AN:

Hello people... Firstly profuse apologies for not posting these chaps... I've had them for ages, but RL just plain sucks... Two jobs + part-time studying means that the time for writing is practically non-existent!

Secondly, to the awesome folks who sent me reviews and are still sending reviews to date, you guys are awesomely persistent! Maybe its the push that I need :) Anyhoo, I'm not going to promise too much, but I will try, initially by posting what I do have available.

Chapter 14

"…and for the next month you will not be going anywhere except school and back here. No after school trips to the Talon or anywhere else, you hear me? And definitely no more trips to Crater Lake for make-out sessions or anything else."

"We weren't…"

"Elizabeth." Her stare was unnerving. "You don't get those things on your neck without intimate contact!"

Oh shit… Automatically, slapping my hands on my neck, I feel my face reddening. "Um…"

"Quite! I expect that when you come here and live in my house that you follow my rules, is that clear?"

"Yes, Aunt Nell." Sitting on the sofa, I watch my aunt standing in the centre of the living room, hands on her hips.

"I had no idea where you were…"

Defensive, I respond. "But, I left a note –"

"Don't answer back, young lady." Aunt Nell was practically yelling.

"Yes ma'am." I look down at the floor. This was not how the evening was supposed to end.

"As for your note; dinner with the Luthor's doesn't run into the early hours of the morning. What if something had happened to you? How would I have known where you were? How would I have explained to your mother? It's a good thing that Lana realised that you weren't home and woke me."

That stone bitch! I swallow my anger. "I apologise, Aunt Nell. I didn't realise that it was so late. We were talking and time just ran away from us."

"What were you doing there with Clark Kent in any case? Isn't he Lana's boyfriend?"

"No ma'am, they broke up."

"Oh. I don't know what goes on with you young people nowadays." Fixing her eyes on me, she continues. "At any rate, this will not happen again, Elizabeth. Is that clear?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Good. Now go to bed." She pointed in the direction of my bedroom.

"Um… Aunt Nell?" Waiting until she looked at me, I continued. "We were given a big project in Biology toady, and I'm going to need to do research. Is it okay if I go to the library after school before I come back here?"

Her eyes set on me, I felt like I was under a microscope. "You will go to class, the library and then back here, no exceptions. And I will find out if there have been any deviations."

"Yes ma'am. Thank you, Aunt Nell." Getting up, I start walking to my bedroom, before turning around to look at her again. "I really am sorry that I worried you. That was not my intention. I promise it was nothing bad, we really were just talking. I understand that you don't know me very well yet, but I am a responsible person and I can take care of myself. My parents made sure of that. However, from now on I will make sure to respect your rules while I am living under your roof."

Feeling completely dejected, I make my way to my bedroom and throw myself face-down on the bed. Grounded for a month! There goes my date with Clark… And we still didn't get a chance to finish our talk – in fact we had only just gone about halfway when my cellphone had rang.

I remember taking a deep breath…

"I don't know how to start this discussion." I sighed again. I wasn't sure I would be able to talk to him without seeing the expressions on his face. Whether it be rejection or indifference, I would rather experience it firsthand.

"It's always best to start at the beginning." He was gently rubbing circles on my stomach. I'm sure it was meant to calm me down, but it was only making me feel antsy.

I moved away from him, turned and asked. "Can we go and sit inside?"

Surprised, he nodded. "Okay."

As I tried to organise my thoughts, I stood up. I don't know why I never thought to prepare this speech. I knew I would have to tell someone one day – like maybe my parents…

Jumping down, Clark reached up and lifted me by the waist and set me on the floor. "Get inside, Liz. I just want to get the blanket."

Opening the door, I lifted my leg and pulled myself into the cab of the truck, and too soon for my liking, Clark had joined me on the other side, placing the blanket on the seat between us. I faced him and watched him do the same, all the while wondering whether he figured out that I wanted to have this conversation face to face.

"Wow, this is hard…" Clark's attention was on my stomach and it was only then that I realised I had been rubbing the exact spot where that errant bullet had entered my body. I stopped immediately, and cleared my throat. "Right." Facing Clark again, I see both eyebrows raised enquiringly. "Um… You must know the story about the alien crash-landing in Roswell in 1947, right? The government issued a release stating that it was actually a weather balloon. I told you and Pete about it? Remember?"

He frowned. "It was yesterday, Liz."

I was definitely going about this the wrong way… Can he tell that I'm nervous? "Right," I said again. "I used to work at my parent's café after school – The Crashdown Café. Me and my best friend used to waitress, and my other best friend used to sit in the café drinking orange sodas, and keeping us company. Anyway, Max always seemed to be there, and Maria and I used to argue about the fact that Max used to come to the Crashdown every day to stare at me… But, of course I didn't think that was true. Besides, I was going out with Kyle at the time; he was a great guy, captain of the basketball team and the football team. He was also the sheriff's son." Making a face, I look down at my hands making folds in my pants, and forced myself to stop and then proceeded to smooth the creases. "Most of the customers that came in there, the guys at least definitely didn't come in for the food – not that the food was bad – but the uniforms were so short. I mean it was temptation, and which guy could resist looking at the amount of leg those things used to show… and don't even get me started on the antennas… I always told my dad…" As I picked my head up, I trailed off conscious of the fact that Clark looked utterly confused.

"Liz –"

"Wait. Give me a chance. I'm going about this in a really bad way. The problem is that I never gave a thought to the explanation I would one day have to give someone, you know? On top of it, we've just, met so there is so much background info you don't have… not that I'm planning on giving you a crash course right now, excuse the pun?"

"Huh?"

"Yeah, my parents owned the Crashdown Café… Um, right… not the point." I gave a nervous giggle, then inhaled deeply and slowly exhaled. "Anyway, one day we were all working and Max and Michael – he was Max's best friend – were sitting in their usual booth. The café was really busy, because it was near Crash Festival, you know?" He was silent, but signalled for me to go on. "Right, well, there were these two men in the front booth who started arguing really loudly, and then all of a sudden they were both on their feet, and one of them had a gun in his hand." Closing my eyes, I could see the whole thing again…

"Liz?"

Opening my eyes, I open my mouth and I'm amazed by the words that come out. "I was wearing my black polka dot underwear." Amused by the utter confusion on his face, I start laughing and then I'm even more amazed when the tears start falling. Oh God! My emotions were all over the place…

"Liz? Baby, are you okay?" He moved closer and enveloped me in his arms.

Sniffling, I use the back of my hand to wipe away the tears. "Do you have a tissue?"

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to me.

"Sorry." As I dabbed at my eyes, I realised that I probably looked a complete mess with make-up running down my face. "Do you know that I have cried more around you in the past 2 days than I have at any other time in my life? How can you possibly stand it?" I managed a feeble smile.

"I don't mind."

At that I did laugh, in disbelief. "Come on, Clark. No guy likes to be blubbered on."

"Come here." He pulled me into his arms and seated me on his lap. "When I say I don't mind, I really mean it. I'd rather you share everything with me, including the tears, than with anybody else, okay?"

I nodded, buried my face in his neck and breathed deeply, taking in the male scent that was uniquely Clark.

"I want to be there for you… I need to be there for you, Liz. Anything you want, anything you feel is important to me." As he spoke, I felt the warm puffs of air on my cheek.

Wrapping my hand around his neck, I burrow further into his embrace. Feeling safe, I started to speak again. "On that day, it was like time stood still… I saw the men, and I saw the gun. Maria called my name, but I was frozen in shock. Everyone else had dived to the floor, but all I could do was stand there and watch it happen… I didn't even hear the shot before I found myself on the floor. And only then did I feel the pain and see the blood pouring out of the wound in my stomach, pooling on the floor."

"Liz." Clark rasped. His body was tense and his arms had tightened around me even more, if that was possible.

"I started to see spots in front of my eyes – it was the weirdest sensation – and I found it was becoming difficult to breathe. Only later did it occur to me that I might have died on the Crashdown floor." I stopped at that point.

Clark's breathing had become uneven and he was rocking me in his arms. I moved my other hand and placing it around his neck; I pulled his head toward my shoulder and held tight, threading my fingers in his hair. It was only when I felt the coldness on my shoulder did I figure out that Clark had been crying. Immediately, a feeling of protectiveness rose up in me. Clark was in pain and it was my responsibility to make sure that the pain was alleviated, but it was easier said than done…

"Let me see?" The hoarse whisper was urgent in its need.

I loosened my hands and lifting his head up, I looked into his eyes. Despite the tears, the long wet lashes, the red eyes, he was beautiful with chiselled features that would make any Greek god weep with envy… "I can't." I whispered gently.

"What?" He was shocked.

Leaning back, I lifted my shirt and pointed to the spot. Waiting for him to look at the smooth, unmarked flesh, I spoke again. "That's the other half of the story." As he placed his hand on my stomach, I sucked in my breath.

The harsh ring of the phone abruptly interrupted us, causing me to jump and Clark to instantly move his hand. I reached for my purse and answered.

"Hello?"
Elizabeth Parker, where are you?
Cringing at the tone, I answer. "Hi Aunt Nell. We're at a place called Crater Lake."
What are you doing there? Who's with you?
Looking at Clark, I see him shake his head, and then flinch when I respond. "I'm with Clark Kent."
Clark Kent. You better not be out there making out with that boy…
"No! We are just talking."
Huh, just talking! I know what's done at Crater Lake at night, and I'm telling you, Elizabeth, you get your butt back here, right now!
"Yes ma'am."

After disconnecting, I glance at Clark. I was completely embarrassed. "I guess you better get me back to Aunt Nell's right away." I needed to repair some of the damage before Aunt Nell sees what I look like. Taking the mirror out of my purse, I make a note to begin practicing Isabel's favourite trick. Instant face repair with a wave of the hand…

The trip back was made in silence. I had been too worried about what Aunt Nell was going to say, and I guess Clark had been thinking about all that I had said and what I hadn't finished saying. Finally we had arrived, and I quickly kissed Clark on the cheek. "I'll see you at school tomorrow."

Squeezing my hand in reassurance, he replied. "I'm sure it will be fine. Don't worry." Giving me a peck on the cheek, he smiles at me. "Goodnight, Baby."

I grab my purse and shawl and make my way slowly into the house.

The following morning I wake up really early. It hadn't been a restful night's slumber at all – my thoughts had been filled with the conversation I had started and not finished with Clark. I was also upset that I wouldn't have a life for the next month. Sighing, I pull a face. I was also angry with Lana…

Jumping out of bed, I head for the shower. When I look in the mirror, I see the huge purple mark on my neck that Aunt Nell had been talking about. On the one hand, it gives me a secret thrill to see it there. On the other hand, if anyone sees it, there will be a lot of questions asked that I don't know how to answer. Using foundation, I carefully conceal it hoping that it stays hidden through the day.

In a bid to avoid both Lana and Aunt Nell, I put on my jeans and T-shirt, stuff a sweater in my bag and leave the house before the other two waken. I didn't mind the walk to school; it allowed me a little time to think. I would have to confront Lana sooner or later, both about her reactions to me yesterday and her actions of last night, and if she should bring up Clark, well all the better.

And thinking about Clark, I smile. I wonder if he was able to sneak in past his parents last night. Probably not – he had the truck after all. That would definitely have announced his presence most effectively. I hope he gets to school early today. At least we'll be able to see each other during the day…

On a positive note though, being confined to the house would definitely give me time to practice, without anyone around. Since both Lana and Aunt Nell would be working, I could freely use my powers and hopefully with practice, get better. With that thought, came a sense of foreboding. I really needed to find out soon about that flash. What was the reason for her going over the edge? The break-up? Temporary insanity? Or was it something that is yet to happen?

Honk. Honk.

I was so startled, that I jumped and almost fell over. Seeing Chloe's car next to me, I take note of the huge grin on her face. Obviously, a morning person…

"Hi Liz. Hop in. I'll give you a ride."

Walking over, I jump in the car. "Hi Chloe, how are you this morning?"

"I'm great. So, where are you going so early?"

"Oh. I woke up really early, and since I couldn't sleep anymore, I decided to take a walk to school. Besides, there are a few things I want to check on in the library."

"Okay. So what happened to you yesterday? You disappeared with Lana and then never came back."

"I… Uh, I wasn't feeling well."

Frowning, she looked over at me. "So I see you have your bag. Clark came to get it yesterday, and he looked really upset. Did he say anything to you?"

Oh dear! How much did Clark want me to tell these people? "No, he didn't." Deciding to speak quickly before she had a chance, I ask. "Where are you going so early?"

"Oh, I always try to get to school early. I need to finish a couple of things for the Torch. I swear I'm the only person that actually puts in any work at that place." Looking at me, she grinned. "Not that I mind. I really enjoy it. Which reminds me… I still meant to talk to you about that article we were supposed to be doing for the paper."

"Actually, that was already resolved, remember? I said no."

"But Liz. We need more articles in the paper that the general student body would appreciate. What better than an exposé on the new student?"

Pathetically relieved to see the school grounds, we can't get there any faster for my liking. "Not that I don't appreciate the interest, but maybe you should start with the students that are in the school already. You know the ones that are quiet and keep to themselves. Introduce them to the general populace."

"Hmm. That's not such a bad idea."

Good, that's got her off on a tangent. When she parks the car, I get out. "Thanks Chloe." Closing the door, I almost dash away from her, not embarrassed to realise that I'm running away from her again.

Walking through the doors, I make my way to my locker and I'm delighted to see Clark waiting at my locker. Sure that I'm grinning from ear to ear, I rush over to him.
"Hi."

Smiling at me, he responds by kissing my cheek. "Hi yourself. So, did you get in trouble yesterday?"

My smile fades. "Unfortunately yes. Aunt Nell grounded me for a month."

"A month! So that means…" He looks so dejected.

"Yeah, no date and no contact outside of school." My hands on my hips, I give him a fierce look. "I tried to convince her that it was innocent, that we were only talking, but she refused to believe me once she caught sight of the hickey on my neck."

"Oh." Looking contrite, he apologised. "I'm sorry." Scanning my neck, he grins and I can't help but return it, knowing that he wasn't. "Why are you trying to hide it?" He gently strokes my neck, causing a shiver to run down my spine.

"Are you insane, I can't walk around like that – everyone will see..."

"I don't care."

"Humph, of course you don't care; you're not the one wearing it." We need some alone time… Seeing him lift his hand to my neck again, I step back, shake my head at him before carefully position my hair in order to hide my neck. "Hey, since I'm only going to be seeing you at school, how about we make the most of our time here. I'm sure there are a lot of places where we can have some privacy?" Wiggling my eyebrows, I meet his smirk with my own.

"Hey Clark, what are you doing at school so early? That's really strange behaviour for you." Chloe again… I thought she wanted to go to the Torch… Doesn't she realise that I need some alone time with Clark?

I see the grimace on his face before Clark faces Chloe who is walking down the hall towards us.

"Hi Chloe." He shrugs. "I couldn't sleep last night, so I decided to come to school early. Besides, I need to go to the library."

Chloe looks between Clark and myself, and frowns. "Did you and Liz practice your stories?"

"Huh? What?" I laugh at his confusion.

"Clark." Gaining his attention, I explain. "Chloe gave me a lift this morning, and when she asked, I gave her the same response."

"Oh, okay." He turns back to Chloe. "So, are you going to the Torch?"

"Yeah, I need to finish an article, but when I saw you here, I decided that it would be the perfect time to talk to you."

"About what?" He didn't sound happy at all…

I see Chloe sneaking a peak at me, and decide that that was my cue to leave. "Anyway guys, I really should be going. I've got quite a bit to catch up on."
Walking away, I hoped that the conversation wouldn't last long and that Clark would follow soon.

I wouldn't mind a proper good morning kiss…

It was near lunch time, when I finally saw Clark again, digging in his open locker.
Wishing I could throw my hands around him and nuzzle my face into his back, I step up to his side and smile at him. "Hi. What happened to you this morning?"

Turning to me, he explains. "You must have realised by now that once Chloe starts, she doesn't stop talking."

Switching my bag to the other shoulder, I ask. "So, you want to go somewhere quiet for lunch? I want to talk to you about… well, about how open you want our relationship to be at school."

"Liz. I would love to go anywhere with you, but as far as I'm concerned, the whole school can have a front seat view of our relationship. It doesn't bother me at all."

"And what about Lana?"

Sighing, he runs his hand through his hair. "I can understand your concerns, but Lana will have to accept the fact that I'm with you now."

"Yes, but maybe we could just tone it down a little when she's around? Just so that we're not rubbing her face in it?"

Pulling a face at me, he nods. "Okay fine, but only for a short while then all bets are off." Smiling again, he takes my hand. "Come on, let's get out of here. We need to finish our talk from last night."

"Miss Parker." I see Clark's frown, before he looks down at his feet.

Turning around, I see Principal Reynolds. "Yes sir?"

"I would like to see you in my office, please." Man, Clark and I are never going to have any time for ourselves…

"Sir, Liz and I…" Clark begins, before he is shut down.

"Mr. Kent, what did I tell you about your tardiness? You teachers tell me that your timing still hasn't improved. Why don't you make your way over to your next class, so that you might be able to attend at least one on time."

"Yes sir." Clarks looks apologetically at me, before making his way down the hall.

Following Principal Reynolds, I sit down in the guest chair in front of his desk, fighting the urge to flee.

"Miss Parker, I have just received your transcripts from West Roswell High. I noticed that you had excellent grades, but they seemed to slip in the last school year. What are your plans to get them back up to scratch?"

"Well sir, I was experiencing personal problems last year, which have now all been sorted out. I have already started making an attempt to get my grades back on par. I have requested extra credit assignments from all of my teachers, and I plan on looking at applying for an internship for the summer holidays."

"That's good, Miss Parker. I might be able to assist you with that. But, I want you to ensure that you keep focused on your studies. Don't get distracted by outside influences, especially Clark Kent."

I'm confused. "Sir?"

"Clark Kent is a distraction, and you don't need to be taking time away from your studies to run around with your boyfriend. Do you understand?"

I feel my face heating up… This is so embarrassing, and so very weird… Besides, what business is it of his whether Clark is my boyfriend or not? "Sir, Clark Kent is not my boyfriend. We are just friends. I don't have a boyfriend, sir."

"Good. That will be all for now, Miss Parker. I will get back to you on the internship."

"Thank you, sir." Standing up, I leave the office and make my way to my locker. Seeing a note taped to the door, I open it and see a message from Clark.

Hi Liz, Chloe cornered me again. In the Torch office. Clark.

Well, I definitely didn't want to go there, and headed out the door to sit in the sun. It was quite depressing, not being able to spend any time with my boyfriend…