Lex had called Lana, convincing her to spend the night at home; getting a good night's sleep, assuring her Clark was doing alright.
It was almost 11am, when Lana entered the hospital again. Once she was granted permission, she entered the ICU, making her way back to Clark's bed. She felt guilty for leaving him so long, but Lex had been so persuasive. What if he worse? Clark had desperately needed her that first night, and she felt horrible at the thought of him scared and alone- no, Lex was there, he wasn't alone, but still...
Lana pulled back the curtain to find Clark had his bed propped up, and he was sitting up talking to Lex. She felt such a wave of relief sweep over her body, it was incredible. Clark had drastically improved from the previous night. His color had returned, and so had the radiance of life and spirit.
It didn't take long for her to observe that his inner strength had returned too; he was once again the strong, valiant man she knew, even if his body was still incredibly weak.
"Hi, Lana." He flashed her, a smile that set her at ease.
"You look a lot better." She said, occupying the other chair by his bed.
"Yeah, I knew he was going to be fine when he was awake at 8am and not threatening to kill anyone." Lex teased, lighting the mood, as he touched on the common knowledge of Clark's inability to function in the morning. Lana loved Lex for it. He could be cool, and joke, and make Clark feel okay. She wished she could do the same, and have the ability to fill the awkward silences, not make them. But it was so hard when you are staring at the person you love most, in a hospital bed.
Clark chuckled, "If I wasn't confined to this bed; I'd beat your ass."
"Yeah, he's gonna live." Lex smirked at Lana.
Lex sensed Lana and Clark needed a moment alone, and he hadn't eaten in hours, "Well, since I don't share in Clark's sudden love of the morning, I'm going to go get a cup of coffee and something to eat. I'll be back in an hour." Lex smiled.
"No, you won't. Go home Lex, I don't want you sitting around here. I'll be fine." Clark did not intent to let Lex live at the hospital the next few days.
Lex knew Clark would win out in the end anyways, so he just submitted, "Alright. I'll see you tomorrow morning. If you get bored just call me." Lex slipped Clark's cell, which he had retrieved, onto the table next to Clark's bed, "Bye." He gently slapped Clark on the shoulder, in a fraternal gesture before leaving.
Lana didn't know weather to be thankful or fearful that Lex left. She could have time alone with Clark, but that was what she was afraid of; she wouldn't have his small talk or jokes to fill the silences to rely and fall back on.
She scooted close to his bed, gripping his hand in hers, "How was the night? Did you get any sleep?"
"Yeah, I was fine." Clark saw the worried look in her eyes, that she was trying to suppress, and it made him feel guilty, causing her all that pain, "I don't even remember the surgery or the first night at all, but I hear I was pretty messed up, saying a lot of crazy stuff." Clark tried to lighten the atmosphere.
Lana was glad he didn't remember, because he would have been embarrassed knowing he had broken down in front of her, "Yeah." Her throat went tight, trying to suppress tears. Why was she crying? He was okay... maybe that was why. He was mentally strong now... and she could be weak... she didn't have to be brave enough for the both of them.
Lana desperately tried to prevent the tears that were about to fall, but she couldn't. She didn't want to cry in front of Clark, but she couldn't defend against them, as her tears fell.
"Lana." Clark said softly, squeezing her hand, "Don't cry."
She looked at his pained expression, "I'm sorry Clark... I just... seeing you there and..." She felt so stupid. He was the one who was shot, yet she was acting like the invalid.
"Lana..." Clark pulled her close to, forcing her to sit on the side of the bed, as he embraced her, "Don't worry about me. I'm fine."
Lana nodded her head, as her head rested against his chest. Clark wasn't convinced, "Lana, you have the hard part. I just get to sit back in bed and relax."
Lana let out a half sob, half laugh, "Sure, Clark."
"I'm serious, don't worry about me. It's harder for you than me." Clark repeated.
Lana knew Clark was just being strong for her, but it helped, because a small parted of her believed him. Lana had been careful during their embrace not to apply pressure to the right side of his chest.
Clark tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear, and kissed her gently on the lips.
Lana kissed him back, and after a few moments Clark deepened the kiss, slipping his tongue into her mouth, as she wrapped a hand around his neck.
Lana felt so much more nervous kissing him now, because she had to think about where she was pushing, or pressing her body weight, because she didn't want to hurt him.
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"I'm picking up some food on the way over, do you want anything?" Lana asked Lex over the phone.
"Nope, I already ate." Lex said, "But thanks."
"Does Clark want anything? He doesn't seem to eat any of the hospital food." Lana observed.
"Um, I'll ask him, hold on..." Lex said.
Lana could hear Clark cursing loudly in the background, "Lex, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, the nurse is just changing his bandaging. I'll ask him in a second." Lex implied to her, to hold on.
Lana could still hear Clark using some choice words, obviously it was a painful procedure.
"Um, Lana... just get him whatever you're having." Lex said, obviously it wasn't a good time to ask.
"Okay." Lana said.
"Oh, and by the time you get here, they will have moved him." Lex told her.
"Moved him?" Lana inquired.
"He is doing well enough that they are moving him out of the ICU, into a regular room. I'm not sure which one, you'll have to ask the nurse." Lex hung up.
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Lana found Clark's room and stepped inside.
"Hey, Lana." Clark grinned.
Lana walked past Clark's sleeping roommate, to the farthest end of the small room, where Clark's bed was, "They moved you, that's good."
"Yeah, I got a real room now. Jealous?" Clark teased.
Lana laughed, "I brought you something to eat." She pulled out a sub sandwich, "You aren't supposed to have anything greasy."
"Thanks." He smiled, "I don't trust the food here."
"What do you mean?" She asked, sensing it was more than just distaste.
"You never know if there is any special ingredients in it, my dad's treat." Clark remembered how Lionel had drugged Lex before he could uncover his murder.
"You don't think he would poison you, do you? I mean he is in jail, Lex saw him." Lana thought back, and realized how much of a miracle it was that Lex had actually found Lionel. Lex said that Lionel should have fled the country, but he guessed that he was still a bit rattled. Lex still couldn't believe Lionel would stay.
"I don't know, but I know he is capable of it, he has contacts, in jail or not." Clark told her. Lana felt for him, having to worry and watch his back on top of all the rest of his injuries.
But Clark wasn't taking any chances.
Lana had never discussed what happened with Clark, "I still can't believe he would shoot you." Lionel was evil, but Clark was his favorite son.
Clark smiled, "I knew he would."
Lana couldn't grasp how Clark could smile at the subject, "You're happy he shot you?"
"Well... yeah. He'll go to jail." Clark felt at ease, despite the circumstances. He beat Lionel.
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Clark slid slowly into the car, "I wish I could drive." He complained to Lana.
Lana laughed, "Are you happy to be going home, and finally get out of the hospital?" She started the car, and backed out.
"Yes." Clark laughed, leaning back in the seat.
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&TBC...

Again, that was for my brother. The inspiration and person who gave me the knowledge for that piece.

Okay, please R&R! Thanks!