Taking Those Steps Again

By Ryoko Kashino and Kitana Blade Studios

            Hey all!  Here it is the final chapter!!!!! Okay again thanks to all that have read and left reviews!!! Oh I have a second Chlark tale started! I need a Beta reader are there any takers?????? Leave me and email addy when you review and a hint that you'd like to beta for me and I might contact you!  Okay well here it is go on and read it!!!! Please read and review people!  I hope you all enjoy this – Ohh if you can download the song called "C'mon," by Ben Jelen, I wrote this last chapter as I listened to this song and man this is my favorite story to date that I've written! I hope you all enjoy! Here's the legal jargon; I don't own Smallville so don't sue me I am sooooo very poor. Remember Karma works for those who believe!!!!!!! Thanks a lot for all your reviews!

     Much luv & L8rs, 

 Ryoko Kashino

Chp 4 Taking That Last Step

It was as if Chloe's wildest dreams were coming true.  The past week had been incredible.  Clark had paid so much attention to her that she pinched herself every time he left her sight.  No Lana for a whole week.  Not so much as a mention of her.  She was feeling so high.  This Saturday was truly going to be epic, Clark had planned nothing special but he was going to let her pick all the days activities.  He dubbed it 'Chloe's day of Control.' The smile that was plastered on her face would have lit the darkest dungeon.  Chloe looked over her clothes and picked out a simple white baby tee with purple flowers embroided on it and a short faded jean skirt.  As she put on her clunk black boots Lana was hobbling past Chloe's room, she looked in and waited minute until Chloe looked at the door.  Both girls smiled at each other, "Wow, Chloe, you seem really happy? What's been up with you this week?"

"I just seem to be getting back into the groove with some things.  I just realized my life is really good."

"I'm glad to hear that." Lana smiled again and then began to head for the stairs.  Part of Chloe wanted to rub it in Lana's face that she was gonna have Clark all to herself but she instead just shook her head and walked over to her mirror to inspect herself.  She looked cute not too cute but just right cute.  She smiled and giggled to herself.  She reached over to get a light jacket that was hanging over the back of her chair when she heard the door bell ring.  Chloe's eyes widened and she screamed, "I'll get it! I'll get it!"

Chloe ran towards the stairs and took the steps two at a time; to her dismay Lana had just opened the door.  Damn it!  I have some shitty karma, thought Chloe. Just then she heard Lana say, "Hi, Clark."

Clark stood there in horror.  Lana had only one of her crutches with her and she still looked very pretty in sweats.  Mentally he kicked himself for that thought.  Lana was smiling at him but he stood there quiet.  The oddness of the moment was broken by Chloe running down the stairs and nearly plowing Clark down.  Clark grinned and let out a nervous laugh as he caught Chloe. Lana had a horrified look on her face but soon she laughed at Chloe.  The threesome stood in an odd silence until Chloe straightened out herself and said, "You're early, why is that?"

Clark's mouth moved but nothing came out. Chloe patted his arm and said, "Yeah that pretty sums up my amazement too."

Lana laughed and said, "What's going on here? Are you guys gonna hang out here today?" There was a hint of hopefulness in her voice.  Clark was surprised he wouldn't have minded but he looked at Chloe and saw a small shadow of disappointment on her face then he said, "No, we can't I made some plans that Chloe and I can't back out of.  Besides, I really promised Chloe my total and undivided attention, it's her day today.  I am merely Chloe's minion."

Chloe looked at Clark surprised, had she just heard what she thought she heard? Had Clark just shot down his dream girl? Chloe looked at Lana and saw the face that was usually plastered on her head.  In her mind she did cartwheels Chloe knew that feeling all to well and as many times as she'd always wanted to see that face on Lana's her own heart felt it's old bruises, before she knew what she was saying her mouth began, "Well, if you want to Lana you can come, I was probably only going to drag good old Clark to a movie and to eat."

Clark looked at Chloe confused and then to Lana then again back to Chloe. Chloe let a hurt smile come over her.  Lana looked at both of her friends and said, "You know I'm still really tired and maybe if you guys had decided to stay around the house I wouldn't mind but, can I rain check the invite?"

"Sure," said Clark.

The day went off well.  Chloe dragged Clark to Metropolis.  It was a marathon of shopping and trying a ton of different drink stops.  Clark had a sweet tooth and indulged it at every stop.  Chloe had laughed at him as he'd gotten shear joy from the new and interesting sweets that had crossed his pallet.  As they walked in what seemed to be the fifth mall Clark heard music in the distance.  He grabbed Chloe's hand and dragged her with him running in and around people to see a live band in the court yard.  When the next song began it was a slow one.  Clark looked down at Chloe and suddenly he pulled her out of the surrounding crowd.  He brought her close to him and began to slow dance with her. 

Chloe's cheeks pinkened as she was the center of attention.  All eyes rested upon her and Clark.  God was he always this romantic, she thought.  Clark looked at her his eyes held a smile only for her.  Chloe could feel the lump in her throat; she didn't want to cry she was fighting back the tears.  All the while Clark was holding her firmly to him, his gaze never leaving hers.  Chloe could swear she saw a glint in his eyes that she'd only seen directed toward Lana before.  But that couldn't be, Clark had never had that for her. Even at the dance two springs back. She replayed the moment that they had almost kissed, and even then his eyes didn't have the same look as they did now.  Part of her was terrified maybe he was day dreaming about her. No, he wouldn't, or would he?

Clark was watching Chloe, her face was so happy but it had faded fast. He was worried isn't this the kind of thing girls usually wanted? It didn't matter he was in the moment, he never would've done this.  Something was taking over his body.  Chloe's face was now just blank it looked as though her emotions had left her.  She broke eye contact as she placed her head on his chest.  He could feel his heart beat quicken, slowly they had moved to the song, as the last few notes played Clark pulled back from Chloe and he smiled at her. Chloe had flashed her normal smile at him and she began to step away from him headed towards the crowd.  Clark felt his hand grab hers and gently he pulled her back to him, he bent his head down gently to place a sweet and soft kiss on her pink lips.

The surrounding crowd clapped. Chloe was frozen. She felt her breath catch. Around her she felt warm and safe.  Clark had wrapped his arms around her.  For a quick second Chloe felt like she was in a dream.  The sudden fading sound of the crowd brought her back to reality. She looked around and saw that she and Clark were the only ones that had danced.  Her face flashed red and Clarks face beamed with happiness.  His eyes were searching hers for confirmation she felt the same way. She grabbed his hand and led him off past the crowd and to a bench.  She sat down and Clark sat next to her. 

"Are you mad at me?" Clark asked in a low nervous voice.

"No, just a little umm…just kind of caught off guard. Did you plan that?"

"No, why?" he asked

"Cause it was so perfect, it's something a girl wants to happen but it never does, did you get your hands on 'a how romance a girl' handbook?"

"No, I heard the music, I figured they had to eventually play a slow soft song, I took a chance, and I guess this farm boy finally caught something good."

Chloe stood up and then leaned over and flung her arms around him. Clark laughed and then pulled her to him.  She sat lightly on his lap and just held onto him.  She almost didn't want to let go for fear this really was dream and soon her interrupted slumber would rip it from her. 

Clark smiled against her neck and took in the light citrusy sent of her hair.  She felt so good against him.  He let go of a sigh and then kissed her cheek.  A sweet smile came across Chloe's face.  She was so beautiful when she smiled.  He never wanted to see her face without that smile again. 

Chloe and Clark had been smiles the rest of the day.  The feeling of his hand in hers was amazing.  Nothing in the world could bring him down.  Clark had just taken the steps he'd so cautiously avoided for so long.  The pay off was way better than he'd expected.  The ride home he would steal glances at her.  Chloe's face was the happiest he'd ever seen.  As they entered the city limits of Smallville her face had lost a little bit of the joy it had had all day.  Clark was scared. As they pulled up to her house the surrounding sky was dark purple and stars hung lazily about it. The front porch light was on and Clark was opening her car door.  As they walked to the front door the smile that had taken up her face was gone.  Clark grabbed her hand before she reached for the door. Chloe looked at him and said, "Oh, thanks so much for today. Clark, it was a dream come true. I guess it's time to return to reality." She smiled her fake smile that he knew to well.

"Chloe, what are you talking about?"

Clark grabbed both her hands and kissed each one, he looked her in the eyes and said, "This wasn't a dream, this," he raised their hands and squeezed them gently, "was not a dream. It's real.  How I feel, all this, it's real.  It's not a dream. I swear Chloe; I'm not doing this to play Mr. Perfect for one day.   I'm doing this cause I'm in love with you."

"What?"

"You heard me; I'm in love with you.  I don't know why I didn't see this earlier. I was seriously a stupid farm boy. God, Chloe I don't' know how to say this without sounding dumb or like a jerk. All I know is; I don't want to be without you ever again. I wanna make you happy for as long as I can or as long as this life lets me."

"Shut up."

"Wha--…"

Clark was cut off by Chloe's lips.  She kissed him softly and then looked into his eyes.  Clark was so happy. He released a sigh and said, "Y'know we'll have to some major explaining to do."

"I don't care. I'm never letting you go. I've been in love with you since I first stepped into that Smallville junior high class.  The moment I saw you, I fell and could never get my footing back."

"Chloe," he began, "you talk too much." Again he caught her lips as she was going to say something.  Instead her words became muffled and soon there was never a moment they couldn't remember being without each other.

     Author's note: Awwwe!!!! I love this story!!!!!!! Okay cheesy ending but I still love it! Hehe yeah taken from and old personal experience! Hehehe! Ohhh, I love this…Thanks again to all who read and review!

        Ryoko