A/N: Sorry for the delay, but I think you'll like this one. Don't hate me, I've got the next two chapters already written up. Soon, trust me, soon.

Disclaimer: I wonder what would happen if I said: "I do own Smallville." Hmm…

Clark stood at the warehouse door. His mind screamed at his eyes, telling them to look away, but his body just froze, like a deer in the headlights, unable to think, let alone move. The dark played no tricks on his eyes, although now, more than ever, he wished it did. Across the enclosed space, he saw one figure pull back from the other, standing up straight as the latter crumbled to the floor. He felt his mind turn awry, as it dared to think the unthinkable, and his voice called out a name that he prayed he wouldn't have to miss.

The standing figure spun around, realizing he was not alone, and in the pale moonlight his eyes gleamed like puddles of tears. And then, without guilt or remorse, the figure laughed. It was a harsh, harrow laugh: a laugh that clouded the mind and boiled the blood. This was how Clark found himself, as he stared at the limp little body surrounded by the manic laughter; his mind clouded, his blood boiled, he was left with only one impulse.

Faster than the eye could see he was standing over the affectionless psychopath, his feet hovering above the ground, giving him an extra foot of height.

Kevin's jubilation caught in the back of his throat at the sight of the of the menacing form that towered above him, the darkness obscuring its features, all he could see was two glowing red eyes. He fell back cowering, hiding his face from the terrible angelic figure. "What did you do to her?" It ordered, its voice stern but sad. "What did you do!"

"She, she said she could help me…" Kevin whimpered, unsure of what to say. "And, and she has. Now, when they come they'll see her and they'll know they have to help me, otherwise I'll do it again."

Suddenly he felt a vice like grip around his neck. He was being pulled to his feet, and then, further up still, until his feet were no longer touching the ground. His head swam as the blood collected inside it, dizzying him and petrifying him. He dared to look into the red eyes, only to find them too overpowering to hold his stare at, there was something in them, something behind the anger, something good. He coughed, and felt himself being thrown to the floor with such force that he rolled several times before halting.

Clark's feet touched down on the floor, and he was over by Lois' side in a flash. He turned her over onto her back and stroked the hair out of her face. She was still, peaceful but ever so pale. "Lois?" He whispered, trying to wake her from her daze. "Lois?"

"Did you know that spider-web is stronger than steel?" Clark whirled around to confront the voice, only to be met in the face by a hard, steel chain. Kevin stood at the other end of it waiting for receiver to fall back, but he didn't even flinch. Clark was about to stand up and match his foe, when a new voice entered the air.

"This is the LuthorCorp Security Squadron. Come out of the building with your hands in the air or we will open fire." The voice drifted in from outside of the warehouse.

Kevin looked down frantically to the lifeless body. "Give her to me." He pleaded to the other figure crouched protectively over her.

"Come out with your hands in the air."

"Give her to me!"

"This is your finale warning."

"Give her to me!" He screamed, as Clark picked up Lois' body as he stood, towering over Kevin.

"No."

Kevin blinked as the taller figure disappeared with the girl in his arms. He turned to face the exit, as the sound of metal tearing through metal bombarded his ears.

Light engulfed everything: space, time, memories and emotions. Pale and thin, her icy fingers gripped his throat and drew his head closer to hers. She pressed her lips to his, removing from them the stain of her everlasting mark.

He fell back, in peace at last.

The rain that had started only a few moments before now thundered its way down onto the corn fields of Smallville. Clark came to a stop in one of the meadows on the outskirts of the forest; the sound of machineguns still ringing in his ears, he should have gone back, he should have saved Kevin, but something had stopped him.

He looked down to Lois' pale, motionless body, the rain making her shine in the moonlight. Carefully he laid her down on the ground. "Come on Lois." He called to her, trying to wake her. "Lois please wake up." He wiped the hair back from her white face and shook her gently, trying to arouse some reaction.

Clark's own hair was now covering his face; sodden and dark. The rain that now poured down from the heavens was icy cold, but it wasn't that which sent a shiver down his spine. "Lois wake up!" He cried, shaking her more vividly as the rain water on his face mingled with the fresh salty streams. "Lois wake up, please. Please wake up. Please…"

Clark laid her back down as gently as she shaking hands would allow. His emotions in turmoil he gazed down at her, praying this was but a dream. Even now, Lois still looked beautiful; her creamy skin, her cherry lips. But that didn't matter now, Clark knew, it was over. What he would have given for one more day, one more hour, but that was impossible. The sun was gone, and the night was starless.

Kneeling down, there was one last thing he had to do, something he wished he had done years ago. He pressed his lips to hers one last time.

"Got y'ah." A voice underneath him giggled. Clark pulled back in surprise, only to be met by Lois' mischievous eyes and wicked grin. His own face erupted into a smile, and, as he pulled her up, all the dark, lonely feelings dissolved away.

"I hate you." He grinned, pulling her in closer.

"I know," She laughed back. "I hate you too."

Their lips met again, the rain stopped and the stars came out.