A/N: And so begins the total rewrite. I used some of the same stuff from the original, but as you read on, I have changed a MAJOR plotline here. I know it's short and will post more in the next few days.
"Uhm, Chloe, are you sure this is a good idea?" Clark sat on her couch and watched Chloe devouring an entire container of ice cream while drinking a beer.
"Well, you wouldn't let me make a rootbeer float, sans the root, so I will drink and eat separately. You make up the rules apparently, I just live here." Chloe threw at him with a little grin.
"I know you're upset about the attack, but Chloe this is a little overboard even for you."
"Hah!" Chloe thunked the ice cream on the coffee table and held onto her beer. "You have no idea! This is not about the attack. Men brought me to this state and so now, finally, I'm done. I give up!"
"What are you talking about?" Clark asked cautiously.
"Bruce. Bruce…" Chloe stopped and took a deep breath. "Bruce decided to dump me. Whatever, it's just that I really care about him and I'm not sure that I will get over it. You know?"
Clark looked at her sadly. He definitely knew about heartache.
"And you can just wipe that pity right off your face because I don't want it. You did this to me too you know. I have the worst taste possible in men."
"Why did he break up with you?" Clark ignored her comment; he didn't want to dredge up all those old memories.
"I don't know. Apparently, he has some big secret and doesn't think that I would be able to handle it. If only he knew, right? I keep secrets better than anyone. Secret Keeper extraordinaire. " Chloe pointed to herself for emphasis.
"Yes, Chloe you are." Clark patted her back gently. "I think its time that you went to bed now, Chlo."
After Clark left, Chloe lay in bed thinking. Her mind was wandering in that way that minds do when trying to drift off to sleep. Out of nowhere, she thought about the conversation she and Batman had out on her balcony.
It's my duty to save it...He'd said. Duty...that single word bounced around in her mind. Suddenly she sat upright in bed. "Duty..." She said the word outloud and jumped out of bed. Her mind was suddenly moving in circles. She'd heard that phrase before, but not from Batman. Bruce had said it that first night they went out to dinner together. An idea was forming in her mind. Bruce was Batman...it seemed so impossible.
Then she remembered that Bruce was never around during any of the times Batman was active. He would mysteriously disappeared. She stopped her pacing dead and wanted to smack herself on the forehead. The night they'd almost made love he'd had a bandage on his arm. The same arm where Batman had been shot. OH MY GOD. I am such an idiot!! She thought. How had she not realized it until now? That must be his secret; at least it better be. That was a pretty large secret to be hiding.
Oddly, her realization made her happy. She felt energized and excited. She knew his secret, now she just had to try to convince him that she could keep it and they could be together.