I'm a little bummed from the lack of reviews but that's okay, it was a very long chapter and nothing really got accomplished. And secondly chapter one has a small continuity error, Lex was like 22 in season two and I said they were friends for 24 years, well they're 22 so sorry for any confusion. This chapter doesn't really sinc up with anything and it doesn't get anything accomplished, it just explains the Lex Paris back story a bit more. (

----Paris's bathroom----

Lex lingered in the doorway of Paris's bathroom watching her dry here hair. Her head was flipped to the front she was bent forward looking at the ground and she was brushing her long, thick hair straight while she dried it. She was wearing red cotton pajama pants and a black sport bra. Lex knew he was lucky she didn't see him standing there or she'd probably throttle him into the next county, but it was worth it she was too funny to watch.

Paris's hair brush pulled a knot, she tugged and yelped and threw her brush at the wall, almost hitting Lex in the head. She grabbed a round bristled brush off the vanity next to her without looking. After a few minutes Paris turned the hair dryer off and slammed it on the vanity next to her, still not looking up. "Stupid, fucking, piece of shit. Bloody Hell!" She yelled at the hairbrush that was now in two pieces.

"Problems?" Lex asked sarcastically.

Paris jumped and straightened. "If you didn't, you know, own this house I could so have you arrested right now."

Lex cocked an eyebrow at her before bending down to pick up her first hair brush. "Okay probably not. But I have a valid point. It's not nice to sneak up on people like that, I could have been naked."

He handed her, her brush. "I could only be so lucky. I see you got rid of the naval ring, but kept the Tattoo." He was referring to a tattoo of a white flower with a red center on her left shoulder blade.

She smiled slightly. "Got to old for the ring. But the tattoo is here to stay."

"What kind of flower is that again?"

"A Vincia. We were in Greece and we walked past a flower shop with the most wonderful aroma coming out. Mum insisted on going inside to ask what flowers could smell so beautiful. They were Vancias. She must have bought every one in the entire store. Mum said they reminded her of me because their also called 'little bright eyes', she used to say I had the brightest eyes of any child she'd ever seen. But she was a little bias." She smiled and softened at a memory. "After that, no matter what city we were in mom always made sure there was a vase of these in the house." She smiled sadly and turned to the mirror and began attacking a knot. "Ah! This is so not fair!" Lex was back to leaning up against the wall behind her, watching her dilemma. She could see him in the mirror. "Just what are you laughing at hair club for men?"

"Why so defensive?" He asked slyly.

She stared back at him in the mirror and jokingly bantered with him. "You are male and bald, you wouldn't understand. Go off with you." She jokingly waved a dismissive hand at him.

"Please explain it to me then." He said mockingly.

"This is a hairbrush." She held the brush up in the mirror. "And this is my semi dry hair." She grabbed her hair and waved it at him to illustrate. "When I am drying my unmanageable mass of curls and waves my hairbrush enjoys getting snagged in the knots, that I thought I had banished, and ripping the hair straight of my head. At which time I in a fit of rage and pain whip it across the room and grab the now dearly deceased round brush." She held up the two halves that once made up a brush. "But said brush has broken in half. Stupid piece of crap." She threw the round brush in the garbage can next to the sink.

"Point taken. Personally I like it when you let your hair dry naturally, it has a nice curl to it."

"Thanks, but I'm half way done drying it and it'll look all cockeyed if I don't finish. I swear one day I'm going to revert back to my teenage rebellion and cut it short again."

"Alright, fine, I was just going to ask you if you wanted to go into town with me this afternoon but if you'd rather lament the fact that you have hair then be my guest." He jested.

She turned serious. "Oh, town. I dunno. It's, eh." She turned around and hopped up on the vanity sitting Indian style. She began fiddling with her hair brush, making sure not to look at Lex.

"What's wrong? You are the same person who was kicked out of three prep schools in the continental United States in a year and a half, the girl who took on the entire board of Excelsior Prep and told off Malcolm Stratford."

"Yeah so?."

"I have learned many things in my life some easy some hard. One of the things I learned the hard was isParis Stratford does not back down from anything. So what exactly are you unsure of?"

"Nothing, everything, I don't know." She put her brush down, closed her eyes, put her elbows on her knees and started massaging her temples. "I don't think I thought this all the way through." She whispered.

"What do you mean?"

"When I decided to leave LA and move here I just though, 'hey I get out of the smog and the façade that is LA and I get some actual rest. Chill with Luthor, whatever.' And then I met those kids and they were in awe of me. And they were so nice and normal and down to earth. I enjoyed talking to them and spending time with them." She stopped.

"And?"

"And I'll never have that, not really. People all over the globe know who I am, they know my name, my face, everything and anything they can get their hands on. This, me, sitting here trying to be 'normal' it's such a fucking facade. They were just four very nice, very down to earth kids, there are 40,000 other people in this town. The minute I step out of the car and people see me this whole town is going to turn on it's head and I don't want that. I never know if people like me for who I am or what I can do for them." She stopped talking and looked around the room.

"You sound a little scattered. I can assure you though that if you stick around here long enough that you'll be absorbed into this community as if you have lived here your entire life, the fact that you're a celebrity and your father's a billionaire will be all but forgotten. The kids you met last night are pretty indicative of the kind of people that inhabit Smallville. They don't care if you have ten dollars or ten billion they treat everyone the same way." She looked up smiled a little at his reassurance. "And what exactly makes you think that you can turn this town on it's head? They could have given half a damn when I cam here and I came in with a bang, or a crash as it were." He joked with her.

"Because I'm hotter than you and you're a crappy driver." She smiled.

"Hey now, I'm not the one who rode my horse into a tree."

"I was twelve and I sneezed. You were not, and driving a car at a very high rate of speed."

"Alright. Get dressed we're leaving in half an hour." He walked out.

----Lex's office 12:30----

An angered Lionel was standing in front of Lex's desk. Lex was sitting in his blue resin chair, hands steepled in front of his mouth.

"Lex just what the hell do you think you're doing?" Lionel was all but enraged.

"Business dad." Lex replied dryly.

"I told you sell those shares a month ago! Did you think I wouldn't find out about this!"

"I thought you sent me to Smallville to learn how to be my own businessman." Lex stood up and walked up to his father.

"How am I expected to bring you back to Metropolis if I can't trust you to do things the right way."

"Since when is the Lionel Luthor way the right way? Usually that's the fuck everyone else over so I can make tons of money way."

"I've never heard you complain about it before."

"That's because you don't listen to me!" Lex spat the words venomously at Lionel.

"Listen to me Lex my boy, cut the dramatic shit. Let's leave that to the professionals. If you don't dump those shares Monday I can guarantee you that you will not return to Metropolis while I'm alive."

In a cool, patronizing voice Lex said. "You're breaking my heart. Don't tempt me to buy more stock."

In his anger Lionel back handed Lex across the left cheek. Making Lex's head snap violently to the right.

Just then Paris opened the door, missing the slap by a second, neither man had noticed her yet. Only seeing Lionel's back and Lex glaring angrily at him she decided to break the stare down. "Lex you didn't tell me you were fiends with Kenny G." She said with mock shock in her voice.

Lionel turned to face her, smiling. "Paris darling. You look wonderful. And I see your sense of humor hasn't changed a bit either." He walked up to her and gave her a hug. She spied Lex over Lionel's shoulder, she noticed a small spot of blood on his cheek where Lionel's ring had hit and a hand print. She gave him a questioning look but Lex waved her off, and wiped the blood away. Lionel let her go. "My Paris you look more like your mother every day."

"Thank you Lionel. You are looking rather well yourself. Alexander didn't tell me you would be coming by today."

"I wasn't planning on it, just an impromptu business meeting. You are finding the accommodations here pleasant I hope."

"Very much thank you. Alexander is a wonderful host."

"Yes. Well my son does have many good qualities." Lionel turned his head and smirked at Lex. He turned back to Paris. "I drove past the construction site on the way here, your house is coming along very well. And quite large I might add, are you sure you were trading in the extravagant life for the simple life?"

"Don't worry, I'm saving my hypocrisy for other things, it's big but not too big. Unfortunately I haven't seen it yet, by the time I arrived yesterday they had already stopped working for the day. I was hoping we could stop by there on our way to town today."

"Ah, I see you two have plans. Well I must be off. Good day Paris, Lex."

"Same to you Lionel."

Lionel walked past Paris and toward the heavy oak doors of Lex's office. Before leaving he turned around. "Oh Lex remember what we talked about."

"Sure thing dad." Lex said flatly. Paris just looked at him curiously.

"Fine then." Lionel walked out the door.

"Well I see Lionel's bucking for father of the year." Paris said grabbing Lex's hand and dragging him over to the leather sofa. "Sit."

"Paris I'm fine."

"Sit." She put her hands on his shoulders and pushed him onto the couch. Lex put his head on the back rest and closed his eyes. She walked over to the bar and grabbed a wash cloth, putting ice in it and some water from one of the bottles of TyNat.

"He's such a bastard."

"No shit Sherlock. Now for the fifty bonus points what was this one about?" She asked walking back over to the couch sitting next to him.

"Stocks."

"Are you serious?"

"Would I lie about something that ridiculous?"

Paris sat so she was sitting next to him, the right side of her body was against the back of the couch and her right leg was tucked under her and behind her left. She changed was holding the ice pack with her right hand.

"No. What a dick. Come here."

Lex lifted his head. Paris cupped his chin in her left hand and placed the improvised ice pack on his cheek.

"SSSS." He hissed at the contact, closing his eyes in pain.

"Sorry. You're twenty two and he still." Paris stopped mid sentence. "What an asshole."

"My sentiments exactly." He tried to take the wash cloth but she gently took his hand and put it back on the couch next to him. "No, you're letting me stay here the least I can do is tend to your wounds when need be."

"Fine. I give up. I learned long ago not to fight you on stuff like this." He smiled at her.

Paris smiled back. "Good."

Lex moved so he was laying face up with his head in her lap while she held the ice pack to his face with her left and she slowly, soothingly ran her short, French manicured acrylic nails along his smooth scalp. He made himself comfortable in the calming feeling of his friend's touch.

"So why exactly were you two arguing about stocks?"

"Well the company hasn't been performing very well and he's afraid we'll lose too much money."

"Are they in danger of going under?"

"Not entirely. I think that if we keep our shares, maybe even pick up a few more they'll be back to peak in less than six months."

"How much do you have invested?"

"Thirty million."

"Since when is thirty million a lot for Lionel Luthor? Let me guess, if you pull your shares the company goes under and Lionel gets it for a song and a dance. You're trying to save jobs while Lionel is trying to take over a company."

"You got it."

"What company is it?"

"It's a small fiber optics company in Germany."

"Stein Fiber Optics?"

"The very same. How do you know?"

"Dad has been in negotiations with them for two months."

"The plot thickens."

"You mean you didn't know?"

"No."

"That's odd. Oh well, let them fight over it. Sit up let me see."

He obliged. She took the ice pack off his cheek and looked it over carefully, running the pads of her fingers over his sharp cheek bone. "Does that hurt?"

"No, but it's still cold."

"What if I do this?" She gently pressed on the spot where Lionel struck him.

He flinched slightly. "Sorry, I'll take that as a yes. Well it stopped bleeding. You may bruise slightly." She pecked his cheek lightly before getting up and walking back to the bar to deposit the wash cloth.

Lex stood up and watched her. "Has any one ever told you that you would have made a good doctor?"

"Many times yes." She smiled at him. "I'm not arguing with you Alexander, so don't even try it."

"I'm not doing anything." He looked at her sheepishly.

"Uh huh." She answered skeptically. "We don't have to go if you don't want to."

He smiled and scoffed lightly. "What and let Lionel stop me from having a good time. Never. And I'm not letting you get out of coming into town."

"Alright then, let's go."

----Town----

Lex pulled his black Ferrari into a spot in front of the Talon. He turned off the engine and got out walking over to Paris's door and opening it for her. She stepped out wearing a pair of boot cut blue jeans, and black V- neck sweater, black chunky Dr. Martens and sunglasses. Trying to look as inconspicuous and possible. She leaned against the car as Lex closed the door.

"Everything's going to be fine."

"I hope so."

"You're with me. No one's going to bother you or make you uncomfortable."

"Okay." She took a breath and pushed off the car. Lex took her hand in his and started walking toward the Talon.

"Coffee?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

The Talon had only a handful of customers in it, pretty normal for a Saturday afternoon in a farm town. A few teenage occupants recognized Paris but thought better of going over to her when they saw Lex at her side. Lana was behind the counter talking to Chloe who was sitting on a stool.

"Hello ladies." Lex said as he walked up to the counter.

"Hey, good afternoon you two." Lana smiled cheerfully as the pair approached the counter. "What can I get you?"

"I'll have a large Columbian roast. What about you?"

"Large caramel latte, two shots of espresso please."

"Coming right up."

"Two shots huh, long night." Chloe asked.

"No, that's pretty normal for me. Why do you ask."

"Two shot latte, dark glasses in the middle of the afternoon."

"Oh these." Paris took the sunglasses off and folded them. "It's a habit from living in LA for so long. People can't see your eyes they're not really sure whether or not it's you."

"Does it work?"

"Hardly. But I like my sunglasses so it works for me."

"I'll be taking those." Lex snatched the glasses from Paris and slipped them into the pocket of his trademark black jacket.

"Hey now." Paris tried to grab for them but Lex had them safely out of her reach.

"Nope. No security blanket for you."

"I'm not a child."

"Could have fooled me."

"I'm not going to dignify that with a response." She turned back to Chloe who was watching the exchange with amusement. "So what are you working on there Chloe?"

"The lunch menu for next week's Torch."

"Mac and cheese with cubed ham, am I reading that right?" Paris looked less than appetized at the thought.

"Yes you are. And it is a truly disgusting concoction. But they need to do something with the left over pasta and ham."

"How about throwing it away or you know, not serving that?"

"I've suggested both those choices to principal Kwan but he insists that it's a perfectly nutritional lunch."

"I bet his wife packs his lunch."

"I bet you're right."

"For once in my life I am glad that I went to boarding school. At least they had decent food."

"That's why I brown bag it."

"Here you go, one large Columbian and one large caramel latte two shots." Lana handed them their drinks.

"Thanks. I'll see you two around I'm sure." Lex thanked Lana and paid.

"Bye Chloe, By Lana." Paris bid before she and Lex turned to leave.

"Paris wait, can I talk to you for a minute?" Chloe asked before they were more than a few feet away.

She turned around. "Sure. Alexander I'll meet you outside." Paris took a sip of her drink as she walked over to Chloe. Lana was conveniently not there.

"Um I didn't feel right asking you this last night, and I still sort of don't. Tell me if you think I'm out of line and I'll forget everything."

Paris cut her off. "Chloe you're rambling."

"Sorry. Can I do a story on you for the Torch?"

"Sure." Paris smiled at her.

"Really?" Chloe brightened.

"Yes really." She nodded before taking another sip.

"Can we do it Tuesday?"

"Tuesday it is. What time?"

"How about 4:30. School will pretty much be empty by then."

"Alright Tuesday 4:30."

"Thank you so much."

"Chloe it's no problem, really. I'm happy to do it. By Chloe."

"By Paris."

----Outside----

Lex was standing in front of the coffee house quietly sipping his coffee while surveying the scene before him. A young couple with two children walked down the street. A teenage boy and girl holding hands. An old couple sitting on a bench. He didn't hear Paris walk up next to him.

"Whatcha looking at?"

"Americana at it's peak." Lex gestured with his coffee cup.

"It looks nice."

"It is."

They walked down the streets of down town Smallville together, drinking their coffee enjoying each other's company in the peaceful atmosphere.

"You know how I was laughing after I got off the phone with Grandpere yesterday?"

"Yeah."

"Well he has this theory about us."

"Oh I do so want to hear this."

"He thinks I moved here for you."

"That's crazy. I only suggested you move here so you could get away from the stress of everything else."

"Exactly, that's what I told him."

"And what did he say to that."

"You don't want to know."

"Now I have to know."

"After something about Zimbabwe. He basically said we're still in love and don't realize it fully because we've had to suppress it for so long."

"He does, does he?"

"Oh yes."

"He also says that since we are living in such close proximity with all this 'suppressed love' or whatever that it is all going to come rushing to the surface and drown us or what not. So it'd probably be smart to start carrying around an umbrella and a flotation device of sorts, just in case the damn breaks and a tidal wave o' passion comes sweeping through."

Lex was mid swallow and almost spit his coffee out from laughing. "What did you have to say to that?"

"I told him he had a long day and it was time to go to bed."

"Good plan."

"Oh yeah." Both knew they could only work damage control with their fathers for so long before they inevitably stepped over an already thin line.

----Across the Street----

The Kents were across the street at the farming supply store.

Jonathan threw a bag of feed into the back of the truck and stopped when he saw Lex across the street talking to a woman, and a respectable looking woman at that. Martha stopped next to him.

"What are you looking at sweet heart?"

"Lex."

"Excuse me?" She asked a little shocked. "Lex Luthor?"

"Yeah, he's across the street. Who's that woman he's with? She looks familiar."

"I don't know. But this is Lex, she could be anyone."

"Very true."

Just then Clark came out of the store. "Hey what's up?"

"Clark dear, do you know who that woman is with Lex?"

"Oh yeah, that's Paris."

"Paris Stratford?" Martha asked shocked.

"The girl from that show?"

"The very same. They've been friends like forever."

"Lex has friends?" Jonathan joked.

"Dad."

"Jonathan that's not very nice. Lex has many admirable qualities."

Clark was waving them over.

"Clark what are you doing?" Jonathan asked.

"Being polite."

Lex and Paris waved back and came across the street.

"Good afternoon Jonathan and Martha. Let me introduce you to someone. Jonathan, Martha this is Paris Stratford. Paris meet Jonathan and Martha Kent. You already know Clark."

"Yes I do. Hello again Clark. It' very nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Kent."

"Please dear, Jonathan and Martha." Martha said smiling.

"Okay." Paris smiled back.

"So Paris how long are you in town for?" Jonathan asked.

"Actually I'm moving here. I'm building a house down the road from you apparently."

"Oh so it's you who is disturbing the peace by building that mansion." Jonathan joked.

"Guilty as charged."

"Gosh Clark don't you tell your parents anything?" Lex joked.

Clark blushed a little at the accusation. "I, uh, they were asleep when I got home last night."

"Uh huh." Lex nodded his head.

"Be nice." Paris warned.

"I'm not doing anything."

"Umhm."

Clark noticed the slight purple bruise on Lex's cheek. "Lex what happened?"

Lex was taken a back that anyone noticed the blemish. "Oh it's nothing just."

"Billiards accident. We were playing last night after you all left. When we play pool Alexander likes to taunt me, he got a little too close and I clipped him in the cheek with my elbow."

"Lex got hit by a girl." Clark mocked.

"Clark." Martha admonished her son's behavior.

Jonathan chuckled. "Tough girl."

"Yeah she can take care of herself alright." Lex glanced sideways at her. 'If only they knew the truth. This isn't the first time she's covered someone else's behavior.' Lex thought glumly.

"So, Paris what made you decide to move all the way to Smallville."

"A glowing recommendation from Alexander." She smiled, perking Lex up a bit. 'That smile could end wars.' He thought to himself. "I was thinking about moving from LA and he told me this was the perfect place to live and get away from all the Hollywood hoopla."

"Well he's right about that. No one will ever find you out here."

"That's kind of what I'm hoping for. I just want to relax and live a normal life for awhile."

Clark laughed. "Normal life, Lex what have you been telling her? Smallville, Meteor Rock Capital of the World. Life here is anything but boring."

Jonathan looked at his warningly.

"Alexander mentioned something to me about meteor rocks and a Wall of Weird."

"Oh that's Chloe's pet project. She can explain it better than anyone."

"I'll make sure to ask her when I see her Tuesday."

"What are you doing Tuesday?" Lex asked.

"Chloe asked me for an interview, I said yes. No big thing."

"It's been very nice to meet you Paris. Lex always a pleasure. But we must be going back to the farm. Those chores aren't going to finish themselves." Jonathan said.

"Yes Paris it has been nice. I can't wait until we're neighbors. I have an idea. Since my son seems to be leaving out important details lately. Why don't you two come over for dinner tomorrow night and we can get better acquainted."

"That would be wonderful, thank you. Alexander did say you were a spectacular cook."

Martha blushed a bit at the compliment. "Lex is very gracious."

"I would not lie about something as serious as cooking Martha."

"Okay. Well we must get going, Jonathan is getting antsy."

"Alright. We need to get going any way if I want to see my house in the daytime any time soon."

They bid their good byes and went their separate ways.

----Lex's car on the way to Paris's house----

"That was pretty quick thinking back there."

"What was?"

"That whole bit about me taunting you when we play pool and you 'accidently' hitting me with your elbow."

"Well it wasn't an entire lie. You do taunt me during pool, and I have hit you while playing before."

"Ah so you look at as more of a continuity error than a lie."

"Exactly. Besides it's better than the truth."

"You mean that we've been covering up each other's physical and emotional pain for years because it's better than letting people in on the truth about our lives. That our mothers died leaving our father's emotionally dead and every once in awhile we'd get smacked for stepping out of line in front of the wrong people."

"Exactly. Storing up facts and randomly distributing them when a situation occurs is just easier."

----Lex's rec room later that night-----

Lex and Paris both in pajama pants and long sleeved shirts sitting on the floor in front of Lex's television playing Roadkill on Lex's Playstation 2.

"No! Stop! Hey! No fair!" Paris screeched happily.

"Tough break kid."

"Oh yeah how do you like this?" Paris hit a series of buttons and blew Lex's car up ending the game.

"Hey where'd you learn that?" He was astounded.

"Alexander I've worked on a show with two males under 25, what do you think we did, played Majong?"

"I guess not. You'll have to teach me that one."

"Not a chance."

"Cheater."

"Sore loser. Alright I'm getting bored with video games. What else is there to do?"

"Movie?"

"Alright let's see what the Luthor collection has to offer." Paris got up and walked over to the shelves holding Lex's movies while he cleaned up the video game. "I don't want to watch any of these."

"There are over 200 movies there. And you don't want to watch any of them. Someone's being a little presumptuous."

"No. I respect the collection. But, okay the first section is for our intellectual film buff. Part two is action adventure, if it moves shoot it blow it up whatever, get the bad guy, don't get eaten by that and if it's a hot chick sleep with it. And on the bottom level we have comedies some feel goods, mostly guy friendly but admirable none the less. All in alphabetical order, can we say anal retentive? God Alexander I should have you organize my closet."

"Where are you going with this?"

"Where are they Alexander?"

"Where are what?" Lex asked playing dumb.

"Sections four and five chick flicks and family movies."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him in mock seriousness. "Lying are we?"

"Fine but nothing starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks or you're sleeping outside."

"Point taken. So where are they?" She asked bouncing on the balls of her feet giddy with delight.

"Fine. Let me do it."

"Do what?"

Lex walked over to the book case containing the movies and pushed on one of the side panels. When it opened it revealed a good sized closet full of the movies Paris had just described, neatly arranged on their shelves.

"Secret panels. What are we at Bruce's house?" She asked sarcastically stepping into the room behind Lex.

"You think I'd actually leave these movies out in the open. And risk my masculinity."

She arched a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at him. "Yes because owning when Harry met Sally automatically makes you gay! You sleep with women and you are very good at it. Get over yourself. Now if you owned Titanic that WOULD make you gay."

He shook his head laughing. "I'm going to get something to drink. What do you want?"

"Water please."

Lex walked out of the closet leaving Paris to choose a movie. "Hmmmm. What to choose, what to choose." She quickly browsed through the family movies looking for the object she desired. "There you are Willy Wonka." She grabbed the movie and turned around just in time for the panel to swing closed, leaving her in total darkness. "Shit!" She muttered. "Alright Paris, don't panic. There has to be a way out of here." She tried running her hands down the wall in front of her looking for a light switch. "Damn it." She tried pushing on the door hoping it would open from the inside. "Come on!" She dropped the move and frantically pushed on the panel in front of her. Panic quickly setting in she began pounding on the door. "LET ME OUT! HELP! LEEEEEEEEXXXXX!"

----Lex's kitchen----

Lex's telephone rang. "Hello?"

"Hi Lex."

"Oh hi Martha. How are you?"

"Very well and yourself?"

"I'm fine."

"Good. I'm sorry to call so late."

Lex chuckled. "Martha it's 9:30 on a Saturday I hardly call that late."

"Well not all of us are used to the night life Lex. I was just calling about tomorrow night's dinner. Is there anything Paris doesn't eat?"

"Martha you invited us to dinner at your home, you are a wonderful cook. Whatever you serve I am sure it will be delicious and well received by all parties."

"Thank you Lex but I would still like to know if there is anything Paris prefers not to eat."

"It's been awhile let me think for a minute. Paris doesn't eat veal because she thinks what they do to the baby cows is cruel and she doesn't eat beets because she says they taste like feet. That's all I can think of right now."

"Veal and beets. Thank you Lex. Have a good evening. Come to think of it what are you and Paris up to this evening? Considering the lack of night life in Smallville." Martha asked curiously, they looked a little too cozy together to be 'just friends' in her opinion.

"We played video games and we're going to watch a movie which she is choosing so I know I am in trouble."

"Night in huh?"

"Martha I can assure you that no matter what benign gossip the rumor mills in this town are churning out they are so far from the truth it's unbelievable."

"Um hm."

"Martha she's only staying with me until her house is finished."

"Lex tell me. How many people do you know who move cross country just because a friend told them it was a nice place to live?"

Lex couldn't help but let the corners of his mouth turn upward at the de ja vous. "Martha, Paris and I have been friends since forever. We did date at one time but outside forces made us quickly realize that a romantic relationship is not for us."

"Lex how old were you?"

"Eighteen."

"How old are you now?"

"Twenty two. I know where this is going. Good night Martha."

"Good night Lex. Be here around 5:00 tomorrow."

"Alright 5:00. Good bye Martha."

"Good bye Lex."

Lex put the phone down and shook his head smiling.

----Back in the rec room----

Lex walked in holding two drinks talking as he walked in. "Paris you'll never guess what just happened." He looked up and noticed Paris wasn't there. "Paris where are you?" He looked around and started to panic, especially since the mansion was not stranger to the strange and unexplained. "Paris we are too old for hide and seek." He put the drinks down on the table and quickly scanned the room. Then he heard muffled screams from the wall across the room. "Shit, Paris I'm coming!" He ran over to the bookcase and pushed on the panel revealing Paris, shaking and crying, having a full blown panic attack. "Hey, come here." He quickly grabbed her into a hug as she sobbed. "Shh. It's okay. You're out of there." He rubbed calming circles on her back. "I'm so sorry I forgot you're claustrophobic."

She has calmed down after a few minutes and was sniffling a bit. "No it's okay. You didn't close the door. Right?" She quipped the 'right' lightly to keep him from feeling bad.

"You found me out, I was planning on locking you in the movie closet."

"Just as I suspected." She smiled against his chest.

"How long has it been since that happened?"

"Awhile actually considering I haven't been locked in a closet for years. Crap where's the movie?" She turned around in searching for it.

Lex bent down to pick up the movie that lay at her feet. "You mean this?" He asked standing up.

"Yes. Willy Wonka is a great movie and you know it."

"Alright, but next time I get to pick."

----The couch----

They were at the part of the movie where Veruca Salt goes down the egg chute.

Lex felt a head on his shoulder and Paris's weight on him. He looked over to see Paris with her legs tucked into her chest with her arms wrapped around them, leaning on his right shoulder sound asleep. He looked over at her and smiled at the peacefulness of her sleeping face. He tucked a few stray strands of soft honey brown hair behind her ear.

"I don't know why I let you pick out the movies." He whispered. "You always fall asleep in the middle and leave me to watch the rest." He sighed and turned back to the screen. "You're no fun to argue with when you're asleep. The quality of the banter nose dives."

Paris stirred slightly and mumbled in her sleep. "Dad no."

"What?" Lex looked over bewildered.

"Leave us alone. We're old enough."

"I forgot you talk in your sleep." He leaned closer and whispered to her. "What are you old enough for Paris?"

"To date Alexander. Dad I love him." A tear rolled down her cheek while she slept. "You can't make me leave him."

Lex put his arm around her waist and hugged her closer. "It's okay Paris."

Still talking in her sleep. "No he's not okay. He's sad."

Lex rested his head on top of hers and let himself remember the night he assumed she was dreaming about.

----Flashback four years prior----

Fourth of July 1998. Lex and Paris, newly graduated from Excelsior Prep and awaiting college, are at a fourth of July celebration at Schrek Enterprises with their fathers.

Paris is standing outside on a balcony, leaning against the grey stone railing, in a light pink spaghetti strap dress falling just above her knees and a pair of strappy heels of the same shade. Lex, wearing black suit pants and a lavender shirt with a black tie, silently walks outside quietly closing the doors behind him. He walks up next to Paris and puts an arm around her waist.

"Did anyone see you come out here?" She asks.

"Not a soul. Do you think we'll ever be able to tell anyone other than your grandfather about us?"

"No." She replies sadly. "My father hates your father. He'd stop at nothing to make sure that our names are never linked publicly again."

"If they didn't want us to like each other they never should have socialized us so much as children."

"I know, ever since my mother died my dad has hated Lionel and he's been punishing me for it. But I'm happy with you whether I can tell the world or not. You're all I need Lex." She turns to him, places her hands on his face and pulls him into a searing kiss. She wraps her arms around his neck and he wraps his around her waist anchoring her to his body.

Needing air after a few minutes they pull away slowly. "You taste like scotch."

"You taste like Kahlua." He brought his lips to hers and kissed her softly running his tongue across her supple lips coaxing them apart. After gaining entrance their tongues battled for dominance.

"MMMMM." She moaned into his mouth.

"Paris don't." He breathed the words.

"Don't what?" She asked coyly. Kissing the side of his neck right under the jaw line.

"Paris we're going to get ah." He lost track of his thoughts as she sucked slightly on the sensitive skin.

She stopped. "Maybe I want to get ah." She lightly ran her fingertips up and down his thigh.

"Oh so you want to play." He intertwined their fingers and gently crossed her arms behind her back, leaving her defenseless, and dropped his lips to her collar bone running his velvety tongue over the tender skin.

Paris closed her eyes and groaned. "I want you."

Inside their fathers were looking for them. Malcolm and Lionel walked down the halls of the Schrek mansion checking corridors and rooms for their children.

Malcolm Stratford a tall middle aged British man was growing impatient with the search. "Lionel you had better hope that my daughter is not with your son."

"Get over yourself Malcolm. I want my name linked to yours about as much as you want yours linked to mine."

"There is nothing wrong with the Stratford name. Luthor however is dripping with scandal and God knows what else."

"Yes and Stratford is on no way tainted." Lionel said sarcastically.

"Not like yours Lionel."

Lionel spied a server from the party and stopped him. "Excuse me have you seen a tall bald young man or a brunette wearing a pink dress in the last hour or so?"

"I'm sorry sir I have been in the ball room all night. I haven't seen them."

"That's quite alright thank you."

"I can tell you where they are." A voice came from the shadows.

"Who is there?" Malcolm asked looking around.

"Just me Mr. Stratford." Young Chip Schrek walked out of his spot in the shadows and face to face with the two fathers.

"Chip what are you doing hiding in the shadows?" Lionel asked, impatient with the young man's devious behavior.

"This is my father's house Mr. Luthor. I have the right to act in any manner I choose." Max answered smugly.

"Always the smart ass aren't you Chip."

"Will you two please shut up! Chip I believe you know where my daughter is."

"Yes Mr. Stratford. I saw Paris and Lex in a rather compromising position out on the balcony."

"Which one?" Malcolm asked.

"Down this hall, turn left, second door on the right, opens right on to the balcony."

"Thank you Chip."

"You're welcome Mr. Stratford."

Malcolm and Lionel started down the hall.

"Oh Malcolm. I will be expecting a dance with Paris later tonight."

"Of course you will Chip. I will let her know."

Chip walked back toward the ballroom while Malcolm and Lionel took off toward the balcony.

Paris had her back up against the railing of the balcony and Lex was standing in front of her with his back to the door. They were making out when Lionel and Malcolm burst onto the scene.

"PARIS MARGARET STRATFORD JUST WHAT THE BLOODY HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?" Malcolm was enraged.

Startled Lex and Paris quickly separated and were standing side by side.

"Are you blind? What does it look like we were doing?" Paris snarked.

"Paris I am not in the mood for this."

"Good that means you'll leave us alone."

"Us!" Malcolm scoffed. "What do you mean us?"

"Us indicating more than one. See there's me." She pointed to herself. "And Lex." She pointed to Lex. "And we were busy so will you please leave US alone!"

"I most certainly will not."

"Fine then, we'll leave."

"That's right you, Paris, will leave this balcony and go back to the ball room and dance with Chip Schrek."

"Like hell I will. Chip Schrek is an obnoxious, vile jackass. If he tries to lay one finger on me he's leaving this party in a body bag! And you won't be very far behind."

"I am in the middle of a deal with Max Schrek. If his son wants to dance with you, you will grant him that pleasure and you will be cordile about it."

"Pimping out your own daughter in order to seal a deal, isn't that a little low even for you dad?"

"If you do one thing to mess this up young lady so help me I'll."

"You'll what dad? Cut me off. You can't, I have a 60 billion dollar trust that takes care of everything I want and Grandpere will take care of the rest. Kick me out of the house. I have one of my own it was left to me. I'm dating Lex, you will just have to deal."

Lionel finally spoke up. "Speaking of dating how long has this little charade been going on?"

"Why do you care dad?" Lex asked defensively.

"Just interested that's all. I want to know how long you two have been lying."

"I don't think you of all people should be preaching about the dangers of lying dad. Not that either of you deserve to know but we've been dating since March of last year."

"Does anyone else know about this?" Malcolm asked.

"Grandpere, he's the only one besides our friends."

"Well it ends tonight!" Malcolm demanded.

"No dad, we're adults you can't dictate who either of us date!" She argued.

"Lex, son, as much as I adore Paris I have to agree with Malcolm, and you know how much I hate that. You two dating would be too much of a conflict of interest."

"For who dad? I don't see how us dating will effect either of you!"

"That's because you're not looking at the big picture son. The future. If you and Paris were to marry that would join two of the most powerful companies in the world."

"Hardly." Paris commented.

"Just what does that mean young lady?" Malcolm was completely out of patience with his daughter.

"It means I have no power in your company and I never will."

"You're right, as of now you have no real voice at Stratford Enterprises but when you finish school there will be a position waiting for you and one day you will take over."

"You mean you haven't told him yet?" Lex asked with an amused look on his face.

"Told me what?"

"Remember when that studio flew me out to California for an audition and I said nothing ever formulated out of it?"

"Yes. You were disappointed but it got you back on the track that your life was supposed to take."

"No dad it was the track you set for me before I was born I never wanted it. Any way I lied, I was offered the staring role in their television show, I fly out in two weeks to sign the contract and film the pilot."

"PARIS THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE A FOOL OF ME?"

"NO DAD I'M DOING WHAT I LOVE AND I'M GOING TO BE HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL!"

"NO YOU ARE GOING TO SCHOOL AND YOU WILL COME TO WORK FOR ME AND IF YOUR LUCKY I MAY ONE DAY FORGIVE YOU FOR LYING TO ME!"

"NO!" Tears were streaming down her face. "I AM DOING THIS AND YOU CAN'T STOP ME!"

"We will discuss this at home."

"No we won't. I'm done living my life for you."

Lionel spoke up. "Well now that this is settled let's get back to the matter at hand. Paris dear I am sorry to do this but you and Lex need to break up. It will be better for everyone in the end."

"No it won't dad. It will be better for you and Malcolm but what about us?"

"Both of you will meet new people. This is puppy love you would have found that out eventually."

"You don't know that. We love each other and neither of you are going to take that from us."

"Lex be reasonable."

"No dad you be reasonable. For once in your life let me be happy."

"This is nauseating, Paris come. We are leaving the party and going back to the hotel." Malcolm grabbed Paris's arm but she pulled back.

"Why so you can yell at me some more? NO! I am not going back with you!"

"Fine take the limo back, pack your things and take the jet home! I will be returning to the party."

"I can't believe you. If mom were alive she wouldn't let you do this."

Malcolm slapped her across the left cheek. "DON'T YOU EVER SPEAK THAT WAY AGAIN YOUNG LADY!"

"I am leaving this party right now. I am going back to the hotel. I am flying home, tonight ALONE. AND WHEN YOU GET HOME I WILL BE GONE! I HATE YOU AND I AM NEVER GOING BACK TO THAT PLACE AS LONG AS YOU ARE ALIVE!" Paris pushed past Lionel and Malcolm and walked through the door into the house. Malcolm followed but went down a hallway opposite of Paris.

Lex tried to go after her but Lionel stopped him. "Lex don't. You're only going to make things worse at this point."

"No, dad, please." Lex was pleading with Lionel.

"I know it's hard but you must let her go Lex."

Lex had tears in his eyes "I love her. You can't make me hurt her like that. You said it yourself there is nothing wrong with Paris, you like her. Why can't we be together?"

"Pull yourself together Lex, Luthor men don't cry. Paris is part of your past you have to concentrate on the future."

"You're wrong. She's my constant, she's part of my life. She's everything."

"Your love for her may be real but it's a liability. It's easier this way. Her father would have tried to destroy my company. That company is my life and your future. As much as I hate Malcolm Stratford he is not a man I enjoy battling with. She's gone Lex. You have to accept that. She would have held you back anyway."

"Please leave."

"Lex."

"GO!"

"Fine." Lionel turned and walked into the house.

Lex turned back around and stared at the grounds before him. He saw Paris's limousine drive silently off the Schrek property. A tear rolled down his cheek as he realized that he would have to let the one true love in his life go forever.

----Present Day----

The movie credits were rolling as Lex and Paris slept on the couch curled up together.