Recap: Clark tells Chloe how he feels about her. Andrew is plotting his next move to win Chloe over for once and for all.
Chapter 7
After a heartfelt moment between the two lovebirds, Clark puts away from Chloe first to get a good look at her tearstained face. Despite the fact she's not looking her best at the moment, Chloe gives Clark her infamous mega watt smile as he wipes her face clean of her tears. And after a few sweet but short kisses he gives her, he asks her out on a date.
"Chloe, I know this might not seem appropriate at the moment but I want to go out on a date with you to talk about were we go from here. I know you are going to say that you will be moving to New York in two weeks (it's New Year's Eve), but I want to you to know I am serious about how I feel about you. So, how about we celebrate the New Year tonight and we can talk?" asks Clark.
"Okay Clark, let's go out on a date tonight. But where are we going to go, though? It's New Year's Eve and every restaurant is booked solid from reservations that were put into place months ago," exclaims Chloe.
"Don't worry about that. I got that covered, and the only thing you need to do is get ready for a night that you won't forget. Because baby, I want you and only you. So go and get dolled up for a night on the town," expresses Clark.
"This is a new side of you and I like it! Whatever you're on, don't every come off of it. And yes, I'll get dolled up for you anytime you want," Chloe jokes back.
"Perfect, we'll leave in 2 ½ hours, so you better get moving for the night to get started," declares Clark.
At the restaurant called Bon Soir…
"So, how did you manage to get a reservation so late, because I know for one thing about this restaurant is pretty hard to get in if you don't have a booking a year in advance," explains Chloe.
"Well I have my connections and was able to pull some strings at the last minute. Why are you so worried about how we were able to get in at the last minute anyway? You are always ranting and raving to go here. I thought you would be happy I did this for you?" questions Clark.
"Clark, its not that I don't appreciate the sweet and loving gesture because I do, but it's an expensive place to eat at and I know I don't have the kind of money to wine and dine here whenever I wan to," explains Chloe.
"Don't worry about it. I told you I have connections and my source was able to pull through for me. And before you say another word, yes Oliver was the source to get us in at the last minute. I'll thank him later for doing this for me. Anyway, he owes me a favor and I just cashed it in. So, what did you decide to order," Clark informs Chloe as she sits there shocked at Clark's boldness to call on Oliver to get him in a very exclusive restaurant.
'Wow, Clark is serious about us. I thought I'll never see the day that Clark Kent is finally stepping up to the plate to make his feelings known. Well I guess its time that we had that talk once and for all,' thinks Chloe.
"Clark, let's just get to the conversation and worry about which entrée to eat. So, when did you decide to tell me that you loved me for almost 7 years? Better yet, when did you realize that you were in love with me at all?" interrogates Chloe.
"Okay, go for the jugular instead of feeding the stomach. I realized had feelings for you since the Spring Formal back in our freshmen year in high school, but you wanted to be friends instead. So, I back pedaled and decided to have you in my life one way than to lose you completely if I were to pursue any romantic relationship with you. As for when I decided to tell you that I was more than ready to start a relationship that was more than friendship, it was when I returned from the Phantom Zone but you were with Jimmy and you dismiss our kiss as, "I was the end of the world and I didn't expect us to hook up." So I pushed down those feelings because I was convinced you didn't want me or see me in that light since high school. I'm sorry Chloe for every knife I put through your heart when I keep saying I didn't see you that way. I did see you that way, but I was too scarred to get my heart stomped on again. You mean so much to me Chloe, I don't know what I would do without you in my life if I were to lose you," an emotional Clark monologues to his dinner date.
"Well I'm sorry for every doubting you or your feelings for me, but Clark you have understand that every time I saw you and Lana together it broke my heart. I tried so desperately to move on from you and the way you make me feel, but my heart won't let me and I'm glad I listened to my heart this time instead of listening to my head. I waited so long for you to see me and when it finally happens, I get the opportunity of a lifetime to become the investigative reporter I've working for since I was 8. But we will find a way to be together Clark. Mark my words, I'll make sure that we will be together, just like the way we're meant to be," proclaims Chloe as she reaches across the table to grab Clark's hand in her own.
"Of course Chloe we will be together. I know in my heart of hearts that we will make this work, and nothing will stand in our way of being together," finalizes Clark as both of them look at the menu and decide what to order as new start in their lives together.
Meanwhile at Chloe and Clark's apartment…
'I'm lucky that they are out tonight. After all, it is New Year's Eve and they would be out celebrating the New Year with a bang. But I'm not worried about that, I'll let them have this night together since it will be their last. Here we go, Chloe's bedroom,' Andrew thinks to himself after he breaks into Chloe and Clark's place and riffling through her personal possessions.
'Articles of her front page news she reports on a daily basis. I knew my girl was talented and she will be known by all that reads the paper. I'm so proud to call her my love, I don't know what I'll do without her if I didn't. Ah, pictures of her family and friends. Always so loving and caring about the people and her life. Chloe, you're one and a million and I'm glad to have the chance to have you in my life more than ever. I hope that caring nature doesn't disappear, and I hope that caring nature doesn't get you killed one day. And finally, your clothes I've been looking forward to. I knew weren't the cotton type of girl. Lingerie is more appropriate for you my love. It's soft and delicate on your porcelain skin of yours. It even smells like you. Oh Chloe, I can't wait to wrap myself around you once and for all. We belong together and nothing or no one, especially Clark Kent, will stand in our way of being together,' declares Andrew as he puts back her personal items before he leaves the apartment complex.
Two days after ringing in the New Year…
As Andrew watches Chloe work on her next front page article, Andrew walks over to her to ask if she would go on a date with him.
"Hey Chloe, I was wondering if you would accompany me tonight at the corner café on 5th and 7th Avenue at six for some dinner, and maybe some dancing afterwards? So what do you say to that? I want to spend some more time with you before you leave for New York next week," addresses Andrew.
Chloe looks up into Andrew's eyes after completing her article. What she sees disturbs and worries her that maybe becoming friends with Andrew was a mistake. Trying to calm her pounding heart in her chest, she gives her answer to his question.
"Andrew, you're a nice guy and all, but I'm not interested in going on a date with you. I told you that the only thing I have to offer is my friendship, but you just want to make things difficult than they have to be. Maybe you should leave okay, and also we shouldn't see each other anymore. Goodbye, Andrew," Chloe finalizes their conversation as she stands up and walks to the elevators.
Not excepting the answer Chloe gives him, he plots his next move to keep her in his life permanently. 'This isn't over Chloe, this is only the beginning you and me. I'll make you see that we belong together and I don't care what it takes for you to see that. This isn't goodbye my darling, this is I'll see you later. Until next time, my sweet,' ponders Andrew as he walks out of the Daily Planet and into the busy streets of Metropolis.
Chloe heads down to the 2nd floor from the 6th floor to search out Clark and tell him what transpired between her and Andrew. She is a little frightened at what she saw in Andrew's eyes when she gave him her answer to his dinner request, I mean dinner demand. 'What did I bring into my life? I'm a magnet for psychos and stalkers?' ponders Chloe as she locates Clark at his desk.
Hey Chloe, I was just about to come and get you for lunch. I was thinking maybe we should have Mexican today. Or maybe Chinese since you're not a big fan of burritos," Clark throws out there to get Chloe attention since she has a blank look on her face. Finally getting her attention, Clark asks what has her so focused that she didn't hear his sarcasm about their lunch choices for the day.
"Clark, Andrew came and saw me about 10 minutes ago, and it has me a little worried though. He asked me out on a date tonight and I turned him down, but it was the look in his eyes that has me worried about the answer I gave him. It was a wild and crazy look of someone who is desperately looking for love in all the wrong places. Maybe I shouldn't have befriended him in the first place to begin with," exclaims a worried and distraught Chloe.
"Don't worry Chloe, I'll look into Andrew. I knew something was off about him, and it's time that I did something about it. I promise you that I won't let him hurt you, because I love you and I will always protect you from any bad thing that tries to hurt you. Anyway, what kind of boyfriend I'll be if I didn't protect his girlfriend?" questions Clark.
"I know you will protect me. You always protect me, and I know you won't let me down. Besides, it's your duty to protect me, boyfriend of mine. Well, I think Chinese would be good choice for lunch. See, I was paying attention when you were talking," insinuates Chloe.
Later on that day…
Clark is looking into Andrew Colt's past and finds something interesting not even Lana and Lex knows about. Andrew Colt is a real person, other than the alias Justin took on, however, Andrew died 4 years ago in a car accident coming home from work in Missouri. But not only that, Andrew was 45 years old at the time he died.
'Well Andrew, you lied about where and your age. What else did you lie about,' thinks Clark as he digs further in "Andrew's past."
'Not only did you lie about how you are, but you also lied about working for Lex Luthor. What are you up to Lex, and why did you send "Andrew" to Chloe?' questions Clark as he continues his search.
The next day at Metropolis' airport…
Chloe and Clark say their goodbyes as she awaits her plane to come to take her to New York. Even though they will be apart, but their love can and will survive the distance that's going to be in their new and fragile relationship. If they can survive all the meteor freaks, every day criminals, psychopaths, and alien criminals from other planets and galaxies from afar away, they definitely can survive a few thousand miles in between them. Besides, Clark superspeed to Chloe in a blink of an eye if need be.
"You know this is not goodbye Clark. This is an, I'll see you later. We are far from over farmboy. I waited too long just to throw it all away because I took an opportunity of lifetime. So, don't go and get all mushy on me, okay. Just kiss me and tell me I'll see later, alright," Chloe cries alittle as she tells Clark how much she'll miss him and loves him.
"You know I can't say goodbye to you, even if you wanted me to. I'll call you later to make sure you made it in one piece. I love you, Chloe and I'll see you next week as we agreed," informs Clark as he kisses her goodbye before heading to the flight attendant to give her boarding pass.
Chloe turns around and blows a kiss to Clark before turning back around and walking through the terminal as the door closes behind her. Clark catches the kiss Chloe blows to him.
'See you later Chloe… my love will be with you in New York and beyond space and time…'
To be continued…
Next time: Chloe arrives in New York and settles in. Clark finds out more disturbing information about Andrew Colt. Andrew is still lurking around and bidding his time. Clark confronts Lex and Lana. Chloe starts at the Daily Bugle. Clark visits Chloe in New York and says goodbye. It's the beginning of the end for all…
Stay tuned to Realize: Nothing is What it Seems