Martha looked at Clark once in awhile, he was leaning against the door, while his skin tone was looking better, he was only looking worse. She was worried what this would do to the boy. She knew he feared what Jonathan would say, even more, she feared what he wouldn't say.

Finally she pulled the truck into the driveway of the small farm and looked at him. He looked ready to curl into a tight ball and disappear.

"Come on honey, you have to face the music sometime," she whispered gently. He looked over at her, tears still cascading down his dirty face.

"It's not the music I'm afraid of, it's the musician, and what he may do to the instrument when he finds out," Martha chuckled softly then touched his shoulder.

"Clark, your father loves you, just remember that, and remember honesty is the best and only policy," Clark nodded slowly and got out of the truck slowly. Martha sighed and gently led him into the house, deciding maybe tomorrow would be a better day to discuss the fight, Clark looked beat...no pun intended.

"Tell you what, why don't you grab your pjs and I'll make you a nice warm bath. Then I want you to rest the rest of the day okay?" Clark nodded. She sighed and watched the preteen walk upstairs. She silently knew something more than just the fight and Jonathan's reaction were on his mind. Clark was worrying about something else, and she knew it was going to tear him to pieces if he didn't talk to someone soon enough.

"Martha?" Jonathan's voice came, she turned and smiled at her husband, he didn't look angry, but concerned, for the care of his son.

"He's a little bruised and bumped, talk to him later tonight or tomorrow about it okay, he's in no shape right now," Jonathan looked up at the stairs and nodded.

"I'll be around if you need me," she nodded and smiled, kissing his lips, she headed upstairs.

Clark sat silently staring at his hands in his bedroom, when Martha came in. His shirt had been removed, revealing the several other bruises he had accumulated in the fight.

"Clark?" He jumped, obviously startled from whatever he was thinking, he then looked up and forced a smile on his face. The smile never reached his eyes, she could still see the tears shinning in his eyes. She came over and stood in front of him, "what happened Clark?" he shrugged slightly. Sighing she sat down beside him, rubbing his bare back. She could feel his ribs and his back bone, he was skinny, even though he ate a lot.

"Seth and I were destined to get into it, today just happened to be my lucky day, I guess," he whispered.

"Clark, I know you, and while you're a sweet young man, this wouldn't bother you half as much as it is. I also have the feeling it doesn't have as much to do with your dad, as you want me to think. So why don't you really tell me what's wrong."

"Mom...why didn't my parents want me?" he asked looking up at her, tears welling in his beautiful eyes. She looked at him with a pained expression. She took his face in her hands and sighed.

"Clark, what did Seth say?"

"Nothing really, just that, you weren't my real mom, that my real mother didn't want me."

"Oh Clark, honey I'm sure that's not true. Clark, you're my son, the blood doesn't matter, no one can or should tell you other wise. You're my son, and I adore you deeply, blood or no blood. I'm sure, deep down inside, that your biological mother adored you. There was a reason she gave you up, I'm sure if she had a choice you wouldn't be with us," Clark nodded.

"I know," he whimpered slightly, she smiled and grabbed his hand gently.

"Clark, we're not going to get rid of you, after nine years, I hope you know that. We love you," he nodded.

"I know, I'm just tired of being different mom," she sighed and gently ran a hand through his hair.

"I know baby, I...I wish I could tell you I understand, but I don't, but together, we'll try and figure it out together, okay?" He nodded. She smiled.

"Good, there's a nice hot bath in the bathroom for you, why don't you go clean up, then I'll look at those bruises."

"They'll be gone soon, I can feel the pain receding."

"Well humor me and let me check them out anyway," he smiled crookedly and nodded.