Part 9
The Truth Will Set Us Free
By MacGateFan
Disclaimers in Part 1


Clark kept glancing behind them as they headed to his truck. "What's wrong?" Chloe asked.

"I think we're being followed," he said as he opened the door for her. "That guy in the black suit's been watching us, but when I turn to check him out, he's conveniently looking the other way."

She glanced over his shoulder. "A suited stalker. Bit suspicious, don't you think?

"Yeah."

"Why don't we ask him what he's so interested in?" Chloe asked, climbing out of the truck.

Clark stopped her. "It could be dangerous."

"Mr. I-Can-Stop-Bullets-With-My-Hands."

"Chloe!"

He sighed as she walked towards the Suited Stalker and quickly went the other direction, coming up from behind. The man tried to run away, but slammed right into Clark. He fell to the ground with a thud.

"Watch where you're going, kid!" he growled.

Clark helped him up, almost completely lifting the guy off his feet. He calmed down when Chloe put her hand on his arm. "Why are you following us?"

"I was just doing the job I was hired to do."

"Wait a minute," Clar said. He put two and two together. "You work for Lex, don't you? What the hell did he hire you for?"

Chloe watched to confrontation in shocked silence. The only thing she kept thinking of is what if Clark had used any of his abilities in front of the Suited Stalker? He would have reported those findings to Lex Luthor and Clark would have had a major problem on his hands.

"He didn't tell me and I didn't ask. I'm sorry, man, just let me go."

Clark did so and sighed, watching the man run off. "I guess it's not really his fault, but when I see Lex tomorrow, we're going to have a few things to discuss."


Lex had Lana set up the billiard room next to the library. She watched the video feed as Darius led Clark into the room. He regarded Lex a bit coolly, but didn't say anything.

"Clark, how are you feeling? Last time I saw you, you seemed in dire need of a hospital yet your parents didn't seem to think so."

He shrugged. "I admit I was out of it, but as you can obviously see, I didn't need a hospital."

Lana could tell there was more to the story than Clark was telling. She was tired of him edging around the truth. She was so lost in thought that she missed what Lex said, but she caught the look Clark gave him. She could tell that it was really hurting Clark that Lex wouldn't back down.

"Just leave it alone, Lex."

"Clark, if you can't trust your friends, who can you trust?"

Lex had him on that, Lana thought.

"If trusting your friends means sending people to follow them, then this friendship is over!"

She watched in shock as Clark left the room. Lana had no idea Lex had people tailing Clark. She realized that Chloe and Pete were the only friends he could trust. She stood up, debating whether or not to follow him She knew he would be very angry if he found out. She knew he would never forgive her for it.

And suddenly Clark was staring straight at her.

Clark couldn't think or speak. He just knew Lana had been in the next room having used his x-ray vision looking for any sign of a recording device. What he saw shocked him more than anything in his life, including when he first saw his space ship.

Lana watched as a range of emotions flew across his face. Anger was there to begin with, but it was mixed with pain and betrayal. She had nothing to say. What excuse could she give?

"I trusted you," he whispered.