This chapter is based around the episode Skinwalker. So is mainly based between scenes, starting after Clark has the Willowbrooks round for dinner.

Thanks for the reviews so far :)

The iron hissed as Martha tackled the mountain of clothing before her, struggling to keep her attention on Clark as he railed against her. "You took his side!" He remarked in disbelief. "You actually defended Lionel Luthor!"

Martha sighed as she flipped one of Clark's shirts over, attempting to straighten out the collar. "Smallville needs those jobs," she heard herself repeat for what felt like the thousandth time. "If it weren't for LuthorCorp this town would have died years ago."

Her tone was flat, factual, but if anything this seemed to irritate her son. "Those caves are part of history, we need to protect them, not replace them with offices!"

"I'm sure there is a compromise to be reached."

"No," Clark shook his head. "Lionel Luthor doesn't compromise, you need to get him to back off." He ran a hand through his hair in agitation. "Those pictures, the messages, they could explain who I am!"

"I can hardly tell Lionel to stop a multi million dollar construction deal based upon that information, Clark!" She looked up at him in exasperation. "Think rationally for a moment, we can't tell anyone where you came from, so I can't dispute this deal based upon their possible link to you."

"But you could argue it from a historic point of view," he reminded her triumphantly.

"Which would cost Smallville hundreds of jobs." She put the iron down to rub at her temples. "I understand why this is important to you, and I don't disagree but-"

"But you're putting profit before anything else," Clark finished for her.

"No!" Martha insisted. "I'm trying to think practically, if we can both work together then there is the potential to save the caves and keep this opportunity within Smallville."

"What does it matter if LuthorCorp moves elsewhere, surely that's a good thing." Clark folded his arms across his chest. "Lionel Luthor has enough of a hold on this community.

"Clark, look around you. We are one of the few farms left within a previously thriving farming community. Those farms created jobs, they created Smallville, if we don't replace the opportunities for work then families will be forced to leave in droves. If that happens then it's more difficult to keep this farm afloat, if there's no-one to sell to then we go under," she concluded firmly.

Clark made a sound of disgust at the back of his throat. "I never thought you could be so money orientated, we should be trying to preserve this! Kyla says-"

"I'm not going to base my decisions on the input of a teenage girl!" Martha finally snapped.

"Well maybe you should, after all it's her heritage that you want to destroy!"

"I don't want to destroy it Clark, I just want us to try and build a future for this town-"

"Yeah, while knocking down anything that might stand in the way," Clark concluded firmly. "I'm going to bed, I don't want to talk about this anymore."

Martha sighed as she heard him stomp up the stairs. She sunk her head into her hands, her elbows leaning on the unsteady board. That did not go well. She tried to gather her rather jumbled thoughts. She could see Clark's point, she appreciated that he wanted to preserve a historical site, she wasn't against that, but she also didn't want to lose the prospect of improving Smallville, of creating more opportunities. Shaking her head, she wondered if perhaps she was channelling Lionel, or at least his P.R. statement. The decision to build in Smallville had been made before she started, but she had had input, and she had discussed the benefits to the community with Lionel, whilst she pushed for added benefits not only within the project but also within job roles at LuthorCorp. Perhaps that did make her biased.

She looked at the ever growing basket of ironing that awaited her and with a grumble went back to the task at hand, her brain whirring throughout. She didn't want to think that her personal relationship with Lionel was shifting her perceptions, she wanted to believe that she would have made the same decision regardless. Bitiing down on her bottom lip Martha ran through her reasoning once more, the jobs it would bring, the boost to the local economy and told herself that of course she would have made the same arguement. Idealism didn't always fit in with real life.

"Thank you Sheriff, that's very enlightening," Lionel remarked.

"I'll keep you posted Mr Luthor."

"Thank you."

Martha shot Ethan a smile of greeting as she entered the room just as she was leaving, only catching the last few words of the previous conversation. She glanced over to where Lionel was still pounding away on the treadmill, making it look almost irritatingly easy. "Lionel, what's going on? I thought the police were done with their investigation."

"Well the Sheriff's not ready to call it an accident. Apparently Joseph Willowbrook, the Native American, who is spear-heading the protests has a history of civil disobedience."

"They think it was sabotage?"

"Let's just say they're not ruling it out." He hit the stop button on his treadmill and made a noise of irritation. "Maybe I should have done this project in Granville."

"Smallville needs those jobs," Martha reminded him as he jumped gracefully off the machine.

He managed a small, wry grin of amusement. "So you've told me."

She ignored his needling, knew that he wanted her to rise to his bait, he enjoyed teasing her about her commitment to her job at times and would often remark that he wished all her staff shared that drive. Instead she sat across from him as she updated him. "I've sent flowers to the foreman's family, and I arranged for you to do a condolence call tomorrow afternoon."

"Good thinking, I don't want to be perceived as uncaring."

"I didn't do it for that reason, I did it because it's the right thing to do."

Lionel looked at her thoughtfully. "You know there are times when I'm with you, that I could swear I was talking to my wife." He saw her look of surprise and placed his hand over hers as he continued. "You don't often remind me of her, but one trait you share is that unflinching honesty. I've missed that."

He was so busy watching the nuances of Martha's expression that he was unaware of Lex's prescence until he spoke. "I hope I'm not interupting ."

Martha jumped to her feet as though she'd been scalded, even going so far as to take a step back. "Hi Lex."

Lionel was calmer. "Ah Lex, always good to see you, Son."

"Well, I need to get home early today," Martha told them hurriedly, feeling her skin begin to heat. "So I'll see you both tomorrow."

Her heels echoed on the stone floors as she walked briskly away, and Lionel wished that he could call her back. He glanced at his son to see a flicker of suspicion cross his face. He took a gulp of water before remarking, "Believe me Lex, I know how hard you've been working. You engineered an employee buyout of the Smallville Plant, now look at you." He clasped his shoulder firmly. "You're building an empire of your own without my help, but your success shouldn't prevent us from joining forces when a lucrative venture comes along."

Lex gave a wry shake of his head. "Come on Dad, you don't need me as an investor in some random office park."

"No, not as investor, lex, I want you as my partner. Blame it on a brief bout of sentimentality."

He made to walk away, believing his point to be made. Lex however wasn't satisfied. "Sentimentality is a vulnerability, you taught me that. You're on your own."

Lionel chuckled and shrugged, he'd taught his son well at least. "Think it over Lex, there are benefits."

"For you, I'm sure." Lex's eyes narrowed. "And just what benefit are you trying to get from Martha Kent?"

Lionel turned at that, his face expressionless and his voice low and calm as he replied, "I'm not sure I follow you, Lex, she's my executive assistant and a very good one at that."

"I don't believe it's as clear cut as that. I heard what you said to her, and I'm not convinced that this little show you've just put on wasn't an attempt to distract me."

"Yes son, because I base my business decisions on distraction techniques," Lionel remarked dryly.

Lex took a step forward, his eyes narrowed. "You took her to the ballet."

"I did." Lionel smiled and leaned forward, his voice lowering in a tone of mock conspiracy as he added, "Was that meant to be a secret?"

"You've never taken your assistants anywhere. Hell, some of them you've not even allowed in the same car as you."

"She noticed a very useful loophole and saved me a fortune." He gave a shrug, "I find her company refreshing and as we both had to stay overnight in Metropolis anyway, I offered to take her out for an evening as a thank you." He gave a small shake of his head. "Honestly Lex, you can come across as worryingly paranoid about the Kents."

There was a momentary flash of irritation that crossed Lex's face before he gathered himself and replied calmly, "I know you, Dad, you don't simply do thoughtful gestures unless you stand to gain something from them. What I haven't figured out yet is what you think you stand to gain from her. She'll never sell you that farm if it's the land you're after."

Lionel felt his growing discomfort with Lex's questioning begin to fade with that last comment, for a few moments he had feared that he was bordering on discovering the truth. "You think it's about land?"

"It might be." Lex tilted his head thoughtfully, "I haven't decided yet."

"Ah well, let me know when you do, so I know what dastardly role I'm playing in your world this week." Lionel turned away, calling over his shoulder, "And consider my offer."

Clark looked up from his homework as Martha walked almost shakily into the kitchen. He got to his feet, reaching out as he asked, "Mom, are you ok?"

"I'm fine," Martha assured him as she dropped her keys onto the counter. "A wolf tried to attack me, in the car park at work."

"A wolf?" Clark echoed, Chloe's earlier words playing across his mind.

"Yes." She sank down onto the kitchen stool. "I thought they were extinct in Smallville." She shook her head. "It was the oddest thing, it appeared out of nowhere and then disappeared just as quickly. I almost feel like I imagined it."

Clark towered over her, "Are you hurt?" he asked anxiously.

"No," Martha shook her head. "Just surprised, I wasn't exactly expecting it." She looked up and squeezed her son's arm. "Honestly, I'm fine, I shouldn't have mentioned it-"

"Of course you should have!" Clark protested.

"Well it's done with and I'm fine." Martha forced herself to try and relax, and attempting to change the subject she told him with a teasing smile, "It's nice to see you home for a change, you've been out so much with Kyla, I almost feel like you don't live here."

Clark looked away, almost uncomfortably. "I can be myself around her," he admitted. "For the first time in my life I feel like everything fits, like we're destined to be together."

Martha had to stop herself from narrowing her eyes at that turn of phrase, especially as it didn't quite fit with Clark's current demeanour. "But still there's something wrong?" As he glanced away guiltily, Martha gave a soft sigh. "I know we haven't seen eye to eye on this current situation with Joseph and LuthorCorp, but I can put that to one side, if you'd like to talk. I'm not going to hold any of the allegations against her Grandfather against Kyla."

"The false allegations," Clark reminded her unthinkingly.

"Well we can still put all of that to one side, talk this out, if you'd like," Martha offered calmly, almost hopefully.

After a moment Clark gave a curt nod. "I have these feelings for Kyla, and I don't want to doubt her but I don't think she's being totally honest with me."

"Sometimes people keep secrets Clark and it's not down to a lack of feeling or trust in the other person, it could be fear of how someone will react. We can't really judge others for hiding something, maybe given time she'll open up to you more."

"Mom...it's not that, I could deal with that, after all we haven't really known each other that long so I would understand it...it's...it's that I think she knows more about the foreman's death than she's telling me."

"Oh." Martha felt her shoulders drop. "Clark, if that's what you think she's hiding-"

"I don't know, I...Chloe said that there the post mortem on the foreman discovered wolf's teeth marks and that Kyla's tribe is known as skinwalkers with the legnd being they have the ability to transform." He groaned and sunk his head into his hands. "That sounds insane when I say it, but then half the stuff that happens round here is insane." He shook his head. "I don't know what to do, I can hardly go to the police and tell them I think that Joseph might be able to turn into a wolf."

Martha squeezed his hand. "Clark, a man is dead. And if you think that Kyla knows something about that then you need to act.

"I know," he muttered sadly.

"I know this isn't easy for you Clark, but I also know that you'll do the right thing, whatever that is."

"Yeah." Clark got to his feet and gathered her into a hug. "Thanks, Mom."

"Anytime."

He drew back from her and added almost sheepishly, "I still think that the caves should be preserved. I just don't understand how you can be on Lionel Luthor's side for this one."

She sighed, "Oh Clark, of course I'd like to see the caves preserved, but I also want to see this town grow."

"I get that, but there's other places for those offices to be built."

"Not in Smallville."

"Nearby then, a middle ground," he suggested.

"In an ideal world, maybe, but suitable land is limited."

"I just can't believe that your putting profit over a piece of history. I know how much you like your job, I just don't think you should have to change your principles for it."

"I don't believe that's what I'm doing."

"It kind of looks like that from where I'm sitting," Clark told her. He frowned as he continued, "If Dad was here and if you didn't work for Lionel Luthor, then I feel like you would be on a different side."

"Clark, I can't guess how I would feel if those things were different."

"I know, I dunno, I guess I'm just a bit disapointed, that's all." He shuffled uncomfortably for a second before announcing, "I'm going to call it a night." He leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

Martha watched him go, his words playing on her mind. She looked around her quiet kitchen and suddenly felt very unsure of herself, as well as realising just how alone she was. When she was with Lionel she forgot all of that, he made her feel as though she mattered and perhaps that had impacted on her views. She'd never thought she'd be sitting in her forties wondering if lust was clouding her judgement.

Stepping into Lionel's office, Martha asked, "So, do I need to look for a new job?"

Lionel looked up from the papers strewn across his desk, his lips drawing together tightly as he told her, "On this occassion I shall let your transgression slide, after all the project was lost regardless."

"Lionel, I did what I thought was right."

"You back-pedalled. Admittedly you did so with grace but some warning would have been appreciated."

Martha folded her arms across herself. "I'll admit that I've had some doubts for a few days, but it was only in that moment that I realised I couldn't simply stand to one side and let those caves be destroyed. Progress for the sake of progress isn't what I want to see."

"Yes, well it appears that the planning commitee agrees with that sentiment." He leaned back in his chair and sucked in a breath between his teeth as he glanced down at his calcualations once again. "This has been an unfortunate interlude, but LuthorCorp should be able to move this project elsewhere and with a few adjustment we may avoid too much of a financial loss."

"Dependent on the adjustments, it might be beneficial to take the loss this quarter if it will improve the profit and company morale long term."

"I'm willing to hear your ideas."

Martha hesitated momentarily before stating "Lionel, I hope that your decision not to fire me isn't based upon our personal relationship."

Getting to his feet, Lionel told her, "I admit that I would have dismissed any of my last assistants without a second thought if they pulled that kind of stunt."

Giving a small nod of understanding, she replied, "Then I don't feel comfortable staying on, I don't want special treatment just because we're sleeping together."

He chuckled, "You misunderstand me, my last assistants were disapointing to say the least, whereas you have consistently surpassed my expectations with each and every task you have been set. That we have a personal relationship doesn't impact the decisions I'll make regarding my business."

"So what would you have done? Had I been incompetent?" She asked curiously.

Standing in front of her, his hands curved around her shoulders, his thumbs rubbing small circles on the material of her blouse. "I would have dismissed you, whilst suggesting that we continue to see each other."

Martha let out a small noise of disbelief. "You can't believe that would work."

His smile was almost conspiratory as he leaned forward, his forehead close to hers. "Ah, but you forget that I would turn on my charm."

Unable to help herself, Martha laughed and smacked his shoulder. "Even you aren't that charming."

He made a tsking sound. "How you wound me."

"You'll heal."

He laughed, his mouth finding hers, kissing her deeply, drawing her into his embrace.

She couldn't seem to help herself from kissing him back, when he touched her she felt her common sense flee. After a few moments she finally broke the kiss, her voice breathy as she forced herself to tell him, "Lionel, the lines are getting blurred, at least they are for me."

Lionel felt his breath catch at her words, he knew they were true but it was the one of the last things he wanted to hear from her. "I know they are," he told her after a brief silence. There was no point denying it.

"We said if that happened-"

"I remember what we said," he interupted. His fingertips ran across her jaw, his voice a low murmur as he continued, "But I don't think either one of us wants to call a halt to this so soon."

"It can't always be about what we want. Lionel, it's only been a few weeks and already it seems so complicated."

"But do you feel it's worth the complications?" He whispered next to her ear. He wasn't a fool, he knew the effect he had on her, after all she had the same effect on him. Before this he had never cared when his relationships - if they could be called that - ended, they held a brief amount of his attention for a short time, but they had never meant anything to him, until now. He knew that this would have to end, but he wanted more, more time with her, what he didn't want to do was to ask himself just why Martha meant so much to him.

"We...we need to be more careful," she managed after a minute. "And I won't compromise who I am, what I believe in."

"That is one of the things I so admire about you, Martha," he told her honestly. "And I meant what I said, this won't interfere with business."

Martha knew this was madness, that she should walk away, but God help her she couldn't bring herself to do it. So instead she sunk into his embrace again and let herself forget again.

Lionel looked at his Private Investigator, his eyes narrowed as he asked, "So what did you find?"

"So far not much, well, not about the caves anyway."

Irate, Lionel asked, "Did you find anything else?"

"Just that Lex continues with his investigations into Clark Kent, I'm unsure why, from what I can gather he has yet to find anything."

Lionel's eyes narrowed, his fingers drumming against his desk. Lex was no fool, if he continued to look into the Kent boy then there must be a reason for it. Lionel already had someone looking into Smallville, into the meoters and the rocks that they had left behind, perhaps he should look into this as well. He leaned back in his chair, that boy had an uncany ability to turn up just when he was needed, and despite crashing into multiple dangerous situations he always came out unscathed. Martha claimed the boy was lucky, but perhaps there was more to it than that. He felt a tug of discomfort at the thought of looking into Martha's son behind her back, but if there was nothing to find then she would never know. Still, he hesitated before he finally told his investigator, "Perhaps we ought to see just what it is that intrigues my son so much about this boy"

"Very well, Mr Luthor, I'll get right on it."

"Ah, and have his office wired while you're at it. Lex will let something slip at some point, and when he does, I'll be waiting."

Watching him go, Lionel leaned back in his chair. Martha would never know, he told himself again. He needed to know what Lex was up to, needed to bring him to heel, and if knowing what intrigued him so much about Clark Kent would help him to do so quicker then he had to do it.

As Martha had said, the lines between them were blurring, and they had agreed they would ensure that they didn't let their personal relationship interfere with business. That was simply what he was doing here, seperating their relationship from his professional life, and if she never knew then it could never hurt them. The thought rang hollow in his own ears.

Maybe one more chapter and then we'll probably head into Insurgence.