"Love does not begin and end the way we seem to think it does.

Love is a battle, love is a war; love is a growing up."
-James Baldwin

  As an automatic reaction Clark released his hold on Lex's arm, but thankfully Lex was standing on his own two feet now, albeit cautiously. His head was spinning like anything though…

 "Dad." Clark said, short and cautious.

Jonathan looked from his son to Lex who looked like he was attempting to decide whether to bother trying to hide his face or not. In the end he seemed to stand resignedly, and stared back at him with uncertainty. Now that was an expression he'd never seen on that kid's face…

 He turned his gaze back to his son.

"Are you alright?"

 Clark gritted his jaw.
"I'm fine."

"Well will someone tell me what's happened here?"

"I surprised an intruder, that's all Mr. Kent." Offered Lex calmly, thinking fast. Hey, this was unfortunately what he was best at in the world. "Clark just found me here a minute ago."

There was a beat before he added, without the least detectable trace of sarcasm,  "Don't worry, I'll be alright."

"I can't persuade him to see a doctor." Clark added, still concerned. He was just looking for a little extra support but he saw something in his father's face…Jonathan was looking at Lex as if he expected nothing else but stubborn stupidity from him. Indeed, the first thought that came to mind was how degrading it was for his son to be falling for such attention-seeking arrogance.

 "Well, I guess that's your call Lex." He said, before looking meaningfully at Clark as he asked, "Son, do you think we should check around and make sure this intruder isn't still about?"

 His artificial tone didn't make sense to Clark until he suddenly asked himself why his father was here, or better still, how come he'd turned up not ten minutes after he had, rushing in as if to the rescue…Dammit, he should have been more careful using his superspeed…

He sighed. It was wrong to feel annoyed at his dad trying to help in what he must have thought was an emergency, but increasingly lately he'd found that anything dangerous or 'supernatural' that he had to deal with, was better left up to him anyway…One day his parents would have to recognise that he could handle those situations far better than them…

But for now, it was time for another charade. Clark adopted a similar meaningful glance and just hoped Lex wouldn't betray the fact that he knew exactly what they were trying to say.

"Actually dad I think whoever it was is long gone, and more a matter for the police."

Jonathan stared back confused. What had brought his son out here then in such a hurry? And why did he look like he'd been crying…

"Clark can I have a word?" he asked, motioning out to the hallway. To his annoyance he saw his son look to Lex for approval.

"Go on" Lex said. "I should probably check around in here to see if anything's missing."

While Jonathan stood trying to hide his impatience, Clark , turning his back on him mouthed "I'll be right back" to Lex.

 Out in the hallway, his father leaned in close, speaking in hushed tones,

"You think that story about the intruder's true, son?"

It was totally irrational giving the circumstances but Clark was still irritated by his father's continual cynical attitude to everything Lex said.

"Yes, dad, I do."

"Well how did you know about it anyway? You haven't developed ESP have you now?" Jonathan asked, only half-joking.

Clark barely batted an eye as he calmly lied to his father's face.

"Apparently some strange guy was in the Talon earlier asking whereabouts the Manor was…Lana… thought it was kinda suspicious, so she mentioned it to me at the party, and…I came to check it out."

For a second he didn't think his dad would buy it. But then a warm smile came over his face, and he patted his son's shoulder.

"You did the right thing, son" He said.

It took everything Clark had to try and force a smile then.

"So I guess we should call the police-"

"-no!" Clark said quickly. "I mean, Lex should probably do it when he's checked to see if anything's missing…"

 "Yeah, well, let's hope the guy didn't leave empty-handed.." Jonathan muttered as he turned back towards the study.

 The words sank like lead in Clark's heart.

"What?" he asked, a hand on his father's arm, stopping him.

His dad nearly rolled his eyes.

"Well, no offence son, but your 'friend' got his money by taking it from those farmers LuthorCorp manipulated…perhaps it'd do him good to be on the receiving end for once, that's all."

  He turned to go again, but Clark tightened his grip on his arm.

"I can't believe you'd say something like that…"

"Clark c'mon-"Jonathan frowned in disbelief at his son's grip.

 "What about the beating Dad, do you think he had that coming too?" Clark asked, his voice increasingly hostile.

 "Clark, keep your voice down…"

But Lex appeared a second later in the doorway.

"Is… everything alright?" he asked, and Clark saw how much it hurt him to speak.

"Everything's fine" Jon said firmly, not taking his gaze from his son. He'd never seen Clark look at him like that in his life. After what seemed like an age, hid hold on his arm was released, and Clark looked away.

 A little disconcerted Jonathan half-turned to Lex.

"Anything missing?"

 "No it doesn't look like it. I might not bother the authorities after all.."

Now Jonathan turned fully and looked in amazement.

"You're not going to call anyone?" he asked loudly. "No offence Lex, but have you looked in a mirror?"

"Whoever it was is long gone, and to be honest I didn't get a very good look at him. There's no point in wasting police time if they have nothing to go on."

 The atmosphere felt increasingly confrontational as the older man stood hands on hips staring at this smooth-talking kid with his face all messed up.

"Oh, I suppose you never considered that this guy might hurt someone else some day? You don't think your neighbours should be told there's a violent thief in the area?"

 "Mr. Kent-"

"Unless…" Jonathan looked from his son to Lex in disbelief, shaking his head. " There was no intruder was there? This was sort of retribution or...no, God, I really don't want to know who you pissed off or what kind of trouble you've gotten into Lex, but whatever it is I will not have you getting my son involved in it!"

"Dad, please-"

"No son!" he yelled, putting up a hand to silence him while staring at Lex in contempt. "It's no secret that I always thought your family was no good for this town, but something is seriously wrong if thugs are breaking into your home to beat you up for Christ's sake. But you know what? I bet the reason you don't want the police involved is because you probably deserved it."

"Dad that's enough!" Clark appeared suddenly between the two of them, glaring at his father.

"No, tell me son, was that whole thing about a suspicious guy in town true?" He truly wasn't expecting the flash of guilt in his son's eyes. "I don't believe this." He said after a moment. " You were lying for him? He has you lying to your own father?"

 He stepped back to see around Clark to Lex, and pointed a finger accusingly. "I always thought you'd be a bad influence on him, and I see I've finally been proved right. No grand gestures are gonna turn my head now Lex!"

 "You're wrong about him Dad, you're so wrong-"

"He's making you lie Clark! It's probably him who's alienating you from your family lately! You're a smart kid, why don't you ask yourself why people always seem to be wanting to kill him lately…I always knew it; he's just like his father."

 Silence descended on the hall, lit only by the light coming through the doorway to the study. As Lex leant back on the doorframe, he cast shadows onto Jonathan's face. To Clark he suddenly seemed older. The anger on his face didn't suit him.

 With one last look of disgust at Lex, Jon took a step back towards the front door.

"C'mon son. Leave him to clear up his own mess."

He'd taken several steps before he realised his son wasn't following. He turned to see him standing still, fists clenched by his side, staring back at him.

"Son?" Jon called in warning tones.

"No, dad." Clark said firmly.

Jonathan gritted his jaw.

"I'm not asking, I'm telling you…get in the car now."

"Clark, go…" Lex said softly reaching out a hand to Clark's arm.

"No" he snapped back, pushing his hand away. "I need to say this."

 Jonathan watched as Lex's eyes flickered between them. His son's were still glaring at him though, with a look more dark and yet more frightened than his father had ever seen. Clark drew himself up to his full height.

" Lex isn't the one alienating me from my family dad. You are." He spread his hands wide, helpless. "I'm tired dad- I'm tired of your stubborn-mindedness. You taught me so much: not to judge others; to do what I think is right; to defend those who need defending. But I'm so tired of wondering why you can't do the same - why you can't see past your own prejudice…." He turned to look at Lex. "…for somebody I care about."

That look lingered for far too long. That look, that terrible gaze in slow motion made Jonathan Kent's world fall apart.

 When his son turned back to him, it as if he were a different person, unknown to him and unrecognisable as the son he'd raised.

 "Go home dad. I have to take care of my friend."

 "Clark.." he choked out, "This, this  is ridiculous, I-"

"Go."

 He'd seen his the strength and determination in his son over the years, but never had it been directed at him so forcefully as it was in Clark's stare now. He'd come into his own…and as a stubborn but stunned father Jonathan could not say another word more.

 He turned and left slowly, but the door shook as he slammed it on his way out.

TBC.