CHAPTER NINE

"I'm not exactly in the position to leave right now Chloe," Clark replied staring at the three people staring at him blankly. All wondering what Chloe wanted that was so urgent.

Clark was curious as to what she wanted. It couldn't be to save someone's life she would have said something right off.

"Are your parents and Leslie with you?" Chloe asked.

"Yes they came up to visit and she came to eat a late lunch with us. Why?" Clark wondered even more what could be going on.

"I'm sorry Clark it's important that we see you. Right away. Where are you?" Chloe asked quickly. She and Lex wanted to get to Clark before Lana did something even more stupid.

"I'm at The Marketplace," Clark replied. It must be something if Chloe and Lex wanted to miss their romantic weekend to talk to him.

"Ok we're on our way don't leave," Chloe responded hanging up. She looked at Lex and said, "Let's go." They both walked out the door.

"Well that was weird," Clark said closing his phone.

"What did Chloe want son?" Jonathan asked a little scared. What if one of the reporters figured Clark out? The red-blue blur is very popular in the newspaper.

"She didn't say but she wanted to talk to us all," Clark responded. He hoped this had nothing to do with Lana. However, he got the feeling she wasn't going to let this go. He looked at Leslie who was staring at him curious.

"What are you thinking?" he asked her. He took her hand and squeezed a little. She didn't wince.

"I am thinking this is very peculiar. Clark did anything happen to you?" Leslie asked looking at him.

Clark thought for a moment and decided the truth was best, said, "Yes Lana came and wanted to get back together. I told her it wasn't possible. I think she went to Lex's."

Martha spoke up, "Do you think she'd go that far?"

"I would never think so Mom," Clark answered back.

They all sat in silence contemplating the situation. Ten minutes later the door jingled and Leslie noticed her friends, spoke loudly, "Over here guys." They walked quickly, Chloe spoke urgently, "Listen Lana just came to see us and it's vital we talk."

"Check please," Jonathan asked calling for the waitress.

"Don't worry about it I'll get it, just go out to the car," Lex said meaning business. His tone booked no argument. Lex went to pay for the check as the rest of the group went outside.

Once Lex was outside he said, "Lana asked me to call some people to put Clark in Belle Reve."

Clark laughed but no one else did he stopped, he then asked, "Please tell me she didn't?"

"She did Clark. She may have thought Lex would believe her," Chloe replied sorrowfully. What happened to her friend?

"All this because she wants him back?" Leslie asked unbelieving. Clark is a wonderful person but to go to all this trouble to get him back?

Just then Clark heard a siren. Somebody needed help and how was he going to do this? "Listen I think I left something in the restaurant I'll be right back," Clark said hoping they would catch his drift.

"Ok Clark we'll wait for you right here," Leslie said looking at him a bit weird.

He jogged into the restaurant, when he didn't think Leslie was looking went through the kitchen and out the back. He raced right by the group.

"Did you feel that? It felt like a wind just passed us," Leslie asked looking at the group. They looked uncomfortable.

"Well that's Metropolis for you always a little windy. So what are we going to do about Lana?" Chloe asked trying to change the subject. Leslie just let it go. It wasn't her business although it was killing her to be left out of something.

"Well maybe we could talk to her aunt," Martha ventured.

"We could. Maybe as a group," Chloe responded not sure of what to do.

"Do you think I should go? I mean I don't even know her aunt or Lana for that matter?" Leslie asked looking at the group. Clark sure was taking a long time to get his stuff.

Martha didn't even think about that. She frowned. She wished Clark would hurry up. Leslie must be wondering he is.

"That's true it wouldn't be fair to bring somebody Nell doesn't even know to the table," Lex replied rubbing his head.

"Listen I don't feel comfortable talking about this out in a public place. Maybe we could go to the Penthouse," Chloe said rubbing her eyes.

"Ok what about Clark. He won't know where to look for us," Leslie replied frowning.

"Don't worry I'm right here. Sorry it took so long. I had to go to the bathroom and there was a line," Clark said smiling. He looked at Leslie who didn't look pleased. She knows something's up. He gave her an apologetic grin. She smiled back.

EARLIER…

After Lana left the Penthouse she got the feeling Lex wasn't going to help so she decided to take it upon herself to get some allies. First her Aunt Nell. She figured the Kent's would probably go to her eventually to warn the older woman about Lana. She drove to her Aunt's house. She got out of the car, went to the door, knocked once and went in.

"Aunt Nell?" Lana said with no response so spoke louder, "Aunt Nell?"

"In here darling," Nell said back from the kitchen.

Lana followed the voice and found her aunt loading the dishwasher. Lana smiled, "Looks like fun."

"Loads. No pun intended," Nell smiled loading the last dish. She started the dishwasher and then looked at her niece. Something's up. She loved her niece dearly but Nell wasn't stupid. Lana never really came over unless she wanted something. And oh did Lana want something. Nell asked, "Lana what's going on?"

"Aunt Nell what makes you think something's going on?" Lana asked a little perturbed. Why did everybody ask her that? She didn't always want something.

"Honey it's just I haven't seen you in awhile," Nell started sitting down. Lana followed suit.

"I know that's my fault. I haven't been very available to you," Lana replied buttery then continued by asking, "I'm moving up here and I was wondering if you could help me?"

"Sure but why didn't you ask Clark to help you?" Nell asked curious. Wasn't Lana and Clark still seeing each other? Then Lana started crying. "What is it darling? What has happened?" Nell asked concerned.

"Oh it's nothing. I just found out Clark was cheating on me with another girl. I went to his room to find him with someone else," Lana replied sniffling. She had to play this up.

Nell was so shocked she didn't know what to say. It just didn't sound like Clark. Anybody else she might have believed it but Clark Kent? She remembered putting the make on Jonathan Kent and not working. Nell tried really hard to picture Clark Kent as a cheater and just couldn't.

Lana reading Nell's shocked face declared, "I know he's not really the type. So I thought. I couldn't believe when I walked into his room this morning. He must have been seeing her for quite some time."

"I am shocked but I will help nonetheless. When do you want to move up here. In fact I insist you stay for a little while," Nell told her taking Lana's hand and squeezing.

"Thank you so much Aunt Nell. I am so sorry to be a burden," Lana told the older woman. Worked like a charm.

"No baby you're not a burden," Nell replied.

Lex unlocked the door and walked in then Chloe. "Well there isn't much we can do right now. I don't think she actually wanted Clark put in Belle Reve I think maybe it was just a tactic. Now I think she might actually is at Nell's right now," Martha said as she walked into the Penthouse. Jonathan behind her said, "Probably. Anyway I'm not going to worry about it just yet."

Leslie walked in after Jonathan followed by Clark who shut the door behind him.

"Well break's coming up and we'll worry about it then. For now we'll wait but at least we're aware she's willing to do anything thanks to her going to Lex. At least we'll have that in our favor," Clark said sitting down on the couch. He motioned for Leslie to sit down next to him, she did. He just smiled and held her hand. Martha watched and smiled.