Once recovered, the first person Alicia asked to see at the hospital was not her parents but Clark. While he had expected this, it still worried him. While he did like Alicia, and maybe even loved her, he knew that he shouldn't be the center of her universe. Bad things had happened the last time Alicia had viewed him as worthy of that level of dedication.
Still, Clark figured he'd give her the benefit of the doubt. He opened the door and stepped inside of Alicia's hospital room. It pained him to see her looking so vulnerable, and reminded him of how fragile the humans he loved really were.
"You didn't have to do that, you know," Clark said quietly as he closed the door.
Alicia smiled up at him. "Clark, even you aren't bulletproof." When he didn't respond, her eyes widened. "Unless...Clark, are you?"
"There's only one thing that can hurt me on this planet," Clark said quietly, unsure if he was doing the right thing by confiding in her.
"I feel like such a fool," Alicia said. "I took a bullet for someone who is invulnerable. Well, I guess this way your secret is still safe, so it worked out okay." She smiled. "Plus I guess I finally know what it takes to gain Clark Kent's trust."
Clark's eyes narrowed. "To be fair, Alicia, the last time you learned something about me, you almost killed me. I think my caution is warranted."
Alicia turned away. "I guess I deserved that," she muttered. "But Clark I risked..."
"That was never in doubt," Clark pointed out. "Your problem has always been that you were too dedicated to me. I know it's going to be hard, but people will forgive you. Now, I think your parents want to see you." He walked toward the door.
"Clark," she said. He paused. "Will you stop by again later?" He turned and nodded, and she had to turn her head to the side to hide a smile.
LATER
It seemed to take forever for Alicia's wound to heal- at least, in the mind of Clark Kent. She was released from Smallville General Hospital a few days later, though. Predictably, the first thing she wanted to do was spend time with her favorite super-powered boy, Clark Kent.
Clark was studying in his barn when he heard his phone ringing. He took it out and looked at the number, smiling as he flipped the phone open. "See, isn't this just as easy as teleporting to my place?" he teased her. "It's not nearly as fun as catching you by surprise," Alicia argued playfully. "Where are you?"
"In my barn," Clark replied. "Where are you?"
"Just outside," came a nearby voice. Clark closed the phone and looked over the balcony of the loft as the blonde girl skipped into the barn. With a flash of green light, she was suddenly next to Clark.
"You took the bracelet off," Clark noted, his tone indicating disapproval.
Alicia gave him an exasperated look. "Clark, I'm not the same person I was back then. Why do I need to wear it? I hate feeling..."
"Normal?" Clark interrupted.
"I was going to say 'caged' but, yes," Alicia said, her normally playful tone turning acidic. She turned on him with desperate eyes. "Clark, please? Just give me a chance to show that I won't abuse my powers, okay? Don't I at least deserve that chance?"
Some would say no, but Clark Kent, as he had often been told, couldn't help but try to see the good in everyone. "I guess so." He smiled suddenly. "Well, as long as we're both using our powers, there's something else I want to show you. Get on my back."
Alicia gave him a puzzled smile but complied.
In a red and blue blur, Clark took off and deposited them in a scenic field where he had once spent time with Lana. Since it was fall, the multicolored leaves made the place even more beautiful.
Alicia affected a yawn to hide her surprise. "I can travel faster," she pointed out.