2: Closure

Kent Farm, December, 2007 - 12:08 AM

The moon shone brightly, its luminance reflected by the thick layer of fallen snow, casting brightness to the sky that made it feel like morning. It would be a white Christmas after all.

"Clark?"

He rose from his perch on the rail. "I'm over here."

"I brought a blanket and some tea," she gestured to the old swing hidden in the corner. "I thought you might want something warm before I go.
And maybe a few minutes of company." she said quietly.

He smiled, realizing she was calling a truce. He waved to the empty seat beside him. "It's pretty, isn't it? Midnight always feels so peaceful."

Lana took a slow sip as she considered his words. "I never really liked the dark - too many shadows for bad things to hide. I had a good imagination." She shifted uncomfortably. "Everything's packed. I found a place; Chloe's moving back to Metropolis now that Lois is gone. She found a nice place just off campus. We're going to try to get settled before Christmas."

Clark smiled. "That's great. Just tell me when and I'll help. I'm much faster than a truck."

Lana laughed lightly. "We know. We'll rent a U-Haul for a day to bring the big stuff like the furniture to keep up appearances. But you'll have to do all the lifting."

They sipped their tea and enjoyed the quite. For the first time in a long while the silence was comfortable. She felt like laughing, or crying. It figured they were getting along and talking more openly now that they weren't together. They were over. Forever. And as scary as that is, she can't help but feel a tiny frisson of excitement. She's free, she's young, the possibilities...

Clark cleared his throat. "I'm sorry. I don't think I told you that." He ran a hand through his hair and gave her the look: the Clark Kent nervous habit that never failed to make him look adorable, and left it impossible to stay angry with him. "I'm sorry about the way things turned out."

Lana raised an eyebrow. "Are you telling me you regret going back to University? Regret getting teamed with Lois? Regret falling for her? You aren't sorry, Clark. You just feel guilty." He flushed at her words. She felt a small flash of satisfaction. While she knew they were done - had been finished for a while now, it still hurt (in the 'what-if' sort of way) that he was falling for another woman, and it had been happening right in front of her.

He turned to her, his expression earnest. "Nothing is going on with Lois. I've told you before, we're just friends. I don't regret the choices I've made to get here. I like being a reporter. I like working with Lois. I'm not sorry about that. But I am sorry that I hurt you. I hope you believe that if nothing else."

She nodded, solemnly. "I know. Let's just call us even and leave it at that." She stood and smiled down fondly at him. "Good luck."

"With what?" he asked, bemused.

"The fighting. Good night, Clark. I'll come back for the rest of my stuff in the morning."

She walked towards her car, and this time she didn't look back.

TBC

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