He stood watching her for a few moments. She sat upright in the bed. Her eyes were blank and despondent. When he sat down next to her she didn't even look at him. He reached for her hand and held it and she seemed to wake up as if from a trance. She cringed when he squeezed her hand. He looked at her wrist, a purple bruise forming where Whitney's hand had held her down against the bed. A red welt now marred Lana's beautiful face where he had slapped her. She seemed distant and faraway, barely a presence in the room. They sat in a muted silence for a few minutes until Clark finally spoke.

"Lana…come here."

She rose from the bed and sat down in his lap. She was still wearing only her undergarments, but neither of them was paying attention. She rested her head on his shoulder. He held her protectively, his arms gripping her bare waist. He waited until her breathing had returned to normal before he spoke again.

"What happened?" he whispered.

She looked up at him with a tear-streaked face and replied, "I don't know. We started out kissing. It just got sort of out of hand. He grabbed me…dragged me upstairs. He…tried to force himself on me. I tried to stop him but he wouldn't listen. He was too strong. I just…I couldn't…" Her voice trailed off. She got up off his lap and started pacing around the room.

"Clark, how did you know?"

"I didn't. Something just…didn't feel right."

"I just…I don't understand why…maybe he got tired of waiting. Clark, if you hadn't…come over when you did, I…" She put her face in her hands. "I don't know what would have happened. Thank you." She was crying now, tears leaving black trails of mascara down her cheeks.

"Lana, hey. It's going to be okay. I promise."

"How? How is it going to be okay? God, that bastard! I trusted him!"

"I know. Lana, I will never let him hurt you."

"I want him dead," she stated simply.

"Me too."

"Kill him for me?" she suggested.

"I'd love to," he said wryly.

"You'll never hurt me will you Clark?" Her voice wavered as she spoke.

"No. Never."

She nodded, uncertainly.

He got up and leaned down to hug her. She rested her head on his chest. They stood like this until Lana looked down self-consciously and noticed she was wearing only a black bra and matching panties.

"Sorry," she said quietly.

He smiled and blushed.

"Why don't I leave while you get changed?" he suggested.

"No…stay. Just turn around."

He complied and faced the wall while she changed. He could hear her fumbling around in her closet for something to wear.

"Okay, I'm dressed."

Clark turned around to face her.

"Now what?" she asked.