Disclaimer: Smallville and all related elements, characters and indicia © Tollin-Robbins Productions and Warner Bros. Television, 2002. All Rights Reserved. All characters and situations—save those created by the authors for use solely on this website—are copyright Tollin-Robbins Productions and Warner Bros. Television. Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster.

Scorched Earth Tactics
by mobiusklein

There were things that he should have noticed before but he had always been good at denial.

First, it was the way that she didn't hang out with him as much as she used to . There was the brand new Gucci bag Chloe carried around. Soon after that, she wore a new, more flattering haircut and her wardrobe had expanded to include a few more upscale items from upscale brands like Hermes and Versace. Lately, she always had to go somewhere else after school. When he used to go to deliver produce, Lex was usually there to chat or hang out with. But during the past few weeks, Lex was always out. Even when he'd meet with Lex in town, Lex would always ask if they could talk later because he had somewhere else to go.

It was only when he saw Lex pick Chloe up from the Talon in his Ferrari and give her a warm open smile that he finally got an inkling of what was going on.

When she was alone in her office working on a story, he walked in and said, "Chloe, what is exactly going on between you and Lex, anyway?"

"Why do you care, Clark?"

"You two seem a lot closer lately. Is there anything I should know about?"

"Well, you wanted me to move on and I have. Lex and I have been getting to know each other for the past month and a half. I didn't tell anybody because I didn't know if it was going to go anywhere and I didn't want Lex to be given a hard time because of my age."

"So . . . Lex and you are . . . Well, I wouldn't think that you and Lex would be compatible . . . I mean what do you two have in common?"

She frowned and her mouth went into a straight, hard line. "So are you saying that only someone crazy or affected by meteor rocks could be interested in me? Gee, thanks."

"I didn't say that."

"I don't know why you would have a problem with this. I mean since he's a friend of yours, I'm going to assume he's not going to go completely insane on me."

"I'm just worried that you could get hurt. He hasn't had the greatest luck with relationships."

"Neither have I and I'm glad that he still has the guts to take a chance on me," said Chloe. "You made your choice to be with Lana and I finally got it through my thick head. I've found someone who's nice to me. Why can't you be happy for me for once? God, the whole world doesn't revolve around you!" With that, she logged off her computer, stood up and stormed out of the office. "Chloe, wait!" he said but she kept on walking down the hall, away from him.

"Lex?"

"Yes, Clark?" said Lex, looking up from the computer on his desk in his home office.

"It's been a while since I've seen you."

"Yes, I've been busy."

"With Chloe?"

Pause.

"Yes. I decided I should make some new friends. Aren't you happy for me?"

"I'm just surprised, that's all. About you choosing Chloe, I mean."

Lex gave him a funny little smile. "She's an attractive girl and not just physically. She's smart, funny and unlike certain people I know, she doesn't offhandedly dismiss certain theories I have."

"Lex, I . . ."

The phone rang. He picked it up. "Hello? Ah, Chloe, I'm not alone at the . . ."

"I'll just be going," said Clark. Once out of the manor, he ran at top speed back home, to his loft. He wrapped his arms around himself, trying to stop trembling from rage. He knew that it didn't make much sense but that didn't stop the feelings of anger and jealousy from shaking him. It also didn't help that his cock was hard at the thought of them together. Shakily, he unzipped his jeans and began jerking off.

*** "Hello, Earth to Clark."

Clark looked up from his cup of coffee to see Lana standing over him. He had been sitting alone at the table at the café. "Sorry."

"Clark, what's wrong?"said Lana as she sat down across from him.

"I was just thinking about Chloe and Lex."

Lana sighed. "You've been thinking about them for the past two weeks. Can't you think about us for a change? Even when we go out, it's like your mind's somewhere else nowadays."

"You're right, but it really bothers me."

Lane frowned. "Are you jealous or something? Frankly, I'm happy she's found someone. I hated seeing her unhappy. Ever since she began seeing him, things have gotten a lot less tense between us. I think it's great."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Lana looked quizzical. "Well, I figured she'd tell you or that Lex would tell you. What matters is whether or not they're happy. So, you really shouldn't spend so much time worrying about them."

"Could I be alone right now?"

"Well, if that's what you want . . ." she said, pouting.

"Yes, it is."

"All right, Clark, if that's what you want!" Lana got up and hurried away from the table.

He knew he should feel ashamed but he didn't really care. He had snuck into the manor after he had seen Chloe being let in. Now, he was in the empty room right next to the room where Lex and Chloe were. Using his X-ray vision, he looked through the walls and saw them standing together. As for what they were saying, he could hear them if he really listened.

He saw Chloe and Lex sit on the bed, their arms around each other and kissing each other. It wasn't long before Lex had his shirt and slacks off and Chloe was only wearing silk stockings, a black garter belt and a strapless black push-up bra. He watched as Lex pushed Chloe down on the bed and begin nuzzling her neck while unsnapping the bra from the front and toying with her nipples with his thumbs. He listened as Chloe laughed when Lex whispered in her ear about how hot she was. He watched as Chloe arched her back as Lex rubbed her clit with his fingers while his tongue licked the slight sheen of perspiration between her tits.

As he listened to Chloe straddling Lex and riding him for all he was worth, he felt his cock twitch in time to the thrusts and the squeaks of the bed. Suddenly, he felt his eyes itch as if they wanted to pour out heat energy. Partially shielding his eyes, he opened the door and ran out of the manor. The couple next door were too busy to notice.

Clark went out to the lake and focused his heat energy on the middle of the lake. The water began to bubble and steam. He kept pouring all out his anger and lust into the lake for what seemed like a long time. He knew that there would probably be reports of dozens of cooked fish washing up on the shore but he didn't care at the moment. It was a lot better that some fish die than the alternative.

He looked in the direction of where the manor was and thought, This isn't over, not by a long shot.