Life In Smallville {3}

Chapter 17: Legacy

Liana's working at the Talon when she sees Clark reading a book. Liana says, "That looks a little heavy for 'Psych 101.'" Clark says, "I'm just trying to get a handle on what my dad's going through. You know, the surgery and everything." Liana says, "When I was in the hospital the doctors told me that depression's pretty common after a major surgery." Liana pours coffee for Clark, and he says, "He's just not the same dad I know. He keeps talking about all these opportunities he missed in his life." Liana softly says, "Clark, it's gonna be okay. There isn't anything that you can't recover from." Clark says, "What if you screw up something so badly you can never get it back?" Liana softly smiles and says, "Well, I guess that depends on how determined you are." Later, Liana hears Clark leave a message for his mom on the phone. Clark says, "Hi, mom. You must be out looking for dad too. Um, I think I have an idea where he is. I'll see you soon." Clark turns around to see Liana and says, "Thanks for the phone." Liana says. "Clark, what's going on?" Clark says, "My dad kind of went AWOL. He was halfway through unloading the feed run and just jumped in his truck and took off. I'm sorry, Liana. It's just... He's never done anything like this before." Liana grabs Clark's hand and softly says, "Hey, you know what? It's gonna be okay." Clark says, "I didn't mean to unload on you like that." Liana softly says, "No, you... you never have to apologize for opening up to me." Clark then leans down to kiss Liana and she kisses him back. Liana then pulls away from Clark and Clark says, "Liana?" Liana softly says, "Look, I know this is a stressful time for you." Clark says, "No, that's not what this is about. Liana, I don't wanna look back like my dad and wonder what my life could've been." Clark goes to kiss Liana again and Liana pushes Clark away and Liana softly says, "Clark. We've tried this once before." Clark says, "You said there's nothing you can't recover from." Liana softly says, "No, I wasn't talking about us. Look, right now, think about your dad, okay? He's the one who needs you." Liana softly smiles at Clark and Clark gives a small smile and says, "Yeah." Clark then removes his hands form Liana's and walks away. Liana cleans the counter and softly cries. Later, Liana goes to see Lex. Lex says, "I realize paying the Talon's bills isn't the, uh, high point of your month, but I'm guessing something else is going on." Liana softly smiles and says, "No, no, God, everything's fine." As Liana goes to leave, Lex says, "Liana, you know you could talk to me about anything. Liana sighs and walks back over to Lex and says, "I wanna believe that someone can change, but... I'm starting to lose faith." Lex says, "Are we talking about Clark?" Liana wipes the tears coming down her face and says, "You know, he, uh, he came by the Talon earlier... and he kissed me." Lex says, "He kissed you?" Liana nods and softly says, "Yeah." Liana sobs and says, "God, I don't... I don't know." Lex gets up to sit next to Liana and says, "Look. I'm afraid I'm a little... jaded in the romance department. The only thing I know about relationships is that... someone usually winds up getting hurt." Liana wipes a tear away and softly says, "And you don't think I can trust Clark to not do that?" Lex says, "I don't think it's about trust. It's like the German poet Rilke said, 'A person isn't who they are during the last conversation you had with them. They're who they've been throughout your whole relationship.'"

The next day, Liana drives to the Kent Farm to see Clark. Liana gets out of her car and Clark walks to Liana and says, "Hi." Liana says, "Um... I know you got a lot going on right now. Just... I think we left things in kind of a weird place." Clark says, "I know the way I've been acting is kind of hard to understand... but, Liana, my feelings for you have never changed." Liana says, "I guess a part of me knows that. But, you know, it's like Lex says, 'A person isn't who they say they are in any one moment. They're who they've always been.'" Clark says, "Lex? What does he have to do with this?" Liana says, "I trust him. I trust his advice. He only wants what's best for us." Clark grabs Liana's shoulders and says, "Look, Liana, how many times have we been standing here avoiding what we both want?" Liana steps away from Clark and says, "Clark... that's because every time you've let me get close it hurts that much more when you leave. Look, you can't keep changing the rules." Clark says, "I'm sorry, Liana. I never meant to hurt you. But I promise, I'm not gonna leave this time." Liana says, "Maybe I am. You know what your dad said about looking back on his life and feeling as though he'd missed something? Clark, I have been so focused on you waiting to see if we could ever get back together that... maybe I'm missing out on some opportunities." Clark says, "Like seeing other people?" Liana says, "No. No, I mean everything. And until I figure that out, I can't keep doing this. It's not fair to either of us." Liana then walks away from Clark and drives away from the Kent Farm.