It had been a quiet few days in Smallville. Peter had headed back to New York and Clark had just hung around the farm obeying his father's request. Now, school had started back and Clark was headed toward the Talon to help Chloe with a history report. He was enjoying the peaceful stroll looking at the various people going in and out of the shops as he walked past.
The tranquility of the moment ended as he opened up the door to the Talon, which was bustling with activity and chatter. He saw Chloe wave at him from a booth where she already had books and papers spread out over it. Clark sat his bookbag down. "Hey, Chloe. How's it going?"
"Okay." Chloe looked around at all the stuff spread around her. "I'm now trying to sort through what I printed off earlier and see how much of it will be helpful."
Clark spied Chloe's empty coffee cup. "Would you like me to get you a refill?" Clark gestured toward the cup. "I was going to get me something."
Chloe's eyes lit up. "That would be wonderful. Thanks, Clark."
"You want your usual?"
"Please," Chloe responded politely before looking back down at her book as Clark turned back towards the counter.
"I would like a refill for this, it's a mocha cappuccino and one more for me," Clark turned his back to the door and looked around at the people inside, his eyes finally resting on Chloe, and smiled. He didn't notice anyone walk in and after paying for his drink, he turned facing Lex who had a sour look on his face. Clark's smile instantly faded. "Hi, Lex." Clark tried very hard to sound friendly.
Lex didn't say anything; he just glared at Clark.
"Lex, I'm sorry." Clark said sincerely.
"Don't Clark," Lex snapped. "You made your decision. Now please get out of my way."
Clark turned and headed towards Chloe who had looked up just in time to see the confrontation. Chloe saw the hurt look on Clark's face. "What was that all about?"
"I really don't want to talk about it Chloe"
Chloe wanted to know what happened, but decided to let the subject drop for now.
They got into studying and Clark slowly forgot about his run-in with Lex. As time went on Clark began to sneak glances over at Chloe when she wasn't aware.
"Well, that is all I can do for now." Chloe said stifling a yawn. "My brain is fried and I don't think I can consume any more caffeine."
Clark smiled, then spontaneously asked, "You want to see a movie tomorrow night?"
Chloe's eyes got big. His brain must be fried too.
When Chloe didn't answer him immediately his face dropped as he stammered "If you don't want to go… I understand."
"I would love to go" she replied smiling at him.
Clark returned her smile with one that was even bigger.
The next day
Chloe sat at her computer in the Torch office, curiosity had gotten the better of her and she wanted to know what was going on with Lex. What had happened that was so bad Lex wouldn't even speak to Clark now and he wouldn't tell her about it. She pressed the keys, figuring out the best way to crack the Luthor computer codes.
Finally she was in. She quickly went to a section that was restricted, knowing that would be where the information she seeked would be. She saw a video filed that was dated for a little over a week ago and clicked on it.
Her breath caught in her throat at the image on the screen. It was Clark and he looked to be only semi-conscious but was looking up at someone. The mysterious figure then stepped to where she could recognize that it was Eric. He watched in horror as the scene played out before her eyes. The screen went black as the video ended and she sat stunned at what she had seen.
That would certainly explain why there would be a tension between them, Chloe thought. But why was Lex the one that was upset while Clark was the one apologizing, it seemed the roles should be reversed if Lex was the one behind it. How could Lex do that to someone who was supposed to be a good friend. It just didn't make sense. That had to be more going on that she didn't know about.
She clicked on another video that had a more recent date. Her eyes got wide as she watched the unfolding action. "I've got to tell Clark about this." She whispered. Then an alarm bell went off in her head. Clark! I'm supposed to go to the movies with him tonight. She glanced up at the clock; it was already getting late. She was going to have to hurry if she was going to make it in time. She quickly grabbed her bag and exited the room forgetting to turn off the computer.
Lex sauntered into his office and walked over to his bottle of Brandy and took a swig, standing there for a moment before heading over to his desk. He softly sat down and turned his attention to the laptop that was currently on his desk. A red warning flag quickly got his attention. He clicked on it quickly to see what the problem was. "So, someone decided to go snooping around in my files." His features turned cold when he saw what it was that had been breached. He made a few more stokes of the keyboard and saw that the connection was still open. After a minute more an identity was established.
Lex pulled out his cell phone smugly. "Harvey, I have something I need you to take care of."
