-1Chapter Fifteen- Out with the old, in with the new
"How could you slip Clark's name to those bimbos?" Rex shouted.
They were at the farm after ditching school. Will had stayed behind while Rex dragged Sam off.
"Sorry. I guess I forgot that he's Clark here. It's not easy when we go back home you know." Sam said.
"It's not me you have to apologize to. You blew it for Clark." Rex said.
The phone rang and Rex walked over. "If this is Clark, you're telling him." He picked up the phone and watched as Sam dropped his head into his hands. "Hello?"
"Rex, this is Will. I've got bad news." Will said on the other end. From the background noise Rex could tell he was still at school.
"What is it Will?" Rex asked. Sam looked up and smiled.
"Those girls researched Kal and found out everything. Even pieced together the sting." Will said.
"Great. Wait there, we're on our way." Rex said.
"What are we going to do?" Will asked.
"We're going to have to silence them." Rex said.
Clark finished his paper work in record time. Lionel had everything in place. As soon as Clark hit eighteen this was going to be over and he was going to be safe to do as he pleased. Right now he was on his way back to Smallville. He didn't like to be gone too long in case Lex decided to try something, or one of the guys.
Clark swerved back into his lane after nearly colliding head on with a truck. His thoughts had been on Lana and had distracted him long enough to almost get himself fried road killed. He couldn't focus long enough to get anything done, or drive.
He diverted his thoughts to the current job he was working on with Edge. He had to convince Lex that Lionel had a weakness to be exploited where it was Lex who was getting stung. Lionel had cut a deal with Edge which would work out for Clark.
Lionel wanted to knock Lex off his high horse and have him punished for his current illegal dealings. The only reason Lionel wanted to take out his own son was that the deals were against him. Lex had betrayed Lionel long ago and it was time for payback.
Of course Clark was doing a double sting. Working for Lex against Lionel while really working for Lionel and Edge. In return, Clark would have a business opportunity at Edge Tower, along with full benefits. Clark was looking forward to the company car, apartment, and huge paycheck coming his way.
He checked his watch to see that he still had time to catch his last two classes. Once in Smallville, he made his way to the high school. He parked his bike next to Max's empty parking spot. Clark turned off his bike and jumped off.
"Don't fight back, it'll only make it worse." Will advised Pete who was pinned against the lockers as Sam slammed his fist into his mid section.
Lana and Chloe had tried to step in, but Rex and Will pinned them as well. Pete was only trying to keep the girls safe from these punks. Clark walked in and saw Sam hit Pete, who fell in a fit of coughs. Clark rushed forward and pulled Sam off.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Clark demanded. Will and Rex let go of Lana and Chloe. Chloe looked at the guys in disgust and rushed to Pete's side.
"Don't worry about it Clark. We're taking care of Sam's slip up." Rex said, glaring at Sam again.
"What slip up?" Clark asked.
"You're still suppose to be in Metropolis." Will said.
"What slip up?" Clark asked again.
"Look Clark, who's side are you on? You act like you hate these three but yet they're all you talk about. So what is it, are you their friends or ours?" Sam asked.
"I shouldn't have to choose sides." Clark said.
"We're making you choose now." Sam said.
Clark looked down at his feet. He had a decision to make, and he didn't know if he was ready to make it. Chloe had been his best friend and he didn't want to lose her again. Then there was Lana, the one person he wanted to be with. If he chose his crime buddies, he knew he would lose her. What was he to do? Clark turned to Pete, and looked down.
"You made the right choice." Sam said clapping Clark on the shoulder. Clark glared over his shoulder before reaching down to offer Pete his hand. Pete was shocked but took his hand anyway. Clark hauled him to his feet then turned back to Sam, Will, and Rex.
"Sorry Sam." Clark said.
"Whoa, you choose them over us?" Sam asked completely shocked. "It's because of her isn't it?" Sam asked pointing to Lana.
"Leave her out of this." Clark threatened. If he had to, he would fight.
"Sam, just chill." Rex said.
"Why? He's the traitor." Sam shouted.
"Look, if he chooses them there's nothing we can do." Will said.
"So, you'll just let him run off with these goodie two-shoes." Sam said.
"Clark is a good guy, even though he does what it takes to survive." Rex said.
"If he chooses them, they must be good people." Will said.
"So you're with him?" Sam asked feeling out numbered.
"Clark was just sucked into the bad crowd. If you'd been around as long as us you'd understand." Rex said.
"Then explain it to me." Sam demanded wondering how they could turn their back on everything for Clark.
"Look, we've been through tough situations together. Clark has always been their for us. He took a bullet for me." Rex said.
"What?" Sam asked. This was one story he hadn't heard.
"We got in a messy situation with a gang. They started shooting, and Clark pushed me out of the way." Rex said. Clark raised his shirt, and right above is low-rise jeans was a small circular scar.
"That's not the only good he's done for us. I broke my leg when I got hit with that bat, you were there for that. Ran like a scared little girl if I remember correctly." Will said.
"I remember that, but what's your point?" Sam asked.
"Clark tossed me over his shoulder and got us out of there when he could have run too." Will said.
"So what are you guys getting at?" Sam asked.
"We're by Clark, what ever he chooses." Rex said.
Will and Rex joined Clark's side leaving Sam to stare at the group of them. Sam couldn't believe what he was hearing. They picked Clark over what was important and that was this sting operation. If they were going to turn their back, that was fine but he was going to take care of it.