Metropolis: Metropolis General Hospital
5:41 P.M.
Saturday, June 19th
"Mom!" a voice called through the hallway filled with nurses and sick patients. Clark Kent sprinted down the hallway, trying his best not to go into super speed mode. Pete Ross, his best friend, struggled to keep up with him.
"Sir, could you please slow down!" a nurse chastised Clark as he whizzed past her. Clark ignored her and continued his crazed sprint. If it weren't for his excellent coordination skills, he would've knocked someone over by now.
"Clark, slow down!" Martha Kent warned her son, getting out of her seat next to a teary eyed Chloe.
Clark also ignored her and came to an abrupt stop in front of his mother, Chloe, and Nell. "Where is she?" he demanded.
Pete also halted next to Clark, but unlike Clark, he was panting. He placed his hands on his knees, catching his breath. "What he said," Pete said, pointing his thumb at Clark.
Martha gestured to a closed door and blocked windows in front of the five. "The doctors are tending to her now…they haven't said anything," she said, her voice slightly trembling.
Clark walked over to the window blocked by shades and focused in on the room with his x-ray vision. Tears began to form in his eyes when he saw Lana's unconscious body lying in the hospital bed. An IV was hooked up to her.
"How did you get here so fast?" Chloe asked, finally speaking up. Clark turned around and for the first time noticed tears streaking her face.
"We got a lift from one of the helicopters at Smallville Hospital," Pete said, answering for Clark. "I have some connections there."
Despite what was going on, Chloe's investigative reporter skills kicked in. "You have connections?"
"I used to date a girl who's working as one of the interns for the helicopter department," Pete explained, knowing he was veering off their intended subject. "But now's not the time…."
"Chloe, what happened?" Clark asked a bit harshly.
Chloe winced, noticing his harshness, but said, "We—Lana and I were just getting something to eat…and this guy was following us. We decided to split up to find out which one of us he was tailing…and─" Chloe took a deep breath, trying to continue, but nothing came out.
Clark softened his expression as Pete sat down next to Chloe, giving her a much needed hug. It had been selfish of him to think that he was the only one suffering here. "Chloe…I'm sorry…"
"No," Chloe said, shaking her head vigorously. "It's okay, Clark. I mean, your fiancé is lying in there on the brink of death— as horrible as that sounds…"
"I think we're all a little tense right now," Martha said soothingly to the small crowd. She was still standing and she moved toward her son, rubbing small circles on his back to calm him. "The only thing we can do for Lana right now is wait and be by her side when she wakes up."
Clark nodded, feeling numb. He was glad his mom hadn't added the word 'if' in there. If she wakes up…
Martha took a seat next to a silent Nell while Clark started pacing. To a passerby, the scene may look like a soon-to-be father anxious about the arrival of his baby, but that was far from the truth.
"Clark, man, as much as I love you, will you stop pacing?" Pete said suddenly, breaking the uneasy silence. "It's making me nervous."
Clark came to an abrupt stop and cast a defeated look at the room where the love of his life was in. I can't lose her…not now…
"Clark, honey, why don't you sit down?" Martha suggested, patting the seat next to her. "Lana wouldn't want you to worry…"
"Well, I'll never know what she would've wanted," Clark said loudly. "I'll never know now…" Clark trailed off, and turned his head away. He didn't want them seeing him cry. It would mean he wasn't as strong as he—they—thought he was.
"Clark, I'm sorry," Chloe said out of no where.
Clark used the sleeve of his jacket to wipe his tears away and faced Chloe. "What do you mean?"
"I—I should've stayed with her. I was the one who suggested that we split up─"
"Chloe—don't," Clark said, already knowing what was coming.
But, Chloe persisted, disregarding Clark's protests. "I just can't help but think that maybe if I hadn't said that…she would still─"
"Chloe," Clark tried again, frustrated that Chloe wouldn't listen. "Don't even think that. It's not your fault."
"Clark's right, Chloe," Pete said, intervening. "You had no idea and maybe if you hadn't split up, things would have been worse. What if the two of you both got hurt? Then, no one would've made that 911 call and we would be at a funeral service or something like that right now." Pete draped an arm over Chloe's shoulder and squeezed her arm.
Clark closed his eyes, tired from the day's events. Things had started out so happy that morning…Lana was going shopping for her wedding dress for their wedding that was a month away. He had spent some badly needed quality time with his best friend. But, all that happiness and hopefulness for the future had gone down the drain with one phone call.
Please let her live…I love her…don't take her away from me, Clark prayed to anyone who would hear him out.
At the creak of a door opening, Clark's eyes flew open. A man stepped out of the room Lana was being holed up in. There were bags under his eyes and he seemed exhausted. As sorry as Clark felt for the guy, he quickly prompted him about Lana's state.
"And you are…?" the doctor asked.
"Clark Kent, her fiancé."
"Well, then, Mr. Kent," the doctor held out his hand for a hand shake, "I'm pleased to tell you that Lana's going to be fine. She's in critical condition, but she's stable."
Clark let out a sigh of relief, feeling like he could hug the man. "Is it alright if I see her?"
"Is anyone else family?" The doctor looked at the small crowd questioningly.
"I'm her aunt," Nell said, speaking up for the first time since Clark and Pete had arrived. "But, I can hold off until Clark's seen her." Nell managed a small smile that Clark tried to return.
"Then, go ahead," the doctor said, gesturing toward the door. Just as Clark was about to step in, the doctor added, "She's lucky—if she had gotten here any later, she might have not made it." With a nod, he walked swiftly toward the other end of the hallway.
Clark took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for what was going to be on the other side of the door.
"Clark," Nell began, stopping Clark from entering. "I know this is random…but I just want you to know that I'm happy for you and Lana…your wedding…"
Clark nodded, his expression stony. Without interruption, he slowly entered the room. Dying sunlight filled the pink colored room and in the corner sat a chair intended for visitors to use.
Clark's breath caught in his throat when his eyes glanced Lana laying on the bed, her hair spread about the pillow, making her look as if she had a halo around her head. Clark's green eyes began to water when he saw how fragile she looked. He knew that Lana didn't like people to think of her as fragile or weak, but he couldn't help it. An IV was still connected to her arm and her breathing was slow. A bandage covered most her neck; making it look like she had a cast on. But, the most heart wrenching sight was the purplish, bluish bruise now forming on her left cheek.
Clark held back tears and quietly picked up the chair in the corner and moved it closer to her bed; his back was now to the window. Clark guessed the doctors had given her a sedative and painkillers to help her sleep off the pain. Clark sighed. It was going to be awhile until she awoke.
A lump had formed in his throat as tears spilled down his masculine cheeks. Gently, he took the hand that wasn't connected to the IV, brought it to his trembling lips and placed a loving kiss on the palm of it. He then took his other hand and tenderly stroked her bruised cheek. Anger replaced his grief and soon images of ripping off the perpetrator's head filled his mind.
But, his anger ebbed away when Lana emitted a small groan. Clark squeezed Lana's hand that had been placed on his lap earlier. It would be hours before she woke, but when she did, Clark would be by her side.
The Next Morning
Footsteps…the dripping of water…. Footsteps splashing water all over the place in the dark, damp alley. The panting and heavy breathing of terror. She was running…away from something so evil that even hell was afraid of it.
With one final step she fell hard to the wet ground. Tears stung her bruised cheeks as she lay there waiting for it to come and devour her.
Just as she predicted, it did come. Tears were now flowing more freely down her flawless face and she opened her mouth to plead for mercy, but nothing came out. As it grew closer, she felt colder.
"I've been waiting for you…"
"Noo…please," she said, finally finding her voice.
The thing swooped down upon her and she was thrown into a world of her darkest moments.
-
"Clark, where are you going?" she demanded, striding toward him purposely.
"Away from here," he replied, walking away from the motorcycle and grabbing his black leather jacket.
"The Clark Kent I know wouldn't run away from his problems," she said as a last minute attempt to change his mind.
"The Clark Kent you know is a lie," he said coldly, shrugging on his jacket.
"Why won't you let me in?" she asked softly, feeling her world crumbling.
"Because, Lana, you won't like what you see."
"I am not giving up on you," she said angrily, grabbing his arm and turning him around to face her.
"No one can save me. Not even you," he said with regret in his voice.
"Your parents need you," she whispered. "I need you." A tear rolled down her cheek. "I love you, Clark…" She pulled his face back toward her.
"I love you, too… more than you'll ever know. That's why I have to leave," he said gently, turning away and pulling something from his pocket.
More tears rolled down her cheeks as he got on the motorcycle.
"Come with me," he suddenly said, surprising her.
As much as she wanted to…she couldn't. Instead she said, "Smallville's my home… it's your home too."
"Not anymore." And with that, Clark Kent rode out of her life."
-
"Noo!" a voice yelled suddenly, jerking Clark Kent out of his deep sleep. He was sitting backwards on his chair, his arms resting on the edge top part of it and his legs spread around the back part. Quickly, he looked at his fiancé who was once slumbering peacefully. A sheet of sweat had formed on her face and he noticed that she was breathing heavily.
"Lana?" Clark reached out a tentative hand to her forehead. But, he swiftly jerked his hand away when she called out again.
"Clark…don't leave me!"
Clark hastily got out of his seat and kneeled next to her. He placed a hand to her right cheek and said softly, "Lana? Wake up." He gently shook her shoulder.
Lana's eyes snapped opened, a dazed and confused look crossed her facial features. She was still panting which made Clark even more worried than he already was.
"Lana? Are you okay?" Clark asked, stroking her cheek with his thumb. "I heard you talking in your sleep…"
"I'm─" Lana began, but coughed to get the rasp out of her voice. Clark picked up the cup on the bedside table and brought it to her dry lips. After a few sips of the water, Lana shook her head to indicate she didn't want anymore.
"Clark…" Lana whispered, her eyes glistening with tears. She brought up the hand that wasn't connected to the IV and placed it on top of Clark's hand that was still lying on her bruise free cheek.
"Lana…" Clark could feel a lump forming in his throat again. "How are you feeling?"
Lana gave a slight laugh that greatly lifted Clark's uneasiness. "Like crap," she said.
Clark smiled and removed his and her hand from her cheek. He bent down to give her cheek a loving kiss. He pulled away and squeezed Lana's hand in his. "Did you have a bad dream?" he asked, remembering her cries.
"Yeah…" Lana answered quietly. "It was about you leaving…for Metropolis…" She lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes.
Clark frowned, feeling guilty. "Lana…I'm sorry…" he paused, not really knowing what else to say. "But, I swear to you that I will never leave you again."
"I know that, Clark," Lana said, squeezing his hand also. She was crying freely now. "I believe you."
Clark nodded. "Lana…I was so afraid…of losing you…"
"I'm not going anywhere, Clark," Lana reassured him, pulling his hand to indicate that he should move closer.
Clark closed his eyes, wanting to remember this moment—a moment of relief, pain, and love. He hugged her harder and breathed in the scent of strawberry shampoo in her hair. "God, I love you."
"I love you too," Lana whispered, running her fingers through his hair. They stayed like that, hugging and kissing now and then. After a while, Clark got off the floor and slid into the bed with Lana. Lana did her best to sit up and leaned against his chest.
"Is Chloe alright?" Lana asked suddenly, remembering.
"Yeah, she was shaken up, but she's fine," Clark told her. "She, Pete, mom, and your aunt were here last night."
"I bet they were worried about me, weren't they?" Lana fidgeted with the blanket.
"Yeah…they were," Clark said, leaning his chin against the top of her head. "We all were; especially Chloe. She blames herself even though I told her not to."
Lana nodded. "Are they here? If Chloe is…I can tell her…"
"No, they went home eventually…they should be dropping by soon," Clark said. "My mom is staying with your aunt and Pete is at Chloe and Lois's place. I can call them if you want."
"No…I just want to spend today with you," Lana said softly, feeling Clark hug her even tighter. "It seems selfish…but I don't really want to see them now…"
Clark nodded, trying to understand all that she had been through. "Hey, do you wanna talk about it?"
Lana swallowed and closed her eyes briefly. "There was this man…He followed Chloe and me…"
Clark wrapped his arms around her even harder. "It's okay if you don't want to talk about it…"
"No…" Lana said, shaking her head, but stopped because of the wound in her neck. "Clark, he ambushed me in an alley and asked me where Lex Luthor was."
"What?" Clark asked, taken aback. "Why would you know where Lex is? You haven't spoken to him in years…"
"Yeah…but you've spoken to him recently…and the man seemed like he knew you," Lana explained wearily. "The details are sorta hazy…"
Clark kissed the top of her head and said, "It's alright Lana…you should probably rest now…"
Clark sat there thinking while Lana dozed off. Who did this to Lana? Did they do this to get to me? Finally, he said quietly, "Lana…your cheek…did he do that to you?"
Lana opened her eyes groggily to meet Clark's green ones. There was a fire burning in them and for a second Lana wondered if she should tell him or not. She wasn't sure that he wouldn't go gallivanting off to find her assailant. "Clark…I'm fine…it just stings a little."
"Did he do this to you?" Clark asked a bit louder. Of course he had done that to her… "What about your neck?"
"Clark…" Lana said, trying to soothe him. "I'm fine…"
"I know you are Lana, but…" Clark said, trying to convey his feelings of rage to her.
"Clark," Lana said, using the last of her energy to reassure him that she was fine. "Please…can we just drop it?"
Clark sighed, knowing he wouldn't get an answer out of her. She was just as stubborn as he was. "Can you at least tell me what happened to your neck?"
"Promise you won't get mad?" Lana asked with a tired smile. He nodded and she said, "He…bit me…"
"Wait—what?" Did I just hear that right? Clark thought. "Like that woman in that alley?"
"Clark…" Lana knew she shouldn't have told him. "I'm really tired…can we talk about this later?"
Clark opened his mouth, but then shut it. He didn't want to tire her out even more than she already was. He nodded and said, "You're right Lana…you always are…" He smiled tenderly and showered her head with kisses again. "I'll let you sleep then."
"Mmm…Clark?"
"Yeah?"
"Maybe you should go…I mean, as much as I enjoy your company, it would be selfish to keep you here all day."
"Lana…I'm not leaving," Clark said stubbornly.
Lana sighed. "Maybe you could get me some food then…" Lana suggested, trying her best to lean her head up to get a better view of his face.
"Okay, what kind of food?" Clark asked, feeling like he could do about anything for her right now.
"Umm…maybe some breakfast," Lana said, shifting slightly as Clark slide out from under her weight and laid her gently on the bed.
"Okay, I'll be right back," Clark said, giving her a quick kiss and heading toward the door.
"Clark—wait," Lana called. "Err…I don't want hospital food though."
"Okay, what do you want then?" Clark asked; feeling a little confused.
"Clark…you should go over to Chloe's…change and maybe shower? And eat something," Lana said, avoiding the question.
So that was the reason she wanted to get me out of here, Clark thought. He was amazed by her selflessness even when she was feeling horrible. "Lana─"
"Clark, I'll be okay for a few hours," Lana said. "And besides, while you're there you can cook something and bring it over here."
Clark turned the idea around in his head. As much as he hated leaving her, she did have a logical base to her suggestion. "Are you sure, Lana?"
She smiled and did her best to nod. "Yeah…you'll be back in a few hours right? And besides, there's nothing here for you to do anyway except watch me sleep."
"Lana, I could watch you sleep for hours," Clark said sincerely with a loving look on his face. "I'll be back in an hour then."
"Okay…" Lana said sleepily. "Bye Handsome."
Clark grinned and replied, "Sleep tight Angel."
Clark crept out of the room and shut the door quietly. He would go to Chloe's, but first, he needed to make a quick trip to Lana and his apartment. Hopefully, with the name tag he found in the alley, Chloe would be able to find something about Dr. David Cobwell, Head Scientist of Division 1.5.
