Chapter 16- Brush Off
"What's up, Chlo?" Clark asked the next morning.
Chloe's brow was furrowed in thought. "Have you talked to Lex lately?"
"Yeah, I talked to him last night," Clark answered noticing the emotion in Chloe's face. "Why?"
"I think he's been avoiding me this past week," Chloe said looking up at Clark as he took his normal seat on the edge of her desk.
"Why would you think that?"
"Well, when I call the mansion the servant either tell me that he isn't home, or he has the courtesy to talk long enough to tell me he can't talk. Oh, and then there's the three times that I've been at the Talon and he drove up. I saw him look around the parking lot. When his eyes land on my car, he drives off," Chloe said matter-of-fact.
"Maybe he just changed his mind," Clark reasoned.
"Clark, you know as well as I do that's not what happened," Chloe said.
"Give him another chance," Clark asked.
"I don't want to give him another chance. I want him to start acting like my boyfriend. Obviously I have to hurt, and it be his fault, before he pays attention to me," Chloe said hotly.
"Chloe, that's not fair," Clark said.
"I know, but I can't help it. I have spent too much of my life being screwed over by men to let him use me at his convenience," Chloe replied.
"Well, you have a chance to tell him how you feel tonight at the party," Clark said.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Author's Note: The song 'Let'er Rip' belongs to the Dixie Chicks.
"Thank you for the interview, Mrs. Gellar," Chloe said smiling at the elderly woman.
"You're such a beautiful, sweet young woman," Mrs. Gellar said taking Chloe's arm as they walked to the door. "You should keep that one," she said gesturing to Pete.
Chloe laughed. "We're just friends. I have a boyfriend," Chloe said.
"Do I know him?" the woman asked as Pete went ahead to the car.
"I'm sure you do. I'm dating Lex Luthor," Chloe told her.
"Luthor, eh? He's a very troubled young man. You'll do him a world of good, hon," Mrs. Gellar said.
"I hope so. Bye Mrs. Gellar," Chloe said walking to the car.
"Bye, honey. Drive safe!"
"We will," Pete replied as they climbed into the car. "Very wise woman."
"Yeah, well…" Chloe replied turning up the radio.
Pete handed his keys to the valet and Chloe took his arm when they got to the mansion. Chloe's eyes got wide at all the people, food, and live band in the grand ballroom.
"There's Lex," Chloe said removing her hand from Pete's arm. The two made their way to Lex, who was at the moment talking to three stuffy- looking men in suits.
"Lex," Chloe said walking up to him.
"Chloe, Pete. I'm glad you could make it," Lex said with his business smile.
"Do introduce us to this stunning young woman," one of the men said.
"You remember you already met Lana and Clark. These are their friends Chloe Sullivan and Pete Ross," Lex told them.
Chloe frowned at the introduction and waited for Lex to go on. "We really should find our friends," Chloe said curtly when Lex turned back to the men. She reclaimed Pete's arm and they walked away.
"That was cold," Pete commented.
"I was just showing him the courtesy he bestowed upon us," Chloe replied seeing Clark and Lana across the room.
"I was talking about Lex, not you," Pete clarified.
As soon as Chloe and Pete walked up Lana could tell something was wrong. Chloe's eyes flashed between pained and angered. "Guys, would you get us some sodas?" Lana asked, trying to get a moment alone to talk to Chloe. As soon as the guys were gone Lana started in with her questions. "What's wrong, Chlo? Did something happen?"
"Clark's friend! He introduced me as Clark's friend!" Chloe fumed.
"Everyone here knows Clark. Clark comes to all of these parties as moral support for Lex. Maybe Lex was just trying to clarify who you were," Lana reasoned.
"I'm his girlfriend. That's who!" Chloe said.
"Look, he's moved to another group. I'll go with you and let's try again," Lana offered.
"Fine," Chloe said and the girls walked to Lex.
"Ladies," Lex said when they walked up. "I would like you to meet my business associates, Roger Wallace, Gina Scott, and Eric Thomas. This is Lana Lang and Chloe Sullivan, Clark's girlfriend and best friend."
"Clark has good taste," Roger said.
"Thank you," Lana replied sweetly.
"Which one of you beautiful ladies is his girlfriend?" Gina asked.
"That would be me," Lana replied.
"Are you single?" Gina asked Chloe.
"Y-" Chloe started but was interrupted when Clark said her name.
"Here are your drinks, ladies," he said smiling.
Chloe took her drink and turned around to finish her sentence, but Lex had moved on to another group of people. "Again!" Chloe muttered under her breath.
"Again?" Pete asked. "You can't be serious."
"What are you talking about?" Clark asked confused.
"Lex introduced me as your friend. This is the second time, only this time he promoted me to best friend for good measure," Chloe said.
"Chlo-" Clark started.
"You have that amazing Kent charm, right Clark?" Chloe asked.
"So I've been told…by you mainly," Clark replied.
"Well, I am about to go work my amazing Sullivan charm," Chloe said smirking.
"You have some of that?" Pete teased.
"Watch it," Chloe warned walking away.
Chloe slipped her hand into the crook of Lex's arm and smiled sweetly at the people he was talking to.
Lana groaned when Lex removed her hand without looking at her. "Lex, Lex, Lex," Lana said to herself.
After the third failed attempt Chloe forced herself to chit-chat for a moment before stalking off. Pete and Clark started to go after her.
"Let me do it," Lana said putting a hand to each boys chest. She came back almost ten minutes later. "I can't find her."
"Isn't that her?" Pete asked pointing to the stage.
"Oh, no," Clark moaned. As the song faded out and a new one began, Chloe started to sing.
"I can tell there's something you don't wanna tell me"
"Isn't that your friend?" a woman asked Lex.
Lex tried to keep the anger from his face. "Yes it is."
"It's killing you cause the words are hard to find"
"She has a beautiful voice," the woman replied.
"Yes she does. Now back to business," Lex said dragging her attention away from Chloe.
"I know you want to break it to me gently
Well sweet baby say what's on your mind
Let'er rip, Let it fly
Come on baby say it, do you think I'm gonna cry"
"Excuse me," Lex said to his associates before walking to Clark, Lana, and Pete. "Clark, can I talk to you?" Lex growled.
"Of course," Clark replied.
"I ain't about to bawl, and I ain't gonna die
So if you're gonna say goodbye, don't take all day and night
Let'er rip, Let it fly"
"What is she doing?" Lex asked angrily.
"She's singing," Clark answered.
"I've never insulted your intelligence, Clark. Don't insult mine," Lex replied.
"Why the drama, we don't have to drag out this situation
It wasn't you, it wasn't me, sometimes
The chemistry don't ignite"
"Chloe has always loved music," Clark said.
"Do you have a point?" Lex asked.
"She likes music because it expresses emotion in a way nothing else can. She's trying to tell you how she feels. How you're making her feel," Clark explained.
"There ain't no rings, no mortgage, there ain't any complications
It's just a hyphenated word, get it out, I'm sure I'll be all right"
"Go, Chloe," Pete said grinning at his friend.
"Lex is not going to like this," Lana said looking to Clark and Lex.
"Oh, well. He'll get over it," Pete responded.
"Yeah, and probably at her expense," Lana answered.
"Let'er rip, Let it fly
Come on baby say it, do you think I'm gonna cry
I ain't about to bawl, and I ain't gonna die
So if you're gonna say goodbye
Don't take all day and night
Let'er rip, Let it fly"
"This is unacceptable," Lex said glaring at Chloe.
"Is Chloe your girlfriend?" Clark asked.
"Yes, as far as I know," Lex replied, his gaze not leaving Chloe.
"Then treat her like it," Clark responded kicking into 'Mother Bear' mode.
"It ain't no big deal, ain't no great loss
You and I are on the same train of thought
So you don't have to tell me where to get off
Maybe I misunderstood you, if you're leaving baby would you"
"Chloe can hold her own," Pete assured Lana.
"To tell you the truth, I think I'm more worried about Lex," Lana said and the two laughed.
"Let'er rip, Let it fly
Come on baby say it, do you think I'm gonna cry
I ain't about to bawl, and I ain't gonna die
So if you're gonna say goodbye
Don't take all day and night
Let'er rip, Let it fly"
As Lex made his way to Chloe he had to resist the urge to jerk her off of the stage and drag her into the next room. "Can I talk to you?" he asked through clenched teeth.
"Certainly," she answered forcing a smile.
Lex offered her his arm and they led her to the other room. As soon as they were out of the ballroom Chloe jerked her hand away.
"What the hell was that?" Lex asked, his composure slipping.
"I could ask you the same thing! Clark's best friend?!? Is that all I am to you?" Chloe yelled.
"Chloe, those were my business associates," Lex told her.
"Screw them! I should be more important to you," Chloe fumed.
"Chloe, you're fifteen. What-" Lex started.
Chloe cut him off. "Is that what's bothering you? That you're six years older than me? That doesn't matter to me. It doesn't matter to Clark, Lana, Pete, the Kents, or even Nell. It only matters to you!" Chloe raged.
"It doesn't matter to me, Chlo. It only matters to them," Lex said.
"Don't call me Chlo. That is reserved for people who care about me. If you cared enough about me it wouldn't matter what the people in that room would think," Chloe stated.
"You couldn't understand," Lex replied his temper flaring.
"What am I to you, Lex? Am I just Clark's best friend? I may be crazy but I thought I was more than that," Chloe said loudly. "I'm going home!"
When Chloe turned to leave Lex grabbed her arm roughly, forcing her to stay where she was. "You are more than Clark's friend," Lex growled.
"You're right, I'm his best friend. And don't you dare ever touch me like this again," Chloe fumed ripping her arm from Lex's strong grip. Chloe walked out the door to find Pete, Lana, and Clark. "Pete, will you take me home?"
"Of course, Chlo," Pete said wrapping his arm protectively around her shoulders. Pete looked daggers at Lex as they made their way down the hall.
"Lex?" Clark asked hesitantly.
Lex shook his head. His blue eyes were as cold as ice as he made his way back into the ballroom.
Lana took Clark's hand. When Clark looked at her she nodded and they went after their friends. They got outside just as Pete and Chloe were climbing into the car. Clark and Lana jumped into the backseat before Chloe could finish her protest.
"Guys, you didn't have to leave," Chloe said.
"Lex may not know where his priorities lie, but we do," Lana told her.
"Thank you," Chloe said sincerely.
"He did that to you," Pete said gesturing toward her arm. It was a statement but Chloe felt it needed answering. She nodded.
"He grabbed you?" Clark asked in disbelief.
Chloe looked at him as if to restate her theory of Lex's dark side.
"He shouldn't have done that," Clark almost growled, looking at Chloe's arm.
"Don't worry, he'll regret it," Chloe spat.
"You bet he will," Pete said angrily. "Nobody touches Chloe."
Lana was surprised by the anger in the boys' voices. She hadn't realized how protective they were of their best friend. They sounded like mother bears protecting their cub.
"Let me talk to him," Clark told Chloe.
"If you can get to him first, go right ahead," Chloe said squaring her shoulders.
"Oh, we'll get to him," Pete replied.
Chloe's face softened with her best friends' loyalty. "I'm sorry that I ruined everyone's chances for fun tonight. Why don't I make up for it by everyone staying at my house tonight? Maybe we can make something good come out of it."
"That's a great idea, Chlo," Lana replied smiling.
"I'm in. I'll take everyone home to get his or her stuff," Pete agreed turning the car around.
"You know how my parents feel about me staying overnight, but with Lana there I'm not sure they'll be so okay with it," Clark stated.
"I'll go in with you and explain," Chloe said with a smile. "Please? I want you all to be there."
"Okay," Clark agreed with a bright smile.
"Thank you, guys," Chloe said.
"We're always here for you," Lana replied.
"Pete, can we go by the grocer's to get snacks and things?" Chloe asked.
"Of course," Pete replied pulling into his driveway. "I'll bring some money to chip in. Be right back. Try not to talk about Lex until I can join in the fun."
"Clark? You look ready to explode. I've never seen you this angry, well except the time you got mad at your dad for- wait, I've never seen you this angry," Chloe said with a laugh.
"He shouldn't have laid his hands on you, Chloe," Clark said his voice getting louder.
"Clark, I'm fine. It doesn't hurt anymore," Chloe said.
"Let me see," Clark replied.
Chloe held out her arm and Clark traced Lex's fingerprints.
"That tickles," Chloe said with a laugh.
Clark brightened a little at her comment, but continued to examine her arm. Satisfied that there wasn't any permanent damage he let go.
"He's never done this before, right?" Lana asked hopefully.
"No. I've never seen him this mad. He brought it on himself," Chloe added as Pete hopped back into the car.
"What are you talking about?" Pete asked.
"Vengeance on Lex," Chloe replied with a short laugh.
Pete pretended to pout. "I told you to wait for me."
"Don't worry, we have plenty more Lex-bashing to go," Chloe said with a smile.
"You guys haven't slept over in the longest time, I miss it," Chloe said. On second thought she got a mischievous look in her eye and added. "Now we get to add Lana to our little group."
"Run, Lana!" Pete yelled.
"I plan on it," Lana replied laughing. "Be right back."
"Hey, don't scare her off," Clark warned Chloe.
"If you haven't done that already, it's not happening," Pete jabbed at Clark.
"Be nice," Clark replied in mock hurt.
"We're always nice," Chloe replied with her trademark smile.
"About as nice as the meteor freak of the week," Clark answered.
"Hey, don't forget our very own Miss Lana Lang was a meteor mutant for a while, too," Chloe said.
Pete laughed. "Not that long ago, either."
"Worthy of the wall of weird, I might add," Chloe said, her eyes bright.
"Alright, alright. I see when I've been beat," Clark told them as Lana came back.
"On to Clark's," Pete said pulling away from Lana's.
"Here, Chloe," Lana said handing Chloe a wad of bills. "For the snacks."
"Thank you, come again," Chloe said and they all burst into laughter.
At Clark's house Clark and Chloe jumped out of the car and ran to the front porch.
"Ha! Beat you again!" Chloe said in triumph.
"That's just because you didn't have to go around the car," Clark complained opening the front door.
"Hi, Mr. And Mrs. Kent," Chloe said to the couple at the kitchen table.
"Hello, Chloe. It's good to see you. I thought you two would still be at Lex's?" Mrs. Kent asked.
"We were. Let's just say it didn't go as planned. Lana and Pete are spending the night at my house. Can Clark come too?" Chloe asked sweetly.
"Lana's spending the night?" Mr. Kent asked skeptically.
"Yes. So is Pete. Lana will share the bed with me and the guys will sleep on the floor," Chloe assured him.
Mrs. Kent looked to her husband before answering. "Of course you can, Clark. Have fun."
"We will," Chloe replied taking Clark's hand and guiding him up the stairs.
"Are you really okay?" Clark asked throwing clothes into a bag.
"You mean besides my heart? Yes," Chloe replied. "Lex will be a totally different story, though."
Clark laughed. "He's on your list, isn't he? He's got it coming to him…hard…and he doesn't even know it. I would not want to be him," Clark said putting his arm around her shoulders.
Chloe laughed and squeezed his waist as they made their way back to the car.
"What's up, Chlo?" Clark asked the next morning.
Chloe's brow was furrowed in thought. "Have you talked to Lex lately?"
"Yeah, I talked to him last night," Clark answered noticing the emotion in Chloe's face. "Why?"
"I think he's been avoiding me this past week," Chloe said looking up at Clark as he took his normal seat on the edge of her desk.
"Why would you think that?"
"Well, when I call the mansion the servant either tell me that he isn't home, or he has the courtesy to talk long enough to tell me he can't talk. Oh, and then there's the three times that I've been at the Talon and he drove up. I saw him look around the parking lot. When his eyes land on my car, he drives off," Chloe said matter-of-fact.
"Maybe he just changed his mind," Clark reasoned.
"Clark, you know as well as I do that's not what happened," Chloe said.
"Give him another chance," Clark asked.
"I don't want to give him another chance. I want him to start acting like my boyfriend. Obviously I have to hurt, and it be his fault, before he pays attention to me," Chloe said hotly.
"Chloe, that's not fair," Clark said.
"I know, but I can't help it. I have spent too much of my life being screwed over by men to let him use me at his convenience," Chloe replied.
"Well, you have a chance to tell him how you feel tonight at the party," Clark said.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Author's Note: The song 'Let'er Rip' belongs to the Dixie Chicks.
"Thank you for the interview, Mrs. Gellar," Chloe said smiling at the elderly woman.
"You're such a beautiful, sweet young woman," Mrs. Gellar said taking Chloe's arm as they walked to the door. "You should keep that one," she said gesturing to Pete.
Chloe laughed. "We're just friends. I have a boyfriend," Chloe said.
"Do I know him?" the woman asked as Pete went ahead to the car.
"I'm sure you do. I'm dating Lex Luthor," Chloe told her.
"Luthor, eh? He's a very troubled young man. You'll do him a world of good, hon," Mrs. Gellar said.
"I hope so. Bye Mrs. Gellar," Chloe said walking to the car.
"Bye, honey. Drive safe!"
"We will," Pete replied as they climbed into the car. "Very wise woman."
"Yeah, well…" Chloe replied turning up the radio.
Pete handed his keys to the valet and Chloe took his arm when they got to the mansion. Chloe's eyes got wide at all the people, food, and live band in the grand ballroom.
"There's Lex," Chloe said removing her hand from Pete's arm. The two made their way to Lex, who was at the moment talking to three stuffy- looking men in suits.
"Lex," Chloe said walking up to him.
"Chloe, Pete. I'm glad you could make it," Lex said with his business smile.
"Do introduce us to this stunning young woman," one of the men said.
"You remember you already met Lana and Clark. These are their friends Chloe Sullivan and Pete Ross," Lex told them.
Chloe frowned at the introduction and waited for Lex to go on. "We really should find our friends," Chloe said curtly when Lex turned back to the men. She reclaimed Pete's arm and they walked away.
"That was cold," Pete commented.
"I was just showing him the courtesy he bestowed upon us," Chloe replied seeing Clark and Lana across the room.
"I was talking about Lex, not you," Pete clarified.
As soon as Chloe and Pete walked up Lana could tell something was wrong. Chloe's eyes flashed between pained and angered. "Guys, would you get us some sodas?" Lana asked, trying to get a moment alone to talk to Chloe. As soon as the guys were gone Lana started in with her questions. "What's wrong, Chlo? Did something happen?"
"Clark's friend! He introduced me as Clark's friend!" Chloe fumed.
"Everyone here knows Clark. Clark comes to all of these parties as moral support for Lex. Maybe Lex was just trying to clarify who you were," Lana reasoned.
"I'm his girlfriend. That's who!" Chloe said.
"Look, he's moved to another group. I'll go with you and let's try again," Lana offered.
"Fine," Chloe said and the girls walked to Lex.
"Ladies," Lex said when they walked up. "I would like you to meet my business associates, Roger Wallace, Gina Scott, and Eric Thomas. This is Lana Lang and Chloe Sullivan, Clark's girlfriend and best friend."
"Clark has good taste," Roger said.
"Thank you," Lana replied sweetly.
"Which one of you beautiful ladies is his girlfriend?" Gina asked.
"That would be me," Lana replied.
"Are you single?" Gina asked Chloe.
"Y-" Chloe started but was interrupted when Clark said her name.
"Here are your drinks, ladies," he said smiling.
Chloe took her drink and turned around to finish her sentence, but Lex had moved on to another group of people. "Again!" Chloe muttered under her breath.
"Again?" Pete asked. "You can't be serious."
"What are you talking about?" Clark asked confused.
"Lex introduced me as your friend. This is the second time, only this time he promoted me to best friend for good measure," Chloe said.
"Chlo-" Clark started.
"You have that amazing Kent charm, right Clark?" Chloe asked.
"So I've been told…by you mainly," Clark replied.
"Well, I am about to go work my amazing Sullivan charm," Chloe said smirking.
"You have some of that?" Pete teased.
"Watch it," Chloe warned walking away.
Chloe slipped her hand into the crook of Lex's arm and smiled sweetly at the people he was talking to.
Lana groaned when Lex removed her hand without looking at her. "Lex, Lex, Lex," Lana said to herself.
After the third failed attempt Chloe forced herself to chit-chat for a moment before stalking off. Pete and Clark started to go after her.
"Let me do it," Lana said putting a hand to each boys chest. She came back almost ten minutes later. "I can't find her."
"Isn't that her?" Pete asked pointing to the stage.
"Oh, no," Clark moaned. As the song faded out and a new one began, Chloe started to sing.
"I can tell there's something you don't wanna tell me"
"Isn't that your friend?" a woman asked Lex.
Lex tried to keep the anger from his face. "Yes it is."
"It's killing you cause the words are hard to find"
"She has a beautiful voice," the woman replied.
"Yes she does. Now back to business," Lex said dragging her attention away from Chloe.
"I know you want to break it to me gently
Well sweet baby say what's on your mind
Let'er rip, Let it fly
Come on baby say it, do you think I'm gonna cry"
"Excuse me," Lex said to his associates before walking to Clark, Lana, and Pete. "Clark, can I talk to you?" Lex growled.
"Of course," Clark replied.
"I ain't about to bawl, and I ain't gonna die
So if you're gonna say goodbye, don't take all day and night
Let'er rip, Let it fly"
"What is she doing?" Lex asked angrily.
"She's singing," Clark answered.
"I've never insulted your intelligence, Clark. Don't insult mine," Lex replied.
"Why the drama, we don't have to drag out this situation
It wasn't you, it wasn't me, sometimes
The chemistry don't ignite"
"Chloe has always loved music," Clark said.
"Do you have a point?" Lex asked.
"She likes music because it expresses emotion in a way nothing else can. She's trying to tell you how she feels. How you're making her feel," Clark explained.
"There ain't no rings, no mortgage, there ain't any complications
It's just a hyphenated word, get it out, I'm sure I'll be all right"
"Go, Chloe," Pete said grinning at his friend.
"Lex is not going to like this," Lana said looking to Clark and Lex.
"Oh, well. He'll get over it," Pete responded.
"Yeah, and probably at her expense," Lana answered.
"Let'er rip, Let it fly
Come on baby say it, do you think I'm gonna cry
I ain't about to bawl, and I ain't gonna die
So if you're gonna say goodbye
Don't take all day and night
Let'er rip, Let it fly"
"This is unacceptable," Lex said glaring at Chloe.
"Is Chloe your girlfriend?" Clark asked.
"Yes, as far as I know," Lex replied, his gaze not leaving Chloe.
"Then treat her like it," Clark responded kicking into 'Mother Bear' mode.
"It ain't no big deal, ain't no great loss
You and I are on the same train of thought
So you don't have to tell me where to get off
Maybe I misunderstood you, if you're leaving baby would you"
"Chloe can hold her own," Pete assured Lana.
"To tell you the truth, I think I'm more worried about Lex," Lana said and the two laughed.
"Let'er rip, Let it fly
Come on baby say it, do you think I'm gonna cry
I ain't about to bawl, and I ain't gonna die
So if you're gonna say goodbye
Don't take all day and night
Let'er rip, Let it fly"
As Lex made his way to Chloe he had to resist the urge to jerk her off of the stage and drag her into the next room. "Can I talk to you?" he asked through clenched teeth.
"Certainly," she answered forcing a smile.
Lex offered her his arm and they led her to the other room. As soon as they were out of the ballroom Chloe jerked her hand away.
"What the hell was that?" Lex asked, his composure slipping.
"I could ask you the same thing! Clark's best friend?!? Is that all I am to you?" Chloe yelled.
"Chloe, those were my business associates," Lex told her.
"Screw them! I should be more important to you," Chloe fumed.
"Chloe, you're fifteen. What-" Lex started.
Chloe cut him off. "Is that what's bothering you? That you're six years older than me? That doesn't matter to me. It doesn't matter to Clark, Lana, Pete, the Kents, or even Nell. It only matters to you!" Chloe raged.
"It doesn't matter to me, Chlo. It only matters to them," Lex said.
"Don't call me Chlo. That is reserved for people who care about me. If you cared enough about me it wouldn't matter what the people in that room would think," Chloe stated.
"You couldn't understand," Lex replied his temper flaring.
"What am I to you, Lex? Am I just Clark's best friend? I may be crazy but I thought I was more than that," Chloe said loudly. "I'm going home!"
When Chloe turned to leave Lex grabbed her arm roughly, forcing her to stay where she was. "You are more than Clark's friend," Lex growled.
"You're right, I'm his best friend. And don't you dare ever touch me like this again," Chloe fumed ripping her arm from Lex's strong grip. Chloe walked out the door to find Pete, Lana, and Clark. "Pete, will you take me home?"
"Of course, Chlo," Pete said wrapping his arm protectively around her shoulders. Pete looked daggers at Lex as they made their way down the hall.
"Lex?" Clark asked hesitantly.
Lex shook his head. His blue eyes were as cold as ice as he made his way back into the ballroom.
Lana took Clark's hand. When Clark looked at her she nodded and they went after their friends. They got outside just as Pete and Chloe were climbing into the car. Clark and Lana jumped into the backseat before Chloe could finish her protest.
"Guys, you didn't have to leave," Chloe said.
"Lex may not know where his priorities lie, but we do," Lana told her.
"Thank you," Chloe said sincerely.
"He did that to you," Pete said gesturing toward her arm. It was a statement but Chloe felt it needed answering. She nodded.
"He grabbed you?" Clark asked in disbelief.
Chloe looked at him as if to restate her theory of Lex's dark side.
"He shouldn't have done that," Clark almost growled, looking at Chloe's arm.
"Don't worry, he'll regret it," Chloe spat.
"You bet he will," Pete said angrily. "Nobody touches Chloe."
Lana was surprised by the anger in the boys' voices. She hadn't realized how protective they were of their best friend. They sounded like mother bears protecting their cub.
"Let me talk to him," Clark told Chloe.
"If you can get to him first, go right ahead," Chloe said squaring her shoulders.
"Oh, we'll get to him," Pete replied.
Chloe's face softened with her best friends' loyalty. "I'm sorry that I ruined everyone's chances for fun tonight. Why don't I make up for it by everyone staying at my house tonight? Maybe we can make something good come out of it."
"That's a great idea, Chlo," Lana replied smiling.
"I'm in. I'll take everyone home to get his or her stuff," Pete agreed turning the car around.
"You know how my parents feel about me staying overnight, but with Lana there I'm not sure they'll be so okay with it," Clark stated.
"I'll go in with you and explain," Chloe said with a smile. "Please? I want you all to be there."
"Okay," Clark agreed with a bright smile.
"Thank you, guys," Chloe said.
"We're always here for you," Lana replied.
"Pete, can we go by the grocer's to get snacks and things?" Chloe asked.
"Of course," Pete replied pulling into his driveway. "I'll bring some money to chip in. Be right back. Try not to talk about Lex until I can join in the fun."
"Clark? You look ready to explode. I've never seen you this angry, well except the time you got mad at your dad for- wait, I've never seen you this angry," Chloe said with a laugh.
"He shouldn't have laid his hands on you, Chloe," Clark said his voice getting louder.
"Clark, I'm fine. It doesn't hurt anymore," Chloe said.
"Let me see," Clark replied.
Chloe held out her arm and Clark traced Lex's fingerprints.
"That tickles," Chloe said with a laugh.
Clark brightened a little at her comment, but continued to examine her arm. Satisfied that there wasn't any permanent damage he let go.
"He's never done this before, right?" Lana asked hopefully.
"No. I've never seen him this mad. He brought it on himself," Chloe added as Pete hopped back into the car.
"What are you talking about?" Pete asked.
"Vengeance on Lex," Chloe replied with a short laugh.
Pete pretended to pout. "I told you to wait for me."
"Don't worry, we have plenty more Lex-bashing to go," Chloe said with a smile.
"You guys haven't slept over in the longest time, I miss it," Chloe said. On second thought she got a mischievous look in her eye and added. "Now we get to add Lana to our little group."
"Run, Lana!" Pete yelled.
"I plan on it," Lana replied laughing. "Be right back."
"Hey, don't scare her off," Clark warned Chloe.
"If you haven't done that already, it's not happening," Pete jabbed at Clark.
"Be nice," Clark replied in mock hurt.
"We're always nice," Chloe replied with her trademark smile.
"About as nice as the meteor freak of the week," Clark answered.
"Hey, don't forget our very own Miss Lana Lang was a meteor mutant for a while, too," Chloe said.
Pete laughed. "Not that long ago, either."
"Worthy of the wall of weird, I might add," Chloe said, her eyes bright.
"Alright, alright. I see when I've been beat," Clark told them as Lana came back.
"On to Clark's," Pete said pulling away from Lana's.
"Here, Chloe," Lana said handing Chloe a wad of bills. "For the snacks."
"Thank you, come again," Chloe said and they all burst into laughter.
At Clark's house Clark and Chloe jumped out of the car and ran to the front porch.
"Ha! Beat you again!" Chloe said in triumph.
"That's just because you didn't have to go around the car," Clark complained opening the front door.
"Hi, Mr. And Mrs. Kent," Chloe said to the couple at the kitchen table.
"Hello, Chloe. It's good to see you. I thought you two would still be at Lex's?" Mrs. Kent asked.
"We were. Let's just say it didn't go as planned. Lana and Pete are spending the night at my house. Can Clark come too?" Chloe asked sweetly.
"Lana's spending the night?" Mr. Kent asked skeptically.
"Yes. So is Pete. Lana will share the bed with me and the guys will sleep on the floor," Chloe assured him.
Mrs. Kent looked to her husband before answering. "Of course you can, Clark. Have fun."
"We will," Chloe replied taking Clark's hand and guiding him up the stairs.
"Are you really okay?" Clark asked throwing clothes into a bag.
"You mean besides my heart? Yes," Chloe replied. "Lex will be a totally different story, though."
Clark laughed. "He's on your list, isn't he? He's got it coming to him…hard…and he doesn't even know it. I would not want to be him," Clark said putting his arm around her shoulders.
Chloe laughed and squeezed his waist as they made their way back to the car.