Clark paused the message. "Lana?" he thought outloud. "Why are you calling me? Why now?" Clark hesitantly pushed the play button to hear the rest of Lana's message.
"...I just got back from France this morning and I'll be in Smallville for a few days and...well...we need to talk. Can you make it here tomorrow night? I hope you can. Call me and let me know. I'm still on European time so I'll be up late...or if it's too late for you, just come by the Talon tomorrow night. I'll be hanging out there most of the evening, helping your mom. Hope to see you then, bye!"
Clark was confused. He couldn't think straight. He'd finally moved on from his past and it looked like his past was coming back. But why? He and Lois were finally getting along. He was getting the hang of living a double life. Clark shook his head.
Clark replayed the message several times and something caught his attention. Lana sounded nervous. What was it she needed to talk to him about? He had no desire to get back together with her. The tone in her voice sounded almost, ashamed? Clark realised that he needed to talk this over with Chloe. She was the only person who'd been both his best friend and Lana's. That was the other question. If Lana had just gotten in that day, why hadn't Chloe known...or had she? Clark decided to sleep on it but would make his first priority at work the next day to talk to Chloe and find out what she knew.
The next morning was far from slow for Clark. As much as he wanted to confront Chloe, his Superman duties woke him up at 4am and kept him busy until just before he was expected at the Planet. He got into work two minutes before his start time. He spent the first twenty minutes in front of his computer, typing up the latest Superman exclusive, then headed to the boardroom for the morning briefing. As he walked in, slightly later than everyone else, Perry was standing at the head of the desk.
"Nice of you to join us Kent! Now, if it's okay with you, we'd like to start our meeting!"
Clark grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, sorry chief!"
"Well, don't let it happen again! Now, I want to congratulate Lois on the biggest scoop any newspaper has ever had. It seems Superman was impressed with the high quality journalism of the Daily Planet and offered her an exclusive interview!" Perry held up the morning edition. "Meet the front page of the best selling edition in Daily Planet history." The headline read "Superman: The real story!" Vigorous applause filled the conference room. "Now Kent, Lois tells me that you had a part to play in introducing her to Superman in the first place."
Clark grinned. Leave it to Lois. "Well, I've had my share of Superman exclusives, and I did run into him at the press conference a couple of weeks ago on my way to call the police. But Lois is the talent here chief!"
Perry laughed. "Spoken like a true team player! I love it! All right, that's it! Meeting's over! Now go find me some news!"
Clark walked over to Lois' desk ahead of her and sat in her chair. When she finally got there, she gave him a smirk. "Look Smallville, I know you aspire to be as great a reporter as I am, but it'll take more than a few Superman exclusives to fill that chair!"
Clark chuckled. "You know, you didn't have to give me any credit for that interview!"
"I know! But I guess I figured, we are a team, and you did introduce us...sort of. But don't expect that kind of easy break again! Now get out of my chair!" Lois went to push him out.
Clark got up quickly and raised his palms to the air. "Okay, okay! I didn't mean to tarnish your throne, your highness!" Clark bowed.
Lois looked smugly at him. "Well, I'll forgive you this time, but don't let it happen again!" Lois turned to her computer.
Clark laughed and headed towards Chloe's desk. Fun time was over, it was time to get down to business. "Chloe!"
Chloe was at her desk working on her latest story. She turned around to face Clark. "Hey Clark! So, decided to give Lois the exclusive eh?"
"Yeah, I would have given it to you, but she's my partner now and she works the city beat..."
"Clark it's okay. I wasn't even at the press conference. It would have arroused suspicion. So, what can I do for you?"
"Did you know Lana is back in Smallville?"
"Right to the point eh? Okay, I'll bite. Yes I did. She called me a couple of days ago before she left Paris." Clark began to tense and Chloe could see it in his face. "Relax Clark. Let me guess, she called you last night didn't she?"
"Yeah, she wants me to go to Smallville tonight!"
"Clark, when she called me, she asked me how you were. She said she wanted to talk to you and asked if it would be okay if she called you. I asked her to wait until she got to Smallville. I guess she did."
Clark turned his back to Chloe. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Chloe sighed. "You of all people should know why someone would keep a secret!"
Clark knew exactly what she meant. "You did it for my benefit, didn't you?"
Chloe smirked. "You catch on quick Kent! So, do you plan on going?"
Clark turned to face Chloe. "I guess I should. I mean, it's strange. I don't have feelings for her. I closed that book over a year ago. But I guess I owe it to her..." Just then Clark picked up a police radio signal informing officers to head to the east docks as a ship was on fire.
Chloe knew the look on Clark's face. "What is it?"
"Ship's on fire, east docks!"
"Go! I'll cover!"
"Thanks." Clark took off for the stairs and soon a large "boom" was heard as Superman soared through the air towards the docks. "This is going to be a long day!"
The day was long for Clark Kent. He had hoped for time to think about what he was going to say to Lana, but Superman had been busy saving lives and Clark had been busy writing the stories. In some ways, Clark had been grateful for the distraction, but as he flew towards Smallville, he wished he'd had more time to prepare.
Clark's plan was to land at the farm, have dinner with his mom and then head over to the Talon. So far everything was going to plan, with one pleasant exception. When he landed at the farm and changed in to his civies, he found that Pete Ross was waiting for him on the front steps. Clark ran over to him. "Pete?"
"In the flesh!" They shook hands with the masculin pat on the back. "How've you been Clark?"
"Good, busy."
"Yeah, I see you found a way to use your abilities, Superman!"
Clark laughed. "Yeah, it's a really long story. But Superman is a very busy person, but being a reporter keeps me busy too. Does Chloe know you're in town?"
"Yeah, I called her earlier. She said she'd stop by tomorrow."
"So, what brings you here Pete?"
"A few different things. My best friend and his mom's cooking bring me to the farm. As for why I'm back in Smallville, we can talk about that later."
"Okay..."
"Anyway, your mom said that you're heading to the Talon to meet up with Lana."
"Yeah, Pete, there's something you're not telling me."
"I'll explain later tonight. I promise." Pete turned towards the front door of the house. "So, do you plan on coming in for dinner? Or are you going to wait out here all night?"
Clark smiled. "And miss my mom's cooking! No way!" He followed behind Pete.
"Nice glasses by the way!"
"They help with the whole secret identity thing!"
"Well, they don't make you look any smarter!" Pete chuckled and punched Clark in the arm.
Clark punched him back and they took their seats at the table.
Dinner went by quickly but quietly. Clark sensed his mom knew what was going on, because she seemed to be rushing through dinner. Clark had tried asking his mom if everything was all right. She said she was, but that she had lots to do after dinner. Clark even offered to help, but Martha insisted that he finish his dinner and then head to the Talon. Pete even offered him a ride. Clark had decided that it would be best not to fly in.
The car ride over was equally silent. Clark was beginning to think there was a conspiracy against him. It appeared both Pete and his mom knew something he didn't. As they pulled up to the Talon, Pete got out and lead Clark into what ended up being a very empty Talon. Sitting at the bar, with short brown hair was Lana. She was dressed in a simple black dress and had just turned around at the sound of the door opening.
"Lana?" Clark said, not really knowing what to say.
Land walked over to him and gave him a big hug. "Hey Clark!" she said with a smile. "Oh, it's so good to see you!"
Clark smiled. "It's good to see you too Lana." Clark noticed Pete walking over to the counter. "Must be my lucky day. Two of my best friends come home around the same time!"
"About that, Clark..." Lana said hesitantly. "There are some things I want to tell you about."
Clark knew that tone. A couple of years earlier he would have been nervous, but he found himself suprisingly calm. "Like what?"
"Well, a lot happened in Paris." Lana said walking away from him. "I had a lot of time to think and to grow up...a lot."
Clark noticed a sparkle reflect off her left hand. "Does it have anything to do with that diamond on your left hand? It's beautiful!"
"My...fiancee gave it to me."
Clark was only slightly shocked. It made sense that an attractive woman in Europe would fall in love with a handsome french man. "Congratulations!" Clark smiled. He was trully happy for Lana. He'd become more secure and had more things to worry about than the fate of Lana Lang. "Who's the lucky guy?"
At that point Pete walked up to Lana and put his arm around her with an anxious look on his face. Clark couldn't help but grin. "Pete? Is this what you didn't want to tell me?" Clark chuckled.
Pete looked surprised. "You mean, you're not upset?"
"Upset? I'm thrilled. Two people I care about fell in love." Clark went up and hugged them both. "I'm honestly happy for you! When's the big day? Have you decided?"
"Uh...yeah..." Lana stuttered, still shocked by Clark's enthusiasm. "Six months from now."
"Well, I better get an invite. And I know this great photographer, if you don't have one yet. He's a kid, but a real talent..."
"Clark!" Lana shouted.
"Yeah?"
"Are you sure you're okay with this?"
"Lana." Clark said looking deep into her eyes. "Letting you go was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. But the day you left for Paris, my life changed. My priorities changed too. I was able to let you go and embrace who it was I was meant to become."
Lana's eyes began to fill with tears and Clark was quick to change the subject. "So...how did you guys hook up?"
"I decided to take a trip to Paris last summer." Pete explained. "I was touring different institutes when I saw Lana's name on a class list. I decided to investigate to see if it was the Lana Lang I knew and sure enough it was!"
"Pete and I started hanging out." Lana continued, "I told him that I knew that he knew about your secret and then felt comfortable enough to tell him why I'd left." She cozied up to Pete. "It was so nice to have someone to share your secret with. Someone who understood how I felt. We connected from there. That was about a year ago. Ten months later, Pete asked me to mary him."
Clark laughed. "So, how'd you propose Pete?"
"With style of course!"
"Eifle Tower?"
"Bingo! Following a very elegant dinner!"
"Wow! Nice to know my secret was able to benefit both your lives somehow!"
Everyone went silent at Clark's statement. Lana was the first to break it. "That was the other thing I wanted to talk to you about." She turned to her fiancee. "Pete, would you excuse us?"
Pete smiled. "Sure thing! I'll be in the car when you're done!"
Pete left the Talon and Lana continued. "I saw Superman on TV a couple of weeks ago! I see you found a way to use your...talents in public instead of saving lives in Smallville and having to come up with crazy excuses!" Lana laughed.
Clark laughed too. "Now it's finding excuses as to why I have to leave all of a suddent. This dual life thing gets a little confusing at times."
"I bet, but the glasses are a nice switch. It's funny, I've seen you without glasses before, but when I saw Superman, I had to keep reminding myself it was you. He looked so confident and older and just plain different. He lacked the gentle side that is Clark Kent."
Clark began to blush at the flattering comment. "Yeah well, people have seen me without glasses, so I couldn't rely on them alone. I had to create a whole new persona, but one that was still based on who I am."
"I'm just glad you found a way to finally be yourself and be appreciated for it. Clark...I want to apologized for the way I reacted when you told me your secret."
"Lana..."
"Let me finish. I wanted to thank you for chosing to be Superman."
"Thank me?"
"Clark, when I left for Paris, I left thinking that the only reason my parents died was so one person could life, as extraordinary as you are, that didn't comfort me. I thought there death was pointless and unnecessary. Until I saw Superman and all the people he saved. I realised that my parents didn't die in vain. They died so that thousands of people could live." Lana began to tear up and wrapped her arms around Clark. "You've brought peace to my heart and mind and I find myself one of the many indebted to Superman!"
Clark couldn't help but become misty eyed himself. He had spent almost two years thinking he'd ruined Lana Lang's life, but she'd come back to tell him he hadn't. Accepting and pursuing his destiny had come at a price, but evidently, there had been benefits.
Clark and Lana pulled away from each other and headed outside to where Pete was waiting by his car. "So, are you two back together, or do I still get to marry Lana Lang?" Pete smirked.
Clark grinned. "She's all yours Pete! I should be going anyway. Superman has his evening patrol to do. Speaking of which..." Clark pointed to a nearby alley. "follow me, I promise you'll be safe."
Lana and Pete followed Clark who made sure the alleyway was clear of any spectators. "I thought you guys might like to see this." Clark spun into a tornado and Superman appeared.
Pete and Lana gasped at what they had just witnessed. "Clark that was amazing!" Lana said.
"Man, that is too cool bro!" Pete added.
"The two of you share the burden of my secret, I figured it would be a neat experience. Anyway, I better be getting back to Metropolis." With that, Clark took off into the night sky.
The next day Clark walked into the Daily Planet with a smile on his face. He was on top of the world. After explaining the previous evening's events to a squealing Chloe, he went over to Lois' desk, only to find she wasn't there. All of a sudden, Clark heard a high pitch sound and dropped to his knees.
Chloe came rushing over. "Clark, are you all right!"
Clark fought for control. "I have to get to the caves!"
"What? Why?"
"I don't know, but that sound, it's coming from there!"
"I'll..." Clark sped off to the staircase leaving Chloe standing there. "cover for you."
Clark flew towards the caves and noticed that the closer he got, the less intense the sound became. When he arrived outside the caves, the sound had stopped. He made sure the coast was clear, spun back into his regular clothes, and headed into the caves. As he went deeper in, he could hear another heartbeat. "It can't be!" he thought out loud.
As Clark reached the inner part of the caves, he was confronted by the last person he expected to see there. "Hey Smallville! What are you doing here"
"Lois? I could ask you the same question."
"My, aren't we defensive!"
"Well, I used to come down here as a teenager. I spent the night in Smallville last night and thought I'd stop by. Your turn!"
"It's kinda silly, but I had a dream that Superman was hiding here. The dream was so vivid. I figured I'd better check it out. Guess I was wrong."
Just then light filled the room. Jor-el's voice resounded like thunder. "Kal-el, your destiny has almost been fulfilled. There is only one more part of your destiny, that has yet to be fulfilled. It's time you disconvered it!"
Before Lois or Clark could speak, a wall in the cave opened up and both Lois and Clark were pulled in.
TO BE CONTINUED...
A/N: I plan on completing the trilogy. Hope you all liked this middle story. Thanks for all your support. I hope to get the first chapter of the sequel posted by the end of the week.