Chapter 16 [Later that Afternoon]

[Kent Farm]

Clark set the last bale in place along the west wall. He felt better about the morning date with Lana after his successful meeting with Perry White. "This actually could work." He looked up at the hay bales stretching toward the ceiling.

"I told you to have faith, Clark," Lana reminded him from the stalls.

He grinned. "So you did." He grabbed the broom and swept the floor at super speed making sure that not a trace of hay or dirt marred the concrete floor.

"You so cheat with that super speed," she cracked.

"If I have it, why not? Gives me more time to check on you," he countered humorously. He walked over to the cows' stalls.

There she milked Tessie, the Kents' new milk cow. As she gently squeezed, the milk collected in a pail below the cow's udder. "Is that so?" She smirked at him.

"Yeah it's so." He leaned over and stole a kiss from her lips. "Besides I wanted one of those." He looked her over. "The plaid's a good look."

She snorted. "Don't get too used to it." She stood and patted the cow's side. "Thanks, Girl." She struggled to lug the milk pail. "That's heavier than I remember."

"I can get it," he assured her.

"I want to get it," she disagreed pointedly while taking the handle and straining toward the door. She gasped for breath after just four steps. She set it down as gently as she could.

He silently watched in horror. She can't pick up a milk pail now? "Are you okay?"

"I guess I'll be fine. Can you bring the milk in for your Mom? I guess I need to rest," she presumed while heading for the house.

He shook his head while taking the pail and walking as briskly as he could without spilling it toward her. "Lana, it's okay. We're fine. You milked Tessie. I just happen to bring it in. We're a team."

She stopped and shivered in spite of the day's warmth. She felt the burning in her bloodstream. "I…I know. Thanks, Clark." She leaned up against the fence for support.

He shook his head. "Just a sec." He super sped into the house and then came back to her side. "We should get you into Metro. Maybe your doctor might know…."

"Clark, I told you, they don't have anything!" she insisted. "I'm not a lab rat as I wouldn't let you become one. Please. I can deal with it. Now can I get some help please?"

"Sure," he agreed while helping her to the house. He opened the door, guided her through and helped get her to the couch. "Take a seat and relax, all right?"

"I'll do my best. Thanks, Clark," she murmured before lying down and drifting off into a deep sleep.

"What's going on?" Martha queried nervously.

He frowned while pulling a comforter over his sleeping girlfriend. "I don't know. We were out in the barn doing chores. She was in such a great mood. Then I guess she tried to lug the pail in here and couldn't do it. I left it over by the kitchen counter and went back out there to help her the rest of the way. I suggested she go to Metro and she blew up at me." He rubbed his forehead.

"Let's allow to her to sleep it off," Martha noted. She led them both to the dining room table. "Clark, we're going to need to be patient with her. Lana's going through a lot right now." She took an empty plastic milk jug, inserted a large plastic funnel into its spout and filled it from the pail. Then she repeated the process with another jug and the rest of the milk before capping both bottles. Finally she set them in the refrigerator.

"I know, Mom. I just don't get what I can do," he doubted.

"You can be there for her. Clark, I'm so proud of what you're doing. You could have ignored her. You could've wrapped yourself in a cocoon at the Planet after what happened with Lois. You're not. You're trying to balance things. Just be patient with Lana. Be patient with yourself." Martha started a pot of coffee. "This is one time you won't be able to save her. You're going to have to deal with that. She's made her choice. Now it's a matter of supporting her."

"Guess this is what it was like with Dad?" he supposed.

"No because your Dad had surgery. If he'd been able to live without stress, he'd still be here with us today. Being your father, however, brings that, Clark. He died protecting you without hesitation. He loves us. You are his special boy just as you are mine. Lana's here because she chooses to live her last days with you at her side. You, Clark. She wants to be here. She reacted out of pain. It's going to happen. All we can do is support her," Martha clarified. "Help her and have no regrets. Love her and make her life special. Your Dad has no such regrets Upstairs. Trust me on that one."

He nodded and cast a worried glance toward the couch where Lana still slept. He wished he could defeat this insidious disease as he might one of his super-powered adversaries. "I'll do my best, Mom."

"I know you will. I will too. I just want you to be ready for what is to come," Martha foretold. "As she deteriorates, Lana's going to go through a lot more. It will not be pretty. You need to be strong for her."

She took a deep breath. "Maybe I should call the Queens back. Chloe and Oliver will be here at 7."

"No, Mom. Maybe having Chloe and Oliver around will be just the thing, you know? She can cheer Lana up. I have some things I need to talk to him about out in the barn," he disagreed. "I'm going to need the Justice League to pick up some slack for a while. Superman will still be around as needed but…."

"…but you're keeping yourself back here in case you're needed. I get it. For what it's worth, I'm glad that conversation with Perry went the way it did this morning. It'll be good having you around more. Just be patient. Okay?" With that she got up from the table and left him to his thoughts.

He glanced over at Lana again. For once, despite of all of his abilities, he felt helpless. He did not know what to do. He couldn't just shoot his blood into her and heal her instantly. He couldn't force Jor-El to heal her….

…all he could do was accept that he'd lose her one day….

…and that day would be soon….

You can't brood over it. You have to accept it. Just deal and help her to deal with it! He put his forehead on the table and collected the rampaging emotions burning through himself. Accept it. He stood slowly as if lifting a whole solar system on his back. He dampened one of his mother's hand towels and gently set it on Lana's forehead.

Lana's lips cracked into a smile. "Th…thanks, Clark. S…sorry."

"Hey it's okay." He kissed her cheek gently. "You rest. We need you at your best for Oliver and Chloe."

"That'll be nice. Clark?" she replied.

"Yes?"

"I love you."

"I love you," he assured her. "Anything else I can do?"

"Just sit with me? I'd feel better knowing my Superman is here."

"Just try and tear me away." He moved the chair beside her. Sitting down he took her hand gently in his. "How's that?"

"Great. I'm safe now," she told him before drifting off again.

I guess so. Don't worry. Nothing will bother you here. Nothing. He smiled at her dreamy face and suppressed the tears in his eyes. He'd be strong for her no matter what.

And you could take that to the bank…..