Clark and I went to see Whitney when i knew he would be closing up for the night. We got within feet and was just about to round the corner when a red mustang blared music through the streets and skidded to a stop in front of the Fordmans store. Clark pulled me back and we peeked around the corner.

"You got a taste." Wade held something up "You wanna find out what it's all about bro?" Whitney looked around then back at the guys in the car.

"Yeah, sure I'm in." he got into the car and they drove off. We came out then glanced at each other speeding after them. We followed them to a old meat warehouse and learned that they were meeting up with Lex trying to extort him for money. I pulled open the door and was figuratively hit it in the face with pain. Meteor rock pain. I groaned and struggled to stay up right let alone do anything of use. When I was hit in the face with a meet hook I stumbled back.

"Mi." Clark muttered feeling the same effects i looked up noticing my boyfriends figure

"Whitney." I groaned and he looked back

"Come on rookie." he was pulled literally through the wall leaving the three of us. As soon as they were gone so was the effect.

-------

Clark and I crammed into Lex car and were driven back into town. I got out first then Clark and Lex. i turned to the older man, wanting some answers.

"Okay, wise guy. What were you doing there with those guys?" I interrogated. he closed the car door and sighed

"They were blackmailing me, Mia. I went there to make a drop." That made me scowl "You're wondering if your father and sister's been right about me all along, aren't you?" he aimed at my brother

"They stole a computer disk that contain confidential information." he admitted to the two of us. But that only raised more questions for me.

"What was on it?"

"Nothing illegal, but it's not something I want in the public domain." he answered. Luthors always so secretive and shady. Nothing unusual there then.

"That's why you didn't want the police involved."

"I told you I'd handle it. Question is what were you two doing there?" he questioned coming around the car.

"We were following Whitney. He's been hanging around with those guys. I wanted to help." Clark replied

"Speaking of, I'm going to wait for him. For the love of God don't get into any trouble without me." i pointed between the two and headed for the Fordman's. it was a long shot that Mrs Fordman would be in but I took it. I knocked on the door and waited. There was no answer, i tried again and then using x-ray vision I determined that their places was deserted. With a small huff I returned home.

--------

I had to finish my chores while Clark went to go see Chloe again. i went back and forth shifting the bails of hay. When I turned round to go back i gasped seeing a broken and exhausted Whitney.

"Whitney."

"I'm in trouble, Mia. I messed up, trusted the wrong guys. I'm so sorry, I let you down. i just don't know what to do." i melted and wrapped him up in a hug.

"It's okay. It's gonna be okay". he held onto me tightly like I was disappear or something. We stood there for a while and then i lead him inside. I called for Clark to come home so that Whitney could tell us what was going on with the guys he was hanging around with. He sat there nervously wringing his hands together.

"After, they get the money they're gone kill Lex and probably me for betraying them." he told us nervously.

"You did the right thing." I assure him

"Yeah, to little to late." he grumbled at himself. I sat down next to him and took his hands in comfort. Clark sat down across from us.

"Where are they now?" Clark questioned

"Back at the loft, sleeping it off." he answered then took a sip of coffee to keep himself alert and awake. He daren't go asleep right now.

"Did you see the disk they stole from Lex?" Clark inquired

"No. But it's gotta be there. I can sneak in and get it." he offered and i shook my head. I was not gonna send him back there alone.

"No, just tell us where they are. We can get in and out before they wake up." I countered back but Whitney shook his head in denial.

"I can't you go in there alone. I got myself into this mess, I gotta try and get myself out of it." he declared letting go of my hand and standing up.

"We have each other. Trust us Whitney, we've learnt to be sneaky. You don't have to come." I stood as well

"No, I'm coming." I glance at Clark and he nodded

"Fine. lets' go then." The three of us left and Whitney took us to the loft where they were all hanging out. It was quiet.

"Empty, they must be out looking for me." Whitney commented

"Let's find it before they come back." Clark stated and Whitney went to the computer while we scanned the room with x-ray vision. My brother tapped my shoulder and pointed up to a vent. I saw the outline of what should be the disc.

"It's not here." Whitney stressed

"Relax, clearly you've never had a sibling hide stuff from you. Give us a boost." I tap Clarks shoulder. He lifted me up to the vent and i opened it taking the disk out. "Gotcha." I was let back down and i went to take Whitneys had as we went to leave. That when Wade made his presence know and the others weren't that far behind. They were tattooed almost freshly by the way Clark and I started to feel again.

"You really screwed up, rookie." Wade pointed to my boyfriend then noticed that i had the disk "I don't know how you found that disk, sweet cheeks, but I need it back. Now." he ordered and i crushed it in my hand

"Oops. my Bad." I sneer at him. He clenches his fist and phased through my stomach. I gasped and gripped onto my brother and Whitney."

"leave her alone, man." Whitney yelled

"Shut up!" Wade yelled "Hurts doesn't it? it feels like someone's chewing up your insides. I stay in long enough, I could do some real damage" he pulled out and i dropped to the floor.

"Your next, bro." he pointed to Whitney but then did the same thing to my brother till he was laying next to me. Two of them took Whitney off and we were left with the third.

"I know what happened to your arm in the bank vault." Clark snuggled out.

"occupational hazard. Didn't hurt. When I pulled out, it was fused at the shoulder." the guy replied walking around.

"You're gonna die if you keep doing this." I winced getting to my feet but still crouched

"if you hadn't screwed up our retirement plan, we wouldn't have to. but now you're gonna pay." he then groaned and dropped to the floor. We stood up as Lex came around the corner

"You took your time didn't you." I breathe out

"You called him?" Clark groaned

"Covering Whitney's back. Assuming you're gonna keep your end of the deal?" I ask Lex who nodded

"Deal's a deal. I'm calling the police." he turned around and we sped off to find Whitney. he was on the other end of this place where the scrapyard was. We followed Wade's voice and came to a stop.

"Let him go!" I shout and Wade turns Whitney around holding him by the scruff of his jumper. My eyes narrowed in on his latest tattoo that was slowly fading from green to normal ink black. "The cops are on their way." I stepped forward and Wade pulled out a gun on him.

"Think again rookie. There's only one way off this team." he retorted telling Whitney.

"i got your back bro" Scott grabbed the control for the grabber, he pressed the red button to release the car. Wade screamed out in delight, while I sped forward knocking Whitney back and out of harms way. We landed with a grunt and i rolled off just as the police arrived. Clark ran over to me while Scott was trying to run.

------

I was wrapped up in Whitney's arms as we leant up against a police car. The two of us gave our statements. Pulling away I switched to take his hand and take him out once we were given the okay.

"Come on I'll take you home."

"What about Clark?" he asked as we made our way out and over to my truck

"He has legs, he can use them." We got in and i started it up and then pulled out, it was silent for a while as we drove back through town. I could tell Whitney was wanting to talk. "What is it?" I ask and he didn't answer me at first.

"I lost my scholarship." he admitted "They called the other day before everything happened." i sighed adjusting my grip on the steering wheel.

"I know. Clark told me." I glance at him and his shoulders sagged "What I don't get is why you didn't tell me sooner?"

"Because you said that you wouldn't give up on your dreams. You're saving for college and that's still three years away. You've got everything planned and when you go off, I'm gonna be stuck here. You the big Doctor and me the waste out still working in his Dad's store." he replied and I started laughing.

"God, you really are a bone head." I shake my head and run a hand through my head "Have you learnt nothing in the time we've spent together?" I question glancing at him

"not the reaction I was expecting."

"I told you, I'm not Lana. I won't disrespect you by pitying you and letting you wallow. Nor will treat you like a idiot, though sometimes you naturally think like one." I pulled up outside his. "You're right. I won't give up on my dreams. That's because i have a purpose and that purpose drives my determination. If you don't wanna stay here, get stuck. Then don't, you lost your scholarship, that sucks. life sucks sometimes, but its how you deal with it that matters most of all. We have enough of school left for you to claw your way back, i can help you with that. But what you need to decide is what to crawl back for. It's one scholarship at one school, pick another one and or another journey. You gonna give up on me like you did with your dreams?" he stared at me

"Well?"

"No." he shook his head answering "But what do I do then?"

"That's up to you. but if you show even half the determination you did into getting me into tutoring you, making friends with you, falling for you. Then you you can certainly figure out what you're gonna do after high school." I got out of the truck and closed the door "You getting out or what?" he grins at me and gets out and goes to open the door.

"To prove how awesome i am, I'm gonna work out a schedule. That works in with our shifts and school. I will also use my nerdy charm on teachers to see of you can do extra credit." We enter and he closes the door behind us.

"When did I get so lucky?"

"You didn't, you worked for it." I beamed at him and he leans down and kisses me. i don't know whether we got caught up in the moment or whether it was human like hormones but it carried on beyond a kiss.