Author's Note: Holy molly! Page two!! My story is on page two!! What the hell is wrong with me!?!? How could I let this happen?!? HOW!?!?!??!?!

*clears throat*

Anyway, I'm terribly sorry that it's taken me so long to update this. Lot's of stuff have been going on in my life and I've just been busy. So, without further ado, I, spiderbob, give to you, my loyal readers, the next chapter. ENJOY!!

The Voting Results: Okay, you've waited forever. You've all voted, all expressed your opinions. I, spiderbob, asked you all if you thought Chloe and Peter should be a couple an if Chloe should die. Well now, the time has come. The polls are closed. The votes tallied. And the result is.um.drumroll please.

- drum roll -

The envelope please.

(A lady in a long black dress walks up and hands Sbob the envelope.) Thank you. Uh...having trouble opening it. Okay, I hold in my hand, the results, and it reads..

looks at it puzzled and reads it hesitantly -

"Haha, your votes don't count. This is my story and I can do whatever I please. You will all just have to wait and see what I decided to do. HAHA."

pauses for a second then looks off stage -

okay, who was playing solitaire on the voting computer!? Come on!!

Sorry, folks, but it looks like this jackass Sbob has intervened. Looks like you'll just have to wait and see. Toodles.

Disclaimer: Once again, I own nothing. Not even the clothes I'm wearing, which I stole from a homeless guy. Okay, too much info. On to the chapter.

"Can I go?" Peter asked anxiously. His whole body was full of excitement, anticipation, and worry. He was wearing a completely white t- shirt and a pair of blue jeans, both were covered in sweat from the chores and constant basketball games he'd been doing. He was impatiently sitting in a wooden chair by the kitchen table, looking nervously at the people in front of him. They were Mr. and Mrs. Kent, two of the kindest people he'd ever known. They had agreed to house Peter for a while, allowing him to cope with his uncle's death. Behind Peter stood Clark, who was almost as nervous as Peter was. Before the two teens a dilemma was unfolding.
Jonathan Kent was holding in his had a letter of invitation that had been sent to their house. The fact that it was for a luxurious event in Metropolis and sent by Mr. Luthor was shocking enough, but it paled in comparison to who it was for, Peter.
Martha had been looking at Jonathan hesitantly. She knew of his strong dislike for the Luthors and knew that it was that same dislike that was causing the problem before them. The letter requested that only Peter go, mentioning something of a 'surprise' in store for him. Martha had grown to accept and trust Lex. He was a dear friend to Clark, despite the obstacles their friendship had been through. Though reluctant, she was okay with it.
Jonathan on the other hand, kept gazing at the letter intently as if he were trying to burn a hole through it. He had not told Peter about his disliking for the Luthors, nor the cause of his mistrust. He tried to approach the situation reasonably, but his hatred was getting the better of him. He tried to remind himself that Lex was Clark's friend, that he had been there for Clark and it looked like he was trying to strike a friendship with Peter too. But the other part of his brain reminded him of all the things Lex had done. The constant investigations on Clark, the constant prying and hidden agendas. It was this part of his brain that was winning the battle.
Peter realized that he was loosing his case and desperately tried to earn their approval.
"It's nothing really fancy, just a small party. And I've never been to Metropolis and Lex says that it will on last till-"
"I know what it says, Peter," Jonathan interjected, a little irritated. His response came out harsh and he instantly regretted saying it, but made no movement to apologize. His gaze was locked on the letter and he repeatedly read it over and over again.
Not wanting to let an opportunity like this escape, Peter pressed on.

"I've done all my chores, and extra ones. And I don't have school, even though I wouldn't normally have school since it's Saturday. I could get all my chores done in advance, get them done early so I could have the evening fr-"
"Peter." Jonathan's interjection came in sternly, instantly silencing the youth.
"First of all, we've told you before that you are not obliged to do chores. You're a guest here, not a servant."
Peter opened his mouth to speak but stopped when he realized Jonathan wasn't finished.
"And secondly..you can go."
Clark's facial expression went from a surprised look to an ever growing smile. This decision had surprised even him. Peter, however, was taking it less calmly, and started literally jumping up and down with joy. Martha kissed Jonathan on the cheek and smiled at him.
"Thanks, honey."
Jonathan merely nodded in response. Peter stopped his parading and began babbling uncontrollably.
"Let's see. I milked the cows, stacked the hay, cleaned the barn, mowed the lawn. I gotta shower, brush my teeth, comb my hair, find some half way decent clothing."
His head popped up and looked at Clark who smiled and said, "You can borrow my tux."
Peter's grin grew steadily. He started walking up towards his room to get ready, constantly rambling on about what he had to do to get ready as he did.
Clark looked away from the fading teenager and back towards his father.
"Thanks, dad. I know you have issues with the Luthors and all."
"Yeah," Jonathan merely nodded, still deep in thought over the decision he just made. He looked away from the letter and up at Clark. "You'll provide transportation I assume."
It was Clark's turn to nod, and after a second he raced up to his room to search for his tux.

"Wow." It was all Chloe could say. She had nearly spilt her Cappuccino on the paper she was reading.
"Yeah, I know. Wonder what the surprise is."
"You'll take lots of pictures for me won't you?"
"Most definitely."
Chloe gave him a smile of appreciation. Peter suddenly found himself lost in that smile. He broke his gaze away from her at the sound of the door to the Talon opening. A couple walked in and towards the counter, ordering whatever it was they wanted to eat. Peter paid them no heed and turned his gaze back to Chloe. She was wearing a green sleeveless shirt that revealed her shoulders and about a centimeter of skin above her blue jeans. Her blond hair streamed down her hand and levitated above her shoulders. Her smile captivated Peter's attention and for a moment the two did nothing but stay locked in gaze. Chloe then let out a somewhat embarrassed smile and lowered her head, breaking the locked stare. Peter also smiled and then stood out of the chair he was sitting in.
"So.I'll see you later?"
Chloe looked up at Peter, her smiling broadening.
"Yeah, later."
Peter gave off one last smile and then bolted out the door.

The rest of the afternoon had been a series of unorganized events, all aimed towards getting Peter ready. His eagerness to learn the surprise was growing by the minute, and the Kents couldn't help but smile. It seemed to them that Lex was just what the doctor ordered, even Jonathan silently admitted it. Peter seemed to be filled with a new sense of life, his gloom and troubles forgotten. Clark's tux was a little loose on Peter, but nothing too noticeable.
The ride to Metropolis had been one of great conversation. Peter and Clark trailed from conversations on sports, Smallville events, and eventually, who the two of them were taking to the end of the year dance. Peter persisted that he wasn't going, and Clark kept his intentions for the upcoming night secret. Clark parked the red truck a little ways away from the building the letter had instructed them to go to. Peter exited the passenger's seat, withdrew his backpack from the back of the truck, and waved Clark goodbye as he walked towards the big event.
About an hour later Clark returned home. He slowly parked and exited the car and went back into his house. As he did, Martha approached Clark.
"Clark, Lex was on the phone. He wants you to call him back."
Clark casually walked over to the portable phone and dialed Lex's number.
"Lex?"

The figure in black watched the young man exit the red truck. He had his backpack hanging over his shoulders and his camera hung around his neck. He used his binoculars to zoom in closer, examining every inch of the youth.
"Sir, subject is arriving on schedule. Estimated time of arrival is two minutes."
"Good work," a voice replied. It had a sense of authority in it. "Is your man ready to go?"
The figure in black looked behind him and stared at the man standing behind him. He replied with a nod and continued to eye the teenager from a far. Despite the fact that they were twenty stories high, he was still able to keep a lock on the boy.
"All he needs is the word 'go'."
"Excellent. Stay on line and await my orders."
There was a click on the other line, signaling that the other party had hung up. The figure in black turned to his comrade and waited.

Peter's jaw nearly hit the floor. The letter the Kents had received did not do the place justice. All attendants at the party were luxuriously dressed it fine suits or dresses, depending on their gender. They were lightly chatting, laughing, and nibbling on the various food items the servants were passing around. Peter started to wonder if he was at the right place. He cautiously walked further into the room. An expensive glass chandelier hung form the ceiling. Two rows of stairs curved up to the top floor, their railings made of marble. The tile, obviously, had had a lot of money invested in it alone. Its surface was smooth and spotless. The walls were covered in light blue wallpaper that bordered on actually being white. Tables were lined on both sides of the room, each one offering its own unique and very appealing food dishes. Needless to say, Peter was speechless. Yet, he couldn't help get the feeling that he was at the wrong place, and the strange looks the other attendants were giving him only strengthened this notion.
Peter suddenly noticed that a tall man, dressed in a pure black suit and pants was walking towards him. He had dark brown hair that waved down to his shoulders and the bottom part of his face was covered in a full blown beard. He was wearing a huge smile of warmth and friendliness, yet it was that same smile that gave Peter an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. The man was now standing about a foot away from him. He extended his hand out towards Peter.
"Mr. Parker, I assume."
Peter took his had, hesitantly.
"Yes, that's me."
"Welcome, Mr. Parker. I do hope you enjoy yourself this fine evening in Metropolis."
Peter paused and then added, "I'm sorry, but um, I don't believe I got your name."
"Oh, how thoughtless of me," the man replied, his friendliness was almost too polite and good natured to be true. "My name is Lionel...

...Luthor?" Clark asked. "Lex, you called?"
"Yeah, just thought I'd check up on you. Hadn't seen you in a while and just wanted to know how you were doing. You and Peter, that is."
"Peter?" Clark asked, a little puzzled. "Isn't he with you?"
"With me? No, of course not. Not unless he sneaked into the mansion unnoticed."
"The mansion? I thought...that is...aren't you at some big Luthor event in Metropolis?"
"Metropolis? No. Why?"
Clark went silent, his mind racing. Lex was at home. Then who...
"Lex, you're sure you didn't send Peter a letter inviting him to a Luthor event in Metropolis?"
"Yeah, but now that you mentioned it, I ought to. He hasn't seen Metropolis has he. Might be a way to cheer him u-"
"Lex, I gotta go."
And before Lex could question the matter further, Clark had already hung up and was racing with all his speed towards Metropolis.

Oooooo. Parker's in trouble now. You like? Then please review. You don't like. Then review anyway. Next chapter coming soon.