Chapter 11
Coming back from the depths of darkness, I realise that I'm lying in a bed, the smell of antiseptic strong in the air. That wasn't right. My bedroom normally smelt like mint, with a tinge of Crashdown food added to the mix.
Trying to get my thoughts straight, I fight to open my eyes. Where am I? The last thing I remembered was Clark giving me his jacket, and then feeling very weak. I hadn't been able to stand upright, and then my knees had given out and I had started to fall. Okay, and then what… Wait a minute… Clark! This was Smallville! Where was I?
To my relief, I start to hearing voices. That's better. Doesn't seem as if there's anything seriously wrong. Now, if only I could open my eyes.
"Nurse, we are going to need to get the blood work done quickly. Please draw a few vials of Ms. Parker's blood. I'll try and get it to the lab tonight. It could just be a case of exhaustion, but I'd rather double check to be sure…"
Oh Shit! Blood work? I was starting to panic. They couldn't take my blood. Why the hell am I just lying here? Get up, dammit! Hearing two sets of footsteps walking away, I will myself to make a move. Slowly prying my eyes open a sliver; I see a bright light and struggle to keep them open. Lifting my hand, I rip the IV out of my arm, and then pull myself up. Removing the blanket, I slide down off the bed and stand up. Swaying a little, I hold on to the bed frame for a moment until I feel myself getting steadier. Spying the cabinet on the opposite side of the room, I quickly open it, thrilled to see my clothes.
Once dressed, I quietly pull open the door, and peek outside. I didn't see the faces of the nurse or doctor in my room, so I guess I'm going to have to avoid all of them. There are two orderlies talking in the hallway, and a woman in a white coat was walking away. I wish I could mind-warp… Finally I see an opportunity when the orderlies finish their chat and move off in opposite directions. Hurriedly sneaking out of the room, I walk quickly down the corridor and turn the corner, breaking out into a run heading for the sign indicating that the elevator was up ahead.
Pressing the button, I surreptitiously look around me, ready to dash if needs be. What feels like 10 interminably long minutes later, the doors open and I enter, only breathing again when the doors close and the lift starts moving down. Reaching the ground floor, I step out into the corridor, seeing the exit sign above the door on the far right hand side. Great, almost free! Leaving the hospital, I breathe a sigh of relief, glad to have dodged that ball. Moving away from the door and walking a little distance down the road, I sit at the bench near a bus stop.
Now that I'm out of there, I've got to figure out a way to get back to Aunt Nell's. My cell phone is in my bag, presumably still at the Torch and I don't have any change on me. If I could, I'd kick myself for the gross stupidity. Oh well, one more thing to add to the list. Make sure you are prepared for quick escapes… Okay, so I guess I'm walking back to Aunt Nell's… Except that I haven't a clue as to which direction I should take. It's already 6pm and getting dark.
"Liz." A hand grabs my shoulder.
Stifling a scream, I jump up, turn around, misstep on the uneven sidewalk and fall on my butt. Instantly, I bring my hand up, ready to defend.
Holding up both hands in a non-threatening way, I see Clark looking down at me. "Whoa, Liz. It's only me."
"Shit Clark, you scared the hell out of me." Putting my hand down, I stand up, rubbing my bruised posterior.
"Liz, what are you doing out here? You're supposed to be resting in a hospital bed." Clark looks at me, concerned and frowning. "Talk about scaring the shit out of someone. You were perfectly fine and then all of a sudden, you're completely out of it, and I couldn't wake you up."
Recognising the fear in his tone and realising that it was for me, I can feel my body warming up from the inside. "I'm sorry. Used up too much energy, I guess. How did I get to the hospital?"
"I brought you here. I was really worried, Liz."
Stepping forward, I wrap my arms around his stomach and give him a squeeze. Feeling his arms come around me, I lay my head against his chest and just breathe him in. "Thank you for worrying, but it really wasn't necessary."
"That's for the doctor to determine." There was a slight pause, and then he asked, "Did they discharge you already? I thought for sure that they would keep you overnight."
He didn't need to know that I ran away… "Sure. There's nothing wrong with me." Reluctantly stepping out of his arms, I look up at him. "Clark, where's all of my stuff?"
"I have it in the pick-up. I would have brought your sweater, but I didn't know what your combination was."
"That's fine. I've got plenty of them at home." Realising that I was still wearing his jacket, I apologise. "Oh, sorry. Do you want your jacket back?"
"No, that's okay. Come on, let's go. I'll drive you home. That's actually why I wasn't here when you woke up. I went to get your stuff and the truck." Leading the way, he opens the door of a big red Dodge Ram, then surprises me by lifting me up and seating me on the passenger side.
"Um, thanks. Although, I'm sure I could have managed the step up just fine."
"Liz." He just gives me a look before closing the door and getting in on the driver's side.
"Clark, are we going to be on time for dinner tonight. Did you manage to do all you chores at home?"
"Well, I didn't think that you would feel up to it, so I thought that we could postpone it until tomorrow." Clark looked at me.
"No, I'm okay. Of course we should go. Besides, you can't cancel now. That would be rude."
"Lex will understand."
"Clark, I'm fine." Amused by the worrying. "What you could do though, is call and tell Lex that we'll be a little late. I presume your parents will be going on ahead of us."
Clark nodded. "Yeah, they said that they would take the car."
"Good. How much time are you going to need to get ready? It's 6:30 now, so I think I can be ready by 7:30."
"Oh, I don't need a lot of time, a quick shower and change and I'm done." Pulling up outside Aunt Nell's house, Clark turns to me. "Liz, you uh… you know we still have to talk."
Looking at the lights burning in the house, I nod. "Yeah, I know. I'm not avoiding it. It's just that with that whole passing out thing, I'm way behind schedule. I don't know how many classes I've missed, or how much homework I have. I was supposed to call my parents tonight… Oh Lord, I hope nobody called them from the hospital." Looking at Clark, I seek assurance. "They wouldn't have called my parents, would they?"
Frowning, he answers. "I don't think so. They didn't have any of your details, remember. If they did call anyone, I would assume it would have been Nell."
"I hope not, Clark. For everyone's sake. Otherwise, the parental units will be here tonight, and Aunt Nell will be waiting for me inside that house, probably ready to take me back to the hospital on my father's orders."
"Maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing."
"Clark!"
"It's just that I don't understand how they could just let you go. You passed out. No warning, nothing. And that was hours ago."
"Clark, please stop worrying. Look, we are both going to the same place tonight. You can watch me like a hawk the whole time, and if I show even a hint of dizziness then you have my permission to take me back to the hospital. Agreed?"
"Agreed." He didn't look happy about it. Who knew that Clark was such a worry-wart?
"Cool, so I'll see you in an hour?"
Walking up to the house, I hear the pick-up drive off. Inside I see a note from Aunt Nell saying that she will be working late again. Dancing a jig, I make my way to my bedroom to get ready. After a 10 minute soak in the bathtub, I dry off and put on my favourite body cream before standing in front of the closet trying to decide what to wear. Finally choosing cream tailored pants and a brown sequined top with spaghetti straps, I complement it with a pair of ankle high brown boots, gold hoop earrings, and a matching bracelet and necklace. Putting on my make-up with a light touch, I brush my hair until it shines and I'm finally ready to go.
Hearing the truck outside, I scribble a quick note for Aunt Nell. Grabbing my purse and a cream shawl, I walk out the door. Standing next to the truck, Clark is wearing a beige pants, blue shirt, a red tie and a dark blue dinner jacket. I can officially say that he looked stunningly hot. "Well, well Mr. Kent. You clean up very nicely."
"Why, thank you Miss Parker." As I get closer, he pulls his hand from behind his back and presents me with a yellow rose.
"Wow, it's beautiful, thank you." I'm delightfully surprised.
Leaning down, he whispers. "Just don't tell mom. I stole it from her garden."
"What a rebel!" Laughing at him, I see his face change.
"Liz, you look beautiful."
"Why, thank you sir. Have you been practicing your Kent charm? If so, I have to say, so far, so good."
"Huh! I think I deserve better than that." Opening the door, he reaches for my hand to assist me.
I smile at him. "Well, that remains to be seen. But I'll give you my verdict at the end of the evening."
We are both quiet on the drive up to the Luthor mansion. I know that we are going to have to talk very soon, but for tonight all I wanted was to enjoy myself. Driving up to the gate, the security guard passes Clark and I through. The house is really huge. In actual fact, it looks like a castle. The gardens are landscaped, nothing appearing out of place.
"Wow, this place is huge. Isn't it a bit much for two people?" Helping me out, Clark looks at it and shrugs.
"For a long time it was only Lex, and he didn't seem to mind it too much."
Entering the house, the butler appears and directs us to the drawing room. Walking in, I see the Kents, Lex and a beautiful brunette. "Good evening everyone."
Standing up, Lex approaches us. "Well it's about time you got here. I don't think we could have held up dinner any longer."
"I'm sorry, that was Clark's fault. Clark's clothes didn't match my own, so I had to send him home to change."
"What?" Clark's surprise is clearly evident.
Before Clark could say anything further, Lex jumped in. "Let me get the introductions over with before we have another slinging match on our hands."
Following Lex, I cross the room and come to stand in front of the brunette. Before, either of use could say anything, she asks surprised. "Miss Parker, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be in the hospital."
And the pandemonium began. Everyone seemed to speak at once.
"What? You told me you were discharged." Clark's voice boomed.
"Hospital?" Martha and Jonathan Kent reflected surprise.
"Here, you should sit down." Lex sounded concerned.
"What happened?" Mr. Kent's voice was brisk.
"Are you okay?" Martha Kent was worried.
And before I knew it, I was seated in a chair, everyone staring at me waiting for an explanation. Clark looked pissed, the Kent's faces were concerned, Lex looked worried and Mrs Luthor was responding to Clark's statement. "Discharged? By whom?"
"Honey, are you okay?" Mrs. Kent was leaning down next to me, feeling my forehead.
"I'm fine, Mrs. Kent. Really."
"I don't see how you could possibly be fine. I believe you were comatose for the best part of 3 hours." Mrs. Luthor spoke up from next to Mrs. Kent.
Shooting her a dirty look, I wearily looked at Mrs. Kent who was starting to fuss again. "Liz! Honey, what happened?"
It seemed that I wasn't going to get out of this one without an explanation. But, first things first, we need to have everyone relax.
"I'll explain what happened, okay? Mr. and Mrs. Kent, please sit down." Waiting until they had done so, I turn to Lex. "Lex, if you don't mind. Could I have a glass of orange juice, please?"
"Mrs Luthor, I don't know your first name, but I'm Liz Parker. Believe it or not, I'm alive and well. No after-effects, okay? I'm not stupid and neither am I fragile. I know how to take care of myself." Meeting her eyes, I look at her meaningfully. "There's no need to worry anyone unnecessarily." When she nods, I turn away.
Finding Clark standing on the opposite end of the room, I get up and walk towards him. "Clark, can I talk to you for a minute."
Glaring at me, he turns and walks to the hall. Okay, can you tell that he's really pissed? Apparently everyone else can too, because they are all looking at me sympathetically.
Taking a deep breath, I join him in the hallway. "Clark, I'm really sorry I lied to you. But I'm not sorry I ran away from the hospital."
"Liz." He didn't sound happy about that statement at all.
"Okay, you tell me. What would you have done, if I had told you that I left the hospital without treatment or without being discharged? And I want an honest answer, please."
Avoiding my gaze, he leans his back against the wall and folds his arms. Standing in front of him, I look up. "Listen to me." Standing on my tip-toes, I gently cup his cheek, turning his face towards mine. "I told you that I would talk to you, explain to you about what happened this afternoon, remember?"
Seeing him nod, I continue. "Can we also add this one to the list up for discussion? We are here to have a good time and to forget about everything else."
The frown still visible on his face, he finally nods. "Okay. But we are not going to be putting off that talk for very long, okay?"
This time, I nod at him. Gesturing for him to lean down, I kiss him on the cheek and feel a spark of electricity rush through my body. Oh boy, I've really got to get this thing under control. I wonder if he felt anything... Clearing my throat, I avoid his eyes and look at his neck. "Thank you for taking care of me, for worrying, for being my… friend." I choke on the word.
Taking his hand again, I gently pull him back into the drawing room. "Let's get back inside."
We walk in and sit on the love seat facing everyone, still holding hands.
Mr. Kent looks at me. "Is everything alright?"
"Yep, Clark has decided to forgive me for lying to him." I smile, trying to make light of it.
"That's great and all, but can you tell us why you left the hospital." Mrs Luthor asks.
"Sure. It's easy enough to explain. I am extremely phobic about hospitals. When I woke up, there was nobody around and it freaked me out. So much so, that the first thought was getting out of there immediately."
"But what actually happened?" Mrs. Kent asks, her hands clenched together in her lap, and I feel awful for worrying her.
Oh boy, how do we explain this one… "It wasn't anything bad, Mrs. Kent. I was really tired and hadn't eaten the whole day. On top of that, we were just given a really big project for Biology which counts toward our final grade, so I was a bit stressed out, that's all. Anyway I was sitting in the bleachers during lunch time, when I heard the bell and I ran from there to the school, and I guess it just proved a bit too much for me." Shrugging nonchalantly, I continue. "It was a lucky thing that Clark was nearby."
"Yes, it was. But, Clark has a habit of always being around when needs must. It's a talent of his." Lex grins at Clark, passing me a glass of orange juice.
"Thanks Lex."
"Sure. Well, shall I freshen up anyone's drink or are we ready to eat dinner? Clark, what about you?"
"No, I'm okay."
"Well, then. Shall we?" Offering his arm to him wife, we all make our way to the dining room.
The Kents stand and follow, while Clark gets up and helps me up before placing his hand on the small of my back. Feeling his warm hand on my bare skin, I shiver in response. What is going on between us? This can't all be one-sided.
Obviously feeling the shiver, Clark asks, "Liz, you okay? Are you cold? Here, take my jacket."
As he removes his hand, I feel once again, that sense of loss. "Clark, I'm fine. I'm not cold, I promise. Besides, you make this a habit, and you won't have any jackets left." I smile at him.
"Liz…." He frowns back at me.
Apparently, Clark has no sense of humour when he is in worry-wart mode…
"You were shivering…"
Uh huh, due to your proximity…
"And you blacked out today, and after what happened…"
Wow, that's the first time he's actually alluded to it, no matter how subtle…
Coming to a stop in the hallway, Clark turns to me and grabs my upper arms. "This is driving me crazy, okay? I have this intense need to make sure that nothing happens to you again, to protect you. It's like something building up in me, and growing exponentially as time goes on. I don't know what's going on with me… I've never felt like this before." He looks anxious, almost twitchy, and I feel the need to soothe.
"Clark? Look at me, I'm fine. If anything was wrong, I'd tell you. I promised you that, and I always keep my promise." His thumbs have started to caress me over my shawl. "Besides, you can't always protect me; you are going to have to trust that I can protect myself." His hands tighten again, and I sigh realising that I had said the wrong thing.
"Clark, what's going on here? You are acting a bit over the top. What's the matter?" Now, I'm getting worried. Is he sensing danger? Does he get premonitions as well… If he has, I need him to tell me what they are, so that we can prepare, or do something to prevent it from happening, whatever it is… Will it affect both of us? Is Clark in danger because of me? Stop! Clark is already freaked out… I don't need to do the same, one of us will need a level head…And if it is a premonition, shouldn't I have received something?
"Hey guys, are you coming?" Jumping, I turn and see Lex standing at the end of the hallway. Obviously he sees something on our faces, because he starts walking towards us. "What's wrong?" Looking from me to Clark, he shows concern. "Talk to me. What's wrong? Liz, are you okay? I can get Helen to come and have a look at you?"
Who the hell is Helen?
"I'm sure she won't mind, a lot of our dinners are interrupted in this way."
Oh right, the wife…
Knowing Clark wasn't feeling up to it, I replied. "No, I'm fine. Um, it's just a little headache. Clark is going to take me home." Stepping back from Clark, I approach Lex. "I'm really sorry about dinner. Maybe we can do it again, my treat, okay? Oh, could you also please extend my apologies to your wife?"
Watching Lex, I see him looking at Clark more and more, studying him and his frown is getting darker with each passing moment. Apparently he can see that there is something going on with Clark, who has yet to say anything. Needing to get his attention back to me, I clear my throat and step away from him, closer to Clark. At my movement, he turns to me.
"Thanks for the invitation. I really am sorry about bailing out. When I'm feeling more up to it, we'll go out to dinner, your choice." Turning around, I grasp Clark's hand; squeeze it to get his attention, which wasn't difficult since he hadn't stopped looking at me since we had stopped in the hallway. Over my shoulder, I call out to Lex one more time. "Could you also please tell the Kents that I said good-bye?" Still frowning, he nods. "Thanks Lex."
Exiting the front door, we make our way to the truck. As we reach the passenger door, Clark drops my hand and enfolds me in his arms. Lifting me so that my legs are dangling he holds me in a firm grip, his face buried in my hair. I can hear him breathing heavily in and out... Responding the only way I can, I place my arms around his neck, my left hand massaging his scalp under his hair, my right hand rubbing his back. Soothing, I speak quietly; the words don't matter – only making sure that he is comforted. He seems really freaked out about this, and I can't pretend to have any answers. And if I don't have answers, I can imagine how freaked out he must be feeling. What is going on? He was fine before, and then all of sudden, over-protective completely freaked out Clark. I don't think I did anything to him… I hope I didn't do anything to him…
When I feel his body relax a little, I whisper in his ear. "Clark, are you okay?" Feeling the nod, I continue. "Alright, let me drive you home and then we can talk if you're up to it, okay?" When I feel the nod again, I feel relieved. At least he is responding… "You're going to have to left go."
Slowly he lowers me to the ground, his body causing my shirt to lift up. Once he lets go, I pull my shirt down and pick up my shawl that had fallen at some point, while he had been hugging me. "Clark, give me the keys. I'll drive us back."
"No, I… can drive." His voice breaks.
"Clark, if you are honest with yourself, you know it will be better for me to drive. Give me the keys. I promise I'll get us there safely." Seeing the conflict, I push. "I always keep my promise, remember?" Nodding he pulls the keys out of his pocket. Grasping them, I help him into the truck and go around to the other side. Just barely able to reach the pedals, I manage with some difficulty to get us back to the Kent farm.