Memory

Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I guess I should get this thing out of the way... I do not own anything affiliated with the show Smallville. I never have and I never will.

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"I can't believe Clark's been missing for almost three months and no one called me," Chloe frowned as she took set her laptop on the table in front of her.

"You know, Chloe, last time I checked, you said you didn't wasn't to have anything to do with him. And that was right before you hopped onto a bus bound for Metropolis," Pete frowned.

"What do you expect? The Daily Planet gave me a job. Was I supposed to stay in Smallville and try to explain that to my new boss?"

"And Lana tried quite a few times to get a hold of you..."

"I was busy."

Pete cocked an eyebrow skeptically. "It was on the front page of quite a few newspapers."

"I don't really want to talk about this right now..."

"Chloe, you're doing it again."

"What am I doing Pete?"

"You're shutting everyone out because you refuse to face your problems."

"Pete..."

"Chloe, I'm serious."

She sighed, her eyes locked, unfocused, on the screen in front of her. "I just... I'm tired of being treated like a nobody, Pete. Clark always managed to find the time to help Lana out, but when it came time for him to help me, he always managed to forget that he had ever even talked to me."

Pete was silent. He wasn't exactly sure what to say in response to what Chloe had just said.

"I'm really busy right now, Pete..."

"Alright... I'll talk to you later..."

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Lex stepped through the door of The Talon and sighed when he caught sight of Lana cleaning up yet another dropped mug. He shook his head and approached her. "You know, at this rate, all of our profits are going to be put towards replacing the dishes," he smiled.

"I'm really sorry, Lex..."

He crouched down to help her. "Doing this to yourself isn't going to bring him back, Lana."

"I'm just so worried about him Lex. I know that Clark is perfectly capable of taking care of himself, but no one has any idea of where he could be..."

"We will find him. I promise you that Lana."

"Thank you Lex."

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Two Weeks Later

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"I don't care Clark. I love you – that's all that really matters."

"Lana... I don't want to hurt you..."

"You won't Clark."

"Lana, there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it Clark?"

He stopped.

"Clark?"

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"Clark? Clark wake up."

His eyes opened slowly. Alex was standing by his bed, chart in hand.

"Are you alright Clark?"

"I think so... Why?"

"That sounded like a very vivid dream," she smiled.

"Yeah... it was pretty realistic..."

"Who is Lana?"

"I don't know... someone important I assume..."

"You don't remember who she could be?" Alex asked sadly.

He shook his head. "Something about her seemed familiar..." he frowned, his eyebrows furrowed in thought.

"I'm sure you'll remember everything in time, Clark. And someone is bound to recognize that sweet face of yours."

He grinned, a faint red tint spreading across the bridge of his nose and his high cheekbones. "Thank you Alex." He watched her for a minute as she went over his charts and checked his vitals. But before long, his thoughts returned to the girl that had made her way into his dream. And as he did, a sharp pain appeared between his eyes and his eyes themselves started to burn. He winced and rubbed furiously at his eyes.

Alex noticed this before long. "Clark? What's wrong?"

"My eyes feel like they're on fire..."

"Let me get some drops and we'll see if that'll help."

Clark squinted his eyes open and glanced over towards the window. It suddenly felt as though the burning sensation was shooting from his eyes. He watched helplessly as a spot on the window started to glow red before melting. The heat became so intense that the entire window shattered. Clark turned away to protect himself from the flying shards of glass.

Alex came running back into the room and stared in disbelief at the scene before her.

"Clark? What happened?!"

"I don't know!"

Doctor Kendall came running. "What on Earth?!"

"We have no idea what happened, Doctor."

"Fine. Get him to another room and then get someone up here to take care of this mess."

"Yes Doctor Kendall," Alex sighed as he left the room.

Clark stared at the window, his expression confused. "I just don't understand it..."

"Understand what?"

"I was just staring at that window, and it was like it started melting before it just... shattered..."

"That's... interesting… I'm going to go get you a wheelchair," she said, turning. She paused in the doorway. "Do you still want those drops?" she asked.

Clark shook his head. "No. The burning... stopped..." he trailed off, his tone thoughtful. Alex glanced from him to the shattered window before shaking her head and hurrying out of the room to get a wheelchair. Clark frowned. 'Did I just...'

"What Clark? Are you wondering if you super-heated the window with your eyes?"

'Umm...'

"Do you really want to know? Or are you going to tell me to shut up again?"

'Tell me.'

"Yes. You did that. You were thinking about Lana, weren't you?" the voice accused.

'Actually, yes. Who is she?'

"You'll probably find out eventually. I think it may be just a tad bit early for me to tell you that now."

'Why?' But the voice was gone.

"Alright Clark, time to go for a ride," Alex smiled, steering a wheelchair into the room.

Clark sat up slowly and swung his legs over the side of the bed, lowering his feet to the cold linoleum. Carefully lowering himself into the chair, Clark leaned back, making himself comfortable. "Steer the way."

Alex wheeled him out of the room and down the hall. They passed several doctors and a few other patients as well as a very bald young man on a cell phone as he hurried past them. Alex stopped and frowned. "Hang on a moment, Clark," she said, turning to confront the man. "Excuse me, Mr. Luthor," she said, tapping him on the shoulder.

Lex paused, holding his hand over the mouthpiece. "Can I help you?" he asked.

"I realize how much you've contributed to this hospital, but cell phones are still not allowed to be used here."

"Yes, of course. Let me just finish my call." Alex frowned and watched him expectantly. "I have to go, are you sure you'll be fine running The Talon by yourself today?" He paused briefly. "Yes Lana, I will let you know if I hear anything. And don't overwork yourself. You're not exactly in the condition to be doing anything like that right now. And be sure to call Mrs. Kent if you need anything. Bye Lana." The billionaire slapped his phone shut.

"Thank you Mr. Luthor."

"Please, call me Lex," he smiled, holding out his hand.

She studied him for a minute before accepting it and shaking it. "Alexis."

"It was nice to meet you Alexis. Unfortunately, I have to go see about an exploding window. If you'll excuse me."

"Of course."

Lex headed off down the hall, glancing back once to see the nurse, probably about the same age as him, steering a patient down the hall in a wheelchair.

"Mr. Luthor?" Lex turned back around.

"Dr. Kendall, good to see you," he grinned, shaking the man's hand. "Now, about that window."

"We're not exactly sure what happened sir."

"And it doesn't look like a large rock could have been involved?"

"We're on the sixth floor sir..."

"I feel like I'm back in Smallville..."

"Pardon?"

"There are quite a few unexplainable things that have happened in Smallville, doctor. Most people have linked it to the meteor shower that hit there eighteen years ago."

"I see. Speaking of unexplainable things, you should meet my most recent patient."

"Oh?"

"He's got amnesia. All he can remember are his first name and his age."

"Interesting. You know, I've got a few connections. Maybe I could help him locate some family or friends."

"That would be very much appreciated, Mr. Luthor."

"So, how'd he end up here?"

"He showed up in a small town nearby – just your everyday Podunk – with a stab wound four inches wide. They sent him here."

"Wow."

"Yeah. Come on, I'll introduce you to him. He was just moved down the hall."

"Let me guess. A nurse named Alexis is in charge of him."

"Alex? Yeah, that's right."

Lex smiled. "She took the time to remind me of the policy on cell phone usage while in a hospital."

"I see. Well, if you'll follow me." Lex followed the short, balding doctor to a room that Alex was just leaving. "Is he up for a visitor, Alex?"

"No. I finally convinced him to go back to sleep. He's out cold."

"I'm sorry about this Lex. Perhaps another time?"

"Of course. I'll contact you the next time I'm in the area."

"Thank you Mr. Luthor."

"It's not a problem." Lex turned and walked back down the hall towards the bank of elevators.

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