"Well, well, well Mr. Kent" Lionel acknowledged, marking his appearance in the library. Clark was sitting on the black leather sofa with his back to the door making himself comfortable in what Lionel still considered his home. "I see my son has left you unattended. Gone to get you one of his many flash cars no doubt." He continued, his tone reflecting his disgust at the way Lex catered to the requests of this farm boy.
"Mr. Luthor." Clark acknowledged as he stood and turned to face him. "Actually, Lex asked me to meet him here. I am just waiting for him to get home."
"Hmm" was all the response Clark needed to realize that his presence was not appreciated at this time. "Maybe I'll catch up with Lex a little later." Clark suggested as he reached for his jacket and laid it over his forearm.
"Yes you do that." Lion paused briefly before continuing. "My son and I have some unfinished business to attend to." Another pause as he waited for Clark to leave. "I'll be sure to inform him that you were here."
Clark simply nodded his head recognizing the finality of the dismissal.
Left alone with his thoughts Lionel contemplated the one foreseeable weakness that could possibly be used to control the heir to his fortune. Lex's admiration for this young flannel clad farm boy, more specifically the son of Jonathon Kent, would be his downfall in the end.
Someone would use this weakness, the inevitability of that fact was certain. The question that remained unanswered was who would ultimately make that connection to the detriment of everything he had built. This was an unknown. A question that Lionel saw the potential of answering for himself. If someone was going to tap into the weaknesses of his son it was going to be him.
Consider the possibilities of finally mastering control over his son's future in a father know best kind of way. The ramifications of this ultimate power were immeasurable and invaluable.
To take it one step further, it was evident to Lionel as he though through the domino effect of his newly found knowledge, there were a few other people who stood to lose a considerable amount if the secrets of Clark Kent's abilities were to be leaked to a few key members of the scientific community.
In the forefront of his mind was Jonathon Kent. To see this stubborn strong man accommodate Lionel's every whim would be more satisfying than any hostile business take over to date.
And then there was Clark, Mr. Nobility himself. What good would all his powers be if he wasn't a hero to the people closest to him. Lionel's smirk turned to a full-toothed grin as he considered the possibilities of having these three men under his thumb. Running their lives independently of each other. Each without the knowledge that the other was making certain sacrifices for them.
This link was painfully simple. Lex would do whatever it took to protect his friend from harm, Jonathon would move heaven and earth to protect his son and his secrets and Clark, well Clark would be the piece du resistance. He would give himself completely to protect his father, the farm and keep his secret from discovery by the world but more importantly by Lex. He could easily be manipulated to believe that if Lex knew his secret their friendship would be lost forever.
"Dad," Lex's entrance into the room dragged Lionel from his thoughts, "to what do I owe this impromptu visit? Bored of the high life in the city already are we?"
"Lex, son, does a father need to have a reason to drop in for a visit with his child?"
"Dad why don't we due away with the pleasantries and get to the real reason you are here."
"You know Lex, your young friend Mr. Kent was here earlier. Fine young man, takes after his father, right down to his taste in fashion."
Lex watched his father with curiosity as he racked the galls on the pool table and chalked his cue. "You know we have been over this a thousand times, my friendship with Clark is of no concern to you." He reminded as he followed through with the break watching the balls settle in various locations around the table.
"On the contrary Lex. Your young friend is of great concern to me. Or should I say could be of great concern to me and my associates."
"Why is that exactly, you planning on offering him a job to save him from a life of farm chores" Lex smirked up from his position above his cue as he lined up for the next shot.
"Interesting choice of words Lex, save him from a life." He paused and watched for a reaction to his words, "you see Mr. Kent has reached a fork in the road of life and he has yet to realize it."
"Hmm and what is that exactly?" Lex looked up unconcerned as he studied the table in front of him.
"Well you see our young friend has a secret, one which I believe is of interest to you." Lex's grey eyes flared with sudden interest. A instantly as the interest flickered it was masked again under a layer of distain and uneasiness learned over many years of dealing with his father.
With this non-verbal confirmation that he had his undivided attention Lionel continued with his unveiling. "It would appear that Clark has, shall we say, certain abilities that the average man does not possess."
Lex stared down the cue at the balls on the table. Attempting to focus his attention on the task at hand rather than give his father the satisfaction of knowing he had tweaked his interest. In front of him Lionel reached into his chest pocket and pulled out a hand full of photographs and tossed them on the table in front of Lex.
Lex watched them land between the cue ball and the eleven ball, which was his chosen target. He sighed with the frustration that always accompanied any interface with his father. "What is this about dad?"
"I just thought you would be interested in the newly acquired findings of my investigation Lex, given your obvious interest in the well being of this boy and his family."
"Dad, I am warning you" Lex began taking the necessary steps around the table to close the distance between himself and his father.
"No Lex, on the contrary, I am warning you. I suggest tat you learn to curb that temper of yours if you don't want to see your friend end up as a Lab Rat in Belle Reeve."
Lex stopped short, pictures in hand. He looked down at the photos and began sifting threw them. They single handedly contained the answers to all the questions he had ever had about Clark and the mystery that surrounded him. Pictures of Clark driving fence posts into the lifting a tractor off the ground for his father to repair, and his appearance on time framed pictures mere minutes apart one at the mansion and then at the Kent farm.
Lost in thought Lex barely felt his father come up behind him and place his hands on his shoulders. Lionel leaned in to whisper in Lex's ear. "Like I said, Clark has unknowingly reached a fork in the road of his life." Lex could feel the heat of his scotch-laced breath on his ear and neck. He attempted to step forward out of his forceful fingers.
"Lex only you can decide the path his life will take. Think it over and in the meantime, I suggest for Clark's sake you don't reveal your new knowledge, not even to Clark." Lionel felt his loins tighten as he increase his hold on Lex both figuratively and literally. Lex would commit himself to protect his friend or he would turn against Clark and join Lionel in harnessing Clark's abilities. Either way it was a win, win situation. He leaned in closer and whispered, "Your weakness will be your downfall son/" With that he walked away leaving the recent developments sink in.