Chapter 14-My Apologies
Clark closed his eyes as he listed to the running water of the shower. He stared at the door. She was in there taking a shower…for him. She was going to put on makeup, primp herself, make sure her hair was perfect, and wear a beautiful dress…all for Lex Luthor.
Just watching her body movement when she finally decided it was time to get ready let Clark know that she was excited. She was giggly. She was like a little girl preparing to open her presents on Christmas Day.
He buried his face in his hands. She had liked him in high school. Why hadn't he seen it? Did he ever make her act like this? He'd seen Chloe happy but God he'd never seen her smile so big and so much. He'd never seen the sparkle in her eyes that he was seeing now. Did she always have that? If she did, how could he have missed it?
He convinced himself over and over that Lex wasn't going to change when it came to women. They'd all be flings to him. But, a tiny piece of guilt was rotting inside him over what happened. Something told him that he was lying to himself. That he just wanted to believe that Lex would hurt Chloe. Something also told him that Lex was definitely falling in love with Chloe. His Chloe, but she wasn't his anymore.
'People date and breakup everyday.' She had said to him. It was true. 'I'll get over it.'
Clark could believe that. Chloe was strong. She had gotten over him. If Lex were in fact going to break her heart she would get over it. She was a tough cookie.
'The bus got tired of waiting and left without you.' Lex's word had stung hard. 'I don't have any cruel intentions. I like being around her.'
Clark hated seeing that flicker of truth in Lex's eyes when he had said that. It made him feel even guiltier if he could see that Lex were sincere. He just wanted Lex to be horrible. He wanted him to treat Chloe like another toy so he'd have a reason to protect her…to keep them apart. But, Lex wasn't giving him any reasons.
"Clark?"
Clark turned around to see Chloe draped in a towel staring at him. "Hm?"
"You okay?" She asked.
Clark nodded.
She sighed. "I feel bad that you are going to be here all alone for New Years Eve."
Clark wanted to scream at the top of his lungs. He wanted to cry. He wanted to collapse and sleep. He wanted to wake up and realize this was a nightmare. He wanted to grab Chloe and take her somewhere thousands of miles away. But, she was his best friend and he had to be a best friend to her. "We're even, Chloe."
She looked confused. "What do you mean?"
Clark looked down, ashamed. Then back up at Chloe. "I'll tell you if you promise to forgive me."
Chloe eyed him. "What happened?"
Clark was hesitant to say. "Will you forgive me?"
"Tell me what happened?"
"Say you'll forgive me first," he said.
Chloe looked deep into his eyes. She knew that whatever he did he felt very bad about. So, how could she not? "I'll forgive you."
Clark was quiet for a moment before finally saying, "Last night, I…confronted Lex."
"What?" She hissed.
"Chloe, I…was…"
"Worried about me?" She said, almost yelling.
"You don't understand, Chloe. I let jealousy get the best of me," he tried to explain.
Jealousy, Chloe thought? She looked away from Clark, angry.
He walked over and put a hand on her shoulder. "If you ever got hurt…"
She finally looked up at him.
"I'd never forgive myself," he finished.
How could she stay angry? He was being sincere. She sighed and dropped her shoulders, feeling defeated. She couldn't stay angry. "Clark, whatever happens…never blame yourself. The decisions I make for my life I pay for…not you."
"I'm so used to having to protect you. You go away for a few months and suddenly you don't need it anymore," Clark said. "It's hard to get used to."
"Clark, you can always protect me. But, you gotta let me go out on the limb first. When it starts to crack then come after me. OK?" She said.
"Yeah. It's just hard to sit back…when…" he couldn't say it.
"When you have the feelings that you do?"
Clark's head darted up to look at her. "Chloe…how…how…"
Chloe gave him a sympathetic smile. "I know what it feels like to see someone who can see you but just not clearly."
"I'm sorry, Chloe. I'm sorry I didn't take a closer look back then," he said quietly.
Chloe shrugged and said, "Who knows why we do the things we do. The important thing is to learn from them."
"Do you think you could ever feel that way about me again?" Clark asked.
Chloe looked away momentarily then back at Clark. "I don't know."
Clark looked down sadly.
"Whatever happens happens. I love you though," she said.
Clark knew she meant as a friend. He walked off into her room then came back. He handed her the silver necklace with the lightning bolt pendent he had given her for Christmas.
She eyed it then looked up at him.
"It would look beautiful with your dress," he said.
This didn't feel right. She couldn't wear Clark's necklace on a date with Lex. She shook her head, "Clark…I can't."
He put it around her neck and clipped it together. "I want you to." He kissed her cheek. "Have an amazing time tonight."
She looked up at him. "You're always going to be my best friend."
He smiled at her. "I'll always be there for you. Just call me…even when you think I can't hear you."
She smiled.
He kissed the palm of her hand then said; "If you ever think it's too late…it's not."
She remained quiet.
"I have something important to do. I'll see you later," he said and then turned to leave.
Chloe watched him shut the door behind him. "Thank you," she whispered under her breath.
**
A few seconds later…
Lex slowly fixed his tie. He had to struggle a bit because of his injured hand. After he finished, he stared at his hand. He recounted the moment time and time again. Clark hadn't even budged an inch when Lex hit him. This really sparked his suspicions from years before of Clark's ability.
He had to fight the urge to look into his suspicions. He had dropped it years ago when Clark had suffered broken ribs from being thrown some 30 feet onto the top of a car. But last night made him rethink this.
'I'll take you and your car and throw you off a bridge so you can die like you should have years ago.' His voice had been so menacing.
But the way he had phrased it was funny. Lex always knew he should have died years ago. Maybe Clark was speaking of the coincidental moment he was there to save him. His comment didn't necessarily mean that Clark had special powers that saved Lex.
Lex shook his head. He wanted to get rid of these thoughts. Clark was a farm boy and had amazing strength from all the work he had to do. They used to laugh when Lex would make comments that Clark was so naïve he must have been kicked in the face by a horse or something. Clark had mentioned that he had been kicked a few times.
It made sense now. If Clark had been kicked a few times, doctors may have put some kind of plate in his face where he'd been kicked. Maybe that's why it hurt Lex more when he punched Clark. The determination and unwillingness to give up made Lex want to see that there was something more to this situation. But, he refused to see it. He didn't want to risk his relationship with Chloe by investigating her best friend. He closed his eyes and cringed when imagining her finding out he was investigating Clark. There was no way Lex could do this. If he did, it would eventually come out. Chloe was a great journalist and had a talent to putting two and two together. She would see right through him and find out. God, then she might think Lex had been using her to get to Clark. Nope, Lex was going to leave this alone.
Lex turned around when he heard someone clear their throat. He was standing face to face with Clark, again. Lex sighed, "Come to threaten me again?"
Clark shook his head. "I just wanted to talk."
Lex waited.
"Lex, this is hard for me to say," Clark said.
Lex couldn't help but smirk. Clark Kent, the honorable 'I never want to hurt anyone's feelings' farm boy was back. "You're in love with Chloe. I know Clark."
"It seems everyone knows," Clark mumbled.
They were quiet for a few minutes.
"I love her too," Lex said quietly.
Clark looked into his eyes then sighed and said, "I know."
Lex didn't say anything.
"I'm sorry…about yesterday. You just don't understand, I –"
Lex put a hand up to shush him. "I get it Clark. I know she's your best friend and I'm the big bad wolf."
Clark smirked. Chloe had called him the big bad wolf.
"I don't want to hurt Chloe…ever," Lex said.
"I know you're telling the truth. I guess I wish you weren't so I'd have a reason to keep her away from you," Clark said.
"We're pathetic. Both of us in love with the same girl," Lex said, laughing.
"I told Chloe about last night? About our confrontation," Clark said.
"What did she say?" Lex asked.
"She was angry with me. But, eventually excepted my apology," Clark told him.
"Did you tell her about…" Lex held up his hand.
"No, I left that part out," Clark told him.
Lex nodded.
"Lex, I'm stepping back. I'm not going to interfere with your relationship with Chloe. But, what I said last night still stands. If you hurt her…" Clark let the silence say the rest.
Lex nodded, "I understand. The same goes for you."
They shook hands as if it was an agreement.
Lex went to put his jacket on and left to pick up Chloe.
To be continued…
