Author's Note: This is the last installment of "Reach for the Stars" and I hope that you'll like it. I apologize for the delay and I want to thank all of you who took time to leave their reviews. Believe me they're much appreciated.
Part 6
Metropolis International Airport
New Year
Clark Kent tried to sit patiently, waiting for his plane to depart from the Metropolis International Airport. He was valiantly avoiding any Lex-related thoughts but then again, he was just lying to himself.
He called Cassandra last night asking if he could possibly join her trip at this late date but she reassured him that everything could be arranged easily enough. After two hours, she called back saying that he could pick-up his ticket at the Metropolis International Airport. He was surprised that the normally nosy lady did not ask a lot of questions concerning his abrupt request but it's possible that she already knew something that something was really wrong.
An announcement from the pilot's cabin informed the passengers that there would be a slight delay due to some technical difficulties he didn't elaborate on. A couple of stewardess was walking around making some last minute pre-flight inspection when they heard some commotion near the open plane door. Clark craned his neck trying to see what was happening but a bunch of people in front of him had started getting up to look for themselves. Clark was just praying for the plane to take-off before he gave in to temptation and go home to Lex. He wanted to see a sign from the latter that he was really sincere in his apology and that Clark could trust him with his secrets.
"Umm, excuse me…excuse me, sir! Are you Clark? Clark Kent?" The insistent voice of the flight attendant jerked him out of his sulking.
Clark merely nodded his head affirmatively.
"I was told to give you this."
On the stewardess' hand Clark saw a red paper phoenix. His eyed widened at the unexpected sight knowing that only one person could be responsible for the said origami.
"Our ground attendant said that the guy was so insistent on boarding the plane but airport policy prohibits non-passengers to go beyond the boarding gate, even if he is a Luthor. I heard from the pilot that he even offered to buy the damn plane if they would just let him through."
Clark's tears, tears that he wasn't aware of shedding mingled with his laughter, knowing that Lex was not kidding when he made the offer to purchase the plane.
"He finally agreed to send a message to you but all he gave security was this origami."
The other passengers were avidly listening to the flight attendant's story and looking at him either in confusion or amusement.
"Sonny, just get-off the damn plane and see this person. He truly must have something important to tell you or else he wouldn't go through so much effort." A gray-haired old man advised.
"Man, this is just like the movies or something." Gushed a brunette teenager across the aisle.
Clark stood up, carrying his knapsack and followed the grinning flight attendant to the front of the plane. Before he exited, he turned to grin at his fellow passengers.
"I'm really sorry for the inconvenience I've caused you. Ummm, Happy New Year!"
A chorus of "Happy New Year" and "Good luck" echoed throughout the economy section.
As Clark walked towards the boarding gate, still clutching the paper phoenix in his hand, he was filled with both anticipation and dread. He wanted to see Lex badly, but could he possibly, with all honesty say that he had forgiven him?
Lex anxiously waited for Clark inside the airport lounge. He dared not ask any of the personnel foe fear of hearing the worst. Lex only saw that Clark's plane had departed ten minutes ago. Was he waiting in vain while Clark flew farther and farther away?
As he paced back and forth, Lex planned how he was going to follow Clark if the latter had refused to see him for the last time. He was so busy mentally rearranging his schedule that he jumped in surprise when a hand hesitantly tapped him on the shoulder. He turned slowly afraid of what he might not see.
Clark Kent stood in front of him, holding out the paper phoenix and smiling sweetly.
Every well-strategize excuse flew out of Lex's mind and the only words he was able to say were:
"I'm so sorry…so sorry…thank you for coming back…."
"It's alright, Lex. Everything is gonna be alright. To tell you the truth, on my way back…I wasn't really sure if I can truly say that everything is going to be alright between the two of us. But I finally remembered this phoenix…what it means…when you first gave it to me." Clark said enfolding Lex tightly.
"Really?" a puzzled but still happy Lex asked.
"Remember how sick you were the summer you were 15? You ate the cookies I made for you but I didn't know that you're allergic to honey. You broke into hives and had difficulty breathing and I was so afraid that you're going to be very angry with me. But once you recovered, you gave a paper phoenix to cheer me up. You said that sometimes you do things that will unintentionally hurt the people you care about even if you didn't mean to." Clark finished his long explanation with a kiss.
"I've almost forgotten about that. God, I was so sick at that time." Lex muttered underneath his breath.
"Y-you mean that's not why you sent me an origami?" Clark asked pouting prettily somewhat put-out that lex had almost forgotten one momentous occasion in his life.
"Weeeeellll--- I actually sent you the origami in hope that you will get my message. The phoenix…ummm…symbolizes hope and eternal devotion, Clark." Lex sheepishly admitted.
"Lex! You know I've never been good in Literature. You're lucky that the paper phoenix reminded me of something quite close to "hope" or you'll be spending the rest of the afternoon waiting for nothing." Clark laughed heartily at the thought of ending everything because of a stupid miscommunication ---this time.
Lex sighed deeply, torn between laughter and tears, "Did you really mean it when you said that everything will be alright?"
"Yes, but we have a lot of issues to work through if we want to avoid future misunderstandings." Clark reminded Lex.
"Everything will turn out right as long as we're together." Lex vowed solemnly before reaching up and kissing Clark with fierce promise.
The audience that they had unknowingly gathered around them (being quite preoccupied with more important matters) applauded loudly. Most people, no matter who they were, their status in life could not help but be awed by the possibility of a happily-ever-after unfolding before their very eyes.
A red faced Clark and Lex reluctantly parted and started walking toward the exit, hand in hand. Yes, they still had a lot of things to talk about and more secrets to divulge (especially Clark) but everything had its own place and time and all would be dealt with accordingly ---for who could resist a happy ending?
And on the floor, bright and beautiful in its simplicity, was a paper phoenix ---a silent testament of the happiness to come.
***THE END***