The 4400 and its characters are copyrighted by American Zoetrope. Smallville is copyrighted by DC Comics and Tollin/Robbins Productions. No copyright infringement is intended.
It was only on the trip home that Clark dared to ask the question that had been on his mind the entire weekend.
"So Shawn, that cousin of yours, is she pretty?"
"Nice try Clark," Shawn smirked, " and yes, he is."
Clark couldn't help but grin at the revelation. Shawn's next words would make him blush.
"But not a pretty as you."
Clark felt his whole face go crimson. His palms were getting sweaty and he could barely concentrate on the wheel.
"God you're cute when you blush," Shawn teased.
Clark glanced over at Shawn. He couldn't contain his happiness. He only wished he'd gotten up the nerve to ask Shawn about his cousin during their trip.
"Wanna stop somewhere before we head back home?" Clark suggested.
"Sure."
Shawn was actually wishing the same thing Clark was, that they were still camping and alone to explore budding feelings for one another. An hour later, Clark pulled up a few door down from the Talon.
"Isn't this your other ex's place?" Shawn asked, looking up at the sign.
"You mean Lana? Yeah."
"Trying to make her jealous?"
Clark flashed Shawn an evil grin.
"Cool," Shawn exclaimed as the two stepped into the semi-deserted place.
Clark's smile faltered when he saw Lex leaning over the bar chatting with Lana. His former girlfriend whispered something and Lex straightened up and turned around. Shawn could sense Clark tensing and threw an arm around his shoulder in a friendly manner.
"Clark," Lex began, never taking his eyes of Shawn, " I thought you two would still be deep in the forest communing with nature."
"There's school tomorrow so we came home early," Clark muttered.
"Besides, Clark wanted to show me around," Shawn added, matching Lex's intense gaze with one of his own.
"That's right. You've been staying with the Kent's for a few months now. It must be rather dull for you holed up on the farm," Lex quipped.
"Let's grab a table," Clark suggested nervously. He pulled Shawn to a table for two to keep Lex from joining them.
"Why don't the two of you join me for dinner sometime. Any friend of Clark's is a friend of mine."
Lex sauntered out before Shawn could think up a reply.
"What did you ever see in that jerk?" Shawn whispered.
"Lex means well. I guess he's still a bit protective of me."
"You should get out of Smallville, go somewhere where you don't have a history."
"Is that why you came here?" Clark asked defensively.
"I told you why I came here," Shawn snapped.
Lana came over to take their orders. A small smile played across her lips when she realized their was a bit of tension between the two.
"What can I get you two?" She asked cheerily.
"I'll have a coffee, milk and sugar to go," Shawn barked out.
"Me too," Clark spoke softly.
The two sat in silence waiting for their coffees. Clark spied Lana talking to someone on her cell phone. He didn't bother to listen, he knew she was probably telling Lex about how tense he and Shawn were. It seemed like an eternity before she returned with their order. Shawn stood abruptly, paid and left without waiting for change.
"Come back anytime," Lana called after him.
Clark shot her an evil glare before trotting after him. By the time he got outside, Shawn was leaning against the passenger side staring down at the sidewalk. Clark jogged up to him dangling the keys.
"Dramatic exits work better if you've got the keys."
Shawn struggled to maintain his air of righteous indignation but failed. He cracked a smile and before he knew it, they were both laughing uncontrollably. The laughter intensified when both boys turned to find Lana staring up the street at them with an obvious look of disappointment etched on her face. Clark handed the keys to Shawn and ordered him to drive. He was about to head for the driver's side when a notion struck him. He looked back to see Lana still glaring at them and made up his mind. He gave Clark a quick kiss on the lips, leaving the farm boy stunned as he crossed in front of the truck and hopped into the driver's seat.
"You coming?" Shawn asked, leaning over towards the passenger side window.
Clark nodded dumbly and climbed in. Both men broke into another fit of laughter as they drove by an equally dumbfounded Lana.
"What time are you're folks expecting us back?"
"We're okay as long as we're back before nine o'clock."
"Good. Why don't you take me to those caves you're always telling me about.