Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with the characters or settings recognizable from the show "Smallville". The plot and any original characters and settings are my intellectual property. Still, this is all for fun, no profit is being made, and all that.

Warnings: Later Slash m/m relationship, possible FemSlash f/f relationship, and discussion of genetic manipulation of human gemmates in laboratory and attempts at human cloning.

Title: "Raise from the Ashes" by Amber Eseme Hermione

Timeline: This is an AU that takes place somewhere between seasons 2 and 3 Exil-Exodus-Phoenix.

Summary: Lex shows up at the Kent farm asking for a place to stay after he returns from the island, but there's a complication, and Lionel is responsible. Set beginning S3 eventual Clex.

The relative peace of a dark street on the outskirts of Metropolis shatters with the flash and shrill of an alarm. An industrial door swings open and a familiar bald figure stumbles down a few steps. He clutches a bundle in his arms as he runs along a chain link fence before turning down and ally. Pressing himself against a rough brick wall he pants glancing into his jacket before turning and running out of sight.

CK/LL-CS/LL-CK/LL-CS/LL

Lex sped down the deserted highway after midnight. His only objective—to get to the Kent farm before his father knows he is back from that island, and that he discovered Lionel's biggest success to date. In front of the house he slows surprised to see the lights were still burning. He reaches across to pick up the jacket from the passenger seat holding it securely against his chest as he approaches the door. He hears voices in the house stop as he taps on the storm door.

The interior door swings open and he is met with wide green eyes, "Lex?"

Lex shifts his weight as Clark steps out to hug him shuffling back the arm still holding the bundle, "Easy, Clark we need your help."

"Lex you're alive!" Martha Kent appears in the doorway.

"We?" Clark frowns glancing around the porch.

Lex removes his arm from around Clark's neck directing their gaze down, and tugs the fabric farther back to reveal the sleeping baby. He glances up into Clark's confused face.

"I didn't know where else to go."

"Come in Lex," Martha opens the storm door for him, "we can sort this out inside. We don't need that baby getting sick."

"What happened out there, Lex?" Jonathan heaves himself into his seat at the table.

"I know I have a lot to explain for showing up like this Mr. Kent," Lex winces adjusting his hold on the baby. His arm is stiff from the unnatural position.

"Here, let me," Martha offers taking the baby from him. "If you want I can see if we have anything…" She pauses for a breath.

Lex eyes lock with her sad gaze, "I'd appreciate that Mrs. Kent," he squeezes her hand. When she leaves the room he turns back to Clack and his father. He meets Clark's eyes reminding him that he is part of the conversation. Clark nods for him to continue.

"We boarded the jet, and Helen and I had champain. It must have been drugged because I passed out. When I woke up Helen and the pilot were both gone, and the plane was going down into the water." Lex stairs at his hands which are still pink from exposure. He tells them of being stranded on the island, and attempts at survival. "I don't know if I lost my mind, or if I had malaria, but he seemed so real."

"Who?" Jonathan asked glancing at his son. Clark shook his head in response. No, he hadn't visited Lex on the island.

"Lewis, he was stranded there with his father sometime before me. I found his father's bones and he tried to kill me. I thought I had killed him when the sailors found me, but there was no body."

"What about the baby?" Clark's voice pulls Lex back from the island, and the enemy who still haunts him.

Lex sighs unable to look at either of them, "Helen sold a sample to my father."

Jonathan stiffens beside them, "What kind of sample?" He knew exactly what Lex was talking about, but didn't want to give away their interest.

"A blood sample, it wasn't labeled." Lex glares down at the table with a frown, "he's been studying it since she gave it to him."

"It seems he's been doing more than study it," Johnathan grit his teath, "Helen fit's right in with the family."

Lex opens his mouth to speak, but Martha's teary voice breaks in, "Jon, she has Clark's eyes." All three men look up at her entrance. She brings the quiet baby over to them.

"Luthor!" Jonathan's accusing eyes lock on Lex who is still staring at the baby's face.

"I don't know what happened Mr. Kent," he shakes his head forcing himself to look away from the child, "as I said I've been trapped on an island for three months."

Jonathan rises, "So you say. Helen wasn't engaged to Lionel was she? You're also the one who's obsess—"

"You think I made it up?" Lex got to his feet roughly pulling the shirt over his head to reveal sun damaged flesh, "Do you honestly think I'd do this on purpose!"

The two heard the baby's cry for a moment before Clark got to his feet lifting his mother into his arms and left with the baby in tow. He puts them down gently in the loft.

"Mom, do you need anything from the house?"

"Get the crib from the attic. Maybe some spare diapers. I think we bought some baby-food." She shook her head, "Clark, you have to make them see reason. I don't think Lex would make this up. Why else would he bring her to us?"

"I know," Clark kissed his mother's cheek before disappearing again into the house.

"Clark! It's your Dad!" Lex's voice was panicked as he tried to support the older man, "he was yelling, and then this."

Clark turns and the blur halts in front of the two and hisses, "Jor-El"

"Is that some kind of curse for 'stop complicating my life and screwing with my family' where you're from? I can leave," Lex attempt at humor is a cover for his shock.

"It should be," Clark agrees putting his father's arm over his shoulder.

"What? I was only joking."

"I'll explain when I get him to bed. I hope he just needs to rest. Can you take some baby-food and diapers to my Mom?"

"Yeah where—" Lex turns to see both items on the table, and Clark is already gone upstairs.

A/N: I have already started typing chapter 2, but I just figured this was as good a place as any to stop for a moment. This is my first Smallville fic, I hope there is no OOC, but I apologize if there is. I am also aware that Clark just revealed his speed to Lex. Explinations will follow in the next chapter.