Transference: A Different Life

Title: Transference: A Different Life
Season: Seasons 1-7
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to the CW and the Creators of Smallville, but what I wouldn’t do if I owned Clark, Lex or Oliver ;-)
Couples: Chlois/Clark
Category: Future Fic, One-shot
Edited By: dh1031
Requested By: Chloista4ever



The sky was getting darker as Lois made her way down the crowded Metropolis street toward the Daily PlantPlanet. Ugh I hate winter, thought Lois. She pulled her coat closer together and looked both ways before jogging across the street. She walked through the swirling front door of the Planet and sighed.

It was only the middle of November and she couldn’t believe how cold the weather was already. A slight shiver went through her body as she made her way to the elevator. She stepped in and as the doors slid shut her body started to thaw.

She could feel warmth flowing back into her bones. Lois undid the belt on her coat and started pulling off her gloves when the elevator came to a halt and the doors opened. She stepped out and her eyes searched the room for Clark. Not that it’s all too hard to find him, thought Lois.

As she walked to her desk she caught a glimpse of the nameplate sitting there and she felt a familiar longing that had been creeping up on her lately, which wasn’t all too uncommon considering what today was.

She stopped and stared at the nameplate as her mind drifted to that day three years ago...the day that changed her life forever. Before her thoughts could wonder too far, a warm hand on her shoulder startled her out of them and abruptly brought her back to the present. She turned her head to see Clark giving her a friendly smile.

“Hey Lo’.”

She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Hey Kent. What’s on the agenda for today?”

She walked past two more desks before coming to a stop in front of hers. As she started taking things out and getting situated Clark leaned against her desk with his arms crossed over his chest.

“Not too much, considering how long we worked on getting that last assignment to press, I think Perry’s worried about us burning out. Before you start, I know, I’ve all ready told him that we’re ready to get started on another story, but he’s determined to try to give us some down time. Perry hasn’t got anything new for us as of right. That could change though, you know how it works.”

She nodded.

“That I do rookie.”

Even though Clark has had been working at the Planet with her for the past two years she still enjoyed toying with him and insisting she knew more than he did. She watched Clark roll his eyes.

“I’ve been doing newspaper work since before it even interested you Lo’ just because you got a lucky break and started at the Planet before I did, doesn’t mean you know more. After all I learned from the best…”

His voice trailed off and the smile left his face. Lois leaned back in her chair and bit her lip. There was an awkward silence between them as their thoughts drifted in the same direction…Chloe…Clark cleared his throat and avoided making eye contact with Lois.

“I should probably get back to work. I have a few small articles I’m working on.”

She nodded as he stood up straight.

“Okay.”

He turned his back and started to walk away. Lois could feel the emotions building up inside of her and she tried to force them down. It’s not fair, I can’t keep doing this…I need to tell him, she thought. She twirled her chair back around and lightly tossed a paper down on the desk.

This is not how she thought her life would turn out. It’s not that there was anything wrong with it really. She lived in a nice loft apartment in Metropolis, not far from the Justice League headquarters, she was a star reporter for the Daily Planet, and she got to work with Clark on a daily basis.

But something was missing…for three years she has tried to accept what’s happened to her…the hand she’s been dealt and for three years …every time she has to see the broken hearted look on Clark’s face …it makes her regret not telling him.

Lois let out a deep sigh as she attempted to turn her attention back to her work. Right as she powered up her computer and was about the start sending out a few emails her cell phone rang. She picked it up after two rings.

“Hello.”

“Hey.”

She smiled and felt her body relax as she leaned back in her chair.

“Hey Ollie. How are you?”

“Well, I’m in desperate need of my Watchtower…you free?”

She glanced around the bullpen, and though people were bustling around working, it was quieter than usual. I suppose the Planet won’t miss me for a couple of hours while I help Ollie and co. uphold truth, honor, and justice, thought Lois.

“Sure. Give me twenty minutes and I’ll head over to headquarters.”

There was relief in Oliver’s voice when he spoke.

“Great, thanks. I’ll see you soon.”

She disconnected the call and smiled to herself. Oliver was the only person who knew what happened all those years ago. She went to him to see if his doctors could figure out what happened, and after three years of research, they’re still clueless.

Lois blew out a deep breath, grabbed her things, stood up, and started back toward the elevator. Clark intercepted her with a frown on his face.

“Where are you going?”

She gave him a once over before rolling her eyes.

“Lunch with Oliver.”

Clark raised an eyebrow and Lois could clearly see the amusement on his face.

“You just got here and its only 11:15…a little early for lunch don’t you think?”

Hmm, maybe I should have considered the time, thought Lois. She waved him off and when he didn’t move out of her way, she glared lightly at him.

“Okay fine, I’m not having lunch with Oliver. I’m having brunch with him. Move please.”

Hurt crossed Clark’s face briefly as he glanced at Lois. Lois and I have a pretty easy going friendship, but sometimes…I don’t know she has these moments where it seems like it’s hard for her to be around me. It’s probably all in my head…it’s most likely just the day…three years ago today Chloe was killed at Reeves Dam, thought Clark.

“I’m just busting your chops Lo’, you know I think Oliver’s a great guy. Have a good time and tell him I say said hey.”

He started to walk away and she swallowed hard as she watched him. He only got a couple of feet before she called out to him.

“Clark!”

He turned quickly at the urgency in her voice. Concern filtered across his face.

“Yeah?”

She shrugged and gave him a sheepish smile.

“Sorry…I’m just…It’s been a long morning.”

He gave her a knowing look and a sympathetic nod.

“I understand…are you coming over tonight?”

She nodded.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world Kent…but right now I gotta head out. I’ve got me a millionaire to find.”

She grinned and this time the smile reached her eyes. A sudden wave of recognition hit Clark as he glanced into her eyes before she waved and made her way to the elevator. The doors closed leaving him standing in the middle of the bullpen staring at the empty space in front of the elevator doors.

His heart beat sped up and his stomach dropped slightly. No…it’s silly to even think, but just now…when Lois looked at me and grinned…I could have swore that was Chloe’s grin…even down to the twinkle in her eyes, thought Clark. He shook his head as he walked back to his desk.

No, it’s just my overactive imagination at work. I miss Chloe so much that I’m starting to see her in other people. This isn’t the first time it’s happened and it probably won’t be the last, thought Clark. Surprisingly though all the times it’s happened before, it’s only been with Lois and that made Clark wonder.

*****

Lois pulled the head-set off and gently tossed it on the chair next to her. Mission complete, she thought as she started shutting down the system. Fifteen minutes later Oliver walked into the command center. He was in the process of unzipping his jacket and pulling the hood off when he looked up.

Lois smiled and a grin settled on Oliver’s face.

“Thanks again for helping us out. Watchtower to the rescue.”

She nodded and started to get her stuff together. Oliver came up next to her, leaned against the desk and watched her. She felt his eyes on her and looked up at him with a raised eyebrow.

“What?”

He shrugged and his face clouded over.

“You just…I can’t wrap my head around it. I’m sorry…it’s been three years. I should be used to it by now.”

She looked away from him, but nodded.

“I know what you mean.”

Lois lifted her bag over her shoulder and turned to walk toward the door. Oliver grasped her arm gently. She stopped and looked at him. There was indecision on his face and she could hear the longing in his voice as he spoke in a whisper.

“Stay…I’ll call out for dinner.”

She let out a soft sigh and her eyes glimmered with unshed tears as she shook her head.

“I can’t…you know I can’t Oliver. I’m meeting Clark soon.”

They looked at each other in silence for a couple of minutes before Oliver let go of her arm. He closed his red rimmed eyes and ran a hand over his face as he got up and moved away from her. He let out a bitter chuckle before facing her.

“Right…sorry. Of course you are.”

She watched Oliver retreat into himself and she felt a pang in her heart. This isn’t the way things were supposed to work, thought Lois. She took a step toward him and touched his arm gently. He glanced over at her and she swallowed hard before speaking quietly.

“I know it’s hard Ollie…but I’m not her. You’ve gotta try to remember that. I’m sorry that this happened…I’m sorry it’s hard for you…and it’s hard for Clark…but I can’t change it…I’ve tried. I’ve tried everything I can to fix this…but I can’t.”

He nodded and rubbed the back of his neck.

“I know. I’m sorry…I just…I can’t believe it’s been three years.”

He sighed and pulled himself together long enough to shoot her a smile.

“Ignore me I’m just feeling sorry for myself. Go, you don’t want to keep Clark waiting.”

She stood there for a minute before giving him a small smile and heading for the elevator. Lois opened the gate and right before she stepped into the elevator Oliver called out to her.

“You should tell him.”

Her body froze at his words and she turned slowly.

“What?”

He caught her eyes and made sure she understood what he was saying.

“I said you should tell Clark. No, don’t say anything yet, just listen. It kills me every day to know that she’s gone. I’d do anything to have her back, and here you are right in front of Clark, and he doesn’t even know it. I know Clark feels the same way I do. Give him what he needs…tell him the truth…”

Water filled her eyes again and she bit her lip as she nodded before walking quickly into the elevator. She shut the gate and the elevator jerked to a start. As she descended only one thought ran through her head, if I tell him I don’t think he’ll never ever understand…

*****

Clark grabbed some forks, plates, and glasses from the kitchen and brought them into the living room. There was a knock on the door and he called out.

“It’s open.”

The door opened and Lois made her way in shutting the door behind her. She watched as Clark put out the plates, glasses, and food. He glanced at her over his shoulder and gave her half a smile.

“I got Chinese. Hope that’s okay.”

“Yeah, that’s fine.”

She walked further into the apartment and stood there twisting her purse strap in her hands. She took a deep breath. I can do this, thought Lois. She cleared her throat before speaking.

“Clark…I…I need to tell you something.”

“Shoot.”

“Can you stop what you’re doing and look at me? It’s sort of important.”

Clark put down the boxes of Chinese food and turned to face her. There was worry on his face.

“What’s going on Lo’?”

It took a minute before she squared her shoulders and set her jaw.

“I’m not sure how to say this, so bare with me. For the past three years…I’ve been lying to you.”

He frowned and when he opened his mouth she put up a hand to stop him.

“Don’t…let me finish. That night three years ago at Reeves Dam…”

Clark’s eyes widen slightly and he shook his head. There was an edge to his voice when he spoke.

“I don’t want to talk about Reeves Dam Lois.”

He started to walk away from her and she panicked. She practically jumped in front of him causing him to stop walking. He glared and her voice echoed through the quiet apartment as she spoke.

“I’m not… Lois… Clark…”

His brows furrowed in anger and sarcasm filled his voice.

“Oh no? Who are you then? A figment of my imagination?”

“Clark please…just…let me try to explain.”

When he didn’t say anything she licked her lips and continued.

“Lois was working on a story about Lex… and I told her to leave it alone, but of course she didn’t. She had tracked some of Lex’s experiments to Reeves Dam. I got a call from her later that night, and traced it to the Dam…I figured she might be in trouble…so I went out there.”

Her voice quivered as she stopped for a second to pull herself together. Clark was watching her with weary eyes as she continued.

“By the time I got there…she was so pale…I saw the wound…she must have pulled the knife out…she was…she was already gone.”

At this point tears were coursing down her cheeks and Clark was staring at her, a mixture of confusion and irritation covering his face.

“Lois…”

“Clark stop! I’m not her! I’m not Lois! I don’t know what happened that day okay? One minute I was leaning over Lois’ body trying to see if she was okay…holding her…crying, and the next thing I know I’m inside of it. I need you to believe me. Please Clark…It’s me…”

He started stared at her and reared back as if she had just slapped him across the face. He opened and closed his mouth, at a loss for words. How can she do this…how can she even say these things? Doesn’t she know how much it hurts to hear these lies, thought Clark.

He wasn’t sure what was going through Lois’ head right now, but he was angry. How dare she bring this up…especially today, he thought. Clark crossed his arms over his chest and stood in front of the couch as he watched her with dark eyes.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with you tonight Lois, but this is…its just cruel. How can you come into my home and say these things to me? I lost Chloe to too you know…Don’t you understand how much that hurts? How much I hate myself everyday for not telling her how much she truly meant to me?”

His voice was louder now as he pointed in her direction and yelled at her. Lois’ composure crumbled and she cupped her face in her hands and cried. When she looked back up at him her eyes were red, cheeks wet, and there was an underlying pain on her face that made Clark feel bad for yelling at her.

“Clark please…I know it’s hard to believe…”

He cut her off and shook his head as he walked over to the door and opened it.

“I think you need to go Lois.”

He watched as her brows bent in anger and a look of determination crossed her face. She folded her arms across her chest and glared at him.

“No, I refuse to leave this apartment until you listen to me. I can prove it Clark…ask me anything…ask me stuff only Chloe would know…please…”

He watched as her anger deflated and she shrugged her arms in defeat. She spoke in a lower voice as her eyes started to mist over again.

“I just can’t take all the lying anymore…I miss you so much…I…I can’t let you go…please Clark…”

Clark studied her and if she was lying, he couldn’t tell. She truly believes what she's saying, thought Clark. He let out a heavy sigh, closed the door, and walked over to the counter. He leaned against it and eyed her quietly. He could see her start to fidget as he took the time to study her mannerisms.

“Clark say something.”

“What happened the first day I met Chloe?”

A smile appeared on Lois’ face as she thought back to that day.

“You said you lived on a farm and since I came from the ‘big city’ I invited myself over and insisted you show me around the farm since I had never been on one. And you did. You gave me the best tour I’ve ever had and when we ended up in the barn, as we were looking out the window watching the sun go down; I leaned over and kissed you.”

Clark swallowed hard. He could feel the moisture building in his eyes.

“What song did we dance to at the spring formal in high school?”

Her lips twitched and he could see a glimmer in her eyes.

“Perfect Memory by Remy Zero…it was my favorite song in high school…it still holds a special place in my heart.”

Clark’s jaw tensed and he shifted his feet as he tried to figure out what kind of game she was playing.

“What was my motto when I was running for class president?”

“The Man of Tomorrow, although you really should have had a platform. It wasn’t all about popularity…or it shouldn’t have been.”

Lois’ face was scrunched up in distaste as she spoke and Clark’s eyes widened slightly as he watched her facial expressions change. Oh god…that’s the same look Chloe get’s when she rambles…no…no it’s not possible, thought Clark.

“Stop okay, just stop. I’m getting sick of this Lois. Chloe could have told you all of those things. You two were close, it’s not like you’ve never talked. I can’t deal with this right now…you should go.”

He started to walk away from her and she closed her eyes. How am I going to make him believe me, thought Lois. Her eyes shot open and she smiled. His back was facing her and her voice was confident as she spoke.

“I know you don’t believe me, but if it’s one thing you do know Clark, it’s that Chloe would never betray you…she’d never betray your trust and yet, I know who you are Clark Kent…I remember the day I found out like it was yesterday.”

She watched his body tense. He didn’t turn around and face her, but he stopped moving towards the door.

“Alicia called you and said she had car trouble. Then she de-materialized us and we were outside of the car watching it go crazy as you caught it in mid air. That was the day I knew you were so much more than what you pretended to be.”

Clark felt the first tear drop slide down his cheek and he lifted a hand up and wiped his face quickly. He hesitated before spinning around and facing Lois. There was a mixture of confusion and hope on his face. Maybe she’s telling the truth…maybe she really is Chloe, thought Clark.

His throat was dry and he couldn’t get out any words, but it didn’t matter. The glimmer of hope she saw on his face was enough.

“I’ve been your best friend since we were twelve Clark…look at me…you know me…what more do I need to do to prove it to you? You said you missed me…you said you never got a chance to tell me how much I mean to you…well here’s your chance…”

When he didn’t move her eyes teared up again and she shook her head. This is apparently useless. He’s never going to believe me, thought Lois. A few stray tears rolled down her cheeks as she moved to walk past Clark, but as she did his hand flew out and grabbed her by the arm.

He yanked her to him, glanced into her eyes, and as she opened her mouth to say something he captured her lips with his. She froze for a second before wrapping her arms around his neck and deepening the kiss. His arms came around her waist and we he finally pulled away his hand was cupping her cheek.

“Chlo?”

Her face lit up at the familiar nickname as she placed her hand over his and nodded.

“Yeah…god Clark there’s so much I need to tell you…so much I don’t get yet…I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner…I’m sorry I watched you hurting and did nothing about it.”

He shook his head and let out a soft laugh.

“Don’t…don’t apologize. God…I’m so sorry Chlo…I’m sorry I wasn’t there that night…I’m sorry I couldn’t save you…save Lois…”

She hushed him with a finger on his lips.

“Do not go blaming yourself Clark Kent. I refuse to let you do that.”

He gave her half a smile and hugged her to him. She let out a content sigh as he held her in his arms.

“You realize you’re not off the hook in the explanation department right?”

Her body vibrated as she chuckled against him. She moved back so she could see his face. It’s the happiest she’s seen him look in years.

“Damn…I thought I might have been off the hook since I miraculously came back from the dead and all…”

He pursed his lips together and gave her a mock serious look.

“Please…I come back from the dead on an almost daily basis…so no, sorry, explanation still necessary.”

She nodded and her face grew serious.

“Where do we go from here Clark? I mean…I’m Lois Lane…this isn’t my life…”

He shrugged.

“We all have secrets Chlo…this might not be your life and maybe things didn’t turn out the way you thought they would, but well…think of it as a second chance…A different life. It’s up to you what you make of it…”

‘Lois’ gazed into Clark’s eyes and in that moment all the pain she’d been holding onto for the past three years disappeared. Yeah, it sucks that Chloe Sullivan would never have another byline, but maybe just maybe life didn’t have to be all that bad, thought ‘Lois’.