A/N: A rather important thought has popped into my head, I need a proof-reader. So if anyone wants the job you not only get to read the chapter before anyone else but you can make suggestion for change, (which are always welcome in reviews anyway) and I'd be more than happy to proof-read for you in return. Anyway, drop me an e-mail if you're interested. Now on with the show…

"Wow," Chloe shivered as she pulled her coat up around her neck. "It was actually colder in there than out here."

Clark gave her a rather less-then-amused look.

"Okay, so maybe tact has never been a strong point of mine, but seriously, I'm doing the best I can with the limited information I have."

"And what information would that be?" Clark asked, sure that it was only Lois, himself and Martha who knew what had really happened the night before.

"Well, first I ran into Lana and got her take on events." Chloe continued, shooting Clark a harsh look.

"Oh…"

"Oh indeed." She said with a smile. "How're you holding up?'

"I'll survive." He answered as they both climbed into Chloe's Beetle.

"Good." She remarked.

The rest of what had happened Chloe had had to guess at. Lana had mentioned how on her way back from Clark's she had run into Lois, and, as much as Chloe still didn't like admitting it, Lois and Clark had become very close over the past year. Not that she was jealous of her older cousin, after all, Chloe had gotten very close to some of the lads in Met U, no it was just that it used to be Chloe and Clark who were the best of friends. After she had left for Metropolis and Lois had enrolled at Kansa A+M her two friends had become grudgingly closer, to the point were they now knew each other better than they knew themselves.

Still, there was one thing Chloe did know that Lois didn't. Well two really. After all, she'd been the first one to point out the obvious fact that Lois and Clark were adorned in each other, a point they had both strongly denied until, Chloe guessed, last night.

"You know," She ventured as she pulled the car out. "She does love you, she just doesn't know what to do about it."

"That sounds like Lois." Clark admitted with a half-smile. "How did you figure it out?" He asked seriously.

"What? You mean with the blatant 'kiss of death' gibe? Or what about her being uncharacteristically unenthusiastic about the prospect of cake? Really Clark, it was hardly rocket science. Speaking of which…" She stole a glance at Clark, trying to work out his mood; admittedly, Lois had always been better at that. "…How are those landings coming?"

"About as well as everything else." Clark answered, attempting humour.

"She'll come round eventually." She said with an air of comfort.

"Knowing my luck it will be at the same time as Lana does."

"Well, when that time comes I'll lend you the coin to flip."

They both laughed and moved the conversation on to their current investigation and dire Christmas presents.

"Name?"

"Harriet. Harriet Tispie."

The hospital receptionist shot Chloe a very cynical look, which Chloe returned with her most reassuring smile.

"I'm a med student from A+M. Dr…" She quickly glanced at the staff list. "Dr. Woodnit invited me to tail him for the day. Y'know, get the real hospital experience and all that."

Clark stifled a laugh. He could avoid being seen, but being heard was a different matter. He continued to skim through the hospital database, faster than a, well you know.

"Firstly," The receptionist sneered at Chloe, unaware of what was going on behind her. "It's Dr. Rudknick. And secondly he is a she."

"Oh," Chloe giggled innocently. "I, er…" A quick gust of wind from behind the receptionist's deck signalled that Clark had gotten what they had come for, and had swiftly departed. "I er… must have come to the wrong hospital." Chloe explained, thinking on her feet. "Sorry." She said sweetly.

The older woman snorted and turned back to her desk. Chloe walked down the hall and darted around a corner.

"Did you get it?" She whispered.

"Kevin Matthew Watson." Clark said with an air of triumph. "Brought in last night with a presumably fatal spider bite. Was put up in room 51, which is now occupied by…" He handed Chloe a scribbled on piece of paper.

"Mrs. Kernshaw?" She said in disbelieve. "Wow. Didn't she turn extinct like a billion years ago?"

"Apparently not." Clark laughed quietly. "Here look," He continued pointing to the page. "The attending nurse was Gabriel Howard, who collapsed and later died this morning of…"

"…An unknown toxin." Chloe finished. "Whatever would I do without you Speedy?"

"Well, you might start with some actual investigating, Harriet." He jested.

"Oi, watch it you. Kevin Watson, Kevin Watson. I know that name."

Clark looked at her inquiringly.

"He was in my math class in high school." She explained. "Him and Greg Arkin used to be best friends."

"A.k.a, Bug Boys."

"Exactly. So, does lightening strike the same place twice."

"It has happened before." Clark said thoughtfully. "You think he could be a danger, I mean, a bigger danger."

"Well, from what I can remember he did have a thing for pretty girls. After all, he did ask yours truly out." She said smugly.

"And you said yes?"

"Well, he just looked so desperate. I mean he'd already been turned down so many times before, especially by, er, other people…" She trailed off.

"I'm guessing he wasn't quite Lana's type." Clark said with a sense of understanding. "So, what'd we do now?"

"Well erm," Chloe look at the scribbled hospital record in her hand. "I guess we should go talk to Mrs. Watson, see if she's seen her son."

"Maybe I should head down to the sheriff's office and see if…" Clark was cut short by the familiar sound of 'Losing My Religion' ringing from his phone.

"It got you in the corner." Chloe said mockingly.

"That coming from the girl whose favourite song is Livin' on a Prayer."

Chloe blushed as Clark looked down at his message.

"What is it?" Chloe asked, noticing the sudden change in Clark's expression.

"Lex wants my help picking out the ring." Clark answered, not bothering to hide his contempt. "I don't know why he even bothers. We haven't exactly seen eye to eye for quite a while now."

"But you're still his best friend." Chloe rationalized. "Which is really quite sad when you think about it."

"I guess."

"You know you have to go. It's the curse of being a best man."

"I know." He said through clenched teeth. Shoving his phone back in his pocket, Clark turned to Chloe. "I'll see you later Chlo."

"Remember Clark." She called as he walked off. "Everybody hurts!"

A/N2: Mrs. Kernshaw is dedicated to Mrs. Ryan. She's been teaching history so long she's become it.