Chapter 15

So what good advice have I got for you
To insure against your likely metamorphosis into this reprobate?
--Henchman--by Bad Religion

"Hey, Pete. How'd the date go last night?" Clark asked as Pete walked into the pasture.

Pete jumped into the bed of the trailer. "It was a lot of fun," he said, moving the hay to the back so Clark could reach it easier.

Clark picked up a bale of hay in each hand, and set them on the ground. "What did you do?"

"We went bowling," Pete said, kicking the last bale to the end of the truck.

"Lex went bowling?" Clark asked, his eyes wide as he picked up the last of the hay.

Pete laughed. "Yeah, it was hilarious. Lana kept grinning every time it was his turn. It was like she couldn't believe it either."

"So, what happened?" Clark asked, motioning for Pete to follow him back to the house.

Pete jumped off the trailer and followed Clark. "You should have seen Lana. The first time she went up she dropped the ball. It must have taken a full minute for the ball to reach the pins."

Clark laughed, opening the front door.

"Clark, it's cold. Would you start a fire?" Martha called from the kitchen.

"Sure, Mom," Clark called back.

Pete helped Clark pile wood into the fireplace. "Then, Lana-"

Clark cut him off. "Were you on a date with Lana, or Chloe?"

"Chloe," Pete said as if it were obvious. "Why?"

Clark shook his head in confusion. "No reason," he said, turning to the fireplace. He concentrated on the wood until it burst into flames. "Keep going."

"Lana-"

"What about Lana?" Lex asked, walking in the front door.

"Hey, Lex," Clark said, looking nervously toward the fire, then back to his friend.

"Hey," Pete repeated. "I was just telling Clark about last night, but I really have to go."

"You don't have to leave. I needed to talk to Clark, but I don't want to make you feel like you aren't welcome," Lex said seriously.

Pete smiled. "You aren't. I promised my mom I'd go pick up groceries for dinner tonight. See you guys later."

"Bye," Lex said, watching Pete walk to the door.

"Bye, Pete," Clark responded, before turning back to Lex. "I'm going to get some hot chocolate. Want some?"

"Sure," Lex answered, following Clark into the kitchen.

"Hi, Lex. I thought Pete was here," Martha said, confusion written in her eyes.

"He was, Mom, but he had to go run some errands for Mrs. Ross," Clark answered. "Can we have some hot chocolate?"

"Sure, sweetie. I have some already made," she said, grabbing two mugs and pouring them full of the steaming liquid. "I'm going to take some to your father. He's out working in the barn. Call if you need anything."

"Thank you, Mrs. Kent," Lex said, smiling at the woman. "I hope my father isn't working you too hard."

Martha smiled warmly. "He gave me the day off, so I'd say he isn't."

"Good," Lex said, as Martha left with a thermos of hot chocolate.

"Now, what did you need to talk about?" Clark asked, taking a sip of the scalding drink.

"Am I wrong in dating Lana?" Lex asked, immediately regretting the question when he saw Clark's face. "Never mind."

"No, no," Clark said. "I'm sorry. I was just shocked. You've never asked me something that…."

"Personal?" Lex supplied. "You're the closest thing to a friend that I've ever had. I thought you could help me."

"Sure," Clark said, sounding a little doubtful. "Are you wrong in dating Lana? I'm not sure I understand the question."

"Dad and I got into a fight last night. He had some different opinions on how I should handle my life," Lex explained.

"Doesn't he always?" Clark asked.

"Yes, but he actually made some sense. I'm twenty-one, Clark. Lana's sixteen. That's a big difference," Lex pointed out.

"So? Age shouldn't matter."

"In other words, if I were fifty and she were twenty, it would still be okay?" Lex asked, his eyes shining.

Clark laughed. "Not exactly, but six years isn't that much."

"You aren't angry that I'm dating Lana?" Lex asked.

"Of course I was upset at first, but then I thought about it. I mean, I pretty much screwed up any chance I ever had, so it's your turn," Clark said.

Lex chuckled. "Nicely put."

"What else did Lionel say?" Clark asked.

"That the only reason Chloe was at the mansion was to pry," Lex said, sipping his drink.

"That's not true, Lex," Clark said in a very serious tone.

"I know. He seems to think that the only reason she wanted to stay was to put her nose where it didn't belong. I tried to explain to him that we were friends, but he only sees what he wants to see," Lex said.

"That's not why Chloe's there," Clark said, getting a little annoyed at Lionel. "She was scared."

"Chloe? Scared?" Lex asked skeptically.

"Yeah," Clark said. "She told me you talked to her about the night she found you. You can't understand how horrified she was by what she saw. I've never seen Chloe so scared, not even when Watts buried her alive."

"Really? I knew it shook her up, but not that much," Lex said.

Clark smiled. "See, she isn't some nosy reporter."

"I never thought she was," Lex exclaimed. "She become a good friend."

Clark nodded, a look coming over his face. "Yeah, she is."

"What's wrong, Clark?" Lex asked.

Clark shook his head. "Nothing, Lex. Nothing. Was there anything else?"

"Not that I know of. I better get back to the mansion. Chloe will be back soon, and I don't know how safe Dad is alone with her," Lex said, standing up.

"You think he'll hurt her?" Clark asked, concern taking over all his features as he tensed up.

Lex smiled. "No, I'm afraid she'll hurt him. She walked in on our conversation last night. She gave him quite an earful."

Clark laughed. "Chloe isn't one to sit back and let her friends be yelled at."

"I better go protect Dad," Lex said. "See you later Clark."

"Bye, Lex."