Pain By Magz

A/N This is a re-do of a first try at a Smallville fic, so please try to be a little nice. Flames with be used to burn various household objects for amusement.

Disclaimer – I own nothing except for Natalie Luthor who is an original creation. Any resemblance this story may have to anyone else's creation (published or not) is purely coincidental.

Enjoy and remember: Always read and review.

As she taped the final box closed, she shed no tears. She wasn't upset about leaving this place. She wouldn't ever return to who she was. No more fake names. She'd decided to use her real name, for once. She signed the final check for her rent with her real name: Natalie Luthor.

The 15 year old walked confidently away from the Metropolis apartment building that had been her home for the better part of the last 3 years of her life. She threw the three boxes of her old things into a truck, headed to a homeless shelter. She climbed into a cab with only a backpack of her things and only said one word. "Smallville."

She'd never been there before and certainly didn't expect it to be as it was. Why is my brother living in a hick place like this? She pondered. Natalie had only met her older brother, Lex, once, in Metropolis. Then, he'd been living in his apartment. She didn't know him very well, but hoped he wouldn't mind her intrusion, and allow her to stay with him awhile. Don't be surprised if he doesn't though. She'd kept up with her family's newsworthy escapades for the last year. The Luthor Mansion did not seem like a happy place, but incase of the worst, she believed it was the only place she would be safe.

Shivering, Natalie approached the door. It was intimidating. It was big. Why does anyone need a door this big? Just as the thought crossed her mind rain began to pour down on her from above. Covering her head with only the hood of the sweatshirt she was wearing, she timidly rang the doorbell. After a few moment's wait, she decided Lex wasn't answering. She gathered her backpack and turned to go. As she walked down the front stairs, head down, and ran right into someone.

"Oh. Sorry," she mumbled without looking at the person, trying to make a quick exit.

"Natalie?" The voice asked. Natalie looked up hesitantly and saw the voice came from her older brother. She tried to explain her situation, but, for once in her life, she was at a loss for words. "Come on let's get you inside. You're soaked," Lex said, wrapping an arm around her and leading her inside.

"So you want to tell me what you're doing here?"

"Well maybe you've never noticed, but Smallville is seriously lacking in Holiday Inns." Natalie responded with a completely serious face.

A/N – This is short, I know, but it's only a teaser so far. Chapters will be longer later on, I promise!