Chlark Fanfic: On The Inside, Chapter 12
See, this is why we writers adore feedback - it really does make us write faster!
Here's Chapter 12 of On The Inside. Now I have to go give my Chlollie story some lurve. That should be up a bit later on this evening. ;-)
Enjoy.
NOTE: There was a previous update on this story earlier in the day, so look out for that (if you haven't already read it!)
Title: On The Inside
Author: BabyDee
Pairing: Chlark
Rating: PG13
Warnings: None
Timeline: Post-Failsday through Season 9 eps (Saviour - Crossfire)
Disclaimer: All characters belong to the CW & DC comics.
Summary: Chloe tries to start life anew in another city, but Clark thinks she left her heart in Metropolis.
Feedback: …make me squee like a fangurl. J
Read previous chapter here.
Read story from the beginning here.
Chapter 12
Clark smiled as he watched Chloe’s eyes light up at the sight of the steaming cup of coffee he handed her.
Despite her fears and misgivings about living with him, she’d settled in rather quickly on the first day. Clark had prepared for her arrival with great care, even getting a little feminine sanicare dustbin for the bathroom. He’d stocked the fridge with organic produce, and treated her to a tasty chicken casserole for her first dinner, determined to make sure she ate nothing but healthy, home-cooked meals for the rest of her life.
And he’d invested in a coffee machine. A good one; an all-singing, all-dancing gizmo that ground the beans and made lattes, mochas, espressos…the lot.
“You know, if the coffee machine was incentive to get me to stay, you really did do yourself a favour,” she said as she took the cappuccino he offered her. “Or I could just take it when I’m leaving…”
“The machine stays here,” he said stubbornly. “That’s the one thing I get in the divorce, because I know it would hurt you the most to leave behind.”
“Mean, Clark. Mean,” she said, smiling as she raised the cup to her lips.
Clark stared at her, his heart doing a little flip as he realised that she was smiling, actually genuinely smiling like he hadn’t seen in a long time. He smiled back, determined to make sure she felt completely at ease with him. It would be a while before they got their friendship back to where it was, but he knew it would be worth the wait.
As the day wore on, though, he could see from Chloe’s face that she was beginning to get nervous about the approaching night-time hours. Determined to act as natural as possible, Clark went to the bathroom to undress, emerging in an old white t-shirt and blue boxers. Chloe’s cheeks reddened as he walked past, but he simply sat down on the sofa and turned his attention to the game show on the screen.
Chloe disappeared for several minutes and returned to the living room in a floor length nightgown over which she’d tightly belted a thick, shapeless robe around her waist. Clark glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and barely managed to refrain from laughing. She might as well have tacked a sign to her forehead saying DO NOT TOUCH: OFF LIMITS. STAY AWAY.
He turned towards her and smiled. “Perfect timing.” He gestured for her to come sit beside him.
Carefully she padded towards him and sat gingerly on the edge of the sofa furthest away from him. “Perfect timing for what?” she asked curiously.
He pointed at the TV screen. “This contestant’s about to gamble thirty-two grand on an educated guess,” he said disapprovingly. “He already has sixty-four thousand dollars, but he’ll lose half of it if he gives the wrong answer.”
“What’s the question?”
“Which of these volcanic peaks has been showing recent signs of activity?” he answered. “He’s used his ‘Fifty-Fifty’ lifeline, so there are only two answers left to choose from.”
Chloe tilted her head and studied the available options on the screen. “Krakatoa or Vesuvius,” she mused. “I’d say Krakatoa, personally.”
He smiled. Chloe was still the Queen of Obscure references and the fount of knowledge of useless facts. “Why Krakatoa?”
She shrugged. “Vesuvius is in Europe, and the tectonic plates under that continent are pretty stable. Krakatoa, on the other hand, lies between Java and Sumatra, and their tec plates are batshit volatile on a good day.”
“Would you be willing to bet thirty-two large on that?” he asked wryly.
Chloe made a face. “I’m about eighty percent sure, so yes, I think I would have made the right call in going for it.”
They watched as the contestant on the screen locked in ‘Vesuvius’ as his final answer.
“NO!” they chorused, and waited with bated breath as the drums rolled.
“It’s the wrong answer!” said Regis as the crowd groaned in dismay.
“I knew it!” Chloe said, her eyes alight as she grinned widely. “All those long hours spent staring at global thermal imaging maps during my Watchtower days have finally paid off.”
“I knew you’d know the right answer,” he said, smiling. “You should totally go on the show.”
“Nah, it’s much more fun playing from the living room,” she replied, yawning as she slid down the arm of the chair to sit next to him.
“You ready for bed?” he said, and immediately she tensed up beside him, a skittish look crossing her face.
He gave a resigned sigh. “You just yawned, Chloe. That’s the only reason I asked.”
She had the good grace to blush in embarrassment. “Sorry, I…I thought…”
“I know what you thought,” he said gently, taking her hand. “And I’ve made no secret of the fact that I love you and want to be with you in every way.”
Chloe’s hand tensed in his at the mention the word ‘love,’ and in his assertion that he was physically attracted to her.
“But,” he went on, “I also meant it when I said that you have to want it, too.”
She lowered her gaze and stared at his large hand enveloping her tiny one.
“What if we can’t get that back, Clark?” she whispered. “What I don’t feel that way for you anymore?”
Clark took a deep breath, rubbing her hand with his thumb as his heart hammered in his chest. “Be honest with me, Chloe. Am I fighting a losing battle here?”
She was silent for what felt like an eternity. Then she lifted her head and he stared intently into her dark brown eyes.
“No,” she finally whispered. “But…I need time.”
He exhaled deeply, relieved beyond words at her answer.
“I’m not going to pressure you or rush you in any way,” he went on gently. “When you’re ready, just invite me in. Okay?”
She glanced up at him and nodded. “Okay.”
He grinned. “Good.” He glanced at the clock on the wall and turned back to her. “If you’re not ready to turn in yet, would you like me to get you another coffee?”
“That would be lovely. Thank you, Clark.”
He patted her hand one last time before reluctantly releasing it and heading to the kitchen. As long as she hadn’t said ‘no’, there was hope for them. With the rich history of friendship they shared, taking it to the next level would simply be the fulfilment of everything they already were.
He headed back into the living room with a smile on his face. “One skinny latte…” he trailed off and stopped in his tracks, staring.
Chloe was curled up on the couch like a kitten, fast asleep, her long darker hair obscuring most of her face from his view.
He sighed and smiled, feeling tears beginning to gather in the corners of his eyes. Chloe didn’t realise it, but by falling asleep in what was essentially his bed, she was subconsciously reaching out to him, trying to reconnect with him.
Carefully he put the coffee mugs down and leaned over her. With one finger he gently swept the mass of honey-brown hair off her face before tucking his hands under her and lifting her into his arms.
She didn’t so much as stir. He walked over to the bedroom and managed to get the door open, then gently laid Chloe down and pulled the comforter over her, tucking it carefully under her arm.
She looked peaceful and calm, her lashes fanning her cheek and her chest gently rising and falling as she slept. Unable to stop himself, he brushed her hair off her forehead and pressed a soft kiss over her brow.
“Sleep well, my love,” he whispered, cupping her cheek tenderly.
As he exited the room and quietly shut the door behind him, Clark’s heart was filled with hope. He just knew, instinctively, that everything between them was going to be okay.
***
Chloe awoke to the smell of brewing coffee. Memories of the previous evening came flooding back to her, and she sat up in bed, wondering how she’d gotten there. Clearly Clark must have carried her again; she suspected he enjoyed the opportunity to get close to her without her freezing up on him all the time.
She glanced down and stifled a giggle at the high-necked, floor-length, long-sleeved nightgown she’d worn as a deterrent to any of Clark’s advances. Clearly he was a man of his word, as he’d put her straight into bed without even bothering to remove the hideous chunky robe she’d wrapped herself in like a suit of armour.
Carefully she stepped out of bed and untied the sash of the robe. She decided she wouldn’t be needing the awful robe and nightgown ensemble after all. That said, she wouldn’t torture poor Clark with slinky, sexy little numbers either; ordinary, practical sleepwear would do.
She stepped outside the room and was about to head for the bathroom, but the tantalising smell of coffee called to her like a siren song that she was powerless to resist.
Clark glanced up and smiled as she padded into the kitchen. “Morning! Did you sleep well?”
She nodded. “I didn’t want to wake up. That’s one comfy bed you got there.” She blushed, realising how intimate that sounded.
Clark smiled and walked over. “Here you go,” he said, handing her a cup of coffee which she gratefully accepted.
“Thanks.” She took a sip and studied him as he set the table for breakfast for both of them. He was already dressed for work, even though it was still fairly early.
She tilted her head and pondered at the difference in him. He seemed so self-assured now; gone was the shy, bumbling teenager, and in his place stood a confident, strong man.
A confident strong man who had the most gorgeous buns on the planet, she thought to herself as Clark bent low in front of the fridge to put the eggs away. She blinked to clear the tantalising view from her mind and tried to say something mundane.
“What are you doing up with the birds?” she asked curiously. “The Daily Planet building isn’t too far from here, you could walk it in ten minutes. Heck, you could be there in seconds.”
He grinned and put a jar of marmalade down on the table. “I grew up on a farm, Chlo. Early rising is part of the fabric of who I am.”
“True,” she said as he served her toast and sunny side up eggs. “Thanks, for breakfast, but you needn’t have gone to all this trouble, Clark…”
“I was making breakfast for myself anyway, so it’s no trouble at all,” he said warmly. “Besides, you have a busy day today, don’t you?”
She nodded. “I’m going to spend the day saying goodbye to Sadie Blogett and reawakening all things Chloe Sullivan,” she confirmed. “My bank accounts, medical registration and insurance, car stuff, new IDs…”
“That’ll likely take the entire week,” he observed.
“That suits me fine; it’ll be at least that long before I can make it to the DP,” she replied. “I sent my application in a few weeks ago, and they’ve responded asking me to come in some time this week to sort out an interview date.”
“If you do pop in, make it around lunchtime, and we can go together,” he said.
She smiled. “That sounds nice.”
They finished their breakfast and Clark reached for his briefcase and rose from the table.
“Here are your keys,” he said, putting a bunch of keys into her palm. “And I’ll leave the car for you so you can do your running around. I have to be off now, but give me a ring if you need me, okay?”
“I will,” she promised.
He smiled. “Have a great day, Chloe.” He stared at her for minute, then leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. “I’ll see you later.”
She nodded, smiling up at him. “Bye.”
He squeezed her shoulder and grinned before heading out the door.
***
Chloe showered and dressed and made her way down to the car park. Just as she was driving out, she noticed the white street sign flash past the corner of her eye. Quickly she slammed on the breaks, and reversed slowly till the sign came into view.
On reading the street name, she burst into uncontrollable laughter. Wheezing and clutching her stomach, she remained where she was for several seconds before the honking of the disgruntled driver behind her shook her out of her humorous stupor.
Waving an apology, she pulled away and drove off down the road, still assaulted by fits and giggles.
Only Clark would live in an apartment block on a street called Sullivan Lane.
***
Chapter 13…