Chapter 6: "I'm being punished..."
Chloe slammed the car door shut behind her, heading into Lex's mansion.
Clark willingly followed her. "Chloe, I don't think this is such a great idea. You're upset, I get that."
She whirled around. "Clark! I got assaulted by Chase, my dad is missing and both of us could die…how in the hell would you know how I feel?"
That came out harsher then she had intended but she was tired and miserable, and she stopped when she realized what she said. Clark stopped too; he didn't want to block her from Lex's door.
"I just need someone to listen to me."
She stomped her foot and sighed. It reminded Clark of a toddler not getting a toy. He wanted to smile but in her state of despair, she probably would take it the wrong way.
He grabbed her shoulders intending on pulling her back to the truck but instead pulled her into a hug.
"I am listening. Loud and clear, Chloe."
She nodded into his chest. "I'm sorry. I'm just a walking time bomb."
He smiled. "You'll be ok."
He turned her towards the truck and kept his arm over her shoulder. But as they neared it, an explosion went off. Sending the truck, Chloe and Clark flying. Chloe and Clark landed harshly on the pavement and for a moment Chloe thought she was dead. That is, until Clark rolled on top of her creating leverage to pull her farther to the side. They just made it out of the way as the truck fell back down from the sky.
0o0o0o0o
Chloe's head was throbbing. She was sure she was dead. Actually, she was sure she was in hell. Because there was no way there could be that much pain on earth. She must have of hit her head because everything else felt alright. Or it was so increased in her forehead that it dulled the pain everywhere else. She groaned rolling over, feeling someone lift her. She closed her eyes feeling her head pulsate once again.
0o0o0o0o
Clark was against using his super speed to take Chloe to the loft, but she looked unconscious and he didn't want to waste anytime. What he really wanted was to take her to the hospital, but he knew Chloe would be against it. She'd probably freak out at him for even thinking it and he really didn't understand why. He figured it had something to do with her mother being in a mental ward as long as Clark could remember. She had been terrified to talk to her let alone be in the same building with her.
He set her on the couch and watched her for a moment then turned to head to the kitchen to grab things for Chloe.
0o0o0o0o0
Martha had been cleaning up the kitchen until a charcoal covered Clark walked in.
"Oh my God Clark. What happened?"
She hurried over to him and touched his arm and lightly pushed her away shaking his head. "No mom I'm ok."
"Well what happened?" She demanded. She went from 'caring mother mode' to 'I need answers mode.' Clark swore it was hard drive-ed into every mother.
"Is the other truck fully repaired?" Clark asked.
She nodded in her head.
"That's probably best. I don't think the other one will make it back through a thousand pieces."
Martha's mouth went into an "O" shape. "Clark for the last time what happened?"
Clark zoomed upstairs and before she knew it Clark was in front of her again in clean clothes. She guessed he also got a shower because now his hair was damp.
"We were at Lex's and the truck exploded out of nowhere."
"Is Chloe alright?"
"Yea she's ok." He looked down sheepishly. "Mom I should have told you that Chloe's dad was missing. He has been for 3 days now."
"Do you think you can find him?"
He shrugged. "We were asking Lex for help but he declined."
She nodded again and went to put hot tea on while Clark grabbed an ice pack for Chloe if she needed it when she woke up.
"Clark why would you go to Lex if you were angry with him?"
He shrugged. "For Chloe I guess."
She sensed what her son was trying to say. "You like her don't you?"
Clark looked up somewhat surprised by the question…but even more surprising to him was his answer.
0o0o0o0
Chloe sat up on the couch as Clark came up the stairs. He put the icepack on the table and sat next to her. She had her hand on her head and she wouldn't look up at him.
"Chloe you ok?"
She nodded. "My head is throbbing."
He handed her the icepack and she put it to her head lightly. "Maybe I should take you…"
Suddenly Chloe had enough energy to yell. "No!"
He winced at her harshness. "Chloe you could be really hurt."
She lifted her head up to prove to Clark she was ok, and kept it there even though the light made her eyes and head ache with intense pounding.
"I'm fine…there's no reason for me to go parading around there, bill boarding that my mother is in a mental institution and that my dad is missing."
"Take it easy."
She sighed angrily practically throwing the icepack across the room. "I can't take it easy. I can never take it easy. I let my guard down with Chase, and he got into my life. Why I couldn't I just see it before? This never would have happened." Her voice was high pitched and shaky. "I can never take it easy. Not for a second, alright? The minute I forget that I have to pay the price."
"You?" Clark was sure she was talking about her dad.
She looked confused at what she had said. "My dad."
"How are you being punished Chloe?"
She shook her head. "I meant my dad."
"But that's not what you said."
He put a hand on Chloe's knee encouraging her to talk to him.
She was quiet. "I can't help but think that I'm being punished. After everything I put people through. You, my dad…"
He looked at her sympathetically and shook his head no. She swallowed hard feeling her throat tighten. She just started weeping then, anger and frustration fueling her tears. It wasn't long before she stopped and Clark realized she had no energy left in her. He gently took her arms and tried coaxing her into sleeping but he heard someone come up the loft steps and she sat back up. If Chloe didn't sleep soon or at least rest, she would break down, more so she already has and Clark couldn't let that happen. He didn't want her to be so frustrated, tired and upset that she just lost everything. Losing yourself and the world you know can't be easy to come back from.
Chloe looked to see it was Chase who had been coming and she instantly stood making her head swoon and throb. Clark stood and reached out as if to steady her, but then thought it wasn't a good idea and pulled back.
"Chase what are you doing here?" She managed to sturdy herself against the couch.
How much longer was she going to put up this charade of Clark pretending not to know Chase's other intentions? She desperately wanted to run, but she couldn't and she knew it. Not if her and her father wanted to stay alive.
"I'm here to see you." He walked up to her and put his arms around her waist and she inwardly shivered. She couldn't believe she was letting him touch her, but there was nothing she could do. Clark moved around the loft pretending to be doing something to give them privacy, when actually he was keeping an eye on Chase.
"I went to your house but you weren't there, so I figured …" He shrugged. "You must be here."
She nodded. 'Clark and I are working on the Torch. Sorry I didn't tell you."
Her voice was sweet and calm which was the total opposite of how she was feeling. She couldn't believe how her voice came out lovable and heart filled, when she felt so sour and angry.
"Oh its fine. I just haven't seen you in a while; I think a date is in order tonight."
Clark's ears suddenly perked up. No way in hell was he letting him take Chloe anywhere. No matter what she said.
She smiled. She couldn't say no, it'd be obvious she was terrified. "Um, I don't know I still have a lot of work to do Chase."
He smiled back at her and kissed her head. "Come on. Just for an hour."
"Chase I—"Suddenly her hands went to her temples, rubbing them. It felt like a slight explosion going through her head. She realized that she should have slept after her head injury.
She let out a loud sigh. "Dammit."
Clark turned to look at her as Chase took the side of her head. "You alright?"
She nodded, swatting his hand away. "No it's nothing, it's just a headache. Chase I can't hang out tonight, I really need to sleep."
He nodded. "Of course."
He turned and looked at Clark one last time before heading down the stairs, cursing himself. He knew Lex was not going to be happy.
