Chapter 10

A short time earlier…

"I can't wait to tell everyone," Chloe speaks into the receiver. "Okay. Bye."

"What's going on?" Jimmy asks as she hangs up the phone.

Chloe swivels her chair and turns in his direction. "That was our very own Martian Manhunter. He just informed me that the space station is now operational," she replies with a grin.

"Really? That's great!" Jimmy responds as he finishes off the last of his Caf Pow and tosses it into the wastebasket. "So how do we mere mortals get there?"

"He created a portal with the help of Jor-El," she said after swinging her chair around to face him. "There it is," pointing to the elevator.

"There what is?"

They both turn around at the sound of Lois' voice. "So is somebody going to answer my question?" Lois asks once more as she steps out of the elevator and walks towards them.

"I was just telling Jimmy that John Jones finally has the space station operational and that we can access it from the elevator you just stepped out of," Chloe replies.

"Well, it's about time," she says in an irritated tone while plopping on the couch and tossing her purse on the coffee table.

Chloe looks over at her. "You okay?" she asks with concern in her voice.

"I couldn't sleep," she replies with a sigh as she leans back against the couch cushions.

"I…uh…think I need a new bowtie," Jimmy says suddenly and gets up from his chair. "I'll see you at breakfast tomorrow?"

"Okay," Chloe replies as she walks him to the elevator. "See you then," lightly pressing her lips against his cheek just before the elevator doors open.

He smiles at her as he enters the elevator. "See you then, Bright Eyes," winking at her as the doors close.

Lois looks curiously at Chloe. "What was that all about?" she asks as Chloe curls up on the other end of the couch.

Chloe couldn't help but blush at the question. "So do you want a tour ofthespace station?" changing the subject.

"You know I do, and don't change the subject," Lois narrows her eyes. "What's going on between you and Jimmy?"

"Nothing. We're just friends," Chloe insists before changing the subject. "Is everything alright?"

Lois exhales softly and walks over to one of the windows. "It's Clark."

"I thought as much," Chloe remarks as she walks over to stand next to her. "What happened?"

Lois gazes at the full moon for a few moments before answering. "He kissed me."

"Well he certainly took his sweet time about it."

"What?!" Lois turns her head and stares back at Chloe with wide eyes.

"Don't look so surprised, Lois. Jimmy and I had a bet on when it was finally going to happen. Looks like I'm out ten bucks," she chuckles. "Now I want details. How was it?"

"Amazing…" Lois' voice trailing off as she looks out the window again.

Chloe tilts her head curiously. "But?"

Lois opens her mouth to reply but Chloe's phone chooses that moment to start ringing. "I'm sorry, but I have to get that. It could be league business," she says as she checks the caller id. "Hey, Clark. What's going on?" she asks as she sits back on the couch.

"What?!" her jaw dropping. "I don't believe it," her eyes beginning to water. "No," she whispers softly as Lois sits down besides Chloe and puts her arm around her shoulders. "Thanks for letting me know. Bye," hanging up while wiping the tears from her eyes. "That was Clark," not looking up at Lois. "Pete passed away."

"I know," Lois says as she hands Chloe a tissue. "Clark told me a little while ago when I went over to see him. He was pretty upset. I'm sure that's why he didn't call you right away."

Chloe shakes her head sadly. "I still can't believe it," sitting back down on the couch with her head in her hands.

"Can't believe what?" Oliver asks as he steps out of the elevator.

"What are you doing here?" Chloe asks while wiping the tears from her eyes.

"I thought I'd stop by before I went home," he says as he walks over to them. "What's wrong?"

"Lois just told me that my friend Pete died," Chloe says softly as she blows her nose.

"I'm really sorry to hear that," resting his hand on her shoulder.

"He was one of my best friends in high school," her voice breaking as she throws the tissue down on the coffee table and grabs another one.

The three of them sit there for a while. "I'm not very comfortable with uncomfortable silences," Lois blurts out; startling the other two.

"So what do you want to talk about?" Oliver asks with a quirk of his brow.

"How about you give us a tour of the space station?" turning to Chloe.

"It's finally finished?" Oliver asked.

"Yes," Chloe sniffles as she gets up from the couch.

"So how are we going to get there without Clark or John?" Oliver asks as both he and Lois follow Chloe into the elevator.

"You'll find out shortly," she says as the elevator doors close. They arrive at the space station less than a minute later. "So what do you think?"

"It's incredible," Oliver says in awe as he floats around the main console. "Now this was money well spent," he quips.

"I agree," Lois grins as she does summersaults.

"You better be careful, Lois. You don't want to get nauseous," Chloe advises her.

"I've been in the Vomit Comet. I didn't throw up then and I'm not about to start now," she replies with a smirk.

"It's your decision," Chloe chuckles while shaking her head.

"So why isn't John giving us the grand tour?" Oliver asks as he floats over to one of the windows and gazes down at the Earth beneath them.

"He' just went out on an assignment," Chloe replies as Lois floats over to her.

"I'd like to stay longer, but I better head on home to Dinah," Oliver says as he floats over to them. "I am so sorry about Pete," a solemn look on his face. "If there's anything I can do, don't hesitate to call," giving her a hug.

"Me too," adds Lois.

"Okay," Chloe gives her cousin a hug. "If you want to talk about…well…you know…" whispering into Lois' ear.

"I'll call you," Lois whispers back just before she pulls away.

"Thanks, Oliver, thanks Lois," she says with a small smile as he and Lois enter the portal. Just as Oliver was about to enter the code, Chloe runs up to them. "I think I'll join you after all," she says as he keys in the code. Once they arrive back at Watchtower, Chloe walks over to the console and logs back in. "I just have to download some additional security software, then I'll be good to go," Chloe tells Oliver and Lois.

"Okay," both Oliver and Lois waving goodbye as the elevator doors close.

Chloe pours herself a cup of coffee, then sits down at the console when she happens to spot Lois' purse on the coffee table. She pulls out her phone and begins to type.

You forgot your purse. It's on the coffee table.

After she sends the message, she starts to type; her fingers rapidly flying across the keyboard. Done, she declares after about ten minutes. She logs out and was putting her coat on when her phone rings. "Hello," she answers as she pulls out her keys. "I thought you were on assignment?" furrowing her brows. "Alright. I'll be right up," hanging up. I'll never get out of here, she sighs as she returns to the space station.

Once the doors open onto the main lobby, Lois and Oliver both head for the main entrance. "See you later, Legs," flashing her a wink as she exits the building. He turns to leave but instead goes back inside to use the men's room.

Lois starts to walk away but suddenly stops in her tracks when she gets the text from Chloe. Dammit! she mutters under her breath as she turns around and re-entering the building. She heads back for the elevators; tapping her foot on the tiled floor impatiently while waiting for the doors to open.

Finally, rolling her eyes as she steps inside. The doors close and the elevator begins to rise but comes to a halt around the 14th floor. That's just great! scowling as she repeatedly presses the 'open' button without any luck. Now what do I do? she wonders while looking around the tiny space. Just then, the elevator begins to rise and doesn't stop until the 18th floor. I think I'll get out here and walk the rest of the way, she decides as she exits the elevator just as another woman was entering and heads for the stairwell.

Oliver emerges from the men's room; not having seen Lois re-enter the building. Just as he steps out onto the sidewalk, there's a sudden explosion that sweeps him off his feet; causing him to fly through the air before landing on the sidewalk about ten feet away. He stares up in shock at the flames shooting out of the top floor windows, then a sudden horrible thought enters his mind.

Chloe!

He stands up and rapidly starts walking when he spots Clark arriving at the scene and staring up in shock at the burning building. "Clark?"

He turns around and stares at Oliver as he approaches him. "I thought you were in the building when it exploded. Are you okay?"

"I had just left when the explosion happened and I was swept off my feet. I flew through the air before I landed on the sidewalk about ten feet away," he says while stretching out his back. "I'm lucky I didn't break anything."

"Are you sure you're okay? Was there anybody still in the building?" Clark asks; putting the emphasis on anybody.

"I'll probably have a sore back for a few days but I'll be okay," Oliver replies.

"You haven't answered my question. Was there anybody in the building?"

Oliver still doesn't reply. Clark grabs him by his shirt. "Are you going to answer me? Where is she?"

Oliver bites his lip before he finally answers. "Chloe was still in Watchtower when it blew up."

"She was where?!" Clark stares back as Oliver's words sink in. "You couldn't tell me that first?" his eyes narrowing.

"I didn't know how to tell you," Oliver replies as he rests his hand on Clark's shoulder. She's your best friend and I know how much you care for her and-"

"I gotta go find her," Clark abruptly cuts him off and super-speeds into the building.

I hope you do, Oliver thinks to himself, but his thoughts are interrupted by the sound of his ringtone. He pulls out his phone and checks the caller id. "Chloe! Where the hell are you? Are you okay?" he asks in a concerned tone.

"I'm okay. I'm calling you from the space station," she tells him. "I tried using my cell phone but I couldn't get through."

"I thought you were still…never mind. The important thing is that you're okay," breathing a sigh of relief. "I'll call Clark and let him know and-"

"Oliver, will you please shut up for a second? I have something really important to tell you."

He's taken aback by her bluntness. "What is it?"

She takes a deep breath first. "Lois was in the building."

The blood drains from his face as the words sink in. "That's not possible," somehow managing to keep his voice steady. "I saw her leave."

"She went back to Watchtower to get her purse," Chloe replied in a quivering voice. "She's probably still in the elevator."

Meanwhile…

Clark searches frantically through the still smoldering remains of Watchtower. He stops for a moment in the middle of the room to compose himself. Think, Clark, think, taking a calming breath. She's not here unless…no, that's inconceivable, putting the negative thoughts out of his head.

Maybe she's in the elevator, super-speeding over to the elevator and pulling apart the doors. He x-rays the elevator shaft and sees someone lying on the floor of the elevator. He super-speeds down the ladder and jumps through what used to be the roof. His breath catches in his chest as he turns over the blonde-headed woman.

It's not Chloe, he breathes a sigh of relief. He carefully picks the woman up and super-speeds her to the hospital. After he anonymously drops her off in the emergency room, he returns to the scene of the explosion. "I've been trying to call you," Oliver snaps at Clark as he walks up to him. "Have you forgotten our agreement to always be reachable?"

"No, I haven't," Clark replies in a snippy tone. "I've been kind of busy looking for Chloe as well as survivors. Now if you'll excuse me…" turning away from him.

"That's what I've been trying to tell you," Oliver replies in exasperation. "Chloe wasn't in Watchtower after all."

Clark turns back around. "She wasn't?" he asks hopefully. "She's okay?"

"She's fine."

"That's a relief," Clark responds with a smile but then frowns when he notices the pained expression on Oliver's face. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"It's Lois," he replies.

"Lois? What about her?" Clark asks as an uneasy feeling begins to form in the pit of his stomach.

Oliver exhales softly before finally replying. "She was in the building at the time of the explosion."

Clark stares back at him in shock. "No," shaking his head emphatically. "She's at home sleeping."

"She's not, Clark," Oliver persists.

"NO!" he exclaims as he super-speeds back into the building. "Lois!" calling out her name over and over again as he checks floor after floor. After he arrives on the 18th floor, he spots a pile of debris on the floor just outside the stairwell and quickly x-rays it. When he sees a crumpled up figure lying beneath it, he quickly tears through the pile and staggers back in shock.

"Lois?" dropping to his knees and gently lifting her off the floor to hold her in his arms.

"Lois?" whispering her name again while patting her cheek.

"NOOOOOOOO!" he screams out as her head falls back…

TO BE CONTINUED…