(Italics are thoughts; ( - )are actions)

It's time to confront him. It's time to confront him. It's time to confront him.

Jonathan paced anxiously in the Kent living room.

"Clark, son. I want to talk to you before you go."

"Sure, dad. What's up?"

"Well- Look.. I know how close you've gotten with Lex-"

"Dad, please. Lex isn't who you think-"

"No, Clark. Let me finish," Clark sighed. And prepares himself for another one of Jonathans lectures.

"I know how much you cherish your friendship with him. But I just..

-Jonathan shifts uncomfortably-

"I can't help noticing certain things about the two of you when you're around each other. About this friendship of yours.. Even Pete feels this way.

He said he notices the same thing when he's around the two of you."

"You've been talking to Pete about me and Lex?"

"I'm just a concerned parent, Clark."

"Dad, please just tell me what you're talking about. I don't want to be late for the game."

-A horn beeps.-

"That must be Lex now." "Dad, what is it? I don't want to miss the opening half."

-Jonathan blows a fuse-

"What I'm talking about is a 20 year old man taking a sudden interest in my 14 year old son.

Buying him expensive gifts; Taking him out on all expense paid trips.

The late night visits to the loft!

"Principal Reynolds called the other day. He said Lex stopped by and as soon as he'd heard that you'd joined the football team, he offered up new jerseys and sporting equipment for your entire team.

"Hell, Clark, he gave you a brand new truck the first day you met him! You can't tell me that doesn't sound strange."

-Clark couldn't help but laugh at Jonathans expression.-

"Well dad, the truck was his way of thanking me for saving his life.

And I'm still not sure I know where this is headed. He's my friend.

-Jonathan sighs at Clark's ignorance.-

-horn beeps again; signaling Lex's impatience-

"When was the last time you visited any of your other friends, Clark?"

"Well.."

-Clark snaps his mouth shut, looking chagrined.-

"Pete said you're always giving him excuses as to why you can't hang out." Jonathan raised his eyebrows.

-I'd say all of these secrets meetings you've been having with Pete are slightly more worrisome than my hanging around with Lex.- Clark says under his breath.

"You know Pete has always been welcome to join us, dad. But he still holds that stupid grudge against Lex.

I can't help that his prejudices' toward the Luthors means us not being as good of friends as we once were," Clark shrugged.

If he would at least try to get to know Lex a little better, maybe I'd stop making excuses to not see him.

I know he'd like Lex just as much as I do."

-Clark grins like a dope-

"Clark!" -Jonathan is turning purple in the face.-

"What?," Clark is instantly sobered by the look on his fathers face.

-Jonathan sighed.. finally figuring this is a lost cause.-

"Have fun with Lex." "Just think over what I said, son.

-And at least pay for your own food."

-Clark walks to the door looking slightly worried for his fathers sanity, and more confused than ever-

"Sure. Thanks, dad. I er really enjoyed this talk."

"See ya."

-Jonathan collapses on the couch.-

He'd lost his wife.. and now his son, to the Luthor men.

..Well, at least he still had Pete. For now.