Safe With You: Chapter Twenty-Five
Author: Meredith Welling
Rated: PG-13
Spoilers: None
Dedication: This last chapter (although there will be an epilogue) is dedicated to all those who have offered me their unrelenting support over the last year in encouraging me to finish this story. It's been a long road but I really appreciate all of the feedback, comments, and suggestions I've received. A special shout-out goes to my friends at fanfiction.net, Sweet, K-Site, Perfect and Wishing, the Smallville Fan Fiction group and the countless people who's e-mails I've received and been encouraged by. Also, Miss Windy for her editing help on some of the hardest chapters, and Alicia for the hours and hours she spent discussing every aspect of this story with me, and helping me make it better. Thanks so much, all of you. You're the best! And now, I present...Chapter Twenty-Five.
**************************************************************************** *****************
"Clark?" she rasped.
He jolted up; now thoroughly awake. He grasped her hands in his and was elated to feel the light pressure of her fingers wrapping around his hand.
"It's me," he said softly.
Her eyes opened slowly, her eyelids fluttering with the effort. He sat next to her and ran his hand across her cheek. Her lips parted slightly.
"Hey."
"Clark?" she murmured again, hoarsely, as if the effort pained her. He could hear fear in her voice.
"I'm here Lana. It's all right," he said soothingly. "Everything's going to be fine," he assured her. But as he said the words, he could feel his chest tightening, his throat constricting.
"It's so good to hear your voice," he said, his own voice brimming with emotion. Tears welled up in his eyes, and with a shock, he realized that not once during this whole ordeal had he let himself cry. And now it was over, and he was so happy but.
'I was so close to losing you,' he thought as he stared at Lana, pale and weak, but still beautiful. Before he had a chance to stop it, tears were spilling from his eyes and rolling down his cheeks. He didn't brush them away; he didn't care anymore. Lana was awake; she was going to be okay. It was a mantra he kept playing through his head, thinking if he heard it often enough, he would start to believe it.
His tears startled Lana. She pulled Clark to her, until his face was a few inches from her own.
She wiped away his tears with the back of her hand. "Don't cry," she said softly.
He smiled and swallowed hard, his breathing ragged. "Lana." he said, the word coming out strained and forced.
"Shh." Lana put a finger to his lips and slipped her hand around the back of his neck and brought his head down to her chest. Clark closed his eyes and listened to the rhythmic sound of her beating heart. The slow but steady rise and fall of her chest calmed him.
"I'm going to be fine. Everything's going to be fine," she whispered, repeating his words as she ran her hands through his hair.
He raised his head slowly, not anxious to lose the connection with her warm skin. He looked into her eyes and said nothing. She stared back, her eyes wide and glassy, hazy in her drug-induced state. She broke his gaze long enough to notice the IV running in her arm.
"Pull it out," she said, rather forcefully.
Clark looked furrowed his brow, surprised. "I don't think--."
"Pull it out," she repeated again, this time a bit louder, and Clark could tell she was beginning to panic.
"Okay. Here, look, it's out." Lana flinched as he quickly yanked the IV out of her arm. She pressed down hard on the sore spot on her arm.
"I'm sorry," she said after a few moments and forced a small smile. "The sight of it.it kind of freaked me out," she said apologetically.
Clark waved his hand through the air, gesturing that it was nothing.
Lana struggled to sit up and Clark grasped her arm to help her. Her body relaxed; she could feel her back sinking into the soft cushion of the pillow as it contoured to her form. Clark lay down next to her on the bed and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close and protecting her like a shield. Her head throbbed, a dull, consistent pain. She winced and shut her eyes against the light. Her breath was warm against his cheek. Lana sighed contentedly and let her head fall onto Clark's shoulder. Five minutes later, she was asleep.
***One day later.***
Lana felt his presence in the room. It woke her up, when his closing the door hadn't. She kept her eyes closed, partly out of fatigue, but also because she wanted to know what Clark would do.
The chair scraped across the floor in the otherwise silent room. He pulled up closer to her bed and sat down. Ten minutes passed and all he did was watch silently as she slept. He studied her perfect, flawless features. Even in the hospital, she looked amazingly beautiful. Things had been so crazy lately, all Clark wanted was a few uneventful weeks with Lana without having to worry about psycho ex-boyfriends, disastrous school dances, and homicidal killers. Soon life would be back to normal, and Clark welcomed the change in pace.
Clark fidgeted in his seat, anxious for Lana to wake up so they could talk. The past day had been a whirlwind of excitement. Nell and the doctors were summoned in the middle of the night and Lana's progress had stunned them all. A reporter from the "Smallville Ledger" came by to take Lana's picture for an article in the paper. Clark's parents had come for a visit, and Chloe and Pete spent the evening catching Lana up on the weeks' events. With all the commotion, Clark hadn't been alone with her since she first woke up. Now, Nell was at home getting a change of clothes for her niece, and everyone else had left. Lex was called out of a conference in Metropolis the night before, and was on his way to the hospital by helicopter.
Clark got out of the chair and stood over her. She could sense him next to her. He smelled clean and fresh like newly laundered clothes. It was a scent distinctly Clark. He leaned down, his hand pushing into the bed. She felt his lips press against hers, warm and soft. She kissed him back and he pulled away in surprise. She opened her eyes. Clark's face was a few inches from her own, his blue- green eyes staring at her intently.
"Hey."
"Hi," she whispered back. "That was a nice wake-up call."
"You weren't actually asleep!"
Lana feigned indignation and hit him lightly in the arm. "How did you know?"
"You have many talents Lana, but lying isn't one of them."
Lana rolled her eyes and smiled. "Yeah, I guess you're right. So.how are you doing?"
"A million times better since you woke up." He sat down on the bed and stroked her hand. He looked away as he spoke. "I feel like this huge weight has been lifted. This has been the worst week of my life. But let's just forget about this for now. It's over; let it stay in the past, where it belongs."
"Clark, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.for everything." She blinked back tears.
"You don't have anything to be sorry about." He smiled and caressed her hand.
Lana nodded sadly, her eyes shining. "Everything's different now."
He nodded slowly. "Maybe that's not a bad thing." He squeezed her hand.
"Hey," he said changing the subject. "Look at this." He pulled a copy of the "Smallville Ledger" out of his jacket and held it up. "You made the front page."
"Lucky me," she replied lightly. The article read 'Smallville Teen Wakes From Coma.'
"It's weird you know? To think it's me. I haven't made the front page since the meteor showers."
Clark looked away. "I know." He said, swallowing his guilt. "A lot of people were pulling for you. Nice to know they care, right?"
"Yeah, I guess." 'Am I suppose to be overjoyed that everyone was worried I was going to die? This is so weird,' Lana thought.
"Hey.what's wrong? You okay?"
Lana shrugged it off and gave him a winning smile. "I'm fine. Just anxious to get back home I guess."
"Well, you're in luck. They're kicking you out of this hotel in a few hours."
Lana rolled her eyes. "Darn," she muttered sarcastically.
Lex knocked politely on the door.
"Come in," Lana called in.
He opened the door and entered carrying a bouquet of exotic looking flowers.
"How are you feeling?" Lex asked, after he'd handed the flowers to Lana.
"Better, thanks." She inhaled the scent of the flowers. "These are beautiful Lex. Thank you."
"Glad you like them. Shipped them here from my favorite flower shop in New York."
"Wow," she smiled, impressed.
"We've missed you at The Talon. Although Alicia's done an admirable job handling the flood of well-wishers. She's practically created a shrine in your honor."
Lana laughed. "God, I feel like it's my birthday or something."
Lex's expression turned serious. "I'm glad you're okay Lana."
"Yeah, thanks to you. Clark told me what you did, bringing in those specialists from Metropolis. You didn't have to do that Lex."
Clark smiled sheepishly at his friend.
"It was the least I could do. Really." He rested his hand on her shoulder briefly as he stood up to leave.
"Feel better. Come by The Talon when you feel up to it."
"I will," she said softly. Lex nodded and quietly left the room.
When it was just the two of them alone again, Lana inquired about Joel.
"He's in jail awaiting his preliminary hearing, last I heard," Clark said bluntly. "Hopefully he'll be there for a long time."
"I don't remember a lot about what happened. It's a strange feeling. Not being able to remember something like that. Joel forced his way in, and then.there was a fight.and there was lots of glass everywhere, but that's it. It's like pieces of my memory of that night just aren't there."
"Lana, I was there. I was the one who found you. Believe me when I say you're lucky you don't remember."
"Tell me."
"No," he said decidedly. "You don't need to hear it."
"I want to know. I want to know what happened to me. Do you know what it's like to wake up and have that time missing?"
"No. I don't. But I know what it's like to see the person you care about most minutes away from bleeding to death. To tell you the truth, I don't remember a whole lot either. It was Whitney who tipped me off. I went to The Talon but Joel had already been there. You were on the floor, behind the counter. One of the doctors told me that if you hadn't gotten to the hospital as soon as you did, you wouldn't have made it. God Lana, you should've seen your clothes. They were soaked in blood. It was horrible. I've never been so scared in my life."
"What happened to your whole, let's not dwell on the past speech?" she said soberly.
"I guess this is something we'll both have on our minds for a long time." He sighed. "At least we're in it together," he said acerbically.
"Well, there's one way of looking at it." Her eyes brightened. "So, what's going to happen now?"
"Anything we want. You're going to go home and back to school, and the Talon. And.we can just relax, like normal teenagers, with too much homework and not enough free time. It'll be fun."
"You know better than that. There's nothing normal about this town. Smallville is an enigma." She sighed sadly. "Besides, as much as I'd love to put this all behind me, I don't know if I can."
"No one's asking you to. Don't let yourself be intimidated by other people's expectations. They can't tell you how you should feel about this. You know that right?"
"Yeah, I know. Thanks."
"You've been through hell. Just take your time and deal with this. If you ever need anything--."
"I know. Hey." Her voice trailed off. She ran her hand lightly over Clark's arm. He shivered.
"What?" he said huskily.
"What's going to happen with us?"
"Honestly.I don't know. But I want to find out."
"Me too."
"We can start over. Pretend we never dated."
"Or at least pretend the last two weeks didn't happen."
"Sound good to me." He smiled. "Lana.will you go out with me?"
She laughed, her eyes glimmering. "Hmm, let me think about it." She bit her lip and looked pensively out the window. After a second, she grinned. "Of course! Come here!" She grabbed his arm and pulled him forcefully over her. He fell clumsily onto the small bed. She grasped the back of his neck and brought his face down to hers. Their lips touched lightly. Clark deepened the kiss; he was so close to her that he could feel her heart beat against his chest.
Suddenly, she pulled away gasping for breath. She opened her eyes leisurely and smiled at him.
"What, do you have super lungs or something?"
Clark grinned sheepishly, quietly chastising himself for not being more careful. "Sorry about that. Are you okay?"
Lana smirked. "Never better."
"Ahem," Nell interrupted. She stood in the doorway holding a bag of clothes. She raised one brow.
"Clark, would you mind getting off my niece?"
Clark laughed nervously. "Uh, yeah.sorry." He shot Lana a conspiratorial glance. She had her hand over her mouth and was trying to cover up the fact that she was laughing at him.
"I'll be outside, okay?" he said, heading for the door.
Lana nodded, still laughing and Nell shut the door behind him, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
***A Few Days Later.***
Clark let the screen door bang behind him. He handed Lana a glass of lemonade. She was sitting cross-legged on the porch swing. His parents had gone out, and it was just the two of them, supposedly studying.
"Having fun?"
"Oh yeah," she said sarcastically.
Clark nuzzled Lana's neck as she flipped unenthusiastically through the pages of her history book.
Lana had gotten back from the hospital only a few hours ago, but she was already trying to catch up on the work she'd missed.
"Clark," she whimpered, "you're not helping."
"Sorry," he said laughing. "Girls are supposed to know that in guy language study session really means--."
"I know what it means! And as much as I'd like to fulfill your make-out partner fantasies, I actually thought we were going to study. I have to catch up on two weeks of homework!"
He pulled the pencil he was holding out of her hand. "Can't we just enjoy the fact that you're back from the hospital?" he pleaded.
Lana rolled her eyes and smirked.
"Lana, you've been home for like, two hours! Why don't you just relax for a little while?"
"C'mon Clark, I was in a coma, not running a marathon. It's not like it was strenuous exercise."
"You were healing from brain damage. It's kind of a big deal. You know what Dr. Kaysen said. Don't over do it. You have to take it easy for a while."
"I know," she conceded. "God, you sound like Nell. But I really don't think he would object to my reading about the Cold War. Are you going to help me or not?"
He grinned. "Fine. Have it your way."
Lana sighed. "This is all sort of starting to blend together."
Clark agreed and changed the subject. "So, do you know when you're coming back to school?"
"Monday, I think. The stitches come out Friday, so as long as everything looks okay, I'll be there."
"Well, I guess we should start working then."
"Oh, dammit! I left my history binder at home. Let me run over and get it."
Clark was already standing up. "Don't worry about it. I'll go grab it."
"It's okay," she said. "I think I can manage walking home."
"I know. But I'm overprotective and paranoid and with good reason because trouble just seems to follow you everywhere. So why don't you just let me handle it?"
"Because," she said frowning, "It makes me feel like an invalid or something."
"Lana, I'm just trying to be nice."
"Fine. I'll be here," she said, exasperated.
"Thanks." He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.
When he came back ten minutes later (he hadn't used his super speed) Lana was no longer sitting on the porch.
"Lana?" he called, opening the screen door and looking into the kitchen. 'Hmm, that's weird. Maybe she went to the loft,' he thought.
He dropped her book on the swing and headed out into the barn. Lana was leaning against the window frame hugging her self, staring out into the sky, deep in thought. He walked up the steps quietly, careful not to interrupt her contemplation. The floorboards of the loft creaked and she turned when she heard him coming. Her face broke into a happy smile.
"Hey, I hope you don't mind. I got bored of history."
He shook his head. "Are you cold?"
"A little," she admitted and he pulled off his jacket and draped it around her shoulders.
"Thanks. It's really beautiful out here," she commented. "The sun's about to set."
"Good. Let's take a break from homework and hang out."
"No arguments here."
Clark sat down on the ledge of the window, opposite Lana. "I'm glad your home, " he said, gazing out at the glowing sun.
"Me too. It's good to be back. Not that I really remember even being gone, but still." It was a morbid joke, but those were becoming more frequent. It was the only way to live after something like this.
"Clark, I'm sorry. I feel like this should be easier. I want it to.but I just." Her voice trailed off.
"Come here." He went over to her and enveloped her into his arms. "Lana, the only thing I want you to be is yourself again. And you will be. These things take time. Don't rush it." He was so tall, he could rest his chin on the top of her head.
"Thank you. For being so good to me." Her voice was muffled; her head was buried in his chest. He smiled and moved away slightly.
"Lana?"
She looked up at him. "Yes?"
"You're the most important person in my life. I want you to know that."
She smiled, almost shyly, and nodded. The sun illuminated her face a golden hue as it changed colors.
"Lana," he continued. I.I love you. I've been in love with you since the first time I laid eyes on you."
Lana's eyes grew wide and her hands trembled slightly in his. "Clark," she said softly, "I love you too. More than anything."
"Really?" He looked almost surprised.
She grinned. "Yeah. Really."
'Wow,' he thought.
Lana laughed at his expression. "Yeah." She broke her gaze and looked out into the sunset. "We missed it," she commented lightly.
He shrugged. "I don't mind this time."
She shook her head and took his hand. "Me neither."
They were silent a few moments, standing side by side, watching the sun disappear beyond the horizon. Lana's face glowed, her eyes bright, full of hope. She was happier than Clark had ever seen her. He stared at the gorgeous creature standing beside him. She was more beautiful now than she'd ever been before. Magnificent. Perfect. She was Lana Lang, and she loved him.
"Clark?" she said, interrupting his brief reverie.
"Mmm hmm?" he mumbled, still lost in thought.
"Kiss me."
He broke out into a wide grin and complied. He pulled her in closer and placed his hand at the small of her back. Lana closed her eyes and leaned in to kiss him. Their lips met and she sighed happily.
Author: Meredith Welling
Rated: PG-13
Spoilers: None
Dedication: This last chapter (although there will be an epilogue) is dedicated to all those who have offered me their unrelenting support over the last year in encouraging me to finish this story. It's been a long road but I really appreciate all of the feedback, comments, and suggestions I've received. A special shout-out goes to my friends at fanfiction.net, Sweet, K-Site, Perfect and Wishing, the Smallville Fan Fiction group and the countless people who's e-mails I've received and been encouraged by. Also, Miss Windy for her editing help on some of the hardest chapters, and Alicia for the hours and hours she spent discussing every aspect of this story with me, and helping me make it better. Thanks so much, all of you. You're the best! And now, I present...Chapter Twenty-Five.
**************************************************************************** *****************
"Clark?" she rasped.
He jolted up; now thoroughly awake. He grasped her hands in his and was elated to feel the light pressure of her fingers wrapping around his hand.
"It's me," he said softly.
Her eyes opened slowly, her eyelids fluttering with the effort. He sat next to her and ran his hand across her cheek. Her lips parted slightly.
"Hey."
"Clark?" she murmured again, hoarsely, as if the effort pained her. He could hear fear in her voice.
"I'm here Lana. It's all right," he said soothingly. "Everything's going to be fine," he assured her. But as he said the words, he could feel his chest tightening, his throat constricting.
"It's so good to hear your voice," he said, his own voice brimming with emotion. Tears welled up in his eyes, and with a shock, he realized that not once during this whole ordeal had he let himself cry. And now it was over, and he was so happy but.
'I was so close to losing you,' he thought as he stared at Lana, pale and weak, but still beautiful. Before he had a chance to stop it, tears were spilling from his eyes and rolling down his cheeks. He didn't brush them away; he didn't care anymore. Lana was awake; she was going to be okay. It was a mantra he kept playing through his head, thinking if he heard it often enough, he would start to believe it.
His tears startled Lana. She pulled Clark to her, until his face was a few inches from her own.
She wiped away his tears with the back of her hand. "Don't cry," she said softly.
He smiled and swallowed hard, his breathing ragged. "Lana." he said, the word coming out strained and forced.
"Shh." Lana put a finger to his lips and slipped her hand around the back of his neck and brought his head down to her chest. Clark closed his eyes and listened to the rhythmic sound of her beating heart. The slow but steady rise and fall of her chest calmed him.
"I'm going to be fine. Everything's going to be fine," she whispered, repeating his words as she ran her hands through his hair.
He raised his head slowly, not anxious to lose the connection with her warm skin. He looked into her eyes and said nothing. She stared back, her eyes wide and glassy, hazy in her drug-induced state. She broke his gaze long enough to notice the IV running in her arm.
"Pull it out," she said, rather forcefully.
Clark looked furrowed his brow, surprised. "I don't think--."
"Pull it out," she repeated again, this time a bit louder, and Clark could tell she was beginning to panic.
"Okay. Here, look, it's out." Lana flinched as he quickly yanked the IV out of her arm. She pressed down hard on the sore spot on her arm.
"I'm sorry," she said after a few moments and forced a small smile. "The sight of it.it kind of freaked me out," she said apologetically.
Clark waved his hand through the air, gesturing that it was nothing.
Lana struggled to sit up and Clark grasped her arm to help her. Her body relaxed; she could feel her back sinking into the soft cushion of the pillow as it contoured to her form. Clark lay down next to her on the bed and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close and protecting her like a shield. Her head throbbed, a dull, consistent pain. She winced and shut her eyes against the light. Her breath was warm against his cheek. Lana sighed contentedly and let her head fall onto Clark's shoulder. Five minutes later, she was asleep.
***One day later.***
Lana felt his presence in the room. It woke her up, when his closing the door hadn't. She kept her eyes closed, partly out of fatigue, but also because she wanted to know what Clark would do.
The chair scraped across the floor in the otherwise silent room. He pulled up closer to her bed and sat down. Ten minutes passed and all he did was watch silently as she slept. He studied her perfect, flawless features. Even in the hospital, she looked amazingly beautiful. Things had been so crazy lately, all Clark wanted was a few uneventful weeks with Lana without having to worry about psycho ex-boyfriends, disastrous school dances, and homicidal killers. Soon life would be back to normal, and Clark welcomed the change in pace.
Clark fidgeted in his seat, anxious for Lana to wake up so they could talk. The past day had been a whirlwind of excitement. Nell and the doctors were summoned in the middle of the night and Lana's progress had stunned them all. A reporter from the "Smallville Ledger" came by to take Lana's picture for an article in the paper. Clark's parents had come for a visit, and Chloe and Pete spent the evening catching Lana up on the weeks' events. With all the commotion, Clark hadn't been alone with her since she first woke up. Now, Nell was at home getting a change of clothes for her niece, and everyone else had left. Lex was called out of a conference in Metropolis the night before, and was on his way to the hospital by helicopter.
Clark got out of the chair and stood over her. She could sense him next to her. He smelled clean and fresh like newly laundered clothes. It was a scent distinctly Clark. He leaned down, his hand pushing into the bed. She felt his lips press against hers, warm and soft. She kissed him back and he pulled away in surprise. She opened her eyes. Clark's face was a few inches from her own, his blue- green eyes staring at her intently.
"Hey."
"Hi," she whispered back. "That was a nice wake-up call."
"You weren't actually asleep!"
Lana feigned indignation and hit him lightly in the arm. "How did you know?"
"You have many talents Lana, but lying isn't one of them."
Lana rolled her eyes and smiled. "Yeah, I guess you're right. So.how are you doing?"
"A million times better since you woke up." He sat down on the bed and stroked her hand. He looked away as he spoke. "I feel like this huge weight has been lifted. This has been the worst week of my life. But let's just forget about this for now. It's over; let it stay in the past, where it belongs."
"Clark, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.for everything." She blinked back tears.
"You don't have anything to be sorry about." He smiled and caressed her hand.
Lana nodded sadly, her eyes shining. "Everything's different now."
He nodded slowly. "Maybe that's not a bad thing." He squeezed her hand.
"Hey," he said changing the subject. "Look at this." He pulled a copy of the "Smallville Ledger" out of his jacket and held it up. "You made the front page."
"Lucky me," she replied lightly. The article read 'Smallville Teen Wakes From Coma.'
"It's weird you know? To think it's me. I haven't made the front page since the meteor showers."
Clark looked away. "I know." He said, swallowing his guilt. "A lot of people were pulling for you. Nice to know they care, right?"
"Yeah, I guess." 'Am I suppose to be overjoyed that everyone was worried I was going to die? This is so weird,' Lana thought.
"Hey.what's wrong? You okay?"
Lana shrugged it off and gave him a winning smile. "I'm fine. Just anxious to get back home I guess."
"Well, you're in luck. They're kicking you out of this hotel in a few hours."
Lana rolled her eyes. "Darn," she muttered sarcastically.
Lex knocked politely on the door.
"Come in," Lana called in.
He opened the door and entered carrying a bouquet of exotic looking flowers.
"How are you feeling?" Lex asked, after he'd handed the flowers to Lana.
"Better, thanks." She inhaled the scent of the flowers. "These are beautiful Lex. Thank you."
"Glad you like them. Shipped them here from my favorite flower shop in New York."
"Wow," she smiled, impressed.
"We've missed you at The Talon. Although Alicia's done an admirable job handling the flood of well-wishers. She's practically created a shrine in your honor."
Lana laughed. "God, I feel like it's my birthday or something."
Lex's expression turned serious. "I'm glad you're okay Lana."
"Yeah, thanks to you. Clark told me what you did, bringing in those specialists from Metropolis. You didn't have to do that Lex."
Clark smiled sheepishly at his friend.
"It was the least I could do. Really." He rested his hand on her shoulder briefly as he stood up to leave.
"Feel better. Come by The Talon when you feel up to it."
"I will," she said softly. Lex nodded and quietly left the room.
When it was just the two of them alone again, Lana inquired about Joel.
"He's in jail awaiting his preliminary hearing, last I heard," Clark said bluntly. "Hopefully he'll be there for a long time."
"I don't remember a lot about what happened. It's a strange feeling. Not being able to remember something like that. Joel forced his way in, and then.there was a fight.and there was lots of glass everywhere, but that's it. It's like pieces of my memory of that night just aren't there."
"Lana, I was there. I was the one who found you. Believe me when I say you're lucky you don't remember."
"Tell me."
"No," he said decidedly. "You don't need to hear it."
"I want to know. I want to know what happened to me. Do you know what it's like to wake up and have that time missing?"
"No. I don't. But I know what it's like to see the person you care about most minutes away from bleeding to death. To tell you the truth, I don't remember a whole lot either. It was Whitney who tipped me off. I went to The Talon but Joel had already been there. You were on the floor, behind the counter. One of the doctors told me that if you hadn't gotten to the hospital as soon as you did, you wouldn't have made it. God Lana, you should've seen your clothes. They were soaked in blood. It was horrible. I've never been so scared in my life."
"What happened to your whole, let's not dwell on the past speech?" she said soberly.
"I guess this is something we'll both have on our minds for a long time." He sighed. "At least we're in it together," he said acerbically.
"Well, there's one way of looking at it." Her eyes brightened. "So, what's going to happen now?"
"Anything we want. You're going to go home and back to school, and the Talon. And.we can just relax, like normal teenagers, with too much homework and not enough free time. It'll be fun."
"You know better than that. There's nothing normal about this town. Smallville is an enigma." She sighed sadly. "Besides, as much as I'd love to put this all behind me, I don't know if I can."
"No one's asking you to. Don't let yourself be intimidated by other people's expectations. They can't tell you how you should feel about this. You know that right?"
"Yeah, I know. Thanks."
"You've been through hell. Just take your time and deal with this. If you ever need anything--."
"I know. Hey." Her voice trailed off. She ran her hand lightly over Clark's arm. He shivered.
"What?" he said huskily.
"What's going to happen with us?"
"Honestly.I don't know. But I want to find out."
"Me too."
"We can start over. Pretend we never dated."
"Or at least pretend the last two weeks didn't happen."
"Sound good to me." He smiled. "Lana.will you go out with me?"
She laughed, her eyes glimmering. "Hmm, let me think about it." She bit her lip and looked pensively out the window. After a second, she grinned. "Of course! Come here!" She grabbed his arm and pulled him forcefully over her. He fell clumsily onto the small bed. She grasped the back of his neck and brought his face down to hers. Their lips touched lightly. Clark deepened the kiss; he was so close to her that he could feel her heart beat against his chest.
Suddenly, she pulled away gasping for breath. She opened her eyes leisurely and smiled at him.
"What, do you have super lungs or something?"
Clark grinned sheepishly, quietly chastising himself for not being more careful. "Sorry about that. Are you okay?"
Lana smirked. "Never better."
"Ahem," Nell interrupted. She stood in the doorway holding a bag of clothes. She raised one brow.
"Clark, would you mind getting off my niece?"
Clark laughed nervously. "Uh, yeah.sorry." He shot Lana a conspiratorial glance. She had her hand over her mouth and was trying to cover up the fact that she was laughing at him.
"I'll be outside, okay?" he said, heading for the door.
Lana nodded, still laughing and Nell shut the door behind him, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
***A Few Days Later.***
Clark let the screen door bang behind him. He handed Lana a glass of lemonade. She was sitting cross-legged on the porch swing. His parents had gone out, and it was just the two of them, supposedly studying.
"Having fun?"
"Oh yeah," she said sarcastically.
Clark nuzzled Lana's neck as she flipped unenthusiastically through the pages of her history book.
Lana had gotten back from the hospital only a few hours ago, but she was already trying to catch up on the work she'd missed.
"Clark," she whimpered, "you're not helping."
"Sorry," he said laughing. "Girls are supposed to know that in guy language study session really means--."
"I know what it means! And as much as I'd like to fulfill your make-out partner fantasies, I actually thought we were going to study. I have to catch up on two weeks of homework!"
He pulled the pencil he was holding out of her hand. "Can't we just enjoy the fact that you're back from the hospital?" he pleaded.
Lana rolled her eyes and smirked.
"Lana, you've been home for like, two hours! Why don't you just relax for a little while?"
"C'mon Clark, I was in a coma, not running a marathon. It's not like it was strenuous exercise."
"You were healing from brain damage. It's kind of a big deal. You know what Dr. Kaysen said. Don't over do it. You have to take it easy for a while."
"I know," she conceded. "God, you sound like Nell. But I really don't think he would object to my reading about the Cold War. Are you going to help me or not?"
He grinned. "Fine. Have it your way."
Lana sighed. "This is all sort of starting to blend together."
Clark agreed and changed the subject. "So, do you know when you're coming back to school?"
"Monday, I think. The stitches come out Friday, so as long as everything looks okay, I'll be there."
"Well, I guess we should start working then."
"Oh, dammit! I left my history binder at home. Let me run over and get it."
Clark was already standing up. "Don't worry about it. I'll go grab it."
"It's okay," she said. "I think I can manage walking home."
"I know. But I'm overprotective and paranoid and with good reason because trouble just seems to follow you everywhere. So why don't you just let me handle it?"
"Because," she said frowning, "It makes me feel like an invalid or something."
"Lana, I'm just trying to be nice."
"Fine. I'll be here," she said, exasperated.
"Thanks." He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.
When he came back ten minutes later (he hadn't used his super speed) Lana was no longer sitting on the porch.
"Lana?" he called, opening the screen door and looking into the kitchen. 'Hmm, that's weird. Maybe she went to the loft,' he thought.
He dropped her book on the swing and headed out into the barn. Lana was leaning against the window frame hugging her self, staring out into the sky, deep in thought. He walked up the steps quietly, careful not to interrupt her contemplation. The floorboards of the loft creaked and she turned when she heard him coming. Her face broke into a happy smile.
"Hey, I hope you don't mind. I got bored of history."
He shook his head. "Are you cold?"
"A little," she admitted and he pulled off his jacket and draped it around her shoulders.
"Thanks. It's really beautiful out here," she commented. "The sun's about to set."
"Good. Let's take a break from homework and hang out."
"No arguments here."
Clark sat down on the ledge of the window, opposite Lana. "I'm glad your home, " he said, gazing out at the glowing sun.
"Me too. It's good to be back. Not that I really remember even being gone, but still." It was a morbid joke, but those were becoming more frequent. It was the only way to live after something like this.
"Clark, I'm sorry. I feel like this should be easier. I want it to.but I just." Her voice trailed off.
"Come here." He went over to her and enveloped her into his arms. "Lana, the only thing I want you to be is yourself again. And you will be. These things take time. Don't rush it." He was so tall, he could rest his chin on the top of her head.
"Thank you. For being so good to me." Her voice was muffled; her head was buried in his chest. He smiled and moved away slightly.
"Lana?"
She looked up at him. "Yes?"
"You're the most important person in my life. I want you to know that."
She smiled, almost shyly, and nodded. The sun illuminated her face a golden hue as it changed colors.
"Lana," he continued. I.I love you. I've been in love with you since the first time I laid eyes on you."
Lana's eyes grew wide and her hands trembled slightly in his. "Clark," she said softly, "I love you too. More than anything."
"Really?" He looked almost surprised.
She grinned. "Yeah. Really."
'Wow,' he thought.
Lana laughed at his expression. "Yeah." She broke her gaze and looked out into the sunset. "We missed it," she commented lightly.
He shrugged. "I don't mind this time."
She shook her head and took his hand. "Me neither."
They were silent a few moments, standing side by side, watching the sun disappear beyond the horizon. Lana's face glowed, her eyes bright, full of hope. She was happier than Clark had ever seen her. He stared at the gorgeous creature standing beside him. She was more beautiful now than she'd ever been before. Magnificent. Perfect. She was Lana Lang, and she loved him.
"Clark?" she said, interrupting his brief reverie.
"Mmm hmm?" he mumbled, still lost in thought.
"Kiss me."
He broke out into a wide grin and complied. He pulled her in closer and placed his hand at the small of her back. Lana closed her eyes and leaned in to kiss him. Their lips met and she sighed happily.