Chapter Five

"So," Lex leaned back in his chair, "where do we start?"

Clark, supposedly Julian, wasn't sure. He desperately wanted to go back home to the Kent farm. "I want to talk with my parents. The Kents."

"Julian, I don't think that's a good idea."

"But I need to know why they don't know me."

"If I understand you correctly, you believe the Kents raised you?" Clark nodded. "But you weren't. You were raised by our parents: Lionel and Lillian Luthor. You may think differently," Lex raised his hand when Clark began to protest, "but from their perspective, the Kents have never had a son. Why don't I take you out to the Miller Homestead instead? That's where Lucas took you. It's the last thing you remember and maybe going there will help."

Clark agreed and they both went back inside. Lex left the room so Clark could change. He wound up wearing a similar outfit of the day before. The process took longer than it ever had for him, feeling slow and groggy, but he was determined to not ask for help or use the wheelchair again.

He conducted a quick test run to see if he still had his powers. As far as he could tell, his powers were not working at the moment. Strangely, Clark was not bothered by this discovery. He was far too focused on why everyone was calling him Julian.

Lex met him outside his room and the two walked down to the garage together. They walked down an entire row of fancy cars, but only one captured the lost boy's attention. Clark felt a pit grow in his stomach as he saw the blue Porsche Lex had driven into him on their first meeting, parked snugly between two other foreign cars.

"What is it?" Lex asked.

"This is the car. You crashed it over the bridge the day we met."

Clark found he couldn't move and just stood staring at the car. There was not one scratch on it.

The Miller's Homestead had been named after the unfortunate couple who purchased the land. The soil was rocky and unfit for growing crops. According to Smallvillian lore, The Miller's lost everything they had trying to get their farm to grow crops. After five years of hard work and nothing to show for it, they left, leaving behind a small shack.

As the years went by, no one wanted to buy the small piece of property. It was surrounded by two other farms and the soil was still bad. The town had adopted it as a small, uncared for park everyone left alone.

Upon arriving, Clark could see that the shack had been burnt down. But it was not fresh; the remaining timbers had turned a dull grey. Time had clearly passed from the way the small weeds reclaimed the shack's remains.

"What happened that day, Lex?"

"It was my fault. Lucas found out Lionel was his father. I felt sorry for the kid. He had been in the foster system his whole life; no family to call his own. That's the only reason why I can think of he was so desperate to be a Luthor.

"I don't know what you remember, Julian, but you should know Luthors aren't the most idealistic family. After Mom died, Lionel became less of a father than he already was. He kept us apart since her passing. Then, in walks this kid saying he wants to be a Luthor. He didn't know what he was saying, and I laughed in his face.

"I think he was jealous of you. You were adopted by Lionel; raised in his household unlike Lucas who was Lionel's biological, missing son. Next thing I know, he's kidnapped you and left me a note declaring where to meet. Threatening the both of us and saying no cops.

"I believed he was going to kill you. So, I set the shack on fire as a sort of safety net. Not the smartest decision, but I was running late to meet his deadline and all I had on me was a bottle of vodka and a lighter. Long story short, Lucas got shot. I got minor burns; but you had received a high dosage of…drugs that weakened you to the point you slipped into a coma. Hamilton can explain it better. I barely had the strength to pull you out."

"So, you saved me."

"I wouldn't exactly call it that. You barely survived."

Clark shrugged. "I'm alive."

"You've saved my life before. It seemed about time I returned the favor."

There were no new memories gained from the visit. Clark wanted to see the Kents next, but Lex suggested a drive down Main Street first. It seemed like it was still the same small town he remembered; he saw familiar faces and the same stores. But the Beanery was open. The Talon was an abandoned building, just like it had been before Lana turned it into the coffee shop.

Clark was silent during the drive and just took everything in. Lex didn't speak, but occasionally would put a hand on Clark's shoulder to comfort him. When they had driven through town, Lex headed back to the mansion.

"How about I ask the chef to make you some hot cocoa?" Lex asked as he parked the car.

Clark nodded silently in agreement. He followed Lex out of the garage, but since he was walking slower than usual Lex was soon ahead of him.

Nothing was making sense. Clark knew who he was.

There were only two people in the world he trusted above all else. And he had to speak with them to find out what was going on.

As fast as he could, Clark headed back to the garage.