The Shed

Chapter 2

A/N: I only own Chelsea

Martha found her husband moving the bags of feed into the shed. 'This isnt going to be easy' She thought to himself.
"Hey "
"She had no right to speak to us that way Martha." He said
"I never said she did." Martha sighed. "But you were out of line as well and I think we both know why."
Jonathan would have done anything to get out of that shed and avoid the truth. "She's my baby girl Martha. If I don't take care of her... We just had to let go of Clark and... It's too soon. How are you so calm about this?" Jonathan asked
"It's not easy for me, Jon" Martha laughed ." I know it sounds like a greeting card, but when I think about it I remember, we're not letting them go, we're just letting them grow."
Jonathan knew she was right. "So I guess she's going to this summer program?" Martha nodded yes "And she's going to be able to see Tyler?" Another nod "Do I have to like it?" Martha sighed and hugged her husband.

The Barn the next morning

As usual, Jonathan was up with the cows and working the farm at five in the morning.
"Daddy?" Jonathan jumped a foot in the air. "Sorry," Chelsea said "I didn't mean to scare you." Jonathan stopped and sat down on a bale of hay.
"We have to have a little talk." He said in a soft way that almost scared her. "I never want you to feel like we don't have faith in you. I know that's how I made it seem last night, but that couldn't be further from the truth. I love you and your brother so much that I'll always want to protect you and take care of you. But I also need to make sure that you can take care of yourself. And if going to that summer program is going to help you become the person I know you will be, there is no question in my mind that you should go."
Chelsea's eyes lit up "Thank you Daddy! Thank you so much." Then she looked at him with a sneaky glance "What about Tyler?."
Jonathan sighed "I'm trying to get used to that." Chelsea gave her father a big hug. "But no sex!"
"Dad! Oh my God! I was hoping on going through life NEVER hearing you say... that" She said blushing

School on Monday

"Hey, can I get an interview with Smallville Highs youngest published author." Chloe said finding Chelsea in the hallway.
"Hey Chloe. You know, they only publish four kids in the program." Chelsea smiled
"Yeah, well your stories are incredible. They're just awesome."
"Chloe!" Chelsea hushed "I don't want Clark to know you've read them."
Pete sat at one of the computers in the Torch. "Hey, look who it is." He smiled "Lady Kiss-a-lot. I'm surprised your Dad let out of the house."
"What?" Chloe asked
"Ha ha. I guess where you come from that's funny." Chelsea scoffed "Where's your brother?"
"I don't know. If I was him I'd be hiding from you." Pete teased.
"What?" Chloe repeated
When Chelsea said nothing, he was more than surprised. "What, no witty little words from Chelsea Kent today? Wow you must really like my brother." he said "He's in the library."
As Chelsea went to find Tyler and Pete headed to find whatever girl he was after that week, Chloe stood confused out of her mind "Hey! Remember me? Reporter girl who must know everything standing right here! You can't leave me out of the loop, guys! Guys?"

Library

Chelsea saw Tyler in the History section and her fingers began to get a bit tingly. She picked up a random book and sat next to him. "Hi." she whispered
"Hi." he said. He looked down at her book "Oh my God!" he said much louder than Mrs. McKalister, the librarian, was happy with.
Chelsea looked at her book, "New Baby Names." "Oh." She giggled "No this isnt- I'm not pregnent, Tyler. Were you sick the day they gave "The Talk" to all the freshman?"
"Oh thank God... So I was thinking" Tyler said "Do you want to go with me?"
"Go with you?" Chelsea asked with a smile.
"I mean be my girlfriend."
"I know, and yea, I'd love to."

Lex's House

"Hello?" Clark called.
"Hey Clark." Lex Luther came down the stair of his giant home. "What's up?"
"Nothing really. We just brought by the pies you ordered from my Mom."
Lex looked around and only saw Clark. "Who's we."
"Oh Chloe and Chelsea came with me. We're on our way to the Tallon."

Downstairs, Chloe and Chelsea waited for Clark to return. The both moaned a bit when they saw Lionel Luther walking their way.
"Hello Ladies." He said. "Miss Kent, I hope you're prepared for this summer. I was very happy with your story."
"Well, thanks." Chelsea said.
"It's no problem. I considered it a personal favor. One day I hope I'll be lucky enough to have it returned." And with that he left.

"What was that?" Chloe asked.
"I don't know, but I'm gonna go find out." Chelsea said walking in Lionel's direction. She had to run a little to catch up with him. "Wow," she thought "for a 100 year old guy, he sure is fast."
"Mr. Luther?"
"Chelsea."
"I was just wondering what you meant back there. I'd like to think I won that scholarship on my own merit. What favors do you plan on cashing in?" Chelsea tried to look as brave as possible, but the truth was she was scared out of her mind. The Luther's were the people who had the most desire to access facts that would destroy her family and life as she knew it. And, unlike Lex, Lionel would be happy to exploit them in any way he could.
Lionel chuckled quietly. "I very much admire the bond your family shares. However I also know how it can feel to have the pressure to hide your life and the life of those you love. I'd consider it a favor if you used me as a way to unload your troubles. You see I'm not very close with my family and I've always had a soft spot for you and your mother."
"I think you have a hard spot for my mother." Chelsea thought to herself.
"Mr. Luther, Maybe you should honestly try to mend the fences in your own family before trying to become mine. Thank you for the offer and all, but I don't really want to share my life story with you." She said trying to be as polite as possible.
"Miss Kent, I think we both know that if I set out to do something, I will do it. Not to be cliché, but there is an easy way and a hard way to get things done. I am more than aware that it is a highly unlikely possibility your parents will be able to put both you and your brother through college. Just the use of my name can open many doors for you. They can also lock them. Just ask Miss Sullivan."
Chelsea was beyond shocked by his words, not just because they were so bitter and cold, but also because they were true. Either way that man could destroy her life.

The Tallon

"I never thought I'd finish Mr. Green's homework." Lana said to Clark and Chloe sipping her latte.
"I know." Chloe chimed in "I mean the last question alone took me an hour."
Chelsea walked over to their table "Can we go home now?" she asked.
"We just got here." Clark replied. "Besides you love hanging out around here. Is everything ok? What are you sick?"
"No, I just want to go home, Clark. " Chelsea said with an attitude.
"You know nobody asked you to come and waiting 25 minutes isn't going to kill you." Clark said, surprised at her tone.
"Fine." Chelsea said walking away.
"What was that about?" Lana asked.
"I don't know." Clark shrugged. "She practically begged me to drive her into town."
"I think I know." Chloe said. "We had a brush with Lionel Luther while you were talking to Lex. She ran after him but I don't know what they talked about."
"She did started acting weird as soon as we left the mansion." Clark said. "I think I'm gonna take her home and try to find out what's going on. Chloe can you get home with Lana?"

The Car

"So I was thinking, this summer I might run on over to Metropolis and carry you back for dinner sometimes." Clark said, breaking the silence.
"Why would I be in Metropolis?" Chelsea asked
"Um I don't know, maybe for the summer thing you've been talking non-stop about." He said sarcastically.
"I'm not going."
"What? Why not?" Clark asked. "Does this have anything to do with Lionel? What did he say to you?"
"He just brought me back to reality ok. It's no big deal." Chelsea said quietly.
"Did he take away your scholarship? What a jerk."
"Clark…"
"I bet you if I x-rayed him, he wouldn't even have a heart."
"Clark…"
"Don't worry, we'll talk to Mom and Dad about it and…"
"Clark! I decided I don't need to go to this program. It's not the right time. If I try hard enough I'm sure I'll be able to do something else later. Plus, my stories weren't THAT good. Come to think of it, I'm glad I'm not going. I mean, who wants to be around all of those snobby, high and mighty, condescending, stuck-up, snooty pants Metropolis people anyways. " They were both quiet for a long time. Then Chelsea said, "Just let me tell Mom and Dad OK? I don't want Dad to go crazy on Mr. Luther again."