Disclaimer: I don't own them, I'm just playing in the sandbox and messing things up a bit so they're the way I like them. Enjoy! But don't sue...

Warning: This is a slash story. And a Clark Lionel slash story at that. Not your thing? Look elsewhere. Otherwise: Read on, Noble Reader!

Until Smallville, Lionel had perfect control of his emotions, his desires.

"Clark Kent," Lionel murmured thoughtfully, watching him dropping off produce at the mansion. For over two years now, he had watched the boy. Watched him intently, trying to analyze, understand, peel back, dissect-

"See something interesting out the window, Dad?"

Lionel grimaced at the interruption. "Just thinking."

Lex looked over his father's shoulder. "Gee, didn't know you went for young high school boys."

"Hardly. Though I might think the same of you. How much time have you been spending with your little friend lately?"

"I've been keeping on top of my work, so you needn't worry-"

"Of course not."

The conversation was over. Lionel left the room, with thoughts of Clark Kent swirling in his head. He was a boy. Yes, entirely too young... Still, the young ones always had so much stamina to offer.

"Oh, hello, Mr. Luthor."

Bashful innocence or mere mistrust kept Clark from meeting Lionel's eyes. Pity, the boy had beautiful eyes.

"Ah, Mr. Kent, keeping us in produce, I hope?"

Clark looked from one side of the wall behind Lionel's head to the other, giving Lionel only the briefest of looks at the boy's eyes.

"Yessir," he said, fidgeting. He wanted to be as far away as fast as possible. Lionel had no intention of letting the boy out of his grasp just yet.

"I haven't seen you around as much lately. Is all still well between yourself and my son?" Step in slightly closer, he doesn't pull back. Good boy, trying to show some signs of a backbone in his presence.

"Everything is fine, sir." And now the step back, realizing how close Lionel has become. The sweet smell of hay and soap hung in the air, tinged by Lionel's cologne.

"Very good." Lionel allows himself the small pleasure of patting the boy on the arm. No harm in that? Just a little friendly affection. My, what nice arms you have, Little Red.

A nod of the head, and Lionel walks past Clark to attend to his own secret affairs.

As soon as Lionel was out of sight, Clark found himself rubbing the arm where Lionel had touched him, almost looking as if he could rub... something out. He walked in to see Lex.

"What's up with your father?" Clark asks as he walks in.

Lex squints a bit. "I think he believes I'm spending too much time with you."

"Really?" Clark thrusts his hands into his pockets. "Because he just told me that he hasn't seen me around as much lately."

"My father, the eternal paradox." This was not good. There was only one reason Lex could think of for his father to want Clark around more. As much as he valued the friendship, Lex was not going to subject his friend to that. Lex did not like to think about his father's sexual habits, and quickly shut down any further thought into the matter. He would just have to monitor any exposure Clark had with Lionel very closely.

Clark Kent working in his father's field. Clark Kent reading in his science class. Clark Kent laughing with his friend Pete Ross. Clark Kent in gym class. More Clark Kent in gym class. Clark Kent changing after gym to go back to class-

Lionel was going to have to pay the photographer handsomely. And perhaps a raise was in order if this particular photographer could get more like the last few shots. As it was, Lionel was going to have to make a quick sojourn to his room. The boy was beautiful; there was no doubt about that.

"What are you looking at, Dad?" Lionel could hear the smirk inherent in his son's voice. "Stalking your latest conquest?"

Lionel shoved the photos back into their envelope like a kid caught by his dad with his first porn magazine. "Just some photos of a project."

"Right." Disbelief. Lionel was thankful he was sitting behind his desk so his son could not see the state he was in. The arousal was painful enough in and of itself in that he was now not going to be able to do anything about it. But with Lex right there... "Those wouldn't have anything to do with Clark would they?"

"I told you, they have to do with a project-"

"And what project would that be, Dad?" Lex sat on the desktop. Lionel scooted his chair in closer to the desk, trying to look as nonplussed as he could.

"Nothing that concerns you, Lex. Now if you don't mind-"shoo, boy, shoo- "I have work to do."

"Don't think I haven't noticed you looking at him, Dad. Just remember, this isn't Metropolis. I think you'll find Jonathon Kent a bit harder to buy off when he finds out you've been after his son."

"Lex, I don't have time for this-"leave, damn you! Need time with left hand! "-I really have to get back to work."

"Of course, Dad. I'm sure you'll be 'working' for a while."

Damn son. He would be a problem. "Go bother someone else, Lex." Really need alone time! Of all the times for Lex to want to have a longwinded conversation-

Lex stood and walked back to the door. "Is there someone I can send up to help you with your little problem under the desk there?"

Lionel lost it and threw a glass dish off his desk at Lex's head. Lex had all ready left, but the dish made a satisfying crash against the doorframe. Maybe it was time for Lex to be called away to Europe for a few months.

Carmella Fitzpatrick, secretary to the great Lionel Luthor, sighed as she began the long drive to Smallville. Not that she was planning on stalking her boss, the powerful, mighty, darn sexy (did she just think "sexy?") Lionel Luthor. Her Ford Focus drove smoothly past the city limits of Metropolis. It was going to be a long four-hour trip to Smallville. Sure she could make it in three hours, but they were called speed limits for a reason, people! The meant it was the fastest you were allowed to go on a particular road. And Carmella was a firm believer in roadway safety.

Carmella fit the term "pleasantly plump" to the last letter. She was not an overly large women, but she was no Victoria's model either. And Carmella had the pleasant personality to match the plumpness.

"Well, Carm, how's about a little Justin Timberlake and those adorable Nsync boys?" she giggled to herself, pushing the CD into the CD player. The sad truth was that this was the hardest CD Carmella Fitzpatrick owned. And she knew the entire dance from the "Bye, Bye, Bye"- video. Which she acted out to the best of her ability while driving. Remember, roadway safety!

"I'm doing this tonight

You're probably gonna start a fight

I know this can't be right

Hey baby come on

I loved you endlessly

When you weren't there for me."

The car sped along to Smallville.

Author's note: I know, I know, NSnyc sucks, but hey, I figured a peppy little thing like Carmella would listen to it. So, for copywrite purposes:

"Bye, Bye, Bye", from the "No Strings attached" CD, c. 2000, Zomba Recording. Written by Lundin, Jake, and Carlson

TBC