Well, I knew I said I was done with this story and all, but just recently, this little piece popped up in my mind and begged to be written! It's really short, and I'm calling it a "missing scene" since that's kinda what it is.

It's supposed to be between "Worship" and "Reconciliation," which are chapters 18 & 19. It's after Clark messes things up with Caitlin at the dance, and before he goes to reconcile the situation.

Anyway, here it is.

Painkiller

The high-pitched whine of the probably most sorrowful man in the world filled the room with the simple words of one of his greatest songs. They were already etched on her mind from years of hearing them ring out through the house—her room particularly—and her lips moved along with the words.

Caitlin tried her best to sing on-key, but being halfway tone-deaf, she wasn't entirely sure she got there.

That was okay, Hank Williams didn't mind.

I've tried so hard my dear to show,

That you're my every dream,

Yet you're afraid each thing I do,

Is just some evil scheme

A memory from your lonesome past

Keeps us so far apart…

Why can't I free your doubtful mind,

And melt your cold, cold heart?

Her eyes were closed as she lay sprawled across her bed, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

Why did Clark have to go and do this to her? All that came of it was strife, grief and heartache—all three being something Caitlin could have definitely gone without. Come to think of it, most of the escapades with Clark were pains she could've gone without.

But wasn't that one the toils of friendship?

No, that was one of the toils of life.

The song "Cold, Cold Heart" ended, and the CD cycled on to another one Caitlin knew equally well. The words found their way up to her lips too.

When tears come down like fallin' rain,

You'll toss around and call my name.

You'll walk the floor, the way I do

Your cheatin' heart will tell on you.

Groaning, she clutched the CD case in her hand tight to her body. She could always feel Hank's pain when she listened, and now she felt like he was just feeling hers. The pain was the same, taking two hearts even if they were fifty years apart.

What in the world had possessed Clark to do this? Caitlin wondered.

She'd thought she had everything smooth between her and Clark. That those romantic fantasies of his had gone right out of his mind where they belonged. Right out in the cold winter snow.

Apparently, that wasn't so.

Why couldn't he just deal with the fact that she didn't do romance, and wasn't going to look at him romantically?

Because of his lifelong struggle with Lana, she answered her own question. It made him hate the "let's just be friends" thing, completely. He sort of had to give up on her because she'll go and be with anyone but him, and he sees me, thinks I'm perfect and decides since I'm not "taken" there has to be a reason, and it must be him.

What a mess. What a complete and total mess.

Again, the track ended and moved on, as did the words she was singing.

Take these chains from my heart and set me free,

You've grown cold and no longer care for me,

All my faith in you is gone while the heartaches linger on,

Take these chains from my heart and set me free.

That's how Clark must feel, Caitlin thought, opening her eyes to stare at the ceiling. Like I was holding him away at arm's length and keeping him chained. That I didn't and don't care.

Great. Hank was rebelling and going into enemy camp with this song.

Just great.

Rubbing her forehead, Caitlin sighed deeply. Why shouldn't he? She had long ago termed Hank Williams' music "The Ultimate Painkiller," and considered it the cure for a million different kinds of hurt.

Why couldn't it be the cure to a kind of pain Clark must be feeling too?

"Ultimate Painkiller indeed," she muttered, fingering the hard CD case. "That was you, Hank. If you can cure all of our hurt, why couldn't you fix your own?"

As was expected, the picture gave no reply.

"Well, fine, don't answer me then," Caitlin huffed at it sarcastically. "You'll remain one of the greatest mysteries of all time. Just stay that way." With another deep sigh, she continued talking to the little plastic case. "Well, you've got your work cut out for you this time. Let me make an introduction."

She glanced over at a framed class photo sitting on her bedside table and held out a hand towards it. "Well, this is how it goes, meeting your opponent. Hank Williams, the Ultimate Painkiller, meet high school, the Ultimate Pain Inducer."

Review now, folks. Review. ;)

Songs of which lyrics are used are as follows:

1st song: Cold, Cold Heart

2nd song: Your Cheatin' Heart

3rd song: Take These Chains From My Heart

All by the great Hank Williams. OMG, I just realized all the song titles end in heart! lol!