Chloe, Pete, Clark and Ben are discussing the recent development with many of the football team being accused of cheating on their math tests and wonder how they did it.
Chloe then sees the team coming out of the locker room and decides to stop and take a photo for the torch while the Coach is talking to the team.
One of the players tosses his football at Chloe as a result, but Ben catches it with ease before it can hit her or her camera.
"Nice catch." Pete tells him, while Ben hands the football to Clark, saying "football was always more your thing."
"Nice catch is all you got to say when your teammate tries to assassinate me?" Chloe berates Pete, shaking her head at him before they continue on their way, safe for Clark who tosses the ball back to the football player who almost keels over from the strong throw hitting him unprepared.
The coach sees this and decides to follow him to get him to play for their team.
"Hey Kent. I saw you out there. Your technique is lousy, but you got a lot of power. So, why aren't you on our team?" The coach tells him, Pete and Ben standing next to Clark while Chloe is in the bathroom.
"I can't. My dad needs me on the farm." Clark says.
"And your school needs you on the field. Look I know your dad, so I understand." The coach tells him.
"He's kinda stubborn." Clark says.
"Yeah I remember. Jonathan was one of the best athletes I ever coached. It's in your genes Kent." The coach tells him.
"He's adopted." Ben chimes in with an amused grin.
"Look I'm giving you the chance to be part of something special, be part of history even. I've seen you stare at your father's picture in that trophy case so don't tell me you don't want to be a part of this." Coach says.
"Let me think about it." Clark replies.
"Fordman, get over here. You're team captain, how do you think Kent would do on the field? Given our current predicament." Coach asks, seeing the captain walk by with his girlfriend.
"He might do alright. I'd be more interested in seeing him try out though." Whitney says, pointing at Ben, hoping to get some payback on the field for the night of the dance.
"Fine, listen you two. There is a time to step out of your father's shadows and be your own men. Now can I count on you trying out?" Coach asks the two. Chloe joining up with the group unnoticed by everyone, since she's standing behind the much taller Clark.
"Sure, count me in." Clark says after glancing to Lana who is holding hands with Whitney, staring at Clark.
"Nah, I got no time for playing around with a pigskin." Ben blows them off.
"Fine your loss pretty boy, see you later Clark." Coach tells them and walks away.
"Pretty boy." Pete and Chloe laugh, Ben smirking to himself and Lana also having a smile on her lips amused by it.
"Hey, hey, hey Clark. Watch where you're stepping you giant. Don't squash our beloved reporter." Ben tells Clark, pushing him to the side before Clark can lean back against the wall behind him and fall against Chloe.
"Thanks." She says relieved when the incoming shadow is diverted by the rich teen.
"Sorry Chloe." Clark apologizes sheepishly.
"Half a second on the team already trying to take out their strongest adversary huh?" Ben jokes, punching his shoulder playfully as the group of four start heading to class, Whitney and Lana walking another direction.
|lunch break|
"Hey, wait up Ben!" Chloe says, running after the teen as he's walking through the hallway.
"Chloe. What can I do for you?" Ben asks, waiting for her and the two start walking outside side by side.
"I was just wondering... why didn't you join the team?" Chloe asks.
"What? You think I'm the football playing type?" He asks raising an eyebrow.
"Not exactly, but..." she says, pulling him to a corner.
"With your powers you should be like seriously good at it. I mean you already were athletic and now it's like you're constantly juiced without the juice, right?" Chloe says in a whisper.
"I guess. Still, what would be the point? I don't really care about football and I'd much rather not be on the team you're trying to bring down." He tells her with a chuckle.
"I'm serious. What's up?" She says grinning and hits his forearm.
"It wouldn't be fair even if I were interested. There'd be too high of a chance I seriously injure someone of I played." He replies.
"Hmm." She hums smiling brightly.
"What?" He asks but she's walking away slowly.
"What? Don't just hmm me and leave." He says following her a bit confused.
"It's nothing. I'm just... impressed. That's a very responsible choice you're making." She tells him, wrapping one arm around his as they continue to walk away from the school.
"Thanks? I didn't realize I come off as immature usually." He says.
"Just take the compliment." She remarks bumping his side.
|Later that day|
"Hey, I just saw some 3 very unhappy suits leaving, everything alright?" Ben asks Lex, knocking on his room's door.
"Oh, yes. Just some disagreement regarding how to handle the factory. My sister is siding with my dad's way while I as highest executive have other plans." Lex says.
"Care to share those plans or is it bad business?" Ben asks.
"I plan to increase the workforce instead of firing it." Lex tells him.
"Might work. Also, might not." Ben says thinking about his friends plan.
"But in the end your side has the bigger pocket so you could stomp out your competitor if push comes to shove." Ben adds with a shrug.
"Now there's a man with vision." Lex says, smirking, tossing him a billiard cue while setting up the table.
"Lex. Don't think we're done discussing this." Tess says, all but stomping into the room with high heeled shoes.
"Oh, you have a guest. How unusual." She says teasingly.
"Well some people like an acquired taste like Lex here instead of the usual bland stuff associated with the name Luthor." Ben comes back, not reacting to her presence and takes the first shot, separating the triangle of billiard balls.
"Humpf." Tess scoffs, leaving annoyed.
"And here I thought you wouldn't take my side." Lex chuckles, aiming his cue.
"Well, I don't condone you shunning her for her background. But judging people by their actions and attitude is totally fine with me." Ben says, unknown to them with Tess listening in on them.
"Upset she used you on that date and left you hanging?" Lex asks, rubbing chalk onto his cue while Ben is next to shoot.
"Nah. You know me. It's her loss and I had a better time than with her anyways." Ben says.
"Aha, something happened with the blonde girl." Lex says.
"Just a few dances, but I'm content with that." Ben replies.
"So how do you judge Tess?" Lex asks.
"Hmm. Impatient, too eager to prove herself and arrogant. So not that much different from you actually. She just wants to prove that she's her father's daughter while you try to leave the Luthor name behind and build your own brand, nay Empire." Ben says.
"I would be upset if I didn't know you were speaking the truth. Are you sure you don't want to become partners?" Lex asks, shooting the ball with his cue, sinking another one in a pocket.
"Nah man, not now anyways. I'm still too young and we dabble in too different of fields, which is why giving work advice is so easy and uncomplicated." Ben replies, watching while Lex wins the game.
"I guess. Say, how come you're the wise one despite me being older?" Lex asks.
"I don't know? I bet your fathers teachings didn't help not becoming petty and stuck up though." Ben teases.
"How true, how true. Well at least I won't have to worry about you getting caught up with my half-sister." Lex says.
"Oh I don't know. She is very beautiful and I'm stuck fighting a losing battle in the department of love, so anything's possible I guess." Ben says chuckling.
"You're saying that, assuming she could grow as a person, believe me she can't." Lex tells him, hanging away their cues.
"Care to make a wager?" Ben says, sitting down in front of Lex's table while Lex sits down on his chair behind it.
"What wager?" Lex asks.
"How about a secret buyout. You know, I have a company getting on my nerve and you buy it out and hand me ownership, or other way around." Ben says smirking.
"That sounds useful." Lex says.
"Are you sure you're willing to bet that on Lutessa Luthor?" Lex asks with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, she seemed nice, until she found out that you viewed me as more of a sibling than her." Ben says.
"You're on. How long shall this bet last?" Lex asks, holding out his hand.
"2 years? Sounds fair?" Ben asks.
"You got a deal, brother." Lex says chuckling, shaking hands with Ben across the table.
"So, what did you come here for anyways?" Lex asks Ben, leaning back in his chair, pouring himself a drink.
"Can't a guy visit his big brother if he's bored?" Ben jokes, shrugging his shoulders.
"Anytime." Lex tells him with a grin.
"Hey, how'd you like to come over and visit sometime? I mean you seem to be trying to get on the Kent's good side, but you won't accomplish that by hiding your ass up in this mansion. If you camp out in my mansion you have a shot. Plus I have something to tell you in private, without dozens of security camera's around." Ben suggests.
"Sounds good. What am I bringing?" Lex asks.
"Nothing. Or maybe a non-expensive wine for Alfred? I know he just puts the good stuff you bring into our cellar." Ben tells him.
"Sure. See you later then." Lex says, nodding goodbye while Ben heads out of the room, shutting the door behind himself.
"I can't tell if I should be offended or touched by your opinion about me." Tess says, leaning against the wall to Lex's room.
"Just look into the mirror hard and decide if you really want to be like Linonel Luthor. Once you decide you'll know the answer." Ben tells her.
"By the way I assume he knew you were listening. I was wondering why he got such a kick from talking about you." Ben tells Tess, stopping next to her before brushing over her arm faintly, passing her with a friendly smile.
|next day|
"What did I hear? My neighbor saved our principal from a burning car?" Ben asks, greeting Clark at the coffee shop, giving him a brief hug.
"Yeah, I was just at the right place at the right time." Clark replies.
"Well I'm proud of you." Ben says, patting his shoulder while joining him at his table.
"Hey Lex, believe it or not, Clark's count on saving people from cars just got upped again. He pulled out principal out of his car before it blew up." Ben tells his bald friend.
"Impressive Clark. As one of the ones you saved, I can say this. You're a real-life hero." Lex says, raising his coffee as a toast.
"Hey. What can I bring you?" Lana asks, coming over while wearing a server outfit.
"What did I miss now?" Ben asks surprised.
"I quit the cheerleading squad and took a job here. So... what do you want?" She asks, smiling at Ben and Clark.
The two of them place an order and she leaves to fetch the drinks.
"Hey guys." Chloe greets Clark and Ben, hugging the former.
"I don't think we've formally met. Lex Luthor." Lex says, offering a handshake to the blonde girl.
"Chloe Sullivan." She introduces herself still smiling and shakes his hand, Pete only shaking his head and taking a seat next to Clark.
"Here are your drinks." Lana says, putting down the drinks for Ben ans Clark, who take them graciously.
"What? Lana is working in a coffeeshop, Clark is on the football team? What's going on?" Chloe asks surprised.
"You got in?" Ben asks his neighbor, getting a happy nod as a reply.
"Congrats. Just be careful or your dad's gonna try to make me do your chores if you break your arms." Ben jokes.
"Lex, I read the report. It's looking good for your plan huh?" Ben tells his other friend while noticing Chloe excuse herself to go after the group of football players solemnly leaving the coffeeshop.
"Not quite my dad overruled me basically. I have to decide who gets the boot. The only positive is that he's not happy with Lutessa for 'not keeping me in check'." Lex tells them while putting up air quotes.
"So are you gonna do it?" Ben asks, looking at him curiously.
"Do I have a choice?" Lex sighs.
"Come on, let's go to my house and discuss this in detail." Ben suggests, patting Clark's shoulder goodbye and the two rich men leave the shop, Lex driving them to Ben's mansion.
"Come on in." Ben says, opening the door for Lex.
"Ah bullocks." The two hear cursing and a clattering noise.
"Alfred are you OK?" Ben asks, moving towards the kitchen with Lex.
"Oh Ben. Oh and Mr. Luthor. Hello." Alfred greets the two, surprised by Lex's presence.
"Please. Just call me Lex." Lex insists, helping the two pick up the cutlery scattered on the floor.
"I was tidying up and the cupboard broke on me." Alfred informs the two.
"Don't worry about it." Ben says, putting down the items on a free spot on the counter.
"Can you set one more plate for dinner?" Ben asks his butler.
"Of course. It'll be my pleasure." Alfred says, nodding.
"Thanks. Come on Lex. I'm guessing we have an hour before you'll get to taste one of Alfred's specialties." Ben says, smiling at his father figure while leading Lex to his office.
"Do you have some documents on the issue?" Ben asks, offering a armchair as seat for Lex, sitting down in the one opposite of it, pulling a small couch table over.
"Yeah, sure." Lex says, opening the briefcase he was carrying and puts it on the table.
The two then spend the next hour discussing possible scenarios until Alfred calls them to dinner.
"I think we're onto something, but first let's grab some food." Ben tells his friend, the two moving to the dining table in the kitchen.
"I have to say. I know you didn't change much but what you changed looks good." Lex compliments the two, looking around the room.
"Well with 2 people we figured why waste the space of a dining room when you can eat right where the delicious smells are created." Ben says grinning.
"That looks perfect Alfred." Ben thanks his butler, seeing the meal of steak, noodles and sauce he prepared.
"Yes. It smells amazing." Lex agrees politely.
"Thank you." Alfred replies with a content smile.
"Wow this sauce is amazing." Lex says, tasting the food.
"It's made with the meat's juices. Basically nothing of the meat gets thrown away with this dish." Alfred informs the Luthor.
"Ben, I think Alfred just solved my issue. If I can come up with a way to lower production costs, I don't need to let go of anyone." Lex chuckles, while enjoying the food and the company.
"Yeah, you're right. We went at it from the wrong angle. See Alfred even without realizing you're probably the one with the best sense of business out of us." Ben tells him.
"Oh I doubt that. Otherwise, I wouldn't have invested in all the wrong stocks in my youth." Alfred replies.
"Ah Ben didn't you want to tell me something the other day?" Lex asks.
"Oh right. Yes, after dinner though. This will be a longer conversation probably." Ben says, nodding.
"So, what can I do for you?" Lex asks, sitting bsck down to listen to his friend.
"Nothing. It's about something that happened on the day of your car crash." Ben says.
"What happened?" Lex asks surprised.
"I got stung by something and a doctor looked me over. I'm mutating." Ben tells him calmly.
"Quit joking. What did you want to tell me?" Lex asks chuckling, until Ben lifts him and the heavy seat up with one hand, barely looking phased by the weight.
"I'm completely serious here." Ben informs him.
"Whoa. Amazing." Lex says interested.
"Yeah well, what will happen or how this mutation will turn out is left to be seen, but I just wanted you to know in case I act weird sometimes it could be because of some effects of the mutation." Ben tells him.
"You should let me get a team together to study you." Lex says.
"Maybe later. At the moment I'm only stronger. There's no reason to be alerted yet and I'd like to keep my life as simple as possible." Ben tells him.
"But Ben, what if..." Lex says.
"I thought about this a lot and this is my decision alright? With you now living closeby and us being fast friends again I wanted you to know." Ben tells him, patting his leg.
"Who knows about it?" Lex asks.
"Clark, Chloe, Alfred obviously and the Kents as well as my family doctor who inspected me." Ben answers.
"Thank you for trusting me." Lex says smiling at the teen a handful years younger than him.
"So, do you want to stay over or are you gonna go home? I'm just asking so Alfred can prepare a guestroom otherwise." Ben asks Lex.
"No that's fine. I'm gonna drive back and get started on looking for ways to safe money in the production process." Lex replies, getting up with Ben and the two head out of the house, hugging each other brotherly before Lex heads on home.
In the meantime, Chloe followed the jocks to a field where the coach is berating and threatening them, his anger causing the sprinklers around them to shoot fire instead of water.
When he finishes threatening the players he helped cheat, the coach sees her watching them and makes a plan to get rid of her when she's vulnerable in the school-newspaper club room the next day.