A/N: Finally! A more substantial chapter! Huzzah for me! I was afraid it was too boring, but your reviews have made me feel better. I'm not a huge fan of the Clark angst, but it can be useful occasionally.
Chapter 7
Chloe could only gape at the faces of her "best" friend and her cousin. She had never seen them quite so angry at her before. "Excuse me?" she asked, somehow certain that she'd heard them wrong.
Lana immediately burst into tears, even though her attack stance didn't disappear."How could you, Chloe? You know that I've loved him since the first moment I met him!"
Lois wasn't far behind. "And I lived with him for six months! I can't believe you'd try and horn in on my territory!"
Chloe scrambled to her feet to give herself more mobility. Clark hovered beside her anxiously, but he obviously didn't know what to do. She knew that with his upbringing, he wasn't going to be able to actually hit a girl without feeling some major guilt later. It didn't help that he wasn't always so savvy when it came to his relationships with girls. "Lana, you've gotten together and broken up with Clark so many times that it makes absolutely no difference. You aren't together now, so you really need to get over it! And don't even make me go into why that statement is so ludicrous!"
"What have I been telling you, Lana?" Lois sneered. "You had your chance and lost it. He's mine now…"
"Lois, you're just as bad. You lived with his parents for six months and did jack sh... err, nothing to hide your absolute disdain for him from the moment you met him. And what are you doing here? You went to Geneva with Uncle Sam!"
Lana snorted and both Chloe and Clark stared at her because of the inelegant sound coming from her and how impossible that seemed. "She came running back a month ago and now she's trying to horn in on my action."
Chloe's mind raced. There was nothing she could say to reason them out of this. What exactly was she supposed to do? When it hit her, she almost laughed at the simplicity. She wrapped her arms around Clark's arm again and smirked. "You both had your chance and didn't take it. It's my turn now and you shouldn't begrudge him his choice." Clark coughed in agony and she squeezed as hard as she could to make sure he kept his farm boy mouth shut.
The two girls turned hopeless eyes to Clark. "Did you really choose her?" they whined, once again in unison. Chloe shuddered because it really seemed like two robotic Barbie dolls were talking in front of her but wearing the faces of Lana and Lois. She pressed her foot on top of his so he'd give the appropriate response.
He freed his arm to wrap it around her shoulders. "I'm afraid so. Chloe and I were visiting and I realized how much I liked her. We've decided to try dating for awhile." Chloe stared up at him with what she hoped was a rapturous look instead of one of incredulous disbelief. She never would have guessed that he was such a fabulous actor. She almost believed that he wanted to date her… and that was impossible.
"If you say so, Clark," they said, still in unison. Chloe shuddered slightly and Clark squeezed her shoulder in sympathy. They both could feel the unnatural quality of this discussion, but they had to remain objective if they were to figure out what was wrong.
Lana turned to Chloe with a smile. "So, Chloe… Your usual?" Her attitude had gone from dejected to chipper too quickly and Chloe wondered if she was going to be poisoned. She looked at her and noticed that all aggression had totally been wiped from their attitude. If they'd been computers, she would have said that their response protocol said that once Clark declared something to be true then it was considered by all to be true… and to openly attack someone he'd declared he was interested in would be abhorrent for them. She was kinda' glad Clark had gone along with her.
"If that would be okay, Lana..." Chloe responded, giving her a small smile.
Lois laughed. "Of course its okay, Chlo! Let me just whip one up for you…"
"And I'll take you to your table, Clark." Lana made no further move to cozy up to Clark and just matter-of-factly guided them to a prime table. Chloe noticed another reserved sign and just managed not to roll her eyes. They sat down and Lana bustled off, playing the business owner card to the hilt.
Chloe and Clark sat in the booth like they normally would have, but Clark scooted up close. Chloe looked at him in shock, but realized that it was all part of their performance. "Clark, how long has that been going on?" Chloe sub-vocalized.
Because she didn't have his super-hearing, he nuzzled her ear to whisper in it. "You're getting really good at that, Chloe?"
She shivered at the sensations that coursed down her spine as his breath caressed her ear and neck. This may not have been my best idea ever…"It gets easier with practice… but don't avoid the subject. Have they been throwing themselves at you since I left?" His lips brushed her ear and she thought she was going to faint. She tried to keep her attention on his words instead of what she was feeling. After all, it was just an act and if she didn't keep it "professional", she'd be really hurting when she went back to school.
"About that long. I thought Lois was making fun of me, but when she insisted that I take my room back and then I find her naked in my bed, I knew something was wrong. Lois hates me."
"She doesn't hate you, Clark. She just doesn't have much patience for those of the rural community… although she's spent enough time here…"
"And don't forget that she never forgave me for hurting you freshman year…" He sounded regretful, and she was sorry she couldn't see his face.
Chloe sighed and closed her eyes. Thankfully, it would go unnoticed or as expected behavior. "Clark, I had just talked about it too much…"
"That can't be it, Chlo, and you know it." He inhaled deeply. What is that scent she's wearing? He could hardly think straight with his nose buried in her hair. He really wanted to kiss her and had to remind himself frequently that they were just putting on an act.
Chloe didn't want to discuss it any further. He didn't know that she had frequently cried on the phone to her cousin before and after the safe house had exploded… not because she thought it'd swell his head, but more because she didn't want him to feel sorry for her. There was nothing worse than pity for your feelings toward someone who didn't reciprocate them. Lana brought their drinks and she was grateful for the moments of silence. Finally she knew they had to get going. This day wasn't going to last forever and they needed to find out the source of this Clark mania. She yawned and wondered briefly if the flight into town had somehow overexcited her."Clark, we need a plan of attack. You can't hang out with me while I ask questions because I'll never get the answers I need. Have you talked to Lex about this?"
"Are you kidding?" Clark demanded, once again burying his face within her hair to hide not only his words, but also his outraged expression. "I haven't talked to him since the hostage situation."
Chloe looked around to make sure no one was noticing their strange behavior, but everyone seemed preoccupied in their own problems and stuff… besides the occasional worshipful glances in his direction… normal as they could be in this situation. "Clark, all that was circumstantial evidence. There's no concrete proof that Lex had ordered the video monitoring… And because it is his company, of course he'd have access to the recording! You shouldn't have hit him and, while I don't think you should trust him, cutting off all contact…"
"Chloe, he could have killed us or Mom and Dad or Lana…" Clark's voice was fierce and he was shaking. Chloe had never known him to be quite so angry. It actually made her rather nervous. Thank goodness I've never made him quite that mad…
"But none of that happened, Clark. Not one. You got scorched by a laser and that's it." She put her hand on his. "And how many times has he proved himself to be your friend? Just give him another chance. Don't write off your friendship because you're angry…"
Clark had stilled completely when Chloe's hand had covered his. He had been consumed by a desire to take her into his arms and kiss her until they were both breathless. He had managed to suppress it earlier, but nowit had returned full-force. He was finding it hard to concentrate on her words, and it took a moment beforehe really understood what she was saying. "You're asking a lot, Chloe."
"But nothing you can't deliver on, Clark. Why don't you go talk with Lex and gauge his attitude and I'll gather info in town. We can meet in your loft like we'd planned to share what we find." Chloe felt better now that they could form a plan of attack, but found she was getting more and more distracted by his close proximity. To keep her wits about her, she needed to get some distance.
"You're right. If he's on the 'Clark for President' bandwagon, then we know this is even worse news." He leaned back and smiled at her. "Okay, so I'll come and pick you up in a couple hours, right, honey? That should give you time to do some shopping and visiting… Maybe Lana and Lois could go with you…"
Chloe smiled, but inwardly she was seething. Honey? Did he really just call me honey? That's all the endearment I get during our little play here? His performance would have been better if he had been playacting withLana..."Oh, I don't want to take Lana and Lois away from their jobs. I'll figure out something to do while you go and visit with Lex." To pay him back for his lukewarm attitude, she kissed him on his cheek and scooted away from him so he couldn't decide he needed a better response. "We'll meet here, okay?"
"Sounds like a plan, hon. I'll see you in two hours, then." Clark smiled at her. He knew that his "honey" had irritated her beyond all bounds because she's not really the generic platitude kinda' girl, but it had been too perfect. His restraint had almost melted when her lips had met his cheek, but he was sure he was just overreacting, considering the situation.
As he drove to the Luthor estate, he pondered their relationship. He had always been afraid of tainting their friendship with romance and it had almost spelled the end when he and Lana had gotten together the first time. After that disaster, he'd always made sure they'd had a strong platonic relationship so that kind of disaster never happened again. But it didn't help that his feelings for her had been evolving over their entire senior year. Oh, sure. He'd still pined over Lana, but was that due more to habit than from any real feeling? And their relationship after the meteor shower… It had been intense and he'd been happy to be "normal" with her...
But Chloe had been the one to accept him for all he was and had even kept her secret about his secret from everyone, him included, for months before her knowledge had been revealed. Deep down, he knew that he could never expect Lana to accept him if she knew all about him. When his powers had returned, that had been the wedge to end it all… besides the fact that he couldn't allow her to see him without the bandage or the jig would have truly been up. They never seemed to recapture their romance at its first blush and she started being suspicious of everything that wasn't easily explainable about him. Her demands for knowledge of his secret had increased daily until he couldn't stand it anymore. He'd started avoiding her until she'd finally called him on it and then broken up with him when he'd refused to bare his soul. Perhaps that's another reason he hadn't told her… Her insistence on knowing, even though it would have rocked her world so badly that he wasn't positive that she wouldn't go to the press with the news, had just made him refuse even harder to tell her. It wasn't the death of her parents in his arrival meteor storm… It was her nagging and inability to truly accept those that were different. It didn't help that he needed to go and follow through with his training like he'd promised before and couldn't explain such an extended absense.
He sighed. He'd spent years sighing after her and he now realized she was the furthest thing from a good match from him that could have been made. She didn't even share any of his interests… besides those that had centered on her. He sighed even deeper as he acknowledged to himself that he'd refused to admit that the attitude change had been occurring.
As he drove up to Lex's, he wondered how and when he'd started thinking of Chloe differently. He'd been trying to deny it, but it kept cropping up in the most unusual circumstances. But as the butler opened the door and told him where to find Lex, he knew that he needed to push the examination of those thoughts to another time.
He paused for a moment outside Lex's study. He knew he had overreacted that day after the kidnapping, but he had been so frustrated and anxious about not having his powers to fulfill Lee's demands that to realize it was probably a huge trap had sent him over the edge. It had also helped to prove to Lex that he was normal and not invulnerable. He wondered sometimes deep within his soul if he'd gone there and beat the crap out of one of his best friends to provoke Lex enough to hit him back… to prove to all that he was normal… himself included.He sighed. He knew he was going to have to apologize about that if they were to try and get their friendship off the ground again.
He knocked at the door and received an immediate summons to enter. He slowly opened the door, suddenly afraid of what his welcome would be. "Lex?"
"Holy shit! Clark? Is that really you?" Lex jumped up from his desk and quickly came up to Clark.
Clark took a deep breath. "Lex, I came to apologize for…"
"Clark, don't even worry about it?" Lex dragged him into a big bear hug and Clark could have sworn he'd felt tears on his neck. "I didn't think you were ever going to forgive me for hitting you…"
Clark pulled back and looked at Lex closely. "Lex, there's nothing to forgive. I'd hit you first and accused you of all those awful things without a lick of evidence…"
Lex laughed. "It's not like my behavior hadn't warranted all that suspicion. It's not like I'm a real Boy Scout like you… I blame it on my father, but sometimes I wonder if it isn't all me…" Lex guided him to the leather armchairs before the fire that was always roaring… even in the middle of summer. Clark wondered briefly if it had something to do with living encased in so much cold stone.
"Lex it's just that we were friends and I should never have accused you…" Clark tried again to apologize, but was shut down immediately.
"Don't worry about it, Clark. No doubt I deserved it. After all, someone with your abilities would never want to be in the lime light… to be looked at like a scientific specimen…"
"My… my abilities?" Clark could only gape at Lex.
Lex laughed, looking younger and more carefree with every giggle. "Clark, seriously. Of course I know… Everyone does! Who do you think brought up the measure to get you instated as the mayor and sheriff? Although if I hadn't done it, there would have been half a dozen other nominations… but you know me. I always want to be the first in everything… but now being the best is going to be beyond me forever." Lex smiled at Clark, apparently fully satisfied with the status quo.
Clark could only gape. He wanted to say something… deny that he had those powers that Lex now confessed he knew. How long he had known really didn't matter. But Chloe had said not to trust him… before and after his amnesia. "But…"
Lex stood and dusted his hands on his slacks. "Clark, don't be coy. We all know you'll do it eventually, so there's no need to beat around the bush. The big question is how much you're going to charge the taxpayers for the use of your services…" Clark tried to speak, but Lex waved him silent. "I think you should go for the premium, considering that you're truly unique. There's no one on Earth that could match you…"
Clark felt like crying. Lex knew his secret. Everyone knew his secret. His life of blissful anonymity was gone forever. And now Lex wanted to discuss his salary base for taking over the planet? He could have sworn Lex would have fought him on that one tooth and nail. He was glad he was sitting down so his distress didn't show in his stance. He decided that the ruling issue needed to be decided once and for all. "Lex, listen to me. I don't want to be in charge. I don't want to be mayor… or sheriff… or governor."
Lex's smile turned even more serene. "Ah, I should have known! Righting the wrongs in one small state isn't enough of a challenge to someone of your abilities. I'll get started on those 'Kent for President' ads tonight!"
Clark groaned. "Lex, you're not listening. I don't want that kind of power. Just drop it!"
Lex's smile turned to a concerned frown. "Clark, just think of all the good you could do… It would be wrong to turn your back on it."
"Lex, that much power would be too tempting for anyone, let alone someone with my abilities." Clark looked at his watch and got up. He was early to pick up Chloe, but he would rather rip off his own arm then discuss fictional political aspirations. "Just drop it, Lex. I'll see you later."
As he walked out of the manor, he decided that this had to be artificial. There would be no way Lex would want to be the support to his "power base". Lex craved approval from society in general and had always seemed willing to do nearly anything to achieve it. When he was safely in the truck, he headed back to town. "There's no way this is natural," Clark muttered. He wondered if he was repeating that to himself because it was true or because he was trying to convince himself. "How did all these people know and why would they be throwing such power at me? Especially considering their history of dealing with meteor freaks…"
Shortly, he reached the Talon and went inside. Lana and Lois stared at him, wide-eyed, as he entered. He wondered if it was his imagination or if they really did pale a bit as he walked in. Even in this bizarre world he was in, that seemed really unnatural. "Hey! What's up?"
"We didn't do it, Clark," Lana muttered hurriedly, earning a disgusted glare from Lois.
Clark smiled. What? Are they worried I'm going to be mad about another stack of gifts? They've been great donations to various worthy causes, so what does it really matter other than it's unnatural? "Ah, come on… It can't be that bad." He moved around Lois towards "his" table and felt his own eyes widen. Chloe was slumped onto the tabletop and he wondered briefly if she'd even left the Talon. "Chloe!" he exclaimed as he rushed to her side.
She moaned at his voice, but her eyes didn't open. He turned on the other two girls and implacable ire was snapping in his eyes. "What happened?" he growled.
The Talon fell silent and everyone turned to witness the tableau before them. Clark would have been unnerved by all the attention if he hadn't been so concerned about Chloe. The girls cowered before him, but he was giving them no opportunity to escape before they answered his question. Lois recovered first, which was natural considering her independent nature. "Just after you left, she sort of fell asleep at the table. We're worried because we can't wake her up." Lana nodded her agreement.
Clark looked at them, every sense open to detecting if they were lying. He was surprised that he could discern no touch of deception from them… no flushing of the face… no increased heart rate… no delay while searching for the appropriate answer… He nodded decisively and picked up Chloe in his arms. He was surprised at how light she was in his arms. "I'll see you guys later."
"Clark, do you think she'll be okay?" Lois's concern was unfeigned for her cousin and Clark unbent enough to try and smile reassuringly at her.
"It was a long trip from Metropolis and we didn't get much sleep last night." He cringed at how salacious that sounded. "I mean…"
"Don't worry about it, Clark," Lana chirped, suspiciously unconcerned about how it sounded. "Just get her taken care of."
He decided that discretion was the better part of valor and moved out the door. He briefly considered taking her to the hospital, but they were all just as deluded as the rest of the town and she may actually just be tired… He loaded her into the truck and quickly drove her to his house. He didn't want to "bother" his parents so took her directly up to the loft. He laid her on the sofa and stood for a moment over her, dithering about what he should do next. However, before he could make any decision, she started to move. He knelt at her side, holding her hand. He prayed that this wasn't just noise she made during dreaming. He desperately needed to talk to her.
Within minutes, her eyes fluttered open and she looked straight into his face. A smile that took his breath away with its beauty crossed her face. "Clark…" she breathed. He smiled in relief but didn't have time to resist when she dragged his head down to hers and started kissing him fiercely.
A/N: What can I say…? It had to happen… You know it did.
KentCharm: I agree that Chloe kicking their cans would be good, but at this point, they are hoping to save them and know that they're not acting normally. So to have kick butt action happening now would be a little premature.
iluvsmallville1: You're welcome about being mentioned… but I would have done it anyway. I honestly think that reviewing is something that helps fellow writers and encouragement is always needed by all. So, for those that take an extra minute or two to say something (even if it was a "You suck!") deserve acknowledgement for pressing that little button.
I'm very glad you like my story. What's funny is that I identify so closely with Chloe… I definitely don't feel that way with either Lana or Lois.
I would love to explain to you how to enter a story, but to explain it here would be a little confusing. Send me an e-mail and I'll give you what step-by-step instructions I can. :D
Winthjo: I think that's kinda' what I was going for… an "Invasion" mixed with a little "Stepford". The story's not completely written, but we'll see what I do. :D
MarkMark261: Have I mentioned lately how much I appreciate your picky proofreading? I try and read them through once or twice before I post them, but you've been challenging me to make them even more grammatically correct. (On a side note, I always put an apostrophe after "gonna'" because it's a contraction. Isn't that funny? I try and make slang grammatically correct:D)
My personal beef with my short chapters was just that I was so used to trying to make each chapter long and with this one it was a bunch of snippets. Do I get irritated with others' short chapters? Nope. In fact, sometimes they're rather nice. I guess I'm just harder on myself… :D But I'm glad you like it. ;D