Chapter Two: Alive

Chloe was alive.

"Are you sure?" Lois asked in a shaky voice.

"She's not in there."

Lois gulped. Clark stared at her with certainty.

"How do you know?"

"I used my x-ray vision," Clark answered.

"Of course you did."

She was still trying to get used to the idea of Clark being superpowered.

"I'm telling you, Lois, she's not down there," Clark said as he started to leave the cemetery.

"Wait, where are you going?" Lois asked as she followed him.

"We're going to the safe house," Clark answered.

"We?"

"Yeah. I told you I want to help and I am. We're going to the safe house and we're going to find clues to where Chloe may be. I know you find it hard to believe, but trust me, Chloe's not buried in that grave." Clark said as he lifted Lois from the ground bridal style.

"Wait, what are you doing?" Lois said startled.

"Just trust me and hold on," Clark said.

One moment they were at the cemetery, the next, they were in front of the charred ruins of the Sullivan's safe house. Clark let Lois down and they stood side by side staring at the last place they knew Chloe was.

"This is Chloe's safe house?" Lois asked in horrified awe.

"You mean, what's left of it," Clark commented.

"Oh my god, Chloe, what did they do to you?" Lois whispered under her breath.

"None of this wouldn't have happened if I'd had been there," Clark said grimly.

"Ok, Commando, I don't get you. Half the time you're all meek and yes ma, yes pa and the other hand you're the most overconfident guy I've ever met," Lois said.

"Doesn't happen to you much does it, not being able to peg someone right away?"

Lois turned to him.

"Oh, get over yourself," she said. "You are not that complicated, space boy."

She turned away from him and ducked under the police tape surrounding the destroyed house.

"What exactly do you expect to find here?" She asked.

"I don't know, but the FBI sealed the case. Even the autopsy reports," Clark said. "Doesn't that sound a little odd?"

"Remind me if I'm ever a witness not to put my life in the hands of the FBI."

"Or, maybe, you should get out before the explosion," Clark said. He grabbed Lois's elbow gently and turned her to face him. He gazed into her eyes. "I would never let something like this happen to you."

Lois choked back the lump that had formed in her throat at his honest expression. She nodded.

"Yeah, I know," she said. She cleared her throat. "They said she walked inside, Clark. I don't know how anyone could survive this. Look, you may be in denial thinking Chloe's alive. Maybe…"

She had to pause, the lump in her throat was much larger than before.

"Maybe, there wasn't enough of a body to bury," she said.

"I don't, I can't believe that Lois," Clark said embracing her. "Chloe's alive. She has to be."

They held each other for a long time. They didn't want to let go, but when they heard the flapping of helicopter blades they parted. They looked up to see men dropping down from the helicopter.

"Run," Lois said and ran. She didn't notice Clark staying behind to fight. Clark didn't notice the helicopter's pursuit of Lois. A man dropped down and Lois fends him off.

"Lois," Clark called to her having run to her after he was done with his own fight. He uses his heat vision to take down the helicopter.

"Don't just stand there, come on," Lois said as she grabbed Clark's hand. Forgetting his super speed they run normally away from the helicopter.

They were able to make it safely to the Kent Farm.

"Ugh, we're a mess," Lois said dusting off the dirt from her jeans.

Clark smiled at her.

"What?" Lois asked staring up at him.

"Nothing," Clark said with a blush. He cleared his throat. "We should probably get cleaned up. You can shower first. I'll get you a towel."

He walked up the stairs and Lois followed him. He handed her a towel from the linen closet.

"You know you could join me," Lois said slyly.

Clark smiled a goofy smile.

"I could but I don't think we'd get clean," he said with a blush.

"No, but it would be more fun," Lois said.

Clark's blush deepened.

Lois stared at him and then a single word flashed in her mind.

"Are you a virgin," she asked with a near laugh.

Clark stared at her in surprise.

"Oh my god, you are," Lois said not needing him to confirm it. "My soul mate's a freaking virgin."

"It's not funny, Lois," Clark pouted. "I… I'm just different. I don't even know if I can, you know, with a human."

"You'd better hope so," Lois said. "Or Fate's playing some cruel joke on you, giving you a human soul mate."

"Yeah," Clark said shifting from side to side.

"Well, you're off the hook," she said staring into his eyes. "We'll take things slow and hope to God that we're compatible."

She left Clark to his thoughts as she went into the bathroom for a nice hot shower.

Later, while Clark was in the shower, Lois walks in wearing nothing but Clark's red and black plaid shirt. She toweled her hair as she stood in front of the mirror over the sink.

"Nothing like a North by Northwest action to get the blood pumping, huh?" She joked.

"Um, I thought we were taking turns in the bathroom," Clark said sounding uncomfortable.

"Oh, don't start with me, Smallville," Lois said. "You're the one taken the marathon shower. Besides, my delicate feminine sensibilities were n't offended the first time I got a glimpse of Clark Jr."

Clark sighed.

"My parents kinda missed the Woodstock phase," he said. "Besides, they freaked out the last time they caught me in a co-ed situation."

Lois raised a brow at that as she felt a slight twinge of jealousy.

"Last time?" she questioned hoping she didn't sound too upset. "So, the Eagle Scout does have a few secrets in the closet."

Clark shut off the water and wrapped his towel around his waist as he stepped out. Lois turned to give him an appreciative glance.

"Just forget it alright," he said as he got a good look at Lois. "That's my shirt."

"It's the only thing I could find that was clean," Lois said stepping up to him. "I didn't think you'd mind."

She raised a hand to touch his chest. She felt the muscle jump at her touch.

"I don't," Clark practically squeaked out. Lois felt a pleasant buzz course between them. "I thought we were taking things slow?"

"We are," Lois said leaning her head up for a kiss. "Slow doesn't mean, not doing anything at all."

Clark gulped before he leaned down to kiss her. His kiss was just as Lois remembered it being, everything. Her hand slid up his chest to wrap around his neck. Clark's hands let go of his secured towel and held onto her waist. They kissed sweetly for a moment before stepping back.

They smiled at each.

"I should go," Clark said.

"I kinda like you right here," Lois said.

"I need to change," Clark said.

"I don't mind."

"Neither do I," Clark said before clearing his throat and stepping back away from Lois. "But my parents' will if they catch us like this."

Lois laughed a little and Clark went to exit the bathroom. Before he could go, however, Lois blocked the door.

"Hey, let's keep this morning's game of chopper tag a secret, okay?" she said seriously.

"Right," Clark said. "Cus, I'm the one who can't keep my mouth shut."

Lois frowned at him slightly as he passed and opened the door.

"Mom," he squeaked out.

"Hi," Martha said.

"You're home," Clark said pulling the door to slightly so it would block Lois from his mom's view.

It was at that moment Lois decided to get Clark back for the mouth shut comment and popped her head over Clark's shoulder.

"Hi, Mrs. Kent," she said and Clark bowed his head in defeat.

"Get dressed," Martha said in a deadly voice. "Then I would like to see the both of you downstairs."

She said nothing else as she shoved the towels into Clark's arms and walked away.

"Now you've done it," Clark said turning to glare down at Lois.

"We've done nothing but kiss," Lois shrugged. "Besides, it's not like she doesn't know we're soul mates."

"That still doesn't mean she expected to see use practically naked in the bathroom together," Clark said between clenched teeth as he walked out into the hall.

"Well, what do you think she's going to expect when you tell her that you offered for me to stay here," Lois asked as she followed him into his room.

Clark groaned. Lois could tell he had not really thought the whole thing through.

"It's alright, Clark," Lois said grabbing her jeans and tugging them on.

"No it's not," Clark said going to his dresser and pulling out a clean pair of underwear. He didn't even think twice when he let his towel drop to the floor. He dressed while Lois watched with admiring eyes.

"Well, let's go see what they have in store," Lois said when he finished. She offered her hand and he held it as he left his room and they went down the stairs. The buzz of their bond tickled through their touch.

They walked to where Martha and Jonathon Kent were standing. The couples stood to face each other. They just stood there silently. The parents glaring at the teens, Lois feeling uncomfortable, and Clark looking guilty. It was more than Lois could bear.

"I don't understand what the big deal is here," she said breaking the silence. "We just took a shower."

"Showers," Clark corrected instantly. "We took separate showers."

"At noon?" Martha questioned.

"We were just gonna…" Lois started to say.

"We went to Chloe's safe house," Clark interrupted.

Lois gives him an annoyed look. She thought they had an understanding of not telling his parents what really happened.

"These guys showed up and chased us into a field," Clark continued. "There was all this dirt-"

"Clark, that is a Federal crime scene and the last thing we wanted was you two kids to get involved with the FBI," Jonathon said firmly.

Now Lois could see why Clark was so worried about getting caught in a compromising position. His parents were both downright intimidating.

"Whoever it was, we don't need to worry, cus their chopper is face first in the middle of the field," Lois said. She did not say that she had a pretty good suspicion on why the helicopter was after them in the first place.

The Kents shared a look and Lois got the feeling that they were having a silent conversation.

"Your nonverbals are killing me and this seems like it's a family matter. So, I'm just gonna get out of the way," she said turning to embrace Clark before she went.

"Way to go," she whispered blaming him for the trouble they were now in.

That night, they sat down for dinner and after grace, Mr. Kent looked at the two teens.

"Martha tells me that you two think you're soul mates," he said.

"We don't think, Dad, we know," Clark said. "I was sent to Lois just like I was sent to you and Mom."

"Clark," Jonathon said warningly.

"It's okay, Mr. Kent," Lois said quickly. "I know all about Clark being from a different planet, his powers, and the whole Kal-El thing."

"Clark," Martha said in a scolding voice.

"Mom, she's my soul mate. I couldn't hide who I am from her."

"Kinda hard to hide when you are blasted by lightning in a cornfield," Lois said cutting her steak. "I mean who comes out of that without a scratch on them. Well, there was the whole memory thing, but that's been fixed."

"Lois and I are soul mates," Clark told his parents gently. "There's an actual bond between us. It's not hormones, it's not lust. It's something more, something different, special."

Lois smiled at him from across the table and gazed lovingly into his eyes.

"Listen," Lois said. "I'm not the type of girl who believes in the whole love at first sight trope, but it happened. It really happened. It's literally out of this world."

Mr. and Mrs. Kent shared a look of their own before Mr. Kent started to speak.

"I know Clark offered you a place to stay and we don't mind."

Lois and Clark smiled at each other.

"But there will be rules," Jonathon said firmly. "You may be soul mates, but you are not married. You will not be sharing a bed or a room for that matter. You will spend your time in the bathroom separately and when you go out you will be home before curfew."

"Yes, sir," Clark said and Lois nodded.

"Fair enough," Lois said.

"Lois," Martha said. "I hope your parents don't mind you staying with us."

"It's just my dad," Lois said. "And he knows where I am and that I am safe."

She did not tell them that she didn't exactly have permission to be in Smallville.

"Okay," Martha said with a nod. "Clark I will make up the couch for you."

There was no argument about the forced separation.

That night Lois and Clark slept more peacefully than all the nights before after they met. Only a ceiling separated them and the pleasantness of their bond flowed through them as they slept. If Lois was honest with herself, she hadn't rested this peacefully since before her mother died.

Very early in the morning, Lois rose early and dressed. She snuck pass Clark and headed to her car. Mr. Kent and Clark drove to the cemetery to get it for her last night. She drove back to the cemetery to visit Chloe's grave. She couldn't understand how sure Clark was that Chloe was alive. When she got to the grave, she found that she wasn't alone. Another girl kneeled at the site. Dark haired and petite. Lois cleared her throat. The other girl turned to look at Lois.

"Sorry to interrupt you," Lois said. "I'm Lois Lane, Chloe's cousin."

The girl stood and dusted off her jeans.

"Lana Lang," the girl said offering her hand for Lois to shake.

"Nice to meet you," Lois said pleasantly as she shook Lana's hand. "Chloe talked about you often."

"You too," Lana said. She turned back to the grave marked with Chloe's name. "I wasn't here for the funeral."

"Me neither," Lois said. "Think she would forgive us?"

"Definitely," Lana said. "I just got back into town with my boyfriend. He's off getting settled and I am going to visit some old friends."

"Don't let me keep you," Lois said and Lana walked away to her car.

Lois sighed and looked back and Chloe's grave.

"I hope Clark's right about you cuz," she said. "It would be really nice to be proven wrong this time."

With that said she walked back to her car and drove back to the Kent Farm. She noticed that Lana's car was ahead of hers and wondered how well the girl knew the Kents.

Lana arrived first, of course, and was greeted by Clark. Lois noticed him standing stiffly across from Lana as she drove up. She got out of her car and approached them. Lois smiled at Lana and Lana smiled back and Clark seemed to know that they had already met.

"Lois, how did you two…" he started to ask.

"We just met," Lois said.

"I stopped by the cemetery to pay my respects to Chloe," Lana said.

"You're back from Paris," Clark said gazing at Lana. "You must have found what you were looking for?"

Lois felt a bit jealous by the way Clark was staring at the other girl.

"I'd say," Lois said butting in. "Who wouldn't want a hot summer fling in the most romantic city on earth?"

Okay, so she was letting her jealousy get the best of her.

Clark and Lana said nothing as they shared an awkward stare. Then something clicked in Lois's head and she realized that maybe her jealousy wasn't unwarranted.

"I was going to tell you," Lana said.

"It's okay," Clark said.

"Really? You two?" Lois said bitingly.

"We never…" Clark began.

"Not really," Lana said.

"Had a thing." Clark finished.

"It's complicated," Lana said.

"A complicated thing," Lois said not feeling any better by the situation.

"Well, I'm gonna go," Lana said.

Lois and Clark watched her leave.

"The awkward tension just getting started. Really crashed and burned on that one," Lois said.

Clark stared at her.

"That was uncalled for," he said.

"I wish I could say I'm sorry but I can't I didn't like the eyes you two were passing each other," Lois argued. "You're my soul mate, not hers. So, you better get over her."

Clark sighed heavily. He walked up to Lois and captured her in a loving embrace.

"I'm sorry you saw that," he said defeated. "I'm yours. Things with Lana is just, it's just… I've only had eyes for her since the first moment I saw her. I've dreamed of being with her. It's going to take some time for me to get over her completely."

"You better," Lois said.

"I will," Clark said with determination.

He leaned down and Lois allowed him to kiss her. It was a sweet and welcoming kind of kiss. A kiss they should have shared earlier if Lois hadn't run off.

"I'm gonna go take a shower," Lois said moving out of Clark's arms. "Wanna join me this time?"

Clark seemed to think about the offer for a moment when he saw his mother walk by an upstairs window.

"Probably not such a good idea," he said.

"Right," Lois said and walked to the house for her shower.

Lois spent most of her shower time thinking. She could not stop thinking about Chloe. Was she really alive or was it just wishful thinking? The thought would bug her until she did something. So, when she finished her shower and was dressed, Lois took out her laptop and decided to look for any hole in the circumstances that lead to Chloe's death. She found some interesting information and eagerly shut her laptop, tucked it under her arm and ran off to find Clark. She used her bond to locate him in the barn loft.

She has never been up here before. It wasn't anything special in her eyes. A trunk, a desk, a couch. Very simple. The sun had set and the stars twinkled out sound the large window.

"Listen to me," she said announcing her presence. "I really think we're on to something here. I did my research and it turns out Luthorcorp paid for Chloe's funeral. Why would they do that? Doesn't make any sense. I guess the real question to ask would be, why would somebody bury an empty casket for nothing? Right Clark?"

Clark wasn't paying attention to her and Lois saw the same look he had when he was face to face with Lana. Heated anger rose inside of her. The jealousy was back.

"Clark," she said sharply. "Wow, she didn't take any prisoners did she? Lana? Cute, smart gutsy and way too much for you to handle. I can see why you're in love with her."

She sounded bitter in her own ears.

Clark finally noticed her and frown down at her.

"Look, you're really not the person I want to talk about this," he said.

Lois looked offended. She glared up at his startling blue eyes. She watched as confusion flashed through them before she walked over to the old couch and sat down. She was surprised that it was more comfortable than it looked. She flipped open the laptop.

"It's just, I knew she would be dating other people," Clark said quietly.

"What?" Lois said looking up at him. Hadn't he heard her earlier or was he just telling her what she wanted to hear?

"I just don't understand how you could feel like you know someone so completely like you know everything about them and just all of a sudden," Clark continued.

"You don't know what continent they're on," Lois finished. She wondered what Clark felt through their bond. She wondered if he knew how much this talk about Lana was hurting her. She could feel the pain deep in her soul. She felt as if she was intruding on some epic love story that maybe she was just filler before the end.

"Do you always have to finish people's thoughts?" Clark said heatedly.

"Well, am I right?" she said. "You're jealous. You want Lana all to yourself."

She fumed and placed her laptop on the couch before she stood.

"Maybe I shouldn't be here," she said hotly. "You obviously don't care about this whole soul mate thing."

Clark frowned.

"That's not true," he argued.

"No, it is," Lois said. She began to pace. "You're disappointed that Lana's not your soul mate. You'd rather her be here than me."

"No."

"Yes. You don't see this the way I do. I want this to happen and if you knew me, you would know how big of a deal that is for me. I don't believe in fairy tales. But for some reason, I believe in us. We're meant to be. We're soul mates. The end all, be all. The happily ever after."

"It's not what you think, it's just," Clark stammered.

"It's just that I'm not the woman you love," Lois said as a large lump formed in her throat.

Clark stared at her with disbelief and Lois wondered if he was falling in love with her like she was falling in love with him.

"I don't think I'm in love with Lana anymore," Clark said truthfully. "Ever since I met you, I feel differently about everything."

"Then act like it," Lois said in a near yell.

Clark looked defeated. Lois couldn't take his puppy dog eyes and grabbed him to kiss him passionately. Clark quickly responded. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. The kiss was heated and it didn't solve the whole Lana and Clark thing but it was what they needed at that moment.

Lois jumped up and wrapped her legs around Clark's waist. Clark caught her easily. His hands grabbed her ass and pulled her as close to him as he could. Heat flowed through them. Their arousal was heightening. Clark walked to the wall beside the window and pressed Lois against the surface. He moved his lips from her lips to her neck.

"This is not taking things slow," Lois said and gasped as Clark nipped her pulse point.

Clark just grunted as he raised his hand to dare to touch her breast. They were well into the moment when they heard the helicopter blades. They parted in a daze.

"Come on," Lois said as Clark let her down. She tried to get Clark to hurry and run down the stairs. "We gotta go."

She grabbed Clark's hand. They tried to run away but was blocked by a man in a United States Army uniform. Lois stopped.

"Hi Daddy," she said and she felt Clark's hand clench hers gently in shock.

The man stared them down. Lois heard Clark gulp.

"Clark, this is my dad, General Sam Lane United States Army," Lois said. "Dad, this is Clark Kent. My boyfriend."

General Lane frowned at Lois and then turned his eyes to glare coldly at Clark.

"Give us some space, son," he said to Clark.

Clark nodded.

"Yes sir," he said and released Lois's hand. "I'm going to go talk to my parents."

He dared a kiss on Lois's cheek before he rushed off.

"He doesn't seem your type, Lo," General Lane said watching Clark hurry to the house.

"Well, Clark's a surprise," Lois said as she walked out of the barn. Her father followed her.

"I thought we had an understanding. You were to stay away from the crime scene," her father said cutting to the chase.

"And you were supposed to be at the Pentagon," Lois said snidely.

"Oh, they sent me over to Fort Ryan to oversee some maneuvers," was his answer.

"To keep an eye on me, is that it, boss?"

"Drop it, Lo."

"Why? I'm obviously on to something here. You wouldn't be calling out the birds if I was late for dinner."

The General looked sternly at his daughter.

"Look, I'm here and Clark and I were just seeing what was left, nothing odd about that," Lois said.

Her father looked as if he didn't believe her. Of course, she didn't say anything about going to talk to Lionel Luthor or that she was just looking into Chloe's death and more.

Lois walked to the house. Her father followed her and they were welcomed into the Kents' home.

"I'm General Sam Lane, Lois's father," General Lane said holding out his hand. Jonathon shook it firmly.

"Nice to meet you," he said. "I'm Jonathon Kent and this is my wife, Martha. You've already met our son, Clark."

"It's been a pleasure having Lois here," Martha said. "Would you like to stay for dinner? We're having pot roast."

"I think it's time for you to get your things," General Lane said to his daughter.

Lois put her hands in her pocket and headed up the stairs to Clark's room to pack the few belongings she had there. She was done within five minutes. When she came down, Clark stared at her with a worried expression on his face. They didn't want to have to be apart. Their bond went wild when they were apart. Lois knew that she wasn't going to be getting much sleep that night.

"This is someplace you've got here Mr. and Mrs. Kent and again I would like to thank you for keeping an eye on my Little Lo. Can I offer you a Cavelo?" Hand rolled with some of the finest tobacco in the US of A," General Lane offered.

Lois rolled her eyes as her father turned on the charm and pretended as if nothing was wrong.

Jonathon reached for the cigar before turning it down.

"Uh, I, uh… my heart isn't exactly what it used to be," he said.

"I'm gonna have to take a raincheck on your hospitality Mrs. Kent."

"You're welcomed anytime," Martha said politely.

Lois felt her discomfort rise. She didn't want to say goodbye to Clark just yet. She stared at Clark who shared her worry. She could tell that he was hoping that she would at least stay for dinner, but it looked like her father had different plans.

"Thank you," General Lane said. "Let's double time it, Lo."

Lois embraced Clark tightly. The pleasant tingle sparked through her body. She was trying to get her fill of the feeling.

"Clark, about Chloe," she whispered before she forgot. "Find the connection to Luthorcorp."

She let him go. A mournful look haunted his eyes as they said their goodbyes.

On the drive to Fort Ryan, Lois shifted uncomfortably in her seat. The bond was demanding she returns to Clark.

"Stop fidgeting Lo," her father said. "This is for your own good."

"My own good," Lois mumbled. "If it was for my own good, I wouldn't feel like crap."

"Watch it," Sam warned. "You have no business sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. What happened to Chloe is not your concern. She's gone and that's all there is."

Lois turned to him and frowned. She wasn't uncomfortable because of Chloe. She wasn't going to give up on that no matter what, anyway. She was uncomfortable because she was away from her soul mate and was being pulled farther away. It was like her father forgot she had called Clark her boyfriend.

"I wasn't talking about Chloe," she grumbled.

"Oh, you were talking about the Kent boy," Sam said with a sigh. "Get over him, Lo. I'm shipping you back home."

"It's not that simple," Lois argued.

"What you fashion yourself in love?" her father laughed. "You knew the boy for a whole two, maybe three, days. It's not meant to be."

"You don't understand. There's this connection between us," Lois said.

"It's just teenage hormones," Sam said. "A couple of days apart and you'll won't even remember that boy's name."

Lois frowned and turned to look out her window. She did not know to explain what was between her and Clark. She couldn't just straight out tell her dad that Clark was an alien and she was his mate, made for him and him alone. He would not believe her. Or worst, he would believe her and he would take Clark in for testing. It was best that she sulk on her own.

That night, Lois tossed and turned in her bed. She had her own room. She missed Clark. She needed him near her. She knew that he was probably listening to her right now. She didn't have that comfort. She punched her pillow. It was overstuffed. She felt like throwing it across the room. Better yet, at her father.

"He could have at least allowed me to stay one more night with the Kents. It wasn't like Clark and I were sharing a bed." She grumbled to herself and more than likely Clark.

She fell in and out of sleep for the rest of the night. She woke up groggily. She felt as if she hadn't slept at all. The bond was irritated and irritating. She felt all sticky and cold and gross. She needed a hot shower and hot coffee.

She rose from her bed, stretched and made her way to the bathroom. Shower first. She made her way to the mess for some bacon and coffee.

"Hey, Lane," one of the soldiers said and Lois to turn to see Frank 'Frankie' Donaldson. He was a year older than Lois, came from a military family, so it was no surprise when he joined. He always had a crush on Lois and unfortunately, he was clingy and a jerk and 5'7" too short for her.

"Hey, Frankie," she said.

"So, what brings you to Smallville?" Frankie asked.

"My cousin died recently," Lois answered seriously.

"Sorry," Frankie said and sat down at her table.

Lois rolled her eyes.

"Anyways," Frankie said. "How about a date?"

"No," Lois said firmly.

"Come on, Lane, we had a great time the last time," he pleaded.

"We were ten," Lois said.

"We still had a blast."

"You threw up on my shoes."

"So, I got a little car sick."

"Not a great time," Lois said. "And I'm seeing someone."

"Who?"

"He's none of your business," she said. She rose from her seat and downed as much of her coffee she could stand. "I have to go. It was nice seeing you again Frankie."

She rushed off before he could say anything else.

Lois headed to her father's office. She wanted to find out if he had any information on Chloe. She thought it strange that as soon as she started snooping into her cousin's death is the time her dad decided to butt into her life. She suddenly feels the bond become stronger. Clark was nearby. The door opened.

"Considering your father has a yard full of tanks out there, I don't think you should be in his office rifling through his files," Clark said closing the door behind him.

"That didn't seem to slow you down any. Gotta say I'm impressed Smallville that you can sneak onto a military base undetected. Wait, super speed, never mind. What are you doing here?"

"I'm looking for you," Clark said. "I think your father is working with Lex Luthor. I saw one of his cigars in the library."

"I knew it," Lois said. "You're right, but you know my dad and the king of the trust fund kids."

"They're trying to cover up something to do with Chloe and if he finds us here…"

"I can handle him, Clark," Lois insisted. "Besides, if you think that chopper recital was something, you shoulda seen the escort I had for prom."

"Wow, I thought my father was overprotective," Clark said as he walked over to her. He kissed her head gently as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

"I guess, when he lost my mom, he kinda cracked and ever since he's been scared of losing me too."

Clark gave her a sorrowful look.

"I can actually talk about her. She died when I was six."

Clark looked down at Sam Lane's desk and saw a picture of Lois with her parents.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"Don't be," Lois said as she gazed at the photo. It was taken before her sister Lucy was born. "Unless you're the one who got her hooked on cigarettes behind the gym during high school."

She pushed down the emotions that thinking of her mom brought up. She cleared her throat.

"Make yourself useful," she said going through some of her dad's files. Clark did the same.

"Nellie Blye?" he asked finding something.

"I know. Can you believe that after twelve years, my dad is finally getting some action? I'm kinda happy for the old geezer."

"No, she died nearly eighty years ago," Clark said.

"But it says in his calendar he's been taking R&R with her at least once a week," Lois said confused.

"She's one of the first female undercover reporters. She was Chloe's hero."

"It says here that she is at 2348 Walnut Street," Lois said turning her back to Clark. Then she heard the whoosh of his super speed. She turned to see that he was gone. "Clark? Seriously?"

She dashed out to her car. She did a lot of investigating to find out that Chloe had been taken by a meteor freak. She found a military grade weapon and rushed out to find Chloe, ending up in an old foundry. Clark was already there fighting the meteor freak. Lois fired her weapon at the meteor freak while Clark used his heat vision and the meteor freak exploded.

"What the hell was that?" Lois exclaimed when it was all over. "Chloe always told me this town was weird. I don't know how you ever survived without me."

"How'd you get here anyway?" Clark asked.

"What do you mean how did I get here?" Lois argued. "Or do you mean how I got here without your help."

"Chloe," Clark exclaimed as if he suddenly remembered the main reason why they were even in the foundry in the first place. He quickly finds her.

"Chloe are you okay?" He asked. "Chloe?"

Lois watched as Clark hugged her cousin.

"I was afraid I lost you," she heard him say.

"Lois," Chloe asked as she caught sight of her cousin. "Lois, what are you doing here?"

The girls quickly embraced.

"Putting the worst two months of my life behind me. I'm so glad I found you," Lois said really happy to see Chloe alive.

"I?" Clark said sounding offended.

"Well, I guess I can say us, but that would be giving you too much credit, Smallville," Lois said.

"We found you," Clark said ignoring what Lois was saying.

Lois gave him a deadly look and Clark stared back defiantly.

"If you guys don't mind, I really like to get outta here," Chloe said interrupting their bickering.

"Yeah," Lois and Clark said at the same time.

"Let's get you outta here," Clark said.

"Before Lionel throws any more creeps at you," Lois said.

"Yeah, because tomorrow morning at court, I'm going to kick Lionel Luthor's butt," Chloe said proudly.

In the end, Chloe was able to testify against Lionel Luthor, keeping him imprisoned at out of everyone's lives. Lois got into big trouble from the General and was essentially grounded for going against him. Clark was happy to have his best friend back but unhappy that he would have to spend another night separated from his soul mate.

What they did not know was that they would not have to be parted for long.

END OF CH. 2