Chapter Two

The Intended

"So, does this skintight, blindingly white jumpsuit make my butt look big?" Chloe said with blatant sarcasm.

Without thinking Clark responded. "Your butt looks perfect."

Chloe's eyes widened with glee. "Clark!"

His face reddened almost immediately. "I-I mean…"

A satisfied smirk overtook Chloe's features. "I think I like this truthful side of you."

He looked down and fumbled with a silver bracelet identical with his own.

Chloe pressed her advantage but tried to stay restrained. "Is that for me?"

Clark nodded and then stepped forward. He took her left wrist and slipped it on, adjusting it to a comfortable fit. "It's a link to Jor-el." He stepped back giving Chloe a bit of personal space. "It's voice activated. Just say what you want and he can adjust the styles and fit more to your liking."

She couldn't seem to resist and let her hands roam across her midsection. "For being such thin material it's really warm."

"It's Kryptonian." He replied walked over to the wall and passed a hand across the blank face. A small alcove appeared. "Just say what you need and Jor-el can make almost anything you need."

Chloe's eyes narrowed in skepticism. "You mean you have your own version of replicator technology?"

"I guess."

Chloe approached and looked inside.

A hollow and deep male voice sounded around the room. "The unit is called a reproductor, Chloe Sullivan."

She jumped and looked around for the intruder.

Clark set his hand on her arm in a calming gesture. "That's Jor-el."

"Your father?"

"Not really."

"Chloe Sullivan. I am the memory of Jor-el imbedded in the master crystal that is the central nexus of this structure," the voice explained.

Chloe screwed up her face in uncertainty and gave a short wave. "Uh, hi, I guess."

"Kal-el, you have wasted valuable time. You must continue your training," the voice continued. "I am capable of conversing with your intended while you are occupied with more important activities."

Clark's eyes widened with fear and Chloe's jaw dropped open in response to Jor-el's directive.

"Jor-el, a little privacy, please," Clark pleaded.

"Seven additional minutes, Kal-el," the hollow voice replied.

Chloe had half of an accusing smile pointed directly at her companion. "Intended?"

Clark's hands fumbled repeatedly searching for nonexistent pockets to busy themselves as his ears increasingly reddened. "You weren't supposed to hear that."

"Obviously," she replied as she eyed a flat surface that might be called a chair. "Care to shine a light on the meaning?"

Clark turned around not wanting to face the subject. "Jor-el refused to allow anyone access to the Fortress and I was losing myself."

"You've already told me about that, Clark."

"Right. Well I, uh, I came across something in my studies." He paused for a moment and glanced briefly to the petit blonde. "One of tenants of Rao is…"

"Rao?" Chloe inquired.

"Rao is the, well, I guess for lack of a better explanation, the Kryptonian God." Clark shuffled back and forth clearly nervous. "He used to be the father of the gods in early history but the latter three thousand years Krypton became a monotheistical culture."

"Gotcha. Anyway, Rao?"

"Right, um, one of the tenants of Rao is the maintenance of family. Kryptonian married early in their lives. Political reasons, arranged marriages…"

"Clark?"

His voice picked up a rapid pace. "The only way I could have anyone here is if they were related to me, or soon to be related. I mean it's not like … I mean you're the only person that knows all of my secrets other than Pete and well…"

"Kal-el," the hollow voice resounded.

"I gotta go," Clark said in an almost relieved voice. "I'll explain more later." And with a blur of speed he was gone.

Chloe was still wide-eyed with surprise. Was Clark saying what I think he was saying?

0

Chloe busied herself for the next couple of hours as she waited for further explanation from her intended. The idea boggled her mind and she found herself sitting or staring out into blank space in wonder.

The rooms inside the Fortress were unlike any she had ever encountered. The bedroom where she and Clark had their conversation was nothing more than an alcove for a bed which was anything but a bed. There was something that might be considered a pillow and nothing else, sheets or otherwise.

After discovering the jumpsuit and its advantages of being able to become anything she wanted and the additional plus as acting as an insulator to the sub freezing temperatures she left her clothes in her suitcases.

A long sheet of crystal became a desk of sorts for a few pictures and her laptop. But considering her power supply problem hadn't been addressed she didn't think it was wise to boot it up.

"Ugh," she complained. "How am I supposed to keep myself busy? I can't stand the waiting."

"I am at your service, Chloe Sullivan," responded Jor-el.

Chloe jumped and let out a scared, "Eep!"

She clutched a hand to her breast and let out a huff of breath. "You've really got to stop doing that!"

"You are safe within the confines of the structure, Chloe Sullivan."

She rolled her eyes. "Okay, Obi Wan. So, what's Clark up to?"

Without a second thought Jor-el responded. "Kal-el is attending to his studies."

Chloe quirked an eyebrow. "Anything in particular?"

"Currently Kal-el is learning seventeen Earth languages, the 723 known physical elements of the universe, Kryptonian mating practices as of those of Earth, the time dilation theorem, Zerkoian mathematics, the poetry of Fauk-no-San of Sirius Seven, and the various fauna and shrubbery of the Smokey Mountains of North America."

"Uh … that's it?"

"Indeed. I am disappointed as well," Jor-el seemed to sigh.

Chloe laughed. "I was being facetious."

"As was I, Chloe Sullivan."

"You can just call me Chloe," she responded.

Jor-el put on his best disapproving voice. "In doing so I would disrespect your family and its noble name. Doing so to my son's intended is a grave insult."

Curiosity pulled at Chloe's forehead. "From what I've seen I always thought you didn't care about us lowly humans."

"On the contrary, Chloe Sullivan, I care deeply else I would not have sent my only son to your planet. My concerns in previous years have been the result of Kal-el's lack of development in regards to his Kryptonian heritage." A slight pause lit the air before Chloe could respond. "Jonathon Kent has prevented Kal-el from fulfilling his destiny and that is an affront that could not be tolerated."

Chloe crossed her arms in defiance. "Mr. Kent loved Clark. He only wanted his safety and what was best for him."

"And as a child that was enough. Because of his meddling countless lives have been lost," replied Jor-el.

"Clark has saved hundreds of people!" Chloe shot back.

"And exactly how many people were killed because Kal-el was not prepared for Zod? Answer me this Chloe Sullivan. If Kal-el had been at the height of his power only two years ago would he have succumbed to the machinations of the Brain Interactive Construct known as Milton Fine? And in doing so would the hundreds of people in Metropolis, not to mention the surrounding cities and states, died because one adoptive father wanted to shelter my son from his destiny?"

Chloe's face fell. "I – I don't know."

Jor-el's voice calmed. "Your devotion to my son and his adoptive parents is commendable, Chloe Sullivan. However, you must also concede that Kal-el is meant for the whole of Earth and not solely for the comfort of a single family nor a solitary community."

"Jor-el, leave us!" Clark commanded from the entrance to Chloe's room.

Chloe jumped and spun on her heel to find Clark with a determined look.

"Now you see why I wanted you here."

She nodded. "He's very persuasive."

"You have no idea."

Chloe looked down for a moment and then back up. "So, we're engaged?"

Clark cringed at the word. "Not really." He saw the serious look on her face and continued. "A few weeks ago I was telling him about my parents, Pete, and you."

Chloe made herself comfortable on the chair near the desk. "What about?"

"We got on the subject of who knew about my powers, Krypton, you know."

She acknowledged with a nod.

"He asked about how you and Pete found out and if I trusted both of you." Clark met her eyes. "You already know about how Pete couldn't stand the pressure, but when Jor-el asked me about you …"

Chloe's head tilted in inquiry. "What about me?"

Clark took a breath. "I told him all about you; everything."

He turned to the side, deflecting her gaze once more. "What it all boils down to is that I told him I trusted you with my life, with everything that I am."

"Clark," she whispered softly.

"That's when he went into more detail about the tenants of Rao. See, being my intended is Earth's equivalent of courtship or formal dating, I guess." He paused long enough to glance her way and judge her reaction.

Chloe sat in somber contemplation, listening intently so he continued.

"On Krypton marriages are arranged between families, for the most part. Couples are put together for a period of intent to see if a formal engagement is possible. If there are multiple families vying for the same person then that period of intent is for each of the possible matches until each head of family is agreed that their children should proceed further. So you see, we're not really engaged."

0

Chloe needed time to process the info dump of barbaric Kryptonian dating practices and had asked Clark to take a walk so she could have some time to herself.

After having come to terms for the hundredth time over the last few years regarding their relationship status, or rather lack of said status, Chloe was knee deep in a conundrum. On one hand the main reason she was delegated to the back burner was due to Lana. Oh, bad choice of words; burn. Sorry Lana. Well that was over with. And anyway, Lana never knew the entire truth about Clark in the first place.

Life moves on and with it another opportunity to rekindle lost romance. We're all by our lonesome.

After agonizing over her options she came to a decision. There's only one way to find out right from the start whether or not it's worth yet another broken heart.

She found him in his room. Clark's back was to the door. His head was cradled in his hands engaged in yet another round of epic brooding.

"Hey," she called out softly.

Clark spun in the chair but remained seated. "Hey," he returned with a gravel voice. He cleared his throat. "I mean, hey."

Chloe steeled herself. "Clark, I need you to be one hundred percent truthful to me. Do you think you can do that, no matter what I ask?"

She saw him swallow nervously followed by a nod.

"Good," came her response. "'Cause I can't go though this again. It's better to know up front …"

She inched forward. "Clark, you know my feelings. I've told you on a number of occasions… denials and obfuscations aside."

Clark nodded again.

"I loved you back in high school, and after. Once I found out your secrets I think I've loved you even more. So you see what I have to lose here."

"Chloe," he began.

"Shut up, Clark," Chloe snapped with a nervous laugh. "I'm trying to figure something out."

Inching forward once again she continued. "See, I can tell that you're lonely up here in the great white north's attic. What I need to know is if it's just generic loneliness or something else, and I can only think of one thing that can give me my answer."

She came to his knees and pushed them apart with her own legs. "Clark, I'm going to kiss you."

"Chloe," he began.

"Shut up, Clark." Her face softened and her eyes wandered his features as her hands nestled in his hair. Her next words were barely whispered. "Tell me what you need with your kiss, Clark. It's the only way I can be sure."

Without another pause Chloe dipped her head down and tasted what she had dreamed about for a year and a half. The last time they kissed it was desperate passion of lost opportunity and goodbyes. This time it was more of a beginning and tender wanting.

Clark's hands found his way to her hips and he slid them up along her back when the electrifying presence of her tongue made itself known.

She let loose a sob of emotion into his mouth as tears ran down her face and then deepened the kiss to something hungry, something once restrained and now allowed to be loosed.

Chloe pushed him back toward the desk and slipped her legs across his, pressing her body against his, pushing her soul into his.

They broke apart with a gasp and Chloe slid her face along his. "Clark, I want you to take me." Hot quick breath cascaded along his neck. "I need you to show me. I need you to show me everything you have."