Chapter 74 [Early Sunday Morning—Luthor Mansion]

[A.N: Question of the Chapter: How Chlo can you go?]

Peter slept soundly. He and Gwen had visited with the Kents on the previous day. He'd walked around the Talon's back theater and snapped money shots in there. He'd even made an appointment to research in the Ledger archives. Now he dreamt of being on a beach somewhere. White sand underfoot. Crystal blue sea lapping against the coast. A certain blonde sitting at his side.

Paradise couldn't have been better…

Ringing shattered it…

He forced his eyes open. He heard his cell phone going off. "It's 6 AM on Sunday! Now what?" He grabbed the phone. "Hello?"

"PARKER! YOU'RE STILL SLEEPING?" Jameson barked into the phone.

Peter slapped his hand over his face. He wished he could web the publisher's mouth shut. "It's early on Sunday. What's going on?" He shook his head.

"THE SULLIVAN GIRL! THAT'S WHAT! ANNOYING BRAT! I GIVE HER A CHANCE AND THIS IS WHAT I GET! YOU SLEEP SOME OTHER TIME! SHE WON'T GET AWAY WITH THIS!" Jameson ranted.

Peter sighed. "This must be the surprise she was talking about." He bowed his head. "I know she was on the phone on Friday. Then she was typing something. She wouldn't say what it was. Mr. Luthor and the Princess knew. You were in rare form back in New York."

"I TOLD HER HOW IT IS! GET THE DAILY PLANET! CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S ON PAGE 1! UGH! GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT, PARKER! GOOD BYE!" Jameson slammed the receiver down in his ear.

Good morning to you too. Peter stretched and got out of bed. I won't sleep now. He noticed the draft handout for the first photo workshop later that week. He'd work with Clark and Pete at the Torch in a couple of days. Between that, he'd have to figure out what else to do for the internship. At least Gwen can get her foot in the door as a teacher. That'd be good for her. He dressed in the previous day's clothes. He saw Lex's office door open. He knocked.

"Come in." Lex bade.

"Hey, Lex. Sorry to bother you this early. I just got a wake up call." Peter rubbed the back of his neck.

Lex rolled his eyes. "Let me guess…from New York. Right?" He shook his head. "Chloe did it all right. I have to say. When she pounces, she doesn't hold back." He assessed his guest. "You need coffee."

"Yeah. Jonah yelled me awake." Peter rubbed the back of his neck. "I'd appreciate it. How bad?"

"No problem. I can imagine Jameson was looking for blood." Lex got on his phone. "Rollins, I need a pot of coffee in my office please. Thank you." He turned his laptop. "This maybe?"

Peter read the Planet's front page headline. "DAILY BUGLE ABUSES HIGH SCHOOL REPORTER" His eyes bulged. "No wonder he's furious."

"Between that and Jasmine's stock purchase, he must be fit to be tied." Lex coughed. "Just wait until he hears from the State Department. We're just getting started."

"State Department?" Peter cringed.

"He insulted Jasmine's honor in public. Javalastan's diplomatic envoy spoke with Washington Thursday afternoon. So he's going to have a law suit if not two, a PR black eye on the international community, the Planet's front page piece and a new person on the board." Lex motioned to Rollins to bring the coffee tray. "Thanks. Make sure it's closed. This is private."

"Very good, Sir." Rollins walked out. He closed the doors behind himself.

"Jasmine bought a share of the Bugle? Jonah's not just going to give her a place on the board, Lex." Peter fixed himself a coffee.

"He's not giving her anything. She and her father own a third of it. I hear she wants an interview with a certain Wall Crawler. Maybe an apology?" Lex supposed.

"A third?" Peter tried to imagine the amount of money involved in such a transaction. "She just bought that many stocks? He wouldn't authorize it. No way."

"Word hit Wall Street quickly about Thursday's incident. The bottom dropped out of the stock. Jasmine bought it. The libel, Peter, will stop." Lex vowed.

"Captain Stacy called it the same before he died." Peter drank from his coffee.

"I imagine he did. You don't deserve that treatment." Lex shook his head. "Breakfast isn't for a couple of hours yet. Want to take a drive and clear our heads? We're going to the Talon."

"Sure. Maybe we can get some more pictures? By the way, I still want to do that piece. I won't get personal though." Peter finished his coffee.

"Some personal is good. Just know where the line is. Come on." Lex guided them from the office and down the hall.

Getting out did mean perspective after all….