That afternoon Clark and Peter were walking out to the barn as Peter drove up; the noise from the car causing both of them to turn.
"Hey! Pete."
"Hi, Pete."
"Hey, what are you two up to?"
"We were just heading up to the loft," Clark answered. "Come on."
After they got up to the loft and everyone got situated Pete started the conversation. "Chloe told me that Eric Summers has made another appearance in Smallville."
"Yeah," Clark said seriously. "Did she tell you the rest about her run in with him?"
Pete shook his head. "Not really. She just said that he wanted to see you. Pete paused for asking, "What does he want?"
"Me." Clark stated. "Or at least to be like me."
Pete's eyes grew wide. "What?"
"Yeah," Clark nodded his head. "He wanted me to meet him at the Foundry last night."
"Clark man you didn't….. Nevermind, I know you did." Pete stammered. "Man, you know that place is covered with meteor rocks."
"Yeah I know, Pete." Clark said. "Eric seemed to know about that too."
Pete eyes seem to grow as big as saucers when he heard this. He questioned Clark worriedly. "What? How?"
"I don't know." Clark shook his head uncertainly. "He said that he has had a lot of time to think about it. He tried to use one on me but luckily it didn't work."
Pete cocked his head and had a bewildered look on his face. "It didn't work?" He quickly added, "I'm glad it didn't, but how?"
"Solar flares." Clark said wryly.
"Oh, no. There was another one." Pete shook his head. "I leave you alone for one day and kinds of things happen."
Clark smiled in response to Pete's joke. "So, did you trash anything this time and are you back to normal yet?"
"I didn't trash anything major this time." Clark said. "I was sure to stay away from the tractor."
"That's using your head." Pete retorted. "So, how did the meeting with Eric end?"
"We left him knocked out for the police to get him."
Pete raised an eyebrow. "We?"
"Yeah, Peter helped me out….actually he saved my hide."
Pete turned to Peter. "Oh a double team…. and you saved him? This is good." Pete rubbed his hands together as he was talking. "Anything else that I have missed out on?"
Peter decided to jump in on the conversation. "Clark has some concerns about Lex possibly knowing something." Peter saw that Pete's face darkened when he mentioned Lex. "I am going to guess that you don't particularly like him."
"It is that obvious?"
"Yeah, it is."
"No, I don't like him or his family." Pete said. "I have tried to tell Clark about him, but he won't listen."
"Lex is not a bad guy." Clark stated. "You shouldn't judge him just because your family doesn't like his."
"I'm glad to hear that Clark." Lex's smooth voice sounded from the bottom of the stairs. "I'm glad that our friendship means so much to you."
"Hi, Lex" Clark replied slightly uneasy. "What's up?"
Lex smiled slightly. "I heard you had some company and I wanted to introduce myself." Lex extended his hand out to Peter.
Peter shook his hand. "I've heard of you."
"Ahh. I see my reputation proceeds me," Lex nodded his head knowingly. "It's not all bad. Just ask Clark. Right Clark?"
Clark answered awkwardly, "Yeah, Lex."
"I think you should bring your new friend by the mansion." Lex said and then switched his gaze over to Peter. "I'm sure you will find something interesting there."
He then addressed Clark "You are coming right?"
"Yeah, we'll come and see you later."
"Great. I will see you then." Lex turned and left the barn as quietly as he had entered.
"Man, you know he is up to no good." Pete saw the look Clark was giving him. "I don't care what you think, if you are going over there I am leaving."
After Pete was out of earshot, Peter turned to Clark. "I didn't want to say this while Pete was here since he already mistrusts Lex." Peter saw Clark giving him a look that said 'not you too.' "Before you say anything else, I don't know Lex or really anything about him." Peter paused for a moment before continuing in a more serious tone. "But, I do know people can become obsessed with trying to find out things. I'm not trying to mess up your friendship with Lex."
"But….." Clark prompted.
"When I shook Lex's hand." Peter said. "I sensed something. It wasn't very strong, but I definitely sensed something."
"So, what are you trying to say?"
"I think Lex may be up to something." Peter held up his hand to stop Clark. "You can't tell me you don't have your suspicions." Clark didn't say anything but just looked at Peter.
"Are you not wanting to go to Lex's?" Clark asked slightly annoyed at Peter even if he was right.
"No, you said we would go." Peter answered. "So, we are going to go."
Their conversation was interrupted by Chloe entering the barn. Chloe climbed up the stairs to the loft. "I just saw Pete leaving," Chloe said pointing outside. "He seemed to be upset. What's wrong?"
Clark answered. "Lex just came by and invited Peter and me over to the mansion. Pete got mad and left."
Peter decided to add, "He thinks Lex is up to something."
Clark shot Peter a look trying to tell him to hush before turning back to Chloe. "What are you up to now?"
Chloe pushed a stray blonde strand out of the way before answering. "I was just coming by to see what was going on, but since you are about to leave I can come back later."
"Sure thing," Clark replied before turning and beginning to head down the stairs to exit the barn.
Peter started to follow him but Chloe grabbed his arm causing him to turn and face her. "Watch out for him okay?" Chloe asked concerned. "I know you can."
Peter answered as steadily as he could, "Okay."
Chloe then removed her hand from his arm and left the barn with Peter following behind her.
Clark was waiting at the truck as Chloe got in her red VW bug and drove off. "So, what took you so long?" Clark questioned as they got in the truck and he started the ignition.
"I just had the strangest conversation with Chloe in the barn." Peter said still befuddled.
"What did she say?"
Peter turned to face Clark, "She told me to watch out for you."
"That's not so strange." Clark answered casually as he pulled out of the driveway.
"No." Peter responded. "Then she said she knew I could."