SV: His Girl Friday Chapter Four
TITLE: Chapter 4 - Embers
FANDOM: Smallville
RATING: SFW (Safe For Work - new simpler rating system I'm using)
GENRE: Action-Adventure/Romance
CHARACTERS: Chloe Sullivan, Clark Kent, Lana Lang, Sheriff Ethan Miller, Lex Luthor
PAIRINGS: Clark Kent/Chloe Sullivan
WORDS: 3702
CHAPTER SUMMARY: Chloe finds out her gut feeling about Miss Atkins is right as she watches Clark and Lana deal with Desirée's wrath.
ARCHIVED: FanFiction.net
STORY LINKS: ( First Chapter) | ( Previous Chapter) | ( Next Chapter)
STORY NOTES:
***
Outrage. Confusion. Skepticism. Bewilderment.
Chloe Sullivan experienced all of those states in the span of a few seconds as she listened to her boyfriend's guilty confession of what happened to him the night before. Despite his morose words and sullen demeanor she had a hard time believing that he was even telling an inch of truth. If it was anyone other than Clark Kent standing in front of her, she'd have beat them with her messenger bag until her arms got tired and finish up by slamming the Torch door closed in their face.
But it was Clark, and if there was one thing Chloe had learned about her secretive boyfriend over the years was that he could lie if he was pressed but he wasn't one to volunteer a lie, especially one so unbelievable. That their teacher, the former Miss Atkins and current Mrs. Luthor would visit the Kent Farm last night and walk right up into Clark's loft and attempt to seduce him sounded like every male student's fantasy and not something Clark would confuse for reality.
So she stared at him. Stared into those baby blue eyes and searched for the truth. The results she couldn't deny - he was telling the truth or at least what he thought was the truth and he felt bad that it even got that far.
“If this is some way to try to make me feel jealous, Clark, it's not the way to go because it's working,” said Chloe warningly before she let out a little snark. “It sounds so outrageous that I feel like if I believe you then I guess it's also possible that earlier this week I spent a night with Lana in the school pool doing more than just swimming.”
“You have to believe me, Chloe,” said Clark quickly. “There's no incentive for me to lie about last night. Only people close to me would be hurt, Lex and you. And I'd never purposely hurt you like that ... wait ... more than swimming?”
“Ha!” laughed Chloe falsely, still feeling slightly wounded. She was finally over the Lana mess and if any part of Clark's story was indeed true than some adult hussy had come close to wrecking her dream relationship. Instead of feeling down - which she knew would make Clark feel guiltier and that was something she didn't need right now - she pushed on, put on her game face and concentrated on finding the truth. “I knew that would get your attention, but I'm pretty sure you're in the doghouse right now so just forget everything I said and spill every detail of your tryst so I can get to the bottom of this.”
And Clark did exactly that. He followed her to her desk and pulled a chair next to her, sat down and proceeded to go over everything that happened the previous night in his loft. As Chloe listened she proceeded to pull up the various information databases she had access to - not counting the shady ones she'd rather not have traced back to her at the Torch - and searched through the background of the new Mrs. Luthor.
The only interesting fact Chloe using her limited resources was that the former Miss Atkins once went by the name Allison Sanders and was actually a native to Smallville, having been born there nearly thirty years before. Knowing that, she thought about trying to get the woman's medical records but Chloe would have to visit Smallville Medical Center and see if she could sweet talk an intern into letting her into the file room first.
Clark had since finished retelling his night and was anxiously waiting to see Chloe's reaction and hear her analysis. Skepticism seemed to dominate her words.
“I just don't get it,” Chloe sighed. “What would she see in you? It makes no sense.”
“Ouch, Chloe,” said Clark. “Don't hold back.”
Chloe didn't and slapped his shoulder. “You do not get to act the victim here, Clark. You know what I meant. You're ...” she flashed him a smile. “Hot. But that's from my standpoint. You're half her age, basically a boy in her eyes and Lex, well he's rich, tall, and arguably handsome - not my type - and he's turned out to be a pretty decent guy and a good friend despite his lineage.”
Clark perked up. “That's right and she did diss Lex the entire time she was coming on to me. Talking about how he was the only thing standing in the way us being together.”
“As nauseatingly disturbing as that sounds, she clearly was looking to divide you and Lex but you didn't take the bait,” said Chloe, tapping her chin with a pen thoughtfully. “You were his best man and that makes it clear you two are close. Probably the closest friend he has. But they just got married. And unless the Luthors are into certain kinks that I don't want to hear about, what reason would she have to want to hurt Lex or make him jealous?”
“I don't know,” said Clark. “She's made Lex happier than I've ever seen him and I can't imagine him letting her that close to him if he didn't think she was perfect but I'm telling you, last night she wanted me.”
“Don't we all,” said Chloe softly. “Look, let's not forget that Lex is pretty brilliant - almost to a mad genius type level from what I've read. She might be bedazzling to every male on this planet but I've had this bad feeling about her since she showed up in our lives. If she is up to something and can fool Lex than she probably is more dangerous than we think.”
Clark stood. “I'm going to go to the source and talk to Lex. Maybe there's a simple explanation to this situation that your fact digging and our speculation can't come up with.”
Chloe grabbed his hand before he left. “I know this is where you go off and everything somehow works out in the end but this is the first time we're together while doing this.”
“What are you talking about, Chloe?” said Clark confused. “We've always been together figuring things out … oh … together. Well, um, it's just a talk with Lex so I'm sure everything will get straightened out and-”
Chloe pulled him down for a kiss. “I'm still mad at you but,” she kissed him again. This time it was a much longer and intense lip-lock. “Just be careful.”
“I will,” said Clark. “And don't even think about confronting Desirée alone. I don't want her dragging you into this mess. Try to avoid her if you can.”
“I'm already in this mess if you can't tell, Clark,” said Chloe firmly, hands on her hips. “But the less I see of her the better. I think I'll go see if Lana has any ideas about Mrs. Luthor that we haven't thought about … like the strange fires at school and the Talon, maybe they have a connection to our seductress. Now that I think about it they only started after she showed up.”
Clark smiled uncomfortably and started stepping backward towards the door. “Great, work on that. And I'll go see what the happy groom has to say about married life.”
***
Of all the places Chloe imagined seeing Clark next, she had to admit behind bars was not one of them. But after the last twenty four hours she could not say she was completely surprised by the development. That sense of foreboding that she had when Clark left never disappeared and instead grew as the day went by.
She had gone to see Lana at the Talon but outside of putting together a pretty good article for the Torch on the mysterious fires there was no concrete connection they could find to Desirée Atkins Luthor. To making matters worse, Chloe was then witness to Lex notifying Lana of his intentions to close down the Talon. He was so cold and business-like about it with none of the usual Lex charm Chloe was accustomed to seeing that she had a feeling Desirée was a factor in the abrupt decision.
Her promise to Clark aside, at that moment Chloe would have enjoyed making a trip down to the Luthor Mansion to verbally smack down Desirée but Lana was so upset about the thought of losing the place she had worked so hard to fix that Chloe shoved those vindictive thoughts aside to help her friend in need. She called her dad to tell him she'd be staying with Lana for the night.
Chloe, along with Lana's aunt, Nell Potter, spent most of the night sitting with Lana not only offering comfort but trying to figure out if there was any legal way to save the Talon from Lex and Desirée. None was found however, as Lex being the financial backer of the business had the right to do what he wanted with his money.
Little sleep came during the night to any in the house, especially Chloe who suffered through nightmares for the rest of the night. Desirée Atkins Luthor haunted her dreams and nearly all of them had Clark in some kind of danger. She dreamt of Clark being engulfed in flames while Desirée watched, or Clark being shot by Lex while Desirée watched and of course, Clark falling to Desirée's seduction and the two of them fucking on top of Lex's desk in the mansion.
Needless to say when she and Lana were woken up by Nell with news from the Kents next door of Clark's arrest there was some relief felt by Chloe that he was alive and not boning Mrs. Luthor. Of course, when they heard why he was in jail it confirmed Chloe's suspicions that Desirée had to be behind it.
And that was why both girls were currently standing at the front desk of the Smallville Sheriff's Station in cute tops that were accentuated by their glistening skin from the heat wave and acting sweetly to the young deputy sheriff stationed at the desk that morning.
“Are you sure there isn't any way we could get in to see Clark? Just for a few minutes,” said Lana with a bat of her eyes.
“Mr. Kent is currently under a criminal investigation, ladies,” said the deputy trying to sound official.
“We just want a moment with my boyfriend,” said Chloe matching Lana's pout with her own. “We haven't seen him in over a day and can't imagine how scared he is in a place like this.”
The deputy laughed nervously. “I'm not really allowed to but ...” He stood up and started moving towards the door leading to the holding cells when the opening of the front door stopped him in his tracks. “Sheriff Miller!”
In walked the deputy's boss and Smallville's Sheriff, Ethan Miller, a long-time fixture in town. “Deputy,” said Sheriff Miller, dismissing the man. “Miss Lang, Miss Sullivan, what can I do for two of Smallville's finest young ladies on this morning?”
“Sheriff Miller, we were hoping to see Clark. We heard he was brought in last night,” said Chloe.
“Yes, he was and he's under some serious accusations,” said Sheriff Miller. “Him being seen blowing up Mrs. Luthor's car and being at the location of two other fires is very suspicious.”
“Don't tell me you believe he's responsible? You know Clark, hell, everyone in this town knows Clark. He wouldn't hurt a fly let alone skip that step entirely and become a pyromaniac,” said Chloe.
“You're right, I do know Clark, but I also know that kids can change especially during their teenage years when hormones start taking control and they start feeling rebellious,” said Sheriff Miller. “Who's to say he didn't get jealous - no offense meant, Miss Sullivan - but until there's evidence that says otherwise Clark will be under our watch.”
“Can our testimonies count for anything?” asked Lana. “You know us, and you know the Kents. They wouldn't raise someone that wasn't a respectable citizen and we're with him all the time and have never seen a glimpse of trouble.”
“And I'm sure you are right, but sometimes even we have our hands tied by the law, girls,” said Sheriff Miller as he pushed open the door to the holding cells and held it open. “But, I do know you and young Clark, so I think it would be alright if you go and see him if you can keep it between us.”
“Thank you!” said Chloe, leaping up and hugging the sheriff as she went by. Lana was much calmer and nodded her thanks as she followed behind the blonde into the holding cells area.
And there they found Clark, sitting on a cot inside the closest cell to the door staring intently into his hands.
“Clark!” said Chloe, rushing to the bars. “How are you holding up?”
He quickly rose to greet his visitors at his cell door. “I thought being accused of seducing my best friend's wife was unfair. Not so much now.” He gestured to the bars standing between them.
“I knew that woman was bad news,” said Chloe gripping Clark's hand.
“But we have some good news on that front,” said Lana pushing through a newspaper article and some printouts to Clark. “While Chloe was trying to help me find a way to save the Talon we stumbled upon some new information about our illusive Mrs. Luthor under her Allison Sanders alias.”
“Turns out back then Allison was quite popular with the boys of Smallville too,” said Chloe.
“Except, she and her boyfriend were caught in the meteor shower,” said Lana.
“And no need to guess what exactly two teens were up to in a truck by the lake,” commented Chloe with a grin.
They proceeded to tell Clark the disturbing murders that followed over the next few years and how Desirée was the sole inheritor in both cases.
“Total Black Widow scenario, Clark,” declared Chloe. “Unfortunately for her and us she invested in dot-coms, the bubble burst and she lost all her money. So she came trolling back to Smallville for wealth and snatched up Lex.”
“So she was trying to seduce me to kill Lex,” realized Clark. “Wait. Why did she think I'd do it?”
“Pheromones, Clark” said Chloe spelling it out for him. “She was in the throes of major passion when the meteors hit. With what we've experienced from the Wall of Weird, if her pheromone levels were enhanced then she could control any guy and get him to do whatever she wants.
“Lucky for us, it takes some members of the opposite sex more than a few days - some of us a few years - to get through to Clark,” said Chloe matter-of-factly. “It looks like Mrs. Luthor falls into that category.”
“Yeah, lucky us,” agreed Lana quietly.
Clark looked ready to say something and glanced over at Lana before facing Chloe's knowing gaze again. Before he could answer though, she reached in and put her fingers against his mouth.
“It's okay, Clark, I've dealt with the whys and hows of your hormones for years now,” said Chloe. “I'm just glad I emerged victoriously from the friend zone.”
“Me too,” said Clark smiling. He leaned between the bars and Chloe met him halfway for a kiss. Unfortunately it was barely a quick peck as the next moment in came Sheriff Miller.
“Alright kids, time's up,” he announced, holding the door open for the girls to exit through.
Chloe snuck in one more kiss before stepping back.
“Wait, my dad went to see Desirée. I need to get out of here!” whispered Clark furiously.
Chloe nodded at him and gave Lana a look before striding past the sheriff and out the door.
“Bye Clark,” said Lana, slipping her arms through for a hug. “Hang tight and we'll smoke out a way.”
Clark looked confused but Lana only winked before moving quickly out of the room after Chloe.
Chloe made her way through the sheriff's department and stopped at the bathroom. She waited until Lana walked by to pull her in with her into the tiny space.
“Is this going to work?” asked Lana spying on the sprinkler head directly above them.
“In theory,” said Chloe pulling out a lighter from her bag. “All county buildings are required by code to have a sprinkler system installed. I should just have to wave this flame by the sensor and set off all the sprinklers in the building. They'll have to let Clark out to evacuate the building and in all that confusion we can help him get away so we can prove his innocence.”
“I hope this works and that this floor is clean,” said Lana as she slowly went down to her hands and knees.
Before Chloe could use Lana as a step stool however, the sprinklers suddenly went off and the fire alarm was blaring. Lana scrambled to her feet and both girls held their bags over their heads to try to block the water from hitting them.
“That wasn't us, right?” said Lana.
A strong gust of wind passed right by the bathroom causing the door to swing open and close briefly.
“Definitely not us,” said Chloe curiously, both of her eyebrows raised.
***
“So let me get this right, Miss Atkins tried to get your dad to kill Lex?” said Chloe from the comfort of her spot next to Clark in the hammock he put up that night in the loft since his parents were off on their 'date'.
“Yeah, and it was close,” said Clark grimly. “If I was seconds later and hadn't been there to distract my dad and cause him to miss ... I don't know what would have happened. Lex might be dead and my dad would be done; there'd be no way to deny he pulled the trigger. I doubt the police would believe mind control - I hardly do and I've seen some strange things here in Smallville.”
“I take it then that you three left out the whole pheromones power she has?” said Chloe.
“Better to focus on the crimes we can prove,” said Clark with a nod. “Lex is making sure that she'll at least be charged with attempted murder, and filing a false police report. He also emphasized the need for female officers to handle his wife, someone like her needs to be kept from causing anymore harm.”
“How's he handling the whole 'I married a psycho' reality?”
Clark reached over to his desk next to the hammock and poured them glasses of lemonade. “He's probably hunkered down with his team of lawyers trying to figure out a loophole out of that marriage. Probably wishes he had been aware enough to make her sign that prenuptial agreement his dad had sent over.”
Chloe accepted her glass and greedily chugged down half of its contents. “Oh, that hits so many spots. I can't wait for this heat to be over.”
“I don't know, Chloe,” said Clark, checking out the outfit she wore that night - a yellow tank top and a pair of tan shorts - that revealed plenty of glistening skin. “There are some perks to the heat.”
“Feels good to be the sole target of your leering again, Clark,” laughed Chloe.
“For awhile there I was afraid I'd never get the chance to have fun and relax with you like again,” said Clark.
Chloe shifted in the hammock so she could better face Clark. “How did you get out of that cell, Clark? Sure, Lana and I had an insane plan but honestly I didn't think it would work let alone happen before I could set it in motion.”
Clark reddened and averted his gaze. “A fire just happened to start outside my cell and it set off the alarms. The sheriff let me out and I made a run for it.”
“A fire just happened to start outside your cell?” Chloe asked with a smile. “Uh, huh, hm, and that must have been some run because we certainly felt something go by from our spot in the bathroom.”
“You two were crazy trying to follow through with that plan,” said Clark, changing the subject. “What if it had gone wrong? You two would have been arrested.”
“What can I say, Clark, maybe you have your own pheromone ability because you make me do some crazy things sometimes” said Chloe.
“Well if I do, I'm glad I ensnared you,” said Clark with a slow kiss. “Because the reward is nice.”
Chloe nipped at his lips. “It's a mutually rewarding relationship,” she replied, putting down their drinks back on his desk and straddling his lap.
“Definitely,” agreed Clark as she lowered her head and kissed him senseless.
They quickly found themselves occupied with each other and both concentrated on letting the stress of the last few days disappear as they acted on the feelings between them. The view from the loft window of the barn was so magnificent, littered with shining stars that after a bout of intense kissing Chloe and Clark settled in and cuddled in the hammock while looking out at the night sky.
It was soothing and before they knew it they had drifted off in each other's arms, with the hammock calmly swaying underneath them. They were well asleep minutes before a visitor entered the quietness of the barn. A dozen steps up to the loft and the visitor revealed himself to be Lex Luthor.
Upon reaching the loft he noticed the candlelight illumination to the area and the swaying hammock with the dozing couple cuddled on it. He walked around and laughed to himself.
“Nicely done, Clark,” said Lex. “Maybe I can learn a thing or two from you about relationships.”
He patted Clark's shoulder lightly and left the two to their sleep, making his way out of the barn. Lex stopped at the foot of the staircase and looked back towards the loft.
“Goodnight Clark and Chloe, I think I'll leave it to the Kents to wake you,” said Lex with a smile as he walked out of the barn and headed towards his car.
FANDOM: Smallville
RATING: SFW (Safe For Work - new simpler rating system I'm using)
GENRE: Action-Adventure/Romance
CHARACTERS: Chloe Sullivan, Clark Kent, Lana Lang, Sheriff Ethan Miller, Lex Luthor
PAIRINGS: Clark Kent/Chloe Sullivan
WORDS: 3702
CHAPTER SUMMARY: Chloe finds out her gut feeling about Miss Atkins is right as she watches Clark and Lana deal with Desirée's wrath.
ARCHIVED: FanFiction.net
STORY LINKS: ( First Chapter) | ( Previous Chapter) | ( Next Chapter)
STORY NOTES:
- Another chapter has arrived! Did you doubt me? ;)
- This is the last chapter that was outlined originally a year ago when I started this story and should mark the end of the story jumping around so much to cover only Chloe's moments. I tried to make things more fluid in this chapter and hopefully that will continue for future chapters where it doesn't feel so much like I'm covering moments of an episode as writing her story of the episode completely.
- Next chapter will be dealing with S2E3 "Duplicity" and I can't wait!
- Crossposted to: sv_fanfic, chloesullivan, chlark_crazed
***
Outrage. Confusion. Skepticism. Bewilderment.
Chloe Sullivan experienced all of those states in the span of a few seconds as she listened to her boyfriend's guilty confession of what happened to him the night before. Despite his morose words and sullen demeanor she had a hard time believing that he was even telling an inch of truth. If it was anyone other than Clark Kent standing in front of her, she'd have beat them with her messenger bag until her arms got tired and finish up by slamming the Torch door closed in their face.
But it was Clark, and if there was one thing Chloe had learned about her secretive boyfriend over the years was that he could lie if he was pressed but he wasn't one to volunteer a lie, especially one so unbelievable. That their teacher, the former Miss Atkins and current Mrs. Luthor would visit the Kent Farm last night and walk right up into Clark's loft and attempt to seduce him sounded like every male student's fantasy and not something Clark would confuse for reality.
So she stared at him. Stared into those baby blue eyes and searched for the truth. The results she couldn't deny - he was telling the truth or at least what he thought was the truth and he felt bad that it even got that far.
“If this is some way to try to make me feel jealous, Clark, it's not the way to go because it's working,” said Chloe warningly before she let out a little snark. “It sounds so outrageous that I feel like if I believe you then I guess it's also possible that earlier this week I spent a night with Lana in the school pool doing more than just swimming.”
“You have to believe me, Chloe,” said Clark quickly. “There's no incentive for me to lie about last night. Only people close to me would be hurt, Lex and you. And I'd never purposely hurt you like that ... wait ... more than swimming?”
“Ha!” laughed Chloe falsely, still feeling slightly wounded. She was finally over the Lana mess and if any part of Clark's story was indeed true than some adult hussy had come close to wrecking her dream relationship. Instead of feeling down - which she knew would make Clark feel guiltier and that was something she didn't need right now - she pushed on, put on her game face and concentrated on finding the truth. “I knew that would get your attention, but I'm pretty sure you're in the doghouse right now so just forget everything I said and spill every detail of your tryst so I can get to the bottom of this.”
And Clark did exactly that. He followed her to her desk and pulled a chair next to her, sat down and proceeded to go over everything that happened the previous night in his loft. As Chloe listened she proceeded to pull up the various information databases she had access to - not counting the shady ones she'd rather not have traced back to her at the Torch - and searched through the background of the new Mrs. Luthor.
The only interesting fact Chloe using her limited resources was that the former Miss Atkins once went by the name Allison Sanders and was actually a native to Smallville, having been born there nearly thirty years before. Knowing that, she thought about trying to get the woman's medical records but Chloe would have to visit Smallville Medical Center and see if she could sweet talk an intern into letting her into the file room first.
Clark had since finished retelling his night and was anxiously waiting to see Chloe's reaction and hear her analysis. Skepticism seemed to dominate her words.
“I just don't get it,” Chloe sighed. “What would she see in you? It makes no sense.”
“Ouch, Chloe,” said Clark. “Don't hold back.”
Chloe didn't and slapped his shoulder. “You do not get to act the victim here, Clark. You know what I meant. You're ...” she flashed him a smile. “Hot. But that's from my standpoint. You're half her age, basically a boy in her eyes and Lex, well he's rich, tall, and arguably handsome - not my type - and he's turned out to be a pretty decent guy and a good friend despite his lineage.”
Clark perked up. “That's right and she did diss Lex the entire time she was coming on to me. Talking about how he was the only thing standing in the way us being together.”
“As nauseatingly disturbing as that sounds, she clearly was looking to divide you and Lex but you didn't take the bait,” said Chloe, tapping her chin with a pen thoughtfully. “You were his best man and that makes it clear you two are close. Probably the closest friend he has. But they just got married. And unless the Luthors are into certain kinks that I don't want to hear about, what reason would she have to want to hurt Lex or make him jealous?”
“I don't know,” said Clark. “She's made Lex happier than I've ever seen him and I can't imagine him letting her that close to him if he didn't think she was perfect but I'm telling you, last night she wanted me.”
“Don't we all,” said Chloe softly. “Look, let's not forget that Lex is pretty brilliant - almost to a mad genius type level from what I've read. She might be bedazzling to every male on this planet but I've had this bad feeling about her since she showed up in our lives. If she is up to something and can fool Lex than she probably is more dangerous than we think.”
Clark stood. “I'm going to go to the source and talk to Lex. Maybe there's a simple explanation to this situation that your fact digging and our speculation can't come up with.”
Chloe grabbed his hand before he left. “I know this is where you go off and everything somehow works out in the end but this is the first time we're together while doing this.”
“What are you talking about, Chloe?” said Clark confused. “We've always been together figuring things out … oh … together. Well, um, it's just a talk with Lex so I'm sure everything will get straightened out and-”
Chloe pulled him down for a kiss. “I'm still mad at you but,” she kissed him again. This time it was a much longer and intense lip-lock. “Just be careful.”
“I will,” said Clark. “And don't even think about confronting Desirée alone. I don't want her dragging you into this mess. Try to avoid her if you can.”
“I'm already in this mess if you can't tell, Clark,” said Chloe firmly, hands on her hips. “But the less I see of her the better. I think I'll go see if Lana has any ideas about Mrs. Luthor that we haven't thought about … like the strange fires at school and the Talon, maybe they have a connection to our seductress. Now that I think about it they only started after she showed up.”
Clark smiled uncomfortably and started stepping backward towards the door. “Great, work on that. And I'll go see what the happy groom has to say about married life.”
***
Of all the places Chloe imagined seeing Clark next, she had to admit behind bars was not one of them. But after the last twenty four hours she could not say she was completely surprised by the development. That sense of foreboding that she had when Clark left never disappeared and instead grew as the day went by.
She had gone to see Lana at the Talon but outside of putting together a pretty good article for the Torch on the mysterious fires there was no concrete connection they could find to Desirée Atkins Luthor. To making matters worse, Chloe was then witness to Lex notifying Lana of his intentions to close down the Talon. He was so cold and business-like about it with none of the usual Lex charm Chloe was accustomed to seeing that she had a feeling Desirée was a factor in the abrupt decision.
Her promise to Clark aside, at that moment Chloe would have enjoyed making a trip down to the Luthor Mansion to verbally smack down Desirée but Lana was so upset about the thought of losing the place she had worked so hard to fix that Chloe shoved those vindictive thoughts aside to help her friend in need. She called her dad to tell him she'd be staying with Lana for the night.
Chloe, along with Lana's aunt, Nell Potter, spent most of the night sitting with Lana not only offering comfort but trying to figure out if there was any legal way to save the Talon from Lex and Desirée. None was found however, as Lex being the financial backer of the business had the right to do what he wanted with his money.
Little sleep came during the night to any in the house, especially Chloe who suffered through nightmares for the rest of the night. Desirée Atkins Luthor haunted her dreams and nearly all of them had Clark in some kind of danger. She dreamt of Clark being engulfed in flames while Desirée watched, or Clark being shot by Lex while Desirée watched and of course, Clark falling to Desirée's seduction and the two of them fucking on top of Lex's desk in the mansion.
Needless to say when she and Lana were woken up by Nell with news from the Kents next door of Clark's arrest there was some relief felt by Chloe that he was alive and not boning Mrs. Luthor. Of course, when they heard why he was in jail it confirmed Chloe's suspicions that Desirée had to be behind it.
And that was why both girls were currently standing at the front desk of the Smallville Sheriff's Station in cute tops that were accentuated by their glistening skin from the heat wave and acting sweetly to the young deputy sheriff stationed at the desk that morning.
“Are you sure there isn't any way we could get in to see Clark? Just for a few minutes,” said Lana with a bat of her eyes.
“Mr. Kent is currently under a criminal investigation, ladies,” said the deputy trying to sound official.
“We just want a moment with my boyfriend,” said Chloe matching Lana's pout with her own. “We haven't seen him in over a day and can't imagine how scared he is in a place like this.”
The deputy laughed nervously. “I'm not really allowed to but ...” He stood up and started moving towards the door leading to the holding cells when the opening of the front door stopped him in his tracks. “Sheriff Miller!”
In walked the deputy's boss and Smallville's Sheriff, Ethan Miller, a long-time fixture in town. “Deputy,” said Sheriff Miller, dismissing the man. “Miss Lang, Miss Sullivan, what can I do for two of Smallville's finest young ladies on this morning?”
“Sheriff Miller, we were hoping to see Clark. We heard he was brought in last night,” said Chloe.
“Yes, he was and he's under some serious accusations,” said Sheriff Miller. “Him being seen blowing up Mrs. Luthor's car and being at the location of two other fires is very suspicious.”
“Don't tell me you believe he's responsible? You know Clark, hell, everyone in this town knows Clark. He wouldn't hurt a fly let alone skip that step entirely and become a pyromaniac,” said Chloe.
“You're right, I do know Clark, but I also know that kids can change especially during their teenage years when hormones start taking control and they start feeling rebellious,” said Sheriff Miller. “Who's to say he didn't get jealous - no offense meant, Miss Sullivan - but until there's evidence that says otherwise Clark will be under our watch.”
“Can our testimonies count for anything?” asked Lana. “You know us, and you know the Kents. They wouldn't raise someone that wasn't a respectable citizen and we're with him all the time and have never seen a glimpse of trouble.”
“And I'm sure you are right, but sometimes even we have our hands tied by the law, girls,” said Sheriff Miller as he pushed open the door to the holding cells and held it open. “But, I do know you and young Clark, so I think it would be alright if you go and see him if you can keep it between us.”
“Thank you!” said Chloe, leaping up and hugging the sheriff as she went by. Lana was much calmer and nodded her thanks as she followed behind the blonde into the holding cells area.
And there they found Clark, sitting on a cot inside the closest cell to the door staring intently into his hands.
“Clark!” said Chloe, rushing to the bars. “How are you holding up?”
He quickly rose to greet his visitors at his cell door. “I thought being accused of seducing my best friend's wife was unfair. Not so much now.” He gestured to the bars standing between them.
“I knew that woman was bad news,” said Chloe gripping Clark's hand.
“But we have some good news on that front,” said Lana pushing through a newspaper article and some printouts to Clark. “While Chloe was trying to help me find a way to save the Talon we stumbled upon some new information about our illusive Mrs. Luthor under her Allison Sanders alias.”
“Turns out back then Allison was quite popular with the boys of Smallville too,” said Chloe.
“Except, she and her boyfriend were caught in the meteor shower,” said Lana.
“And no need to guess what exactly two teens were up to in a truck by the lake,” commented Chloe with a grin.
They proceeded to tell Clark the disturbing murders that followed over the next few years and how Desirée was the sole inheritor in both cases.
“Total Black Widow scenario, Clark,” declared Chloe. “Unfortunately for her and us she invested in dot-coms, the bubble burst and she lost all her money. So she came trolling back to Smallville for wealth and snatched up Lex.”
“So she was trying to seduce me to kill Lex,” realized Clark. “Wait. Why did she think I'd do it?”
“Pheromones, Clark” said Chloe spelling it out for him. “She was in the throes of major passion when the meteors hit. With what we've experienced from the Wall of Weird, if her pheromone levels were enhanced then she could control any guy and get him to do whatever she wants.
“Lucky for us, it takes some members of the opposite sex more than a few days - some of us a few years - to get through to Clark,” said Chloe matter-of-factly. “It looks like Mrs. Luthor falls into that category.”
“Yeah, lucky us,” agreed Lana quietly.
Clark looked ready to say something and glanced over at Lana before facing Chloe's knowing gaze again. Before he could answer though, she reached in and put her fingers against his mouth.
“It's okay, Clark, I've dealt with the whys and hows of your hormones for years now,” said Chloe. “I'm just glad I emerged victoriously from the friend zone.”
“Me too,” said Clark smiling. He leaned between the bars and Chloe met him halfway for a kiss. Unfortunately it was barely a quick peck as the next moment in came Sheriff Miller.
“Alright kids, time's up,” he announced, holding the door open for the girls to exit through.
Chloe snuck in one more kiss before stepping back.
“Wait, my dad went to see Desirée. I need to get out of here!” whispered Clark furiously.
Chloe nodded at him and gave Lana a look before striding past the sheriff and out the door.
“Bye Clark,” said Lana, slipping her arms through for a hug. “Hang tight and we'll smoke out a way.”
Clark looked confused but Lana only winked before moving quickly out of the room after Chloe.
Chloe made her way through the sheriff's department and stopped at the bathroom. She waited until Lana walked by to pull her in with her into the tiny space.
“Is this going to work?” asked Lana spying on the sprinkler head directly above them.
“In theory,” said Chloe pulling out a lighter from her bag. “All county buildings are required by code to have a sprinkler system installed. I should just have to wave this flame by the sensor and set off all the sprinklers in the building. They'll have to let Clark out to evacuate the building and in all that confusion we can help him get away so we can prove his innocence.”
“I hope this works and that this floor is clean,” said Lana as she slowly went down to her hands and knees.
Before Chloe could use Lana as a step stool however, the sprinklers suddenly went off and the fire alarm was blaring. Lana scrambled to her feet and both girls held their bags over their heads to try to block the water from hitting them.
“That wasn't us, right?” said Lana.
A strong gust of wind passed right by the bathroom causing the door to swing open and close briefly.
“Definitely not us,” said Chloe curiously, both of her eyebrows raised.
***
“So let me get this right, Miss Atkins tried to get your dad to kill Lex?” said Chloe from the comfort of her spot next to Clark in the hammock he put up that night in the loft since his parents were off on their 'date'.
“Yeah, and it was close,” said Clark grimly. “If I was seconds later and hadn't been there to distract my dad and cause him to miss ... I don't know what would have happened. Lex might be dead and my dad would be done; there'd be no way to deny he pulled the trigger. I doubt the police would believe mind control - I hardly do and I've seen some strange things here in Smallville.”
“I take it then that you three left out the whole pheromones power she has?” said Chloe.
“Better to focus on the crimes we can prove,” said Clark with a nod. “Lex is making sure that she'll at least be charged with attempted murder, and filing a false police report. He also emphasized the need for female officers to handle his wife, someone like her needs to be kept from causing anymore harm.”
“How's he handling the whole 'I married a psycho' reality?”
Clark reached over to his desk next to the hammock and poured them glasses of lemonade. “He's probably hunkered down with his team of lawyers trying to figure out a loophole out of that marriage. Probably wishes he had been aware enough to make her sign that prenuptial agreement his dad had sent over.”
Chloe accepted her glass and greedily chugged down half of its contents. “Oh, that hits so many spots. I can't wait for this heat to be over.”
“I don't know, Chloe,” said Clark, checking out the outfit she wore that night - a yellow tank top and a pair of tan shorts - that revealed plenty of glistening skin. “There are some perks to the heat.”
“Feels good to be the sole target of your leering again, Clark,” laughed Chloe.
“For awhile there I was afraid I'd never get the chance to have fun and relax with you like again,” said Clark.
Chloe shifted in the hammock so she could better face Clark. “How did you get out of that cell, Clark? Sure, Lana and I had an insane plan but honestly I didn't think it would work let alone happen before I could set it in motion.”
Clark reddened and averted his gaze. “A fire just happened to start outside my cell and it set off the alarms. The sheriff let me out and I made a run for it.”
“A fire just happened to start outside your cell?” Chloe asked with a smile. “Uh, huh, hm, and that must have been some run because we certainly felt something go by from our spot in the bathroom.”
“You two were crazy trying to follow through with that plan,” said Clark, changing the subject. “What if it had gone wrong? You two would have been arrested.”
“What can I say, Clark, maybe you have your own pheromone ability because you make me do some crazy things sometimes” said Chloe.
“Well if I do, I'm glad I ensnared you,” said Clark with a slow kiss. “Because the reward is nice.”
Chloe nipped at his lips. “It's a mutually rewarding relationship,” she replied, putting down their drinks back on his desk and straddling his lap.
“Definitely,” agreed Clark as she lowered her head and kissed him senseless.
They quickly found themselves occupied with each other and both concentrated on letting the stress of the last few days disappear as they acted on the feelings between them. The view from the loft window of the barn was so magnificent, littered with shining stars that after a bout of intense kissing Chloe and Clark settled in and cuddled in the hammock while looking out at the night sky.
It was soothing and before they knew it they had drifted off in each other's arms, with the hammock calmly swaying underneath them. They were well asleep minutes before a visitor entered the quietness of the barn. A dozen steps up to the loft and the visitor revealed himself to be Lex Luthor.
Upon reaching the loft he noticed the candlelight illumination to the area and the swaying hammock with the dozing couple cuddled on it. He walked around and laughed to himself.
“Nicely done, Clark,” said Lex. “Maybe I can learn a thing or two from you about relationships.”
He patted Clark's shoulder lightly and left the two to their sleep, making his way out of the barn. Lex stopped at the foot of the staircase and looked back towards the loft.
“Goodnight Clark and Chloe, I think I'll leave it to the Kents to wake you,” said Lex with a smile as he walked out of the barn and headed towards his car.