Chapter Eight: Truth takes time

Lois stirred in her sleep, Clark watched her, he hadn't left her side in two days, the only time he had thought about anything other than her and Kal El was when he rang Chloe, to try to explain what exactly had been happening over the past few days.

'Lois...?' He touched her cheek hoping for a response, Lois leaned in to his touch as she whispered, 'Clark...?'

It all came flooding back to her as she jumped up and pulled away, this time saying his name with terror, 'Clark?!'

Clark felt heartbroken as he saw the fear in her eyes, 'No, Lois...it's me,' she studied him suspiciously, 'It's me... It's Clark...'

On seeing her reluctance he gazed into her eyes, 'LOOK at me Lois...' she did as he requested, her eyes searched his, a wave of relief washed over her as she saw the tenderness that was missing in the other Clark.

'Oh thank god,' she whispered as she clutched him tightly, she held him against her, losing herself in his embrace for a moment, she quickly pulled away, Clark had no idea about her feelings for him she reminded herself. He thought they still had that tongue-in-cheek friendship, she pulled away from him, blushing slightly.

'I'm glad you're back.' She said with a smile.

Clark held her gaze, letting himself meet her eyes and search them without the fear of looking away at the appropriate time. Lois searched his calming blue eyes, the sparks passing between the two of them weren't invisible to either of them.

Lois cleared her throat, 'so...uh...wanna tell me what the hell happened back there?'

Clark opened his mouth to answer but was cut off by Chloe's voice as Chloe stormed into the bedroom.

'Lois? Are you okay? I'm sorry it took me two days to get here-'

'We're getting married-' Jimmy beamed from behind her, Chloe rolled her eyes but broke into a grin, Lois and Clark stared at them.

'You're getting married?!' Lois exclaimed.

Chloe nodded, 'I'll tell you everything afterwards...' she turned to Clark, 'I wanna talk to you...'

The room fell silent, Chloe gave him a look, 'outside?'

Clark nodded, 'yeah sure.'

He followed Chloe outside, still reeling from the news of her engagement.



Chloe smiled at Lois and Jimmy and shut the door.

'Wanna tell me what the hell is going on?!' She asked in a loud whisper, 'She could have gotten seriously hurt-what were you thinking when you decided it was okay to sit back and let alien-Clark shove his tongue down her throat-'

'There was nothing I could do about it-'

'He didn't do it randomly Clark-you obviously feel something for Lois-'

'Chloe-that's not the point-'

'So you're sure he's gone??'

'For Now.' Clark nodded.

Chloe felt sick, 'Why don't I find that comforting...?'

Chloe looked disturbed as she spoke, 'Lois and Alien Clark almost slept together-'

'I know-Chloe, you know I wouldn't let anything happen to her-but it wasn't ME-that's what I was trying to tell you over the phone-'

'But it was you-he has all your memories, your emotions but he's just...alien-you...or am I wrong...?'

Clark sighed, 'Chloe-'

'My cousin was making out with a cold-blooded alien Clark... Do you have any idea how freaky that is? And NOT in a good way-'

Clark shook his head as he smiled at his worried best friend as she ranted.

'All of this happens-you defeat Alien-Clark-And then you just...' she struggled to think of the words, 'What if Lois had seen you use your abilities?? Thank god it's over...' she said, looking exhausted from her outburst. She glanced up at Clark.

'What?'

'I'm glad I'm back.' He said with a smile, Chloe grinned at him, swinging an arm around his shoulder.

'I didn't think it was like you to miss my big day...' She quipped as she referred to her release from the prison. Clark raised an eyebrow, 'so you and Jimmy...engaged?'

Chloe nodded, blushing slightly as she showed Clark her ring, Clark felt a creeping sensation of sadness seep through over.

'Wow Chloe...I'm uh...'

The bedroom door opened, as Jimmy helped Lois out of the room. Both of them pausing as they noticed the awkward silence in the air between Chloe and Clark.

Chloe looked at Lois, Lois simply shrugged, 'we felt like we were missing out in there...'



Chloe grinned, 'ofcourse not,' Lois broke into a big smile, 'I'm so happy for you cuz.' She hugged her cousin tightly, Jimmy grinned at Clark who forced a smile at him.

'I'm really happy for you.' He nodded, Chloe smiled softly at her best friend, 'Thanks Clark. That means alot.'

Lois watched Clark carefully, his words said one thing but his eyes said another.

'Oh, Lois...had Clark told you the good news yet?'

Lois looked lost for a moment, Chloe walked over to Lois and swung an arm around her shoulders, 'Clark's taking you up on your offer to join the Daily Planet!'

Lois raised her eyebrows, Clark smiled earnestly, 'What made you change your mind...?'

Clark smiled at her, 'Didn't you say I was destined for better things than working on a farm?' he smirked slightly.

Lois welcomed the wit, 'Actually, I asked you if you thought you were-and at the time. You didn't.'

'Things change Lois.'

Lois slowly nodded, Chloe looked from Clark to Lois, cringing as she saw the tension and bickering between them, she turned to Jimmy.

'I think you should ask her-'

'ME? No way-'

'Ask what?' Clark and Lois said simultaneously and then looked at eachother.

Clark cast a sneaky glance at Lois, who happened to be doing the same thing to him. They both looked straight ahead of them at Chloe and Jimmy's bashful expressions.

Lois studied them, Jimmy smiled at her with a guilty expression, 'Well...Chloe and I were wondering-'

'That seeing as we're moving in together-'

'You're moving in together??' Once again, Lois and Clark spoke simultaneously, even Chloe noticed this time. Lois felt unsettled by standing so close to him, she was afraid she might remind herself of the emotions she had felt for him the past few days, but what she feared more than reminding herself of those emotions, was somebody else noticing them. She walked over to the fridge and pulled out a drink.

'We think you should move out-' Jimmy mumbled quickly, causing Lois to spit out her drink.

Chloe looked panicked as Lois's eyes landed on her...Lois took in a deep breath, 'Okay.'

'Really?' Jimmy asked too happily, Chloe through him a look and then turned to Lois.

'Thank you so much, you're the best cousin ever-'



'Save it Sullivan.' She said with a grin, 'I just can't believe you're getting married-'

'I know!' Chloe said ecstatically, Clark smiled at the two cousins as they laughed and joked.

He had lost Lana, and now he was about to lose Chloe...and he couldn't explain why, but he didn't like it. Not one bit.

Clark walked over to the fridge, deciding he could use a drink to, Lois was walking backwards whilst talking to Chloe and Jimmy about the past few days, she bumped into Clark and fell, Clark caught her in his arms just in time. For a moment they both found themselves speechless as they gazed at eachother.

Chloe cleared her throat, Lois quickly straightened, 'Nice catch Smallville.' Lois said as she adjusted her blouse.

'Your welcome Lois...' Clark muttered.

Chloe studied the two of them, it was as if they were creeping around on eggshells around eachother...not that she blamed them, Lois had been making out with who she thought was Clark, and Clark's feelings for Lois must have had something to do with it too...Lois would never kiss a guy unless she knew he wanted her in return. Chloe decided to have a heart to heart with both her best friend and her cousin later on.

Chloe, Jimmy, Lois and Clark sat at the table, Clark watched his friends as they laughed and discussed the upcoming wedding and Clark's new job, he didn't have the heart to talk to any one, whenever he looked at the table he saw his memories pass by, the ones with him, his mother and father, laughing and talking as they'd sit down for a family meal. Or the ones with Lana, he had had so many dreams, all of them shattered by her over and over again. And now Chloe was moving on with her life too. He didn't know if it scared him or it upset him, he climbed to his feet, 'I just need to get something from the barn...'

Chloe nodded, 'Okay.'

Lois watched him go as Jimmy and Chloe continued their excited conversation, she wondered if he was feeling okay. So much had changed in his life over the past year, not to mention the rollercoaster of emotions he had been through with Lana leaving him, Chloe getting jailed and now his best friend moving on with her life.

'Actually, I think I'm gonna go check on Clark...'

Chloe nodded as Lois left the table, Jimmy broke into a broad grin as he faced Chloe.

'What? Lois and Clark? No way.'

'C'mon, Clark told you himself that they had been making out like hell-'

'But that wasn't Clark-' she groaned, hoping she didn't have to explain, 'Now he's the real Clark...I doubt he'll be shoving his tongue down Lois's throat any time soon...'



'Maybe he won't be the one to initiate it...'

'Lois??' she cautiously studied him, 'did you get high?'

Jimmy frowned at her.

End chapter Eight: