out the place where Mrs. Kent found you, there happened to be meteor rocks there." Chloe explained. "Yeah, big enough ones to make me hurl." Clark added. "And as we all know, there was a storm that night. So…..putting two and two together, I'd say you thunder hit the meteor rocks, which brought you here." Chloe theorized. "Ok, sounds about right, but how am I suppose to get back?" Lana wanted to know. "Well, there is a thunder storm scheduled for tomorrow night." Chloe pointed out. "No, it's too dangerous." Clark stepped in and said as Lana thought, 'Different world, same Clark.' "I have to take that chance Clark." Lana stood up and turned to him. "I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I cost a Clark his Lana." Clark paused. "Despite how crazy that sounds." Clark told them. "Clark, if I don't go back, then I don't know what's going to happen with my Clark. You know what I'm talking about, please." Lana pleaded as the other LANA, tightened her grip on Clark. "Listen to her Clark, if she says she needs to do this, then we should let her." LANA said and smiled toward Lana. "I agree." Chloe made it three and Clark sighed. "Alright." Clark gave in. "Thank you.." Lana said with a warm smile. "Ok, well, I'm going to see what else I can fine. See you guys tomorrow." Chloe then turned and left, leaving the Lana's with Clark. "I think I'm going to go to bed." Lana said as Clark and his LANA looked confused. "Kind of early, isn't it?" Clark said as he looked at his watch. "Well, I figure you two could use a lot of catching up." Lana winked at them and walked into the living room. Both Clark and LANA blushed, then turned their attention to each other with a knowing smile. *Next day* Lana stood in the kitchen, she looked out the window as she thought yet again about her dream. 'What could it mean?' She wondered, but before she could answer her self, she heard footsteps and turned to see it was the other LANA. "You look like you have a lot on your mind." LANA noticed. "I do, I don't suppose Clark told you?" Lana wondered. "He didn't really get into specifics and besides, we were a little busy last night." LANA mentioned with a blush as the other Lana raised her eyebrows suggestively. "I was expecting as much and as a girl I would ask how it was, but I already know." They both blushed this time. "I'm all ears now, if you want to talk to me." LANA got back to topic, before she had the urge to rush back to bed with Clark. "Yeah, I think you might need to hear this." Lana said and then began. "In my world, I made a deal with Lex to protect Clark's secret. I promised to be with him, if he didn't tell the world the truth." Lana explained. "Wow, that's big, I can't believe Lex would do that. Clark said he had more to tell me about everything that has happened, but I'm shocked at Lex. I really though he was my friend and truly care about me, but if he would do that…I might just slap the crap out of him the next time I see him. LANA was now upset. "Well, I think I got him pretty good when I went to see him. I basically told him straight to his face that Clark was…..bigger than him." Both Lana's broke out in laughter. "The truth hurts." LANA said in laughter. "But seriously, these are the kind of things you're going to have to deal with, knowing Clark's secret and all. There are going to be some times when Clark can't be there for your needs or when you want him to be." Lana went thru the particulars of knowing Clark's secrets. "I kind of figured that." Lana sighed. "But like Mrs. Kent told me, you have to be strong and be there for him, because believe when I tell you, he needs you, as much as you need him." Lana lectured LANA, who nodded. "And I will be there for him, I'm willing to do what it takes." LANA said absolute sincerity. "I know you are, because I was too." They both smiled warmly at each other, when LANA got a thought. "How did Lex find out Clark's secret?" LANA questioned and for the first time, it hit Lana. "I don't know…" Lana looked thoughtfully and confused at the other LANA.
*Kent House, the morning of the storm*
Clark and Martha are in the kitchen when Chloe walked in. "Hello." Chloe greeted them.
"Hello Chloe, did you find anything on Lana?" Martha wanted to know.
"Not exactly, but I came up with a theory that the thunder storm a couple of days ago caused this whole thing when they hit the meteor rocks." Chloe let Martha and Clark know.
"Figures." Clark rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, anyways, there's a storm tonight and I'm hoping we'll have the same results." Chloe said with a hopeful tone.
"But the problem is, we have no clue what's happening in the other world." Clark said pessimistically.
"I know….But we have to go there tonight, so I'll be back tonight." Chloe said, nodded to Martha before she left. Clark crushed the cup in his hand subconsciously and Martha looked at him sadly.
"Maybe if I cared enough this wouldn't have happened." Clark said with regret.
"No, don't even think it. That's just your guilt talking, after everything you said to her, you just feel bad now that she's gone and I do too. Lana didn't deserve to be treated the way we did." Martha said in an apologetic tone.
"She turned her back on me mom, but I still want to find her and worst of all, I still want to love her." Clark confessed.
"I understand Clark, it hurts. You just want to be mad at her and hate her forever, but your heart won't allow it. All a part of being in love." Martha told him.
"A love that's gone." Clark replied, got up and began to walk out, but turned to Martha before he left. "These are the times I wish I was exactly like Jor-el." Clark then left as Martha looked on.
*Night of the storm*Chloe, Lana, Clark, LANA and Martha stand in the kitchen, all now familiar with Lana's story, including her sacrifice. "Frankly, I'm very disappointed with my other self." Martha said in a disappointed tone. "You other self didn't know Mrs. Kent, it's al right. I can take it, you have no idea how much having my Clark in my life meant to me. It made me stronger than I've ever been and I feel that I can take anything." Lana explained, as they all smiled, especially Clark and his LANA, whose hands grew tighter together as Lana look at them. "I just hope that your love grows as strong as ours did and I have little doubt that it will. Just remember not to let Clark get too headstrong and tell you he needs to protect you." Lana said to specially to the other LANA. "Don't worry, now that he's let me in, I'm never letting him go again. He couldn't get rid of me if he wanted to." LANA smiled proudly up to Clark. "And you won't have to let go, because you're never leaving my arms again." Clark embraced her. "Good, I wish I could see that thru, but I think it's my time to go. I have some things that need fixing in my world." Lana nodded as the thunderstorm started to begin outside. "It was nice meeting you dear." Martha gave Lana a hug as did Chloe and the other LANA, who held on a couple seconds later. "Thank you." She whispered and Lana nodded. "You ready?" Clark asked. "As I'll ever be." Lana said and walked out on the porch. "Be careful." LANA told her Clark and gave him a kiss before he walked out. *Car ride to the spot of meteor rocks where Lana came from her world, as the storm happens* The ride was silent for most of the way, until Clark turned to Lana. "If think anything bad is going to happen, I'm getting us out of there." Clark simply told her. "I know." Lana replied. "I'm serious, my Lana or not, I don't want to see anything happen to you." Clark said with honesty. "I appreciate that." Lana told him as Clark gave her a confused look. "You don't seem at all scared or apprehensive at all." Clark pointed out. "I guess when you've already been presented with the scariest thing in the world, nothing else can hold a candle." Lana said as she stared out the window. "What's that?" Clark wanted to know. "Living without the one you love." Lana said without hesitation. "Do you really think keeping this from him is right?" Clark questioned her. "No, I don't." Lana paused and turned to him. "But I think his destiny is more important than just me. I'm not going to let anyone stop him from being who I know he can be." Lana said with full confidence. "And what's that?" Clark wondered. "To be the world's greatest hero." And now Clark was hit in "What makes you believe that?" Clark needed to know and gulped. "Because that's the type of person he is. He always wants to help people and he has the power to do so, without caring what happens to him, even when he didn't have his powers." Clark looked at her thoughtfully as he continued to drive. "A hero is the one person who accepts the responsibility and burdens of others, taking them upon himself, with the power to do what's right. That's who "I wish I knew all that, it's just hard to believe." Clark confessed. "Don't worry, you'll find it, just he will." Lana reassured him and before he could speak, she pointed to the road. "We're here." Clark stopped the truck as the storm continued to come down with rage. They stepped out of the truck. "I WOKE UP RIGHT HERE." Lana yelled over the storm as she walked to the spot. "AHHHH…." Clark felt the kryptonite. "STAY BACK." Lana yelled as Clark took a couple steps back. Lana stood next to the meteor rocks as she turned to Clark. "JUST IN CASE IT WORKS, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING!" Clark shouted and Lana smiled thru the storm, when a bolt of thunder and lightning hit the meteor rocks, the green energy from the rocks hitting Lana.
*Night of the storm, where Lana was transported to.*
Clark stood away from the kryptonite as Chloe stood in the spot, hoping for a miracle. Suddenly a bolt of thunder and lightning hit the rocks, which sent Chloe backward. "CHLOE!" Clark shouted in concern, knowing he could do nothing. Chloegrabbed her head as she staggered up, but when she opened her eyes, she noticed she wasn't the only one doing that.
"LANA?" Chloe called and Lana turned to her.
"CHLOE!" Lana yelled and then they embraced. "I'm so glad to be home." Lana said with relief, they finally broke their embrace as Lana and Clark's eyes locked. She wanted so badly to run into his arms, but she didn't know if he would let her. Going to this other world reminded her of what she and Clark had. She needed that again, but she couldn't have it, because she had to protect him, right?"
"He was worried about him, go get him." Chloe encouraged her and without looking at Chloe, Lana walked up to Clark as the rained poured on them. Their eyes still hadn't left each other's.
"Are you okay?" Clark asked, the concern apparent on his face.
"I'm okay." Lana answered, a piece of hair in her face. Clark took his and slowly reached for the piece of hair. He removed it from hair and she slowly moved her head to his chest. Lana laid her on chest and his arms wrapped around her.
"LANA?" Lex shouted from as he emerged from his car and began to rush to Lana, who reluctantly released herself from Clark. Lex embraced her.
"You're okay, thank God." Lex said, as he glanced at Clark. Lana's eyes sadden as her chinned laid on Lex's shoulder.
*The next day, Clark's loft*
Clark leaned on the loft wall as he stared out into the shining sun. He heard footsteps coming up the stairs and turned to see Chloe there. "How's she recovering?" Clark wondered.
"She's doing fine." Chloe let him know.
"Did she say what happened?" Clark questioned.
"She told me she was transferred into another world, but it was almost identically like ours and with all the same key players." Chloe explained.
"I hope things were a little different for the other Clark." Clark said with hope.
"Actually, it was our very own Lana who helped out the other world's Clark." Chloe let slip out.
"And how did she do that?" Clark's curiosity now peeked.
"She got him to tell his Lana the truth about himself and by the time she was gone, they were together." Chloe said as Clark's face turned into a mixture of pain and thought.
"I…" Clark rubbed his face with his hand. "Why would she do that?" Clark asked out of confusion.
"She just wanted to help." Chloe said, hoping Clark would pick up on why by himself.
"It doesn't make any sense." Clark shook his head.
"Clark…." Chloe began before he walked past her.
"I need to go for a run." Clark said as he walked away and Chloe shrugged lightly.
"Lex's mansion, Lana's room*
Lana sat on her bed, a small smile on her face at being held by Clark, even if it was for one last time. She took out her necklace and held it tightly in her hand as she closed her eyes, thining of better days.
I shouldn't love you but i want to
I just can't turn away
I shouldn't see you but i can't move
I can't look away
And i dont know how to be fine when i'm not
Cause i don't know how to make the feelings stop
Just so you know
This feelings takin control
Of me and i can't help it
I wont sit around
I can't let him win now
Though you should know
I've tryed my best to let go of you
But i don't want to
I just gutta say it all before you go
Just so you know
It's gettin hard to
Be around you
Theres so much i can't say
And do you want me to hide the feelings
And look away
And i dont know how to be fine when i'm not
Cause i don't know how to make the feelings stop
Just so you know
This feelings takin control
Of me and i can't help it
I wont sit around
I can't let him win now
Though you should know
I've tryed my best to let go of you
But i don't want to
I just gutta say it all before you go
Just so you know
This emptyness is killin me
I'm wonderin why i've waited so long
Lookin back i realize it was always there to be spoken
Now i'm waitin here
Been waitin here
Just so you know
This feelings takin control
Of me and i can't help it
I wont sit around
I can't let him win now
Though you should know
I've tryed my best to let go of you
But i don't want to
I just gutta say it all before you go
Just so you know