Moscow, Russia – Arrival
The moment Chloe stepped out of the airport, she was hit by a gust of cold air, sharp and biting. Even through her thick coat, she could feel the chill seep into her bones.
Moscow was nothing like Metropolis. The city buzzed with a different kind of energy—fast-paced, unrelenting. Snow blanketed the streets, muffling the sounds of honking cars and hurried footsteps. Neon lights flickered across the wet pavement, illuminating the towering buildings that stretched into the sky.
Jimmy adjusted his coat, rubbing his hands together. "Man, I forgot how freezing it gets here."
Chloe smirked, shoving her hands into her pockets. "You've been here before?"
"Couple of times," he said. "Back when I was doing photojournalism gigs for some small-time agencies. Nothing like this though." He grinned, gesturing at the bustling city around them. "We're talking big leagues now, Sullivan."
She rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips.
It was exciting.
For the first time in days, she felt like she could breathe—like she wasn't constantly looking over her shoulder, waiting for Clark to show up.
Maybe this trip was exactly what she needed.
The Daily Planet's Moscow Branch
Chloe sat at a long conference table, her laptop open, fingers tapping away as she took notes. Across from her, Jimmy leaned back in his chair, spinning a pen between his fingers as he listened to the Russian editors discuss their expansion plans.
The meeting had been going on for over two hours, and Chloe could feel the exhaustion creeping in. The jet lag wasn't helping either.
She stifled a yawn, forcing herself to stay focused.
A man in a dark suit—one of the senior editors—nodded at her. "Miss Sullivan, your investigative work has been impressive. We're looking forward to collaborating with you on future projects."
Chloe sat up a little straighter. "Thank you. I'm excited to be part of this."
Jimmy shot her a thumbs-up under the table.
The meeting eventually wrapped up, and as they stepped out into the hallway, Jimmy stretched his arms. "That went well."
Chloe nodded. "Yeah. They actually respect investigative journalism here."
He grinned. "Told you this would be good for you."
Chloe gave him a sideways glance. "Alright, Olsen, you get one 'I told you so.'"
"I'll cherish it forever."
She shook her head, amused.
For the first time in days, she actually felt okay.
That Evening – Chloe and Jimmy's Apartment
The apartment they were staying in wasn't extravagant, but it was comfortable. Large windows overlooked the city, the skyline glowing with lights.
Chloe tossed her coat over the back of a chair and let out a deep breath.
It had been a long day.
She was about to collapse on the couch when Jimmy spoke up.
"Hey, you hungry?"
She turned, raising an eyebrow. "Why?"
Jimmy shrugged, leaning against the kitchen counter. "Thought we could grab dinner. There's this great Russian restaurant down the street."
Chloe hesitated.
Eating alone in a foreign city wasn't appealing… and Jimmy had been nothing but supportive lately.
"Alright," she said finally. "Dinner sounds good."
He smiled. "Cool. Let's go."
A Night Out – Chloe's Hesitation
The restaurant was warm and cozy, filled with the scent of roasted meat and fresh bread. Russian music played softly in the background, and the dim lighting made the atmosphere feel strangely intimate.
Chloe sat across from Jimmy, stirring her drink absentmindedly.
"So," Jimmy started, leaning forward, "be honest—how does it feel being away from Metropolis?"
She exhaled, thinking for a moment. "It's… different. A little overwhelming."
"But good overwhelming, right?"
She nodded. "Yeah. I think I needed this."
Jimmy grinned. "Told you so."
Chloe rolled her eyes. "Okay, two 'I told you so's.' That's your limit."
Jimmy chuckled, then his expression softened. "I mean it though, Chlo. You're one of the best journalists I know. You deserve to be here."
Chloe felt a warmth in her chest—not just from the wine she had been sipping, but from Jimmy's words.
He had always believed in her.
Why hadn't she ever noticed that before?
Back at the Apartment – A Moment of Weakness
When they returned, Chloe kicked off her shoes and let out a long sigh.
"Ugh, I'm stuffed."
Jimmy chuckled, closing the door behind them. "I warned you about Russian portions."
Chloe smirked, stretching her arms. "Alright, well, thanks for dinner, Olsen. I'm crashing."
As she turned to leave, Jimmy's voice stopped her.
"Hey, Chloe."
She looked back.
He stepped closer.
Chloe blinked, caught off guard. "What—"
Before she could finish, Jimmy leaned in and pressed his lips against hers.
Her breath hitched.
She should have pulled away.
But she didn't.
For a brief moment, she let it happen.
She let herself feel wanted.
Let herself get lost in the warmth of someone who actually chose her.
But then—
Clark.
His face flashed in her mind, unbidden.
His voice.
His presence.
Her heart clenched, and suddenly, reality snapped back into place.
She couldn't do this.
Not like this.
Chloe pulled away abruptly, breathless.
Jimmy's eyes flickered with confusion. "Chloe?"
She swallowed hard. "I—I can't."
Jimmy's expression hardened.
She took a step back, shaking her head. "I'm sorry."
Without another word, she turned and rushed to her room, shutting the door behind her.
Her heart was pounding, her hands trembling.
She leaned against the door, squeezing her eyes shut.
What was wrong with her?
Why couldn't she just move on?
She buried her face in her hands, feeling the sting of tears behind her eyes.
She didn't have an answer.
But she knew one thing for sure.
She still wasn't over Clark Kent.
Jimmy's Dark Intentions
On the other side of the door, Jimmy Olsen stood in the dimly lit living room.
His hands were clenched into fists.
His jaw tightened.
He had known Chloe for years. He had always been there for her.
And yet, no matter what he did, no matter how much he tried—
She still chose Clark.
Always Clark.
Jimmy exhaled through his nose, his fingers twitching.
He had kept his secret for a long time.
But now?
Now, he had nothing to lose.
Then the world deserved to know exactly who Clark Kent really was.
A slow, sinister smirk curled at the edges of Jimmy's lips.
Clark Kent's days of hiding were over.
Moscow, Russia – The Next Morning
Chloe barely slept.
She sat in bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying last night's events over and over in her mind.
Jimmy kissing her.
Her heart stuttering in confusion, longing, and guilt.
And then—Clark.
Like a ghost, he lingered in her mind, haunting her every thought.
She groaned, rubbing her eyes.
This was ridiculous.
She needed to move on. Clark had made his choice—avoiding her, pushing her away, disappearing without an explanation.
I can't keep waiting for a ghost.
Sighing, she got up, threw on a sweater, and walked into the living room.
Jimmy was already there, sitting at the small dining table, sipping coffee while flipping through his tablet.
The tension between them was thick.
Chloe hesitated before speaking. "Hey."
Jimmy glanced up, offering a smile. "Morning."
She shifted on her feet. "About last night—"
Jimmy held up a hand. "No need. I get it."
Chloe exhaled in relief. "Thank you."
Jimmy leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers against the table. "But hey, can we at least still be friends? We've been through a lot together, Chloe. I don't want things to be weird."
She nodded, grateful. "Yeah. Of course."
Jimmy smiled. "Good."
For a moment, things felt normal.
But unknown to Chloe, Jimmy had already set his plan in motion.
The Setup – A Subtle Trap
Later that day, Chloe and Jimmy were in the Moscow Daily Planet office, reviewing some editorial drafts.
Jimmy had been carefully guiding the conversation, setting the stage.
He needed her to slip up.
To say something she wouldn't even realize was a hint.
"Hey, Chlo," he said casually, setting his coffee cup down. "You know, I've been thinking about all the crazy stories we've worked on over the years."
Chloe smirked, still focused on her screen. "Yeah? Which one?"
"The Spaceship articles," he said, keeping his tone light. "I mean, you were there from the beginning, right? First interviews, first sightings."
Chloe glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah. Why?"
Jimmy shrugged. "It's just… insane, you know? That someone like that exists. Flying around, saving the world. Must feel surreal, having actually met him."
Chloe chuckled. "Trust me, it was surreal."
Jimmy leaned in slightly. "Did clark ever tell you anything… personal?"
Chloe blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean?"
Jimmy tilted his head. "I don't know. Just… did he ever tell you something that he didn't tell the public?"
Chloe frowned. "Why are you asking me this?"
Jimmy laughed, holding up his hands. "Whoa, calm down, reporter instincts. It's just curiosity. I mean, you were one of the first journalists he ever trusted."
Chloe hesitated, then shrugged. "He doesn't go around telling people his secrets, no one does, Jimmy."
Jimmy smirked. "Not even you?"
Chloe exhaled, rolling her eyes. "He trusts me. But trust isn't about knowing everything. It's about respecting boundaries."
Jimmy leaned back, nodding. "Fair enough."
But he wasn't done.
Not yet.
The Crucial Slip-Up
An hour later, they took a break, sitting in the lounge area with their coffees.
Jimmy stretched, pretending to be deep in thought. "You know… I've always wondered something."
Chloe sipped her coffee. "What?"
"Well, is there anyone like alien out there? And what could be their weaknesses?" Jimmy's voice was casual, but his eyes were sharp.
Chloe stiffened for half a second.
It was subtle—so subtle she didn't even notice herself do it.
But Jimmy did.
He watched as her fingers slightly tightened around her cup.
Just for a second.
Then she forced herself to relax.
Chloe scoffed. "That's a dumb rumor, Jimmy. If aliens were real and they had a weakness, don't you think someone would've figured it out by now?"
Jimmy shrugged. "Maybe. Or maybe only a few people know."
Chloe stayed quiet.
But Jimmy wasn't convinced.
That small reaction… it meant something.
And he would find out what.
Jimmy's Revelation – The Pieces Fit Together
That night, Jimmy sat alone in his room, staring at his laptop screen.
He had taken mental notes of everything.
The way Chloe reacted.
The hesitation.
The denial that was a little too strong.