Lana POV

The Talon was busy to the point of unbearable. In reality the business should have been welcome. Anything was welcome in order to keep my mind off of my earlier conversation/argument with Clark. But I just wanted a quiet place to lick my wounds in peace.

I sighed and pulled my hair up into a bun trying to get it out of my face. I laid out a tray and started on my next order. That's when I looked up and there was Clark carrying a box labeled Kent Farms.

Shit. I had forgotten all about those pies I had ordered last week.

I will not let him think I'm so upset that I can't stop thinking about anything else. I'm going to give my customers their coffee, give Clark his money and send him on his way.

I took a deep breath and quickly finished making the coffee. I nodded at Clark as I passed him by and set the coffee out on the table.

I put a fake smile on my face and wiped my hands on the rag hanging out of my pocket.

"Can I get you guys anything else?" I said in a fake sing-song voice. It took the couple several seconds to even notice I was there they were so absorbed in each other with goo goo eyes and all.

I cleared my throat and the girl finally turned toward me with a sheepish grin, "No. Thank you though." She said as she ran her fingers through the side of her boyfriend's hair, quickly turning her attention back to him.

I couldn't help the wistful look that passed over my face at the sight. I shook my head and squared my shoulders as I headed back to Clark who was now placing the box on the counter. He looked at me for a second and then looked away.

'This is not going to be easy. Then again, when is it ever easy when it comes to me and Clark?'

"Hi, just give me one second and I'll count out the money so you can be on your way."

As I walked passed him Clark grabbed my upper arm and let it slide down to my hand. I shivered in what I hoped was an imperceptible way at his touch and faced him, my hand still in his. Well, this felt familiar. I think we've been at this point at one time or another.

"Lana, I don't want to argue with you anymore." Clark's voice was lowered so that only he and I could hear. "I just wish things could back to the way they were before-." I yanked my hand out of his at his words, my body going rigid in instant anger.

"Before Clark? Before what? Before I started to have feelings for you? Before I knew you were hiding things from me? Before you left me behind to do god knows what in Metropolis? I CAN'T GO BACK TO BEFORE CLARK! BEFORE DOES NOT EXIST FOR ME ANYMORE!" I was practically screaming at him I was so furious.

Clark looked shocked at my words. His jaw tightened and he looked away. "So…….exactly what are you saying Lana? Between this afternoon and right now I get the feeling you don't want anything to do with me anymore. Is that what you want?" His voice cracked ever so slightly at the end and what was left of my heart lurched.

I closed my eyes and opened them to see him staring at me intently. "I don't know Clark." I said much softer than before. "I just have to think. I can't do this with you. Not today. Please let me just give you the money so you can go. I…I just have to be by myself for a little while."

Clark nodded looking like he wanted to do anything but agree with me and waited while I went around the counter. I counted out the money and held it out to him. As Clark reached for my hand he quickly grabbed the other. He brought the one not holding the money to his cheek. I couldn't help my heart pounding. My knees felt like they were going to give way just from this simple touch.

"Lana……..You have to know something. I just want what's best for you. No wait!" He said as I started to pull my hand away at his familiar song and dance. "Please just hear me out." I hesitated; my irrational mind feeling as if I didn't owe him anything, not even this simple moment to speak his piece. But then all those times he saved me flooded back to the forefront and weakened my resolve. Finally, I nodded and kept my hand where it was.

"For so long I never thought you would ever see me like anything but 'that guy who lives next door to me', but somehow, someway, I became more than that to you. I became someone you could love." Clark grabbed my hand tighter against his cheek and looked me straight in the eyes before he continued.

"If making you happy means staying away from you and never speaking to you again, I'll do it. Even if it means I'm sacrificing my own happiness along the way." Clark took a deep breathe before continuing in an even softer voice. "But you have to know something Lana, something I came to the conclusion of a long time ago. I need you a whole lot more than you need me. Don't ever doubt that."

Clark took my hand and kissed the inside of my palm before placing it on the counter.

"Goodbye Lana"

And with that he gave me one last searching glance and walked out of the Talon. And possibly out of my life…..again.

It took pure will not to run after Clark babbling like a big baby. But not even a tornado could keep me from running to the door and watch his retreating form through the growing darkness.

I couldn't help the single tear that rolled down my cheek. Just like I couldn't help the waves of pain through my heart that made my hands shake. I placed one shaking hand on the window and heard myself whisper "Clark."

End of part 3