Chapter 15- The Long Awaited Explanation
"Hello?" Pete asked.
"Hey, Pete," Chloe said happily.
"Chlo! You sound in good spirits," Pete said.
"I am. Do you want to go do something today? Just you and me? We haven't had much time to do anything on our own, and I thought we could talk," Chloe said.
"Sure! Sounds great! What do you suggest?" Pete asked.
"I don't know. I'll pick you up in my car and we can go from there," Chloe said.
"Sounds good. Give me half an hour to shower and get dressed, okay?" Pete asked.
"Okay. See you in half an hour," Chloe said.
"Bye," Pete replied.
"Bye," Chloe said as the front door rang.
"Chlo! Can you get that?" Lana called from the bathroom.
"I got it," Chloe called back. She skipped down the stairs and flung open the door. "Clark!"
"Hey, Chloe," Clark said.
"What's up?" Chloe asked.
"I wanted to know if you wanted to do something today?" Clark asked.
Lana came down the stairs but stopped a few steps from the bottom when she heard Clark's voice.
"Oh, I can't," Chloe said.
"That's okay. I understand," Clark said dejectedly.
"It's just that I just called Pete and we are going to hang out today," Chloe said.
"Pete, yeah," Clark said sadly. "By the way, my mom has something for you."
"Clark!" Lana said coming down the stairs. She plastered a grin on he face. "Just the man I was looking for!"
"Hey, Lana," Clark said. "What do you need?"
"A friend," Lana said linking arms with him. "Actually, I need to talk to you. Want to go to the Talon and help me get ready to open?"
"Sure," Clark said throwing one last glance at Chloe before letting Lana push him out the door.
"Wait in the truck, I'll be right there," Lana said. When he was out of earshot she turned to Chloe. "Go easy on him, Chlo."
"What did I do?" Chloe asked incredulously.
"Just remember how you felt in high school is how Clark's feeling right now. You didn't do anything wrong, I just don't want Clark getting hurt," Lana said grabbing her purse.
"I know. Friendship, and loyalty, and all that crap," Chloe said.
"Exactly. I'll talk to Clark about yesterday and see if I can't get him to back off. Now you and Pete have fun. Drop by the Talon if you get a chance," Lana said with a smile.
"We will. Bye, Lan," Chloe said.
"Bye."
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Have you had your morning coffee fix, yet?" Pete asked hopping into the car. "Do you still have a morning coffee fix?"
Chloe laughed. "Yes, I still have a morning coffee fix, although most people would call it more of an obsession than a fix but no I haven't had one yet."
"Then first stop, the Talon," Pete said. "You remember where it is?"
"I couldn't forget," Chloe said pulling onto the street. "This town never changes. Talking about things not changing, I can't believe Lana still works at the Talon."
"She not only works at the Talon, she now owns it," Pete said.
"Really?" Chloe asked.
"Yep. She bought it back from Lex last year. It took a lot of doing, but she finally convinced him it would be a better business deal for him to sell it, then to own it," Pete said.
"I would have liked to see that!" Chloe exclaimed.
"It was something else, but they have gotten to be good friends over the past few years. So, it was more of a friends talking about business thing, than business associates talking about business," Pete said.
Chloe nodded as they pulled into the parking lot.
"Clark's here," Pete said.
"He brought Lana in this morning. He came by to see if I wanted to do something, but I told him I was busy. Lana got him to help her," Chloe said.
Pete smiled. "Quite the helper, Clark is."
"Does it ever bother you when they are together?" Chloe asked, stepping from the car.
"You know, it used to bug me really bad. I hated it when they were around each other," he said holding the door open for Chloe. "But, now it's no big deal. They're great friends, and nothing else. I know that, so I don't worry about it."
"That's good," Chloe said.
"Until I see something like that," Pete said, his voice getting louder. "Cough, cough, you guys!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Can you see it from her perspective?" Lana asked sitting on a chair at the bar. "She feels pressured. Like she's obligated to just up and forgive you and fall madly in love with you again."
Clark sat next to Lana and put his arm on the back of her chair. "I'm not pressuring her."
"Whether you realize it or not, you are," Lana said gently. "I know you mean well, but asking her when she is going to fall in love with you is pressure."
"I didn't say it that way," Clark said, his voice almost a whine.
"I know you didn't mean it to sound that way, Clark. Chloe won't and can't start with a clean slate overnight. She needs to erase the things on the slate one by one. If she doesn't, the pain will build up again until it boils over like it did two and a half years ago," Lana said laying her arm over Clark's.
"I want it to be better now," Clark said, pain filling his voice.
"I do too. Think of it this way. You know how you are feeling right now?" Lana asked.
"Yeah," Clark said.
"Chloe felt this exact same way for six years. Does that put it in perspective?" Lana asked.
"I guess so," Clark complained.
"I already told you this, but I'll tell you again. If you don't give her space you will push her away, and she will leave again. No warning. Only this time she most likely won't ever come back," Lana said.
"Lana," Clark said.
"I'm just telling you the truth," Lana said.
"I know. Thank you, Lan," Clark said.
"You're welcome," Lana said leaning in to give Clark a hug.
"Until I see something like that," they heard Pete say, his voice getting louder. "Cough, cough, you guys!"
Lana pulled back and turned to grin at Pete and Chloe. "Something like what?" she said batting her eyelashes.
Pete rolled his eyes. "Innocent doesn't work for you," Pete teased.
Lana's jaw dropped.
"We need coffee," Pete said, ignoring Lana's looks.
"Get it yourself," Lana said. She shot Pete a look as if to say, 'I dare you.'
"Okay," Pete said, bounding around the bar. He started to pull mugs and coffee beans from the cabinet.
"Peter Ross, get out from there this instant!" Lana said, shooing Pete out from behind the bar.
"She used your full name Pete, and though I'm not used to seeing Lana quote unquote mad, I have a feeling that you may be in trouble." Chloe poised the statement mockingly.
Pete laughed heartily, and allowed Lana to force him out of the way.
"What would you like, Chloe?" Lana asked.
Chloe took Lana's seat next to Clark. "I'll take a no-foam, non-fat latte."
"Coming right up. Pete?" Lana asked.
"Same," Pete said.
"Clark?" Lana asked.
"Coffee, black," he answered.
"Simple enough. Chloe, you want something to eat? I have muffins, coffee cake, Mrs. Kent's organic apple pie," Lana said.
"Ooh, as much as I like pie, I'll have to pass. I will take a blueberry muffin," Chloe answered.
"Sounds great. You guys want your regulars?" Lana asked.
"Yeah," Pete and Clark answered.
Lana pulled out three plates. She put a muffin on one, a piece of coffeecake on another, and a piece of pie on the other.
"Let me guess. Pete gets the pie, Clark gets the coffee cake?" Chloe asked.
"Nope," Pete said. "I can't eat sweets in the morning."
"That's right. I forgot," Chloe said.
"You'll start to remember, Chloe. Give it time," Clark said at Chloe's despaired look.
"I couldn't have said it better myself," Chloe said smiling at Clark.
"I like it when you smile," Clark said staring at Chloe.
Chloe started to fidget nervously.
"Clark, can you get me one of the boxes of creamers from the back?" Lana asked.
"Lana, I thought you were going to talk to him," Chloe complained when Clark left.
"I did," Lana insisted.
"He keeps staring at me," Chloe said watching the door for Clark's return.
Pete looked at the girls quizzically.
"Chloe feels pressured to fall back in love with Clark, and Clark isn't helping much," Lana supplied.
"Oh," Pete said in understanding.
"Can we go?" Chloe asked.
"At least wait to say bye to Clark," Pete said.
"Pete, now?" Chloe asked.
"Fine, let's go," Pete said standing up. "Bye, Lan."
"Bye," Lana said leaning over the counter to kiss Pete. "I love you."
"I love you ,too. Tell Clark I said bye," Pete said placing his hand on the small of Chloe's back to lead her out of the Talon. "Chlo, he means well."
"I know, that's what makes it so hard," Chloe said climbing into the car. "He's so pitiful, like I'm tearing him apart."
"You are," Pete said.
"So, you're on his side?" Chloe asked revving the engine.
"You know I'm not. I did the same thing standing up for you a few weeks ago. I know how you felt, how Clark made you feel. My problem is that I see it from both points of view," Pete admitted.
"Meaning?" Chloe asked.
"Meaning I see how much Clark is still hurting you, and how you can't just forgive and forget. But, I also see how much you're hurting Clark, and how much he wants you to just forgive and forget," Pete said. "It makes sense from both sides."
"Pete, you of all people know what happened those last few years. It's like it built up layer after layer of scar tissue on my heart. So much to the point that I couldn't feel anything anymore. It took a whole lot to come back here. Everyday I have to fight myself so that I don't run again. I don't think I can stay if Clark won't stop looking at me that way," Chloe said.
"Don't say that," Pete said desperately. "I won't lose you again. I won't!"
Chloe stopped the car and turned in her seat. "I don't want to leave you, Pete. It's just incredibly hard to sit here, and know that I am expected to act like none of it ever happened."
"We're not asking you to act that way," Pete said.
"No, not you or Lana. Lex and Clark are the ones who make me feel so much pressure to resort to who I was before," Chloe said.
"Who you were before was a hurt, scared, unloved girl, who had no one to turn to," Pete said.
"My point exactly. Clark and Lex want me to start where I left off. To start where I left off would be to go back to hating Clark, hating Smallville, hating Lana, and hating who I am," Chloe said. "If they knew that, they wouldn't ask it of me."
Pete nodded thoughtfully.
"To tell you the truth I'm tired of explaining myself over and over. Can we move on?"
"Yes. Where do you want to go?" Pete asked.
"Clark said Mrs. Kent needed to see me, so let's start there," Chloe said turning the car around.
"Sounds good to me," Pete said leaning back in his seat.
The two were silent for the few minutes it took to get to the Kent's farm. When they got there, Pete led Chloe up the walk and knocked on the door. Hannah peeked out from behind the curtains before throwing the door wide open.
"Hi Unka Pete," she said with a smile.
"Hi munchkin," Pete answered. "Is your mommy home?"
"She in da kitchen," Hannah answered. When she noticed Chloe she said, "Hi Aunt Chwoe."
"Hi, Hannah," Chloe said, following Hannah and Pete into the house.
"Hannah, will you tell your mommy that we're here?" Pete asked.
Hannah nodded and raced off. A moment later Mrs. Kent came into the room.
"Hey you two. Where's Clark?" Martha asked.
"At the Talon," Pete answered.
"He said you had something for me?" Chloe asked.
"Yes, it's in here," Martha said gesturing to the living room. Sitting on the coffee table was a large box. Martha opened it and pulled out a shirt. "You're getting pretty far in your pregnancy and will need some maternity clothes. I don't need mine anymore, so I thought I'd pass them on to you."
"That's great, Mrs. Kent," Chloe said sifting through the box. "My clothes are starting to get a little snug."
"I know they aren't hip, but they are pretty comfortable," Martha said, her eyes twinkling.
"They'll be perfect. Thank you," Chloe said as the older woman enveloped her in a hug.
"Where are you two off to today?" Martha asked.
"Out and about. Catching up," Chloe said looking at Pete.
"Do you have time for some cookies?" Martha asked.
"I want cookie Mommy," Hannah said coming into the room.
"No, sweetheart. After lunch," Martha said gently.
"I'm not hungry," Chloe said.
"Alright," Martha answered with a smile. "If you need anything, or have any questions about the pregnancy, I will be glad to help."
"Thank you," Chloe said with a smile as Pete opened the front door.
"Don't weave me Unka Pete," Hannah said, her eyes tearing up.
Pete squatted down next to her. "I have to take Aunt Chloe into town. I promise I will come by later to play with you."
Hannah brightened.
"Bye, munchkin. Where to now?" Pete asked.
"I want to just walk around town. See what's changed, or if anything has," Chloe said.
"Sounds good to me," Pete answered. "Tell me about you. What happened after you left?"
"Want the truth, or the truth through rose tinted glasses?" Chloe asked seriously.
Pete thought for a moment. "The truth."
"Then let's wait until we get out of the car, because it's quite a long story," Chloe said.
Pete nodded. Chloe pulled into a parking spot, and she and Pete climbed from the car.
"The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth," Pete said.
"Well, it's not a pretty story," Chloe said.
"It never is," Pete answered.
"I'll start at the very beginning," Chloe said. "After I talked to you after graduation I went to Metropolis. I stayed at my friend Valerie's apartment, where I was living when you guys found me."
"How did you know Valerie?" Pete asked.
"I did an article on prostitutes for the Planet when I interned there the past summer. I met Valerie and we became friends. So, I went to stay with her. I tried to get a job at the Planet, but it required a college degree, which I had no money or time to acquire," Chloe said. "So, I tried getting a job at other newspapers, even the Inquisitor. All of them said I needed a college degree. By that time I was desperate for money. I had been living off of Valerie for a few weeks. She suggested I try prostitution on the side. Just until I got a job."
"That doesn't sound like you," Pete said.
"It wasn't, but I had no money. After another month I still couldn't find a job. That's when I decided prostitution was the only way to gain any kind of income. I didn't want to do it, but I had no choice. Valerie was a good teacher," Chloe said.
"Talk about Smallville," Pete pressed.
"I wanted to put Smallville to the furthest point in my brain. I took my laptop with me and hacked into the files I needed to rewrite my life, so to speak. I changed my name, my school records, everything," Chloe said.
"So, if anyone tried to find you it would be impossible," Pete said wistfully.
"Exactly. I didn't want any evidence of my life in Smallville. I thought that was the best way to forget it and get over it," Chloe said.
"Did it work?" Pete asked.
"Not in the least," Chloe said with a sad laugh. "Everything I did reminded me of Smallville. Every time I watched the news on TV, every time I saw a crow, pretty much any excuse at a link," Chloe said. "I associated everything with Smallville. Every time I saw beat up truck I swore it was Clark. Every time I saw a fancy car I swore it was Lex. It drove me crazy."
"Then what happened?" Pete asked.
"Little by little I started to forget. As I got more caught up in my new life, my old one passed away. I started to forget little things, like the way Clark smelled, the taste of the coffee at the Talon, Lex's smirk. It was as if everything was fading away like I hoped it would. Soon, I had pushed it into the far recesses of my mind. I no longer jumped when I saw a fancy car, or heard about Smallville on the news," Chloe said.
"Lana said you had a box?" Pete asked.
"Yes. That helped me a lot. Every time I felt reminiscent about Smallville I would pull something out. My Spring Formal dress, a picture of Clark. When I looked at those things it reminded me why I hated Smallville so much. It helped to brew up those feelings again, and stop me from wanting to come back," Chloe explained.
"Keep going," Pete said.
"Then I came home to find a note on my bed. It said 'Everything is okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.' It was signed FB. My private nickname for Clark was Farmboy. When I saw it I freaked. Valerie described who dropped it off and I knew it was Clark. So, I came back here to see if he had anything I wanted to hear, and you know the rest," Chloe said.
"Tell me about us," Pete said.
"What Lana didn't find when she went snooping was this," Chloe said pulling a picture out of her purse.
Pete took it in his hand. It was a picture of him and Chloe. The edges were ratted and the picture was fading. "What are these marks?" Pete asked noticing what appeared to be watermarks.
"Tears," Chloe said her eyes becoming moist. "You are the one thing I held onto. The one thing I forbade myself to forget. When I started to forget Smallville I was afraid I would forget you. I kept this picture under my pillow. I missed you so much, but I couldn't come back, no matter how much I wanted to."
Pete slung an arm around Chloe's shoulders. "I have the copy of this picture at home in a frame."
"You do?" Chloe asked.
Pete nodded. "Yes. Lana got upset because it reminded Clark of you every time he came over, but I refused to put it away."
Chloe smiled contentedly.
"What else?" Pete asked.
"That's about it," Chloe said. "Besides the fact that somewhere in there I got pregnant."
"That's a big fact," Pete said.
"You're telling me. What am I going to do, Pete? I don't know who the father is. Even if I did he's probably just another loser. I don't know how to be a mother," Chloe said.
"There are ways out," Pete suggested.
Chloe stopped abruptly and threw Pete's arm off of her shoulders. "I will not kill my baby!"
"I didn't mean abortion. I meant adoption," Pete said.
"I don't want to give the baby up, either. I mean I see how much love Hannah has for Martha, Jonathan, Clark, and pretty much everyone. I want that. I'm just afraid I'll screw it up," Chloe admitted.
"You have a great example in Martha Kent," Pete said.
"That's true," Chloe said resuming their walk. "I'll talk to her."
"She'll be able to help. If you need someone with more experience you can always talk to my mom. With five children she knows everything," Pete exclaimed.
Chloe laughed. "Good point."
Pete replaced his arm on Chloe's shoulders. "How do you feel? Physically, I mean?"
"Exhausted," Chloe said truthfully.
"Why don't we go back to Lana's and you can have a nap before dinner?" Pete asked.
"Sounds wonderful. You won't mind?" Chloe asked.
"Nope," Pete answered.
"It's a plan," Chloe said.
"Hello?" Pete asked.
"Hey, Pete," Chloe said happily.
"Chlo! You sound in good spirits," Pete said.
"I am. Do you want to go do something today? Just you and me? We haven't had much time to do anything on our own, and I thought we could talk," Chloe said.
"Sure! Sounds great! What do you suggest?" Pete asked.
"I don't know. I'll pick you up in my car and we can go from there," Chloe said.
"Sounds good. Give me half an hour to shower and get dressed, okay?" Pete asked.
"Okay. See you in half an hour," Chloe said.
"Bye," Pete replied.
"Bye," Chloe said as the front door rang.
"Chlo! Can you get that?" Lana called from the bathroom.
"I got it," Chloe called back. She skipped down the stairs and flung open the door. "Clark!"
"Hey, Chloe," Clark said.
"What's up?" Chloe asked.
"I wanted to know if you wanted to do something today?" Clark asked.
Lana came down the stairs but stopped a few steps from the bottom when she heard Clark's voice.
"Oh, I can't," Chloe said.
"That's okay. I understand," Clark said dejectedly.
"It's just that I just called Pete and we are going to hang out today," Chloe said.
"Pete, yeah," Clark said sadly. "By the way, my mom has something for you."
"Clark!" Lana said coming down the stairs. She plastered a grin on he face. "Just the man I was looking for!"
"Hey, Lana," Clark said. "What do you need?"
"A friend," Lana said linking arms with him. "Actually, I need to talk to you. Want to go to the Talon and help me get ready to open?"
"Sure," Clark said throwing one last glance at Chloe before letting Lana push him out the door.
"Wait in the truck, I'll be right there," Lana said. When he was out of earshot she turned to Chloe. "Go easy on him, Chlo."
"What did I do?" Chloe asked incredulously.
"Just remember how you felt in high school is how Clark's feeling right now. You didn't do anything wrong, I just don't want Clark getting hurt," Lana said grabbing her purse.
"I know. Friendship, and loyalty, and all that crap," Chloe said.
"Exactly. I'll talk to Clark about yesterday and see if I can't get him to back off. Now you and Pete have fun. Drop by the Talon if you get a chance," Lana said with a smile.
"We will. Bye, Lan," Chloe said.
"Bye."
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Have you had your morning coffee fix, yet?" Pete asked hopping into the car. "Do you still have a morning coffee fix?"
Chloe laughed. "Yes, I still have a morning coffee fix, although most people would call it more of an obsession than a fix but no I haven't had one yet."
"Then first stop, the Talon," Pete said. "You remember where it is?"
"I couldn't forget," Chloe said pulling onto the street. "This town never changes. Talking about things not changing, I can't believe Lana still works at the Talon."
"She not only works at the Talon, she now owns it," Pete said.
"Really?" Chloe asked.
"Yep. She bought it back from Lex last year. It took a lot of doing, but she finally convinced him it would be a better business deal for him to sell it, then to own it," Pete said.
"I would have liked to see that!" Chloe exclaimed.
"It was something else, but they have gotten to be good friends over the past few years. So, it was more of a friends talking about business thing, than business associates talking about business," Pete said.
Chloe nodded as they pulled into the parking lot.
"Clark's here," Pete said.
"He brought Lana in this morning. He came by to see if I wanted to do something, but I told him I was busy. Lana got him to help her," Chloe said.
Pete smiled. "Quite the helper, Clark is."
"Does it ever bother you when they are together?" Chloe asked, stepping from the car.
"You know, it used to bug me really bad. I hated it when they were around each other," he said holding the door open for Chloe. "But, now it's no big deal. They're great friends, and nothing else. I know that, so I don't worry about it."
"That's good," Chloe said.
"Until I see something like that," Pete said, his voice getting louder. "Cough, cough, you guys!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Can you see it from her perspective?" Lana asked sitting on a chair at the bar. "She feels pressured. Like she's obligated to just up and forgive you and fall madly in love with you again."
Clark sat next to Lana and put his arm on the back of her chair. "I'm not pressuring her."
"Whether you realize it or not, you are," Lana said gently. "I know you mean well, but asking her when she is going to fall in love with you is pressure."
"I didn't say it that way," Clark said, his voice almost a whine.
"I know you didn't mean it to sound that way, Clark. Chloe won't and can't start with a clean slate overnight. She needs to erase the things on the slate one by one. If she doesn't, the pain will build up again until it boils over like it did two and a half years ago," Lana said laying her arm over Clark's.
"I want it to be better now," Clark said, pain filling his voice.
"I do too. Think of it this way. You know how you are feeling right now?" Lana asked.
"Yeah," Clark said.
"Chloe felt this exact same way for six years. Does that put it in perspective?" Lana asked.
"I guess so," Clark complained.
"I already told you this, but I'll tell you again. If you don't give her space you will push her away, and she will leave again. No warning. Only this time she most likely won't ever come back," Lana said.
"Lana," Clark said.
"I'm just telling you the truth," Lana said.
"I know. Thank you, Lan," Clark said.
"You're welcome," Lana said leaning in to give Clark a hug.
"Until I see something like that," they heard Pete say, his voice getting louder. "Cough, cough, you guys!"
Lana pulled back and turned to grin at Pete and Chloe. "Something like what?" she said batting her eyelashes.
Pete rolled his eyes. "Innocent doesn't work for you," Pete teased.
Lana's jaw dropped.
"We need coffee," Pete said, ignoring Lana's looks.
"Get it yourself," Lana said. She shot Pete a look as if to say, 'I dare you.'
"Okay," Pete said, bounding around the bar. He started to pull mugs and coffee beans from the cabinet.
"Peter Ross, get out from there this instant!" Lana said, shooing Pete out from behind the bar.
"She used your full name Pete, and though I'm not used to seeing Lana quote unquote mad, I have a feeling that you may be in trouble." Chloe poised the statement mockingly.
Pete laughed heartily, and allowed Lana to force him out of the way.
"What would you like, Chloe?" Lana asked.
Chloe took Lana's seat next to Clark. "I'll take a no-foam, non-fat latte."
"Coming right up. Pete?" Lana asked.
"Same," Pete said.
"Clark?" Lana asked.
"Coffee, black," he answered.
"Simple enough. Chloe, you want something to eat? I have muffins, coffee cake, Mrs. Kent's organic apple pie," Lana said.
"Ooh, as much as I like pie, I'll have to pass. I will take a blueberry muffin," Chloe answered.
"Sounds great. You guys want your regulars?" Lana asked.
"Yeah," Pete and Clark answered.
Lana pulled out three plates. She put a muffin on one, a piece of coffeecake on another, and a piece of pie on the other.
"Let me guess. Pete gets the pie, Clark gets the coffee cake?" Chloe asked.
"Nope," Pete said. "I can't eat sweets in the morning."
"That's right. I forgot," Chloe said.
"You'll start to remember, Chloe. Give it time," Clark said at Chloe's despaired look.
"I couldn't have said it better myself," Chloe said smiling at Clark.
"I like it when you smile," Clark said staring at Chloe.
Chloe started to fidget nervously.
"Clark, can you get me one of the boxes of creamers from the back?" Lana asked.
"Lana, I thought you were going to talk to him," Chloe complained when Clark left.
"I did," Lana insisted.
"He keeps staring at me," Chloe said watching the door for Clark's return.
Pete looked at the girls quizzically.
"Chloe feels pressured to fall back in love with Clark, and Clark isn't helping much," Lana supplied.
"Oh," Pete said in understanding.
"Can we go?" Chloe asked.
"At least wait to say bye to Clark," Pete said.
"Pete, now?" Chloe asked.
"Fine, let's go," Pete said standing up. "Bye, Lan."
"Bye," Lana said leaning over the counter to kiss Pete. "I love you."
"I love you ,too. Tell Clark I said bye," Pete said placing his hand on the small of Chloe's back to lead her out of the Talon. "Chlo, he means well."
"I know, that's what makes it so hard," Chloe said climbing into the car. "He's so pitiful, like I'm tearing him apart."
"You are," Pete said.
"So, you're on his side?" Chloe asked revving the engine.
"You know I'm not. I did the same thing standing up for you a few weeks ago. I know how you felt, how Clark made you feel. My problem is that I see it from both points of view," Pete admitted.
"Meaning?" Chloe asked.
"Meaning I see how much Clark is still hurting you, and how you can't just forgive and forget. But, I also see how much you're hurting Clark, and how much he wants you to just forgive and forget," Pete said. "It makes sense from both sides."
"Pete, you of all people know what happened those last few years. It's like it built up layer after layer of scar tissue on my heart. So much to the point that I couldn't feel anything anymore. It took a whole lot to come back here. Everyday I have to fight myself so that I don't run again. I don't think I can stay if Clark won't stop looking at me that way," Chloe said.
"Don't say that," Pete said desperately. "I won't lose you again. I won't!"
Chloe stopped the car and turned in her seat. "I don't want to leave you, Pete. It's just incredibly hard to sit here, and know that I am expected to act like none of it ever happened."
"We're not asking you to act that way," Pete said.
"No, not you or Lana. Lex and Clark are the ones who make me feel so much pressure to resort to who I was before," Chloe said.
"Who you were before was a hurt, scared, unloved girl, who had no one to turn to," Pete said.
"My point exactly. Clark and Lex want me to start where I left off. To start where I left off would be to go back to hating Clark, hating Smallville, hating Lana, and hating who I am," Chloe said. "If they knew that, they wouldn't ask it of me."
Pete nodded thoughtfully.
"To tell you the truth I'm tired of explaining myself over and over. Can we move on?"
"Yes. Where do you want to go?" Pete asked.
"Clark said Mrs. Kent needed to see me, so let's start there," Chloe said turning the car around.
"Sounds good to me," Pete said leaning back in his seat.
The two were silent for the few minutes it took to get to the Kent's farm. When they got there, Pete led Chloe up the walk and knocked on the door. Hannah peeked out from behind the curtains before throwing the door wide open.
"Hi Unka Pete," she said with a smile.
"Hi munchkin," Pete answered. "Is your mommy home?"
"She in da kitchen," Hannah answered. When she noticed Chloe she said, "Hi Aunt Chwoe."
"Hi, Hannah," Chloe said, following Hannah and Pete into the house.
"Hannah, will you tell your mommy that we're here?" Pete asked.
Hannah nodded and raced off. A moment later Mrs. Kent came into the room.
"Hey you two. Where's Clark?" Martha asked.
"At the Talon," Pete answered.
"He said you had something for me?" Chloe asked.
"Yes, it's in here," Martha said gesturing to the living room. Sitting on the coffee table was a large box. Martha opened it and pulled out a shirt. "You're getting pretty far in your pregnancy and will need some maternity clothes. I don't need mine anymore, so I thought I'd pass them on to you."
"That's great, Mrs. Kent," Chloe said sifting through the box. "My clothes are starting to get a little snug."
"I know they aren't hip, but they are pretty comfortable," Martha said, her eyes twinkling.
"They'll be perfect. Thank you," Chloe said as the older woman enveloped her in a hug.
"Where are you two off to today?" Martha asked.
"Out and about. Catching up," Chloe said looking at Pete.
"Do you have time for some cookies?" Martha asked.
"I want cookie Mommy," Hannah said coming into the room.
"No, sweetheart. After lunch," Martha said gently.
"I'm not hungry," Chloe said.
"Alright," Martha answered with a smile. "If you need anything, or have any questions about the pregnancy, I will be glad to help."
"Thank you," Chloe said with a smile as Pete opened the front door.
"Don't weave me Unka Pete," Hannah said, her eyes tearing up.
Pete squatted down next to her. "I have to take Aunt Chloe into town. I promise I will come by later to play with you."
Hannah brightened.
"Bye, munchkin. Where to now?" Pete asked.
"I want to just walk around town. See what's changed, or if anything has," Chloe said.
"Sounds good to me," Pete answered. "Tell me about you. What happened after you left?"
"Want the truth, or the truth through rose tinted glasses?" Chloe asked seriously.
Pete thought for a moment. "The truth."
"Then let's wait until we get out of the car, because it's quite a long story," Chloe said.
Pete nodded. Chloe pulled into a parking spot, and she and Pete climbed from the car.
"The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth," Pete said.
"Well, it's not a pretty story," Chloe said.
"It never is," Pete answered.
"I'll start at the very beginning," Chloe said. "After I talked to you after graduation I went to Metropolis. I stayed at my friend Valerie's apartment, where I was living when you guys found me."
"How did you know Valerie?" Pete asked.
"I did an article on prostitutes for the Planet when I interned there the past summer. I met Valerie and we became friends. So, I went to stay with her. I tried to get a job at the Planet, but it required a college degree, which I had no money or time to acquire," Chloe said. "So, I tried getting a job at other newspapers, even the Inquisitor. All of them said I needed a college degree. By that time I was desperate for money. I had been living off of Valerie for a few weeks. She suggested I try prostitution on the side. Just until I got a job."
"That doesn't sound like you," Pete said.
"It wasn't, but I had no money. After another month I still couldn't find a job. That's when I decided prostitution was the only way to gain any kind of income. I didn't want to do it, but I had no choice. Valerie was a good teacher," Chloe said.
"Talk about Smallville," Pete pressed.
"I wanted to put Smallville to the furthest point in my brain. I took my laptop with me and hacked into the files I needed to rewrite my life, so to speak. I changed my name, my school records, everything," Chloe said.
"So, if anyone tried to find you it would be impossible," Pete said wistfully.
"Exactly. I didn't want any evidence of my life in Smallville. I thought that was the best way to forget it and get over it," Chloe said.
"Did it work?" Pete asked.
"Not in the least," Chloe said with a sad laugh. "Everything I did reminded me of Smallville. Every time I watched the news on TV, every time I saw a crow, pretty much any excuse at a link," Chloe said. "I associated everything with Smallville. Every time I saw beat up truck I swore it was Clark. Every time I saw a fancy car I swore it was Lex. It drove me crazy."
"Then what happened?" Pete asked.
"Little by little I started to forget. As I got more caught up in my new life, my old one passed away. I started to forget little things, like the way Clark smelled, the taste of the coffee at the Talon, Lex's smirk. It was as if everything was fading away like I hoped it would. Soon, I had pushed it into the far recesses of my mind. I no longer jumped when I saw a fancy car, or heard about Smallville on the news," Chloe said.
"Lana said you had a box?" Pete asked.
"Yes. That helped me a lot. Every time I felt reminiscent about Smallville I would pull something out. My Spring Formal dress, a picture of Clark. When I looked at those things it reminded me why I hated Smallville so much. It helped to brew up those feelings again, and stop me from wanting to come back," Chloe explained.
"Keep going," Pete said.
"Then I came home to find a note on my bed. It said 'Everything is okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.' It was signed FB. My private nickname for Clark was Farmboy. When I saw it I freaked. Valerie described who dropped it off and I knew it was Clark. So, I came back here to see if he had anything I wanted to hear, and you know the rest," Chloe said.
"Tell me about us," Pete said.
"What Lana didn't find when she went snooping was this," Chloe said pulling a picture out of her purse.
Pete took it in his hand. It was a picture of him and Chloe. The edges were ratted and the picture was fading. "What are these marks?" Pete asked noticing what appeared to be watermarks.
"Tears," Chloe said her eyes becoming moist. "You are the one thing I held onto. The one thing I forbade myself to forget. When I started to forget Smallville I was afraid I would forget you. I kept this picture under my pillow. I missed you so much, but I couldn't come back, no matter how much I wanted to."
Pete slung an arm around Chloe's shoulders. "I have the copy of this picture at home in a frame."
"You do?" Chloe asked.
Pete nodded. "Yes. Lana got upset because it reminded Clark of you every time he came over, but I refused to put it away."
Chloe smiled contentedly.
"What else?" Pete asked.
"That's about it," Chloe said. "Besides the fact that somewhere in there I got pregnant."
"That's a big fact," Pete said.
"You're telling me. What am I going to do, Pete? I don't know who the father is. Even if I did he's probably just another loser. I don't know how to be a mother," Chloe said.
"There are ways out," Pete suggested.
Chloe stopped abruptly and threw Pete's arm off of her shoulders. "I will not kill my baby!"
"I didn't mean abortion. I meant adoption," Pete said.
"I don't want to give the baby up, either. I mean I see how much love Hannah has for Martha, Jonathan, Clark, and pretty much everyone. I want that. I'm just afraid I'll screw it up," Chloe admitted.
"You have a great example in Martha Kent," Pete said.
"That's true," Chloe said resuming their walk. "I'll talk to her."
"She'll be able to help. If you need someone with more experience you can always talk to my mom. With five children she knows everything," Pete exclaimed.
Chloe laughed. "Good point."
Pete replaced his arm on Chloe's shoulders. "How do you feel? Physically, I mean?"
"Exhausted," Chloe said truthfully.
"Why don't we go back to Lana's and you can have a nap before dinner?" Pete asked.
"Sounds wonderful. You won't mind?" Chloe asked.
"Nope," Pete answered.
"It's a plan," Chloe said.