Rhone was sitting in her car outside the Smallville Savings and Loan. A few people were walking by and staring at her car for extended periods of time. She was used to that kind of response when people saw it. She didn't expect any different from people whose exposure to automobiles was rarely different than a pickup truck.
Her thoughts drifted to Lex and his behavior before he shut her car door. How -- charming. She smiled to herself.
She noticed a familiar group of three approaching. She got out of her car, slung her artist's tube over her shoulder, locked the door, and closed it behind her. She gave the group a wave. The tall one smiled at her. It's a good thing it isn't that sunny, I could have been blinded, Rhone thought with a smile. The other two offered smiles and waves, but Rhone didn't feel that her corneas were in any serious jeopardy from them.
They began to walk over to her. "Hey guys, how's the chemistry?" she asked.
"Better, thanks to your help," Pete said.
"Well, if you ever need anything else," Rhone offered. She noticed that Chloe was still smiling. She looked at her with a small smile, "Are you alright?"
Chloe held up a check and jumped a little in excitement. It was for two hundred dollars. Rhone looked at the elated blond in front of her, remembering when that was a lot of money to her too.
"The local paper sent it to me to buy supplies for The Torch!" she said, still very exited.
Rhone nodded with a smile, "So what are you going to buy?"
"I haven't decided yet, we were just on our way to cash it. Then we were going to decide," Chloe said.
"What are you doing here, Rhone?" Clark asked curiously.
"I'm meeting Lex here," Rhone stated. She immediately regretted it when she saw the 1,000,000-watt smile emanating from Clark.
"I haven't seen you the last few days," Clark said with a raised eyebrow, maintaining his grin.
Rhone noticed Pete shaking his head. She looked at him questioningly.
Clark saw what this could lead to, Pete going into his speech about Luthor Corp. and the ill-begotten cream corn factory. "Well, we have to spend Chloe's new found fortune," Clark said as he began to lead his friends toward the bank.
Rhone thought it odd, but heard squealing tires and turned to look at the obvious source. "See you inside," she said not looking at them.
Clark allowed himself another large grin as he walked away. He liked Rhone – and Lex was his best friend…
Lex parked next to Rhone's car. He noticed Clark, Pete, and Chloe walking into the bank. It had been a few days since he had seen Clark. He hoped that the farm boy didn't feel as though he were ignoring him. Surely, Clark could relate to falling captive to a stunning and charming woman – that actually made comic books and custom cars.
As he locked his car, he stole an appreciative glance at Rhone. He turned and started to walk toward her. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long," he said jokingly as he approached her.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Luthor, the wait for good company is always too long," she said as they walked side by side toward the bank door. Did she just say that?
Lex smiled as he looked down at the ground. He didn't really know what to say. "Thanks," he regained his composure, "On my way here, I was thinking the same thing." He didn't understand the effects she had on him. Normally he was so collected, but she just made him feel… He didn't know what she did to him; that was the problem. Ok, so he didn't really deem it as a problem.
It was her turn to smile at the ground. When she was with him, she forgot whom – what she was. And she liked – no, loved it.
He was holding the bank door open for her. She looked at him for a moment. Just touch him, she thought to herself. Find an excuse to brush his hand with yours. No, he hates to be touched, at least by you.
She smiled at him as she walked through the door. He simply smiled back for lack of coherent complements about the beauty of her smile. He followed her, letting the door close behind him, watching her walk in front of him.
Rhone noticed a man in a small office look out his window and quickly hang-up the phone. He hurried out and said, "Mr. Luthor, thank you for coming by on such short notice. I know that you are…" Rhone was happy when Lex interrupted him, she realized that the man could probably kiss billionaire ass for quite a long time. At least Lex wasn't the type to enjoy it. Lex shook hands with the man.
"I assume you have everything ready?" Lex asked looking at his watch to imply he was in a hurry.
Nice touch, Lex, Rhone thought. She noticed Clark was looking at them, still smiling that blinding smile. What was he smiling like that for anyway?
Lex turned to Rhone, "Two minutes."
Rhone smiled and nodded, hoping to imply that she would wait – a long time for him if she thought it would matter. For some reason, she knew that that message was probably lost in a simple nod. It was probably better that it was.
Lex began to follow the bank employee to an office and gave an acknowledging nod to Clark on the other side of the bank. Clark returned it, beaming smile wider than usual. At least I know he doesn't feel ignored, Lex thought. It's nice to have a friend that understands. Hell, it was nice to have a real friend. He realized that he had been quite lucky to find Clark and Rhone in this town that he had once considered a curse. He stole another glance at Rhone, more like a blessing.
Pete and Chloe were turned toward a teller, discussing how they wanted to receive the two hundred dollar bounty Chloe had acquired. Clark began to walk toward Rhone without being noticed by his two companions.
"You know, Clark, if you keep smiling like that, your face is going to stay that way," Rhone joked as they got to be of conversation distance from one another.
"Well, I just… Rhone, what's wrong?" Clark saw her flinch and turn suddenly toward the door.