-1Chapter Sixteen-Lois

Clark took a deep breath while staring at the doors of the Talon. After Sam had stormed off from being booted off the island, Lana had said she wanted to talk. Chloe just gave him the look of "me too" before helping Pete to the nurse.

Will and Rex had offered to run after Sam and keep him out of trouble. They also said they'd deal with Max, knowing full well the gang leader would be pissed. Clark had finished the day and agreed to meet Lana at the Talon after school. She had used the excuse homework help, but Clark knew full well that he couldn't possibly help Lana with school work. After all, he was the one that needed a study buddy.

He pushed open the door and walked inside. The place was busy as usual, a long line forming in front of the counter. He noticed Chloe in the corner with Pete who was bandaged pretty well. The blonde eagerly waved him over when she noticed his stilled form in the doorway.

He broke through the crowd with ease. His massive frame parted the customers, who complained that he better not cut in line. Clark didn't reply as he made his way to the back table. Chloe smiled up at him, when he finally reached the back. She didn't look surprised when he took the chair she offered.

"Glad you could make it. Now let's talk." Chloe said eagerly. He knew she wanted to talk about what happened today and the obvious choice of friends he'd picked. If word got back to Lex or even Edge he was going to be in trouble.

"What is it Chloe?" Clark asked. He finally got a good look at Pete. He had a swollen nose, split eyebrow and a bloody lip. Pete nodded to him, Clark was certain his throat was too sore to form words.

"I know about your past, Clark. Or should I say Kal." Chloe said leaning forward. Clark wasn't surprised that she'd figured it out. Especially since she was standing there able to hear, clear as day, while he and his buddies argued about him picking sides. Sam had been an idiot to even start the fight in the middle of the school hallway.

"What do you want to talk about?" Clark asked.

"What is the sting you and your buddies are working on? After all it must be important for Edge to be involved." Chloe said, keeping her voice as low as she could.

"Don't get involved. You can only get yourself hurt, or worse killed. I won't let that happen." Clark said pulling back. He was sure his distress was clearly written on his face.

"I won't get involved publicly. Perhaps I can still help. Clark you need to get out of Lex's grip and Edge's. This can only end badly." Chloe said, leaning into Pete's side.

"I know, and I'm working on that. Don't worry so much." Clark said.

"You are?" Chloe asked.

"Yea. Lex isn't a good guy. Why do you think I sold my soul to get Lana out from his grasp?" Clark asked.

"So you did make a deal to get ownership." Chloe said pleased that her hunch was right, which probably meant she was right about everything else.

"Yes, and he has left her alone. Now I have to follow through, but I'm a big boy. I can take care of it." Clark said.

A long haired waitress walked up to their table. "What can I get for you three?" She asked. Chloe smiled up at the sunshine brown haired waitress. Clark furrowed his brows at the familiarity of the voice. He looked up at the face smiling down at him and the others at his table.

"Clark?" She asked surprise evident on her face. "My have you grown." She said, smacking her hands against her hips and resting them there.

"Lois." Clark said, hatred strong and imbedded in his voice. Chloe looked over at Clark worried about what his anger was about to have him do.

"It is you Clark. I didn't know you were back in Smallville. If Chloe had told me I would have come back from vacation sooner." Lois said.

Clark stood from the table, knocking his chair over. Lois read the anger in his face easily. Anyone could, from a mile down the road. "Clark?" She asked taking a step back.

"So you remember my name?" Clark asked, bitter hatred in his voice. "I'm surprised considering you forgot to pick me up."

"What are you raging about?" Lois asked. Chloe stood from the table, hoping to stop this fight before it got out of hand.

"I should have known you wouldn't even remember all together." Clark said, letting out a sour laugh. "You promised me, but look where that got me." Clark said raising his voice.

"Clark," Lois began but Clark stepped forward getting into her face.

"Don't Clark me. Like it can change the past. Because of you and the false hope you gave me…" Clark stopped trying to gather his breath that became to short in his anger. "My life has become hell because of you. If you had only showed up like you promised. I could actually be happy right now. I wouldn't be scarred mentally, emotionally, and physically. You ruined my life!" Clark yelled.

Lois watched him shocked and completely confused by his outrage. When he turned and stormed out of the Talon she could only look at Chloe and shrug.

"You promised to pick him up, remember?" Chloe asked.

Lois stood and thought about what she was telling her. Something about picking Clark up, a promise she had made years ago. When it hit her, it was a brutal shock. He blamed her for not getting him from the foster home. She couldn't because of some stupid mistake she had made with the law. She wasn't qualified to care for a child his age. How come he didn't understand that.

"I remember, but why is he still upset. Alan was suppose to inform him that I couldn't pick him up from foster care." Lois said.

Chloe shook her head, annoyance evident on her face. "You mean Alan, the jerk who took all of your money because you were a sucker for a 'law student'?" Chloe asked.

Lois looked down at her notepad, with the half filled out order. Alan had been a jerk, but she assumed he had told Clark. She had obviously been wrong and Clark had held on to that betrayal and neglect for all these years. If she ever saw him again, she would have to get the truth to him. Some how, some way.