Chapter 1

Clark opened his eyes slowly as the alarm by his bedside went off. He took a deep breath and stretched. He hadn't slept this good in a long time. Clark reached over to turn off the alarm. Yesterday had been wonderful. He had spent the whole day with Chloe. After they finally got the next edition of the torch ready to go out as well as worked on the final edition, they decided to take a drive to Metropolis to see a movie. For the life of him, he couldn't remember the movie they saw because he'd spent the entire time watching Chloe.

After the movie, they went to this Café that Chloe remembered from when she lived there and got a bite to eat. They talked mostly about The Torch and story ideas for the last issue that they would write together, neither one of them mentioning College. He couldn't think about not having Chloe around, so that conversation was best left for later.

Clark had really enjoyed the drive home. They had gone to Metropolis in his dad's truck, so Chloe was able to sit close beside him on the ride. He had a hard time concentrating on driving with her so close, but it was worth it. He smiled to himself. This time the conversation was different than the one they shared at the Café. Chloe began to ask him questions about himself. The nice thing about it was that he didn't have to think up some excuse. He didn't have to lie.

"Clark, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind clearing up some questions for me?" Clark glanced down at her briefly before turning his attention back to the road.

"Fire away." Clark suddenly realized that he didn't have that sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach that usually accompanied such a question. He could finally be honest.

"Do you remember a few months ago when we were together in The Torch office talking about Lionel and the possibility of him getting out of jail?" Chloe was hesitant to bring this up, but she had to know why Clark did what he did to her.

Clark's brows drew together in a frown. "No, I don't remember a particular time. There have been a lot of times that we have been in The Torch office talking about Lionel. Are you referring to something specific?" Chloe had been snuggling next to him. She suddenly shifted in her seat and put a little space between them. Clark looked at her concerned. "Chloe, what is it?" He decided now would probably be a good time to pull over to the side of the road so that she would have his full attention. This looked like it might be an intense conversation.

Chloe watched as Clark pulled the truck on to the shoulder of the road and cut the engine. He turned around to face her looking right into her eyes, his arm along the back of the seat. Chloe licked her lips not sure she wanted to continue this conversation. She wasn't sure she wanted to know why he had teased her like he did. It had been downright mean and she just couldn't see a reason Clark would ever do that. She hoped she liked the explanation for his behavior.

"I'm talking about the time that you…you…" Taking a deep breath, Chloe started again. "It was that time that I thought you needed help…I believe the term I used for you was 'Crack Head'. Chloe bit her lip, waiting for Clark's reply.

Suddenly everything came to light. Clark realized it was the time that Lionel had taken over his body. Oh God, what had he done to Chloe? Clark moved closer to Chloe. "Chloe, I'm not sure you want to hear this, but it was Lionel in my body. I don't remember anything about that time because I was actually in jail in Lionel's body." He reached up to push Chloe's hair back from her face moving his hand to grip her chin. "What did he do to you?" His nostrils flared as tension filled the cab.

Chloe could tell that Clark was upset. She was relieved to know that it hadn't been Clark at all, then, came the horrified feeling that it was actually Lionel. "I know we never actually discussed it, but I'm glad to know that it wasn't you. You…I mean Lionel was just mean to me, that's all." Chloe didn't really want to go into detail now that she knew it wasn't Clark. It was too embarrassing!

"Chloe, you have to tell me what he did. I need to know." Clark's gut wrenched and anger came to the surface just thinking of Lionel touching her at all. If he had taken a notion, he could have just snapped her in two. Clark shuddered at the thought.

Chloe knew that Clark wasn't going to let her just brush this off. She bowed her head and secretly smiled to herself. She might not be able to put it into words, but showing him would be a lot more fun and also lighten the mood in the truck. "Let me show you." Chloe got on her knees on the truck seat and turned around to face Clark. "In order for this to work, you are going to have to sit up." Clark sat up straight and faced her. "Okay, I'll be you…I mean Lionel and you be me."

Clark looked at Chloe like she was crazy but decided to go along with her game. Besides he wanted to know what happened.

Chloe deepened her voice to pretend that she was Clark. "I must confess that I find you fascinating." Chloe moved in closer to Clark causing him to have to look up at her. "That twinkle in your eye, your wonderfully sexy smile." Chloe was lightly stroking Clark's face with her fingers, her face getting closer to his. "Your skin…." Her voice faded as she continued to stroke his face. "Then I said Clark, what are you doing?" Chloe continued moving in closer. "You said, what I have wanted to do for a very, very, very long time."

Clark was transfixed on her. She was so close that he could feel her breath on his lips. All he had to do was come forward a little. Chloe was evading him as he tried to kiss her. Then she suddenly backed up and said, "Don't you wish." The air rushed out of Clark's lungs. No wonder she had been angry with him when he came back. He couldn't blame her.

Clark leaned back against the truck door taking Chloe with him until she was lying across his chest. "I definitely find you fascinating." Clark's mouth covered Chloe's, his arms moving around her. Her hands buried themselves in his hair. "I do love that twinkle in your eye…" Clark mumbled against Chloe's lips before sliding his tongue into her mouth. "Mmmmm, and your wonderfully sexy smile…" Clark was nibbling at Chloe's neck.

"Clark!" Chloe gasped as she felt his hands push their way under her shirt and touch the bare skin of her back. She moved her hands to the buttons on his shirt and began to undo them while she kissed and nibbled at his neck. Buttons undone, Chloe smoothed her hands over Clark's muscled chest. She felt Clark shudder.

"Chloe!" His voice muffled against her neck. His hands moved up to gently clasp her breasts through her bra. He could feel her nipples harden as he moved his thumb back and forth over the crest of them. Suddenly, Clark heard an annoying sound. It sounded like a wail. What was that? He opened his eyes and saw red and blue lights flashing. Oh no! "Chloe, quick! We have company!"

Clark frantically struggled to get his shirt buttoned and to sit upright in the truck while Chloe adjusted her clothing and smoothed her hair. As the officer approached, Clark rolled down his window, the officer's flashlight blinding them.

"Well, well, well, well, well! What have we here, Mr. Kent?"

Clark would recognize that harsh southern drawl anywhere. Sheriff Adams!