Well, this is the last chapter. We hope you enjoy it. Please read and review. It makes us happy. Sorry this is so long, but we wanted to finish this up. We may post an authors notes chapter soon to answer some questions people have had. We'll see. Enjoy.

Chapter 7:

Clark stood on the porch for a moment, not quite processing what had just happened. He had never intended to upset his parents, and it broke his heart to see his mother cry. He had to get his life back. Feeling his hopelessness return, he headed back to the graveyard where he had first seen the man who made this happen.

When he got to the graveyard, he knelt down by Lana's grave once more. How could he have wanted this? He had always thought his life only brought hurt. If only he had known the hurt that would come from the absence of his life, he never would have wanted to leave.

Clark thought about the events that had taken place with his parents and his friends. He wanted everything to be back to normal. He wanted to be there to comfort his parents and to talk with his friends like they used to. He wanted to just be there with them and have them know him.

As he remembered how things used to be- all the smiles and even the tears -his own tears began to sting his eyes again. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I ever wanted this," he said to the empty graveyard, hoping somehow those he loved would understand. He looked down at the gravestone. More memories played out in his mind. That's the thing about Clark Kent, he's not always there when you want him, but he's always there when you need him... Maybe some of us want to celebrate the day you came into our lives.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you Lana. I would have if I could. It's all my fault. I just wanted to stop the pain I caused you. I never thought it would make things worse. I wish it would all go back to normal. I want my life back."

Just then he heard footsteps in the graveyard. He was hoping the stranger had returned, but when he turned around he was facing his mother. "Mom?"

Martha answered him with a look of worry. "Sweetheart, are you all right? I was getting worried. I came home looking for you and you weren't there. Pete said he hadn't seen you, and Chloe and Lana didn't know where you were. We've been looking everywhere for you."

A smile broke across his face as he strode over and gave her a big hug. He didn't want to let go. "I'm sorry mom," he whispered.

Martha pulled away looking at her son. "Sorry for what Clark?"

"Oh never mind," Clark said. As he put his arm around his mother and headed toward the hospital, he looked at her again. "Mom?"

"Yes baby?"

"I love you."

"I love you too sweetheart," Martha said smiling.

Clark was happy that everything was back to normal. His father was awake now and Martha had told Clark that he was over the worst. Clark went into his father's room with his mother. Jonathan looked up as the door opened. "When are they gonna let me outta here," he asked with a tired grin.

Clark walked up and carefully hugged his father. "I'm really sorry dad. I should have been there."

"Son," Jonathan began, so much like Clark had imagined it that he couldn't help but grin. "It's not your fault," he continued, "Farming accidents happen all the time. I'm going to be fine."

Clark tried to believe his father and thinking of his nightmare- for whether it was real or not, it had been a nightmare- he said, "I'm just happy you're okay, dad. I love you, you know that?"

"Well, I love you too son," Jonathan replied, though he looked a little shocked at Clark's sudden expression of his feelings.

Both of his parents had noticed that something was up. When they asked him, he wasn't quite sure how to explain. He wasn't even sure he understood it himself. He finally decided to give them a part of the truth, which he had done so much in hiding his secret, that it was second nature.

"I just realized today how important everyone in my life is- all my friends, and especially you two. I'm really glad you're my parents."

As the family embraced, Clark knew that he would never be happier.

Just then Lex opened the door. "Sorry to bother you. I just wanted to tell you that my specialists have agreed to stay until you check out Mr. Kent, so if there's anything you need, they can help you."

Martha smiled, "That's great Lex. Thanks again."

Lex looked at Jonathan and there was an awkward pause until Jonathan held out a hand, "Yes, thank you Lex."

Clark watched the scene amazed. He never thought his father would accept help from Lex Luthor, but perhaps he had put prejudice aside when Lex had purchased their farm. As Lex stepped out of the room, Clark stood and followed him.

"Hey Lex," Clark called. "Thanks."

Lex came back to where Clark stood, just outside his father's room. "It's no problem Clark, that's what specialists are paid to do."

"No I don't just mean for that," Clark said, "I mean everything. Especially for buying the farm. I never got a chance to thank you for that."

"It's the least I could do for all the times you've helped me out. You've been a true friend."

"I guess we're even then." Clark grinned.

As Lex walked down the hall toward the elevator, two familiar, and extremely welcome faces emerged from it. Chloe and Pete looked worried as they came to where Clark stood.

"Clark, my man, we were worried about ya. Where've you been?" Pete gave Clark a friendly smack on the arm.

"I've just been thinking," then at the worried look of his two friends he added, "I was just worried about my dad."

Chloe spoke up with a grin,"Well, we're glad you're safe. Although a missing Clark Kent would have made a front page Daily Planet column. I can see it now: Boy Who's Always There, Suddenly Nowhere."

Clark grinned too. It was great to have them both know him again, but he couldn't shake the memory of earlier. "Hey Pete, you know I'm your friend right- that I'm always here for you?"

Pete looked at Clark like he was crazy. "Yeah Clark, sure."

Chloe looked at him strangely. "Are you sure you're alright Clark?" Then she got a mischievous twinkle in her eye, the twinkle that Clark had so longed for earlier. "We could always have you admitted to Belle Reve for some psychiatric help."

Pete and Chloe burst into laughter and Clark, who was the only one struck by the irony of the scene tried to force a laugh himself.

"Well I gotta go home. Someone's gotta take care of the farm until my dad get's back." Clark said.

Chloe's laughter subsided and she looked up at Clark. "We'll go with you if you want. You know, give you some company."

"Thanks Chloe, I appreciate the offer," Clark started, smiling down at her, "but I'll be fine. I'd like some time alone."

Clark sat in the loft thinking about the events of the day. He was grateful that his dad was doing better and that he had been able to spend time with his friends. The only person he hadn't seen was Lana. He was anticipating seeing her, and trying to figure out what he was going to say. He had been pushing her away again and the past couple days had made him realize how important she was to him. Wasn't choosing not to be part of her life, the same as if he'd never come? If it wasn't too late, maybe he could fix his mistake. He was pulled out of his thoughts by Lana's voice.

"Hey there stranger. How's your dad?"

Clark smiled "He's good. He should be home in a couple days."

Lana nodded "And how are you?"

Clark shrugged "I'm fine."

Lana walked up and sat next to Clark, "Are you sure Clark? I do believe I've known you long enough to at least be able to tell when you're not okay."

Clark looked at Lana amazed with how well she knew him. Even with his constant attempt to keep things from her she always seemed to know. "It's just been a really strange day."

"I'm always here if you need to talk Clark. You know that right?

Clark nodded. "Thanks Lana," he started, but he wasn't sure what to say. The image of Lana's grave kept popping into is mind. "I'm just grateful you've been a part of my life." He blurted out. Lana looked surprised. She clearly had not expected him to say that. He continued more slowly now. "I've always wondered what my life would have been like if my parents hadn't adopted me. I realize now that even as great as my life could have been with my real parents, I would never want to live without those that I love. I'm grateful for your friendship and all the time we've had together."

Lana wasn't sure what to say. It was almost as if Clark was opening up to her. She hesitated, worried that she would say something that would make him back away, like he always did. She finally replied honestly, as always. "I'm glad you've been a part of my life too Clark. I know what you mean. I've thought before how my life would be different if the meteor shower had never happened and my parents were still alive. I somehow always imagined that my life would be perfect if they were here. I don't know though," Lana shrugged. "Maybe it was meant to happen. The meteor shower may have made my life better somehow. We don't always know why things happen Clark, but maybe if we could see how certain events have changed our lives it would give us a different perspective on things."

"It's not that great to see," Clark said, and at a look from Lana he quickly added, "I guess."

Lana smile questioningly, "Okay Clark."

"I guess it would give us a new perspective though," Clark continued, "Maybe help us realize what's important to us. And who is." Clark reached over and took hold of Lana's hand.

Lana was surprised, but relieved to finally have Clark talking about the way he felt. She gave his hand a little squeeze and smiled up at him. "Yeah."

Clark reflected again on his nightmare. He remembered wishing he could just have his life back to normal and being willing to do anything to get it that way. But he realized it would never be back to normal. He would always have the remembrance of his nightmare weighing down on him. That memory would change his life. Whether the changes would make it better or worse he wasn't sure. But at this moment the changes were definitely for the better. He pulled himself out of his thoughts and smiled down at Lana.