SV/SPN crossover: Nowhere to Run (8-16/?)
Title: Nowhere to Run: Part Two
Author: X_tremeroswellian
Fandom: Smallville/Supernatural crossover
Rated: R for violence, language and sexual content
Pairing: Chloe/Sam
Disclaimer: If they were mine, I’d have a lot more money than the 75 cents in my pocket, so yeah. Not mine. :P Don’t sue. Thanks.
Author’s Note: Title inspired by the song “Snow White Queen” by Evanescence.
Parts 1-7 | Parts 8-16 | Parts 17-19 | Parts 20-23
Part Two
Eight
The drive to Smallville flew by as Sam drove and the two of them discussed various cases they’d investigated over the years.
Chloe found herself gazing at his profile in the darkness of the Impala. She was more than use to being around heroes--Clark, Oliver Queen, Bart, Victor, and Arthur--but somehow this was different. The Winchesters were a different type of heroes.
And she was more than a little fascinated.
Sam was more open than Clark, but he was quiet, gentle. Warm. There was a pain behind his eyes and words when he spoke and he didn’t try to hide it from her.
She wanted to comfort him. Wanted to reach out and help him carry that pain and help him find peace with himself. It wasn’t much different than how she’d always felt about Clark, actually.
With the major exception that she’d only known Sam Winchester for a very few short hours.
Biting her lower lip, she looked out the windshield. Lois had been right. She definitely had a thing for a guy with a hero complex.
Nine
Putting his brother’s car into the park position as he pulled up in front of the Talon, Sam glanced sideways at Chloe and found her looking at him.
“You okay?” he asked, concerned warmth in his tone. “How’s your shoulder?”
“It hurts a little, but I think I’ll live,” she said, offering him a small smile.
“Good to know.” The sudden compulsion he had to touch her cheek startled him and he quickly reached for the door handle. That was the last thing either of them needed--to get entangled in a romance that could never have a happy ending. Besides, she’d take one look at Dean and lose any interest she might or might not have for him.
Rarely could a woman resist the charms of Dean Winchester.
He climbed out of the car and moved to the passenger side, opening the door for her and smiling faintly as her eyes registered surprised. Clearly she wasn’t used to that kind of gesture and that bothered him.
Chloe was special. And a woman like her deserved to be treated like it.
He held his hand out and helped her out of the car.
“Thanks,” she whispered, meeting his gaze once more.
“You’re welcome.” He shut the door and offered her another smile as she led the way to the entrance of the Talon, glancing back at him with inquisitive eyes.
Drawing in a breath, he forced himself to concentrate on the matter at hand--the fact that there was a shape-shifter on the loose, and that the woman walking in front of him needed protection from another type of a monster, as well--this particular one of the human variety.
The worst kind.
His brother was sitting at the counter alone, and when the bell above the door tinkled to announce someone was entering, Dean turned and looked first at Sam, then at Chloe, his eyes widening just slightly.
Sam had to repress the urge to scowl.
“Chloe, this is my brother, Dean. Dean, this is Chloe Sullivan.”
Dean smiled at her, and extended his hand. “Pleasure is all mine.”
Chloe smirked at him, shaking his hand, and looking over her shoulder at Sam briefly. “So this is the famous love ‘em and leave ‘em Winchester,” she said with a quirked eyebrow.
Sam laughed at his brother’s stunned expression. He coughed when Dean glared at him. “Hey, Chloe, can I get some coffee?”
She grinned at him. “Sure thing, Sam.” She winked at him before heading behind the counter to the coffee machine.
“What the hell just happened?” Dean asked, still looking vaguely confused.
“I think that was her way of saying she’s not interested in you, Dean.” He smirked and clapped a hand on his brother’s shoulder at his crestfallen expression.
“Is that even possible?” he grumbled.
Sam watched as Chloe fixed him a latte. He definitely hoped so.
Ten
“Wait, so you’re telling me we’re all over the Internet?” His voice was dubious, but in reality Chloe was more than surprised he’d swallowed the news so well that she knew all about them.
Chloe glanced sideways at Sam, who was sitting to her right, and then looked across the table at Dean once more. “Not all over it, no. But in certain circles online, you’re famous.”
Dean smirked and leaned back in the booth. “Huh.”
Chloe and Sam both rolled their eyes at the same time without even realizing it.
“This is great coffee,” he told her quietly and she flashed him a grin.
“I live off coffee,” she admitted.
He smiled back at her, holding her gaze for a moment longer and she felt butterflies flutter in her tummy nervously.
This time, Dean rolled his eyes. “All right, so what about the shape-shifter?”
“That’s not our only problem,” Sam told his brother, the smile fading and being replaced by a worried look.
“Great. Always what I love to hear. What else is it?”
Chloe ducked her head, shifting uncomfortably. She was surprised when Sam’s hand squeezed hers very lightly as if he was sensing her unease.
Sam leaned forward, not moving his hand away from hers. “His name’s Lex Luthor.”
“Sam…Lex is my problem.” Her voice was soft and she didn’t look at him.
“Your problems are our problems, Sweetheart,” Dean said with another smirk. “It’s sorta what we do.”
She made a face at the term of endearment that she likely would have found endearing had it come from Sam, but the cocky arrogance in Dean’s voice annoyed her. “Yeah, well, Lex Luthor isn’t a demon or a monster. At least, not the kind you two deal with.”
“What the hell is he then?” Dean shifted his gaze to Sam, his eyebrows furrowing.
“He’s human,” Sam said, his voice hard.
Eleven
“Fantastic.” Dean’s voice was flat, annoyed. “What the hell does this guy want with you?” He looked at Chloe.
Sam gazed at his brother, remaining silent. It wasn’t his place to tell Dean about Chloe and he wasn’t about to betray her trust.
She drew in a breath and let it out slowly, not looking at Dean or Sam. “I’m meteor-infected.”
Dean blinked, opened his mouth to respond, but said nothing.
That was a first, Sam thought with a tiny smile. “She doesn’t have any powers.”
“Then what the hell does this Luthor guy want with you?” He shook his head.
“Lex views all meteor-freaks as a danger to society.” Her voice was very soft. “He’s been capturing them, tracking them and eventually…”
“Killing them,” Sam finished grimly, his eyes angry. “Sound like anyone else you know?”
Dean’s eyes darkened. “Son of a bitch.”
Nodding, he knew his brother understood exactly what was going on in his mind and he looked sideways at Chloe. “Hey, is there a motel where we can stay for the night?”
“There’s one at the edge of town, but…” She glanced toward the upstairs and Sam followed her gaze. “Lois was heading to Metropolis tonight, so you’re welcome to stay with me in her apartment.”
Sam shot a glare at Dean when his brother began to smirk. “That’s a really nice offer, but we don’t wanna take advantage.”
Chloe smiled at him, her green eyes bright. “You’re not. Trust me.”
“I do,” he said without hesitation, gazing back at her. “All right, we’ll stay.” He ignored his brother’s knowing smirk.
The bell above the door jingled and he looked up to see a guy almost as tall as him walk in with a pretty brunette at his side. They were holding hands. And both looking straight at Chloe with vague shock.
He watched with some confusion as Chloe seemed to shrink a little. “Chloe? Who are they?” he whispered.
Twelve
Chloe’s heart sank a little as she watched Clark and Lana step inside the Talon and look right at her, both looking surprised to see her. Probably more surprised to see her with two good looking guys neither of them knew. She heard Sam’s whispered question, and prepared herself for the inevitable male reaction to meeting Lana Lang.
“Friends,” she answered, forcing a smile as she lifted a hand to wave at them.
Clark met her gaze, his own eyes filled with intense curiosity. But, she knew without thinking--not jealousy.
She watched as they approached the table.
“Hey, Chloe.” Lana smiled at her, then looked at Sam and Dean, her eyes curious as well. “Who are your friends?”
“Lana, Clark…this is Sam and Dean. They’re new in town. Sight seeing. Guys, these are my friends Clark Kent and Lana Lang,” she said with false cheerfulness that Lana and Clark always failed to see through.
“Nice to meet you,” Sam said, nodding at them slightly.
Dean smiled but it was a cautious smile.
“Likewise,” Clark said, eyeing Sam with something akin to suspicion. “How long have you guys been in town?”
“Not long,” he answered vaguely.
Chloe swallowed hard, feeling intensely uncomfortable. She glanced over and was surprised to see Sam gazing at her and not Lana. She met his eyes and he smiled gently at her and she couldn’t help but return the gesture. It took every ounce of effort she had to look back at Clark. “You guys are out late.”
“We decided to stop in for a nightcap,” Lana explained with an easy, pretty smile, looking up at Clark.
“I bet,” she heard Dean mutter, another smirk on his face. She was beginning to realize smirking was a perpetual state for him.
“Well, I’m just gonna…get some tea,” Lana said, shooting Chloe a curious look, her eyebrows raised. “Chloe, you wanna help me with that?”
Not really, she thought, not liking the competitive gazes that Clark and Sam kept exchanging. “Sure thing.” She reluctantly pulled her hand away from Sam’s and rose to her feet. “Be right back, guys.”
Chloe followed Lana behind the counter.
“Who are they?” she asked curiously, looking at Chloe intently.
“Brothers. They’re road tripping and were curious about Smallville and its history,” Chloe answered.
“Oh. Well, they definitely found the right person to fill them in,” Lana said with a grin.
She smiled back, a genuine smile this time. She glanced back toward the table.
“He’s cute.”
“More like gorgeous,” Chloe responded without thinking.
Lana giggled. “You’ve got it bad.”
She looked at her friend, her cheeks flushing. Was she really that obvious?
Thirteen
Sam did not like the way Clark Kent was sizing him up, but he understood it. “So how long have you known Chloe?” he asked casually.
Clark shifted slightly. “Oh, since we were in eighth grade.”
“You two ever date?” Dean asked bluntly.
Sam shot his brother a glare, which Dean promptly ignored.
“No. We’ve always been just good friends. Best friends, actually.” Clark turned his gaze back to Sam, studying him intently.
Your loss, Sam thought, glancing across the room and seeing Chloe gazing at him. He smiled at her warmly. He heard his brother say something else, but didn’t catch it, too caught up in the smile that appeared on the petite blonde’s face.
“Well, it was nice meeting you both,” Clark said, breaking Sam from his thoughts and extending his hand.
Sam blinked a couple of times and reached out to shake his hand, surprised by the firm, almost warning grip from the younger man. “Likewise.” He watched as Clark headed to the counter and then turned to look at Dean.
“So how bad you hate him?” Dean asked with a knowing smirk.
Sam rolled his eyes.
Fourteen
“Chloe, can I talk to you for a minute?”
She glanced at Clark, then at Lana, raising her eyebrows. “Sure thing, Clark.” She handed Lana the mug of tea she was holding and followed Clark toward the Talon’s office. “What’s up?”
“That’s what I’d like to know.” He turned to gaze at her, his eyes a mixture of confusion and worry.
“Like I said, they’re sight seeing.” Chloe shrugged.
“Yeah? So what happened to your shoulder?”
She winced a little and looked down to see a piece of the white gauze sticking out of her shirt. She quickly tucked it back down, not meeting his gaze. “Ran into a little trouble in Metropolis. Sam helped me out.”
“What kind of trouble?” Clark asked, his blue eyes alarmed.
“Relax, Clark. I’m all right.” She explained to him what had happened and he stared at her, horrified.
“God, Chloe, are you sure you’re all right?” He winced. “You should’ve gone to the hospital.”
“It was a superficial wound. Really not a big deal. I promise.” She gazed at him, touched by his concern.
“Why didn’t you call me?”
“Actually I tried. You didn’t answer.” She offered him a wry smile.
He shut his eyes, his shoulders slumping. “I shoulda been there.”
“It turned out all right.”
“Chloe, you could have been killed.”
“Which makes today a normal day,” Chloe responded with a wry smile. “Minus being rescued by someone other than Clark Kent, that is.” She glanced toward the front of the café.
“You like him.”
She was silent for a moment. “We have a lot in common,” she said quietly.
Clark lifted his eyebrows. “Like what?”
“Like…it’s a long story, which I’ll tell you some other time. You need to get back to your girlfriend.” Her voice was light and she smiled at him.
“You’re sure you’re all right?” Clark gazed at her intently.
“I’m fine, Clark. Promise.” She held his gaze.
He let out a breath, hugging her gently. “All right. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”
“All right. Have a good night.”
“You too, Chlo.” He kissed her forehead and led the way out of the office.
She murmured her goodnight to Lana, and watched as the two of them headed out of the Talon arm-in-arm.
It dawned on her she wasn’t the least bit bothered by the sight.
Fifteen
“So there are extra blankets in the closet on the top shelf if you get cold in the middle of the night.”
Sam smiled faintly as she motioned to a door across the room. The Talon apartment didn’t have a guest room, but the sofa had a pull-out bed and Chloe had dug out a blow up mattress which she’d helped him make on the floor of the living room.
Which of course, he was sleeping on, because Dean insisted on the sofa bed.
Jerk.
“It’s actually more comfortable than the sofa bed,” she’d whispered to Sam with a smirk when Dean had disappeared into the bathroom to take a shower.
He had laughed out loud at that.
“Help yourselves to anything in the kitchen, and if you need anything, I’ll be in the other room.”
“Thanks, Chloe. We really appreciate it.” He smiled at her.
“Sweet dreams.” Chloe’s gaze lingered on his face for a moment before she turned and disappeared into the bedroom, shutting the door behind her softly as he watched her go.
Sam rubbed the back of his neck, staring at the shut door.
“You know, if you weren’t such a damn girl you could be in there with her,” Dean said with a smirk as he sat down on the edge of the sofa bed.
“Shut up, Dean,” he said without any malice or even annoyance. He settled himself onto the comfortable mattress on the floor, yawning and shutting his eyes as he yanked the covers up to his chin.
He listened to the sounds of his brother trying to get comfortable in the bed above him for several minutes.
“This thing’s as hard as a damn rock!”
Sixteen
Chloe was running, but she couldn’t see where she was going. All she knew was that the man with the knife was getting closer, so close she could feel his hot breath against her neck.
She felt the fiery-hot blade slice into her shoulder and a scream escaped her. She stumbled, picked herself up and ran again, pressing one hand to her shoulder while her other hand frantically dialed for help, praying that Clark would answer his phone.
“No use running, Chloe,” the voice whispered, sickly-sweet. “There’s nowhere to run. You’re mine.”
And then she was pinned to the wall, the silver blade pressed to her cheek warningly as he ripped her shirt open.
A frightened cry escaped her lips.
And then she felt herself being gathered into strong, protective arms, a soft voice murmuring that she was safe. That she was just dreaming.
“You’re okay, Chloe. No one’s gonna hurt you.” A large, but gentle hand stroked her hair and down her back and she awakened slowly to find herself wrapped in Sam’s arms. Her body relaxed and she rested her head against his collarbone.
“Sorry I woke you.”
“You didn’t. I was awake and I thought I heard you crying,” he murmured, his lips brushing lightly over her forehead, his hand resting against her back. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah. Just…bad dream.” She swallowed hard and pulled away enough to look up at him.
He gazed back at her, their eyes meeting in the semi-darkness of the bedroom. “Know that feeling.”
She hesitated a moment. “Sam?”
“Yeah?”
“Would you…stay here with me?”
Sam reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Sure,” he murmured, pressing another kiss to her forehead.
Chloe closed her eyes, then touched his cheek with one hand, opening her eyes to meet his gaze once more. And then she kissed him very softly.
Author: X_tremeroswellian
Fandom: Smallville/Supernatural crossover
Rated: R for violence, language and sexual content
Pairing: Chloe/Sam
Disclaimer: If they were mine, I’d have a lot more money than the 75 cents in my pocket, so yeah. Not mine. :P Don’t sue. Thanks.
Author’s Note: Title inspired by the song “Snow White Queen” by Evanescence.
Parts 1-7 | Parts 8-16 | Parts 17-19 | Parts 20-23
Part Two
Eight
The drive to Smallville flew by as Sam drove and the two of them discussed various cases they’d investigated over the years.
Chloe found herself gazing at his profile in the darkness of the Impala. She was more than use to being around heroes--Clark, Oliver Queen, Bart, Victor, and Arthur--but somehow this was different. The Winchesters were a different type of heroes.
And she was more than a little fascinated.
Sam was more open than Clark, but he was quiet, gentle. Warm. There was a pain behind his eyes and words when he spoke and he didn’t try to hide it from her.
She wanted to comfort him. Wanted to reach out and help him carry that pain and help him find peace with himself. It wasn’t much different than how she’d always felt about Clark, actually.
With the major exception that she’d only known Sam Winchester for a very few short hours.
Biting her lower lip, she looked out the windshield. Lois had been right. She definitely had a thing for a guy with a hero complex.
Nine
Putting his brother’s car into the park position as he pulled up in front of the Talon, Sam glanced sideways at Chloe and found her looking at him.
“You okay?” he asked, concerned warmth in his tone. “How’s your shoulder?”
“It hurts a little, but I think I’ll live,” she said, offering him a small smile.
“Good to know.” The sudden compulsion he had to touch her cheek startled him and he quickly reached for the door handle. That was the last thing either of them needed--to get entangled in a romance that could never have a happy ending. Besides, she’d take one look at Dean and lose any interest she might or might not have for him.
Rarely could a woman resist the charms of Dean Winchester.
He climbed out of the car and moved to the passenger side, opening the door for her and smiling faintly as her eyes registered surprised. Clearly she wasn’t used to that kind of gesture and that bothered him.
Chloe was special. And a woman like her deserved to be treated like it.
He held his hand out and helped her out of the car.
“Thanks,” she whispered, meeting his gaze once more.
“You’re welcome.” He shut the door and offered her another smile as she led the way to the entrance of the Talon, glancing back at him with inquisitive eyes.
Drawing in a breath, he forced himself to concentrate on the matter at hand--the fact that there was a shape-shifter on the loose, and that the woman walking in front of him needed protection from another type of a monster, as well--this particular one of the human variety.
The worst kind.
His brother was sitting at the counter alone, and when the bell above the door tinkled to announce someone was entering, Dean turned and looked first at Sam, then at Chloe, his eyes widening just slightly.
Sam had to repress the urge to scowl.
“Chloe, this is my brother, Dean. Dean, this is Chloe Sullivan.”
Dean smiled at her, and extended his hand. “Pleasure is all mine.”
Chloe smirked at him, shaking his hand, and looking over her shoulder at Sam briefly. “So this is the famous love ‘em and leave ‘em Winchester,” she said with a quirked eyebrow.
Sam laughed at his brother’s stunned expression. He coughed when Dean glared at him. “Hey, Chloe, can I get some coffee?”
She grinned at him. “Sure thing, Sam.” She winked at him before heading behind the counter to the coffee machine.
“What the hell just happened?” Dean asked, still looking vaguely confused.
“I think that was her way of saying she’s not interested in you, Dean.” He smirked and clapped a hand on his brother’s shoulder at his crestfallen expression.
“Is that even possible?” he grumbled.
Sam watched as Chloe fixed him a latte. He definitely hoped so.
Ten
“Wait, so you’re telling me we’re all over the Internet?” His voice was dubious, but in reality Chloe was more than surprised he’d swallowed the news so well that she knew all about them.
Chloe glanced sideways at Sam, who was sitting to her right, and then looked across the table at Dean once more. “Not all over it, no. But in certain circles online, you’re famous.”
Dean smirked and leaned back in the booth. “Huh.”
Chloe and Sam both rolled their eyes at the same time without even realizing it.
“This is great coffee,” he told her quietly and she flashed him a grin.
“I live off coffee,” she admitted.
He smiled back at her, holding her gaze for a moment longer and she felt butterflies flutter in her tummy nervously.
This time, Dean rolled his eyes. “All right, so what about the shape-shifter?”
“That’s not our only problem,” Sam told his brother, the smile fading and being replaced by a worried look.
“Great. Always what I love to hear. What else is it?”
Chloe ducked her head, shifting uncomfortably. She was surprised when Sam’s hand squeezed hers very lightly as if he was sensing her unease.
Sam leaned forward, not moving his hand away from hers. “His name’s Lex Luthor.”
“Sam…Lex is my problem.” Her voice was soft and she didn’t look at him.
“Your problems are our problems, Sweetheart,” Dean said with another smirk. “It’s sorta what we do.”
She made a face at the term of endearment that she likely would have found endearing had it come from Sam, but the cocky arrogance in Dean’s voice annoyed her. “Yeah, well, Lex Luthor isn’t a demon or a monster. At least, not the kind you two deal with.”
“What the hell is he then?” Dean shifted his gaze to Sam, his eyebrows furrowing.
“He’s human,” Sam said, his voice hard.
Eleven
“Fantastic.” Dean’s voice was flat, annoyed. “What the hell does this guy want with you?” He looked at Chloe.
Sam gazed at his brother, remaining silent. It wasn’t his place to tell Dean about Chloe and he wasn’t about to betray her trust.
She drew in a breath and let it out slowly, not looking at Dean or Sam. “I’m meteor-infected.”
Dean blinked, opened his mouth to respond, but said nothing.
That was a first, Sam thought with a tiny smile. “She doesn’t have any powers.”
“Then what the hell does this Luthor guy want with you?” He shook his head.
“Lex views all meteor-freaks as a danger to society.” Her voice was very soft. “He’s been capturing them, tracking them and eventually…”
“Killing them,” Sam finished grimly, his eyes angry. “Sound like anyone else you know?”
Dean’s eyes darkened. “Son of a bitch.”
Nodding, he knew his brother understood exactly what was going on in his mind and he looked sideways at Chloe. “Hey, is there a motel where we can stay for the night?”
“There’s one at the edge of town, but…” She glanced toward the upstairs and Sam followed her gaze. “Lois was heading to Metropolis tonight, so you’re welcome to stay with me in her apartment.”
Sam shot a glare at Dean when his brother began to smirk. “That’s a really nice offer, but we don’t wanna take advantage.”
Chloe smiled at him, her green eyes bright. “You’re not. Trust me.”
“I do,” he said without hesitation, gazing back at her. “All right, we’ll stay.” He ignored his brother’s knowing smirk.
The bell above the door jingled and he looked up to see a guy almost as tall as him walk in with a pretty brunette at his side. They were holding hands. And both looking straight at Chloe with vague shock.
He watched with some confusion as Chloe seemed to shrink a little. “Chloe? Who are they?” he whispered.
Twelve
Chloe’s heart sank a little as she watched Clark and Lana step inside the Talon and look right at her, both looking surprised to see her. Probably more surprised to see her with two good looking guys neither of them knew. She heard Sam’s whispered question, and prepared herself for the inevitable male reaction to meeting Lana Lang.
“Friends,” she answered, forcing a smile as she lifted a hand to wave at them.
Clark met her gaze, his own eyes filled with intense curiosity. But, she knew without thinking--not jealousy.
She watched as they approached the table.
“Hey, Chloe.” Lana smiled at her, then looked at Sam and Dean, her eyes curious as well. “Who are your friends?”
“Lana, Clark…this is Sam and Dean. They’re new in town. Sight seeing. Guys, these are my friends Clark Kent and Lana Lang,” she said with false cheerfulness that Lana and Clark always failed to see through.
“Nice to meet you,” Sam said, nodding at them slightly.
Dean smiled but it was a cautious smile.
“Likewise,” Clark said, eyeing Sam with something akin to suspicion. “How long have you guys been in town?”
“Not long,” he answered vaguely.
Chloe swallowed hard, feeling intensely uncomfortable. She glanced over and was surprised to see Sam gazing at her and not Lana. She met his eyes and he smiled gently at her and she couldn’t help but return the gesture. It took every ounce of effort she had to look back at Clark. “You guys are out late.”
“We decided to stop in for a nightcap,” Lana explained with an easy, pretty smile, looking up at Clark.
“I bet,” she heard Dean mutter, another smirk on his face. She was beginning to realize smirking was a perpetual state for him.
“Well, I’m just gonna…get some tea,” Lana said, shooting Chloe a curious look, her eyebrows raised. “Chloe, you wanna help me with that?”
Not really, she thought, not liking the competitive gazes that Clark and Sam kept exchanging. “Sure thing.” She reluctantly pulled her hand away from Sam’s and rose to her feet. “Be right back, guys.”
Chloe followed Lana behind the counter.
“Who are they?” she asked curiously, looking at Chloe intently.
“Brothers. They’re road tripping and were curious about Smallville and its history,” Chloe answered.
“Oh. Well, they definitely found the right person to fill them in,” Lana said with a grin.
She smiled back, a genuine smile this time. She glanced back toward the table.
“He’s cute.”
“More like gorgeous,” Chloe responded without thinking.
Lana giggled. “You’ve got it bad.”
She looked at her friend, her cheeks flushing. Was she really that obvious?
Thirteen
Sam did not like the way Clark Kent was sizing him up, but he understood it. “So how long have you known Chloe?” he asked casually.
Clark shifted slightly. “Oh, since we were in eighth grade.”
“You two ever date?” Dean asked bluntly.
Sam shot his brother a glare, which Dean promptly ignored.
“No. We’ve always been just good friends. Best friends, actually.” Clark turned his gaze back to Sam, studying him intently.
Your loss, Sam thought, glancing across the room and seeing Chloe gazing at him. He smiled at her warmly. He heard his brother say something else, but didn’t catch it, too caught up in the smile that appeared on the petite blonde’s face.
“Well, it was nice meeting you both,” Clark said, breaking Sam from his thoughts and extending his hand.
Sam blinked a couple of times and reached out to shake his hand, surprised by the firm, almost warning grip from the younger man. “Likewise.” He watched as Clark headed to the counter and then turned to look at Dean.
“So how bad you hate him?” Dean asked with a knowing smirk.
Sam rolled his eyes.
Fourteen
“Chloe, can I talk to you for a minute?”
She glanced at Clark, then at Lana, raising her eyebrows. “Sure thing, Clark.” She handed Lana the mug of tea she was holding and followed Clark toward the Talon’s office. “What’s up?”
“That’s what I’d like to know.” He turned to gaze at her, his eyes a mixture of confusion and worry.
“Like I said, they’re sight seeing.” Chloe shrugged.
“Yeah? So what happened to your shoulder?”
She winced a little and looked down to see a piece of the white gauze sticking out of her shirt. She quickly tucked it back down, not meeting his gaze. “Ran into a little trouble in Metropolis. Sam helped me out.”
“What kind of trouble?” Clark asked, his blue eyes alarmed.
“Relax, Clark. I’m all right.” She explained to him what had happened and he stared at her, horrified.
“God, Chloe, are you sure you’re all right?” He winced. “You should’ve gone to the hospital.”
“It was a superficial wound. Really not a big deal. I promise.” She gazed at him, touched by his concern.
“Why didn’t you call me?”
“Actually I tried. You didn’t answer.” She offered him a wry smile.
He shut his eyes, his shoulders slumping. “I shoulda been there.”
“It turned out all right.”
“Chloe, you could have been killed.”
“Which makes today a normal day,” Chloe responded with a wry smile. “Minus being rescued by someone other than Clark Kent, that is.” She glanced toward the front of the café.
“You like him.”
She was silent for a moment. “We have a lot in common,” she said quietly.
Clark lifted his eyebrows. “Like what?”
“Like…it’s a long story, which I’ll tell you some other time. You need to get back to your girlfriend.” Her voice was light and she smiled at him.
“You’re sure you’re all right?” Clark gazed at her intently.
“I’m fine, Clark. Promise.” She held his gaze.
He let out a breath, hugging her gently. “All right. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”
“All right. Have a good night.”
“You too, Chlo.” He kissed her forehead and led the way out of the office.
She murmured her goodnight to Lana, and watched as the two of them headed out of the Talon arm-in-arm.
It dawned on her she wasn’t the least bit bothered by the sight.
Fifteen
“So there are extra blankets in the closet on the top shelf if you get cold in the middle of the night.”
Sam smiled faintly as she motioned to a door across the room. The Talon apartment didn’t have a guest room, but the sofa had a pull-out bed and Chloe had dug out a blow up mattress which she’d helped him make on the floor of the living room.
Which of course, he was sleeping on, because Dean insisted on the sofa bed.
Jerk.
“It’s actually more comfortable than the sofa bed,” she’d whispered to Sam with a smirk when Dean had disappeared into the bathroom to take a shower.
He had laughed out loud at that.
“Help yourselves to anything in the kitchen, and if you need anything, I’ll be in the other room.”
“Thanks, Chloe. We really appreciate it.” He smiled at her.
“Sweet dreams.” Chloe’s gaze lingered on his face for a moment before she turned and disappeared into the bedroom, shutting the door behind her softly as he watched her go.
Sam rubbed the back of his neck, staring at the shut door.
“You know, if you weren’t such a damn girl you could be in there with her,” Dean said with a smirk as he sat down on the edge of the sofa bed.
“Shut up, Dean,” he said without any malice or even annoyance. He settled himself onto the comfortable mattress on the floor, yawning and shutting his eyes as he yanked the covers up to his chin.
He listened to the sounds of his brother trying to get comfortable in the bed above him for several minutes.
“This thing’s as hard as a damn rock!”
Sixteen
Chloe was running, but she couldn’t see where she was going. All she knew was that the man with the knife was getting closer, so close she could feel his hot breath against her neck.
She felt the fiery-hot blade slice into her shoulder and a scream escaped her. She stumbled, picked herself up and ran again, pressing one hand to her shoulder while her other hand frantically dialed for help, praying that Clark would answer his phone.
“No use running, Chloe,” the voice whispered, sickly-sweet. “There’s nowhere to run. You’re mine.”
And then she was pinned to the wall, the silver blade pressed to her cheek warningly as he ripped her shirt open.
A frightened cry escaped her lips.
And then she felt herself being gathered into strong, protective arms, a soft voice murmuring that she was safe. That she was just dreaming.
“You’re okay, Chloe. No one’s gonna hurt you.” A large, but gentle hand stroked her hair and down her back and she awakened slowly to find herself wrapped in Sam’s arms. Her body relaxed and she rested her head against his collarbone.
“Sorry I woke you.”
“You didn’t. I was awake and I thought I heard you crying,” he murmured, his lips brushing lightly over her forehead, his hand resting against her back. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah. Just…bad dream.” She swallowed hard and pulled away enough to look up at him.
He gazed back at her, their eyes meeting in the semi-darkness of the bedroom. “Know that feeling.”
She hesitated a moment. “Sam?”
“Yeah?”
“Would you…stay here with me?”
Sam reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Sure,” he murmured, pressing another kiss to her forehead.
Chloe closed her eyes, then touched his cheek with one hand, opening her eyes to meet his gaze once more. And then she kissed him very softly.