A/N - Hi there! I am now free of the Art Degree Show Madness!' so I now have alot more time to devote to writing fan fic, Yah hoo!! I would also like to thank Rebma and Berkeley for their reviews, this chapter's for you! Oh and by the way, Smallville is still not mine in any way shape or form!! (I still keep on wishing!)

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Chapter 7 - Explanations, feelings and Favours.


Clark left the mansion and headed back to the Talon. What did I do that was so wrong? I didn't mean to scare her, but she just seem to go off the deep end' Still puzzled by both the girl and Lex's reaction to what happened, Clark was torn between wanting to talk to his friends about it and keeping it to himself. Lex wouldn't want me to say anything to anybody, at least not until we talk about it, and probably not even then.' His musing was cut short as he pulled up infront of the Talon and got out to see Chloe and Pete walking towards him.

Hey Clark, you coming to the Talon, me and Pete were just off to hang out there since it's Saturday and all, that and we have nothing better to do as yet. Chloe gave Clark a wide smile as she spoke.

Yeah, though I thought you'd be talking to Luthor for a while longer, not that I'm complaining. Pete didn't bother to hide his dislike of Lex as he questioned Clark. When Clark didn't speak, but instead frowned and sighed, Chloe and Pete looked at each other and then both asked at the same time, What's wrong Clark? and Pete carried on What's Luthor done now?

Um, it's nothing, I just didn't get to talk to Lex again that's all. Can we go inside now? Clark didn't exactly lie to them, but he didn't give them the truth either. His friends gave him a look, but let it be as the three of them headed off to the Talon.

When they had sat down with there coffees, Chloe tried to get Clark to speak again.
So Clark, ready to fill us in on what went wrong at the mansion today or what?

Clark shot Chloe a pleading look Chloe, look, I -uh - I can't really talk about it. Lex and I just had a misunderstanding, that's all.
You sound like your trying to convince yourself of that Clark, and it doesn't seem to be working, or you wouldn't still be wearing a frown. Chloe said stubbornly as she poked her spoon at him.

Look, I'm not really sure what happened, so until I talk to Lex, I would appreciate it if you just dropped the subject, ok!. Not waiting for an answer, Clark got up and walked to the counter to see Lana, he loved his friends, but sometimes they just asked to many questions. And the even more frustrating thing was that this time it wasn't even something about him that he couldn't tell them.

Chloe raised her eyebrows, grinned weakly and looked at Pete, Hmmm, er, I think I may have hit a nerve, now I just have to find out what happened between them.

Chloe, I think that we need to drop this one, Pete paused and looked over to where clark was standing with concern, I really think that this time it's between him and Luthor, if it's something that he can't talk to us about, he held up his hand to stop Chloe from interrupting YET, we are just going to have to wait. Chloe pursed her lips and frowned. Pete was right, but that didn't mean that she had to like it.

Ok, so, shall we go offer the olive branch, or leave him some more Lana time? Chloe's grin returned as she stood up.

Sure, I need a refill anyway. Pete chuckled as they both headed towards the counter to apologise to Clark.


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Really Lex, I'll be ok now, go talk to him. If he's a friend like you say, you have to explain to him that it wasn't his fault. It was just bad timing, I'm sure I'll like him once I meet him in better circumstances. Eaisland was wrapped up in the duvet, sitting on the bed so she could lean against the head board, Lex sat to the side of her on the beds edge.

Only if your sure. His soft blue eyes searched Eaisland's face to see if he could indeed leave her whist he went to talk to Clark about what happened. Ok, I will go talk to Clark, Lex smiled, got up from the bead and started towards the door to he bedroom. When he was about to leave he stopped, paused and returned to sit on the bed a thoughtful look upon his face, I just had a thought, what If invited Clark and a one or two of his friends over tomorrow, we could all watch a movie, have a small friendly gathering of sorts, what do you say? Please say yes' Lex thought to himself. This was a long and risky shot, but Eaisland needed to get over her fear of people, and this would be a good way of starting, and she was spending far to much time hiding out in her room as it was.

More people! What! Oh pull yourself together, he's right, I do need to stop mopeing, but a party? Oh well, might as well get it over with, I am surprised he never pushed it before.' Lex watched the emotions of dismay, frustration, worry and finally resignation play across her face in a few short moments. Um, ok, but a maximum of four! including Clark, and I want some female type people to make up at least two of the remaining three. And, um, well, god I just so know I will regret suggesting this, well, we could have a Gathering' by the pool, it is roasting. Eaisland trailed off rambling when she saw lex smirk at her, he was impressed by her rise to his challenge.

I'm sure I can arrange that, I see what Clark and his friends have to say. Lex got up again, he felt alot better about leaving her this time. As he got to the door he felt a pillow hit the back of his head, what the!' he thought as he whipped around to see Eaisland sat on the bed with a stubborn grin plastered across he face.

You do realise that this in no way means that I will have to go anywhere near the water don't you, just because their in the pool, doesn't mean I will be! Eaisland widened her grin as Lex gave a sigh, rolled his eyes, then smiled and said good bye.


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Upon entering the Talon, Lex spotted Clark with Pete and Chloe, as he stood there Lana sat down next to them. It appeared that he had time his arrival fortuitously as Lana had started her break and there were few people in the coffee house. Walking over to the group, it was Chloe who spotted him first, Maybe this wasn't such a good Idea, she has that gleam in her eye, I have to stop her from going all reporter on Eaisland if this is going to work.'

Mr Luthor, to what to we owe this visit? Chloe could hardly stop herself from asking all the questions that were burning at the back of her mind. Pete stifled a groan and looked up at Lex with the others.

Miss Sullivan, Clark, Lana, Mr Ross, I am glad that I caught you all together. I need to talk to you all, may I sit? Lex would have been amused at the looks on there faces if the situation he had come to discuss with them wasn't so humourless.

Sure Lex, did you say that you needed to talk to all of us, why?' Clark still couldn't scrape the puzzled expression from his features. Chloe on the other hand was all smiles and keen interest, whist Pete looked like he had just been given some very unpleasant task and Lana just smiled slightly and nodded.

I have a feeling that this has to do with what Clark refused to talk to us about earlier, would I be right? Chloe's question hung in the air as the waitress came over.

Lex sat and waited till the waitress had got his order and come back with his coffee before staring. What I am about to discuss with you is sensitive, and regards why I sent you away so abruptly today Clark. Lex directed his steady gaze over to Clark as he finished his opening statement. I would like to explain what happened Clark, and then I have a favour to ask of the four of you, before you make up your minds hear me out. This time his eyes rested on Pete's face and he caught the look of distrust in his narrowed eyes.

Clark, the person you met in the mansion today is named Eaisland, she has been living in the mansion for the past two weeks and will be for the foreseeable future. To forestal any questions, we are just friends, I have become her legal guardian because she had no family left to support her. I can't tell you much about her past, that's her prerogative, what I can tell you is that it wasn't pretty. Here Lex paused to gauge the reaction of the four people looking at him, they all seemed quietly stunned by his openness. But he had little other way to accomplish what he needed to. Her past is why you scaired her half to death Clark at this Clark reddened and looked down at the table because Chloe Pete and Lana were giving him a mixture of looks. Eaisland has become somewhat phobic of people, especially tall dark haired men. When you surprised her and walked towards her quickly, Eaisland panicked, she a very jittery person. But I've calmed her down and she understands that you didn't want to hurt her, she is frustrated by her fear and wants to forget it, but that's a hard thing to do. Lex stopped again to let them digest his statements and sipped his coffee.

Oh Lex, god I am so sorry, if had known, she isn't to mad at me is she? Clark could kick himself now that he understood why Eaisland had reacted the way she did.

Wow, it must have been something awful that happened to her to make her that jumpy. Commented Chloe in a soft voice, half to herself. And what does this have to do with asking us for a favour? Added Pete, his voice not quite so hostile.

Well now Mr. Ross, I was just coming to that. As I just mentioned, Eaisland wants to break her fear of strangers and I was wondering if I could get the four of you to help us in that endeavour. To that end, we thought it would be good if she started to meet new people in a surrounding that she felt safe in, maybe make some friends besides myself. So we decided upon holding a small get together by the pool at the mansion tomorrow, the four of you are invited to be guests. With his proposal out in the open Lex sat back, he kept a neutral expression to his features.

Lana was the first to break the silence that had ensued after Lex had stopped talking,I would love to help Lex, it can't be any fun sitting around with no friends and not be able to make them. Well all go, wont we guys? Lana really did want to help this person who obviously meant alot to Lex, he wouldn't be sitting hear otherwise, but she also relished the idea of a swimming pool in the current heat wave.

Yeah, I'm in. grinned Chloe and she nudged Pete who looked up guiltily and then spoke I come along, but just to help Eaisland. Lana and Chloe beamed at him and then they looked at Clark, who seemed torn by indecision.

Lex tilted his head in question when Clark looked at him. Um, Lex, is it such a good idea if I'm there, I mean, it was me who scaired her the last time and well, I..... As he trailed off Lex let a small smile curl the edges of his lips upwards.

Eaisland wants you to be there Clark, she was just taken off guard, but she really does want to get to know you. Clark gave him a shy smile and looked at the others again.

Well, I guess a pool party a Lex's it is then.


TBC......

A/N - Hoped you liked it, if ya did, I live for reviews!! Hint Hint Hint!!