**Author's note: You guys wanted more Chlark, so here you go. Hope you like it.
The Talon's crowd was moderate for a Saturday afternoon. Pete and Chloe sat at a table near the service counter.
Pete sipped his coffee while Chloe explained to him exactly what it was that happened to her on Halloween night. "So this ghost or whatever took you over?" He put up two fingers from each hand and formed quotation marks when he spoke the words 'took you over'. "And you saw flashbacks of the murders at the Foster manor?"
Chloe nodded after placing her latte back onto the table. "I even know who committed them."
"Why didn't you say something earlier, Chloe? This must have been horrifying for you." His tone wasn't angry or even upset, but any reasons Chloe had for not sharing this with him were beyond his comprehension.
"I'm sorry Pete. I'm sorry a thousand times over. Do you want me to tattoo 'I'm sorry' on my forehead?"
Pete couldn't help himself. He grinned and said, "It would be an improvement."
Chloe almost squealed in shock. She balled up a paper napkin and launched it at Pete's face. "Besides," she started in a tight voice, "that's not so important any more is it? The point is, I'm telling you now. Excuse me," she said flagging down a waitress. She pointed to her cup. "I'm gonna need another one of these soon."
The waitress nodded and left the table.
Pete shook his head. "I'm always wondering about the mystery that is Chloe Sullivan.
"Don't torture your self on my account." Chloe grinned at her light joke.
"Tell me why I hang around you again?"
"Because your life would be a flaming mess if you didn't have me to whip you into shape with my words of wisdom." She smiled as the waitress placed another latte in front of her and thanked the girl. "And because you're amazingly lucky."
"I would love nothing more than to bring that out of control ego of yours down a few notches."
With her next thought, something certainly came down a few notches. Her mood. "Nah, that's what Clark is for." She said it before she could stop herself.
"You brought up the 'C' name up first, not me." Pete held up his hands in premature defense, sensing somehow that Chloe might later blame him for something. Not because he was actually guilty, but because he thought she might feel better if she pinned it on someone else. He knew the chance was nil she would really do that, but with women, it never hurt to be prepared.
Chloe traced the rim of her cup with a finger. "I know, Pete." Chloe shook off her solemn stance. "God, I hate being a product of angst. Shoot me now."
"Well, I probably shouldn't be saying this..." In fact he knew he shouldn't. "But Clark is as bent out of shape about last night as you seem to be. You two should talk about this."
Strangely on cue, Clark pulled open the Talon's doors and entered. Chloe looked past Pete just in time to see him come in. The wonder on her face made him turn to see what she was looking at.
Chloe would have been suspicious if the idea budding in her head wasn't completely absurd. Her choices were, either the boy is always lucky (or unfortunate depending upon circumstance) to be in the right place at the right time, or Clark had enhanced hearing, ESP, or something. She sided with the first option.
Pete turned back to Chloe. "Perfect timing."
"Or not," Chloe mumbled after indulging in her latte.
"What's up, man?"
Clark stood awkwardly by the table with his hands in his pockets. From the look on Chloe's face, he didn't know if he was welcome. Without taking his eyes off Chloe, Clark answered Pete. "Nothing much." His tone was flat and unfocused, like he heard Pete's words from some far off distance.
Chloe stared at Clark, her gaze unwavering. "You can sit if you want. No one is stopping you."
At the moment, Clark wouldn't hesitate to differ. He didn't know what to expect from Chloe given her unreadable expression. Was she pissed or not? She looked like she could either break into a smile or begin to tear into him with words of bitter discord. Still at a high level of discomfort, Clark sat down gingerly, resisting the urge to flinch under Chloe's trying gaze.
"Well, I have to get going," Pete tried to conceal his grin when Chloe's eyes snapped up to him as he stood.
"What?!" Realizing her voice edged hysteria, Chloe calmed it. "I mean, where are you going?"
He shrugged. "You know, just to go take care of something." Now both Chloe and Clark glared at Pete. "I'll see guys later." Just as Pete turned to leave, his face cracked into a smile.
Chloe wanted badly to protest Pete's departure, but only watched as he disappeared outside the Talon's doors. She was ready to do some verbal sparring with Clark, as long as Pete was there to mediate. He would surely stop her from saying something stupid, keep her from crucifying herself with her own witticisms. With that plan shot clear to hell, she didn't know what else to do. Apologizing would be a good start. Whether it came from either herself or Clark.
They sat for a moment, not meeting each other's gaze and letting the tension build to the point of combustion. Before either of them said anything, Lana stopped by their table.
"Hey guys."
Chloe almost sighed. Saved by the ex-cheerleader-turned-venture-capitalist. Also known as the object of Clark's unremitting affection. If Chloe didn't stop thinking, her head was going to explode.
Clark gave Lana a brief nod. His throat was nearly bone-dry as a result of this stressful situation.
Chloe noted that Clark's eyes hardly even connected with Lana's face. Odd. She managed a smile. "Hey Lana."
"Where's Pete? I thought he came in here with you?"
"He did," Chloe said. "He left to go run an errand." What a crock.
The tension was obvious to Lana as she stood near the table. Something was up, and it was plainly none of her business. Seems like running the Talon has left her out of a serious loop. She cleared her throat before speaking. "Um...just give me a holler when you guys want something." No one said anything as she left to go about her business.
Chloe broke the silence once Lana was out of earshot. "It isn't like you neglect the need for your daily Lana fix."
"Chloe don't..."
"Don't what?" She looked at him with exaggerated innocence. "I'm just being blatantly honest. No crime in that. Weren't you being honest with me last night?"
He let his gaze fall to the table surface. "I admit I handled last night kind of badly."
Her brows rose slightly. "Badly?" The one time Clark Kent loses him esteemed cool, it's because of her. She should be flattered, but she didn't want to be disappointed if she found out the that reasons behind his temper weren't what she wanted them to be.
He may have lost his cool, but he had lost none of his ever-present modesty. 'Why torture him, he looks sorry enough,' she thought. "No, not badly Clark. I should have been honest from the start. Your words were justified." But not his actions.
"No, Chloe. I'm not your keeper. And I shouldn't have come down on you like that." He made eye contact once again. "There's no excuse for my temper except..." He paused. Could he really do this?
Chloe searched his face as her heart pumped faster and sent odd vibrations throughout her body. "Except what, Clark?" She almost lost it when his eyes changed. Something was different now. They were soft and affectionate. 'Oh hell'. She was internally shocked at her reaction. 'Don't move, don't breathe, oh hell'. Her thoughts were spinning out of orbit, rotating around and round. 'Don't move, don't breathe, you might wake up. OH HELL'. Then, 'Say it Clark, please'!
"I..." His pulse was doing some weird rapid thing inside him. The words were there, he knew what he wanted to say. Looking straight into Chloe's eyes, he knew he loved her. He loved her. "I..." The tenderness he felt while looking at her wouldn't let him lose his courage to tell her he felt it. "I care for you more than I ever have. Last night made that astoundingly clear."
Chloe blinked and her mental circle dissipated. Not what she wanted to hear, but close...
"And I realized that I'm completely in love with you, Chloe."
Chloe sat frozen. She couldn't have possibly heard him correctly. Did Clark Kent just use the words 'love' and 'Chloe' in the same sentence, with no mention of Lana Lang? Nope. What a cruel joke the Fates have played on her.
Clark stared at Chloe with worry. He would hold his breath until he heard her voice.
She closed her eyes. "Pinch me," she whispered to no one in particular.
A few feet away, a waiter slipped on a napkin lying on the floor. It seemed to happen in slow motion as his tray hit the ground and the coffee mugs on it shattered on the floor. The chaotic notes of pottery hitting the hard surface wasn't a pinch, but it was enough to let Chloe know that she was currently rooted in reality. A reality where Clark Kent loved her.
She opened her eyes and they landed on Clark's face. He wasn't bothered by the symphony of stunned snickers from the crowd as the waiter scrambled to collect himself. His focused remained on her and his gaze was reassuring. This was no dream. This moment was as real as they get.
"Clark..." She glanced down as he reached to touch her hand.
He held it gently and waited for her to finish. He knew what she would say, but waited in anticipation to hear it.
"Are you sure?" She had to test the reality of this one more time. She saw Clark's brow furrow and was sorry she had to do this.
Knowing that Chloe was just being her wonderful self, Clark let go of his frown and smiled. "I've never been more sure."
She believed him but... "And what about Lana?"
Clark leaned closer to her. "Lana who?"
Chloe smiled at that.
"The only one I see is you." Clark saw the questions swirling behind Chloe's eyes. "Please don't doubt me on this, Chloe." He leaned closer.
No, she didn't doubt him, or did she? Her eyes traveled down to his lips. Then she touched them lightly and hesitantly, still testing the moment. Her insides fluttered when he took the hand that touched his face and kissed the palm of it.
He had kissed away all of her doubts. God she loved him. "God I love you, Clark." Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Clark lower her palm and pulled away a little. "Let's get out of here."
Chloe shook her head. "Mmm Mmm." She grabbed the front of his coat with both hands and pulled him back to her. "Not before you kiss me."
And he did. The kiss was soft and slow. It countered all the bustling around them as more and more people made their way into the Talon for late afternoon coffee.
Chloe pulled back. "Now we can leave."
They stood and when they did, Clark took Chloe's hand in his. Chloe was taken aback by the classic romantic gesture and felt like melting at the delight of his touch. This was reality. The Fates had finally gotten it right.
***
Though the Talon was getting more and more packed by the minute, there peculiarly remained an unobstructed path for Lana to see clear across the room. She looked up from scribbling an order as she heard dishes crash and felt her stomach go sour at what she saw. It wasn't the clumsy waiter and his mess. Her eyes were not able to tear themselves away. She wouldn't have thought anything out of the ordinary, but Clark and Chloe were staring *intently* at one another. She knew in an instant that it was no common stare between two friends. They were hardly bothered by the disorder taking place right next to them.
"Miss," the young man at the table called for Lana's attention.
At first she did not hear him, but the second time he called her, she look down. Lana failed her attempt to smile. "I'm sorry, what was that?" She tried to listen, but his words would not penetrate her ears. Unable to control her impulse, she let her eyes wander back to Clark and Chloe.
She could almost feel her lunch fighting to come up the very way it had gone down. Clark was kissing Chloe. Chloe and not her. Not her. Without her consent, a tear slipped from her eye as the two of them got up and walked through the door hand in hand.
**Author's note: What can I say, I felt fluffy today. Think I'm mean because I broke Lana's heart? Ah well, what can I say...the Fates can be cruel.
Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read this and type a review. I had to give the people what they wanted first (more Chlark), but there will be more action in the next chapter.
The Talon's crowd was moderate for a Saturday afternoon. Pete and Chloe sat at a table near the service counter.
Pete sipped his coffee while Chloe explained to him exactly what it was that happened to her on Halloween night. "So this ghost or whatever took you over?" He put up two fingers from each hand and formed quotation marks when he spoke the words 'took you over'. "And you saw flashbacks of the murders at the Foster manor?"
Chloe nodded after placing her latte back onto the table. "I even know who committed them."
"Why didn't you say something earlier, Chloe? This must have been horrifying for you." His tone wasn't angry or even upset, but any reasons Chloe had for not sharing this with him were beyond his comprehension.
"I'm sorry Pete. I'm sorry a thousand times over. Do you want me to tattoo 'I'm sorry' on my forehead?"
Pete couldn't help himself. He grinned and said, "It would be an improvement."
Chloe almost squealed in shock. She balled up a paper napkin and launched it at Pete's face. "Besides," she started in a tight voice, "that's not so important any more is it? The point is, I'm telling you now. Excuse me," she said flagging down a waitress. She pointed to her cup. "I'm gonna need another one of these soon."
The waitress nodded and left the table.
Pete shook his head. "I'm always wondering about the mystery that is Chloe Sullivan.
"Don't torture your self on my account." Chloe grinned at her light joke.
"Tell me why I hang around you again?"
"Because your life would be a flaming mess if you didn't have me to whip you into shape with my words of wisdom." She smiled as the waitress placed another latte in front of her and thanked the girl. "And because you're amazingly lucky."
"I would love nothing more than to bring that out of control ego of yours down a few notches."
With her next thought, something certainly came down a few notches. Her mood. "Nah, that's what Clark is for." She said it before she could stop herself.
"You brought up the 'C' name up first, not me." Pete held up his hands in premature defense, sensing somehow that Chloe might later blame him for something. Not because he was actually guilty, but because he thought she might feel better if she pinned it on someone else. He knew the chance was nil she would really do that, but with women, it never hurt to be prepared.
Chloe traced the rim of her cup with a finger. "I know, Pete." Chloe shook off her solemn stance. "God, I hate being a product of angst. Shoot me now."
"Well, I probably shouldn't be saying this..." In fact he knew he shouldn't. "But Clark is as bent out of shape about last night as you seem to be. You two should talk about this."
Strangely on cue, Clark pulled open the Talon's doors and entered. Chloe looked past Pete just in time to see him come in. The wonder on her face made him turn to see what she was looking at.
Chloe would have been suspicious if the idea budding in her head wasn't completely absurd. Her choices were, either the boy is always lucky (or unfortunate depending upon circumstance) to be in the right place at the right time, or Clark had enhanced hearing, ESP, or something. She sided with the first option.
Pete turned back to Chloe. "Perfect timing."
"Or not," Chloe mumbled after indulging in her latte.
"What's up, man?"
Clark stood awkwardly by the table with his hands in his pockets. From the look on Chloe's face, he didn't know if he was welcome. Without taking his eyes off Chloe, Clark answered Pete. "Nothing much." His tone was flat and unfocused, like he heard Pete's words from some far off distance.
Chloe stared at Clark, her gaze unwavering. "You can sit if you want. No one is stopping you."
At the moment, Clark wouldn't hesitate to differ. He didn't know what to expect from Chloe given her unreadable expression. Was she pissed or not? She looked like she could either break into a smile or begin to tear into him with words of bitter discord. Still at a high level of discomfort, Clark sat down gingerly, resisting the urge to flinch under Chloe's trying gaze.
"Well, I have to get going," Pete tried to conceal his grin when Chloe's eyes snapped up to him as he stood.
"What?!" Realizing her voice edged hysteria, Chloe calmed it. "I mean, where are you going?"
He shrugged. "You know, just to go take care of something." Now both Chloe and Clark glared at Pete. "I'll see guys later." Just as Pete turned to leave, his face cracked into a smile.
Chloe wanted badly to protest Pete's departure, but only watched as he disappeared outside the Talon's doors. She was ready to do some verbal sparring with Clark, as long as Pete was there to mediate. He would surely stop her from saying something stupid, keep her from crucifying herself with her own witticisms. With that plan shot clear to hell, she didn't know what else to do. Apologizing would be a good start. Whether it came from either herself or Clark.
They sat for a moment, not meeting each other's gaze and letting the tension build to the point of combustion. Before either of them said anything, Lana stopped by their table.
"Hey guys."
Chloe almost sighed. Saved by the ex-cheerleader-turned-venture-capitalist. Also known as the object of Clark's unremitting affection. If Chloe didn't stop thinking, her head was going to explode.
Clark gave Lana a brief nod. His throat was nearly bone-dry as a result of this stressful situation.
Chloe noted that Clark's eyes hardly even connected with Lana's face. Odd. She managed a smile. "Hey Lana."
"Where's Pete? I thought he came in here with you?"
"He did," Chloe said. "He left to go run an errand." What a crock.
The tension was obvious to Lana as she stood near the table. Something was up, and it was plainly none of her business. Seems like running the Talon has left her out of a serious loop. She cleared her throat before speaking. "Um...just give me a holler when you guys want something." No one said anything as she left to go about her business.
Chloe broke the silence once Lana was out of earshot. "It isn't like you neglect the need for your daily Lana fix."
"Chloe don't..."
"Don't what?" She looked at him with exaggerated innocence. "I'm just being blatantly honest. No crime in that. Weren't you being honest with me last night?"
He let his gaze fall to the table surface. "I admit I handled last night kind of badly."
Her brows rose slightly. "Badly?" The one time Clark Kent loses him esteemed cool, it's because of her. She should be flattered, but she didn't want to be disappointed if she found out the that reasons behind his temper weren't what she wanted them to be.
He may have lost his cool, but he had lost none of his ever-present modesty. 'Why torture him, he looks sorry enough,' she thought. "No, not badly Clark. I should have been honest from the start. Your words were justified." But not his actions.
"No, Chloe. I'm not your keeper. And I shouldn't have come down on you like that." He made eye contact once again. "There's no excuse for my temper except..." He paused. Could he really do this?
Chloe searched his face as her heart pumped faster and sent odd vibrations throughout her body. "Except what, Clark?" She almost lost it when his eyes changed. Something was different now. They were soft and affectionate. 'Oh hell'. She was internally shocked at her reaction. 'Don't move, don't breathe, oh hell'. Her thoughts were spinning out of orbit, rotating around and round. 'Don't move, don't breathe, you might wake up. OH HELL'. Then, 'Say it Clark, please'!
"I..." His pulse was doing some weird rapid thing inside him. The words were there, he knew what he wanted to say. Looking straight into Chloe's eyes, he knew he loved her. He loved her. "I..." The tenderness he felt while looking at her wouldn't let him lose his courage to tell her he felt it. "I care for you more than I ever have. Last night made that astoundingly clear."
Chloe blinked and her mental circle dissipated. Not what she wanted to hear, but close...
"And I realized that I'm completely in love with you, Chloe."
Chloe sat frozen. She couldn't have possibly heard him correctly. Did Clark Kent just use the words 'love' and 'Chloe' in the same sentence, with no mention of Lana Lang? Nope. What a cruel joke the Fates have played on her.
Clark stared at Chloe with worry. He would hold his breath until he heard her voice.
She closed her eyes. "Pinch me," she whispered to no one in particular.
A few feet away, a waiter slipped on a napkin lying on the floor. It seemed to happen in slow motion as his tray hit the ground and the coffee mugs on it shattered on the floor. The chaotic notes of pottery hitting the hard surface wasn't a pinch, but it was enough to let Chloe know that she was currently rooted in reality. A reality where Clark Kent loved her.
She opened her eyes and they landed on Clark's face. He wasn't bothered by the symphony of stunned snickers from the crowd as the waiter scrambled to collect himself. His focused remained on her and his gaze was reassuring. This was no dream. This moment was as real as they get.
"Clark..." She glanced down as he reached to touch her hand.
He held it gently and waited for her to finish. He knew what she would say, but waited in anticipation to hear it.
"Are you sure?" She had to test the reality of this one more time. She saw Clark's brow furrow and was sorry she had to do this.
Knowing that Chloe was just being her wonderful self, Clark let go of his frown and smiled. "I've never been more sure."
She believed him but... "And what about Lana?"
Clark leaned closer to her. "Lana who?"
Chloe smiled at that.
"The only one I see is you." Clark saw the questions swirling behind Chloe's eyes. "Please don't doubt me on this, Chloe." He leaned closer.
No, she didn't doubt him, or did she? Her eyes traveled down to his lips. Then she touched them lightly and hesitantly, still testing the moment. Her insides fluttered when he took the hand that touched his face and kissed the palm of it.
He had kissed away all of her doubts. God she loved him. "God I love you, Clark." Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Clark lower her palm and pulled away a little. "Let's get out of here."
Chloe shook her head. "Mmm Mmm." She grabbed the front of his coat with both hands and pulled him back to her. "Not before you kiss me."
And he did. The kiss was soft and slow. It countered all the bustling around them as more and more people made their way into the Talon for late afternoon coffee.
Chloe pulled back. "Now we can leave."
They stood and when they did, Clark took Chloe's hand in his. Chloe was taken aback by the classic romantic gesture and felt like melting at the delight of his touch. This was reality. The Fates had finally gotten it right.
***
Though the Talon was getting more and more packed by the minute, there peculiarly remained an unobstructed path for Lana to see clear across the room. She looked up from scribbling an order as she heard dishes crash and felt her stomach go sour at what she saw. It wasn't the clumsy waiter and his mess. Her eyes were not able to tear themselves away. She wouldn't have thought anything out of the ordinary, but Clark and Chloe were staring *intently* at one another. She knew in an instant that it was no common stare between two friends. They were hardly bothered by the disorder taking place right next to them.
"Miss," the young man at the table called for Lana's attention.
At first she did not hear him, but the second time he called her, she look down. Lana failed her attempt to smile. "I'm sorry, what was that?" She tried to listen, but his words would not penetrate her ears. Unable to control her impulse, she let her eyes wander back to Clark and Chloe.
She could almost feel her lunch fighting to come up the very way it had gone down. Clark was kissing Chloe. Chloe and not her. Not her. Without her consent, a tear slipped from her eye as the two of them got up and walked through the door hand in hand.
**Author's note: What can I say, I felt fluffy today. Think I'm mean because I broke Lana's heart? Ah well, what can I say...the Fates can be cruel.
Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read this and type a review. I had to give the people what they wanted first (more Chlark), but there will be more action in the next chapter.