"Hey Pete, the doc said that Chloes ok but shes pretty busted up" Guess he was done with the whole fresh air thing for now.

"Awesome, that's really good to hear" I motioned him to sit. "Whats up?"

"Oh nothing its just that Mr. Sullivan is with Chloe and he'll probably be a while"

"Alright….Hey Clark?" I knew this question was coming.

"Yeah Pete?..." I really don't want to answer this.

"Why would Chloe had even gone outside in the first place?"

Because she was following after me…." I'm not sure Pete, I mean-"

"And where'd you go?" Now I wish he hadn't interrupted me. Dam, what the hell can I tell him.

"Well Pete I was….I was-"

"Clark you can go see her now." That was close. Removing myself from this coffee soaked chair is quite favorable though.

"Is she awake?" Mr. Sullivan turned back towards me.

"Yes, and shes waiting for you" Our earlier conversation was obviously hot in his mind. A simple nod on my behalf allowed him to relax a bit.

Here I am walking along, staring through each and every window I can. I'm curious. About the baby being held in room 142, the Police man with a hole in his arm in room 143, but really its just to keep myself from thinking about Chloe. To keep myself from crying. Room 144. Chloe's room. The door swung open easier than they usually do here.

"Clark…." Well at least I don't have to break the ice.

"Hey Chlo, how are ya feelin?"

"Dandy, they pumped me with a titanic serving of morphine"

"You amaze me"

"And whys that?" She was looking for a laugh.

"No matter what you still have your wit" Yup this got her.

She cracked a smile my way. "Clark….why'd you leave"

I cant tell her. "Chloe I really don't want to talk about this now, I promise in a few days or so we will but please, just not now."

"Alright Clark, that sounds fine" Yeah, shes disappointed and probably angry, which she has every right to be, but I really do hope to get this ouuta the way within the next few days.

Her silence is deafening, I'll change the subject, "Do you know how long you're staying here?"

"They figure about two weeks…." Tears streamlined her rosy skin. I reached out for her face. "Clark…."

I swept my hand up her cheek, waning away the tears, resting it on her forehead. She closed her eyes. "Chlo, I'm so sorry….for everything. For leaving you, for not being able to save you….I couldn't save you." I'm watching her place her hand on my face but I can't feel it. " I couldn't save you. It was my fault….and you're hurting because of me"

"No, I'm hurting beca-"

"You have to leave now sir." What an impatient nurse.

"I'll just be another moment miss."

She wasn't going to have any of it. "No, you will leave now sir"

This wasn't going to work. "I'll be back soon Chloe"

Her faint eyes flickered with life for just a moment, "I know"

I left with such a sickness. Sleep didn't come easy that night.

School went the same as always the following week, except without Chloe. Or the Torch. Petes seemed bothered all day. I wonder whats the matter.

"Students, school is ending early today and all after school activities are cancelled" Principal Reynolds' voice boomed out of the loud speakers. "For the close friends of Mrs. Lang and all the others lost during the tornadoes, the school staff sends out their best hopes and wishes for you all."

Oh no. That's it. "Pete, Nell isn't haven't lana's funeral today is she?"

"Yeah Clark" He seemed uncertain of something. "You mean Nell didn't tell you?"

"No….she didn't" And she probably doesn't want me to know ever. "Pete, Ill see you there. I've got to go do something". I jogged through the front doors. I confirmed to myself the lot was clear, my body launched into full speed. Nell wasn't going to keep me from this.

A LuthorCorp truck, whys that here? "Hello?" I squeezed through the front door a bit. There were workers everywhere packing up all in sight. "Nell?"

"Clark….what a….surprise…." Her voice drifted to me, descending from the stairs. "I can guess why you're-"

"Why would you do this? You know how much Lana meant to me, I cant believe you didn't want me to come?" She was pissing me off.

"How dare you" her words….so cynical. "You're the reason my Lana is dead. You let us all down. You failed her and you failed her family. How can I live with the guilt if I let her killer stand amongst the people who truly cared for her. Get out".

I was Lana's killer in her eyes? How could she even come to think that? "I'll see you this afternoon Nell".