With Clark panicking about Pete signing him up for the class president debates, and texting him constantly, Lex was actually in a really good mood.

He had to be good.

After the morally dubious incident with Dominic not long ago, and the slight truce he had with Clark's Father, Lex was determined to prove that he could be a good person.

And what better way to do that, than help the woman who appeared to be broken down on the side of the road. Pulling in front of her, he got out and slowly made his way over, phone already in his hand. "You look like you could use some help?"

"No, I'm fine."

Dialling a familiar number, Lex brought the phone up to his ear, "Hans, I need you out on Route 90, two miles east of the mansion…. A red Mustang with engine trouble."

The woman finally straightened up from looking at the engine. A beta, dressed in a red blazer and short skirt, with a black shirt underneath. It was clear that she was preparing to shout, until she recognised him as an omega. Then she visibly softened up, "What are you doing?"

"Calling my mechanic."

She sighed wearily, "Look, I'm all for omegas breaking out of their shells, and I do appreciate this attempt at postmodern chivalry… but I said I fine."

Lex wasn't fazed by the rejection, taking in the clothes that she was wearing. "Dolce & Gabbana and a vocabulary? You've got Metropolis written all over you…. What brings you to Smallville?"

The friendly attitude was gone, "You the sheriff come to run me out of town?"

"Did the attitude come with the couture, or was it an accessory?"

"If you must know, I'm thinking about moving here…" She then started to examine him, a smirk on her face, "… I'd ask you what it's like, but you don't look like a local."

"I've lived here since last fall. At first, I couldn't wait to get out, but it's growing on me." Well, he was hardly going to admit staying for an Alpha… an underage Alpha at that.

The woman tilted her head to the side in curiosity, "Well, why the change? The Norman Rockwell ambiance seduce you?"

"… Appearance is deceptive. Nothing around here is what it seems."

"I'm intrigued. What do you mean?"

Ding, ding, ding! Alarm bells! Alarm bells!

Lex slowly took a step back, "All these questions…." He teased, "… This is beginning to sound like an interview."

There! A guilty look!

Slowly, Lex reached into the Mustang, turning the ignition key and listening to the engine roar to life. Removing the keys, he turned back to the woman. "Who do you work for?"

"I-I don't know what you're talking about."

He rolled his eyes, "If I toss these into the woods, you really are gonna need a tow truck."

Silence

As he prepared to throw the keys (alright, not exactly good, but he liked to think the Kent's would understand), she suddenly grabbed his arm. "Carrie Castle. I'm a staff reporter for the Metropolis Journal."

He nodded, dropping the keys back into her hand and heading back to his car, "I don't grant interviews, Ms. Castle. I've spent most of my life taking back entrances to avoid people like you."

"Wait! Just listen!" She ran to catch up with him, "I want to write an article about you!"

"… That's your pitch? There are articles written about me all the time."

"But you're either dismissed as a wild child who spends half his time spreading his legs, or the spoiled omega son of Lionel Luthor. You've gotten some good press in the Inquisitor but the Journal is not a tabloid, It's respected. It could help change your image."

It would help with this whole 'being good' image he was trying to stick to.

"What did you have in mind?"

She beamed at him, "A cover profile on your work in Smallville…. I promise, It will be fair and accurate and will give you the legitimacy you need to get out of your father's shadow."

"Launching my career and conveniently your own."

She smiled at him, probably trying to be charming.

"I admire the effort, Ms. Castle, but I have to decline."

The smile disappeared from her face as Lex turned back to his car, "You get points for style, though."

…..

With his parents eagerly supporting Pete's decision to sign Clark up for the class president runnings, Clark decided he needed some time alone…. And the Talon seemed to be right place for it.

He winced at all the empty seats, "Wow, the place is- "

"- Empty? Deserted? Vacant?"

He winced again at Lana's clear frustration, "Well, I was searching for a euphemism to say that, but yeah."

Lan growled, "The Beanery's tried to put us out of business since we opened. I have tried coupons, price cuts, even ads in the Ledger so far nothing's worked. At this rate, we'll have to close the doors in a month!"

"… Have you spoken to Lex? He's an investor, I'm sure he can help."

It was clear by the expression on Lana's face, that she didn't think highly of the other omega. "He's been uncharacteristically silent…. Besides, this is my battle to win or lose, and I am determined to win." She then forced a smile on his face and turned to him, "Speaking of which, I hear you've got a battle of your own on your hands?"

Clark couldn't help but groan, "Oh, yeah, the election. I'm not really running."

"… That's too bad. I think you'd make a great class president."

She was a little bit closer now, "R-Really?" he stammered.

"Yeah." She nodded eagerly, "You're honest, people trust you, and you have this innate sense of justice. I can see it on your face how upset you get when you think somebody's being mistreated."

"…. You see all that in me?"

"Yes, I do."

….

Lex had been knee-deep in work for hours now… in fact, he was so engrossed in the paperwork that he probably wouldn't have heard Mercy, if it weren't for the fact that she burst into the room, announcing, "The president, Clark Kent to see you Sir!"

He couldn't help but cackle at the look on Clark's face, as the younger Alpha groaned.

"How did she know that I was running?" Clark groaned, "Did you tell her?"

Lex smirked, handing him a flyer. "She found this on our windshield in town."

"… I have an overzealous campaign manager."

The Alpha sounded completely fed up, watching as Lex moved over to the pool table and went to grab a cue. "I didn't realize you had political aspirations", Lex spoke up, tilting his head in confusion.

"I don't…. I just figured I could make a difference."

"Did you swing by for a campaign contribution?" Lex knew that if Clark said yes, he'd pull out his check-book, his Father be damned.

There was a brief moment of silence, before Clark nervously spoke up again, "Actually, I was wondering if you knew about the Talon."

Ah… of course.

"You mean the fact that it's been empty the last two weeks?"

"… Do you plan on helping Lana out? She's tried everything."

"And she's doing an admirable job." He leaned over and made the first hit.

"If the Talon goes under- "

"- Clark I won't subsidize a money-losing operation." Lex gave him an apologetic smile, "The Talon has to find its own feet."

Clark seemed to understand that, but he still wasn't very pleased. "Well, you could at least stop by and show some solidarity."

"Good point…" Lex couldn't help but smile, "… See? You're already working for your constituents."

Clark's face fell at the reminder of the campaign, and Lex couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him. Clark wasn't like every other Alpha that he'd met, he didn't want to be in the spotlight all the time, in fact, he much preferred working behind the scenes

"You want some advice?" Lex asked gently, holding up the flyer that had been left on the car, "I think you need a better slogan…. Everybody's used this one, including me."

"You ran for student office?"

He could understand the confusion in the Alpha's voice. Omegas were often discouraged from actively going after positions of power, and this must have been especially true back when Lex was in high school.

"Once…" Lex answered, "… But my aspirations weren't very noble."

That was putting it lightly. He only ran to prove to his Father that he could do it… and to get a slightly offensive teacher fired.

"Did you win?"

"Of course." He didn't want to think too closer on how he actually won.

"Do you have any tips?"

"You don't need my methods." Not that Lex was ever going to admit what tactics he used, "You'll win on your own terms."

"Competition's pretty stiff."

"There's nothing wrong with a good fight. Remember, 'the man of tomorrow is forged by his battles today'."

A thoughtful look passed over Clark's face, "Could I use that? I mean, "the man of tomorrow," for my slogan?"

"… Knock yourself out."

…..

So, bees were leaving hives all over the area and Chloe had decided to endorse a still injured Paul.

Clark couldn't deny that he was a little bit hurt. Even Lana's offer of having her help with writing his speech was enough to dull the sting of Chloe's rejection.

"Glad to see business is booming."

But there was one omega who could make him feel a little better.

As Lex strode into the Talon, eyes falling onto the football team that Whitney had bullied into coming, Clark instinctively straightened up.

Lana however, who less pleased with the other omega's arrival, an unknown emotion flitting across her face, "It's hard when even your regular customers blow you off."

"I haven't been blowing you off Lana…" Lex sighed, "… I've had my eye on the situation."

"Waiting for me to fail."

"Most new ventures don't make it, so you have to prepare yourself for that possibility."

Frowning at the words, Clark spoke up. "I thought you didn't like to lose?" The words were teasing, but the tone wasn't.

"I don't." Lex didn't even flinch at Clark's statement, "But it's not my fight. You have to know when to cut your losses."

Lana groaned, "So, what do you suggest I do?"

"The Beanery declared war…. If you wanna hold on to this place, get creative. Be willing to get your hands dirty." At the frowns on Clark and Lana's face, Lex smirked, holding up his hands, "Don't worry, I'm not suggesting anything illegal…. To quote The Godfather, "It's time to go to the mattresses.""

Lana just rolled her eyes, turning to Clark as she grabbed a tray from the counter, "That movie should be banned from basic cable." She snarled, before storming away, leaving behind a very confused Lex.

"Don't ask." Clark sighed, "Just don't ask."

….

Later the next day, after having a fantastic conversation with Clark the evening before about what he could do to give himself a leg up for the position, a massage was just what he needed.

"Gabby…" he sighed happily, referring to the young omega he'd hired for just this purpose, "… you're the best part of my day."

"Thank you, Mr. Luthor."

That wasn't her voice. Slowly, he pushed himself up and turned to the now-familiar woman, "You're not Gabby."

The reporter from the other day just shrugged, "She couldn't make it."

"… Now would be a good time for you to leave, Ms. Castle." Not that he could move from his position. It was a full body massage after all.

"Do people always do what you say?"

He rolled his eyes, "Is that unusual?"

"For an omega, very… but you said you appreciated persistence." Her hands were back on his tense shoulder muscles, "Besides, aren't I doing a good job?"

Her fingers dug in and Lex felt limp again, lowering himself back down with a disgruntled grimace. "Lucky for you."

As she continued with the massage, she also continued to talk. "It took a while to figure out what would tempt you and then it hit me…. It's not your picture on the Journal cover so much as the words "Son Outshines Father" in the caption…. How am I doing?"

Lex smirked, "A little lower."

He could tell she wasn't pleased, but her fingers moved to the top of his back and continued.

"Let me guess…." He sighed, "…Your editor promised you your own column if you land me."

"… You can imagine how appreciative I'd be."

"Hmmmm, I think I can."

There was a brief moment of silence, before Ms Castle cautiously spoke up again, "Tell me, Lex, would you say my chances are above-average or below?"

Thinking to himself, Lex did have to admire her tenacity, "Like I said, I always appreciate persistence."

"You won't regret this!"

As she went to pull her hands away, Lex spoke up again, "Not yet, Ms. Castle….. I paid for an hour. Stick to the top half."

…

With another opponent in hospital due to bee stings, and the only other runner, Sasha, being the likely cause behind it all, Clark couldn't help but tense up when she approached him.

"I just heard about Felice." She piped up, although she didn't seem upset by the news

"…Weird, huh?"

She shrugged, not seeming to care that much, "Sometimes things just happen for a reason….She didn't care about this election as much as me."

It was totally uncaring, and Clark couldn't help but take a step back, "She wasn't my favorite person, but no one deserves that."

Sasha shrugged again, "Well, the good news is, you don't have to run anymore. With Felice gone, the best thing you can do is let me run things."

"W-What about democracy? People should have freedom of choice."

The beta immediately tensed up, the smile vanishing and being replaced by a frown, "Look, Clark, I really need this. My parents are riding me to win…. They think if I lose, I won't get into a good college. You have other activities. This is my thing! Why don't you just drop out?!"

"I'm sorry…." Clark shrugged, "… I have my own reasons to see this through."

He wasn't going to mention the possibility of impressing an omega… she looked like she was going to explode anyway.

"You're making a mistake!" She hissed, squaring up against the Alpha, much to Clark's shock.

"… That sounded like a threat." Clark frowned, "You wouldn't know how those bees wound up attacking Paul and Felice, would you?"

Sasha clearly found this amusing, "Are you accusing me of something, Clark?"

"I find it interesting that a swarm of bees would attack two candidates in this election…. My thoughts are somebody's behind it."

…

Oh yeah… Sasha was definitely behind the bee attacks.

After freezing the hundreds that came after him in the Talon, Clark knew what he had to do.

Forgive Chloe for the fact that she didn't endorse him, and then get her help with Sasha.

The morning after the attack, he found himself at a run-down home on the outskirts of Smallville. Slowly making his way inside, he looked around. Nothing seemed completely out of place or unusual.

And then someone tapped him on the shoulder, causing him to jump slightly and spin around, only to sigh in relief when he recognised the figure. "Chloe."

"Lana told me about the Talon…. Thanks for the call."

Clark winced, "Sorry."

"It's all right, I'm not mad."

There was a brief moment of silence, before Clark took a deep breath and sighed, "Chloe, I don't hold it against you…. The endorsement, I mean."

"Thanks. I could've warned you, though."

"I just don't like being in a fight with you."

Chloe chuckled, a beaming grin on her face, "Yeah, it wasn't my favourite part either."

"Everything has changed in my life in the last year, with my parents, with Lana, with Lex…" Clark ended up confessing, a shy smile on his face, "… The only thing constant has been you. I'm glad for that, Chloe."

"Me too."

With the apologies taken care of, the pair went back to examining the den, only for something to drip onto Clark's jacket. Running his fingers over the liquid, he frowned, "This feels like honey."

Chloe came over, before shaking her head, "Yeah, that's what you usually find in a hive." Slowly, she aimed her torch at the ceiling, only to see a gigantic system of honeycombs and hives built into the rafters.

"Don't tell me Sasha did all this." Clark whispered in amazement.

"No, her worker bees did."

"How is she controlling them?"

"I think she's emitting something called the queen mandibular pheromone."

Resisting the urge to ask Chloe to speak English, Clark focused on something else, "She pick that up when she fell in the hive?"

"…. She was stung over a thousand times. They were Africanized bees, and Doctors didn't hold out hope, because she was allergic."

"How do they account for the miracle recovery?"

Chloe shrugged, "They don't…. And neither could I until I found out the accident happened in Shuster's Gorge."

"That's the deepest crater in town."

"Yeah…." Chloe continued to investigate, "… You do the meteorite math. The bees did something to make her their queen."

"So…. All the bees in the state are taking a cue from her."

"They're helping her make Smallville High her hive."

Clark winced at the thought, "If she doesn't like the way the vote goes, it won't be a pretty sight."

"Neither will she." Chloe sighed, "Bees are only loyal to a point. Once she loses control, her scent will change, and the bees will know…. They won't be happy."

….

"Thought you wanted to meet somewhere private."

Lex didn't bother glancing up from his coffee, "Lately this has been passing for that."

Harsh words for the Talon, but true unfortunately.

"Thanks for agreeing to see me." The beta woman smiled, taking a seat opposite him, "I just want to get a few more quotes."

"… How's the article going?"

She hesitated for a few moments, "People are gonna see you in a whole new light."

"Yes, I bet they will…." He held up the file that was on the table, "… I've had a chance to read the rough draft."

"Where'd you get that?"

"I have my sources…. It's hardly the flattering exposé you promised."

"It's fair and accurate."

"It's a hash job, you twisted everything I said!"

She shrugged, "My journalism professor says, 'If you wanna bring down Goliath you better know his Achilles heel.' Yours is your ego and your pathetic desire to be more than an omega.

"… I see they like to mix metaphors at East Tennessee Community College."

"Am I supposed to be scared because you ran a background check on me?" Another smirk, "I have nothing to hide."

"… How much did my father pay you?"

This made her laugh, "You really are paranoid!"

"Why else would you sandbag me?"

"I plan on making a name for myself as a hard-hitting journalist and you're a very visible target."

It took a few moments for Lex to compose himself, "… What's it gonna take to make this article go away?"

"Unlike your whore at the Inquisitor, I'm not for sale." She got to her feet and went to leave, "Goodbye, Lex…. Thanks for being my first."

With her out of the door, Lex turned his attention back to the article, his teeth gritting in annoyance.

Being good was over-rated.

…

In the end, the bees did end up turning on Sasha, both Felice and her dropped out…. And Clark still lost.

"I can't believe Felice and Sasha both dropped out and you still lost." Pete groaned, "Where did I go wrong?"

Clark tried not to laugh at the disappointment in his friend's voice, "You ran a good campaign. We had fun, met some new people, and we have enough T-shirts to last a lifetime."

At the flash of a camera from nearby, Pete groaned, "Please tell me that's not for the Torch."

Chloe grinned, "It's for Paul…. Since he couldn't attend his own victory party, he asked me to take pictures."

With Pete storming away, Clark couldn't help but laugh, before turning to the beta girl. "Chloe, you were right to endorse him. He was the more qualified candidate and I got caught up in the whole popularity rush."

"Don't gloat just because your guy won!"

Chloe rolled her eyes at Pete, "Well, my candidate may have won, but my friend lost. I'm really proud of you tonight, Clark."

"Why?"

"Because you're exhibiting dignity in the face of defeat. It's the quality that all great leaders possess."

Clark couldn't help but preen slightly at this.

…..

"Nice crowd."

Lana glanced up at Lex and smirked, "Oh, I think we'll be having more nights like this."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Let's just say I went to the mattresses…. Check out page three of the Ledger tomorrow."

Lex leaned forwards, head tilted in confusion, "Can you give me a preview?"

"Apparently, a rival coffeehouse has had several health-department violations they've been trying to cover up."

"How'd you hear about that?"

"A vendor told me…. So Chloe had a reporter friend look into it. And sure enough, it's true."

Lex couldn't help but smirk at this, slowly clapping his hands and nodded in appreciation. "Very creative. I'm impressed."

As Lana went to go and serve some more drinks, Lex leant against the counter, beaming when he spotted Clark striding over. "Hey…" he greeted, "… sorry about the election."

Clark shrugged, "My father says you learn more about yourself when you lose."

"What did you learn?"

"… I'm not destined to be a politician, I'll leave all that up to you."

Lex smirked, secretly pleased that Clark believed he had the potential to be successful at politics. "You don't need to be an elected official to change the world, Clark."

"You ever thought about getting into politics?"

"…. Someday I'd like to be president."

Clark seemed impressed, pulling Lex into a one-armed hug briefly. "In that case, you can have your slogan back."

"It's okay, you can keep it."

…

It was definitely amusing to watch as Mercy almost pushed the reporter into the room.

"Ms. Castle thank you for coming." He spoke up from the upper level of his office

She smirked, "I should probably know better, but I had to hear this….You won't mind if I record our conversation, for both of our protection?"

Making his way downstairs, Lex just shrugged, "Feel free…. I only asked you here to congratulate you." He gestured to a chair, inviting her to sit down, "The truth is, I'm impressed. You people have caught me with my guard down."

She rolled her eyes, "Let me guess. This is where you try and blackmail me to change my story?"

"I wouldn't dream of blackmailing you or making you change a word. My father says it's when they stop talking about you that you should worry."

"Then I guess we're settled." She clicked off the tape recorder.

Before she could get up and leave, Lex held up a hand, silently asking for her to wait, "On the other hand it turns out there's an opening for managing editor at the Journal."

"…. I work there. If there was an opening, I would know."

"We don't know the same people…" he went to sit opposite her, "… You could run your fair and balanced article word-for-word if you'd like. Or you could show up to work tomorrow and walk into a corner office. The choice is yours."

She frowned in suspicion, "What's the catch?"

"No catch… Well, maybe one. If someone ever tries to blackmail you, now you'll have something to hide."

She thought to herself for a few moments, before shaking her head. "I don't know if you're better or worse than your father."

Lex couldn't help but wince slightly at that… even if his way was a lot more lawful that what Lionel would have done. "What will you say when he sees you killed the article?"

"Who says he's behind it?"

"Please, Ms. Castle I've never insulted your intelligence, don't insult mine."

"…. I'll tell him I got an offer I couldn't refuse."