Safe and Sound (Part Seven)
Prologue | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten | Eleven | Twelve | Thirteen | Fourteen | Fifteen | Sixteen | Seventeen and Epilogue
Chapter Seven
I don’t wanna be lonely
I don’t wanna be scared
Clark sighed and stared out the window of Chloe and Lana’s dorm room, looking out over the city of Metropolis as he waited. Right now everything looked so calm, so peaceful. He knew better. In a big city, there was always something happening, some crime being committed, someone being hurt, someone else getting in trouble. Lately he’d been dreaming of Metropolis. Dreaming that he was being summoned there to watch over things, to be a guardian of sorts.
But that didn’t make any sense--did it?
According to Jor-El, he’d been sent to conquer the world, not to save it. Were the dreams a manifestation of his own subconscious desires? He didn’t know and he didn’t figure there were any easy answers.
Sighing softly, he looked at the clock again and tried not to worry. It was unlike Chloe to be so late, but lately Chloe had been acting differently than usual. She was hardly ever around according to Lana, and even Lois had said she wasn’t returning phone calls in a timely-Chloe manner. Lana had tried to tell him that Chloe was just so caught up in the beginning stages of a new relationship, she was neglecting other things, like her friends. But he’d known Chloe Sullivan for a very long time, and this just wasn’t like her.
Lois agreed with him emphatically, which, for Lois, was highly unusual, as well. He couldn’t remember a time when they’d really agreed on something--except when it came to Chloe and her well-being.
The red digits of the alarm clock by Lana’s bed flipped from 8:17 to 8:18, and then to 8:19 before the door opened. He turned to see her step into the room and flip on the light, not noticing him right at first. He took that moment to gaze at her unseen. She looked all right, nothing seemed to be different. But he knew better than most that appearances were so often deceiving.
“Hey,” he said quietly, not wanting to startle her.
She quickly looked over at him. “Hey, what are you doing here?”
Clark remained silent, just gazing at her and waiting for her to realize why he was there.
She frowned, staring at him for a few seconds, and then her eyes widened. “Oh, damn. I forgot! Clark, I’m sorry,” she started, shaking her head.
A faint smile touched his lips. It wasn’t like he could really hold it against her--more than once he’d blown her off to spend time with Lana. He shrugged a little. “It’s okay.” He studied her. “I was just looking forward to spending some time with you, that’s all.”
Guilt was clearly evident on her face. “I’m really sorry. I was at Marty’s and I just completely lost track of the time.”
“How is Marty?” He did his best to keep the suspicion out of his voice when he said her boyfriend’s name.
“He’s good.” She smiled. “Really good, actually.” She tucked some hair behind her ear and he caught sight of tiny, sparkling earrings he couldn’t recall ever seeing her wear before.
“Nice earrings.”
Chloe beamed, looking surprised that he’d noticed. “Thank you. They were a gift.”
“He seems to have a lot of money,” Clark said lightly.
She shrugged, sitting down at her desk. “His family inherited wealth from his great-grandparents when they died.”
He didn’t have a response for that. He just watched her for a moment as she booted up her computer.
“So what’s new in Smallville? Any meteor freak incidents? Any insidious Luthor plots this week?” she asked with raised brows, glancing up at him.
A smile tugged at Clark’s lips. Maybe she hadn’t changed as much as he’d thought. “No, surprisingly all’s been quiet on the home front.”
“Excellent.” She flashed him the smile that could light up an entire room and looked back at her computer.
Sitting down on the edge of her bed, he was quiet for a moment. “I have been having some weird dreams lately.”
Chloe glanced at him once more, one eyebrow raised. “Weird dreams as in uh…” She cleared her throat. “Typical male dreams or…’I’m an alien from another planet’ dreams?”
Clark smirked. “Neither, really.” He paused. “I’ve been dreaming about Metropolis. Every night.”
Now he had her entire attention. She turned toward him. “What about Metropolis?”
He drew in a breath, meeting her gaze. “I’ve been dreaming I’m supposed to watch over it.”
She gazed at him, waiting for him to continue, knowing there was more to it than he was telling her.
“In the dreams…I’m flying.”
Chloe leaned toward him a little. “Well, that’s not a first,” she pointed out gently.
“No, but…it never really felt natural…and two of the times I don’t really remember it. One was more hovering than flying and the other…well, I was Kal-El.”
She drew in a breath and let out slowly. “Well maybe it’s just one of those abilities you have to really get used to…I mean, did you feel normal when the x-ray vision or the heat vision things kicked in?”
“Well, no,” he admitted, shaking his head. He rested his elbows on his knees, folding his hands and gazing down at them.
She reached out and rested a hand on his shoulder. “So what do you think these dreams mean?” she asked softly, shaking her head.
He looked up and met her eyes, suddenly aware of how close they were sitting. He swallowed hard. “I’m not really sure,” he admitted. “But it almost feels like…a calling.”
Chloe gazed at him intently. “Wow. This is…huge. Have you talked to your parents about this?”
Clark shook his head a little.
“Why not?”
“I uh…wanted to tell you first.”
She looked at him in surprise. “Really?”
“Yeah. I mean, my parents are great, but…” He smiled faintly at her. “It’s easier to talk to you.”
Chloe’s eyes were full of warmth and she smiled that bright smile again and he couldn’t help but grin back. Instead of saying anything, she reached out and hugged him spontaneously. Closing his eyes, Clark hugged her back tightly, and she rested her head on his shoulder. Without thinking about it, he kissed her forehead.
“I’m really glad you know my secret, Chloe,” he said softly.
She smiled. “Me too, Clark.” She pulled away a little, still smiling at him. And for one moment--one very brief, fleeting moment--her gaze dropped to his lips. Then she swallowed hard, sitting back in her chair nervously.
He didn’t notice her apprehension. His gaze was now resting on her forearm. “Chloe?”
“Hmm?”
“What happened?” He nodded to the small bruise on her arm.
Frowning, she looked down at it. Immediately color flushed her cheeks. She coughed and turned to face the computer. “I must have hit it on a door or something.”
Clark raised an eyebrow. “Why do I get the feeling you’re not being completely honest with me?”
She smirked. “Because you know me all too well, Clark Kent.”
He leaned forward a bit. “So what happened really?”
Feeling self-conscious, she tucked some hair behind her ear. “You really wanna know?”
“I really do.”
Shooting him a sideways glance, she felt her heart skip a beat. “I hit it…on the headboard…of Marty’s bed.”
His eyebrows furrowed briefly, then realization dawned on him and his mouth fell open. “Ohhhh.”
Chloe couldn’t suppress a giggle at his expression. His cheeks had turned red--more so than hers.
Clark looked at the floor, not sure what to say. “So you and he…”
She couldn’t believe he was continuing this conversation, as uncomfortable as he looked. “Yeah,” she admitted quietly, nodding.
“I guess it’s pretty serious.”
“It is,” she confirmed.
He was silent for a moment. “He’s a lucky guy.”
The breath caught in her throat and she turned to look at him. “You think so?” she asked uncertainly, her voice very soft.
His eyes widened a little. “Of course I do. Chloe, you’re an amazing person and…you’re beautiful. You care about everybody and you’re a great friend.”
Tears prickled at her eyes and she quickly blinked them back. “Sweet talker.”
He smiled and kissed her cheek. “Just…be careful, okay? I don’t wanna see you get hurt.”
“Thanks, Clark,” Chloe whispered, touching his arm.
He hugged her again briefly, unsure of why he felt so uneasy all of a sudden. “I should be getting home.”
“Aren’t you gonna wait to see Lana? She should be back soon.”
Clark scratched the back of his neck. “Um, I think I’ll pass tonight.”
“Clark? What is it? Are you guys fighting?” She looked at him worriedly.
“We’re just…having some issues. I don’t wanna…put you in the middle.”
Chloe bit her lip. “Okay. Well, if you wanna talk, I’m more than willing to listen.”
He smiled at her. “Thanks, Chlo. Sweet dreams.” He kissed her forehead once more, and headed for the door.
“Night, Clark,” she said softly, watching him go. Then she leaned back in her chair with a soft sigh, feeling very confused.
* * *
“Dammit, people! We’re on deadline! Get your act together!” was the first thing Chloe heard as she stepped into the Met. U. Daily office. She was more than a little surprised to see that the person yelling was Marty. She set her bag on the computer desk she usually worked at. He hadn’t seemed to notice her presence.
“Jenkins, have you got that article on Professor Wendt edited yet?” he shouted.
“I’m working on it,” he said tersely.
“Well, work faster. We go to press in one hour!” He glared at Jenkins, who glared back at him and headed off to a computer.
“Why are you all just standing around?” Marty demanded. “Get busy!”
Frowning a little, Chloe slowly headed over to him. “Hey, are you all right?”
“Does it look like I’m all right?” He shook his head, his face angry and his eyes narrowed. “Do you have your article done yet?”
Her eyes widened a little. “Yeah, I’ve had it done since this morning.”
“Why the hell didn’t you send it to me so I could have gotten someone to lay it out?”
“Would you relax? I can lay it out myself. It’s not that hard.” She reached out to put a hand on his arm, hoping to calm him down.
“Don’t think I’m gonna give you special treatment because you’re my girlfriend, Chloe.” He shoved her away a couple feet and she stared at him in stunned disbelief.
Immediately his face changed. “Oh, God. I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Chloe.” He closed his eyes, looking ashamed. He quickly wrapped her in a hug. “Deadline makes me crazy.”
Biting her lower lip, she didn’t answer.
He sighed softly, holding her a little tighter. “Really, I’m sorry. I was completely out of line. You probably shouldn’t approach me like that when I’m upset.”
She slowly pulled away from him, looking up at him with clouded eyes. “This isn’t like you.”
“I know. Chloe…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” He motioned between them. “Forgive me?”
Chloe hesitated a moment, ignoring her instinct to leave right then. “It happens. I remember how stressful deadline can get.”
“It won’t happen again, I promise. I would never intentionally hurt you. I love you.”
Her eyes widened. “You love me?”
“I do,” he whispered, leaning down and kissing her gently. He touched her cheek, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “I love this woman!” he announced loudly to the whole staff.
Her cheeks turned pink and she buried her face in his shoulder as a couple of their fellow staff members chuckled.
Marty smiled down at her, then kissed the top of her head. “I could really use some help from someone with a lot of experience. What do you say?”
Chloe smiled. “Of course I’ll help you.”