Disclaimer: I do not own Smallville.
Chapter two:
Clark stared at the desk across from his, regarding the name plate with a mixture of both happiness and sadness. The home-grown Kansas farmboy hadn't been so naive as to believe that when he appealed to someone like Tess Mercer's better nature, he would get what he wanted free of any strings.
He hadn't expected her to be so forthright, though. While the redhead had reinstated Chloe in spite of Lex's blacklist, she had also moved Clark to a new desk, directly opposite the girl in question; He wasn't upset about that, and though he would admit to missing Lois a little (She worked down the hall.) he couldn't help but smile a little at the thought of both him and Chloe working at the Daily Planet together.
When he'd been a kid he had never imagined that he would work at a newspaper, despite Chloe's constant badgering and nudges in that direction. Now, however, they would be working opposite each other in the bullpen, under the Tiffany lamps no less.
He was a bit bitter that it came at the cost of essentially becoming pawns on another chessboard in life instead of their (Read: Her) journalistic talent and zeal for truth and justice.
For a brief moment Clark wondered when his life had become a teen drama, but the thought was quickly pushed to the back of his mind as he took in the sight of a familiar blonde coming through the door. "Chloe!" He stood, unable to hold back the bright smile that lit up his face.
Stepping towards him, Chloe regarded him with a raised eyebrow, quirking her lips. "Hey. So the weirdest thing happened over the weekend." She spoke, giving him a look. "And why do I have the feeling that you had something to do with it?"
For one particularly stupid second, Clark couldn't figure out what she meant and panicked, but it passed quickly and he realized what she meant. "I don't know what you mean." He said neutrally, though his eyes betrayed him.
"Right." She grinned as she folded her coat over the back of the chair, running a thin finger over the name plate on her desk. "Thanks, Clark." She spoke softly, looking up at him with a gentle look in her emerald-green eyes.
"Thanks, Clark." I'm genuinely surprised at him. I mean, I get that he didn't want me to leave, but I didn't expect... This!
Naturally I'll admit that I'm curious about what, exactly, Clark could have done to get me a job at the Daily Planet of all places, but I've learnt all too well that Clark Kent has some secrets that he doesn't want to reveal. Best to just let it go.
I straighten my name plate and take a seat, barely registering his soft-spoken almost instinctive; "You're welcome." Instead choosing to take in the sight of a busy room and plot my course. "It's definitely a step up from the basement." I murmur, almost missing Clark's guilty smile.
It's kind of nice to know that even after all these years he still can't keep up a poker face.
"So," I start, taking in the computer and his clueless face. "You ready to crack a story." I state more than ask, grinning at him.
I can't help but be a little confused by the look on his face; I don't know what he's seeing right now, but it's like he's staring straight through me.
"What's up?" I finally relent after a moment of just returning his stare.
"It's just..." He shakes his head and shrugs. "I haven't seen you smile like that in a while."
I'm silent for a moment longer as I process that, casting my thoughts back over the past few months and realizing that he's right. "I guess..." I lick my lips and sigh. "I guess I just haven't really been happy, y'know. I don't even know why I've been trying to pretend like I have."
Even as I chuckle and wave it off he still stares. "I'm sorry." He looks even guiltier than he did before. I try not to wince at his tone; Clark Kent can always find a way to take the blame for something.
"I don't know what for, Clark." I say dryly, rolling my eyes as I try to lighten the mood. "All you tried to do was support my relationship with Jimmy and get a job at the Daily Planet. I always knew that your destiny was bigger than just baling hay." I quirked my lips into a small smile and gave him a look.
"...Right." Why does he sound so unsure? Sometimes it's like he's from another planet. "You did."
And now he's brooding. Great. "Hey," I start, scolding him. "I don't know if you've realized this, but it's my first day, so if you could try not to be a Debby-downer then that'd be great."
"...Debby-downer." He mouths, and I bite my lip to refrain from laughing at his flummoxed expression.
"You had it coming. Lois and I are going for drinks later, you coming?" I've never had the chance to see farm-grown Clark Kent wasted before, so I kind of hope he does. I'm not getting my hopes up though; To date I haven't seen him drunk even once.
"Alright." He hesitated before speaking, but overall I got him in a single strike, so it's all good. Provided that he isn't distracted by a kitten in a tree. Or something.
I swear, the things that must go through his mind I can't even fathom.
"Kent, into my office." Almost glad for the interruption, Clark stands and makes his way into Tess Mercer's office. "Enjoying your chat with Chloe?" The redhead asks dryly.
"I- Yeah." He nods uncertainly. "Thank you for hiring her back, Ms. Mercer."
Tess shakes her head in response, smiling sardonically. "No problem, we're short on staff, and her firing was uncalled for. Lex has a lot to answer for."
Clark stayed silent, unsure how he was supposed to respond to that.
"I just called you in for a brief talk about you two. I understand that in the past you and Lois worked together on several of your stories. The only thing getting between you two was her competitive drive and refusal to share a title." She commented, clasping her hands and raising an eyebrow.
"That's not entirely true, Tess." He pursed his lips.
"Nonetheless," She continued on, seemingly ignoring his interruption. "I hope that you and your new buddy will be able to work together a little more efficiently than your previous partner. I'm expecting you to pull your weight, Clark. I'm counting on you. You're dismissed."
"Yes Ms. Mercer." He nodded, frowning as he turned to leave. For some reason he got the feeling that that last part had been separate from the others.