Magnetic Part 2

In the Luthor Mansion…

Recap:

Lex has his last session with Dr. Foster. He insists that he met the insurance requirements, while she pushes back that Lex is hiding his true feelings.

In Metropolis…

Great. My car is going to smell of fast food for a month now.

Chloe waited in her car in an obscure Metropolis alley. Three bags of Big Belly Burger rested on the passenger side. Over her summer in Metropolis at the Daily Planet, Chloe had made a contact. An invaluable one with an unsatiable appetite.

"Hey." The word was breathed into Chloe's ear. Hot breath that had a weird, sweet smell to it.

"Ah!" Chloe couldn't help but react to the unexpected presence in her backseat. She had expected a tap on her window or to at least hear the opening of her car door. "How'd you get in here?"

Bobby Big Mouth, or so he was called, shrugged. "I'm a professional snitch. I have my ways. Scoot over."

Chloe was forced to grab the greasy bags as her new passenger came up front.

"What'd you bring?" Once seated, Bobby tore through the paper bags, stuffing fries and burger into his mouth. Chloe was disgusted at the sight, but reasoned he needed the extra calories. Bobby was thin as a rail, and the rest of his appearance looked just as sickly. His skin was paler than normal and there were dark circles around his eyes. Yet, he seemed to be a well of endless energy.

And knowledge.

"Spill. What'd you got on Lionel Luthor?"

Bobby burst into laughter. "Oh, Sullivan. You are in over your head. What I got on Lionel Luthor." The boy shook his head as he slurped down some soda.

"There's got to be something," Chloe insisted.

"Of course there's something. There's always something. Lionel's as straight as a hexagon."

"Then talk."

"Anything for dessert?"

"Dessert comes after you talk." When Bobby stared at her, Chloe lifted the bag that read "Antonio's Bakery". It was labeled as a culinary must-visit for all the gourmets, but Bobby wrinkled his nose.

"You're killing me, Sullivan. Next time, go to Milo's. Those food critics get bribed for a good review, I tell you."

"Talk." Chloe shoved the pastry bag into Bobby.

"Hey, don't squish the pastry." Bobby forgot the fries and burgers to check on his culinary delights. He frowned as the frosting on one of the eclairs was smeared.

"I will push that into your face if you don't start talking. Now." Chloe threatened.

"You're going about this all wrong, Sullivan." Bobby ran his finger along the inside of the bag to catch the misplaced frosting. "One doesn't blackmail Lionel Luthor. Not without resources or friends who have them. Cause Lionel has resources. So, what he does is make life very difficult for us common folk. Or he makes it difficult for people who know you. Or he just kills ya. That's his go-to; it's cheaper, but less fun."

"I'm aware. Believe me. But what am I supposed to do?"

"That depends; what's he got on you?"

Chloe huffed. "Does it really matter? I made a deal; I want out and he made it very clear that wasn't happening."

"Like I said, you need some new allies." Bobby began stuffing is face again.

"Bobby!"

"Chill. You actually have some good timing. Turns out, Lionel has had a recent falling out with an old connection. An off-the-books connection if you know what I mean."

"Let's say I don't."

"Well, it doesn't make good press for a respectable CEO to be friends with Metropolis' crime boss, now does it?"

"Crime boss? You mean, Morgan Edge?"

"That's the one." Bobby slurped the soda. "They were neighbors in suicide slums. Building caught fire; insurance paid out. Lionel started his business and so did Edge. Do the math. Word on the street is they met at the Metropolis docks a few months ago. Edge tried to off Lionel. Rigged a moving truck to explode."

"That's something. Where's Edge?"

Bobby laughed. "Listen, Sullivan, you don't ask for a meeting with Edge. He tells you when and where. I'm just a humble snitch with no access."

"So how do I meet my new ally?"

"Sullivan, you got it wrong. Your new ally has to be someone Edge will talk to. Then, Edge will meet you, give you info to take down Lionel, and you'll live happily ever after."

"Got it." Chloe tapped her fingers against her steering wheel.

"Hey, is this really worth it?"

Chloe thought of Clark, her friend, the one she had betrayed. "Yeah."

"Well, good luck." Bobby stuffed his arms full of the takeout bags. He left noisily this time, leaving Chloe to contemplate who her new ally should be.

Back at Smallville High…

Pete couldn't control his excitement. Finally, he was going to play in a game. He wasn't going to be on the sidelines anymore.

He, Peter Ross, was going to help win the Smallville Homecoming Game.

There was an extra sense of pride as Pete donned his uniform. Both of his parents had promised to be at the game. Most of his siblings couldn't as they were away at school or had to work, but Clark promised he'd be there. Maybe even Chloe.

Pete debated asking Chloe to the Homecoming Dance as he overheard Seth talking with the coach.

"Nelson, I told you, Ross is playing this game."

"But coach, hear me out," Seth protested, "my buddies and I, we're like a well-oiled machine. We can sense what each other is thinking, you know?"

Pete frowned. Seth had somehow managed to get named the quarterback over the summer. Dante, the senior who was supposed to play that position, for some reason had turned it down, and offered it to Seth.

But Seth had no right to take away his position.

Pete peered around the lockers. Seth was tapping coach's shoulder.

"Fine, Nelson. If you think it's best."

"Good call, coach."

"Ross, you're benched. Fitz, you're up!"

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

"I thought Pete was starting?" Lana questioned as she watched the Smallville Crow's get into position.

"That's what he said."

Clark sneaked a glance over at his friend. He knew she was here because she agreed to cheer Seth on. Still, it was nice to sit next to her. Seth had been right about one thing: Lana worked too much. It was hard to see her outside of school. She had the Talon, and now, Clark was trying to take his Torch duties seriously; they barely had time to hang out.

"What?"

"It's true," Clark sighed out. "I was jealous when Seth asked you here."

"There's nothing between us. And there never will be."

"But at the Talon…"

"I'm not sure why I said I'd be here. Maybe I was subconsciously trying to make you jealous. But I know Seth too well to not get close."

"What makes you say that?"

"Seth hung around Whitney all the time. I'd say he was more of a fan, than a friend. Absolutely idolized Whitney. I'm surprised he didn't drop out to join the military. Anyway, he just cares to much about stuff like this: football and dances and everything high school. And Smallville."

"That's a problem?"

"There's a whole world out there, Clark. I want to explore it. Not be stuck here my whole life."

Their conversation was broken as the entire stadium broke out cheering for a touchdown. Seth pumped his fists into the air and ran over to where Lana was sitting.

"Lana," Seth clasped his hands together in prayer, "will you go to the Homecoming Dance with me?"

The crowd went wild. A nearby drummer noticed the action and did a buzz roll. Lana was not pleased at the spectacle Seth was causing.

"What about if I win?" Seth reached through the stands to touch her shoe.

"All right. If you win."

Seth, satisfied with the answer, ran back to the rest of the team.

Clark couldn't believe what was happening before his eyes. Lana seemed more standoffish the rest of the match. She enthusiastically cheered Smallville on, or, more specifically, Seth. There were times when she even chanted along with the cheerleaders, complete with arm movements and as much kicking as her seat allowed.

Seth scored the final touchdown. Lana jumped up and down, cheering. Seth made a beeline for where she was sitting, and jumped up so they were face to face; he held on to the rail to steady himself. Lana gracefully pulled off Seth's helmet and gave him a kiss, causing the crowd to cheer.

Clark could do nothing but just stand there and watch.

Couldn't help but bring Bobby Big Mouth from Lois & Clark in here. We needed more Bobby. I aged him down so he's only slightly older than Chloe at this time.