This chapter is PG-13, for some violence and bad language...

CHAPTER 5

After several days of learning and relearning just what she could do, Chloe finally began to get a grip on her new-found powers. Despite the fact that she still felt strange in her own skin, she knew how to control the x-ray vision, heat vision, speed and strength that Clark had grown up with.

Her relationship with him and Pete was still strained, to say the least. Chloe found herself trying to avoid them as much as possible in school and at the Talon.

Sadly enough, she hadn't been in the Torch office for days, since that would be the first place she would go. She just wasn't ready for things to be normal, or as normal as it could get. After all, they had both betrayed her. Clark had kept her in the dark her whole life, and Pete had had no problem joining in on the secret.

Now, in history class, she sighed out loud, yet she didn't even notice the gesture. It seemed like she was doing a lot of that these days. She felt someone's eyes on her, and Chloe turned instinctively to see Clark watching her. His greenish-bluish-whateverish eyes held nothing but sympathy for her, but Chloe still couldn't help but stare daggers at him. Not too hard of a stare though, because then she would be able to see right through him.

What a strange life she lived.

Then, Chloe couldn't help but chuckle to herself. She was Wall of Weird material now.

*Maybe I should throw myself a congratulations party...*

Her musings were cut short by the bell, and Chloe rose to join the crush of bodies heading out into the hallway.

"Hey, uh Chloe...,"

*Oh God*

She turned and looked up at Clark, "What?"

He seemed to shrink, if that was possible, under her gaze, "I was just wanting to, uh, see how you were."

"How do you think I am?"

He looked down, "Uh...,"

Chloe back-tracked a little. Her answer had been a little unfair, "I'm...fine."

That was quite possibly the lamest thing she had ever said.

"Oh. Good," and that, she was sure, was the lamest thing Clark had ever said.

What followed that was an awkward silence, and Chloe found herself becoming very interested with her pink sneakers. She had a feeling Clark was doing the same with either his own shoes or the ceiling.

"Uh, well, if you need anything-," he started timidly.

"I don't need anything Clark," Chloe said abruptly as she looked up at him, "I'm fine. Really."

He nodded and gave her a small smile.

A tiny voice in the back of Chloe's mind told her that he didn't smile like he used to, before everything happened. Maybe it was because the Kent charm didn't seem to reach her anymore.

Maybe it was because Chloe didn't smile like she used to.

Suddenly very depressed, Chloe backed away from Clark a few steps, afraid that if she stayed she would begin to cry, "I'll-I'll see you later, Clark."

Before he could say anything, she turned away, wishing that she could super speed down the hall. Or better yet, maybe she could just sink down into the floor. Anything to get away from those imploring eyes that pleaded with her to forgive his betrayal to her and their friendship.

Chloe felt the tears coming to her eyes, but she held them down as she turned the corner.

She knew she couldn't go back to how things were, but what saddened her the most was that she wished things were like they used to be. She wished it with every fiber of her being.

With a sigh, Chloe admitted to herself that she truly missed Clark more than anything she'd ever known.

*****

Lex had always believed that playing pool was a true art form. Such precision and focus...it was something that left nothing to be desired within the mind. If he were a spiritual man, he may even say it helped the soul.

There were many a time when a good round of 8 ball would calm his frayed nerves after a run-in with his father or after a business deal went bad. A cue ball and stick replaced good old-fashioned fury any day, even though Lex knew he lacked in the anger-management department.

He had just sent the eight-ball into the left corner pocket when he heard a voice behind him.

"Playing pool by yourself?"

Recognizing the voice immediately, Lex grinned and turned to face Clark, "Clark. How's the shoulder?"

"Better."

"Care to join me?"

He knew the boy was a decent player, and he didn't mind a challenge to take his thoughts off of his father's next possible move against him. in fact, Lex found that spending time with Clark relaxed him even more so than pool did. Perhaps it was due to the fact that Clark, only a freshman in high school, was his only friend in a world filled with ass-kissers and cruel moguls who would do anything to see Lex get his.

His thoughts were halted by a noticeably loud sigh from Clark as he grabbed a pool stick from the rack.

"You seem a bit under the weather today, Clark," Lex began as he racked up the balls again, "having troubles at home?"

He shrugged much in the way a fifteen year old would, and Lex realized that he hadn't shrugged like that in over ten years. His father had always admonished him for such a gesture, saying it projected confusion and uncertainty, two feelings a Luthor should never feel much less express.

"Chloe and I are having problems."

Lex frowned as an image of the small blonde popped into his head. The reporter who always played second fiddle to Lana, as he recalled. Being observant had always been one of Lex's strong points. Hindsight was 20/20, after all.

"In what way?" he asked Clark.

He looked down, "In no way. Our friendship...isn't."

Intrigued, Lex paused from aiming the cue ball to glance at Clark quizzically, "What happened?"

The boy seemed to fidget, and Lex found himself predicting another answer that didn't quite satisfy Lex's curiosity, "Things."

"Ah," Lex waited for him to continue. When Clark didn't, he resumed the game, "things? I don't suppose you could be a little more specific," he sank the red, "solids."

"It's not important."

"Oh?" It was far from unimportant, that much Lex knew.

Clark sank a stripe into a corner pocket and took aim at another, "I just don't know how to make things better."

"I'm sure you'll figure out some way to win Miss Sullivan's heart back," Lex flashed one of his smooth grins again, "and all will be right within Clark Kent's perfect world."

He snorted, "Yeah, perfect." he missed the shot.

"Speaking of perfect," Lex took aim, "how's Lana these days?"

Clark sighed again, "Better. She's still dealing with what happened to Whitney, though."

Of course. Fordman had been killed in combat, "I can imagine." he missed the shot.

"Yeah,"

Lex glanced up at Clark, who was frowning at the pool table thoughtfully. His eyes were distant and troubled, "I'm sensing that Lana is on the back burner right now. Am I right?"

Clark met his eyes, almost shamefully, giving away what Lex thought.

*Damn I'm good.*

"It's okay Clark. Chloe's your best friend. Lana's only the girl of your dreams," the comparison ended up sounding a bit harsh, but Lex knew he was hitting a nerve, "when things aren't right with the closest of friends, things aren't right anywhere else."

"That simple, huh?"

Sometimes, Lex felt that the seven-year difference in his and Clark's ages was actually seventy years. Being around the boy left him feeling like an old man at times.

It was as if Clark didn't get enough platitudes from his father, so he turned to Lex.

He couldn't help but smile a bit at the comparison between himself and Jonathan Kent, who let it be known he hated Lex and anything that had to do with the Luthors.

His musings were interrupted by Clark dropping his pool stick on the table, "I need to get home."

"Let me guess. Chores." Lex said as he put his own stick down and walked his friend to the door of the room.

Clark only nodded.

"Just give Chloe time," Lex told him, "whatever happened, it can't be bad enough to ruin your friendship for good."

Clark's eyes held a hint of doubt in them, but Lex didn't comment on it. Instead, he clapped his friend on the back as a farewell gesture.

Clark managed a thin smile, and then he was gone.

Lex shook his head as he stared at the place where Clark had stood moments ago. That boy never ceased to amaze him. It was as if he were a mystery within himself and to the rest of the world.

Someday, Lex would solve the mysteries of Clark Kent, he was sure of it.

*****

Chloe had discovered over the course of the last few days that her new powers was something that she needed to protect, more than anything. her father would have to be put at a distance from her, not to mention Lana.

Lana. Thinking of the brunette caused a small stab of guilt in Chloe's mind. She had been treating the girl horribly the last few days on account of the upheaval within Chloe's life that had occurred. Chloe could vaguely remember brushing Lana's attempts at conversation away the last few evenings, when the two girls would prepare to go to sleep. She had dismissed her quite harshly.

But what else could she do? Now Chloe had a lot of...crap, to say the least, that she would have to keep from the people that lived with her. Clark had been lucky. His parents had known. But Chloe had no support system within her home. Her home was the enemy, in a strange way.

*I've been so awful to her...*

It wasn't like the two got along perfect anyway. A certain farm boy always managed to get both girls' emotions all out of whack, and they naturally took it out on each other. But never had Chloe acted like she had the last few days to Lana.

"So that settles it." she told herself as she buzzed about her room, doing nothing in particular. She needed to stop by the Talon and see if Lana would forgive her behavior.

Of course, Chloe had no doubt that she would. Lana was quite possibly the most forgiving person in Smallville. But that wasn't the point. The point was that Chloe needed to tell her that she was sorry.

Then she'd perhaps have one friend in Smallville.

With that grim thought in mind, Chloe left the house and drove toward the Talon. In a way, she wished she could super-speed her way to the small coffee house, since it was by far the fastest way to reach a destination. But it would be too risky for her.

Chloe knew why Clark had always claimed he could find his own way to different things. Hell, he had probably super-sped with Chloe herself during one of her unconscious moments. There had been several times when Chloe had been in the wrong place at the wrong time, and her physical health had suffered because of it. Of course, Clark had always managed to save her, whether it be protecting her from the newest meteor-monster or getting her to the hospital.

Now, things were different. Chloe was on her own.

*Maybe I'll break the gender barrier for superheroes...*

*****

Lana had just finished up another order when she saw Chloe come through the front door of the Talon.

*Oh boy*

The small blonde had been downright mean to Lana the last few days, and she didn't really feel up to taking her remarks.

Or maybe she was coming to apologize. Maybe she was going to tell her why she'd been acting so strangely.

Or so Lana hoped.

"Can I help you?" she asked coolly as Chloe approached the counter.

Chloe seemed to hesitate, and her eyes widened a bit, "Um...we need to talk."

Lana started to refuse, but Chloe's pleading eyes told her to think otherwise. Maybe the poor girl had just been through a lot and needed to cool down. Lana had been through plenty of days like that. She could relate, even though she still didn't appreciate the way Chloe had taken it out on her.

"Yeah, we do," she answered, smiling thinly, "I can take my break now, if you want."

Chloe nodded, and they headed to a table, "Lana, I am so sorry for the way I've acted-,"

"It's okay," she didn't let Chloe finish because she didn't have to. What had happened was behind them now, and Lana knew that Chloe's behavior had been a fluke, "I know you were just going through a rough time."

The rough time was something that Lana was clueless about, and she had a feeling that Chloe wasn't going to let her in on what was going on. Still, she waited for Chloe to open up.

When Chloe didn't say anything, Lana couldn't help but sigh. People who couldn't seem to confide in others frustrated her. Maybe it was because Lana herself trusted too easily. if she could see the best in others and trust them, why couldn't anyone else?

An image of Clark popped into her mind, and Lana felt another surge of agitation. Strangely enough, Chloe seemed to be acting very...Clarkish.

That was what had been tugging at Lana the last few days. Chloe had been reminding her of Clark. Her mysterious answers and short dismissals were uncanny to his.

"So we're cool?" Chloe asked hopefully.

Lana nodded automatically. She hated to hurt others, even if it meant covering her own feelings. it was something that helped her to be empathetic toward others, but it had it's disadvantages.

Like pretending to be in love with someone you weren't.

*No* Lana told herself firmly as she plastered on a smile for Chloe's sake, *Don't think about Whitney...*

But he was already there, along with the Tina Greer incident. It had brought to light Whitney's death in combat, and Lana had been devastated, not to mention incredibly guilty at the fact that he had seen the video of her breaking up with him before he had gone to his death.

It seemed as if Lana's timing was always off to finally admit her true feelings and wants, so she had decided that horrible day to keep her feelings bottled within her. If her own emotions could possibly hurt others, then they weren't worth letting out into the light of day.

Lana didn't exactly wear her heart on her sleeve to begin with, but Whitney's death had sealed the deal.

"Yeah, we're cool," she finally answered, despite the fact that she felt like falling apart inside, "uh, I better get back to work."

Chloe nodded, obviously relieved, "Okay. I don't want to hurt your business."

Lana managed a short laugh before she headed back to the counter, "See you."

"Yeah."

With that, Chloe was gone, and Lana was left alone with her thoughts.

****

Chloe felt a bit lighter as she exited the Talon. Hell, she could even smile a little now. Knowing that she and Lana were okay didn't exactly make her life happy-go-lucky again, but Chloe was comforted by the fact that at least one of her friendships hadn't crumbled into ashes since the thunderstorm incident.

*I wonder what Clark's doing now...*

Probably chores. Chloe knew him well enough that she could estimate when he was out doing...whatever with Jonathan. Then again, he'd had powers until a few days ago. She was fairly sure that his chores took a lot longer than before and left him exhausted.

Maybe Pete was with Clark, just hanging out. Maybe she would be with them, if not for the estrangement between the three of them. Just chatting, maybe researching for the Torch...

The Torch. Chloe was positive this week's issue wouldn't make it to the press. It had gone to Hell.

She wished she could just head out there and tell them that everything was okay, that she forgave them...but there was no way. Despite the fact that she missed them, she still didn't feel the same around them.

But still...she was really feeling like something was gone...

Suddenly torn, Chloe paused in heading to her car. What to do?

A short, terrified scream came from the alley beside the Talon, and Chloe jumped. It was a girl's voice, and she sounded like she was horrified.

Chloe looked around for anyone, but Main Street was deserted.

*I need to get help...* she thought as she turned back toward the Talon, then halted. She didn't need help, she *was* the help.

The girl screamed again, jarring Chloe from her momentary hesitation. She broke into a run, not bothering with the super speed since she was so close. She turned the corner, her heart pumping furiously from anxiety at what she would see. A murder taking place? A meteor freak?

No, the crime being committed was completely human, yet monstrous.

A tall, filthy guy with dark hair and a goatee had a petite girl backed against the side wall of the Talon. Her pretty face was scratched, and a bruise marred her right cheek.

"Hey!" Chloe yelled as she skidded to a stop.

The guy glanced at her, his dark eyes the picture of fury, but didn't say anything. Instead, he slapped the girl across the face, "I told you not to scream, bitch!"

"Please...," the girl was sobbing now as she tried to shrink away from the guy's body.

"Leave her alone!" Chloe demanded, trying to sound more confident than she really was. She was more scared than anything.

"What are you gonna do about it, Blondie?" the guy laughed, a deep, guttural sound that sent shivers down Chloe's spine.

It was obvious he was beating up on the poor girl, and Chloe could tell he was enjoying it.

*What a psycho*

He hit the girl again, who yelped painfully.

Suddenly incredibly angry at what he was doing, Chloe pushed her nervousness to the back of her mind. The girl needed her help, and she wasn't getting anything done by standing there.

The guy drew back his hand again, this time in a fist, and swung at the girl, who could nothing but close her eyes in preparation for the blow.

But it never came.

Before she could even register what she was doing, Chloe was there. She was *there*, beside the guy. She grabbed his arm harshly, stopping it's descent. her mind was still at the mouth of the alley, yet her body had moved faster than the eye could see.

The guy looked at her, his eyes wide and fearful, "How did you-?" his question was cut off as he screamed painfully.

*What?*

Chloe hadn't done anything. She had just grabbed his arm...

*Oh God*

She hadn't been paying attention to anything but her anger, forgetting her caution about her strength.

Chloe had subconsciously broken the guy's wrist completely, almost grinding it into dust.

Shocked and disgusted, she pulled away from him, as if she had been electrocuted. The guy fell to his knees, cradling his injured wrist and stared up at her. Never before had Chloe seen such fear in a person's eyes. He was afraid of her.

"I'm-I'm sorry," she managed, before backing up another step.

Truthfully, the guy deserved what had happened, but Chloe was terrified at the realization that she had just inflicted harm upon another human being. Easily, and with no notice of it.

The girl, who had moved away from the both of them, broke into a run, toward the street, and was gone. There was no one in the alley besides Chloe and the guy she had injured.

"Just-just leave me alone," he gasped as he rose shakily, still holding his left wrist protectively.

All Chloe could do was nod, completely numb. How had she let that happen? How could she have not felt his bones cracking, shattering, and finally being ground into dust?

She looked down at her hands. They were trembling violently, just like the rest of her body. Her fingers were so small...how?

Abruptly, she looked up, into the guy's pain-stricken eyes, "Sorry," she said again, before turning away from him, toward the mouth of the alley. She had to get away from her actions. The alley felt like it was shrinking, suffocating her, and it was all she could do to not gasp for air as she began to run.

Really run. She super sped out of the alley, not really caring whether the guy saw her. Her powers had been given away already, destructively. She knew that she was only a blur now, yet she still felt as if everyone's eyes were on her as she ran. She felt as if everyone was accusing her, and hating her for what she had done.

As Chloe ran toward the outskirts of town, the tears began. They cascaded from her eyes and into the wind behind her, dried into the air before they even hit the ground. She couldn't stop them from coming, so she welcomed them, not because they made her feel better about what she had done, but because they made her feel more human.

Human. Chloe wasn't even that anymore.

She was sobbing now, but she didn't care. She just needed to run...

And run...

After what felt like years, and after the scenery had changed about a dozen times, Chloe knew where to go. She knew who would understand.

Doing a complete turn-about, she headed toward the other side of the county and didn't slow until she was at the beginning of the driveway that wound up to the Kents' farm.

*Please be home* she thought as she jogged slowly up the drive. She was mentally and physically exhausted from her one hundred mile run, and it was all Chloe could do to drag her feet along with her.

Then, she spotted him, heading out from the barn. He was struggling with a bale of hay that seemed to much for his strength, but he still didn't slow.

Until he saw her.

Chloe tried to speed up, but she only ended up slowing down. The tears were still there, and they sprung up, fresh, at the sight of him. He dropped the bale of hay and started to jog toward her, meeting her halfway.

"Clark-," she gasped between sobs, but she couldn't get anything else out.

Instead, she kept pushing toward him, stumbling the last few steps into his strong arms. She clutched him tightly, too weak to hurt him, and sobbed into his chest. She couldn't stand any longer, and she began to collapse. through the tears, she felt herself being lowered to the ground, and she realized that he had allowed himself to fall down with her. They were both sitting in the dusty driveway, she crying endlessly, he holding her, comforting her.

"Shhh...it's okay," he whispered.

But it wasn't.

Chloe could feel him stroking her hair gently as she continued to cry. It was all she could do. She wasn't human anymore. She was a monster that could kill people with one blow, a horrible creature that didn't belong on Earth...

She pushed against his hold, and he relented, until they were staring into each other's eyes. She half-expected to see confusion, misunderstanding, or even disgust in those earnest eyes that gave the world a glimpse at Clark Kent. Instead, she saw nothing but understanding. Complete and total compensation for what she was feeling.

He *knew*.

Chloe began to cry again as more memories of what had happened rushed back into her mind, and Clark pulled her into him again, not asking, just allowing her to lean into his warm chest and let out all her grief, all her fears and worries.

And so they stayed, until the sun sank below the horizon and left them in darkness.