Clark rolled his eyes.

"Get out of my chair, Luthor."

"Is this your chair?"

He was pushing his luck. Sitting at the head of a conference table that wasn't yours was just stupid. Perry sat to the left of the head, facing the door. Clark's bodyguard, Zod, stood just inside the room.

Clark pulled the chair to the right of the head out and pointed. "Move, or Zod will move you."

Luthor put his hands up as he moved to the offered chair. "No offense meant."

Clark unbuttoned his suit jacket and sat.

"What do you want, Luthor?"

"I have a buyer in India, and I need transport."

"Cargo?"

Luthor slid a page with the list of weapons and a few artifacts that were obviously black market.

"My cut?"

"Twenty percent."

"Forty."

"Forty?"

"I've never done business with you. Not many have. Until I know what kind of a risk you truly are, the price is forty percent. Take it or leave it."

Luthor drummed his fingers on the table.

"Fine. Deal."

"Perry, draw up the contract."

"Yes, sir."

Clark stood and buttoned his jacket. "Zod will see you out, Lex."

"Wait. I have another shipment."

"One at a time. I told you, I don't like unknown risks. Consider this initial contract a professional courtesy. Future deals will hinge upon how this goes."

He nodded at Zod as he left the room.

—

Clark loosened his tie and smiled as he walked toward the pool. Gwen lay on a raft, her fingers trailing in the water.

"Peaceful, isn't it?" he said.

She turned her head and smiled. "Very. You coming in?"

"No. I have some research. I'll see you for dinner."

"Ok."

"It'll be here at seven."

"I'll be in the kitchen."

—

Clark opened the large envelope from his investigator. Luthor's business was gaining traction, but it was still too new. Luthor himself was like riding a rollercoaster after spinning in place while on a moving merry-go-round. He gave Clark whiplash. Too high strung. That could be bad. Still, he knew the risks of dismissing him outright. That was a blow to the ego, and it was never forgotten.

He sifted through the papers and photos. Financials and mission statements from LexCorp, Luthor's company. He was deeply into science and tech, which made Clark wonder about the kinds of weapons he was selling.

He checked his watch after reading through several documents. Half past six. Just half an hour until dinner, and Gwen.

Clark leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. She looked so relaxed in the pool. Did she know how gorgeous she was?

An alert on his phone faintly dinged. "Forbes photoshoot."

Damn. He forgot. And Lois had reminded him.

He scanned though his email, sent Lois confirmation for the next day's mercifully light schedule, and put away the stuff on Luthor.

—

"Clark, I don't mean to sound ungrateful, because I am so very grateful…"

"But?"

"I'm bored. I sit in this place all day and night, and as much as I love the peace and quiet, it's just…"

"Too quiet?"

"Sometimes."

He nodded. "I have a photoshoot tomorrow."

"A what? Are you a model now?"

"Forbes is running an article on me and Krypton. They need pictures to go along with it. You want to come along?"

"To a photoshoot?"

"You might find it interesting."

"I guess."

"You can help me pick out a nice suit tonight. If they like it they may not make me change."

She smiled. "Do I get to dress you like a Ken doll?"

"If you want to, but I thought you didn't want the naked stuff."

Gwen laughed. "Not what I meant."

"Whatever you say."

"You want my help or not?"

"Very much."

—

Something about being in Clark's bedroom gave Gwen a little thrill. He'd left his room out of the tour, and she decided he valued his privacy, so she stayed away.

It was decorated much like the rest of the house. A soft and peaceful atmosphere, complete with a fireplace beyond the foot of the bed.

Clark stepped into his closet and slid some his suits aside.

"These are my favorites," he said.

Gwen trailed her fingers over them, taking in the fabric and the color, until one really stood out. She removed it from the rack.

"This one."

She went straight for his shirts and found a light blue shade.

"With this," she said. She held the shirt up to him, with the suit next to it. "Brings out your eyes."

"Is that good?"

"That's very good."

Clark smiled. She'd been staring. She cleared her throat and handed him the clothes.

"I'll just… step out."

She stared out the window in his room while he tried it all on. She had to stop staring at him that way. She would only make him think she wanted more, and she couldn't allow that.

"Well?" he said.

Her eyes traveled down his entire body. How could someone make a suit look that good?

"Gwen?"

"You look amazing." She slammed her eyes shut. "I mean…"

"I think you said what you mean," Clark said with a laugh. "Thank you."

"Ok. So, you have your suit picked out. I'm gonna go."

"Ok." He wouldn't stop grinning.

"Photoshoot." She backed toward the door. "What time are we leaving?"

"Seven."

"Seven. Got it."

"Gwen?"

"Yeah?"

"It doesn't have to be awkward."

She sighed. "I know. I'm sorry. I just…"

"Panicked?"

"Yeah."

"Don't." He brushed her cheek with his thumb. "I'll see you in the morning."

She nodded and went back to her room. What was wrong with her? Why was she so obvious?

"You're just so, so smooth. Idiot."

—

The photoshoot took place in Clark's office. They wanted to capture the business man in his element, and they loved the suit. Gwen kept to the back of the room, well behind the cameras and all the equipment.

He was a natural. He looked so comfortable, and poised. His natural good looks certainly didn't hurt.

As the crew picked up the equipment, Clark came over to her.

"How'd I do?"

"You looked like you've done this a million times."

"Once or twice."

"So, I guess I'll be heading back home?"

A smile spread across Clark's face.

"You could hang out here the rest of the day. There's a floor with an apartment."

"And what would I do there?"

Clark slipped his hands into his pockets. "Is this about being bored again?"

She nodded.

"Ok. I have a meeting in ten minutes. I can cut out after that."

"I don't want you to miss work."

"It's my company," he said with a smile, "and I'd only be leaving some paperwork. It can wait."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. How about you wait in the apartment, then we'll go to lunch? Then I'll take you somewhere I think you'll like."

"Where?"

He shook his head. "Surprise."

"And if I decide I just want to go home?"

He smiled again. "Well, you're free to do that. But I'd be disappointed. You know I like spending time with you."

Gwen's cheeks grew warm. How did he do that to her so easily?

"Ok," she said. "We'll go with your plan."

—

"Why are we at a hospital?"

"Do you remember what the fundraiser that we went to was for?"

"Sure. The Children's Hospital."

"It wasn't just a random fundraiser. I donate to this place regularly, and at least one gala a year is for the kids here. I want you to see it."

"Why?"

"Because this is who I am. This is where my heart is."

Inside, a receptionist stood as soon as she saw him.

"Mr. Kent, how are you?"

"I'm good, Rebecca. How are you?"

"Can't complain. Seeing anyone in particular today?"

"No, I'd like to show Gwen around, if that's ok."

"Of course. Let me get a visitor's badge for her, and you can be in your way."

She handed Clark a lanyard, which he put around his neck, then clipped a laminated card onto Gwen's shirt.

"Thanks," he said with a wink.

"Anytime, Mr. Kent."

He motioned for Gwen to go ahead of him, then fell in step beside her.

"Come here often, do you, Mr. Kent?"

"What makes you say that?"

"You got a fancy lanyard with your name and photo on it, and I got the generic 'Visitor' clip."

"Maybe it's just because of the money I give."

"Doesn't seem plausible."

He stepped inside the elevator before the doors closed, and held them open for Gwen. Then he pushed the button for the ninth floor.

"And it seems like you know where you're going."

"Damn. Can't fool you."

She tapped her temple. "I'm pretty sharp."

"No arguments here."

Gwen laughed. "Seriously. How often do you come here?"

"I try to come a couple times a month."

She stared at him. "I would never have..."

"Thought I was a decent human being?"

"That's not what I meant, Clark."

"No? Then, what?"

"I just didn't think someone who does what you do would spend time at a children's hospital."

Stuff like that got under Clark's skin, but he held the irritation in check. His position did lend him to a certain stereotype, and he knew that Gwen thought of him that way. At least in part.

"That's why you're here," he said. "I want you to understand that what I do, is just what I do. It's not who I am."

Her eyes lingered on his for a moment. "And who are you?"

"Hopefully someone you can care about, because I certainly care about you."

She lowered her eyes. "Clark…"

The elevator doors opened with a ding, and Clark held out his hand.

"Shall we?"

"Where are we going?"

"To see some super heroes."

—

"Mr. Kent!"

The little girl rushed toward him and wrapped her arms around his legs.

"Hi, Lucy!" He tugged gently on her head wrap. "This is a new one."

"It is. My mommy sewed it for me. She said I gotta keep my head warm."

He squatted in front of her. "Your mommy is very smart."

"I know," she giggled.

A half dozen kids congregated around them as they realized there was a visitor. The playroom was filled with small tables and chairs. Volunteers helped the kids color, paint, build with blocks, and Gwen could only imagine what else.

The kids all clamored for his attention, and he tried to make sure he acknowledged each one. He lifted a little girl into his arms and the children followed him across the room like mice after the pied piper.

"Read us a story!"

"Say 'please,' Eric," a nearby volunteer insisted.

"Please, Mr. Kent?"

"Ok," he said. "One story."

A chorus of "YAY" went up, and Clark sat in a rocking chair. He passed the little girl to one of the volunteers, and she handed him a book.

Gwen sat entranced as Clark read to the children, using voices and sound effects to draw them into the story. The kids sat completely still. He had them captivated.

As he turned a page, he caught her eye and smiled. If this was who Clark truly was, if this was his heart… hers was in trouble.