************ Guilt Part 2 Author: Morley Disclaimers in Part 1 ************

Clark stared at his parent's unmoving forms. It was his fault they were in here. If only he could have gotten there in time. If only... If only...

His heart thumped wildly in his chest at the realization that he could lose the two most constant people in his life. What would happen to the farm? What would happen to him? Would he have to quit school? Would he be sent to an orphanage? Would anyone want him?

Clark jumped at the hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see Chloe. "Hey, Clark. Sorry I scared you," she said.

"It's all right," Clark replied.

She glanced over at Jonathan and Martha Kent, then back at their son. "How are you holding up?"

Clark smiled at her sadly. "I've been better."

"Do you need anything?"

"Besides the obvious?" he asked with a sigh. "Not right now. Thanks, Chloe."

She pulled him to his feet. "I think you need some fresh air."

"Chloe..."

"Clark, you can't just sit in here. Besides, visiting hours will be over in 15 minutes and they'll kick you out anyway."

He acquiesed. "All right, but give me five minutes." Chloe gave him a hug and went out into the hall.

As soon as the door shut, Clark walked over to his mother. "I'll be back tomorrow. Please hang on. I need you."

"You too, Dad. I love you both." With a sigh, Clark left the room.

**************

Clark wasn't paying attention to where he was going, he just let Chloe lead him. He soon found them in front of the Talon. "Chloe, I'm not in the mood for a big crowd."

"Trust me, Clark," she replied with a smile.

He glanced at the sign on the door: 'Closed for a private engagement.'

"Clark!" It was Lana. She gave him a hug. "How are you doing?"

"I'm feeling a little better thanks to my friends," he said with a small smile. "You didn't have to close early, Lana."

"I wanted to. Besides, I know how crowds can get when you just want to try and make sense of the world."

Pete joined them. "Don't worry about your parents, Clark. They're two of the most stubborn people I know. They'll be up and about in no time!"

"Thanks, Pete," Clark responded.

***************

Clark stared at the empty kitchen. "Will you be all right?"

"Yeah," he whispered. "Fine."

"Pete and I will be by in the morning to help you out. You have to deliver some stuff, right?"

He nodded. "It's not necessary, Chloe. I can take care of it myself."

"We know you can," she replied, "but we want to help. Please let us, Clark."

He turned to her and smiled. "Thanks again, for everything."

"You're welcome." She turned to leave. "Oh, and Clark, don't hesitate to call if you need anything."

He nodded and watched her leave. Clark found new hope that his parents would be all right. And because it was his fault they were lying in hospital beds, the question was: Would they still want him?

***************** That's all for now. What do you think? Please review! :D