Summary: Chloe & Clark are at a store to pick something out for Clark to wear that isn't plaid... Chloe & Clark at a fashion show… Can you think of anything more against type?

A/N: I'm sad. No more reviews. Does that mean no one's reading my fanfic? Or is it that it's not good and people don't want to send bad reviews? sigh I miss the feedback… gasp... I'm losing my motivation………Just kidding... mostly...

Disclaimer: It would be nice if I were getting paid for this. However, I am not. I own nothing of the locals and characters. I just threw them into situations of my making. All else belongs to the WB.


Chloe walked into Jones Design with a sense of purpose. Clark was going to look so good that everyone was going to think he was a model. I mean, for crying out loud. He has the perfect features… Full lips… Soulful eyes… A body to die for… I'm surprised Mrs. Kent hasn't suggested it as a way to save the farm the many times it's been in trouble or to pay for his college tuition. "Now, Clark, this should be fairly…" She turned and realized she was talking to herself. She looked outside the window and Clark was still sitting in her car.

She rolled her eyes and stalked back outside. She swung open the door, harder than usual in her irritation. "Clark Kent, you get out of there right now!" She stamped her foot. Oooooo! He can be so frustrating!

"I don't know why I need to get new clothes." He looked at her with narrowed eyes. "My clothes are clean and not ripped. We're in a hick town. It'll be expected."

They looked at each other for a while, neither willing to forgo their point. As Chloe saw his jaw set, she knew the time had come. She grabbed his hand and started pulling. "If you do not get out of that car in 5 seconds, I will never talk to you again!"

"Promise?"

Chloe gasped. Tears filled her eyes as if by magic and she let go of his hand, landing on the sidewalk with a thump. "I can't believe you said that!" Through her tears, she could see Clark's face dissolve into one of panic. Lana was right, she thought smugly. Learning to cry on command is a fabulous talent.

Clark scrambled out of the car and knelt beside Chloe. His hands fluttered around her, unsure whether to gather her into a big hug or to pat her shoulder awkwardly. "Chloe, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. I'll buy whatever you want me to."

She looked up at him through her veil of tears. "You… You mean it?" she hiccupped, rather proud of her performance, actually.

Clark gulped. "I mean it. Whatever you want me to wear." She smiled and Clark heaved a sign of relief. "Why don't we go inside?" he said solicitously, hauling her to her feet. "I'm sure they have a tissue you could use to dry your eyes." He put his arm around her shoulder and guided her into the store.

Chloe took a couple of big breaths so that she wouldn't burst into gales of laughter. Clark could be stubborn, but he had no defense against tears. She dutifully dabbed her eyes when Mr. Jones handed her a tissue. After a couple of heartbeats to continue the illusion that she was pulling herself together, she turned her attention to Mr. Jones. He had moved to Smallville only 5 years ago when the fickle fashion world turned its back on him. He hadseemed happy enough… until a former employee became a famous designer. At only 50, he didn't really look like your stereotypical fashion designer. He was balding, but had a very terrible toupee that no one ever mentioned in his presence, and was on the pudgy side. Not to mention the florid ascots he insisted on wearing! No one would have thought he was a fashion guru, but he was the only one in town that could help her. Everyone else considered Clark's look the norm.

She smiled at him, hoping to put him in a good mood. "Mr. Jones, we're here to update Clark's look. And since you're the best designer in town…"

"I would say 'the world,' young lady." For a chunky man, he had a very effeminate voice. Chloe suddenly wondered if Mr. Jones was hiding something as well. He looked a little stiff, probably wondering how they were going to pay, so figured she might as well try and charm him.

She turned her smile on him and said, "Exactly, Mr. Jones. So that's why I brought Clark here to get ready for the fashion…" She flinched. She hadn't intended on saying so much. And she was right in knowing she'd gone too far.

"You're going to that… that abomination?!?" Mr. Jones's face was turning an unhealthy red. Chloe wondered if she should be worried about his blood pressure, but decided it was too late for that. "And you want my clothes to go there?!?"

Chloe gaped at him for a minute. How in the world am I going to get out of this? She took a deep breath and started to speak. "Mr. Jones," Clark interrupted, smiling his million-dollar smile that got Chloe every time. She could even tell he had his apologetic face on. Oh, he's good! She let him get on with it. If he could get her out of this mess, he really was her very own superhero. "Chloe was very upset and she didn't mean that. The reason why we came here is that I wanted to show the world how great your designs were at the show and rub Jason's nose in it."

Mr. Jones seemed to melt. Chloe wondered if it was due to the flattery or the smile. She decided it was probably half and half. "Well, you won't find anything more fashionable and flattering to the figure than what you'll find here," Mr. Jones cooed. He actually reached over and took Chloe's arm and then Clark's. He walked them over to the curtain section. "Mr. Kent, I can tell that you're a man of distinction. Not for you is any of this off the rack dribble. No, for you, it must be truly unique."

Chloe smiled at the elder man and squeezed his arm. "I'm really sorry, Mr. Jones. I didn't mean anything by what I said."

"I know, dear." He actually unbent enough to pat her hand. "It's just that this fashion show of Jason's is a real slap in the face. When he worked for me, the boy had absolutely no talent and now City Hall is bending over backwards to welcome him back to town!" His face turned grim. "I've begged and begged to get funding for a fashion show, knowing it would bring new business into town, but do they bother to listen, oh no!" He released their arms and turned to look at them. He smiled. "But that is neither here nor there. Miss Sullivan, if you wouldn't mind taking a seat, we'll have Mr. Kent tricked out so he won't shame you at the festivities." His eyes turned sly. "And if you would mention how much you love my fashion in that fabulous little newspaper of yours… Well, let's just say that I wouldn't mind giving you two a discount."

"Mr. Jones! You're so wicked!" Chloe tilted her head back and laughed. "But you have no need to worry. I remember Jason. I'm sure your unique brand of fashion will just blow him away!"

He nodded in acknowledgement of the complement and led Clark behind the curtain. Chloe sat there waiting. Mr. Jones sure was upset about Jason's fashion show, but she really couldn't blame him. He'd felt exiled those many years ago and to have the town welcome back a protégé that you think is unworthy… Well, Chloe couldn't imagine that. It would hurt, but what could Mr. Jones do about it?He wouldn't do something violent, would he? It just seemed so impossible. He was volatile like the stereotypical French chef, but that didn't mean he could…

Chloe's thoughts stopped in their tracks when Clark came out from behind the curtain. "I'm not wearing powder blue," he thundered over his shoulder. His face looked like a thundercloud, but that's not what caught Chloe's eye. Apparently, the wardrobe disagreement had occurred after Clark had gotten out of his normal clothes. She sat back and drank her fill. I guess that answers the age-old question. Clark's a boxer man. She smiled and raked his body up and down with her eyes. She knew he had muscles… Heaven only knew how many times she'd bumped into him (On purpose and on accident, she admitted to herself.) and felt like she'd slammed into a brick wall... but the reality of it all...

"Chloe!" Clark stuttered, a blush running down his face. Chloe was bemused to see it travel down his chest.

"Clark," she started, swallowing back her appreciative laughter. "I don't think that outfit will allow you to get into the fashion show." Her chest felt like it was on fire with holding in the laughter.

Clark clutched at the curtain and drew it around him, accidentally pulling it down from the wall. "I… uh… didn't think… He wanted me to wear a powder blue leisure suit."

"Well, I have heard the leisure suit is making a comeback…" she said thoughtfully, eyes dancing. Mr. Jones came out of the dressing area, clutching the offending garment. It so wouldn't do for someone of Clark's coloring. "But you're probably right. I was thinking more classical lines, Mr. Jones. Think a younger Lex Luthor."

Mr. Jones's threatening frown cleared up. "Miss Sullivan, you are absolutely correct. Mr. Kent will be in the audience so it would be of no use to have him in model's clothing as if he were going down the runway." He ducked his head in embarrassment. "I must have lost my head. This whole affair has just thrown me for a loop."

"I understand, Mr. Jones." Chloe smiled gently. The older man had been through enough and she couldn't bear to tease him. Clark on the other hand… Well, let's just say that she wasn't prepared to let him forget this little incident any time soon. "I was thinking about something striking. Something out of the ordinary, but still appropriate for a function such as this. I don't want to give Smallville a bad name by the Torch's reporters."

"I have just the thing. Come, Mr. Kent." Mr. Jones swept into the back. Clark narrowed his eyes at Chloe before following.

Chloe could hear some murmuring in the back, but the arguments appeared to be over. She didn't have very long to wait before Clark came out again… This time he was in appropriate attire. Her jaw dropped and she rose to her feet. Clark looked amazing! He had a three-button navy suit on that was formal without being overdone. It fit him to a tee. But what really set it off was the bright red button-down shirt underneath it. There was no tie because it was totally unnecessary and would have made him look fussy... like he was trying too hard. In her mind, she could think of no better outfit. Going to the fashion show on his arm would have her be the envy of all other women there.

"What do you think?" Clark asked nervously. His hands twitched and Chloe smiled. He's struggling not to tug at the bottom of the suit. How adorable!

Chloe took a deep breath and swallowed. "Clark, you look amazing. How did you two put this together so quickly?"

Clark smiled. "Well, he asked me what my favorite colors were and this sort of fell together. Will it do?"

"Clark, it may break the bank of your savings, but you have to buy this outfit. We are going to be the belles of the ball!" She threw him a predatory look. They were so going to fit in at this show!


A/N: I apologize for this taking so long. I meant to have it all ready, but I forgot to take my flash drive home so I couldn't work on it from there and work has been really busy. Oy vey! I NEED FEEDBACK!!! sob

So, now that I'm done with the chapter, a little explanation. As you can tell, I've been arranging the chapters in a Lana/Pete/Chloe & Clark order. Lana's story is complete. Pete's story is all their in my head, but I have to finish one or two more bits. Chloe and Clark's… Well, let's just say that it's been taking a lot of thinking about what type of situation to put them in that didn't have a meteor freak in it. But I've noticed that the meteor phenom almost seems to be overdone. I thought (for this one at least) that I'd try and have them do something quasi-normal… wink...