-1Chapter 43-When Tragedy Strikes
Clark stared out his classroom window while attempting to pay attention. It was a beautiful fall day outside and he couldn't help but daydream about having a picnic with Lana. Since the end of summer he hadn't seen her. A lot had happened during the past few months.
Chloe and Pete had finally talked since they didn't want both Clark and Lana getting in the middle anymore. They worked it out after a long talk with many cups of coffee down at the Talon. Pete had flown down to see her and it ended up working out for the better. Chloe and Pete were a happy couple again.
Lex had joined forces with Edge to bring down Lionel. Clark found out with help from Oliver. Oliver was an old friend who used to be his adopted brother. Clark and Oliver had really bonded during the time Clark was a member of that family. They had stayed close long after Clark had parted and was put back up for adoption.
Oliver was keeping tabs on Lex and watching the security tapes. Word had slipped and now Clark and Oliver were planning to take Lex and Edge down for good. All they needed were the specifics. They kept it between the two of them just in case Edge found out. There wasn't much Lex could do since Clark was in charge of the money but Edge could cause some damage.
He shook his head and turned back to his professor. He quickly wrote down the notes to catch up. His thoughts lately were all over the place. Football was getting close to wrapping up now that the holidays were around the corner.
Realizing how much time had passed, his thoughts turned back to Lana. He missed her. They talked all the time on the phone but it wasn't the same as actually seeing her one on one. He really wanted to see her and was planning to visit but he really had no time.
Finals were coming up and the games were on Saturday so he didn't have the weekends to just drive down there. Those thoughts killed his mood. So much for taking notes. Clark shifted his backpack on his shoulder as he walked back to his dorm.
"Hey Kent! Party after practice!" Roger yelled as he ran past.
Clark smiled and waved. Roger was the buddy he shared a dorm with. He was still living in his apartment but Roger had wanted his own dorm so Clark 'lived' there as well. It wasn't like he couldn't afford it. It also helped to have somewhere closer to keep his football gear for between classes and practice. Not to mention a place to hang when he was too lonely to go home. He was half-way back to his dorm when he ran into Chloe.
"Hey Clark," She greeted as she fell into step with him.
"Hey Chloe," Clark smiled at her and they continued on their way.
"I know you've been busy but is there a chance that you remember the Talon party for Lana?" Chloe asked.
Clark mentally smacked himself. They were planning a party for Lana and the Talon. The Talon had been awarded the "Hot Spot" award and Lana was so happy that her business was such a success and a safe place for the locals to hang.
"Sorry Chloe. It got pushed out of my mind," He apologized.
"It's alright. We're leaving Friday morning to get the place decorated and set up for Saturday night," Chloe explained.
"I can't go," Clark said.
"What! Why?" Chloe asked.
"I have a game," He explained.
"No," She simply said, "Is there anyway you could make it?"
"I don't know. The game is home but it all depends," He said.
"Alright. We'll put the game on TV," She said. Clark smiled sadly as he walked her to the dorm building door. "Don't worry about it Clark. Good luck at the game," She said before heading inside.
Clark turned back and went to the dorm room. He grabbed his gear and changed. Grabbing his bag he headed to practice. If Lana and everyone else would be watching the game he'd have to be on his A-game. He would be playing for Lana.
Saturday was rather chilly and the cold bit through his football jersey. He pushed it out of his mind and focused on the play. There was thirty seconds left on the clock and the score was 21 to 20. Met U. was behind. If they scored they would win the game. Only enough time for one last play.
"Blue…Forty Two…hike…hike…HUT!!" He called.
The ball gracefully found his hands and he backed up a few feet to find his open player. The crowd was quiet as a rival player came his way. He ran and dodged the tackle. There was the open player. He reared back and hurled the ball across the field. As soon as the ball left his hands he was tackled by three players. One took him up off his feet by his rib cage, the other wrapped himself around his feet and the third hit his upper half. He landed with a crunch.
His ribs screamed and dots swam in front of his eyes. The three that tackled him checked to see if he was okay. Unsure, he nodded softly and they helped him to his feet. The sound rushed his ears. The crowd was going crazy. He looked to the score board…21 to 25. Met U. won the game.
His team rushed him and they went crazy. "Kent is the man!" A teammate roared.
"Party at the dorms," Another yelled.
Clark smiled and joined in with the victory moshpit. As soon as things died down, he was checked out by the team doctor, and the coach gave his speech and dismissed them, he headed straight for his apartment.
The Talon was cheering as they watched the Met U. game on TV. Met U. was falling behind and it was half-time.
"I could just call him and see who won," Chloe mentioned to Pete.
"That would spoil our bet," Pete whined.
"Please, you betted against Clark. You have no speaking room," Chloe said slapping his shoulder.
"I didn't vote against Clark…just his team," Pete said in his defense.
"Met U. has been on a roll this year," Someone said butting into their conversation.
A short while later Chloe's phone rang. It was Lois giving her the signal.
"Lights off and hide!" Chloe called out. She turned off the TV and the lights. Everyone hid and waited. The front door opened and two sets of feet walked in.
"Why did we close the store today if I couldn't even go to the game?" Lana asked.
"Maybe it's still on TV?" Lois asked flipping the lights on.
"Surprise!" Everyone cried, jumping out from their hiding spots.
Lana jumped back in surprise. All of her usuals were here, a few new faces, along with Chloe and Pete. One person she wanted to see wasn't there. The party got into full swing. Pete turned the game back on and Lana would watch whenever Met U. was on the offense. The game was close to over and the score was 21 to 20.
Clark pulled up on his bike behind the Talon. He turned the bike off then jumped off while fixing his jacket and hair. He grunted a bit as he bumped his ribs. He had bruised them and the team doctor had wrapped them with instructions to see another doctor for x-rays and to get a lot of rest.
Clark had ignored him and gotten on his bike heading straight for Smallville. So what if he was hurt and needed to do a take home test? He was seeing his girlfriend. He even brought his work with him though he doubted he would actually do it. He walked through the back door and smiled at the people gathered around. The majority of the people were focused on the TV.
"Last play of the game, come on Clark!" He could hear Chloe but he didn't see her.
The room was quiet while the announcer spoke, "Kent is setting up the play. There's the hut…What a beautiful throw…TOUCHDOWN!!! MET U. WINS!!!" The room erupted into cheers and Clark could see Chloe jumping up and down.
"What's that? Kent's down," The announcer spoke. The room got quiet again.
"Let's look at that again…not a pretty tackle…seems like he may have broken a few ribs…Kent's up and seems to be okay," The announcer went on.
"Please, like three guys could keep Kent down," Max said.
Clark could see some money being passed around and figured there were a few bets going on. Clark finally saw Lana. She was near Chloe and Pete who were exchanging money. Lana was annoyed with them both but amused. She had that small smile with a tint of glare. She looked absolutely beautiful. He walked through the crowd and bumped into Lois.
"Well if it isn't Mr. Smallville who's living it up in big city, playing football-"
He cut her off, "It's good to see you too Lois."
She smiled, "Alright go see your girlfriend."
Clark smiled back and continued his way through the crowd. When people began to recognize him from the game he ended up getting caught by people. "Kent, great game!" "Can I get an autograph?" "How are you holding after that hit?"
"Whoa, hold up!" Clark yelled above them. It got Lana, Pete's and Chloe's attention. "I just came to see my girlfriend."
He moved his way through and smiled to Lana who smiled back. He immediately wrapped his arms around her and she hugged him back. He fought off the grunt from the pain of pressure against his ribs. He could handle it as long as Lana was in his arms. She pulled back and he leaned down and captured her lips with a gentle but passionate kiss.
The Talon erupted into hoots and hollers. Pete and Chloe smiled and shook their heads at the two love birds. They eventually parted and got to the party. Someone had turned on the music and dancing broke out on the floor. Clark pulled Lana to the dance floor and joined Chloe and Pete. It was just like they were back in high school together and they hadn't seen each other in months.
Clark woke up to an empty bedside. He heard noises coming from the kitchen and he slowly pulled himself out of bed. He softly held his ribs as he pulled his shirt back on. He padded his way through her apartment. He found her in the kitchen cooking breakfast.
"I hope I remembered right but you like blueberry pancakes?" She asked from the stove.
"Anything you make I would love," He said coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist.
"You're sweet," She said looking over her shoulder with a smile.
"I try," He commented back.
She laughed and finished fixing breakfast. They ate and then after cleaning up they curled up on the couch and watched a movie just like old times. It was great having her back in his arms and he was dreading having to go back to school. He didn't want to leave her.
They talked about school and football and the Talon and their relationship. It was amazing to just hold her and talk. They had a special relationship and he was seeing that for all it's glory. He could look forward to this everyday for the rest of his life. That thought stop him cold in his tracks. What was he thinking?
He knew what he was thinking. He wanted Lana to marry him. He could see himself walking through the back door of the Kent house with Lana in the kitchen and a little one running up to him and wrapping their arms around his legs. He could see a life with Lana and a family. It brought a smile to his lips.
The time came when he had to leave to go back to school. He was on his way back on his bike when a truck got right on his tail. He sped up and the truck kept up as well. He looked back at it's darkened windows. He sped up and started to weave through traffic in an attempt to lose them.
Eventually they bypassed all traffic and it was just the two of them on the road. Clark nerves were shot and he got nervous. His bike was overheating. He lost speed and the truck rammed into the back of his bike. The last thing he remembered was going down and sliding along the pavement with his bike.