Chapter 8
A little bit of dancing a little bit of breaking and entering
"Green Arrow Lois?"
She rolls her eyes as they head down the hallway.
"Yes Green Arrow of Star City."
"The green tight wearing, arrow wielding Green Arrow?"
Lois laughs nodding, "That's the one."
"You're friends with him?"
Lois shrugs.
"Actually he contacted Chloe, put two and two together and realized that she had the ins with Supergirl, don't worry though he knows Superboy's on board."
She gives his hand a squeeze reassuring him he smiles and leans in to kiss her as she pulls away.
"PDA in high school Clark please not yet, baby steps."
He laughs as she keeps his hand in hers.
"And handholding is Ms. Kent?"
She smiles swinging their hands back and forth.
"Baby step number one. Speaking of, did you get the corsage?"
Clark nods as they enter the empty room of the Torch.
"Yes, is there anything else I'm to get for this group thing that you wouldn't go as my date to?"
He smirks at her as she wrinkles her nose leaning seductively forward staring into his eyes.
"Well a limo would be nice."
He makes a face as she laughs.
"Just kidding, I'll drive us down."
He smirks at her as she catches him in his stare.
"And who knows Clark maybe it'll be something I tell my children about in years to come."
He stopped short turning to her. "You read my article."
Lois laughed turning her head slightly as they continued to wait for Chloe.
"I might have skimmed through it."
He nods teasingly. "Sure enough to memorize some of my choice phrases I'm guessing?"
She rolls her eyes turning towards the window trying to hide her smile as they continue to wait.
"So you've never met the guy then, this Green Arrow?"
He sounds jealous and it makes her nose twitch slightly with satisfaction.
"Nope. But don't worry Clark; he's not going to be gracing us with his presence this time either, he's just sending a driver. We can't have our secret identities revealed now can we?"
She got closer to him giving him her flirtatious smile that made him forget his surroundings. Lois was able, with just a look and a glint in her eye to change the temperature in a room and make him feel twelve again. Her hands were on his chest and she was looking at his lips. His height was so that she'd have to grab his neck and bring him to her. It was something she wasn't against doing since she'd done it many times before. Except this time she didn't, Lois lifted off the ground slightly so they met at eye level and Clark grinned.
"Miss Kent, are you trying to seduce me?"
She wrapped her arms around his neck playing with his hair waiting for his move. With a jolt she turned to the door lowering herself to the ground as Chloe stumbled upon them. A smile played across her lips as she raised her eyebrows placing her bag on the chair next to her desk.
"Sorry for interrupting but, this is my newsroom guys. Speaking of news Lana just dropped all charges for the robbery, the boys are free."
Clark blushed but Lois shrugs off the comment giving him space as if nothing had just happened. It was her cool and nonchalant attitude that would drive Clark insane. One minute she was intense and the next she'd pull away. Clark looked to his cousin just as a thought crossed his mind.
"What excuse are they using for the robbery?"
"The guys are sticking to being drugged and apparently Lana went on to say everyone deserves a second chance."
"Well that's one less thing to worry about. So how will this person whoever it is…"
"Who the puppet master?"
Lois asked as she shifted through her notebooks looking for her notes on her latest article.
Clark nods, "Exactly how will they know we're coming for them?"
Lois bites down gently on the end of her pen, glancing at Chloe for the answer.
Chloe shrugs as Pete walks into the room with a folder in his hands.
"Just ran into Anna, boy that girl talks fast something about metabolizing and adding phosphates and the potential for a gas exposure as an inhalant."
He stops, noticing his friends are deep in thought.
"What did I miss?"
Chloe smiles at him. "I think Clark was wondering who the puppet is."
Lois was busy staring at the file that Pete had just placed in front of Chloe she stops biting her pen as the idea comes to her.
"Well it has to be someone meteor infected that we're close to, does anyone come to mind?"
Anna was busy in the Chemistry lab where she spent her last two periods of the day. She was leaning over the table analyzing a slide on the microscope when she heard someone clear their throat. Slowly she looks up seeing four smiling faces and her file that she gave Pete earlier.
"Hey guys, can I help you?"
Lois, who despite her smile has her arms crossed, she was the first person to break ranks and step closer to Anna.
"I hope so Anna, I just wanted to say that if someone were interested we are planning on doing our charity work this Sunday."
She said the day louder than normal widening her eyes for emphasis. Anna looked entertained and smiled awkwardly.
"You guys do charity work?"
She eyed Chloe and Pete who looked at her skeptical avoiding Clark's gaze she shrugs.
"Well I think that's great then guys. What does that have to do with me though?"
Lois laughs slightly leaning on the edge of the table.
"Nothing I just wanted to let you know that Sunday was the day and that whom-ever needed our…charity should be ready for it around three pm, on Sunday."
Anna laughed looking around the room now sure this was some kind of joke.
"Were you guys sniffing glue or something?"
Lois looks to her three friends exasperated as Clark tries to cover.
"No we just wanted to remind you about…"
"Sunday yeah I got that, the charity event but I'm going to be with my grandparents that day so…"
Clark smiles, pushing up his glasses as they threaten to fall off his nose.
"Understandable but maybe you want to leave yourself a note or something?"
Clark writes on her notebook, she blushes as he steps back, waving goodbye as the four of them backed out of the lab.
"That was smooth Clark." Pete laughs as they walk down the hallway.
He smiles at Lois and notes that Chloe was unusually silent.
"Let's just hope who-ever it is, got the message."
Pete nods at Lois as they enter the newsroom; Chloe looks down for a slight second before smiling to herself.
As Lois was going to her locker after last period she's greeted by Lex with a sly smile
"Hey Lex what's up?"
She opens her locker nonchalantly, last year this would have never happened.
"Nothing I was just wondering how we were all getting to the dance on Saturday?"
Lois shrugs.
"I was thinking I could drive, I have the jeep we can all fit in."
Lex laughs a little folding his arms and leaning on the adjacent locker.
"Well Nell's getting all nostalgic. She keeps going on about the last Homecoming and all and wanted to get us a limo."
Lois's jaw drops for a split second before recovering slightly with a smile.
"A limo, for Home Coming?"
Lex nods smirking.
"That's what I told her, but she insists, so what do you think?"
Lois nods trying to hold a polite smile.
"I think it sounds great, tell her thank you for me."
He nods pushing off the lockers with ease winking at Lois.
"I will, so the limo will pick us up around seven."
Lois watches him walk backwards and nods.
"Great I'll have everyone meet at my house then."
Lex smiles before turning around to join his friends by the entrance to the locker rooms.
"And he said the limo was already taken care of?"
Chloe asked as she turned her car onto Main Street while Lois tucked a strand of hair behind her ear nodding before looking back at her friend.
"Right so no big deal, we'll all take the limo together."
Chloe laughs as they find a parking spot behind the Talon.
"If it's no big deal why do you look nervous Lois?"
Lois stopped looking at her friend before undoing her seatbelt.
"I'm not nervous; it's just a dance group thing."
Chloe nods following Lois out of the car.
"Sure a group thing which you told Clark to get you a corsage and now Lex has rented a limo for us. Are you sure he understood when you told him 'no' you wouldn't be his date Lo?"
Lois closes the door lightly rolling her eyes before turning towards the Talon entrance.
"Of course he understood, Lex hasn't been interested in me for three years. You think after one semi-quasi date and a rejected dance invitation that he's gone ga ga for me?"
Chloe made a face as she sprinted trying to keep up with Lois's long legs.
"First of all...gaga Lois really? And secondly yes, I think you're not looking at the situation clearly if you don't think that Lex has a thing for you…still."
Lois laughs shaking her head as she opens the door to the Talon.
"You can stop worrying about your cousin Chloe, and about me I'm not interested in Lex."
Chloe follows Lois to the main bar as she orders their drinks before motioning to the server where they're taking a seat.
"Fine then you won't mind if I ask Lex out?"
Lois's eyes bulge a little as they both take a seat. Chloe points to her friend.
"Ah, ha you do still like him!"
Lois shakes her head.
"Of course not Chloe, but you and Lex Lang? What about Pete?"
Chloe shrugs as the waitress brings them their coffees.
"If you don't still like him then maybe I can hang out with him a little at the dance?"
Lois feigns a smile.
"Fine, but talk to Pete would you?"
Chloe nods while adding cream to her coffee.
"Oh by the way talked to the Green Arrow's people and they're sending a car to the rendezvous point so you guys have to be ready."
Lois nods as she takes a sip of her scalding coffee not even noticing the heat.
"A limo, I get her a corsage and he goes out renting a limo like it's some kind of prom."
Pete laughs as they both slid into his car.
"Well he did say his aunt Nell was the one who insisted."
Clark taps his ear.
"His heart rate went up he was lying."
Pete gives Clark a sympathetic smile before starting his car and pulling out of the student parking lot.
"Maybe I should be more aggressive with Lois."
Pete smirks to himself.
"Like how?"
Clark shrugs pushing his glasses further up on the bridge of his nose as Pete laughs at the thought.
"Clark you're not exactly Don Juan but I thought that's one of the things she likes about you."
Clark looks at his reflection in the mirror.
"I always thought Superboy caught her attention, when I'm him I don't know it's different. I don't feel so nervous. You know I've kissed her more times as Superboy then I have as Clark."
Pete tried to hide his smile as he turned onto Chloe's street.
"It's tough, I mean look at Chloe and I, I don't even know if there is an us. But the important thing to do is try to keep the lines of communication open."
"So you like Lex?"
Pete asked rubbing his temples as he stood outside of Lois's barn.
Chloe nods as Pete continues to pace.
"Lois I don't think you should listen in on them."
Clark insists as Lois snaps out of eaves dropping mode trying to wipe the frown off her face.
"Pete's feelings are delicate. Couldn't you have talked your cousin out of this fantasy she has of Lex Lang?"
Clark frowns.
"I think she should go for it."
Lois scowls at him trying to avoid using her super hearing to eaves drop again.
"It's not that I don't want her to take chances, it's just Pete and her have been tottering and I always thought."
Clark stares at her with his big blue eyes. She stops mid sentence as he looks at her worriedly.
"Sorry Clark, I shouldn't meddle."
He smiles taking her hand gently.
"I like when you meddle but we have to let our friends make their own mistakes, let them take their own leaps. Besides either one of us will be there to catch them when they fall."
He smiles pulling her closer to him brushing the hair away from her neck as her scent permeates the air.
"Have I ever told you how great you smell?"
Lois laughs as she puts her hands on his chest. They look into each others eyes and kiss. When they part for a second Lois takes his glasses off and puts them on before leaning in to kiss him again.
They part a few moments later smiling at each other as Chloe and Pete make their way back up the stairs to the loft in the barn.
"Clark I'm going to head out you wanna grab a bite or something?"
Clark nods noting Pete's sad undertones and waves goodbye to his cousin before gazing at Lois. With a smirk he leaves Chloe and Lois alone heading to Pete's car.
"Wait when you say aggressive you mean?"
Lois sighs smiling to herself as she lays back on her couch.
"I mean maybe next step."
Chloe's eyes widen a bit as she stifles a giggle.
"Whoa, don't you think you guys might be moving a little fast here next level as in…"
She tilts her head for emphasis as Lois folds her arms deep in thought.
"It's way too soon we've only been sorta dating for two months I know, but he has this energy about him that screams Chloe."
Chloe can't help but sigh at the thought of her best friend falling in love.
"So what are we talking about here Lois love?"
Lois catches her breath as her heart skips a few beats just thinking about it.
"I don't know maybe. Ugh, Chloe I sound like one of those silly teenagers not some Kryptonian super hero."
Lois laughs at her own self analysis as her friend rolls her eyes.
"Believe it or not Lois we are just teenagers as much as the yellow sun gives you powers you're still only seventeen."
The number startles Lois as she sits up on the couch swinging her legs over.
"You're right boyfriend isn't in my plan, but with Clark I could make an exception."
Chloe thinks about this for a moment before speaking her mind.
"And what about College, the Daily Planet, maybe even some super hero action on the side where does Clark fit in there?"
Lois shrugs.
"And of course let's not forget Jor-El's training that he's been bugging you about for the past few years. How are you going to broach that subject with Clark, 'Oh my Father wants me to perfect my powers but you're not invited Kryptonians only.' Eventually things are going to get complicated."
Lois gives her a look as Chloe corrects herself.
"More complicated."
"I'll take another one."
Pete slides his glass over to the bar tender who gives him a nod before sliding another soda his way. Clark smiles thanking the man.
"So you ask out some other girl. Look at me Pete I never thought for one second that Lois would give me the time of day. And you know what after how many years she finally did and we're doing okay."
Pete nods burping before placing his glass down.
"Yeah Clark but that's because of Superboy and you growing five inches turning into some kinda hunk."
Clark furrows his brow as Pete waves the idea away.
"Can't help it I've got two girls for best friends for most of my life. Chloe's just never going to see me as more than what I am an ex boyfriend and current buddy."
He chugs the rest of his soda sliding the glass away from him with a smirk.
"But you're right about one thing Clark I have to just get back on that horse."
Clark follows Pete over to one of the empty pool tables as he racks the balls starting a new game.
"He's bringing a date?"
Chloe asked very loudly while walking through Lois's front door.
"Yes, I thought you might be happy he's trying to move on."
Chloe rolls her eyes as Clark walks in dressed very nicely in khakis and a polo shirt.
Lois couldn't help but smile as he held her blue corsage up while closing the door.
Clark beamed at the sight of Lois in the blazing red dress. The back was open peaking at her lower back while the satin line perfected the contours of her body. He was lost for a moment until he found her smiling lips. Tuning Chloe's frustrations out he approached the girls giving Lois a small kiss on the cheek inhaling deeply her scent.
"You look gorgeous."
Lois blushed as he opened the corsage box. The Kents, coming in from the kitchen gasped in pleasure seeing Chloe and Clark dressed up for the dance. Martha, armed with a camera stood in front of Lois and Clark as he tried to pin the corsage to her dress. He looks up embarrassed but she gives him no help.
"I think I should have gone with the wrist corsage instead."
Lois's eyebrow instantly went up as she swiveled her hip before responding.
"And miss out on trying to cop a feel Lane?"
He blushed but Lois was flirting her nose wrinkled as he finally slid the pin through the dress properly.
"Perfect."
Clark smiled holding his gaze with Lois.
"Okay you two smile."
Martha couldn't help but snap away during the entire scene. Everyone's eyes were on Lois and Clark that no-one noticed the three figures that walked in.
"Look who I found outside next to a limo."
Pete announced he was dressed to kill and the petite girl next to him was Anna. Except without the lab coat and in a tight black dress she didn't look like herself at all. Chloe did a double take and no-one noticed Lex was holding a yellow corsage.
"Wow Anna you look great."
She blushed beaming at Lois and then shyly looking back at Pete. Lex noticing Lois's corsage and her hand intertwined with Clark's cleared his throat stepping forward into the kitchen.
"I um, Nell got this corsage she was just noticing the men to women ratio would be even so."
"You got Chloe a corsage."
Clark beams as Lois smiles raising her eyebrows to Lex who nods turning to Chloe. This time Lois listened in on Lex's heartbeat and it was going a mile a minute. She hoped that Chloe would get Lex out of her system tonight like she had a few months ago. Maybe a night with Lex Lang would prove to Chloe that he is indeed just the boy next-door.
As Lex opens the corsage box Martha takes pictures of the two while Lois and Clark look on.
"I believe that corsage was for you Lois."
She looks up at Clark smirking.
"Clark there is no need to be jealous eventually Lex will get the message. And who knows you may be right, Chloe should give it a go."
He grins watching Chloe blush as Lex opens the wrist band threading it over her hand.
"Why don't you sound convincing Lo?"
He turns to look at her while she stares at his eyes and then softly kisses him before answering.
"Because if you haven't noticed I'm your date tonight Clark not his."
He smirks their lips are still very close.
"I thought you said this wouldn't be a couples thing."
She smirks itching to kiss him again.
"I changed my mind."
They lean in to kiss again and as their lips graze someone clears their throat interrupting the moment.
Jonathan with his eyebrows high taps his watch, as the entire room's eyes are on them. Embarrassed, Lex tries to smile motioning Chloe to the door.
"Well our ride is ready so."
"The corsage was for Lois wasn't it?"
Chloe asked as she danced with Lex, his gaze was firmly planted on Lois and Clark who laughed and smiled while dancing across the room.
"I don't know who it was for Nell…"
Chloe rolls her eyes as they continue to sway to the music.
"Nell can't be your scapegoat for everything Lex. But as you can tell, my best friend and cousin are involved."
Lex frowns for a brief second before laughing to himself and looking at Chloe.
"I can tell."
She nods smirking.
"Yeah and as self serving as this may sound I don't think you have a chance."
He shrugs stealing another glance at the couple as they continue to smile and kiss on the dance floor.
Clark kisses Lois sweetly as the music picks up tempo getting ready to cadence and softly die away.
"I told you look gorgeous tonight didn't I?"
Lois's eyebrow lifts signaling playfulness as she hums to the music.
"I believe you have a few times."
"Can you believe Pete actually asked Anna to the dance?"
They glance over at Pete and Anna who are laughing while talking animatedly next to some of her friends.
"Good for Pete, maybe Chloe will realize her feelings for him are still very strong and alive."
Clark looks over to his cousin noticing Lex and Chloe had stepped away from the dance floor and were heading to a dark corner.
"Or she may start something new?"
Lois peered in his direction ready to zone in on Chloe and Lex with her super hearing. Clark gave her a reproachful look sensing her powers.
"Let's give them the benefit of then doubt shall we?"
As the six teens sat in the limo tired and ready to go to sleep the silence permeated the car. Lois's head was firmly resting on Clark's shoulder while Chloe and Lex sat awkwardly and Pete and Anna smiled politely at each other.
When they finally arrived at the Kent farm, conversations began animatedly again.
"So the unthinkable happened tonight, you Lois went to a dance in a dress."
Lois blushed smiling as she leaned closer to Clark. He took the initiative and wrapped his arms around her waist as Lex waved to the limo driver before watching the couple flirting.
"Well don't get too used to it Lane, I plan on attending only one more school dance and that's it."
Clark smiles going with the flow of the night loving the moment he was in right now.
"So maybe next time you'll say yes and we'll make this official."
Lois shrugs kissing Clark gently before pushing his glasses up higher on his nose.
"No promises Superboy."
She whispered making him look around unsure if anyone else had heard their exchange. Pete was walking Anna to his car while Chloe said goodnight to Lex. The two were in their own world as they part and smile before walking in opposite directions.
"So you're totally over Lex then?"
It was the third time Chloe had asked that question this morning; Lois just rolls her eyes while opening the refrigerator to get the milk and juice.
She sighs before answering her best friend.
"What part of falling for your cousin didn't you get?"
Chloe blushes as she peaks over at the Lang house trying to see if Lex was up this early.
"I'm acting stupid right?"
Lois just gave Chloe a look nodding without needing to speak a word.
"You're right, what do you think Pete was thinking asking Anna to the dance?"
Lois smiles as she pours milk over her cereal.
"Wow Chlo, it seems like you have two boys on the brain."
Chloe pouts for a second before pouring herself some orange juice.
"Okay fine subject change, are you nervous about today?"
Lois looks up from her breakfast shrugging.
"Not really, you?"
Chloe nods biting her lower lip.
Lois smiles before taking another bite of her cereal.
"I can't help it, there's just something about this… Puppet Master that's got me on edge."
"Chloe you don't have to be there, Clark and I can handle it."
Chloe looks up nervous shaking her head.
"No I want to be there to meet the driver."
It was a frantic answer and Lois was shocked to hear her friend so nervous about some meteor freak.
Lois got a cold chill as she stared at her friend.
"Chloe are you okay?"
Her reverie changed Chloe's shoulders relaxed and a smile lit up her face.
"Yeah I'm good, just wondering if we'll get a visit from Lex this morning."
Lois smirked but a cold eerie feeling still lay in the pit of her stomach.
"He doesn't usually stop over Chlo."
A smile spread across Chloe's face as her thoughts raced.
"But he knows I'm sleeping over so he might."
Lois shook her head, her friend had turned into some love struck puppy after one dance.
"I wonder how awkward it was for Clark to sit in the car with Anna and Pete."
Chloe's smile fell and Lois couldn't help but smile to herself. She was treading a line with her friend trying to get her to confront her emotions.
"You think he likes her?"
Lois shrugs as she picks up her bowl and rinses it in the sink.
"I think he's trying to figure his life out, you guys' whole relationship has been up in the air since he admitted to liking you sophomore year. Since you made it clear you like Lex I believe he's trying to move on too."
The mention of Lex's name didn't help Chloe's new funk as she sighed bringing her bowl up and washing it with Lois.
"This blows."
Lois laughs as she dries her bowl and places it on the rack before putting the milk and orange juice away.
"Okay so you're sure that Clark and Pete are going to meet us here?"
Chloe asks for the fourth time as she checks her watch, looking around the Talon for her cousin and friend.
"Yes Chlo, are you still freaked out?"
Chloe winces a little trying to form a smile as Lois frowns.
"You're hearts racing, what's going on?"
"Nothing, it's just…"
"Hey guys are we late?"
Clark and Pete walk over to their table while Chloe checks her watch giving them a look that could kill.
As Clark and Lois walk out of the Talon together leaving Pete and Chloe alone he tries to start up a conversation.
"So my cousin's acting weird right, this isn't just me?"
Lois takes a fleeting look behind her at Chloe who's finishing her coffee before answering Clark.
"She was off and on this morning. One minute she's mooning about Lex, the next she's all serious and worried about this mission."
Clark tries to keep from laughing at Lois's use of the word mission as they walk to the side alley.
"But you guys have done stuff like this before right?"
Lois nods still worrying about Chloe.
"Yeah, but this time it's different."
Clark stops her and gently grips her shoulders looking into her eyes.
"After this is over things should go back to normal. Maybe Chloe's finally affected by everything, it's not easy having a best friend and cousin who are super."
He kisses her gently as Lois takes a deep breath. With a wink they both shoot into the air un-noticed by the townspeople below them.
"You seem nervous?"
Pete asks as Chloe continues to tap on the dashboard of Pete's car.
"No, just waiting."
She turns to check behind her trying to see out the window for any sign of the super duo or Green Arrow's car.
"Lois has done this before, are you worried for Clark?"
Chloe eases back into her seat letting out an exasperated sigh.
"So you and Anna looked like you were having a good time."
Pete nods smiling remembering the dance from the night before.
"Yeah, she's fun. And you and Lex seemed to be enjoying the dance."
He turns to her as he finishes this statement Chloe's not sure how to respond but let's out a relieved sigh as a black town car pulls up nodding to them.
"Finally they're here, okay so now where's Lois?"
"You mean Superboy and Supergirl?"
Chloe snorts while taking another quick look to the sky.
"Lois you got her?"
It was the third time Clark had asked Lois that, as they flew over Smallville's skyline. She gripped the unconscious woman a little tighter nodding.
"Are you sure Clark?"
It was Clark's turn to nod. Aas they increased their speed the woman shifted a bit but kept her head down.
"Let's land over there."
Clark pointed to some trees covering the area right next to the pick up point.
As they land Clark sweeps the woman into his arms worriedly.
"You think Chloe knew this whole time?"
Clark asks Lois who was still trying to put all the pieces of the afternoon together.
"I think she was controlling Chloe, she's the puppet."
"So Chloe's meteor…?"
Lois nods as they approach Pete's car Chloe and Pete both come out to greet them.
"How is she?"
Chloe asks as she checks the woman's forehead brushing her hair away from her face.
"She's tired, but other than that everything's normal."
A man exits the town car helping Clark put the unconscious form into the back seat.
"We'll take it from here."
Chloe watches nervously as the man gently secures the woman.
"Will she be okay?"
The man smiles at them nodding.
"Mr. Queen has offered his help; she'll be in good hands. I was told you will be contacted shortly."
They watch as the car pulls away and Chloe tries to cover her falling tears.
"Chloe, I.."
She just looks at Clark smiling through her pain.
"Can we just go home now Cuz?"
Clark drapes his arm around her leading her to the car as Pete looks on clueless. Lois smiles nudging him towards the car as she sits in front seat with him.
As Clark and Chloe drive away Pete looks to Lois who is outside of his car watching them pull down the driveway.
"What was that Lo?"
Lois tries to smile at Pete.
"That woman, she was Chloe's Mother."
Pete furrows his brow as the new information sinks in.
"So Chloe's been…?"
Lois nods sadly.
"I'm not sure how long she's known but we have to give her some space."
Pete looks down the road watching the car disappear through the corn fields.
"I have to get some sleep."
Lois smiles patting his door as Pete pulls down out of the driveway leaving Lois lost in thought. The Kents, seeing their daughter alone in the front yard come out to greet her.
"You are back early I thought you'd be out for at least a few more hours."
Martha smiles as Jonathan puts his arm around his daughter.
"But I'm glad you're back because…"
"I have chores to do…"
Jonathan nods smiling as he gives Lois a kiss on the forehead.
"That's my girl."
As Lois walks off towards the stables Martha smiles, hugging her husband.
"What are you going to do next year when Lois is at MetU studying to be some big shot reporter?"
Jonathan smiles as his daughter disappears within the barn.
"I'm going to sell the back forty to make way for all of her awards."
Martha smiles kissing him.
As Lois rushes through her last two chores she sees a blurr whiz by her. Smiling she stops as Clark looking a little down leans on the newly mended fence.
"So you talked to her?"
Clark nods picking up one of the stakes and driving it through the ground next to her.
"She doesn't remember much and isn't one for talking it out. All she would tell me is for the past few months she's been blacking out. She said she could talk to her, like some kind of telepathy. Chloe thought she was dreaming but then her Mom left notes in her handwriting that's been happening for a while."
Lois drives her stake through the ground nodding.
"How long's a while?"
Clark shifts his glasses higher before answering.
"A year."
Lois smirks as she hands Clark some nails and the other end of a two by four. In unison they drive the nail through the board into the new stakes.
"Wow I can't imagine going through something like that."
Clark smiles grabbing on to Lois's hand.
"She's strong, stronger than I think any of us imagined. She's completely freaked out about this meteor power thing."
"Which is my fault."
Clark shook his head cupping Lois's face.
"This isn't your fault Lois, things happen. My aunt had issues way before the meteor shower. And despite everything I can tell deep down Chloe likes the idea of having some kind of power. Believe it or not she's never been one to stand on the sidelines."
Lois laughs as she hugs Clark closer leaning into his chest taking comfort in his embrace.
End of Chapter 8
Preview of Chapter 9:
"So you're good?"
Chloe rolls her eyes as she continues to edit the layout for the latest edition of the Torch.
"I'm fine, Queen Industries has a great program and I actually got a call from Oliver Queen myself. My Mom is doing better and I can visit her whenever I need to. Now if you can find a way for me to tell my Dad that's advice I could use."
Lois shrugs as she walks over to the window.
"So has Clark said anything about…?"
"About your late night visits around the world?"
Lois sighs as she puts some of her books away in her bag.
"I'm a complete girl."
Chloe stops and looks up at her best friend.
"He's the same way, Lois this and Lois that. And you should have heard Lois yelling at the French cabby in Paris yesterday. It's enough to make me want to puke."
Lois laughs hugging her best friend.
"Aww Chlo have you talked to Lex recently?"
Lois was trying to be positive. The last thing she needed was to upset Chloe. She'd come to a resolve to let Chloe crush on Lex even if that meant her best friend could get her heart broken.
"Sure here and there, but the boy is as slow as molasses."
Lois laughs while closing her bag and swinging it over her shoulders.
"So take the initiative. Ask him out."
Chloe laughs at the idea as Lois walks to the door.
"How about you, have you told Clark yet about your promise to Jor-El?"
Lois froze, she had avoided talking about that. Her promise to Jor-El, she'd made it years ago. The summer before College when she finally turned eighteen she'd devote her summer to training at the Fortress. Three months she'd be away from her family and friends and now Clark. But she still hadn't told Jor-El about her transference of powers to Clark. The thought of her two worlds colliding sent chills up her spine. Chloe was cool with it, her parents still got uptight when she mentioned her birth Father. But Clark seemed to enjoy meeting him, now how was she supposed to broach the subject of spending the summer apart.
"Look Chloe, it's still early yet. I have months to tell Clark about the summer. Who knows where we'll be by the end of the year."
Chloe rolls her eyes looking back at some articles.
"He's already planning the summer, just talk to him Lo he'll understand."
"Right, you're right."
Chloe looks up smirking.
"Oh and about the other thing…he's thinking about it too."
Lois made a face and blushed at her best friend.
"Chloe!"
She laughs at Lois's embarrassment.
"All I can tell you is, there have been little fires all over the house, we had to take the batteries out of the upstairs fire detectors. My Dad swears he burnt dinner last night."
Lois closes the door as Chloe giggles to herself.
"She's just too easy."