Started and Finished: December 10, 2002

Last Episode Seen Before Writing: Skinwalker

Pairing: Chloe/Clark, Martha/Jonathan, Lana/Clark angst on Lana's part

Rating: PG-13

Category: Romance, Angst, Drama

Spoilers: slight Skinwalker, Hothead, Cool, Crush, Obscura

Summary: A blizzard in Smallville, and a missing person causes true feelings to emerge. "Think about it, Clark. You have to be sure that once the snow clears you'll feel the same way and not run back to Lana."

Disclaimer: I do not own yummy Tom Welling/Clark Kent, gorgeous Allison Mack/Chloe Sullivan, suave Michael Rosenbaum/Lex Luthor, sexy Sam Jones III/Pete Ross, beautiful Kristin Kreuk/Lana Lang, or any other character. All I own is a Smallville baseball cap!

Author's Note: This story was actually a dream I had last night. I wrote it out into story form because Lana angst is just too much fun! Great and mucho thanks to my most wonderful beta, Mary. A.k.a. the great ILoveClarkKent!!

In The Snow, In My Head

Chapter 1

Chloe ran into the Talon, shaking the snowflakes from her hair with a grin.

"Is it snowing?" Lana called to her friend.

Chloe pulled off her jacket. "Just a little," she said, shaking the snow from her jacket with a laugh.

"Hey, watch where you're putting that," Lana told her, breaking into a smile.

"Sorry," Chloe replied, hanging the jacket up on a hook by the door. "Hey, is Clark or Pete here?"

"Over here," Clark called out.

Chloe walked around the corner into the main room. "Hey, you guys," she said, smiling brightly in Clark's direction.

Pete laughed at her expression. "Why are you so happy?"

"It's snowing, Pete. Do you know how rare snow is in Metropolis, a mere three hours away?" Chloe asked, shaking her now wet hair.

"It's the little things," Clark said, grinning at Chloe.

"You want a latte?" Lana asked, walking up to the table.

"Sure," Chloe responded, looking up at her friend as she sat next to Clark. "Oh, I almost forgot. Dad got called to a business meeting in Metropolis this morning."

"In Metropolis? But LexCorp is based out here," Lana pointed out in confusion.

Chloe nodded. "Yeah, but LuthorCorp isn't. Apparently, Lionel wants Lex to go in on a business deal with him."

"LexCorp and LuthorCorp working together? Why does that seem like a bad idea?" Clark asked, looking warily at Chloe.

"Because it is. From what Dad says Lex doesn't want to do it, but we know how pushy Lionel can be," Chloe answered. "Anyway, Lex wanted Dad there as head manager, so Dad left. He won't be back until late tomorrow."

"Meaning Luthor won't either," Pete said, a mischievous gleam in his eye. "Let's go wrap the mansion!"

Lana shook her head, walking away to get the coffee.

"Yes, Pete. Let's wrap a house the size of a castle-" Chloe started.

"It is a castle," Pete interrupted.

Chloe rolled her eyes. "My point is that it's freezing outside, snowing, and there's supposed to be a blizzard. Not exactly TP weather."

Pete pouted. "My one chance and I miss it."

Chloe ignored Pete and turned to Clark. "What's up?"

"Hi, Chloe," Clark said, breaking into a larger grin. "See, I say hi…occasionally."

Chloe laughed as Lana set her mug down in front of her. "Clark, I might swoon," she teased.

Clark beamed, but Pete gagged.

"It's about ti-" Pete was cut off when Chloe's hand clamped over his mouth.

"You want to live to see junior year, you won't ever finish that sentence," she said menacingly.

Pete's eyes got wide, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

"Ew!" Chloe exclaimed, ripping her hand away. "Peter Ross, keep your tongue in your mouth!"

Pete grinned.

"As much as I would love to stay here and-" Chloe cut herself off this time, looking at Lana looking at Clark. "Actually, I wouldn't. I'm going home."

"But you just got here," Clark complained.

Chloe smiled brightly. "You're not going to miss me, are you Clark?" she asked, standing.

"Don't I always?" Clark asked.

Chloe burst into laughter, stopping when she saw Clark's face. "Oh, you were serious."

"Not anymore. Go," Clark said, turning to talk to Pete.

Chloe patted the top of Clark's head. "Bye, guys. Lana, I'll see you at home later."

"Okay. Bye, Chloe," Lana said, watching her friend leave.

"Hey, Chloe!" Pete called out.

Chloe stepped back around the corner. "Yeah, Pete?"

Pete walked over to her. "Clark and I are going to come over later when Lana gets off."

Chloe sighed. "Not only do I have to watch them stare at each other here, it has to be in my own house?" she asked, pulling her coat on. "Do you want to torture me, Pete? Do you dislike me that much?"

"What are you talking about?" Clark asked, walking up with Lana.

"Methods of torture," Chloe answered seriously, frowning when Clark glanced at Lana.

Pete put an arm around Chloe's shoulders. "You know you want us to come over."

Chloe smiled at Pete's attention. "Fine, fine. But if my dad asks, it was Clark's idea."

"Hey, why my idea?" Clark complained.

Chloe laughed. "Cause it's funny to see you pout," she answered, trying not to smile. "Bye." Chloe said, pulling open the door. A gust of snow-filled wind swept into the Talon.

"Wow, it's really picking up," Lana said, watching the snow move in flurries outside.

"All the more reason to get home. See you guys tonight," Chloe said, trudging to her car.

"Be careful. It's dangerous," Clark called after her, but his voice was lost on the wind.