Once again, thank you to those of you who are taking the time to review. They are all appreciated.

Another huge thanks to Kelly for her wonderful job as beta, she was huge help for me to complete this fic.

Chapter7:

Chloe's VW- 10 minutes away from the Kent Farm:

"And don't forget Lo, you're not supposed to do any heavy lifting or other strenuous activities." I roll my eyes and fight all natural urges to make a sarcastic remark. I just continue to stare out the window at the passing land that I have begun to think of as home, the first place that I can actually lay that claim to. It has been too long since I have been back in Kansas and even longer since I have set foot in Smallville.

We continue to travel in silence, well not really silence, Chlo has a mixed mp3 in her player. 'I Don't Wanna Be' by Gavin DeGraw comes on and Chlo cranks it. I continue to stare out my window, since waking up in the Ft Wainwright infirmary I have become more withdrawn, more introspective, something I hope will pass once I'm fully mended.

The Kent mailbox comes into view, I can see the yellow house further in the distance. Chlo turns the music down. "Mrs. Kent will be home about 3-ish, she's altered her schedule so she can spend some time in Smallville and hopefully have some extra time to spend with you."

Chloe's takes a break from her jumbled statement, looking at me nervously. I can tell that she's unnerved by the 'temporary' new me. I smile reservedly in response. We pull up next to the white picket fence. Chloe practically jumps out of the car before it comes to a complete stop and races around to her boot to grab my bags. I can't seem to move, it's almost like an invisible force is holding me down. My heart swells as I am overcome with emotion; my emotions have been amplified, becoming a major hindrance since the Alaska incident.

Chloe whisks my door open, staring at me expectantly. I release the belt and slowly get out of the car. Chloe closes the door and leads me into the already opened house. She hands me a set of keys in the hall, just as she's about to speak to me her cell rings. Chlo huffs, "Excuse me…Sullivan, speak to me." She walks out the front door again.

The emotion within me is so great now that I begin to feel dizzy, not wanting Chloe to pester me I walk into the kitchen and stare out the window at the barn, completely ignoring the note left for me. I'm drawn to the barn and strangely find myself walking past Shelby and out to the barn. I hesitate at the threshold. Faint ghostly images of Mr. Kent pottering around. The figure turns to me, smiles that famous Kent smile and disappears.

I enter the barn and head straight for the stairs to the loft. I pause at the top step, everything is exactly the same as I remember it. I suck in a deep breath and head straight for the couch, plopping down hard from exhaustion. One of Clark's plaid shirts was hanging over the back of the couch, I wrap it around myself and lie down. Clark's scent enveloping me as I drift off to a peaceful slumber.

"Sure thing Chief, I'll get right on it." Perry White, the newly appointed editor of the Daily Planet, hangs up on me. I sigh and head into the house to say bye to Lois.

"Lois." I call out, there's no answer, she's probably fallen asleep. I wander into the lounge room to check the sofa but she's not there. I wander up to Clark's room, she's not there either, I travel a little down the hall to Lois' new room, on the off chance that she's discovered it, but she's not there either. I head back down to the kitchen, spying the open door and mysterious lack of a pesky mutt. My gaze travels to the barn and I instantly know where Lois has gone. I debate between just leaving and going to check on her. I leave a note for Mrs. Kent next to the one she left for Lois and begin the small trek over to the barn.


I take my time and make sure that I make a bit of noise so as to not startle Lois. I'm unnerved by the way she has withdrawn into herself and have no idea as to how she would react. An off Lois is a dangerous Lois. I reach the top step and am disappointed that I can't see her until I catch a glimpse of Shelby and a plaid shirt on the couch. I cautiously make my way over to Lois, a sad smile finding its way onto my face as I watch my cousin sleep peacefully. Her face completely relaxed, making her look younger than her 20 years. My smile disappears as I realize that it's Lois' 21st birthday in 2 months and Clark is nowhere in sight.

I sit on the coffee table in front of the couch, concern etched into my features. I wonder what really happened for Lois to end up in the infirmary, she hasn't said anything about it, nothing at all. She's said even less about whether or not she had contact with Clark. As a matter of fact she closes herself off whenever there's a mention of his name. I reach over and push a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She doesn't even stir. I watch Lois for a little longer, having to leave as my heart breaks a little bit more for her. "Love you Lo." I whisper as I make my way down the steps. Leaving my dear cousin, my only constant.


The loft- 3 hours later:

I awake to a warm weight on my legs. I lift my head to see Shelby dozing on the couch. I smile as I realize that my allergies haven't responded to the dog's presence. Shelby groggily lifts his head, tail lethargically wagging. I reach over and pet his head. I sit up properly, placing my arms in the long sleeves of the plaid shirt. I sniff the collar, letting myself indulge in Clark's comforting scent, no longer letting myself think of him as Smallville.

I stand and wander over to the window, letting the sun's dying rays wash over my face, gaining strength and reveling in the warmth. I lean against the window frame, surveying the beautiful sunset before me. My hands unconsciously run over my stomach gently. Shelby comes to sit beside me, a comforting presence also enjoying the magnificent sight before us. As the sky darkens I tune out everything around me. A small thumping catching my attention, consuming me. A fleeting moment of panic fills me but then I push it aside, deciding that it's just my mind playing tricks on me. I'm imagining the whole thing. I turn to make my way back to the house when I come face to face with Mrs. Kent.

It's almost 7:30pm, I've been home for a few hours and have prepared a meal that is now sitting in the oven warming, thinking it best that Lois sleep as much as possible. I glance out at the rapidly darkening sky and shiver. The coolness of the spring night seeping into my bones. I grab a light jacket and head to the barn, the moonlight detailing my path. I stop in the middle of the barn, memories rushing at me from all directions. I squash them down as I see a shadow up in the loft, I immediately feel concern and delight in having Lois home. Even if she doesn't approve of it, I think of her as my daughter, she's as much family as Clark is.

I make my way up the stairs to the loft. Pausing near the couch, Lois appears oblivious to my presence, I can see her completely. Her face is soft and relaxed, a content smile sitting lightly. My attention is immediately drawn to her hands softly stroking her stomach. The true reason dawns on me but I say nothing. Knowing that Lois will come to me when she's ready. Discomfort flashes across her face and I make my way to her as quickly as possible. I'm about to reach for her when she turns around to face me. Startled.

"Lois." I take her in my arms. She breaks down and sobs uncontrollably. We sink to the floor in the darkness. A mother comforting a distraught daughter.

"Shh… baby…I'm here for you…let it all out." I rub my hand soothingly over her back. Lois holds onto me tighter, I feel guilty for placing her in such a position. Sobbing myself. All strength now gone, we sat for a long time together, sobbing and clawing at each other for dear life.


The next morning, Kent Farm:

I awake to warm rays of sun on my face, I begrudgingly leave behind the fantasy that I was enveloped in. I swing my legs out of bed and bask in the sunlight, my eyes closed. The sun somehow recharging me. I stand and glance around Clark's room, the same as the last time I stayed here. I feel twangs of pain in my chest and leave the room as fast as my legs will take me. An open doorway across the hall catching my attention, slowly I walk over to it.

I stop at the doorway, glancing around the room. My bed, made, in a corner and boxes of my stuff littering the floor. I spy my bags that Chloe had brought in, resting on the bed. I grab a change of clothes and head for the bathroom. A shower, I decide, is the best thing for me.

I emerge from the bathroom with a trail of steam following me. I deposit my dirty clothes in 'my' room and head downstairs. There's a distinct absence of Mrs. Kent, I notice her bag and keys still on the bench and the kettle hasn't even been turned on. She must still be sleeping. I busy myself in the kitchen, my culinary skills much better than they were only a year previously. I get to making a vegetable omelet. Finding myself unusually hungry this early in the morning.

Humming softly to myself I'm startled when Mrs. Kent appears in the kitchen, still in her pajamas with a robe… "Morning sweetie, smells good."

"Thanks. It's alright, this won't kill you. It's about the only safe thing I know how to cook." Mrs. Kent smiles weakly.

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Nope, nothing I can think of."

"How about some coffee?"

"Tea thanks." Mrs. Kent gives me an odd look.

"Since when did you drink tea?"

"Since Chlo dared me to go a whole year without coffee. It was killing me to begin with but I've since become quite attached to tea."

"And what do you get out of this?"

I grin wickedly…"A free night out on the town. Besides, a Lane never backs out of a challenge."

"Fair enough. How do you take it?"

"Milk, no sugar." Mrs. Kent gave me another look.

"What? I'm already sweet enough." I say matter-of-factly, waving the wooden spoon in the air for emphasis.

Mrs. Kent chuckles… "That you are, that you are."

She readies the mugs as the kettle boils. I grab two plates from the cupboard and cutlery out of the drawer. I turn the heat off from under the frying pan, pushing 4 pieces of bread down in the toaster. Mrs. Kent watches me from her seat at the island, amazed at my newfound confidence in the kitchen. I serve the omelet on the two plates and turn to swipe the toast from the toaster, butter and knife at the ready. Mrs. Kent nods her approval at my technique, I smile, delighted at the attention. Mrs. Kent adds the hot water to the mugs, stirring the contents smoothly. I carry the plates to the table as Mrs. Kent brings the mugs over. We sit in comfortable silence, both enjoying the meal and pleasant company.

"This is actually really delicious." I adopt a façade of hurt. Mrs. Kent quickly attempts to smooth things over… "What I mean is, this breakfast is far more delicious than your last attempt at-"

"It's alright Mrs. K, I know what you mean. I kind of had to learn to cook something anyway, fast food can get really boring when it's all you eat." I smile, not sure what else to do. Mrs. Kent smiles too, we go back to our comfortable silence.

Both finishing our meals not long after, Mrs. Kent goes to clear the table but I'll have none of that. Standing myself and placing my hand on the older woman's arm… "I got it."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, it's just clearing the table and doing dishes, no biggie. Why don't you take a shower now?"

"Oh ok, only if you're sure? Chloe said something about you not being in the condition to do much."

I smile, touched by the woman's concern, by both women's concern.

"I'm fine thanks Mrs. K, I feel much better after all this uninterrupted rest from the last day." Mrs. Kent gives me one last look, she drums her hand on the back of her chair and heads up the stairs.

I sigh and get busy washing the dishes.


I sit in the lounge room, sprawled across the sofa flicking through the channels. I've only occupied this spot for 20 minutes but I am already bored. How the hell am I supposed to get through 2 weeks of this hell? I hear foot steps on the stairs turning to see Mrs. Kent descending, her step extremely light. I'm startled that I'd actually heard her.

"I've got to go to the office for a while, I'll be back around 2. There's plenty in the fridge if you get hungry." She flutters from here to there gathering papers, her laptop and bag. Mrs. Kent begins to frantically search her bag for something.

I stand up and wander over to her… "You looking for this?" I produce a cell phone.

"Uh, yeah, thanks. Anyway, as I was saying-"

"Thanks Mrs. Kent, I got it, food in the fridge, you'll be back at 2… I'll try not to break anything." I grin at her.

She looks at me lovingly… "Ok, see you later then."

I follow her to the door. "Ok, bye Mrs. K. Drive carefully." I call out, waving as she reaches the truck door. She waves back once in the truck, puts it into gear and takes off. I watch from the door, arms folded until I can no longer see the truck on the horizon.

I turn to Shelby who sits a few feet behind me… "So now what do we do?" Shelby lies down playing dead… "Right." I close the front door and wander back to the lounge room, there has got to be something interesting on TV.


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