HOLDING OUT pt2

Pairings - Not sure yet, Clark and Chloe most likely
Spoilers - It would help if you've ever Watched Smallville
Disclaimer - As much as I'd like to, I own nothing and will in no way make profit from this piece of fiction from the depths of my imagination.

NOTE – Thanks to everyone for their praise of the first Part of this story. It was nice to make use of my old journalism training and dust off the correct formatting. Unfortunately I find it easier to write an actual article then a fictional one. That meager 1,000 words took way more effort than I thought it would. So I'm glad you all seemed to like it. Not too bland a start, I hope. Okay, I'm done fishing for compliments (lol) here's some more actual fiction now!

September 23, 2013

6:47pm

Daily Planet

The view from the top of the Daily Planet building has always managed to leave people breathless the first time they see it. Standing beneath the eternally spinning and warmly glowing globe and looking out on the cityscape tended to make even the most cynical reporter seem idealistic and hopeful.

Traits that seem sorely lacking in Metropolis these days.

Sighing heavily, Chloe leaned against the railing and looked down at the street so many stories below. Her editorial had hit the city with the early morning edition and already Perry was fielding demands to have her removed from the paper. Money breeds power, dealing with the Luthors for most of her life taught her that, and power in Metropolis came from the streets and worked its way up.

So much had changed in her life. In one respect, she had achieved everything she's ever wanted. Success. Financial security. Her dream job as the investigative reporter at the Daily Planet.

But it's not enough.

Call it a quirk, maybe even a personality trait gone wrong. Whatever. But somewhere along the way, somewhere over the years, her desire to uncover the truth in situations evolved into something more. Now finding out the truth, gathering evidence and reporting it to the public wasn't enough.

Maybe it was all the attempts on her life. Buried alive, not one of my favorites. Maybe it was all the close calls, the last minute rescues, all the times she was on the verge of destruction. Who knows? All that matters are the facts. Too many people in this world take advantage of others for their own gain.

Of course, everyone takes advantage of someone else for one reason or another. That's just human nature. But criminal elements that are looting and causing havoc for the good, hard working people of Metropolis, and getting away with barely a slap on the wrist. Well that just makes her furious.

Great now I have a Hero Complex.

In the last year, Chloe had uncovered more evidence of crime and governmental corruption than even she had thought possible. Dirty dealings. Illegal smuggling operations. Connections to drug cartels and manufacturers. Rumors of murder. Evidence of worse than murder.

And the very people who you'd hope would stop these crimes are on their payroll.

After a time, there was only so much she could take. So many times she would defer to the indefatigable wisdom of Perry White. However, after months and months of "make sure of your evidence", "confirm every detail" and finally "we could all lose our jobs if we're unable to prove any of this" there was no more waiting.

Perry took one look at the charts and quotes she'd been able to acquire from reliable police officers and the Assistant D.A. herself, and said the best words in a reporters life.

"Print It."

Now I just have to live with it.

Within an hour after the paper hit the streets, her phone began ringing off the hook. Angry government officials and members of the police force insisting on a retraction. The Daily Planet Legal Department hauled her into Perry's office and demanded the same, declaring the words she had printed "didn't have sufficient evidence to back up her claims."

No doubt. Lawyers are slimier than meteor freaks.

Thankfully Perry was there to have her back. But the evil glares of lawyers who knew they were going to have to litigate against corporate nemesis' with the weight of Municipal Government on their side made them even more volatile than normal.

It wasn't until noon that she received her first death threat.

Oh, how I missed those.

There she was sitting at her desk and trying to wade through her pile of e-mails and notes for upcoming case files when the package was delivered. A non-descript looking man, wearing the ever-so-pleasant brown walked up to her, got her signature and then dropped the envelope on her desk. Not really paying attention, she tore it open reached inside and pulled out several candid black and white pictures of herself. At home. At work. At the parking garage where she leaves her car. At Lois' apartment. And one note printed in huge Arial Bold font.

We Can Always Find You!

Chloe wiped at her eyes with one hand, glad to see she wasn't crying anymore. Though she really wanted to.

Taking a deep breath, she looked down at her cell phone. She'd turned off the ringer hours ago, so text messages and voice mails were piling up. Scrolling through them idly, she smiled at the one from her cousin.

U have big brass ballz cuz. Call if u need 2 talk – Lo

Wistfully, Chloe scrolled through the remainder of her messages before finally shutting the phone off and turning away from the railing. The one she was always looking for was never there. It was way past time to head home. She'd done enough for the day.

Taking the stairs back down to her floor, she strode determinedly to her corner kiosk, the heels on her fashionable (Yet sensible!) pumps clicking loudly in the nearly empty newsroom. Around her several of the sports reporters and college interns were scrambling to get the latest scores and lineups in place, readying for the last minute dash to the final print stage.

Arriving at her desk, she gave it the once over. Putting the most sensitive information into her tote bag, Chloe methodically shut down her computer and locked the drawers before turning to go.

A body slammed into her, knocking her back. Reflexively, Chloe swung up her tote bag and reared back, her face screwed up in fear and determination.

Awkward much?

"Jimmy?"

Pulling his face out from behind the hands he'd whipped up to cover up, Jimmy Olsen met her gaze with trepidation and concern. "Well," he coughed, trying to regain some composure. He began again. "Well I was going to ask how you were holding up. But clearly …"

Chloe leaned back against her desk, dropping her bag to the floor and putting one hand to her forehead. "God, Jimmy. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to …"

"Freak out and swing for the fences?"

She smiled ruefully. "I didn't swing."

One of the sports reporters piped up from across the aisle. "With a windup like that Sullivan you could bat clean up for the Sharks."

As the sports crew broke into chuckles, Chloe's mortified face turned a bright crimson. Jimmy took a sour look around the room.

Quickly gathering up her bag again, Chloe took a hold of Jimmy's arm before he said anything to defend her honor and walked him to the elevators. The chuckles continued behind her until they were out of sight.

"What a bunch of jerks," Jimmy said still looking balefully over his shoulder as she led him away. "Don't they realize what a lousy day you're having?"

"Actually it's been a pretty good day."

He blinked as the doors to the elevator opened. "Hello? Death threat?"

They both stepped into the car. Chloe waited for the doors to close before answering. "All that means is that I'm right, Jimmy. I'm right and the people I'm right about are suddenly as scared of me as I am of them."

"Too bad they outnumber you and have cops and robbers on their side." He looked at her cautiously. "What did Perry say?"

"He loves the article."

"No, about the …"

"I know what you meant," she snipped. Jimmy blinked back, a little hurt. Sighing again, Chloe touched his arm. "Sorry Jimmy. I'm a little frazzled."

The doors opened on the first floor and Jimmy led her out into the lobby. "So what did Perry say?"

"About what you'd expect," Chloe said turning Jimmy to the side and leading him to the back entrance where her car was parked in the lot. "That he was worried about me, that I needed to get out of sight for a while. Not come into work."

"Makes sense to me. I'm surprised you're still here."

"I had too much to finish up before I left. Stories and leads to take with me so I can continue to send in reports."

"Either way Bright Eyes, you've got to get lost while you still can." He pulled them up short just before the back entrance. The look on his face was beyond concerned, beyond frightened. "Where are you going to go? I know that Lois' is away on assignment."

"I'll be fine Jimmy."

"What if you're not? I mean, you can't go home. Perry's right, you've got to go where no one can find you until the heat cools off."

She put on a brave smile. "I told you Jimmy, I'll be fine. I know a place."

He paused, searching her features carefully. Looking like he was going to say something, he stopped and waited before trying again. "Well, let me give you a lift. How do you know your car's even safe?"

"Because I've had it parked right next to the security office all day long," she said knowingly. "Anyone who'd get too close would have been seen or apprehended already."

Jimmy pursed his lips. "Well okay. But at least let me walk you to your car."

"Fine."

It had turned chilly since she'd been on the roof. Of course the wind might've just seemed that way on the leeside of the Daily Planet. Off in the distance Chloe saw her reliable car still parked outside the security office. From all appearances, it looked untouched.

Thank God.

Halfway across the parking lot, one of the security officers stepped out of the office and waved. Relieved, Chloe waved back and began fiddling in her tote bag for her keys. The guard nodded his head and went back into the office, rummaging behind the desk.

"Huh."

"What?"

"I thought Bobby was the evening security guy."

"Might've called in hung over. He likes to party."

"You know from experience?" he asked petulantly.

"Oh please Jimmy! I mean we stopped dating over 4 years …."

The thunder of fully automatic gunfire tore through the pedestrian sounds of Metropolis accompanied by the sound of glass shattering. Instinctively, Chloe dropped to the ground and rolled away. All around her she could feel the hum and heat of lead as it zipped past, biting into the concrete.

Not looking back she rolled up to her knees, forced her feet under her and ran as fast as she could with her head down until reaching the relative safety provided by an old Dodge Caliber. Within seconds the windshields were blown apart and the metallic sounds of bullets hammering into the vehicle tore into the air.

Her hands quivering, Chloe frantically scrambled in her tote bag. Within seconds she'd pulled out the automatic pistol she'd carried for protection since Dark Thursday and flicked back the safety.

When the gunfire suddenly stopped, Chloe risked a peek over the hood of the car. There was the "guard" walking towards her cover while reloading an assault rifle. His boot steps were loud on the suddenly quiet pavement as he strode implacably forward, stepping over the still body in his path. Blood leaving prints behind him as he continued his march.

Oh my God.

With her emotions surging to full anxiety levels, Chloe stood up from her cover and levered her pistol at the "guard". His surprise was evident as he frantically tried to slap his clip into place.

Squeezing just like her she'd been taught, slowly but smoothly, Chloe opened fire six times. Exultant, she watched three impacts score on her assailant's torso, kicking fabric and blood into the air. The man fell to the pavement with a sickening thud.

Frantic, Chloe ran towards Jimmy's still form, the blood pooling beneath his body. Dropping to her knees beside him, Chloe turned him to face her.

"Arhhhh!"

Thank God!

"Jimmy! Oh Jimmy I'm so sorry!"

"I've been shot!"

"I know. Oh God." She fished in her pockets for her cell, then remembered it was in her tote. "Dammit!"

"I've never been shot before!"

"Just hang on Jimmy, I'll call for an ambulance."

Standing up quickly, she turned to race for her tote bag and stopped short. Three more men had appeared, all pointing weapons at her face.

Suddenly nerveless, Chloe dropped her pistol to the pavement and stared at her assailants. Looking for a way out. Any way.

The thug on the far left sneered, cocking the hammer back on his pistol.

Chloe squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the end.

A pneumatic blast rushed past her blowing her hair and coat tails madly in every direction.

It can't be!

Opening her eyes again Chloe was astonished to see all three of her assailants trussed up with telephone wire and hung by their ankles off a nearby streetlight like some obscure piñata. All three men were gagged with what looked to be their own socks.

Spinning back to help Jimmy, she found only his pooled blood and a series of bloody footprints.

Unable to keep a grin from spreading across her face, Chloe looked in every direction for a sign of him. Waiting for the tell tale displacement of air that would announce his arrival and return into her life.

I'm going to rip his head off for doing this to me.

After a few moments, she realized that he must be with Jimmy at the hospital. Rushing over to pick up her tote bag and sprint to her car, she spared a hateful glance at the trio of thugs. At the door, she fumbled with her keys, the adrenaline still racing through every fiber of her being, her hands trembling uncontrollably.

Come on Sullivan, get a grip.

With an accompanying sonic boom, her hair was blasted forward in front of her eyes, causing her to drop her keys in shock. There was a definite presence behind her, and she forced the smile off of her face. You are mad at him! "I swear, if you're still wearing that flannel shirt …"

Her voice trailed off. Standing before her was a whip lean man with surprisingly broad shoulders in a painfully hard to look at red suit. Head to toe red suit, from boots to gloves to mask. The only decoration was the small white circle with the yellow lightning bolt in the dead center of his torso. But while suit may have been unusual, the cocky smirk spread across was eternally familiar.

"Bart?"

"You know it babe." Tucking a thumb under his mask and sliding it (What is with those ear wings?) over his head to let his curls flop out. Sweat beaded on his forehead a bit, but nothing was hiding that smile anymore. "But flannel ain't exactly my thing. Just so we're clear."

END-