Disclaimer: Don't own it; don't profit.

Author's Note: I know the black guy's the dug dealer, but Whitney fits perfectly as Greg McConnel.  Personally, given Superman canon, I would have made Pete 'Ronald', but this is a challenge response and so that role is Clark's, otherwise I would have made Clark 'Blaine' which might have worked better.  It wasn't actually until I wrote it that I realised what I'd done.

Chapter 5: There's Never Been So Much At Stake.

"What are you after Luthor?"  Asked Pete Ross as he carefully cut the cocaine in front of him.

"Information, and enough of that," he pointed to the cocaine, "to last Vicky a week."

"You'll have to be careful going home, you don't want to get picked up for trafficking."  Lex smirked, but also gave Pete a look that bordered on worry for his stepsister.  "If you're going to get like this over her drug use let her get her own."

"She wouldn't ask you if her life depended on it, at least this way I know she's destroying herself with the actual drug and not rat poison."

"Fair enough.  So what did you want information on?"

"Well, I've discovered that someone has interfered with my plan to deflower Miss. Sullivan."

"What, she's already done it?"

"No, someone's warned her off me."  Pete laughed.  "Save it.  Who do we know who could have told her?"

"Well, there's Whitney Fordman."

"Really?"

"Yeah, they come from the same town."

"That would make sense, I fingered his girl at homecoming."

"I don't think he was that bothered."

"Sorry?"

"Well, let's just say I've experienced the love."

"You and Fordman?"

"Yeah, he used to come in drunk, and get all pissy once he'd got his rocks off with me.  I put up with it though the guy's bigger than a baby's arm."  Pete laughed.  "We'll be hooking up soon, he came back last week."

"Congrats.  How about tonight?"

"Well, I do believe that 'Flash Gordon' is on cable tonight."

"Midnight?"

"Okay."  Pete grabbed a little bag of white powder.  "For Vicky, pay me tonight."

"Thanks man, this'll get her off my back for a while."

"But will it get her on hers?"

"No, but bedding Chloe will.  Make the call."

"On it."  Pete said grabbing the phone.  "Whitney dear?"