Notes: The usual suspects.... Smallville belongs to DC and the WB. If I owned the show (which unfortunately, I don't), Clark and Lana would be a couple...period. Helen would have taken that internship. Lex and Chloe would be dating over Gabe's objections and everyone would be trying to find Pete a girlfriend. <g> Oh yeah...and Lana would know Clark's secret too. 


Pairings: Clark/Lana, Jonathan/Martha (Chloe and Pete make solo appearances too. Oh yeah, and there's a surprise pairing at the end!)

Summary: Another "Lana finds out" scenario. In this one, even as she struggling with Ian #2, she sees something that makes her realize just how special Clark is. How will this affect everyone?

Archive: Permission given to SPP, Talon Affair, As the Talon Turns, Smallville Fanfiction, Sweethearts Clark and Lana, The Story Emporium, and clarklana. Anyone else just needs to send me an email and a link to your site! :)

Feedback: Absolutely! Remember, feedback is ambrosia. Feedback is ambrosia....

Spoilers: Up through Dichotic.... (Note: This is another eppie/post-eppie story. See Dichotic first. It'll make more sense that way.)


Chapter 1 [The Dam...end of Dichotic]

Everything was happening so fast....

For the previous two days, Clark had tried to warn her and Chloe about Ian Randall. He told both of them how the meteor mutant had played them off against each other. Only after he reminded her that a true friend "wouldn't ask the two people he cared about to lie for him" did she confront her new roommate. 

It only took a minute for them to realize that Clark was right.

But at that moment, Ian confronted them. 

They tried to run away....

Only to find another Ian there who helped his twin to drag them to his truck and to the dam.

****

"Chloe! No!" Lana screamed, seeing her friend's head hit the pavement. Struggling as hard as she could, she scrambled away from Ian.

However, she didn't get far before he caught her again. 

"Hey, I need some help over here!" he yelled.

"Be there in a sec," his twin replied, carrying the unconscious reporter in his arms. 

Meantime, the former cheerleader continued to struggle. Finally, she tired and felt him pull her toward the rail. However, she felt a sudden breeze. Looking up, she saw something approaching them very quickly. As it slowed down, Clark came into focus, looking determined to save his friends.

Ian's jaw dropped and he spat, "How the Hell? Kent here?"

She shook her head as well. Just like the day of the twisters. "Clark!" she screamed.

In the span of an instant, the farm boy looked between the two situations. Be there in a sec, Lana. Hang on, please! With that, he leapt the rail.

"Clark!" she called again as Ian dragged her toward the rail. "Ian, don't!"

He pushed her over the rail.

She pulled her with him into the abyss, just managing to grab the metal bars. Looking down, she winced. That's a long way down. This is it, Lana. No, don't think that way. Clark, come on! "Clark!" she called out one last time.

"Kent can't save us," Ian doubted. "Besides, he's too busy with my Other."

"Shut up!" she retorted, even as her fingers slipped from the rail. For a split second, she hung in space. Good bye, Clark, I never told you how I felt. I never would have told your secret. Now I never will..... 

Then her fall was arrested in the nick of time. A strong hand grasped her wrist, stopping her with a jerk.

Ian, losing his grip on her, fell the long way down, disappearing out of sight. 

Looking up, she saw Clark standing there holding onto her. His eyes shone warmly, yet betraying his concern for her welfare. 

"I've got you," he assured her, pulling her back over the rail.

Back on the secure concrete, her legs gave out.

"Are you all right?" he asked, frightened by her reaction.

She nodded. How did you do it, Clark? How do you move so fast? And you're everywhere.... Not now, Lana, the man just saved your life. "T...thanks, Clark."

He embraced her. "I'm here, you know."

She sighed. He has a point on that one. Chloe, ask about Chloe. "How's Chloe?"

"I set her down over there," he replied, pointing over to the other side of the dam. 

"Help me up," she requested. When he did so, she rushed over to her roommate's side. 

Just then, Chloe opened her eyes. "Uh, Lana?"

"Yeah? Are you okay?" 

Chloe sat up gingerly, rubbing her forehead. "Yeah. Uh, why aren't we dead?"

"Thank..." Lana started before realizing that Clark was gone. 

"Thank who?" 

"Thank our lucky stars," the brunette said, covering for their friend. That's not a lie at least. "We should call the police about Ian."

Chloe nodded, pulling out her cell and calling 911.

As the call was made, Lana paced, looking at the stretch of road where Clark had arrived and departed. Once again, he pulls the disappearing act. But this time, Clark, I know you were here. You saved us. 


Chapter 2 [Early the next morning...obviously after the conversation between Clark, Lana, and Chloe]

Lana sat up in bed unable to sleep. She had hoped to get some answers out of Clark or at least, one of the cryptic explanations he excelled at. He said he wanted to be friends and that's it. I should be happy. Chloe and I are on an even footing with him. But I feel disappointed. Why? Come on; admit it...you care about him. Talk to him. 

The clock by her bed said 5:00. They should be up by now. I hope they don't mind an early visitor. She dressed quickly in a t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans. After leaving a note for Chloe and her father, she slipped out of the house. Getting into her truck, she headed for the Kent farm, looking for some answers.

****

Fifteen minutes, she turned into the Kents' driveway and looked ahead anxiously. Their lights are on. Good. I won't be waking them up. She stopped the vehicle and got out slowly.

Jonathan Kent stuck his head out of the house's front door. "Who's there?"

"Mr. Kent, sorry...it's Lana. I know it's early, but I hoped to talk if that's all right," she informed him, the butterflies getting bigger in her stomach by the second.

He stared at her curiously. Granted, she went through quite an ordeal yesterday, but this is early. "It's 5:30. Is everything okay?"

"I hope so. I'm okay. Thanks to Clark," she replied, managing an anxious smile. "Can I come in?"

"Sure," he agreed, maneuvering around on his crutches as he tried to hold the door for her. "Clark's not up yet."

"That's okay," she said; glad that she could talk to his parents without him fumbling for excuses. She followed him into the house.

She saw him. She had to have seen him to be here this early. "Mrs. Kent was just cooking some breakfast if you want to join us," he invited.

"I would. Thank you," she accepted. Seeing the red headed woman already at the table, she greeted, "Good morning, Mrs. Kent."

"Lana? Are you all right?" Martha wondered. "It's really early for you to be out."

"I'm fine," Lana assured her. "I actually had a question for you both."

The grown ups looked at each other, trying to keep their poker faces on. 

"Yes, Lana?" Martha asked, pouring her a glass of orange juice.

The younger woman winced. They're either going to think I'm crazy or bar me from seeing him. "Does Clark do anything extraordinary around here?"

Jonathan shrugged. "He does his chores fairly well. But you didn't come here at this hour to ask about that, did you?"

Lana shook her head. "You're right. This has to do with yesterday. Chloe and I should be dead right now. Ian drove us out to the dam. He wanted us dead and would have done it too. He threw Chloe over the rail. He pushed me over the edge." Seeing their confusion, she added, "Ian could split himself in two. He did it there to get rid of us. Then Clark speeds into view and jumps the rail. Just before I lost my grip on the rail, he pulled me up. Finally, just before Chloe woke up, he disappeared back down the road again."

Martha turned her back and frowned. She found out. "Are you sure you're not in shock?"

"Mrs. Kent, with all due respect, I know what I saw. Just like the fire at the Talon. Unless Clark's suddenly turned pyro on us, I take it he set it and the one at the jail too. Then I know he saved me from the twister. I saw him fly toward me. He protected me from the storm," Lana insisted.

The parents shook their heads. 

"Mr. and Mrs. Kent, I'm sorry. I don't want to be a problem. Really. I know Clark has some special talents, but he's my friend. I owe him my life and I care about him," she continued. "You can trust me."

"Jonathan, can we talk for a minute?" Martha requested, motioning with her eyes outside.

"Right," he concurred.

"Umm...is it okay if I wash up before we eat?" she requested.

"Sure. Bathroom's at the top of the stairs. First door on the left," Jonathan told her. 

"Thanks," she replied, climbing the staircase. Finding the bathroom, she walked in and washed her hands and face with warm water. Okay. That's a little better. Still, I wonder what they're talking about.

As she walked back out into the hall, she heard her name. Clark? What the? Is he all right?

She crept closer, following his siren call and letting her curiosity get the better of her. I really shouldn't do this. Seeing that his door was wide open, she stood in the doorway and gaped at what she saw.

Right in front of her, Clark was still fast asleep. From his muttering, his dreams were revolving around her. Stranger still...he floated about six feet in the air. I've heard of sleepwalking, but sleep floating? This must be how he survived the fall from the dam and saved Chloe.

Still asleep, he admitted, "Lana, I love you. I wish I could tell you about this stuff."

She smiled. He does love me! While I wish he had trusted me, I can wait to talk with him at a decent time. Smiling, she allowed herself a soft sigh as she started back down the hall.

However, his super hearing picked up on it. "What?" he asked, waking up suddenly and looking around. As his dream evaporated like the morning dew, he fell out of the air like a lead balloon, missing the bed and landing on the floor instead. "Dang it! Who's there?"

She winced and stuck her head in the door. "Clark, it's me."

"Lana?" he muttered. Then his eyes bulged and he realized that she was standing there in the door, watching him. "Lana! What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to talk with you and your parents about yesterday. It's okay," she assured him. "I won't tell anyone."

He scrambled to his feet. "Tell anyone about what?"

"Your floating routine," she replied, trying not to laugh at him. 

"I don't know what you're talking about," he refuted.

"Clark, I saw it," she reiterated. "Don't worry, I won't tell a soul. Honestly."

He sat down on the floor in dejection. "What else did you...well...?"

She sat down beside him and continued, "You said that you love me and want to share the secret."

"Great," he sighed, feeling more depressed by the minute. "I just made a jerk out of myself. Now you probably think I'm a pervert or something."

She rubbed his shoulder affectionately. "That's not what I heard. I heard the man I love tell me that he felt the same way about me." 

"You feel that way too?" he asked, not believing his ears.

She kissed him. "Yeah I do. That's a lot better than a dream, right?"

He returned the favor. "It is. I'm glad you know, Lana. Now I won't have to lie anymore."

She felt her eyes tear up. "You have no idea how long I've waited for you to say that!"

He was about to kiss her again when he stopped cold.

"What?" she inquired. 

"Ahem! The bathroom's two doors back, Lana," Jonathan pointed out.

She froze. What do I say to them?

"Well?" the farmer pressed.

"I did wash my hands. Then I heard him calling to me." She managed a nervous smile. "Do you know that he sleep floats?"

Martha looked at her, Clark and then, her husband incredulously. "Jonathan, I'm going to finish with breakfast. I think the four of us need to talk."

"Uh, I'll see you downstairs, Clark," Lana told him.

"I'll be right down," he promised. After the women had gone, he looked sheepishly at his father. "What? A guy can dream in his own room, can't he?" Even that embarrassed, he managed a grin.

For once, even his father cracked a smile and chuckled at the way Lana made her discovery. "See you downstairs, Romeo."


Chapter 3 [Twenty-five minutes later]

Pete sped toward the Kents' house, wondering what was going on. Only minutes earlier, Mrs. Kent had called him, requesting that he come over for breakfast and to be ready to talk about things. Someone else knows about Clark. Man, I keep warning him to keep his powers under wraps. It's gotta be Chloe. Man, this stinks! How are we going to keep her from putting him all over the 'Wall of Weird'? 

Finally, he stopped in front of the house. Here goes! He hustled up to the door and knocked.

Martha greeted him, opening the door. "Thanks, Pete. Please come in."

He wondered, "Is everything okay? How's Clark?"

"Oh, he's fine," she assured him, managing a nervous smile. "Hope you're hungry."

"Thanks, Mrs. Kent," he agreed. Walking into the living room, he failed to see anything out of the ordinary. Where's the fire?

"Pete?"

He turned to see Lana staring at him with a surprised look on her face. "Lana, um...what are you doing here?"

"I might ask you the same thing," Lana replied, giving him the 'I'd like to know what's going on' glance.

"Mrs. Kent asked me to come over for breakfast," he indicated, covering his tracks. 

"Well, she's almost got it ready," Lana indicated, walking back over to the table.

Pete scratched his head and gave another look around.

"What is it, Pete?" Jonathan asked.

"Where's Chloe anyhow?" the newest guest wondered.

"She's probably home getting her coffee fix," Lana noted. "Why would she be here?"

He shrugged nervously. Man, I blundered into that one. "Umm, well...I...uh..."

"That's okay, Pete," Martha cut in, interceding on his behalf. "Chloe's not here."

"But you wanted to talk, right?" he asked.

Lana scratched her head. "Talk about what? I thought this was about Clark."

He glanced at her anxiously. It's HER? She found out?

At that moment, Clark came down the stairs and joined the others at the table. "Pete! Not that I mind, but what are you doing here?"

"Your Mom called me. So I came right over. What's going on?" the jock inquired.

The farm boy sat down next to his girlfriend and exhaled deeply. "I need a cup of coffee first."

"And what's he doing here? I thought this was top secret," Lana asked.

"Pete knows too," Jonathan explained, running his hand through his hair. "He has for a couple months now."

She laughed skeptically. "You mean you could trust Pete, but not me, Clark? You've been lying to me and you can tell him?"

"Lana," Clark said, squirming nervously. "I just wanted you to see me as an average guy."

"I found out by accident," Pete added. "His folks asked me to keep it a secret. Sorry, Lana, but it's for our boy's own good here."

"Well, you could be a little more careful, Clark," Lana urged. "Chloe might see you one of these days."

"Yes well, he should do that," Jonathan agreed. "Still, Clark, I'm glad you can help everyone as you do."

"So what are you going to do, Lana?" Pete asked.

"About what?" she responded.

"About Clark's secret."

"Which one? His abilities or his feelings for me?" She shrugged. "I'm happy to keep the first one secret. The second, however, I think we need to do something about." She gave Clark a warm smile.

Finally! "So you told her?" Pete asked Clark.

"Uh yeah, I did...in a manner of speaking," the farm boy replied, turning red from embarrassment.

Seeing everyone else's smirks, Pete winced. "Uh, Clark, what did you do?"

The former cheerleader chuckled. "I was using the bathroom upstairs when I heard him calling my name. I found his room and the door was open. There he was, sleep floating and dreaming about me."

Clark ran his hand through his hair, fighting his discomfort. "Lana," he hissed.

Pete grinned. "You mean...you barged in on his...?" He started to quake uncontrollably, a wide smile on his face.

"Pete!" Clark exclaimed. "It's not funny!"

"No, it's hysterical actually," his best friend laughed. "Man, Clark, you were busted every which way."

"Especially when he saw me. Not the most graceful of landings, Clark, I have to tell you," she teased. She explained, "He missed the bed and hit the floor. Looked like a duck when it's been shot. It took him a minute to realize that it was really me. There he was, lying on his stomach and staring up at me."

Pete shook his head. "I wish I could have been there to see it. That would have been worth taping."

"Anyhow, all kidding aside," the farmer cut in, changing the subject. "Lana, this is a really big secret. People will kill to get to Clark. That's the reason his Mom and I haven't let him tell anyone. Pete's promised to keep the secret. We would appreciate it if you could too."

Lana looked at everyone around the table. Then she squeezed Clark's hand before continuing, "Clark knows that I can keep any secret he wants to tell me. That includes this one."

"Thanks, Lana," Martha expressed. "We appreciate that."

"I appreciate that you all trust me with this. Clark, promise me though, no more secrets, okay? If you want to talk to me, feel free," Lana requested.

"Okay," Clark agreed.

With that exchange, everyone relaxed. 

"I'll get breakfast going. I don't want you kids being late for school," Martha said, heading back to where she had the eggs going.

"Eat up and get going, Son. I handle things for this morning," Jonathan told Clark.

Clark nodded. "Thanks, everyone." With that, he took a bite of his French toast.

"Our pleasure," Lana informed him, rubbing his shoulder and giving him an affectionate smile.

Pete grinned. Finally, he can be open with her. Better yet, I've got someone to help me deal with the Secret. It's about damn time.



Conclusion [The Torch-after school]

Chloe typed away on her computer keyboard, trying to finish the latest edition before her deadline. At least, this seems normal. She shook her head. When Wall of Weird material is normal, I should be concerned. She was most concerned about her roommate's sudden about face on Clark. I thought we all agreed to be friends and that was it. 'Just friends' must have a different meaning for them.

Just then, Pete walked in the door. "Hey, Chloe."

"Hey, Pete. Just give me a minute," she finished typing and hit the "Enter" key one last time. "There." She put on her biggest grin. "I think I'm due for a double latte. What do you think?"

"Sounds good to me," he concurred, watching her leave. "What's wrong?"

"Wrong? There's nothing wrong, Pete," she insisted.

"Yeah right. You're stressing over something, Sullivan," he told her.

"Well...if you must know. What's the deal with Clark and Lana?" she wondered. "Last night, we agreed to be just friends and he stormed out of the Talon. This morning, they walked by me, holding hands and just as cozy as can be."

He smiled. If she really knew, she'd freak. Recalling the story concerning Clark's floating escapade, he laughed to himself. Maybe it's because he finally came clean on the Secret.

"What so funny?" she wondered.

"Huh?"

"Come on, Ross. You're laughing at something. You know something," she asserted.

"Hey, when it comes to Clark, he's as big a mystery to me as he is to you. Come on, that latte, remember?" he suggested, tap dancing around her question.

You know something Pete. I can feel it. With that thought in mind, she threw her coat on and followed him out the door.

**** 

[Talon-About the same time]

Clark sat in the corner, drinking a cup of coffee and munching on a brownie. Despite the nerve-wracking start to the day, he had actually enjoyed his classes. Even history class, imagine that. I should have told her sooner. He grinned at that thought. Seeing Lex walk in, he waved to his friend.

"Hey, Clark. What's going on?" the billionaire asked. Judging from the way he's positively glowing, something's happened on the Lana front.

"Lana and I had a talk this morning," Clark informed him, taking a gulp from his drink.

That was news. "You finally told her, didn't you?"

He nodded.

Lex smirked. He finally did it. "I've got to hear this from her." He walked over to the counter where his partner was finishing with a customer.

"Hi, Lex," she greeted. "What's new?"

He cast a knowing look over his shoulder at the farm boy before continuing, "Why don't you tell me? Clark's glowing so bright over there, you can see him to Dodge City."

She shrugged. This is what Mr. Kent was talking about. "We talked this morning. He told me that he loved me."

"He really said it?" 

She asserted, "Yes, he did." She smiled warmly. "It's nice to know he cares."

Clark, I'm proud of you. "There's an understatement," Lex chuckled. "I hope you didn't let him down."

"Why would I?" she asked him, her eyes shining at the thought of her and Clark being together. She fixed three more drinks. "I've got a cappuccino for you and coffees for him and me."

The partners walked over to where Clark had started in on the Ledger. "Hey, guys."

"Not that you need it, Clark, but she brought you another coffee," Lex teased, taking a sip from his own cup.

"Stop it, Lex," she told him.

"Oh let him go, Lana. It's okay," Clark assured her as she sat down next to him.

They shared a kiss for a minute before surfacing for air.

Lex smiled. "I think both of you need some time to yourselves. Congratulations-both of you. Enjoy." Saluting with his cup, he walked across the café.

She sat close by him, allowing his strong left arm to comfort her. If this isn't Heaven, I don't know what is.

****

Across the room, Chloe sighed. Geez, could they have been any more obvious? She started to put her coat on. Somehow, she needed to get out of there before she started crying. Pete'll have to understand.

"Hey, Sullivan," a familiar voice called.

She sighed. Not today. I'm really not in the mood for this. "Hey, Lex. Look I'm really busy, okay?" With that, she rushed past him.

He shook his head furiously. "Oh no, you don't!" He bolted after her and caught up to her just as she was going to open her car door. 

"What do you think you're doing, Lex?" she yelled. 

"I'm not allowing a pretty lady to feel sorry for herself," he told her. "Buck up, Sullivan. The tears don't become you."

She laughed derisively. "My world's coming apart! My roommate and Clark-who, by the way, agreed that we were all going to be friends, just did a 180-degree U-turn! And Chloe gets left behind again! Please, Lex, just leave me alone."

He shook his head. "So Clark and Lana are together. There are other fish in the sea, you know."

"Such as?" she sniffled.

He smirked. "Me, for instance."

She scoffed. "Yeah right. You're interested in me? You don't talk to reporters, remember?"

He retorted, "You're not like other reporters, Sullivan. Besides, my love life hasn't been stellar either."

"Big words, Luthor," she responded, returning fire.

"Want me to prove it?" he asked.

"Yeah. If you do, I'll go to dinner with you," she promised. "Just show some affection right here and right now."

He shrugged, the Smirk clearly on his face. "What the lady wants...." He embraced and kissed her right in the middle of the street, allowing the sparks to fly. "The lady gets. Hang on for a minute. You can do that, right?"

She nodded, still stunned by his kiss.

He ran into the flower shop across the street. Five minutes later, he returned with a dozen red roses. "For you."

Her jaw dropped. "Lex...I....I...."

He laughed. "Somebody call the Ledger! Chloe Sullivan's speechless over something!"

She looked up at him. "You really care, don't you?"

He nodded, allowing his eyes to sparkle. "Yeah, I do. Come on, follow me to the mansion. You can follow me in that heap, right?"

She smiled at him. "I'll keep up with you, Luthor." Seeing Clark and Lana waving to them, she returned the gesture before getting in her car and following the Ferrari out of sight.

**** 

"That's great, isn't it?" Lana asked.

Clark replied, "I'm glad for Chloe and Lex. Hopefully, it'll work out for them both."

"And for us? What about us?" she inquired, gazing at him affectionately.

"I'm not going anywhere," he assured her.

"Then neither am I," she agreed. "I think you've got a few minutes before you've got to get home for your chores, right?"

"Right," he concurred, following her back into the Talon.

With the foursome out of sight, everyone on the street continued their normal pace. What started as a potentially disastrous start for Clark had turned into a wonderful day for not only him and Lana, but for his friends as well.

THE END

Return to the As the Talon Turns Fanfic archive