Chapter 16: Storm

"Nicole Elaine Luthor

1967-2005

Full of hope and faith" it read.

The rain helped mask my tears as I began to speak.

"Hi mum, it's been awhile I know but it's not everyday that I can jump on a plane and come to London," I said, almost expecting an answer, but none came.

"So, I have a lot to tell you." I said, sitting myself in the mud. "Umm, I'm engaged! To the most amazing and beautiful man ever, I know you would approve. I wish you could be here." My tears started to fall even more freely and I cried out.

"God mum why? Why didn't you tell me about my father and the Stiff's? Why did you hide it from me?" I started getting more emotional every second.

"I could have helped! You wouldn't have had to be alone! What happened to all the times you said we were a team? You lied to me my entire life and now I can't go through a day without feeling guilty that you died and not me!" I screamed.

"Why did you have to go?" I yelled. "Why couldn't you have fought! Why couldn't you have been there when I was telling everyone I was engaged? Or when Max was about to kill me? Why couldn't you have been there when Lex threw me into the liquor cabinet, or when I made it in to Julliard? Or when I made my first CD? Why couldn't you have been here when I needed you the most?" I cried out.

"I miss you, and I want you to come back." I whispered.

Nobody said anything. The only sounds were the raindrops hitting the rock and marble and my muffled cried that were vanishing into the night.

---

"Miss? Miss?" A man poking me with a cane said. I opened my eyes.

"You fell asleep in a cemetery miss, while it was raining. I suggest you get home." I nodded. Then I got a room, cleaned up and caught the next plane back to Kansas.

---

My voice was gone, which made it hard to get a plane ticket but I managed. I got back to my apartment eighteen hours later and was greeted by an over-worried Clark.

"Juliet, oh my God." He said, running over to embrace me. "I was so worried, what happened to you?"

"I went to London." I squeaked out.

"What? Why? Jules what's wrong? Where is your voice? What happened to you?" He asked very seriously but with the worry never leaving his tone.

"I had a nightmare so I went to my mother's grave." I whispered. "You have every right to be angry and upset. But I just woke up from that dream and going there felt right.

"Baby what's wrong?" Clark asked softly. I started to cry again.

"She isn't going to be here. She always said that when I got married she would be there, doing everything she could and I always wanted her to be there and now she's not. And I'm angry at her for it! I feel like she lied to me, but I know she didn't and I just want her back Clark! Just for one day, I want her to come back." I cried, my voice worsened with each word.

"Shh, Jules I am so sorry." Clark whispered as he pulled me back into his arms.

"I miss her so much." I cried quietly.

"I know you do." He whispered. I was crying so hard that I was shaking. Clark picked me up and carried me to the couch and cradled me in his arms.

"You scared the hell out of me Juliet." He said softly after I calmed down some. "I mean your cell phone was still here, your door wasn't locked, and no one knew where you were."

"I know and I am so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you but I wasn't thinking when I left, I just left." I said hoarsely.

"Please tell me you won't ever do that again you seem to have a habit of leaving without a trace. Jules I can't lose you again." Clark said sincerely and seriously. His voice sounded as if he could break into tears. I turned to look at him.

"I love you Clark, and now that I know you feel the same way there is no way that I am just going to let this slip by. I want to be with you, more then anything." I said honestly.

Clark reached down and wiped the tears from my face. Then he kissed me lightly.

"I needed that." I said.