Chapter 6

After a moment Chloe decided to take her chances sitting next to Clark. She walked over and sat down facing him, her feet tucked up under her. Clark scooted closer. "Clark…" Chloe scolded. He smiled sheepishly.

"Just getting comfortable." he protested. He settled down and reached over and tucked Chloe's hair behind her ear. Clark absently stroked her face and ear. "Chloe, what I have to tell you may very well change how you feel about me." He shifted his gaze from her face to something behind her nervously.

"Clark, look at me." Chloe demanded. Clark moved his gaze back to her. "I realize what you have to tell me is big and will probably change some things about our relationship, but for the better." Clark looked skeptical. "Look, I know you, Clark. Secret or no secret, you are still my best friend and nothing is ever going to change that."

Clark nodded. He believed that she meant what she said, but would it stand up once she found out he wasn't even human? He took a deep breath. Well, here goes! "Chloe, my parents found me right after the meteor shower in a space ship." He stopped to give her time to adjust to what he just said. Chloe's expression had not changed. There wasn't any shock or distaste. Nothing.

When Clark didn't say anything further Chloe cleared her throat and in her best reporter voice she asked, "So, where did you come from? Do you know?"

"I'm actually from a planet called Krypton. The planet was destroyed and I was sent here by my parents to earth as the last survivor of my race." Clark was still watching Chloe closely for any reaction. Chloe broke into a smile. "Is that all? I thought you were going to tell me you were from another planet." Chloe was trying hard to keep her composure. She had suspected long ago that this was a possibility, but she couldn't be sure without proof. After she had seen what Clark could do and she got to thinking about the past, she began to suspect that he wasn't a meteor freak. The possibility that he was an alien crossed her mind more than once.

Clark looked at her puzzled. Apparently, she hadn't heard what he said. Should he repeat it? Clark sat there starring at her.

Chloe broke into laughter. "Clark, I'm sorry, I couldn't resist teasing you. I thought you being an alien was a very real possibility. Especially after the last 24 hours. It's okay." Chloe drew a sigh of relief. "Now, there are no secrets between us. I feel so much better, don't you!" Chloe leaned over and smacked Clark right on the lips. She, then looked at her watch. "Oh my, look how late it is. I have to go, Clark. I have to be up really early tomorrow to begin work on my final issue of The Torch. I'm expecting you to help me, so I'll see you bright and early tomorrow." Chloe got up to leave.

Clark still hadn't moved. She knew all along! She just wanted to make him say it. Clark dropped his head. He couldn't believe it. Chloe knew his secret and the only thing that had changed is he felt closer to her and relieved that she knew. He had also figured out that he really liked kissing her. Clark's heart skipped a beat. He looked up to find Chloe heading down the stairs of the loft. "Wait!"

Chloe stopped and turned around. Clark was hurrying toward her. She smiled. "Clark, I really have to go."

"I know, I just wanted to say good-bye." Clark sure did know how to make her melt with just one look. Those soft puppy dog eyes of his he used as a weapon. Of course, it wasn't like she could say no to him even when he wasn't using his wiles on her.

He came down the steps to where she was standing, settling on the step below her. They were almost eye to eye, Clark still a little taller. Clark rested his hands on her waist and started to draw her closer. He was intently looking at her mouth. Chloe put her hands on his chest to push him away. "Clark, I really need to go…" Chloe didn't want to get this started again. She really wanted to evaluate what had happened between them when she could actually think. Being near Clark was not allowing her to meet that objective.

Clark looked into her eyes. "Just one good-bye kiss?" He gave that half smile again and Chloe couldn't say no. She rolled her eyes as she sighed, that dimple coming out of hiding again.

"Okay, but just one." Clark's grin was mega-watt.

"Come here, you!" He pulled her in close, his hands moved to cradle her back and head. Chloe's arms slid up around Clark's neck. She was careful not to push her hands into his hair. She knew if she did that, it would be impossible to stop once they started. Clark tilted his head to the side and fit his mouth over Chloe's. He felt her sigh and relax. He didn't realize she was nervous until then, but he would think about that more later. Right now he had more important things on his mind.