He didn't know why he did it, but something propelled him to arrive at the faculty housing in under three seconds. It was probably a dumb thing to do, to blatantly use his powers, but he hadn't realized until that minute how much he missed being able to do whatever he wanted away from watchful eyes.

Lex's light was on so he speed up the back stairs, by-passing the elevator. He'd only been to Lex's rooms once or twice since they always worked in his office, so he hoped it wasn't too forward of him to visit him now. He took a deep breath and knocked lightly on the door. He heard a muffled "Come in!" and opened the door.

Lex was apparently in the middle of making himself dinner. Various spices and herbs were spread about on the narrow counter that separated the kitchenette from the rest of the front room, and the pungent smell of burned meat filled the small apartment. As Clark looked closer he could see the whole kitchen was in complete chaos, and Lex--who's back was still to him looked completely flustered over a pot of something that was boiling over.

"I'll be right with you Jack--though I'm thinking dinner is a complete bust."

"Its ok, I'm not that hungry."

Lex stopped dead in a comically frozen pose with his charred spoon held in mid-air. He whipped around and his whole face lit up when he saw Clark standing there. Without thinking he threw the spoon down and went to hug Clark, but remembered himself just in time and just grabbed his shoulders affectionately.

"Welcome back! I see the judge gave you a stay."

Clark returned his smile. "Yeah, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Now I feel like an idiot for worrying so much. But I just came by to thank you for your support, the Dean mentioned how you really went to bat for me; I appreciate it."

"I was just being honest, and its for the good of the school. That Jesse kid is a pain in the ass, and I think the Dean realizes that. Sorry, teachers aren't supposed to say things like that. Anyway,

Excelsior needs more students like you, not less."

Clark blushed a little. "Thank you. Well, I'm obviously interrupting dinner, so I guess I'll go face the dining hall."

"No, you're not interrupting. I'm happy you came by."

"Well, who's Jack?"

Lex's smile faltered a little. "Jack? He's just a friend. I promised I'd make us dinner, but I should have remembered I can't cook at all. I thought I could manage pasta, but I was seriously wrong."

Clark laughed, but he felt a small pang of--envy? But that was ridiculous. Lex could have friends, he just never imagined he did. How completely arrogant of him to see himself as his only friend. Lex was definitely worldly and well known, he probably had a ton of friends. Now Clark was realizing maybe it was ridiculous to think Lex would even consider himself a friend of a sixteen year old student of his. And maybe Braden was right, maybe Jack was a date...Clark tried to shake himself out of his thoughts, because the jealousy seemed to only increase. At least he knew alien teens were just as confused as everyone claimed human teens were.

"Clark?"

"Huh?" He must have looked like an idiot standing there. "Oh, sorry, I think I'm tired or something. Anyway, I'll see in you in class."

Lex really wished he didnt have to go, but Jack would be there any moment, and it would be awkward to say the least.

"I'd invite you to stay, but I think we'll probably just go into town and eat something edible, and I don't want you to get in trouble for leaving campus."

Clark nodded. "Thanks anyway. I'll go catch up with Braden."

"Its good to have you back Clark."

He smiled that smile that drove Lex crazy. It was somewhere between embarrassed and proud and pretty much summed up Clark.

Clark turned abruptly just before he closed the door. "Oh are we resuming our research meetings tomorrow?"

"Next week, I want to give you time to get settled back in."

"I'm settled."

Lex laughed at him. "Well lets play it by ear. Let me know how you're feeling about it after your classes tomorrow."

"Ok, goodnight Professor."

"Goodnight Clark."

For the first time in a long time, Clark overslept. He was welcomed to his first morning back in school by Braden tugging at his arm and yelling directly into his ear "Wake up!" and grumbling how trying to move him was like trying to move a damn boulder. So Clark was so rushed trying not to be late, that he didn't have time to worry about how everyone would look at him once he was thrown back into the thick of the student body. Before he knew it, he was standing in the dining hall with Braden leading the way to the long table in the middle where 'the crew' always sat. Clark was about to leave Braden and find a seat at the smaller tables by the window, when Braden tugged his backpack off his shoulder into an empty chair next to his and said they should go get breakfast before all the waffles were gone.

He didn't want to be pleased, and he didn't want it to matter, but he bit back a smile of relief as he followed a chattering Braden into the lunch line right behind Gareth who looked genuinely pleased to see him. Back at the table, he noticed Kennedy had joined them, while Jesse and Damon sat at the next table over. Of course the main topic of conversation was what happened between him and Jesse, but Clark thought it was in poor taste to discuss it with Jesse in earshot and shooting venomous looks his way. He didn't really want to talk about it anyway, and would be glad when the attention of the school shifted away from him.

Still, it was nice to no longer be an outcast, no matter how temporary.

By the time Clark walked into Lex's classroom--his last class of the day--he'd grown tired of all the looks and whispers and knowing smiles, or pointed glares. Didn't anyone have anything better to think about it? To make matters worse, Jesse sat just two desks away from him in Economics. His exasperation was quickly turning into a bad mood, chasing away the elation he felt that morning. It must have been written all over his face, because Lex threw him a sympathetic look as he entered the classroom. He noticed Jesse was already seated as he made his way over to his desk. It was the first time he'd gotten a good look at his face--it was bruised and swollen around his nose, and his cheeks were splotched with fading purple and red. Part of him would be happy when Jesse's face returned to normal so he wouldn't have to feel such crushing guilt every time he looked at him. He was so engrossed in being face to face with what he'd done, he didn't notice a well placed leg in the aisle.

Clark's face hit the old wood before he knew what was happening, and his books and pens spilled out of his bag, scattering in all directions along with his limbs. The burst of laughter all around him roared in his ears, and his cheeks burned with embarrassment and fear of having to explain the now cracked floor. He took a deep breathe, knowing he had two choices, and whichever he chose would seal his fate for the rest of the semester.

He gathered himself off the floor, placing a big grin on his face and looked directly at Jesse.

"I guess your legs grew since I last saw you. How about keeping them out of the aisle."

Another burst of laughter from everyone let him know he'd chosen wisely. Jesse just looked at him coldly and turned around in his seat. Gareth helped him pick up his books and supplies. Clark didn't dare look in Lex's direction--he had never been one to play to his peers and he knew Lex wouldn't approve--he didn't even approve; but he wouldn't go back to being an outcast just to spare Jesse further embarrassment.

Still, the whole incident rattled him and he found concentrating on the fate of the U.S dollar against the ever-growing Euro impossible, so when Lex asked him about the benefits of returning to the gold standard, Clark's mind was firmly planted on the very visible crack in the floor. Usually if he searched his brain he discovered some part of him had been paying attention, but this time he came up blank. He sheepishly asked Lex to repeat the question and answered more than was necessary to make up for not paying attention. Gareth elbowed him and snickered. Clark really just wanted the day over with.

He tried to slip out class as soon as the bell rang, but Lex summoned him to his desk. Maybe he was going to reprimand him for embarrassing Jesse. Clark slowly gathered his things and waited until the room was completely clear before he approached.

Lex was leaning against his desk, watching as Clark acted like he was walking a death march. He tried his best not to smile.

"First day back pretty rough, huh?"

Clark just shrugged, then immediately heard his mother's voice in his head admonishing him for being rude.

"Sorry. It was Ok. Hopefully things will go back to normal soon."

Lex nodded. "I wouldn't worry to much. By this time next week you'll be old news. I'd watch Jesse if I were you though. I have a feeling he's not forgetting this anytime soon."

Clark winced, wishing now he had handled the situation differently and cared less about saving face.

"I really should have kept my mouth shut."

Leave it to Clark to actually feel bad about embarrassing someone who'd just made him fall flat on his face. If it had been anyone else, he might have had a full-on fight on his hands. The truth was there were few bigger pricks on campus than Jesse and he was happy Clark wasn't letting him get away with his usual antics. Unfortunately, boys like Jesse had a way of enacting insidious retaliation and he only hoped he'd be able to protect Clark next time.

"Clark, Jesse deserved a lot worse than a few choice words. He tripped you, and he could have hurt you. And don't you dare bring up his nose--you push someone hard enough and you're bound to get something broken."

Clark was so relieved Lex didn't think he was a brat for what he did, he almost smiled. Almost.

" I wish I understood why he's like that."

"I gave up trying to understand boys like Jesse a long time ago. They are who they are and usually turn into horrible adults. The only thing you can do is to try and stay out of their way, and don't let them win if you can't. Well, enough about that prick..."

Clark eyes widened, he'd never get used to hearing a teacher talk about another student like that.

"... but I think I've proven my point from last night. You obviously need time to readjust, so we can begin working together whenever you're ready. I know today is our usual day, so I just wanted to re-confirm we don't have to do any research tonight ."

Clark looked alarmed. "No, please, can we still work tonight? Seriously, its the one thing I've been looking forward to all day. I just want someone sane to talk to for once. I mean i love Braden, but he never shuts up."

Lex laughed out loud, and Clark broke into his first smile since breakfast. The elation he felt that morning was slowly returning. He reminded himself he tended to take everything way too seriously, and he shouldn't let people's curiosity or Jesse's stupidity ruin his mood.

"Ok, if you're up for it, then I'll see you after dinner."

Clark smiled brightly. "Cool! Oops, I need to make study hall. I'd better run. I;ll see you tonight."

Lex barely had time to get out a goodbye before Clark was gone. Then that same weird emptiness he always felt whenever Clark left the room crept over him. It was like the first moments of dusk when the sun first slipped beneath the horizon.

That boy was really making him ridiculous.

Instinct told him he definitely should not be spending evenings alone with him, even if they were just working. He needed to end the research sessions completely, but he knew he wasn't going to. Right or wrong, its what he wanted and he wasn't about to give it up. He liked Clark way too much to compromise him, so he wasn't worried. He'd just have to find that self-control he learned a long time ago.

Clark rushed through dinner, trying his best to ignore Braden's weirdly jealous glares and showed up at Lex's rooms five minutes early. Wonderful smells wafted into the hall from Lex's room, a far cry from the pungent burnt smell from the day before. Maybe Lex had learned how to cook. When Lex opened the door and he saw the large white bags sitting on the counter, he realized Lex had simply learned to order in.

"You have room for lasagna?"

Clark smiled and hurried past Lex over to the waiting container on the counter. He took a long whiff.

"Mmmm..this smells almost a good as my Mom's, and a hell of a lot better than that mystery meat they served at dinner tonight. I hope our parents know their hard earned money is not going to our nutrition."

Lex laughed and handed him a plate, and he immediately tore open the container and grabbed the waiting knife.

"Well dig in, I'm just organizing some notes."

Clark looked up, his mouth already full of noodles and cheese and mumbled something that sounded like "You're not eating?" but Lex couldn't be sure. Clark slipped another piece of lasagna onto a plate and walked over to where Lex was sitting, setting the plate in front of him.

Lex shoved the papers to the side and started to inhale his dinner. He felt like he hadn't eaten all day--he also felt like he was on a date; all that was missing was a bottle of wine and maybe some candles. As anxious as he felt sitting inches from Clark watching him enjoy his meal, maybe wine wasn't such a bad idea. He didnt know why he had the urge to feed Clark, well he knew part of the reason--food and sex were closely related and he just wanted to see the look of enjoyment on Clark's face. He wanted to experience something simple and pleasurable, especially after the phone call he'd just gotten.

"I hope you don't mind, but I never eat italian without a good glass of red wine."

Clark gestured that he didn't care without so much as pausing in his meal. Lex had to smile a little as Clark continued to attack the food like a drowning man being thrown a life preserver, and the small moans of pleasure Clark made as he devoured his second plate of lasagna were exactly what Lex needed tonight--or what he absolutely didn't need. Maybe he'd give Clark a glass of wine too, then they'd both be relaxed and maybe Clark would let him---Lex shook his head violently--he was not going there. One phone call was not going to make him forget everything he'd struggled so hard to be.

Clark laughed at himself as he cleaned his second plate. "Sorry. I don't know why I'm starving. I ate pretty well back in Oregon with my parents and I was afraid it'd be weeks before I had a decent meal again. So, thanks a lot, it was a nice surprise."

Lex smiled and poured himself a glass of wine. "Well there's plenty more if you want."

Clark shook his head and leaned back in his chair. "No thank you. I'd eat it all if you let me."

"I don't know where you put it."

Clark shrugged and grinned. "I'm young, maybe I'm still growing."

That was a nice slap back into reality. Lex put the wine on the counter and cleared the table. They really needed to start concentrating on research quickly.

They delved into their work and Lex was finally able to concentrate and stop fixating on Clark's flushed cheeks, or the way he kept running his fingers through his hair when he was trying to understand something. Then he remembered wanting to mention something that'd he'd noticed in the classroom.

While he was straightening up the room, he'd nearly tripped over a broken floor board and realized it had to be from when Clark had fallen. He thought maybe he'd gotten hurt and didn't want to mention it.

"I meant to ask how you were."

Clark looked up puzzled.

"I mean from the fall in class. I saw the floor board cracked--you must have hit your head pretty hard. You sure you're ok?"

Clark froze and his stomach turned to ice. He was sure all the color drained from his face. He'd nearly forgotten about the damage the floor suffered when he collided with it.

"Clark?"

"Um...sorry, No, I mean, Yes I'm fine. Maybe the floor was already cracked."

"I think I would have noticed that before. You sure you're Ok?"

He nodded. He didn't know why he was so panicked. Its not like the next sentence out of Lex's mouth would be. "Are you some super-powered alien floor cracker?"

He took a deep breathe and tried to steady his nerves. Lex reached over and moved his bangs off his forehead looking for any sign of a bruise.

"Amazing, not a scratch. Well the floors are pretty old..."

Clark felt a strange sensation travel down his spine as Lex's fingers lightly brushed his skin. For a small moment Lex looked directly into his eyes and he felt his heart pound in his chest. He looked away and his skin flushed deeper. He sighed inwardly, wanting to desperately understand what was going on.

Lex withdrew his hand quickly, cursing himself silently for allowing that small bit of intimacy. Clark's flesh was surprisingly warm and soft, and he bit his lip hard, trying not to---The shrill sound of his phone pulled him back to reality.

He quicky went into the next room to answer it. Clark sat there and waited, telling himself over and over that it was no big deal--that Lex wasn't from Smallville and wouldn't suspect anything, and that more importantly--he definitely did not have a crush on his teacher.

Lex came out of the other room looking visibly agitated. "I'm sorry Clark we have to cut this short. I have an unexpected visitor downstairs."

Lex looked really out of sorts; he'd never seen him that way. His usual cool composure was all but gone.

"Is everything Ok?"

Lex was packing his bag for him and thrust it towards him, practically pushing him out the door.

"Yeah...yeah, its fine...I just, I wasn't expecting this, though I should have I guess."

The very last thing he needed right now was for Clark to be here when his uninvited guest arrived.

"You don't seem fine, Lex."

Lex ran his hand over his scalp. "I'll be fine Clark. I'm really sorry, I'll see you on Wednesday, Ok?"

Clark nodded, still looking worried, but he left feeling completely uneasy.

As soon as Clark left, his phone rang again, and Lex grabbed it angrily.

"I don't know why you're here, but I'll be right down Dad."