HOLDING OUT pt5

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 – Hopefully I'll have time to crank this out in one sitting y'all. I've had a very slack last two days here at the "Gay Job" so I was happily writing away. Today however was payback and only now (with two hours left into my 12-hour O.T. Day) .have a chance to get all creative and postulating. So let's see what we've got. Okay – this likely needs a serious BETA, but this should hold you all AND me for the weekend. I'll be updating more come Monday. Promise!!

September 26, 2013
1:09pm
Kent Farm

Smallville

From- White.Perrydaily. Your Latest Article

I'm serious Sullivan, this follow-up piece is going to get you a Pulitzer. Provided of course we all manage to stay alive for the next couple of weeks. This town's been messed up for months, but now there's practically a full blown manhunt to find you Chloe. Wherever you are, STAY THERE! As soon as it's safe to bring you home we'll send the DP chopper and make a big production with the TV affiliates, give those lousy hacks something to actually cover. Something newsworthy, and not involving some celebrity gossip crap.

Yeah, this coming from the former host of "X-Styles"

Be well. I'll be in touch.

PW

Chloe smiled lightly and closed down her e-mail browser. Glancing over at the copy of the Daily Planet on the desk in front of her eyes twinkled lightly at the headlines.

INTREPID REPORTER ESCAPES INTERGANG: Sullivan Reports From Hiding

SULLIVAN STORY AWAKENS METROPOLIS

PLANET PHOTOGRAPHER RECOVERING: Olsen Blood Transfusion Today

CITIZENS PUSHING FOR MAYORAL RE-ELECTION

Leaning back in her chair, she let out a satisfied sigh, and laced her fingers behind her head.

In the last three days spent relaxing and refreshing at the Kent Farm, Chloe chronicled her adventures since the publishing of her first editorial expose. Save for Bart's timely rescues, of course. The boy doesn't need more ego, and Ollie prefers the low profile. The exercise of walking around the fields and helping out with some minor chores was both good for her psyche and her writing clarity. Once she'd managed to get some rest and put some distance between her recent experiences and her current locale, her desire to produce more biting commentary and expository news returned with full force. She fired off three articles and editorials to Perry in rapid succession, leaving her satisfied beyond measure.

At least people know, and are willing to help themselves.

Ollie and the boys had been in touch as well. Apparently the Korea problem was still being a pain and they had "no clear exit strategy". Of course, that didn't keep Bart from zipping halfway across the world to join her and Martha for dinner last night. Thankfully, he only managed to stay until dessert before his communicator went off. After a frantic Oliver-yelling-restrainedly conversation, Bart made his apologies and took off.

That boy ….

So now, as she lounged restfully up in Clark's loft, Chloe took her first few breaths of freedom. No one had managed to track her down (Yet.) Her father had been left alone. And Lois' apartment had only been ransacked once. Which is fine. Her car is GPS-deprived.

As the sun slowly descended from its noon-time peak the slanting yellow rays began to creep up on her seated position. The chair legs scraping softly against the wooden planks, Chloe stood up and walked over to the window, gazing wistfully out to the sunlit fields.

In the pasture she could see some of the hands working on the ancient tractor again. Like a swarm of worker ants, the four or five men attacked the rusty red menace from every angle, trying in vain to get a response.

Leaning against the window frame, Chloe inhaled deeply of the farm's varied smells. Save for cow dung, still a good thing. Truly relaxed, for the first time in months she folded her arms into the flannel sleeves of her borrowed shirt and closed her eyes.

A few minutes later, she felt a familiar nudging at her hip. Glancing down, she saw Shelby sitting on her haunches holding a battered old Frisbee in her mouth.

"You want to play, do you?" Her tail thumped on the floor. "You sure you're up to it?" More tail thumping. Chloe laughed delightedly. "All right girl, let's go."

Following the red-furred dog down the steps and out into the driveway area, brought the full effect of the sunlight to her eyes. Ouch. Sunglasses much? Tying up the very long front ends of the shirt in a knot just above her navel, Chloe rolled back the sleeves and chased Shelby down, taking the Frisbee from her mouth.

The next few minutes brought a smile to her face and a touch of sadness to her eyes. After just the first few throws, Chloe was forced to moderate how far of a toss she launched the plastic disc. While Shelby was still very spry for her age, but there was no denying that her door ripping off its hinges and whole roast beef eating days were behind her. But there she went, gamely trotting after that chewed up Frisbee and dutifully bringing it back.

"Good girl," she called as Shelby trotted back again, her tail wagging happily. Dropping to her knees she scratched the old dog behind her ears and laughed delightedly when she rolled over onto her back and begged for the tummy rubs.

After a few more minutes of rollicking, the late summer heat started to hit them both harder then Chloe expected. Calling the dog along, she headed towards the farmhouse.

Glinting?

A flickering light at eye level off in the distance made her vision twitch. Trying not to appear rattled, Chloe continued her steady pace towards the house while making use of her periphery vision.

Just be a farm hand. Please just be a farm hand.

Once inside the house, Chloe hustled through the kitchen and rushed towards one of the main windows in the living room. Keeping herself as hidden from sight as possible, she inched open one side of the curtains and scanned the fields adjoining the main road in.

Sweeping her gaze from left to right, she unconsciously kept a fierce grip on the flimsy, lacey curtains. Her knuckles whitening, sweat beginning to form on her brow from a source other than the unseasonably warm weather. Shelby sat on her haunches next to Chloe, her head cocked at an inquisitive angle. As Chloe continued to scan the fields, her anxiety grew and Shelby began to whine softly at the lack of attention being paid her way.

"Is something wrong?"

Chloe jumped, whirling around to face the voice. Her sudden movement startling Shelby, causing her to bark protectively and start running around.

One hand to her chest, Chloe stared reprovingly. "Geez, Mrs. Kent. Could you be a bit less quiet when sneaking up on someone."

Martha's face creased into a pursed lip frown. She walked towards the curtains and opened them wide, looking out at the fields.

"Did you see something?"

Chloe shook her head. "I thought I saw a glint of light." Her shoulders shrugged slightly. "Maybe I've watched too many movies. But it looked exactly like …"

"Reflection of binoculars?"

"Yeah. Stupid, huh?"

Martha peered off into the distance. "Not necessarily."

She pointed.

Coming to the older woman's side, Chloe looked in the direction she was pointing.

Off in the distance, almost so far down along the road as to be out of sight, was the flickering light.

Silence reigned in the living room for several moments as both women stared out the window. Shelby sat back down on her haunches next to Martha.

"It's probably nothing."

"It could be anything."

More silence.

"Oh God, I'm sorry Mrs. Kent," Chloe said with a trembling voice, her hands gripping the front of the windowsill tightly. "I shouldn't have come here."

Martha put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't be ridiculous Chloe."

"I should've listened. Listened to Ollie and the others. Hell, I should've even listened to Bart."

"We don't have time for this Chloe."

"Mrs. Kent, I brought these killers here! I brought them to …"

"You did what you thought was right," Martha said with firm motherly authority, locking her gaze onto Chloe's. "You've always felt safe here, and I'm glad. But this is not the time to panic."

She stared at the older woman with amazement. "How can you be so calm?"

Martha smiled sadly. "This isn't the first time the Kent Farm's been under siege."

Chloe looked out the window again, intently focused on the flickering light. "So what do we do?"

"Go get your things from Clark's room," Martha said reassuringly. "I'm going to talk with the farmhands. Together we'll check out that light and make sure it's nothing."

"What if it's not nothing?"

"You are going to run out the back-forty. And I want you to keep running until you get to a safe place to hide?"

Chloe's eyes widened. "You mean the caves?"

Martha nodded. No one outside of Smallville should even know they exist, never mind where they're located. Go there and hide until I come to get you."

Chloe nodded and ran up the stairs to get her things. Without breaking stride she crashed into Clark's room and paused.

Oh god, where did I put everything?

Several frantic minutes later, Chloe came trundling back down the stairs, her tote bag slung over her shoulder, improperly packed pieces of clothing dangling out the sides. Martha still stood at the window, a phone in one hand and the other hand tucked out of sight.

"Okay Bill. Thanks. I'll be right out." Turning to Chloe she smiled. "They're good men. We'll make certain that everything's clear for you."

Chloe frowned. "You don't believe it nothing either, do you?"

Martha shook her head slightly. "That's why I want you to take Shelby. For protection." The dog's ears perked up at mention of her name. Chloe smiled ruefully. Who's protection?

"Okay then. I'd better get going."

"One more thing." Martha hesitated, looking hesitantly out the window. "If things go badly, and it's not me coming for you at the Kawatche Caves. You're going to need something ... Powerful."

"More powerful than a Remington Special?"

"Much." Without pause, Martha withdrew her other hand from hiding and held out a shiny, silver octagonal disc. "Definitely more powerful."

END of Pt5-