Chapter Four
Clark quickly minimized the search page when Pete came bounding into the office.
"Hey, Pete." He said. "What's up?"
"Um, you wanted me to drop by today." Pete replied. "Remember?"
"Oh, yeah." Clark said. "Uh, how could I forget?"
"So uh, what do you need me for?" Pete asked, a small smirk on his face.
"Uh, well, you know…" Clark stammered. "Just, um… company."
"Are you serious!" Pete shouted, staring at Clark angrily. "You called me away from my brothers wedding for company?"
"What?" Clark said, shocked. "Pete, I didn't… I mean, if I knew…"
Pete cracked up laughing.
"Relax, Chloe." He said. "I've been getting people with that all day."
Clark let out a shaky little laugh.
"Yeah, well you got me." He said.
"Chloe, there is a reason I came here today other than to terrify you with my cheesy humor." Pete started.
"What is it, Pete?" Clark asked.
"It's Clark." He continued. "He told me his secret a while back, and it's killing me to keep it."
Clark held his breath at the mention of his name.
"Uh, well, have you tried talking to him?" He asked. "Does he know how you feel?"
"No, but it doesn't matter, coz I've already made up my mind." Pete said. " I have to tell someone. And I'm not one to mess with true love, whatever that is, so Lana's off my list. So, Chloe, I have to tell you."
"No, Pete, you can't do that to Clark, he's your best friend!" He's been loyal to you, and kept all your secrets, and this is how you repay him? I can't believe you would do that!" Clark said, rushing his words and hyperventilating just a little.
And for the second time in less than ten minutes, Pete cracked up in hysterics.
"Relax, man." He said, clapping Clark on the back. "I know it's you."
Clark stopped hyperventilating; in fact, he thought he stopped breathing altogether.
"What?" He asked, shocked.
"I know your probably gonna throw me out one of the top story windows now," Pete said. "but it will be worth it for the look on your face just then."
"H - H - How did you know?" Clark stammered.
"Well, I heard about your little joyride courtesy of Chloe's VW, in the princess outfit -" Pete started
"It was Chloe and it was a bathrobe." Clark interrupted.
"And the fact that Chloe didn't call me in here today at all," Pete continued as if he hadn't heard him. "And I already got her about a hundred times with that 'brothers wedding' thing."
"Hmm," Clark said, once the shock had started to wear off. "Perhaps you're more investigative reporter' than you care to let on."
"Yeah." Pete said. "Plus, I, uh, heard you and Chloe talking earlier."
"Oh," Clark said, smiling. "Maybe not then." There goes good old Pete Clark thought Joking around at the most inappropriate of times.
Pete grinned.
"I can't believe you're so cool with this." Clark remarked.
"Hey, you've trusted me with your secrets before." Pete said. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Clark smiled. It was great to have a friend as understanding as Pete.
"So, I really freaked you out, huh?" Pete asked.
"That was NOT funny!" Clark complained, but couldn't help grinning just a little.
"But you know I would never -" Pete started, suddenly serious.
"I know, Pete." Clark cut him off. "You're a good friend."
They both spun around when the door swung open.
"Hey, Clark, here is your coffee. I don't know what it is, but apparently -" Chloe walked into the Torch office, then stopped, spotting Pete.
"Pete, uh, hey…" She stammered, caught off-guard. "I, uh -"
"It's ok. He heard us talking before." Clark explained simply.
"So he knows too?" Chloe asked, annoyed.
"Too?" Pete asked.
"Clark's parents found him this morning." Chloe explained. Pete whistled.
"Man. That's gotta be tough." He said. "I'll bet they're freaking out."
"Not as bad as you'd think." Clark said. "My dad was pretty shocked at first, and my Mom cried, but… they're getting over it."
There was a few seconds awkward silence, then Chloe pulled some money out of her purse.
"Um, here Clark, the $7.50 I owe you." She said. "I had to put the coffees on your tab."
"Ok." Clark said, distracted by something on the screen. Chloe noticed his distraction.
"So you ran the background check?" She asked.
"Yeah." Clark replied.
"And?" Chloe asked, setting her keys and coffee down on the desk.
"Trey Thompson, if it really is him, lives near the outskirts of Metropolis." Clark started. "He works at a place called Bernie's Auto Electrical. He's 21 ad is neither dating nor married, but he shares a one bedroom flat with his Doberman, Russell."
"Hmm, a house calls out then." Chloe commented. "How did you find out the name of his dog?"
"It said so on his MSN profile." Clark replied. "Anyway, he'll be at work today. If we left straight away, we could get there by 2.30 if we're lucky."
"Uhhh… Clark, do you mind if I sit this one out?" Chloe asked, hoping he wouldn't get annoyed. "There's… something I have to do."
"Sure, Chloe." Clark said. He was actually glad she wasn't coming. It would lighten the burden and hassle of secrecy.
"Thanks Clark." She said gratefully, surprised he was so fine with it. "So are you gonna leave straight away?"
"Yeah." He said, standing up from the computer, turning it off as he did so. "No use wasting time."
"Let me come with you." Pete said, jumping off the desk he had sitting on.
"Pete, um, maybe I should go alone." Clark said, reluctant to let Pete tag along.
"Come on, man." Pete pressed. "You're gonna need a ride anyway. Chloe needs the truck, and I didn't see her beetle in the parking lot, so either I'm taking you, or you're walking."
Clark picked up a hint of humor in Pete's voice as they shared the inside joke. Although, Clark, of course, couldn't travel to Metropolis on foot anymore, not while he was in Chloe's body anyway. Clark sighed.
"Ok, Pete. You can come." He said. "You'll be good company, I guess."
"Great." Pete said, digging his keys out of his pocket. "We'll see you round, Chloe." But he felt a little tingle go up his spine as he said it. It just didn't seem right calling him 'Chloe'. Hopefully he wouldn't have to get used to it.
Clark noticed his friend's discomfort, so quickly led the way out of the Torch office and into the parking lot.