Disclaimer: I do not own the Smallville characters or any of their components (WTF). Smallville is a registered trade-mark of Time Warner.

This part is rated PG-13 cos' of some stuff.

Also, this is set 2 weeks after the explosion.

OK. Nothing really major happens in this chapter but it is vital for you to read it if you want to have any understanding of the last part.

Clark, Chloe and Pete were walking down the hall getting ready for their next class. They were walking at their generically slow pace which looked even more slow when they noticed the rates that all the other students were walking at. Then Clark noticed Lana at her locker. She was getting out some books for her next class. Clark told Pete and Chloe he would catch up with them. Chloe twisted her face up and Clark knew that she was showing that she unapproved. Clark didn't care what she was thinking just now. He had to talk to Lana. She had been avoiding him for two weeks and he couldn't handle it for much longer.

"Hey Lana" Clark said. She looked surprised. Clark could see that Lana had suddenly become uncomfortable.

"Oh...hey Clark" She finally managed to say something. There became an awkward silence between the two. This had never happened before. Both Lana and Clark were actually worried about this. Each one wanted to say something that could bring up a conversation in the short time they had left.

"Well I just wanted to say hi." Clark said feeling very stupid. Lana nodded her head and managed a small smile. Clark then turned around and went into his biology class thinking Lana was going to avoid him even more after that and as such wished he hadn't said anything. He saw Chloe staring at him as he walked in. Clark had noticed that Chloe had become more bitter towards him and Lana lately. She had always been nice to her, but since the accident, she was now always really distant towards her.

Clark wasn't paying attention to a word his teacher was saying. He just couldn't stop thinking of Lana.

The bell rung. Clark was amazed at how fast the period had went in. He got up and Chloe walked with him out of the classroom. They noticed the poster for the Spring Formal. They saw Pete. He had gotten out of biology by pretending he had a sore stomach.

"Hey Pete. How's the stomach?" Clark asked for a joke.

"It's killing me." He said, again joking. The three of them asked. "So how'd it go with Lana?" Pete asked changing the subject.

"Not good. I think I made thi.." He got cut off by Chloe who said who cares. This wasn't like Chloe at all. She was fuming with jealously. Clark couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Chloe, what id up with you. Ever since what's happened at the Talon you've been acting differently towards Lana and I. Chloe I think its time you started to grow up." Clark said then walked away. Pete looked at Chloe sympathetically and put his arm over her shoulder.

~Scene Change to Luthor mansion~

Lionel Luthor comes barging into his son's dining room looking furious with his son.

"I don't know what stunt you are trying to pull but I don't find it very funny." Lionel said spitting all over Lex.

"I don't know what you are talking about" Lex said smugly.

"You know fine well what I am talking about." Lionel insisted. " Did you think as soon as I left the country for a while you would pull your little experiments with Smallville?" He continued

"You know I think you spent too much time in Kenya, are you feeling OK?" Lex said sarcastically. Lionel couldn't stand it much longer. He pointed at his son then turned around and left the building. Lex knew his father couldn't prove anything, but then something that had never happened to Lex before took place just after his father left. Lex realised he was just like his father. His father had no remorse for people. When his father had a goal he would try to achieve his goal at all costs. Even if that meant risking peoples lives. Lex was more worried and scared than he could remember being in his entire life. He sat down in his chair and began contemplated everything in his life.

~scene change to Lana's bedroom~

Lana was lying on her bed thinking about what happened earlier with Clark. She was wondering why they couldn't talk to each other. Everything had changed since the night of the explosion. Whitney nearly died, the Talon was nearly destroyed and her friendship with Clark was almost completely ruined. While the other two things were very dangerous in the short term, her friendship with Clark could be ruined long term. She was wishing right now that she could turn back time and that she could have closed the Talon early, made sure everyone was away from anywhere near the Talon and most importantly she could have saved her relationship with Clark. This brought her to thinking about Clark in a more serious issue. Lana didn't know it, but she was madly in love with Clark. She didn't know it because she perceived love as going out with someone and that was it. She never knew that two people could connect the way she and Clark could. Although she knew other people had thought that Clark had had a crush on her, she found it hard to look at him in that way. That night where she kissed him, she had never felt that way about anyone before. Lana tried to block out this fact however. She had been used to blocking out how she really felt. If she excepted how she really felt and lived out the way she really felt a lot of people around them would be hurt. Especially Whitney. With the recent events of Whitney's personal life it would be devastating to him. Then there was Chloe. She adored Clark. She didn't want to ruin the friendship they had. 'I gotta go talk to him' Lana thought. So she quickly sat up from her bed and went to get a jacket from her wardrobe. She was walking down stairs when she heard Nell opening the front door and greeting someone. 'Its Whitney' she thought, a little annoyed. She was right.

"Hi Nell. Is Lana around?" Whitney asked politely.

"LANA?" Nell shouted "It's Whi.." She got cut off short. Lana was already downstairs.

"Hi Whitney" she said and went over to give him a kiss on the cheek. Whitney's face lit up. Nell stared at the two, then finally said she would have to do the dishes. Whitney and Lana went out onto the porch, then Whitney started a conversation with Lana. She wasn't paying attention to him her mind was elsewhere. But she knew by his tone of voice he was asking her to do something, so, Lana nodded her head in approval.

"Well?" Whitney asked.

"Well what?" Lana asked a bit timidly. Whitney sighed.

"Lana have you been paying attention to a word I have been saying?"

"I am sorry Whitney, I just have a lot on my plate"

"And you think I don't?" He asked angrily "Lana, with all I have been through lately, you'd think you could be a little more supportive." Whitney looked on at a shocked Lana and then continued "You know Lana if you really don't have the time for me then maybe we should take a break." Lana looked on at her boyfriend looking even more shocked.

"Whitney? What's wrong with you?"

"You know what Lana, I'll let you figure out that one."

"Are you breaking up with me?"

"What does it look like Lana? Its over between you and me, and it has been for a long time" With that Whitney stormed down the stairs of the porch and got into his jeep and got out of the place as fast as he could.

Lana began to sob. She ran back into the house, up the stairs and into her bedroom. She began crying like she had never done before.

~scene change to Talon~

Whitney stormed in the Talon. There was only one other person in the Talon at this point. Usually the Talon was full at 8:00 PM. It was Chloe. She looked really depressed. Whitney sat at a table next from Chloe and started talking trash to her. Chloe wasn't paying attention. This got to Whitney. So he went over and sat next to Chloe.

"Whitney, I am not in the mood so please just leave me alone." Chloe said harshly. Whitney never paid any attention to what Chloe had said.

"You know Sullivan, you can tell your friend Kent, that he can have Lana, cos I got rid of her". Whitney sounded really drunk. Chloe didn't even think he knew where he was so she got up and walked out of the Talon. Whitney got really angry at this and went after her. Chloe noticed him walking behind her and began walking a lot faster. Whitney was acting so strangely.

"Chloe, why are you walking away from me?." Chloe never answered his question. Instead she started to sob. Chloe had never been this emotionally weak. Whitney ran up to her. Chloe tried to ignore him but she couldn't. She sat down on the bench. Whitney sat down next to her. He seemed a bit calmer now.

"Whitney, what are you doing?" Chloe asked him.

"I like you a lot Chloe". Chloe didn't take any notice of him. She was convinced he had been drinking. Then all of a sudden Whitney kissed Chloe softly on the lips. It was a brilliant kiss. None like she had ever had. It had the most exhilarating feel to it. Chloe suddenly pulled away and felt really guilty.

"Whitney, why did you do that?". Chloe had the sudden urge to kiss Whitney, but decided to wait.

"Like I said Chloe, I like you a lot." He leaned in for the kiss again. He kissed her again. This time Chloe got into the kiss. This time it was that bit more passionate and this time it was that bit more REAL. Chloe leant back on the bench while she and Whitney embraced.......

~scene change to Chloe Sullivan's bedroom~

Chloe looked at her alarm clock. It read 7:47 AM. She got out of her bed and looked in the mirror. Suddenly everything she had done last night came rushing past her.

"Oh my god. What have I done?" She said to herself..................

~scene change to Whitney's bedroom~

Whitney woke up in his bed feeling sick. He got dressed really quickly, went downstairs and into the kitchen. His mom was there making some breakfeast.

"You got in late last night" she said looking for an explanation.

"Did I?" Whitney asked.

"Well considering your father and I never got to sleep until 3 oclock in the morning and you weren't in by then." Whitney just looked at his mom as if he was confused. "So what did you and Lana do last night?"

"I am not sure. I can't remember". Whitney's mom looked at him frostily.

"You were out drinking weren't you?"

"NO......I mean,... I dont think so." Whitney's mom looked at her son then gave him his breakfast. Whitney was wondering what really did happen that night....

~scene change to Kent loft~

Clark looked around his loft. It wasn't often he would sleep in here. But last night was just one of those nights.

Clark looked outside the window. It was early in the morning. Soon they would have to get up for school. How he dreaded it. For the first time in his life he was actually truly happy. And he had to believe that she was happy too. He looked across at her. She was still asleep. Clark was going to get her up but instead just stared at her. She looked so peaceful there. She opened her eyes briefly. Clark's face lit up.

"Hey" He said. " How you feeling?" She nodded. Clark didn't know what this meant so he put his jumper on.

"What are we going to do about Whitney?" Clark asked.

"I will have to tell him in my own time. I don't know how he is going to take it." Clark looked at Lana who got up from the duvet.

"Lana, I think we should keep this to ourselves for a while. Otherwise people might get hurt"

"I think your right." Clark and Lana headed downstairs. They noticed Martha was doing the dishes.

"Good morning son. Have a goo..." She stopped her sentence when she seen Lana walking with Clark. They both knew she was shocked an angry.

"JONATHAN" Martha called her husband. Lana said she better get off home. Martha was reluctant to let her but finally agreed. Lana went out the front door and Clark was ready to give her a kiss but decided to let it go because he was in front of his parents.

Clark went back into the kitchen where Martha and Jonathan were talking amongst themselves.

"Well?" Clark asked knowing he would get a lecture now.

"Well what?" Jonathan replied. Clark looked at his parents looking a bit confused but in a happy way.

"You mean......" Clark began

"You are becoming an adult and we have to respect that you have needs" Martha said unsure of herself. Clark smiled at his mom. "You did take precautions didn't you son?"

"We didn't do anything like that mom." Clark said firmly. "She just broke up with Whitney and I am not going to take advantage of her like that. Not when she is in that state. I mean I have waited for so long already, another few weeks isn't going to kill me." The Kents looked at their son in admiration..

~scene change to Bus stop~

Clark, Lana, Pete and Chloe were waiting at the bus stop for a moment. Lana had told Pete and Chloe about Whitney. Lana thought they both seemed pretty shocked about it. Especially Chloe.

The bus had arrived. This would be the first time Lana had gotten the bus to school in a long time. She walked on thinking everyone was looking at her. This was a psychological thing in fact because nobody had found out Whitney and Lana had broken up Clark grabbed her hand tightly and smiled at her. She gave him a weak smile back. They sat in the chairs beside Chloe and Pete. Lana felt really sick at this point and didn't talk to Clark for the rest of the journey.

When they reached the school Lana felt mildly better but was dreading seeing Whitney. As soon as Lana got off the bus he saw her and began to walk over to her.

"Lana do you want me here?" Clark asked.

"No Clark, it's okay. I can handle it." Clark, Pete and Chloe walked on while Whitney caught up with Lana.

"Lana where were you? Why weren't you waiting for me to pick you up?" A look of horror came across Lana's face.

"Whitney. We broke up. Usually when that happens, the two people don't see each other for a while."

"Lana????? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?????" Whitney asked shocked.

"Oh my god. You don't remember do you?" Lana looked at Whitney deeply then hugged him. She was wondering if he was telling the truth, or if he had, actually forgotten about the whole thing. "Whitney, we have to go take you to the doctor, this might have something to do with your head trauma..". Lana quickly dragged Whitney over to the car and began driving to the hospital.

~scene change to School Library~

Chloe was reading a book when Clark said he would have to go to the toilet. As soon as he had gone Chloe turned her attention to Pete.

"Pete I have to tell you something, but you have to promise you won't tell anyone, especially Clark." Chloe said to him firmly

"Sure. What's up Chloe?" Chloe put her head down and took a deep breath.

"I slept with Whitney last night." She said really quickly. Pete looked on at her in amazment.

"What, you mean after he broke up with Lana?" Pete asked. Chloe nodded. "I thought you didn't like Whitney."

"So did I".

"How do you feel about it? I mean was it just a fling?" Pete looked at Chloe who still had her head titled downwards. "You like him don't you? You like him a lot"

"What am I gonna do Pete?" Chloe began to cry.

"Well he is already broken up with Lana, what is the real problem?"

"What about Clark. How will he feel? And how do I know Whitney feels the same way? What if he thinks it was just fling?"

Pete looked at Chloe...............

TBC........A big Spring Formal is in store with more revelations than one can imagine and a shocking turn from LEX.