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Chapter 13

Clearing his throat, Clark began his story. "Once upon a time, there –"
"Hey," he cried out, as I hit him on his chest.

"Be serious."

"Sor-ree. Just trying to lighten the atmosphere."

Settling back down, I return to my earlier position. As Clark's chest moves under my cheek, I hear his deep sigh. Shifting, I look up at his face and see him sporting a frown. He is not looking at me; his eyes are focused on the stars above us. Gently running his hand up and down the arm currently resting on his chest, he begins to speak.

"It's funny… When I was growing up on the farm, the only female I had contact with was mom, and it never occurred to me that there was other people – other women – in existence out there. They were always so protective, and always kept me close to home. And I can't say, then or even now that I missed out on anything while I was growing up – Mom and dad were always enough for me."

Nuzzling into his chest again, I speak quietly. "I don't understand. Why were they so protective? This seems like a really quiet town where everyone knows everyone else."

He was quiet for so long that I thought he wasn't going to answer the question. As I was about to ask again, he took a deep breath and answered. "I suppose it's because mom couldn't have any children. So, when I … uh… came along, it was like a dream come true for her – for both of them. Because of that, mom couldn't bear to let me out of her sight in case anything happened to me."

"Well, that's perfectly understandable." I smile. "She must have been so thrilled to find out that she was expecting a baby, huh?"

"Uh, no." His voice sounded strange. Shifting on to my elbow, I look down at him. There was very definitely tension in his voice, and reflected on his face.

"I'm actually adopted."

I couldn't help the wince. Open mouth… insert foot…"Oh, I'm sorry. That was extremely insensitive." Sitting up, I lean against the side panel and cross my legs.

"It's okay, you didn't know." Before I could speak again, he mirrors my position on the opposite side of the truck, and continues. "Anyway, that's not what we were talking about."

Alright, adoption is apparently a taboo subject… Wonder why? Both Max and Isabel seem fine with it, save for the whole alien thing and not being able to tell their folks. But otherwise, they've adapted quite well…

"So anyway, mom and dad decided to home school me for a while before finally sending me to grade school. I used to keep to myself a lot until I met Pete and we've been best friends ever since. It was shortly after that, that I saw Lana for the first time." Shifting, he leaned back and closed his eyes. "She was so beautiful, smiling and laughing with her best friend at the time. She was my first crush…"

Ouch! Maybe I don't want to hear this explanation after all…

With a smile on his face, he continued. "She always seemed to be the centre of attention. People in general, were just drawn to her, wanted to be around her… But there was always this sadness about her as well. It was an intriguing contradiction. You felt the need to share in her joy and laughter, but also to wipe away the sadness and bring her a little happiness as well." Looking at me, he asked. "Does that make any sense?"

Unable to speak, I nod my head. It was harder than I thought, having to listen to him talk about his relationship with Lana. Remind me why I wanted, practically demanded, this explanation?

"At the time though, I was really…" He sighs, and smiles ruefully. "Shy is the word, I guess. So, when I eventually dredged up enough courage to talk to her, she was already going out with Whitney Fordman – a quarterback on the school football team. I suppose it was bound to happen, what with her being the head cheerleader."

At this, I frown at him. "But, didn't you play football as well? I would have figured you for the quarterback. You sure have the build for it."

Was he blushing? Too cute for words…"No, I wasn't playing back then. Dad didn't want me to play football."

"Okay, so what happened to Whitney? I assume he's not around anymore?"

"Whitney was doing really well. He had just received a scholarship to play football at college, but then his dad had a bad heart-attack. After that, his grades suffered and he had to pick up the slack at the store – his dad owned a department store right across the road from the Talon. He tried to cope as best he could, but his dad was getting worse and worse. Lana tried to comfort him, but he was avoiding everyone. Anyway, it was round about the time that his dad died that he found out that he had lost his football scholarship. Then he got in with a really bad crowd, a really bad crowd." He frowned darkly.

Hmm, a story there… Wonder what happened, and what Clark had to do with it? Time enough to get answers later… Let's get the most important stuff out of the way.

"When that situation was resolved, he decided to join the Marines. He and Lana didn't even go to Prom; he left on that evening. But he did ask me to take care of Lana while he was away."

"Okay. So, you and Lana started going out soon after that?"

"Actually no. Lana was still with Whitney, sort of… It was the classic long distance relationship. They wrote each other every week."

"Obviously, that came to an end?"

"Yeah, but by the time that happened I wasn't single anymore."

"What!" I didn't know why I didn't expect that he would have had other girlfriends, but the shock of it hit like a 2 pound hammer.

"Um… When Lana eventually broke it off with Whitney, I was going out with Alicia."

"Who's Alicia?" I'm dreading the answer… Is this someone else I'm going to have to fight off?

"Alicia came to our school for a short while, and somehow we just clicked straight away. We seemed to understand each other – it was a very open and honest relationship."

Of course it was… "Where's Alicia now?"

He turned away from me. "Alicia died a while back." He spoke quietly, obviously thinking about her.

Great! What do I say to that? "I'm sorry, Clark. What happened?" I saw the flinch, and added quickly. "Sorry. You don't have to answer that." Shit, what now? Why did I insist on this conversation again… Is it wrong of me to ask him to go on?He still seemed very far away, so I sit quietly and give him room, listening to the sounds of the night; crickets chirping, frogs croaking and the rustle of the leaves as the breeze blows through the trees…

Actually, it was getting quite cold out here. I don't know why I didn't bring a jacket with me along with the blanket when I left Aunt Nell's... and where is that stupid shawl in any case? This is the last time I dress for fashion. Turning, I look through the rear window and see the shawl on the cab seat. Getting up, I make to get out of the back of the pick up, when I feel Clark's hand grabbing my wrist.

"What's wrong? Where are you going?" Is that panic?

"I was just going to get my shawl." Shrugging, I smile at him. "I'm feeling a bit cold."

"Oh God. I'm sorry, Liz. I didn't even think."

"Don't worry. I didn't either. So, are you going to let go of my wrist?"

"Wait. Come here." He pulls me toward him, and soon I find myself cradled between his thighs. Instantly warmer, he also uses the other half of the blanket as a cover before wrapping his arms around me. This is the most comfortable I've ever been… Leaning back against him, I cover his arms with my own.

"Sorry about spacing out on you." He leans his chin on the top of my head.

"It's fine. I can't ask you to forget about someone so that I can have all of your attention all of the time… that's a bit unreasonable." I feel his arms pull me closer. "So, are you ready to tell me the rest?"

"Yeah. It was many months after Alicia's death that I felt that I was ready to start dating again. Unfortunately, Lana was going out with some guy named Adam. He used to stay in the apartment above the Talon."

"Gosh Clark, yours and Lana's relationship is a real Greek tragedy, or maybe a modern day version of Shakespeare's great Romeo and Juliet…" Giggling, I continue… "Oh Clark, Clark. Wherefore art thou, Clark?" Laughing out loud, I continue. "Lana is the sun…" Screaming with laughter, I stop. Clark's fingers have found the weak spots along my ribs.

"You give, Miss Parker?" He stops momentarily, waiting for my answer.

"Stop. I give." Still laughing, I grab his hands and place them around me again. "It's not fair that you know my weak spots, and I know none of yours."

"Them's the breaks, Liz. Live with it." He kisses the side of my neck, before resting his chin atop my head again. "So, where was I?"

"You were telling me about the Greek tragedy…" I clear my throat, and grip his hands tight as they start to move. "Okay. Okay. You were telling me that Lana was going out with some guy named Adam."

"I never liked him, you know? I always thought there was something odd about him, and when I spoke to Lana about it, she thought I was just jealous."

"And were you?"

"No." Instant denial, always the first sign when lying…

"Okay, maybe a little. But, it was a legitimate concern – Adam left soon thereafter, never to be heard from again."

"Is that it?" I move slightly, so that I can see his face. "Somehow, I get the feeling that there's a whole lot of that story missing."

He turns me until I am once again leaning against his chest. "There might be a few tiny details I've left out, but that's Lana's story to tell, okay?"

I nod again. I will find out everything though. "So, you and Lana finally got together after this drama, right?"

"In effect, yes. It took a little while, and then I finally asked her out on a date. Lex helped though, he kept pushing and pushing until I finally gave in, just to shut him up."

"So, Lex wanted you to go out with Lana." Once again, I feel like the interloper…

"Yep, he even gave me tickets to a concert in Metropolis and a limo ride if I asked Lana out within a minute of his offer."

"That was nice of him."

"Yeah. He never did like Whitney."

Hearing the amusement, I asked. "Why?"

"He and his other team mates took off all my clothes, tied me up like a scarecrow and painted a big S on my chest during my freshman year."

"What?" I was indignant on his behalf. What complete assholes… If I could, I would give them the itchies ala Michael.

"It's a school tradition. Every year they choose a freshman, not on the football team and he becomes the scarecrow for the evening. Luckily for me, I didn't spend the whole night in that field. Lex happened to come along and rescued me."

"What the hell kind of tradition is that? What if something had happened to you during the night? You could have gotten sick, you could have been attacked, you could –"

"Liz." Turning me around, he soothes. "Liz, baby. Nothing happened. I'm fine, none the worse for wear. Consider it a right of passage."

"That's such crap. What a bunch of assholes! If I see that Whitney again, I'm going to seriously give him a piece of my mind. He better be glad he's moved away." Hearing him laugh, I get even more irate. "Clark, dammit. It's not funny. We are supposedly civilized people. Pranks like that are dangerous, and the people who carry them out are like bugs under my shoe. They deserve to be squashed."

He kisses my forehead, and if I wasn't so mad, I'd probably find myself enjoying it more. "Baby, you're overreacting. Besides, I think I was the last person. The jocks sort of lost their taste for it."

"Men! They are the biggest idiots on the planet. Only they could do things like this and think it's funny. Fools!" Muttering under my breath, I hear Clark laugh again, and open my mouth to protest again.

"Well, I'm so glad I'm not one of them."

"What?" Now I'm confused.

"I said that I'm glad I'm not a man, what with the obviously high opinion you have of them."

Thinking back, I make a face. "Sorry. I don't mean all men, obviously."

"I'm glad, because that would have started this relationship on entirely the wrong foot…"

"Oh, you mean with that crack from earlier tonight about cleaning being a woman's job? Yeah. We'd never be able to get past your chauvinistic attitude."

"Okay, stop. Let's just sweep both remarks under the rug, and start afresh."

Beckoning him forward, I plant a smacking kiss on his lips. "Consider it done." Turning around, I ignore the astonished look on his face, a smirk on my face. "Right, where were you? Oh yes. Your first date with Lana."

The retaliatory bite on my neck surprises me, but the little nip inevitably causes me to melt instantly. "Clark." It was supposed to be a protest, but my voice was soft, almost pleading, my hands were clenching his. His lips brush over the bite lightly before he runs his tongue along my neck. "Clark." My voice is trembling. His hands move under mine, and it's only then that I realise my nails are digging into his skin.

"Stop." Forcing myself to move away from his lips, I sit straight up, immediately missing the feel of him against me. "Clark. We can't do this."

"Liz." He says quietly. "You're right. Come here." He lightly touches my back, and I shiver. "Baby, come on. Lean back. I promise we're just going to talk, okay?" Feeling his hands around my waist again, I don't resist as he pulls me against him again, lightly wrapping his arms around me. "I'm sorry. This is not the time or place. It's just that I can't seem to control myself around you. Besides we have a lot of talking to do before we are even remotely ready to take this relationship to that phase."

Nodding, I lift his hands. They are completely unmarred. I stare, I was so sure that I must have drawn blood the way I was digging into his skin so hard. "I thought I had hurt you."

"No, I'm fine. See?"

Still staring at his hands, I nod. "Yeah."

"Are you ready to talk some more?"

"I guess."

He lifts the blanket again and covers the both of us and once more I'm wrapped in his arms.

"Right, so mine and Lana's first date… We were supposed to go to that concert, remember? Well, it didn't happen. The first of many dates that we didn't make."

"Why?"

"The first time, Chloe was attacked by one of the guys at school, which interrupted our date. The others… Well, there were just so many circumstances where something else came first. It was like it was doomed from the start. For every time we made plans, ninety percent of the time, those plans never were realised."

"But Clark, weren't you upset? You had waited for Lana for so long. And finally, you're going out and –"

"The first few times, I was upset and I admit that most of the time it was my fault. Lana used to be so angry when I used to miss our dates or when I was late, and then it was more indifference than anything else. Somehow, after a while it stopped becoming an issue that I wasn't actually seeing Lana – for both of us. It seemed that it was sufficient to see each other at school, and then I realised that we had stopped sharing things with each other, stopped confiding in each other, until finally we just didn't seem to be talking to each other anymore. What kind of relationship is that to be in?" Sighing, he went on. "It just became so difficult to keep our relationship together; always fighting to find time to be with each other, where small misunderstandings became huge blow-outs. You shouldn't have to fight so hard to keep a relationship going." He stopped, and I feel him rubbing his cheek on my hair. "Eventually, somewhere along the line, the crush actually became more affectionate than romantic."

"But, you were still going out yesterday?"

"I know, and that's the worst part. The relationship became a habit without either of us realising it. Thinking about it now, when I remember my crush, I'm still thinking of Lana and I in grade school. Admiring her from afar, and wanting to be in her little circle of friends. What is that, Liz? That's no basis on which to build a relationship."

"Okay, I get that. But I don't see –"

He interrupts me before I could voice my doubts. "Today." He holds me tighter. "Today, I heard an argument that I don't think was meant for my ears. It's quite enlightening to realise that your girlfriend doesn't trust you, doesn't feel that you could possibly be faithful to her."

"What?" I'm shocked. How could he possibly have heard any of it? "But, how? I didn't see you at all."

"I was quite close. Besides Lana was yelling pretty loudly."

"Oh, I see." Not really seeing at all… I hope I didn't say anything too incriminating.

"I will tell you one thing, though." Now he has an edge of steel in his voice. "No-one will ever lay their hand on you again." He places his palm on my cheek. "Ever!"

Tears forming in my eyes, I place my hand atop his, before pulling it back around me. I don't know what to say to that, but I'd really rather not cry right now… Luckily, Clark continued speaking.

"On Saturday, I looked at you, and something woke up in me. I didn't understand it at all. I didn't even know you, and already I couldn't get you out of my mind. The whole trip back to Smallville, I was kicking myself for not getting your number, or your name. Anything." I hear the smile in his voice. "Imagine my surprise at seeing you at Nell's house. There you were, the woman I couldn't get off my mind, within arm's reach."

"Yeah, and then Lana hugged and kissed you." That still hurt…And my tone of voice clearly indicated my feelings…

"Oh right. Will it help if I apologised?"

"Clark, why would you apologise? She was your girlfriend." I grin, silently amused. "Besides, I was seriously thinking of kicking her ass, and stealing her away from you."

"Uh huh… I might have let you. But, of course, I didn't need to. On Monday morning, there you were falling right into my arms. Another one that just can't resist the Kent charm…"

"Oh please, don't start that again. I'm yet to see this so-called Clark Kent charm, so I will be reserving judgement, until then."

He was silent and then serious. "And then all of a sudden you ripped yourself out of my arms, and ran out of the room like a bat out of hell…"

Oh Boy. Explanation time…