Lex sat down at his desk. His office was dim, the only light was coming in from the streets below. His staff had gone home for the evening to be with their families, something he would never do. Classical music played softly in the background, the glass of scotch that sat next to him was his only companion.

In his hands was a picture taken what seemed to be a lifetime ago. He hardly recognized the two people in it, one from loss and the other because he was now buried under years of pain and anger. It was getting harder for him to remember certain things about her; her laugh, her voice, the smell of her perfume as she ran past him when she was late for school. Then there were the things he'd never forget; the first time he held her after she was born how soft and pink she was and those big blue eyes, the way she would bounce on the balls of her feet when she was excited about something, basically because it used to annoy him but today he'd give anything to see it one more time, her favorite drink at Starbucks, the day she came to live with him. The way she could make him laugh even in his darkest of moods, he could put the fear of god in men twice his age but to one teenage girl he was just her brother, no one to be afraid of. And then there was the day she died her last words to him and how still she was in his arms, that day would never be forgotten. He continued to look at the picture taken of Lena and himself the day she graduated from Smallville High School, he had his arm around her and they were smiling, she was dressed in her red graduation robe and cap with gold honors cords around her neck holding her diploma in front of her chest as proof that she was finished, he was so proud of her she had survived life in Smallville, graduated with honors and was headed for Oxford in the fall.

Two weeks later she was dead and Clark Kent was to blame.

Sometimes on nights like tonight he wondered what would have happened if their father hadn't sent her to Smallville so many years ago, or him for that matter. Where would they be today? Would she be alive or was she meant to die young? Why her and not him? Why did the one good thing in his life have to be taken from him, and so violently for that matter? No one could answer those questions, not even him and he was Lex Luthor. But one thing remained clear in his mind. He wouldn't have traded his time with her for anything in the world even with the pain that killed him a bit more each day.

----Smallville Kansas August 28, 2004----

Alien Ant Farm's, Attitude, plays in the background

Lena Luthor had never been to Smallville. After what happened to Alex so many years ago she never wanted to go there and her mother never would have let her, plus from what he had told her about it lately it didn't seem like she was missing much. The crap factory was the hub for all commerce and crap being the most worthwhile thing in a town didn't bode well with her. Then it happened, she had been kicked out of her boarding school. It looked like she was going to make it there too, she'd been there for seven years and they'd only threatened to throw her out twice, she and her friends enjoyed getting into a small amount of trouble when they were in Boston. No boarding school would look at her after the incident though. Lionel had had enough of his youngest child's behavior, she wasn't a bad kid just a bit impulsive, and decided on more of a scared straight approach to the situation. He was sending her to live with her brother in Smallville, after all it straightened him out, and a year at public school should be enough to keep her on the straight and narrow through college, besides he needed to show a bit more responsibility. Plus she worshipped Alex so she shouldn't be a disciplinary problem.

Well shouldn't is the operative in that sentence. Not to say that Lena was a bad kid, she just had a tendency to act before thinking and when you invert those two processes the consequences can be quite explosive, especially with her temper it was classic Luthor. Like what happened to get her kicked out of school, she had almost literally burnt it down because of an argument with her friends that most certainly got out of hand. She threw a hymnal at her ex-boyfriend's head after choir, missed, and sent a candelabra into a drapery that was not at all flame retardant. The schools' chapel went up like a torch starting a chain reaction throughout a few buildings. Luckily no one got hurt but that damage cost millions in repairs and rebuilding fees.

She stared out of the helicopter window at her future, corn, corn and more corn. "I've died and gone to green acres," she mumbled morosely. Oh yeah this was a happening place alright, she could literally feel herself dying from the boredom and she wasn't even on the ground yet. She'd tried to bribe the pilot to take her anywhere but Smallville before they even took off but he couldn't be bought, she mumbled something about 'Damn honest employees,' sat back in her seat and turned her silver Ipod mini on so she could sulk in peace. She just needed to see her brother and everything would be fine. Alex always made things right.

When they touched down she stepped out of the helicopter and surveyed the grounds around her, her sunglasses protected her eyes from the unobstructed sun as she looked around. She said, "Thanks dad," in an annoyed tone then headed inside to find her brother. The castle was massive but she navigated it pretty well. She found him alright, working in his office buried under paperwork. She cleared her throat before speaking up. "Excuse me but I'm looking for my brother, and I know you're not him because he knows Saturdays are for cartoons, Lucky Charms and hangovers not working." Her tone was light.

Lex's attention was immediately ripped from the spreadsheet on his screen and to the young woman walking toward him. He couldn't get over how much she'd grown in three years, he'd seen the pictures she sent him in e-mail but they didn't do the real thing any justice. His baby sister was turning into a woman, well not if he had anything to say about it. "Lena I wasn't expecting you until this evening."

"Yeah well dad decided to surprise you by shipping me off early. Oh wait. Surprise!" She threw her hands in the air like it was a surprise party and he was the guest of honor.

He chuckled and grabbed her up in a bear hug. "I'm so glad you're here."

She reciprocated the gesture. "Thanks. Seems like you're the only one who will take me lately."

He let her go before she stopped breathing because he was squeezing so hard. "Oh it's not that bad."

"Alex I burnt down a church and the better part of a school! The only people who do that wear white sheets and ride around in the middle of the night! You should have seen dad though, he almost had a coronary." She smirked at the memory of her father's rage.

"Did he do that thing where his nostrils flare and the vein in his forehead sticks out?"

"Oh yeah and he kept rubbing at his beard, I swear I thought he was going to rub that thing off."

"Well that vein is mine. It popped out the first time I got into serious trouble."

"Alright let's stop comparing ways we've nearly killed dad, because you'll always win, and you show me around this cow town."

"I really want to but can it wait two hours I have tons of paperwork to get through."

"No!"

"Lena come on." He pleaded.

"Alex it's Saturday and I'm in Smallville. Home of the crap factory and an excessive amount of corn. Take me out right now or I'm taking one of the cars and doing it myself."

"Your car's in the garage already."

She crossed her arms over her chest and cocked her hip out. "I want to take the Lotus."

"No, it's too much car for you."

"Who's gonna stop me, you?" She raised her right eyebrow, in challenge.

"I don't want you driving that car." His tone was serious.

"Then stop acting like an adult and be my brother."

"Two hours."

"Now."

They enjoyed their banter.

A wicked smile crossed her face.

"What are you thinking?" Lex asked suspiciously.

"Nothing." She quickly side stepped him and ran to the computer.

"Lena, Lena don't touch that!" He called after her.

"What am I gonna do, break it?" She quickly saved his spreadsheets and closed it down.

By the time he got to his desk the computer was off. "Alright but we're not staying out all afternoon, I do have to get some work done before Monday."

"Yeah because the boss 'll fire you if it's late." She said sarcastically.

"Have you met dad? He just may."

She just rolled her eyes in reply.

He sighed in defeat. "Fine let's go. I could use some coffee anyway."

----Downtown Smallville----

Lena was surprised at how long it took to get from the castle to downtown, even with the way her brother drove. On their way in they had a conversation about summer, she had spent her summer visiting perspective colleges and she had found one she loved. Oxford, in England.

They were walking from the car to the Talon she had heard so much about when her cell phone rang, it was Lionel so she had to pick up. "You go ahead I'll be a minute. It's el duche"

"Alright." He disappeared through the doors.

After a brief yet tense conversation with her father Lena was more then happy to be getting some coffee, maybe she'd find some Baileys to put in it. When she walked through the doors she tried to find her brother but he was nowhere in sight. She saw two friendly looking girls talking at the counter and decided to ask if they knew where her brother was. The one sitting in front of the counter was blonde and, presumably, about the same height as her. The girl standing behind the counter with the apron on had brown hair and probably knew who her brother was because she worked for him.

Chloe heard the door chime and turned around, hoping it was Pete. What she saw though surprised her. A girl whom she'd never seen before walked in, and that was a rarity in Smallville. She looked out of place yet familiar and Chloe couldn't put her finger on why, and now she was headed toward her and Lana.

"Excuse me but I was wondering if either of you had seen my brother. He walked in here a few minutes ago."

"We just got through with a rush. Everyone kind of blurs together. What's he look like?" Lana tried to help.

"About six feet tall and bald. I believe he owns this building."

Both girls jaws dropped when they realized who she was describing.

Chloe closed her mouth only to have it open and no words come out. She took a breath and tried again. "Y-you mean Lex Luthor?"

"Yeah, Alex is my brother. And I take it you have idea who I am." She smiled. "I'm Lena Luthor, I just moved here from Boston."

"Hi, I'm Chloe Sullivan and this is Lana Lang."

"Hi."

"I thought the Luthors were from Metropolis." Lana looked confused.

Lena nodded in the affirmative. "We are, but I've been going to school in Boston for the last seven years."

"O-oh. Well Lex is in the office. I can get him for you."

"No that's alright. I'm sure he'll be out in a minute."

Chloe was raring to go, a new Luthor in town was pretty good gossip. "So Lena what brings you to Smallville? I mean Boston has to be a hundred times better then here."

"Well it is. But things just got too complicated there, and my father decided sending me here would straighten me out, or bore me to death. I'm really not sure which one he had in mind."

Chloe and Lana just smirked. "Give it time and you'll see how un-boring things can be around here."

"Chloe are you trying to scare my sister into leaving?" Lex asked as he walked up next to her.

"No I'm telling her the truth. This place is a haven for meteor freaks and whack jobs with an axe to grind."

"What the hell is a meteor freak?" Lena asked, Alex had never mentioned meteors or freaks to her before.

"It's nothing. Chloe just has a theory."

"A theory! Lex you've seen it yourself, this town, those rocks change people. Don't tell me you're buying into this conspiracy too!"

"So anyway Lena are you going to be attending Smallville High next year?" Lana changed the subject.

"Unfortunately."

"It's not that bad. Once you get used to it."

"I'm sure." Her tone showed she was not convinced.

"Have either of you seen Clark? I figured he'd be here."

"Oh, they went to Metropolis to see his grandpa."

"He's getting along with Mr. Kent?"

Lena was getting annoyed. They were talking about people and things she didn't know about and Alex was definitely keeping something from her.

"Someone mind telling me what's going on here?"

"Nothing. Chloe, Lana it was good seeing you but we have to be getting home."

"We just got here." She protested in disappointment.

"Well I have work to do."

"Fine." She was too tired to argue.

"Lena why don't you stay here with us?" Chloe suggested.

"Are you sure?" She asked.

"It's no problem. We could tell you the ins and outs of Smallville High."

"That sounds like a good idea, thanks."

"Oh and I can take you home. I have to come by later to do the books anyway."

"Sounds good to me. Lena I'll see you tonight."

"Okay."

The girls hung out at the coffee shop all afternoon and chatted about various things. Lana and Chloe were still astonished that Lex had kept his sister a secret for three years. She was upset that he had kept her a secret and even madder at him for keeping his friends a secret. Why would he do such a thing to her? He was obviously doing much better here than in Metropolis, why would he keep that progress from her? Something was definitely wrong with this picture and she'd find out exactly what.

----The next day----

It was Sunday, exactly one day before Lena started at Smallville high. She officially hated the town and the only two decent people were Lana and Chloe, other than them the town could burn as far as she was concerned. The few people she met either immediately kissed her ass or disdained her entire being when they learned who she was. School was going to be a pleasurable experience.

Clark walked into Lex's office Sunday. "Hey Lex I got your message to come over. What's up?"

"Nothing. Follow me Clark." Lex motioned for Clark to follow as he walked out of the room.

Clark wasn't all that impressed when they arrived at the pool, after all he had swam there a number of times since Lex moved to Smallville, but he humored Lex. They stopped in the entrance because someone was obviously using the facilities. There was a girl standing on the high dive with her back to them, she was wearing a two piece speedo type suit with her hair in a tight French braid. A man stood on the floor below talking to her.

"Alright keep your body stiff and tuck your chin."

"I know I've been doing this since I was 5."

"Well then do it right and we won't and we won't be having these conversations."

"I beg to differ."

"I want a Back Flying 1 ½ summersault. Can you do that, correctly?"

"Yes, and I can do that, correctly. Can you crawl out of my ass a smidge? You're getting a bit heavy." Clark bit back a laugh at the girl, whoever she was.

"Do it!"

"I'm doing it!" And she did just that, springing off the board and performing her dive with grace and ease. She came up and wiped the water out of her eyes, not noticing her audience, swam to the edge and got out of the pool. "And you worried."

"Your finish is off."

"You're crazy." She snatched the towel out of his hand and toweled off before wrapping it around her waist.

He shook his head. "I will see you next week. Practice on your own."

"Always do."

He walked out and met up with Lex as he walked toward them. "She is talented but stubborn."

"I'll make sure to bring it up with her."

The coach left and they continued toward her. Clark was appreciating the backside of this beauty when she suddenly turned around. The front was even more stunning than the back, big deep blue eyes, full lips, very nice chest, hard taught stomach, beautiful curves. Her well toned body had a nice tan, he could see her tan lines peaking out on her shoulders.

"Hey Alex. What's up?"

"Lena, this is Clark Kent. Clark this is my sister, Lena Luthor. Our father sent her here to finish high school."

"Dad has a wicked sense of humor."

He lost the grin and his jaw dropped to the floor with a crash, 'I was oogling Lex's sister, yeah I'm definitely going to hell,' he thought. His face turned a deep crimson. "H-hi." He awkwardly stuck his hand out to shake hers.

She smirked the trademark Luthor smirk and shook his hand.

'Yeah she definitely resembles Lex.' He thought.

"Clark Kent. I've heard about you." She waited for him to let go but he just kept staring at her. "Um can I have my hand back?"

"Oh yeah, sorry." He quickly let go and shoved his hands in his pockets. "S-so who told you about me?"

"Your friends Lana and Chloe."

"Oh. What'd they say?" What they had to say could either go very well for him or very bad.

"Basically that you're tall and you blush a lot."

This caused him to turn even more red. "Yeah, they say I'll grow out o it in a few years."

She looked up at him and quirked an eyebrow, yet another Luthorian trait. "I think it's kinda cute."

"Oh." His voice rose a few octaves. He quickly cleared it. "Well I have to get home. Lots of stuff to do before school starts."

Lex was enjoying Clark's torture more than any friend should but it was just too funny. "Are you sure Clark? I mean we could play pool or something."

"No I really have a lot of chores to catch up on, we were in Metropolis all weekend." Truth be told he had finished his chores half an hour after he got home but he really needed to leave before he embarrassed himself.

"Sure."

"So I'll see you on the bus tomorrow?"

"No. I drive. Why don't I pick you up, say 7:00."

"Sure that'd be great. It beats riding in Chloe's bug. Bye." He rushed out of the room at human speed but super sped home as soon as he hit the driveway.

"So he goes to my school, this may not be such a bad year after all, especially if all the guys look like that."

"I wouldn't get my hopes too high. Your two new friends, Chloe and Lana have been pining over him for awhile now and I don't think they'd take too kindly to you honing in on it their senior year. Besides he has had a serious Lana jones for some time now."

"Ah but it's my senior year too. And I have one thing going for me that they don't have."

"What's that?"

"I'm a Luthor, and Luthors get what Luthors want. It's the one valuable thing dad taught me."

"Really? Mine was never sleep with someone's wife if you can't crush them."

"That's disturbing, gross and just plain wrong."

"So is my little sister going after my best friend."

"I though Lex Luthor the loner badass didn't have friends, let alone best friends. Has country life changed you?"

"You might say that. Seriously be careful with Clark. He's a nice kid but you could get really hurt."

"I can take care of myself but thanks for looking out for me."

"Well you're my little sister. I have to."

----Kent farm----

Clark came rushing in the back door and almost knocked his mom over.

"Slow down there or someone's going or get hurt." She said holding a tray of cookies.

"Sorry mom. Where's dad?" He had a worried look on his face.

"He's out in the field but he should be back in a minute."

"Okay. Can I have a cookie?"

"Of course. Here." She handed him the tray.

Jonathan came in. "There you are, Clark. Do you think you could come back and help your old dad fix the fence in the back field."

"Yeah sure." He stopped to formulate his thoughts. "Umm you guys. Something kinda happened at Lex's."

"What's wrong sweetheart? Is Lex alright?" Martha asked.

"Is someone trying to kill him again?"

"No, nothing like that. Lex has a sister."

Martha and Jonathan both looked shocked.

Jonathan spoke first. "Well I don't think that's a call for concern son."

"Yeah, Lex is a very private person. We don't know everything about him."

"I just...He's kept her a secret for so long. She seems normal."

"I think for once you're the one overreacting." Jonathan said amused.

"Maybe. I just don't like not knowing about her. She is really pretty though. She's driving me to school tomorrow."

"How old is she?" Martha asked.

"My age. Lionel sent her here, I think he's trying to do with her what he did with Lex."

"Well son I'd like to tell you nothing's wrong but if Lionel did send her here he may be using her for his own motives. Just be careful around her."

"I will be dad. I think she likes me."

"Clark you have known this girl for five minutes."

"I know mom. She said she thought it was cute that I blushed."

"It's the Kent charm Martha. It works fast."

She shook her head. "You two." She paused for a second. "Seriously Clark be careful with her. She's his little sister. If you hurt her heart Lex may not be so forgiving."

"I will mom."