Chapter 21
"Confrontation"
"They went to Smallville this morning, and you didn't go after them?" Lex yelled at Otis."Well, no Mr. Luthor. I thought I should come here and tell you right away," Otis said with a smile thinking he had done what Lex would want.
"Oh you thought you'd come here and tell me," Lex smiled at Otis who continued to smile.
"Yes," Otis said and nodded his head. He felt relieved that Lex was smiling.
"Otis," Lex stopped him from nodding. "Have you noticed that, I'm not smiling!" Lex yelled.
"I can go after them," Otis said getting frightened.
"No! I don't need you messing my plans up even more! You stay here, I'll need someone to follow Pete, Chloe and Jimmy. Sam and Nate are here too, they'll help follow whoever you can't follow. As for Clark and Lois, I'll ask Lana to go to Smallville. She knows where Clark and Lois usually go when they're in Smallville. Also it will make the story Lana told Clark seem more real."
"But-"
"Clark saw you at the airport. If he sees you in Smallville, then he'll know that you're following him."
"I guess."
"Good, it's all set. I'll call Lana and tell her to go to Smallville today," Lex picked up the phone on his desk and called Lana.
"Hello?" Lana answered the phone on the desk.
"Lex?" She asked as she turned to the large Penthouse window that overlooked Metropolis. "Is something wrong? Are you okay?"
"Thank goodness you're okay. I thought something was wrong, you usually never call me from work after lunch, that's usually when you're in meetings."
"Wait. What?"
"Okay, let me get this straight. You want me to go to Smallville to find Lois and Clark."
"Okay. I'll stay in the mansion."
"No Clark won't think it's suspicious if I stay there. I'll just tell him that I'm afraid to leave you. I can make him think that I'm afraid of what you'll do to me if I leave you."
"He'll believe it. Clark really doesn't trust you, so he'll believe whatever I tell him about you. He always believes whatever I say."
"Yes. I think I'll know where to find them."
"Don't worry about that Lex, I'll come up with something to tell Clark and Lois."
"Okay, I'll see you in a few days."
"Bye," Lana hung up the phone and went to pack her bags.
"Okay, it's all set. Lana's going to Smallville today," Lex hung up the phone.
"What do you want me to do?" Otis asked.
"I want you to go down to 'The Daily Planet' in an hour. Follow Chloe and Jimmy. If they separate at any point then you're to call Sam or Nate. Here's their cell phone numbers," Lex passed Otis a piece of paper, "they'll follow whichever one you can't."
"Okay, Mr. Luthor. Why do you want me to wait an hour before I go down to 'The Daily Planet'?" Otis questioned.
"Why? Because I hired you as my assistant. Everyone in this office knows that. They'll get suspicious if you're never in the office."
"Oh, I get it. Very smart Mr. Luthor."
"Here," Lex passed Otis a stack of files. "I want you to go to your office and sort through these files. I need you to find the top five scientists who are willing to work in Level 31 of LuthorCorp."
"Level 31? What's Level 31?"
"Noting that concerns you Otis. You are just an employee of LuthorCorp. What happens in Level 31 is none of your concern, nor any of your business, so don't ever ask about it again. Is that clear?"
"Yes sir, Mr. Luthor."
"Good. Now go get to work on what I told you."
Clark and Lois pulled back into the Kent Farm. By now it was dark. They had got a few sponsors for the carnival and ball. They were even able to rent the recreation hall for the ball, and they had received permission from the town counsel to have the carnival at Evan's Field.
"Clark, Lois, you're finally back," Martha said as the two entered the farmhouse.
"Mrs. Kent, you wouldn't believe how willing the people in this town are to sponsor this event. I wish the people in Metropolis were like this," Lois commented.
"Not all people in Metropolis are bad, Lois," Clark said.
"I didn't say that, Smallville."
"Well, it sounded like you implied it," Clark defended.
"Well, I didn't mean for it to sound that way," Lois argued.
"Okay, you two. Dinner is ready," Martha interrupted before Lois and Clark's bickering turned to an all out brawl. "Do you mind if Lionel joins us for dinner, Clark?" Martha asked.
"Yeah, Clarky?" Lois waited for Clark's response.
"Why would I mind? He's had dinner with us before," Clark answered.
"Good. And you don't mind, do you Lois?" Martha looked to Lois.
"No," Lois replied.
"Okay," Martha said heading into the kitchen knocking down a pot from the counter. "Oh no," Martha said bending down to pick it up.
"Don't worry about it Martha, I'll get it. Just relax," Lionel said picking up the pot. Lois and Clark watched Martha and Lionel. Both were confused by their behavior.
"What's with my mom and Lionel?" Clark whispered.
"I don't know. Something's going on, and they don't want us to know what it is. Come on, let's go solve this mystery," Lois said heading into the kitchen. Clark followed behind her.
They stood by the counter and watched Martha and Lionel who were standing next each other getting the dinner plates. They kept exchanging little smiles when they thought Clark and Lois weren't paying attention.
"I'll set the table," Lionel offered taking the plates and heading to the table.
"I'll help you," Martha said looking at Lionel and smiling again.
"What the hell?" Lois blurted out. Martha and Lionel turned to look at Lois.
"What?" Clark asked in confusion.
"Is something wrong?" Martha asked.
"No. I just realized I forgot something in Metropolis. You two continue to set the table," Lois said to Martha and Lionel. Martha and Lionel looked at Lois strangely for a second, but Lois just smiled at them until they finally continued to set the table. Lois spun around to Clark. The smile came off her face when she was back on to Lionel and Martha. "Come with me," Lois dragged Clark toward the living room. Once in the living room Lois looked in the dining room to make sure Lionel and Martha were preoccupied and wouldn't hear her.
"What is it?" Clark questioned looking at Lois for clues of what she was going to say. Lois turned to look him in the eye.
"Your mom and Lionel kissed."
"What?" Clark blurted out.
"Sh! They'll hear you."
"How do you know for sure?"
"Clark! Hello, I'm an investigative reporter, and so are you. Look at how they keep looking at each other and your mom asked did we mind if Lionel stayed for dinner. She's never done that before. I'm telling you they kissed, and your mom is afraid of how you'll take it because they like each other, but your mom won't do anything to upset you."
"Lois, that's... That's ridiculous."
"Well, can you accept your mom with anyone but your dad, Clark?"
"Yes. I want her to be happy. My dad would want her to be happy too. And I trust Lionel, she knows that, so why would she need to lie?"
"Clark, you should tell her we know, so she won't have to lie. She doesn't want me to know because she's afraid I'll tell you."
"What if you're wrong?"
"Trust me, I'm not." Clark studied Lois eyes.
"Fine, I'll talk to her after dinner and tell her we know."
The four finished dinner and cleared the table. Clark and Martha stood by the sink and Lois and Lionel by the fridge. Lois kept trying to get Clark's attention. Every time he'd glance her way she'd try to get him to go talk to his mother by giving him signals. The only problem was Lionel saw Lois' signals each time instead of Clark and he was wondering what Lois was trying to get Clark to do. Finally Clark turned toward Lois and Lionel and looked at them. Lois started gesturing once again for Clark to talk to Martha, only this time it was clearer that she wanted Clark to do something. Clark and Lionel examined Lois' outburst. She waved her hands in the air, pointed to Clark, then his mother, then to the living room. She'd point to Lionel, Martha, clap her hands together, point to Clark, and then start tipping her head toward the living room.
"Are you alright, Miss lane?" Lionel suddenly asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Lois smiled at Lionel, then turned to Clark and glared at him. She crossed the kitchen floor to where Clark was standing and whispered. "Way to go, Smallville. Now Lionel thinks I'm crazy."
"He probably thought you were crazy already," Clark whispered earning himself a punch in the arm from Lois. The punch Lois had given Clark hurt her even though she pretended it hadn't, but Clark knew it had.
"Just go talk to your mom, please. Before Lionel thinks I'm having a seizure," Lois pleaded with Clark.
"I'm going," Clark said then went to his mother. "Mom, can I talk to you alone for a minute?" Clark whispered to Martha.
"Sure, Clark," Martha said following Clark into the next room. "What do you want to talk about?" Martha asked when Clark stopped and faced her.
"Mom are you afraid to tell me something?"
"Clark, why would I be afraid to tell you something? You're my son, and I trust you."
"I didn't ask if you trusted me, I know you do. I also know that you're afraid to tell me something, but you don't have to be. I already know, and it's okay. I accept it, and I'm glad that you're happy."
"Clark, what are you talking about, exactly?"
"I know you like Lionel and he likes you, and I know that the two of you kissed. I'm glad for you mom. If Lionel makes you happy, then I want you to be happy. It doesn't bother me."
"Thank-you," Martha hugged Clark.
"I love you mom."
"I love you too, Clark." Then Martha and Clark were interrupted by Shelby's barking followed by a loud groan from Lois.
"Oh! Shelby, get down! Clarky! Come get your dog off of me!" Lois called.
Clark and Martha entered the kitchen to see Shelby trying to jump up on Lois again.
"Shelby, down boy," Clark called.
"Clark, can you and Lois bring Shelby out to the barn for the night? Oh, and make sure you shut the door," Martha asked.
"Sure. Come on boy," Clark led the dog and Lois walked behind. Clark led Shelby into the barn and Lois waited by the door for Clark to come back out.
"Was I right?" Lois asked.
"Right about what?" Clark asked walking out of the barn and toward the house.
"About your mom and Lionel," Lois followed Clark.
"Yeah, you were."
"I knew it. I told you they kissed."
"Yeah, and I told her I was okay with her and Lionel."
"Clark, that's great. Now she won't feel pressure about being with him."
"Yeah. The thing is, I know I said I was okay with my mom and Lionel, but when I talked to my mom it hit me, and now I don't know if I'm okay with it. I want my mom to be happy, but..."
"Your dad."
"Yeah."
"I get it, Clark. Trust me, nobody gets it as much as I do. When my mom died I had trouble accepting my dad dating anyone. It just takes some time. I wanted my dad to be happy, so at first I'd pretend I was when he'd bring someone over for Lucy and I to meet, and after a while I didn't have to pretend anymore. I really did become happy for him. It's normal to feel weird about it at first. It's just how you deal with it that matters. You did the right thing. You chose your mom's happiness over your own when you told her it was okay for her to like Lionel. That's honorable, Clark. The first few times my dad brought someone over, I didn't handle it so well. I yelled at the first woman, and told her to get out of the house and never speak to my dad again, then the next time he brought someone over I made up stories about my dad. I told her he yelled at Lucy and I all the time, which wasn't exactly a lie, he yelled at me to take care of Lucy, but it wasn't as bad as I made it seem, but that plan backfired. She told my dad what I said and he yelled at me for lying."
"Nice."
"Yeah. Clark, I'm proud of you for telling your mom it was okay to be with Lionel if she wanted. It was very big of you. You're a good person who truly cares about others more than yourself."
"I'm nothing special, Lois," Clark said.
"You are," Lois smiled.
"So are you, Lois."
"Sure, I am. I sabotaged my dad when he started dating, whereas you gave your mom permission to date and told her you were happy for her."
"Lois you were a kid. You told your dad you were happy for him even though you weren't okay with it so he could move on, you put your dad ahead of yourself. That makes you a good person, don't think that you're not."
"Okay, Clark, whatever you say."
"Lois, I'm serious. Don't doubt yourself. You have a lot to offer. You're giving, caring-" Clark started.
"Sure I am," Lois interrupted.
"You're outspoken, you do what you think is right, you're independent-"
"Because every guy wants a girl that has those qualities."
"Sure those things can be irritating, but they're things I love about you."
"You love those things about me? I thought you hated those things."
"I do. The things I love about you are the things I hate about you. If you didn't have those qualities we wouldn't get along like we do."
"So we wouldn't fight?"
"Probably not."
"Then the whole basis of our relationship would be ruined and we wouldn't be friends."
"Right," Clark chuckled.
"Then maybe they are good qualities, because I can't picture my life without you in it."
"Neither can I."
"I'm glad you're in my life, Clark."
"Me too. I'm glad you found me in that cornfield after the meteor shower."
"Your glad I found you naked?"
"Um..."
"Because I sure am," Lois teased and started to look Clark up and down.
"Funny."
Chloe and Jimmy finally finished up the tour they were giving Pete as they arrived back in front of the apartment building.
"And now we are back where we started, the apartment. Hope you enjoyed the tour with your tour guides Chloe Sullivan and Jimmy Olsen," Chloe said as Jimmy parked the car in front of the building.
"Very nice, Chlo. It was a good tour. I didn't realize Metropolis was so big," Pete got out of the car. "You comin'?"
"In a minute. I'm going to say goodnight to Jimmy," Chloe replied.
"Sure," Pete smiled. "I'm gonna go upstairs and call my girlfriend, say goodnight to her. You know."
"I'll be right up," Chloe said.
"Sure," Pete said heading into the building. Chloe turned back to Jimmy who was looking out the window.
"What are you looking for?"
"Superman. He hasn't been seen all day," Jimmy replied.
"Maybe, he's sick or on a break."
"Maybe."
"Are you going to kiss me goodnight or not?"
"Of course I am," Jimmy turned to Chloe, leaned in and began to kiss her.
"Jimmy, maybe you shouldn't go home tonight."
"What?"
"You shouldn't be alone tonight."
"Chloe, what are you saying?"
"You shouldn't go home."
"Chloe, are you asking me to spend the night here with you?"
"Not like that, Jimmy. I just meant you shouldn't be home alone tonight."
"Why? Because of the note? You're worried about the note."
"Jimmy, what if they come after you tonight and you're home all alone. Stay here with Pete and me. We have lots of room, and we can drop by your apartment to get you some clothes for tomorrow."
"I don't know."
"Please, Jimmy. I just want to make sure you're safe. I plan on us being together for longer than a few weeks. And Pete won't mind. Please."
"Fine. We'll go get my clothes and I'll stay."
"Thank-you," Chloe kissed Jimmy.
"I know, babe."
"Well, it's only until next Saturday."
"I miss you too."
"Yeah everyone's great, Clark, Lois and Chloe."
"No, I'm alone."
"Yeah, Chloe's sitting in a car making out with Jimmy and Lois and Clark are in Smallville."
"Yeah, it's been fun here with them."
"Chloe and Jimmy gave me a tour of Metropolis today and Chloe and I had lunch together."
"Okay, see you next Saturday."
"Love you."
"Bye," Pete hung up the phone.