-1Shimmer
"So how did you get out of gym class?" Clark asked as he walked with Lana on the football field.
"I volunteered to work the blood drive," She answered.
"Aren't you the girl that skinned her knee in seventh grade and passed out when she saw the blood?" He asked surprised that he remembered that.
"I was hoping to live that down, but yeah." She smiled up at him.
"Clark! You're going to be late. We've got to hit the showers," Pete called from the blood drive stand. Clark nodded and turned back to Lana with a small smile.
"I'll see you later?" He asked.
"Sure," She said.
With a nod he headed off to the locker room. Today just seemed like déjà vu. Everything had changed since he'd gotten back. He was slowly seeing it. The days he remembered wouldn't play out the same but today was different. Maybe it was meant to happen?
"So when are you giving blood?" Pete asked.
"I don't know," Clark answered while shaking the water from his hair.
"Come on, Clark. Selflessly giving of yourself to save others, girls love that." Pete said.
"I do that all the time and I still have problems with the ladies," Clark answered.
"What?" Pete asked.
"Nothing," Clark responded.
He suddenly felt sick to his stomach. He looked around but didn't see anything with kryptonite.
"You okay?" Pete asked.
"Yea, I'm fine." He answered turning back to his locker. He heard something from the other side of the lockers.
"Hey! Stop it!"
It sounded like Troy. Clark looked to Pete and they both headed to the other side of the lockers. Troy was on the ground bleeding from his nose.
"What happened?" Clark asked.
"It attacked me. It was like a ghost," Troy said.
Clark looked around but didn't see anything. He helped Troy up to his feet while Pete searched the locker room.
"What could it have been?" Pete asked when he came back.
"Don't know," Clark said.
"So you didn't see anything?" Chloe asked.
Clark got his cup of coffee and followed Chloe back to their table.
"By the time I got there, Troy was already on the floor." He answered.
"What about the voice he heard?" Chloe asked.
"Are you thinking that the locker room is haunted?" He asked before taking a sip of his coffee.
"Not unless the meteor rocks conjure up ghosts of departed jockstraps," She said as they took a seat.
"Meteor rocks," Clark said thinking.
Didn't one of his classmates turn invisible?
"What?" Chloe asked catching onto his thought train.
"It's nothing," He said.
"No, you're thinking about it." She said.
"It's just, you might be on to something," He said before taking another sip.
"I don't have the time right now," Whitney said from the front.
Both Clark and Chloe looked up there.
"If you don't want to help me with the blood drive, then just say so." Lana shot back irritated.
"That's not it," Whitney replied.
"That doesn't look pretty," Chloe said turning back to Clark.
Clark kept listening in on their fight. Lana was upset that Whitney was pushing her away. Whitney asked for space and Lana agreed before walking away.
"Quick, pretend we weren't watching," Chloe said looking down into her coffee.
Clark looked up and smiled, "Hey Lana, how's it going?"
"Not great but thanks for the courtesy cluelessness," She answered.
"Would it cheer you up if we offered to volunteer a pint tomorrow?" Chloe asked.
"Let's find out. How about 9:45? That's open." Lana asked.
"Cool," Chloe agreed.
"There, better already." Lana said with a smile. "Clark, what time can we schedule you?"
Clark took a long gulp of his coffee nearly downing the whole cup. "Actually, I'm not sure. I thought that maybe I could pass out cookies."
"That'd be great. Thanks." She waved bye and headed off.
Chloe gave him a look, "Okay, nice recovery but am I to assume that your offer to help isn't completely without an ulterior motive?"
"I'm just being a good friend," He answered.
"Okay," She sent him a look and went for her coffee.
He knew exactly what she was thinking.
"Clark what's this?" Martha asked while Clark did his homework at the kitchen table.
"Blood drive at school. Lana's running it," He answered.
"Clark you know you can't donate," Jonathan said.
"I know. I thought I could help out and pass around cookies or something," Clark said turning back to his homework.
"Were you married to Lana?" Martha asked.
"What?" Jonathan asked Martha.
"No," Clark answered.
"Then why all the trouble?" Martha asked.
"Lana was the one that got away," He answered his mom.
"What about Whitney?" Martha asked.
"He dropped out," Clark answered.
"So you thought you'd move right in?" Martha asked.
"If he can't see how great she is, then he doesn't deserve her," Clark answered.
"What about you?" Jonathan asked. At Clark's confused look he continued, "What happened with Lana?"
"I wasn't honest with her," Clark answered.
"With what?" Martha asked.
"Me. I hid from her for so long that when I finally told her the truth I had already pushed her too far away. She accepted me in the end but I lost her," Clark answered remembering the wedding and then the guy that came in and swept her off her feet while he was busy saving the world every night and not telling her because he wanted to keep her safe. Lana always wanted honesty and this time that was what she was going to get.
"Looking for something?" Clark asked as he watched Lex on the ground.
"My watch," He answered standing up.
Clark set down the tulips that his mother had asked him to bring by.
"Tulips look great," Lex noted as he helped Clark put them down.
"Yeah, you cleaned us out." He replied, "Mom said if you want some more you'll have to call Holland."
"They're Victoria's favorite," Lex said with a smile. Suddenly the tulips went flying off the table. Lex stood and looked shocked, "What was that?"
Clark shrugged and cleaned up the spilt flowers, "You and Victoria must be getting pretty close."
He quickly x-rayed the area remembering the thought of an invisible meteor freak.
"You seem surprised," Lex said with a smirk.
Clark looked toward the open doorway and saw a foot disappear around the corner.
"She just doesn't seem like your type," He responded.
He knew who Lex would end up with no matter how much it ticked him off. His cousin could be with whoever she wanted and it had turned out to be Lex.
"Relationships aren't always about love, Clark." Lex replied with a smile, "Sometimes they're about mutual goals. Not every girl is Lana Lang."
"Sorry its none of my business anyway," He said picking up the box of flowers and putting them back on the table.
"It's okay. I admire your standards," Lex said.
"I'm fighting for Lana," Clark said.
He knew Lex would be pleased to hear that.
"Good for you. Why the boosted attitude?" Lex asked.
"I'm not going to waste my chance," Clark said.
They heard some banging from upstairs. With confused looks they rushed up the stairs. Victoria followed.
"What's going on?" She asked as they found where the banging was coming from.
"Wait here," Lex said.
With a look to Clark who nodded back they headed to the door. As soon as Lex grabbed the handle the bright light died as did the banging. Lex looked back to Clark. When he went to open the door it was sucked inward and pushed Lex back. Clark shielded him but nothing attacked them. They headed inside and found glow paint on the walls. Leave was written everywhere.
"Doesn't leave much room for interpretation," Chloe said hanging up a photo.
"It was pretty weird," Clark said looking at the photo with Chloe in the Torch office.
"When we got close, the door blew open. Lex said he felt something brush past him."
"Maybe the Scottish castle came complete with a poltergeist," Chloe replied.
"Police say it's scandals. How many ghosts do you know that write in spray paint and own a black light?" Clark asked with a smirk.
"So how's the blood drive?" Chloe asked trying to change the topic.
"Actually, Lana and I are getting together tonight," Clark said with a smile.
"At her place?" Chloe asked.
"Yeah," He answered.
"Just remember that once you cross that line, you can't hide behind the cloak of friendship anymore." Chloe offered her advice.
"I don't want to hide behind that cloak," Clark responded.
"I've got an opening at 5," Clark said.
He was sitting next to Lana on her front porch.
"I can shift mine to 4:30 at Station B." She responded. "Which makes us-"
"Done," He said cutting her off.
"You're kidding. Everything?" She asked.
Clark smiled, "We own this town."
"We never found time for you to donate," She said as he put everything into a folder.
"Actually, Lana, I have a confession to make." He said, "I've got this thing about needles. It's kind of embarrassing."
"Don't worry about it. Your secret is safe with me," She said standing up from the small couch.
"You are such a lifesaver, Clark." She leaned against the porch rail.
"It's amazing you do all these different things," He said setting down his folder and standing as well.
"Just trying to find my place in the world," She replied. "I can't thank you enough."
"It's a great cause. How can I not help?" He asked leaning against the rail beside her.
"Ask Whitney. He's uh…I don't know where he's been lately," She said.
He could tell she was upset by it.
"You know if you really want to thank me…don't talk about Whitney," He said.
"Fair enough," She said confused.
"Did you ever think it's strange that my dad and your aunt used to date?" He asked switching the topic.
"Nell doesn't really talk about it much," She answered getting the hint. "Whatever happened, I guess she took it kind of hard."
"I'm just glad that you and I are so close," He said.
"Me too," She smiled up at him. "That's the thing about Clark Kent. He's not always there when you want him but he's always there when you need him."
"Anywhere you want me to be, I'll be there and I'll always be around when you need me," He replied with his Kent smile.
"You're the one who's helping me with the pledge drive," She said.
"I am," he said.
"You're the one who listens," She said.
Her smiled dropped a bit. They leaned closer together.
"I do," he said.
"You're the one who's here," She went on.
"Yeah," He moved closer.
"Yeah," She whispered.
The gap closed and he captured her lips with his. It was gentle kiss but he was kissing Lana Lang.
"Lana, you still at it?" Nell asked coming out onto the porch.
They pulled apart and Lana blushed.
"Clark, do you have the time?" Nell asked.
"No, but I'm guessing it's late and you would like it if I went home?" He asked in return.
"Smart boy," She replied. Lana moved from the porch rail and grabbed her stuff from the couch.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" She asked.
"Tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that," He said with a smile. She turned back and let out a small laugh.
"Lana, have you ever seen the sunset from my loft?" He asked.
"Yes," She answered. To be honest he couldn't remember if she had ever been up there. He knew in the future she would see it many times. "But that's the great thing about sunsets. They're unique."
"Would you like to come over tomorrow?" He asked.
"I'd love to," She answered.
Clark made it back to the loft just in time to meet with Lana. He walked up the stairs to the loft and Lana turned around.
"Hey, you made it," She said with a smile.
"Sorry I'm late," He apologized walking over to where she was standing.
"It's just to the good part," She said before turning around to face the beautiful sunset again. "What do you think?"
He turned and looked her in the eyes, "I think it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
She looked down, her cheeks red. He had made her blush which got him to smile.
"The other night on the porch, I felt you were trying to tell me something."
"I was. But Nell's timing was impeccable as always," He said.
"She's not here now," She said stepping forward. Clark's stomach twitched.
"I just wanted to tell you…what I wanted to say…" He took a deep breath.
This was hard to do. He was practically a grown man (mentally) and he still had problems asking Lana Lang out.
"Clark?" She asked hoping he'd continue.
"I really care about you, Lana. I know things are bad with Whitney but I wanted to let you know that I'm here for you. Any way you need me," He said.
"I care about you too, Clark. But I thought you didn't want to talk about Whitney?" She asked.
"I don't. But you're still with Whitney and it would be wrong for me to ask you out on a date when you're with another guy," He managed to get out.
He didn't want Lana to be a cheater nor did he. But his feelings were out there and now she knew what he wanted.
"You're a good guy, Clark. Can you hold that thought?" She asked with a smile.
"Forever," He replied.
She smiled and they turned back to the sunset.
Clark ran into Amy at the coffee shop and some of the things she said made him think. It wasn't Amy if he remembered right. It was her brother who attacked Lex. Hadn't he been invisible? Clark didn't waste time as he headed over to the mansion. When Clark got there Lex was in a panic.
"What happened?" He asked.
"Victoria was attacked," Lex said.
"Who attacked her?" Clark asked.
"I found my watch in Amy's room. Along with a shrine. She's crazy," Lex said.
"Look's like that teenage crush went too far," An officer said.
"Don't worry Clark. She'll get the help she needs," Lex said when he noticed the look on Clark's face.
He wasn't worried about that. He figured this was the trigger that sent Amy's brother after Lex.
Clark went on a search for Jeff but couldn't find him. When he headed back to the Mansion he heard a commotion from the library. He tried the door but it was locked.
"LEX! Open up!" Clark called.
He heard Lex call for him from the other side. He didn't waste time as he busted the door open. When he came in he found Lex unconscious on the ground. Clark moved to help Lex but he was pushed and felt sick.
"Stay away from him, Kent." Jeff said.
"What happened to you Jeff?" He asked.
"Chemistry Kent. Some plants don't absorb light, they refract it." Jeff said. "I found weird green roses on the grounds and studied it. Then I used the oils to become what I've always been. Invisible!"
Clark shifted his vision to x-ray and found Jeff by the coffee table. Clark looked over to Lex and tried to shift closer. He took his eyes off of Jeff for one second. He turned when he heard something heavy move. A mace connected with his face and the metal shattered knocking Clark back a few feet. He slammed into the wall.
"That's right. I've heard Lex talk about you like you're something special. Well I'm special too."
Clark's throat tightened up and Clark began to choke. He was able to get his elbow around and force it into Jeff's chest. Jeff flew off of him and crashed into the lift that was being used to paint the ceiling. Some of the paint cans tilted and spilt paint down to the floor below. Jeff was covered in it and now visible. He was also unconscious. Clark moved to help Lex who was beginning to wake up.
"You okay?" Clark asked.
"I've survived worse," Lex said as Clark helped him up.
Clark was up in his loft after having left the Luthor Mansion and all its craziness. He looked over to his telescope and took a look over at Lana's house. He saw that Whitney was over and they were talking. Lana pulled Whitney into a hug and it looked to be that he was crying.
Clark stepped back and took a seat. He remembered that Whitney's dad had died in their freshman year. Something to do with a bad heart. Whitney needed Lana right now and Clark couldn't believe he had made a move. He hadn't before so what had changed? He hadn't talked to Whitney. That was what stopped him before.
His choices were already showing the change. Hopefully this one didn't affect too much. He leaned back in his chair and looked up to the stars. It was a beautiful night and he hadn't gone flying in a long time. He stood and smiled up to the stars. He launched himself up slowly and when he was able to sneak high enough without being seen he shot off. Wind in his face and Lana on his mind. A good fly was all he needed to sort out his thoughts. At least he hoped so.