A/N: I am so happy this is my first fanfic. It's gotten a great reaction so far. I'm trying my hardest. Also for this chapter just in case anyone thought differently, no I don't own the all-American rejects lol:)

Chloe Sullivan ran. She ran as fast as her small legs would carry her. She certainly wasn't going to earn an award for speed but it was good enough. The first place she saw as a safe haven was the girls bathroom. She pushed the door open and as soon as she was inside, slumped to the floor, this time with no Clark Kent to hold her. Not that she wanted him to.

Or did she...

Something inside her said she did. She wanted to forgive him. To run into his arms. But she was fearful that he would take that as a sign of forgiveness... And she wasn't ready to give him that.

Clark stood there, in the torch office. He had so many things on his mind. He had done all he could for Chloe and needed to move on. There was nothing else he could say or do. She would have to approach him in her own time. Hopefully it wouldn't be long. He needed her friendship. It was time to go see his parents.

After deciding the bathroom floor was a bad place to let it out, Chloe got up. Peering into the hallway to make sure Clark was no where around, she drug herself to her car. She turned on the radio as a few tears still managed to fall. The song on the radio was all too fitting.

Try this on, straitjacket feeling

So maybe I won't be alone.

Take back now, my life your stealing

Yesterday was hell

but today I'm fine without you

run away this time without you

And all I ever thought you'd be

that face is tearing holes in me

After listening to that, Chloe hated herself. The tears had returned full force. Having lost the energy to fight it she tried to wipe as many away as possible and drove off.

Back at the Kent farm, Clark was struggling for more courage. He'd dealt with Chloe, (sort of), and he still had a plethora of people to fix things with. He walked to the front door, and feeling weird at being gone so long, decided to knock. What he received at the door wasn't exactly what he expected. Standing there was his father, and anger was the last thing noticeable on him. Though unexpected, it was very welcome by Clark.

"SON!" he almost shouted, and while it was a happy shout it still made Clark jump a bit.

They hugged for a few moments.

"I've missed you so much son where on earth have you been?" he asked pulling from the hug but still holding onto Clark's arms, as if he might go away again. Before Clark had a chance to answer, his dad began shouting again.

"Martha! Martha come down here right now Clark's home!"

Clark looked up at the stairs. His mother promptly appeared at the top. She was as beautiful as ever. Maybe more so.

"Oh Clark... is it really you?" she asked as she rushed down the stairs towards him. She ran to him and embraced him as if he was a flotation device and she was drowning. She began to softly cry,

"Mom, Dad. I've missed you so much. I'm sorry for leaving I just..." Clark started but was interrupted by his father.

"Son none of that matters now. Your home and we love you. You know that right?"

"I know. I've done so many things well I was gone. I just lost myself. I felt bad about what I did to you. I don't know if I'll ever forgive myself for that.

"Honey what is it you think you've done? Besides scaring us half to death of course." Martha questioned.

"The baby. It was because of me. My fault you lost it."

"Don't ever think that. Even if it didn't work out it was still an experience. Without you we might never have even had an opportunity to go through the joy of knowing a miracle almost happened." She soothed. "Now tell us what went on while you were gone, And what prompted you to come home?"

And so Clark explained. Starting from the beginning he told them of asking Lana to go with, of robbing banks, and of clubbing all night. He told them everything up until his return, although he left out some specifics of what exactly he had done to Chloe. He explained right up until he appeared at the door. His parents decided not to ask to many questions. They were too grateful to have him back to care for the time being. Clark then proceeded to ask about the mystery that was the "myth maniac".

"Clark, honestly we don't know too much about it" his father stated. "I'd ask Chloe. She'll probably know more."

"I could always ask lex. He'll know." Clark said. His father then went on to get the look in his eye that he always did with the mention of anything Luthor.

"I don't want you going to Lex Luthor after all thats happened."

"Dad, you know he'd know the deal."

"I don't really care if he knows the pope. He'll investigate you again after all that went on in Metropolis. I won't let him destroy this family."

Being to glad to be home and have his parents not mad at him was enough for the moment so Clark dropped the issue.

"I've got a lot of people to apologize to. I better get started." but his mother seemed to disagree.

"Clark you just got home. It's late. How about you get some rest and finish with that tomorrow. It would make me feel better to have you here the rest of the night. Please?"

"Ok mom. I love you guys." and with that Clark Kent and his two loving parents embraced.

The next day Clark awoke to a huge breakfast courtesy of Martha Kent. He smelled it instantly upon waking and rushed to the kitchen. He was definitely going to be needing some serious energy for the day.

He walked into the room and snuck up quietly upon his mother, kissing her on the head.

"It's so good to have that again Clark." She smiled and seemed to glow with happiness.

"I love you too mom." He shoved a piece of toast into his mouth. "Where's dad?"

"You've been gone long enough that you even have to ask?" she said cheerily.

"Chores?"

"Of course." They shared a laugh as Jonathan Kent entered the kitchen.

"Good to see things back to normal."

"Hey dad. Well I have a lot of people to see today. I better go start." Clark said and his face fell. Noticing the change in demeanor, Martha put her hand on Clark's cheek.

"No matter what happens, when you come home tonight, you'll know we've forgiven you and we couldn't possibly love you any less."

"Thanks mom. Tell me if Chloe calls. I'm holding out some hope that she'll decide to forgive me now rather then later. It'd be nice to get a brief on what going on with this mystery murderer. It could take his mind off everything." and with that Clark turned and left the house. He'd only gotten as far as the end of the driveway when his other best friend Pete Ross drove towards the Kent farm. Of all his friends, he expected Pete to be the happiest to see him.

Pete got out of his own car and approached Clark.

"Chloe filled me in that you were back." and before Clark had a chance to respond, Pete punched him in the face.

"Apparently I was wrong about the happy part." Clark thought to himself. Being he had superhuman strength it hadn't hurt him any but it did catch him off guard as he stumbled backwards.

"Look Pete I know you're mad. I was coming to apologize."

"I heard what you did to Chloe in Metropolis!" he shouted.

"She told you about that?" Clark asked quizzically. He knew it was completely wrong and yet he couldn't help but at first feel slightly angry at Chloe for running to Pete and spilling. Of course as soon as Clark thought that, he immediately wished Pete would punch him again.

"Yeah. Real best friends tell each other these things. I did have to pry it out of her though. She tries to be so strong. Especially when it comes to you." He sneered.

"I've already apologized to her. There's nothing else I can do."

"Well good for you. We both know that means she'll forgive you."

"What is that suppose to mean?" Clark asked.

"You're not the most observant person ever are you? You know I've told you that before. A couple years ago before the formal when you couldn't stop thinking about Lana long enough to realize Chloe liked you. News flash, she still does. She is head over heals in love with you and you pull shit like this."

"I know, I get that. I'm starting to think maybe I feel the same way about her, but right now I just need to make things right between me and everyone I've hurt."

"Yeah man I know. Just don't let me find out that you pull a stunt like that with her again. For now I'll forgive you." They shared in an awkward moment of a hug/pat on the back thing that guys do.

"Pete... do you have feelings for her? Chloe I mean. I know you're just looking out for a friend, but I just get the feeling that something else is going on."

"It doesn't matter how I feel. Chloe would give up her own life for you and that doesn't come around often. I wouldn't want to miss that opportunity, would you?" He began to walk towards his car. His tone had softened.

"Dude it is really good to have you back though..." and Pete Ross got in the car.

"Now.. Lana and Lex. Then the worst is over." thought Clark to himself. Clark was too immersed in his thoughts to realize, he was being watched.

Next couple chapters have more to do with the Myth Maniac. I know a lot of the story has been clarks interactions with his family and friends but with where I chose to start the story, this stuff is nessesary. We just have stuff with lana and lex left to go before I start more in with the bigger picture! p.s. remember to drop me a line! Pretty please!