-1Chapter Forty One-Long Awaited
Chloe finally drew Clark's attention as they made their way back into to Smallville.
"You sure did hit Lex pretty hard." Clark looked up a complex expression. It was a 'pissed smile but proud'.
"Lex had it coming. He warned me he would go after Lana. After these past few months it was just the last straw. I wouldn't have blinked if I had killed him."
"You almost did. That was some massive bleeding," Chloe said the town in sight.
"He deserves everything he got. I don't regret it," He said
"Since you left Smallville and moved back to Metropolis…you remind me of the guy you were when you first showed up in Smallville," She said sparing a moment to look at him.
"A lot happened when I went back. I left behind a whole different life. It wasn't easy going back," He said turning back to the window.
"I'm glad you're back in Smallville. Things can get worked out now," She said as they approached the Talon.
"What do you mean?" Clark asked.
He remembered their conversation at his apartment. Chloe had wanted him to come back then. What was so nerve racking was that she would ask him to come back and even tell him Lana's secret.
"Pete decided to go away for college and the only friends nearby are you and Lana. You two are never there because you are so worked up over each other. Why can't we get back to the life we had?" She asked.
"I'm sorry you're losing Pete, but Lana and I have some issues. I needed her and she wasn't there. We both made mistakes and I don't know if we can get past them," He said.
"I didn't mean to snap. I just feel like everything's wrong," She said pulling up to the back of the Talon.
"I know that feeling, very well," He said as she pulled to a stop and turned off the car.
"Look, just have faith that everything work itself out." He said turning to look at her.
"Do you have faith that it will work out?" Chloe asked.
"After everything…I don't know. Doesn't mean I won't go in there and try to talk to her," He said.
"Then lets get in there," She said opening her door and getting out.
Clark followed suit and headed inside through the back door. At the sound of Lois's voice Clark stopped and listened. Chloe looked back at him confused at why he stopped, then she heard his name being mentioned.
"I know you're trying to find Clark but why are you beating yourself up about it?" Lois asked.
"I miss him so much. The way he used to kiss the top of my head. How we would curl up on the couch and fall asleep in each other arms. I miss his touch, his kisses, his…love," said Lana.
"He's a great guy and any girl who gets to spend time with him like that is one lucky lady," Lois said.
"I went after him. When I found out he went to Metropolis, I went after him. I even went to Lionel to find him. I couldn't," Lana said.
"Clark went away for his own reasons. Look at his entire life. One abusive family after another then living with Lex. Facing the devil for you and then when life gets tough and he makes a bad choice you bail on him. He went away to find himself again and to get back to where he was. I understand why he left and I accepted it," Lois said.
"I just wish I could talk to him," Lana replied.
Chloe looked to Clark and could see the emotional battle playing out behind his eyes. "I have faith," She said getting his attention. She walked in and Clark heard Lois greet her cousin. With a deep breath Clark walked in after her. Lana and Lois had turned to look at Chloe.
"When did you get back?" Lois asked.
"Yea, I thought you went to check out the dorms?" Lana asked.
"I did but I came back early and ran into someone," Chloe said looking to Clark in the doorway.
Lois followed her gaze and found the farm/city boy standing in the doorway. "Well if it isn't the city boy. Couldn't stay away from the corn?" Lois asked.
"Glad to see you missed me too Lois, " Clark said.
Lana turned to the door and as far as he could tell she looked happy to see him.
"Clark, when did you come back?" Lana asked.
"When he found out what Lex did he came back and beat the crap out of him. Lex is going to feel it in the morning, that is if he wakes up," Chloe said eagerly displaying how proud she was of Clark.
"You attacked Lex?" Lois asked.
Clark nodded, his eyes never leaving Lana's. He couldn't move his eyes to look at anything else. A small vibration started in his chest and moved throughout his body. He was able to turn that energy into movement and he walked out of the doorway and up to the counter. Chloe and Lois knew all too well that these two were lost with each other and that they were good as forgotten.
"We're just going to go. I'll lock the doors," Lois said. She didn't get a response. She looked to Chloe who just shrugged. Not even wanting to bother them, Lois headed to the door and let Chloe and herself out.
"Think they'll just kill each other?" Lois asked having seen the damage done to Clark by Lana.
"No, I think they'll work it out," Chloe said knowing how Lana had been after everything.
These two may fight but it wouldn't end in any more heartache.
"Why did you attack Lex?" Lana asked figuring it would be better to talk then stare at each other in silence.
"Chloe told me he forced himself on you. After everything I did to protect you from him, I just couldn't sit back in Metropolis," Clark answered after working up the courage to speak.
"So you came back for me?" She asked. After a moment he nodded. They were silent again for a moment. "I went to Metropolis to find you. I needed to tell you something," She continued not wanting him to get bored and leave.
"So I heard. Lionel never told me you stopped by," Clark said.
"He said he hadn't talked to you since you told Edge off," She explained.
"It doesn't matter, I'm here now. What did you want to tell me?" He asked curious to why she had hunted him down but it did give him hope.
"I wanted to apologize. I left you when you needed me most and I never explained why," She said looking down.
Her stomach was in knots and her nerves on edge. He was silent and when she looked up she could see the pain in his eyes. She continued before she lost the courage she had built.
"My brother Adam died. For the longest time I blamed my brother but later I hated the drug. I just couldn't stand to see it happen again."
By the time she finished telling him everything about what had happened with her brother and her parents she was crying and choking on her words. Clark pulled her into a hug and rubbed her back. After a minute her sobs quieted and she gripped the back of his tee.
"Lana, I'm so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you," He apologized.
"I'm sorry for not being there," She pulled back and looked up at him. "I will never leave you to face anything alone again." Clark studied her face and ran her words through his head. She was promising to be by his side. Did that mean she wanted him back?
"Lana, I came to you before and you kicked me out. Why now?" He asked trying to sort his confused feelings.
"I realized my mistake. Clark, I still love you and I wish I could take back what I did to you. Can you forgive me?" She asked.
"Of course I forgive you. Can you forgive me?" He asked.
"I understand why you did what you did. I forgave you a long time ago," She answered.
"So where do we go from here?" He asked. They had made mistakes and asked for forgiveness. Everything was getting back to being okay.
"I was hoping we could start over. After all it's summer and we have plenty of time to reconnect…that is if that's what you want. I understand if you don't," She went on until Clark cut her off with a kiss.
She was still in his arms so it was easy to kiss him back. He kept it short and pulled away. "I'm sorry. It was too soon," He said with his arms still around her. He never wanted to let her go again.
"Don't be sorry. That was nice." She said looking up at him. He smiled down, happy beyond words. They were getting to a good place.
"So we're starting fresh?" Clark asked.
"Are we?" She asked back.
Clark straightened himself up and smiled trying to be charming. "I would love it if you, Mrs. Lang, would accompany me to dinner tomorrow night."
"I would love to have dinner with you Mr. Kent," She paused. "Or is it Luthor?"
Clark sighed and pulled away, "It's complicated."
"I have all night," She said touching his shoulder softly.
He smiled and motioned for her to take a seat. This was going to take awhile. They sat and talked. He explained how he had felt while he recovered, what had happened with Lois that lead him to decide to leave. That he had taken the Luthor name and become heir to the Luthor fortune. How Lex had nothing, not even the clothes on his back. He even told her what had gone on with Edge and his reason for not taking the job. Even told her he was staying in Metropolis and going to Met U to play football.
Lana told him that she was staying in Smallville and going to Kansas University. Clark assured her that he'd see her all the time. Of course that didn't mean it wouldn't be easy. They had a fresh start and it appeared that they would have a difficult road ahead of them but Clark was not going to lose Lana again. No matter what it took.