Started: November 13, 2002

Finished: November 23, 2002

Last Episode Seen Before Writing: Ryan, Dichotic, Skinwalker

Pairing: Chloe/Lana (slash warning!)

Rating: PG-13

Category: Romance, Angst, Humor, Drama

Spoilers: Obscura, Tempest, Vortex, slight Ryan, Dichotic

Summary: The unexpected happens when Chloe and Lana grow closer. Now they have to deal with it, but everyone has a different reaction. Can they get over what others think, and focus on themselves?

Disclaimer: I do not own Chloe or Lana, or anything related to Smallville. Though, they are on my Christmas wish list! (Also, the items from the lunch menu I got off of The Torch's website.)

Author's Note: This is my first Chlana, so don't beat me just yet. I dedicate this story to philtre, who was the push I needed to actually write a Chlana. Also to Alicia, my never ending inspiration! And last but not least, to Mary for not shooting me when I told her I was indeed writing a Chlana and no I did not mean Chlark.

Finding 'Us'

Lana screamed, the wind whipping the truck in odd twists and turns. Her knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel. Her eyes were wide with horror. She threw herself into the floorboards, waiting for Clark to pull himself through the driver's side door like he always did. The wind whipped her hair into her eyes, making them sting. Still she waited. This time was different, this time he didn't come. This time the truck was ripped apart, with only Lana as its passenger. Lana held the metal of the truck with all her might, but it wasn't enough against the winds. She was ripped from the remains, and flung into the twisting tornado. Her scream was lost in the howling wind.

Lana woke, still screaming. She bolted upright in bed, listening to the house for a sign that she had woken someone. The only sound she heard was the beating of her heart in her ears, and the heavy sound of her breath. She pulled her hair off of her sweaty neck, and securing it with a stray ponytail holder.

Lana stood, pulling on her robe. She stepped into her matching slippers, then left her room. Her slippers padded softly down the hall to the kitchen. She pulled an ice cube out of the freezer, and ran it on the back of her neck.

"Lana? What's wrong?" Chloe asked, walking into the kitchen.

Lana jumped. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."

"Yeah, screaming can wake a person up sometimes," Chloe said with a smirk. She got a cup and poured herself a cup of water from the pitcher in the refrigerator. "Are you okay?"

Lana nodded almost imperceptibly, wrapping her arms around herself. "I had a nightmare."

"I definitely know what you're talking about. Want to talk about it?" Chloe asked, taking a long drink of water.

"You haven't had nightmares like this," Lana told her, leaning against the counter.

"I'm in my coffin, buried under the ground. I'm waiting for someone to save me. I know they will. I know Clark will. I'm waiting. I'm thinking, 'any second now.' But he doesn't come, and I suffocate," Chloe explained. "That was my recurring nightmare after that."

"So, maybe you do know what I'm talking about," Lana said with a small smile.

Chloe's smile mimicked Lana's. "Every night for two weeks I woke Dad up. I ended up just pulling my mattress into his room."

"You're dad's a really great person," Lana told her.

Chloe set her cup in the sink. "Yes, but we're talking about you. Want to tell me what the dream was about?"

Lana's mind spun, trying to think up something to say that wouldn't give away what she knew Clark had done; that she knew he had been in Whitney's truck. "Let's just say that what happened the night of the dance was strangely altered. Kind of like yours, only different."

Chloe nodded. "Think you can go back to sleep?"

Lana seemed to think for a moment, but didn't respond.

"Do you want to pull your mattress into my room?" Chloe asked. "Sometimes it helps if you're not alone."

"No. I couldn't bother you," Lana said nervously.

Chloe shrugged. "It's up to you. I promise I don't talk in my sleep."

"Okay," Lana answered, breaking into a smile.

* * *

Chloe woke the next morning before her alarm went off. She tried to turn it off, but something was holding her to the bed. Looking down she saw Lana lying beside her. Lana's head was on Chloe's shoulder, and her arm was draped over Chloe's waist.

"Lana?" Chloe asked, trying to move out from under the brunette's small frame. "Lana, what are you doing?"

"What?" Lana asked sleepily. When she realized where she was, she jumped up quickly. "I'm- I'm sorry."

Before Chloe could respond Lana fled the room.