A/N: Look another chapter and it hasn't been eight months!!! I know you're all excited, just try and contain yourselves!!! Anyway, Clark and his family got a little boost in life and I don't think that Whitney is too happy about that! Thank you so much for the reviews! Anyway, on with the show!

~Chapter 4~

Whitney was practically running to keep up with Lex as they left Lana and the Kent family. Whitney was furious that he had to go with Lex instead of keeping an eye on Lana with the Kent family or more specifically with Clark. He had noticed the looks that had passed between them and didn't like it one bit.

"What do you think about that?" Lex was asking. "Whitney? I'm sorry, but am I interrupting you?" he asked impatiently.

"I- I'm sorry, Lex, I must have been lost in my thoughts. I mean, do you think that it's a good idea to leave Lana with those people? How much do you honestly know about them?" At the dark look that crossed Lex's face, Whitney knew that he shouldn't have questioned Lex's wishes.

Lex stopped walking fully turned toward Whitney and said, "Clark saved my life and his family took me in and shared what little they had with me. If Mr. Kent had any say the situation, they'd be right back on their farm as fast as a carriage could get them there. Now, does that sound like the kind of family that is out for opportunity?"

"No, you're right, I apologize for thinking that. Ah . you were saying?" Whitney asked anxious to get the conversation off of him.

"Yes, as I was saying," Lex started, continuing his brisk walk down the corridor, "I think that Clark should start training as a squire and if he picks up quickly put him in training to be a knight."

Whitney was appalled by this idea, training Clark to be a squire let alone a knight revolted him. "What an excellent idea, sire. We have a few new men in training, it would be my pleasure to help in anyway."

Lex could hear the contempt in Whitney's voice. Lex knew that Whitney was only saying whatever he thought would keep him in Lex's good graces so that he could court Lana. He hated the thought of Lana ending up with this cold man. He knew that she deserved to be with someone better and as he continued walking with Whitney discussing Clark's future, he hoped that Lana and Clark were getting to know each other better.

~~~

Lana was finishing up telling the Kents everything that happened in her life ending with how Lex was the reason she was allowed to stay on at the castle as they walked out of the castle into the gardens.

"I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt passing away," Martha said, she wanted to reach over and hug Lana to comfort her for everything that she had gone though.

Lana was taken aback by the sympathy Martha Kent was showing her. This woman whom she remembered only from her weekly visits to make deliveries was showing more caring than anyone, other than Lex, had showed her in a long time. Jonathan was still brooding over what had just happened and it was apparent that he wasn't really following the conversation. Clark, on the other hand, was following everything that she was saying with an avid interest. Lana felt her heart flutter every time she looked over at him and met his eyes. When this happened, Clark would smile and look away, a little embarrassed to have been found staring at her.

"So Clark, I don't ever remember your parents bringing you over when I was younger. It would have been great to meet you then," Lana said, trying to get Clark to actually talk.

"Uh . " Clark started not knowing how to answer her.

"That's because my parents were always looking after him," Martha cut in quickly. She and Jonathan still had a hard time believing how Clark had come into their lives and they knew that others would never understand.

"Oh," Lana replied sensing that they would just as soon drop the subject. Even Jonathan snapped his head toward them when she asked the question.

"Excuse me Lana, I don't mean to be rude, but do you mind if I speak to my wife for a moment?" Jonathan asked taking Martha's hand to lead her away.

"Of course, not at all." Jonathan led Martha farther into the garden away from where Clark and Lana could hear them. Clark knew that his father wanted to talk to his mother to see how they could get out of their present situation. He was still staring after them, even when they turned a corner to be completely out of earshot. He was left alone with Lana, which was great to his thinking, but he didn't know what to say.

"So . this looks familiar . " Lana said trailing off. Clark turned to look at her, still not saying anything. "Of course, I'm not looking up at you from the ground."

Clark looked around and realized that they were standing in the same place where he had knocked her over almost a week ago. Clark's face turned bright red, "I'm so sorry about that . it was an accident!"

"Oh, so you can talk! I was beginning to wonder about that." Clark was still bright red. "It's OK," Lana said putting her hand on Clark's arm, ignoring the little shock that traveled through her, "I was more startled than anything else. I don't usually see anyone out here when I go on my walks."

If possible Clark's face turned even redder when she put her hand on his arm. There was an awkward pause neither of them saying anything with Clark standing there completely interested in staring at his feet and Lana, looking around searching for something to talk about.

"Lana," came a female voice from somewhere near the castle. A pretty blonde girl was walking around the garden obviously looking for Lana.

"I'm over here Chloe," Lana replied.

Chloe started walking toward them after spotting Lana. "I'm sorry to bother you, but Lex asked me to tell you that he'd be a few minutes later meeting you, he has some business that he still needs to see to," she finally reached them and for the first time noticed Clark. Her eyes opened wide as she stared at the man before her. She turned her questioning eyes to Lana, clearly wanting to know what her Lady was doing in the gardens unattended with a strange man.

"Chloe, this is Clark, he is the one I was telling you about, the one that saved Lex. His parents are just around there," she said pointing to where the Kents went, "they needed to discuss something, but they should be right back," her cheeks were slightly pink knowing what Chloe was thinking, but Chloe was staring back at Clark, her eyes, still wide.

"A pleasure to meet you, Chloe," Clark said giving her a wide smile. Lana felt a pang of jealousy and didn't know where it came from. She didn't even know him, but was still a little resentful that he was bestowing Chloe with that smile.

"Pleasure to meet you too," she replied, finally finding her voice. "Well, I'm sorry to interrupt, I just wanted to give you that message."

"Thank you Chloe, I'll see you a little later." Chloe bobbed a curtsy and headed back toward the castle looking over her shoulder again towards Clark. She couldn't wait until she could question Lana about the handsome new stranger.

Turning back to Clark, she found him staring at her again and again he glanced away and blushed. It made her feel a little better after that smile that he gave Chloe, but she knew that she wanted one of her own.

"Chloe is the only person, other than Lex, that I really talk to around here. Well, and Whitney too."

"Whitney seems . nice," Clark said not really wanting to talk about Whitney.

"Well, don't let him fool you, he's mostly looking out for himself, but his family is very close with the King so I have to tolerate him. I'm glad that Lex is back though, things are usually better when he's around, I don't feel so lonely." Lana's face turned red as she realized what she was confiding in this virtual stranger.

"I know what you mean about being lonely . at least you have Chloe to keep you company, at home, if it's not something I want to talk to my parents about, I have to keep it inside."

"Well, now you can talk to me," she said catching his eyes. He smiled at her and even wider smile than the one he gave Chloe and as she smiled back in return.

At that moment his parents came walking back to where they were standing, his father was scowling, obviously he hadn't found away to get out of their situation. His mother caught them gazing at each other just before Clark and Lana noticed them.

"Sorry to keep you two waiting," Martha said as she reached them. "Shall we keep going then?"

"Of course," Lana said and with a final look at Clark she started leading the way to the house where the Kents would now be living. She felt happy with this family. Even when she was younger and the Kents came to make their deliveries; she always loved talking with Mrs. Kent. Her parents were always away on some royal business, and Mrs. Kent was always cared about what was going on in her life. Even years later she still felt the same sense of peace with her. Now that they would be living closer, she knew that she would be stopping by often to visit with Mrs. Kent. She tried to convince herself that that was the only reason she'd be visiting often. Well a majority of the reason anyway.

~~~

A/N: Another chapter done. I hope you all liked it. Lana seems ready to rumble with Chloe for staring at her man too much, but I've got it on pretty good authority that Clark has the hots for her. Until next time! Thanks for the reviews!