Chapter 3: The Meeting

The school bell rang at 3 o'clock and Clark arrived home at about 3:01. He speeded into the

house, dropped of his bookbag, then went to the barn. Jonathan moved some boughs of hay

then stopped to wipe some sweat from his forehead and looked at Clark. "How was school?"

"Jason wants a university scout to watch me play this week," Clark said.

"Tell him no," Jonathan said as he moved the last one.

"Too late, he already invited him to this week's game," Clark said.

"So don't go," Jonathan said. "High school football, it's not mandatory. Either that or play an

awful game."

"But my teammates are counting on me," Clark said.

"You shouldn't have teammates counting on you !" Jonathan said. "You said you could play on

the team without sticking out too much, so I let you. You became quarterback and said you

could handle it, so I let you. The more people want to look, the harder they're going to look."

"I know," Clark said. "But how can I get out of this now?"

"The only things I can think of is to let down your team of play 'extra' careful." Jonathan replied.

"And as we have already seen that can be more dangerous and difficult than you would think."

"Yeah," Clark said, as he leaned against a wall.

"Clark !" Chloe called, as she ran up to the barn.

"What is it Chloe, Lois?" Clark asked.

"Have you been talking to Lex today?" Chloe asked, then Clark looked down to her. "I know,

silly question."

"Not as silly as you'd think," Clark said. "We're getting along better know. Why, did something

happen today?"

"There was a break in LuthorCorp last night," Chloe began. "And we were hoping that you

could talk with him for us."

"Why me, why can't you talk to him about this?" Clark asked. "We just started talking, I don't

want to begin the interrogating yet"

"I think they've been instructed to keep all types of media out, and they're used to me trying to

talk to them." Chloe said.

"But I said before with the football team, I'm going to have to take a little time off of the Torch."

Clark said.

"But what about that superhero/journalist thing?" Chloe asked. "With Pete gone and Lois going,

I'm going to need you more than ever."

"Ok Chloe, I'll talk to Lex about the break in." Clark said.

"Thanks Clark," Chloe said. "You might be able to pull this hero thing off after all."

A little later Lana walked into the Smallville High drama room, holding some coffees from the

Talon. Jason got up and gave her a hand with it. "This is a nice little treat," he said.

"Well we can't go out for coffee, so this is the next best thing." Lana said.

"It's nice," Jason said as he had a taste. "Lana, you know Clark Kent, right?"

"Haven't we been over this?" Lana asked.

"If so, I wasn't there for it." Jason replied with a laugh.

"So, what is it about Clark?" Lana asked.

"He's on the football team and I was talking to him after practice today," Jason began. "It might

sound strange, but I feel like there's something he's not telling me."

"Clark Kent, secretive, no." Lana said and starting laughing.

"What is it?" Jason asked.

"Oh, nothing." Lana said. "Please continue."

"Well I can tell he has a lot of potential, but he's holding back for some reason." Jason said.

"Clark's like that," Lana said. "It's like he's always trying to act extra-normal."

"Well I think I put a stop to that," Jason said. "I got a university scout coming to watch this

week's game, maybe the farm-boy can get a much needed scholarship."

"Clark has no problem with getting a scholarship," Lana said.

"Well everything helps," Jason said. "Especially given his situation, he could use everything he can get."

"I guess you're right, but Clark doesn't have it that bad." Lana said. "Why are you so interested

in him anyway?"

"I just think he's an interesting person," Jason said.

"Well I agree," Lana said. "How is the rest of the team?"

"Pretty good, I'm confident about this week's game." Jason said, and drank some more coffee.

Clark arrived at Metropolis and went straight to LuthorCorp. He walked inside and to the

elevators. "Excuse me sir," the receptionist began. "Sir ! You have to check in sir !" She yelled,

but Clark was already on his way to Lex's office.

"So that's my proposal, what do you think?" Lex asked, as Clark walked in. "Clark, what are

you doing here?"

"We need to talk, Lex." Clark said.

"Should I go?" A man asked, sitting across from Lex's desk. He looked a little older than Lex,

fairly muscular and short black hair.

"No that's ok Bruce," Lex said to him. "This is Clark Kent, a friend of mine from Smallville, and

this is Bruce Wayne, from a partner business Wayne Enterprises."

"Nice to meet you," Clark said to Bruce. "Lex, can I talk to you in private?"

"Well I guess so," Lex said. "Bruce, do you mind?"

"No, I'll just wait in the hall." Bruce said and smiled. He got up and walked out of the office.

"So Clark, what is so important?" Lex asked.

"I heard about the break in last night," Clark said.

"Oh, I was going to phone and tell you and Chloe when I got a chance today." Lex said.

"What was stolen?" Clark asked.

"Some very important information," Lex replied.

"Who would want it?" Clark asked.

"My father, for one." Lex replied. "What I think happened is that he hired a henchman to break

in and take steal it for him."

"What kind of information is it?" Clark asked.

"Something that could possibly frame me for my father's crimes." Lex said. "The only silver

lining is that he didn't get all of it."

"He didn't?" Clark repeated.

"I knew it was important so I split it up," Lex said. "But I'm sure that whoever got the first half

will come back tonight for the rest."

"None of us want Lionel out," Clark said. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"The last thing I would want would be for you to get hurt or worse trying to help me." Lex said.

"You saved my life, I could at least try to return the favor." Clark said.

"It's not like I don't appreciate the gesture, but I think this is something best handled by

professionals." Lex said.

"So what are you going to do?" Clark asked.

"More guards, more security, that's about it." Lex replied. "I just need to tell them to look out

for a man in black."

"Black?" Clark asked.

"Yeah, I found this, this morning." Lex said, passing Clark the piece of black material. "I guess

the thief was wearing a costume. Ridiculous, huh?"

"Yeah," Clark said with a laugh.

"Well I should get back to work," Lex said. "Thanks for dropping by, and don't you or Chloe

worry. I'll get this guy."

"Yeah," Clark said and left the office. In the hallway he saw Bruce Wayne talking on his cell

phone.

"...Ok Alfred, don't forget to have everything ready...ok bye." Bruce said. He hung up the

phone and looked at Clark. "My butler."

"Ok, it was nice to meet you, Mr. Wayne." Clark said as he started walking away.

"You too Clark," Bruce said with a smile. Clark continued walking and stared at Wayne as the

elevator doors closed.