Understanding
He was the one she always turned to. Why was that?
Clark made her feel safe, the safety she needed when the brink between life and death seemed to close with a snap. He was always there for her, the guy who turned up at the last moment and changed her life around. It didn't matter that he was never punctual. He spent an enormous amount of time saving her life that mere friendship was inevitable. No one else seemed to care for her as much as Clark did.
Lana spent so much time at the Talon that she understood the distinction between business and pleasure. Maybe Clark felt that it was his job to save her life. What she felt he could never understand was that all she truly cherished from Clark was his friendship and perhaps, love.
Lana truly felt that while Clark put her on a pedestal, he only saw her princess charm. She felt as if she had her own personal bodyguard. But more so, that she needed one. Lana felt the glaring thoughts of others, pinning her to be helpless and weak.
Lana was surprised and a bit mystified at Clark's reaction when she learned karate from Lex. She wanted more self-reliance and confidence than Clark could give her.
Lex made her feel normal, the normality she needed when the brink between perfection and madness seemed to close with a snap. He was always there for her, the guy who watched her tears and filled her with hope. She may never find what she was looking for, but the mere fact that Lex "knows" she will always gave her the confidence to continue.
Lana truly felt that while Lex took her off her pedestal, he saw her potential to be strong. She was equal in his eyes.
When she began to feel helpless and lost, he turned out to be the one she could talk to. And now she understood why.