Lana raced over to Clark's bed when she saw his eyes open. Clark blankly
stared at Lana and then at Ben.
"Clark? Clark can you hear me?" Lana said stroking his hair.
Clark closed his eyes for a few minutes and opened them slightly and turned to Ben and back to Lana, and Ben was sure he was about to say something and then started coughing violently. Clark just closed his eyes and seemed to be sleeping.
"Do you think he is going to be alright? I mean you saw the way he looked at us." Lana said scared for Clark's health.
"I'm not sure, but seeing as the fever has broke, I'm sure he just needs some rest and to get his strength back." Ben said praying to God that Clark was right. It calmed Lana some.
Half an hour later Clark woke up and Lana heard him talking to Ben as she stood outside the room listening to them.
"Clark, how are you feeling?" Ben asked.
"Who are you? Where am I?" Clark said trying to get up and then collapsed back into the bed from a pain shooting up his arm and shoulder.
"Clark, don't try and get up. It's Ben." Ben said worried that Clark hadn't recognized the face he had seen practically everyday for 6 years.
"Oh Ben. I can't see clearly. My vision is blurry." Clark said feeling a little relieved that Ben was there with him.
Lana walked into the room anxious and nervous to talk to Clark.
"Clark, it's me-" Lana was cut off.
"Lana Lang." Clark finished her sentence.
"How did you know?" Lana asked a little shocked.
"Blurry vision, or not, did you really think I wouldn't recognize you." Clark said with a smile. Lana felt like such a horrible person at that moment, for she had not recognized Clark, she never would have without the necklace. She felt like Clark had kept track of her through the years, but it was absurd.
"I guess I did, it has been 9 years." Lana said sitting down in a chair next to him, "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine." Clark lied.
"Clark, you are not fine. You got to rest! I'll get you some water." Ben said getting up.
"Thanks." Lana said as soon as Ben was out of the room.
"For what?" Clark asked feeling stupid asking, thinking he hadn't been paying attention to a prior conversation.
"You saved my life." Lana said putting the palm of her hand to his face, cupping his cheek, as a tear slid down her face.
"Please, Lana, don't cry." Clark said as he instinctively reached up to wipe away her tear but winced in pain as he set his arm back down.
"But you are hurt and it's my fault." Lana said wiping her face.
"Lana, it's not your fault. Besides, it was worth it, to get to see you again." Clark sincerely said.
Lana didn't know what to say back, if anyone else said it she would have assumed they were joking to make the situation lighter, but she could see in his eyes that he honestly believed that in his heart. She wanted to just kiss him right then and there and she wasn't so sure she wouldn't have if Ben hadn't come back into the room.
"Here." Ben said giving Clark the glass of water.
When Clark was sleeping again, Lana asked Ben something that had been in her mind since the night before, "Ben, how did you know what they were planning to do?"
"Clark and I were on an... errand. We over heard half a dozen soldiers discussing their plan. I could have care less... I'm sorry I know that sounds horrible, but to risk your life for people who didn't even know I exist and didn't care either, but Clark he insisted, and when I wouldn't agree he went off by himself, and I could never do that to my best friend. At least now I knew why he wanted to go so bad." Ben said with a little laugh.
"Why?" Lana asked not understanding.
"You. You are the reason he came." Ben said laughing at how oblivious Lana was.
"What? No... why would you say that?" Lana said blushing.
"Why else would Clark, who shares the same dis-love of the nobles as I do, risk his life except to save his dream girl? I mean Clark is the nicest guy I know, but if you weren't his motive, then he is officially the best man to walk to earth." Ben said laughing.
"I feel horrible. I'm the reason he is lying there." Lana walked over to Clark's bed and stroked the hair hanging down on his forehead out of his eyes. When Clark woke up Lana was so embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to- you just looked so- sorry." Lana said turned away.
Clark grabbed her hand, "No, it's alright."
"How did you know I was here?" Lana asked being blunt.
"Lana, you are the most beautiful noble around, and your parents are so rich and there reputation is known everywhere. I bet everyone in the villages knows who the Langs are." Clark said but then looked down considering something, "How could you think I wouldn't know. I mean I'm sure you had put me in your past but I could never forget you, I made a promise and I'm a man of my word."
"Clark, no! I never forgot you. When you left I was so depressed and I had no other friends. I admit I was so shocked to find out you were not just living here in the village, but that you had saved my life, almost costing yours." Lana said taking Clark's hand in hers, "What happened to you, I mean after you left."
"Well... I was sent to a family who owned a small patch of land and I helped him, his wife, and daughter until...your father repossessed the land and he was force to move to another country with his sister." Clark said.
"Did you go with them?" Lana asked.
"No. They um, didn't want some boy who wasn't even there own to come. One more person to feed and since they had lost there land I was no use to them." Clark said hesitant to say anything.
"That is awful! What did you do?" Lana asked.
"I was only 8 years old, but I could manage pretty well. I um lived on the streets for half a year until a widow took me in." Clark said feeling ashamed in telling Lana he had lived on the streets; after all she was part of one of the richest families for thousands of miles.
Lana looked down and Clark thought she might start to cry again and felt guilty he had brought that upon her, "Lana, I'm sorry I didn't mean to..."
"Clark you didn't." Lana said as she squeezed his hand.
Ben came over and knelt on one knee next to the bed, "Clark, how is your wound?"
"I don't know. It's a dull pain, until I move it. I can't even feel from my elbow down." Clark said.
Ben began to strip the bandages gently, around Clark's shoulder and chest.
Lana knew it wasn't right to be thinking it, especially after he had almost been killed, but she couldn't help but stare at his finely toned chest and torso, and then realize how handsome and sexy Clark was. She had always remembered Clark as a boy, but even though Clark was only 16, Lana could tell he was a man, no longer her childhood friend.
When Ben had a clean look at the wound he said, "It's bad, but you are lucky, if you keep it clean, and prevent infection, I think you will still have the full function of your arm and shoulder back in two weeks."
"Good." Clark said as Ben left the room, for reason Lana or Clark didn't know. Clark and Lana talked for an hour about Lana's life and memories they had together, but Clark always changed the subject when the topic came to his past. Clark sat up so suddenly and Lana got worried. "What's wrong?"
"I have to go." He said as he got up feeling dizzy, but ignored it and got out of bed."
"Clark, you have to lay back down! You will faint! You will hurt yourself more." Lana said not knowing what to do, whether to stop him or help him.
"You don't understand! I have to get back, otherwise..." Clark felt so dizzy and stopped and leaned against the door taking in deep breaths. His arm was throbbing with pain. Ben came in and was very upset, "Clark! Go lay down! You are going to kill yourself!"
"No, Ben, I have to go home, you know what will happen in I don't." Clark said trying to walk again.
"I forgot... but Clark, you are in no condition to go anywhere! If you don't rest you will kill yourself and be no good to anyone!" Ben said as Clark leaned into him for support. "Just get back in bed, I'll go."
"You swear to God you will go and make sure..." Clark stopped as the room slowly went black.
* * * * * * * * *
"Clark? Clark!" Lana said wiping Clark's forehead with a damp towel. "Are you okay?"
"What happened?" Clark asked opening his eyes to find himself back in bed.
"You fainted." Lana said relieved to see him awake.
"Lana, please help me. I have to go back." Clark said as his voice cracked.
"Ben left 10 minutes ago to take care of it. Whatever 'it' is, I don't know, he wouldn't tell me." Lana replied.
"Okay, just as long as someone is there." Clark said letting out a sigh.
"What is so important that you had to rush out of bed and make yourself in worse condition for?" Lana asked.
Clark just looked down. Lana knew he was not going to answer her.
* * * * * * * * * * Clark stayed for a week, until his strength was restored. His wound was far from healed but now he could get up and walked around.
"Lana, I wanted to thank you so much for everything you have done for me. You don't know how much it's meant to me to see you again." Clark said as he hugged Lana, in a kind of half way hug because of his bad arm. Clark didn't want to let go of Lana; she was so beautiful and caring. "I'll miss you."
"Why? Why do you have to go?" Lana asked.
"I have to." was all Clark said.
"Oh, right, the thing." Lana said a little frustrated that no one would tell her. Ben had only been by 1 time, just to check on Clark, and he still wouldn't tell her. "But Clark. Please don't say 'I'll miss you'."
"But I will." Clark said confused.
"Then don't miss me. Come by any time you want. I want us to be friends." Lana said touching Clark's arm.
"Lana, I promise." Clark was so happy to hear this. He wanted nothing more than to stay in Lana's life forever, but he knew he couldn't for she was a noble and he was a mere peasant. But this was different; she also wanted him in her life.
Clark didn't know why he was resisting kissing Lana. But he was lying to himself, he knew why. He wasn't good enough for her.
As Clark was about to leave, the door opened and in walked a face Clark remembered well.
"Clark!" Laura almost screamed as she hugged Clark.
"It's so good to see you." Clark said remembering the only woman who had even made him feel loved or wanted. Who cared for him and taught him how to care.
Laura couldn't help but crying. "When I heard there was an injured young man, named Clark, who my daughter was taking care of, I only hoped that it was you. I knew in my heart it had to be." Laura said as she hugged Clark again. "You are all grown up. But I never forgot you Clark, I loved you as one of my own children! When you left, it was the hardest thing that I ever had to go through."
Clark couldn't help but remember of one of the most painful moments of his life. "I'm the man I am today because of you."
Clark ate breakfast with Laura and Lana, talking with them and sharing laughs.
As Clark was leaving Laura pulled him aside. Clark didn't know why she said it but he knew that it made him feel incredibly loved for reasons he didn't know. "Clark, I never forgave Orlando for what he did. I accepted it and I still love him, but some events change things forever, and it can never be the same again."
"Clark? Clark can you hear me?" Lana said stroking his hair.
Clark closed his eyes for a few minutes and opened them slightly and turned to Ben and back to Lana, and Ben was sure he was about to say something and then started coughing violently. Clark just closed his eyes and seemed to be sleeping.
"Do you think he is going to be alright? I mean you saw the way he looked at us." Lana said scared for Clark's health.
"I'm not sure, but seeing as the fever has broke, I'm sure he just needs some rest and to get his strength back." Ben said praying to God that Clark was right. It calmed Lana some.
Half an hour later Clark woke up and Lana heard him talking to Ben as she stood outside the room listening to them.
"Clark, how are you feeling?" Ben asked.
"Who are you? Where am I?" Clark said trying to get up and then collapsed back into the bed from a pain shooting up his arm and shoulder.
"Clark, don't try and get up. It's Ben." Ben said worried that Clark hadn't recognized the face he had seen practically everyday for 6 years.
"Oh Ben. I can't see clearly. My vision is blurry." Clark said feeling a little relieved that Ben was there with him.
Lana walked into the room anxious and nervous to talk to Clark.
"Clark, it's me-" Lana was cut off.
"Lana Lang." Clark finished her sentence.
"How did you know?" Lana asked a little shocked.
"Blurry vision, or not, did you really think I wouldn't recognize you." Clark said with a smile. Lana felt like such a horrible person at that moment, for she had not recognized Clark, she never would have without the necklace. She felt like Clark had kept track of her through the years, but it was absurd.
"I guess I did, it has been 9 years." Lana said sitting down in a chair next to him, "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine." Clark lied.
"Clark, you are not fine. You got to rest! I'll get you some water." Ben said getting up.
"Thanks." Lana said as soon as Ben was out of the room.
"For what?" Clark asked feeling stupid asking, thinking he hadn't been paying attention to a prior conversation.
"You saved my life." Lana said putting the palm of her hand to his face, cupping his cheek, as a tear slid down her face.
"Please, Lana, don't cry." Clark said as he instinctively reached up to wipe away her tear but winced in pain as he set his arm back down.
"But you are hurt and it's my fault." Lana said wiping her face.
"Lana, it's not your fault. Besides, it was worth it, to get to see you again." Clark sincerely said.
Lana didn't know what to say back, if anyone else said it she would have assumed they were joking to make the situation lighter, but she could see in his eyes that he honestly believed that in his heart. She wanted to just kiss him right then and there and she wasn't so sure she wouldn't have if Ben hadn't come back into the room.
"Here." Ben said giving Clark the glass of water.
When Clark was sleeping again, Lana asked Ben something that had been in her mind since the night before, "Ben, how did you know what they were planning to do?"
"Clark and I were on an... errand. We over heard half a dozen soldiers discussing their plan. I could have care less... I'm sorry I know that sounds horrible, but to risk your life for people who didn't even know I exist and didn't care either, but Clark he insisted, and when I wouldn't agree he went off by himself, and I could never do that to my best friend. At least now I knew why he wanted to go so bad." Ben said with a little laugh.
"Why?" Lana asked not understanding.
"You. You are the reason he came." Ben said laughing at how oblivious Lana was.
"What? No... why would you say that?" Lana said blushing.
"Why else would Clark, who shares the same dis-love of the nobles as I do, risk his life except to save his dream girl? I mean Clark is the nicest guy I know, but if you weren't his motive, then he is officially the best man to walk to earth." Ben said laughing.
"I feel horrible. I'm the reason he is lying there." Lana walked over to Clark's bed and stroked the hair hanging down on his forehead out of his eyes. When Clark woke up Lana was so embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to- you just looked so- sorry." Lana said turned away.
Clark grabbed her hand, "No, it's alright."
"How did you know I was here?" Lana asked being blunt.
"Lana, you are the most beautiful noble around, and your parents are so rich and there reputation is known everywhere. I bet everyone in the villages knows who the Langs are." Clark said but then looked down considering something, "How could you think I wouldn't know. I mean I'm sure you had put me in your past but I could never forget you, I made a promise and I'm a man of my word."
"Clark, no! I never forgot you. When you left I was so depressed and I had no other friends. I admit I was so shocked to find out you were not just living here in the village, but that you had saved my life, almost costing yours." Lana said taking Clark's hand in hers, "What happened to you, I mean after you left."
"Well... I was sent to a family who owned a small patch of land and I helped him, his wife, and daughter until...your father repossessed the land and he was force to move to another country with his sister." Clark said.
"Did you go with them?" Lana asked.
"No. They um, didn't want some boy who wasn't even there own to come. One more person to feed and since they had lost there land I was no use to them." Clark said hesitant to say anything.
"That is awful! What did you do?" Lana asked.
"I was only 8 years old, but I could manage pretty well. I um lived on the streets for half a year until a widow took me in." Clark said feeling ashamed in telling Lana he had lived on the streets; after all she was part of one of the richest families for thousands of miles.
Lana looked down and Clark thought she might start to cry again and felt guilty he had brought that upon her, "Lana, I'm sorry I didn't mean to..."
"Clark you didn't." Lana said as she squeezed his hand.
Ben came over and knelt on one knee next to the bed, "Clark, how is your wound?"
"I don't know. It's a dull pain, until I move it. I can't even feel from my elbow down." Clark said.
Ben began to strip the bandages gently, around Clark's shoulder and chest.
Lana knew it wasn't right to be thinking it, especially after he had almost been killed, but she couldn't help but stare at his finely toned chest and torso, and then realize how handsome and sexy Clark was. She had always remembered Clark as a boy, but even though Clark was only 16, Lana could tell he was a man, no longer her childhood friend.
When Ben had a clean look at the wound he said, "It's bad, but you are lucky, if you keep it clean, and prevent infection, I think you will still have the full function of your arm and shoulder back in two weeks."
"Good." Clark said as Ben left the room, for reason Lana or Clark didn't know. Clark and Lana talked for an hour about Lana's life and memories they had together, but Clark always changed the subject when the topic came to his past. Clark sat up so suddenly and Lana got worried. "What's wrong?"
"I have to go." He said as he got up feeling dizzy, but ignored it and got out of bed."
"Clark, you have to lay back down! You will faint! You will hurt yourself more." Lana said not knowing what to do, whether to stop him or help him.
"You don't understand! I have to get back, otherwise..." Clark felt so dizzy and stopped and leaned against the door taking in deep breaths. His arm was throbbing with pain. Ben came in and was very upset, "Clark! Go lay down! You are going to kill yourself!"
"No, Ben, I have to go home, you know what will happen in I don't." Clark said trying to walk again.
"I forgot... but Clark, you are in no condition to go anywhere! If you don't rest you will kill yourself and be no good to anyone!" Ben said as Clark leaned into him for support. "Just get back in bed, I'll go."
"You swear to God you will go and make sure..." Clark stopped as the room slowly went black.
* * * * * * * * *
"Clark? Clark!" Lana said wiping Clark's forehead with a damp towel. "Are you okay?"
"What happened?" Clark asked opening his eyes to find himself back in bed.
"You fainted." Lana said relieved to see him awake.
"Lana, please help me. I have to go back." Clark said as his voice cracked.
"Ben left 10 minutes ago to take care of it. Whatever 'it' is, I don't know, he wouldn't tell me." Lana replied.
"Okay, just as long as someone is there." Clark said letting out a sigh.
"What is so important that you had to rush out of bed and make yourself in worse condition for?" Lana asked.
Clark just looked down. Lana knew he was not going to answer her.
* * * * * * * * * * Clark stayed for a week, until his strength was restored. His wound was far from healed but now he could get up and walked around.
"Lana, I wanted to thank you so much for everything you have done for me. You don't know how much it's meant to me to see you again." Clark said as he hugged Lana, in a kind of half way hug because of his bad arm. Clark didn't want to let go of Lana; she was so beautiful and caring. "I'll miss you."
"Why? Why do you have to go?" Lana asked.
"I have to." was all Clark said.
"Oh, right, the thing." Lana said a little frustrated that no one would tell her. Ben had only been by 1 time, just to check on Clark, and he still wouldn't tell her. "But Clark. Please don't say 'I'll miss you'."
"But I will." Clark said confused.
"Then don't miss me. Come by any time you want. I want us to be friends." Lana said touching Clark's arm.
"Lana, I promise." Clark was so happy to hear this. He wanted nothing more than to stay in Lana's life forever, but he knew he couldn't for she was a noble and he was a mere peasant. But this was different; she also wanted him in her life.
Clark didn't know why he was resisting kissing Lana. But he was lying to himself, he knew why. He wasn't good enough for her.
As Clark was about to leave, the door opened and in walked a face Clark remembered well.
"Clark!" Laura almost screamed as she hugged Clark.
"It's so good to see you." Clark said remembering the only woman who had even made him feel loved or wanted. Who cared for him and taught him how to care.
Laura couldn't help but crying. "When I heard there was an injured young man, named Clark, who my daughter was taking care of, I only hoped that it was you. I knew in my heart it had to be." Laura said as she hugged Clark again. "You are all grown up. But I never forgot you Clark, I loved you as one of my own children! When you left, it was the hardest thing that I ever had to go through."
Clark couldn't help but remember of one of the most painful moments of his life. "I'm the man I am today because of you."
Clark ate breakfast with Laura and Lana, talking with them and sharing laughs.
As Clark was leaving Laura pulled him aside. Clark didn't know why she said it but he knew that it made him feel incredibly loved for reasons he didn't know. "Clark, I never forgave Orlando for what he did. I accepted it and I still love him, but some events change things forever, and it can never be the same again."