Torch's Flame -- a Smallville fic of Clark/Chloe proportions
by ManxoChu
Disclaimer: Needless to say, but just to satisfy anyone who speaks legal-talk, Smallville, its characters, etc etc, belong to DC and the WB.
Note: This fic takes place after "Nicodemus" and thus also occurs after the previously aired episodes. There, with all the bases covered, away we go...
~ denotes one's thoughts here, as " would for speech.
Part 3
=====================================================
"I can't believe she looked. How could I've been so stupid?" Clark had been berating himself while walking home from school. Normally, it would have taken him a few minutes by racing through the cornfields. A route he liked to call the "Kent Speedway." But this morning he had no desire for that kind of fun. "I never should have brought that dumb notebook to school. I should have tried Pete's place for typing up that stupid poem. Why wasn't I thinking straight?" The whole time Clark was having this conversation, he hadn't noticed the dark blue Ferrari pull up beside him.
"Maybe because it concerns a girl that you like?" Lex couldn't help but grin like the cat who ate the canary. He opened up the passenger door for Clark. "Thinking about girls you like tends to override common sense. Believe me, Clark, I've been there. So what did you say to Lana?" He watched Clark's face as he got in. "It *is* about Lana, isn't it?" He shook his head in response. "Well, if it's not Lana, then I guess Lana's going to miss out. C'mon, we'll head to my place, play some billiards, and talk about women." Clark didn't really have a chance to turn down the offer as Lex tore up the side of the road and sped off with his friend.
"Alright, Lex. Just two things: One, I call my parents to let them know I'll be at your place, and two, I break." Seeing that Clark was receptive to the idea, Lex handed over the cellphone.
=====================================================
"Well, Chloe? Where's the Clark man? Rumor has it that he's good at poems, and I wanted his help." Pete stared at the still-blank page of the iMac's word processor program. He'd notice Chloe being upset, but he chalked it up as being due to a bad batch of coffee being made. "When will he get here?" He was talking a little loudly, and with four iMacs between him and Chloe, he couldn't see or hear her end a phone conversation and put away her cellphone.
"I blew it, Pete. I blew any chance I had with Clark. He was here a lil earlier, but I pissed him off and he left." Chloe was trying fiercely to fight back the tears, but failed miserably. Pete heard her cry and came over.
"C'mon, girl, it can't be *that* bad, can it? Tell me what happened. Since I'm a guy, maybe I can help." Pete gave a half smile, trying to turn things around for his best friend. "You know I'll do what I can."
Giving a couple of sobs, she wiped the tears away. "Promise not to tell? Not even Clark, got it?" Pete's nod was all she needed. "He has this notebook where he jots down his dreams. You know how dreams can be rather intense, be full of emotion, and have some sort of meaning. He used one of his dreams as his poem for Mrs. Leon's assignment."
Pete mistook her deep breath as a sign that she was finished. "That's cool. I'm sure it's a great poem." She flashed him a quick glare.
"I'm not done, Ross. I sneaked a peek at that notebook yesterday when he left his backpack here. When I read his poem this morning, I slipped about reading his notebook. He got pissed, Pete. Not angry-pissed, but hurt-pissed. He threw away the poem, said he might take a sick day from school Monday and that if I wanted to I could type up the poem for him." The whole time she was tearing a napkin to smaller and smaller strips.
All Pete could do was give her a big hug to try and comfort her. "Maybe it's not so bad, Chloe. Maybe he's just not used to people knowing that part about him, y'know? So is he home now? Go talk to him. Beg for mercy."
"Wish I could, but he's over at the Luthor mansion." She saw the mention of the name having a bad affect on Pete. "I called Clark's place. His mom said he was there to blow off some steam and play billiards."
"I didn't know he knew how to shoot some pool."
"He doesn't. Let's hope Clark didn't make any bets." Chloe got up and stared in the direction towards the Kent farm. "Y'know, Pete, this leafy lil hamlet wouldn't be so bad. I mean, if I found the right guy--"
"Like Clark?" The glare Pete got from her was priceless.
"Grrrr... *if* it was Clark, which it doesn't seem possible now, this place wouldn't be so bad. I could run the Ledger, Clark would have either a small pad or his own farm like his folks. I could see why Dad wanted to move here, despite all the meteor freaks. The likelihood of being 'Mrs. Chloe Sullivan-Kent' or 'Mrs. Chloe Kent' seems impossible now." Her little rant distracted both of them from noticing another person entering the office.
"What's this about 'Mrs. Chloe Kent'?"
Chloe and Pete turned to see Lana. "Oh... Hi, Lana. I'll see ya Monday, Chloe. And don't worry. Kent will forgive you. That's how he is, y'know?" Not liking the idea of being outnumbered and being in a talk about Clark, he slipped out before either girl could object.
Lana saw the pained expression on Chloe's face, as well as the tear-soaked tissues strewn about the office. "Chloe, why didn't you say something? I didn't know you were interested in Clark. But as to being Mrs. Chloe Kent?"
Chloe couldn't help but smirk. "Well, a girl can dream, can't she? Besides, Clark's still single and available..." She decided to try being blunt this time. "...that is, unless the dork is still waiting for you to dump Whitney, cuz let's face it, he's got it bad for you. Speaking of which, why are you here? You only come here when there's trouble."
"Well, I came hear to ask you something."
"Shoot."
"It's about Clark. He's been acting weird these past couple of weeks."
"I don't follow. Clark can be clumsy at times, yes, but weird?"
"Well, I don't know if you'd like to hear this, but..."
"Go on..." Chloe didn't like how this conversation was going already.
"Well, I don't know how to say it, but Clark seems to be... distancing himself from me."
~YES!! WOOHOO!! There is a god, afterall!!~ "Ummm, what do you mean?" If it weren't for the fact she was crying not long ago, she'd be nearing Cloud 9 about now.
"I mean, even when Clark and I are alone and talking, that sparkle in his eyes... it's gone, Chloe. I knew he liked me, but now I think he doesn't."
~Geez, you want to have your cake *AND* eat it too?~ "You know that's a good thing, right?"
Lana poured herself a cup of the Sullivan Special Brew. "I know, and he's still my friend, but that's not all."
"Oh?" ~Oh crap... She'll say she's attracted to my Clark now. Huh? 'My Clark'?~
"Maybe it's because it's not happening around me now, but I've been noticing something."
"What? If it about Clark, I gotta know." Chloe did her best to keep that last sentence from being too forceful.
"You know how Clark used to get clumsy around me? Well, since about a couple of weeks ago, he stopped being clumsy around me... and..." Lana left that statement hanging for a moment.
"...and what?"
"...and that's around the same time he started being clumsy around you, Chloe."
=====================================================
"Eight ball in the side pocket," beamed an amused Lex before sinking the billiard and racking a tenth win against his best friend. "I will admit, Clark, you almost had me there in a couple of games. But considering you're not completely focused in the game, I won't be asking for my one hundred bucks for winning ten games." Lex laughed at the somewhat disgruntled Clark.
"Well, you didn't have someone digging into your journal about your dreams, Lex." During the course of the ten games, Clark recounted about not just the journal and today's events, but what he'd been feeling during the past couple of weeks. "Lana and I run on the same frequency, but there's no spark, y'know? No burning fire of... of..."
"That's what they call 'chemistry,' Clark. Well, considering that you've spilled your proverbial guts to me about you feelings for Lana, or what's now the lack thereof, I'll consider our wager paid for." Lex grinned as he saw relief wash over Clark's face. "Now let's get to the center of your current problem."
"Which is...?"
"Chloe." Lex rolled his eyed as Clark's face turned a few shades of red. "That's what I thought. It's a wonder you don't pop a few blood vessels in your face when you're around her now."
"Not Chloe. I mean, sure she's great, and we can talk up a storm about anything and everything. But..."
"'But' my ass, Clark. Wake up and smell the chemistry. First, hand over the notebook of your dreams."
"It's at home, Lex. Sorry."
"Alrighty, then tell me the dream. The one you said your assignment was based on."
"The dream was from Thursday night."
"Did you dream Friday night as well?"
"Yes."
"Okay, then tell me about both dreams."
Clark sighed before recalling those two dreams. The first dream wasn't exactly a typical dream for Clark. He had dreamt of on top of a skyscraper, watching fireworks go off in the distance, with a beautiful young woman. He couldn't make out her face, but felt in his heart that he'd known this lady forever. They would closely dance for hours, with soft music from a band playing. He remembered getting down on one knee and proposing. He loved the look of surprise and joy on her face when she saw the engagement ring. She had said yes.
"When we kissed, that's about when I woke up." Clark was still flustered from the recollection.
"Well, that's the awful part about dreams, Clark. Sometimes they end too soon. And the second dream?" When Clark recounted the second dream, Lex couldn't believe it. "Now that's a... ummm... a different type of dream."
"I think it's a more symbolic dream."
"Yes, I have to agree. Just one thing, though."
"What's that, Lex?"
"Blonde hair is usually described as 'golden tresses,' as you did in that dream."
"...Chloe?" Clark's response was getting more and more priceless.
"Now that you have that in mind, I'll take you home. I've got to head out to Metropolis to take care of some things." Lex knew what he was doing. ~I'll let that thought sit with you a while, cuz as much as I'd hate to admit it, you're right.~ "Yin and Yang, Clark."
"What?"
"Yin and Yang. You and Chloe." Lex grinned while leading Clark back to the Ferrari.
"Who's side are you on, anyway?"
"My own. Oh, and this time, also on Cupid's," Lex smirked.
"Geez..." Clark hung his head low, which gave Lex perfect timing to give him a sympathetic pat on the head.
"Many a men have fallen to Cupid's might. You're only human, after all."
"Don't remind me."
Lex once again couldn't help but laugh as they sped off towards the Kent farm.
=====================================================
To Be Continued...
=====================================================
Read and review, please. Hope you enjoyed it! Part 4 is in the works.
by ManxoChu
Disclaimer: Needless to say, but just to satisfy anyone who speaks legal-talk, Smallville, its characters, etc etc, belong to DC and the WB.
Note: This fic takes place after "Nicodemus" and thus also occurs after the previously aired episodes. There, with all the bases covered, away we go...
~ denotes one's thoughts here, as " would for speech.
Part 3
=====================================================
"I can't believe she looked. How could I've been so stupid?" Clark had been berating himself while walking home from school. Normally, it would have taken him a few minutes by racing through the cornfields. A route he liked to call the "Kent Speedway." But this morning he had no desire for that kind of fun. "I never should have brought that dumb notebook to school. I should have tried Pete's place for typing up that stupid poem. Why wasn't I thinking straight?" The whole time Clark was having this conversation, he hadn't noticed the dark blue Ferrari pull up beside him.
"Maybe because it concerns a girl that you like?" Lex couldn't help but grin like the cat who ate the canary. He opened up the passenger door for Clark. "Thinking about girls you like tends to override common sense. Believe me, Clark, I've been there. So what did you say to Lana?" He watched Clark's face as he got in. "It *is* about Lana, isn't it?" He shook his head in response. "Well, if it's not Lana, then I guess Lana's going to miss out. C'mon, we'll head to my place, play some billiards, and talk about women." Clark didn't really have a chance to turn down the offer as Lex tore up the side of the road and sped off with his friend.
"Alright, Lex. Just two things: One, I call my parents to let them know I'll be at your place, and two, I break." Seeing that Clark was receptive to the idea, Lex handed over the cellphone.
=====================================================
"Well, Chloe? Where's the Clark man? Rumor has it that he's good at poems, and I wanted his help." Pete stared at the still-blank page of the iMac's word processor program. He'd notice Chloe being upset, but he chalked it up as being due to a bad batch of coffee being made. "When will he get here?" He was talking a little loudly, and with four iMacs between him and Chloe, he couldn't see or hear her end a phone conversation and put away her cellphone.
"I blew it, Pete. I blew any chance I had with Clark. He was here a lil earlier, but I pissed him off and he left." Chloe was trying fiercely to fight back the tears, but failed miserably. Pete heard her cry and came over.
"C'mon, girl, it can't be *that* bad, can it? Tell me what happened. Since I'm a guy, maybe I can help." Pete gave a half smile, trying to turn things around for his best friend. "You know I'll do what I can."
Giving a couple of sobs, she wiped the tears away. "Promise not to tell? Not even Clark, got it?" Pete's nod was all she needed. "He has this notebook where he jots down his dreams. You know how dreams can be rather intense, be full of emotion, and have some sort of meaning. He used one of his dreams as his poem for Mrs. Leon's assignment."
Pete mistook her deep breath as a sign that she was finished. "That's cool. I'm sure it's a great poem." She flashed him a quick glare.
"I'm not done, Ross. I sneaked a peek at that notebook yesterday when he left his backpack here. When I read his poem this morning, I slipped about reading his notebook. He got pissed, Pete. Not angry-pissed, but hurt-pissed. He threw away the poem, said he might take a sick day from school Monday and that if I wanted to I could type up the poem for him." The whole time she was tearing a napkin to smaller and smaller strips.
All Pete could do was give her a big hug to try and comfort her. "Maybe it's not so bad, Chloe. Maybe he's just not used to people knowing that part about him, y'know? So is he home now? Go talk to him. Beg for mercy."
"Wish I could, but he's over at the Luthor mansion." She saw the mention of the name having a bad affect on Pete. "I called Clark's place. His mom said he was there to blow off some steam and play billiards."
"I didn't know he knew how to shoot some pool."
"He doesn't. Let's hope Clark didn't make any bets." Chloe got up and stared in the direction towards the Kent farm. "Y'know, Pete, this leafy lil hamlet wouldn't be so bad. I mean, if I found the right guy--"
"Like Clark?" The glare Pete got from her was priceless.
"Grrrr... *if* it was Clark, which it doesn't seem possible now, this place wouldn't be so bad. I could run the Ledger, Clark would have either a small pad or his own farm like his folks. I could see why Dad wanted to move here, despite all the meteor freaks. The likelihood of being 'Mrs. Chloe Sullivan-Kent' or 'Mrs. Chloe Kent' seems impossible now." Her little rant distracted both of them from noticing another person entering the office.
"What's this about 'Mrs. Chloe Kent'?"
Chloe and Pete turned to see Lana. "Oh... Hi, Lana. I'll see ya Monday, Chloe. And don't worry. Kent will forgive you. That's how he is, y'know?" Not liking the idea of being outnumbered and being in a talk about Clark, he slipped out before either girl could object.
Lana saw the pained expression on Chloe's face, as well as the tear-soaked tissues strewn about the office. "Chloe, why didn't you say something? I didn't know you were interested in Clark. But as to being Mrs. Chloe Kent?"
Chloe couldn't help but smirk. "Well, a girl can dream, can't she? Besides, Clark's still single and available..." She decided to try being blunt this time. "...that is, unless the dork is still waiting for you to dump Whitney, cuz let's face it, he's got it bad for you. Speaking of which, why are you here? You only come here when there's trouble."
"Well, I came hear to ask you something."
"Shoot."
"It's about Clark. He's been acting weird these past couple of weeks."
"I don't follow. Clark can be clumsy at times, yes, but weird?"
"Well, I don't know if you'd like to hear this, but..."
"Go on..." Chloe didn't like how this conversation was going already.
"Well, I don't know how to say it, but Clark seems to be... distancing himself from me."
~YES!! WOOHOO!! There is a god, afterall!!~ "Ummm, what do you mean?" If it weren't for the fact she was crying not long ago, she'd be nearing Cloud 9 about now.
"I mean, even when Clark and I are alone and talking, that sparkle in his eyes... it's gone, Chloe. I knew he liked me, but now I think he doesn't."
~Geez, you want to have your cake *AND* eat it too?~ "You know that's a good thing, right?"
Lana poured herself a cup of the Sullivan Special Brew. "I know, and he's still my friend, but that's not all."
"Oh?" ~Oh crap... She'll say she's attracted to my Clark now. Huh? 'My Clark'?~
"Maybe it's because it's not happening around me now, but I've been noticing something."
"What? If it about Clark, I gotta know." Chloe did her best to keep that last sentence from being too forceful.
"You know how Clark used to get clumsy around me? Well, since about a couple of weeks ago, he stopped being clumsy around me... and..." Lana left that statement hanging for a moment.
"...and what?"
"...and that's around the same time he started being clumsy around you, Chloe."
=====================================================
"Eight ball in the side pocket," beamed an amused Lex before sinking the billiard and racking a tenth win against his best friend. "I will admit, Clark, you almost had me there in a couple of games. But considering you're not completely focused in the game, I won't be asking for my one hundred bucks for winning ten games." Lex laughed at the somewhat disgruntled Clark.
"Well, you didn't have someone digging into your journal about your dreams, Lex." During the course of the ten games, Clark recounted about not just the journal and today's events, but what he'd been feeling during the past couple of weeks. "Lana and I run on the same frequency, but there's no spark, y'know? No burning fire of... of..."
"That's what they call 'chemistry,' Clark. Well, considering that you've spilled your proverbial guts to me about you feelings for Lana, or what's now the lack thereof, I'll consider our wager paid for." Lex grinned as he saw relief wash over Clark's face. "Now let's get to the center of your current problem."
"Which is...?"
"Chloe." Lex rolled his eyed as Clark's face turned a few shades of red. "That's what I thought. It's a wonder you don't pop a few blood vessels in your face when you're around her now."
"Not Chloe. I mean, sure she's great, and we can talk up a storm about anything and everything. But..."
"'But' my ass, Clark. Wake up and smell the chemistry. First, hand over the notebook of your dreams."
"It's at home, Lex. Sorry."
"Alrighty, then tell me the dream. The one you said your assignment was based on."
"The dream was from Thursday night."
"Did you dream Friday night as well?"
"Yes."
"Okay, then tell me about both dreams."
Clark sighed before recalling those two dreams. The first dream wasn't exactly a typical dream for Clark. He had dreamt of on top of a skyscraper, watching fireworks go off in the distance, with a beautiful young woman. He couldn't make out her face, but felt in his heart that he'd known this lady forever. They would closely dance for hours, with soft music from a band playing. He remembered getting down on one knee and proposing. He loved the look of surprise and joy on her face when she saw the engagement ring. She had said yes.
"When we kissed, that's about when I woke up." Clark was still flustered from the recollection.
"Well, that's the awful part about dreams, Clark. Sometimes they end too soon. And the second dream?" When Clark recounted the second dream, Lex couldn't believe it. "Now that's a... ummm... a different type of dream."
"I think it's a more symbolic dream."
"Yes, I have to agree. Just one thing, though."
"What's that, Lex?"
"Blonde hair is usually described as 'golden tresses,' as you did in that dream."
"...Chloe?" Clark's response was getting more and more priceless.
"Now that you have that in mind, I'll take you home. I've got to head out to Metropolis to take care of some things." Lex knew what he was doing. ~I'll let that thought sit with you a while, cuz as much as I'd hate to admit it, you're right.~ "Yin and Yang, Clark."
"What?"
"Yin and Yang. You and Chloe." Lex grinned while leading Clark back to the Ferrari.
"Who's side are you on, anyway?"
"My own. Oh, and this time, also on Cupid's," Lex smirked.
"Geez..." Clark hung his head low, which gave Lex perfect timing to give him a sympathetic pat on the head.
"Many a men have fallen to Cupid's might. You're only human, after all."
"Don't remind me."
Lex once again couldn't help but laugh as they sped off towards the Kent farm.
=====================================================
To Be Continued...
=====================================================
Read and review, please. Hope you enjoyed it! Part 4 is in the works.