When Paris got home she had some big time atoning to do. First to the Kents, then to her staff in California.

She woke up early, well early for her at least, the day after she and Lex returned to Smallville. She felt relaxed and well rested, even though she should have had a serious case of jet lag, it was part excitement part post orgasmic bliss. They were sleeping in Lex's gigantic and sensationally comfortable bed, it felt like a big hug. The sun was creeping in under the curtains, she was wrapped around Lex who was sleeping soundly and sharing his pillow, sure she had more then enough room on her side but who needs that when you can spoon with Lex Luthor, life was good. She cracked one eye open and decided it was too early to be up, so she burrowed her head further into the pillow, behind Lex, the ends of her hair tickling his neck.

"I don't think that's going to work." Lex said as he yawned.

"Did I wake you up?" She asked, groggily, her eyes still closed against the day.

"No. I just tried the same thing a few seconds ago."

"Damn." She rolled back to her side and stretched, arching her back with catlike grace. "MMMMM." She groaned in appreciation, as her muscles stretched and bones cracked, then made her way back to Lex's side of the bed and laid her head on his chest. She could hear his heart beat through the soft cotton of his t-shirt and the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. She could definitely get used to more mornings like this and she was planning on it.

He lightly ran his fingers through her hair, being mindful to steer clear of knots, loud yelps of pain first thing in the morning were not his favorite part of the day. "So what do you have planned for today?"

"Stuff." She answered non-committaly with a shrug.

The corners of Lex's lips went up in a small grin. "Stuff huh? Do you want to tell me what kind of stuff or are we going with non-descript?"

"Going to the Kent's and apologizing for my behavior, and thanking them for taking care of my house and Cicero. I feel bad for abandoning him all summer."

"I know. They'll forgive you. He may not though."

She turned her head to face him and swatted his arm. "Thanks, I really needed to know that my dog may hate me." She said half joking.

"Well come on, the Kent's farm is a dog's paradise."

"Shut up."

"Make me." He teased.

"Mmm. I smell a challenge." She crawled up his chest and slowly lowered her mouth to his. "I like challenges. I win challenges."

----Kent farm three hours later----

Paris pulled up in one of Lex's Porches. After cutting the engine she took a deep breath and steadied herself before walking into the Kent house. She didn't see anyone out front as she walked up the path, hell she couldn't even see her dog and he was white with black spots. She trudged up the back steps, her gym shoes making a soft scuffing noise, then hesitantly knocked on the screen door.

Martha was upstairs cleaning when she heard a knock on her back door. When she looked out the window her heart leapt, she came jogging down the stairs after she saw the black Porche parked in her driveway, but the sight at her back door caused her to stop dead in her tracks. "Paris." She gasped. She ran to the back door and all but dragged the young woman inside.

"Hi Maroof..." She was cut off when Martha grabbed her into a bear hug. It felt good to be hugged like that.

"Let me get a look at you." Martha let her go and examined her, as she may a new dress or painting, the first thing she noticed was her now slightly frail frame. "You've lost weight." She said displeased.

Paris squirmed a bit. "Yeah I did. I'm putting it back on though. Not with junk food, well not too much junk food, mainly carbs and training." She wasn't sure why she felt the need to explain herself but it seemed right.

"Good, you don't need to get too thin. Come sit down." Martha ushered her into a stool at the counter.

Paris did just that. Objecting was going to be no use and she knew it.

"Would you like some orange juice?"

"No thanks. Bad CAT Scan flashbacks, I won't be drinking anything orange colored or flavored for at least a month. But I'd love some coffee."

"Great. And I just made cinnamon rolls." Martha busied herself getting the mugs. A few seconds later she came to the counter with two steaming cups of coffee and cinnamon rolls.

"Before you say anything I want to apologize to you. I'd like to apologize to Jonathan and Clark too but they don't seem to be around."

"They went to get feed. They took Cicero with them too. I hope you don't mind, he loves riding in the back of the pickup."

Her face fell a bit but she cheered back up before Martha noticed. "No I'm grateful that you have taken such good care of him. You've done more for him this summer than I have. If he were a kid I'd have DCFS after me."

Martha reached out and took her hand. "Paris don't say things like that."

"No it's okay. I had a problem and I ran away. I abandoned you all, and you have been so great to me and you really didn't have to be. Most people see me as Malcolm Stratford's daughter, or the spoiled little girl from New York who used mommy and daddy's names to get where she is. You all didn't, you gave me a chance and I gave up. And I'm sorry. I should have called or e-mailed you, you didn't know if I was still alive or even if I was coming back." Paris stopped to compose herself. "When my mother died I never thought anyone would care for me the way she had. She was the most amazing person in the world, but I'm biased."

"You loved her a lot. You still miss her don't you?" Martha said lovingly.

Paris closed her eyes for a second. "Everyday with every ounce of my soul. Usually it can keep it in perspective but sometimes it gets unbearable, like this summer. But when I woke up in that hospital you were sitting beside me, holding my hand. You had your own things to deal with and you stayed with me. When I saw you sitting there, for the first time in a long time I felt truly safe and secure. You shared your warmth and love with me and as soon as I could I ran. And I am truly sorry for that."

Martha gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Paris you have nothing to be sorry for. You were in a situation that no one could ever know how to deal with. You did what came natural to you and you don't have to be sorry for that, ever. Do you understand me?"

Paris nodded. "I know this won't make up for all that you have done for me but I'd like to give it to you and Jonathan anyway." She pulled a check from her back pocket and handed it to Martha.

When Martha saw the amount the check was for her jaw dropped but she quickly recomposed herself. "Paris you paid us before the wedding. This is too much."

"You went above and beyond for me it's the least I can do."

"Paris that's what family does for each other and Lex already helped us with the farm."

Paris smiled. "Thank you and I know about Lex. But I still insist that you and Jonathan take it."

Martha nodded and put the check on the table. "Paris I hope you don't mind but I found your office."

Paris wasn't following. "Well it's not a secret that I tend to work from home."

"No, I went in. I found your photo albums and some home videos."

Paris smiled. "Oh that. No I don't mind at all."

"Are you sure?"

"No it's fine. I'm glad someone got some use out of them this summer."

"I think it helped me understand you more. I also realize why you feel the way you do about Lex. He's the first person outside of your family you've ever loved, really fell in love with, isn't he?"

Paris smiled fondly. "Yeah. He's the only one. I mean I was 17 when I fell in love with him, but it was so right and it still is. I can't remember not wanting to spend the rest of my life with him."

Martha smiled. "He feels the same way about you. I can tell. You're lucky to have each other."

"Thank you. Now all we have to do is convince our fathers of that, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

"You love each other and that will help you through anything."

Paris chuckled. "Obviously you've never seen our fathers in action. They can make nuns swear."

Martha smiled back. "You'll be fine."

Jonathan and Clark came in with Cicero, who was barking wildly. He ran up to Paris and all but jumped in her lap. She hopped off her stool and knelt down to pet him and laughed when he licked her face. "Did you miss me? I'm sorry I left you." She gave the pup a hug then stood up to face Clark and Mr. Kent. "Hi."

Jonathan gave a small smile. "Paris, welcome home. This is your home again isn't it?" his voice and face were stern but Paris knew he wasn't mad.

"Yes it is. Permanently."

"It's good to have you back sweetheart." He walked over and gave her a hug.

"It's good to be welcomed back." He let her go and sat next to Martha. "Clark is it my imagination or have you gotten taller?" She ribbed him.

He ducked his head and shoved his hands in his pockets. "No you've just been gone too long."

"I guess. Well that's not happening again."

"Good. So how's Lex?"

"He's good. I think he was still sleeping when I left."

"Lex slept in?"

"He does that sometimes." Paris tried to be nonchalant, Martha and Jonathan snickered a bit behind her.

Clark's eyes grew two sizes and he started to shift uncomfortably when he finally realized what she was talking about. "Yeah well, dad has some chores for me so I'll see you later." He gave her a quick hug and bolted out the door.

She turned to Martha and Jonathan. "I think I've scarred him for life."

"It had to come sooner or later." Martha joked.

Paris chuckled. "I don't want to take up too much of your day so I'll be going. Besides I have to pack for a business trip."

"So soon?" Martha asked, concerned.

"Yeah if I want to stay in Kansas permanently I have to make some changes."

"What kind of changes?" Jonathan chimed in.

A sly grin crossed Paris' face. "You'll see." She turned to the dog who was sitting at her feet. "Alright Cicero are you ready to get Lex's car full of fur?"

The dog stood quickly at the mention of a 'car.'

"Here's his leash." Jonathan sadly handed the leash to her.

"Thank you again."

"You're welcome."

Paris put the leash on the dog and walked out of the house. "And guess what. You can get nose prints on the windows too. Just don't do those things in my car."

Jonathan and Martha watched her and the dog pull away. He slid his arm around her waist and she leaned into him. "They're going to make it."

"I know. I just don't think it's going to be easy for them. They don't deserve that."

"They'll be fine. Lex doesn't take no for an answer and I don't think Paris does either."

----Crimson and Clover Productions, Los Angeles California, Monday Morning----

There were whispers and sidelong glances at Paris as she stood at the head of her board room table looking into the expectant faces of all her employees who, she assumed, were all wondering what in the world she was going to tell them and had they all just lost their jobs. She looked to her two office managers who were sitting to her left and Albert who was seated at her right before clearing her throat to begin. "Alright everyone I want to make this quick. We have a lot of work to get done." The room fell silent. "First of all I would like to apologize for leaving this summer. As the owner of this company it was irresponsible on my part. Secondly I would like to commend you all on a job well done. You rallied together this summer and this will be our most profitable quarter to date. I guess I should leave more often." Soft laughter filled the room. "I would also like to thank Jeffery and Mallory for stepping up and taking charge of things in my absence. And my cousin Albert for filling my shoes, you have done a phenomenal job. Okay, so you all know I didn't just call you here to give you a pat on the back. In April we did an exploration as to the benefits of relocating to Kansas." Muffled whispers filled the room. "Everyone calm down, we are still a relatively small operation and there is no need for us to move this office to Metropolis. But the facts came in; and with its, phenomenal tax breaks for filming there, easy to manipulate sky line, relatively unused space, and easy access to California and Canada Crimson and Clover will be opening a studio in Metropolis. We will start with three large movie scale soundstages, and two television studios. With this expansion we will be hiring full time writing, production, special effects, direction and all other crews, as opposed to contracting like we have in the past this will be a fully functioning studio. We have done above and beyond expectations on the small scale, we are the most profitable independent production company in California. And in ten years time I want to be in serious competition with Disney, Paramount and Warner Brothers Studios. And in 15 years I want to be on top in this industry, toppling what it took them the better part of a century to build. Since you are the staff I started with you all have the option of staying in the L.A office or moving to Kansas. Beth is handing out packets right now detailing our plan and what would be involved with moving including personal incentives to employees. Any questions?"

Eric raised his hand. "If were going big in Metropolis why are you keeping the L.A. office?"

"This is the office we started with. I would build the studio here but there is truly no room and we all know my aversion to moving back here." More polite laughter. "But in order to stay competitive with Hollywood standards we need to keep our hub in L.A. we still need to network and keep our faces familiar. This office will still do its normal day to day operations. And some of you will have upgrades in job title due to more responsibilities back here."

"When do we break ground?"

"The land and building have already been purchased and we should be ready to move in by the end of the month. Taping starts in October. By the way everyone is getting a ten percent raise retroactive from June." There were a few cheers and claps. A sly grin formed on Paris' lips "Oh and by the way. Due to Michael Eisner's short sightedness we now own Pixar Animation. They will be joining us in December." The room erupted in cheers and shouts and hand slapping. "Everyone get ready to be millionaires. This meeting is over, everyone have a good day." Paris walked out of the room followed by Albert. When they got back to her office she sat down behind her desk and he sat down in front. "Albert I do want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am so sorry for laying all of this on you this summer. I didn't even think about you before I left."

Albert just nodded. "It's not a problem. But if you do it again I'm going to smite you." He joked.

She smirked. "Point taken." She reached into her messenger bag and pulled out an envelope and handed it to him across the desk.

"What's this?" He asked. Slightly taken aback.

"This is a proposal."

"Like a Robert Redford Demi Moore proposal?" He asked sarcastically.

"No, and ewwww!" She said with a laugh.

He opened the envelope and his eyes almost fell out of his head. "You're giving me my own film crew and company under you."

"In order to do the things you want you need a support system who will let you do anything you want. No strings attached you'll still be able to use your indie company and logo. You get any project you want hell you can be the English Michael Moore if you want to. I won't give you the kind of static the other studios do."

"You are the best cousin ever!" He jumped out of his seat and hugged her.

"The question is do you want to do it here or in Kansas?"

"Are you kidding me? I had the worst burn ever this summer, L.A. is the devil in my mind. I'm doing this standing next to you and if you're doing this in Kansas so am I. Besides I'm sure I'll need you standing by with bail money one day. When do we leave?"

"Day after tomorrow."

"Great. Time for the press conference. Let's go."

----Talon Tuesday morning----

The headline on the Daily Planet in Chloe's hand read "Move over LuthorCorp. Stratford heiress to relocate company to Metropolis," with a picture of Paris under it. She sat down at the coffee bar to talk to Lana. "Check it out. Paris is building a studio here."

"Why would anyone do that?" Lana asked, befuddled.

"Maybe she sees something in Metropolis that no one else does. Maybe it's her Talon. Either way I think life in Kansas just got a little more interesting."

"Well at least it'll be more aromatic then the fertilizer plant."

----

I know not much has gotten done by way of canon Smallville but I needed to get Paris to Kansas permanently. Reviews are more than welcome and appreciated, flame if you want.

P.S. RIP Chris Reeve.