Okay, so many of you have probably seen that Lex/Clark is a pairing in my Justice League A/B/O AU series, so I decided to write a story that contained the key moments of their relationship, up until the start of Secret Origins.

I hope you enjoy it, and please read and review ?

Young Clark Face Claim: .

Lex Face Claim: .

….

Chloe was a peculiar strain of female beta.

Betas were expected to act as their biological sex dictates. For example, girls were expected to stick to girly activities, like art and drama, not standing out above the crowd and boys were expected to do the same, taking jobs in sciences.

Sports were often left to the Alphas.

Chloe didn't hide in the shadows. She was outspoken and knew what she wanted…. But Clark never thought she would ever give her number to a jock (as she had spent most of her school career calling them brainless baboons).

"Did you just write your phone number down on Sean Kelvin's hand?" he asked, as he sat beside his friend.

Chloe shook her head, "Don't sound so shocked, Clark. Guys do find me attractive even though I don't have raven hair or the initials 'L . L '… or both."

Flushing slightly at Chloe's slight dig at the Alpha's crush on another individual with the initials L L, Clark shook his head. "That's not what I meant…. The guy's a dog."

"Clark, relax. I just gave him my number to get rid of him." Giggling, she tapped her pen on Clark's knee, "Get Pete. The taxi's leaving."

….

The following morning, Clark made his way downstairs, hiding in the doorway as his parents went through some paperwork.

"The distributor gets 12.5" sighed Martha.

Jon nodded, "Feed bill over six months at 5%."

"Plus, the mortgage at 8.2. Plus, the harvester repairs gives us- "

"- Fifty-four thousand five hundred and one dollars and thirty-eight cents." Interrupted Clark, resisting the urge to smirk as his parents turned to him in shock.

"Hey, son…." Sighed Jon, "… Look, I'm sorry. We didn't mean for you to hear all that."

"You don't have to protect me. Is it that bad?"

Martha nodded, "It's pretty bad. We might have to take out another bank loan."

"Another one? The interest would put us- "

"- Clark, don't."

"… Maybe I can help?"

Taking a sip of his morning coffee, Jon chuckled. "You have. Last season you saved us four hands."

"I'm thinking bigger picture. Forget about this whole high-school thing and try out for a pro sports team. I could make a ton of money in endorsements."

Jon frowned as Martha rolled her eyes.

Clark couldn't help but chuckle at this, "Just trying to lighten the mood."

"Much as we'd love to see your face on a cereal box we'd settle for you getting to school on time!"

Clark grinned, speeding out of the house, only to zip back and grab the toast just as it popped out of the toaster. "Forgot…." He glanced over at the calculations and grinned at his Ma, "…That's 65,200- "

"- Go!"

"- And one."

….

Unsurprisingly, Sean didn't call Chloe, and yet the conversation still managed to turn to Clark and his 'crush' on Lana.

"Just because you can't get past your Lana crush, don't knock us for making a love connection." Scolded Pete.

"I thought we were focusing on me." Chloe sighed

Slightly ignoring Chloe, Clark rolled his eyes. "I don't have a crush on Lana."

"Then ask another girl out!"

'Did it have to be a girl?' Clark mused silently. Out-loud, he asked, "Like who?"

"Like Chloe!"

This was the last straw for their friend, who stepped out from the main trio and span around. "I'm not a crash-test dummy you can use to try out your dating skills!" She turned to Clark, "You. If you like Lana… or someone else so much why don't you just ask them out?" The she turned to Pete, "And, you, stop acting like a Vegas bookie picks your dates…. And both of you? Treat me better."

…

Lex grinned as he wandered onto the Kent farm, hearing the buzz of a power saw from the back. As he strode back there, he sighed in relief when he saw that it was Martha wielding the power tool and not Jon.

That could have gone badly.

As he approached the female beta, he called out her name…. nothing.

With the large headphones on her head, she probably couldn't hear him. So, he decided to step closer.

That was a mistake on his part.

Martha, having not heard him, just span around, the power saw coming dangerously close to Lex's abdomen.

"Whoa!" he exclaimed, "I come in peace!"

Martha was clearly distraught at the near miss, wrenching the headphones off her head. "I'm so sorry! I didn't hear you!"

Lex just shook his head, "No worries, it was my fault… I'm just glad you weren't welding."

Chuckling at the cheeky grin on Lex's face, Martha couldn't help but return the smile. "So, what brings you out here in the middle of the day?

"Those artichokes of yours. I need about 30 if you've got them?"

Martha watched as Lex picked up the recently chopped logs and placed them in the pile. "Thirty. That's a lot!"

"I'm hosting a dinner tomorrow for the local farming community. Just a talk about some financial options. A lot of farms are having money trouble."

Quickly sensing what Lex was getting at, Martha shook her head. "Most people aren't looking for more loans."

"It's nothing like that Martha…. I'm offering my role as an investor. Help people modernize and expand. This town once grew 20% of the state's corn… Smallville was a heavy hitter. It just lost the drive to stay competitive."

"Or its connections?"

Lex chuckled, "If this town ever had connections, they wouldn't have named it Smallville."

At Martha's disapproving look, Lex nodded an apology and sighed, "I know your husband doesn't really like me, but I'd like to hear your thoughts on my proposal, even if you're not interested."

"Jonathan doesn't hate you Lex. It's just… your family's track record hasn't been the best."

Lex nodded in understanding, "Well… I intend to change that."

"Hmmmm…. And this is nothing to do with my son being an Alpha?"

"W-what? N-no, of course not…. Not really."

"…. Clark's a confused teenager Lex. Let him make the first move… if he ever gets over Lana of course."

"I know… I know."

….

Musing over Martha's words, Lex made his way to the Talon. As he walked in, he quickly spotted Lana sitting in one of the chairs and reading over an information leaflet.

"That's a great exhibit…" he stated, grinning at Lana, "… I caught it in St. Petersburg."

Lana grinned, "Whitney and I are going to Metropolis. I thought we'd check it out."

"Trying to give the Alpha quarterback some culture?"

The smile fell from her face, "It was his idea."

"He figures one afternoon at the museum, he's off the hook for six months?"

"… For someone who wants people to keep an open mind you're quick to judge."

Lex shrugged, "What can I say? I just think you picked the wrong Alpha."

He then seated himself near Lana, trying to act disinterested in the following conversation.

"Hey…." Greeted Whitney, "… Everything okay?"

"Yeah, I was just checking out some stuff for us to do tomorrow."

Silence from Whitney.

"Metropolis, remember?"

Whitney audibly groaned "Some of the guys are pulling together and getting the fight on pay-per-view…. It's tomorrow."

"And you gave them your money already."

"Yeah…. Hey, we'll go next weekend, okay? I promise. I'm really sorry, Lana."

Lana sighed, "Culture can wait."

"I'll make it up to you. See you."

When Whitney left Lana, Lex couldn't help but turn around in his seat and give the other omega an apologetic smile, before leaving the shop.

As he wandered out of the store, he spotted Clark staring through the window, a thoughtful look on his face.

"You know, she's free tomorrow night…." He stated, beaming at Clark (the smile only widening when Clark beamed back, "… Hey, Clark. This is the perfect time for you to ask her out."

"She's got a boyfriend, Lex."

Lex rolled his eyes, "A high-school boyfriend isn't a husband, he's an obstacle. I bet if you ask Lana to go with you to the Radiohead concert, she'll say yes."

"And if she says yes?"

Grinning, Lex pulled two tickets out of his pocket, "I'll give you the tickets."

"… Why are you doing this?"

Lex didn't appear to have an answer for that, continuing to stare at Clark as the younger man continued.

"I'm sorry Lex…. But I don't even think I like Lana that way anymore."

Lex clearly didn't believe him, raising an eyebrow at him. "You know… The hardest thing is telling the girl you love that you like her, I get that. I'll raise the bet. If you ask her in the next 60 seconds you get the tickets and I'll throw in a roundtrip limo ride…. Starting now!"

Clark didn't move.

"Clark?"

"… Why can't you and I go to the concert… together?"

Lex was stunned into silence, a dull flush appearing on his cheeks as he stared at Clark. "P-pardon?!"

"Why don't you and I go to the concert together?"

"I-I can't Clark. Not that I don't want to, b-but I have an important dinner tomorrow."

"Oh…" Clark looked disappointed at this, causing Lex to frown.

"… I am sorry Clark…. Go and ask Lana, it's alright."

"You sure?"

Lex nodded, making a show of looking at his watch as Clark rolled his eyes and took the tickets out of his hand, before making his way inside the coffee shop.

"Hey, Lana, you busy?"

Lana glanced up at Clark and grinned, "Completely swamped. That's why I'm sitting in a coffee shop trying to wade through a Russian classic."

"Ummmmmm."

"That was a joke, Clark."

Clark couldn't help but return the smile, taking a seat opposite Lana. "Good…. Because there's this thing tomorrow night."

"Define 'thing.'"

"It's a concert. Radiohead, to be exact… and I've got a couple of tickets."

Her eyes wide in amazement, Lana took the tickets from Clark. "Wow. Where'd you get these?"

"…. A friend. Something came up at the last minute and I was wondering if you'd like to go… you know… with me."

"I'd- "

Seeing that Lana was uncomfortable with the thought, probably thinking Clark was asking her on a date, Clark hastened to explain. "Just as friends!"

Lana stared at him for a few moments, before seeing that he was telling the truth and beaming at him. "Definitely. I'd love to."

…..

"Let me get this straight…." Chloe frowned, "… You walked in to get a cappuccino and walked out with a date with Lana Lang?"

"It's not a date, I don't- "

"- Even with the 'just as friends' rider, I'm impressed." Interrupted Chloe.

"How did you score the tickets?" asked Pete.

Before Clark could answer, Chloe chuckled, "I'm guessing a certain follically-challenged omega was behind it?"

"…. Yeah, Lex hooked me up. Actually, Chloe, I have you to thank."

"What did I do?"

"You were right. I just had to get it out…. I asked out the person that I liked."

"… Well, good. I'm glad."

As they walked towards the school entrance, Pete spotted Sean Kelvin standing in the doorway. "Maybe this is your chance." He whispered to Chloe as Sean rushed over.

Clark couldn't help but notice how Sean shivered and rubbed his hands together as though he was freezing.

"Chloe, don't I owe you a phone call?"

"I guess so…." Chuckled Chloe.

"Well, what are you doing right now?"

"Well, I've got to put the paper to bed. Maybe afterwards we could do something?"

Before Chloe could even finish the sentence, Sean's attention was somewhere else.

"Jenna, Jenna, wait up!"

Chloe was clearly slightly upset at this, "Okay, I was playing barely hard to get. What's the problem?"

The other two had no answer as Chloe continued, "Clark Kent gets a not-date with Lana Lang and suddenly there's no luck left for the rest of us."

Pete put a comforting arm around Chloe as they headed inside.

Clark kept a distrustful eye on Sean.

….

The following morning, Jon watched as Martha paced back and forth in the kitchen

"It's bad enough you ride that motorcycle, but do you have to repair it in the house?" she asked.

Jon grinned at his wife, as Martha started to pace the living room, "If I didn't, you'd never have a reason to be angry with me."

"… I'll trade you. Do all the engine work you want, but come with me to Lex's."

"We've already talked about that."

"I talked, you grunted!"

"I thought that I was rather articulate…." Jon shook his head, "… Sweetheart, the Luthor's' have sold out anyone who's ever trusted them. They don't keep their word."

"'They' is Lex's father, not him. Be honest, you've never seen him be anything but generous. Arrogant and a little strange, yes, but he's been a good friend to Clark. We have to at least hear him out."

"Why?"

Martha rolled her eyes at her husband's stubbornness, "We need options, Jonathan. Our home is on the line. Our farm…. You don't have to like him to listen. Besides, what if…. Far in the future mind you… Clark and Lex end up getting closer? You might be the man's father-in-law and you'll just have to get along with him. You might as well start now…. Besides I already told him we would come."

At that moment, Clark entered and beamed at his parents. "Hello, citizens!"

"I'm not familiar with this child…." Martha teased, "… Where's the moody one, lives upstairs? Runs really fast?"

"Oh, he's going out tonight! Not on a date or anything, but to a concert."

Jon grinned at his son, "Who might this 'not a date' be with?"

"Lana Lang. I wanted to go with Lex, but has plans tonight so he hooked me up with the tickets and his limo."

"He did?" Jon's smile had fallen from his face.

"Yeah, It's okay if I go, right?"

Glancing at his wife, Jon rolled his eyes, "Well, I guess Lex Luthor has worked out all of our evenings for us."

As Clark headed upstairs, Martha stopped him in his tracks. "Clark. Isn't Lana still going out with Whitney?"

"It's not a date Ma… besides, she's not married."

….

"Your online horoscope suggests that you try not to flaunt your excitement." Announced Chloe from the sofa, "Which will be hard, since you've waited for this date since your first growth spurt."

Clark rolled his eyes as he clutched a clean shirt in his hands. "I'll say this once more, then I'll print up bumper stickers. This isn't a date."

"All right…. Just check Lana's outfit. If a girl wears something new, she thinks it's a date."

"I thought you came over for fashion advice?"

Chloe sneered at the flannel shirt he was clutching, "Burn that. What else have you got?"

"… I'll check the laundry basket."

Watching Clark rush towards the kitchen, Chloe couldn't help but grin… until her phone started ringing. "Hello?"

"Hey, Chloe."

Chloe's eyes widened in surprise at the familiar voice, "Sean, hi."

"Don't I owe you an apology?"

Less than five minutes later, when the call had finished, Chloe headed to the kitchen, where Clark was going through the laundry basket.

"Guess who just called me…" she announced, "…Sean."

Clark frowned, "Did he apologize for blowing you off?"

"He said he wasn't feeling well."

"Chloe, I saw him go off with Jenna…. Maybe she made him feel better."

"Well, he promised it was completely over with her."

When Chloe, uncharacteristically defended the jock, Clark came to a sudden realisation. "You like him, don't you?"

"He may be a little intellectually challenged, but he's really hot. He begged to get together, just to talk, so I told him he could bring me a coffee at the Torch."

"Sounds like a date…." Clark teased.

"It's not a date! It's a fact-finding mission to see if he deserves a date."

"I just don't want to see you get hurt."

"Don't worry. I figure if you can take a risk with Lana, I can take a shot too…." Rummaging through the basket, she pulled out a plain blue shirt, "… Blue's a good colour on you."

"Really?"

….

Jon and Martha's eyes were wide in amazement as they were led through the impressive mansion. A youngish beta man, dressed in a neatly pressed butlers outfit, opened the door to the office and showed them inside.

"Welcome…." Greeted Lex, a gentle smile on his face, "… I'm delighted you decided to come."

Martha nodded at him, glancing around the room, "Your house is very- "

"- Large?"

"To put it mildly." Grumbled Jon

"Hmmm, the word "restraint" doesn't exist in my father's vocabulary."

Martha glanced around, frowning when she didn't see anyone else from their town. "I'm sorry, are we early?"

There was only silence as Lex sighed and took another sip of whiskey.

Frowning at this silence, Jon gently took a hold of his wife's arm "I think we should go."

"Wait, just because no one else came- "

"- That's if anyone else was even invited Martha!"

"Oh, I don't think Lex would- "

"- Actually, I would…." Interrupted Lex, "… I did, but only because I knew you wouldn't have come otherwise!"

Despite Martha's clear disappointment in him, Lex continued. "I know your farm's in trouble, Mr. Kent. Small town and everything."

"So, you thought you would take advantage of my family's problem?!"

"No, no! I thought I could help!"

There was a moment of silence as Martha and Jon stared at each other, with Martha frowning at her husband until he reluctantly shook his head.

"Well, then, I guess we're here to listen."

….

Clark fidgeted nervously in the limo, messing about with the light switches as Lana sat beside him. "I've never actually sat in a limo before tonight."

"I did once. Nell got one to take us to the ballet, but it wasn't as nice as this."

"Beats another night of defensive reading huh?"

At Lana's shocked look, Clark frantically tried to explain himself. "You've done it since we were kids. Whenever the world gets disappointing you retreat into a book… There are worse things."

"No, you're right…." Lana shook her head, "… It's just easier than dealing with my own life, you know what I mean?"

Clark nodded, "I do the same thing with astronomy. I look at different worlds and wonder if my life would be better there."

"You always seem to understand what I'm trying to say… How come you know so much?"

"Magic."

Lana just smiled, causing Clark to raise an eyebrow. "You don't believe in magic?"

When Lana shrugged, Clark grinned, spotting a pack of cards in a cup holder. "I'll show you."

Quickly, he shuffled the cards and held them out to Lana. "Pick a card."

"… All right."

Lana picked out a card, glanced at it, before pressing it against her chest.

After practicing with his new-gained vision powers, Clark found it easy to focus on the card and see what was printed on the other side. "Three of hearts."

"Full of surprises." Lana chuckled, spinning the card around to show Clark he was right, quickly handing him the card.

There was a brief moment of silence, before Lana sighed. "This is weird, huh? I felt like I had to explain tonight to Nell."

Clark couldn't help but agree, "I spent the better part of the day convincing people this was not a date…. How about Whitney?"

"… I didn't tell him."

"You feeling guilty about that?"

"He's hanging out with his friends, and I'm hanging out with mine."

The pair nodded in mutual understanding at each other as Clark grinned, "Exactly."

Lana then switched on the limo TV, watching as the news came on.

"And in Smallville tonight, police are seeking 17-year-old Sean Kelvin after the mysterious death of fellow Smallville High student Jenna Barham, whose body was found this afternoon."

"Oh, my God."

"Kelvin was last seen- "

"- Stop the car!" Clark ordered, knocking on the partition that separated them and the driver.

"Clark?" Lana frowned, "What's going on?!"

"Chloe agreed to go on a date with Sean tonight!" Clark opened the door, "If he's killed Jenna, that he might kill Chloe!"

"Oh my god! What should we do?!"

"I'm going to run back to the school and make sure she's safe!"

"You'll never make it!"

"I will, I will…" he turned to Lana and sighed, "… I'm really sorry about this. Here…" he pulled the tickets out of his pocket and handed them over to the female omega, "…. No reason you should miss out on the concert."

Before Lana could say anything, he was gone.

…

Clark raced into the school, zipping in and out of every room in a desperate attempt to find his friend. When he reached the pool room, he glanced in through the window and his eyes widened in alarm when he spotted Chloe near the edge of the pool…. The frozen pool.

"Clark! Clark, help!"

Smashing the door off of its hinges, Clark rushed over, "Are you okay?"

"My foot's stuck!"

Clenching his fist, he shattered the ice around Chloe's foot, allowing her to get free. Before he could do anything else however, he felt a chilled hand grip his upper arm. Reacting instinctively, Clark span around and struck Sean in the face, sending him skidding across the ice.

Taking advantage of the situation, Clark helped Chloe to her feet and practically carried her towards the door. "You okay?" he asked.

Chloe nodded and Clark sighed in relief, "Go!" he gently ordered, "Run!"

When he turned back around, Sean was gone.

….

"Did I thank you for that rescue yet?" Chloe asked, shivering as she wrapped up in Clark's coat, smiling as Clark placed a mug of hot chocolate down in front of her.

"I heard about Jenna and I didn't want you to be next."

"Well, I finally find a guy I like, and he turns out to be homicidal."

"You deserved a lot better than Sean even before he tried to kill you."

Chloe chuckled, "That's sweet… I think."

"Any idea what happened to him?"

Shaking her head, Chloe turned her attention back to the computer, "Only thing I can find is a medical condition where there's damage to the thermosensitive cells in the brain. The person literally can't stay warm. It's like a permanent case of hypothermia."

"So, Sean's getting heat where he can take it?"

"Preferably from high-school girls…. But, I mean, you saw the pool. You take heat out of water, you get ice. He's like- He's like a battery that can't hold its charge…. We should call for help."

"I'll take care of that. We need to get you home." Clark helped Chloe to her feet and led her towards the door, "Come on."

Chloe suddenly stopped in her tracks and sighed wearily "Clark… You have to believe me when I say that almost getting my heat sucked was not a passive-aggressive attempt to ruin your not-date."

"It's alright… I think Lana understood."

….

After Lana informed him that she hadn't gone to the concert and decided to go home instead, Clark felt better… still slightly guilty, but better.

In his search for Sean, the lights in the Talon started to flicker, causing Clark to frown.

"Sean…." He hissed, racing over to the town generator.

…

Back at Luthor Manor, the small group glanced up in alarm when the lights flickered off, leaving them in complete darkness.

Thankfully, less than a minute passed before the lights came back on.

"Guess the generator works…." Lex chuckled, "… Power must have blown. Where were we?"

Jon rolled his eyes, "You were explaining how you could single-handedly save the family farm, with absolutely no ulterior motives."

Rolling her eyes at the sarcasm in her husband's voice, Martha started to scold him. "Jonathan- "

"- It's okay, Mrs. Kent…" sighed Lex, "… I understand your husband's scepticism." He then turned to Jon, "Your farm's drowning in debt, we both know it. I'm trying to offer you a hand, but you keep slapping it away."

"I learned a long time ago from a man much smarter than myself that you need to solve your own problems."

"Your father lived in different times. And he had his share of help." Lex strode over to his desk and picked up a blue folder, "Seems government subsidies carried him through a number of lean years."

He handed the folder to Martha and the couple scanned over the documents. "Where did you get these?" asked Martha in shock.

"It's just a matter of public record."

At the incredulous and curious look the pair shot him, Lex shrugged, "I'm making a business offer. I had to do my due diligence."

There was a brief moment of silence, before Jon frowned. "Why are you so interested in our family, Lex?"

"… Your son brought me back from the dead, Mr. Kent. When he reached in and pulled me out, he gave me a new life. Your father put his family's future over his own pride. Are you willing to do that?"

"… And it has nothing to do with the fact that Clark is an Alpha?"

Lex knew that he was flushing and decided it would be in his best interests to tell the truth.

"I'm not going to lie…. I like your son, but I'm not going to make the first move. I just want to prove to everyone that I can be a good human being."

Martha read over a draft contract that Lex had typed up, frowning in concentration. "So, you would give us the latest farming equipment and technology, all in exchange for our independence?"

Lex nodded, "My influence will be minimal but existing, yes. It's a partnership."

"We could get a loan."

Resisting the urge to sigh at Jon, Lex simply poured them another drink. "Or you can allow me to help you get to the point where you never need someone like me again."

"I'll admit, it looks generous."

Lex grinned at Martha, "It is."

Jon rolled his eyes, "I know you've already sort of answered this, but what do you get out of all of this? Do you think this will somehow convince us to let you court our underage son?"

"I know my Father isn't exactly in the charity business, but I'm not him. I honestly just want to help…. Please just think about it. I really believe I can help."

Before Jon or Martha could say anything, the young beta opened the door and showed Lana and Whitney inside.

"Lana!" Martha exclaimed, getting to her feet

"She's okay."

Ignoring Whitney, Martha glanced behind the couple, quickly realising that something was wrong. "Where's Clark?"

….

Clark was on the ground unconscious, cold as an icicle, as a newly-warm Sean headed towards the Luthor home.

…

After Lana and Whitney explained the situation, Lex quickly went to fetch some hot chocolate from the kitchen, hoping to sooth the teen's nerves.

"This kid sounds dangerous…." He sighed, handing the warm mugs over, "…I've got the gate down and the alarm on. You're staying here until they find Sean." He turned his attention to Lana and gave her a reassuring smile, "I'm sorry you're going to miss the concert."

Meanwhile, Jon was hanging up the phone and shaking his head, "No. I'm still getting the answering machine at home."

"Remind me I don't have to worry."

Jon turned to his wife and pulled her into a hug, "He's Clark, Martha."

In the room, the lights started to flicker again before shutting off entirely. This time, Lex went to fetch some torches. "Here you go." He handed them over to the Kent's.

"Thanks…." Jon headed towards the exit, "… I'll go check the front gate."

"It should be secure Mister Kent!"

Martha also headed towards the exit, "I'll check the generator. Where is it?"

"On the side of the house, but I can get it Mrs Kent!"

Lex gently took a hold of her arm, before she could fully leave the room. "Please Mrs Kent…. If there's a dangerous teen out there, I don't want you to get hurt."

Looking into his eyes for a short time, as though trying to read his mind, Martha eventually nodded and handed the torch over, allowing Lex to check the back-up generator.

Stumbling down the hill until he reached the generator, Lex frowned when he realised that it was frozen solid. "Great…" he muttered, "… just great."

"Hello."

Lex span around and took a step back at the sight a male teen… who was ice blue. "Are you Sean?" he asked, forcing the fear out of his voice.

"Yes, Sir."

"What do you want?"

"Who, me?" Sean smirked as he stepped closer and closer, "I just wanna get warm."

"Get away from him, Sean!"

Lex span around to see Clark, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. "Clark! Where the hell- "

"Get back in the house Lex." Clark gently ordered, a tiny bit of Alpha persuasion in his voice. "Go now."

Deciding not to argue, Lex scrambled back up the hill and raced back to the house.

"Lucky bastard!" chuckled Sean, "If I was going to pick a male, I'd do him in a heartbeat! He's hot!"

Clark didn't rise to the bait, "Sean, you have to get to a hospital."

"What are they gonna do? Put me under an electric blanket? I need heat, Clark…. Contact. That's the only thing that's gonna work for me! Every person's another fix!"

"You're not getting into that house."

"Who's gonna stop me? You?"

Sean leapt at him, prompting Clark to grab a steel pipe and hit Sean in the mid-section, sending him flying into a stone plant pot. When Clark rushed over, Sean was gone…. Until he felt cold arms wrap around him and the warmth being sucked from his body.

"I don't know what it is about you, Clark, but I haven't felt this good in two days! And when I'm done with you, there's Lana, Whitney and Lex!"

Clark growled up at Sean, "I'll never let you hurt them!"

Using all of his strength, Clark kicked Sean up into the air, propelling him into the lake. As soon as Sean disappeared underneath the surface, the lake froze, trapping Sean in the ice.

…

The following morning, when Lex was still reeling from the events of the previous night (aka, wondering how Clark was able to stop Sean so easily), he made his way to the Kent farm.

Inside the barn, Jon was working on a motorbike, barely glancing up as Lex entered the barn.

"Good morning…." Greeted Lex as he shuffled closer, "… I was expecting to hear that you'd taken out a bank loan, but I haven't heard anything."

Jon rolled his eyes, "How disappointing for you. It must be strange not to know everything that's going on."

"After your…. Clear displeasure last night, I was quite surprised. I know you don't like me and thought you'd take out the bank loan because of this?"

"Believe it or not Lex, some decisions actually have nothing to do with you, but Martha has informed me that I need to think about Clark's future… and you might be the best option."

Jon was clearly unhappy with the decision as Lex shuffled nervously from side to side. "Well… the bank would kill you with interest while waiting for you to fail." The younger man tried to reassure Jon

"Hmmmm… well as I told Martha. At least with the bank, I know where I stand."

Clearly resisting the urge to take a step back, Lex straightened up. "I know you don't believe me Sir, but I genuinely want to help you. If you do decide to take my offer, my home is always open to the Kent family."

…..

"You okay?"

Chloe turned away from the school memory wall, dedicated to Jenna and smiled sadly at her two friends. "Yeah. The memorial service is tomorrow…. I was thinking how that could have been me. All because some guy expressed a modicum of interest in me. I thought I was stronger than that."

Nodding in understanding, Clark sighed, "Everybody's searching for their soul mate Chloe, It's not a sign of weakness."

Pete was less sympathetic. "I can't believe both your dates went straight to hell, and I ended up with the limo!"

"How was that?"

"It was sweet! I've already hooked up with another date for next weekend!"

Shaking her head, Chloe sighed, "I'm swearing off men."

"They're not all bad."

"Yeah! Maybe you should just swear off heat-sucking horn dogs."

Chuckling at her friends, Chloe grinned, "Yeah, the next time a guy asks me out, I'm doing an in-depth background check."

They stopped in their tracks when they spotted Lana by her locker, with Chloe pulling Pete away so that the alpha and the omega could have some space.

"Lana? Hey, how's your ankle?"

Lana smiled, "It's better, thanks…. I was expecting you to come back the other night. Is Chloe alright?"

"A bit shaken up, but yeah she's okay…. I'm sorry. I wanted things to work out differently."

Shaking her head, Lana patted Clark's arm. "Don't worry about it. It managed to push Whitney into taking me to the city this weekend. He's got the entire day planned…. I think our non-date freaked him out."

"What'd you tell him?"

"The truth…. That we're just friends."

The school bell rang and Lana quickly shut her locker and walked away, refusing to look Clark in the eyes. "I have to go."

Before she could get too far away, Clark called out her name, "Lana…. Why do you go out with him? Whitney, I mean."

Maybe Lana will shed some light on what omegas…. What Lex wants in an Alpha.

Lana thought to herself for a few moments, before a soft smile appeared on her face. "Because whenever I need him, he's there. Guess he makes me feel safe."

Safe…. Safe Clark could do.