Two Guys, a Girl and a Chevy Impala: 33.1 (4/5)
Series: Two Guys, a Girl and a Chevy Impala
Title: Fic 5: 33.1
Authors: Clarksmuse and X_tremeroswellian
Rated: R
Pairings: Chloe/Dean, Sam/Sarah
Disclaimer: Yeah, we don't own anything. Except our computers. :P Don't sue. Thanks.
Sam stood in the hallway of Smallville Medical Center, watching his brother pace the floor and feeling almost as antsy. Despite the fact Dean had received a text message from Chloe, it had been over a half hour ago. She should've been there by now.
Dean felt like he was going to wear a hole in the floor. He'd wanted to find Chloe as soon as he'd gotten it, but Sam had held him back. They had just gotten the news about Ms. Muir, so there was no going anywhere. Although he'd been relieved to have gotten something from her, he still wanted to see her shining green eyes.
"How do you think she's gonna take the news about..." He nodded toward the room where the coroner was with the woman's body.
He ran a hand through his hair and looked at his brother. "I don't know, Sam. I just wanna see her, first." He snuck a glance towards the room that held the body, then moved back to stare out of the window.
"Dean?"
Sam turned his head toward the familiar voice as she stepped off the elevator, heading right for them...followed somewhat reluctantly by Clark Kent.
Clark noticed Dean and the other guy, whom he guessed was the brother Sam, and stopped. From the look he was getting from both brothers, he knew he wouldn't wanted. Despite the fact that neither of them could hurt him, he had no doubt that they'd try if they could.
"Chloe?" Dean's head whipped around, noticing Clark and glaring at him for a split second before heading for her. He crossed the distance that separated them quickly and pulled her into his arms. He buried his nose into her hair and breathed deeply, more relieved than he was going to admit.
Chloe closed her eyes, winding her arms around him in return and finally relaxing. "It's like you missed me," she teased softly.
He gently nipped on her earlobe in response, his lips brushing lightly against her tender skin.
Sam closed his eyes and smiled. "Thank God, Chlo. Glad to see you."
When Dean finally let her go, she kissed his cheek and moved over to Sam, hugging him as well. "Ditto."
Coughing a little and straightening up, Dean said, "Now that the chick flick's over, can we get down to business?"
Noticing the three of them in their own little world, Clark Kent threw one last smile in Chloe's direction and left the hospital.
"Oh come on. You liked the chick flick moment." Chloe turned to him with a smile on her face, her eyes bright.
He smiled back though held his hands up in mock protest. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Sam shook his head. "Get a room, you two."
"How's she doing?" Chloe asked, glancing between them.
Dean looked at Sam.
Sam looked at Dean.
Sighing and rolling his eyes, Dean glanced at Chloe, his eyes darkening. "No so good, actually. She... died."
Chloe closed her eyes, leaning back against the wall. "Damn you, Lex," she whispered angrily.
Both the Winchester brothers looked down and away, shuffling their feet and unsure what to say or do. One thing was for sure, however: they hated this guy, almost as much as Clark Kent.
"I'm sorry," Dean finally whispered. "There was nothing the doctors could do."
Nodding a little, she pushed off the wall, her eyes flashing. "But there is something I can do," she said with fiery determination.
"Oh ho, whoa," Dean protested, taking a step in her direction. "Hang on a second. Let's talk about this, maybe go back to the hotel or something before you go off on another Supergirl mission."
Sam looked on silently, suddenly wondering about Sarah and whether she was alright.
"No, this isn't a Supergirl mission," Chloe told him with a grim smile. "And I was planning on going back to the hotel. I need my laptop."
Sam cocked an eyebrow. "I sense a little hacker action in our future."
Dean looked at Chloe, ignoring Sam's remark. "You gonna let us in on this plan?"
"Well I was pretty much planning on mass emailing every newspaper and magazine across the country with the breaking story on Lex Luthor torturing people in his Plant."
Dean's smile was wide, to the point of cheesy. "That's my girl," he said, impressed by her ability to rock the boat with her biting words. He had no doubt she'd be the same in this article.
"You took pictures of this?" Sam asked with a small smile.
"Only about fifty," she said with a smirk as she led the way toward the elevators.
Sam was impressed and smiled widely, following Dean and his girl to the elevator and back to the hotel. He wanted to make sure Sarah was okay and to share the news with her. It had been a little strange, not having her around.
"Keep me company while I write?" Chloe asked, glancing at Dean as she unlocked the door to her and Sarah's room.
He grinned. "Don't have to ask me twice, sweetheart," he replied, holding the door open so she could go inside. He and Sam followed her inside and found Sarah awake and sitting at the table, picking at her nails.
Sarah looked up, her bored yet anxious eyes scanning all three of them before settling uncertainly on Sam. "Hey, guys... been wondering when you'd get back."
Chloe offered her a small smile. "Good to be back."
Sam gazed at Sarah. "Yeah, it is. Everything okay here?"
"Yeah, fine," she whispered, looking back down again. A slight frown settled on her brow. "So... what happened?" she asked, watching Chloe grab her laptop bag.
"Sam'll fill you in, I'm sure," Dean remarked with a knowing grin towards his brother. Pulling open the connecting door, he held it open for Chloe to walk through it.
"I've got an article to write," she told Sarah with a wink, disappearing into the guys' room.
The door clicked shut, and suddenly Sarah was alone with Sam. A tension filled the air, and she didn't know where it came from. Them, most likely, she thought, looking up at him. Yeah, he'd told her he loved her, and God, she was attracted to him... more than he knew. She just didn't know where she fit. In his life. In this way of living. "What article?" she asked, her voice cracking a little.
"Hey, everything's...mostly okay," he said gently, sitting down beside her.
"Mostly okay?" she repeated with wide eyes. "What happened, Sam?"
Sam drew in a breath and told her everything from start to finish, looking down at the floor when he was done. "Chloe's working on an article to expose the Luthor's for what they've done."
Sarah nodded, a determined yet sad smile on her face. "Good, the bastard deserves to fall as hard as possible." She looked away as she spoke, feeling more out of place by the minute.
"Sarah, are you all right?" He reached out to touch her hand.
She shrugged, relaxing just a little. "Fine, everything's... just fine."
"So how come you don't seem like you're really all right?"
"Because I'm a lousy liar?" she asked with a small laugh, looking up into Sam's dark eyes and wanting to get lost in them.
"Talk to me," Sam said softly, his gaze worried.
Her gaze remained locked on his. She sighed. "I just... I think I'm not cut out for... this." She spread a hand around, indicating more than just the room they were sitting in.
His face fell a little. "Oh," he whispered.
Sarah couldn't handle the sadness in Sam's eyes, so she touched his cheek gently. "I'm a little squeamish, I guess." She laughed bitterly. "I couldn't even handle something as simple as a meteor freak, as Chloe calls them. How can I be a benefit to you guys?" She stared at him with sad, longing eyes.
He leaned into her touch, then turned his head to kiss her hand. "My first time hunting...I threw up all over the place. It's not an easy job," he said quietly. "But if...if you wanna go back to New York...I'll understand." His voice was pained.
She smiled at his gentleness. "I'm not going back to New York, Sam. I just... don't know where I fit in." She paused for a moment, her hand still on his cheek. "Seriously, you actually threw up?"
A short chuckle escaped him. "Oh yeah. Big time."
Her smile turned wry. "You puked on Dean?"
"His shoes." Sam grinned.
She stared at him and laughed, a short chuckle as she fell into him just a little. "Oh I bet he loved that," she replied, squeezing his hand a little.
He laughed with her. "He's probably still pissed about it."
She giggled at the thought of his brother holding a grudge over such a silly thing and then wished she could know what that was like. Her laugh faded. "I'm sorry I wasn't with you guys today."
"It's okay." He smiled at her. "I'm sure there'll be times when Chloe doesn't wanna go on a certain hunt, too. Hell, half the time I don't wanna go. It happens, Sarah. Don't be hard on yourself, okay?"
"Easier said than done," she replied with a sad smile. She cocked her head to the side. "But I'll try... because I like being here."
"I like having you here," Sam told her quietly.
Sarah's eyes lit up at his comment. "You do?" she asked softly, remembering his words of love and blushing slightly.
"Yeah. I do." He gazed at her.
She swallowed hard, her eyes dropping to Sam's lips. She colored in embarrassment.
Noticing her gaze drop, his own dropped to her lips as well. "Sarah..."
The connecting door suddenly burst open and Chloe stepped into the room. Sarah saw the movement out of the corner of her eyes and jumped back like she'd just been bitten... and not in a good way.
"Oh, God...I’m so sorry!" Looking embarrassed, Chloe quickly backed away and closed the door once more.
"Wait, Chloe..." Sarah called, but she heard the door click shut again. Sighing, she looked at Sam, her face several shades of red. The moment had been broken, she thought. "Maybe she found something?" she whispered, unable to meet his eyes.
Wordlessly, Sam leaned forward and kissed her, cupping her cheek with one hand.
Surprised by his sudden yet not unexpected movement, Sarah closed her eyes and moved into his kiss, her hands digging into his shirt as she kissed him back. Forget his eyes, she thought. It was his mouth that fascinated her: not only what came out of it but also how he used it.
Groaning a little at her movement, he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss.
"Sam," she whispered against his lips, hating the table that separated them but thankful for it at the same time. She fell harder under his kisses, yielding to the intense pressure of his mouth moving against hers.
When the kiss ended, they were both breathless. Sam leaned his forehead against hers, his heart beating quickly. "That was..."
"Wow," she whispered, her breath hitching in her throat at the feel of his heart throbbing in his chest. She closed her eyes, speechless and peaceful for the first time all day. She also hated that this simple kiss brought its own complications.
"Yeah...wow," he whispered in agreement.
She moved away, the awkwardness settling in again. "You think... maybe Chloe needed something?" she asked, daring to look into Sam's eyes again.
"Maybe. We should probably..." He drew in a breath and slowly stood up.
Sarah stood up but grabbed Sam's hand. "Sam?" she asked, looking up at him, a soft smile on her face.
"Yeah?" He looked back at her.
"Thanks." She stared at him intently.
"For what?" Sam asked, a little confused.
"For this."
A soft smile touched his lips. "Thank you."
She grinned playfully. "For what?"
"This." He smiled back at her and kissed her softly once more.
Standing on her tiptoes, Sarah returned his kiss, gentle and unassuming, before pulling away. "Careful. A girl could get used to that," she warned with a flirtatious smile.
"That's what I'm hoping for," he whispered.
The gentle smile remained on her face as she took his hand and led him to the connecting door. She opened it and went through it, feeling empowered and once more like she was a part of the group.
Dean looked up from watching Chloe writing her expose to find Sarah and Sam walk through the door, hand in hand. He grinned knowingly and looked back at the screen, his hand gently stroking Chloe's back.
Chloe was totally lost in what she was doing and didn't even realize that Sam and Sarah had stepped into the room. Her fingers flew across the keyboard like her hands were on fire, her gaze locked on the screen.
Sam nodded slightly at his brother, then looked over at Chloe, smiling a bit at how caught up she was in her work.
"I bet she types over a hundred words a minute," Sarah whispered, a little awed at the sheer intensity of the clacking sounds of the keyboard.
"She's been like this ever since she sat down," Dean replied in a low voice, looking at them with a smirk.
Sam shook his head a little, smiling faintly.
"Done," she announced suddenly.
"About time," Dean replied playfully, knowing it would have taken him several days to attempt at what Chloe did in just under thirty minutes.
Sarah smiled. "So when can I read this article? I hope you bashed the Luthors good."
"Just the facts. That alone is enough damage." She saved her article and moved away from her computer so Sarah could sit down and read it. She looked at Dean.
"It's a damn good article, though, Chloe," Dean replied, tucking a stray strand of blonde hair behind her ears. "Bastard's got it coming to him."
Sarah's eyes widened at the content of the article. "Wow, Chloe, this is... Oh my God, there are pictures?"
"Yeah. A lot. They're pretty graphic," she warned softly, looking at her friend momentarily.
She snuck a look in Sam's direction. "Makes me glad I wasn't there. I don't think I would have slept for several days."
"Oh, you ain't seen nothing yet, Sarah," Dean replied with a casual, flirtatious smile. Which promptly disappeared when Sam glared at him.
Chloe's smile slipped a little. She glanced around. "I've got some stuff to do before we head out. I'll be back."
"Can I help?" Sarah asked, standing up and giving the laptop back to Chloe. She was totally oblivious to what had just happened, though she'd felt a change in the air.
Dean frowned, regretting his impulsive words. "Chloe..."
"No," she told Sarah softly. "Just some people I need to...talk to before we leave." She glanced at Dean and then Sam. "I'll be back soon. Don't get in trouble, okay?" She headed for the door, grabbing her purse on the way.
Watching her leave, Sarah sighed. "Guess I'll go pack," she told Sam, smiling a little at him and squeezing his hand.
Dean took several steps towards Chloe, trying to block her escape. "Hang on a second."
She looked up at him. "What?"
He scratched his head a little. "I'd... like to come with you," he whispered.
"I know." Chloe's voice was quiet. "But...this is something I need to do alone."
He let out a breath and looked into her eyes intently. "Okay." He leaned down and brushed her lips with his gently. "Hurry back."
Nodding a little, she turned and headed out the door without another word.
Stunned, Dean turned around to look at Sam, who was still staring at the connecting door Sarah had retreated behind. "Okay... awkward," he said to himself. "I sure know how to clean out a room."
Sam glared at him. "Gee. I wonder how you managed to do that," he retorted.
"What'd I do?" he retorted, throwing his hands up in the air in frustration.
"Try thinking with your upstairs brain, okay? Just once a day maybe? That'd be nice, Dean." Turning, Sam headed into the other room, shutting the door behind him.
Alone again, he thought, sagging onto his bed uncomfortably. It wasn't like he meant to say anything to piss Chloe or Sam off. Fortunately Sarah had either not seen it or had merely ignored it, but still...
Lying back onto the pillows, he wondered when he was going to learn to think before he spoke. He'd never been in a situation before where he loved a woman like Chloe, especially when he wasn't sure how she felt about him. He sighed, knowing he needed to pack but unable to stop thinking about that independent blonde that had captured his heart.
When Sarah heard the connecting door shut, she turned, expecting Chloe to be there. She was surprised to find Sam, instead. "Hey, what... I didn't expect you back in here so soon," she said, hiding the handful of bras behind her back and tossing them into her suitcase with a nervous smile.
"Sorry...just…need some space from that jackass sometimes."
She laughed. "What'd he do now?" She sobered a little at the strained look on Sam's face and took a step towards him.
"Just being himself." He smiled faintly.
She cocked an eyebrow. "Yeah, I'm sure traveling with your brother can be a real pain in the butt." She turned towards the bed, making sure she hid all the things she didn't want Sam to see... just yet.
"What do you say we get outta here when you're done packing and get some dinner? Chloe recommended the Talon."
She turned around and looked at him, a flirtatious smirk on her face. "Sam Winchester, are you asking me out on a date?"
His cheeks flushed. "Uh...only if you're going to say yes."
Closing the short distance between them, she put her hands on his chest. "Here's a hint," she whispered. "I'm going to say yes." There was a twinkle in her eyes.
He grinned. "Well, then, in that case, yes...I'm asking you out on a date."
The grin turned into a bright smile. "Then yes, I'd love to have dinner with you. Guess I might need some things out of my suitcase after all." She winked and turned around to find something to wear.
"I'm gonna go get the keys to the Impala. I'll be right back."
"Okay," she called, pulling out a nice pair of slacks and a thick sweater, feeling sure she'd need it to alleviate the cold... even if she didn't feel a bit of it.
Dean was staring at the ceiling when he heard the connecting door slam. "Sammy, you gonna pack, dude?" he asked, not bothering to look around.
"Actually I'm taking Sarah out for dinner. Just came to get the keys." He picked them up off the dresser.
"Good idea," he replied thoughtlessly. "Take your girl out. Just... don't scratch my baby, okay?"
Sam pause as he was halfway to the connecting door once more. "I won't."
Hearing the door shut smartly once again, Dean sighed, hoping Sarah would help unwind his overly stressed out brother.
&&&&&&&&
Chloe stood on the doorstep of Lois's apartment above the Talon, drawing in a breath as she knocked softly.
Lois opened the door to find her cousin on the other side. "Well, I'm shocked you actually came to see me," she replied with an edge to her voice.
"Me too, actually. But I didn't really wanna leave town without at least attempting to settle things between us. Can I come in?"
Without a word, Lois stepped aside and opened the door wide, allowing Chloe entrance to her place.
Chloe stepped inside and drew in a breath, looking around for a moment before turning to face her cousin again. "It really hurt me that you went to Jimmy instead of me for helping you with the articles. If I'd known you'd wanted an in at the Daily Planet, all you had to do was ask me, Lois. I would've helped you." Her voice was quiet.
Lois snorted in derision, moving into the kitchen and grabbing a bottled water out of the fridge. "What, and live under your shadow at the DP for the rest of my life? I don't think so. I wanted to make it on my own, and Jimmy... well, he said he wanted to help." She turned and looked at Chloe, sipping on the water.
Flinching a little, she turned to look at her again. "Sorry. I wasn't aware we were competing," she said, hurt.
"Whoa, wait a second," she replied, thumping the water on the counter. "Isn't that what we've been doing this whole time since I got my job at the Inquisitor? You haven't thought for a second that I knew what I was doing or even if I was going to be a decent reporter. You know how much that upset me?"
Chloe stared at her. "Is that what you think? Look, maybe I was skeptical because I've seen you go from one interest to another, but I never said you didn't have talent or that you couldn't do it."
"Skepticism is enough for me," Lois replied, hurt that Chloe wasn't making enough effort to work through this thing with her. She wanted to make amends, even for her cousin to stick around Smallville. Somehow, though, she didn't think that was going to happen. "I'm sorry if that whole thing with Jimmy hurt you, and for what it's worth, I regret doing it because it got in your way of working at the Planet..."
"It didn't. I left because I chose to, not because anyone forced me to," she informed her cousin.
She looked skeptical, returning Chloe's gaze with her own steady and inquisitive one. "Tell me about these guys you're traveling with," she replied. "Jimmy must love the idea of that."
She shrugged a little, unwilling to give her much on that front. "Just some people I met when I left. They're good guys. And Jimmy doesn't know. And even if he did, I don't care."
She was taken aback. "Really?" she said, the shock in her voice evident. "I'm surprised, Chloe. I thought you were really into him." She now wondered what had happened to create this... change she sensed in her cousin. She seemed stronger, more sure of herself.
"He's a nice guy, don't get me wrong. But..." She smiled a little. "Not the one for me."
A faint, knowing smile crept onto Lois's features. She crossed her arms and looked straight into Chloe's eyes. "Something tells me... you've possibly found the right one, haven't you? And it's one of those guys..."
Chloe smiled a little mysteriously. "I don't know. I'm not gonna rush into anything. But I like where I am now."
"And where would that be, exactly?" she asked with a smile.
"Away from Smallville," she answered without hesitation. "You were right when you said I was destined for bigger things. I am. Just...not what I thought."
"I always knew that," Lois bragged, moving towards her cousin. "Metropolis is way too small for the likes of you."
Chloe smiled and embraced her cousin in a hug. "I'll send you postcards."
"You'd better," she whispered, fighting back the tears that sprang to her eyes suddenly as she hugged Chloe back. "And keep me posted on... things." as she pulled away, she winked playfully.
"Always." Chloe's own eyes watered, relief washing over her because things were okay between them. "And you...take that editor at the Planet by storm."
"Who, White?" she teased, walking Chloe to the door. "He's putty in my hands already. Take care, Chlo."
"You too, Lois." She smiled and headed out of the apartment, slowly descending the stairs of the Talon and looking around. She spotted Sarah and Sammy cuddled together in a booth, neither seeing her and she couldn't help but grin. Maybe things would work out okay after all.
Title: Fic 5: 33.1
Authors: Clarksmuse and X_tremeroswellian
Rated: R
Pairings: Chloe/Dean, Sam/Sarah
Disclaimer: Yeah, we don't own anything. Except our computers. :P Don't sue. Thanks.
Sam stood in the hallway of Smallville Medical Center, watching his brother pace the floor and feeling almost as antsy. Despite the fact Dean had received a text message from Chloe, it had been over a half hour ago. She should've been there by now.
Dean felt like he was going to wear a hole in the floor. He'd wanted to find Chloe as soon as he'd gotten it, but Sam had held him back. They had just gotten the news about Ms. Muir, so there was no going anywhere. Although he'd been relieved to have gotten something from her, he still wanted to see her shining green eyes.
"How do you think she's gonna take the news about..." He nodded toward the room where the coroner was with the woman's body.
He ran a hand through his hair and looked at his brother. "I don't know, Sam. I just wanna see her, first." He snuck a glance towards the room that held the body, then moved back to stare out of the window.
"Dean?"
Sam turned his head toward the familiar voice as she stepped off the elevator, heading right for them...followed somewhat reluctantly by Clark Kent.
Clark noticed Dean and the other guy, whom he guessed was the brother Sam, and stopped. From the look he was getting from both brothers, he knew he wouldn't wanted. Despite the fact that neither of them could hurt him, he had no doubt that they'd try if they could.
"Chloe?" Dean's head whipped around, noticing Clark and glaring at him for a split second before heading for her. He crossed the distance that separated them quickly and pulled her into his arms. He buried his nose into her hair and breathed deeply, more relieved than he was going to admit.
Chloe closed her eyes, winding her arms around him in return and finally relaxing. "It's like you missed me," she teased softly.
He gently nipped on her earlobe in response, his lips brushing lightly against her tender skin.
Sam closed his eyes and smiled. "Thank God, Chlo. Glad to see you."
When Dean finally let her go, she kissed his cheek and moved over to Sam, hugging him as well. "Ditto."
Coughing a little and straightening up, Dean said, "Now that the chick flick's over, can we get down to business?"
Noticing the three of them in their own little world, Clark Kent threw one last smile in Chloe's direction and left the hospital.
"Oh come on. You liked the chick flick moment." Chloe turned to him with a smile on her face, her eyes bright.
He smiled back though held his hands up in mock protest. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Sam shook his head. "Get a room, you two."
"How's she doing?" Chloe asked, glancing between them.
Dean looked at Sam.
Sam looked at Dean.
Sighing and rolling his eyes, Dean glanced at Chloe, his eyes darkening. "No so good, actually. She... died."
Chloe closed her eyes, leaning back against the wall. "Damn you, Lex," she whispered angrily.
Both the Winchester brothers looked down and away, shuffling their feet and unsure what to say or do. One thing was for sure, however: they hated this guy, almost as much as Clark Kent.
"I'm sorry," Dean finally whispered. "There was nothing the doctors could do."
Nodding a little, she pushed off the wall, her eyes flashing. "But there is something I can do," she said with fiery determination.
"Oh ho, whoa," Dean protested, taking a step in her direction. "Hang on a second. Let's talk about this, maybe go back to the hotel or something before you go off on another Supergirl mission."
Sam looked on silently, suddenly wondering about Sarah and whether she was alright.
"No, this isn't a Supergirl mission," Chloe told him with a grim smile. "And I was planning on going back to the hotel. I need my laptop."
Sam cocked an eyebrow. "I sense a little hacker action in our future."
Dean looked at Chloe, ignoring Sam's remark. "You gonna let us in on this plan?"
"Well I was pretty much planning on mass emailing every newspaper and magazine across the country with the breaking story on Lex Luthor torturing people in his Plant."
Dean's smile was wide, to the point of cheesy. "That's my girl," he said, impressed by her ability to rock the boat with her biting words. He had no doubt she'd be the same in this article.
"You took pictures of this?" Sam asked with a small smile.
"Only about fifty," she said with a smirk as she led the way toward the elevators.
Sam was impressed and smiled widely, following Dean and his girl to the elevator and back to the hotel. He wanted to make sure Sarah was okay and to share the news with her. It had been a little strange, not having her around.
"Keep me company while I write?" Chloe asked, glancing at Dean as she unlocked the door to her and Sarah's room.
He grinned. "Don't have to ask me twice, sweetheart," he replied, holding the door open so she could go inside. He and Sam followed her inside and found Sarah awake and sitting at the table, picking at her nails.
Sarah looked up, her bored yet anxious eyes scanning all three of them before settling uncertainly on Sam. "Hey, guys... been wondering when you'd get back."
Chloe offered her a small smile. "Good to be back."
Sam gazed at Sarah. "Yeah, it is. Everything okay here?"
"Yeah, fine," she whispered, looking back down again. A slight frown settled on her brow. "So... what happened?" she asked, watching Chloe grab her laptop bag.
"Sam'll fill you in, I'm sure," Dean remarked with a knowing grin towards his brother. Pulling open the connecting door, he held it open for Chloe to walk through it.
"I've got an article to write," she told Sarah with a wink, disappearing into the guys' room.
The door clicked shut, and suddenly Sarah was alone with Sam. A tension filled the air, and she didn't know where it came from. Them, most likely, she thought, looking up at him. Yeah, he'd told her he loved her, and God, she was attracted to him... more than he knew. She just didn't know where she fit. In his life. In this way of living. "What article?" she asked, her voice cracking a little.
"Hey, everything's...mostly okay," he said gently, sitting down beside her.
"Mostly okay?" she repeated with wide eyes. "What happened, Sam?"
Sam drew in a breath and told her everything from start to finish, looking down at the floor when he was done. "Chloe's working on an article to expose the Luthor's for what they've done."
Sarah nodded, a determined yet sad smile on her face. "Good, the bastard deserves to fall as hard as possible." She looked away as she spoke, feeling more out of place by the minute.
"Sarah, are you all right?" He reached out to touch her hand.
She shrugged, relaxing just a little. "Fine, everything's... just fine."
"So how come you don't seem like you're really all right?"
"Because I'm a lousy liar?" she asked with a small laugh, looking up into Sam's dark eyes and wanting to get lost in them.
"Talk to me," Sam said softly, his gaze worried.
Her gaze remained locked on his. She sighed. "I just... I think I'm not cut out for... this." She spread a hand around, indicating more than just the room they were sitting in.
His face fell a little. "Oh," he whispered.
Sarah couldn't handle the sadness in Sam's eyes, so she touched his cheek gently. "I'm a little squeamish, I guess." She laughed bitterly. "I couldn't even handle something as simple as a meteor freak, as Chloe calls them. How can I be a benefit to you guys?" She stared at him with sad, longing eyes.
He leaned into her touch, then turned his head to kiss her hand. "My first time hunting...I threw up all over the place. It's not an easy job," he said quietly. "But if...if you wanna go back to New York...I'll understand." His voice was pained.
She smiled at his gentleness. "I'm not going back to New York, Sam. I just... don't know where I fit in." She paused for a moment, her hand still on his cheek. "Seriously, you actually threw up?"
A short chuckle escaped him. "Oh yeah. Big time."
Her smile turned wry. "You puked on Dean?"
"His shoes." Sam grinned.
She stared at him and laughed, a short chuckle as she fell into him just a little. "Oh I bet he loved that," she replied, squeezing his hand a little.
He laughed with her. "He's probably still pissed about it."
She giggled at the thought of his brother holding a grudge over such a silly thing and then wished she could know what that was like. Her laugh faded. "I'm sorry I wasn't with you guys today."
"It's okay." He smiled at her. "I'm sure there'll be times when Chloe doesn't wanna go on a certain hunt, too. Hell, half the time I don't wanna go. It happens, Sarah. Don't be hard on yourself, okay?"
"Easier said than done," she replied with a sad smile. She cocked her head to the side. "But I'll try... because I like being here."
"I like having you here," Sam told her quietly.
Sarah's eyes lit up at his comment. "You do?" she asked softly, remembering his words of love and blushing slightly.
"Yeah. I do." He gazed at her.
She swallowed hard, her eyes dropping to Sam's lips. She colored in embarrassment.
Noticing her gaze drop, his own dropped to her lips as well. "Sarah..."
The connecting door suddenly burst open and Chloe stepped into the room. Sarah saw the movement out of the corner of her eyes and jumped back like she'd just been bitten... and not in a good way.
"Oh, God...I’m so sorry!" Looking embarrassed, Chloe quickly backed away and closed the door once more.
"Wait, Chloe..." Sarah called, but she heard the door click shut again. Sighing, she looked at Sam, her face several shades of red. The moment had been broken, she thought. "Maybe she found something?" she whispered, unable to meet his eyes.
Wordlessly, Sam leaned forward and kissed her, cupping her cheek with one hand.
Surprised by his sudden yet not unexpected movement, Sarah closed her eyes and moved into his kiss, her hands digging into his shirt as she kissed him back. Forget his eyes, she thought. It was his mouth that fascinated her: not only what came out of it but also how he used it.
Groaning a little at her movement, he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss.
"Sam," she whispered against his lips, hating the table that separated them but thankful for it at the same time. She fell harder under his kisses, yielding to the intense pressure of his mouth moving against hers.
When the kiss ended, they were both breathless. Sam leaned his forehead against hers, his heart beating quickly. "That was..."
"Wow," she whispered, her breath hitching in her throat at the feel of his heart throbbing in his chest. She closed her eyes, speechless and peaceful for the first time all day. She also hated that this simple kiss brought its own complications.
"Yeah...wow," he whispered in agreement.
She moved away, the awkwardness settling in again. "You think... maybe Chloe needed something?" she asked, daring to look into Sam's eyes again.
"Maybe. We should probably..." He drew in a breath and slowly stood up.
Sarah stood up but grabbed Sam's hand. "Sam?" she asked, looking up at him, a soft smile on her face.
"Yeah?" He looked back at her.
"Thanks." She stared at him intently.
"For what?" Sam asked, a little confused.
"For this."
A soft smile touched his lips. "Thank you."
She grinned playfully. "For what?"
"This." He smiled back at her and kissed her softly once more.
Standing on her tiptoes, Sarah returned his kiss, gentle and unassuming, before pulling away. "Careful. A girl could get used to that," she warned with a flirtatious smile.
"That's what I'm hoping for," he whispered.
The gentle smile remained on her face as she took his hand and led him to the connecting door. She opened it and went through it, feeling empowered and once more like she was a part of the group.
Dean looked up from watching Chloe writing her expose to find Sarah and Sam walk through the door, hand in hand. He grinned knowingly and looked back at the screen, his hand gently stroking Chloe's back.
Chloe was totally lost in what she was doing and didn't even realize that Sam and Sarah had stepped into the room. Her fingers flew across the keyboard like her hands were on fire, her gaze locked on the screen.
Sam nodded slightly at his brother, then looked over at Chloe, smiling a bit at how caught up she was in her work.
"I bet she types over a hundred words a minute," Sarah whispered, a little awed at the sheer intensity of the clacking sounds of the keyboard.
"She's been like this ever since she sat down," Dean replied in a low voice, looking at them with a smirk.
Sam shook his head a little, smiling faintly.
"Done," she announced suddenly.
"About time," Dean replied playfully, knowing it would have taken him several days to attempt at what Chloe did in just under thirty minutes.
Sarah smiled. "So when can I read this article? I hope you bashed the Luthors good."
"Just the facts. That alone is enough damage." She saved her article and moved away from her computer so Sarah could sit down and read it. She looked at Dean.
"It's a damn good article, though, Chloe," Dean replied, tucking a stray strand of blonde hair behind her ears. "Bastard's got it coming to him."
Sarah's eyes widened at the content of the article. "Wow, Chloe, this is... Oh my God, there are pictures?"
"Yeah. A lot. They're pretty graphic," she warned softly, looking at her friend momentarily.
She snuck a look in Sam's direction. "Makes me glad I wasn't there. I don't think I would have slept for several days."
"Oh, you ain't seen nothing yet, Sarah," Dean replied with a casual, flirtatious smile. Which promptly disappeared when Sam glared at him.
Chloe's smile slipped a little. She glanced around. "I've got some stuff to do before we head out. I'll be back."
"Can I help?" Sarah asked, standing up and giving the laptop back to Chloe. She was totally oblivious to what had just happened, though she'd felt a change in the air.
Dean frowned, regretting his impulsive words. "Chloe..."
"No," she told Sarah softly. "Just some people I need to...talk to before we leave." She glanced at Dean and then Sam. "I'll be back soon. Don't get in trouble, okay?" She headed for the door, grabbing her purse on the way.
Watching her leave, Sarah sighed. "Guess I'll go pack," she told Sam, smiling a little at him and squeezing his hand.
Dean took several steps towards Chloe, trying to block her escape. "Hang on a second."
She looked up at him. "What?"
He scratched his head a little. "I'd... like to come with you," he whispered.
"I know." Chloe's voice was quiet. "But...this is something I need to do alone."
He let out a breath and looked into her eyes intently. "Okay." He leaned down and brushed her lips with his gently. "Hurry back."
Nodding a little, she turned and headed out the door without another word.
Stunned, Dean turned around to look at Sam, who was still staring at the connecting door Sarah had retreated behind. "Okay... awkward," he said to himself. "I sure know how to clean out a room."
Sam glared at him. "Gee. I wonder how you managed to do that," he retorted.
"What'd I do?" he retorted, throwing his hands up in the air in frustration.
"Try thinking with your upstairs brain, okay? Just once a day maybe? That'd be nice, Dean." Turning, Sam headed into the other room, shutting the door behind him.
Alone again, he thought, sagging onto his bed uncomfortably. It wasn't like he meant to say anything to piss Chloe or Sam off. Fortunately Sarah had either not seen it or had merely ignored it, but still...
Lying back onto the pillows, he wondered when he was going to learn to think before he spoke. He'd never been in a situation before where he loved a woman like Chloe, especially when he wasn't sure how she felt about him. He sighed, knowing he needed to pack but unable to stop thinking about that independent blonde that had captured his heart.
When Sarah heard the connecting door shut, she turned, expecting Chloe to be there. She was surprised to find Sam, instead. "Hey, what... I didn't expect you back in here so soon," she said, hiding the handful of bras behind her back and tossing them into her suitcase with a nervous smile.
"Sorry...just…need some space from that jackass sometimes."
She laughed. "What'd he do now?" She sobered a little at the strained look on Sam's face and took a step towards him.
"Just being himself." He smiled faintly.
She cocked an eyebrow. "Yeah, I'm sure traveling with your brother can be a real pain in the butt." She turned towards the bed, making sure she hid all the things she didn't want Sam to see... just yet.
"What do you say we get outta here when you're done packing and get some dinner? Chloe recommended the Talon."
She turned around and looked at him, a flirtatious smirk on her face. "Sam Winchester, are you asking me out on a date?"
His cheeks flushed. "Uh...only if you're going to say yes."
Closing the short distance between them, she put her hands on his chest. "Here's a hint," she whispered. "I'm going to say yes." There was a twinkle in her eyes.
He grinned. "Well, then, in that case, yes...I'm asking you out on a date."
The grin turned into a bright smile. "Then yes, I'd love to have dinner with you. Guess I might need some things out of my suitcase after all." She winked and turned around to find something to wear.
"I'm gonna go get the keys to the Impala. I'll be right back."
"Okay," she called, pulling out a nice pair of slacks and a thick sweater, feeling sure she'd need it to alleviate the cold... even if she didn't feel a bit of it.
Dean was staring at the ceiling when he heard the connecting door slam. "Sammy, you gonna pack, dude?" he asked, not bothering to look around.
"Actually I'm taking Sarah out for dinner. Just came to get the keys." He picked them up off the dresser.
"Good idea," he replied thoughtlessly. "Take your girl out. Just... don't scratch my baby, okay?"
Sam pause as he was halfway to the connecting door once more. "I won't."
Hearing the door shut smartly once again, Dean sighed, hoping Sarah would help unwind his overly stressed out brother.
&&&&&&&&
Chloe stood on the doorstep of Lois's apartment above the Talon, drawing in a breath as she knocked softly.
Lois opened the door to find her cousin on the other side. "Well, I'm shocked you actually came to see me," she replied with an edge to her voice.
"Me too, actually. But I didn't really wanna leave town without at least attempting to settle things between us. Can I come in?"
Without a word, Lois stepped aside and opened the door wide, allowing Chloe entrance to her place.
Chloe stepped inside and drew in a breath, looking around for a moment before turning to face her cousin again. "It really hurt me that you went to Jimmy instead of me for helping you with the articles. If I'd known you'd wanted an in at the Daily Planet, all you had to do was ask me, Lois. I would've helped you." Her voice was quiet.
Lois snorted in derision, moving into the kitchen and grabbing a bottled water out of the fridge. "What, and live under your shadow at the DP for the rest of my life? I don't think so. I wanted to make it on my own, and Jimmy... well, he said he wanted to help." She turned and looked at Chloe, sipping on the water.
Flinching a little, she turned to look at her again. "Sorry. I wasn't aware we were competing," she said, hurt.
"Whoa, wait a second," she replied, thumping the water on the counter. "Isn't that what we've been doing this whole time since I got my job at the Inquisitor? You haven't thought for a second that I knew what I was doing or even if I was going to be a decent reporter. You know how much that upset me?"
Chloe stared at her. "Is that what you think? Look, maybe I was skeptical because I've seen you go from one interest to another, but I never said you didn't have talent or that you couldn't do it."
"Skepticism is enough for me," Lois replied, hurt that Chloe wasn't making enough effort to work through this thing with her. She wanted to make amends, even for her cousin to stick around Smallville. Somehow, though, she didn't think that was going to happen. "I'm sorry if that whole thing with Jimmy hurt you, and for what it's worth, I regret doing it because it got in your way of working at the Planet..."
"It didn't. I left because I chose to, not because anyone forced me to," she informed her cousin.
She looked skeptical, returning Chloe's gaze with her own steady and inquisitive one. "Tell me about these guys you're traveling with," she replied. "Jimmy must love the idea of that."
She shrugged a little, unwilling to give her much on that front. "Just some people I met when I left. They're good guys. And Jimmy doesn't know. And even if he did, I don't care."
She was taken aback. "Really?" she said, the shock in her voice evident. "I'm surprised, Chloe. I thought you were really into him." She now wondered what had happened to create this... change she sensed in her cousin. She seemed stronger, more sure of herself.
"He's a nice guy, don't get me wrong. But..." She smiled a little. "Not the one for me."
A faint, knowing smile crept onto Lois's features. She crossed her arms and looked straight into Chloe's eyes. "Something tells me... you've possibly found the right one, haven't you? And it's one of those guys..."
Chloe smiled a little mysteriously. "I don't know. I'm not gonna rush into anything. But I like where I am now."
"And where would that be, exactly?" she asked with a smile.
"Away from Smallville," she answered without hesitation. "You were right when you said I was destined for bigger things. I am. Just...not what I thought."
"I always knew that," Lois bragged, moving towards her cousin. "Metropolis is way too small for the likes of you."
Chloe smiled and embraced her cousin in a hug. "I'll send you postcards."
"You'd better," she whispered, fighting back the tears that sprang to her eyes suddenly as she hugged Chloe back. "And keep me posted on... things." as she pulled away, she winked playfully.
"Always." Chloe's own eyes watered, relief washing over her because things were okay between them. "And you...take that editor at the Planet by storm."
"Who, White?" she teased, walking Chloe to the door. "He's putty in my hands already. Take care, Chlo."
"You too, Lois." She smiled and headed out of the apartment, slowly descending the stairs of the Talon and looking around. She spotted Sarah and Sammy cuddled together in a booth, neither seeing her and she couldn't help but grin. Maybe things would work out okay after all.