I'll Always Be There

Disclaimer:
Again, I don't own the characters...You know the drill...

Rating:
T (Just to be safe) for themes

Pairing:
Clex

Genre:
Drama/romance

Song Used:
Carrie Underwood-"Jesus, Take the Wheel"

Jesus, Take the Wheel

Jesus, take the wheel
Take it from my hands
'Cause I can't do this on my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
Save me from this road I'm on
Jesus, take the wheel

The next morning, Clark awoke to a medley of the harsh sunlight filing in through the blinds on the window mingled with the steady rhythum of all the various machines Lex was hooked up to along with the gentle wheezing of the ventilator which was currently doing Lex's breathing for him. Feeling as helpless as ever, Clark just stared desperately into Lex's lifeless face and reached out to gently caress his cold, pale cheek. Seeing his current condition still killed Clark, and the helpless feeling he got from knowing there was nothing he could do to help Lex didn't exactly help. That day had been a carbon copy of the one before. Occasionally the doctors would come in and check on Lex, but apart from that, Clark had been alone with Lex. Once again, the sun set on another painful day for Clark Kent.

The next few weeks had gone the same way. Day after day, Clark just prayed that Lex would wake up. Even when the doctors had begun to lose hope that Lex would ever come out of his coma, Clark still wouldn't give up hope. He knew how much of a fighter Lex was and if anybody could beat this, it was Lex Luthor. After another six weeks, there had been some slight improvement in Lex's condition and the doctors were able to take him off the ventilator, though he still had not come out of his coma. Though, Clark still didn't give up hope.

I can't do this on my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
Save me from this road I'm on
Jesus, take the wheel

Another week later, Clark had fallen asleep next to Lex once again. This time, it was not the sunlight filing in through the window or the sounds of the various other machines Lex was still hooked up to that had awoken him. Rather, it had been the feeling of Lex's hand slowly closing around his own. Snapping out of his slumber, Clark stood over Lex as he asked, hopefully, "Lex? Can you hear me? Lex?" Slowly cracking a weak smile, Lex's eyes slowly fluttered open. Looking up into Clark's deep green eyes, full of concern and hope, Lex's smile broadened. "Clark..." He rasped out weakly, as Clark helped him sit up in his bed.

I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
Save me from this road I'm on
Jesus, take the wheel

Smiling from relief, Clark reached out and gently caressed Lex's cheek. Melting at the touch of Clark's gentle caress, Lex replied "Clark...This accident's made me realize something..." Curious, Clark asked softly "What is it?" Smiling at Clark, Lex replied "There's something I've been needing to tell you and if I don't do it now, I may never get another chance to tell you..." Now, his interest sparked even more, Clark replied "What is it, Lex?" Sighing slightly, Lex replied hesitantly "Clark...I love you..." There, now he knows and I wait for my world to come crashing down-as it usually does right about this time-when he tells me that I'm a freak and that he never even wants to look at me again...Lex thought to himself, thinking Clark could never return his feelings for him.

Stunned, Clark was rendered momentarily speechless. He would have never thought that Lex would actually feel that way about him. Though, he was relieved to hear it as it made it easier for him to tell Lex the same thing, knowing that the feelings were returned. A smile slowly tugging at his lips, Clark replied, gently, "I love you, too, Lex." Not believing that Clark could actually return his feelings, Lex quickly covered "Clark, look, I know you can't possibly...Wait...what did you say?" Smirking playfully, Clark repeated himself. "I said...I love you, too, Lex."

Now it was Lex's turn to be rendered speechless. For a moment, all he could do was gaze up into Clark's soft, caring eyes while tears began stinging within his own eyes. Before Lex could reply to Clark's comment, the doctor had entered the room, apparently having heard the news of Lex's awakening. "Ahh...Mr. Luthor, you've finally decided to join us in the world of the living..." He greeted, smirking. Returning Dr. Douglas' smirk, Lex replied, still not taking his eyes off Clark, "Yeah, well...somethings are worth coming out of your shell for..."

Knowing what he was implying, Clark just smirked as Dr. Douglas didn't seem to have a clue. Continuing on with the reason he'd come in the first place, Dr. Douglas reviewed the papers on his clipboard and turned to Lex. "Well, Mr. Luthor, as soon as the paperwork goes through, you're free to go..." Dr. Douglas stated, smiling. With that said, he turned and left the room.

He said I'm sorry for the way
I've been livin' my life
I know I've got to change
So from now on tonight
Jesus, take the wheel

Turning back to Lex once Dr. Douglas had exited the room, Clark stated honestly "It's gonna be so great to have you back...You really scared over these past several weeks..." Understanding his concern, Lex replied "I know, Clark...I scared me, too...I thought...I thought for sure I was gonna die without you ever knowing how I felt about you and...Well, that scared me..." Seeing the few stray tears streaming down Lex's cheek, Clark simply reached out and wiped away Lex's tears as he assured him "Hey...It's okay...Everything's gonna be okay...You're okay and I do know how you feel about me...That's all that matters..." Smiling at Clark's gentle touch and comforting voice, Lex simply replied "Yeah...You're right...".

An hour later, the nurse walked in. Turning to Lex, she smiled sweetly as she stated "Mr. Luthor, you're free to go...The paper work just went through..." Smiling over at the young nurse, Lex replied "Thank you." Nodding, the nurse simply turned and left the room. Helping Lex out of his bed, Clark smiled as he commented "I'm glad to see that everything worked out okay..." Nodding, Lex replied "Yeah...me, too, Clark..."

With that said, Clark's hand was soon entwined with Lex's as they made their way outside to Clark's truck. Helping Lex up into the passenger seat, Clark made his way over to the driver's side and climbed inside. After half an hour, they made it back to the Luthor mansion. Walking inside, Clark and Lex looked outside as yet another storm had begun to stir up among the clouds. Turning to Clark, Lex just gave a smirk which seemed to read "Ironic, huh?" Catching the message, Clark just smiled and chuckled as they made their way in to the living room and sat down on the couch by the fire. Pulling Clark in closer to him, Lex just smiled at Clark wrapped his arms around him, resting his head on Lex's shoulder.

Looking down into Clark's eyes, full of life once again, Lex just smiled and stated softly "I love you, Clark." Smiling at the sound of those words coming from Lex, Clark replied just as softly "I love you, too, Lex." The two lovers spent the rest of the evening cuddled up on the couch, keeping warm by the fire, just appreciating the comfort of each other's company.

Jesus, take the wheel
Take it from my hands
'Cause I can't do this on my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
Save me from this road I'm on
Jesus, take the wheel