Author's Note: Chloe became an Immortal in the story that came before this one, called "Things Change". If you'd like to read it before going on with this one, just click on my name at the top of the page to go to my personal profile. "Things Change" is story number 9.

Thanks for reading. Now, on with the story!

PART TWO


Clark hurried back into the barn, an ice pack in one hand, a bottle of water in the other. He tried not to make much noise when he, climbed the stairs, just in case Chloe had fallen asleep. Instead, he found her still sitting up, her right foot on the coffee table.

"You know what would be really nice?" she said. "If the Immortal healing thing kicked in before all the pain and unsightly swelling."

As Clark handed her the water bottle, he winced in sympathy. Her ankle was almost twice its normal size. "That looks pretty bad."

"Bad, but not broken," Chloe assured him. A good-natured grin lit her face. "So you don't have to buy me a fruit basket, or promise me your first born child. Although, that box of candy you sent me last time was nice. I always like apologies when they come with chocolate."

Blushing a little in embarrassment, Clark ducked his head. Okay, he overreacted when she broke her pinkie. But he'd felt so bad. Kind of like he felt now, after knocking her into a wall.

Biting his lip to keep from apologizing again, he sat on the coffee table next to her foot. Gently, he eased the ice pack onto her ankle. "This should help take the swelling down."

"Thanks."

They both stared at her ankle, as if they expected it to miraculously shrink from the cold. When that didn't happen, neither could contain a sigh.

"Oh, well." Chloe shrugged. "I guess training's over for today."

Clark sighed again, this time in relief. Not that he didn't want to help Chloe. He understood that she needed to train, even if he didn't like to think about what she needed to train for. But he always worried that he'd hurt her somehow, pretty much like he had today. Only next time it would be more serious than a broken pinkie or sprained ankle. And it didn't matter that she healed so fast. Clark didn't like being the reason she was in pain, however long it lasted.

"About your training," Clark began. Nervously, he cleared his throat. "I've been thinking."

"Uh oh."

Clark gave her a baleful glare before he continued. "I've been thinking it's time we found you a real trainer. Someone who knows what they're doing, unlike either one of us. I mean, we're pretty much stumbling around in the dark here."

"We've already talked about this, Clark." Chloe said. "It's not like there are Immortal teachers growing on trees. Not around here, anyway." She shifted in her seat, and winced when the movement jostled her swollen ankle. "Besides, I'm still not too eager to meet another Immortal. Yeah, they might be one of the good guys, a gentle soul who, out of the kindness of their heart, is willing to mentor a fledgling like me. They also might be a headhunter who'll have their sword drawn and at my throat before I could say 'howdy'."

Despite her light tone, Clark saw the pain in her eyes. Pain, grief, guilt, fear, sorrow, and a lot of other things. When she got that look, it wasn't hard to guess who she was thinking about.

Merrick.

Clark clenched his teeth, his hands balled into fists. When it came to the dead Immortal, Clark's feelings weren't nearly as conflicted as Chloe's. He felt anger, pure and simple. The man had tried to kill one of his best friends. If he were still alive, Clark wasn't really sure what he would do.

And, okay, maybe there was some guilt mixed in with the anger. As illogical as it seemed, Clark felt like he should've been able to protect Chloe. To sense what Merrick really was. To stop him before Chloe had to do what she did to protect herself.

"They're still looking for the Twilight Stranger, you know," Chloe said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I know." Clark saw a big story about the serial killer on the news just last night. Since some time had passed since the last murder, the panic had faded a little, but it was still there. Everyone was certain he would strike again, and soon.

"It seems wrong that we can't tell anybody," Chloe continued. "I mean, every blond woman in Metropolis must be terrified, wondering if she'll be the next. The families of the victims think their daughters' killer is still on the loose. The police are questioning suspects we both know are innocent because the real Twilight Strangler is already dead." She folded her arms, took a deep breath. "I just wish we could tell everyone it's over."

Clark stared down at the floor. This wasn't the first time they'd talked about this. They'd even considered making an anonymous tip to the police. Maybe Merrick's name would be enough for the police to connect the dots and realize the killer they were looking for wasn't a threat anymore.

In the end, it was Clark who decided against it making that call. The interest in Merrick's strange death was just starting to die down, and they'd managed to keep Chloe out of it altogether. If they did anything to stir things up now, it might lead right back to her.

It was frustrating for both of them. Because this wasn't a meteor mutant Clark could fight, or an article Chloe could write to expose some danger to the community. Basically, all they could do was…nothing.

"The teacher doesn't have to be an Immortal," Clark said, both to break the heavy silence and to change the subject.

Chloe stared at him for one long, silent moment. Then she shook her head. "I can't go to a mortal teacher. I think they'd notice if I got hurt but was fine and dandy an hour or so later."

"The chances of you getting hurt in a martial arts class are pretty slim. And at least you'd be learning the basics from someone who, unlike me, knows what they're doing."

As she reached down to massage her shin, Chloe frowned. "What's the matter, Clark? Are you tired of helping me?"

"No!" he sincerely denied. "It's just…I don't want you to get hurt anymore because of me. And I want you to really be prepared in case you run into another Immortal and I'm not around to…"

"Save me," Chloe asked, a soft smile curling her lips.

"Yeah." Clark shrugged. He knew there was a 'no interference from outsiders' rule. But if someone came to Smallville and started swinging a sword anywhere near Chloe's neck, he was pretty sure he was going to step in. If he was there.

"I know I need a teacher, Clark," the Immortal in question said. "But it has to be an Immortal. And, aside from putting an ad in the classifieds that says, 'Fledgling Immortal searching for non-headhunting Immortal mentor with extensive knowledge of martial arts and sword fighting,' I don't know how I'm going to find one."


(TO BE CONTINUED)