Lana POV

I sniffled and hiccupped my way to the backroom. This was the third time in the last half hour that I had to leave the counter and come here to weep in private.

I threw the tissue in my hand out into the garbage can in disgust. I put my palms forcefully against my eyes as if to force the tears back into them. I wasn't going to be able to handle another minute of this.

I kept going over mine and Clark's conversation over and over again in my head. The look of absolute pain I could see in his eyes was so intense. Was the secret that Clark was hiding from me so horrible that he could look like he would rather die than reveal it to me?

Not knowing was killing me. I love Clark. And now I know for sure that he still loves me. All those sleepless nights. All that heartache was for nothing. All this because of a secret that obviously ruled Clark's life and forced him to forgo a life filled with pleasure. Instead he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. A weight he won't let me help him carry. Why?

I grabbed my jacket and raced outside into the cofeeshop. One way or another this was going to stop today.

"Susan?" I called out hurriedly. I saw Susan, one of my best waitresses, at the counter talking to a customer and I made my way toward her putting on my jacket along the way.

"Susan I know it's last minute but do you think you could cover for me? I have something important I have to take care of." As I spoke to her I took my car keys out of my pocket and started to jog toward the door not even bothering to get an answer, such was my state of mind. I thought I heard her mumble a "Yeah sure." But I couldn't bet on it. My mind was set on one thing and one thing only. Clark Kent.

As I rode in my jeep towards the Kent Farm, images of all that Clark and I had been through together once again flashed through my mind. All those times he was there for me and of course all the times he was not. When my life was in danger Clark was there to save the day. When I just needed a friend Clark was there as well……………sometimes.

The more I actually sat there and really thought about it, Clark always seemed to be there just in the nick of time, no matter how dangerous it was. There were so many unanswered questions. So many coincidences.

I lifted my hand to my head and passed it over my forehead wearily as my thoughts grew more morbid. Clark must carry around a handbook on every excuse in the world. Every time I questioned him about one of his amazing feats he'd get this look in his eye. He was………..scared. What was he so scared of? Every time I needed the proverbial shoulder to cry on, there was Clark. I always went to him fear free. I always wore my heart on my sleeve. Why couldn't he do the same?

I pressed my foot on the accelerator and felt the jeep give a jump of speed. The closer I got to the Kent Farm the more anxious I became. I needed answers and I needed them now. The words 'I can't' didn't mean sht to me anymore.

I parked my jeep outside the Kents house and started to approach it before I noticed the unfamiliar car and the lights inside his loft.

Curiosity got the best of me and I approached the loft quietly not really knowing why I was trying so hard not to be heard. I couldn't explain it but there was a noticeable tension in the air. If my past experiences taught me anything, going with my gut instinct was usually the best course of action.

I crept into the bottom half of the loft and felt my stomach turn at the sound of the voices.

Alexa. I had completely forgotten Clark had a, ahem, non-date with her tonight. I

groaned inwardly and turned toward the barn door to exit already resigning myself to talk to him tomorrow.

Their voices drifted down to me as I made my way to the door and the words "My powers" shot out at me like a gunshot. But it wasn't Clark making the reference it was Alexa.

Feeling ever so slightly ashamed of myself, I made my way back to the loft and to the bottom of the steps. I could just make out their figures at the top of the stairs. I concentrated all of my attention to their conversation.

"I always seemed to know how to make people feel better. I always sensed just what to say to make a person smile………."

My eyes went wide as Alexa told her life story to Clark. Jealousy and a white hot flash of anger rode up my spine as I heard Alexa proposition Clark. My first impulse was to walk up there and set this girl straight but then rationality came over and I realized how dangerous she could be.

I started to look around for something, anything to use as a weapon. I looked back up just in time to see Alexa plastering herself to Clark's lips. A familiar ache went straight down my body into my stomach and on instinct I lifted my legs to run right out of there.

Wait Lana. Just wait. Remember, this chick has some type of mind control abilities. This is one of those rare times where it's literally "not what it looks like".

I forced myself to look up at the embracing pair and that's when I noticed the sweat that had broken up over Clark's brow. His face was scrunched up into an extreme look of concentration. He was trying to fight this with all he was worth!

My eyes cleared and my heart fluttered back with hope. I looked back down into the barn and saw what I had to use for a weapon.

End of Part 5