Lex leans against his Porsche with his shades on and waiting for the blades of the helicopter to stop turning and the passengers exit. Exiting the copter is Jack with two agents, and following him, is General Lane with two aides.
"Hello again, Lex." Jack says. "How's the shoulder?"
"Much better. Thanks for asking. The trip uneventful?" Lex comments.
"So far." Jack answers and visibly disgusted with this arrangement.
"Good afternoon, General. It's good to finally meet you in person." Lex says and extends his hand. The General takes it.
"I wish I could pay you the same respect, but what I know now. I am still not sure what to consider you, or if it's a good afternoon." General Lane answers.
"I understand. I wish things had not worked out that way." Lex says.
"Well let's go. I am sure they are waiting for us." Jack comments.
"Of course, I have vehicles at your disposal." Lex answers and directs them to a sedan and SUV parked. The FBI agents and aides' divide up, FBI drives and the other co-pilots the operation. Jack and the General get into the SUV and the other team goes to the sedan. Lex leads the way to the safe house. They arrive and the General witnesses the reunion of Pete Ross, Chloe, and Clark.
"Who's brilliant idea was this? What is happening? A party?" General Lane snarls and snaps. He catches a glimpse of Clair. "What is your daughter still doing here?" He turns to Jack.
Jack thinks I guess this is your way of thumbing your nose at the good General. "She's here of her own free will. She left the service and since she already knew the powers that be thought it best to leave her here for now." Jack answers.
"She should be gone. What does it take?" General Lane says.
"Go on to the house." Jack tells the agent driving. They roll on to the house.
"What's that all about?" Pete asks. Is it me or what?
"That would be reason we can see each other." Chloe says. A flash of pain crosses Clark's face. "I'm sorry." Chloe knows the pained look on his face is from seeing Lex. "Guess since he knows, he should be here."
"Yeah. Doesn't mean I have to like it." Clark comments.
"You two through with the conversation, I'd sure like to know." Pete says.
"Later, I promise." Clark answers.
"I'm here. I always got your back." Pete answers with a slap on Clark's back.
"Pete be careful, it wasn't that long ago." Chloe snaps.
"It's okay. Pete doesn't even hit like a girl." Clark jokes.
"I'll get you, I will." Pete answers with a smile. "I have to call my mom. I wonder if she knows all about this. Never mind!"
"You know where the phone is. Later." Clark answers and he smiles. He turns to ice for a second.
Pete heads into the house and the phone. Clark and Chloe head back to the table. "We should head over. Mind doing some KP?" Clair turns to her uncle.
"I think Pete and I, we handle it." Frank says.
"Good. I'll be back as soon as possible." Clair collects herself. "Let's go. I am ready to get this over with."
Chloe sees her uncle exit the SUV and she has all of her answers. Clark just puts his arm around her and whispers something that makes her laugh. "Well I know who pulled the strings on this puppet show." She comments. "I hate my uncle, now just as much as my mother. Same family."
"Oooow. She has issues." Clair says. "Come on, soon it's over the better in my book." Clair continues to walk and then she says. "I don't know if I'd hate him. I want to know why and punching him in the nose, really sounds good."
Clark laughs. "I can hold him down and you two can hit him." All three explode into laughter. They meet the General walking in.
"What's so funny?" General Lane asks.
"Just childish pursuits." Clair answers. "Good to see you again, sir." She extends her hand and the General shakes it.
"I thought you'd be leaving." General Lane states.
"The powers thought it best I stay put. I know the routine and could blend in at the high school." Clair adds.
"Besides I no longer work for the FBI."
Clark thinks. This is such BS. Tell him off. His expressions alter when Clair around and sticks out her tongue and winks. The General walks in and is none the wiser.
"Come on gorgeous. Let's go in." Clair says and Clark turns red.
"You do that on purpose." Chloe says. "Just to see him turn red." Chloe continues and laughs. Clark gets this 'I really hate you two look'. He starts smiling and laughs too. Clair notices Chloe's hand is a vise on Clark's.
"You can ease up." Clark says. He pulls up her hand with his and this action makes her let go.
"Sorry." Chloe says and rubs her hand. "I didn't hurt you?" I'm really needy right now.
"No, I'd not hurt. You can hold my hand; I just need a little blood flow. Clark answers and takes her hand back. "Unless you."
"Not a chance." Chloe holds on. They all go inside.
In the room, Jonathan and Martha sit next to Gabe. He is shaking from anger. This was all your doing. Putting all of us in danger, my daughter, and your niece. You probably didn't care, just like.
Mel, JB, Johnny, and Doug are lined up against the wall. They look like a lineup. The other agents move to the exterior of the house.
The General, Lex and Jack are talking together in the center of the room. Lex picks up on Clark, Chloe, and Lex thinks Who is that? Definitely have to find out about her. He smiles to her.
Cheshire Cat, I presume. I know that smile. I must be Alice in Wonderland. Clair ponders and she smiles back.
"The reason we called and made plan changes, is that we found out the explosion was planned the Lex as a cover for Chloe and her dad." Jack comments. "Granted this nearly killed the Sullivan's, however it was a miscommunication with Lex and his people. They were dropped at the wrong house." Jack finishes and thinks. "This won't be a pretty sight."
"You could have killed us." Gabe shouts. "Chloe was helping you."
"Gabe, you should have never been at that location. I can only say I'm sorry." Lex answers.
Clair shudders. I see says the blind man to his deaf dog.
"You weren't supposed to be at that house. Everyone was to think you were. I had made arrangements for another place. Jack informs me that Damien Edge may have been involved. I will never know. The people I had employed have disappeared." Lex comments. "I should have trusted the system and at least trusted Jack." Lex thinks. This better pay off, it's costly.
All Clark can do is clinch his fists. You, of course you. His lips are thin and tight.
Chloe looks at him. I should have believed you, so why didn't I? She turns and wraps herself in Clark. She is crying, no one but Clark can hear her. His anger dies. He knows he must help his friend.
"Is it okay if we go outside?" Clark's voice is stilted and controlled, just a touch of anger left.
"Come on, I've heard all I need to know." Clair answers. She signals the wall huggers. All get up and leave, covering Chloe and Clark. Clair whispers to Clark "If you want the whole story, meet me in the loft at midnight." Clark nods, still holding Chloe.
"How could Lex do that? My dad?" Chloe tries get her wits together. "He could have killed us."
They walk to the Kent house and go in to find Frank and Pete have a major production with the dishes. Pete sees Chloe clinging to Clark. "Frank, sorry man, got to ditch you. I have an emergency." Pete turns to Frank.
"I can see that. Go on. I got it." Frank answers. The three friends head up the stairs.
"Don't just stand there. Grab a towel and dry." Frank barks orders.
JB thinks. He barks orders like a DS. He grabs a towel and each agent follows in suit.
Clair fumes. I know what you are up to now. The question is can I stop you before it's too late. She then grabs a towel and starts drying. "Too bad Jonathan won't go for a automatic dishwasher." She comments.
"Who needs that?" Frank says. What's going on Clair? I know that look. I see those wheels.
Back at the other house
The General looks around the room. Lex, Jack, Gabe and the Kents' are still present. "Chloe and Gabe could still be in danger. Why take them out of hiding?" Jonathan poses the question.
"Yes. That might be true. Damien is now dead. I believe they will be relatively safe. They can try to go about their life." General Lane answers.
"There is still Dani to consider. She is psychotic and no longer has her leash. Damien did keep Dani taken care of." Jack pipes into the conversation.
"I'm afraid to say it. I am relived in a way. It might sound crazy. But I believe Chloe will be safer here." Martha adds in. "We would know a new face. It's a pretty small group here. I think Clair will and can protect Chloe. And Clark. I trust her." Jonathan turns to Martha with a puzzled look. He nods.
Lex ponders. Clair must be the brunette with Clark and Chloe. She's a bodyguard. Interesting? Very interesting indeed. "Part of me is glad to know, that I didn't kill the two people trying to help me. I thought at the hospital when Janine told me. I couldn't deal and let my father take the heat." Lex comments.
"You should have never done anything." Jonathan gets up and the two men stare for a moment at each other. "It's a damn good thing they lived. You need to stay away." Jonathan finishes and turns away from Lex. Away from us. Clark is fragile and I won't have you destroy him. This isn't helping your case.
"I agree. I can do that." Lex answers. This really better pay off.
"Now, we need to keep this between the group. None of this can ever be discussed again. I can't stress it enough. The kids will have the hardest time. We can work with them. Things just need to fall into place. It's important. It will be covered how to answer questions. It's vital we work this right." Jack finish. "Agreed"
"We all agree." General Lane answers. I am going to find out why that girl is still here.
"Yes we all agree." The rest say to Jack.
"I should go to Chloe." Gabe says with heaviness in his voice.
"Yes, we should go. I wonder what's been done with my dishes." Martha says. Hope that helps.
Martha, Jonathan, and Gabe head out the door. "I'm emotionally drained."
"I think I'm numb." Gabe says. "Emotionally drained sounds right too. How are you doing Jonathan, I mean health wise?" Make small talk, just small talk
"Doctors say I'm doing good. But you would know it based on how my wife and son are acting." Jonathan answers. What's up with this I feel like I'm bait, no my son and his friend are bait. It's not trout season. Lex? General Lane?
"You know it's for my peace of mind. I just want someone around. Just in case." Martha answers.
"So you keep saying." Jonathan answers and kisses her on the cheek,
"Too bad Clark isn't here to witness and be embarrassed by it all." Gabe says as they arrive at the house. They all laugh. Martha pulls down a plywood board for Gabe to use. He rolls up it.
They walk into the house. Martha's puzzled look says it all.
"I don't think I have ever had this much help with the dishes." Martha says.
"Are they gone?" Mel asks and winks.
Not soon enough. "Not yet. Where's Chloe?" Gabe asks.
"Upstairs with the guys. I can go get her." Clair offers.
"No, she's safe and with family." Gabe answers. The whole room can tell his pain is more than physical.
In Clark's room
Pete looks at his friends. Clark is so angry. What happened? Do I want to know? Chloe I have never seen her so devastated. "What can I do?" Pete finally asks.
"Just be here." Clark answers. He voice is so cold and distant.
Back in the Kitchen
JB speaks up. "Generals have a way of ruining dessert. Never fails. What do you say Frank?"
"Not always. Lane is a good commander. If he's here it's important." Frank answers.
"I hope so." Jack comes in the door. "Clair. Really. Did you have to?" He looks up and meets the cold stare of his daughter's green eyes. No one in the room breathes. Clair moves away from the sink.
"If you mean the lunch. Yes I did have to. Everyone missed breakfast because of you and the good General." Clair's voice was so low and cold. "If you mean, Pete's arrival, yes I did have to. Chloe needs her friends, now. Happy?"
"Do you have to make it personal? Do you have to drag the dirty laundry out here in front of everyone?" Jack seethes with anger.
"Why not?" Clair retorts. "They want to know why, just like me."
"Clair, you hold two PhD's. You're acting like a two year old." Jack slaps his hand on the counter.
Frank steps up and in between the two. "Okay. Before the two of you start WW3. Stop. Think. And count to 10." Franks commanding voice takes over. The last words he turns to Clair. There is silence.
"You're right. Thanks Frank." Clair puts up the last of the dishes. "Hopefully, I put them in the right place for you, Martha." Her voice is soft but seething with anger still. She takes a deep breath and picks up the towels and dishrags, taking them to the laundry room. "I'll be outside. I need some air." Clair exits the room and everyone takes a deep breath.
In Clark's room
The downstairs conversation didn't go unnoticed by Clark. Clair is so angry. She doesn't get mad quick. What happened?
Pete notices a change in demeanor. He meets Clark's eyes. Eavesdropping again, Clark. Clark simply nods.
Chloe finally let's go of Clark. They have been lying on his bed. She wipes her face and sits up. "Hey Pete. How's your Mom doing?"
"She's good." Pete says. Anything to avoid the emotional thing. "She's settling in with her staff and new office. Kat, her clerk is really nice."
"You like her." Chloe says.
"Stop it Sullivan. I hate that part of you." Pete says defensively.
"You do like her." Chloe sounds happy.
"Yeah, I like her. She's in college though." Pete answers. "You're still making me suffer that Truth stuff."
"Don't be afraid to ask. Trust me. You'll never know." Chloe says quietly.
"Love advice from you." Pete teases.
"Think about it Pete. You never know." Chloe answers.
"Hmm." Clark stares at Chloe.
"What?" Chloe says.
"I have a picture beginning to form." Clark answers.
"Really? Tells us." Chloe asks.
"Let's see if I get this right." Clark leans in and kisses her before she can pull away. "I know you've been waiting for me to do that all day. So I thought I would just get it out of the way."
Clark smiles. Did I say it right? What is she going to do? Maybe I should have waited?
Chloe still shocked.
"So you want to be friends?" Chloe asks and her voice quivers.
"No, I don't want to be friends." Clark answers.
"Hey. I'm still in the room." Pete says. His facial expression makes Clark and Chloe realize they had forgot about him. "If you're going to make out. Please let me leave the room." Pete smiles.
"Like I wasn't in the elevator." Clark teases him.
"I knew that Truth stuff was going to haunt me." Pete laughs.
Chloe starts thinking I'm dreaming, or this is a really cruel joke. Sometimes they don't know better. She starts building her defenses.
"Nope, you don't have to be tough, here." Clark comments.
"Are you sure?" Chloe says and puts her hand to his forehead. "Maybe your running fever again?"
"Yes, I'm sure. And no I am not running any fever." Clark says. He shakes his head. I moved to fast. She's not ready.
"You know I have been waiting to tell you this. She pulled the friend card. After the dance." Pete says proudly. "I have just been waiting for the right time to tell you."
Chloe leaps off the bed and tackles Pete. He hits the floor. "That was private. You are so dead." She starts laughing. She pretends to strangle him.
"For an extremely intelligent reporter, you still hit like a girl." Pete teases and gets an elbow to midsection for his trouble.
"That picture is getting a lot clearer. Pulled the friend card on me." Clark says. "I don't know if I should give you a second chance." He looks up with that grin. "You okay with this Pete. I mean," Clark can't finish.
"I'm okay. She doesn't hit that hard." Pete says laughing and blocking Chloe next assault. "We're good."
"Everything all right? I thought I heard a crash." Martha knocks on the door. Clark gets up and opens it.
"Yeah, Pete just fell out of his chair." Clark answers and he tries to stop laughing. Chloe is picking up the chair and Pete is getting off the floor. They all are trying to stop laughing.
"How's my second 'mom'?" Pete asks.
"I'm doing better." Martha has caught the laughing bug too. "How are you and your mother doing?"
"We're doing good. School starts on Monday. Last weekend of freedom." Pete says.
"Well come on. Jack and General Lane are downstairs. They want to see all of you." Martha says. This will kill the laughing; I wish it were all a bad dream.
"I wait up here." Pete says with a grin. I don't want to go down there.
"You too Pete." Martha orders. She ushers them down the stairs. Chloe sees her dad and goes to hug him.
"I've asked Jack if it's okay for you to call Lois. I know you wanted to." Gabe asks.
"What about you General Lane?" Chloe stand tall and turns to her uncle. "Is it okay if I call Lois and Victoria?" she thinks. I'll do it anyway.
"It's okay." General Lane answers. "Tonight."
"I should call Cami as well." Chloe says.
"Yeah, she and Lois are going to attempt to be roommates this fall." General Lane sounded disappointed.
Chloe thinks Lois believed I was alive. She must have paid dearly for her actions. "Can they come out here to see me?" Chloe turns to Jack. He nods. "Thanks."
"If I know Lois, she would have come anyway." Gabe says. "Martha, I know that they just finished the dishes. But I would really like some of your apple pie."
"Sure. Anyone else?" Martha laughs all hands go up, except for the General, Jack and Jonathan. "Where's Jonathan?"
"I think he saw an escape and took it." JB says. Martha gives him that look.
"No. He went after Clair." Johnny says.
"Hope Jonathan is made of Steel. She's not fun, when she's angry." JB comments.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Kent. Clair is mad at Jack. She's probably calm, now." Frank alleviates Martha's worried look. "This is really good and for some reason I miss my mother's cooking again." Frank says taking another bite of pie. Everyone laughs.