Disclaimer: I don't own Smallville, the characters, or any of that good stuff. TPTB have that lovely acknowledgment.
AN: I wrote this at 2:30 this morning, so I'm not sure how everyone will like it; I'm kind of kooky that early. I love readers and adore reviewers; please, leave me a comment! Now, please note that I'm not usually a Chlark shipper (I'm a Clana fan myself) but this story was tugging at the corner of my mind to be written. Sorry if there is strong Clana hinting in there. (This is more of a 'Chloe's feelings for Clark' story, rather than 'Clark and Chloe's feelings for each other'.)

Cupid's Canon Fodder


Today is going to be the day
That they're going to throw it back at you. . .

The sounds of clacking keys and a slightly squeaky chair were momentarily drowned out by the sound of the phone; the words were familiar to her ears and yet the sudden music had still caused her to jump. Eyes never leaving the computer screen, she groaned.

"Come on, five more seconds," she pleaded, ignoring the flashing phone and continuing to work her fingers at the keyboard in a frenzy. The phone continued its depressingly successful attempts to capture her attention as it began to reverberate slightly throughout the empty work room.

I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do
About you now. . .

Rolling her eyes – and her chair – she stretched a thin, lengthy arm out across a sea of disorganized papers – in other words, her research. Taking the phone up in her thin fingers, she couldn't help but smile at the name on the caller I.D. Flipping the phone open, she gladly tore her eyes away from the computer and put the phone to her ear.

"Well, if it isn't everybody's favorite Flannel King," she said with a grin. "How's the red jacket treating you?"

The deep laugh on the other end only caused her already large smile to broaden considerably. "I'm good, Chloe. What are you up to?"

Chloe stifled a small yawn and blinked. "Just working on a piece for the Planet: LuthorCorp and politics. I've got a sneaking suspicion I've written this story before."

"I know what you mean," Clark said, a sound of strong sarcasm gracing his voice. "It's news, but it isn't new. By the way, why are you still at the Planet, it's past midnight."

"Really?" This time she failed at hiding the yawn. "I hadn't noticed." She shook her head and clicked the 'save' button on her article. "Anyways, you obviously didn't call me so late for nothing. What's up?"

"Well, it's Lana." I should have figured, Chloe thought. "I can't figure out what to get for her birthday." Chloe could almost hear his eyebrows furrow in frustration. She bit back a laugh, for Clark's sake.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but her birthday was last week."

Clark groaned. "All the more reason to ask you, isn't it? It's just, I don't know what she wants—"

"What about the truth? You could even skive out on the pretty box and shiny red bow."

"I tried that, remember?" Clark's voice was low. "All it did was get her killed."

Chloe bit her lip. "Right." She shut down the computer and pushed her chair backwards. "If you don't mind, can we skip the whole 'bending the space/time continuum' thing for tonight? I don't think my caffeine-deprived brain can handle anything Wall of Weird tonight."

"Seriously, Chlo," Clark said, using his nickname for her – or rather, everyone's nickname for her. "I mean, who's to say she'll even accept a gift from me right now?" Chloe heard a rifling sigh cross the phone line. "It's not like we're on the best of terms."

Chloe slipped on her jacket, struggling to do so without dropping the phone. She did it, and with her own sigh she picked up her purse and began to walk towards the elevators, torn between helping Clark and wanting sleep.

"Look, Clark, I would love to help sort out all of your problems – which, we both know, you have ten truckloads of – but I really think this is a conversation better served under the influence of sleep and coffee." She bit her lip. "Sorry."

"Guess you're right," Clark said, noticeably stifling his own yawn. "I'll talk to you tomorrow, Chlo."

Chloe smiled an exhausted smile. "Yeah, see you then." With a tired sigh she snapped the phone shut and slipped it in her purse.

"Tell me again why my best friend is the guy with the single most issues in the world?" she thought aloud as she punched the down button for the elevator with a finger.

You know why, a tiny voice said, somewhere in the corner of her fatigued mind.