Something Old, Something New

Chapter 3: Facing the Music

After four hours, two movies, and several easy conversations, Kate felt much more at home with the group. The credits started to roll on 'Sleepless in Seattle', and Lana sighed in a love-struck way.

"What a great movie," she said softly.

Chloe shrugged, "It's okay."

"Sure Chloe," Pete countered; "You think nobody saw you wiping away a tear when she got to the top of the Empire State Building and he wasn't there?"

The group laughed together, and Pete stood to change the movies over. Kate stood up to stretch and was soon joined by Clark and Lex.

"Doesn't it hurt to wear your hair like that?" Chloe asked Kate from her seat on the couch.

Kate realised that she still had her hair violently pulled back with numerous small metal contraptions and enough hairspray to choke a person to death. Weddings were much more painful for women than men realised.

"Actually, it makes my head itch like crazy!" she laughed at herself. "I got rid of the veil, but I haven't got around to taking the rest out yet."

"It's kind of severe," Lana agreed. "You should take it out." She scrambled around in her handbag, eventually pulling out a hairbrush. "Here," she offered it to Kate.

"Thanks," Kate smiled at the speed of friendship growth in Smallville. Already she had been welcomed into their fold, no résumé necessary. She sat on the floor in front of the coffee table, taking the sharp pins out of her hair one at a time.

"I like the red," Lex said, indicating the red highlights that appeared as she let down her dark hair.

Kate rolled her eyes, "Daniel didn't like it. He said it wasn't 'fitting' for a woman in my position. It was murder on the hairdresser, trying to hide bright red streaks for the wedding."

"Are you sad?" Lana asked suddenly in her soft, concerned tone.

"About the wedding?" Kate asked. Lana nodded, and Kate shrugged her indifference. "I'm sad that the dream is over. It would be nice to have the perfect married life; but I wasn't going to have that with Daniel. The wedding wasn't really about the fairytale; it was more about practicality."

Lana looked horrified. "So, are you even in love with him?"

"There was a time that I loved him," Kate smiled at Lana's shock. "But no, I guess I'm not in love with him. I guess that's why I didn't marry him today."

"Man, that's rough," Pete threw in his two cents.

Kate laughed, "It's just the life we live; right, Lex?"

"What do you mean?" Clark asked.

Kate sighed, "I mean that our lives are more about business than pleasure. Daniel would have provided me with a comfortable life, a good public image, and someone I could depend on."

"Well if that's what you think, then why not marry him?" asked Pete seriously.

"I guess because I want more than that," Kate explained. "I don't need his money for a comfortable life, I already have a good public image, and if I ever do get married I want it to be for something more than co-dependence."

"There's also the fact that the guy's a useless halfwit," Lex added with a smirk. The phone rang loudly, and he stood to answer it.

"Lex Luthor."

"Lex, it's Daniel Hamilton."

"Daniel, how are you?" Lex said smoothly. "I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the wedding today."

"Yeah, well, as it turns out there wasn't a wedding," Daniel said distractedly. "Kate's disappeared; we're calling everyone on the guest list to see if we can find her. You haven't heard from her at all, have you?"

Kate frowned as she stood close to Lex, straining to hear through the phone.

"No, I'm sorry," Lex said with an apologetic tone so convincing that even Kate almost believed him. "I haven't heard anything."

"Okay," Daniel sighed deeply. "Let me know if you hear from her, would you?"

"Of course," Lex said effortlessly. "You take care."

"Yeah, thanks anyway."

"No problem," Lex put the phone back into its cradle and turned to Kate who was waiting expectantly. He grinned, "It sounds like they think you've gone missing. Poor Daniel can't believe that you'd actually leave him at the altar."

Kate frowned at Lex's condescending tone, "What's the matter with you, Lex? He's worried, that's all. I like to think that you'd be worried if your fiancée didn't show up for your wedding."

Lex sighed, "I'm sorry, alright? I just don't like the guy."

"I don't care for your opinion of him right now, Lex," Kate said adamantly. "I was going to marry him, and I think he's pretty decent on the whole. I'm going to call him; he shouldn't be left worrying like this."

Kate picked up the phone and dialled Daniel's cell, fully aware that she was being watched by everyone in the room. Her life had become a soap opera that audiences couldn't tear themselves away from.

"Yes?"

"Daniel? It's me."

"Kate!" He laughed in obvious relief and Kate felt cold hard guilt settle in her stomach. "Are you alright? What happened to you? Where are you?"

"I'm fine," Kate felt her eyes welling up at the sound of his voice. She really had loved him, once upon a time. "I'm staying with a friend for a little while. I just wanted to call so you wouldn't worry."

"Well I am worried, Kate. What's going on?"

"I'm so sorry, Daniel," Kate swallowed hard. "I promise you that I didn't plan this. I had every intention of marrying you, but I…"

"You what?" he asked quietly.

"I just can't," Kate whispered, the first tear falling down her face. "I'm so sorry."

Lana's eyes were wide with horror as her romantic ideals faded a little. Clark sat at her side, holding her hand tight. Pete and Chloe exchanged a dark look as Lex stood at Kate's side, waiting to pick up the pieces if she happened to fall apart.

"You're sorry?" Daniel could not believe his ears. "Do you know how much I paid for that wedding?"

And with that one sentence, Kate felt her blood boiling. "No, Daniel," she said coldly, "How much did you pay for the happiest day of our lives?"

"Not enough, obviously," he spat back.

Kate sighed deeply, letting her anger dissipate before she said something she would regret. "It's not about the money, Daniel. It was never about the money…"

"Then what was it about?" he demanded.

Kate shrugged hopelessly, though she knew he couldn't see it. "I guess I loved you."

"And you don't anymore?"

"I'm sorry," Kate said firmly, closing the conversation. "I just wanted to let you know that I'm alright – please don't let my mother worry about me; let her know I'm safe."

She put the phone gently on its hook and sat on the floor against the wall. Lex sat beside her and put a supportive arm around her shoulders. After allowing her a minute of silent tears, he took her hand and pulled her up.

"Time for another movie," he announced.

Chloe nodded her agreement, saying commandingly, "No more Romance."