Clark did not want to see her. He wondered what she could possibly be doing there. She'd never thought to much of Lana. Then he realised that the only person who knew he'd be there was Chloe. She must have filled her cousin in.
Clark looked up at Lois. "Lois, what are you doing here?"
"Well, I'd like to say I'm here to see you wallow in self pity...but I'd be lying. Actually, I'm here as a favour to Chloe. She wanted to come and meet you, but she's on assignment from the Planet. So she sent me." Clark did not look impressed. Lois appeared to catch on.
"Hey, picking up a moping farm boy isn't exactly my cup of tea either! But Chloe seemed genuinely worried about you and I've never been able to say no to that face she makes when she doesn't get what she wants."
Clark couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of Chloe's face. Apparently it had the same effect on Lois as it did on Clark. "Okay, well, as long as you're not doing this out of the goodness of your heart!" Clark smirked.
"Yeah, like I wanted to come all the way out the airport to pick up a plaid wearing, heart broken farm boy!"
Clark had to admit, he apprciated the ongoing banter he and Lois shared. It was definitely keeping his mind off of Lana. He laughed. "Okay, so where's your car?"
"Where do you think?" Lois turned and headed for the parking garage. Clark quickly followed suit.
The first part of the ride was quiet. No music, no conversation. Both Lois and Clark avoided eye contact. It was beginning to drive Lois crazy. She had to break the silence. "So, wanna tell me what happened, or should I ask Chloe for the details!"
Clark looked at her sharply. "Subtle Lois, really subtle!"
"Look, I'm not offering you a shoulder to cry on, I just want to hear it from you, so when Chloe tells me I can make sure she's telling me the whole story!" Clark gave her a weird look. "What! Don't give me that look. It's Chloe's fault! Her reporter's instinct is rubbing off on me!"
Clark had to grin. Remembering Jerry and how he and his Lois were a reporting team. Apparently the Lois Lane reporter instinct was another universal constant. "Well, the short version?" Lois nodded. "Well, there are things about me that no one knows. Up until last night, neither did Lana. I'd been given an opportunity to leave Smallville and Lana was the only thing keeping me there. I needed to know if we were meant to be. The only way I could really be sure, was to tell her the truth."
"I'm guessing the little farm girl didn't take it too well?"
Clark gave Lois a disapproving glare. "As a matter of fact, no. She reacted in the way I was afraid she would, but I needed to know. She reaised she didn't love me as much as she thought she did and that she had some growing up to do. She said she couldn't do it around me, so she left for France."
"And, dare I ask, how are you feeling about it?"
Clark was suddenly surprised. How was he feeling? "The truth is, I think I'm okay. I mean, I'm glad I know the truth. Lana and I weren't meant to be. Maybe we both needed to grow up...and apart."
Lois glanced at him. "You know Smallville, you impress me!"
Clark just about choked. "What!"
"Don't let your ego get too big! I just mean, I was expecting you to mope and cry and whine, but you're taking this like an adult! Looks like you're on your way to being a man!"
Clark wasn't sure how to take it, but he figured it was Lois' sad attempt at a compliment. "Thanks Lois, I think..." Lois grinned at him and before they knew it, they were pulling up to the Kent farm.
Jonathan and Martha appeared to be waiting. Lois and Clark got out of the car and Martha went running up to Clark, she wrapped her arms around him. "Clark, honey, Chloe told us what happened. Are you okay?"
"Yeah mom. I have to admit, I feel...better!" The look of surprise on Clark's face was surpassed only by that of the one on his mother's face.
"You are?"
"Yeah. Mom, Lana knows the truth and it made us both realise that what we had wasn't what we thought it was. We aren't the people we thought we were. We're not meant to be."
"Well, I'll miss Lana, but I'm glad you're doing okay!" Martha walked around the car and hugged Lois. "Thanks for going to get him. I'd hate for him to have been alone afterwards."
Lois shot Clark a smirk. "No problem Mrs. Kent. Anytime you need someone to make sure your son doesn't go off the deep end, I'll be there to remind him that things could be worse!" Clark shook his head and Martha rolled her eyes. "Anyway, I better get going. I've got stuff to do back in Metropolis."
Clark looked over. "Actually, Lois, I was wondering, could I talk to you for a minute, alone?"
Jonathan and Martha looked at each other. "Come on Martha, I'm sure Clark will fill us in later." Jonathan put his arm around his wife and lead her back into the house.
"So Smallville, what's up?"
"I just wanted to say thanks, for coming to get me!"
"Come on Smallville, don't go soft on me! It almost sounded like you were being sincere!"
Clark smiled. "I am Lois. I also wanted to tell you something. I was going to wait until I told my parents and Chloe, but you're leaving, so I'll tell you now. But please, don't tell Chloe you know, just make sure she gets up here tonight!"
"Sure...but...tell me what exactly?"
"I'm leaving. Tonight."
Lois almost looked surprised. "Tonight? Why the sudden decision."
"Like I told you, I had an opportunity to leave Smallville. Now that Lana has started her journey, I think it's time I began mine!"
Lois was taken aback but smiled brightly "Wow! I never thought I'd see the day that Clark Kent would leave Smallville! Well good luck Clark. Hope you find what you're looking for!" Clark and Lois shared a bit of an awkward silence, that was unusual enough, then Lois did something Clark didn't expect. She hugged him and then kissed him on the cheek. "I'm proud of you Smallville!" She backed away and started getting into her car. "Maybe when you get back, you'll be a real man!" She smiled and winked at him, then backed the car out and drove off. Clark was left slightly stunned and could only imagine what was going through Lois' head. He couldn't stand her, but having her around today was nice.
Clark went into the house to find his parents sitting at the kitchen table waiting for him.
Jonathan got up and approached his son. "So, Clark, anything you would...like to tell us?" Jonathan had a grin on his face and looked back at Martha.
"As of matter fact...Dad, I've decided to take your advice. I leave for the Fortress tonight!" Clark's statement appeared to catch Jonathan off guard. Evidently, it hadn't been the answer he'd been expecting.
Jonathan looked at his son with proud eyes. "I was hoping you would." Jonathan paused for a moment. "This is a big step Clark. Are you sure you're ready?"
"Dad, I've accomplished everything I'm going to here. If fulfilling my destiny is going to allow me to use my abilities to make a difference. To turn this burden into something productive. I've got to do it, no matter what the cost. I thought giving up Lana would be the hardest part, but to be honest, once it was done, it was like a burden was lifted. Hardest part is knowing that people died as a result of my being sent here. I don't want their deaths to be in vain! If I've got a bigger pupose, I'm going to find it!"
"Clark...I'm proud of you son!"
Martha came over and stood next to Jonathan. "We both are. Is there anything you want us to do?"
"I think I'm pretty much ready. I just need to talk to Chloe before I go. There's one last thing I have to take care of."
Chloe ended up coming over for supper. Clark decided it would be best to tell her in private. So, after dinner, Clark took Chloe up to his loft, promising his parents that he would come and get them when he was done. Chloe sat down on the couch, while Clark continued to pace. He started by telling Chloe what had happened at the airport. Then told her about his ride home with Lois. Then came the hard part.
"Chloe, rememeber the first day you found yourself in the arctic? You came into the fortress and saw me caught up in a bright light?"
"Yeah, man was that weird! Wish I could have gotten a picture!" Clark shot her a look. Chloe put her hands up. "Only kidding! So, what about it?"
"Jor-el was attempting to teach me about my destiny. He said it would take a long time. More than a year! But it was cut short."
"Because of me..."
"Chloe, I'm not bringing this up to make you feel guilty. I'm bringing this up because I've decided to finish what Jor-el started with me."
"To fulfill your destiny...Jerry had quite the impact on you didn't he?"
"Yeah, he showed me my potential. He gave me a glimpse of what I'm missing!"
"So...when do you leave?" Clark looked down. He couldn't bring himself to say the words. But Chloe could read him like a book. "Tonight? You're leaving tonight aren't you?"
"Yeah, that's why I wanted you here. There's one last thing I have to do before I go, and it involves you."
"Anything, just name it!"
Clark reached into his pocket and pulled out the octoganal key. "I want you to hold onto this."
"Clark, I couldn't possibly...why?"
"Chloe, there's only one way a regular person can get to the fortress. You've done it before! If anything happens that needs my attention, I want you to come and get me. Do it only in an emergency, or if something drastic happens. I don't want my parents or anyone else knowing I can be contacted. Use your judgement. I trust you Chloe."
Chloe took the key and then wrapped her arms around Clark. "I'm gonna miss you so much! But I'm glad you're doing this. And I promise, your secret is safe with me."
"I know. Well, I should be going soon. I'm gonna go get my parents." Clark sped off and returned just as quickly with his parents, one in each arm.
He gave each one of them a hug and headed over to the window. "I guess it's time to go."
"Good luck son! I'm proud of you!" Jonathan said with a lump in his throat.
"We love you sweetie!" Martha said through tears.
"Come back soon Clark." Chloe whispered, wiping away her own tears.
Clark heard their sentiments, but didn't look back. Wiping away tears in his own eyes, he shot up into the sky and headed for the Fortress of Solitude.
He went as fast as he could. He wanted to get this journey started. He was beyond being afraid of what was waiting for him. He was determined to finally fulfill his destiny and get on with his life.
Clark arrived at the fortress and, with authority, walked into the Fortress and announced. "Jor-el! I'm ready! It's time to fulfill my destiny!"