Doomed to Fail

House Arrest

"Hey Clark! Can you order some get well soon roses and send them over to Lefu? It should have happened by now," the editor asked Clark quietly. Clark looked up confused.

"What should have happened? What's going on?" Clark asked confused. The editor looked surprised and cursed silently to himself.

"I'm sorry. I thought she told you. Lefu left to get surgery in Gotham. Her throat was going out remember? She went to get it fixed. I promised not to tell anyone," the editor said grimly. Clark started to look grim.

"I didn't know. Is she ok? How serious is it?" Clark asked. The editor sighed.

"Why don't you come to my office and I'll answer your questions. I don't want to let anyone overhear," the editor said grimly. Clark stood up and followed the editor, closing the door behind them. The editor motioned for Clark to sit in the chair in front of his desk before collapsing into his own chair.

"Tell me what you know, sir," Clark asked grimly. The editor sighed.

"She told me this. She has to see a specialist in Gotham to replace some implants in her throat. It goes bad and she gets them replaced but it's slowly going out. Eventually, she won't be able to talk anymore. It's a shame really, she sings so beautifully," the editor mused. Clark rubbed his forehead in frustration.

"Is it life threatening?" Clark asked. The editor shrugged.

"That's something only she knows. I can't ask too many questions without it getting personal and invading her privacy. I gave her a few days off. She should be back later this week like nothing happened. You're free to send her flowers and visit later this week when she gets back," the editor told him grimly. Clark nodded and left. He plopped down into his seat dejectedly. Louis sauntered over and sat on his desk.

"Hey, Smallville. You look like someone just kicked your puppy," Louis joked. Clark looked up and frowned.

"It's nothing. What's up?" Clark asked and smiled to cover up his worry and frustration.

"Nothing really. Later this week is my good-bye party. You going to come?" Louis asked with a smile. Clark chuckled.

"Wouldn't dare miss it," he said jokingly, his mind wandering off.

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Lefu flew back to her apartment and changed on her patio. It was late at night so she wasn't expecting Clark to pop out of his apartment.

"Lefu? I thought you wouldn't be back till tomorrow at least," Clark asked in surprise. Lefu jumped guiltily.

"Ah, yea. I'm back!" She cheerfully exclaimed, waving a hello. Clark smiled and leaned onto the ledge of his balcony.

"I see that," he chuckled, "I also see that you're feeling better. The editor told me what happened." Clark adjusted his glasses onto the bridge of his nose. Lefu pouted and leaned on the edge of her balcony so that they were talking face to face if you ignored the drop to the ground in between them.

"Yea, I didn't want anyone to fuss over it. I did bring back a story too," Lefu said with a wink. Clark smirked.

"Fuss? You call someone sending you flowers and a card fussing?" Clark asked with a raised brow. Lefu chuckled.

"Maybe? I just didn't think anybody would care enough to go that far," she chuckled. Clark's brows furrowed.

"I care enough. It's just not due to arrive at your door until tomorrow though," Clark smiled. Lefu's eyes widened in surprise.