Chapter 29
The telephone answering machine was just wrapping up a message as Chloe and Lois entered the house from the porch.
"Lois, Please pick up, this is Cla-"
"Hey you." She purred into the phone. Chloe busied herself making coffee so as not to eavesdrop.
"Hey. Where were you? I've left like 8 messages. Nevermind . . . listen, Lionel has arranged for you to meet that neurologist in Washington tomorrow. He's arranging a flight on his jet for us. Can you see if Chloe can take you over to Luthor Corp.?"
"Sure. Where are you?"
"I'm with Lionel--I'll meet you at the plane. Can you grab a change of clothes for me? We'll stay at my mom's hotel. And invite Chloe."
"When did you leave? I didn't hear your truck pull out."
"Lionel sent a car for me." Crap, I forgot to move my truck again.
"Ok. When does the flight leave?"
"As soon as you get here. And Lois?"
"Yes, Clark?"
"We're only staying overnight. You don't need to bring more than one bag."
"I—"
"Lo, one bag."
Clark stood next to the plane, waiting for them as they approached. Relief at seeing him washed over Lois and she let go of a breath she was unaware that she'd been holding. She didn't know why but she had such a strong feeling of trepidation about getting on that plane. Seeing Clark calmed her fears.
"You okay over there Lo?"
"Chloe, do I have a fear of flying?"
"No. You've flown for years. Never any fear. Why? Do you feel fearful now?"
"I don't know what I'm feeling. I just feel like I've done this before and that it didn't end well. What am I saying? Listen, I'm okay now. I've got you and Clark with me. You'll keep me safe." She said this last part as she entwined her arm in Clarks'. He nodded and she stood on tip toes to kiss him. Chloe cleared her throat to remind them that she was there.
"Hey Chloe." Clark called a greeting in acknowledgement. She nodded back. "We should get going then." Clark took the bags from Chloe and Lois and led them up the ramp.
As Lois was about to take a seat on the plane, she was overcome with a feeling of déjà vu. Her vision blurred and she lost her footing. Clark caught her arm and guided her to a sitting position, and crouched beside her. Chloe went to the bar to get Lois some water.
"Lois, what's wrong?"
"I've been in this plane before."
"Yes. When you were my moms' aid you flew in the Luthor Crop jet. Do you remember it?" He wondered if he should dare to tell her that the plane had crashed? Or should he wait and see what she remembered about that day.
"Yes, yes, I do remember. But it's hazy. I sat in this same seat. Your mom sat over there. We were talking. We talked about . . ." She concentrated on the conversation. In her mind she could see them talking, but she couldn't hear the words.
"What Lois, what did you talk about?"
"I can't remember. It's right there. I know it, but I can't reach it." She hung her head, feeling defeated, a single tear escaping down her cheek.
"Lois, it's okay." He reached up and pulled her to him in a hug, shifting himself into a kneeling position. "It's okay. We're on our way to the doctor. You'll be getting back all your memories in no time. Please don't be upset. I hate to see you cry."
"I'm sorry. I don't even know why I'm crying."
"Shhh. No apologies. You've got a right to cry if you want. If it makes you feel better, than go ahead and cry, alright?"
"She nodded against his chest."
"But do me a favor first."
"Anything." She looked into his eyes and wiped at her cheeks.
"Let me up so I can let the pilot know we're ready. When I get back, I'll sit right here and you can soak the other side of my shirt with every tear you've got." She smiled at him shyly, and nodded. He placed a light kiss on the end of her nose and strode over to the cock-pit to talk to the pilot.
Chloe took the seat across from Lois, replaying the scene she'd just witnessed in her head. Jimmy is never going to let me forget that he was right about this.
