Lana Lang knocked hard on the door. It was pouring rain and she was
soaking wet, but she had to talk to someone. Anyone. Even Lex Luthor. A
man answered it and led her silently inside and upstairs to Lex's office.
"Excuse me sir, there's a young lady here to see you."
Lex looked up from his computer and glanced at the man, dismissing him. "Lana, come in. Sit down." He motioned to a chair. If Lex was at all surprised that Lana had come over, he didn't acknowledge it. He left the room for a moment and returned with a plush purple towel. Lana nodded her thanks and dried her hair before setting the towel over the chair and sitting down.
"Can I get you something to drink?"
"Nothing alcoholic," she replied softly.
"Of course not. You're a minor, and besides, I've heard you can't handle your liquor."
"Apparently not."
"Would you like something else? Clark says you drink Diet Pepsi."
Lana managed a small smile. "No thanks. I can't believe Clark actually told you about my drinking habits."
"What can I say? It came up. He's quite infatuated with you Lana. He has been for years."
"I know that," she said lightly.
"I don't think you really do. He cares a lot about you. He waited a long time for you to break up with Whitney. I kept telling him to just make his move, but you know Clark…"
"Yeah," she said smiling, "I know Clark." Lana started fidgeting, as if she had just realized that she was at Lex Luthor's house for no apparent reason. Lex noticed her discomfort and quickly changed the topic.
"Lana, can I ask you a question?"
"It depends on what it is," she replied boldly. 'Very un-Lana like,' Lex thought.
"How much do you remember about the night of the dance?"
Lana sighed, obviously tired of discussing the topic, but relented. "Not much of anything really. I remember dancing with Clark, talking to Chloe and Joel for a while. And then there was the very memorable hangover I had the next day." She winced at the memory. "But if you're asking me if I remember how I ended up passed out in the backseat of your limo, then no. Don't worry; you're not the only one wondering what really happened."
Lex nodded. "Clark's wondering?"
Lana bit her lower lip, thinking. "Clark, his parents, my aunt, everyone, including me." She paused. "It bothers me that Clark doesn't trust me."
"He'll get over it," Lex assured her confidently, as always.
"And if he does? He obviously has doubts about me. He told me that he doesn't believe me. Even if he does forgive me, what does that say about us? He doesn't trust me. And why should he?"
Lex stared at her sympathetically, but there was nothing he could say.
Lana smiled. "Why am I telling you all this? I don't even know why I'm here."
"That's fine, you're always welcome."
Lana looked at him quizzically. She barely knew him, except through her work at The Talon, but for some reason she found him easy to talk to. "Do you think I did it Lex?" She asked quietly, almost child like.
He'd never seen her this vulnerable, empty. He knew that he was the last person that Lana would turn to under normal circumstances, but these were not normal circumstances.
"No," he replied, waiting for her reaction.
"Why?"
"Because I know you Lana. Or maybe I don't. So I can see you as you are without bias."
"What do you see?"
"You're one of the nicest people I've ever met. You try not to step on anyone's toes. You care a lot about your friends. But lately, I think you've changed."
"How so?"
Lex squinted and studied her. "I don't know." He shook his head. "You're more confident."
Lana laughed at the ridiculousness of it all. "I couldn't be less confident if I tried. I have no idea what I want out of anything. The only thing that's changed is my break up with Whitney."
"Maybe that's it. Or it could be your new business venture."
"Our new business venture," she corrected.
"Right." He got up and went to the bar. He pulled out a glass and poured himself a shot of vodka from a clear bottle.
"Lex! Isn't it a little early in the day to start drinking?"
"It's seven o'clock. That's not too early," he smirked. Lana sighed and rolled her eyes.
"See? That, right there. You're becoming Chloe!"
Lana laughed. "What, so dumping my sleazebag boyfriend and going out with the boy next door has brought out my inner bitch?"
"I was under the impression that you didn't have one."
"Really? And who told you that?"
Lex took a sip from his drink. "Clark," he said seriously.
"Not everything is about him you know," she said pointedly. His words had obviously struck a nerve.
"No," he agreed. "But this is about him. That's why you're here isn't it?"
She nodded dejectedly. "Clark was in front of me the whole time and I never saw him. Actually, I did. But I was with Whitney. Things were never great between us, but after his dad got sick I would have felt guilty if I had broken up with him. I wanted to though. But you know, we had to keep up appearances. It's like we were high school royalty or something."
"The popular football quarterback and his perfect, sweet cheerleader girlfriend." He was mocking her but he did it in his usual non- confrontational way. She glared at him anyway.
"Perfect?"
"Yes. They'd expect nothing less right?"
"Who?"
"Nell. Your teachers, your friends, Whitney, even Clark."
"I guess," she said, her voice wavering. The way Lex was able to easily pick her apart was unnerving. "You'd know all about expectations though, wouldn't you?" He nodded.
"We have something in common then," he said.
"With Clark, I don't have to be perfect, or nice. I can just be myself. No more pretending to be someone else." Her voice trailed off.
"You're not really a nice person Lana? I find that hard to believe."
"I'm a good faker."
'Not that good,' Lex thought. He furrowed his brow and looked at her strangely. "That could prove problematic since that's one of the reasons Clark likes you so much."
Lana looked at him sadly. "He likes me because I'm perfect?"
"He likes you because you're you. And as long as you haven't lied to him about who you really are, then I think he knows you pretty well. You're real, and you're a good person Lana."
"I don't feel like one." She sighed. "When I was dating Whitney, I always had to pretend to impress everyone. I was his silly little trophy," she said bitterly. "Up there on a pedestal, always shiny and pretty. I was nice to everyone, sugary sweet, because that was what was in my job description. 'Whitney's girlfriend: seen and not heard.' Sufficed to say, I got tired of that quick enough."
"Then why did you stay with him?"
She shrugged. "Everyone likes to feel needed. I was popular; everyone liked me. It was nice, I suppose. It wasn't real though. Just this fake little game I put on. And it didn't even work. Ironic, I guess. I never fit in with them. They thought so of course, but they had it fed to them every day. What was cool, and who was cool. And now they all hate me. And I'm not sorry," she said matter of factly.
"Clark doesn't hate you."
"He's not speaking to me."
"He's hurt. It's different."
She nodded. "I never meant to hurt him."
"I know that Lana. But I think he needs to know that too. Talk to him, before it's too late."
"Lex, why have you always been pushing for Clark and I to be together?"
"I recognize a good thing when I see one. Besides, Clark's happy when he's with you. He's my friend, and he deserves it."
"Will you talk to him for me? Please," she added. "I just think it would sound better coming out of your mouth. Besides that, there's the small issue of the fact that he's not allowed within a mile of my house." Lana smiled grimly. "It would really mean a lot to me Lex. I mean, I don't know if you can help but--."
"I'll try my best Lana. I'm a Luthor, I can be very persuasive."
"I know that. Thank you Lex."
She got up and he led her out. It was dark outside. He called a car, and had it drive her home.
The next day…
Clark entered the Torch office. Pete and Chloe were hunched over the computer working on the latest edition of the newspaper. They barely noticed when Clark came in. Chloe finally looked up and noticed his dour expression right away.
"You look good," she said sarcastically.
"Thanks."
"Still moping over Lana, I see?" Pete said.
"Yup."
"Oh good, this should be fun," Chloe said. Pete nudged her in the ribs and gave her a look that said 'Shut up.' Chloe rolled her eyes.
"Okay, just a question though. How long is this teen-angst, depressed, not fun Clark Kent going to hang around? It's getting kind of old." Chloe waited patiently for his answer, but Clark just gave her a withered glance and sat down. He looked tired. Pete sighed and shook his head. All in all, Chloe was a great friend, but sometimes she just needed to learn when to keep her mouth shut and mind her own business. Especially when it came to Clark.
"Oh I'm sorry. Is my unhappiness bothering you?" Clark muttered.
"Okay! That's it. This officially sucks! Clark, will you stop being such a dumbass and just go talk to her! We both know you want to. I mean, come on, it's obvious you still have feelings for her so why don't you just go make up with her and spare us the gory details of your love life because personally, I'm getting really tired of hearing about it." Chloe ended her tirade and started feeling guilty the second she saw the hurt expression on Clark's face. He looked crushed, and then angry.
"Look Chloe, I haven't said anything to you about any of this because I know that you have--." He stopped himself, but it was too late.
Chloe eyed him suspiciously; her mouth hung open.
"You know that I have what Clark?"
Pete knew exactly what was about to happen and quickly gathered up his books and excused himself, shutting the door behind him.
Clark was trapped. Chloe was waiting for an answer.
"I know that you have feelings for me," he said finally.
Chloe stared at him shocked. "How…how did you find out?" she stammered.
He looked down at the floor. Chloe sighed angrily.
"Lana?"
He looked up and Chloe had her answer.
"It's not like I didn't know already though. I mean I'm not blind. I just made Lana confirm my suspicions."
Chloe nodded. "I always assumed that because you never said anything, you never knew."
"I was just being nice. I didn't want to embarrass you. Besides, I figured you'd tell me eventually when the time was right."
"Well, the time was never right Clark. You were too busy obsessing over Lana."
Clark knew exactly what Chloe was feeling. He'd felt the same way when Lana was dating Whitney. Wanting something you couldn't have. It was the worst feeling in the world. "I'm sorry Chloe."
"No, I am. Don't hate me okay?"
"Of course not!" Clark exclaimed. "Nothing has to change just because we've talked about it."
"Right," Chloe agreed, although she knew that everything between them had already changed the second Clark addressed what both of them already knew. There was an awkward silence.
"So you're in love with me?"
The question threw her off guard. It certainly wasn't like Clark to be so forward. She thought about it a moment. "Yeah, I guess so."
Clark nodded, apologetic. "I just had to know. Chloe I wish that--."
"Don't, okay? Just don't. I know that you don't feel the same way about me. You love me as a friend or a sister; you hope this doesn't get in the way of our relationship, blah, blah, blah. I know what you're going to say, so just don't."
Clark nodded and felt guilty, because that was indeed what he had intended on saying.
"I never meant to hurt you Chloe. I'm sorry if I did."
She shrugged and smiled. "It's okay Clark. Really, it is. Oh, and I'm sure you and Pete will be happy to know that in an attempt to get over you, I've agreed to go out on a real date with Joel next weekend."
"That's great! So you really like him then?"
"He's no Clark Kent, but he's nice and charming. He seems like a good guy."
Clark smiled his approval. "You're my best friend Chloe. I want you to be happy."
Chloe winced, her heart aching. She knew what she had to do. "Clark," she began softly. "I don't know how to say this. God knows I don't want to." She was stalling and both of them knew it. "Here's the thing Clark. You know that…that I love you. But in loving you, I also want what's best for you. And what makes you happy. And if Lana makes you happy, then you just have to get over this, because you're totally in love with her, and this is killing you. And Lana's a wreck. I mean have you seen her? She's lost like ten pounds. She looks like hell. And so do you. Go home, get some sleep, and walk over to her house tomorrow and work this out." She felt relieved as soon as the words left her mouth.
"Chloe, why are you doing this?"
"Because Clark, I love you," she said simply. "I don't like seeing you like this. I'm not Lana's biggest fan, granted, but if she makes you happy, then fine. You have my blessing, not like you needed it." She kept reminding herself that she was doing the right thing. Clark didn't love her. She needed to get over him. Closure was key. 'God, I sound like a self help book,' Chloe thought miserably.
Clark looked ten times happier, and for that Chloe was grateful.
"Thanks Chloe, that means a lot to me."
She nodded. He edged over to her and gave her a stiff hug. She returned it, wishing she could stay like this forever, in his arms. Regrettably it had to end and Clark pulled away. He gave her one last sad half-smile before opening the door and walking out. Chloe sat back down at her desk and tried unsuccessfully to keep her mind on work.
"Excuse me sir, there's a young lady here to see you."
Lex looked up from his computer and glanced at the man, dismissing him. "Lana, come in. Sit down." He motioned to a chair. If Lex was at all surprised that Lana had come over, he didn't acknowledge it. He left the room for a moment and returned with a plush purple towel. Lana nodded her thanks and dried her hair before setting the towel over the chair and sitting down.
"Can I get you something to drink?"
"Nothing alcoholic," she replied softly.
"Of course not. You're a minor, and besides, I've heard you can't handle your liquor."
"Apparently not."
"Would you like something else? Clark says you drink Diet Pepsi."
Lana managed a small smile. "No thanks. I can't believe Clark actually told you about my drinking habits."
"What can I say? It came up. He's quite infatuated with you Lana. He has been for years."
"I know that," she said lightly.
"I don't think you really do. He cares a lot about you. He waited a long time for you to break up with Whitney. I kept telling him to just make his move, but you know Clark…"
"Yeah," she said smiling, "I know Clark." Lana started fidgeting, as if she had just realized that she was at Lex Luthor's house for no apparent reason. Lex noticed her discomfort and quickly changed the topic.
"Lana, can I ask you a question?"
"It depends on what it is," she replied boldly. 'Very un-Lana like,' Lex thought.
"How much do you remember about the night of the dance?"
Lana sighed, obviously tired of discussing the topic, but relented. "Not much of anything really. I remember dancing with Clark, talking to Chloe and Joel for a while. And then there was the very memorable hangover I had the next day." She winced at the memory. "But if you're asking me if I remember how I ended up passed out in the backseat of your limo, then no. Don't worry; you're not the only one wondering what really happened."
Lex nodded. "Clark's wondering?"
Lana bit her lower lip, thinking. "Clark, his parents, my aunt, everyone, including me." She paused. "It bothers me that Clark doesn't trust me."
"He'll get over it," Lex assured her confidently, as always.
"And if he does? He obviously has doubts about me. He told me that he doesn't believe me. Even if he does forgive me, what does that say about us? He doesn't trust me. And why should he?"
Lex stared at her sympathetically, but there was nothing he could say.
Lana smiled. "Why am I telling you all this? I don't even know why I'm here."
"That's fine, you're always welcome."
Lana looked at him quizzically. She barely knew him, except through her work at The Talon, but for some reason she found him easy to talk to. "Do you think I did it Lex?" She asked quietly, almost child like.
He'd never seen her this vulnerable, empty. He knew that he was the last person that Lana would turn to under normal circumstances, but these were not normal circumstances.
"No," he replied, waiting for her reaction.
"Why?"
"Because I know you Lana. Or maybe I don't. So I can see you as you are without bias."
"What do you see?"
"You're one of the nicest people I've ever met. You try not to step on anyone's toes. You care a lot about your friends. But lately, I think you've changed."
"How so?"
Lex squinted and studied her. "I don't know." He shook his head. "You're more confident."
Lana laughed at the ridiculousness of it all. "I couldn't be less confident if I tried. I have no idea what I want out of anything. The only thing that's changed is my break up with Whitney."
"Maybe that's it. Or it could be your new business venture."
"Our new business venture," she corrected.
"Right." He got up and went to the bar. He pulled out a glass and poured himself a shot of vodka from a clear bottle.
"Lex! Isn't it a little early in the day to start drinking?"
"It's seven o'clock. That's not too early," he smirked. Lana sighed and rolled her eyes.
"See? That, right there. You're becoming Chloe!"
Lana laughed. "What, so dumping my sleazebag boyfriend and going out with the boy next door has brought out my inner bitch?"
"I was under the impression that you didn't have one."
"Really? And who told you that?"
Lex took a sip from his drink. "Clark," he said seriously.
"Not everything is about him you know," she said pointedly. His words had obviously struck a nerve.
"No," he agreed. "But this is about him. That's why you're here isn't it?"
She nodded dejectedly. "Clark was in front of me the whole time and I never saw him. Actually, I did. But I was with Whitney. Things were never great between us, but after his dad got sick I would have felt guilty if I had broken up with him. I wanted to though. But you know, we had to keep up appearances. It's like we were high school royalty or something."
"The popular football quarterback and his perfect, sweet cheerleader girlfriend." He was mocking her but he did it in his usual non- confrontational way. She glared at him anyway.
"Perfect?"
"Yes. They'd expect nothing less right?"
"Who?"
"Nell. Your teachers, your friends, Whitney, even Clark."
"I guess," she said, her voice wavering. The way Lex was able to easily pick her apart was unnerving. "You'd know all about expectations though, wouldn't you?" He nodded.
"We have something in common then," he said.
"With Clark, I don't have to be perfect, or nice. I can just be myself. No more pretending to be someone else." Her voice trailed off.
"You're not really a nice person Lana? I find that hard to believe."
"I'm a good faker."
'Not that good,' Lex thought. He furrowed his brow and looked at her strangely. "That could prove problematic since that's one of the reasons Clark likes you so much."
Lana looked at him sadly. "He likes me because I'm perfect?"
"He likes you because you're you. And as long as you haven't lied to him about who you really are, then I think he knows you pretty well. You're real, and you're a good person Lana."
"I don't feel like one." She sighed. "When I was dating Whitney, I always had to pretend to impress everyone. I was his silly little trophy," she said bitterly. "Up there on a pedestal, always shiny and pretty. I was nice to everyone, sugary sweet, because that was what was in my job description. 'Whitney's girlfriend: seen and not heard.' Sufficed to say, I got tired of that quick enough."
"Then why did you stay with him?"
She shrugged. "Everyone likes to feel needed. I was popular; everyone liked me. It was nice, I suppose. It wasn't real though. Just this fake little game I put on. And it didn't even work. Ironic, I guess. I never fit in with them. They thought so of course, but they had it fed to them every day. What was cool, and who was cool. And now they all hate me. And I'm not sorry," she said matter of factly.
"Clark doesn't hate you."
"He's not speaking to me."
"He's hurt. It's different."
She nodded. "I never meant to hurt him."
"I know that Lana. But I think he needs to know that too. Talk to him, before it's too late."
"Lex, why have you always been pushing for Clark and I to be together?"
"I recognize a good thing when I see one. Besides, Clark's happy when he's with you. He's my friend, and he deserves it."
"Will you talk to him for me? Please," she added. "I just think it would sound better coming out of your mouth. Besides that, there's the small issue of the fact that he's not allowed within a mile of my house." Lana smiled grimly. "It would really mean a lot to me Lex. I mean, I don't know if you can help but--."
"I'll try my best Lana. I'm a Luthor, I can be very persuasive."
"I know that. Thank you Lex."
She got up and he led her out. It was dark outside. He called a car, and had it drive her home.
The next day…
Clark entered the Torch office. Pete and Chloe were hunched over the computer working on the latest edition of the newspaper. They barely noticed when Clark came in. Chloe finally looked up and noticed his dour expression right away.
"You look good," she said sarcastically.
"Thanks."
"Still moping over Lana, I see?" Pete said.
"Yup."
"Oh good, this should be fun," Chloe said. Pete nudged her in the ribs and gave her a look that said 'Shut up.' Chloe rolled her eyes.
"Okay, just a question though. How long is this teen-angst, depressed, not fun Clark Kent going to hang around? It's getting kind of old." Chloe waited patiently for his answer, but Clark just gave her a withered glance and sat down. He looked tired. Pete sighed and shook his head. All in all, Chloe was a great friend, but sometimes she just needed to learn when to keep her mouth shut and mind her own business. Especially when it came to Clark.
"Oh I'm sorry. Is my unhappiness bothering you?" Clark muttered.
"Okay! That's it. This officially sucks! Clark, will you stop being such a dumbass and just go talk to her! We both know you want to. I mean, come on, it's obvious you still have feelings for her so why don't you just go make up with her and spare us the gory details of your love life because personally, I'm getting really tired of hearing about it." Chloe ended her tirade and started feeling guilty the second she saw the hurt expression on Clark's face. He looked crushed, and then angry.
"Look Chloe, I haven't said anything to you about any of this because I know that you have--." He stopped himself, but it was too late.
Chloe eyed him suspiciously; her mouth hung open.
"You know that I have what Clark?"
Pete knew exactly what was about to happen and quickly gathered up his books and excused himself, shutting the door behind him.
Clark was trapped. Chloe was waiting for an answer.
"I know that you have feelings for me," he said finally.
Chloe stared at him shocked. "How…how did you find out?" she stammered.
He looked down at the floor. Chloe sighed angrily.
"Lana?"
He looked up and Chloe had her answer.
"It's not like I didn't know already though. I mean I'm not blind. I just made Lana confirm my suspicions."
Chloe nodded. "I always assumed that because you never said anything, you never knew."
"I was just being nice. I didn't want to embarrass you. Besides, I figured you'd tell me eventually when the time was right."
"Well, the time was never right Clark. You were too busy obsessing over Lana."
Clark knew exactly what Chloe was feeling. He'd felt the same way when Lana was dating Whitney. Wanting something you couldn't have. It was the worst feeling in the world. "I'm sorry Chloe."
"No, I am. Don't hate me okay?"
"Of course not!" Clark exclaimed. "Nothing has to change just because we've talked about it."
"Right," Chloe agreed, although she knew that everything between them had already changed the second Clark addressed what both of them already knew. There was an awkward silence.
"So you're in love with me?"
The question threw her off guard. It certainly wasn't like Clark to be so forward. She thought about it a moment. "Yeah, I guess so."
Clark nodded, apologetic. "I just had to know. Chloe I wish that--."
"Don't, okay? Just don't. I know that you don't feel the same way about me. You love me as a friend or a sister; you hope this doesn't get in the way of our relationship, blah, blah, blah. I know what you're going to say, so just don't."
Clark nodded and felt guilty, because that was indeed what he had intended on saying.
"I never meant to hurt you Chloe. I'm sorry if I did."
She shrugged and smiled. "It's okay Clark. Really, it is. Oh, and I'm sure you and Pete will be happy to know that in an attempt to get over you, I've agreed to go out on a real date with Joel next weekend."
"That's great! So you really like him then?"
"He's no Clark Kent, but he's nice and charming. He seems like a good guy."
Clark smiled his approval. "You're my best friend Chloe. I want you to be happy."
Chloe winced, her heart aching. She knew what she had to do. "Clark," she began softly. "I don't know how to say this. God knows I don't want to." She was stalling and both of them knew it. "Here's the thing Clark. You know that…that I love you. But in loving you, I also want what's best for you. And what makes you happy. And if Lana makes you happy, then you just have to get over this, because you're totally in love with her, and this is killing you. And Lana's a wreck. I mean have you seen her? She's lost like ten pounds. She looks like hell. And so do you. Go home, get some sleep, and walk over to her house tomorrow and work this out." She felt relieved as soon as the words left her mouth.
"Chloe, why are you doing this?"
"Because Clark, I love you," she said simply. "I don't like seeing you like this. I'm not Lana's biggest fan, granted, but if she makes you happy, then fine. You have my blessing, not like you needed it." She kept reminding herself that she was doing the right thing. Clark didn't love her. She needed to get over him. Closure was key. 'God, I sound like a self help book,' Chloe thought miserably.
Clark looked ten times happier, and for that Chloe was grateful.
"Thanks Chloe, that means a lot to me."
She nodded. He edged over to her and gave her a stiff hug. She returned it, wishing she could stay like this forever, in his arms. Regrettably it had to end and Clark pulled away. He gave her one last sad half-smile before opening the door and walking out. Chloe sat back down at her desk and tried unsuccessfully to keep her mind on work.