CHAPTER NINE

Disclaimers in Chapter One

It took every bit of self-control on Psyche's behalf to stop her from wringing her husband's neck.  Cupid just fouled up big time.

And he knew it.  "Hi," he sheepishly greeted his spouse as he came into the house.

She gave him no answer.

He proceeded with caution, but as he drew too close, she threw him a glare that made him jump back in a heartbeat.

"I take it that you're still mad?" he whispered, earning him a dirtier look.

"What do you think?" she hissed.  When he didn't say a word, she continued.  "This is a disaster, Cupid.  I've asked a simple task out of you: get Lex and Chloe together.  Instead, you've done everything else but that!"

"I know, I know!" he admitted, shaking his head at his own wrongdoings.  "I'll take care of it, I promise."

"Well, you better," she threatened.  "Or else."

Cupid raised an eyebrow in suspicion.  "Or else what?"

"You'll be living with your mother."

He shuddered at the thought.  Living with Psyche was a bed of roses compared to living with Aphrodite.  "Alright, alright," he surrendered.  "I'll handle this."

"Good," Psyche huffed.  "I'm going to Hera's tea party.  Fix this before I come back."  Another pointed look was thrown in Cupid's way before she left.

A sigh of relief escaped the love god as he waved over the looking glass, which showed the date.  "Now, how am I going to fix this?" he grumbled to himself.

Meanwhile, the foursome was having an animated conversation at their table.  Lana and Clark would crack farm jokes, and Lex and Chloe would shake their heads at them as they engaged themselves in playful banter.

Suddenly, a new waiter appeared at their table, silencing the group.  "Mr. Kent?" he inquired blindly, looking at either Lex or Clark for any indication as to which one is the right person.

"Yeah?" Clark finally replied.

"There's a phone call for you.  And another for a Miss Lang."

Lana smiled at him.  "That would be me," she said.

Clark stood up and helped Lana out of her seat, and they both followed the waiter to the lobby.  Left alone, Chloe and Lex could barely handle themselves.  Chloe was fidgeting with her napkin, and Lex was tapping his fingertips on the table.

"So," Lex finally spoke, which startled his table companion. 

He smiled.  "Sorry," he muttered.  "I just wanted to apologize for my recent behavior."

"Don't worry about it, Lex," Chloe shook her head.  "It's just probably some Wall of Weird phenomenon that's affecting all of us.  In fact, I almost believe that this date could an aftermath effect."

"Why would you think that, Miss Sullivan?" he said teasingly, hopeful for what she was implying.  "I thought that you wanted to be at this level with Clark."

"Please," Chloe snickered.  "Clark is a good friend, but have you seen our interaction?"

Lex made no intention to respond to her question directly.  "Well, then what do you think of my date here with Lana?"

She furrowed her brows.  She really did not want to say it, but she thought that he deserved better.  "She's not your type, Lex."

"And who is, Chloe?" he challenged as every bone in his body prayed for one response.

"I don't know" was not the answer he was hoping for.  A frustrated sigh escaped his lips.

Chloe looked down at her plate, thinking that her statement was rather rude, and was about to apologize when Lex took hold of her hand and tugged at her.

"Come with me," he said coolly, but she knew by just one look into his eyes that he meant business.  She gathered her coat and purse as he left a few generous bills on the table, and she willingly followed him as he led her to the lobby and out of the restaurant where the valet was quick to bring his car.

In a matter of minutes, Lex and Chloe were speeding away from the restaurant and their dates.

The waiter hurriedly came back to the table, only to find it empty.  "Now where in the hell did they go?" Cupid, still in disguise, muttered.