Chapter 3
Johnny the killer into the Ledger office and went to the front desk. One of the clerks came up to him.
"Yes sir?"The Clerk said.
Johnny took out a picture of Chloe and showed it to him.
"Yes,I'm looking for this young lady."He said.
"Oh that's Chloe Sullivan,she works here once in a while,she not here right now."The Clerk said.
"Do you know where I can find her?"Johnny said.
"Yeah,right now she at the Torch,that's the high school's newspaper."the Clerk said.
"The Torch right."Johnny said.
"Yes sir."the Clerk said.
"Thanks a lot." Johnny said then left the office. He went back to the car and got in. Rex started the car and head for the High School.
Clark and Chloe were in the Torch office. Chloe was going to run a extra edition about her exploits in Metropolis. She was at her computer finishing up the front page.
"How's this for a headline: "Local Students Witness Gangland Murder"."She said.
"How about:"Local High School Editor,is more careful."Clark said.
"What is with you,Clark,I'll be okay."Chloe said.
"I just think that you should be more careful."Clark said.
"Clark how many people have tried to kill me?"Chloe asked.
"The football coach that could make fire. The student that needed body heat. Oh yeah, Lionel Luther."Clark said.
"Do keep count of just how many people have tried to kill me?"Chloe asked.
"Chloe I just don't want to see you get hurt."Clark said.
"Clark, with you here,I'll be just fine."Chloe said.
"Clark are you afraid of losing me?"Chloe said. Clark turned his head. He really didn't what to answer that question.
"Well are you?"Chloe said.
"Yeah,if you not around who's going to keep me and Lois from killing each other."Clark said.
"Okay,Clark I'll be more careful."Chloe said.
Outside the Torch, Johnny was finishing make the bomb he put on Chloe's car. He set the timer and ran away to his car. He hopped in.
"The bomb all set?"Rex asked.
"That girls going to go sky high."Johnny said.
They car took off and headed for behind the school near the track. They took out a set of binoculars and waited.Clark and Chloe came out about thirty minutes later. They were followed by Lex's bodyguard. They guard got into his car. Clark walked Chloe to her car. Clark opened the door for her.
"Promise me that you'll be careful"Clark said.
"I promise Clark don't worry,No go and tell Lana the same thing."Chloe said.
"Chloe."Clark said.
"Come on Clark you know your going to."Chloe said. Clark turned and started to walk away.
"Clark."Chloe said.
"Yeah."Clark said. Chloe ran up to him and hug him, then she kissed him on the cheek..
"What was that for?"Clark asked.
"For always saving me."Chloe said. Then she turned and got back in her car. She tried to start it but it didn't turn over. Clark used his super hearing, the sound waves on the engine and other parts came back to him,then he heard a tick. He then used his x-ray vision. The solids of the world fell away. On the car was bomb.
"Chloe,No!"Clark shouted. Before he could move Chloe started her car. The bomb went off. Clark used his super speed to get to the car before it went up in flames. He ripped off the doors and pulled Chloe out. He turned just as the fire would have hit Chloe. Clark jumped. He felt himself gliding through the air. They landed about twenty feet away.
"Chloe are you okay?"Clark asked.
"Yeah, but how did we get all the way over here?"She asked.
"Maybe it was the shock wave."Clark said. The bodyguard ran over to Clark and Chloe,his gun drawn.
"You two okay?"he asked.
"Yeah were fine."Clark said.
Clark, Chloe and the bodyguard never saw the black sedan drive off.
Lex waited for the last costumer to leave the Talon.
"Looks like it was busy night."Lex said.
"Not really most people came wanting to find out about mine and Chloe's adventure in the big city."Lana said.
"Well that's how it is if you a witness to a murder remember Cato?"Lex joked.
"Oh,god wen I came home from school Nell was watching it on T.V."Lana said.
"My father had me watching Bloom burg,learning about stocks."Lex said.
"Well we still got the Talon."Lana said.
"True."Lex said.
"Here's the payroll."Lana said.
"Where Lance?"Lex asked.
"He's in the restroom."Lana said.
"Lana,I know that having a bodyguard can be a little rough,but I think Clark would appreciated"Lex said.
"Me and Clark aren't together."Lana said.
"I know that things with you and Clark have never worked out. Do think it's because there's someone else out there for you?Lex said.
"I don't know maybe I keep hoping that Clark will come around."Lana said
"If he doesn't?"Lex asked.
"Then I'll move on and hope that me and Clark can be friends."Lana said.
Then a large blast was heard Lex and Lana went to the door they looked outside to find smoke rising from the school.
"The school. Clark and Chloe are there."Lana said.
"Let's go."Lex said. They jumped into Lex's car and sped off for the high school. When they got there. A throng of people and civil aid were on the sense. Clark and Chloe were near at the ambulance. The Medic's were taking Chloe's vitals.
"Clark,what the hell happened?"Lex asked.
"Someone put a bomb on Chloe's car."Clark said.
"Are you okay Chloe?" Lana asked her friend.
"Yeah I'm okay. The Man of Steel here saved me."Chloe said.
Clark's parents pulled up a moment later. Lois and Martha jumped out before the truck was at a complete stop.
"Chloe are you okay?"Lois asked.
"I'm fine Lois."Chloe said.
"How about you Clark?"His mother asked.
"I'm okay mom."Clark reassured his mother.
"I'm going to call in a few favors see if we can get to the bottom of this."Lex said.
"I only had one more payment on that car."Chloe said as she looked at the remains of her car. Clark saw his father talking to the Sheriff and went to join them.
"It looks like a professional job,Jonathon. Were going to have send it to Metropolis to get a good idea what it was for sure."Adams said.
"It was plastic explosive."Clark said.
"And How would you know that Mr. Kent?"she asked.
"When Chloe's car didn't start i looked under it and that's when I saw it."Clark said.
"It's a good thing that you did Mr. Kent or else Miss. Sullivan would be dead."Adams said then she walked away.
"X-ray vision?"his father asked.
"Yes,sir."Clark said.
"Good job."Jonathon said. They walked back to the group.
"I think that you and Lana should stay at the mansion until these guys get caught."Lex said.
"I'll call Inspector Sawyer in Metropolis and tell her what happened.
"Wait a minute don't me and Lana get a say in this,I mean it's our lives.
"No!"Clark and Lois said in unison.
"Okay."Chloe said weakly.
"Lana it would be better if you did."Jonathon said.
"I'm not hiding."Lana said adamantly.
"Then at least let me put more guards around you."Lex said.
"How about you stay with us Lana."Martha said.
"I think that would be a great idea."Jonathon said.
"And Lex's bodyguards can watch the house."Clark said.
"I think that would be best."Lex said.
"Lana?"Chloe said.
"Okay,I'll stay at the Kents."she relented.
"I'll make the calls."Lex said.
The Kents truck pulled to a stop at in front of the house. They were followed by Lex' 'vette and the three SUV's of the Bodyguards' Everyone got of the cars and headed inside the house. Lex went and talked to the guards and discussed the places were the guards would take up their posts.
Inside Martha was going over sleeping arrangements. Clark would give up his room and sleep in the loft. Lana would take his room. Chloe and Lois would take the spare bedroom were Lois was staying. to clam everyones nerves Martha felt that baking and coffee would help she also made some for the guards outside. Jonathon took his shotgun and and shells and headed out side. He was making calls on his cell trying to get the MPD on the ball and find the manics that were trying to kill his friends. Clark came out a few minutes later with two cups of coffee. He handed one to Lex.
"MPD will be here in the morning to take Lana and Chloe to a safe house in Metropolis."Lex said.
"They should be heading out here tonight."Clark said.
"Son,MPD is doing all they can but from what I hear,this Sloan is really crafty."Jonathon said. Then he went inside.
"Your dad's right. MPD can't make anything stick on Sloan. I don't think even Chloe and Lana's testimony to make it happen."Lex said.
"Then what can?"Clark asked.
"Only a confession by Sloan himself. Even if he does that he has good lawyers that will say he was made to confess."Lex said, then took a drink of his coffee.
"Why is it that criminal's think that they can use the laws they brake to protect them?"Clark said.
"That's a good question,Clark. Maybe you'll know the answer,someday."Lex said.
"That's me,Clark Kent fights a never ending battle for truth,justice and the American way."Clark said. Lex turned and looked inside. Chloe,Lois and Lana had changed into their PJ's and were helping Martha bake cookies. Lex chuckled.
"What?"Clark said,turning to looked inside.
"Your a very lucky man,Clark."Lex said.
"Really,how's that's?"Clark asked.
"Three beautiful women under the same roof and the only thing they have in common is...You"Lex said then he finished his coffee and handed the cup to Clark.
"Good luck, your going to need it."Lex said. Clark watched as Chloe,Lois and Lana ,laughed as they made cookies. Clark shook his head. This was going to be a long night.
"I understand that you were at the school tonight after someone tried to kill the young Miss Sullivan?"Lionel asked.
"Your right dad I was and I plan on helping the police find who ever is trying to kill her and Lana Lang."Lex said.
"Are you sure that you want to get involved in this Lex."Lionel said.
"Unlike you dad when my friends are in trouble I don't runaway."Lex said.
"To what are you referring to?"Lex asked.
"As I recall when I was fifteen you and Harvey Stein were in business together,when things went south to went to the SEC and had him throw in jail for six years you also took over his company."Lex said.
"If I had not done what I did you would be out on the streets."Lionel said.
"So you did it for me?"Lex said.
"Of course."Lionel said.
"Dad,I'm help them because it will help me too.
The stars shone bright as Clark looked at them with his telescope. It was about one in the morning and he could not sleep. He knew that it was because that he could get to Lana and Chloe quicker than anyone else. He was also thinking about what Lex had said to him was, he the only thing that Lois,Lana and Chloe had in common? If it was true that was going to cause more trouble than maybe even Clark could handle.
"Couldn't sleep either."Chloe said from behind him.
"It's been a long day. I think its just the adrenaline. Clark said.
"So what else to you do with yourself when your up here?"Chloe asked.
"Think mostly,about things on the farm,school,football,my birth parents,my problems"Clark said. He sat down on a bale of hay. "My dad says that every teenage boy should have a fortress of solute."Clark added. Chloe went and sat net to him.
"I know this may sound odd but what about girls?"Chloe asked.
"Yes I think about girls up here."Clark said. Chloe shot him a mischievous look."So where do you stash the "Playboys"?She asked.
"Not like that Chloe."Clark said. "I usually think about if there's a girl out there for me. Will I make a good husband. You know things like that's. Oh and Playboys are hidden in the rafter above you head."Clark said.
"Clark your going to make a great boyfriend, if you open up to her and a great husband. Trust me."Chloe said. "You only took me on one date, but I had fun."Chloe added.
"One of these days I'm going to make that up to you."Clark said. Chloe stood up to head back inside. She stopped and turned back to Clark. She hugged him as tight as she could.
"I never got to save thank you for saving me today."Chloe said.
"I've saved you before Chloe."Clark said.
"I know but this time it could have been different."Chloe said. Then she leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. When she stepped back they looked into each others eyes. Chloe licked her lips.
Later,Clark would debate if it was the emotions of the day or something that he wanted to do. There lips met tenderly,slowly they began to give in to the urge. His tongue teased her lip and she teased his. She moaned against his mouth. Their once idle hands began to move and explore. Then Clark stopped and pulled away. He looked intensely into her eyes. He knew to go any further was dangerous and he was not willing to take the risk. Chloe rested her head against his chest and listened to his heart.
"I'm sorry."Clark said.
"Don't be."Chloe told him. "Good night Clark."she added.
"Good night,Chloe."Clark said.
Clark watched as Chloe went back into the house. He went back up to the loft. Lana stepped out of the shadows. She wiped a tear from her eye and head back for the house.
TO BE CONTINUED...
