Chapter Three

Clark was sitting in his bedroom at Kent's farm on a chair next to his bed. On the bed Chloe was lying. She was immobile and her face was pale. She didn't breathe, her heartbeat stopped, but on her face there was a joyful smile. Clark knew that her expression didn't change from the moment she had healed him, was because Chloe last thought was about saving him, not about if she could die doing it.

More than a day had passed before the moment Chloe saved him and Chloe didn't wake up yet. Clark knew that she couldn't be dead. He thought even though, externally she seemed it. He knew that Chloe always remain for a little while in this state after she healed someone.

Clark was not able to see any change in her. He was about to cry but his hope never failed. He only can hope in one moment or anther she would wake up, or more exactly she return to life.

Clark feared that maybe this time would be different. He was stronger than that of other people Chloe had saved, and had a different biology. Maybe this time, Chloe would never awake. Maybe she had died to save him.

Some times Clark's head was between his hands in a frustrated expression. Other times it was near Chloe's hand. Also he took Chloe's hand in his. And time to time he was talking sweetly to her, reminding her to come back to him. Telling her how much he wanted to see her awake again, to talk to her, to feel her at his side.

"Chloe, you must wake up. Chloe, I need you… please come to me again," he was whispering to her, sure that if she was able to hear him her efforts to return were stronger, because he knew that Chloe always cared more about him than herself.

After three days had passed and Clark observed no change in her, Clark was desperate and tired. He didn't sleep watching her all the time waiting for some change. Then, without warning, his super hearing activated and he could hear Chloe breathe, a thin and spaced breath and her heartbeat, only a few times each hour, but her heart was running again.

How he never perceived it the other times? What does it mean? She was recovering or her body had no sufficient energy to wake up from this lethargic state?

A small smile drew in Clark's lips. Maybe Chloe was waking up. But the time passed and he couldn't appreciate other changes. So his joy turned expectance and frustration.

On this day Lois came to the farm asking for Chloe, reclaiming explanation and asking to watch her.

"Three days, Smallville, had passed three days. Where is Chloe? What are you doing with her?"

"Lois, Chloe will be fine, she only needs time. I am not sure of how much."

"You say that to me the last time," protested Lois and added "What is this all this about?"

"Lois, Chloe is the one who can explain it, it's her secret not mine. She will explain it to you when she is better."

"How did you know about it before? How she never said anything to me?"

Clark tried to calm down Lois, and also to postpone the answers until Chloe awoke and she could decide by herself what she wants tell Lois. But every time was more difficult. He understood that Lois was genuinely worried about Chloe. But in this moment her questions irritated him so much. He also was so worried for Chloe, he was very upset about not being able to do something for her and he felt guilty because Chloe had risked her life to save him.

*****

A week after Chloe continued in her strange lethargic state. Clark was starting to think that maybe Chloe's body has not enough energy to make wake. That maybe she would remain in this state forever. But he never would give up, he was ready to wait an eternity if it was needed and had no intention to leave Chloe's side until she wakes.

Clark was thinking about what Chloe means in his life. All the times she had saved him. How she was always devoted to him without asking anything in return. And how he never realized about how much he need her, because she always had been there for him. Also Clark realized how much he miss her; her smile always makes him feel better, her light and profound look, hear her sweet voice… maybe he never would have that again.

In Clark mind remained Chloe's last words before healing him, "Clark, I love you." And starts to ask himself, how he didn't realize before that he loves her also. Maybe his obsession about Lana, his fears about losing Chloe, if their relationship should evolve into more than friends held him back for not realizing it before. Also he understood that Chloe has the same fears and for this both denying, and delaying what was always between them.

Clark took Chloe's hand very gently in his and with low voice, only a whisper started to talk to her "Chloe, I love you, I don't know from when but maybe always I have loved you… I never realized it and it hurt you so much. I am so sorry, Chloe. You need to wake up… please Chloe, come to me, let me make it up to you. I promise you, I never leave you again." His voice was falling with the last words, between tears.

*****

Three weeks passed and Clark only slept lightly in the chair next to the bed, never leaving Chloe's side, always watching her and never losing hope that she would wake again. He didn't eat much because he didn't need it. The sunlight that enters by the window was enough to maintain his life. Even though he doesn't have his powers back, it didn't change.

Chloe woke up in a sweet and warm bed. She felt profoundly disoriented. Her mouth was dry and her sight was hazy. She saw a dark figure over the sunlight that filtrated through the curtains; she imagined it was Clark. He always was there when she wakes; when she needed him.

"Clark?" she called to him with a whisper.

Chloe! You can't imagine how happy I am to see you awake!" he said leaning to her, surprised.

"A glass of water, please," she asked making effort for pronouncing every syllable.

"Of course," answered Clark rushing out from the room.

In a few seconds Clark returned with a glass of water and a pitcher, because he thought that Chloe was very thirsty. Clark helped Chloe sit up in the bed. Chloe took a long drink of water and a deep breath.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Do you not remember that you healed me?"

"How much time do I spend in… coming back?"

"Three weeks," Clark answered slowly

"Three weeks?" she asked incredulous. "What is happening to me?"

"Chloe you mustn't do it."

"And let you die," she replied feared of her own words.

"But you risked your life. Every time you wake, but what happens if one time you don't. I can't forgive myself for it."

"I need to find my limits. But let you die wasn't an option."

"You don't do it again. Don't try to heal no one, including me."

"Clark, you don't know if I really can die doing it. Maybe I only needed more time to recover, because you are stronger," she said thoughtful.

"And you. Did you recover your...?"

"Abilities! No Chloe. The Fortress was destroyed and I am powerless. It's what my father does about someone controlling me. I don't know if some day they will return. But for now I am normal guy."

"Who rescued me."

"And let you be unconscious for three weeks."

"Three weeks…" repeated Chloe slowly "And my job?"

"Lois was covering you. She explained you were ill after being kidnapped by criminals who fake your arrest."

"Oh, Lois, she is so good covering for people. She saw me…"

"No, but you must to tell her it, Chloe. She saw when you healed me and didn't leave to ask questions from then. She is you family and was very worried about you."

"I will do it," says Chloe and took another long drink of water.

"Chloe, I don't know if it's the best moment to talk about it, but I was thinking about this, for these three weeks…" said Clark slowly.

"What is it, Clark?" asked Chloe raising an eyebrow.

"That what you said before healing me. You said that you love me."

"Oh, this… I always say these kinds of things when I am near death, Clark. You must know it." Chloe lied. She has always, took a step back when it came to the next step in their relationship could result in losing him.

"Well, but I must to tell you something. These three weeks I know what it means to live without you at my side. And I don't want to, I can't live without you. I don't know if it means that I love you so much or that I need you so much… maybe both. In this moment I am confused but I know is that I don't want be apart from you for a second, Chloe. There is no-one I need with me more than you."

Chloe smiled at him and caressed gently his cheek.

Clark continued, "I am sorry if you don't… but I think that I love you Chloe," confessed Clark "if you don't want it I… but I… these three weeks… I still don't believe that I have you with me again."

"Clark, forget about I said before. I love you. I always loved you and this will never change."

Chloe took his hand between hers and slowly said him, "Clark you must be sure that you want this. But don't worry; I won't go anywhere or with anyone. I always will be with you if you need me."

"Chloe, you don't know what that means for me. Some hours ago I think that I lost you forever and now, you give me a chance that I don't deserve. This time I won't deceive you."

"You never do Clark. Even when I suffer, you don't deceive me."

"Chloe, you won't suffer anymore. From now I will take care of you and you will be happy. And if you want that be happy with me. Listen, even if Lana divorced Lex, and wants to get back together it will never happen. I think that Lana's and my relationship is over; when Brainiac attacked her I felt that it was my fault. When she had cured and resolved to go away from Smallville, I felt alone… but I had you all this time. I never could stand to see Lana in this way without you at my side. You are my force, Chloe."

"Are you sure that you want it. I mean start something with me. Maybe you prefer wait if Lana returns."

"No, Chloe. Lana is my past, you are my future. These three weeks that I had stayed here sitting up without leaving you for a moment, I was feeling that I had lost my future. I need you in my life every day, Chloe. I don't know if it's enough for you."

Chloe smile lightly.

"Chloe, I always believe that what I felt for Lana was the only way to love someone. But I am wrong. I never needed Lana as I need you. I think that having you always with me made me never realize what you mean to me. You are my partner my soul mate, in a way that Lana never has been."

"Wow," said Chloe surprised and looked into his eyes. "Why we don't give a little of time to discover what is between us."

Clark's face darkened and Chloe seeing it smiled and added "Hey! I love you too, and I need you at my side. You must to know."

Clark reclined a few on the bed and wrapped her gently in his arms. Looked into her eyes sweetly and kissed her lips with a small and tender kiss.

Chloe looked around and realized that she was in Clark's bedroom.

"What I am doing here?" she asked surprised.

"It was the surer place. Is better you rest a few, now…" said Clark getting up from the bed and heading to the door.

"Where do you go?"

"I think that I will rest a few on the couch."

"Please, don't leave me."

"As you wish, Chloe. I had stayed three weeks here; I can stay if you need it. Even without my powers I am strong."

"You could get up in the bed if you want," said Chloe with a wide smile.

"Do you mean in the bed, with you?" he asked surprised.

"Clark, I am not purposing anything. You are exhausted and need to rest, and I enjoy your company."

"Okay, if it's what you want"; Clark answered smiling; got up to the bed and laid next to Chloe. Gently wrapped her shoulders with an arm and looked at her with a wide smile.

"We need some rest," he said slowly and closed his eyes; Chloe closed hers too, with a smile on her face. She was feeling so good to have Clark next to her. Maybe this time she could open her heart without risk. Maybe the risk was worth the while for the love of her life.

-tbc-.

Please, review.