Clark POV

I shot up out of the sofa. "What's wrong"

Chloe coughed trying to get her bearings together. "We saw Alexa when we were on our way back. Pete tried to run after her but she was too far ahead of us."

"She got away" I asked.

Pete nodded his head. "Yeah. Clark I'm sorry. I saw her lurking by the living room window. It looked like she was trying to snoop inside the room. She heard me running up to her and booked. I lost her."

I sighed. "It's okay Pete. We just have to keep our guard up. Hopefully Lex will come through with that necklace sooner than later."

Lana wrapped her arms around herself. "Shouldn't we call the Sheriff and let her know what you guys saw?"

I nodded my head in agreement. "Yeah. I'll call her now. There's no sense in going after her. She's long gone. She'd be stupid to come back after Pete and Chloe spotted her."

The doorbell rang and all of us jumped at the loud unexpected sound.

"Hello? Pizza delivery"

Everyone relaxed visibly as I walked to the door, opened it and paid the delivery guy.

I lay the pizza on the counter and glanced into the living room. "Uh, anyone planning on eating tonight"

There was a similar look on everyone's faces: fear. "Guys, are you allright"

Lana was the first to speak as she stopped hugging herself and walked in my

direction toward the kitchen. "I'm sorry Clark, it's just I've felt firsthand what Alexa can do. All of a sudden these necklaces feel like childs play compared to what she's capable of."

Pete nodded his agreement. "It's just that if there is something in my body I didn't want to lose control of it would be my mind...you know"

Chloe lifted her shoulders as if to shake off the feelings of fear coursing through her. "Oh come on guys! We've faced worse than this. Alexa will be a piece of cake. Now let's eat some pizza and keep each other occupied."

Chloe flounced to the counter as I picked up the cordless to call the Sheriff.

Two hours later Chloe, Pete, and I were sitting on the floor in front of my television trying not to fall asleep when the doorbell rang for the second time that night. I gently took Lana's sleeping head off of my lap and put it on the pillow I had laid out earlier beside us.

"Mr. Clark Kent" The question was directed from a very tall man wearing a long trench coat and sunglasses standing on my porch when I had opened the door.

Sunglasses? In the middle of the night?

"Yes, I'm Clark."

"Special delivery from Mr. Lex Luthor." The mystery man handed a medium sized square package to me, and without further ado turned promptly on his heel and headed to the waiting limo.

I closed the door and scratched my head as I brought the package into the living room.

Chloe picked her head up from the pillow she was lying on"What's that Clark? Is that package from Lex"

"Bingo." I quickly sat back down in my place next to the now sleeping soundly Lana and tried to tear it open as quietly as possible.

Inside was a jewelry box. I opened the box and immediately I knew what it was to be rich and have power. The ability to make a couple of phone calls and get whatever your heart desires in a little over two hours was staring me right in the face. The necklace was the choker type and was pretty...in it's own way. It contained swirls of lead linking itself together very similar to a chain link fence pattern. There was a large clasp in the back that needed a key to open it.

A note was attached to the underside of the box and I instantly recognized Lexs' handwriting.

Clark,

Hopefully this necklace will be sufficient to further your cause until I can get my hands on your other request. The key for the clasp is located underneath the lining of the jewelry box.

Please be careful.

Lex

Chloe read the note over my shoulder. "Short, sweet and to the point. Lex never changes does he"

Pete shook his head wearily. "I don't think I want to know where he got that from."

"Oh come on Pete. Who cares where he got it from as long as we have it now." I said.

Lana shifted in her sleep and I heard her breathing start to quicken. I glanced down at her face and saw her eyes darting back and forth under her eyelids. "Mmmmmm. Clark...sigh." I took a quick look at Pete and Chloe but Lana had spoken too softly for them to realize anything. I nudged Lana slightly"Lana" I whispered in her ear"Wake up."

Lana's eyes fluttered once again before opening. She blinked a couple of time trying to get her eyes back into focus. At that moment I couldn't help but wish that she woke up to me like this every morning.

"Hey sleepyhead." I whispered.

Lana smiled up at me. Her hand reached up and her fingers trailed my lips for one

second as if not truly believing I was there.

Lana dropped her hand and sat up on her elbows. "What's going on? What did I miss"

I picked up the jewelry box and handed it to Lana to see. "Lex got us one of the items we asked him to get. He had some strange guy deliver this not too long a go."

Lana opened the box and her eyes widened slightly. "Wow. Now all we need is a mind reading slash controlling psycopath to put it on and we'll be hunkydory."

Pete stood up and brushed his hands over the back of his pants. "Well, I don't know about you guys, but I want to get some sleep before we have to play detective in the morning."

I stood up as well and reached down to help Lana up. As our hands clasped I felt a

strange energy flowing from her to me. I looked into her face and saw her eyes searching mine. She smiled at me and I couldn't help but grin like a fool back at her.

I heard Chloe start to gather up the pillows behind me and it broke the spell somewhat. I let go of Lana's hands and bent down to help Chloe gather up the stuff strewn about the living room. "Allright, I'll help the girls set up the guest ro-."

A loud thump next to the kitchen door stopped me mid sentence. I dropped the pillows in my hand and quickly gestured to Lana, Pete and Chloe to go to the wall directly next to the living room doorway, out of sight of the kitchen. I snatched the necklace and the key out of the jewelry box and joined them.

"Chloe, Lana, you guys stay here. Pete you come with me." I whispered. They all nodded as Pete and I crouched down low to the kitchen door. I motioned to Pete to stay to the side of the doorway. I quickly pulled the door open and ran outside to the porch.

Nothing.

Wait. There. Running in the distance next to the cows.

Alexa.

"Pete! Call the police! I'm going after Alexa. Stay here with the girls. Don't let anyone in the house!"

"What are you crazy? I'm coming with you!" Pete shouted.

But I was already halfway across the lawn heading to the fields. Alexa was running towards her Toyota parked way out next to the main road.

I waited until I was on the darker part of our property before braking out into super speed and stopping right in front of her blocking her progress.

Alexa ran smack into me with a surprised yelp before backing up immediately. "How did you do that?"

"Alexa, you need help." I said ignoring her question matching her step for step. "Let me help you."

Alexa smirked at me angrily. "Oh please. You don't want to help me. You just want to hurry up and be rid of me so you can get back to that heavy duty makeout session you were having with Lana."

I blushed as I came to the realization Alexa had witnessed a very private, very personal moment between Lana and myself.

"Looks like Clark Kent won't be staying a virgin much longer. Lana Lang just might put out after all."

My anger flared at her spiteful comments. My body tensed up with the need to knock her senseless.

Alexa smiled with glee, as she must have sensed the anger oozing out of me. The lead necklaces blocked out her stronger psychic abilities but she was still a conduit for emotions. "OOOOOO, Clarkie didn't like that did he? Am I insulting your precious Lana?"

I continued to match Alexa's steps. "We both know that I only have to hit you once Alexa."

Alexa's smile faded and she stopped abrubtly. "Maybe. But that's only if I let you."

Alexa narrowed her eyes. The meteorites in her system prevented me from being completely immune to her but I only felt a slight amount of pressure in my head, although I wasn't about to let her know that. I dropped to my knees and grabbed my head hoping to catch her off guard so I could put the necklace on her.

"CLARK!"

No! Lana and Chloe were running at top speed in our direction closing the distance fast.

Alexa whirled around and narrowed her eyes at them. Confusion quickly clouded her eyes. The questions swirling through her head were painted clear as day on her face. Why weren't they stopping? Why can't I control them?

Alexa took two shaky steps back ready to flee, but she was too slow. Lana lifted her leg into a roundhouse kick and connected with a satisfying crack to Alexa's face. Alexa went down with a loud oof.

Chloe wasting no time, jumped on top of her and held her down by the shoulders as Alexa struggled to get up.

I raised my eyebrows at their performance. Too shocked to move.

"Uh. Clark? A little help here?" Chloe asked. Lana quickly helped Chloe hold Alexa down and looked at me expectantly.

"Oh right." I pulled the necklace out of my pocket, wrapped it around Alexa's neck and locked it.

"You'll regret this! You have no idea how powerful I am!" Alexa spat out still struggling to relinquish the hold Lana and Chloe had on her.

"Oh really?" Chloe smirked at Alexa. "Well it looks to me like your as weak as newborn kitten, so you'll excuse me if I don't tremble in fear." Chloe stood up and got off of Alexa wiping her hands. Lana stood as well helping me get Alexa into a standing position.

Alexa shook the hair out of her face continuing to struggle wildly. I pulled her arms

behind her and held her hands in a handcuff like grip. "You best be careful Chloe. I don't know how you idiots are stopping me from controlling you but that doesn't mean I can't hurt you."

Chloe stood her ground and faced down Alexa. "I'd like to see you try."

Alexa laughed outloud. "Your so pathetic Chloe."

Chloe met Alexa's laugh with a louder one. "Me? I'm pathetic? I'm not the one who just got drop kicked by a 100 pound ex-cheerleader."

"Hey." Lana exclaimed from the sidelines.

I rolled my eyes in frustration. "Come on girls. Let's bring her back to the house and wait for the Sheriff. We can continue the verbal battle in there." I started walking practically dragging Alexa with me. I heard the girls start to follow me before I noticed Alexa's body was shaking. With laughter.

"What?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Tsk, Tsk. Poor Chloe doesn't even realize how all that bitterness and anger her feelings for a certain farmboy give to her, will hurt her in the long run. That potential black heart of yours will continue to grow Chloe. It will change you. It will make you want a taste for the dark side." Alexa lifted her head. "But you already know that don't you Chloe? You've savored it before."

I stopped dead in my tracks and stared at Chloe.

Chloe folded her arms across her chest. "I-I don't know what you're talking about."

I couldn't help the look of confusion that passed over my face as I tried to make sense of what Alexa had just said. "Chloe?"

Alexa laughed again. "Oh yes. Chloe. She loves you, you know Clark. She burns for you. Sometimes that burning makes you do stupid things."

Noting the uncomfortable direction this conversation was going I started dragging Alexa behind me again. The comments Alexa was making were piquing my curiosity but my better judgment told me to avoid a confrontation involving Chloe's romantic feelings toward me. I don't think it would be a good idea to go down that road again.

"Ever the noble gentleman, aren't we Clark?" Alexa goaded. "The guilt that pores out of you is suffocating. But it's not your fault your heart belongs to another. They say a love like yours never dies. But never fear. Lana loves you just as much. Don't you Lana?"

Not waiting for an answer. Alexa continued with a strange look on her face as she tried to make sense of the emotions poring out of Lana. "But, please tell me Lana, why are you so frustrated? What are you afraid of?"

Before Lana could respond, the sound of running footsteps sounded in the near perimeter.

Alexa suddenly shivered in antincipation. "So much heartache. So much locked up emotion." Despite her dislike of her powers when she was younger, Alexa had obviously come to terms with them and embraced them. Not having all of her powers must have had a huge impact on Alexa. She was feeding off of her weaker power like a drug.

Pete's running form came into view. When he reached us he bent over at the waist and placed his hands on his knees trying to catch his breath. "Clark, I'm sorry man. I went inside to call the sheriff and these two went running out like Xena and Gabrielle trying to save the day."

"Hey, wait a minute." Chloe exclaimed.

"Don't worry Chloe." Alex shifted in my arms trying to face her. "He doesn't mean it. In fact, every time you're in his vicinity his heart beats faster than a speeding bullet."

Chloe gave Alexa a confused look. "Huh? What are you talking about?"

Pete's eyes went wide with fear. "Shut up Alexa!"

Alexa stared hard at Pete. "What are you so afraid of Pete? I may not be able to read your mind but you have to be stupid not to see how you feel about her."

"Pete? I don't understand." Chloe shifted on her feet her head turned slightly to the side.

Alexa sighed. "You know for a reporter, you're a little slow on the uptake."

Pete started to panic. "Come on Clark let's get to the house man." Pete grabbed her other arm and started to pull. But Alexa was not deterred.

"He's in love with you, you moron." Alexa said in a tired voice.

Chloe opened her mouth to speak and at first could only sputter. "Pete is this….is this true?" She whispered.

Pete stopped trying to drag Alexa and dropped his hands to his sides in defeat. He turned his back to Chloe for a second before facing her. "Yeah. Yeah it is true." A slight anger laced in his words. "But so what if it is? You're always so busy being blinded by Clark that you could never see what's right in front of you!" Pete laughed a little to himself. "Ironic isn't it? While I was pining away for you, hoping one day you'd really see me, you were hoping Clark would do the same to you." Pete gave Chloe one last glance. "I've had enough of show and tell for one night. I'm going back to the house. I think Clark can handle Alexa." And with that Pete strode purposefully toward the house. His head held high making sure to prove his pride was still intact.

Chloe stood by helplessly watching Pete walk away. The look of pure confusion never leaving her face. "I – uh, think I want to be alone. I'm going to take a walk." A tear glimmered in one of Chloe's eyes.

Lana must have noticed the same time as I did because she walked up to Chloe and put a hand on her arm. "Hey, you gonna be okay?" She said quietly.

Chloe started to shake her head yes and put a smile on, but this time her mask

wouldn't hold up. Her face crumbled and her tears started to fall slowly. "No. No I'm not going to be okay. Everything is so messed up. I just want…..I just want everything to back to the way it was before."

I stiffened at her words. They were an echo of my earlier conversation with Lana. "Chloe, you can't go back to before. Believe me, it doesn't work. You can only move forward and hope everything works out." I broke off and smiled softly at Lana. "And when it does you'll realize it was worth the wait."

Lana stared at me. "Yes," She said softly. "Yes it will."

"I think I'm going to throw up." Alexa said sarcastically.

Ooops. Forgot about Alexa for a minute there.

I sighed. "Come on, let's get you back to the house and to the sheriff before you ruin anyone else's night."

Chloe shook her head. "You guys go ahead. I'm going to take that walk." Chloe turned on her heel and headed in the opposite direction of the house.

I looked at her retreating back and my shoulders sagged. I could save the town of Smallville on a daily basis without breaking a sweat but I couldn't figure out how to comfort my friend.

Lana noticed the look of defeat in my eyes. "Hey Clark? Stop doing the 'It's all my fault' thing believe it or not, sometimes it's not." She said in a no nonsense voice as we once again attempted to complete the walk to the house.

Sirens sounded in the distance and bright lights rolled the hills as the Sherriff and her men arrived at the farm.

Alexa did a sudden emotional 360 and started to sob uncontrollably at the sound and I almost felt sorry for her. But then I thought of how she abused her powers and tried to hurt people and that sympathy quickly faded.

"How Clark?" Alexa asked through her tears. "How does this stupid necklace stop me from being able to use my powers?"

I ignored her question and continued to walk.

Five minutes later we were surrounded by officers brandishing lead pipes.

I guess the sheriff decided to heed my warning after all.

"I'm going to take a lucky guess and say that the girl being dragged unceremoniously by you Mr. Kent is Ms. Santiago." The sheriff unhooked a pair of handcuffs from her belt loop and I handed Alexa over. "Don't go anywhere Mr. Kent. You neither Ms. Lang. There are a lot of questions I need answered. Go wait for me by the police cars over there. I'll be with you in a couple of minutes."

Lana and I nodded our heads in agreement. I put my arm around Lana's shoulders and led the way.

"Clark?"

"Yeah?"

Lana stopped walking for a second and looked up at me. "In actuality Alexa never hurt us physically. In fact if there was any physical harm done it was done by us, um, me."

"Lana, sometimes physical harm isn't the only type of harm. She tried to invade our minds and control us. She needs help. Do you know the kind of damage she could inflict on people if she's not treated?"

Lana swallowed hard. "I know Clark. But a part of me can't help but feel guilty. Everyday she's exposed to all these emotions that people are going through but I don't think she knows how to read or handle her own emotions."

I looked down with affection at this woman I was in love with. Earlier this evening, she had caught this woman trying to, ahem, sexually molest me but here she was worried over her welfare, trying to understand what made her tick instead of hating her and saying 'Good riddance'.

Suddenly I wasn't afraid anymore. Worried yes, but not afraid. If there was anyone in the world who would take me as I am, it would be Lana. How could I not have known that?

I reached out and took both of Lana's hands in mine.

"Lana, remember that talk we needed to have?"

End of part Ten