In the morning, Clark sits on the couch trying to wake up. Todd is in the kitchen, searching for something to eat. Once again, Lex had reservations for the nicest room in the hotel. Huge living room, full kitchen, two bedrooms, bathroom in each, nicer than most Metropolis apartments.
"Ya know, in a hotel room this nice, there should at least be some free food." Todd comments, closing the fridge.
"No, they want to make sure you raid the mini-bar and pay over five dollars for a fifty-cent can of peanuts." Clark tells him.
"Screw that, I'm ordering room service." Todd says and reaches for the phone. There's a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Clark asks.
"Room service." A voice calls from the other side of the door.
"That was quick, I haven't even called yet." Todd says, putting the phone down.
"Wait, I'll get it." Clark says, getting suspicious. He walks over to the door and does a quick x-ray. Clark smiles when he notices a certain attractive twenty-one year old. He opens the door and finds Amy standing there with a bag of groceries.
"Breakfast anyone?" She asks and smiles sweetly.
"I thought we were going to meet at ten?" Clark asks, letting her in.
"Then I thought I would make you pancakes for breakfast, so I brought this over. My family is staying in the hotel too." She says and sets the bag on the counter.
"Oh, thanks." Clark thanks her. "Need any help?"
"No, I got everything." She says and her eyes drift down to his tight t-shirt. "You should probably get changed, it will be awhile."
"Right. I wouldn't want to give you any ideas, now would I?" Clark says with a smile and turns toward his bedroom.
Amy just smiles and continues. "Yes Clark, seeing you in that shirt gives me plenty of ideas." She says quietly to herself.
Clark hears her comment and smiles to himself.
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"Wow, these are good." Clark tells her after his first bite.
"You sound surprised…" She says with an annoyed look.
"Well, I never expected to taste better pancakes than what my mom makes." Clark says.
"Oh. My little secret, then." Amy says with a smirk.
"So, where does a nascar driver's niece get to watch the race?" He asks.
"I have my choice to watch it in the seats uncle Kevin reserved up in the press box, or the stands behind the pits. Air-conditioning or hot sun? I think I'll pick air-conditioning." She tells him with a smile.
"Kevin Harnik gets to race all afternoon in a 150-degree race car and you need air-conditioning?" Clark teases.
"The seats behind the pits suck. If you want to watch the race without me, be my guest."
"I wouldn't want that." Clark says.
"Ok then. Todd, your welcome to watch it with us too." Amy tells him.
"Sure. Might as well live like a winning car-owner. I am." He says and pats Clark's shoulder.
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Clark and Amy find their way to the seats in the press box. Clark couldn't hope for a better view. He has a perfect view of the entire track and pits. To the right is a big screen TV showing the race.
The green flag drops and all forty-three cars take off for the last race of the season. Five cars, all with a chance to win the championship. The slightest mistake could take you out of contention.
Oh man, how I wish I were out there. I'd bring a whole new meaning to 'champion'.
"What are you thinking about?" Amy asks, noticing how deep in thought he was.
"Just how I wish that I'll be out there someday. The more I see about this sport, the more I see the life these drivers live, I want to be part of it." Clark tells her.
"Don't worry, I'm sure you will. The talent you have won't go unnoticed, be sure of that." She assures him.
Clark laughs. "I'm sure I must sound stupid, to have such high hopes and dreams."
"No, I don't think you sound stupid at all. How do you think all these drivers started?" She asks.
"I guess your right." Clark agrees.
The first corner of the first lap, a few cars tangle and spin out. The yellow flag waves and sends the race into an early caution.
The race goes back to green shortly. Coming close to the first set of pit stops, the points leader, Curt Bush has what he thinks is a flat tire and comes to pit road. As he turns into the pits, the wheel hub breaks and the car heads straight toward the end of the pit wall. The wheel comes right out of the fender and Curt Bush narrowly misses the wall. Sparks fly out from underneath as he limps the car toward his pit stall.
He gets the problem fixed and heads back out on to the track. The rest of the drivers come in to the pits under the caution flag.
With fifteen laps to go, the race gets exciting again. Four of the championship contenders are fender to fender at the front. Whoever finishes the best will win the championship. Each driver wants it just as badly as they beat and bang their way toward the finish. Curt Bush finishes the best and crosses the finish line as the nascar cup champion.
Clark groans out loud at the outcome of the race. Curt Bush is one of the few drivers he doesn't like.
"Not happy, Clark?" Amy asks.
"That's an understatement." Clark comments.
"Yeah, me neither." She agrees. "Would you like to accompany me to the infield and see Kevin?"
"Wish I could, but I have to be to the airport in an hour." Clark tells her.
"Oh, I guess this will have to be goodbye, then." Amy says with a disappointed look.
"Yeah, afraid so. It's been fun, thanks for everything, Amy." Clark says.
"No problem. Bye, Clark." She says and gives him a hug.
"Bye." Clark says and watches as she walks away.
She stops and turns back. "Oh, Clark? Call me sometime." She says with a smile.
"I will." Clark smiles back.
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A/N: Ok, the racing weekend is over. Back to Smallville. Amy will be back in later chapters, but nothing long term. That nascar race was written about the actual 2004 homestead-miami race. It's not exactly the same, but similar.
'05 Daytona 500 tomorrow, go Kevin Harvick #29 ;-)
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