Clark Kent vs the NFL Draft

by bigirish

Summary:

Four years after he chose football over the school newspaper and broke her heart, reporter Chloe Sullivan finds herself with the exclusive interview with Clark Kent on the verge of being drafted to the NFL.

Notes:

The unsurprising result of watching the film Draft Day and Season Four of Smallville in the same week.

Chapter 1: Chapter 1

“Well, gentlemen, the dust has barely settled on another tremendous Super Bowl,” the host said. “But the time has come to look ahead now to the NFL draft in just over two months. Let’s hear your Mock Drafts; Coach, who do you have number one?”

“Thanks, Rich,” the first guest said. “There’s only one choice for the number one pick for me - Clark Kent; All-American Quarterback, he broke every passing record for the Met U Bulldogs, and many think he was robbed of a Heisman Trophy.”

“I hear you, Coach,” the second guest said. “Clark Kent is a great first pick, but he just doesn’t make sense for the Star City Stags; they have veteran Quarterback Brian Drew coming back from injury, and they look very much in win-now mode. I believe the best overall player in this Draft is Gotham City University wide receiver Victor Stone - the player who actually won the Heisman.”

“Stone’s a good player,” the first guest agreed. “But you can’t let a player like Clark Kent get past you. He’s going to the Hall of Fame someday, you mark my words.”

“But he makes a lot more sense for the number two pick; the Metropolis Sharks,” the second guest carried on. “They have a gaping hole at Quarterback, and there’s a lot of noise that the owner’s son, Lex Luthor, is personally involved in negotiations to trade the number one pick - maybe even multiple first rounders as well as players. The Stags could get a king’s ransom and still get the best player in the draft at number two.”

“But they’d be handing the NFL’s next superstar Quarterback to their division rivals,” the host reminded him. “I mean, the Quarterback is still the most valuable position in football. I just can’t see the Stags letting a player of Kent’s calibre go to the Sharks without an insane offer.”

From her desk in the basement of the Daily Planet, young reporter Chloe Sullivan was doing her best to pretend not to be interested in the discussion on the little TV. Several of her male colleagues were gathered around having their own excited conversations about local hero, Clark Kent.

If they only knew , she thought to herself, before finally giving up on her boring-as-all-hell article on a local craft fair. She leant back for a moment and stretched out. Chloe was a 22 year old, pretty blonde and a graduate from Metropolis University herself, finishing top of her class in Journalism. She’d been three times employed by the Daily Planet, including at least one disastrous firing after attempting to blackmail the head of the Luthor family, but this last stint with the newspaper seemed to have stuck. Life was looking pretty good at the moment for Chloe.

Suddenly a coffee cup appeared under her nose; almond mocha with extra whip. She spun her chair around brightly, her face splitting into a beautiful smile she saved only for him.

“Jimmy, you sweetheart,” she admonished him, though only half-heartedly. Her boyfriend, Jimmy Olsen, ace photographer with the Planet, snuck a quick kiss in while their colleagues were still debating the football. 

“How’s your morning been?” he asked, popping on the edge of her desk as she took her first swig of the coffee, shuddering slightly in pleasure.

“Oh, the absolute dullest,” Chloe confirmed. “This craft fair story is not writing itself, I can tell you that for free.”

“You could use a break,” Jimmy said. “I just spoke to Lewis; they want to see you on the third floor.”

“On Sports?” she asked, her face frowning. She’d only been on the third floor once, and that had been while lost looking for a bathroom at the office Christmas party where she’d hit the mulled wine a little too hard.

“Yeah, no idea what it’s about,” he added, though not convincingly. Chloe took another sip of coffee, though she made a point to not take her eyes off of him while she did so. Jimmy looked nervous, but Chloe was full of caffeine and, thus, goodwill, so she let him have his secret for the moment.

She made her way up to the third floor, ignoring the “No Girlz Allowed” sign and sweeping into the office. Most floors of the Daily Planet looked the same - a large bullpen in the centre with a desk rammed into every conceivable space, and few offices for editors and senior reporters around the outside. Third was slightly unusual in that women tended not to last very long in the bullpen up here - a few misguided interns had tried their luck up here but were quickly scared back downstairs by office sleazebag Trick Edmonds.

Trick the Prick, as they called him on every other floor, had noticed Chloe’s entrance immediately. His suit was slightly too large for his smaller frame, and his dark hair far too slicked back, but he certainly wasn’t unattractive to look at. Unfortunately he made up for that with his personality.

“Sullivan, welcome to the third floor,” Trick said, extending a hand. “Allow me to give you the tour.” He smirked - perhaps the most slappable smirk Chloe had ever seen in her life. She kept her hands at her sides.

“No need, Trick, Lewis has asked to see me,” she said. I’ll see what he wants, and then I’ll never set foot on this floor ever again.

Trick didn’t look too happy about that. She made her way across the bullpen to the Sport Editor’s Office, where the door hung open apparently waiting for her.

“Sullivan, please come in, shut the door,” Lewis beckoned her in. From Chloe’s experience there were two types of sports reporters; those who had failed in their own sporting aspirations and were somewhat embittered by the experience, like Trick, and those who lacked any sort of physical ability and were just nerds for the sport. She couldn’t imagine Lewis ever participating in a sport of any kind unless it was as the ball - he was very short, almost as wide as he was tall, somehow both bald on top but also very hairy all around. He waddled over to this desk like a penguin and dropped into an ancient looking chair. He gestured to Chloe to sit in another chair that looked so old and worn the Daily Planet offices might have been built around it.

“You wanted to see me, sir?” Chloe asked.

“That was some nice work on the Luthor wedding you did, Sullivan,” Lewis said with a grin. “You know, you were the talk of the editor’s meetings for a little bit.”

“Thank you, sir.” She’d lucked out with being the only reporter allowed into the very private wedding of Lex Luthor. 

“You’re from Smallville aren’t you, Sullivan?” he asked.

“Actually I’m from Metropolis originally, but-”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Lewis cut her off dismissively. “But you went to Smallville High - that’s why you were in tight with Mrs Luthor, right?”

“We were best friends at school, yes,” Chloe said, wondering where this line of thought was headed. 

“So, you would have been in classes with Clark Kent?” he asked. Chloe felt her blood run cold.

“I mean, we weren’t exactly friends,” Chloe said. Lewis waved a hand, though he never took his eyes off her.

“But you know people in Smallville? His teachers, his friends, his family - you know them?”

“You could say that,” Chloe agreed.

“There it is,” Lewis said, leaning back in his chair. “As the Met U star Quarterback we tried to get hold of Kent many times - Trick even camped outside the practice field for a week. He won’t respond to interview requests, and he’s very good at avoiding us - almost like he hears us coming a mile off. We don’t know why, but he isn’t fond of reporters.”

Tell me about it, Chloe thought mournfully. 

“But you have an in,” he said enthusiastically. “You can go back to Smallville, sweet talk his friends and family, set up an interview.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I mean, like I said - Clark and I aren’t exactly best friends,” Chloe said.

“Look, Sullivan,” Lewis began, suddenly now looking very serious. “That Luthor Wedding story was great, but exclusives like that don’t fall into your lap every day. You’ve been here, what, three years? And you’ve had one story of note. What have they got you working on at the moment?”

“I’m working on a very important article on the Metropolis Craft Fair,” Chloe said with as much false pride as she could muster.

“A sure-fire Pulitzer, I’ll bet,” Lewis snorted. “You know that Old Willie retired this year.” He gestured behind Chloe to an empty corner office. Old Willie Birmingham had been the Metropolis Sharks reporter for the Daily Planet for as long as there had been Metropolis Sharks, however the toll of being a lifelong Sharks fan finally caught up with him with his fifth heart attack, and now he’d finally retired. “Well, I have a corner office and a need for a good new reporter. Look out there.” He gestured to the pen. “It’s full of old men like me, or young pricks like Trick Edmonds. This whole floor could do with a woman’s touch, and you’re a good reporter.” He held up an old newspaper - Chloe recognised the Luthor Wedding pictures Jimmy had taken immediately. “Too good to be wasting away in the basement.”

“With all due respect, sir, I don’t know anything about sports,” Chloe said.

“Oh,” Lewis said with feigned surprise. “Because a source told me you went to every Met U Bulldogs game the last four years.” Chloe blinked.

“How could you know that?”

Lewis held up his hands. “First rule of journalism, kid - always protect your source.”

Jimmy , Chloe thought.

“Look, I get it, Sullivan, you want to be a real reporter, and maybe you don’t see Sports as real news, am I right?” he asked. He didn’t wait for an answer. “But I promise you other people see it differently. This would be a regular column, free Sharks tickets, you’ll travel wherever they travel - they’re adding more games in London now. And this could be a big stepping stone to something else.”

Chloe still wasn’t convinced.

“Also, if it does make a difference, Trick will be furious,” Lewis added. He gestured to where Trick was currently standing in the bullpen, unabashedly leering into the office with his arms folded.

“Can I bring Jimmy with me?” she asked.

“Olsen?” Lewis asked. “If you get that interview with Kent then yeah, we can spare him.”

Chloe smiled. Looks like a trip back to Smallville was in order after all.

#

It had been a bittersweet morning walking around Smallville. On the one hand she had met plenty of familiar faces, including around the Talon (“Of course you’re on first name terms with everyone in the coffee shop,” Jimmy had said dryly). The whole town was still decked out in Smallville Crows banners, however the smiling face of Clark Kent was everywhere. Every shop had a Clark Kent poster or banner and every person couldn’t wait to tell this big city reporter everything they knew about Clark Kent (not that much of it was news to Chloe).

There was one thing they were unanimous on though - Clark Kent would definitely be a Metropolis Shark. Either the Star City Stags would pass on a Quarterback, or Lex Luthor would work out a deal to bring his friend to the Sharks.

In Chloe’s head, the first twist of her story was already written - somehow, no national news outlet had managed to pick up on the friendship Lex and Clark once enjoyed. Or, more intriguingly, how they definitely were not friends anymore. It made Lex’s pursuit of Clark feel somewhat odd.

She’d hoped to speak to Clark’s mother, Martha, first, however she was enjoying a rare day off from the Talon. After a quick stop at the graveyard to pay her respects (terrible idea, she had to reapply her makeup after this) she hopped back in her faithful VW beetle and headed for the Kent Farm.

“Do you want me to come in with you?” Jimmy asked. Chloe cast a look over at the barn.

“No, there’s an order you have to do things in with Clark,” she said knowingly. If he was there then he’d already have heard her coming.

Jimmy waited faithfully in the car while she went up and knocked on the front door of the house. Martha Kent answered fairly quickly, and she couldn’t have been happier to see Chloe, sweeping her up into a hug.

“Chloe, it has been too long,” she said. “How have you been?”

“I’m doing great, Mrs Kent,” she beamed. “I’m a reporter with the Daily Planet now. That’s my boyfriend, Jimmy.” She waved at Jimmy, who dutifully waved back. 

“You must be here for Clark,” Martha said, unable to contain her excitement. “He’s in the barn, as always - I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you.”

Unsurprising , Chloe thought. The barn had very much been Clark’s fortress growing up; his own place of solitude to be alone with his thoughts. Chloe tried to keep her breathing and her steps steady as she made her way over to the barn, trying not to stumble in front of Jimmy who was probably wondering what was going on. He’d hadn’t met Clark yet - she was slightly worried how he would take to meeting the previous object of her affections.

Come on, Chloe, you’ve walked into this barn a thousand times , she said to herself. Memories came flooding back as she crossed the threshold - this is where she’d kissed Clark for the first time; where he’d asked her to the Spring Formal as freshmen…

And where they’d last spoken, after Jonathan Kent’s funeral.

Chloe stepped fully into the barn, and looked up - he was waiting for her, at the top of the stairs. She felt her breath catch in her throat as she realised what she’d dreaded - no matter what had come before, or how well things were going with Jimmy, this was the man she’d always loved, and she probably always would. She had to focus a bit to see him - the sun was at his back, blinding her. His hair was the same - beautiful, tousled locks of black falling over his eyes - his blue t-shirt was still far too tight, and even from this distance his green eyes seemed to pierce right through her. She felt naked in front of him.

Which, in fairness, she may as well have been , she thought.

“Clark, your mom said you’d be in here,” Chloe said, trying to sound like their familiar, nonchalant greeting from better days.

“What are you doing here, Chloe?” he asked sternly. His face was unreadable - if he actually was happy to see her he was hiding it well.

“I came to see you, Clark,” she said, smiling. “How have you been?”

“I’m fine, Chloe.”

She stared expectantly at him.

That’s it? She bit her tongue, determined not to tell him off. Something was wrong in this conversation. It felt like she had something to apologise for, like it hadn’t been him that broke her heart all those years ago when he ditched his job at the school newspaper to chase after his football dreams.

“This is ridiculous, Clark, I’m coming up,” Chloe said, stomping up the stairs. “You can act like you’re not happy to see me if you want, but I’m happy to see you .”

She threw her arms around him like nothing had ever happened. Clark tensed up for a moment, but he did pat her gently on the back.

“There, was that so hard?” Chloe asked, stepping back to leer at him. Clark suddenly looked embarrassed, like his carefully raised guards had been brought crashing down.

“Why are you here, Chloe?” he asked.

“I told you - I came to see you,” she said. “I’m working for the Daily Planet now. I hear you don’t like talking to reporters, and they asked me to come and talk to you.”

“Oh, I see,” Clark turned away. “Chloe Sullivan, ace reporter, chasing the story. As always.” He practically spat the last two words.

“Well, given the warm welcome I’ve received, are you surprised I haven’t been here earlier?” she asked. She walked around the loft to be back in his eyeline. “Clark, I’m here to make you a deal.”

“A deal?” He looked puzzled.

“A deal,” she repeated. “You’re big news now, Clark Kent. You’re going to be the number one draft pick. Over the next few months people are going to be looking into your story. You may have avoided Trick Edmonds and Willie Birmingham of the Daily Planet, but national news outlets are going to start looking into Clark Kent and his story.” Clark shook his head.

“And they’ll start digging,” she carried on. “They’ll know everything - who are your friends? Who are your enemies ?” She gave him a knowing look. “Who are your parents? Your adoption .”

“My adoption?” He suddenly looked very startled.

“Yes, and if a fourteen year old girl with a computer can find out your adoption papers were forged by Lionel Luthor, then a journalist with the resources of a national news outlet can definitely find it.”

“So what’s the deal?” he asked.

“Get in front of the story,” she said. “They don’t have any reason to dig into your past if you give them something up front. It doesn’t have to be the whole truth,” she said, reading the look on his face. “You present a version of your story that’s plausible, and no one has any reason to go looking for anything otherwise.”

Clark sat on the edge of the couch, deep in thought for a moment.

“And what do you get out of this?” he asked. 

“I mean, I’d obviously be the interviewer. I won’t lie to you, Clark - the Planet have offered me a big promotion if I can get this interview. They’re desperate.”

Clark nodded. “That’s very honest of you, Chloe,” he praised her. Chloe grimaced.

“Cards all on the table, Clark,” she agreed. “I’ve also… Missed you.”

“Oh?” he asked. Chloe scrutinised his face. He’d quickly reformed his unreadable expression, but for a moment his guard looked like it might have dropped and he looked almost pleased.

“We were best friends once,” she said. “And we’ve both been through a lot without each other. It might also be a chance for us to clear the air.”

“How does this work then?” he asked.

“Well,” she paused. “You’d sleep on it, talk it over with your agent and your mom. And then tomorrow we’d meet somewhere, maybe here?” She looked at him for confirmation but he wasn’t giving anything away now. “Yeah, here would be nice. We’ll have a photographer take some photos, and then you and me would do the interview and we’ll work out what you want to say.” She looked expectantly at him. He was deep in thought for a moment. She bit her lip.

#

Martha Kent had initially tried to insist they stay the night, though Chloe pleaded that the Daily Planet had set her and Jimmy up in a nice B&B and you had to make the most of things while the company was paying. It also avoided the slightly awkward conversation of where Jimmy would sleep - she remembered Lois recalling a particularly awkward discussion Jonathan Kent had had with her once about rules around having company visiting, and decided that he certainly would not have approved of a young friend of his son’s sharing a bed with her boyfriend under his roof. Best not to push it.

The other reason was to give herself some space. Speaking with Clark again after all these years had taken a toll on her. She needed another latte immediately (“Honestly, I’m worried, Chloe; I’ve seen crack addicts with less dependency than you,” Jimmy said), even then it took probably a good hour before she stopped shaking slightly.

That night in bed she lay awake long after Jimmy’s breathing had turned to snores. She thought back to four years ago, on the Smallville Crow’s football field.

“As much as I’d like to blame the pom-pom juice for this, I obviously have those feelings still in me somewhere,” she’d said to Clark, looking up at him with eyes full of hope.

“I’m sorry, Chloe,” Clark replied. “I don’t think it’s a good idea if I come back to the Torch. I think it would be best if I focused on football. For both of us.”

Chloe had nodded and said she understood. Lois had told him off for her, but Lois was soon gone back to college too. The first few days had been fine really. Yes, she was the last remaining person on the school newspaper (the younger students didn’t seem to have any taste for journalism), and initially she missed not only Clark, but Pete and Lois as well. However, days turned to weeks - she’d pass him in the corridors and joke “Hey, you haven’t forgotten about me, have you?” or “What about an interview for the Torch with the Superstar Quarterback?”

But Clark didn’t have the time for her anymore. There were another few weeks where she’d keep trying. She’d see him coming in the hallway and prepare her biggest smile for him, but his face was hard, unreadable. She wondered if he knew the smile was fake and inside she was dying.

His team began running interference.

“Look Sullivan,” a lineman cornered her one day after Chemistry. “You need to leave Kent alone. He doesn’t need you bothering him.” She’d tried to laugh it off, but for the first time in her career there was no Torch issue that week. She locked the office door and sat on the floor, her only safe space where she could be alone with her emotions.

Then Alicia had shown her Clark catching a car like a beach ball.

That night Chloe had torn down the Wall of Weird. Was this why Clark had cut her off? If he was meteor infected himself, was he worried about one day finding his own way onto this wall?

She didn’t pry. She didn’t snoop. She’d made promises before and intended to keep them. But at Alicia’s grave she had tried to comfort him - if he ever needed her, she’d be there.

The day came sooner than she thought when she found him wandering around outside the Talon apparently with no memory. She brought him home, and gently helped him come to terms with his powers and his secret.

“We must be pretty good friends if I trusted you with all this,” he’d said to her. She shifted nervously, avoiding his gaze.

“Actually we aren’t really friends anymore,” she said mournfully. “We sort of fell out.”

“Why?” he asked.

Because you don’t trust me , Chloe thought. You don’t trust me to not snoop. You don’t trust me not to reveal your secret. You don’t trust me and my feelings to be around you. Chloe felt her eyes welling up with tears. She quickly sniffed them back as best she could.

“You wanted to play football; I stayed with the newspaper,” she said. He didn’t look convinced. But for those few days she had her best friend back. They investigated together, he listened to her advice. It was as close to perfect as life had been for a long time.

He got his memory back at Belle Reve, finally, though he never came to see her after that. At the Prom she tried one last time to reconcile.

“Clark, I know you’re here with Lana, but would you like to dance?” she’d asked hopefully.

“I’m sorry, Chloe. I don’t think that’s a good idea.” he replied. Then went back to his date with Lana.

Lois eventually found her in the Torch again, crying and holding her Prom Queen’s crown.

“What’s the use in being Prom Queen if you have no one to dance with?” she’d sobbed as Lois held her.

“Listen, kiddo, don’t think about Clark Kent for another minute,” Lois said, hugging her. “You are going to grow so far beyond his one horse town. You are going to be an ace big city reporter like you always dreamed, and you’ll never have to hear the name Clark Kent ever again.”

Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Clark and Chloe sat opposite each other in the barn for a moment. He was in his usual plaid shirt now. When she’d first arrived he’d been in a suit, and although Chloe saved the mental image to enjoy later, she insisted he look like “the real Clark Kent” for his photos. Jimmy was a pro, and got a number of photos of Clark outside his home, some posed shots working on the farm, one with his mother and finally a shot of Chloe and Clark sat opposite each other, Chloe with a massive grin on her face while Clark looking much more tense. He left them alone for the actual interview, using the excuse he would be looking through Clark’s childhood photos with Martha for any suitable for the article.

“Make sure and get at least one of his dad,” Chloe insisted in a whisper, not that it mattered. Clark would have heard it if he wanted to.

“Good luck, Chloe,” Jimmy said. “You’ll be great at this.” He gave her a quick kiss before he left. As he stepped away Clark’s face came into her view again. He looked strangely curious, like he was sizing Jimmy up.

Chloe rummaged into her bag, lifting out a tape recorder and notepad.

“What’s that for?” Clark asked, looking a bit panicked.

“Relax, this just means I don’t have to take notes,” she explained. She placed the recorder suitably between the pair of them.

“Then what’s the notepad for?”

“My notes, duh ,” she replied. Clark gulped.

“Chloe-,” he began.

“Don’t freak out on me now, Clark,” she said. “Just relax. Take a few deep breaths. We can start when you’re ready.”

The advice was almost as much for her as it was for him. She sat patiently, ignoring the squirming in her stomach, and breathed steadily while Clark readied himself.

“Okay, I’m ready,” he said.

“Excellent.” She started the tape recorder. “This is Chloe Sullivan, Metropolis Sharks and NFL correspondent for the Daily Planet.” Clark’s eyebrows raised. “Here with future first round pick and Met U Bulldogs Star Quarterback Clark Kent, who has invited us into his beautiful home in Smallville, Kansas. Thank you for having us Clark. First, tell us, who is Clark Kent?”

Clark stared blankly at her for a moment.

“You know who I am Chloe.”

“Yes, but for the readers, Clark,” she said patiently. “In your own words.”

“Okay, um,” he paused and looked at her, apparently hoping for inspiration. “My name is Clark Kent. I grew up in Smallville. My parents are Jonathan and Martha Kent. I worked on the farm, became the Quarterback of my high school football team, the Smallville Crows, then I had a scholarship to Met U where I played for the Bulldogs and studied world history.” He stopped, then tried to open his mouth again, but all words seemed to have gone.

“No, that’s great, Clark,” she reassured him with a smile. “You decided to stay at Met U for your final year when you could have been a first round draft pick last year; why was that?”

“I wanted to finish college. I promised my mom I would.”

“That’s great. Tell me about your parents, Clark.”

“My parents are great; I couldn’t ask for a better family,” Clark said. “My mom and I have been through some tough times, I hope I can make her proud.”

“What about your adoption - don’t give me that look, Clark, people are going to find out sooner or later - did you ever find your real, er, I mean birth parents?”

“No,” Clark replied flatly, although still glaring at her slightly.

Come on, Clark, I know you can lie better than that , she thought.

“Aren’t you curious at all?”

“No,” he replied again.

Chloe bit her lip and took a moment to compose her thoughts. She leant forward and stopped the tape recorder, before rewinding a bit.

“What? Is that the wrong answer?” he asked.

“I’m just thinking, putting on my investigative reporter hat,” she mimed putting on said hat, “knowing you’d never found your birth parents might make me more curious to try and find them. Like what bigger story could there be than turning up at Draft Day with the number one pick’s birth parents, who he’s never met? I’d certainly go digging for that.” Clark shook his head.

“So what do you suggest?” he asked.

“Maybe you found your parents, but they didn’t want to be part of your life,” she suggested. “Or-.”

“Or maybe they’re dead,” he said.

Oh. That felt very real.

“Oh God, Clark, I’m so sorry,” she spluttered. “I had no idea - I didn’t think.”

“It was a suggestion,” he said. “I’m not saying they are dead.”

Chloe studied him for a moment. It was funny how sometimes he seemed so stoic, like she had no idea what he was thinking, and other times she felt like he was an open book. At that moment she wanted nothing in the world more than to shut the recorder off, walk over there and hug him and have him tell her everything about his birth parents.

“Okay, Clark,” she said slowly. “We’ll go with that.” She started the tape recorder again, before looking down at her pad for a moment and pretending to write something, steeling herself for the next question. “You’re really not going to like this one; can you tell us about your dad, Jonathan Kent, and how his upbringing affected you? He played Quarterback for the Smallville Crows as well, didn’t he?”

“He was my hero,” Clark replied. His eyes fluttered as he blinked a little more than usual. “He taught me everything I knew about everything. How to throw a football; how to milk a cow; how to drive a tractor; how to be a better man.” He paused for a moment and gulped, wiping away a few stray tears. “I miss him, Chloe.”

“I know, Clark, I’m so sorry,” she said. She thought back to the day after Jonathan Kent’s funeral. She’d come into this barn to offer her support, even if Clark didn’t want it. He’d snapped at her, accused her of prying where she didn’t belong.

“Why are you here?” he roared. “Are you looking for your next story?”

“I’m here because I’m your friend, Clark, and I’ll always be here for you,” she sobbed. “No matter what.”

She gave him a moment to take a breath and drink his water before carrying on.

“Maybe some less personal questions for a bit,” she suggested, and Clark gratefully nodded. “Are you hoping to go to the Star City Stags or the Metropolis Sharks?”

“I’ll be happy to go wherever I’m drafted,” he said. “Playing football is a dream come true, no matter where I end up.”

“Well, if you wound up at the Metropolis Sharks you’d get to see a lot more of old friends,” she suggested. Clark’s look was puzzled. “Not just me, of course, but Lex Luthor as well. Tell me about your friendship with Lex Luthor.”

“Not much to tell - we’re not exactly close anymore,” he shrugged.

“Give us a bit more than that, Clark, you saved Lex’s life, became his best friend,” she started. “These stories are already out there in the public domain, waiting for ESPN to find them.” She left out the part that these stories were out there because she’d published them in a school newspaper and left it easily readable online. Judging from Clark’s dark expression he was remembering that too.

“What else is there to say? We were friends but drifted apart,” he said.

“Drifted apart and then he married your ex-girlfriend,” Chloe said. Clark sighed. “Okay, that’s a sore spot. We don’t have to mention that in the article.” She wrote Lana’s name on the page and made a show of crossing through it. She looked back up at Clark. “So, do you have a girlfriend, Clark?”

Clark locked eyes with her, and she felt her stomach trying to jump out her throat. His meteor abilities were so strange and so varied she often wondered if he had powers she didn’t know about yet - could he read minds, for instance?

“No,” he said at last.

“Boyfriend then?” she asked immediately.

“W-w-what?” he coughed.

“People are going to ask; the teams will probably ask you as well,” Chloe explained. “There’s never been an openly gay player in the NFL, and if you don’t have a girlfriend people might start to wonder. They might think ‘Hey, maybe that’s why Lex Luthor is so interested in him.’”

“That’s crazy; they won’t think that,” Clark said.

“Trust me, Clark - journalist hat.” Chloe gestured to dip her invisible hat. “They’re going to wonder.”

“No, I don’t have a boyfriend and I’m not gay,” Clark confirmed.

“Excellent.”

“You’re smiling now,” Clark teased her.

“The interview’s just going really well,” Chloe replied, though she couldn’t help it. She could feel the heat coming off her cheeks now. “Last question then - what does Clark Kent do in his spare time?”

“Oh, you know, I help out on the farm a lot,” Clark said. “We have some people to help here, but I still do a lot of the heavy lifting.”

“No hobbies then?” Chloe asked. “Not even, say, late night walks around Metropolis?”

Clark’s expression was unreadable as he surveyed her. She kept eye contact as best she could. Was that too obvious?

She turned off the tape recorder.

“Okay, this has been great, Clark,” she said, standing up to shake his hand. Clark shot to his feet.

“Really?” he asked.

“Yeah, I’ll do a draft of the story tonight and email it to you - I know you’re busy but if you could have a look tonight I could get the story to my editor in the morning.”

“What about you?” he said. “I didn’t get to ask what you’re up to? What about Jimmy?”

“Jimmy?” she shuffled nervously. “He’s great. He’s sweet, and he’s kind, and he’s…” She trailed off for a moment.

He’s not you .

It felt treacherous to think of poor Jimmy in such terms. He’d been there for her during some of her worst moments of her life.

“And he loves me very much,” she finished.

“And do you ever see,” Clark began breathlessly. He paused a moment to steel himself. “Do you ever see Lana?”

Chloe felt her heart break. She took a deep breath herself.

“Not very often. Being Mrs Luthor is a full time job I’m afraid,” she said. “And Lois is off in Gotham City. She’s been chasing after this guy who dresses in a bat costume and fights criminals - I keep telling her it’s probably just some rich guy with too much time on his hands.”

“Really, Gotham City, huh?”

“Yeah. There was a similar guy in Metropolis,” Chloe said. She was looking straight at Clark, determined not to miss any of his reaction. “Down at the Daily Planet they call him the Blur. Heard of him?”

“No,” Clark replied. His expression was unreadable again - Chloe thought the difference may be this was a lie he had practiced a lot.

They stood for a moment. Chloe pondered Clark’s many secrets. Presumably he was doing the same for her.

“I’m so grateful for this, Clark,” she said. “This is a huge deal for my career. And it’s been so great seeing you. I’m sure this isn’t the only time we’ll see each other - even if you don’t go to the Sharks, whenever you do play them I’ll get to see you then.”

“I never pegged you for a football fanatic, Chloe,” Clark said.

“Neither did I,” she said with a shrug.

“But, I suppose you did come to my games at Smallville High, and Met U,” he asked. Chloe smirked at him.

“How did you know that, Clark?” she asked. Clark suddenly looked away.

“I, er, guess I must have noticed you in the crowd,” he said. Chloe couldn’t help but smile at that. As she made her way back to where Jimmy was waiting by the car she kept trying to tell herself that the smile she couldn’t shake was because she was so happy about the interview.

Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Notes:

This story was very nearly a crossover with Draft Day. I scrapped a lot of that subplot, but had to include a few references here and there.

Chloe felt like a giddy schoolgirl as she spun in her chair in her brand new office. They’d taped a paper sign on the door - Chloe Sullivan, Senior Correspondent. Most of the room was still full of Old Willie’s things - old newspaper clippings and various sports memorabilia, including a football someone named Joe M had written on that made Jimmy very excited.

“How can you be the Metropolis Sharks correspondent if you know nothing about football?” he asked.

“Lewis assures me you don’t need to know anything about football to be a sports reporter,” Chloe answered. “I wonder if I could get a coffee machine for my office?”

“Yes, because I’m worried you already have dangerously high amounts of blood in your caffeine system,” Jimmy replied.

“Okay, fine, that’s what interns are for anyway.” She stopped spinning, propped her chin on her hands and gave Jimmy one of her trademark smiles. “Say, Olsen, how about a latte?”

“Very funny,” Jimmy replied in a tone that suggested otherwise, but the corners of his mouth were twitching.

The article had been a big success - back page of the paper and a full two page spread inside. The picture of her grinning sat opposite an awkward looking Clark was her favourite, though she had to admit Jimmy had pulled a fantastic photo of a teenage Clark Kent catching a ball thrown by Jonathan from the bottom of Martha’s box of photos. Despite that, not everyone was impressed - a few other reporters seemed annoyed that someone from the basement, particularly a woman, had been promoted above them.

She hadn’t even told them she didn’t know anything about football yet. Maybe better save that for the time being.

Shortly after Lewis had introduced her, Trick the Prick managed to collar her.

“How did you get this job - you screwing Lewis?” he demanded. He must have read her expression of fury correctly, but he ploughed on regardless. “And how’d you get the interview? You screwing Kent as well?”

Jimmy had to drag her away before she celebrated her first day of her new job by murdering a co-worker.

Lewis burst into her office unannounced.

“Nice work on the article, Sullivan,” he said, probably for the fifth time, but Chloe certainly never tired of hearing it. “This Lex Luthor thing is interesting. They used to be friends, now they’re not, any ideas what came between them?”

“Clark says they just grew apart,” Chloe said. She wondered what Clark would have said if she’d had the nerve to ask about their own friendship. Lewis didn’t look convinced.

“A woman then?” he asked. Chloe tried her best to keep her face neutral - true to her promise to Clark, she’d kept Lana’s name out of the article entirely. “Alright, but I want you to follow up on this - get Luthor’s version of the story.”

“I can do that,” she said. “I can call Luthorcorp and get a meeting. I still have a few people who knew my...” She paused. Her mouth suddenly felt very dry. “My dad.”

“No need,” Lewis cut across. “Luthor is having a party tonight - he’s hosting the top prospects, a few of the owners, a few players and agents, and the press, of course.”

“But, sir, it’s Valentine’s Day,” Jimmy exclaimed, suddenly looking very upset. “We had dinner plans.”

“Plans, schmans,” Lewis dismissed him. “This is the biggest party of the year, and I need my Senior Correspondent,” his voice practically dripping with sugar, “there on the ground floor. Get dressed up, get a statement from Luthor - chat him up if you have to. And you never know who else you might meet there.”

#

Jimmy had been fairly pouty while she was getting ready. She thought it quite fortunate she already had a little black dress picked out for their date tonight, but perhaps a bit too much cleavage for a work event. She matched it with a stylish button up jacket that would keep the goods covered for now, but if she needed to pop out a few buttons to try and get some young NFL prospects talking she could.

“I promise I’ll make it up to you next weekend,” Chloe pleaded with him before she left.

She was no stranger to a Luthorcorp party by now - the main function room set up with a number of tables interspersed with Lex’s eclectic collection of historical artifacts - but it was a different crowd to Lex’s usual guests. She didn’t recognise anyone from the work events she’d attended with Lana. Rather the crowd seemed mostly to be built up of rather large, intimidating looking young men in oversized suits. Some had wives or girlfriends or other family members with them. All of them had agents. And there were quite a few older men she presumed to be representatives from the teams; owners, general managers and coaches. Unfortunately she recognised none of them without Jimmy. She spent a good ten minutes trying to get a quote out of what turned out to be a waiter. Blushing, she ordered a gin and tonic - drinking hadn’t been part of the original plan, but she felt in dire need of a little social lubrication.

She was very grateful to spot someone she knew - Clark was also standing off to one side on his own, leaning on a table sipping a soft drink. He was back in the suit, though apparently still made no attempt to tame his unruly curls. Chloe took a moment to admire the view before heading over.

“Clark, am I glad to see you,” Chloe said, popping her drink beside his. “I am in over my head; I don’t know anyone here.”

“Well, unfortunately I maybe know only two people more than you,” Clark replied. “I know Victor.” He nodded to where Victor Stone was currently surrounded by a number of older looking men. He threw his head back in a laugh that carried all around the room. “And Jason,” Clark added, referring to Jason Teague, his personal coach and agent.

“See, that’s three people’s names I have now,” Chloe said. “And one waiter’s phone number. My editor will be thrilled.”

“Oh?” Clark asked.

“Well, I wouldn’t hold the back page for it yet,” Chloe said. “What did you think of the article?”

“It was great - you know I hadn’t seen that picture of me and my dad in years,” Clark said. Chloe beamed.

“Thank Jimmy, he was the one who found it.”

“I just don’t really go through photos much. It’s like it’s still too many painful memories.”

“Don’t I know it,” Chloe agreed.

“Ah, Clark! There you are!”

It was Lex Luthor, striding over to their table with a big smile on his face. He eagerly shook Clark’s hand, before turning to Chloe.

“Chloe! What a pleasure to see you,” he said. He gave Chloe a big kiss on the cheek. “You’ll be joining us now as the reporter for the Metropolis Sharks. I look forward to working very closely with you - as a matter of fact I was very impressed with your interview with our new Star Quarterback.”

“Actually, Lex, that’s what I came to talk to you about,” Chloe said eagerly, sensing her opportunity. “My editor wanted me to get a quote from you about your relationship with Clark.”

“Straight to the point, as ever, Chloe,” Lex said, still beaming. “Well, I have a quote for you; you tell your editor that Lex Luthor is prepared to do whatever it takes to make sure Clark Kent is our new Quarterback at the Metropolis Sharks.”

Chloe excitedly scribbled that down on her little notepad. While she was distracted, Lex gestured for someone to join us.

“Here, Clark, there is someone I want you to meet,” Lex said. “This is my friend, Bruce; owner of the Gotham Rogues. Bruce Wayne, meet Clark Kent.” The two men exchanged a firm handshake over the table. Chloe looked up and gawked slightly - she’d seen photos of Bruce Wayne before, but in the flesh he was something else entirely. Clark looked fairly impressive in his suit - he was a good looking guy even if it was off the rack. Lex had his suits custom made by the finest tailors, and certainly wasn’t an eyesore himself. But Bruce Wayne seemed like his suit was wrapped around him like a second skin. She couldn’t describe it as any other way - he was born for this suit. He was a little older than Lex, dark hair and dark eyes Chloe felt she could easily get lost in. She felt herself subconsciously undoing the top button of her jacket while eyes were off her.

“And this is Chloe Sullivan, the Daily Planet’s most up and coming reporter - she was also the Maid of Honour at our wedding,” Lex said.

“Charmed,” Bruce said, taking her hand and kissing the back. Despite being much older than her, Chloe couldn’t stop an involuntary giggle.

“I was saying to Lex earlier, Mr Kent,” Bruce said. “That it’s a shame the Gotham City Rogues are picking so late in the draft. As you know our Quarterback retired last year, but there’s no way you’ll still be on the board by the time we’re picking.”

“I’m sorry sir,” Clark said.

“Perhaps, in another life, Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne could have made a hell of a team,” Bruce said. “Alas, I think Oliver will be the one to have you. OLIVER!” He called the name out to his friend, who had just arrived looking fairly sharp in his own suit. Chloe subtly popped another button on her jacket. Not subtle enough for Clark, who shot her a dirty look.

“What?”

“Jimmy?” he asked her.

“Oh, it’s just a bit of flirting,” Chloe whispered defensively. Oliver had arrived at the table. His greetings with Bruce and Lex seemed a bit stiff. However he was very excited to meet Clark.

“Mr Kent; a pleasure to meet you at last,” he said. “I’m hoping we’ll see a lot more of each other over the next few weeks. And who is this?” He turned to Chloe last, flashing his patented smile.

“Chloe Sullivan,” she said, offering a hand. He gently shook it but did not kiss it. “We’ve actually met before.”

“Are you sure? I don’t think I’d forget a girl like you.”

“You actually used to date my cousin,” she said with a grin. Oliver’s face fell, and he dropped her hand suddenly.

“Oh,” he said.

“Don’t worry, I won’t hold it against you. You certainly aren’t the only one.” She shot a look at Bruce as well, who didn’t even blink. She turned back to Oliver. “So, Mr Queen; how about a quote for the Daily Planet? Will the Stags be taking Clark Kent at number one?”

“I prefer to leave the football things to football people,” Oliver replied diplomatically. “I trust our general manager to do what’s best for the team.”

“Brian Drew’s coming back from injury,” Chloe said, offering up one of the few pieces of information she knew about football. “But he’s no Clark Kent. Any thoughts?”

“Like I said, I trust Sonny, our GM, to do what’s best for the team.”

That wasn’t the worst quote. She glanced around the room, noticing that quite a few people were stopping their own conversations to scope out their conversation, including, Chloe was sure, every person in the room wearing a press pass.

“We’re attracting quite a bit of interest,” Bruce said.

“Probably all wondering how I’ve managed to get the four hunkiest guys in the room all to myself,” she said. But yes, three of the richest men in America and the presumptive number one draft pick all standing around a table were bound to attract attention. Thankfully a distraction came in the appearance of Mrs Lana Luthor at the top of the Luthorcorp staircase.

Lex quickly dashed up the stairs to offer a hand to his new wife. She was in a very form fitting plain white dress. Chloe suppressed an uncontrollable surge of envy as every eye in the room watched Lana descend the stairs. Lana, to her credit, looked slightly flushed at the reception. She graciously took handshakes from both Bruce and Oliver, before giving Clark and Chloe big hugs.

“It’s so good to see you, Lana,” Chloe gushed. “How have you been?”

“I’m feeling a little ill at the moment,” Lana admitted.

“I know what you need - how about a gin and tonic?” she waved over the waiter who had served her earlier.

“Actually, we’ll have two glasses from Mrs Luthor’s special reserve,” Lana told the server. Chloe raised an eyebrow but said nothing for now.

The arrival of Lana was followed closely by the arrival of Clark’s agent and another of Lana’s former friends, Jason Teague. He appeared to know Oliver and Bruce as well. Of every handshake Chloe had witnessed tonight, she was sure though the coldest she’d seen was between Jason and Lex.

“I’m afraid, gentlemen, that I can’t give you all of my client’s time tonight,” he said. “Clark, there are other team owners I’d like you to meet.”

“Don’t waste your time, Teague,” Lex said confidently. “Clark will be a Metropolis Shark - I promise it.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Bruce said with a smile. But the smile didn’t quite seem to reach his eyes.

Clark and Jason left to mingle a bit more. The others all made their way over to the bar, leaving Lana and Chloe a chance to talk until the waiter arrived with their drinks.

“A toast, then,” Lana said, offering Chloe a champagne glass. “To new beginnings. I heard about the new job - congratulations.”

“Thank you, Lana,” she said. She took a sip from the glass and paused. It appeared to be fizzy pop - she narrowed her eyes at Lana, who was sporting a cheeky smile.

“Are you-?” Chloe asked.

“It’s far too early to tell anyone, really, but I thought you might be safe,” Lana said. “Just as long as it’s not in the Daily Planet tomorrow.”

“Please, no one in Sports is going to care about that,” Chloe said. “Congratulations.” She pulled Lana into a hug, though over Lana’s shoulder she caught sight of Clark, who was staring at them with a devastated expression on his face.

Chapter 4: Chapter 4

“What’s the NFL Combine?” Chloe asked.

“Are you kidding me?” Trick demanded. “She really doesn’t know anything, does she?”

Lewis gestured for both of them to calm down. “The Combine is an event in Indianapolis this weekend where the players complete drills - it’s a chance for players to showcase themselves in front of all the scouts and coaches from the NFL. It’s a pretty big deal,” he explained patiently. “And she knows enough, and she’s a damn good reporter. Now go home and pack Edmonds. She’ll be in charge in Indianapolis and I won’t be having this argument with you again.”

“I can’t go to Indianapolis,” Chloe said. She already felt guilty about cancelling Jimmy’s apparently special Valentine’s Day plans, now to ditch him for a second weekend in a row?

“Look, Sullivan, the Sharks aren’t all just charming Lex Luthor and Clark Kent - they’ll be drafting other players as well. As the Sharks correspondent you need to be available for the big events - the Combine, the Draft, and all the gamedays.”

“Trick’s pretty mad?”

“Perks of the job,” Lewis said with a smile. “I’m sending him with you to help. I know he’s a pain in the ass, but he does know his football, and he knows the players. You don’t - yet .” He sounded hopeful at the end there.

“Can’t I take Jimmy instead?” she pleaded.

“I like Olsen, but he doesn’t actually work for my department. We have our own photo guys, and I can’t keep stealing him from other projects,” Lewis replied. “I’m sorry for upsetting your weekend again, but it’s not like he was going to propose or something.”

Actually, maybe he was , Chloe thought, hoping her face didn’t give her away. She’d found a little jewelry box hidden among his photography supplies while she was looking for the photos of Clark. It certainly might explain why Jimmy was upset at last week’s plans being cancelled at the last minute, but he seemed to have turned it around this week. Chloe had felt her stomach swooping at the thought.

But now she was going to be leaving him for three days instead. He was going to be devastated. She just hoped this didn’t put him off.

#

Chloe never imagined that dressing a bunch of hunky, young men in tight shirts and making them get all hot and sweaty could be so boring, but here she was. The NFL Combine took place in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Chloe and Trick were sat in the stands with other journalists - Trick was on the edge of his seat, taking reams of notes, while Chloe watched on with disinterest as yet another wide receiver ran his 40 yard dash.

“What is the point of this?” Chloe asked. “I mean, Clark’s apparently not even throwing - why am I here?”

“You aren’t the Daily Planet’s Clark Kent reporter - there are other players,” Trick said through clearly gritted teeth. Despite Lewis’ assurances Trick was there to assist her, he wasn’t taking her lack of knowledge very well. Although he had fetched her a coffee completely unprompted.

She’d sniffed it suspiciously while he wasn’t looking. She wasn’t sure she’d trust a drink from Trick the Prick.

“Look, this is Lavar Washington,” Trick said. “He’s a good receiver, mocked in the second round. The Sharks need a wide receiver, and he’s expected to be quick.” Lavar ran a 4.36, which apparently excited Trick very much.

“You know what, if you’re not interested in the dash, why not go down and see if you can talk to one of the players or coaches or something?” Trick suggested. “I’ve got this.”

Chloe reluctantly took his advice, feeling a bit bad tossing a full cup of coffee in the waste as she left. She flashed her press pass to a few security guards and made her way down to where players and their agents were waiting for their turns.

She tried to spot Clark, who at least would be someone to talk to, but she was collared by another journalist. One of the nice things about being here was there were other female journalists who were all happy to see her. Erin Fairheart from the Star City Register, a skinny, blonde in her thirties, gestured for her to come over.

“It’s nice to meet you, Chloe,” Erin said, shaking her hand. “Naturally, the talk of the Combine is whether Clark Kent or Victor Stone will be the number one pick. But I’d say the second most interesting story of the weekend has to be you.”

“ Me ?” she asked incredulously. “Why me?”

“You’re what, 22? You’ve had like ten articles in the Daily Planet, then suddenly you’ve got the exclusive on Lex Luthor and Clark Kent. Kent won’t talk to reporters, but he’ll talk to you. And Lex,” she shrugged. “I spoke to Lex Luthor two weeks ago, put all my best moves on him, and he gave nothing away. But you spend one evening at a party with him and he spills the beans. So.” She surveyed Chloe up and down. “Are you just lucky, or are you the real deal?”

“Oh, I’m the real deal,” Chloe said more confidently than she felt.

“I hope so, Chloe. If Kent does wind up in Star City we might have a job for you at the Register, though. Oh, and don’t trust anything Trick the Prick tells you.”

Chloe quietly agreed, and made her way over towards Clark. He was engaged with Jason Teague, but she noticed the imposing figure of Victor Stone standing off to the side, staring at her. Shrugging, she decided it was time to try some real reporting and walked over.

“Victor Stone,” she offered her hand. “Chloe Sullivan, Daily Planet.”

“You’re Kent’s friend,” he said, shaking her hand.

“Not just Clark’s friend,” she said, though she couldn’t help but smile a little. “Also Daily Planet’s Metropolis Sharks Correspondent. So Victor, are you hoping to go to the Star City Stags or to the Sharks?”

“It doesn’t matter to me - what matters to me is being number one,” Victor replied. “I’ve set multiple records at this Combine, including 40 yard dash and vertical leap. I’m the best athlete here, and I want to win.”

“You played Clark, when you were in High School,” she said.

“You have a good memory,” Victor said with a smile.

“I did a report for our newspaper - you were the star man for your team, but Clark beat you. How did that feel?”

“I had hoped Clark might declare last year, and we might end up on the same team,” Victor admitted.

“Why didn’t you declare for the Draft last year?”

“I red-shirted my freshman year; I wasn’t eligible.”

Chloe filed that away mentally; she’d have to ask Trick to explain that later. Or maybe she’d try calling Jimmy.

Clark had disappeared again by the time she’d finished with Victor. She started to wander back up towards Trick. An assistant, however, found her, saying Lex was inviting her up to one of the Executive Boxes.

The room was full of coaches, and Lex looked happy to see her, although he was Lana-less.

“Congratulations, by the way,” Chloe whispered to him. Lex surveyed her with interest.

“‘ Don’t tell anyone, Lex, it’s still too early ,’” he grumbled. “Of course she told you. Thank you, Chloe.”

The motive for her invite seemed to be to introduce her to various Metropolis Sharks key personnel, including a rather harassed looking young man who was the General Manager, Tom Michaels.

“We’re preparing to make a trade offer, Chloe, for the number one draft pick,” Lex told her. “Right, Tom?”

“It’s too much, Lex,” Tom said. “To get Kent off a division rival we’d have to give up far too much. You can’t do this. Your father put me in charge of this team.”

“My father is not involved anymore - I run this team now!” Lex snapped sternly. His expression softened when he turned to Chloe. “Forgive me; you know how it is in business, Chloe.”

After that fascinating insight into the way the Metropolis Sharks apparently ran, she decided to seek out the Star City Stags’ Executive Box. She eventually managed to find it, though the security guard wasn’t too happy about letting her in.

“No press,” he said.

“OLIVER!” she called over the man’s shoulder. “Hey, Oliver!” Oliver Queen spun around, all too happy to let Chloe into the Executive Box. She was also pleased to meet with the Stags’ general manager, Sonny Weaver.

“Mr Weaver, how are things? Rumour has it the Sharks are preparing an offer for the number one pick,” she said. Sonny was a handsome, middle aged man. He shot Oliver a significant look.

“Obviously, we’re playing our cards close to the chest, but we’re not planning to trade the number one pick at this time,” Sonny replied. “It would take a big offer from Lex Luthor before we’d consider it.”

“What about GM Tom Michaels?” she asked. “Wouldn’t trades be his job?”

“I suspect Tom isn’t long for the job. Meddling owners. I’m pleased our owner leaves the football stuff to us.” Sonny nodded at Oliver, before heading back to watch where the quarterbacks were running their 40 yard dash.

“How’s Clark doing?” she asked Oliver.

“Truthfully? Disappointing,” he replied. “Not much of a vertical leap, his 40 time wasn’t the worst but not the best, his bench was impressive though.” He shook his head. “I’m not a football expert -.”

“Join the club,” Chloe joked.

“But I expected a bit more,” he finished, before looking her up and down. “So, you and Kent, huh?”

“It’s not like that; I have a boyfriend,” she said. Oliver shook his head.

“A shame; so I’d be third in line?”

Chloe couldn’t help but laugh. “Tell you what, if Jimmy and me don’t work out, and Clark’s still on the Lana Lang train, I’ll call you.”

#

She’d emailed two stories to Lewis - one about her chat with Victor Stone, and another about the rumoured trade offer. He seemed pretty excited about both stories. She, however, was crashing in the hotel bar. When they arrived at the hotel she’d discovered that Trick had “accidentally” only booked one double room for them. She wasn’t happy about potentially sharing a room with Trick, so she was trying a few hotels to see if she could find a spare bed somewhere. Unfortunately, everything seemed full with so many in town for the Combine.

Luck was on her side though. She spotted Clark and Jason coming into the hotel - she slammed the laptop shut and dashed over.

“Clark, hey Clark!” she called, skidding to a stop in front of him with an unsuppressable cheesy grin. “Well done today.”

“Please, I’m furious with him,” Jason said. “That’s the worst 40 I’ve ever seen him run. And that bench - yeesh.”

“It’s fine, Jason,” Clark said. Jason went off to check in at reception, leaving Clark to chat to Chloe.

“Well, I thought it went pretty well,” Chloe said. “Though, honestly Clark, could they not find a shirt in your size?” She took a moment to admire Clark’s very form-fitting work-out shirt.

“Chloe, my eyes are up here,” he said with a grin.

“If I didn’t know better, though, I’d say you were holding back today,” she said, hands on hips.

“So what are you doing here?” Clark asked. Classic Clark Kent deflection , Chloe thought.

“Oh, Trick the Prick only booked one room, so I’m trying to find a place to crash,” she said. “Everywhere’s pretty full though.”

“You could stay in my room,” Clark said. “You can take the bed; I’ll sleep on the floor.”

“Clark,” she scolded him. “Don’t you remember what your dad said when you wanted to have me over for a sleepover when we were kids?”

“He said girls and boys weren’t allowed to have sleepovers,” Clark said with a bashful grin. “Because I didn’t understand why Pete was allowed to stay over but you weren’t.”

“Well, we’re all adults now,” she agreed. “And as long as we behave like adults this should be fine.”

“Not a word to the press though,” Clark insisted. Chloe mimed taking off her invisible press hat with a grin.

#

It was a bit tricky sneaking her into the room without Jason noticing. He had the room across the hall, so they’d have to keep it down. In classic Clark fashion he’d obviously gone for the smallest room available, but there was just enough room for him to lay some sheets and pillows between the bed and the wall. They ordered some room service (“You’ve got to take advantage while the NFL is paying,” Chloe told him), and Clark hopped in the shower while they waited, leaving Chloe a chance to call Jimmy.

“I’m so lost without you,” she told him. “I have no idea who anyone is, or what the point of them running up and down this little track is.”

“I’m sure you’re doing great,” Jimmy reassured her. “For what it’s worth; it’s boring as hell without you here, too. Is Trick giving you a hard time?”

“Urgh, he actually booked us into the same hotel room with only one bed, so I’ve had to find somewhere else to stay,” she replied.

There was a knock on the door. Clark opened the bathroom door, wearing only a towel, and made an exaggerated show of sneaking towards the door to not disturb her phone call. He stopped just shy, suddenly looking around.

“Er, Chloe,” he hissed. “Have you any cash for a tip?”

“My purse is just there,” she gestured to the bedside table.

“Who are you talking to?” Jimmy asked.

“Oh, that’s just Clark; room service is here.”

“ You’re sharing a room with Clark? ” Jimmy’s entire tone seemed to change in an instant.

“N-no, he’s just hanging out,” Chloe stuttered. “Look, you can trust me; nothing’s going to happen. We’ll have our food and go to bed - separate beds,” she added.

“Oh?” Jimmy replied, apparently not convinced.

“And I’ll see you in a few days.”

“Yeah, see you in a few days,” he said curtly.

“I love you,” she said, but he had already hung up. She looked down at her phone, suddenly wishing she could have a moment alone to get herself together, but Clark was back with the food, still half naked and dripping wet from the shower, not that she was in any mindset to actually appreciate the view.

She popped into the bathroom to “freshen up,” and was relieved when she came back out that Clark was fully dressed again, now in a marginally less ill-fitting t-shirt than the one he’d worn all day. He’d spread a number of plates across the bed. Chloe eyed a fish dish at the near side of the bed with suspicion.

“Clark, what have you ordered?” she asked.

“Since the NFL was paying, I thought I’d experiment,” he said with a grin. “So I ordered everything on the menu I’d never heard of. I mean, how bad can it be?”

“I don’t suppose there’s any chance you haven’t heard of anything with burgers or french fries?” she asked, nudging the fish further away from herself.

“These look like onion rings?” Clark said, picking one up and stuffing the entire thing in his mouth. He gagged slightly but managed to swallow it regardless. “They’re a bit chewy.”

“I think that’s because they’re calamari,” Chloe replied, having now found the menu. She looked at the assorted plates. “Wow, you really are just a farm boy from small-town Kansas; are you saying you’d never heard of ravioli?”

“My dad didn’t really go for foreign food,” Clark said with a chuckle.

Other than the fish, which Chloe made Clark put out in the hall, most of the things he’d ordered turned out to be edible, though Chloe had a good laugh watching Clark try oysters for the first time. Once finished, Chloe lay on the edge of the bed, while Clark insisted on sitting on his own makeshift mattress he’d constructed from pillows and towels.

“So how are you finding the new job?” Clark asked.

“Oh, it’s great,” Chloe said, though she wasn’t sure how convincing she sounded. Clark was looking right through her. “Look, it’s tough. The hours are long, I feel like I hardly ever see Jimmy, and I still feel like I have no idea what I’m doing. Like, you have something called a Pro Day next week; did you know this?”

“Well, yeah,” Clark said.

“But you’ll be doing all the same things you did today, so what was the point of me coming here?” she asked.

“Well, I’ll throw at my Pro Day.”

“But you couldn’t throw here?” Clark shook his head. “Why not?”

“It’s better when I have my own receivers; we know each other, we’ve practiced together - Jason says it’ll make me look more impressive than if I was throwing to whatever receivers they paired me with here.”

“What if they’d paired you with Stone? He’s the best, right? So wouldn’t you both look amazing?”

Clark shrugged. “So how are things with Jimmy?”

Subtle , Chloe thought. There’s no way you didn’t hear how that phone call ended. Or me crying in the bathroom.

“I was hoping he might ask me an important question this weekend, before this Combine got in the way. And next weekend’s out because of your stupid Pro Day.”

“Sorry,” Clark mumbled.

“If I can keep him around for a bit longer, maybe there’s hope. The season doesn’t actually start until like September, right? So I’ll have time to make it up to him.”

“Well, before that there’s training camps. And Pre-Season.”

“There’s a Pre-Season ? Does this football thing never end?” Clark at least looked sympathetic.

“You really don’t know anything about football, do you?” he asked. “I mean, you’ve come to every game I’ve ever played, I’d have thought you’d pick something up.”

“Oh?” she asked, giving him her most appraising look. “How’d you know I went to every game?”

“Well, I’m sure I saw you at most of them,” Clark mumbled, blushing and looking away. Chloe couldn’t help but smile at that. It was true; she certainly went to every game he’d played - she had made sure of it. And she’d made sure she was the one cheering the loudest for him at every game, knowing there was a chance he might overhear her using his super hearing, or spot her with his enhanced vision.

She shook her head. This line of thought was taking her to a dangerous place. She had to cool her own jets.

“So, what about Lana then, Clark? Is she still the girl of your dreams?” she asked.

“Is this a Daily Planet question, or a Chloe question?” he replied with a question of his own.

“It’s a best friend question,” she said.

“Oh,” Clark said, thinking for a moment. “In that case, I’m glad we’re friends again.”

“Nice deflection,” she said. “But I’m glad we’re friends too, so I’ll let it slide. But if you can’t tell your best friend, who can you tell?”

Clark had no answer for this. Instead he suggested finding a movie on TV.

It was a fun night, watching some crappy action movie with Clark. She looked at the door, half expecting Jonathan Kent to walk through at any moment and say it was time to take Chloe home. They’d both plead to stay a little longer, but his word had always been law around the Kent farm.

Chloe lay awake long after the movie had ended and they’d turned out the lights - Jimmy always fell asleep first, and she missed the sound of his gentle snoring to help her relax. Clark seemed to be having similar troubles, tossing and turning on his makeshift mattress.

“Oh, for god’s sake, Clark, we’re both adults here,” she said at last. “The bed’s big enough, if we pick different sides we’ll be fine.”

“No, it wouldn’t be right,” Clark said.

“Get in bed with me, Clark,” she insisted. “If nothing else, I won’t be responsible for the number one draft pick becoming a bust because he has a sore back.”

Clark reluctantly agreed, though he lay on the very edge of the bed as far away from her as possible. Very quickly though, Clark drifted off to sleep, leaving Chloe to listen to the gentle sounds of his own breathing. It wasn’t long before she drifted off herself.

Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Chloe dreamt she was back on the Kent Farm. She was walking through the familiar barn - a warm, summer sun was shining through the window, filling her with warmth from her head down to her toes. She took a deep breath, reveling in the familiar smells. It smelt like home, but also like safety. She took another deep breath.

And opened her eyes. The sunlight was creeping in through gaps in the curtains. She shifted a little, but found she was entirely immobilised by a strong arm wrapped across her chest, pinning her in place between the soft mattress and something both harder and warmer than she’d ever felt before.

Clark .

Chloe shuddered, feeling his warm breath on her neck. She turned her head slightly to look at him - if she turned a little bit more their lips would probably touch. She savoured the feel of his hot breath against her lips as he slept. His eyes were locked tight, however the smile on his face was peaceful, almost playful. Chloe wondered if he was dreaming of Lana. Lana or not, she closed her eyes for a moment and pondered briefly if it would really be so bad to stay here forever.

She shuffled slightly, hoping to wiggle free without having to wake him. She was sure he’d be embarrassed when he woke up, and she thought for a moment of trying to save him from that. Sighing, she resigned herself to waking him up.

“Clark,” she whispered softly. She repeated his name.

“ Chloe? ” he asked. Chloe giggled.

“Wake up, Clark,” she said. Clark opened his eyes. For a moment his eyes looked almost red - not quite the green Chloe had always known them - but he blinked a few times and they seemed to be normal again. Clark looked down at her, apparently realising her predicament.

“Oh, oh, god, Chloe, I’m so sorry,” he sprang to his feet, scrambling to get away from her. “I was asleep - I didn’t mean to-.”

“It’s alright, Clark. We’re all fine,” she said. “It was quite a nice way to wake up; I was just thinking a girl could get used to this.”

#

Chloe was glad after a few days away to get back to Metropolis. Trick was being particularly cold towards her, apparently put out by her finding another hotel room. And Lewis voiced his disapproval at her latest article on the Combine.

“It’s just, there’s no real insight, no real story,” he said mournfully.

“How much insight do you want? I mean, they all ran in a straight line then they jumped up and down a bit,” Chloe said with a frustrated gesture. “Then we have to do it all again next week at something called a Pro Day.”

“Well, take what Trick did here,” Lewis replied, pulling up his article on the computer. “A real breakdown on the wide receivers; including which ones he thinks could make a difference on the Sharks. You could learn something from Trick.” He paused at the horrified expression on her face. “Okay, but you need some help with the x’s and o’s of football.”

“What’s that, like Tic-Tac-Toe?” Chloe asked.

Lewis rubbed a weary hand across his forehead and muttered, “Hopeless.”

At least Jimmy seemed to have forgiven her. There was a helpful girl standing outside the airport selling flowers. Chloe wondered how many businessmen had stopped to buy flowers for their partners having spent a night in bed with an old flame - the girl’s cheerful disposition suggested business was booming.

“No one’s ever bought me flowers before,” Jimmy said with a big grin.

“I feel like I’ve been a terrible girlfriend, lately,” she said. “I never imagined an Off Season would be so much work.” Jimmy laughed, apparently everything with Clark now all forgiven. He had some good advice on her latest article too.

“Your problem is you’re trying to be like Trick, but you can’t be because you don’t know anything about football,” he said. “You have to be more like Chloe. You’re an investigative reporter; so investigate .”

From her office the next day she decided to try and follow his advice. She tried her usual Luthorcorp contacts, including Lana, to no avail. She then tried a few people she knew from Star City, but still no joy. She even tried Lois.

“Listen kid,” Lois said over the phone. “I am concerned about all this time you’re spending with Smallville. You can’t let yourself fall for him again.”

“Trust me, there’s no risk of that,” Chloe replied, knowing full well she’d never stopped loving Clark. “I think Jimmy might propose soon, though.”

“Chloe, that’s great!” Lois exclaimed, and it sounded like she meant it.

“What about your new man? Bruce Wayne?” Chloe asked. “I ran into him at Lex’s party. He’s cute, for an older guy.”

“Oh, he’s so hot and cold it’s unreal,” Lois replied with a laugh. “I think he might be even more secretive than Smallville. His mansion might be bigger than Lex’s too, but with even more locked doors. I don’t think his butler likes me, either; he caught me snooping.”

“Anyway, I need some help working over another ex-boyfriend. Do you have a number for Oliver Queen?”

Oliver was quite pleased to hear from her.

“You and your boyfriend split up then? I can pick you up at eight,” he said.

“Hold your horses there, mister,” she said, though couldn’t help but laugh. “Jimmy and I are still very much together. I’m actually phoning for my job, bizarre as that sounds. Have you heard anything more about the trade offer from the Metropolis Sharks.”

“Oh Chloe.” She could still hear his grin in his voice. “I can’t tell you that. But dinner is a standing offer. Or maybe the next time you’re in Star City, hit me up.”

So the trade offer was definitely on the table , she thought, or you’d have denied it right away . She’d hit a dead end though. She was about to give up when she noticed a scrap of paper at the bottom of her bag - the waiter from Lex’s party night.

It turned out he worked for Luthorcorp during the day. Someone like Lex probably never thought of “the help” as people, or cared what they overheard.

“Oh, you’re a star,” Chloe said with a triumphant whoop. “Text me the details. I’m all over this.”

A rather smug looking Trick was in Lewis’ office when Chloe came in.

“Ah, Sullivan, good timing,” Lewis said. “Trick was just telling me he’s spoken to a source at the Sharks; we believe they’ve officially made their trade offer to the Stags.”

“I know,” Chloe said, trying to make her grin as deliberately smug as possible. “I have the details.”

Trick’s face fell. “How?” he demanded.

“Never mind, what have you got?” Lewis asked.

Chloe felt her smile drain a little bit. “Only thing is, I don’t really understand it,” she replied.

There was a moment of silence while the two men regarded her. Trick looked appalled, though Lewis at least was sympathetic.

“Just tell us what you know, and we’ll do our best,” Lewis said.

“Okay,” she pulled up the text message. “So, for the number one pick - a first and second for the next three years.”

“Jesus,” Trick muttered. “It’d be the biggest trade in NFL history.”

“And also someone called David Putney - can you trade a person?” Chloe asked, looking up from the phone. “That sounds like human trafficking.”

“You can trade players, yes,” Trick replied. “A trade like that would cripple the Sharks for years to come, and give the Stags a chance to build a Dynasty. You know how the Draft works, right?” Chloe shrugged.

“They take turns picking players?”

“Yes, but the worst teams pick first - last season that was the Stags, then the Sharks,” he said. “Then you go again - for seven rounds. You never know sometimes how players will adapt to the Pros, so you can absolutely find good players in the third round or later, but the best players go earlier. The Stags had a bad season because of injuries - that’s bad luck. But the Metropolis Sharks, they were just bad . They have much more problems than just missing a Quarterback. Without their first two round draft picks for three years, even with Kent I don’t like their chances.”

“If it’s true it’s a hell of a scoop,” Lewis said.

“One more thing,” Chloe said. “The offer was made by Lex Luthor himself. General Manager Tom Michaels resigned immediately after hearing it.”

“There’s been no statement from the Sharks; are you sure?” Lewis asked.

“I have a source in the room at the time,” she reassured him.

“This is much more like your usual work, Sullivan,” Lewis said. “You get started on this right away, I want it ready to print for tomorrow’s back page. Try the teams - see if they’ll give statements. And see if you can get something out of Michaels; if Lex hasn’t slapped him with some non-disclosure.”

Tom Michaels turned out to be in a very talkative mood.

“How did you get this number anyway?” he asked her over the phone.

“Oh, my cousin has dated at least three NFL owners,” Chloe told him. “You’re happy to go on record about Lex?”

“Absolutely; his obsession with Kent is out of control. He’d sink the whole franchise to get him on the team.”

Some things never change , Chloe thought as she typed up her article.

#

The main talking point of the Met U Bulldogs Pro Day was the trade offer. Lex Luthor had always entertained reporters - he always told them a pack of lies, but he always talked to them. Not today. And even a bit of flirting with Oliver wasn’t getting Chloe into the Star City Stags’ Executive Box today. She was slumming it today down with the journalists.

Trick, who mercifully hadn’t spoken to her all week, was unfortunately back in his element and telling her excitedly about the offensive linemen’s footwork drills.

Erin Fairheart from the Star City Register shot her a sympathetic look. Chloe rolled her eyes and yawned, which was apparently unnoticed by Trick.

“That was a big scoop with the trade offer,” Erin said a little later. Once the drills were over, Trick had mercifully left Chloe a bit of space. “You’ll have to tell me how you pulled that one off.”

“Well, it pays to know people in the building,” she replied cryptically.

“I’ll be honest; when I first saw it, I thought it must be made up. There’s no way the Stags would turn that offer down - they’d be crippling their division rivals and loading up on talent themselves.”

Chloe nodded along, pleased that at least she’d managed to learn something from listening to Trick all this time. But she was tired now - watching all this running and jumping was boring work. The passing drills had livened things up a little bit, but what she really needed now was a coffee.

Erin had turned away to chat to another colleague when Trick appeared, unprompted, with a coffee for Chloe in hand. Without thinking she seized it, taking a great healthy glug. The warmth spread through to her fingertips, finally bringing some life back into her.

“Oh, I needed that,” she mumbled to herself.

Things seemed to be wrapping up on the field. A few players stayed to talk to reporters. Erin looked quite hopeful.

“Perhaps this is the day I finally get an interview with Clark Kent,” she said. “Wish me luck.” Chloe tried to say something, but the words didn’t come out. Her mouth suddenly felt like it was full of cotton. She looked around the stands, which were suddenly tilted, then she saw Trick, who was leering at her, a twisted grin on his face.

The coffee . She’d let her guard down for a moment, but no, surely he couldn’t? He wouldn’t be so crazy as to try something here, surrounded by all these people? Chloe’s whole world was spinning now. She had to get to the bathroom, to make herself sick.

She stood and stumbled. Someone asked her if she was okay. “I’b find,” she mumbled, stumbling into the entranceway towards the bathrooms. She had no idea if she was even in the ladies room, but she managed to find her way to a cubicle. She dropped down beside it, and tried reaching into her mouth with a finger.

She’d never been any good at this. She really needed Lana’s help now.

She gagged, but nothing came. She tried again. She heard a door opening.

Please no , she thought. But her worst fears were realised - it was Trick.

“Trick, no,” she groaned. He was grabbing her arms - she tried to pull away but they were suddenly weak as a child’s.

“You’ve definitely had at least Lewis and Kent,” he said, stepping back and unbuttoning his trousers. “And probably Luthor and Queen. Let’s see it then - let’s see how you’ve earned all these exclusives. On your knees, I’ll bet, you little whore .”

He grabbed her again. Chloe groaned. The world was darkening now. She felt like sleep was taking her.

“Clark,” she whispered. “Clark… please…”

“Kent can’t hear you now, Sullivan,” Trick said with a laugh. The sound cut through Chloe’s ears. She’d never heard anything so vile in her entire life.

He reached forward to grab her, but suddenly his eyes widened in shock. He was flung backwards, crashing into the sinks. Debris flew everywhere, and a blur flashed over him, reigning strikes down on him. Chloe shook her head, trying to see what was going on, but it was no use. The last thing she remembered before she blacked out was calling Clark’s name, and feeling like she could almost faintly make out him calling hers back.

Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Chloe woke in her own bed, surrounded by familiar smells and sounds. The sunlight was creeping in that gap in the curtains the landlord never got round to fixing, catching her in the eyes. She blinked and rolled over - she certainly didn’t feel well rested. It felt like she’d been out all night partying with Lois, and now had the worst hangover she’d ever had - dry mouth, splitting headache, vision still blurred.

Jimmy was on hand to treat her. “Here, drink some water,” he said. “You need to hydrate.”

She tried to push the water away with a groan, but Jimmy’s hands were soft but firm. He managed to encourage her to sit upright, and she dutifully drank the first glass of water.

She sat for a moment, her chest suddenly ice cold as the water flushed through. She paused for a moment, wondering if she was about to be sick.

“What happened?” she asked.

“Clark brought you back - said he found you in the bathroom, passed out,” Jimmy replied. “We thought you’d been drugged.”

“I think I’ve been drugged too,” Chloe said with a sorrowful chuckle. “I took a coffee from Prick… from Trick the Prick. I’m such an idiot.”

“No, don’t blame yourself - it’s his fault,” Jimmy said, placing a hand on her shoulder for comfort. “Trick’s always been a bit of a sleazebag, but I never thought he’d go this far. You have to report him, Chloe. We should go to the police.”

“No!” she exclaimed. Details were flooding back to her. The Blur had thrown Trick off of her - Clark had thrown Trick off her, she was sure of it. She’d always suspected Clark was still moonlighting as a hero, but now she was all but certain. He couldn’t help himself.

But she could help him. It was important no one questioned what went on in that bathroom.

“I know you think you’re being brave, but you can’t let him get away with this,” Jimmy was saying, dragging Chloe’s thoughts back to reality.

“Trust me; I won’t,” Chloe said.

“He hurt you.”

“No, I,” she began, but she looked down at her arms, which were covered in bruises. There wasn’t exactly much point in denying it.

“Clark stopped him,” she said at last.

“I know.” Jimmy looked very guilty. “When Clark turned up at the door, I wasn’t exactly, er, pleased to see him. I blamed him at first. We had a bit of a fight. But I see now he had your best interests at heart. You don’t know how scared I was last night, Chloe. I thought something horrible had happened.”

She grabbed his hand and rubbed it gently. “I know. First, I need to get some coffee. Then we’ll come up with a plan for Trick the Prick. No police ,” she added sternly. Jimmy didn’t look happy, but he seemed relieved she was feeling better enough to at least have her first coffee of the day.

She was determined not to let Trick think he’d had the better of her, though she certainly didn’t want to be left alone with him going forward. Jimmy argued that he should walk her to her office, but Chloe wasn’t about to give Trick the satisfaction of her showing weakness. She walked through the Sports Department with her head held high, with a confidence she certainly didn’t feel. Trick stayed at his desk, watching her through an impressive black eye.

Way to go, Clark, she thought triumphantly.

If Lewis was concerned about why Trick had come back from the Pro Day with a black eye he didn’t say anything. For the next few days Chloe stayed mostly in her office. She brought her coffee from downstairs herself, and Jimmy came up during mealtimes to sit with her. She managed to go all this time without speaking to Trick, who she noticed a few times was also walking with a limp.

She was staying a bit late - kind of killing time while Jimmy finished his own story upstairs. She was flicking through scouting reports, comparing them to the appendices of a Football for Dummies book Jimmy had leant her, when her desk phone rang.

“Chloe Sullivan,” she answered.

“Chloe, it’s Mark, from Metropolis General,” the voice said. Chloe instantly turned on the charm she saved for her favourite sources.

“Mark, lovely to hear from you. How is your lovely wife?” she asked. Always important to keep the sources sweet , she thought.

“She’s fine, but I have news for you, Chloe,” Mark said urgently. “It’s Clark Kent - we’ve had his drug test results from the Combine back. He’s positive for steroids.”

“What? Are you sure?” A million other questions swirled around in her head. She couldn’t believe Clark would stoop to cheating - his moral compass would not allow it. Also, what would be the point? What could any chemical enhancement give him that the meteors hadn’t already?

“Positive. Listen, Chloe, I’ve had to hand this report to my boss. It’ll be out by morning, so you have to act quickly. You’re Kent’s favourite reporter, and we’re all rooting for him down here.”

“Mark, you’re a star,” she said. “Next time I see you I’ll owe you and Melissa dinner.”

Before she even hung up with him she had her cellphone in her other hand, scrolling her contacts down to a number she’d hadn’t called in a long time. She’d called it a lot in the past, but the last few times he hadn’t answered and she’d been left pouring her heart out into his answering messages. What if he’d changed his number since then?

She dutifully listened until it rang out, before hanging up as soon as the answering message started. She tried one more time - this time it didn’t ring out, but it cut off much earlier. Emboldened, she tried one last time.

It barely rang once before she heard Clark’s voice, “Persistent, aren’t you?” he asked, the laughter clear in his voice.

“Clark, this is an emergency,” she said, no time for pleasantries. “I’ve just had a phone call from a source; they say your urine sample tested positive for steroids.”

“ What? That’s impossible! ” he exclaimed. “Chloe, you know I didn’t take steroids. There’s no way.”

“I know, Clark, but my contact had to pass it onto his boss. In fact.” She looked out into the bullpen, where Trick Edmonds was on the phone, now looking straight at her through the blinds. The look on his face was one of triumph. “In fact I’m sure my colleague is receiving a phone call from his own source right now. We have to get in front of this. Clark, if you didn’t take steroids, how did this happen? Could someone have slipped you something, or the samples contaminated in some way?”

“They must have been switched,” Clark said, maybe a little too quickly. “I’m sure of it.”

“Clark, that’s a pretty big accusation,” she said. “Are you sure?”

“One hundred percent,” he replied.

“Okay, so you can request a test of your B sample,” she said.

“Won’t help - it will have also been switched.” Chloe bit her lip.

“Okay, Clark, I’ll try and sell the switch to my editor. Listen; I have to go. Trick’s on the move. I’ll call you back. I love you.” She said it all so quickly she didn’t even have time to think - she had to get to Trick. 

“Chloe-,” he said, but she’d already pressed the end call button. She had to dash to catch up to Trick, nudging past a bewildered looking Jimmy on the way. She arrived in Lewis’ office just behind him.

“My source says Kent tested positive for steroids,” Trick told Lewis. “Not to brag, this has to be the back page. This is my story.” He pointed at Chloe. “I’m not leaving it for her.” Lewis looked at her.

“And what do you have to add?” he asked. Chloe paused for a moment, balled her fists and took a deep breath.

“My source also says the test was positive,” she said. “But I have a source close to Kent that says the samples must have been switched.”

“Switched?” Lewis exclaimed. “How? Why?”

“I’m not sure yet,” she admitted.

“She’s making this up; she’s covering for Kent,” Trick snapped. “You’re too close to him.” He gestured quite forcefully with a finger in her direction before he turned back to Lewis. “Boss, you can’t let her run this story.”

Lewis’ eyes never left Chloe. “Is your source trustworthy?”

“I’d trust it with my life,” she replied.

“And what’s your relationship with Kent?” he asked.

“We’re just friends,” she said.

“They used to date,” Jimmy said from the doorway. He was making a poor attempt at leaning nonchalantly against the door, but Chloe could see how stiff and unnatural his posture looked. She shot him a look of absolute betrayal.

“Is that true?” Lewis asked. “That’s a pretty big conflict of interest not to tell me about, Sullivan.”

“We’re just friends,” she repeated. “He took me to the Spring Formal our freshman year, as friends , and ditched me halfway through to chase after someone else. I swear to you, Boss, I’m sure about this. Clark’s samples were switched.”

“But who, and why?” Lewis said.

“Well, if he tested positive for steroids, what does that mean?”

“He’d be looking at a lengthy ban,” Trick said.

“But he could still be drafted?”

“Theoretically. But you’d have to be mad to -.”

“There it is!” Chloe exclaimed. “Someone tampered with his sample to frame him, get him facing a ban so the Stags would either pass on him or take the offer from the Sharks.”

“Are you suggesting Lex Luthor switched the samples?” Lewis said. “Listen, the last thing we need is the Luthor’s suing the Planet because we’re accusing them of criminal activity. And you’ve fallen foul of the Luthors before, Sullivan,” he reminded her.

“Lex said he’d stop at nothing, and this is straight out of his playbook,” she said. Jimmy sniggered slightly at the sports analogy, which Chloe appreciated. “If not the Luthors, what about Bruce Wayne? He’s certainly mysterious enough, half the board members of the Gotham Rogues are criminals anyway, and he even said he’d love to team up with Clark.”

“You’re making all this up,” Trick accused her again. Lewis looked exasperatedly between the two of them, before settling his gaze on Chloe.

“But she hasn’t led me wrong yet. Alright, Sullivan; if you’re sure, then we run the story of the samples being switched. But this one is on your head. If I find you’ve been lying.”

“Thank you, Lewis, I’ll get right on it,” she said. She backed out of the office, brushing past Jimmy on the way.

“I suppose that means dinner’s off?” he asked dejectedly.

“I’m so sorry, Jimmy,” she said. She kissed him on the cheek. “I swear, once this whole Draft thing is done I’ll make it all up to you. I’ll be the best girlfriend ever until Pre-Season starts.”

Trick pushed past them, muttering, “Give me a break .” under his breath.

#

Sabotage; Number One Pick in Shock Steroid Scandal, but Were the Samples Switched?

The story led the back page of the next day’s Daily Planet. It had been a grind to get out, and she was sure she’d quoted the same source twice, but it had been worth it. The next day, every sports news outlet, whether website, print, radio or television, was running her story. The phones of their office were ringing off the hook. The other reporters fielding questions as best they could, apart from Trick who had his phone disconnected after Lewis told him off for twenty minutes after hearing him tell ESPN the source was “Some crackpot theory of Sullivan’s.”

It had been a manic morning. She’d been so busy talking to reporters she still hadn’t even had time to speak to Clark, and hadn’t seen Jimmy all day. Just after lunch, however, Editor-in-Chief Perry White arrived on the third floor, and after a brief conversation with Lewis, came into Chloe’s office.

“I’ve just had a phone call from Metropolis News,” White told her. “They want you, tonight, on their evening news to speak about the Clark Kent story.”

“Me? On TV?” Chloe said. “I’ve never been on TV. I can’t possibly-.”

“You don’t have a choice, Chloe,” he said unkindly. “This is the biggest story in America right now. I’ve been fending off Lex Luthor and his lawyers all morning - you have to be on the evening news to defend your article.”

“Just think of it as a great opportunity,” Jimmy tried to tell her later while she was getting ready. “Millions of people are going to be hearing you talk about your story - you’re about to be the most talked about reporter in America.”

“Great, now I’m not nervous at all,” Chloe replied sarcastically. 

She’d picked out her best skirt and jacket combo. She’d tried her best with her hair but it never seemed to look quite how she wanted it. And she was more nervous than she’d ever been in her entire life. She kept picking up her phone, pretending to flick through it. Then, a few minutes before she was due to appear on air, she had a text from Clark.

Thank you .

Her heart swelled. She took a few deep breaths again. She was as ready now as she’d ever be.

And now she was here, mic’d up, sitting opposite Evening News presenter Lance Catamaran. He was big enough to be a football player himself, and he had a weird smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, but he did his best to make her feel comfortable. Then, just as they were about to go live, Chloe noticed they’d wheeled another seat into the studio.

In the last possible moment before the cameras started rolling, Lex Luthor swept into the studio. He took the seat beside Chloe. He did not look at her or acknowledge her in any way.

“This is Metropolis City Evening News and I’m your host, Lance Catamaran. Scandal in the NFL as prospective number one draft pick Clark Kent is accused of testing positive for steroids, but before the story even breaks, Metropolis’ own Daily Planet runs a story alleging sabotage. I’m joined by the journalist who broke the story, Chloe Sullivan, Metropolis Sharks and NFL correspondent for the Daily Planet; and Lex Luthor, owner and general manager of the Metropolis Sharks. My first question is to you, Chloe; how can you be so sure this is an attempt to sabotage the number one pick.”

“Well-,” she started, but Lex immediately cut across her.

“I’d like to start, if I may,” he began. Lex’s voice was smooth as butter, and he certainly wasn’t trembling the way Chloe felt like she was. He was well practiced at this, and it showed. “By utterly refuting any insinuation that myself or anyone under my employ may have tampered with Clark Kent’s or any drug tests in the NFL Combine.”

“You might want to check your guilty conscience there, Lex,” Chloe replied. “My article certainly didn’t accuse you or the Sharks of any such thing.”

“No,” Lex surprisingly agreed. “I’ve had the finest lawyers in Metropolis combing over your article. You do a very good job of avoiding anything you can be sued for libel for, but you certainly imply.”

“Look, I don’t know who made the switch, or why,” she said. “But I’m absolutely sure that the sample tested wasn’t Clark Kent’s. Look at his history of fair play, the dozens of drug free tests he’s had during his time in college, and he’s been a keen advocate for clean living as long as either you or I have known him. I mean, he doesn’t even drink. Trust me; Clark Kent would have to be on drugs, to be on drugs.”

“Sure, he’s been clean in the past, but who’s to say the pressures of the NFL haven’t gotten to him?” Lance asked. “What do you think, Lex - is Clark Kent still the number one pick in the Draft?”

“My position hasn’t changed,” Lex replied. “Clark Kent is still the number one target for the Metropolis Sharks. And the trade offer that the Daily Planet reported on,” he finally looked at Chloe - there was no warmth in his glare, “is still on the table.”

With Clark Chloe often felt he was generally very truthful, if evasive, but you occasionally caught him in a lie. Lex was the opposite - you could almost always assume he was lying by default and you’d have to catch him with the truth. But she did believe that he still wanted Clark Kent on the Sharks. Chloe knew what obsession with Clark Kent looked like as well as anyone, but she was relatively restrained compared to the level of Lex’s infatuation.

Everyone at the Planet later congratulated Chloe on holding her own against Lex Luthor. She was sure though it’d be a long time before she’d have the courage to watch it back, and likely even longer before she’d want to try such a thing again. Still, the thing she really needed was to talk to Clark. She left home early the next morning, hoping to get to Smallville and back before the end of the day. This conversation would be best in person.

Clark was helping out on the farm. As Chloe approached in the distance she was sure she could see him single handed thrusting fence poles into the ground without even so much as a hammer. However, by the time she’d pulled into the farm, the fence stood as if it had always been there, and Clark was there without so much as a bead of sweat.

“Thank you again, Chloe,” Clark said with a broad grin. He pulled her into a hug unprompted.

“You owe me an explanation, Clark,” Chloe told him.

“You did a great job holding your own against Lex,” he said, like he hadn’t heard her.

“Don’t mess with me, Clark,” Chloe said sternly, locking eyes with him. “Lex seems pretty adamant he had nothing to do with it, so how did you know the samples had been switched?”

“Because,” he said. “I switched the samples.”

Chapter 7: Chapter 7

“Because,” Clark said. “I switched the samples.”

Chloe’s face was frozen in shock as he tried to process what she’d heard. Never in her wildest dreams had it occurred that Clark would stoop to this level.

“You switched the samples?” she said, more to herself than anything.

“Okay, but I can explain,” Clark began, but Chloe had already committed to having a full fledged mental breakdown. She ran her hands through her hair, tugging at her blonde locks.

“I can’t believe this,” she mumbled. “I trusted you. I believed in you. I bet my job on you. I went on TV and accused Lex Luthor for you. And you were cheating.”

“It’s not like that, Chloe,” he tried to say. She turned to look at him.

“I mean, I always trusted you wouldn’t use your abilities to win a football game; can I even be sure of that now?” she asked. Clark’s shocked expression matched Chloe’s own.

“My what now?”

“Your abilities,” she repeated. “You know; faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, you could jump over a defense in a single bound.” Clark’s mouth gaped. She advanced on him, and he backed away slowly. “You could use your super-hearing to hear play-calls, your heat vision to blast opponents out of the way; I’m not sure what the x-ray vision would do - maybe you could check out the cheerleaders between downs.”

“You knew?” Clark gulped. “How long have you known?”

“I guess, on some level, I always suspected,” she said. “But when we were seniors in high school I saw you catch a car like a beach ball.”

“All this time? Why did you never say anything?”

“We weren’t exactly on speaking terms by that point,” Chloe reminded him. “You were off playing football and earning a scholarship. I thought if you really wanted me to know you would have told me in your own time.”

“And you kept it a secret? You didn’t put anything in the Torch? Or the Daily Planet? You told no one?” he asked. Chloe felt her face soften. She studied Clark’s shocked face for a moment.

“Of course not. I said I’d always be here for you, Clark, no matter what. And I meant it,” she looked away. “So I may have suppressed a few articles.”

“Suppressed?”

“You know, fed false leads and such,” she said. “We got a lot of calls about you when I worked the tip line at the Planet. I kind of… sat on them a bit. And fed the occasional false one to throw Lois or Jimmy off the scent.”

“So even while I’ve been the Blur, you’ve been covering for me?” he asked.

“Well… yeah,” she said, looking at him like it should have been obvious. “Clark, I think what you do is so amazing. You protect people, without any thought of reward. If you ask me, I’d say that makes you more than a hero; you’re a superhero to me, Clark. And I just always thought you’d be so much more than just throwing footballs.” She bit her lip again. “So fill in the gaps for me, Big Guy, what am I missing? Why’d you switch the samples?”

Please tell me I wasn’t wrong to trust you , she added silently.

“Okay, maybe we should have a seat,” Clark said, bringing her into the barn. They sat opposite each other in the loft, just as they had that day she’d first interviewed him.

“So, what I told you in the interview was sort of the truth - I found out who my birth parents were, and they’re both dead,” he began.

“Clark, I’m so sorry,” she said. She reached for his hand but he shook it away.

“It’s fine,” he said, though he certainly didn’t sound it. “And where I came from. See, I’m not from around here. In fact I’m not from anywhere near this galaxy.” Chloe frowned.

“Wait, what? That would mean you’re an -.”

Alien? The word felt too weird to even say out loud.

“Yeah,” Clark said.

“But you look so,” she looked Clark up and down.

“I’m still me,” he said meekly. She searched his face - she couldn’t remember ever seeing Clark look so scared before, like he was terrified she was about to lash out at him.

“Clark,” she said softly. “You don’t have to worry. I’m so happy you’ve told me, and I promise this won’t change anything between us.”

“Well, one thing will change,” Clark said. “I’ll have to start trusting you more now.”

“Does anyone else know? Your mom must know; what about Lana? Lex?”

“Lana doesn’t know,” he said. “And Lex - Christ - can you imagine what Lex would do if he found out? I think that’s why he’s so obsessed with getting me to the Sharks. Pete also knows.”

“ Pete? ” she exclaimed. “You told Pete and not me?”

“Well, I had to after he saw my spaceship.”

“You have a spaceship ? Can I see it?”

“No, it sort of… exploded. We’re jumping ahead a bit here,” he said.

“Sorry, it’s a lot to process,” Chloe said. She took a few moments to think of her next question. “So you couldn’t take the drug test, because your sample might show you weren’t human?”

“I’d always switched the samples with one from Pete, but he wasn’t at the Combine, and I wasn’t prepared for it,” he said. “So I switched with Kyle Jeffries; one of my offensive linemen. He’s a good guy, but he’s never going to be drafted to the NFL. I never thought he’d be using steroids. It was a dumb mistake. Maybe I just have to take the ban.”

Chloe patted his arm sympathetically. “Could we try and set up another drug test? Like do it in public this time, and we can find a way to switch the samples again.”

“With super speed, that’s not a problem,” Clark said confidently.

“All they’d see is a Blur,” Chloe agreed with a giggle. Clark smiled.

“There’s one more thing,” Clark said, rubbing his hands together.

“Oh?” she asked. Bad nerves, Clark?

“With Pete living so far away, I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to tell someone about this; to have someone to talk to.” He locked eyes with her. “I can’t believe the person I needed all this time was right under my nose, masquerading as some else.”

Masquerading, huh? Chloe thought. What an interesting word to choose.

#

Hours later, Chloe flopped down onto her home sofa and shut her eyes. She took a few deep breaths and closed her eyes. Despite her exhaustion, her mind was still running a thousand miles per hour over the events of the day - finally, after all these years, there were no more secrets between her and Clark.

An alien, wow, she thought. It had never occurred to her, but suddenly every secret, every lie and every oddity around Clark Kent made sense.

They had a plan now as well. Jason was still in the dark, and he would be appealing to the league on Clark’s behalf for a public test. Chloe would be on hand as a reporter, and at a key moment she’d provide the distraction for Clark to switch samples again with one from Pete. Nothing left to chance this time - they had Pete on standby to fly in on a moment’s notice.

Would it work ? She had no idea. The NFL might just say no, they wouldn’t allow this sham drugs test to go ahead and just hit Clark with a ban. But either way he’d probably still be drafted. The issue would be, with a steroid ban on his records, he’d be under much closer watch than he would otherwise. But Chloe wasn’t sure how else she could clear his name…

Even with her eyes closed, she felt the light above her being blocked. She blinked.

“Jimmy?” she said.

“We need to talk,” he said, sounding very serious. His face was stern.

“Of course,” she replied. “What’s up?”

“Where have you been all day?” he asked. “You left early, and you weren’t at the office. I checked - no one saw you there all day.”

“I was chasing a story,” she said coolly.

“About Clark?” That sounded like an accusation.

“Yes, about Clark,” Chloe said, standing up to meet his glare. There wasn’t much point trying to hide it. “He’s the biggest story in the country right now, and, in case you’ve been missing the past month, he’s the focus of my new job.”

“You’re supposed to be the Metropolis Sharks Correspondent, not the Clark Kent Correspondent,” Jimmy snapped back. Chloe pointed an accusing finger at him.

“You’ve been talking to Trick,” she said.

“So what if I have? You went out to visit Clark again today, didn’t you?”

“It’s my job, Jimmy, it’s literally my job.” She threw her hands up in exasperation. “What’s your problem with Clark?”

“My problem is I don’t like how much time you’re spending with him,” Jimmy said. “I know, I know you’ve got this great new job, and it’s a huge opportunity but it’s not just that I never see you. It’s that he gets to have you all the time. I feel like I’ve been replaced.”

There was something weird in the way he was standing. He was tense, like he was angry, but had a hand in his pocket, almost like he was trying to look relaxed and failing. Chloe noticed his arm, which was tensed, almost like he was gripping something in his pocket for dear life.

The ring .

Chloe’s eyes widened. He had the ring in his pocket, that must be it! Had he intended to try proposing again today? She cursed herself internally.

“Jimmy,” she said softly, reaching out to put her hands on his shoulders. He looked away, but she ducked her head into his gaze, looking at him with pleading eyes. “You don’t need to be jealous. I promise you - nothing is happening between me and Clark.”

“You’ve loved him for so long, how do I know you won’t-.”

“Jimmy, you and I are real,” she moved one hand to his chest. “Clark and I; that was the delusional fantasies of a teenage girl. It’s you that I want, Jimmy. I know things are difficult at the moment and that’s my fault. I’m sorry; I know it’s a lot to ask, but stick with me.” She bit her lip, wondering for a moment if he might actually get down on one knee now and pop the question. But she thought better of it - she didn’t want that moment to come in the middle of a fight about Clark.

“Once the Draft is over,” she carried on. “We can start planning the rest of our lives. And I swear to you, Jimmy; it’s you I want to plan the rest of my life with. Not Clark Kent or anyone else.”

Jimmy’s posture relaxed. His hand was still in his pocket but his arm seemed much less tense again, and he had a faint little upturn at the corners of his mouth.

“Kiss me,” she said. And he obeyed. It was soft. Gentle. Sweet. Jimmy .

“I love you,” he said.

“I love you, too, you big dope,” she said playfully. Punching him on the shoulder. “And I promise I will make this up to you.”

Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Clark Kent vs the NFL Draft Chapter 8

The next few days were nervous. Jason made the appeal to the NFL on Clark’s behalf, but the league was staying tight-lipped on how they’d decide their verdict. Chloe was calling the League Commissioner’s Office every day, under the guise of doing her due diligence as a reporter. But she was worried for Clark - he seemed to have resigned himself to at least getting a short ban, but for someone with such a strong code of honour as Clark a black mark against his name would be a bitter pill to swallow. And he could do without the increased scrutiny and more frequent drug tests that would come with a failure already against his name.

Chloe was in her office, talking things through on the phone with Erin from the Star City Register.

“Honestly, Chloe, I’d say unless Kent has proof that someone switched the tests, or can at least provide who would have done it, that the Commissioner will definitely suspend him,” Erin told her. “Unless you want to tell me how you’re so sure the samples were switched.”

Chloe was laughing. “I’m afraid not, Erin, though as a fellow reporter I appreciate the question.” Chloe could almost hear her shrug over the phone.

“Well, can’t blame a girl for trying. Let me know if you change your mind.”

The call ended soon after. It had been a pretty fruitless morning chasing around for information. At least, though, she had been spared having to deal with Trick. He’d been absent from the office for a few days now - apparently chasing up some big lead of his own. It had been nice not to have him leering in at her through the blinds.

The reason for Trick’s absence would be revealed to her the next day. It was a Friday, now with the draft only two weeks away. She’d been to more Pro Days than she’d ever hoped to in her life, but it felt like the end was finally in sight. She arrived at the office, she thought, pretty early, only to find that Trick was apparently already there. She could see him and Lewis having a fairly animated discussion in his office. The bullpen was pretty full as well, unusual for before nine in the morning. She tried not to be too obvious checking out their conversation while she walked past the office door towards her own office. She couldn’t make out the words, but what Lewis was mouthing looked suspiciously like the words “Sullivan” and “Kent.”

At least, she hoped it was “ Kent .”

She dropped her bag in the office and opened her laptop to check her emails, hoping for an update from the Commissioner’s Office on Clark’s appeal. Sure enough, sitting in her inbox was an email from Erin, saying she believed the Office had decided to rule against Clark and would be handing out a suspension later that day.

Chloe checked her phone - she had no messages from Clark, who either had no idea himself or was so distraught he didn’t want to talk to Chloe about it. She picked up the phone and started typing.

It took several drafts before she came up with something she was happy with. She didn’t want to seem too prying, in case he was upset, but also didn’t want to seem too nonchalant like she didn’t care. This was why it was so much easier to write stuff down.

Hi Clark. My source thinks Commissioner going to make announcement today. Hope it’s good news. Either way I’m here if you need to talk. xo

With a smile she set her phone down, feeling pretty satisfied with that. Three kisses at the end seemed a bit excessive, and only one didn’t seem to do their friendship justice. But a kiss and a hug seemed just right.

She began working on her laptop for a few moments, but Trick had finished his meeting with Lewis. He didn’t break stride, walking over to her open door and leaning in with a smirk.

“Sullivan. Lewis’ office. Now,” he said. Chloe scowled at him, unhappy with his tone or his smirk. But she wasn’t about to antagonise her editor with no good reason, so she stood up and walked over to the door, making sure to lightly shoulder check Trick on the way past, the way she’d often seen Clark do in high school.

She tried to hide her grimace of pain. It looked so much easier when Clark did it.

“Come in Sullivan,” Lewis said. He sounded very grim as he did. “And close the door.”

She was a bit annoyed when Trick snuck into the room behind her, but Lewis was apparently happy to have him here. Trick closed the door behind him and closed the blinds. Chloe took the only seat, while Trick hovered behind her. The hairs on her neck stood up - she didn’t like that she couldn’t see what he was up to.

“Trick has been working on a story, Sullivan,” Lewis started. He had an envelope on his desk, and he began to pull out some photographs. “From the hotel at the Combine. He tells me you didn’t sleep in the room we paid for.”

“You mean the one that Trick booked for us with only one bed?” Chloe asked with a hint of danger in her voice. Lewis ignored her and carried on.

“What do you say to these images?” he asked. She looked at the photos. They looked like stills from a security camera in the hotel. The first few showed Clark going into his room, and the next few showed her sneaking into his room with a bag.

“Okay, I’ve been upfront that Clark and I were old friends - so we caught up for a bit and abused the NFL paying for the room service,” Chloe said. “It’s not like I spent the night.”

“Oh no?” Lewis asked. The next picture was Chloe leaving the room the next day, having fully changed her outfit.

“Okay, we slept in the same room. But we’re just friends - nothing happened in there.”

“I spoke to the bell boy,” Trick said from behind her. “Who delivered the food to that room. He says, and I have a quote from him, that Clark Kent answered the door wearing nothing but a towel, and that he heard a woman’s voice from inside the room.”

“He’d just had a shower, and I was on the phone talking to Jimmy,” Chloe turned to Lewis. “You can talk to Jimmy.”

“Oh I have,” Trick said. Chloe turned around to look at him. She narrowed her eyes.

“What have you said to Jimmy?” she demanded.

“It’s all in the article,” Lewis said, pulling one last piece of paper from the envelope. “Trick has done a hell of a job. He’s spoken to everyone, gathered all the receipts and evidence. I asked you before your relationship with Kent, and you told me you were just friends.”

“Which we are,” Chloe insisted. “Nothing happened in that room. Nothing has ever happened between me and Clark.”

“This paints a different picture,” Lewis said. “According to several people, including Jimmy but also some old friends - Lex Luthor, Lana Luthor, even someone named Pete Ross, you’ve always been in love with Clark Kent. You briefly dated-.”

“One date, that he ditched,” Chloe reminded him. Her head was pounding. So Trick hadn’t just spoken to Jimmy, but also to Lana and Lex. Sure, she wasn’t in Lex’s good books at the moment, but she’d never expected Lana to turn on her. And even Pete, who’d always harboured his own crush for her?

“However briefly, you dated,” Lewis carried on. “The interview seems to have been the rekindling of your romance. And at the Combine you spent the night together. And I understand Clark Kent took you home after the Met U Pro Day.”

“You mean after I feel ill from a questionable coffee?” she growled, though still glaring at Trick. Trick wiggled his eyebrows in response, apparently quite pleased with himself. It was all she could do not to stand up and smack the smug grin off his face.

“And you’ve had multiple, unexplained trips to Smallville since then chasing a story , but no such story has ever materialised,” Lewis said. “You came up with this cock-and-bull story of Kent’s samples being switched, but you can’t reveal your source or explain how or why this happened. It sounds like you’re covering for your lover.”

“He’s not my lover!” Chloe exclaimed again. “You can’t believe any of this Lewis. You know me; you know I’m a good reporter. And you know Trick is full of shit.”

“But he’s got sources and evidence, which you don’t this time,” Lewis said. “I’m sorry, Sullivan. This is too big a conflict of interest to ignore. I’m going to have to suspend you.”

“S-suspend?” Chloe stuttered.

“And I’ve had a word upstairs - we’re running this story on the front page tomorrow.”

“Front page?” she asked. She looked down at the proposed headline - Daily Planet Reporter in Shock NFL Sex Scandal. Trick had managed to find a particularly unflattering photo of her from the night of Lex Luthor’s party wearing the slightly skanky cocktail dress with the jacket, whilst she was undoing a button and Clark stood beside her, looking down. She felt her heart pounding in her throat, her breath was coming in short raspy wheezes like she’d just run a marathon.

“You can’t,” she pleaded, tears now welling in her eyes. “Lewis, please. This is all lies.”

“I’m sorry Sullivan. It’s above my head,” he said. For what it was worth, he did look sorry. “Clear out your office. Your suspension starts now.”

She didn’t look at anyone on the short walk from Lewis’ office to her own. She slammed the door behind her, noticing someone had already pulled down the paper sign with her name. For a moment she considered just ditching everything she had here and rushing home - she was sure Jimmy would be waiting for her. But she thought better - she had more chance to help Clark with her phone and her laptop.

She hadn’t made much progress on her office really - mostly it was still the old tat the previous occupant had left behind. She still even had the box she’d brought her stuff upstairs in. She threw a few effects into the box - her laptop, her phone, a picture of her and Jimmy on Valentine’s Day a few years ago, and one of her, Lois and Lana from her eighteenth birthday party that had always been her favourite.. She paused when she picked up the final picture on her desk - one of her father. She blinked back tears again.

Just get out the door, don’t let them see you cry kid , she said to herself.

Decisively she opened the door. There was a lot of catcalling from the pen as she walked through, everyone apparently had an opinion to share. Lewis sat in his office - despite the door being open he seemed determined to ignore it.

Trick, however, wasn’t about to let her leave without the last word. Just as she stepped into the empty elevator, he appeared and leant lazily against the doors, not allowing them to close.

“Well, well, Sullivan,” he said with another sick smirk. “Maybe you should have taken up my offer when you had the chance.”

“Don’t flatter yourself, Trick,” she said with as much venom as she could muster. “I’d rather die.”

#

Chloe raced home as fast as she dared. Tears stung her eyes, and she struggled to blink them back. But she had to get home as soon as she could. She’d been all but fired from her dream job for the second time, but she was hoping against all hope she could still save her relationship with Jimmy. If he had already spoken to Trick, then he likely already knew everything, or at least Trick’s version of events. She thought back to last night. Given Trick had an article ready to go this morning, at the very least he must have talked to Jimmy yesterday, if not even sooner. Jimmy had lay in bed beside her last night, apparently “too tired” to make love. Had he already made up his mind then, and said nothing to her?

Chloe burst into the living room, her box of possessions still in hand. On the one hand she was relieved to see Jimmy was sitting waiting for her, but her heart fell at the sight of the apparently packed suitcase beside him.

“Jimmy, I can explain everything,” she said immediately, throwing the box to the floor and rushing over to him, but he’d already stood up to go.

“There’s no point - Trick already told me,” he said, though he wouldn’t look at her. Chloe tried desperately to lock eyes with him.

“You can’t believe a word Trick says; you know that,” she said. “He’s always been jealous I got Old Willie’s job instead of him, and he’s tried to drug me, and he tried to,” her breath caught in her throat. With sudden clarity she realised she’d never really dealt with the incident at Clark’s Pro Day. She’d been so stubborn about not appearing weak she’d made no attempt to process it or speak to anyone about it, certainly not Jimmy.

She gulped. “How can you believe him more than me?” she asked, her voice trembling in hurt.

“We’ve always been honest with each other,” Jimmy said. “Except about one thing - Clark Kent. You lied about why you dragged me to all those Met U games - you said you were supporting the team, or that Clark was your friend and nothing more, but that wasn’t it, was it? And you lied about your sleeping arrangements at the Combine. You’re going to try and tell me now you didn’t sleep in the same bed as Clark Kent.”

“I did sleep in the same bed as Clark,” Chloe said. She was sure the only way through this would be honesty. Jimmy’s eyes widened like he’d just been punched in the stomach. “But I’m not lying when I say nothing happened. Jimmy, Clark and I are just friends. We never were anything more, and we never will be. He made that very clear to me four years ago, and he hasn’t changed his mind.”

“But you still love him?” Jimmy asked. Now he finally looked her in the eyes - his were wide and furious. Chloe met them as defiantly as she could muster, though Jimmy was now becoming blurred by tears.

“That is not a fair question,” Chloe sobbed.

“But it’s the truth,” Jimmy said, jabbing and accusing finger her direction. “You’ve always loved Clark Kent. And I’ll always be second best.”

“That’s not true, Jimmy, I love you,” she pleaded. She had both hands on his chest now, trying to placate him. She blinked back more tears. “It’s you I want to plan the rest of my life with. I know you’ve been thinking that too; I found the ring.” Jimmy shook his head in disgust.

“I knew,” he growled. “I knew no matter how well I hid it you’d still find it. You’re too good a reporter for your own good, Chloe. I hoped it would be a surprise. But every time I made plans, every time I thought I’d plucked up the courage to ask, at the last minute suddenly something would come up at work and you’d be whisked off away from me. It was like you were putting it off; like you wanted to string me along a little bit longer because you never wanted me to ask you to marry me. Because I’m not who you really want.”

“No, you can’t believe that, Jimmy! I wanted you to ask me! The job just got in the way, but we can put that behind us now,” she grabbed tight onto his shirt. “Please - we have nothing standing in the way. Ask me now. Ask me now and I’ll say yes.”

She looked deep into his eyes, but the kind, loving Jimmy wasn’t anywhere to be seen. He was glaring back at her, eyes cutting through her soul.

“Please, Jimmy?” she said softly.

“No, Chloe,” he replied. He grabbed her wrists and pried her hands away from her shirt with relative ease. “I won’t be Clark Kent’s sloppy seconds. I’ll be back for the rest of my things. I’m going to stay with my parents.” He picked up the bag and went to leave. Chloe tried one last time to grab hold of him but he shook her off.

“No, Jimmy, please. Please don’t leave me all alone,” she pleaded through tears. For a moment he seemed to hesitate, but it passed, and he walked over to the door. “No, Jimmy, please,” she sobbed again, falling to her knees. The door slammed. “Please,” she said one last time, before she broke down completely.

#

As a little girl she’d dreamt of her first cover article in the Daily Planet. She’d never imagined she’d be the subject of said article, or that she’d be accused of sleeping with the top football prospect in the country. She covered up as best she could, wearing a shawl and sunglasses that probably made her look even more conspicuous, to head down to the corner shop to buy a copy. She didn’t know why she bothered - she hardly managed to read half of it through the tears.

She’d shut her phone off, making sure to fire a few quick texts to her nearest and dearest - Lois, Clark, Lana - to let them know she’d be lying low. There was a car parked outside her window with someone she was sure was from the Daily Inquisitor, watching for her after the first day.

True to his word, Jimmy returned a few days later with some friends to collect his things. Chloe wasn’t in the mood to argue about who paid more for the sofa or the TV, so in the end she retreated to the safety of the bedroom, letting him take whatever he wanted. There was a lot of crashing and banging, it seemed like it took all day for them to work. She waited until it had been a good hour since she had last heard and scrapes or any swearing before stepping out into the apartment.

She barely reacted to the empty space. He’d left her computer desk in the corner, and the personal effects of hers, but the couch, the TV, the coffee table - all gone. It didn’t look like the home she and Jimmy had made together here. It looked cold and empty, like before she’d ever moved in.

She found a cushion in the bedroom and dropped it in a nice space in the middle of the floor. She dropped down there and started crying again. Her stomach rumbled - she knew she’d been neglecting feeding herself but she just didn’t see the point at the moment. What hope had she of carrying on now?

Lois was gone to Gotham. Lana and Lex and Pete had sold her out to the papers. Jimmy had left. Clark was… Clark . She was alone now.

She hadn’t really allowed herself to think about Clark since Jimmy had left. But she lay on the floor and cuddled the cushion she noticed the crumpled Daily Planet still on the floor in the corner. Thanks, Jimmy, for leaving that , she thought bitterly. Clark was facing a ban for steroid use unless he could come up with a compelling story about who switched the samples. And a black mark against his career forever.

For the first time in days, Chloe thought about what to do next. She wasn’t a journalist anymore, she couldn’t help him that way. But maybe there was a sympathetic ear who might? She couldn’t call Lois - she was hardly Clark’s biggest fan at the best of times. But Erin had always been kind to her, and she was desperate for a Clark Kent story of her own.

Chloe found her phone buried among a pile of effects on the desk. For the first time since Jimmy left she suddenly felt like she had an idea; a purpose. Turning it on, she ignored the dozens of missed calls and ignored text messages and called Erin.

“Chloe, I’m so glad to hear from you,” Erin said when she answered. “I was worried. Look, we at the Register know there’s got to be more to this story than Trick the Prick’s letting on.”

“There is,” Chloe told her. “And I’m ready to tell it. I’m ready to tell you the truth about who switched Clark’s test samples.”

I’m sorry, Clark , she thought. But this is the only way .

Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Notes:

Originally I thought I'd alternate chapters between Clark and Chloe's POV, but I just had so much fun with Chloe I kept going. But now let's see what Clark's been up to.

For Clark Kent the day of the NFL Combine had been exhausting, if not physically then certainly mentally. His mother had offered him all the reassurance she could that she was proud of him and his father would be as well, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that Jonathan Kent would not have approved of his declaring for the NFL Draft. It weighed heavy on his mind every time he had to pull back a little bit, whether with his sprints, or his leap or his bench press. At least he didn’t have to throw today.

He wasn’t enjoying life under the scrutiny of America’s press either. As a Met U Bulldog he’d only really had the Metropolis news agencies chasing him, and he’d gotten fairly good at evading press by this stage. But now the entire world was watching, waiting. They didn’t know it yet, but they were waiting for him to let his guard down for just one moment.

Erin Fairheart from the Star City Register was rushing towards him, tape recorder in hand. She was persistent - she reminded him a lot of an older Chloe. She’d been dogging him for weeks now, and Clark knew she’d even cornered Martha Kent one day in the Talon to try and get something out of her.

“Clark Kent, the talk of the NFL Draft,” Erin said. “I was just talking with your exclusive reporter .” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. “But when you’re a Star City Stag you won’t be dealing with the Planet anymore; you’ll have to deal with me. So how about we get together over coffee and get to know one another a little better?”

Erin probably had ten years on him, but it certainly wasn’t the worst offer he’d ever had. He was saved from having to give a stammering response by Jason arriving at his shoulder.

“I’m afraid all interview requests for my client have to go through me,” Jason said. Erin, to her credit, didn’t miss a beat and immediately began interrogating Jason, who was always much better at this than Clark had been. 

It had been a long day, dealing with people he didn’t know. Not many of his own team looked likely to be drafted - despite a good season the prevailing opinion seemed to be that Clark had carried the team. He was relieved when he got to the hotel that a familiar face dashed out to meet them.

Spending the night with Chloe had been a real blast from the past. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed so much. Chloe’s smile had always been infectious, but in that little, dimly lit hotel room he felt as strong as if the sun’s rays were shining directly onto him. The way she looked at him was almost intoxicating.

And then she asked about Lana, and it felt like the sun had been snatched away from him.

She’d insisted he sleep in the same bed. He kept as far to one side as he could, his long legs practically hanging off the side of the bed, determined not to compromise their newly renewed friendship.

Whereas he could control his waking actions, he had no control over his dreams. And he did dream about her that night. He was chasing her through the barn, before finally catching up to her and tossing her into a pile of straw. She landed with a giggle, and embraced him with open arms as he hungrily kissed her. She explored every inch of her he could, kissing down her neck as she lay beneath him, moaning his name, “ Clark… Clark….” He groaned her name in response.

“Wake up, Clark.”

His eyes snapped open, and looked straight into her beautiful eyes, still dreaming. He felt her hot breath on his cheek and for a moment a familiar sensation in his eyes.

This wasn’t a dream . In the night he’d moved in his sleep, and she was now underneath him, trapped between his arm and the soft bed. He sprang backwards as quickly as he could. 

“Oh, oh, god, Chloe, I’m so sorry. I was asleep - I didn’t mean to-.”

“It’s alright, Clark. We’re all fine,” she said with a smile that was like the sunrise. “It was quite a nice way to wake up; I was just thinking a girl could get used to this.” She looked down at his pyjama bottoms and giggled.

“Oh, I was, um, having a dream,” Clark stammered, grabbing a pillow to cover himself.

“Perfectly normal reaction,” Chloe reassured him. “The number of times I’ve woken up with Jimmy’s - you know what, never mind,” she finished quickly. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll head into the bathroom and take a shower. And you can deal with… That .”

Clark felt like what he desperately needed was a cold shower. Failing that he sat at the edge of the bed with his eyes closed, breathing deeply, almost like he was meditating.

“Think about Alexander the Great,” he muttered to himself. “Think about baseball cards. Think about Shelby. Don’t think about Chloe.” It took a few minutes but it appeared to do the trick.

Until Chloe came out of the shower wearing only a towel, drying her lovely wet hair with another. Whatever shampoo she’d used smelt heavenly of coconut.

“Damn it,” Clark muttered, and immediately dashed into the now empty bathroom. He needed that cold shower after all.

#

When he’d stood on their high school football field four years ago and told her he didn’t return her feelings and wouldn’t be returning to the Torch he’d convinced himself he was doing the right thing for both of them. For Chloe, cutting ties would help her finally get over her feelings for him. And for him, he’d be protected from Chloe’s journalistic tendencies. He knew then he’d never be able to trust her not to snoop into his secret - it was her nature, and there was nothing either of them could do about it.

Chloe, for her part, seemed determined to have her heart broken as thoroughly as possible.

Despite Clark trying to stay away from her, she still popped up between classes. Even when she should have been in a class halfway across the school she still appeared to give some lame, “Hey, you haven’t forgotten about me, have you?” or “What about an interview for the Torch with the Superstar Quarterback?”

Eventually a few of the football team intervened. He was glad they had his back. He listened into the conversation from afar - she laughed it off at first, but then she locked herself into the Torch’s office and cried almost the whole night. Even hours later, after Clark had gotten home and lay in bed he was convinced he could still hear her sobs.

There was no Smallville Torch that week. He couldn’t remember Chloe ever missing a deadline for it. He even recalled after an incident in their Junior Year she’d gotten an issue out despite lying in a hospital bed.

At Prom she’d tried to ask him to dance. But he turned her down. He said he was with Lana, which was true - their rekindled relationship was like a beautiful dream. But more than that, he couldn’t keep leading Chloe on, for her sake. And he couldn’t trust that she wouldn’t keep trying to dig into his past.

Of course, years later he would find out she already knew almost everything by this stage.

When Chloe phoned him to tell him his urine sample had come back positive for steroids he felt his world dissolving around him. All of Jonathan Kent’s worst fears were now real - there was no way Clark would play in the NFL without further testing. Sure, he could switch samples again, but he’d be under much tighter scrutiny now, it would be so much easier to let one thing slip. He cursed himself. And he cursed Kyle Jeffries as well - what was he thinking, taking steroids leading up to the Combine?

Chloe, however, was trying to come up with a plan. “Clark, if you didn’t take steroids, how did this happen? Could someone have slipped you something, or the samples contaminated in some way?”

“They must have been switched,” Clark said. “I’m sure of it.”

“Clark, that’s a pretty big accusation,” she said. “Are you sure?”

“One hundred percent,” he replied.

“Okay, so you can request a test of your B sample,” she said.

“Won’t help - it will have also been switched.”

“Okay, Clark, I’ll try and sell the switch to my editor. Listen; I have to go. Trick’s on the move. I’ll call you back. I love you.” She said it so quickly Clark barely had time to react.

“Chloe, I love you too,” he said. But his only answer was the dial tone. She’d raced off to talk to her editor, leaving Clark with only his own thoughts for company. And he wasn’t thinking about the sample, or how his career was probably now screwed. He was thinking about his former best friend, and the cruel irony of realising, now that she was in a relationship of her own (on the verge of getting engaged no less) he was apparently rediscovering his own feelings for her.

It was two days later when he came to the realisation that he’d made one of the biggest mistakes of his life. Not only had he completely misjudged Chloe - he’d assumed the worst about her, that she would stop at nothing to find out all his secrets and reveal them to the world. But having found out that secret, she had actually worked, all this time, after all these years, lied to everyone she loved, to keep it. Even from Clark himself.

The last words she’d spoken to him in the barn after his father’s death rang in his ears now.

“I’m here because I’m your friend, Clark, and I’ll always be here for you,” she sobbed. “No matter what.”

What he’d done to himself for the past four years ought to count as self-mutilation. He’d deprived himself of the greatest friendship he’d ever known. All those lonely days and nights where he was desperate for someone who understood, someone who could share in this secret. And she was there, all along.

And he hadn’t trusted her. He hated himself for that. He swore then he’d never make that mistake again.

She hugged him before she left. He held on a little longer than normal, almost hoping she wouldn’t leave. That’d she’d agree to stay. They had some much to share, so much to catch up on. But she had to get back to Jimmy.

He stood at the window in the barn as he watched her car pull away. Long after she’d disappeared from view, he closed his eyes and focused his hearing on her engine. He listened to the gentle, rhythmic putputput as she sped away.

But he couldn’t stay there forever. His mom was approaching.

“Uh oh,” she said when she saw him. “I know that look, though it’s been a while since I saw it. That’s that Lana Lang look,” she said sympathetically. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“It’s not about Lana, no,” Clark said. “It’s about Chloe?”

His mom’s eyes widened in surprise. “Chloe?” Clark couldn’t help but feel like she sounded a bit pleased. “What happened?”

“She knows,” Clark said. “In fact it turns out she knew for a long time. And she’s told no one. Not the Planet. Not Jimmy. Not Lois. Not Lana.”

“And how does that make you feel?” Martha asked, cutting right to the core of Clark’s dilemma. He sighed.

“Like not trusting her sooner was a mistake,” he said. “Like I’ve wasted four years that we should have had… as friends,” he added quickly. Though his mom knew him better than anyone, and her sudden smile was very telling.

#

Clark, I’m going radio silent for a few days. I’m fine, but I need to sort things out. xxx

The text from Chloe was the first sign that something had gone wrong. It wasn’t until the next day when Jason arrived, a stack of newspapers in hand, that he found out what.

He and Chloe were on the front page of the Daily Planet. She was wearing the little cocktail dress from Lex’s party that he’d so liked and he was very obviously checking her out.

“Oh wow,” his mom said. “That’s sure a photo, Clark,” she said, laughing despite the seriousness. Clark read the entire story in horror as the Planet laid out the details of their alleged affair. He flicked back to see who had written the story.

Trick . He almost growled at the name. Trick had even had the nerve to suggest Clark had gone home with Chloe after the Pro Day, as if that wasn’t when Trick had drugged and tried to rape Chloe before Clark had pulled him off. He’d been lucky he was able to control his rage enough to only give Trick a black eye - he could easily have killed him if he’d let his emotions get the better of him. He certainly wished he had now.

“Clark,” Jason said. “Did you sleep with Chloe?”

“No. Well, yes, we slept in the same bed, but we didn’t sleep with each other,” he said. His mother seemed to be fighting back giggles, which wasn’t helping.

“So we reply,” Jason said. “We issue a statement denying everything.”

“Chloe told me she’d be radio silent for a few days, we’ll have to wait for her,” Clark said.

“We don’t need Chloe!” Jason snapped. “She’s just a reporter. Your reputation is at stake here, Clark. You don’t want to be known as the guy who sleeps with reporters for exclusives.”

“We wait for Chloe.”

“ Clark ,” Jason growled.

“And we’ll work this other together,” Clark finished.

#

The first inkling of Chloe’s plan came the following Thursday night. The Draft was only a week away, and Jason phoned Clark late in the evening to tell him the good news.

“The NFL has accepted your appeal and completely dropped the ban,” Jason told him. Clark was perplexed.

“Really?” he asked. “Not even for a retest?”

“Due to extenuating circumstances, they said,” Jason replied with a laugh. “It seems they bought the story about the samples being switched. I can’t imagine what changed their minds - everyone I spoke to was sure you’d be banned.” Jason had never asked Clark directly if he’d taken steroids, but Clark had the feeling from the start he’d never really believed the switched sample theory.

It was after lunchtime the next day when his mother returned from town in a frantic rush. He gave her a worried look as she stormed into the kitchen, apparently holding none of the shopping she’d gone into town to actually do. She tried to hand him a newspaper.

“Oh no, I’ve had enough of newspapers for one lifetime,” Clark said, holding up his hands. His mom continued to hold out the paper.

“I’ll think you’ll want to see this one,” she said softly. With a weary sigh, Clark took the newspaper from her grasp, and opened to see that once again he and Chloe had made the front page, this time the Star City Register. He read.

I DID IT

Inside the full shocking confession from disgraced ex-Daily Planet Reporter Chloe Sullivan, on why she sabotaged the drug test of future NFL Star and her ex-Childhood Sweetheart Clark Kent.

Clark sat down at the kitchen table, hands trembling as he flicked through several pages to a double spread with Chloe’s interview with Erin Fairheart. He read on.

E: So Chloe, why did you switch Clark Kent’s test sample?

C: The truth is, Erin, and I’ve tried to deny it, that I have been in love with Clark Kent as long as I’ve known him. The night of the NFL Combine I’d been drinking in the hotel bar, and I decided to try and break into Clark’s room and seduce him. But he was far too much of a gentleman to take advantage of me, and left me to sleep on the bed while he slept on the floor. In the morning, I was embarrassed and hurt by his rejection, so I switched his sample with another athlete I had suspicions about. So it was revenge - hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and all that.

E: But then you were the one who broke the story of the samples being switched. Why would you go to the trouble if you’d wanted him banned?

C: I felt guilty. Clark’s a good, honest man. He didn’t deserve that. I had hoped by casting doubts on the validity of the test, the NFL might allow him to take a retest, which would definitely be clean. I guess there’s also a little bit of me that liked playing the hero, like maybe it might make Clark see me differently.

E: So why come clean now?

C: After the story in the Daily Planet about my supposed love life last week, my fiance Jimmy Olsen left me, I lost my job, and Clark and I haven’t spoken since. My entire life has blown up, it didn’t feel right to drag someone who has been a good friend down with me over my own misguided crush.

E: Aren’t you worried now you might face criminal action from the NFL?

C: I spoke to the Commissioner’s Office this morning. I’ve offered to fully cooperate with their investigations. I’ve been told they have passed the information I’ve already given them over to the police. I’m willing to accept whatever punishment I face from that.

E: If you could pass a message to Clark now, what would it be?

C: That I’m sorry it had to be this way, Clark. I love you, and I always will.

Clark’s whole world was spinning as he finished. He couldn’t believe Chloe had done this. She’d taken the fall for his mistake, and probably utterly killed her entire journalism career in one fell swoop. He set the paper down, lowering his head into his hands. It should have been him - he should have given up this stupid idea of playing football, and he should have been the one to fall on the sword. He was so caught up in his own thoughts that he didn’t even notice Jason had arrived, also brandishing a copy of the Star City Register.

“Oh good; you’ve seen it,” Jason said brightly. “Isn’t this great news? This was why the NFL completely exonerated you. Turns out Chloe was crazy the whole time.”

“We have to put a statement out,” Clark said, looking up from his hands at a perplexed Jason. “I can’t let Chloe take the fall for this.”

“What are you talking about Clark?” Jason asked. “This is what you wanted, isn’t it? You said the samples had been switched, and Chloe admitted to it. Look, Clark; I never knew Chloe all that well. Sure, she always seemed like a sweet kid, but she’s always been a bit of a nut when it came to you. Don’t screw this up by going all hero on me. You can’t save everyone, Clark.”

His mom stood behind Jason, saying nothing, but she had a strange look on her face.

“You can’t agree with this?” Clark asked her.

“No, of course not,” Martha replied. “But Chloe’s a smart girl. She’d have thought about all the consequences, and I’m sure she’ll have done what she thought was best for everyone.” Clark and his mom locked eyes, sharing unspoken words between them. Although Clark had never explicitly told her he’d switched the samples, he was sure she would have known anyway. Jason, however, still had no idea of Clark’s secret, and he’d like to keep it that way as long as possible. There was always the fear that if discovered Clark might be arrested and experimented on. But now there was the added fear that players who knew Clark’s secret might turn up with Kryptonite in their helmets.

“Clark,” Jason began, but what he had to say next Clark would never find out. He held up a hand to silence Jason. In the distance he could hear helicopter blades approaching.

“Someone’s coming,” he said, standing up and walking over to the window. Jason frowned, but stood beside him and looked out as well. Clark squinted - news teams sometimes showed up at the end of the family’s driveway in cars, but they’d never sent a helicopter before. It took a few minutes before the helicopter appeared on the horizon.

“Wayne Enterprises,” Jason read off the side. “I’ll be - looks like Bruce Wayne actually came to Smallville. I wonder what he wants? Maybe he’s about to make an offer to the Stags for the number one pick?”

The three of them stepped outside to watch the helicopter’s approach. It landed gently in the Kent family field - the cows quickly scattered, dashing off to the corners of the paddock as the pilot expertly touched down. But it was not Bruce Wayne that stepped out of the helicopter.

Clark groaned. With a face like the end of the world, Lois Lane jumped down from the chopper, and advanced on Clark with a finger raised.

“I warned you, Smallville, that if you hurt her I’d break your legs,” Lois snapped at him. “Well, I’m here to collect. Sorry, Mrs Kent; you know I love ya. But this is for family.”

“Lois, calm down,” Jason said, trying to make the appropriate gesture with his hands. He still had the newspaper in one hand, which Lois snatched from his grip.

“Thank you Jason,” she said with utter sincerity, before the look of righteous vengeance returned to her face as she turned back to Clark. “So what’s this cock-and-bull story about my baby cousin switching test samples, hm?” She stepped towards him, and Clark felt himself stepping backwards like he was being repelled by Kryptonite. “What have you got her mixed up in now? What’s she covering for you, Smallville? Are you using?”

“Lois, please, just relax,” Clark pleaded, backing up into the wall of the house. He had nowhere to run now as Lois squared up to him. Her face was right in his now, her nostrils flared and Clark struggled not to recoil as her hot breath seemed to burn his skin.

“No, you’ve led Chloe astray for the last time, Smallville. She’s forever sticking her neck out for you, and what does she get in return?” She poked Clark on the shoulder, and although in his head he knew there was no way she could actually hurt him, he could have sworn he did feel the stabbing pain.

“She covers for your lies, she makes excuses for you. She tries to talk Lana out of marrying Lex on her wedding day,” Lois listed off. “Hell, I remember the day of your dad’s funeral, God rest his soul - you stood in that very barn,” she gestured violently in the barn’s direction, “and tore into her, but she took it on the chin. She cried for days after that one. Even then, she wouldn’t hear a word against you - it’s the worst day of his life, Lois; if he needs to shout at me to feel better, then I’ll gladly take it . Well Smallville.” She poked him again, and this time his whole body did actually recoil. “Where were you on the worst day of her life? When her dad died, you didn’t even have the decency to-.”

“Wait, what?” Clark interrupted her. His chest suddenly felt tight, like all the air had been sucked out of the world. He looked at his mother in horror, but her face looked as dumbstruck as he felt. Even Lois’ whole demeanor had suddenly changed to complete shock.

“You didn’t know?” she whispered, eyes wide. “I - how can you not know?”

“Lois,” Clark said slowly. “What happened to Chloe’s dad?”

“He died, Clark. He had a heart attack two years ago.”

Chapter 10: Chapter 10

It was the worst day of Chloe’s life. It was an early Spring afternoon, two years ago. She’d finished her lectures for the week, and having busted some night shifts during the week at the Planet she had managed to get the whole weekend off, so she decided to head back to Smallville for a few nights to see her dad. It had the added bonus of being a weekend away from Lana and Lex’s newfound relationship. Although Chloe was pleased to see her friend moving on from Clark (and wondering if she herself would ever follow suit), it was a bit much having Lex always hanging around the small, two bedroom apartment they shared off campus.

It was a long drive back to Smallville, and Chloe wasn’t in much of a hurry. By the time she arrived home the sun was starting to set. She rushed up the stairs to her dad’s studio apartment, thinking she might be able to drag him up to the roof to watch the last of the sunset.

The front door was locked - not unusual, they had been the target of at least one assassination attempt in their time in Smallville, however all the lights were off as well. Chloe frowned; she’d expected he would be home. He knew she would be coming, and it wasn’t like he had anywhere else to be - he was still unemployed after Lionel Luthor had him blackballed years earlier.

“Dad?” she called out, scanning her eyes around the apartment. The setting sun was the other side of the building - in here it took her eyes a few moments to adjust to the dim light. “Dad?” she tried again.

In the middle of the room was the sofabed, not yet folded out. There was a small kitchen area just behind it, and there Chloe saw something that stopped her heart. Two legs sticking out from behind the couch.

“Daddy?” she asked. She dropped her bags by the door, and slowly stepped around the couch. This had to be another one of his lame jokes she’d never understood. He was still young, he couldn’t be dead. He just couldn’t be.

Gabe Sullivan lay, face down on his kitchen floor. Chloe scrambled over to him, feeling his hands for a pulse. They were stone cold.

“Dad!” she called, more urgently this time. Shaking him. She had her phone out, in trembling hands and dialled.

She sat dutifully beside him while she waited for the paramedics. She’d managed to roll him over - she couldn’t remember him being so heavy. His eyes were closed, and nothing she did seemed to wake him. She grasped his hand in both of hers, trying to rub some heat back into them, but whatever she tried there was no grip in his hands, and it was still chillingly cold.

The paramedics were both very nice. They’d found her, slumped over her father’s body and sobbing. They insisted on sitting with her and making some tea.

“Is there someone we can call?” they asked. Chloe shook her head. Lana was off with Lex. Lois was off with Oliver. There was no one nearby.

“I’ll be fine,” she tried to say.

“Miss, we don’t want to leave you alone,” they insisted. They’d loaded the body into the ambulance. “Please - you must have some family.”

“Lo-lois,” she choked. “My only family is Lois. She lives in Metropolis. Please go. I’ll be fine.”

But they weren’t taking no for an answer. Only after Chloe finally gave up Lois’ phone number did they finally agree to leave, insisting they would phone Lois as soon as they were in the ambulance. Chloe was just glad to be rid of them. She needed a moment to herself.

She pulled out her phone again to call the only other person she knew in Smallville - the only other person who’d be there to help her. This time, she didn’t write her feelings down beforehand or practice what she needed to say. She listened patiently as the phone rang, before it clicked over to his voicemail.

“Hey, this is Clark,” came the breezy voice on his answering machine. “I’m not here, but leave a message and I’ll get back to you .” The tone sounded. Chloe took a moment to steady her breath.

“C-clark,” she choked through sobs. “I need you.”

She hung up, sat on her father’s sofabed and pulled his quilt covers around her, inhaling the lingering scent of his cheap, nasty aftershave like she needed it to live. She stayed there and cried, the tears soaking the covers right through.

That was where she was when Lois found her. It had taken Chloe three hours to drive from Metropolis - she dreaded to think how fast Lois must have been driving to get there in less than two. When she heard the footsteps bounding up the staircase she thought for a moment it might have been Clark. She waited for Clark’s knock, but Lois exploded into the apartment, eyes wide and frantic, her own makeup ruined with tears.

“Chloe, oh my God, I came as fast as I could,” she said, throwing herself into Chloe’s waiting arms. 

They spent the night crying tangled up in Gabe’s sheets. Chloe could never imagine how she’d have gotten through the next few days without Lois. She clung to her like a baby to its mother, and to Lois’ credit she was determined not to let her go either.

It rained all through the day of the funeral. Lois had attempted to help Chloe with her makeup, before they both realised that was a stupid idea, it was just going to get ruined anyway. Lex had insisted on paying for the funeral under the guise of some clause in the Luthorcorp pension scheme. Chloe didn’t have the heart to argue with him, although not ecstatic to take a favour from a Luthor. It wasn’t a big funeral - a few old friends of her dad, some distant cousins she hadn’t seen in years, Lana, Lex, Lois and Jimmy.

She spent the whole funeral with Lois clung to her left arm, and Lana clung to her right. Jimmy helped carry the coffin - this hadn’t been how she wanted them to meet for the first time.

They stood in pouring rain while the coffin was lowered into the ground. Just last year she’d been here while they buried Jonathan Kent, only a few rows down.

She kept looking around for Clark. His tall figure should have been easy to spot. But he never appeared. It was only when the coffin reached the bottom of the grave, and the priest said his last few words that it finally struck home that Clark wasn’t coming. It would be a lie to say he’d never let her down - his need for secrecy had so often gotten in the way of a normal life. But whenever she’d needed him most he’d always been there. At her very lowest moments he’d always come through. He’d always swept in to save the day.

Except now they weren’t friends anymore. And he wasn’t coming.

Chloe felt like her knees gave way, but Lana and Lois kept her upright. She clung to Lois’ chest, sobbing and howling. Lois and Lana tried to hug and soothe her as best they could.

“I can’t believe they’ve left me,” Chloe sobbed. “They’ve left me all alone.”

“Chloe, listen to me,” Lois said through her own tears, taking Chloe’s cheeks in her hands and forcing her to make eye contact. “I promise you; we will never leave you alone. You have me, and Lana, and Jimmy, and that’s all you need.” It was like she could read Chloe’s thoughts. “I’ll make sure you’re never alone again. I promise.”

#

For Clark it was like someone had plunged a Kryptonite dagger into his stomach. He felt sick, like his life-force was bleeding out from his midsection. Lois was still talking.

“I don’t understand; Smallville only has like ten people; how could you not notice one of them died?” she demanded.

“It’s not like they were in the same social circles, and Clark and Chloe weren’t speaking at the time,” Martha replied.

“She tried to call him,” Lois snarled. Martha looked shocked, having no answer for this. 

“I have to call her,” Clark said.

“Well, you’re out of luck, Smallville,” Lois said. “Because she’s turned off her phone. And locked herself in that apartment. She wouldn’t even let me in. So once I’m done tearing your arms off I’m going to use your thick skull to batter down the door - hey! Where do you think you’re going?” Clark had wiggled out of her grasp, and bounded down the steps to the ground.

“I have to talk to her,” he insisted.

“What, are you going to run all the way to Metropolis?!” she called after him as he took off up the driveway. She cursed and yelled after him, “If Bruce had let me mount a machine gun on the helicopter like I’d asked I’d use it to gun you down!”

He waited until he was out of sight to really hit the acceleration. With his highest speed he was outside Chloe’s door in only a few minutes. He took a deep breath (not that he needed it, he’d barely broken a sweat) and knocked politely on the door.

No response.

He tried again, a bit more forceful this time.

Still nothing.

He internally apologised to Chloe for the massive invasion of privacy, but he squinted to use his X-ray vision. Focusing hard, he could see into the apartment - most of the furniture seemed to have disappeared, but on the floor in the middle of the living room was a body, curled up and lying completely motionless.

With a single blow Clark knocked the door off its hinges, bursting into the room with a panicked cry of “Chloe!”

Chloe sat bolt upright, her bulky headphones flying off her head. Just as Clark had seen, the apartment was mostly empty, but Chloe was sitting on the one remaining pillow in the living room, her laptop open beside her.

“Clark!” she exclaimed in surprise. “Sorry, I thought it was Lois again. That’s why I turned the volume up.” She gestured to the laptop screen where she was watching a movie. Her eyes narrowed. “Why are you here?”

“I was worried,” Clark said, though feeling pretty embarrassed now. “Um, I’ll fix the door.” Clumsily, he lifted the door back up and firmly pushed it back into place, using his heat-vision to make a quick fix to the broken hinges. It probably wouldn’t hold up to Lois Lane with a blunt instrument, but it would at least keep the breeze out. Chloe giggled.

“I’d offer you a drink, but we’re running a bit low,” Chloe said, looking around her empty room. He turned and studied her for a moment. Gone were the usual stylish clothes Chloe usually wore. She was now in oversized sweatpants and a hoodie far too big for her. Her hair was everywhere but not in the usual fun Chloe way, more in the I’ve-not-showered-for-days way. She looked pale and tired, her eyes were red rimmed and heavy. She looked every bit like she’d been crying for a solid week.

“I saw your story,” Clark said, crouching down beside her with a concerned look. “Chloe; what you’ve done, I can’t thank you enough.”

“Don’t mention it, Clark,” she said, waving it off. “I know you’d do the same for me.”

“It’s more than that,” Clark said with a gulp. “Lois came to tell me off.” Chloe rolled her eyes. “No, it’s fine. She also told me about… your dad.”

Chloe held it together for about another half a second before she flung herself into Clark’s arms. Clark let her sob into his shirt, clinging so hard onto him her knuckles turned white. No matter how tight her grip she had no hope of physically hurting him, but his heart ached for her. She didn’t smell like the usual coconutty Chloe he’d woken up clinging to one morning - she smelt stale, like cheap aftershave.

“I just miss him so much,” she cried. “I wonder what he’d think if he could see me now? Fired from my dream job and on the front of every newspaper for sleeping with a football player.”

“I’ve wondered the same thing about my dad,” Clark admitted. 

“Don’t be silly, Clark - your dad would be so proud of you. The way you help people. Who wouldn’t be?”

“I was thinking more about playing football. He never really approved of me playing in High School.”

“Oh.” she sniffed.

“Chloe,” he gently soothed her once she had stopped crying. “Let’s get a look at you.” He took a cheek in each hand, and examined her face. She’d barely managed to wet his shirt, and her lips were cracked and dry. “Have you eaten today?”

“I -” she started, looking for a moment like she was going to try lying but thought better of it. “No; nothing today.” She shrugged. “I guess I just haven’t felt like it.” As if on queue her stomach started rumbling. Her face flushed in embarrassment as she grabbed her stomach.

“Okay. I’ll run out and get something to eat and you have a shower,” he said. Chloe looked horrified.

“It’s that bad, huh?” she said. Clark tried his best not to laugh.

“We’ll talk when I get back,” he said. He sped away, making sure to avoid the paparazzi hanging around outside the building. The trip to the Talon and back probably took him about twenty minutes - he’d have been much quicker had there not been a fussy older lady stuck in front of him.

Thankfully just as Chloe stepped out of the bathroom in clean clothes, her hair still wet, Clark was stood by with a piping hot latte and a blueberry muffin.

“The breakfast of champions,” she declared, seizing the muffin with gusto. She seemed a bit more Chloe-like as she bounced over to where she had apparently managed to find a second pillow for Clark to sit on.

“It’s two pm,” Clark corrected her.

“Okay, the lunch of champions,” Chloe said. With a smile she sat crossed legged on one pillow, and patted the other. “Jimmy took most of the furniture in this room, so we either sit here or on the bed. And we don’t need a repeat of the last time we shared a bed.” She had that little giggle at the end - that fake giggle she always did, but he could see she was watching for his reaction. Clark played it as cool as he could, sitting down cross legged opposite her, but he couldn’t hide the corners of his mouth twitching. After all this time, Chloe? he thought.

“I can’t believe you took all the blame for switching the samples, and the hotel,” Clark said. “I don’t know how I can ever make it up to you.”

“Well, this muffin was a good start,” Chloe said. “As long as you don’t forget about me this time. You know, when you’re the Super Bowl MVP give your old pal Chloe a shout out.” She had a big, Chloe grin on her face. Clark couldn’t help but match it.

“I also can’t believe that you finally learned some football terms,” he said. “But I never forgot about you the first time, Chloe. It’s one of the biggest regrets of my life - that I cut out my friend because.” He gulped and looked at her. Her smile was gone, hanging on his every word. This was the explanation she’d waited years for, wondering why Clark had cut her out of his life.

“Because I thought I couldn’t trust you,” he said. The twinkle in her eyes seemed to die. “But I was wrong, Chloe. I thought you were a reporter first and a friend second, now I see that because of my own stupidness I’ve denied myself the truest friend anyone could ever ask for.”

“Clark,” Chloe whispered, her eyes filling with tears again.

“You kept my deepest secrets, long after I cut you out,” he said. “You came to every Bulldogs game, even my mom missed a few. And you always cheered the loudest out of everyone for me, even though you couldn’t speak to me. And even now, you’ve blown up your entire life for me.”

“In fairness, Trick kind of blew my life up first,” she replied.

“But you made sure it stayed blown up,” he said. He reached out and grasped her hand to give a reassuring squeeze. “Lois said, you were always defending me, even when she tried to talk me down? And that you tried to stop Lana marrying Lex, for me?” Chloe nodded. “Why, Chloe?”

She paused before answering. Her voice cracked a little as she responded. “Do you really not know?”

Clark felt himself starting to well up a little now. He looked in Chloe’s eyes and saw what had always been there, even when they were teenagers. That Chloe would do anything for him, no matter the personal cost to her, that she would love him unconditionally, and that she wouldn’t ask for anything in return. When he’d cut her out of his life he’d thought to quash those feelings, how strange it felt to now be so glad he’d been unable to.

“I don’t deserve you, Chloe,” Clark said. “I couldn’t even be there for you on the worst day of your life? Like you were for mine.”

“Don’t beat yourself up, Clark. You can be everything for everyone. And you’re here now - that counts for something.”

“What will you do next?” Clark asked. Chloe shrugged and looked mournfully around the apartment.

“Rent’s paid until the end of the month, then I’ll have to find a place to stay,” she said. “Probaby Lois or Lana, whoever’ll have me. The police have been in touch - they’re not going to press charges if I cooperate with the NFL investigation. Then I don’t know - find a new job or something.” She didn’t look particularly pleased at the last part. “A degree in journalism seemed like such a good idea at the time.”

“You can stay with me,” Clark said. Chloe laughed.

“I don’t want to wind up like you and Lois, Clark, I’m glad we’re friends again. A few weeks of me knocking around Kent farm and we probably won’t be.”

“Not Kent farm,” he said. “I’ll have to get a new place after next week, when I’m drafted. Either in Star City or Metropolis.”

Chloe’s expression was puzzled. “Live with you?” she asked. He nodded. “In Star City?”

“Or Metropolis,” he added. But Chloe shook her head. “Think about it,” he insisted, sensing her hesitation. “You don’t want to be hanging around Lex and Lana - they’re about to have a baby. Lois is in Gotham; if you think Metropolis is bad for crime, wait until you see Gotham City. You’ve been fired from Metropolis’ leading newspaper already, but you have a friend in the Star City Register - maybe she could help you get a job?”

“Yeah, but.” She bit her lip, studying Clark’s face for a moment. She looked hopeful, like there was something she wanted to find in his eyes.

Never stop giving me that hopeful look, Chloe , Clark silently pleaded with her. His hand felt sweaty in hers, though he kept his firm grip. Her lips were still slightly cracked, though the few gulps of coffee she’d taken had helped them fill out a little. Her eyes were still red, and she still looked more tired than Clark had ever seen her. He took a moment to remind himself that she’d literally broken up with the man she’d wanted to marry less than a week ago.

“Okay,” she said softly. “Okay. I can ask Erin if there’s still a job for me at the Register. And I can stay with you - just until I get back on my feet,” she added, pointing a warning finger at him. Clark grinned. Yes , he thought. Probably best to take it slow. And as long as they were spending time together he still had a chance.

“Have you got any plans for the NFL Draft?” Clark asked. Chloe laughed and rolled her eyes, finally breaking her hands from Clark’s grip.

“Not at the moment; unless you count eating ice cream and watching old rom coms and having nothing to do with football,” she said. She paused however at the expression on Clark’s face.

“I was hoping you’d go with me,” he said, taking a breath. “As my date.” She blinked.

“With you?”

“Yes,” he replied.

“To New York?”

“The NFL are sending a jet and we’ve got plenty of room,” Clark said. “My mom and Jason will be there. The top picks get a table each, and I need to fill it.”

“I haven’t got anything to wear,” she said.

“My mom will have -,” he started, but he paused at the expression of horror on her face. “Okay, I’m sure Lois will have something. I left her at the farm with my mom and Jason. I dread to think what they’re trying to tell her now. Or how she’ll react if she finds out you’re my date for the Draft.”

“Oh, me being there when you tell Lois is a condition of me coming with you,” she said. “Also, if you ditch me to chase after Lana again, then you have to bring me a blueberry muffin every day for the rest of our lives.”

Chapter 11: Chapter 11

The NFL Draft was due to take place on Saturday in New York and, true to Clark’s word, they boarded a private plane from Metropolis on the Friday. It was Chloe’s first time on a private jet, and she very quickly decided she could get used to this - she suddenly felt very jealous of Lana and Lois, who would be attending the draft with their respective billionaire beaus. As she enjoyed being served complimentary champagne by the hostess she pondered whether Oliver Queen’s offer might still stand.

The NFL had also hooked them up with an incredibly swish hotel. Clark was practically giddy when he showed her the penthouse suite they’d been given.

“Look, we even have our own rooms,” Clark said with a cheeky grin. “Definitely better than anything the Daily Planet could swing for.”

“What a shame,” Chloe replied with her own smirk. “You won’t have any excuse to wake up wrapped around me now.”

Chloe couldn’t help but laugh at Clark’s expression - he looked like he'd been doused in cold water. It didn’t last. He couldn’t hear Chloe’s laughter without at least cracking a smile of his own.

It was a trip of firsts for Chloe, who’d also never been to New York. She was eager to drag Clark around as many tourist spots as she could manage. However the first stop at Times Square quickly proved problematic, as everyone they met wanted a picture with tomorrow’s number one draft pick. Luckily Chloe came up with a solution.

“I hate this,” Clark said for the fifth time as they rode the subway to their next destination. She’d managed to find a pair of large, cheap reading glasses that obscured most of his face, combined with a I Love New York hat he could blend in pretty convincingly. It seemed like a world away from Smallville, where there was no way a six foot three behemoth like Clark wouldn’t stick out anywhere.

“I think they’re cute,” Chloe said. “You’ve got like a sexy nerd thing going on.” That seemed to placate him a little, though she still had to scold him at several points for trying to take them off.

They hit a few museums next - Chloe was blown away by how knowledgeable Clark seemed about most of them. Apparently his World History degree hadn’t been a waste of time.

Their final stop of the day was a Broadway play. Chloe allowed Clark to finally take off his glasses so he could enjoy the show. After the interval, Clark managed to subtly sneak his arm around her shoulders during one of the big songs. Chloe was happily munching on her popcorn and allowed herself to be pulled in closer, drinking in his scent. How, after a whole day in New York, could he still smell like Smallville?

As the draft was going to be an all-day affair Martha had set a fairly strict curfew. It was quite a dash back from the theatre afterwards, and they were still a little late, but Martha merely tutted and rolled her eyes as they burst into the apartment.

Chloe stood outside her room to wish Clark goodnight.

“Thank you, Clark, for a perfect day in New York,” she said with the broadest grin she had. “I really needed this after the last few weeks. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much.”

“Me neither,” Clark replied. He seemed slightly out of breath, and he was looking at her like he was dying to say something. He glanced around the penthouse, but thankfully it seemed his mom and Jason had made themselves scarce when the couple had returned.

“Oh, wait,” Chloe said. She reached up to pull off Clark’s hat and glasses, placing them gently in his hands, before reaching up to smooth out his hair a bit. “No need for the disguise anymore. You can be Clark Kent again.”

They stood that way for a few moments longer. Clark fumbled with the hat and glasses. Chloe looked up at him expectantly, waiting to see if he’d share what was on his mind. For a moment there, after the wonderful day they’d shared, she hoped maybe he might kiss her. But, as the awkward silence wore on, she convinced herself that wasn’t the case.

“Goodnight, Clark,” she said at last, breaking the silence. “Get some rest - it’s a big day tomorrow.” She disappeared into the room and closed the door. She leant back against the door and banged her head lightly, before sliding down the door to her knees. She sat there for a moment and listened for the sound of Clark walking away, but it never came.

“He must have snuck away,” she said to herself. With a sigh she began getting herself ready for bed, slipping into some comfy pyjamas and brushing her teeth before hopping between the soft covers and laying down to rest.

Unbeknownst to Chloe, Clark stood outside, his eyes closed, just listening to her breathing as she drifted off to sleep. He silently cursed himself when he finally walked away from the door.

“Tomorrow,” he promised himself. “Tell her tomorrow.”

#

Clark had spent most of the morning nervously fretting about the hotel suite. Chloe had futilely suggested going for a walk to clear his head, however Jason had immediately shot that down, apparently fearing that some draft emergency might strike at any moment that required Clark to be pacing in circles around the hotel suite’s coffee table. She also tried finding a movie, but Jason snatched the remote from her to change back to some 24 hour sports network to see the draft news.

“This is ridiculous,” she exclaimed, flailing her arms. “Nothing’s going to happen to change things now. I’m going for a walk. By myself.” She growled at Clark, who looked like he might try to follow her. She hadn’t meant to snap at him, but after listening to Jason all morning she desperately needed a break from football talk. She stomped out of the hotel suite, pretending not to see the sympathetic look Martha shot Clark.

By the time she got back, Jason was in full on panic mode. Apparently she was now running late, and Clark was insisting he would not leave without her. Jason shoved her quite roughly into her room to get dressed.

Determined not to rush her makeup, it was even later before she finally emerged. She and Lois had settled upon a very classy backless blue dress. Chloe had even commented on why Lois would own something with no cleavage on show.

“You little brat,” Lois playfully snapped, trying to shove Chloe into her wardrobe. “I’ll have you know I’m full of class.”

Clark and Jason were both waiting in their suits - Clark sat rocking back and forth on the sofa, and Jason angrily and pointedly checking his watch. Martha was waiting as well in her own dress. When he saw her step up, Clark’s face lit up, and he jumped to his feet. Jason made a noise of disapproval.

“You have a problem, Teague?” she asked, hands on hips and looking sternly at him.

“You’re in Star City Stags colours,” he explained. Chloe looked down at her dress. Her expression must have given away her confusion. “You really don’t know anything about football, do you?” Jason asked.

Chloe laughed, picking up her silver handbag. Clark stepped towards her.

“You look -,” he began, but apparently struggled to find the right word.

Jason slapped him on the back and impatiently said, “Come on, Clark, you can ask her to prom later. We’re running late as it is!”

Clark looked embarrassed, before rushing away after Jason. Martha however waited for Chloe to offer a few words of encouragement.

“Pay no attention to Jason,” Martha said, though truthfully Chloe had already forgotten about it. “You look beautiful, Chloe.”

“Thank you, Mrs Kent; I love your dress,” Chloe gushed. “And Clark looks so handsome in his suit - you must be very proud.”

“You don’t know the half of it,” Martha agreed, beaming.

At the hotel entrance a long, black limo was waiting to take them to the NFL Draft. In New York traffic the drive took an age, but Clark didn’t seem much in a mood to enjoy the novelty of travelling in a limo, though Chloe and Martha both helped themselves to glasses of champagne.

Jason stepped out first, followed by Clark, who helped his mother out of the limo next. Chloe, ever stubbornly independent, was halfway out before he’d had a chance to turn around and offer to help. She stumbled slightly for her trouble, and had to steady herself against Clark. Maybe the champagne had been a bad idea, Chloe internally conceded.

They’d stepped out onto a red carpet leading up to the Radio City Music Hall, the cameras of America’s press all pointed at them as they made their way in. Jason beckoned Clark to stop to pose for some photos, which he duly obliged. Chloe, having had quite enough of seeing her picture in papers for a lifetime, tried to head inside without much fuss, but Clark spun around as she passed and pulled her towards him.

“Come on, Chloe,” he said with a smile, sweeping a huge, muscular arm around her. She melted into his embrace, not that she could have resisted him even if she wanted to, and smiled awkwardly as the assembled press took their pictures.

It was Jason who saved her. “How about a few with your mother now, Clark?” he suggested. Both Martha and Chloe seemed agreeable to the switch. Chloe took a few steps away and turned to look at the pair. Clark had an arm around his mother, who could not have looked more pleased looking up at her son. Chloe felt herself tearing up a little bit at the sight.

It was short lived, as a firm hand grasped her left hand and pulled her away from the crowd. Chloe gasped and tried to ward him off with her handbag.

“Let go of me, Trick,” she snapped, futilely swinging the bag in his direction. Trick held forcefully onto her wrist.

“So you are with Kent, then?” he hissed. “I knew it. Wait until I tell Olsen…”

“This is none of your business, Trick,” Chloe said warningly. “You’ve hurt Jimmy enough already.”

“I’ve hurt Jimmy?” he asked. “Oh, Sullivan, you have some nerve, I’ll give you that. If only you and I could’ve-.” But he didn’t finish that thought. His face fell, and Chloe felt as though the sun behind her had suddenly been blocked out. She turned around, expecting to see Clark, but towering over her was the giant form of Victor Stone.

“Your eye has healed up nicely, Trick,” Stone said slowly. “I’d let the girl go, if I were you. It’d be a shame if something happened to your other eye. And I promise you; I won’t be as gentle as Clark Kent.”

Trick dropped Chloe’s wrist immediately. With one last scowl he scarpered, disappearing back into the crowd of journalists.

“Thank you, Victor; my hero,” Chloe said with a little bow.

“I’m no hero,” Victor said. He turned away and walked back towards his family without another word. Clark and Martha suddenly appeared behind Chloe.

“Chloe, are you okay?” Martha asked, her face full of concern. “What was all that about?”

“Oh, Trick’s here. He must be here with the Planet,” she said. “He was making a nuisance of himself and Victor Stone scared him off.” She took a few deep breaths to steady herself. “Come on; let’s go inside. I could use another drink.”

A representative from the NFL was waiting just inside to take them through to the waiting room. There were a number of round tables with blue tablecloths set up for prospective draft prospects, each player having their own table surrounded by friends, family and agents. Chloe glanced around the tables, where a number of the players looked vaguely familiar, but the only one she recognised was Victor, who was the table next to Clark’s.

A waiter made sure they had drinks soon - Clark was just on the water, so Chloe ordered a coffee to sip alongside her sparkling wine, hoping it might help her pace a bit better. Not that she was in for a long night - some draftees could be here for a while, but Clark seemed a certainty at number one.

As time approached Clark withdrew more and more into himself. Chloe tried making a few jokes to calm him, but eventually she may as well have been talking to the tablecloth. A few people came over to say hello, including Oliver Queen.

“Good luck tonight, Clark,” he said, patting the younger man on the shoulder. “And you,” he turned his attention to Chloe. “I’d heard you’re going to be moving to Star City soon.”

“Oh?” she asked, resting her hand on her chin and giving him her biggest smile. “What would you know about that?”

“I’ve heard some flimsy excuse about getting a job at the Star City Register,” he said. “But really I know you’re only doing it to get closer to me.” He still had a hand on Clark’s shoulder, who suddenly was giving him a murderous glare. Chloe pursed her lips, struggling not to laugh.

“You’re a lucky man, Clark,” Oliver said as he left, slapping Clark on the shoulder. Clark grimaced and mumbled something under his breath.

If Oliver put him in a bad mood it was nothing compared to when Lex arrived at the table. Lana slid into Clark’s seat to talk to Chloe while he and Lex stood off to the side to have a conversation.

“I’ll be glad when this is over,” Lana said. “It’s all he talks about. Clark this, Clark that. He talks about it at breakfast, at dinner, in bed.”

“In bed?” Chloe gasped. Lana’s eyes were slightly wild, like a woman driven to near breaking point.

“I am genuinely concerned any day now he’s going to pitch Clark Junior as a baby name,” Lana said.

“And how are things?” Chloe asked, casting a look down towards Lana’s midriff. You’d never have known she was pregnant.

“It’s still really early,” Lana stressed. “But I’m tired all the time. And the morning sickness is terrible. And the evening sickness too. Lex is great - he’s very attentive. You know, when he’s there.” She leered over at where Clark and Lex’s discussion was looking very animated. Jason was hovering around with intent as well, almost like he was waiting for any moment to take a swing at Lex.

“So, you and Clark?” Lana said brightly. Her whole expression changed as she looked at Chloe, and she suddenly had that Lana gleam in her eye.

“Oh, nothing like that,” Chloe said, shaking her head with a laugh. “We’re just friends.”

Lana’s “Uh-huh” might have been the least convincing one Chloe had ever heard.

“You still love him though, right?” Lana asked.

“Well, of course,” Chloe replied with an awkward laugh. “But you know how it is.”

“So last week you tell the entire world in a front page news article that you love him,” Lana said, shifting in her seat to face Chloe head on. “And this week, he invites you to the NFL Draft and he makes sure that every photographer gets a picture of him with his arm around you. What message does that send?”

“No, it’s just Clark being Clark. He probably has no idea what message he’s sending,” Chloe insisted. Lana was relentless.

“And Lois tells me he’s asked you to move in with him in Star City,” Lana pressed.

“Yeah, but just as friends. I’ll be like his tenant.”

“Has he shown you the place yet?”

“Well,” Chloe paused. “No, I guess not. I don’t think he’s actually got a place yet. He’d wait until after the draft.”

“So you’ll be picking out a place together?” Lana asked, her face oddly triumphant. Chloe had no answer to that, so Lana pressed home her last point.

“Listen, Chloe, you’ve never been that great at reading Clark Kent’s longing stares, but I have,” she said. “I know them better than anyone. And I know who he’s staring at when he thinks she’s not looking.” Chloe’s eyes immediately darted towards Clark. Despite still being deep in conversation with Lex he was looking in their direction. He looked embarrassed for a moment and immediately turned his attention back to Lex.

“He’s probably looking at you; the love of his life,” Chloe said weakly, not daring to get her hopes up. “Last night.” She paused for a moment but Lana’s expression egged her on. “Last night I thought he might want to kiss me, but the moment totally passed. He’s never seen me as anything other than a friend. If that.”

Lana threw her hands up in defeat. “Believe whatever you want to believe, Chloe. But I will say this. Letting Clark go was one of the biggest regrets of my life. I know I’ve found something wonderful out of it,” she lovingly clutched her barely-existent stomach. “But I don’t think I’ll ever truly be completely over him. Don’t make the same mistake I did and let your self-doubts get in the way of what could be the greatest thing to ever happen to you.”

She got up to leave. It seemed Lex and Clark had reached the end of their discussion as well. Lex was storming off - Lana rolled her eyes and dashed after him. Clark practically threw himself into the seat again.

“So, what’s new with Lex?” Chloe joked, trying to keep the tone light.

“He told me I should hold out if the Stags draft me,” he said. “It means I don’t sign whatever contract they offer to try and force a move through to the Sharks.” Clark sighed and shook his head. “He offered-.” Another exasperated sigh and head shake.

“What did he offer?” Chloe asked, taking Clark’s hand to try and soothe him. Clark looked back up to meet his gaze.

“He offered to get your job back at the Daily Planet,” he said.

“Oh,” Chloe gasped. She regarded Clark for a moment. “You said no, right?”

“Chloe?” Clark exclaimed. “But that was your dream job?”

“There are like a million newspapers in the world,” Chloe said, rolling her eyes. “I’ll just have to settle for being Star City’s Number One reporter. Let’s focus on your dream job.”

She was still grasping Clark’s hand. He moved his thumb to gently massage the back of her hand. “Chloe-,” he began, but whatever he wanted would have to wait. The NFL crew were sweeping through the room, getting everyone ready for the draft to start in the next few minutes. Chloe dropped Clark’s hand and shuffled her chair a bit to get a better view of one of the television screens dotted around the room.

The announcement came over the screen that the Star City Stags were on the clock.

Clark fidgeted nervously, and Chloe kept a close watch of the screen, trying not to look at Clark. There were camera crews sweeping around the blue room constantly, and Chloe even saw her own face watching the TV intently. The camera seemed to circle back to their table a lot, paying particular focus on Clark who’s chair was a little bit away from everyone else.

Chloe watched Clark intently on the screen. Every now and then, his eyes would glance up at her. Lana was right about that. But Chloe had dared to hope she and Clark might be something more in the past. Was what she was seeing real, or was she just seeing what she had always hoped was there?

Oliver thought so too, apparently. It sounded like Lex probably did as well, if he was trying to bribe Clark with a job on her behalf. Jimmy and Trick had both been convinced as well. Was she the only one who couldn’t see it?

She looked across the table at Martha, who was fidgeting nervously in a manner not dissimilar to her son. She was looking straight at Chloe however. Chloe raised her eyebrows, and Martha’s eyes twitched towards Clark. She gave a nod of approval.

Okay, apparently Clark’s mother also thought so too. Chloe closed her eyes for a few moments, focusing just on her own breathing before trying to find her thoughts.

She was snapped out of her thoughts by booing from the main hall. The NFL Commissioner was walking across the stage and getting the usual frosty reception he enjoyed from the New York crowd.

“The selection is in,” he announced to the waiting world. “With the first pick in the 2009 NFL Draft the Star City Stags select - Clark Kent, Quarterback, Metropolis University.”

Chloe felt a wave of relief wash over her. Clark stood up - Martha was first to him, hugging and kissing her son with tears streaming down her face. Chloe stood up as well, taking a deep breath and turning to face Clark just as he was vigorously shaking Jason’s hand.

It’s now or never, she told herself.

Clark broke free from Jason’s grip and turned to face her. She swept forward, throwing her arms around his neck and pulling him down into a kiss. Their lips crashed together and she felt Clark freeze for a moment, before he rediscovered his limbs and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her slightly up onto her tiptoes.

Their lips broke apart, and for a few moments she stood, eyes closed, savouring the feeling of his hot breath on her lips.

She opened her eyes. Clark still had his closed, like he was dreaming.

“Clark?” she whispered. She shook his shoulders slightly. “Clark?” she said louder. His eyes snapped open, and his hands dropped limply to his sides.

“You better go,” she said with a giggle. He seemed almost in a daze as he nodded and walked off towards the stage. A few other players whooped and cheered as he went past. Chloe couldn’t help but laugh as she watched him stumble across the stage to receive his Star City Stags jersey. 

He stood and posed for a picture - it would be the back page of every newspaper in the country tomorrow.

Clark Kent, holding a jersey with the number one on the back, his hair a mess, eyes vacant and dreamy, and his lips slightly stained with Chloe’s lipstick.

Notes:

A big thank you to everyone who's read this far. I wrote this more to amuse myself, I wasn't sure there'd be anyone else interested in the NFL Draft and Chlark in 2025. And a big thanks for the kudos and reviews, which are always appreciated. I'm not used to being complimented so I very rarely know what to say in reviews, but I want you to know they are appreciated.

So no Epilogue? Partly this story ends at the draft like the film that inspired it. Partly also it leaves the door open for me to write more stories about Clark Kent playing in the NFL. There will definitely be a break, but I'm hoping this isn't the end of Clark and Chloe's story. More like, smell ya later.