------------------------------
Part 5 - Decisions and Choices.
They were eating dinner in the formal dining room when Lex first brought it up, they
had been having dinner in this fashion every few days and now he thought that it was
time that Clark at least realised that he had choices in life. The type of choices which
involved something other than what colour socks to wear and what to eat for
breakfast. The young man had been out of the 'hospital' two weeks and in that time he
had remained with Lex, in the privacy of Lex's penthouse apart from one night at the
lab. The only people that Clark had encountered were employees of Lex, the house
staff and one of Lex's assistants that had ignored the warning that Mr. Luthor was not
to be disturbed at home. Lex wanted to at least tell Clark that he knew he was
avoiding being around other people and that it was something they would rectify
soon, he also wanted to tell him that he was aware of Clark's 'gifts' and see if Clark
wanted to do anything about them. He was willing to wait for the answers but some
of the questions and issues did need to be broached.
"Clark?" Lex asked as he took another mouthful of the delicious pasta that his cook
had prepared. "How are the nightmares?" It was a simple question but it would start
the conversation and allow Lex to know if Clark would tell him the truth. Lex had not
been woken in a few days which was a good sign and Clark had not needed comfort
in at least that long.
"Okay." Clark said, he was still not as talkative or enthuasiastic as the old Clark had
been. "I think it's finally beginning to sink in that I don't have to go back to that
place."
"Never." Lex said emphatically as he saw Clark's eyes tear up, the young man fought
the tears and they did not rise and Lex saw some of the strength that he knew was a
sign of Clark's healing, there had been some tears before that night but Clark knew
that it was okay to be emotional, he was fighting it not to save face but to be strong.
"Lex?" Clark asked, and his dinner companion smiled, it was so rare that Clark was
the one that asked the questions. "What happened to the farm?" It had not been a
question that Lex was expecting but it was one he could thankfully answer.
"The debtors automatically inherited it in place of their repayments." He said,
watching as Clark's face fell slightly. "It's okay Clark, I bought the debt when your
father refused my loan. I wanted to do something to thank you for saving my life and
we both know how stubborn Jonathan Kent could be."
Lex felt himself tense a little at the admission, wondering if it would be wrong after
all he was admitting doing something that he had promised not to and had done it
while the Kents were still alive. That obviously didn't matter to the younger man who
was not angry. In fact, Clark smiled slightly, obviously a good memory of his father
and Lex was glad that they had at least spent enough time together for him to fondly
remember the man he had called Dad. Lex did not have that luxury and his old man
was still alive.
"What did you do with it?"
"Well, the land is farmed as your father would have done it, just with a few more
modern machines to do the work of that old tractor you had to fix all the time but the
house is pretty much the same as it was before…" He stopped there but Clark nodded
as if he understood and Lex was glad that he had not had to voice the words. "Did
you want to go out there, take a trip to Smallville?"
"Not yet." Clark said a little too quickly but Lex did not comment, he knew that the
boy would deal with his pain in his own time and that he would go visit when he felt
it was time, whether that be in two days or two years Lex didn't know but he was glad
that the house was there when Clark would need it. He had kept it to remind him of
the family that he had so nearly been accepted by but now it would stand as
something for Clark, both as an asset and as a memory.
"Any ideas what you do want to do?" Lex asked, trying to keep his tone casual. Clark
shrugged. "Well, maybe we could start small. I notice that you're not too eager to
venture out on your own. Perhaps we could visit some friends or something." As he
said the words he was reminded of Chloe Sullivan and realised that he had not told
Clark. "Clark, Chloe…she…"
"It's okay. I know. They told me some stuff…" He said softly, the anger clear in his
voice. "I think they wanted to show just how powerful they were when they told me
about that."
"I'm sorry Clark." Lex said, not sure why he was apologising when it was not his fault
but because it felt like the right thing to say.
"It's okay. Maybe we could go out to see Pete, I don't know where he is, they never
told me, but I'd like to know what he is up to."
Lex realised that he didn't know much about the Ross boy either, he hadn't kept in
contact with any of Clark's friends from Smallville after his supposed death but
suddenly he was very interested in at least finding out where the other man was, if
only for Clark's sake.
-----------------------
Lex was almost glad of something to do when he started planting a paper trail for
Clark's alleged stay in Witness protection; it was relatively easy to find an isolated
place to say that Clark had been staying and to make sure that the only person within
the area (a survivalist that had been camping since returning from the Viet Cong) did
not talk to anyone about the empty log cabin that would be Clark's 'safe house'. They
also had the added bonus that Clark's farm boy upbringing meant he could have quite
easily have survived a few years in the wilderness being a capable hunter and
fisherman. Clark agreed that it was a good cover and Lex even set up fake documents
to look as if Clark had taken his GED via correspondence course, what was not
obviously apparent of course was that the company that awarded his certificate was
one owned by LexCorp. Lex was sure that it would be enough layers that if anyone
started doing any digging they would not find the truth and of course if they did he
had it set up that he would find out about it and have enough time to deal with them.
Clark was more aware of his current predicament and seemed happy that Lex was at
least dealing with where he had been, or at least a lie behind which he could hide to
explain where he had been. He knew within himself that he had to look to the future,
he had wasted too much time already to think of wasting any more grieving over what
he had lost, he needed to get on with his life and he was glad that Lex was there to
help him do just that. If nothing else at least he had someone watching his back.
With the background laid down and their stories straight Lex began to plan the trip to
see Pete Ross, it was surprisingly easy given that the boy had not moved far from his
Smallville roots. After college he had married his roommate's sister and moved to
Metropolis to get a job as an intern at a large PR firm. In high school he had been a
minor league player in the big boy's team and now it seemed he was no different. Lex
was sure that Pete Ross was one of those people that would only ever make it to
middle management and would be quickly and easily forgotten were he to ever reach
the heady heights of the executive floor. The truth was that Pete was a middle of the
road type of guy, but he would be happy being average - his current life showed that.
Lex's private investigator had found the man easily, his suburban house on the
outskirts of Metropolis where he lived with his wife and twin babies had been
publically listed and he was registered to vote in the same place. Lex was pretty sure
that he would remain the rest of his years in that same neighbourhood because there
were some people that still managed to live that version of the American dream.
Lex wasn't sure that it was something that Clark would want to see, the happy family
life that he would always be denied, but then the young man had asked for just that, a
chance to see the friend that he had left behind. He just hoped that after four years
things were not too difficult for the young man.
They took the trip to the suburbs of Metropolis on a sunny Wednesday afternoon,
early enough that they would not hit the traffic but late enough that they would not
beat Pete home from work. Lex's investigator had discovered that the PR intern took
a half day on Wednesdays to spend with his family and the billionaire had decided
that this was the best time to visit, at least that way if they needed it they would have a
few hours. The ride was quiet, Lex realised that it was the first time that Clark had
been out for any length of time and watched as the young man stared out at the
features of the city as tjey drove by, Lex cursed himself for having decided to drive
himself rather than taking the Limo and enjoying the sights with Clark but he so
rarely got to drive the cars he owned that he wanted this oppurtunity. At least they
were in his convertible porsche.
The neighbourhood was as Lex had expected, quaint, friendly and stuck in a 1950's
timewarp that reminded him of the forgettable film where the world is locked in Black
and White…except this was Metropolis not Pleasantville. Clark though seemed to
like it and it made Lex forget his cynicism as he wondered if part of the suburb's
charm was not that it reminded people of the small towns they had grown up in.
Maybe there was something left of the small town boy in Clark after all. They got a
few strange looks as they pulled up in a two seater Porsche and Lex assumed it was
because it was not a people carrier or a sensible car that most of the neighbourhood's
family men would drive.
Clark seemed a little apprehensive as they slowed to a halt and Lex reached over and
squeezed his hand reassuringly, Clark accepted the gesture and squeezed back in
response before taking his hand back to open the door. As they approached the door
way the younger man slipped back and Lex was glad to see that the boy wanted him
to take charge, things would go a lot more smoothly if he were in control.
--------------------
Kirsty Ross heard the doorbell as she was settling the twins for a nap, Clark looked up
at his mother and smiled as he heard the sound, the mother of two was glad that Petey
was asleep already, he was the more boisterous of the two twin boys. She left the pair
in their cot and went to answer. Her first response was to blink her eyes clearly, then
she pinched herself lightly to check that she was not dreaming, the final test was the
deep laugh that she heard from the man she was sure that she was imagining on her
doorstep.
"Mrs. Ross?" He asked as he held out his hand as if to shake hers. "I'm…"
"Of course, Mr. Luthor. Would you like to come in?" Kirsty said as she wiped her
hands on her jeans, the palms lightly coated in sweat as she began to wonder what she
had in the house and how exactly you entertained one of the world's richest and most
elegant men.
"Please, it's Lex." He said in the voice that was made to make women melt. She could
feel herself gently wilting as he did so. Lex had to give this woman credit (and in
doing so Pete for choosing her) she barely looked flustered to have him at her door.
"Is Mr. Ross home?" Lex asked using his same deep voice.
"I'm sorry, of course. Peter…" She said, using her husband's full name even though
she never felt the need to before. "Come in." She said as she stood away from the
door, it was only when Lex took a step into her house that she noticed the shy young
man behind the billionaire and she signalled for him too to join them. As Lex made it
fully into the foyer Pete came around the corner.
"Honey, what is…Lex…" He said, the statement almost contemptuous as he
recognised the older man. "What do you want?"
"Peter dear, whatever is the matter?" Kirsty asked politely, wondering what it was that
had caused her usually laid back husband to sneer at a man that was so goodnatured,
she was sure that it was not jealousy but there had to be something behind it. Pete
glared at Lex who seemed to take it in his stride, used to dealing with men that were
much more sinister.
"Pete?" A voice asked from behind Lex, soft and uncertain and oh so familiar. Pete's
face changed in an instant from hate to hope and then to confusion.
"Clark…?" His voice asked as it wavered, on the verge of tears. "How can…?" He
asked before finding himself engulfed in a hug from the man that was still taller than
him and yet a little thinner than he had remembered. "But you're…you're…"
They hugged again before Pete finally let go, believing that he was not dreaming as he
had done so many times in college and that his best friend was really here. He felt the
tears fall as he cried for all of the times he had missed the boy and the fact that he was
back. Not even caring how it was impossible, just caring that it was real.
"Would someone like to tell me what is going on here?" Kirsty asked, her confused
ire making Lex smirk.
"I'm sorry." Pete said as he regained some composure and shut the front door behind
them and beckoned Clark and somewhat reluctantly Lex into the living room.
"Honey, this is Clark."
"You mean…"
"Yeah, little Clark's namesake." Pete finished with a smile, he would have to explain
later to his best friend that he had named his son for them. "And my best friend from
high school." He added with a smile that made Clark smile too, he had always
considered Lex his best friend back then but it was good to know that Pete had never
stopped thinking of him in that capacity, although it also made him feel a little guilty.
"And Mr. Luthor?" Kirsty asked, more interested in him than the man that had
apparently risen from the dead Pete noted, he hated that Lex still had that affect on
women, hell, probably on most people that he met. "How do you know him?"
"You could say that we grew up together." Pete said with a smile. "Although judging
by the stories we still read it is debatable whether Lex ever grew up." He added,
Kirsty was offended at her husband's remarks until she heard Lex's smooth laughter,
that at least took the edge off it, knowing that he had taken it as a joke.
"We knew each other when we lived in Smallville." Lex said by way of explanation.
Kirsty smiled with interest and Lex realised that she was playing the good hostess, he
however did not want to play obliging guest and did not elaborate, instead allowing
Pete to ask his questions of Clark and watched as the other young man came more out
of his shell, even when he told their concocted story of where Clark had been.
They stayed for supper, with Kirsty apologising for her lack of breeding and Lex
politely telling her that he missed the simplicity of a home cooked meal and Pete and
Clark working through their years apart and old memories of high school. They met
the children and Lex made a note to find out about a trust fund or something for them
when he found out that Kirsty was planning two more, he wanted some gift that he
could give although he was not about to become Uncle Lex. Finally they said their
polite goodbyes with the explanation that they had to drive back to the city, Lex was
tired and bored but at the same time relieved to see that Clark seemed to be genuinely
smiling for the first time since he had 'saved' him, something that was worth
cherishing. As they drove back into the city he watched as Clark again watched the
passing attractions, he was a little worried until Clark finally spoke, a little surprised
by the words that he heard.
"Everything has changed." Clark said, his voice hollow as if he was only just realising
quite how long he had been away. Then he looked directly at Lex, his gaze piercing
and spoke again. "Everything but you."
And as he took the last turn to the penthouse Lex was glad that he was the constant in
Clark's life, that he could finally be of some use to someone. He wasn't sure that he
had not changed at all but he supposed out of all those in Clark's life he was the one
that had experienced the least dramatic transformation.
"You can change too." Lex said helpfully but Clark sighed.
"It won't be the same." He replied grimly and Lex knew that he was right, it would
never be the same.
"No Clark, it won't." Lex said as he agreed, not wanting to sugar coat it too much
knowing that one of the things young Clark Kent had liked was that he was honest.
"But it won't always be like this either."
With that the evening was done, Lex didn't know if either of them would see Pete
Ross again but he knew that at least Clark was coming to terms with his past and that
this was at least something to build upon. After all once Clark had dealt with the past
he could start building a future.
------------------------
To Be Continued…
Thanks to all who've reviewed so far, let me know what you think or where you
would like to see this going…
Jez
Part 5 - Decisions and Choices.
They were eating dinner in the formal dining room when Lex first brought it up, they
had been having dinner in this fashion every few days and now he thought that it was
time that Clark at least realised that he had choices in life. The type of choices which
involved something other than what colour socks to wear and what to eat for
breakfast. The young man had been out of the 'hospital' two weeks and in that time he
had remained with Lex, in the privacy of Lex's penthouse apart from one night at the
lab. The only people that Clark had encountered were employees of Lex, the house
staff and one of Lex's assistants that had ignored the warning that Mr. Luthor was not
to be disturbed at home. Lex wanted to at least tell Clark that he knew he was
avoiding being around other people and that it was something they would rectify
soon, he also wanted to tell him that he was aware of Clark's 'gifts' and see if Clark
wanted to do anything about them. He was willing to wait for the answers but some
of the questions and issues did need to be broached.
"Clark?" Lex asked as he took another mouthful of the delicious pasta that his cook
had prepared. "How are the nightmares?" It was a simple question but it would start
the conversation and allow Lex to know if Clark would tell him the truth. Lex had not
been woken in a few days which was a good sign and Clark had not needed comfort
in at least that long.
"Okay." Clark said, he was still not as talkative or enthuasiastic as the old Clark had
been. "I think it's finally beginning to sink in that I don't have to go back to that
place."
"Never." Lex said emphatically as he saw Clark's eyes tear up, the young man fought
the tears and they did not rise and Lex saw some of the strength that he knew was a
sign of Clark's healing, there had been some tears before that night but Clark knew
that it was okay to be emotional, he was fighting it not to save face but to be strong.
"Lex?" Clark asked, and his dinner companion smiled, it was so rare that Clark was
the one that asked the questions. "What happened to the farm?" It had not been a
question that Lex was expecting but it was one he could thankfully answer.
"The debtors automatically inherited it in place of their repayments." He said,
watching as Clark's face fell slightly. "It's okay Clark, I bought the debt when your
father refused my loan. I wanted to do something to thank you for saving my life and
we both know how stubborn Jonathan Kent could be."
Lex felt himself tense a little at the admission, wondering if it would be wrong after
all he was admitting doing something that he had promised not to and had done it
while the Kents were still alive. That obviously didn't matter to the younger man who
was not angry. In fact, Clark smiled slightly, obviously a good memory of his father
and Lex was glad that they had at least spent enough time together for him to fondly
remember the man he had called Dad. Lex did not have that luxury and his old man
was still alive.
"What did you do with it?"
"Well, the land is farmed as your father would have done it, just with a few more
modern machines to do the work of that old tractor you had to fix all the time but the
house is pretty much the same as it was before…" He stopped there but Clark nodded
as if he understood and Lex was glad that he had not had to voice the words. "Did
you want to go out there, take a trip to Smallville?"
"Not yet." Clark said a little too quickly but Lex did not comment, he knew that the
boy would deal with his pain in his own time and that he would go visit when he felt
it was time, whether that be in two days or two years Lex didn't know but he was glad
that the house was there when Clark would need it. He had kept it to remind him of
the family that he had so nearly been accepted by but now it would stand as
something for Clark, both as an asset and as a memory.
"Any ideas what you do want to do?" Lex asked, trying to keep his tone casual. Clark
shrugged. "Well, maybe we could start small. I notice that you're not too eager to
venture out on your own. Perhaps we could visit some friends or something." As he
said the words he was reminded of Chloe Sullivan and realised that he had not told
Clark. "Clark, Chloe…she…"
"It's okay. I know. They told me some stuff…" He said softly, the anger clear in his
voice. "I think they wanted to show just how powerful they were when they told me
about that."
"I'm sorry Clark." Lex said, not sure why he was apologising when it was not his fault
but because it felt like the right thing to say.
"It's okay. Maybe we could go out to see Pete, I don't know where he is, they never
told me, but I'd like to know what he is up to."
Lex realised that he didn't know much about the Ross boy either, he hadn't kept in
contact with any of Clark's friends from Smallville after his supposed death but
suddenly he was very interested in at least finding out where the other man was, if
only for Clark's sake.
-----------------------
Lex was almost glad of something to do when he started planting a paper trail for
Clark's alleged stay in Witness protection; it was relatively easy to find an isolated
place to say that Clark had been staying and to make sure that the only person within
the area (a survivalist that had been camping since returning from the Viet Cong) did
not talk to anyone about the empty log cabin that would be Clark's 'safe house'. They
also had the added bonus that Clark's farm boy upbringing meant he could have quite
easily have survived a few years in the wilderness being a capable hunter and
fisherman. Clark agreed that it was a good cover and Lex even set up fake documents
to look as if Clark had taken his GED via correspondence course, what was not
obviously apparent of course was that the company that awarded his certificate was
one owned by LexCorp. Lex was sure that it would be enough layers that if anyone
started doing any digging they would not find the truth and of course if they did he
had it set up that he would find out about it and have enough time to deal with them.
Clark was more aware of his current predicament and seemed happy that Lex was at
least dealing with where he had been, or at least a lie behind which he could hide to
explain where he had been. He knew within himself that he had to look to the future,
he had wasted too much time already to think of wasting any more grieving over what
he had lost, he needed to get on with his life and he was glad that Lex was there to
help him do just that. If nothing else at least he had someone watching his back.
With the background laid down and their stories straight Lex began to plan the trip to
see Pete Ross, it was surprisingly easy given that the boy had not moved far from his
Smallville roots. After college he had married his roommate's sister and moved to
Metropolis to get a job as an intern at a large PR firm. In high school he had been a
minor league player in the big boy's team and now it seemed he was no different. Lex
was sure that Pete Ross was one of those people that would only ever make it to
middle management and would be quickly and easily forgotten were he to ever reach
the heady heights of the executive floor. The truth was that Pete was a middle of the
road type of guy, but he would be happy being average - his current life showed that.
Lex's private investigator had found the man easily, his suburban house on the
outskirts of Metropolis where he lived with his wife and twin babies had been
publically listed and he was registered to vote in the same place. Lex was pretty sure
that he would remain the rest of his years in that same neighbourhood because there
were some people that still managed to live that version of the American dream.
Lex wasn't sure that it was something that Clark would want to see, the happy family
life that he would always be denied, but then the young man had asked for just that, a
chance to see the friend that he had left behind. He just hoped that after four years
things were not too difficult for the young man.
They took the trip to the suburbs of Metropolis on a sunny Wednesday afternoon,
early enough that they would not hit the traffic but late enough that they would not
beat Pete home from work. Lex's investigator had discovered that the PR intern took
a half day on Wednesdays to spend with his family and the billionaire had decided
that this was the best time to visit, at least that way if they needed it they would have a
few hours. The ride was quiet, Lex realised that it was the first time that Clark had
been out for any length of time and watched as the young man stared out at the
features of the city as tjey drove by, Lex cursed himself for having decided to drive
himself rather than taking the Limo and enjoying the sights with Clark but he so
rarely got to drive the cars he owned that he wanted this oppurtunity. At least they
were in his convertible porsche.
The neighbourhood was as Lex had expected, quaint, friendly and stuck in a 1950's
timewarp that reminded him of the forgettable film where the world is locked in Black
and White…except this was Metropolis not Pleasantville. Clark though seemed to
like it and it made Lex forget his cynicism as he wondered if part of the suburb's
charm was not that it reminded people of the small towns they had grown up in.
Maybe there was something left of the small town boy in Clark after all. They got a
few strange looks as they pulled up in a two seater Porsche and Lex assumed it was
because it was not a people carrier or a sensible car that most of the neighbourhood's
family men would drive.
Clark seemed a little apprehensive as they slowed to a halt and Lex reached over and
squeezed his hand reassuringly, Clark accepted the gesture and squeezed back in
response before taking his hand back to open the door. As they approached the door
way the younger man slipped back and Lex was glad to see that the boy wanted him
to take charge, things would go a lot more smoothly if he were in control.
--------------------
Kirsty Ross heard the doorbell as she was settling the twins for a nap, Clark looked up
at his mother and smiled as he heard the sound, the mother of two was glad that Petey
was asleep already, he was the more boisterous of the two twin boys. She left the pair
in their cot and went to answer. Her first response was to blink her eyes clearly, then
she pinched herself lightly to check that she was not dreaming, the final test was the
deep laugh that she heard from the man she was sure that she was imagining on her
doorstep.
"Mrs. Ross?" He asked as he held out his hand as if to shake hers. "I'm…"
"Of course, Mr. Luthor. Would you like to come in?" Kirsty said as she wiped her
hands on her jeans, the palms lightly coated in sweat as she began to wonder what she
had in the house and how exactly you entertained one of the world's richest and most
elegant men.
"Please, it's Lex." He said in the voice that was made to make women melt. She could
feel herself gently wilting as he did so. Lex had to give this woman credit (and in
doing so Pete for choosing her) she barely looked flustered to have him at her door.
"Is Mr. Ross home?" Lex asked using his same deep voice.
"I'm sorry, of course. Peter…" She said, using her husband's full name even though
she never felt the need to before. "Come in." She said as she stood away from the
door, it was only when Lex took a step into her house that she noticed the shy young
man behind the billionaire and she signalled for him too to join them. As Lex made it
fully into the foyer Pete came around the corner.
"Honey, what is…Lex…" He said, the statement almost contemptuous as he
recognised the older man. "What do you want?"
"Peter dear, whatever is the matter?" Kirsty asked politely, wondering what it was that
had caused her usually laid back husband to sneer at a man that was so goodnatured,
she was sure that it was not jealousy but there had to be something behind it. Pete
glared at Lex who seemed to take it in his stride, used to dealing with men that were
much more sinister.
"Pete?" A voice asked from behind Lex, soft and uncertain and oh so familiar. Pete's
face changed in an instant from hate to hope and then to confusion.
"Clark…?" His voice asked as it wavered, on the verge of tears. "How can…?" He
asked before finding himself engulfed in a hug from the man that was still taller than
him and yet a little thinner than he had remembered. "But you're…you're…"
They hugged again before Pete finally let go, believing that he was not dreaming as he
had done so many times in college and that his best friend was really here. He felt the
tears fall as he cried for all of the times he had missed the boy and the fact that he was
back. Not even caring how it was impossible, just caring that it was real.
"Would someone like to tell me what is going on here?" Kirsty asked, her confused
ire making Lex smirk.
"I'm sorry." Pete said as he regained some composure and shut the front door behind
them and beckoned Clark and somewhat reluctantly Lex into the living room.
"Honey, this is Clark."
"You mean…"
"Yeah, little Clark's namesake." Pete finished with a smile, he would have to explain
later to his best friend that he had named his son for them. "And my best friend from
high school." He added with a smile that made Clark smile too, he had always
considered Lex his best friend back then but it was good to know that Pete had never
stopped thinking of him in that capacity, although it also made him feel a little guilty.
"And Mr. Luthor?" Kirsty asked, more interested in him than the man that had
apparently risen from the dead Pete noted, he hated that Lex still had that affect on
women, hell, probably on most people that he met. "How do you know him?"
"You could say that we grew up together." Pete said with a smile. "Although judging
by the stories we still read it is debatable whether Lex ever grew up." He added,
Kirsty was offended at her husband's remarks until she heard Lex's smooth laughter,
that at least took the edge off it, knowing that he had taken it as a joke.
"We knew each other when we lived in Smallville." Lex said by way of explanation.
Kirsty smiled with interest and Lex realised that she was playing the good hostess, he
however did not want to play obliging guest and did not elaborate, instead allowing
Pete to ask his questions of Clark and watched as the other young man came more out
of his shell, even when he told their concocted story of where Clark had been.
They stayed for supper, with Kirsty apologising for her lack of breeding and Lex
politely telling her that he missed the simplicity of a home cooked meal and Pete and
Clark working through their years apart and old memories of high school. They met
the children and Lex made a note to find out about a trust fund or something for them
when he found out that Kirsty was planning two more, he wanted some gift that he
could give although he was not about to become Uncle Lex. Finally they said their
polite goodbyes with the explanation that they had to drive back to the city, Lex was
tired and bored but at the same time relieved to see that Clark seemed to be genuinely
smiling for the first time since he had 'saved' him, something that was worth
cherishing. As they drove back into the city he watched as Clark again watched the
passing attractions, he was a little worried until Clark finally spoke, a little surprised
by the words that he heard.
"Everything has changed." Clark said, his voice hollow as if he was only just realising
quite how long he had been away. Then he looked directly at Lex, his gaze piercing
and spoke again. "Everything but you."
And as he took the last turn to the penthouse Lex was glad that he was the constant in
Clark's life, that he could finally be of some use to someone. He wasn't sure that he
had not changed at all but he supposed out of all those in Clark's life he was the one
that had experienced the least dramatic transformation.
"You can change too." Lex said helpfully but Clark sighed.
"It won't be the same." He replied grimly and Lex knew that he was right, it would
never be the same.
"No Clark, it won't." Lex said as he agreed, not wanting to sugar coat it too much
knowing that one of the things young Clark Kent had liked was that he was honest.
"But it won't always be like this either."
With that the evening was done, Lex didn't know if either of them would see Pete
Ross again but he knew that at least Clark was coming to terms with his past and that
this was at least something to build upon. After all once Clark had dealt with the past
he could start building a future.
------------------------
To Be Continued…
Thanks to all who've reviewed so far, let me know what you think or where you
would like to see this going…
Jez