Disclaimer: Claire is mine—but sadly nothing else is mine.

A/N: Hey guys. Thanks to my reviewers. Your observations were very helpful. I've had this ready, and it now has my fiancee's stamp of approval. (I read it to her tonight). I hope I left it at a good point.

Chapter 10

It has been a month since Lex's last conversation with his father. The Saturday morning routine on the Kent farm was as usual. Lex was spending a few much needed hours of peace with the family. At the moment Jonathan and Martha were out getting groceries. Lex carried Claire into the living-room where Clark stared at the TV. He stopped behind the couch where he could see what Clark was watching.

"Is something interesting going on up there?" Lex asked as he scrutinized the images from space that held Clark's full attention. Claire grabbed tiny fistfuls of Clark's dark curls and yanked roughly. "You know Claire I don't think Daddy's in Kansas anymore."

The door opened and Jonathan and Martha appeared laden with bags. He pulled the tiny fingers from Clark's hair and turned.

"Give me a second to put the baby down."

"No, Lex your hands are full. Clark can get it." Martha balanced too many bags waiting for her son.

Jonathan raised his voice from the doorway. "Clark! Hey Clark! Son, do you mind giving us a hand here?"

"Yeah," Clark reluctantly pulled his focus from the screen. "Sorry I must have got sucked in; you caught me in the middle of a news special."

"You were completely engrossed." Lex said hefting the nearly three month old in his arms. "If you were anyone else Claire would have fistfuls of your hair in her hands."

Clark grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, if I was ignoring you too, Lex."

"It seemed important, and you didn't miss much." Lex shrugged.

"What was the topic?" Jonathan passed Clark a couple bags.

Clark rushed them to the counter. "Solar flares, and their effects on Earth's atmosphere; according to NASA the sun took a direct hit from a comet today causing one of the biggest solar flares ever to be recorded."

"Oh you sound intrigued." Martha commented and smiled at her husband.

"Actually it's a relief to be researching a cosmic disaster that has nothing to do with me." He picked up his backpack. "I've got to go. I promised Pete I'd go over to the Talon to exchange some notes."

Lex checked his watch. "Do you want a ride? I have my final meeting with Dr. Foster in five minutes."

"Lex the mansion is in the opposite direction." Martha scolded as she turned to put away some boxes in the cabinets.

"That's ok," Clark cut in. "I feel like running today." He was already at the door. "See you later though." Martha and Jonathan each said bye as he left.

"Suit yourself." Lex walked over to the baby-swing, set Claire inside, and wound the mechanism. "I'm not that concerned about being punctual with the good doctor, Mrs. Kent."

Jonathan's lips twitched up briefly. "Think of it this way Lex—the sooner you get there the quicker your hour will be through."

Lex smirked. "I suppose you're right Mr. Kent. I'll see the three of you later this afternoon." He accepted the embrace Martha offered him and headed for the door himself.

The early fall fields flashed past as Clark raced along the empty road. The breeze agitated his hair and cloths, but it had no power to chill him. Suddenly his strength drained and his stride faltered. No sooner had he come to a bewildered stop than a car came swerving into view, and crashed into the light pole dropping dangerous power lines onto the asphalt.

The rush of power back into his body carried him to the car and ripped off the door he'd intended to just yank open. This must be what adrenaline really feels like. The man stared at him for a bleary moment. Clark picked him up and walked—but no his super-speed kicked in again—the man away from the hazardous electricity.

Once they were safe on the side of the road Clark asked, "You ok?"

"You pulled the door right off the car with your bare hands!" He slurred. Clark could see his blue eyes trying to focus. "You walked right through the power lines."

"You're a little drunk. Mister?" I shouldn't be glad, but at least he didn't almost hit anyone else.

"White, Perry White."

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

The hour was drawing to a close, and Lex had successfully filled the void with talk of the reconstruction after last year's tornado. "My father went with historical accuracy when he reconstructed, but I was thinking of taking some liberties with the décor." He paced toward his desk. "I'd move away from the artifacts and period pieces and go with something more modern—maybe even abstract." He took a sip of the orange juice Martha had sent him with. "Have any thoughts doctor?"

"Only that I hoped today's session would be more productive."

He turned from her to go behind his desk and smirked. "I believe the psychological term for refusing to accept the inevitable is denial, and no amount of probing can uncover emotional issues that don't exist."

"Now who's in denial?" She asked with a tilt of her head.

"Trust me I have nothing to hide." At lest on the topics we've discussed.

The woman sat forward. "Then tell me about the island. The fishermen who found you said you were raving about some imaginary enemy."

Lex shrugged. "I was ill—suffering from malaria."

"I saw your blood-work Lex. There was no trace of disease." She shook her head as she spoke. "Even some fictitious illness would not explain your reluctance to discuss your conflicted feelings towards your father. There is also your decision to give up your parental rights without consulting the mother of your child. Now until we understand—"

Lex barely managed to keep his tone level. As it was an edge of anger hardened his voice. "What I understand—doctor—is that LuthorCourp's insurance carrier insisted that I submit to five psychiatric therapy sessions." He settled behind his desk. "So I've submitted." Two ticks of the clock elapsed before he spoke again. "Sadly our final hour is up. I'll miss our sessions."

Dr. Foster gathered her notebook and stalked out of his office. When the door closed behind her Lex lent back in his chair and closed his eyes. He sighed in relief. It's over. Then his phone rang. "Lex Luthor… Yes, hello Gabe… No, it's fine. What did you need to discuss?" Building one company while working for the other kept him busy.

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

Later that afternoon Clark and Jonathan were working separately outside. Clark was installing posts for the new fence when another random surge of power drove one almost completely into the ground.

"Whoa take it easy Clark." Jonathan walked over to his son.

"I misjudged my strength."

"Your mother just got off the phone with the hospital. It seems Mr. White checked himself out an hour ago."

"I can't believe they let him go. The paramedics said his breathalyzer was off the charts."

The elder Kent frowned. "What do you think he saw, Son?"

Clark glanced down, "Dad, he probably doesn't even remember my name."

A truck rattled along the road and a voice called. "Clark! Clark, Kent!" The man from the accident hopped off the back. "Thank you!" He waved the truck on its way.

"Right," Jonathan said as they waited for the other man to join them.

"Last time I saw you, you were Frisbee-ing the door off my car, and ignoring the high voltage lines." Petty approached the pair. He shook Clark's hand and put down his briefcase. "I was trying to figure out which of the four Clarks I should be thanking when they hauled me off in the ambulance." He turned to Jonathan. "You must be Mr. Kent."

"Yes I am." Jonathan accepted the man's hand with a smile. "I'm certainly glad you're feeling better."

"Well that's relative. My car is crunched, that hillbilly cartoon of a Sheriff suspended my license for a DUI, and my assignment editor is screaming for my head."

Editor—that's not good. Clark asked, "You're a reporter?"

"I was—in a past life." He stepped around them and surveyed the farm. "At the moment I'm the advance man for Xstyles cable TVs one stop for the paranormally inclined."

"And what brings you here to Smallville?" Jonathan asked as he walked with the reporter.

"I'm researching a piece about the meteor shower, and the bizarre phenomena it spawned."

The older famer smiled tolerantly. "Don't tell me you believe any of that nonsense."

Mr. White returned his smile. "It's right up there with the tooth fairy." His gaze wandered over to the stack of posts. "Don't you need tools for a job like that?"

"We haven't pulled them out yet today." Clark who'd been hanging back stepped forward. "Mr. White you didn't come all this way just to ask about farm work did you?"

He looked from one Kent to the other. "No I didn't I thought we should discuss a settlement."

"A settlement?" Jonathan asked.

"I didn't off-road my car just for laughs Mr. Kent. I swerved to miss your son." He caught the uneasy glace between the two farmers. "Look, I'll make this easy on you. I need a local who knows the territory to ferry me around. You loan me Clark for a couple days and we'll call it even."

Jonathan nodded and the pair set out in the Kent's truck. Clark showed him some of the larger craters before Perry asked to be taken into town. The duo stopped at the Talon. It was busy by this hour with people needing a pick-me-up in the late afternoon. As they came in the door Clark spoke.

"Two meteor craters and that's it. You don't want to see anything else?"

"Blown out buildings and sink holes are background, Clark. Now I'm looking for substance, texture, and the human dimension." He picked up a copy of the Torch left on a table.

Lana came from her office in the back. "Clark, is everything alright? Pete waited for you all day. He left a few minuets ago."

"Uh, it's a long story."

Perry interrupted. "Hi, Perry White, I'd like a triple cappuccino, and a couple of those glazed bear crawlers." He dropped an old copy of Time magazine featuring the story on the meteor shower, and young Lana's anguished face on the cover. "And an interview with Smallville's very own Cover-girl."

Lana stared from the image that had haunted her to the man who tossed it so casually into her face. Clark stepped forward. "What are you doing?"

Mr. White barely spared him a glance. "It's called getting the story." He locked gazes with Lana. "Nothing fancy Ms. Lang. A simple Q and A—you know—how's Little Miss Meteor coping fourteen years after the Big Bang." He finished with a grin.

"Maybe this is a joke to you, but my parents died that day." Lana stayed calm but the anger was just under the surface.

The reporter's voice was unrepentant. "And I'm sorry, but that makes you news worthy."

Clark cut in when Lana's accusing eyes jumped to his face. "That's it you're leaving." He turned to lead the man back out the way he'd come.

The reporter held his ground. "Either she talks to me now, or she faces the cameras in the morning."

"Clark I can't believe you're with this guy." She snapped.

"Lana, no—" Clark tried to defend himself.

"Maybe you both should leave." She marched away from the pair.

Clark rounded on the reporter. "You didn't tell me Lana was part of your agenda."

Mr. White lent against the counter. "You didn't tell me you knew her." He picked up his magazine. "Hey I'm sorry if I hurt your girlfriend's feelings, but she is a legitimate source."

Clark stepped closer defensively. "She's not anymore." That's a decent answer to both questions, but you don't need to know that.

"It doesn't work that way Clark." He started looking through the Torch. "I still need faces to put on camera." He walked as he read. "You know your school paper has developed quite a rep among the bug eyed monster circle."

"Why would you say that?"

He turned to face Clark. "Because I did like three minutes of research before I came to town. Think the editor would know something about the meteor shower?"

Great now he's going after Chloe. "How would I know?"

Perry turned the paper and read, "'Principle Authorizes New Gym Mats' by Clark Kent. I know I was riveted."

Clark set his jaw. "Fine, let's go." He headed for the door, and his 'guest' followed with a smug smile aimed at Clark's back.

Soon they were standing before the 'Wall of Weird' in the Torch office. After a few moments of observing the wall of photos and clippings Clark shifted nervously. I don't want Chloe mad at me too.

"Maybe we should go." He suggested.

"I thought our stuff was off the wall. This is incredible." Perry continued to stare.

"It's all true." Chloe stood just inside the office hands on her hips.

Clark walked over first. "Chloe, Mr. White is doing a piece on the meteor shower. I didn't think it would hurt for him to have a look." Her eyes narrowed suspiciously at the word 'hurt'. I guess that means she talked to Lana.

Her tone was casual, "I have nothing to hide."

"Oh good," the journalist cut into their conversation. "I think we've already borrowed two or three of your ideas for our show. Now, do you make it all up yourself or do you pull in other writers?"

Chloe leveled her glare between them. "Excuse me?"

"Professional curiosity," he pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to her. "It's not every day I meet another junk journalist with a penchant for the bizarre."

"Xstyles? I have a penchant for the truth—something your freaks and shrieks cable show gave up around episode two." Instead of being offended the man chuckled.

Clark feared the wrath of Chloe Sullivan. "Alright that's it we're leaving." They were almost to the door when she called them back.

"Wait, wait, wait, wait—you're the Perry White?"

He smiled and turned to Clark. "You know what. I'm going to hoof it back to the motel, you young lovers can patch things up, and we'll continue the tour tomorrow."

Clark shrugged and stepped back into the room with Chloe. She gaped in disbelief. "I can't believe Perry White has set his sights on my girlfriend." When her friend still looked confused she sighed. "Clark, do you have any idea who that was?" He shook his head.

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

The next morning Lex sat in his office at the castle. His eyes were closed and the sound system filled the room with the ebb and flow of the ocean. His mouth was turned down in a frown, he felt the stir of air beside him, and grasped the reaching fingers.

"Lex!" Lana gasped and backed off. "I'm sorry I'm interrupting."

"No, no," he sighed and got to his feet. "Its strange—when I was on that island—I came to hate the roar of the ocean." He turned off the sound. "Since coming back I find it's the only thing that relaxes me."

Lana took a few steps closer. "You must think about what happened everyday. Does being around the farm and Clar—Claire help?" She smiled nervous that she'd asked too much.

"Yes they do." Lex's lips twitched into a small smile, "but I'm sure you didn't come all this way to discuss that." He waited several seconds for her to respond. "What did you want to see me about?" He finally prompted.

She spoke in a rush. "This tabloid television reporter came by the Talon yesterday asking for an interview about the meteor shower." She flung her arms out in agitation as she continued. "Then Chloe tells me he stopped by the Torch and implied she made up her entire 'Wall of Weird."

Lex strode forward hands behind his back. "I take it a succinct no comment didn't dissuade him?" He smirked. "I'm sure Ms. Sullivan corrected his error."

"She did, and—he said he was going to come back tomorrow—this time with a camera crew."

"You obviously don't want that."

"I've spent the last fourteen years trying to put that day behind me—and in an instant—he brought it all back." It was Lex's turn to let the conversation lapse into silence. "I know it's a lot to ask, but—I was hoping—that you might be able to do something."

Lex ran through various scenarios but kept the emotions from his face. Why is she trusting me with this? "I'm surprised you didn't go to Clark."

"I would have, but he was with him—at the Talon and the Torch. I don't understand why because Clark of all people understands secrets."

You have no idea. "So you want me to run him out of town before he can cause more damage?" Little do you know I have my own collection of secrets to protect.

"I want him to stop. I may regret saying this—but I really don't care at this moment how you do it."

Lex arched an eyebrow. "He must have been very persistent. What was his name?" How much of the world will miss him if I have to make him disappear? I don't want it to come to that, but still…

"Perry White, I know Chloe did research on him yesterday."

Lex cut in at the end of her thought. "I'll make sure he never bothers either of you again."

A/N: Was that an evil place to leave it? Let me know what you think of the chapter. I'll have the next one up once it's edited.