INT: LEX LUTHER'S MANSION - NIGHT
Chloe awakens on Lex Luther's leather couch with a blanket draped over her, she attempts to sit up, but the knock to the head has made her feel a bit dizzy. Lex quicky comes over to sit next to her.
LEX
Hey, how you feeling?
Chloe feels the bump on her head and cringes in pain. Lex grabs a glass of water and brings it up to her lips.
LEX
Here, drink this.
Chloe takes a sip and Lex sets the glass back down. He lightly places a cold compress to her face. Chloe again cringes, but it soon subsides as the coolness eases the pain.
LEX
Are you alright? He got you pretty good there.
Chloe takes the compress from him and holds it against her face.
CHLOE
Yea, he got me really good.
LEX
You had me worried.
CHLOE
Thank you. For...for saving me.
She looks into Lex's eyes and holds his hand gingerly squeezing it as if to emphasize her sentiments. The gesture compels him to stare back into her eyes as if he were under some sort of spell.
LEX
You're welcome. I'm just glad you're okay.
(gets up walks around the room)
So, what were you doing at the school that late at night?
CHLOE
I was working on the paper.
LEX
You know, I can set a summer internship for you in Metropolis if you'd want.
CHLOE
I know, you've told me that before. And I just might take you up on it.
Lex takes a seat at the end of the couch.
LEX
There's not a lot of money in writing.
CHLOE
No, but I'd rather do something I love for the rest of my life than be miserable living a life someone else wants me to lead.
LEX
Ouch. Don't go all Freud on me. You barely know me.
CHLOE
How do you know I was talking about you?
LEX
Weren't you?
CHLOE
You know, Clark has just as much angst as you. Except, he's worried about what he'll be in the future.
LEX
Clark has a bright future ahead of him. He's more than just Smallville.
CHLOE
Like you?
Lex gets off the couch once again and walks over to the fireplace. He puts another log on the fire, stares at the burning embers.
Chloe wraps the blanket around her, gets up and slowly walks over to Lex. He grabs her arms and helps her sit in front of the fire.
LEX
Now why'd you come over here.
CHLOE
Because you walked away. Guess you aren't used to people coming after you.
LEX
Is that your thing? To go after people?
CHLOE
Those that are worth the effort. Is your thing to be chased?
LEX
You're good.
CHLOE
I'm good?
Chloe turns herself towards Lex and he has no choice but to look right at her. His eyes avoid her gaze.
LEX
At all this psych stuff you're pulling on me.
CHLOE
I'm just trying to have a conversation.
LEX
Why do you love writing so much?
CHLOE
Why do you avoid people that just want to get to know you?
LEX
Why do you answer a question with question? Are you trying to hide something?
CHLOE
Are you? Afraid I might just find something out?
Lex leans closer to Chloe and his eyes have locked onto hers. She doesn't flinch. She sits there waiting for an answer.
LEX
What would I be hiding from you?
CHLOE
I don't know. That mask you're wearing obscures my view.
He sits back, taken off-guard by her answer. He stands up and walks over to the bar and pours himself a drink.
LEX
Everyone has walls Chloe. Some more than others.
He takes a sip and leans against the bar. Chloe stands up and walks to where he is. She isn't wobbling anymore. She's regained her equilibrium. She takes the drink from his hand.
CHLOE
Lex, you saved me tonight. I'm not trying to break your psyche down.
She puts the glass on the bar. Her hand touches Lex's shoulder for a moment.
CHLOE
I just want to be your friend. I just want to get to know you.
LEX
I'm sorry. I don't mean to be rude. I didn't mean to offend you.
CHLOE
You didn't offend me. It's just the reporter in me. I like to ask questions. I'm curious by nature. Sorry.
LEX
You never answered my question.
CHLOE
Why I love writing so much?
Lex nods his head yes and grins.
CHLOE
My grandfather. He was an investigative reporter.
LEX
You were close?
CHLOE
Very. He'd tell me stories made up or real. It didn't matter, because the way he used words was ... magical.
LEX
He sounds like a good man.
CHLOE
He was. He died in a car accident when I was younger.
LEX
I'm sorry to hear that.
CHLOE
He used to tell me to, "Look beyond the surface, Chloe. Always look beyond the surface, because the stories worth writing are the ones you must go deeper for."
LEX
Sounds like a motto to live by.
CHLOE
It is. Sometimes looking beyond someone's facade means breaking through a wall or two.
LEX
Miss Sullivan, my walls are high and very thick.
CHLOE
Just remember Mr. Luthor. Nothings impenetrable.
Lex breaks out with a sly grin and reaches for his drink. He takes another sip, looks over at an equally grinning Chloe.
INT: THE TORCH NEWSROOM - DAY
Chloe proof reads another story for the paper. Clark walks through the door and takes a seat across from her. She turns away from him and pretends to look through her desk drawers.
CLARK
So, how'd things go last night?
Chloe proceeds to go through some files.
CHLOE
It was fine.
CLARK
Can I help you find something?
CHLOE
(still turned away)
No. No, I've got everything under control.
Clark gets up and walks to the other side of the desk and Chloe moves in the opposite direction.
CLARK
What's going on? Why are you avoiding me?
CHLOE
I'm not. I'm just looking into these desk drawers.
Clark looks over her shoulders and notices a drawer full of Tums, aspirin, pencils, pens, notepads and a tape recorder.
CLARK
Chloe, look at me.
Chloe grabs a notepad and quickly gets up. Making sure the side of her face that has been hit is not seen by him.
CHLOE
You know, I just remembered that I have an interview to do.
She begins to walk away until Clark grabs her arm and twirls her around. She faces him and he can see the cut and bruise on her face. His eyes grow big with surprise and for the first time he feels an anger grow inside him.
CLARK
Who did it?
CHLOE
Clark, it looks worse than it is.
CLARK
Chloe, I don't care. Who did this to you?
CHLOE
Look, I knew you'd react this way, but I'm fine. I'm okay.
CLARK
(grows impatient)
WHO! Was it Tad?
The look of avoidance tells Clark all he needs to know as he storms out of the Torch newsroom and heads out to find Tad and his group of friends.
CHLOE
(gets in his way)
CLARK!
CLARK
Get out of my way Chloe.
CHLOE
No, this is not the way.
He grabs her shoulders and moves her aside. He runs down the hallway and out the school doors. Chloe takes off after him and quickly dials a number on her cellphone.
CHLOE
Hi, it's me Chloe. Clark knows and he's headed to the coffee shop. Can you meet me there. I don't know. I think he's going to do something stupid.
INT: COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Tad and the rest of his crew sit in their regular area. Tad's high-fiving a few of the guys. Lana and Whitney are at another table watching them make a scene.
LANA
I wonder what's going on with them?
WHITNEY
Who knows. I don't hang with those guys much.
LANA
Thank God, for small favors.
Whitney smiles and takes Lana's hand in his. But their attention soon goes back to Tad, who stands on the couch and throws his arms in the air.
TAD
I am Spartacus!
Tad laughs at his own statement and the girls just look at one another shaking their heads at Tad's stupidity. He plops onto the couch and wraps his arm around Julie.
TAD
Julie. Julie. Julie.
JULIE
What?
TAD
Don't start getting an attitude.
Tad takes some strands of her hair and discretly pulls on them. She winces in pain.
TAD
Don't make me give you an attitude adjustment.
JULIE
Let go, you're hurting me.
TAD
Not until you understand who's in charge here.
He pulls on her hair even harder and the rest of the group can only watch in horror.
TAD
I won't have you ruin my future, because you've all of a sudden developed a conscious.
JULIE
(tearing)
Okay. Okay. I'm sorry. I'll behave.
Tad lets her hair go. Looks to the others in the group.
TAD
The same applies to everyone. Got that?
Julie gets up and makes a dash towards the door. Before she can get to it, Clark busts through it in anger and everyone in the shop is stricken by silence. Julie stops midstride. Clark's eyes meet Tad's and he rushes past Julie, Lana and Whitney.
Tad stands up and holds his arms out as if to invite Clark to bring it on, but Clark doesn't stop. He grabs Tad by the letterman's jacket and slams him against the wall. Lana's in shock and Whitney quickly gets up.
CLARK
What the hell's wrong with you Tad!
Brian and Brett grab Clark and attempt to pull him off Tad, who's struggling against Clark's grasp. In one motion, Clark pushes the two guys away from him one by one and they stumble to the ground.
TAD
What the hell's wrong with you Clark!
Julie sees enough turns around, runs out the door knocking into Chloe and Lex as they dash into the coffee shop in time to see Clark knock Tad back against the wall. This time Whitney tries to pull Clark off him.
CLARK
Don't go near Chloe again. Takes a real big man to hit a girl. Why don't you try me?
Clark gets ready to punch Tad in the face, but Chloe runs in between the two of them. Clark looks surprised to see her there.
CHLOE
Clark, no.
Whitney lets go of Clark. Clark lets go of Tad, who straightens out his letterman's jacket. Lana gets up from her seat and walks over to where the group is.
CLARK
What are you talking about Chloe? He hurt you.
(points to her face)
He did that to you!
TAD
Man, I don't know what you're talking about.
Clark shoves Tad back into the wall and walks right up to his face. Lex takes a step forward.
LEX
Clark.
Chloe grabs Clark by the arm and pulls him away from Tad. Tad just smirks at Chloe. Her eyes narrow.
CHLOE
Come on Clark, lets go.
CLARK
What? No.
LEX
Chloe's right. We should go.
TAD
(mockingly)
Be a good little boy Clarkie and go with her.
CLARK
(points at Tad)
Stay away from her. Or I'll rip your head off.
TAD
I'd like to see you try Kent.
Chloe, Lex and Clark walk out of the coffee shop. Whitney goes back over to Lana and they follow them out the door. Lana can't help but stare at the way Clark has his arm around Chloe. A tinge of jealousy and confusion cross her mind.
Tad and the rest of his crew gather themselves together. Brian looks a bit nervous, while the Dawn, Kammi and Tabitha glance at one another.
BRIAN
Did you really do that to Chloe's face?
TAD
I wanted her to just back off.
MELISSA
Are you nuts? Are you insane? Now, they're on to us. How stupid can you be?
Tad takes a firm hold of Melissa's arm, she winces in pain.
TAD
I don't know Melissa, how stupid can I be?
EXT: COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Chloe, Lex, Lana and Whitney watch Clark pace back and forth in anger. Clark stops in front of Lana and looks at her but says nothing. Lana looks over to Chloe.
LANA
Chloe, are you okay?
CHLOE
I'm fine. Really, I'll be okay.
CLARK
Did he try anything with you Chloe?
Chloe takes a quick glance at Lex.
CHLOE
No. Look he was trying to intimidate me, but Lex showed up and Tad took off.
WHITNEY
Why would Tad want to hurt you Chloe?
LANA
Did he have a reason?
Chloe looks into the coffee shop and sees Tad and the others looking at them.
CHLOE
Look, this isn't the time or place to discuss this.
WHITNEY
You're right. Lana, we should go. Chloe I hope you feel better.
Whitney guides Lana down the street and Clark pays no attention to her, but his eyes fixate on Chloe's.
Whitney helps Lana into his truck and she seems rather annoyed at how Whitney just wanted to leave.
LANA
Whitney, I didn't want to leave.
WHITNEY
Look, Clark and Chloe are in some kind of trouble with Tad's crew and I don't want us in the middle of it.
LANA
Clark's our friend, Whitney.
WHITNEY
I just don't want what happened to Chloe, to happen to you. Okay, I'm concerned about you. You matter so much to me Lana.
Lana can only look at Whitney in a disappointed manner and as they drive off, she stares at Clark and Chloe together. Lex opens the doors to his car.
LEX
Chloe's right Clark, you can't stoop down to their level.
CLARK
What would you know Lex? Has anyone you ever cared about been hurt?
LEX
Clark, that's not what I'm saying. Just get in the car and I'll drive you home. We can talk about what happened. We can work it out.
CLARK
I can drive myself Lex.
CHLOE
He's only trying to help.
Clark gets his keys out of his pocket and walks to his truck.
CLARK
You coming Chloe?
Chloe looks over at Lex and he nods his head.
LEX
Go with him. You guys have a lot to talk about.
CHLOE
Thank you Lex. For everything.
Chloe takes a long look into Lex's eyes and he again feels compelled to keep her gaze.
LEX
Anytime.
INT: CLARK'S TRUCK CAB - DAY
Clark drives but his eyes dart back and forth from the road to Chloe. Suddenly, he pulls off the country road. Chloe turns to him in shock.
CHLOE
What is your problem? I'm the one that got attacked.
CLARK
And you won't let me do anything.
CHLOE
Clark, pummeling Tad Murray is not going to help us prove that he killed that girl.
CLARK
Fine.
Clark puts the truck back into gear and it rolls a foot. He then steps on the brakes.
CLARK
What was that with Lex back there?
CHLOE
What do mean?
CLARK
Thanks for everything? What does mean?
CHLOE
Clark. I don't want to tell you.
Clark turns to face her.
CLARK
Why?
CHLOE
(points to his forehead)
Because of that vein right there. You're angry and I can't deal with you when you're like this.
Touches his forehead. Then takes a deep breath.
CLARK
You can tell me anything.
CHLOE
You have to promise to just not get anymore angry then you are.
CLARK
(concerned)
Just tell me.
CHLOE
(quickly)
Tad tried to rape me, but Lex saved me from him.
CLARK
That sonofa...
CHLOE
Clark!
CLARK
I should've went to the paper. I knew it. I should've been there. God, I'm so sorry Chloe.
Chloe lays her hand on Clarks cheek.
CHLOE
It isn't you're fault. Do you hear me. Do you understand? Don't blame yourself.
CLARK
No, you don't understand. I should've been there. To the people that matter most to me. I should be there to help them when they're in trouble.
CHLOE
Listen to yourself. You can't save everyone. And, technically, you've saved me before. I can take a lickin' and keep on tickin', okay?
Clark nervously laughs and regains his composure. He takes Chloe's hand from his cheek and holds it.
CLARK
Are you okay?
CHLOE
I was shaken up, but Lex helped me through it. He saved me. I don't know how I could ever make it up to him.
CLARK
How can you be so calm. After what happened?
Chloe takes a moment. Her eyes slowly well up with tears. She squeezes Clark's hand.
CHLOE
Because they're not getting away with murder. I won't let them. And the only way that's going to happen is for us to be calm, cool and collected about this. I need you Clark.
CLARK
I'm here. We'll nail them. I swear we will. We'll find out how they got infected by the meteorite and what kind of powers they possess and we'll nail them.
Chloe awakens on Lex Luther's leather couch with a blanket draped over her, she attempts to sit up, but the knock to the head has made her feel a bit dizzy. Lex quicky comes over to sit next to her.
LEX
Hey, how you feeling?
Chloe feels the bump on her head and cringes in pain. Lex grabs a glass of water and brings it up to her lips.
LEX
Here, drink this.
Chloe takes a sip and Lex sets the glass back down. He lightly places a cold compress to her face. Chloe again cringes, but it soon subsides as the coolness eases the pain.
LEX
Are you alright? He got you pretty good there.
Chloe takes the compress from him and holds it against her face.
CHLOE
Yea, he got me really good.
LEX
You had me worried.
CHLOE
Thank you. For...for saving me.
She looks into Lex's eyes and holds his hand gingerly squeezing it as if to emphasize her sentiments. The gesture compels him to stare back into her eyes as if he were under some sort of spell.
LEX
You're welcome. I'm just glad you're okay.
(gets up walks around the room)
So, what were you doing at the school that late at night?
CHLOE
I was working on the paper.
LEX
You know, I can set a summer internship for you in Metropolis if you'd want.
CHLOE
I know, you've told me that before. And I just might take you up on it.
Lex takes a seat at the end of the couch.
LEX
There's not a lot of money in writing.
CHLOE
No, but I'd rather do something I love for the rest of my life than be miserable living a life someone else wants me to lead.
LEX
Ouch. Don't go all Freud on me. You barely know me.
CHLOE
How do you know I was talking about you?
LEX
Weren't you?
CHLOE
You know, Clark has just as much angst as you. Except, he's worried about what he'll be in the future.
LEX
Clark has a bright future ahead of him. He's more than just Smallville.
CHLOE
Like you?
Lex gets off the couch once again and walks over to the fireplace. He puts another log on the fire, stares at the burning embers.
Chloe wraps the blanket around her, gets up and slowly walks over to Lex. He grabs her arms and helps her sit in front of the fire.
LEX
Now why'd you come over here.
CHLOE
Because you walked away. Guess you aren't used to people coming after you.
LEX
Is that your thing? To go after people?
CHLOE
Those that are worth the effort. Is your thing to be chased?
LEX
You're good.
CHLOE
I'm good?
Chloe turns herself towards Lex and he has no choice but to look right at her. His eyes avoid her gaze.
LEX
At all this psych stuff you're pulling on me.
CHLOE
I'm just trying to have a conversation.
LEX
Why do you love writing so much?
CHLOE
Why do you avoid people that just want to get to know you?
LEX
Why do you answer a question with question? Are you trying to hide something?
CHLOE
Are you? Afraid I might just find something out?
Lex leans closer to Chloe and his eyes have locked onto hers. She doesn't flinch. She sits there waiting for an answer.
LEX
What would I be hiding from you?
CHLOE
I don't know. That mask you're wearing obscures my view.
He sits back, taken off-guard by her answer. He stands up and walks over to the bar and pours himself a drink.
LEX
Everyone has walls Chloe. Some more than others.
He takes a sip and leans against the bar. Chloe stands up and walks to where he is. She isn't wobbling anymore. She's regained her equilibrium. She takes the drink from his hand.
CHLOE
Lex, you saved me tonight. I'm not trying to break your psyche down.
She puts the glass on the bar. Her hand touches Lex's shoulder for a moment.
CHLOE
I just want to be your friend. I just want to get to know you.
LEX
I'm sorry. I don't mean to be rude. I didn't mean to offend you.
CHLOE
You didn't offend me. It's just the reporter in me. I like to ask questions. I'm curious by nature. Sorry.
LEX
You never answered my question.
CHLOE
Why I love writing so much?
Lex nods his head yes and grins.
CHLOE
My grandfather. He was an investigative reporter.
LEX
You were close?
CHLOE
Very. He'd tell me stories made up or real. It didn't matter, because the way he used words was ... magical.
LEX
He sounds like a good man.
CHLOE
He was. He died in a car accident when I was younger.
LEX
I'm sorry to hear that.
CHLOE
He used to tell me to, "Look beyond the surface, Chloe. Always look beyond the surface, because the stories worth writing are the ones you must go deeper for."
LEX
Sounds like a motto to live by.
CHLOE
It is. Sometimes looking beyond someone's facade means breaking through a wall or two.
LEX
Miss Sullivan, my walls are high and very thick.
CHLOE
Just remember Mr. Luthor. Nothings impenetrable.
Lex breaks out with a sly grin and reaches for his drink. He takes another sip, looks over at an equally grinning Chloe.
INT: THE TORCH NEWSROOM - DAY
Chloe proof reads another story for the paper. Clark walks through the door and takes a seat across from her. She turns away from him and pretends to look through her desk drawers.
CLARK
So, how'd things go last night?
Chloe proceeds to go through some files.
CHLOE
It was fine.
CLARK
Can I help you find something?
CHLOE
(still turned away)
No. No, I've got everything under control.
Clark gets up and walks to the other side of the desk and Chloe moves in the opposite direction.
CLARK
What's going on? Why are you avoiding me?
CHLOE
I'm not. I'm just looking into these desk drawers.
Clark looks over her shoulders and notices a drawer full of Tums, aspirin, pencils, pens, notepads and a tape recorder.
CLARK
Chloe, look at me.
Chloe grabs a notepad and quickly gets up. Making sure the side of her face that has been hit is not seen by him.
CHLOE
You know, I just remembered that I have an interview to do.
She begins to walk away until Clark grabs her arm and twirls her around. She faces him and he can see the cut and bruise on her face. His eyes grow big with surprise and for the first time he feels an anger grow inside him.
CLARK
Who did it?
CHLOE
Clark, it looks worse than it is.
CLARK
Chloe, I don't care. Who did this to you?
CHLOE
Look, I knew you'd react this way, but I'm fine. I'm okay.
CLARK
(grows impatient)
WHO! Was it Tad?
The look of avoidance tells Clark all he needs to know as he storms out of the Torch newsroom and heads out to find Tad and his group of friends.
CHLOE
(gets in his way)
CLARK!
CLARK
Get out of my way Chloe.
CHLOE
No, this is not the way.
He grabs her shoulders and moves her aside. He runs down the hallway and out the school doors. Chloe takes off after him and quickly dials a number on her cellphone.
CHLOE
Hi, it's me Chloe. Clark knows and he's headed to the coffee shop. Can you meet me there. I don't know. I think he's going to do something stupid.
INT: COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Tad and the rest of his crew sit in their regular area. Tad's high-fiving a few of the guys. Lana and Whitney are at another table watching them make a scene.
LANA
I wonder what's going on with them?
WHITNEY
Who knows. I don't hang with those guys much.
LANA
Thank God, for small favors.
Whitney smiles and takes Lana's hand in his. But their attention soon goes back to Tad, who stands on the couch and throws his arms in the air.
TAD
I am Spartacus!
Tad laughs at his own statement and the girls just look at one another shaking their heads at Tad's stupidity. He plops onto the couch and wraps his arm around Julie.
TAD
Julie. Julie. Julie.
JULIE
What?
TAD
Don't start getting an attitude.
Tad takes some strands of her hair and discretly pulls on them. She winces in pain.
TAD
Don't make me give you an attitude adjustment.
JULIE
Let go, you're hurting me.
TAD
Not until you understand who's in charge here.
He pulls on her hair even harder and the rest of the group can only watch in horror.
TAD
I won't have you ruin my future, because you've all of a sudden developed a conscious.
JULIE
(tearing)
Okay. Okay. I'm sorry. I'll behave.
Tad lets her hair go. Looks to the others in the group.
TAD
The same applies to everyone. Got that?
Julie gets up and makes a dash towards the door. Before she can get to it, Clark busts through it in anger and everyone in the shop is stricken by silence. Julie stops midstride. Clark's eyes meet Tad's and he rushes past Julie, Lana and Whitney.
Tad stands up and holds his arms out as if to invite Clark to bring it on, but Clark doesn't stop. He grabs Tad by the letterman's jacket and slams him against the wall. Lana's in shock and Whitney quickly gets up.
CLARK
What the hell's wrong with you Tad!
Brian and Brett grab Clark and attempt to pull him off Tad, who's struggling against Clark's grasp. In one motion, Clark pushes the two guys away from him one by one and they stumble to the ground.
TAD
What the hell's wrong with you Clark!
Julie sees enough turns around, runs out the door knocking into Chloe and Lex as they dash into the coffee shop in time to see Clark knock Tad back against the wall. This time Whitney tries to pull Clark off him.
CLARK
Don't go near Chloe again. Takes a real big man to hit a girl. Why don't you try me?
Clark gets ready to punch Tad in the face, but Chloe runs in between the two of them. Clark looks surprised to see her there.
CHLOE
Clark, no.
Whitney lets go of Clark. Clark lets go of Tad, who straightens out his letterman's jacket. Lana gets up from her seat and walks over to where the group is.
CLARK
What are you talking about Chloe? He hurt you.
(points to her face)
He did that to you!
TAD
Man, I don't know what you're talking about.
Clark shoves Tad back into the wall and walks right up to his face. Lex takes a step forward.
LEX
Clark.
Chloe grabs Clark by the arm and pulls him away from Tad. Tad just smirks at Chloe. Her eyes narrow.
CHLOE
Come on Clark, lets go.
CLARK
What? No.
LEX
Chloe's right. We should go.
TAD
(mockingly)
Be a good little boy Clarkie and go with her.
CLARK
(points at Tad)
Stay away from her. Or I'll rip your head off.
TAD
I'd like to see you try Kent.
Chloe, Lex and Clark walk out of the coffee shop. Whitney goes back over to Lana and they follow them out the door. Lana can't help but stare at the way Clark has his arm around Chloe. A tinge of jealousy and confusion cross her mind.
Tad and the rest of his crew gather themselves together. Brian looks a bit nervous, while the Dawn, Kammi and Tabitha glance at one another.
BRIAN
Did you really do that to Chloe's face?
TAD
I wanted her to just back off.
MELISSA
Are you nuts? Are you insane? Now, they're on to us. How stupid can you be?
Tad takes a firm hold of Melissa's arm, she winces in pain.
TAD
I don't know Melissa, how stupid can I be?
EXT: COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Chloe, Lex, Lana and Whitney watch Clark pace back and forth in anger. Clark stops in front of Lana and looks at her but says nothing. Lana looks over to Chloe.
LANA
Chloe, are you okay?
CHLOE
I'm fine. Really, I'll be okay.
CLARK
Did he try anything with you Chloe?
Chloe takes a quick glance at Lex.
CHLOE
No. Look he was trying to intimidate me, but Lex showed up and Tad took off.
WHITNEY
Why would Tad want to hurt you Chloe?
LANA
Did he have a reason?
Chloe looks into the coffee shop and sees Tad and the others looking at them.
CHLOE
Look, this isn't the time or place to discuss this.
WHITNEY
You're right. Lana, we should go. Chloe I hope you feel better.
Whitney guides Lana down the street and Clark pays no attention to her, but his eyes fixate on Chloe's.
Whitney helps Lana into his truck and she seems rather annoyed at how Whitney just wanted to leave.
LANA
Whitney, I didn't want to leave.
WHITNEY
Look, Clark and Chloe are in some kind of trouble with Tad's crew and I don't want us in the middle of it.
LANA
Clark's our friend, Whitney.
WHITNEY
I just don't want what happened to Chloe, to happen to you. Okay, I'm concerned about you. You matter so much to me Lana.
Lana can only look at Whitney in a disappointed manner and as they drive off, she stares at Clark and Chloe together. Lex opens the doors to his car.
LEX
Chloe's right Clark, you can't stoop down to their level.
CLARK
What would you know Lex? Has anyone you ever cared about been hurt?
LEX
Clark, that's not what I'm saying. Just get in the car and I'll drive you home. We can talk about what happened. We can work it out.
CLARK
I can drive myself Lex.
CHLOE
He's only trying to help.
Clark gets his keys out of his pocket and walks to his truck.
CLARK
You coming Chloe?
Chloe looks over at Lex and he nods his head.
LEX
Go with him. You guys have a lot to talk about.
CHLOE
Thank you Lex. For everything.
Chloe takes a long look into Lex's eyes and he again feels compelled to keep her gaze.
LEX
Anytime.
INT: CLARK'S TRUCK CAB - DAY
Clark drives but his eyes dart back and forth from the road to Chloe. Suddenly, he pulls off the country road. Chloe turns to him in shock.
CHLOE
What is your problem? I'm the one that got attacked.
CLARK
And you won't let me do anything.
CHLOE
Clark, pummeling Tad Murray is not going to help us prove that he killed that girl.
CLARK
Fine.
Clark puts the truck back into gear and it rolls a foot. He then steps on the brakes.
CLARK
What was that with Lex back there?
CHLOE
What do mean?
CLARK
Thanks for everything? What does mean?
CHLOE
Clark. I don't want to tell you.
Clark turns to face her.
CLARK
Why?
CHLOE
(points to his forehead)
Because of that vein right there. You're angry and I can't deal with you when you're like this.
Touches his forehead. Then takes a deep breath.
CLARK
You can tell me anything.
CHLOE
You have to promise to just not get anymore angry then you are.
CLARK
(concerned)
Just tell me.
CHLOE
(quickly)
Tad tried to rape me, but Lex saved me from him.
CLARK
That sonofa...
CHLOE
Clark!
CLARK
I should've went to the paper. I knew it. I should've been there. God, I'm so sorry Chloe.
Chloe lays her hand on Clarks cheek.
CHLOE
It isn't you're fault. Do you hear me. Do you understand? Don't blame yourself.
CLARK
No, you don't understand. I should've been there. To the people that matter most to me. I should be there to help them when they're in trouble.
CHLOE
Listen to yourself. You can't save everyone. And, technically, you've saved me before. I can take a lickin' and keep on tickin', okay?
Clark nervously laughs and regains his composure. He takes Chloe's hand from his cheek and holds it.
CLARK
Are you okay?
CHLOE
I was shaken up, but Lex helped me through it. He saved me. I don't know how I could ever make it up to him.
CLARK
How can you be so calm. After what happened?
Chloe takes a moment. Her eyes slowly well up with tears. She squeezes Clark's hand.
CHLOE
Because they're not getting away with murder. I won't let them. And the only way that's going to happen is for us to be calm, cool and collected about this. I need you Clark.
CLARK
I'm here. We'll nail them. I swear we will. We'll find out how they got infected by the meteorite and what kind of powers they possess and we'll nail them.