Chapter 3
Ice Skating
And Disturbedness
Disclaimer: I'm assuming the Desiree in the barn bit happens a few hours after he gained control of his Heat Vision. Mainly assuming this cause its been awhile since I saw the episode and I'm currently relying on a transcript of the episode. So if this is inaccurate in relation to that, I apologize. Then again, it doesn't really matter considering I'm not even gonna focus on that between her and Clark. Also, not sure if he already knew he had steel skin before the first season so gonna play it as he didn't know until the car hit him.
A Few Hours Later
Despite himself, Clark had to admit he was honestly having fun with Alicia at the ice rink. Which had been opened up temporarily so folks could cool down while the heat wave was happening. Of course he could have gone without looking like a dork with his lack of ice skating skill and the several falls he had. Especially since Alicia seemed to find a lot of humor in the whole thing! Humor she managed to somehow get him to see as well and making him feel more carefree then he'd been in some time. Even saying as much when they went to take a break and sip on some 'Heat Wave Cocoa' as it'd been dubbed. "Really?" Asked Alicia in surprise.
"Yep."
"I knew you were all moony eyed over Lana but I didn't think it was enough to make you feel that way." Cracked the girl and gaining a mild glare from the taller boy.
"Har har, very funny."
"Why thank you, I don't even have to try!"
Clark let out a put upon sigh while she grinned in amusement at him. "Why do I let myself be tortured by you?" He wondered aloud.
Her grin widened as she leaned in. "Its cause I'm such a secretly awesome girl." Alicia told him in a conspiratorial way as she whispered it to him.
Making him roll his eyes at her that had her chuckling over. "Whatever helps you sleep at night." Came the dry response.
"The ways I can come up with to torture you helps me sleep really well."
Well, that, and another thing in relation to him but she wasn't gonna mention that! As it might fluster those farm boy values he clearly has! Hmm… Then again, that might be fun too!
As she knew full well she wasn't the only girl in their school who'd thought of Clark in a certain way. But considering Chloe Sullivan's feelings for him and his in turn towards Lana Lang, nothing had really been done to make those thoughts a reality. A reality she was honestly thinking of trying her luck on since they had a common interest when it came to special abilities. She had always thought him cute but because of her ability and the Chloe/Lana thing, Alicia hadn't ever thought of trying. Preferring to stay to herself so she wouldn't be found out until she saw him shooting fire of all things from his eyes in their classroom. Which apparently, while a new thing, wasn't exactly a huge shock for him as apparently he had other abilities. Ones she was very curious about too! Alicia realized though that anything beyond friendship would probably have to take some time to develop but she didn't mind. It was fun being his torturer and possible new friend as it is! "So..." Began the girl and gaining his attention.
"If its not Lana and I doubt its Chloe that has kept you so uncarefree, then what is it?" Asked the Blonde curiously while looking at him.
Clark let out a deep breath as he stared at his cup before looking at her. "My abilities."
"Really? Control issues?"
"Not unless I slip or learning how to control it like the Heat Vision."
She nicely let that one slide since her new found friend was in share mode and didn't want to ruin it. "Since… Since I could remember, I've always been strong. Which could be pretty nerve wracking for a lot of reasons as a kid with little control." He continued on and Alicia nodded as that was definitely understandable!
"I'm sure that had to be really hard for you at times."
He let out a small laugh that wasn't exactly filled with humor. "Oh yeah, cracked a couple of my mom's ribs once when I hugged her over something I was excited about."
Placing a hand on his, she squeezed it in a comforting manner, something he appreciated quite a bit. "So cause of that, I've kinda kept people at arm's length. Which sucks as it does get lonely."
"I can imagine… I was pretty lonely myself growing up thanks to what I can do."
The two shared a look and both felt a little closer to one another then before. "You ever meet any others with powers?"
"No, at least, that I'm aware of."
"Right. Makes sense. I'll tell you a few I've encountered later. A little later I learned I could run really fast. Which made being late a non issue for me on more then one occasion." Clark found himself smiling a little at that as he remembered several occasions where he would have been late if it wasn't for his super speed.
His smile being something Alicia liked and definitely preferred over anything else on his face. He then let out a chuckle. "And then I met Lex and became friends with him. Well… After he hit me with his car and went over the bridge and I walked out of that without a scratch anyway."
Alicia's eyes widened at that as wow! "Wow. That's, that's pretty impressive. Is that something you can turn off whenever you want?" The Teleporter asked before she could really even stop herself.
He shook his head in the negative. "As far as I know? No. Its there much like the strength is. Only I don't have to be careful in controlling it."
"But just have to avoid being seen unhurt."
"Pretty much."
"And I take it no one else but me and your parents know?"
"Yep. Well, aside from those with powers who weren't using them for good or normal people looking to expose me." He told her with a grimace and she nodded in understanding of that.
But she was curious about something. "How come you haven't told your friends? I mean, I kinda get the feeling your powers is one reason you aren't with Lana."
"It is." And the fact he's an Alien, but he wasn't gonna tell her that anytime soon!
"But there's the fact I'm afraid of how they'll react."
"Clark… If they really and truly care for you, they won't reject you. Maybe be a little unsure at first given your powers but not reject." She told him strongly.
He sighed at that. "Maybe… But, I don't think I'm ready to take that risk just yet. Much like you I bet."
"You'd be right, Mister." Replied the girl sternly but she was also smiling too.
Clark let out a breath, surprisingly feeling lighter then he'd been in awhile. "Huh..."
"What?"
"I kinda feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest some." He told her with surprise to be heard in his voice.
Alicia hummed thoughtfully at that. "Maybe because you've kept your secret so close to your chest that actually talking about it with someone who isn't your parents is why?" Theorized the girl thoughtfully.
Making him look at her in consideration for a moment. "Well… I guess it could have been worse with anyone else." Came his response with a grin that made her narrow her eyes at him.
"Are you implying I'm bad company, Mr. Kent?"
"Who? Me? Never!"
"Uh-huh. I know where you sleep." Threatened the girl but she was smiling as she did so.
He raised an eyebrow at that and she nearly groaned at how that sounded! "Been spying on me have we?" Clark asked her a bit cheekily.
Making her glare at him. "Oh yeah, totally you hot hunk of manhood." Came the dry response that actually got him to blush!
"Aww, you're blushing! So cute!"
"So if I point out your hand is still on mine, are you gonna blush too?"
Alicia looked shocked as she remembered where her hand was and quickly pulled away from his while looking elsewhere. Making him grin in amusement as he nudged her. "Now who's blushing."
"I… I don't know what you're talking about."
"Uh-huh. If you say so." He told her teasingly.
Man it feels good to turn the tables like this.
"And I do. Now… You wanna skate some more?" Asked the girl as she turned to look at him in an attempt to change things up before he could get more of an upper hand as that was her place to do darn it!
A smirk came her way but she merely narrowed her eyes at him. Causing him to chuckle some. "I don't know… I'm still not that great."
"Oh come on, practice makes perfect!" Retorted the girl as she stood up and grabbed his hand and tugged on it.
Giving off a fake put upon sigh, he allowed himself to be pulled up by her and the two went back out on the ice. Though an interesting thing would be the fact neither had let go of the other's hand but neither of them would say anything on it.
The Next Day At Smallville High
"I'm disturbed." Announced Clark once he got into the Torch room where Chloe was.
Making Alicia snort at his opener as Chloe looked at him. "While you can be closed off and the like, I wouldn't say you qualify for disturbed." Replied the Reporter with a quirked eyebrow while wondering what Alicia Baker was doing with her friend and crush.
"I don't know, I heard he likes pink clothing with trees on them." Alicia said with a grin, causing her new found friend to turn his glower away from Chloe to her.
"I… Suddenly have this feeling you had something to do with a certain pink tie."
"I might have had something to do with it." Replied the Teleporter with a wink and causing the Reporter to chuckle while Clark grimaced.
"Nice, very nice."
"Why thank you! I look forward to expanding his clothing with stuff like that as what he has now is just so… Dull."
"Yay me. But can we get back on to why I'm disturbed? Please?"
Chloe stared at him for a moment, honestly feeling amused as it wasn't often her friend got flustered. And it was something she kinda liked! "Oh, why not. Why are you disturbed, Clark?"
"When you have your best friend's wife come on to you after class, one tends to feel that way." He told her bluntly and making her eyes widen.
"Yeah, she even tried finding him at his place last night and wasn't happy about the fact she couldn't find him there." Alicia added with a small frown.
As she had waited for him to come out of the classroom while being sure to avoid being seen by Mrs. Luthor. Since to her, their teacher's request for him to stay a bit longer seemed a little off. Chloe was surprised to hear all this. "Wow, Clark Kent actually getting out of the house and his barn? I'm shocked!"
"That's what you choose to focus on? That I actually wasn't held up in either of those like usual?"
"Well, yeah, its kinda news worthy you know?" The look he gave her in return showed he wasn't too impressed by that.
"Somehow, I really doubt that." He told her dryly.
"Well, its more believable then you and Mrs. Atkins-Luthor. Who's real name is apparently Alison Sanders by the way."
That got her another look. "Gee, thanks."
Alicia leaned in while pondering the apparent mystery that is their teacher. "Careful, any more ego bruising and the rare Clarkus Kentus might go hide in his Loft for the forseeable future." Stage whispered the girl with a grin.
A grin that widened further at the look she got from him. Chloe couldn't help but laugh at that. "So, putting aside our mystery teacher for a moment… When did you two start to hang out with one another?" Wondered the Reporter curiously and hoping it wasn't what she thought it was.
Clark just groaned. "Let's just say I saw him horribly struggling with something and out of the kindness of my sweet little heart, I chose to help him out with it."
Mumbling could be heard from him but Alicia didn't pay it any mind. "And then I got that tie, followed by her brand of torture." He added dryly while she smiled innocently at him.
"You say torture, I say helping bring you out of that shell of yours."
"Wow. Its like you two have known one another for years." Chloe remarked in amazement and slight jealousy.
Alicia hummed thoughtfully over that while Clark groaned. "Maybe we're just two halves of a whole that is finally uniting?"
"Can I return your half then?"
"Nope! I'm a non-refundable."
"Crap."
Okay… Really getting jealous here…
"And then last night, she made me go out to eat with her. Followed by embarrassing attempts at ice skating."
"The rink is open?" Asked Chloe in surprise.
"Yep! They decided to open so we can get relief from the heat if we want it. I've got a cousin who works there so its how I found out to begin with." Informed Alicia helpfully before turning to Clark again.
"And come on, it was only embarrassing for like 20 minutes as I know you started enjoying yourself a lot after that."
"I think you've got me confused for someone else." Clark replied dryly.
"Hmm… Nope. Pretty sure that was you."
"That could have been someone with a power who could look like me."
"Nah. There's no way they could have pulled you off that well."
He stared at her for a moment. "How would you know?"
A smirk came from her. "Careful observation of you, the Clarkus Kentus over many months."
Clark looked at her before turning to look at a shocked Chloe. "Should I be feeling violated?" He asked her in fake curiousity.
Not realizing how all this was effecting her. "Umm… I don't know?"
"Crap. Now who will help me understand the world?" Clark asked in despair. Though he was grinning as he did so.
Prompting Alicia to swat him lightly on the chest. That seemed to snap Chloe out of her shock. "I'm, I'm sure you'll manage to make it just fine, Clark. I mean… There's always Pete."
"So there is!"
"Great, we'll get Pete 2.0. I'm sure that'll be a ton of fun." Retorted Alicia dryly.
"Hmm… You might have a point. I'm not sure Clark would do so well as a 2.0."
"HEY!"
Snickers were had at his expense. He glared at the two before finally deciding to get back on track. "Anyway! Back to Desiree."
"Ooh, first name basis. Nice." Praised Chloe with a grin.
Deciding to press on lest he get sidetracked. "And while she had me in there with her, she was dissing Lex and saying he was the only thing standing in the way of us."
"And unless Clarkus here has been secretly seeing her, I don't see the logic in her words at all." Added Alicia.
Chloe would have made a remark that would have been seen as cutting and sarcastic but kept it in check. "Okay… So this has gone from amusing and kind of nauseating to genuinely disturbing." Declared the girl and gaining a happy look from Clark.
"Thank you! It feels good to not be alone in this!"
"Hey! I supported you on this!"
"No, you laughed at me."
"Therefore, I supported you!"
"We need to work on your definition of support." Grumbled Clark dryly while Alicia merely smiled innocently at him.
"Anyway, I think Desiree has some kind of strange hold on Lex." Worried the teen from another planet.
Both girls looked at him with raised eyebrows. "Gee, I wonder what THAT could be." Intoned Chloe with a trace of sarcasm.
Gaining a look from her best friend in the process. "I'm serious here, its more then the fact she's hot."
Must hold back from making a remark… Alicia thought to herself repeatedly.
Even if it would be so much fun! She even got an expectant look from Clark but she smiled at him again and blinked her eyes at him. Making the teenager a little wary of her. "Clark… This is Lex Luthor we're talking about here. Don't you think he carefully considered all the unfortunate possibilities before saying 'I do'?" Asked Chloe seriously.
Clark sighed at that. "I dunno, but I'm gonna go and find out. Will you keep digging?"
"Yeah, sure. Where there's smoke there's fire. Excuse the aphorism please."
Clark was grateful he hadn't noticeably winced at her words as that would just potentially bring up questions. And as he turned away to leave, Alicia's voice stopped him. "Want me to come with?"
Turning back to her, he quickly made a decision. "Uhh no. I've got this just fine." He assured her quickly.
Plus, he really didn't want her and Lex actually meeting and potentially coming up with 'fun' ways to torture him with pink stuff that had trees on it. And judging by Chloe's little smirk, she knew exactly what he was thinking! Alicia however seemed doubtful. "Are you sure? What if Miss Desiree shows up?"
"Then I'll handle her. But I doubt she'll be there. Besides, if you stay here, you can help Chloe look into her."
Aww, its cute how he's trying to avoid her coming with. Thought Chloe before mentally shaking herself.
Clark's new friend seemed rather doubtful, making him heave out a heavy sigh. "How about this… You let me do this on my own and I'll wear all the pink clothing with trees on it that you want for a whole day." Offered up the teen and instantly regretting it!
Especially as her eyes lit up at the idea! "Deal! See you later!"
"Me and my big mouth." Sighed the teen before heading out while Chloe grinned widely in amusement.
"That boy just made my day." Declared Alicia happily, causing her fellow Blonde to snort in amusement. And here Aliica had thought her night last night with him had been a fantastic one in and of itself! But this was way better thanks to that offer!
Author's Notes: Heh heh… Poor Clark!
