babydee1 | Chlark Fanfic: On the Inside, Chapter 3

Current Mood: sleepy

Entry tags:

Chlark Fanfic: On the Inside, Chapter 3

I'm...too tired to make small talk.

Here's chapter three. G'nite (or morning...)

Zzzzzzz......

Give it up for the fabulous ellashy , who made this lovely banner! :-)

Title: On The Inside

Author: BabyDee
Pairing: Chlark

Rating: PG13

Warnings: None
Timeline: Post-Failsday through Season 9 eps (Saviour – Crossfire)

Disclaimer: All characters belong to the CW & DC comics.

Summary: Chloe tries to start life anew in another city, but Clark thinks she left her heart in Metropolis.

Feedback: Me likey long time. J

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

Chapter 3

As soon as the elevator doors closed, Chloe exhaled deeply and buried her face in her hands.

Clark had come back into her life. She’d changed her name, appearance and moved several hundred miles away, and he’d still tracked her down.

Worse still, every latent feeling she’d managed to convince herself no longer existed within her had been dredged up again, and stronger than ever.

Damn him. She’d finally moved on, and now…

The elevator came to a halt and she quickly straightened and steeled her expression as she walked into the bullpen. She smiled at her colleagues as she made her way to her desk, and they waved back and continued with their work.

But one person wasn’t fooled. “You okay, Blogett?” called McAllister from across the room.

“I’m fine, Chief,” she replied, desperately trying to stop her trembling fingers.

“So, this Clark Kent…ex-boyfriend?”

“We never dated,” she said briskly, and sat down at her desk. Desperately she hoped the mini-interrogation was over, because she’d done everything to keep her past out of her present.

Fortunately, her boss took the hint. “You had a call from Bruce Wayne’s secretary while you were out,” McAllister said. “They’re ready to schedule that interview, it seems.”

“Oh, that’s brilliant news. I’m on it.” Quickly she grabbed her receiver and punched the numbers, doing her best to get on with the business of the day.

***

Jay B McAllister regarded Sadie Blogett with a more than watchful eye.

The young brunette sitting at her desk was more than an enigma. She’d come to the Gazette seeking an internship in her final year of journalism, and she’d impressed them so much with her hard work and dedication that she’d been given a full-time staff job on completion of her degree. All her documents and references had checked out, and she seemed to be the perfect employee with the perfect background.

And that was the problem. Sadie Blogett’s past seemed almost too perfectly orchestrated to be true. Everyone over the age of eighteen (and several people under it) had skeletons of some sort. Blogett had just managed to hide hers deeper than most, and cover her tracks very well.

But Jacinta Belle McAllister wasn’t called The Bloodhound for nothing.

Walking into her office, she shut the door and picked up her telephone, quickly dialling a number.

Two rings later, it was answered by a sweetly schooled voice. “Good afternoon, Daily Planet, this is Faye speaking. How can I help?”

“I’m calling regarding one of your reporters, a Clark Kent,” she began evenly. “I’d like to know-”

“Oh – you’re in luck, he just walked in,” the voice on the other end of the line said pleasantly.

McAllister’s heart thumped loudly. “He’s there?” she said suspiciously.

“He’s crossing the bullpen right now, Ma’am. Would you like me to put you through to him?”

“I’m having a meeting with him later today, but I’m not exactly sure what he looks like,” she said, thinking fast. “Could you just describe him for me, tell me what he’s wearing so I’ll know what to expect…?”

“I certainly can,” the friendly receptionist responded. “He’s tall - about 6’ 3”, dark hair, green eyes, and he’s wearing a light blue shirt with a maroon tie. Shall I put you through now?”

“That would be nice, thanks,” she replied quickly. Just to be absolutely sure…

Five seconds later, a new but familiar voice came over the line. “Clark Kent, Daily planet,” he said briskly. “How can I help you?”

Same voice.

“Well hello and hi there, sir!” Jay said, reverting to her southern roots and adopting a distinctly southern accent. “This is Lucy LaFramboise at Copyworld. I understand you’re in charge of copier supplies in your establishment?”

“Er…no, I’m a reporter actually,” he replied, sounding amused.

“Oh, fiddlesticks, I’ve been misinformed. My most sincere apologies; y’all have a nice day now!” she said, and hung up the phone.

Well…that was completely unexpected. She sat deep in thought, drumming her fingers on the desk as her brow furrowed in a deep frown.

Jay B McAllister always said it was just a matter of time before anyone’s skeletons were unearthed. And it looked like she’d uncovered a pretty big one in Sadie’s front yard.

How was it humanly possible that the young man who’d dropped Sadie off in the lobby only moments ago could have gotten back to Metropolis in under three minutes? The most obvious answer, of course, was that he wasn’t human. A stretch to be sure…but then, she lived in Gotham. She’d seen, heard, and was privy to things that most people wouldn’t believe.

She sat back and steepled her fingers as she figured out the best way to get to the bottom of all this. But of one thing she was very sure.

Sadie Blogett wasn’t who she said she was.

***

Chloe Sullivan, aka Sadie Blogett, no longer considered riding the elevators up to her floor part of her morning joy.

It had been a week since Clark’s surprise visit, and he had remained respectful of her wishes; he hadn’t come back to Gotham. Nor had he called, written, or communicated with her in any way. It was safe to say he’d taken the hint and dropped off her radar for good, which was exactly what she wanted.

Wasn’t it?

Sighing, she stepped out of the elevator and walked in the direction of the bullpen when she was hailed by Sally the intern.

“You have a visitor waiting in the lobby, Sadie,” she said with a cheeky smile. “A hot one. Where have you been hiding all these hunks, anyway?”

She frowned. Her interview with Bruce Wayne wasn’t till Thursday; unless his PA had gotten her wires crossed…

Chloe strode into the lobby with a smile…and both face and feet froze when she spotted a familiar blonde head bent over a newspaper.

Oh, no.

As her footfall came to a sudden stop, he looked up and smiled.

“Hello, Sadie!” he grinned.

Somehow she managed to stop her knees from shaking. “Oliver Queen,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “What brings you here?”

“I have something I need to discuss with you. Could we perhaps go somewhere private?”

She controlled her fury with considerable effort and went to stand in front of him, her hands balled into fists. “You can’t just walk into my place of work during office hours and demand my time like this!” she growled.

He made a face. “Oops. Bad habits are hard to break,” he chuckled.

She wasn’t amused. “I really don’t think we have anything to say to each other -”

“I think we do,” he interrupted, his voice and his face turning serious. “And I’m not leaving until I’ve said it.”

Her face heated in anger. “Did Clark send you? Because this is a new low, even for him.”

“Clark doesn’t know I’m here,” he replied. “Now, can we go somewhere and talk, or do I have to call you by your real name to get results?”

She stared at him in shock. “You wouldn’t dare!” she hissed.

He fixed her with a challenging gaze. “Try me.”

“And it’s my old name, not my real name!”

“Semantics.”

She clenched her fists tightly, weighing the pros and cons of punching him in the face.

“Oliver,” she said in a clipped voice, “this is where I work. I have a reputation to protect. I really don’t appreciate you coming here and disrupting my life like this!”

“Just thirty minutes of your time, that’s all I ask,” he said.

“I can’t -”

“Morning, Blogett!” she heard her Editor say breezily from behind her. “Who you got this time?”

“Oh, God, no,” she groaned. Turning, she fixed a smile on her face and greeted her boss. “Morning, Chief.”

McAllister thrust her hand towards Oliver. “Pleasure to meet you, Mr…?”

“Queen. Oliver Queen,” he said, flashing his charming smile as he shook her hand.

“Of course, I thought I recognised you,” she said, beaming. “You’re a friend of Sadie’s?”

“Friend and colleague,” he said, making her cringe in fear of discovery.

“We were just wondering if there was a private room where we could talk,” Chloe cut in quickly before Oliver could say anything more incriminating.

“Conference Room 7 is free; I’ve just wrapped up a meeting there and we had it booked for another hour,” McAllister replied with a grin. “Help yourself. Oliver? A pleasure.”

“Thanks, Chief,” Chloe said, and quickly yanked Ollie in the direction of the conference rooms. They got to CR7 and as soon as they were safely inside, she slammed the door shut and turned to face Oliver with her arms folded.

“Right. You have ten minutes to say your piece, get out.”

“Your boss said we had an hour,” he said plaintively.

She scowled. “Don’t make me hurt you, Ollie.”

He relented. “Okay. Just…promise you’ll hear me out, and be objective.”

“I don’t owe you anything,” she shot back. “Say what you want to, and leave. I have things to do.”

He nodded soberly. “Fair enough. Do you want to sit down?”

“No.”

“Fine, I will.” He perched on the edge of the table across from her, so that they were at about the same eye level.

“For a long time, Clark…really hasn’t been himself,” Oliver began, but she raised a hand and stopped him.

“Clark and I had this conversation last week,” she snapped. “I’ve already given him my answer to that. Goodbye, Oliver.” She turned and opened the door.

“If I know Clark, he probably didn’t give you the full facts,” Oliver said behind her. “All I want to do is enlighten you with the truth, and then you can make your own mind up about where to go from there.”

She tilted her head and frowned. “The truth about what?”

“About everything that’s happened since we got rid of Doomsday,” he said.

She gave a short laugh. “Oliver, I can tell you everything that happened since we got rid of Doomsday, because I was there,” she said. “So were all of you, before you walked away.”

“Okay, the rest of us were dicks to leave you grieving on your own like that, and on behalf of the League, I apologise. But Chloe…I mentioned earlier that Clark hasn’t really been himself.”

“Yeah, that’s his excuse for a lot of things,” she said, unimpressed. “What was it this time…redK, hypno-ho, shiny dark hair…?”

“Brainiac,” he said softly. “It was the Brain InterActive Construct.”

***

Chapter 4…

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Aha! I *knew* Clark wasn't himself at that moment!

Hopefully this means he has cleared the Brainiac infection... or does he need Chloe to do that?

"Aha! I *knew* Clark wasn't himself at that moment!"

Clever you!!! :-P

"Hopefully this means he has cleared the Brainiac infection... or does he need Chloe to do that?"

You'll find out in Chapter 4. :-)

Glad you like it so far!

Brainiac!! Was Brainiac masquerading as Clark all this time? Interesting turn of events. Love this fic! :)

You'll see in Chapter 4. Not sure when it'll be up, but you can trust me to explain all! :-)

Glad you like it! ;-)

Ok I'll cuddle you cause this fic is addictive, oh and I DEMAND MORE lol...
awesome job Dee...

Ella, honey! Good t'see ya!! See how your manips inspire me? *smishes you tight*

Glad you like it so far, and thanks for trusting me with your banner! :-)

Great storyline! I totally wish the writers on SV were smart enough to go this way! Thank you for more great Chlark!http://babydee1.livejournal.com/66651.html?mode=reply

So glad I can entertain you, moviebutter! Still keeping my fingers crossed for an EradiClark/ Brainwashed!Chlark/ Brainiac!Clark reveal on the show...!

Thanks for commenting! :-)

Brainiac!!! I suspected that the real clark kent wasnt the one who appeared post doomsday, but i thought that i could be a avatar created by the fortress... now, brainiac can be all sorts of trouble... what did he do this time?

and, what about that coleague of sadie's??? major trouble ahead,, i can almost taste it

"Brainiac!!! I suspected that the real clark kent wasnt the one who appeared post doomsday, but i thought that i could be a avatar created by the fortress... now, brainiac can be all sorts of trouble... what did he do this time?"

You'll see. He always has all sorts of plans up his sleeve, that one! :-D

"and, what about that coleague of sadie's??? major trouble ahead,, i can almost taste it"

*zips lips* I ain't talkin'. You'll have to wait and see!

Glad you like it, William! :-)

"I suspected that the real clark kent wasnt the one who appeared post doomsday..."

Actually...it was. In this fic, at least. You'll see where Brainiac fits in in the next chapter!

Oh this is too good!

It warms my heart to hear you say that! :-)

Wow! what a twist you have here, very very intriguing Dee. ppms!

Thank you, Ana - I enjoy keep you all in the edges of your seats! :-P

omg yuo are brilliant for ollie telling her that clark was not clark when he walked out on her that he was brianic brilliant . oh man im so happy ollie told her that he and the others were sry . do you think chloe will go home now ? will her editior figure out who she is ? PPMS

"omg yuo are brilliant for ollie telling her that clark was not clark when he walked out on her that he was brianic brilliant ."

*grins* Thanks, Paige. I figured it would make sense (and make a lot of people happy) to say that Clark really hasn't been himself all season long. The Clark Kent we know would never give up on a friend. Never.

"oh man im so happy ollie told her that he and the others were sry ."

Looooong overdue, if you ask me! :-P

"do you think chloe will go home now ? will her editior figure out who she is ? PPMS"

Chloe still has a lot of things to think about before she considers making another lifechanging decision.

As for her Editor...well, lets just say that Chloe isn't the only investigative journalist out there! ;-)

So glad you like it! :-)

*Cuddles*

Totally AWESOME chapter!!!!

Thank you, dear Jan! :-)

Another awesome chapter. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Thanks, babes! Hope you'll like where I'm taking it. :-)

Great story glad you updated and Brainiac!

Yup, Brainiac's up to his old tricks again...

Glad you like it! :-)

Love this story, can't wait to read more!

Thanks for your lovely comment - happy to keep you entertained! :-D

This was a great chapter, but I have to admit to not being surprised that Clark spilled his guts as to Chloe's whereabouts the minute he got back to Metropolis. I guess the only secret he's capable of keeping is his own.

And Oliver needs to offer Chloe more then a glib apology but maybe he doesn't actually care if Chloe truly forgives him and the JLA. But he is there to tell her about Clark so maybe he does want to set things right.

But I do like that Brainiac had something to do with Clark's horrible behavior.

Excellent work on this chapter :):)

Edited 2010-02-26 15:23 (UTC)

"This was a great chapter, but I have to admit to not being surprised that Clark spilled his guts as to Chloe's whereabouts the minute he got back to Metropolis. I guess the only secret he's capable of keeping is his own."

That's so true, you know! For someone so guarded over his own secret, he can't seem to stop spilling those of others. :-)

"And Oliver needs to offer Chloe more then a glib apology but maybe he doesn't actually care if Chloe truly forgives him and the JLA. But he is there to tell her about Clark so maybe he does want to set things right."

Well, you know Ollie - always masking his true emotions with hos own brand of dry humour that no-one really finds funny. But this mission is a noble one. You'll see!

"But I do like that Brainiac had something to do with Clark's horrible behavior."

That's the only sane explanation I can come up with for this clusterfuck of a Season, babes! :-D

"Excellent work on this chapter :):)"

Glad you like it, Kathy!

Ooooh, you really love those evil cliffhangers. :D

Nice chapter and I can't wait to see how this turns out.

Hope you like where I'm taking it. Thanks for commenting, Kim! :-)

Genius :)
This was brilliant...cant wait for more x

Thanks, babes! Glad you like. :-)

' “Brainiac,” he said softly. “It was the Brain InterActive Construct.” '

*screams with excitement*
*bounces up and down on office chair*
*etc., etc.*

Calm yourself, child - calm yourself! :-D

I adore your enthusiasm. Thanks for commenting! :-)

Great update.
See, you always manage to make me want to ask a lot of questions after reading each new chapter. What exactly did Braniac do to Clark and please can it be used on the show?
Looks like Chloe is going to have to watch out for the boss woman.
Cannot wait for Ollie's answers.
Can't wait for more.

Great update.

Thank you! :-)

"See, you always manage to make me want to ask a lot of questions after reading each new chapter. What exactly did Braniac do to Clark and please can it be used on the show?"

Quick answer: you'll find out in the next chapter! As to the second question, I wish it could, but I don't think it will be. *sad sigh*

"Looks like Chloe is going to have to watch out for the boss woman."

Ah, McAllister and her intrigue... ;-)

"Cannot wait for Ollie's answers.
Can't wait for more."

So glad you like it! :-D

awesome fic...loving this..cannot wait for more!!!

>"awesome fic..."

Thank you! :-D

"loving this..."

YAY!!!

"cannot wait for more!!!"

Then head over to Chapter 4!!!

So glad you like it! :-)

Oooh, that is one quick-thinking editor; but who should be more worried: Clark or Chloe?

But how did she come to the conclusion that Sadie isn't who she says she is just because she's had a 'strange visitor from another planet'?

...oh, yeah, and of course, simply because she has no known skeletons in her closet?

Oh, yes, also two men from her past showing up within a week after no-one else in all the time she'd been there... and one a famous billionaire!!! Is Chloe sure CR7 isn't bugged?

I'm so glad it wasn't the real Clark who left Chloe after Doomsday!

But please tell me Clark didn't give up this easily?

So when did you say the next chapter will be posted? No pressure! But do hurry up! PLEASE!

"Oooh, that is one quick-thinking editor; but who should be more worried: Clark or Chloe?"

Who says they need to be worried at all? *hums innocently*

"Oh, yes, also two men from her past showing up within a week after no-one else in all the time she'd been there... and one a famous billionaire!!! Is Chloe sure CR7 isn't bugged?"

*whistles innocently again* Hmm? What was that? ;-)

"I'm so glad it wasn't the real Clark who left Chloe after Doomsday!"

Er...actually, it was. Clark walked away and went to the Fortress to train, and that's when Brainiac infected him. So Clark, sadly, is still a bit of a dick. Sorry!

"But please tell me Clark didn't give up this easily?"

Nah, he's just respecting Chloe's wishes and staying away, but making everyone totally miserable with his long face, which is why Oliver's come to Gotham to clear the air with Chloe.

"So when did you say the next chapter will be posted? No pressure! But do hurry up! PLEASE!"

*grins* Go right on ahead to Chapter 4, babygirl! :-)

So glad you like it, and thanks as always for your lovely comments! :-D

Squeee! That's a great cliffie - I want more!!!!

I am mean, aren't I? ;-)

So glad you like it, hun. I know you're a huge Clark fan, so I'll try and redeem him as much as I can!

Have I told you how much I'm loving this story? :)

For me, the best twist wasn't Brainiac, it was Jacinta Belle. *G*

How was it humanly possible that the young man who’d dropped Sadie off in the lobby only moments ago could have gotten back to Metropolis in under three minutes? The most obvious answer, of course, was that he wasn’t human. A stretch to be sure…but then, she lived in Gotham. She’d seen, heard, and was privy to things that most people wouldn’t believe.

Y'know, this was EXACTLY why I always thought Perry HAD to know who Superman really was all along. Editors do not miss details like that. And I can hardly wait to see how THIS editor handles her discovery.

“Queen. Oliver Queen,” he said, flashing his charming smile as he shook her hand.

“Of course, I thought I recognised you,” she said, beaming. “You’re a friend of Sadie’s?”

.....not to mention the discovery that "Sadie" ALSO happens to be on a first-name basis with one of the richest men in the world. Hmmm. Wonder what an experienced investigative editor/reporter might think? *G*

Sadly, I didn't procrastinate long enough for Chapter Four to be posted. *Sulks* Oh well. Better luck next time.

Wonderful story, Dee!! I'm looking forward to seeing where you take it!

*Pops head back in* Is it updated yet? :)

Aieee!!! How on earth did I forget to show some lurve to this awesome review?!? *hangs head in shame*

"Have I told you how much I'm loving this story? :)"

Yes you have, babes - several times! And have I told you how sorry I am to have forgotten your awesome review? I really am sorry, hun - please forgive me! :-S

"For me, the best twist wasn't Brainiac, it was Jacinta Belle. *G*"

Full marks to Debbie! I had a helluva time trying to keep McAllister gender-neutral until I was ready to reveal it. I grinned for ages trying to imagine the collective gasp from the readers when they realised that Jay B McAllister was a GIRL!!! :-D

"Y'know, this was EXACTLY why I always thought Perry HAD to know who Superman really was all along. Editors do not miss details like that. And I can hardly wait to see how THIS editor handles her discovery."

I think you'll love it. Jay B McAllister kicks Perry's ass anyday - sorry, Perry! All you have going for you is ICONIC!

".....not to mention the discovery that "Sadie" ALSO happens to be on a first-name basis with one of the richest men in the world. Hmmm. Wonder what an experienced investigative editor/reporter might think? *G*"

She'll think she needs to do her some diggin', that's what she'll think! :-P

"Sadly, I didn't procrastinate long enough for Chapter Four to be posted. *Sulks* Oh well. Better luck next time."

~Psst! On The Inside now 12 Chapters in...spread the word!~ ;-)

"Wonderful story, Dee!! I'm looking forward to seeing where you take it!"

I hope I don't disappoint you! Thanks again for another stunning review. And speaking of stunning reviews, I owe you one or two for Kryptonian Nights, don't I? :-)

I love that you brought Oliver into this story, and that he's tracked Chloe down to apologize and explain things to her. Wow, her Chief's going to have even more to add to her growing suspicions of Chloe/Sadie. I like Jay, she sounds like a female, non-smoking, non grouchy version of Perry. :D I'm lucky I don't have to wait for the next part, talk about suspense and intrigue with the last line.

"I love that you brought Oliver into this story, and that he's tracked Chloe down to apologize and explain things to her."

I felt like they needed to have a little talk, at least. They had a rough year, and I should have expanded their convo a bit more, but I wanted to focus to remain on Clark. If that makes sense. :-)

"Wow, her Chief's going to have even more to add to her growing suspicions of Chloe/Sadie."

Oh, McAllister's no slouch, and she knows weird and unexplained when she sees it. Sound like anyone you know? ;-)

" like Jay, she sounds like a female, non-smoking, non grouchy version of Perry."

Perfect description, babes! :-D

"I'm lucky I don't have to wait for the next part, talk about suspense and intrigue with the last line."

procrastination has its rewards, as a wise friend of mine always says. ~cough~Debbie!~cough~

So glad you like it, honey. Thanks for the awesome comments! :-)

"As her footfall came to a sudden stop, he looked up and smiled.
“Hello, Sadie!” he grinned.
Somehow she managed to stop her knees from shaking. “Oliver Queen,”

Oh my god, could this story get any better? Ollie! And I totally understand about her knees shaking. He has that effect on women! ;-)

And I ADORE the way you wrote Ollie- you captured him perfectly- snarky, and yet businesslike all at the same time. Gah, I love him!

"“Yeah, that’s his excuse for a lot of things,” she said, unimpressed. “What was it this time…redK, hypno-ho, shiny dark hair…?”

Bwah! Touche, Chloe!

“Brainiac,” he said softly. “It was the Brain InterActive Construct.”

Oh. Well, yeah, that would explain a lot, now, wouldn't it?

Excellent chapter, Darlin'!!

*runs off to next one, and did I mention I'm a genius for waiting to read this all at once?*

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Chlark Fanfic: On the Inside, Chapter 3

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject