Chapter 6
"Blow the Candles Out"
A Smallville story by Xica
Characters: Clark, Chloe, Pete, Lana, Lex, and Mari
Disclaimer: The only character I own is Mari; everything else belongs to some very rich men who don't understand that the Chlark is what makes the Smallville world go round. Enjoy.
Note: This chapter took a long time to get out and I apologize. With the holidays and finals I had a severe case of writer's block. Is anyone still reading this? I promise a big payoff is coming soon as I have finally figured out where I want this to go, but I'm dying to hear suggestions on what you guys would like to see happen. As always please read and REVIEW!!! J
In. Out. In. Out. In through the nose. Out through the mouth. At times like these, Mari theorized, it was important to make sure all the small details were taken care of. She was pretty sure that she had stopped breathing as soon as Lex's surprisingly strong hands discarded of her shirt and began their eager exploration. She wondered how long it would take for her brain functions to cease altogether. But, the feel of Lex's tongue tracing the edge of her bra soon distracted her and she refocused on the task at hand. In. Out. In through the mouth. Out through the nose.
"Sorry to interrupt, but what are you doing?"
"Concentrating". In. Out. In. Out.
"Breathing is hard work isn't it" Lex teased.
"You have no idea" Mari replied letting out a deep breath she'd been holding somewhere.
"I could insert a really corny line about mouth-to-mouth resuscitation but I won't bother".
Mari let a small chuckle escape and felt instantly relaxed. "Your restraint is greatly appreciated and duly noted".
"You're cute when you're all flushed like that".
"I'm glad to know that respiratory failure turns you on".
"It doesn't hurt that you're half naked".
"No, I suppose it really wouldn't. Who cares if I die, at least my cleavage will linger on".
"You know you're really killing the mood".
"Aversion to necrophilia noted".
"I had no idea you talked this much".
"I had no idea you spent your weekends seducing girls at house parties".
"I'm seeking help for that".
"The first step on the road to recovery is admitting you have a problem, ten brownie points to you".
"How many points would it take to finish what we started?"
"I'm sorry, I had no idea you were on a schedule, I was pretty sure this was the only party tonight".
"Mari!" Lex growled, more than a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"Lex!" Mari returned, thoroughly enjoying watching Lex's frustration grow.
"This is getting us nowhere" Lex paused, thinking for a moment, "What are you doing tomorrow?"
"Well getting this place in order for one thing".
"I can have that taken care of, have lunch with me tomorrow".
"Lunch? Breakfast dates and dinner dates I've heard of, but lunch? Isn't that a little mundane for the-"
Lex cut her off, kissing her passionately. Mari clung to him, grateful that he had given in first. She didn't think she could resist him much longer. Mari wrapped her legs around Lex's waist, and Lex settled in between them. In. Out. In Out. In times like these, a little bit goes a long way.
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"No, really it's okay. I don't need any company thanks" Lana said shouted, pushing her way through the crowd, desperately trying to get away from the drunk junior offering to 'make it worth her while'. The search for Clark Kent was proving to be a little harder than she 'd anticipated. She's searched everywhere in the house and there was no sign of either him or Chloe. It wasn't really possible that they had left together was it? Shaking her head violently to rid her head of such an impossible though Lana's eye caught sight of an opening door near the kitchen. She wasn't close enough to see who was coming out but more importantly there was a part of the house she hadn't known existed. With newfound determination Lana took a deep breath and pushed her way through the crowd once more.
"Pete. Water. Now" Erica gasped as she grabbed hold of Pete's shirt and pulled him away from the dance floor.
Pete chuckled and wiped a small bead of sweat from his brow. In spite of the fact that all of his friends had disappeared Pete was having a great time. He'd been dancing up a storm with Erica while getting to know her better. They hadn't talked much since the doomed spring formal and he was happy for the chance to reconnect. Erica was beautiful, athletic, and seemed to have no serious personality disorders, something that couldn't be said for most of the people in his life.
"Here ya go" Erica said, returning with a plastic cup of water.
"Thanks" Pete replied draining the cool liquid in one gulp.
'Thirsty?" Erica giggled.
"Yeah just a little bit. I think you were working me a little too hard out there. I had no idea you could move like that".
"Well Pete there are lots of things you don't know about me", Erica said matter-of-factly, taking a seat on the stairs.
"Yeah, got any ideas on what we could do about that?"
Erica smiled and Pete leaned in, kissing Erica softly. Erica returned the kiss and scooted closer to Pete. He could have stayed that way forever if he hadn't been distracted by the sound of footsteps.
"Excuse me, can I get through here," a voice said.
"Yeah no problem" Erica replied lightly, moving over to make room for the person coming down the stairs. Pete looked up just in time to see Lex hurry past them, a slight flush to his usually pale features. Pete's hand balled into a fist as the realization that Mari had disappeared with Lex hit him.
"Wow that was random, what on earth is Lex Luthor doing here?" Erica chuckled as her gaze set on Pete. "Pete are you okay, you look like someone just kicked your puppy".
Trying to compose himself Pete looked down at the floor. "I'm fine, I'm just a little tired that's all. Will you excuse me for a minute?"
And before Erica had a chance to reply Pete took off through the crowd. As he made his way through the throngs of people his mind raced. Visions of Mari snuggled up with Lex Luthor were driving him insane. All of a sudden the party seemed ridiculously loud to him and he couldn't breath. He pushed through the crowd and didn't look up until a certain female voice called out to him.
"Pete! Where are you rushing off too?"
Pete brought himself to look at Mari and he immediately noticed that she had changed clothes. The boots and denim skirt replaced with sneakers and blue jeans, her hair gathered up into a sloppy knot. She had the distinct look of someone who had gotten exactly what she wanted out of the evening. Pete's blood ran cold as his emotions raged between blinding anger and profound sadness.
"Hey guys! What's up" Chloe's voice called out.
"Where have you guys been?" Mari asked, eyeing them suspiciously.
Thinking of Mari's broken door Clark blushed and looked away, but Chloe saved the day.
"Oh, ya know, around" she replied, stifling a giggle.
"Oh really" Mari replied her eyebrow arching. "Could you gentlemen excuse us for a second, I need a minute with Ms. Sullivan".
Momentarily distracted from his own problems Pete smiled at his friend.
"So I take it things are going well between you and Chloe" Pete said smiling.
"Yeah, I guess you could say that" Clark said quietly.
"Hi Clark, Pete" Lana said listlessly, coming up to them with a sad look on her face.
"Hey Lana. Are you alright?" Clark asked his voice full of concern.
"Oh, I'm alright I guess" she replied sighing, "I guess I'm just not really into the party thing. Everything's a little less fun when you're alone I suppose".
"Oh Lana" Clark started but Lana cut him off.
"No really Clark, its okay. I think I'm just going to go outside and get some air. You guys go ahead and have a good time," she said, before walking away, putting a little slump in her shoulders for good measure.
"I think I should go talk to her".
"Are you sure that's a good idea. You have a tendency to piss off Chloe when you go running off after Lana".
"Pete don't exaggerate, she's really lonely. She just needs someone to talk to".
"If you say so man, just don't be out there too long. If Chloe finds you with her you're dead meat".
Clark rolled his eyes and walked away. Geez, Pete can be such a drama queen sometimes, Clark though to himself as he reached the back door. He opened the door and saw Lana sitting on an old swing set. He watched as Lana swiped a hand slowly across her face. Oh no, she's crying, he thought. What kind of friend would he be if he just left her out here? He'd just be a few minutes. Chloe would never even notice.