You're Not The Only One
Chapter Nine: The Calm Before The Storm
Chloe remained nestled in John's arms (still perched on the milk crate, no-one knows how long.), blissfully ignoring the world around her, a huge grin was visible, but only to John's neck. The Kryptonian closed his eyes, slowly recovering and revelling in the fellow teenager's warmth, thinking about how he was going to tell his parents and Clark about Chloe. 'Oh, Mom and Dad will be happy enough, but... Clark... He won't like it. No. I refuse to end my new-found happiness because of my brother. I know that he cares about me, I care about him too, and I know that he's trying to protect me, but... Chloe, I...' John didn't realise that he finished the last sentence out loud, until Chloe looked up and gazed deep into his eyes, the same angelic grin ever present.
"Say that again." John smirked innocently at Chloe. "Say what again?" Punching his shoulder, Chloe growled and kissed his neck, refusing to stop till the Kryptonian said what Chloe knew she had heard. "C-Chloe... Aah... I... I... I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I LOVE YOU!" Smirking triumphantly against John's neck, Chloe was blissfully unaware of John's eyes, the colour had flickered from their usual colour to a bright purple, his emotions becoming harder and harder to control.
Shutting his eyes tightly for a moment, he inhaled deeply and exhaled, calming himself down before opening his eyes again, jumping a little when he met Chloe's eyes. "Are you all right, Mr. Kent?" Nodding weakly, John moved one of his hands behind Chloe's head, retaining his smirk. "I'm absolutely wonderful, Miss Sullivan. This all feels like a dream, but if it is, I NEVER want to wake up!"
Grinning again at her partner, Chloe was about to say something when her mobile rang, easily dispelling any chance of speech. Growling and opening the phone, she pressed the 'CONNECT' button and raised the device to her ear. "Clark? Wait, slow down... What is it? Your brother? He's here with me. Why? Oh, I get it. He told you about that part... BUT NOT THE FACT THAT HE ASSAULTED ME AND TRIED TO KIDNAP ME! OH, NO, I BET HE DIDN'T TELL YOU THAT, WHATSOEVER! I'LL TALK TO YOU LATER, CLARK!" Snarling, Chloe snapped the phone shut and threw it towards the ground, but John caught it, even though he was looking directly into Chloe's eyes. "I think you dropped something."
Smiling apologetically at John, Chloe took the phone from him and put it into her bag, immediately clinging to his chest. "I'm sorry about that, John. Pete turned up at the farm, probably straight after the incident here, from the way Clark was talking. Don't you worry, no-one can stop us being together." Returning the smile, John ran his hand through Chloe's hair, his gaze never leaving hers. "You don't have to apologise for a thing, this was to be expected. I think the best way to deal with what awaits us will be to tackle them head-on. You, me, Clark, Mom, Dad and unfortunately Pete, all at the farmhouse. It's either that or we face more issues later on in life. I'll hold your hand through it all. What do you say?"
Clinging to his chest once again, Chloe groaned happily, completely unwilling to move as she buried her face in the crook of his neck. "Mmm, five more minutes..." Smirking proudly, John snaked his arms around Chloe's waist, squeezing her lightly. "Five more minutes it is, Princess..."
-x-
Pete Ross was finally calming down after causing one Hell of a fuss at the farmhouse. Clark's parents had gone upstairs to lie down, the angst from the teenager drove them both to migraines. Sat opposite Pete at the cottonwood dining table, Clark watched his best friend intently. "Look, Pete, you have to realise that I'm on your side, here. I don't want my brother and Chloe together, either. We both know why." Slamming his fist on the table, Pete suddenly burst into tears. "I... I love her, man! She's the reason I get out of bed in a morning! She looks after me, I repay her with money and thanks, she's everything I need, she's been my rock, especially since Mom died... It's like Mom never left at all..."
Nodding and closing his eyes, Clark now realised what Chloe had meant about Pete. He was taken from his thoughts when he noticed a hand waving in front of him. "Yo, Clark! Earth to Clark! Oh, wait... Bad pun." Chuckling nervously at the teenager opposite, Clark smiled and gestured for his friend to continue, when the phone rang. "One minute, Pete. Kent Farm, Clark Kent speaking. Oh, hey. Yep, still here. They've gone for a lie down, migraines. They'll be fine. Are you sure that's the best idea, especially now? Wait... What? He said all of that? I agree, it's best to deal with this now. How long will you be? I didn't catch that last part... Are you doing what I think you're...? Ugh! For God's sake, put my brother on!" Taking the phone into the other room (especially glad it was a wireless phone.), Clark growled quietly with a face of disgust, when he heard his brother tutting on the other end of the line. He knew his sibling was smirking and he hated it right now. "Clark Kent, can't you accept your brother's happiness?"
"Look, John, we, Pete and I, think that you and Chloe aren't right for each other. Let me finish. What if she discovers your secret, triggers one of your 'funny spells'?" ('Funny spells' being safe words in case the phone was using its loudspeaker.). "Clark, it's a risk I'm willing to take. I love her. I'll shout it from the top of the highest peak on this planetoid if I have to. I love Chloe Ann Sullivan, and there will be no-one nor nothing to stand in the way of that." Sighing in defeat, he knew there would be nothing he could do to change how his brother felt. "When can you both make it to the farm?" "Hmm, we'll set off in the next ten minutes." Nodding as if his brother could see the response, Clark committed the information to memory. "We'll see you both within the hour. I'll go and wake up Mom and Dad, and let Pete know what's happening. John, before you go..." "Yeah, Clark?" Forcing a smile (which was actually full of fear and concern.), Clark spoke calmly to his brother, just managing to suppress the shake in his voice.
"Be careful. I mean it." Somehow knowing that his brother was smirking (it's like he can detect these things.), Clark felt happier when he listened to his brother's response. "I will, my brother."
End Of Chapter Nine
