Chapter 15: Room Service

Chloe Sullivan sat staring at the newspaper in front of her. The Ledger was an adequate newspaper if you couldn't get the Daily Planet. One would think in a room with every single light on it would be easy to read but her mind kept drifting. Mostly to Clark. She wanted to be with him so badly her heart ached. But her mind kept trying to step in and be logical. She turned the page absently, barely noticing the knock at the door.

"Come in." She said after a moment. She broke into a wide toothy smile when she saw who came in the door.

"Hey Clark, hey Pete. How are my two favorite boys doing?"

"I thought that was our line?" Pete asked with a grin.

"Well I'm fine now. The doctor even says I can go home tomorrow afternoon, as long as I take it easy."

"That's great to hear." Pete said.

"So where's your dad?" Clark asked trying to think of something to say.

"Oh I sent him home for a little while. He needed more sleep then that chair is going to give him and I told him he was starting to smell. He's going to be back in the morning." There was a silence noticeable only to Pete as they stared at each other.

"Well I am going to go get a soda and see if I can find you a copy of the Planet." Pete said trying to find someway to make a quick exit.

"Thanks Pete. I would appreciate that." Chloe said.

A knowing smile of both relief and amusement crossed his face. He turned and walked out the door slowly shaking his head.

"Are you going to be OK tonight? By...by yourself I mean? I can stay if you want." Clark didn't know why he was nervous. It was so much easier to be the hero and when he wasn't in that situation things always seemed to get awkward.

"No thats Ok Clark. I'll be fine. It's not so scary with all the lights on." She said pointing up at the ceiling.

"Well I stopped and got you somethings I thought you might want." He bent down and picked up the bag at his feet. When she saw the first thing he pulled out she clapped her hands with glee.

"Oh Clark my laptop! Thank you so much. I was going crazy just sitting here 'resting'."

"I'm glad you like it. But I think you will like this even better." He pulled a small thermos out next. As he unscrewed the top she she took a deep breath.

"Is that what I think it is Clark?"

"Yep." He picked up a small plastic cup from the side table and pored her a cup of the Talon's finest Columbian blend. Offering her the cup she let the aroma percolate under her nose. She took a small sip and moaned at the exquisite taste.

"Clark, I love you!" She said and stopped, realizing what she had just said. Clark kind of looked at her for a moment, something quickly past through his eyes and he turned away. Screwing the cap back onto the the thermos he set it in the corner of the side table.

"Just don't tell anyone where you got it. I doubt that highly caffeinated coffee is part of the dietary plan for severe neck wound care." He said with a nervous laugh.

"Don't worry Clark. I would never give up my dealer." Pete came back into the room toting a bottle of soda and a big newspaper.

"Bedside delivery at your service." He said.

"Thanks Pete. It will be great to have something interesting to read for a change." She scanned the front page headlines.

'Luthor Corp. makes new acquisition.'

"Well Clark Nurse Becky cornered me on the way back here and told me visiting hours are almost over. I don't think we want to upset her either."

"Right Pete. You sure you don't need anything else Chloe?"

"No I think this fix will do me just fine for now." She said with a smile. "This was all great."

"Ok well we will be back tomorrow before you leave. Remember if you need anything, call." They left her idly flipping through pages of the Daily Planet and sipping her cup of coffee. If not for the hospital room and bandages it would have been just like any other evening.

"So what now Clark" They were walking down the hall on their way out of the hospital.

"Now we have to find Voss." He said.

"And how exactly do we do that?" Pete asked questioningly.

"Oh I don't think it will be to hard." Voss said as he came around the corner of the hallway grabbing Clark by the front of his jacket and hurling him through a window.

"Not to hard at all."