WARNING: SLASH AS IN MALE AND MALE SEXUAL SITUATIONS OR TALKING DO NOT READ IF THIS OFFENDS YOU PLEASE!

Day Seven

The shock of being hit by a dump-truck of horrible emotions caused Clark to tremble and lose his ability to stay upright. A deep sadness and despair had overtaken him, making him fall to his knees on his bedroom floor wallowing in absolute misery. Life wasn't worth living anymore if it felt this bad. Why should he continue to try? Strong arms wrapped around him, soothing him, while a soft voice shushed him to quietness. Looking over he saw his friend, who continued to assure him that everything was going to be fine. He felt loved and smiled, feeling comforted by the fact that he was not alone. This was wonderful. Clark stroked his right hand down the side of the other person's face and whispered, 'Thank You.'

He woke up and glanced around the empty bed and floor. "Lex?"

The small single bed and ten by ten foot room had never looked so big before. Sitting up and turning off the alarm, he could almost smell his mother's pancakes cooking. He quickly showered and dressed, picking out a new-ish royal blue T-shirt and dark grey pants to wear.

Today was going to be a good day. He felt rejuvenated and ready to take on this problem from a whole new angle, and he knew that there was now someone who was going to help him. Lex. Thinking further, he also decided to ask Chloe to try to find the restaurant woman while at school as well, but there was no way that he planned on going anywhere near that building today. Smallville High was going to be off-limits for a while. Wow, had he done a little more than blow off some steam yesterday. If Lex hadn't stopped him, Clark wasn't sure what else he would have done to Lana or to the police when they would have showed up again. Shoving that unpleasant thought away, he tried to stay positive, and he was, even after having a faint dizzy spell after he got to the bottom of the stairs.

"Hi Mom, how are you doing?" He smiled and gave her a big hug and kiss, causing his mom to blush at the unusual amount of attention.

"You're in a good mood this morning." She appeared to be gauging what looked different about him this morning. Perhaps mothers have some hidden radar?

"Is there something wrong with that?" Clark poured himself a huge glass of orange juice.

"Of course not." She gave him an amused glance, "Are you going out on a date with Lana tonight?"

He inhaled some of the liquid up into his nose and choked out, "No. Why would you say that?"

"Oh, no reason." His mom gave a secretive smile, which he tried to ignore.

After making short work of changing the tire and pretending to leave for school, Clark quickly arrived at the Luthor mansion, and patiently waited for Lex to finish his important phone call. It had been easy to ask Lex to have a nice sit down talk with him so early in the morning. His friend had seemed eager to speak with him, in an extremely quiet and reserved way that Clark pretended not to notice. Sitting next to Lex while staring at the unlit fireplace, Clark decided to start off the conversation in a typical Clark-like matter. He didn't want Lex to think he had drastically changed over night.

"Lex, what would you do if you had to re-live the same exact day over and over again?"

"It would have to depend on which day." Lex gave him a very dry calculating look.

Clark continued in his typical manner. "Today."

"Today? Well, first I'd try to find the answer as to why it was happening-"

"Yeah, but when the day restarts everyone forgets about it. If you try to write anything down or record any new data anywhere at all, it disappears after the day ends. And you're the only one that you know of that it's happening to." Clark blurted out then realized Lex would no longer believe his hypothetical questioning any more.

It was that 'this is happening to a friend of mine speech', where the friend was really you that Clark and Lex had so many times; there was no way for Lex not to recognize it. Embarrassed, Clark blushed a bit while at the same time trying not losing his nerve. Clark maintained eye contact, continuing to watch for Lex's reactions.

"Okay. I can still remember the information myself right?" Even though his expression was completely neutral, Clark could see Lex's eyes shine with intelligence.

"Yes."

"Well there's usually a very logical solution behind every problem, you just have to know where to look." Smiling a bit, Lex began to appear generally intrigued with Clark's questioning.

"But how?"

"I would find it quite hard to believe that I was the only person on earth that this was happening to, and frankly something would have to be causing it. Unless of course it was all in my head, and nothing amiss was actually happening." Lex sighed and finally looked at Clark quite seriously, "This isn't a theoretical question now, is it?"

"No, I really need your help." Butterflies were definitely trying to make their way out of his stomach. Lex should have no problems believing him today, it wasn't like he had recently, to his friend's knowledge, gone psycho or anything to merit any unusual disbelief. And Smallville had by now thrown about a dozen meteor mutants and other strange phenomena at Lex already.

"How can I help you?"

"Well, first I thought maybe we could shoot some pool or go swimming and spend time together, because this repeating day thing is really getting on my nerves and I would really like a way to blow off some steam in a safe way." Clark said the last bit with a trace of self recrimination. It was also a bit odd at how Lex's eyebrow shot up at the word 'safe.' Deciding that the time was right to ask Lex for what he actually wanted, Clark went for it, "And maybe you could get some people to research a woman by the name of Elizabeth Hoffman for me? You know, find out were she lives and works, and where she was born, her age and medical records would be great too!"

Taken aback, Lex asked, "May I ask why?"

Clark was really starting to enjoy himself, "Wow, I thought we already discussed that part?"

Lex gave him one of those beautiful what the fuck looks that Clark was growing to like just a wee bit too much.

"You know the having to re-live the same day, figuring out why that's happening mostly by yourself, and then doing something about it. And, I'm almost positive that I'm not crazy. Hell, yesterday you even agreed with me that we should look her up. You can't argue with yourself now can you?" Why was he toying with Lex, and why was it so much fun?

A bright smile finally lit up Lex's face and he chuckled mildly. "You had me there for a minute."

That's why. Lex's seriousness had been bothering him, and instinctually he'd done something to change it for the better. He wanted to see his friend smile.

"But, Lex I'm an extremely bad liar. I know that." Clark let his grin turn into a charming smile, "I'm not that stupid. And I wasn't lying."

"Joking and lying are two different things."

"You're right, and this Friday I plan on only doing the 'J' one with you. Lying can go take a hike. I'm your open book, but with only one rule. If you read me, then I'm allowed to read you."

Lex appeared willing if also a bit wary to take on that challenge.

"I'll get someone to look into one 'Elizabeth Hoffman' immediately. I need a couple hours to finish off some work. If you would like to take a dip in the pool, be my guest, but I don't think I'll be joining you." His friend didn't appear to deem it necessary to ask why Clark wasn't in school. Good.

"Sure, that'd be great." He smiled knowing that there would be some swim trunks waiting for him by the pool's entrance.

Lex tilted his head giving him one last calculating look before leaving the room. "I'll meet you for lunch around noon."

It had been a bumpy start, and Clark was saddened to realise that as long is it stayed Friday it would always be a rough start. Now matter how super-friendly they were with each other at the end of the day before, Lex wouldn't be like that with Clark again that next morning. His friend over the last year had become guarded and aloof, even with him and it would have been pointless to pine over something he couldn't change right now.

It was now obvious that he couldn't change anyone permanently. Everyday they would start off exactly the same as the day before, and only he, Clark Kent, could adapt and change. He had to be able to find a way to use it to his advantage. As long as Friday ended and the weekend came, Clark could be happy if he wanted to be- if he let himself be.

Several hours later, after a relaxing and thoughtful swim in the outdoor pool alone, Clark changed back into his clothes and called Chloe's cell phone on his way to the dining room.

"Clark, where have you been?"

He tried to sound exhausted. "I'm sorry, but something Smallville strange has come up, and I really need your help."

Chloe's voice sounded concerned, "What do you need?"

"I need as much information about a woman named Elizabeth Hoffman that you can find."

"Is that her married or maiden name?" He could hear her typing the information into her computer.

"I don't know, but I think she lives in Metropolis." Would it be hard to find out a woman's maiden name?

"Well, if this is Smallville 'wall of weird' you're talking about. I'll double check to see if she has any connection to here."

"That would be a good idea." Lunch was promptly being placed on the table in front of him, French toast, hash browns, pancakes, sausages, eggs, ham, and fruit. He started serving himself, hearing Lex walking down the hall, but didn't take any of the pancakes.

"No problem. Is there anything else?"

"Not at the moment." Clark smiled and waved as Lex entered the room.

He could hear Pete greet Chloe in the background before she asked, "Will you be able to make your afternoon classes?"

"I don't think so. I'm very busy right now. You can lend me your notes tomorrow."

He heard her make a loud knowing laugh, "Yeah, I bet you are. I'm pretty sure I know where you are right now."

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Clark practically whined as Lex gave him a questioning look. "Never mind, I've gotta go. Talk to you later. Bye." He hung up just after hearing Chloe return his bye, which she had said in an annoying long drawn out way. Women.

Lex smiled, "Let me guess, that was Chloe?"

"You read mind's fearfully too well. Or you bugged the phone."

Chuckling, Lex leaned over the table handing Clark a blue folder. "This is all they could find at the moment. I'm sure that there's sufficient information here, if not let me know." Lex sat across from him and they made short chitchat while they ate together. Why did Chloe always act like she knew some kind of inside information that didn't exist about his personal life? 'Reporter's instinct. Right. More like nosey-having-to-know-it-all-friend.'

"Thanks."

Clark spent the next few minutes shoving food into his face like a starving boy and trying to look at the files at the same time. After almost spilling purple grape juice on the folder he picked it up and put it on a nearby table. Feeling surprisingly joyful Clark, on impulse, threw a grape at Lex, hitting him directly between the eyes.

"You know I'm going to get you back for that." Rubbing the wet mark, Lex appeared to look angry.

Clark absently replied, "As long as it's not the eggs, I won't mind."

"Egg phobia?"

"I've had a long and tragic past with them. Runny, poached, scrambled, and easy-over, oh the scars that they've left on my psyche." Clark wiped his mouth with a napkin hiding a very evil grin from Lex.

"I'm so glad you've decided to tell me the truth about something so near and dear to your heart."

"No problem. What are friends for?" Clark said it like he meant it.

Lex went quiet for a moment before asking, "So, the day we first met. Did I hit you with my car?" Appearing to dare Clark to lie, Lex stared at him from across the table.

"Yes. Could you please pass the salt?"

Lex's eyes prominently widened before he glared at him. Shaking his head, Lex reached over and passed Clark the salt, which was taken with a super-grin. He'd evaded that question so many times before in the past that Lex had most likely not expected him to actually answer it.

"Thanks. Remind me to compliment your chef." Clark sweetly batted his eye lashes at Lex, wondering whether his friend would ask him anything else. "Is something wrong, Lex?"

The cute irritated look he was getting was making it really hard not to laugh. Clark knew he could only hold off for another minute at most.

"I would like you to elaborate further."

"Sure. Your Porsche hit me, we broke through the railing, we fell into the water, and then I ripped the hood of the car off, pulled you out and gave you CPR. I think you remember what happened after that." Oops, now he was laughing.

"I'm glad you think this is funny." Lex appeared to be ready to leave the room.

"You wouldn't believe how great it feels to actually tell you the truth and not be afraid." Clark wanted to hug him and almost would have if his friend hadn't sat back down looking shell-shocked.

"Clark, you have nothing to fear from me."

"I know. You're more than my best friend, and I want you to always remember that."

Lex actually smiled before casually changing the subject.

After Clark finished eating, he began to sift through the papers, while Lex left the room to discuss business matters on the phone. He was feeling even more chipper than during his morning chat with his mom, and he couldn't wipe the stupid grin off his face while reading though the ton of boring information.

The straight facts didn't really tell him very much about who she really was as an individual, except for the two short occasions that Clark had seen her. He really hadn't had a chance to interact with her on a personal level.

Elizabeth Hoffman was 26 yrs. old, her birthday April 14, 1978, with no living blood relatives. There was a mention about a younger sister named Jennifer who had died a few years ago from complications due to Meniere's disease, whatever that was. But, there was nothing about her parents. Elizabeth had an extensive medical history over the last six years that included an undiagnosed coma that had lasted a month as well as many migraines, seizures, and minor operations plus other unidentified complaints.

She had graduated from the Metropolis University three years ago with a Bachelor of Arts degree and was now working as an Assistant Manager of Financing at the Bank of America. She must have worked her way pretty fast up the corporate ladder. Lex had even gotten her psychology classes IQ, varies abnormal psych quizzes, and entrance stat scores, interesting Elizabeth was way over-achiever.

The fact that Hoffman was her married name made it harder to find out her place of birth, which was still unknown, Lex was working on it. Michel Hoffman had married her on May 11, 1997 and they had no children. Wow, she would have been 19 when she got married. She both lived near Centennial Park in Metropolis and worked a short drive away. He quickly memorized the addresses and phone numbers to both. Also, she had no criminal record. 'Why had she gotten so enraged at the restaurant?'

The file Lex had handed him had contained many other interesting facts, but he didn't deem them as being important enough to have to remember them at the moment. Clark was pleased with the information even though there were a few unanswered questions, but maybe Chloe would be able to find them out. If not, he could ask Elizabeth tomorrow when he gave her a little visit. He really hoped that would go over well.

Lex re-entered the dinning room looking satisfied with whatever he had just completed, probably something exciting to do with business. You go Lex. Sweeping him a fleeting look, Clark noticed that Lex had changed from his black ensemble to a nice casual purple shirt and khaki pants. Maybe it was more comfortable to wear?

Clark held up the papers, "Thank you. If you're not busy, do you think we could, like, shoot some pool or something?"

Near the end of lunch, he had over-heard Lex telling one of his servants that they were to be undisturbed for the rest of the day. He loved how quickly Lex would clear his busy schedule just for him.

"That would be nice. You do know I'm going to whip your ass all over the floor with my superior talents." Lex stood in such a way that showed off his curves nicely. 'Curves? Guys didn't have curves, did they?'

Snickering, he replied, "Sure you will."

Clark left the file on the table and followed Lex into the gaming room. This should be fun, promised male-bonding here we come. Not knowing why he wanted to, he was curious how far he could push Lex's personal relationship boundaries.

After four rounds of pool, Clark had his friend laughing and openly joking with him, plus sexual innuendos had started running rampant in both their vocabularies.

"Your turn to break. Try not to have the balls fly off the table this time, okay?" Lex slid his left hand up and down the pool cue suggestively while licking his upper lip.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to hit your balls that hard… how about I just blow really hard on them this time?" Chuckling Clark lost his concentration when he glanced up at Lex's sultry display, causing him to goof up his shot yet again as two pool balls went flying off the table smashing into the nearby wall and making rather obvious dents in it. Lex had won in the boundaries department by a vast margin.

"Oops."

"I think you blew too hard." Swaggering Lex bent over and picked up the one striped and white ball and randomly placed them back onto the pool table. Was this flirting?

With an evil grin, Lex wiggled his ass in front of him, "My turn."

Three balls quickly plunked into their respective hidey-holes before it was Clark's shot again.

Grinning like an idiot, Clark couldn't believe how much fun he was having. This experience was what Clark yearned for, to be close with someone again. He felt so wonderful being in Lex's presence, and his thoughts wandered to the night before when Lex's strong warm arms had embraced him while he had slept. Falling asleep to Lex's even breathing and rhythmic beating heart had seemed almost romantic. It had been years since he'd a sleep over with Pete, and that experience had been radically different from last night. He was starting to feel much more intimate with Lex; maybe even more than what he should be feeling towards his friend. Whatever Lex did, he did it with an eccentric passion, even if he was just playing pool, and Clark loved watching him perform for him alone.

Dunking the eight ball in prematurely, Clark cheered his failure out loud, he really wasn't trying very hard, as the strange memory of what Lionel had said to him as few days ago came sweeping back into his head.

And he blurted out without thinking, "Hey, is there anything out of the ordinary in some room on the third floor here, maybe somewhere in the east-wing?"

The blank expression that swallowed up Lex's previous jovial one screamed 'yes' to him. Of course, instead of giving a positive or negative answer his friend went with the evasive, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Wow, you really are the queen!" He laughed, hoping to lighten up the present surprisingly dour reception, and forgetting that Lex would have no idea what he was referring to.

"What?"

Not wanting to explain, but having to say something that didn't sound too stupid, Clark replied, "I'm sorry, it was something we'd been joking about yesterday, and you don't remember, day repeating and all that." Before asking again, "So, what's in that room?"

"Nothing." Lex started to walk away from him, his posture giving off the impression of extreme stress.

"Oh, it can't be anything that bad. Come on, what's in there?"

"Where did you get the misguided idea that I have some secret hidden room?" Lex was definitely upset and his friend almost looked at Clark like he was afraid of him. No, afraid of Clark finding out what was in that room. 'What was going on?'

Getting angry, Clark replied, "Trust is a two-way street, Lex?"

Looking back at his with troubled eyes, Lex asked, "Please, tell me. Who mentioned this to you?"

"Your father told me about it."

If looks could kill Lionel's head would have just exploded. Focusing on his friend, Clark could actually hear Lex's teeth grind together.

"When did he do this?"

Lionel Luthor, it was all his fault. What he had said to Clark 'that day' had just popped into his mind, and he had automatically asked the question. And, in not getting a truthful response, the answer gnawed at him making him want to know what Lex was hiding from him this time. The older Luthor like to lie, but usually there was some form of truth lurking beneath his deceitfulness. Especially if it meant that he had something to gain. What would have been his advantage? Clark stared at Lex hoping that the answers would somehow reveal themselves to him. He wanted the truth.

"I've been thinking. If he was lying, he would have nothing to gain from it. Lionel only does something if it benefits him. If I looked, and there was nothing there… then it would only confirm the fact that he's a dishonest bastard."

He slowly began to approach Lex, "At the time, he was trying to turn me against you."

From Lionel's point of view, the threat of Clark, being too friendly with Lex, had to be eliminated. He wasn't allowed to support Lex against his father, because no one but Lionel Luthor was allowed to influence his son in anyway. 'What kind of sick father would do that?'

Cornered against the wall, Lex glanced up, his blue eyes glistened with excess moisture as he stared up at Clark.

God, he knew what was in that room, "Lex, it's something to do with me, isn't it?"

"Clark, I…"

"I want to see what's in there. Please. I promise I won't freak out." It can't be that bad, it can't be that bad… Lex had to be someone he could feel safe with… if not, there was no one left.

Lex studied him for a moment before sweeping past him, his voice sounding so sad and resigned as he said, "Follow me."

He felt like they were walking in a funeral procession. 'Why do I always let my curiosity get the better of me? What could be so bad that it would tear our friendship apart? Did Lex have some secret laboratory where he was experimenting on people or other things?' Dozens of strange and horrible scenarios crossed through his mind, making him dread the opening of the door that was now in front of him.

The room was dark and as they walked down several stairs before entering the main area, Clark quickly scanned the area before saying anything, while Lex had strode directly to one of the many TV screens.

There were huge pictures of him and his parents randomly situated around the room. Most of the cave paintings had diagrams made up of them that covered the walls like valued masterpieces. He glanced at a large screen that had a bullet hitting something that made the projectile get squashed flat. When had Lex seen a bullet hit him? The alien worm-parasite that had infected Pete and Chloe a year ago sat in a jar in the center of the room, while the octagonal metal key disk for his spaceship turned in circles winking at him with the fact that Lex had always known more than he had ever let on. Backing up, he immediately felt faint and nauseous. Wanting to toss his lunch onto the floor, Clark turned and stared at the glass case that contained a big piece of shimmering green kryptonite. 'Did I really have to know this? Ignorance being bliss and all that.'

"Why?" He was numb. The pictures and objects seemed to be almost positioned in a way as to look like a shrine. A shrine to Clark Kent. 'Why?' Lex said he loved him, but this… this bordered on obsession. No wonder Lex was afraid.

"Before you jump to conclusions, Clark, this isn't about you-"

"Lex, I'm honestly really worried about your sanity right now. This isn't normal."

Surprised at his concern, Lex turned from the screen he had been staring at, "Aren't you angry at me?"

"I'm absolutely pissed! You lied to me. You told me that you'd stopped investigating me. What the hell is this room for?"

"It's about me, so much of my own life I can't explain. I've survived countless brushes with death. And it all started with this car crash…"

Clark watched as the little red man was hit over and over, tumbling through the railing and into the river below, forever. Yes, it had all started that day, for both of them. Lex continued to talk but he couldn't hear him, he was trapped in the computer-animated image that was his life. That little computer generated man had to relive that day again and again like a never ending Friday that continued to mock and humiliate Clark.

He needed Lex's help. Even when he found the woman, that didn't mean she would be the solution. It was an uneducated hypothesis, which was not based on any real merit or facts. Damn it when had he started thinking like Lex?

Lex was obsessed with him, but when had he become so obsessed with Lex? Dying blue eyes answered his question. The unadulterated anger pulsing through him began to melt away; Lex was too important to lose. This room didn't matter. He wanted Lex to know the truth, every tiny detail, and not forget. But he couldn't have that, not right now anyway. For some reason, he enthralled Lex, who had such an inner passion for discovery and intrigue that Clark didn't have. He wanted that as well. Could Lex give some passion to him?

Shifting uneasily next to him, Lex waited in silence for Clark to respond.

Staring at Lex's profile, as it burned a dark charcoal image into Clark's retinas, he finally moved into action. "I don't want you to do this anymore. It's making you nuts."

"I don't know if I can stop."

"Not even if I tell you everything you want and need to know?" At Lex's look of shock, Clark put his hands on the sides of Lex's smooth face, in a perfect imitation to what Lex had done to him in Belle Reeve, and continued, "I just realized how important you are to me, and I can't let this keep hurting you."

Leaning over he kissed Lex full on the lips, at first tenderly then full of the urge to gain some of his friend's passion. Someone moaned. Sturdy hands moved through his hair grabbing on and pulling him forward crushing their lips together, as they opened further apart. This was pure lust and he became aware of the fact that he was now fully aroused. 'Oh God, yes.' Clark felt a wet tongue slip into his mouth and he sucked on it greedily. The sensation sent a shiver up his spine. More. Lex tasted so sweet, like sugar and spice and everything nice. 'Damn, Lex wasn't a girl! Crap, that list has grown to have a third notch and why is Lex pulling away?'

They broke apart with a sharp cry from Clark, and extremely hard panting by Lex who looked absolutely bewildered. He was beyond freaked out. He should have been yelling at Lex, not sucking on his face. Quickly averting his eyes, Clark turned and ran. Barely hearing Lex scream his name at the top of his lungs, Clark was out of the Luthor Mansion's main door a split second later.

It was always so much easier to run away from one's fears then face them, not that it had ever worked out well in the past. His little summer vacation in Metropolis hadn't done him any wonders. Hell, he'd be lucky that his mug-shot wasn't hanging around somewhere. Shit, was this too much to have to endure right now after having two experiences that had left him terrified and wondering what the hell was wrong with him. Yesterday had been bad enough. There was always tomorrow to deal with the absent repercussions. First Lex dies, and then in a depression over it, he destroys Smallville High School. Now he wants to have sex with Lex after seeing how much his friend adores him. That list was so wrong on so many levels. He needed some time to re-adjust himself, internally and physically.

Hiding out in the woods for the next few hours sounded like a great idea at the time. But, eventually he got bored of hurling rocks though trees and made his way towards home.

It was early evening when Clark called Chloe back hoping that she had somehow uncovered the missing information about Elizabeth's birthplace and original last name. He had left the woman's file at the mansion, even through he had most of it memorized, he wished that he had the guts to go back and get it. The nagging feeling that he had missed something important after the first read through would not go away.

Dialing his cell phone, he realized how extremely confused he was. Sure, he was unhappy about seeing that freaky room, but why did he kiss Lex again? Because it seemed like a good idea at the time didn't really cut it. And here's the bigger question, did he really want to have sex with Lex? Once again, he was an emotional mess. Arriving back at the farm he sighed and waited for Chloe to answer her damn phone, which had rung over five times now.

She answered in a mad rush, "Clark, I was able to get quite a bit of information. But, my one main source can't get back to me until tomorrow with a couple of details. I hope that's okay?"

"Just tell me what you got."

"I believe her birth name was Elizabeth Lynn Cross. She was born in the state of Nebraska lived there until she was seven. Then she just kinda disappeared for close to a decade and is next known living in a suburb of Metropolis. From what I can find, it looks like she has a perfect house, perfect job and a perfect husband- Michel Hoffman. He's a freakin rocket scientist, can you believe it?" Chloe laughed seemingly very pleased about finding these facts in particular. The rest of the information Clark already knew, while a few details like personal medical files where missing as well as that one other item that he couldn't place.

"Thanks a ton." Clark stood outside of the barn hidden from the kitchen window's view, dreading talking to his parents.

Chloe's voice was surprised when she asked, "Don't you want me to give you the folder on her?"

"No, I can remember what you told me." He didn't want to go to the Talon, and the papers would soon disappear anyway. Saying goodbye, he began to walk towards the house, and upon opening the door he wasn't surprised to be greeted by yet another lecture that he didn't deserve.

"Clark, where were you? Chloe phoned and told us you were having her research some woman?" His mother gave him a once over probably checking to make sure that he was still all in one piece.

He tried to appear chaste. "I'm really sorry. I know I should have phoned, but I lost track of time. Honestly it was something very important."

"Son, were you at Lex Luthor's?" Looking furious, his dad stood next to him obviously expecting a positive reply.

"Why would you think that?"

His mom smiled putting her hand on his stooped shoulder, "Lex, called twice wanting to know if you were here. He seemed to be distressed."

"We had a fight. I just kinda left him hanging. It wasn't anything big." Clark just wanted to go to bed and some how make the next day come sooner.

"We can't have you skipping school for whatever reasons." His dad must have noticed how exhausted he looked, "Clark, why don't you eat something and we'll discuss this more tomorrow."

Yes, tomorrow. What a brilliant idea. He nodded then sat down to eat his meal, which turned out to be slightly more unpredictable than originally thought when he almost puked onto the table after a blast of dizziness un-expectantly hit him full force. 'Just fucking great.' He sure didn't feel like having any of his mom's homemade cherry pie for dessert now.

Going to bed early, he tried not to listen to his parents as they talked quietly amongst themselves in the other room. Lex is a bad influence blah blah blah, Clark was hiding something from them blah blah blah, and they are concerned about him blah blah blah. Why did he get sick for no reason blah blah blah. 'How beyond annoying.' It was a near miracle when he finally went to sleep by one am.