"So, this is your first visit to Coast City?" Lex returned to his seat across from Lois after visiting the cockpit.

"Yeah. I've been meaning to make a visit. After all, it's the home of the Green Lantern." Lois smiled and sipped at the drink Lex had handed shortly after they took off.

"Oh yeah. You have a thing for Superheroes." Lex smiled at her. "I guess I need to get a costume."

"Actually, I like you like this. Besides, you are whisking me away for dinner on the other side of the country." She put her hand on his knee. "Have I told you how much fun I'm having already?"

"You hadn't mentioned that yet, but it's good to hear." He put his hand on hers. "I have fun with you, that's a bit new for me."

"Well, Mr. Luthor, the feeling is mutual." She raised her glass. "Why don't we make a toast—to fun."

"Sounds good to me." He raised his glass and they both finished their drinks.



Martha Kent was just taking a roast out of the oven when she heard a knock at the back door. "I'll be there in just a second. We're about to have dinner."

"Think you have room for a couple more?" Clark came in and took the roast from his mom.

"Clark!" She threw her arms around him just after he sat the roast down on the counter top. "This is a surprise. You didn't call to say you and Chloe would be visiting tonight."

"Actually, Mrs. Kent, its not Chloe." Lana came in the door, smiling.

"Lana. It's good to see you." Martha let go of her son and went over to give Lana a hug. "How is everything?"

"Oh, it's the same as when we talked just after I got back." Lana broke the embrace and took off her coat, hanging it on the coat rack next to the door.

"You two keeping secrets from me now?" Clark smiled at the two women.

"It's girl stuff, Clark." Martha winked at Lana. "I'm going to go get your father. He's out working in the barn. Could you cut the roast for me?"

"Sure, Mom." Clark reached in the drawer next to the counter for the carving knife.

"I'll get the drinks." Lana opened the refrigerator and pulled out a pitcher of Martha's famous iced tea.

"Thank you, dear." Martha then walked out the door, leaving Lana and Clark alone in the kitchen for the next couple of moments.

"This brings back memories, doesn't it?" Lana was pouring tea into everyone's glasses while Clark carved the roast and put it onto a serving plate.

"Yes, it does." Clark paused for a second. "This was our Wednesday nights during senior year. You, me, Mom, and Dad al having dinner together. You and I getting everything ready while mom went to get dad from the barn."

"They were good times." Lana poured the last glass and made her way over to the stove for the mashed potatoes. "Do you ever miss us?"

This time, Clark put down the knife. He wasn't ready for what he knew Lana was trying to say. "Lana, I…Of course I miss us. I'm always going to love you, but things are different now, for both of us."

"I know they are, you and Chloe are together, and the whole Superman thing." Lana had set the potatoes on the table and was now just standing there.

"Listen, why don't we enjoy dinner and spending time with my parents, and we'll talk about this afterwards. We can go up to the loft. Ok?" Clark quickly finished carving the meat and took the serving plate over to the table.

Lana nodded just as Jonathan and Martha came in the door. The four of them sat down and had a wonderful dinner, catching up on everything that had been happening. Lana seemed to have recovered from the conversation she and Clark had just had, and joked with Jonathan about this and that. Eventually, the topic of Lex came up.

"So, Lana, how's your step-brother these days?" Martha caught herself, but it was too late, so she continued. "We haven't seen him much since you all moved back to Metropolis."

"Lex is doing pretty well these days. In fact, he has a date tonight." Lana smiled, glad to have something positive to tell the Kents about her brother.

"With whom?" Martha's interest was piqued.

"Actually, Mom, he's taking Lois Lane to dinner in Coast City." Clark joined in the conversation. "That's part of the reason we're here. He was supposed to have dinner with Lana, but he cancelled on her. Then, Chloe called and told me she had to work, so we figured we'd come visit the two of you."

"I'm glad you did, Son." Jonathan joined in. "Let's just hope that Lois knows what she's getting herself into."

"Jonathan!" Martha shot her husband a glare. She knew he wasn't Lex's biggest fan, but thought for sure he'd keep his feeling to himself with Lana at the table.

"No, it's fine, Mrs. Kent." Lana stood up from the table. "I know how Mr. Kent feels about Lex. He just doesn't know the side of him that I do. He's a good man, and he's been there for me for a long time. Now, if you will excuse me, I need some air."

Lana walked out the door and made her way to the barn. Clark watched her for a second and then turned to look at his father. "Dad, why did you have to say that?"

"I'm sorry, Son. I just feel sorry for anyone who cares about a Luthor. They're bound to be hurt," he replied to his son's question and then went back to his food.

"I better go make sure she's ok." With that, Clark got up and made his way over to the barn where he found Lana sitting in his Fortress of Solitude, looking out at the night sky. "I'm sorry about that."

"Oh, its ok, Clark. Your father doesn't like Lex, I've known that for a long time. It's just that he's really been there for me lately, and I just wish that your dad could see the side of Lex that I see." Lana turned to face Clark, a tear running down her cheek.

"Something besides what my father said is bothering you. What is it?" Clark walked over to her and sat her down on the nearby couch.

"I've been thinking about the last time we were here together, a lot, lately. The truth is, that I miss you, Clark. I miss us." Lana was crying steadily now.

Clark was shocked, completely unsure of what do say. "Lana, I…"

Before he could finish his thought, Lana grabbed him and kissed him. For a second, they were both lost in the moment. Deep down, a part of Clark missed her too, wanted to give in to this kiss and be with her again, but then the part of him that was in love with Chloe, the much bigger part, came crashing through and he pulled away.

"Lana, we can't do this. I'm in love with Chloe. We can't go back to what we had." He watched as Lana sat, like she had just been hit by a truck. "What we had was beautiful, and I'll cherish those memories and feelings for the rest of my life. A part of me will always love you, and miss you. But, that part of our lives is over. You need to move on, find someone you can love and who will love you the way you deserve to be."

"But I don't know how to forget about you." Lana looked as though she would begin sobbing at any moment. "I love you, Clark."

"Lana, oh, Lana." He wrapped his arms around her. "I don't know how to help you. I wish that I did. All I do know, is that you will find someone who completes your life. And trust me, when you do, it's a beautiful, wonderful thing. That's how Chloe makes me feel. You'll find that one day. I promise."

Lana didn't say anything. She just sat there, in Clark's arms, sobbing into this shoulder. She knew he was right, that there was no chance for them anymore, but she wasn't as sure about his promise that she would find someone else. Right now, all she was sure about was that she'd truly lost the only man she'd ever really loved.

After about half an hour of crying, Lana asked Clark to please take her home. They went and said goodbye to Martha and then returned to Metropolis. Lana fell asleep in his arms before they reached the penthouse, so he entered the window from which they had left and placed her in her bed. Before he left, he kissed her on the forehead. A single tear fell down his cheek as he stepped from the window.



Chloe really hadn't expected Clark to be there when she got back to her apartment; after all, she had told him she'd be late. So, she decided that she'd shower and then wait for him to get there. No sooner had she gotten undressed for the shower than she felt a breeze across her back.

"I was wondering when you were going to get here." She turned to face the window.

"I thought you said that you were going to be late getting in?" Clark stepped closer to her.

"I was, but I…" Before she could finish, Clark took her into his arms and kissed her. Then, they backed up to the bed and laid down together. Clark quickly joined her in a naked state and they made love for an hour. Afterwards, they were laying there in each other's arms, ear to ear smiles on their faces.

"What gotten into you tonight?" Chloe shifted to face her lover.

"I had a very interesting evening." Clark caressed her face with his hand and kissed her before continuing. He wasn't sure if he should tell her everything that had happened, but then he decided that keeping secrets from the woman he loved was not something he wanted to do. "After you called and cancelled our dinner plans, Lana and I went to Smallville to visit my parents…"

Ten minutes later, Clark had finished the story, not leaving a thing out. Chloe simply laid there, a look of shock mixed with jealousy on her face. She didn't get up though, and Clark took that as a good sign. Finally, her look softened.

"That poor girl." Chloe's look had now changed to one of pity. "I can't believe she still isn't over you after all these years."

"Can you blame her?" Clark grinned to let her know he was sarcastic.

"Oh, somebody's head isn't too big, now is it?" Chloe slapped him, playfully across the chest.

"Really, you're not upset?" Clark grabbed her and pulled her close.

"I was at first, but then I remembered where I was, and what we just did. You love me, and you're here with me. Whatever there was between you and Lana in the past, it can't hold a candle to what we have now. I know that." She kissed him and wrapped her arms around him.

"I love you so much, Chloe. I don't know what I would do without you, and I don't ever want to find out." Clark squeezed her to him, feeling her body press against his.

"You'll never have to." The two of them snuggled into each other's arms and fell asleep.



"Well, Mr. Luthor, how nice it is to see you. Your secretary called and said you would be joining us tonight. I took the liberty of preparing you a private table." The restaurant owner greeted Lex and Lois as they entered the restaurant. "And who is your lovely guest this evening."

"Pierre, this is Miss Lois Lane." The middle-aged Italian man took Lois's hand and kissed it as Lex made the introductions.

"This way, if you would." He led them to their table. It was in a far corner of the restaurant, a section reserved for VIPs. Lex slipped the man a tip as he left and he and Lois took their seats.

"This place is gorgeous, Lex." Lois looked around her, noticing the giant glass chandeliers and the fountains. She looked to her left, out the windows. The restaurant sat overlooking the ocean, and the sun was just setting against the water.

"Now it is." He smiled at her, unsure if she understood what he was implying. The blush that spread across her cheeks answered that question.

"Good evening, my name is Kyle and I'll be your server this evening. Can I get you something to drink?" A young waiter appeared at the side of their table.

"The finest bottle of wine you have, please. The owner will know what I like." Lex said without turning away from Lois. He reached across the table and took her hand in his.

"Certainly, Sir." He turned and left.

"What's the occasion?" Lois looked into Lex's eyes.

"I'm out on my first real date with the most beautiful woman I have ever met. That's the occasion." They both began to lean across the table when a terrible scream pulled them both from the moment.

"What the hell was that?" Lois and Lex both turned back toward the main dining room.

What greeted them was the sight of a gunman holding a gun to a man's head. Lex quickly recognized the man as the Mayor of Coast City. He and Lois both stayed in their seats as the man crazily pointed the gun around.

"Nobody moves and nobody gets hurt. Understand me?" the man's voice was slightly muffled by the mask he wore. "The Mayor and I are going to go for a little walk."

Suddenly a green light pulled the man's gun from his hand and encased him in a green bubble. "I don't think so. It looks to me like you're going to be spending a little time in jail."

The source of the light and voice soon appeared from the other side of the restaurant. It was Coast City's hero, Green Lantern. Lois quickly got up and made her way into the main dining room. Lex was close behind. Within minutes, the police had arrived and the gunman was on his way to jail. Lois managed to corner Green Lantern on his way out the door.

"That was amazing. I've heard so much about you, but never had the opportunity to see you in action." Lois extended her hand.

"Thank you, ma'am. I'm afraid I don't know your name." He reached out to shake her hand.

"Why, Green Lantern, I'm amazed at you. You don't recognize Lois Lane, star reporter for the Daily Planet in Metropolis?" Lex had joined them.

"Mr. Luthor." He extended his hand to Lex. They shook. "Why, I'm sorry Miss Lane. I didn't recognize you in that dress. The only times I've seen you, you were a tad worse for wear."

"Ah. You must be talking about my many appearances on the evening news. Its kind of difficult to look presentable when your reporting on a major disaster or crime, especially one you were involved in." It surprised her that he had ever even seen her at all.

"You're the one who named Superman, right?" Green Lantern was now the one asking the questions.

"Yes, I was." Lois smiled.

"If you get a chance, tell him I'd like to meet him sometime. Maybe our paths will cross in the future. Well, Miss Lane, it was nice to meet you, good to see you again, Mr. Luthor. You two enjoy the rest of your evening." With that, he was off, a green streak in the sky was all that was left.

"We really have to try and have a normal evening together." Lex took her hand in his.

"Normal is overrated." Lois leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. "What do you say we get that dinner you promised me.