*Rises from the dead* I am SO SORRY guys. I never meant for the hiatus to last this long. This story just kinda hit a block for me and I was feeling really uninspired. I still need to work out the plot a bit more, but hopefully it won't be quite as long between chapters anymore. *Fingers crossed* Thank you SO MUCH to all who reviewed! You have no idea how much your comments meant to me. And they really pushed me to finish this and not abandon this fic. So bless you.

This chapter is a bit filler.. but it's something!

Anon. Reviews:

jadorelechocolat: Thank you so much! I'm glad you're enjoying the fic! I do plan to continue this, knowing there are people interested! :)

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Lex waited as she rolled her lips through her teeth and hesitated.

"Ok, well, we've established that my stay here may be longer than I first anticipated. Possibly...possibly even permanent. If that's the case, then I need to start making plans."

"Plans?"

Peyton nodded and rubbed at her knuckles.

"Yes. I want to believe I'll find a way back, but I can't just use you like this until it happens. If it ever does. Like I mentioned before, I need to get a job. A place to stay."

Lex's frown deepened.

"Is there something wrong with the manor? Are you uncomfortable?"

Peyton's face flashed in surprise.

"No. It's all wonderful. But it isn't mine to take advantage of. I can't depend on you for who knows how long."

"If you're worried about it being a strain, don't."

Peyton bit the inside of her cheek and ran her hand through her hair. She tried to think of a way to get this across to him without being insulting.

"It's not that I necessarily think it's a strain. It sounds like you've already been...taking care of this body for quite some time. And since I keep coming back, I'm so grateful for that. But, if I want to look into something or spend money on research that goes nowhere, I don't want to be constantly abusing your generosity."

An expression flickered across his face, almost like surprise. And then he was studying her even more intently than before, if that were even possible.

"Why not," he asked. "What would it matter to you if it were my money going into this research or yours?"
Peyton tilted her head back, gracing him with a look of obvious confusion.

"Because," she said, "I, well, you're my friend. I wouldn't want you to think I'm using you, you know?"

Lex processed the words. He shook his head and rubbed his hand over his scalp. Let out a sharp huff of air. Peyton looked away towards the fireplace. Oh, he probably thought she was an idiot. She didn't need to consult with him at all, did she? She still had an identity here, even if she wasn't familiar with it. There was always the option of contacting her other parents and going back to their place until she figured things out.

Although the idea of that wasn't exactly appealing.

But she still didn't know if she could stay in the manor. They weren't actually a couple and… and she didn't need to get to know him anymore than she did now.

"So," she said with a ruffle of her bangs. "I guess I'm just letting you know that I'm planning-"

"I don't think it's a good idea for you to leave the manor," Lex cut in.

This had been the part she'd been expecting. Peyton sighed and he frowned at her response.

Standing from the couch he turned to the wet bar across the room to pour himself a drink. She rolled her head over her shoulders in annoyance at the dramatics.

"I understand that you've been doing this a long time, but the situation has changed," Peyton argued. "For me to live dependently and in close quarters continuously, I don't-"

She cut herself off and Lex raised a brow. Took a sip from his crystal glass.

"Don't what?"
"I don't think it would be good for me given what I'm trying to do."

He took another drink, mulling over her words, before his lips curled up and he lifted one finger from his glass to point at her.

"You mean you're afraid you'll get attached to me. Maybe not want to go home."

Peyton frowned and sat up straighter.

"That's not what I said."

Lex sat down his glass and held up his hands in supplication.

"It's alright. That's a valid concern. I've been told I'm pretty irresistible."

"Oh my gosh."

She stood from the couch, feeling as though the attempt at a serious discussion had been suddenly discarded. Lex let out a short laugh. Peyton sniffed as she crossed her arms.

"Joking aside," she pressed, "I can't sit around here all day doing nothing."
"If working means that much to you, I can get you a job." The look she pegged him with had him rushing to explain. "It'd be legitimate and you'd earn whatever you made. It seems like you already have some business experience. You were keeping up pretty well during the factory tour."

"I do. But that still doesn't solve the issue of me-"

"I don't think you should leave." He interrupted her again and Peyton's face heated in ire. Lex held up his hands once more at her expression. "Just let me explain why? Your condition still isn't understood. We have no way of knowing what kind of complications might come up. And like you said, no one else knows about you. If something happens, wouldn't it be better for you to be nearby?"

She hated that feat of logic. She hated that she couldn't argue against it and that she couldn't realistically promise that she'd be fine. He had points, and while she had an inkling that they were partially selfishly motivated, she couldn't say he was necessarily wrong.

"Oh," said Peyton, "I bet you're great at mergers. I bet they don't realize what hit them until after they've already signed the agreement and are halfway down the block."

"This isn't a take over," he reassured with an amused glint in his eyes. "I'm concerned for your wellbeing."

"I'm sure," she said flatly. Lex held his hands out, palms up.

"How about a compromise? You work wherever you like but you live here for now. If you feel like you need a separate wing, that's fine. There's plenty of room."

Peyton moved in front of the fireplace a moment and pondered her options. Even despite calling him a friend and feeling some sort of camaraderie with him, he was a grown man now. He'd obviously grown and changed in ways she'd yet to see. How much should she blindly trust him? How involved should she allow herself to become?

The image of her slumped, unresponsive body hopefully still in her office chair flashed through her mind. She wondered if anyone had found her yet, and what they thought if they had. What if something like that happened here? Again.

Or worse. She'd gotten a head injury now and that seemed to change up the game. What if she didn't get sent home; merely suffered seizures or delusions, or any other sort of neurological problem?

She let out a groan and Lex perked up in the corner of her vision.

"If I pushed to get my own place, you'd probably be checking in constantly; wouldn't you?"
He was obviously trying to hide a smile.

"Everyday."

Peyton rolled her eyes and widened her stance.

"I'm getting a car," she said.

"And I'm sure you'll drive it after you get your license," Lex agreed.

"I'm not checking in with you before I do things either."

He may have twitched slightly, but his face was still impassive.

"You're an adult."

She watched him a moment longer, as if waiting to see if he'd let any conflicting emotions slip out. When all he did was raise his brows expectantly, she let out a huff.

"Ok."
"Anything else?" There was a teasing tone in his voice that Peyton chose to overlook.

"At the moment, no."

"Alright then."

He slapped his hands against his thighs and stood. Peyton huffed.

"Lex," she said. Her tone was still serious. "You're the only person I know here. My one friend. I'm choosing to trust you."

He paused a moment, seeming to take in the implications, and smiled.

"And I'm not going to do anything to break that trust."

She let out a breath and nodded.

[]

Peyton thought things were calming down a bit as she used Lex's computer to search for jobs in the area. The main place of employment seemed to be the fertilizer factory.

Shocking.

Her only hope for a position even close to being similar to her actual job was to take something with LuthorCorp.

She printed out a couple applications to fill out and attempted to do a bit more research about the town of Smallville before the headache forming behind her eyes flared up more intensely.

There was a small local paper with a site put together by someone who had obviously purchased a premade layout. A banner at the top of the screen flashed obnoxiously bright colors and read "Breaking News".

Peyton clicked on it. What could a town this size consider breaking news?

A car had exploded on one of their backroads. A high school boy had narrowly escaped with his life. Another teen, Clark Kent, had pulled the kid out and to safety just in time.

"You have got to be kidding me."

What was up with that kid? How many odd or dangerous situations did he get himself into? It didn't seem normal, or even realistic.

"What is it?"

Peyton looked up from the computer. Lex had entered the room and was adjusting his sleeve cuffs as he tilted his head in her direction. She gestured at the computer screen.

"I'll give you three guesses as to who just saved someone else from a potentially fatal car accident."

His brow furrowed in disbelief as he rounded the desk to lean over her and read the article for himself. Wisps of aftershave and coffee drifted over her senses as he let out a low laugh.

"What are the odds?"
"Well my answer before coming here would have been very different. But, then again, I don't think I have much room to talk, given that I've zapped into another person's body."

Lex squeezed her shoulder, but didn't say anything to rebut her comment. She eyed his hand as he let it linger there, but said nothing.

"I think I may go pay someone a visit. Did you have plans?"
Peyton closed the chunky laptop and rubbed between her eyes.

"I was thinking of finding the nearest DMV and getting a license. And I have a couple applications to work on."

Lex tilted his head to the side.

"How do you plan on getting there? Or taking a driver's test with a concussion?"
Peyton leaned back in the office chair and groaned. She rubbed at her forehead again and mussed her bangs.

"Do we not have chauffeurs anymore? Dang."

"I can take you once you've recovered. A few days isn't going to kill you, is it? Besides, it might be good to ensure you're actually stable here."

She shuffled her applications into an orderly pile and sighed.

"Fine," she relented. "I guess I'll just work on filling these out."

He appeared satisfied with that answer and swung his keys in his hand as he slid a cellphone into his pants pocket.

"I don't think I'll be long."
Peyton waved him off.

"I'm fine."

Her headache started flaring up after filling out one application though. All the small print was straining her eyes and blurring together. Peyton sat the paperwork down and leaned back in the chair situated next to the unlit fireplace.

Sunlight still warmed the large stained glass window that dominated the room. She checked the time on her replacement phone and sighed.

Maybe she could do some running around of her own.

Peyton found herself severely missing technology that hadn't been technically invented yet. It would have been so easy to use an app to get a taxi or some other ride, but no. Apps weren't exactly a big thing at the moment.

Still, she wasn't going to let something that trivial stop her. The mansion was big and empty and she was still unhappy that she'd been convinced to stay. Digging through some of the items that had been brought in as her "personal" belongings, she managed to locate a purse that appeared to have been in use. There was a medical card and a credit card inside. Someone had wrapped the credit card in a Post-It and wrote "For Emergencies" on it. She pulled the Post-It off and slid the card in her pants pocket.

The sun was already high in the sky by the time she started down the long dirt road. She made a mental note to ask Lex for a house key later as she walked. The mansion was on the outskirts of town, offering plenty of privacy and security, but it couldn't be out of walking distance. Right?

Well, distances always felt different while you were driving.

It didn't take long for sweat to begin beading up and sliding down her back. The Kansas heat wasn't something she'd known enough to hate, but she was quickly coming to. Perhaps a casual walk wouldn't have been so terrible, but being constantly under the sun on a dusty road while she put miles behind her wasn't exactly helping.

The hum of an engine and the gritty rumble of tires rose in volume eventually. Peyton turned to look as she shifted further to the side of the road and noted a familiar red pick up. And a familiar redhead.

Martha Kent came to a stop and leaned to look out the passenger side window. Peyton waved in greeting as she approached the truck.

"Oh dear, are you alright?"

"It really is a small town," she said with a forced laugh. "Thanks for asking. I'm just on my way to check out Smallville."

Martha frowned as she eyed what was probably a red face and sticky clothes.

"Did you walk all the way here? From the Luthor mansion? That's on the edge of town."

Peyton shuffled and pulled her hair off her neck and over one shoulder.

"Well, I don't have a license at the moment. Er, you don't really need it in the city. And Lex ran an errand so-"

"Hop in. I'll take you the rest of the way. You shouldn't be out in the sun like this, especially after an accident."

"Oh, thank you!"

Peyton opened the car door and hopped in. The truck smelled like hay and livestock, but it was a welcome reprieve from the hot road and miles of walking she would have had to endure. She buckled herself in and sighed as she leaned back into the seat. Martha reached over to dial up the AC up a couple turns.

"So, what's so important in town that you were determined to walk?"
Peyton let out a sheepish chuckle and picked at her nails.

"Boredom? I actually just wanted to see what there was to do in Smallville. Any suggestions?"

"I can't say there's much," Martha said. "Especially compared to Metropolis. But there's a library and a diner. Sometimes we'll have a fair or something to mix things up a bit." She laughed lightly and Peyton gave an obligatory grin.

"Sounds just bustling." Martha hummed.

"It's a quiet life, but it's a good life."

The truck slowed as they entered town. There was a main road that split Smallville in half, with quaint brick and board buildings on either side.

Peyton drummed her fingers along the car door as Martha pulled to a stop and parked

outside of a local grocer. She stepped out of the car at the same time as Martha and jumped.

"Oh! I hope Clark is alright, by the way. I read the article on the local paper's site."

Martha tilted her head to the side a bit and frowned.

"Article?"
"About the car accident? Clark saved one of his classmates, I believe. He's had quite a heroic week." She laughed lightly until she noticed the tension in Martha's face. "I'm sorry, did you- did you not know- Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!"
"No, no, it's fine. I'm sure he's alright. If nothing else our son is resilient. I just haven't seen him much today." Her smile was tight and Peyton pressed her lips together and shuffled her feet. "Teenagers," Martha finally said, her tone forcefully exasperated. "They never think to call."
"Well, thank you for the ride," Peyton said. "I think the Kent's might be a family of lifesavers."

"If you don't mind waiting a moment, I can give you a quick tour."

Peyton hesitated, glancing around at the surrounding buildings, and tried to gauge how much of a bother Martha might have really felt playing welcoming committee. Martha smiled.

"I wouldn't offer if I minded."

Peyton gave a quick smile.

"Yeah, alright. That'd be great. Thank you."

She followed Martha Kent around Smallville as the woman pointed out places that might be of interest or had a history attached to them. There really wasn't much. All-in-all it was smaller than her own hometown. People on the streets waved to them and made small talk with Martha. Everyone seemed to know everyone. A feeling of otherness only grew in her gut.

She didn't belong in this world in the first place, she belonged in Smallville even less so.

Two teens darted by in a flurry and one knocked into Peyton. She stumbled a bit and the girl turned to apologize. When her gaze fell on Martha, she stopped completely.

"Sorr- Oh. Mrs. Kent! Hey."

The teen boy with her stopped as well and they both addressed Martha Kent with polite hellos. Martha smiled at them and Peyton nodded in acknowledgement as their gazes darted to her.

"We heard about Clark," the blonde girl said. She smiled widely. "I'm so glad he's ok."

"Yeah," the boy said, "count on Clark to be in the wrong place at the wrong- I mean, right place…."

Martha smiled in a humoring way and gestured to Peyton.

"Chloe, Pete, this is Peyton. She's new in town."

Peyton waved and the teens eyed her in appraisal. She tried to smile openly.

"Nice to meet you," she said. Chloe squinted marginally as if she were trying to recall something.

"You look familiar," she said. Peyton shifted a bit uneasily.

"Well, I've only been in Smallville for a couple of days." Chloe shook her head.

"Not from here." Her eyes widened and she snapped her fingers. "Tabloids," she said. "You've been on the cover of a few, haven't you? Back in Metropolis."

"Oh," Peyton stuttered. She searched for a response given that she wasn't certain if this information was true or not.

"I'm sure she hasn't come to town to be pestered about gossip," Martha said in her defense. Peyton flashed her a grateful smile and shook her head.

"Sorry, I'm still recovering from a mild concussion. I haven't quite been on top of things lately."

Pete's eyes widened a bit and he pointed casually.

"Were you in that car crash on the bridge?"

Peyton grinned awkwardly and pulled the corner of her lips to one side.

"Ah, yep. That's the one."

Martha cut the teens off then, telling them that they should get going and to tell Clark to call her when he could. Their gazes lingered on Peyton a bit before they agreed and continued on to wherever they'd been heading. Peyton let out a relieved breath. She'd have to do more research on what this body had been up to in the years she'd been gone. Her cover story so far was pretty thin, as she hadn't exactly been around enough people to need one.

"Thanks," she said. She gave Martha a more genuine smile. "I'm not really used to people…." Martha nodded in understanding.

"That's the curse of small towns." She raised her brows. "People talk."

Martha finished showing her around what small amount of the town they hadn't already covered and Peyton internally sighed. It was small, certainly. Smaller than her own hometown by far. And she'd thought her own town was boring. It truly was a farming community. She hoped she'd be able to access the technology and specialists needed to start trying to find a way back home.

Peyton frowned at the thought of the odds of actually getting that sort of help, and shook her head. It was no good worrying about those sorts of things so early.

A few minutes later, Peyton thanked Martha profusely and bid her goodbye. Martha seemed hesitant to leave, but Peyton felt she'd already taken up a lot of the woman's time, and she promised to call Lex for a ride back to the mansion when she was ready to leave.

She continued strolling for a bit longer. It felt good to stretch her legs and be out in the open air. Not that she didn't like the mansion, or she didn't appreciate Lex's help, but she still felt trapped. Trapped in a body and a life that wasn't hers. And scared, still, despite her forced calmness. Afraid that she might not get home again thanks to her head injury. Worried that she had to blindly trust because she had no other choice.

As attractive and charming as Lex was, and she couldn't quite lie to herself enough to pretend he wasn't, she would continue to take everything he said with a grain of salt.

The emergency credit card she'd found also came in handy. Peyton stopped at one of the local shops to pick up some more casual clothing items that she'd feel comfortable in and tossed some snacks in as well. Just because. It didn't rack up the bill, so she felt confident she'd be able to pay whoever funded the card back before she left.

With her bagged purchases, Peyton wandered back through the town towards the limit line. She was a bit disappointed that there didn't seem to be any good coffee places available, but it was Kansas. They probably weren't as savvy on the drink as her coffee-centric state was.

She wondered why she hadn't just chose to drive illegally, because she was fairly certain she could have gotten away with it here, but remembered that she still had a concussion and that driving was probably a bad idea, legal or no. Pulling out her phone, she shot a quick text to Lex because she'd promised Martha. She let him know she was heading back to the manor from Smallville and if he were passing by he could pick her up, otherwise she'd see him, well, in the evening.

Lex text back quickly. Predictably, he told her to stay where she was and to wait for him; he was on his way.

Peyton waited on a bench outside of a used book store. She sighed as she drummed her fingers along one of her shopping bags.

"I miss my car already," she muttered under her breath.

The town was small and unexciting. Excluding, of course, what seemed like a high possible mortality count, what with all the accidents that had happened within such a short time span.

Seriously. What were the odds that Clark would be there for both accidents?

Someone dropped down next to her on the bench and startled her out of her internal musings. She looked up and noted a young man eyeing her curiously. Peyton stiffened and stretched her lips in a polite smile to acknowledge his presence. He didn't appear to be moving and wasn't hiding his obvious interest in her. Peyton mussed her bangs and sat up straighter.

"Can I help you?"

The guy grinned and pointed at her.

"I've seen you before. You're, like, that rich heiress, right? The one that modeled?"

Once more Peyton was put on edge, confronted with people asking her about a history that wasn't hers. That she had no recollection of.

Instead of directly answering she gave a grimace of a smile and huffed.

"You recognize me?"
The man's grin only widened.

"Believe it or not, even Smallville gets some gossip news. Though, no offense, I can't figure out why a lady like you would be visiting our town."

Peyton shifted away subtly and and shrugged.

"Life is weird sometimes."

The man frowned slightly and then his face widened in a sheepish surprise.

"Oh, I'm sorry. You don't even know who I am. My name's Matt." He held out his hand and Peyton internally sighed before shaking it.

"Peyton," she responded. "But you might've already known that."

Matt grinned and rubbed the back of his head.

"I'm probably being really creepy right now. Sorry. It's just surprising to, uh, see someone like you in Smallville."

A sleek, dark car pulled up in front of them and Peyton gave Matt an awkward smile.

"Well, you're about to be even more surprised, I'm sure."