Author's notes: I wanna say thank you again to each and everyone who posted their reviews. I know we're waiting for the second half of Smallville season 10, another week of waiting. No one ever predicted that the network will delay its telecast. *sigh*. But it's okay CLOISERS, I decided to end this story one week earlier than the intended schedule. I'm going to post one chapter per day, until we reach the epilogue. Let's hope that the internet will permit me to do my plan, 'cause sometimes my net connection is too slow. So again, have patience…. The secrets will be revealed soon… I'm going to warn you that the second half of this story will be too emotional. And the rollercoaster ride of emotion is starting right now….

Remember, The Roads Not Taken features three time lines – 2003 (bold); 2004 (italics); 2011 (normal). Pronouns/sentences/paragraphs that are really important to the story will be underlined.

I forgot to mention, this is an AU (alternate universe) story.

Chapter 7: Turning Points

Metropolis (2004)

Lois couldn't think straight ever since all those things happened these past few days. She couldn't possibly wrap them all in one coherent thought. Maybe she was still light-headed for Clark's declaration of love. The feeling was always there, she could tell, but they were too stubborn to admit it. They were too afraid that it would hurt both of them, but in the end they learned how to step forward and express what was within all along. She was grateful that he was there to catch her fall. His kisses, his embraces and the way he looked at her – they contained so many kinds of emotions. She sighed; she never expected that she would be able to feel that kind of love. Her feelings for him were stronger than before. 'I'm your Smallville. You're my Metropolis.' She could still hear his voice, the morning after they became one.

Too many thoughts flooded her mind, she decided to take a walk; maybe she needed that, a breather. Though she fully understood that she was deeply in love with him, she still had the strange feeling that something might happen. She couldn't erase those words the old lady told to her weeks ago.

"The one you're meant to be with is already within your reach. Starting today, there will be lots of obstacles both of you will need to go through. You lost two of the most important people in your life because of him. They protected him and led him to your doorstep."

Lost in her thoughts, she wasn't able to see someone coming towards her and, just like her, this lady was busy thinking about something. They bumped with each other. Lois, being the taller one, managed to gain her balance while the other lady landed flat on the floor. Her long jet black hair almost covered her face. Lois helped her stand and she glimpsed one… two… three bruises on her arms. 'Damn, was I the one who did those? But it's impossible! Those bruises are turning violet; they are old.' She told herself.

"I'm sorry." She told the petite woman while holding her upper arms. Lois was about to speak when she spotted fresh blood flowing from the woman's nostrils. She saw the lady become stiff when she wiped her own blood with the back of her hand.

"Oh my… Miss, I need to take you to the hospital."

The young lady refused at first, but when she took one step, her world turned upside down. Lois held her steadily until they got inside a cab. "Met Gen." She almost shouted to the driver. "Make it faster!"

Metropolis General Hospital (2004)

She stayed outside the room patiently waiting for the Doctor to come out. Thirty minutes had passed, she noticed as she glanced over the clock once again. She needed caffeine in her system, so she walked towards the cafeteria to buy some. She finished drinking her coffee as fast as she could; she had to know if the patient was okay before she went home.

"Miss, are you the one that brought Miss Lang here?"

She stared at the uniformed nurse. "Yes, I suppose that's her."

"Miss Lang is already conscious. She wants to see you."

She nodded and headed for the room, but stopped suddenly when she spotted a familiar figure sitting sideways on her hospital bed.

"Clark you don't need to worry so much. I'm okay now." The woman smiled at Clark, as if trying to appear strong for him.

Lois stood still, watching the measure of his moves. He held Lana's hand while he stared deeply in her eyes. They didn't have a clue that someone was watching them.

"Lana," He said in a very serious tone. 'Lana,' that was her name, Lois said to herself.

"I care a lot about you, don't forget about it." Clark spoke softly and truthfully to her.

Lois felt her world crumble inside her, so hard… He was so familiar… The voice… The face… She knew it was him. It was him… Clark. She decided to walk away quietly, that was the right thing to do at the moment.

TBC

Reviews are welcome!

Excerpts for Chapter 8 : Truth and Consequences

Her trembling body… Her cold hands… It was too much to contain. Like her, he was breaking apart. He wanted to be with Lana – to provide her a shoulder to lean on. But what about Lois? He knew well enough that she was brave enough to face the future. And what about him? Because since the day he saw her, he finally understood that he couldn't face another sunrise without Lois by his side.

A cliffhanger, so sorry about that – I'm going to post the next one ASAP. This is my confession: you have to look closely to those important events 'cause you'll get lost if you won't pay attention. Each chapter is really important. Hoping, once I posted chapter 8 or once I finished TRNT, readers who stopped reading this story will come back and finally understand what are the links of the flash backs to the present CLOIS…^_^ To those who stay and believe with the potential of this story to give them a smile in the end – Thank you.

See you soon!