X-Men/Smallville (Superman) cross over/future fic and a little AU.

Disclaimer: Except for John and Samantha (my originals), I do not own these characters. I'm not making a profit from this. Just something to pass the time.

Author's Note: I started this in spring 2006, about the time that I stopped watching "Smallville." This is my goodbye to Smallville, the last spark before the fire dies.

"What exactly do you think you're doing?" Samantha stepped next to John.

He blinked and then turned to face her. "What do you mean?"

Samantha glanced at the wall they stood in front of and then back at John. She looked up and down the hallway and then lowered her voice. "Staring through the wall?"

John looked like he took offense to her words. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Hmm," Samantha said. She looked back towards the wall. "The girls' locker room is on the other side of this wall," she nodded towards it, "isn't it, John?"

He tried but failed to hide a smile. "Yeah, I guess it is. So?" He pulled on his backpack's strap and looked away from here.

Samantha shook her head, giggled, and began to walk down the hall. She readjusted the textbooks in her hands and beckoned John to follow her. "So? Johnny Kent, is that all you have to say?" Wait 'til I tell your dad what you've been up to!"

John took a few extra steps to catch up to Samantha. "You wouldn't, Sam. I mean, come on."

Sam glanced at him and smiled. "I totally would. I will. You know you're not supposed to do stuff like that."

"Oh, okay. I see," John replied. "And you never break the rules, huh?"

"Nope."

He took a few steps ahead and turned to Samantha, walking backward as he spoke. "Today, third period. Trig class. Wanna tell me why you were reading Todd's mind?"

"What? Was not."

John laughed. "So were!" He glanced behind him. "You were completely zoned out and looking right at him! Come on, Sam, I know when you're doing your thing. What were you trying to find out? If he'll ask you to Kate's party next week?"

Samantha didn't answer.

"So I guess you were."

"You can't prove it," Samantha said, mocking him.

"Cheeks blushing, Sammy." He grinned and turned to walk next to her again.

"Fine, so I was..." Sam looked to the floor and fought back a smirk.

"Thank you." John smiled. "I thought so. Still gonna tell on me?"

Samantha looked at him and her eyes narrowed. "Aren't you clever? Fine, truce?"

John held up his hand, palm facing out. "I won't tell if you won't. Deal?"

"Yeah, deal."

Samantha and John shook hands and a moment later, they reached the exit.

"Are you taking the bus home?" Sam asked John.

"Nah, I wanna run." He smirked.

Sam giggled. "Okay, super boy," she whispered. "Just be careful."

Samantha slid her backpack off and placed it beside the coffee table. She put her books on the floor next to it and walked across the family room. "Hey, Mom, I'm home."

Jean Grey-Summers walked into the room. "Hi, Samantha. How was school today?"

"The usual. Did Dad call?"

"Yeah, actually just a few minutes ago. He should be home Sunday evening."

"Okay," Samantha said. She sat on the couch and turned on the TV.

Jean glanced at the door. "Bobby's in town so he might come over—" Just then, the doorbell rang. "Oh, that's him."

"Cool." Samantha stood up and answered the door.

Bobby smiled. "Hey, Samantha."

Sam laughed. "Ice Man!"

He stepped into the room and held up his hand for a high five. In one smooth movement, Samantha closed the door and met his hand with hers in the air. She laughed again as she turned her hand and blew snowflakes off her palm. "Very cool."

"Always good to see you, Samantha," Bobby said. He nodded towards Jean. "Hi, Dr. Grey."

Now Jean laughed. "You know you don't have to call me that, Bobby. We've known each other by first names for a long time."

"I know." Bobby's eyes sparkled.

Jean nodded. "I've got dinner ready and afterwards we can talk about what's going on at the school."

After dinner, Samantha sat in the family room and worked on her homework while Jean and Bobby sat at the kitchen table. The phone rang and Samantha said, "I'll get it."

She picked up the receiver. "Hi, John."

"Hey, Sam. You know what the interesting thing is? You don't even need Caller ID."

Sam laughed. "Yeah, you're right. I've got it built in."

"Yeah." He laughed. "So, I forgot to ask you something earlier."

"Okay."

"Well, me, my mom, and my dad are going to Smallville this weekend to visit my grandparents. You remember them, don't you?"

"Of course, they invited us to a picnic over the summer. Weekend at the farm sounds like fun."

John scoffed. "Yeah, right."

Sam leaned her elbows on her knees as she spoke into the phone. "What do you mean? It'll be a nice break from the city."

"Trust me, Metropolis is a lot more interesting."

"Okay, maybe. So what did you wanna ask me?"

"Don't you already know?" John asked.

Sam shook her head. "Come on, John. You know I don't read minds unless I have to."

Jean raised her head and looked towards Sam. Sam covered the mouthpiece with her hand. "It's okay, Mom. John's on the line."

Jean nodded and continued talking to Bobby.

"Well," John hesitated. "The thing is, I'll be the youngest one there and there's nothing to do in that town. So, I was wondering if you wanted to come. Your mom's invited, too."

Sam squinted her eyes. "What do your parents say?"

"I already asked," John replied. "Don't worry. They said it's fine. Dad even called up Grandpa to make sure it'd be okay."

Sam nodded. "Hold on, let me ask."

Sam stood up and walked with the cordless phone to the kitchen. She clasped her hand over the mouthpiece again. "Excuse me, can I interrupt for a minute?"

Bobby smiled. "Yeah, no problem."

Jean grinned. "What is it, Sammy?"

"John's on the phone. He's going to spend the weekend in Smallville with his parents and grandparents and we're invited."

"Oh," Jean glanced down to the floor. "Well, I can't go. I have a seminar to teach at Met U. If it's okay with the Kents, you can go alone, if you want. Let me talk to Clark about it."

Sam nodded and held the phone to her ear. "John? My mom says I can go. Can she talk to your dad, though?" Sam waited for John's response. She laughed. "You're welcome." Sam handed the phone to Jean.

"Hi, Clark," Jean said after holding the receiver to her ear.

"Hi, Jean. So, John explained where we're going. Can you come?"

Jean scrunched her nose. "Well, Scott is at a conference in Chicago and won't be back until Sunday. I have to teach a seminar this weekend, so I can't come; I'm sorry. Samantha can go, though, if you don't mind taking her for the weekend."

"That's fine, but it's too bad you and Scott can't come, too. Is it okay if we pick Samantha up around 3:30 tomorrow then?"

Jean nodded. "Yes, that's fine."

"Great. And we'll be back by Sunday afternoon."

"Okay, thank you for the invitation."

"Absolutely." Clark hung up the phone.

After Jean handed the phone back to Samantha, Bobby smiled. "So who's John?"

Sam smiled. "Oh, stop it. We're just friends."

"Uh huh. Yeah, sure…weekend together, I don't know…."

"Hmm!" Sam walked back into the family room. She picked up her Spanish textbook but watched Bobby. When he reached for a paper on the table, she used her telekinesis to slide it away from him and up into the air.

He moved forward to reach it, but Samantha moved her hand and it moved further away. Bobby laughed as he stood up. "Aw, come on."

Jean looked up from what she was writing. She smirked but seriously said. "Samantha…."

Samantha sighed and moved the paper into Bobby's hand. He grasped it and sat back down. "Okay, but he started it."

Samantha opened the door the next afternoon. "Hi, Mr. Kent."

"Hello, Samantha." Clark smiled. "All set?"

Jean walked into the room. "Oh, hi, Clark."

"Hi, Jean."

Samantha picked up her duffle bag and kissed Jean goodbye on the cheek. "I'll see you Sunday, Mom."

"Okay, have fun." Jean waved as Sam and Clark left. "And be good."

"Mom….." Sam smiled and closed the door behind her.

"I can take that for you," Clark offered as they walked down to the car.

Samantha handed him the duffle bag. "Thank you, and thank you for inviting me."

Clark laughed. "You're welcome. It was John's idea."

Clark popped the car's trunk and placed Sam's bag inside. He walked around the car and opened the door for Samantha. Lois was in the passenger seat and John was in the back. "Hi, Mrs. Kent," Samantha said. "Hey, John." After they both greeted her, Clark sat in the driver's seat and adjusted the rearview mirror.

"Everyone settled?" He started the car and drove off.

Clark carried their bags up to the Kent porch when they arrived. Martha was waiting at the door and held it open for Clark.

"Thanks, Ma." He smiled and moved the bags inside. Lois followed Clark in and John and Samantha walked after them.

Martha smiled and hugged John before he made it past the threshold. "Hi, sweetheart!"

"Hi, Grandma." John's voice was muffled, lost somewhere in Martha's embrace. She finally let go and held out her arms for Samantha.

"Hello, Samantha!" Martha greeted and pulled her into a gentle hug. "It's good to see you again."

Samantha smiled. "Thanks, Mrs. Kent. It's good to see you too."

Martha held Samantha at arm's length. "So how are your parents?"

"Good. Good. Dad's in Chicago for a conference and my mom has to teach a seminar this weekend."

"Oh, well, tell them we said hi." Martha smiled.

Jonathan bent down and ruffled John's hair. "Hey, kiddo. How've you been?"

John smiled. "Fine, Grandpa."

Jonathan glanced up at Clark and then back to John. "Have you been giving your dad a hard time?" He chuckled.

John turned his head, glanced at Clark, and then looked back at Jonathan. "Nah, I've been good."

"That's good to hear." Jonathan's eyes sparkled. "But he can handle a few incidents…."

Clark squinted his eyes. "Dad, you're not telling my son to misbehave, are you?"

Jonathan stood up. "No, not at all," he said sarcastically. He nudged John's arm and winked. "Just talking to my grandson."

Martha smiled. "Well, I have dinner ready. You must be hungry after that drive."

Everyone sat down at the table as Martha served mashed potatoes, pork chops, peas, and salad. Clark asked his dad about the farm and how it was going. A few minutes passed and Samantha commented, "Dinner's excellent, Mrs. Kent."

Martha smiled. "Oh, thank you, sweetheart."

Towards the end of dinner, Samantha picked up the bowl of peas and passed it to John.

"Thanks, Sam," he said as he grasped the bowl. He held the bowel next to his plate and spooned himself a second serving. He put the bowel back towards the middle of the table and continued to eat.

Jonathan, sitting at the head of the table, narrowed his eyes. He glanced at the bowl of peas, at Samantha, and then at John. He swallowed his bite of pork chop and then asked, "Um, Samantha, how did you know John wanted the peas? I guess you two really do spend a lot of time together." He smirked.

Samantha looked up at Jonathan confused. She swallowed her food, glanced at John, and said, "Didn't you ask for them?"

John thought for a moment. "Hmm, not out loud, I guess."

Samantha nodded and continued eating.

Jonathan leaned forward a little and asked, "What does that mean?"

Samantha put her fork down, ready to explain what happened. "I knew John wanted the peas, and I passed them to him before he asked for them. Sometimes when someone's going to ask me something directly, I pick it up before they say anything."

Jonathan nodded slowly. "So, you read minds?" he asked.

Samantha shook her head. "No, it's not the same. I wasn't trying to read John's mind. His thought came to me."

"She doesn't do it on purpose," Clark offered.

"Nope. It just happens." Samantha agreed.

Jonathan didn't look satisfied with that answer, so Clark offered, "It's like my hearing. I hear things sometimes when I'm not listening for them."

Jonathan leaned back in his chair. "How often does this happen?"

"Not sure." Samantha looked at John. "I guess it happens more with John. Maybe that's why we didn't notice it happened."

John nodded. "Yeah, like Dad said. Sometimes you listen for something specific and sometimes you just hear a noise. Those thoughts that just go to Samantha's mind are noise."

Samantha smiled and nodded a little towards John. He smiled back.

"But you can read minds." Jonathan's voice came from the end of the table again.

John sighed and looked down at the table.

"Jonathan." Martha kept her gaze steady.

"What?" He looked slightly angry.

"We know about Samantha's abilities. You don't have to talk that way. It's rude."

Samantha looked at Martha. "It's okay, Mrs. Kent. I don't mind." She looked back at Jonathan. "Yes, Mr. Kent, I can read people's minds, but I don't do it often."

He looked menacing. "So what am I thinking now?"

Samantha looked down at her plate.

"Dad!" Clark sounded angry. He put his fork next to his plate and looked over at Jonathan. "Stop it. That is rude. Where are you going with this anyway?"

"It's just a question." Jonathan glared at Samantha.

Martha stood up and placed her hand on Samantha's shoulder. "You don't have to answer that, sweetheart."

Too late, Samantha thought.

Martha looked at Jonathan and narrowed her eyes. "Jonathan, can I have a word with you?" Jonathan stood up and walked to the family room. "You may all be excused, if you want," Martha said as she followed Jonathan.

Clark looked at John and Samantha. Neither of them had moved. John looked up at his dad, and after Clark nodded, he got up. "Hey, Sam," John asked, "do you wanna go for a walk or something?"

Samantha looked up at John, and then turned her head towards Clark.

Clark stood up and picked up his plate. "That'd be fine. Lois and I will clean up in here."

Samantha nodded her head. "Okay." She followed John out the back door. They walked together across the fields, to the long fence that enclosed the Kent farm.

"What was that about?" John asked. "I mean, did you get what Grandpa was thinking before Grandma interrupted?"

Samantha leaned on the fence and looked at the ground. "Yeah, I got it."

After John and Samantha left the kitchen and Clark checked that they weren't coming back, Clark set the plates on the counter and walked towards the family room. He turned back to Lois, who had started washing the dishes. "Aren't you coming?" Clark asked.

Lois turned. "I thought you'd want to talk to your parents alone. You know, Kent thing."

Clark lifted his head and smiled. "Come on, you've been a Kent long enough."

Martha was talking to Jonathan when Lois and Clark entered the room. Clark noticed an angry glint in her eyes that he rarely saw. "Jonathan, Samantha is John's friend and a guest in our house. What were you doing embarrassing her like that? If there's a problem, okay, we'll talk about it, but as adults!" She took a breath. "I just don't know what's gotten into you."

"I don't—" Jonathan looked up as Clark and Lois walked closer. "I don't like the idea of her being able to read our minds anytime. Doesn't that bother you?"

Clark's jaw dropped. "What??"

Jonathan took a breath. "I mean—"

Clark shook his head and interrupted. "Dad, I can't believe you just said that! You of all people should be able to accept people with special abilities. Since when does it bother you?"

Jonathan held up a hand. "This is different."

Clark shook his head. "Really? How?" He crossed his arms over his chest.

"We're talking about privacy of our thoughts!"

Clark nodded and paused a moment. "Okay, fine. Remember when I first developed my X-ray vision in high school?"

Jonathan nodded.

"You never told me how to use it. What was stopping me from looking through girls' clothing during lunch?"

Martha's eyes widened. She knew both Kent men were stubborn and this argument was hot enough. Neither was likely to back down.

Jonathan swallowed. "Nothing stopped you from doing that."

"You never told me not to?" Clark asked, already knowing the answer.

"No."

"Right, and why not?"

Jonathan fixed his stare on Clark. He knew he was going along step by step with Clark's argument. Clark was working ahead and already knew the points he would make. There was a time when Jonathan easily won disputes with Clark. When Clark was in high school, he didn't pay attention to every detail and it often was his downfall, but Clark had matured immensely into adulthood and had grown wiser. Now, his logic was flawless.

Jonathan finally replied, "Your mother and I raised you to respect other people and their privacy and we knew you followed that teaching with your abilities too. We knew you wouldn't use your X-ray vision for something like that because you'd be going against our values."

Clark nodded. "I never X-rayed girls like that. And you're right, the main reason is because of how you and Mom raised me."

Jonathan realized the final link before Clark said it.

"The same goes for Samantha. Her parents have taught her how important privacy is. She knows what she's capable of, and she knows when it's appropriate to look into another person's thoughts. I trust her completely with that. There was no reason to come down on her so hard at dinner. She didn't do anything wrong."

Jonathan nodded. "It's not just the privacy issue."

"What else?" Lois asked.

The sun was setting as Samantha zippered up her sweater. "Your grandpa doesn't like how close we are."

"What?" John asked. "Does he think we're, like, dating?"

Samantha smiled a little. "No, not like that. He doesn't like how much I know about your secret, especially about your dad. You know, Clark Kent is Superman."

John scoffed. "Like that's fair. I know just as much about you and your parents."

"I know, but he thinks that it's risky, that it could be dangerous."

John stood up straighter. "Yeah, of course it's dangerous. My dad's an alien, which makes me half one. You and your parents are mutants, and none of us would exactly be 'accepted' if people knew the truth. It's dangerous if anyone finds out either secret."

"That's true."

"So you're no more of a risk to me than I am to you."

"Right."

"So he shouldn't have a problem with that." John shook his head and leaned against the fence, looking out over the pasture.