A/N: The story is moving closer and closer to the end. This is a much longer update than the last. Thanks to all who have been following this story since I started it so long ago, when I was still watching the show. And thanks once again for all of the reviews and confidence all of you have given me. It's what's encouraging me to continue and complete this story once and for all.
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Thirteen Years Earlier …
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At thirteen, Clark Kent knew nothing of girls. Pete Ross, his best friend for almost half his life, was a boy and knew little about the subject. His childhood crush was a girl, but though she was his closest thing to a next door neighbor, they rarely spoke. Too often his own miserable clumsiness got in the way of him ever really having a meaningful conversation with her. As an adolescent, teenage boy, the subject of dating, girls, and anything in relation was still considered a far off, fearful world he knew he was too young to venture.
So when Chloe Sullivan entered his life, he really had no idea what to do or what to expect. She came to him eight months ago as a new student from the big city of Metropolis. The principal had assigned him the task of showing her around the school, which he did to the best of his nervous, boyish ability. He told her about the library hours, how to avoid the chicken cordon bleu whenever possible, and what school activities could probably cause bodily harm if entered into without caution.
He didn't imagine he had been at all charming, but maybe rather boring when he considered what other girls thought of him. To his surprise, she asked him all about his family and where he lived in town. And when he mentioned his farm, she insisted he take her there for a personal tour, as she had never seen one up close.
Hours later, after school and in the midst of his best tour of the farm to date, Chloe gave Clark his first kiss in the middle of his barn, his fortress of solitude. It lasted less than ten seconds, and it was wet and kind of strange. Yet her lips had been soft, breathtaking. He didn't remember fireworks shooting up into the sky, nor did the earth move underneath their feet. However, he knew then he would never forget it, because the imprint she had left on his heart was eternal.
At the moment, Clark was giving Chloe his second best tour of the farm. Spring had finally come to Smallville, though the ground was still a little wet from the cleansing rains throughout April. Chloe had insisted on a more detailed tour of his farm once the winter weather had finally broken, and he obliged her without thought. Their kiss had apparently deemed nothing worth pursuing romantically in their friendship, so he had no reason to be nervous around her. She made it clear the kiss had one purpose alone; to rid them of the uncomfortable attraction before it consumed them. They would be better friends if they didn't have to concern themselves with love.
Even now, Clark realized his knowledge of girls had not grown all that much with Chloe as his friend. She was just as confusing as the rest, because despite her big talk about keeping their friendship platonic, she couldn't stop holding his hand as they walked. She did that sort of thing often, hold his hand or his arm, and really, he didn't mind.
To spice up their walk a little, he decided to take her to the far reaches of the Kent Farm. Only he and his dad dared to venture this far, and it was why he never mentioned it to his parents before they left. No reason to worry them. He knew his way.
Chloe squeezed his hand and looked with awe across the endless fields of tall, wet grass. She was happy she had worn jeans rather than a skirt, because her legs would've been soaked and dirty by the time they returned.
"I can't believe you own this much land. Are you sure you're not a Luthor love child?"
Clark shook his head. "Yes, I'm sure. Besides, my family isn't rich. We work hard and we get by just fine."
"Okay, whatever," she replied, shrugging her shoulders. "But I want your first Daily Planet interview, when you go public and all."
"Oh, gosh, you never stop, do you?"
Chloe glanced to him, amused. "Oh, gosh, I guess I don't, Hercules," she quipped, using a name she had only recently started calling him. Only because she happened to catch a glimpse of him throwing a bail of hay like it was a beach ball.
Since then he had insisted to her time and again that his strength had a direct correlation with the amount of work he did everyday. Though he had no reason to lie, by the twinkle in her eye he knew she didn't believe him completely. Whatever, he thought to himself. She's an aspiring reporter. She can believe what she wants.
"So where are we exactly?" she asked, as she stepped carefully through the field.
Clark was glad for the change of subject. He could only take Chloe's shots at him for so long.
Lacing his fingers through hers, he replied, "In the middle of nowhere."
"Did you bring your boy scout survival kit with you? I think I'd feel better if you did."
"I've never been in the boy scouts."
"Really? An All-American boy such as yourself, never learning the five hundred ways to tie a knot? I find that hard to believe."
Clark shrugged sheepishly, suddenly feeling a little unworthy. Why hadn't he gone into the boy scouts? He knew plenty of his friends who had, including Pete.
"No. I guess my parents never really encouraged it," he said evenly. "I do know how to tie a knot in a few different ways, though, if that helps."
"I'll be happy enough if you remembered to leave a trail of bread crumbs."
Clark pulled her along until they reached lower grass. Then he pulled her close and turned her around to look back the way they had come. Reaching around her, he pointed towards the drooping sun, just where the rays were disappearing behind the far off horizon.
"See my house? It's just past those few trees, not too far away," he reassured, stepping close to her.
He felt her tighten, and he knew it was because of him. He was standing right up against her, like the barrier they had set between them didn't matter a bit. Not that he wanted anything serious to happen here, but Clark did enjoy standing this close to her. He was sure, as a growing new teenager, that his hormones had something to do with his reaction.
"I don't see it," she declared softly, her voice stiff.
Clark leaned in, let his breath melt against her shoulder. "It's okay. I promise, it's there."
When Chloe turned around they were mere centimeters apart from turning their platonic friendship into something more. Yet neither had the courage to take such a step, and within moments they had stepped away from one another, as if burned by the possibility.
They walked in silence for only a minute or so before Chloe chose to end it with a gesture, and she took his hand again. Clark received her silent message of truce and continued to walk them towards the end of the farm. Trees were further in the distance, save one that was only a minute or two away. Though he had been out here quite a few times, he had forgotten the existence of this particular tree. An oak tree, by the looks of it.
Clark brought them closer to it, just as dark clouds from the west started to slowly roll in.
With a little smile, he replied, "Though I lack formal survival training, I think the branches of this tree are large enough to offer us a little shelter. So we won't get soaked if it rains."
Chloe nodded, then looked up at the dreary sky. "I can't believe it turned dark so fast. I'm getting tired of this rain. It never rained this much in Metropolis. Another day of this, and we'll start seeing the animals line up at the Town Council's door step, two by two."
"My mom loves rain. Says its good for her garden."
She hugged herself instinctively and drew closer to Clark. Small rumbles of thunder began to rattle the sky.
"Come on," Chloe insisted. She tugged on his shirt sleeve, pulling him closer to the tree trunk and underneath the shelter of the branches.
Lightning flashed across the sky, and within moments the rain came down. Both Clark and Chloe stood and watched in silence as it poured around them. The branches did save them from most of the onslaught, but neither were able to dodge the raindrops completely. Clark didn't mind the rain so much, because it never seemed to be anything more than an inconvenience if he happened to get caught in it.
However, Chloe was a different story. When he turned to assess her condition, he noticed she was shivering, obviously cold due to the extraordinary elements. The temperature had dropped considerably since they began their walk, and she had ventured out without a coat. It was close to seventy degrees when they left, so neither thought they had any need for one.
Clark, feeling nothing but a need to protect her the best he could, stepped up to her and put an arm around her shoulders. She took his invitation without question, giving no forethought to her actions as she snuggled up to him. His clothes were not soaked, but they were wet enough that he wasn't sure how well he was helping her. He only hoped his internal heater would suffice.
Chloe's cheek was pressed against his chest and her arms were between them, her hands scrunched in his shirt, holding on as if they were trying to survive a tornado. Clark smiled inwardly, suddenly aware the usual, tough exterior he was so used to seeing on his friend was beginning to melt away. And though he would usually find the demolition of her outer wall amusing in any other circumstance, this evening he was worried for her.
"You don't fly or anything, do you?" she suddenly asked, her voice trembling now. "Because I would love to go home now."
Clark shook his head, though kept his recent discoveries to himself. If he noticed she was really having a tough time, he believed he probably could race them back to safety if he had to. Fearing the chance of looking like a freak in front of his new friend, he didn't dare perform his super speed trick any sooner.
And they were just too far way from the farmhouse to try and walk through the rain at a normal pace. For now, he believed they were safer here.
"Think warm thoughts," he whispered back to her.
He wrapped his arms around her fully now, and her frame molded against him like clay. She was so small, a trait he hadn't really noticed about her until now.
Chloe glided her hand along his chest. "Tell me about your parents," she said into his shoulder.
Clark looked down to her. "What? What do you mean?"
"I need to keep my mind on something else," she explained, returning his stare. "I know all about your adoptive parents. But what about your bio-parents? You haven't spoken a word about them since we've met."
The words struck him strangely, because he had never really thought of it like that. Bio-parents? Clark knew she had no intention of hurting him, but the harshness of her description offended him more than he wanted to admit. When he really considered it, he realized the two who conceived him were nothing more to him than how she described them, no matter how much he wished it were different.
And though he had no reason to, he defended them.
"I'm sure they had their reasons for leaving me," he insisted stiffly. "But I don't know much about them at all."
Chloe sighed softly. "Very few reasons are good enough for a parent to leave their child."
Clark knew she wasn't speaking about his parents any longer. The first time he came to Chloe's house for dinner it didn't take him long to realize she only lived with her father. Though he was curious about her family situation, he didn't dare ask until she was ready to share. Coming from his own problems with biological parents, he knew the subject was probably a sensitive one. Only because of a few select remarks was he able to retain the basic premise of the story; Chloe's mother had left her family, for no other reason than she couldn't take the pressure any longer. And though he knew what it felt like to be left behind, he didn't know what it felt like to be left behind knowing that was the reason.
Hugging her tighter, he conceited, "You're right. I can't imagine someone leaving you behind."
For a long time neither said anything, content to listen to the rain while in each other's embrace. Clark noticed his nervousness had faded the more he stood there with her, as he was growing more and more comfortable in her presence. There was nothing more amazing than standing with someone in such peace, enjoying each other on levels that surpassed anything artificial. Though he still harbored feelings for another girl, Clark felt strangely alive while in Chloe's arms; in a way he hadn't expected, and much too soon for a boy his age.
The rain began to lessen in intensity, and at that point Chloe spoke again.
"When did the Kent's adopt you?" she asked.
Clark rubbed her back soothingly with his hands. "I was really young, like two or three. I don't remember much about it, though."
Chloe nodded, then leaned back enough to look up into his eyes.
"When did you meet Pete?"
He smiled at the thought, remembering the day like it was yesterday.
"We were in the same class in first-grade."
"Did he steal your play-doh?"
"No, nothing like that," Clark said, shaking his head. "Actually, he saved my life."
"How?"
"Some kids were stealing my lunch money every day. I was too scared to tell the teacher or my parents about it. Pete noticed what was happening, and the next time the bullies tried to take my money, he stood up to them."
Chloe laughed softly. "Sounds like something Pete would do. What happened next?"
Clark shrugged sheepishly, and looked away. "Well, it was five against two in the schoolyard, so … it didn't take them long to beat us up. We were all forced to stay after school for fighting on school grounds."
"This must've been before you were able to throw bails of hay across football fields."
"If you mean before the farm work made me a little stronger, then yes," he corrected mildly, cheeks flushed. "But the bullies never asked for my lunch money again."
She sighed and settled her cheek against his chest. Clark placed his chin on her head and listened, to her heartbeat, her breathing. The rain continued to fall around them, heavy and drenching. Thunder rumbled across the horizon, and the branches of their shelter swayed and drifted with the breeze. Everything around them was caught up in the storm, yet they were safe in the cocoon from the tree, in the warmth of their embrace.
After a few moments, Clark inquired about her childhood. They had exchanged stories from their past before this, but there was still so much he wanted to know. And over the next hour they conversed endlessly, sharing emotions and memories neither ever imagined they would share with anyone else. It was a moment Clark was certain he wouldn't forget any time soon, as the intimacy between them became so much stronger and powerful. When the two of them began this walk, with no other intention than to be slightly mischievous in the dawn of their adolescence, neither knew it was going to lead to a moment in a thunderstorm, huddled under an oak tree.
Clark had always considered Pete his very best friend. After today, he wasn't certain he'd be able to make that claim anymore. As the hour drew on, he was telling Chloe some of his darkest secrets and most embarrassing moments. When he first met her months ago, he never imagined he would become best friends with her, first kiss or no first kiss. They were so much alike in so many respects, including the hurt of losing parents and being raised as an only child. Yet they were so different, as opposite as a farm boy and city girl could be to one another.
The longer he stood here with her, holding her in his arms, the more he knew how right this friendship really was. They accepted each other, flaws and all.
Just as quickly as the rain had come, it ended just as so. The clouds broke above them, and the sun began to peek across the sky like a fulfilling grace. Both of them looked up through the branches and smiled, then looked to each other. Though the barrier of physical intimacy remained, the others had been washed away by the rain. The foundation of ultimate trust had been born, here in the most unexpected place. And really, the current conditions would prove to be a test run, as the future ahead promised storms, yet promised they could survive them together.
Chloe finally stepped out of his arms, smiling wide into his eyes.
"Guess the Spirit in the Sky spared us for another day."
Clark nodded. "Guess so."
"Good to know that you're the guy to have around when I'm in trouble."
He smirked, then turned away from her to hide the warmth draining into his face. He was also growing a little impatient due to her absence from his arms, and that wasn't helping his physical body at all, either, as he was sure she would see the signs of his attraction if he were to stand straight before her.
"Just yell, and I'll come," he said, clearing his throat.
Chloe walked up to him and took his arm, urging him to turn and face her. He followed her insistence, but kept his eyes downward to the ground, afraid and unwilling to swim through the waves they had stirred up in their friendship. Though he couldn't see her face or even begin to guess what she was thinking, he watched her hands as they slid slowly down from his chest, to his waist. He considered she might try to kiss him again until her hand suddenly slipped into his front pocket.
Breathing in deeply, he jerked his head up to catch her eyes.
Then let the breath out when he realized the object of her search had nothing to do with seduction. Rather, she had pulled out his pocket knife, the same his father had given to him only a year before.
Grabbing his hand, Chloe explained, "I want to commemorate this moment with my best friend."
He squinted his eyes at her.
"How do you plan to do that?" he asked.
She didn't say another word, only tugged him along closer to the tree trunk behind them. Clark could only watch in interest as Chloe flipped the knife open and pressed the point against the bark of the tree. When she began to carve letters into the wood, Clark finally understood her intentions.
In silence he watched the message in the bark form, letter by letter. When the time came, Chloe gave Clark the knife so he could make his own mark. Within minutes the declaration was clear.
Friends Forever
CS + CK
Clark had seen such messages before, carved in everything from tree trunks to the back of buildings and underneath bridges. And every time he saw them they referred to lovers rather than friends. Although he wanted to ask her if she ever intended their friendship to go in that direction, he decided against it. For now their friendship was what they needed, and the trust they shared far exceeded the levels most lovers survived on.
When they both stepped back to stare at the contract their hearts, and this moment, had written upon the bark of an old tree, Clark realized they might be the only two people who would ever see what they had done. Unless someone snuck on the property for the sole purpose of searching out hidden messages carved into bark, this part of the Kent Farm was rarely used. Odds were, not even his dad would have the chance to see it.
But he knew it was here. And that was all that mattered.
A quick look to his watch told him their time here should come to a close. His parents had probably been worried about them during the storm, and it was prudent for them to return so as to avoid embarrassment. Not to forget, dinner would be on the table soon and he was extremely hungry.
Clark reached out and took Chloe's hand.
"It's time for us to get going, before my parents send out the Calvary," he reasoned.
Chloe squeezed his hand, then turned to him.
"Thank you for being here with me."
He smiled. "Well, I really didn't have anywhere else to go."
Moments later they were headed back the way they had come, towards the farmhouse where a warm meal was awaiting them. Clark held her hand the entire way, though he didn't know why. He just really needed to touch her, to hold her until the world they had created for themselves on a summer afternoon finally dissipated into a memory, lost to the beat of the very steps they took through the green, lush farm fields.
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To be continued …
