A/N: I really hope ya'll excuse my history lesson of the last chapter. Sometimes I read the fan fiction and they don't seem to quite get it. Anyway…

Chapter 3

Chloe stretched in her bed and when she was aware of her sheets, she sat bolt upright. The last thing she remembered was talking to Clark about possibilities. She pushed the covers aside, worried that Clark had taken off on his mission of discovery without her. She was relieved, but still slightly disappointed, that she was fully dressed… well, except for her shoes.

She pattered into the front room and her heart almost burst at the sight of Clark curled up on her couch. He was so adorable that her heart always melted. She was so happy that he'd chosen her to come to when he felt he'd had no one else to turn to.

Quietly, she put on a pot of coffee so she'd be ready for anything Clark needed her to do. Deep in thought, she didn't hear Clark sneak up behind her. When suddenly she was embraced from behind, she barely managed to suppress a scream. "Clark! Seriously! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

"Nah, but I had to do something fun to start the day." He grinned mischievously. "You were trying so hard to be quiet, but you apparently forgot about my superhearing."

Chloe grimaced. "Do you have that turned on all the time?"

Clark's smile dimmed a little. "With all the info I've gathered, I've learned that I really need to be a little wary. So I tend to sleep rather lightly…"

Chloe felt terrible. She hadn't meant to bring up a sore subject. Contritely, she gave Clark a big hug. "I'm sorry, Clark…" she murmured. She smiled when he returned her embrace.

"I'm really lucky you're my friend, Chlo," he muttered into her hair.

Chloe flinched inside. That's all I've ever been to him, she thought sadly. She was his Girl Friday and she couldn't envision that ever changing. She pushed away as her coffee dinged. "Ah, your saving grace is ready."

Clark backed away obediently, tolerant good humor written all over his face. "I sooo won't get between you and your love-ah, Chlo. I still value my skin… whether it be indestructible or not!"

Chloe growled. "Yeah, you better watch out, Smallville!" Inwardly, she smiled. No one but Lana had ever realized that she'd switched to decaf after her abortive alliance with Lionel Luthor. She had plenty of energy without the artificial boost… and had really decreased the number of withdrawal headaches she suffered. But she went to great pains so no one else knew. Having such an obvious weakness prevented them from digging too much deeper for other weaknesses. She fixed up two cups of coffee and handed one to Clark. Once she had it mixed to her satisfaction (three sugars and milk), she sat at the bar and put on her thoughtful face. "Clark, something's bothering me."

Clark smiled and sipped at his coffee (no sugar, heavy milk) to buy himself some time. "So your journalistic mind was able to sort through all the history while you were sleeping, hmmm? Are you sure you're not a meteor freak?"

Chloe narrowed her eyes warningly. "Clark, you know that I wasn't living in Smallville when the meteors struck!"

Clark burst out laughing, but the mischievous look didn't leave his eyes. "Chloe, you know as well as I that doesn't mean anything. It always seems that those with the greatest powers had late and sudden exposure to kryptonite."

At this point, Chloe's eyes were narrowed to slits. "Clark! Don't you try and make me your handy freak-of-the-week!" She stood and tried to look menacing. "And stop side-stepping the subject. I can read you like a book!"

Clark held up a hand in surrender. He knew his change of subject wasn't going to distract her for long. "You're assuming I'm worried about something other than breaking my change of heart to Dad?"

Chloe snorted derisively. Clark was suddenly surprised that such an inelegant sound could emerge from her. "Give me some credit! Mr. Kent might need a bit of time to adjust…"

"Chlo, you're right. I do have something else that's freaking me out." He took a deep breath. "I've already told Dad." It all came out in a rush… as if it would be easier if he said it just as fast as he could.

She was stopped dead in her tracks, her jaw hanging loosely open. It took a few moments for her to gather herself together. She really hadn't expected him to drop that bomb on his parents already. He'd always been mostly open with his folks, but with this… He had always felt that hiding information was protecting those he loved. "How did he and your mother react?"

Clark grimaced. "They totally accepted the new info, absolutely no question."

Chloe snapped her mouth shut. "Then Clark, what's the problem?" She laughed a little. "Seriously. You had me thinking your folks had disowned you!"

His face, if anything, became even more serious. "Chlo, I'm not sure you understand. Before that second meteor storm, my parents practically forbid me to have any further contact with Jor-El… and when I told them, there weren't any questions. They didn't even ask me if I thought this was a new manipulation. I usually use them as a sounding board… to give me alternative points of view… but there was absolutely nothing."

"Okay…" she acknowledged. "That is a little weird…" She had to keep from pounding questions at him. Her journalistic Spidey sense was totally tingling, but she did want him to reveal the story in his own time.

"And that's not all… They've started to get really lax on me using my powers and have even suggested using them in front of others…"

Chloe gulped. That's new… His parents freaked out each time they found out one of his best friends… the two people that were most likely to accept him for who he was no matter what… had discovered his secret. "Oh, my… That's highly suspicious…"

"It gets worse," he said grimly. "They've started insisting that I don't help out on the farm."

"But…" Then Chloe looked at him sharply. That wasn't actually the worst and his eyes totally gave him away. She put her hands on her hips and looked him square in the eye. "Okay, Clark. Spill. There's a last piece of bad news that you're holding back."

Clark smiled, but there was absolutely no joy contained within. "You're right. But you may not actually want to know…"

She tossed her head and made a derogatory noise. Who does he think I am? Lana? "Well, you can't stop now… especially if I'm supposed to help you…"

He took a deep breath. "Well, I have evidence that the entire town of Smallville knows my secret and they're starting to insist that I take over for the mayor… including the mayor!"

A/N: Is there anything better than getting responses from those people that take the time to read your crap? Nope. Don't think so!

MarkMark261: Pretty much since I've started, you've been my most consistent reviewer… and with editing notes that I can use. I wanted to tell you again how much I appreciate that. With this posting, I'll also be posting your notes. (I knew the " Wayne's World" stuff was almost too cheesy, but I couldn't seem to help it! ;D)

Winthjo: I mostly agree that the voice we're hearing can't be Jor-El. (Hello? Dead?) But I have reasons for believing it's not Braniac per some spoilers I've read, but will not put here because I don't want to ruin anyone else's viewing pleasure.