CHAPTER 7

Several hours later…

"Where have you been?" Lois asks Clark as he strolls into the office.

"Bank robbery if you must know," he replies as he pulls out his chair and sits down. "Did you miss me?" he asks in a teasing tone.

"In your dreams, Smallville," she retorts as she resumes her typing.

He tilts his chair back and watches with fascination as her fingers fly across the keyboard. "If I didn't know any better, I would swear that you were the one with super-speed."

She stops typing and looks up at him. "How do you know I don't have super-speed?" quirking a brow.

He leans forward in his chair. "Do you?"

"Uh...of course not," she stammers nervously. "I just like to do things fast."

"That's where we differ," he replies as he comes around to her side of the desk to stand behind her; his hands resting on the back of her chair as he lowers his head. "I like to go slow," his voice going down an octave. "Take my time."

A soft moan escapes her lips at the feel of his warm breath on her skin. "You do?" her voice cracking slightly.

"I do," he whispers as he straightens up and returns to his side of the desk. "So have you heard anything else about Lana's murder?" he asks in a casual way as he sits back down again.

"Huh?" finally looking up. "Did you just say something?"

"I just asked you if you heard anything else on Lana's murder," grinning inwardly. "Are you okay? You seemed in a daze there for a moment."

He's playing games with you. You need to get your advantage back. "Never been better," she replies as she leans back against her chair with her legs crossed. "As for Lana, well, there hasn't been any additional information," crossing her legs once more.

She's giving me the Sharon Stone treatment again; he thinksto himself. Does she actually think that this constant flashing will get me all hot and bothered? Well, I'm not going to give her the satisfaction, he decides. Nope. Not this time.

Lois watches the expressions crossing his face with amusement. You can't go wrong with a classic, a satisfied grin on her face. "I think I'm going to go over to that café down the street and get some coffee," she says as she stands up. "Wanna come with me?"

"No thanks," he replies. "I think I'll just stay right here and work on my article," scooting up closer to his desk and beginning to type furiously.

"You know, I think while I'm out I'll stop at the Victoria's Secret that's next door to the café and pick up some more panties," she says hoping to get a rise out of him.

"I think that's a good idea," he murmurs without looking up. "What kind?"

She looks at him in puzzlement. "Huh?"

He stops typing and looks up at her. "There are all different kinds of panties, Lois. There's regular panties, there's also string bikinis, and of course my personal favorite."

"Which is?"

"I think you know," he smirks. "Do you remember the time I was able to read your mind?"

"Yeah," looking at him a little leery. "What about it?"

"I never told you this but when I was in the elevator that morning, I heard you thinking about the kind of underwear you were wearing."

"You heard that?" her eyes widening.

"Oh yeah," his eyes twinkling. "It put a nice little visual in my head." He leans forward in his chair. "Maybe I should come with you and you can model them for me. That way, you can make an informed decision."

"I don't think so," a slight frown on her face.

"That's too bad," shrugging his shoulders. "I just figured you'd want a male opinion."

"I don't need a male opinion, thank you very much," she retorts as she storms off in a huff.

Advantage Kent, he chuckles to himself.

"Something amusing, Kent?"

Clark looks up at Perry as he approaches his desk. "Private joke," he answers. "What's up?"

"I just got a call from Oliver," he says as he sits down at Lois' vacant desk. "Apparently there's been another stabbing and he says it's connected to Lana Lang-Ross' murder."

"Who was stabbed?" Clark asks in a concerned tone.

"Her husband," he replies.

"Pete?" his eyes widening. "Is he-?"

Perry shakes his head. "No. He's still alive, but his condition is serious. I was going to send Lois to the hospital to talk to him. Where is she anyway?"

"Lois isn't here right now," Clark tells him. "I suppose I could go in her place," he says as he gets up from his seat.

"I don't want you interviewing him," he answers firmly.

"Why not?"

"Because you're too close to this case as it is," he replies.

"But, Chief-"

"Absolutely not," shaking his head again. "I'm sending Lois. Now answer my question. Where is she?"

"She just stepped out for a cup of coffee," sinking back to his chair with a sigh. "Can I at least go with her? I promise I won't interfere."

Perry thinks about it for a moment. "Alright," he answers at last. "You can go."

"Thanks, Chief," getting back up. "I'll call her right now and tell her to meet me at the hospital. Is he at Met Gen?" he asks as he puts on his jacket.

"Yes," he replies.

"We'll let you know what we find out," Clark says as he starts to walk away.

"Clark?"

He stops in his tracks and turns around. "Yes, Mr. White?"

"Don't let me down."

"I won't," he nods solemnly.

"Good," turning around and walking away.

I won't let you down, Clark says softly as he pulls out his cell phone and calls Lois.

Met Gen

Clark was pacing back and forth in front of Pete's hospital room waiting for Lois to come out. "Well? What did he say?" he asks in an anxious tone as she steps out of the room. "Did he see who did it?"

"No," shaking her head as she closes the door behind her. "He was going through Lana's things when he heard footsteps behind him. He started to turn around and something hit him on the back of the head, then he felt a sharp pain in his gut."

"What about the weapon that was used? Did they find it?"

"Whoever stabbed him must have taken it with them," she replies. "Oliver told me that all they found at the scene was the letter 'Z' carved next to him in the wooden floor."

"It had to be Zod," he declares. "You know as well as I do that there's no such thing as coincidences," his eyes flashing as he clenches and unclenches his fingers. "I think he's decided to go after everyone I've ever cared about in my life and eliminate them one by one."

"It sure looks that way," agreeing with him. "But what about Tess? Why would he kidnap her and not kill her?" she wonders out loud. She looks at him curiously when he doesn't answer. "Clark? Is there something going on between you and Tess?"

"It was only a one-night thing," he admits after a long pause.

"I had no idea. You kept that secret pretty well," she remarks. "When did it happen anyway?"

"It was not long after my breakup with Lana. Tess had just broken up with someone and we ran into each other at the Ace of Clubs. We started talking, then one thing led to another and…well…I think you know what happened next," he leaned against the wall with a sigh. "I guess we were both feeling a little lonely and we found some comfort in each other for one night. It's not as if we planned it. You know I don't usually do one-night stands. It just…happened."

"I know you don't and I understand," resting her hand on his shoulder. "But you still remain friends?" she asks as she leans against the wall next to him.

"Yeah," he replies and turns his head to look at her. "Lex has no idea that anything happened between Tess and I and I really don't think he needs to."

"You don't have to worry about me. My lips are sealed," tracing an 'X' over her lips with her finger.

"Thanks," reaching over to briefly squeeze her hand. "So we should get back to the office," he says as he lets go of her hand.

"Aren't you going to go in and see him?"

"I don't know," sounding unsure.

"I think you should."

"Why should I?"

"Because I think it would do the both of you a world of good," she replies.

"Well, I suppose I could go in and see how he's doing," a thoughtful look on his face.

"Now that's the Smallville whose chops I love to bust."

He can't help the chuckle that comes out of his mouth. "How do you do that?'

"Do what?" looking at him curiously.

"How do you get me to do things that I really don't want to do?"

"That's an easy question to answer," she says. "It's because deep down you really want to do them and you just need a little push – or in my case – a punch in the shoulder."

He chuckles again, but then his expression changes. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"I'm sure you'd manage just fine without me, but it means a lot that you feel that way."

"I meant every word," gazing back at her.

She starts to feel a little uncomfortable because of his intense gaze. "Okay then," she says after a brief moment. "So, do you want me to wait for you?"

He shakes his head. "Thanks for offering, but that's not necessary."

"Alright," she says as she pulls out her keys and sunglasses. "I think I'll go back to the office and start working on the story."

"I'll see you later," waving at her as she walks away, then reaches for the door handle. He takes a deep breath, then exhales before pushing the handle down and opening the door. He stands in the doorway for a moment before stepping inside the room. "Pete?" closing the door behind him.

Pete opens his eyes. "Clark? What are you doing here?"

"I came to see how you were doing," he responds while pushing a chair near his bed. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but you look pale to me," he remarks as he sits down.

"Being stabbed will do that to you," he says in a weak voice. "So what are you really doing here, Clark? Last time we saw each other was in the police station and it was quite obvious that you didn't want anything to do with me."

There's an uncomfortable silence between the two of them for the next minute or so before Clark finally replies. "I was just thinking that I never did get the full story about what happened with you and Lana."

Pete winces as he tries to sit up a little. "I've tried to talk to you about it for the past six months, Clark."

"I know."

"I left voice messages, text messages, and emails. I even came by the Planet a few times, but you were never there. You completely shut me out of your life, Clark. After a few months, I finally gave up. It became quite clear that you wanted nothing to do with me," a painful expression on his face.

"Well, can you blame me?" Clark stares back at him. "You betrayed me, Pete. You went behind my back and cheated with my girlfriend," his voice raising an octave.

"That's not how it happened," Pete shakes his head. "Lana told me that the two of you had already broken up. I would never ever go behind your back, Clark."

"Lana and I never broke up. We were just on a break," Clark answers through clenched teeth.

"I think maybe you've watched Friends too many times," Pete snipes back. "I didn't buy it then, and I don't buy it now. It was a break-up, Clark. It's time you accept that and stop blaming me," he replies and folds his arms across his chest.

Clark abruptly stands up and walks over to the door. "Go ahead, walk away. It's what you do best, isn't it?" He stops with his hand on the doorknob. "You have absolutely no idea how many times Lana would show up at my apartment crying on my shoulder because of an argument she had with you. She felt like she couldn't talk to you anymore."

"You're blaming me?" turning around and staring back at him incredulously.

"I didn't say that," getting on the defensive. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that Lana was able to talk to me because I understood all too well the burden of being a secret keeper. It took a toll on me and that's why I ended up leaving Smallville in the first place. I was always afraid that I would accidently blurt it out to the wrong person. I told you all this the day I left, but apparently you forgot about it."

Clark walks back over and sits back down. "I guess that's what brought us together. Lana and I understood each other better than you and she ever did. It's not your fault, Clark. It's not really anybody's fault. I don't know if that makes sense, but it's the only thing I can think of right now."

Clark gets up once more and walks over to the window and stares out of it; his hands in his pockets. "You're right," he says in a soft voice after a few minutes of silence.

"I am?"

Clark turns around to face him. "Yes, you are. I forgot how hard it was for you and I guess I never realized how hard it was for Lana too,"walking back over to the chair and sitting down. "I can't really blame her for turning to you. I'm not exactly the easiest person to be with," he adds before laying his hand over Pete's. "Will you forgive me for being such an ass?"

Pete lays his other hand over Clark's. "I will on the condition that you forgive me too."

"Of course I do," Clark replies with a small smile. "I guess the whole thing was a misunderstanding, wasn't it?"

"I agree with you there," smiling back at him. "So do you think we could be friends again?" he asks.

Clark nods his head. "We still have some things to work out, but yeah, I think we can."

Pete heaves a sigh of relief. "I'm happy to hear that."

Clark chuckles a little. "So I have an idea for when you get out of the hospital."

"What's that?" Pete asks as he takes a sip of water.

"I was just thinking that maybe we could get tickets to the RUSH concert in Star City next month."

"That's a great idea," Pete replies as he places the cup back down on the rolling table. "I'll even get the tickets. I just might be able to finagle us some back-stage passes."

"That would be awesome," a grin on Clark's face as he gets up and walks over to the door. "I'll come by and see you tomorrow."

"Clark, can you do something for me?"

Clark walks back over. "Name it."

"I won't be able to go to Lana's funeral tomorrow, so I was wondering-"

"-if I would go to the funeral in your place?" finishing his sentence.

"It would mean a lot to me if you could."

"Of course I will," briefly laying his hand on Pete's shoulder.

"Thanks," he responds as Clark walks back over to the door and opens it; pausing in the doorway.

"I really am sorry for your loss," Clark says in a solemn tone.

"I know you are," Pete replies sadly. "I'm glad you came."

"I'm glad I came too," he replies before stepping into the hallway and closing the door behind him. He starts walking and doesn't stop until he exits the hospital and accidently bumps into Lois. He looks up in surprise to see her standing there. "I thought you left?"

"I lied," she responds with a smirk. "So how did it go?"

"I think we cleared the air on a lot of things. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders," he tells her as they walk to her car.

She lays both her hands on her chest. "I'm so happy to hear that."

"You are?"

"I could tell how much it had been weighing on you the last six months, so yes I am happy that the two of you reconciled."

"I am too," smiling back at her. "Thank you for convincing me to go," he says as they both get into the car.

"That's what I'm here for, Smallville. One save at a time," winking at him.

He smiles back, then says, "So where to now?" he asks as she starts the car.

"Back to work," she replies as she pulls out of the parking space and into the flow of traffic. "There's just one place I have to stop at first."

"Okay," he remarks as he puts on his seatbelt and sits back. "So where do you have to go anyway?"

"We're already here," she says with a smirk as she pulls up in front of the store and shuts off the engine.

He stares at the sign with surprise. "Victoria's Secret?"

"I decided that you were right about my needing a man's opinion," she replies as she gets out of the car and strides towards the front door. "What are you waiting for?" she says teasingly as she opens the door.

He watches her as she enters the store. This could be fun, chuckling inwardly as he gets out of the car and walks towards the door…

The next afternoon…

"Thanks for coming with me," Clark says to Lois after they extended their sympathies to Lana's family.

"Of course I would come," lightly punching him on the shoulder as they walk away from the gravesite and start walking towards Clark's truck. "Where else would I be?" she quips as he opens the door for her and she climbs inside.

"You are a good friend," he replies as he gets behind the wheel and puts on his seatbelt.

"So we're friends now?"

"I won't tell anyone if you won't," giving her a tiny wink before starting the truck. "So do you want me to bring you back to your apartment?"

"Sure," she replies as the truck exits the cemetery. "So there wasn't a very big turnout," she remarks as Clark makes a right onto the main road. "Where was Pete's family?"

"They're probably at the hospital with him," Clark replies.

"That makes sense," nodding her head.

They continue to make casual chit chat until he pulls up in front of her apartment building and turns off the engine. "We're here," he says as she climbs out of the truck and walks around to the driver's side. "Thanks for the ride, Smallville," she says while resting her arms on the edge of the opened window.

"Any time, Lois."

"So are you going to the farm for the weekend like you usually do?"

"I'm going to visit Pete at the hospital first before I head back there."

"I hope his condition has improved since yesterday. Will you give him my best?"

"I will," he replies. "I'll see you on Monday."

"Don't forget my coffee and my maple donut."

"When have I ever forgotten to bring them?" he counters.

She just rolls her eyes. "I'll call you later," she calls out as she enters the building. He chuckles to himself and starts the truck up again.

A few hours later…

Lois pulls up into the driveway and parks her car. "There you are," spotting Clark sitting on the top step of the porch stairs. "I tried calling you earlier but you didn't pick up," she says as she walks up and sits down next to him. "So how is Pete doing?" she asks. She looks at him curiously when he doesn't answer her and continues staring at the beer in his hand. "You only drink beer when you're upset. What's the matter?"

He finally looks up with glistening eyes.

"Pete passed away an hour ago."

TO BE CONTINUED…