Notes: The characters from Smallville are from DC and the WB. Miranda is my character. "I'll Be There Where the Heart is" was performed by Kim Carnes and is on the Flashdance Soundtrack.

This one's dedicated to Meredith for the wonderful series she's shared with us.  That and the Fourth of July--not to mention wanting to see Clark return to Smallville.

Please send comments to dante0220@yahoo.com .


Chapter 1 [July 3, 2003–The Talon]

Lana closed the Talon's doors for the evening. Despite booming profits, she still worried about things. Her partner, Lex Luthor, had not been found yet. The Kents remained in shock over Martha's miscarriage. Worse, they were all in disbelief that Clark left right after that. It's been two months. You'd think I'd be over it by now.

In those two months, her mind had tried to think of reasons why he left Smallville–why he had left her. And as always, when those thoughts crept into her head, the tears inevitably followed. She sat down in the corner and sighed. Usually, she could keep it inside. However, this evening was the exception. Clark, where are you?

"Hey," Miranda, her best waitress, said, sitting down next to her. "Are you going to be okay?"

Lana took a deep breath and straightened herself. "Yeah, you know me. Tough as nails."

Miri analyzed her friend and shook her head. She puts up a good front, but we all know different.  Between talking to Chloe and her own observations, she knew that Clark's disappearance was tearing Lana apart. "He'll be back, you know."

She sniffled. "When? Miri, it's been two freaking months! Where is he?"

"Probably dealing with his pain. He doesn't want to burden you with it, I'm sure. He'll be back," Miri soothed, rubbing her boss' back.

"Look at me. I'm bawling like a big baby. Sorry, Miri," Lana apologized, the tears of despair coursing down her cheeks.

"It's okay. Look, why don't you go home? I'll finish here," Miri offered.

Lana nodded. "Okay. Maybe it's good that we're closed tomorrow."

Hearing her mention that, Miri offered, "Hey, why don't you go to the fireworks?"

"By myself? Thanks but I'll pass," Lana told her friend glumly, getting up and walking out of the Talon, leaving Miri to her own thoughts.


Chapter 2 [Smallville Cemetery–the next night]

Lana walked up to her parents' grave and dusted off the stone. While everyone was at the fireworks, she knew that she would be able to talk in private. I've really been neglecting them. Figures, I can't even keep this up. "Hi, Mom and Dad, it's me. Sorry, I haven't been here more often. I'm falling apart here and I..." She fell to her knees and began to sob. "I don't know what to do!" She felt the fire burning at her insides. Even as she did, the lyrics of a song began to play through her mind.

It's the song that just keeps playing on the radio
And you know I haven't seen you for a while
I lie awake at night and wonder how you are
And I wish that I could see you again


Lana sighed. Great. Now I'm putting this to music too. Maybe I ought to have somebody write a story about this while I'm at it. Hearing those words made her remember the nights she had cried herself to sleep, clutching his picture to her chest. She recalled the growing rift between her and Chloe on this subject as the latter told her to move on. She can go to Hell as far as that's concerned. Shaking her head morosely, she placed a flower on the stone and asked, "Why is it that you all leave me?"

To that question, she heard no answer–not that she expected one. I've been neglecting everyone anyhow.  Still, she did feel a warmth there. At least, they didn't leave voluntarily. Her mind flashed back to the meteor shower. Once again, she saw the giant meteor, striking the truck and killing both of her parents. That brought still more tears. "I'm sorry," she apologized to her parents, getting up. "I...I need some air."  With that, she left the cemetery, got in her truck, and drove off into the night, seeking a safe haven.

****

[Kent Farm]

Lana pulled to a stop in the Kents' driveway. Home again. She shook her head while climbing out of her truck and looking around the place. Fortunately, Mr. and Mrs. Kent weren't home although that in itself was peculiar given the hour. They're having a tough time too, I guess. With that, she walked into the barn and climbed the stairs. Since he had been gone, she had come back again and again, hoping that this was a bad dream. Hoping that her prince would be waiting for her at the top of the stairs.

But, as always, the loft looked forlorn, dark and deserted. As with her, he had abandoned this refuge. I wish I knew why.

As she thought that, the song picked up again in her head.

Is it fate, or is it luck that brings us back
Or is it just a common point of view
Time has put a spell on you, you never seem to change
I wish that I could see you again

I'll be there where the heart is
When the dreams that we've been after all come true
You will find me here where the heart is
I'll wait for you, I'll wait for you


She flopped herself onto the old couch, feeling the dust bunnies rise into the air, and allowed her mind to wander backward in time through Memory's lore. She could see all of the good times, especially how he saw her for whom she really was, not just the pretty face. She recalled how he had stood by her in difficult times when few others had done so. However, she also recalled how he would never commit fully to her for some reason–how every time they drew closer, they drifted further apart.

And again, the song came to mind....

It's the light that just keeps shining day after day
And other loves have come and gone
And I'll be here with open arms to take you in
I wish that I could see you again

All I have are love and memories. But are those enough? Come on, Lana, the guy owes you an
explanation, but Miri's right. He's got to come back. He loves you. He said so himself. Then she
recalled how he rode out of town. But he did ask you to go with him. No, Lana, he'll be back.

I'll be there where the heart is
When the dreams that we've been after all come true
You will find me here where the heart is
I'll wait for you, I'll wait for you

She took his picture out and gazed at it curiously. If you love us, Clark, why do you have to hurt us like this? Why do you want to rip my heart out? Standing up, she walked about the length of the loft, inspecting every nook and cranny. Every corner, every knot hole it seemed held a memory of him and what their friendship meant. That bond beckoned to her even now, comforting her, and trying to assuage her unhappy soul.

And in between, and when I need to see you again
All I have to do is close my eyes
Are the pictures comin' in my friend
I'll hold you again, but until then

As the song trailed off, she finally picked up on the fireworks display going on in town. He always did love that stuff. She managed a weak smile as she recalled how they had sat up here the last two years and watched the display from this very spot. As the grand finale, a giant blue explosion mushroomed into a florescent flower lighting up the night sky, she had a thought. Well, it worked when I was little. Almost always. She gazed at the fading colors and wished, "Please bring him back to me."

With that, she made her way back over to the couch and drifted off into an uneasy sleep, glad that another day was over.

Conclusion [Next Morning]

Lana opened her eyes and slowly roused herself. The sunshine poured into the loft, shaking her from her slumber. I can't believe I actually did sleep. As she did, she heard a creaking noise coming up the stairs.  Great. It's my imagination again. She rolled over and buried her face in the cushions. "Clark," she muttered drowsily.

"Yes?" a familiar voice inquired.

Her eyes snapped open. "What?" She turned over to find Clark sitting on a chair across the room, watching her intently.

He stood silently. Obviously, he was burdened by concerns. His clothes were worn by too many days' travel. His hair had grown stringy and thick. His own nerves had left bags under his bloodshot eyes. His head was bowed.

Conflicting feelings of anger and joy swept over her simultaneously. He was back. He was actually back!

Her heart told her, We knew all along, didn't we?

Her head retorted, There are some things we need to get straight before we go running into his arms again.

The heart argued, Agreed. But there's time enough later for that. Right now, welcome him home.

He wavered and collapsed to the floor.

"Clark!" she exclaimed, forgetting about everything else and rushing to his side. She rolled him over and saw that he had fallen asleep. "Figures. We can never catch a break. Sleep well. I'll be here waiting for you." With that, she sat down next to him, waiting for him to wake up.

****

[An hour later]

Clark's eyes finally opened after an hour of fitful sleep. He was having another of the visions that had haunted him since his encounter with the Ship outside. In the course of the nightmare, he had screamed, hollered and cursed his natural father for making him turn against his family, friends, and most of all, the woman he loved more than life itself.

Unknown to him, she sat right there, listening to him confess his Secret as well as his reason for leaving in the first place. She stroked his hair and wiped his brow with a damp cloth. Admittedly, she was a little skeptical about his ravings at first. That is...until she saw him reach out and grab a metal pipe before crushing it in his fist. In addition, he floated for a few minutes. These sights made her eyes grow wide and her indignation blossom within her. He's an alien. That's why he asked me about that after Cyrus was taken away.

But then, her heart argued, It doesn't matter. Clark is still Clark. We love him no matter what he is.

At that moment, Clark winced and called out in his sleep, "Lana! I won't hurt you! Please! I'm sorry!"

Instinctively, she embraced him, granting him sanctuary in her arms. "Shh, Clark. You're home. I'll protect you."

His eyes opened and saw the teary eyes and smile looking back at them. "Lana?" he realized.

She nodded. "I waited for you. I'm here for you. But don't you ever do that to me again!"

His eyes watered just before he broke down, sobbing into her chest. "You have no idea how much I wanted to stay. I just needed to be sure that you'd be okay is all."

"The Voice, right?" she asked.

He looked up at her in confusion. "What?"

She shrugged. "You talk in your sleep, Clark. Oh and you don't need to worry about the Secret anymore."

Shock crept onto his face. "You know?"

She nodded. "Well, I suspected before. But let's say you did some things while you were sleeping." She showed him the crushed pipe. "You want to tell me the whole story now?"

He agreed, "Yeah, I think it's time. But first, I promise never to leave you behind again."

"Let's see how long that lasts," she cracked.

He gave her a stern look. "I'm serious! Lana, I didn't want to leave before."

"Make me two more promises," she directed. Seeing him nod in ascent, she continued, "First, I want your complete trust. I would never betray you. I'd rather die first. And secondly, if you're in trouble, please come to me. Hey, I may not be you, but I can hold my own." She took his face in her hands and asserted, "We are a team, Clark, you and me. Don't feel that I'm a helpless princess, all right? I want to be there for you and I want you to be there for me. Now you promise?"

"Absolutely," he concurred, feeling relieved. "Thanks, Lana, for not treating me like a freak."

"Well, this is going to take some getting used to," she admitted, allowing a smile onto her face. "But gifts or not, you're still you. Now, come on." She stood and pulled him to his feet. "Let's get you cleaned up." Keeping his hand, she led him down the stairs and outside of the barn to find his parents waiting.

"Clark, we need to talk about some things," Martha declared, giving Lana a supportive glance.

Lana sighed. "I can come back later if that'll be better."

Jonathan shook his head. "No, Lana, we'd like you to be here. It's time we all got the whole story. You've proven yourself.

She grinned happily. "You mean, you're not mad that I know about him?"

Martha shook her head and smiled. "No, Lana, we know you'll keep his secret. Don't we, Jonathan?"

The farmer nodded. "That's right. And I want to apologize to you, Lana, for not letting Clark trust you earlier."

She took a deep breath. "That's okay. I'm glad I know now and that you trust me. Umm, I need to ask though, does anyone else know?"

"Pete does," Clark admitted. "But that was something I didn't have any control over. He'll be by later so that the three of us can talk about it."

She replied, "Sounds reasonable. Well, shall we have that talk, then?"

Together, the quartet walked into the house for their full disclosure conversation. As she walked hand in hand with her boyfriend, she heard the chorus of the song again in her mind.

I'll be there where the heart is
When the dreams that we've been after all come true
You will find me here where the heart is
I'll wait for you, I'll wait for you

And after that, there was a lot less tension between Clark and Lana as he could now trust her with everything.


And that does mean everything.


THE END

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