CHAPTER 25

Two weeks later...

"So you haven't told Lex the rest of your secret yet?" Chloe asks Clark as they spread a blanket out on the sand.

"Not yet," he replies as he pulls off his shorts; revealing his light blue bathing suit with the red and white stripes down the sides.

"Why not?" setting her tote bag down and slipping off her sandals.

"He's been in and out of town on business - plus he's working on some project with the military," he replies as he pulls out the sunscreen and hands it to her. "I want to have his full and undivided attention when I tell him the rest of it."

"I can understand that," opening the tube and beginning to spread it all over her legs and arms. "Can you spread some on my back for me?" holding the tube out to him.

"Sure. No problem," taking the tube and squeezing some on her back. "How's that?" expertly rubbing it all over.

"Great, but you missed a spot," her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Where?" a curious tone in his voice.

She points to her lips. "Right here," winking at him.

He can't help laughing. "I'd love to, but alas my heart belongs to another," laying his hand over his heart and batting his eyelashes.

They both laugh as he opens the small cooler they brought with them. "Hungry?" handing her a sandwich. "Mom made them," a smile on his face.

"I'm always hungry for your Mom's roast beef sandwiches," a grin on her face as she unwraps it.

"Don't forget the homemade bread," smiling back at her as he takes a bite out of his own sandwich.

"You know, your Mom should have her own catering business or something," her mouth full of roast beef.

"She would if it weren't for the farm," taking a sip of soda.

She smiles back at him, then lays down her sandwich. "Clark?"

He looks up. "Yeah?"

"I just wanted to tell you how happy it makes me to see you...well...happy."

He smiles back at her; taking her hand in his. "That means more to me than you'll ever know," softly kissing her hand. "Thank you."

She's about to respond when they hear a familiar voice. "There you are," a voice calling out to them.

They both look up to see Lois walking towards them. "Lois," a little startled at first. "What are you doing back?" standing up. "I thought you were in Europe until the end of the year?"

"Change of plans," she replies with a smirk as she drops her tote bag on the blanket. "I was going to stay with Chloe, but I just ran into your Mom at the Talon and right out of nowhere she asked if I would like to move back into the farm."

"Yeah, right," a smile on his face at first. "You are kidding - aren't you?" the smile being replaced by a frown as he exchanges glances with Chloe.

"It'll be just like old times," lightly punching him on the shoulder. "Don't worry about my getting in the way," winking at him.

"Get in the way of what?" a confused look on his face.

"You and Lana." looking curiously at him.

"I guess Mom didn't tell you that Lana and I broke up," he replies.

"She did, but I just figured you'd get back together again. You always do," shrugging her shoulders.

"Not this time," folding his arms across his chest. "It's over for good," a far-away smile on his face while his thoughts drift off to Lex and how good he would look in a bathing suit.

"Really?" quirking an eyebrow. "So what's her name?"

He gives himself a mental shake. "What's whose name?"

"Come on, Smallville. It's written all over your face. You're in love," she declares.

"How about we go for a swim?" Chloe interrupting.

"You shouldn't go yet, Chloe," Clark turning to her. "You just ate."

"Right," sitting back down.

"I'll go by myself," Lois remarks, then starts to leave but not before whispering in Clark's ear, "I'll find out who your new snuggle bunny is," laughing as she walks over to the water and dives in.

"Did you know that she was coming back?" turning to Chloe and glaring at her.

"I was getting ready to tell you when she showed up."

"That's just great!" plopping down on the sand with a thud. "I'll never have a hot shower again," watching as she swims over to the diving platform and climbs out of the water.

"You will," Chloe remarks. "Just make sure you get in the bathroom first. You do have super-speed after all," winking at him as she resumes eating her sandwich.

"That's true," smiling at her as he finishes off his sandwich and pulls out another one.

Meanwhile, Lois makes her way to the edge of the of the platform and does a backward flip into the water. Unfortunately for her, nobody can see her hitting her head on the edge of the platform.

Chloe looks over and doesn't see her anywhere. "Clark, I think there's something very wrong. She's been under the water way too long."

Clark immediately runs down to the water's edge and dives into the water. He super swims towards where she's floating unconscious, but is suddenly pushed out of the way. What the hell? staring in shock as a unknown man pulls Lois into his arms. They exchange looks, then the man speed away. Clark swims back to the surface and rushes out of the water just in time to see the man giving Lois CPR.

Lois finally spits out some water; opening her eyes and staring up at the man who just saved her life. "Are you okay?" Chloe asks as the unknown man help Lois to her feet.

"Maybe you oughta stick to the shallow end until you learn how to swim, gorgeous," a grin on his face.

"Maybe you oughta try breath mints, surfer boy," rubbing the back of her head.

He chuckles as he introduces himself. "Names Arthur Curry. My friends call me A.C.," glancing over at Clark for a second, then turning his attention back to Lois.

Chloe walks over to where Clark is standing. "Wow. Where did 'Bobby Baywatch' come from?" speaking to him in a low voice.

"I don't know," shaking his head, "but he could sure swim fast."

"Are we talking Olympic gold medal fast or meteor freak fast?" she asks.

"This is something else. He could swim faster than I can."

"Well, I think we should look into Arthur Curry," she replies.

"That's a good idea," agreeing with her. "I think we should bring her home first."

"Good idea," the two of them walking over to Lois and A.C. "We'll bring you back to the farm so you could rest," Chloe taking Lois' other arm.

"I'll get our stuff," Clark says; quickly gathering up everything.

The Kent Farm

Clark and Chloe help Lois into the kitchen. "I can walk perfectly fine by myself," shrugging off both of them.

"I still think you should go to the hospital," Clark remarks as Lois grabs onto the staircase banister. "You were unconscious for a couple minutes after all."

Martha comes down the stairs when she hears their voices. "Lois? Are you okay?" immediately coming over to her and laying her hand on Lois' forehead.

"She hit her head and almost drowned, Mom," Clark speaking up. "Can you please tell her that she should at least get an x-ray? She could have a concussion."

"You're right, Clark," turning to Lois. "I'm taking you to the hospital and that's that," a determined look on her face.

"Fine," rolling her eyes. "I'll go, but only for you, Mrs. K," glaring at Clark. "Can I at least change out of my bathing suit and put some dry clothes on?"

"Of course," helping her up the stairs.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Chloe calls up to Martha.

Martha turns her head. "We'll be fine," smiling back at her, then continues with Lois up the stairs.

"Come on, Chloe. I'll take you home," taking out his keys.

"Alright," picking up her tote bag. "Let's go," following him out the door.

The Talon

"I'm going to get us a couple coffees," Chloe tells Clark as they walk through the door. "I'll see you upstairs," handing Clark the keys to her apartment.

He takes them and makes his way up the stairs. He inserts the key in the lock; turning it and opening the door. He steps inside and is surprised to see Lana curled up on the couch. "Lana?" placing the keys on the kitchen counter.

She looks up at him. "Clark?" staring up at him with surprise.

He walks towards her. "Lana, are you okay? You seem upset," sitting down on the couch next to her.

She takes out a tissue and dabs at her eyes. "Would you believe I was going to stop by the farm later to talk to you?" crumpling up the tissue and tossing it on the coffee table.

"You were?" looking curiously at her. "It must really be important," resting his hand on her shoulder.

She nods her head as she takes out another tissue and blows her nose. "It is," she replies.

"Well, what is it?" staring intently into her eyes.

She takes a deep breath first, then opens her mouth.

"I'm pregnant."

TO BE CONTINUED...

A/N: Please don't hate me. *waves white flag* It was in my plan from the very beginning for Lana to get pregnant. I always wondered what would happen if Clark got together with Lex, then finds out that Lana is pregnant from the one time they had sex.

PS: I think I'll hide in my sweeties bunker until the furor has died down.