Title: If You Want to…I Can Save You
Chapter Completed: October 6, 2003
"Anna!" Chloe waved over the older woman, excited at seeing her after all the years that had passed between them.
"Chloe," the woman smiled warmly. The pair were once on the brink of being best friends and now it felt like little had changed. The two embraced like only old friends can and took seats in the trendy coffee-house.
"You look great," Anna slipped happily back into their friendship. Over the last nine years they had only connected through correspondence, a Beaches type relationship, so this was the first real visual connection. But the two girls still knew everything about their lives over the break. Anna already knew every detail of how Chloe met and fell for her Dick Grayson. The two young lovers had met in Blüdhaven. Chloe on her first Daily Planet assignment and Dick the 'hunky' bartender who always seemed to be everywhere she was. Who knew an investigation into a recent wave of gang wars would lead to undying love? The whole relationship had been explained in emails, letters and late night phone calls. The same was true for Chloe with Anna. She knew all about her bar exam failures and successes, the ladder climb and even the quick fix affair with her boss. It was like the two had never really parted.
Blushing and smiling Chloe shrugged, "I guess engagement agrees with me." She laughed.
"I'll agree with that," she nodded too.
Without being aware of it the journalist began admiring the diamond on her finger. "I always figured you would be the first to get married, or maybe the only." She caught herself after she had said it. She attention shooting up from the gold band to the girl across from her.
Anna's smiled slipped into sadness, and her hand clasped the charm around her neck.
"Have you seen Lex?" she decided to just jump into the issue. They had never actually held back with each other. The wayward lawyer also knew about the short tryst between the Chloe and Lex – inevitable really when you push two people together.
She stared at the glossy tabletop, "I went there," she gave a bitter, short laugh, "but didn't see him."
Chloe nodded slowly, an uneasy weight laid on them.
Clearing her throat and looking up, Anna spoke, "so, how are you doing with that wedding?" She forced the genuine smile to break on her face through wet eyes.
Chloe smiled and nodded, "I have no idea what I'm doing."
Both girls broke into schoolyard like giggles.
"I just have no idea about everything," she farther confessed, with a light-heartedness.
The other woman's face contorted in thought, "Guest list?"
A grumble came from across the table about the very subject.
"Pete and Lana?" She asked cautiously. When she heard of their graduation-wedding six years ago she was more than a little surprised. It came as almost as big of a surprise as the Chloe/Pete break up. He made some comment about her still creaming over Clark. Which lead to the next question, "Clark?"
Chloe let out a frustrated puff of air, "Couldn't I just elope?"
Her friend laughed; soon she herself joined in again to the mirth.
"But you'd miss the glorious dog and pony show," Anna rolled her eyes.
"And don't forget the presents," Chloe widened her eyes and raised her eyebrows in mock greed – they both fell, again, into giggles.
For an hour, the two spent time as teenagers: A free and easy existence. A grand escape really. Then it was back to adult life, at least to a degree.
Chloe had plans to introduce Anna to her life face first: The Daily Planet.
"I've just gotta pop in here," she told her friend, linking arms and pulling her into the bank, "Have to make sure Perry is paying me well."
Anna just smiled and shook her head. It was good to be in someone else's life for a while.
Chloe filled out her form and took a spot in the slow moving line. Friday afternoons were really the worst time to be in a bank. Anna hung to the side, slowly relaxing with being back in Metropolis. She hadn't been home in forever. A life time ago really. But then it felt almost comfortable. Like it really was home.
But like all seemingly easy transitions, they were marked for a disaster.
The front doors cracked open, slamming against the walls, as three men rushed the back.
"Everyone freeze!" The first man, waving a large automatic weapon demanded, "Now all co-operate so no one needs to die."
A few of the people, now prisoners, shrieked but froze in their places. No one was going to play rouge hero. And in Metropolis there wasn't a reason to.
The two lackies began circulating through the hostages. One with a stereotypical canvas sack for personal effects, the other bee-lining for the tellers.
"And how about we don't touch the alarm?" the leader pointed a laser seeker at the shifting teller – who froze, "thanks. Now fill the bags." His voice was eerily clam and collected, like this was a regular job for him. Career criminal if you will.
Anna, who was off to the side, attempted to make a break for the door. There had to be more help outside then there was inside the bank. She slowly side-stepped toward the doors, reaching her shaking hand to the handle.
A mechanical click sounded in her ear, "Careful now. No one should leave the party early." A forth man had entered the bank unnoticed, for the very purpose of catching escapees. He wrapped his gloved hand around her neck and pulled her over to the leader, near the centre of the room.
The other man nodded to the lackie for a job well done, turning to look at the catch, "Where you going doll?" he eyes her over from under his ski mask – the beety eyes only showing.
Anna said nothing, just growing more ridged under the tightening clasp on her neck.
"Ooo," he raised an eyebrow. He had spotted something he wanted. His fingers dug under the collar of her shirt, pulling the delicate gold chain off her skin. "Looks expensive," he stared into her eyes for a reaction.
The girl drew in a breath. She really didn't want to lose that small trinket. It was the only thing she had left, all she had of their love. He had no idea just what it had cost her.
He hooked his fingers in the chain, preparing to rip it from her neck, but another hostage called out for his attention.
"No!" Chloe's voice was forceful and determined. She had her left hand fisted and held to her chest. She would never give up her engagement ring.
"What is it with you girls and jewellery?!" the leader shook his head. Turning back to Anna he ripped the chain free and fisted it into his hand, stalking off toward Chloe he had the same idea of liberating her from her jewellery.
The plucky reporter saw this, but would have none of it. "HELP!" she shrieked in a high, loud pitch.
The cry came off as an annoyance to the robbery group, but was in reality an alarm sounding.
With a delicate, careful force the front doors of the bank flew open – followed by a strong gust of wind. The powerful air knocked three of the gunmen off their feet, but the fourth stood firmer, holding on threateningly to Anna and a pillar. Chloe on the other hand, knowing that this was Metropolis, had firmly and happily stood in her place.
The powerful breeze was a precursor for the flawless entry of the man in tights. Superman landed in a blur of red, blue and yellow.
"Let that woman go," he began with his usual good guy speech at seeing the threatening hostage situation.
"Wholly shit it's Superman!" the gunman was slack jawed. Maybe he just never believed in the super hero, or just wasn't from around here.
In his awe Anna elbowed him in the chest, making him release the grasp on her. As the man stumbled in pain she scurried away.
The other men, who were themselves getting over the general shock and surprise, began pulling themselves to their feet and attempting to make their own runs for freedom.
"Excuse me," he nodded to the now save girl and took off in a blurry rush to round up the criminals. And round them up he did. With one the banks iron bars he tied the foursome together, a pretty package for the police.
"Is everyone alright?" he then asked of the frightened, but relived bank customers and workers.
"Perfect," Chloe stepped over to the spandex covered man, smiling triumphedly, "Great timing."
"Miss Sullivan," he smiled and nodded to the woman, "Thank you for the distress call."
A slight blush coloured her cheeks, "Thanks for answering it…again."
He nodded and looked around at the other people, making sure he hadn't arrived to late for someone. He caught sight of the hostaged woman, her hand feeling around her neck, "Are you alright madam?"
As she looked up at him, he realised who she was but fought not to look away. If no one else had noticed, why would she?
"Ah…fine," she was still feeling around her neck and looking around on the floor.
"Lose something?" he approached carefully.
She sighed, feeling silly. She had almost just been killed, and she was worried about a piece of jewellery. "A necklace. Gold chain," she waved her hands, expecting him to excuse her triviality.
He smiled at her. Using his talents he scanned the room and retrieved the article, handing it over like a good boy-scout, "This it?"
Anna nodded, a little dumbfounded by the whole scene. Did men this good really exist?
He dropped the broken necklace into her awaiting palm. Delicately coiling the chain and charm.
Feeling the proud sense of a job well done and a calling fulfilled, Superman smiled again to the recovering crowd as the police finally arrived at the scene. Sirens blaring after the action was completed. Following close behind were the news vans. Anything Superman did in the city was leading story news.
Chloe rushed to her friend's side, "You alright?" Getting an affirmative nod she continued, "You've just met Metropolis' leading man; Superman."
