Chapter 6

Tell me how do you feel
When you look into my eyes?
Are You Jealous?
Are You Jealous?
--Are You Jealous--by Alisha's Attic

"I don't like it," Pete repeated for the fourth time. He was perched on a desk in the Torch office.

"Me either," Lana replied again. She was sitting on a desk in front of Pete. "Just the two of them?"

"Them and Lionel," Pete said, his voice bordering on angry. "All alone."

"All night," Lana added softly.

"Careful guys. You almost sound jealous," Clark said with a grin. He was sitting across the room, typing impossibly fast on a computer, but neither Lana nor Pete noticed.

Lana and Pete's heads whipped around to glare at Clark. "Do not," they said at the same time.

Clark laughed loudly, looking at his friends over the computer.

Lana hopped off of the desk, smoothing her jeans. "It's time for Biology," she announced.

"I'm done," Clark replied, standing and walking to the door.

Pete jumped off the desk and jogged to his friends. "Too bad Miss Atkins isn't here anymore."

Lana slapped Pete's arm playfully. "It's such a tragedy," she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

"It really is," Clark said seriously, settling an arm around Lana's shoulders.

Pete followed Clark's lead as they walked down the hall. "She was a babe."

"I told you to never call a woman that, Pete," Chloe warned walking up behind them. She pushed her way in-between Lana and Pete. "This is my spot."

Pete moved his arm from Lana to Chloe with a grin. "I was talking about Desiree."

"Oh, she was a babe," Chloe said, hiding a smile. When everyone got quiet she continued. "Stop gawking, I'm kidding."

"Are you sure?" Lana asked, a bright smile taking over her face.

"Lana Lang!" Chloe exclaimed, pushing Pete ahead of her into the classroom.

The four laughed as they took their seat at the lab tables.

* * *

Listen,
Do you want to know a secret,
Do you promise not to tell, whoa oh, oh.

--Do You Want To Know A Secret--by The Beatles

"Lex, how are you?" Martha asked, striding into Lex's study.

"Mrs. Kent. To what do I owe this pleasure?" Lex asked, smiling at the motherly woman.

"Lionel gave me a break, so I thought I'd come check on you. How are you?"

"Like I was wrapped around a tree at sixty miles per hour," Lex said, absently rubbing his ribs.

"It's a good thing Chloe found you when she did," Martha said, smoothing a strand of hair behind her ear.

Lex stood, confusion written on his face. "Chloe? I thought Clark found me."

Martha shook her head softly. "No, Chloe did. Scared the poor girl to death. She called Clark, but was too torn up to speak. It took almost ten minutes of him trying to calm her down before she could explain what happened."

Lex seemed to think for a moment. He had just assumed that Clark had been there. Wasn't Clark always there when Lex was in trouble? No wonder Chloe was so adamant about staying at the mansion.

"I really do have to go," Martha said, smiling softly at Lex. "I'll come check on you again before I leave."

"Thank you. I appreciate it," Lex said sincerely, walking Martha to the door.

"Call if you need anything."

"I will. Bye."