ok.. chapter 5. once again.. emotional. and i want everyone to keep in mind what i said from the outset with this sequel. it would be angstier and more emotional than the first installment. so don't let this chapter fool ya..

so here we go..

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Author: Alison

Disclaimer: Characters belong to DC, WB, AlMiles, etc., etc., etc. I only own the story and tickets to CMA Fan Fest in June. Oh yeah, gonna party in Nashville with Keith Urban. Don't worry, my cat will take pictures.

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Chapter 5

It was second nature to her now. She drove there so often. Every time she turned down the dirt path it almost felt like she was going home.

She was so nervous. She'd been crying all day. It'd hit her in waves. She'd be fine one minute, then the next she'd break down. The slightest thing reminded her.

It was worse when she stepped out of the shower and saw the picture lying on the sink. She didn't mean to look at it. But the moment she did, she couldn't control the sobs.

It only helped to further remind her how much she missed him.

The red car pulled up to the yellow farmhouse. It was later than she meant to show up, but she had to prepare herself before she could see him again. She took a deep breath before stepping out of the car and closing the door.

She really loved this place. She looked up at the clear, crisp cold night sky as she pulled her coat tighter around her body. The stars were brightly scattered across the black sky overhead. The full moon illuminated everything around her as she watched her breath in the night air.

The blue pickup truck was in the driveway, but Mrs. Kent's car was gone. She wasn't at the Talon when she left her apartment. Maybe she had to run some errands.

Was he even home? She figured he was. Would he be in his loft? It was nearly nine o'clock.

She glanced from the house to the barn. The light wasn't on.

It's not that she minded the barn. It's just it was cold. And the barn could be, well…drafty.

But she had to try and talk to him again. Or at the very least, she just wanted to make sure he was okay. She knew he wasn't. But she just thought if she was there, then maybe, just maybe, he'd be alright.

She turned back towards the house and walked up the steps to the door. She peeked inside and saw the kitchen light still on. Well, someone was at home.

She tried the doorknob, turning it until the door slowly popped open.

"Hello?" She stepped through and into the dimly lit kitchen. "Mrs. Kent? Smallville?" She gently closed the door behind her and walked farther into the house. "Anyone home?"

Nothing. Not a sound.

She took off her coat and hung it on the nearby hall tree, then turned and softly made her way up the stairs.

Were they asleep? Surely not. They wouldn't have left the door unlocked.

She rounded the corner at the top of the landing and walked down the dark hall. She glanced in his bedroom. Nothing.

Was she sure anyone was at home?

She was beginning to worry that something was wrong. But someone would've called her, right? Chloe or …someone would've called her.

She was about to turn around and go back downstairs to grab her cell phone to call Chloe when something in Mrs. Kent's bedroom caught her eye.

He was just sitting on the edge of the bed.

She walked into the dark room, the only light from the full moon shining through the windows.

She hesitated. What was he doing? Did he want her there?

Was that even a question? She already gathered from earlier that he not only wanted her there, but he needed her.

"Clark?"

He sniffed. But no words.

What should she say? What should she do?

She took a deep breath and was about to say something…anything. But he beat her to it.

"You know…when I was little, my parents used to let me crawl in bed with them when I was afraid." His bottom lip began to quiver as he clenched his jaw. She slowly walked closer to him and stood at the foot of the bed, grabbing one of the posters of the antique four-poster bed as she leaned against it. "But…my dad would tell me every time I'd jump in between them that one day…I'd have to face my fears alone." He paused as she tried to desperately hold back her own tears. "I guess…I guess that day has finally come."

She couldn't do it. She couldn't hold them in forever.

He never flinched as she moved closer and sat beside him on the bed. So, she'd let one or two fall. They were tears for a friend, right? Her best friend, right?

She took a breath and paused while she searched for the right words.

"Clark. You are never alone." They were coming. They were welling up inside. Take another breath. "There will always be someone here for you." Another breath. They were closer. Don't let them fall. "I will always be here for you." Almost. Please don't lose it. Don't lose control. "And…you're not alone tonight."

What made her do it, she'll never be sure. But she slowly reached out and took his hand in hers.

They'd been here before. It wasn't the first handhold.

But it was the first she'd initiated. And she was oddly…comfortable.

She just couldn't bear to see him hurting like this. She knew the pain he was in. She knew his grief. She knew he wanted revenge, to blame something or someone.

She knew he just wanted him back.

She knew…him.

They'd been through so much and never said a word. They could amuse, comfort or anger one another with a simple glance.

"Besides…you're never dealt more than you can handle. And if you can't, then that's what I'm here for, right?"

She smiled through the tears that wanted to fall as he laughed softly and a tiny smile formed.

He kicked off his shoes and slowly spun around on the bed, laying his head on the pillow. She released his hand as he scooted over and motioned to her.

Did he--? Was she--?

Well, they had fallen asleep at her apartment once while watching a movie. And they did fall asleep together last night in the loft.

She'd just stay with him until he fell asleep. Or, at the very least, until he felt somewhat better.

She kicked off her shoes, as well and lay on her back on the edge of the bed next to him. He put his arm around her torso as he lay on his side.

Maybe it was all the talk of their parents. Maybe it was what she'd been through in the last few weeks.

But for some reason, it just came out as they lay there together in his parents' bed, watching the moonlight filter through the windows.

She took a deep breath and began to softly sing as she gently rubbed the back of his hand as it lay on her stomach.

"Moon river, wider than a mile. I'm crossing you in style someday. Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker. Wherever I'm going, you're going my way. Two drifters off to see the world. There's such a lot of world to see. We're after the same rainbow's end. Waitin' 'round the bend. My huckleberry friend. Moon river and me."

Before she'd even finished, he'd drifted off to sleep.

She wasn't entirely sure if she'd gotten through to him. She wanted to be there for him and somehow comfort him.

As the moonlight poured through the windows, she turned to look at him and placed a small kiss on his forehead.

She was about to resign the fact that getting through was going to be a bigger challenge than she thought.

But then he slowly took her hand.

And so, she let him hold it, all night long.