A/N: So I'm really upset that Chloe is essentially out of Smallville and rumors are that Tess is going to be taking over Watchtower duties! Crazy stupid is all that comes to mind. Since I'm so dejected about this, I decided to write a future/crossover fic for Chloe, post Smallville and post Superman Returns. Hope you enjoy!

Excessum and Aduentus

The Daily Planet

"You're bringing in a ringer!" Lois exploded, trying to keep her anger in check and failing miserably.

"She's not a ringer Lane. And I expect you to give her your most gracious welcome; it took a lot of convincing to get her here."

"Well un-convince her, she is not needed nor is she welcome!"

"Watch your tone Lane!"

Clark eyes volleyed back and forth between the bickering pair. They'd been going at it for about five minutes and he was waiting for an opportunity to inject some bumbling comment that would diffuse the escalating argument before Lois found herself fired.

Just as he was about to interrupt their 'whose glare can melt the other' contest, a soft knock interrupted all of them.

"Come in!" Perry shouted not breaking eye contact.

The door opened and a high-heeled clad foot appeared first, followed by a toned milk white calf. The mystery girl came in through the door backwards as she finished her conversation with whoever was in the hall. Blonde hair flowed in loose waves down her back as familiar laughter rang out of her mouth. Finally she turned around and green eyes with a hint of mischief immediately sought out the boss's.

"Hope I'm not interrupting?" She pushed up the sleeves of her boyfriend blazer before extending an arm to Perry.

"It's good to see you Perry." Perry took her hand and pulled her in for a tight hug and gave a gruff, "Like-wise old friend," in response. Turning her by the shoulders Perry faced her to his two top reporters.

"Now tell me, do you really have a problem with this?" Perry bit out grumpily.

Clark nervously cleared his throat for the fifth time as the silence expanded unbearably.

The newcomer typed away comfortably, her eyes straying disappointedly towards Lois from time to time. For her part, Lois kept her eyes burning intently at her computer screen though he doubted she was actually reading anything. Perry had left them fifteen minutes ago; shoving them into a new office he called their "team room" and ordered them to "work it out." She had attempted twice to engage Lois in conversation and was stonewalled each time.

Grabbing a mug off her desk she waved it and asked if either of them wanted some. Clark swallowed noisily, wanting to say yes but fearing the fallout form Lois, while Lois continued her impersonation of the Great Wall of China.

"Nice to see some things don't change." She grumbled softly to herself before heading towards the door.

"Two Years!" Lois exploded from her seat with that statement, biting the words out like they were curse words.

"Two years, three months, 21 days and about two hours since I last heard from you. I got one lousy phone call after you decided to go off and find yourself and then nada, nothing, zip. A great big roar of silence with me not knowing what you were doing, how you were doing, if you were dead or alive. What exactly do you expect me to say, how should I feel about you breezing back here like nothing had changed?"

"I don't know Lois, how about a hi, how are you, that's a common place to start amongst those oh so polite circles you've been running with." She crossed her arms defensively.

"Excuse me, where do you get off judging who I'm friends with, you haven't even been in my life? That is so typical of you to check up on me while leaving me completely in the dark about you." Lois stalked forward, getting in her face.

"Oh sorry I didn't stick around for your disastrous affair with the psychopath that came back from the dead, really sorry I missed you hooking up with the evil megalomaniac that shares a large part of the pie of the number of attempts on my life. What a winner!"

"Well I was in a really weird place and I thought he had changed and I would have talked to you about it, but wait, no, you had to go off to your super secret life!"

"There were things I needed to do and it wasn't exactly my secret to tell, and I know you Lois, had I told you anything, you would have kept digging until you knew everything and then where would we be?"

"We'd be a whole lot closer than we are now." Lois whispered out, for the first time really allowing her hurt to creep in. The blonde turned away, knowing she was wrong, but not seeing a way to explain her behavior without giving away too much.

"We can't share everything Lo, it doesn't work that way anymore." She grabbed her jacket off the hook and went out the door, unable to tell her what she wanted to know, unable to fix the rift that she caused.

Lois threw herself back in seat, frustrated and angry and more than a little relieved to see her baby cousin healthy and whole. Her eyes settled on Clark who was looking furtively at the door, probably trying to figure out whether or not he should go after her.

"I have to say Clark, you are being even more mild mannered than normal."

"Oh, well I didn't want to interrupt. Umm…you guys seemed like you had a lot to talk about." Clark smiled nervously.

"Go after her Clark, make sure she's okay."

"Well are you umm okay?"

"Please Clark, just go after her." She caught his gaze with hers for the first time in a long time, really looking into his eyes. He saw an honesty there, a vulnerable honesty that he didn't think she was capable of anymore. Nodding his head in agreement, he raced out the door.

He saw a flash of blond hair and quickly closed the distance.

"Chloe!" She turned her head looking over her shoulder and flashed a brief smile, slowing her pace to allow him to catch up.

"Hey stranger." She responded as Clark followed her out the door.