Chlark Fanfic: Crisis, Chapter 36

[babydee1]

Peek-a-boo!  :-) 

No, your eyes are not deceiving you, this is yet another Crisis update.  Don't ask me how I'm doing it, because I honestly do not know. 

Enjoy!  I think kitmerlot1213 will particularly like this chapter. ;-)



Title:              Crisis 
Author:          BabyDee 
Pairing:          Chlark/Kaloe 
Rating:           NC-17 for disturbing themes 
Warnings:     ***Angst*** 
Timeline:      Season 2-3 (Exodus – Exile; Clark’s RedK Summer & beyond) 
Disclaimer:   All characters belong to the CW & DC comics  
Summary:     A violent encounter between Chloe and Clark threatens to destroy their friendship forever. 
Feedback:      …would be appreciated. :) 

Read previous chapter here. 
Read story from the beginning here.

Chapter 36

Both of them were silent for most of the ride home.  Chloe occupied herself with staring out the window as the landscape changed quickly from downtown city buildings to sprawling fields of crops. 

“Chloe, I know you’ve had a stressful couple of days,” Martha said, breaking the silence, “…but Jonathan would like to speak to you and Clark when we get to the Farm.  Do you think you’ll be up to it, or do you want to go straight up to your room and rest?”

Her room.  Clark’s room.

“I’m happy to answer any of Mr Kent’s questions when we arrive, Ma’am,” she replied meekly. 

“Are you sure?” Martha said gently.  “I know you must be tired—”

“I’m fine,” she replied shortly.  Anything to delay walking into that room.  He hadn’t attacked her there, which was a relief in itself; but knowing she’d be sleeping in his bed…

Well.  It wasn’t a pleasant thought. 

Martha nodded.  “Alright.” 

They drove on in silence.  Not long after, the Welcome to Smallville sign appeared on the horizon and the car zoomed towards the Kent homestead. 

“Actually, Mrs Kent—” she suddenly interjected. 

“Yes, dear?” 

“If you don’t mind, could we make a quick stop at the Luthor Mansion, please?” she asked timidly.  “I need to speak with Lex; it’s quite urgent.” 

“Of course.”  She swung the car off the main road and into the private driveway.  Once they got to the front of the house she shut off the engine, and Chloe unbuckled her seatbelt and jumped out of the car. 

“I won’t be long!” she promised, and hurried towards the sprawling mansion.

***

“Chloe,” Lex said, rising to greet her as she entered. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” 

“Were you involved in finding my father a job?” she asked bluntly. 

“And a good evening to you, too,” he drawled, and pinched his brow tiredly.  “Honestly, you and Clark…”

“Did you pull strings to find my father a job?” she repeated. 

“Does it make a difference if I did?” he challenged. 

"Neither my father nor I have any interest in being pawns in the great Luthor chess game,” she said stonily.  “Whatever issues you may have with your father don’t include us.” 

“I don’t think I’m the one who has issues with my father here, Chloe,” he said, giving her a pointed stare.  “As for your father’s job, all I did was put out a few feelers and make a recommendation, but not once did I ever pull any strings to get him employed.”

She stared at him suspiciously.  “And that’s the truth?”

“He had to interview like all the other applicants, and in addition to satisfying all his new employer’s requirements, he was able to start on short notice,” he explained patiently.  “Does that answer your question?”

Chloe lowered her gaze and looked suitably chastised.  “I’m sorry,” she said quietly.  “I didn’t mean to accuse you; I just…wanted to be sure that our hopes weren’t being raised, only to be dashed again.” 

“Your father’s dismissal was unfair,” Lex said simply. 

She nodded.  “I know.  He didn’t deserve any of this.” 

Lex focused his steely gaze on her and crossed his arms. 

“It wasn’t Gabe that pissed my father off, was it?” Lex said smoothly.  “It was you.” 

Her eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly tried to mask her reaction.  “Why do you say that?”

He raised a cynical brow.  “Come on, Chloe.  He stocks your little clubhouse with new computers, gets you a prestigious job at the Daily Planet, I see you in Luthorcorp Plaza every other day…and then all of a sudden it’s all yanked away from you, and your father’s out of a job.  What does he have on you?”

Chloe tightened her mouth and stayed silent. 

He sighed.  “I want to help you, Chloe, but I can’t do that unless I know what I’m up against.”

Chloe exhaled and dropped her head.  “He wanted me to betray a friend,” she finally whispered. 

“Clark, right?” he asked.  She didn’t answer. 

“It couldn’t really be anyone else,” he said quietly, and sighed.  “Chloe, I admire that you protected your friend to the detriment of your own family; it shows true grit.  But I warned you about my father from the beginning, and you already knew he was bad news.” 

“I don’t know what to do,” she said brokenly.  “And it’s not about just me anymore, he’s crippling the entire town.  The banks are all in trouble.”

“I’ll see what I can do to get a bailout,” he said.  “But that’s nothing for you to worry about.  You just stay out of his way from now on, and you’ll be okay.”

“But what about you?” she said.  “Won’t he go after you, instead?”

Lex’s jaw hardened.  “I’ve been dealing with my father all my life, Chloe,” he said with determination.  “Trust me, I’ve got this.” 

She nodded .  “Okay, but if there’s ever anything I can do to help…”

He gave her an indulgent smile.  “You’ll be the first person I call.” Then he frowned.  “Wait, shouldn’t you be halfway to Wisconsin by now?” 

“My Dad just left, but I need to stay in Smallville to finish out the term,” she explained. 

“With the Kents?” 

“That’s right,” she replied, and glanced at her watch.  “Speaking of which, Mrs Kent is waiting for me, so…” she turned to leave.

“You also have Clark to thank, by the way,” he added.  “For your Dad’s new job.” 

So her suspicions were correct.  “I do?”  

“I was already aware of your father’s situation seeing as we worked for the same company and all, but Clark harassed - sorry, called me up to five times a day to make sure I was doing all I could to help,” he said softly.  “He was thrilled when I was finally able to call him back with some good news.”

Her eyes narrowed.  “When was this?”

“Yesterday afternoon.  He was ecstatic, he really cares about you.” 

Chloe pursed her lips.  So that was why he’d been laughing and smiling on the phone yesterday.  A frisson of guilt stung her conscience as she recalled the horrifying ordeal she’d subjected him to, when all he’d done was try to help her - and not take any credit for it.

Despite everything that had happened between them, Clark did seem to genuinely care for her; however, her main focus now was to get through the next few days without breaking down in floods of tears.  She had put on a brave face for her father, but it was daunting now to think about how life would be without him around. 

She nodded politely at Lex and turned to leave again. 

“One more thing…” he said.  She swallowed, and turned to face him, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. 

“Yes?” she prompted when he remained silent. 

Lex smiled.  “An educational grant has been approved for the supply of brand new computers to Smallville High,” he said.  “It’s completely gratuitous; no loans, no contracts, nothing to sign…just a one-off, no-strings gift.  I thought you’d like to know.” 

Chloe’s eyes filled with tears.  She knew there was no way Luthorcorp or Lionel would authorise the supply of even a calculator to Smallville High, not after the way she’d defied him.  If there were new computers for the Torch, then the funding for them would have come out of Lex’s own pocket.

I don’t know how to thank you, Lex,” she said, her voice wobbling. 

He waved a hand.  “You don’t need to.  Just…enjoy them, Chloe.  You could do with a break.” 

***

To be continued…