Chapter 11

Friend or Foe?

"So what's happened since I was gone?" Clark asked. The whole gang had gotten together at the Talon and they were catching up with one another (mostly Clark of course).

"A lot," Chloe replied. "Since the clean up there's been a lot of construction, not to mention Lex."

"What do you mean Lex?" Clark asked.

"Ever since you've been gone Lex has turned the caves up side down looking for answers, not to mention that he thinks that you are connected to them and the stones. I don't think he can be trusted anymore, if he found our you secret he would only try to use it for his own personal gain." Chloe replied.

"Yeah, the first time I saw him since I've back he was talking like he knew you had some connection with everything. I wouldn't be surprised if he's started investigating you again." Pete said.

"Speaking of Lex." Lana said as she saw Lex coming through the door.

When Lex came into the Talon he had a lot of things on his mind but not enough not to notice that Clark was back.

"Clark?" Lex asked.

"In the flesh." Clark replied.

" No one has since you since the shower where you've been?" Lex asked.

"Oh you wouldn't believe it Clark actually found some of his family!" Lana said.

Lex wasn't expecting that as a reply.

"Yeah," Clark said when he noticed what Lana had done, "Some of my cousins, my parents didn't tell anyone where I was because they thought that it would be better if I was alone."

"Well if that was the case I guess we can forgive them, it's good to see that you're home." Lex said as he walked away.

"Touching story" Lex said to himself to "bad it wasn't true." He had personally looked at Clark's adoption papers and he knew that he had no living relatives. But even though he had been lied to it had given him some vital information. That whatever the secret of Clark Kent was, Lana now knew and, she was covering for him.

" He didn't buy any of that." Chloe said as soon as Lex was out of earshot.

"Why would you say that?" Lana asked.

"You could see it in his eyes." She replied.

Lana had just gotten home and she was exhausted from everything she received in the last couple of days. She was so confused part of her felt like she could keep and protect Clark secret and part of her was afraid that she would slip up. And it didn't help when the phone rang.

"Hello?" she asked when she picked up.

"I Lana it's Lex, I just wanted to know if you could meet me at the mansion. I really need to talk to you."

"OK" Lana said quite convincingly with the skepticism that was going through her mind.

"I'll see you later then," Lex replied.

When Lana hung up the receiver she was even more worried. By the inflection in Lex's voice it sounded like he wanted something from her. She couldn't flake on him because that would make him even more suspicious, and she knew that he loved a challenge.

"Well", she said as she thought out loud, "looks like I'm going to have to face my demons sooner than later.

Lana was ushered into Lex's office and she couldn't help but feel nervous.

"Hi, Lana, sit down." Lex said as he gestured he to a nearby chair. Lana took her seat.

" So, Lex why did you want to see me?" she asked.

" Just to talk," Lex replied "We haven't said anything much since your graduation day."

"Well there's not that much to tell," Lana replied.

" Oh I would say that you do. I saw how close you and Clark was in the Talon. Are you dating again?" Lex asked.

"Well, nothing official Lex, but I hope so, but that's not any of your business." Lana said defensively.

"Lana, I'm your friend. I just thought that all the times that Clark hurt you, that you wouldn't let yourself go through that again. What about all the times that he hasn't told you that truth? All the times that he has refused to open up? Why are you giving him another chance?" Lex asked.

" To tell you the truth Lex," Lana replied, " I've forgiven Clark. Except for Whitney, every other guy I've dated has tried to kill me. I just decided that it was better to be with someone who genuinely loved me, even if he hasn't told me everything."

"So you know that Clark is hiding something?" Lex asked.

"What is this an interrogation?" Lana exclaimed as her anger rose. "Am I just some pawn you can use? Because that's what I fell like! Ever since that stone fell into my hands I've been more of an asset to than a friend and I'm, sick of it! And anyway, you know that Clark is hiding something. I've told you that before. It's no secret, there's a part of him we don't see. But I'm willing to be patient and wait for him to tell me himself. That is what a real friend dose. The only question worth discussing is, are you?" Lana couldn't have more relived when her cell phone rang and reviled a text message from Nell. "Lex, I have to go, Nell needs to talk to me." And without saying goodbye she left.

As she drove home she couldn't help thinking of Lex. There was a whole side of him she hadn't seen before. She knew that she couldn't blame him for having questions about Clark that was natural. It was just the way that he went about it, it reminded her of his father. Now that was a scary thought.

This was Trask's defining moment. As a member of Bureau 39 he had dedicated his life to detecting non-terrain life on Earth. Now the finally had the proof he was looking for. Many tests had been conducted to try to find out what the object was but it still remained a mystery as when it had arrived two months ago. But one thing was for sure; this was no hoax, this object was not from earth. When he thought over the day's events one name come to mind, 'Luthor'. Lex had called so had his father, both wanting to fund his research. All he knew was that he was going to except both of their offers. Give them the access and information that they wanted (separately of course). After all he needed the money. All of a sudden the quite computer that was monitoring the object sounded off an alarm.

"Sir!" one of technicians yelled, "the object is powering up!"

As Trask looked at he containment room he saw that object rise off the floor. After it seamed to gather up enough energy if shot out four different beams of light. Then as quickly as it happened, it was over. The object returned to its resting-place as lifeless as it had been seconds earlier.

Lana had arrived back home. But even though she knew that she was alone she couldn't shake the felling of another presence. Then she saw something that shocked her. A shot of energy came through her apartment wall was only this time it ignored her and materialized into something on her counter. When she walked over she saw that it was an amulet and to her surprise it was engraved with the same symbol that was on her back. When she touched it, it lit up and sent out a projection of a well-built woman with sandy blond hair and blue eyes wearing a long flowing white gown.

"Hello Lana, she said, "It's nice to finally meet you."