Okay, this is another long chapter. Nearly 8 full pages in Word. I just wanted to get this chapter right because it's an important one for Clark, as well as for Chloe.

So, I hope you enjoy, and remember..feedback, good or bad, is always appreciated!

Author: Alison

Disclaimer: Characters belong to DC, WB, AlMiles, etc., etc., etc. I only own the story and my dignity, so please don't take either away from me. My cat was photographed in a Euro Tabloid partying with Bode Miller and the U.S. men's snowboarding team.

Chapter 7

He closed his eyes, letting the warm water cascade down his body, washing the dirt and soap away as he stood under the shower head. He'd been lost in thought all morning.

He hadn't slept well. He woke several times during the night and swore he could hear her crying. Images of her invaded his dreams and he could still feel his arms around her. He never wanted that feeling to go away.

But why? They weren't supposed to like each other. They weren't supposed to get along. They were barely friends.

So, why couldn't he stop thinking about her?

She was so vulnerable that night. She was so peaceful that morning. And last night, she was so… He couldn't find the words. But he knew he was grateful she had come to see him.

But as much as he tried to comfort her last night, he still felt there was more he could do.

He couldn't believe the way he was feeling. He wasn't sleeping. He even turned down his mother's pancakes that morning.

Something was definitely wrong if he couldn't eat Martha Kent's home-cooking. But what was it? And was it all because of Lois? Nothing else had really been on his mind lately.

He hadn't talked to Lana in weeks. Not since she and…well. They hadn't spoken in a while.

But, in a way, he was over it. He was over her. He'd moved on, for the most part. A part of him would always love her, but now it was a completely different kind of love. It was an 'I wish you the best in life and you'll always be a great friend' kinda love. But other than that…he just didn't feel "it" for her anymore.

No. Lately, his attention had been focused on someone else. It shouldn't have been. And it wouldn't have been. But his mother forced him to go to her apartment. And that's when he saw her. And, he wasn't sure, but he could've sworn that he felt…something.

He'd call it a flutter. Some would call it butterflies. But when he saw her lying there that morning, he couldn't stop them. And that terrified him. Because this was Lois.

He was trying to fight it. It just wouldn't go away. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't ignore it.

What was he going to do? This was all beyond him. He couldn't concentrate on anything. Not food, not sleep, and don't even bring up his homework. His chores were beginning to suffer, as well. He nearly knocked over poor Bessie the milk cow that morning when he was speeding around trying to finish his chores. His father witnessed the whole event, and if he hadn't intervened, Bessie would be on her way to the slaughter house. Needless to say, Bessie got extra feed that morning.

He didn't know how to handle this. But he knew who would.

He turned off the faucet and grabbed the shower curtain, slinging it to one side. He paused for a moment and briefly recalled seeing her standing there at the sink, dressed in only his flannel shirt.

Sure, he didn't like it then. Well, maybe he would've liked it better if he didn't think they were gonna get caught. He was just trying to avoid a lecture. Right? Besides, he only had eyes for someone else then.

He smiled broadly at the memory. He missed their back and forth. Hopefully, things would get back to normal soon. Well…maybe with a few exceptions.

He reached into the cabinet and grabbed a fresh towel. As he began to dry himself off, something in the bathroom mirror caught his eye. Was he getting a little pudgy around the middle? He turned to the side and held up his arms to get a better view as he sucked in his gut.

He had been depressed after the whole incident with Lana and…well. But he didn't think he'd gained weight. He had been eating more of his mom's home-cooking lately, though. Well, except for those pancakes this morning. He was feeling a little hungry now.

Wait. Why did he care all of a sudden about his appearance? It'd never bothered him before. He'd become so self-conscious lately. He was beginning to scare himself.

He dried off his body and vigorously scrubbed his wet hair with the towel. There were too many important things to do today to worry about a few extra pounds. He sighed as he grabbed his clean boxers off the counter and slipped them on.

He had to talk to her. There was no way around it now. She'd definitely know how to handle this. He opened the bathroom door and walked down the hall to his bedroom. Closing the door, he walked to his dresser and picked up his cell phone. Even though her number was on speed dial, he knew it by heart.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Chloe."

He reached in the closet for a clean blue shirt and pulled it on as he spoke.

"Hey, Clark. What's up?"

How much did he want to tell her? Should he just come right out and say it? Maybe he'd lead in to it.

"Did you find out anything else about that memorial? I've been going over what you sent me and I think it's gonna be great."

Well, that's one way to do it. He knew she didn't find out anything else. She'd said she'd email him if she did. Just stall a little longer, Kent.

He pulled on his jeans and slipped on his socks and boots.

"No, just what I emailed you last night. But I think we need to go see them today about getting it done. Especially if you want this thing up pretty soon."

That was true. He thought the sooner the memorial was up, maybe the better Lois would feel.

Hhmm…did she say they needed to go see them today?

He grabbed his red jacket off the bed and zipped out the door. Before he knew it, he was in Chloe's dorm room sitting on her bed as her papers flew everywhere.

"Clark!"

She looked genuinely terrified as she spun around in her desk chair, putting her hand to her chest to catch her breath.

"What?"

Shouldn't she be used to this by now?

"I don't think I'm ever gonna get used to that."

He smiled. He truly missed her being away in Metropolis. Lucky for him he had super speed.

"Well, you said we needed to go see them today. So, here I am."

So, he was anxious. He didn't know why. Maybe he just wanted someone to talk to about the whole situation.

Chloe threw him a skeptical look as she bent over to pick up the papers that flew off her desk when he zipped in.

"Remind me to buy a paperweight while we're out today. If you're going to create a wind tunnel effect every time you show up I gotta do something to save time putting all my homework back together."

Smiling, he reached down and helped her pick up the papers scattered in the floor and handed them to her as he sat on the bed. She sat back in her chair and began putting the pages together in a neat stack.

He wasn't sure if he should ask it. It's just that he didn't want the questions that would naturally come with the question he'd ask. He knew her. He knew she'd wonder why he wanted to know.

But that was it, wasn't it? He wanted to know.

And so, he had to ask.

"Can I ask you something, Chloe?"

Okay. Just calm down. Act natural. Maybe she won't think anything of it. You're just wanting to know something more about her, right? Right?

"Okay. Is everything alright?"

Ha! That was a loaded question. If she only knew.

So…how much did he want to say? How much did he want her to know? And would she take it the wrong way if he did tell her? She flipped out on the phone yesterday morning when he mentioned he stayed the night at Lois' apartment. What would she say about what happened last night? He didn't want to tell her about the sleepless nights. But he had to say…something.

There just had to be more he could do for her.

As he spoke he leaned forward on his elbows and kept his head down.

"Yeah, everything's fine." He paused and took a deep breath. Okay, this was it. Just get it over with. "What do you think Lois' favorite movie is?"

It came to him while he was in the shower that morning. She just seemed to forget about everything else while they watched the movie the other night. Maybe that's why he wanted to know. So she could forget and escape, even if it was only for a little while.

He glanced up just in time to see a grin creep into her confused expression.

Oh great. Now she was thinking something was up with them. He knew it. He knew he shouldn't have said anything. Just keep your mouth shut next time, Kent. When was he gonna learn?

"Lois' favorite movie? Why do you want to know that?"

And there it was. He knew what she was thinking. And it wasn't true. It wasn't. He just wanted to know something about a friend so he could make her feel better. That was all.

Right?

He stood and walked to her window. How was he gonna deal with this?

But how could he forget that night. How could he forget last night? He'd dreamt about her. Holding her. It was driving him crazy. He couldn't get it out of his head. And he didn't know what else to do.

He looked out the window at the trees in the courtyard and the various students shuffling quietly to class. But he was in a trance, for she never left his thoughts. No matter how hard he tried to lose those hazel eyes, he just couldn't do it.

"I just want to do something nice for her."

He heard her slowly spin around in the squeaky chair as she spoke.

"But, Clark, you're already doing this memorial for her."

That was true. But after last night… There just had to be something more he could do. Something that would mean…something. A lasting impression. Something other than the memorial. Something for right now.

He didn't answer but continued to watch the birds in the tree just outside her window.

"So, what's brought on this sudden interest in Miss Lane?" She paused as he stayed fixed on the birds. "Does it have anything to do with you two spending the night together?"

What? No. No, no, no, no. Oh…no.

He didn't want to have to explain that night again. She thought something happened. He just knew that she knew there was something going on. But there wasn't.

He quickly looked at her, their eyes meeting briefly. Then, running his fingers through his hair, he slowly walked back and stood near her bed.

How was he… What could he… This wasn't going as well as he thought it would.

"What? No, Chloe. I mean, well, it does, but we didn't…we just talked."

Nice going. Now, she couldn't possibly take that the wrong way, could she?

Chloe slowly nodded her head and smiled.

"So, you just talked? Let me get this straight. Clark Kent and Lois Lane stayed at her apartment…all night…talking. Right."

Oh come on. How could anything ever happen…that way…between him and Lois? Just the thought was…well…it was…

It just wouldn't happen. She'd said as much before, anyway. Of course, that was before last night. And the night before…

But she didn't believe him. He couldn't believe she didn't believe him. Weren't they supposed to be friends? Best friends?

He looked at her and narrowed his eyes. How could she?

"I promise, Chloe. We just talked." His voice softened as he continued, remembering her that night. "I'd never seen her like that before."

She just looked so…helpless. He just wanted to, as Chloe would say for lack of a cheesier word, save her. But he wanted to do so without it actually looking like he was saving her.

Chloe got up from her chair and sat on the bed, patting the space next to her for him to sit.

"Yeah, I got that from you yesterday. But what do you mean? What was she like?"

Didn't she know? Surely, she did. She had to know what that day was.

"She was crying. I'd never seen Lois cry before."

At least, he'd never seen her cry like this. This was coming from deep inside. They were tears that had been kept in for so long, he wondered if anyone had ever seen them. Probably not. Lois never let anyone see that…the softer side. The vulnerable side.

It was a complete accident that he'd even seen. But in a strange way, it was a happy one. Because now…he knew.

Chloe took a breath and looked at him.

"So, this is how you've gone from hating her and wishing she never came back from Europe this summer, to wanting to do something nice for her."

Hating her? Why did everyone keep saying that? He never said he hated Lois. It's like he told his dad. They just didn't always get along. That didn't mean they hated each other.

No, it just meant…he liked teasing her. He liked getting to her. And he secretly knew she enjoyed it, too.

He looked at her, intenseness in his eyes. He had to make sure she understood.

"I never hated her, Chloe. She just…got on my nerves. But, I never really minded it." He paused as she looked to the floor. "That's just the way Lois and I are. We irritate each other, but I don't think either of us are really that bothered by it."

"Are you sure she feels the same way?"

Well, what did that mean?

He thought he knew how Lois might feel. But how would he ever know? He was not about to ask her how she felt towards him.

What was he saying? This was crazy. How could he even think this?

Maybe bringing this up to Chloe was a bad idea. He should've known she'd make him think.

"I don't know. Lois can be a hard read sometimes."

That was certainly an understatement. He smiled as she laughed.

"Yeah, I know."

Lois would get a kick out of this. She'd find it very amusing that he was so confused over her. She'd tell him to suck it up and move on. She didn't need saving…she could handle it.

But could she? Everyone needs someone every now and then. A partner. A friend. A confidante.

He silently hoped he could have at least one of those titles.

"So, we should probably get going." She rose off the bed and walked to her desk, picking up some papers. "I found this place down on Sixteenth Street where we can buy the marker. They can engrave it for us, too. I just need to get them all the information." She paused and pointed her finger at him as she continued. "Oh, and you said you wanted the brown marble marker, right? I already put it on hold online last night. The website said they could put a picture on it, too, but they need to get it ASAP for it to be ready soon."

Uh oh. Um. Well…

"Okay, yeah, that sounds great." He paused as he took the papers from her hand. "I've got a slight problem with the picture, though."

Please don't be mad. Please don't be mad.

"And what's that?"

A sheepish grin spread across his face as he looked at her.

"I don't have it."

Please don't yell. Please don't yell.

"Okay, so where is it?"

Well, that wasn't so bad. Even though she did slightly roll her eyes and drop her jaw. Still…not so bad.

"Still at Lois'. I was thinking maybe you could go tomorrow and get it. Didn't you say something about coming home this weekend?"

So, he couldn't do everything. Besides, he knew how much she and Lois loved to hang out. And Chloe was smart. She'd figure out some way to get the picture.

She sighed and put her hands on her hips.

"Well, yeah, but that was before I had all this work to do."

Oh.

He looked shocked for a moment, then turned his gaze to the floor, focusing on her Intro to News Writing textbook next to his foot.

His heart only sank a little. So, the memorial wouldn't have the picture on it. It'd still turn out okay. Lois would still be happy. Right?

"Oh. Okay."

Well…there were worse things. World hunger …war…disease…depression… Everything would still be okay. Really. It would.

"But I guess I can make a special trip just for you."

He looked up at her. Chloe never failed him.

He stood and smiled.

"Thanks, Chloe. I mean…for all your help. I couldn't have done this without you."

Even with his abilities, he couldn't have figured it all out. It all had to be just right. It had to be perfect. And Chloe always seemed to know something about everything. But, more importantly, he knew he could count on her, no matter what.

He reached out and pulled her in closer to him, hugging her tightly as she wrapped her small arms around his waist.

"You're welcome, Clark."

He let her release her embrace and reach for her coat on the bed. As she put it on, he walked to the door to wait while she grabbed her bag and cell phone.

He loved her. He always would. She was his best friend. He'd lost her once and swore to himself that he'd never let that happen again. He knew they might have been more at one point in time, but…it just wasn't meant to be.

He just hoped she wouldn't be mad if…well…did he even want to finish that thought?

Whatever happened, he just wanted her to be happy. Always.

"By the way, it's Breakfast at Tiffany's."