Crush (5/5)
Author's Note: I've decided this fic is the first in a short series I'm going to call 'Tainted Love.'
Crush (Chapter Five--The Conclusion)
It took only a moment for her to notice the change as she slid the ring off his finger and onto her own. He stiffened beneath her and slowly pulled away from the kiss.
Chloe did the same, trying to ignore the physical ache in her heart as he looked at her, something akin to shock on his face.
“Chloe, what…” He scrambled out of bed, fumbling to grab a shirt off the floor.
She remained silent, watching him for a long moment, then dropping her gaze to the red ring on her finger.
He followed her gaze, standing very still. “That’s mine.”
“And obviously you’re not capable of wearing it because it turns you into someone completely different.” She stood, folding her arms across her chest.
There was a moment of tense silence.
“Give it back to me, Chloe,” he said quietly, his eyes pleading.
“I’m sorry, Clark. But I can’t.” He took a step toward her and a short, bitter laugh escaped her. “What are you gonna do? Take it from me by force?”
Clark looked at her, stunned. “Of course not!”
Shaken and confused by her mixed emotions and by everything she now knew, she fought to hold back tears. “What happened to you, Clark? Who are you?”
He swallowed hard, not sure what to say.
She drew in a breath, trying to calm herself. “I’m going back to Smallville. I want you to come back with me.”
“Chloe, I can’t.” His voice was pained.
“Can’t or won’t, Clark?” Her voice was harsher than she’d intended it to be. “Your parents need you. The farm is in trouble. Your parents lost a child, and you took off like a big coward!”
“I don’t wanna hear this, I--”
“I don’t care!” Her voice rose. “Lana’s a wreck, Pete’s worried, and Lex is dead, Clark! You’re needed back in Smallville whether you like it or not. So suck it up and deal because you’re coming back with me.”
Her tone and accusing glare left no room for argument. Closing his eyes briefly, he felt a sad resignation rest upon his shoulders. She was right: he had to go home. No matter how hard it was.
And he knew it was going to be hard.
“What if they don’t want me back?” His voice was barely a whisper.
Her eyes softened at the fear in his voice. “Of course they want you back. They’ve been looking for you since you disappeared.”
He swallowed hard, looking guilty. “Chloe, about what happ--”
“Don’t,” she cut him off, shaking her head.
“We need to talk.”
“Yeah. But not now. We need to get you home, although I have a feeling you could probably get there faster on foot than I can get you there by driving.”
He paled a bit, looking ill. “You can’t tell anyone,” he said, barely audible.
Both insulted and deeply hurt by his belief that she would, weariness settled upon her. “No kidding.”
They stared at each other for a long moment, then she finally broke the gaze by turning away, blinking furiously to rid the tears from her eyes. “Get whatever it is you need to get. I’ll be in the car.” Her voice was flat, distant.
Clark watched her go, holding his breath without even realizing it. Somehow he didn’t think ‘I’m sorry’ was going to fix everything this time.