Chlark Fanfic: The Fallen Sky, Chapter 20

[babydee1]

Title:              The Fallen Sky
Author:          BabyDee1
Pairing:          Chlark, Oneshot
Rating:           NC17 (this chapter PG)
Warnings: Angst; ***character death/loss of a child***
Timeline:      Season 8 (Hex - Doomsday) Season 9 (My version)
Disclaimer:   All characters belong to the CW & DC comics. 
Summary:     Months after walking away from her in Doomsday, Clark returns to Chloe…but finds that she’s a changed woman from the one he left behind.
Feedback:      …always welcome.

Awesome banner by ellashy.  


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


Chapter 20
Frozen


“What happened after the funeral?” Clark asked bleakly.

“Pete and I brought her to Topeka for a change of scene,” Lana replied.  “She just sat and stared out the window most of the time, not saying much to either of us.  Two weeks later, she insisted on returning to Metropolis.”

Clark frowned.  “Why so soon?”  

“She said she needed to get back to a routine of normalcy, and that she’d be okay on her own.”   

“But after everything she’d been through…”

“She didn’t want to dwell on it, and being away from home just made her think about everything even more,” she explained.  “She’d sent out her resume, said she was ready to return to the bullpen.”

“She’s a reporter again?”

Lana nodded.  “She’s back at the Daily Planet now and has thrown herself completely into her work.” 

“The Planet?” he echoed, surprised.  “But what about everything that happened with Tess?”

“Tess Mercer isn’t there anymore.  She was fired following a vote of no confidence by the board, and for misappropriation of company funds,” she replied. 

“I see,” he said.  “So Oliver’s got complete control now?”

Lana grimaced.  “Oh, no.  Oliver had a really public breakdown after the whole Doomsday incident.  Hit the bottle again, hard, and ultimately lost ownership of Queen Industries and its subsidiaries, which are now owned by a Gotham-based entrepreneur.  You’ve heard of Bruce Wayne?”  Clark nodded.  “Well, he cleaned up the Daily Planet, and it’s now being run by none other than Perry White.”

His eyes widened.  “Perry’s back?”

“And better than ever,” she replied.  “Chloe’s doing great there.  She took over Lois’s caseload and actually writes in her cousin’s name.  I think it makes her feel close to her.  She still hopes Lois’ll return someday, but…well, with every passing day, it’s less likely.” 

Yet another member of her family that Chloe had lost.  Clark sighed wearily and shook his head.  The list of tragic losses that could be linked back to him just kept right on growing. 

“She’s so different now, Lana,” he said despondently.  “There’s no light left in her.”

Lana sighed.  “Like I said, she’s been through a lot.” 

“This is all my fault,” he said, his voice laced with self-loathing and regret.  “I should never have left her.  I should have known something bad was going to happen.” 

Lana shook her head.  “You have many gifts, Clark, but predicting the future isn’t one of them.” 

“I should have been able to save my own child,” he said bitterly.  “I knew she’d try to follow me to the Fortress, and that’s why I took the key to the portal; because I knew that if I saw her, even once, I’d have dropped everything for her.  But I was so determined to finish my training…” he stopped, fighting back fresh tears.  “I should never have taken that key away.”

“You didn’t know what was going to happen.” 

“She hates me, Lana.”

“No, she doesn’t.”

“She does,” he said despondently.  “You should have seen the look in her eyes the whole time I was there.  She was so distant, so…so frozen.  She hates me.” 

“Not as much as you might think,” she replied.  “I spoke to her, Clark.  Everything she ever felt for you is still there.”

“I’m not so sure about that.”

“I am,” she insisted.  “It’s all there, just… buried under a wall of grief and pain.  And you need to find a way to break that wall down.”

Clark sighed.  He remembered how hostile she’d been as she’d spoken to him; her eyes devoid of emotion, the evident disconnect between her heart and soul.  “I don’t know if I’ll be able do that,” he said honestly.  

“You have to,” Lana replied.  “You need each other.”   

Well, he definitely needed her; she, on the other hand, probably wouldn’t care if he fell off a cliff into a sea of Kryptonite.  But if what Lana said was true, and there was still a tiny part of her that cared for him, even just a little bit…then he would do all he could to make her whole again.   

Lana looked at her watch.  “I need to get back home,” she said.  “Will you come see Pete?” 

“Of course.”  He got to his feet and held out a hand to help her up.  “Will you lead the way?”

“Sure,” she said.  She got to her feet, and he saw her expression change slightly.

He frowned.  “You okay?”

“I’m fine; little one just kicked, that’s all.”

“Oh!” he said.  “Can I, er…?” he tentatively lifted his hand slightly, and she smiled. 

“Of course.”  She took his hand and placed it gently on her upper belly, and he was soon rewarded with a tiny thump.  

“Wow,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.  “Congratulations, again.”

“Thank you.”

He followed Lana out of the park, lost in thought.  If he hadn’t been such a fool, he and Chloe would have had this; had a son of their own to love.  Instead, she now had to watch Lana getting to enjoy everything she, Chloe, would never be able to have.

“How’s Chloe taking it?” he asked casually as they walked along.  “I’m sure she’s happy about being an aunt soon.” 

Lana swallowed and lowered her gaze.  “Chloe doesn’t know.”   

Clark’s eyes widened.  “You haven’t told her?”

“How could I?” she said, her eyes sad.  “I was only a few months pregnant when I went to Metropolis.  There’s no way I could have said anything about my baby when she was saying goodbye to  hers.”

“I understand how that would have been inappropriate,” he conceded.  “But that was months ago.”

“I know,” she replied softly.   “And I’ll tell her; I will.  It’s just… hard to find the right time.”

“She’ll be upset if she has to find out on her own, or from someone else,” he pointed out gently. 

“Which is why I need you to keep it to yourself until I’ve had a chance to tell her,” she replied.  “Please?” 

He nodded.  “Sure.” 

They got to the home she shared with Pete, and she slid her key into the lock on the front door. 

What do I do, Lana?” he asked quietly as she swung the door open.  “What do I need to make Chloe whole again?”  

Lana gave him a sad smile and gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.  She finally replied with a single word.  

“Time.”

***

Chapter 21…

Comments

[jlvsclrk.livejournal.com]

When did Lana get so wise? It's so nice to see her being a real friend to both Chloe and Clark.

[babydee1.livejournal.com]

I guess getting away from Smallville helped her re-evaluate herself, and having the right person by her side was a bonus.

Of course, I ascribe to the theory that her shiny hair was the source of her meteor power, so getting rid of it all might have been a great help, as well. ;-)

Glad you like, babes!

[eternal-moonie.livejournal.com]

Very nice new chapter sweets!

[babydee1.livejournal.com]

Thanks, babes!

[madlenita.livejournal.com]

Thanks for new chapter in this story too... And Olive lost his Company, wow....

[babydee1.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Oliver kind of lost it after Failsday. They all suffered some kind of loss or the other, sadly. :-(

Thanks for your comments, hun!

love it

[davidf40977.livejournal.com]

Looking for your next installment I'm really getting into this story

Re: love it

[babydee1.livejournal.com]

Thanks, David! Glad you like, and I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back to it. Hope to be able to post another update soon. :-)