Jason Teague sat at his European finished desk in the apartment that he shared with his fiancée. He sucked on a cigarette, inhaling the poisonous chemicals. He had never been much of a smoker, only resorting to the nasty habit when stressed. But for the past two weeks, Jason Teague had been nothing but stressed. Even his clients at the office had noticed his anxiety and his tension headaches. Just yesterday he had blown up at a client because he wasn't cooperating.

Leave it to a convicted murderer to do that to him.

Jason leaned back in his plush chair, reaching for another cigarette in the half empty box of smokes. He fumbled for his lighter in the breast pocket of his tailored Gucci suit. Once it had been lit, he let out an audible sigh.

After a few minutes, he sat up straighter, picking up a framed photo sitting on his desk. He traced the outline of the woman with his fingertips, closing his eyes.

"Where are you, Lana?"

Lana Lang strolled alongside Main Street, perfectly content with who she was and where she was. Ever since that night out on the porch with Clark two weeks ago, Lana was feeling much happier and rejuvenated than she had for the past year. Ever since Jason had proposed to her, it had all been a whirlwind of deadlines, dress fittings, and business parties. There had been no time to breathe or relax.

Being in Smallvile really put life in perspective for her, she decided. Here, there were no deadlines, dress fittings, or business parties. Here, everyone followed their own schedule, ate their hearts out, and threw intimate bashes instead of extravagant ones. Small-town life was simpler and the pace was less hectic than city life. It was one of the many reasons that Lana missed Smallville.

As Lana passed the ice cream parlor that was near the post office, she waved at post man Ed Ross who had been delivering Smallville's mail for at least three decades. As she recalled, Ed was Pete Ross's great uncle from his mother's side.

Lana contemplated sitting down and having some ice cream, but decided against it. Her petite figure had taken quite a beating with all of Martha Kent's home cooking and delectable sweets. Besides, she had a $5,000 wedding gown waiting for her back in Metropolis.

Of course, Lana wasn't even entirely sure if she was getting married next month. She hadn't heard a word from Jason since that fateful night that she happened to wander into Clark's apartment. Maybe it was a good thing. Ever since she had arrived in Smallville, she had been thinking less and less about Jason and concentrating more on the handsome farm boy that had stolen her heart years ago.

Since that night on the porch, Lana was fully convinced that she was no longer in love with the memory of the eighteen-year-old Clark Kent. Instead, she had fallen in love with the real thing. Neither a memory nor a dream.

Lana was certain that Clark felt the same way about her. The way that he gazed at her from across a room when he thought that she wasn't watching...his vivid blue eyes that filled with adoration every time he glanced her way...his hand gestures and body movements. Just thinking about it made her shiver unconsciously in the bright spring sun.

But what could she do about it? Even if she were to admit to herself that she were attracted to Clark in more than a friendly way, she was engaged. That hard, cold fact and her diamond engagement ring always brought her back to her senses. Clark also seemed to realize this as he hadn't even attempted to put a move on her for the past two weeks that they had been in Smallville.

However, the real question that Lana had to ask herself was, did she really want a romantic relationship with Clark Kent again? Forget the engagement ring, the $5,000 wedding gown, or even Jason. If those things were insignificant, did she really want to get involved romantically with Clark? That was a question that she had been asking herself throughout high school and it wasn't until her senior year that she finally took a chance. In the end, although it was a bittersweet moment, Clark had left.

Lana took a shaky breath, the blaring of a horn taking her back to the present. She was leaning against a mailbox outside of...The Talon! Lana readjusted her purse on her shoulder and fixed the strap of her sapphire dress that she had borrowed from Martha.

She pulled open the door of the coffee shop and stepped inside. The first thing that she noticed upon entry was that the place had changed from an Egyptian styled coffee house to a modern black and white themed bookstore café. The ceiling was painted a black finish with the tables mirroring the same color. The floor and walls were a blinding white and the photos hanging on the walls followed the same theme.

Lana wanted to applaud the designer for the very chic design and at the same time, she wanted to cry for her Egyptian design that she had poured many late hours into.

After a few minutes, the initial shock wore off and Lana cautiously approached the counter. When she was close enough, a freckled, red-headed girl turned around, sending her a courteous smile.

"Hi, how can I help you?"

"Oh...I was wondering if I could talk to the manager," Lana blurted out, not sure where she was going with this.

"You're talking to her." Although the smile was still on her face, the red head looked confused.

"I was just wondering...what happened to the Egyptian décor that used to be here?"

"Well...when my dad bought the place, we decided to tear down the décor. It needed something more modern. So, we put in a mini book store."

"Black and white never does seem to go out of style, does it?"

"No, it doesn't." The girl grinned and pointed to a tray of scones. "Would you like some scones? Fresh out of the oven."

"Sure." Lana began digging in her purse for some change. "Could I also have a double espresso with that?"

"Of course."

As the girl placed two scones in a small paper bag, Lana took her time looking around the shop.

"Here ya go. That's $7.25."

Not nearly as expensive as the coffee and scones in Metropolis, so Lana wasn't complaining. "Thanks." She handed the girl the money in exchange for her coffee and scones.

"Can I help you with anything else?" the red head asked when she noticed that Lana was still standing there.

"I was just wondering...about the paintings that used to be on that far wall over there." Lana waved her hand in that direction.

The girl squinted, obviously thinking hard. "I remember them coming with the place...but my dad and I never found a place for them. I think we auctioned them off a couple of years ago in Metropolis."

Saddened by the news, Lana nodded. "Well, thanks for your time."

"Any time. Have a good day."

Lana exited the coffee house and took a seat on a bench outside of the barber shop, finishing off her scones and coffee. She wished that Clark could have been able to come out with her today, but he was in Metropolis, patrolling the skies as Superman. He had promised her that he would be off by dinner, but crime didn't cease to exist by dinner. If possible, it grew worse.

Martha and Jonathon Kent were in Grandville, attending a farmer's market. Although the market lasted only one day, Martha and Jonathon had decided to rent out a cabin up there for a getaway weekend. Martha had insisted that Lana and Clark come along, but Clark had declined with the excuse that he needed to take care of a few things before Pete's wedding that was in a week. Lana hadn't wanted to intrude either, so she had declined the offer as well.

After finishing off the last of the scones, Lana threw the cup and paper bag into a garbage bin and pondered where to go next. She needed to pick up a few things at the market for dinner, but it was too early for that. Instead, Lana wondered about Clark's twenty-eighth birthday that was coming up next week.

She considered going into the Talon again to browse the book shelves for a suitable birthday present, but decided against it. She wanted to get him something special...something that would make up for the past birthdays that she had missed.

Lana straightened her dress and brushed off the crumbs that the scones had left. Deciding that she would worry about the present later, she headed in the direction of the small market on the corner of Main Street.

She grabbed a small shopping basket on her way in, noticing that it resembled a picnic basket rather than the usual red or blue plastic ones. While some parts of Smallville had entered the new century along with the rest of the world, most of Smallville had decided that it didn't need fancy billboards or endorsements by celebrities to bring its tourists in. The homey atmosphere and small-town feel was what attracted most people. Of course, the meteor rocks and constant uprising of meteor freaks also helped with the tourism.

Lana roamed the aisles of the small market, taking her time looking for the items on her list. The place was more of a convenience store rather than a well-stocked market, but she wasn't expecting an Albertsons like in Metropolis.

Twice, Lana had to pass the arts and crafts aisle to find pasta for the lasagna she was making tonight. As she passed the aisle again for the third time to find some frozen chicken, she paused, staring at the mediocre art supplies.

Mediocre or not, they were something. Lana gingerly picked up a pack of pastels and placed them in her shopping basket. After some more contemplating, she grabbed a set of water colors and a small roll of easel paper.

After paying for the items, Lana left the store, heading for the Kent family truck that Clark had insisted she take into town for the day since he would be in Metropolis.

Lana placed the grocery bag on the passenger seat next to her and slid in, starting up the engine.

Once she arrived at the familiar farm house, Lana immediately started to prepare dinner, noticing the time. After she set the timer and placed the lasagna in the oven, she grabbed her personal purchases and exited the house. Hoping that she wouldn't burn the food, Lana headed for the loft, knowing that Clark wouldn't mind at all.

After arranging Clark's desk so that it faced the window, she took a seat and laid out her materials. In the west, the sun was starting to set, casting an orange and red glow on Lana and the loft.

Lana took a deep breath and timidly picked up a pastel. She was surprised to find how easy the lines, shapes, and colors came out. After familiarizing herself with the technique, Lana ripped out a fresh sheet of easel paper from the roll and attempted a harder project.

She was so immersed at the task at hand that she nearly jumped when she heard a voice behind her.

"Clark!" She whipped around, dropping the red pastel. "You scared me."

He simply grinned, still in his Superman costume. "I went by the house, but you weren't there. I started to worry, but then I realized that were around here somewhere since you left the lasagna in the oven."

"I completely forgot about dinner," she confessed. "Did you turn the oven off?"

He nodded. "I'm going to change real quick. Be back in a second."

All Lana saw was a blur of red and blue before Clark stood before her in a white tee and jeans.

"You clean up fast," she joked as he pulled up a chair next to her. Lana instinctively covered what she had been working on.

"Were you painting?" Clark asked, trying to get her to lift her arms from the canvas.

"No, but pretty close to it."

He smiled, noticing the way the setting sun cast its light on her facial features. "I'm glad you started again."

"Me too." Lana turned the paper over and rolled it up carefully, setting it aside. She studied his face for a moment. "What happened to your glasses?"

"Oh, I don't wear them when I come into Smallville. No one really recognizes me here. They just see me as Martha and Jonathon Kent's son."

Lana nodded, understanding this. "So, how was your day?"

"Mine?"

She nodded again.

Clark sighed. "I found out from the chief of the fire department that a kid died last night in an apartment fire."

Immediately reading his mind, Lana took his hand. "You can't save everyone, Clark."

"I know... It's just, if I had been there..."

"But you weren't." She squeezed his hand. "I know that it's a horrible death, but Superman needs a break, too, don't you think?"

He looked down at their joined hands. "Yeah. I guess so. Thanks, Lana."

"No problem."

"Lana?"

"Yes?" she sang.

His thumb rubbed her hand nervously. "I was wondering if we could do something tomorrow."

"Like what?"

He shrugged. "I'm not sure yet."

"Sounds like a plan." She smiled, showing him her dimples. "C'mon, let's go eat." She stood up and tugged on his hand.

"I'll be down in a few minutes."

Lana gave him a curious expression, but didn't question him. She slowly removed her hand from his grasp, descending the steps.

Clark watched her leave, hands shoved in the pockets of his jeans. Once she had disappeared from sight, he turned toward the window, smiling to himself.

The past two weeks had been a blessing, a gift from the heavens. Over the course of the past two weeks, he and Lana had bonded, shared their laughter and their thoughts. Although Clark was almost certain that Lana had developed some feelings for him, he hadn't pushed, allowing her to sort out her own feelings for Jason and for him first. He was glad that had waited, for he could see the appreciation in her eyes, thanking him for not pushing.

Though, as Clark stood there, gazing at the fiery, reddish sun, he had doubts about what would happen next. What if Lana didn't have feelings for him and he was just kidding himself? What if Jason showed up on the doorstep tomorrow? Would she go with him or stay?

Something inside of him told him that she would probably go. Jason was safe, an anchor. Jason wouldn't set sail at any second without her.

Clark had known Lana all his life, better than anyone else. He knew that she was scared; scared of entering a romantic relationship with him. He didn't blame her, though. He just wished that he knew how to show her...tell her that he would never dare to cause her pain again. He was fully committed this time. This time, destiny wasn't calling out for him, ready to envelope him into its wings. No, Clark had dealt with that mess already.

He stood there for quite some time before turning away from the window, the rays of the fading sun shining on the back of his white tee. As he made his way toward the house, he noticed the kitchen lights on, a shadow at the sink. Smiling to himself, he paused in his steps, hands in his pockets. It was amazing how just a shadow of her could make his entire day.

Deciding that he just didn't want a shadow, he continued toward the house, admiring the sound of her voice that was singing along with the radio. Although she was out of tune and couldn't hit the high notes very well, Clark was never more certain that it was the most beautiful sound his ears had ever picked up.

psst...hit the purple button