Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, I'm just using them. Don't sue.
Spoilers: None. Some references to Tempest and Fever.
Author's note: I can't help it, I love the pairing of Clark/Chloe. They have great chemistry, and I am hoping that the producers give Chlark a real good shot before they go into the whole Clois thing. Reviews always welcome! Set sometime around season six.
He had knocked, but there had been no answer. He knew she was there, but only because he'd cheated and x-rayed the apartment. He'd stood outside for several moments debating over whether or not to disturb her. Normally he would have just barged in without a second thought, but not today. Today he was feeling strange.
He could hear the soft strains of music filtering out from the door; it was soft, slow music and it made him wonder if she was feeling sad today. What she would have to feel sad about he wasn't sure. Finally, he tried the door knob and found it to be unlocked. He opened it slowly, but it made no sound. He took a step into the room, his eyes immediately falling upon her still form seated on the couch. Either she hadn't heard the door or she somehow knew it was him, because she didn't move.
"Chloe?"
The sound of his voice seemed to pull her out of her reverie, because her head whipped around and her eyes met his. For one interminable moment she was unguarded, and a look of quiet pain leaped out at him from her beautiful green eyes. It was gone in seconds, but the intensity of it left him breathless.
"Clark," She said in surprise, straightening up, "What's up?"
It took him a moment to find his voice. He scrutinized her carefully, but that look of pain was nowhere to be found. She was the same Chloe she always was, the same effervescent smile gracing her familiar face.
"You okay?" She asked, noticing his solemn features
"Yeah," He said finally, "Just feeling a little off today. Thought maybe you could use some company for a bit."
"I could always use the company of a superhero," She replied brightly, making him smile
"You looked preoccupied, I hope I'm not interrupting something," He told her as she ushered him over to the couch, "I knocked, but you must not have heard."
"Yeah, I was kinda lost in thought. But you didn't interrupt," She answered, sitting next to him
Her computer was open on the coffee table, but, oddly, there was nothing on the screen. That was odd, especially for his intrepid reporter.
"So what's up?" She queried, "Why are you feeling off?"
Chloe was perched next to him on the couch, her expression open and honest, waiting for his response. She looked great, like she did everyday, in a white tank top with little green flowers that made her eyes look like emeralds. Another surge of the deep unrest that had been plaguing him lately boiled up in his chest.
"I can't explain it, actually," He said sheepishly, "I'll just be doing something and I get the strangest feeling of being …. Unhappy."
She looked taken aback by that. He struggled to find another word for it, another way to explain it that might fit better, but he couldn't come up with one. Unhappy was the truest description that came to mind. He was restless, discontent.
"Unhappy? But … why?" She asked, looking concerned
"That's the catch. I don't know. I've been trying to figure it out for days now, but the answer just won't come."
"Do you think it might have something to do with Lana?"
"Lana? How could she have anything to do with it?"
"Well, past experience shows us that eight times out of ten when you are unhappy it has something to do with our favorite dark haired damsel."
His face broke into a grin then, which seemed to confuse her. It wasn't that he hadn't already thought about that, because it had actually been the first thing he'd thought.
"What?" She asked
"Nothing. It's just … sometimes you say the funniest things," He told her, holding her gaze with his own, "Even the simplest sentences sound interesting when they come out of your mouth."
That made her laugh a little, a light tinkling sound that seemed to dance into the corners of the room.
"Sorry. I guess it's just part of being a writer," She quipped jokingly, "Look, I'm starving. What do you say we go get something to eat?"
"I'd say that sounds like a good idea," He agreed
"Let me grab my jacket and we'll go."
She disappeared into her bedroom. Without the sound of her voice in the room, Clark realized the music was still playing.
Do you know where your heart is
Do you think you can find it
Did you trade it for something, somewhere
Better just to have it ….
"Ready," Chloe said then
She was standing with the door open , light jacket in her hands.
"Want the music off?" He offered
"Sure," She replied, "Just hit the pause button on my computer."
He did as she instructed and the apartment fell silent. He stood and joined her at the door, smiling.
"So what's for lunch?" He asked
"I'm not sure yet. What sounds good?"
"My mom made lasagna for lunch today," He suggested, "And I'm sure she'd love to see you."
His blonde friend laughed and closed the door behind her.
"Kent farm, here we come."
