Notes: Smallville belongs to DC and the WB. Amy Grant sang "Galileo" as part of her "Heart in Motion" album. Please send comments to dante0220@yahoo.com.

Summary: This is a sequel to "Tell Him" and "Love Doesn't Ask You Why". In it, Clark feels guilty about his birthday and arrival on Earth and Lana explains his true worth to her.


[Kent Farm]

The air vibrated with a festive mood around Smallville on that mid-June day. The sun shone brightly in the blue sky. A gentle breeze wafted through the air, cooling everything in its path. Although the temperatures had not yet heated up to their July and August levels, a touch of humidity hung around the town.

At the center of the celebration, Clark moped over the event. While most people looked to their birthday as a reason to party, he remained torn over whether to celebrate the events surrounding that day. On the one hand, he treasured the relationship he had with his parents and the life they had given him. However, he couldn't help but think of the death, which accompanied him through space on that fateful day-the day of the meteor shower and how many people perished in the devastation.

Yeah. Happy birthday to me. He sighed. Oh sure, he had played along with his friends and parents' plans. Lana surprised him at the Talon that morning with an extra special latte, a long stemmed rose, and a card. In addition, she had worked with Chloe, Pete, and Lex to orchestrate a truly special surprise party for him back here. And he was grateful that his friends showered attention on him. He just wasn't sure that he deserved it.

After waiting for the others to depart, he had wandered down there-the storm cellar. Down there, he stared at the Ship, taking in its intricacies and noting every nuance for the millionth time. It protected me during that trip through space. It should have protected others. In his mind, he thought about the victims, focusing on one couple in particular. I wonder how Lana can accept this? My arrival killed her parents.

At that moment, the door creaked open.

"Who's there?" he called, throwing a blanket over the Ship. I can't let anyone else find out.

"Clark?" Lana asked, descending into the storm cellar. "Are you down here?" She looked around with concern. Placing something down in the darkness behind her, she started to feel her way around.

"I'm here," he replied, the somberness clearly evident in his answer.

She stared at him, wondering what he was doing. "Clark, you've been really moody all day. What's going on?"

He let out a deep breath. "It's just another birthday, Lana, you know?"

She shook her head. "Okay, Clark, what is it? Is this some weird sad birthday ritual from your home planet or something?"

He shook his head. "I wish. Lana, promise me you won't laugh."

She rubbed his shoulder supportively. "You know I won't." Seeing him tremble at her touch, she added, "You can trust me, remember?"

He nodded. In the months since she discovered who he really was, Lana had carefully guarded the Secret against all comers. Given that her housemate was Smallville's Most Inquiring Mind, that task was a daunting one. "You've been such a great friend and more." He held her hand. "You have no idea how grateful I am for that in spite of...well...." With that, he broke down.

"Hey," she told him, pulling him toward her and embracing him. "It's okay. Whatever it is, it's okay." She rubbed his back and rocked him back and forth, trying to sooth his pain.

"I just keep causing so much pain to everyone," he whimpered. "The meteors killed everyone. Keeping my secret means getting people upset at me. It just keeps going on and on."

On the second point, I've got to agree. Still, his parents are the ones who make him so secretive and now that I know, I can't say that I blame them for that. "Clark, sometimes we have to make choices based on who and what we are. You can't help that."

"Why did I come here? You would have been happier with your parents," he presumed.

She frowned and a spark flashed through her eye. He would have had to bring them up now. For a moment, she recalled the scene in the loft when she found out that he had fell to Earth with the meteors. Remember, it's not his fault. She sighed. "Clark, can I ask you something? How does someone with your gifts sulk and feel sorry for himself?"

He turned. "What?"

"You heard me. Clark, you have no idea of the happiness you bring to people every day. You truly make a difference with everyone. You make a difference to me every time we're together," she informed him, gazing into his eyes. "Now I'm glad I came back with this." She held up a slender wrapped square package. "Happy Birthday, Clark."

"Wow. First, the latte, then the dinner and now this." He unwrapped it to find a copy of Amy Grant's "Heart in Motion" CD staring him in the face. "Thanks, Lana."

She nodded. "You're welcome. There are some songs on there that might make you think a bit." She walked back into the darkness and brought a CD boom box out. "In fact, there's one that really fits you and me. It's called 'Galileo'. Can I have the CD, please?"

"Sure. What you got in mind?" he asked.

"Just listen, Clark," she instructed, placing the CD in the player and starting it. "And keep an open mind." Selecting the right track, she smiled at him.

Ten seconds later, Amy Grant's voice sang to him:

In the year of fourteen ninety-two
When Columbus sailed the ocean blue
Had he landed upon India's shore
You might never have come to knock on my door.

Who needs a rhyme or a reason
Some dreams were made to find
So I know that I must follow.
Ask me just how much I love you
You are starlight, I'm Galileo
Even on the darkest night oh
I will find the shining light of our love.

In the rain clouds thundering nights
Mr. Franklin stood there holding his kite
He was crazy always pressing his luck
But he got what he wanted when lightning struck, yeah

Who needs a rhyme or a reason
Some dreams were made to find
So I know that I must follow.
Ask me just how much I love you
You are starlight, I'm Galileo
Even on the darkest night oh
I will find the shining light of our love.

Ask me just how much I love you
You are starlight, I'm Galileo
Even on the darkest night oh
I will find the shining light of our love.

I believe in you and the special love we could share
And maybe one day darling you'll turn around
And all I really know is I will be there

Who needs a rhyme or a reason
Some dreams were made to find
So I know that I must follow.
Ask me just how much I love you
You are starlight, I'm Galileo
Even on the darkest night oh
I will find the shining light of our love.

Ask me just how much I love you
I'm Galileo
Even on the darkest night oh
I will find the shining light of our love.
Ask me just how much I love you
I'm Galileo.

Lana walked over to the CD player and shut it off. "Did you get anything from that?"

He shrugged. "That my coming to Earth wasn't such a disaster, right?"

"That's a decent start," she conceded, sitting down next to him. She looked at him earnestly. "You want to know what I think?"

"Sure," he agreed.

"Well, it's kind of complicated. First, while a cosmic accident killed our parents, it also brought you here to Smallville and the Kents. It brought you to me. You are my star of hope and joy. No matter how dark and gloomy things get, I can always count on you to be there. Wherever you go, I'll be there for you. Maybe you aren't from Earth, but you're the most human man I've ever met. I love you," she explained, rubbing up against him. Suddenly, she started to sniffle.

"What is it?" he wondered.

"It just occurred to me that you could have gone in twenty billion other directions and never ended up here. Maybe my parents would have lived on that day, but who says that they wouldn't have died on the next one? There are no certainties. But the greatest heartache to me would have been never meeting you, never knowing you," she sobbed.

"I'm here now," he assured her, hugging her shoulders.

"Yes, you are," she nodded, wiping her tears away. "And I promise to be there for you, Clark. No matter what. Just like the song says, I'll follow you and when you turn around, I will be there. Just don't stop shining for me?"

He kissed her tenderly and vowed, "Never. You've done so much for me. I can't do any less."

"Trust me, it's mutual although you do owe me for keeping Chloe off of your case," she teased.

He rolled his eyes. "What can I do to pay back that debt?"

She giggled. "A kiss maybe?"

He smiled and kissed her again. "Thanks, Lana, for making me realize my place in this whole thing."

"Mmm, you're welcome. Now, no more moping or guilt. Got it?" she asked.

"Yes, Ma 'am," he agreed.

"You promise?" she continued.

"As long as you're here, there's no reason for that," he agreed.

She nodded and walked over to the Ship. Running her hand across it, she surmised, "I'm so grateful your parents protected you in this ship. It kept you unharmed."

"And it made sure I got to my greatest gift," he told her. "Your friendship and love."

"Who's the gift for whom, Mr. Kent?" she wondered humorously. "But seriously, you are a treasure to me, Clark. Never forget that. Now come on, I think you need something special from the Talon."

"Can we get in this late? I hear the owner's really tough about closing hours," he teased.

She playfully swatted the air beside his ear. "I think I can handle her." She held her hand out and asked, "Feeling better now?"

He clasped her hand and replied, "Much. Thank you."

"Don't mention it. Now, let's get those drinks," she told him, picking up the boom box and guiding him up the stairs towards a better future.

THE END

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