Chapter Five
Chloe raised Clark's giant fist and knocked on the Kent's front door. It was answered a few seconds later by Martha.
"Clark?" She asked, a glint of hope in her eyes.
"I'm afraid not." Chloe said. "I'm sorry. Can I come in?"
"Of course." Martha said, disappointed, but stepped aside to let her pass. "Um, how are you feeling?"
"Big." Chloe answered, realizing too late how dumb that sounded.
"That's understandable." Martha agreed, closing the door behind them. "So, um, what can I do for you?"
"I - I wanted to apologize. For earlier." She said.
"Oh, Chloe." Martha started. "That's, um, it's quite alri-"
"No." Chloe said, cutting her off. "I know this can't be easy, and I also know I didn't make it any easier showing up here. In much less than Clark's usual attire."
"Oh, Chloe. Don't do this." Martha said. "It's not your fault. What were you supposed to do? Wait until your room until somebody found you? You did what anyone would have done."
Chloe smiled.
"Thank you Mrs. Kent." She said, then there was a pause.
"Um, would you like some lemonade?" Martha asked, quickly changing the subject. "I made it only last night."
"Yes please." Chloe said. "I've been dying for something to drink all day. Well, you know. That isn't dominated by caffeine."
Martha smiled.
"I know the feeling." She said, pouring the drinks. She sat down at the table, motioning for Chloe to sit too. "Um, Chloe, can I ask you something?"
"Of course." Chloe said.
"How did you get out of the house this morning without anyone seeing you?" Martha asked. She had been dying of curiosity.
Chloe smiled.
"I climbed out my window." She said. "There's a tree just within reach that I've been using to sneak out since I was fourteen. I won't be using it for a while though."
"What do you mean?" Martha asked.
"Well, I was too scared at the time to think, but I didn't realize that Clark is much heavier than I am." She explained. "The branch broke, and I, er, fell out of the tree." She blushed, a little embarrassed.
"Oh, Chloe, are you alright?" Martha asked, realizing it was a silly question, and regretting it as soon as it left her mouth.
"Yeah. It was strange. I barely felt it at all." Chloe continued. "It was just the adrenaline, I guess."
Martha smiled. The adrenaline. One of Clark's favorite excuses. Which reminded her.
"Chloe," She said. "Where is Clark?"
"He went to Metropolis with Pete." Chloe replied. "They're tracking down a guy we think can help us."
Martha wasn't surprised that Pete knew. It was likely, and probably even helpful, that someone who knew Clark's secret knew about this too.
"And you think this man will be able to tell you how to switch back?" She asked.
"Well, a few years back, when he was a senior at Smallville High, he claimed to have the same thing happen to him." Chloe explained. "The problem was, the guy who he said he switched with, disappeared without a trace."
"Oh." Martha said. 'Well, I hope he can help you."
"Me too." Chloe agreed. "Not that Clark isn't… great, but you can understand why I don't want to be stuck like this for long."
"Of course." Martha said. "But, you know Chloe. You're handling this so well. I don't know what I would have done in your situation."
"I think you would've handled it well, too, Mrs. Kent." Chloe assured her.
Martha smiled.
"Thank you, Chloe." She said. Maybe if this doesn't work out, I can adopt Chloe and keep her. Martha joked to herself, then immediately felt guilty.
Chloe looked at her watch. Well, actually, it was Clark's watch, because they both agreed that it my raise some eyebrows if Clark was seen wearing a pink and silver watch with a fluffy strap. She stood up.
"I really should be going, Mrs. Kent." She said. "Thank you for the lemonade. It was delicious."
"You're welcome, Chloe." Martha said. "And good luck with that guy in Metropolis."
"Thank you." Chloe said, then slipped out the door, and started slowly towards the truck, as Martha clicked the door closed behind her. It was probably just her imagination, but she thought she heard quiet sobs coming from inside the house.