A/N: I apologize for the extreme lateness of this update, but my internet connection went down and I haven't been able to get it fixed until just now. But I'm working on this and another idea as well…


Chapter 10

I could feel Clark's fury behind me and he wrapped his arms around me, as if that alone would stop whatever was coming. I saw Trinity and the others flinch from what I could only assume was a furious Clark glare. Heavens only knew that I quailed before them. I was really glad that I wasn't the only one. "I understand that all of you are older than any other living person… but Chloe is only 17! She shouldn't have to die because some nebulous entity says she had to."

"But Clark," Destiny chirped, "none of us have a choice in this. When They call, we must answer."

"She didn't ask for this. Why can't they just take their stupid power back and let her be like she was?" Now he was shaking… or maybe it was just me. I was scared. I couldn't lie to myself about it. "This is ridiculous!"

Fran came and stood directly in front of us. "You do not get to decide that, Kryptonian," she said, but her voice echoed weirdly. It didn't sound like Fran at all.

"She's my friend and you're trying to take her life away. That is wrong. I don't care how you twist it around." Clark moved me behind him… again… and faced Fran head on.

"But Necessity requires this sacrifice of our Vessels of Power." This time it was Vinny that came up to us. I was peeking around Clark. Something was definitely going on.

"Did you ask them if she wanted to be a Vessel? No, you didn't." He folded his arms and stood strong. There weren't many things on this Earth that could move Clark when he was like this.

"And what would you give in exchange for her, Kryptonian?" Destiny moved to our side. "If Necessity requires a life, what would you exchange for her?"

Clark considered this for a moment. His face didn't change, but his eyes looked a little scared. He was determined, though. "I'd exchange her for me."

"What?" I shrieked and twirled Clark around to look at me. "Listen, you idiotic farmboy! You do not get to chose to give up your life for me. I refuse to allow it." I could feel angry tears coursing down my face. Clark wasn't going to get the chance to leave me here alone. What about his parents? What about all the people he's saved and will save?

"Kryptonian, would you do this of your own free will?" Willow was now opposite Destiny in the circle around us. I vaguely felt rain on my cheek and noticed that Vinny was crying. But she doesn't necessarily look sad… She looks triumphant. But I had to pay attention to what Willow was saying. "You would guarantee that you would not try to avoid this choice?"

"This is insane!" I scream. "Clark, Clark! Don't be stupid. I'm not worth this." I was begging him… not for my life, but for his.

He looked down at me and smiled… but this time I gained absolutely no comfort from it. "And if I think you are?"

"No, Clark. No… You can't…" I was hysterical now. "What about your parents? What would I tell them? What would I tell Pete and the other kids at school? What about all those people that you're going to help in the future?"

I knew he could hear me, but he was looking at Willow. "I would do it of my own free will and you would have my word that I wouldn't try to escape that fate."

"No!" I wailed, but heard an echoing "Done!" from Trinity who had finally joined the circle. I saw these things that I'd call my sisters start to glow… each one according to their inclination. I threw my arms around Clark. "Clark, I can't… I can't let you. You can't leave me… Please, please!" I felt his arms come around me and I crumpled into him. "Clark, please…"

He kissed the top of my head, just as we were starting to be surrounded by light. "I have to, Chloe. I'd do anything to keep you safe. Just tell my parents what really happened. They'll understand. And they'll come up with a cover story so you don't have to…"

When the light hit us, I didn't know what I was expecting. But it definitely wasn't the searing pain that made my body feel like it was on fire. I knew that I screamed and I could barely make out Clark, who seemed to be yelling my name. I arched against him and was thankful that he could keep me from falling. I was sure he was wondering, like me, what was going on… especially since they'd made us think that Clark was going to take whatever Fate had slated for me.

The world around me turned white and I saw the girls. They were draped in togas of different colors and they were crowned and shod in gold. Trinity was the first one to reach me. "Chloe, we are so sorry to put you through this."

"You mean I was never going to die?" I asked tremulously, tears streaming down my face.

"We were afraid that it would be too hard if we left you entirely alone, but none of us were allowed to stay," Willow pulled me into a hug, comforting me as tears wracked my body.

"Clark is going to be your mainstay," Fran said quietly. She seemed calmer than she ever did before.

"He'll help you where maybe we couldn't." Destiny sounded more assured somehow.

They hadn't betrayed me. They had never intended to take Clark from me. It had been a test. That almost made me angry, but the sorrow of losing them overpowered that other emotion. How had they become so close to me in only two days? And what was I going to do without them? "But I don't know how to do this? I'm not strong enough. I need you…"

Vinny smiled. "Chloe, you are well able to do this. Just remember who you are and act accordingly. We have faith in you."

"But why? Why do you have to leave?" This hurt too much. I wondered if I would wake up anytime soon. My perfect day was turning into a perfect nightmare.

"We're not exactly sure," Willow said, her face growing radiant. "It's something about balancing the power. But we'll be watching over you."

Suddenly, we were all crying and I got a hug and kiss on the cheek from each of them. "Remember us, Chloe," Trinity said softly as they moved away from me.

"How could I forget?" I laughed through my tears. I watched them as they got brighter and brighter. Just as they all disappeared, everything went black for me.


A/N: Okay, I nearly started crying while reading this chapter. What about you? I always think it's a good fiction if the emotion of the characters touches something inside of you. And it's another short one! Is something wrong with me?

joesarah97: Welcome to my story. I'm so glad you're enjoying it. I can only hope that I measure up. ;D

markmark261: I'm so glad you liked it and thanks for the notes!

iluvsmallville1: Apparently, your wand is broken. ;D But I've been working hard so, now that my computer system's back, I should be able to update faster…

reborn: Thank you for your encouragement. That means a lot to me.

spaceboi's pixie: Well, I stayed pretty true to the original incarnation of the fic, so it had to happen. I'm not always so comfortable writing sad stuff (I like the light and fluffy), but it didn't turn out too badly. ;D

MacGateFan: Thank you so much! I hope you continue to like it! ;D

BabyC2003: Oh, don't worry about leaving a note after each chapter. I'm not much of a blackmailer and I'm usually much better at the updating… you know when your computer doesn't hiccup and you're weeks without your internet! Oy!