X-Ray Part 1

AN: Sorry for the long update. I'm preparing for a trip to EUROPE!

I'm posting a few chapters before I leave for you guys since I'll be gone so long. Please enjoy.

Surprise! I just researched the age of consent in Kansas! First person who gets it right gets the satisfaction of knowing they were the first person who got it right….right?

That was actually a super easy challenge, especially in this age of technology…oh well.

Clara POV

Today definitely wasn't my day. My head was killing me. I could hardly stand it was so bad. I was walking, in hopes of it just being the meteor rocks. Maybe there was some nearby and it was messing with me…but this was different. It was like a piercing pain behind my eyes.

All of a sudden Lex came hurtling towards me in a panic. I grabbed him by the shoulder to stop him from falling. "Lex, what's going on?"

He glared at me angrily. "Get out of my way!" He grabbed me and tossed me through a window like I was a pillow…or a pillow that breaks through windows. Lucky for me, I had a nice display of sunglasses to break my fall. Once I'd recovered from my shock, I stood up. This wasn't Lex. Something was wrong. Ugh. The headache became worse as I looked up in shock. "Lex" glanced at me.

Then something weird happened.

Yes, weirder than being thrown through a window by your friend who, according to the sirens and the frantic escape, had robbed a bank. It was bizzaro. It was like all of a sudden I could see through "Lex", all the way to his skeleton…but then it got even stranger. I saw green all over the skeleton… the same green from the meteor rocks. "Lex" ran away and I felt a frown tugging at my lips. This could not be good.

Tina POV

Why couldn't my mom understand? I just wanted us to live perfectly, like Whitney's family. She had the perfect life. Cheerleader, tons of friends, and the real prize…Luke.

Luke Lang.

He was the real reason I was going through all this trouble. He was sweet, smart, adorable…perfect. He deserved perfect…which is why I had to be perfect for him. I looked over the money. Time for a new wardrobe that was fitting for my future place as Luke's girlfriend.

Because we were perfect for one another.

Clara POV

When I relayed the news to my parents, needless to say they were surprised. My mom couldn't believe it. My dad was more inclined to judge. My mom shook her head while looking at the paper. "This is incredible. Why would Lex need to rob a bank?"

My dad and I were busy fixing our breakfast. He glanced at my mom. "I don't know. I've seen some pretty weird things in my day, but this definitely takes the cake." He looked at me and winked. "Well, almost."

I shook my head. Mom was still reading. "He got away with 100,000 dollars."

I frowned. "I know Lex. It isn't him." Dad looked like he was about to tell me there was no Santa Claus. (Psh. Everyone knew he lived in the South Pole to trick people.) "Clara, I know he's your friend, but you saw him with your own eyes."

Mom shrugged. "It isn't like Lex, I admit, but Clara, he did get away with-"

I shook my head angrily. "Quit saying 'he' got away with it. I don't know what I saw, but it wasn't Lex. There has to be another explanation."

"Me too." We all turned to see Lex standing in the doorway. He smirked. "I'd hate to think that I have an evil twin."

Dad snorted softly into his coffee, his way of saying 'are you sure you're not the evil twin'? I ignored him. Mom looked shocked. "Lex…we didn't hear you pull up."

"Can I come in?" He didn't wait for an answer. "I promise I'm not packing heat." I smirked a bit at that. At least he was able to joke about it. "Lex? Why aren't you in jail?" It had to be asked, sorry. It's not like I wanted him in jail.

He frowned. "Because I was hosting a reception for 200 fertilizer distributors in Metropolis at the time of the robbery." My dad nodded slightly, but stayed on edge. "Do the police have any leads?"

Lex sighed. "None. That's why I came here to talk to Clara. Your name was on the witness list. Did you actually see this guy in person?" I nodded. "He looked just like you, Lex."

Lex laughed and walked around, standing between me and my dad. "Yeah, except for his fingerprints and signature didn't match mine. Are you sure your eyes aren't playing tricks on you?"

I scowled. "If that's your way of asking if I was high at the time, no. Didn't the bank have cameras?"

He shrugged. "Yeah, Sorry. This whole thing has just been really stressfull. Hopefully the money will turn up, but now the tabloids are having a field day. Not to mention this incident will cement certain people's impressions of me." He looked at my dad. My dad smirked at him. "I got to go to work. Have a good day Lex."

Dad got up and left. Lex turned to face me. "I'm sorry you got thrown through that window. Are you alright?"

I nodded. "A pile of sunglasses broke my fall." Lex frowned. "I promise I'm not a criminal mastermind."

I nodded. "Oh, I know…a mastermind would have worn a mask…" I smirked at him and he smiled back. I knew Lex wasn't bad…now we just had to find out who was.

The next day another episode happened. Gym was almost over so we girls were in the locker room changing. Chloe was trying unsuccessfully to fix her wrinkly shirt when another headache hit. I bent over in pain. "Clara? You okay? Clara?" I fell against the locker for support, trying to stop the pain.

I turned my head and suddenly I could see through the locker room wall. I could see the guys climbing the rope. Luke and Pete were up on the ropes. I could see everything, but it just hurt so bad. Finally the vision receded and I was able to get Chloe to walk me to the nurse. I called my parents to pick me up. I quickly explained what had been happening.

Now we were sitting in the living room trying to figure out what was causing this. Mom frowned. "Clara, there has to be a way to control this."

I screamed in frustration. "You guys!" I laughed mirthlessly. "I'm seeing through things. How do you control that?" Mom frowned. "You practice, Clara. Your eyes have muscles just like your legs."

Dad nodded. "Your mom's right. All you have to do is you have to figure out a way to, uh, condition them so that you don't get these random flashes." My eyes flashed angrily. "That's great, just perfect. How am I supposed to do that?"

I turned out of the room. I needed time to think.

Tina POV

"Luke? You have a visitor." Luke's aunt ushered me to the garage. Luke was cleaning up everything. He smiled directly at me. He totally liked me.

I grinned. "Hey, Luke." He nodded. "Tina. Didn't see you in school today. You okay?"

I nodded. "Mom wasn't feeling good, but she's okay now." Well, she's not in pain anymore. He nodded. His concern was so sweet. I gestured to the garage. "You quit football and suddenly you're kicked into the garage."

He laughed. "Aunt has clutter issues. I'm helping her out." Aw…he is so sweet. "Well, at least you have time for the little people now." Luke frowned. "Tina, you're not like that."

I shrugged. Not for long, anyways. I smiled sweetly at Luke. "Well, I was just wondering if you could help me with the stuff I missed today." He nodded enthusiastically. "Sure! I need a break anyways. You want a snack? I think we have oreos in the kitchen." I nodded. "Those are my favorite."

He grinned. "Mine too!" I smiled as we headed to the kitchen. I knew we were perfect for each other. Now I needed to move on with step two…become the girl for Luke.

But I didn't think anybody would really miss Whitney…

Clara POV

Mom and I were shopping in town when I had another head ache. I saw the familiar greenish skeleton walking across the street. Once the headache went away I realized who it was. Tina Greer? She ducked into her mom's antique shop. My mom walked up and put her hand on my shoulder. "Clara? Did it happen again?"

I nodded. "Let's go home, sweetie." I shook my head. "No, didn't you need to go to the antique shop?"

She looked confused for a moment, but then nodded. We crossed the street and ducked into the flower shop. Mrs. Greer was standing behind the counter. "Mrs. Kent. I-I mean Martha. How are you doing today?" I raised an eyebrow at the slip up.

"Good. How's business?" Mrs. Greer grinned. "Couldn't be better. I'm doing so many estate sales in Metropolis, I'm thinking of selling the place." Mom frowned. "That would be a shame. I thought you loved the store."

Mrs. Greer shrugged. "Not really. I never wanted this life, it just kind of happened." I looked around. "Where's Tina? I thought I saw her come in here."

"No. She's at Luke's. They're inseparable these days." I raised an eyebrow. That didn't sound quite right. "Really? I could have sworn-" she quickly cut me off. "You must be seeing things, dear." I frowned. Something strange was going on. Maybe she exited out the back. "Well, I'm going out for a walk. See you in a second."
I ended up running into Lex. Well, sorta. He was talking with this guy and he did not seem happy. Lex scowled as the man walked off. I walked towards him. "What's that all about?"

"A piece of my past drudged up. He's a writer for the Inquisitor." I gasped. "Crap. That's not good. But if he already has the information, why is he talking to you?" Lex laughed harshly. "He wants a pay off." I rolled my eyes. "Well, not like you can't afford it, but that's ridiculous. Is there anyway around it?"

Lex pursed his lips. "I have an idea, but it might need some tweaking." I nodded. "Well, you also need to watch out for whoever gave him his information. If it's just some creep looking for cash, no biggie. But with this bank heist scandal you can't afford to have enemies selling secrets."

Lex raised an eyebrow. "Investigating into blackmail? Why Miss Kent, what would your father think?" I shrugged. "I hope he'd think I'm trying to help a friend." Just then our truck sped by, with me as the driver. My jaw hung open. I looked at Lex. "Did you see-"

He nodded, eyes wide. I scowled. "I gotta go. This is getting too freaky." Before he could answer I turned and chased after the truck. It narrowly missed hitting my mom. Panic rushed through me. Mom was staring off in the direction the truck had left when I reached her. "Mom, you okay?"

She nodded shakily. "Let's go home."

The car was eventually found, abandoned. Nobody else saw 'me' driving. Thank goodness. Mom was freaking out about how much the driver looked like me. I rolled my eyes. "Well, the bank thief looked like Lex. I guess I'm not the only one with a vision problem." She rolled her eyes in typical 'mom' fashion. Dad frowned. "Whoever it was, how did they get your keys?"

Mom shrugged. "I don't know. I just went into the antique store…" She got a look on her face that said she had an idea. I glanced at her. "What is it mom?" She told us about finding the Smallville Savings and Loan money in the shop. I nodded. "So you think it could be from the robbery?" Mom shrugged.

Dad wasn't buying it. "Ok, so Rose took your keys, turned in Clark, and tried to run you down?" I scowled at his condescending attitude. You'd think with somebody like me as a daughter he'd be a bit more open minded. Mom frowned. "You're right. It's crazy."

I shook my head. "Maybe not." I explained how weird Tina's skeleton looked, especially with the green patches. Mom nodded. "That's because Tina was born with a soft bone disease. She was on all these experimental drugs. The doctors didn't think she'd live past the first grade." Dad nodded. "She did get better after her third birthday." I raised an eyebrow. "Right after the meteor shower, huh?"

Dad frowned, but nodded. Mom looked at me seriously. "Clara, what do you think is going on?" I shrugged. My theory wasn't sound yet. I honestly didn't want my dad looking at me like I was crazy. "I'm just thinking something is going on. I wish I could focus this thing."

Mom laid a hand on my shoulder. "What if you try focusing it, like a telescope?" Dad nodded. "Yeah. Start with something small." He pulled his hand out of his pocket. "Tell me what I have in my hand." I glanced at it. "Your pocket knife."

He smiled. "You could see through my hand." I shook my head. "You always carry your pocket knife in that pocket." I smiled snarkily. Dad just shook his head.

"You get your sense of humor from your mother." I grinned impishly. "Thank goodness…"