Author's Note - A huge thanks to everyone reading this; the feedback has been amazing and most appreciated. I'm away for a fortnight now so I hope this chapter keeps you interested and that you all come back when I do… Thanks again, Diana xx

Chapter Five

Lana sat opposite Clark in the Talon, nodding empathetically and listening intently as he tried to explain his mixed feelings on the surprising relationship that had blossomed between Chloe Sullivan and Lex Luthor. Lana herself had been pleased that Chloe had found someone, happy that Chloe was happy but now, she had to be there for Clark and her opinion on Chloe's relationship wasn't what he wanted to hear. She had never seen Clark in such a state of confusion before, she was fully aware that Clark had always carried a soft spot for Chloe and that once upon a time, Chloe had loved Clark more than anything but those days were over now. Except it was becoming clear that those days were still at the forefront of Clark's mind.

"Maybe you should try talking to her again," offered Lana, sipping at her latte as Clark shook his head and glanced idly out of the window. "I'm sure she misses you, you haven't spoken to her in ages,"

"I can't talk to her without getting mad at her," he sighed, his fingers still stroking the mug of coffee before him. It was full to the brim, but it was stone cold. "I don't know what's wrong with me; I just become this completely different person around her now,"

"Well, I think you need to ask yourself why. Chloe hasn't changed, Clark, she's still the same person. I mean, do you have feelings for her?" asked Lana, Clark looked up at her with wide eyes but Lana was not accepting any of his innocent "playing dumb" techniques. "Well?"

"No," said Clark, shaking his head as if to emphasise the point. "No, of course not, it's just that…" He tailed off and stared out of the window again, looking out at nothing in particular.

"Of course not," echoed Lana with a sigh. She was rapidly losing her patience, she had never seen Clark so moody and his inability to admit to his feelings was driving her mad. A few simple words would have the world at rights again but somehow, she couldn't coax them out of him. He was still refusing to open up. "Do you want another coffee?"

"No, thanks," he mumbled, Lana sighed and curled her hands into fists. She didn't think she could ever be so angry with him, this moping farm-boy was not the Clark Kent she had known so well for the last three years, this was someone else completely. She stood up from the table and walked across to the Talon counter, ordering another latte for herself. As she stood waiting for her drink, the bell above the door jangled loudly and she spun around, curious to see who had entered the shop and wishing she hadn't bothered when she saw Lex and Chloe walking in. Chloe glanced at Clark and then back to Lex before starting to move to the opposite side of the shop; Clark had made no acknowledgement of their presence. Lana sighed again, drastic times called for drastic measures.

"Chloe, why don't you join me and Clark? I'll get you some drinks now," she called from the counter and Chloe smiled at her, nodding and pulling up a chair next to Clark. Lana watched surreptitiously as she ordered Chloe's usual almond mocha latte and Lex's cappuccino; Chloe's smile had disappeared in the face of Clark's melancholy and Lex was attempting to make conversation but failing miserably. Lana grabbed the tray of hot drinks and practically raced over to the table; she only hoped that her diplomatic skills were up to scratch, she'd never sat in on a peace treaty before, coaxing a conversation out of the silence was going to be a major feat.

"Thanks Lana," smiled Lex as she handed out the drinks and sat next to Clark. She smiled back and sipped at her own latte; with a brief caffeine buzz maybe she could begin strangling a conversation out of the table.

"So, what have you guys been up to?" she asked, keeping an ever watchful eye on Clark. He still hadn't offered a smile to Lex or Chloe but he had looked up from his cold coffee and that was a start.

"Lex had a meeting in Metropolis so I went with him, did some shopping," nodded Chloe, blowing onto her drink to cool it down slightly. "What about you two?" Lana kicked Clark softly in the shin and looked at him meaningfully; he swallowed hard and coughed at the shock.

"Nothing much, we just met up for a drink," he said, his voice so soft that it was barely audible but it was enough for Lana, he had answered Chloe's question. It was a start. "Except I wasn't really thirsty," he smiled glancing down at his mug and Chloe laughed.

"Did you buy anything?" asked Lana.

"Yeah, I bought this really cool top. It's the one I showed you, Clark, last time we went to Metropolis," she said excitedly. "The red one with the safety pin in the sleeve?"

"Yeah, I remember, I thought it looked good," he nodded.

"And it does," smiled Lex, reaching out for Chloe's hand. She accepted the display of public affection, knowing only too well what a big deal it would be to him, but her eyes flickered to Clark. She hoped that it wasn't too much for him; they hadn't spoken about her and Lex since their fight in the Torch two weeks ago. She had missed him, she had missed everything about him; their conversations about nothing at all, their study sessions, their work on the Torch, she had missed his smile and his eyes. She had missed his friendship, if only she had told him the truth from the very beginning. She couldn't change things now; she could only attempt to fix them.

"Look, you guys," started Clark and Lana flinched, hoping that Clark wasn't about to leave on account of his friends. "I've been a real idiot lately and I don't think I really know the reason why but I just want to say sorry. I just want you to be happy,"

"Thanks Clark, it means a lot," said Lex, smiling at him from across the table. Clark flushed slightly but nodded, accepting Lex's thank you and accepting the fact that he had Chloe. It was a bitter pill to swallow but it was one that he needed to take.

"It was just a shock, that's all," he explained, his eyes flickering between Lex and Chloe. "I mean, it wasn't something that I saw coming, it was a bit of a shock," Chloe nodded and placed a hand on Clark's arm.

"I know and I wish I had told you the truth when you gave me the chance," she sighed; Clark placed a hand on top of hers and squeezed gently. Lana smiled at the sight; this was all she had wanted, Chloe and Clark on speaking terms again. Maybe they would never be as close as they were but at least they had the chance now.

"I'm sorry if we hurt you in any way, Clark," said Lex, placing a hand on Chloe's shoulder, emphasising the 'we' and staking his claim in one minute gesture. "I wanted to tell you as soon as possible but we wanted to make sure you would be okay with it all,"

"Well, I am now," he smiled. "But I need to get a drink, this one's cold," He stood up from the table and walked briskly to the counter, grateful for the excuse to escape the glow of the happy couple. He glanced back over his shoulder to see Chloe talking animatedly with Lana while Lex stroked the top of her arm. He turned away; he didn't want to see them like that.

Clark knew that his lies had not fooled Lana and they weren't fooling him either. The fact that Chloe was with Lex hurt him more than Kryptonite ever could; the sight of them happily chatting together was like a knife to his heart and he felt ridiculous. His irrational mind was telling him that they were laughing at him but he knew it was unlikely as neither of them knew about his feelings for Chloe. He didn't think he had ever even felt this way about Lana but maybe if Lex had stolen her away from him then he would have. He was so confused, he didn't know if his anger was directed towards Chloe for not seeing that he wanted her or towards Lex for not seeing that Chloe was his world, for stealing his friend away from him. He picked up his coffee and sighed, taking a sip and starting to move back towards the table.

"Clark, we were just telling Lana about this dinner party thing Lex is having soon," grinned Chloe as Clark rejoined the table. "You have to come too; we had such a good time last time, don't you think?" Clark glanced over at Lex and smiled, nodding mutely as he sipped at his coffee, burning his tongue.

"Yeah, I should be able to make it. I don't think Dad will be impressed but I'll work something out with him," Chloe nodded and smiled.

"I always meant to ask how you got round him last time," smiled Lex and Clark looked up, smiling back. Maybe his anger had been misdirected, maybe he was angry with himself for not telling Chloe about his feelings for her sooner and he had deliberately been alienating himself from his friends for no good reason. As much as he hated to admit it, that sounded much more likely than anything else he could come up with.