Chapter 7

The evening was like a dream for Chloe. It was the happiest night she had spent in a long time. The weekend she got home, she had teased Clark because he hardly left her side. She was giving Clark some big ammunition tonight because she would not let Pete out of her sight.

She loved her friends and had different relationships with each. Lana was a friend, sister and confidante. Lex was her sparring partner, protector and big brother. Clark, well, Clark was everything to her, or at least almost everything. Even if the lunkhead didn’t see it.

But Pete. Out of all of them, it was with Pete she had a special connection with. Before she spoke, he would know what she would say. One look and he would know her mood. He was the one who had on countless occasions picked up the pieces of her heart when it was shattered. He always got her jokes and he always understood her drive and persistence. He was always up to being her partner in any one of her hare brained crazy investigations that Clark usually had to save them from. Unless, of course Pete had a hot date. All up until he had to move before their senior year in high school.

Chloe often wondered what weird twist of fate made her fall in love with Clark instead of Pete.

After Pete arrived for dinner, Lex led them in to the dining room where a seven course meal awaited them. Lex had a smaller table brought in so everyone could see and hear each other with out difficulty. Lex sat next to Lana with Clark on his other side and Chloe was seated in between Clark and Pete. It was a lovely way to celebrate everyone’s homecoming.

After dinner, they went back to Lex’s study for “drinks”. Pete excused himself. Chloe, being completely unaware as to where he was going, tried to follow. Much to her embarrassment, Pete informed her that he was going to the restroom. As she walked back into the study, she looked around to see if anyone had noticed her departure. Clark and Lana were looking at her funny and Lex was trying not to smile from where he was standing by the bar. ‘One word Luthor and you are a dead man’ Chloe thought.

“Where did you go, Chlo?” Clark asked.

“Was that your cell phone I heard Chloe?” Lex asked at the same time.

Chloe shot Lex a look of gratitude. “Yes, but I didn’t recognize the number. I’m sure whoever it was will leave a message.”

“I didn’t hear it.” Clark said giving Chloe a puzzled look.

“Neither did I. How in the world did you Lex?” Lana looked around at Lex.

“Good acoustics.” Lex smirked.

“Hey Chloe! Who was on the phone?” Pete asked grinning as he came into the room. ‘He must have heard Lex cover for me’ Chloe thought. For a moment, her face was completely blank. A big mischievous grin broke free and lit up her face.

“It was the Salvation Army—they’re looking for their suit and want you to return it, Pete.” She snarked.

“Oh really, Sullivan?” Pete asked. “Are you sure—“ he was interrupted by a ringing phone. A real one this time. They all looked at each other and started to laugh. They all started to speak at the same time.

“It’s not mine” Chloe said.

“Not mine”

“That’s not my ring’”

“Hello?” Clark blushed. He had a pay as you go cell phone, and he used it very little, so he quite often forgot he had it. He wasn’t sure why he even brought it tonight.

“Clark?”

“What’s up, Mom?”

“Hi, Mrs. Kent!” Pete, Chloe and Lana yelled. Clark blushed harder.

“Honey, I hate to do this,” Martha paused. “Some cows broke through the fence in the pasture and have gotten loose. I know this is your big night but can you come home and help your father round them up? Some of the neighbors are helping, but well, honey, you’d be a lot faster.”

Clark tried not to feel disappointed. “No problem, Mom. I’ll leave here in just a few minutes. Dad shouldn’t over do it.”

The relief was evident in Martha’s voice. “Oh, Clark, thank you. Your father, well you know how your father is. Stubborn as a mule. He’s insisting on being out there to help. I’m going to head out and help with the fence, but wanted to try and call you first.” Martha paused again. “I’m sorry to ruin your evening and cut it short.”

“Don’t worry about it, Mom. We have the rest of the summer yet.”

“How’s Pete?”

“He’s fine. Do you need me to bring him along?” Clark laughed at the look of horror on Pete’s face.

“No, no, I think between you and your father you’ll be able to get the cows under control. You really shouldn’t scare Pete like that Clark. I’ll see you when you get home and be careful driving.”

Clark rolled his eyes. “I will.”

“Don’t roll your eyes at me, Clark Kent! A mother has a right to worry.”

‘How does she DO that?’ Clark thought. “Yes, ma’am. I love you, Mom.”

He could hear her smile. “I love you too, honey. Tell everyone I said ‘Hello’ back.”

Clark disconnected the call and looked at his friends.

“Is your dad okay, Clark?”

“Yeah, he’s fine. Some of the cows broke through the fence, and my mom’s worried about Dad overdoing it. I’m going to head home and help get everything under control. Sorry to cut out so early.”

“It’s no problem, Clark. Anything we can do to help?” Lex asked.

Clark laughed at the image of Lex Luthor tramping through mucky fields and herding up cows.

“Lex, I don’t think your Italian boots would be up to the task.”

“You’re starting to sound more like Chloe everyday, Clark.” Lex smiled.

“Uh-oh. I start to giggle and you’ve got my permission to knock me senseless.” Clark replied sneaking a glance at Chloe.

“I do NOT giggle!” Chloe said indignantly.


A short time later, after Clark had made his departure, the remainder of the dinner party were sitting comfortably sitting in a couple of Lex’s overstuffed leather sofas. They were watching the X-files movie, which Chloe was shocked to find that he had on DVD. She expressed her surprise to which Lex replied, “I’m a man of many interests.”

Chloe looked around at her friends, no, her family, and felt a kaleidoscope of feelings course through her. Love, strength, courage. It was like she was beginning to come back to herself, becoming the person she was before, and less like the shell of a person she had been living like. The ‘old’ Chloe looked at Lana, Pete, and Lex and made a decision.

“Guys? I have something I need to tell you….”