Clark stepped back and watched as Chloe's unconscious form was covered in a soft glow removing all traces of Brainiac and himself from her memory. A single tear formed as his own memories began to flash through his mind. The first memory that came to mind happened in the exact spot that he now stood.
Chloe lied shivering in his arms. "I know you go faster than a speeding bullet I'm just asking you to take me along for the ride," she said as her teeth chattered from the cold.
She had taken the news so well. He had definitely been surprised to find out that she already knew some. He had not expected her to be as composed or accepting to find out her best friend was literally from another planet.
His mind fast forwarded onto the next memory. It was during the period when he was temporarily human. "You mean I finally get my own personal superhero and you're pretty much useless." He smiled back at her. "Yeah."
She never backed down from a challenge or a request for help. Whether he had his extras or not she was always there ready to lend a hand.
Next, he was standing by her bedside at the hospital, tubes and IVs were all stuck to her. She had been attacked by Brainiac and was now lying in a coma.
The scene shifted again. They were now at the Planet. "Clark, you don't realize how much of my life is protecting your secret." It was true. He hadn't really thought about it. She had known for so long now, he had begun to take for granted the fact that she knew and how much of a burden that was.
One last memory came to his mind as he placed Chloe's sleeping form gently on her bed. This time it was Oliver. "Chloe is knee deep in stuff that, excuse the expression, no human should have to deal with. You need to stop her before she gets hurt." That was the one thing he could not do. Let Chloe get hurt again because of him. He knew she would argue with him about it. But, it was better this way.
*****
Clark walked into the apartment and saw Chloe and Jimmy sitting on the couch talking. She looked so happy and carefree, no longer carrying the heavy burden he had placed on her. It was better this way. He kept on telling himself that. He was so lost in his own thoughts he almost didn't respond to the conversation between Chloe and Jimmy.
"I can take those for you." He tried to smile so Chloe wouldn't notice anything was different.
"Clark, it's nearly a two hour drive and you drive like a grandmother."
As he turned to leave he once again said a silent goodbye to Chloe.
