Anote: I am going off the grid for a few weeks but I hope to post one more chapter before I do. In the meantime, please add my story to story alerts for future chapters.

The watch in this chapter refers to that seen in the season 1 episode- Shimmer.

Chapter 12 – Luthors are not afraid

Lex was half way to his desk before he realized that something was not quite right.

There was no pair of headphones strewed across the pristine surface of his desk; no size 11 work boots kicked off in the exact spot where a person might trip over them; no tan jacket tossed haphazardly on the furniture or in other words, no signs of typical teenage habitation.

'CLARK!' he called out, rattling the bakery bag in his hand invitingly. Gerard, the chef from the restaurant had assured him that the triple chunk brownies would be chocolately enough to tempt any teenager out of a sulk.

The ticking of the perpetual clock piece on his desk was the only answer to Lex's summons.

The young Luthor frowned and scooped out his cell phone. He had received numerous calls from his staff in the last five minutes which he had ignored. His father was more than capable of starting that blasted business meeting without him. The slender young man scowled anew as his call to his friend went straight to Clark's voice mail. Suddenly in the distance , the man heard approaching footsteps but he was again disappointed as one of his Personal Assistants poked her head in.

'Anne, have you seen Clark?' he asked as the matronly woman bustled in and helped him out of his long overcoat. 'We got separated.'

The woman turned him forcefully towards her and brushed imaginary lint off his shoulders as she fussed over his suit.

'The only thing I can see,' she replied with a disapproving tut, 'is Mr. Wayne checking his watch every five minutes.'

'What?' Lex asked, his confusion at her words temporarily drowning out the discomfort he was feeling from Clark's continued absence. 'Isn't my father with the group? I had to step out to the bookstore and pick up a work book for Kent.'

Anne took the bag of brownies and the Shakespeare work book from her employer before pushing the afternoon's agenda into his hands, 'I am sorry sir. You father left the country about an hour ago. No message.'

The woman winced in compassionate sympathy as Lex closed his eyes and took in a deep calming breath. Quietly she waited for further instructions all the while sincerely regretting being the proverbial bearers of bad news.

Lex could have kicked himself.

Oh how he regretted admitting to his father that he wasn't too thrilled to host this delegation from Gotham. Lex's feelings were more or less ambivalent to Bruce, but he wasn't holding out hope for any degree of professional civility in return. He did want to talk to his contemporary though, because he found the worsening economic situation of the once prosperous Wayne Enterprises extremely perplexing and Bruce's lethargic response to it, even more so.

'Luthors are not afraid of anything!' his father's powerful voice echoed in his memory.

The bald millionaire wasn't afraid but he had found that trying to interact with people who knew him from his childhood was a futile exercise at best. They ALL reacted towards him based on their previous experience. Although he barely had any meaningful face to face interaction with Bruce over that period of time, theirs was a small elite social circle that was tightly held together by a network of vulgar gossip. Meeting people who intimately knew his past usually put Lex's emotions in a tailspin. Such encounters slammed him into memories that he had no wish to dwell on and of which he was only now slowly coming to terms with. Indeed, there were instances that were so dark and deep that Lex shuddered when he thought of how close he had come to self annihilation.

Okay…maybe he was afraid, just a tiny bit.

Lex pulled off his wrist watch and pressed it into his assistant's open hand.

'Give this to Clark,' he ordered the woman as she squinted curiously at the strange coin clock face. 'Tell him to bring it to me. Have him break into the back of the meeting if he has to.'

'But sir….' she began, but sputtered to a stop as Lex swept past her with an expression as forbidding as the Grim reaper himself. Quickly she scurried forward to catch up with him.

Lex could have made his request more clear but now was not the time to show weakness infront of his staff. He was a Luthor, he had no business being weak; not now…not ever.

The man could only hope that Clark would remember what the watch meant to him, and realize that Lex was in trouble. He would really appreciate it if Clark would come forward from wherever he was clearly hiding to avoid his company. It would be a great relief to him if he could just see Clark for one moment. It wouldn't matter if Kent was still annoyed at him.

Lex paused outside the door of the board room for a few seconds. With the ease of long practice he focused his mind inward, slowing his breathing so that when he spoke, his voice would sound calm.

The business man looked to his left and then to his right.

Clark had an almost supernatural ability to appear when he was in danger. Somewhere in his unconscious mind, Lex was beginning to fantasize that this was because they had some weird soul connection of sorts.

It was a struggle not to slump against the door in defeat.

He had grown so accustom to Clark being at his side, that only now that he wasn't there, did Lex remember how very alone he was in the world. Lex acknowledged that his life would have been very different if his brother had survived or maybe a little sister, one with sass and fire, making his life miserable and wonderful all at the same time. However, even though Clark must realize by now what a daunting task it was to be his close companion, the young man hadn't faltered. With courage and compassion, the teenager had filled a void of intimacy in Lex's life that had been empty for far too long, the sudden loss of which was beginning to make its presence felt most keenly.

The man gave himself a little shake to bring him back to reality. What was wrong with him today? He had been taking care of himself ever since he was twelve years old. He didn't need anyone to save him!

Lex nodded firmly at the door man and the heavy mahogany door swung open revealing the inmates within.

'Good evening all,' he announced quietly as he walked in. The rest of his senses told him that the entire room had risen to their feet at his appearance. Lex fumbled to an awkward halt as he stared at the man standing behind his chair.

Clark smiled a little anxiously, realizing that everyone was staring at him in direct response to Lex's hit-by-a-frying-pan expression. In the deafening silence, the tall teenager politely pulled out the large chair that Mr. Luthor usually sat on and gestured for his friend to take his father's seat.

In the meantime, Anne the personal assistant, trotted around the astonished Lex to deliver the gifts and message.

'Brownies!' Clark exclaimed excitedly as he stuck his nose into the white bakery bag and inhaled appreciatively. The study work book received a lukewarm response whereas the watch earned a scowl of confused disapproval.

'Permit me to borrow Mr. Luthor for a moment,' Clark requested confidently but pleasantly to the assembled delegates and with a tilt of his head, he directed Lex to meet him near the coffee station.

'Do I look alright?' Clark whispered uneasily, as he stood infront of his friend, shielding their conversation from the curious eyes that were trying to bore holes into his broad back.

Lex fingered Clark's frog green tie discreetly, 'You always do.'

Did Clark go through all this trouble for him? It was a simple act but Lex was deeply moved by Clark's consideration.

'Good luck with your meeting,' Clark added as he flipped Lex's wrist over to buckle the man's prized watch back into place, 'I know you will be great! Is it alright if I stay? I can sit with the catering staff in the corner. I won't be in your way.'

Lex looked up into his eyes only to find warmth and encouragement in their hazel depths. There was no lingering trace of resentment from their misunderstanding at lunch.

'Thank you Clark,' he replied softly as he squeezed the teenager's arm, 'Thank you for always being there.'

Clark gave him a lopsided smile, a little bemused by the intense look on Lex's face.

'Always Lex,' he replied simply, as he stepped away to gather his things from off the board room table so that the meeting could finally start. It hadn't been his first thought to stay for the meeting but Clark had been worried that Lex would be a bit of a mess that his father had suddenly deserted him. He himself had to admit that there was something unnerving about Mr. Wayne's feverish dark brown eyes and thin, haggard appearance. Clark had been worried for nothing as Lex appeared to be perfectly calm and happy.

However, as the young man turned to walk towards the little sitting area where the security and catering staff were discreetly observing the proceedings, Lex blocked his path.

'Sit with me,' he announced loudly so that all could hear, 'I am honored by your presence.'

Clark's mind went blank in horror at Lex's grand and public declaration even as Stephen nodded his head, pleased that an opportunity for such an exchange had presented itself. Discreetly the head of security turned Clark around and gave him a tiny push in Lex's direction.

Of course, the farmer's son was unaccustomed to such language and as a result, Clark's innate shyness reduced his intended reply to an inarticulate and embarrassing gurgle.

Fortunately, Lex was not at all put off by this poor response as he took Clark's book bag and slung it over his shoulder and then helped carry all his various bits and bobs back towards the seat next to his own. A pointed stare from Lex was necessary before Luthorcorp staff all hurried to move one place down, so as to open up an empty seat for Clark next to Lex's chair.

The teenager sat down in the place of honor with awkward bump; his cheeks burning with a high colour as he struggled to process such an overwhelming gesture. Clark was feeling equal parts ashamed that he had ever entertained the thought that Lex was embarrassed by his presence while on the other hand, he was flabbergasted that Lex had pushed him into the public spotlight.

Everyone had heard what Lex had said. All the security guards, the catering staff, Luthor corp board members and even their intimidating guest Mr. Wayne.

Clark knew his friend.

Lex didn't go around casually revealing his innermost feelings to all and sundry. As rough and uncultured and naiveté as he was, Clark knew enough to recognize the special gift that Lex had given him today. The teenager vowed to be worthy of the trust that Lex had placed in his hands for safekeeping.

Naturally, a flicker of guilt lashed across the surface of Clark's heart.

Ever since he had meet Lex, he had been playing fast and loose with the man's trust. The high school student realized then, that he was going to have to make a decision about this and soon, even if his parents firmly believed that his secret should stay in the family. Clark was fairly certain that Lex had a notion that something was going on; the business man did have a genius IQ after all. However, the older man was being uncharacteristically patient in the face of Clark's incredibly shifty behaviour. With a quiet sigh, it dawned on the boy that this was additional testimony to the trust and faith that Lex was whole heartedly investing their relationship.

His eyes flickered across to see what Lex was doing only to be surprised that Lex was in turn observing him. A small smile hovered on Lex's thin lips as he bestowed an affectionate gaze on his teenage friend. Clark smiled back a bit feebly, wondering what the older man was thinking and a bit concerned that Lex had taken a sip of something he shouldn't have. However he felt reassured as Lex confidently turned towards the visiting delegation and gestured in their direction.

'Begin,' Lex commanded softly, needing no long speeches or flowery introductions to hint at his capability to bring this negotiation to a profitable and successful closure.

Clark studied the text books in his hands blindly. Lex marched to his own drum and while Clark found this admirable, he didn't know if it was such a good idea in this case.

It was clear the Lex's staff hated the very air that Clark breathed.

Not Lex's staff per say but the stiff group of lawyers, accountants, investors and business executives that made up the Luthorcorp board of directors. The dark haired high school student had no problems getting along with the security or the admin assistants or the gardeners or anyone else for that matter, except for the select group of people who were staring jealously at his position now. However, Clark trusted that Lex knew more about this sort of thing than he did, so he pushed this worry to one side.

Unconsciously, the two friends then opened their books/papers at the same exact moment. With a flash of amusement the young men glanced at each other again. Clark required no special super power to translate the meaning in his friend's eyes. Even though they were fighting different battles today, Lex approved of the way that they were fighting side by side.

'Once more unto the breach?' Lex murmured under his breath, quoting from the play that his friend was studying.

'No place I would rather be,' Clark whispered back to him, as he pulled out a pencil ready to do battle with one William Shakespeare.

TBC…