News Room Conversations

Title: News Room Conversations
Season: 1-8 (Future-Fic)
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to the CW and the Creators of Smallville. But Boy what I wouldn’t do if I owned Clark and Oliver. ;-)
Edited By: dh1031 (You Rock)
Couples: Chloe/Clark
Category: One-shot Fluff




I glanced around the news room and watched as people came and went. I sighed. Things were never slow at the Daily Planet. I walked over to Chloe’s desk, opened her top drawer, and placed the small box inside on top of all her papers.

I took another look around the room to make sure she wasn’t in sight and made my way back to my desk. I sat down and brought up the story I was currently working on. It’s been three years since Chloe and I started seeing each other.

Three years and it was finally time…After Jimmy was killed I was so lost that I gave up the thing Chloe loved most about me…my humanity. I left Metropolis and concentrated on becoming the hero Jor-el wanted me to become. It was a rough six months.

In the end, one night I wound up coming to Chloe, tired and hurt. All of the emotions I had kept at bay for six months had come crashing down on me and I broke down in her arms. That was the night that things between us began to heal.

Two months later she was the most important person in my life again. Four months after that we starting dating and we’ve been seeing each other ever since. A year after we started dating Chloe got her job back at the Daily Planet.

She calls it one of the greatest moments of her life. She doesn’t work here full-time, but that’s her choice. Ever since a full-time position opened up three months ago, Perry has been trying to get her to take it. No luck as of yet though. She enjoys spending half her time here and the other half at the Isis Foundation.

She likes to say that each job compliments a half of who she is and I couldn’t agree more. I adjusted my glasses before continuing to type. Seven months after Chloe came back to work at the Planet we rented an apartment together.

That was one of the greatest moments of my life…I like to think it rated high on her scale too. Thee months after we moved in together, Chloe helped me debut Superman to Metropolis. It was a challenge for me to go against everything I was always taught by my parents, but it was and continues to be an amazing experience.

For the past year Superman and The Justice League have helped keep Metropolis and the world safe. We’ve even managed to bring down the crime rate by 45 percent, which might not seem like a lot, but after only a year I think it’s great start.

Two months ago when Chloe and I were out to dinner with Oliver and Lois, they announced that in six months they’d have an addition to their family. That’s right…Lois is pregnant. If you thought Oliver was overprotective of Lois before you should see him now…she hates it. I think she’s close to shooting him with one of his own arrows.

Three weeks ago I had the night off of patrolling. Chloe and I ordered some pizza, stayed in and watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail. We quoted the movie like we used to when we were in high school, threw popcorn at each other, and made out like a couple of teenagers.

That night after the movie, when we were lying on the chair swing on the balcony looking at the stars, I looked down at her and watched how the moon light framed her face, how her hair shined like strands of gold, how wonder filled her eyes each time she saw a new star.

And that was when I realized it. There isn’t anywhere or anyone I’d rather be with. If this is how I spend the rest of my life, I’d die a happy man. The next day I went out and bought an engagement ring. I’ve been holding on to said ring ever since trying to figure out the perfect time to propose.

Today is our anniversary and we were both scheduled to be working all day. A familiar clicking on the ground knocked me out of my thoughts. I glanced up and Chloe was heading in this direction with a cup of what I’m sure was coffee.

I grinned. Chloe and her coffee…she's wearing a purple satin shirt with some kind of ruffle on the front, a form fitting black skirt that came slightly past her knees, and a pair of what had to be 3-4 inch heels. I couldn’t help staring. She’s gorgeous.

Her eye caught mine and I watched as a smile lit up her face. She pushed back her chair, slid into it and leaned in my direction.

“Hey there big boy.”

I smiled.

“Morning Chlo.”

I watched as she booted up her computer and started piling the papers on her desk to one side.

“You left early this morning…”

I nodded.

“Yeah I had to be here by seven today and I wanted to go on a quick patrol before work.”

My voice lowered toward the end of the sentence and she nodded before turning in my direction.

“Ah, I see. Well the bed was lonely without you this morning.”

I smirked slightly.

“Are you sure you weren’t the one lonely without me?”

She made a face and a ‘pfft’ sound before turning back to her desk and opening her email.

“Please…there’s so much more room when you aren’t hogging all the covers.”

I touched my chest and gave her my wounded puppy dog look.

“Ouch…that hurt right here.”

She chuckled.

“I’m sure.”

I clicked print and saved my article to my E-drive. I walked over to the printer that I shared with Chloe and spoke while I waited for the article.

“So, what time do you think you’ll be getting out of work tonight? I thought maybe we could grab dinner.”

“Things are kind of hectic today Clark. I’m here until noon and then I have to be at Isis by one. I have a meeting with Queen Industries at two thirty, Lois is supposed to be stopping by for some quality cousin time and I have group tonight at five and then at eight.”

I already knew all this…I nodded.

“Okay, well I guess we can just postpone dinner for another night.”

She sighed, got up and came to stand next to me. Her hand squeezed my arm lightly.

“I’m sorry Clark. I know today is our anniversary, there is just so much going on. You’re not angry are you?”

I faced her and smiled.

“Never.”

I grabbed the papers that just printed and as I walked by to go to Perry’s office I slapped her lightly on the ass to prove just how not mad I was. She squeaked and I winked in her direction before knocking on Perry’s door.

Ten minutes later I came back out and Chloe was typing heavily on her computer. I sat down and twirled a pen with my fingers while watching her. A minute later she spoke.

“What?”

“Hmm?”

“Why are you staring at me?”

I shrugged.

“Cause you’re a hot blonde?”

I could see her mouth grin as she continued typing.

“I always thought you had a thing for brunettes.”

“I did…”

Her hands paused above the keyboard and I continued.

“Until I started dating a hot blonde and boy…are blondes more fun…wow.”

Her fingers resumed their typing and I almost laughed.

“Mmm I bet you say that to all the blondes.”

“Only the ones who sleep in my bed.”

That did earn a chuckle from her. I smiled and put down the pen. I picked up the rubrics cube Chloe bought me for one of my birthdays and started messing around with it.

“You’re still looking at me.”

“Yes…I am.”

“You’re distracting me.”

“No I’m not.”

Her lip turned up at the corner and she shook her head. I cleared my throat.

“So I still can’t believe Lois and Oliver are going to have a baby.”

I watched her head bob up and down quickly.

“I know. I love Lois to death, but I can’t exactly picture her as a mother. I’m sure that will change, but still…she’s Lois.”

“I know. I’m happy for them though. They’ve been married for two years now and when Oliver told me they were discussing starting a family…well that’s great.”

She nodded again and I pressed on.

“Having a family is nice.”

“Yeah, although sometimes family gives you the biggest headache.”

“Well that’s only because you’re related to Lois.”

She turned her head and gave me a light glare. I put my hands up in a gesture of mock surrender.

“Kidding.”

“Mmmh.”

“So…what are your thoughts on family.”

“Family is good.”

I nodded enthusiastically.

“I agree.”

When she didn’t say anything else I cleared my throat. She ignored me and I rolled my eyes.

“So, what are you working on over there?”

I heard her groan and she turned her chair in my direction. There was a mixture of annoyance and amusement on her face.

“I’m working on an article Clark and since I’m only here until noon, I kind of need to finish it. Is everything okay? I mean is there something on your mind you need to talk about?”

I shook my head and gave her a sheepish smile.

“No…it’s just…I already finished my article so now I’m bored.”

“Don’t you have another to work on?”

“Nope. I finished the other one earlier and my interview for my next story isn’t until this afternoon.”

She gave me a sympathetic look.

“I’m sorry you’re bored, but I need to finish this so why don’t you call Oliver and see what he’s up to. Maybe he can keep you company until I’m done.”

I nodded and she turned back around to finish writing. I twirled in my chair for a little bit before playing with some paper clips and other things on my desk. Seriously she’s taking too long and I might explode if I have to wait any longer.

“Chloe…”

She grunted and turned around.

“What now Clark?”

I smiled.

“Since we’re both really busy today, do you think maybe I can take you to grab some breakfast at the vending machines downstairs?”

She looked at me for a minute before sighing.

“If I get breakfast with you, will you promise to let me work on my article with no interruptions?”

“Absolutely.”

I watched her type one last sentence, save the document, and minimize it.

“Okay, lets go then.”

She glanced around her desk and frowned. She looked back at me.

“Clark have you seen my coin purse? The one I keep on my desk for the vending machines?”

I nodded and pointed to her top drawer.

“I put it in your top draw because you weren’t here and I couldn’t remember if you usually left it out or put it away.”

She nodded turned her chair and opened the top draw. I saw her body tense as she paused with her hand poised to reach into the drawer. I was already on bended knee behind her. Her hand slowly reached in and pulled out the black velvet box.

She twirled her chair around slowly to face me. When she saw me her eyes widened slightly and her voice came out in a whisper.

“Clark…”

“Yeah Chlo?”

Her mouth opened and then closed. That happened about three times before she was finally able to gather some words.

“What’s going on?”

I glanced around and we were now drawing the attention of several people working in the news room.

“If you don’t know then I must not be doing it right…”

I cleared my throat, reached out, took the box from her and opened it. I turned it so she could see the ring.

“Chloe, you’ve been my best friend since we were thirteen years old. You’ve been there for me through the good times and the bad times. There isn’t anyone else who knows me better than you do. Hell I don’t think anyone comes close.”

I took a breath and continued.

“You gave me my first kiss….you taught me how to dance…you believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself. You have been the one constant thing in my life for the past twelve years. You encourage me in everything I do and you understand the things I can’t.”

I could see water pooling in her eyes and I swallowed hard to keep my emotions in check.

“You’ve stuck around through all the drama and mistakes and never once wavered in the way you felt about me. You knew from the minute you met me that I was the guy for you…I’m sorry it took me so long to realize you were the one for me. You were right all along…you are the girl of my dreams masquerading as my best friend…and I can’t tell you how happy I am that the mask is finally off.”

She opened her mouth, but I shook my head. A lone tear coursed down her cheek and it took everything in me not to stand up and wipe it away.

“You’re my best friend, my partner in crime, my lover and I want you to be my wife. I want to spend the rest of my life with you Chloe, because there isn’t anyone in the world better suited for me than you. You teach me something new everyday…and you help me be a better man. I’m so in love with you…”

Tears were coursing freely down her cheeks now and I could hear some sniffling in the room from our co-workers. I raised an eyebrow and gave her a nervous smile.

“So…what do you say Chlo…what are you doing for the rest of your life? Feel like spending it with me?”

I stood up slowly and it took two minutes for her to fling herself in my arms and I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. I wrapped my arms around her tightly and her arms wound around my neck. The news room erupted in applause and whistles.

Chloe pulled back and chuckled as I placed the ring on her finger. I shook my head and spoke softly.

“You had me worried for a minute there Chlo…longest two minutes of my life…”

She smiled, her eyes twinkled, and there was amusement in her voice when she spoke.

“I can’t believe you proposed in a news room full of people. This isn’t like you…you’re usually so…private…I never thought…it’s definitely unconventional…something I’ll always remember.”

I grinned as I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her to me.

“Well our relationship is anything but normal.”

I whispered in her ear.

“You’re dating someone with a duel identity, who fights crime on a regular basis and is an intergalactic traveler from a far off galaxy. If you were looking for conventional you got the wrong guy…”

She slapped me lightly, leaned up and captured my lips with hers. I returned the kiss with enthusiasm and when we pulled away there was a smirk on her face.

“Normal is overrated…”

“You know…I was just thinking the same thing.”

She leaned in again and our lips met. As far as news room conversations go I’m going to have to say this was the best one we’ve had so far…I’m going to spend the rest of my life kissing Chloe Sullivan…and there’s nothing I’d rather be doing…