6.03 Loyalty

by &

Original TwoP air date 7.10.2006

Clark and Chloe’s nascent romance is put to the test when Martha’s senate career teeters on the verge of imploding in public scandal. Lex makes a personal visit to level 33.1.

Chloe and Clark approaching her room. Clark stops in front of the door.

"She's in there?"

"Both are."

"Might as well get it over with." Chloe enters but Clark lurks in the doorway. Lana: "Clark", Clark: "Lana", Lex: "Clark", Clark: "Lex". Chloe: "Well, this isn't uncomfortable at all, is it?" She stares at Lex. "Not to be rude, but do you mind? I need to change."

Lex will be in the lounge. Lana stars at Clark. He'll be there too. Cut to the lounge. Lex is disgusted as he steps through discarded old pizza boxes and plastic cups. He tunes the TV to a financial channel.

Students are running up and down the hall in the background. Clark sits a couple of chairs over from Lex.

Hi again. Lex asks how Clark's mom is. She's fine. How is Lex's dad? OK. Awkward silence.

Two tipsy co-eds enter. There's a keg on the 3rd floor. Clark and Lex are welcome to join.

Clark politely declines. Lex looks like he'd rather have his nose pierced. They shrug their shoulders and leave.

One comments that the bald guy looks familiar.

The other says he's cute. He must be in one of her friend’s classes. Clark smiles at the comment. Lex smiles too. What are Lex and Lana doing tonight?

Dancing.

The two-step?

Lex laughs. No. What are Clark and Chloe going to do, solve the world's problems?

Clark isn't sure.

Chloe and Lana appear. Lana asks "Are we ready to go?" This surprises Chloe.

"We?" Clark asks, uncertainly.

Lana gets pissy. "I mean me and Lex." The other three breathe a sigh of relief.

Lex and Lana excuse themselves. Clark is glum.

Chloe tries for levity "Maybe a change of scenery would do us both some good." Sly smile, "I'll buy dinner if you can get us there."

"Where?"

"I’m in the mood for Italian."

"The place downtown is pretty good. I'll get the truck."

Flirtatious, "Actually Clark, I was thinking about somewhere new."

Clark is done guessing.

Doe eyes, "Italy."

Clark isn't so sure.

He's got a guilt complex about using his powers for fun. It's like Chloe just asked him to masturbate.

Chloe pouts out her lip. "Please!"

He softens, "You're buying?"

Conference room with Stafford and Hank. Lionel, on speaker phone, explains that witness or no witness the documents Ms. Sullivan has could prove quite damaging to them all.

Stafford will take care of the situation.

Lionel says until it's handled Hank needs to stay away from Senator Kent.

Hank interjects that a vote on the education bill is coming up. They haven't gotten Mrs. Kent support on Stafford's bill yet. They might lose their leverage.

Lionel tells Stafford to vote for Martha's bill anyway.

Stafford objects.

"Just do it!" yells Lionel.

That shuts him up. The Senator excuses Hank but stays on the line. What about Hank?

He's expendable. Outside the conference room Hank has been listening. He’s worried.

End teaser we come back to the Kansas state capitol.

Hold on, Allison, wasn't there going to be a scene where all the girls take Lex to the movies?

[Answering ED but looking at AM] I guess that scene got cut.

[Answering ED but looking at MR] I was almost as surprised as you are, Erica. [TW looks guilty and avoids eye contact] But just because Tom and I couldn't fit it into "our" episode doesn't mean it can't work later. You and Kristen have an episode coming up. I'll email you the original treatment.

[Whose been flipping through the script and hasn't noticed the tension] Allison, that's so sweet. Isn't Allison sweet every... [looks up and sees AM and MR staring each other down] body?

Yeah, she's a real doll.

Next day. Hank leans into Martha's office. Is Lois ready for a "power" lunch?

Lois is starting to re-think her attraction to power.

Lame reference to running with the big dogs.

Lois counters that running with the big dogs is one thing. Being eaten by them is another.

Hanks acts concerned.

Lois tells him she looked into that source he mentioned. There wasn't definitive proof his boss is involved but someone was willing to kill over it.

Hanks is relieved Lois is OK. "No smoking guns?"

"A case full but the finger prints are all wiped off."

Hank says it just goes to show Stafford is being set up.

Lois asks him how well he knows his boss. Maybe Stafford isn't as squeaky clean as Hank thinks.

Hank wants to see the evidence against his boss. It's the least Lois can do.

Lois will have to talk to Chloe about it.

Hank claims not to know who Chloe is.

Lois explains.

He emphatically tells Lois that Chloe cannot publish this information.

Kent house. Clark is working on the farm's books. The phone rings but Clark doesn't answer. When the answering machine picks up we know why. The message indicates it's a line for senate business.

It's Lionel. He tells Martha he's heard that Clark's friend Chloe…

"Ms Sullivan"

is looking into Stafford's past. He acknowledges that Chloe…

"Ms. Sullivan"

is a close family friend but advises her not to grant an interview. Together they've worked hard to get Stafford's vote on her education bill and while everything they've done has been above board newspapers love to drag politicians through the mud. He tells Martha to remember that Chloe…

"Ms Sullivan"

[With irritation] Ms. Sullivan [JG smiles] might seem like a friend, but that doesn't change the fact she's working for the enemy.

Clark looks annoyed and goes back to work.

Chloe and Lana's dorm room. Lana sits at her bed. Chloe enters humming. She makes a comment about Lana finally being back implying that Lana spent the night in Smallville. "I hope you're happy." says Lana. [AM looks expectantly at TW]

[Confused] So you're going to read Lana and I'm going to read Chloe?

Is that OK?

Fine. Weird, but fine. "About what?"

"You and Clark."

Still putting her books away. "I never kept my feelings about Clark a secret. Besides, I thought you were happy with Lex. A lot of people would consider moving from simple farm boy to boy billionaire a big step up." Wait, this is just too weird. [Hands the script to KK.]

[Also Confused] So am I reading Chloe or Lana?

[Exasperated] Read Lana, I'll read Chloe.

"You wouldn't."

"No, I haven't kept my feelings about Lex a secret either, have I?"

"So did you just pretend to be my friend while you were pushing Clark away from me?"

"Lana, you know me better than that. I just want Clark... and you to be happy. I was fine with the two of you together."

"With an emphasis on Clark. He's always been more important to you than me, hasn't he?"

Finally turning to face Lana, "Well hello pot!"

Turning away, "I just can't believe you swooped in on him like that. It's not what friends do."

No kidding! That Chloe, she's such a bitch!

[To MR while suppressing a giggle] Stop it!

What freaking nerve! Doesn’t she know what Lana’s done for her? Tell off that opportunistic, ungrateful, little bitch!

[Trying to stop laughing]

[To MR] Are we done?

[Dead pan] Yes [short pause] BITCH!

[Shaking her head] "It's not something I planned on Lana. We just got swept up in the moment. Besides you seem so happy with Lex. Don't Clark and I deserve to be happy too?"

half sarcastic- half pout, "No."

Chloe crosses the room and puts her arm around Lana, "Hey. Clark was really torn up about your break-up too. Believe it or not I think you've done a better job moving on than him."

Fighting tears, "Chloe, why did he treat me like that?"

"I don't know. I'm his best friend but half the time I can't figure out what's going on in that brain of his."

"Doesn't the way he treated me make you wonder about how he might end up treating you?"

"It does, actually."

"It doesn't bode well for a great relationship."

Trying to perk things up, "I consider myself warned. Besides, Clark and I have decided to take it slowly and I've promised myself not to get my expectations up."

"Clark has a way of making you believe in him right before he pulls the rug right out from under you."

[signs] "Enough about Clark, I heard a rumor they're serving sloppy Joe’s at the dinning hall. Care to join me?"

Wiping a tear and finally managing a smile, "Sure." They stand. "How'd you know I like sloppy Joe’s?"

Teasing, "I guess you don't remember but my dad made them a couple of times when you were living with us. The sight of Lana Lang enjoying a sloppy Joe is one of life's unforgettable experiences."

What the hell was that?

What?

We're supposed to believe they made up just like that? WTF? Chloe didn't even apologize. No way is Lana going to let her off the hook that easy.

Let me put it this way. Sloppy Joes to Lana are like pie to Clark.

If that’s the case it shouldn’t be sloppy Joes, it should be pancakes.

That’s just sick.

It’s funny.

It is funny. But it would detract from the sweetness of the scene.

It’s not funny.

Don’t worry, Kristen. We’re not using pancakes.

Unless we want to make Lana cry. Later on if Lex ever wants to punish Lana he should force her to eat pancakes.

DP. It's after hours. Hank is rifling through Chloe's desk. A security guard comes up and asks him for ID.

Flustered, he panics and shoots the guard.

He smashes Chloe's computer and grabs as many papers from Chloe's desk as he can.

Complete amateur. Are you sure this guy is working for Lionel?

Agreed, he seems more Lex's speed.

Hank would be OK if hadn't found out he was "expendable". That's where everything starts to unravel.

Well, in that case Senator Stafford needs a good old fashion ass kicking when this is all over.

Cut to LuthorCorp.

Lex enters an elevator with four heavily armed guards.

Uses his finger print to gain access to

Level 33.1

[giddy] I've got goose bumps.

It looks like an ultra-high security prison.

Lex takes a mic which sends his voice over the loud speaker.

Slowly more and more of the meteor freaks stop what they are doing to listen to him.

"I know most of you don't consider me to be your friend. But as the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy…"

One man shouts out, "Hey, Luthor! How do we know you aren't still possessed by Zod!" The crowd laughs.

"Because if I were you would be dead by now." The crowd murmurs. He pauses, "What you all know is that Zod was defeated. What you don't know is that he was defeated by a rival who has his own designs on the planet. Together we have a chance to save the Earth. Recently I’ve learned of a weapon these beings created long ago. It's the only means we have to kill them. Together we will find this weapon and with it we will destroy Zod's rival before he has a chance to bring to us carnage worse than Zod did. Whoever locates Kal-El for me or brings me the weapon will be heavily compensated." Significant pause. "Those who fail will find the close of this experiment rather painful experience."

The crowd gets noticeably quiet.

"On your way out you'll find an information packet containing all relevant information we have regarding Kal-El and the weapon we will use to destroy him. The sooner you get moving the better. We are all living on borrowed time."

Lex exits. A flunky asks if turning all these "freaks" lose is a good idea.

Lex says "We're about to find out"

I made a deal with you Tom -- Lex is supposed to have half a brain!

Yeah, and I was real impressed with the way you wrote Clark last episode. The truth is Lex isn't so much being stupid as paranoid. That's a totally different thing.

Arrgh!

Talon, middle of the night. Lois' phone rings.

She tries to ignore it but the person on the other end won't give up. "This better be good!" she answers.

It's Hank. He has to know where Chloe is. She's in danger.

Lois will take care of it.

No. Hank has to do this.

Lois wants to know what the hell his problem is. Is he on drugs?

Hank flies completely off the handle. Lois hangs up on him.

[Suddenly Nervous] So here's where we need your input. [The rest of the cast perk up] Lois calls Chloe but she doesn't answer. Either she's in her dorm room alone and turns off her cell phone.

Or when she hears the phone she mutters while half asleep

"Please turn it off."

We see Clark reach over to her bedside table and turn off the cell phone.

Then Chloe snuggles into him and utters a self satisfied "Thank you." [AM bites her lips waiting for cast reaction]

They should totally do it!

I think it's moving a bit fast, for both of them.

I don't know. Which provides be most leverage for Lionel later?

If they sleep together it will devastate Lana, Martha would probably disapprove, and it will haunt the two of them once they're broken up. I'm with Michael, they should do it.

This is something that can't be undone, guys. Seriously, it's not a good idea.

I agree with Kristen.

Me too.

You guys are chicken shit! They've been building this up for five years and now finally they have the chance and they don't jump in the sack? I call bullshit!

Maybe we'll leave it ambiguous.

[Mocking] Maybe we'll leave it ambiguous.

How about it Erica?

Oh, I don't care.

[incredulous] You don't care?

Lois gets him in the end. Why should I care if he bonks Chloe?

Because she's her cousin?

[Blank look, then realization] Yeah. They shouldn't do it.

Unable to get Chloe Lois leaves a message and goes back to sleep. She thinks Hank is just over reacting.

What? No way. She'd get hold of Chloe somehow.

What is she going to do, drive all the way to Metropolis?

In the middle of the night?

Well. She should at least call the Planet.

Ha. There's going above and beyond the call of duty!

Look it doesn't matter because...

soon she's woken again by Hank pounding on her door.

Lois is pissed. She flings open the door ready to tear Hank and new one. He's pointing a gun at her.

He wants her to call Chloe and get her over here with the evidence.

Lois explains she already tried to get in touch with Chloe.

Hank pistol whips her and dumps out the contents of her purse. Her appointment book gives him Chloe's address.

So is Lois now competing with Lex for most concussions in a season?

That's the breaks when you don't know the secret.

Welcome to hell.

He dumps Lois in the trunk after tying her up and heads for Metropolis.

Once at MetU he leaves Lois her in the car with a goon from last week and breaks into Chloe's dorm room. By now it's early morning. Chloe comes out of the women's room in a robe with a towel on her head.

Question?

No Rosenbaum, it's not a sexy robe. It's a full length fuzzy cotton number.

Not my question.

[Shocked] I'm stumped. It's not about what Chloe's wearing?

We're supposed to believe Lana Lang would lower herself to take showers in a community bathroom?

She took showers in the high school locker room. Sometimes I think you guys make up half of this princess crap in your heads.

Hmm, I guess you're right about the high school gym. Back on topic, we should have a shot of Chloe finishing up her shower.

Chloe in the shower? Ugh. Michael, don't be Al & Mile's proxy.

What? It adds to the suspense.

He's right. It's cliche, but he's right. [big sigh, then to MR] God I hate it when you're right. Inter-cut scenes with Chloe finishing her shower and Hank rummaging through her room. If Al or Miles are on set we're going with a body double.

Fair enough.

Hank finds what he's looking for as Chloe notices her door is open, "Lana?" Hank rushes to the corner of the room. She sees her papers all over the floor. Chloe closes the door and frowns, "Clark!" she sighs as she bends down to clean up.

Hank takes out his gun, "Chloe Sullivan?"

Talon. Clark heads up to Lois' apartment with a coffee. "Lois, are you ready yet? My mom is waiting downstairs."

Lois doesn't answer and her door is unlocked. Clark sees the contents of Lois' bag strewn on the floor and signs of a struggle. Her address book is left open on Chloe.

This is the stupidest criminal ever.

Yeah, he's even stupider than Lex. And that's saying something.

And yet somehow he was able to fool Lois. How about that?

Clark leaps down the stairs and asks Martha if she knows what Lois was doing last night. She doesn't. She had been getting cozy with Senator Stafford's Chief of Staff.

Martha asks what's wrong. Clark doesn't know but maybe Chloe can help.

Back to Chloe.

Typical hostage dialogue. By loading him down with paperwork she's able to knock the gun out of his hands. There's a brief struggle but he uses Lois as his wild card.

You know Chloe should distract him by opening her robe.

That's Lois' shtick.

It would work to.

Yeah, right.

Clark almost walks in on them but his super hearing kicks in first. He runs out to find Hanks car, knocks out the goon, and releases Lois. Before she can figure out who saved her he zips off for Chloe.

He jumps between Chloe and Hank and tells Hank to give himself up, Lois is free. Hank doesn't want to hurt anyone. He starts backing out of the room. Someone in the hall yells, "He's got a gun!"

Clark tells Hank to give himself up and takes a step forward. Hank answers that if he gives himself up he's a dead man. Clark takes another step. Hank shoots Clark who pretends to be hit. Hank runs. Lois walks in while Chloe is helping Clark up.

"Clark, are you OK?"

"I'm fine. Seems you're boyfriend isn't a very good shot."

Chloe notices that Hank dropped his cell phone and checks the call history. Lois grabs Clark by the hand and leads him out into the hallway. Clark wants to chase Hank down but Lois tells him not to be stupid. "You know, sometimes I wonder what the hell my cousin sees in you." She waits until she knows she has Clark's attention. "Then there are times I think she just might be the smartest girl on the planet."

Clark gives her a "are you hitting on me?" look.

"She'd never admit I can tell Lana still thinks you're pretty special too."

"And what do you think?"

"Two out of three ain't bad, Smallville. What I'm trying to tell you is that you stomped on Lana's heart until it was as flatter than her pancaked parents. You do that to Chloe and you'll have to answer to me."

Lois isn't really going to bring up Lana's parents like that is she?

No. That's for the gag reel.

That and me farting.

"Lois, I'm not going to hurt Chloe."

"I'm not blind you know."

Clark looks at her, not sure what she's getting at.

"It's 5:30 in the morning. Lana's not here and yet here you are miles from Smallville."

"We didn't..."

"Save it Smallville."

Back in the dorm room Chloe calls a number labeled Apex. Lionel answers. Chloe takes in a sharp breath and freezes for a second before hanging up.

Kent house, Martha complains to Lionel that he's put her in a very awkward position. He understands. Hopefully Ms. Sullivan will recognize it was the doings of a rogue employee.

He excuses himself and Clark slinks in.

Chloe called Martha asking about Apex Holding, the corporation Lionel used to funnel money into the campaign. Clark doesn't understand.

It's a shell company. It and its subsidiaries have given thousands of dollars to Senator Stafford among others for years. Stafford authored a bill custom tailored to allow an Apex takeover of LuthorCorp last year.

But the deal never went through.

It's enough of a smoking gun to get Stafford into some serious hot water. What's worse is that the same company is linked to the Kent campaign and Lionel has worked closely with Martha ever since she took office.

It will look like Martha is in Lionel's pocket.

Martha thinks she might have to resign.

Clark says no. This job has been Martha's lifeline ever since Pa died. He'll talk to Chloe.

Metropolis club. Lex in his white suit jamming to Michael's favorite, Michael Jackson's "Don't stop 'til you get enough." Lana's dancing too but she is not nearly as into it. Lex is clearly having a great time but Lana looks tired. She wants to go. Lex can't leave yet, there are a couple of business contacts he needs finish entertaining. Lana glances over at a table where two shady men are sitting drinking. She swallows. They aren't the crowd she's used to.

Of course not, they trade in stolen historical artifacts. But they could lead them to the weapon. Lex gives her the keys to his Porsche. He'll find a driver. Lana goes in for a kiss and Lex only allows a peck on the cheek. Lana looks pissed. "Paparazzi" explains Lex.

She nods and gives him a transparently fake smile before leaving.

Lex stares thoughtfully her way before heading to his business companions.

Cut to Lana exiting. She looks back to the table Lex is at. He's flirting with one of the waitresses.

Is she topless?

Does Lex want to lose his balls in a tragic accident.

No.

[Evil grin]

DP after hours. Clark enters, "Clark if you're here to convince me not to write that article don't waste your breath." Clark and Chloe argue a bit over whether Chloe is doing the story just to help her career or not.

"Your sources are sketchy and if you go with what you have you could pull my mom into it."

"You don't think I know that? I'm sorry your mom is involved. This isn't easy for me, but it is newsworthy. The public should know what's going on."

"Tell them you're too close to the story, that you're afraid your judgment is clouded."

Turning back to her work, "Maybe you're the one who's judgment is clouded."

"I've sacrificed things I've wanted because I didn't want to hurt someone else. Isn't my mom, aren't I important enough to you to do the same?"

"Clark, you're asking me to sacrifice my dream for something that is going to come out anyway. Until you are faced with sacrificing your own dream don't pretend you understand."

Clark is silent. Chloe studies him.

Growing shock. "You think giving up Lana is like me giving up my career?"

"Chloe, I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to. Nobody asked you to break up with Lana, least of all me."

"Maybe somebody should have. It would have saved everyone a lot of pain."

"Saving everyone pain? Clark, all this time I thought you might eventually want me because of who I am and that when you challenged me it'd be about making me a better person. Not about wanting me to be someone I'm not so things will be more comfortable for you. I thought you, of all people, would understand needing that!"

"That's not what..."

Firmly, "Get out."

"Chloe."

"I said get out!"

"I don't want my mom hurt."

"You think I do? Look, if I don't write that article somebody else will." Pause as they stare each other for a moment. Chloe is breathing heavily. Clark begins to say something but stops. "Do I have to ask you to leave for a third time, because I don't see you going?"

"Just because someone else will do something doesn't make it right."

Clark exits. Chloe collapses into her desk sobbing.

Hold on. What if Clark is mad at Chloe because he can't trust her with his secret?

That's a lingering fear.

Instead of a weak platitude maybe he says something like "So what if you thought my secret was about to come out anyway, would you use that to jump-start your career?"

That's a little over the line for Clark. Maybe he shouldn't twist the knife with the career comment.

He's scared and he's hurting. He's just lashing out.

That's not what Superman is about.

I think Tom's right. The career comment crosses the line. Clark leaves it with the comment about his secret.

Chloe replies "It's not the same thing", adding that Clark knows it.

Then Clark will plant that seed of doubt, "Is it?" before leaving.

Perfect. Go to black.

[pouting]

What's wrong.

Clark should trust Chloe with his secret.

Yeah, well Clark should do a lot of things.

I don't like it.

Welcome to the club. At least Chloe isn't responsible for his dad dieing.

Tom, Clark should trust Chloe, shouldn't he?

[Makes a face]

Tom?

[quietly] Clark doesn't really trust anybody.

What?

He said Clark's parents screwed him up so bad he doesn't trust anybody.

Are we sure this show is about Superman? I mean what if Al and Miles' big twist at the end is that if put through enough guilt Superman would end up just like Batman but with super powers?

Nah, that's too comic booky. The truth is the character development on this show is just plain shitty. [Whole cast sits in silence for a moment nodding]

[Soft sigh, then stands up] Well at least Chloe got to go to Italy. So, see you all next week?

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