Clark stood at the sink putting up the dishes that had been in the dishwasher. He stopped for a moment and looked around his apartment. He thought it looked pretty good. He had spent most of the morning cleaning it up. Yeah, he could have done the whole thing in a few seconds, but he wanted to be done right. He also needed the time to think. He needed something to occupy his time to keep himself from being so nervous. He didn't really know why he was so nervous about this. He was just meeting an old friend that he hadn't seen in a while, there wasn't anything unusual about that.
Clark shook his head. He knew that wasn't right. This wasn't just an old friend that he was about to talk to. This was Lana. Things had always been and seemed like they would always be different with her. He hoped she would show up. Surprised was an understatement about her reaction when he had called her up. She seemed hesitant to want to meet. He had assured her all he wanted was just a few minutes of her time to talk.
She hadn't wanted to meet him at his apartment to begin with. But with the sensitive nature of the conversation he thought it would be better to be in private. Of course, he couldn't tell her that reason for fear that she would never show up. So, he just told her that he thought this way it would be more private and there wouldn't be a chance of any camera happy poparazzi trying to take a picture of the two of them together. Clark knew they would love the chance to print something about the bride to be having another guy on the side. Clark didn't want to take that chance. His reasoning had finally won her over and she had agreed to his plan.
He still didn't know what he was going to say when he put the drying cloth back on the rack and heard the doorbell ring. He quickly scanned the door and seeing that it was Lana called out. "Its open." Clark walked around the kitchen seating area as Lana hesitantly walked inside the apartment.
As soon as she was inside Clark got a queasy feeling in his stomach and he knew it wasn't the nervous butterflies causing it. He looked over at Lana and she was wearing a very ornate gold necklace that curved inward in three places before joining in the middle where a good sized green rock sat with gold bands entwined over it.
Clark groaned inwardly and tried very hard not to outwardly. How am I going to be to talk with her with that thing on her? I guess this really is like how is used to be.
Lana saw the strange expression on Clark's face but chalked it to that the fact that he was probably nervous. She knew she was. She wondered what he wanted to talk to her about after all these years. She was also nervous because she hadn't told Lex about this secret rendezvous. She knew he wouldn't have been happy to know who she was going to see. Clark had said he just wanted to talk, she thought she could handle that on her own.
Lana looked around the apartment trying to think of some small talk to make to get the conversation started since it seems like Clark was not going to. "This is a nice apartment you have here."
"Thanks, I don't really know anything about decorating." Clark finally took his eyes off the evil jewelry and looked around his apartment. It had a very comfortable looking couch up against the wall facing the kitchen area. It had nature pictures spread out nicely over the walls. There was one in particular that was his favorite. It was a picture of his barn. Even though it no longer belonged to him, since his mom sold the place, it still reminded him of home. Lana saw the picture of the barn and how Clark's eyes seemed to linger on that picture more than the others. It certainly stirred up memories for her as well. "I had Chloe help me." Clark motioned to the couch across the room. "Please have a seat."
"Sure" Lana walked over and sat down placing her purse on the floor next to her feet. "It's good that the two of you have stayed close through all these years." Lana said as an uncomfortable silence seemed to linger around them. She noticed that Clark had not moved from the spot where he was leaning against the kitchen counter. Is he still that upset with me that he can't even sit down next to me? Why did he want to meet with me then?
Clark saw the strange look on Lana's face, but didn't know what to do. The radiation was bad enough standing this close to her there was no way he would be able to sit down right next to her. "That's a very pretty necklace you have. Where'd you get it?"
Lana looked down and gently fingered the piece of jewelry. She smiled as she looked back up at Clark. "Its an emerald necklace that Lex that gave me as an engagement present. He brought himself a ring to match it."
I hate to tell you this, but you got jipped. Clark thought wryly to himself.
"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" Lana decided to get to the point of her visit the awkwardness of the situation was beginning to get to her and she couldn't figure out why Clark still hadn't moved.
"I wanted to talk to you about Lex." Clark spoke calmly and slowly. He didn't want to give her the wrong impression about what he was about to say.
Lana tried to stay calm as she answered but she felt herself already becoming defensive. This is the reason for this meeting. What does he think he's doing? "What about Lex?"
"I know how you are about truth and honesty." Clark began. "I just don't think you have a full picture of what you are getting into. I just wanted you to know the whole story before you go forward with this marriage."
"Are you trying to break me and Lex up?" Lana shot back getting angrier by the second. "Off all the people I can't believe I am going to get a speech on truth and honesty from you Clark. How can you stand there and say anything about someone not being honest. Lex has been very good to me. Do you not remember why we didn't work out?"
Clark definitely remembered that. As she stood there a flash of Lana lying prone on the side of the road covered in blood flashed back in his brain. He blinked quickly to get the vision to go away. That was something he didn't think he could ever forget. Clark's answer was almost a whisper. "I remember." He looked up at her and saw that she had calmed down and now had a look of concern on her face. It was almost as if she was afraid her outburst had wounded him in some way. In a way it had, honesty was a problem he struggled with daily, but could never do what he wanted about it.
"You're right, Lana. It does seem hypocritical of me to try to talk about honesty given our past. I'm not trying to break up you and Lex. If you decide to go on with this wedding, that your decision. I just don't want you going in with blinders on."
"I'm not going in with blinders on, Clark. I'm a grown woman now and I know what I'm getting into." Lana stated trying to keep her composure better. She felt bad about lashing out at Clark like that. It seemed like all the pent frustration she had carried around for so long was finally coming out at seeing him again.
"Do you really?" Clark asked. "Does Lex share with you what he does when the cameras are not there? Does he tell you about what he does when no one watching?"
"I trust Lex. I think he is a good man. He doesn't tell me about every detail of his work. There's no way he could." Lana looked Clark straight in the eye as she spoke. "How can you really ever no anyone Clark? I was with you just about all the time when we were together but I never felt like I really knew you."
"I know you're angry and frustrated at me Lana." Clark was beginning to get exasperated. This is getting him nowhere and he was really starting to feel the effects of the necklace. He could tell he was leaning heavier on the kitchen counter for support. He felt in a few more minutes standing might not be possible. "B-but this is not about me this is about Lex."
Lana noticed Clark slight stutter and then saw just how pale he looked. Something wasn't right. She never remembered seeing him like this before. "Clark, are you okay? You look kinda pale."
"I- I'm fine." Clark tried to wave off the concern though he was feeling very light headed.
"You don't look like you fine." Lana got up and began to walk over to him to see if she could do anything to help.
Clark moaned slightly as she neared. "I'm just feeling a little light headed that's all. I probably just need to lay down. Maybe you should go."
Lana was a little hurt by Clark's abruptness but didn't say anything. "Are you sure you're going to be okay?"
"Yeah, I just need some rest." Clark tried to smile, but could only manage a weak grin.
"Okay, I guess I'll just let myself out, then" Lana turned and walked toward the door, stopping for a moment to look back at Clark before closing it.
Clark slumped into a nearby chair breathing heavy. This was certainly not the meeting he had planned.
