Confrontation [Facebook verse]

[have_no_mercy]

Tess has barely been back in Kansas when her attention gets pulled in a hundred directions at once. It isn't a while until she realizes she's forgotten one very important thing: Lena's lost barette, probably somewhere at the Kent Farm.

After a call to Clark to make certain the coast is clear, she drives over intent on making a quick search of the property and then heading back to the mansion. Naturally, it would be rude not to say hello so her first stop on arrival is the farmhouse itself, letting herself in the kitchen door.

Comments

[have_no_mercy]

"I'm tired and now I'm sore to go along with it." She hesitates for a moment and then pulls her hand away. "I have work to do."

[smallvillekent.livejournal.com]

"The work can wait," he says quietly. "Go take a nap."

[have_no_mercy]

Tess picks up her coat, dropped long ago now. "No, it can't. I shouldn't have taken so much time off."

[smallvillekent.livejournal.com]

"You have to take care of yourself, first." He picks up the cookbook from the floor and puts it back in its place. "And you look terrible."

[have_no_mercy]

"I don't really care how I look, Clark," she replies quietly, slowly pulling on her coat. "There's too much to be done."

[smallvillekent.livejournal.com]

"You look sick, Tess." He walks around the counter to stand next to her. "I'm worried about you."

[have_no_mercy]

She sighs, crossing her arms. "I was at the doctor just before I went to New York. I'm fine."

[smallvillekent.livejournal.com]

He turns his head sharply to look at her, concerned. "Did you hurt yourself?"

[have_no_mercy]

"No." It's a little more irritated than usual, but at this point it might be hard to tell. "Some of us do need to have check ups now and then, you know."

[smallvillekent.livejournal.com]

"You're right. I'm sorry." Sometimes he forgets about little details like that.

"Just... take care of yourself."

[have_no_mercy]

"I always do," she tells him and then heads for the door. Once outside, however, she sits on the porch steps, hard.

[smallvillekent.livejournal.com]

Clark stays in the kitchen, but he can see and hear that Tess hasn't left yet. He's not going to push her, so he just watches her from afar.

[have_no_mercy]

It's all hit her at once - the fight, the anger, the lack of sleep and not eating as well as she should have been. Tess sags against the handrail and just sits, resting her head on her knees.

[smallvillekent.livejournal.com]

When it doesn't seem like Tess will be going anywhere for a while, Clark makes a cup of tea and brings it out to the porch, sitting down next to her and holding it out to her.

[have_no_mercy]

She takes it, wordlessly, and then just cradles it in her hands. It might be a little too hot, but she doesn't seem to notice, or care.

[smallvillekent.livejournal.com]

"Hey," he says quietly, cautiously putting a hand on her back. "What's going on?"

[have_no_mercy]

"I just got-- felt dizzy for a minute," she shrugs half-heartedly. "I'll be fine in just a second."

[smallvillekent.livejournal.com]

"Can I get you something to eat?" He starts rubbing slow circles on her back, trying to get her to relax.

[have_no_mercy]

"Red meat," she mutters under her breath.

[smallvillekent.livejournal.com]

"Okay. Come on." He stands up and puts a hand out to help her up. "It's warmer inside, anyway."

[have_no_mercy]

Tess merely sighs again and does what he asks. Pretty much all the fight is out of her at the moment.

[smallvillekent.livejournal.com]

Clark gets Tess settled on the couch with a blanket and more tea, then goes out to find a cow to cook up.

[have_no_mercy]

It isn't until she realizes he's left that her eyes widen. "Clark!"

[smallvillekent.livejournal.com]

Clark comes running back in when she calls his name. "Tess? What's wrong?"

[have_no_mercy]

"You can buy me a burger in a bit, okay?" She offers, managing a small smile. "Just ...sit with me?"