Author's Note: I'm trying to decide what will happen after this chapter. Let me know what you think. Also, remember when Clark stopped that bus in front of a banquet hall? Picture the same one for the Charity Ball.
Disclaimer: I don't own Smallville but I do own the Kristian Shane character.
Reviews: I'd love reviews. I want to know what you think and/or if you have any ideas on where the story should go.
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End of Previous Chapter
"You look amazing, Chlo'," Kristian said. She walked over and pulled him into a hug. She couldn't find the words to say to thank him so she remained silent. He was tempted to stay and tell her how much he loved her right here. Instead, they let go and Kristian offered his arm and she gratefully hooked hers into his. "Limo's waiting," he said and they walked to the door.
'This is going to be the night,' he thought, 'that I finally tell her everything.'
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When they arrived at the Metropolis Banquet Hall, the driver opened the door and Kristian and Chloe stepped out. They were greeted with camera flashes and Kristian whispered, "just smile and don't let go of me." Since Chloe wasn't at the ball to cover a story, the Planet gave the assignment to Lois. Kristian and Chloe walked in and found their seat at Lois and Clark's table.
"You look amazing, Chloe," Clark said.
"It's true, cuz. And you Kristian, you look pretty sharp in your tux. Now can anyone else tell me how retarded Clark looks in his?" Lois asked.
"Okay, Lois, I think it's time for another champagne, come with me," Clark said while offering his hand as he stood.
Kristian reached over and took Chloe's hand. She smiled in return. They turned their heads when they heard a loud commotion at the door. Lex and Lana emerged from a crowd of reporters and they both shot each other a look.
"I wonder how Clark is going to take this," Kristian said.
"He's going to be pissed. Lana turned down his offer to be his date because she was 'behind in her work,'" Chloe said, making the quotes symbol with her hands.
"Awesome," he said sarcastically.
Time passed and every donor of a large amount received their plaque, including Lex for LuthorCorp and Kristian and Andrew for Shane Enterprises. When the main event was over and after Clark's fuming, Chloe asked Kristian, "would you like to dance?"
"Hmm, I'm not much of a dancer. I mean I can break it down from time to time, but ballroom dancing I'm not so sure about. I always fell asleep in my lessons," he replied with a smile.
"Get up before I make you," she responded.
"Mmmkay," he said.
Lois and a hesitant Clark soon followed, but Clark never took his eyes off of Lana. She was sitting at her table with Lex's arm casually slung around her waist and she effortlessly fit in with the diplomats and officials also seated there.
"You'll never get over her if you keep going back to her," Lois said.
Clark tore his gaze away from Lana, looked at Lois and said, "I'll bet you gave her the same advice."
"Clark, don't turn this around on me. I'm just trying to help," Lois replied.
"I'm sorry. This is just...difficult. After seeing her with Whitney and now Lex, I feel like I'm a freshman again. Stumbling, tripping and obsessing over everything Lana," he said.
"Just don't think about it tonight. Call her in the morning, okay?"
"Sure," he responded.
Meanwhile, Kristian and Chloe stood a few feet away and they never focused on anything other than each other. They slowly kept getting closer and closer until they were pressed against one another. Chloe rested her head on his shoulder and sighed. What they didn't know was that Lex had been keeping tabs on them all night. He watched them nonchalantly. He noticed Kristian whisper in her ear and she moved her head to face him. He knew what was about to happen, so he walked over to fire alarm on the closest wall and casually hid so that no one could see him, but he could still see them. When their lips had barely touched, he pulled the alarm. They stepped apart like everyone else and looked around. Lex rushed to Lana and asked if she was okay, pretending like he had no clue what was going on.
Kristian grabbed Chloe's hand and they walked to the door, following everyone else. They looked at each other and softly laughed. When everyone was outside standing the street, Kristian gave his tuxedo coat to Chloe and they walked over to Lois and Clark.
"What happened in there?" Chloe asked Clark.
"Can I talk to you for a second?" When Chloe nodded, Clark led her away from the crowd. Lois and Kristian stood there talking.
"All right, this is going to sound weird but just believe me. Lex watched you and Kristian all night. I saw him walk over to the fire alarm and wait. I looked at you two and you were about to kiss. Just then, when Lex saw it too, he pulled the alarm," Clark said.
"You're kidding me, right? It was Lex? Why would he do that?" Chloe asked.
"I don't know, but it definitely has something to do with Kristian," Clark answered.
"I still don't understand. What about Andrew? Was he watching him?"
"No. I think I know why, though. Andrew owns the majority of Shane Enterprises' stock. Lex has bought out nearly all of the rest, except Kristian's. I think he's trying to get Kristian to sell his stock to someone other than Andrew so he can buy them out," Clark said.
"So then he could take over Shane Enterprises," Chloe said, catching on.
"You can't tell Kristian this, Chlo'. Just give him subtle hints and let him figure it out," he said.
"Okay. I know he's been getting weird, threatening e-mails, but he's never said anything about it. Mostly because he thinks I don't know, but you know me. I broke into his account when he was out getting food," Chloe said.
Clark smiled and said, "ha, I do know you."
"I know, I know, I'm a terrible person," she said, returning the smile.
"Okay, well, just be aware, all right?"
She nodded and began walking over to Kristian. She stopped, turned back to Clark and said, "I will. And thank you, Clark."
Clark just nodded and followed her and they walked up to Lois and Kristian. Kristian turned to Chloe and said, "you want to get out of here?" Chloe nodded and Kristian took a step towards Chloe, took his cell phone out of his jacket that Chloe was wearing and speed dialed his driver. Chloe shot him a look that said, 'I could have done that.' Kristian shot one back that said, 'I know it.'
When he was finished, he turned to Lois and Clark and said, "what are you guys going to do? Want to come along?"
Lois and Clark shook their head and Lois winked at him. She walked up to him and whispered in his ear, "I think she has the right to know."
Kristian nodded, took Chloe's arm and they walked over to the limo.
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On the ride back to Kristian's house, they talked about Kristian's stock in Shane Enterprises. When Chloe asked what he was going to do with them, he assured her that he would be selling them to Andrew in the future.
"Why are so interested in stock so suddenly?" Kristian asked.
"I don't know, I guess I was just wondering," Chloe said while taking off her heels. "My feet are killing me."
Kristian motioned for her to put them in his lap and she turned her body and did so. As he began rubbing them, she said, "this jacket feels and smells amazing."
"It tries," he said, "and I was thinking of you when I ordered it. And let me tell you, there's nothing better than Chloe Sullivan wearing an oversized tuxedo jacket over a fitting dress."
Chloe smiled and grabbed his free hand. It was always like this, casually flirting and subtle hints. Chloe always blamed it on the fact that they were close friends, but Clark was never like this. She tried not to think about it since what had happened between her and Clark. It was true that she loved Kristian, but she took his gestures as just kindness and friendship. She always wondered if he felt the same, but she didn't want to make a move just in case he didn't. It had made her and Clark's friendship a little strained. She didn't want that to happen. But the way he smiled at her, touched her, how protective he was and the fact that she always caught him staring made it feel like he wanted her. But she could never be sure. In a way, it was kind of like they were in a relationship, just without the benefits. They were always together, Chloe stayed with him at least four nights a week and he always held her when they were alone.
When they reached the house, they stepped inside and Chloe sat on her usual spot on the counter. Kristian took off his bowtie and smiled at her. He walked over to her so that he was standing directly in front of her, with his slacks against her knees. He took a deep breath and looked at her. Chloe moved her hand to trace a line along his eyebrow and he relished in her touch.
"Looks like it's healing pretty well," Chloe said.
"I have something to confess, Chloe," he said.
"What's that?" She replied.
"Well, you know when you meet someone and you're instantly fascinated by them?"
Chloe nodded yes and he continued with, "I've known you since I was twelve. But that day in the Planet when I first came back, I saw you and my heart stopped. I wanted to know you. I wanted to know how you felt, how you tasted and what it would feel like with your body on top of mine. Chloe, when you touch me, it sends shockwaves through my body. When you look me in the eye, I forget all basic motor functions. I'm never as comfortable as I am when I hold you. And sometimes your shirt slightly slides up and reveals some skin, and that drives me crazy. When I make you laugh, I wish that the world would stop for us. I love the way you carry yourself. I love how you know everything. I love the way you make me feel. I love how you make my stomach do backflips, but most of all...I love you."
Chloe sat there speechless for a moment and then pulled him into a kiss. It was gentle at first, but suddenly it turned into needy. Kristian moved his hands up her thigh and Chloe opened her legs farther so he could come closer. When they broke apart for air, Kristian could see everything that she wanted to say in her eyes.
"You don't have to say anything," he said, "just show me."
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So what do you guys think? I thought it was about time that they kissed. In the next chapter, there will be an ending to the night and I'm also thinking about Clark telling Kristian and in turn, Kristian confronting Lex.