Title: Coffees and Conversation

Chapter Completed: February 5, 2003

The Talon was excessively crowded and noisy, delaying Lana's overly cheerful observation.

"You're back," she smiled in her wide and bright way, when she made it over to the corner table. It took a few moments for her brain to click, snapping along with the thought process, "Anna, right?"

The questioned girl nodded making Lana's smile impossibly widen that little bit more.

"Did you make it to college?" Clark asked, this being the first time he knew she was back in Smallville. Lex had said something about a surprise, but he had no idea it was the return of the handmaid. And he was generally curious about what had happened to her after that road scene.

"Yeah," Anna nodded to the boy across the table from her, them opened up a little to those around her, "I'm taking business ethics."

Pete looked between her and Lex, then Lex and her and out right laughed.

Clark nudged him as Lex gave him glare, "ah…sorry. It's just funny," he motioned between them, "I mean come on, business ethics?!"

Lana stifled a laugh, "Well…what brings you back here?"

Anan opened her mouth to speak, but the words failed her. She still didn't like the curiosity of the teens in groups. It wasn't like Lex and her had discussed telling anyone about it or anything about it really. So she drew a blank.

"It's her birthday…in a couple of days," Chloe jumped in, using her memory skills, getting a thankful smile and shatter from everyone else at the table. She knew that little digging would come in handy.

Anna leaned over to the girl next to her, "Thank you."

Leaning back she whispered, "No problem…have you told…" she trailed off hoping she would catch the point without it having to be said.

A smile appeared on the opposite face and she motioned to beyond the table's edge. Her hand lay on Lex's lap, completely encased in his. Their fingers intertwined. He was holding her hand rather protectively. Lex too smiled over at Chloe before returning to the conversation with Clark.

Now she smiled, almost out a triumph and a type of contentment. Her face pleading for more details, every detail.

"Okay," Anan motioned toward the counter for them to talk somewhere quieter, and away from everyone else.

Rising from the table they received only the slightest notice from the two L's.

"I'll be right back," she squeezed his hand before pulling hers away, still smiling at him.

"Going to check the baked goods," Chloe nodded to Lana's inquiring look getting a nod back.

"When did they become so close?" Clark asked, notice Lana's line of vision as the two girls left the group.

"These don't look good," Anna commented looking over the oven baked platters, another wave of nausea coming over her.

"Yeah," Chloe shrugged as she began picking at a muffin, "So…tell me." She sat on the bar like stool awaiting the details.

The older blonde giggled, "Didn't really say much," she was careful of what she gave up, "We had a bit of a fight….and made up," she was staring off dreamily at Lex, only the slightest blush on her ears.

"He seems really happy," she observed the visual exchange between the two and how freely the millionaire's lips curved into that smile, "Especially considering the possibility that it might be Lionel's."

"um…actually," she looked down, "I haven't gotten to telling him that." Her time berating herself.

The girl just replied with widened eyes.

"I will," she sighed, "And I'm sorry for having you hold that still." And she was. Feeling and for having the high schooler hold her secrets, "But I really appreciate having someone to talk to," looking back up at the girl across from her.

"Me too," Chloe smiled, "I haven't actually had a girl friend…trying but there's always something between it," she looked over her shoulder at their table. Clark was staring at Lana a little too intensely for her liking.

"Clark," Anna finished, hearing the other girl sigh with exhaustion, "There are other guys around here who aren't so…" she looked for words carefully, "so Clark. He is a really sweet bot, but I think you might be missing another option."

Chloe's neck snapped back around accusingly.

"Pete," she motioned her chin at the named boy.

"Pete?" she repeated, confused by the suggestion, "You can't mean Pete Ross."

"If that's him. The one who hasn't stopped looking over here since you sat there."

Chloe turned her head slowly, catching Pete staring over in their direction. She smiled and wiggled her fingers in a wave to him. He plastered on his, as she thought about it, famous Pete Ross grin and waved back.

"Told you," Anna said smugly, a trait she had picked up from Lex.

Chloe just blushed a bit, eating more of her unpaid for muffin.

"Told you," she repeated, laughing a little.

"Okay, okay," Chloe laughed too, standing to go back to the group, "But we're just really good friends."

"Sure," the older one rolled her eyes, stealing a piece of her new friend's stolen muffin. The nausea replaced by hunger.

"Hey," she was just freely laughing now, "You don't know all about me."

"You don't know me," Anna stopped short and turned, "And how did you know it was my birthday?"

Chloe shrugged and the pair broke out in another fit of giggles.

"What's so funny?" Clark looked up at them when they stopped at the table.

The girls looked at each other and laughed again, "Nothing."

"Okie," Lana drew out the word as the two clamed down. Anna taking her seat next to Lex, who immediately took hold of her hand. And Chloe taking her's noticing for the first time how Pete notices her.

"So, how old are you?" Lana leaned forward on the table, an oversized smile on her face.

"I'll be twenty," Anna forced a smile to match hers. Nervous of the intensity of her question.

"Oh! Well that settles it!" she sprung up to her full height.

"Settles what?" the questioned girl turned to her lover, "What the hell is she talking about?" through gritted teeth she asked.

Lex smiled and shrugged, "It won't hurt I promise," he whispered into her ear, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Swear?" she giggled against his neck.

Crossing her arms over her chest Lana cleared her throat to regain their attention.

"Sorry," both said, looking up and acknowledging the others.

Clark laughed. He had never seen his friend this relaxed before, ever. But it totally seemed to agree with him.

"Do continue," Lex waved a hand at the brunette in his usual superior manner.

She just nodded, paying no attention to the snippiness, "Since you came all the way to Smallville on your birthday, we're throwing you a party." She smiled like giving an acceptance speech.

Anna just sat wide-eyed.

"I think they've accepted you into their tribe," Lex teased into her ear, getting a playful slap for the comment.

"Smart ass," she hissed, "You had something to do with this, didn't you?"

"Oh no," Lex put his hands up in defeat, "This was all Lana's idea."

The aforementioned girl smiled brightly.

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A/N: hehe I'm just having some fun here… do da do da