Chapter 103 [After School]

[Smallville High]

Peter packed up the remaining handouts from the biology class. While he found Mrs. Kowalski dry, he appreciated her detail and organization. He reviewed his notes and slid them into his binder. He looked about the room. Caution kept him on edge. He headed toward the office.

Gwen waved to him. "Hi! How did Biology go?"

"It was all right. She's really conservative. It's a good balance with Mr. Sanders and Ms. Donnelly." He smiled. "Shall we see what Lex thinks?"

"You just took the words out of my mouth, Mr. P." She took his hand. Delight sparkled in her eyes and smile. "I'm in a really good mood. You just follow me." She led him out the door.

Lex raised an eyebrow. He pulled his sunglasses off. "Well! Someone's in a really great mood. I like this! Good news?"

Peter nodded. "I talked to Felicity Travers this afternoon. I need a ride to Metropolis a week from Wednesday. Is that all right?"

"Are you kidding?" Lex put his hand out. "Congratulations, Peter! I'm sorry I couldn't do more for the biochem research. Absolutely! What time?"

"11 AM. I hope that's all right?" Peter glanced at her and then back at the billionaire.

"It's more than all right." Lex keyed in the appointment into his phone's calendar app. "You've got the entire day. Maybe we might bring your Aunt May with us? I want her to know that she's a part of this."

"I told him the same thing at lunch, Lex. Maybe we can celebrate at the Talon?" she suggested.

"I like the way you think, Gwen. Come on." Lex motioned toward his Lexus.

Celebration was definitely in the air….

[Talon—Fifteen Minutes Later]

Lana rushed into the café. Trig and AP English assignments unsettled her. The recent call ins concerned her. Clark and his issues weighed on her. The visitors' situation depressed her as well.

Fun, it seemed, never stopped….

What's next? Do any of us get a break? Their friends and aunt will be here on Friday. What will Peter and Gwen say to them? She hung her coat up and tied her apron on. She inspected the pastry display. Her nose detected Coffee's scent perking from the Italian press. "At least that's done."

Clark tromped into the café. He scratched his head. Bewilderment curled his lip and scrunched his brow.

She grimaced. Uh oh. Now what? She headed over to his side. "Clark?"

"Hmm? Oh. Hey, Lana. Chloe's working on something for the Planet. I was trying to process everything for the Torch." He looked around. "I don't know how Chloe does it."

She smirked. "I don't know, Clark. I think you're more than capable of doing it." She rubbed his arm. "Just have faith. Okay?"

"Sure." He couldn't help but grin at her. Her eyes sparkled like Sol reflecting on a babbling brook on a May afternoon. Her presence warmed his heart and boosted Confidence's sagging resolve. He followed her up to the counter. "I was thinking of trying one of those M & M cookies with my coffee."

She raised an eyebrow at him. Getting adventurous on me now, Mr. Kent? Whatever will I do?

I guess we'll just have to see how the cookie is. Won't we? He handed her a five and two ones. "Rest is for you. Wish it were more."

"Clark, this is more than enough. Thanks. You just paid for my break. Sorry." She saw Lex, Peter and Gwen come in. "Duty calls."

"Yeah. I'll get a table. Hope they get some good news pretty soon." Clark turned and headed toward the center booth. "Hey, Lex! Got us a table."

The Smirk spread wide on Lex's face. "Now you see, Guys? This is what I meant!" He pointed to Clark. "Grab us the center booth, Clark. We'll be right there."

"Sure thing!" Clark slid into the booth. He watched the trio step to the counter. They seem in a better mood. What happened? He bit into the cookie. She's got something here! He considered the sugar, butter and chocolate playing tag team with his taste buds.

Nice of you to think so, Clark. I like the spontaneity, Lana teased over their Link.

Embarrassment flushed Clark's cheeks crimson. He gulped from his coffee.

"Something wrong, Clark?" Gwen considered him closely.

"No. Just something someone said to me earlier." Clark coughed. "What is spontaneity?"

Peter shrugged. "It means you do something on a whim. It just comes up out of the blue." He handed her the gingerbread and bit into his brownie."

"So you mean like the cookie? I don't normally do these. Decided to try it." Clark took another candy-butter sugar loaded bite.

"Exactly. Just like my phone call earlier." Peter took another bite. "I took Chloe's advice."

"That's great!" Enthusiasm washed away the remainder of Clark's previous moroseness. "And?"

"I've got an interview a week from Wednesday in Metropolis." Peter rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't know how my Aunt May's going to take that. She still wants us to come back to New York."

"If you get an offer from the Daily Planet, she'll feel better about it, Peter." Gwen saw Lex and Lana coming toward them. "Incoming! Coffee brigade!"

"That's us." Lana set her tray down. "A latte for you. A double mocha for our interviewee over here." Mischief sparkled in her eye. "And just so you don't feel left out, Mr. Kent, here's another cookie."

"Thanks. These are pretty good." Clark accepted it. "Maybe it's the service too?"

"I'll take that under consideration with the management." Lana giggled. "Sorry but got to get back to the counter." She took off to help with the building line.

"Wow. Clark Kent soothing the girl's heart with a line like that." Lex saluted with his own coffee. "I like it."

"She's already mad about him anyway." Gwen grinned. "So are you about her."

"Mad?" Clark frowned not getting the context.

"You two have fallen hard for each other. It's all right. Enjoy it." Peter clarified. "Your folks and you have things under control."

"Yeah that's them all right. Try getting them to admit it." Lex sipped on his coffee.

"Lex, Lana and I are figuring things out." Clark cleared his throat.

"At a half-glacial pace. Carpe Diem, Atticus." Lex took another mouthful of his drink. "Eat your cookies and relax, Clark. Lana'll still be here when you're fifty."

"Lex…" Clark winced.

"You might take notes, Mr. P." Gwen reminded Peter.

"I got the point. Clark will too." Peter squeezed her ringed hand.

"You still have to pay attention, you two." Lex shrugged. "If you don't, others will. I don't know about you but if I see a good thing, I go after it."

"Lana and I are figuring that out." Clark took a mouthful of coffee. "Things are changing around here."

"I get that." Peter nodded. "I wish I could say I'm the best at dealing with multiple things at once. All I can say is to try your best."

"And don't get too moody or down on yourself either, Clark. That's his problem at times." Gwen nudged up against Peter. "Remember we gals are here to help just like you all are here for us. Once in a while, we give each other a little push."

"Is it always like this?" Clark frowned.

"Pretty much. It's worth it though." Peter grinned at Gwen.

"Nice to know that, Mr. P." Gwen drank from her cup. "Just keep that in mind. Meantime I just hope Aunt May understands we want her in our lives too."

"Maybe Mom and Dad can help with dinner?" Clark offered.

"That'd be great. Aunt May is a lot like your Mom, Clark." Peter agreed.

"Lex?" Clark looked to his friend.

"Hmm? Sounds to me like you have this under control. I agree by the way. Nice strategy. We'll see how it goes." Lex gulped another mouthful of coffee. "And we'll be coming from the airport on Thursday."

This could be great or it will bomb. Let's hope for the best! Clark worried for his new friends.

Everyone hoped for the best….