Chapter 8

[A couple of hours later—Room 8]

Within the white sterile room, Lana reclined on a comfortable bed. She'd hated being poked and examined again as she'd been in the past. The blood tests annoyed her even if she knew the doctors were doing what they thought was best.

But she knew what they'd find. She shook her head wondering how to tell Clark that it was hopeless. Wonder how Lois is handling me being around him like this? Her heart sunk at the mention of the brunette reporter. You know how it is, Lana. Thank Lex for destroying your last chance with Clark! She frowned thinking of the attempts she had made to move on after the Awful Dawn….

…after leaving Clark meteor-ill and heartsick in his barn….

…after suffering from tearing her own heart out and forcing herself from his presence….

"They're happy, Lana. Clark's got Lois." The thought of the military brat winning her Plaid Knight's hand unsettled her stomach. "Got to deal with it," she lectured herself even if the bile in her stomach threatened to make her puke as a result.

A balding African-American man in a white lab coat walked into the room and shut the door. He set a manila envelope on the counter across the room. Then he smiled. "Feeling better, Miss Lang?"

"A little. My stomach still feels like it has glass ground up in it. I have burning and freezing stabs all over. I know my time's running out," she noted while cutting to the chase. "Sorry, Dr. Smithers."

"That's okay, Lana. Sounds like you've been exploring your options." Smithers opened the folder. "Wish you'd come to us sooner. You know about the advanced stages of Kryptonite poisoning you're suffering from?"

She nodded.

"From the NMR and MRI, you've developed several tumors throughout your body." He showed her the film images. I can see one in your upper thorax. Another's developed in your lungs. Others are developing along your spine. We could try chemotherapy or cancer medications," Smithers revealed.

"They did those things in Vienna and Paris for me. My condition resists it. How much longer?" she wondered.

Smithers shrugged. "Normally I'd say with chemo, we could get you a few more months. Miss Lang, it's a wonder you've made it this long. I wish I could give you a definite timeframe. Unfortunately I can't. I can check you in and see how we make out. We could always luck out onto something."

"And then I'd be a virtual prisoner in this place. No thanks, Dr. Smithers. I appreciate you looking me over. The pills that held the effects in check aren't working anymore. I've tried several clinical trials. Nothing makes a dent in this stuff. I think I'll just head home." She forced herself to sit up and then lowered herself slowly to the floor. "Thank you for your help, Doctor. I'll be happy to pay you for your time."

"Not necessary. Superman's donated his time to the children. I'd say that evens things up. I really wish you'd reconsider staying here," Smithers assured her.

"I know. I appreciate the concern. Thank you." She shook his hand. "I'll change back into my clothes. Is Superman still around?"

"He's upstairs in the Children's Wing. I can have an orderly bring you up there if you'd like," he offered.

"I can make it if I take it slowly. Thanks. I wish I had my cane," she declined while taking her clothes and going behind a curtain to change.

Wish she'd change her mind! Smithers picked the folder up and headed toward the door. "I'll have one brought for you in a minute. Have a good day, Miss Lang." With that he walked out the door and shut it to insure her privacy.

"Wish it were that easy," Lana griped to herself while changing back into her every day clothes. "Wonder how Clark's going to take this news?" She shook her head and pressed toward the task at hand.

[Ten minutes later—Children's Ward]

True to her word, Lana limped her way back to the elevator and up to the Children's Ward. Her mind tried to wrap itself around how to tell Clark and the others what she knew about her condition. She shook her head. Maybe I should just slip away. Guess it would've been easier when I had the suit on. Too bad that thing is what's killing me now. Can't keep running away, Lana.

As the elevator doors opened, she beheld a wondrous sight…A grin crossed her lips.

She limped closer to take part…..

Clark managed to wrap himself in a cocoon of service. By making the children forget their pain for at least a moment, he could do the same for his own. He signed autographs. He organized a sing along. He lifted a couch with several of them sitting on it. His grin increasingly grew.

Lois had never cared for such charity events. In fact she'd chastised him for doing them and taking away from their careers and 'them time'. She rarely if ever showed up for the children choosing instead to pursue rising stars of industry and government.

Don't let her bring you down, Clark. She made her choice. There are others out there. There are others who don't mind sharing you with this. With that he happened to glance up.

Lana's eyes sparkled at him. Her grin shone with admiration and approval. Even as she leaned on the borrowed metal cane, she stood as tall as possible while soaking the positive energy in that room.

…soaking in the essence of his goodness and giving to others….

Her heart beat faster. A rush surged through her washing away all of the pain.

His eyes sparkled back at her for a brief second before remembering he had to maintain the Superman cover.

Still, in that moment, the natural balance had been restored.

Both knew that they were the ones for each other again.

Clark set the couch down as gently as possible. "Well, Kids, I have to go. I have another friend to see home now. But if you all do exactly what the doctors and nurses tell you, I'll be back. Okay? Thanks for the great morning!"

While disappointed, the patients made sure he saw their smiles and waves of thanks to him.

"Thank you, Superman, for doing that," Karen expressed. "I see the patient's back on her feet."

"So to speak. Superman, we don't have to go just yet," Lana disagreed. "Maybe we could sit through lunch with them?"

"I thought your friends were waiting in Smallville?" Clark supposed.

"They know I'm here. Besides the kids are most important, right?" Lana let her eyes sparkle at him. "Let's make their day even better."

"How about it, Kids? Pizza with Superman and his friend?" Karen announced.

"YAY!" the patients chorused gladly.

Clark squeezed Lana's hand warmly. His heart was quickly finding its way home.

And so the good times extended for a while longer…..