(Untitled)

[torch_reporter]

[Life isn't fun for meteor freaks in Smallville. But sometimes, cures may offer a hopeful future. After investigation, a decision is made. But not everyone is happy about it. And in the end, the right decision might've been the wrong one. Good thing Clark is around to save the day.]It's been a few days since Clark rescued her from Dr Knox.

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[blinkandyoumiss]

Hey, look. Someone he hasn't seen in- a while.

There isn't a paper airplane bearing a cartoon this time, alas. Just a Bart. "Hey."

[torch_reporter]

Sad. The lack of paper planes is always a woeful thing.

But at the sound of a familiar voice, Chloe looks up from her computer. The laptop screen is half closed. And he even gets a small sort of grin.

"Hey Bart. Long time no see."

[blinkandyoumiss]

"Yeah."

He cheerfully steals a seat across from her. "Been up to anything interesting?"

[torch_reporter]

She shakes her head. But Chloe's had too many years of lying by now. It'll be hard to tell.

"Bart, I live in Smallville. Define interesting."

[hero_farmboy]

It's not long before a certain someone finds her. He always does.

"Hey."

[torch_reporter]

Dammit.

She hasn't even finished her first draft.

Chloe glances upward, a small and apologetic smile on her lips. "Hey."

[hero_farmboy]

He pulls a chair up to her table. Booths and Clark still don't get along. "How are you doing?"

[torch_reporter]

"Okay," she says quietly, laughing wryly. "I mean, I'm alive, right? I... I owe you for that one, Clark."

[shortofcrazy]

Riley told himself, earlier, that he wasn't going to keep checking in at Milliways.

But here he is, again. One brief glance from side to side yields nobody he knows; his mouth set seriously and laptop tucked under his arm, he heads for the bar.

[torch_reporter]

It would be easier to stay hidden. But after the letter Chloe had left him, she knows it isn't an option. She watches Riley from her booth for a moment before taking a deep breath.

So much for writing and leaving an apology. The laptop is tucked under her arm and she carries the latte in her other hand. With a hint of awkwardness, she walks up to him.

"So, um, that letter I wrote?" Chloe starts in before Riley has a chance to say anything. "I'm sorry. Seriously sorry, Riley. Feel free to disregard it entirely. I... I didn't have any right to do that to you. Not after... well, not after everything else I've put you through. So, if you want to relinquish the friends card? I completely understand."

[shortofcrazy]

Riley swiftly looks up at the sound of her voice; he stares at her for a long second, sandwich frozen halfway to his mouth, and then he blindly sets it down.

(He misses the plate.)

"--Chloe," he manages when his voice remembers how to work. "Are you okay?"

[torch_reporter]

Chloe nods, but still can't help looking shaken. After all, she hadn't planned on dying when she had written the letter. Her only plan had been to become normal.

Normal.

It isn't fair.

Chewing on her lower lip, she nods again. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm alive now thanks to Clark and... and still a freak, but... um... I really am sorry, Riley. For frightening you like that."