Hi everyone! I'd better release this now, don't want to keep you hanging any longer. Thank you for all those who have been eagerly awaiting this next portion. Sorry if it isn't much. More in the works :) Your feedback is still very, very, very appreciated.

Here ya go!

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Part 13

Clark drove to the Luthor mansion in his Mom's sedan. The oftentimes desolate place was now alive with a moving stream of luxury vehicles. Inside, the transformation was more apparent. All the lights were on, chandeliers lit, a live band played smooth jazz and people in expensive clothing talked in small groups with drinks in their hands. Even though he wore his suit that was reserved for special occasions, Clark still felt out of place. Going through the corridors, he spotted some familiar faces - Smallville citizens who he knew worked for the plant & a couple of his schoolmates accompanying their parents.

Lex saw Clark come in looking so hesitant. He broke away from the conversation he was engaged in to welcome his friend. "No date?"

Clark smirked and shrugged his shoulders, "Nope."

"I thought you'd ask the lovely Ms. Lang." Lex hid his calculating smile by taking a sip of his bourbon.

"I did." After he tried to get in touch with Chloe numerous times and failed at every attempt. "Seems one of the girls at the Talon called in sick and she had to fill in."

Lex approved of his business partner's decision. "Friday night is a good crowd. Don't want to lose customers by being undermanned."

Clark nodded as they walked towards the main dining hall. "That's exactly what she said." He looked around in hopes of seeing a girl who gave him the only reason he decided to come to the party. He acted like a jerk to her early that afternoon and Clark had hope tonight would be his chance to apologize and salvage what he could of their friendship. But there was no sign of Chloe. "Who are all these people?"

"Managers and supervisors with some of their family, plus suppliers, major customers and other people we're in business with." He explained dryly.

They approached Jake Collins and Gabe Sullivan and Lex introduced them to Clark and left them to greet his other guests. Of course Clark already knew Chloe's dad but this was the first time he'd meet Trev's. Trev was almost a splitting image of his father. It made Clark think if he resembled his own biological father but he had to set the introspection aside and try to enjoy the party.

"Clark here is Chloe's best friend," Gabe told Jake, "works with her on the Torch."

"Gabe, your feisty girl still manages to surround herself with boys, huh? How do you sleep at night?" Jake joked at his old-time friend.

"Very soundly actually," he answered then gave Clark a pat on the shoulder. "Clark keeps her away from trouble and rescues her, even from herself."

The men broke into light hearted chuckles and Clark's face turned red involuntarily at Gabe's sort of complement. It was nice to know how Mr. Sullivan thought of him.

"There they are." Jake pointed at the doorway.

Chloe and Trev entered the room hand in hand. Clark felt himself tense up seeing that he had somehow lost the battle before it even began. They looked good together. Hard as he tried to deny it, Chloe seemed happy.

Clark could only stare at her - Chloe was stunning. Gorgeous was more the term. She wore a sleeveless red dress that showed all her curves. Clark swallowed hard as his eyes traced the dip of V-neckline as it revealed an ample amount of cleavage. It made him acknowledge how well endowed she was. Chloe walked confidently, accentuated by the slanted cut of her skirt trimmed with small ruffles. As she approached, Clark got a good view of her creamy left thigh. The deep color she wore contrasted with the milky whiteness of her much exposed skin. His eyes traveled down her slender legs and he finally saw how beautiful those shoes were on her well manicured feet.

The scent of Chloe's perfume as they approached & joined the group reminded Clark to breathe. For a moment their eyes met. In hers was a glimmer that momentarily showed the sincerity of her smile. But as Clark motioned to return that gleam, it retreated, her eyes now taking in the faces of their company.

"Hi everyone!" Trev said as they neared. "Clark."

"Hey Trev." He acknowledged and they shook hands deciding to just ride along, be polite and civil.

Gabe moved to give his daughter a hug. "Hi sweetheart."

"Dad." Chloe happily submitted to his embrace. She may be a cynic but she loved her dad. "Hi Clark." She gave him a weak smile.

Chloe didn't expect Clark would still show up. She stole glances around to look for a raven haired beauty and immediately rebuked herself for the glee she felt finding none. She had to admit, he looked ravishing; awkward in a setting so grand, yet still as good looking as he can get. Not forgetting what had just transpired that afternoon, she secretly hoped that Clark would apologize to her tonight. Lost in that thought, the gentle squeeze on her hand reminded her of the friend who has given her comfort and strength in the past grueling days. And no, it wasn't the tall one gawking at her.

Clark returned the smile tentatively, gauging how she was, not sure how he would play along. "You look nice." He said honestly.

Jake agreed. "Sully-girl, you look great. You're turning out to be a beautiful lady. How are you doing? We miss having you around the house. Trev tells me you're a super woman in school."

Mr. Collins' remark made Chloe give out her trademark Sullivan smile. "Trev exaggerates. I just do my best."

Lex rejoined them. "I see everyone is here." He then got a good look at Chloe. "Gabe, keep an extra eye on your daughter. I believe she's going to break hearts tonight." Though he addressed his plant manager, Lex was actually looking at Clark. "Let's all get to our table and get this dinner started."

The Luthor Mansion ballroom was packed with round tables covered in white linen, set with the finest silver and china. Each sat six and theirs was at the front and center of a dance floor before the raised stage of the live band.

The rest of the guests took their cue from Lex. They all found their seats and the dinner got underway. Clark couldn't decide if it was to his horror or delight that Chloe was seated beside him and in the circular table, Trev was next to Chloe. Then it was Jake, Gabe, Lex, and then back to him.

Chloe was obviously avoiding him. She would either be talking to Trev or look down at her hands, never turning to his direction. Over and over, Clark kept mentally rehearsing opening lines to make casual conversation. He was spared the trouble was they were served the appetizers.

An army of neatly suited waiters strode in and out of the room to present everyone with gourmet dishes from the Luthor kitchen, made from the finest organic ingredients Smallville had to offer.

Clark knew this as he delivered a truck full of produce early that morning. However, he had not yet tasted food like this in his life. It was scrumptiously good and so unlike the home-style that his mom fed him. Everything from the appetizer to the main course was something he only saw on the cooking channel his mom loved to watch. But there it was before him, plated perfectly that it shamed him to break the artistry with his fork.

Chloe swooned at the first spoonful of cold potato and leek soup - something she hadn't had for a long time. The meal was exquisite. Course after course, she got transported to this restaurant in Metropolis the Sullivan clan went to mark family milestones like birthdays, graduations and …anniversaries.

Trev kept smiling as he carefully devoured the savory meat dish that was the main fare. He missed taking Chloe out to fancy dinners and dressed-up dates like this one. "Lex, did you import your cook from the city?"

"Naturally," Lex answered. "The Four Seasons is currently missing their executive chef." His matter-of-fact delivery actually added the flamboyant air to that statement.

The waiters kept refilling their tall glasses with choice champagne. For tonight, even the minors get to have their share of the bubbly.

Conversation at the table was concentrated on Gabe, Jack & Lex as they talked business. Clark paid attention as this was one of the rare times he got to see Lex at work, or sort of. Every time they'd hang out, Lex didn't want to bore or scare Clark with corporate horror stories. So they'd talk about everything else but work. Clark was surprised at Lex's level of maturity and presence of command talking to people twice his age as peers. Yet, he could also get along with younger people like him, Trev, Lana and Chloe. Clark had to admit, he was learning a lot from Lex.

The ceremonies and perfunctory speeches started during dessert. One by one, starting with Lex, senior VP's and plant managers went to the microphone to raise a toast and welcome Mr. Collins to Smallville.

Clark could care less on what they were saying. Little by little he noticed he was getting bored. A quick survey of the room showed that most youngsters his age mirrored his sentiments. Slight movement towards his left made him look and it was Chloe tilting her head from side to side with a plastered smile. She definitely was not trying to be subtle. Despite the present state of their relationship, Clark gave in to a chuckle. He was surprised to note that Trev was trying to hide his mirth.

The sound of stifled laughter from the two boys on each of her side caused her to look furiously at them. "What?!" She sneered keeping it low as whoever was at the microphone was still giving his speech. Then it dawned on her. "Oh dear." Chloe was imaging herself as a coo-coo-clock to pass the time and relieve her boredom. To her horror, she was acting it out in real life. She resorted instead to playing with the ruffle of her skirt's slit.

A coo-coo-clock? What was she thinking? More like, what was she trying not to?

After the last toast, the floor was announced open for dancing. The band struck a nice sedate tune which the older couples did not have a problem dancing to it.

Chloe took that as her cue. "Excuse me, need to go powder my nose." Without waiting for any acknowledgement from the two boys she stood and made her way to the ladies room. She was all too glad to get away from both boys and clear her head a bit.

Trev and Clark watched her beautiful retreating back as she exited the ballroom.

Things were going quite swimmingly, Trev thought. Chloe was handling herself well despite the breakdown she just had. All throughout dinner he'd been watching, keeping an eye on his best friend and trying to see if Clark would try to pull anything. And Clark, well, he seemed quite remorseful.

Trev turned to Clark when he lost sight of Chloe to see him still staring out the door. Trev decided it was now time.

"She's a gem, isn't she?"

Clark broke from his view of the door and steely blues met brown ones as the question posed the challenge that he expected would eventually come. Clark was ready with his response, in his mind as well as in his heart. He pulled himself together and mustered up all his confidence and courage in defense of a strained friendship and a love he had the power to pursue.

"Yes she is."

TBC