Clark and Martha were talking in the kitchen about his birthday which Lana came over for the night before. Jonathan came in with Lex.

"Hello all. Look what the cat dragged in." Jonathan joked.

"Oh, Lex. Have you had breakfast?" Martha doted over Lex, she always felt he was too thin and plae.

"Uh, thanks, but I can't stay. I just wanted to ask you and Mr. Kent for a favor." Lex hesitated slightly before going on. "I know we've had our differences but lately things have been getting better between us, so this might sound strange, but it would mean a lot to me. It's customary for the, uh, bride and groom to sit with their parents at the rehearsal dinner so... since mine won't be there, I was wondering... would the two of you consider standing in?"

Jonathan and Martha smiled at each other, Clark gave a hopeful look his father's way. "Lex, we would be honored." Jonathan said with a smile.

Lex became less tense. "Great. Uh, that just leaves one open seat at the table. Right next to you, Clark. Any suggestions?"

Clark gave a slight smile. Just then the doorbell rang. Martha went to answer it. Paris was on the other side of the door.

"Paris hello. Come in." Martha welcomed her in.

Walking in the house. "Hello Martha. How are you today?" Paris said politely with a smile.

"I'm fine. How are you? We haven't gotten to see you much since you got back from your trip."

She gave an apologetic look. "Sorry about that, lately it seems that my day never stops between meetings in Metropolis and phone conferences, the business end of things is beginning to take its toll on me." Yet another lie in her cap, she conveniently forgot to mention morning sickness and crying spells coupled with an inability to face just about anyone because she was getting tired of the petty lying.

"Jonathan, Clark look who decided to come visit." Martha said as they entered the kitchen.

"Actually my reason for coming here today wasn't completely altruistic." She started to wring her hands a bit.

"Paris Stratford with a motive, that hardly seems possible." Lex who had previously been quiet spoke, he shoved his hands in his jacket pocket and looked at Paris a bit coldly.

"Well hello Alexander. I didn't see you standing there." She said flatly.

"And you didn't see my car in the drive way either?" He asked dryly, he narrowed his blue grey eyes at her.

"I'm distracted not blind. I came here to see the Kents not you. But then again even if I did want to see you I'd have to call, what, a week in advance?" Her emerald green eyes narrowed reflecting his scowl.

"Gee Paris your tone's a little harsh anything wrong?" He said sarcastically, his face was a hard emotionless mask but secretly he was beginning to wonder what exactly he had done to earn such hate from her.

"Just the fact that your fiancée revoked my key and you don't have the balls to do anything about it, and you're trying to act as if everything's normal but you already knew that. Other than that everything's peachy."

"Well as long as I know exactly what you're hating me for this week that's fine."

Martha was becoming uncomfortable with the tension in the room. "Paris did you need to ask us something?"

She turned to Martha, her cheery tone returning. "Oh yes. I'm leaving for the summer the day after the wedding. Could you possibly watch my house while I'm gone?"

"Sure we'd be happy to." Martha nodded.

"Thank you, you'll just need to make sure the paper gets taken in and the mail gets forwarded to me. My maid comes twice a week and the landscaper comes every Saturday. I'll just leave the extra key with you. And of course I'd be happy to pay you for your trouble."

"Nonsense Paris we're happy to do it." Jonathan waved it off. "How long do you expect to be gone exactly?"

"I'll be bouncing between Europe, New York and L.A. for the next three months and maybe part of the fall."

"Why so long?" Jonathan asked.

"Well New York and L.A. are business purposes, and France is to stay with my grandfather. He's getting older, his siblings are all dead, my grandmother and mother are gone, and well he's always hated my dad. I'm all he has left. I may even move back permanently depending on how things go." Lies, lies, lies. "Besides Smallville can't be my permanent residence, it's a logistics nightmare. I'm going to have to suck it up and find a part time place in L.A. again if I'm going to take my company further."

"You know Paris if you're going to be gone that long I can just have a few members of my staff take care of the house while you are away. It wouldn't be a problem." He was hoping to foster some kind of civility from her.

She fixed a hard angry glare on Lex and spoke harshly, he wasn't getting off that easy. "Maybe not for you. But I'm sure the new Mrs. Luthor wouldn't be too pleased. Besides Lex I don't need you to take care of me." She turned to the Kents and softened her tone. "Martha, Jonathan thank you. I have to get going I left my father and grandfather alone together and I need to make sure they don't kill each other before the wedding. I'll see you all tonight. I can show myself out." Paris turned and walked out of the room.

After she left Clark spoke up. "So Lex I take it Paris and Helen still aren't getting along."

"That's one way of looking at it. Helen doesn't like Paris because we used to date, among other things. And Paris doesn't like Helen because she's never trusted any woman I've dated, ever. And I can't argue with her because until now she's been right about all of them."

----SMallville General that afternoon----

Lex and Helen walked through the hall at the hospital. Helen gaves Lex a clipboard.

"Here's a revised seating chart for the rehearsal dinner."

"Who are the people marked in blue?"

"Relatives who still talk to each other." Helen said matter of factly.

"How about the red?" Lex asked slightly amused.

"Family feuds and people who haven't spoken in at least five years." Still matter of fact.

"And the yellow ones scattered throughout?" Still amused.

Helen gave a chuckle. "Buffer zones. Relatives who have no particular allegiance and whose conversation won't insight a riot."

"If this medical career doesn't work out, you should consider the United Nations."

Helen took the clip board back. "I'm not done yet."

"By the way, I put the Kents at our table. I asked them to sit with us at the dinner to fill in for my parents." Lex tried to slip that one in unnoticed.

They stopped outside Helen's office door. "Lex, I think it's great that you want to make them a big part of this, but..." She trailed off.

"But what?" He asked a bit defensive.

"Don't you think this might be the right moment to reach out to your father?" She tried to smooth this over.

"Helen, I'm touched that you want us to reconcile, but it's not gonna happen. Besides, the only family I need is you."

Helen smiled slightly. She took her keys out and they went into her office. They both stopped just inside the door, shocked looks on their faces. The entire office was ransacked, papers all over the floor, chairs knocked over, and drawers open. "I don't believe this."

She went over and open a small refrigerator that was on the table, she opened it and it was empty.

Lex walked up behind her. "We should call the police. Is anything valuable missing?" He asked eyeing the refrigerator.

Helen stood silent staring into the empty fridge.

----The Field Between The Kent's house and Lana's old house----

Lana was riding her horse through the field. She noticed Clark watching from the fence and rode over to him.

"Hey." Clark said, happy to see her

"Hey." Lana smiled back as she got off the horse. "Come on." She took his bit and started leading him.

"Look, Lana, last night was a big deal for me."

"Clark..."

"Look, you don't have to avoid calling me if you don't feel the same way."

"No, it meant a lot to me too. Everything seemed so clear, but today it just feels a lot more complicated."

"Is this about Chloe?"

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about her, but there are three friendships at stake here and I don't want to risk losing ours."

"Well, the friendship isn't gonna go anywhere. It'll just become something better."

"And what happens down the road if... things don't work out? Will our friendship survive that? I mean look at Lex and Paris one minute they're best friends the next they can't even be in the room together. Being around those two has become quite uncomfortable. Do you really want that?"

"I don't know. Lana, I've wanted this for so long, I think it's worth taking the chance. And I don't think we will ever harbor the same animosity for each other that Paris and Lex do, there's got something going on there that no one else knows about.

They gazed at each other for a few minutes. A voice was heard in the distance. "The day is coming."

Clark turned around after hearing the voice.

"Clark, Are you all right?" Lana asked, concerned.

The voice got louder. "They day is coming!"

Clark looked up to the sky, trying to figure out where the voice was coming from.

"Clark, what is it?"

"I'm sorry, I have to go." Clark apologized as he ran toward his house.

----Ahh the office of Sexy LExy----

Helen was looking through a drawer of Lex's files in the office. She pulled out a file labeled Martha Kent and started to look through it. She turned around and was startled to find Lionel standing there, watching her.

"You don't really think he's hidden it in here, do you?" Lionel asked, breaking the silence.

Helen got defensive. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I'm talking about the valuable object Lex stole from your office."

"Lex would never steal from me." She said dismissively.

Lionel smirked a bit and pretended to contemplate her statement. "Hmm. If you believe that. What are you doing rummaging around in here while he's out?"

Helen tried to side step the question. "How do I know it wasn't you who broke into my office?"

Lionel was amused at her attempt to derail him. "Oh my. Seems I've antagonized the lady of the house. Please, would you tell my son I dropped by to offer my best wishes?" He starts to walk away but stopped a predatory grin formed on his face. "Oh, no. That would be difficult, wouldn't it? Because then we'd have to explain that we ran into each other when we were in here and I caught you snooping and, oh... Oh that could get really messy. Especially with your wedding day almost upon us." He chuckled, pleased with the situation he put her in.

"Get out." Helen demanded.

Lionel was enjoying this game of cat and mouse too much to leave. "Can I ask you a question, Helen?" She didn't answer him, she just folded her arms over her chest and scowled. "Why are you marrying Lex?"

"Because I love him." She answered simply.

"Hmm." Lionel left without another word.

----The Rehearsal Dinner that Evening----

Paris was walking through one of the connecting hallways, from the bathroom, toward the room where the dinner was being held and tall gentleman with dark brown hair and brown eyes walked up behind her.

"Excuse me miss but I seem to be lost."

Paris jumped when the baritone voice cutting through her thoughts. "Jesus Bruce." She turned to face her long time friend. "If I have a heart attack I'm suing you." She joked.

"I'd never let that happen. Paris Stratford, lingering in the shadows. Must say I'm surprised at this turn of events."

"Bruce Wayne, fashionably late as usual. How's Batman doing?" She asked raising an eyebrow.

"He's fine. He says hello." He said jokingly.

"Well I think we'd better get in there. Before someone sends a search party."

"Your arm my lady?"

"Why thank you kind sir." She said linking her arm through his.

"You look beautiful. No wonder Helen is threatened by you, you're going to show her up."

Paris chuckled a bit. "You know just what to say to make me feel better."

"Well shameless flattery has always worked on you."

"And to think I was going to tell you how handsome you look."

"You still can."

"Umhm. Well you do look handsome, jackass."

"Just remember you're taking me home tonight."

"Yeah and you're sleeping in a completely different part of my house. You know the same house as my father and grandfather."

"Mere details." He said with a playful wink.

"Shouldn't you be saving the flirting for the throngs of adoring women awaiting your arrival in the next room? I mean with Lex off the market you are one of the few eligible billionaires in North America."

"Don't remind me."

"With Lex off the 10 most eligible list where will this put you?" She asked jokingly.

"Be quiet." He replied dryly.

She responded by sticking her tongue out at him.

"Is Albert coming?"

"No, unfortunately he has the glamorous job of editing our movie and he can't make it out here."

"Oh well." Bruce gave a shrug. They stopped in front of the doors to the ballroom where the rehersal dinner was being held. "Are you ready to see our boy get married?"

"No." She said morosely and shook her head.

"Neither am I but here goes."

----Chloe's lair, The Torch----

Chloe was sitting at her desk at the Torch looking at pictures of her and Clark from the Spring Formal on her computer. Lionel entered giving her a start.

"I certainly do admire your work ethic, Miss Sullivan." Lionel said peering over her shoulder at the monitor.

She quickly closed her window down.

"Late at night, here you are, still at it." Lionel walked around the office as if her owned it.

"Yeah. Well, I wasn't invited to the rehearsal dinner, so..."

"Yes, we have a lot in common." He gave a laugh. "I spoke to the, uh, managing editor at the Daily Planet. It's all set. A weekly column on current affairs from the, uh, young person's perspective."

"I don't know how to thank you."

"Nurturing a promising young talent is a reward in itself. And I've, uh, I've got your first assignment." He sat on the desk top. "A complete investigative profile of Clark Kent."

"What possible interest could the Daily Planet have in a farm boy from Smallville?"

"This isn't for the Daily Planet. I'm sure they'll be in touch with you. No, this is for me. Just, uh, combine it with, uh, any research about his family you already have."

Chloe stood up. "Wow. I blew off my journalistic skepticism and allowed myself to actually believe that you were interested in just helping me." She snarked.

"You're playing in the real world now, Miss Sullivan. You have to give to get." Lionel said in a business tone.

"Mr. Luthor. I don't know what your interest is in Clark, but you can take the job offer and shove it down your thousand dollar pants."

"Clark's very lucky to have a friend like you. All that integrity. I-I wonder, though, if he had to make a choice, would he sacrifice his dream out of loyalty to you?"

Chloe didn't answer, Lionel just stood and left her standing there shocked.

----After the Rehearsal dinner----

The rehearsal dinner had ended, almost all of the guests were gone. Clark got a migraine in the middle of his best man speech and had to rush home, Paris was hoping to use that excuse but instead she had to stay the duration, which included Helen sending daggers her way. The Stratfords, Gustave, and Bruce were about the only guests left save for a few of Helen's colleagues who were still milling about. Some annoying thoracic surgeon who had been hitting on Paris, trying to use his Jaguar as a selling point, and a pediatrician named Molly who had been after Bruce, she looked like she was fresh out of day school. Paris had left the room in a hurry, she was having a bout of 'morning sickness' and had to excuse herself not too long before the party had ended. She was standing in one of the east wing powder rooms rinsing her mouth out, with her now ever present bottle of mouth wash, and fixing her makeup so no one would know she had just thrown up everything she had eaten that evening. She was more than displeased to be kneeling before a toilet in a $2,000 dress and her favorite pair of $600.00 shoes, puking like a drunk or a bulimic. She almost looked like a scene out of 'When Heiresses Go Wild'. "Jesus Stratford look at yourself." She whispered at her reflection, disgusted with her whole situation. She gripped the edge of the sink and closed her eyes tight, willing away the tears that wanted to spring forth. "Stop this, stop, this, stop this." She chanted softly. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes again. When she looked herself over, she was satisfied and sure that no one would suspect a thing. She flushed the toilet, grabbed her clutch purse, and slipped out of the powder room quietly. She walked back to where she'd left her party and hoped they'd be there so she could go. She walked into the ballroom to be met by her father, grandfather, Bruce and Lex. That's all she needed was a inquisition from the grand jury.

"Paris dear we were going to have a night cap and smoke a few choice cigars before we departed for the evening. Will you be joining us?" Her father asked.

"No that's okay dad. I'm actually going to head home."

"Are you sure you won't join us?" Bruce asked. "For old times sake."

"I would if I could but I'm not feeling well." She was shivering a bit, between the draftiness of the castle, her strapless dress and throwing up a bit. "This new medication is really taking a toll on me."

"Maybe you should talk to your allergist about that." Lex said.

"As a matter of fact I'm calling her tomorrow."

"Well you look cold." Bruce walked over and put his jacket around her shoulders.

"Thanks Bruce. Umm, I'm going. Dad I'll send the limo back for you three." She turned to look at Lex. "Lex it was a lovely dinner."

"Thank you." He wasn't going to give her any lee way either.

Paris walked past them and out of the room.

----Even later on that night----

Lex was holding two glasses of wine in his study. He handed a glass to Helen.

"With the exception of Clark's migraine, I thought the evening was mercifully uneventful." Helen stood silent. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Helen, if we're gonna spend our lives together, we need to be completely honest with each other. You're always saying that."

"I found a file on Mrs. Kent in your bookshelf. It contained confidential medical records. From my office."

"I got that from one of the disease control agents who was investigating Mrs. Kent's case."

"You mean you bribed someone for it?" Helen questioned, shocked.

"I've told you. The Kents are very important to me. I was concerned about Martha's health." Lex reasoned. "What were you looking for anyway?"

"Something that was stolen from my office."

"Do you think I was involved in the break in?" Lex asked, shocked.

"Please tell me you weren't." Helen pleaded.

"If you really believe I'm capable of that kind of deceit, maybe you shouldn't be marrying me."

"Maybe you're right." Helen shot back.

Helen put down her wine and left the study. Lex put down his glass and walked over to the bookshelf. He reached underneath a shelf and lifted it, revealing a secret compartment with a box inside. He took out the box, put it down on the desk, and opened it. A thin metal vial lay inside. He opened the vial letting out the carbon dioxide, then tipped it to get the glass tube of Clark's blood.

----Clark's loft, earlier that evening----

Chloe pulled up to the Kent's house just in time for her head lights to reflect the pink of Lana's dress as she entered the barn. Putting journalistic curiosity before common sense she followed her in. She saw Lana and Clark talking in the loft. Than they kissed, Chloe ran out of the barn crying.