After finishing his nightly rounds in and around Metropolis Clark flew back to his apartment. He discarded his disguise into the hamper and had a quick shower, he needed to wash away the day, if only he could do the same with the last 6 years then he'd be onto something.

As he nursed a beer and stared out the 5th floor window of his apartment at the city below he thought of how he got here. Lex hated him, Pete was some big shot at city hall in Gotham so they hardly ever spoke and when they did it was only because Clark was on assignment, Lana finally got on a plane and left for Paris never looking back he hadn't seen her since it all happened, Chloe was still around and she always would be, she worked at the Planet with Clark and her cousin Lois. They had dinner together at least once a week but things had changed. There was too much water under the bridge, too many things that had to be left unsaid and too much shared pain to reflect on. But they were in it together, whether it was a good thing or a bad thing he didn't know.

He didn't know why he became a reporter, maybe Chloe's incessant need for the truth all those years ago in Smallville had finally rubbed off on him, maybe because writing always came easy to him, maybe because a journalism scholarship was how he made it through college, maybe because journalism let him keep tabs on Lex while aiding in his night job. There were thousands of reasons and no reason at the same time.

But there was one reason he became Superman. She had Chloe's wit, Lex's smarts, Lana's vulnerability and his heart, she had him captivated from the moment he laid eyes on her. And she was dead because he didn't get to her in time. When Clark met Lena he knew she was unlike anyone he had ever met. She had no agenda, she didn't want anything from anyone, except maybe acceptance and even that she could live without, and she would do anything in her power to make sure people she cared for never felt an ounce of pain, especially her brother, even if that meant she had to suffer the consequences. Losing her nearly killed him and it destroyed Lex and Clark never wanted anyone to feel that kind of pain ever again, so he made it his mission to make sure he would save everyone he possibly could from that same fate. Lena Luthor's death would not be in vain, not as long as Clark Kent was around. And Clark Kent was going to be around for a very long time.


The first day of school is always hard when you're the new kid. When you're a Luthor the difficulty of that task increases ten fold.

6:00 in the morning came way too early for Lena's taste so she hit her buzzer until 6:25 when she finally rolled out of bed and got dressed. By the time she was finished getting ready she only had 10 minutes to get to Clark's and still be on time for school, not that she wanted to go but that was another story. She breezed into the dining room, nearly concussing Lex with her backpack as she went past him to grab a bagel and her coffee.

"Good morning to you too." He said dryly, not looking up from his paper.

She didn't even sit down. "I really don't have time for witty banter this morning Alex. I have 8 minutes to get to Clark's. And I really need this coffee. Plus I have to eat my bagel in the car on the way." She downed her cup in 3 mouthfuls and smeared some cream cheese on her bagel.

He just smiled.

"What's that look for?"

"Nothing."

"Liar."

"Don't you have somewhere to be?"

"Shut up. I'm going. Bye."

"Bye. Have a good day."

"Thanks, you too."

"Highly unlikely but thanks."

"K, I'm really leaving." She gave him a kiss on the forehead, leaving a lip gloss smudge, and ran out the door, shouting, "Wash off your forehead before you go to work," behind her.

When she got into her car she noticed a brown paper bag sitting on the passenger seat. "Brown bag lunch, how quaint." She said dryly as she turned the key in the ignition and sped off toward the Kent's house.

Martha Kent looked out the kitchen window and saw a midnight blue BMW M3 convertible speed into her driveway. "Clark Lena is here!" She called to her son who was STILL getting ready, if he didn't have super speed he'd never make it anywhere on time. "Get moving before you're actually late."

"So she's the new Luthor in town huh?" Jonathan asked as he came up behind Martha and they watched Lena get out of the car and walk toward the house.

"She's a pretty girl and a Luthor. This shouldn't take too long to get out of hand." Martha said concerned for the young girl, she did not belong in a place like Smallville it was too easy for her to get hurt or worse. Lena knocked on the backdoor and was quickly let in by Martha. "Hi. I'm Clark's mom."

"Hi Mrs. Kent. I'm Lena."

"I'm Clark's dad." Jonathan said as he walked up next to his wife extending a hand to Lena.

"Hi Mr. Kent." Lena said tentatively as she shook his hand.

"Your brother told you to fear me didn't he?" Jonathan said, taking in the shell shocked look on the girl's face.

"Yes, very much. I believe the words duck and cover were used."

"Nice job with the punctuality. When I called last night your brother said you were anal retentive about being on time." Clark joked as he came downstairs.

"I over slept and I've only had one cup of coffee. This is not a time to joke. Are you ready?"

"Yeah, mom can I have my lunch money?"

"I packed your lunch already."

"Oh cool, thanks." Clark grabbed his lunch off the counter and kissed his mom bye and said bye to his dad.

Lena wished she could kiss her mom bye before she left for school.

"So are you ready for your first day at Smallville High?" Clark asked as they walked to the car.

"Oh yeah, I can't wait." Lena said sarcastically.

"It won't be that bad." Clark tried to reassure her as they got in the car and went to school.

Lena let it go, not wanting to have the conversation and fly off the handle first thing in the morning. "Can you look in my lunch and see if there's anything to drink in there? I'm thirsty."

"Yeah sure." Clark opened her lunch. "There's a Dr. Pepper in here."

"No water?"

"No."

"Grrr, damn. I'll just get one at school. There is a vending machine at school right?"

"No, we drink out of a well." Clark deadpanned.

Lena just chuckled. "Okay I may have some preconceived notions about Smallville."

"Thank you. Yes we do have a soda machine, but you can grab one from the Torch, Chloe keeps the fridge stocked. There may even be some Red Bull in there if she's been ambitious this week, and in need of a caffeine rush."

"Cool. Thanks. I really don't think I'd be driving to school if I didn't have someone going with me."

"Where else would you be driving to?"

"As far away from here as humanly possible."

"Smallville isn't that bad. And most people will probably forget that whole evil Luthor thing when they meet you." Clark tried to joke.

She just gripped the steering wheel even tighter and sent an uneasy glare his way as she tired to breathe through her anxiety.

"Or not." They sat in silence for the next few miles.

"Are you looking through my lunch?" Lena asked with a smile when she heard a bag rustle.

"Yeah, just seeing what the other half brown bags it. Sushi, maybe a quiche lorainne?"

"What do you think this is Clark, the breakfast club?" Lena asked with a chuckle. "You are disturbing the harmony of my lunch mister. It's gonna get all smushed."

"Oh. Hey there's a note in here."

"Let me see that." She took the note from him and glanced at it as she drove. She smiled as she read it then folded it and put it in her pocket. She felt a little more at ease after reading it.

"Who was it from?"

"My brother. He must have put it in there when he packed my lunch."

Clark barked out a laugh. "Lex Luthor packed your lunch, that's funny."

"I'm not lying." She wasn't but she was still having trouble keeping a straight face. "And you can't tell him I told you or he'll kill me."

"I highly doubt that. I'm still getting over the mental image of Lex making a bologna sandwich."

"Peanut butter and jelly with the crusts cut off." She corrected him lightly.

They laughed even louder.


School

Lena whipped her car into the first available spot in the senior lot and she and Clark hurried into school. She got a few glances here and there but no one said anything to her. She hoped they were all wondering who the chick was with Clark and not 'oh my god another Luthor' because after all this was a small town and word traveled fast as do bullets and knives.

"I have to go to the office to drop some forms off first so I guess I'll see you later."

"It's straight down this hall and to the left."

"Thanks Clark, later."

Pete walked up to Clark as Lena walked away and they walked to their lockers together. "First day and you already got a girl, how do you do it Clark?" He asked, never taking his eyes off the rear end of the girl.

"Believe me we're not dating."

He turned to Clark once she disappeared from sight. "Well then step aside, who is the new hottie that you'll be ignoring this year in favor of Lana?"

"You really want to know Pete?" Clark asked with a smirk, he knew the news could quite possibly kill his friend right on the spot.

"Yeah, I mean it would be nice to know the name of the future Mrs. Pete Ross."

"Her name's Lena, Lena Luthor."

Pete's smile quickly left in favor of his jaw hitting the floor. "What, like a distant cousin or something?"

"No, as in sister of Lex daughter of Lionel."

"No, no way man. There is no way someone that hot could come from that family. It is not humanly possible!"

"Afraid so."

"Life is not fair!"

Clark just chuckled.

"What's not fair?" Lana asked as she came over to open her locker.

"Why does Luthor have to have such a hot sister?" Pete asked, still pouting.

"I see you've met Lena." Lana said with a smirk.

"It's not funny."

"Yes it is. You were completely enamored with her ten seconds ago and now that you know she shares genes with Lex your life has no meaning." Clark said.

"How come I'm always the last one to find stuff out around here?" Pete asked.

"Because you're always conveniently not around." Lana joked.

"Haha, well Lucy, Ricky if you're done mocking me we have a class to get to."

Lana and Clark rolled their eyes as they followed Pete to first period.

Mrs. Kringle was half way through role call when a name on her list made her think she was seeing things. "Lana Lang."

"Here." Lana raised her hand and turned back to her conversation with Chloe.

"Lena Lu-Luthor." The room went dead silent, no answer. "Lena Luthor?"

"Someone check the river for a Porche." Some random smart ass yelled out, making most of the class laugh, except for Chloe, Lana and Clark.

Pete was laughing when Clark silenced him with a glare. "What? Come on man it's funny."

Clark didn't say anything he just glared.

"Fine." Pete lowered his voice and leaned in to talk to Clark. "I only stopped because I was afraid you'd set me on fire."

Clark shook his head and chuckled, he'd gotten more relaxed about talking about his abilities with Pete, plus the room was in total chaos. At least until the door opened revealing a brunette in a jean skirt and form fitting tank top.

"Lena Luthor?" Mrs. Kringle asked the girl in the doorway.

"Yes."

"You're late." She said tersely.

"I was in the office. I have a note." She handed it to her.

"Welcome to AP English. There's an open seat next to Ms. Lang. Lana raise your hand."

"I know who Lana is." Lena said dismissively and took the seat.

Mrs. Kringle kept going through the attendance list.

"Hey what's up you look pissed off?" Chloe leaned over and whispered.

"This stupid school is so backwards." Lena whispered back. "They tried to change my schedule and put me in regular classes because they 'lost' my transcripts. Needless to say a quick call to my father fixed that, the new lab equipment is coming next week."

"Well where are your transcripts?"

"I don't know. My old school is quite disinclined to get things done expediently for me but they should be here later. Barring natural disaster and like a stampede."

Lana chuckled.

Chloe shook her head. "Oh. Let's see your schedule."

Lena passed her schedule to Chloe and Lana.

"Cool we have all our classes together."

"Ms. Sullivan, Ms. Luthor I don't think you need to be reminded that this is not a good way to start the school year. You're seniors act like it. And Ms. Luthor I don't know how things were at your old school but your father's money will not keep you in my favor or that of any other teacher in this school."

Lena was not about to be singled out by a teacher and made an example of on the first day, especially in this crap town. "And your degree will not garner respect from me until you prove I know less about literature than you do. Which I highly doubt. So how about this, I'll come to class and do my work and you can pretend you know a thing or two about literature. I won't let on that that you have no idea what you're talking about and you leave me alone." A few students snickered but most sat in awe of Lena's ballsiness.

"I believe you know where the office is."

Lena got up and started for the door. "Chloe save me a seat in physics." Then disappeared behind it.

"Damn." Pete breathed.

"Pete you can't handle her." Clark whispered.

"I know. But still, damn."

After missing Physics due to the long line of students, either with a wrong schedule or disciplinary problems, Lena was let off with a stern warning and went to her Economics class. Sure senior Econ could be thought of as a blow off class, which yeah it was, when your dad owns one of the biggest companies in the world, not to mention that the life blood of the town you now reside in, but she was okay with that decision. And her teacher who everyone referred to as Mr. John. He was a good guy, in his late twenties, single, one of the most popular teachers at the school actually, and one of the first people in the godforsaken place that didn't piss her off or appear to be inbred.

He was calling out attendance and came to Lena's name. "Lena Luthor?" He looked up waiting for a hand to shoot up.

"Here." A voice mumbled from behind Clark. Lena wasn't in the mood to be made a spectacle of again.

"I'm sorry I can't see whomever that is behind Clark. Clark could you please lean to the side?" Mr. John asked in his usual joking way.

Clark did as was asked and leaned giving Mr. John a view of Lena. Lena's face turned red as she sank lower in her seat.

"Lena Luthor I presume?" Mr. John asked as he walked up to her desk.

"Yeah." Lena said, barely above a whisper.

"Nice to meet you." Mr. John stuck his hand out to shake hers.

She shook politely and gave a small smile.

"A little word of advice, Mr. Kent makes a better door than a window. I was working on my Masters Degree at MetU when your brother was there."

Lena choked out an, "Oh," with a worried look on her face. People who knew Alex in college could harbor a grudge or two against him.

"Don't worry, we got along well. He's a good guy, you could learn a lot about business from him. Tell him I said hi."

Lena just nodded her head.

Then with a last smile he walked back to the front of the room to finish roll and start class and hand out syllabi.

Chloe leaned forward on her elbows and whispered in Lena's ear. "Teacher's pet." She teased.

Lena just chuckled. "Jealous?"

"Don't you know it."

"Alright folks this is senior economics class. Now a word to the wise I am not teaching you to do your parents taxes, or how to make a million dollars before you're twenty. We are learning how a business works and how to follow a business model. Throughout the semester you will be broken into teams of 5 and you will have to start your own corporation. In lieu of tests you will be making bi-weekly presentations and at the end of the semester your corporation will present and turn in a portfolio accounting for your progress throughout the semester. The rules and goals are in your syllabi. Any questions?"

The same smart ass from English had a comment to make right away. "Yeah is it really fair to let a Luthor work on the project? I mean she's just going to take over everyone else's companies and fire all the employees."

Lena just rolled her eyes and bit her tongue, while mentally she was envisioning him with his head lopped off.

Clark was about to unload on the guy when Chloe spoke up. "My you're witty Andrew. You're just jealous because she's smarter than you're entire family. Then again not everyone's lucky enough to have their uncle and dad be the same person. I bet you save tons of money on birthday cards." This time everyone laughed.

"You are so dead Sullivan."

"Oh I'm shaking." Chloe said sarcastically.

"Chloe, Andrew cut it out." Mr. John warned them.

Luckily for everyone the bell rang before a fight broke out. Unfortunately where teachers ruled in the classroom chaos and mob rule were at work in the halls.

Andrew and his idiotic friends decided to follow Lena and Chloe all the way to the Torch office, giving them crap the entire way.

"Hey Sullivan what does someone have to do to get on that little wall of weird of yours?"

Chloe stopped and turned around to face her tormentor. "Well Gus, in your case I'd need proof that you have higher brain function."

Lena stood next to her and chuckled.

"I don't know what you're laughing about Luthor, if anyone's a joke around here it's you and your entire family." Andrew took another dig at Lena.

"Says the boy with frosted tips. Not only are those so 2 years ago, but they weren't even that cool then."

"At least I have hair. Unlike that freak brother of yours. He's completely bald right?" He said with a smirk.

Lena's face darkened, and she balled up her fists at her sides. "Don't talk about my brother."

"Uhoh 'Drew, looks like the little princess is pissed off."

"Whatcha gonna do about it, call that bald, freak brother of yours?"

"I will give you one last chance to Take. It. Back."

"What's wrong he won't come protect you he's probably off somewhere boning Kent."

Andrew and his friends looked at each other and laughed.

"Lena let it go, he's not worth it." Chloe tried to calm her friend.

Lena ignored her and got right in Andrew's face. "You are going to be very sorry you ever crossed my path."

"Really, and what are you going to do about it girly?" He said as he pushed her right shoulder with two of his fingers.

"You just made the biggest mistake of your life." Lena dropped her backpack, punched him in the nose, grabbed his wrist, twisted it behind his back and threw him against a locker, all the while applying more and more pressure to his wrist and arm.

The scene caught the attention of a few students milling about in the halls and a few classrooms full of students and teachers. One of the teachers grabbed Lena and another grabbed Andrew.

"What is going on here!" One of them yelled at the two.

Neither answered.

"Mr. Levins, Mr. Garret do you have any insight into this situation?" Neither answered, knowing what would happen to them. "Then I suggest the 2 of you get to class NOW!" The boys scrambled down the hall. "Ms. Sullivan you're being oddly quiet, do you have anything to say?"

Lena shot her a warning glance.

Chloe shrugged. "Um no, I just came out here and saw this."

"Then I suggest you get back to the paper."

"Ok then." Chloe grabbed Lena's backpack and scurried off into the Torch office.

Lena nodded her head in a 'thank you' gesture.


An hour later

Andrew and Lena sat in front of Principal Reynold's desk waiting for their respective parental figures to show up. Lena sat back in her chair with her legs crossed, glaring at Andrew who was holding an ice pack to his nose which had finally stopped bleeding.

Andrew's mom came through the door followed by Lex. Lena let out a sigh of relief when she say her brother walk in as opposed to her father. Lionel would not be up for her antics so early in the school year.

"Mrs. Jacobs, Mr. Luthor I'm sorry we have to meet so early in the school year under these circumstances." Principal Reynolds said as he shook their hands. Everyone got seated and Principal Reynolds started the meeting. "Now we usually do not have problems with Andrew so today's sudden outburst in the hall seems quite out of character for him. And Lena, while we are impressed with your academic record and your standardized test scores, thus far I don't need to tell you this is not the way to start off at a new school. Seeing the principal twice in one day, both for disciplinary action, set a bad precedent."

"She's been down here once already?" Lex asked shocked.

"Yes, it seems she and Mrs. Kringle had a butting of heads this morning. I was going to let it go but this situation can not be dealt with in the same way."

"She broke my nose." Andrew tried to get her into more trouble.

"Want me to do it again?"

"Lena not now." Lex had to wrangle her in before she broke something else.

"Anyway. I hate to do this so early in the school year but we have a zero tolerance policy in regards to fighting. They are both being suspended for the remainder of today and tomorrow."

"What's that going to do to me for football practice?"

"I'm sorry Andrew. I'll talk to coach, but you are out for the rest of the week, and you need to have that nose checked out first."

"Thanks a lot." He snapped at Lena.

"Anytime." She replied coolly.

"According to Mr. John Andrew is not entirely innocent here. Andrew were you making disparaging remarks toward Lena and Chloe Sullivan earlier in the day?" Mr. Reynolds asked.

"Andrew is this true?" His mother admonished him, while looking sheepishly toward the Luthor siblings.

"It wasn't my idea mom I swear."

"Andrew this is unacceptable behavior. Mr. Luthor I am so sorry that my son treated your sister so harshly."

"Really Mrs. Jacobs it's not your fault." Lex tired to reassure her. "And I will pay for any of Andrew's medical expenses that my sister caused."

"Oh that's not necessary."

"I insist." Lex said in a tone that signaled the subject was not up for discussion.

"What is this going to do to me for trying out for the swim team?"

"Swim team tryouts aren't until next week, so you are fine. But I do not want to have any more incidents like this one." The office secretary came in on the intercom.

"Principal Reynolds Mr. Luthor is here."

"Yes Mrs. Keeting I am speaking with him right now."

"No sir, the other Mr. Luthor." Lena's jaw dropped. "I had to call both because I couldn't get through to either of them on the first try."

"Well show him in."

"Actually his helicopter is just landing."

"Where?"

"On the football field."

"Very well then."

Lena pinched the bridge of her nose. "Oh this can't be good."

A few minutes later Lionel walked into the office in all his glory. "Principal Reynolds I hadn't anticipated a meeting so early in the school year."

Principal Reynolds got up and shook Lionel's hand. "Neither had I sir, I am sorry you had to come down here in the middle of the day."

Lionel chuckled. "Oh it's alright, the things we do for our children." Lena and Lex shared a look. Lionel regarded his children for the first time. "Lena, Lex good afternoon."

"Always a pleasure dad." Lex said in his normal tone.

"Lena what have you done this time?"

"Good afternoon to you too father." Lena said coolly, she was still pissed at Lionel for shipping her here.

"Well Mr. Luthor we were just finishing up here. It seems that an earlier confrontation in class escalated in the hall way and Lena may have broke Andrew's nose. The exact facts concerning the situation are still hazy, no one's taking full responsibility or denying what happened. But since the situation became physical both of them are being suspended until Wednesday."

"Very well. Lena I don't have to tell you how disappointed I am in you. I do not expect to have to deal with situations like this in the future. Do you understand me?"

"Yes." Lena ground out through gritted teeth.

"Very good. Alexander I trust you will be taking care of the young man's medical expenses."

"Already taken care of dad." Lex said dryly.

"Well I think everything has been taken care of here today. Lena, Andrew I will see the two of you before class Wednesday morning. Mr. Luthor, Mr. Luthor, Mrs. Jacobs, again I am sorry to have disturbed you so early in the day and the school year." Mr. Reynolds showed everyone out of his office.

Andrew and his mom left and the Luthors were leaving as well.

"I left my backpack at the Torch, I'll be back in a minute." Lena said and ran off toward the Torch office.

"Hey." Chloe said shocked when Lena ran through the door. "What's the verdict?"

"We're both suspended until Wednesday." She said walking over to the couch and grabbing her backpack.

"That's total crap. Did you tell principal Reynolds what Andrew and his friends were saying about your brother and all the crap before that and that he shoved you?" Chloe said outraged.

"Chloe I know you're right. But the fact is I still hit him and it wouldn't have gotten me less of a punishment, it would have just hurt my brother. I'd rather take the suspension than hurt him. It's bad enough my dad got called down here, and actually showed up." Lena finished with an eye roll.

"Your dad's here?" Chloe said astonished.

"What you didn't see the helicopter?"

"I so do not envy you right now. I'll see you Wednesday I guess."

"Yeah. Oh can you take Clark home today and be his ride tomorrow too?"

"Sure."

"Thanks Chloe, and thanks for before."

"No problem."

Lena gave a wave and headed back to where her father and brother were waiting for her.

When Lena got back they were arguing in the parking lot next to Lex's car.

"Lex if I can't trust you to handle a 17 year old girl how can I be expected to trust you with my company?"

"She's not a '17 year old girl' dad she's your daughter! If you spent more time with her you'd know that! And I didn't send her off to beat up jocks. He obviously did something to piss her off and she wasn't going to take it! Try praising her for standing up for herself rather than yelling at me for it!"

"I don't need to spend time with her to know she has a bad temper and a bad attitude. That is all your influence!"

"How can it be my influence? You have made it your mission to keep us as far apart as possible!"

"That's because you needed to find direction and get off that path of self destruction before dragging your sister down with you! If she has not straightened out by the end of this year you are going to be in serious jeopardy of losing everything, including your job!"

"She is a person not stock! You can't make my life contingent on Lena's moods!"

They stopped talking when they saw Lena walk up. "Is that all I am dad? Another one of your tests? Like if I don't wind up in jail or expelled Alex gets a raise?"

"Lena I didn't mean…"

"Yes you did, you just didn't want me to hear it! Go back to Metropolis and leave us alone!"

"I can see I've worn out my welcome for today." Lionel walked off toward his helicopter.

"Get in the car now!" Lex ground out through a clenched jaw.

Lena did what she was told and Lex slammed her door, almost catching her foot in it.

Lex got in on his side, he gripped the steering wheel as he spoke. "IT IS THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL LENA!"

"I'm aware of that." Lena said calmly.

"NO, NO SMART ASS REMARKS!"

"Alex I…"

He cut her off. "YOU ARE NOT TALKING YOUR WAY OUT OF THIS! YOU GOT SUSPENDED ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL AND YOU DID SO BY BREAKING A KIDS NOSE! A KID WHO'S FATHER WORKS FOR ME! AND THEN TO TOP IT ALL OFF DAD COMES TO TOWN AND RIPS ME A NEW ONE BECAUSE OF YOU! I DID NOT SIGN ON FOR THIS LENA!"

That had to be the first time in history that Alex had ever yelled at her like that. Lena's voice wavered as she spoke and tears sprang to her eyes. "I'm sorry you got stuck with me and I'm sorry I messed up and I'm sorry dad nailed you for it Alex but… you know what, never mind!" Lena got out of his car and walked to hers. When she heard Lex's car roar off she was still shaking with fear and anger.

Lena didn't come down to dinner that night, Lex didn't expect her to. He felt bad about what had happened earlier in the day and wanted to apologize to her but they were both stubborn people with quick tempers and sharp tongues. For as much as they cared for each other they were still only human. One misspoken word and they'd be at each other's throats and she'd wind up crying. He didn't want that to happen so he decided to give her space for now.


Dr. Tess English

Lena had an appointment with her psychiatrist Monday evening, and it couldn't have come at a better time.

Lena was sitting in a large overstuffed blue chair across from her Dr., with her knees folded into her chest and her arms wrapped around them.

"Lena we've been doing this for a month now. So why don't you tell me why you're here."

Lena rolled her eyes and unfolded herself, sitting with her right leg crossed over her left and her arms resting on the arms rests. "An anger management issue and a court order," Was her only response.

"I am familiar with the terms of your probation. But I want to know why you're here. What do you think caused your outburst last spring?"

"Um I walked in on my boyfriend fucking my roommate and I got pissed off so I took a softball bat to his car. Then I took off in my car and didn't stop when I saw a cop behind me, leading him on a 10 mile chase. Then when things couldn't get any worse said ex pissed me off even worse and I threw something at his head. It's not my fault wood burns. You know the story we've been over it before."

The Dr. looked down and made a note. "I thought Jessica was your roommate."

"She was and so was Parker. We lived in a 3 person."

"Oh. So back to my original question. Why are you here?"

"I got pissed off, I destroyed some stuff, didn't yield to a cop, resisted arrest, burnt down the better part of a school." Lena was getting frustrated. "You're the doctor, why don't you tell me?"

"How about what happened at school today?"

"He pushed me first."

"You said he was making some offensive comments about your brother. How did that make you feel?"

"I broke his nose. How do you think I felt?"

"You tell me."

"It made me mad. He doesn't even know my brother. No one in that fucking hick town knows anything about my family and they don't care to. I don't know why my brother just didn't let my dad shut the crap factory down and get out of there when he had the chance."

"Have you ever asked him why he was so insistent on keeping it open?"

"No. It's his business."

"What were your father and brother's reactions to you getting suspended?"

"My father yelled at my brother and then my brother yelled at me because he got yelled at."

"How did you react to that?"

"I yelled back at them."

"Is that how conflicts usually end in your family?"

"I guess. We're not big on feelings or sharing. We don't do the family meeting thing with talking sticks and safe zones."

"Lena tell me, when was the last time you cried?"

Lena looked at her confused. "I don't know. Probably when my mom died."

"Probably when your mom died? You don't remember?"

"I was 6 I really don't remember."

"Right. But in your recent memory you haven't cried."

"No. What's the point?"

"It's a letting out of emotion."

"I learned a long time ago that it doesn't solve anything, it can't fix anything. It doesn't bring people back from the dead or make someone love you, it can't make someone come home." She stopped talking.

"You don't cry because you feel it's a waste of time. Who do you want to love you?"

"We both know the answer to that question."

"You need to say it."

"I want my father to love me."

"Has he ever told you he loved you?"

"Not that I can remember. Maybe when I was little but that was a long time ago."

"How about approval? Does he show you approval?"

"Sometimes, depends on the subject."

The Dr. just nodded and made a note. "How do you feel about living in Smallville?"

"I don't know. I met a couple of people who are nice and don't piss me off. Most people still don't like Luthors though and they have no problem showing it."

"I didn't ask about the people I asked about you. How do you feel about living in Smallville?"

"I don't know. It's not like I sat up nights thinking about it."

"Well isn't that where the meteor shower was? Isn't that where your bother almost died and lost his hair? Isn't Smallville where they had the tornado that almost killed your father?"

"Yeah."

"Had you ever been to Smallville until now?"

"No, when I was little my mom was against it and my dad wouldn't take me with him ever. And as I got older there was just no reason, until now."

"Do you remember the days after the meteor shower?"

"I was 3. All I remember is a lot of people talking about it and it was on TV and my mom crying. But when people saw me they changed the channel or stopped talking. And then when my brother came home he didn't have any hair. That's all I remember."

"And the Tornado?"

"My brother called me and told me what happened. But he wouldn't let me come in because I was supposed to study abroad that summer and he didn't want me to miss that. Besides there was nothing I could do, I would have just been in the way. Plus my father's a very proud man, it's bad enough he had to admit he needed help and accept it. Having his children witness it would have drove him insane."

"So your father almost died then he was temporarily disabled and your brother's solution was to send you to a foreign country so you wouldn't get in the way and to keep your father's pride intact."

"Well he never said that but I'm not dumb."

"How long was the span of time between your father's hospitalization and the next time you saw him?"

"Christmas."

"Eight months. That's a long time. So for the third time in your life someone in your family was sick and they kept you away from them and kept you out of the loop. And this is also the second time in your life where illness has kept your father and brother separated from you for an undetermined period of time and you couldn't do anything about it."

She shrugged. "I guess. I'm the youngest, they're just doing what they think is best."

"And what do you think?"

"They still see me as a little girl who needs protecting. And they do it because it alleviates their guilt. My father's at least. My brother is stuck."

Dr. English nodded. "Alright Lena let me tell you what I think. From the moment you walked into my door I could tell that you were putting on a front because you didn't want to let anyone else in. The attitude, the anger, the condescension, the acting out and destruction. You don't want people to know the real you."

"And who am I really?" Lena said defensively.

"Intellectually you are years ahead of your peers, and most adults. Emotionally you are a child. You do not know how to process emotion, at least not the ones you deem as negative or that make you feel powerless. Between the meteor shower, Julian's death, and your mother dying, all things that happened before you were 7 years old, you were never taught how to show emotion or that all emotions are okay. On the inside you are a scared little girl who thinks her bother is going to die, who wants her mother to come back, and is seeking love and approval from her father. These little outbursts you have, they aren't random, they are part of your coping mechanism but doesn't know how to get it. And I am afraid that if you do not learn how to deal with these emotions in a constructive way you are headed toward a severe emotional breakdown."

"So what now? Is there some new drug that'll fix me? Because if you give me a prescription I'll buy copious amounts of stock in the company."

"No. I want you to log your emotions for the next week and the circumstances surrounding them. And I want you to bring it with you next week so we can discuss it."

"Great."

"Alright, that's it, hour's up. Have a good week."

"Thanks, you too."

On her way out to her car Lena checked her voicemail. Clark called Lena to tell her that he had her homework and other papers from the rest of the day. So on her way back from Metropolis she went over there to retrieve her stuff from him.

When Lena got to the Kent's house Martha told her that Clark was in the barn so she went there to find him.

"Clark?" Lena called out upon entering the large structure.

"Up here!" Clark called to her as he peered down from his loft.

Lena followed the stairs up to where he was. "Your mom said you were in here. It's a nice space you have up here." She said as she surveyed the loft around her.

"Dad calls it my fortress of solitude. It's just a place where I can get away from it all, ya know?"

"I guess." Lena shrugged.

"C'mon you're telling me that there is no place you can just hide out form everything?"

"I've never really had the luxury. There's no place to 'hide' per se in a Luthor residence. I usually wound up hiding in a closet."

"I guess you're right there."

"So we're going to ignore the white elephant?"

"You mean the one that says you broke Andrew Jacob's nose?" Clark joked.

"Yeah that one."

"Chloe told me what really happened."

"As opposed to the tabloid version?"

"Well some people are saying he made a pass at you and you kicked him in the groin, then broke his nose, because you're a lesbian. Some people are saying you had some sort of psychotic fit and took out half the football team with your car. What you did, taking the suspension so Lex wouldn't get hurt, that takes a lot of character. He's lucky to have you as a sister."

"I like the second version of that story. Of course lesbianism also has it's upside." Lena chuckled. "He doesn't think so, he's pissed at me for getting in trouble and my dad being called about it. I don't belong here. No one wants me here, not even my brother. That fact was made painfully obvious this afternoon."

"Don't say that not everyone knows you, it'll get better."

"No it won't, believe me. People talk. First I'm the new bad seed in town, then I break the starting quarterback's nose on the first day of school. To them I am the epitome of demon spawn. This is a small town in rural Kansas, to them I might as well have assassinated the president."

"Don't you think you're being as closed minded about them as they are about you? And Lex is crazy about you, you should have heard him on the phone last night. I swear I could hear him smiling."

"Clark I spent 7 years carving a niche for myself at my old school I and now thanks to my father and his crappy parenting technique I have to walk into a high school, a public high school in rural Kansas no less, and do it all over again in the next nine months. So excuse me if I am less than enthusiastic about the whole thing. As for my brother, he's 23. What 23 year old do you know that wants to finish raising his kid sister? He got stuck with me because my father doesn't want me. My dad sent me here to test Alex's management skills or something, I have no fucking clue. I'm just being used as a pawn in this game they have going on. One pushes and one pulls, and I just get hurt. No one wants me." She could feel tears in her eyes, she hated crying so she fought against it.

"Come here." Clark walked over to her and held her against his chest. "Your brother wants you around."

"Really, then why didn't he tell any of you about me or me about you?" She asked through sniffles as she fought against the tears. "And why did he let our father keep us apart for so long. Until Saturday I hadn't seen my brother in over 3 years and it's not like I didn't want to. 3 years, Clark." Her voice cracked so she stopped.

"I can't answer those questions, I really can't. And I am sorry your dad is such an ass. But you have your brother back now and he's not going anywhere. Don't be mad at him for things he can't control." Clark continued to hold her in his arms.

A few minutes later they were sitting on the couch. "I have a question for you."

"Shoot."

"Why did you get expelled from your old school?"

"I found out my boyfriend was sleeping with one of my fridens. And to make a long story short we got into an argument and I accidentally burnt half the school down."

"Oh." Clark said with a surprised look on his face.

"I'm not an arsonist or anything."

"Well good because if you haven't noticed like everything in this town is flammable."

"I'll just break noses."

They laughed.

"Thanks Clark."

"You're welcome."

Lena took her papers and went home and wrote her first entry in her emotions journal.

Later that night Lena was in the TV room that adjoined her room watching TV. She was sprawled out on the couch, in her pajamas, with one foot over the back, one on the cushions, a remote in one hand and the other between her head and a pillow.

"So what do you have planned for tomorrow?" Lex asked as he walked in startling her.

She nearly jumped off the couch but quickly regained her composure and fixed her posture as she sat up. "Nothing really. I hadn't planned on having an extra day of break." She fidgeted with the remote.

He breathed a chuckle and sat down next to her. "I didn't think that was a part of your plan."

She just shrugged.

When he didn't get a reaction from her he got more serious. "I am sorry for yelling at you earlier. I was mad at dad for being an ass and I took it out on you."

"It happens, I'm not exactly innocent. I did break a guys nose on the first day."

"What happened there? I'm still not understanding what caused all that."

She folded her knees into her chest and hugged them again. "Look it doesn't matter. I should have kept my temper in check."

"You're a Luthor that can be a full time job."

They both chuckled.

She looked over at him. "Do you want me here?"

Her question took him by surprise. "Of course I do. I was shocked when dad told me you we're coming. But god Lena you're my sister and having you here is great."

"Then why didn't you tell them about me? And why didn't you tell me about any of them, especially Clark. He saved your life. And if you missed me so much why didn't you come back to Metropolis when dad gave you the chance instead of staying here and not seeing me until this week?"

"Lena I need you to listen to me very carefully. I didn't tell them about you because I didn't know what to say and I missed you too much to think about it let alone talk about it. And I also would have had to admit that I hadn't seen you in so long because A: I was kicked out of Princeton, and I really didn't need to give people another reason not to like me. And B: because I didn't want to have to admit to myself that dad was right. Up until last year or so I was not good for you. I was in a destructive pattern and I know how much you look up to me and the last thing I want is for you to get hurt because of something you saw me do."

"I know you don't want to hear this but I'm a big girl and I am perfectly capable of making bad decisions on my own, without your influence. I've been doing it for a long time." Lex just nodded, she was right he didn't want to hear it. "What about the other thing, why didn't you come home?"

"I didn't want to. I didn't want to be around dad again. I like it here. Plus I couldn't let the town fold like that, it wouldn't have been right. Once you get used to it, it's not a bad place. I know your experience here is limited but a lot of the people are nice and they're good people. You just have to give them a chance and they will give you a chance. I know it sucks you want your old life back, minus the scarring details, the one where you're normal not an oddity."

"Who knew that there was actually a place in the world where being a Luthor would be considered normal?" They shared another laugh. "It's cause of Clark isn't it?"

He looked at her puzzled.

"You couldn't let the town fold because of Clark. He saved your life but there's more to it than that. What is it?"

"He was the first person ever to look at me like a person not a name. When he saved my life he did it because that's the kind of person he is. He doesn't want anything from me but me, he has no hidden agenda. He reminded me that there are people like that in the world, before that I didn't care what happened to me. It was a wake up call."

She just nodded in understanding.

"As for my reason for coming in here. I have a meeting in Metropolis tomorrow afternoon. Do you want to come up there with me and do some shopping while I'm held hostage in a board room?"

She thought for a second. "You're going to have to sweeten the deal a bit more for me to get up and dressed tomorrow."

"Fine, I will let you drive the Ashton Martin I have at the penthouse."

"Best big brother ever," she said with a smile.

"I thought you'd like that. But if you so much as scratch that car…"

"You'll what, buy a new one," she joked.

He just smirked. "Fine, I see idle threats hold no weight with you." He reached over and gave her a hug. "Night Lena."

She squeezed back. "Night Alex." He got up to leave. "Oh wait!" She called to him making him turn back to her. "One of my teachers knows you."

"Really, which one?"

"Mr. John, he said he was at Met U at the same time as you. He says hi."

"I remember him. He wasn't half a bad guy."

"He said the same about you."

Lex smirked. "Night Lena."

"Night Alex."

He left and she went back to watching her show and contemplating her new life.