Chloe looked over at Clark; his face seemed to be void of any expression. This seemed to worry her even more than she was before. This is no time to bottle things up and try to handle things on your own. What is going on? She wanted to shout that at him, but remained quiet and hoped that Clark would break his silence soon. As the seconds dragged on Chloe didn't think she could stand the quiet any longer. "Clark, what did he say?"

"He wants me to meet him at one of the Luthor plants."

"And you're going to go?" Chloe already knew the answer to the question, but felt the need to ask it anyway.

Clark just nodded his head in response. "Clark, you are going to be walking right into a trap." She looked at him pleadingly, trying to make him see the rational point of view since he obviously wasn't thinking clearly. Her words didn't seem to have gotten anywhere as Clark just stared at her. "He can kill you. He has already tried once and I really don't think he wants you to come over and have tea."

"Chloe, I have to. I have to do this before it involves anyone else. I know you don't think that Lex would involve anyone else. But, what if I didn't go and he got you or Mom to try to get to me. I would never forgive myself." Clark put the phone down on the table and stepped towards the door.

Chloe quickly grabbed hold of Clark's arm before he quite literally disappeared. "Clark, if you are determined to do this you are not going alone."

Clark turned and looked down at Chloe pleadingly. "Chloe, you don't understand I have to."

"Oh, enough with the noble routine Clark," Chloe snapped.

Clark looked at her in shock. He really didn't know how to take her comment. "You don't understand. Lex warned me that I had to come alone and that if he saw you that would be hurt."

Chloe paused for just a moment. She saw that Clark really was trying to protect her, but she knew she had to do this no matter what. "Well, we will just have to make sure he doesn't see me."

Chloe could tell that Clark was definitely less than convinced. "Clark, you're my friend. If not the best one I've ever had then the next to the best one. You have saved my life on numerous occasions. Most of the time it was because I had gotten myself into a situation and couldn't get back out."

Clark tried to protest, but Chloe put her hands up and wouldn't let him. "Let me finish. Yeah, I'm not as indestructible as you. I may get hurt. But, you are my friend and I want to do this for you." She crossed her arms across her chest. "Besides, you are not leaving this apartment without me."

Clark actually had to smile a little at Chloe. When she had her mind set on something you were not going to change it. "So, it's okay for you to use the noble routine but not me?"

"In this case, exactly" Chloe looked over at the door. "I'll get the door. Don't want you trying anything tricky like locking the door and going off without me."

Clark held up his hands as if surrendering. "Fine. Have it your way. Like I ever win in an argument against you."

"That's right. You better remember that." Chloe turned from locking the door and she followed Clark to the alleyway. After they got to the alleyway Chloe stepped back a few feet to give Clark room to change into his costume. She saw Clark hesitate and was curious. "What are you waiting on?"

"I'm not really used to anyone watching me do this." Clark looked over at her slightly awkward.

"Do you want me to close my eyes?" Chloe asked with a grin on her face.

"Um… could you?" Clark couldn't believe his was feeling like this around Chloe.

"No problem… just no vanishing … Understood." Chloe gave him a stern look before closing her eyes. She hadn't had them closed for a second before she heard. "Okay."

Chloe opened her eyes to see Clark now in full uniform. "Ready?"

Chloe nodded her head as she was scooped up and they headed toward the plant. "You got a plan of how go undetected at the plant?"

"I remember us breaking into Luthor plants before – it's like riding a bike- once you learn how you never forget."

Clark looked at Chloe sternly. This was serious. She doesn't need to take it so lightly.

"Clark, seriously. I know how the security cameras and the guards and everything operates out here. Besides our break-ins my dad worked for him at one time."

Clark seemed to feel only a small amount better. "But, what if he has changed things?"

"Will you quit worrying so much?" Chloe asked exasperated. "Just land a little further back so I can sneak in. I'm sure you will go in the front gates. Be a nice distraction."

"Sure." Clark landed in a slightly wooded area next to the plant. He changed back into his regular clothes and couldn't help a knot forming in his stomach.