HOLDING OUT

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 – This chapter scares the hell out of me. I know where I want this to end up, but the Clark/Chloe interaction is going to be tough as nails to write. By the time I post this, it'll be the longest stretch I've gone without posting a Chapter. So … Sorry about that. Here we go.

September 27, 2013
1:26am
Somewhere in Metropolis

"Has anyone heard from Murray?

"Sorry John. No word."

"Dammit. The boss is going to be pissed."

Trying to keep breathing shallow and normal, Martha continued to keep her chin tucked forward as if sleeping. Of course, the awkward position was causing a severe aggravation to the discomfort she was already feeling. After all, it's not everyday that a nearly 60 year old woman has the pleasure of surviving a rolling truck accident, being shot at, bound, gagged and blindfolded, thrown into the trunk of a Cadillac, and tied firmly upright to a solid wooden chair.

While blindfolded, Martha was still able to keep her wits somewhat about her. The benefits of a Smallville upbringing, she thought sadly. You learn to remain calm in terrible situations.

As far as she could tell, going by what she could hear and smell, she was trapped in a large but filled storage room of some kind. Likely with a big steel door. Not swept out very often. There were at least three different men keeping watch over her.

A cell phone rang shrilly in the darkness.

"Hello." John's voice.

Long pause.

"All right." The phone clicked shut. "Put out the butts. Boss' here."

There was some shuffled grumbling and a series of hollow footsteps ringing off into the distance. At least they'll put out those awful cigars.

A loud clang rang out, signaling the opening of the storage room doors. More shuffling and clip-clopping of hard soled shoes on the concrete flooring. The door clanged again, the footsteps ringing closer.

Martha could feel a shadow fall over her face, the warm light that she was able to dimly see through her blindfold going even fainter.

Some hushed whispering.

"Sorry boss." John's voice. "Murray hasn't checked in …"

"He's probably not going to. Not now." Came a cool, female voice.

A pair of rough hands grabbed at the blindfold, removing it harshly from her face. Blinking in the sudden light, Martha leaned back and tried to gain a better grip on her surroundings. A harshly lit lamp was focused directly at her face, making it difficult to make anything out.

With sharp stiletto heels ringing loudly off the concrete floor, a svelte female figure stepped into the light. Silhouetted as she was it was difficult to make out any features. But she was a well proportioned woman, dressed in a full business suit.

"Senator Kent," the woman declared. Her voice a low but melodic alto. "I think you'll be staying with us for a while."

Kent Farm

"Dammit, Ollie. I can't leave here until I find Chloe."

Oliver's calm and soothing voice same soothingly through Bart's ear-wing communicator. "Bart I know you're concerned about Watchtower. We all are. But you have to face facts. If she's disappeared from sight, and the InterGang is still looking for her then she's probably safe wherever she is."

Opening the Kent's fridge I frustration, Bart withdrew an apple pie and began picking at it worriedly. "Come on Oliver, don't give me that. You know that Chloe wouldn't have used her cell phone if there wasn't a problem. That's why we gave her a secure communicator."

"I'm not saying the situation isn't fishy, but there's not a lot we can do right now. You know how deeply we're entrenched in Korea. Luthor's lab is practically the only source of income that the government has right now. So flat out destroying it isn't an option. Without the proper proof and documentation we'll look like terrorists unless we can get …"

"… Proof to convince the U.N. to get involved. I know." Bart tossed the empty pie plate into the sink and started rummaging around in one of the cupboards for Mrs. Kent's stash of cookies. "But that situation's not going anywhere, and everything's all screwed up over here."

"Bart, we need you. You can get in and out of the lab without even being seen most of the time."

"And every time I come back wit jack," Bart mumbled through a mouthful of oatmeal and raisin."

Silence.

"Bart? Finish chewing and then speak to me."

"Oliver, something is VERY wrong here. Mrs. Kent is missing. Chloe has disappeared without a trace. Even the dog is gone. I can't leave without finding out what happened."

More silence.

"Fine." Oliver didn't sound happy. "I understand how you feel. And part of me wishes I was there with you. But we need you back here asap."

Bart dropped the empty bag of cookies on the counter, a big crumb filled smile spreading across his face. "Thanks man, I'm gonna …"

"You've got twenty-four hours to get back here. I can keep AC and Vic inline until then. But we're all itching to finish this job and report our findings to the U.N. The second you're done in Smallville, I want you back in Korea. Got it?"

"No problem."

"Good." Oliver paused. "Bart if things are really hairy, let us know. If anything happens to Chloe or Mrs. Kent … "

"I hear you, Man."

Oliver disconnected the line.

Taking a moment to drain the last liter of milk in the fridge, Bart wiped his mouth before flying into full speed.

Smallville Sherriff's Department

Murray was trying to remove the last taste of dirty cotton from his mouth when a sudden rush of air ruffled his shirt and hair. Angling his eyes up fearfully, Murray checked his reflection in the cracked half mirror provided above his meager sink.

Directly behind him, stood the short red devil from the caves.

"Last chance, dirtbag. What did you do with Chloe Sullivan and Martha Kent?"

The Fortress of Solitude

Shelby continued snuffling at the bag in his hands, until Clark dropped it casually on the hammock. Then dropping to his haunches, he ran both hands over the dog's head, scratching behind the ears and whispering to the old girl.

It's really him.

His soft chuckle resonated around the Fortress, echoing softly as Shelby licked at his face.

Finally snapping out of her reverie, Chloe carefully put the coffee cup down on the dresser and made her way ever so slowly around the hammock. Seeing her move, Clark stood back up to his full height. Whining at the sudden lack of attention, Shelby got up on her hind legs, scrabbling at his broad chest with her forepaws.

Clark smiled. "I guess she missed me," he said while motioning the dog back down to all fours. Reaching into the bag, he withdrew a steaming piece of chicken. Carefully removing the meat from the bone, he let Shelby snap the meat from his fingers without flinching.

"We all missed you." God, I am sick of having a trembling voice.

He met her gaze calmly, no trace of guilt in his eyes. Removing the rest of the meat from the bone for Shelby, Clark tossed the bone back into the bag and slowly came around the hammock until he was standing just a few feet away from her.

Unable to stop herself, Chloe clutched the comforter more tightly as her eyes took in the changes. Gone was the farm-boy-fit-yet-skinny boy she had grown up with. In his place was a full figured man, complete with shoulders and torso of a middle weight class bodybuilder. The t-shirt and jeans he was wearing looked filled to the max at the seams.

His hair was longer than she'd ever seen it on him, almost curling down to his shoulders. Tucking his thumbs calmly behind his belt made the veins in his forearms stand out visibly, trailing up his biceps until they disappeared into his sleeves.

With what looked like two weeks worth of beard covering his cheeks, it was difficult to see his jaw line anymore. But his eyes, they were the same steely blue-green they always were. But something was different. Always before was this self-conscious earnestness that resonated in his every glance, his every look. It had been replaced by a supreme confidence. A sense of certainty.

Instead of looking at her with the same warmth and consideration she was unable to forget in her dreams, now all that she saw was something … Someone …

Alien.

Unconsciously, Chloe took a half step backwards. Confusion was painted across her face.

His eyes dropped to the floor. "Chloe," Even his voice … He cleared his throat softly. "I realize this must be difficult for you."

"Do you?" Her voice was frightened. "Clark … What did Jor-El do to you?"

"He completed my training."

"How? By making you into a different person?'

He blinked, looking up. "What?"

Chloe kept backing away, unable to stop herself. Until she found her back pressed against the dresser. "Your eyes, Clark. You …" I can't believe I'm saying this. "Your eyes …. You're not you."

He smiled sadly. "I am me, Chloe."

She shook her head.

"I am."

"Then why are you looking at me like someone I've never met before."

He shrugged slightly. "Some things change, Chloe. For me the same as for you."

"I haven't changed."

"Of course you have," he replied reasonably but firmly. Sighing slightly, he ran the fingers of one hand through his hair as he tried to collect his thoughts. "Everyone changes as they grow older, Chloe. Especially during educational periods. You're a different person now then you were before college. More certain of yourself, more confident."

Well if you're going to use logic on me … "But, Clark ... You've got this look in your eyes … Like you … " Just spit it out, girl! "It's been over five years, Clark. Five Years! Where have you been? Why didn't you come home? Were you enjoying Ice Age Bachelor life so much that cold pizza and hammock sleeping was a better alternative than letting the people who love you know that you were all right?"

For a moment he didn't say anything. When he did, his voice was barely a whisper.

"You remember how you found me here, the day you discovered me in the Fortress for the first time?" She nodded." At the time you found me, Jor-El had encased me in the Spectrum of Knowledge. Literally beginning to download me with the information and history I needed to know. About myself. About Krypton. About who I am, what type of a race the Kryptonians were. About my family. About my enemies.

"At the time you found me, Jor-El had barely scratched the surface as you know. The entire process took exactly 57 months, 13 days and 8 hours from start to finish. "Chloe blinked in surprise. Clark nodded affirmatively. "If I'd known it would've taken that long, I might have reconsidered the commitment. But I'm glad I didn't. These were things that I needed to know.

"Zod may have been the vessel that destroyed Krypton through his selfishness and desire for dominance. But it was the culture of the Kryptonian race that allowed a man like Zod to rise to prominence. While Krypton was place of great art, beauty and science. It was also a harsh, cold and admittedly arrogant race. Where unlocking the secrets of the universe was as commonplace and dictating the future of cultures and species on other planets. Like the Kawatchee tribe. This was something that Jor-El and others like him have done for generations."

Clark paused.

"And this is supposed to make me feel better about you because… ?"

For the first time since seeing him again, Clark's eyes softened. "After spending five years learning about the people, culture and ultimate destruction of the planet I was born on ... I had an intense need to lean everything I could about the planet I was raised on. From every corner, pole to pole and every culture I could meet with."

"I've spent time with the people and cultures in South Africa, and toured the halls of Rome. I've worked construction and day handler jobs with people in China, Russia and South America. At present time I can speak 14 different languages and can now officially cook more than steak and burgers." He paused, taking a step forward.

Oh my God. "Clark. What are you saying?"

Clark stopped a few feet in front of her, respecting her need for distance just then. Despite that respect, his massive frame easily over shadowed her. "When I left you in my loft that night. I did it out of guilt. Guilt for the things I'd left undone, for the inaction I'd taken over the years. Between releasing the Zoners, Grundy, that bizarre body double, my father, and even Zod … I'd made a lot of mistakes that I couldn't take back. And I felt my training was the only way to fulfill my destiny."

"And now?"

"And now I know my training with Jor-El was important. You always need to understand the mistakes of the past before you can make the changes for the future." Raising his face to the sky, Clark smiled. "I love this planet Chloe. I love the people. Their warmth, their light. The heartfelt generosity I've seen and found. After five years of brainwashing about the cold and somewhat emotionless people of Krypton, I needed to remind myself of who I am and where I live before I could return home." He lowered his eyes. "To you."

"Me?" Is that my heart making that fluttering sound? "Why me?"

For the first time, an incredibly familiar look flashed across his face. A simple and subtle moment. Boyish uncertainty. "I didn't … Well, not just you obviously. I mean, obviously I missed you, more than you can know. But … What I'm trying to say is …"

Without wasting another moment, Chloe leapt forward and flung her arms about Clark's neck, burying her face into his surprisingly soft shoulder, hugging him tightly. His nervous prattle cut off for the moment, Clark slid his arms around her waist and squeezed just this side of painfully.

"God, Chloe. I missed you so much."

And now I'm crying again. "Me too, Clark. Me too."

They stayed like that for a long moment, neither one noticing that Shelby had gotten into the dinner bag and was busy scarfing down the genuine Italian cannelloni.

Leaning back slightly, Chloe pressed her palm against his furry cheek. She laughed. "Well, you'd better find yourself a razor, Clark. UI don't think your mother will be able to look at you like …" Oh God! Martha!

"Chloe, what's wrong?" In an instant his eyes went from soft to confident and determined again.