Chapter 4- Day Three
"Let's make up Mastercard commercials for each other," Lana said, her face lighting up.
The five friends were sitting on the beach in their bathing suits, with their feet in the water.
"Where do you get these crazy ideas?" Chloe asked, digging her toe into the sand.
"I'm just creative, that's all," Lana replied, picking up a hand full of wet sand and letting it dribble down her leg. "It will be fun. For example, One tractor: $500. Gas to drive the tractor: $15. Getting caught in the meteor shower while on said tractor: Priceless. There are some things money can't buy. For everything else, there's Smallville."
Clark, Pete, and Chloe burst into laughter.
"That's too much, Lana," Chloe said, trying to control herself. "Let me do one! One red rose: $3.95. One new silk shirt: $19.95. Acting like a Vegas bookie picks your date: Priceless. Some things money can't buy. For everything else there's Pete Ross."
"Hey," Pete complained, trying not to smile. "How about this one? Bottle of Rogaine: $15.99. Case of Tynant: $30.95. Eating greasy fried fish with four teenagers: Priceless. Some things money can't buy. For everything else there's Lex Luthor."
Lex shook his head in amusement. "Rogaine won't help. I've tried."
Everyone erupted into laughter once again. It took a few minutes for them to calm down. When they finally did Clark spoke up.
"Digital camera: $195. Laptop: $1200. Having a meteor theory for each and every circumstance: Priceless. Some things money can't buy. For everything else there's Chloe Sullivan," Clark said proudly.
"Man, that was lame," Pete replied, rolling his eyes.
"Think you can do better?" Clark asked, defiance in his eyes.
"Yes. Flippy haircut: $20. Cell phone: $50. Having the hottest guy in school as a best friend: Priceless," Pete said, grinning at Chloe.
"You think I'm the hottest guy in school?" Clark asked in mock amazement.
Pete threw a hand full of wet sand at Clark. The sand clung to Clark's hair.
Lana leaned close in to Chloe. "I think they're fighting over you," she whispered before leaning back.
Chloe shot a dirty look at Lana. "All that makeup has gotten into your bloodstream and screwed with your brain."
Lana shrugged, not taking her eyes from the sand.
"I've got one," Lex announced. "Reconstruction of the Talon: $3,000. Extra plates after all are broken: $50. Being in a partnership with the town pariah: Priceless. Some things money can't buy. For everything else there's Lana Lang."
Lana laughed. "The town Pariah, huh? And I was not the one who broke all those plates."
"Sure," Lex said, unconvinced. His eyes twinkled as he looked at Lana.
"Flannel shirt in red: $9.99. Same shirt in blue: $9.99. Being able to pull off wearing the same shirt in red and blue: Priceless. Some things money can't buy. For everything else there's Clark Kent," Lana said, her mouth curling into a bright smile.
"I happen to like that shirt," Clark said, jutting out his chin.
"You look good in blue," Chloe told him with a smile. "You look good in-"
"And we're moving on," Pete said hurriedly. "Is that everyone?"
"Yep," Clark answered, looking at the sand. A blush was creeping up his tan cheeks.
"What fun do you have in store for us now, Miss Lang?" Chloe asked.
"Let's bury one of the guys in the sand. Do you remember that episode of 'Friends' where they went to the beach house?" Lana asked, becoming excited.
"Yeah. Joey fell asleep so they covered him in sand and made him look like a mermaid," Pete finished, slowly inching away from Chloe. "You guys are SO not doing that to me!"
Chloe narrowed her eyes and a malicious grin took over her face. "Oh, Cla-ark."
"No, no, no," Lana said, shaking her head. Her face matched Chloe's as she turned to Lex.
Lex stood without a word and started to walk back to the cabin. Pete stood and followed him , catching up to him quickly. Chloe leaned into Lana and whispered in her ear. Lana nodded once and both girls stood. They looked at each other with a mischievous smile before running after Lex and Pete. When they caught up to them Lana jumped on Lex's back and Chloe jumped on Pete's back.
"Hey, guys. Where ya' goin'?" Chloe asked sweetly.
"You forgot that we were going to bury you in the sand," Lana said, batting her eyelashes.
Lex laughed, causing Lana to slip down his back. He quickly readjusted her. "We didn't forget, Miss Lang. We were trying to make a safe getaway."
Lana leaned down to whisper in Lex's ear. "It didn't work."
"I see that," Lex said with a smile.
Chloe wrapped her arms around Pete's shoulders. "You know you wanted to be a mermaid."
Pete firmly shook his head. "Uh-uh."
"Okay, what about a sexy merman?" Chloe asked, shaking her wet hair out of her face.
"The sexy I can live with," Pete replied. "The being covered in sand is the part I can't."
Lex stopped walking and turned to Pete. "What do you suggest we do with these leeches?"
Pete stopped and pretended to think.
"Don't think too hard, you might hurt yourself," Chloe said bursting into laughter. She laughed so hard that she let go of Pete and fell to the sand.
"That might work," Lex said thoughtfully.
Lana began to laugh at Lex's concentrated expression. She also let go and fell to the sand.
Chloe stood and brushed herself off. "We don't need you, do we Lana? We have Clark."
"But, Chloe," Lana complained under her breath, shooting a pained look at Chloe.
Chloe looked at Lana and they seemed to talk to each other with their eyes. Chloe doubled over in laughter. "You have got to be kidding me."
Lana stuck out her lip in a pout. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"Lana, you are one crazy girl," Chloe said, holding onto Pete for support.
"What's so funny?" Clark asked, walking up to the group.
"Lana-" Chloe began, between fits of laughter. When she saw Clark's expression all laughter escaped in a rush. "Nothing, Clark."
"Let's go sit in the hammocks," Lana suggested, starting to walk away.
"What hammocks?" Chloe asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I went exploring yesterday. Behind the cabin are four hammocks," Lana said over her shoulder.
Chloe shrugged at the guys and began to follow Lana. By the time they got around the cabin Lana was already positioning herself in one of the smooth, white, cotton hammocks. Lex climbed into the one closest to him and laid back. Chloe quickly scrambled to the next open hammock, leaving Pete and Clark to share the last one.
"Did you have someone plant the trees like this so that they would be in a circle?" Chloe asked, letting her legs dangle from the side of the hammock.
Lana laughed, but quickly sobered at Chloe's expression. "Oh, you were serious."
"Yes, Chloe. I am what you would call a perfectionist," Lex answered, one arm hanging out of the hammock.
"I like you like this," Lana told Lex before blushing deeply.
Lex smirked. "Like what?"
"Laid back," Lana answered, toying with a strand of dark wet hair. "Like you're being Lex and not Luthor."
Lex laughed outright. "Nice way of putting it, but I'm glad."
"I never thought I would see Lex Luthor eating fried fish, or swimming in a lake, or taking a hike, or-" Pete rambled on.
"I get the point, Pete," Lex interrupted, trying not to laugh. "That's just because the only time any of you see me is when I am conducting business in Smallville."
"I see you other times," Clark said, looking at Lex. "You act like this then."
"That's because it's just me and you. No business associates, or reporters. No offense ladies," Lex added as an afterthought.
"We know you didn't mean us," Chloe assured him, leaning down to pick up a leaf. She twirled it in her fingers, then let it float down to the ground. "I feel too lazy."
Clark laughed. "Lazy is never good with you."
"What can we do?" Lana asked, swinging herself in the hammock.
Chloe stood. "We are a bunch of lazy bums. We have to do something."
"We could go out on my boat," Lex supplied, twisting his head to look at Chloe.
"You never told us you had a boat," Chloe said, her eyes wide in eager excitement.
"You never asked," Lex said simply. He stood and walked to Chloe. "I'm Lex Luthor. Most people just assume that I have one of everything."
"Do you?" Lana asked, walking to them. "Have one of everything?"
Lex laughed. "Pretty much."
"I'm hungry," Pete complained, climbing from the hammock.
"Then we'll eat on the boat," Lex told him, shaking his head in fond amusement. "You'll need towels."
"Let's go," Lana told Chloe, her eyes filled with excitement. Lana grabbed Chloe's arm and half dragged her back to the cabin.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Lex, do you have a tube?" Clark asked, walking down the boat to stand next to his friend.
Lex turned to Clark, one corner of his mouth curling into a smile. "What do you think, Clark?"
"Chloe, let's go tubing," Clark said, jogging back to Chloe and pulling her from the floor of the boat.
Chloe laughed. "Calm down. You're going to pull my arm off. What do they feed you on that farm?" she asked, rubbing her arm.
Clark blushed. "Sorry. Want to go with me?"
Chloe smiled brightly. "Sure."
"We have to blow it up," Lex told them, pointing to a compartment.
Clark opened the compartment and pulled out the tube, and air compressor. He began to unfold the tube when Lex stopped him.
"In the water, Clark. It's too big to blow up in the boat," Lex told him, reaching down for the compressor. "Chloe, sit on the back of the boat. Clark get in the water, and you two unfold it. Chloe can blow it up."
Clark jumped into the water and Chloe handed him the folded up vinyl square. When it was unfolded Lex handed Chloe the air compressor and she flipped it on and started to blow up the tube.
"This thing is huge," Chloe said, watching as the tube filled with air and began to take on a round shape.
"It fits three people," Lex said, sitting behind Chloe.
Chloe turned, "Pete, go with us?"
Pete grinned and jumped out of his seat. "Oh, yeah." He skipped/walked to Chloe's side. When he got there he turned back, his face becoming serious. "What about Lana?"
Lana smiled sweetly. "Lex and I can take the next turn."
"That's enough, Chloe," Lex said, pressing on the tube to check the air pressure. Lex tied it to the boat and took Chloe's hand to help her in.
"Come on guys. What are you waiting for?" Chloe asked, settling into the tube.
Clark laughed and used the handles to climb out of the water and into the tube. Pete quickly followed.
"Let's ride some waves," Pete shouted at Lex. Pete pulled his shirt off and threw it on the deck, leaving him in only his swim trunks.
"Pete, that was just corny," Chloe said, looking at his discarded shirt.
"I try," Pete said with a sexy grin. He reached over and slapped Chloe's thigh.
Chloe's jaw dropped. "Pete Ross if you try that one mooorrrr-" Chloe was thrown back when Lex kicked the boat into gear.
The sound of the boat breaking through the waves made talking impossible. The three had to do their best not to fall out of the tube.
"Wuss is done," Clark yelled to Chloe. He was desperately hanging onto the handles.
"What?" Chloe screamed back.
Clark tried to get closer. "This is fun," he shouted.
Chloe laughed and shook her head at the misunderstanding.
Lana was sitting on a chair in the boat watching her friends ride the tube.
"Lana, want to drive?" Lex asked, turning to the brunette.
Lana's face lit up. "Really? Can I?"
Lex nodded and Lana walked to him. She moved in front of him and he put her hands on the steering wheel.
"I'll take care of everything else. You just worry about steering," Lex said, moving to the side a few feet.
Lana frowned at the loss of contact. She quickly became happy as she made the boat do zigzags.
"Careful now," Lex warned her, pulling the wheel a little to the left. "You have to remember that the tube isn't immediately reacting to the movements of the boat. It takes a split second longer for. You have to keep an eye on it."
Lana grinned. "I'm driving Lex Luthor's boat."
"Would you be as excited if you were driving someone else's boat?" Lex asked with an amused smile. He was enjoying the way Lana's long, black hair rippled in the wind like silk.
Lana became serious and turned to Lex. "You know I would." With her eyes on Lex, Lana didn't see the rock ahead of them. Lex saw it and he quickly jerked the wheel as hard as he could. The boat narrowly missed the rock, but the tube slammed into it at full force.
"Shit," Lex muttered, roughly pushing Lana out of the way. He stopped the boat as quickly as he could and ran to the back.
Clark looked up at Lex, his eyes wide in worry and fear.
"Who's hurt?" Lex asked quickly, surveying the teens.
Lana looked over Lex's shoulder, her eyes full of tears threatening to escape.
Chloe was holding her wrist, her eyes locked on the blood coming from the cut. She seemed to be in a trance.
"Chloe," Lana whispered in horror.
"Clark, help her up here," Lex said, reaching for the blond. "She must have landed on her hand."
Clark grabbed Chloe's waist and hoisted her up to Lex.
"Lana, there's towels under the seat. Get one and wrap it around Chloe's hand," Lex told her, setting Chloe in one of the seats. "Pete, are you okay?"
Pete tried to stand, but his legs buckled beneath him. "I hit the rock with my hip," he explained, feeling the tender flesh.
"Clark?" Lex asked, turning to his best friend. His eyes were full of guilt.
Clark shook his head. "Pete and Chloe got most of the brunt."
Lex nodded, and Clark carefully moved to help Pete into the boat.
When Lex turned back to Chloe her eyes looked clearer.
"Chloe, are you okay?" Lex asked, moving to her side.
Chloe shook her head. "The rock sliced through the bottom of the tube. I landed on the edge with my hand. I think I need stitches."
"Can I look?" Lex asked, gently unwrapping her arm. The cut was deep, but not very long. It was bleeding profusely and didn't show any sign of stopping. "We need to get you to the hospital. Clark, untie the tube and throw it away from the boat." Lex re-wrapped Chloe's hand and turned around to face Pete.
"How bad are you hurt?" he asked.
Pete removed his hand from his thigh. "It's not cut. I think it's just bruised."
Lex nodded and walked to the front of the boat.
Lana was sitting at the front of the boat; her eyes were in her lap. As Lex stepped to the wheel a single tear fell from her eye.
Lex started the boat, and headed toward the dock. When they were on their way he reached over and placed a hand on Lana's shoulder. It was the only way he knew to comfort her.
Lana looked up at Lex and the look in her eyes broke his heart. He squeezed her shoulder once more before turning back to the water.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Am I done yet?" Chloe asked, wiggling restlessly on the examination table.
The doctor smiled. "Almost." She reached over and tore off a piece of tape to secure the gauze wrapping on Chloe's hand. "There. All done. Keep it out of water, okay?"
Chloe nodded and hopped down from the table.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Clark asked worriedly. Clark hadn't left her side since they had gotten to the emergency room. Most of the time he had been so close to Chloe that she could feel him.
Chloe looked up at Clark. "I'm fine. Let's go find Pete."
Clark wrapped a protective arm around Chloe's shoulders and led her down the hallway. The first thing they saw when they got to the waiting room was Lana. She was sitting alone, her eyes red and wet.
Chloe rushed to her. "Lana, where's Pete?"
Lana shook her head. "He's in x-ray. Lex went with him. The doctor said nothing was broken, but Lex insisted on an x-ray, and you know that Lex is good at persuading people." Lana wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and stood up. "How are you?"
Chloe held up her bandaged hand. "I've had worse," she said with a bright smile.
Lana laughed, her breath ragged.
Chloe looked into Lana's eyes, searching them with her own. "It's not your fault, Lana."
"You can't say that. You don't know what happened, Chloe," Lana said sadly. "Lex let me drive the boat. He told me that the tube didn't react at the same time that the boat did. I wasn't looking at the water when we neared the rock. Lex pulled the wheel, but the tube kept going. If I had been watching the water it wouldn't have happened."
Chloe grinned slyly. "I'm sure what you were looking at was much more appealing."
Lana laughed outright. "Well, you are right about that."
"Let's see if we can go find Pete," Chloe said, walking to the nurse's station. "Excuse me. Our friend Pete Ross was admitted to x-ray. Is there any way we can go see him?"
"I'm afraid not. He's wi-" the nurse started.
"He's with Lex Luthor. Can we go see Lex?" Lana asked, squeezing up to the desk beside Chloe.
The nurse nodded. "Go down this hallway. Turn right at the first hallway you get to, then left at the next."
"Thank you so much," Lana said, turning quickly.
When they got to where the nurse told them Lex was pacing outside of an examination room.
"Chloe," he said, rushing to her. "How's your hand?"
Chloe held up her hand for inspection. "Nine stitches," she announced. "It doesn't hurt, though."
Lex gingerly touched the gauze.
Chloe pulled her hand back, not used to that much contact with Lex. "I'm fine. Really. What about Pete?"
Lex shrugged. "I don't know. They say it's not broken."
"But you don't believe them," Clark said knowingly. As soon as he finished his sentence Pete came walking out of the room.
He took one look at Lex and said. "I'm hungry."
That broke the tension and everyone started laughing.
"I know this great restaurant. Let's go back to the cabin and change, and we can go," Lex said with a relieved smile.
Pete put his arm around Chloe's shoulders for support as they walked from the hospital.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lex watched in amusement as Chloe stared at the thick steak on her plate. She looked from it, to her bandaged hand, then back to the plate. She was chewing on her lip in concentration. "What's wrong, Chloe?"
Chloe looked up at Lex, here eyes shining in humor. "I can't cut it," she said before bursting into laughter.
"Why is that funny?" Clark asked, looking across the table at her.
"I am fifteen. Head editor of the Torch. I have two by lines and an internship at the Planet, and I can't even cut up my own steak," she said, holding up her right hand. The confused look from her friends brought on another round of laughter.
"I'm glad you think it's so funny," Pete said with a grin, elbowing Chloe in the ribs.
"It IS funny," Chloe insisted. "Well, to me anyway. Anyone want to help me out?"
Pete picked up Chloe's steak knife and began to cut into it.
"I'm not a baby. I can handle bigger bites," she teased, her eyes lighting up.
Pete rolled his eyes, and continued to cut the steak. "Do you need me to spoon feed it to you, also?"
Chloe tapped her finger on her chin in a thoughtful manner. "Now that you mention it."
Pete forked a piece of steak into Chloe's lap.
"Hey, you guys. This is a respectable restaurant. I'd like to be allowed to come back," Lex said, a smile playing at his lips.
"Fine, fine," Chloe said, forking a piece of steak into her mouth.
"Let's make s'mores again tonight," Lana suggested, taking a dainty bite of her salmon.
"Lana, let's play another one of your games," Clark said, leaning forward to look around Lex at Lana.
"Okay," Lana said happily. "Let me think." Lana ate another bite of salmon as she thought of a good question. "If we were animals, what would we be? Chloe, you do Lex. Lex do Clark. Clark, do Pete. Pete, do me. And I'll do Chloe."
Chloe laughed. "If Lex Luthor were an animal." Before she could finish she burst into laughter.
Lex chuckled. "What?"
"You'd be a pink flamingo," Chloe said, still laughing. "They're so elegant."
Lex shook his head, a smile playing at his lips. "You can do better than that."
"Be serious, Chloe," Lana urged. "Please?"
Chloe quickly sobered. "Alright. Lex would be a Black Panther. They're so sleek and beautiful, yet underneath they're so powerful."
"Ooh, very nice," Clark told her, popping a French fry into his mouth.
"Lana would have to be a Ladybug," Pete said decisively. "They're pretty, small, and delicate. I know you hate that, but it's the truth, Lana."
"Pete is a wolf. He's sly, and cunning," Clark said, trying his hardest not to laugh.
"I hate to have to say this," Lex said rolling his eyes. "Clark is a panda."
"He's just a big cuddly teddy bear," Lana said in a baby voice, causing Clark to blush. "What would our dear Chloe be? How about a bee? They're pretty and intriguing but pack a powerful sting."
"That's our Chloe," Pete said proudly.
"Is everyone done eating?" Lex asked, surveying each plate.
"Yep," Clark answered happily.
"We'll get back just in time to make s'mores before bed," Lana said, clapping her hands.
Chloe laughed. "You like s'mores way too much!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Eek! It's on fire," Lana cried, waving her marshmallow in the cool night air.
Lex laughed and took her stick. He quickly blew out the flame and handed it back to Lana.
"Thank you," Lana said, smiling coyly at Lex.
Chloe smiled at Lex and Lana and went to stand next to Pete. "How's your leg?"
Pete smiled in the firelight. "It doesn't hurt at all anymore. What about you?"
Chloe held up her hand. "It's annoying, but other than that just peachy."
"Want to go take a walk?" Pete asked timidly.
Chloe smiled brightly. "I would love to."
Pete and Chloe walked a few feet onto the beach and began to walk in the sand.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Chloe asked, looking over at Pete.
Pete laughed. "I don't know that I like this worried protective side of you, Chlo."
"Chlo? I kind of like that," Chloe said, kicking a rock.
"You like it? I just made it up," Pete said proudly, puffing out his chest with a big breath.
Chloe laughed. "You are too full of yourself."
Pete wagged his eyebrows. "I try."
"I know you do," Chloe said, her eyes full of laughter. Chloe got a few feet ahead of Pete and he grabbed her left hand to pull her back.
Pete pulled in one swift motion until Chloe was right in front of him. She was so close that he could barely feel her when he breathed in. Before doubts could take over he bent down and kissed her. Chloe didn't respond immediately, so Pete pulled back.
Chloe looked up at him for a moment before placing her hand behind his neck and pulling him down for another kiss. This time she softened her mouth and deepened the kiss.
"Hey, Pete!" Clark called, running up to them. He stopped short when he saw them kissing.
"Damn," Chloe muttered, pulling back quickly.
"I'm sorry. I- I didn't mean to- To interrupt," Clark said, his face falling. He turned and jogged back to the fire.
"Clark? Clark!" Chloe called, running after him, and leaving Pete alone.
Pete plopped into the sand. He pulled his knees up to his chest and rested his arms on them, staring out at the crystal water.
Chloe caught up to Clark at the campfire. "Clark, stop," she demanded, catching Lex and Lana's attention.
Clark took a deep breath and turned around. "What, Chloe?"
"Clark, let me explain," Chloe said, stumbling to find the right words.
"What is there to explain, Chloe?" Clark asked, pain in his eyes.
Chloe closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.
"What is it?" Lex asked, walking up to them.
Chloe put up one hand to silence Lex. "Lex, please."
"I thought-" Clark started, unsure of what to say.
"Clark, I'm sorry. Really I am, but you're too late. It's too late," Chloe said, glancing down the beach.
"Where's Pete?" Lana asked, moving to stand by Lex.
"How can it be too late?" Clark asked. "I didn't realize until now."
Chloe moved closer to Clark. "Clark, you had two years. Two years."
Clark turned to the cabin and began to walk away.
"Clark, you can't run away from this," Chloe shouted after him.
"That's exactly what I plan on doing," he threw over his shoulder.
"Shit," Chloe muttered, just loud enough for Lex and Lana to hear. Without another word she jogged down the beach.
"Where's Clark?" Pete asked, refusing to look at Chloe.
Chloe knelt beside Pete. "On his way back to the cabin."
"Why aren't you with him?" Pete asked, watching as the tide washed up onto the beach.
"You're the one who kissed me, not him," Chloe said raising her eyebrows and giving Pete a questioning look.
Pete looked at Chloe. "Do you regret it?"
Chloe's heart began to race. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to Pete's. "What do you think?" she asked, pulling back slightly.
Pete smiled slyly. "I'm not sure yet."
Chloe laughed and began to kiss Pete again.
Lana and Lex looked from Pete and Chloe to each other, and back again.
"Are they-?" Lex asked, squinting against the darkness. He could barely make out their forms.
Lana sighed. "That would upset Clark," she said, understanding Clark's outburst.
"But I thought he liked you," Lex said, turning to face Lana.
Lana looked up at Lex and smiled sweetly. "He moved on, but like Chloe said it was too late."
Lex nodded thoughtfully. "And how does that make you feel?"
"About them?" Lana asked, nodding her head towards Chloe and Pete. "Happy for them. Happy that they are happy."
"What about Clark?" Lex asked, stepping a step closer.
Lana sucked in a sharp breath. "I'm glad that he moved on, but sad that it took so long. You?"
"I'm glad that he moved on," Lex said, locking his eyes on Lana's.
"And why is that?" Lana asked. Lana mustered up her courage and matched Lex step for step.
"So that I can do this," Lex said. He placed his hands on the side of Lana's face and kissed her gently. When she didn't pull back he kissed her harder.
As Lana wrapped her arms around Lex she heard a cough. She turned lazily to see Chloe and Pete.
Chloe laughed. "Hey you two. How's it going?"
Lex smiled. "Pretty good. And yourself?
Chloe shook her head, a small smile on her lips. "We have some major damage control to take care of," she said looking from Pete, to Lana, then to Lex.
Lana sighed. "Right, Clark," she said, as if it had just dawned on her.
The four friends broke into laughter.
"Let's make up Mastercard commercials for each other," Lana said, her face lighting up.
The five friends were sitting on the beach in their bathing suits, with their feet in the water.
"Where do you get these crazy ideas?" Chloe asked, digging her toe into the sand.
"I'm just creative, that's all," Lana replied, picking up a hand full of wet sand and letting it dribble down her leg. "It will be fun. For example, One tractor: $500. Gas to drive the tractor: $15. Getting caught in the meteor shower while on said tractor: Priceless. There are some things money can't buy. For everything else, there's Smallville."
Clark, Pete, and Chloe burst into laughter.
"That's too much, Lana," Chloe said, trying to control herself. "Let me do one! One red rose: $3.95. One new silk shirt: $19.95. Acting like a Vegas bookie picks your date: Priceless. Some things money can't buy. For everything else there's Pete Ross."
"Hey," Pete complained, trying not to smile. "How about this one? Bottle of Rogaine: $15.99. Case of Tynant: $30.95. Eating greasy fried fish with four teenagers: Priceless. Some things money can't buy. For everything else there's Lex Luthor."
Lex shook his head in amusement. "Rogaine won't help. I've tried."
Everyone erupted into laughter once again. It took a few minutes for them to calm down. When they finally did Clark spoke up.
"Digital camera: $195. Laptop: $1200. Having a meteor theory for each and every circumstance: Priceless. Some things money can't buy. For everything else there's Chloe Sullivan," Clark said proudly.
"Man, that was lame," Pete replied, rolling his eyes.
"Think you can do better?" Clark asked, defiance in his eyes.
"Yes. Flippy haircut: $20. Cell phone: $50. Having the hottest guy in school as a best friend: Priceless," Pete said, grinning at Chloe.
"You think I'm the hottest guy in school?" Clark asked in mock amazement.
Pete threw a hand full of wet sand at Clark. The sand clung to Clark's hair.
Lana leaned close in to Chloe. "I think they're fighting over you," she whispered before leaning back.
Chloe shot a dirty look at Lana. "All that makeup has gotten into your bloodstream and screwed with your brain."
Lana shrugged, not taking her eyes from the sand.
"I've got one," Lex announced. "Reconstruction of the Talon: $3,000. Extra plates after all are broken: $50. Being in a partnership with the town pariah: Priceless. Some things money can't buy. For everything else there's Lana Lang."
Lana laughed. "The town Pariah, huh? And I was not the one who broke all those plates."
"Sure," Lex said, unconvinced. His eyes twinkled as he looked at Lana.
"Flannel shirt in red: $9.99. Same shirt in blue: $9.99. Being able to pull off wearing the same shirt in red and blue: Priceless. Some things money can't buy. For everything else there's Clark Kent," Lana said, her mouth curling into a bright smile.
"I happen to like that shirt," Clark said, jutting out his chin.
"You look good in blue," Chloe told him with a smile. "You look good in-"
"And we're moving on," Pete said hurriedly. "Is that everyone?"
"Yep," Clark answered, looking at the sand. A blush was creeping up his tan cheeks.
"What fun do you have in store for us now, Miss Lang?" Chloe asked.
"Let's bury one of the guys in the sand. Do you remember that episode of 'Friends' where they went to the beach house?" Lana asked, becoming excited.
"Yeah. Joey fell asleep so they covered him in sand and made him look like a mermaid," Pete finished, slowly inching away from Chloe. "You guys are SO not doing that to me!"
Chloe narrowed her eyes and a malicious grin took over her face. "Oh, Cla-ark."
"No, no, no," Lana said, shaking her head. Her face matched Chloe's as she turned to Lex.
Lex stood without a word and started to walk back to the cabin. Pete stood and followed him , catching up to him quickly. Chloe leaned into Lana and whispered in her ear. Lana nodded once and both girls stood. They looked at each other with a mischievous smile before running after Lex and Pete. When they caught up to them Lana jumped on Lex's back and Chloe jumped on Pete's back.
"Hey, guys. Where ya' goin'?" Chloe asked sweetly.
"You forgot that we were going to bury you in the sand," Lana said, batting her eyelashes.
Lex laughed, causing Lana to slip down his back. He quickly readjusted her. "We didn't forget, Miss Lang. We were trying to make a safe getaway."
Lana leaned down to whisper in Lex's ear. "It didn't work."
"I see that," Lex said with a smile.
Chloe wrapped her arms around Pete's shoulders. "You know you wanted to be a mermaid."
Pete firmly shook his head. "Uh-uh."
"Okay, what about a sexy merman?" Chloe asked, shaking her wet hair out of her face.
"The sexy I can live with," Pete replied. "The being covered in sand is the part I can't."
Lex stopped walking and turned to Pete. "What do you suggest we do with these leeches?"
Pete stopped and pretended to think.
"Don't think too hard, you might hurt yourself," Chloe said bursting into laughter. She laughed so hard that she let go of Pete and fell to the sand.
"That might work," Lex said thoughtfully.
Lana began to laugh at Lex's concentrated expression. She also let go and fell to the sand.
Chloe stood and brushed herself off. "We don't need you, do we Lana? We have Clark."
"But, Chloe," Lana complained under her breath, shooting a pained look at Chloe.
Chloe looked at Lana and they seemed to talk to each other with their eyes. Chloe doubled over in laughter. "You have got to be kidding me."
Lana stuck out her lip in a pout. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"Lana, you are one crazy girl," Chloe said, holding onto Pete for support.
"What's so funny?" Clark asked, walking up to the group.
"Lana-" Chloe began, between fits of laughter. When she saw Clark's expression all laughter escaped in a rush. "Nothing, Clark."
"Let's go sit in the hammocks," Lana suggested, starting to walk away.
"What hammocks?" Chloe asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I went exploring yesterday. Behind the cabin are four hammocks," Lana said over her shoulder.
Chloe shrugged at the guys and began to follow Lana. By the time they got around the cabin Lana was already positioning herself in one of the smooth, white, cotton hammocks. Lex climbed into the one closest to him and laid back. Chloe quickly scrambled to the next open hammock, leaving Pete and Clark to share the last one.
"Did you have someone plant the trees like this so that they would be in a circle?" Chloe asked, letting her legs dangle from the side of the hammock.
Lana laughed, but quickly sobered at Chloe's expression. "Oh, you were serious."
"Yes, Chloe. I am what you would call a perfectionist," Lex answered, one arm hanging out of the hammock.
"I like you like this," Lana told Lex before blushing deeply.
Lex smirked. "Like what?"
"Laid back," Lana answered, toying with a strand of dark wet hair. "Like you're being Lex and not Luthor."
Lex laughed outright. "Nice way of putting it, but I'm glad."
"I never thought I would see Lex Luthor eating fried fish, or swimming in a lake, or taking a hike, or-" Pete rambled on.
"I get the point, Pete," Lex interrupted, trying not to laugh. "That's just because the only time any of you see me is when I am conducting business in Smallville."
"I see you other times," Clark said, looking at Lex. "You act like this then."
"That's because it's just me and you. No business associates, or reporters. No offense ladies," Lex added as an afterthought.
"We know you didn't mean us," Chloe assured him, leaning down to pick up a leaf. She twirled it in her fingers, then let it float down to the ground. "I feel too lazy."
Clark laughed. "Lazy is never good with you."
"What can we do?" Lana asked, swinging herself in the hammock.
Chloe stood. "We are a bunch of lazy bums. We have to do something."
"We could go out on my boat," Lex supplied, twisting his head to look at Chloe.
"You never told us you had a boat," Chloe said, her eyes wide in eager excitement.
"You never asked," Lex said simply. He stood and walked to Chloe. "I'm Lex Luthor. Most people just assume that I have one of everything."
"Do you?" Lana asked, walking to them. "Have one of everything?"
Lex laughed. "Pretty much."
"I'm hungry," Pete complained, climbing from the hammock.
"Then we'll eat on the boat," Lex told him, shaking his head in fond amusement. "You'll need towels."
"Let's go," Lana told Chloe, her eyes filled with excitement. Lana grabbed Chloe's arm and half dragged her back to the cabin.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Lex, do you have a tube?" Clark asked, walking down the boat to stand next to his friend.
Lex turned to Clark, one corner of his mouth curling into a smile. "What do you think, Clark?"
"Chloe, let's go tubing," Clark said, jogging back to Chloe and pulling her from the floor of the boat.
Chloe laughed. "Calm down. You're going to pull my arm off. What do they feed you on that farm?" she asked, rubbing her arm.
Clark blushed. "Sorry. Want to go with me?"
Chloe smiled brightly. "Sure."
"We have to blow it up," Lex told them, pointing to a compartment.
Clark opened the compartment and pulled out the tube, and air compressor. He began to unfold the tube when Lex stopped him.
"In the water, Clark. It's too big to blow up in the boat," Lex told him, reaching down for the compressor. "Chloe, sit on the back of the boat. Clark get in the water, and you two unfold it. Chloe can blow it up."
Clark jumped into the water and Chloe handed him the folded up vinyl square. When it was unfolded Lex handed Chloe the air compressor and she flipped it on and started to blow up the tube.
"This thing is huge," Chloe said, watching as the tube filled with air and began to take on a round shape.
"It fits three people," Lex said, sitting behind Chloe.
Chloe turned, "Pete, go with us?"
Pete grinned and jumped out of his seat. "Oh, yeah." He skipped/walked to Chloe's side. When he got there he turned back, his face becoming serious. "What about Lana?"
Lana smiled sweetly. "Lex and I can take the next turn."
"That's enough, Chloe," Lex said, pressing on the tube to check the air pressure. Lex tied it to the boat and took Chloe's hand to help her in.
"Come on guys. What are you waiting for?" Chloe asked, settling into the tube.
Clark laughed and used the handles to climb out of the water and into the tube. Pete quickly followed.
"Let's ride some waves," Pete shouted at Lex. Pete pulled his shirt off and threw it on the deck, leaving him in only his swim trunks.
"Pete, that was just corny," Chloe said, looking at his discarded shirt.
"I try," Pete said with a sexy grin. He reached over and slapped Chloe's thigh.
Chloe's jaw dropped. "Pete Ross if you try that one mooorrrr-" Chloe was thrown back when Lex kicked the boat into gear.
The sound of the boat breaking through the waves made talking impossible. The three had to do their best not to fall out of the tube.
"Wuss is done," Clark yelled to Chloe. He was desperately hanging onto the handles.
"What?" Chloe screamed back.
Clark tried to get closer. "This is fun," he shouted.
Chloe laughed and shook her head at the misunderstanding.
Lana was sitting on a chair in the boat watching her friends ride the tube.
"Lana, want to drive?" Lex asked, turning to the brunette.
Lana's face lit up. "Really? Can I?"
Lex nodded and Lana walked to him. She moved in front of him and he put her hands on the steering wheel.
"I'll take care of everything else. You just worry about steering," Lex said, moving to the side a few feet.
Lana frowned at the loss of contact. She quickly became happy as she made the boat do zigzags.
"Careful now," Lex warned her, pulling the wheel a little to the left. "You have to remember that the tube isn't immediately reacting to the movements of the boat. It takes a split second longer for. You have to keep an eye on it."
Lana grinned. "I'm driving Lex Luthor's boat."
"Would you be as excited if you were driving someone else's boat?" Lex asked with an amused smile. He was enjoying the way Lana's long, black hair rippled in the wind like silk.
Lana became serious and turned to Lex. "You know I would." With her eyes on Lex, Lana didn't see the rock ahead of them. Lex saw it and he quickly jerked the wheel as hard as he could. The boat narrowly missed the rock, but the tube slammed into it at full force.
"Shit," Lex muttered, roughly pushing Lana out of the way. He stopped the boat as quickly as he could and ran to the back.
Clark looked up at Lex, his eyes wide in worry and fear.
"Who's hurt?" Lex asked quickly, surveying the teens.
Lana looked over Lex's shoulder, her eyes full of tears threatening to escape.
Chloe was holding her wrist, her eyes locked on the blood coming from the cut. She seemed to be in a trance.
"Chloe," Lana whispered in horror.
"Clark, help her up here," Lex said, reaching for the blond. "She must have landed on her hand."
Clark grabbed Chloe's waist and hoisted her up to Lex.
"Lana, there's towels under the seat. Get one and wrap it around Chloe's hand," Lex told her, setting Chloe in one of the seats. "Pete, are you okay?"
Pete tried to stand, but his legs buckled beneath him. "I hit the rock with my hip," he explained, feeling the tender flesh.
"Clark?" Lex asked, turning to his best friend. His eyes were full of guilt.
Clark shook his head. "Pete and Chloe got most of the brunt."
Lex nodded, and Clark carefully moved to help Pete into the boat.
When Lex turned back to Chloe her eyes looked clearer.
"Chloe, are you okay?" Lex asked, moving to her side.
Chloe shook her head. "The rock sliced through the bottom of the tube. I landed on the edge with my hand. I think I need stitches."
"Can I look?" Lex asked, gently unwrapping her arm. The cut was deep, but not very long. It was bleeding profusely and didn't show any sign of stopping. "We need to get you to the hospital. Clark, untie the tube and throw it away from the boat." Lex re-wrapped Chloe's hand and turned around to face Pete.
"How bad are you hurt?" he asked.
Pete removed his hand from his thigh. "It's not cut. I think it's just bruised."
Lex nodded and walked to the front of the boat.
Lana was sitting at the front of the boat; her eyes were in her lap. As Lex stepped to the wheel a single tear fell from her eye.
Lex started the boat, and headed toward the dock. When they were on their way he reached over and placed a hand on Lana's shoulder. It was the only way he knew to comfort her.
Lana looked up at Lex and the look in her eyes broke his heart. He squeezed her shoulder once more before turning back to the water.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Am I done yet?" Chloe asked, wiggling restlessly on the examination table.
The doctor smiled. "Almost." She reached over and tore off a piece of tape to secure the gauze wrapping on Chloe's hand. "There. All done. Keep it out of water, okay?"
Chloe nodded and hopped down from the table.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Clark asked worriedly. Clark hadn't left her side since they had gotten to the emergency room. Most of the time he had been so close to Chloe that she could feel him.
Chloe looked up at Clark. "I'm fine. Let's go find Pete."
Clark wrapped a protective arm around Chloe's shoulders and led her down the hallway. The first thing they saw when they got to the waiting room was Lana. She was sitting alone, her eyes red and wet.
Chloe rushed to her. "Lana, where's Pete?"
Lana shook her head. "He's in x-ray. Lex went with him. The doctor said nothing was broken, but Lex insisted on an x-ray, and you know that Lex is good at persuading people." Lana wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and stood up. "How are you?"
Chloe held up her bandaged hand. "I've had worse," she said with a bright smile.
Lana laughed, her breath ragged.
Chloe looked into Lana's eyes, searching them with her own. "It's not your fault, Lana."
"You can't say that. You don't know what happened, Chloe," Lana said sadly. "Lex let me drive the boat. He told me that the tube didn't react at the same time that the boat did. I wasn't looking at the water when we neared the rock. Lex pulled the wheel, but the tube kept going. If I had been watching the water it wouldn't have happened."
Chloe grinned slyly. "I'm sure what you were looking at was much more appealing."
Lana laughed outright. "Well, you are right about that."
"Let's see if we can go find Pete," Chloe said, walking to the nurse's station. "Excuse me. Our friend Pete Ross was admitted to x-ray. Is there any way we can go see him?"
"I'm afraid not. He's wi-" the nurse started.
"He's with Lex Luthor. Can we go see Lex?" Lana asked, squeezing up to the desk beside Chloe.
The nurse nodded. "Go down this hallway. Turn right at the first hallway you get to, then left at the next."
"Thank you so much," Lana said, turning quickly.
When they got to where the nurse told them Lex was pacing outside of an examination room.
"Chloe," he said, rushing to her. "How's your hand?"
Chloe held up her hand for inspection. "Nine stitches," she announced. "It doesn't hurt, though."
Lex gingerly touched the gauze.
Chloe pulled her hand back, not used to that much contact with Lex. "I'm fine. Really. What about Pete?"
Lex shrugged. "I don't know. They say it's not broken."
"But you don't believe them," Clark said knowingly. As soon as he finished his sentence Pete came walking out of the room.
He took one look at Lex and said. "I'm hungry."
That broke the tension and everyone started laughing.
"I know this great restaurant. Let's go back to the cabin and change, and we can go," Lex said with a relieved smile.
Pete put his arm around Chloe's shoulders for support as they walked from the hospital.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lex watched in amusement as Chloe stared at the thick steak on her plate. She looked from it, to her bandaged hand, then back to the plate. She was chewing on her lip in concentration. "What's wrong, Chloe?"
Chloe looked up at Lex, here eyes shining in humor. "I can't cut it," she said before bursting into laughter.
"Why is that funny?" Clark asked, looking across the table at her.
"I am fifteen. Head editor of the Torch. I have two by lines and an internship at the Planet, and I can't even cut up my own steak," she said, holding up her right hand. The confused look from her friends brought on another round of laughter.
"I'm glad you think it's so funny," Pete said with a grin, elbowing Chloe in the ribs.
"It IS funny," Chloe insisted. "Well, to me anyway. Anyone want to help me out?"
Pete picked up Chloe's steak knife and began to cut into it.
"I'm not a baby. I can handle bigger bites," she teased, her eyes lighting up.
Pete rolled his eyes, and continued to cut the steak. "Do you need me to spoon feed it to you, also?"
Chloe tapped her finger on her chin in a thoughtful manner. "Now that you mention it."
Pete forked a piece of steak into Chloe's lap.
"Hey, you guys. This is a respectable restaurant. I'd like to be allowed to come back," Lex said, a smile playing at his lips.
"Fine, fine," Chloe said, forking a piece of steak into her mouth.
"Let's make s'mores again tonight," Lana suggested, taking a dainty bite of her salmon.
"Lana, let's play another one of your games," Clark said, leaning forward to look around Lex at Lana.
"Okay," Lana said happily. "Let me think." Lana ate another bite of salmon as she thought of a good question. "If we were animals, what would we be? Chloe, you do Lex. Lex do Clark. Clark, do Pete. Pete, do me. And I'll do Chloe."
Chloe laughed. "If Lex Luthor were an animal." Before she could finish she burst into laughter.
Lex chuckled. "What?"
"You'd be a pink flamingo," Chloe said, still laughing. "They're so elegant."
Lex shook his head, a smile playing at his lips. "You can do better than that."
"Be serious, Chloe," Lana urged. "Please?"
Chloe quickly sobered. "Alright. Lex would be a Black Panther. They're so sleek and beautiful, yet underneath they're so powerful."
"Ooh, very nice," Clark told her, popping a French fry into his mouth.
"Lana would have to be a Ladybug," Pete said decisively. "They're pretty, small, and delicate. I know you hate that, but it's the truth, Lana."
"Pete is a wolf. He's sly, and cunning," Clark said, trying his hardest not to laugh.
"I hate to have to say this," Lex said rolling his eyes. "Clark is a panda."
"He's just a big cuddly teddy bear," Lana said in a baby voice, causing Clark to blush. "What would our dear Chloe be? How about a bee? They're pretty and intriguing but pack a powerful sting."
"That's our Chloe," Pete said proudly.
"Is everyone done eating?" Lex asked, surveying each plate.
"Yep," Clark answered happily.
"We'll get back just in time to make s'mores before bed," Lana said, clapping her hands.
Chloe laughed. "You like s'mores way too much!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Eek! It's on fire," Lana cried, waving her marshmallow in the cool night air.
Lex laughed and took her stick. He quickly blew out the flame and handed it back to Lana.
"Thank you," Lana said, smiling coyly at Lex.
Chloe smiled at Lex and Lana and went to stand next to Pete. "How's your leg?"
Pete smiled in the firelight. "It doesn't hurt at all anymore. What about you?"
Chloe held up her hand. "It's annoying, but other than that just peachy."
"Want to go take a walk?" Pete asked timidly.
Chloe smiled brightly. "I would love to."
Pete and Chloe walked a few feet onto the beach and began to walk in the sand.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Chloe asked, looking over at Pete.
Pete laughed. "I don't know that I like this worried protective side of you, Chlo."
"Chlo? I kind of like that," Chloe said, kicking a rock.
"You like it? I just made it up," Pete said proudly, puffing out his chest with a big breath.
Chloe laughed. "You are too full of yourself."
Pete wagged his eyebrows. "I try."
"I know you do," Chloe said, her eyes full of laughter. Chloe got a few feet ahead of Pete and he grabbed her left hand to pull her back.
Pete pulled in one swift motion until Chloe was right in front of him. She was so close that he could barely feel her when he breathed in. Before doubts could take over he bent down and kissed her. Chloe didn't respond immediately, so Pete pulled back.
Chloe looked up at him for a moment before placing her hand behind his neck and pulling him down for another kiss. This time she softened her mouth and deepened the kiss.
"Hey, Pete!" Clark called, running up to them. He stopped short when he saw them kissing.
"Damn," Chloe muttered, pulling back quickly.
"I'm sorry. I- I didn't mean to- To interrupt," Clark said, his face falling. He turned and jogged back to the fire.
"Clark? Clark!" Chloe called, running after him, and leaving Pete alone.
Pete plopped into the sand. He pulled his knees up to his chest and rested his arms on them, staring out at the crystal water.
Chloe caught up to Clark at the campfire. "Clark, stop," she demanded, catching Lex and Lana's attention.
Clark took a deep breath and turned around. "What, Chloe?"
"Clark, let me explain," Chloe said, stumbling to find the right words.
"What is there to explain, Chloe?" Clark asked, pain in his eyes.
Chloe closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.
"What is it?" Lex asked, walking up to them.
Chloe put up one hand to silence Lex. "Lex, please."
"I thought-" Clark started, unsure of what to say.
"Clark, I'm sorry. Really I am, but you're too late. It's too late," Chloe said, glancing down the beach.
"Where's Pete?" Lana asked, moving to stand by Lex.
"How can it be too late?" Clark asked. "I didn't realize until now."
Chloe moved closer to Clark. "Clark, you had two years. Two years."
Clark turned to the cabin and began to walk away.
"Clark, you can't run away from this," Chloe shouted after him.
"That's exactly what I plan on doing," he threw over his shoulder.
"Shit," Chloe muttered, just loud enough for Lex and Lana to hear. Without another word she jogged down the beach.
"Where's Clark?" Pete asked, refusing to look at Chloe.
Chloe knelt beside Pete. "On his way back to the cabin."
"Why aren't you with him?" Pete asked, watching as the tide washed up onto the beach.
"You're the one who kissed me, not him," Chloe said raising her eyebrows and giving Pete a questioning look.
Pete looked at Chloe. "Do you regret it?"
Chloe's heart began to race. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to Pete's. "What do you think?" she asked, pulling back slightly.
Pete smiled slyly. "I'm not sure yet."
Chloe laughed and began to kiss Pete again.
Lana and Lex looked from Pete and Chloe to each other, and back again.
"Are they-?" Lex asked, squinting against the darkness. He could barely make out their forms.
Lana sighed. "That would upset Clark," she said, understanding Clark's outburst.
"But I thought he liked you," Lex said, turning to face Lana.
Lana looked up at Lex and smiled sweetly. "He moved on, but like Chloe said it was too late."
Lex nodded thoughtfully. "And how does that make you feel?"
"About them?" Lana asked, nodding her head towards Chloe and Pete. "Happy for them. Happy that they are happy."
"What about Clark?" Lex asked, stepping a step closer.
Lana sucked in a sharp breath. "I'm glad that he moved on, but sad that it took so long. You?"
"I'm glad that he moved on," Lex said, locking his eyes on Lana's.
"And why is that?" Lana asked. Lana mustered up her courage and matched Lex step for step.
"So that I can do this," Lex said. He placed his hands on the side of Lana's face and kissed her gently. When she didn't pull back he kissed her harder.
As Lana wrapped her arms around Lex she heard a cough. She turned lazily to see Chloe and Pete.
Chloe laughed. "Hey you two. How's it going?"
Lex smiled. "Pretty good. And yourself?
Chloe shook her head, a small smile on her lips. "We have some major damage control to take care of," she said looking from Pete, to Lana, then to Lex.
Lana sighed. "Right, Clark," she said, as if it had just dawned on her.
The four friends broke into laughter.