Clark couldn't believe it. "Paris! Why...wait, she's running from me isn't she?"
"Well...kind of. She said she's going back to study and that now was a good time to do it. Clark, she booked her flight about two hours after she got home. She leaves at nine tomorrow morning!"
"I've got to see her!" Clark headed for the stairs.
"Clark wait!" Chloe grabbed his arm. "She's going. I know the look she had in her eye."
"Chloe. I can't let her leave without hearing how she feels from her and her alone."
Chloe was frustrated, but could understand how he felt. "Then...meet her at the airport tomorrow. she's leaving at six to be there early. Just follow her..." Chloe smirked. "From the sky if you have to, or wait for her there, whatever! But Clark, don't get your hopes up. She's got a lot on her mind right now. She doesn't see you the same way."
"I Know, I mean, I want to regret telling her, but I don't. As much as I would hate to be apart from her, a weight has been lifted off. She knows. Now, I just have to hope that I can cope with the consequences." Clark lifted his head up and looked at Chloe. "I'll meet her at the airport. You don't happen to have her flight details do you? I'd hate to have to follow her there if I don't have to."
Chloe smirked, which turned into a grin. "I thought you might want them so here it is. Metropolis airport, terminal two!"
Clark grinned. "Chloe, you're the greatest!" He went over and gave her a hug. Listen, I haven't had dinner, and I'm sure mom kept some leftovers, care to join me?"
Chloe frowned. "Sorry Clark, I kind of have to get back to Metropolis. I promised I'd help Lana pack. I just needed to make sure you knew. If you guys have to end, I wanted to make sure it ended without either one of you never hearing what you needed to hear."
"Thanks Chloe!" Clark embraced her. "You're the best friend I could ask for!" They both smiled and then Clark walked her to her car.
After finishing off his mom's leftovers, Clark tried to sleep. But sleep would not come. He couldn't help rehearsing in his mind what he would say when he saw Lana the next day. What could he say? She'd obviously made her decision. He'd told her the truth. The more he thought about it the more he realized what he really wanted. He wanted her to look him in the eye and tell him how she felt. If this was going to end he needed closure. Content with that conclusion, he started to drift off.
Clark woke up at five in the morning. It wasn't so much that he needed to get to the airport early, but he wanted to get there before sunrise so he could fly there without being seen. He'd wait as long as he needed to once he was there. After getting up, Clark slowly opened his window and floated out. After making sure the window was closed tight, he shot up into the air and pointed himself in the direction of Metropolis airport.
The flight over allowed Clark to relax a bit. As much as he hated heights, he had to admit, flying was the most relaxing hobby he'd ever had and the one ability of his that didn't seem to have any drawbacks other than making sure he wasn't seen when he landed. It wasn't long before he saw the airport and decided to land on the parking garage of Terminal two.
Clark took his time getting down to the terminal and then looked around for the best spot to watch for Lana. He spotted the "Air France" baggage check in and decided that that would be the best spot to stand and watch. The truth was, with his enhanced vision, he could see her from anywhere, but he wanted her to see him. He made sure to pick up a copy of the Daily Planet to help the time move. He flipped to Chloe's section in the back, as a courtesy of course. The headline of the front page had been about Lex, which Clark figured he'd ignore. He'd seen Lex's true colours enough to know who Lex trully was.
After a couple of hours, Clark was beginning to pace. He wanted to see her. He'd watched carefully since six o'clock when Lana was supposed to leave her dorm. He was about to go outside and wait for her cab to pull up when there she was! She'd just walked through the door, her luggage loaded on a cart. Clark had to resist the urge to confront her right away. He figured he let her check her baggage before confronting her. The more "distraction-free" time he could get, the better.
After checking her baggage, Lana looked around for directions to the gate. That's when her eyes met Clark's and then lowered to the floor. Clark could tell she wanted to run, but she didn't. She started walking in his direction. "Clark, I see Chloe managed to fill you in." Lana spoke softly and nervously.
Clark didn't know how to respond. She knew he'd be here? "Yeah. Look, Lana, Chloe told me why you were going to France. But...I needed to hear it from you. I want to hear from you, in your own words why you're going." Clark did his best not to sound desperate. But he needed to know.
Lana continued to look down at the floor. "OKay, Clark, I'll tell you. Guess it's only fair...but, can we go somewhere and sit down?"
Clark lead them over to a seating area that, due to the early hour, was empty. As they sat down, Lana took Clark's hands in her own and looked him in the eye. "Clark...first, I want you to know how grateful I am that you finally shared your secret with me. I love you so much. I know you took a big risk telling me what you did and I wish I felt differently but..."
"But..." Clark was anxious. He knew what was coming. He'd dreaded this moment since the first time he'd even thought about telling Lana his secret.
"Clark, I'll admit, last night, I was angry. I hated the fact that you were alive and my parents weren't. That all the meteor freaks that you helped stop, were caused by the fact that you were sent here as...some sort of refugee? Then I realised it. Clark, it's not your fault! I wanted to know the truth. You were a helpless baby and...and I'm glad your here, but I also realized that I can't get past this. That's why I'm leaving. Clark...I realised that despite my strong feelings for you, I don't love you as much as I thought."
"Lana..." Clark tried to stop her.
"Clark, if I trully loved you, I'd accept you no matter what. I obviously have a lot to learn and I can't do that here. I need to go." Tears began to fall. Clark took her into an embrace and she didn't fight it.
Clark understood what she needed to do. The truth was, he had a lot to learn himself. "I know. I don't want to lose you, but I understand. I'm just glad you don't hate me!"
"I could never hate you Clark! But, I still wish I knew why you were sent here. If I only knew that my parents didn't die in vain, it might be easier to accept. I won't lie to you. I don't see you the same way. That's the other reason I have to leave. I can't work through all those issues and still see you!"
"So you are running from me!" Clark knew she was, even if she didn't want to admit it.
"Yeah, I guess I am."
Clark and Lana sat there in silence for over an hour. Both knew that the inevitable was about to happen, even if they both wanted to deny it. "May I have your attention. All passengers for Air France flight 602 to Paris, please proceed to get number 112. Boarding will commence in thirty minutes."
Lana got up and Clark followed suit. "I guess I better get going. Clark, walk with me? Just to customs."
Clark hesitated. "Yeah, sure."
The walk was silent and lasted only a few minutes. As they approached the metal detectors, Clark realised it was time to go. "I guess this is it!" Clark didn't want to say goodbye, but he knew it had to happen. He wanted to know if they were meant to be, and he had his answer.
"Yeah. Clark...I'm sorry I hurt you. In my head I know this is none of your fault, but I've got so much...pain in my heart..."
Clark couldn't stand to hear it again. "Lana, I know. You have your own destiny. It's pretty clear that I'm not part of that. But, I don't regret telling you the truth."
"I'm glad you did Clark, at least we know now that it wouldn't have worked out."
"Yeah." Clark was still somewhat in denial. It was over! The relationship he'd dreamed of was actually over. "I guess you better get going."
"Yeah, I guess." Lana leaned up and kissed Clark on the cheek. "Goodbye Clark."
"Goodbye Lana." Clark stepped back and watched as Lana went through security. She went straight through, never looking back. Clark watched until she was out of sight. Then he to turned towards the exit, knowing that he had to move forward, and never look back. He walked with his head hung low. He didn't want to see anyone. He wanted to fly! To get away from it all. Just then he heard an all too familiar voice he could have done without.
"Hey Smallville!"
A/N Okay, I know I dragged the whole Lana thing on a bit long. To those who couldn't stand that, I'm sorry. I wanted it to end well. They shared something special together. Lana is not all bad. Overdramatic and fatalistic, maybe, but I wanted to show that they were two young kids who did't really know what love was, and didn't yet know who they trully were yet. Anyway, please read and review.