Visiting Smallville: 15b/21
Dean nudged Sam and he looked up, smiling when he saw Chloe striding into the Talon. She spotted them, grinned and walked over. Gently, she pushed Sam along the sofa and sat next to him.
“Glad there’s finally a decent coffee shop.” Dean said, smirking. “Not entirely sure why there’s an Egyptian theme.”
Chloe smiled when the waitress approached. “I’m alright.” She told her, ignoring the Winchester’s incredulous looks. “Do you want to come with me to speak to Dr Hamilton?”
Dean frowned, but Sam nodded. “Who’s Dr Hamilton?”
Just as Chloe was about to answer, Lana stalked into the coffee shop. The Winchester’s stared at her in astonishment, frowning at the tight top and trousers she was wearing. She caught sight of Dean, winking slowly and pouting. Dean grimaced, turning away from Lana and shooting Chloe a confused look.
“Be thankful she’s not naked.” Chloe whispered, grinning as Sam and Dean exchanged a shocked glance. “I should probably talk to her.”
She made to push out the chair, but the waitress reached Lana first, standing in front of her. “Lana, where have you been?” the Waitress whispered and Chloe grimaced. “Monique called in sick and we haven’t got anyone to cover.”
Lana shook her head and Chloe groaned. “Do I have to have the front seat for the Lana show?”
Lana sighed, placing a hand on her hip. “Why is this my problem?”
“Because Nell’s in Metropolis and you’re the assistant manager.” The waitress replied, looking down, slightly frightened.
“Well, I’m taking the afternoon off.” Lana snapped, turning to the customers. “So I guess we’re closing early. Listen up!” Everyone in the coffee shop turned to Lana. “We’re closing early, so coffee’s on the house. Drink up!”
Everyone exchanged confused looks, while Chloe just swore. Dean raised an eyebrow. “Chloe!” he exclaimed jokingly.
“If I had known this was coming, I wouldn’t have said no to a coffee.” She told them. “It’s times like this when I wish I could see the future.” Chloe reached forward, taking Sam’s coffee and drinking from it. She grinned at him as he gaped at her. “You can always get a new one, it’s free.”
Lex Luthor seemed to be less pleased about the free coffee, getting up from his hidden seat and stalking over to Lana. She saw the bald man, reached behind the counter and grabbed the whipped cream, spraying it onto her fingers and licking it off slowly. Lex watched, before shaking his head slightly.
“Lana, the Talon closes at nine.” He drawled.
“Not today.”
“You’re not impressing anyone with this attitude, Lana.” Lex snarled. “You’re talking to someone who set the bar for adolescent rebellion.”
Lana’s lip curled as she stared at the young billionaire. “That’s right.” She whispered “I hear you were quite the bad boy before you joined us here in Smallville.”
It’s nothing I’m proud of.”
“Please.” She murmured into his ear. “You don’t really care about the Talon. You only invested because I asked you to.” She smirked, running a hand up Lex’s chest. Chloe shot an amused look at Sam as Lana stepped closer to Lex. “Now why would you go do a thing like that? Hmm?”
Lex glanced down at Lana, but she looked away, taking hold of the whipped cream once again and again, spraying it onto her finger. She licked it off slowly, then raised her finger to Lex’s lips, trailing it down so that he had a small amount of whipped cream down his lips.
“The Luthors are famous for their ulterior motives.” She whispered, reaching up so her lips were brushing his ear. Chloe’s eyes were wide at how Lana was acting. “So tell me, Lex. Was it really about profit?”
Lex swallowed, grabbing Lana’s hand and moving it away from his stomach. “I’m not sure what this is,” he drawled. “But it isn’t you, Lana. Are you sure you’re feeling okay?”
“Actually, I’m a little nervous.” She said, pouting. “I might need some guidance. You know, from someone with a little more experience. What do you say, boss?”
Lex’s eyes widened as she press herself up against him. “Lana, where have you been in the last 24 hours?”
She growled, stepping away from him. “It’s none of your business. What’s your problem?”
“This isn’t you.”Lex stated firmly.
“Why?” she snapped. “Because I’m not doing exactly as I’m told? Because I’m not sitting in a corner, hiding in a book? For once, I’m not scared of life, and no one can handle it because you all prefer the insecure little girl. Well, I’m sick of her and all her talk about her dead parents.”
Lex started towards her but Lana knocked his hands away, picking up a coffee mug and throwing it at his head. Lex ducked, straightening up as Lana ran away, pausing for a second to wink at Dean one more time, before slamming the door behind her.
Chloe looked at Dean, speechless. Dean was pale, looking worriedly from Chloe to his brother. Sam smirked.
“She seems to like you.” Sam joked, while Dean grimaced. “I wouldn’t tell Clark.”
Dean rolled his eyes. “What’s wrong with her?”
Chloe frowned. “I think it’s the same as what happened to Jonathan.”
Sam stood up. “We should follow her.” He said, reaching his hand out for Chloe’s. “We don’t want her falling into a coma halfway to Metropolis.”
Chloe nodded, then her eyes widened and she frowned. “I can’t.”
Sam looked at her, confused. “What?”
“I have to go meet someone. See if you can find her and then take her to hospital.”
Sam smiled. “Alright. I’ll call you.”
Chloe strode out the Talon, while Dean turned to Sam with a glare. “Really, Sammy?” he asked. “Do you think I want to spend my day looking for Lang?”
*
The barn door opened with a creak and Chloe looked in. The room was bathed with a meteor green light, but the only light source was a small desktop lamp. Dr Hamilton sat beside it, prodding at a small meteor with a scalpel.
“Dr Hamilton?” Chloe said quietly, waiting for him to look up at her before she continued. “Hi. I’m Chloe Sullivan, from the Smallville Torch. We spoke a few times on the internet about the meteor rocks.”
Dr Hamilton stared at her intently. “Yes...Chloe.”
Chloe fidgeted, uncomfortable, but removed a picture from her bag and showed it to the scientist. “Well, um, can you tell me what you were doing out in the woods last night?”
“What I do most nights.” Hamilton said nonchalantly, but Chloe felt slightly unnerved by his twisted smile. “Search for meteor samples. I find it easier to spot them with a flashlight.”
“So you didn’t see me and my friends?”
“I heard voices. I saw flashlights.” Hamilton admitted, his gaze dark as he stared at Chloe. “I know kids like to party, and as you know, I don’t like company!”
Chloe swallowed. “So you weren’t there looking over the accident scene?”
“What accident?”
He continued to stare at Chloe until she could no longer hold his gaze, glancing at his desk instead. On the table lay a battered copy of ‘The Nicodemus Diaries’, a few pages marked by folded pages. Chloe looked back up when the doctor cleared his throat.
“I must be mistaken.” Chloe said, quickly. “Sorry to have bothered you.”
“And what were you doing in the woods last night?” Hamilton asked, suspicious.
Chloe smirked. “Partying with my friends.”
*
Someone stumbled onto the road, and Dean cursed, pressing down on the brake and pulling down to a stop. Sam frowned, opening the door and getting out, eyes wide when he realised it was Clark holding an unconscious Lana.
“What happened?” he asked. “Is she alright?”
Clark looked up at Sam, then at the Impala and Dean scowling in the front seat. “Do you mind taking her to the medical centre?” Clark asked. “Lana needs help.”
Sam shot a quick glance at his brother before nodding. “Sure, I’ll help you get her into the backseat.” Dean grimaced as Sam helped Clark gently place Lana into the front seat, before turning to the freshman. “Do you need us to take you with us?”
Clark stared at Lana for a few seconds before shaking his head. “I’m fine. I need to call Lex and tell him to pick his car up from Chandler’s field.” He told Sam. “I’ll meet you at the medical centre.”
“How will you get to the medical centre?” Sam asked, exchanging a small smile with his brother. “You don’t seem to have a car.”
“No, my truck’s in Chandler’s field with Lex’s Porsche.” He told them. “I won’t be long.”
Clark nodded at them, jogging away from Sam and Dean. Sam turned away, closing the back door before returning to his seat.
“Is he still running?” Dean asked, pressing down on the ignition.
Sam turned round, rolling his eyes. “No, he’s vanished. I’ll call Chloe and we’ll meet her at the hospital.”
“You know, Sam, I’m not happy with having Barbie in my car for the second time this week.” Dean said, smirking at his brother. “My baby deserves better.”
*
“Sam? I need you to look into something.”
“Nice to see you too.” Dean said, looking up from where he was leaning against the wall. “What do you want?”
“Dean.” Chloe smiled. “Nice to see you by Lana’s bedside.”
Dean grimaced. “What do you want?”
Chloe frowned, turning to face Sam instead. “I was wondering if you could look into something for me?” she asked. “I was hoping you could use your student card to get into Metropolis University library and look for a copy of ‘The Nicodemus Diaries’”
Dean groaned. “It’s a three-hour drive to Metropolis.”
Chloe turned to Dean. “You drive all over America and you’re bothered about three hours? I figured you’d prefer to help save the day rather than sit by Lana’s bedside.”
Dean seemed to realise what she was talking about, casting a disgusted look at Lana. “You’re right. Sam, get your library card, we’re going to Metropolis.”
Sam grinned. “We’ll be back tonight.” He told her, then paused, staring at Lana. “But we were told we couldn’t leave until her Aunt Nell came.”
“Hasn’t Clark been yet?” Chloe asked.
Dean groaned. “More than once. But Sam insists we don’t leave.”
“I’ll stay with Lana until Nell arrives.” Chloe suggested. “Clark’s just having to split time between Lana and Jonathan.”
Dean didn’t even give Sam time to smile at Chloe, already dragging his brother out the hospital.
“Nicodemus Diaries, remember.” Chloe called after them, sitting into Lana’s bedside chair.
*
There was a knock on the door, and Gabe groaned. He closed the LuthorCorp file before standing up and going over to the door. He opened it, smiling at the now familiar view of three cars in the driveway - the Impala, Chloe’s Beetle and his own Volvo. He looked round.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Mr Sullivan.” Pete appeared from behind the doorframe, grinning.
“It’s a bit late, isn’t it?” Gabe asked. “For you to be visiting?”
“Chloe called.”
Gabe should have known. He let Pete in, frowning as Clark stepped into the doorway and followed his best friend in.
“She’s in there.” He told them, pointing through to the living room. “With Sam and Dean.”
Pete growled slightly, but walked through with Clark into the room. Chloe looked up from her seat right next to Sam and grinned at her friends. She reached forwards, picking up an old book and tossing it over to them.
“Dr Hamilton had a copy of this book.” She told them.
“The Nicodemus Diary.” Clark read, shooting Chloe a confused glance.
“It’s a first-hand account of Smallville’s first mystery.” She said excitedly. “In 1871, the whole settlement went postal before they even had a post-office.”
Pete grimaced, walking over to sit next to Chloe. “Nice to know Smallville was still whacked before the meteors got here.”
“Yeah.” Chloe laughed. “In the diary, they talked about a flower. The settlers called it the Nicodemus. Said it liberated repressed feelings, sent them into rages, then fever, and finally...well...”
“All right.” Clark said, his voice trembling. “Where can we find this flower?”
“Well, see, that’s the glitch.” Chloe admitted, looking away as Clark’s face fell. “After the massacre, the cavalry torched the whole settlement. They wanted to make sure that whatever caused it wasn’t going to spread. The flower’s been extinct for over a hundred years.”
“Well, what does Hamilton have to do with it?” Clark asked. “Isn’t he a geologist?”
“With a meteor fixation.” Chloe said, reaching for Sam’s bag and digging through it. “Sam found this paper Hamilton wrote six years ago.”
She handed the paper to Clark, who read the title page interestedly. “Metropolis University Press?”
“I think this is the last straw.”
“In it, Hamilton postulates that meteor rock can be used to irradiate dormant plant cells.” Sam told them. Chloe turned to him. “I read it on the three-hour trip home.”
Chloe grinned, watching as Clark frowned. “So you think Hamilton pulled a Jurassic Park and brought back the Nicodemus?” he asked.
“Now he’s trying to cover it up.” Pete continued.
“Let’s go talk to him.”
“Wait, there’s more.” Chloe stated, stopping Clark. “Dean found out that it wasn’t Dr Hamilton who checked out the book. Lex did.”
Pete grimaced. “I knew all along he was bad news.”
“Pete,” Clark said, scowling. “We don’t know anything yet. Now, I’m going to go talk to Lex.”
Chloe nodded. “Yeah. Pete and I will go see Hamilton.”
“Wait a second.” Dean interrupted, frowning at Chloe. “Do you think we’re going to let you go and talk to some weirdo?”
Chloe stared at them. “Chloe.” Sam said, standing up and reaching for a torch. “We’ll come with you.”
“Isn’t it too late to go and see someone?” Pete asked, nervously. “He could be sleeping.”
“That’s why we’re bringing a torch.” Chloe said.
She turned to where Clark was, but he had vanished. “Well...bye?” she murmured, leading Pete out to the Impala.
*
Chloe slowly opened the barn door, making sure it didn’t creak. No one was there, so Chloe pushed it ajar. She stepped inside first, her torch pointed towards the floor. Sam and Dean went in next, eyes widening at the various scientific instruments scattered throughout the room. Pete entered last, tripping in the doorway.
Chloe grimaced. “Okay, Pete, keep your flashlight low.”
Pete raised an eyebrow. “Oh, so you’re an expert on breaking and entering now?”
Pete stumbled, knocking over a broom and wincing as it crashed to the floor.
“Pete!” Chloe hissed. “Be careful!”
Chloe moved over to the far side of the barn, Sam and Dean close behind her. Pete, however, had wandered over to a large table at the centre. A mysterious cluster on the table was covered with tarpaulin. Pete stared at it, before attempting to smoothly pull the tarp away.
Chloe whipped round, hearing glass shatter on the floor. “Pete, what happened?” She walked over to the table, frowning at the glass cylinders containing what she guessed was the Nicodemus flower. One cylinder lay smashed on the floor, the wilted flower lying still. “Pete? You okay?”
Sam ran over to Chloe, looking around for Pete, while Dean covered the cylinders with the tarp once more. Just as Sam stepped in front of Chloe, as if protecting her, she felt a sharp tap on her shoulder.
“You looking for me?”
Chloe spun round, eyes widening as Pete smirked maliciously at her. “Pete?” she whispered, flinching as his smirk grew. “Oh no.”
Sam had also turned round, watching as Pete stepped close to Chloe. Chloe whimpered quietly, stepping away from Pete, her back pressing against Sam’s chest. Sam gulped, but manage to glare at Pete.
“Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?” Pete murmured, stepping even closer to Chloe.
She couldn’t move back, but she was shaking slightly. Sam exchanged a worried glance with Dean as Pete reached forward, caressing her cheek.
“Stop it.” Snarled Sam, but Pete just growled at him. “She doesn’t want you to do that.”
“Okay, Pete.” Chloe said, worried. Sam gazed down at her, concerned. “You’ve been infected. We’ve got to get you to the hospital.”
Chloe stepped away from Sam, running over to the door, but Pete chased her. Dean grabbed Pete’s jacket, stopping him.
“Chloe.” Dean said. “I’ll take Pete to the hospital. You stay with Sam until Pete’s safe.”
Pete grimaced. “That’s right.” He snarled. “Ignore Pete. Pete’s just the funny guy. You don’t have to sweat about Pete, because you only care about Clark and the Winchesters.”
“Calm down, Pete.” Chloe whispered, frightened. “I’m going to call Clark.”
Chloe reached into her bag for her phone but Pete lunged, pulling away from Dean’s grasp and grabbing Chloe’s mobile, tossing it across the room.
“He’s probably hanging out with his new best friend, Lex Luthor.” Pete turned away, searching through the desk. When he turned back round, he was gripping a pistol tightly in his hand. He raised it, pointing it at Chloe. “Give me the keys!”
“Why?” Chloe cried, trembling. “Where are you going?”
He readied the gun. “I’m serious, Chloe. Give me the damn keys!”
Pete’s finger hovered over the trigger and Chloe sobbed. Sam glanced at his brother, then ran to Dean, grabbing the Impala keys from Dean’s pocket and passing them to Pete. Pete dangled them from his finger.
Pete shoved Chloe out the way, striding out the barn. Dean stood still for a second, before followed Pete, cursing as the Impala was driven away from Hamilton’s barn. Dean turned to Sam, furious.
“Why the hell did you give him the keys?” he snarled.
Chloe seemed to realise what had just happened, slumping slightly and running over to Sam, wrapping her arms round him and sniffling.
“What are we going to do now?” Sam asked.
“I’m going after my car.” Dean told them, staring down the road.
Chloe raised her head to exchange an incredulous glance with Sam. “I’ll take Chloe back to Smallville.” Sam told Dean. “We’ll hitchhike - it’s not long from here to Smallville.”
“I’m getting my car back.” Dean said. “I wouldn’t trust him with her on a normal day, nevermind when he’s infected.”
“The Luthor Mansions on the other side of Smallville, Dean.” Chloe told Dean, turning round in Sam’s arms.
Dean raised an eyebrow. “It’s Smallville.”
Sam rolled his eyes. “And it was named hundreds of years ago.”
“Come with us to the hospital.” Chloe said, looking up at the brothers. “We need to talk to Clark.”
*
Chloe watched through the window as Clark pulled his mother into a hug, his father lying in the hospital bed next to them. Chloe raised her eyes, wincing as she saw how long had passed since Pete had left them in Hamilton’s barn.
She knocked on the door, opening it slightly as Clark turned round. “I’m sorry, Mrs Kent. Can I talk to you for a second, Clark?”
Clark nodded, releasing his mother and following Chloe out the room. He saw the Winchester’s sitting in the waiting room, Dean frowning. He smiled at them, turning back to Chloe.
“I’m so sorry.” She said, looking away from Clark. “I found the Nicodemus flower in the barn. One got Pete and he took a really quick turn to scary.”
“Where did he go?”
“He grabbed a gun and said he was going after Lex.”
Clark grimaced. “It’s okay, Chloe. I’ll stop him.”
“How?”
“Just look after my mom, will you? And Lana?”
Chloe nodded, leaving Clark to join the Winchester’s in the waiting room. When she turned back around, Clark had vanished.
*
The stretcher ran quickly past Chloe and the Winchesters, and they straightened when they saw Clark following the doctors. Chloe stood up, able to see Pete disappearing round a corner.
“Is he alright?” Chloe asked, worried. Clark turned round. “Is Lex alright?”
“They’re fine.” Clark told her, smiling. “And Lex has commissioned the antidote to be produced. It should be here in a few hours. It’s only a herbal remedy.”
Chloe sighed in relief. Dean stepped in front of her, grimacing at Clark. “Did you get my car?”
“Was I supposed to bring your car?” Clark said, shooting Chloe a confused glance. “Why don’t you have your car?”
“Pete took it.” Dean snarled. “And if you didn’t drive Pete back, how did you get him here?”
Clark paled. “I brought the truck.”
Dean rolled his eyes. “Well, I’ll go get it.” He told them. “I can walk.”
“Are you sure?” Chloe said, drawing everyone’s attention to her. “Clark can drive you in the truck.”
If possible, Clark went even whiter. Dean looked at Clark, then at Sam. “It’s alright. I can walk.”
Sam watched, confused as Dean strode out the hospital. Chloe shared a puzzled look with Sam, turning back to Clark. “I’m glad everyone’s going to be alright.” She said, leaning back into Sam. Clark frowned, reaching out for Chloe’s hand. “What do you think is going to happen to Hamilton?”
Clark clenched Chloe’s hand in hers, smiling as Chloe raised her eyes to his. “I couldn’t have done any of this without you.” He told her. “If you hadn’t spoken to Hamilton, or visited the crash-site, then my dad would still be in trouble.”
Chloe smiled, embarrassed. “If I hadn’t gone to the crash-site, Lana wouldn’t be in hospital right now.”
“But Chloe, Lana and Pete may be here, but we can cure it. If you hadn’t helped me, my dad would be like Beales.”
Clark released her hand, striding down the hospital corridors towards his father’s room.
*
Chloe stared up at the barn, turning to back to the Impala and signalling to the Winchester’s that they should just stay in the car. She pushed it, and it opened easily, the door unlocked.
She walked inside, eyes widening as she looked round the room. The furniture was gone, the barn looking as if it had never been inhabited by anyone.
“Dr Hamilton?” she called. “Hello?”
There was no reply and Chloe walked into the middle of the barn. She glanced round the room, amazed at the dust lying on the floor.
She grimaced, not entirely sure how to react to Hamilton’s disappearance.
“Chloe?” She whirled round, smiling when she saw the Winchester’s in the doorway. “Where’s he gone?”
“Another thing to learn about Smallville.” She said. “Everything can be covered up, even irradiated evil flowers.”
Dean frowned. “And they cover up well. It looks like there was never anything here.”
Chloe nodded. “Can I drive?”
Dean shook his head, smirking. “No. You’re not old enough.”
“Hey, I can drive.” She protested.
Sam smiled at Chloe and his brother, laughing when Dean dangled the keys just out of Chloe’s reach. “Give it up, Chloe.” Dean teased. “You’re never driving my baby.”
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