Chapter 7 [Sometime Later]

Clark stared at the cave's ceiling and wondered about the situation. Granted the conditions wore at them—both inside and out. He wondered how long it could last. He questioned how much he should reach out to his love who snoozed beside himself.

DoIhavetherighttohurtheragain?The guilt over what Kal did at the biker bar still wore on him.

Whatifshediestoo?CanIdealwithanotherKylasituation?He frowned. He knew Lana was right. He did love her with all of his heart. But could he bear another heartbreak like that? Could he deal with a girl dying in his arms again?

He and Lana were one step away from that point in their own rights.

He heard the rain. It had slacked off somewhat. He slid gently out of the bedding and tended the fire once again. Then he headed for the cave's mouth.

The rain continued to fall and coat the ground with its dangerous cargo. Invisible it may have been but the glare ice waited to break ankles and wrench legs of potential passersby.

WishIhadmypowers.Icouldvaultusoutofhere!He bit his lip and drew blood. He wiped the wound with his finger. He couldn't get over that he was vulnerable, mortal and humannow.

And he couldn't hide from what he felt any longer….

Be honest, Clark…..

He froze at the voice. He turned to see Kyla standing there. "Kyla?"

The deceased skinwalker grinned playfully at him. "Still keeping secrets? Didn't you learn anything from our relationship, Numan?" She glanced over at Lana. "I made sure she can't hear us."

"You've been here?" he wondered.

"Who do you think left the pine boughs for you? Some of us do watch over you," she countered. "Ryan's been by too They wanted him to stay out of sight at least for now."

"They who?" he queried in confusion.

"Those in charge. Your God calls the shots up there," she clarified. "This is your test…yours and hers."

"Test?" he asked.

"You're so thick. Clark, it can't be all about you. You have to open up. Otherwise you're going to lose her," she lectured firmly. "Whether she lives or dies is up to you. You don't have your gifts. But you can give herthe gift of life."

"I couldn't save you," he insisted.

She shook her head. "You couldn't save me from myself, you mean. As much as I wish it were different, you and I weren't meant to be together. She and you are." She took his hands in hers. "Please, Clark, open up to her. She'll need time but that would be the greatest holiday gift you can give her. As for the rest of us, we'll be here to support you too." She motioned toward the pine pile. "Look there."

Clark's eyes went wide. "Ryan?"

The boy waved. "Can't stay, Clark, but I'm not going to let you or Lana starve. This is what her secret is. Share yours. She can take it." He pointed at a pot, two spoons and two bowls. "Something we borrowed from your Mom. Take care." With that, he vanished.

"You see? People do care about you. It's no question you care about us. Just trustus and yourself. Take care of yourself. Don't be stubborn." Kyla kissed him on the cheek. "Give her the bracelets. Pledge yourself, Clark." She smiled and then disappeared.

He stood trying to soak it all in. They weren't alone in that cave after all. Could he open up despite what his parents admonished? He walked over to the pot and took the lid off of it.

Sure enough, his mother's chicken soup steamed up at him. His mouth watered at the egg noodles, chunks of chicken, carrots and potatoes bobbing in their bay of yellow goodness.

"Thanks, guys," he expressed toward the ceiling and sky beyond. Then he shook Lana. "Lana? Lana, wake up."

"Mmm? Clark? What's going on?" Lana queried drowsily. She slowly opened her eyes and sniffed the air. "I could swear that's chicken soup."

"It is. It just showed up," he indicated although he knew it sounded stupid as he said it.

"Food doesn't just show up, Clark. You actually have to make it," she countered while arching an eyebrow at him.

"Well I woke up and the pot was here. Maybe we have a guardian angel?" he supposed.

"Christmas gift from above? Well I won't question that," she noted while ladling herself a bowl with some of the thickest chunks. "You have some too."

"Eat your fill. I'll be okay," he advised caringly.

"You're not some superman that can go without eating, Clark. If we're going to get out of here, we both need to eat." She served him a bowl as well. "There! Now don't argue with me."

He sighed but knew better than to argue with her. Besides the way his stomach rumbled, he knew he needed the sustenance as much as she did.

She savored a steaming spoonful of the hot ambrosia. "This is so good. Doesn't your Mom make something like this?"

"She does." He chewed on a bite of potato and considered her unusual acceptance of the conditions. "You're just dealing with it?"

She chuckled. "Clark, it's not like you can jump in and out of this ravine and run back to Smallville for a pizza run. Face it. You're human like I am. I admit that I'd like to know who our 'angel' is but it's a hot meal." She went back to their feast.

They ate in silence for about five more minutes before he added, "And who brought our pine boughs?"

She considered their 'nest'. "I didn't see them when I crawled in the first time. Then again, I wasn't really in the condition to notice them. Are you?"

"Am I what?" He bit into the last egg noodle.

"Are you in condition to notice me?" She sipped again on her soup adding a pointed glance at him for emphasis. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course…I…." He stopped himself abruptly and stared at the ground in frustration. "You're right."

"Clark, it's not a matter of who's right and who's wrong." She took his hands in hers. "I don't care what your burden is. I'm willing to share whatever you have for better or for worse. As I said in the cave a couple of weeks ago, I haven't been a good friend to you. I need more patience. We both need more faith. Just promise me that."

He hesitated and then vowed, "When we get out of here, Lana, I'll show you everything. I just need a promise from you."

"Anything, Clark," she agreed without hesitating.

"Just hear me out and don't think any less of me." He quivered in spite of himself.

"I would never think any less of you," she assured him. She finished her soup and then reclined back on the 'mattress'. "Thanks…"

"For what?" He drank the last golden drops and then joined her there.

"For…promising me…and trusting me." She rubbed his shoulder. "And well…for not trying to…take advantage of me."

He stared at her. "I'd never do that. Part of loving someone." He let her rest her head on his chest and hugged her shoulders with his left arm. "I know that much."

"And you accept the good with the bad," she agreed. "I don't care where you're from. Just let me deal with it on my terms, okay?"

"O…okay," he relented admittedly feeling his own fears coalescing. Still in his heart, he knew it was the right thing to do.

Love is about risk….He just wished he could've been more secure.

Still he knew she was worth that chance. He closed his eyes believing for the first time in a while that he was going to be truly okay.

And with that, the rain outside slacked off somewhat…