Summary: Pete's assignment. How will he handle doing a civil interview with Lex? Will Lex be accommodating or will he put blocks in Pete's way? Will Pete change is mind about Lex?

A/N: So I allowed myself to get distracted today. I discovered a website like where you can write screenplays. I'm beside myself with excitement, but this story has captured a lot of my interest too, so I promise to try and keep it updated… until I finally finish it!

I'm also wondering if Pete's assignment will be multi-chaptered like Lana's has become or if it'll be fairly straightforward. I guess Pete will tell me in his own time…

Disclaimer: I will say again that I have no claim to anything in Smallville… besides being a fan of it.


Pete had practically bolted down the hallway of school before Chloe came up with any more questions for him. "Boxers or briefs?" Pete shuddered at the thought that he may just have to ask the question so Chloe wouldn't harass him anymore. Maybe if he did a really good job with this interview, she wouldn't have him do anymore Luthor-centered articles. One could only hope.

He hopped into his Ford Falcon. Well, the best defense was a good offense, as his football coaches tried to remind them at every practice. Oh, crap! Idon't have a good offense! I'm 'fesne-less! He slapped his hand to his forehead and then rested it against the steering wheel for a moment. He would have laughed at his own joke if it wasn't so true. He gazed blankly across the parking lot, apparently looking at the scoreboard on the field.

OK, the assignment sucks, but if you go back and told Chloe you aren't going to do it, she'd never let you hear the end of it. Pete sighed heavily. His best friend wasn't one to let a juicy guilt tidbit go just because he was tired of hearing about it. He shook his head. So you're not going to let her down. Do you have a game plan? Pete grimaced. He wasn't really a plan kinda' guy. He was more a fly by the seat of my pants and hoping they didn't drop around his ankles teen. But that wasn't going to cut it this time. OK, Chloe said her dad was expecting me at the plant. That's a start. My appointment with Lex is tomorrow at 5:30. Check. He smiled that he hadn't actually forgotten anything Chloe had told him. There had to be a first for everything. He started up his car and turned it in the direction of the plant. No need to keep Mr. Sullivan waiting.

Pete walked into the plant with a few reservations. He hadn't had many opportunities to tour here since Earl Jenkins had taken them all hostage. Even though his work with Chloe was helping him see the man behind the gun, the plant and what it hid gave him the creeps. He took a deep breath and forged on. He wasn't going to start acting like a coward now.

The receptionist looked up at him as he entered. "May I help you?"

"Dude!" he whispered under shocked breath. She was stunning. It just wasn't fair that all the hot girls in town always seemed to either go after or work for Lex. You would think that karmic retribution would get him at some point! "Um, yeah. I'm Pete Ross. My friend, Chloe Sullivan, set up an interview between…"

"With Mr. Luthor tomorrow at 5:30," she said. He was amazed that she didn't even have to look at her calendar for that information.

"Um, right. Tomorrow." His hormones were starting to rise and thinking was becoming difficult. Why was her shirt so low cut?

The secretary smiled broadly. Pete wondered fuzzily if she knew the reaction she was having on him. "So, Mr. Ross… What are you doing here today?"

"Today?" Pete shook his head. Get it together, man! She's way out of your league! "Right. Chloe also arranged for me to talk with her dad. Is he available?"

This time the receptionist did look down. Obviously, she's just keeping track of Lex. Lucky bastard. "Mr. Sullivan just went on a quick tour of the new facility. He should be back momentarily." She continued to consult her computer screen. "He did note down that you were expected. If you wouldn't mind just signing in…" She extended a clipboard and pen to him.

He grabbed it as if it was a life line of sorts. Right, sign in. That makes this official. Got it. "So, what should I do now?" He really wished he could get himself together. Yeah, he was a teenager, but this was taking his hormones to a whole new level.

"Well, here's your security badge. I've e-mailed Mr. Sullivan's secretary to come and show you the way to his office." With one last smile, she diverted her attention from him and concentrated on something on her screen.

Pete felt vaguely dismissed. He wasn't very keen on the idea, but there was nothing he could do about it. He felt vaguely betrayed by nature that he wasn't taller, although he did have a nice build. Thankfully he didn't have much time to dwell on these feelings of inadequacy. "Mr. Ross? I'm Clarise, Mr. Sullivan's secretary. If you'll just follow me, I'll take you up to his office. He apologizes for not being here but an little emergency came up."

Pete stood up and quickly followed her out of the room. Anything that got him away from the embarrassment of that way too attractive receptionist was a relief. "Nothing too serious, I hope."

Clarise turned at smiled at him. She seemed like a really nice lady… Kinda' reminded him of his mom. "Off the record, I hope."

Pete laughed. "Unlike Chloe, reporting and caffeine doesn't flow through my veins. I'm just hoping everyone's okay."

Clarise laughed. "Oh, that is such the description of Chloe. You're very amusing."

Pete blushed. "Well, I try. I've found that you can be too serious in life."

"So you can." She smiled brightly. "Well, here we are. Why don't you make yourself comfortable? Would you like a soda or a coffee?"

"A root beer would be terrific," he replied. "Unlike my friend, I still have hopes of growing so I've been cutting down on the caffeine intake."

"Smart boy. Just give me a second." She bustled out of the office and left him to his own devices.

Pete looked around. It was a comfortable office. There were lots of pictures of Chloe… both with her dad, with Pete and/or Clark and solo. It was like a little Chloe shrine. He smiled until a sudden thought drained it off of his face. She totally distracted me away from my question. Do they teach evasion techniques in Luthor Corps new employee orientation?

He wasn't allowed to dwell on it too long. The door opened and his reason for being there entered. "Pete! Nice to see you! Hope Chloe didn't twist your arm too hard to come and see her old man…" Gabe Sullivan smiled. He knew Chloe's tendency to force people to her will intimately. Thankfully for her, he trusted her to make good decisions and discipline wasn't too harsh in his household.

"Sir, thanks for seeing me on such short notice." Pete had turned at the sound of the door opening and held out his hand.

Gabe smiled wider and slapped Pete's soda into his hand. "I know you're on official business, Pete, but there's no need to stand on formality." He went around to his desk and sat down. "I know Chloe thinks I know most of what's going on around here, but the new project is way beyond my bailiwick."

"You're what?" Pete gaped at Gabe as if all his oxygen had been cut off.

"So sorry. My extensive reading comes out again. It means my area of expertise." Gabe laughed and waved Pete to his seat. "I tend to do that and then Chloe calls me a braniac. Silly, but true." He picked a file up and handed it to Pete. "This is the press packet for the new plant… Plant 7."

Pete grabbed the file. This was terrific. He wouldn't have to remember every little thing Mr. Sullivan would tell him. He'd forgotten his pad of paper in his car. "Thanks a lot, Mr. Sullivan! So, what is gonna' happen in Plant 7?" He smiled. "I know I could read all about it, but I was wondering if you could give me the Cliff's Notes version."

Gabe grinned. "Chloe would say you're cheating, but I don't mind." He leaned forward and Pete could feel the enthusiasm radiating from the man. "Lex was tipped on a new energy producer that converts waste to fuel. He's bought the patent and the plant is going to continue research. It's really quite fascinating."

"Wow! It sounds like it. But is Lex worried about any backlash from the power companies? I mean, it may not be that big a deal in Smallville, but if it becomes general, he'd probably have some severe complaints and competition."

Gabe grimaced. "I know. But he doesn't seem to be too worried about it. You could ask him, of course. But just imagine a system that could take waste and break it down to its element components. There would be no need for junkyards anymore. They could take that waste and convert it to energy. Soon we would have an energy surplus."

It really did sound good… maybe too good to be true. "I have a ton of questions, Mr. Sullivan, but if I ask them all of you, I'd have nothing else to ask Lex and Chloe would never forgive me." They both laughed. There was no denying that fact. Pete held up the file and stood up. "Mr. Sullivan, I really appreciate this."

"Anything to help a fellow subject of my daughters," Gabe chuckled. He held out his hand. "Good luck with your interview, Pete."

"Yeah, I got a lot of homework to do before tomorrow. I'll see ya' later, Mr. Sullivan." With that, Pete left the office. This really sounds too good to be true for a Luthor scheme, he thought sullenly. There has to be more to this than meets the eye.


A/N: So for those of you that have read my little story… Do you think the chapters are too short? I wanted them a little more than a screen, but in short enough snippets that you don't spend 30 minutes reading one chapter. Some input into this would be greatly appreciated… And general reviews, as always, are appreciated.

I have also just realized while writing this chapter that technically if Martha is running the Talon, Pete shouldn't be working at the Torch because he and his mom moved away. I guess we'll just have to say that this is an alternate universe or the summer before he moves… Oooo! That sounds good!