The next few days were a blur of activity and change. Clark and Lana had a very long talk, and when Pete flew into town, the three of them talked until all hours of the morning. Lana was very understanding, and she swore to herself, on her parent's graves, that she would never breathe a word about Clark to anyone. Clark knew he could trust her.

The three of them talked a lot about Chloe, and shared laughter and tears as they reminisced about their quirky, investigative friend.

It was weird for Clark to watch Lana and Pete in what was obviously a very loving, caring relationship. Inwardly, he washappy, but still hewondered if he was destined for a love that wouldn't be taken from him like so many had been already. His thoughts moved to Lois then. He hoped she was alright. He had called and she had thanked him for being there the morning after, but she needed time alone. Clark unwillingly conceded.

Lois spent that Saturday night alone in Chloe's apartment, looking through photo albums, and watching a few of the home videos that Lois had given her from various family functions. She had thought she couldn't cry another tear, but as she watched her beautiful, vibrant cousin who had been so full of life, the scab was ripped open and Lois wept more tears than she cared to keep track of.

Lois also spent several hours on the phone with Gabe Sullivan, who was crushed beyond repair over the death of his only child. Lois cried even more tears with her uncle over the phone. They spoke of preliminary plans for the memorial service. Chloe would be buried in Smallville, Gabe had decided. So he could be near her.

Lex sat alone in his penthouse apartment. He had gone through two bottles of Brandy, Armagnac 1963. He hadn't showered in two days. Being alone had given Lex plenty of time to reflect on his life. He wasn't impressed. The night before Chloe's memorial, Lex made a decision that would forever guide his destiny. He wasn't going to let anyone else into his heart again, friend or lover. It was the only way he could think to keep from hurting others or himself.

Lex had Glynis pack up Lois's things in boxes, ready for her to pick up if she wanted. Lex also ordered Glynis to pack all photos and reminders of Lois into these same boxes. Lex wouldn't wallow in the past. He was going to look to the future.

The funeral service was packed full of people who had known and loved Chloe. The tiny church in Smallville was filled to capacity with most of the staff from The Daily Planet, teachers and classmates from Smallville High School and Metropolis University, rival reporters, and her friends and family. The only notable person missing was Lex Luthor.

Martha and Jonathan Kent sat in the front of the church with Clark and Lois. Lois' father, the General, couldn't make it and Lois' sister Lucy had been unreachable. So Clark and the Kent's were called on again to provide family support to Lois. They didn't mind.

Lois sat silently with her head down, and when Clark offered her his hand she grabbed it willingly, not letting go until it was her turn to speak.

Martha sat on the other side of Clark, her arm protectively around her son's shoulders, doing what little she could to protect her baby. For all his abilities, there had been too many close calls with Clark's life, and Martha thought she would probably lose her mind if her son were taken from her.

Jonathan sat with his arm around Martha, and his hand resting on Clarks shoulder. He knew what Martha was thinking, as he was thinking the same things. All the times Clark had been hurt, the times he had almost been taken from them. He promised himself he'd reach out to Gabe Sullivan. Offer support. No parent should ever have to bury their child.

When Lois stood to speak, Clark gave her hand one last reassuring squeeze. She gave him in return a grateful smile. Raising her head, she walked to the front of the church where she would attempt to do her cousins life justice. She hoped she could.

Lois stood at the podium for a moment, her eyes slowly scanning the crowd. For a moment she thought she was going to burst into tears again, but then suddenly calmness came over her. Lois gave a soft smile, Thanks Chloe, she thought as shecleared her throat and began speaking.

"Chloe Sullivan was my cousin and my best friend. Really, we were more like sisters. We would share secrets, talk about boys, we basically grew up together. Chloe was the smartest, bravest woman I have ever had the pleasure to know. She fought for her beliefs and stuck by her friends through everything. She was so intelligent and smart, and she displayed her high moral values everyday. In the journalism field, it's easy for a reporter to become jaded; to lose the unbiased view. Chloe never did. She inspired me, everyday of her life, both professionally and personally. I will forever be indebted to my beautiful cousin. She showed me the meaning of life, and I will miss her forever," Lois stopped speaking, her emotions beginning to overwhelm her again. She gave a quick look to the minister, and walked quickly back to her seat next to Clark, biting her lower lip, which was quivering, threatening to break her down to sobs again.

Chloe was buried next to her mother, who had passed away three years earlier, a victim of a debilitating mental illness. Chloe had been petrified she would succumb to the same sickness, but after having the blood test done she discovered she did not carry the gene for the disease. She had been so happy, and was no longer afraid of looking towards the future or making plans.

Her death in that lab was a terrible irony, not lost on Clark. After the burial at the cemetery, Clark and Lois walked through the rows of tombstones. They reminisced about the first time they thought Chloe had passed, and how far they'd all come as friends since then.

"You used to think I was the biggest idiot," Clark teased Lois as they passed a row of gravestones marked Small.

Lois gave Clark a slight smile.

"You were kind of clueless about some things, Clark," she said softly. She thought of how many times she'd tried to help Chloe over her obsession with Clark Kent, especially in High School. But today she was glad he was here with her, and as she thought back on all the times Clark had been there for her and for Chloe, even for Lex. Lois, at the thought of Lex, felt an increase in her sadness.

Lex, she thought, what happened to you?

Suddenly, Lois stopped walking. Clark paused and turned to face her.

Lois reached her arms up and wrapped them around his neck, feeling comfort as he embraced her back, his strong arms enveloping her tiny frame.

"You are an amazing person, Clark. Chloe loved you and you were so good to her. I'm thankful you were a part of her life," Lois whispered into Clark's ear.

Clark was caught unprepared and he started to cry. He hadn't really let his emotions out since Chloe's death. Now, he couldn't have stopped them if he'd wanted too. Clark held on to Lois, his entire body wracking with sobs. Now it was Lois providing comfort to him, just as he had to her.

The End

Coming up...Epilogue