Sorry about the wait between posts, it's inventory week at work and they're being total meanies and taking away days off. Sooooo not fair, how am I to write the rest of this story? I know this might seem like a slow chapter but it's setting up for the next couple of scenes. We like scenes right? Hehe of course we do, especially the ones that seem to emerge from what they call my twisted mind. : P
Scary-Girly - Glad you're getting a few good laughs outta this. Really happy that you're liking it enough to review.
This week on Lifestyles of the Buff n' Shameless...
Talon – Feeding Clark
When the Talon's bell jingled at the entry of her next customer Lana turned away from the espresso machine hoping that Chloe's and her hard work would be put to use. They had stayed after hours the night before and set up a novelty web cam mixed in amongst the artsy baubles on the back wall. The camera was being monitored by Chloe in the office where she was being kept sane with a steady supply of caffeine. When she saw the two handsome teens that often starred in her personal fantasies she flashed a bright and welcoming smile. They both beamed at her in return, quickly taking a seat at the counter to join her.
"Hi Clark, hello Pete," Lana greeted as she placed the finished drink on a tray with its waiting mates for the waitress to take. She brushed off her hands with a light dusting on her apron and asked with a light teasing tone, "So what brings you by today?"
Pete grinned at both her and Clark, his mobile face impishly expressing his unhappiness with Clark. "Clark's buying me pie because he tricked me into helping him with his chores today."
"I didn't trick you, you helped out all on your own," Clark protested with a slight pout completely belied by the laughter in his eyes.
Pete simply rolled his eyes and gave Lana a long-suffering look as he leaned against the counter, "He held his mom's chicken salad ransom. Ransom I tell ya! He," he pointed dramatically at Clark, who was gallantly trying to keep a neutral expression in the face of Pete's drama, "said if I couldn't help him with his chores then I couldn't possibly hope to help him eat her chicken salad."
Lana issued the obligatory 'girlfriend noise' as she petted the forearm resting on the counter, "Awww, that's horrible of Clark." She teasingly scolded Clark, "You should be ashamed of yourself, Clark. You know no one can resist your mom's food."
Clark just grinned shamelessly at her admonishment and Lana turned her focus back onto Pete, "You must have worked very hard to still be hungry after eating Mrs. Kent's chicken salad."
Pete wasn't one to let opportunity pass him by, taking full advantage of Lana's sympathy, "Worked me like a dog. I never knew Clark could be such a taskmaster!"
Clark snickered, "Some taskmaster I am, I did all the heavy lifting while you did all the whining."
Pete shook his head as he chuckled, "Man, I don't know how you manage to have so much energy after everything you do on the farm. Lift this, shovel that, feed the critters. I'm telling you Lana, the man's got stamina to spare."
As both the boys ribbed each other about the other's weaknesses and laziness Lana turned away to hide her sudden blush at Pete's words. She pulled out two slices of apple pie from the warmer and set them before them and then made each their favorite drinks. She fended off the enthusiastic praises with her usual show of modesty, secretly pleased that she could make Clark and Pete so happy with such simple things.
Lana tried to stay out of the path of the camera as she bustled around the counter and attended to her customers. When Lana saw that everyone was fully occupied she slipped away to her office with a cup of espresso for Chloe's efforts. Chloe's bright grin as she entered told her how everything was progressing.
"Thought I'd bring you a refill," she murmured softly.
Chloe's fingers fluttered around the cup as she excitedly took the offering, "You're a godsend! I ran out when the boys came in and didn't want to miss out on anything."
"We're getting good ones then?"
"Oh yes, definitely have to send some to KryptoAngel so she can work her magic and make more animated pictures for us," Chloe peered at something on the monitor. "Should get back out there, looks like they're nearly finished."
Lana quickly bustled out of the office and eased behind the counter catching the tail end of the boy's conversation. "Mom left her garden and dad left the painting of the barn. Other than that it's basic maintenance for this week."
Pete nodded, "I'll try and stop by for the barn painting, just give me a call. Will you need any help with the deliveries?"
Clark looked thoughtful, "No, I think I've got that covered, just help with the barn so it'll pass quicker." He looked up to see Lana looking expectantly in their direction.
"Will you two need a refill?" She held up the coffee pot up towards the pair at the counter, hoping to distract from the fact that she had been eavesdropping.
Clark's face flushed slightly, "Um, no I think I'm all set. How about you Pete?"
Pete shook his head, "Naw, I'm all done. I should get back to the house though, mom's expecting me to help out with cleaning the house."
Clark slapped his hand solidly on Pete's shoulder as he moved to get up, "Thanks for helping me out this morning, Pete. See you tomorrow?"
"Sure thing Clark," Pete called back as he sauntered out the door. Clark turned his attention back towards Lana and paid for the pies and drinks. "I should get back to the farm, thanks for the pie Lana."
"You're welcome Clark, I'll see you later," she called as he moved outside, putting his money in the till. From her place at the counter she saw Lex and Clark meet up, Lex's cool smile crossing his face at something Clark said. Lana quietly sighed at the teasing smirk that danced on Clark's lips as Lex leaned casually against the building, lips moving as he said something that caused Clark to laugh. Clark tilted his head, clearly an invitation to join him…
"Lana? Hello?" The slightly exasperated tone of the customer in front of her jerked her dreamy expression from the window.
"I'm so sorry Karen, what can I get for you?" She flushed in embarrassment hoping that no one picked up that she was mooning over Clark. He was supposed to moon over her, and she was supposed to be oblivious so he'd continue to moon. 'No one does wistful desire like Clark can,´ she thought to herself as Karen repeated her order.
By the time she had a chance to look out the window Clark had already gone and Lex was moving confidently up to her counter. "Your usual?"
Lex nodded and she filled the silence with chatter. "You missed Clark a few minutes ago," she offered knowing full well he didn't.
"Ran into him on my way in, said he had to get supplies ready for painting the barn tomorrow," Lex corrected while he waited for his drink.
"Ah, he mentioned something about that, Pete's supposed to help him out," she turned to see that Lex had made himself comfortable lounging against the counter, coolly observing the people as they went about their lives.
"Where's Chloe? She's usually in here this time of day getting her hourly dose of caffeine," his remark held a touch of fond amusement as he cast his gaze around the room.
"She's in the back working on a project. I've been supplying her hourly doses to avoid the emergence of the 'Evil One'," Lana offered a small pleased smile as she handed Lex his drink in a to-go cup.
Lex laid a bill on the counter as he took his drink, "I've seen what evils a Sullivan can invoke when they've been deprived of their caffeine. That's an experience that should be avoided with all possible effort. It's also why I keep the coffee pot in my office always full," his wink as he took a sip pulled a small giggle from Lana's lips and she gave a small wave as he walked out the doors.
Once she was assured that she was free to run back to the office she bolted. "Chloe!" she cried out as soon as the door shut.
Chloe jerked her eyes from the monitor where she was working and trained them on Lana. "What? What's going on?"
"Lex just told me that Clark and Pete are planning on painting the barn tomorrow," Lana gushed, clasping her hands tightly in her excitement of her discovery.
Chloe flashed a pleased smile, "Excellent, we don't have any of Clark painting, or Pete for that matter. I'll be sure to get to sleep early tonight so I'll be up in time for 'Painter Clark.'"