-1Chapter Twenty Three-Roommates
Clark woke from sleeping on the couch. Surprisingly, the small couch was actually comfortable. He stretched and pulled himself up. It was early enough that he could tell Lana was still in bed. He smiled and went into the kitchen. He looked through the fridge and found some breakfast materials. If he was rooming here, he would earn his keep.
While the food cooked, he managed to find some clothes that were okay to wear, and changed. It wasn't long after he finished cooking that he could hear Lana waking up. She shifted in bed and groaned. He smiled as he arranged the food on a plate.
"Clark?" She called out from the bedroom. He grabbed the plate and the glass of orange juice. Careful not to spill any, he walked into her bedroom.
"Morning beautiful." He said sitting down next to her. She shifted and pulled herself up into a sitting position.
"You made me breakfast in bed?" She asked looking down at the plate of eggs, bacon, and toast.
"Yea. Not sure how good of a cook I am, but at least it's food." He said handing her the plate and setting the glass of orange juice on her bedside table.
"It looks great." She said, smiling up at him and grabbing the fork to dig in.
"I was sure you'd be up and getting ready for work." Clark said as he watched her devour the breakfast he made.
"I was supposed to work today but I called in Lois to cover for me. I thought we could spend the day together." She said.
"What did you have in mind?" Clark asked with a smirk. She was playing hookie to spend the day with him.
"Well, I thought we could go for a picnic and maybe some shopping." She suggested.
"Sounds like a plan to me. I just need to call Lionel." Clark said.
"Why?" She asked finishing off her plate and reaching for the juice.
"I do need a place to stay." Clark said.
"And here I was hoping you'd just stay here." She said.
"As much as I would love that, I don't think it's wise. Plus when schools starts, what will the school board think of that?" Clark asked.
"Of course those old bats won't approve, but I'd enjoy it." She said with a smirk.
"Until I stop cooking you breakfast in bed, and my snoring keeps you up at night." Clark replied with a smirk as well. She slapped his arm causing him to laugh. He grabbed her empty plate and class as he stood from the bed.
"I'll make the call while you get ready." He said heading out of her bedroom and into the kitchen.
"What do you want to make for lunch?" She asked as he heard her open doors and finally the bathroom door.
"Anything is good." Clark said as he wiped down the dishes.
"Alright, I'm sure I've got stuff in the fridge to make sandwiches." She called.
He dried the dishes and put them away. When he heard the door shut and the water turn on he searched for her phone. He found it by the couch and picked it up. He dialed Lionel's number and listened as it rang.
"Lionel Luthor speaking." He answered.
"It's Clark." He said walking back into the kitchen and opening the fridge.
"Ah, good to hear from you. I take it, everything went well with the police?" Lionel asked.
"Yes, however I'm left homeless." Clark said.
"Oh my. Perhaps I can help." Lionel said.
"That would be nice." Clark said, finding the bread, sandwich meat, and water bottles.
"I own a farm which has some unwelcome guests. I'll pull some strings for police assistance and then you can move in." Lionel said.
"An entire farm. What's the catch?" Clark asked.
"Well, it provides a little income. Keep the place running and when you turn eighteen I'll sign the lease over to you. After all, it's rightfully yours, if I sign it over." Lionel said.
"What do you mean?" Clark asked setting the items on the counter.
"I was signed as keeper of your parents will. The farm is yours, if I see fit that you should have it." Lionel said.
"Anything else that belongs to me?" Clark asked his temper rising.
"A good sum of money, your father's truck which is at the farm, and the produce business you mother ran." Lionel said.
"Even when I turn nineteen, everything becomes mine. All I have to do is wait." Clark said.
"True, however I was able to use your criminal record to change that. If I don't see fit that you're a responsible adult then it all goes into my name." Lionel said.
Clark could hear the smirk in his voice. "So what does this come down to Luthor." Clark said. He was sure Lionel could hear the anger in his voice.
"You have a choice to make. These are just added rewards." Lionel said.
"What do I have to do for the farm?" Clark asked.
"Kick the people out and you can live in the house. Keep the farm running and I'll sign it over to you." Lionel said.
"Why would you sign it over if it's making you money?" Clark asked.
"Simply because it proves that you can make it on your own." Lionel said.
"So this is a test?" Clark asked.
"Of course." Lionel said.
Clark sighed, "Fine. Who's living at the farm?"
"A certain trio we all love." Lionel said.
Clark really did lose it then, "What!?! You let those bastards stay at my family's home!?!"
Clark was pissed that Lionel would allow those easily swayed morons to stay in his faimly's home.
Lana came out of the bathroom dressed but her hair still soaking wet. She had a towel in one hand and a worried look on her face.
"Don't worry Clark. With the polices help they will be out of there in no time." Lionel said.
"Fine, Luthor. Just know this doesn't help you." Clark said.
"I had a feeling it wouldn't. Have a nice day." Lionel said.
Clark cussed and clicked the off button. "Is everything okay?" Lana asked.
"Just peachy. " Clark said, leaning against the counter trying to catch his breath. He couldn't believe his luck lately.
"I'm almost ready." She said.
"Okay, I'll have the picnic ready to go." Clark replied.
"Okay." She said before heading back into the bathroom.
She left the door open this time and Clark could hear her running the hair dryer. He pulled out some bread and began to fix some sandwiches. Clark thought about the choice Lionel had given him. Did he really want to remain in the Luthor family, or continue on with his life going from riches to rags?
When it came down to it, he would do whatever it takes to get the farm and the rest of the will. Even if it meant kissing Lionel's ass. If he could somehow get that, then he could shove Lionel's offer. All he really wanted was what his parents left him. First things first, he had to kick out those ass clowns that were living on the farm. Lana came out a few minutes later wearing some jeans and a t-shirt. Even in simple clothes she looked like a goddess.
"Ready to go?" Clark asked holding up a bag full of food and drinks.
"All set, my jeeps out back." She said.
Clark smiled and held open the front door for Lana. She smiled and walked out. She locked the door when he pulled it shut. He offered his arm and they headed downstairs. Lois looked at the two as they made their way to the back. She wasn't stupid, she knew why Lana had called her in.
"I see how it is." Lois called getting the attention of the two.
"Lois." Lana said.
"Taking advantage of your employees to go out with your boyfriend?" Lois asked.
"Actually Lois," Clark said stepping forward, "I called a meeting with Lana to discuss business. I have a few ideas for the Talon that the manager and I need to work on."
"That's not your call." Lois said.
"Actually Lois, it is." Clark said. When she looked at him confused, he shed light on the situation. "I'm the owner of the Talon. Now I suggest you get back to work, before I fire you."
"What?" Lois asked. One of the other waitresses pulled Lois back from Clark and whispered in her ear. Clark chuckled as her faced drained of all color.
"Let's go. She'll get over the shock by the time we get back." Lana said.
"Aw, what a shame." Clark said in a mocking tone. They walked out the back and over to Lana's jeep. They piled the food in the back and climbed in. "Where are we going?" Clark asked.
"I know a quiet spot." Lana replied starting the jeep.
Lana had taken them to a quiet place indeed. It was at the end of a field next to the woods. Not a soul was near by all they could hear were the soft sounds of nature around them. They sat underneath a tree and had the empty bag at their feet.
"You had mentioned ideas for the Talon?" Lana asked.
She was curled up between Clark's thighs. Her head resting against his chest, while she listened to his constant heart beat.
"I was thinking about throwing a party for the start of school. You know for the football team. Help raise school spirit." Clark said.
"I like it." Lana said.
"I thought you might." Clark said.
"I do have a question though." Lana said.
"What is it?" Clark asked looking down at her.
"Your phone call this morning. What got you all upset?" She asked.
Clark sat for a minute which caused Lana to look up at him.
"Lionel has cornered me. I have to choose to remain a Luthor and be left with nothing. However he played another card. Apparently he's keeper of my parents will. With my criminal record, he can have it all taken from me."
"Clark, I'm so sorry." Lana said.
"Don't worry about it. If I can run the farm and graduate, he'll sign everything over." Clark said.
"How can I not worry about that? That is nearly impossible to run a farm and maintain grades. Not to mention you're apart of the football team." Lana said.
"I know. This year will be tough, but I think I can do it." Clark said.
"I'll help with anything I can. I'm sure you'll need homework help." She said.
"I'm sure I will too." Clark said.
She laughed and Clark smiled. He leaned down and captured her lips. He was lucky that he had a girlfriend like her. Smart and beautiful, and his. He could kiss her when he wanted, spend time with her when no one else could. They pulled apart for air and looked up when the sky rumbled.
"Sounds like rain." Lana said.
"So?" Clark asked his arms wrapped around Lana's waist.
"We'll get wet." She said.
"I guess that would happen." Clark said.
She slapped his arm and tried to stand but he held tight. She looked up at Clark, "Let go." She said.
"Convince me." He said with a smirk. She smiled and leaned up, kissing him. Before he realized it, his arms relaxed against her waist and she slipped out of his grip.
"Hey!" He said as she pulled away and ran to the jeep.
As soon as she closed the car door, the rain started to pour. Clark cursed and grabbed their stuff. He ran towards the jeep but by the time he pulled himself in, he was soaked through. Lana just laughed as she pulled the car out and onto the road.
They got back to the Talon and it was still pouring outside. Clark got out first and ran inside to get an umbrella. When he got back out, he opened it and pulled the car door open for Lana to get out. He held the umbrella over her and kept her dry as they rushed inside. Clark shook his head, water went flying and landed on Lana. He closed the umbrella and put it back where he found it. Lana laughed as they made their way to the stairs.
"Hey you two." Lois said waving.
"Do you think you'll talk to her and set things straight?" Lana asked.
"Not today. After the bad news this morning, I don't think I could handle another confrontation." Clark said.
Lana couldn't help that he didn't want to work things out, but he did have a bad morning. She smiled and took his hand in hers. She lead him upstairs and unlocked her apartment door.
"So what do you want to do?" She asked as they went inside and she closed the door behind them.
"Well, I was enjoying having you in my arms. That is until you decided to weasel your way out and leave me to get soaked." Clark said with a smile.
"How about you shower and change back into those sexy gym shorts and we can watch a movie." Lana said.
"Sounds like a plan." Clark said.
He headed back over to his bag and grabbed his shorts and a t-shirt to wear. Lana was looking over her shelf of movies as he disappeared into the bathroom. He took a quick shower and jumped out. He dried off and changed before leaving the bathroom. He stopped and went back in. He picked up the wet towel from the floor and put it in the hamper. On top of the dirty clothes was Lana's bra.
It was black lace, something that surprised Clark. He didn't think she was a black lace, underwear type of girl. However it was a nice surprise that left Clark to imagine what she was wearing under that simple t-shirt. He shook his head and dropped the towel inside.
"What was that about?" Lana asked as he came back out.
"Oh, I left the towel on the floor. I guess I'm not used to sharing a bathroom." He said walking over and joining her on the couch.
"It's okay." She said leaning into his side. His arm immediately wrapped itself around her shoulder.
"What are we watching?" He asked.
"I just bought Disturbia and haven't had the chance to watch it." Lana said.
"That's a good movie." Clark said as she hit play.
The movie started and Lana leaned more against his chest. As the movie went on he couldn't help but yawn. For some reason he was really tired, or it was because he was so comfortable. It wasn't long before he couldn't keep his eyes open. With a final failed attempt, he fell asleep.