Disclaimer: Don't own Smallville, Superman or any other variation of the theme. Don't sue.

A/C: On a posting spree here. Don't know why I held back so long with all these stories brewing in my computer.

Post-Salvation, though altered ending to the episode, which will be explained as we go. Clois and happy ending, of course. Lot's already written, much to write still. Varying chapter sizes.

Review, point out mistakes, comment!

And enjoy, of course. =D

SEEKING THAT WHICH IS... GONE

by bloodymary2

The air was eerily still and silent now.

Snow and ice, crystals and light. The whiteness of the place was heavenly and somewhat peaceful, except for the large red stain marring the floor of the Fortress. That foreign color, the only sign of the battle, which had occurred weeks before. Its only witness, too.

Everyone was gone, now.

Chloe Sullivan felt small as she surveyed the abandoned ice fortress; smaller and infinitely more insignificant than she had ever felt when walking within its chilled crystal made walls. Hugging her thick parka closer to her trembling body, she shifted and looked around. Far from being dead, as she had seen the kryptonian refuge become in the past, there was almost something like expectation lingering in the air. Like a coiled snake ready to strike.

Small laugh.

Or maybe she was simply seeing what she wanted to see. The blonde didn't know why she continued to come here. Lois was gone, taken by Zod as bait and not seen since. Clark was gone, too, banished by his own hands with all the other kandorians. He was trapped in a place beyond her reach.

Alone.

That's how she felt. Alone.

Sob.

Strong arms circled her from behind, succeeding in warming her far more efficiently than any coat. Chloe leaned backwards, relieved to have someone to lean to, when her own weight had proven to be too much to bear alone.

"I keep expecting it to change, you know?" her voice cracked.

"I know." Oliver Queen rested his chin on her head, allowing his eyes to sweep the frozen blood on the floor. He wondered whose blood it was - there was far too much of it - and found himself glad he didn't know.

Shudder.

"I know. It's hard to believe it's over. Hard to believe they're not going to suddenly come back, like all the times before. You knew it was coming, but, still..." He kissed her golden curls. "seems wrong somehow."

"Yeah."

And like the fortress, they fell into silence and stillness, until the cold became unbearable, despite their heavy clothing. Oliver sighed, then, and pulled back.

"Let's go, Chloe. There's nothing we can do here." She allowed herself to be pulled to the crystal panel and watched as her companion placed the metal disk in the semi hidden slot. Light engulfed them and soon the ice turned to brown, the darker hues of the Kawatche cave coming into view.

A single tear escaped from the corner of Chloe's pale cheek and she wondered how long it would take to heal her broken heart. Hadn't she been here last year, broken and alone? No. Though similarities couldn't be denied, it was different. It was far more final.

She closed her eyes, squeezing them tightly.

How many times would she be forced to say goodbye to the ones she loved?

A warm hand closed around hers and Chloe grasped it, her lifeline. No matter how much pain she was being forced to endure, the world kept on spinning and Watchtower was still needed. Better, this time. She would make sure of it.

For Jimmy, for giving her the perfect gift.

For the heroes left behind who would have to shoulder the burden of the whole planet's safety.

For Lois, who didn't even know.

And for Clark, who had made the biggest sacrifice of them all.

Thoughts?