Chapter Ninety-Five

"Clark Kent, you put that bottle down!" Martha scolded as she caught her oldest son trying to take a swig from the milk bottle. His mother's voice sounded harsher than she intended, but she was trying to keep her voice low to not wake Christopher up.

Clark had never meant to drink from the bottle, and he never meant to really upset his mother. He had just wanted to hear the familiar scolding again. Smiling, he put the milk back into the fridge.

His dad hugged him before heading out to feed the cows. His mom placed Christopher in his crib so she could hug him with both arms.

"I'll be right here when you get off of school," she promised. Clark kissed his mother on the cheek and went outside.

There was time for him to speed to the bank. To scan it and confirm the arm was still stuck in the wall. Glancing back at his home, mother holding his baby brother in the window, Clark realized he didn't need to.

About to run at full speed to the school, he stopped as he noticed three strangers across the street. He only recognized one; the red headed boy wearing a blue leather jacket. It was the same guy he spoke with at the Planetarium. They all smiled and waved at him like they were old friends. Clark took a step forward, ready to talk with them. In the blink of an eye, they were gone, nowhere to be seen.

Their presence was a mystery Clark couldn't focus on for too long. He didn't want to be late.

Clark Kent walked through the doors of Smallville High. His five minutes of fame had ended with the start of the new school year and everyone's focus was on football tryouts. Clark didn't mind and just appreciated walking down the familiar hallways as someone who belonged.

He entered the Torch office and saw Chloe Sullivan, his Chloe, sitting at her desk, furiously typing away.

"Hey," he said as he took a seat next to her.

"Hey." Chloe smiled brightly, but an uncomfortable silence settled between them. Ever since his return, they had avoided talking about him dating her other self. "So, did you get the lunch menu typed up?" She asked as a lame attempt to break the ice.

"I did. And I also have this." Clark handed over an article.

"Happy Retirement Moscow?" Chloe raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah. Our biology teacher is taking the Smallville High science mascot to his home where the little guy will get free reign of the backyard."

"I didn't assign you this."

"I know. But your doppelganger mentioned how she made Torch reporters write articles so she could assess their skill level. Good ones got assignments; bad ones wrote up the lunch menu."

"I don't think you're a bad writer." Chloe protested.

"Just…?"

"Fine. Since you're asking, I don't think you take the Torch that seriously. You do what I assign you and that's it. No initiative. Until this piece about a retiring box turtle."

"Actually, Moscow is a hermann tortoise."

"My mistake. Well, Mr. Kent, I'll give this a read-through and it just might make the next edition."

"Thanks. And, this year, I'm going to try and think of other stories I could write. Turns out, there's a part of me that likes reporting. What? You don't seem too happy." Clark noticed Chloe biting her lip.

"It's just…I also really like seeing my name under most of the headlines."

"Oh, is that the reason?"

"Yes." Chloe laughed. "But I guess I do need some competition if I'm to hone my journalism skills. I look forward to it." Chloe smiled and Clark thought that in that moment, she was the most beautiful girl on Earth.

"Hey, do you want to hang out Friday?" Clark's hands became sweaty, and he could feel redness creep into his cheeks. Chloe's smile faltered and she looked uncertain. The unease they had managed to banish earlier was back. There was still a lot unsaid between them, but they wouldn't move forward if they both stayed silent.

"Clark…I'm not her, you know."

"Yeah, Chloe, I do. I know we're not in a conventional situation. But being over there and meeting 'you' for what was like the first time, it was like getting a second chance to fix a mistake I made."

"A mistake?"

"Yeah. Look, that dance didn't end the way either of us wanted. I also think we gave up to easily. And that's what I want to talk about. On Friday. Come on, I'll buy you some Rocky Road."

"Okay," Chloe said quietly. She nodded to herself and repeated, "Friday."

"Friday."

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Chloe watched Clark leave her office.

She almost couldn't believe it. Clark Kent had asked her out. On a somewhat date.

From her backpack she pulled out the letter her other self had written. Most of it was what her life was like and wondering how much they had in common. Only the last few paragraphs were about Clark.

I know a break-up is inevitable. Already I'm planning to make sure I'm the one who does it. I think that will help it hurt less.

I'm probably missing a lot of details about what happened on your side, but I'm thinking it's the same thing. The dance was disappointing, and rather than getting hurt again you decided to cut your losses and stay friends. But if you're anything like me, that's the last thing you wanted.

Take my advice and have that conversation. If there's one thing I know for certain, it's that Clark Kent cares about Chloe Sullivan. Believe me, he's worth the risk. You better hurry and take him back before I create my own portal gun and come over there.

Chloe glanced back to the door. She didn't know what she'd say or what would happen.

She'd have to wait until Friday.

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

"So what did Clark Kent think was the best part of being a Luthor?" Lex asked.

Clark had made a special visit after school to catch up. They talked as they played a game of a pool in the study. Lex filled him in about what happened with Helen and Clark shared more about his experience on the other side.

"The cars were cool," Clark admitted. "Went to the opera a few times and took some fencing lessons. Course, I don't think it's fair to say I got the whole Luthor experience. I never had to deal with Lionel."

"I'm glad."

On purpose Clark fumbled his last shot. Lex was successful in his turn and ended the game.

Clark stared at the pool cue. It was easy returning to his old ways of hiding his powers. Pretending he was normal by making sure he screwed up when he could have just as easily scored.

"What's your favorite late-night snack?" Clark asked. Lex raised an eyebrow. "Come on, tell me."

"Promise you won't tell anyone?" Clark nodded. "I sometimes indulge in a hot chocolate and a croissant. Why do you want to know?"

In the blink of eye, Clark was gone. "Clark?" Lex questioned the empty room. He looked around, doing a complete one eighty before seeing a steaming cup of hot cocoa and a plate with a croissant on it on his desk. Clark was seated on the other side, holding his own cup, grinning from ear to ear.

Lex felt his heartbeat quicken and his throat went dry at what this could mean.

"Lex…" Clark began, but Lex raised his hand to silence the boy.

"Clark, I'm not Alex. Whatever you shared with him, you might not be able to be replicate with me."

"I know. But I got a chance to see how close we could be. I liked it. And if I don't at least try having that with you, I think that'll be one of my biggest regrets."

Lex glanced around the room. "Maybe this shouldn't be the place we have this conversation."

"No bugs," Clark said confidently. "We're safe."

Lex took his seat, and both changed the course of history.

The ones once destined to become great enemies instead became the closest of friends, knit together by the bonds of brotherhood.

The three Legionnaires arrived back in their time and were not too surprised to find that the statue of Superman that had been in the Legion's Hall for decades had changed. Carved in stone was Superman and Lex Luthor, once considered a brilliant evil genius, standing together side by side.