Disclaimer: I do not own Smallville.
Chapter ten:
Callie nervously rubbed her hands together as she sat next to the fireplace in the Kent's living room. "Mrs. Kent I'm so sorry about everything. If I could have stopped him I would have..." She trailed off, looking down at her lap and frowning.
"It's alright Chloe. I understand." The older woman assured her. "Clark can be... Dangerous when he's on red Kryptonite, I'm just glad he didn't hurt you."
The blonde hadn't felt her old loss as keenly as she did now, seeing Mrs. Kent older, harder and without that warmth she had always emanated. She was still kind; but it was tempered, hidden from view. It made her really begin to reflect on what had been lost.
"Do you have any idea where he could have gone?" She asked the older woman with worried eyes.
The redhead seemed perplexed that Chloe didn't know herself but nonetheless shook her head. "If he's not here or at the Fortress- "He's not." Callie said quicker, gaining a sharp look from the other woman. "We just came from there." "-Then he'll probably be at home or at the Planet."
The younger girl flinched at the thought of visiting the large newspaper; risking meeting her cousin in the process was something she just didn't think she could cope with right now.
"Chloe?" Martha's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "Are you alright?" The mother asked concernedly, warming her with her worry.
"I'm fine, Mrs. Kent. I just... I'm going to check the Planet for Clark." She smiled falsely and quickly turned to make her way to said place.
"Chloe," She turned once more. "How are you planning on getting there?"
"My car's parked outside, I can drive there." She covered, making her way out the door with a wave toward the other woman, unknowing of the suspicion in her gaze.
Callie arrived at the Daily Planet and stepped out of her car, eyeing the globe-topped building. In the weeks that she had been staying at the Kent's home attending the school she had not had much time to even think of her old dreams and aspirations. Now, however, it seemed as though it was being thrust into her face with all the force of a megaton explosion.
Stepping into the building, she both hoped that Clark was there and, at the same time, really hoped he wasn't. Above all that she really hoped that Lois didn't spot her, however. (Though from what she remembered of her cousin she really wasn't the "Night-owl" type.)
She ignored the elevator to the side of the lobby and instead made her way to the stairs, walking to the upper floors and further, step-by-step with her thoughts awhirl she made her way up until finally she was forced to a stop, keen gold-green eyes taking in a large, slouched form silhouetted by the faint light allowed by the computer before him. "Clark?" She queried softly, walking over and watching him jolt slightly. "Clark." She said once more, firmer this time as he seemed about ready to bolt.
"...Hi, Chloe." He spoke softly, unwilling to meet her stare.
"Callie." She reminded halfheartedly, voice just as soft. "Your mom figured you'd come here. Guess I should have as well." She said, gently brushing aside paperwork and perching herself on the side of the desk.
Clark stared at her silently for a moment, a dull gleam in his eyes, emotions undecipherable.
"So, the Planet, huh? It's a step up from your ambitions to join the Sharks." She joked awkwardly, earning a fond smile in return. "You know, you're gonna have to go back to "the fortress" and bring back Oliver and, well... Me."
"I dropped off the key."
"Oh." She quirked her lips, raising an eyebrow. ""Drop-and-run", huh? That's gonna bug the crap out of Chloe at least." She watched his expression twitch at her name.
"Chl-Callie." He sighed, looking down in shame. "I took advantage of you, I don't know why I did something so... So wrong." He saw her face out of the corner of his eye and quickly shook his head. "That's not what I- I didn't mean... I'm dating Lois and you're young. Too young." He justified.
"Okay, first off, I'm seventeen; barely, but still, and second," She cut across him as he opened his mouth to speak. "You were drugged, so it doesn't count. It was a moment of weakness and if anything I took advantage of you."
The Kryptonian stared at her for a moment in confusion. "How did you get to that conclusion?" Despite the situation he was unable to keep a hint of amusement out of his voice.
"Well, I..." She paused, pursing her lips in thought. "Okay, I got nothing. But still, Lois doesn't need to know!" She objected as he bit his lip.
"Callie, I'm sorry. It's my fault." He apologized. "Though I'm confused as to why you were there in the first place, not that I mind you staying there." He hastily clarified.
"Thanks. I've been going to Smallville high, did you know Principal Reynolds is still there?"
"No. But you've been staying at my house for... long and I didn't notice." He looked vaguely guilty at the thought and seemed to realize something if his enlightened expression was anything to go on. "Did everyone else know?"
"Well," She hedged. "Chloe, Oliver, Emil, possibly that redheaded psycho-bitch."
"Tess," Clark interjected with concern. "Tess knows?"
"I don't think so. But she met me in your barn, any idea why she was there?"
"I don't know." He looked worried, yet at the same time glad that he had something else to focus on. "But I'm going to find out."