Lana walked up the familiar loft steps as she had done so many times before. Only this time, things were different.
She wasn't ready to go and face the Kents yet and thought it be best to visit the loft for awhile. Although it was always Clark's get away, Lana found it a safe haven in it as well. Maybe it was because it made her feel closer to Clark. Maybe not. All she knew is that she felt content being up there, gazing out at vast open sky.
Sauntering over to the large opening over looking everything, Lana glanced towards the yellow home. Everything seemed to have changed, yet were the same. The mixture of feelings she was having was confusing. She knew coming here was going to be hard, but never had she imagined she would literally break down. Sighing, she wrapped her small arms around herself and watched Martha taking care of the dishes and Johnathan opening the refrigerator. Her eyes traveled north to a window on the second floor and a smile crept across her face recognizing the familiar figure sitting at a desk. Clark seemed to be reading something and deep in thought. Lana recognized the look on his face, he was recalling some kind of information. Suddenly his head snapped away from whatever it was that he was looking at and towards the door of his bedroom. The smile that had been on Lana's face on seconds earlier quickly turned into a sad frown watching the intruder make her way into Clark's bedroom and make a home in his lap. As Lois's mouth inched towards Clark's, Lana hastily looked away and made refuge to the old worn couch.
Seeing Clark with Lois was upsetting her and she couldn't help it. Of course she knew it would hurt, but not like this. Lana had thought the years spent apart would have somewhat eased the pain her heart had endured and make seeing Clark again somewhat easier. She was wrong. But then as she sat there, she began to think that because Clark was with someone else, maybe it would make it easier to get closure. She was happy that he seemed happy. Now it was time for her to be happy again.
"Clark?" Lois asked throwing open the bedroom door and marching in, "What are you doing up here right now? Your mom is making dinner and making a fuss over Lana's surprise visit." She immediately found a seat in his lap and wrapped her long arms around Clark's neck as he hastily put something away. She leaned in for a kiss, pressing against Clark's mouth eagerly awaiting for him to return the affection, but it didn't come. Pulling away, Lois looked at him, only to find he wasn't paying attention to her at all, "Uh, hello, Earth to Clark," she waved her hands in front of his face, "what's up with you?"
Clark who had just sworn he saw a figure up in the loft, snapped his attention towards Lana, "Um, nothing," he smiled before pecking her sweetly on the lips.
Lois studied him for a moment "Right." Jumping out of his lap, she preceded to head out of the room, "Your dad wants to talk to you. Something about the tractor or something farm related." With that, Lois walked out. Clark sighed and got up, peering out the window towards the loft once again, but saw nothing.
Making his way into the kitchen, Clark caught sight of his dad standing up against the porch railing. "You wanted to talk to me dad?" He asked, joining Johnathan.
Arms crossed and a lazy smile across his face, Johnathan glanced over his shoulder at his only son, "Yeah," unfolding his arms, he patted Clark on the shoulder an gently squeezed, "Have I ever told you how proud I am of you?"
"Yeah, a few times, but it doesn't hurt to hear it again," Clark laughed.
Johnathan chuckled, "Well, I just want to make sure you know. No matter what decisions you've made in the past, or decisions you will make in the future, I will always be on your side as long as you're happy."
Slightly confused, Clark raised an eyebrow, "Okay." He loved his dad, but sometimes he just didn't understand his words of wisdom, "Lois said you needed help with the tractor or something."
"Actually, there's something in the barn I'd like you to fetch for me before dinner starts. You'll know it when you see it." Clark was more confused as ever and Johnathan continued, "Take your time though, no rush, it'll be refreshing for you." Winking at Clark, Johnathan patted his back one last time before going back inside of the house.
Even more confused, Clark did as he was told and made his towards the barn. He had know idea what his dad what asking him to do, that is, until he was inside of the old red barn. Entering, he saw Lana walking away from his old desk with something in hand and make her way out of plain view, but Clark knew she went to the couch. Now would probably be the best time to get some time alone with her and talk. They hadn't said much to each other yet and he really needed to get some things off of his chest that he had been waiting six years to say.
Lana was so immersed in her own thoughts, she failed to hear the footsteps coming up the loft steps. Leaning towards the old radio on the coffee table in front of her, Lana turned in on and then leaned back into the couch. Snuggling up with the old comforter, she intently stared at the framed photograph in her hand and smiled before hearing a familiar song taint the air.
You took my hand
You showed me how
You promised me you'd be around
Uh huh, that's right
I took your words and I believed
In everything you said to me
Yeah huh, that's right
Lana rolled her eyes and exclaimed to herself, "God why every time I turn on a radio I hear a sad song?"
"Don't you hate when that happens."
Lana jumped in fright and turned towards the landing at the top of the stairs, putting a hand over her chest she giggled, "Clark, you frightened me. Nearly gave me a heart attack"
"Sorry. Didn't meant to scare you," he laughed and which soon turned into a toothy grin when he saw her smile brightly up at him. "So what are you doing up here? Mom's almost finished with dinner now and you left right before lunch. Needless to say, you've been gone a while."
Hearing him laugh had brought the first genuine smile to Lana's face today and she couldn't help it. She melted every time she heard his voice, "I needed to get reacquainted with a few things."
If someone said three years from now,
You'd be long gone
I'd stand up and punch them out
Cause they're all wrong
I know better,
Cause you said forever
And ever
Who knew?
Clark stood next to the couch , "May I?" He asked, pointing to the spot next to here.
"Of course, it's your couch Clark," Lana said, "you don't have to ask for permission to sit on it."
Taking a seat next to her, he saw the picture in her hand and laughed, "Wow, I haven't seen that picture in a long time."
Lana's eyes lowered to the photo and grinned, "Yeah, I found it in your desk, I hope you don't mind." Staring at the two young children no older than 7 it contained. The young raven haired girl with a backward baseball cap on her head and the little boy with a red towel tied around his neck. Handing the frame to Clark, Lana watched the smile on his face grow.
"Why would I mind?" Clark laughed at the picture, "God we were so young and carefree. Those were the days. Isn't that the hat I gave you?"
"Actually, I think I sort of took it from you, remember?" Lana laughed.
Closing one eye as if he was recalling the memory, Clark smirked, "That's right, I remember now. You weren't very nice when we were kids, always bullying me around."
They shared a hearty laugh. "Yeah, but you still loved me," Lana giggled before realizing what she said.
Remember when we were such fools
And so convinced and just too cool
Oh no, no, no
I wish I could touch you again
I wish I could still call you friend
I'd give anything
When someone said count your blessings now
For they're long gone
I guess I just didn't know how
I was all wrong
But they knew better
Still you said forever
And ever
Who knew?
Yeah, yeah
The smiles vanished from both of their faces and Lana regretted instantly saying that, bringing up memories of the time when they were together. So young and in love…Lana's heart yearned to feel that way again. But she would put on a pretty good façade. Clark Kent would no longer be her weakness, she was here for closure and that's what she was going to get, even it killed her in the process.
Sitting there in silence, Lana studied his face and stared deeply into the ocean green eyes. He still looked the same as the last time she saw him. The last time…up here in this loft. Quickly turning away, Lana hid the teary eyed expression creeping up remembering the last time she had talked to Clark. "So," she cleared her throat and looked out through the loft opening, "the sun is setting."
"Yeah," was all Clark could muster. He was so entranced with her eyes, he just wanted to continue staring at her, rememorizing her every feature.
Standing up, she made her way towards the old telescope and wrapped her hands around herself and stared out at the pink orange sky, "I missed watching these," she whispered almost to herself.
Clark joined her, "Me too," he replied quietly staring at her closely before out at the setting sun.
I'll keep you locked in my head
Until we meet again
Until we, until we meet again
And I wont forget you my friend
What happened?
If someone said three years from now
You'd be long gone
I'd stand up and punch them out
Cause they're all wrong and,
That last kiss, I'll cherish
Until we meet again
When time makes it harder
I wish I could remember
But I keep your memory
You visit me in my sleep
My darling
Who knew?
My darling
My darling
Who knew?
After a moment, Lana turned to Clark. It was time to start the inevitable, "Clark, actually, I really wanted to talk to you. There are a lot of things we need to talk ab…"
"I know, and I've been waiting to get a chance to have this conversation with you. There are just so many things I need you to understand Lana." Clark interrupted.
Before either could say anything else, they heard Martha calling for Clark.
"Um, we should go eat. Mom will be worried other wise," Clark suggested.
"Yeah, you're right," Lana nodded in agreement. Besides, she was a little hungry. Maybe it just wasn't time to talk. 'There's always later,' Lana thought and then followed Clark back to the house.
My darling
I miss you
My darling
Who Knew?
Who knew?