Chapter 1

'Is everything alright?'

His mother's question snapped him out of his thoughts. With gloomy eyes he looked up from his lunch to meet her concerned gaze.

'I'm fine, mom.' He managed to mutter going back to pushing his pees from one side of the plate to the other.

She knew her son all too well to see that that statement couldn't be farther from the truth, but she didn't push. Normally she would ask him until he'd cave in and share whatever was weighing on his heart. But she recognized this particular mood. It wasn't the occasional brooding disposition she had grown accustomed to. This was different and she knew instinctively that it was best not to pry. All she could do was to assure him that when he was ready she'd be there.

With a heavy heart she ran her hand through his hair settling it on the back of his neck.

He'd been this way for the last three days. Ever since he'd come back from his stay at the resort.

She'd asked Lois if something out of the ordinary had happened. The young woman had apologetically informed her that she had no recollection whatsoever of those two days.

Setting his fork next to his plate he stood up.

'I better go.'

'What time do you have to be in Metropolis?'

'Doctor said she'd be released around three.'

Martha nodded and watched as her son crossed the living room with slumped shoulders to retrieve the keys to his truck.

'Are you going to be home for dinner?'

'Yeah.'

The answer was barely audible as he exited the house.

'Hey.' He greeted with a half smile.

'Did you bring it?' Chloe quickly skipped off the bed coming to stand in front of him expectantly.

Without a word he retrieved the carton from the bag he carried. Before he could offer it to her she had already snatched it from him.

She scrambled to take the lid off at the same time as her outstretched hand demanded:

'Spoon.'

She was scooping the ice cream into her greedy mouth within a second.

'You've certainly recovered your appetite.' He noted cocking up a suspicious eyebrow in her direction.

'Actually, I'm starving! The food here is horrible and I just had this strange craving for Ben & Jerry. Vermonster… Hmm!' She hummed loudly flinging her bag over her shoulder. 'Let's get out of here.'

'Did you take care of everything?' He asked while they passed the nurses station.

'Yep.' She popped the 'p'.

He eyed her sideways as more strange sound came out of her.

'My body is definitely compensating for two weeks of aboulia.'

Noting the frown that creased his brow she explained as they exited the hospital:

'Just one of the new fun medical slang I picked up during my research for the story.' Sighing, she added: 'Boy, am I going to miss those wasted hours!'

'They still don't want to go with it?' Clark questioned holding the door to his car open for her.

She entered and waited for him to take his place at the driver's sheet before answering.

'This is not the Inquisitor, Miss Sullivan.' She said with a mocking tone.

'I'm really sorry about that, Chloe.'

She shrugged trying to look unaffected, entertaining herself by shovelling large scoops of ice cream into her. The truth was that she had put a lot of time and effort into this story, even risked her life just for the chance to have an article printed.

'I told Lois that she should go for it.'

His heart skipped a beat at the mention of her name. He'd seen her last three days ago, after they'd come directly from the resort to see Chloe. Without the doctor's knowledge they'd sneaked into the room and given her the serum. It had taken about two minutes before she was blinking and frowning up at her two best friends.

'But she decided not to.'

'Did she say why?' He tried to sound nonchalant.

'Nope.' She continued between mouthfuls of ice cream. 'I really didn't expect that from her. Knowing Lois I'd image she'd sink her teeth into this one.'

They drove silently for about five minutes until she broke the stillness with a painful groan. Clark took his eyes off the road just long enough to see her sprawled back on her seat, the empty pint dismissively dropped in her lap as she clutched her stomach.

'I feel sick.' She grumbled with a disgusted expression on her face.

'You ate too quickly.' He pointed out the obvious. 'Don't worry, we're almost there.'

Within five minutes they pulled up to the parking lot of her college dorm.

'Are you sure you don't want me to take you to Smallville?' He inquired opening the door for her and taking her bag.

He watched as she dragged her ailing body, doubled over with a protective hand over her grumbling belly.

'I'm sure your dad would want to see you.'

'He came to the hospital yester… Ah! Promise me you won't ever let me eat that much ice cream in my life! Ever!' She ordered scrunching up her nose.

Clark simply rolled his eyes at her.

'Promise!' She insisted.

'Promise.' He relented.

With a pout, she stopped at the base of the stairway that led up to her apartment.

'I'm never gonna make it.'

She looked up at him with pleading eyes.

With a half-smile he easily scooped her into his arms and carried her up the stairs, only dropping her when they reached her bed.

'Thanks.' She whimpered. 'Anyway, Lois said she'd stop by tonight.'

His stomach did the familiar flop at the name.

'Oh.'

There was an awkward silence between them and Chloe frowned up at him.

'Is everything ok?'

'Yes, peachy.'

Now she was worried.

'Since when does Clark Kent say peachy?'

He shrugged putting his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

'I'm gonna go.'

'Already?'

'I promised my mom that I'd be home by dinner time.'

'Well, can't you just… you know…' She eyed him as she swept her hand through the air. '… whoosh your way there.'

'I brought the truck, remember?'

'So?'

'I'm not going to run back to Smallville carrying my truck on my back.'

Chloe giggled at the image but soon regretted the move, curling up on the bed as her stomach protested.

'Are you going to me ok?'

'Yeah… I'll be fine.'

Her phone rang at that moment. Exhaling deeply she sat up and fished the small device from her purse. Looking at the name flashing on the small screen she smiled:

'Jimmy.'

She flipped the lid open.

'Hey there, stranger!'

Feeling out of place Clark gestured that he was leaving.

'Bye.' She mouthed with a huge grin on her face, her stomach ache completely forgotten.

With a weak smile on his lips he left the room and jogged down the stairs.

More out of habit than actual need he pulled his jacket closer to his body when the late afternoon wind blew past him as he made his way to his truck.

Taking his seat behind the wheel he looked up at the light coming from Chloe's room. She'd be there later, to check up on her cousin.

It took all of his strength to will himself to turn the key in the ignition.

Chapter 2

'Mom?' Clark called out, placing the keys on the counter and stepping into the empty kitchen.

He walked over to the refrigerator, opened the door and he stared at its contents. Nothing seemed remotely alluring but he had to eat something eventually.

'You're back.'

He popped his head over the top of the door to acknowledge his mother's presence.

'Hey, mom.' He muttered going back to his search.

'Well, at least his appetite is back.' She thought a bit relieved.

The feeling quickly faded when he closed the refrigerator with empty hands.

'I made pot-roast!' She tried to keep the anxiety out of her voice.

'I'm not too hungry. I think I'll just go to the barn.' He announced coming around his mother.

'Honey?'

'Yeah?'

She looked up to find the sorrow in his eyes.

'You know you can talk to me…'

'I know, mom. Everything's fine. I'm just tired.'

With a feeble attempt at a smile he leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

Martha watched him droopily make his way out of the house. Sighing she reached for the cell phone and dialled the number.

'Hello?'

'Mrs. Kent?'

'Hey, Chloe. How are you?'

'I'm fine. Did Clark make it home?' Chloe inquired from the other side of the line.

'Yeah, he's here. That's why I'm calling, actually. Did you notice something… different about Clark?'

'Different? No, I- Mrs. Kent could you just hold on for a second, someone's at my door.'

'Sure.'

The door was swung open to reveal Lois.

'Hey, cus.' She greeted stepping into the room.

'Yeah, Mrs. Kent. It's just Lois.'

Sitting on the bed, Lois's gaze followed her cousin as she paced around the small space, the cell phone glued to her ear.

'What do you mean different?'

'It's just… Ever since he came back from that place Clark's been so… gloomy. He doesn't eat, he hardly says a word and when he's not doing his chores he just disappears up to the loft.'

'Oh, do you think he's still under the effect of- '

Lois's attention was peaked.

'Oh, no!' Mrs. Kent quickly replied. 'He's just… sad. I haven't seen him this way since…' She swallowed at the painful memory. '… his father passed away.' She managed to word out.

'I'm so sorry, Mrs. Kent. I didn't realise it was that bad. Now that I think about it he wasn't very chatty when we came back from the hospital.'

Lois was now standing and looking at her cousin intently, trying to read her body language. There was something wrong with Smallville.

'What's wrong?' She mouthed when her gaze finally met Chloe's.

The blonde put up her hand as she tried to listen to what Mrs. Kent was saying.

'Since he came back from the cabins? Hold on a second.'

Putting her hand over the phone she turned to her cousin:

'Did something happen at the cabins?'

A reddish tone crept up her neck to colour Lois' cheeks.

'No, not that I know of.'

Thankfully the nervousness she felt in her stomach didn't filter into her voice.

'Lois says-'

'I've spoken to her, honey.' Martha cut her off.

'I don't know what to tell you, Mrs. Kent. He didn't tell me anything.' Chloe continued a bit apprehensive. 'I wish I could be there, but I missed a lot of classes plus with things at the Daily Planet...'

'It's ok, Chloe. You don't have to apologize.' Martha pursed her lips together for a closed smile.

'Next time I see him I'll try to-' Her gaze fell on Lois.

Lois's eyes grew large when she recognized the expression on her cousin's face. She was going to be in trouble.

'Lois says she can be there tonight.' Chloe announced into the phone; half a grin on her lips.

'What? No I didn't!' Lois hissed with a deep scowl.

'Oh, that would be great! He doesn't seem to want to talk me anything. Maybe Lois can get to him.'

In the meantime Lois's hand waved vehemently in front of Chloe's face trying to get the small blonde's attention.

'Are you sure she can make it here tonight? It's a long drive.'

'Lois is saying she'd be more that willing to drive there tonight. No problem!' Chloe lied shamelessly, ignoring the fuming brunette staring daggers at her. 'You're more than welcome! Bye.'

'What did you do?' Lois questioned the moment she was off the phone.

Trying to control the anger bubbling to the surface she set her hands on her hips.

'Well…' Chloe began with a sugary tone. 'Knowing just how devoted you are to helping others I… kinda offered your services.'

'Kinda?' Lois contemptuously tilted her head sideways.

'Mrs. Kent is worried about Clark, apparently he's in one of his brooding moods and she doesn't know what to do.'

'And where do I fit into this sap story?'

'I said you'd drive over tonight. See what you can dig up.' Chloe protectively narrowed her eyes at her as if preparing for a blow.

'What? NO! I'm not going at this hour! It's gonna be midnight by the time I get there.' Lois passionately shook her head.

'Oh, come on Lois, Clark needs you!' Chloe argued just as avidly. 'Mrs. Kent says he doesn't talk, he barely eats, he-he's a mess! Something's eating at him.' Being a veteran writer, Chloe added a dramatic pause before pulling out her trump. 'She says he hasn't been this bad since Mr. Kent died.'

A lump instantly formed in Lois's throat and the anger mysteriously subsided.

'And what makes you think Smallville will want to talk to me? We don't even like each other.' She pointed out after a couple of seconds.

'You guys have been growing close-'

'We're NOT close!' Lois corrected a little too hastily causing Chloe to frown. 'I-I mean... You're the best friend.' Lois back peddled. 'I'm the best friend's pushy cousin who spends her time making he's life miserable. You're the listener; I'm the banter buddy, that's how it works. You don't mess with perfection!'

'You know I can't go over there tonight I have a ton of work backed up at the Planet and way too many missed classes. Come on, just do this for me!' Chloe's lower jutted out for added effect.

After moment of silence Lois exhaled sharply and she relented:

'Fine.'

'Oh, thank you, thank you.' Chloe excitedly clapped her hands together like a giddy little girl.

'But you owe me big time and believe me, this time, I'm collecting.' Lois warned pointing an accusing finger at her.

'Sure, sure with preposterous interests.' Chloe nodded shoving her cousin in the direction of the door.

'Hey, what are you doing?' Lois asked when she found herself being driven out of the room.

'You have to hit the road or you'll be late. Now go.'

'My bag!'

Lois clumsily pointed at the item tossed on the bed.

Quickly turning around Chloe retrieved it and shoved it into Lois' hands effectively pushing her over the threshold.

'Bye, love you cus.' She gave her a toothy grin.

'Yeah, yeah...' Lois mumbled.

She was on her way down the hall when Chloe called out:

'Lois! Call me to let me know how it went.'

With that she slammed the door closed leaving a dumbfounded Lois out in the hall.

Lois inhaled deeply, putting on her trademark wide smile before pushing the screen door open.

'Hello?' She called entering the house.

There was no reply.

'Mrs. Kent?' She continued, speaking loudly while looking around for a familiar face.

She made her way into the kitchen.

'Lois! You're here!'

Jolting up, turning around to find Martha standing behind her with open arms.

'It's so nice to see you, sweetheart.'

Soon Lois was lost in a warm, welcoming hug. That alone was worth the daunting task that lay a head of her.

'I haven't seen you since you and Clark left for the resort.'

'We did speak on the phone.' Lois corrected.

'That doesn't count.' She said dismissively.

Martha took a long look at the woman standing in front of her.

'You look different.' She finally stated with a scrutinizing frown.

'What do you mean?' Lois swallowed.

'I don't know…' The crease continued to mar her features as she tried to figure out what was different about Lois. 'Have you been eating?'

'Like a horse. As usual.'

'You look…'

'Different?' Lois supplied with a hint of sarcasm.

Martha smiled sympathetically, reading the uneasiness behind Lois' cheery facade.

'Is everything ok?'

'Everything's fine.' Lois assured her.

She was starting to get a little unnerved under the intense scrutiny, much like a one of those frogs in Biology classes.

'You sound like Clark. I'm really worried about him.'

'I know, Chloe told me.' Lois replied, glad that the focus diverted from her. 'And that's why I'm here.' Clasping her hands together, ready for work, she asked: 'So, where is everyone's favourite flannel-wearing farm boy?'

'Oh, he's out at the barn. He's been sleeping there these last few days.'

'Ok. To the barn it is.' She said strutting her way to the door but stopped when Mrs. Kent called:

'Lois…'

People had to stop doing that – calling her just as she is about to leave. It ruined a perfectly good exit. She turned.

'Thank you. You don't know how much this means to me.'

'You're welcome, Mrs. Kent.' She guaranteed with a soft smile.