Disclaimer: In no shape or form to I own the rights to Smallville or any of its characters.

A Breath of Fresh Air: Chapter Three

Several days had now passed since Clark had yelled at his best friend, several days in which he had managed to avoid him. Still this didn't mean that he wasn't thinking about him, on the contrary. The past few days had felt like months, his conscience weighing heavy on him. He wasn't even sure why he had shouted at Lex that night. He hadn't been mad at him, it was just… In the end he had been angry with himself and not being able to deal with it took out on his friend. And now it was eating away at him inside. He wanted to phone, to go over to the mansion and tell him how sorry he was more than anything, but he couldn't… There were still too many emotions he didn't understand when it came to the millionaire; emotions that should have been reserved for Lana. And until he understood, he made it his mission to avoid Lex at all costs.

Finishing his morning chores he rushed back to the house to grab a quick breakfast before heading off to school.

"Hey, Mom." he greeted as he came in the door.

"You're up early this morning. Is everything alright?" asked the redheaded woman as she lay down her son's breakfast on the table.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just couldn't sleep." he replied as he began to dig into his breakfast.

"Are you sure? You were up pretty early yesterday morning and day before that as well." When it came to her son, there was very little that Martha Kent didn't catch on to. After all, when your son is actually an alien from another planet with amazing abilities such as super strength and speed, you really can't afford to take too many chances, especially after the incident a few months ago with Roger Nixon.

Clark stopped eating. Even when he tried acting completely normal, his mom still always saw though him.

"Honey, did something happen between you and Lex?"

The raven haired boy looked up in surprise. She was right, but he was astonished that she was. Usually when he was acting distant or feeling down it tended to have something to do with Lana so naturally he thought she would have chosen her for being the reason for his behaviour. After all, everyone else generally seemed to assume that it was always about Lana.

"How did you know?"

"Just a guess. That and you haven't gone over to the mansion lately, and I haven't seen Lex around here so obviously there's something's wrong between the two of you."

The fact that his mother thought there was something up only because he hadn't seen Lex in a few days made his cheeks turn slightly red. Did he really spend time that much time with him?

"Also, you've been moping."

"What? I've not been moping!" he cried defensively.

His mother gave a small smile. "Trust me, I'm your Mom. A mother knows when there's something wrong with her child."

Clark gave a small chuckle in return. Sometimes he wondered if she had a secret of her own, in that she could read people's mind.

"Lex and I, we kind of had an argument…" He knew this was a lie as it wasn't so much an argument as much as him freaking out, yelling at Lex then storming off. But he really didn't want to admit this to her.

"It wasn't over anything to do with your secret was it?" she asked unable to hide the worry in her voice.

"No, nothing like that." Although technically in a way it was to do with one of his secrets, just not the one she was thinking of…

He could feel her relax a little after she heard this. "Anything you want to talk about?"

"I'm okay."

"You sure?" she asked again, with that motherly look of concern on her face.

"Yeah." Although part of him did want to talk to someone about it.

"Okay, then. I just don't want to see the friendship between you two ruined over an argument that could easily be solved." She said, putting her hand on his shoulder.

Clark couldn't help but smile at the statement. "You know if Dad heard you right now encouraging me to talk to Lex he'd go crazy."

"Yes, well this isn't about your father." It was no secret that Jonathan Kent was none to fond of Lex, or anyone with the surname Luthor for that matter. He had had all too many arguments with his father regarding Lex, and he knew that he'd be fairly happy if he couldn't resolve his current problems concerning Lex and broke off contact with him completely.

He sighed. "I just don't understand why Dad hates him so much."

"Oh, honey, he doesn't hate him. It…It's just complicated." She replied thinking back to the first time they ever met Lex's father Lionel Luthor; the same day they also found Clark. "But the fact that you're defending him even after falling out shows that you still care about him."

"Of course, Lex is still my friend!" he cried, a little louder than he had intended to. "I…I don't even know what happened. I got mad at him for no reason. It's my fault." he groaned, running his hand over his face.

"Well, you know, there's only one thing you can do."

"I know. It's just…it's just-"

"Complicated?" Martha finished for him, a sympathetic look on her face.

"Yeah."

"I'm sure it'll work out, sweetie. However, for now I suggest you forget about that and think about leaving for school or you'll be late again."

"Oh yeah!" he yelled disappearing and within two seconds appeared back beside her with his backpack over his shoulders.

"Thanks a lot, Mom." He said, kissing her on the cheek. "But since when have you been on my side about the whole Lex thing?"

"I'm neither on your nor your father's side. I just want to see you happy that's all."

He smiled. "Thanks." And with that he sped out the house at lightning speed.

Not long after Clark headed to school, Martha herself left for work. A month had passed since she started working for Lionel Luthor as his personal assistant, much to her husband's disapproval. But they needed the money and unlike Jonathan, she wasn't going to let pride get in the way of supporting her family. She had felt somewhat guilty for chiding Clark earlier when she herself was running late. Luck would have it however that her boss was also running late - a rather unusual occurrence for Lionel Luthor. So while waiting, she sat in the mansion skimming through papers to make sure that everything was in order. Not that she hadn't already. But she found herself checking over things various times. It wasn't till she started this job that she realised just how much of a perfectionist she really was.

There was a knock on the door and Martha looked up just as her employer's son walk in. "Mrs. Kent."

"Oh hello, Lex." She said with a smile, getting up to greet him.

"I apologise for my father's tardiness, making you wait like this." Lex said disapprovingly.

"That's quite alright. I thought I was going to be late myself this morning."

"Nonetheless…"

"Not at the plant today?" the red headed woman asked, surprised that Lex hadn't left for work already.

"Not until later. I have a meeting in fifteen minutes and arranged to meet them here in the mansion."

She nodded. "Well, please don't let me keep you if you have to prepare."

"No, I-" He stopped mid-sentence, deciding not to continue. Instead he just stood there, hands in his pockets, attempting to appear natural. However, Martha couldn't help but get the impression that Lex wanted to ask her something, and she had a feeling she knew what it was.

"Lex is there something you need?" she asked innocently.

Lex looked surprised for a moment. He had forgotten how astute Martha Kent was - just one of the many reasons why his father had hired her.

"Actually, I was wondering if everything is alright with Clark?" he asked honestly, deciding not to sidetrack around the issue. "I saw him a few nights ago, but he seemly a little…"

"Moody?" offered Martha.

"Well, I wouldn't put it exactly like that."

"Clark's a teenage boy; he's going through a lot right now. He's got school, plus he's going through a lot of things normal teenagers don't, like helping around the farm and such." Mostly however, she was referring to the fact that Clark was an alien and the strange meteor rock related events that seemed to crop up and affect his life every month or so, but she couldn't very well say this to Lex. "He's just struggling with his emotions at the moment. But to be honest, I don't think there's anything to worry about." She smiled encouragingly, which in turn Lex couldn't help but smile back. He had had so much responsibility and work with the Plant lately that he had slowly began to forget what it felt like to be a teenager. And for a moment he allowed himself to think back to when he was Clark's age. God, Clark was a saint compared to him…

"You're probably right. I was just worried that I had done something to…"

"I imagine he's just taken his feelings out on you by mistake. He doesn't like to hurt people." Lex knew this to be too true. The boy always seemed to go out of his way for people, even if it didn't concern him, even if they didn't like him or want his help.

"You mean a lot to him, you know."
Lex looked up at the women in surprise, Martha Kent catching him off guard once again. He opened his mouth to reply when he was suddenly interrupted by the sound of his father.

"Martha. I do apologise for being so late. Some idiots muddled up important paper work. Unfortunately all my employees can't be quite as capable and dedicated as you." he man announced as he entered, dark classes hiding his eyes, and a cane within his left hand.

"Thank you." replied Martha as she stood up to greet her employer.

Lionel Luthor gracing someone with a compliment was a rarity, yet he seemed to be offering them rather frequently to Clark's mother that it made Lex suspicious.

"Lex, is that you?" He cursed under his breath, having hoped that due to his father's recent blindness he would have gone unnoticed.

"Hello, dad." He greeted, making a conscious effort to hide the disdain from his voice.

"Is there anything I can do for you, son?" Lex couldn't help but grin slightly, knowing this to really mean 'what the hell do you want, and get out and leave us alone'.

"No, I was just keeping Mrs. Kent company while she waited for her boss to arrive." he said as he made a move to leave.

"Oh, well thank you Lex." replied Lionel, his voice showered with fake kindness, a technique that Lex was sure his father had mastered early on in his life.

"If you excuse me, I have a meeting to attend." he stated before striding off. He felt rude for not saying goodbye to Mrs. Kent properly but he had very little patience with his father lately. So much so that he could barely stand to be in the same room with the man.

He returned to his own office and sat back down. In the five minutes before his meeting began he allowed himself to ponder over Martha Kent's words. She was probably right about Clark just taking out his emotions on him, or so he hoped. Although he hid it well, the thought of doing something that would anger and upset Clark so much hurt him. He had already broken Clark's trust once with the whole Nixon incident. And it was after that specific event that he had decided to stop investigating his friend.

However, what had really surprised him was Mrs. Kent telling him that he meant a lot to her son. He had been too shocked at the time and with the entrance of his father a moment later he hadn't had time to think about her words. But now that he could, he couldn't help but feel somewhat pleased. What Clark thought about him meant a lot to him and if what she said was true…

He knew that quite a few of the people in Clark's life had a negative a opinion of him, and whenever Clark stood up for him he felt an strange sense of joy well up in him that he had never known until he had first met him. In a world where everyone was out to portray him as a heartless bastard for having the name Luthor, Clark was indeed a breath of fresh air. And when it came down to it, Clark was one of the very few people whose opinion mattered to him, and above all was the most important.

He had missed the boy so much in the past few days; so desperately he had wanted to drive over to the farm and see him, to apologise for whatever he had done to get Clark so mad at him. However, he decided against it believing that giving him some space was probably the best option. And hopefully when the boy had sorted things out he would come to him. He just prayed that this hope wasn't all in vain. He didn't want to imagine what his life would be like without Clark in it. If things went back to the way they where before, he had no idea how he'd manage...

In the Torch headquarters Clark lay back idly in his chair having the exciting task of typing up next week's cafeteria menu for the school newspaper. Truth be told, he should have been done at least twenty minutes ago and that would be without using his super speed but once again he found himself unable to concentrate on anything; the conversation he had earlier that morning with his mother circling his mind. She was right, the only thing he could do was just go to Lex and apologise for his behaviour for the other night. But what could he say to explain it? It wasn't like he could do what girls could and claim it was that time of the month and it was his hormones making him get all emotional.

He sighed, realising that his outburst the other day must have made him look really childish in Lex's eyes. He just hoped it didn't make Lex question why the hell he was wasting his time hanging out with a sixteen year old kid…

No. Lex wasn't like that and he knew it. The friendship they shared was genuine, special. Even Lex had said so many a times himself. Of course Lex would accept his apology. Clark had known this from the beginning. What was making him so worried was the other thing; his newly realised feelings for the man. But what could he do? There was no way he could tell Lex that. Despite how close they were, admitting to having romantic feelings for his best friend was sure to put a rift between them and that was the last thing he wanted. So, he would apologise and pretend that everything was fine and nothing had changed between them.

But…what if he messed up? What if he couldn't keep his feelings for Lex hidden properly? What if the older man caught on? Although Lex never brought it up, Clark was sure that the man had been in plenty of relationships in his time. Obviously he'd be able to read the signs that he was unconsciously throwing out. And if that happened, what if…

Suddenly Clark's thought process was interrupted as Chloe walked into the office. He leaned forward, a determined look on his face trying to make it look like he was concentrating on his task and hadn't just been lost in his thoughts for the past half hour. Sadly however, this tactic was ruined as Chloe peered over his shoulder. He should have figured. Even something as small as a menu Chloe had to make sure was perfect. The Torch was her pride and joy and she made damn sure everything was perfect.

"Jeez Clark, what the heck have you been doing the past thirty minutes?" she asked in a half annoyed, half curious tone.

"Uh…um nothing," he blurted out stupidly. "I'll get right on it."

"So what is it that's eating the amazing and mysterious Clark Kent this time?" she asked, her arms folded.

"Huh? What do you-"

"Oh come on Clark. You're not exactly Mr. subtle when it comes to hiding your emotions. It's obvious that something's up."

The raven haired boy opened his mouth to argue but in the end couldn't think of anything to say. She was right.

"It wouldn't have something to do with you bailing out on your little study date with Lana the other night would it?"

"No Chloe. The reason I left was because I wasn't feeling well. So I just went home to lie down." he stated defensively, more so than he had originally intended.

"Really? Because in all the time I've known you, I've never known you to be sick, not once. I'm guess it must have been pretty bad that it interfered with your alone time with Lana."

"Chloe-"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." She apologised, her hands held up, easily recognising the angry edge in Clark's voice. She hated herself for it but she still held resentment towards him for choosing Lana over her. Although she didn't want to admit it, it had hurt her bad and taking it out on Clark was one of the few ways she could make herself feel better.

"So if it's not Lana, what is it then?" she asked, quite curious now.

"Nothing important." he replied listlessly as he turned his head away and stared at the computer.

"Right, because absolutely nothing has been causing you to space out completely these past few days." He looked back up her again in surprise. "Don't think I haven't noticed."

He frowned and before he could think it through he told Chloe the reason. "I kind of got mad at Lex the other day and yelled at him and I haven't seen him since."

Chloe looked surprised at the statement. However, the surprised look on her face quickly faded and was replaced with a somewhat sad smile. "So, that's what it is…" she said to herself.

"Huh?" Clark looked at her questioningly, not quite hearing what she had said.

"Nothing. So what did Lex do to invoke your wrath?" she asked light-heartedly.

"He didn't do anything, that's the thing… I yelled at him for-" He paused for a moment. "I yelled at him over nothing."

"You yelled at him, because you can't deal with your own stupid feelings." He thought solemnly.

"So when did this happen?" she asked, taking a seat next to him.
"Three days ago."

"Three days ago? Wouldn't that be the same day as your study date with Lana? Is that why you left?"

"No, I saw Lex just after Lana."

"Um, but I thought you said you left Lana because you were sick?" she pointed out. "Why did you go see Lex?"

Mentally he cursed. "Um, uh no he appeared at the farm. I was just about to go to bed when he came over…" God, that was sounded so lame. He just hoped that Chloe believed it.

"Clark, I don't get it. If you really did yell at him over nothing then obviously it wasn't that big a deal. Why don't you just apologise to him and get it over with?"

"It…It's not that simple okay."

She really didn't get it. Clark had apologised to her about serious stuff in the past when they got into arguments so if it really was nothing, then why couldn't he do the same with Lex? Yet, deep inside she knew that she had a good idea of what the answer was. And no matter how much it pained her she had to say something. Clark was her friend.

"Look, I don't know exactly what the situation is, but my best advice for you is to just be honest. Just tell him how you feel." she told him, her tone turning serious.

"What-what do you mean?" the farm boy asked, aware of how uneven his voice sounded.

"What I mean is tell him you're sorry. If it's getting to you this much then apologise properly. I don't know, put your feelings into it. Your real feelings. That way he'll know that you mean what you say." Chloe could have laughed when she said this. The last thing she had the right to do was tell someone to be honest. She was rarely truthful with anyone. If she had been…If she had been honest with Clark then maybe things could have been different…

She fazed off for a moment before shaking herself back into reality. No, this wasn't about her. It was about Clark.

"Chloe…"

"I think Lex deserves to know the truth. And you deserve it too, Clark."

There was a minute or so of silence before Clark finally spoke. "Thank you, Chloe. Thanks." The look on the boy's face… He looked so grateful. Chloe knew she had done well and had she received Clark's gratitude for any other reason than this she would have soaked his expression in, holding it close to her heart.

"Hey, no problem. What are friends for, right?" she replied standing up suddenly. "Look I can handle the cafeteria menu if you wanna-" She pointed to the door.

Clark nodded and got up. She turned away expecting him to leave only to have him -much to her surprise- wrap his arms around her. "Thanks, Chloe."

She couldn't help but break into a soft smile, returning the gesture. For just a few moments she could be held in his warm embrace, just as she had the night of the tornado.

They eventually broke apart and saying goodbye Clark left. That night hadn't been long enough either. Clark always left her for someone else.

She stood there for a few minutes just watching the door which he had just left from. Although sad, she was overcome with a small hope. A hope that unlike what he had done with her and Lana, he would actually speak his true feelings; that he would let Lex know exactly how he felt. That for once just as she could not, he would be truthful.

Author's Notes: I hope that wasn't too bad. Any advice on how I could improve and constructive criticism are always welcome. Thank you for reading.