"Lana, why don't you just buy my dad some balloons?" Clark asked as he wandered around Smallville General Hospital's gift shop.
"You know, Clark," Lana began, "you could've just gone to see your dad first." She bent down slightly to look at 'get well' cards on the bottom rack.
"I was being polite and waiting for you—but now I realized that when Lana Lang goes shopping for a 'get well' present, she goes all out," Clark said, indicated the bunch of cards and a balloon in her hand.
"Well, I'm just trying to narrow down my choices, Clark," Lana said, rolling her eyes.
"Remind me to never go shopping with you." Clark watched as she picked up another batch of cards.
Lana laughed. "Don't worry…if we ever go shopping together, the only job you have to do is to carry my bags," Lana joked.
"In that case, I'm going to take your suggestion to go see my dad now," Clark said, backing out of the gift shop, almost toppling over an elderly lady.
Lana laughed as he profusely apologized to her. She then went back to picking out the best card in the batch she had in her hand. She had put the balloon back, deciding that maybe a balloon was a little too much.
"Your boyfriend sure is handsome."
Lana spun around and saw the old lady behind her, examining a bouquet of lilacs.
"Oh, he's not my boyfriend," Lana said, blushing. "We're just friends."
"Hmm…" The lady went back to examining the lilacs, peering at them through her spectacles. "That's too bad. He sure is a fine catch—polite too. You can't find men like that around these days. Do you know what I mean?"
Lana flushed even redder. "Yes, I do," she said politely.
"These days, men spit and curse at every chance they have. Now, back in my day, all the men were gentlemen. They would open doors for you and even carry your shopping bags. That's when the sex was better too—men would come rushing home after work, begging for it. I remember when my husband did. Nowadays, they're all working late, probably having an affair with the blonde chick that's half their age tending the local bar."
Lana didn't know whether to laugh or to nod.
"Oh, I'm sorry, was I babbling again?" The lady turned to Lana and put down the lilacs. She extended a bony hand that Lana shook. "I'm May Sparks—you can call me May."
Lana smiled. "I'm Lana Lang. And, you can call me Lana."
"Lana…what a pretty name," May commented. "I'm here visiting my grandson—he broke his leg in a soccer accident. Such a violent sport, don't you think so?"
"Yes, very," Lana nodded. When May looked at her expectantly, Lana added, "I'm here with Clark—he's the one who bumped into you. We're here visiting his father."
"Are you sure you two aren't dating?" May peered at her and Lana felt as if she was under a microscope.
"Umm…no, we're not," Lana told her. "We used to date," Lana shared.
"Ohh…well this seems like a juicy story," May said. "Why don't you tell me about it while you pay for that card?"
Lana smiled, beginning to warm up to May. "I'd love to."
Clark stopped in front of room one hundred and two. He took a deep breath and opened the door.
"Clark?"
He smiled at his mother who was sitting in a chair next to his father. "Hi mom. Hi dad."
"Son," Jonathon greeted, indicated that he move closer to the bed. He clasped Clark's hand in his.
"How are you feeling?" Clark asked, feeling a lump form in his throat from seeing his dad lying in a hospital bed.
"I feel as healthy as a puppy," Jonathon said with a smile. "Now, if only your mother and the doctors would let me out."
Clark and his mom shared a look.
"Dad, I have to admit—you look fine to me," Clark said. "But, I'm sure the doctors have their reasons for keeping you in."
"Yeah and their reasons stink," Jonathon stated. "I feel fine and you just said that I looked fine."
"Jonathon, I think it's best that you stay for another day," Martha said, patting her husband's arm.
"I thought you had trouble breathing, dad," Clark said, looking around at the equipment, not seeing a single respiratory helper.
"I did. But, the doctors say it was just an allergic reaction to something. I'll be fine, Clark."
"I know," Clark looked down. "Dad, I know I should've been here yesterday…but I was scared."
Clark saw his dad glance at his mom.
"Clark, there's no reason to be scared. I'm not going anywhere, son." Jonathon readjusted himself in the bed. "An allergic reaction to who knows what won't stop me from feeding the chickens and giving you a lecture here and there."
Before Clark could reply, Lana walked in with a card in her hand.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Lana said.
"Lana…this is a surprise," Martha said with a pleasant smile on her face. She turned to Clark and tried to gage his reaction. Clark kept his face down.
Lana paced closer to the Kents and placed the card on the bedside table. "Well, Clark asked me here…so…"
"Oh, really?" Martha looked at her son, a smile playing on her lips.
"Yeah," Clark muttered, knowing that his mother was probably concocting a scheme to set him and Lana up. "Lana helped me with the bake sale yesterday."
"The bake sale I told you to cancel?"
"Clark and I didn't want your hard work to go down the drain—I hope that's okay," Lana explained, wringing her hands nervously.
"No, I'm just surprised. Thank you." Martha hugged her and then embraced her son, much to his embarrassment.
"Umm…they only had a teddy bear and a balloon with 'I love you' on it, so, I just got you that, Mr. Kent." Lana waved to the card. "It's sort of plain…"
Jonathon picked up the card and smiled. "No, it's great. Thank you, Lana."
Clark could have sworn he heard Lana let out a breath. He looked at her curiously and she blushed.
Martha noticed the displays of 'affection' between the two. "Well, it's such a beautiful day. What are you two up to today?"
"Oh, Clark asked me to go with him to the fair later," Lana blurted out. When she noticed that both parents were staring at Clark curiously, she added, "As friends."
"Well, in that case─" Jonathon glanced around then looked at his wife. "Martha, can you give them some money—I don't have my wallet."
Martha quickly dug in her purse, pulled out some bills and handed them to Clark.
"You don't have to do that, Mrs. Kent," Lana said, shaking her head. "I have money and─"
"Lana! Don't argue with them," Clark joked. "Free money is free money." He stuffed the bills in his pocket and thanked his parents.
Lana felt herself being pushed out of the room by Clark who had a hand on her back.
"Let's go before they change their minds," Clark said, laughing.
"Bye, have fun!" Martha called as Jonathon waved.
Lana laughed some more as Clark grabbed her hand and began speed walking down the hallways to the exit.
"Clark, slow down! We have the money now—there's no need to run."
He glanced back at her. "Believe me, Lana. If you knew my parents, you would run."
Lana giggled.
"Whoa!" Clark cried. He stopped suddenly and caused Lana to crash into him.
"I'm so sorry!" Clark exclaimed.
Lana peaked her head out from behind his tall frame and saw May Sparks with her lilacs and teddy bear.
"Two in one day—this isn't some kind of plot to run me over, is it?" May said, glancing at Clark up and down.
"No, Madam," Clark said, looking at his shoes. "I was just─"
"He was just excited about the fair," Lana explained, stepping in. "Hi, May."
"Hello, Lana." May beamed at her. Then, she turned to Clark. "Don't worry about it." She waved her hand as if it was nothing.
"You two have fun now," May walked passed them and winked at Lana.
Lana blushed and Clark and her continued walking, their hands still joined together.
"Lana, is it just me or was she checking me out?"
Lana took one look at his freaked out expression and laughed.
"So, now that I've officially kicked your butt at bumper cars, what do you want to do now?"
"Find another game that you won't beat me at."
Lana laughed and popped another piece of pink cotton candy in her mouth. She and Clark were at Smallville's annual fair, ambling along in the evening light. The afternoon had faded into the spectacular beginnings of an orange and pinkish sunset. Before it had only been them and a few anxious kids with their parents who were brave enough to face the afternoon heat. Now, more of the couples and students of Smallville High flocked to the fair in hopes of reliving some of pre-prom stress of finding a dress and tuxedo.
"I think I know a game," Lana commented, coming to a halt.
"What?"
"That one." Lana shifted her cotton candy to one hand and used the other to point to a booth in front of them.
Clark glanced at it and a confused look crossed his face. "You want us to compare our strength?"
"No, I want you to win me something," Lana said, pulling him toward the booth, eyeing the stuffed animals hanging from the top of the booth.
"And which lovely plushie does Miss Lang want?" Clark asked, smiling at her.
Lana pointed and her eyes seemed to light up.
"I should have known." Clark laughed and viewed the white unicorn plushie.
"Please," Lana whined, tugging on Clark's arm as if she were seven years old.
"Okay, alright," Clark said, chuckling. He dug in his pocket for his wallet and pulled out some bills. He waved it at the person in charge of the booth.
Rudely, he grabbed it from Clark and asked, "What are you going for?"
"Umm…that unicorn."
Surprisingly, the guy laughed. "You'll never get that one, kid. No one's done it yet."
Lana watched as Clark's eyes narrowed and there seemed to be a determined glint in there.
"You know what…why don't we try another booth, Clark?" Lana suggested, not wanting to cause any tension between Clark and the idiot running the booth.
"No, I'll try my luck with this one," Clark said firmly.
The guy handed him a metal mallet instead of a wooden one. Clark took it without much effort and Lana was beginning to wonder if that was also part of the mystery of Clark Kent.
Clark staggered over to the flimsy board with a bell at the top. He lifted the mallet effortlessly and hit the bottom of the board that would push the metal object to make a ding with the bell.
Ding!
Lana's eyes widened as Clark dropped the hammer to the ground and walked back to the booth.
"So, do I get the unicorn?"
The guy looked at Clark suspiciously and then sighed. He shoved the unicorn at Clark's face and turned back to reading his playboy magazine, grumbling loudly.
Lana smiled when Clark dropped the unicorn in her arms. They continued strolling along the booths, occasionally bumping into a classmate.
"So, how did you do it?"
Clark looked up from the ground and replied, "What do you mean?"
Lana smiled uncertainly at him, hugging the white unicorn closer to her. "Lift that mallet without a sweat."
Clark avoided her gaze and shoved his hands in his pockets. "I guess I've been working out."
"Or, maybe it's another one of your amazing abilities."
Clark looked up, surprised. He quickly hid his shock and found the ground interesting again.
After a moment of silence, Clark finally said, "Maybe it is."
A small smile twitched at the corners of Lana's lips.
"Oh, look, Clark!" Lana exclaimed, pulling his hand suddenly. "The ferris wheel!"
Clark followed her line of vision and saw a huge wheel spinning, carrying its passengers up into the golden sky.
Clark felt his hand being tugged in the direction of it and put his foot down, pulling Lana back.
"Umm…Lana…I'm not sure about this…." Clark stammered. Then, noticing a pout coming onto her angelic face, he hastily added, "But, if you want to go on, I'll go with you."
To his astonishment, Lana threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly.
"What was that for?" Clark asked with a smile when Lana released him.
"For being you," Lana said quietly. Lana took hold of his hand again and led him to the line.
After a few minutes, the pair was at the front of the line. The operator had just unloaded the previous group and Clark and Lana were next.
"Ladies first." Clark held his hand out in front of him, indicating for Lana to go first.
Lana giggled and was about to put her foot down on the cart when someone called out.
"My baby! My baby! Where is she?"
Murmurs ran through the crowd like a wild fire. Lana glanced at Clark and saw him looking at the wheel, concentrating on something. His eyes widened and Lana suddenly knew why.
"Oh my God!" Lana gasped, pulling on Clark's arm in fear. "Clark, she's still up there!"
More murmurs and then shouting ensued in the crowd. Everyone was gazing up at a seven year old girl who was jumping up and down on one of the carts. She seemed to have not a care in the world, but below her was a different story.
"My baby! Someone saved her!" the mother sobbed.
"Look!" someone else shouted.
Lana snapped her head back up and saw Clark climbing the wheel.
"Oh my God…" Lana whispered, fear coursing through her. Why did he have to play hero now?
Lana and the crowd watched as Clark made the journey up to the highest cart. Lana almost screamed when Clark lost hold of a bar. To her and the crowd's relief, Clark plunged on.
When Clark finally reached the girl, a thought unexpectedly struck Lana's mind. How was he going to coax her down?
After viewing a few fruitless attempts of Clark's, Lana slipped through the metal bearings that kept the line in order.
"Hey, get back here!"
Lana ignored the operator and cried, "Clark!"
Lana saw him glance down and she was almost certain that he wouldn't recognize her from how high up he was. But, he did.
He waved and Lana waved her unicorn back. She pointed to it and then to the girl. Clark began to climb back down quickly.
Lana handed the stuffed unicorn to him as soon as he jumped down from the big wheel.
"Be careful," Lana warned, trying not to inflict worry in her voice.
Instead of speaking, he grabbed her hand and squeezed it once.
Lana's breathing grew harsher. She tried to not think of the possibility that he could slip and— Stop it, Lana ordered, shaking her head.
Lana's state of mind became calmer after Clark began the descent down the wheel. He was carrying the girl in one arm and the other concentrating on the trip downward.
She let out a sigh when Clark jumped the last metal bearings. She made her way over to him, trying to get a hold on her emotions of relief.
"Clark…" Lana whispered. Then, realizing that he still had the young girl in his arms, she took her from him and went over to the crowd, trying to spot the frantic mother.
"My baby!" The mother took her daughter from Lana. Lana smiled when she showered her daughter with kisses and hugs. The bond between a mother and daughter was certainly unique—instead of spankings and reprimanding for disobeying, there were smiles of relief and cries of "Mommy!"
"Thank you for saving my little girl," the young mother said to Clark who was standing behind Lana. "I don't know how I can thank you…."
Behind her, Lana could sense him blushing.
"Just seeing the two of you reunited is good enough for me," Clark said with a slight smile. "And it was Lana who thought of giving her the unicorn…"
Lana flushed when the mother directed her attention to her.
"Thank you." The mother gave her a gentle smile and handed back the unicorn.
"Oh, you can keep it." Lana handed back the unicorn to the little girl. "Clark can always win me another one."
The little girl giggled and petted the unicorn.
"Well, I better get going now—my husband's going to have a heart attack when he sees this on the news. Thank you again—both of you."
Clark nodded and shoved his hands in his pockets.
"Oh, and Lana, hold on to him—he's a fine catch," the mother called.
"He sure is," Lana said quietly, glancing at a blushing Clark.
"Clark Kent to the rescue—again," Lana commented a few moments later. The two of them were walking back to Clark's truck since the media kept following them, trying to get Clark to do an interview.
"Hey, I would have never even got her down if it wasn't for you," Clark said with a grin. "You're the one who thought of giving her the unicorn."
Lana laughed. "I just put myself in her shoes—what would Nell always bribe me with when I was seven?"
"A stuffed horse?" Clark opened the car door for her and jogged around to the driver's side.
Lana waited until he got situated, then replied, "Actually, it was a doll with red hair—sort of my replacement Barbie."
They both laughed.
"Aren't you going to start the car?" Lana asked after a few minutes of silence.
Clark glanced at her and asked, "What do you think of a horror movie-a-thon?"
Lana stared at him, taken aback. She smiled slowly. "Throw in a couple of chick flicks and I'm in."