Title: Unexpected
Author: Empress V.
E-mail: empressvader01@hotmail.com
Pairing: Lana/Pete
Summary: Lana and Pete take there relationship into the next step.





Chapter 3: Washington


The Lex Luthor New Years celebration was the central spot alive in Metropolis that night. It was still early when Lana and Pete arrived. They connected with Clark, Lois, and Chloe almost as soon as they got there. When the ladies disappeared to talk, it gave Pete the opportunity he wanted to talk to Clark.

"So are you and Lana here together," Clark asked. "Or is this another arrival under the cloak of friendship."

"No, we're here together this time."

"That's great," Clark told him. But his face didn't seems to say the same.

"I figure, things are going great with you and Lois, so it's cool with you."

"I told you. Lana and I..."

"I know, you're over, but I don't want to date her if you're still in love with her."

"Pete, I don't have anything to do with this."

"But you do, I need to know, Do you still love her? And don't tell me you love Lois or give me that I'll always care about her line, because I've heard it. I want a straight answer."

"Of course I love her Pete. She was my first love and that will always be a part of me, but I have moved on." Clark put a hand on his friends shoulder. "Pete, believe me when I say, if this is right for you, I want you to go for it."

"So I have your okay on pursing this thing with Lana."

"What, do I have to write it in blood? Yes, Pete, I'm fine with it, I'm happy for you."

"Alright," Pete replied.

The two of them shared a friendly embrace. As the embrace broke, Pete noticed Lana had returned.

"Pete, can we talk for a minute," Lana asked.

"Sure," Pete said stepping away. "See you later Clark."

Pete and Lana walked across the room.

"What was that Pete?" Lana asked.

"What do you mean?"

"I caught some of what you said to Clark and I want to know when decided my word wasn't good though and you needed permission from Clark to date me? I told you I wanted to be with you, wasn't that enough."

"I was just trying to make sure I wasn't stepping on any toes. Clark is my best friend."

"I know that Pete, but you act like I belong to him. You don't need his okay, you need mine and you had that."

"I know that, in my logical mind I know. But nobody was closer to Clark then me and even if another girl happen to turn his head for five seconds, two seconds later he was back to being in love with Lana Lang, to only having eyes for Lana Lang."

"I had no control over that."

"No you didn't," Pete sighed. "But... you know me Lana, I'm not a guy who holds back when he sees a girl he wants. I take my shot and if it works, it works. If doesn't, well then I move on."

"I don't see your point. If Clark didn't give you his approval you would have moved on?"

"No, my point is--" Pete paused to gather his words, it was obvious Lana was angry so he chose his words carefully. "The point is it didn't matter before, but it does now. And just maybe I'm a little... scared because if we are more than friends it will be more than just a 'good time'. And if it doesn't work, it won't be like before."

Lana smiled. "Scared? Did Pete Ross just admit a fear of intimacy?"

"Nah," Pete replied playfully. "Pete Ross would never admit anything like that."

Lana laughed. She took Pete's face between her hands.

"Listen Pete, I want to be with you."

"Okay, I hear you," Pete replied. "Clark isn't in this. Now can I talk you into a dance?"

Lana and Pete slipped out on the dance floor just as Lex Luthor entered the building. Lex made his way to the bar where Chloe was getting a drink.

"Miss Sullivan, I haven't seen you since that charity event in Gotham City around Easter," Lex told her.

"It's good to see you too Lex," Chloe replied. "How's Eden?"

"Eden?" He asked confused. "Oh yes, the lawyer."

"Yeah, the one that was ready to tear my head off for having drinks with you."

"She's moved on."

"You mean you've moved on."

"The point is she's no longer in the picture." Lex surveyed the ballroom. "That's an interesting new development," Lex said nodding toward Pete and Lana on the dance floor.

"New? It's more like it's about time. Lana and Pete have been dancing around each other for awhile now."

"I always thought--"

"I know, Lana and Clark, but--" Chloe gestured toward Clark who was deep in conversation with Lois. "I totally thought that infatuation wouldn't last, but I guess I was wrong."

"The future is never what you expect," Lex replied with a shrug. "Now, Miss Sullivan, may I interest you in a dance."

"As long as you promise your flavor of the month won't come storming in here ready to tear my head off."




A few hours later into the night, Chloe and Lana joined up again. As they shared girl talk Pete slipped off. He was surprised to see Lex Luthor join him.

"So you've won the heart of Miss Lang?" Lex asked.

"No offense Luthor, but why do you care?" Pete asked.

"Just interested in the lives of my old friends," Lex replied.

"We were never friends."

"Listen, I heard about the whole thing with the little boy and the woman who tried to pin him on you."

"And?"

"I've been there, so I know what it feels like to be misled in that way."

"You have no idea."

"No, you have no idea how often women like that prey on powerful men." Lex paused. "I bet Lana was there holding your hand when you found out everything," Lex replied.

"Again, I don't think that's any of your business," Pete replied.

"You're right, it's not." Silence hung between them again. "Listen, I've been looking for a way to change the Luthor image. It's been a goal of mine for most of my life, to reshape the cold image carved by my father."

"What does this have to do with me?"

"A lot. I heard about your involvement in the governor's race last year, you were in charge of the winning candidates campaign."

"I went to school with Ben, I knew he was the right man for the job. He just needed help getting other people to see that."

"Yes," Lex said with a grin. "That's what I mean. You're a king maker."

"I still don't get your point Luthor?"

"I want you as an ally, you'll help me and I'll help. I have some contacts who--"

"No thanks, any dealings with the Luthors come with a price and I'm not going to pay it."

Pete turned and saw Lana and Clark together. They were talking and Lana was laughing. He tried to fight the small inkling of illogical jealousy that he pretended didn't exist. He knew they were just friends, they had both said that more than once. But he was Clark and she was Lana.

"You want to give her the world, don't you Ross? You have that same look Clark use to have when he saw her with the quarterback."

"Clark's my friend and it's none of your business."

"Yes, right, of course he's your friend, but he's also the man you have to live up to, he's your competitor."

"I'm not competing with my friend."

"But you are, you can help it, it's a primal instinct."

Lex slipped a card into Pete's pocket and walked away. Pete thought about taking it out and tearing it up, but for some reason he didn't. Then Lana left Clark's side and walked across the room to him.

"What did Lex want?"

"Nothing," Pete replied.

"Well, it's time for the countdown and I want my kiss," Lana said taking his hand.

They walked into the center of the room. He rang in the new year with a kiss from Lana and a Luthor in his pocket.


********

They started off the New Year as a couple. His mother seemed to bring up marriage every time she visited and they both laughed it off. But the idea had Pete thinking more and more about his career.

Before Lana and Pete knew it, it was February. Lana was greeted with a huge bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolate kisses on Valentines day. They were brought to her door by Pete himself that morning.

"Thank you," Lana said giving him a hug.

She invited him in and they sat down in the living room.

"You coming to the Valentines dinner with my parents and the siblings tonight?" Pete asked.

"Of course," Lana said getting a vase for her flowers.

"Listen Lana, I've been thinking about things."

"What things?" Lana said coming into the living room.

"Well, my career for one, you remember that business trip two weeks ago."

"Yeah," Lana said sitting beside him.

"Well, I didn't explain everything to you. It was an interview for a job. I'm thinking of moving to D.C. and I want you to come with me."

"What?" Lana questioned. "Why would you move? I thought you liked being so close to your family."

"I do, I just want more, more for me, more for us."

"This is a big decision Pete, I mean we're just really starting out and I'm starting to feel settled again. And you want me to uproot myself again and move. I don't know if I can do that."

"We're not strangers, we've known each other a long time. And I don't want to do the long distance thing."

"So you already accepted the job?"

"Yeah, I did."

"You could at least have talked to me about it first."

"Maybe I shouldn't have bought this up today," Pete said to himself.

"You're right, you should have bought it up before you went on the interview."

"I didn't know what I was going to do until I met the guy."

"But things are great right now, why do you want to move away?"

"Ever since the whole Jared thing, I've been thinking about the future and kids and family and what I really want out of life, what kind of example I would want to be if I had a family. I've settled Lana, I know there's more out there for me to accomplish, but I've settled for a safe job in my hometown. I don't want that anymore."

"I just don't know if I can move to Washington with you Pete."

"Why not, what's holding you here? Clark?"

"Why do you always bring him up?" Lana asked. "This is not about Clark, okay. This is a big deal Pete. I mean it isn't just moving, it's us moving away together. Don't you think it's kind of soon. Officially, we've only been together a about a month and a half."

"But unofficially we've been heading here a long time, so I didn't think it was that big of a deal to re-locate."

"We're still figuring this thing out and what would the living arrangement be, would we live together? Would we share a bed? We haven't exactly gotten there yet in our relationship."

"So basically, you're saying you don't want to go?"

"Look, if you feel this job is something you need to do, do it for you. I don't want to be the one holding you back, but I just don't know if I can go with you."

"So what happens to us then?"

"I don't know, I just don't know."

"I really shouldn't have brought this up today," Pete said to himself.









That evening Lana and Pete arrived at the Ross house. It was the usual warm environment, but lacking children, they were all with babysitters. There were four couples. Pete's brother and sister with there spouses, his parents, and Lana and Pete themselves. Pete's father, the big cook in the household had the men in the kitchen helping prepare dinner for the ladies.

Lana was sitting with Pete's sister in the living room while this was going on.

"Did you hear about Pete's new job?" Lana asked his sister.

"Yeah, he said he was going to ask you to come with him. I'm so happy for you."

"I don't know if I'm going."

"What?" she said shocked. "I thought you and Pete were getting serious?"

"It's only been about a month and a half."

"It's been longer than that. God, Mom has been planning your wedding for over a year. She's been predicting your engagement for longer than that."

"Really?"

"Yes, I know you love my brother."

"I'm not so sure. I mean I care about your brother, don't get me wrong. I just want to be sure. And I don't want to up and move to D.C. without knowing it's right."

"Oh," she said sounding disappointed. "Well, Pete's sure about you. He told me so. He's really opened up with you, I can see it in his eyes. He's serious about you and if you're not sure about him, maybe I'm wrong this time."

Pete's father stepped into the room. "Ladies, it's time to eat."

Everyone joined the men in the dinning room. The romantic day of the year turned into the most uncomfortable dinner of the year.




*******


Lana had settled for continuing the relationship with Pete long distance. He seemed to enjoy his new job, but he asked her to join him out there. He came down for holidays and Lana heard Mrs. Ross was still planning the wedding. But she felt the strain on there relationship. She was still often invited to join the Ross family, even when Pete wasn't around. In July she went up to Metropolis to visit, Chloe was in town. It was also an excuse to check in with Clark.

She and Chloe met at the Planet, because they wanted to see if they could get Clark to join them, but he was busy. So after a short talk with him, they went out for coffee.

"Have you talked to Pete recently?" Chloe suddenly asked.

"Of course, we talk all the time," Lana said.

"I got the impression things aren't going well."

"They're fine," Lana replied.

"You're lying," Chloe said. "Why didn't you go with him?"

"Why should I uproot my life for a guy. You wouldn't do that."

"No, I wouldn't. And I don't think you should go for Pete, I think you should go for you. I mean, what do you have keeping you here?"

"Well, there's the Talon."

"I thought you were thinking of selling it to Sam Rainer. He's been running the place for how long now?"

"I think you're staying for Clark."

"Not you too."

"Clark has always worshiped you and you like it. He's some kind of dependable safety net to you Lana and you like having him close. You also like Pete's family and the Kents for the same reason. You hold onto the Talon, even though you're barely there, because it's a safety net. You liked working with Henry Small for the same reason. Even when my dad moved to Metropolis, he was still a safety net. See, It's not just Clark, you're surrounded by safety nets. Even Pete's family was a safety net. And you're scared of dealing with Pete one on one without those safety nets around you to catch you if you fall."

"That's crazy."

"You never had to deal with Pete one on one, no Clark, no me, no Ross Family there as cheerleaders. And it scares you. You told me once you care about him."

"I do, I just feel like we're growing apart."

"Yeah, but you don't have to."

"I can't believe you're convincing me to go after Pete."

"Hey, if you don't want it, don't go."

"But I do."




Pete threw his keys down beside the phone as he entered his empty apartment. He checked his messages. There was one from his mother, one from a woman he met the other day. And one from Lana. That was the one that made him pause.

"Hey Pete," she said. "If you call me at home when you get in, I won't be there. I've made a decision about us and I hope you're okay with my decision."

"I knew it was coming," Pete said hitting the stop button on his machine.

Just then he heard the doorbell ring and went to the door. He was surprised to find Lana at the door. He couldn't hide the big grin on his face.

"What are you doing here. I know you didn't come all this way to say good-bye."

"Good-bye?"

"Wasn't that the break-up message you left on my machine?"

"No, I want to be here with you."

Pete peaked out into the hall and saw she had bags with her.

"I finally sold the Talon to Sam Rainer. He's been running the place for so long it doesn't seem like mine anymore and --"

"Wait," Pete interrupted.

"What?"

"Just--"

Pete forgot whatever he was going to say at that moment and pulled her into his arms. He trapped her in a kiss and Lana melted into him. She had missed his warmth. Whatever had fallen off between them seemed to melt away at that moment.



Pete rushed into the hospital and saw his friend standing with the doctor. He was dressed in his heroic red and blue.

"Hey Cl--," Pete began and stopped himself. "Superman."

Clark turned and saw Pete. He walked over to him with the doctor.

"Doctor, this is the father."

"How's my wife... the baby."

"You're wife's okay," the doctor said. "And your son... he's coming along. He's in the NICU."

"Son? I have a little boy?"

"Congratulations," Superman said. "Clark will be by to see you three later, but I have to go."

"Okay," Pete said.

Superman sped off.

"Let's go see your wife," the doctor said leading Pete to the NICU.

Pete saw his wife sitting watching the tiny baby in front of her. Lana's expression was hard to read. A mixture of joy at seeing her child and pain knowing he may not survive.

"Hey," Pete said approaching her.

"Hey honey," Lana said. "Come meet your little boy."

Pete came over and looked at the tiny infant.

"Is he okay?" Pete asked. "He's so small."

"He's coming along," Lana replied.

"I'm sorry I wasn't--"

"It's okay," Lana told him. "We're okay. He's beautiful isn't he?" Lana asked reaching in to touch his little hand."

"Yeah," Pete replied. "You were right?"

"When?"

"When you said I would have a son and I would love his mother as much as I love him."

Lana wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close.

"I love you," he said.

Lana simply smiled and kissed him. It was how she always responded to those words. A marriage, a child, and she still had yet to say them back.


****


Baby Clark had come early, so there had been no time for a baby shower. So a welcoming party was planned for all there friends and family the week after Clark got out of the hospital. All there friends were there, all there family.

Pete kept the baby in his arms all day. He had turned into super dad with Clark. Every second he was home, Clark was in his arms. He fed him, he changed him, he bathed him. His brother finally convinced him to let him hold the baby.

"This is Pete Junior right here," his brother said. "We know this one's yours."

Pete smiled proudly. It was then Lana saw Chloe come in. She was one of the last to arrive and she was with Lex. She left his side to come over to Lana, but Lana was watching the way Pete was suddenly looking at Lex. Pete took his son from his brother, gave him a kiss on the head and walked him over to Lana. He gave her the baby and then disappeared outside with Lex. Clark came to Lana's side.

"What's going on with Lex and Pete?" Clark asked.

"I don't know," Lana replied. "Don't worry about it Clark," Lana said with a false smile. "Have you held Clark tonight?"

"No, not tonight," he said taking the baby in his arms.

"He probably just wants to thank him for that help Lex gave him last year."

"You're probably right," Lana said.



Outside, Pete was doing anything but thanking Lex.

"Nice boy you got there," Lex said.

"Yeah he is and thanks to you I missed him coming into the world."

"We all have our debts to pay," Lex replied.

"Not me, I'm out of it."

"Have you forgotten who got you out of trouble last year, it was me."

"Have you forgotten who got me into it. I don't want to have anything else to do with you Lex. I have a family now."

Pete turned to go inside.

"I'd hate to see that little boy deprived of a father because some information accidentally leaked into the wrong place."

"Is that a threat?" Pete asked turning back toward him.

"No, I'm just saying sometimes bad things happen. And I'd hate for bad things to happen to your family. Especially since I can provide a lot of better alternatives."

"What do you want Luthor?"




Late that night Lana walked around cleaning up the wrapping paper left over from the gifts of there party guest. Then she collected some clothes she'd gotten for Clark and headed into the nursery. She found Pete holding his infant son in his arms speaking quietly to him. He told him how much he cared, how great his life was going to be, and then he apologized for being imperfect. There was something about the way he held him, the gentle way he spoke, that tore at Lana's heart. And she was washed over with this new feeling, love. She'd dated and married this man only sure that she cared for him, but this moment she felt something different and overwhelming.

Pete saw her standing there. She put the clothes on top of the babies' dresser and walked up to him.

"I love you," she said.

"I know," he replied.

"I didn't know," Lana said. "Not until now." Lana looked down at their son. "He won't care you know, that you're imperfect, he'll love you anyway because you're his father."

"And what about you? You know how deep I'm in with Luthor."

"It doesn't matter," Lana replied. "I love you. Whatever happens, I'll stick by you."

They stood in silence for a moment.

"I'm glad we waited," Lana said.

"Waited for what?"

"To become friends, to become more. It didn't happen in an instant, it happened in it's own time, when it was right. And that's why, no matter what happens with Lex or with anything, we'll be okay."

Pete reached up and touched Lana's cheek. She fell into his hand and kissed his palm. Then he pulled her close and they shared a long deep kiss. And for that moment, the world was complete.

-The End-