"Consequence-Free"

A Story by CoolNick44

Chloe walked hesitantly into the Talon. She wasn't sure if it was a good idea, in fact she was sure it wasn't a good idea seeing as how Clark had just recently gotten back on good terms with Lana, but the Talon was Smallville's number one hang-out and she used to get some quality tips on stories from the gossipers that hung out there. The first thing she noticed was that the entire place was empty. The second thing she noticed was that Lana was sitting behind the counter, crying. She walked up to the counter. "Lana? What's wrong?"

Lana looked up, but couldn't speak. She was holding a piece of paper, now stained from tears. "Lex is closing the Talon," she said in between sobs.

"What?"

She wiped away her tears. "He came earlier today and said he was invoking the buyout clause of our partnership agreement. I've got 24 hours to vacate the premises!"

Chloe was stunned. "How could Lex do that to you?"

"He says that it's not a good business decision to keep it open!"

"That doesn't sound like a very Lex thing to do. Luthor senior sure, but..."

"I thought he'd changed after seeing him fight to keep the factory, but apparently not. He's not even friends with Clark anymore."

Clark had said that he was going to see Lex about Desiree's failed seduction the previous night. Apparently it didn't work out. Chloe had a feeling that Lex's newfound evil streak wasn't entirely his own fault. "Lana, I'll be back. I've got to check something out."

"Something's wrong, I just know it."

"You've got that right." Chloe left in a hurry.

At the Kent Farm:

Chloe arrived at the Kent house trying to come up with a plan to stop the new Mrs. Luthor. She also arrived just in time to see the Sheriff putting Clark into the back of a Police car with handcuffs. As the police car left, Clark saw her and put his hand on the window. She ran up and saw Mr. and Mrs. Kent standing outisde. "Oh my god, what's going on?"

Jonathan looked near furious. "My son has just been arrested on charges of arson!"

Chloe couldn't believe it. They should've acted sooner. "It's Desiree Atkins, isn't it?"

Jonathan looked at her. "Mrs. Luthor," he said bitterly, "says that Clark set her car on fire."

"That can't be true!"

Martha was horribly worried. "Of course it's not. Chloe, we've got to go down to the police station. Do you want to come with us?"

She really wanted to. What she wanted to do was break Clark out of jail so they could go kill Desiree and slap Lex until he realized what he was doing. "Actually, I'd better continue my research on Mrs. Luthor. I know I'm onto something."

Jonathan walked with Martha over to the truck. "I'm going to have a talk with that woman tomorrow and ask her what she thinks she's doing."

Martha nodded resolutely. "Good. I'll find Lex and hope he sees some sense." They got into the truck and drove off.

The Next Day:

Clark sat in his cell, wondering how he was going to get out of this situation. He couldn't believe that Desiree had gone this far. There had to be some way to get out. It was then that he saw Chloe walk in. "Chloe! I'm so glad you're here."

Chloe smiled. "Sorry I didn't have time to bake a file into a cake," she walked closer and wished he was holding her. "How are you holding up?"

"Besides being accused of being a serial arsonist and trying to sleep with my best friend's wife, I'm great."

"Don't give up hope just yet Clark. I've got news. Apparently our friend Desiree Atkins is actually Allison Sanders, and she was popular with the boys in this town even back when she was a teenager. She was in the heat of passion with her boyfriend in his truck when the meteors hit."

Clark was amazed. "She has special powers because of the meteor rocks," he sighed. "That keeps on happening in this town, doesn't it?"

"Specifically, she can control men with pheromones. She controlled her boyfriend into murdering her own parents so she could inherit their money. It's the classic black widow scenario. Five years pass. Now she becomes a teacher and marries a wealthy shipping executive, only to see one of her obsessed students kill him. Unfortunately, she was majorly invested in dot coms. Now she's broke, and comes after Lex Luthor."

Clark was furious. "I can't believe this. She got me locked up now so that she can do whatever she wants to whoever she wants. At least her plan to kill Lex using me fell through."

Chloe suddenly realized something. "Uh-Oh. Your dad mentioned last night that he was going to go pay her a visit."

Clark's eyes widened. "Oh god, she's going to use him!"

"We need to get you out of here."

Clark was thinking. "Wait, do you see that smoke alarm up there on the wall?"

Chloe looked up. "Yeah, why... oh. I get it." She leaned in to whisper more quietly. "I'll wait outside for you, then we can go to the mansion."

"Wrong. I'll go. It's too dangerous for you."

Chloe was about to object, but Sheriff Ethan came in and interrupted them. "Time's up, Ms. Sullivan."

Chloe hesitantly walked out. "I'll see you soon Clark."

Clark nodded at her, but with a look that clearly said I'm going alone. He didn't know her very well, did he? She left the police station and waited in the alley. Soon she heard an alarm go off, and saw Clark speed out into the alley a moment later. "Chloe, I told you to go."

"Clark, you need me there! What if she uses her power on you and it works this time?"

Clark looked at her a moment. "You're persistent, I'll give you that." He picked her up, and they sped off. It was amazing to see the world slow down. She also enjoyed being in his arms again.

Soon they were standing outside the Luthor mansion. Clark set her down. "Go around back so that no one sees you."

"And what if she works her mojo on you?"

Clark smiled slightly. "Seeing you there will make sure it doesn't work." He kissed her. "I love you. Now go."

Chloe ran around back. She saw none other than Jonathan Kent standing there with a shotgun. Desiree opened the door, and he entered, saying something about how he wasn't going to let Lex add Desiree's name to his list of victims. Desiree did get to him. She panicked as she saw Mr. Kent aim the gun at Lex. She also saw Clark there in the doorway. Jonathan fired his gun, but Clark destroyed the bullets with his heat vision. Chloe saw Clark trying to tend to Lex, but Desiree tried to escape. She was about to enter and help, but Desiree screamed in pain. Clark had heated the door handle. Clark looked up and saw Chloe. He smiled at her and gave her thumbs up.

That Night:

Chloe sat with Clark on the couch in his loft. "So Desiree's going away for good?"

Clark shrugged. "Not on nearly as many charges as I'd like, but we've seen the last of her."

Chloe smiled. "You really saved the day there in the mansion."

"I guess having beams of heat come out of your eyes comes in handy from time to time."

"So did you tell your parents?"

Clark nodded. "Yeah, right before they went out on a date. I think he wants to make it up to her for falling under Desiree's spell."

Chloe kissed him. "It's not his fault, he just didn't have your alien invincibility."

Clark laughed. "Well, I'm not immortal or anything."

"The only thing I care about is that you're alright, and that we don't have to worry about Ms. Sanders, or Atkins, or whatever she wants to call herself."

Clark unbuttoned his shirt. "Yeah. And my parents are out all night. We have the place to ourselves."

She helped him take it off, and started working on her own shirt. "Gee, I hope we don't get bored." With that, they started passionately making out and working on removing each other's clothes.

Outside the barn, Lex walked up to find Clark. He had already thanked him for helping him realize the truth about Desiree, but he was truly grateful. He entered the barn and was about to announce his presence, but stopped when he started hearing a feminine voice. More specifically, a feminine moaning. He saw Clark and Chloe in the middle of disrobing. He couldn't believe his eyes, and quickly made an exit. He had sensed something was going on with them at the wedding reception, but hadn't thought they were... together. As he made a stealthy departure, he smiled to himself. "Well, Clark. It's nice to see you taking the initiative for once."

And "Heat" is done. Thanks to all the positive feedback on this story. It really helps when I'm having a bit of writer's block. Hope you all liked the twist ending. In the meantime, please review. Hopefully I'll have time to start working on the next chapter soon. "Duplicity", here I come. :)