Author's note: Thankyou again to all the people who have reviewed and to
those who e-mailed me. Hugs to all. You guys are great!
LaCasta, again, what can I say thankyou thankyou thankyou...OK shutting up now.
Chapter 13
Lionel Luthor played with the rock he'd picked up at Lex's lab almost two weeks ago. He'd pulled it from his pocket and set it like a paperweight on the corner of his desk and had just noticed it again. It was an dull green, of no intrinsic value. Its interest lay in its effects on living things. They had tried once to grind it into use as a fertilizer product. It had been shown to promote growth in some plants but that had turned out to be a disaster. Good thing that Jenkins fellow had died.
If he recalled correctly it had been involved in the disaster created with the reanimation of the Nicodemus flower. Lex obviously felt it had some potential and had been trying to exploit that. Personally, Lionel thought it all a waste of time. Better to stick with the known; experimenting in the unknown had merely been expensive. That was Lex's bent and one of the reasons he needed to be controlled.
He looked at the report from his security people in Smallville. It was true then that Lex had been staying with the Kents. Lionel was mildly surprised, expecting Lex to be smarter than that. Lionel had thought it would be over by now. Lex should have come home. Lionel had been confident enough to schedule a meeting of the board next week to establish Lex into a new advisory position from which he could learn and eventually be shuffled onto the board. All he had to do was prove his business accumen. Until then, he would be right in the thick of things, which would allow Lionel to watch and mold him.
Lionel had purchased the Smallville Savings and Loan, only to discover the Kents had moved their account elsewhere. Lionel had to smile at the thought that Lex was learning. He would need another ace up his sleeve. It never would do to walk into a confrontation without leverage. Lionel drummed his fingers and considered the problem. Clark Kent could be useful in this. He was valuable not only to the Kents but to Lex as well. Emotional blackmail had its strengths. Lionel had merely to go to Smallville and acquire the boy. It would also provide a certain personal satisfaction after the way Kent had grabbed him in front of Lex. No one touched him in that manner. Kent's boldness had been too much. It wouldn't hurt to educate him in the proper respect for his betters.
Lionel looked at the green rock again, recalling both encounters with Clark Kent. The boy's behaviour had been diametricly opposed from one occasion to the next; weak and frightened the first time, assertive and powerful the next. The only difference in the two occasions had been the presence of Lex and the green rock. Perhaps, with Lex to show off in front of, he had felt the need to rise to the occasion or had had he been merely too surprised during the first encounter to strike back? Whatever the cause, Lionel wanted him as submissive as possible. Lex seemed to believe the rock could affect humans, or so his experiment with the Nicodemus flower would suggest. Lionel pocketed the rock deciding to do a test of his own. If the rock was the factor causing Lex's pretty boy to be submissive, it would certainly come in handy on this trip. If not, it didn't weigh much in his pocket and he'd drop it back into the Smallville soil where it came from.
Well, enough of this, time to fetch Lex home. Moving decisively, Lionel left to join Dominic in the Luthorcorp helicopter. This was the last time he'd chase after his son. If he wouldn't come, well, Lionel had been thinking lately that perhaps a new heir...after all, he was not that old.
***
Lex Luthor was shoveling cow manure. Clark Kent, working further down at the same task, was laughing at him. It wouldn't have been so funny had Lex not had a look of disgust on his face while doing it. Clark just found the whole thing hilarious. The farmboy in him could not resist the opportunity to laugh at the rich kid's discomfort.
"You're lucky I already finished the chicken coop in the time it took you to put on your farming gear." A familiar chuckle followed this as Clark had been laughing at Lex in Jonathan Kent's flannels and jeans every day since Lex had been there. "Now there's a smell only farmer can appreciate."
Lex sighed, constantly surprised by the things he would do for love. "Clark if that's the sort of thing you like, I'll have to seriously re-evaluate this relationship."
Clark Kent pouted like a small child and moved in close to Lex. "What relationship? You won't let me do anything." His face took on a dreamy look and he ran his long fingers down Lex's firm chest stopping to rest his hand at the loose waist of Jonathan's jeans. The reminder of Jonathan Kent was a cold splash of reality and it allowed Lex to step back from temptation.
Clark also seemed to come suddenly to his senses, possibly thinking the same thing. He cleared his throat and took pity on Lex.
"Look, Lex, I know you insisted on helping me with my chores but I think you can sit this one out. How 'bout you go back to the house and ask Mom if breakfast is ready. I'll be done by the time you get back."
Lex eyed him suspiciously, waiting for the next jibe. "Thanks, I think I'll take you up on that. I deal with manure at the plant, but as management, I don't have much experience with its raw form."
Clark's grin got bigger. "Surely a corporate raider such as yourself has a knack for shovelling shit?" Big round eyes of innocence looked at Lex. "Metaphorically speaking."
Lex was unable to contain his snort. He could not be angry at that big toothy grin aimed directly at him.
"Riiight, for that one I'm not coming back. This hour of the morning does not exist in my daytimer. I am therefore, going back to bed. I'll take up farming after I figure out how to grow cornrows on my head." Lex headed for the house, smiling.
The last few days had been good, almost idyllic. He and Clark had set boundaries. While things with Lionel remained unresolved, their relationship could go no further. This did not stop them both from grinning foolishly at each other on a regular basis and indulging in an occasional stolen kiss. It was an unspoken agreement that nothing occurred in the presence of Clark's parents. That would wait as well.
Too bad it would all end soon. They were setting themselves up for a confrontation with Lionel Luthor, baiting him with Lex's refusal to return to the mansion, let alone Metropolis. Lex just wanted to make the final break and be his own man.
After speaking with Jonathan, Lex had gathered with the Kent family to discuss options. Jonathan had been surprisingly willing to get involved in the fight. Lex suspected he was happy to finally be able to do something to protect his family, sensing his frustration with their fragile finances. He and Lex had come to an understanding if not trust. Their mutual goal of protecting Clark had made them allies despite their differences. The first order of business had been to take away the Kents' financial vulnerability. That had been done fairly easily once Lex had contacted a Gotham bank and backed their loan transfer. Jonathan still refused financial help from Lex but at least their mortgage was with an institution that Lionel could not touch.
Lex had wanted Clark to stay home but the Kents had been surprisingly confident in his ability to stay safe away from the farm. This was Lex's deepest concern but he could not over-ride Jonathan and Clark's insistence that he continue going to school. Lex had finally insisted that Clark never be alone. Clark had subsequently arranged to travel back and forth to school with Pete Ross whenever he was unable to take the bus. Lex endorsed this wholeheartedly, thinking to himself that the son of a judge would be an intimidating witness even to his father and an excellent deterrent. Martha had also encouraged this. Lex still felt the worry in his stomach. It was taking his appetite and fragmenting his sleep. He did not underestimate the ruthlessness of his father, even if the Kents did. It may well be their fatal mistake.
Lex sighed and suppressed these thoughts. He entered the warm Kent kitchen and let Martha know that Clark was looking for his breakfast. She laughed with a comment about the boy's hollow legs and fell pointedly silent as Lex poured coffee and ate nothing.
"Are you sure Lionel will come here?" Martha asked unable to stop herself from repeating a question she'd already had answered. Lex smiled with reassurance.
"I am out of his control now. It'll drive him nuts. Believe me, he'll come if for no other reason than to deck me before he tells me to go to hell." Lex tried to make light of the situation. Martha walked over and gave Lex a hug which he awkwardly tried to return.
"I have faith in you." Martha smiled at him. Lex smiled back, amazed at how such a small sentence could make him feel. He was beginning to believe he would do anything to keep this family safe, perhaps even bargain with the devil.
LaCasta, again, what can I say thankyou thankyou thankyou...OK shutting up now.
Chapter 13
Lionel Luthor played with the rock he'd picked up at Lex's lab almost two weeks ago. He'd pulled it from his pocket and set it like a paperweight on the corner of his desk and had just noticed it again. It was an dull green, of no intrinsic value. Its interest lay in its effects on living things. They had tried once to grind it into use as a fertilizer product. It had been shown to promote growth in some plants but that had turned out to be a disaster. Good thing that Jenkins fellow had died.
If he recalled correctly it had been involved in the disaster created with the reanimation of the Nicodemus flower. Lex obviously felt it had some potential and had been trying to exploit that. Personally, Lionel thought it all a waste of time. Better to stick with the known; experimenting in the unknown had merely been expensive. That was Lex's bent and one of the reasons he needed to be controlled.
He looked at the report from his security people in Smallville. It was true then that Lex had been staying with the Kents. Lionel was mildly surprised, expecting Lex to be smarter than that. Lionel had thought it would be over by now. Lex should have come home. Lionel had been confident enough to schedule a meeting of the board next week to establish Lex into a new advisory position from which he could learn and eventually be shuffled onto the board. All he had to do was prove his business accumen. Until then, he would be right in the thick of things, which would allow Lionel to watch and mold him.
Lionel had purchased the Smallville Savings and Loan, only to discover the Kents had moved their account elsewhere. Lionel had to smile at the thought that Lex was learning. He would need another ace up his sleeve. It never would do to walk into a confrontation without leverage. Lionel drummed his fingers and considered the problem. Clark Kent could be useful in this. He was valuable not only to the Kents but to Lex as well. Emotional blackmail had its strengths. Lionel had merely to go to Smallville and acquire the boy. It would also provide a certain personal satisfaction after the way Kent had grabbed him in front of Lex. No one touched him in that manner. Kent's boldness had been too much. It wouldn't hurt to educate him in the proper respect for his betters.
Lionel looked at the green rock again, recalling both encounters with Clark Kent. The boy's behaviour had been diametricly opposed from one occasion to the next; weak and frightened the first time, assertive and powerful the next. The only difference in the two occasions had been the presence of Lex and the green rock. Perhaps, with Lex to show off in front of, he had felt the need to rise to the occasion or had had he been merely too surprised during the first encounter to strike back? Whatever the cause, Lionel wanted him as submissive as possible. Lex seemed to believe the rock could affect humans, or so his experiment with the Nicodemus flower would suggest. Lionel pocketed the rock deciding to do a test of his own. If the rock was the factor causing Lex's pretty boy to be submissive, it would certainly come in handy on this trip. If not, it didn't weigh much in his pocket and he'd drop it back into the Smallville soil where it came from.
Well, enough of this, time to fetch Lex home. Moving decisively, Lionel left to join Dominic in the Luthorcorp helicopter. This was the last time he'd chase after his son. If he wouldn't come, well, Lionel had been thinking lately that perhaps a new heir...after all, he was not that old.
***
Lex Luthor was shoveling cow manure. Clark Kent, working further down at the same task, was laughing at him. It wouldn't have been so funny had Lex not had a look of disgust on his face while doing it. Clark just found the whole thing hilarious. The farmboy in him could not resist the opportunity to laugh at the rich kid's discomfort.
"You're lucky I already finished the chicken coop in the time it took you to put on your farming gear." A familiar chuckle followed this as Clark had been laughing at Lex in Jonathan Kent's flannels and jeans every day since Lex had been there. "Now there's a smell only farmer can appreciate."
Lex sighed, constantly surprised by the things he would do for love. "Clark if that's the sort of thing you like, I'll have to seriously re-evaluate this relationship."
Clark Kent pouted like a small child and moved in close to Lex. "What relationship? You won't let me do anything." His face took on a dreamy look and he ran his long fingers down Lex's firm chest stopping to rest his hand at the loose waist of Jonathan's jeans. The reminder of Jonathan Kent was a cold splash of reality and it allowed Lex to step back from temptation.
Clark also seemed to come suddenly to his senses, possibly thinking the same thing. He cleared his throat and took pity on Lex.
"Look, Lex, I know you insisted on helping me with my chores but I think you can sit this one out. How 'bout you go back to the house and ask Mom if breakfast is ready. I'll be done by the time you get back."
Lex eyed him suspiciously, waiting for the next jibe. "Thanks, I think I'll take you up on that. I deal with manure at the plant, but as management, I don't have much experience with its raw form."
Clark's grin got bigger. "Surely a corporate raider such as yourself has a knack for shovelling shit?" Big round eyes of innocence looked at Lex. "Metaphorically speaking."
Lex was unable to contain his snort. He could not be angry at that big toothy grin aimed directly at him.
"Riiight, for that one I'm not coming back. This hour of the morning does not exist in my daytimer. I am therefore, going back to bed. I'll take up farming after I figure out how to grow cornrows on my head." Lex headed for the house, smiling.
The last few days had been good, almost idyllic. He and Clark had set boundaries. While things with Lionel remained unresolved, their relationship could go no further. This did not stop them both from grinning foolishly at each other on a regular basis and indulging in an occasional stolen kiss. It was an unspoken agreement that nothing occurred in the presence of Clark's parents. That would wait as well.
Too bad it would all end soon. They were setting themselves up for a confrontation with Lionel Luthor, baiting him with Lex's refusal to return to the mansion, let alone Metropolis. Lex just wanted to make the final break and be his own man.
After speaking with Jonathan, Lex had gathered with the Kent family to discuss options. Jonathan had been surprisingly willing to get involved in the fight. Lex suspected he was happy to finally be able to do something to protect his family, sensing his frustration with their fragile finances. He and Lex had come to an understanding if not trust. Their mutual goal of protecting Clark had made them allies despite their differences. The first order of business had been to take away the Kents' financial vulnerability. That had been done fairly easily once Lex had contacted a Gotham bank and backed their loan transfer. Jonathan still refused financial help from Lex but at least their mortgage was with an institution that Lionel could not touch.
Lex had wanted Clark to stay home but the Kents had been surprisingly confident in his ability to stay safe away from the farm. This was Lex's deepest concern but he could not over-ride Jonathan and Clark's insistence that he continue going to school. Lex had finally insisted that Clark never be alone. Clark had subsequently arranged to travel back and forth to school with Pete Ross whenever he was unable to take the bus. Lex endorsed this wholeheartedly, thinking to himself that the son of a judge would be an intimidating witness even to his father and an excellent deterrent. Martha had also encouraged this. Lex still felt the worry in his stomach. It was taking his appetite and fragmenting his sleep. He did not underestimate the ruthlessness of his father, even if the Kents did. It may well be their fatal mistake.
Lex sighed and suppressed these thoughts. He entered the warm Kent kitchen and let Martha know that Clark was looking for his breakfast. She laughed with a comment about the boy's hollow legs and fell pointedly silent as Lex poured coffee and ate nothing.
"Are you sure Lionel will come here?" Martha asked unable to stop herself from repeating a question she'd already had answered. Lex smiled with reassurance.
"I am out of his control now. It'll drive him nuts. Believe me, he'll come if for no other reason than to deck me before he tells me to go to hell." Lex tried to make light of the situation. Martha walked over and gave Lex a hug which he awkwardly tried to return.
"I have faith in you." Martha smiled at him. Lex smiled back, amazed at how such a small sentence could make him feel. He was beginning to believe he would do anything to keep this family safe, perhaps even bargain with the devil.