Author's Note: You guys disgust me! All you ever have to say is "I want more." "Give me more!" It's all about you! You never asked how I feel, you just want to be pleased!! Okay, I see how it is. Let's not give a damn about the writer. Let's just hound him to keep writing!! You monsters!!! You fiends!!! You...you...HAHAHAHA!!!! I'm sorry. I couldn't keep a straight face when I saw your guys' faces. It was priceless. *sigh* No, seriously. I want to thank you all for your kind reviews, though I must admit that I haven't received any flames yet, much less a negative review. I keep waiting for it to come. It's kinda like when you know you did something wrong and you're just waiting till you're caught. But once again, I thank thee for thy kind words and will try and keep up the apparent good job I'm doing. Thanks.

Smallville Note: I've liked season three so far, but I must say, the preview for the episode of Smallville 1961 disappoints me. It just looks like a bad romance novel. I'm not watching Smallville to see Clark and Lana make out on stacks off hay you know (and they very well may have them go farther than making out). It looks very bad and I don't even know if I'm going to watch it. And the plus side, I like how Lionel is blackmailing Chloe and I like how we get to see more of Lex and his personal demons. Maybe the week after this Tuesday will be better.

Chiefs Note: I know I'm late in saying this but I haven't been able to find time to get on the computer lately. Anyway, the Chiefs stomped, crushed, and obliterated the Bills, making them 8-0 before their bye. GO CHIEFS!!!

Disclaimer: Once again, I own nothing. Even the computer I'm using is on loan. Well not really but you get the idea. And here is chapter whatever. Someone slap me real hard.

Peter sat in the truck, his head resting on his arm which was propped up against the door. His gaze seemed to wander aimlessly, though he didn't really care. He was still thinking about last night. He'd totally broken down, something he had been able to avoid doing all this time. But for some reason, Smallville seemed to have a strange effect on him. It seemed to surface emotions and memories he had tried so hard to bury deep down, tried to ignore. And the strangest thing was, he liked it. It felt soothing to get his feelings out in the open. For the first time in a long time, he felt at peace, even if it was a small peace. He felt, relaxed. It was a feeling that had been a stranger to him for quite some time.

The diver seat's door opened and Clark entered the red Toyota. He was wearing blue jeans, a white shirt, and a jacket. He looked refreshed and alive as opposed to Peter, who looked like he had gotten two hours of sleep. His hair was a mess and his eyes were drooping. Clark started the truck and drove off.

"So where are we going that's so important that caused you to wake me at eight in the morning?"

Clark smiled at Peter and then turned his attention to the road.

"Well, I just thought it was time for you to meet a good friend of mine."

"You woke me up at eight in the morning to do a house call?"

Again, Clark smiled. There was a moment of silence between them before Peter spoke again.

"So, who's the great friend that you're dying for me to meet, but decided it'd be best to meet him early in the morning instead of all the other afternoons we've had free?"

"We're going to meet Lex Luthor."

"Ah, the boy billionaire who's dad Mr. Kent speaks so highly of."
Clark looked at Peter with concern.

"Lionel isn't liked by anyone in Smallville, but Lex isn't like him. He's a great guy if people would give him a chance."

Peter just nodded and went back to staring aimlessly at the passing scenery. Silence engulfed the truck for several seconds, a silence that was broken by a very concerned Clark Kent.

"Hey Peter. About last night. You know, if something's bugging you or you want to talk to someone, I'm here. You can talk to me, if you want."

Peter suddenly realized what Clark was speaking of and also realized that he might of hurt Clark by confining in Chloe, an action that still confused him.

"Oh, sorry Clark. I didn't mean to ignore you or anything. I just, I don't know. I guess I just needed to get some things off my chest, you know, talk to someone. And Chloe just happened to be there."

Clark still looked worried.

"You do know that you can talk to me about, well you know? I mean, I thought that's what friends were for."

The last part of Clark's sentence took Peter completely by surprise. Friends? He had never had any friends except for Harry. Clark Kent, his friend. He couldn't help but smile.

"Thanks Clark."

The muscular teen returned the smile.

"Anytime."

The was a relaxing calm between them as they continued there path towards Lex's mansion.

*****

He stood outside the room, peering through the glass window, staring at her. His eyes were about ready to burst wih tears. The doctor was knelt down beside her, checking her situation. He'd hardly left her side since they discovered it, only leaving to get something to eat or use the restroom. He began to tap impatiently and folded his arms. He wanted to know. He needed to know. He thought back to the day he lost his wife during her birth, a tragedy she stilled blamed herself for. He couldn't bear to loose her too. She was all he had left.

"Mark? Are you alright?"

He turned towards the direction of the voice to see the infamous Lionel Luthor approaching him. He sped his way up to the window and looked in.

"How's she doing?"

"I don't know. The doctor hasn't said. He's still checking."

His voice was hesitant and implied that he was going to break down at any moment.

"Mark, don't worry, she'll-"

The door to the room slowly opened as the doctor exited. His face already told Mark the news he was still denying to be true. It can't be. It couldn't be.
"Doctor. My daughter. Is she..?"

He stopped his sentence short. He needed to hear that she'd be alright. Needed to know that he wouldn't loose her like her mother. Needed to beat the odds. Needed to.

"I'm afraid her situation has gotten a lot worse. We've stabilized her condition, but it's still killing her. We've bought her about three more days, but I'm afraid, it's only a matter of time before the cancer.."

"No." His voice was that of man who had just lost all hope. All will to live. He had nothing now. He was going to have to watch his daughter die, and watch her die slowly. No. He didn't believe that. He couldn't believe that.

"I'm sorry. There's nothing more we can do."

The doctor was silent for a moment and then walked off to leave the father with his grief. Mark looked at his daughter who was sleeping so peacefully. She appeared to him like an angel. A beautiful, delicate angel that was about to be thrown down into the dark edges of hell. His little girl was going to die in less than a week.

"Mark, I'm sorry. I know how hard this is."

He remained silent, as if the undenying truth was slowly reaching him, embracing him.

"Lionel, there was a reason I asked you down here. I know you're a busy man, and I know you have more important things to do, but..."

"Mark, you're my top bio-enginierist. I'll do what I can."

Mark let a small smile of gratitude creep up, one that was quickly replaced by one of sorrow.

"My little Rachel isn't going to make it Lionel. They say she's going to die. Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless you let me save her."

Mark stared at Lionel, waitng, like a beggar waiting to see if a stranger was going to give him money. Lionel seemed puzzled for a minute, and then the realization of what he meant hit him.

"I'm sorry Mark. But you know I can't do that. The project isn't exactly government approved. Besides if it worked the traces of it in her blood could be traced back to me and then we'd be in even a bigger mess. I'm sorry, but the cons out weigh the pros. Besides, it's not even completed."

Mark stood in shock at what he just heard.

"Out weighs the pros? We're talking about my daughters life!!!"

"I understand that Mark. But it'd be too big of a financial and security risk."

"My daughter is dying!!! It could save her!!!"

Mark's cheeks were now soaked in tears as all his despair, grief, and frustration poured out.

"My condolences Mark. I'll let you take two weeks off but I expect you back in work by then."

Lionel stared at him in the eyes and then walked off.

"That cold blooded bastard!" He thought to himself. A thought that practically screamed to come out. He watched Lionel exit the building without even looking back. And although his response had cut into the very heart of Mark's soul, it was not completely unexpected. The blond male entered his daughter's room. He walked over to her side and held her hand.

"I'll save you honey. I'm not going to loose you too."

He looked around to make sure no one was looking and then pulled out of his jacket's inner pocket a small tube and a needle. It the unlabeled tube was a greenish looking substance that slowly bubbled. He unscrewed the top and inserted the tip of the needle into the liquid. He drew the compound into the needle, then resealed it and placed it back into his jacket. He walked over to the package of blood that the doctors had connected to her arm. He slowly and carefully injected the substance into the blood that was being fed into his daughter. He emptied it all and the backed away from the bed slowly. He placed the syringe into his jacket and sat by his daughter's bedside. It had to work. She was all he had left. He sat and waited.