Three year later, Kayla, Bruce and Lex are all 15 and juniors at Excelsior
Prep. Clark and Pete are seven and Lana is 8.
"Hey Lex," Kayla said as she walked over to his locker. "What's with the outfit?"
"I have to go to the board meeting."
"Oh, do you know when you will be done?"
"Not until late and once it is I am leaving for France. Dad wants me to work at the European branch of Luthor Corp over the summer."
"Will you keep in touch?"
"If I find the time," he answered her walking away.
"What was that all about?" Bruce asked coming over to Kayla and giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"I'm not sure, but I know I don't like it." She answered watching As Lex walked away. "I mean calling him Lex is one thing but Europe is another. Are we still on for tonight?" Kayla asked as they walked out of the school.
"I'll be there at seven." He told as she caught sight of her brother.
"See you then," she tossed over her shoulder as she ran towards the car.
Climbing into the truck she gave Jonathan a long hug. "You have no idea how glad I am." She told him
.
"Here, Martha thought you would be all upset about leaving and coming back to the farm." He said not able to keep a straight face when he caught sight of the look Kayla was giving him. He then pulled out and headed towards Smallville.
"Beaker, what's wrong?" She asked him after several miles of silence.
"Clark is showing…he is…what I am trying to say is…"
"He is super strong." Kayla supplied helpfully.
"How did you know that?" He demanded.
Kayla then told him about the hide and seek game the weekend they were babysitting.
"Are you sure no one else saw."
"For the billionth time yes, Bruce and Lex were putting Pete and Lana down for a nap."
"Will Lex be coming over at all this summer?"
"No Lex is going to be working at Luthor Corp all summer. The French branch," she told him frowning. "Looks like it will just be Bruce and I this summer."
Jonathan didn't let her see his smile. Although he thought Lex was a good kid he knew Lionel to well to think Lex would remain that way.
"Are you ready Lex?" Lionel asked coming into the room.
Hurriedly Lex stuffed something into the suitcase before turning around. "Yes, I am."
"Well, then lets go." He said leaving the room. "Oh and Lex, I meant what I said, I don't want any trouble over there this summer."
"Yes, father," he mumbled zipping up his suitcase. Changing his mind he unzipped the case and pulled out the picture from Halloween. Picking up his carry all he placed it in there careful of the frame. Zipping it back up he left the room.
Going down the hall he paused and peered into the room that had been his mother's. Already Lionel had converted it into billiard room. Lex remembered the day he came from school and saw his father packing his mother's things.
"What are you doing?"
"Good Lex your home. I want you to pack up the rest of the things and then come down stairs to my office we need to talk."
"Pack?" Lex parroted unsure if he heard right.
"Yes, pack. Dr. Casey told me it would be healthy to allow you to keep a small box of keepsakes." Crossing the room he picked up what looked like it could be a shoe box. "Here." With that Lionel went downstairs leaving Lex to finish the room.
Lex reached in to his carry on and felt the box, knowing that he had more then this hidden away. Sighing he closed the door and went downstairs where his father was waiting.
"You will see Lex, come fall you will be thanking me. Are you sure you have everything?"
"Yes, Father." He answered mechanically as he climbed into the limo. He didn't look back until after they passed the house where Kayla lived during the school year.
"Alfred," Bruce yelled as he walked into the Manor.
"Master Bruce, you really don't have to yell," Alfred said as he appeared at the top of the stairs.
"Sorry Alfred, just excited that's all." Bruce explained sitting down.
"Speaking of that, how are your grades?"
"A's as usual, like I would get any less when if I did I know I would have to stop training. Oh, guess what."
"Master Bruce I assure you that I have no idea what you are going to say," Alfred said patiently watching the excited boy.
"Kayla won the grand prize in Gotham's Art School's Junior Achievement Contest. She won a trip through Europe this summer."
"And how do you know this, if I remember correctly the winners aren't announced till next week."
"The votes are all in and I heard one of the teachers talking about it."
"I see, and will you be joining Miss Kayla on the trip?" Alfred teased seeing the blush crawl across Bruce's face.
"I may join her for a few days in France, so we can visit Lex."
"He is still insisting on that name?"
"Unfortunately yes."
"I want them to be here," Clark whined, gesturing for Pete to join him. Soon they were both chanting the same phrase over and over only changing the pitch of the whine.
Martha counted to ten several times, just as she was about to tell them to stop they all heard the sound of the truck coming down the road.
"Told you it would work," Clark said to Pete as he began to run down the road.
Kayla was waiting for him and managed to catch him before he could knock her down. "Soon you are going to be to big for this," she told him giving him a hug.
"Then I will pick you up," he whispered into her ear making sure no one would hear him.
"Hopefully not for another year at least." Putting him down she hugged Pete who was waiting for his turn before going to Martha.
"You got mail." Clark told her tugging on her arm. "Can we open it we never get mail."
"I send you things," Kayla teased sounding shocked.
"You don't count. You have to because you love me."
Rolling her eyes she nodded and the boys happily ran into the house arguing over who was going to open the envelope.
"I am so glad to be back," Kayla told Martha as Jonathan unloaded the truck.
"We are always glad when you come here." Martha assured the girl, "I made your favorite dinner since…"
"Kayla," Clark yelled from inside the house, "how do you spell winner?"
"W I N N E R," she spelled out going into the house.
"Told you so," she heard Clark gloat.
"You read it already," Pete decided.
" What is this about a winner?"
"You are maybe." Clark said looking confused. "How can you be a maybe winner?"
With shaking hands Kayla took the letter and read it over. Getting up she ran from the room looking for Martha and Jonathan. She found them in the kitchen.
"Guess what. No wait don't guess. Okay here is the story I entered this photography contest a few months ago. Apparently it is a real big deal and the prize is this trip to Europe all expensive paid but it is not a vacation it's a class. Well anyway I entered the contest as a joke because Lex and Bruce dared me. Otherwise I never would have—"
She was cut off by Jonathan's hand. "Breathe. How about we get the Reader's Digest version?"
"Entered a photography contest on a dare. Now I am a finalist. Award dinner is next week in Gotham."
"What was the thing about Europe?" Martha asked looking confused.
"That's the prize. The winner gets to accompany Gotham's Art School on their annual trip across Europe. The trip and stuff is free, the only thing they don't give you is spending money." She took a deep breath, "the class will count as actual credit for college as well."
"I don't know what to say," Jonathan said after a few minutes of silence.
"Say we can go to the dinner we have to R.V.S.P. by tomorrow."
"Of course we will go," Martha told her.
"Great I will reserve five seats."
"Five?" Martha and Jonathan asked.
"Yeap, you guys, Clark, Bruce and I. That was part of deal if I made it that far Bruce and Lex would come to the dinner."
"What about-" Martha started before being cut off by Jonathan.
"Why don't you call and get the seats. Then round up the boys so we can eat dinner."
"Thanks Jon," Kayla said before running back out of the room.
Three days later
"Hello, Alfred," a weary Lex spoke into the phone, "is Bruce there?"
"One moment, Master Lex," Afred said putting down the phone. A few seconds he heard the phone being picked back up.
"Hey, Lex, how's France treating you?"
"Before or after my luggage was lost?"
"I thought you took the Luthor jet."
"I did."
"Are you okay Lex?" Bruce asked worried by the silence.
"I'll survive. What did you find out about the contest?" Lex asked changing the subject.
"Kayla won!" Bruce informed him happily. "I can't wait to see her face at the…" his voice fell off as he realized what he was saying remembering their bet."
If Lex noticed he didn't say. He was quiet for a few moments before asking, "Could you do me a favor?"
"Whatever you need Lex, you know that."
"I'm going to send you some things. Important things, I need you to keep them safe for me."
"As long as you need me to." Bruce told him seriously.
"Thanks Bruce," Lex said sincerely. "When you get it look for Kayla's gift, it'll be wrapped in something. I have to go, I'll call again when I get a chance." Lex told him before hanging up. Making sure he wasn't being followed he crossed the street and went into the post office. Quickly he wrote a not for Kayla before wrapping something in it. Going over to the counter he mailed the box and picture to Bruce.
"Hey Lex," Kayla said as she walked over to his locker. "What's with the outfit?"
"I have to go to the board meeting."
"Oh, do you know when you will be done?"
"Not until late and once it is I am leaving for France. Dad wants me to work at the European branch of Luthor Corp over the summer."
"Will you keep in touch?"
"If I find the time," he answered her walking away.
"What was that all about?" Bruce asked coming over to Kayla and giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"I'm not sure, but I know I don't like it." She answered watching As Lex walked away. "I mean calling him Lex is one thing but Europe is another. Are we still on for tonight?" Kayla asked as they walked out of the school.
"I'll be there at seven." He told as she caught sight of her brother.
"See you then," she tossed over her shoulder as she ran towards the car.
Climbing into the truck she gave Jonathan a long hug. "You have no idea how glad I am." She told him
.
"Here, Martha thought you would be all upset about leaving and coming back to the farm." He said not able to keep a straight face when he caught sight of the look Kayla was giving him. He then pulled out and headed towards Smallville.
"Beaker, what's wrong?" She asked him after several miles of silence.
"Clark is showing…he is…what I am trying to say is…"
"He is super strong." Kayla supplied helpfully.
"How did you know that?" He demanded.
Kayla then told him about the hide and seek game the weekend they were babysitting.
"Are you sure no one else saw."
"For the billionth time yes, Bruce and Lex were putting Pete and Lana down for a nap."
"Will Lex be coming over at all this summer?"
"No Lex is going to be working at Luthor Corp all summer. The French branch," she told him frowning. "Looks like it will just be Bruce and I this summer."
Jonathan didn't let her see his smile. Although he thought Lex was a good kid he knew Lionel to well to think Lex would remain that way.
"Are you ready Lex?" Lionel asked coming into the room.
Hurriedly Lex stuffed something into the suitcase before turning around. "Yes, I am."
"Well, then lets go." He said leaving the room. "Oh and Lex, I meant what I said, I don't want any trouble over there this summer."
"Yes, father," he mumbled zipping up his suitcase. Changing his mind he unzipped the case and pulled out the picture from Halloween. Picking up his carry all he placed it in there careful of the frame. Zipping it back up he left the room.
Going down the hall he paused and peered into the room that had been his mother's. Already Lionel had converted it into billiard room. Lex remembered the day he came from school and saw his father packing his mother's things.
"What are you doing?"
"Good Lex your home. I want you to pack up the rest of the things and then come down stairs to my office we need to talk."
"Pack?" Lex parroted unsure if he heard right.
"Yes, pack. Dr. Casey told me it would be healthy to allow you to keep a small box of keepsakes." Crossing the room he picked up what looked like it could be a shoe box. "Here." With that Lionel went downstairs leaving Lex to finish the room.
Lex reached in to his carry on and felt the box, knowing that he had more then this hidden away. Sighing he closed the door and went downstairs where his father was waiting.
"You will see Lex, come fall you will be thanking me. Are you sure you have everything?"
"Yes, Father." He answered mechanically as he climbed into the limo. He didn't look back until after they passed the house where Kayla lived during the school year.
"Alfred," Bruce yelled as he walked into the Manor.
"Master Bruce, you really don't have to yell," Alfred said as he appeared at the top of the stairs.
"Sorry Alfred, just excited that's all." Bruce explained sitting down.
"Speaking of that, how are your grades?"
"A's as usual, like I would get any less when if I did I know I would have to stop training. Oh, guess what."
"Master Bruce I assure you that I have no idea what you are going to say," Alfred said patiently watching the excited boy.
"Kayla won the grand prize in Gotham's Art School's Junior Achievement Contest. She won a trip through Europe this summer."
"And how do you know this, if I remember correctly the winners aren't announced till next week."
"The votes are all in and I heard one of the teachers talking about it."
"I see, and will you be joining Miss Kayla on the trip?" Alfred teased seeing the blush crawl across Bruce's face.
"I may join her for a few days in France, so we can visit Lex."
"He is still insisting on that name?"
"Unfortunately yes."
"I want them to be here," Clark whined, gesturing for Pete to join him. Soon they were both chanting the same phrase over and over only changing the pitch of the whine.
Martha counted to ten several times, just as she was about to tell them to stop they all heard the sound of the truck coming down the road.
"Told you it would work," Clark said to Pete as he began to run down the road.
Kayla was waiting for him and managed to catch him before he could knock her down. "Soon you are going to be to big for this," she told him giving him a hug.
"Then I will pick you up," he whispered into her ear making sure no one would hear him.
"Hopefully not for another year at least." Putting him down she hugged Pete who was waiting for his turn before going to Martha.
"You got mail." Clark told her tugging on her arm. "Can we open it we never get mail."
"I send you things," Kayla teased sounding shocked.
"You don't count. You have to because you love me."
Rolling her eyes she nodded and the boys happily ran into the house arguing over who was going to open the envelope.
"I am so glad to be back," Kayla told Martha as Jonathan unloaded the truck.
"We are always glad when you come here." Martha assured the girl, "I made your favorite dinner since…"
"Kayla," Clark yelled from inside the house, "how do you spell winner?"
"W I N N E R," she spelled out going into the house.
"Told you so," she heard Clark gloat.
"You read it already," Pete decided.
" What is this about a winner?"
"You are maybe." Clark said looking confused. "How can you be a maybe winner?"
With shaking hands Kayla took the letter and read it over. Getting up she ran from the room looking for Martha and Jonathan. She found them in the kitchen.
"Guess what. No wait don't guess. Okay here is the story I entered this photography contest a few months ago. Apparently it is a real big deal and the prize is this trip to Europe all expensive paid but it is not a vacation it's a class. Well anyway I entered the contest as a joke because Lex and Bruce dared me. Otherwise I never would have—"
She was cut off by Jonathan's hand. "Breathe. How about we get the Reader's Digest version?"
"Entered a photography contest on a dare. Now I am a finalist. Award dinner is next week in Gotham."
"What was the thing about Europe?" Martha asked looking confused.
"That's the prize. The winner gets to accompany Gotham's Art School on their annual trip across Europe. The trip and stuff is free, the only thing they don't give you is spending money." She took a deep breath, "the class will count as actual credit for college as well."
"I don't know what to say," Jonathan said after a few minutes of silence.
"Say we can go to the dinner we have to R.V.S.P. by tomorrow."
"Of course we will go," Martha told her.
"Great I will reserve five seats."
"Five?" Martha and Jonathan asked.
"Yeap, you guys, Clark, Bruce and I. That was part of deal if I made it that far Bruce and Lex would come to the dinner."
"What about-" Martha started before being cut off by Jonathan.
"Why don't you call and get the seats. Then round up the boys so we can eat dinner."
"Thanks Jon," Kayla said before running back out of the room.
Three days later
"Hello, Alfred," a weary Lex spoke into the phone, "is Bruce there?"
"One moment, Master Lex," Afred said putting down the phone. A few seconds he heard the phone being picked back up.
"Hey, Lex, how's France treating you?"
"Before or after my luggage was lost?"
"I thought you took the Luthor jet."
"I did."
"Are you okay Lex?" Bruce asked worried by the silence.
"I'll survive. What did you find out about the contest?" Lex asked changing the subject.
"Kayla won!" Bruce informed him happily. "I can't wait to see her face at the…" his voice fell off as he realized what he was saying remembering their bet."
If Lex noticed he didn't say. He was quiet for a few moments before asking, "Could you do me a favor?"
"Whatever you need Lex, you know that."
"I'm going to send you some things. Important things, I need you to keep them safe for me."
"As long as you need me to." Bruce told him seriously.
"Thanks Bruce," Lex said sincerely. "When you get it look for Kayla's gift, it'll be wrapped in something. I have to go, I'll call again when I get a chance." Lex told him before hanging up. Making sure he wasn't being followed he crossed the street and went into the post office. Quickly he wrote a not for Kayla before wrapping something in it. Going over to the counter he mailed the box and picture to Bruce.