The Subconscious Ramblings of a Dunderhead - Chapter 2
Chloe looked over at the tall man standing against the doorway, his face and body partially hidden by the shadows except for the whiteness of his smile. He was sitting next to her and he might as well be in Siberia for all she cared. She only had eyes for the doofus at the doorway who had no idea how special she was. How she could brighten any darkened day and has the power to inspire no matter the circumstances. She was beautiful, smart, charming, funny and hot and yet this guy didn't see that. He saw a friend and a confidante. He was a dumb ass.
Chloe's sole attention was upon the door dweller, Clark Kent. Quite possibly the most gifted individual he had ever come across in his life. He was fast, strong and invulnerable and yet he spent his days on his farm, saving his loved ones and pining over a sorry excuse of a brunette. He was wasting his life and his talents. He was wasting Chloe too by not recognising that, she too, was one of his many gifts. Steadfast, loyal, trustworthy, protective and courageous in one adorable package. And yet Clark treated her indifferently. Maybe that wasn't fair, Clark loved her he truly did but not like she wanted ... or deserved. Ollie moved his hand up through his blonde hair and witnessed the silent communication between the best friends. It hurt, over time he had spent a considerable amount of time with her, working on missions and cases confiding in her about many private and personal matters. He considered her his best friend and yet he would never be hers. Best case scenario he would be a stand in, a replacement and permanent rebound option. The rush of thoughts was overwhelming, he'd gone from considering her a friend to a lover in a millisecond. Or maybe he hadn't, maybe that little flash of flesh had just made him realise what he had already been subconsciously thinking. That Chloe was perfect for him.
He was officially screwed.
"Hey Clark," he called to the team's newest arrival. He would love to have him permanently on his team but with Lana still in a coma, there was no way Clark would leave Smallville. Coming to Metropolis was pretty much the furthest Clark travelled from her. Chloe, he had had a little more success with. Her recruitment to the team as a freelance agent had proved to be a successful move. He had capitalised on her availability and need for work. She was great to have around, a motivating and somewhat maternal presence on the team. The guys loved her to death and the team had become more efficient as a result. He had recognised her value, Clark didn't. He took advantage of their friendship not realising how lucky he was. Ollie sighed aloud. The hole he was digging for himself was filling with bitterness and disillusionment, not good for the team and not good for him. And just a tad on the irrational side. He smiled sadly to himself.
"Hey Ollie, how did it go?" Clark asked in that soft tone of his. It amazed him frequently that this seemingly inexperienced farm boy could be the most powerful person on the planet.
"Not bad, not bad. We managed to take down the Sydney branch of 33.1. AC's going to duck back down there for a breather. No injuries, no concerns. Watchtower got us running like a well oiled ... well, Cyborg," he laughed at his attempt at a joke and Chloe's attention darted back to him. She giggled a little while the others
rolled their eyes. Victor in particular looked unimpressed. Clark didn't laugh, Ollie actually couldn't recall him laughing much at all. He was always so serious, so focused like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. How could Chloe bare to be around him so often without laughter? It was a hypothetical question - he knew why. They knew each other better than any two people he had even witnessed. Complete trust and a complete lack of judgement. Support all the way with very rarely any questions asked. In fact Chloe was quite possible the only person that could get through to Clark when he was intent on a problem or concern. Their bond was strong. There would be no room in her life that wasn't Clark, he was the most important person in her life and anyone else would just be fooling themselves.
She was looking at Clark again, Ollie's body stiffened. It was the only visible concession you could see about his feelings. He liked Clark, respected him, would pay millions for the abilities he possessed but he now realised the thing he wanted the most was the guy's best friend. Clark moved forward and sat on the arm of the couch immediately next to Chloe. She rested her elbow on his thigh, her chin resting in her hand her gaze up at him and he felt jealousy stronger than he had ever experienced. He wanted that. He wanted her to be looking at him like that. To regard him in that way.
"So do you want to hit the movies tonight Clark?" she asked him, hope in her eyes, a smile on her face. Clark shook his head.
"I am going to visit Lana tonight," the smile died. The disappointment evident along with the understanding clearly splashed across her face.
"You cannot keep doing this to yourself, you need some room to breathe Clark," she looked towards Ollie, her eyes clearly signalling her need for assistance. She was nearly pleading. He was going to help her out but not so the two of them could have some alone time.
"Yeah Clark how about you come out with me and the boys? Get your mind off things, take a break for a few hours. You can do that right?" Chloe threw him a glare. Ollie had a plan and it involved Clark and copious amounts of alcohol. He needed information before he moved forward, he needed to assess the competition. He needed to analyse his chances and move forward like a business deal. He wanted her, he needed her and in time she would realise that they could have it good. But first there was some information to be gathered. Ollie casually threw his arm across the back of the couch, parts of his arms touching her neck. Her warmth seeping into his body in a delicious way.
"C'mon Clark, be a man. Join us," Ollie teased. The other guys voiced their encouragement and he saw Clark caved before him.
"Maybe a hour or so," the team broke into cheers and Clark looked sheepish. Ollie glanced at Chloe and winked. She sniffed and turned her nose up at him but the corner of her mouth rose slightly so he knew she
wasn't really mad at all. She knew just as well as Ollie did, that Clark existed in an oestrogen infested bubble and was in sore need of some man time.
"It's a deal Boy Scout, the league is taking you out for a boy's night out on the town," Ollie inched the arm closer to her so that it was more swung around her than the couch. She snuggled into him a little, probably gravitating towards his warmth.
"I'm coming too," she announced and all the guys stopped laughing and high fiving one another.
"Chloe I don't..." Chloe cut off AC's concerns with a single glance. Her head turned so quickly that her blonde bob swung angrily into her chin. The glance was glacial. "Ahhh...sounds great, the more the merrier huh?" he sought confirmation from his teammates.
"Can't wait, sweet cakes," Bart mumbled through the chips and Victor nodded his approval. Ollie groaned internally, this might not be such an easy reconnaissance mission after all.
Author's Note – Thanks for all the lovely reviews. I have felt very welcomed into the Smallville fanfic community. I'll be interested to see what people think of the reveal of the identities of the object of affection and the admirer from afar (or right next to her, lol).
