Ch. 4: Finally, Some Cheering Up
"Chlo' you okay?" Pete looked at her shaking form sitting on the hospital bed.
"I am just so s-scared, P-Pete. I d-don't know what to-to d-do. I've been h-hurt in o-other accidents b-before, b-but well, I-I never h-had any t-type of e-emotional e-effects. Every other t-time..." Chloe looked at Pete with wide sad but scared eyes.
"All the other times you had Clark with you," Pete hated himself for allowing his voice to become angry in front of Chloe. My best friend has been hurt by that-that monster!
Pete moved onto Chloe's bed to hold her, "I know it hurts baby, just forget about Clark. Okay? He's just a jerk for not realizing that you're much more important than Lana could ever hope to be, or WILL ever be."
"Thanks, P-Pete," Chloe gave one last sob, not at all bothered that Pete had called her 'baby.' The truth is that it's actually kinda nice; not as nice as it would be from—NO! Don't even go there girl! Pete's right, he's not worth it.
"Chlo' there's something I need to tell you. Now may not be the best time, but I think you need to know," Pete took a deep sigh. "Mark, well he's not all he seems to be…"
"What do you mean Pete?" Chloe pulled back from his embrace, and Pete felt a little disappointed, but shrugged it off. She never was yours man, get over it.
"Well, you see Mark- he's a bad guy. He…"
"Pete! Just say it! You're killing me with the suspense here," Chloe joked. Well, Chlo' I really hope that what I say won't kill you.
"K- Here goes nothing. Chloe, he asked you out on the rebound from Lana, according to him, Lana told him to ask you out. Said that you'd be a good source of comfort to him. He wasn't supposed to hear this apparently, but under her breath she muttered something about keeping tabs on the girl-meaning you. I guess, Chlo' I am sorry, I just thought you should know. Please don't cry! I can't stand it when you cry."
"Thanks Pete, but I think that this time you are going to have to look away. Just hold me!" Chloe's eyes filled up with tears, and once again her body started to shake with silent sobs. Chloe leaned against Pete. He just held her and stroked her hair. He was the dependable one, and Chloe loved him for that, not the way that she *still* loved Clark, but she loved Pete all the same.
Oh my gosh! She's in pain, and all I can think is that her hair smells really good, well that and how good she feels in my arms. What kinda freak am I? Oh man! She hasn't stopped yet! Ooooh!! I could just KILL Mark! Well, actually I could kill Lana, but somehow I don't think that Lana's death will be met anytime soon.
Chloe had stopped crying and was looking up at Pete with her tear streaked face, "Pete, I'm really sorry to go all sentimental crap on ya. I'm all better, I…think… You're always here for me… You're the best friend a girl could ever hope for. a single laugh Most guys see girls cryin and they say, 'Oops, the waterworks are startin—I'd betta scram.' You're not like that though, thanks again. I guess…"
Pete reached down and wiped Chloe's cheeks, "I promise it will all be all right, you'll see. Plus, I enjoy being there for you Chloe. I always will, remember that, kay? Always." Chloe looked away from him, in an effort to lighten the mood, Pete added, "And you had better be saying thank you after I just spent an hour beating up Mark and Clark for you. Man! Clark has abs of steel!! I'm gonna hafta get me a farm job!"
Chloe looked at Pete and laughed. "Pete what would I do without you?" Chloe gave Pete a kiss on the cheek, "Thanks…again." She smiled and gave him a huge hug. "At least one guy I know isn't a meteor freak that is trying to hurt me, or just trying to hurt me," she said into his shoulder.
At this moment Gabe, Chloe's overprotective father walked in. "Oh, hi Pete! Takin care of my baby? How are you feelin angel?"
"Like I was hit by a semi," Chloe chuckled. "But thanks to Pete here, I am feeling a little better, okay, maybe a lot better." She grinned at Pete who grinned right back.
"Well Chlo' I have to get goin! I didn't finish my article for the Torch. You should be outa here in no time so I'll just finish it and leave it on your desk. Feel better girl, kay?" Pete gave Chloe another hug and left.
Gabe looked a Chloe and at the door that Pete had just left through. "Did I miss something? Are you two…"
"No Dad, Pete is my BEST friend, he's just concerned."
"Oh, well, it's just that I thought there would be only one guy you'd want to be hugging you after last night-"
"Dad listen to me, okay? Clark isn't being all that supportive right now. He's too happy with his perfect Miss Lang."
"Oh baby!! I'm sorry, I didn't know."
"Yeah, well I'm NOT sorry Pete is a better friend than Clark could ever dream to be. I'm okay, really I am." Chloe reassured her skeptical parent. Then why does it still hurt to talk about Clark so much? Ugh! Shame upon the day I EVER met him! Pete though…well… let's just see where things go with Pete.
A/N: I don't know what I'm doing here, please give advice. Chlark or Chlete?????? Vote!
