Chloe stood outside of Clark's apartment again. She was coming by to check and see how he was doing. It seemed that she made a habit of it lately. She liked excitement as much as the next person, but she hoped things would calm down now and get back to normal.

Chloe had to smile at that thought. Normal. Since when had things ever been normal in her life, especially after finding out about Clark? But, then she wouldn't trade his friendship for anything.

Chloe knocked on the door still musing over things. She waited for a moment before Clark opened the door. "Hi, Chloe"

Chloe was glad to see a smile on Clark's face. The sparkle wasn't quite back like it had been at one time, but it was still there. She knew it.

"So, what's in the bag?"

"I brought over some blueberry muffins." Chloe said reaching in and pulling out the plastic container. "I know they are not as good as your mom's but I like this store's food."

"So, have you become my personal grocery shopper, now?" Clark gave her a mischievous smile as he lifted an eyebrow.

"No, but someone has got to make sure you actually eat something." Chloe teased. "What would I tell your mother if you showed up skinny?"

"I don't know." Clark laughed. "But, it doesn't seem like I'm going to have to find out."

Chloe smiled before turning more serious. "So, how are you feeling? Really. I don't want to hear you're fine if you're not."

"I'm okay, Chloe." Clark saw the stern look on her face. "Really. I just need a little more light and a muffin and I'll be good as new."

Chloe's face softened some as they both sat down on Clark's couch and pulling out a muffin for herself and Clark. "Well, in that case you're not going in to work today."

Clark's eyebrows almost shot off as head as his eyes got big with surprise. "I'm not!"

"No, you're not." Chloe said as she began to eat some of one of the muffins.

"Why am I not going to work?" Clark asked knowing that Chloe must have done something with the way she was acting.

"I've already called Perry and told him you had a nasty stomach bug." Chloe added with a smile. "I put in enough detail that he demanded you stay away and couldn't wait to get off the phone with me."

Clark couldn't help but laugh at the mental image of Perry White trying to get off the phone quickly. "You're really are sneaky you know that?"

"Why, thank you." Chloe said still munching on her muffin. "I knew you needed to rest, but I also knew that you wouldn't unless you were forced to. So, I took it upon myself to insist that you take the day off and rest." She looked over at him sideways grinning.

Chloe could tell that even with the joking around something was still bugging Clark and that he was wanted to ask her something. She waited for a moment not saying anything to try and give him a chance to get it out.

"Chloe, have you found out what happened to Lex?" Clark had still been nervous about Lex knowing and him possibly coming after him again…. that is if he wasn't…. Clark had a hard time with the word. Lex was certainly not his friend now but he didn't want any harm to come to him.

Chloe sighed. Sometimes, she just couldn't believe Clark. A person tries to kill him on more than one occasion and he's still worried about him. "I knew you'd be curious so I talked to a source of mine and found out that Lex was okay except for…"

"Except for what?"

"Except for some minor amnesia caused by the trauma and a few slight burns." Chloe finished.

"So, what do they mean by slight amnesia?"

"Well, as much as I could get out of my source it's the last few weeks." Chloe said before adding. "I think Lex had a déjà vu experience at the plant. I think running into the electrical fence did about the same as his stint in Belle Reve."

Clark eyes look downcast as he leaned his elbows on his knees and a slight shiver ran through him at the mention of Belle Reve. That was one memory he didn't want to think about ever again.

Chloe saw Clark reaction and put her hand gently her hand on his arm. "Hey, I think you're off the hook. So, you can relax some now."

"Maybe, but that still doesn't make me feel any better about the situation." Clark replied glumly.

"I know you would never want anything to happen to anyone, even Lex because of you." Chloe stated softly. "But, this is not your fault. Lex put you in a situation you had no control over. Besides if anyone should feel bad it this I would think it would be me."

"I guess you're right." Clark said as he turned and gave Chloe a very slight smile.

Chloe decided to change the subject although she thought that she might be just going from the frying pan to the fire. "So, what are you going to do about Lana being on the market again?"

Clark just stared at Chloe for a moment. She had switched the gears of the conversation so fast that he thought he could actually hear them grind. He composed his thoughts again before continuing "Nothing."

Chloe seemed to be a little surprised but tried to keep her face neutral.

"Really, that part of my life is over and closed. I'm not going through that again." Clark made sure to look Chloe in the eye as he said it so that she would know he meant what he said.

"Clark, not that I think you need to get back up with Lana," Chloe paused wanting to proceed carefully with her question. She didn't want to offend him or seem rude. But, she did want to know and couldn't really think of anyway to find out besides just coming out and asking. "But are you not wanting to do this because of your past relationship or because of you and everything that comes with it?"

Clark thought for a moment, and then answered. "It's both. When Lana and I were together we just yo-yoed back and forth most of the time and that's not good for anyone. But, I also can't see me being able to be in a relationship with anyone knowing that they would instantly become bait."

"Clark" Chloe answered him matter of factly. "Do you think that I'm not bait because I'm your friend and I work with you? You can't keep your life on hold for what might happen. Yeah, some lunatic might one day decide to do something horrible. But, that cannot keep you from experiencing all your good days on the chance of one bad day."

"Point taken." Clark started into his argument quickly but stopped when he saw the look on Chloe's face. He took a deep breath. "Really, Chloe I get what you are saying. But, my situation is unique. I can't exactly fill out a personal ad that says Single White Alien."

Chloe started snickering, she couldn't help it as she pictured the ad. Then her snickering turned to blown laughter. Clark looked at her and began to laugh with her. After a few minutes of laughing themselves silly Chloe managed to get her composure and so did Clark.

"I am going to save you from having to fill out that personal ad."

"Oh, really how is that?" Clark looked over at her with one eyebrow raised.

"I know just the girl for you." Chloe grinned.

"Who would that be?"

"Lois."

Chloe watched with amusement as Clark's eyes got big and he looked about like he was going to fall backwards with shock.

"Come on, Chloe. You have got to be kidding. Lois? I think that bump on the head you got caused some brain damage."

"Ha, ha very funny, Clark." Chloe said. "I'm serious. I see the way you to banter back and forth. I know you're not always the best at seeing what is right in front of your face, but I don't know how you could not see it."

Clark just sat there silent for a moment, still unsure what to think about what Chloe was saying. "Okay, let's say just for the sake of argument that I'm going to go along with this insane idea of yours."

"Just for the sake of argument," Chloe assured Clark as she tried to keep a serious face.

"Of course." Clark continued. "What would make you think that Lois would go along with your plan?"

"Don't worry about Lois. I'll have it taken care of." Clark could swear he could almost see the wheels going full speed in Chloe's head.

The next day at the Planet:

Clark sat next to Chloe's desk discussing different story ideas as Lois walked up. "So, Smallville are you going to make me wait all day?"

Now, it was hard enough for Clark to keep up with Lois's train of thought when he knew what she was talking about. He was at a complete loss now.

Lois saw the blank stare response she was getting and shook her head in disbelief. "Chloe said you were taking us out to lunch and I'm starving."

Clark immediately turned and looked over at Chloe who seemed to be trying hard to keep a straight face. "That's right Clark. You said that since Lois had landed that big corruption story that you were going to buy us lunch."

"Yeah," Clark agreed absentmindedly as he stood up.

Chloe started to get up as well but quietly pushed a button on her cell phone making it ring. She looked at both of them apologetically. "Sorry, you two go on I need to take care of this."

"You sure?" Lois asked.

"Yes, I'm sure." Chloe said as she answered the ringing phone. "Hello, Chloe Sullivan"

Chloe continued to talk to herself as she watched Clark and Lois get into the elevator. As the doors closed she couldn't help but smile.