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: .

….

Clark had never felt so out of place. His smart clothing wasn't nearly as tailored as everyone else's, and he had no idea of the etiquette.

Yes, it was only a charity ball…. But Lex had invited him here as a plus one and Clark didn't want to embarrass the older omega. Eventually, he found himself by a glass cabinet that contained a golden chest-place, adjourned with jewels and a snake curled up as an S in the centre.

It was stunning.

"You know, it belonged to Alexander the Great…."

Speaking of stunning,

Lex beamed at him, "… They say the design symbolizes strength and courage."

Returning the smile, Clark shook his head. "Can't exactly see myself going into battle with that on my chest."

"Darker times call for darker methods. His opponents thought he was invincible."

Clark frowned, "I didn't know you were a history buff?"

"I'm not…." Lex smirked, "… I'm interested in people who ruled the world before age 30."

"Don't worry, Lex, you have a few years…." As Lex chuckled, Clark glanced around the room, before he saw someone familiar, "I didn't know Lana was going to be here?"

Lex glanced over as well, before sighing. "Can I be honest? There are so many faces at these parties… I always forget who gets invited and who doesn't."

"Yeah… and with all these people around, I'm feeling really under-dressed." He then frowned, when he spotted someone else, "Whitney's here as well…. I think I need to get some air."

Lex followed him, his brow creased in concern. "You know… you can't keep running away from your enemy."

"… Whitney's not my enemy. Having him as an enemy implies that I want Lana…. It's not her I'm with as a plus one though is it?"

Lex flushed slightly at this, clearing his throat before shaking his head. "Well, even so… keep your friends close and the quarterback closer."

"Always the hopeless romantic, Lex."

The pair turned to see a young woman, around Lex's age (possibly older), dressed in a tight red dress, with brown curly hair. An Alpha, clearly.

Lex was not happy, "Victoria." He sighed.

"I'm sorry, am I interrupting?"

"Yes… Clark, this is Victoria Hardwick... she knows my Father."

Victoria saw the hidden insult for what it was, but chose not to say anything, grabbing a glass of champagne as the tray went past.

"So, how close are you going to keep her?" Clark whispered in Lex's ear.

"She was one of my Father's desperate attempts to get me married off…" Lex whispered back, "… c'mon, we'll give her the slip."

Before the Alpha female could say anything else, Lex and Clark blended into the crowd and snuck away.

…..

As Lex went to get them some non-alcoholic drinks (taking the long route in order to avoid Victora), Clark headed outside.

"Well, welcome to Metropolis…." He muttered to himself, glancing around. When he saw a poor homeless man sleeping on a nearby bench in a bus shelter, he sighed, "…More or less."

Then he heard the bus.

It was clearly out of control, swerving along the road, taking out several cars as it went. It shot past Clark, heading straight for the bus shelter…. And the sleeping homeless man.

Realising what was going to happen, Clark shot forwards, standing in front of the bus and bracing himself. The metal frame of the bus crumpled in on itself as it hit Clark head on, the force of the impact causing the front of the bus to practically shatter.

Clark barely flinched.

As he pulled himself away from the wreckage, he couldn't help but stare at in shock. It looked more like the bus had hit the side of a building, not a teenage boy… all Clark had to show for it, was a ruined suit jacket.

People started racing out the museum, having clearly heard the noise, prompting Clark to make a quick getaway.

He'd explain it to Lex later.

Unfortunately, as he raced away, he failed to see a strange man staring at the wreckage… and then in the direction Clark had just ran towards.

….

The next morning, he stepped into the barn, watching as his Father struggled to pull a generator up into the upper rafters of the barn.

"Dad, let me help you."

With a couple of good tugs, the generator was hoisted up as Jon rolled his eyes.

"Don't break a sweat." He exclaimed sarcastically.

As Clark went to secure the generator, Martha spoke up. "So, night owl, how was Metropolis?"

"Fine."

Martha clearly didn't believe him, "Come on a reception at the Metropolis Museum, with the omega of your dreams, and it was fine?"

Clark flushed slightly, "The museum was amazing, as was Lex but…. It's just- "

"- It's just what?" Jon asked in concern.

"…. Something happened." Clark handed over the Metro morning newspaper, sighing as his Mother read the headline;

METRO BUS CRASHES MUSUEM GALA.

"It could've been worse…." He explained, "… I stopped the bus before anyone was hurt."

"Clark, are you all right?" Martha exclaimed in shock.

"I'm fine."

Jon frowned, "What if somebody'd seen you do it?"

"Dad! Everyone was still in the museum!"

Martha nodded in agreement, "I think it's fine… There's no mention of witnesses in the paper."

Seeing that his Father still wasn't impressed, Clark rolled his eyes and headed out the barn. "I'd better get to school."

Jon groaned at the significant look on his wife's face, clearing his throat and turning to his son. "Hey, Clark, look, I am real proud of what you did."

"We both are." Reassured Martha, who smiled as her son beamed at them.

…..

'VICTORIA IS STILL HERE.' Lex texted Clark, 'I KNOW YOU'RE AT SCHOOL, BUT SAVE ME AS SOON AS YOU CAN.'

As Charity poured them both a drink, clearly resisting the urge to pour the cocktail all over Victoria, Lex sighed wearily. "So, what do you think of Smallville?"

Victoria smirked, "It reminds me of the village where my grandparents live in Wales… Very quaint… Very safe…. And the last place I expected to find Lex Luthor."

"… My father'll bring me back to Metropolis in a few years."

"He's lying."

Lex shrugged, "I know…. But I don't really care that much. Smallville has its own attractions."

"… You deserve something better."

Rolling his eyes, Lex moved away from her, "And you crossed the pond to tell me what that is…. My Father's already thrown you at me once. It didn't work then, and it won't work now."

"We could have been friends… Catching up with an old friend isn't reason enough?"

"Ha!" Lex chuckled, "As much as I'd like to flatter myself, the Alpha daughters of multinational industrialists usually don't fly around the world to try and court an unwilling omega once again… Neither do executive vice presidents."

"… Then you've heard."

"That you're working for your father? I keep up… How is Sir Harry?

Victoria smirked, "Distant, inaccessible and rich, I believe you know the type."

"And what does he want with me?"

"He understands you may have certain… negative feelings towards your father."

Lex rolled his eyes, "Sir Harry has always had an incredible grasp of the obvious."

"He was hoping those feelings might work to our mutual advantage…." Victoria sidled closer, "… He'd like you to reconsider your position with LuthorCorp."

"So, he sent you here as an incentive…. Sir Harry never was particularly smart."

"… I've missed you, Lex. Can't I have another chance?"

"No."

Victoria paused for a moment, before moving her hand round to the back of Lex's neck, and gripping it tightly. "First…" she whispered in his ear, "… let me give you my proposal."

…

There was nothing like watching Mercy and Hope forcefully escort pushy Alpha's from the mansion… it really made Lex's day sometimes.

Which is why he was in town, grabbing a cup of coffee from the Talon, with the hopes of meeting up with Clark later.

Apparently, Chloe had been fire from being the editor of the school newspaper, and she was quite upset about that… understandable really.

"Afternoon, Lex."

Lex span around and glared at the beta male standing near the pinball machine.

"Or is it Mr. Luthor here in Smallville?" continued the man.

Lex rolled his eyes. "Phelan... isn't Smallville a couple of counties outside your jurisdiction?"

"Well, I don't need jurisdiction to look up an old friend."

Ha!

Lex smirked and took a step closer, "We were never friends… If you want to see me, call my office."

As he moved to walk away, Phelan's voice stopped him in his tracks.

"When does it happen, Lex?"

Lex sighed, and turned back around, "When does what happen?"

"When do you turn on the people that help you? How many times did I pull you back from the edge? You'd be dead right now if it wasn't for me!"

"… You were on my father's payroll, his go-to guy in the department. You got paid to fix situations, so don't try and pretend it was anything else."

Phelan smirked, "You have a good life here, Lex… I'd sure hate to see that get compromised."

"You can't touch me, and you know it."

Seeming to agree with this, Phelan nodded and pulled a photo from his inside pocket, "I'm looking for a witness. I think he saw last night's accident outside the museum."

"And this concerns me why?"

Phelan showed him the photo… Clark. Keeping his face carefully neutral, Lex shook his head, "Sorry, I don't know who that is."

"Really?" Phelan glanced at the photo, and how close Lex and Clark were standing, "I'd have pegged you for buddies."

"Guess you're losing your instinct. Maybe you should think about retiring?"

With the final shot fired, Lex walked away with a smirk.

…

Clark couldn't hear a thing… and this was unusual.

"Hello? Hello?" He glanced around the barn, "Anybody home?"

A noise from the right caused Clark to spin around, "Dad? Is that you?"

And then he spotted something on the ground… a badge it looked like. Going over, he lifted it up off the ground, only to frown at what he saw. "Metropolis Police."

It was only then he heard the creaking from up above. Before he could react, the tractor generator fell down from the ceiling, landing right on top of him. Clark yelped in shock, wriggling for a few moments, before grunting and throwing the generator off him, wincing as it crashed against the side of the barn.

And then he heard the slow clapping as a stranger emerged from the upper level of the barn, "Kid, I don't know what they've been feeding you but that was pretty impressive…Not quite as exciting as last night, but I wanted to be sure."

"W-Who are you?"

"I… am your new best friend, Clark."

Clark frowned, "… How do you know my name?"

"I asked around. That's the beauty of a small town, everybody's just so eager to help." He bent down and picked up the badge, "Far cry from Metropolis."

"What do you want with me?"

"Your help. You see, Clark, I'm in a battle that I can't afford to lose because if I do, well, the bad guys win… And you have this gift that I need."

When the beta reached out to try and place his hand on Clark's shoulder, Clark was quick to grab it, tightening his grip and forcing a little bit of Alpha command into his voice. "I'll never help you."

The beta wrenched his wrist away, whistling low in pain as he glared at the Alpha, "You have a secret you don't want the world to know about. I'm guessing that's why you didn't stick around for the TV cameras last night. You want to keep things that way… you'll do like I say." He turned to leave, "Drop by that overpriced coffee shop tomorrow afternoon and we'll talk about your future."

Before leaving, he glanced at the generator and shook his head in amazement. "Nice catch."

…..

"So, he just dropped the generator right on top of you?" Jon exclaimed, as Martha handed Clark a cup of warm tea.

"How did he know it wouldn't kill you?" Martha asked in concern.

Clark was silent for a few moments, knowing that his Dad wouldn't be happy with the answer, "… He saw me stop the bus last night."

"Maybe we should call the police."

"He is the police…." They both turned to him in shock as he continued, "… I saw his badge. Metropolis P.D."

Jon was clearly disappointed. He started to pace the kitchen, worry lines on his face.

"Dad…" Clark sighed, "… I didn't mean for this to happen."

Jon stopped and sighed wearily, "Clark, you didn't do anything wrong, okay?"

Clearly not convinced, Clark nodded and frowned, "He told me to meet him at the Beanery tomorrow."

"I don't want you going anywhere near this guy! I'll talk to him, and I'll find out what he wants!"

"Until then- "

"Until then, you live your life, you see your friends." Jon tried to give his son a reassuring smile, "Now, we're not gonna let this thing change us."

Clark nodded in understanding, before heading outside… he needed to take his mind off this entire situation.

…..

"You look like you're carrying the weight of the world."

Clark jumped and span around at the sound of Lex's voice, smiling sheepishly as the omega chuckled.

"I'm sorry if I surprised you, but there's really nowhere to knock."

"It's okay…"

As Lex bent down to look through the telescope, Clark cleared his throat. "… Thanks again for last night."

"Your first visit to Metropolis, and you're involved in a police investigation?" Lex smirked, "That has to be some kind of record."

"How'd you know about that?"

"The detective came to see me first."

"What'd he tell you?"

"Not much…" Lex frowned, "… Maybe that's what's bothering me."

"What do you mean?"

"Metropolis Police don't send detectives to investigate traffic accidents…. So, I made a call. Turns out the official investigation is already closed." A concerned look flashed over Lex's face as he turned to Clark, placing a gentle hand on the Alpha's shoulder, "Clark, you really don't want Sam Phelan in your life."

"… You know him?"

"Unfortunately." Lex sighed, "I had my share of legal problems while I was in Metropolis."

"Serious?"

"… Expensive. Phelan was the kind of officer my father felt we could turn to for help."

"So… you're saying he's a dirty cop?"

"I'm saying he'll do whatever it takes to get the job done! Plant evidence. Falsify reports… Anything is fair game." Lex looked Clark in the eyes, "And if he's got something on you, Clark, he'll use it."

"H-He just wanted to talk."

Lex clearly didn't believe him, "… Then you've got nothing to worry about."

…

"Mr. Kent?"

Jon glanced over at the other beta, frowning as the other man held out his hand.

"Sam Phelan, Metropolis P.D…. I figured you'd be the one to show."

Jon stepped closer, ignoring the outstretched hand. "What do you want with my son?"

"We're both rational adults, let's sit down, talk and- "

"- I don't think a rational adult drops a generator on top of a teenage boy, do you?" Jon interrupted, clearly not wanting to deal with bullshit.

"… Well, we both know it wouldn't hurt him."

Jon knew he couldn't argue with that, his face pinched in worry and concern as Sam gestured at the empty seat opposite him.

"All right…" Jon sighed, "… what do you want?"

".. I just want Clark's help."

"With what?"

"Look around you, Mr. Kent. You know what you see… The veneer of safety. Now, people like me are sworn to protect that. I'm the guy standing between criminals and respectable citizens like yourself." Now, Clark has…a gift and I would like to use his talents to further my cause."

Jon glared at him, "I will not let you exploit my son."

There was a brief moment of silence, before Sam sighed. "I've spent the morning going through the local police files…. Clark's name comes up quite a bit."

"Clark has never been in trouble a day in his life."

"No arrests, but he's been around a lot of crime scenes." Sam leaned forwards and smirked at Jon, "Now, maybe that's coincidence or maybe it's just his natural instinct to get involved."

"… Okay, I will give you whatever you want. You just stay away from my family."

Sam leaned back in his chair, arms folded as he smirked at Jon, "I want your son."

"No."

Frustration flitted across Sam's face, before he sneered at Jon, "I'll be in touch." However, before he left, he whispered in Jon's ear, "Of course, if you don't agree, I will tell the world what I know. Best case, Clark's under a microscope. Worst case… he's a freak in a jar. Either way, his normal life is over!"

Jon growled, and with one swift movement, he had Sam pinned against the table,

"Do not push me!"

"Easy there, Mr. Kent!" Sam cried out, putting on a show for the rest of the people in the shop, smirking as Jon let him go. Once he got to his feet, Sam straightened his tie, acting hurt and betrayed, "We were just talking. You know, if I were you, I'd learn to keep that temper in check… It could get you in a lot of trouble."

…..

Clark sighed as he walked out of the school. After the incident with Chloe and Lana, with the young female omega taking over the school newspaper and Chloe accusing Clark of taking Lana's side due to a believed crush.

And then he heard the car.

"Get in, kid…." Snarled Sam.

Clark tried to ignore him, trying to walk away… until Sam revved his engines and drove forwards, into the school bins. "What do you want?"

"Your father came to see me. He seemed like a really good man, always putting his family first… You know, if I were you, I'd start thinking like him."

…

"I assume you've had a chance to read my father's proposal."

Lex resisted the urge to groan, barely looking up from his meal as Mercy tensed in warning beside him, clearly wanting to battle the other Alpha female.

"I didn't have to…" Lex eventually sighed, carefully cutting up another piece of meat.

"So, you've added mind reading to your many abilities?"

Lex smirked, "Don't treat me like a simple omega… I know why you're here, Victoria. Sir Harry wants to take over Luthor-Corp, and he needs my shares to do it."

Victoria was silent, her face growing pale as Lex continued. "Your father didn't dream up this little plan, did he?"

Silence.

"Do you think if you take over Luthor-Corp Daddy will finally give you the respect you deserve?" Lex mock pouted at her, "He won't, Victoria."

"… So, what are you suggesting?"

If Victoria was hoping for Lex to tell her that they were going to have to team up together and grab both companies for themselves, she was seriously wrong.

"I'm suggesting you fly back home and hope your Daddy forgives you."

….

Clark frowned as they pulled up outside a large building. They had been driving around for hours now, and it was completely dark. "What are we doing here?" he asked.

"You want to know the biggest obstacle to my job, Clark? It's not the perps… It's the bureaucracy. How am I supposed to fight crime with one hand tied behind my back?"

"… You said we were going after bad guys."

"We are… They're called Internal Affairs." Sam smirked at Clark and pointed up to the higher windows of the building they were outside, "In fact, the head of the IA division lives right up there on the fifth floor."

As Sam got out of the car, Clark quickly realised what the other man was probably asking. Getting out, he growled at the beta male. "I'm not gonna hurt anybody!"

"Relax… you're just gonna help me retrieve some files." Sam smirked, "See, these IA types, they have a real trust problem. Well, it turns out the deputy chief keeps all his most sensitive case files at home… The man's got a safe, so you find it. You open it and you bring me whatever's inside."

Seeing that Clark was still not happy, Sam continued, "You do this one thing for me, and I'll never trouble you again."

There was a brief moment of silence, before Clark stepped forwards, looming over Sam. "I know what you're about, Phelan. Lex told me."

Sam rolled his eyes, "Oh, Lex is it? Yeah, well, your friend Lex isn't exactly on the side of the angels. He's got his secrets… just like you…. It's apartment 517."

It was disturbing how easy it was... speed up to the flat, quietly breaking into the flat, use his x-ray vision to find the safe…. Rip the safe from the wall and throw it out the window.

It went flying down to the ground below, smashing into Sam's car, setting the alarm off and crushing the car…. As Sam stared on in dismay.

"Hey, Phelan!" he called out from the window, before speeding down to the ground and showing him the file, "Want your file?" he smirked, slapping it into Sam's chest as sirens sounded, "It's all yours."

Sam span around when he saw blue lights heading straight for them. "Did you call them?" he asked, "You're making a big mistake, kid."

But Clark had already gone.

…..

The next morning, Clark was feeling on top of the world, bounding down the stairs and heading into the kitchen. "Morning, guys!" he greeted his parents

Martha glanced up from her brew and frowned, "What time did you get in last night? I didn't hear you."

"Late…. I was helping Lana at the Torch. I sort of lost track of time."

Jon glanced at his wife, before sighing. "Clark, has Phelan tried to contact you?"

"Dad, don't worry, I think he's out of our lives forever."

There was sharp rapping at the door, prompting everyone to glance in that direction, before Jon headed over to open it, frowning at the sight of two local officers at the door. "Ethan, Bob what's going on?"

The lead officer gave him an apologetic wince, "We got a warrant…. It's a warrant to search your property, Jonathan."

"A warrant?" Jon shook his head and stepped to one side, "Come on in." He took the warrant off the officer and frowned as he scanned the document, "What for?"

"W-We got a tip from Metropolis P.D."

Clark straightened up when he heard this, an uneasy feeling settling over his body…. This feeling was confirmed when another officer joined the others. "You'd better come and take a look at this."

He led the others and the Kent family out into the barn, where a dead body was lying on the haystacks, blooding staining his t-shirt.

"Looks like he was shot in the heart." The lead officer explained to the paling Kent family, "You wanna explain what a dead body's doing in your barn Jon?"

Jon shook his head desperately, "I've never seen that man before!"

"Ethan…" Another officer spoke up, a gun in his hands, "… we found this hidden under the seat in the truck."

"That is not my gun, and I have no idea how it got in my truck!" Jon protested

The officers didn't pay him any heed, but the lead officer did look a little apologetic. "I'm sorry, but we have to place you under arrest."

"Dad!"

Jon allowed the officers to pull him out the door, trying to reassure his son and wife. "It's all right…." He turned to Martha, "… Call Bill Ross and have him meet me at the jail!"

Clark snapped, an Alpha growl erupting from his throat as he raced forwards, placing his Dad behind him and glaring at the officers. "You're not taking him!"

Before anyone else could say anything, Jon span his son around and placed his hands on his shoulder. "Clark. Clark, I need you to stay here…. And I need you to be strong!"

It took a couple of minutes, before Clark nodded and stepped to one side, watching as the officers led his Father away, Martha following on behind, "I'll follow in the car." She sighed sadly.

When everyone was gone, Clark stormed back into the house, hands gripping his hair in frustration as he growled… and then he punched through a wooden beam in the kitchen, shattering it into hundreds of little splinters.

"That's what you get for trying to be a hero, Clark."

Clark span around, his eyes wide in shock as he stared at Phelan.

"You're a pretty smart boy, but you forget I've been doing this a long time."

"Who's that man?"

"Did you really think that you could double-cross me?" Sam smirked, "Clark, my job is about scenarios. You never enter a crack house with one plan, you go in with 10! That's how you survive!" It was clear that Sam was agitated, "The truth is, kid, you didn't leave me with a LOT OF OPTIONS!"

"I want my dad out of jail!"

"YOU COMPLICATE MY LIFE? I'M GONNA COMPLICATE YOURS!"

Clark growled, grabbing Sam by the shirt collar and pinning him up against another beam with one hand, shaking the beta to get his point across. "CALL THEM NOW AND TELL THEM WHAT YOU DID!"

"… What is it, Clark? You wanna kill me? You think that's the answer to your problems?"

Clark snarled and shook him again. "I WANT HIM OUT!"

"Well, then, we both want something… only you have a lot more to lose."

Clark knew this and backed away (though not without one final shove). Sam smirked, straightening out his jacket.

"I don't want any more surprises." He hissed, "I'm gonna let you think about last night." As he headed to leave, he turned and pointed at the young Alpha, "Stay close…. I'll be in touch."

….

Later on that evening, after speaking to Lana (and easing his fears that his parents would always love him, no matter how much he messed up or how much he wasn't their biological kid), Clark headed to the prison, knowing that he had to make this right.

"Hi, son…." Jon whispered, desperately trying to give his son a reassuring smile through the glass, "… Where's your mother?"

Clark winced, "The police are questioning her… I lied to you."

"… What do you mean?

"I did see Phelan again."

Jon took a deep breath, moving the phone from one ear to the other as he clearly forced himself to remain calm. "When?"

"Last night… I went with him to Metropolis. I broke into an apartment, found a safe with confidential files."

"Oh, Clark- "

"- I didn't have a choice!"

"That's what he wanted you to think, but you always have a choice!"

"I was protecting you and Mom!"

"You cannot protect your mother and I by lying to us! Come on!"

Clark was silent for a few moments, before he took a deep breath. "Dad, there's more…." He whispered, "… Phelan came back after you were arrested. I got so angry that I grabbed him and for a second, I wanted to- I wanted to kill him."

"… But you didn't, right?"

"Yeah, but I was close."

Jon sighed and shook his head, pressing his hand against the glass, waiting for Clark to do the same. "Believe me, son, I know all there is to know about losing your temper…. But you can't afford to do it. This is Phelan's game, and he will play your fear and your anger. But you cannot let him get to you."

"I don't care!" Clark growled, "I won't let anybody hurt you and Mom!"

"And he knows that… But once you've crossed that line, there's no going back."

…

It was strange that a crowded coffee shop was more peaceful than his own home.

Lex sighed, scanning over the newspaper, glancing around…. And then he spotted Clark walking past.

He didn't hesitate, knowing that Clark was going through a lot. "Clark!" he called out, stopping in front of the Alpha, "I just heard about your dad. Is he all right?"

"… He's hanging in there."

"This is- This is crazy!" Lex shook his head, "Your father didn't kill anyone…. Give me five minutes, I'll get the 10 best lawyers in the state!"

Clark sighed wearily, "I don't think lawyers are gonna help."

He moved to leave, until Lex's hand on his chest stopped him in his tracks. "It's Phelan, isn't it?"

The silence said it all.

"What's he got on you, Clark?"

"J-Just stay out of it, all right? Please."

When Clark tried to go past, Lex stopped him again. "Listen to me…" he begged, "… You may think you know how Phelan works, but you'd be wrong. I'm a bit of an expert when it comes to that bastard, I understand his world."

"Yeah… he told me you have secrets."

At the distrustful tone in Clark's voice, Lex's face fell, but he wasn't going to let Clark be hurt because of him. "There are parts of my life I'm not proud of, Clark but I don't want to see you, or your family hurt…. Now, let me help."

There was a tense silence, where Lex thought Clark would refuse… he was surprised.

"Lex…" Clark whispered, despair in his voice, "… I-I can't handle this on my own. I need help."

"Of course. What can I do?"

…..

"You busy, Clark?"

Clark span around and at Phelan as he entered the barn loft, "What do you want from me?"

"That's complicated…. After last night, I've got Internal Affairs asking me more questions than I want to answer."

"That's your problem!"

"No, it's our problem. But our next bit of business is gonna be our last."

Clark shook his head, "Look, I don't care. You can tell the entire world about me!"

Phelan was silent for a few moments, before he took a seat opposite the teen. "Clark, you may not care about yourself, but think about your parents. Now, your father's in jail on a murder charge. Whether he beats it or not, he's gonna lose this farm just paying legal fees…. I can still make all that go away." Phelan smirked, "So, what's it gonna be?"

Clark had to agree, following Phelan out to the car and allowing himself to be driven out of the farm… neither of them noticed the nice car following on behind, no lights to highlight its' position.

…

"What are we doing here?" Clark asked as they pulled up outside the Metropolis museum.

Phelan smirked, "Since I couldn't pick up my Internal Affairs records I figured it was time to pick up my retirement package."

"… The breastplate. You want me to steal it for you."

"I don't give a damn about the breastplate. I just want the 10 million dollars' worth of jewels that are on it." At the dismayed look on Clark's face, Phelan just laughed and slapped him on the shoulder, "Come on."

As they wandered up to the museum, Clark found himself hanging back, glancing up and down the street. "So, we're just gonna bust in?"

"Not exactly…" Phelan led him behind the museum, "... You see, Metropolis P.D. keeps blueprints on the high-security buildings in the city so I know this place better than the architect." He pulled out a torch and tapped a metal box, "The security system all runs through this junction box…. Open it up."

"Isn't it alarmed?"

"They only alarm things they think somebody could get through."

Clark hesitated, causing Phelan to shake his head. "And, Clark, I'm getting pretty bored with this. You want your old life back, you do it."

Prising the metal door off the box barely took more than 20 seconds, but Clark had other worries on his mind.

"Cameras are one thing…." He sighed, "… What about the guards?"

Phelan smirked, "They're about to get real busy." He pulled out his mobile and dialled a number, "Yeah, Metropolis Museum? You have two minutes to leave the building…. There's a bomb outside."

…

Lex frowned when he saw all the guards leaving the museum.

Something was wrong.

…..

"Cameras are all dead in Luthor Hall." Phelan whispered, as he cut through a wire.

…..

Lex and the guards surrounded the newspaper vending machine, all focused on the box inside. Popping some money into the machine, Lex slowly opened it up and removed the 'bomb'.

…..

Clark scowled the entire way into the museum as Phelan practically ran over to where the breastplate was being kept, his eyes wide in greed.

"Kid, show me the magic." He sneered.

Slowly, Clark pried the bars open and smashed the glass behind them, giving Phelan easy access to the breastplate and the jewels.

…

Lex couldn't help but smirk as the beta and alpha guards behind him tensed in preparation to run if the 'bomb' did go off. When he opened up the box, he rolled his eyes at the sight of the alarm clock, picking it up and throwing it at the lead guard.

"Boom." He chuckled.

….

Phelan practically whooped in glee as he pulled the breastplate out of its case, turning to Clark and beaming. "We are gonna make a great team!" He then placed the breastplate in a large black bag.

Clark ignored him, using his x-ray vision to glance outside, smirking at the sight of the figures outside, probably the guards… and Lex hopefully.

"We'll never be a team." He smirked, quickly grabbing the bag and throwing it through the main window (causing the guards and Lex to take a step back at the sound of glass smashing and the bag landing at their feet).

"You might be able to explain the safe, but your prints are on that breastplate!"

Phelan seemed like he was going to explode in anger, "You might be strong, but you're not bulletproof!" he yelled, pulling a revolver out of his pocket and firing.

Time slowed down.

Clark's eyes grew wide as he watched the bullet fly straight towards him…. Slowly. So slowly, in fact, that he was able to step to the side and allow the bullet to hit the glass case behind him. As soon as the glass shattered, he sped away to another part of the museum, leaving a stunned Phelan behind.

"What are you?" he growled in frustration

"In there!"

Phelan span around at the sound of the guards and Lex entering, firing at the small group.

"Get down! Get down!"

Lex lay on the ground as shot after shot was fired back and forth between Phelan and the guards. Finally, one lucky shot struck Phelan in the chest, and he fell back, collapsing to the ground. Before the guards could step forwards, Lex raced in front to make sure he spoke to Phelan first.

"Phelan, where's Clark? I know he came with you…. And I know what you had on him."

Phelan smirked up at him, blood dribbling out of the corner of his mouth. "W-well what d'ya know…. F-f-freaks attract freaks, eh Luthor?"

Before Lex could say anything else, Phelan took two more shuddering breaths… and then was gone.

BEEP BEEP…. BEEP BEEP.

Allowing the guards to take over, Lex moved away from the body, pulling his phone out of his pocket and reading the text.

I'M OUTSIDE.

Lex sighed in relief when he realised it was from Clark, quickly heading out the door before any police could arrive to take his statement. The guards were too busy with the body to realise.

Heading around the corner, he beamed at the sight of Clark leaning against the wall. "I was worried then…" Lex admitted, "… we heard a bang… I thought he'd shot you."

"… It was a warning shot. I- "

Holding up his hand, Lex shook his head. "I'm just glad you're alright… you might not have told me what Phelan had on you, but I'll always help you, no matter what." He then frowned, "I pretended I did know about your secret, is that alright?"

Clark seemed flustered by this, nodding in thanks, before nervously smiling at the omega. "Thank you… I-I- "

"- You need to get home." Lex gently took Clark's hand, "We need to get back to Smallville so that we can get your Father out of prison. I'll give you a lift."

…..

"All the charges have been dropped…" Jon Kent announced as he strode into the kitchen, arms outstretched as Martha gasped in relief, "…. With apologies from the state and Metropolis Police departments."

"Then it's finally over!"

"Well, this time…. Unfortunately, there's more than one Phelan out there in the world."

Clark frowned, shaking his head. "What do we do next time? I can't keep asking Lex to help me… he was nice enough not to push when it came to knowing my secret, but he might press further next time…. And I don't know if I'll be able to keep things from him."

"I don't know, son…. We'll have to deal with it when the time comes."

Clark thought to himself for a few moments, "… Maybe I should stop using my gifts. That would solve our problems."

Shaking her head, Martha gently grabbed her son's hands, "No, it wouldn't, Clark. Your gifts are who you are. You can't live in fear."

"Although a little caution wouldn't hurt." Jon smirked.

"Clark, are you sure nobody saw you last night?"

"I'm positive, Mom."

…..

"Lex, are you actually going to go to bed?"

Lex smirked at Mercy's voice, not actually taking his eyes away from the computer screen. "In a minute."

She grunted, leaving the room.

Lex kept his eyes on the security video, pausing it as a blur shot past the exhibits.

Well… isn't that interesting?