More Time

More Time

By Alexa Jones (alexajones22@yahoo.com)

Clark/Chloe

PG-13

Spoilers: none

Disclaimer: Didn't think up these characters, don't own 'em. If I did, there'd be no such thing as Clana.

Summary: Sequel to "The First and Last Time." Chloe lives, and now has a concern.

Author's Note: Thanks to Kat for the quick beta! http://www.geocities.com/alexajones22/

Chloe was sprawled across her bed on her stomach, chewing on the end of her pen. It was a habit she'd picked up when she was nervous and she'd never been able to break it. Her eyes scanned across her sheet of paper, but she couldn't get any words to flow from her mind to the tip of the pen.

Clark was sitting back against the headboard next to her, a frown etched along his beautiful features as he struggled to comprehend a poem for English class. He sighed, frustrated, and tossed his book to the side. A smile slowly spread across his face as he watched Chloe.

They'd been together for two weeks now, and although they'd already had sex, Chloe had thought it was best to start over and take things slow. Clark had agreed, of course, but it was hard having already known each other so intimately, even if it was only once. So far, they hadn't allowed themselves to take off any clothes, but Clark could tell that Chloe wanted to. He did, too, so he wasn't sure how much longer that rule would last. He had to admit, now that he'd gotten a taste of sex and Chloe, he wanted more.

He didn't know why he'd agreed to do his homework with Chloe that afternoon. It was all he could do from reaching out and pulling her into his lap. He knew it probably wouldn't happen, but then maybe things would go on... He shook his head to stop his train of though, but thinking about sex was a lot more interesting than thinking about poems.

Clark had been wondering the past few days exactly how long Chloe wanted to go without having sex. They hadn't really discussed a timeline, and Clark figured that even though a timeline probably couldn't be put to something such as this, he might ask well ask.

He glanced down at Chloe's paper and noticed that she hadn't written anything.

"You look distracted, Chlo," Clark said.

She glanced up abruptly, as if jerked out of thought. "Oh. Yeah, I guess so."

He smiled. "I told you doing homework together wasn't a good idea," he teased.

She merely grinned at him. Clark decided it might be a good opportunity to talk. "Hey, Chloe?"

"What?"

"I was thinking... well, wondering... if you wanted to, well... you know, go further? Or when?"

Chloe shrugged, but didn't say a word. It was the last thing she wanted to think about at the moment.

Clark thought she looked troubled and hoped he hadn't said anything wrong. "Chloe? Are you okay?"

"I don't know, Clark. I'm trying to write." She bit the end of her pen anxiously and idly wrote down a sentence to try and make it look like she was working.

Clark's brow furrowed, confused at her reaction. He leaned forward and touched her shoulder lightly. "Listen, I didn't mean it to seem like I'm pressuring you. It doesn't matter. I was just curious. I don't want you to think I'm trying to make you decide."

Chloe sighed, but smiled at him reassuringly. "I know. I've just had a lot on my mind the past few days. It's okay."

Clark moved closer to sit next to her, running his hand down her back and stroking lightly. "Like what?"

Chloe bit her lip. "Nothing."

"Nothing?" Clark chuckled. "It takes more than nothing to see you down like this, Chlo."

She sighed again. "I'm not sure if I want to talk about it."

Clark blinked, slightly hurt, but nodded. "That's fine."

She smiled at him. "I know you're here to listen, though."

He smiled back and brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. "I am."

"I just... I don't know if I should say anything."

"Why?" Clark asked gently, trying not to pry too much.

"It's probably no big deal. It's probably nothing."

"Then why not talk about it? It might make you feel better."

Chloe glanced up at him and saw only genuine concern and caring in his eyes. "Maybe."

They both went quiet, Clark softly rubbing her back. Chloe closed her eyes. Maybe she was being silly not telling Clark. She didn't want to worry him, but at the same time, she wasn't quite sure what he would think. She wasn't sure she could deal with what he might think. There was only one way to know, she supposed.

Finally, Chloe spoke. "You know," she began hesitantly. "You know how we didn't use a condom?"

Clark didn't think his heart had ever dropped so fast and his stomach clenched painfully. "You think you're...?" He couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.

"I don't know. It's been three days."

"Three days?" Clark echoed, a hint of confusion in his voice.

Chloe had to remind herself to be patient with fairly ignorant teenage boys. "I should have gotten my period three days ago. But I haven't." They hadn't even been together long enough for her to have a reason to bring it up, especially since they hadn't had sex since that first time.

Recognition dawned in Clark's eyes. "Oh."

"Yeah," Chloe sighed. She'd been so sure she was going to die at the time. She hadn't ever dreamed that she'd live long enough for there to be any repercussions. Clark had been right; they should have used one. But it was too late now.

Clark stretched out on his side next to her and pulled her into a hug, spooning her from behind. Chloe allowed herself to be enveloped in his arms, and Clark was glad she didn't pull away.

"I wish I knew what to say, but I don't," Clark admitted.

"It's okay. You don't have to say anything. It's probably nothing," Chloe said, trying to convince herself as much as him.

Clark wondered in the back of his mind if it was even possible to impregnate Chloe. Or, maybe he could and she'd have quintuplets or something insane like that. He winced at the thought and pushed it out of his mind. Time would tell.

Chloe rolled over and snuggled her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. It soothed her, along with Clark's fingers gently running up and down her spine.

Eventually, Chloe pulled back from Clark. She was thirsty and she had to pee. "I'm going to get a glass of water. Do you want anything?"

He shook his head and watched her climb off the bed and pad out of the bedroom. He rolled onto his back and rubbed his hands over his eyes. He felt like such an ass for bringing up sex when Chloe had been worrying all week about being pregnant.

Suddenly, he heard his name yelled from the general direction of the bathroom. He sat up, quickly focusing his eyes into x-ray vision and peering through the walls. Chloe was just running out of the bathroom and down the hall, and no sooner than he returned his vision to normal she'd jumped on top of him giggling.

"I'm not pregnant!"

Her grin was contagious and Clark grinned back, assuming that her period had started. "That's great!"

She giggled again and kissed him.

"Ahem." They both heard a cough.

Gabe Sullivan stood in the doorway. Clark closed his eyes and muttered, "Oh shit," under his breath. Not only was Chloe's father probably not happy to hear Chloe's outburst, but he would be doubly not happy to find his daughter on top of him in her bedroom. Obviously, he knew that Chloe and he had done it once, but he wasn't sure how much he knew after that.

Chloe gave a guilty smile and eased herself off Clark.

"Hi, Dad."

Her father forced a smile. "I brought back some Chinese food for dinner."

Chloe nodded. "Okay, sounds yummy."

Clark couldn't wait to escape the uncomfortable situation. He got down off the bed and smoothed his t-shirt over his jeans. "I think I have some chores to finish up at home. I'll see you tomorrow, Chlo?"

She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss. "Bye, Clark."

Clark briefly glanced at Gabe as he squeezed his way by through the door. Chloe's father didn't give him a mean glare per se, but he could definitely see the overprotective father shining through.

Once Clark had left, Gabe sighed, but Chloe started talking before he even could.

"Listen, Dad, I know this seems bad, but Clark and I having sex was just a one time thing. It's not happening again."

Her father raised an eyebrow. "I find that hard to believe. I can't see you beginning a relationship with sex and then not continuing it."

Chloe rolled her eyes, and pushed past her father and headed down the stairs. "Well, believe it."

"Maybe not now," he called out after her, following her down the steps. "But you can't tell me that will last forever."

Chloe paused. "Well. Not for a long time anyhow."

Gabe sighed. "Alright, hon. Just... be much more careful next time, okay? I don't want to come down the hallway and hear you yelling that every month."

Chloe smiled brightly and gave her dad a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks, Dad. You don't have to worry." She opened the first container of take-out food, smiling when she found her favorite dish. She was lucky to have both her father and Clark.