Clark stretched as he made his way downstairs to the Kent kitchen the following morning. He had to admit that as interesting as Gotham had been, he preferred Smallville and the farm. For now he just wanted to get back to chores and forget about the nightmares of the big city.

By the time breakfast was ready he realised that the rest of the holidays would be pretty lonely with Lana in New York, Lex somewhere in the world and Chloe in Metropolis. It didn't help that he finished all his chores in minutes and the rest where handled by his parents, Amara and Dani.

Clark had three more weeks of this boredom.

"Get your suit on Superman, you have work to do!"

Clark turned to see Harry standing there grinning like the loon he was.

"What work? I thought we were leaving Gotham to Batman and the authorities."

"We are, but Batman is a local hero for now. Superman needs to be a world wide hero."

"What does Clark Kent need to be?" The farm boy asked glibly.

"Why don't you see what I have planned and then answer that question yourself." Harry challenged seriously.


When Harry brought Clark back to the castle that evening it was a very subdued Clark that returned. He didn't say a word as he headed up to the Astronomy Tower to sit and simply think.

"What did you do?" Jonathan asked with great concern.

"I showed him that being a hero doesn't always mean rescuing girls and defeating bad guys. Sometimes its just about giving hope to others." Harry said with a sad look. "I took him to some of the worst places in Africa. The places where war, famine and disease have hit the hardest. Clark has a big heart, but today… well, I broke his heart a bit." Harry sighed.

"You showed him starving children?" Martha half asked and half stated.

Harry just nodded.

"He didn't help them? I would have thought that he would have been running all over the world to fix it." Jonathan frowned. His son was never someone to leave people to suffer and flail helplessly.

"He wanted to, but this is also a teaching exercise. He needed to learn how to help these people properly. He could have easily run around the world shopping for food and water for them, but that would only hold them for a limited amount of time."

"The classic: 'give a man a fish versus teach a man to fish'." Jonathan nodded.

"Actually it is more than that." Scott corrected. "Some of these places are simply in hospitable to humans. The land is dead or the seasons are too harsh. Clark needs to learn to use his powers to change the landscape, but do so without causing a complete global effect."

"That doesn't even begin to take into account the times when you need to convince a village or tribe to up root due to the dangers of disease in the area or poisons or even things like volcanoes." Amara added.

"Or the more insidious and disgusting dangers of marauders and pillagers who do unspeakable things to vulnerable villages." Emma scowled.

"There is a reason I haven't taken him to Sierra Leone or the Sudan." Harry said seriously. "Clark is not ready to deal with that level of evil. People like the Scarecrow and Ra's Al Ghul are puppies compared to those monsters."

"But you are helping them, right?" Martha asked anxiously.

"Of course!" Harry assured her with a smile. "I've been killing various monsters left, right and centre in Africa. I currently control the diamond mines of Sierra Leone and no one can come near the villagers without severe problems if they intend harm."

"Severe-"

"Don't ask Jonathan." Scott warned. "Just be assured that the level of punishment fits the level of intended crime. Beyond that… Harry has a dark and perverse sense of humour."

Harry just grinned. "You know me so well."


Fortunately for Clark school rolled around. He was in frequent therapy sessions with Jean as she wanted to make sure she was handling the work Harry had him doing in Africa not to mention the trauma he suffered under Crane's fear toxin in Gotham. Harry had also enlisted Bruce to join Clark and Scott in discussing what it meant to be a masked hero of sorts. Granted Clark didn't wear a mask but he did conceal his true identity.

The days when Alfred dragged Bruce to counselling sessions, the elder Kents spent talking with the old family butler and his time as a soldier and what it meant to not only serve a higher purpose but also to try and keep a young hero such, as Bruce, in check. It was useful information that Jonathan and Martha would need to know.

With school came the return of his friends. Chloe was bouncing around like a five year old on a sugar high as she went on and on about her internship at the Daily Planet and when she could get in a word edgewise Lana was regaling him with tales of New York and fashion and her dreams of being a designer.

Clark had scored big boyfriend points when he had honestly and guilelessly asked why she didn't want to be a model instead.

The intense make out session she dragged him to left him fairly hot and bothered for his first class. It was an absolute nightmare as it was exceptionally hot outside and every boy and girl felt it, although Clark faked it. Outer tops were removed and the boys were treated to a very pleasing sight of lots of exposed female skin. Fortunately the trips were fairly modest despite the heat.

God bless the summer.

This did not help Clark's already high blood pressure as Lana was sat beside him in a very light and loose top and from what he could tell… a very minimal bra. And he could tell a lot with that top.

"Careful Clark, we might just discover how strong other parts of you are." She whispered teasingly in his ear.

Clark just groaned and dropped his head on the table.

"Ok class, I am sorry to tell you that the air conditioner is dead and we are all going to just have to suffer." Clark looked up at the new voice. He hadn't met the new science teacher yet but he was shocked when an absolute vision of beauty walked in dressed in a very short and very thin summer dress.

The eyes of every boy were on her. Not a single one was on her face though.

"Ahem!" Lana coughed quietly.

Clark slowly turned to see an amused yet stern looking Lana eyeing him quizzically.

"Are you telling me you didn't look when she walked in dressed like that?" Clark whispered defensively.

"Something you'd like to share Mr…. Kent?" The teacher asked as she consulted her seating chart.

"No, ma'am." He nearly squeaked.

"Very well." She smirked knowingly. "I am Miss Atkins your new biology teacher. Today the subject is sex. I assume you are all avidly interested in the subject one way or another so I will attempt to start this antiquated piece of machinery and allow you to learn from the movie." She said as she examined the projector.

Clark gave a groaning sob as Lana snickered next to him.

In short order the male section of the class had trouble staying seated as they were treated to the site of Miss Atkins thong-clad posterior as she bent over the projector in her very short dress.

"She has to be doing that on purpose." Chloe hissed from the other side of Lana.

"I just wish she'd stop." Clark moaned.

Fortunately the video started and Miss Atkins stood up and retreated to the back of the class.

Clark immediately began to wonder if he was actually still under the effects of Crane's fear toxin as he wasn't sure Lana was wrong about him being super powered… down there. He thought he could hear the stitching in his jeans popping.

All of this was a result of the scantily clad females in the room, the heavy make out session with Lana before class, and the she-devil temptress of a teacher and now the scenes of animals humping like animals on the screen.

The heat began to build and so did the pressure. Just as the pressure was building from the constraints of his jeans, Clark's eyes began to warm and the screen burst into flame.

Clark didn't know what to do. He tried to close his eyes but they kept opening of their own accord.

"Help!" He whispered harshly to Lana.

"What's wrong?" She asked as the teacher hurried the students out and she pulled the alarm.

"The fire… I think it's me, I can't close my eyes!"

"Clark, it's an emergency, smash your watch." Chloe ordered.

"What?" He hissed, his eyes fixed on his rapidly burning desk.

"Harry said to smash your watch in an emergency and he would come."

"You three, out now!" Miss Atkins ordered.

"Yes ma'am!" Clark said hastily as he kept his face down and he shuffled out.

Lana gave a jerk of her head to Chloe who nodded and by unspoken agreement she went to find Harry or one of the other castle residents as Lana led Clark outside.


Harry arrived outside the normal way, as teleporting amongst a mass of people not in the know would cause panic and blow his secrets wide open. Chloe was dragging him along.

"Clark… Chloe tells me this is your fault?" Harry smiled as he walked up.

"I think it is." He nodded; the fire had finally stopped.

Clark was shocked when Harry hugged him tightly… strangely the heat cooled pretty quickly.

"My hero!" Harry declared theatrically as he let Clark go.

"What?"

Chloe just snickered. "He was a bra away from a naked Felice Chandler jumping him."

"She came in claiming to be suffering from heat stroke and started taking off her clothes." Harry groused. "I'm moving Dani's office to an area just off mine, she can be my female chaperone."

"Ooh! More Harry-Time for me!" The aforementioned mutant said gleefully as she bounced up.

"You work here now?" Lana asked.

"Guidance Counsellor. Well, and general counsellor if needed." She nodded. "Emma wanted me here last year but I wanted to work on the farm." She pouted.

"There is plenty of work in the evenings and weekends, Dani." Clark assured her. "Now can we get back to the fire shooting from my eyes?"

"Are you sure it was actually fire?" Dani asked, not doubting the story for a minute.

"Where I looked, fire appeared." Clark shrugged.

"Yeah, but that might not mean fire from your eyes, it could have been lasers or basic focused beams of heat. Have you ever seen Scott use his powers? He can cut through metal like a laser but what he actually produces are beams of focused concussive force." She explained.

"What ever it is there is some new activity in his brain and eyes." Harry confirmed. "And… other areas." He smirked causing the three teenagers to blush.

Harry placed a hand over Clark's eyes. "I've placed a neutralising shield over your eyes, as long as the energy coming out of your eyes is a standard form and not alien to Earth then it should be dissipated as it leaves your eyes. We will work on it properly this evening."

"Clark, Harry! Is everyone alright? I just heard."

The five turned to see Lex jump out of his Porsche and run towards them.

"Heard what? And when did you get back in town?" Dani asked.

"There was a fire in the biology lab, and this morning." He answered. "Is everyone-" He trailed off as he spotted someone and they watched as he ran to the arms of Miss Atkins and snogged her brains out.

"That's new." Chloe remarked.

"Does Lex realise how badly she's dressed for a school?" Lana asked snidely. "Wait, does Miss Frost?"

"Miss Frost did not know." Came Emma's ice-cold tones as she walked up. "She and I will be having a long chat about appropriate attire for a school teacher."

"Hello pot, I'm kettle!" Dani muttered.

"You know full well that I always dressed appropriately in the classroom, Dani." Emma growled.

"Did that really make a difference when you wore your costume around the mansion… it was a boarding school after all."

"Everybody, I liked you to meet Desiree Atkins, my fiancé." Lex beamed as he led the indecently dressed biology teacher towards the group. "Desiree, I'm sure you already know my friends here, you either work with them or teach them."

"Yes." She said with a coy smile. "Mr. Kent there was in that last lesson."

"So where Lana and Chloe." Clark reminded her.

Desiree looked a bit surprised. "Oh, of course."

"Emma, the fire department have contained the fire but they want the school closed for the day so they can give a full sweep." Laura announced as she approached with Scott. "Hey Lex, didn't know you were back already." She said with a friendly smile.

Nobody who saw it could help but notice the jealous glare that came off Desiree. It was quickly masked by a friendly smile.

"Very well." Emma sighed. "If you would assemble the students I will announce the day's closure."

"Clark, I have a request, would you be my best man. We are having the wedding tonight." Lex asked seriously.

"Wow! You're getting married already? I didn't even know you were dating!" Chloe gasped. She then blushed as everyone looked at her funnily. "Sorry, it's just that I was at the Planet so I had access to all the news before it broke. There wasn't even a hint of this. Everything about you was business or your dad's blindness."

Lex just smiled. "It's a bit of a whirlwind romance, but I couldn't be happier." He turned back to Clark. "Clark? You willing to be my best man?"

"Sure, I'd be honoured." Clark said quickly and truthfully. "I'll try and find a decent suit, my wardrobe was overhauled last year so it shouldn't be a problem." He said with a glare at Dani.

"Watch it Kent or we'll take you out for round two… swim wear." She smiled evilly.


As soon as they were done and the school secured, Harry took Clark, Chloe and Lana back to the castle. He immediately removed the shield from his eyes and they headed out back to where they knew the other residents of the castle where spending the day relaxing and lounging. Harry refused to let Earl and the others work in such heat.

Unfortunately for Clark there was a large swimming pool and all of the ladies were either dripping wet in the pool or sunning themselves on the deck chairs.

Jean took one look at the newcomers and with a wave of her hand they were dressed in appropriate swimwear.

Lorna screamed in pain as Clark's gaze was currently on her bikini-clad body.

"Harry! I can't stop it!" Clark cried as he clamped a hand on his face to block the fire.

Jean had already healed Lorna and everyone was now rushing to help Clark.

"Jeeze Clark, I've heard of 'heated looks' before but that was scorching!" Lorna giggled as she rubbed her stomach where the energy from Clark's eyes had sliced through her.

"I am so sorry, are you alright?" He asked with his eyes covered.

"I'm fine, had much worse than that before." She said dismissively.

"I saw your entrails!" Chloe squawked disbelievingly.

"I've had limbs removed in battle, all of us have. Trust us, that is much worse, and Jean had me fixed before the pain kicked in properly anyway." She assured them.

"Well the good news is that we have figured out what sets off Clark's laser eyes." Harry smiled smugly. "Female flesh, the more the better!"

"Oh… we better fix that then." Amara said as she moved to conjure more concealing clothes.

"Ah! Wait, I was being a bit flippant, it's actually his hormones that are doing it." Harry stopped her. "He needs to learn control, so trying to keep him protected from what I personally consider to be one of the best things in life won't help him."

"What's your plan?" Amara asked warily.

Harry just grinned. "Swim wear catwalk!"


When Martha and Jonathan arrived at the castle that evening they had no idea what to think of the high-class fashion parade of the various females walking out onto a catwalk and sauntering sexily down the platform before bending over and blowing kisses at Clark who was sitting between Chloe and Lana.

"What the hell is going on here?" Jonathan asked completely flabbergasted.

"Jonathan, Martha! Come in and enjoy the show." Harry beamed happily as he handed them a fruity drink.

"What are those girls wearing?!" Martha demanded as the Cuckoos came out together wearing white bikinis. Although calling them bikinis was a stretch, they were more like a collection of loose strings.

"Relax, Clark developed a new power today and the girls are helping him train."

Jonathan closed his eyes, partly to block out the sight of what he considered under age girls but mainly to try and run through Harry's statement. "I give up, what could this possibly help him train?" He sighed.

"He shoots a form of energy from his eyes. His current trigger is arousal. The girls are flooding him and he is trying to stop it." Harry explained.

"You are joking, aren't you?" Martha asked hopefully.

"Ah." Harry grimaced in realisation. "We didn't tell you about his accident at school. The school was shut down after he accidentally set the biology classroom on fire. Scott, Emma and Laura should be back soon."

"How long has this been going on?" Jonathan asked, the triplets were off stage and Jean was currently stalking down in an emerald bikini. He felt a bit less conflicted at seeing that. He briefly considered asking if Martha wanted a turn on the catwalk… but then realised that his wife might relegate him to the couch and his son would not be pleased either.

"Since mid-morning."

"And he still hasn't got it?" Martha gasped.

"Oh no, he got it after half an hour. The girls just enjoy playing with him and Lana and Chloe. They want to see how red they will get and who will break first. Of course, those three know what they are trying to do and are holding out. They actually started out with some pretty conservative swimwear."

"LORNA DANE PUT THOSE AWAY!" Martha screeched as the aforementioned mutant walked out with her chest covered only by her hands.

Lorna pouted before Jean marched out and dragged her backstage.

Unfortunately Clark, Lana and Chloe had now realised that Clark's parents where there. Chloe actually managed to pass out in shame.

"I'm declaring you three the winners." Harry grinned at the young couple and their unconscious friend.


Everyone soon split up and the girls all headed off to get into their dresses whilst the guys went for their suits. It was far too hot for tuxedos and Lex said it was a smart garden party.

The wedding was simple and elegant. Clark managed to make a thoughtful and slightly humorous speech even though he had to come up with it on the spot.

Clark couldn't be happier for his friend and the fact that Lana looked stunning in her own dress and was his date made the afternoon perfect.

Being a school day Chloe and Lana headed home early, Clark decided to spend some time using his knew ability so he headed up to his barn loft and began practising lighting candles. He was fairly surprised when the new Mrs. Luthor turned up dressed in a similar summer dress to the one she had worn at school.

"Miss Atkins- I mean Mrs. Luthor, I wasn't expecting to see you for a few days." Clark said as he stood politely.

Desiree smiled coyly as she idly picked up book on astronomy sitting on Clark's table. "Why don't you call me Desiree, Clark? I think we will be getting to know each other quite well after today."

Clark just nodded as that made sense as she had married one of his friends. "Was there something I could help you with?" He asked when she eventually made her way to his couch and sat down, crossing her legs and giving him a clear idea of what type of underwear she wore. None.

"Why don't you come and sit with me whilst we talk Clark?" She suggested as she patted the seat next to her.

Alarm bells were going off in his head as he recalled the discussion from the castle earlier today after Emma and the others had arrived after dealing with the school. Emma had been on a rant about how Desiree claimed she had no idea how revealing her dress was. Every girl there from his mother to Chloe had confirmed that a girl always knew how revealing her attire was and just how she could and could not move in it.

In other words, Desiree Atkins was trying seduce him. For the first time in a long while Clark desperately considered smashing his watch. But he wasn't sure how he would explain the school doctor teleporting into his loft.

"I'm fine here. Easier to see you." He shrugged nervously as he backed up to his desk.

Desiree pouted as she rose and sashayed her way towards him.

Clark froze as he heard the desk crack from him trying to back his way through it.

"But I need you Clark. You might be the only one who can help me." She purred.

"Lex can help you. He can do lots of things." Clark began to panic. "You married him for a reason after all."

"Yes, but he changed. He does things to me… bad things… you have to save me, Clark."

Desiree was very much invading his personal space. She had draped herself across his broad chest and her face was millimetres away from his.

Clark deftly placed two hands on her hips and spun her around. The smirk on Desiree's lips was all he needed to know as he backed up and it became a scowl.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Luthor. I can't believe Lex would ever do that. I can see a fair amount of your skin and I can't see a mark on you." Clark took a deep breath. "If you'll excuse me I think I'll turn in for the night." He quickly turned and fled as fast as he could with breaking any Olympic records.


The next day it was a very tired Clark that arrived at the Kent breakfast table.

"I thought you came in reasonably early last night." Martha frowned. "Did you start flying in your sleep again?"

"No… I had a late night visit in my loft. From Mrs. Luthor." He said hesitantly.

"On her wedding night?" Jonathan asked with a scowl.

"She accused Lex of abusing her and tried to get me to save her. She didn't have a mark on her that I could see… I think she was trying to seduce me." Clark was very embarrassed by this. He was a very private person. It was all part of his upbringing of secrecy.

"Why on Earth would she do that!? She's a school teacher for goodness sake." Jonathan said angrily.

"I don't know Dad, but I think she might be trying to get Lex arrested… or worse."

Martha stood up to answer the door when the bell rang.

"Sheriff, what brings you here this morning?" She asked.

Miller came in with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry, Martha, Jonathan, but I need to take Clark in. Last night Mrs. Luthor's car was blown up and she claimed to see Clark tampering with it."

Jonathan chuckled in disbelief. "I hope you have more evidence then that, Ethan. Clark just told us that last night she came to see him and claimed Lex was abusing her. She was trying to get him to move against him somehow. She also made unwanted sexual advances against him."

"I'm sure all that will come out in the investigation, but for now Clark needs to come-"

"Nowhere, Sheriff Miller." Came the stern tones of Amara Aquila. "Unless you can provide a warrant." She stated as she walked in with Martha behind her from the back door.

"At this point I don't need to have a warrant, I just need to take him in for questioning."

"Which you can do by appointment through me." She informed him. "We will be at the station in a few hours once Mr. Kent has had a chance to put on some clothes and maybe have some breakfast. In the meantime I suggest you investigate Mrs. Luthor a bit more thoroughly, she has just been accused of sexual deviancy on a minor after all."


When Harry had been told about what happened he immediately headed out to Lex's Mansion. He used one of the castles cars as Desiree was not clued in on their little secret and Lex wouldn't have been able to tell anyone due to the various protections Harry had put on everyone he met who did know.

The first thing he noted when he pulled into the garage was Lex's Porsche was missing, that meant that he might not be home. But he decided to see if Desiree was home.

He didn't bother knocking as he phased through the door and followed the telltale sight of Desiree's soul. He found her in the swimming pool: nude.

"Desiree, I need a word with you." Harry called out.

Desiree was startled to hear someone had come in and was speaking to her so. She already had the staff and Lex under her sway. She saw Harry Potter and saw a new opportunity. She flipped over on her back and began a slow backstroke to the ladder giving Harry a perfect view of her exquisite body. She then slowly climbed out of the pool allowing the water to stream down her hair and body.

"I'm so glad you're here, Harry." She said with sultry voice.

Harry just raised an eyebrow at the clearly seductive methods of the new Mrs. Atkins. "I take it you don't have any shame or modesty?" He asked.

"This is my home, why should I be ashamed in my own home?" She said as she walked up to him one foot directly in front of the other in that common sexy walk.

"Whatever, I want to know why you lied about Clark tampering with your car and why you accused Lex of abusing you." He said with a dismissive wave. Desiree's body had no effect on him. He slept naked with several other naked women every night. Emma frequently walked around naked.

Desiree was undeterred as she reached Harry who took a step back to preserve his own personal space. "I did see Clark tamper with my car last night and Lex is abusing me." She took a quick step forward and leaned into Harry allowing her naked wet body to rub against his fully clothed body. "I need you Harry." She whispered as she moved her lips to within millimetres of his. "Only you can save me and make whole again." She said with a slight moan.

Harry frowned. He could feel her breath trying to affect him. Something was entering his bloodstream. It made little difference as his healing abilities simply cleaned his blood before it could affect him. But he had a clue what was going on.

He grabbed her by the shoulders and jerked her back, holding her at arms length. He began to examine her body's internal systems. He found a set of anomalous glands inside her airways. There was also a small amount of Kryptonian energy in her system. He wasn't sure what the glands did or secreted but he had a fair idea that she was controlling Lex.

"Bad move, Desiree." Harry snapped angrily. "I don't like people playing with my friends. Get dressed. We are going to the Sheriff's office."

"Get your hands off me!" She snapped when she realised that her special abilities had no effect on Harry. She was beginning to wonder if there was something about Clark and Harry as neither had succumbed to her will. "I don't have to go anywhere with you."

"Fine, I'll just call the Sheriff and have him come here. Then, when I explain how you have been using that little ability of yours to control Lex; the Sheriff can have you shipped off to somewhere like Belle Reeve. I hear they are very interested in people with special abilities… lots of tests they want to run and all that." He grinned evilly.

"You'll never prove anything. Lex won't let anything happen to me." She said assertively as she grabbed a bathrobe nearby and put it on.

"You're assuming I can't undo whatever you did to him." Harry pointed out. "You have two choices. You confess your crimes to the Sheriff and accept your punishment or I drag you in, tell the world what you can do and then let the system deal with you."

"Like they would believe you."

"Choice is yours." Harry shrugged. "Either way; get dressed whilst I call the Sheriff." He said as he pulled out his phone.


When the Kent's and Amara arrived at the station a livid Lex Luthor met them.

"How could you do this Clark? You are like a brother to me!"

"Whoa, calm down Lex." Jonathan said as he tried to restrain the younger man. "I don't think you have the full story, or even a part of the true one."

"Desiree told me what Clark did."

"Did she tell you about the late night visit?" Amara asked as a deputy assisted Jonathan with Lex.

"She said Clark tried to force himself on her."

"Two questions Lex. One, why would your new wife leave your home on her wedding night to visit anyone and two, you know how strong Clark is, do you honestly believe that Desiree would be able to fend off an advance from someone like Clark?"

Lex seemed to stall as his mind fought an internal battle where the effects of Desiree's powers to make him loyal and obedient to her and believe everything she said warred with what he knew and believed about Clark Kent… the boy he truly felt was like his little brother.

His face grew steadily redder bordering on purple as his veins began to bulge.

All of a sudden his eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed.

"Call an ambulance." Amara ordered the deputy as she stepped forward and began checking him. "He's out cold and unresponsive. I believe he might have slipped into a coma."

"Because he couldn't handle the truth?" Jonathan asked in concern. He had truly started to put aside his animosity for the lad.

"No, we all know Lex is stronger than that. I would suspect some form of brainwashing."

"Brainwashing? That's seems fairly fanciful, Miss Aquilla." Sheriff Miller said sceptically.

"Agreed, and it is merely a theory. We will wait for the doctors to give their opinion, although I am qualified myself."

"Jean is en route." Martha said as she put her phone away.

"Deputy! Where's that ambulance?" Miller barked.

"They said they would get here soon as they can Sheriff." The deputy said quite casually.

Miller frowned at the young man. It was well known that the Luthors had many enemies and a good few were among Smallville's residents. He hoped the deputy hadn't done anything stupid.

"Sheriff, I have Miss Atkins here who- what the hell is going on?" Harry demanded as he pushed Desiree into a nearby chair and began checking on Lex.

"He confronted Clark about last night and his alleged actions but when I pointed out the logical flaws he seemed incapable of handling the truth and his mind seems to have shut down. I believe he has slipped into a coma." Amara informed him.

Whilst checking his eyes and pupil reactions Harry was able to do a quick scan of his mind. Lex's mind had locked itself away to protect him.

"Have you contacted Jean or Emma?"

"Jean is en route."

"Ok, Lex is stable for now. His autonomic functions are fine, he has just shut down to handle mental trauma."

"You can tell all that just by looking at his eyes?" The deputy asked in amazement.

Harry just smiled. "Most of it is based on the fact that his body is working and the description Miss Aquilla gave of what brought him to this state."


"Desiree confessed to drugging you and staging her own attempted murder and soliciting a minor. She'll be going away for a good few years." Amara told Lex as he sat up in the hospital bed.

Lex was feeling perfectly fine thanks to Harry cleaning his system and Jean helping him escape the lockdown his mind had put him in. He was stuck in the hospital at least over night due to his collapse and diagnosis in public.

"But what if it comes out that she is meteor infected?" Lex asked.

"Harry provided her with a canister of the pheromone based gas she emitted. She will claim to have used that on you. Also, Harry put a charm on her to prevent her using it. She still has it, but she can't use it."

There was a knock on the door before it opened and Lionel Luthor walked in as if he owned the place. He held a white stick in one hand and had an aide on his left arm guiding him. He dismissed the aide grouchily.

"Lex, Lex, Lex." He said with patronising disappointment. "I really thought you would have learnt your lesson now about women." He said as he reached around for the end of the bed.

"I've learnt many lessons about women, Dad. What do you want?" He asked clearly not pleased with the visit.

"Why I came to see you son!" He said as though it was obvious. "Why I heard that you were in hospital so soon after your wedding (which I wasn't invited to) and I did what any good father would do."

It was obvious by this point that he had no idea Amara was in the room. No one seemed inclined to inform him.

"Is that the only reason?" Lex asked.

"Should there be another? Is that not reason enough?"

"For a 'good father', I suppose not." Lex said with a little dig.

"Yes… well, I will see you back at the mansion." Lionel said.

"I'll be here over night. Then I'll be straight back to work. I have a plant to run." Lex pointed out. It was a point of pride that he had managed to save the jobs of his employees.

"And I will see you then. My doctors have declared I've made such good progress that they have told me to take a break. I decided that I could use my new found freedom for us to engage in some bonding time."

Amara's eyebrow shot up and Lex had to smother a snort at her reaction.

"As I said, much of my time is spent at the plant."

"I'm sure you can find some spare time for your ailing father Lex." He said dismissively.

Lionel turned to the door and began searching for the handle. When it took him a few seconds he was shocked to hear a female voice.

"Three inches down, two to your left."

Lionel froze.

Lex wadded up his bed covers and bit down hard to prevent his laughter.

After a few seconds Lionel placed his hand on the door handle but turned to Amara.

"Do you think it is appropriate to take advantage of the blind and eavesdrop on their conversations, young lady?" He asked with restrained irritation.

"Of course not. But I was not eavesdropping."

"Then what do you call sitting there listening to my private and personal conversation with my son?"

"Bad judgement on your part for not ensuring your son was alone and available for a private discussion. I believe this is one of those instances where you made a poor assumption… and we all know what those do to a person."

"You approve of this girl, Lex?" Lionel demanded.

Lex really wanted to respond but he was too busy trying not to laugh at Amara implying Lionel was an ass. Not that she was wrong.

Amara surreptitiously cast a calming charm at Lex.

Lex dropped his blankets. "She has a point, Dad. You did just barge in and assume I was alone."

"One would think people would be polite enough to introduce themselves."

"Consider this an object lesson on being aware of your surroundings, Mr. Luthor."

Lionel's blood pressure began to rise. "Just who are you?"

"No one that concerns you." She said calmly. "Lex, I'll see you around." She said as she stood and walked towards the door. "Excuse me Mr. Luthor, you're blocking the door."

Lionel grunted but released the door and stepped back.

As Amara closed the door behind her she noticed the aide standing across the hall. She stepped up to him. "I believe Mr. Luthor might require your assistance." She said with a small smile.

The aide was a young man, clearly new on the job. He nervously darted to the door as Amara walked off.

Amara smirked evilly as she heard a bang.

"OW! You idiot! Haven't you heard of knocking?"

"I'm sorry Mr. Luthor, I thought-"

"I highly doubt you are capable of such a thing. Get me to my car and then you can leave. You're fired."

Amara wondered just how much of spine the aide had and if he would walk away from his former employer and leave him stranded.

Not that she cared as she reached the elevator and boarded, leaving the scene behind.


That evening Clark was surprised to find Harry standing in his loft just staring at the setting sun. There was no training planned and he knew his parents had already headed to bed. He had come out to do some reading.

"Harry, everything ok?"

Harry didn't spare a glance, but Clark could see the slight upturn of a smile on his lips.

"I'm just borrowing your fortress for brooding purposes." He sighed. "Lana is having a sleepover with the Cuckoos, something about not wanting to be in the same house as her aunt when she has… company."

Clark couldn't help the grimace as the ramifications of parental figures having company ran through his head.

He shook his head and redirected his thoughts. "So why are you brooding? I can't think why someone like you would brood." He asked as he leant against the opposite side of the window.

"Today was a prime example of choosing between respecting a persons life and protecting their lives." Harry said. "You know that I can look at a person with magic and see everything about their biology. Whether they are healthy, how they will age… everything. But I don't walk around doing it to everyone. I don't look at your dad and mum every time I see them."

Clark wasn't sure where this was going. "Why would you want to? Your… soul mates are all very attractive, why look at their organs when they have beautiful faces?"

Harry smirked. "You will have earned yourself huge brownie points with the girls when I tell them this later." Clark still wasn't entirely comfortable with all the nudity and exposed flesh in the castle; he still wasn't good with girls in general. But he was learning to speak truthfully and plainly.

"Imagine that every time I met someone, each time I would check their health. What do you think about that?" Harry asked throwing the subject out for debate.

Clark took a breath as he considered it. "Well… you could do a lot of good by alerting people to things like cancer early… but it sounds like a big invasion of privacy."

"Those would be the main points for and against." Harry nodded. "Now put it in terms of today, if I had checked Lex's health when we first saw each other yesterday I could have cleaned his system and noticed Desiree's additional glands."

Harry smiled to himself as he could practically feel Clark next to him trying to come up with the perfect situation.

"There is no correct answer, Clark Kent."

Both men turned, mildly surprised at the new female voice that spoke. Standing before them was a young beautiful woman approximately twenty years of age. She had long blonde hair that fell in waves past her bottom and light skin that held a glow. She wore a white gown, like a toga.

Clark was shocked when Harry bowed slightly to the woman. "Goddess, it is a pleasure to meet you." He said.

"Likewise Lord Death and Clark Kent." She returned the bow.

Clark had to admit, he was pretty impressed that she had not fallen out of her top.

"Aphrodite, I presume?" Harry asked.

"Correct. I bring the greetings of the gods of Olympus, but my visit is on behalf of another." She smiled.

"Erm, would you like to sit down?" Clark offered, cringing at the raggedy couch that was all he had to offer. He had met two goddesses of love and beauty in the previous world Harry had lived in, he knew them to be very easy going and not hung up on airs and graces, but this woman seemed quite formal.

"Thank you Clark." She said as she regally sat down, clearly not bothered by the state of the place.

"What brings you here, Goddess?" Harry asked respectfully.

"Please, call me Aphrodite." She insisted.

"Harry and Clark then."

Clark nodded.

"You may not know this but the gods and goddesses of love, affection, marriage and all that would bring souls together have long watched you. The goddesses of your previous world, Aphrodite and Venus, were not permitted to speak of it yet but you have proven yourself time and again a Champion of Love."

"Love is something to nurtured and protected. When I join souls together I have always been careful as I felt it was Love's territory for as long as I have known about the Aspects. I tried to involve the goddesses whenever possible." Harry admitted.

"And it is your respect and actions that have brought me here today." Aphrodite nodded. "Love has spoken to us and wishes to acknowledge you as one of its Avatars."

Both Harry and Clark's eyebrows shot up, thought for differing reasons.

"You can speak to Love?" Harry asked; he had always wanted to meet someone who was his equal. But he had not managed to find hint of Time or Love beyond their avatars and deities.

"Not in the way I can speak to you." She said apologetically. "Love has no physical form that can be seen or communed with. But Love does guide it's avatars in it's own way. Should you accept then when you next visit your previous home my counterparts there will recognise and acknowledge you as one them."

Harry nodded, slightly sad that he would forever be in a class of his own.

"Clark, you had a question. Please feel free to speak openly with me." She said kindly.

Clark swallowed hard but nodded. "Would you be making Harry a god, like you?"

"No, Harry is beyond us. What we offer is not an ability or knowledge in the conventional sense. What we offer is more an acknowledgement. Membership in a fairly exclusive group, if you will." She explained. "Harry has all that he needs to be an Avatar for Love. Soon he will have even more, but he has been acting as Love's Champion for many thousands of years. Love feels that this should be recognised, much in the same way that we would recognise a loyal worshipper in times gone past."

"Wait… what do you mean, 'have even more'?" Harry asked quickly.

"Things have happened that have not yet happened. As such, I am not permitted to speak of them." She said with smile. She chuckled when Harry grimaced.

"What?" Clark asked.

"Time travel." Harry muttered. "Prepare for a major headache."

"It wasn't so bad when you took me back." Clark frowned.

Harry laughed. "I took you back to prehistoric times and I made sure we didn't affect anything too much. What Aphrodite is referring to is going back to recent history and doing things that could have a huge impact on how things turn out and there will be two of me running around!"

Aphrodite took up the explanation. "But at the same time these things have already occurred so they must be done."

Clark thought that over for a second. His left eye began to twitch.

"Clark, give it up. I've been time travelling for centuries and I still haven't figured it out." Harry warned.

"It is true, this is why there are no Avatars of Time." Aphrodite admitted. "All who have tried to tamper or control Time have fallen to madness."

"Guess that means I'm half way there then." Harry muttered.

Aphrodite laughed. "No My Lord. By control, I meant forcefully. As with Love you have shown Time the utmost respect. Many of your jaunts through the ages have been in an observational capacity, most of the time you have made arrangements to protect the integrity of Time."

"Am I the only Aspect who is… born human?" Harry asked.

"You are. But you are also the youngest Aspect."

"I thought Aspects were timeless." Clark frowned.

"They are, in a sense. But just as Existence is timeless, Time has no beginning and no end. Love came into being when the first creatures were able to care for their young. Death could not exist until there were souls to harvest."

"What about all the creatures that died before Love existed?" Clark asked.

"They had no souls. Souls came before Love but after time. Souls created Love when they first appeared, for you cannot have love without a soul."

Harry nodded in agreement with that.

"It was not until the first soul descended into the madness of prolonged mortality that Death was created. Some day, Harry will find himself drawn to that first soul and he will release it to the other side."

"How do you know all this?" Clark asked curiously.

"I was blessed with this knowledge for the sole purpose of passing it on to Lord Death."

"Blessed by Love?"

Aphrodite smiled; Clark was trying to grasp this but clearly struggling. But she was pleased that he was keeping an open mind. "Try not to wonder on this too much, young Clark. You have an eternity to ponder the mysteries of Existence, there is no need to solve them all in your first two decades." She laughed.

Harry smiled, he too was happy that Clark was trying.

"Eternity… that's a long time." Clark sighed.

Aphrodite turned back to Harry. "My purpose is fulfilled. Know that you are one of Love's own now and your work comes with Love's blessing."

She stood and Harry and Clark did likewise.

"Follow the new bond East to the Devil's Triangle. There amongst the denizens of a sacred and protected island you will find a gift from the Gods of Olympus. Do not follow the broken bond West. The time has not come as of yet. Fate will guide you as needed." She said cryptically.

"It has been a pleasure, Goddess." Harry said as he bowed to the exquisite beauty.

Aphrodite stepped forward and kissed Harry chastely yet warmly on the lips. Clark was stunned when she did the same to him.

"I look forward to a long friendship." She said before she vanished in a swirl of light.

Harry and Clark stood there silently for a few moments.

"Oh god!"

"What?" Harry asked.

"How am I going to explain to Lana that I got kissed by Aphrodite?"

Harry just laughed as he teleported out leaving an annoyed and worried Clark Kent standing alone in his loft.