Reporter Instincts

Title: Reporter Instincts
Season: Season 1-8
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to the CW and the Creators of Smallville.
Couples: Chloe/Clark
Edited By: dh1031
Category: Future Fic, One-Shot, Sequel to ‘Dedicated’
Requested By: RedGigant



Being a mom has its advantages. First smile…first words…first steps…first tooth…seeing your child grow, learn, and become their own person is amazing. Being a mom is also hard work…time consuming and one of the most rewarding things in the world.



When Chloe Sullivan married Clark Kent, her best friend and Metropolis’ resident Superman they discussed having a family and they decided to wait. They thought it would be best if they got their careers and life the way they wanted them before bringing kids into the mix.

They didn’t want any regrets. So two years later when they were both working at the Daily Planet and Clark brought up the topic of kids again, Chloe said they could start trying…on one condition, she was not giving up her career. She was determined to be able to do both no matter what.

Clark had agreed right off the bat and told her he’d never ask her to give up something she loves and so they started trying. It didn’t take long. When Chloe Sullivan-Kent first found out she was pregnant, she wasn’t exactly ecstatic.

It’s not that she wasn’t happy and it’s not that the pregnancy was unplanned. It was the fact that she wasn’t 100 percent sure she’d make a good mother. She spent half of her childhood and some of the most important years of her life without a mother.

So when she looked at her lifestyle…at Clark’s lifestyle she was worried that maybe bringing a baby into the mix wasn’t the best idea after all. It was very rare that life was boring for Chloe or Clark. They were always finding trouble and Chloe would never forgive herself if something happened to their child because of what they do.

It took a while, but Clark managed to quell her fears throughout the pregnancy and when she went into labor in the Daily Planet elevator seven months ago while interviewing Oliver on his new green technology she knew a new chapter in her life was starting.

Ever since then Chloe has been splitting her time as equally as possible between home and work. She and Clark adjusted their schedules at the Daily Planet so that He went into work for the early shift and she took the mid-afternoon shift so that they were both always home for dinner and Clark still had time to patrol the city before coming home.

Chloe came back to work when Jonathan was five months old, which was a few months longer than she had wanted to stay out of work. Ever since she came back she’s been pushing herself ten times harder than before, trying to prove herself to Perry that her life as a reporter had not been put on hold because she had become a mom and so far things had gone smoothly.

Chloe sighed as she reached for the cup of coffee on her desk. She brought it to her lips and frowned when nothing came out. Great I knew the cup felt too light when I picked it up. I’m never gonna get out of here.

She turned towards her notes and started thumbing through the loose papers when a breeze blew through the bull-pen and her papers scattered all around her desk. She glanced up and Clark was standing there in his superman uniform with a smile on his face.

She clenched her jaw and clucked her tongue lightly before leaning back in her chair and glaring at him slightly. The smile dropped from his face and he gave her a hesitant look.

“You’re not finished with the article yet…are you?”

She crossed her legs and then her arms.

“No.”

He glanced around her desk at the papers scattered everywhere and winced.

“Did I do that?”

He pointed to the papers and she gave him a tight smile.

“You sure did.”

He sighed.

“I knocked all your notes out of order didn’t I?”

She sighed and dropped the defensive posture at his soft voice and puppy dog eyes. She leaned forward, moved her chair closer to the desk and started collecting her notes into a pile.

“Clark, I’ve asked you time and time again to slow down to regular speed before bursting in here. It took me forever to get these notes in some semblance of order…and now I have to do it all over again.”

Clark knelt down and picked up a few papers that were on the floor.

“I’m sorry Chlo, I was just checking in on my way home from patrol. I wanted to see if maybe you needed a lift home.”

She shook her head.

“No, it’s fine. I have my car and I’m nowhere near ready to leave yet. Perry is really riding me about this story. It needs to be even more flawless then usual.”

He watched as she moved things around quickly, while bringing up more notes on the computer and photos on her laptop. Clark sighed. She has been working way too hard lately. She’d never admit it, but I think it’s because she stayed out of work longer than she wanted to after Jonathan was born. She’s been working her butt off ever since, trying the best she can to make up for the extra time off.

“I doubt Perry would be mad if you came in early in the morning to finish up. It’s almost midnight…Lois is at the apartment watching Jonathan while I patrol…he missed you today Chlo.”

Clark saw her shoulders tense and realized that probably wasn’t the best thing to say. She turned her seat to face him and her voice was agitated when she spoke.

“Don’t…do not do that Clark Kent. I rarely stay at work this late anymore. I am with Jonathan when he wakes up in the morning, I take him to day-care and most days I pick him up. I am there for our son as much as you are. How dare you make me feel guilty about working late tonight…you know how big this story is for me.”

The hurt he saw on her face made him cringe. That wasn’t what he meant. He just hated how Chloe felt she had something to prove now that she was a mother. He knelt down in front of her and his face was earnest as he met her eyes.

“Chlo, I swear I wasn’t trying to make you feel guilty…I’m sorry. You’re right, you haven’t really worked late since Jonathan was born…I’m just…I worry about you…you know that. I hate to see you working yourself so hard.”

The anger drained from Chloe’s face as she gave him a small smile.

“I know and I appreciate the concern. I promise as soon as I break this story, you and me are gonna take a couple of days off and take Jonathan up to the farm…or maybe go visit your mom…something the three of us can do as a family.”

Clark’s smile was back.

“I think that sounds like an amazing idea Chlo…I’m gonna head home. I’ll see you later.”

She nodded; he leaned in and captured her lips with his. When he pulled away he grinned, winked, and disappeared. Chloe shook her head with a smile on her face and turned back toward her desk. What she saw made her beam.

Sitting next to her empty coffee cup was a new to go cup filled with steaming, hot coffee. I swear that husband of mine isn’t just super, he’s amazing…

Six Months Later

It was late when the elevator dinged signifying that Chloe finally reached her destination. It’s been a long, but satisfying day. Earlier today when Chloe got into work, Perry called her into his office and announced that the she was in line for a Pulitzer Prize for her story on the Pallini family.

It took her forever to put together that story…all the research and undercover work that went into it…and all that hard work was finally paying off. She put her key into the lock and pushed open the door open. She frowned.

Why is everything so dark? Where are Clark and Jonathan? Right as she was about to move her hand over the light switch, the lights flickered on and her eyes widened.

“CONGRATULATIONS!!!”

She glanced at all the smiling faces around the room and she could feel the grin on her face widen. Clark walked over with Jonathan in his arms. The baby squealed when he saw Chloe and reached his arms out to her. She took him from Clark and cuddled him against her.

“Hey there little man…did you miss mommy?”

Her 1-year-old son giggled in her arms as he squealed.

“Ma!”

She chuckled and looked toward Clark.

“How’d you know?”

He raised an eyebrow and gave her an ‘are you really asking that question’ look.

“You were eavesdropping? Tsk tsk…”

He laughed and moved over to Chloe placing a chaste kiss on her lips.

“Congratulations Chlo…I knew you could do it.”

She rolled her eyes at him playfully as he placed a hand on her lower back and moved her further into the room. As Chloe glanced around she saw Oliver and Lois, along with Bart, Victor, A.C., Dinah, and even Martha. Chloe’s eyes widened when they landed on her and she rushed over with Jonathan in her arms.

“Martha!”

She embraced her and Martha laughed.

“It’s good to see you sweetheart. When Clark told me the good news I had to come out here and tell you how proud I am of you. You’ve always been an amazing reporter…I hope you win.”

They pulled away from each other with matching smiles. Chloe had tears in her eyes when she spoke.

“Thanks Martha…and thanks so much for coming.”

She nodded as Lionel came up next to her and placed a hand on the small of her back. He smiled at Chloe and nodded at Clark.

“Miss Sullivan…exceptional work. We’re all very stunned with the story you uncovered. I had no idea it had gotten that bad.”

The look on Chloe’s face warmed as she glanced at Lionel.

“Thank you Lionel, and thank again for all your help with the story. It made a huge difference.”

He waved off her thanks as he spoke.

“No need to thank me my dear. I’m here to help with what I can.”

Martha took a hold of Jonathan so Chloe could go over and say hi to Lois and the gang. Before long the only people left in the apartment were Chloe, Clark, Martha and Lionel and a sleeping Jonathan. Chloe glanced at Jonathan in Lionel’s arms and smiled.

“Here, why don’t you let me grab him so I can lay him down.”

Lionel nodded and handed Jonathan to Chloe carefully so he wouldn’t wake him up. While Chloe got Jonathan settled in bed Clark walked his mother and Lionel to the door.

“Thanks again for coming guys. I know it means a lot to Chloe.”

His mother leaned up and placed a kiss on his cheek.

“We wouldn’t have missed it.”

Clark smiled and shook Lionel’s hand.

“It was good to see you son…”

“Yeah, it was nice seeing you too Lionel.”

As they started walking out the door his mom turned around and spoke quickly.

“Maybe next weekend you three can come up to Washington for the weekend. I can show you the new house. It’s beautiful Clark.”

He nodded.

“I’ll talk to Chloe about it, but it sounds like a nice plan.”

She nodded and blew him a kiss before walking out with Lionel. When they were on the elevator Clark shut the door and sighed. His mom and Lionel have been seeing each other for the past two years and he wasn’t sure if he’d ever get used to it.

He made his way to the bedroom he shared with Chloe, changed into his pajamas, and opened the patio doors to walk outside. He loved this apartment. They moved here right after they got married five years ago. One of the reasons he picked this place, aside that it was a convenient distance from both the Daily Planet and the Justice League Headquarters, was because of this patio.

They were on the 28th floor of the building and they had an amazing view of the city from the patio off their bedroom. Clark spent hours out there a night thinking…working…watching. God this city is beautiful…Chloe’s arms wrapping around his middle knocking him out of his thoughts.

“Penny for your thoughts big boy…”

He grinned and held her hands that were against him.

“Just enjoying the view. The city’s beautiful at night.”

She glanced over his shoulder and out into the night as she nodded.

“It definitely is.”

“So…were you surprised?”

He could feel her smile against his shoulder.

“I was…thanks Clark. I know I wasn’t the most pleasant person to be around when I was working on that story, but you stuck with me through it and I appreciate that.”

He nodded.

“Are you kidding? I’m glad I did. My wife is so going to win a Pulitzer…”

She chuckled and he smirked.

“Mmm and you all thought I couldn’t do it…be a mom and work…”

“Those words never came out of my mouth…I think you’re an amazing woman Chlo and you can do anything you put your mind to.”

He turned around so they were facing each other and he cupped her cheek in his hand. Water pooled in her eyes and her voice was a whisper against the wind.

“What did I do to deserve such an amazing husband?”

His face softened as he slid a piece of hair behind her ear and bent his head slightly so he was eye level with her.

“You made me your best friend…”

She smiled and before she could say anything else he leaned down and captured her lips with his in a passion filled kiss. They broke a part a few minutes later and he leaned his head against hers.

“Wow, 27-year-old Chloe Sullivan Kent is not only a star reporter for the Daily Planet, Watchtower for a bunch of super heroes, and a mom, but she’s also being looked at for a Pulitzer Prize…I’m like the luckiest guy in the world…”

She could see the mischief in his eyes and she slapped him lightly.

“Don’t tease…”

“Never…”

She stroked his arm lightly and tilted her head.

“You know…I know a great way you can congratulate me…”

He raised an eyebrow.

“Oh yeah?”

She nodded and he lifted her up over his shoulder. She yelped and he let out a loud laugh.

“Clark Kent put me down this second.”

“I will as soon as we get to bed.”

She couldn’t help laughing as he tossed her onto the bed and climbed over her body. As they started kissing Chloe whispered ‘I love you’ and Clark grinned against her lips.

“I love you too Chlo…always…”

Yeah, being a mom and working as a reporter for the biggest newspaper in Metropolis is hard…but if everyday could end like today…it would be worth every trial and tribulation I’ll ever have to face…