HOLDING OUT pt12

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 – Sorry for the massive delay folks. Last week has been hectic. Finished the run of the play I was involved with. Wrestled twice. Still was working. Oh yeah, and I'm selling my house. JOY!!! I needed a writing therapy, and now I'm finally getting it. Likely one or two more chapters after thisone. One for sure. But then this tale will be done.

Enjoy!

Metropolis P.D.

14th Precinct

7:41am

"Can I get you anything else, Senator? Another icepack, perhaps?"

Martha shook her head gently, the swelling above her eye still prominent and purpling. The cold compress she held against her wrists was slowly dripping condensation onto the ancient tiled floor. "I just need some rest, Inspector."

Inspector Richards shook his head in amazement. Turning to Chloe he opened his mouth, then closed it again.

This'll be good, Chloe thought with smile she skillfully his behind her cup of miserably bad coffee.

"Two guys in bright tights?"

Chloe nodded.

"Moving faster than the eye can see?"

Another nod.

"Took on this Knockout woman we've heard rumors about."

"That's what happened, Mike." She took a sip of the bitter brew, her mouth twisting in distaste.

Inspector Richards ran his fingers through his rapidly thinning patch of graying hair. Letting his pent up breath out in a sigh, he loosened the tie around his sweat stained neck. "You're making my report look like a piece of damned fiction, Sullivan."

"Sort of like the reports InterGang forces your fellow officers to make?"

"It's the truth, Inspector." Martha said from her spot on the couch in the officer's lounge. Meeting his skeptical gaze with the determined stare that sent many a federal judge running for the hills, she slowly rose to her feet. "The muscle behind InterGang was put down by these two men. One of whom was hurt very badly."

"Well, I've got a note in at all the Metropolis hospitals to report in the minute a man in a red suit comes in with a shattered calf. I'm waiting to hear what they've got to say"

That'll be a long wait.

"Do you need any more from us, Mike? The senator's been through a very traumatic period."

He blew out his breath in another long, nicotine laced sigh. Grabbing a pack of smokes from his shirt pocket, he popped one into his mouth before turning away. "Take her, Sullivan. I still don't know if I believe everything you've reported. But if it's a shot at those InterGang bastards I'm sure I don't care." He left the room, heading for the front entrance.

Thank God.

Plopping down on the couch wearily, her fatigue finally began to settle in. Grit made her eyes feel all sand-filled. Her scalp was itching furiously, and her whole body felt gross. A shower is essential.

Martha gingerly sat back down, moving the cold compress to the back of her neck. Looking sideways at the younger lady, her eyes narrowed. "Are you all right?"

"You're kidding, right?" She laughed mirthlessly. "Even by the unusual standards I've lived my life by, the last 48 hours definitely rank as a highlight."

Martha gripped her hand tightly. Then she leaned her head back against the wall, the compress cooling her chafed and swollen neck.

Chloe silently watched. "Mrs. Kent?" she began timidly..

"Yes dear?"

Her mouth worked soundlessly for a few moments.

Screw it.

Tightening her grip on Martha's hand, Chloe slid closer to the older woman and leaned her head into her shoulder. "I was so scared. For you. For me." Tears threatened to form at the corners of her eyes. "When I decided to write that article, I had some idea of what to expect. But this was …"

"Everything's all right now, Chloe."

"Is it? Your farm hands are dead. You were hounded like an animal. My father and Lois are probably still in danger somewhere. Just because Knockout's done, doesn't mean that InterGang's going to give up on me. Or the city."

Martha said nothing for a long moment. Then she leaned her head into Chloe's. Tears brimmed her eyes as well. "Everything will be all right, Chloe. There's more work that needs to be done, but everything will be all right."

"How can you be so sure?"

Martha stirred, her head lifting off of Chloe's. Her breath caught in her throat.

What now?

"Mrs. Kent? I said …" Chloe followed the older woman's gaze.

Clark leaned against the doorframe to the officer's lounge. His skin tight attire had been replaced with a the same form fitting jeans and t-shirt she'd found him in at the Fortress. His arms were crossed casually across his abdomen, one thumb tucked behind his belt. In his other hand was a set of car keys.

"Clark?" Martha's voice was a hushed, reverent whisper.

His big blue-green eyes began to well up. A small smile twitched at the corner of his mouth. He cleared his throat. "Sorry I'm late, mom." He twirled the keys on one finger. "I had to pick up the truck."

Slowly, Martha stood up. Her hands trembling ever so slightly. Pushing away from the door, Clark took a few steps into the room. Meeting her son halfway, her now very-trembly hands lightly brushed at his arms. At his shoulders. His face.

Clark smiled sadly. "I'm sorry."

With a soft wail, Martha threw herself into his arms, crushing his torso to her breast in a bear hug. Clark gently circled his muscular arms around his mother's frail form and held her close, pressing his face into her graying-red hair.

Chloe stood up from the couch and frantically scanned the office.

There has to be a tissue around here.

"I still can't believe how well this truck is running."

"it's only been five years, Clark. Trucks normally last longer than that."

"It's obvious you've not been driving with my mother eno0ugh."

"I see. Well, any hopes you had for fresh apple pie are out the window now."

Clark laughed, his smile lighting up his whole face. The three of them were packed comfortably close in the cab of the old Kent pickup. Chloe in the middle to give Mrs. Kent more space.

And in no way because you want to sit next to Clark.

The drive back from Metropolis was calming and fairly therapeutic. After dropping Knockout and Bart off in Star City, Clark had sped back to the Fortress and picked up his affects. A quick flight back to the crash site he narrowly managed to avoid the tow truck that was finally about to pull the Kent pickup out of the ditch, and began the long drive to the city.

"Did Ollie's doctor's say anything about Bart before you left him?"

He shook his head. "Not really. They were still conducting tests. But I x-rayed his leg. His metabolism was already knitting the fibers back together and putting the bone in place. It might be a few days, but he'll be running around again in no time."

Chloe raised her head sleepily off his broad shoulder. "Ollie's gonna be pissed. Bart's supposed to be helping them in Korea."

"I already talked to Ollie. Everything's worked out."

"How so?"

"After I get you two settled, I'm going to make a one last quick stop in Metropolis before I …. Hey, is that the new Toby Keith?" Reaching over, Clark turned up the radio slightly. His head bopping in time to the music "This is pretty good!"

The two ladies shared a long suffering look. Reaching over herself, Chloe shut off the stereo.

"Hey!"

"You can't distract us that easily, Clark."

"What?"

"Clark, tell us what are you're planning."

"It's not a secret. I just …" His cheeks flushed slightly. "I've been in a coma like state for most of the last five years. Forgive me if I missed my country music a bit."

Give me a break.

"Clark!"

"I have to go back to Metropolis first. But after I'm done there, I'll be heading to Korea myself. And I'll get Ollie and the guys the info they need for the U.N."

Wow.

"So you're really gonna do it."

Clark frowned down at her slightly. "Do what? Wear the tights again?"

Chloe paused in mid thought. "I was going to say be a hero, but the tights are a definiteplus.."

"I'm going to have to see those, before you go Clark."

He laughed again. "If you want, mom. But I gotta warn you, the blue's a little garish."

"I think I can handle it."

They drove in silence for a few miles. Clark still bopping his head in time to the music that was no longer playing.

"So I have a question."

"A question, Chloe? I'm stunned."

"You think this is bad, wait for the exclusive interview."

"What exclusive interview?"

"The one you're going to give me." She smiled smugly, looking up at his surprised face. "I figure you owe me."

"Really?"

"Absolutely."

"You said something about a question.?"

"Besides the spandex and superheroing, have you decided what you want to do? Now that you're back, I mean."

He smiled mysteriously, and turned down the final stretch into Smallville.. "I have a few ideas."

END of pt 12