David J. Duncan
Chapter 5
Jonathan and Martha looked anxiously at each other. This was the type of conversation they had been dreading since they found Clark out in Sutter's Field. However, there was no going back now.
"Absolutely," Martha agreed. "Please join us, Lana. We were just going to have something to drink. Weren't we?"
"Sure," Jonathan added, sitting back down. "In fact, we were just talking to that professor out in Arizona about your trip. Why don't you take a seat?"
"Thanks," the visitor accepted. What did Professor Dubois want? Is everything okay? "The last couple of weeks have been really stressful."
"I can imagine," the older woman surmised, putting out some pie for the guest.
"Are you feeling any better since we dropped you off?" Clark wondered with concern.
"I ran into Chloe at the Talon. She wanted to find out about the trip and well; I wasn't really in the mood to talk about it. I got upset and left quickly. After I got home, I went for a ride. Somehow, things really fell into place for me while I was out there tonight. I realized that you're still you, Clark, powers or not. You risked everything to save me from falling. I'm really grateful for that. Just tell me one thing, why didn't you trust me with this secret? You know you can tell me anything," Lana explained.
Clark flushed with embarrassment, but remained silent.
Jonathan cleared his throat and admitted, "That's not his fault, Lana. His mother and I have told him not to say anything about his powers to anyone. It's as much for your protection as it was for his sake."
"So, you don't want us to get involved?" she asked, dreading his answer.
"Of course, we do," Martha assured her. "We just wanted Clark to be careful is all. Now that you know, can you keep his secret?"
Lana flashed a smile. "Of course! There was never any other choice for me." Turning to her boyfriend, she asked, "Clark, we've been through a lot in the past week. Seeing you...well...as you really are along with our other new friends and the situation, it's really stressed me out. It also put matters in perspective for me. I really care about you and it was stupid of me to treat you as I did. I'm sorry about that."
Clark smiled. That's a big relief. "There's nothing to be sorry about, Lana. Believe me, there are so many times I wanted to tell you."
"Such as when you pulled me out of the twister after the Spring Formal, right?" she pointed out. "You didn't have to lie to me about that one. Now I know how Lex felt after the bridge incident, but that's okay. I'm just glad you were there for me and will continue to be there." Her eyes shone into his. "That is if you want to be."
"Absolutely," he agreed, hugging her tightly. "Umm, do you mind if we talk outside?"
"Go ahead," Martha agreed, giving them a warm smile. "Your father and I will finish up in here."
"Sure, Son. Just remember, it's getting late. Don't talk too long, okay?" his father added.
"Right," Lana agreed, heading out the screen door. "Nell would be worried."
Clark nodded and followed her outside.
The two parents suddenly felt their nerves loosen a bit as they saw them head for the barn. Suddenly, they knew that everything was going to be okay after all.
****
Lana walked into the Fortress proper and looked around. It feels weird. All of a sudden, I understand why he calls it the Fortress of Solitude. "Is this what it's like? To hide here with your secrets?"
He ran his hands through his hair nervously. "Yeah. I wish you wouldn't say it like that though. Doing it was bad enough. Hearing it from you is worse."
She studied him for a second. So much power and yet, he's like any other guy. Look, he's sweating. I should give him a break. No, after all the guessing, it's good to make him sweat a bit. "Did you learn anything from this past week?"
He nodded. "I learned that some secrets are worth keeping, but eventually, you can't hold onto all of them. You also have to open yourself up to your friends at some point no matter the cost."
She stared into his eyes. "I'm sorry that you had to lose your secret to save me, Clark. You know that thinking of you kept me going in that awful place especially with that monster threatening us."
He studied her-watching the late spring breeze teasing her hair, the moonlight sparkling off of her eyes and teeth, and her skin glow with the soft sheen. I love her so much. How can I tell her that?
Her eyes watered as she could feel his emotions energizing the air between them. After all of this time, can't he tell me? Her frustration caused her eyes to water and she turned away from him.
He placed his hand on her shoulder. "Lana."
"Clark, don't."
"Lana, look at me."
"No. I can't keep this up. I have to know if we can trust each other."
"Lana, look at me...please," he repeated himself and gently spun her around. Wrapping his arms around her, he told her, "I couldn't stand thinking of you in that place. I...don't."
He said it. Well, close enough. "Clark, how much do you trust me?"
"Lana. You know better than to ask that."
"Then, as Chloe would say: 'Shut up, Farm Boy'." Then, she kissed him, sending sparks between them.
For a long minute, the connection sent warm feelings through both of them, propelling them to emotional levels never previously experienced.
"Clark, I love you. Okay? And I know you feel the same way about me even if you're too shy to say it."
"Not anymore. Lana, I love you too and I always have. Thank you for relieving this burden for me...for sharing it with me."
"Any time. Any time," she assured him, kissing his cheek and sharing the view of the Kansas prairie with him. He's mine. And I'm his. Finally, we're together. Seeing a shooting star crease the night sky, she wished, Please let Nell say yes. I want to be down there with everyone and be around Adam and the others. Most importantly, I want to be there for Clark. Please let her say yes.
"Things will work out, Lana. We just need to have faith," he replied optimistically.
"I know, Clark. Having you say that makes all of the difference in the world," she agreed. "Uh, it's getting late and I don't want to get Nell any more riled than she already is. I'll see you at school tomorrow. Okay?"
"You bet. Thanks for coming by," he said enthusiastically.
"My pleasure," she concluded, kissing him again before heading down the stairs and riding off on Buttercup toward her home.
With every hoof beat, he watched her ride across the grasslands. For so long, he had stared from afar, stealing glances of her whenever he could. Now it was different. They had a relationship...not one built on lies and deceit, but honesty, understanding, love, and trust. And that felt right to both of them.
