Simple man

After enjoying some moments just laying in Lana's arms, Clark got up with determination in his face.

"Go get Laura from next door and tell Pete I want to talk to him, meanwhile I'll go have a little chat with Lionel." He told Lana as he kissed her lightly on the forehead.

"How do you know where to find him?" asked Lana.

"He is in a limousine a couple of blocks from here with some of his men. I scanned them." Said Clark with a smile.

"What are you going to do?" asked Lana with worry in her voice.

"Don't you worry… I know what I'll do… I'll tell you about it after I talk with Pete… that is if you want…"

"I think I have to know Clark… I'm already involved in this…"

Clark felt the sting of guilt for bringing trouble again into Lana's life. Lana saw in his face what he was thinking. "Hey…" she said softly as she lift his head to look at her. "…Clark… it's not your fault… besides… I know you won't let anything happen to us right?" she offered with a smile.

Clark smiled back as he thought of Lana's unconditional devotion and love. He drew his strength from that love.

He then exited the house to go and talk with Lionel.

As he approached the limousine he saw, Lionel coming out smiling. "So… Clark… I can call you that right?"

Clark looked at him suspiciously. "How do you… Did you wire her place?"

Lionel put on his most innocent face. "I was just certain she would pull it…"

"Lionel…" said Clark menacingly.

"Fine… yes I did…" then he quickly added. "But it was for her own protection!"

Clark shook his head disgusted. "If I didn't owe you these past two saves… you wouldn't be smiling… Besides I'll remove anything you've put there…"

"I guessed as much…" answered Lionel with a smile. "But come we have much to talk about… let's not do that in the street… Let's go to Ms Lang's house…"

Clark raised his hand stopping Lionel in his tracks. "That house… along with his occupants… are way off limits for you… even though you went against my warning…"

Lionel cut in. "She was the only one who could…" Clark raise his hand again to stop him.

"As I was saying… even though you went against my warning… I will let it pass simply because it turned out for the best… But as of now… you've used up all the exceptions to the rule which is…" said Clark pausing so that Lionel would finish the sentence.

"Lana Lang and her daughter are not to be disturbed."

"Disturbed, talked to, looked at, thought of or anything… I'm glad we're clear on that. Now concerning what you asked of me… I decided I won't do it."

"What? And you're…" Lionel tried to protest.

"But!" Clark cut him off. "But I will write about Lex's involvement in the accident that happened, if you provide me with the documents. Take it or leave it."

Lionel looked disappointed and thoughtful. "Hmm… I guess that it must do…"

"I'm glad you think so… Do you have the documents with you?"

"No… I will send them to you tomorrow… besides… our window of opportunity is for your story to be printed in the paper that will come out two days from now. However you should inform Mrs. Lane to do a preliminary story on the events, before we drop the bomb."

"Fine… I'll call her for tomorrow's paper. Are you sure though, you'll be able to pass this by without Lex's consent on the Daily Planet's paper?"

"Heh… I may have been playing dead Clark… and i may be almost 65, but I still am Lionel Luthor."

--------------------------------------

Clark knocked at the door of Lana's house, only to be greeted by Lana holding little Laura in her arms.

"Look who it is Laura…" said Lana smiling.

"C'ark!" shouted Laura happily as she opened her arms for a hug. Clark smiled and took her in his arms. The sight of Laura smiling warmed his heart. "Here's my favorite girl in the world."

Laura looked at Clark curiously. "Not momma?"

Clark was temporarily stuck. He looked at Laura with eyed eyes and then at Lana, who also shared his confusion, but mixed with amusement. "Umm… Yes… your momma is also my favorite girl in the world…" said Clark a bit clumsily.

Laura suddenly smiled and started to giggle, as she hugged Clark again. Clark looked at Lana confused but smiling, while Lana was trying to suppress her laughter.

As he was hugging Laura, Clark's eyes drifted to the back of the living room, where he saw Pete sitting in a chair, looking glum downwards. Clark after kissing Laura on the chick went to give Laura to Lana as he was looking intently at Pete, but he still felt Laura not letting go. He turned to look at her curious to see why she hadn't gone to her mother's arms and he saw her waiting with her cheek turned towards him, the cheek he failed to kiss. Clark chuckled and kissed her. "T'ank yuu!" she sang happily as Lana took her back smiling.

Clark walked towards Pete, but Lana got hold of his hand and she leaned in to whisper to him. "Please go easy on him… he is a real mess... he regretted it the minute he did it…"

"I know Lana…"

Clark stood in front of Pete waiting for him to acknowledge his presence. "Hey" said Clark softly.

"Hey…" said Pete without lifting his head.

"So… do you want to go out and talk?"

"What's left to talk about Clark?" said Pete really dejected.

"Come on man… don't do this…"

"Do what Clark? I failed you!" said Pete a little too loud, at which point Clark grabbed his hand and leaned closer to him.

"Not in here!" said Clark gravely. "Let's go."

They both headed out towards the door. Before he went out, Clark went to talk to Lana. "Look… umm… I don't know how long we'll be and it's already late… I'll have to call Lois also afterwards to tell her what to write on tomorrow's paper, so… I guess I will see you tomorrow…"

"Why?" asked Lana seriously.

Clark was confused. "What do you mean why? Because… I want to see you…" said Clark not sure still what she meant.

Lana chuckled lightly. "That's not what I meant Clark… Why tomorrow and not tonight? Why don't you sleep here today?"

Clark was silent for a minute. "Are you sure about that?"

Lana nodded her head with a smile. "Plus it will certainly be safer for both Laura and myself. I mean with everything that's been going on…"

Clark kissed her on the lips tenderly and smiled warmly at her. "I would love to…" He then just stood there looking intensely at her. He suddenly leaned forward and kissed her passionately, pouring all his love and all his emotions for this woman into this one kiss that left both of them breathless. Breaking the kiss, he rested his forehead against hers as they both remained like that for a few seconds with closed eyes.

Then Clark whispered to her. "I don't think I will ever be able to find words to fully tell you what I feel for you."

Lana smiled sweetly at that. "You don't have to Clark… I know how you feel for me cause that's exactly how I feel for you…"

To be Continued…

ElleLang12- I'm glad you liked it, and no i don't watch the show you mentioned. The title is from the song (with the same title) by Dishwalla.

EternalStargater- Thnx for your comments. I'm glad you like Lana here. Don't you like her in general?

Obsessed4ever2Clana- Endless angst? There are some carefree moments here and there no? Glad you approve thoug:-) And i am continuing