Chapter 11- Fast Cars
"What does everyone want to do now?" Lex asked after the quintet had talked for over an hour.
"What are our choices?" Lana asked.
"Swimming, hot tub, tennis, go-carts," Lex offered.
"You have a tennis court?" Lana asked.
At the same time Pete said, "You have go-carts?"
Lex laughed. They looked like two kids in a candy store. "Lana, yes. A few actually. Pete, no but I know where a private one is that we can have all to ourselves."
"Go-carts," Pete said.
"Go-carts," Clark agreed.
"Swim," Lana said.
"Chloe?" Lex asked.
"Everything?" she said amazed and everyone laughed.
"What about go-carts, then swimming?" Lex asked. "Is that okay, Lana?"
"Fine with me," she said excitedly.
"I sent the chauffeur home, so we'll have to take my car," Lex told them.
"Will we all fit in one car?" Clark asked.
"No. You'll have to drive one," Lex replied.
"You're going to let Clark drive your sportscar? I picked the wrong best friend," Pete exclaimed.
"Thanks," Clark muttered.
Lex led the friends to his large garage.
"Wow!" Pete said running from car to car. "Lamborghini, Boxter, Astin Martin, Porsche, Ferrari, Camaro!"
"Clark, take your pick," Lex said gesturing to the fleet of vehicles.
"How do I decide? I'll take the Boxter," Clark said after a moment.
"I'm with Clark!" Pete said happily
"That leaves us the Camaro," Lex replied tossing Clark the keys..
"Why?" Chloe asked.
"It's the only one that will hold more than two people," Lex said. "You know where the course is," Lex said to Clark.
"Let's get this baby on the road," Pete said jumping into the open- roofed car.
Clark laughed and climbed into the driver's seat. He started the car and carefully pulled it out of the garage.
Lex escorted the ladies to the Camaro and opened the passenger door for them.
"Uh, Chlo…" Lana started.
Chloe grinned. "You want to sit in front?"
Lana nodded. Chloe laughed and climbed into the back seat. When Lex revved the engine Lana's eyes got wide. Lex peeled out backwards and floored the gas pedal. Within seconds they had passed Pete and Clark in a blur of silver.
"Come on Clark. This is a Boxter, not a minivan," Pete urged.
When Lex, Lana, and Chloe passed them Pete tried again.
"Come on."
Clark laughed and floored the gas pedal.
"Oh, yeah," Pete shouted when they flew past Lex.
"Whoa! Clark's getting a little daring," Chloe said with a grin.
"Let's see just how daring," Lex said throwing the car into gear. The Camaro sped up and Chloe was tossed against the back seat. Lex pulled right up to the bumper of the Boxter before passing it and cutting them off. Then, he slowed and let Clark pass before doing it again.
"What is he doing?" Clark asked.
"I think he wants to play," Pete said with a goofy grin.
"Then we'll have to play along," Clark said slamming on the brakes.
"Whoa!" Lana yelled when Lex swerved past the stopped Boxter. The Camaro flew past the car.
"Hold on girls," he said twisting the steering wheel as hard as he could. The Camaro skidded across the road as it made a U-turn. Lex aimed it right at the Boxter.
"What's he doing?" Clark asked again.
"Playing chicken," Pete said, his grin getting even wider.
Clark grinned mischievously. "Let's see what this car can do," Clark said flooring the gas.
"Go Clark!" Pete yelled.
"Lex! What are you doing?" Chloe asked as the cars bore down on each other.
"Don't worry. I know Clark, he'll back down," Lex assured her.
"Clark, man, maybe this isn't a good idea," Pete said as the Boxter's speedometer rose past 65 miles per hour.
"Lex, he's not giving in," Lana said getting worried as the cars flew at each other.
"Wait for it," Lex said.
"Clark, we're getting too close. Pull back," Pete urged.
"Don't worry," Clark said.
"Lex! Please!" Chloe begged.
"Any second now," Lex said.
"We'll hit them!" Lana exclaimed as the cars came even closer.
"Clark, what's wrong with you?" Pete asked, not at all happy with Clark's newfound courage.
"I'm just trying to have fun," Clark said gunning the gas.
"Lex!" Chloe screamed as the cars came within feet of each other.
A second too late Lex realized Clark wasn't backing down. Lex jerked the wheel just in time to miss hitting the Boxter. Both girls screamed as the car spun out of control and skidded down the road. The back end collided with a telephone pole, causing the car to finally come to a stop.
"No!" Clark yelled turning the Boxter around and racing back to the Camaro.
"Oh, no," Pete said as Clark pulled beside the other car. Both boys jumped out and ran to the car. Clark jerked open the door. "Who's hurt?" he asked frantically.
Lana was shaking and holding her wrist. "I tried to brace myself when we spun. Then we hit the pole and I jammed my wrist into the dashboard."
Clark gingerly took her arm to feel for a break as Lex looked straight ahead in a daze. Pete moved beside Clark to Chloe. Chloe's eyes were foggy and she was holding the back of her head.
"Chlo?" Pete asked putting his hand behind her head.
"I hit my head," she replied her eyes swimming.
Pete's hand was wet when he pulled it away. "She's bleeding," he told Clark.
"Lex, are you hurt?" Clark asked.
"I-I-" Lex started.
"Pete, can you drive this car back to the mansion?" Clark asked.
"Yeah, sure," Pete replied.
"Lex, get out," Clark told his friend as he moved to the driver's side of the Camaro. "Come on, Chlo. Come with me," he said helping her out of the car. Clark took off his jacket and held it to her head.
"Ow," she complained falling against Clark in pain.
Clark winced. "Sorry. Lex get in back, Pete is going to drive you home," Clark told Lex.
When Lex was in the back, Pete climbed in and started the car. "Here, Lan," he said taking off his jacket. He laid it on her lap as a pillow for her sore wrist, then carefully started back to the mansion.
"Chloe? Chloe!" Clark called on the way back to Lex's.
"Don't scream, Clark," Chloe commanded.
"Then don't fall asleep," Clark countered.
"Lex, are you okay?" Lana asked turning in her seat.
"I could have killed you," Lex replied.
"But you didn't. Lex, are you hurt?" Lana asked.
"I don't know," Lex replied leaning against the seat.
"Ahh," Lana moaned when the Camaro hit a bump in the road.
"Sorry, Lana," Pete said in a worried tone.
"Clark, what are we going to do? I can't tell my dad what happened!" Chloe said.
"We'll figure it out. We have to take it one step at a time. We'll go to Lex's and figure it out from there," Clark replied. "Lex will know what to do."
Chloe gasped as a wave of pain hit her. She grabbed Clark's arm in a death grip.
"Chloe?" Clark asked as her grip eased on his arm.
"I'm okay," she said sighing in relief as the pain ebbed a little.
"What are we going to do?" Lana asked Lex.
"I don't know. God, I don't know. I shouldn't have been so stupid! I could have killed you and Chloe. Oh, Chloe! I don't even know how bad her head was," Lex said.
Chloe squeezed Clark's arm with every new wave of pain. "It hurts, Clark," she said breathing heavily.
"I know. We're almost there," Clark said in a soothing voice.
Lana winced as they pulled into Lex's garage. Pete climbed out and moved the seat to let Lex out, before moving to Lana.
Clark pulled in beside the Camaro and Lex opened the door to help Chloe out. As Chloe stepped out, she got dizzy and swayed. Lex caught her with one arm, and Clark grabbed her waist to steady her. Lex tightened his arm around Chloe's waist as he guided them into the closest room.
"Call Doctor Vargas," Lex commanded a servant.
"Yes, Mr. Luthor," she replied scurrying away.
Lex helped Chloe to the couch. "Pete?" he asked.
Pete understood and sat next to Chloe to support her.
"Lex, your shoulder," Clark said gesturing to the blood.
"It's Chloe's," Lex replied.
Clark's eyes narrowed for a moment before answering. "Not all of it. Take off your jacket.
Lex complied and almost screamed when he moved his shoulder. The sleeve of his shirt was covered in blood. "I can't move my shoulder like that again, Clark," Lex said, understanding that Clark meant for him to remove his shirt, also.
"This might hurt, but I have to see your arm," Clark said grabbing Lex's shirt and ripping off the sleeve.
Lex moaned.
"Oh, Lex," Lana gasped when she saw his arm. His arm was obviously broken right under the shoulder, and some of the bone could be seen through the skin.
"What's wrong?" Chloe asked her eyes darting around nervously. "Why did you say that?"
"Nothing, Chloe. Lex just hurt his arm," Lana said trying to calm the blond.
Chloe nodded, causing her eyes to swim. She laid her cheek against Pete's shoulder.
"Lex, don't move your arm," Clark said.
"That won't be a problem," Lex replied. "I couldn't move it if I wanted to."
"Chloe? Chloe!" Pete almost yelled.
"Chloe, wake up," Lana urged.
Chloe moaned. "Clark, I can't wake her up," Pete said nervously.
"Chloe, wake up now!" Clark demanded. When she didn't respond Clark pressed his fingertips to the back of her skull.
Chloe shrieked in pain and her eyes flew open.
"Stay awake, Chloe. You have to stay awake," Clark urged as Chloe began to cry.
"Clark, you didn't have to-" Pete started.
Clark cut him off. "Yes, I did. We don't know if she has a concussion. If she does and she falls asleep, she may not wake up," Clark told his friend as Doctor Vargas walked in.
"Who's hurt the worst?" he asked immediately, looking at Lex.
"Chloe. The blond," Lex said gesturing to Chloe. He almost laughed at his remark. Chloe's hair wasn't so blond anymore.
Doctor Vargas opened his medical bag and took out a penlight. "Follow the light with your eyes," he told Chloe. She tried her best as her eyes continued to swim. He put the light away and removed the jacket from her cut. He placed a towel at the base of her neck and pulled a bottle out of his bag. "This will burn, but I have to clean the cut to see how bad it is," Doctor Vargas said before pouring the liquid over her wound.
Chloe yelped in pain and grabbed Pete's hand.
"Most of the bleeding has stopped. You don't need stitches," Doctor Vargas said before turning to Lex. "She has a slight concussion. When she goes to bed, wake her every hour. If she doesn't wake up, call me."
Lex nodded, holding a towel to his arm. "Now, Lana," he said nodding toward the other girl.
Lana held out her wrist for the doctor. "I jammed it," she explained.
"It's not broken, just very badly sprained," he said pulling a brace out of his bag. "Wear this for four weeks."
Clark took the brace and eased it onto Lana's arm. "Now, Lex," he said moving to Lex's side.
Lex turned his shoulder to the doctor and pulled the towel away.
"I'll have to reset it," the doctor explained.
"In the other room," Lex said not wanting the girls to see his pain. "Clark, can you come with us?"
Clark nodded and followed Lex into a room a few doors down.
"I have to pull it to reset it. Before I put a cast on it, I need to stitch the cut. I'm going to give you a soft cast that can be removed, so you can redress the cut," Doctor Vargas said. "Sit on the stool."
Lex sat and Clark stood close beside him. Doctor Vargas put one hand on Lex's shoulder and used the other to grip his arm. "On three. One, two, three," he said jerking Lex's arm down.
Lex screamed in pain and Clark took his hand. Lex squeezed as hard as he could as the doctor cleaned his cut and stitched it. When it was bandaged, put the cast on carefully and eased Lex's arm into a sling. "I'll come back in three weeks to remove the stitches. The cast can come off in six. I highly recommend keeping the sling at all times, but if you must take it off try not to move your arm too much," he explained putting his supplies back in his bag. "Clean and re-bandage the wound every couple of days. If it starts to bleed and won't stop, call me."
"Thank you, Doctor," Lex said as Doctor Vargas left.
"He didn't ask any questions. He didn't ask what happened," Clark pointed out.
"He is paid well to keep his mouth shut," Lex answered walking back to the others. He immediately went top Chloe and sat beside her.
"Your arm," she said groggily.
"I'm fine," Lex replied wrapping his good arm around her waist. Chloe laid her cheek against his chest. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen," Lex said kissing the top of Chloe's head.
"We know, Lex. We don't blame you," she said. On second thought she looked at Clark. "We don't blame anyone," she added.
"Let's go to bed, it's late," Clark said.
"Lana, do you think you can help Chloe get dressed," Lex asked as Chloe swayed. "I don't think she can do it on her own," he said stopping outside of Chloe's room.
"Of course," Lana said wrapping her good arm around Chloe's waist and taking her from Lex.
"We'll take turns waking her up," Clark said.
"No, I'll do it," Lex replied.
"Lex, you're in worse shape than she is. You need to sleep," Lana replied.
"No!" Lex demanded.
"Okay," Pete said. "Lex, at eleven, Clark at twelve, me at one, Lex at-"
"Me too," Lana said. "I'm hurt but not nearly as bad as Chloe or Lex. Let me help," Lana said leaving no room for discussion.
Pete nodded. "Lana at two, Lex at three, Clark at four, me at five, and so on," Pete said. "We can sleep in four hour intervals."
Lana nodded and half-carried Chloe to her room. "Chlo, you have to stand up for me," Lana told her.
Lana turned to get Chloe's bag and turned back in time to catch the girl.
"Clark!" Lana yelled.
Clark's door flew open. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"You're going got have to hold her up. I can't do it by myself," Lana replied.
Clark nodded and walked to the girls. He stood behind Chloe and put his hands on her waist. Chloe leaned back against him and gasped when her head connected with his chest. Lana pulled Chloe's nightclothes out of the bag, laid down the pants, and picked up the shirt.
"Come on, Chlo. You have to help us," Lana said softly. As Chloe started to take her shirt off Lana warned, "Clark, watch her head."
Clark obediently used one hand to ease the shirt over Chloe's bruised skull. Lana gently helped Chloe into her nightshirt before starting on her shoes and socks.
"It hurts so much," Chloe said slumping against Clark's chest.
"I know," he soothed, brushing her hair out of her face.
"Chlo," Lana said tapping Chloe's right calf, then her left to tell her to step into her pants.
When Chloe was dressed Clark lifted her into his arms and into bed. Lana covered her with the blankets. When Chloe closed her eyes, Lana put a hand on Clark's arm.
"Go to sleep. Lex has first shift, he'll wake us if anything is wrong," Lana told him.
Clark nodded in reply and they went to their separate rooms.
"What does everyone want to do now?" Lex asked after the quintet had talked for over an hour.
"What are our choices?" Lana asked.
"Swimming, hot tub, tennis, go-carts," Lex offered.
"You have a tennis court?" Lana asked.
At the same time Pete said, "You have go-carts?"
Lex laughed. They looked like two kids in a candy store. "Lana, yes. A few actually. Pete, no but I know where a private one is that we can have all to ourselves."
"Go-carts," Pete said.
"Go-carts," Clark agreed.
"Swim," Lana said.
"Chloe?" Lex asked.
"Everything?" she said amazed and everyone laughed.
"What about go-carts, then swimming?" Lex asked. "Is that okay, Lana?"
"Fine with me," she said excitedly.
"I sent the chauffeur home, so we'll have to take my car," Lex told them.
"Will we all fit in one car?" Clark asked.
"No. You'll have to drive one," Lex replied.
"You're going to let Clark drive your sportscar? I picked the wrong best friend," Pete exclaimed.
"Thanks," Clark muttered.
Lex led the friends to his large garage.
"Wow!" Pete said running from car to car. "Lamborghini, Boxter, Astin Martin, Porsche, Ferrari, Camaro!"
"Clark, take your pick," Lex said gesturing to the fleet of vehicles.
"How do I decide? I'll take the Boxter," Clark said after a moment.
"I'm with Clark!" Pete said happily
"That leaves us the Camaro," Lex replied tossing Clark the keys..
"Why?" Chloe asked.
"It's the only one that will hold more than two people," Lex said. "You know where the course is," Lex said to Clark.
"Let's get this baby on the road," Pete said jumping into the open- roofed car.
Clark laughed and climbed into the driver's seat. He started the car and carefully pulled it out of the garage.
Lex escorted the ladies to the Camaro and opened the passenger door for them.
"Uh, Chlo…" Lana started.
Chloe grinned. "You want to sit in front?"
Lana nodded. Chloe laughed and climbed into the back seat. When Lex revved the engine Lana's eyes got wide. Lex peeled out backwards and floored the gas pedal. Within seconds they had passed Pete and Clark in a blur of silver.
"Come on Clark. This is a Boxter, not a minivan," Pete urged.
When Lex, Lana, and Chloe passed them Pete tried again.
"Come on."
Clark laughed and floored the gas pedal.
"Oh, yeah," Pete shouted when they flew past Lex.
"Whoa! Clark's getting a little daring," Chloe said with a grin.
"Let's see just how daring," Lex said throwing the car into gear. The Camaro sped up and Chloe was tossed against the back seat. Lex pulled right up to the bumper of the Boxter before passing it and cutting them off. Then, he slowed and let Clark pass before doing it again.
"What is he doing?" Clark asked.
"I think he wants to play," Pete said with a goofy grin.
"Then we'll have to play along," Clark said slamming on the brakes.
"Whoa!" Lana yelled when Lex swerved past the stopped Boxter. The Camaro flew past the car.
"Hold on girls," he said twisting the steering wheel as hard as he could. The Camaro skidded across the road as it made a U-turn. Lex aimed it right at the Boxter.
"What's he doing?" Clark asked again.
"Playing chicken," Pete said, his grin getting even wider.
Clark grinned mischievously. "Let's see what this car can do," Clark said flooring the gas.
"Go Clark!" Pete yelled.
"Lex! What are you doing?" Chloe asked as the cars bore down on each other.
"Don't worry. I know Clark, he'll back down," Lex assured her.
"Clark, man, maybe this isn't a good idea," Pete said as the Boxter's speedometer rose past 65 miles per hour.
"Lex, he's not giving in," Lana said getting worried as the cars flew at each other.
"Wait for it," Lex said.
"Clark, we're getting too close. Pull back," Pete urged.
"Don't worry," Clark said.
"Lex! Please!" Chloe begged.
"Any second now," Lex said.
"We'll hit them!" Lana exclaimed as the cars came even closer.
"Clark, what's wrong with you?" Pete asked, not at all happy with Clark's newfound courage.
"I'm just trying to have fun," Clark said gunning the gas.
"Lex!" Chloe screamed as the cars came within feet of each other.
A second too late Lex realized Clark wasn't backing down. Lex jerked the wheel just in time to miss hitting the Boxter. Both girls screamed as the car spun out of control and skidded down the road. The back end collided with a telephone pole, causing the car to finally come to a stop.
"No!" Clark yelled turning the Boxter around and racing back to the Camaro.
"Oh, no," Pete said as Clark pulled beside the other car. Both boys jumped out and ran to the car. Clark jerked open the door. "Who's hurt?" he asked frantically.
Lana was shaking and holding her wrist. "I tried to brace myself when we spun. Then we hit the pole and I jammed my wrist into the dashboard."
Clark gingerly took her arm to feel for a break as Lex looked straight ahead in a daze. Pete moved beside Clark to Chloe. Chloe's eyes were foggy and she was holding the back of her head.
"Chlo?" Pete asked putting his hand behind her head.
"I hit my head," she replied her eyes swimming.
Pete's hand was wet when he pulled it away. "She's bleeding," he told Clark.
"Lex, are you hurt?" Clark asked.
"I-I-" Lex started.
"Pete, can you drive this car back to the mansion?" Clark asked.
"Yeah, sure," Pete replied.
"Lex, get out," Clark told his friend as he moved to the driver's side of the Camaro. "Come on, Chlo. Come with me," he said helping her out of the car. Clark took off his jacket and held it to her head.
"Ow," she complained falling against Clark in pain.
Clark winced. "Sorry. Lex get in back, Pete is going to drive you home," Clark told Lex.
When Lex was in the back, Pete climbed in and started the car. "Here, Lan," he said taking off his jacket. He laid it on her lap as a pillow for her sore wrist, then carefully started back to the mansion.
"Chloe? Chloe!" Clark called on the way back to Lex's.
"Don't scream, Clark," Chloe commanded.
"Then don't fall asleep," Clark countered.
"Lex, are you okay?" Lana asked turning in her seat.
"I could have killed you," Lex replied.
"But you didn't. Lex, are you hurt?" Lana asked.
"I don't know," Lex replied leaning against the seat.
"Ahh," Lana moaned when the Camaro hit a bump in the road.
"Sorry, Lana," Pete said in a worried tone.
"Clark, what are we going to do? I can't tell my dad what happened!" Chloe said.
"We'll figure it out. We have to take it one step at a time. We'll go to Lex's and figure it out from there," Clark replied. "Lex will know what to do."
Chloe gasped as a wave of pain hit her. She grabbed Clark's arm in a death grip.
"Chloe?" Clark asked as her grip eased on his arm.
"I'm okay," she said sighing in relief as the pain ebbed a little.
"What are we going to do?" Lana asked Lex.
"I don't know. God, I don't know. I shouldn't have been so stupid! I could have killed you and Chloe. Oh, Chloe! I don't even know how bad her head was," Lex said.
Chloe squeezed Clark's arm with every new wave of pain. "It hurts, Clark," she said breathing heavily.
"I know. We're almost there," Clark said in a soothing voice.
Lana winced as they pulled into Lex's garage. Pete climbed out and moved the seat to let Lex out, before moving to Lana.
Clark pulled in beside the Camaro and Lex opened the door to help Chloe out. As Chloe stepped out, she got dizzy and swayed. Lex caught her with one arm, and Clark grabbed her waist to steady her. Lex tightened his arm around Chloe's waist as he guided them into the closest room.
"Call Doctor Vargas," Lex commanded a servant.
"Yes, Mr. Luthor," she replied scurrying away.
Lex helped Chloe to the couch. "Pete?" he asked.
Pete understood and sat next to Chloe to support her.
"Lex, your shoulder," Clark said gesturing to the blood.
"It's Chloe's," Lex replied.
Clark's eyes narrowed for a moment before answering. "Not all of it. Take off your jacket.
Lex complied and almost screamed when he moved his shoulder. The sleeve of his shirt was covered in blood. "I can't move my shoulder like that again, Clark," Lex said, understanding that Clark meant for him to remove his shirt, also.
"This might hurt, but I have to see your arm," Clark said grabbing Lex's shirt and ripping off the sleeve.
Lex moaned.
"Oh, Lex," Lana gasped when she saw his arm. His arm was obviously broken right under the shoulder, and some of the bone could be seen through the skin.
"What's wrong?" Chloe asked her eyes darting around nervously. "Why did you say that?"
"Nothing, Chloe. Lex just hurt his arm," Lana said trying to calm the blond.
Chloe nodded, causing her eyes to swim. She laid her cheek against Pete's shoulder.
"Lex, don't move your arm," Clark said.
"That won't be a problem," Lex replied. "I couldn't move it if I wanted to."
"Chloe? Chloe!" Pete almost yelled.
"Chloe, wake up," Lana urged.
Chloe moaned. "Clark, I can't wake her up," Pete said nervously.
"Chloe, wake up now!" Clark demanded. When she didn't respond Clark pressed his fingertips to the back of her skull.
Chloe shrieked in pain and her eyes flew open.
"Stay awake, Chloe. You have to stay awake," Clark urged as Chloe began to cry.
"Clark, you didn't have to-" Pete started.
Clark cut him off. "Yes, I did. We don't know if she has a concussion. If she does and she falls asleep, she may not wake up," Clark told his friend as Doctor Vargas walked in.
"Who's hurt the worst?" he asked immediately, looking at Lex.
"Chloe. The blond," Lex said gesturing to Chloe. He almost laughed at his remark. Chloe's hair wasn't so blond anymore.
Doctor Vargas opened his medical bag and took out a penlight. "Follow the light with your eyes," he told Chloe. She tried her best as her eyes continued to swim. He put the light away and removed the jacket from her cut. He placed a towel at the base of her neck and pulled a bottle out of his bag. "This will burn, but I have to clean the cut to see how bad it is," Doctor Vargas said before pouring the liquid over her wound.
Chloe yelped in pain and grabbed Pete's hand.
"Most of the bleeding has stopped. You don't need stitches," Doctor Vargas said before turning to Lex. "She has a slight concussion. When she goes to bed, wake her every hour. If she doesn't wake up, call me."
Lex nodded, holding a towel to his arm. "Now, Lana," he said nodding toward the other girl.
Lana held out her wrist for the doctor. "I jammed it," she explained.
"It's not broken, just very badly sprained," he said pulling a brace out of his bag. "Wear this for four weeks."
Clark took the brace and eased it onto Lana's arm. "Now, Lex," he said moving to Lex's side.
Lex turned his shoulder to the doctor and pulled the towel away.
"I'll have to reset it," the doctor explained.
"In the other room," Lex said not wanting the girls to see his pain. "Clark, can you come with us?"
Clark nodded and followed Lex into a room a few doors down.
"I have to pull it to reset it. Before I put a cast on it, I need to stitch the cut. I'm going to give you a soft cast that can be removed, so you can redress the cut," Doctor Vargas said. "Sit on the stool."
Lex sat and Clark stood close beside him. Doctor Vargas put one hand on Lex's shoulder and used the other to grip his arm. "On three. One, two, three," he said jerking Lex's arm down.
Lex screamed in pain and Clark took his hand. Lex squeezed as hard as he could as the doctor cleaned his cut and stitched it. When it was bandaged, put the cast on carefully and eased Lex's arm into a sling. "I'll come back in three weeks to remove the stitches. The cast can come off in six. I highly recommend keeping the sling at all times, but if you must take it off try not to move your arm too much," he explained putting his supplies back in his bag. "Clean and re-bandage the wound every couple of days. If it starts to bleed and won't stop, call me."
"Thank you, Doctor," Lex said as Doctor Vargas left.
"He didn't ask any questions. He didn't ask what happened," Clark pointed out.
"He is paid well to keep his mouth shut," Lex answered walking back to the others. He immediately went top Chloe and sat beside her.
"Your arm," she said groggily.
"I'm fine," Lex replied wrapping his good arm around her waist. Chloe laid her cheek against his chest. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen," Lex said kissing the top of Chloe's head.
"We know, Lex. We don't blame you," she said. On second thought she looked at Clark. "We don't blame anyone," she added.
"Let's go to bed, it's late," Clark said.
"Lana, do you think you can help Chloe get dressed," Lex asked as Chloe swayed. "I don't think she can do it on her own," he said stopping outside of Chloe's room.
"Of course," Lana said wrapping her good arm around Chloe's waist and taking her from Lex.
"We'll take turns waking her up," Clark said.
"No, I'll do it," Lex replied.
"Lex, you're in worse shape than she is. You need to sleep," Lana replied.
"No!" Lex demanded.
"Okay," Pete said. "Lex, at eleven, Clark at twelve, me at one, Lex at-"
"Me too," Lana said. "I'm hurt but not nearly as bad as Chloe or Lex. Let me help," Lana said leaving no room for discussion.
Pete nodded. "Lana at two, Lex at three, Clark at four, me at five, and so on," Pete said. "We can sleep in four hour intervals."
Lana nodded and half-carried Chloe to her room. "Chlo, you have to stand up for me," Lana told her.
Lana turned to get Chloe's bag and turned back in time to catch the girl.
"Clark!" Lana yelled.
Clark's door flew open. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"You're going got have to hold her up. I can't do it by myself," Lana replied.
Clark nodded and walked to the girls. He stood behind Chloe and put his hands on her waist. Chloe leaned back against him and gasped when her head connected with his chest. Lana pulled Chloe's nightclothes out of the bag, laid down the pants, and picked up the shirt.
"Come on, Chlo. You have to help us," Lana said softly. As Chloe started to take her shirt off Lana warned, "Clark, watch her head."
Clark obediently used one hand to ease the shirt over Chloe's bruised skull. Lana gently helped Chloe into her nightshirt before starting on her shoes and socks.
"It hurts so much," Chloe said slumping against Clark's chest.
"I know," he soothed, brushing her hair out of her face.
"Chlo," Lana said tapping Chloe's right calf, then her left to tell her to step into her pants.
When Chloe was dressed Clark lifted her into his arms and into bed. Lana covered her with the blankets. When Chloe closed her eyes, Lana put a hand on Clark's arm.
"Go to sleep. Lex has first shift, he'll wake us if anything is wrong," Lana told him.
Clark nodded in reply and they went to their separate rooms.