Pairing: Clark Kent/Buffy Summers
Warnings/Triggers:Torture, Violence, Mention's of Major Character Death, Bad Language, Sexual Tension, Eventual Smut
Summary: Takes place during Man of Steel. When Buffy discovers the U.S Military trying to keep quiet about an object buried in a twenty thousand year old glacier, she immediately thinks the worst. However, when a surprise visit to the Canadian Arctic puts her in the path of a mysterious stranger her whole world is changed forever.
Authors Notes: All rights for the lyrics in this chapter belong to both MSMR and Audioslave. I really enjoyed writing this chapter, especially the beginning and end scenes. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Once again you all are getting this a bit early because I will be out of town on Saturday again. Trying to find the music choices for this chapter was a pain but I think I picked the perfect songs. Please let me know what you all think. I'm really excited for the feedback on this one. Also thank you to my wonderful beta Hipkarma for giving this chapter a look for me.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter Four
Buffy screamed in surprise, quickly wrapping her legs around his waist and throwing her arms around his neck. Her heart galloped in her chest and her stomach dropped at the sudden sensation of quickly shooting into the air. Her eyes slammed shut and she buried her face into the crook of his neck, breathing him in. He smelled like a summer storm and recently mowed grass, the scent the only thing keeping her from panicking completely. She had to keep reminding herself that he was strong, that he wouldn't drop her.
"Oh my god," She whispered. "Oh. My. God!" She said again, this time louder. "You…you can fly?"
She felt his chest rumble in amusement. "You're not scared, are you?"
"W–who me?" She said shakily, "N–no, just w–wasn't expecting it is all."
"Buffy, look at me," he said softly, his free arm running soothingly along her back.
She cautiously pulled her face away from where she had buried it, slowly opening her eyes and meeting his amused ones. In the night sky they almost looked black and if she hadn't been so frightened, she might have been able to admire them this close.
"Now," He said calmly, giving her a crooked smile "I promise not to let you fall. Do you trust me?"
She nodded, swallowing her fear. It wasn't so much the height that was scaring her, it was the loss of control. She was putting her safety in someone else's hands and that was something she rarely did.
She nodded again. "Yes," she breathed.
His smile softened. "Now, look down." She opened her mouth to argue, but he shook his head, "You're safe, I promise."
Buffy slowly turned her head and lowered her eyes, realizing that they were almost hovering in midair above the city. She gasped, her fear melting away into awe. "It's…it's beautiful."
The view was spectacular, the twinkling lights from above the city looked almost like the Disneyland electric parade. Colors of purple, blue, yellows, and whites illuminating the night sky.
"Yes, it is," He agreed quietly.
Something in his tone made her look up and when she met his eyes, he wasn't looking at the view. He was looking at her. She gulped, her cheeks heating up as she realized the position they were in. Her legs locked firmly around his waist in a caricature of a lovers embrace.
The mood shifted, she felt it the moment it happened but she didn't dare move. She knew he felt it too, from this close she could feel his breathing pick up the same way hers was. She watched him swallow nervously and even though it was dark, she could see fear shining in his eyes. She felt them begin a slow decent but she couldn't tear her eyes away from his. She didn't understand what he was afraid of. She knew where her fears stemmed from. She could write a book on the abandonment issues she had, but he never said anything about…and that's when it occurred to her. He'd never let anyone in before because of who and what he was.
Her eyes softened in understanding. He was a virgin, probably never even been kissed before. She leaned forward and pressed her lips against his cheek, giving him an awkward hug as she laid her head on his shoulder. Letting him know that she understood.
He must have gotten the message because he sighed, both arms tightening around her as he laid his head on top of hers. "Thank you," he whispered reaching his free hand up to stroke her hair.
Buffy only nodded closing her eyes as they made the rest of the trip back to earth in silence. When they landed, they were in the training yard of the school and Clark gently helped her back on her feet. He looked at her sadly as if he wanted to apologize and she shook her head reaching up to cup his cheek. Her thumb stroking along the sharp edge.
"I wanted to thank you too." She whispered.
"For," He asked gruffly, emotion clogging his voice even if he was good at hiding it outwardly.
"For showing me something beautiful." And this time it was she who was not speaking of the view.
His eyes closed and he placed his hand over hers, squeezing it. "You're an incredible woman Buffy Summers. I hope you know that."
She swallowed and shook her head, not really knowing how to respond. She certainly didn't feel incredible, but she wasn't about to ruin the moment by voicing that. He opened his eyes watching her as he brought her hand down to place a reverent kiss on her palm, before letting her hand go and stepping back.
"We should probably–" He started to say.
"Yeah," She nodded breathily. "Yeah, we should."
After a bit of awkwardness and some stolen looks full of longing Buffy and Clark finally made it out the door and back into the night. He was finding it harder and harder to keep his eyes off of her. What she had given him...the understanding and compassion she had shown. It was almost too much to believe. She seemed to know without even trying exactly what he needed in that moment and he didn't think he could ever feel more grateful to anyone than he did with her right then.
He reached out and grasped her hand without thinking. Their fingers entwined, and she looked at him a blush rising to her cheeks and a smile lighting her eyes. He could get used to that look.
She led him down a dark alley and together they stepped through the doors of what looked to be an unassuming bar. Clark blinked in surprise as he entered the place. It was decorated as a lounge club with low lighting that set a comfortable ambience.
A flamboyantly dressed, bright green demon, with red eyes and horns spotted them almost immediately.
"Sunshine!" He said in greeting, walking over to where they stood and kissing Buffy on the cheek.
She returned the greeting giving him a hug. "It's good to see you Lorne, how have you been?"
He shrugged, "What can I say, never any rest for a man of showbiz." He waved her off, "But enough about me. Look at you! The sparkle in those eyes, the smile. It couldn't have anything to do with this strapping young buck you've yet to introduce me to, could it?"
Buffy blushed, giving Clark an apologetic smile. "Lorne this is Clark." She waved her hand, "Clark, Lorne."
He reached out and shook the demon's hand. "Nice to meet you."
"Oh, and polite too!" Lorne gushed. "I'll tell you what, out of all the beings that have ever walked into my life with the giant flashing destiny sign above their head. I think you're my favorite."
Clark and Buffy looked at each other in confusion and Lorne chuckled. "Wes called," he explained. "Though, I would have known you were important just from the aura you're giving off my friend. I've seen it on far too many Champions before." He sighed. "So, this is how it works. I need you to sing for me."
"Lorne," Buffy warned.
He held up a finger and waved it at her, "Ah, ah, ah, princess. Let me say my peace and then he can decide." Lorne turned back to Clark, putting his arm around his shoulder like they were old friends. "Now, normally I wouldn't be so insistent. In fact, if I never heard the words prophecy or Champion in the same sentence again, I would be a happy demon." He sighed, looking sadly at Buffy, "But the prophecy's not just about you. It's also about her, our little immortal Slayer here who's been through way too much pain and heartache to watch another Champion go off the rails. So, for my peace of mind, please let those pipes rip. Good, bad, it doesn't matter. If only she sings, I won't be able to get the full picture."
As much as Clark absolutely despised the idea of making a fool out of himself up on that stage; where, at the moment some weird demon with slimy antlers was doing a horrible rendition of We Are the World, he could see that Lorne was just looking out for Buffy like an older brother would. And if it would help Buffy, he would do it.
He sighed, "I'm gonna need more than a few drinks before I can do that."
Lorne smiled, "Good man." He said patting Clark on the back and then calling to the bartender. "Charlie, drinks are on the house for these two tonight."
As he and Buffy moved to find a table, he noticed her smirking. "Told you." She said, reminding him of her parting words the other day.
He rolled his eyes and shook his head, not giving her the satisfaction of a response.
"Wait, wait, wait. So, your mom and Watcher got turned into their teenage selves?" Clark said laughing. "And you caught them making out on a cop car?"
They had been doing this for an hour now. Trading stories about their lives. Clark had told her about the school bus, and she had told him about some of her funnier moments as a Slayer. Like her friend almost being eaten by a giant praying mantis substitute teacher in her sophomore year, and now they were discussing an incident that happened in her senior year.
She giggled and nodded, "And apparently I just interrupted what was about to be a third performance." She shook her head, "Didn't find out about that until later though, when I was infected with demon blood and started hearing everyone's thoughts."
Clark chuckled, "That must have been traumatizing."
"She called him a stevedore in her head. You can bet your sweet ass it was traumatizing." She said seriously, and then broke down in giggles when he started cackling. "To be honest, to this day I still don't know what that means. I was always too afraid to look it up."
Clark shook his head. "I think it's just a dockworker." He said in between chuckles. "But I think she was referring to his," Clark cleared his throat, "staying power."
Buffy's face scrunched up adorably. "Oh, gross."
"What we miss?" Gunn said, arriving with Faith in tow. He pulled out a chair for her and then took the one next to it.
Buffy grinned, "Just telling Clark about the time all the adults in Sunnydale got turned into their teenage selves."
"Ah," Faith acknowledged. "The famous band candy incident. Didn't your mom boink Giles when that happened?"
Buffy chuckled, "As I was just saying."
Gunn snorted, "You know that happened to us once." All three of the other occupants at the table raised their eyebrows. Gunn chuckled. "I mean reverting back to our teenage selves, not the boinking part."
"I didn't know about that." Buffy said.
"Yeah," Gun said a smile gracing his lips before it quickly faded. His eyes suddenly getting haunted. He shook his head and sighed sadly.
"Babe, what's wrong?" Faith asked, immediately noticing the change in Gunn.
Gunn sighed. "Just bad memories." He stood, "I'm gonna go get myself a drink. You want your usual?"
Faith looked at him sadly, "I'll come with you." She said, sliding out of her seat and following.
Buffy watched them go a sad look in her eyes. She sighed, looking back at Clark and taking a sip of vodka and cranberry before saying, "Sorry, about that. We've all been through a lot over the years, any reminders will easily cause a reaction like that." Her eyes followed them over to the bar and a soft smile came over her. "Though gotta say, never thought I'd see the day when that girl would settle down. It's weird seeing her be sweet sometimes."
"Yeah," Clark agreed his eyes following hers over to the bar. Faith was looking up at Gunn lovingly a hand running down his cheek. "She didn't really strike me as the settling down type on first impression."
"Oh, trust me," Buffy said, chuckling. "If she and Gunn didn't have their thing, you'd have had to beat her off with a stick. She's always been a very want-take-have type of girl." She shrugged, finishing off her drink before saying, "But being with Gunn's calmed a lot of that. They just kinda get each other, you know?"
"Yeah," He sighed, giving her a meaningful look. "I get it." Clark finished off his beer, "You want another, I'm dry."
She smiled and nodded. "Normally I would say no, but since I'll be singing tonight, I'll need about two more.
Clark chuckled, standing. "Yeah," he said. "I'll probably need about the same."
He walked over to the bar and place his order, frowning when he overheard one of the demons say to Buffy, "Hey, Slayer. Who's the boytoy, smells powerful?"
"Wouldn't you like to know." She answered, her voice condescending.
"Aw come on Slayer." Another demon said. "He definitely ain't human, but he ain't a demon either."
He could practically hear her roll her eyes at the demons from here. Her voice huffing in annoyance. "Drop it boys, you'll find out soon enough."
The bartender passed him his drinks and as Clark returned to their table, he finally paid attention to the demons around him. Only to realize most of them were watching him, some with curiosity others with the undeniable look of hunger.
"Everything all right?" He asked sitting down and sliding her drink over to her.
"Yeah," She nodded, "Just some of the demons can smell that you're not human."
"Who's not human?" Gunn said, sliding back in his seat.
"Clark's not." Faith answered, flipping her chair around and straddling it. "Isn't that, right?" At Clark's surprised look, she chuckled. "My first clue was the fact that you're already head over for our little princess here. Only an O.W. could fall that quickly for little Miss Muffet."
Clark frowned, "What's a–"
"An otherworldly," Gunn cut in. "Hold up," he said, studying Clark more closely. "You're not?"
Buffy and Clark exchanged a look, before he sighed. "No," He admitted. "I'm not."
"You a demon?" Gunn asked.
"I'd actually say he's more like a god," Faith cut in. "But without the high and mighty arrogance we normally see." She snorted, when his eyes widened. "Second clue was you brushing by when we left. Damn boy, you got some real juice in you."
"I'm not a–" Clark started, but Buffy put her hand on his.
"We have ears all around this room. Be careful what you say." She whispered lowly. "If you want to tell them when we get back, that's okay. You can trust them. I wouldn't recommend doing it here though."
He smiled at her protectiveness but he was well aware that they were being listened too. A few of the demons were even leaning towards them trying to eavesdrop.
"I know," he said just as softly, meeting her eyes.
Faith had heard both of them and raised an eyebrow. Gunn hadn't though, and he was looking at Clark warily.
"I'm honestly surprised Wes didn't tell you; he certainly wasn't that tight lipped with Lorne." Buffy said.
Faith frowned. "Tell us what? He just said you were meeting with a new recruit you met on a mission."
Buffy sighed looking at Clark for permission to tell them about the prophecy. He shrugged in response. Considering they didn't even know what it said, he saw no harm in her telling them.
"There's a prophecy about a new Champion." She answered
Gunn shot to his feet, "Aw hell naw!" He held up his hands looking at Clark, "No offence bro, but the last one tried to eat me."
Okay so maybe there was a little harm. He was now eyeing Gunn warily. He certainly didn't mean to frighten the guy.
Buffy just rolled her eyes, "Sit down Gunn."
"But–" He started.
"He's not a demon or a vamp," She ground out. "Now sit down, before I put you in your seat."
He grumbled a little bit but sat down nonetheless, crossing his arms and glaring at the table. Now Clark just felt like a jerk. He didn't want Buffy's friends to dislike him, but he couldn't help feel bad for the way Buffy just spoke to the guy.
"Buffy, it's okay." He said quietly.
She shook her head, meeting his eyes. "No its not. You're gonna be facing enough judgment if it got out what you are. I won't have my friends being a part of that crowd too."
Faith frowned, "Hell, now I really am curious."
"Let just say he's nothing we've ever seen before." Buffy said. "And," she added, looking at Gunn. "He grew up with human parents. He has a soul, and I'm pretty sure he was born with it. So, there's a lot less a chance of him losing it."
Clark blinked in surprise, frowning. "How do you know?"
"That you have a soul?" she asked, smiling at him softly. At his nod she explained. "Because I've been around enough soulless creatures in my life to tell the difference." She reached out her hand again and placed it on his. "If this was a charade you wouldn't have been able to keep it up this long. Not even Angelus could pull off something like that for this long, and he was a hell of an actor when he wanted to be."
"She's right, you know?" Faith said nodding at Buffy, while looking at Clark. "There's an innocence, a sweetness about you that demons really don't have."
Gunn sighed, "Yeah," he agreed, finishing off his beer. "It's why I assumed you were human."
Clark sighed, he'd never really thought about things like that before. "It never occurred to me that's why I care so much."
Buffy smiled at him, "It's not. That's all you. A soul is simply your consience It's what prevents us from mass murder and mayhem. It's that little voice that says "No" when were tempted to do something we shouldn't. Some people can ignore it and others take drugs or alcohol to dull it but it's always there."
Clark smirked, taking a drink off his beer. "I always assumed the voice was just my dad drilling into me that I needed to hide. That no one could find out."
Buffy sighed, "Well our parents definitely help shape us into who we're going to be, but at the end of the day it's the choices we make that really dictates that." She nodded, "For instance, had you not saved your classmates. Had you made the choice to let all of them die you wouldn't be who you are today."
"No," He agreed. " I would be a hell of a lot more screwed up."
"And you would have been following what your father wanted." She added. "But you didn't. You risked your secret because you couldn't live with idea of them dying. That's your conscience. That's your soul."
"So, what you're saying is, it's not about caring it's about what I can live with?" He clarified.
Gunn sighed, "Yeah," He agreed. "That pretty much sums it up."
"And what happens if you do something you can't live with?" Clark asked curiously.
All three of them looked at each other knowingly and Buffy sighed. "You have to live with it anyway." She whispered, before adding. "And a lot of the time it makes it easier for us to fall."
Faith finished off her Jack and coke before saying, "They don't call it hitting rock bottom for nothing."
"Yeah," Gunn agreed. He looked at Clark. "How is it that you are supposed to be the next Champion and you don't know any of this."
Clark sighed, looking at Buffy. She smiled encouragingly and he shrugged. "I didn't exactly grow up around this kind of stuff."
"Where'd you grow up?" Faith asked.
"In Kansas, on a farm." He answered.
Both Faith and Gunn snorted. "That explains it." Gunn said.
Clark chuckled, "Where'd you guys grow up?"
Faith smiled, "I'm from Boston and Gunn grew up in L.A."
"Both of those cities are a hell of a lot bigger than Smallville. I imagine you guys learned about this stuff pretty young." Clark said.
Gunn nodded, "Yeah, learned about vamps when I was a kid. Me and my sis were in and out of foster care a lot and we would run away sometimes. Found out real quick not to trust anyone, no matter how nice they seemed."
Clark frowned his heart going out to him, "How old were you?"
"I was thirteen and my sis was ten. Two years later we ran away permanently from a pretty bad home and joined a crew. Started hunting vamps on the daily, and by the time I met Angel I had been the leader for going on almost five years." He sighed, "After I lost Alonna though... I was kinda on a self-destructive path." He smiled and looked at Buffy. "It was Cordy who set me straight, offered to help me."
Buffy looked at the table sadly, running her finger through the condensation from her glass. "I would have liked to of known that version of Cordy. I think we would have gotten along a lot better than we did in high school."
Gunn sighed and looked down at his bottle, "Yeah, she would have liked you too." He shook his head. "She was the real deal and she didn't take shit from no one, not even Angel."
"What happened?" Clark asked. He remembered Buffy saying something about her dying and Angel possibly being corrupted after that.
"What's with all the long faces?" Lorne said coming up to the table. "Come on you guys, you're scaring away the clientele."
Buffy sighed, "Sorry Lorne, just got caught up reminiscing about Cordy."
Lorne's eyes immediately clouded over at the mention of the woman. He sighed sadly shaking his head. "The glue that held our little family together back in L.A. Oh, how I wish I could have seen what was coming sooner."
Gunn gestured at Clark, "Our new Champion here was just asking what happened to her. Unfortunately, that's not a question I can answer without drinking at least half the bar." He looked back at Lorne. "You tell him, I'm gonna go get us another round." He completely surprised Clark then by saying, "You having the same?"
Clark nodded, smiling gratefully at the man for seeming to already be over whatever misgivings he had. "Yeah, thanks."
As Gunn walked away Lorne garnered Clark's full attention by grabbing a free chair from a nearby table and sitting down, "You really did have to ask a loaded question like that, didn't you?"
He was well into his fifth beer when Buffy made her way onto the stage. He finally understood the whole story now. That Angel had fallen in love with a woman named Cordelia Chase, who'd been tricked by a Powers minion, who was secretly working for a Higher Being named Jasmine. He also learned that Cordelia had given Angel a final message before her death. One that they all assumed was to help him take out Wolfram and Hart. They suspected that he decided to go at it alone rather than trust his team. None of them knew how he lost his soul, but Lorne suspected they locked him in a hell dimension until he broke making it easier to extract.
Willow apparently tried to re-ensoul him even after Angelus had killed Buffy's Watcher Giles, but whatever wards had been placed around the containment were unbreakable. After they had found one of the younger missing Slayers brutally raped, murdered, and strung up like a religious effigy outside of one of their safehouses, no one cared to try any longer. Not even Faith who had loved Angel like a brother before everything went down. Both Buffy and Faith had volunteered to get refills when that particular topic came up. The guilt in both their eyes unmistakable.
They were now on to much lighter topics. Lorne and Gunn reminiscing about Pylea, Lorne's home world, and how the demons there had made Cordelia queen because of her visions.
However, when Buffy stepped up to the microphone both men quieted. Gunn smirked at Clark, "Watch this man. She always picks a song that makes the demons lose their minds."
Lorne smirked, "Don't tell her this, but I always try to get her to sing when she's in town. She brings in the clientele."
Faith snorted, "As if she doesn't already know."
The music came up and Clark noticed the utter silence in the bar, every demon in the place eyes were focused on the stage. He frowned not recognizing the song as he watched her eyes roam around the room, landing on his for a second before she closed them and started singing.
'Didn't know what this would be
But I knew I didn't see
What you thought
You saw in me'
Her voice rang out hauntingly and Clark was absolutely mesmerized. Her eyes opened and a small smile played on her lips as she scanned the room and sang.
'I jumped the gun
So sure you'd split and run
Ready for the worst
Before the damage was done'
'Oho oho oho oh'
She hummed into the mic as one of the demons made the mistake of asking a question and half the demons in the room growled for him to shut up. One even suggesting something Clark was pretty sure was anatomically impossible. They were demons however, so he wasn't actually positive on that note.
'The storm never came
Or it never was
Didn't know getting lost in the blue
It meant I wound up losing you'
"I swear she gets better every time she comes here." Gunn murmured lowly.
Faith snorted, "I think she practices."
Clark's eyes however were firmly set on Buffy, he couldn't look away if he tried. When the chorus came up her small smile widened knowingly, her hips swaying to the beat.
'Welcome to the inner workings of my mind
So dark and foul I can't disguise
Can't disguise
Nights like this
I become afraid
Of the darkness in my heart
Hurricane'
Half the demons started clapping and whistling. A few even calling out things like, "Sing it Slayer," or "Hell yeah." It was almost comical, these creatures supposed to be her enemy showing her respect as she sang a song about being too jaded a lover too many times. Her eyes landed on him next and he swallowed as she sang.
'What's wrong with me
Why not understand and see
I never saw
What you saw in me
Keep my eyes open
My lips sealed
My heart closed
And my ears peeled'
He found himself grinning as he watched her close her eyes as the chorus came up. Her voice floating over the room as her foot tapped to the beat.
'Welcome to the inner workings of my mind
So dark and foul I can't disguise
Can't disguise
Nights like this I become afraid
Of the darkness in my heart
Hurricane'
When the next verse came up, even Faith and Gunn started clapping and cat calling along with most of the demons as she made a gesture as if she staked her heart. Her voice going up high for the first two lines.
'Make ash and leave the dust behind
Lady diamond in the sky
Oh, Wild light
Oh, Glowing bright
To guide me
When I fall
I fall on tragedy'
She was grinning now and her cheeks were pink, most likely from the praise as she sang the chorus one more time.
'Welcome to the inner workings of my mind
So dark and foul I can't disguise
Can't disguise
Nights like this I become afraid
Of the darkness in my heart
Hurricane'
When the song ended the entire bar was on their feet, clapping and yelling. Clark chuckled at the modest bow she gave and as she came off the stage and towards their table, he swallowed realizing it was now his turn.
He stood up and pushed his fear aside and as he passed her, he whispered, "How am I supposed to top that."
Buffy grinned and winked. "I have faith in you."
Buffy sat down at the table still grinning from the praise she just received from Clark.
"Damn B," Faith said, "If you didn't want him to love you before. I'm pretty sure he does now."
Gunn chuckled, "I'm pretty sure the boy was drooling at one point."
And Lorne just looked at her giving nothing away, only saying. "Very interesting."
Buffy blushed but didn't respond, her eyes following Clark onto the stage. When the music came up her eyes widened in realization of what he was about to sing and she swallowed. If he could pull off a voice like Chris Cornell's there was a very good chance, she would jump him by the end of the night. Even Faith froze in recognition of the song, her eyes riveted on the stage. When he started to sing however both their mouths fell open. He couldn't just pull off the voice, he sounded just like him.
"Holy shit!" Buffy whispered as he sang the first verse, his eye meeting hers.
'Someone falls to pieces
Sleeping all alone
Someone kills the pain
Spinning in the silence
She finally drifts away
Someone gets excited
In a chapel yard
Catches a bouquet
Another lays a dozen
White roses on a grave'
Both Faith and Buffy jumped up and started clapping when his voice got harder and gravelly as he extended the last word of the verse before the chorus came up, closing his eyes.
"Damn!" Gunn exclaimed laughing. "Boy's got some pipes on him."
'And to be yourself is all that you can do
To be yourself is all that you can do'
A huge smile broke along her lips and she clapped again. "Sing it Clark!" She yelled as Faith put two fingers between her lips and blew. Some of the demons were even nodding their heads.
She watched his lips turn up in a happy smile and she giggled. Clapping again as he sang the next verse. She was so impressed with him right now. Their eyes locked and she felt her pulse race at the heated look he was giving her.
'Someone finds salvation in everyone
Another only pain
Someone tries to hide themself
Down inside himself he prays
Someone swears their true love
Until the end of time
Another runs away
separate or united
Healthy or insane'
Buffy was jarred away from his stare by Faith, a delighted smile on the brunette's face as she said, "Come on B, let's dance. It's not everyday someone sings something decent in here."
They both heard Lorne mutter something, and started giggling as they bounced and swayed next to their table. Gunn just laughing and shaking his head at their antics.
"I think both you girls have had enough to drink tonight." He said snickering.
'And to be yourself is all that you can do, all that you can do
To be yourself is all that you can do, all that you can do
To be yourself is all that you can do, all that you can do
Be yourself is all that you can do'
The guitar solo came on and Clark closed his eyes, his head going down and bobbing to the beat. Buffy spun, clapping and that's when her eyes landed on Lorne. He had a sad smile on his face, his eyes were solemn as they watched Clark. Sympathy and maybe even pity shining through.
"Lorne what is it?" She asked.
He sighed, looking down. "He's just genuinely a good guy. I feel sorry for what he's about to go through." He looked at her. "Normally, when I read someone there's something you know, some skeleton or sin they've got locked up somewhere that they can't hide from me. But him…he truly is a pure soul."
Buffy looked back up at Clark watching him sing the final verse, a ball of guilt slowly growing in her stomach. She swallowed, maybe bringing him into her world wasn't such a good idea after all.
'Even when you've paid enough
Been pulled apart
Or been held up
Every single memory of
The good or bad, faces of love
Don't lose any sleep tonight
I'm sure everything will end up alright
You may win or lose'
"Do you…do you think we should back off?" Buffy whispered.
Lorne shook his head, "I think that would be the worst thing you could do." He nodded at Clark as he sang began the final chorus. "He's going to need you more than ever in the coming weeks. Anything you can teach him or train him, do it. It won't be long before he can't hide who he is any longer."
Buffy's eyes locked onto Clark's and he frowned when he saw the look on her face, but she shook her head and smiled, clapping.
'But to be yourself is all that you can do
To be yourself is all that you can do
To be yourself is all that you can do, all that you can do
To be yourself is all that you can do, all that you can do
To be yourself is all that you can
Be yourself is all that you can
Be yourself is all that you can do'
As he finished the song, they all clapped and cat called. A few of the demons even patting him on the back as he walked off stage.
Lorne stood, looking back at Buffy, "I'm going to talk to him first. I'll have him send you in when I'm done."
She nodded, watching Lorne go as he intercepted Clark before he reached their table. Her eyes following them as they disappeared into the back room. An arm suddenly wrapped around her shoulders, Faith smiling at her knowingly.
"He'll be alright." She said, shaking Buffy out of her stupor.
Buffy sighed, "I know, I just worry."
Faith snorted, "Yeah, so much so the rest of us don't have to."
Buffy rolled her eyes, taking her seat. Maybe Faith was right and she was worrying for nothing, but then she remembered Lorne's words and her worry only intensified.
Lorne pulled Clark into a sound proof room at the back of the bar. He sat behind a large oak desk, steepling his fingers under his chin and studied him for what felt like a long time, before he sighed.
"Well, it's official," Lorne started. "You're definitely him."
Clark swallowed nervously, sitting down in the chair across from Lorne. "What did you see?"
"It's going to get harder, before it gets easier." He answered seriously. "You're going to have to face the type of trials every Champion must, and you're going to have to make some decisions you would really prefer not to." He sighed, "But all in all kid, you're in pretty good hands. I saw two possible futures for you and I gotta say, out of both of them this one has much more of a chance of the happy ending everyone hopes for."
"What…what do you mean?" He asked.
"My guess is, this prophecy Wes is so eager to find out about has two possible outcomes. One where you fall in love with Buffy and one where you kill her."
Clark's eyes widened the color draining from his face, "No…no I couldn't." He whispered.
"And, that you feel that way already is exactly why you won't." Lorne responded, sitting back in his chair and crossing his arms. "You know, soul mates are a funny thing Clark, everyone has at least one and most people rarely meet them." Lorne nodded, "You my friend, happen to have two. Buffy just happened to come along first. It's why you're so drawn to her."
"So, what you're saying is," Clark cut in frowning in confusion. "Had I met this other woman I would have killed Buffy," That was just about the stupidest thing he'd ever heard.
Lorne laughed, "It's not quite as cut and dry as that." He shook his head, "No, losing this other woman would have opened you up to something that you fear more than anything."
He swallowed, his eyes moving to the floor in sudden understanding. "Something gets control of me."
"Yes," Lorne said simply.
"And I…I kill Buffy?" He shook his head. "What…what gets a hold of me?"
"I'm not sure." Lorne answered honestly, "When it's that far ahead I only get flashes. I can tell you though…what you could become…there would be no coming back from it."
"And if I meet this woman now that I've already met Buffy?" He asked.
"I think you already know the answer to that question." Lorne sighed. "You're a one-woman man Clark. If you met her today you would most likely feel an attraction to her, but that would be all."
Clark looked down, "How do I prevent it?"
Lorne smiled sadly. "Stick close to Buffy. You're going to need her more than you know in the coming month."
Clark frowned, "What do you mean?"
"Somethings coming, and its coming for you. Your time for hiding is almost over." Lorne answered ominously.
Okay now he was starting to get annoyed, "You're not going to tell me?"
"You'll know when it happens." Lorne said. "In the meantime, I recommend enjoying the time you have until then."
Clark frowned, "If you know then why can't you tell me?"
"Because sometimes people find their best selves under extreme circumstances." Lorne answered. "Warning you would help you prepare, but it wouldn't help you find the strength in yourself that you're going to need."
His frown deepened but he didn't push anymore. He supposed he could understand Lorne's reasoning. "Is that all?" He asked.
"No," Lorne said smirking. "There's one more thing. You've got a lot of fears about intimacy and with a normal girl I would absolutely recommend caution, but you're dealing with a Slayer here. You could throw her through a brick wall and she'd get up like nothing happened and punch you in the face. Your fears are unfounded. She's one of the few women you don't need to hold back with."
Clark felt his face heat up at the demon's words, "Umm, okay."
Lorne's smirk turned into a grin waving Clark off, "Now go on, and tell Buffy to come here. I do have other clients to see tonight."
