Disclaimer-If I DID own Smallville, I wouldn't be writing fan fic! I don't own Smallville, blah blah…It's the WB's…blah blah

The Torch

Chloe franticly moved and shoved papers that had piled on top of her desk into sloppy piles. She needed a clean desk if she was planning to write all weekend. She looked as if she didn't even know what she was doing. Chloe grabbed the stacks of papers and walked over to a chair that stood in the corner of the room, past the door. As she approached the door, it swung open, revealing Clark in the frame. She started to lean forward, and the papers were about to go flying. Clark used his speed to put a hand on the papers before they had a chance to spill all over the room.

Chloe-Ah! You scared me

Clark still had his hands helping Chloe hold the papers. Chloe almost shaking.

Clark-Your welcome

Chloe-Oh yeah, Thanks

Clark-You ok? You seem a little...

Chloe-Tense?

Clark-Just a little

Chloe-I just -- I have so much to do! I don't know where to start

Clark-What are you talking about?

Chloe-Well, the chief in charge of the Ledger called

Clark-And?

Chloe-He wants me to write something for him

Clark-On what?

Chloe-Anything. He said he liked my work, and that he could use a story in next week's paper

Clark-Do you know what you want to write about?

Chloe-Not a clue

Clark-Well, it could be an anything right?

Chloe-Yeah, but Clark, I'm not going to write about rocks

Chloe set the papers down, returned to her desk, and sat down with a thud.

Clark-Good idea

Chloe-I can't think of anything

Clark-I wish I could help

Chloe-You can! If you would go grab me a coffee I will never forget it

Clark-I'll be right back Miss. Sullivan

Chloe-Thanks Clark

Clark-Not a problem

Clark left the room. As the door shut, Chloe leaned back with a desperate look on her face. She felt like there was a brick wall separating her body from her brain. She just needed to write. She didn't need to write her story now. She had all week. She grabbed her pen and stared at her paper.

Chloe-Help. Maybe I will just write a note to someone. Help -- Clark? That's it!

She got up to grab some files. She was going to write a letter to Clark. About who he is, and what he has done. She looked in a bottom shelf that was titled PETE AND CLARK. She never told them this, but when she saw them in the paper, she saved the article. She grabbed the larger of the two folders, and tossed it on her desk. The folder opened, and some papers slid out on to the desk. She re-grouped them and looked amazed. She never realized how much Clark had been in the paper. She sat back down and started to look threw the articles.

Downtown Smallville

Clark had his hands in his pockets, walking past the window of the Beanery. He looked up, and paused. He saw Lana sitting all by her self, stirring her drink with a spoon. He walked over to the door, and walked in. He tried to act surprised to see Lana after she called him to come sit by her. He did as she told, and slid onto the bench across from her.

Lana-Hi Clark

Clark-Hey Lana

Lana-What brings you here?

Clark-Oh, I'm picking up a coffee for Chloe

Lana-That's nice of you

Clark-Yeah, I think she plans on staying at the Torch till she is finished with her story

Lana-Could you spare some time?

Clark was stunned. Lana basically told him she wanted him to stay with her. Chloe could wait right? She would understand.

Lana-Or....

Clark-No, I can

Lana-You probably would like to know why...

Clark-If you would be so kind to share with me

Lana chuckled quietly. She didn't know what she would reply. The truth is, she just wanted him to be with her for awhile. She couldn't figure out why, but he NEEDED to be there.

Lana-Just, needed to talk to someone

Clark-Is everything ok?

Lana-Yeah, just--

Clark-Everything's not ok?

Lana-Yeah

Lana looked down in defeat. It only took Clark a minute to get into her mind.

Clark-Well, I'll need a little more to go on

Lana-Its not important. You know, you're always here to help me with my problems. So, lets stop talking about me, and talk about you

Clark-About me?

Lana-Yeah

Clark-Nah, there's not a lot to me

Lana-Oh come on, open up a little

Clark-I'm just, me

Lana-Are you happy?

Clark-Well...

Lana-You never seem to be truly happy

Clark-Well thank you for reminding me

Lana-What are you hiding from me Clark? Its not like you're an alien or anything

Clark just trailed off, looking down slowly

Clark-Yeah....

Lana-You can tell me anything

They both just started to be stern with each other. Clark is trying to defend himself, and Lana is trying to find out why Clark is so... Clark like.

Clark-No, I can't Lana

Lana-Clark what's wrong?

Clark-Nothing

Lana-Come on Clark! I am adopted too, I know its not easy. You don't...

All of a sudden Lana got very quiet.

Lana-...have many friends. You're not that sociable.

Clark looked sad and angry, and turned away again.

Lana-I'm sorry Clark. I like hanging with you, when you don't hide

Clark-Is it that obvious to everyone?

Lana-If you will tell me I can help

Clark-Tell you what?

Lana-Well, why you are the way you are. Why you don't do sports, you look like you would be really good at basketball, you should join the team

Clark-I can't

Lana-Maybe I can talk to your dad about it, if you can't convince him then maybe I...

Clark-Its NOT that

Lana-Then WHAT is it?

Clark-Oh, I'm late. I better get that coffee, bye Lana

Lana-Clark?

Clark-Sorry, I'll talk to you later.

Clark rose and walked over to the bar. Lana just couldn't take her eyes off of him. When he left the table, she dug her head in her hands. She had moved too closely to his personal space. A feeling came over her; Regret. The worst feeling. Clark went up to the counter and grabbed the drink in a mug. As he left, he took one last glance at Lana. She was looking down, hopelessly stirring her drink. He almost moved to talk to her again, but Chloe popped into his mind. He looked straight ahead of him and walked out the door.

Back at the Torch

Clark walked in the office with a to go mug from the Beanery. He noticed a stack of papers all over Chloe's desk so decided to just hand the coffee to Chloe.

Chloe-What was pretty quick

Clark-It just right in town

Chloe-I expected you to forget about me…

Clark-Chloe…don't start with that

Chloe-Ok, Fine.

Clark-Did you find a topic?

Chloe-Yep

Clark waited for her to tell her what it was for a brief moment.

Clark-And…

Chloe-You'll see

Clark threw a curious smile at her

Clark-Come on Chloe

Chloe-Well, it's about you

Clark-Me?

Chloe-Yeah, I found some interes…some stuff

Clark-On me?

Chloe-Yeah

Clark-Why?

Chloe- I just...thought of you

Chloe in her head screamed "Idiot! Stupid Chloe stupid!"

Clark-What are you writing about me?

Chloe-Well, just how you are, what you do…what you've done…

Clark-Oh

Chloe- I'm sure it will turn out interesting. Come on, I'm writing it

Clark-Yeah just...don't dig too deep

Chloe-Ohh? Does Clark Kent have a secret?

Clark-No, just -- don't bring up all the embarrassing stories from the past?

Chloe-This story is just for me. You, Pete, and me are the only ones that will read it

Clark-Its getting late, you should go home

Chloe-Nah, I'm ok here reading these articles…I didn't know you were in the Ledger so much

Clark looked around the room spacing off, trying to avoid Chloe

Chloe-Clark?

Clark-Uh, yeah?

Chloe-Looks like you need to go to bed

Clark-Yeah, you ok here on your own?

Chloe-Yeah, just fine

Clark-Alright, be careful

Chloe-As always

Clark-Night Chloe

Chloe-Good night Clark

Clark turned to the door and walked out. When he shut the door behind him Chloe laid back in her chair, red in the face.

Chloe-How can someone be so blind?

She got back up, and grabbed another article to read.