It was a warm, sunny day in Smallville and Clark as usual was completing his chores. Of course, it took him about two hours less than a normal person, he was extraordinary. Shelby was watching him in the barn as he baled some hay and then worked on chopping some wood. He had worked up quite a sweat, so his Mum had prepared some lemonade for him in the kitchen.

"Hi Clark," said a familiar voice. He spun around to see Lana, the girl of his dreams walking into the barn. Her dark hair glistened in the sunlight as he almost had one of his fire-starter moments. She was holding the fresh, cool glass of lemonade that Martha had made for her son.

"Lana?" he asked, surprised. "I thought you were in Metropolis for the weekend."

She shook her head. "Nell was busy with Dean so I decided to stay closer to home. Here this is for you."

He took the glass with both hands and gulped it down in one sip. Lana looked a little surprised, but she was used to his insatiable appetite more now having spent more time with him. They were together again, and Clark was convinced that even the pressure of him keeping his secret would not be able to break them up again.

"Did you want to go do something?" she asked, before grabbing his arm and staring into his eyes. Once that happened, Clark was like her puppet. She had never got really close to a meteor rock but if she did mind control would be her ability.

"Yeah, it's a scorcher. Let's go to the lake, I guess. We can call Lois and Chloe…" he suggested.

"It can't just be us?" she asked. He wasn't receiving the signal. Lana wanted to be alone with him. Ever since his powers returned he knew that was risky business.

"Oh, you mean? Um, well…" he stammered. Lana noticed his slightly panicked state.

"It's okay. I wasn't suggesting anything… physical. Just a swim, a sunbathe, besides there'll be other people there. It won't be like your dream where we were skinny-dipping," she giggled cheekily. He was a little embarrassed about that. It was the perfect moment, if only a mystery girl hadn't interrupted it. Shelby barked and then growled a little. In walked a bald man with a trademark expensive trench coat and pants. It was Clark's former best friend Lex Luthor, who had been on Clark and his girlfriend's bad side recently.

"I'll go grab some things from my dorm and meet you back here in a couple of hours," Lana told Clark as she left the barn. Lex smirked at her huffy exit.

"Well, I'm still not on her Christmas card list," the billionaire commented.

"Still not on mine either. You know that security laser really hurt. Can't believe you thought I was some kind of indestructible freak," Clark quipped, and then turned side on to his former buddy.

"I'm here to speak to your parents. I want to donate some money to your father's campaign." Lex said.

It was Clark's turn to smirk this time. "You're running against him. Why would you donate money to his campaign? You trying to buy him off? Because the Johnathan Kent I know would not stoop to accepting money from a Luthor to win the race for senate."

"Look, my father is going to make the same offer. I want to get in before him to show Johnathan that he can trust me. My father will expect something in return if he donates to the campaign. I on the other hand, just want to make it a fair race."

Clark began to laugh. His father was running against a billionaire who owned a heap of companies, had endless influence and all the cash in the world. How was this face fair?

"You can take your money and shove it wherever you want. My dad's not going to want it either so go back to your mansion and spend it on a nuclear bomb or something," Clark retorted, dismissing Lex coldly. Lex didn't say anything else, turned around and left. He jumped into his Porsche and sped off, leaving a trail of dust behind him.

Lana and Clark arrived at Crater Lake, a nice hang out spot for college students, families and school goers. Some were taking a dip in the refreshing water that glistened in the sun, others were playing volleyball and throwing a football to each other. Clark felt tempted to join his old teammates, but he had promised Lana a romantic afternoon. He tried to forget everyone else wasn't there. He kissed Lana on the cheek and then she responded by locking lips with the ex-star quarterback.

"So what did Lex want?" asked Lana, killing the moment. Clark sighed. It was the last thing he wanted to talk about.

"You know, trying to manipulate everyone with his good guy act. He's plotting to take over the world, and if he gets into a senate seat that's what he's going to do. He's a clever guy. He just has to offer a bit of financial support to people and they get brainwashed by him. But he won't brainwash my Dad, oh no."

"Hopefully the people of Kansas will see sense and vote Johnathan Kent into office," Lana replied. She rested her head against Clark's shoulder. The scene was perfect, two lovers sitting on a beach enjoying each other's company. Nothing could spoil it.

"Hey Smallville!" Lois Lane remarked in a voice that was still nails on a chalkboard to Clark. Well, he enjoyed the peace while it lasted.

"Lois. I don't think that swimsuit is your style." She looked down at herself. In fact, it was quite flashy. A red bikini that didn't show too much flesh, and that hugged the curves of her body.

"Clark, that's mean. I think it looks great Lois," Lana defended her, much to Clark's dismay. Lana knew what it was like to be a girl who was constantly judged for her looks. In fact, she was probably the only girl likely to win Miss Smallville until the tall, leggy and classically beautiful brunette Lois showed up.

"Besides, when did you become the fashion police? If you had your way, it would be flannel, flannel and more flannel." She had him there. His limited wardrobe did contain a lot of uninspired outfits. Lana giggled at Lois' comment, and Clark shook his head.

"Where's Chloe? She didn't want to come down?" asked Clark.

"No, I think between college and working at the Planet she's gone into overdrive. No one wants to see a stressed girl's head explode into a million pieces," Lois answered.

"Well Lana, did you want to hit the water soon?" Clark asked as he removed his shirt to show his muscular torso. Lana nodded and stripped down into her pink bikini. She smiled and wrinkled her nose the way she does when she's happy and then linked arms with Clark as he playfully tried to pick her up and throw her in the water.

"No Clark, don't. Stop!" she pleaded with him jokingly and the two of them laughed before Clark cradled her and then collapsed into the shallows. They shared another kiss as Lois rolled her eyes on the shore.

"Come on tidal wave," she said under her breath and then ran into the lake to join the lovebirds. As she did, she noticed something eerily strange on the bottom of the lake. She could see a pink glow, and it wasn't from Lana's two-piece swimwear. It kind of looked like meteor rock. But why would it be pink in colour? Lois had never seen anything like it before. She came up for air just in time to see her "friend" Clark and the love of his life Lana wrap up their kissing session.

"Lois are you all right?" asked Lana, who noticed Lois looking a little puzzled. Lois regained her bearings and dismissed what she saw as an optical illusion. But then she felt a really funny feeling course through her. Clark was starting to look real good to her. She was seeing him in a different light. Uh-oh. Was Lois Lane falling for Clark Kent?

"Yeah, I'm fine. See you later hot stuff," she said in a sexy voice and then jumped out of the water, looking back at Clark with a cheeky grin on her face. Lana was the one looking confused now.

"Was she talking to you or me?" Lana asked, hoping it was the latter.