Disclaimer: I don't own Smallville or You've Got Mail.
A/N: Thanks to all who have reviewed. This chapter's is pretty happy and has lots of Clana. I hope you enjoy it!
twcklvrl- You'll find out later what IL59 stands for. It has to do with where he lives though.
Chapter 4: Meet and Greet
The paper was out early the next morning and as usual, thousands and thousands of people were reading it. Anything that was said was believed; anything that was criticized was now disliked, and anything that was loved was now adored. You could see why the paper could ruin one's career and possibly their life and why Kristen would be so offended with it.
"Who does this guy think he is? How could he write something like this?" Kristen practically yelled. She and Audrey were walking down the city streets to the mall. Kristen was reading the fashion article on her fashion show.
"This is just plain cruel! He probably doesn't even know anything about fashion and then he writes crap like this!" Kristen said pointing at the article.
"The nerve." Audrey said glaring as they walked through the mall doors.
"Am I really that bad?" Kristen said stopping.
"No! You're wonderful! This guy's just a big fat jerk." Audrey said rubbing Kristen's back.
"That's right. He is…you know what? I have to go grocery shopping really quick, so I'll meet you for lunch at 12:00 in the food court." She said.
"Ok. Ta ta for now." Audrey said.
"Same." Kristen said as she walked on the down escalator to go to the Whole Foods Market on the bottom level.
The entire time she was sopping, Kristen was distracted. She hadn't noticed a handsome, dark haired man near her the entire time. As she stood in line she started to re-read the article, when interrupted by the same handsome, dark haired man.
"I couldn't help but notice that you were near me the entire hour I've been here. Are you stalking me?" he asked.
"What? I-" she started but then saw that he was joking because of a genuine familiar smile.
Who is he, she thought, I've seen him before. His strong structure, gorgeous hair, dazzling eyes, and 100-watt smile all seemed strikingly familiar.
"Are you ok?" he asked.
"Yeah." She responded. They stood there in silence and Tom thought Man, she's gorgeous. But I've seen her before. Her petite perfect figure, her sparkling eyes, and there was something about the way she scrunched her nose that made him wonder. Naw, it couldn't be her.
"Can you believe the nerve some people have?" the pretty woman next to him said.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"I mean that this article on fashion is rude, incorrect, and just plain mean." She said.
"Wow, yeah. It is mean." Tom said pretending to read it. Then something caught his eye. It was the article that he wrote.
Oh, man. This is not good, he thought.
"This guy is such a jerk. How does he know if I got a degree in fashion or not." She said.
"Oh, that's on you?" he said pointing to the article.
"Yeah. Oh, I'm sorry, I never introduced myself. I'm Kristen. Kristen Kreuk." She said extending her hand.
"Um, you can just call me Tom." He said shaking her hand firmly. Both of them felt shivers running up their spine as they made contact.
"Well, I'm sure this jerk didn't mean anything by it. And he defiantly would change his mind once he saw how pretty you are." Tom said instantly wishing he could take it back. But Kristen blushed a profuse pink and felt warm inside.
"Thanks. That's very nice of you." She said blushing even more.
They continued to talk until they reached the top of the escalator.
"Well, I…" Kristen couldn't think of what to say. They both wanted to stay with each other longer, but they didn't know if the other felt the same way.
"Where are you going?" Tom asked.
"The food court. I'm meeting a friend there.' She replied remembering Audrey.
"Well, my car is that way so I'll walk you there. Make sure you're safe." He said coolly.
"Ok!" Kristen said a bit to energetically.
They walked over to the food court and Kristen glanced around but couldn't find Audrey anywhere.
"I can't see my friend." Kristen said still scanning the area.
"Well, I'll sit with you until she shows up." Tom said pulling a chair out.
"I guess I am early." Kristen said sitting down. Tingles ran through her body as his hand brushed against her shoulder.
"So, would you like a cup of coffee while you're waiting?" Tom asked.
"Sure." Kristen said starting to stand up.
"Don't worry, I'll get it." He said walking towards Starbucks.
When he came back Kristen handed him money, but he brushed it aside.
"Don't worry, it's on me." He said.
"Thanks." Kristen said taking a sip of her warm coffee.
"Wow, how did you know I liked a double espresso with a little bit of mint?" she asked surprised.
"It's this weird thing I have. After talking to people I can tell what kind of coffee they like to drink." Tom said slightly embarrassed.
"That's really cool!" Kristen said smiling. Tom blushed and tried to hide it.
"Kristen," a woman with dirty blonde hair said, "There you are. And who's this?" Audrey asked eyeing Tom.
"Audrey, this is Tom. Tom this is my friend Audrey." Kristen introduced.
"Nice to meet you." Tom said shaking her hand.
"You too. Have you two met before? And you're not dating are you?" Audrey asked nosily.
"Audrey," Kristen said through clenched teeth, "We met in the market and no, we're not dating." Kristen hoped that Tom couldn't see her blushing at embarrassment.
"Your friend Kristen's quite entertaining." Tom said trying to relax the tension.
"Yeah." Audrey said inspecting Tom with her hawk eyes.
"Well I have to go. Nice to meet both of you," he then added to Kristen, "Triple espresso, heavy on caffeine and whip cream." Kristen laughed as he turned around and left.
"He's hot," Audrey said, "And that's putting it bluntly."
Tom's Office
As Tom got back from his office he checked his e-mails. One was from Pete, as usual, one from Paige reminding him about tonight, and one from smallgirl. He ignored the other two e-mails and opened smallgirl e-mail titled 'Horses'. It read:
I just love horses. They're my most favorite animals. They're so big and elegant and calm; they make me feel peaceful and at ease. When I was a teenager I used to ride a lot. Since I lived in a small farm town there was plenty of open land and I loved to ride in the fields. It was the one place where I could escape from my chaotic life and think. I would ride by myself and a few times and a few times with my boyfriends I had and friends. I would also ride in shows. I loved the competition, though I'm not a total competitor. I appreciated it when my biological father would come and watch me show. I'm distraught now that I haven't been able to ride at all lately. I've only rode once during college and I haven't been able to since. My life has been way to busy to ride. My one wish would be to be riding in the fields that I used to, with the wind blowing on my hair and all my doubts and uncertainties behind me.
Tom pictured when he and Lana used to go riding in the fields and have picnics. They would laugh and have the best time ever. He smiled, which was odd, because he had never smiled when he thought about Lana. He then hit the response button and started typing about the first thing that came to mind.
Kristen's Office
Kristen walked in mystified, still grinning from her encounter with Tom. Though she had work off that day, Kristen had to pick up a few things. She glanced at her computer and saw that she had a new e-mail from IL59 titled 'Pictures'. She opened it up breathlessly and started reading. It read:
I cannot get enough of pictures. They always make me so happy. I love how they capture a perfect moment and make it last forever. It's so fun to go through old pictures and remember all the things that we had done while taking the pictures. I especially like looking at pictures with friends and telling them the stories behind the pictures and learning their stories too. I could spend hours and hours looking through all my pictures and reminiscing at all of the perfect moments. You know how some people say they wish certain moments can last forever? I think that they can; through pictures we can re-live whichever moments we choose. People that are photo shy bother me. Someone only wants to take your picture so they can remember you forever. That's pretty special in a way. And some people say that pictures are worth 1,000 words, but with all the background I think they're worth 2,000.
Kristen smiled and thought of all the perfect moments she had had. Most of them involved her and Clark. In fact, almost all of them did. She smiled as she thought of them, which was peculiar because she almost never was happy when she thought of Clark. She continued to smile and soon you could hear the click-clack of the keyboard.
Later that night…
"Are you sure we have to go?" Tom huffed as they walked to a large apartment door.
"Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Lovelace are the presidents of this company and I look good if we show up. And if I look good than I can score that job as vice president in publishing. Now," she said turning around to straighten his tie, but found there was nothing there.
"Why are you not wearing a tie?" Paige asked frustrated.
"I thought it was dressy casual." Tom shrugged.
"No, it's not. And now I'm going to look like a fool in front of Mr. and Mrs. Lovelace."
"Sorry."
"Now they're going to think I have a lousy big ape reporter boyfriend." Paige muttered to herself as she knocked on the door.
"Hi, welcome! It's so good to see you Paige! And you must be Tom. Come in!" the kind Mrs. Lovelace said as they walked into the large, spacious apartment.
"Who are these people again?" Kristen asked as the walked into the elevator.
"Mr. and Mrs. Lovelace. They're the presidents of this company. If I get on their good side I can get more of my books and story ideas out and published." Scott said.
"Right. And why do I have to come? I've got a load of paperwork to finish and bills to pay for fabric." Kristen complained.
"Because I'm not leaving you alone in our apartment. Any man could come waltzing in and kidnap you or something."
"That's why we have security in the building, Scott."
"Well, I don't trust it." Scott said walking out of the elevator.
Kristen rolled her eyes. Scott is way to over protective. He's not worried about abductors, he's afraid I'll cheat on him. She thought. Scott knocked on the door and Mrs. Lovelace greeted them warmly. They walked in and Scott immediately started talking to a business partner. Kristen knew she had to stay with him or he would throw a fit. But finally Scott asked her to go get them a few drinks. Kristen obliged and walked over to the bar.
Tom and Paige were talking to Mr. and Mrs. Lovelace, who both fascinated with Tom and thought his job was amazing.
"I think that you have one of the most intriguing jobs ever." Mrs. Lovelace said.
"I've always wanted to be a reporter at the Daily Planet myself." Mr. Lovelace said.
"Yes…" Tom faltered as he saw someone familiar pass by.
"Would you like a drink Paige?" he asked.
"No I'm fine." She said through clenched teeth. Tom knew that meant that he should stay, but he had to see her.
"Well, I'm very thirsty. I guess I'll see you guys later." Tom said waving and walking away.
Kristen walked up to the barman and said, "One white wine and a dry martini please." She looked around and tried to find a way to escape when she heard a voice she'd grown fond of.
"Fancy seeing you here." He said from behind her.
"Tom! I didn't know you were going to be here!" she blushed.
"Same, Tom smiled, "but it certainly make this soirée not as boring as it was. Now I think I'll stay." Kristen blushed even more.
"Why are you here?" she asked.
"Oh, umm…friends of the Lovelaces. And you?" he said coolly.
"Same." Kristen lied.
Kristen ignored giving Scott his drink and talked to tom instead. They moved out onto the deck. Tom made sure to keep an eye on Paige and Kristen did the same with Scott.
They talked a lot; of books and movies and food and annoying next-door neighbors. There was never a dull moment. Kristen knew that there was something about Tom that reminded her of two people. One-IL59, for his sense of humor and two, well, she's rather not say. Tom felt the same. But he pushed it aside, trying to free his mind of the load of painful memories that had came once he thought of, well, he'd rather not say it.
Kristen laughed and looked over at Scoot. She and Tom ad been talking for at least an hour, if not two. Scott seemed fine now, but she knew that in 10 minutes he would be ready to leave. She tried to think of a way to leave without Tom seeing Scott, but Tom had already spoken.
"Oh, look at the time. I really have to go, but I hope that sometime I'll run into you again." Tom finished.
"I agree." Kristen smiled.
"Well, goodbye." He said walking away. He saw Paige looking for him and tapping her foot.
"There you are." She snapped as he dragged her out the door.
"We have to leave." He said.
"No!" she protested.
"Yes, I don't feel well." Tom pleaded.
"Fine. Bye Mr. and Mrs. Lovelace!' she hollered as they ran out the door.
5 minutes later Kristen was dragging Scott out as well. He didn't protest, though he did take his time on saying goodbye to EVERYBODY.
When both couples arrived home two of them were smiling at the job offers they had got and 2 of them were glad to be gone, but secretly wanted to stay.
It had been a long day for the latter two and they were glad to be in bed and reflect on the day's events.
A/N: Sorry this chapter was so long! I'll try to make them a little bit shorter. Thanks for reading, now review, review, review!