3.

Entering the school, Chloe headed into the Torch, and straight for her computer. She typed in Paradise Valley, into her trusty search engine and received a link for the Paradise Valley Chemical plant.

Knowing that Alex's father was a previous employee in the plant, she typed in Mack and discovered that George Mack was head of the GC-161 project, a Chemistry Major from California State, Chemistry researcher. Chloe's head was spinning at the sheer thought of doing chemical equations for the rest of her life. But what ever makes you happy, she shrugged and plugged ahead. Following a hunch she typed in GC-161 in the system's database.

GC-161 was a experimental chemical that was on it's way to go under further research when former driver David Watt lost half of the load in a mysterious accident. This was the accident that caused Watt his job.

"This is interesting." She spoke to herself. 'Following the discovery of illegal testing of GC-161 a chemical compound formed at Paradise Valley Chemical Plant. PVCP President Danielle Atron's right-hand man Lars Fredrickson was discharged from his duties earlier this week under unusual circumstances.' If Chloe had a dollar for every time she heard 'under unusual circumstances' she would be richer than Lex. She smirked. Like that was possible.

There was something up with that Alex Mack, and Chloe was going to figure out exactly what it was.

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"How was your first day Alex?" Barbara Mack asked from the stove. Alex had promptly plopped herself down at the kitchen table with a soda after taking the bus home.

"Good." Alex said taking a sip. "I met the plant's daughter today. Her friends are nice." Alex smiled thinking of Clark.

"Oh yeah. Any boys that I should know about?" Alex looked at her mother in shock.

"Mom!" She said exasperated getting up from the table.

"So that's a yes then?" She called up the stairs after her. Alex rolled her eyes as she closed her door behind her.

Sitting on her bed, she ran her fingers through her long hair. Her mind was racing. If her zapper was back, that would mean that the antidote hadn't worked. And if the antidote hadn't worked, that would mean that she still had her powers. She needed to talk to Annie. Annie would know what to do.

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Clark was in his barn; his fortress of solitude, as Pete called it. It was almost dinner time, and he had been watching the Potter house for any sign of movement. Alex's room was Lana's old room he guessed, as the light turned on and a figure, entered the room. He was right. It was Alex-

"Uh, Oh, I know that look." Clark spun around to face his mother.

"What do you mean Mom?"

Martha smiled. "Could it be that you've gotten over your fixation with Lana?"

Clark looked at his mother in confusion. "I don't know what you're talking about." He shook his head and turned back towards the window. The figure was rearranging things in the room. Hanging up a curtain, putting things on shelves. Normal things. He really hoped that Alex was as normal as she seemed.

She didn't give off any other vibe than human. He couldn't sense any meteor-anything on her, but that could be because she from Smallville. She was from California. But Clark wanted to be certain. He had been wrong before.

Smiling an enigmatic smile that only Martha could, she changed the subject. "I met the new neighbours today."

Clark's head whipped back around.

"Don't look so surprised Clark." She smiled the enigmatic smile again. "I went to town today and met Barbara Mack." Clark cocked his head to the side. 'That must be Alex's mother.'

"And?"

"And," She paused, "they're coming over for dinner tomorrow night."

"What?!"