Bless the Broken Road

[Cardinal]

“Didn’t she tell you?”

“Nope. She said it was your story to tell.”

“Well, okay, but it’s more a case of being a theory I want to test than a story I want to tell, so could you come over here for a few minutes? I really don’t feel like going out tonight.”

“No problem. Just give me the address and I’ll be right over.”

Minutes later, Clark was at Lana’s door. When she answered his knock by opening the door, Clark held up a small bouquet of white and yellow daisies. “For my savior,” he said.

Her eyes still red from crying, Lana smiled beatifically as she took the flowers from Clark and said, “Thank you, Clark. The flowers are beautiful. Please come in.”

Clark stepped across the threshold and shut the door while Lana found a small glass vase for the flowers. After watering them and placing the vase as the centerpiece for her small dining room table, Lana led Clark to her living room and asked him to have a seat.

As Clark waited patiently for Lana to collect her thoughts and begin, Lana slowly paced back and forth across the living room. Finally, she said, “You appear to be allergic to a possession of mine. Both of the times I wore it in your presence, you became very sick. The strange thing is, both times you became well the instant you got away from this object.”

“What is it?”

“I’ll go get it.”

Lana went into her bedroom and came back with what appeared to Clark to be a necklace. Suspended from a slim golden chain was a faceted green stone similar in color to an emerald. When Lana came within ten feet of Clark, the reactions began. He started to lose control of his muscles and his breathing became more and more labored. Sweat broke out all over Clark as Lana came even closer.

“I know this hurts,” she said, “but you need to see this.”

She then touched the stone to his skin and he watched in horror as green lines snaked out from the point where the stone touched his hand. The pain seemed to increase ten-fold with the touch of the stone and his muscles began to cramp. Lana jerked the stone away from him and ran it back to her bedroom. Just as she said, the instant the stone left his presence, he was perfectly fine.

When she returned, Clark looked at her bedroom door and said, “It looks like that’s one room that’s definitely off limits to me.” Looking back at his hostess, he asked, “What the heck is that stone?”

Lana took a seat on the other end of the futon Clark was sitting on and said, “That stone is found, as far as I know anyway, only one place in the whole world: Smallville, Kansas. It’s a fragment of a meteor rock. Most meteor rock is plain black stone, but within the rocks are fragments of shiny, almost luminescent, stones of green, red, blue, gold and other colors. The green is by far the most prevalent of the special colors and my aunt had a particularly large chunk cut into this jewel-like shape.”

“Why? You’d think she could have bought you a good piece of costume jewelry for less than it must have cost to have that custom-made.”

“I’m sure that’s true, but this green stone has special significance to me,” Lana said. “You see, my aunt had that stone made from a piece of the meteor that killed my parents. She said that with as much bad luck as had already come from that meteor, only good luck could be left. That stone is a remembrance of my parents, it’s my most valued treasure.”

“You told me your folks died during the meteor storm. I guess it didn’t occur to me that they had actually been hit by a meteor though. How awful!”

“Yeah, it was awful. I was standing across the street from them when it happened and I saw the whole thing.” Turning away from Clark, she said, “I cried myself to sleep every night for months.”

At a loss for words, Clark said the only thing that came to mind. “I’m sorry, Lana. I’m so very sorry.” My fault, he thought, all my fault. Well…Jor-El gets a lot of the blame, too, but I’m the reason Lana’s parents died.

“Why should you be sorry, Clark? You weren‘t responsible.” Shifting her position to more fully face Clark, Lana asked, “Do your parents know about your meteor rock allergy? Is that why they moved away from Smallville after the meteor shower?”

Such questions you ask, Lana, Clark thought. Ones even I don’t know the answers to. “I don’t know, Lana. If they knew of my allergy to these rocks, they sure didn’t tell me.” Chewing his bottom lip as he thought, Clark finally turned to Lana and asked, “How much of this meteor rock is there in Smallville?”

“None in the town itself anymore and most of the surrounding farms have been cleared, too,” Lana said. “In the woods, on abandoned farms, and in the remaining meteor craters there is a lot of it.”

“Maybe my folks did know. Back then, the stuff had to be everywhere.” Smiling at Lana, Clark said, “Thanks for figuring this out and bringing it to my attention.”

“I’m pleased to have been of use to you after the things you‘ve done for me.”

Reaching for his wallet, Clark said, “Chloe told me you are something of a football fan.”

“Yeah, I dated a quarterback for a year in high school. With as much as he loved football, I either had to become a fan or else miss out on a large part of his life. Me being a football fan is the only part of our relationship that still endures.” Curious at where this was going, Lana asked, “What brought this on, Clark?”

Pulling his last ticket to the Utah State game out of his wallet, he held it out to her and said, “This is a ticket for a seat on the thirty yard line for Saturday’s game. I’d like you to be the one to use it.”

“Well, I was going to sit in the student section, but after what happened today, I’ll take your ticket. I’d rather not end up taking a beer shower in the stands when someone finds out who I am.”

“Good! You’ll be sitting with Pete and my parents,” Clark said. “I think my folks would both like to meet you again after all this time, my mom especially.”

Meeting his parents already? This wasn’t in my plans…and…when have I met the Kents before?

“Umm…Clark? When have I met your folks before? I can’t remember ever being introduced to them.”

“Mom told me she and my dad met you the day of the meteor shower at your aunt’s flower shop. They had gone in to buy some tulips. When your aunt went to get what they wanted, they saw you at the end of the counter wearing a fairy princess costume and waving a wand.” Smiling at her as he tried to imagine a three-year-old fairy princess named Lana, Clark said, “You asked my mom if she would like to make a wish. When she did, you waved your wand and the wish was granted.”

Curious about the story and eager to learn of any good that might have come from the meteor shower, Lana asked, “What did she wish for?”

“A little boy…my mom wished for me. Shortly after the meteor storm I was adopted by the Kents. So you see, I have something else to thank you for, being adopted by the most wonderful parents in the world.”

[SVsleuth]

That was so sweet, Cardinal! I love this story. Can't wait for more. An all CLANA update. Yay! Especially like Lana showing him his allergy to the meteor rocks. I wonder if the Kents DID know of it?

[sandy]

wow! amazing...clark's so sweet to her...can't wait till u update some more!

[akuma]

Ahh so sweet, I LOVE THIS FIC, keep em comin!

[cufcchic]

LOVED IT!!!! ppmasap!

[maroon09854]

aww..glad Clark went and helped Lana get through feeling bad. awsome update PPMS

[LanasLover16]

I love it Cardinal!!! I can't wait to read more!!!!

[baldy92]

great update ppms!

[pacifichic]

Aww...what a great update! Too bad it had to end.
Please post more soon!

[SunniLvsSV]

Yay! Sweetness! I love how your story is believable. You can definitely see the Clark and Lana we know and love saying and doing these things! :)

[NYC300Z]

That was awesome Cardinal! Lana and Clark are getting much closer because of that unfortunate incident! Lana's going to meet the Kents again oh I bet she gets mad nurveous! lol

oh and Clark still hasn't called his sister....is it too late for him to call now? Is it's his sisters bed time already?

PPMS!

[Cardinal]

No, it's only early evening right now. Kathy should still be up.

[NYC300Z]

:lol: okay good to know! So i guess Clark's call to her should be next right?

[Cardinal]

Yes. A call to Kathy is next.

I will go so far as to hint that Lana has an unsettling question for Clark before he leaves, though.

[SmallvilleMan]

Look at Cardinal, he thinks he's so cool with his fansy writing and you know what? It is cool:lol:

[NYC300Z]

:lol: yeah it is....I don't know how to do any of that fancy writing or enlarged tex or color!

oh Lana has a question for Clark? how interesting! Come on Card I want to know what it is so bad!

PPMS!

[Cardinal]

No, Guys, this is the fancy writing!

[NYC300Z]

:lol::lol::lol:

Come on Card you either have to upate or tell me how to do that!

I prefer the update though!:O

[SVsleuth]

No, THIS is the really fancy writing:

UPDATE SOON!

That's in kryptonian font, IF you have it downloaded. For those who don't let's try this:

Update Soon!

Here's how to do that, NYC:

[ font=vivaldi ] [ color=blue ] [ size=12 ] Update Soon! [ /font ] [ /color ] [ /size ]
Just take all of the spaces out, & you'll get what I previously posted. Change the name of the font, the color or the size to whatever you want. Have fun!

[Cardinal]

Yup, she's correct. The font I've been using for my regular update text is called Sylfaen at size=3. It looks a lot better than the default type.

For the chapter titles, I use Monotype Corsiva at size=6.

BTW, the next update will be on the "Odds & Ends" thread.

As far as I know, any font you have in Word or Works can be used here.

[dreammaster]

that was awesome

[Dr. Jeckyll]

Wow, I caught up. It was like 10 pages or more. Well, I love this story. It's so sweet and innocent. Definitivly one of my favorites. PPMS!

I'm taking a small course in basic internet & communication here at the base. And since I know most of it, I spend all my time in here at K-site. Man, I am an evil genius.

And btw, your new avi rocks!

[Cardinal]

I don't know about the evil part, but getting your national government to pay you to surf K-Site has to qualify as genius! :p

[NYC300Z]

Update Soon!

Hey Card I was rear ended last night at a stop light while on my Motorcycle....i'm pretty banged up too....very lucky I didn't brake anything....pretty sure my bike is totaled, but it still starts! Can I get an update? please!

[akuma]

Aww sorry Matt that sucks bigtime. I know u had pretty sweet bike too, sry its totaled, glad ur ok though!

[binkys711]

great upadets Card just read them! poor Lana:( tortured by evil students! I'm glad Clark invited her to the game! can't wait 'till ya update! PPMS!

[Cardinal]

There will be an update here late tonight or sometime Tuesday.

[SVsleuth]

:) Yay! An update is on the way! :)

[IluvCLANA]

!!!!YAY!!!! IM FINALLY CAUGHT UP! well, I have to say Card, This is a really awesome story. You are an amazing writer with alot of talent. Keep up the wonderful clana fluff, well once Ellain is out of the way that is *wink*. Love how your taking this ff to new places and not having the same old thing as all th other fics.PPMS

:D

[NYC300Z]

Oh come on Card tonight!:D

[linn]

Yay....im glad i caught up...Awesome updates..........PPMS!!!!!!

[sandy]

oh can't wait for the update!!!!

[MOOman0618]

I just caught up with your last three updates! Things are going very well with Clark and Lana. Glad Lana didnt get too much heat from the whole ordeal, even though the students are being asses. Post more soon!!

[NYC300Z]

yeah listen to MOO Card!:p

PPMS!

[SmallvilleMan]

What? No update? BOO THIS MAN!

[Cardinal]

I'm working on it, but I'm only half done.

[NYC300Z]

Half way done huh? Good to hear hope you have it up tonight!:D

[SplitCold]

can't wait hope you have it done tonight

[IluvCLANA]

^ DITTO

[Cardinal]

Not tonight, Boys and Girls! Someone asked for the long version of this update which will take forever (not 4Ever, which is a whole different time scale) to write.

So. You're stuck with an update tomorrow night. :(

[SVsleuth]

Oh, come on, Card - I'll take the short version if it will take TOO long to do it all. :p

[NYC300Z]

awww tomorrow night? I hope you make it extra long then!:D

[IluvCLANA]

nnnnnooooo!!!!!!!! *falls on floor and starts twitching*

"nnneee.....ddddd.....up....d d d aa a.....tttee eee ..... nnn oo....w w ww"

j/k take as long as you want :D

[NYC300Z]

As long as he wants? Next thing you'll know he really will put 4Ever in charge of his update schedule!

[SuperNes]

I cannot believe it took me so long to read this !!!!! 'Cardi' this is a really HAWT FF!!! No wonder the Great Turkey Head got mad when he found out I hadn't read it yet! I'm hitting myself in the head with my wooden sword, trying not to read too fast ! I'm at like page six or seven... okok I am diving back in! :D

Oh and You Rock!!!!

Nessie

OMG OMG OMG this is so good!!!! I just finished the Lana laundry scene!! WHOOO WOOO I love competitive Lana!!!! okok back for more :D

[SVsleuth]

LOL, Nessie - you have a great read ahead of you.:) But if you're reading this, I guess we can be fairly certain you won't have time to update Time After Time today, because I KNOW you won't be able to stop reading until you catch up! ;)

[sandy]

Tick tock, tick tock...where's the update?!!!
I need my Clana fix! lol, yeah, don't worry, I'll be waiting once you update today!!

[IluvCLANA]

I meant to say 'as long as he needs to write wonderful clana fluff'

lol

Well, its today, and its nighttime, where are you w/ your wonderful clana fluff filled update?

[Cardinal]

I didn't get home until 2 hours ago. The update is a work in progress. Though the progress is coming slowly. :(

And yes, I write fluff. At least, it's what I'm best at writing. :D

[nellie2]

sooo does that mean an update tonight or tomorrow?

[Cardinal]

Tonight...as long as my inspiration doesn't dry up completely.

[sandy]

whatever inspiration u need-say the word and I'll give it to ya! just pleeeeeeeease update. u r extremely talented!

[SuperNes]

OH NOOO I caught up!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO How can this be?! Okay well I for one really need more!... please :)

[IluvCLANA]

hope the inspiration fairy isn't lost somewhere. she needs to sprinkle her inspiration dust on card. hope to see an update when i get home. (or when i check the computer at school:D )

[Cardinal]

Chapter 15 - Girl Number Two

Thinking this was a warm and fuzzy place to end their conversation, Clark made his apologies and prepared to leave since he needed to call his sister before she went to bed.

Lana walked him to the door. Just as she prepared to open it, she said, “Clark, there’s one thing I don’t understand about last night.”

“What’s that?” Clark asked.

“How were you able to survive that fall without any marks on your body? I saw the press conference last night and I was unable to see any marks whatsoever, no matter how hard I looked.” And believe me, I looked very, very hard…several times…in slow motion. TIVO is a wonderful invention.

“I…um…well…” Clark said, attempting to come up with a coherent lie. Looking into her hazel eyes, which were so earnest, so intent, he found he couldn’t lie to her. Once was enough. He didn’t know her well enough to trust her with the truth, however, so he said, “Lana, I going to be honest with you. There are some things about me which I don’t feel comfortable explaining to you right now. Maybe…maybe after we get to know each other better…if were still friends…”

Lana stopped his nervous rambling by placing her fingers over his mouth, and said, “Don’t worry. If it’s a secret that’s important to you, I can wait. Trust has to be earned, and you and I have only just become friends.”

Relaxing a bit, Clark said, “I do hope to be able to tell you, Lana. Soon.”

“Don’t rush on my account, Clark. Tell me when you’re sure you’re ready to tell and when you think I’m ready to know.”

Giving her a patented Clark Kent smile as she opened the door, Clark said, “I will. You can count on it.”

After Clark left, she closed and locked her door and was headed to do her homework, when she heard a rapid knock on her door.

Who could that be? she thought.

Returning to the door, she peered through the peep hole and saw Clark standing there. Smiling to herself as she wondered what he wanted now, Lana got her face under control before she opened the door.

“Hi, Clark,” Lana said. “Did you forget something?”

“Actually, yes,” Clark said, with an embarrassed grin on his face. “One of my original purposes in coming here was to reschedule the study session I so rudely postponed by falling down last night, but my proven allergy to the meteor rock distracted me.” Bouncing lightly on his toes, Clark asked, “So, are you available to work on math tomorrow night? Normally, you could have any night you wanted, but my nights are spoken for from Wednesday through Saturday this week.”

“Well, since I’m the one needing help, I don’t think I get to be choosy anyway, so tomorrow night it is.” As Clark’s face lit up, Lana said, “Though, due to my new-found and unwanted celebrity, umm…could you come over here instead of meeting me at the library?”

“If that’s what you want, then sure. Though I think we’ll be more likely to put some of the nasty stuff to rest if people see us together in a public place. Hopefully they’ll get the message that we’re friends and you didn’t push me after all.”

“Okay, will try the library, but you would you come over here? Then we can walk over together.”

“It’s a deal.”

Seven o’clock?”

“Seven it is.”

--------------------

Walking to his truck, Clark decided he needed to discuss his newly-discovered meteor rock allergy with his folks, necessitating an impromptu trip home. Climbing into his truck, Clark drove to a nearby strip mall and pulled into the lot. He got out of the truck, locked it, and super-sped to his parents’ Victorian-style home. As always, he took off his shoes and socks before turning on the jets so he didn’t needlessly ruin another pair of shoes. After retying his shoes on the front porch, Clark opened the door and walked in. Jonathan and Kathy were loading the dishwasher while Martha was nowhere in sight.

Sticking his head around the corner, he said, “Hidey-ho, Neighboreenos!” and was rewarded as his sister jumped a foot in the air and dropped a plate. Clark sped toward the sink and caught the plate in mid-air, handing it to his sister while saying, “You really ought to be more careful with this, Half-Pint.”

“YOU!!! I’m going to get you,” she said as she wrapped her arms as far around Clark as she could.

“Hi, Son,” Jonathan said. “Two visits in one week, are you homesick already?”

“No,” Clark said, “I’m combining several needs into one trip. First, I owe Kathy a conversation.”

“About what?” Jonathan asked.

Sharing a look and a smile with his sister, Clark said, “Secret stuff.” Jonathan smiled to himself as Clark said, “I also wanted to assure you in person that I didn’t suffer any injuries in that fall last night.”

“What was that all about, Clark?” Kathy asked. “You sure had Mom scared for a few minutes when we saw that special report on TV.”

“Yeah, Son,” Jonathan said. “The three of us talked about it last night, and none of us can ever remember seeing you trip, much less fall.”

“Well,” Clark said, “that’s the third reason I came here. There’s something big we need to talk about…but that can wait until Kathy and I have our talk.”

Kathy headed for the door and said, “Last one into the Fortress is a rotten egg!”

She shot up the stairs as fast as her eleven-year-old legs would carry her, with Clark close behind. To keep him from passing her, she held her arms out to both sides and blocked the stairwell as she ran. As they reached the landing and made the turn for the second floor, Clark removed the roadblock by picking her up and throwing her over his shoulder.

Kathy drummed her little fists against his back, laughing and yelling out, “You cheater! Mom, Clark‘s cheating again!” Kathy had long ago learned the futility of actually hitting Clark, so her swats were more for noise than actual effect. Martha looked out of her crafts room and smiled as she watched her kids playing around.

Clark pulled down the trap door to the attic and climbed the fold-down ladder with Kathy still draped over his shoulder. Reaching the top, he set her down and pulled the ladder and trap door up behind them as Kathy turned on the lights and the electric space heaters.

Raising an eyebrow at this, Clark asked, “Are you cold?”

“Not yet,” Kathy said, “but the nights are getting colder and I didn’t have time to grab a jacket. Besides, Stupid Brother, not everyone is cold-proof like you.”

Looking around the now-lit Fortress of Solitude, Clark said, “I thought you would have redecorated my side by now, Kathy.”

“Nah,” she said. “If I leave it like this, it’s a little bit like having you home. You haven’t even been gone for two weeks and I already miss you.”

“I miss you, too,” Clark said. “Now, tell me what you want to know.”

Kathy pulled one of the space heaters over by the old couch Clark had flown up there through the special window Jonathan had cut into a gable on the front side of the house. After arranging the heater to her liking, she sat down and motioned for Clark to do the same.

“The girls,” Kathy said. “Clark, tell me all about these two girls.”

“Well, the first girl I’ve known for a long time.”

“Is she pretty?”

“Yes, she is,” Clark said. “Though I’d say she’s more than pretty. I’d use words like beautiful, or maybe even gorgeous to describe her.”

“What else do you like about her?”

“She’s kind, patient, smart, fun to be around, and sweet.”

“Is she the one you went on a date with?” Kathy asked.

“Yep.”

“What’s wrong with her then?”

“Nothing’s wrong with her,” Clark replied. “I just don’t…there’s something missing, and I don’t know what it is.”

“You’re not talking about Chloe are you?”

“No! Whatever made you ask a thing like that? Chloe and I are buddies, we’d never date.”

“It’s just…the way you were talking about this girl made me think of Chloe," Kathy said. "She seems to have a lot of Chloe’s qualities and I know you’ve never dated Chloe, so I wondered if you two had changed your minds.”

“No, we haven’t. This girl is not Chloe.”

“Okay, what about the other girl?”

“I just met her at the beginning of the semester and…” Clark paused, at a complete loss for words

“Well?” Kathy said, “Don’t make me drag it out of you.”

“I don’t know what to say. This girl confuses me. When I see her, my eyes are drawn to her and I can’t look anywhere else. When I hear her voice, I’m spellbound and hang on her every word. When I see her smile, I feel all warm and fuzzy inside and I can’t help but smile back at her…and when she kissed me…” Clark’s hand unconsciously crept up to his cheek, seeking out the spot where Lana had pressed her lips.

“She kissed you?”

“Yeah,” Clark said softly, still remembering the warmth of her kiss.

“And you haven’t even gone on a date yet?”

“Not yet, but she kissed me ‘cause I changed a flat tire on her SUV.”

“Still, that sounds promising,” Kathy said. “If she didn’t like you, I’d think she might have settled for shaking your hand or something…”

“Well, maybe.”

“…and as for you, I don’t know what your problem is. I’m just a kid and I can tell which one is just a good friend and which one you really like.”

“Yeah?” Clark asked.

“Yeah! Think back to how you described these two girls. The first girl you described by saying what you thought of her. Girl number two, on the other hand, you described by trying to explain the emotional impact she has on you.”

“And?”

“Thoughts are nice, but emotions are better," Kathy said. "Girl number two already has a hold on your heart.”

[rosewolfe87]

Awww! That's so sweet! Kathy is a very smart girl!

PPMS!!

[SuperNes]

whaa whooo!! an UPDATE!!!!

*rUNS OR RATHER SCROLLS UP QUICKLY TO DEVOUR IT! ...... (Ahhh foiled by the caplocks again! :( )

Yay Sooo good!!!! Any chance you have some more hidden back there?

*Nessie attemps to search through Cardi's pockets...
Come on there's gotta be more here some where!!!!

[NYC300Z]

yeah that should clear things up for Clark. Now he just needs to find a way out of his relationship with Elanine and I forsee him having trouble with that or causing trouble by tring to do that. oh what a mess he's in. He still has to have a meteor talk with his parents and I wonder what they'll think about that!

PPMS!

[sandy]

Kathy's got brains! good job and ppms!

[SVsleuth]

That was great, Card. Kathy helped him see the truth. He like LANA more! Yay! Can't wait for the study session. PPMS!

[Cardinal]

Where the heck did everyone come from? I swear there was no one on the Clana board when I updated except for Rosie.

[MOOman0618]

Nice update Card! I really like Kathy, she is definitely an awesome addition to the Kent family. AND she has it exactly right! Big Dumb Alien should know which girl to go for!

I can't tell you how happy I am that Lana if asking the RIGHT questions and not just sweeping them under the rug AND that you are not having Clark lie to her. Not telling her anything is fine...for now...as long as he doesn't start the lying BS.

Great Stuff...Post More SOON!!! :)

[SuperNes]

I just edited my post and i came back and presto chango here every one is!

(Hey Matt I have to fill you in on some stuff! go turn on yahoo :)

[NYC300Z]

yeah Card your updates brings everyone out of the woodwork! :lol:

[clanafoeva]

i love ur story ppms

[SVsleuth]

Welcome to CLANA heaven, clanafoeva! You will LOVE this part of K-Site. Before you know it you'll be writing fics yourself. If you think I'm kidding, ask binkys, and akuma - we got them, the masters of PPMS, writing now. :)

[clanafoeva]

thanks ive been a silent reader for a while and ive already came up with a story should i post it or no

[NYC300Z]

Yes but no one's ever gotten me to write more than a slapstick! :lol:

Cardinal when's your next update coming? :lol: yeah I know you just updated this morning, but that was this morning! :lol: j/p

[SVsleuth]

Originally posted by clanafoeva
thanks ive been a silent reader for a while and ive already came up with a story should i post it or no

Sure, post it. Why not?

Card, we can't wait for more. PPMS!

[binkys711]

Originally posted by SVsleuth
Welcome to CLANA heaven, clanafoeva! You will LOVE this part of K-Site. Before you know it you'll be writing fics yourself. If you think I'm kidding, ask binkys, and akuma - we got them, the masters of PPMS, writing now. :)

Welcome also clanafoeva! SVsleuth is right, this part rocks!
Yes, I admit defeat to their methods of *cough evil cough* persuation9sp?):p You should definately post up your fic!

also....great update Card! I like Kathy! so young yet so smart! she could see better than Clark, then again...love is blind, or maybe just Clark is :p I loved it! PPMS!!!

[maroon09854]

woo hoo awsome update sry i was at skool so i couldnt read it loved kathys advice and cant wait for the study session PPMS!!

[clanafoeva]

well i posted my fic u should read it its called how could u

ppms

[SunniLvsSV]

Yay! Girl number 2...girl number 2!!!

[linn]

yup #2 is better than #1...PPMS!!!!!

[IluvCLANA]

YEA!! GO KATHY!!! YEA!!!!!!!

now all big dumb alien has to do is listen to her

*says as if shes talking to a baby* Is that too much for you to handle Clark?

[nellie2]

i love love love this story! WOO HOO i love CLANA!!!!! (umm sorry im a little hiper! lol can u tell?)

[NYC300Z]

Yeah Clark may be on the right path now, but it looks like a difficult one if he doesn't want to hurt feelings and cause problems

Update soon!;)

[cody111]

that was a great update please update soon

[IluvCLANA]

Originally posted by NYC300Z
Yeah Clark may be on the right path now, but it looks like a difficult one if he doesn't want to hurt feelings and cause problems

I dont think there will be any more problems NYC *looks over at Candy, Angie, and Elaine, and the rest of the Tri-Alpha bimbos tied up in the corner*


:D

[binkys711]

:rotfl:@IluvCLANA!

[pacifichic]

A smart one that Kathy is...bery smart!
Great update, very sweet! PPMS!

[Cardinal]

Hey! This isn't a bondage fic. That stuff goes in the NC-17 part of K-Site! :p

[IluvCLANA]

:p to you too!

so, hows the next update comin' along?
*looks hopefully at the computer screen*

[NYC300Z]

:lol: IluvClana very funny and you too Card!

PPMS!

[Cardinal]

Originally posted by IluvCLANA
:p to you too!

so, hows the next update comin' along?
*looks hopefully at the computer screen*

Not tonight. :(

I've been trying to gain motivation to finish the honeymoon update I gave a preview of last night, but that won't get worked on until I get up tomorrow. :\

[IluvCLANA]

*unties all the people and all of them run back home except for Elaine, who runs to Clark. His back is turned to her and she says while running "oh clark! i thought i would never get to see you again!" she finally catches up to him and realizes he and lana are in their own little world kissing. Elaine starts crying and runs home too*



honeymoon update preview?!!!! what?!!! where?!!!!! i missed it! im confused!!!

[NYC300Z]

:lol: I like that scene!:p;)

[IluvCLANA]

me too *winks*

*points toungue out at Elaine who is watching clark and lana still kissing out the window*

[clanafoeva]

UPDATE

[SVsleuth]

Originally posted by IluvCLANA
honeymoon update preview?!!!! what?!!! where?!!!!! i missed it! im confused!!!

That's on Card's other thread: Cardinal's Odds-n-Ends. There's The Proposal, and The Wedding (which is now at the point of begining the Honeymoon!!! - posted last night.) Check it out.

[Cardinal]

Well, SV, if you're gonna start someone on that story, start 'em back at the beginning.

Here's the whole list:

1st - "At Last!" - A short fic where Clark tells his secrets to Lana. It starts at the end of "Crisis" in season 3.

2nd - "A Lifetime of Tomorrows" - A much longer fic going from the end of "At Last!" until the start of season 4.

3rd - "The Proposal" and "The Wedding". These two stories are listed together on the "Cardinal's Odds & Ends" thread. They start in the earliest part of their third year in college.

It's a lot of reading and you might question whether it's worth it, but there's the complete list.

[NYC300Z]

:lol: Card your post was so long I thought you had updated! When is this update coming?

PPMS!;)

[SVsleuth]

Can't wait for the update to my favorite fic - Tonight, if I understood him correctly! Yay! :) :) :)

[IluvCLANA]

well, ill check those out after you and card are done with your fics so i don't get confused again. a clana proposal.... sounds awesome

[Cardinal]

Chapter 16 - The Green Menace

When Kathy shut off the heaters and went back down the ladder, Clark stayed in the attic to think. He walked over to the window, opened it wide and trained his telescope on the heavens. There really are not that many visible stars in the Metropolis night sky due to the severe light pollution, but looking at the sky had always been a soothing activity for Clark since learning of his origin.

In his mind, Clark was thinking about what his sister said, ‘Think back to how you described these two girls. The first girl you described by saying what you thought of her. Girl number two, on the other hand, you described by trying to explain the emotional impact she has on you,’ and ‘Thoughts are nice, but emotions are better,’ and, finally, ‘Girl number two already has a hold on your heart.’

Out of the mouths of babes…could it really be that simple? Clark wondered. Is Lana that clearly the woman I want? I came over here hoping that a talk with my sister would settle me down a little, but now I’m as wound up as ever…Lana Lang, I barely know you and already you set my blood on fire!

And what do I tell Mom and Dad? ‘Hey, guess what, I’ve found a rock that can kill me?’ That would make for a happy family gathering.

After sorting out his thoughts for a while, Clark left the attic himself. He ducked into his mother’s crafts room and told her there was something important to discuss. Finishing the row she was knitting, Martha followed her son downstairs where he had already gathered the other two family members in the kitchen. She took the last seat at their square kitchen table which was across from Clark. Kathy was on Clark’s left and Jonathan was on his right.

“What is this all about, Clark?” Martha asked.

“It’s about me, Mom,” Clark said.

“Has Jor-El been in contact with you, Son?” Jonathan asked.

“No, Dad, this is something I learned today, here in Metropolis. It’s only happened to me once in the past. The first time it happened, I thought it was a fluke, but since it has happened again recently, I decided we needed to talk about it.”

“What happened, Son?” Jonathan asked, a lazy smile on his face. “Have you fallen in love again?”

Stunned by that light-hearted question, Clark shot an irate look at his sister. A look that promised retribution for her loose lips. She, however, looked back at Clark with an amazed expression on her face and shrugged her shoulders as if to say, ‘Don’t look at me!’

The parents were quick to pick up on this byplay, but pretended to not notice what had passed between their kids.

“No,” Clark said, “I’m not ‘in love’ again. Instead, I’ve learned of something that can cause me physical harm. It’s a substance, I have reason to believe, that might actually be able to kill me.”

“You can’t be serious,” Martha said. “I’ve seen you get hit with acid on your skin, and nothing happened. We’re all seen you do things that should have ended in your death and instead you come through with flying colors, so what could possibly kill you?”

“A little green stone could kill me, that’s what,” Clark said. “Those stones came to Earth the same day and in the same place as I did back in 1989. They’re a shiny green crystal that is only found in Smallville meteor rocks.”

“How did you…” Jonathan asked, bewildered at this turn of events.

“Learn about this?” Clark asked. “I went to the library Sunday night to tutor Lana Lang in Trigonometry. She was wearing a keepsake necklace with a large green stone on it that she later identified as coming from the very meteor that killed her parents. She was waiting for me at the top of the stairs and when I got close to her, I fell.

Leaning back in his chair, Clark said, “The only time prior to this that I had been sick in my entire life was during one of my visits to Chloe in Smallville. Lana had come over to Chloe’s house to work on some school project they had together, and every time I got close to them, I became violently ill. As soon as I moved away, I got better instantly.”

“Maybe you were just nervous around Lana,” Jonathan said.

“No, she proved it to me by touching the stone to my skin. Where the stone touched, a spider’s web of green lines shot down the veins nearest the stone, my level of pain rocketed skyward, and my muscles started cramping uncontrollably. When she ran the stone into the other room, I recovered on the spot.”

“So much for any more trips back to Smallville,” Martha said.

“Lana said the town itself no longer has any meteor rock and neither do the working farms,” Clark said. “It’s the abandoned farms, the woods, and the meteor craters that still have quantities of the meteor rocks. Still, unless there’s some compelling need to go, I think I’ll stay away.

“What I want to know is, did either of you know of this already? Is this another reason besides my spaceship why we left Smallville? And if so, are there any other secrets you’d like to tell me about before I stumble into them on my own.”

“Clark, this is as much a surprise to us as it is to you,” Martha said.

“Your mother‘s right,” Jonathan said, “we’d never keep anything back from you about your origin.”

--------------------

On Tuesday morning, Clark got to sleep in since it was game week. Being able to stay in bed until 8 a.m. was such a luxury, it should qualify as a mortal sin. Plus, he only had two classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays (TTh), though those classes were both 75 minutes long as opposed to the 50 minute classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (MWF). His classes were at 9:30 and 11:00, leaving him plenty of time to eat lunch before afternoon football practice.

Lana also had two classes on (TTh) and, unlike her (MWF) classes, they were both morning classes. Clark had memorized her schedule when he looked at it during her campus tour, so he knew he could escort her to her classes today and still make it to his on time.

Thus, Lana was surprised by a knock on her door at 9 a.m. announcing Clark’s presence. Lana was about to hurry out the door and had just grabbed her backpack and a light jacket for the long walk to her astronomy class on the far side of campus.

“Not that I’m unhappy to see you, Clark, but what are you doing here this morning? I didn’t expect to see you until tonight.”

“I’m escorting you to class today,” Clark said. “I figured we could get an early start on beating down some of those nasty rumors about you. Our schedules are a good match today, so it won’t be a problem for me…but I’d do it even if it was.”

“Thanks, Clark. By the end of the day yesterday, I had been trodden down by those verbal attacks.” Shutting her door and locking it, Lana swung her backpack over her shoulder and walked with Clark around her building and down the sidewalk along the wide street that ran the length of the south side of campus. “You do realize that you run the risk of starting other kinds of rumors if you’re seen escorting me to class? Don’t you?”

“That’s a risk I’ll be happy to take, Lana. Those kinds of rumors could only improve my image. Imagine those people thinking a guy like me would be lucky enough to date a woman like you.”

“You’re being very gallant, Sir,” Lana said, “but I don’t think having my name linked to yours will enhance your standing on campus one bit, especially not right now.”

“I was talking about my self-image, Lana. Having your name linked to mine in that way would do me a world of good. So let them think what they want, as long as they get the idea through their heads that you’re my friend, not my enemy.”

Taking a few seconds to replay what he had just said, Lana thought, Did he really mean to suggest what I think he did? Or am I reading more into it than is really there?

Talking about anything that came to mind, the two of them headed along the south edge of campus, turned up the brick-paved street that divided campus in half and turned left to enter a side door of the science building, Thompson Hall.

“Thanks for walking me here, Clark. I can handle it from here.”

“I’m sure you can,” Clark said, “but I have an Astrophysics class upstairs, so I’ll go ahead and walk you to class.”

“Astrophysics? I thought you’re a Journalism major.”

“I am, but my minor is Astronomy.”

“Okay,” Lana said, “Now I know who to come to for help in this Astronomy survey class.”

Clark just smiled as he dropped her off at the entrance to the first-floor lecture hall and headed up the stairs to his own class.

[SVsleuth]

Buffer!

Buffer!

Buffer!

[Cardinal]

The rest of the day went like that, Clark walked Lana to her next class and then hurried to his 11 o’clock class which was in the next building over from hers. Just as he planned, anyone likely to give her a hard time over Clark’s fall was shut up by seeing them together, apparently enjoying each other’s company. What Lana feared might happen also happened. A number of people who knew Clark and who had become aware of who Lana was, thought they were a couple, and it didn’t take long for word to reach a member of the tri-Alphas who passed the information on to the sorority president, Candy Morgan.

Candy left a note for Elaine, asking her to visit Candy’s office as soon as she received the note. From the look on Elaine’s face, it was plain she had not heard the rumor or seen Clark and this…Lana…together.

“What’s up, Candy?” Elaine asked. “Have you finally decided which fund raiser to use for our charity drive this year?”

“Oh yeah, that’s on the agenda for the next sorority meeting, but that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about. Beth saw something today on campus that I wanted you to hear about from me, before anyone else talks to you.”

“What is it?”

“She saw your boyfriend walking side-by-side with the man-stealing slut that knocked him down the library steps Sunday night,” Candy said.

“Clark says she didn’t do it, Candy, and that’s good enough for me.” Holding up her hands to forestall Candy’s likely reply, Elaine said, “You’ve admitted yourself that she genuinely looked scared and was the first one to him at the bottom of the stairs. That doesn’t sound like the act of someone who meant Clark harm.”

“Be that as it may, she’s now trying to steal your man. What are you going to do about it?”

“I know Clark and I trust him. We’re going on another date tomorrow night, but if it will make you feel better, I’ll stop by his place on my way to the library tonight. Maybe I’ll get him to walk to the library with me and share a table.”

“That’s my girl,” Candy said, “If you don’t fight for a man like Clark, there will always be other women there to snatch him away. One other thing, who’s your buddy for the walk over there tonight?”

“Angie’s going with me so I’ll be fine.”

--------------------

At the end of practice, Clark showered, dressed, and ate in the cafeteria before heading home. It was close to six before he reached the townhouse, leaving him precious little time to change into a clean outfit for tonight’s study session with Lana.

Pete was buried in his studies, but noticed Clark getting fussy about his wardrobe. When he reminded Clark his date with Elaine was not until tomorrow night, Clark told Pete that Elaine ‘wasn’t in the plans’ for tonight. Further questioning got Clark to admit he was meeting Lana for a study session.

Clark grabbed a calculator, a pen, and a notebook and rushed out the door with just enough time to make it to Lana’s by 7 p.m. Checking his watch to make sure he was not late, Clark knocked on her door at 6:58. Two minutes early, he thought. Mom would fall over dead from shock.

Equally surprising, to Clark anyway, was that Lana was ready on time. He had not had much experience with women being on time for a date of any kind.

“Shall we go?” Clark asked upon seeing that Lana was ready.

“Yes, let’s go,” Lana replied.

When Clark took her trigonometry textbook and folder from her hands and placed them with his notebook, Lana unconsciously looped her arm through his free arm after she locked her apartment. Both of them froze momentarily when they realized what had happened, but then they cautiously went on, arms still linked. By the time they reached the fateful concrete steps of the Luthor Library, their looped arms had become lightly clasped hands.

At this moment, Elaine and Angie reached Clark’s place only to find he had left. “Did he say where he was going, Pete?” Elaine asked.

“Yeah, he’s going to the library to study,” Pete said.

“Okay, thanks Pete, that’s where I’m headed anyway, so I’ll see him there.”

As she left, Pete shut the door and grabbed the phone, quickly punching the digits for Clark’s cell phone. Clark, however, had his cell phone turned off for the duration of the evening and thus could not receive advance warning of what was about to happen.

[SVsleuth]

1st!

Oh, dang, a cliffy! I loved this update, Card. They ARE becoming a twosome, whether Elaine likes it or not. I hope his date with her gets cancelled!

This was my favorite part:

Lana unconsciously looped her arm through his free arm after she locked her apartment. Both of them froze momentarily when they realized what had happened, but then they cautiously went on, arms still linked. By the time Clark and Lana reached the fateful concrete steps of the Luthor Library, their looped arms had become lightly clasped hands.

PPMS!

[Cardinal]

A very small cliffie, like jumping off a curb.

[sandy]

oooh, it is getting sooo interesting! u need to update! i'm dyin here!

btw, i loved the fact that they were holding hands! keep the clana comin!

[akuma]

Sweet!! Holding hands, and enjoying eachothers company?!? Awesome!! Cant wait for the showdown between the two ladies!

[NYC300Z]

oh it's a bigger cliffy than that Cardinal! I wonder what's going to go down at the Library? Is Elaine going to see Clark holding hands with Lana? Or will she just see them at the library together? Will their be a cat fight? Will Elaine confront Clark? So much could happen! If that's not a big cliffy for this story I don't know what is!

PPMS!

[nellie2]

yeah what NYC said PPMS!!!

[MOOman0618]

OOOOO!!! I can see a super fight between Lana and Elaine coming! But that probably won't happen...but it would be fun! :) Very glad that Clark has realized Lana is the one! Good stuff...good stuff.

[IluvCLANA]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AWESOME UPDATE! CANT WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE. (IN OTHER WORDS PPMS)

[clanafoeva]

update please ican't wait

[LanasLover16]

Wow amazing update Cardinal!!! PPMS!!!!

[binkys711]

oh no! he's in trouble now! but hurray for the clana! we're having major improvement on the clana front! linking arms, and clasping hands! woohooo! and....oh dear....Elaine is coming and with backup! ehh...I think Lana can take down both of them with her trusty Lana-fu!;) that update was awesome Card! PPMS!!!

[IluvCLANA]

YEA bring on the lana-fu!!!

[Cardinal]

I'm working on some ideas for an update here, but don't expect an actual update before tomorrow. :(

[binkys711]

aww...ok...can't wait 'till tomorrow then!

[sandy]

sweet! can't wait for the showdown!

[Cardinal]

Xiaolin Showdown???

[binkys711]

:lol:@ Card!

[NYC300Z]

You watch that show Card?

When you say tomorrow do you hopefully mean by like Midnight? lol j/p but I wish it could happen by then!

[IluvCLANA]

^^^ DITTO

[clanafoeva]

update update update please please please

[SVsleuth]

Oh I hope we get an update here tonight??? I know, you're working, but maybe late tonight? Talk to you later. ;)

[superman_lives_on]

*knocks the topic up a bit*

[Cardinal]

I'm working on an update. Hopefully it will be up around midnight Central time.

[SVsleuth]

Yay! :):):):):)

[binkys711]

yay! can't wait! I'm gonna have to wait 'till late tomorrow though:( oh well the important thing is that you update!:D

[IluvCLANA]

YES!!!!

[Cardinal]

No update tonight. Maybe Wednesday morning before work.

[IluvCLANA]

okay........*hangs head down, then slowly walks away from the computer*

[Cardinal]

At least you didn't die. Defibrillators are expensive!

[SVsleuth]

See ya in the morning then!

[IluvCLANA]

:\ :p :rolleyes:

[Cardinal]

I'm up and typing as fast as I can. I don't work today until 12, so I should be done with the update well before I have to leave.

[IluvCLANA]

*looks up at comp. screen, sees that card is working on an update, and shouts w/ joy*

[clanafoeva]

update update update

[MOOman0618]

Originally posted by Cardinal
I'm up and typing as fast as I can. I don't work today until 12, so I should be done with the update well before I have to leave.

Maybe if you didn't watch so much South Park, you would be done with your update already! :p

[clanafoeva]

i second that

[Cardinal]

First, it was only one hour of TV.

Second, if you weren't taking so many engineering classes, we might be able to get more "Brilliance" out of YOU!

Heh! How do you like them apples? :p :p

[SVsleuth]

:lol: :lol: You guys are crazy! :lol: :lol:

I eagerly await your update, Card. -- and yours, MOO!

[Cardinal]

Chapter 17 - Closer

Clark tried to open a door for Lana without letting go of her hand until he remembered his other hand was carrying books and that he had to let go in order to open a door for her.

Lana looked up at Clark, her eyes gleaming, and said, “Thank you.”

“It’s my pleasure,” Clark replied.

Making their way through the security scanners just inside the door, They headed past the checkout counter on the left and the information desk on the right, skirted the centrally-located stairwell, and headed into a rabbit’s warren of tables, desks, and bookshelves, looking for a seat.

“Is there anywhere you’d like to sit, Clark?”

“Actually, yes. A table in a back corner will be fine.”

“Hiding from someone?” Lana asked, as she looked his way.

“Not anyone in particular,” Clark said, “but I find I get more work done when I’m sitting where I’m out of sight.”

“Too many girls to watch otherwise?”

“Nah…there’s no such thing as ‘too many girls to watch,’ Lana.”

“Clark!”

“Well, do you ever get tired of watching handsome men?”

“Not really,” Lana said. “I admit, looking at eye-candy can be a very pleasant way of passing time.”

“In actuality, the reason I hide is, well…when I sit in a high traffic area, I get too many well-wishers who just want a minute of my time to say hello. One minute for each person, plus the disruption that happens each time I stop, and my study time goes down in flames. So, if I’m serious about studying in the library, I’ve got to hide.”

“Okay, let’s find a corner table then.” Lana led Clark on a path that snaked back and forth through tables and clusters of library bookshelves until they reached a small grouping of tables in the northwest corner of the building. Picking an unoccupied one, Clark sat down their books and moved to help Lana with her seat, but she had already sat down. Clark took the seat next to her and asked her what she needed help with at this point in the semester.

As she opened her book, they worked through some sample problems, the answers to which were in the back of the textbook. At first, Clark led the way, with Lana following his example. A small smile began to creep across Lana’s face as she gained more and more confidence with the material. The next few problems, Clark chose to let her work through them herself. He just supervised her work. While Lana was happy with her mounting success, Clark drew his enjoyment from her smile. This is how it should be, he thought. She’s gorgeous already, but when she smiles…her beauty increases ten-fold. I think I’d do almost anything to make her smile that way.

--------------------

Elaine and Angie were popping through the front door that very second, and Angie asked, “Where do you think Clark is sitting?”

“Knowing him,” Elaine replied, “he’s sitting by himself in a corner somewhere.”

“Whatever for?”

“If you ask Clark, he’ll tell you he can’t get any work done sitting out in the middle of the library, but I think he’s just not a big fan of all the attention he receives. Clark plays the role of the smooth-talking jock to the hilt, but inside…he’s shy and somewhat uncomfortable around large numbers of people.”

“That would explain why you two always sit off to the side when we host a party,” Angie said.

The girls worked their way around the small line at the checkout counter and headed down the narrow hallway that led to the snack room, which was lined with an assortment of vending machines, to each get a cup of coffee.

“I think I’ll stay here and read,” Angie said. “That way, you’ll have tall, dark and handsome all to yourself.”

“Thanks, Ang.”

“No problem.” Making a sweeping motion with her hand, Angie said, “Now shoo!”

After drinking her coffee, Elaine readjusted her backpack and went to find Clark. She made her way around the floor going clockwise, which led her directly to Clark and Lana in the northwest corner.

Rounding the last bookshelf, Elaine saw Clark and began to smile. Taking another step, she saw Lana sitting next to him and her smile curdled like milk gone bad. She quickly stepped back around the bookshelf before she was seen. That b!tch, she thought, she is trying to steal Clark! I’ve got to get him away from her. Elaine rushed back to the snack room and tapped Angie on the shoulder.

Putting her book down, Angie turned her head and said, “What’s up, Elaine? Find Cla…” She cut off talking in mid-sentence when Elaine’s distraught face came into view. “Oh, Honey, what happened?”

“It’s just like Candy said, that…that…woman…is trying to steal Clark from me. She’s out there right now, sitting side-by-side with him, and…ooooooooohhhh I’m mad!!!”

“What are you going to do?”

Elaine collapsed into the chair next to Angie and said, “What can I do? I’m not the hair-pulling, kicking and screaming, public spectacle type.”

“You can let her know Clark’s already taken.”

“I thought I had gotten that message across the first time I saw her over at Clark’s, and anyway, how am I going to do it? I can’t do it in front of Clark and I don’t know where she lives.”

“Easy,” Angie said, “the news report last night said this bimbo’s last name is Lang. All we have to do is look her up in the campus phone book. That way, you can go over and tell her off in person or do it by phone.”

“That sounds good to me.”

--------------------

Clark and Lana, blissfully unaware of the plotting going on mere feet away, continued their studies for a while longer. When they neared the end, Lana said, “There’s one thing I’ve never been able to keep straight.”

“What’s that?” Clark asked.

“How to remember the differences between sine, cosine, and tangent.”

“Well, I learned that with a mnemonic device…Sohcahtoa.”

“Sohcahtoa?” Lana asked, laughing all the while. “That sounds like the name of an Indian chief or something.”

“Maybe,” Clark said as he grinned. “Here, though, it’s a memory device. The first part, S - O - H, stands for Sine = Opposite over Hypotenuse. The second part is C - A- H, which stands for Cosine = Adjacent over Hypotenuse. The last part is T - O - A, which stands for Tangent = Opposite over Adjacent.” Clark paused to give Lana enough time to scribble all of that information down, before he said, “Got it all?”

When Lana read back the complete mnemonic, Clark said, “That’s good. Are you okay with what we’ve covered?”

“Yeah,” Lana said, as she closed her textbook. “Thanks, Clark. I just needed a confidence boost. One-on-one attention from a teacher can be hard to get from a university professor. Especially in freshman-level classes like this one.”

“You’re welcome, as always.” Standing up and collecting their books, Clark said, “Next time you need help, call me. That’s what I gave you my phone number for in the first place.”

Lana stood up, and this time, Clark was ready. He eased Lana’s chair back, she smiled at him in thanks, and said, “I know, it’s just that I don’t want to impose on you. You have so many demands on your time between football and school that I would feel bad about asking for some of the little time you have left.”

“That’s sweet of you, Lana, but don’t worry, I’ll have no trouble telling you if I need time for myself or my schoolwork.”

“Okay,” Lana said, “I’ll put you on speed dial. Just remember, the first time I call you, whose idea this was.”

Don’t worry, Lana, he thought, as he walked with her toward the front door, I’ll be happy to take all the credit.

[NYC300Z]

:lol: when I typed in a post it didn't show Card had updated. Then when I posted It did!:D

[SVsleuth]

Buffer!

[Cardinal]

Making their way down the steps, neither one could help but look at the spot where Clark had fallen. All Clark remembered was her desperate attempt to save him, while Lana relived a portion of the panic she had felt at the time. Reaching the bottom of the steps, Lana looked over at Clark and wondered once again how he could have survived the long fall down the steps without a single mark on his luscious body.

Turning east for the walk back to Lana’s, Clark made a decision. This time, he apprehensively slipped his free hand around hers. The only reply from Lana was a slight squeeze of her hand and a smile that slowly spread across her face.

When they reached her apartment, Lana reluctantly released his hand to unlock her door, and said, “Thanks for helping me tonight, Clark. You’ve been very sweet to someone you don’t know very well.”

“You come highly recommended, Lana. Chloe’s my best friend. She’s the type of woman that actually has more guy friends than girl friends, but when she does make a woman friend, I know that woman is someone worth knowing.”

As Lana reached up to collect her books from Clark and turned to go inside, he made an uncharacteristic snap decision. “Lana?” he asked.

She turned back, and asked, “Yes?”

“Umm…will you, uh, would you like to go out with me sometime?”

“Go out with you?”

“Yeah,” he said, “go out with me. You know, on a date.”

“A date?” The warm smile that had been on her face ever since the library now threatened to consume her entire face. It took a big effort, but Lana managed to hold her smile down to a size indicating moderate pleasure. “Yes, Clark, I would love to go on a date with you. When?”

“Unfortunately, I don’t have any free nights before Sunday, so how about a Sunday night date?”

“That sounds great.”

“Six o’clock okay with you?” Clark asked.

“That’s fine with me.”

“Six o’clock it is then. I‘ll see you.”

“Bye, Clark,” Lana said.

“Good night.”

When Lana closed the door, Clark stood still for a second as he tried to imprint the image of her smile in his mind. He headed for home, floating on a cloud the whole way there.

Lana, on the other hand, slumped against the closed door and finally let out the huge smile she had been fighting to control. She set her books down on a table and jumped up and down in celebration. Woo-hoo! she thought. I’ve got to call Chloe. She hurried into her bedroom, curled up on her bed and dialed.

Chloe picked up her cell phone and saw it was Lana calling. Pressing the send button, Chloe said, “Lana, what’s up, Girl?”

Talking a mile-a-minute, Lana said, “Chloe, I’m so excited! You won’t believe it, I mean, I can hardly believe it myself but Clark asked me out!”

“Really? Congratulations! It usually takes tall, dark and chicken forever to work up the nerve to ask a girl out.”

Lana then relayed the events of the day, from Clark walking her to and from classes, to them accidentally holding hands on the way to the library, to Clark purposefully taking hold of her hand on the way back, right up through him asking her out.

“It was so hard to keep him from seeing how excited I was,” Lana said, “but I think I pulled it off. The five days I’ll have to wait for this date will be the longest five days in recorded history.”

Chloe was about to bust out laughing on the other end, and only managed to hold it in due to her knowledge of Lana’s unsuccessful dating history. She deserves a good guy and Clark definitely fills the bill, Chloe thought. I think they’ll be good together.

“Excited much, Lana?”

“Well, yeah, it has been a while since I found a guy I could be excited about.”

“I’m happy for you, Lana. Go get him!”

[NYC300Z]

yay! way to go Lana! Got Clark to ask her out! Now what is Clark going to do about his date on Wednesday with Elaine? Is he still going to go on it or what?? I hope Elaine doesn't upset Lana with her stupid plotting! Clark finally got up the nerve to ask out Lana!:D

PPMS!

[SVsleuth]

Awesome, Card! I loved every bit of it! Lana and Clark are really liking each other now. And Clark got up enough nerve to both hold her hand and ask her out. I just dread what will happen when Elaine comes after Lana. And will Clark still keep his date with Elaine? My smile is as wide as Lana's. PPMS!

[MOOman0618]

Originally posted by Cardinal

“Really? Congratulations! It usually takes tall, dark and chicken forever to work up the nerve to ask a girl out.”

HAHAHA!! :lol:


Such happy and new Clana happening! It is nice having a Clana story that is not based around overcoming the mistakes they made in the past, but rather on a new relationship. I love it! I also can't wait for the little confrontation coming up here between Lana and Elaine! That should be fun.

[sandy]

Go Clana, its your birthday!

that was some great stuff there! Clark finally asked her out! ppms

[akuma]

Simply amazing, grand, masterful, oh man that was so good!!:D so is he gonna date both of them or is he gonna dump Elaine and what is she gonna do to Lana to try and 'mark her territory'? Ahh PPMS!!! like today!!!

[binkys711]

WOOOOHOOOOO!!!!*bounces from wall to wall* GO CLANA! THEY'RE GOIN' ON A DATE! BOOYAH! *does a happy dance* screw Elaine! GET HER! 'Smack!' 'Wham!' *Elaine is on the floor unconcious*binks drags her to the trash bin and throws her in* Can't wait to see what happens next! PPMS!!!:D

[clanafoeva]

omg that was so good maybe next update we will get some clana anyway i loved i loved it i loved it
ppms asap

[linn]

oh yea...im so hyped when Clark asked her out..eeeeeeeeeee...i wonder what Elaine is going to say to Lana...and when Clark hears about it...and when they get their first date....PPMS!!!!!!!!!

[super12]

this is great first date angry girlfriend. well this is going to be great update soon.

[IluvCLANA]

*after elaine wakes up and starts getting out of the trash can, i shoot her w/ mr.gun, she falls down still halfway in the trash can and i run up to her and kick her "clark is lanas, BACK OFF" i walk away while wiping my hands like a job well done*

[SVsleuth]

Oh, I hope we get another update here really soon! Can't wait for the next part.

[clanafoeva]

you really need to update i can't wait

[akuma]

Ahh come on Cardinal, i really want u to update this story, i gotta know whats gonna happen!!!!:D:D:D:D:D

[Cardinal]

Sitting here in front of the computer, watching "Lexmas," and eating holiday-themed Egg Nog Ice Cream, I feel generous and have decided to treat you all to an update sometime tomorrow! :p

Man, was that a load of crap or what?

[akuma]

AWESOME, update is comin!!! U didnt like Lexmas?? I loved the Clana, so sweet!:D Lexana was nasty, but still good episode, and now we finally have evil Lex we have been waiting for!!Hoepfully he stays away from Lana now too:p

[MOOman0618]

Thank you Card for gracing us with an update tomorrow! :)

Now here is a question...My next post is BIG number 1000. Where should I put it???

[Cardinal]

When I said, "Man was that a load of crap," I was referring to my post, not the "Lexmas" episode.

Yes, there will be an update tomorrow.

MOO, put that bad boy wherever you want to. It's a rite of passage, it's when you move from being a Whiz, to being a 'Ho...I mean, being a Pro.

[akuma]

LOL sry Card, i thought i could be wrong, oh well:p cant wait for update!

[MOOman0618]

POST NUMBER 1000!!!

YEA!! I'm a freaking PRO!! I thought this day would never come!


Ok so I posted her for a few reasons...

1) This is probably my favorite fic that I am reading now.

2) That becoming a Ho comment by Card needed a reply, so here it is....

Yeah? Well...maybe if you didn't watch so much South Park and Bevis and Butthead and drink so much Eggnog, we could have had an update tonight!!!

3) Card always says that he never gets any Milestone posts...and now he can't say that.

[Cardinal]

Awwww! You honor me greatly.

That 'ho comment was supposed to be unanswerable. I figured you wouldn't blow the big one on a reply to a taunt. :p

No Beavis and Butthead, and I'm eating Egg Nog Ice Cream, not drinking the stuff, though with ice cream, that's a small distinction at best.

Thanks again, MOO! :) :) :) :) :)

[SVsleuth]

Congrats, MOO, on becoming a Pro! You're same level as me now! So what;s the NEXT milestone after Pro? Anyone know? I'm at 1957 posts right now.

Can't wait for your next update, Card. I do love this fic. :)

[Cardinal]

I think it's "Master."

[MOOman0618]

Yeah, but does it change at 2000?


Edit: Yes it does change at 2000. Sorry I questioned! :)

[SVsleuth]

So, Card has 15 more posts to Pro & I have 32 to Master. Wow!

[NYC300Z]

Update!;) I got all three of you beat!:lol:

[clanafoeva]

update please i can't wait any longer

[Cardinal]

I'm writing right now.

[SVsleuth]

Clanafoeva, Congratulations! You're no longer "new in town" but are "Settling in" :)

Yay! Card's writing now. :):):):):)

[NYC300Z]

Yay go Card! write write write!

[Cardinal]

Chapter 18 - Conversations

Chloe was in the middle of what promised to be a long conversation with Lana when Clark called. Chloe put Lana on hold long enough to tell Clark she was in the middle of a call and could he please call back.

Lana then had to get off the line because someone was at her door. A few minutes later, Chloe heard a DING! from her computer. She walked over to the PC and saw that NellieBlye had an IM from MetUQB.

MetUQB: What’s up, Chloe?

Just in case Lana called back while she was IMing Clark, she plugged her hands-free headset into her cell phone, slipped on the headset, and clipped the phone to her belt. Then, she sat at the keyboard and pounded out her reply.

NellieBlye: Not much. I’ve been talking to a mutual friend of ours.

MetUQB: Who?

NellieBlye: Guess! She’s quiet, cute, and just got asked out by the most eligible man on campus. That ring any bells?

MetUQB: Oh! That kind of phone call. I’ll quit IMing and let you get back to your girl talk. I just wanted to let you know that I asked her out.

NellieBlye: Don’t quit, she had to get off the phone for a few minutes…so, what made you do it, Big Guy?

MetUQB: Well, the whole day was perfect…

Clark then gave Chloe a Clark’s-eye view of the day’s events. Except for minor details, his recitation was remarkably similar to Lana‘s. Next, Clark got to what happened this evening.

MetUQB: When she looped her arm through mine, I almost jumped out of my skin. Each of us stood there for a second, giving the other a chance to pull back, but neither one of us did. By the time we got to the library, our arms had slid down until we were holding hands.

Clark’s fingers must be flying, Chloe thought. His replies are popping up almost the instant I send mine. The only times he types in super-speed are when he’s crushing a deadline or when he’s really excited.

NellieBlye: You sly dog!

MetUQB: I didn’t do it on purpose. Honest! It just happened.

NellieBlye: Sure it did! :-p

Chloe was so happy for her two friends that she just couldn’t contain it and started dancing in her chair.

MetUQB: I did decide to hold her hand on the way back, though. I wanted her to know I was interested and that seemed to be an easy way to do it.

NellieBlye: So how did Metropolis’ most hesitant bachelor manage to ask out a woman he’s known for less than two weeks? Inquiring minds want to know!

MetUQB: If I knew how it happened, you’d be the first to know…it’s just…I couldn’t not ask her out. A woman like Lana attracts men like honey attracts bears. I didn’t want to wait so long that someone else asked her out first.

NellieBlye: Clark, she’s already been asked out three times since school started and, apparently, several other guys have shown interest.

What I’m trying to tell you, Chloe thought, is that she’s been waiting for you.

MetUQB: That’s not surprising. I’d have been shocked if that hadn’t happened.

NellieBlye: Well, Clark, I’m happy for you both, I hope it works out.

MetUQB: So do I, Chloe, so do I. Well, I need to sign off and get to bed. Tomorrow’s Wednesday, so I’ve got weightlifting very early. See ya!

NellieBlye: Bye, Clark.

Whew! Chloe thought. Clark and Lana are both wound up about this. Two of the most reserved people I know, yet they both seem to have thrown their hearts into this already. Maybe it will work out.

Meanwhile, Lana was answering her door. She looked out the peep hole and saw Elaine.

What is she doing here, Lana wondered, and how did she get my address in the first place? Lana debated whether or not to open the door when - BAM! BAM! BAM! - Elaine pounded on it again.

Lana threw open the door, and said, “Hello,” Lana said, “is there something I can do for you?”

Not waiting for any preliminaries, Elaine got right to the main event. “Yes,” she replied, “you can stay away from my man.”

“Your what?”

Elaine tried to poke a finger in Lana‘s chest to emphasize what she was saying, but Lana swatted Elaine’s hand away.

“My man. Clark Kent. You remember him, he’s tall, plays football, and you were with him at the library tonight.”

With each passing breath, the two young women stepped closer and closer, until they were nose to nose.

“Clark’s yours is he?” Lana asked. “That’s funny, ‘cause that’s not what he told me.”

“Liar!” Elaine screamed.

Elaine’s arm pulled back, palm open, as if to slap Lana. Lana, in turn, stepped back and assumed the first position to what she and Chloe jokingly referred to as ‘Lana-Fu,’ and then gestured with her lead hand for Elaine to ‘bring it on.’

When Elaine paused and lowered her arm, Lana relaxed her stance, and said, “Well, deal with this: if he’s your boyfriend, why he is going out on a date with me on Sunday night? Hmm?”

“He’s what?”

“You heard me. Clark asked me out on a date. That’s not something a steady boyfriend does, now is it?”

“Well,” Elaine said defensively, “I’m going out with him tomorrow night, so there.”

“That doesn’t make him yours though. If you want to make him yours, you’d better get it done tomorrow, ‘cause after that, he’ll be all mine.”

“I’m warning you, Lana, stay away from Clark or else I’ll have to teach you a lesson.”

“Like what?” Lana said derisively, “How to over-apply makeup?”

“Just remember, stay away from Clark, or you will regret it. He’s mine!”

“You wish! Good evening,” Lana said, as she slammed the door in Elaine’s face.

Slamming the door felt good, Lana decided. Still, she couldn’t believe that girl had come over here to stake a claim to Clark. On the other hand, Lana admitted to herself, if she was in Elaine’s shoes, she might do the same thing.

Lana fixed a mug of chamomile tea to soothe herself. After breathing in the steam from the tea, Lana took a sip and then got back on the phone and called Chloe.

“Hi, Lana,” Chloe said, “you’ll never guess who I just talked to while you were answering the door.”

“I don’t know,” Lana said, “but I can guarantee you it wasn’t that girl Elaine.”

“Why not?”

“Because she was just at my door to tell me to stay away from Clark.”

“Oh no!” Chloe said. “What happened?”

Lana related everything that happened, from first to last. When she was finished, Chloe said, “Be careful, Lana. Don’t ever hit Elaine unless she hits you first. Even then, make sure you have witnesses.”

“Why? I can take her. No problem.”

“Yeah, but I doubt you can take her daddy’s lawyers in court.”

“Okay, I’ll bite,” Lana said. “Who’s her dad?”

“Edgar Thompson, the insanely wealthy head of Thompson Industrial and, the man who donated $20 million dollars for the construction of the science building on campus…you know, Thompson Hall?”

“That’s her family? Ouch!”

“Yeah. Ouch. It’s my guess that Elaine is used to getting whatever she wants, and right now, she wants Clark.”

“Well, I want him, too,” Lana said, “and I intend to get him.”

--------------------

The next day, after another lackluster practice, Clark was headed for home when he was stopped by one of Elaine’s tri-alpha sisters.

“Hi, Clark.”

“Hi, Veronica, what’s up?”

“I was just about to ask you the same thing,” Veronica said. “I heard about last night from Elaine and wanted to ask you what’s going on?”

“What do you mean? I didn’t even see Elaine last night.”

“Yeah, but Elaine found out you asked another girl out on a date. She was crushed when she got home last night.” And not just a little drunk, either.

“How did she learn about that?” Clark asked. “The only one that knew was Lana, ‘cause I asked her at the door to her apartment. I hardly think Lana would have called Elaine and told her.”

“What I want to know is: How could you do that to your girlfriend? I’ve always thought you were a classy guy, but I guess I was wrong.”

“Wait a minute! Elaine’s not my girlfriend, she never has been. We’ve only gone out on one date, and I have never said anything about making our relationship exclusive.”

“What?” Veronica asked, surprise evident in her voice.

“You heard me. Elaine and I are very good friends. She’s very important to me, but we are NOT boyfriend and girlfriend. Tonight’s date is for determining if I want to go on with this relationship.”

“Are you sure you haven’t been leading her on?”

“I’ve been as upfront as I can be,” Clark replied.

“Oh my. I feel so sorry for her. Elaine is so wrapped up in you and it’s plain you don’t feel the same way. Please…please, please, please…let her down easy, and do it tonight.”

[SVsleuth]

1st!:):):):):)

Chloe gets the scoop from both sides, Elaine's history, CLANA awaits us - YAY! Great update, as always, Card. Keep up the great work!:):):):):)

[linn]

2cd

WoW taht was amzing kong- fu Lana-fu...lolPPMS!!!!!!!!!!:):):D:D

[superman_lives_on]

Originally posted by SVsleuth
Chloe gets the scoop from both sides, Elaine's history, CLANA awaits us - YAY! Great update, as always, Card. Keep up the great work!:):):):):)

Indeed. :D But speaking of which, SVsleuth--still hoping to see an update in Alternate CLANA before New Year's! Heh. Sorry if I sound bossy or anything. :)

PPMS--the both of you. Please?

[pacifichic]

This is good! PPMS!

[Dr. Jeckyll]

Hehe, Clark is such a lucky man. Having two gorgeous girls fight over you ain't a bad thing. But we all now who he's gonna pick. Looking forward to the date and keep the clana coming. PPMS!!

[sandy]

whoo, nothing's better than a catfight! well, an almost catfight, that is! fantastic update! ppmasap

[IluvCLANA]

LANA FU!!! AWESOME!!!!! THANKS FOR THE UPDATE CARD!!!!! PPMS

[iloveit]

hey i just finished reading this and it is awesomely amazing! ppms!:D

[NYC300Z]

oh wow a lot happened in that update and it wasn't even that long of an update. Very interesting at least Elaine's sister makes some sense. I wonder how Clark's date Wednesday night goes. Hope he lets Elaine down easy.

PPMS!

[binkys711]

sooooo close to a cat fight happenin' there! darn! I wanted Lana to smack her down with her Lana-fu;) that update rocked Card! and ditto to what NYC said!

PPMS!!!:D

[akuma]

Sweet, Lana-fu!!:D:D Go Lana, kick some ASS!!! Cant wait for more!!

[SuperNes]

Wow how nice to come back and find 2 unread updates! I love the suspense that your building between Clark and Lana, their just holding hands but it shows they're innocent excitment!


Hey Demandor! I saw you bust out Mr. bubbles back there! :p Does he dance for treats? and If I'm nice enough will he promise not to monkey chop me?

;)

[IluvCLANA]

i renamed my monkey mr.bubbles lol
jack just didn't suit my monkey

and my suction cup gun is still mr.gun

[C.A.chick]

CARDINAL!!!!!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE I HAVEN'T READ THIS FIC YET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG ITS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!!!!!! I SAT DOWN AND READ IT IN LIKE 1 HR.!!!!!!!! ITS AMAZING!!!!!!! I HOPE LANA GETS TO TRY HER LANA-FU ON THE B*TCH ELAINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PPMASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cardinal]

Wow! That's possibly the loudest post I've ever received.

I'm glad you like the story. :)

[C.A.chick]

I DON'T LIKE THIS STORY! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I ABSOLUTELY ADORE YOU WRITING CARDINAL!!!! SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG FOR ME TO READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PPMASAP!!!!!!!!:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[Cardinal]

Awwww!!! You'll make me :o !

[C.A.chick]

:D , sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT YOUR FIC IS SOOOOOOOOOO AMAZING! CAN YOU PLEASE UPDATE? FOR ME?:(? ;) ;) ;) :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: PPMASAP!

[SmallvilleMan]

i'll make you:p

[pacifichic]

Pleeeease post again TODAY!

[clanafoeva]

wow I am speechless it was a woderful update. I can't wait for the next update I hope it includes a lot of clana we deserve it after watching lex-mas. kidding ppms

[Cardinal]

No Clana in the next update. However, what will happen is almost as good. Clark sets Elaine straight.

[SVsleuth]

:lol: @ C.A.chick - That's taking caps wars to a whole new level - DANG! :lol:

[iloveit]

lol ya, excited much? ppms!

[NYC300Z]

:lol: you have to update now Card!

[Cardinal]

Chapter 19 - Letdown

Clark trudged home thinking about how little he was looking forward to this date. Most guys would give their eye teeth to date a girl like Elaine, he thought, but…something is missing, and I need to make sure she knows that no matter how much I value her as a friend, it will never work out between us romantically.

Reaching the door to the townhouse, Clark unlocked it and went inside. Pete was lounging on one of their old couches, drinking a Coke and munching some Chex Party Mix out of a large bowl while watching Maury Povich.

“Hey, Clark,” Pete said, “how’s it going?”

Clark tossed his backpack down on an end table, and said, “School’s great, football practice has been sluggish, and my love life is more complicated than rush-hour traffic.”

“Well, school being great is not a surprise, but why is football practice so bad?”

“I think the guys have been practicing too long against each other without having someone in a different-colored uniform to take it out on. It just gets old after a while.”

“And the love life?” Pete asked, “Why is it so…complicated?”

Clark eased himself onto the other couch, and said, “What the heck are you watching, Pete?”

“The freak show is good today, Clark. It’s about this woman that wants to prove who the father of her child is and…”

Clark held up his hand to stop Pete’s description, and said, “I’m sorry I asked. The reason my love life is complicated is, as you know, there are two girls I’ve been interested in…or at least, that’s what I’ve been telling myself. Elaine’s great, she’s beautiful, kind, considerate, sweet, smart, the list goes on, but…I don’t have any romantic feeling for her. She deserves someone who will give as much to her as she gives to him, but I’m not that guy. I need to tell her that tonight and do it as gently as possible.

“Meanwhile, there’s Lana. I barely know her, and yet, when we talk, it’s like we’ve known each other forever. I’m comfortable with her in a way that I haven’t been with any woman since…since Lori left.”

“Well then ask her out, Numbnuts,” Pete said. “What are you waiting for? An gilded invitation?”

“I already asked her out, Pete. We’re going out Sunday night.”

“All right, that’s my boy!”

“Oh, by the way, she’ll be sitting with you and my parents at the game Saturday. Since Kathy can’t go, I offered her ticket to Lana.”

“You’re weird, Clark. The girl you’re hot for is going to meet your parents, and spend three hours with them, before you two even go on your first date.”

“Oh crap! I hadn’t even thought about that. I hope Lana doesn’t mind.”

When the Povich show hit a commercial, Pete grabbed the remote, muted the TV, and started surfing. On ESPN, there was a commercial for their lineup of college football games this weekend. The picture showed Texas vs. T.C.U. at 1 p.m. followed by U.C.L.A. vs. B.Y.U. at 4 p.m. Then, they showed the games that would be on ‘the deuce.’ The first picture was a close-up of Clark. Pete hit the mute button and the announcer said, “…watch as Heisman Trophy candidate Clark Kent leads the #2-ranked Metropolis Bulldogs into action for the first time this season against the Utah State Aggies at 1 p.m. The Aggies are…”

Pete muted the TV again, and said, “Look who’s a big cheese now. ESPN has already anointed you as a Heisman candidate. That‘s pretty impressive.”

Clark, however, wanted to crawl under the couch and hide. “Yeah well, no one wins those awards by himself,” he said. “So, IF I get an award like that, it’ll be due to the efforts of the team and the coaching staff. Besides, it’s ridiculous to talk about the Heisman when we haven’t even played a game.”

As Clark headed upstairs to think about how to break the news to Elaine while still maintaining their friendship, he stopped on the bottom step, and said, “Hey, Pete. I saw Veronica today. How are you two doing?”

“We’re not dating anymore, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Why not? What happened?”

“We decided a dating relationship wouldn’t work out,” Pete said. “Instead, we’re ‘friends with benefits.’”

“You mean like a health plan or something?”

“You better be playin’, Clark, ‘cause I am not gonna believe you’re that dumb.”

“I know what you mean, Pete,” Clark said. “Just be careful, we don’t want any little Petes running around.”

As Clark continued up the stairs, Pete said, “You worry about your own women, and let me worry about mine.”

--------------------

Later that night, as Clark headed out the door for his date with Elaine, Clark said, “Wish me luck!”

“You don’t need it, Clark,” Pete replied, “Just be yourself.”

“That’s what got me into this mess.”

Clark eased his 6’3” frame behind the wheel of his pickup and headed over to the tri-Alpha house. Dreading this more and more with every step up the walk, Clark tried to cover his apprehension with a smile. He climbed the steps and knocked. When the door opened, Clark was surprised to see Elaine’s hand on the knob with her all ready to go.

In her brightest, perkiest voice, Elaine asked, “Where are we going tonight?”

Seeing her enthusiasm, Clark was torn. He was happy she was excited to be with him, but he knew that excitement would only make what he had to do more difficult.

“We’re going to eat at a place called Herman’s. Have you ever been there?”

“No…at least, I don’t think so. What kind of food does it serve?”

“German,” Clark said. “I haven’t had good schnitzel in a long time and I thought you might like to try something new.”

Well, if you like it, I’m sure it will be worth a try.”

As they turned back down the walk and headed for Clark’s truck, Elaine wrapped both of her arms around Clark’s nearest one. Reaching the truck, Clark opened the door for her and after closing the door behind her, headed to his side and climbed into the cab.

When they drove off, Veronica went into action, telling several key sisters what had happened earlier this afternoon when she talked to Clark. All of the sisters were sad that Elaine was going to be hurt. Some of them understood Clark’s position, but others, like Candy and Angie, believed Clark must have been misleading Elaine and didn’t deserve her. In any case, they all knew there was a great chance Elaine would come home in tears.

Clark was quiet on the drive to the restaurant, which was on the other side of the city. He had been so involved with what to say tonight that he had forgotten to plan the date, so when Elaine asked where they were going, Clark had blurted out the name of the first restaurant that came to mind. I don’t even like German food that much, Clark thought. This will be a crappy night all around.

Elaine, on the other hand, kept up a steady stream of chatter, that, in Clark’s current frame of mind, was driving him up a wall.

[SVsleuth]

Buffer!

[akuma]

Assistant buffer!!:D

[Cardinal]

Finally, the faux old-style German building came into view and Clark pulled into the lot. After helping Elaine from the truck, Clark put his hand on her elbow when escorting her to the restaurant to preclude her from wrapping his arm in a death-hug again.

After being seated and handed menus, Elaine asked Clark what items on the menu were good. Nothing, Clark thought sourly to himself. Sausage should be for breakfast, and don’t even get me started on blood sausage.

Aloud, he said, “Schnitzel’s okay. If we were old enough, the dark beer would be good to go with it.”

“Okay!”

Elaine ordered a schnitzel dinner with iced tea, and Clark ordered the same. To kill time while they waited for their order, Elaine tried to make small talk, but all of Clark’s answers were short, almost brusque.

“Is something on your mind, Clark?” Elaine asked.

“Yeah, something’s been preoccupying me all day,” Clark replied.

“Care to share it with me?”

“Not…not yet, Elaine,” Clark said as he looked down at the tablecloth.

“Whenever you’re ready then.”

“Oh, believe me, I will.”

When dinner arrived, they both dug in, but Clark didn’t have much of an appetite…for him anyway. That meant he still cleaned his plate, it just took him longer than usual.

After they both finished a piece of chocolate torte for dessert, Clark paid the bill and they left. The night was still warm as it was the first week of September, so Clark asked Elaine if she’d like to take a walk. Clark drove them to Forest Park, which was Metropolis’ answer to New York’s Central Park.

Together, they wound their way down worn, asphalt paths, past the duck pond, and up near the entrance to the Metropolis Zoo before Clark worked up the nerve to say what he needed to say.

“Elaine, I think I’m ready to tell you about what’s bothering me.”

She turned to face him, her big brown eyes looking trustingly at him, and waited for him to speak.

“Elaine, you know how important to me you are. Over the last 10 months, and especially since school let out last spring, you’ve been a most valuable friend. I don’t know how I would have made it through that heartbreak without you.

“As time went on and we became closer and closer, I wanted to turn our friendship into something more.”

Elaine’s eyes were shining now. “That’s what I want, too,” she said. “There’s nothing I wa…”

Clark placed his fingertips over her lips, and said, “Please, let me finish. That’s what I wanted. I’ve tried to find that something extra, the spark that turns friendship into love but… it’s not there for me.”

“What are you saying, Clark?” Elaine asked, eyes wide with disbelief, lower lip pushed out and trembling.

“What I’m saying is this: you’re one of my dearest friends, but you’ll never be any more to me than that. I’m sorry if you’ve thought otherwise, but I couldn’t let you go on believing anything but the truth.

“I’m so sorry if I’ve hurt you, Elaine.”

“Hurt me?” Elaine asked with tears streaming down her face. “Whatever led you to believe you mean so much to me that you could hurt me?” By now, each word was harder to speak than the last, and Elaine was sobbing. “As good…as we’ve been together,” she said, “I never…thought you were…were…my boyfriend…or anything.”

Crying consumed her at this point and Clark was unsure of whether to hold her or not. When he finally moved to put an arm around her to help comfort her, she swatted it away and said, “Don’t touch me! I just…just wanna go home.”

Clark pulled a linen handkerchief out of his left rear pants pocket and handed it to her, and said, “Fine, let me take you home.”

“NO!!! I don’t…I don’t wanna be near you right now.”

Clark stepped away from Elaine and pulled out his cell phone. He called the tri-Alpha house and asked for Veronica. At least she seems to understand what’s going on, maybe she’ll help me.

When Veronica picked up the receiver, she said, “Hello, to whom am I speaking?”

“Hi, Veronica. It’s me, Clark.”

“Hi, Clark…is this a bad news call like I think it is?”

“I’m afraid so,” Clark said. “We’re in Forest Park, by the entrance to the zoo. She’s crying and won’t let me drive her home. Would you be able to come out and pick her up? I’ll stay with her until you get here.”

“Sure, give me half-an-hour. I’ll get Pete to escort me and he can ride home with you, okay?”

“Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.”

[akuma]

hehe beat u literally by a sec Matt:p

That was amazing Card! too bad for Elaine, feel bad for her but at least he told her now before it got serious, and now im ready for the Clana!!:D

[NYC300Z]

:lol: guess you did!

Awesome update Card! Glad Clark finally told Elaine the truth..She seems upset, but that's to be expected. I hope everything goes well with him and Lana now!:D

PPMS!

[Cardinal]

No buffer, I'm done.

[superman_lives_on]

For now, anyway. GREAT STORY, Cardinal!:D :D

[sandy]

amazing update! glad clark set the record straight! ppms

[SVsleuth]

Super update, Card! :):):):):)

Elaine tried to pretend that she never considered him her boyfriend, but she failed miserably. I wonder if they can remain friends?

And I wonder if Clark will ever find out about Elaine's visit to Lana?

And I can't wait for the interaction between Lana & the Kents at the game.

Clark a candidate for the Heisman Trophy? Go Clark!

And of course, can't wait for more CLANA. :):):):):)


PPMS!

[Dr. Jeckyll]

What SV said! Awesome update. I'm looking forward to the game! PPMVS!! This story is right up there with my favourite fics. I LOVE IT.

[IluvCLANA]

clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana clana!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

awesome update card!!!! as you can see i cant wait for the clana fluff!

nes- no mr.bubbles will not dance for treats and well, i guess if your nice enough he wont have to hurt u;) :D

[cody111]

update soon

[clanafoeva]

ppms

[C.A.chick]

YAYAYAYAYYAYAYAY!!!!!!! THAT WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO AWESOME CARDINAL!!!!!!!!! YOU'RE SUCH AN AMAZING WRITER!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!! PPMASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MOOman0618]

I am all caught up now!! YEA!!! :)

Awww...I was hoping for some good ol' fashion Lana-Fu! But the mini battle was still good stuff!

But now after the second update I feel bad for Elaine. Even though it was clear she had no chance, it is still sad. But YEAH FOR CLANA IN FULL FORCE!! :D Can't wait to see their first real date!

POST MORE SOON!!

[ajfinn]

I just caught up too!!! Yee haa ........ we've got yummy clana. They held hands and I got shivers. I love this fic, Card! Please update soon. I'm dying to see what happens :D

Very nice work!!

[IluvCLANA]

WELCOME TO THIS FANFIC AJ AND MOO, GLAD TO SEE YA!

[sandy]

we need a post up in here!:D hope u can get around to it soon!

[NYC300Z]

Update!;) no i know you just updated the other one!;)

[cody111]

please update soon
ppppppppppppppppplllllllllllleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaa aaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssssssssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeeee ee

[C.A.chick]

DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT WAS AWESOME!!! I ALREADY SAID IT BUT I DON'T CARE!!!!!!!! YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[SVsleuth]

Post 2000!

I just had to post it here on my favorite story, Card.

[Cardinal]

Woo-hoo! Thanks, SV! Now you're a master!

[SuperNes]

Thanks for the update :)

Yeah!! Mrs. Sleuth! 2K!!!!

[IluvCLANA]

congrats! svsleuth

[iloveit]

ppms very soon please!

[clanafoeva]

update soon please update soon

[IluvCLANA]

ppms

[baldy92]

awesome update card, PPMS :D

[akuma]

Any planned updates for this fic soon? as in, oh i dont know, hmm now would be good!:D:D

ohhh u got my 777th post, a crazy number b/c...well...its all seven's and thats an awesome number, now u HAVE to update!:p

[Cardinal]

Planned updates? How about an update I'm working on? It may take some time to finish it.

[ajfinn]

Just checking for an update

*looks around, scrolls through last two pages, pouts*

PPMS

[SVsleuth]

I'm betting we'll get an update here later today, if I know Card. :):):)

[akuma]

Originally posted by ajfinn
Just checking for an update

*looks around, scrolls through last two pages, pouts*

PPMS

Oh look at that Card, ur making the pregnant lady pout, u dont want to upset a mother to be now do u?:) I guess u have to update:p

*sry to use as reason for update AJ, but what can i say, im desperate? i bet u r too seeing how great this story is!*

[Cardinal]

I'm sorry for making the preganant lady pout. I hear that pregnancy can do strange things to a woman's hormones, so I guess I need to be more careful. :p

An update will be posted tonight, almost certainly before 11 p.m. Central time. The Clark side is done, and I'm wading my way through the Lana side right now.

So, aj, take a deep breath and think calm thoughts and I'll be done soon!

[sandy]

thank God for pregnant women! We're gettin an update!:cool:

[superman_lives_on]

Originally posted by sandy
thank God for pregnant women!

Couldn't have said it better myself. :D

[C.A.chick]

neither could I! and I have 2 reasons!
anyhow card: PMASAP you're little butt now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hehe sorry, getting a little stressed........ :D

[akuma]

Hehe, im so good at manipulating words, and yesh thank u AJ!:D

[C.A.chick]

OI card!!!!!!!! we're a-waiting!!!!! please? :(???????????????????? PPMASAP!

[superman_lives_on]

Originally posted by C.A.chick
OI card!!!!!!!! we're a-waiting!!!!! please? :(???????????????????? PPMASAP!

Hey, give him some time, okay?

[Cardinal]

Originally posted by Cardinal
An update will be posted tonight, almost certainly before 11 p.m. Central time.

It ain't 11 p.m. yet! Go away! :p :p :p

[C.A.chick]

fine!!!!!!!!!!!!! but you better be typing your little hands away! :p!!!! hehe sorry. PPMASAP!!!

[MOOman0618]

UPDATE NOW!! I AM TIRED OF WAITING!!!

[superman_lives_on]

Originally posted by MOOman0618
UPDATE NOW!! I AM TIRED OF WAITING!!!

Patience, young Padawan, patience.

[C.A.chick]

I'M WITH MOOman!!!!!!!!! I'M TIRED OF WAITING!!!!!!!!!!!:p

[SVsleuth]

I'm with superman-lives-on - Be patient. Cardinal has been working on this update for hours. I'm certain it will be worth the wait. He doesn't deserve to get all this grief. He posts on one of his threads nearly every day! So calm down & wait patiently. A great update will arrive before you know it. :)

[C.A.chick]

:( i'm sorry card and sv..........i'm very ashamed of myslef............. ppmasap

[SVsleuth]

(C.A.chick - your P.M. box is full. you need to empty it so I can answer your message.) :\

[C.A.chick]

(i JUST emptied it...... right before i read this) PPMASAP!

[Cardinal]

Okay, I'm done except for some fact-checking and editing, so it will be a little while longer...sorry! :\

[binkys711]

just read the update (sorry it took me so long) good for Clark to finally drop Elaine! It makes way for the clana!:D:D:D can't wait 'till ya update tonight! PPMS!!!:D

[Cardinal]

Originally posted by binkys711
just read the update (sorry it took me so long)

You can make it up to me by posting more on YOUR thread, Binks! :D

[IluvCLANA]

yay! (read my last somment on 'yay' in the clubhouse)

ill be waiting for the clana fluff!

[C.A.chick]

clana fluff! clana fluff! clana fluff! YAY! :D you rock card.