36Something I've been wanting to do for a while but couldn't find the time to do so. Just a little teaser for right now, but it will be longer later on. Not sure when I'll update next but I hope you guys enjoy this now.
It's been a long time since I've written a Smallville fic aside from the occasional one shot, so I apologize if anyone seems OOC.
Smallville, The Talon
Night
Chloe Sullivan sat alone, an untouched cup of cold coffee near her as she stared at a blank paper. She was attempting to write something, anything, for an obituary for Alicia in The Torch. But what could she say, really? Up until a week ago, Alicia had just been another Meteor Freak, to her shame. No wonder Clark felt like he couldn't trust her with his secret, she thought glumly.
Chloe was broken out of her thoughts by a cup of coffee being placed on the table she sat in.
"You hate cold coffee," her cousin said by way of explanation. "What are you working on that has you about to have an ulcer?"
"I'm trying to work on an obituary…for Alicia," Chloe said softly and Lois instantly sobered.
"Have you…been by to see him?" Lois asked gently.
"Yeah. He's just…I've known him since the eighth grade and I've never seen him so…" Chloe trailed off, not sure how to say it.
"Shattered?" Lois supplied and Chloe nodded.
Shattered certainly described Clark Kent since Alicia's funeral. He hadn't shown up for school all week, he'd withdrawn from everyone, even his parents. He hadn't left his fortress of solitude since the day after Alicia's funeral. If Martha hadn't been bringing him meals and found the plates stacked up outside the house the next day, they wouldn't have known he was eating. He'd refused to speak to anyone but Chloe and, to the surprise of most people, Lois. They were the only ones he showed anything but cold indifference, allowing them to see how broken he was.
Chloe was brought out of her thoughts by the sound of the front door of the Talon opening. Seeing Lois staring in shock, Chloe turned her head and froze at the sight.
Clark Kent had entered The Talon, yet he was not Clark Kent. Gone was the red jacket and blue shirt, replaced by a black t shirt and matching jacket. He was also wearing black jeans and tennis shoes. Chloe almost had to blink to make sure it was the same Clark.
"Chloe, Lois," Clark greeted as he walked in.
"Hey Smallville," Lois trailed off awkwardly, his presence throwing her for a loop.
After all, to see him show up here, after refusing to leave the Kent Farm all week, was a shock to both of the young women.
"I know having me show up here is a bit of a shock, sorry," Clark said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I was passing by and saw you two in the window. And I wanted to say thank you."
"Thank you? For what?" Lois asked as she and Chloe exchanged a confused look.
"This week…has been one of the hardest of my life. And I honestly don't know that I would have gotten through it without you two. That's all I wanted to say," Clark said before he turned and began to walk out.
"Clark," Chloe called out and he stopped. "I know things have been hard…but I'm here for you. I hope you know that."
"I do," Clark said with a weak smile at her. "Goodnight Chloe."
Clark then walked out of The Talon, leaving Chloe staring after him; feeling like he had been trying to tell her something and she hadn't understood a word of what he needed her to.
Kent farm
Same time
Martha came up onto Clark's loft in the barn, holding a tray of food. She didn't call out, knowing he wouldn't respond. His blunt cold, angry silence spoke volumes about how he felt regarding her and Jonathan. There was a distance between them and Clark, the ghost of Alicia Baker hanging between them. She just hoped it wasn't too late to bridge it.
However, as she walked into the loft, she saw Clark was not there. She placed the food down on Clark's desk, hoping he was finally rejoining the world. Before she could leave, however, she saw a folded piece of paper on the couch. Written on it was 'to Jonathan and Martha'. Frowning, she walked over and picked it up. A ball of dread formed in her stomach, a hesitancy to read the paper coming over her. However, she pushed through it, opening the paper, knowing Clark had left this for her and Jonathan. Whatever he had to say, he couldn't say I to their faces. So she'd read his letter.
Jonathan and Martha,
For as long as I can remember, you two always told me to believe in the good in people, to give them second chances. And yet, when it comes to Alicia Baker, all the rules were thrown out the window. Honestly, it's the hypocrisy that stunned me the most. You repeatedly told me to give Lex a second chance, but you couldn't find it in your hearts to give Alicia another chance for her understandable mental breakdown. But I guess that it's better you showed me your true colors now rather than years down the line.
When it comes to Alicia, you showed me your worst selves. This entire town has shown me their worst selves. By almost everyone in this town, yourselves included, Alicia was scorned, judged and persecuted for being different. Humanity has always feared what it does not understand. I knew this but I ignored it. No more. In order to honor the memory of the woman I loved, I will embrace who I really am. Do not look for me, you will not find me. And looking for me will only be a waste of your valuable time. Because Clark Kent is dead.
I've always been annoyed with the writers just making Clark get over Alicia's death and the town's treatment of her so quickly after we saw the depth of how much he cared about her. Clearly, they took lessons from Charmed in how to make a character deal with a crippling loss.
But anyway, I think the only reason Clark didn't pull his 'Clark Kent is dead' route is because he had Chloe and Lois' support. From that point on you can see a shift in the dynamic of the show where Clark starts to confide and lean on Chloe and Lois more than his parents; they became his new support system. But what if that support hadn't been enough? Well, you're about to get your answer.
