Reincarnation In Smallville

School Newspaper

The clock on the wall of the small newspaper office ticked as the minutes passed. Chloe sat at her desk, a pile of notes scattered in front of her. She stared at the computer screen, her fingers hovering over the keyboard, as her mind wandered in search of inspiration.

"Come on, Chloe. Something must be happening in this town," she muttered to herself, pressing her temples with her fingers. "Smallville may seem quiet, but there's always something beneath the surface."

She let out a deep sigh, pushing her chair back. The school was almost empty, the hallways silent except for the faint sound of a janitor's footsteps.

Chloe knew she should be used to this – the newspaper wasn't the most popular club, but for her, it was her passion, her refuge.

'Why does it feel so empty today?' she thought, pulling out a pen and starting to scribble on a notepad.

'Am I losing my motivation?'

The truth was, she didn't want just another ordinary school story. Something inside her craved something more exciting, something that would make her heart race, like the adventures she used to have alongside Clark.

She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the darkness bring memories. Images of moments shared with Clark flashed through her mind – the laughter, the knowing glances, and the warmth of knowing that, even on the hardest days, he'd always be there.

'But now it feels different,' she thought, gripping the pen tightly. 'He has his own life, his own priorities. I'm no longer the center of his attention, and that's okay. Right?'

Suddenly, the sound of the office door opening interrupted her thoughts. Chloe looked up hopefully, but it was just the wind, pushing the door partially open. She laughed at herself, shaking her head.

"Great. Now I'm imagining things," she said, returning to work.

She opened a new page on the computer, determined to find something, anything, to fill the emptiness in the paper – and in her mind. But even as she typed, a part of her couldn't ignore Clark's absence.

Chloe sat in silence for a long moment, the sound of typing ceasing. She looked at the office window, where the sunset cast soft shadows across the room.

'You're stronger than this,' she thought, trying to regain her determination. 'If Clark isn't here, then I have to keep going on my own. And I'll find something amazing for this newspaper. That's what I do.'

With that, Chloe leaned forward, refocusing. But even as she worked, part of her heart still longed for Clark to walk through the door, bringing with him the excitement and courage she so admired.

THUD!

THUD!

The sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway, approaching the office door. Chloe looked up, her heart beating a little faster. When the door opened, revealing Clark with a casual smile, she couldn't help the spark of happiness in her eyes.

"Clark," Chloe said, feigning a frown as she crossed her arms. "You should be at home with your lovely girlfriend. What are you doing here, bothering me?"

Clark laughed, leaning against the door as he watched her with that characteristic smile that always disarmed her.

"Oh, Chloe, you know I can't resist spending time with my favorite lover."

Chloe gave him a look of mock indignation but couldn't help smiling. "Careful, Kent. Diana might tear me apart before you get the chance to explain."

Clark stepped into the office, closing the door behind him and sitting in the chair in front of her desk. "I was thinking… you've been so quiet lately. I decided it was my duty as your devoted lover to check on you."

"Devoted lover," Chloe repeated, rolling her eyes, though her smile widened. "Well, if you're so concerned, why don't you start by helping with the newspaper? I'm out of decent headlines. Smallville feels like a ghost town lately."

Clark leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "Actually, I have a story for you. It's about a certain teacher who recently got arrested."

Chloe raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Teacher arrested? That sounds promising. Who is she?"

"Desirée Atkins," Clark said casually. "The same one who tried teaching at the school but ended up… veering into the world of crime. Looks like she was caught for involvement in jewelry thefts."

Chloe's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, are you talking about the same Desirée that Diana punched at the Talon?"

Clark nodded, struggling to contain his laughter. "The very one. Seems like her situation's gotten worse since then. She's behind bars now."

Chloe leaned back in her chair, processing the information. "This is gold, Clark. Not only is it an interesting headline, but it's also a chance to dig deeper into her. If she was trouble before, imagine what could come from an interview with her."

Clark crossed his arms, the amused smile still on his lips. "So, you're thinking of visiting the station and talking to her in person?"

"Of course," Chloe said with determination. "And since you brought this story, the least you can do is come with me."

Clark stood, adjusting his jacket as he gave her a knowing look. "If it's to make sure my favorite lover stays safe, I think I can sacrifice myself. Shall we go now?"

Chloe laughed, grabbing her bag and notes. "You really know how to persuade me, Kent. But I hope Diana doesn't get jealous. I don't want her showing up at the station with another punch ready."

Clark opened the door for her, walking alongside her with a calm smile. "Don't worry, Chloe. I'll handle Diana. Now, let's go get that headline."

The two left the newspaper office together, their laughter echoing down the hallway as they headed off on another unexpected adventure, just like old times.

____

Clark's House

The sun shone brightly over the fields surrounding Clark's house as Diana sat on the couch, gazing out the window with a bored expression. She drummed her fingers on the armrest, clearly restless. Tina, beside her, was scrolling through her phone but couldn't ignore the Amazon's evident discomfort.

"You're bored, aren't you?" Tina asked, not lifting her eyes from the phone.

"Yes," Diana replied bluntly. "I thought coming to Smallville would bring some excitement, but most of the time, everything feels so... calm."

Tina laughed, finally putting her phone away. "Well, this is Smallville. It's not exactly Metropolis. But we can find something to do."

Diana turned to her, her eyes lighting up with hope. "Really? What do you suggest?"

Tina crossed her arms, thinking for a moment. "Well, have you ever ridden a horse before?"

Diana tilted her head, curious. "Horseback riding? Yes, but not since I left Themyscira. We used horses for training and ceremonies. Why?"

"Because I can arrange horses for us," Tina said with a mischievous smile. "There's a stable nearby, and I know the owner. We can go now if you'd like."

Diana stood up, excitement evident on her face. "That would be wonderful! I need to feel the adrenaline again, even if it's just riding a horse."

Tina chuckled, grabbing her car keys. "Then let's go before you change your mind."

---

Road to the Stable

In the car, Tina drove with soft music playing on the radio, while Diana gazed out the window, taking in the countryside scenery.

"Tina," Diana began, breaking the silence. "Have you always lived in Smallville? Haven't you ever wanted to leave?"

Tina shrugged, keeping her eyes on the road. "I've thought about leaving a few times. But at the same time, Smallville is my home. As quiet as it is, I like that. And now, with all this chaos involving Clark, Diana, and, well, you, things have gotten a lot more interesting."

Diana smiled, glancing at Tina with a grateful expression. "I admire that. You're loyal to what you know, but still open to new experiences. That's rare."

Tina laughed, shifting gears as she sped up. "Well, you've definitely brought me something new."

Diana chuckled along, feeling relaxed for the first time in days. "I hope I'm making up for Smallville's boredom."

"You can bet on that," Tina replied, winking at her.

---

Smallville Stable

The car pulled up in front of a rustic stable, where a small group of horses grazed peacefully. An older man stepped out of the nearby house, waving at Tina.

"Tina! Long time no see," he said with a friendly smile. "And who's your friend?"

"This is Diana," Tina replied, stepping out of the car and walking toward him. "She's new in town and wanted to ride. Can you help us out, Mr. Hargrove?"

"Of course, of course," he said, adjusting his straw hat while glancing curiously at Diana. "You know how to ride, young lady?"

"Yes," Diana answered confidently. "I've ridden many horses. It's something I love to do."

"Then you'll do just fine here," Mr. Hargrove said, gesturing toward the horses. "Pick one. I'm sure you'll find one you like."

Diana walked slowly among the horses, observing each one carefully. Finally, she stopped in front of a black stallion with a shiny mane. Her eyes met the animal's, and she smiled.

"This one," she said, stroking the horse's neck. "He's strong and determined. He'll be perfect."

Mr. Hargrove nodded, impressed. "Good choice. His name is Blackstar. One of the best I have here."

Tina approached, already holding the reins of a calmer brown horse. "Looks like you found your partner, Diana. Ready to ride?"

"Ready," Diana replied enthusiastically. She mounted the horse with agility, as if she had never stopped riding.

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