…..The Next Day…..
……..Smallville Medical Center….
"Hey you're awake!" said Clark, a smile lighting up his face as he walked into Chloe's room and sat down in a chair next to her bed.
"Yeah and already bored out of my mind," said Chloe, her smile both a greeting and reaction to Clark's enthusiasm to see her. It was still a new thing to believe he wanted to see her for more than just being "good ole Chloe." "What have I missed?"
"Chloe it's only been a day." A long day he thought as he remembered her empty chair from the classes they shared.
"Clark this is Smallville," retorted Chloe. "You and I both know what can happen in a day in this town."
"Well I hope someone warns me one of these days," laughed a voice from the doorway.
"Hey Steve," said Clark as he turned slightly in his chair to nod at the young man in the doorway.
"Come in," said Chloe. "Clark seems to have snagged the only chair though."
"No problem," Steve shrugged. "I won't stay long I just wanted to see how you were doing."
"Like someone rolled my down a rocky hill," she replied. "I can't get a straight answer from anybody here about what happened. Except for the fact that I owe you at least a thank you."
"That's what friends are for," said Steve with a shrug and a smile.
"What's the last thing you do remember?" asked Clark.
"Well after Hank knocked us over I remember being tossed like a sack of your mom's potatoes," Chloe said after a moments thought. "What happened to him by the way, and who, or what tossed me??"
"Is this normal?
"I beg your pardon?" said Clark turning to look at Steve, who was standing at the edge of the bed with raised eyebrows and strange smirk on his face/
"I said is this normal," repeated Steve. "She's in the hospital for a mild concussion and a nearly broken arm, because she was tossed ten feet through air, directly in the path of a greyhound bus. The next day she's barely out of anesthesia before she starts asking questions. This is normal?"
"Pretty much," said Clark as he reached unconsciously for Chloe's good hand. "Chloe Sullivan reporter without fear."
Steve smiled inwardly at Clark's hand movements but kept the smile from reaching his face. "Well then on to the questions. Hank wasn't even admitted to the hospital. I heard a couple of Doctors talking to a woman who I guess was his mother. They said that he had a bruised jaw and black eye but nothing was broken. He also had some bandages on his hand for whatever that's worth."
"Hmmm," mused Chloe. "Sounds like he was in a fight or something. Why didn't you notice any of that Clark?"
"He was pretty distracted," said Steve with a smirk, which turned into a laugh, as Clark looked slightly embarrassed by the comment.
"Right," said Chloe with a straight face. Well distracted is a step in the right direction I guess. She thought. "So who threw me around?"
"I think I recognized him," replied Steve. "It looked like a guy in my Math class named Thomas Howard."
"Thomas Howard?" asked Clark in surprise.
"You know him?" said Steve.
"Only casually," said Clark. "Pete and he are both on the football team so I have seen him around. He's the smallest guy on the team. I wouldn't think he could pick Chloe up much less toss her around."
"One handed," added Steve.
"ONE handed?" echoed Clark in disbelief. Steve nodded.
"Well isn't that interesting," remarked Chloe with a sudden sparkle in her eyes.
"Oh no," muttered Clark and aimed a resigned smile in Chloe's direction.
"Now what?" said Steve.
"She's got that 'Wall of Weird' look," said Clark in a resigned tone of voice. Chloe's passion and determination were two of the things he loved most about her, except in times like this. "You are not getting out of here until the Doctors say so Chloe."
"I know," said Chloe in disgust. "More jello."
"The fascists," said Clark with a smile, which Chloe returned.
"I missed that one," said Steve staring at the smiles.
"Long story," explained Clark. "But she's right we need to figure it out. If it was Tom he was gone before I even got to my feet." Clark was also beginning to suspect where the meteor rock effect had come from but that was something he'd have to keep to himself.
"I'll make a reporter of you yet farm boy," grinned Chloe.
"You might," he smiled. "But I am also doing this in the vain hope you will TRY and get some rest while you are here instead of worrying about this."
"No promises Clark."
"Well we might as well get started," said Clark. As he stood and released Chloe's hand, not noticing the flash of disappointment that flashed across her face at the loss of the contact.
"We have some time," argued Steve. "The football guys are still practicing at the moment. They won't get out for at least another hour or so. I am feeling my post school munchies attack coming on so I am gonna go grab something to eat. Watching me eat is a pretty dull experience so you hang here and keep Chloe company." He grinned at them. "What say I meet you at the Talon in an hour and a half? "
"Sounds like a plan," said Clark as he sat back down and Chloe reclaimed his hand.
"Good," said Steve as he headed for the door. "And Chloe try and get some rest. Clark and I may not be Planet material but if we take good enough notes you should be able to fix whatever we mess up."
"Not with your handwriting," laughed Chloe. "I'd never be able to read the notes."
"Touché," said Steve from the doorway and then he was gone.
……….The Talon……..
………..Almost Two Hours Later……..
Clark walked into the packed Coffee shop. His eyes scanning around the maze of people as he looked for Steve. To his surprise he saw him at one of the tables by the front bar talk amiably with Lana. The even greater surprise was that it didn't really bother him all that much. A little over a month earlier a scene like that would have sparked at least a momentary flash of jealousy. As Clark paused and looked at Lana he realized that over the past few weeks even seeing her with Whitney didn't seem to bother him all that much anymore. The realization was surprising, but pleasantly so. Then Steve caught sight of him and waved.
"Hey Lana, Steve," said Clark as he weaved his way up to the table and grabbed a chair.
"Hey Clark," said Lana with a bright smile and the remnants of a chuckle. "Your friend here was just trying to distract me from this madness." She said indicating the crowd.
"Steve has a unique sense of humor," said Clark with a grin. Remembering some of Steve's rather dry and sometimes off color jokes of the past few days.
"Me?" said Steve with a touch of false shock in his voice.
"Yes you," agreed Lana with a laugh. "Well back to madness. It was nice meeting you Steve." She said standing.
"Likewise," said Steve with smile.
"Bye Clark. Tell Chloe I said I hope she feels better."
"I will. Bye Lana," said Clark before turning to Steve. "I passed the school on my way here and the fields looked empty. Sorry I'm late."
"They should be," snorted Steve. "You missed the muscle parade by about thirty minutes. They picked up their significant others and lit out for wherever they go when they aren't at school."
Clark's face fell. "I guess I was later than I thought."
"Don't worry about it," said Steve. "The coach let them off early today. I was able to ask a couple of questions before they took off. Besides I am sure Chloe needed the company. How is she really feeling?"
"Tired," said Clark. "She was dozing off when I left."
"Good. Best thing for a concussion is a nap."
"Really?" said Clark. "That sounds like an experienced answer."
Steve laughed. "It is. I climbed a lot of trees when I was little. Problem is I fell out of most of them."
"Trees in Gotham?"
"Cities have parks Clark," Steve said dryly. "Besides we lived in the suburbs before… well you know."
"Sorry, so what did you get?" asked Clark to change the subject. Steve had explained to his new friends that a drunk driver had killed his parents six months before precipitating his move to Smallville.
"A little bit," remarked Steve. "It seems that Thomas being a member of the JV team, even a non-playing one, doesn't sit well with anyone."
"Really?" said Clark.
"Yeah the guys don't like him cause he slows up practice a lot," explained Steve. "He's not much into sports, more of an intellectual I guess."
"That's right," said Clark. "I remember being surprised when he showed up to try out for the JV team."
"According to some the guys I talked to it looks like it may be parental incentive that got him to try out," said Steve as Clark raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Howard and his son apparently had it out a few months ago and enough of it was public for the team to get the general idea. Combined with the fact that the coach won't kick anyone off who is at least giving his best. And for all their annoyance at him they all admit he IS trying."
"Except Hank," Clark guessed.
"Chloe was right," nodded Steve with a grin. "She will make a reporter of you if you aren't careful. Hank apparently started riding him real hard after the incident with his dad. You know teasing him and trying to make him quit. Something has changed though."
"Oh?" said Clark. "Let me guess. He's started benching more than any of them."
"Right again," nodded Steve. "You sure you weren't hiding and watching me with a tape recorder?"
"Nope," said Clark. "I guess Chloe and the wall are starting to rub off."
"Can't say that's a bad thing," said Steve. "Anyways they say he started drinking some new kind of power drink and ZINNG he was benching two or three times what he was before. Another odd thing is that they say it hasn't improved anything else, just his muscles. He still can't keep up running or on any of the calisthenics that they do."
"So he's just gotten stronger," mused Clark thoughtfully.
"Yeah," Steve said. "Word is that Hank and he got into a fight yesterday and Thomas was pretty much cleaning his clock until Hank took off. The rest we know I guess."
"Yeah he ran into us," remarked Clark, and then mentally braced himself. "I don't remember if I ever thanked you."
"Thanked me?" he said surprised
"For helping Chloe,"
That must have hurt. He thought looking at his friend "Clark Chloe is my friend. From the first moment I walked into the Torch she refused to treat me like an outsider. You all are, I haven't been around here very long and u guys just seemed to suck me and make me part of the group. Hell I should be thanking you."
Clark shook his head. "It takes a good friend to have good friends Steve."
"We're even then," said Steve with a grin. "But I'm gonna be in trouble if I don't get home eventually," he added standing.
"And I promised Chloe I would bring her laptop too her," said Clark.
"Never keep a woman waiting," advised Steve the sage tone in his voice tainted by a smirk. "Especially that one."
"No argument," laughed Clark. "I'll bring her up to speed on what you figured out."
"Good maybe she'll have some ideas," muttered Steve as they walked to the door. "All I did was ask some questions. We still don't know the how yet."
"We will," said Clark. "See you tomorrow."
"On the flipside," agreed Steve, as the boys went their separate ways.
....Friday Lunchtime…
….Torch Office…..
Chloe walked silently into the doorway of the Torch's office and smiled at the sight. Clark was sitting alone in the office his with back to her, his posture she could tell he was rushing, and frustrated. Probably ran into a snag with the article program she thought. He usually does. He was typing furiously and kept referring to some papers beside him which looked like the notes they had sketched out together the night before in her hospital room. The Doctor has refused to let Clark bring the Laptop in, saying that it would distract her from her rest. So she and Clark had been forced to hand write a lot of the stuff that she wanted in this week's edition. A daunting task but together the two of them had gotten it done. She smiled again at that word, together.
"So how far behind are you," she asked brightly as he walked into the office.
"Chloe?" asked Clark in surprise as he spun his chair around.
"In the flesh," she said. She could see the concern in eyes. Beneath it however was the million-watt smile that always seemed to tug her heartstrings into knots. "I didn't sneak out Clark. They released me."
"Well then you should probably be home resting," he said.
"And leave the torch in your hands?" she said with a smirk. "The last time that happened it took me a week to undue the damage." Clark laughed as he stood up and hugged her. She hugged him back, breathing in all the things that were uniquely him. "So how far behind are you?" she asked as she pulled out of his embrace.
"Far enough that I wouldn't care even if you HAD snuck out," said Clark with a grin.
"Great," Chloe sighed. "Then lets get to work. Hey what happened there?" she asked suddenly pointing at one of the Torch's IMACS. It's side panel pulled off and half its innards pulled out over the table.
"Steve happened," said Clark sitting back down. "That's the one that keeps crashing all the time. Steve apparently ordered a replacement part for it."
"He did what??" exclaimed Chloe. "How did get the school to authorize that?"
"I didn't," said Steve from the door with a package under his arm. "I just bought it myself. Or rather I got my uncle to do it."
"Steve you can't do that," said Chloe. "Those part aren't cheap."
"Actually they are," said Steve package. "If you know someone who manufactures the right parts. My Uncle runs a plant for Wayne Enterprises in Gotham. They always have surplus stuff that they donate or sell cheaply to schools, hospitals, and stuff. Since this is for a school-funded activity my uncle shoehorned it into the 'donate' column. No sweat."
"Chloe say thank you," said Clark laughing at Chloe astonished expression
"Thank you," said Chloe a bit dumbstruck. "I just wish you'd been around when the Torch caught on fire."
"I doubt I would have been that much help," said Steve depreciatingly. "I don't ask my uncle for stuff very often. So he usually comes through, but there are limits. Now that I think about it though what are you doing here?"
"They let me out and my father just left for Metropolis for some seminar or other," said Chloe. "He'll be gone all weekend and so the house is empty. Very dull."
"So you came to school?" Steve said incredulously.
"No I came to the Torch.
"Totally different thing," agreed Clark with a grin.
"You two are nuts," said Steve. "Guess I'll have to fix this later," he added as the bell rang. "Coming Clark?"
"Go on Clark don't be late," she said as he opened his mouth to say he was going to finish the paper. "I can finish this. You've probably done enough damage for one day."
"Ok," said Clark as he picked up his book bag from the floor. "See you after class?"
"I'll be right here," she answered gesturing to her computer.
"Good," he said and before he could think about it leaned over and kissed her. Not long or deep but with more than friendly affection to it. Chloe was so stunned she just blinked at him a few times after he pulled away. Their eyes locked for a second as Clark's actions caught up with his brain. "Ummm…" he stuttered suddenly unsure why that had seemed like such a good idea a minute ago.
Chloe smiled at him and grabbed his hand to squeeze it. "See you later Clark."
"Yeah," he grinned back.
……..Smallville Medical Center….
"Hey you're awake!" said Clark, a smile lighting up his face as he walked into Chloe's room and sat down in a chair next to her bed.
"Yeah and already bored out of my mind," said Chloe, her smile both a greeting and reaction to Clark's enthusiasm to see her. It was still a new thing to believe he wanted to see her for more than just being "good ole Chloe." "What have I missed?"
"Chloe it's only been a day." A long day he thought as he remembered her empty chair from the classes they shared.
"Clark this is Smallville," retorted Chloe. "You and I both know what can happen in a day in this town."
"Well I hope someone warns me one of these days," laughed a voice from the doorway.
"Hey Steve," said Clark as he turned slightly in his chair to nod at the young man in the doorway.
"Come in," said Chloe. "Clark seems to have snagged the only chair though."
"No problem," Steve shrugged. "I won't stay long I just wanted to see how you were doing."
"Like someone rolled my down a rocky hill," she replied. "I can't get a straight answer from anybody here about what happened. Except for the fact that I owe you at least a thank you."
"That's what friends are for," said Steve with a shrug and a smile.
"What's the last thing you do remember?" asked Clark.
"Well after Hank knocked us over I remember being tossed like a sack of your mom's potatoes," Chloe said after a moments thought. "What happened to him by the way, and who, or what tossed me??"
"Is this normal?
"I beg your pardon?" said Clark turning to look at Steve, who was standing at the edge of the bed with raised eyebrows and strange smirk on his face/
"I said is this normal," repeated Steve. "She's in the hospital for a mild concussion and a nearly broken arm, because she was tossed ten feet through air, directly in the path of a greyhound bus. The next day she's barely out of anesthesia before she starts asking questions. This is normal?"
"Pretty much," said Clark as he reached unconsciously for Chloe's good hand. "Chloe Sullivan reporter without fear."
Steve smiled inwardly at Clark's hand movements but kept the smile from reaching his face. "Well then on to the questions. Hank wasn't even admitted to the hospital. I heard a couple of Doctors talking to a woman who I guess was his mother. They said that he had a bruised jaw and black eye but nothing was broken. He also had some bandages on his hand for whatever that's worth."
"Hmmm," mused Chloe. "Sounds like he was in a fight or something. Why didn't you notice any of that Clark?"
"He was pretty distracted," said Steve with a smirk, which turned into a laugh, as Clark looked slightly embarrassed by the comment.
"Right," said Chloe with a straight face. Well distracted is a step in the right direction I guess. She thought. "So who threw me around?"
"I think I recognized him," replied Steve. "It looked like a guy in my Math class named Thomas Howard."
"Thomas Howard?" asked Clark in surprise.
"You know him?" said Steve.
"Only casually," said Clark. "Pete and he are both on the football team so I have seen him around. He's the smallest guy on the team. I wouldn't think he could pick Chloe up much less toss her around."
"One handed," added Steve.
"ONE handed?" echoed Clark in disbelief. Steve nodded.
"Well isn't that interesting," remarked Chloe with a sudden sparkle in her eyes.
"Oh no," muttered Clark and aimed a resigned smile in Chloe's direction.
"Now what?" said Steve.
"She's got that 'Wall of Weird' look," said Clark in a resigned tone of voice. Chloe's passion and determination were two of the things he loved most about her, except in times like this. "You are not getting out of here until the Doctors say so Chloe."
"I know," said Chloe in disgust. "More jello."
"The fascists," said Clark with a smile, which Chloe returned.
"I missed that one," said Steve staring at the smiles.
"Long story," explained Clark. "But she's right we need to figure it out. If it was Tom he was gone before I even got to my feet." Clark was also beginning to suspect where the meteor rock effect had come from but that was something he'd have to keep to himself.
"I'll make a reporter of you yet farm boy," grinned Chloe.
"You might," he smiled. "But I am also doing this in the vain hope you will TRY and get some rest while you are here instead of worrying about this."
"No promises Clark."
"Well we might as well get started," said Clark. As he stood and released Chloe's hand, not noticing the flash of disappointment that flashed across her face at the loss of the contact.
"We have some time," argued Steve. "The football guys are still practicing at the moment. They won't get out for at least another hour or so. I am feeling my post school munchies attack coming on so I am gonna go grab something to eat. Watching me eat is a pretty dull experience so you hang here and keep Chloe company." He grinned at them. "What say I meet you at the Talon in an hour and a half? "
"Sounds like a plan," said Clark as he sat back down and Chloe reclaimed his hand.
"Good," said Steve as he headed for the door. "And Chloe try and get some rest. Clark and I may not be Planet material but if we take good enough notes you should be able to fix whatever we mess up."
"Not with your handwriting," laughed Chloe. "I'd never be able to read the notes."
"Touché," said Steve from the doorway and then he was gone.
……….The Talon……..
………..Almost Two Hours Later……..
Clark walked into the packed Coffee shop. His eyes scanning around the maze of people as he looked for Steve. To his surprise he saw him at one of the tables by the front bar talk amiably with Lana. The even greater surprise was that it didn't really bother him all that much. A little over a month earlier a scene like that would have sparked at least a momentary flash of jealousy. As Clark paused and looked at Lana he realized that over the past few weeks even seeing her with Whitney didn't seem to bother him all that much anymore. The realization was surprising, but pleasantly so. Then Steve caught sight of him and waved.
"Hey Lana, Steve," said Clark as he weaved his way up to the table and grabbed a chair.
"Hey Clark," said Lana with a bright smile and the remnants of a chuckle. "Your friend here was just trying to distract me from this madness." She said indicating the crowd.
"Steve has a unique sense of humor," said Clark with a grin. Remembering some of Steve's rather dry and sometimes off color jokes of the past few days.
"Me?" said Steve with a touch of false shock in his voice.
"Yes you," agreed Lana with a laugh. "Well back to madness. It was nice meeting you Steve." She said standing.
"Likewise," said Steve with smile.
"Bye Clark. Tell Chloe I said I hope she feels better."
"I will. Bye Lana," said Clark before turning to Steve. "I passed the school on my way here and the fields looked empty. Sorry I'm late."
"They should be," snorted Steve. "You missed the muscle parade by about thirty minutes. They picked up their significant others and lit out for wherever they go when they aren't at school."
Clark's face fell. "I guess I was later than I thought."
"Don't worry about it," said Steve. "The coach let them off early today. I was able to ask a couple of questions before they took off. Besides I am sure Chloe needed the company. How is she really feeling?"
"Tired," said Clark. "She was dozing off when I left."
"Good. Best thing for a concussion is a nap."
"Really?" said Clark. "That sounds like an experienced answer."
Steve laughed. "It is. I climbed a lot of trees when I was little. Problem is I fell out of most of them."
"Trees in Gotham?"
"Cities have parks Clark," Steve said dryly. "Besides we lived in the suburbs before… well you know."
"Sorry, so what did you get?" asked Clark to change the subject. Steve had explained to his new friends that a drunk driver had killed his parents six months before precipitating his move to Smallville.
"A little bit," remarked Steve. "It seems that Thomas being a member of the JV team, even a non-playing one, doesn't sit well with anyone."
"Really?" said Clark.
"Yeah the guys don't like him cause he slows up practice a lot," explained Steve. "He's not much into sports, more of an intellectual I guess."
"That's right," said Clark. "I remember being surprised when he showed up to try out for the JV team."
"According to some the guys I talked to it looks like it may be parental incentive that got him to try out," said Steve as Clark raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Howard and his son apparently had it out a few months ago and enough of it was public for the team to get the general idea. Combined with the fact that the coach won't kick anyone off who is at least giving his best. And for all their annoyance at him they all admit he IS trying."
"Except Hank," Clark guessed.
"Chloe was right," nodded Steve with a grin. "She will make a reporter of you if you aren't careful. Hank apparently started riding him real hard after the incident with his dad. You know teasing him and trying to make him quit. Something has changed though."
"Oh?" said Clark. "Let me guess. He's started benching more than any of them."
"Right again," nodded Steve. "You sure you weren't hiding and watching me with a tape recorder?"
"Nope," said Clark. "I guess Chloe and the wall are starting to rub off."
"Can't say that's a bad thing," said Steve. "Anyways they say he started drinking some new kind of power drink and ZINNG he was benching two or three times what he was before. Another odd thing is that they say it hasn't improved anything else, just his muscles. He still can't keep up running or on any of the calisthenics that they do."
"So he's just gotten stronger," mused Clark thoughtfully.
"Yeah," Steve said. "Word is that Hank and he got into a fight yesterday and Thomas was pretty much cleaning his clock until Hank took off. The rest we know I guess."
"Yeah he ran into us," remarked Clark, and then mentally braced himself. "I don't remember if I ever thanked you."
"Thanked me?" he said surprised
"For helping Chloe,"
That must have hurt. He thought looking at his friend "Clark Chloe is my friend. From the first moment I walked into the Torch she refused to treat me like an outsider. You all are, I haven't been around here very long and u guys just seemed to suck me and make me part of the group. Hell I should be thanking you."
Clark shook his head. "It takes a good friend to have good friends Steve."
"We're even then," said Steve with a grin. "But I'm gonna be in trouble if I don't get home eventually," he added standing.
"And I promised Chloe I would bring her laptop too her," said Clark.
"Never keep a woman waiting," advised Steve the sage tone in his voice tainted by a smirk. "Especially that one."
"No argument," laughed Clark. "I'll bring her up to speed on what you figured out."
"Good maybe she'll have some ideas," muttered Steve as they walked to the door. "All I did was ask some questions. We still don't know the how yet."
"We will," said Clark. "See you tomorrow."
"On the flipside," agreed Steve, as the boys went their separate ways.
....Friday Lunchtime…
….Torch Office…..
Chloe walked silently into the doorway of the Torch's office and smiled at the sight. Clark was sitting alone in the office his with back to her, his posture she could tell he was rushing, and frustrated. Probably ran into a snag with the article program she thought. He usually does. He was typing furiously and kept referring to some papers beside him which looked like the notes they had sketched out together the night before in her hospital room. The Doctor has refused to let Clark bring the Laptop in, saying that it would distract her from her rest. So she and Clark had been forced to hand write a lot of the stuff that she wanted in this week's edition. A daunting task but together the two of them had gotten it done. She smiled again at that word, together.
"So how far behind are you," she asked brightly as he walked into the office.
"Chloe?" asked Clark in surprise as he spun his chair around.
"In the flesh," she said. She could see the concern in eyes. Beneath it however was the million-watt smile that always seemed to tug her heartstrings into knots. "I didn't sneak out Clark. They released me."
"Well then you should probably be home resting," he said.
"And leave the torch in your hands?" she said with a smirk. "The last time that happened it took me a week to undue the damage." Clark laughed as he stood up and hugged her. She hugged him back, breathing in all the things that were uniquely him. "So how far behind are you?" she asked as she pulled out of his embrace.
"Far enough that I wouldn't care even if you HAD snuck out," said Clark with a grin.
"Great," Chloe sighed. "Then lets get to work. Hey what happened there?" she asked suddenly pointing at one of the Torch's IMACS. It's side panel pulled off and half its innards pulled out over the table.
"Steve happened," said Clark sitting back down. "That's the one that keeps crashing all the time. Steve apparently ordered a replacement part for it."
"He did what??" exclaimed Chloe. "How did get the school to authorize that?"
"I didn't," said Steve from the door with a package under his arm. "I just bought it myself. Or rather I got my uncle to do it."
"Steve you can't do that," said Chloe. "Those part aren't cheap."
"Actually they are," said Steve package. "If you know someone who manufactures the right parts. My Uncle runs a plant for Wayne Enterprises in Gotham. They always have surplus stuff that they donate or sell cheaply to schools, hospitals, and stuff. Since this is for a school-funded activity my uncle shoehorned it into the 'donate' column. No sweat."
"Chloe say thank you," said Clark laughing at Chloe astonished expression
"Thank you," said Chloe a bit dumbstruck. "I just wish you'd been around when the Torch caught on fire."
"I doubt I would have been that much help," said Steve depreciatingly. "I don't ask my uncle for stuff very often. So he usually comes through, but there are limits. Now that I think about it though what are you doing here?"
"They let me out and my father just left for Metropolis for some seminar or other," said Chloe. "He'll be gone all weekend and so the house is empty. Very dull."
"So you came to school?" Steve said incredulously.
"No I came to the Torch.
"Totally different thing," agreed Clark with a grin.
"You two are nuts," said Steve. "Guess I'll have to fix this later," he added as the bell rang. "Coming Clark?"
"Go on Clark don't be late," she said as he opened his mouth to say he was going to finish the paper. "I can finish this. You've probably done enough damage for one day."
"Ok," said Clark as he picked up his book bag from the floor. "See you after class?"
"I'll be right here," she answered gesturing to her computer.
"Good," he said and before he could think about it leaned over and kissed her. Not long or deep but with more than friendly affection to it. Chloe was so stunned she just blinked at him a few times after he pulled away. Their eyes locked for a second as Clark's actions caught up with his brain. "Ummm…" he stuttered suddenly unsure why that had seemed like such a good idea a minute ago.
Chloe smiled at him and grabbed his hand to squeeze it. "See you later Clark."
"Yeah," he grinned back.
