Title: Breaking Chloe Sullivan

Summary: Her strength is intriguing him, her fire captivating him, but can she survive his interest? Lex decides it's time to find out, what exactly will it take to break Chloe Sullivan?

Shipping: Chlark Chlex mostly Chlark

Major Characters: Chloe Clark Lex

Author's Note: Hey guys, sorry it's taken me so long. School and sports have just been kind of crazy lately, not to mention some major writer's block. But, now I have more free time, so I think the chapters should come more regularly. What are you waiting for? Go read!

Reviews:

inspire16: Sorry the chapter took so long. As for your happy ending, we'll see how that goes. Thanks, I spent forever on this plot and there's so many different ideas in my head, I'm never sure what's going to happen next, lol.

atomiccounty: Lol, yes Clark is an idiot and Lex is a messed up jack ass...

lvswtht: Yes I am a bit of a review , oh well, lol. So I'm glad you liked the last chapter, hope you like this one and yes, please review, lol.

GreenMarshmallow: Well thank you, I hope you like this update too!

Kit Merlot: Lol just wait, Lex grows more obsessed every chapter! As for your prediction, you'll have to read to find out.

CYTstagepenguin: Clark just can't handle himself can he? Well maybe he gets better, or maybe not.

Baristagrl: Thanks! And I can't lie, I like Lex and Chloe together too...

Syranda: I really appreciate your detailed review, it made me extremely happy, I hope I keep you hooked.

Blackheart4life: Well I'm glad you're liking things so far, I hope this chapter makes you happy with Lex lusting and Chlark happiness! Sorry it took so long, I've just been so busy!

As for all of you who added me to your faves or your alerts, thank you! I would love a review if you have the time!

Previously:

Chloe

" Shaun lost his job...we...we're in trouble." What are you hiding Claudia? What is Shaun hiding? Chloe swallowed and closed her eyes, trying to draw strength from an already depleted supply. What's going to happen to me now? I'm okay here, don't send me somewhere else! Clark I need you! Chloe was screaming but he couldn't hear, too preoccupied with Lana, and his happy life that he didn't stop to notice how hers might be breaking into shitty pieces. God, please don't let it all fall apart!

Clark

Or rather he heard her, or smelled her, or...felt her. Her heels on the floor, her perfume...and just, her presence. For a second her body was pressed up against his and he could feel the warmth of her, so close to him. She knows me so well... Clark grinned at her sheepishly as she stared him down. God, what would I do without her?

Lex

This feeling was one he had only ever gotten with Chloe, and it was because of it, that he never wanted to let her go. Fuck! Lex opened his eyes reluctantly, not wanting to leave the fantasy his dreams had been allowing him to play out. Damn... His skin was on fire...but the warmth was slowly receding, as it always did, leaving him cold, leaving him empty. He planned to make sure that, when Chloe needed someone to run to, someone to comfort her, Clark would be unavailable.

Ch. 6 Pull it Together

It had been a Wednesday the last time Chloe's world had fallen to pieces. At the time, she hadn't known how truly bad it was going to be. But as she came home from school today, a Friday, with only three more half days left of school, she prayed that this wasn't a glimpse of the rest of her life with the Jensons.

Claudia had started working double shifts, and picking up any extra hours that she could, because Shaun still hadn't found any work. Chloe rarely saw her for more than ten minutes at a time, but she could easily see the change. The contagious smiles on Claudia's face became a thing of the past, replaced with dark circles under tired, bloodshot eyes, and skin that looked too old for her age.

Chloe's life, her routine, had changed, and not for the better. Now, breakfast wasn't a happy time. Now, Claudia was gone when Chloe got up most days, unless Chloe got up early to see her off. Instead of having breakfast made, Chloe made it herself, for herself, and for and Ally and Conner. She wasn't a cook by any means, but she tried. She made sure they got ready for school and on good days, they were gone before Shaun got up, on bad days, she had to deal with him. Then Chloe went to school, and managed to survive there, some days just barely and others it was actually okay. After school, Chloe picked up Conner and Ally, and they all went to Ally's soccer practice. Conner played with toys and Chloe worked on homework, and then they all went home.

At home...things got worse. Claudia would be there most nights, getting some dinner before she had to head back to work. Most of the time she didn't make dinner, although sometimes she really tried, so Chloe did that too. She gave Shaun his in the living room, because it seemed like he never moved from in front of the TV, and he always had some sort of alcohol in his hand. Then Chloe got the kids ready for bed and did her own homework before trying to sleep. Sometimes she was woken up by nightmares, and other times she was woken up by yelling, because Claudia and Shaun fought when Claudia got home, which was always really late.

Still, Chloe held on, she held on to the hope that things would get better, she held on to the laughter of the past, and the smiles from Conner and Ally. But now, after only three short weeks of coming home to a house that reeked of alcohol and echoed Shaun's yelling, it was getting harder. Harder to remember the good times, harder to believe there would be good times again.

It wasn't even ten yet when Chloe finished putting Conner and Ally to bed, and as she walked down the stairs she heard the beginnings of another argument between Claudia and Shaun. God not again... Claudia had gotten some time off today and it had been nice, because she'd made dinner and there had actually been laughter as they ate. But now, of course, they were fighting again. These fights mainly consisted of two things, Claudia saying that Shaun needed to get up and go get a job, not sit around and spend her hard earned money on booze, and Shaun saying things that amounted to a lot of swearing and refusals and sexist insults.

The fighting, Chloe had gotten used to, and sometimes she could even tune them out. But tonight was different, and not in a good way. Chloe was almost to the bottom of the stairs when a sound froze her in her tracks, made her heart skip a beat. Amid the usual screaming, there was a cry and a muffled thud as something hit the floor. Things can't get worse... can they?

As fast as she could Chloe ran to the living room. She froze in the doorway, falling back and leaning against the wall as all the air left her lungs. Claudia lay crumpled on the floor, her body shaking with sobs, her hands covering her face. Shaun was towering over her, his fists clenched and his face angry.

"Oh my God! Claudia!" Chloe ran to her, falling to the floor and taking her in her arms. It was then that Chloe saw the bruise forming on Claudia's already swelling cheek. "Oh my God!" she said softly, tears beginning to form in her eyes.

"The bitch deserved it!" said Shaun. "What are you crying about?!" he said to Chloe, disdain dripping from every word. Chloe looked up at him with angry eyes and as she rocked a still crying Claudia she knew she had to be strong.

"Come on Claudia," she said, helping Claudia to her feet, and taking her into the kitchen for some ice. Thankfully, Shaun grabbed his keys, shoved his feet into his boots, and left in a hurry. Chloe glared at the door as she heard gravel spinning. "I hope your drunk ass crashes."

Another sob from Claudia and Chloe turned her attention back to her, taking a washcloth and running it under cold water. She knelt in front of her and reached up to gently dab at the cut on Claudia's cheek. Claudia winced and Chloe wanted to cry. But she couldn't, she had to be strong, because right now Claudia needed her. Pull it together Chloe.

"Claudia? Claudia look at me." Claudia met her eyes and immediately broke down crying. Chloe gathered her in her arms and stroked her hair, not knowing what else to do. "Shh, shh, it's okay, I'm here, I'm here." Claudia gathered herself, and stood up, going to the sink and splashing water on her face.

Chloe stood and waited, watching her with her hands on her hips, her forehead wrinkled with worry. When Claudia turned around Chloe looked her in the eye. "Has this happened before?" Her tone was stern, and although Chloe was sure she knew the answer, she had to ask.

"He didn't mean it, he-" Claudia began earnestly defending her husband, but Chloe wasn't going to hear any of it.

"No, Claudia stop," she said, holding up hand. "When was the last time?" Claudia sagged, sinking into a kitchen chair, looking at the floor. When she spoke her voice was sad, but more than that, it was resigned, as if she'd already given up.

"Seven years ago, before we had Ally or Conner... It was before he got his job at the LuthorCorp plant, he'd just gotten laid off from another job as a construction worker." She looked up and gave defending Shaun another try, desperation in her voice and her face. "It was just the stress, and the drinking, it-"

"Claudia." Her voice was soft, but firm, because Chloe knew better than to let Claudia defend Shaun for something that was completely unacceptable, no matter what. "Claudia there's no excuse, none." Claudia nodded her head, and looked down at the floor again. "So what are we going to do?" Chloe asked gently.

She wasn't sure why she'd said we, as if she was a part of this family. But as she looked at Claudia, her head in her hands, the picture of defeat, and Chloe thought about Ally and Conner asleep upstairs, Chloe knew she was in too deep to leave now. Besides, where would I go? Claudia was shaking her head and Chloe realized that it would have to be her that dealt with this problem.

So she got Claudia cleaned up, and she tucked her into bed in her room, not in their room, because there was no way she was allowing Claudia to sleep in the same room as Shaun. Then Chloe went downstairs and sat at the kitchen table, staring at the phone. It was almost midnight, Clark would probably be asleep, or, she thought bitterly, on the phone with Lana.

But she needed help. Her head fell into her hands and tears began to form as she realized that she was in way over her head here. You wanted to know if things could get worse Chloe... Well guess what, things just got worse. She was only seventeen, how could she deal with this? These were adult problems and Chloe didn't know what to do... Worse yet, Chloe didn't know what would happen when Shaun came back. What would she do then? But God... What if he hits Conner or Ally? It was then that Chloe made her decision, she was staying, because she had to protect this family. Once he found a job, he would stop drinking, and then everything would go back to normal. So how long am I going to wait? She wiped her tears away, and lifted her chin with a steely determination. As long as it takes...

Monday

Clark went to first hour actually feeling kind of excited. Today was only a half day because today was exams, and exams meant that school was almost out for the summer, and God was he ever looking forward to summer. English wasn't going to be a hard exam, he knew this stuff backwards and forwards. So all he had to do was finish and then he could just pass notes with Chloe for the rest of the hour.

Speaking of Chloe, there she was, in the back row, and it actually looked like she was asleep at her desk. Clark went over and sat down next to her, taking a closer look. Yeah she's asleep. Her head was resting on crossed arms, and she was facing him. A few strands of hair had fallen down across her cheek and if the rest of the class hadn't been there, Clark wouldn't have stopped himself from brushing them away. She looked so peaceful, asleep like this.

He looked at the clock and realized that he really should wake her up so she didn't miss the exam or get embarrassed by the teacher for sleeping when class started in less than a minute. "Chloe," he whispered, leaning over the space between their desks. He reached out one hand and his eyes followed its progress as it ran up her arm, across smooth, soft skin. She didn't stir, and he squeezed her shoulder gently. "Chloe, you have to wake up."

She jumped, her eyes flying open and she sat straight up in her chair. "Good morning sunshine," he teased. A smile lifted the corners of her lips before she yawned widely, her hand flying up to cover it. "Late night?" he asked, smiling.

"Just a little," she replied, smiling at him again and reaching her hands above her head to stretch. He watched her muscles under her skin, watched her shirt clear the top of her jeans, watched the tendons in her neck strain, and her head fall back. Clark listened as she groaned softly before straightening back up, and as the sound resonated someplace within him, Clark wondered for a moment... Could I make her do that? Clark stop it! He shook his head and tried to stop the thoughts in his head.

The bell rang and Clark turned his attention to the front of the class. By some miracle he was actually able to focus on his exam, and was the second one finished. Naturally Chloe was the first, and he smirked as she got up to hand her exam in, following her progress to the front of the class. But, finding himself admiring the curves of her ass for a second, he quickly returned his attention to the exam.

After he was done, Clark reached in his bag and got out a notebook. Trying very quietly to rip out a page, he winced at the noise it made in the dead silence of the classroom.

Why is it that whenever you want to be quiet, things make so much noise? he wrote, folding the note and passing it to Chloe. She opened it carefully and wrote her response, looking at the teacher before discreetly handing it back to him.

Things don't always happen the way you want them to. Clark glanced sideways at Chloe and caught a sad look in her eyes before she masked it with a smile.

Chloe are you ok, did something happen?

No Clark, I'm fine. Besides, Lana tells me you're not very quiet anyways. Clark felt his face turn red and Chloe covered her mouth to keep from laughing out loud.

So... anyways. Are you ready for Murphy's exam tomorrow?

Yeah, I'm more worried about Warren's on Friday. History is fine, but the math I just don't get.

Yeah, history you can study facts, but I guess math is harder to study for.

No kidding. Don't even say you know what I mean, because you ace that class Clark Kent!

True, lol. Hey do you need help? I'm free tomorrow, maybe you can come over for dinner and I can help you.

That'd be awesome! But... there's a problem. I'm babysitting tomorrow.

Ally and Conner? Just bring them, you know my mom would love it.

Yeah I know she was sad when you lost your chubby cheeks, lol.

Haha, very funny, but seriously, just come over around, like 6ish.

Ok, thanks a ton Clark!

No problem, anytime.

"Clark and Chloe!" Clark turned his attention to the front of the class, his hand frozen with the offending note still on its way to Chloe's grasp. Mr. Jones gave them both a stern look and Clark guiltily put the note and the pen back in his bag. He smiled sheepishly at Mr. Jones until he looked away and then he glanced at Chloe. Their eyes met and immediately they both had to cover their mouths because they started laughing. Clark looked at Chloe and her sparkling eyes, wondering how life could get any better. A beautiful girlfriend, a best friend anyone would kill for, and with summer about to start he felt like the luckiest guy in the world.

He saw her at the picnic table, books spread out in front of her, the pages and her hair blowing in the wind. Taking in her body, Lex smiled to himself, feeling satisfaction in how her shoulders slumped and her head rested in one hand. She looked tired, that was good. He walked up and sat next to her, immediately smelling her perfume, her shampoo. He breathed her in and felt something inside his body twinge.

"Lex!" Chloe exclaimed, her face lighting up with that smile he couldn't get out of his head. She threw her arms around his neck and he hugged her back, enjoying having her in his arms. He could feel her body against his, her breasts pressing up against his chest, her legs next to his. Her hair tickled his nose and he didn't want to let go. But when she pulled back he smiled and released her nonetheless.

"Chloe," he replied, "How have you been?" Of course he already knew the answer to the question, but he'd ask anyways, just to see what she said. Besides, a person should only ask a question if they already know the answer.

"I've been great Lex, I can't wait for summer!" Lex watched her eyes as she lied to him, and wasn't surprised at her ability to keep her true emotions hidden. Her deflection of the question was rather remarkable with the seemingly innocent change in topic. Very good Chloe. He watched her turn back to look at Conner and Ally, and he followed her gaze.

Lex watched them for a moment, seeing innocence embodied in two young children, not yet sullied by the filth and grime of the ways of the world. Looking back at Chloe, he saw some of that innocence reflected in her as well. That's it! Maybe this was what had him so captivated. How can she be innocent?

Chloe had gone through so much, she'd seen so much of the pain this world had to offer, and yet, Lex could still see some child-like innocence in her. Before he could stop it, surprise made its place across his normally guarded expression. This had to be it, this had to be what he was after, it had to be the reason for his obsession! So Chloe, have I-

"So Lex how are you?" Lex snapped out of his daze, and turned back to Chloe, who was looking at him intently awaiting his answer. Mentally filing away his revelation for later contemplation, Lex focused in on Chloe.

"I've been fine, everything has been going well. But, I have missed you Chloe." He smirked as he said it, implying that he was teasing. Deep down, however, Lex knew that it was true. Missing Chloe had been this feeling he just wasn't accustomed to. It was like something he needed to live had been taken away, and he was slowly going mad with the thought of losing it. But isn't that what you're doing? By destroying her, you'll lose her... No! I won't!

"I've missed you too Lex! I've just been so busy with school and with home stuff, I hadn't really gotten a chance to stop by." He wanted her to mention the other things that had been going on at home, he wanted her to mention Claudia's black eye, which, of course he'd seen. A wave of guilt had passed through him when he had earlier today, but of course it wasn't him that had hit her, it had been Shaun.

"I understand Chloe, I've been really busy as well." She smiled at him, and it was a relieved smile, like she was glad that he understood. He glanced away and they sat there in companionable silence for a moment before he casually mentioned seeing Claudia earlier today. "What happened to her eye?"

Chloe's pause was small, almost imperceptible, but as she turned to him with another one of her smiles, Lex had to control his reflex to smirk. Come on Chloe, what are you going to say? What's your excuse? She looked him in the eye, and if he hadn't known the truth he might have believed her.

"Oh that! That was the dumbest thing, believe me, if she hadn't actually gotten hurt it would have been the funniest thing that happened to me all week! I was coming down the stairs and I turned a corner. The three stooges would have been proud of the comic picture of Claudia and I on our butts shaking our heads." Lex nodded his head, pleased once again at her quick wit.

"So why don't you have some sort of evidence of this grand collision on your person?"

"I don't bruise easily," she replied. Oh really? Care to test out that theory Chloe?

Lex's mind was immediately filled with an image of him and Chloe on the picnic table. More precisely, Chloe was on the picnic table, and he was on Chloe. He could see himself picking her up and throwing her down there roughly. Clothes would be torn away in his haste, thrown and scattered to the wind.

In his fantasy she was struggling but she wanted him to take her. There was conflict in her movements as she tried to push him off and then moaned, pulling him back down as he touched her just right. His hands were rough and careless, his mouth equally so. Bruises would mark her body as his, and she was wasn't she? So take her Lex, right now...

Her warm body was calling him and he felt himself lean forward. Lex you can't, there's people here, there's little kids... He was close now, his mouth inches from hers and no longer at a place where he could halt its movement. I can't stop now. Lex knew that if he froze now he would just look awkward and then he'd have to explain himself.

So he didn't stop. His lips met her cheek and lingered there maybe a second or so too long. God Chloe... She smelled so good, and she tasted even better. He pulled back and smiled at her, taking in her puzzled look. "I have to run, but I hope to see you soon okay?"

"Bye Lex, hey maybe next time we can hang out just you and me, we'll do something fun." The only thing I want to do is you.

"I'd like that," he said, turning away and forcing himself not to look back as he walked to his car. Then, of course, he couldn't stop picturing her, and not only her face, her eyes and her smile, but her body. Like right now, he was thinking how great she'd look naked in his back seat. We could have some fun then Chloe. God could we ever have some fun... Lex stop! You're just going to get yourself in trouble!

He drove away and turned up his music just a little louder, trying to drown out his own thoughts. Control yourself Lex! His hands clenched around the steering wheel and he gritted his teeth, resisting the urge to turn around and go back to her. Why do you want her so much? There it was, the billion dollar question, and now, Lex actually thought he might know the answer.

It was her innocence. Deep down, that was what he'd noticed, that was what had him hooked. It was the puzzle, the dilemma presented to him by knowing that she could still possess that quality after all she'd been through. But it's not just that is it? He pulled into his driveway and slammed his car door as he stormed into his study. No...

Pouring himself a full glass of brandy, he gulped some down and took a breath. What is it? He sat down and tried to figure it out, tried to figure himself out. It's all that makes her different from me. Staring out his window, Lex realized that he was obsessed with her because she was like him and yet in every way she was different. It's like light and dark...

Lex sipped the brandy now, and he felt himself calming down as he contemplated what he felt for Chloe. The attraction, the lust, that was apparent and he focused in on that, deciding that would be the easiest for him to grasp.

I want...what is it that I want? I want her, that's obvious, but what do I want from her? Lex allowed his mind to wander, allowed himself to fantasize what exactly he would take from Chloe if he was ever given the chance.

His brandy stayed in his hand, forgotten as he closed his eyes and just imagined. Images of Chloe, of him and Chloe, doing things that made his heart begin to race, filled his mind. He could feel her, he could smell her, he could taste her... She would give in to him and then...

Everything... He would take everything, and she would no longer be innocent. She would be like him, and then, she would be his. Lex smiled to himself, resigning to be patient, and let his plan take its course. He could wait for her to come to him. Because she would need him eventually, one way or another, he would make sure of it.

Chloe went through the next day with a mild feeling of surprise. She kept waiting for Clark to cancel, to change their plans for Lana. That was what he always did, and every time he came up to her she braced herself for the cut of the knife she knew she'd feel as he stayed true to form and put her in second place. But the entire day, all he ever did was confirm their study plans, and say that his parents had agreed and his mom was elated.

So here she was, pulling into his driveway with two very excited kids in her car. Ally and Conner had jumped up and down for joy when she'd said they were going to Clark's house. Conner loved the way Clark treated him as a buddy and Ally had confided that she had a rather large crush on everyone's favorite farm boy. Not that I can really say anything about that...

They jumped out of the car without waiting before she had even put it in park. Chloe smiled tiredly as she pulled the key out and rested her head back against the seat for a second. Come on Chloe, pull it together. It was going to be hard, pretending like everything was fine for such a lengthy amount of time. As long as she could fool Martha, Chloe figured it would be okay, because Clark never really noticed her anyways.

Opening the door, she got out slowly, but took sure, confident strides towards the porch. Lifting her chin, straightening her spine, and concentrating on not looking tired, Chloe tried to forget about her problems in favor of a more desirable occupation for her mind. Clark opened the door and held it open for her as she smiled up at him.

" Hey Chloe, how are you?" He smiled in return and she could smell his cologne as she walked past him. Damn... he smelled really good. Wanting to stay there and press herself up against his solid form, Chloe forced herself to keep moving.

" Hey Clark, I'm great," she replied. You don't need him to comfort you Chloe. She stood in the doorway and watched as he picked up Ally and Conner, holding them tight in his arms as they laughed and smiled. Yes I do... Chloe set her purse down on the counter and stepped into the kitchen with a wide smile for Martha. "Need some help?"

" Well hi Chloe, yes I'd love some. Since some people are too busy to help set out the food they begged me to make." Chloe laughed and looked at Clark's face after Martha's pointed comment made him turn around and sheepishly grab a plate. He looked so cute with that expression on his face, it was adorable. Chloe get a hold of yourself! Turning away from him, Chloe took a deep breath.

"Hey guys," she said to Conner and Ally, "Go get washed up and then sit down at the table okay?" They raced off to get ready and Chloe smiled softly, shaking her head at their energy. She sat down at the table, looking forward to a real meal for the first time in what seemed like ages.

Clark just watched her most of the night. Watched her smile and laugh as jokes were passed around the table. He took in how her eyes sparkled as she talked and teased Ally and Conner. Finding himself captivated by everything she did, Clark tried to focus on something else, he tried to start a conversation with his dad about anything, but failed as his dad was having too much fun talking with Chloe and the kids. His mom was hopelessly lost in the charm of the innocent comments and questions of Ally and Conner.

It was after dinner that it happened. This moment...this feeling that would haunt him long after she left. They had already cleaned up dinner and left Conner and Ally under the watchful care of his Mom. It was when they were headed up to his room to study, Clark grabbed her bag as she left the room, seemingly forgetting it. He had followed her up the stairs, and was too busy berating himself for checking out her ass to realize what was happening.

She had reached his doorway, with him close on her heels. Then she must have realized she forgot her bag because she turned around and ran right into his chest. He caught her in his arms as she stumbled, dropping her bag, and when they both straightened, his breath caught in his throat.

It was her eyes, it had to be... There was something in them, calling to him. Pleading with him... Clark found himself lost in all the emotions he found swirling in the depths of her hazel eyes. They seemed to grow darker and darker the longer he looked at them, and he leaned in closer to decipher what he was seeing.

Something sad... She looked lost, and all of a sudden, he wanted nothing more than to find her, to find whatever it was she had lost. His hand reached up and he reached for her, he brushed his fingers lightly across her cheek. Lingering there for a moment, Clark marveled at how soft her pale skin felt.

He watched as she leaned into his touch, closed those stormy eyes and sighed. For a second, she relaxed, slumped her small body against his. The warmth he felt was immediate and consuming. She fit so well into his arms as Clark wrapped them gently around her. What's wrong Chloe? He pulled her close to him and she buried her head in his shirt, and he thought, for a moment, that she was sobbing against his chest. Her hands clutched at fabric and Clark held her tighter.

"Chloe? What's wrong?" Soft words spoken in concern, born from the worry that Clark felt forcing everything else from his mind. His words were so gentle, but it was as if he'd accused her of something. His voice broke whatever spell had pulled them both into this moment of intimacy, this moment of comfort. Chloe flipped a switch, and Clark felt her stiffen in his arms.

"Chloe?" She pulled away, and Clark was forced to reluctantly release her. Chloe turned away from him and went into his room. He followed her, watched as she reached up and ran her hands through her hair, taking a deep breath before placing them on her hips and turning to face him. Clark watched her face, watched the veil come down and close her off from him.

"Hey, what's-" He took a step towards her, reached a hand out to her. Let me in Chloe, just tell me what's going on. Chloe cut him off as she raised a hand and smiled at him.

"Clark, I'm fine."

"No, Chloe, just-" Clark took another step, because he didn't believe her. Everything in him was screaming that this wasn't right, that she was lying. The feeling of her leaning on him, as if she trusted him, as if she needed him... Her body had called out to him for comfort even when she couldn't cry out to him out loud. He had heard her, loud and clear, and now he wasn't going to drop this just because she was pulling away and getting scared.

"Clark! I..." She sighed, sitting down on his bed and putting her head in his hands. Clark cautiously went over and sat down next to her. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and not let go until she told him what was bothering her. But he checked the impulse, because something told him that coming on too strong wouldn't work. After a second, Chloe turned to look at him, smiling weakly. "Sorry about that," she said.

"Sorry...?" Clark tried to keep up with her change in deflective tactics, and found himself confused. "Chloe, I don't get it, what-"

"I guess it's just all this stress about exams, it's just catching up to me. When you think about it, I really should just relax, I mean, it's just high school exams right, but it's just not in my nature, you know?" After her slightly rushed monologue, Clark took a second to blink and take a breath.

"Yeah...okay..." He was still trying to catch up when Chloe launched into her next laughing smile and stood up.

"So are you going to teach me how to crunch some numbers or what?" Clark laughed and promised himself he'd bring this up in another conversation. He stood up and braced himself as he delivered his passing comment.

"Well I don't know, it might take awhile, how long can you stay?" Chloe hit him on the arm and he rubbed it like it actually hurt, pouting. "Oww!"

"Oh don't be such a baby!"

"I'll be whatever I want!" Clark reached out and poked her in the stomach, laughing harder at her indignant expression. The tickling continued and Chloe shrieked and tried to bat his hands away.

"Clark stop it right now!" But I don't want to stop Chloe... You're smiling, you're laughing... It's moments like this I live for... Clark didn't stop until he was sure she was starting to turn blue from lack of oxygen, and it was then that he realized just how close their bodies were. For a second he was frozen, and he wanted to pull her to him, wanted to kiss that pretty smiling mouth... Damn... He stepped back, laughing nervously, and turning back to the forgotten math books. What the hell was that? Clark you need to get Lana over here... Clark looked at Chloe, sprawled out on his bed and swallowed, hard. ...now!

So? How was it? Any predictions for the next chapter?