Note: I know, I know; I told you all that the next update would be around next week or so, but I can't stop writing! hehe. Thanks for reviewing and reading!

MrS.ClArK KeNt: I totally agree about the ODing of the fluff! I was even talking to my friend about it before I posted Ch. 6 up. Don't worry though; I have a sketchy plot planned out. I'm hoping to bring in the external conflict after a few chapters and the angst much later. Thanks for pointing it out to me! I was wondering when someone would say something.

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Smallville: apartment above the Talon

9:03 P.M.

Friday, June 4th

"Clark, is that you?"

"Lana?" Clark had just gotten back to their apartment and with his newly-purchased item. He had dug up $500 from his own pockets for it and borrowed the rest from his mother. He figured he could pay her back through his job at the Daily Planet. Before Chloe had returned to her and Lois's apartment, she had called up her cousin to inquire her about the job opportunity. Clark could imagine the look of shock on her face when Chloe told her he wanted the job.

"Kent wants to work for me?" Clark had picked up on his super hearing during their conversation. "Chloe, do you know how well me and him get along? Like water and oil! Look, I love you to death cuz, but have you lost your mind?"

At that, Clark had to stifle a laugh. Chloe had reassured her cousin that she had not lost her mind and that Clark desperately needed the money for Lana's engagement ring. When the words engagement and ring had passed through Lois's ears, she, apparently, was more than happy to hire him. Lois had cultivated a somewhat close friendship with Lana over the years.

"Clark?" Clark heard his name being called out again from somewhere beyond the living room. He thought about using his x-ray vision to see which room she was in, but then decided to just trust his instincts.

"Clark, where have you been all day?" Apparently, Clark's instincts were right; his angel was in their bedroom. She was in her usual bedtime clothes that Clark had learned to love: black boy shorts and a white camisole. She was sitting crossed legged on the bed. Clark took a long look at her before lowering his eyes to the pink carpet.

Clark hated lying to her, he really did. After all, he had promised no more lies. However, his head somehow managed to convince his heart that this time was an exception since it was for a good cause. It was for her happiness even if she didn't know it yet.

"I was in the city helping my mom pick out some new tables for the Talon," Clark made up, still looking at the ground. When she didn't reply at once, Clark looked up. Her face was scrunched in a way that suggested that she was in deep thought.

"Was that where you were?" Clark heard her ask.

Uh-oh…she doesn't believe me?

"Yeah…."

"Okay." Lana said, pulling the covers over her petite body.

"Okay?" Clark repeated, confused. By the tone of her voice before, it seemed as if she didn't believe him or she had her suspicions.

That's crazy…she couldn't have known where I have been.

"Okay," Lana yawned from under the covers. "Or you going to join me or what?" she said with a slight smile, although to Clark it seemed forced.

Ten minutes later, Lana felt her boyfriend slide under the covers, bringing in more warmth. She felt him try to snuggle and hug her, but she moved purposely away. She hated this; him and her fighting; if you could call it that. She wasn't particularly mad at him, nor was she happy with him. She could tell that he was holding something back from her. What it was though, was a mystery.

She had noticed that his pockets were bulging with something square when he first entered the room. She tried to reason with her heart that it probably was his car keys. There was only one little flaw with her reasoning: car keys aren't square and boxy.

I know what is square and boxy though….

In truth, Lana had a pretty good idea what was in his pocket. She even had evidence to back up her theory.

Flashback

Metropolis: Outside building of Rockaway Fashions

4:36 P.M.

Friday, June 4th

Lana sighed heavily. She had been standing at the street corner for almost two whole minutes and she had yet hauled down a cab. It was times like this that she wished Clark was here; not that she didn't want him to be next to her every second of the day. Especially on days like this, Lana wouldn't mind someone carrying her purse, or making sure she was walking comfy in her mid-calf boots. Lana had been shoved, and even accidentally pushed to the ground. All she wanted to do now was to return to their quiet apartment and soak her feet in a nice, hot tub. She wanted to be comforted and held by her prince charming.

Speaking of her prince charming, was that him across the street?

"Excuse me…." Lana said, dodging several people as she followed him from across the street. Her fast pace and black leather boots made clicking sounds that attracted the attention of passersby. The thought of calling his name crossed her mind, but she pushed down the urge. She knew he wasn't here to pick her up since he had totally passed Rockaway building. Then, what was he here for?

End Flashback

As Lana thought back to that afternoon, her mind came upon a conclusion. She was certain that the man wearing plaid across the street was Clark. He was dressed in her lover's trademark clothes, after all. His posture was the same: proud and straight. She was even certain the shirt he was wearing matched the one that Clark walked in with today.

If her theory was correct, then the box that Clark had in his pocket probably contained the love he held for her, represented in a material item. Lana smiled inwardly. If that was the case, then Clark had a good reason for lying to her. Deep down, Lana knew Clark would never intentionally hurt her, but her heart couldn't help but build a wall of protection. If, in fact, his pocket didn't contain what she hoped it did, her heart would be ready for the blow. Lana didn't want to get her hopes up like many times before. It was a known fact that Clark had met her hopes many a times, but he had also been the cause of her hopes shattering. Of course, that was years ago, and he had sworn he would never hurt her again.

"Lana?" Clark's familiar voice jerked her out of her thoughts.

Lana turned around so that their bodies were facing each other and his cool, fresh, mint breath was breathing gently on her face. She slipped one of her hands under the covers and pulled his large, tan hand from under them. Hands entwined, Lana kissed his hand softly. Lana watched as his handsome face split into a small smile of relief.

"Yeah?"

Lana watched as his angular face was overcome with hesitation. He was too cute for her. "You aren't mad at me, right?" Lana watched his perfect mouth open to let the words spill out.

"Of course not," Lana said softly, her eyes filled with guilt as she thought how much anxiety she had placed on him. Lana squeezed his hand tightly to ensure that she wasn't mad at him.

Clark gave her a small smile and silence fell on them again. There was no need for apologies or messy accusations. They both knew that whatever had happened thirty minutes ago had passed. It was water under a bridge.

Just when Lana was falling asleep, Clark's deep voice reached her ears.

"So, how did your interview go?" he asked timidly.

Lana eyes opened to the view of her lover's handsome and somewhat tired face.

"It was alright….I think I got it; they even offered to let me work in Smallville."

"Really?" Clark's eyebrows arched up in a way that suggested incredulity.

"I think it had to do with the fact that me, a small-town girl, actually went to Paris to study art and fashion. They probably thought that a girl from Smallville wasn't sophisticated or rich enough to go to France," Lana said with a bitter smile as she propped herself up on her elbows to get a better look at her boyfriend.

Lana watched as Clark smiled. She knew that smile too well. It was the smile before he was going to say something probably cocky and egotistic. "Well, I guess they thought wrong. A small-town girl can be very sexy and sophisticated with a little inspiration from a certain farm boy."

Lana rolled her eyes at him even though she was grinning. "You really are too much, Clark."

Clark sent her one of his smiles that would have sent teenage girls swooning. Truth to be told, Lana had been one of those girls in high school. It was amazing how much influence he held on women, and yet, he didn't even know it. Even if he did, Lana was certain that he would never abuse the Kent charm. He could be cocky and arrogant if he wanted to be, but Lana knew that the gentleman inside of him would never allow him to show off or become a player. It was just part of his nature; he had grown up in a household that had taught him to respect women. Lana was grateful that she was the one who had captured his heart. She couldn't have wished for a better boyfriend and best friend.

"Hey, what are you thinking about?" Clark asked softly.

Lana placed a warm hand to his cheek and palmed it. "About how lucky I am to have such an amazing boyfriend." Her thumb massaged the delicate skin around his hazel, greenish eyes. Lana shifted her body so that her head was resting on his shoulder.

In this new position, it gave Clark access to her awaiting lips. He placed passionate, but gentle kisses on her plump lips.

"So…" Clark said after Lana pulled away, panting. "I was wondering…"

Lana noticed that the atmosphere in the room had changed from comfortable to apprehensive. She gave Clark a reassuring smile to ensure him that whatever he was going to say, he could say.

"What is it?" she prompted with a curious spark in her eyes.

Clark gave a nervous cough. "Umm…I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me on Sunday night…you know, like a date."

Lana blinked. She couldn't believe that Clark was worried about that. She was his girlfriend, after all. How could she say no to him?

Lana gave a small snort of laughter and amusement; complete with a crinkling of the nose. "Is that all?"

Lana watched as he slowly nodded his head. "Of course I'll have dinner with you on Sunday night," she said slowly; afraid that if she spoke too fast, he might interpret her words for 'no.'

Clark's expression was one of relief. He couldn't believe that he was being so stupid. Why wouldn't she have dinner with him on Sunday? It was the part after dessert and idle chit-chat that she might say 'no' to. Clark gulped. Then, he realized that probably wasn't the smartest thing to do after his noticeable blunder.

Way to make things even more obvious, Kent. Let's hope that she didn't see that.

"Clark, are you alright?"

Apparently, she did. Now what, Kent?

"Yeah, I'm fine; why wouldn't I be?" he said in a high-pitched voice.

Lana examined his face closely. What was up with him today? After a few moments of close-examination, Lana chalked up his behavior to pre-proposal jitters.

Pre-proposal jitters? Who ever said he was proposing? Lana thought.

"You seem a little tense, that's all," Lana replied to him. She had a small frown on her face, but it was quickly replaced by a radiant smile.

"Chloe's taking me shopping tomorrow," Lana announced.

Clark took the initiative to at least attempt to look surprised. He was the one who had put Chloe up to it, after all. He needed tomorrow to talk to Nell about his intentions of marrying her niece. He couldn't leave the apartment without arousing suspicion from Lana.

"Really?" Clark said, throwing in wide-eyes.

Seemingly, Lana was far too deep in the world of expensive jewelry and silk to notice his fake reaction. Her smile, however drooped when she reached a pair of jeans that didn't fit her petite body.

"I just realized that I'm going to leave you here all alone tomorrow," Lana said with a look of concern and sympathy.

"No, it's alright. I…uhh…have to work tomorrow," Clark made up.

"Work?" Lana repeated. "Since when?"

"Since I got a job as Lois's coffee boy at the Daily Planet."

Lana's dumfounded expression was enough for Clark to figure out her opinion about his job.

Clark leaned down to place a long and sweet kiss on his girlfriend's lips. When his lips released hers, her lips formed a long, exaggerated 'O.'

"Let's sleep now; I think we've done enough talking for one night," Clark said as he pulled the pink covers over his girlfriend's shoulders as she cuddled up to him.

"Good night Clark," he heard Lana mumble from under the covers.

"Night Lana; I love you," Clark sighed as he settled back against the pillows.