Stop Dreaming, Asharlee, Aaron Leach, and c im am a dragon: Thank you for reading and reviewing. I love to read what people think about my stories.
Evilredknight: I know I answered you personally, but just in case anyone else was wondering the same thing…Yes, there will be a point where everyone talks about the future; but I'm not rushing it. Even though I'm nine chapters in, it's still the very first day. "The talk" will take place tomorrow. (Not our tomorrow, but their tomorrow; which is about another chapter from now.)
Reeven: I'm sorry you don't like the Chlollie thing, but I already promised someone else I'll add more. I hope this doesn't discourage you from reading and I'm really glad you like this story so far.
Brainchild: No, it's perfectly natural to worry about Chloe and Oliver, but I can't say much more without giving away some things. Sorry. Lol.
Wtchcool and anacaro: The funny thing is, this is actually a true event; well minus the superspeed eating and other Smallville related things. So, I'm really glad you enjoyed that. Alexis didn't think it was funny, but I didn't care; I got her to eat them didn't I?
Madlenita: thank you; and I wish I could tell you what's going to happen next; but….Anyway; I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Campdti: Lol. That's happened to me before, and I'm so glad I was able to do it to someone else. Not that I want you to get fired or anything;)
A/N: I'm not exactly sure where I saw this; but I think it's a good idea, and I'll try to do it on every update.
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"What are you doing here?" Chloe hisses.
"Don't you remember? I'm taking you to the McDougal Inn."
Chloe glares at him, and Oliver experiences an 'if looks could kill' moment.
"Let me guess, not funny yet?"
She doesn't answer. Just raises her eyebrows.
"Come on, it's a little funny."
Still no answer; just a glare. A really angry glare.
"No? Um…" Oliver clears his throat and unconsciously loosens his tie. It's beginning to suffocate him a little. There's no doubt in his mind that it's all because of Chloe and her death stare.
"Can I…can I get some water. Please."
She doesn't move.
"Okay, you're scaring me. And I'm sorry. Really Sorry."
"Why are you here?" Chloe asks, ignoring his apology.
"Just following my rules, that's all. Get out of the hospital; go see my niece."
Chloe relaxes. He's here for Jo'an.
"Lois isn't gonna like this. She thinks we spoil her," She grins.
"Who? Us? Nah, we're just a good aunt and uncle to our niece."
Our niece? Chloe freezes as she thinks about something. Before, she thought it was strange Lois would let her child call an ex 'uncle'; but what if…what if Jo'an calls Ollie uncle because of her; because she and Oliver are a couple. But how could she and Oliver possibly be a couple? She's got Jimmy.
"Uncle Ollie!"
"Hey get back here!"
Both Oliver and Chloe turn around as Jo'an comes running out of the bathroom excitedly. Normally; she'd just launch herself at him without the possibility of him dropping her entering her mind. He never misses. Not this time; at the last second she remembers he's hurt, and skids to a stop in front of him. He bends down and holds his arms out, silently inviting her into a hug with a huge grin on his face. She grins back and accepts, being careful not to squeeze him too hard.
"I swear, sometimes your hearing is better than Shelby's," Lois calls as she emerges out of the bathroom. "What the hell are you doing here?" She frowns down at Oliver.
Oliver stands up; lifting Jo'an along with him. "I'm supposed to see my niece whenever I get out of the hospital," he says simply and pokes the little girl in the side, making her giggle.
"Am I the only one who doesn't spoil this kid rotten?" Lois rolls her eyes.
"Nah, I just like to see her smile," Oliver shrugs and pokes Jo'an again.
"Uncle Ollie!" She squeals.
"See, how can that not put a smile on your face?"
"Whatever; that's what's wrong with the little monster now."
"I'm not a monster!" Jo'an exclaims.
"That's right Lois," Oliver chimes in. "There's nothing wrong with Joey. She's just like her mother; which makes her perfect," Oliver finishes softly and frowns. He hadn't meant to say that out loud. Hell, he didn't even realize he was thinking it. But now that he's said it, he realizes why he dotes on his 'niece' so much, both now and in the future. Sure, She's practically Clark's clone, but that's easily forgotten as soon as the child opens her mouth, or rolls her eyes, or crosses her arms over her chest, or…
"Yeah, well, her mother must be a monster too. And stop calling her Joey, it's irritating and it's a boy's name."
Oliver glances at Jo'an, then over at Chloe. They all laugh.
Lois rolls her eyes. It's like a damn conspiracy.
"Just give her to me," Lois says while reaching for the child.
"But"-
"Don't worry Joey, I'm not going anywhere," Oliver offers. "I've got a present for you anyway. You can have it when you're done"
"What is it?" Jo'an practically squeals. She loves presents. A lot.
Lois snatches the child away before Oliver can answer. She is not going to sit here while they exchange unnecessary goodbyes; only to be reunited with each other in a few minutes.
"Feel the water and tell me if it's too hot," Lois says once they're inside the bathroom again.
"It's not."
"You don't know that."
"I do," Jo'an says, her voice muffled a bit by the t-shirt as she pulls it over her head.
"Suit yourself," Lois shrugs. If the kid gets burned, maybe she'd be more inclined to do as she's told.
Jo'an begins to unbutton her pants but stops. She needs help. It's not that she can't do it herself; it's just, she usually breaks the buttons when she tries. That never makes her mommy happy.
"Can you please help me with my pants please?" Jo'an asks hoping she'd put enough 'pleases' in there to satisfy her mother. It works. Lois smiles and helps the Jo'an out of her clothes and into the tub.
"Do you like Daddy?"
"Smallville? He's okay."
"How come he's always with Lana and not you?"
"Because Lana's his girlfriend."
"Why?"
"Because he likes her."
"Does he like her more than you?"
"I hope so. Give me your foot."
"Why?"
"Because I need to clean it."
"No, why- that tickles!" Jo'an laughs when Lois scrubs the bottom of her foot.
Lois grins. Oliver's right. Anytime the kid laughs, she wants to laugh too.
"Give me your other foot," she says, snapping herself out of it. If she's not careful, she's gonna end up just like Oliver and Chloe; spoiling the kid and letting her walk all over them.
When Lois reaches for the shampoo, Jo'an frowns. She hates getting her hair washed. It takes a long time.
"Do you have to?"
"What, wash your hair? Of course I do. Do you know what Smallville will say if I send you back in less than perfect condition?"
"No."
"Me neither, but I know I won't like it."
Lois reaches behind Jo'an and unties her hair. "Huh" she mutters to herself. It's pretty; her hair, it's closer to gorgeous actually. It's dark, nearly black, and thick with airbrushed curls; and its long; very long; like maybe it's never been cut before long. She barely noticed before because it's been wrapped into a loose bun all day.
"Wait right here. Don't move," Lois stands up abruptly.
"Where are you going?"
"To get a cup so I can rinse you're hair. Just, don't move okay. I don't need you drowning on my watch."
Jo'an rolls her eyes. She's not a baby; and she can't drown.
Lois rushes into the kitchen. She's never heard of a six year old drowning in the tub before; but this is Smallville, and she is Smallville's kid.
Chloe jumps up from the couch as soon as she sees her cousin. "Done?" She asks hopefully.
Lois frowns at her. What's with all the fidgeting? And why were she and Oliver sitting so far apart? More than likely it has something to do with what the kid said earlier about them spending time together; and she'd love to ask, no, she's going to ask, but not now. She really needs to get back to the kid.
"No, I still have to wash her hair," Lois answers briskly.
"I'll do it."
"It's okay, I got it."
"I can help."
"Thanks but it's not rocket science," Lois answers with a roll of her eyes. She may not be good with kids, but she can wash the kid's hair without killing her. Probably.
Lois notices two things at once when she opens the door. One, the kid's head is underwater; and two, she's not moving. At all. She rushes over in a panic and pulls the girl up.
Lois gasps and widens her eyes in shock when water shoots out of the brat's mouth and ends up all over her shirt.
"I got you!" Jo'an exclaims mischievously.
Lois tries to smile but a grimace is all she can manage. When a kid does something like that, it's supposed to be cute right? So why does she feel like pushing the little monster's head back under water for a very, very long time?
"Yes. You got me. It was funny," Lois says in a clipped tone that suggests it was anything but.
"I know," Jo'an smiles, not quite catching on to her mother's sarcasm. Everyone always tells her she's funny at home.
"Put your head back," Lois says. She barely gives the child enough time to do so before pouring water over her head.
"I didn't bring any PJ's."
"You can wear one of my t-shirts," Lois answers tersely. She still hasn't quite forgiven the girl for the little prank she pulled.
"I didn't bring any underwear either. Will I have to wear yours?"
"No, looks like you're going commando tonight."
"And tomorrow too?"
"You'll be with your daddy then. You can wear your own. Close your eyes."
"I don't have any underwear at Daddy's house," Jo'an says, ignoring Lois and keeping her eyes open. Shampoo doesn't bother her at all.
"Your mother didn't pack you any?" Lois frowns. Even she isn't that irresponsible.
"No."
"She didn't think you would need them after she dropped you off?"
"She didn't drop me off," Jo'an answers softly.
"Then how'd you wind up at the farm?"
Jo'an doesn't answer. Just keeps her eyes down.
"Looks like we're going shopping tomorrow," Lois changes the subject. She suddenly remembered the circumstance under which the child was left at the farm; and has assumed she arrived via the police or child services.
Poor kid.
"Just me and you?" Jo'an wrinkles her nose.
I take that back.
"Stand up," Lois commands ignoring the child and wrapping a towel around her. "Go tell Chloe to find you a t-shirt to wear. I need to take my shower now."
"Okay," Jo'an answers before running out. She just remembered something. Her present. Her uncle said she could have it when she was done with her bath.
"Aunt Chloe, Mommy said find me a shirt to wear can I have my present now?" She asks, merging the two sentences together.
Chloe jumps up quickly, glad to be doing something other than making small talk with her future…Oliver.
Oliver laughs; both at Chloe and his niece before pulling a small object out of his pocket. Jo'an's eyes widen and she grabs it. It's a phone. She's never had a phone to herself before.
"You can't tell mommy okay?" Oliver whispers.
"Why?"
"Do you really think she'll let you keep it?" he scoffs playfully.
It doesn't take Jo'an long to come up with the answer. Her real mommy would say she's too young. This mommy would say she's too spoiled. She shakes her head "no". Neither one would let her have it.
"Exactly, but, it's just for emergencies okay. Real emergencies."
"Okay," Jo'an agrees immediately. Her uncle rarely tells her what to do; but when he does, it's always important.
"Here you go," Chloe says and hands Jo'an a t-shirt before giving Oliver a 'you're still here?' look.
"Okaaaay, I guess it's time for me to go," Oliver says
"Aren't you going to kiss me goodbye?" Jo'an asks.
"Course I am," Oliver grins before placing a kiss on the child's forehead
"And what about Aunt Chloe?"
Oliver freezes at the door.
"Jo," Chloe interrupts with a sigh. Evidently her suspicions were correct. She and Oliver are involved in the future. But this isn't the future. This is now; and she bends a little so that she's at eye level with the child so she can explain it to her.
"I'm married to Jimmy, Jo'an. I can't kiss Oliver."
Jo'an frowns. She'd forgotten all about Jimmy.
"Okay," she whispers sadly. Should she tell her aunt about Jimmy dying; about how he dies? She sighs. She probably should.
"Maybe just a little one Chloe," Oliver cuts in sympathetically.
"What!" She glares back at him. He can't be serious.
"Maybe just a small one, on the cheek," He continues, nodding his head in Jo'an's direction; and Chloe turns to see the heartbreakingly sad look on the child's face.
"Okay," she agrees with a roll of her eyes. Maybe Lois was right. They've known Jo'an for what? A day? And already they're willing to do anything to keep her happy.
She turns to face Oliver fully, and gasps when he presses his lips to hers.
"Oliver!" She shoves him. Hard.
"What the hell did you do that for? I was aiming at your cheek. Why'd you turn around?" he yells back.
"You could've warned me," she hisses. It was an accident, but it doesn't make her feel better.
"I did. Next time just stay still."
"Next time? There isn't going to be a next time."
"Stop it! No fighting; please. I'm sorry," Jo'an nearly sobs. She's never seen or even heard them fight before; and she doesn't like it one bit.
"We're not fighting," Oliver says quickly before pulling Chloe into an awkward one armed hug. Chloe in turn places a smile over clenched teeth. "See?"
Jo'an's expression doesn't change. They can't honestly believe she doesn't know they're faking.
"Okay sport, I have to go for real," He says before kissing her goodbye again and leaving.
"You ready for bed?" Chloe asks after locking the door behind him. Jo'an nods her head. She's not really, but she has other things on her mind right now.
Chloe leads Jo'an over to the bed and helps her in.
"Do you need a story or something?"
Jo'an shakes her head.
"Are you okay?"
Jo'an nods her head.
"You sure? Because you haven't said a word since Oliver left."
Jo'an shrugs her shoulders.
Chloe sighs. "I'm sorry about Oliver okay, but Jimmy is my husband. Oliver isn't. You understand that right?"
Jo'an nods her head.
Chloe lets out another sigh and turns to leave.
"Wait," Jo'an grabs Chloe's wrist, forcing her to turn back around. She keeps her eyes on her aunt's hand. "Aunt Chloe, Davis…Davis Bloom is a bad man."
"What do you mean by"-
"What's she doing in my bed?"
Chloe groans, her cousin has the worse timing ever.
"Where do you want her to sleep?" she snaps unintentionally.
"With you."
"On the couch? Lois there's barely enough room for me, let alone me and Jo."
"On the floor then."
"Lois."
"I'm just kidding…sort of," she adds under her breath and gets in beside the kid.
Once all the lights are turned off, and everyone is nearly asleep, Jo'an begins to cry. Silently. Aunt Chloe tucked her in, and said good night, and kissed her forehead; but her mommy usually does that. She wants her mother now more than ever.
"Good night Mommy," she sniffs.
Lois's heart constricts at the sound of the child's voice. It's so sad, and lonely; and the fact that she'd just said goodnight to a woman who can't even remember her, let alone hear her right now moved her. God she's becoming a sap.
"Goodnight Junior," Lois whispers back, knowing that it won't be enough; but hoping it would help all the same.
Jo'an falls asleep with a smile on her face. Her mommy heard her.