1 "Maxamillion"

1.1 Original Smallville Fanfiction

1.2 By Rich Wheeler

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or anything else related to Smallville, it's all property of the WB. I'm just borrowing them to make a (hopefully) good story.

Summary: A rich, young business tycoon named Maxamillion Graves comes to Smallville to meet up with Lex, who he went to school with years before. Lex knows the man well, and what he's been up to…buying out various businesses and corporations, all for his dream of absolute power. Apparently, LuthorCorp is next on the chopping block. Meanwhile, Clark tries to help out his parent's financial problems by taking on (at least) more than a few jobs around town…including one at the Talon.

Rated: PG

Category: General/Romance

Author's Note: Here's my fifth Smallville fanfic, well…fourth and a half I guess. Not much action/adventure in this one for once, which may or may not be a good thing…that's for you to decide. Any kind of feedback is greatly appreciated…good, bad, whatever. Thanks for reading, and enjoy.

Chapter 1: Family Problems

On a very calm, warm day in Kansas, in the middle of miles of fields and trees and nothingness…a silver, bullet-like train speeds down the tracks. It glides through the great outdoors like ice, a very sophisticated and expensive train it is. It is heading West, towards a small town filled with very interesting people, but the inside of the train also has its share of interesting people. Like Maxamillion Graves, a very wealthy young man who knows what he wants. Mr. Graves has goals and dreams like everyone else, but his are very much becoming a reality…something that scares many.

He sits in a leather booth, looking out one of the large crystal- clear windows that line most of the very luxurious train. He waits for his lunch, which, like always is made by one of the worlds best chefs. Maxamillion Graves will eat alone, once again…only he and about ten other people, including a few of his employees and the conductor are inside the fast moving train. He watches the trees and the golden fields go by for several moments, then a woman wearing a white shirt and black pants approaches his booth, carrying his food on a silver tray. She sets it down on the table in front of him carefully. "Here you are Mr. Graves." She says, standing there a moment to make sure everything is well.

"You did add the special ingredient, right?" Maxamillion Graves asks.

"Of course, sir, I would never forget…just see for yourself." She replies. He looks down at his plate; a rather light meal…smoked salmon, two breadsticks, a large salad and a glass of ice water. Well…that's what it appears to be, but a green dust is visible on the fish and in the salad, it almost appears to glow. He cuts a small piece of the salmon off with his knife and fork and puts it into his mouth. His eyes close and he leans back into the leather booth, remaining silent for a few seconds, then he speaks.

"Superb as usual…how much longer till we reach, Smallville?"

"About an hour." Maxamillion turns his head back towards the window, then speaks again.

"Excellent…now, leave me alone with my meal."

"Yes, sir." The chef says; walking back in the direction she came from. The train goes on…gliding down the tracks, getting closer to Smallville as each second passes, like storm clouds moving over the sun.



Jonathan Kent sifted through the day's mail, an envelope with a red stamp reading: "Final Notice" catches his attention, along with about five others much like it. He puts the mail down on the table, letting out a big sigh. Clark comes down the steps and enters the kitchen; he walks over towards Jonathan, who quickly hides his worried look. Clark opens the refrigerator and takes out a bottle of water. "Hey, dad…anything for me?"

"Um…no, son, just the usual junk." Jonathan replies, putting the envelopes into a drawer so not to draw anymore attention to them. "So, Clark…looks like you finished your chores, got any plans for the day?"

"I don't know…I've got to pick up a few things for a school project at the arts and crafts store, and maybe stop by the Talon." Clark replies, taking a drink of his water.

"Well, feel free to take the pickup…I'll be repairing that shed again."

"Alright dad." Clark says, taking another drink. Martha comes into the room, holding a big laundry basket with both arms.

"How are my boys?" Martha asks, setting the basket on the table.

"Good, mom…hey, you got my red shirt?" Clark asks, walking over to the basket.

"Which one?" She replies, causing a smile to cross his face.

"I better get out and get started on the shed." Jonathan says, moving towards the door.

"Hey dad, you got the keys to the truck?" Clark asks.

"I think I threw em' on the counter somewhere." He replies. Clark looks around the kitchen.

"I don't see them." Clark starts, moving back over towards the table, checking in a couple drawers…then coming to the one with the bills and envelopes with red stamps inside. "What are these…"

"Clark! It's fine, I've got the keys…just put those back." Jonathan says walking over to him. Clark continues to look through them.

"Dad…this is serious." Clark says, looking up at him.

"It's okay, Clark, it's nothing." Jonathan assures him.

"Mom…have you seen these? Are…are we in trouble?" Clark asks.

"Yes…I've seen them, and no…we are not in trouble Clark, everything is fine." Martha says, taking the envelopes from him.

"You guys know I can help…I can get a job or something…or…" Clark starts, but Jonathan interrupts.

"No, Clark! You are a fifteen-year-old boy; you shouldn't have to think about things like this, leave that to us. Everything is going to work out."

"But, dad…" Clark starts softly.

"Listen to your father, Clark…we're going to make it." Martha says calmly and comfortably. Clark puts his head to the floor, wanting to believe his parents.

"Here's the keys, Clark…drive safely." Jonathan says, tossing them to him. Clark catches them and makes his way out the door with Jonathan close behind. Martha watches the door close, then looks back at the bills…also trying to believe her own words.



Clark Kent exits Marshall's Arts and Crafts carrying a plastic bag with some poster board, glue and other things. He puts the bag in the truck, parked on the side of the road, then looks at the Talon across the street. It seems to be closed now, which it usually is on Sunday afternoons, but Clark decides to take a look anyway.

He walks across the street and notices the closed sign on the door, but there is some light inside, so he looks in with his hands on the sides of his eyes. Lana Lang becomes visible, as does the bright smile on her face as she unlocks the door and lets Clark in. "Hey Clark, I'm just cleaning up a bit." She says, as he walks into the Talon looking around.

"Looks great, Lana…I'm really impressed with what you've done to the place."

"Thanks…it wasn't easy." Lana says replies as Clark moves slowly over to a table and sits down quietly. Lana stacks a box onto another one and walks over towards him. His heads down, he is very silent. "Is something wrong?" Lana asks, taking a seat on the opposite side of the table.

"No…it's just…"

"Just what?"

"I'm worried about losing our farm…and everything else. They say it's going to be alright but I know it's not…I have to help them, Lana."

"Clark…you guys might lose the farm?"

"I don't know, I saw all these unpaid bills and…I know something's wrong. I don't know what to do."

"I had no idea…I'm sorry, Clark."

"Thanks, Lana." Clark says. A few moments pass, and then Clark turns his head back up and looks at Lana. "Wait…the Talon is hiring, right?"

"Yeah, we could use some extra help."

"When can I start?" Clark asks with an eager look on his face. Lana's eyebrows rise, seeming a bit surprised.