Lana decided she wanted to go back to the mansion. It was almost 2am, and she figured that Clark had probably come back... at least she hoped he had. Surprisingly, Jonathan let her.

I push my fingers into my eyes, Its the only thing, That slowly stops the ache, But its made of all, The things I have to take,
Jesus it never ends, It pushed it's way inside, If the pain goes on...

Lex heard shuffling downstairs in the mansion. Lex sighed in relief, assuming it was Clark. He made his way downstairs to find Clark standing in the middle of the room. Before Lex could say anything, he heard the door open behind him and Lana walked in.
"Oh thank God he's back." Lana said as she saw Clark"Where was he"
"I don't know. I just found him." Lex stated.
Clark turned around, when he heard their voices. He stumbled as he turned around.
Lex saw the gun in Clark's hand before Lana"Clark what are you doing"

I have screamed until my veins collapsed, I've waited as my times elapsed, Now all I do is live with so much fate , I wished for this, I bitched at that, I've left behind this little fact, You cannot kill what you did not create, I've gotta say what I've gotta say and then I swear I'll go away, But I can't promise you'll enjoy the noise, I guess I'll save the best for last, My future seems like one big past, You laughed at me cuz you left me no choice

"I should have just shot him, Lex." Clark pressed the palm of his hand to his temples, gun still in hand"But I was weak and couldn't do it..."
As Lex approached Clark he realized Clark was drunk, from the way he was standing, the slur in his speech, and he reeked of alcohol"Give me the gun." Lex grabbed Clark's wrist, squeezing hard, forcing Clark to drop the gun, and it fell to the floor.
"Now he'll be out when I'm 19... I didn't have the balls to just shoot him, it's my fault." Clark said feeling majorly depressed. The high that the alcohol had provided had worn off hours ago.

I push my fingers into my eyes, Its the only thing, That slowly stops the ache, If the pain goes on, I'm not gonna make it,

Pull me back together, Or separate the skin from bone, Leave me all the pieces, Then you can leave me alone, Tell me the reality is better than the dream, But I've found out the hard way, Nothing is what it seems

"Clark, stop it. You know it's not your fault. Just let it go, you can't do anything about it." Lex couldn't afford to let Clark sulk for even a day, it led to worse things. Clark had reacted by getting drunk, which was not only very dangerous with his state of mind, but it was harmful to his body which was trying to recover.
Clark didn't reply for a few moments"Lex, help me do it."
"Do what" Lex could barely understand what Clark saying.
"Help me finish what I started... finish him... 'cause I can't do it." Clark's eyes were glassy and he was sweaty.
"No, Clark. He's in jail, just forget it." Lex said.
Clark found absolutely no comfort in the fact that Lionel was behind bars, perhaps it was because of his inebriated state. Clark wanted to let it go, he really did, but when all other thoughts in his mind were jumbled, that was clear.
"But..." Clark never finished, instead he leaned over and came dangerously close to vomiting on Lex.
"Come on, Clark. You're drunk; you don't know what you're saying." Lex propped Clark up, by his arm, and began to lead him up to his room.

I push my fingers into my eyes, It's the only thing, That slowly stops the ache, But it's made of all, The things I have to take, Jesus it never ends, It pushed it's way inside, If the pain goes on, I'm not gonna make it,

All I've got, All I've got Is Insane, All I've got, All I've got Is Insane, All I've got, All I've got Is Insane, All I've got, All I've got Is Insane!

Clark began to stumble once he reached the top of the stairs, falling into the wall.
"Clark..." Lex tried to get him up, but he was out cold. Lex was glad that Clark's room was close, because Clark was heavy, and he had to carry his unconscious brother.
"Is he okay" Lana asked, having followed them.
"Ya, he'll be fine, he's just really drunk." Lex laughed, more in relief that Clark hadn't done something worse, than from humor.
Lana started pulling off Clark's shoes, and Lex left, where, Lana didn't know.
She undressed Clark, leaving him in his boxers. Clark woke up, but only to throw up all over his floor, and groan, before passing out again.

I push my fingers into my eyes, It's the only thing, That slowly stops the ache, But it's made of all, The things I have to take, Jesus it never ends, It pushed it's way inside, If the pain goes on, I'M NOT GONA MAKE IT

Clark swallowed a mixture of painkillers and Tylenol. He felt like he was going to detonate, as searing pain ripped threw not only his head, but his whole body. Clark rolled over in his bed and fell asleep again.

No one really spoke about Clark's drunken incident, and he was grateful. He regretted getting smashed, not only for the horrible hangover he had to endure, but he knew he was lucky that he didn't get out of control.
The next few days, Clark reflected a lot, and managed to find a peace within himself about his attitude towards the whole trail and verdict. True, he would always be angry and hate the outcome, but he found a way to accept it. He had 3 years to think of something, and he wouldn't give up. It wasn't as if he had lost- no, it was just one more big step towards victory. But until then, Clark wanted to enjoy life in a way he never could before. He wanted to spend time with his girlfriend, and his brother.
Clark felt really good; he didn't have anything to worry about at the present moment. He honestly couldn't think of a single thing that could bring worry or panic to his mind.
Lex had told him yesterday that the courts refused to legally emancipate Clark due to everything that had been revealed about his past. They didn't think he was fit to live on his own. So Lex had already taken care of all the paper work, and it was official. Lex was Clark's legal guardian.
Clark also didn't regret anything either; if he had shot Lionel he would have a guilty conscious that would have weighed him down.
Clark smiled as he imagined Lionel in an orange jumpsuit, behind bars. He remembered the look of shock Lionel shone with after the verdict was read. He was no doubt furious. Clark grinned again.

Clark wrapped his arms around Lana as he kissed her neck.
"Clark, this is so beautiful." Lana was truly touched that Clark had done this for her. He said it was the least he could do, after she stood by him through everything, but it was truly incredible. He had gotten her favorite singer to perform for her privately, and after he had treated her to a candle lit dinner, on a veranda that over looked the most beautiful scenery, and now here she was, in Clark's arms, sitting on a white sofa. He had done everything he thought was romantic, and even though all his gestures had added to the magic of the night, Clark was the reason this was the best night of her life.
He had shone her all the love she craved and needed and it wasn't enforced by some tragic event that made you instinctively show your lover how much you cared about them. It was natural love and affection they shared. It was a feeling that was unsurpassed and incomparable to anything else.
"I love you." Clark whispered into her ear, breaking their kiss.
"I love you." Lana whispered back, before Clark kissed her again.
Clark hadn't thought about sex very often in the past month, but as he touched and kissed Lana, and the fact that he had healed enough that is was a possibility again, proved to lead his thoughts there again, and he felt blood rush southward.
Clark began to heat their kiss up, as Lana caressed his back, obviously just as willing as he was. He stroked her hair with one hand, while the other was busy as her hips.
So they made love, and it was the breathtaking, perfect end to the night.

Lana felt like she was on top of the world, as she stepped back inside her house, returning from an incredibly romantic and fantastic night with Clark. She didn't have to worry about him; he was optimistic and affectionate again, no longer carrying around his demons.
Things were completely and utterly perfect, so of course it had to end. Since Lana didn't have to worry about Clark anymore, she had to time to think about everyday things again. Lana walked into the bathroom to brush her teeth. That's when she realized it... she had been so busy and life had been so chaotic that she hadn't even noticed before, and she felt like the stupidest and most frightened person on the planet.

TBC...

song lyrics by Slipknot "Duality"
thanks for all your replies on my last update, hopefully u can do it again! thx