Cool Part 3

Lex POV

Jonathan and Martha Kent were still suspicious. Well, Martha seemed accepting, but Jonathan was too stubborn. Couldn't they see I was just trying to do what's right? I wanted Clara to have a good future. It didn't hurt that I saw great promise in the Kent farm. With the right backing, they could do great things. The lights flickered before coming back on.

I nodded to them. "Good to know the generator works. Power must have blown. Where were we?"

Jonathan crossed his arms over his chest. "I believe you were explaining how you could single-handedly save the family farm."

Martha put a hand on her husband's arm. "Jonathan..."

I shrugged. "Its okay, Mrs. Kent. I understand your husband's skepticism. Your farm's drowning in debt. We both know it. All I'm trying to do is offer you a hand but you keep slapping it away."

Jonathan scowled. "I learned a long time ago from a man much smarter than myself that you need to solve your own problems."

I bit back a frown. "Your father lived in different times, and he had his share of help. It seems government subsidies carried him through a number of lean years." I handed over the file I'd gotten from public records.

Martha frowned. "Where did you get these?"

I stepped back to give them some space. "It's a matter of public record. I'm making a business offer. I had to do my due diligence." I didn't mention I'd found them while doing some personal research on Clara's adoption. That probably wouldn't have encouraged them any.

Jonathan was still wary. "Why are you so interested in our family, Lex?"

I looked him straight in the eye. "Clara brought me back from the Mr. Kent. When she reached in and pulled me out, she gave me a new life. Your father put his family's future over his own pride. Are you willing to do that?" Martha looked interested so I quickly outlined my plans for the farm.

"So you would give us the latest farming equipment and technology." I nodded at Martha. Jonathan even looked interested. "All in exchange for our independence?"

I nodded encouragingly. "My influence will be minimal, but existing, yes. It's a partnership."

I could tell he didn't like an idea of a partnership with me. He scowled. "We could get a loan."

I was growing frustrated. "Or you could allow me help you get to the point where you never need someone like me again."

Martha stepped up to play mediator. I wondered if she had a lot of practice at home. "I'll admit, it looks generous."

I smiled. "It is."

Jonathan butted in. "Which begs the question, "What does Lex Luthor get out of all this?"

I shrugged. "I believe there's profit to be made. I'm not exactly in the charity business." Jonathan scowled. "Like father, like son."

I bristled at that. "Would you rather accept a charity offering Mr. Kent? I didn't think so. You want to save your farm, and I want to save your farm." He didn't look convinced.

I sighed. "Take some time to think about it. I'm sure you'll see the benefits outweigh your other options." I offered a toast. "To the future."

Suddenly the doors burst open and Whitney burst in. Whitney was being supported by Luke. Her ankle looked hurt. Martha rushed towards them. "Whitney!"

Luke looked at her. "She's okay." Wait. If he was here with Whitney, where was… Martha apparently had the same thought as me because after she got Whitney sitting down she turned to Luke. "Where's Clara?"

Luke explained how Clara had freaked out over the news announcement and ran off. I frowned. "This kid sounds dangerous. I've got the gate down and the alarm on. You're staying here until they find Sean."

I glanced at Luke. "Sorry about your date." Whitney glared at me but said nothing.

I looked at Jonathan. "Have you found Clara, yet?"

He shook his head. "No, and I'm still getting the answering machine at home." I frowned. If Clara was out here with a crazed psycho on the loose…the chances were not good. Just then the lights dimmed out. Somebody hit the generator. I grabbed a few flashlights and handed them to the Kents. "Here you go."

Jonathan nodded. "Thanks. I'll go check the front gate."

I frowned. "It should be secure…" He was already running out of the room.

Martha nodded. "And I'll check the generator. Where is it?" I raised an eyebrow. "It's on the side of the house, but I can get it-" She already ran away too. A frown pulled at my lips. Something weird was going on. The Kents knew more than they let on.

Clara POV

I felt the heat returning to my body. I sat up as soon as I was able and rushed to the mansion. I remembered spotting the generator at the side of the house when I was first looking for the garage. When I got there, Sean was talking to my mom. I scowled. "Stay away from her!" I stepped between them. "Mom, run."

"But Clara-" I cut her off. "Now, mom! Get inside." Mom ran off and Sean leered after her. "That's your mom? She's hot."

I glared at him. "You need a hospital." In my mind I added 'you sick twisted pervert'. A lesson I'd learned early was to not antagonize the crazy people.

He scowled. "What are they gonna do? Put me under an electric blanket? I need heat, Clara…contact. That's the only thing that works. Every person's just another fix." He stepped forward. I crossed my arms over my chest.

"You're not getting into that house." He laughed. "Who's going to stop me, you? Brrr!" We fought for a good while until he knocked me to the ground. He straddled me. "I don't know what it is about you, hot stuff, but I haven't felt this good in two days. And when I'm done with you, there's your mom, your dad…and your friend Lex."

I scowled. "I won't let you hurt them!" I shoved him off me. He went flying into the lake and it froze over. I let out a huff of air that stayed visible in the chilly night. Why couldn't I save Sean, too? He was a jerk, yeah, but he didn't need to die.

The next day all during school Chloe looked really shaken up. I knew she still wasn't over the incident with Sean. After the final bell me and Pete saw her outside. She placed a single candle by the shrine to Jenna. I looked at Pete next to me. We shared a look of concern before we walked up to her. "You okay?"

She sighed. "Yeah. The memorial service is tomorrow. I was just thinking how that could have been me. All because some guy expressed some modicum of interest in me. I thought I was stronger than that."

I nudged her. "Hey. Everyone's searching for a soul mate. It's not a sign of weakness. If it makes you feel any better, I spent the entire day avoiding Luke like the plague."

Chloe snorted. "Yeah, I heard him trying to reschedule your 'date' for this weekend." I laughed. "Heaven forbid."

Pete smiled. "I can't believe both your nights got screwed up and I ended up with the Limo." I laughed.

Chloe even cracked a smile. "How was that?"

He grinned. "Great. I even got another date lined up for next weekend."

Chloe shook her head. We turned to go towards the parking lot. "I'm swearing off men."

"We're not all bad." We turned towards the voice to see Lex standing there.

I raised an eyebrow at his appearance. "What are you doing here?"

He shrugged. "I was heading to your farm and realized you were out of school. Think of it as an apology that last night didn't work out. But at least you got free coffee out of it." He was referring to the coffee we'd had at the mansion after the freezing incident, but Chloe misinterpreted.

Chloe spun to face me and shoved a finger in my face. "I knew it! You totally told Lex about the bet. Why else would he give you those tickets and the Limo?"

Lex raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What bet?"

Chloe's face fell and I laughed. "Well, he knows now little miss blabbermouth. And since you are the one that told him I believe you owe me two weeks' worth of coffee and two dozen chocolate chip cookies."

Chloe frowned. "No fair!" I shrugged. "A deal's a deal. You're the one that agreed to the rules…and the one that broke them." She scowled.

Pete laughed, nodding to Lex. "Clara and Chloe have a bit of a competitive gambling streak."

Lex smirked. "Really?"

I frowned at Pete. "It was one bet. I won. I get cookies and chocolate. Chloe learned never to call me a coward and I was actually able to tolerate Luke's presence for more than an hour."

Lex bit back a laugh. "You ready to go?"

I nodded. "Sure." I waved goodbye to Chloe and Pete and followed Lex. Great. Now I'd have to explain about Luke.

Lex POV

Clara buckled her seatbelt and I pulled out of the parking lot. She was avoiding looking at me. "So let me get this straight. You asked Luke out, as a bet." She nodded. "And when you were looking at him in the coffee shop window…?"

She shrugged. "I was deciding if coffee and cookies were worth spending an evening with Luke. I'd actually decided against it when you showed up with the tickets." She blushed. "Sorry Lex. I couldn't resist. And I couldn't tell you about the bet without forfeiting."

"I thought you liked Luke."

She scowled. "Why does everybody keep saying that? I liked him for like two seconds at the beginning of the year. I talked to him and realized what a bore he is. Yes, he's cute, but his personality of a potato is not appealing at all."

I smirked. "I take it the not-date didn't go well?"

She threw her hands up in frustration. "It was awful! I almost jumped out of the limo a few times. Luke was everything I expected him to be, unfortunately."

I glanced over at her. "Something tells me he said something particularly hurtful."

She groaned. "You are way too good at reading people, Lex. He mocked my astronomy. I almost smashed his head into the Limo seat just so he'd stop droning on about how terrible it is that his aunt doesn't understand him and his life is so difficult. And when he first got in the Limo he looked at me and said 'Are you really wearing that to a concert?'"

I frowned. "You looked fine to me."

She sighed. "Well, thanks Lex…sorry for going on a tirade there."

I shrugged. "What are friends for?"

She snickered. "Chloe's face was hysterical when she realized you didn't know about the bet."

I smirked to myself. "Well, I'm glad I helped you out, albeit unknowingly. I think I deserve a few chocolate chip cookies as reward for being such a dedicated friend." Clara laughed. "Sure thing, Lex. But I must warn you, Chloe sucks at cooking."

I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you bet chocolate chip cookies?" She grinned. "Because there is nothing that Chloe hates more than cooking and doing dishes." I shook my head as we pulled up her driveway. "You do have an evil genius in you."

Clara grinned cheekily as she grabbed her bag and got out. "Well, don't tell my dad. I'd hate for him to find out about my secret identity. See ya Lex." She waved goodbye and headed into the house. Speaking of Jonathan Kent…I sighed and got out of the car. Clara started towards her house. I found Jonathan in the barn.

"Good afternoon. I heard you took out a bank loan."

He didn't look up from his work. "Did you?"

I inwardly frowned. "Frankly after our conversation last night, I'm surprised. Do you despise me that much?"

He stood up and faced me. "Believe it or not, Lex, some things actually have nothing to do with you. I decided to bet on my family."

I frowned. "But you're not just betting on the farm. You're betting with Clara's future. I'm just trying to ensure it."

He crossed his arms over his chest defensively. "Yeah? Well so am I. And I don't appreciate you suggesting otherwise."

"The bank isn't your friend. They'll kill you with interest while waiting for you to fail." Why couldn't he just understand that I wanted to help?

He scowled. "Well at least with the bank, I know where I stand."

I stood up straighter. "I've never done a single thing to hurt you, Mr. Kent. Whatever my father did was his problem and I'm doing all I can to change that." I frowned. "I know you don't believe me, but I genuinely want to help you."

He frowned. "You seem very interested in this family, Lex. Why?"

"Clara is my friend. I want to help."

His eyes narrowed. "Just make sure you stay friends." I blinked, surprised. Was he insinuating that Clara and I…? I scowled. "I would never do anything to harm Clara. I'm not that kind of person, Mr. Kent. Best of luck, and when you change your mind, my offer still stands."

I walked silently back to the car. Me and Clara? That was ridiculous. She was far too young. And we were just friends. Preposterous. How could he even imagine something like that? I slid into the car and put the key in the ignition. "Lex!" I turned to see Clara waving by. "Drive slower." I shook my head. She never gave up an excuse to use that joke. I waved back to her as I drove off.

Clara was still waving in my rear view mirror until I turned the corner. I shook my head. Yes. It was absolutely impossible.