Notes: Again, thanks to those who took time to post reviews.

Ruby Truth - Valentine Michel Smith

Chloe stepped tentatively into the Talon's main room. She caught Lana's eye, smiled shyly.

"Chloe..." Unintended surprise rose from Lana, but Chloe's unexpected visit was actually a welcome one. "What're you doing here?"

"Have you seen Clark?"

"Not since earlier." There was a beat before she added, "Saw him getting into someone's car."

Chloe squinted meaningfully. "Male or female?"

"Female." The word hit the air hard as Chloe and Lana considered its significance.

"Two girls. Two days. Clark Kent -- playa? Uh, what's wrong with this picture?"

"It's not Clark," said Lana flatly. She put down the tray, and turned her back to Chloe, pausing long enough to adjust glasses on the counter. "Chloe," Lana pivoted to face her friend. "He took me to a bar for our first date. Shy, awkward Clark. Then proceeded to do just about everything but get naked on the dance floor with Jessie. Have you spoken to Pete?"

"I've seen Pete. As for significant and consequential discourse..."

Chloe turned on her heels and headed for the exit. "If you see him -- Clark -- could you have him call me?"

Lana smiled brightly. "Sure. And if you find out --"

"I'll letcha know."

Clark was bored. The sexcapades were beyond rush inducing, thanks to Clark's production of a turbo charged alien narcotic. Fortunately, he'd been able to share the heightened pleasure chemicals with his chair, floor, wall, shower, floor, bed, divan partner. Unfortunately, the repeated potent highs seemed to have worn her completely out.

Clark made a note. Alien constitution's comes in handy yet again.

Clark had carried Gwen to bed about 15 minutes earlier. The poor thing was having trouble keeping her eyes open. Against his own (well hidden) desires, he succumbed to her need for spooning. It was fun, uh, for the first 30 seconds, and so not what he felt like right now. But what did he want to do? And to whom?

Inspiration hit as he shifted. A street light shone on canine teeth revealed by a half-twist of a smile.

Immediately, Clark disengaged from the unconscious woman. Leaping from divan, he was dressed and was out the window in a single bound.

The night smelled of autumn. The air's crispness further invigorated Clark who felt as though every nerve end was tingling. He had several stops in mind. He decided on a familiar Destination One.

Lex was always happy to see him.

Clark arrived at the mansion, easily clearing the fence, bypassing the security cameras and guards in a blink. He leapt from ground to balcony, landing gracefully.

As Lex slept, a silhouette appeared at the balcony window, tall, ominous, unmoving. Clark watched Lex from the distance, taking in the rhythm of the unconscious man's breathing, the sprawl of his athletic form rendered visible by the curves of delicately textured pajamas.

Clark tilted his head.

Lex stirred. Clark took the movement as an invitation. "Why, thank you," said Clark quietly as he sauntered in. Surely, he could get what he wanted before Lex even know he'd been there.

But where was the fun in that?

Clark walked around the sleep chamber. He plopped himself in an overstuffed chair, stretching his legs onto the footrest.

Still nothing from Lex. Rich boy slept like a dead man.

Suddenly, Clark was standing at the foot of the bed. He walked slowly around the king sized mattress, fingers grazing the silky bed coverings as he made his way around the bed. He'd seen the look in Lex's face earlier. He'd feigned unawareness of the carnal desire anchoring the millionaire's gaze, but the fact was, if Lex had heat vision and Clark was a human being, he would've been Kent flambe.

What, Clark wondered, would Lex do if he found Clark in here?

So near...

So close...

So... willing.

Clark considered rousing him to find out.

Focus... Focus...

Clark scanned the room and found the penthouse keys located somewhat inconveniently in an organizer in the back of one of the large walk-in closets. He took them and headed out into the night.

When Lex awakened, he had the oddest sense that something had happened during the night. The mangled latch on the balcony's French doors confirmed that someone had gotten into his bedroom, but security videos and reports from Lionel's much vaunted security force yielded no information.

Wrapping the silk robe about him, Lex strode into the closet and removed the meteor rock he'd acquired from the Kent farm from the lead box. The mildly displaced organizer caught his immediate attention.

Lex hesitated before opening the organizer. When he did, he discovered the Metropolis penthouse key was missing.