No Words Necessary
A week later, as lunch ended, the same scene played out again. Clark wanted more than ever to stop her as she walked by, and every fiber was screaming at her to turn and go to him, and yet…nothing.
Up in her office, she noticed he was still on his bench. Not only was he still on the bench, he was looking UP —and not at the birds, or the clouds, but HER WINDOW. She gasped. He was looking right at her. He knew…He had to have known all this time. Her heart raced, this time not aided by caffeine.
He heard her heart start to race and knew she'd seen him. He'd watched her go upstairs, never taking his eyes off her after she had walked past him. They seemed frozen in time as neither of them moved for several minutes, until he stood, and without breaking contact, headed toward the building.
Chloe watched him as he walked toward the building, breaking contact only as the line of sight was broken. He was coming to her. She looked around her office in a panic. HERE was not an option. She might have an office, but glass walls were not private. She grabbed her coat and purse and headed out whispering a word over and over on her way.
She had taken the stairs and was running the three flights to the roof when she saw him on the next landing. He stood there, tall and as handsome as ever, waiting for her. She ran up the last steps and stopped in front of him, and put her hand up to his face. He bent his head and closed his eyes at her touch, barely repressing a groan.
His hands went to her waist and he pulled her to him. She reached up and took off his glasses, and he blinked down at her, looking into her soul, seeing himself reflected back. She pocketed the glasses and stood on tiptoe as she reached up, laced her fingers through his hair, and pulled him down to kiss her.
He claimed her mouth as the rest of him yearned to claim her. It had been twelve long years plus the months of dancing around pretending. He tried to express all of his feelings for her in the kiss… deepening it, exploring her mouth, tasting her… and in return felt everything she was trying to tell him. Their tongues danced and mated until they were both breathless and broke the kiss.
Chloe half expected Clark to let go and step back, his usual response after momentarily dropping his facade, but this time he didn't. He tightened his grip on her and pulled her closer to him. She put her arms around him and put her head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat.
She felt it under her cheek and looked up at him. He looked at her, and she placed her hands on his chest. He nodded, answering the question in her eyes, and watched as she undid several buttons, and opened his shirt, revealing the yellow and red shield with his family's emblem. She rubbed her hands over it, and then closed the shirt again, looking up at him with a smile.
She reached up and pulled him down to her again and they kissed, still not having said a single word, but the kisses told all of the love and friendship and feelings they had for one another. They both knew that from this moment they would never be apart again. She broke the kiss again only because she needed air. She put her arms around his neck and whispered… "Home." He nodded and took her by the hand and led her out onto the roof to a shaded place behind some air compressors that was out of sight of all of the surrounding buildings. He pulled her to him and kissed her again and then hugged her. He put one arm around her, holding her against him, and then looked down at her. She put her face into his chest and put her arms around him. He flexed his knees launched into the sky.
In moments he alighted and set her on her feet. She looked around and noticed they were standing outside the yellow farmhouse. He led her inside, and picked up a pitcher and lemons. She nodded and he left her to explore as he made the lemonade.
She wandered around the old kitchen and the den. She saw pictures of his parents on the mantle, and the table by the stairs, and noticed that he'd added his own memories when his mother had moved to Washington permanently, giving the farm to him. There were pictures of Chloe all over the room. She turned and walked back to him, and he handed her a glass. She sipped it and then decided she needed to be in his arms again. She put the glass down and pulled him to her and kissed him. He deepened the kiss, gently and she could feel all of the love he felt for her.
She suddenly felt him move something from his mouth to hers, and then he broke the kiss, and looked down at her. She tried to move a hand to her mouth but he held them in his own, refusing to let go. She explored the item with her tongue. It was hard and sharp…no…pointed, and had a circular shape attached to it. Her eyes widened as she realized what it was. He held out his hand and she opened her mouth, dropping it into his palm. He held it up to her. "Chloe, will you marry me and be with me forever?"
She laughed and cried and almost forgot to answer "Yes!" She hugged him and kissed him again as he slipped the ring onto her finger. The diamond was the shape of the shield he wore on his chest. She had never seen anything so beautiful.
"I've had it since before I left. I've always known you were the one. I am so sorry I took so long."
She looked up at him as she saw forever reflected in his eyes. "I forgive you. What is twelve years to forever?" She asked as she kissed him again.
They stood in the kitchen hugging and kissing for the longest time, and then he stepped back. She blinked in astonishment as there was a blur of movement and he stood before her as Superman. She looked at him, sensing the strength in the muscles that lay just beneath the blue fabric. She marveled at the suit. It fit him more than perfectly and left nothing to the imagination. It was no wonder people didn't notice that Superman was none other than shy Clark Kent who worked for the Daily Planet! The cape was a nice touch. "I notice you still have a special place in your heart for blue and red," she said nodding toward the old red jacket, which hung on a hook by the back door.
"The cape was Mom's idea. I love that old red jacket." He walked to her and pulled her into his arms, holding her knowing he'd never be far from her again, emotionally or physically. She laid her head on his chest and ran her arms over his bicep, feeling the muscle ripple under his touch. He suddenly stiffened and she looked up. His eyes were distant, and his head was tipped just so, as though he were listening to something. She recognized the look in an instant.
"They need you. Go. I'll be here."
He smiled and took her by the hand and led her outside. He kissed her and stepped back before launching into the sky. She watched him disappear and walked back into the house. Their house. The details would be worked out later, but she knew she was home and she'd be with him from this moment on.
fin
