fandomcorner | Ficlet: Revisited

Title: Revisited
Author: Hils
Rating: G
Fandom: Smallville
Pairing: Chloe/Clark
Words: 500
Summary: Chloe revisits the past, embraces the present and faces the future
Inspired by

bagheera_san's idea to write a missing scene ficlet for each new episode. This is my offering for Traveller
Thanks to

bittermint and

ghosts for the encouraging words and help. Thanks to

danceswithgary for the beta

It hurt to see him like this.

Clark was always so strong and powerful that just being around him made her feel safe. Now, it was her turn to be the one who took charge while Clark rested on the couch, pale and feverish with a sickly green hue to his skin.

Kara had assured Chloe that he would recover but, after being exposed to such high levels of kryptonite for such a long time, it would take a while. So here she was, at his side just as she had been when they were both much younger and she’d still held the hope that Clark would return her feelings. This time there was no letter in her bag. She carried only what she held in her heart.

She had told Jor-El that she loved Clark, and that much was true, but it wasn’t the same type of love that she'd felt when they were in high school. This was deeper, stronger, and she didn’t feel the need to pour it out to him. Just having those feelings inside gave her comfort.

As she wet a cloth and gently wiped it over Clark’s face, she knew it would only be a matter of time before Lana got back from the grocery store and took Chloe's place at Clark’s side. Lana's favored status didn’t hurt the way it used to, although Chloe still worried about Clark. Lana was far from the girl they knew when they were young. Chloe was starting to suspect that, maybe even then, Lana hadn’t been what she'd appeared. Lana had only been with Lex for a few months and dramatic changes didn't normally happen in such a short period of time. Chloe had been so quick to blame Lex for what Lana had become, but it was possible that this person had been inside Lana all along. All Chloe could do was watch and wait, and be ready to pick up the pieces if Lana ever hurt Clark.

He stirred, eyes quivering beneath closed lids, and the smallest flicker of a smile crossed his lips.

“Chloe…”

It was the faintest hint of a whisper and, for a moment, she was certain she hadn’t heard him correctly.

“Clark? Are you awake?”

He was still again, and she reached out to brush the hair away from his eyes before stroking his cheek, alarmed at the way the heat radiated from his skin. He let out a small moan and leaned into her touch, seeking out the coolness of her flesh against his.

She almost flinched when she felt him press a kiss to the palm of her hand.

“Mmm…love you….”

She sat there frozen in place, her mouth slightly open. He was probably dreaming of Lana.

But…he said your name….

When her body finally caught up with her mind, she couldn’t stop herself from leaning down and pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

“I love you too, Clark.”

In his sleep he smiled, and Chloe’s heart soared.