"Lex… you really don't have to be here, if you don't want to."

Staring up at the sky, where a helicopter was approaching, Lex shook his head. It had only ben a few days since he'd received the report on the field investigation, so this meeting wasn't a huge surprise.

Running away from it would only raise Lionel's suspicions… more than they already were.

As the helicopter touched down, Lex tensed, watching as his father exited, a beaming smile on his face.

His father smiling was never a good sign.

"It's a beautiful day, isn't it?!" The Alpha wrapped an arm around his son's shoulders, seeming to delight in the way the omega tensed up.

"So far, but they're calling for storms later."

"Well, you know the heartland, some things can change in a minute!" He headed up the steps, "Is everyone assembled?"

"Twenty-four hours isn't a lot of notice! Will you give me a heads-up as to the nature of your remarks?!"

"Just one of my customary motivational speeches you've heard hundreds of times."

As Lionel greeted the other shareholders and upper members of the plant, Lex frowned in concern.

His father wouldn't have bothered coming for a simple motivational speech, he would have just had Lex do it in his name.

"Fire up the troops!"

"The plant made a profit this quarter for the first time in two years." Lex tried to plead his workers case, "My people are expecting a pat on the back, and they deserve to get it!"

"I'll try not to disappoint them." Lionel strode out onto a platform, looking out at all the gathered employees, "Thank you. Thank you…. As most of you know you've all worked extremely hard this past year and you should all be proud of yourselves. Just as a ship can only follow the course set by its captain any business is only as good as its leadership." Lionel glanced back at Lex and smirked, sending a chill down the omega's spine, "Due to management failures beyond your control this plant will be closing effective immediately. Good luck to all of you."

Almost immediately, the crowd started to boo and jeer, spitting out vicious curses as Lionel headed back towards the helicopter, which still had the engine running.

So, he could make a quick getaway.

"You just fired 2500 people and blamed it on me!" Lex yelled.

"One day you'll thank me Lex, Smallville isn't in your future. It's just a brief chapter in your biography."

"… Don't do this."

"We live in a meritocracy, Lex." Lionel turned to him, "The weak get left behind…. The plant wasn't producing. I had no other options."

Lex rolled his eyes, "Spare me the corporate barbarian spiel. Those people have husbands and wives, children, mortgages!"

"We're in business to make profits, not friends!" Lionel shook his head in disappointment, "I thought I taught you better Lex. Those weak, omega emotions are to be suppressed! Don't let them get in the way of making tough decisions!"

"Don't lecture me about letting emotions get in the way!" Lex snapped, "This plant was showing a profit. You're shutting it down because I wouldn't go work for you in Metropolis!"

"Lex, you may have felt that you found a home here, but you were mistaken." Lionel reached out and grabbed Lex's shoulder, not even trying to be gentle, "This was just your training ground…. Well, your training is over! You're coming home, son!"

….

"Pete, I need your opinion!" Clark jogged to catch up with the beta, two photos in his hands, "Classic black or traditional red?"

"…. For what?"

"My tie-cummerbund combo! I gotta get my tux order in today!"

Pete examined the two photos, before grabbing the black one, "If I were you, I'd stick with the traditional black. This is no time to get adventurous."

"You're right."

"I don't know, Clark." Clark spun around to see Lana standing behind him, "Red always looks good on you."

"… Then red it is."

Pete rolled his eyes, "Thanks. Now I gotta go make a call and change my order. I don't want people mistaking us for twins!"

"Yeah, because that happens all the time!"

As Pete ran off, Lana shuffled a little closer, "You seem really excited about the dance?"

"I am, but between the tickets, the tux and buying the flowers, it gets expensive." And he refused to ask Lex for help.

"You should try finding the right dress…. Guess the limo's out?"

"Actually… my date has that all sorted out." Lex had specifically said that they were going to be taking his limo to the dance, waving off any protests Clark might have had.

("Everyone wants to go to a school dance in a limo.")

"Your date? Who- " Lana was cut off as Chloe suddenly rushed over, eyes wide in alarm.

"They're closing the Luthor-Corp plant."

…..

The first thing Clark saw when he entered the room, was his parents sitting on the sofa, reading the newspaper that had two familiar faces on the front cover.

"So… you heard?"

"The Ledger rushed a special edition." Martha sighed, "They haven't done that since the meteor shower."

"I talked to Chloe… She's pretty upset."

Jon nodded, "I spoke to her father. He's in shock."

"I don't blame him." Martha sighed, an uncomfortable silence falling over the trio, until Clark nervously cleared his throat again.

"How's this gonna affect us?"

Martha glanced over at him and shook her head wearily, "That plant was Smallville's biggest employer. Shutting it down is gonna have a domino effect on the town."

Jon nodded in agreement, "They turned a profit last month… it seemed like Lex was really doing something with the place."

"Don't blame Lex." Clark quietly begged, "It was his Dad who closed the plant."

"I know… because of whatever issues that man has with his son, half the town have lost their jobs."

Clark felt like he was going to be sick, "So… Lex will be going back to Metropolis?"

"Son… I'd be more concerned with the people who have lost their livelihood." Jon scolded, only to sigh wearily when he saw the heartbroken look on Clark's face, "I'm sorry. I know you liked him."

"Lex really cares about this town." Clark sighed, "He had big plans."

We had big plans, was left unsaid.

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions Son."

….

"Lex will be with you shortly." Mercy waved him into the office, "And… please don't worry if he snaps at you. I'm sure I don't need to say that he's had a difficult day."

"Yeah… I understand."

She left, and Clark wandered around the office, eyes falling on the desk, where a flat metal hexagon sat. Picking it up, he frowned.

There was something… familiar about this piece of metal.

"Clark."

Clark spun around, wincing at how fed up and tired the omega looked.

"I got your messages, but I've been having a bad day." Lex sighed, tone slightly tenser than usual.

Nodding, Clark placed the strange metal disc back on the desk, not noticing how Lex's eyes widened in alarm slightly. "Nice paperweight."

"Yeah…" Lex relaxed slightly, "… very unique. Sure you can afford to be seen with the town pariah?"

Clark shrugged and beamed at him, "I'll take my chances." He nervously glanced down at his hands, before taking a deep breath, "What happened, Lex?"

"Well, the two theories seem to be I either ran the plant into the ground through my dumb omega incompetence or did it deliberately to go back to Metropolis."

Clark frowned, "Your dad already offered you a job in Metropolis…. Just tell people the truth."

"Then I get stuck with the incompetence rap." Lex sighed, "Being reviled is the lesser evil."

Knowing what this meant, Clark tried not to whimper, "So…. I guess you're going back to Metropolis, then?"

Lex gave him a knowing look, reaching over the desk to take Clark's hand, "That's why my father orchestrated his coup, but this isn't over."

"You have a plan?"

"… Maybe."

Reassured by Lex's tone, Clark took a deep breath. "Okay… you have a lot to do. I'll see you Saturday?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."

As Clark headed for the door, Lex called out to him again, "Clark." He waited until the Alpha spun around to face him, "Thanks for stopping by. It means a lot."

Clark beamed, "Anytime Lex, anytime."

As soon as he was out of the door, Lex sighed in relief. At least Clark was sticking by him through all this (not that Lex believed he would do any differently). Taking a deep breath, he straightened out his clothing, and mentally went through his speech to his future guests.

Not enough time passed, before Mercy was sticking her head in. "They're here."

"Thank you, Mercy."

"Boss?"

Lex titled his head, encouraging her to continue.

"You're doing the right thing."

"… Thank you, Mercy."

Forcing himself to be as alpha-like as possible, he walked into the secondary office, where a small group of alphas and betas were waiting for him. "I appreciate you coming. My father doesn't know about this meeting, and I'd like to keep it that way. When I first came here, people just assumed I was another glaring example of nepotism, an unskilled omega that was promoted over the heads of the more competent and deserving." He smirked, "But I like to think the people in this room feel differently."

These were some of the men who had devoted their lives to that plant, they'd been with him through thick and thin over the last few months.

"If we can raise the capital for an employee-led buyout we can keep the plant running." He explained, as the men all frowned and glanced at each other.

"Buy-out?"

Lex nodded, "I can raise nearly 90% of the capital."

"What about the rest?" Another man snapped, "What are we meant to do? Mortgage our houses?"

Holding up his hands in mock surrender, Lex nodded, "It's a risk, I know, but in exchange, the investors will become minority owners."

"Doesn't your father control the board? Why would he go along with a buyout?"

Le shrugged, "I know a couple of members I can convince, and I don't need a unanimous decision."

He knew how it sounded, and honestly, judging by the looks on the older men's faces, it was clear what they were thinking.

"I'm offering you the chance to take control of your own destiny." He straightened up, "Stand with me, and we'll win."

He'd definitely given them something to think about.

…

Everything seemed to pass by in a blur then. As well as trying to gain control of the plant, he was informed of the news that Whitney was going off to join the army.

If he still believed Lana was a credible threat to his relationship with Clark, he might be worried by this news.

… Alright, maybe he was a little concerned.

Eyes narrowed at his laptop screen, Lex barely heard his Father enter the room.

"You're not in a hurry to pack?"

Lex didn't bother looking at him, "That's because I'm not leaving."

"… Accept your fate, Lex. It's time to move on."

Waiting until his Father was far enough away, Lex spoke up again, "I'm forcing a vote of the board of directors to accept an employee buyout of the plant."

Lionel cackled, pouring himself a drink, "What are you gonna do? Convince the employees to take out a second mortgage? Cash in their IRAs?"

"… Something like that."

"Even if you sell all your stock and drain your trust fund you still come up short, Lex." When Lionel made his way around the back of Lex, the omega quickly shut his laptop, "What will you do about the rest of the money?"

"Take the buyout now, and you can keep your dignity… That's more than you left me."

"That's very gracious of you, son." Lionel pulled some papers out of his inside pocket, dropping them onto Lex's lap, "You might want to look at this first."

Lex scanned the paper, resisting the urge to groan in frustration, "You've bought the Smallville Savings and Loan." He sighed wearily.

"Go ahead, lead your buyout." Lionel chuckled, "But remember, I own your employees' mortgages. As soon as they begin missing payments I won't hesitate to foreclose on each and every one of them. They'll be homeless, and it will be your fault." He smirked down at his son, "You ready to accept that kind of responsibility?"

Lex remained silent.

"If you're going to take me on, son you're gonna have to bring your game up to a whole different level."

As his father left, Lex buried his head in his hands and tried not to scream as his phone buzzed on the table.

Clark.

Just who he needed to see.

…

"… and then the truck exploded, so it's a good thing we planned to use your limo, because there goes any chance of giving you a ride."

Lex found himself soothed by Clark's babble, smiling fondly at the Alpha, "And…" He carefully interrupted, "… I hear Whitney's off to fight evil for Uncle Sam."

Clark shrugged, clearly not bothered by the news, "Yeah. Good for him I suppose."

"… So, you're not fussed about Lana becoming a free agent?"

"He asked her to wait for him."

It was then that Lex had to broach the uncomfortable subject of what would happen if his plan failed.

"Long-distance relationships… very rarely work." He quietly stated, "People change, they have different experiences."

Clark quickly caught on to what he was hinting at, a frown developing on his face.

"I don't care. If you have to go back to Metropolis, then I'll come and visit you every chance I get." He smirked, "You know I can."

"But you shouldn't have to." Lex shook his head, "Maybe, we should think about this another time… after the dance."

"But- "

"- Clark, please." Lex forced a smile onto his face, leaning over and kissing Clark gently on the cheek, "Another time."

…

Clark thought about Lex's words over and over again, his mind always going back to that kiss on the cheek.

He knew his face was probably bright red thinking about it, despite it happening yesterday.

Before he could pull his phone out of his pocket and call the omega in question, a hand grabbed his arm, stopping him in his drinks, and almost causing him to drop his coffee.

"If I could just have one minute of your time, Clark."

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

The beta male smirked at him, "Roger Nixon. I'm a journalist with the Inquisitor, and I would like to write a story about you."

Well that had warning bells all over it. Clark shook his head, "Thanks, but I'm really not interested." He moved to leave, only for Nixon to cut him off again.

"Why weren't you hurt in that explosion?" Nixon narrowed his eyes at Clark, "You were in the truck on the farm."

"I was nowhere near that truck!" Clark loudly protested.

Before Nixon could say anything else, a cultured voice spoke up behind him.

"Am I missing something interesting?"

Nixon spun around, eyes wide at seeing the omega behind him, "Lex?"

Lex raised an eyebrow at him, "You know my name, but I don't know yours."

There was a brief and awkward pause, before the beta held out his hand, a clearly forced smile on his face, "Roger Nixon. I work for the Inquisitor."

Lex stared down at the hand and smirked, "When is someone gonna put that bad excuse for a tabloid out of its misery?"

Another awkward pause.

"It was nice meeting you, Lex." Nixon eventually hissed, before turning to Clark, "I'm sure we'll talk again soon, Clark."

As the reporter left the store, Clark sighed in relief, almost collapsing into a nearby chair.

"What was that all about?" Lex asked, taking a seat in front of him.

"… He wants to do a story on me, make me out to be some kind of hero."

Lex frowned, "Whilst usually I would be all for that… The Inquisitor's a rag, Clark. If I were you, I wouldn't get mixed up with him."

Sending him a reassuring smile, Clark nodded, "I don't intend to."

"… If he gives you any more trouble, let me know."

The pair stared at each other for a few moments, before Clark turned away, a flush on his cheeks. "I-I'd better get back home."

"… Yeah. I'll see you later?"

"Definitely."

…..

"Hi, son."

When Clark didn't reply, Jonathan frowned, "Something wrong?"

"….. A journalist from the Inquisitor wants to do a story on me." Clark sighed, "He knows I was in the truck and I don't think it was an accident. I think he set it up to test me."

Martha's eyes were wide in shock, "How did he know you would survive?"

"…. He must have seen me do something before." Not wanting to see the disappointed looks on their faces, Clark turned away from them, "Look, I swear, ever since Phelan, I've been so careful! I told Lex, and that's it!"

Jonathan sighed, "Clark, it's not your fault."

"So… what do I do?"

"Carry on, go to school, go to the dance with… Lex, and if this reporter's really got something…. I'm sure he'll come to us." The look he gave Martha, indicated that this might not have been the first time something like this had happened, "Is there anything else?"

Biting his bottom lip, Clark winced, "I think Lex has a piece of the spaceship."

"Well… he does know about you." Martha tried to reassure them, only for Jonathan to shake his head.

"Then why hasn't he told Clark that he has it?"

Silence.

Jon shook his head, "I know you like him, but keep your head low, don't use your abilities when you do your chores, and whatever you do, stay away from that storm cellar."

None of them were aware that they were being listened to.

….

Lex resisted the urge to sigh as he entered his office, spotting Nixon sitting at his desk like he didn't have a care in the world.

"You wanted to see me, Lex?" Nixon smirked, "I'm surprised you even remembered my name."

Feeling like he was going to explode, Lex took a deep breath, "I warned you to stay away from the Kents."

Nixon smirked, "Let me guess. This is where you remind me of all the terrible things you can have done to me?"

"As I'm sure you're well aware, I'm a little preoccupied at the moment… I don't have time to deal with your annoyances."

"Well, what I have discovered is beyond you and your problems and your threats."

Lex narrowed his eyes at the reporter, "This newfound self-assurance doesn't suit you, Roger."

"Ah, ah, ah…. Be nice, Lex, or I may not let you bid on my discovery." Nixon was so sure that he had the upper hand, "And I know you'll want to, especially when you consider all your interest in the crash site and the Kents."

This was getting dangerous now.

"What was found out there has nothing to do with the Kents or with you."

Nixon smirked again, "Are you certain?"

"Roger, for all your bravado, you have yet to show me anything."

"I'll show you all the evidence you need tonight, and you'll see for yourself, there's a whole lot more to your…. Friend, Clark Kent than meets the eye."

Lex wasn't ashamed to admit that he snapped a little bit, "I swear, if you harass Clark or his parents- "

"- Who said anything about harassment?" Nixon glared at the omega, "Maybe I'll just tell them the truth. That you, their precious omega who they're starting to accept as one of their own, turned me onto them in the first place. And if you're not interested in what I have, I know of another Luthor who will be."

It was almost equivalent to throwing down the gauntlet, and they both knew it.

"You are playing a very dangerous game." Lex snarled, "You'd better pray I never catch you near the Kents again Nixon."

…..…

"Mom!" Clark's hands were trembling violently, "Can you give me a hand with this?"

He hadn't been so nervous in his entire life.

There was no answer, and yet, there was definitely someone coming up the stairs.

"Who's there?"

"… It's me Clark."

Clark spun around and could swear that his heart stopped at what he saw. The omega's suit looked like it had been painted on in certain areas… the important areas really.

Whereas Clark was wearing a mostly black suit, Lex had gone for a white suit, a black tie finishing the outfit off nicely.

He looked like an angel.

He was gorgeous.

"Clark?" Lex stepped a little closer, "Are you alright?"

Finally managing to tear his eyes away from the figure that Lex cut in that suit, Clark nodded nervously, "Y-Yeah! I'm fine!"

Lex smirked, tilting his head to the side, "Really? You seem a little… tense."

"Stop it." Clark knew what the omega was doing, sending him a mock glare as he tried to do his tie again, "It's just… I'm a little nervous about the dance and everything."

He fumbled with the tie for a few moments, before Lex gently rolled his eyes. "Come here." He waved Clark closer, graceful fingers fixing the tie, "I'm sure I've tied more of these than your Mother."

There was a moment of silence, before Clark nervously spoke up again, "I-I thought you weren't coming until later. I swear, I would have been ready by then."

"Well, I needed to clear my head." Lex sighed, "You have a way of making me feel better, so I decided to come a little earlier…. I didn't mean to intrude."

"Well… I feel better now that you're here."

The pair warmly smiled at each other.

"So…" Clark cleared his throat nervously, "… How is the bailout going."

Almost immediately, Lex's mood decreased, and he stepped away from Clark, turning away from him, "I'm not sure Clark… I think it's going to get ugly before it gets better." When there was nothing but a confused silence, Lex sighed, "My father's dead set against me succeeding."

"Why would your father be against the plant?"

"We have a… complicated relationship, Clark. My father wants me to believe it's built on trust, but it's not." Lex shook his head, "It's not like you and your Dad, Clark. Our relationship is built on lies and deceit. Any relationship with that foundation is destined to fail…. A problem I don't intend to repeat with any children of my own."

Thankfully, Lex was looking away at this point, as Clark flushed bright red.

Did…. Did Lex really want kids one day?

"Y-yeah… same!"

Thankfully, Lex didn't seem to notice how his voice quivered, "Clark…" He began, "… I want you to know, whatever happens in the next few days, I'm still your… friend, and that's never going to change. I hope you feel the same way."

"… I do." Clark frowned, "You know I do, but what do you think's going to happen?"

"… I don't know." Lex shrugged, "I've just got a bad feeling, like when you can smell the air change before a storm."

"Storms are a way of life around here, Lex." Clark smiled, "The trick is not to get caught out in the open."

Lex was clearly stunned by the statement, eyes widening as Clark slowly approached him, the Alpha cupping his cheeks, before pulling him in for a kiss.

Lex hated the cliché stories about how you felt 'fireworks' when someone you really liked kissed you, but at that moment, all the clichés were true.

When they finally pulled apart, Lex knew that there was a dopy look on his face.

"Hi." He whispered, flushing bright red as Clark beamed down at him.

"You look… gorgeous." Clark whispered, pulling back, "I-I'm sorry, I-I couldn't resist anymore."

"Clark? Clark are you up there?!"

The pair pulled further away as Martha and Jon made their way up the stairs, Martha ready with a camera. "Ah, Lex you're already here." She didn't sound too shocked, "Come on, get in close, I want a few good photos of tonight."

"Ma!"

"No buts!"

Clark knew better than to argue, pulling Lex a little bit closer as his mother smiled fondly at them… even if Jon didn't look all that impressed.

"Don't you both look so handsome!" Martha beamed, nudging her husband in the side, "Don't they Jon?"

Jon hesitated for a moment, before sighing and nodding. "Yes… very handsome." He then cleared his throat, "You two should really get going. I think there's a storm brewing."

He frowned as the pair glanced at each other, before heading outside, where Mercy was waiting for him by the limo.

"I'll get the door!" Clark quickly moved forwards to open the car door and waving Lex inside, as the omega flushed oh so prettily.

Neither of them were aware of the person watching them, a delighted smile on his face.

….

By the time they arrived at the school, the wind was really starting to pick up, ruining a lot of fancy hairstyles.

"I knew this would come in handy one day." Lex muttered, running a hand over his head, trying to ignore the way everyone was staring at them, "Maybe we should get inside."

As they headed into the building, Pete and his date were there to greet them…. And Pete did not look happy.

"Are you serious?" He hissed, glancing around at all the students entering, many of whom were giving Lex dirty looks, "He is the most unpopular person in this town right now, and you think that bringing him to the dance is a good idea?"

"To be fair, he asked me before all of this." Lex pointed out, wincing at just how many people were taking photos of them.

His Father was going to see them… he was sure of it.

As Pete continued to whinge (much to his dates' embarrassment), Whitney and Lana made their way over, Lana looking a little stunned by the sight of Clark and Lex together.

"Lana…" Whitney sighed, "… Mr Luthor. Can I have a moment alone with Clark?"

Lex and Lana glanced at each other, before nodding and moving away, Lana scowling at anyone who came too close with either a hopeful or expectant look on their faces.

"Clark… "Whitney sighed, "… You and I have had a weird year. I started out thinking you just wanted to steal Lana, and… I'm not trying to make excuses, but I did some things I'm not proud of." He took a deep breath, "I'm sorry Clark."

"Whitney… thank you."

Whitney nervously rubbed the back of his head, "I want to as a favour of you."

"Okay."

"Lana's not sure how she feels about our relationship right now, but I am. I need you to look after her until I get back."

"I-I really don't know what to say."

"Say yes."

Clark hesitated for a few moments, before nodding wearily, "Okay."

"Clark?"

"I promise Whitney."

Whitney sighed in relief, patting Clark on the back, before going over to Lana, letting Lex move back over to Clark.

"What was all that about?"

For a minute, Clark just wanted to pass it off as 'alpha stuff'…. But he knew Lex wouldn't appreciate that.

"He was asking me to keep an eye on Lana while he's gone."

Lex nodded in understanding, smirking as Clark scanned him from head to toe again.

"Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?"

Lex smirked, "It never hurts to hear it again." He grabbed Clark's hand and started to pull him towards the gymnasium, "Come on. I plan to have at least one dance with you."

…..

The evening passed as the majority of the students soon forgot about Lex's presence amongst them.

"So…" Pete sidled up to Clark, "… Lex seems like he's having fun."

"Well, he didn't really get one of his own, and… I promised him a night he'd never forget."

"Well, you definitely kept your promise." Pete tilted his head to the side, watching as Lex chattered eagerly some of the other students, all of them seeming to forget the stresses of the past week.

When the band changed to a new song, Clark smiled as Lex visibly perked up.

"Seems like he likes it." Pete pointed out.

"Why do you think I requested it?"

Pete's eyes widened, as Clark made his way over to the omega, holding out his arm. "May I have this dance?"

"Of course."

"Fair warning…" Clark winced, "… I've not really had much practice at dancing."

"Don't worry. I can teach you some pointers."

…

"The animals are all put away!" Jon yelled, "There's nothing more we can do here! We gotta get to the storm cellar!"

"What about Clark?!"

"The school's on the other side of town! He'll be fine." Jon then spotted the open storm cellar door, and frowned, rushing forwards, down the stairs.

A man spun around and took a step back at the sight of them, "Mr Kent!"

"Who the hell are you?"

"Roger Nixon, Metropolis In- "

"- You're the reporter who threatened Clark!" Jon darted forwards and grabbed Nixon by the collar, slamming him up against the beams of the cellar.

"Jonathan, don't do anything!"

"Why not?!" Jon growled, "He tried to kill our son!" He turned back to Nixon, "Did you blow up that truck?!"

"I knew it wouldn't hurt him!"

"Jon, please!" Martha tried to pull Jon away, even as he tightened his grip on Nixon's collar.

"Who sent you? Luthor?!"

"Jonathan, please!"

"Was it Lex Luthor?!"

Nixon sneered up at Jon, "I don't need that omega slut! I'll tell the whole world about your son!"

"You will not!" Jon punched the man across the face, sending him flying to the ground, before climbing on top of him and punching him again.

"No! Jon!" Martha screamed, before hearing a whirring noise behind her, prompting her to turn around, "Jonathan, look!"

Jon turned, eyes widening in shock as the spaceship rose into the air.

Taking advantage of Jon's lack of attention, Nixon pushed himself to his feet and raced up the stairs, where the storm was still raging on. Spotting this, Jon immediately started to chase after him, as Martha tried to grab him.

"Jonathan, the tornardo!"

"But he knows everything!" Jon yelled, "I will not let him destroy this family!" With that, Jon was chasing after Nixon, right into the storm.

"No! Please! Jonathan!"

Martha hovered at the bottom of the stairs, watching her husband disappear…. And then a golden glow filled the room.

…

Lex had honestly never felt so happy in his life, wrapped up in Clark's arms as they swayed slowly to the music.

"Clark Kent, man of mystery." He whispered, "Just when I think I have you all figured out, you surprise me."

Clark frowned, "How?"

"The song…. The tux…. Everything that happened tonight."

"And I'm still here, and not running off to yet another disaster." Clark chuckled, Lex quickly joining in.

"That's true. Although I do like the whole…. Hero thing."

Before Clark could answer, the Principal climbed onto the stage, raising his hands in order to be seen. "Stop the music, please!" When it was silent, he cleared his throat, "Excuse me for a second! Can I have everyone's attention, please?"

When everything fell silent, the principal nodded his head in thanks. "Thank you. The National Weather Service has just issued a tornado warning. Three funnels were spotted heading towards Smallville."

At the news, everyone started to panic, prompting the principal to call for quiet once again. "Now, please, everyone, stay calm! The twisters are going to set down south of here, but for your own safety, no-one will be allowed to leave the gym!"

Around them, everyone continued to panic, as Clark turned to Lex. "The bus stations' south of town. Lana's there!"

"Don't worry." Lex tried to reassure him, "I'm sure he's home by now."

Clark still didn't look happy.

"You know what." Lex smiled, "I'll go and call her, wait here."

Nodding, Clark gave him a thankful smile, watching as Lex headed out of the gym.

He wasn't to know that someone else was calling Lex.

"Mercy?" Lex frowned, "What's wrong?"

/Sorry to interrupt your evening boss, but I went into your office and I noticed something missing. \\

"Missing?"

/That piece of metal from the cornfield… the one I told you to tell Clark about?"

Lex hesitated for a few moments, before cursing, "Nixon! It was Nixon!" This wasn't good news, "Find him Mercy. He's crossed the line now."

/Got it. \\

She hung up, but before Lex could even think about calling Lana, his phone rang again.

'Sperm donor'

Lex groaned. As if this day couldn't get any worse.

"I'm a little busy." He answered the phone, "Call Mercy, she'll schedule you in for a meeting."

/So, you're using your mother's stock to fund the buyout? \\ Lionel sounded furious, /She's not dead. How did you even get a hold of it?! \\

Lex was silent.

He couldn't tell his father that his mother had left him with all the documentation when she left, signing almost everything she had over to him.

/I admit…" His Father continued, seemingly unaware of the turmoil, "… it's a bold move, but it won't work. \\

It was then that Lex heard Mercy's voice in the background of the call.

"Are you… did you seriously brave the storm to try and confront me in person?"

/Only for you to hide your face like the coward you are! \\ Lionel snarled, /This move is suicide Lex! You may get the plant, but you're putting your employees' homes on the line! Forfeiting your own future! \\

"Or forging a new destiny free from you!"

There was a moment of stunned silence on the other end of the phone, before his Father finally replied with a shocked, /You're not my enemy! You're my son! \\

"You what, I never saw the distinction!"

/When Alexander the Great was dying, his generals asked who he would leave his empire to if he would appoint a successor who would keep the legacy intact prevent generations of bloodshed. His answer was simple, 'I leave it to the strongest!' \\

"I believe the term is, 'Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war!'"

/I'll bury you and everyone in Smallville who takes your side! \\

Suddenly, on the other end of the phone, there was a loud rumble, followed by the shattering of glass and Lionel's screams.

/No! Lex! Lex! Lex! \\ The man screamed over the phone, /Help me, Lex! Lex! Can't move! Help me! Lex! Son, please! \\