Hey guys. Sorry it's taken me so long to update! But to make up for it, I'm going to put two chapters up. I hope you like them!
Chapter 12: Learning to Fly
Becky and Chloe walked on the streets of Metropolis. "Chloe, I think I need to talk to Clark. I don't feel right about the way I sprung this on him," Becky said. "Well, I explained you being a Kryptonian and I told him your story," Chloe said. Becky nodded. "Thanks. But I still need to talk to him," she said. Chloe sighed. "Yeah ok. But I need to go with you," she said. Becky smiled and wrapped her arm around Chloe's waist. Chloe put her arm over Becky's shoulder and they disappeared.
Becky stopped running in front of the Kent home. They could see the lights on and Clark was sitting at the kitchen counter. Becky sighed and walked in, Chloe following her. "Hey Clark," Becky said. Clark looked up and stared at her. "What do you want?" he asked. "World peace. Oh and for once in my life for it to actually rain men. Those Weather Girls always got my hopes up," Becky said. Clark rolled his eyes. "Seriously Clark, I just want to talk to you," Becky said. "There's nothing to talk about. You lied to me and kept a secret from me that I had a right to know. I don't think that there's anything else to say," Clark said crossly. Becky sat next to him. "Clark, I didn't want to lie to you or keep anything a secret, but what would you have done if I just walked in here and said 'Hey Kal El, I'm a Kryptonian. Can I crash here for a while?' I'm guessing that your welcome wouldn't have been as warm as it was. You have to understand where I was coming from," Becky begged. "No I don't have to understand anything," Clark said getting up and walking out of the kitchen. Becky looked at Chloe.
Chloe didn't know what to do. A part of her felt happy that Clark was being so stubborn. She was happy that Clark wasn't letting Becky into his life just to fill a hole in his heart. But another part of her knew that pushing Becky away was a mistake. She sighed. "Clark," she said. He turned around and looked at her. She walked up to him and put her hand on his arm. "Give her a chance," she said. Clark started at Chloe and then nodded. "Thank you," Becky whispered. Clark gave her a half smile. It was silent for a moment.
"So anyone going to explain the Chloe clone to me?" she asked. Chloe's eyes grew wide and she turned to Clark. Clark looked at Chloe and then at Becky. "Well, um….I don't know," he said. Chloe looked down at the ground. Becky looked away and nodded. She knew they were hiding something from her. "I'm a meteor freak," Chloe said quietly. It would have been inaudible for anyone else, but Clark and Becky could hear her. "What's a meteor freak?" Becky asked. "I told you about them earlier. They're the ones infected by the Kryptonite," Chloe explained. "Oh," Becky said not questioning it any further. Chloe and Clark were thankful that she didn't.
"Becky do you think that maybe you could give me and Clark a minute?" Chloe asked. Becky nodded. "Yeah, I'll go run an errand. Ten minutes good?" Becky asked. "Yes, thank you." Becky started walking to the door. "Wait Becky. No super hearing ok?" Chloe said. Becky shook her head and put her fingers in her ears. She smiled and supersped away.
Chloe turned to Clark. "What is it?" he asked. Chloe walked over to the couch and sat down. Clark followed and sat next to her. "Clark, I figured out how to use my ability," she answered. "You did? How?" Clark asked. "Remember that story of mine that Grant didn't publish?" Chloe asked. Clark nodded. "Well see it was a good story but it was sort of missing an explanation for something," Chloe said. Clark nodded for her to go on. "The story didn't explain how the victim of the attack went from bleeding profusely from the head, to miraculously being healed," Chloe said. Clark's eyes grew wide. "You healed him?" Chloe nodded. "No one else was around and I knew he was going to die. So I just touched his head," she said. "How did you know it was going to work?" Clark asked. "I didn't," Chloe said. Clark nodded and then got a worried look in his eyes. "Wait, did you start bleeding?" Chloe nodded. "But it only bled for a few minutes and then the cut on my head was completely healed." Clark nodded and then smiled. "I told you you would figure out a way to use your abilities for good." He took her into his arms and hugged her.
There was a gust of wind and Becky appeared in front of them. Chloe and Clark pulled away from each other and Becky smiled. "Sorry for ruining the moment."
Becky threw something at Clark, it landing on his lap. "A hotdog? Where'd you get it?" Clark said, picking up the foil wrapped hotdog. "New York." Chloe and Clark stared at Becky. "What?" she said. "Did you pay for it?" Clark asked. "Well, I didn't stand in line, but I did leave a five in the cash register." Chloe laughed. "Well, we should get going," she said. "Yeah, let's go. Oh wait, why were you so worried about me using my super hearing for? Is this one an eavesdropper?" Becky asked, pointing at Clark. Chloe smiled. "Only when he needs to be," she said. "Sure. I bet he was the one x-raying through the girls locker hall during P.E. too huh?" Becky teased. "No….okay once," Clark said. Chloe spun around and her jaw dropped. "You did?" Becky laughed. "Oh I can understand that," she said. Chloe turned to her. "You can?" she asked. Becky nodded. "Well, I never looked at the guys during P.E. class, but I can't say the same for before and after the football games," Becky said biting her lip. Chloe pressed her lips together and nodded. "Yeah I can understand that one too," she said. The three laughed.
Becky and Chloe sat on Becky's couch. After saying good bye to Clark, they had come to L.A. and were now watching t.v. in Becky's living room. "So who knows about Clark?" Becky asked. "Um well, obviously his mom. And then three other people," Chloe said. "Including you?" Chloe shook her head. "So who are the three?" Becky asked. "Well, the first one is Pete," she said. "Who's Pete?" Becky asked. "He's a friend of Clark's. Well, he's my friend to. But we haven't spoken to him since high school," Chloe said. "Well, it sounds like I won't be seeing him anytime soon but can I trust him if I do?" Becky asked. Chloe nodded. "Yes. Ok and Lana knows too," she said. "Can I trust her?" Becky asked. Chloe was silent. "I don't know." Becky nodded. "Ok and the third person?" she asked. Chloe sighed. "Um Lionel." Becky shook her head. "Not Luthor," she said. Chloe nodded slowly. "What? I thought I could trust Clark's decisions. Lionel Luthor? Why?" Becky questioned. "Because Jor El chose Lionel to be his vessel," Chloe answered. Becky put her head in her hands. "My entire life I've tried to avoid Lionel and now I find out that he's part of Clark's Kryptonian destiny. This is just too weird." Chloe chuckled. "You think that's weird? Do you know who Zod is?" Becky nodded. "Yeah he was like Jor El's worst enemy right? What about him?" Becky asked. Chloe nodded. "His vessel was Lex," Chloe said. Becky threw her head back, laughing. "NO WAY!" she exclaimed. Chloe laughed at the irony of it. Becky stopped laughing and shook her head.
"So as long as this is playing out as girlie sleep over, can we talk boys?" Becky asked. Chloe laughed. "Yeah, sure why not. What boys do you want to talk about?" she asked. "Clark. Specifically Clark and you," Becky said. "What about me and Clark?" Chloe asked. "Why aren't you two a couple?" Becky said. "What are you talking about? Clark and I are just friends." Becky nodded. "Yeah I know that. I want to know why you guys aren't more than friends. You obviously have feelings for him," Becky said. "Well, maybe so, but for a relationship to work, both parties have to come with their fair share of feelings for the other party," Chloe said. Becky laughed. "Which party do you feel is lacking in feelings?" she asked. "Isn't it obvious?" Chloe asked. Becky shook her head. "No." Chloe tilted her head and gave Becky a questioning look. "I think that Clark wants to be with you," Becky said. "No he doesn't," Chloe said. "How can you know until you try?" Becky asked again. "We've tried." It was Becky's turn to give the questioning look. "What do you mean?" she asked. "That's a long story," Chloe said. Becky looked around. "I've got nothing better to do."
Chloe sighed. "Why are you so interested in my relationship with Clark?" she asked. "I just don't like seeing people who are meant to be together, turn a blind eye to their feelings," Becky said. "Clark Kent and I are not meant to be together," Chloe said. "Well, I disagree, but I'm willing to hear your side of the argument," Becky said. Chloe smiled. "You are not going to give up on this are you?" Chloe asked. "No."
Becky and Chloe sat down in the large auditorium at the newspaper convention. They were both tired from staying up late. They had talked about Clark and Oliver and other guys until neither could keep their eyes open. Now they were sitting through a long speech about reporting. Chloe was genuinely enthralled by the speaker and she was writing notes in a small notebook. The only thing that was getting Becky through it, though, was the sound of music that was being played about a mile away. She sat listening with her super hearing, waiting for the speech to be over. She felt a tap on her shoulder and some one say her name. "Is it over?" she asked. Chloe nodded with a smile. "We have a twenty minute break before the next speaker," she said. "Are you going to submit any of your work to the L.A. Times' young writers' contest?" Becky asked. Chloe bit her lip and pulled out a small stack of papers. "Do you think any of these are worthy?" she asked, handing them to Becky. She took them and read over them at an amazing speed. She pulled one out of the stack and handed it back to Chloe. "You already read them all?" Chloe asked. "I don't just run fast Chloe. And you should submit this one," Becky said pointing to the paper that she had put in Chloe's hands. "My story on the Justice League?" Chloe asked. "That's not just a story Chloe. It talks about the aspects of being a hero and how heroes tend to stick together. It also talks about the challenges and problems that they face as a group. It's amazing! Why didn't you have Grant publish this?" Becky asked. "It's not his kind of thing," Chloe said. "Well, whether or not it's Grant's kind of thing, I'm sure the L.A. Times is going to love it. Now come on," Becky said as she stood up. Chloe stood up too and then froze. "What?" Becky asked. "That's Perry White over there," Chloe said, pointing. "You haven't met him before?" Becky asked. "No, I have, but he quit reporting years ago. What's he doing here?"
"Go ask him," Becky said. "I have to go turn this in," Chloe said holding up the paper. Becky grabbed the paper. "I'll take care of it," she said. "Go!" Chloe smiled and then walked towards the once retired reporter. "Mr. White," Chloe said when she came up to him. He looked at her for a moment and then grinned. "Miss Sullivan? I should have known you'd be here," he said. "Yes. I didn't think you'd be here, though," Chloe said. "Well, Miss Sullivan, I've decided to go back into reporting," Perry said. Chloe smiled. "Is that right? What paper are you working for?" Chloe asked. "I haven't decided yet," Perry said. "The Planet could always use a great reporter," Chloe said. "First of all, they already have a great reporter in their mist and second, going back would be like going back to my alma mater," Perry said. "What's wrong with that?" Chloe asked. "Have you been back to what was it…the Torch?" he asked. Chloe shook her head. "But the Planet isn't what it used to be and I think that it could really use you," Chloe said. Perry raised an eyebrow and stared at Chloe. "Well, Miss Sullivan, I'll definitely think about it.
Chloe walked up to Becky as she was closing her phone. "You look like you have good news," Becky said, noticing the smile on Chloe's face. "Yeah and you look like you have bad news. You first," Chloe said. "Well, I just talked to Oliver and it seems that Lex has already covered his tracks," Becky said. "How is that possible?" Chloe asked. "Well, all of the clones were moved to a private hospital and every nurse or doctor who even laid eyes on the clones, suddenly doesn't work at either of the hospitals that we brought the clones to," Becky said. Chloe shook her head. "I don't know how we are ever going to beet Lex if he works this quickly," she said. "Chloe let's not worry about that right now. Tell me what your good news is," Becky said. Chloe chuckled. "Well, I think…I think I might have convinced Perry White to come back to the Planet."
Two weeks later, Clark, Chloe, and Becky walked to the Planet from a near by café. It was dark out and Chloe was going to a holiday party. It was two days before New Years and the entire city was bubbling with holiday chaos. Clark was Chloe's escort to the party. "So Becky, how does the whole flying thing work?" Clark asked. "It's not something I can explain. All I can say about it is that eventually, it will just come to you. You'll probably be saving some one and you'll be forced to fly," Becky said. "And suddenly I'll be flying?" Clark said. "Yes. Look Clark, just trust me ok?" Becky said. They reached the Planet.
"Are you sure you don't want to come, Becky?" Chloe asked. "I saw the invitation. It was for you and one guest. Clark's size is already pushing the 'one'," Becky teased. Clark scowled at her. "Yeah, but I'm sure that Lois isn't bringing anybody. You could be her guest," Chloe said. "No really, Chloe. There's a ton of people that I could be saving instead of going to the party. So thank you, but I have to go play super hero." Then Becky was gone. Clark smiled down at Chloe and offered his arm. "Ready pretty lady?" he asked in a southern accent. "Why thank you sir," Chloe answered in a similar tone. She wrapped her arm in his and they walked into the front doors of the Planet. The party was being held on the top floor. Chloe and Clark headed to the elevators.
Becky stopped running in front of the Luthor mansion. She took a deep breath and then super sped to the door. A maid let her in and, after being searched by security, Becky was lead to Lex's office. "Well isn't this a nice surprise. What makes you stop in for a visit?" Lex said, sitting at his desk. Becky rolled her eyes and came and sat across from Lex. "I'm not here for a visit. I have to ask you something," Becky said. "Ask away," Lex said. "What are you doing with the clones?" Becky asked. "I have no idea what you are talking about Becky," Lex said. "You've never been a great liar, Lex. I don't know why you think that you can just lie to my face. Now, I'm going to ask again and I want the truth. What are you doing with the clones?" Becky asked. Lex stared her in the eye. Suddenly two security guards came into the room. "Is there a problem Mr. Luthor?" one asked. "Could you escort Miss Snyder out please?" Lex said. Becky stood up. "I know where the door is," she said and walked out.
She turned the corner and waited for the security guards to leave. Then she heard Lex get up and walk out. After she was sure that the room was empty, she snuck back in. She headed to the desk and opened Lex's laptop. After putting in some passwords, she opened Lex's files and emails. She scanned over it quickly and a list of emails caught her eye. She looked around and then opened them.
The first one was short. "What is the status on the project?" it read. Becky clicked on the next one. "Good, Mr. Luthor. Almost all of the clones have been replaced." Becky read it again. "Replaced? What does that mean?" she asked herself. "And the families don't suspect anything, right?" the next email said. Becky clicked on the last one and read. "No, they don't suspect anything. They think that it's just some kind of miracle that their loved one has suddenly reappeared." Becky heard some one coming. She closed the laptop and returned to her hiding place in the hallway.
She heard Lex's voice and she realized that he was on the phone. She focused her super hearing. "Mr. Luthor, we realized that one of the meteor freaks that was supposed to be replaced is still alive," the voice on the other end said. "Who is it?" Lex asked, angrily. "Don't worry Mr. Luthor, she's being taken care of right now," the man said. "It better be. Which freak was it?" Lex asked, sternly. "It was Chloe Sullivan, sir." Becky's eyes grew wide with fear. Lex was silent for a moment. "Chloe Sullivan was supposed to be alive!" he screamed. Becky didn't wait for the man's response. She super sped back to Metropolis, hoping that either she or Clark wasn't too late.
Clark stood in front of the appetizer table waiting for Chloe to return from the bathroom. He felt someone punch him in the arm. He turned. "Hey Lois," he said. "Hey Smallville. Where's my cuz?" Lois asked. "Bathroom." Lois nodded and then walked to the other side of the room to talk to someone. Suddenly, Clark didn't feel right. He looked around. Chloe had been in the bathroom for a long time and now it was worrying Clark. Something told him to use his super hearing and as soon as he did, he looked up. "Chloe," he said under his breath and ran towards the stairs.
Chloe backed up as a man came at her with a gun. She didn't realize how close she was to the edge. Her foot slipped and she fell off the roof. She screamed and felt her self being pulled towards the ground. Then she felt two strong arms around her. She hid her face in Clark's shoulder and wrapped her arms around his neck. Clark looked down. There was a crowd of people underneath him and there were buildings on every side of him. If he crashed into them, Chloe or someone else would be killed. There was only one thing to do. He had to fly.
