Author's Notes: Marcus, you're right on with the Desmond Brother's, I am utilizing aspects of the DC universe into the story but tweaking it some enough that it'll make some sense here. And yes, the coming chapters is building up to a confrontation or more appropriately (collaboration) between Clark and Bruce. Keep reading and you'll see the pieces start falling into place.
Thanks everyone for reviewing. It definitely helps.
Luke's Place (Continued)
Lois and Clark stood oddly in front of an unspeaking Chloe. Guilty thoughts perused their minds in an almost unimaginable speed. Clark stuffed both hands in his pockets while Lois agonizingly crossed her arms. They stood before her in silence.
Her dear cousin.
His best friend.
This was NOT the way they intended to tell friends and family.
Clark gulped before going to bat to speak first. "Chloe I – " his words fell short of an explanation, he was too unprepared to give her a sensible honest explanation. He turned to Lois, hoping she could help him. She opened her mouth only to close it immediately after. Clark wasn't the only one unprepared.
He bowed his head, apologizing doesn't seem to be the best course of action to give, not when Lois and Clark really are in love.
"I guess since neither of you are willing to say anything, I'm just going to say it"
Lois and Clark bring their heads up slowly, a mixture of caution and fear etched on their faces. Lois had always had in her mind imagined the various reactions her cousin would have; sad to say none of them were in her favor.
"How long have you two been together?" Chloe asks in an almost quiet whisper. You could tell she didn't want to ask, but mix the post-lingering feelings of an old-time-crush, her cousin and her ever growing curiosity, it's impossible not to question.
Clark swallowed but didn't answer.
"We haven't been together in months," replied Lois.
Chloe nodded half-heartedly, trying to piece together the last few months. She had no idea that they've been seeing each other way back then.
"It makes sense now though," Chloe says. Lois and Clark look at her with confusion and she elaborates. "You've been acting differently all summer," she says to Clark and then she turned to Lois. "And you haven't entirely been around Metropolis or Smallville for a while, it's not like you to ignore. Now I know"
"That's not what I was doing," Lois rebutted.
Clark gives her a pointed look, Lois sighs.
"That's not all that I was doing," she rephrased to make her actions a lot more sensible. Lois is not one to stay away simply because of a guy. There were many motivating factors that contributed to her absence, but at least she kept in touch.
"Does anyone else know?"
Lois and Clark share a look before answering.
"I told my parents a few days ago," he says honestly. "Other than them, I haven't really told anybody else." Clark turns to Lois. It's her turn now.
"Same here – I mean – Rachel saw and Uncle Luke probably suspects something since we're practically sharing a room. Did I just say that? Forget I said that last part." Lois looked down on her hands and fingers nervously.
That surprised Chloe more than the seeing one another. "So you're sleeping together?" Chloe wasn't entirely sure why she felt the need to interrogate them, and she's even further unsure as to why they felt obligated to answer. It was selfish for her, she knew that.
"No!" They both say forcefully.
"It's been a while"
"Not for a while"
"We were just – "
"I was just – "
The couple was failing miserably as they jumped and hopped for a proper answer, both sputtering one incomplete phrase after another. Chloe stood before them, different sets of feelings caved in.
A part Chloe is happy for them.
Another part of her is envious.
And then there's a part of her that always longed for the possibility.
But there is just no room inside of her to hate them. She can't. She loves them too damn much.
Chloe could see now that her place will never be by Clark's side, at least in the romantic sense. Maybe seeing him with Lois will finally put that part of her life to rest and help her move on. It's about time she truly did.
"Are you mad?" Lois asks in a childlike voice. She only ever did that to Chloe, and sometimes, to Clark's parents.
"It's kind of hard to be when you're shaking in your boots like that," Chloe says with an honest smile.
"I've wanted to tell you," Clark says. "I just – I've been confused lately – I didn't know where Lois and I stood"
"Are you blaming me?" Lois says to him in disbelief.
"No, of course not!" he tells her. "I'm just saying we could've told her months ago"
"So it's my fault?"
"I didn't say that." He turns to Chloe. "Did I say that?"
She shrugged. "You kind of implied it," she found herself answering.
"See!" Lois pointed out. "She agrees. You do blame me"
He groaned. "No I don't," he repeated again.
"Guys!" Chloe says stopping the two from their bickering. She had to stifle a laugh at the irritable display they seem completely oblivious to enjoying. "I'm gonna go – I'll see you two in the morning." She quickly made her way down the steps.
Clark was baffled and Lois immediately cut her cousin off by barricading herself between her and the exit gates, both arms up and ready to keep her from leaving.
"Where are you going, cuz?"
Chloe adjusted the purse she practically forgot she was wearing over her shoulder. "There's a hotel not far from here – "
"That's out of the question," Lois cut off. "You're staying here with us; you don't have to do that. Uncle Luke won't mind"
"No, I think its best," Chloe assured but Lois was having none of it.
"Clark can take the couch"
Clark's brow furrowed. He hated the couch, especially since he started sharing a bed with Lois but he kept his bearing up for friendship's sake.
"I don't want to intrude"
"You're not intruding." She glances at Clark. "Is she intruding?"
"No," he answered automatically.
Lois looks back to Chloe. "See, no one is intruding anybody"
"Lois – " Chloe pleaded softly.
"Look, I know it's weird right now that Clark and I are together – but – Chloe I really want you here and I want you in our lives and I don't want our relationship to change – "
"It's already changing Lois," she replied sincerely. "It has been for a while now"
Behind them, Clark listened in feeling both sad and uncomfortable. This felt like something he shouldn't be a part of. Something only the two cousins can work out on their own; so he felt like he was intruding in an intimate discussion.
Lois doesn't understand. "I know I haven't been around Metropolis to see you, but things couldn't have changed that much"
"You never do give yourself enough credit"
"Chloe, what are you talking about?" Now the older cousin was really confused. She didn't know where all this was coming from.
"Let's just talk about this in the morning," Chloe insisted, pulling her in for a hug. "I'll see you tomorrow. I promise." Then she walked around Lois and waved for a cab. The three smile weakly to each other before she disappeared down the street. Lois remained absolutely still, almost numb.
"Are you okay?" Clark asks, but then mentally slapped himself for doing so. "Right, not okay"
Clark closed the gap between them and wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her back hoping to comfort her.
"That didn't go so well," she says, her voice sound defeated. It broke Clark's heart that they had to tell her cousin this way.
He held her tight and didn't let go.
Hotel Veranda
Chloe rode in the back seat of the yellow cab. She saw the light of the hotel spell Veranda the closer she got to it. By the time she was there, something strange happened.
"Excuse me, driver"
There was no answer.
"You missed my stop. The Veranda is back that way"
The driver kept going without halting and without answer. The cab speeds up and Chloe begins to panic but tried to keep it at bay.
"Mis – ter," she gulped, grabbing her cell from her purse. She nervously attempted to dial the numbers but a swerve to the left made her lose her grip with her phone, hitting her head to the side window. "What the – "
A sudden stop pushed her to fly off the seat and hit the divider that kept passengers and drivers separate with heavy force, knocking her unconscious.
In the dark alley, a big tall figure opens the passenger door.
"Is this her, brother?"
"No, her cousin"
"That's good enough"
To be continued…