Chapter 6: Houseguest
Klark dropped by his fathers office early the next day. "Hey dad," he said as he walked in.
"Wow, to work early." Lionel said. "I'm impressed, Klark."
"Don't be," Klark said. "I'm leaving."
"Leaving?" Lionel asked.
"Yeah, I'm going to Smallville." Klark said.
"Why to Smallville?" Lionel asked. "You want to see your brother?"
"Something like that," Klark replied. "I'm going to be gone for a few days at least, I assume you can make the arrangements for my leave at work and school."
"I guess so, but this is a really impulsive and irresponsible decision." Lionel said. "I'm disappointed in you, son."
"I am sorry, but it wont happen again." Klark said.
"Are you sure?" Lionel asked. He took a Daily Planet newspaper off of his desk and threw it to Klark.
"What's this?" Klark asked.
"Read it," Lionel said.
"'Man assaulted outside Atlantis club late last night,'" Klark read aloud. "So?"
"Continue," Lionel said.
"Known car thief Wesley Pratt was brutally assaulted last night outside the popular club Atlantis. He told police that the assailant was around twenty years of age with short black hair and drove a black Ferrari with the license 'plate that read 'Kal'." Klark read. "Oh."
"Yes, now you understand." Lionel said.
"Why should I hide my powers from them?" Klark asked. "With the abilities I have I should be ruling them."
"I have told you time and time again that true power is better left concealed." Lionel said. "People are always looking to move ahead and if your abilities are made well known, eventually a weakness will be found."
"I don't have a weakness," Klark said.
"As long as you remain in the shadows, it may never be found." Lionel said. "But if you let people know of your power, they will try to control it, and you."
"Yeah, I know, I know." Klark said and headed for the door. "I'll give you a call tomorrow or in a few days to let you know what's going on," he said then walked out.
"Wow, this place is huge." Pete said as he followed Lex and Chloe around Lex's mansion.
"I'm glad you like it," Lex said. "Next I'll show you my car collection."
"Car collection?" Pete asked.
"You said the magic word," Chloe said.
"Are you a big fan of sports cars?" Lex asked Pete.
"Yeah man," Pete replied. "What cars do you have?"
"Well my Porsche is currently being worked on, but besides that I have a BMW, Jaguar and an Astin Martin now." Lex replied. "My brother has the Ferrari. What's your favorite type of car, Pete?"
"Do I have to pick just one?" Pete asked.
"Well you do if you want a ride in one," Lex replied. "And this time you don't even have to get run off a bridge."
"Wow," Pete said. "I'd like a ride in the Jag, man."
"Great choice," Lex said. They all started towards the garage when they heard a buzz. "Who could that be?"
Lex walked downstairs to the front door and answered the intercom. "Who's there?"
"Guess," Klark said.
"Come on in," Lex said and pushed a button.
"Who is it, Lex?" Chloe asked.
"My brother Klark," Lex replied, then looked at Pete. "Pete, do you have your license?"
"Of course," Pete replied. "Why?"
"Take the car for a test drive," Lex said and threw a set of keys to Pete. Pete caught the keys and froze for a moment. "Go on, have some fun."
"Thanks man," Pete said. "You want to come along Chloe?"
"Not really," Chloe replied. "First of all I'm not much of a sports car fanatic, and I'd fear for my life with you driving one."
"Well, suit yourself." Pete said and continued out to the garage.
A minute later Klark walked in and dropped a piece of luggage on the floor. "I am here, big brother." He said.
"Chloe, allow me to introduce you to my younger brother Klark." Lex said.
"Call me Kal," Klark said.
"Why?" Chloe said.
"It's my nickname, you can get it out of Klark." Klark said.
"You can also get leo out of Chloe, but it would be to obscure to notice." Chloe said and Lex laughed.
"I wouldn't expect a hick from Smallville to understand," Klark said, then turned to Lex. "So, where do I stay?"
"Stay?" Lex asked.
"Yeah, I've decided to stay in Smallville for a couple of days." Klark said. "Dad didn't tell you?"
"I mustn't have got the message," Lex said. "I guess you can stay in the guest house out back. Follow me," Lex said then led them outside.
Lex walked in first, followed by Klark and Chloe. Klark walked in, looked around then jumped on the bed and stretched out. "This will do," Klark said.
"Good," Lex said. "We'll be in the main house if you need anything," he said as he and Chloe began walking out.
"You can go Lex, but your friend's welcome to stay." Klark said with a smile.
"Don't count on it," Chloe said then followed Lex outside and into the main house.
"Excuse my brother," Lex said. "He hasn't learned his manners yet."
"I don't know how you put up with him," Chloe said. "I never would want to."
"It's hard, but I don't have much of a choice." Lex said and took a seat at his desk. "I just don't understand why he's here in Smallville."
"T mock us?" Chloe asked.
"Although he's egotistical and doesn't have respect for small townspeople, I doubt he would come out here just to make fun of them." Lex said. "I'll have to call me father, he should give me some reason."
Lex dialed a number and waited for the receptionist to answer. "LuthorCorp, Lionel Luthor's office."
"Hello Jill, it's Lex." Lex said. "Can I speak with my father?"
"He's in a meeting now, but should be done any minute." Jill said.
"I'll wait," Lex said.
A few minutes later Lionel answered. "Lex?"
"Yeah, what's going on with Klark?" Lex asked.
"I guess he's there now," Lionel said.
"Yeah," Lex replied. "Why is he here?"
"He told me that he wanted to spend some quality time with his brother," Lionel said.
"That's funny," Lex said. "What's the real reason why he's here?"
"I'm not really sure," Lionel said. "We had a fight about something he had done and he probably just wanted to leave. And if he saw your mention in the Smallville paper..."
"...He got jealous and figured he could get something here," Lex finished. "Should've known it would be him trying to get attention, but never would have thought he would ever be jealous of me."
"Believe it or not Lex, Klark does look up to you like little brothers do." Lionel said.
"Why, I was the bald kid that people mocked." Lex said. "Besides he was always the favorite in the family."
"Your mother and I loved you two equally," Lionel said.
"You did until Klark showed up, then because he was 'special' he was the only one you saw so you tried to mold him in your image." Lex said. "Mom cared, until she got too sick."
"Always with the self-pity Lex," Lionel said. "Rejected at school because of your baldness, at home because of your brother's abilities, just accept what you are and deal with it for the future."
"I have dad, and you'll realize that soon enough." Lex said and hung up the phone.
"So what's the story?" Chloe asked.
"Klark's staying here for a few days or until he gets bored," Lex said with a sigh.
"Why don't you stand up to him?" Chloe asked.
"You just don't understand," Lex said.
"Then enlighten me," Chloe said.
"I'm back !" Pete yelled as he walked back in and passed the keys to Lex. "That car is amazing !"
"That's why I bought it," Lex said.
"So Chloe, are we going to the football game now?" Pete asked.
"Football, that sounds like fun." Klark said as he walked in.
"Who's this?" Pete asked.
"Lex's brother Klark," Chloe replied.
"So where's the game?" Klark asked.
"The high school," Pete replied.
"Then let's go," Klark said. "Going in Lex's car?"
"Yeah ,why not." Lex said then led everyone outside.
Everyone arrived at Smallville High that evening, and headed up to the risers by the football field. "Welcome everyone to the first game of the season featuring your Smallville Crows against the Exploits Eagles!" A voice yelled over an intercom.
"Do you have only birds in this town?" Klark asked. "Should at least have the Smallville Cows for more variety," Klark said, then laughed.
"What's the deal with this guy?" Pete whispered to Chloe.
"Just ignore him," Chloe said.
"And here's your captain, Whitney Fordman !" The voice yelled as Whitey ran out on field in then red and yellow uniform, holding his helmet.
"Whitney?" Klark asked. "Isn't that a girl's name?" He asked, but no one answered.
Some music then played, and the cheerleaders cheered on field. Klark stared down at the lead cheerleader and remained silent. "Who's that?" He asked.
"That's Lana Lang," Pete replied.
"I like her," Klark said.
"Sorry man, she's Whitney's girlfriend." Pete said.
"As if he could compare to me," Klark said.