Disclaimer: all Superman and Smallville characters belong to DC Comics and Gough & Millar.No Infringement's intended.

Author Note: This is my fourth Smallville fan fiction for this site. Those of you who've read my other stories are aware that Lex and Lana are my favourite paring and it won't be any different here. However, I thought it'd be nice for plot's sake to introduce Clark and Lois. So, there'll be something for everyone- including for Chloe's fans. You must have noticed this fiction's under the category suspense/romance. Well, to those of you who dig suspense , let me tell you that intrigue will turn up in the third or fourth chapter. For the time being, here's the first installment.

Reviews are more than welcome. On them will depend how fast'll post the other chapters for, in fact, the story's almost ready.

" HIDDEN TRUTHS "

CHAPTER1: The Comeback

She had been away from show jumping competitions for the last sixteen years but she could still feel the exhilaration of being one with her horse on entering the ring. On this occasion, however, she wasn't seeking Nell's love and approval; she was doing it for herself.

Leaving Smallville had been a blessing in many ways but, above all, it had given her the chance to graduate from university with honours in record time and get a rewarding and exceedingly well-paid job at Metropolis Art Museum. The latter, in fact, had allowed her to resume her childhood passion- competitive horse-riding.

Every afternoon she would leave the museum to visit her mare Mint at the stables and train with her for a couple of hours. Jumping fences and riding carefree in the woods was also a way to hide from the world when she was feeling depressed, and there had been a lot of reasons to feel down of late. She had come across Clark and his girlfriend Lois at an Impressionist exhibition sponsored by the Daily Planet, and realised that- although she had a fullfilling professional life- her former boyfriend was the one who had actually moved on. There had been a couple of men interested in her, and she had dated occasionally, but none of them had made her stomach flutter.

She looked even more beautiful than he remembered, if that was possible, thought Lex. He had kept informed about her life and aided her without her being aware. In fact, he was glad he could use his position for something other than threatening a business adversary. He knew Lana's potential and had talked to his contacts on the board of the museum to consider her for an opening, and her qualifications had done the rest. He was proud of her accomplishments because, despite his secret interference, she was the one who had carved her own future as a career woman. Still, for all her success in her professional life, she seemed to be as lonely as he was.

Lana and Mint did amazingly well at the competition, making only a minor mistake that secured them a second post. It was a first-rate performance for someone who had been out of official competitions for so long and she was elated when the city mayor presented her with a cup. However, the moment was somewhat spoilt when she spotted Lois striding purposefully towards her.

" Not again ! What the hell is she doing here ? Isn't there another reporter at the Daily Planet to cover the sports news ? " thought Lana looking around in the hope of making a getaway.

" Miss Lang ! Miss Lang ! " said Lois running after Lana. " Jimmy, don't spoil it this time. Look for a good angle and shoot. Make sure she doesn't come out with red eyes, " Lois instructed the photographer. " Miss Lang, what does it feel like to come second after so many years of absence from the ring ? " asked Lois caustically. " How's been life since you made the cover of Time magazine ? "

Lex saw Clark Kent's nosy, obnoxious girlfriend cornering Lana in search of a ticket back to the major leagues, and snapped. He was in part responsible. Lois had ended up in the sports section after he sent a battalion of lawyers threatening to sue the newspaper for printing a report signed by her that claimed Luthorcorp was carrying out human cloning experiments.

Suddenly, Lois was grabbed by a strong hand and pulled into the crowd. She was ready to knock down whoever had prevented her from getting the story she had been waiting for when she came face to face with Lex Luthor.

" Well... well... well. Look who´s here: old cue ball ! What brings you to this smelly competition? Are you looking for fresh funds to conduct another questionable research ? "

" I'd advise you to choose your words carefully, Miss Lane. Only respect for an old friendship stopped me from getting you fired last time. You might not be that lucky next time," threatened Lex. " I want you to let Miss Lang be. Why don't you interview the winner ? I'm sure there's a good story there. "

" There's already a caped-crusader in town, as you must be aware of. Why is it that you want to play one for Miss Lang ? What is it that you're hiding, Mr Luthor ? " asked Lois with a smile. " I can smell a good story here. "

" Let her be if you know what's best, Miss Lane. Oh ! And send my regards to Clark. Tell him I liked his taste in women better in the past, " said Lex cynically.

Lana managed to evade Jimmy camouflaged by the trailers and the other riders who were making their way to the stalls. However, she found it hard to understand how she had shaken off the determined Miss Lane. Even if she had actually fooled her, she doubted it would be the last time they would cross paths.

Lex walked to the stables once he made certain Lois amd Jimmy were nowhere in sight. He recognised Lana from a distance, still dressed in her jodhpurs and riding boots but with her long hair down. She was brushing Mint in her stall and she didn't look much older than the last time they had seen each other four years before, although she was no longer a naïve teenage girl- Clark had seen to that.

" She's beautiful, Lana. Almost as beautiful as her owner, " said Lex gently.

He had approached silently but she had sensed his powerful male aura and his heady scent- a mixture of vanilla and fresh laundry- even before he opened his mouth.

" Lex ?" uttered Lana in a whisper, turning round to face her old partner at The Talon. " What are you doing here ? " she asked him with a big smile on her face.

" Cheering on an old friend ... ," he said getting closer to her.

" It's nice to see you again, Lex, "said Lana welcoming him in a warm embrace. "Where have you been these last four years ' " she murmured.

They hugged tightly for a couple of minutes. Lex buried his nose in her hair and inhaled her sweet perfume, jasmine. which had been Lillian's favourite as well. Meanwhile, Lana put her head on his shoulder and basked in his self-confidence. She felt safe in this cocoon for the first time in months and let him go reluctanctly.

" Congratulations on your performance, Lana. You know, seeing you in the ring brought back some precious memories. For a moment there, I thought I was watching my mother jump again. It's the first time I've come to an event such as this since she passed away, " said an emotional Lex.

It moved Lana to hear him speak so candidly about his childhood and to be the one person he had placed such confidence in. Lana knew that he didn't like to appear vulnerable in front of other people because he had learnt the hard way that they could use it against him. He had always done his best to cultivate an image of cool detachment in order to protect himself from pain, and Lana could see through that armour, being herself an expert on hiding behind a mask.

" Are you back for good ? "asked Lana.

" Four years of travelling round the globe to reorganise Luthorcorp after my father's death is more than enough. I feel like settling down now. "

" I'm sorry about your father, Lex. "

" Don't be. The old man had it coming... and you of all people should know there was no love lost between us. Listen, Lana, we've got a lot to catch up on... would you join me for dinner tonight ? "

" I'd love to, Lex, " she said sincerely.

" What time do you finish work at the museum ? "

" How do you know where I work ? " asked a surprised Lana.

" Do you need to ask that ? "

" Old habits die hard, don't they ? "

" The curse of being a Luthor, " answered Lex with a smirk.

" You aren't cursed, Lex. You shouldn't let your father's ghost haunt you for the rest of your life. "

" It's difficult to change the perception people have of you. I've been fighting against that all my life... Thank you for having faith in me, Lana. It means a lot to me. "

" What are friends for ? By the way, my answer to your question's six o'clock but I´ll need to change first. Could you make it seven ?"

" That's settled then, I'll pick you up at seven. "

" I presume, it won't be necessary to give you my address, will it ? "

He smiled his worldly smile and left her with a kiss on her cheek.

What do you think so far ? Don't forget to leave your review. Clark and Lois' fans, there'll be more of them later in the story for they play an important role in its development.