Chapter Forty

Clark leaned back against the Talon wall and reflected on the morning he had. He still had no ideas on what to turn the Talon into, so he got out a clipboard and stood in front of the building, casually saying 'hi' and using people's names that he knew. Then he turned the conversation over to what they believed their town could need.

The main consensus was to restore the building, but when Clark pressed further about other cinemas and coffee shops existing in Smallville, they would just shrug. Some of the high school students suggested arcades. Not everyone talked with him, but it was better than having Pete Ross glare at him for over an hour across the street. Pete didn't even seem to care when Clark politely waved.

There was a small lull now in the amount of people walking around town. It was lunchtime and most people were now inside the Beanery or eating sandwiches on park benches. Clark felt a lump in his throat as he noticed Mr. Kent exit out of the bank. Something was wrong. Johnathan Kent was walking slowly, as if injured, his shoulders slumped and staring at the ground. Clark half-prayed that he would walk this way so he could say 'hi' and see what the trouble was. On the other hand, he was a Luthor so maybe he shouldn't ask at all. Mr. Kent didn't seem to know where he was going. There seemed to be no set destination of his walking. But he crossed the street and was walking towards Clark's station.

"Hi, Mr. Kent." Clark said when the man was close enough.

"Julian."

Clark gulped. Something was definitely wrong by how he sounded. Seconds passed and Mr. Kent was walking slow enough so he asked another question. "Care to weigh in? I'm taking a poll to see what people would like the old Talon building turned into. What people think this town needs."

Mr. Kent stopped and looked up at the building. "A town isn't buildings. A town is the people."

Clark nodded.

"And empty buildings are all that will remain when the people leave."

Clark took in Mr. Kent's worn suit instead of wearing flannel shirt and jeans. His unshaven face, red eyes, hunched stance. And he had just left the bank.

"Mr. Kent, is everything all right?" Clark stepped closer.

"You Luthor's will never know what it's like to work your entire life for something, only to have others take it from you!"

Clark saw him holding papers with big red "Foreclosed" letters stamped on them.

"You'll never even have to work! You're just spoiled! Living off of people like me. You're heartless and cold. But those are the ones with all the luck in this world."

"You had a father who loved you." Clark spoke quietly. "I think that makes you very lucky."

Clark wanted to reach out and hug the man he still cared so much for. Instead, they just looked at each other, only breaking when Mr. Kent began walking away slowly again.

"Hiya, Smallville." Clark turned to see Lois walking over. If she saw who had just been there, she was quiet about it.

"Hey."

"What are you doing?"

"Research." He lifted his clipboard. "Want to share what you think Smallville needs from this building?"

"If it's your business, shouldn't it just be something you care about?" Lois asked.

"I care about Smallville, and I want this business to help the community. Whatever it turns out to be."

"Good morning, Julian. Miss Lane." Lex walked over with two Styrofoam cups. He handed one to Clark. "Thought you could use a pick-me-up."

"Thanks."

"Miss Lane, isn't it about time for your summer school class?"

"I guess."

"Why don't I give you a ride?"

"Oh, no, I'm good."
"I insist. It'd be my pleasure."

Clark could see Lois hesitate and her eyes went back and forth between him and Lex. He just nodded encouragingly. He knew Lex would not hurt her, no matter what she still thought. Maybe this drive would be good for them and help clear the air.

"Okay," she agreed.

The two walked over, leaving Clark alone.

His mind wandered to what Mr. Kent had just said. If he had to guess, the Kents had just lost their farm. How often had he wished when he had been their son to be able to buy the farm so his parents wouldn't have to worry about money? And now that he had it, he knew Mr. Kent would rather die than accept charity. But maybe there was still something he could do.

Clark pulled out his phone. As it rang, he looked down at the clipboard, a small idea began to form.

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Lois could feel her heart hammering. In truth, she was scared to be in a locked metal box with someone she still believed was deranged enough to alter the very fabric of reality. Lois just didn't know how he did it.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Miss Lane." Lex spoke as smoothly as he drove.

"Good choice."
"I won't hurt Julian either. I suppose I owe you a 'thank you', for trying to look out for him." Lois stayed silent but took note Lex didn't really thank her by saying that. "Are you satisfied, Miss Lane, with what you've uncovered? Or shall I continue to find your nose in my family's business?"

"You're asking if I'm going to stop." Lois tapped her fingers against the window. "Aren't you curious why Julian doesn't remember his earlier life?"

"My only concern is his wellbeing and seeing him happy. You don't like summer school, do you, Miss Lane?"

"Not particularly."

"Lionel didn't care about Julian; his wellbeing or happiness. That monster kept him in a lab his entire life. Taking his blood. Putting him through tests. Endless summer school if you will. You were given some classified information during your little interrogation. That was information I was willing to die for it to stay buried." Lois stared ahead as she felt Lex stare at her. "I'm willing to do anything to keep him safe."

"Like move heaven and earth itself?"

Lex smiled. "Exactly."

"I don't want to see him hurt." Lois said honestly.

The car pulled in front of the school, unwilling students milling into the dark from the sunny outdoors. Lois thought of her new discovery of the sleeping potion having a teeth whitening spell. Lex had been able to hide something that day; able to not tell the entire truth.

Well, two can play that game. "I can honestly say I'm done investigating you, Mr. Luthor." She smiled and got out of the car, only waving as a polite 'thank you' without turning around. Wasn't that the truth?

Lois Lane's eyes were now on one Dr. Hamilton.