AN: Okay, so I finally fixed it! Hopefully this new format will be easier to read. Sorry about the past chapters but I just don't have time to go back and edit every single one. But from now on they should be better. Lemme know what you think.

Cool Part 2

Lex POV

I drove to the Kent farm, pulling up in the driveway. I knocked on the front door, but there was no answer. I walked around the house and spotted Martha Kent working. I walked towards her. She spun around to face me, the chainsaw she held coming way too close for my liking. I held up my hands. "Whoa. I come in peace." She gasped, ripping her ear muffs off.

"Lex! I'm so sorry. I didn't see you there." She turned off the chainsaw and set it to the side. I breathed a sigh of relief.

I shrugged, trying to pass off my surprise. "I'm just glad you weren't welding."

She smiled warmly. "So what brings you out here in the middle of the day?"

I put my hands in my pockets. "Those artichokes of yours. I need about thirty of them."

She raised an eyebrow. "Thirty? That's a lot of artichokes."

I nodded, avoiding her eyes.. "I'm hosting a dinner tomorrow night for the local farming community…just an informal talk about some financial options. A lot of farms in town are having money trouble."

I could see the wheels turning in her head as she frowned. "Most people aren't looking for more loans."

I nodded. Such reaction was understandable, which is why I'd prepared an answer. "I'm offering my role as an investor-help people modernize and expand. This town once grew twenty percent of the corn in the state. Smallville was a heavy hitter. It just lost the drive to stay competitive."

"Or its connections." She said eagerly to defend her town.

I smiled. "If this town ever had connections, they wouldn't have named it 'Smallville.' Your husband hasn't exactly kept his feelings about me a secret, but I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts on my proposal even if you're not interested."

Martha smiled sympathetically. "Jonathan doesn't hate you. It's just... your family's track record hasn't been the best in this town."

I frowned, looking down at the ground. I knew about the legacy my father created. It was my main encouragement for trying to do better. "Tell him I intend to change that." The other reason I was trying to help the Kent's was, obviously, Clara. When I'd found out the farm was in trouble, I realized what trouble it could mean for Clara's future.

Without the farm, her future was basically decided for her. Clara had the ability to do so much more. I could already tell that. After the meeting with Martha Kent, I decided to go to the Beanery. Well, more like I was avoiding more boring work at home.

Sometimes I loved my work and other times I just wanted to burn all of the files. I placed my order and went to go sit down when I spotted Luke sitting in one of the chairs. He was reading a brochure for a show in Metropolis. I nodded at him. "That's a great exhibit. Caught it in St. Petersburg."

He looked up, surprised. "Oh. Hey Lex. Whitney and I are going to Metropolis tomorrow. Thought we'd swing by and check it out." I raised an eyebrow. "The cheerleader's interested in thousand year old art?" I was actually surprised he wanted to go, but let nobody say I wasn't tactful.

Luke shrugged. "Actually, it was her idea." I nodded. "Models of Egyptian tombs doesn't really sound like her thing." He frowned. "For somebody who wants people to keep an open mind, you sure are quick to judge." I bit my tongue and sat in a chair nearby.

Whitney ran up and wrapped her arms around Luke. "Hey baby." I pretended not to listen in as Whitney made an excuse about how she couldn't make it to Metropolis. I smirked as I did a mental ' I told you so' towards Luke. I paid for the coffee and left when I quite literally ran into Clara.

She was looking at Luke through the window with a strange expression on her face. I chalked it up to her crush. I could fix that. An idea formed in my head. I smiled and walked towards her. "You know, he's free tomorrow night." She jumped and turned to me, a blush creeping up her neck to cover her face. "Lex!" I smirked in victory.

Clara POV

I spun around in surprise. "Lex!" I blushed. I couldn't believe he'd caught me scoping out Luke. Ew. I curse Chloe and the bet mentally. "Hey Clara. You should ask him out." I frowned. "He has a girlfriend, Lex." I definitely didn't want Lex to think I was a home wrecker.

"A high school girlfriend isn't a wife. She's an obstacle. You know, I bet if you ask Luke to go with you to the Radiohead concert in Metropolis tomorrow, he'll say yes."

I raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "And if I do…"

He grinned confidently. "I'll give you the tickets." I froze.

This was getting interesting. A week of coffee, a dozen cookies and a free concert? "Why are you doing this?"

He shrugged. "You're my friend. I figure somebody should benefit from my experience."

I raised an eyebrow. "Please don't elaborate on that." He rolled his eyes. I bit my lip. Was it really fair to Luke to use him as a bet? Was it worth it. I decided to deflect. "I can't just ask him out."

"The hardest thing to do is tell the guy you love that you like him." My eyes shot to Lex. Don't tell me he thought I was besotted with Luke too? Then again, this might help me with the bet… Yes, it was decided. I was a jerk. Lex, however, mistook my pause for hesitation. "If you do it in the next sixty seconds, you get the tickets and a round trip limo ride…starting, now."

I smirked inwardly. What could I say? Lex could be very convincing. I grabbed the tickets out of Lex's hand and marched directly into the coffee shop. I cut across to Luke. "Hey, Luke. You busy?"

He nodded. "Swamped. That's why I'm sitting in a coffee shop attempting to wade through a Russian classic." I frowned and wanted to bolt right there. Could I really deal with an entire evening of his company? Again, he mistook my silence. "I'm kidding, Clara. What's up?"

Of course he was kidding. He sucked at sarcasm, though. "Well, there's this thing tomorrow night." He set down his book. "Define 'thing'." I shrugged. "Concert. Radiohead. I have and extra ticket and was wondering if you'd want to go."

He shrugged. "I don't know…" I wanted to pull my hair out. A fake date was not supposed to be this difficult!

"Please? I really don't feel safe going by myself…and I don't want to waste the ticket…you'd be doing me a huge favor." His eyes lit up and I mentally grinned. Guys could be easy, so long as they thought they were getting to be the hero. Case in point, Lex trying to help me out with my "crush" on Luke. All I had to do is swallow my pride for a bit and those chocolate chip cookies were all mine…

"Sure, Clara. I'd be happy to escort you." Luke nodded. I grinned in victory.

"Great. I'll see you tomorrow." I smiled and walked out. Cookies, coffee, a free concert and a limo ride! If it wasn't for Luke, this would have been a perfect mix. I smirked at Lex who was waiting for me outside. "Thank you for the Limo, Lex. I promise to bring it back in reasonable condition."

Lex raised an eyebrow. "You're up to something."

I grinned evilly. "Why, Lex. I don't know what you're talking about."

He shrugged. "Okay, but you'll tell me eventually."

I shrugged. "Sure. After tomorrow." Chloe and I had decided we couldn't tell anybody about the bet until the date was over. If we told, the stakes were doubled and given to the winner.

The next day at school I gleefully told Chloe that she had lost. She gasped. "Let me get this straight. You went in for a cappuccino and came out with a date with Luke Lang?" I grinned. "Technically it's not a date. It's a bet."

Chloe rolled her eyes. "Even with the 'I'm an innocent farm girl too scared to visit the big city' routine, it's pretty great."

Pete laughed. "Well, how'd you score the tickets?"

Chloe frowned. "I'm guessing a follically challenged individual to thank for that."

I rolled my eyes. "I know what you're thinking. I didn't tell him about the bet. Yes, Lex hooked me up. Actually Chloe, I have you to thank."

"Me?" She looked surprised.

I nodded. "Yep. Without this bet, I wouldn't have been caught by Lex staring at Luke and I wouldn't get to go see Radiohead in CONCERT!" I did a little victory dance.

Chloe stuck out her tongue and Pete rolled his eyes. Chloe sighed. "Well, at least I'm good for something."

I laughed and then quickly sobered when I saw Sean coming towards Chloe. He looked freezing. His skin was pale and I swear he had icicles on his skin. Pete nudged Chloe. "Maybe this is your chance."

Sean shivered, grinning at Chloe. "Chloe…don't I owe you a phone call?"

Chloe nodded, tucking a hair behind her ear. "Well, what are you doing now?"

Chloe shrugged. "I got to put the paper to bed…but maybe later…" Sean had already turned away and ignored her.

He ran over to Jenna Barnum. "Jenna…Jenna! Wait up."

Chloe looked physically crushed. "Okay, I was playing barely-hard-to-get. What's the problem? Clara Kent gets a date with Luke Lang, and suddenly there's no luck left for the rest of us."

She frowned and I wrapped an arm around her shoulders comfortingly. "Cheer up Chloe. He's not worth it. Besides, I need your fashion genius to help me pick out my outfit tonight."

Chloe smiled a bit. "Well, if you're gonna beg…"

I rolled my eyes. "Just meet me at my house tomorrow."

She grinned and agreed. "By the way, I want my cookies fresh and hot by next week."

Chloe smirked. "Whatever." The next day went by excruciatingly slow. I practically raced home to get ready. I put my bag up in my room before coming downstairs. "Hello, citizens."

Mom frowned at my dad. "I don't know this child. Where's the moody one, lives upstairs, runs real fast?"

I grinned. "Oh she's going on a date tonight…not a real date, but a bet induced awesome concert date."

Mom raised an eyebrow. "Bet?" I shrugged. It didn't matter if my parents knew. Mom smiled. "And who might this concert-not-date be with?"

I scowled. "Chloe bet me I wouldn't ask Luke out. Lex hooked me up with the tickets and the Limo."

Mom patted my back. "I'm sure you'll survive one evening in his company."

Dad was frowning. "Lex, huh? I guess Lex has worked out all our plans this evening."

I shrugged. "I guess I should have asked earlier, but I can go right?"

Mom cut off dad before he could speak. "Of course you can. But isn't Luke going out with Whitney?"

I rolled my eyes. "I can't even stand the guy, Ma. Both our virtue are completely safe. I'm only in it for the chocolate chip cookies."

Mom shook her head. "Yes, I'm so glad that you accept chocolate chip cookies as in exchange for dates."

I snickered at dad's aghast expression. I heard a knocking at the door. "Come in."

"Hello, hello?" Chloe stepped into the kitchen. I grinned. "Good to see you, Chloe. You ready to do the impossible?" Chloe smirked. "Of course." Mom and dad hugged me bye. "We'll be at Lex's if you need us." I nodded before ushering Chloe to my room.

I gestured to my closet. "Do your worst."

She shrugged. "Pick out something." I grabbed my checkered button up out of the closet.

She cringed. "Burn that. What else you got?"

I sighed…I could check the laundry basket, but…"

Chloe sighed. "You have the weird ability to never get cold. Why don't you utilize that? You have to have a cute skirt or something."

"I might…aha!" I grabbed a knee length skirt. I left the mini skirt in the closet. I didn't want Luke to get the wrong idea. "Now all I need is a shirt."

She stood up and ruffled through my closet. She grabbed a long sleeve V-neck with a design on the neck. She held it up to me. "Blue's a good color for you."

I looked at the shirt suspiciously. "Really?"

She nodded. "Now, how are you with heels?"

My smile fell. "We have a…complicated relationship."

She grinned. "Well, that relationship is about to become very intimate." She held up a pair of heels that I swore I'd hidden in the back of my closet. I shook my head. "Oh, no. Not going to happen."

She sighed. "Fine. We'll save these for his annual birthday party."

I sighed in relief. "You are impossible." She shrugged gleefully. "It comes with the territory."

I laughed. "Whatever. Go on and get back to your precious torch. I got to get dressed."

She grinned. "Fine. Go on and have fun with your hot date."

I rolled my eyes. "Please. I really wasn't kidding when I said I didn't have a crush on Luke." She gave me an 'are you joking' look. I nodded. "Seriously. The only reason I asked him out was because of the bet." I shrugged. "I'm a sucker for chocolate…I mean Luke is hot, but a few fries short of a happy meal."

She laughed. "Well, good to know you can get a date with somebody you don't even like and I can't even get a guy to call me back."Just then her phone rang. "Um…Let me take this. I'll be right back." I nodded and got dressed.

I looked in the mirror. "Not bad, Clara." I turned around a bit, grinning. Instead of those scary heels I'd opted for dark blue flats. She came back into the room with a weird look on her face.

I frowned. "What's up?" She looked up at me. "You won't believe who just called me. Sean." I raised an eyebrow. "Did he apologize for being a jerk?" She bit her lip. "He said he wasn't feeling well."

I snorted. "I saw him running off with Jenna. She must have made him feel better."

"W-well he said it was over between them." Chloe stuttered. Chloe never stuttered. I sighed. "You really like him, don't you?"

She smiled. "He may be a little intellectually challenged, but he's really hot. Besides, he begged to get together tonight just to talk, so I told him he could bring me a coffee at the Torch."

I laughed. "Sound like a date." I teased.

She blushed. "It's not a date…it's a fact finding mission to see if he's worthy of a date."

I shrugged. "Do what you want, but be careful. Sean is a pig and he's definitely not one of those guys you need to be alone with."

Chloe scowled momentarily. "I'm all grown up, Clara. I can take care of myself."

I put up my hands in defense. "That's fine. But you're my friend and I still worry." She smiled. "I'm fine. See you later. I got to get ready."

Lex had the Limo pick me up and we went down the short way to Luke's. We started on the trip. Everything was really great…except for the company. Don't get me wrong. He was really nice and sweet…but we had nothing in common. The silence was strained and awkward. "So…I've never been in a limo before."

Luke grinned. "I have. Once. Nell got one to go to the Metropolis Sharks game last year. But it was nowhere near as nice as this." I shrugged. "Beats another night of defensive reading." He shot me a sidelong glance. "You've been doing it since we were kids. Whenever the world gets disappointing, you retreat into a book." I frowned slightly. Well, good going Clara. I spoke up. "There are worse things."

He shook his head. "Nah, you're right. It's just easier than dealing with life, you know?"

I nodded. "I do the same with astronomy and running."

He raised an eyebrow. "Okay. Running I get, but astronomy?"

I nodded. "I look at different world and wonder what my life would be like there. The universe is so much bigger than we realize. It's beautiful."

He shrugged. "Yeah, if you like that sort of thing." I sighed. Astronomy was a huge part of my life and Luke just successfully put me off any other conversation. I looked for a distraction and spotted the TV. Curious, I flipped it on. It was a news broadcast. "…And in Smallville tonight, police are seeking seventeen year old Sean Kelvin after the mysterious death of a fellow Smallville High student Jenna Barnum, Whose body was found early this afternoon..."

My jaw dropped. Luke coughed in surprised. "No way…" I frowned. "Stop the car." They pulled over at the Beanery and Luke grabbed my arm as I tried to leave.

"Where are you going, Clara?" I frowned. "It's complicated, but I have to go check on Chloe. You can go ahead to the concert if you want."

He shook his head. "I can't go without you."

I wanted to roll my eyes. "Then stay here. I have to go. I'll try to make it back. If you change your mind, the limo's all yours." As soon as his back was turned I sped off in the direction of the school. Chloe's date with Sean was about to be cut short…

I rescued Chloe from the heat-sucking Sean, and got her home. Suddenly the power started spazzing out across town. It had to be Sean. I sped to the power relay station, but he was already gone. Ice covered a large hole in the fence. It must have been how he entered the place. Where could he be going next?

A thought struck me. Lex's mansion had a generator. He'd mentioned it before. That must be Lex's next target. My heart leaped. Mom and Dad were there with Lex! I turned and started running. I had to make it in time. As I approached I spotted Whitney's car. It looked like somebody had slammed on breaks. I looked around for people, but there was nobody to be found. Sighing, I turned around only to face Sean. His hands reached for my throat and I felt the heat draining from my body.

I collapsed to the ground and watched Sean walking away. "Thanks for the warm up Clara." I couldn't feel anything. My entire body was numb…cold. Would I recover in time to stop Sean? Would I recover at all? I struggled to stay awake before the darkness fell over me.