Disclaimer: Don't own HP or Smallville
Magic and Meteors Part II
Lex watched Clark until the teen was out of sight and then poured himself some brandy and collapsed on the leather couch. Out of everything he had theorised about his friend he had never seen this coming. An alien, a real alien, was living as a farm boy in Kansas of all places. Who could have imagined? It was a massive shock, that was true but he would not betray Clark's trust. No one else had ever trusted him like this before, always seeing his father in him, but not Clark. The boy was too trusting in some ways and yet he had managed to keep this secret from everyone.
His father could never learn the truth about Clark, he shuddered to think what the man would do if he knew. He had to destroy every scrap of evidence he'd collected since the car crash, it was too dangerous to leave anything and he had his answers now.
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"This is the flu season. I don't even know why you came in today." Harry commented as he checked the thermometer.
"I felt fine this morning, and now I can't get warm." Sean answered as he shivered in the blanket.
"Let's see. This can't be right. You're not a Popsicle. Let's try again." Harry shook out the thermometer and gave it to Sean even as he felt his forehead, immediately feeling some sort of energy drain so he pulled his hand back. "I'm sending you to the hospital." He went to call the ambulance and Sean stood.
"Mmm. I'm...I'm actually feeling a little better now. Thanks." The teen bolted and Harry groaned.
"Clark if you can hear me try to intercept young Sean please, just don't touch him." He spoke to thin air, not entirely sure of Clark's hearing range.
A few minutes later Clark popped his head in. "Sorry, was with Chloe and Pete and couldn't get away. What happened?"
"Something's wrong with Sean Kelvin. He's freezing cold and when I touched him I felt some sort of energy drain."
"I'll keep an eye out." Clark promised and then ran to class.
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Lex put his hands up as Martha turned, still holding the chain saw. "Whoa! I come in peace."
"I'm so sorry. I didn't hear you." She quickly turned it off and took off her goggles.
"I'm just glad you weren't welding."
"What brings you out here in the middle of the day?"
"Those artichokes of yours. I need about thirty of them if you've got 'em." He picked up a piece of wood to fiddle with.
"Thirty? That's a lot of artichokes." She was surprised by the number but they could always use every extra cent.
"Yeah, I'm hosting a dinner tomorrow night for the local farming community, just an informal talk about some financial options. A lot of farms in town are having money trouble."
"Most people aren't looking for more loans." She warned.
"I'm offering my role as an investor-help people modernize and expand. This town once grew twenty percent of the corn in the state. Smallville was a heavy hitter. It just lost the drive to stay competitive." He put the wood down even as he wandered the yard.
"Or its connections."
Lex: If this town ever had connections, they wouldn't have named it "Smallville." He pointed out. "Your husband hasn't exactly kept his feelings about me a secret, but I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts on my proposal even if you're not interested."
"Jonathan doesn't hate you. It's just... your family's track record hasn't been the best in this town."
"Tell him I intend to change that." He swore. "Will you come?"
"Alright, we'll come and listen."
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"That's a great exhibit. I caught it in St. Petersburg." Lex commented from over her shoulder before taking a sip of his cappuccino. Harry wandered over and nodded to Lex before glancing down.
"I saw it last week, it was as good as Lex says." He assured Lana who smiled.
"Whitney and I are going to Metropolis tomorrow. I thought we'd check it out."
'Ah, trying to give the quarterback some culture?"
"It was his idea."
"Brave choice from a teenage boy." Harry chuckled.
"He figures one afternoon at the museum, he's off the hook for six months." Lex pointed out.
"For someone who wants people to keep an open mind, you're pretty quick to judge."
"What can I say? I just think you're with the wrong guy." Lex headed for the newspapers and Harry nodded to Lana before going to a table with his hot chocolate as Whitney joined her.
"Hey. Everything okay?" Whitney kissed her cheek in greeting and she smiled, holding up the pamphlet.
"I was just checking out some stuff for us to do tomorrow. Metropolis, remember?"
"Actually, some of the guys are pooling together and getting the fight on pay-per-view. It's tomorrow."
"And you gave them your money already." She put the pamphlet down, disappointed.
"Yeah. Hey, we'll go next weekend, okay? I promise. I'm really sorry, Lana."
"Culture can wait." She promised.
"I'll make it up to you. See ya." He left her side and Lex grinned from where he'd been listening as he spotted Clark outside.
"You know, she's free tomorrow night. Hey, Clark. This is the perfect time for you to ask her out." Lex joined Clark on the other side of the window.
"She's got a boyfriend, Lex."
"A high school boyfriend isn't a husband. He's an obstacle. You know, I bet if you ask Lana to go with you to the Radiohead concert in Metropolis tomorrow, she'll say yes."
"And if she says yes..."
"I'll give you the tickets." He pulled out two tickets, originally he was going to offer to take Clark but this was the perfect opportunity to help him get the girl of his dreams.
"Why are you doing this?"
"You're like the younger brother I never had. I figure someone should benefit from my experience."
"I can't just ask her out."
"The hardest thing in the world is telling the girl you love that you like her. I'll raise the bet. You ask her in the next sixty seconds, you get the tickets, and I'll throw in a round-trip limo ride, starting now." He smirked and Clark hesitated before taking them and heading inside.
He took a deep breath and glanced at a smirking Lex before moving to the side of Lana's chair. "Hey, Lana, you busy?"
"Completely swamped. That's why I'm sitting in a coffee shop attempting to wade through a Russian classic."
"Oh.'
"That was a joke, Clark."
"Good. 'Cause there's this thing tomorrow night."
"Define "thing"."
"It's a concert-Radiohead, to be exact-and I got a couple tickets."
"Wow. Where'd you get these?"
"A friend. Something came up at the last minute, and I was wondering if you'd like to go, you know, with me."
"I'd-"
"Just as friends." He quickly clarified.
"Definitely. I'd love to." She smiled and he smiled back before catching sight of Harry who smiled and nodded.
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"It's bad enough you ride that motorcycle, by why do you have to repair it in the house?"
"Because if I didn't, you'd never have any reason to be angry with me." He answered, glancing up from his work.
"I'll trade you. Do all the engine work you want, but come with me to Lex's."
"We've already talked about that."
"I talked. You grunted."
"I thought I was rather articulate. Sweetheart, the Luthor's have sold out anyone who's ever trusted them. They don't know what it means to keep their word."
"They is Lex's father, not him. Be honest, you've never seen him be anything but generous. Arrogant and a little strange, yes, but he's been a good friend to Clark. We have to at least hear him out."
"Why?"
"We need options, Jonathan. Our home is on the line, our farm. You don't have to like him to listen. Besides, um... I already told him we would come." She admitted and Jonathon grimaced even as Clark practically ran down the stairs, grinning.
"Hello, citizens."
"I'm not familiar with this child. Where's the moody one, lives upstairs, runs real fast?" Martha asked and Clark just smiled wider.
"Oh, he's going on a date tonight. Not a date date, but a concert."
"Well, just who might this not-a-date date be with?"
"Lana Lang. Lex hooked me up with a couple of serious tickets and his limo."
"Oh, he did?" Jonathon asked.
"It's okay if I go, right?"
"Well, I guess Lex Luthor has worked out all of our evenings for us."
"Clark? Isn't Lana still going out with Whitney?" Martha asked.
"She's not married, Mom. Besides we can be friends, Harry said that you can't let lust or love stand in the way of being someone's friend first."
"Good advice. Just be careful Clark, we don't want to see you hurt."
"I know Mom."
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"Guess who just called me? Sean." Chloe smiled as Clark held up another shirt.
"Did he apologize for blowing you off?"
"He said he wasn't feeling well."
"Chloe, I saw him go off with Jenna. I guess she made him feel better."
"Well, he-he promised it was completely over with her."
"You like him, don't you?"
"He may be a little intellectually challenged, but he's really hot. Besides, he begged to get together tonight just to talk, so I told him he could bring me a coffee at the Torch."
"Sounds like a date." He teased.
"It's not a date. It's a fact-finding mission to see if he deserves a date."
"I just don't want to see you get hurt. Promise to be careful? He was in to see Dr Murphy before and he was worried about him, wanted to call an ambulance. Something about his body temperature."
"Well I'm sure he's feeling better or he wouldn't have called. I'm a big girl Clark."
"I know. Just…. see if Pete can hang around for a bit?"
"He's got a date tonight too."
"Oh."
"I can look after myself Clark, promise. Don't worry. I figure if you can take a risk with Lana, I can take a shot too. Uh...blue's a good colour on you." She nodded at the shirt he'd pulled out of the clean wash basket.
"Really?"
"Really, now hurry up and get ready. Don't want to keep Lana waiting. I'll see you tomorrow. Have fun."
"You too."
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Harry stood from examining the remains and the sheriff turned to him. "Well Doc?"
"It's Jenna Barnum." He confirmed. "Well, what's left of her."
"What could have done this?"
"Liquid nitrogen? This is strange and I'm not sure how."
One of the deputies came into the bathroom. "Sir, apparently she was last seen leaving school with another student, Sean Kelvin."
"Kelvin? He was in my office today with an extremely low body temperature."
"Okay put out a news bulletin, we need to find and question Sean. Thanks for the help Dr Murphey."
"No problem. I don't mind filling in when needed, especially when it's the kids from school." They shook hands and Harry left. He quickly dialled the Kent farm. "Hi Martha, it's Harry. Is Clark there?"
"He's already left for his date with Lana."
"Okay thanks."
"Is something wrong?"
"I got called in to help the Sheriff, one of Clark's classmates is dead and the suspect is another classmate."
"Oh no. We were just about to leave for Lex's, should we postpone?"
"No. I'm heading there myself. Just keep an eye out."
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"Welcome. I'm delighted you decided to come." Lex called as the Kent's were admitted to the lounge room.
"Your house it's very-"
"Large?" he finished for her.
"To put it mildly." Jonathon commented and Lex shrugged.
"The word "restraint" doesn't exist in my father's vocabulary."
"I-I'm sorry, are we early?"
"I think we should go."
"Wait, wait, Jonathan, just because no one else came-"
"That is if anyone else was even invited."
"Oh, I don't think Lex would-"
"Actually, I would. I did, sort of. We are missing one guest. But only because I knew you wouldn't have come otherwise. I know your farm's in trouble, Mr. Kent." Lex explained and then took a drink. "Small town."
"So you thought you would just take advantage of my family's problem."
"No. I thought I could help."
Jonathon looked at his wife who silently pleaded with him and he slumped a bit before nodding. "Well, then, I guess we're here to listen."
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"I've never actually sat in a limo before tonight."
"I did once. Nell got one to take us to the ballet, but it wasn't as nice as this."
"Beats another night of defensive reading. You've done it since we were kids. Whenever the world gets disappointing, you retreat into a book. There are worse things."
"No, you're right. It's just-It's easier than dealing with my own life, you know what I mean?"
"I do the same thing with astronomy. I look at different worlds and wonder if my life would be better there."
"You always seem to understand what I'm trying to say. How come you know so much?"
"Magic. You don't believe in magic? I'll show you." He grinned and pulled a pack of cards from the side area. "Pick a card."
"All right."
Clark stared, using his x-ray vision. "Three of hearts."
"Full of surprises."
"This is weird, huh. I felt like I had to explain tonight to Nell."
"I spent the better part of the day convincing people this was not a date. How about Whitney?"
"I didn't tell him."
"And your feeling guilty about that?'
"He's hanging out with his friends, and I'm hanging out with mine."
"Exactly." He went to say more but their attention was taken by a sudden news bulletin on the tv screen built into the back of the privacy screen.
"And in Smallville tonight, police are seeking seventeen-year-old Sean Kelvin after the mysterious death of a fellow Smallville High student Jenna Barnum, whose body was found early this afternoon..."
"Oh my god." Lana whispered.
"Kelvin was last seen leaving-"
"Stop the car." Clark called.
"Clark, what's wrong?"
"Well, it's complicated." He hesitated, remembering Harry's words on secrets and how well Lex had taken things. "Chloe has a date…with Sean. She's at the Torch, won't have heard this. I have to warn her. Can you hang out here for a while? I want you to be safe." He rushed out.
"Sure. Find Chloe. I'll try ringing the Torch office from inside."
"Thanks. I just want you to know this is the best non-date I've ever had." He grinned and ran off, moving faster once out of sight.
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"I'll be right back." Pete told his date before walking over to where Lana was sitting, reading, with a mug of coffee. "Shouldn't you be fifth row center right about now?"
"Hey, Pete."
"Where's Clark?"
"We saw that news report about Jenna, and he remembered Chloe was meant to be meeting Sean. I called the Torch but no answer and Clark was headed over to make sure she's safe."
"I heard that, too. I always thought that Sean was a good guy. I guess we don't know people as well as we think. And I'm sure Clark and Chloe will be fine."
"You've been friends with Clark for a long time. Is he always so..."
"Clark-like?"
"Yeah."
"Sometimes he's totally there and you think you know everything about him, and then there's this part that's..."
"Mysterious." She smiled wistfully and he nodded.
"Yeah, that's it. Clark Kent international man of mystery."
"Lana! What are you doing here?" Whitney called as he spotted the two talking.
She smiled and held up her book. "Just reading."
"Pretty dressed up to be digging into a book.'
"I'll catch up with you later."
"Pete, why don't you take your date for a spin in the limo?" She called after him.
"Oh, she's not a date. She's just my friend."
"Either way, I won't be needing it." It was too late to make the concert now.
"Ooh! Thanks!"
"What were you doing in a limo?"
"Just hanging out with a friend."
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"Guess the generator works. Power must have blown. Where were we?" Lex asked as the lights went off and then came back on. Before anyone could answer the doors opened and Harry walked inside.
"Sorry I'm late. County coroner is out sick so the Sheriff asked me to fill in."
"Coroner? Is everything alright?" Lex asked in concern.
"A student is dead and another is the suspect. I'm surprised you hadn't heard, it's made the news." Harry accepted the glass Lex offered. "Now how much had you explained?"
"I believe Lex was explaining how he could single-handedly save the family farmer."
"Jonathan..."
"It's okay, Mrs. Kent. I understand your husband's scepticism. Your farm's drowning in debt. We both know it. All I'm trying to do is offer you a hand but you keep slapping it away."
"I learned a long time ago from a man much smarter than myself that you need to solve your own problems."
"Your father lived in different times, and he had his share of help. It seems government subsidies carried him through a number of lean years." He handed over a folder of paperwork which they looked through.
"Where did you get these?" Martha asked in confusion.
"It's a matter of public record. I'm making a business offer. I had to do my due diligence."
"Why are you so interested in our family, Lex?"
"Your son brought me back from the Mr. Kent. When he reached in and pulled me out, he gave me a new life. Your father put his family's future over his own pride. Are you willing to do that?"
"And it's not just Lex's offer. He's offering sixty percent of the deal, I'm offering forty. I'm rich but not that rich however my forty percent is on offer with no strings or sharing of profit. It's a simple cash offer."
"From someone who can afford to lose money. If I lost that amount with nothing to show for it my reputation would take a hit that could affect a lot of things, including the plant."
"So you would give us the latest farming equipment and technology." Martha looked between the two young men.
"All in exchange for our independence."
"Harry's influence would not exist. My influence will be minimal, but existing, yes. It's a partnership."
"We could get a loan."
"Or you could allow us to help you get to the point where you never need someone like us again."
"I'll admit, it looks generous." Martha smiled.
"It is." Harry agreed.
"Which begs the question, "What does Lex Luthor get out of all this?"
"I believe there's profit to be made. I'm not exactly in the charity business."
"Like father, like son."
"Take some time to think about it. I'm sure you'll see the benefits outweigh your other options. To the future." They began to toast but the doors open to reveal Whitney supporting Lana.
"Lana!" Martha put her glass down.
"She's okay." Whitney assured her even as Harry moved over to take her from him, settling her onto the couch and then kneeling to examine her.
"Where's Clark?" Martha asked in alarm.
"Looking for Chloe. She had a date with Sean tonight, when we heard the news he went after her." She winced as Harry probed her ankle.
"Sprained, not broken thankfully." Harry smiled at her, ignoring the others as they talked.
"This kid sounds dangerous. I've got the gate down and the alarm on. You're staying here until they find Sean. Sorry about your date." Lex said to Lana who shrugged. "Any sign of Clark?"
"No, and I'm still getting the answering machine at home."
"Remind me I don't have to worry." Martha whispered and Jonathon smiled, hugging her.
"He's Clark, Martha." He assured her right as the lights went out.
"Everyone stay where you are, we don't need more injuries." Harry called, the flickering firelight not much in such a large room.
"I know my way in the dark, I'll get torches." Lex called and then left for a few minutes. "Here you go." He handed them out when he returned.
"Thanks. I'll go check the front gate."
"It should be secure."
"I'll check the generator. Where is it?"
"It's on the side of the house, but I can get it." He called after her and Harry chuckled.
"Farmers are very self-sufficient and independent."
"I'm learning that."
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Harry looked up as Lex walked up onto his front porch. "Well?"
"They've accepted our offer, grudgingly in Jonathon's case."
"Give him time, he'll see you're not your father in time." Harry promised.
"I hope so." He picked up the bottle Harry motioned towards and drank. "Here's to a quiet week or two."
"Amen."
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Clark took a deep breath as Chloe climbed into the loft. This felt a thousand times harder than telling Lex. He'd known Chloe longer after all and she was a reporter, something the family feared getting hold of the truth. But he couldn't keep lying and Harry had told him if worse came to worse he could actually remove the knowledge from her or anyone else who reacted badly.
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"You know it belonged to Alexander the Great? They said the design symbolizes strength and courage." Lex commented as he joined Clark in looking at the magnificent breastplate. He was happy the Kent's had accepted his invitation to the museum gala.
"I can't exactly see myself going into battle with that on my chest."
Lex chuckled. "Darker times call for darker methods. His opponents thought he was invincible."
"I didn't know you were such a history buff."
"I'm not. I'm just interested in people who ruled the world before they were thirty."
"Don't worry, Lex. You still have a few years to go." Lana said as she joined them in looking at the display.
"Lana, I didn't know you were going to be here."
"Didn't Lex tell you?"
"Must've slipped my mind. Why don't I leave you two alone? Harry's meant to be around somewhere and I have some business questions for him." he quickly vanished into the crowd.
"Having fun?"
"Yeah, well, I'm feeling a bit underdressed." He admitted, everyone else was in black tie, even Lana was wearing a very pretty dress.
"If it makes you feel any better, Whitney is just as uncomfortable."
"Whitney came too?'
"Why don't you join us? I'm going to go yank Nell away from the jewellery exhibit so we can eat."
"Yeah, sure." He smiled slightly and watched her head for her aunt before moving towards the door.
"Clark, where are you going?" Lex called as Harry turned to see him as well.
"I'm going to get some...air."
"You know; you're never going to get her if you keep running away from your enemy."
"Whitney's not my enemy.'
"Yes he is, Clark, and the sooner you realize that, the sooner you'll find a way to win Lana. Just remember, keep your friends close and the quarterback closer." Lex's answer had Harry laughing.
"Don't wander far Clark, Metropolis isn't Smallville." Harry called.
"I know."
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"Hello? Hello? Anybody home? Dad, is that you?" Clark looked up and easily caught the generator as it dropped.
"Kid, I don't know what they've been feeding you, but that was pretty impressive." Phelan commented as he came out of hiding.
"Who are you?"
"I am your new best friend, Clark."
"How do you know my name?" He demanded, feeling scared. This was the sort of person he never wanted to know his secret.
"Oh, I asked around. That's the beauty of a small town. Everyone's just so eager to help. A far cry from Metropolis."
"What do you want with me?"
"Your help. You see, Clark, I'm in a battle that I can't afford to lose. Because if I do, the bad guys win. And you have this gift that I need."
"I'll never help you."
"You have a secret you don't want the world to know about. I'm guessing that's why you didn't stick around for the TV cameras last night. You want to keep things that way, you'll do as I say. Drop by that overpriced coffee shop tomorrow afternoon and we'll talk about your future. Nice catch by the way." With that he left and Clark barely hesitated before running for Harry's.
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"You know trying to blackmail teenagers is really low." Harry commented and Phelan spun, hand going for his gun only to watch it fly into Harry's hand. "Let's keep this civilised shall we?"
"What is this, a town full of freaks?"
"I've lost count of the times I've been called that but the only freak I see is you. A cop who uses everyone to get what he wants. Well no more. You are going back to Metropolis where you will turn yourself in and confess your sins."
"Keep dreaming."
Harry smirked and Phelan backed off, suddenly wary before he became utterly calm. He would confess, confession was good for the soul after all.
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"There is nothing like 50 minutes of Mr. Austin's English class that works up an appetite." Clark grinned.
"There's nothing like having a 6-page student biography due Monday to help me lose mine." Pete complained.
"What, the biography part, or the fact that our fellow student subjects were randomly assigned?" Chloe asked.
"Pete's convinced that the drawing was fixed."
"There are a dozen ladies in our class, each worthy of lengthy interrogation. I get stuck with Stan Gibson."
"The manager of the student store? Well, I hear he's very..."
"Efficient?"
"Very funny. I'm about to learn more about the art of selling "Go Crow" pendants than any human should have to endure. You haven't stopped smiling since we left. Who's your victim?"
"The illustrious Mr. Kent himself." Chloe smirked and Clark groaned. It was great that she'd taken the truth so well and had kept it secret but now he was worried.
"Me?"
"I take it back. Chloe's the one with the challenge."
"Excuse me?"
"No offense, Clark, but digging up six pages of interesting on you is going to require some serious excavation.'
"I do stuff.'
"Yes, and I'm sure that once I deploy my journalistic skills on you, I'll be able to unearth a skeleton or two." She teased.
"You know, uh, Chloe. This is a class project, not a corruption scandal."
"Relax, Clark, it's not like you have anything to hide, right?" He shot her a glare for that question.
"Come on, Clark. Cough up. Who'd you get?"
"Oh, don't tell me. Lana Lang. Oh, my God. Just look at his face. You don't even have to see it."
"Like I said, definitely rigged. I can assume you'll be starting your paper ASAP?"
"It's all gonna work out. I've been helping Lana over at the Talon, getting ready for the grand opening."
"Oh, that's nice. The surrogate boyfriend does the heavy lifting while Whitney works at his dad's store."
"On that note..."
'Wait. When are you gonna sit down and do my interview?"
'Right. Uh, I'll be around."
"Did he just blow me off?" Chloe gaped at where Clark had been.
"One step forward, two steps back. Come on."
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"How you holding up?" Clark asked gently. He'd been considering opening up about the truth to Lana but that could all wait until whatever was going on was dealt with.
"I was fine until, uh, it showed up."
"Yeah, stupid question.'
"What kind of a sick person would do a thing like that?"
"I don't know. But I've never seen Lex so freaked out before." He admitted.
"You can join the club. That guy warned me. He said everything Lex touches turns out badly. How much do we really know about him and his past?" She asked and then fell silent as Lex himself joined them outside the Talon.
"I want you both to know how truly sorry I am about this. I promise this won't affect the grand opening."
"We're going to be infamous before we even open the doors."
"Do you know who he is? The guy in the... you know."
"Max Kasitch. And yes, I knew him a long time ago in Metropolis."
"You have any idea who might have done this to him?"
"Not at all.'
"What about your old friend Jude Royce?'
"I doubt it could have been him, Clark."
"Why?'
"Because he's been dead for three years." Lex answered firmly.
"So unless the dead are walking…" Harry commented as he joined them. "You three alright?"
"We're okay Dr Murphy."
"Alright, but if that changes or if you need someone to talk to feel free to call me."
"Thanks."
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"Come on, Pete. I'm desperate. Now the only information I can get from the Kent's was the earth-shattering admission that Clark hates peas." He could hardly put he was an alien in the report.
"Chloe, a body part shows up at the Talon and all you can do is talk about Clark. Where are your priorities? You know Lex Luthor must be mixed up in this somehow."
"Easy. Now, I know you've got issues with the Luthor's, but—"
"More than issues. You know what the Luthor's did to my family." He snapped.
"Okay, one piece of investigative information at a time. Now about Clark..."
"Chloe, what do you want from me? In a world full of designer water, Clark Kent is straight from the tap.'
"I know, but you've known him the longest. I mean, all I need is just, like, a little anecdote. Just a small piece of information from Clark's deep, dark past."
"Well, there was something back in the first grade."
'Thank you! That's more than I've uncovered in, like, the past two days. Now please, let's continue." She just needed something other than his biology to make it interesting.
"There was this bully three grades ahead of us. This dude was determined to pound dents into every kid in the school. One day, I guess it was my turn. He was just about to take my head off when Clark jumped between us."
"So Clark ran interference. Now, as kind as that sounds, Pete, I really don't think it falls under the "something amazing" test." Still not what she needed.
"What test?" Clark asked warily as he joined them with his lunch tray.
"I'm not finished. Clark didn't just push brain-dead away. He put him through a door, as in splinters and broken hinges. How he did it, I still have no idea. The guy was at least twice our size."
"Clark, any comments?" She smirked slightly, they both knew how he had done that but she also knew Pete didn't know the truth yet.
"Uh, well, we were, you know, six years old. Twice our size was three feet tall."
"If you need any more ancient history, ask the source. I've got an appointment at the student store.'
"Have fun. And so the mystery that isn't Clark Kent deepens."
"Mystery?'
'Yeah. Since you continue to play obstructionist, I've had to find information through other means. For instance, I found that your adoption was done through Metropolis United Charities. But this is the strange part. They were only in business for six months and from what I can tell, yours is the only adoption they handled."
"I can't believe you did this, Chloe." He stared at her in horrified shock.
"You didn't know? I just assumed that your parents would have told you. I mean, weren't you interested how they did it?"
"Why would I be? My biological parents are either dead or didn't want me. The point is, you're prying into my private life."
"I was just trying to be thorough. I wasn't going to put anything 'dangerous' in, without that you're a pretty boring guy on paper."
"This is a class project. I spent an hour yesterday with Lana. That's it. That's all I needed. I'm not some mystery for you to solve."
"Clark, I-" She tried as he stormed off.
"A moment Miss Sullivan."
She turned to find Dr Murphey standing there and so got up and followed him to his office. "I understand you are a reporter but Clark is your friend and he trusted you. How could you invade his privacy like that? Would you like it if the person assigned to you did the same?"
"But…."
"You were wrong Chloe. Clark's secrets are dangerous in the wrong hands. What if someone found your search and decided to look deeper?"
"Wait…. you know?"
"Yes. Now, you owe Clark an apology and you better ensure all traces of your search are destroyed. Understood?"
"Yes Doctor." She slunk out of his office. Harry shook his head but logged on and began his own search, working to shore up Clark's records.
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"Clark! Come on, son. The cows aren't gonna feed themselves. What, you have a late night?" Jonathon yelled towards the house.
"I was helping Lana. To her credit, she's not gonna let the whole body part incident delay the opening of the Talon." He answered as he appeared in the barn.
"Well, that's what happens when you get into business with somebody like Lex Luthor."
"Well, if it wasn't for Lex, the Talon would be a parking garage. Not to mention the farm. Dad, Harry and I trust him, he's not his father."
"Son, he casts a very, very long shadow. I just want to make sure that none of you kids get hurt. That's all."
"The past is in the past. The best we can do is look to the future." Calrk quoted something his Dad had told him before and Johnathon sighed.
"All right, you got me. Speaking of that, how's Chloe's paper coming along? And I assume that she's done with her interviews."
"I'm not sure." He answered as they began walking towards where the cows were grazing in the back pasture.
"Look, Clark, if she mentions anything to you about the peas? I'm sorry, it's the first thing that came to mind."
"And if she mentions anything to me about Metropolis United Charities?"
"And I used to think perseverance was an admirable quality." He grumbled.
"Since I learned the real truth, I hadn't thought about the adoption. Dad, Chloe told me the agency you used was only open six months and I was the only kid adopted."
"Look, son, uh, the process is a really tough one, even when you go through normal channels. With you, it was just a little more complicated. That's all."
"Is everything legal?" Clark asked, worried someone would try to take him away.
"Yeah, it's legal, it's just... Well, it required a higher level of access than you mother and I had."
"What does that mean?"
"Let's just say that it's a very long road between what's sitting in our storm cellar and what's written on your birth certificate. You hear that?" he stopped and frowned, straining his hearing.
"Hear what?"
"The whole herd's just over that rise, we ought to be hearing something." They ran up to the top and stared in horror at dead cows and containers of waste marked LuthorCorp.
Two hours later the farm was swarming with official people from various agencies from the Sheriff up. Clark looked over as Chloe ran up and hugged him. "You're alright?" She asked.
"We're all fine."
"What do you think happened? Why would LuthorCorp dump their stuff here? I'm gonna go take from some different angles." She promised even as Lex ran to where they were standing.
"Mr. and Mrs. Kent, I have no idea how this could have happened, but I'll do everything in my power to find out. And I'll pay for your livestock of course." He promised.
"You think that's how you solve everything, don't you, Lex? You sprinkle a little money on it and hope the problem goes away. Well, obviously some things are a little more difficult than that." Jonathon snapped.
"Enough!" Harry called as he joined them, looking around with a professional eye. "Lex and I both have money in this farm and you think he'd allow something like this to happen? It would be a very stupid move and Lex is not stupid. Someone is trying to drive a wedge between you, don't give them the satisfaction." Harry then dragged Jonathon off to talk to the C.E.P. people.
"I didn't think it was possible to fall any further in your father's eyes. Obviously, I was wrong. You know I'd never intentionally allow something like this to happen." Lex pleaded and Clark nodded.
"I know you wouldn't Lex and deep down so do my parents. The herd meant a lot to them. Does this have anything to do with Club Zero?"
"I think so."
"You need to tell the authorities everything you know. This isn't just about you anymore."
"Mr. Luthor, the C.E.P. guy needs to talk to you. He's over there." A deputy called and Lex nodded, walking over only to find a dead man smiling at him.
"Looks like a real black mark on your company's environmental record." Jude commented.
"I'm going to walk over there and get that sheriff."
"And tell him what?"
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"What's going on Harry?"
"With all the trouble I decided to show you this earlier than originally intended."
"Show me what?" He asked and then gaped in awe as an entire wall shifted back to reveal a very solid metal wall and door with a control pad. Harry showed him the code as he entered it and then he pressed hard to open the door.
"No one of human strength can open this, even if they got all the codes right." Harry commented as they descended.
"Harry…" all he could do was stare in awe at the various screens and desks.
"This is all for you Clark. Made from a combination of everything I know about advanced and alien technology because the odds of only two intelligent species in the cosmos is ridiculous. Good afternoon Jarvis."
"Good afternoon Sir."
"What?" Clark looked around.
"Jarvis is an AI, created to run all of this."
"But why Harry?"
"Because if anything happens to me, you are my heir. I've also gone through all your records and made sure they will stand up to any scrutiny."
"Are you planning to die?"
"No, but I rarely plan on dying. Everything in my accounts plus this house and land will be yours. Jarvis will be able to check that piece of metal and the writing against a database of alien languages, even if the exact language isn't in it he may have enough to estimate a translation."
"This is…. thank you."
"You're welcome Clark."
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"Still no word from Lex. No one's spoken to him since this morning." Clark hung up and looked at Chloe who was having a field day with a link into Jarvis.
"Okay, well, we pulled our alleged dead guy's license plate. It's registered to John Smith. Very original. He has an address in Metropolis and he does not work for the C.E.P."
"How'd you do that?"
"Jarvis hacked into the DMV database. See? Sometimes persistence is a good thing."
"Call Metropolis P.D. Have them go to the address. Then call Harry and explain."
"What's going on?"
"I don't know but I'm going to Metropolis to find Lex. Get Jarvis on a search for him and call me if you find anything."
"We're on it, be careful." She called as he ran out of the room.
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"Liar! That's what it said in the papers, but that's not what really happened." Jude yelled.
"It's the truth! Read the police reports!" Lex screamed back, throat raw and his body throbbing as he hung from the cuffs. His only chance was Clark or Harry, if the teen was even looking for him after all the trouble on the farm.
"I know you covered it up. I don't know how you did it, but you're gonna pay."
"Who are you?"
"Don't you remember? Hmm? You killed me. Daddy can't save you this time, Lex." He looked and saw Lex wasn't buying it so he looked to his boss just in time to be shot.
"No more games, Lex. It's time for the truth." A new man walked into view, holding the gun.
"I know you. You're the contractor from the Talon."
"That's my day job."
"Who are you?"
"Mandy never talked about her family?"
"She- she had a brother in Central City. She said he was in prison. She was the only person who kept in touch with him."
"She was my lifeline when I was inside. You see, I never had a rich daddy to keep me out of jail."
"I don't understand. What do you want?"
"What do I want? What do I want? I want vengeance for my sister."
"What do you mean? Where's Amanda?" he demanded, she was meant to be safe. He wasn't allowed to contact her but she was meant to be safe.
"She's dead, Lex. She committed suicide a year ago."
"I never knew." He whispered in shock.
"That's because you cut her out of your life. She was never the same after Club Zero. Jude's death devastated her. He was the love of her life. You took all that away. She had nothing to live for."
"Who's that?" Lex looked over at the unmoving body he could just see.
"Lucky break. A couple weeks after Amanda's funeral, I walk into a greasy spoon in Bloodhaven and there he is. I couldn't believe it. Short-order cook, flipping burgers. You know how they say everyone in life has a double. I had to look twice. I figure if he can fool me, he can fool you."
"Why'd he do it?"
"He was on parole, needed the money, and that's when I got the idea. You ruined Mandy's life, I'd ruin yours. Mandy's finally gonna get the justice she deserves."
"You were right. You were right. The newspapers, the police reports, what I told Phelan, they were all lies. You want the truth? I'll give it to you. Amanda killed him."
"No, no, no, no, you're twisting it again!" He denied, his sister hadn't been a killer.
"That's what happened! That's what happened. Amanda pulled the trigger, she shot Jude. I was just trying to protect her."
"I'm through with you, Lex!"
"Killing me won't bring Amanda back. None of this can change what happened." He strained in the cuffs but he had nothing to pick them with and he couldn't break them.
"I don't care. After tonight, you'll never hurt anyone else. You can't escape your past, Lex."
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Calrk made it to the closed down club in time to see Harry appear. "Chloe told you?"
"Yeah. You find Lex and get him out, I'll deal with our kidnapper."
"Harry…"
"I've done this before plus I can do things that don't need major coverups to hide like you stopping bullets."
"Alright, just be careful." Clark ordered before they slipped inside and split up. Clark spotted Lex hanging and ran to him at human speed while Harry made his way around the catwalks. "Lex!"
"Get down! There's a man with a gun up there!"
"Where? You mean that guy? What happened?" He pointed at the body and Lex shook his head.
"I have no idea. How'd you find me here?" He asked as Clark got him down.
"Bit of detective work." He smiled and then they heard a gun go off.
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Harry moved into sight as the man began walking away. "Drop the gun."
"What are you going to do if I don't? You're no cop."
"Actually I'm a Doctor." Harry answered.
"He deserves to die!"
"Maybe. But you won't be killing him today." Harry moved closer and then the man tried to lunge past so they ended up grappling for the gun. They fought briefly and then the gun went off.
Clark appeared on the catwalk as Harry collapsed and he screamed. "NO!" He grabbed the gun, crushing it and Amanda's brothers hand in the process, making the man scream before Clark knocked him out.
Lex clambered up and swore when he saw Harry and the spreading pool of blood. He knelt beside the other man and tried to apply pressure. "Clark call an ambulance!" he yelled at the shocked teen. Clark fell to his knees beside them, x-ray vision conforming there was nothing that could be done. Harry weakly grabbed Clark's hand and then pushed it at Lex so Lex clasped Clark's now bloody hand. The wizard smiled at them and then closed his eyes. Clark stumbled back to his feet and pulled Lex with him, knowing what would happen next. Sure enough the body was soon engulfed in flames.
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The funeral for Doctor Harry Murphy was attended by nearly all the town and was paid for by Lex Luthor although organised by Martha Kent so that it was more down to earth. The Kent's and Lex stood around the empty grave at the end in silence, all still shocked that the doctor was gone, off to help the next world in need. Finally, they walked away as well.
"I get the feeling you're avoiding me, Clark." Lex admitted as they walked towards Harry's house.
"I just realized there's a lot I don't know about you."
"You think my dark past is gonna rub off on you? I was trying to protect Amanda. My father wouldn't have raised a finger to help her, but I knew he'd do anything to save his only son."
"So you took the fall and everything was covered up. Is that really what happened? Is it the truth?'
"The truth is; I'd do anything to protect my friends." He swore and Clark nodded. All of this now belonged to him, held in trust until he was eighteen with Lex looking after it.
"What do we do with his stuff?"
"Donate whatever you don't want to keep I guess."
"It seems so…"
"Impersonal? Better us than strangers."
"Yeah."
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Lex watched his Father' interview as the man ran for State Senator. "Jarvis?"
"Yes Lex?"
"Send the files." He ordered, feeling Clark, Chloe and Lana watching him.
"Files sent." The AI answered. Every record of every dirty deal, any crime, was all being sent to the authorities and the press, local and international. It might not break the man but it would stop him running for office. Clark was using his inheritance from Harry and some of the monies made from Kryptonian technology to help Lex buy out LuthorCorp. Dumbing down the technology was really helpful to earth and Clark felt it served the AI of Jor-El right. He would never rule the Earth but he would help it grow. Lex looked down as Chloe took his hand and smiled at her. Who could have imagined he would ever end up engaged to a reporter? He glanced back at Clark and Lana and smiled, at least Clark finally got the girl, even if it took him six years to do so. He just wished for their sake that Pete was there but as Clark and Lex had gotten closer Pete had drifted further away in his hatred for Lionel.
Clark watched as Lex was forced to air his family's past to stop his father. He and Chloe had tried to dig up enough on Lionel without going into the mess with Lex's half siblings, mother and grandparents but Lionel was good at covering his tracks. If only Harry were still with them maybe he could have cornered the man and made him tell but Harry had been gone for almost six years now and it still hurt. Harry had been a mentor and older brother to him and in a way Lex as well. He just hoped wherever Harry was he was having a good life in that world.
The End
