Chapter Six

Chloe and Clark woke up early; they were anxious about the important things that they had to do this day and also about how Jor-El would react, provided that they were able to reconstruct the Fortress. He had stripped Clark's powers and maybe could be angry with him, so they didn't know if he any had intention to return them to him.

They got up and got ready soon. As like the days before, they did their morning routine so perfectly. After some breakfast they took the truck and drove to the caves.

*****

Clark and Chloe walked into the caves, and entered the hidden chamber of the cave that contained the solid rock that locked like an altar; Clark left the briefcase on the ground. Kneeling next to it, he slowly moved the wheels to put the combination and opened the briefcase, cautiously with both hands. Clark took the crystal very slowly and put the crystal into the slot that was perfectly shaped for it, and then he dropped the hexagonal key to the slot where it fits. A bright light surrounded them, for a moment. He realized that they were in the Arctic, that Chloe was lying on the freezing ground a few feet from him and that he without conscious effort had did it grabbed the crystal in his hand.

Clark rushed next to Chloe to help her stand up. As they knew about their destination both was wearing warm clothes.

Clark threw the crystal away from them as he could and the crystal flew some time until it fell to the ground with increasing speed. Then, there was what felt like an earthquake. At that moment Clark wrapped Chloe in his arms and pulled her close to him in a protective form, covering her with his body.

After a few seconds big ice pillars elevated from the ground every time quickly. Meanwhile the soil was trembling every time stronger. After a few minutes, the Fortress was rebuilt and all remained calm. Clark and Chloe started to walk slowly heading to the entrance.

*****

Lex was sitting in the chair of his studio at his new home in Canada. He was talking by telephone irritated tossing himself in the chair and playing nervously with a ball-point pen.

"How it's possible? How many of my stocks did you sell?"

"You authorized it Mr. Luthor, when you needed money for your projects," answered the voice at the other side of the line.

"Forget about all! Do you hear me? Recover the control of my company!" shouted Lex to the phone before hanging up it violently. His fist punched over the desk, he was angry. His plans were to cost him his company; and end himself as a minor associate from his own company in hands of others. His anger increased, and blamed Clark and Chloe for all. They both were his enemies.

Wanting revenge he took the phone again. Dialed and waited for a moment.

"How is possible that you lost the subject? There are only a few places where she could be hidden. I don't believe she was so much creative with it. I want some results right now!" he said and hanged up the phone.

Lex started to think about how he had put at risk all his fortune for accomplish the objective of dominating Clark's power. There was only one person that could help him with it. If he could use Chloe's abilities against Clark he was sure he could win this battle.

*****

Clark and Chloe walked into the rebuilt Fortress slowly.

"Welcome home, my son," a proud voice reverberated in the big stance.

"Jor-El!"

"I hope one day you will call me Father."

"You call me your son but treat me as the enemy."

"I programmed the Fortress to strip your powers and auto destruct if you become a menace for the planet. But I was wrong to trust this power to the humans; they used it for their own benefit. Now this program is annulated there is no possible use it against you. You need to take the next steep in you voyage my son, I know that you are ready."

"Am I?"

"You will do great things my son. You travelled so far."

A white light surrounded Clark and he felt as his body was transforming; he could feel the power coming to him, entering inside him and also something in his mind and heart was changing too. He felt braver, more ready to fight the injustice and the evil.

Chloe was looking away from the bright dazzling light but attentive to what was happening to Clark and worried about that it could mean.

"It is time my son that return to your life. Live as one of them, my son, search where your power and your force are needed and use them for the good and to fight the injustice. They are good people, my son. But remember always who you are and be proud of your origins."

The light vanished and Clark turned to Chloe. He could feel his powers were recovered. He walked a few steps towards Chloe and took gently her hand and before they realized they were again in the Smallville caves.

Chloe jumped in Clark's arms, and smiled to him. "For a moment I thought that Jor-El would reclaim you to continue your training," she said worried.

"I don't know why he doesn't ask, Chloe, or didn't obliged me, maybe my life is a training too. Even thought he becomes angry I wouldn't accept, not meanwhile you are in danger."

"Clark, I am glad that Jor-El didn't ask it to you. But I think that you must obey him. Every time you challenged him something bad happens."

Clark looks in her eyes, "I can't accept leaving you when you are in danger, Chloe. But I think you have reason. Jor-El treated me as his enemy because I didn't follow his will, I always challenged him. I think it's time to change it. I am sure that I can do it and that Jor-El could accept negotiating things."

Clark hugged her and pulled her close, her arms wrapped around him too and her hands near his neck.

"I hope so, Clark," she said with her lips a few inches from his.

Clark leaned and kissed her gently, then without asking took her up in his arms. Chloe smiled. "What you think about a ride?" he asked insinuating a smile.

"Clark, you truck is outside."

"I can return for it, but first, I want run you home. So much time passed from the last time, Chloe, I love taking you to run."

Chloe smile widened and Clark give her a small kiss over her smile and in a second Chloe found herself sitting in the couch of the farm. Clark sat down next to her put one of his arms around her shoulders and smiling to her said, "What do you think about if I take you on our first date tonight? Tomorrow you can return to the Planet."

"Really, do you think that I am ready? Will you not insist more time that I need rest?"

Clark looked at her eyes with the thrilling of knowing something that she would love and she still didn't know; he dedicated to her a wide smile. "It's not only rest that you need, Chloe I don't want you out there with Lex's men searching for you."

"And what changed now?" asked Chloe smiling widely and anticipating that Clark was hiding something big from her.

Clark searched in his shirt pocked and showed Chloe a press pass with his name. "Now you have a personal bodyguard," he said and deliberately slowly and with solemnity said, "We are partners."

Chloe, who always had dreamed of working with Clark in the Daily Planet both as journalist, jumped in his arms and give him a passionate kiss, "I love you," she said between kisses. Clark pulled her gently away and looked into her eyes answered "I love you too, Chloe."

"And what about the date?" asked Clark smiling to her.

"I will love it," she answered leaning to kiss him again.

*****

The evening arrived early for them. Both Clark and Chloe were so excited about the idea of their first date. They had gone out so much before as friends, but only one time as a couple, years ago at the Spring Formal.

Clark was thinking of what they could do. He and Chloe had gone to so many places together that finding a new one was not easy. Then he thought about a romantic Italian restaurant they had gone two years before at Chloe's birthday that she liked so much. He thought that it would be perfect for their first date. Also he chooses a movie that was Chloe's preferred ones, mystery and investigation with the main role as a journalist young woman. And for before he thought a romantic walk hand in hand by the lonely streets of Smallville under the stars and the low moonlight that was this night according the almanac he consulted, with so much kissing. And maybe continue the kissing on the couch at home.

Chloe searched for an impressing dress. It was her first date in nearly a year and also the first with Clark, her dream love, in years. She finally decided to wear a beautiful light green tight-fitting dress with more low neck that she usually wore.

Clark was waiting for her impatiently pacing in the living room, formally dressed with a dark suit and wearing a nice necktie that Chloe had given him as a gift some time ago. When Chloe walked down stairs to him, Clark turned to her, his eyes full open in surprise. She really was looking beautiful as he never had seen before. He walked slowly to the stairs not tearing his eyes from her and then standing next to the stairs taking her hand gently helping her getting down the last steps.

"You looks beautiful, Chloe"

"Thanks," she answered smiling with embarrassment.

"Can I drive?" he asked, even though they were going with Chloe's car because a truck was not so good to go out, he thought him driving was more romantic.

"Why?" Chloe asked surprised.

"I want to be a gentleman, driving the girl to the date."

Chloe smiled and kissed him quickly giving him the keys.

Hand in hand they walked out the farmhouse and got into the car. Clark helped Chloe to get in to the passenger seat.

On the way to Metropolis they talked about their beloved memories of the years of school and their adventures together and Clark asked about what she liked they should do.

"I want you to surprise me, Clark," she said resting her head in his shoulders.

"Be sure, I will try it."

A little more of an hour after, Clark parked in front of the restaurant and helped Chloe get out from the car. Chloe smiled watching the restaurant. How Clark remembered how much she liked it? she asked herself. He really wanted impress her so much, she thought.

After a nice dinner without hurries, enjoying the good food and wine and being together and time to time taking each other's hands, they go to watch the movie.

Chloe was so impressed that Clark also chose a movie that she would like so much. "The next time we go to watch a Science Fiction movie," she assured smiling and knowing how much Clark liked this kind of movies and she did too.

"Maybe I am workaholic because I like movies about my job," Chloe pondered.

"No, Chloe you are passionate about it. For this I am sure that you will be a good and known journalist," he answered.

Chloe smiled was wide smile at his faith in her capacities. Clark couldn't help himself to kiss over her seductive smile.

After returning to Smallville Clark parked near the town center, and they spend some hours walking hand on hand by the streets, contemplating the stars. Finally they took the car home.

Arriving home Clark helped Chloe get out of the car, very gentleman, and opened the door for her. Crossing the door he took her gently in his arms and, with the light still off, left her sitting up on the couch and he sat next to her for a long kissing session.

When it was so late, Clark and Chloe decided go to the bed. Clark was not so sure that after a nice and exciting date he was able to sleep in the same bed that Chloe as friends only. But also he respect her so much and wasn't able to ask her for more. Only a few days ago she asked him to go slowly in their relationship. Also he knew that sleeping on the couch was not only an offense for Chloe, also could worry her because she wanted him to watch her all the night. So Clark took force from within him to be able to do that he felt an obligation to do: respect Chloe's decision and be able to sleep in only friendship mode after a date. Crazy to think but their relationship was so profound and trustful that it seemed to him the more natural thing to do.

Chloe also was really excited about going to the bed with Clark after a perfect date and enjoy much kissing him. But also she was sure that they need more time to get used to their new situation and wanted Clark to be sure of what they meant to each other before do something more.

They didn't talk about it. Only changed in their pajamas and went to the bed, together. Chloe gave him a good night kiss as every night and Clark wrapped her in his arms gently on the shoulders as he did every night too.

"Good night, Chloe," he said with a small voice, thinking about how amazing the woman that was next him was.

"G'night Clark" Chloe answered, closing her eyes and remembering all the nice moments of the night, in a few moments both had fallen asleep with a smile on their face.

Chloe woken up early the next morning, the sky still dark, she pulled herself to Clark instinctively searching for refuge and without thinking about what she was doing. She was thinking about the date they shared and the day ahead at the Daily Planet, working side by side with Clark as she dreamed for so many years. Also she felt a little fear of show up herself in the newspaper knowing that Tess worked for Lex who was searching for her with the intention of using her in his experiments. But fear wasn't a thing that stopped Chloe in the past, and wouldn't be then.

She had wanted to return to her job as early as she had woken up in her "sleep" and only Clark stopped her to do it. Now she was sure that with his protection all would be fine. But of course, some remaining fear was still in her; even though she didn't want recognize it herself. Her trust in Clark to protect her was so much but also she knew that now Lex knew about Clark's abilities and maybe his weakness also.

Chloe was thinking that life was so short and she needed to enjoy every moment when her hands, without ask her permission started caressing gently Clark's chest one time and another, without her realizing what she was doing.

Clark woke up in middle of the night with a pleasant sensation that he couldn't know because what it was. Still sleepy he didn't realizing that Chloe was touching him, so he only was enjoying the sensation of her little hands on his chest and time to time on his back too. Finally Clark woke up a little more, still sleepy, found a busy Chloe caressing him. He took gently one of her hands in his and kissed sweetly her palm.

Chloe looked at him surprised, just realizing about what she was doing. Clark slowly raised his look to meet her eyes and looking into them asked, "What do you want?"

"I want you," Chloe couldn't help herself answer.

Clark, of course, was so happy to hear it, but also was worried about Chloe was influenced by the date of the night before and wasn't able to think with clearness.

"Are you sure?" he asked calmly.

Chloe wrapped him more in her arms, pulling her body more to his and kissed him passionately.

"What do you think?" she asks breaking the kiss and without waiting for an answer kisses him again.

Clark kissed her back, and after so much time enjoying kissing and caressing each other, they finally surrendered each other in body and soul as lovers and soul mates for a long night full of passion and tender love.

-tbc-