CHAPTER 13 -Uncertainty

Even though Lana thought it best to go to her place, Clark convinced her to stay with him. They got dressed a bit, so as to avoid being walked in by Jonathan or Martha, and slept in each other's arms till morning time.

For Clark though there wasn't much sleep. He hadn't said much while Lana was awake and now that she was sleeping he was lost in deep thought. Just before the sun came up, and with a confident look on his face, he fell asleep.

Martha was the one who came to wake Clark, but when she saw him and Lana sleeping together, she smiled and decided to let them enjoy it a bit more. So she went down the stairs again, being as quiet as she could.

Lana was the first of the two to wake up. When she realized where she was she smiled sadly. She looked lovingly at Clark who was still sleeping, and she couldn't help but shed a tear of sadness, thinking of his impending departure from her life once again.

She lightly kissed his lips and went to get off of him, as carefully as she could, so as not to wake him. She suddenly felt him pulling her back down to him, and a surprised gasp escaped her lips. Clark immediately kissed her passionately.

He looked at her smiling. "Where do you think you're going?"

Lana smiled sweetly at him, "We must get up. Your parents will be upset if they find us here."

Clark looked at her with confidence. "They don't mind Lana. They want me to be happy and they know that only you can do that."

Lana smiled with embarrassment. "I think it's what happened last night, that made you all happy." She said teasingly.

Clark cupped her face with his hands and looked at her dead serious, but full of love. "Lana I love you. That's what makes me happy. I'm not leaving." He said plainly.

Lana looked at him confused. "What?"

"I'm not going anywhere without you." Said Clark, looking more serious than Lana had ever seen him before.

Lana was speechless. "Clark don't do this to me again. I don't want to have my hopes crash down on me again. You're just saying this because of what happened last night." She said again on the verge of tears.

Clark looked at her deep in the eyes. "I decided that I will leave when I want and how I want. And now I don't want to leave. I'm not leaving you again Lana. I don't want to lose this again."

Lana hugged him tightly. She then whispered to his ear. "Clark are you sure about this? I mean…"

Clark turned her head so as to face him. He kissed her tenderly and said: "I know that I love you, and I'm not going anywhere."

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Later that day, Lana had gone back to her place, feeling more optimistic about the future. She was relieved and overjoyed that Clark had decided to stay, but something just didn't feel right to her.

She didn't like the idea that Clark might have changed his mind on something this important, because of their new found intimacy.

A knock on the door, startled her. As she opened the door she saw Lex standing there smiling.

"Hey Lana…"

"Lex… What are you doing here?"

"I just came from Metropolis to the mansion to grab some stuff I had forgotten here. I'm moving back to Metropolis Lana."

Lana was surprised by the news. "Oh… I wasn't aware of that… Come in for a while." She told him as they were both standing awkwardly at the door.

They went inside and sat in the couch. "I decided this the past week. If I am to seriously take Luthorcorp to the next level, I can't be staying here. It will need my absolute attention, and Smallville has proved… how can I put this… distracting. I just can't have those kinds of distractions in my life anymore Lana… which is why I'm moving back to Metropolis. There I become more focused on the bigger picture." Said Lex with just a hint of sadness in his smiling face.

Lana didn't know what exactly to say to that, since she realized that part of what he meant was intended for her. "Well… in that case… I'm happy for you?" she said smiling unsure.

Lex chuckled. "Thanks Lana… I'm going to miss you." Said Lex in the end sincerely. "You always were a breath of fresh air in my cynical, miserable life. You are the only distraction I'd gladly take with me."

Lana looked at Lex touched by his sincerity. "Thank you Lex… I truly hope you're happy there." Said Lana as she hugged him.

"I really hope you have everything you ever wanted Lana." Said Lex breaking the hug. And then with a sly smile added: "And if you ever need a little help in getting them … you know where to turn to."

Lana chuckled lightly. "Thanks Lex… for everything…"

Just as he was at the door, Lex paused. "Hey… just because we're saying goodbye now, doesn't mean we won't see each other. I for my part will visit whenever I get the chance. And you… Don't be a stranger…" said Lex as he winked at her and then left.

Even though her relationship with Lex had been through many ups and downs, with the downs being the most recent, Lana felt sadness when he left. Despite what he may have done or said occasionally, Lex was a good friend to her and helped her a lot for as long as she's known him, thought Lana. Now he was just another one who walked out of her life. Lana suddenly realized that if Clark ever left, the only people she could call her own in Smallville would be Clark's parents. She got really depressed at the thought, but then remembered what Clark had told her about staying and relaxed a bit.

Then what Lex told her about Smallville and Metropolis came to mind. What he said made sense. Too much sense. And with that thought, a sadness came over her.

To be continued…