"You're *ouch* coming here?" Chloe asked excitedly.
"Yeah, Mari's parents want her to go to some benefit thing tomorrow night and she invited me along for the trip".
"That's *ouch* great! Hey, could you cool it with the pins! I'm bleeding here! So when are you guys getting here?"
"Well at first Mari was going to call Lex and ask him to send the helicopter, but she wants to surprise him so we're driving instead".
"Oka,y okay, it fits. Yes, just let me down from here" Chloe yelled to someone.
"Chloe?"
"Sorry about that Clark. I'm getting fitted for my bridesmaid dress and since I couldn't come to the other fittings the seamstress is punishing me by making me a human pin cushion!" Chloe growled.
"So what's your schedule like?" Clark asked, stuffing a pair of jeans into his duffel bag.
"Well we've got family bonding/rehearsal dinner crap tonight, and then a 'ladies-only' breakfast tomorrow morning. The wedding starts at three, and then the reception starts around five or so".
"Busy girl", Clark said.
"Yeah well don't get any ideas about not coming anyway. Are you staying with the Wesley's?"
"Yeah".
"Good".
"Why is that a good thing?"
"Well Clark, the Wesley's condo is about a block and a half away from the hotel I'm staying in".
"Oh really? Clark said, suddenly very interested.
"I thought you'd like that. I might have to start arranging an alibi or two" Chloe said slyly.
Clark pondered that statement with a smile until he heard the doorbell ring. "Hey Chloe I think Mari's here. I'd better get going".
"The sooner the better.
Clark and Chloe said their good-byes and Clark hustled down the stairs. As he entered the family room he found his father sitting on the couch, his mouth set in a firm line. He'd received permission from his mother for the trip, but that, like everything else, was pending approval from Jonathan Kent.
"I hear you're going to Metropolis son"
Clark sighed heavily, "Dad, it's just for two days".
"Clark you know how your mother and I feel about you spending so much time away from the farm".
"I know dad, but Mari has to go and she wanted some company".
"And this wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that Chloe is in Metropolis too would it?" Jonathan said knowingly.
Unable to restrain himself Clark blushed a deep crimson. "Dad…"
"Clark, don't bother. I know you're a young man and you want to do different things, but you need to be careful"
"Dad!"
"Now Clark just hear me out"
"Jonathan!" Martha said admonishingly walking into the room with Mari trailing behind her, "I thought we agreed no third degree".
"Martha, I'm just telling Clark that he needs to be careful. Metropolis and Smallville are about as different as it gets".
"If it makes you feel any better Mr. Kent, we're staying with my parents, and I doubt they'll take their eyes of me for a minute".
Jonathan nodded at that, but he wasn't entirely convinced. The last time Clark went to Metropolis the trouble with Phelan had soon followed.
"Dad, I promise. Everything will be fine".
Jonathan's eyes scanned the two pairs of teenage eyes staring at him expectantly and had to resist a chuckle. However one quick look at Martha's stern expression sobered him up quickly.
"Okay okay, I give in".
Clark's frown was immediately replaced with a wide smile. "Thanks, dad!" he said excitedly, picking up his bag.
"Honey, I packed you kids some snacks and lemonade for the trip. I don't want you two stopping anywhere, it'll be dark soon".
"Thanks mom" Clark said, taking the small cooler from his mother and kissing her on the cheek. "I'll call as soon as I get there. Ready?" he asked, turning to Mari.
"Yup" she replied cheerfully, shaking her car keys. As they exited the house Clark stopped suddenly. Sitting in his driveway was not the old Volvo she usually drove, in its place was a medium sized metallic SUV, glistening in the late afternoon sunlight. A quick scan of the bumper told him that the car was a LEXUS.
"I suppose I don't need to ask where the new wheels came from" Clark asked quietly, so his parents didn't hear.
Mari smiled indulgently, "It's just a little loaner Clark. I couldn't very well take my grandmothers car. How would she get around all by herself?" she asked, batting her eyelashes in mock innocence.
"Yeah Mari, you're a saint" Clark said sarcastically as he climbed in and sank into the cushy leather.
"Where on earth does a girl that young get a car like that?" Jonathan wondered out loud.
Martha said nothing, but she definitely had an idea.
"Mom? Dad?" Mari called out as she stepped into the front hall. Hearing nothing she continued down towards the study, and the finally the library. Not finding anyone Mari sighed and returned to the front room where Clark was standing, almost as if he was afraid to sit down. He'd only been here once or twice before as a child and the place still unnerved him.
"Don't worry Clark no one's going to yell at you for getting mud on the carpet or anything, we're a little old for that".
"Yeah, well I guess old habits die hard. Your nanny used to make me scared to touch anything".
Mari laughed, "I'd completely forgotten about old Mrs. Crabby Cakes! She was the worst!".
"It is not nice to speak ill of someone behind their backs Ms. Wesley" said a grave voice. Mari and Clark both turned around to find Elliot, the Wesley's butler standing at the entrance.
"20 lashes with a wet noodle, or shall I just submerge myself in a vat of chocolate til I've learned my lesson?" Mari replied teasingly and the older man broke out in a smile.
"So how are things in Smallville?"
"Things are great. I really like living there a lot more than I thought I would".
"I'm glad to hear it" he said, casting a skeptical eye towards Clark. "and who is your young friend?"
"Elliot! How could you forget! This is Clark Kent".
Elliot eyed Clark with a look of disbelief on his face. "Little Clark Kent? The kid who could eat his weight in s'mores without stopping for air?"
Clark blushed, "That would be me" he said sheepishly.
"Well, nice to see you again young man. I take it you've come in for the banquet tomorrow evening".
"Duty calls" Mari said, rolling her eyes. "Time to put on the perfect daughter hat".
"Don't mind her" Clark interjected, "She's been moaning and groaning the entire trip".
"Whatever Clark, you have no clue what its like to be used as a pawn in your parent's image game".
"Well whatever the reason, I'm glad you're home again. This place has been entirely too quite since you left". Elliot said sincerely. "Oh and before I forget. A Miss Sullivan called for you. She said to let you know that she wasn't feeling well and had retired to her hotel room".
Mari stifled a laugh and Clark blushed even deeper. "Thanks Elliot. I'm going to go to my room now and show Clark the guest room". Motioning for Clark to follow her she headed towards the long hallway. Suddenly a thought occurred to her, "Elliot! Are you expecting my parents this evening?"
"No ma'am" Elliot called out, "they've gone to dinner at the Goldstein's and then to the symphony".
"Thanks" she replied flatly, unable to keep a hint of sadness out of her voice.
After she showed Clark his room and more importantly, gave him directions to Chloe's hotel, Mari continued on towards her bedroom.
Once inside Mari lie back against the door with a sigh. Catching sight of herself in the full-length mirror, she was happy that her parents weren't around. She'd have time to do damage control before her mother saw her. Walking towards the mirror Mari began ticking off a checklist in her head. Her ends were shot and her skin was blotchy and shiny, her eyes tired from too many evenings spent staring at computer screens in the Torch office. She'd have to go to the salon first thing in the morning for a hair cut and a facial. Looking down at her hands she added a manicure to the list. Too many weekends spent riding with Lana had taken their toll. Her jeans were slightly frayed and stained from the time she'd gone camping with Clark and encountered more mud than she had ever thought possible. She was wearing sneakers, which was a veritable sin in this house, but prim loafers and heels were just not conducive to a life in Smallville. She realized that in order to appease her parents she'd have to wash away any trace of her life in Smallville, a life that she had come to love and cherish. A life that included Lex.
She sighed and lay across her childhood bed, inhaling the fresh scent of the detergent. She felt extremely lonely all of a sudden. Reaching across to the nightstand she picked up the phone. She instinctively dialed the number to the mansion, but then hung up quickly when she realized her mistake. Lex wasn't back in Smallville, he was in Metropolis, most like less than ten minutes away, but she couldn't be with him now. The risk was just too high. Replacing the phone back on the charger, Mari turned off the lamp and snuggled under her covers. Her usual bedtime ritual of cleaning, brushing and rolling would have to wait. Trying to remember a simpler time she grabbed the stuffed animal resting on the pillow beside her and hugged it tight, muffling her sobs.
Emerging from the bathroom Chloe unwrapped the towel from around her head and shook out her partially damp hair, running her fingers through it. Reaching into her suitcase she pulled out a simple cotton camisole and pulled it over her head. She reached for the matching pajama pants and pulled them on. She walked towards the mirror and admired the view. The hot pulsating water in the shower had got her blood pumping, leaving a rosy glow to her skin. The camisole was tight in all the right places and the pajama pants hung loosely on her hips. She smelled lightly of vanilla, courtesy of a scented body lotion. Everything was absolutely perfect…well almost. She glanced at the alarm clock on the nightstand and saw that it was nearly nine. Where the hell was Clark?
Chloe climbed onto the bed and lie down flipping lazily through the channels. Luckily for Chloe she had a room to herself. Gabe had remarked that Chloe was finally too old to share a room with her 'daddy'. Chloe smirked, wondering if he would feel the same way if he knew Clark was within walking distance. Suddenly Chloe heard a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" she called out, praying it wasn't someone in her family checking on her.
"Do you even have to ask?" came Clark's voice from the other side.
Chloe grinned and quickly opened the door finding Clark holding a small brown paper bag.
"Hey you!" she said excitedly, pulling him inside. "What took you so long?"
"Well it's not as if there's some black hole I can drive through to get here Chloe" he said, leaning down to kiss her gently.
"I know, but it feels like I've been waiting FOREVER!" she said with a smile. "What's in the bag?"
"Wouldn't you like to know" Clark replied, grinning mischievously, stepping past her and placing the bag on a small table.
"I've got my ways of getting it out of you Kent".
"Later" Clark replied matter-of-factly. "Besides, I thought you were so ill".
"Yeah well, lets just say" Chloe said pushing Clark down into a chair and sitting in his lap, "I'm feeling a lot better now". Chloe pressed her lips to Clark's in a passionate kiss. When they pulled apart Chloe couldn't help but ask, "Now what's in the bag Kent?"
Clark laughed and reached over, grabbing the bag and handing it to Chloe. Smiling Chloe reached in and pulled out a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream and two spoons.
"Chocolate Fudge Brownie! My favorite!" Chloe exclaimed.
"Well I know how much you like to have some when you're sick, but since you're feeling better…" Clark said, reaching for the ice cream.
"Hands off, Kent!" Chloe squealed, pulling away from him and shooting across the room. Chloe settled on the bed, reclining on the headboard. Clark watched as she popped the lid off of the ice cream and savored her first spoonful. He stood and walked across the room climbing onto the bed beside her. He reached for the extra spoon but Chloe slapped his hand away. "No" she said, as if scolding a small child. Clark smiled and reached again, but Chloe grabbed the spoon and flung it across the room. "No!" she said again with more emphasis.
"Chloe!"
"Beg" Chloe said with a sly smile.
"No, I don't think so" Clark replied.
"And why not?" Chloe asked, slightly surprised.
"Because I can think of something I want a lot more than ice cream".
Chloe was rendered speechless as Clark dipped his head into the curve of her neck and began kissing her lightly.
Chloe squirmed at the sensation and quickly placed the ice cream on her nightstand. Her hands wandered to Clark's broad shoulders. "Clark" Chloe murmured as he moved upwards, trailing kisses along her jaw line and up to her lips.
"I'm so happy you're here," Chloe said sincerely.
"Me too" Clark responded, his lips gently brushing against hers.
"How much time do you have?" Chloe asked.
"Not much" Clark groaned, looking at the clock on Chloe's nightstand. "Mari already went to sleep and if I'm not looking forward to facing her parents alone if I come in after them.
"Well, I guess we'll just have to make the best of the time we have", Chloe said with a smile before kissing Clark again.
Clark's tongue explored Chloe's mouth gently, savoring the feeling. Chloe groaned and lie back, pulling Clark on top of her. Clark adjusted his body so as to not crush her and slid one leg between her thighs. Chloe reached down and pulled at the hem of her camisole, pulling it quickly over her head.
Although the sight wasn't quite unfamiliar to him now, Clark couldn't help but blush every time he saw Chloe's body.
"Touch me Clark" Chloe commanded softly.
Clark's large hand immediately cusped Chloe's breast, kneading it slowly. Chloe moaned pushed her body into his. She pushed her fingers into the small space between their bodies and started unbuttoning Clark's shirt. Clark stiffened.
"Clark?"
"Sorry, Chloe. I just thought I heard someone".
"Clark, its fine. Everyone's at the dinner and…" Chloe stopped abruptly as she heard a knock on the door of her room.
"Shit!" Chloe exclaimed, jumping from the bed. "Hold on!"
"Are you okay honey?" the familiar voice of Gabe Sullivan called out.
"Ummm, I'm fine dad" Chloe screeched, quickly pulling her camisole back over her head.
"Chloe, what are we going to do?" Clark whispered, quickly buttoning his shirt back up.
"Hide in the bathroom, turn on the bath water" Chloe replied frantically, yanking down her pajama pants and pulling on her bathrobe. Once Clark was behind the bathroom door, she ran to the door of her hotel room and let in her father.
"Hi dad" Chloe said breathlessly.
"Chloe what took you so long?" her father asked, his voice full of fatherly concern.
"Sorry, I was slightly indecent dad. I was just about to take a bath".
"Are you sure you don't want to see a doctor honey? You look awful flushed" Gabe replied, putting a hand to his daughter's forehead.
"Dad. It's almost ten o'clock, where would we find a doctor this time of night? And besides, I'm fine. Nothing a hot bath and a good night's sleep won't cure, I promise".
"Well…" Gabe said, eyeing Chloe warily, "if you're sure".
"Dad, I'm fine".
"Okay then, well I'm gonna hit the sack honey. Don't stay up too late, we've got a big day tomorrow".
"I promise" she said, reaching up and kissing her dad on the cheek.
"Goodnight honey" Gabe said.
Chloe closed the behind her father and sighed deeply. The door to the bathroom creaked open slowly and Clark stuck his head out.
"All clear?"
"All clear" Chloe replied.
"That was a close one. I don't even want to think about what would happen if your dad had figured out I was in here".
Chloe only shuddered in return.
"I'm gonna get out of here okay? I think we've cheated fate enough for one night".
"Do you have to go?" Chloe said, pouting and rubbing her hands up and down Clark's chest.
"Nice try Chloe".
"Suit yourself" Chloe said, smiling. "Do I at least get a goodnight kiss?"
Meanwhile back in Smallville…..
Lana stared at the phone in absolute shock. She'd heard the words come out of it, but she hadn't yet been able to process them. "Really a great opportunity…long distance relationships never work…I don't have another choice", and then finally, "Goodbye". Realizing that no explanations were going to come from the plastic earpiece, Lana replaced it in the charger. Lana had always heard people describe feeling numb, but tonight was the first time she could recognize the feeling. Somehow, she had done it again. Once again she had let herself get wrapped up in someone, only to have that person ripped from her life. This time it was an art school scholarship that had ruined her life.
Lana felt a drop of water on her hand, and only then did she realize that she was crying. Lana studied the small droplet, clear except for the swirl of black inside. Within seconds an avalanche of tears were streaming down her cheeks. She rose quickly and exited the room running quickly down the short hall to Chloe's room. The darkness reminded her that Chloe and Gabe were in Metropolis. Lana ran back to her room and picked up the phone to call Mari, but she remembered that she was in Metropolis and had taken Clark with her.
Sighing deeply, Lana hung up the phone yet again and walked into her bathroom. She examined herself under the harsh fluorescent lights. She was an absolute mess. Mascara streaked down her cheeks, smudged eye shadow giving her the look of a raccoon. She quickly washed her face and exited the bathroom, feeling at a complete loss. Lana had never been someone who could keep her emotions inside and now more than ever she needed someone to talk to. Up until recently she had always gone to Adam when she needed a sound board. And Chloe was always more than willing to engage in late night chats as long as Lana kept the coffee flowing. Who on earth could she turn to now?
Suddenly, like a flashbulb going off in her head, the answer became amazingly clear and she even felt guilty that she hadn't thought of it before. Picking up the phone once more Lana quickly dialed the number, and prayed that he wasn't out. Finally after a few rings he picked up. "Hi Pete? It's Lana…no, no everything's…well actually everything is pretty rotten at the moment…do you have a minute? I really need someone to talk to…"
