Summary: Chloe and Clark… Now do you really think this will be an "ordinary" fashion show?

A/N: My only note with this chapter is that I sincerely hope that I didn't confuse many people with my reordering of the chapters. My bad... :D


As Clark guided them to their places with the rest of the press, Chloe was trying to carefully check the layout. They were behind the Talon, where the old theater stage used to be. She had forgotten all about it since the memories that had been created were centered around the inside the Talon… which really only comprised what used to be the foyer. A runway had been extended from the main stage and the buzz of activity filled the space. At least Lana won't lose any business because of this foolishness.

She sat demurely beside Clark, trying to keep her head from swiveling at all the celebrities attending the event. She was bemused that so many people were in Smallville for a stupid fashion show. And why did Jason Mudd want to have it here? Was it to have the attendance at the gala be a tribute to his talents?

"Chloe," Clark whispered in her ear. She tried to repress a shudder of desire for her currently off-limits friend. "When do you think they'll start?"

"Well, if I remember Jason's biography at all, he used to be quite the theater buff. So I would guess that the lights will blink twice to let us know…" She chuckled as her words became reality. "If I'd known I had that much power…"

Clark laughed with her, drawing dark looks from the crowd. He looked at them in disdain and Chloe was amazed he was able to do so. He must have been taking Luthor lessons! "Nudge me if I snore." He settled down a bit more in his seat.

Chloe dug her elbow into his side… wincing as if she'd just slammed it into a brick wall. "Don't you be slouching, Mr. Kent, and ruin that fabulous suit!" She smiled as he straightened up immediately. Ah, it's good to have the power! "Plus, you have work to do, kiddo!"

"Kiddo?" Clark spluttered. "Chloe, you're only 2 months older than me!"

"Shhhh!" She focused her attention on the stage. She could interview other attendees afterwards. She had never been very into the latest fashion trends herself and the parade of men's fashion was enough to put her in a coma. They started out with pajamas… Well, the bottom half, at least. She was sure that Jason also sold the tops for prospective clients' other halves. She wondered what the draw was for his popularity. She could have sworn that she'd just seen those pants somewhere… maybe it was in a magazine.

Then came the swimsuits. She blushed as she realized that nine-tenths of the suits were bikini cut. They have nice bodies, but is that really necessary? She glanced at Clark. His cheeks had a slight flush to them, but he was dutifully taking pictures of each outfit. Right. Back to work. She scribbled small descriptions for each outfit. The whole scene looked incredibly familiar to her and she wondered what was going on.

Her feelings of déjà vu continued through leisure wear, but when it came to the suits, she knew what was going on. "Clark!" she whispered, tugging at his arm.

"Chloe, you totally ruined that shot!" He quickly took another one.

"While I appreciate your budding photographic skills, listen to me for a moment!"

"Can I keep working while you talk?"

Chloe sighed. She'd pushed him too hard, she just knew it. He was now oblivious to all around him but completing the mission… and in this case it was the photo documentation of the fashion show. "Are you even looking at the outfits that we've just seen?"

"Of course I am," he grumbled. "I have to make sure they're in focus. You'd never forgive me if the best outfit's only picture was blurry!"

"Clark!" Chloe could feel the whine creep into her voice. "I'm not that bad!"

Clark still didn't look at her, but a broad grin crossed his face. "Chloe, you have been known to almost assassinate journalists that turn in articles past deadline. Why would this be any different?"

I'm not that bad, Chloe thought defensively. He's just teasing me. I mean, I only threatened dismemberment to John Speague for being 2 hours late. It's not that I hadn't warned him repeatedly the week before! Chloe paused. Oh, crap! I am that bad! When did this happen?

Just then Clark took pity on her. "It's not your fault, Chloe. You were put totally in charge of the school paper and we don't even have a faculty advisor! Is it any surprise that you feel a lot of pressure to do a good job?" His free arm encircled her shoulders and gave them a quick squeeze before he went back to snapping shots.

Chloe sniffed. Her anal retentive qualities were a subject that could be left for another day. "Clark, something's wrong here! Don't you see it?"

"What exactly am I supposed to see, Chloe? We've been watching guys parade past us for an hour and a half. I'm just glad it's over in a few minutes."

Chloe smiled. No matter how good he could look, she didn't think anyone would be able to make him intofashion boy. "That's the thing, Clark. I've been looking at these outfits too and I keep getting this 'been there, done that' vibe! I think there's more to the story here than just clothes."

Clark grinned again. "Your Spidey senses tingling, Chloe?"

"Actually, I'm a pedigree journalistic bloodhound, my friend, and I can smell a story here."

Clark laughed and was immediately shushed by those around him. "OK, so what's the story?"

"When this debacle is over, look at those pictures you've been taking. We've seen them all before… Some of them on you…"

"Excuse me? I've never met Jason Mudd! How could I wear his fashions?"

Chloe smirked and watched Jason come down the runway with a couple of his models. "Because we saw them all at Mr. Jones's store! Now the question is whether they are Mr. Jones originals or Jason Mudd's."

Clark lowered his camera and flipped through the pictures. He paused briefly at two; one of a powdered blue leisure suit and one that was identical to the one he was wearing. "I can't believe this! How would Mr. Jones know what Jason was going to reveal tonight?"

Chloe narrowed her eyes. "Clark, why are you assuming that Jason is the fashion thief?"

Clark avoided her gaze. She wasn't sureit was entirely possible he could look any more uncomfortable. "Chloe, he totally creeps me out!"

"Is it because he's gay?" He swiveled to face her and was the total picture of wounded innocence… but this time she knew it wasn't an act. "OK, so that's not it. But why would you say that?"

"He was really pushy and kept complaining about Jason. After awhile, I had to just zone out on him. If you hadn't been there, I might have just left." Clark smiled. "But I'm glad I didn't. This suit you made me buy has both my fave colors and I look hot in it. I just wish it hadn't taken so much of my savings!"

"But that's the whole point, Clark. He knew you were coming to the fashion show. Why would he dress you in something that he knew would be shown at Jason's show?" Chloe shook her head. "It doesn't add up."

"Well, maybe we could ask Mr. Jones?"

"Wha…?" Chloe's head whipped around. "He's here? Where?"

"He's over there," Clark replied and pointed a long finger.

Chloe swatted at his hand, trying to bring it back down to his side. "Stop it! We don't want him to see us!"

Clark looked at her, totally perplexed. "Why? He already knows we're here."

Chloe shut her mouth and turned in the reported direction of Mr. Jones. No reason to let him know that he totally has a point! People were in her way, but she looked between a couple of gaps and saw his red face. "He looks really mad, Clark. Where's he going?"

Clark's gazed followed the other man for a few minutes. "He grabbed Jason's arm and is hauling him backstage. They look like they're having a pretty good argument."

Chloe grabbed Clark's arm and dragged him after her. "We can't lose them. Now we can find out whose designs these really are.That's a real story!"

No notes today... To be continued...