7 – Meteor Freaks Meet Czechoslovakians

When they arrived at the meeting place in the desert Kyle got looks that could kill from everyone except his father, whose look was actually filled with concern. Kyle knew it was going to be bad for a bit but in the end they'd realize he had no choice but to bring company.

Michael took a step towards Kyle, "What the hell are you doing?" he yelled, his whole body almost shaking with anger, and whether he acknowledged it or not, fear.

Clark and Chloe had decided to stay in the truck at first so as to seem less threatening.

Max came up along side Michael as Kyle continued to approach them. Trying to calm Michael and keep things under control, Max placed a restraining hand on Michael's arm and in a low voice addressed Kyle.

"Kyle what're you thinking? You're risking our very lives." Max was trying to infuse some calmness to the group but his voice began to rise anyway. "This wasn't your secret to share! We trusted…."

Kyle cut in, his voice angry, "I know that given the chance to explain you'll understand what I've done was my only option." He too was having trouble keeping his voice level, "I, my family, and dammit even my friends have risked and given up a lot to keep your secret, to keep you all safe. That is not something I'd throw away on a whim! I didn't ask for any of this, and none of this can be undone. So please hear me and them out," he said pointing toward the truck. "We can't undo what they heard or saw today. The only way to undo this would be to kill them and I'm pretty sure after what I saw today that, at least where Clark is concerned, even that won't work."

During the heated argument Valenti had moved to stand beside his son. The others had closed in the ranks so that they were all basically standing in a sloppy circle. Michael was still unconvinced and angry, which clearly showed in his stance and body language. Most of the others where waiting to hear the reasons Kyle felt this was his only option.

Liz, the one person who could be the voice of reason, stepped up next to Kyle. "We're all on edge. With the flashes we've seen we're even more leery of the unknown, but Kyle I know each of us, if we think hard about it…." She looked at each person in the group, "knows that you've been nothing but a loyal friend despite all circumstances."

Kyle reached out and took Liz's hand grateful for her vote. He squeezed her hand so she'd look at him It has finally happened.

Liz yanked her hand away and gasped. Max took several steps forward and raised his palm. Seeing this Clark super-sped out of the truck and closer to the group. He wanted to be ready in case Kyle needed him. Because of the confrontation having everyone's undivided attention no one noticed him.

Liz quickly stepped between Max and Kyle, she reached out and took Kyle's hand again. "When?" Liz asked quietly.

Today

"Anything else yet?"

Not that I've noticed.

"How are you doing that?"

Chloe described it as telepathy meets osmosis. So far we have to be touching for it to work. Basically I think as if I'm talking to myself and you can hear it as if I talked out loud.

"Chloe knows?" Liz raised her eyebrow.

She's the reason I know it happened, she kept answering my thoughts. It was really confusing at first, but then I figured out she could actually hear me.

"You were touching Chloe?" Liz asked with a smirk.

Michael had had enough. "What the hell is going on!" he demanded as he moved closer to Kyle. Seeing Michael's anger and size, Clark also stepped closer and Michael finally noticed Clark standing almost within their midst. Michael raised his hand quickly and a ball of energy shot out at Clark.

Chaos ensued with everyone yelling at Michael to stop. Chloe had jumped out of the truck and was running toward Clark. Kyle had dropped Liz's hand and was running for Chloe while yelling at her to get down.

In the midst of all this Clark stood his ground as the ball of energy hit him.

Max threw up his green energy shield in an attempt to calm everyone down and to protect everyone from Clark.

Kyle who had tackled a struggling Chloe to the ground yelled, "Stay on the ground, woman." He then jumped up and rushed to Clark's side. "Stop… all of you, Clark saved Chloe's life and mine today. I brought them here because of the files we found in the hotel room. They contain information and surveillance on all of us."

Max slowly lowered his shield, but Michael kept his hand raised and with his other arm he held Maria behind him. During the commotion he'd instinctively found and protected her without a conscience thought.

Which of course didn't go unnoticed by Maria, who was now trying to wiggle free. "Michael let it go, that obviously isn't going to do any damage."

"I told you so," Kyle grumbled under his breath. He made his way over to Chloe on the other side of Clark. He looked her up and down, then stepped up and leaned towards her ear, "I didn't hurt you did I?"

Chloe shifted her head and whispered no in his ear. This of course set butterflies loose in his stomach, even if that hadn't, the wink Chloe gave him when he looked up to her face again would've. He quickly stepped back and looked at Clark then back at Chloe before taking a few extra steps away from them both toward where his dad was standing.

Max took a step towards Clark, "How did that not hurt you?"

Clark just stood his ground quietly. How was he supposed to answer that.

"Where are you from?" Max asked as he came closer to Clark.

"Kansas," Clark said already knowing that wasn't what he was asking.

Max rolled his eyes in exasperation, "Before that?"

Clark looked at Chloe who gave him an encouraging look, "That'd be a very long story, but basically… not from around here."

Liz laughed and asked, "Are you from up North?" while slowly raising her index finger into the air.

Maria quickly joined in the lightening of the mood, "Are you a Czechoslovakian too?"

Clark looked at the two girls like they'd lost their minds.

Max gave Liz a stern look then rolled his eyes. She could see a smile in his eyes even if it didn't show in the rest of his face.

Chloe piped in, "Does that make you all meteor freaks?"

Chloe winked at Clark who was grinning at her while shaking his head.

Isabel cleared her throat, "Whatever, maybe we should just sit down and talk for awhile."