Chapter 13 [Past—Crater Lake, Three Hours Following the Last Flashback]

After a brief rain shower earlier, the clouds broke up allowing patches of robin egg blue to float amidst their cotton white softness. The sun shone down warmly. A gentle breeze billowed trees and people's hair alike.

In short, it was the perfect day for outdoor activities….

Lana pulled into a parking place in the lake's lot and set the brake thoughtfully. She'd been helping Martha around the farm after Clark disappeared on his expedition a couple of hours earlier. Then they'd got a call from him saying for her to come there. What are you planning, Clark? She smiled wistfully knowing he was capable of a surprise for her….

…granted it was on his own schedule but he was capable nonetheless….

A sudden spasm rocked her sensibilities. Pain interrupted her bliss. Her lungs burned again.

Can't it just leave me alone? She braced herself against the blazer and regained her breath. "You aren't taking today from us." She opened her drivers' side door and grabbed for the cane defiantly before slamming the former shut. She shook her head. "I'm making sure Clark has a great day no matter what." She stuffed it under her right arm and huffed another tortured breath.

Then the cell phone buzzed.

She glanced at it and a smile formed. She answered it, "You'd better have something special up your sleeve, Mr. Kent."

"Look to your northeast," he directed.

Her eyes scanned the grassy field in front of herself. Then she could see him waving to her just in front of a stand of pine trees. "I see you! Give me a minute. I'm a bit slow right now."

"I can help," he offered.

"I can get it but thanks, Clark. See you in a minute," she concluded before shutting off the phone and sticking it in her pocket. She efforted herself into a decently-paced walk. Slowly she made her way across the field. Granted it would've been easier to have him meet her halfway but she would make it.

She wouldn't be the victim here…not without a fight….

She kept a poker face of sorts on not wanting to let on about the burning inside of herself. She wanted to make him happy and enjoy the treat.

For his part, he wasn't fooled. His super hearing picked up on her elevated heartbeat and rasping breath. He could see how pale her skin was. Still he remembered his mother's advice from earlier, "You may know but don't let Lana know that you know." He put a smile on his face for his love's benefit. "Wait until you see what I got for us!"

"I can't wait," she replied as she reached his position. She grinned as she beheld the blanket spread across the grass. A wicker picnic basket sat off to one side. Two plates and plastic cups flanked each other on each side. In its center, a glass vase held a bouquet of freshly picked lilacs and baby's breath. "Clark, it's wonderful."

"Anything for my lady," he declared before stopping himself short. He recalled suddenly that they hadn't really talked about it. While he had decided to move on, he didn't think he had yet.

"Your lady, huh?" she teased. "Are you trying to tell me something, Clark?" She embraced him and looked right into those eyes.

He felt a lump growing in his throat. For some reason, the old butterflies from high school darted and careened about in his stomach. His jitters threatened to drop him to the ground. He nodded with great effort. "I'd…like to resume our relationship."

"You would? What about Lois, Clark? What happened?" she wondered. "Clark, what's going on?"

He sat down morosely on the blanket. "She broke up with me in Amsterdam two days ago. She thought I was holding her back. Can you believe that?"

She sighed deeply. "I'm sorry. I know how hard you tried to make her happy. It's her loss not yours. I've been hurting because I couldn't be with you. First it was the radiation. Then it was Lois. Just promise you won't leave me or try to shelter me again. I can't deal with that."

"I'm past that, Lana," he affirmed without hesitation. "I promise."

She nodded allowing him to see the smile there. "I just wish we could've had this kind of an understanding in high school." She locked her lips onto his allowing her energy to flow into him….

…wanting to help him heal….

"That is what I wanted to hear. I will do what I can for as long as I can, Clark. It may not be forever but we have our season. Right?" she assessed after they broke off the kiss. "No tears and no sadness. Let's enjoy ourselves." She grinned at him. "I have you back. I'd trade six months of that for ten years locked up in Denver any day." She rubbed up against his chest affectionately.

He relaxed. The tensions ebbed away. I will do what I can to keep her on this track. No matter what! "I love you, Lana."

Her eyes glittered at him. She smiled dreamily. "And I love you, Clark." She turned toward the basket. "So what kind of surprises do you have in there?"

"Just the best kind." He opened the basket and brought out a small bowl covered with plastic wrap. Then he set a small bundle wrapped in brown butcher's paper on each plate. Then he set a small bottle of lemonade next to each cup. "My friend in Milwaukee sends his regards."

"His regards? Does he know?" she asked curiously and admittedly anxiously.

"About my real identity as Superman? No. I worked with Luigi's brother on a story a few years back. Mario introduced me to his family's deli. This is the real stuff. Awesomeness," he recounted.

"Okay. I'll definitely give this a try," she indicated while slowly sitting down next to him. She ripped the tape on the package and unwrapped it to find a six inch grinder waiting for her palate's enjoyment. She could smell the spices and oil on the sandwich. "This is definitely Italian."

"It is. Try it," he urged her gently. He hoped she'd like it.

She bit into it. Her taste buds sampled the fresh bread. Her tongue recognized the olive oil and pesto before it reached the fresh mozzarella and prosciutto underneath. She savored the flavors in her mouth prior to swallowing the mouthful. Her smile grew wider. "Clark, you've done it."

"You like it?" he inquired hopefully.

"This tastes like the stuff in Tuscany. We'll definitely need to do a road trip…discreetly of course. Thank you though for getting this for us," she expressed. "Have you been to Italy?"

"I've flown over it. Never stopped though," he noted. "You have?"

She nodded. "I've been there a couple of times. I helped save a family from some thieves once. They gave me some of this from their own cellar. Wonderful stuff." She bit into the sandwich again and enjoyed that mouthful. "You'll make culinary artist yet."

"I aim to please," he retorted half-seriously. While he trusted Luigi, he wasn't sure if he'd appreciate the deli's signature-made meats. "I also have some of my Mom's potato salad."

"Never go against your mother's cooking, Clark," she concurred. She tore the plastic wrap off of the bowl. "Mind if I serve?" Seeing him nod, she took a spoon from the basket and served each of them a portion. Then she covered the bowl again with the remains of the wrap.

He surveyed their surroundings with clear enjoyment. For once no clouds, rain or bad guys waited around the corner to ruin their day. She clearly kept her own demon at bay. They had sunshine, natural beauty and the breeze to serenade them.

They had each other to lift up…and to be uplifted by…..

"You have no idea how long I've waited for a moment like this," he revealed. He took a bite of his own grinder and chased it with some lemonade.

"I can imagine. We're both pussy footing around our feelings. Aunt Nell not approving of you. Your Dad scared I'd find out about the Secret. Still I do remember how you were always there for me even from the background. I really appreciate that," she declared. "I just wish they could've trusted us." She bit off another bite of meat chewing on that thought before swallowing, "We're past that now. Your Mom approves. So what if Jor-El doesn't? It isn't a big deal. We have each other now without the secrets or lies getting in the way." She kissed his cheek.

"We are. At least there's no more stuff to worry about," he noted half-truthfully. He did worry about her condition but wasn't going to ruin the mood.

"Liar but I'll take that answer," she teased as they turned to the potato salad. "I know you're worried."

"I love you so sue me," he retorted with a shrug. "Comes with the territory." He enjoyed his mouth's sounds in his ear. I love you….

"I'll take that." She set the bowl down and rubbed up against him again. "Let's just enjoy today." She hugged his shoulders. "It's just us."

He smiled. Maybe there would be more storms coming. For today however, he had his lady fair at his side. Amor ruled the field.

It was definitely a scene for Memoria to hang onto…to sustain them now and forever…..