Chapter 2
"I'll fill it up." Clark exclaimed, exiting the vehicle and closing the door. He opened the door for Chloe, who exited and thanked him politely. They had only been driving for about three hours, but the vehicle needed to be filled soon enough. Flipping open the flap to the tank entrance, he looked to the west and spied the large mountains. There was something about their silhouette that made him calmer, more attune to his mind and surroundings. Turning his attention back to the pump, he took the nozzle and flipped the release with its tip. He shoved it into the tank entrance a second later, quickly putting down the lock so that he didn't have to hold it. Leaning up against the vehicle, he stuck his hands in his pockets.
The sun was shining, but the closer they got to the mountains and the higher the altitude got, the more the sky darkened. The threat of snow was immanent, the white clouds getting closer to the road as they climbed higher. They were still a couple hours from the state line, but already they were on they're way upwards. The ride had been pleasant so far, Lois having fallen asleep in the backseat. Without her voice in the background it had given him a good chance to ponder things over. He had decided that dressing in dark clothes wasn't a bad thing; in fact he realized that he received a lot more respect when he looked serious. Lois, well, she was another matter. She seemed more uncomfortable around him than he did around her, but Chloe had mentioned, while his bane of existence was sleeping, that she had been stewing on things for much longer than he had. It pained him to see her like that though. In a way he missed her constant bickering and ruthless banter, but he realized that things might never be the same again.
The tank on the SUV was a large one, and he knew it would take a while for it to fill up. He walked around to the other side of the vehicle and stared at the road. He removed his hands from his pant pockets and stretched. The air was crisp, the late February cold settling into the noon. It was below freezing, but not by much, and the air that escaped his mouth made large plumes of white. Peering to the sky, he picked up the transparent glow of the sun behind white clouds.
"Hey C.K?" Jimmy said suddenly as he exited the driver's seat and stretched.
"Yeah?" Clark asked, turning around and taking off his sunglasses.
"Do you mind driving for a while? I think my back is a little stiff."
Clark frowned and looked at his friend. He folded his glasses and hung them on the collar of his shirt. "You're lying." He said with a smile.
Jimmy didn't know what to think, how could Clark be that perceptive? "What are you talking about?" He asked, feigning ignorance.
"You want to sit with Chloe, and I either have to sit in the back, or get Lois to move into the front where the seats are farther apart." He grinned as Jimmy's eyes widened.
"I didn't think you were so perceptive." Jimmy exclaimed.
"I have my moments." He replied, catching the keys as Jimmy threw them to him. "I'd be glad to drive." He laughed a second later as he slipped the keys into his pocket. Watching the smaller man head to the convenience store, he opened the door to where Lois was sleeping, all the while keeping one ear on the gas. The day after the wedding of his former best friend and lover, he had come to realize that he and Lana were over for good. She was a married woman, with child even, and he could no longer hold any false pretenses on ever having a relationship with her again. Sure, it hurt like hell to stand there and watch them wed, but his mothers words had convinced him that he had done the right thing by not interfering. She had told him that marriage was a lifetime commitment, and he would have to get past his childish crush so that he could move on with his life. In truth, it took more than a day to get over it, to get over the pain, but it eventually faded away into the fog of the early Smallville mornings.
With the door open, he rested his arms on the roof of the vehicle and stared at Lois. Something about the way she slept seemed so angelic, almost heavenly. Sure, Lois was abrasive and emotionally strong headed, but for those few hours when they were both in Metropolis and having their fun, he couldn't help but remember just how good it felt. He had let all his troubles fade away, knowing that she loved him unconditionally. She had said she found even his tractor driving skills adorable. He also knew that she had been drugged, but that didn't help the fact that it had all felt so good.
Sighing, he continued to look at her with sad eyes. He wondered if he would ever get that opportunity again. From the way she seemed to be acting, it was a complete impossibility. That hurt, to know that she still saw him as a bumbling idiot, and he wanted so badly to show her he wasn't a goof. It was partially the reason why he had let his mother dress him in his dark clothing. He knew Lois always made fun of his wardrobe, but he knew she couldn't fight him about what he was wearing now. Turning Lois speechless had been the highlight of his day so far, and he couldn't help but allow himself to eat up every moment of it. As usual though, he felt bad about making her uncomfortable. No matter what feelings she had for him, and he knew there were some, he couldn't prod her about it. He would have to be delicate, and maybe slip behind her defenses for a second. It would be hard, but he was determined to do it. He had to know if there was anything between them before he gave up on the possibility. He had learned from Lana that not seizing the moment could have disastrous consequences.
Lois began to shuffle in her seat uncomfortably. She felt as if there was a pair of penetrating eyes on her. Her lids flipped open as she looked over to see a smiling face and bright blue-green eyes. Grumbling through her sleepiness, she sat up a little straighter. "What do you want Smallville?" She asked with an annoyed grunt.
"Jimmy wants to sit with Chloe for a while. You're going to have to ride up front while I drive." He said.
She rolled her eyes lazily and rested her head back, her senses still not completely attuned to her surroundings. A soft groan of pleasure began to erupt from her throat, his cologne filling her nostrils, but she cut it off as quickly as she could as soon as she realized what she was doing.
Clark, seeing her rest her head back in defeat and then snap her eyes open suddenly, laughed. "Do I need to lift you out like a child and carry you to the passenger seat?"
Lois stared at him with pure malice, but he continued to grin. He was playing the part of Smallville again, the man who bugged her to no end. As much as her feelings were troubling her, and no matter how confused she was, she still enjoyed bickering with him. "I don't think so Smallville." She replied, pushing her way out of the vehicle and past him, shoving him just a little. Straightening her ruffled hair, she walked around the car and left him alone. She wasn't completely awake yet, but a large thud and ding woke her completely, causing her to jump suddenly.
Laughing like a drunk, Clark walked around her and grabbed the nozzle form the vehicle. "When did the pit-bull get scared of a gas pump?" He asked with a large grin, staring at her and then back to the pump as he slid the nozzle back into place.
"Don't call me a pit-bull, mister." She responded heatedly, her hands rubbing her arms as she walked quickly to the convenience store.
"You should have gotten your coat out of your bag." He shot at her quickly, before he followed after.
"Shut up!" She shouted back, just before she opened the door and entered the store.
He grinned as he reached into his pocket and pushed the button on the keys, locking the vehicle. They were at a small gas station in the middle of nowhere, and it would be an hour before they reached the interstate, but it was always best to be careful. He took his hand out and walked towards the small log convenience station. The large trees surrounding the place made it look majestic and ancient. He smiled to himself as he reached the door and entered. The woman at the counter of the small place smiled as he reached into his back pocket.
"Clark." Jimmy exclaimed, hurrying to his side and grabbing the larger man's arm. "We invited you; this is on Chloe and me." He said.
"That's okay." Clark replied, going to remove his wallet again.
"No." Jimmy said with laugh. He fished out his own wallet quickly and handed the woman behind the counter his credit card. "Don't worry about it Clark, like I said, you're our guest."
Clark looked at Jimmy and nodded. He was not entirely comfortable with not being able to help out with the finances. "I'll pay you back somehow." He said.
"I said don't worry about it." He replied back, reaffirming his stance.
"Is Smallville not taking advantage of your gratuities?" Lois asked, walking up to the counter and dropping numerous bags of chips on it. Her smirk was as wide as ever as she looked to Jimmy and then to Clark. Her smile faltered a little at the cold stare of the farm boy. In his dark get up, his stare didn't seem as funny as usual. Instead, it looked deadly and precise. Gulping, she said. "I'm going to get something to drink. I'll be right back."
Clark watched as she raced back to the fridges and fished through them for something to drink. He realized he couldn't take his eyes off her and her tight red sweater. Shaking his head, he put those thoughts aside and watched her plop down pop bottle after pop bottle.
"You don't mind do you?" She asked, turning to Jimmy and giving him a pleading smile.
"No problem Lois." Jimmy replied. "Just add it to the card." He said politely to the clerk.
She nodded and punched it into the till. Clark left them and wandered back to he refrigerated area. He needed something for lunch, something small. They would likely eat a large meal at a restaurant for supper, but he needed something to hold him over until then. Chloe walked by without noticing him as she exited the bathroom. He found what he was looking for and walked to the front. The others were already outside and heading for the truck. He set his food and drink on the counter, pulling out his wallet soon after.
"That'll be four-fifty, sir." The older woman said with a smile.
He nodded and handed her a five. He waited patiently for the change, his eyes looking out the doors to see Lois try and open the passenger door. A grin split his features as he took the change and thanked the clerk. Exiting the store, he walked towards the vehicle.
"Come on Smallville." Lois said in frustration. "Did you have to lock it?" She stood staring at him with her bag of goodies hanging loosely in one hand.
Clark shrugged as he unlocked the doors. Lois rolled her eyes at his grin and got in, Chloe and Jimmy following suit. Opening the door to the driver seat, he slipped in and shut the door soundly. He put his milk into the cup holder, its round opening making the square object tilt on one corner as it rested inside. With his sandwich in-between his legs on the seat, he put on his seatbelt and started the vehicle. Reaching to his neck, he slipped his glasses out of his shirt and put them back on. He didn't bother looking to see if Lois had her seatbelt on as he pulled up to the road, while peeling the plastic off his egg salad sandwich. Taking a bite, he pulled onto the road and felt the engine vibrate through the steering wheel in his left hand.
Lois fidgeted in the passenger seat, trying to move her bag of food so that she could put her seatbelt on.
Noticing that she was having more than a little trouble with her seatbelt, Clark grabbed the bag from her after sticking his sandwich in his mouth.
"Thank you." Lois said in relief, reaching over and putting on her seatbelt. She took back the bag as Clark smiled through his food. It looked ridiculously silly, and she couldn't' help but smile in return.
He removed his food and held it in his right hand. "Jimmy? Do you have a lot of room back there? I really need to put the seat back or my legs are going to start cramping." His eyes went to the rear view mirror when he heard a muffled voice. The eyebrows on his forehead shot up instantly at the picture he saw. Both Chloe and Jimmy were in a very heated lip lock, their hands groping each other's necks as they fought over who had ownership of whose tongue. Clark quickly put his eyes back to the road, but gripped the steering wheel tighter.
Lois saw Clark go instantly rigid. She had been watching him again, but only out the corner of her eye. "Something wrong there Smallville?"
Clark cleared his throat and gestured back with his head.
Her eyes followed the direction of his head, finding two people making out quite furiously. She didn't want to interrupt them, and it was a good opportunity to pick on Clark. "Oh, look at that Smallville, Jimmy's running his hands all over her back, up her shirt even."
Clark tightened his grip even more as he listened to her play-by-play. "Lois." He sternly warned. He didn't need the details.
Lois continued though, she loved making him uncomfortable. "Now he's putting his hand up the front of her shirt, and Oh! He's reached the mountains; he's going to do it!"
At that, Chloe pulled herself apart from Jimmy and turned to Lois, her breathing ragged. "Would you shut up?" She asked, staring at her cousin.
"No." Lois laughed.
Clark could barely take it. With Lois's description of events and her soft laugh, it nearly pushed him over the edge. Images of her kissing him and running her hands all over his body took hold. The vehicle started to veer to the right a little, but Lois jolted him back to reality as she punched him in the shoulder.
"Are you trying to kill us?" She asked, her voice laden with sarcasm.
"No, just you." He replied, looking at her with his sunglasses still on. He gave her a wide grin, something he fought hard to keep. The weird moment would have been even more awkward if she could have seen his eyes. They weren't twinkling in mirth, no, they were round and scared. Gulping loudly, he looked back to the road as the snow began to fall more rapidly. Again and again images of her rubbing her body up against him flooded his mind as he struggled mightily to keep his attention on the road.
Lois could tell something was amiss, and decided to bug him about it. "Something wrong Smallville, you seem more nervous than usual?" Her smirk was cutting him up, she knew it.
He struggled to keep from looking over at her. The instant he did would be the minute she cut him up into a million pieces.
When he didn't respond, she prodded him further. "Come on Clark?" She asked seductively, playing with him as she rested a hand on his arm. It was stupid, she hadn't thought before she acted. Her own lamented feelings came rushing to the forefront as she quickly removed her hand.
Clark snapped his arm off the arm rest in the middle as soon as she let go of him. The contact was too much. He couldn't fathom looking over at her, but he knew for a fact that she wasn't feeling too good about what she had done. They both knew there was something there that scared them both. He had conceded to it, and was even curious to explore it, but he knew she wasn't. Lois wouldn't allow her mind to be overtaken by what he was sure she would call trifle and stupid emotions. He allowed himself to think back to Lana and Lex's marriage to try and get himself back to focusing on the road, but it proved more difficult than he imagined.
Jimmy and Chloe both watched the exchange up front and looked to each other. Their faces were one of surprise and shock, both confused and happy at the same time.
Chloe knew there was something that Lois felt, and Clark felt it too. Now it was only a matter of time before it either came to a head, or they would wallow away in their own misery. Suddenly she realized how much of a mistake it may have been to bring them along.
-
"Come on Smallville, pull over." She said with a shaky voice. Fright wasn't something she showed often, but the blinding snowstorm they were driving through on the interstate was getting to her.
"I can't just pull over on the middle of a freeway." He shot back, paying close attention to the road. He was using his vision to see cars and trucks in other lanes as he tried to keep the vehicle from slipping off the road. They were just inside Colorado, but the weather had gotten worse the farther they had climbed. At the moment he couldn't see more than five feet in front of him without his enhanced vision. It took incredible focus to keep it locked on as Lois kept talking.
"I swear Smallville, if you don't pull off at the next exit, I'm going to-."
"What!" He almost screamed. "I'm driving Lois, leave me the hell alone."
His words stung, but she knew she was being a pest. She couldn't blame him for getting angry. "Sorry." She said a second later.
Clark had his glasses off. His head turned suddenly at her apology. She was sitting back in the seat with her hands together like she was praying. They were at her chest as she looked forward with her eyes wide.
Noticing that the car was going right, she looked at Clark. He was staring at her with the strangest look on his face. For all she could tell it was if he had messed his pants, it was the queerest thing she had ever seen. "Smallville?" She asked as he continued to stare at her.
Chloe watched it all from her vantage point, her hands clutching the back of Lois's seat as she watched the blinding snow in front of them. Her attention was ripped from the road as the car began to veer off to the right. Her eyes widened as she saw Clark and Lois looking at each other. They had the strangest looks on their faces, but she quickly pushed it aside as the car went further to the right. "Clark!" She said quickly.
He tore his gaze from Lois and looked back at Chloe. "What?"
"Look where you're going!" She said hurriedly as she closed her eyes and braced herself. She was sure they would hit the steel barrier and fall over the edge of the cliff.
Clark took the opportunity to laugh. "I know where I'm going." He said a second later, the SUV turning slowly onto the exit. "What, did you think I was going over the edge?" He smiled to himself as he turned the wheels just a little so that the tires bit into the bare patch of pavement that was available. The snow was continuing to come down hard, blowing furiously. He already had the vehicle in four wheel drive, but it was still slippery.
Chloe relaxed and put her hand to her chest. She felt Jimmy's arm wrap around her shoulder, comforting her. She needed it, she had thought she was about to die.
"I didn't see the exit." Lois admitted.
"I know, but I did." Clark exclaimed proudly.
"How?"
He shrugged his shoulders and grinned. "I guess I'm just a better driver than you." He was about to show her his grin, but the vehicle began to swerve and slide sideways on the curved off ramp. "Oops." He said with a sigh as the vehicle hopped the small curb and went nose first into the a snow bank.
Lois snapped. "Damn it Smallville!" She exclaimed heatedly. "You're the worst driver I've ever seen." I wasn't true, but she felt like venting her frustration on somebody.
"Hey, you were the one who told me to take the next exit." Clark responded, leaning over the steering wheel with a sigh.
She was still angry. "And when the hell did you start listening to me?" She shouted, turning in her seat as she undid her seatbelt. Her emotions were getting the best of her, every little piece of frustration about their situation coming to the forefront.
"Stop it!" Jimmy and Chloe both shouted at the same time.
Lois looked back at the two of them, but she could have sworn that Clark was muttering something under his breath. She glanced at him, but looked to her cousin in the end. "Sorry." She said suddenly. "Now, let me call for a tow truck and they can come get us out of this mess. Hand me my purse?" She asked Chloe.
Chloe handed it to Lois, but not before frowning and giving her a look of her own angry intent. "Stop it." She mouthed, but her cousin just rolled her eyes and turned back around.
Clark watched as Lois fumbled through her purse. "No use." He said with a sigh.
"What?" She asked suddenly, her head snapping up towards him.
"Your cell phone, it won't help us get out of here."
She looked at him like he was the bane of existence. "Are you stupid Smallville? I get reception anywhere." Finally finding her cell phone, she flipped it open.
"That's not what I meant, Lois." He said just before she dialed. She was getting angry again, but he silenced her. "The roads are closed. No one is coming to help us."
"The roads are what?!" She screamed. "We were driving on closed roads?" She snapped her phone shut and shook her hands in anger.
"Calm down." Chloe said, reaching up and placing a hand on her cousin's shoulder.
"No, I'm not going to calm down. This idiot here was driving on a closed road, do you know how insanely stupid that is. We could freeze to death here." She said in a hurry. She fought the urge to punch Clark. He could very well have led them all to their death.
"In my defense," Clark began. "I exited once they said it was closed, otherwise I would have kept driving."
Lois didn't care though; she simply sat back in the seat, giving up. "Well, how do you plan to get us out of here?" She asked.
Clark looked out the window, but couldn't see a damn thing. It wasn't dark yet, but in a few hours it would be. "When I saw the sign for the exit, there was a bed on it that said there was a hotel about a mile down the road here."
Jimmy finally spoke up. "Do you suggest we get out and walk?" He asked.
Shaking his head, Clark said. "No, that might be too dangerous. We have the clothes for it, but it's too bad out there to be walking around." He looked out the window once again. "Lois, get in the drivers seat." He said, opening the door and stepping out into the shin deep snow.
"Why?" She asked, looking over at him as the cold wind came in. She clutched her arms to herself.
"I'm going to get this thing out of the snow and back onto the road. The off-ramp isn't that long and road is just a little farther."
"Are you crazy?" Lois asked, staring at him bugged eyed as she rub her arms for warmth.
"Yes." Clark said with a smile, closing the door.
Lois watched in horror as he disappeared in the white gale of the storm. The snow was falling and drifting everywhere. Her head turned to the two people in the back seat. "He didn't just go out there?" She asked in complete surprise.
"I think he did." Chloe smiled, knowing full well Clark would be fine. "Now come on, get in the drivers seat." She ushered her cousin along, but Lois was slow. She seemed somehow more affected by Clark's admission of lunacy.
"Maybe I should go out and give him a hand?" Jimmy volunteered.
"No." Chloe said instantly.
"What?"
She hugged him close. "I need you to keep me warm." She lied.
Lois moved into the driver seat and put the vehicle in reverse. "Where's Clark?" She asked, looking out the front and then to the back. "I can't see him anywhere." She was worried. Even if she had been angry about him ditching the truck, she was still concerned for his well being.
"I can't see him either." Jimmy exclaimed.
"Just give it some gas." Chloe said a second later. She knew that if Lois tried to spin the tires it would make it look believable for Clark. He couldn't just pick up the SUV and drop it back on the road, no, that would be far too suspicious.
Clark instinctively put his arm over his eyes to block the wind and snow. He had never seen such blinding conditions before, but he could at least withstand the pounding. He heard the engine noise begin to rise as he grabbed onto the rear end of the vehicle. His strength had developed more as he had gotten older, becoming even stronger than he could have ever imagined. Sometimes he wondered as to the extent of it, but now was not the time. A vehicle was simple enough. With a firm tug, it began to move.
Lois hit the pedal again, the first time she had tried it didn't move, but the second time she pushed down on it, it actually did. "Hey, we're moving!" She exclaimed to the two people behind her. Slowly but surely the vehicle climbed back over the curb lip and onto the road. Smiling in delight, Lois said. "Smallville came through in the clutch."
Clark smiled at the sincere words. He had been listening to them as he pulled the car out. He was always surprised at the roller coaster of emotions Lois could pull herself through. One moment she was angrier than a rabid badger, and then she was happier than a baby being burped. It was just another thing that he would never understand about the woman. Walking around to the passenger side, he opened the door and stuck his snow covered head in. "I guess we weren't stuck as bad as I thought." He smiled at the others and got in. "It's only a little farther until the hotel I think." Putting on his seatbelt, he shook the snow off his leather coat.
"You want me to drive?" Lois asked in surprise.
"Can you?" Clark shot back with a grin. When she frowned and slammed the transmission into drive, he chuckled. The truck rumbled slowly forward. Knowing Lois, she was likely to go too fast and end up in the ditch again, but he could get them out without much strain.
It took ten minutes of absolute silent driving to get to the hotel he had spoken of. Lois had almost missed the entrance, but he had picked up on it at the last second. The drifts on the road and the entrance were almost too high to get through, but she had powered through them with unrivaled determination. As she parked the vehicle, he got out and closed the door. He went and opened the Chloe's door for her. They had no idea what kind of gale force winds they were going to face. He knew it was blowing well over fifty miles an hour, and they would likely struggle.
Chloe took a step out and was almost blown over, her body steadied as Clark held her. "Wow." She said through the whip of the wind.
"I know." Clark shouted, so that she could hear him. Lois and Jimmy would be shielded from the wind by the vehicle, but once they rounded the corner they would be hit head on. Walking to the front of the vehicle, he watched as the other two were almost blown over as they finally made there way around the vehicle.
Lois grabbed Jimmy's arm as they both struggled forward towards the motel office. The wind bit her face as if someone was drawing a sharp blade across it. Clark was in front of the two of them, blocking out half of it with his large body. Even through the biting cold and strong wind, she smiled. He was always protecting people, putting himself at risk so that others could be comfortable and safe.
Clark opened the door of the office and let everyone enter first. "You should have all worn a coat." He laughed, looking them over.
"They're in our bags." Lois said with a sarcastic frown.
"Still." He replied simply.
Rolling her eyes, she pulled Clark in as he was letting the cold air in. "Gees, did your mother never tell you to close the door?" She asked with a mocking tone.
"Maybe." He shot back sheepishly. They hung back by the door as Chloe and Jimmy got a room. A few minutes passed before they came towards them. "So," Clark asked. "any vacancies?"
"There's no one else here Smallville." Lois scolded him.
"How in the world do you know that?" He asked.
"I just do. Who in their right mind drives in this weather?" She was making sport of him again.
"Us." Clark offered.
"And I believe you already admitted that you're insane." She shot back with a smirk.
He like the way her nose wrinkled and her lips pursed when she smiled at him like that. It was special smile he knew no one else got.
"If you two are done," Chloe said with a hint of annoyance. "I'd like to get to our rooms." She smiled as she handed Clark a set of keys. "There's a hallway that leads to the rooms inside here, but we need the vehicle pulled up so that we can unload some things.
Clark nodded and took the keys from her.
"What room number?" Lois asked.
"Twelve." Clark replied, looking at the key. "Here." He tossed the key at her. "Trade."
Lois didn't get his meaning, and frowned. When he gave her the stupidest look, she realized what he meant. Digging into her pocket, she grabbed the truck keys and tossed them to him.
"Thank you." He replied, walking back out the door and towards the vehicle without so much as being affected by the wind.
Chloe laughed behind an upraised hand, knowing it would bring her the wrath of Lois.
"What's so funny?" Lois asked as she followed the two of them down the hallway towards their rooms. The floor was carpeted red, but there was water everywhere from melting snow. When Chloe didn't answer, she persisted. "Answer me damn it!"
"It's nothing Lois."
She fought the urge to slug her cousin a good hard one to the shoulder, but she knew that Chloe wasn't Clark. Damn! She warned herself. Clark was invading her thoughts all over again.
Coming to their rooms, they each inserted their keys and entered. Lois flipped on the light and looked around. The room was small, but ordinary for a small motel. Wallpaper with ugly flowers adorned the walls, but it was bearable. There was a tiny bathroom, but the tub took up most of it. Sighing, she walked to the door that led outside. She opened it to see if Clark had gotten the truck there yet. He wasn't there, but she was surprised at how well protected the parking lot at the back of the motel was from the storm. Trees were everywhere, keeping the wind and the snow from whipping around violently. Kicking off her wet shoes, she closed the door. A second later the joining room door opened, Chloe and Jimmy coming through. "Take your shoes off." She warned them before they took another step.
"Yes mom." Chloe said with a laugh. She looked down to her feet.
Lois noticed that they had theirs off already. "Oh, never mind."
Jimmy noticed the trail of water from the hallway door to the outside door. "You're telling us to take are shoes off? We took them off as soon as we got in."
Lois felt like an idiot, but she pushed it aside. She didn't feel like getting snippy words from a man shorter than her. "Whatever." She said, placing her shoes next to the heater by the window. The door flew opened as Clark entered, his coat done up snugly.
"It's getting worse out there." He said, dropping the luggage on the floor. Lois didn't seem to acknowledge his presence; she simply walked past him to the bathroom and shut the door. He shrugged it off.
Jimmy watched Lois walk to the bathroom, his own need creeping up on him. He quickly went into the other room.
When it was only he and Chloe standing at the door, Clark leaned down to the bags. Pulling out his balaclava, he slid it over his head. "There are people in trouble." He said, pulling out his red winter coat. Shrugging out of his leather jacket, he set it aside and put on the winter one.
"Then go." Chloe said with a smile. She could only see his eyes and his mouth through the mask. "You can hear them through this wind?"
"Yes, and I'll be back as soon as I can." He said simply, opening the door and closing it as he exited.