Smallville General

I arrived at the hospital 20 minutes to 5:00 in the afternoon. I called my parents earlier and we all decided to come at separate hours. We didn't want to crowd her. We are still in fact virtual strangers.

I walk the sterile hallway leading to Room 307. There's something about hospital hallways that gives off the feeling of being shrinked the further you walk it.

As I neared her room, I can hear mild laughter inside.

"Mom?" I walked inside surprised that her visitors still consisted of my parents. Mom's laughing and my dad's smiling.

"Hey Smallville," Lois greeted me. She looked tired yet vibrant at the same time. I take a moment to evaluate what she just called me.

"Smallville?"

"It's your name," she says it like it was absolute or something.

"No, my name is Clark," I corrected her. I could already foresee losing this argument.

"Smallville sounds infinitely better"

I give her a look, and here I thought I was going crazy.

"Mom." I walked further into the room. "Dad." A few more steps and I reach the end of Lois's bed. "What are you guys still doing here?"

My mom was just about to answer when Lois moved in.

"I used my disability to convince your mom to tell me as much embarrassing stories about you growing up. It makes for some interesting blackmail material in the future," she says mischievously.

I saw my parents smile at my interaction with Lois and I went a little red with excitement. And did she mention future? I came with the intention to help make her feel better but instead, she was the one making me smile.

Why does she keep doing this? It's practically unfair.

I finally take the time to look around her room. It was filled with flowers and gifts; no doubt they were all from Lex. What he noticed though was a continuous theme. Lilies. They must be her favorite.

"Umm... I forgot something outside," I say, excusing myself. My mom looks at me questioningly but I told them all that I'll be back in a couple of minutes.

I left quickly and flipped open my cell phone.

I dial 411.

"Hello, this is the operator, how can I help you?"

"Hi, I was wondering where in the U.S. grows its best lilies." He waited anxiously. "Pacific coast near the California-Oregon border. Okay, thanks." I look both ways to make sure everything was clear. When no one was looking I speeded off only to return in a matter of minutes.

"Hi," I greeted the room once again feeling a little bit more prepared.

Lois raised an amused eyebrow. "You weren't kidding. That was barely over a couple of minutes"

"You were timing me?" I grinned at the thought.

She rolled her eyes. A first. "You wish." She looked behind me, noticing something behind my back and smirked. "You brought me something," she says cockily.

This time I had to roll my eyes. I've never met anyone so arrogant. Unfortunately for me, she's cute when she does it.

I showed handed her the flowers and she takes it graciously. I could tell she was surprised.

"Easter Lilies," she looked over it with such care and grace. "Where'd you find this? They only grow in the West Coast"

I look at my parents and they look at me. Dad shook his head and my mom, well, I'm not perfect at reading facial expression but it's pretty clear she thought it was sweet.

"I got lucky on the way"

She gave me another smile and my knees feel like they're turning weak.

"I think it's time for me and Jonathan to let you rest now." Mom patted her hand in a motherly fashion that I could see Lois's eyes glisten at the gesture – but no tears fell.

"Thank you again, Lois," his dad says, doing the exact same thing. There was a chemistry between the four of us I've never really seen before, and I wasn't quite sure exactly what it is.

Mom and dad hugged me before leaving, and I whispered a thank you to them both. They're my parents. I love them so much.

"They're amazing," she says with pure genuineness.

I turn back to Lois. "They are." Then I noted her briefly shivering. Another thing about hospitals, it's never warm enough.

I point to her to give me a second and I pop my head out calling for a nurse to get another blanket. There's a patient freezing in Room 307. I could hear her hold her laughter and I smile that I finally got her to do so.

Once I got it, I cautiously walk besides her bed, spreading the blanket out and resting it atop of her body. I looked around and I didn't like how she was tied down to all these machines. I felt the sudden urge to carry her out of their and offer solace in our home.

"So, Smallville..."

I sigh at my new name.

"Tell me the biggest secret you have," she tells me. I've noticed how forward she is. Especially with me.

I look at her oddly. "What?"

"Tell me the biggest secret you have. Something you'd never reveal to anyone."

"Why?" I'm a bit confused. I hope she doesn't suspect anything. How could she?

"Because I'm about to tell you mine and I need blackmail material."

Then I smile. She got me good there. "Don't you have enough embarrassing stories about me from my mom? You're being greedy now"

"You're such a killjoy"

I shrugged. "There really isn't much to tell." I paused knowing she doesn't believe me, but surprisingly, she doesn't press the issue. "How about you?" I turned the tables, hoping perhaps she'd tell me. "What's your biggest secret?"

She remained quiet after I asked the question. I don't whether I crossed some forbidden line but I felt like I need to apologize.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked that"

She shook her head. "No, don't be. It's only fair," she says, giving me that smile I thought I forced away. "I've had a lot on my mind lately." She shrugged. "You know, getting shot and all"

I chuckle when I shouldn't have.

"Is it about Lex?"

I've rarely been jealous of Lex. Sure he had the money and the cars and the lavish lifestyle, but he lives a lonely life with a lot of emotional complications. Far more complicated than mine because unlike him, I have the support of friends and family. For Lex, he only has himself to depend on.

At least I thought that until now...

"I'd rather not talk about it"

"He cares about you, you know?"

She nods thoughtfully.

"I know." She yawned and immediately I knew she was ready for bed.

"I'm gonna go," I say reluctantly. "Get some rest," I tell her.

She smiled again and I can't help but smile back.

"Thank you for the visit"

I look her straight in the eye. My blue seeing her green. "Thank you for saving my mom," I say sincerely. I'll always be grateful for that.

"You're welcome"

And then I leave, a part of me wished I didn't.

To be continued...