A/N: Hello! I've been getting complaints of why I haven't updated…and it was the same as last chapter…I have writers block!! But hopefully next chapter will run smoother and the way I end this chapter you're gonna hate me if I don't update soon.
I've been such a fangirl lately, I went to the store yesterday and saw green STRIDE gum and bought one of those bags that have like three packs in it. And bought it just because it was on Smallville. And I've been privileged enough to talk to Michael Rosenbaum, so really I've been in fangirl mode for the last few days. And I also just realized that my school newspaper is called 'The Talon'.
Chloe entered the Smallville High library and glanced around. There were not many people in the library; just a few kids huddled over the cluster of computers in a corner of the room.
She knew that there were a bunch of tables hidden behind the book shelves and made her way towards that direction hoping that Clark would be there. The aisle between the book shelves seemed to go on forever until she reached the end. She looked around and saw a girl sitting near the heater texting on her phone and popping her gum.
She sighed when she saw all the other tables were empty. She went to turn back when she saw Clark emerging from another aisle. She watched him silently as he sat down and opened the book.
She took a breath and walked forward and paused by his side. "Hi Clark." She said softly.
He looked up from his book at the sound of his name. His eyebrows furrowed when he saw her and he stared silently.
She cleared her throat awkwardly, "Can I sit down?"
"Sure." He said quietly and watched her as she sat down. They both sat there for a few moments in complete a complete awkward silence.
"So listen," Chloe finally broke the tension, "I just wanted to say that I'm sorry, really, really, truly sorry. What I said to you was completely out of line. You're right; I should believe you and I should trust you. It was just my ridiculous fantasies taking over my brain. I should take your word for it when you tell me you're over Lana and you don't go all goo-goo eyed every time you see her in the hallway anymore so that should have been another clue. And that whole crack about the 'human nature' thing I wasn't thinking clearly and I opened my big mouth before I thought about what I was saying as always when it comes to you and…"
She was cut off by Clark's lips on hers. She didn't even have time to respond before Clark pulled away. She blinked at him, surprised.
He smiled that adorable smile that made her go weak at the knees. She opened her mouth to say something, paused, then continued, "I take it I'm forgiven?"
He took her hand, "Yes Chloe, you're forgiven."
She bit her lip, trying to suppress the huge grin that tried to fill up face.
Clark sighed lightly, "I do tend to get a bit emotional over some things…"
Chloe shook her head, "No, you had every right to be upset Clark. I made an outrageous accusation about you and Lana and then to top of it all off I pulled the one thing that I'm sure hurts you even more than Kryptonite."
"Well, I won't lie to you Chloe that hurt, it did but I think the fact that you didn't trust me was the major contributor. You're my best friend, my girlfriend, the one person that I can confide in, other than my parents…I love you Chloe."
The shock was evident on the young blonde's face. Her jaw dropped and she could do nothing but stare at him for a good thirty seconds. "Whoa, whoa, whoa…" She finally spoke, "Back the Kent train up. Just five minutes ago you were mad at me and now you're telling me you love me." 'Shut up Chloe! You've wanted to hear those words out of Clark's mouth since the eighth grade!'
But Clark only looked sheepish and shrugged helplessly, "Well it's not like it just came to me now, I've been wanting to tell you but then we had the fight, and even then I still had those feelings for you, I mean people fight all the time, doesn't mean you love them any less right?"
Chloe grinned at him.
"What?"
"You're babbling."
Clark shut his mouth and once again looked sheepish.
Chloe chuckled, "Hey, it's alright. I babble all the time…especially when talking about my feelings. It happens."
Clark smiled at her and she smiled in return.
The next few months were perfect. They hadn't fought since except for the occasional squabbles that came from their friendship but it hardly lasted five minutes. The two were practically inseparable, they were seen everywhere together. No matter what either of them did, they always did it together.
To practically everyone in Smallville High, they were the cutest couple. Even more so than Lana and Whitney. All the girls wished they could be Chloe, not only because she had the nicest, sweetest, cutest, guy in all of Smallville but because of the relationship the two had. It was like fantasy. Chloe was Cinderella and Clark was her Prince Charming.
After school, they took the bus to the Kent farm, just like they did every day to do homework together in Clark's 'Fortress of Solitude'.
They got off at the bus stop and walked towards the house, hand in hand. Once they got in the house, Clark called a hello to his parents. They walked into the kitchen where Martha and Jonathan sat at the table. As always, they smiled up at their son and his girlfriend. "Hello Clark, Chloe, you two have a good day at school?"
"It was fine." He answered grabbing an apple from the fruit basket on the table.
Chloe rolled her eyes but smiled slightly, "Clark totally told off this guy."
Jonathan lifted his brow and looked to his son, "Oh?"
He shrugged, "He was bugging Chloe, I wasn't just going to stand there and watch him emotionally torture her."
"Everyone was shocked that shy Clark Kent had the guts to stand up to him. Besides Clark, he's like the strongest guy in the school and since no one knows that Clark can lift a tractor with one finger, everyone is afraid to stand up to him." She turned to Clark, "And he wasn't emotionally torturing me, I've heard worse, he was just being a jerk, an immature jerk."
"Still, what kind of boyfriend would I be if I just stood there .I didn't even yell at him, I just told him to back off and leave her alone."
"And gave him the coldest glare that I have ever seen." Chloe added. "That guy knew Clark meant business."
"Well just be careful son, you never know what might happen."
"I would never use my abilities to hurt someone Dad, even if I was just a normal person I wouldn't be able to hurt someone like that."
"I know you wouldn't do it on purpose but a lot of things can happen when you're angry. Humans can do some pretty bad damage if they get angry, imagine what you could do."
Clark shuddered just thinking about it, "I'd rather not. But I didn't feel like hitting him."
Jonathan shook his head lightly, "That doesn't matter Clark, if he felt the need the hit you, he would still get hurt." At Chloe's perplexed look, he elaborated, "Clark's invulnerably also makes his skin like iron. If someone punched him, it would be like punching stainless steel, they would break their fist."
"Damn Clark, you are seriously the perfect body guard, you should be on the secret service."
Clark smirked slightly and shook his head.
"I'm serious!" She exclaimed with a grin.
"Let me finish high school before I start saving the world ok Chlo?"
"Fine, I was just saying!"
Clark chuckled, "We'll see you guys later." He told his parents, "We're gonna go up to the loft."
Martha smiled, "Alright."
The couple walked out of the house and up to the loft. They got settled and comfortable and started their work.
They worked on the homework they had in the classes they both had together and would help each other in the other classes. Well mostly Clark helped Chloe. Clark pretty much had a photographic memory….which he didn't even realize until Chloe pointed it out one day.
About an hour into their work, Clark stopped and looked at Chloe. "Chloe?"
"Hmm?" She was chewing on the end of pen as she read the paper on the floor.
"Do you want to go out tonight?"
She lifted her head and grinned, "Sure, what were you thinking?"
He shrugged, "Nothing special, maybe just the Talon. We haven't really had an 'official' date in a while."
"Yea, that's perfect."
He smiled, "Great…I was thinking we could hang out here for a while and go at like 7?"
She nodded, "Awesome."
He nodded and went back to his homework. After about another half an hour they both finished and decided to talk. They both leaned their backs up against the couch and sat close enough that their shoulders were touching.
They talked like that for hours until Martha came up the stairs and asked Chloe if she wanted to stay for dinner.
Clark told her that they were going to go out for dinner and since it was a Friday night, she had no problem with that.
It was five to seven before they started to head out. Chloe called her father and told him her date plans and he was fine with it as well.
Clark wanted to take the truck but Chloe suggested that they go his way. Clark knew it was her favorite way to get around. "It's easier, faster and doesn't kill the environment!" she once told him. He had to agree with her but it was also very risky. If someone saw two people appear out nowhere especially in Smallville there would be questioning and questioning is bad.
But Chloe convinced him to go his way.
Chloe wrapped her arms around his neck. Her favorite part. And Clark scooped her up into his arms. He sped with her into town and stopped in the alleyway behind the Talon. Chloe was laughing by the time Clark came back into normal speed. Clark was smiling down at her.
He placed her back down on the ground and she removed her arms from around his neck. "That will never get old, I'm telling you."
He chuckled and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Come on." She slipped her arm around him and the two walked out of the alleyway completely unaware of the hooded figure looming in the corner of the dark alleyway.
Clark and Chloe walked into the Talon and saw the place was pretty crowded. Lana stood behind the counter quickly rushing back and forth between customers and the coffee machine.
They saw two empty seats right in front of the counter and took a seat. Lana noticed them immediately and gave them a half wave and tired smile. They waved back and Lana winced when she heard someone yell for her. "I'll be there in a minute!" She called back. She made her way out from behind the counter and walked over to them, "Hey guys."
"Hey Lana." They replied in unison.
"You seem pretty busy." Clark noted.
Lana sighed, "Yea, and I'm short on help tonight. And one can only move so fast you know? So do you want anything?"
"Well, since you are busy, we'll just have something simple. Clark ate enough snacks earlier to feed the whole state of Kansas and I'm not really that hungry."
Clark grinned sheepishly and Lana smirked, "Chloe, I'll get you your usual. Clark, what would you like?"
"I'll have the same as Chloe."
Lana nodded, "Alright, and I'll just bring out a bowl of bread or something."
"Yea, that's fine." Chloe said.
"WAITRESS!" Lana sighed and turned her head and politely said, "Coming!" She turned back to Clark and Chloe, "I'll be back shortly."
They nodded and when Lana was gone Chloe turned to Clark. "Do you know how much caffeine I drink? You're going to have such a sugar rush, I do not want to be your parents tonight, and I don't want to even imagine a hyper super-powered boy."
He gave her a look, "Chloe, it would take a whole lot of sugar to make me hyper. As much caffeine is in your drink, I'm sure it won't make me bounce off…"
"Or put holes in…" Chloe muttered.
"….any walls." He finished dryly.
"Alright but if your parents need to remodel a wall don't go crying to me."
Fifteen minutes later, Lana returned with their order. "Sorry it took so long." She said as she set it down. "These people won't leave me alone. Where is Lex when you need him?"
Chloe snorted, "Some how I can't see Lex waiting tables."
"No, but he could stop the madness in this place. They sure would listen to him better than they listen to me."
Chloe shrugged. She still didn't trust that guy.
"Anyway, Thanks Lana." Clark said. She smiled gently and nodded and then was called away by yet another frustrated customer.
"I take it you don't like Lex?" Clark asked her.
"He's a Luthor, and all Luthors are the same."
Clark furrowed his brow, "You're judging him before you get to know him. Lex is different from his father…he doesn't want to ever be like him."
"Yea well, everyone turns out to be the person they promised they'd never become. If I were you, I wouldn't trust him as easily as you do."
"You're starting to sound like my father."
"Well your father is a smart man. I'm sure he knows the Luthors better than us. As far as Lex goes, the apple doesn't fall to far from the tree."
Clark was silent for a moment then he continued, "Lex may have some problems but he's not like Lionel. He has flaws but so does everybody."
"I just don't trust him is all…you want to befriend him, go ahead but I'm not going to go jumping in front of any bullets for him."
Clark sighed and took the cup of coffee into his hands. He took a sip and realized that Chloe was right. It did have a lot of sugar but not nearly enough to have him bouncing off of walls (or putting holes in as Chloe suggested).
"Ok, let's change the topic. This is supposed to be a date not debate team."
Clark nodded softly, "Right."
And from there the mood only lightened up. Although they hung around eachother everyday they never ran out of anything to say to each other. They sat there for hours just talking and drinking their caffeinated beverages and nibbling on bread.
By the time they were done, the Talon had cleared out and only a few people remained. Lana collapsed on a chair and rested her head in her hand and closed her eyes.
Clark and Chloe approached her. "Hey Lana." Chloe called.
Lana opened her eyes slightly and smiled at them, "Hey guys…"
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Clark asked.
Lana looked around, "If you could help clean up a little, I would be eternally grateful."
Chloe shrugged, "No problem."
Lana sighed in relief, "Thank you guys, so much. I really appreciate it."
Clark smiled, "Hey, what are friends for?"
So, Clark and Chloe helped around as much as possible. They brought dirty dishes and cups to the kitchen in the back, and swept the floors, and wiped down the counters.
Lana, after relaxing for a few minutes, got back up and went to the register and started to count the money. Clark and Chloe rested up against the counter.
Lana looked to them and smiled, "I have to thank you again. I don't know what I would do without you."
Chloe smiled, "Anytime Lana. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to use the little girls room." She ran off towards the restrooms and Clark smirked watching her until she disappeared. He turned back to Lana. "Clark, could you do me a favor?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"Could you take out the garbage? The garbage cans are right outside the back door."
He nodded, "Of course, no problem." He grabbed the bags of garbage and headed towards the back door.
Only about a minute later Chloe returned, "Hey, where did Clark go?" She asked looking around.
"Oh, he's throwing out the trash for me." Lana explained.
"Oh." She sat back down and looked around silently. She was still a little awkward around Lana. She knew she had no reason to be since Clark assured her over and over again that he was hers and only hers but just remembering how Clark used to feel for her made her feel awkward around Lana.
The other few people left and Lana cleaned up their tables and the Talon grew earily silent.
Chloe looked down at her watch. Clark has been gone for almost ten minutes. Lana came out of the kitchen and Chloe noticed that she seemed a bit confused as well. Chloe got up and walked over to the counter, "Okay, seriously, how long does it take to throw out garbage?"
Lana shrugged, "Maybe he went to the bathroom?"
Chloe shook her head, "No, I would have seen him come in." 'Or maybe he sped in and I didn't see him come in…still the door would have opened and closed somewhat.' Dread suddenly coursed through her veins. 'He's invulnerable Chloe…' She told herself. 'He can't get hurt.'
'Except with Meteor Rocks' another thought popped into her head. 'And who knows how many meteor rocks are in this town…'
"I'll go see what's taking him so long." Chloe said trying to keep calm. But her voice betrayed her and Lana's eyes widened when she heard the tone to Chloe's voice. But Lana could only nod.
Chloe swallowed and headed towards the back door. She felt her heart pounding in her chest as she pulled open the back door to reveal the dark alleyway. She stepped outside and turned her head from side to side, scanning the alleyway. It was dark and quiet. Too quiet. She walked towards the street and looked out into the road to see if Clark was on the sidewalk or looking at another store. She saw no sign of him.
She started to take deep breaths to calm her nerves and tried to reassure herself that everything was fine. 'Everything is fine. Chloe…you're over thinking things. Clark is fine…he probably did come in to the bathroom and I was just not noticing…boys can take a long time in the bathroom right? Right. It's fine…it's fine. I'm going to go back in there and see Clark sitting and talking to Lana…yes.' She headed back towards the door when something caught her eye. The toe of a very familiar looking boot.
Her heart once again started to pick up speed and she, very slowly, step by step, walked over to the garbage cans. It felt like time had literally slowed down and she was just walking the same few steps over and over again silently dreading why Clark's boot was on the floor and why Clark was no where to be seen. She didn't even realize her hand started to shake. She finally reached the garbage cans and peered over them.
'Oh My God…'