A/N: disclaimers still apply and please review if you have a chance. I'd
like some feedback.
Blood Ties: Chapter 4
The music pumped through the nightclub as people moved to the rhythm. The club in downtown metropolis was one of the most popular around. Clark had managed to impress the manager by dealing with several thugs that had attacked him several weeks ago. David had fallen into a pattern that the thugs had learned. When he had stepped out the back door with the deposit for the night in hand they had jumped him and would have likely killed him had Clark not come along.
David swore that the boy was unnaturally strong, but if the kid was on 'roids that was his business. Clark was good with the customers that wanted to have a good time, and even better with the ones that didn't. Watching from across the room, he noticed Clark breaking up a dispute over some bit of fluff. There were always some women in the club that were trolling for men, and it caused plenty of fights. With Clark around the night had been mostly uneventful. David smiled at that thought. If he could clean up the club a bit it would draw more people. That meant more money and more money is always good.
Dollar signs in his eyes David walked back into the office above Club Panther. It was going to be a good summer.
~*~*~*~
Wil and Chloe had been in the city for three days. She had offered the couch in her cousin's apartment to him for the week, and he had accepted. Chloe was glad that he had since it would give them the chance to get to know each other some more. Her crush on Clark had been powerful, but the feelings that she was beginning to have for Wil were bordering on crippling.
Wil had wanted to take a shower before heading out of the town, and through a bit of miscommunication she had witnessed him getting out of the shower. She had made some sort of strange gurgling noise and quickly spun around blushing like mad. He had laughed and told her that there was no reason to be embarrassed. The body was something to be celebrated, not hidden. She had reached back to grab the doorknob to close the door only to find his rock hard abs where the handle should have been. Touching his stomach had set her on fire from head to toe. Turning to face him she looked at his perfect form standing before her glistening with water. The heat from the shower was causing small wisps of steam to rise from his quickly cooling skin. Slowly Wil reached toward her placing his arms around her neck. Sliding his fingers into her hair he pulled her closer. Looking deep into her eyes he said, " SUPER SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY!!!"
Chloe sat bolt upright in her cousin's bed as the alarm went off. Growling something rather un-lady like Chloe slammed her fist into the off button on the alarm. Snuggling back under the covers the realization that she had been having a rather naughty dream about the man sleeping on the couch made her sit back up. She had seen him getting out of the shower, but the towel that he had wrapped around his waist had obscured anything that would have been really embarrassing.
The night that followed had been a whirlwind tour of metropolis, hitting all the really interesting spots and even a nightclub or too. The highlight of the evening had been club panther. Most people would never see the inside of the posh establishment that served only the elite of Metropolis. As they had neared the door of the club the doorman had simply waived them through like they owned the place.
They had walked out on to the dance floor and begun to move to the sound that was pumping through the club. Their bodies had moved in unison to the beat of the techno music that surrounded them. For some time it seemed that they were the only two people in the world as they danced. She had felt her pulse quicken as she felt his hands on her body guiding her closer to him. Looking into his eyes she found the expression that she had always longed for with Clark. Wil looked at her as if there was not another soul there, like she was all that mattered. When the set ended and the music changed to a slower beat they had moved off the floor. He had moved to the bar to get them something to drink, but returned empty handed.
Chloe had wanted to do bodily harm to Wil when he had grabbed her and dragged her from the club. Leaving he had looked like he had seen a ghost, so she quit fighting and let him lead her to the taxi.
The ride back to the apartment had been silent. She had tried to ask him what was wrong, but the look on his face told her that he was too far away to hear her.
Lying back on the bed she wondered what she had done to deserve falling for not one, but two men with issues. 'At least this one knows I exist' she thought. ' That's always a bonus!'
~*~*~*~
Wil lay on the couch staring at the ceiling just like he had for the last several hours. He had spent a wonderful evening with Chloe. Breathing in deeply, he could still smell her on his skin. Her scent was intoxicating. Wil knew that he was beginning to have feelings for her, but he worried that a relationship might not be possible.
Relationships were built on trust and honesty. How could he tell her without exposing Clark?
Clark.
Chloe had been the center of his universe last night until he had noticed Clark at the end of the bar. Suddenly he had snapped back to reality. The objective of his quest stood before him. It was strange standing there looking at him like that. He had crossed the known galaxy to find Clark only to be told that he was missing and possible under the influence of a stone that would make him violent and mean.
Wil suddenly panicked. What if Clark saw Chloe? Surely he would know that someone had found him and bolt, or worse. His heart pounded at the thought of someone hurting Chloe. He couldn't let that happen. Turning from his twin he moved across the floor to the table that they had been sitting at. Chloe looked at him like he was crazy as he told her that they had to leave, but seeing the urgency in his face she had relented.
He needed to go back to that club tonight, but Chloe would likely want to go with him. That left him with two options. He could lie to her or tell her the whole story.
His heart skipped a beat as he realized that he couldn't lie to her. He wanted to tell her about his life. He wanted to tell her about his mother and all the trials that he had endured to reach this planet. He wanted her more that he had ever wanted anything else, save finding Clark.
Doubt flooded his soul as he lay there trying to decide. What if she was repulsed by his alien heritage? What if she ran and told the world his secret? What if she decided to keep that secret and still rejected him?
The doubt was replaced with determination. He could not tell the future nor could he control the outcome of what was about to happen. He would tell her and hope that she could understand. All he could do was have faith that her heart was as good as he thought it was.
~*~*~*~
Clark sat on the bed in his new apartment above the club. David had let him move into the apartment as part of the pay from working the club. He liked working there a lot. He was able to watch over people and keep then safe without having to worry about hurting anyone. Sure there was the matter of restraint when it came to the idiots that wanted to pick a fight, but the word of the new cooler at Club Panther would soon spread. People would learn to respect him, and the fights would slow until they stopped.
David paid him well and with the apartment he had everything he needed. He had gone out this morning and picked up a few things to keep himself occupied. The brand new TV that he had bought was showing the local news when the screen changed to a picture of Lex Luthor. The sound of the Reporters voice filled the room as Clark watched.
"That's right Gary, It seems that after being declared dead, Alexander Luthor has been found on a small deserted island in the Caribbean. Lionel Luthor, the head of Luthor Corp. and Lex's father was unavailable for comment, but a spokesman for his son said that Lex is in good spirits and is expected to make a full recovery. There is rumor of a press conference in the works, but we will have to wait and see. This is Sheila Douglas reporting for Channel 5 news. Back to you Gary"
Clark turned the TV off. Lying back on the bed he pondered what Lex had gone through to survive. He knew that Lex would have done whatever it took to make it. For a moment Clark thought that he might go to the hospital to visit his old friend. He quickly dismissed the thought when he realized that he had let Lex down as well.
He had likely ruined the wedding, and there is no telling what the strange shockwave that came from the ship might have done to the Luthor corp. jet. For all he knew the blast had damaged the aircraft as it sat waiting for them to take off.
"Its best to leave the past in the past." Clark decided aloud that he would leave Lex behind just as he was leaving his friends and family. He couldn't protect them from his previous mistakes, but he could surely keep them from harm now. With him gone there was no way he could destroy any more lives.
"They will all be better off with me gone"
Clark began to get ready for his night of protecting complete strangers not knowing that this night would change his life forever.
~*~*~*~
Wil had spent most of the day with Chloe trying to pick the right moment. They had done some shopping and then taken a stroll in the park before returning to the apartment with bags of groceries. Chloe had told him that she would cook him dinner so they had stopped at the store and bought the ingredients for spaghetti. Chloe had raved about her dad's recipe all the way back from the store, but Wil had hardly paid attention.
"Earth to Wil, you there?" Chloe waived her had in front of his face as the cab stopped at the apartment building.
"You coming in, or are we going to ride around the block first?" Chloe smiled as she poked him in the ribs. He had been a bit more distant today like something was weighing on his mind. Chloe had decided to make him dinner so she could try to drag it out of him. She was really starting to care for him a lot and she wanted to help him if she could. The other side of the coin was that she wanted to let him know right off the bat how she felt about him. With Clark she had never said it until it was too late, and she wasn't going to make that mistake again.
"Huh, oh! Yeah, sorry, got a bit lost in thought there." Wil grabbed the bags from the floorboard and followed Chloe up the stairs.
When they got inside Chloe shooed him from the kitchen telling him playfully that he couldn't see what went in the sauce or she would have to kill him. After a bit of playful flirting he relented and moved to the couch to watch some TV.
Wil's thoughts turned to tonight and the inevitable confrontation that was coming. There were only two reasons that he could think of that Clark would have stayed away. Either he was still wearing the ring, or he had decided to never return for some reason. Either situation would be difficult to deal with, but He would find a way. Chloe dropped something in the kitchen returning Wil to the present.
"You ok?"
"Yeah, just slipped a bit. You?
"No. I'm not. We need to talk, but it can wait till dinner is ready. Besides if we start talking now I'll miss the rest of Jerry"
"Jerry! Yuck! How can you watch that trash?"
"I was kidding, Chloe. I just need a bit more time to think."
Wiping her hands on a dishrag Chloe walked in and sat down in Wil's lap. Wrapping her arms around his neck she gently kissed him on the lips. To her delight he kissed back. Several seconds passed at they shared a long passionate embrace. Nearly gasping for air as she pulled away she stared into his deep blue eyes.
"Whatever it is, we can deal with it, ok?"
Wil simply smiled and nodded at her. Chloe got up and went back to the kitchen to finish dinner.
Inaudible over the TV came Wil's reply
"I hope your right"
~*~*~*~
Chloe had pulled out all the stops and prepared a huge meal. The smell wafting from the kitchen was making Wil's mouth water. Realizing that he was really hungry he walked into the kitchen.
"Is it ready?"
Yep! My masterpiece is complete. Well, it will be if I can get the cork out of this wine. Lois said that we could help ourselves to any of the wine so I figured why not?" Chloe smiled at Wil from across the counter. His mood had deemed to turn even darker since the kiss. Silently hoping that she had not misjudged his emotions towards her she finally managed to pull the cork free.
"Ah! Now we are ready."
"You need me to do anything?"
"Nope, it's all taken care of. Just sit and enjoy."
Wil looked at the small table in the kitchen taking in all that Chloe had done. A huge plate of spaghetti sat in the center flanked by a large bowl of salad. There was French bread fresh from the oven and all the trimmings. Wil pulled out her chair for her and then pushed it is as she sat.
Sitting across from her they began to serve each other passing plates back and forth across the table. Saving the wine for last Chloe pored their glasses. "Well, unless you can think of anything else, lets eat"
Wil and Chloe sat making small talk between bites for most of the meal. Wil was impressed by her cooking skills. The meal had been spectacular. Wil smiled as he thought that it was as much the company as the food. He loved the way that she could light up a room with her smile. She made him feel alive whenever was around her. That was the reason that he hesitated to tell her. During the day the creeping doubt had gotten to him. Chloe saw the worry in his face and broke the ice.
"So, what did you want to talk about?"
"Yeah. There is something I need to tell you."
"Ok, what is it?"
"Well, it's kind of complicated."
"I have always found it best to just say it. Get it out in the open. That way its there and you can deal with it."
"Clark and I are related."
"That's the big secret? Why were you so worried about telling me that? I mean, I kinda figured that you were related to him. You two look so much alike."
"There is more. This is harder that I thought it would be. Chloe, Clark and I are not from around here."
"So, like you're from Europe or something?"
"No, a bit further away."
"How much farther?"
"A couple hundred light years farther."
"Huh? Wil what are you saying?" Chloe began to fidget in her chair. Was he telling her that he was an Alien? Chloe's mind began to work as all the pieces of the puzzle that was Clark Kent began to click.
"Oh my god! That's what your saying isn't it? You're saying that you and Clark are from another world!"
"Yeah."
"Yeah? Yeah! That's all you have to say? This is huge! Do you understand that one of the biggest questions in human history has just been answered? We have looked at the skies since the dawn of time and asked 'are we alone'."
"This is just as difficult for me as it is for you Chloe. I told you because I didn't want to lie to you. I really like you and I don't want there to be any secrets between us." Wil looked down at his hands trying to decide how to tell her the rest.
"There's more isn't there?"
"I know where Clark is."
"He is here in metropolis, right?"
"Correct."
"He was at the club last night wasn't he? That's why you wanted to leave so fast."
"Lana was right about you. You're going to make a great reporter someday."
Chloe's brain felt like it was going to explode. Her mind was trying to get a handle on what she had just learned. Everything she thought she knew about her former crush and best friend was a well-fabricated lie and the man that she was sure she was falling for had just told her that he was "a little green man'. Her body started to revolt as the sinking feeling set in. Her stomach began to churn as she realized that a very large part of her life had been based on a lie.
"Oh god, I think I'm going to be sick!"
Bolting from the table Chloe made it to the bathroom just in time.
Wil followed her to the bathroom door. Through the wood that separated them he could here her crying.
"Chloe, Please. Let me in. I never meant to hurt you like this."
"It's a bit late for that." The door that separated them flew open. Chloe stood there wiping the tears from her face. "Look, I know that you had good intentions but I need some time to think. I think you should leave."
"We need to talk about this."
"Dammit Wil, you just changed everything I thought was true. I though Clark was mysterious because he had communication issues, not because he was from another freaking planet! Everything that I thought was real and normal just turned out to be a lie! Please, I just need time to think."
Wil moved closer to Chloe hoping that she would not retreat from him. She stood her ground but he could tell that she was trembling all over. Slowly and carefully he wrapped his arms around her. Holding her close to him he stood there for a long moment waiting to see if she would return the embrace. Slowly Chloe lifted her arms and held him.
"Chloe I am so sorry. Please forgive me, I never meant to hurt you"
Chloe looked up into his eyes. They looked so human, just like everyone else's. Searching them she could see the fear and pain that he was feeling.
"I don't need to forgive you Wil. You didn't do anything wrong. Clark on the other hand had a lot of explaining to do."
"Yes he does, on quite a few subjects. The main one being what in the hell he was thinking running away from his family and friends"
A flash of insight flew across Chloe's face. "The meteor rocks affect you don't they? The green ones make you sick and the red ones must make you drunk or something. That's why he destroyed my office. He knew that I kept one of the class rings!"
"There you go again connecting the dots. You are going to have to stop that or I wont have anything else to shock you with." Smiling at her he kissed her forehead.
Glaring up at him Chloe hit him playfully.
"That's why I wanted to tell you. Clark is here and I need to go talk to him. Chloe, if he is still wearing the ring he could get violent. If he hurt you."
"Shush, you."
Snuggling closer to him she continued
"I'll stay here. If I'm even half right about what the two of you are capable of I'm not entirely sure I want to be around anyway. Just do me a favor if you can, ok?"
"Sure. Anything"
"Come back to me in one piece, ok? The journalist in me has thousands of questions that need to be answered." She smiled at him.
Wil Smiled back. "I'm coming back and I promise that we will find the answers together."
~*~*~*~
A/N: well let me know what you think. Next up, Wil meets Clark!
Blood Ties: Chapter 4
The music pumped through the nightclub as people moved to the rhythm. The club in downtown metropolis was one of the most popular around. Clark had managed to impress the manager by dealing with several thugs that had attacked him several weeks ago. David had fallen into a pattern that the thugs had learned. When he had stepped out the back door with the deposit for the night in hand they had jumped him and would have likely killed him had Clark not come along.
David swore that the boy was unnaturally strong, but if the kid was on 'roids that was his business. Clark was good with the customers that wanted to have a good time, and even better with the ones that didn't. Watching from across the room, he noticed Clark breaking up a dispute over some bit of fluff. There were always some women in the club that were trolling for men, and it caused plenty of fights. With Clark around the night had been mostly uneventful. David smiled at that thought. If he could clean up the club a bit it would draw more people. That meant more money and more money is always good.
Dollar signs in his eyes David walked back into the office above Club Panther. It was going to be a good summer.
~*~*~*~
Wil and Chloe had been in the city for three days. She had offered the couch in her cousin's apartment to him for the week, and he had accepted. Chloe was glad that he had since it would give them the chance to get to know each other some more. Her crush on Clark had been powerful, but the feelings that she was beginning to have for Wil were bordering on crippling.
Wil had wanted to take a shower before heading out of the town, and through a bit of miscommunication she had witnessed him getting out of the shower. She had made some sort of strange gurgling noise and quickly spun around blushing like mad. He had laughed and told her that there was no reason to be embarrassed. The body was something to be celebrated, not hidden. She had reached back to grab the doorknob to close the door only to find his rock hard abs where the handle should have been. Touching his stomach had set her on fire from head to toe. Turning to face him she looked at his perfect form standing before her glistening with water. The heat from the shower was causing small wisps of steam to rise from his quickly cooling skin. Slowly Wil reached toward her placing his arms around her neck. Sliding his fingers into her hair he pulled her closer. Looking deep into her eyes he said, " SUPER SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY!!!"
Chloe sat bolt upright in her cousin's bed as the alarm went off. Growling something rather un-lady like Chloe slammed her fist into the off button on the alarm. Snuggling back under the covers the realization that she had been having a rather naughty dream about the man sleeping on the couch made her sit back up. She had seen him getting out of the shower, but the towel that he had wrapped around his waist had obscured anything that would have been really embarrassing.
The night that followed had been a whirlwind tour of metropolis, hitting all the really interesting spots and even a nightclub or too. The highlight of the evening had been club panther. Most people would never see the inside of the posh establishment that served only the elite of Metropolis. As they had neared the door of the club the doorman had simply waived them through like they owned the place.
They had walked out on to the dance floor and begun to move to the sound that was pumping through the club. Their bodies had moved in unison to the beat of the techno music that surrounded them. For some time it seemed that they were the only two people in the world as they danced. She had felt her pulse quicken as she felt his hands on her body guiding her closer to him. Looking into his eyes she found the expression that she had always longed for with Clark. Wil looked at her as if there was not another soul there, like she was all that mattered. When the set ended and the music changed to a slower beat they had moved off the floor. He had moved to the bar to get them something to drink, but returned empty handed.
Chloe had wanted to do bodily harm to Wil when he had grabbed her and dragged her from the club. Leaving he had looked like he had seen a ghost, so she quit fighting and let him lead her to the taxi.
The ride back to the apartment had been silent. She had tried to ask him what was wrong, but the look on his face told her that he was too far away to hear her.
Lying back on the bed she wondered what she had done to deserve falling for not one, but two men with issues. 'At least this one knows I exist' she thought. ' That's always a bonus!'
~*~*~*~
Wil lay on the couch staring at the ceiling just like he had for the last several hours. He had spent a wonderful evening with Chloe. Breathing in deeply, he could still smell her on his skin. Her scent was intoxicating. Wil knew that he was beginning to have feelings for her, but he worried that a relationship might not be possible.
Relationships were built on trust and honesty. How could he tell her without exposing Clark?
Clark.
Chloe had been the center of his universe last night until he had noticed Clark at the end of the bar. Suddenly he had snapped back to reality. The objective of his quest stood before him. It was strange standing there looking at him like that. He had crossed the known galaxy to find Clark only to be told that he was missing and possible under the influence of a stone that would make him violent and mean.
Wil suddenly panicked. What if Clark saw Chloe? Surely he would know that someone had found him and bolt, or worse. His heart pounded at the thought of someone hurting Chloe. He couldn't let that happen. Turning from his twin he moved across the floor to the table that they had been sitting at. Chloe looked at him like he was crazy as he told her that they had to leave, but seeing the urgency in his face she had relented.
He needed to go back to that club tonight, but Chloe would likely want to go with him. That left him with two options. He could lie to her or tell her the whole story.
His heart skipped a beat as he realized that he couldn't lie to her. He wanted to tell her about his life. He wanted to tell her about his mother and all the trials that he had endured to reach this planet. He wanted her more that he had ever wanted anything else, save finding Clark.
Doubt flooded his soul as he lay there trying to decide. What if she was repulsed by his alien heritage? What if she ran and told the world his secret? What if she decided to keep that secret and still rejected him?
The doubt was replaced with determination. He could not tell the future nor could he control the outcome of what was about to happen. He would tell her and hope that she could understand. All he could do was have faith that her heart was as good as he thought it was.
~*~*~*~
Clark sat on the bed in his new apartment above the club. David had let him move into the apartment as part of the pay from working the club. He liked working there a lot. He was able to watch over people and keep then safe without having to worry about hurting anyone. Sure there was the matter of restraint when it came to the idiots that wanted to pick a fight, but the word of the new cooler at Club Panther would soon spread. People would learn to respect him, and the fights would slow until they stopped.
David paid him well and with the apartment he had everything he needed. He had gone out this morning and picked up a few things to keep himself occupied. The brand new TV that he had bought was showing the local news when the screen changed to a picture of Lex Luthor. The sound of the Reporters voice filled the room as Clark watched.
"That's right Gary, It seems that after being declared dead, Alexander Luthor has been found on a small deserted island in the Caribbean. Lionel Luthor, the head of Luthor Corp. and Lex's father was unavailable for comment, but a spokesman for his son said that Lex is in good spirits and is expected to make a full recovery. There is rumor of a press conference in the works, but we will have to wait and see. This is Sheila Douglas reporting for Channel 5 news. Back to you Gary"
Clark turned the TV off. Lying back on the bed he pondered what Lex had gone through to survive. He knew that Lex would have done whatever it took to make it. For a moment Clark thought that he might go to the hospital to visit his old friend. He quickly dismissed the thought when he realized that he had let Lex down as well.
He had likely ruined the wedding, and there is no telling what the strange shockwave that came from the ship might have done to the Luthor corp. jet. For all he knew the blast had damaged the aircraft as it sat waiting for them to take off.
"Its best to leave the past in the past." Clark decided aloud that he would leave Lex behind just as he was leaving his friends and family. He couldn't protect them from his previous mistakes, but he could surely keep them from harm now. With him gone there was no way he could destroy any more lives.
"They will all be better off with me gone"
Clark began to get ready for his night of protecting complete strangers not knowing that this night would change his life forever.
~*~*~*~
Wil had spent most of the day with Chloe trying to pick the right moment. They had done some shopping and then taken a stroll in the park before returning to the apartment with bags of groceries. Chloe had told him that she would cook him dinner so they had stopped at the store and bought the ingredients for spaghetti. Chloe had raved about her dad's recipe all the way back from the store, but Wil had hardly paid attention.
"Earth to Wil, you there?" Chloe waived her had in front of his face as the cab stopped at the apartment building.
"You coming in, or are we going to ride around the block first?" Chloe smiled as she poked him in the ribs. He had been a bit more distant today like something was weighing on his mind. Chloe had decided to make him dinner so she could try to drag it out of him. She was really starting to care for him a lot and she wanted to help him if she could. The other side of the coin was that she wanted to let him know right off the bat how she felt about him. With Clark she had never said it until it was too late, and she wasn't going to make that mistake again.
"Huh, oh! Yeah, sorry, got a bit lost in thought there." Wil grabbed the bags from the floorboard and followed Chloe up the stairs.
When they got inside Chloe shooed him from the kitchen telling him playfully that he couldn't see what went in the sauce or she would have to kill him. After a bit of playful flirting he relented and moved to the couch to watch some TV.
Wil's thoughts turned to tonight and the inevitable confrontation that was coming. There were only two reasons that he could think of that Clark would have stayed away. Either he was still wearing the ring, or he had decided to never return for some reason. Either situation would be difficult to deal with, but He would find a way. Chloe dropped something in the kitchen returning Wil to the present.
"You ok?"
"Yeah, just slipped a bit. You?
"No. I'm not. We need to talk, but it can wait till dinner is ready. Besides if we start talking now I'll miss the rest of Jerry"
"Jerry! Yuck! How can you watch that trash?"
"I was kidding, Chloe. I just need a bit more time to think."
Wiping her hands on a dishrag Chloe walked in and sat down in Wil's lap. Wrapping her arms around his neck she gently kissed him on the lips. To her delight he kissed back. Several seconds passed at they shared a long passionate embrace. Nearly gasping for air as she pulled away she stared into his deep blue eyes.
"Whatever it is, we can deal with it, ok?"
Wil simply smiled and nodded at her. Chloe got up and went back to the kitchen to finish dinner.
Inaudible over the TV came Wil's reply
"I hope your right"
~*~*~*~
Chloe had pulled out all the stops and prepared a huge meal. The smell wafting from the kitchen was making Wil's mouth water. Realizing that he was really hungry he walked into the kitchen.
"Is it ready?"
Yep! My masterpiece is complete. Well, it will be if I can get the cork out of this wine. Lois said that we could help ourselves to any of the wine so I figured why not?" Chloe smiled at Wil from across the counter. His mood had deemed to turn even darker since the kiss. Silently hoping that she had not misjudged his emotions towards her she finally managed to pull the cork free.
"Ah! Now we are ready."
"You need me to do anything?"
"Nope, it's all taken care of. Just sit and enjoy."
Wil looked at the small table in the kitchen taking in all that Chloe had done. A huge plate of spaghetti sat in the center flanked by a large bowl of salad. There was French bread fresh from the oven and all the trimmings. Wil pulled out her chair for her and then pushed it is as she sat.
Sitting across from her they began to serve each other passing plates back and forth across the table. Saving the wine for last Chloe pored their glasses. "Well, unless you can think of anything else, lets eat"
Wil and Chloe sat making small talk between bites for most of the meal. Wil was impressed by her cooking skills. The meal had been spectacular. Wil smiled as he thought that it was as much the company as the food. He loved the way that she could light up a room with her smile. She made him feel alive whenever was around her. That was the reason that he hesitated to tell her. During the day the creeping doubt had gotten to him. Chloe saw the worry in his face and broke the ice.
"So, what did you want to talk about?"
"Yeah. There is something I need to tell you."
"Ok, what is it?"
"Well, it's kind of complicated."
"I have always found it best to just say it. Get it out in the open. That way its there and you can deal with it."
"Clark and I are related."
"That's the big secret? Why were you so worried about telling me that? I mean, I kinda figured that you were related to him. You two look so much alike."
"There is more. This is harder that I thought it would be. Chloe, Clark and I are not from around here."
"So, like you're from Europe or something?"
"No, a bit further away."
"How much farther?"
"A couple hundred light years farther."
"Huh? Wil what are you saying?" Chloe began to fidget in her chair. Was he telling her that he was an Alien? Chloe's mind began to work as all the pieces of the puzzle that was Clark Kent began to click.
"Oh my god! That's what your saying isn't it? You're saying that you and Clark are from another world!"
"Yeah."
"Yeah? Yeah! That's all you have to say? This is huge! Do you understand that one of the biggest questions in human history has just been answered? We have looked at the skies since the dawn of time and asked 'are we alone'."
"This is just as difficult for me as it is for you Chloe. I told you because I didn't want to lie to you. I really like you and I don't want there to be any secrets between us." Wil looked down at his hands trying to decide how to tell her the rest.
"There's more isn't there?"
"I know where Clark is."
"He is here in metropolis, right?"
"Correct."
"He was at the club last night wasn't he? That's why you wanted to leave so fast."
"Lana was right about you. You're going to make a great reporter someday."
Chloe's brain felt like it was going to explode. Her mind was trying to get a handle on what she had just learned. Everything she thought she knew about her former crush and best friend was a well-fabricated lie and the man that she was sure she was falling for had just told her that he was "a little green man'. Her body started to revolt as the sinking feeling set in. Her stomach began to churn as she realized that a very large part of her life had been based on a lie.
"Oh god, I think I'm going to be sick!"
Bolting from the table Chloe made it to the bathroom just in time.
Wil followed her to the bathroom door. Through the wood that separated them he could here her crying.
"Chloe, Please. Let me in. I never meant to hurt you like this."
"It's a bit late for that." The door that separated them flew open. Chloe stood there wiping the tears from her face. "Look, I know that you had good intentions but I need some time to think. I think you should leave."
"We need to talk about this."
"Dammit Wil, you just changed everything I thought was true. I though Clark was mysterious because he had communication issues, not because he was from another freaking planet! Everything that I thought was real and normal just turned out to be a lie! Please, I just need time to think."
Wil moved closer to Chloe hoping that she would not retreat from him. She stood her ground but he could tell that she was trembling all over. Slowly and carefully he wrapped his arms around her. Holding her close to him he stood there for a long moment waiting to see if she would return the embrace. Slowly Chloe lifted her arms and held him.
"Chloe I am so sorry. Please forgive me, I never meant to hurt you"
Chloe looked up into his eyes. They looked so human, just like everyone else's. Searching them she could see the fear and pain that he was feeling.
"I don't need to forgive you Wil. You didn't do anything wrong. Clark on the other hand had a lot of explaining to do."
"Yes he does, on quite a few subjects. The main one being what in the hell he was thinking running away from his family and friends"
A flash of insight flew across Chloe's face. "The meteor rocks affect you don't they? The green ones make you sick and the red ones must make you drunk or something. That's why he destroyed my office. He knew that I kept one of the class rings!"
"There you go again connecting the dots. You are going to have to stop that or I wont have anything else to shock you with." Smiling at her he kissed her forehead.
Glaring up at him Chloe hit him playfully.
"That's why I wanted to tell you. Clark is here and I need to go talk to him. Chloe, if he is still wearing the ring he could get violent. If he hurt you."
"Shush, you."
Snuggling closer to him she continued
"I'll stay here. If I'm even half right about what the two of you are capable of I'm not entirely sure I want to be around anyway. Just do me a favor if you can, ok?"
"Sure. Anything"
"Come back to me in one piece, ok? The journalist in me has thousands of questions that need to be answered." She smiled at him.
Wil Smiled back. "I'm coming back and I promise that we will find the answers together."
~*~*~*~
A/N: well let me know what you think. Next up, Wil meets Clark!
