Chapter 4: A Truth is found and a Life is Changed
The ride back to Smallville for the two adult Kents was a long and tense ride. Both Martha and Jonathan had concerns and neither one of them wanted to voice their concerns. Clark had been left for the evening in the hospital under the care of Dr. Nalliah and Dr. Rowley. Martha only hoped that she would see her son well soon enough. Martha broke the silence of the trip with the question of:
“Did Clark bring his reading glasses?”
“I think that they are at home.” Was Jonathan's response to Martha's off the wall question.
“Why did he not take them with him? He will need those to read and since he is reading it would be a good idea to have them on his face.” Martha ranted to no one in particular.
The rest of the ride Martha was spouting off at odd times about things that Clark would need while in the hospital and Jonathan answering any of the questions that were thrown to him. One would wonder how Jonathan made the trip home with as little attention as he was paying to the rode. When the two Kents arrived home, it was to see a sleek foreign car sitting in the driveway. Its driver was sitting on the hood, with the unmistakable baldhead. Lex Luthor had come for a visit. Martha was out of the truck first.
“Mrs. Kent, where is Clark?” Lex asked Martha by way of greeting.
“As you can see he is not here. We dropped him off at the park.” Martha said hoping Lex would believe her.
“How was the farming show? I thought that you wouldn't be back until tomorrow, something go wrong?” Lex was getting more curious about the happenings at the Kents house as the conversation continued.
“Nothing is wrong we just decided to come back early. Is that alright with you?” Martha snapped out. She didn't have the time or energy to play word games with Lex. Her son was in the hospital and had just been diagnosed with leukemia.
“Quite fine with me. Will you let Clark know that I am looking for him when he comes home, there are issues that we need to discuss.” Lex said before he stood up from the seated position he has taken up on the hood of the car.
“Might I enquire as to the nature of the issue, if I may?” Martha asked formally and stiffly, she just hated that Lex Luthor had broken her son's heart without much thought.
“Of course, I just wanted Clark to understand that Desiree Atkins is to not be approached by Clark in the near future. She feels uncomfortable in his presence and I plan to make her as comfortable as possible while she is staying here in Smallville.”
“Oh” was Martha only response. She had not really gotten all of the details from Clark about why Lex and he were not talking, but now she understood. She decided to stand up for her son to the billionaire in front of her.
“Lex, I can guarantee you that Clark has no, excuse the pun, but no desire to be near Miss. Atkins. It was made perfectly clear to him that she would do everything in her power to make sure that he was out of your life.”
“I find that hard to believe, Mrs. Kent. Desiree or Miss. Atkins has only seen Clark at school, how would she know that Clark and I were friends?”
“Lex, if you believe for a minute that the people in this town would keep the famous friendship of Clark Kent and Lex Luthor a secret, you are sorely mistaken. All any body has to do is ask about you and the next words out of their mouths would have been “you know the Kent's boy is Mr. Luthor's friend?” Martha said mimicking the voice of the town gossip. By the time that Martha had finished Jonathan jumped into the conversation with some words for thought.
“Luthor…Lex, do you honestly believe that Clark would jeopardize his friendship with you for Ms. Atkins? Do you honestly think that Clark would be bold enough to approach her in the first place?”
“I honestly don't know, Mr. Kent. Clark has been less than truthful to me about certain aspects of his life, so I don't know if Clark would lie to me about approaching or his willingness to approach her.”
“That works both ways, Lex.” Martha piped in. She knew that it was a sore spot for both Lex and Clark that they had not shared all of the troubles that were in their pasts, Clark with the foreign adoption that no one knew about and Lex with his rebellious teen years. Lex had no response to what Martha had thrown back at him. She was right and everyone knew it.
“I shall be on my way then.” Lex said by way of conceding the point.
“Alright, we will let Clark know that you stopped by.” Martha said in a sad voice, she so badly wanted to fix the friendship that had the makings for more but didn't know what to do about it.
“Oh……Will Clark be at homecoming?” Lex asked as he reached his car door.
“Umm, I don't think so Lex.” Martha said while holding her breath. She only hoped that Lex did not ask for the reason why. She wasn't real sure on if she would be able to give a plausible story to the young man standing in front of her.
“Odd, I was certain that Clark would ask Ms. Lang to the dance.” Lex said with a distracted air. He was already regretting blowing up at his friend weeks earlier about Desiree. He knew that there was something going on and when she had said that she was uncomfortable with one of her students, Lex was willing to take what she said at face value. He was beginning to see the errors of his ways.
Lex drove away from the Kent farm with thoughts of Desiree and Clark in his head. He just couldn't seem to put the shy and geeky, if especially hot Clark Kent putting the “moves” on Desiree Atkins especially since she was his AP Biology teacher. When Lex made his way into the house he was greeted by Enrique in the foyer looking concerned.
“Enrique” Lex greeted the other man.
“Master Luthor….have you….what I mean to say is have you spoken with Master Kent lately?” Enrique was afraid to even pose his question to his boss, but since neither he nor Maria had seen the young man in the past few weeks, they both became concerned.
“Why do you ask?” Lex asked with his brow furrowed.
“It has been sometime since Master Kent has made a delivery to the castle. Maria and I are just concerned.” Enrique stated slowly.
“Clark has not been to the castle in weeks you say?” Lex asked making sure he had heard correctly.
“Yes, sir.” Enrique said looking at his boss with confusion in his eyes. Enrique was certain that his boss knew the comings and goings of the youngest Kent, since it seemed that his boss' schedule revolved around the young man.
“Is there anything else you would like to tell me Enrique?” Lex asked tensely. He was beginning to wonder how he had not noticed the absence of Clark.
“Hmm, well, you see sir, Master Kent left the cell phone that you gave him with us. I placed it on your desk as soon as I received it.” Enrique now looked at Lex's face in fear. Lex was livid, ‘how could have things gotten this bad with out my notice?' Lex thought.
“Did he say anything to you when he gave it back?” Lex was beginning to wonder if the friendship that he had come to rely upon was now shattered and unable to fix.
“He just said to tell you when I got the chance, that he tried to be the perfect best friend for you, and that he was sorry that he could not live up to your standards and that he no longer thought he would need the phone.” Enrique was beginning to wonder if his boss was ever going to answer his question.
“Enrique, is that all?” Lex asked his voice as cold as a glacier in the artic.
“Yes, sir. I am sorry to have not brought to this to your attention sooner. You have been busy with Ms. Atkins and I was told not to disturb you.” Enrique only hoped that he would not be fired from his job; it was really odd that he liked working for the young man that stood in front of him. Most of that had been based upon Clark Kent and that he had made a point of making his stay at the cold castle more bearable.
“Enrique, I can honestly say that I am a bit disappointed in you that you did not bring this to my attention sooner. I have neither spoken to nor seen Clark since some time last week. I am greatly concerned now that it has been brought to my attention, along with the fact that he has returned the cell phone that I gave him in cases of emergencies.” Lex's voice was slightly sad and it amazed Enrique that Lex would show such emotion in front of him.
“I'm sorry, sir.” Enrique said by way of apology, he had no excuse for not bringing the concern to his employer sooner.
“Enrique, it's alright. I am glad that you brought it to my attention now. I can honestly say that I my self, am concerned now. The last time that I spoke with Clark was a week ago when he told me that his family was going to the Organic Farming Show in Metropolis that was to take place today.”
“Sir, have you spoken with any of the Kents recently?” Enrique was now really worried about Clark and if he was doing fine. He has seen on a couple of occasions Clark stumbling or looking especially not well while dropping off the weekly produce.
“I just spoke with both Jonathan and Martha at the farm. Why do you ask?”
“Well, I don't want to have your worrying excessively about it, but the last few weeks I have seen Master Kent stumbling and looking especially green while dropping off the weekly delivery. I asked him about it and he told me that he was fine just feeling a little bit off.”
“WHAT!?” Lex yelled. Enrique was too afraid to answer back so he just stood frozen to his place.
“I can NOT believe that this has been happening and no one thought to bring it to my attention. Is this not what I pay people for, to make sure that the ones that I lo…care about are looked out for?” Lex began to pace in the foyer, with Enrique looking on in semi-happiness. He had seen the looks that Lex gave Clark and he could not understand why the older of the two young men would not tell the younger how he truly felt for him. He only hoped that this would get his boss out of the Desiree Atkins stupor that he had been in since the woman had moved to Smallville.
“Enrique, make sure that I am not disturb in the next hour. I need to find out what is really going on here.” Lex said as he stalked off to his office.
When Lex arrived to his office he all but slammed the doors closed. He was livid not only at him self, but at the Kents for with holding the information about Clark being sick. This was just like the Kents to not tell him something that was important in his friend's life. He began to think over the last few weeks to see if he saw any signs that Clark had not been at 100%. He soon realized that he had been avoiding Clark since the arrival of Desiree and that he could honestly say that he understood why Clark had said nothing. The few times that he had spoken to the young man, their conversation was stiff and short. Clark was not one to easily divulge information on him self, and with the way that their recent conversations had gone there was no way that Clark would have offered up any information. Lex powered up his laptop as he continued to think about the younger man and the way that he had affected Lex's life. Lex on more than one occasion had thanked his lucky stars that Clark was in his life to “save” him from not only disasters but from Lionel and on more than one occasion him self. Lex was brought out of this thought process when he heard the bing that notified him of any new e-mails that he may have. Lex was eager to see if Clark had written him even though they might have not been on speaking terms. The only e-mail that was remotely resembled something that Clark might have sent was as an e-mail with the subject of Desirable Information. Lex opened the e-mail and read avidly. The e-mail said:
To: Destinysfoil@hotmail.com
From: 10KA1@hotmail.com
Subject: Desirable Information
Mr. Lex Luthor,
It has been brought to my attention some information regarding a Miss. Desiree Atkins, and I have decided to pass along this bit of desirable information on to you. Now I know you may not believe me, or are suspicious of this e-mail but know that the facts are true and correct. I sadly do not truly want anything from you, but only for you to understand that your girlfriend is not as she seems, and with a town as small as Smallville, it was quite easy to obtain the information in question.
Desiree Atkins is currently seeing the assistant football coach Jason Teague as well as being your girlfriend. Trust me when I say that probably as you read this e-mail, that they are together and not talking about today's youth. Now I know that you are probably reading this and thinking that I am some person who is out to get you, but I am really only looking out for your best interests. I will say this again, I want nothing from you, so do not confuse me with other “tips” that you no doubt receive on a daily basis. If you don't believe the words that are typed in this e-mail do a little research on your girlfriend. I would hate for you to be involved with a “gold digger.” Even you, Lex Luthor, deserve better than that, you deserve to love for love's sake.
A Hope for Truth and Love,
A Concerned Believer in Love
“Truth is not only violated by falsehood; it may be outraged by silence." -- Henri-Frédéric Amiel
Lex could not believe what he was reading. Well he could but he did not want to even think about the implications that the e-mail had. He had no sooner started to re-read the e-mail when his cell phone that was sitting in his pocket went off. Lex quickly checked the called ID and saw that his father had decided to call to torment Lex.
“Dad” Lex said by way of greeting.
“Alexander” Lionel responded back.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?” Lex asked sarcastically.
“Alexander, is that any way to treat your father?”
“It is when he is calling this late at night. You only call me when you want something, so why don't we cut to the chase and you tell me what you want.” Lex said in a tense voice. He just hated dealing with his father and with thoughts of Clark on his brain he was in no frame of mind to talk to the older Luthor.
“I want a report on the plants production and status, by this time Friday evening. I think that this is more than enough time for you.”
“Dad, why are you even asking for this and why now? You gave me the plant to do what I deemed fit, why the concern now?” Lex asked his father. He knew he would not get a straight answer but he could hope.
“Lex, don't concern your self with why I want the reports, just get them to me. Also, make sure that Ms. Atkins is brought to the hospital wing gala that is to take place in two months time. I find that you have possibly lived up to the Luthor name when picking out a, shall be say, “future wife.” Do me proud son, because we all know you usually don't.” Lionel said before he hung up on Lex.
“Bastard” Lex said after he flipped the phone closed. There could only be one reason on why Lionel wanted those reports and that was not for seeing how Lex was handling the plant, which really meant he wanted to see if his son and heir apparent would fail at another chance that he had been given. Lex would not fail or let go of the plant with out a fight; Clark was the only reason why Lex made the improvements to the plant with the hopes that its production and profits would soon turn around.
Soon after Lex got off the phone with his father there was a buzz from the intercom that Enrique was to use to notify Lex of any company.
“Master Luthor” was heard through the intercom.
“Yes, Enrique” Lex responded.
“A Ms. Desiree Atkins is here to speak with you sir. Should I show her in?” Enrique asked with a slight bit of bitterness entering his voice. Lex had to wonder if everyone that liked Clark felt the same way about Desiree Atkins that Clark felt about her, he now fully believed that Clark would never approach his teacher or a girlfriend of Lex's, so the words that had spilled from Desiree Atkins mouth a few weeks earlier had been a lie. Clark just wasn't raised that way, Lex knew from experience that he, himself would have done it, but that was before he met Clark and his views had been changed.
“Enrique, show her in.” Lex said with a tense look on his face. He had no idea why Desiree would be visiting him this late at night, unless she wanted something from him, Lex knew full well that Desiree Atkins seemed to be good for one thing and that was a good lay and if Lex thought about that she wasn't even that good in comparison to his fantasies that involved the sable haired farm boy. Visions of Clark and his built body were going through Lex's head when Desiree arrived to the library/office that Lex had taken residence in since he arrived home.
“Lex” was the greeting the Desiree said as she made her way into the room with Enrique on her heels.
“Desiree, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company, tonight?”
“Can't a girl come and see her boyfriend?” Desiree asked Lex with an ‘I'm so sexy' look on her face.
“You may visit me at anytime, but if my memory recalls correctly. You said that you would be busy this evening from the loose ends of the field trip. That was the reason why you would not ride back with me from the field trip, was it not?” Lex asked tensely, he wanted to end the fake relationship here and now, but he knew he had to bide his time before he could do it. Lex could only hope that sooner or later, Desiree Atkins would trip up and give Lex a reason to break off the relationship.
“I did, but got finished early. Jason Teague was just such a help for me to get finished early.” Desiree said while looking at Lex with a speculative look in her eyes.
“And who would Jason Teague be?” Lex queried just to see where she would go with this.
“Oh, well he is the assistant football coach. When the bus pulled in he was there because practice had just gotten over. He was kind enough to come and offer his services for the evening.” Desiree said while moving and coming to sit on the side of the desk where Lex was sitting.
“Well I find that I must meet this help man sometime soon.” Lex said with a dismissive air, he could see that Desiree was looking for Lex to become the jealous boyfriend that she wanted him to be. Lex thought that he would have done it before, but now that he had some indication that all was not well in the world of Desiree Atkins, jealousy was that last thing on Lex's mind.
“I'm sure that you will meet him at the homecoming dance that I was asked to chaperone. You will accompany me, right?” Desiree asked while batting her eyelashes like in the cartoons.
“Ah, the homecoming dance, I shall endeavor to clear my calendar for the day. When is it again?” Lex asked as he opened up his schedule on his computer. Lex knew that this would be the one place that he would see Clark and possibly question the young man on his apparent sickness that Enrique has observed.
“This Saturday night” Desiree said while trying to read the laptop screen. Lex saw her out the corner of his eye, and decided that some things where best under lock and key, so he locked his computer.
“I will try and make sure that I am available that evening.”
“Oh well, since we are making plans there is to be a parade in the morning on Saturday, as well as the bonfire that is mandatory for all faculty of the school on Friday night.” Desiree explained to Lex as if he was new to the town.
“Yes, I am aware of what happens in this town at homecoming. I have been here for two years now.” Lex threw back to her, just to put her in her place.
“Oh well, I forget that you have been here for that long already. So will you be coming to the bonfire with me as well?” Desiree asked while still sitting on the side of Lex's desk.
“Friday night, you say?” Lex asked her just to make her feel like he was really going to work hard to be available for the eminent homecoming festivities.
“Yes” Desiree said while trying to give Lex her most sensual look. Lex almost laughed at the look on her face. She was beautiful, he would give her that but there was something about the facial expression she made that made her look like a cartoon to Lex.
“I will have to check with my assistant to see if there are any pressing matters that need to be attended to on those days. I will notify you as soon as I know.” Lex said in his business tone to let her know that she had been dismissed. She obviously didn't get that Lex had no need or want for her to continue being in his presence.
“Lex” Desiree said after a moment of silence, while Lex has begun to read a report that was sitting on his desk.
“Yes, is there something you need further?”
“Lex, you are acting like we are not even together. I want to spend some time with you. Can't a girl want that?” Desiree whined.
“You can want anything you like, but if you think that I am going to be available for Friday evening as well as all day Saturday, I must work now.” Lex said matter of fact-ly while putting the report down that he had been reading.
“Oh, I hadn't thought of that. Well then I will leave you to your work.” Desiree said with a pouty expression on her face.
“You do that then.” Was Lex's response, Desiree soon took her leave with Enrique leading her to the main door. When the door had closed and Lex was certain she was gone, be began to unlock his computer and make plans for going to any and all events that had the possibility of Clark being at them. Lex remembered vividly the year before when Clark had begged for Lex to go to the homecoming events in the small town. Lex had pleaded with Clark that the town was not ready to see a Luthor's face at their happy homecoming events just yet. Clark had told Lex, that they would have to get over it but Lex had told Clark that it was better this way and that he would make every attempt be here next year with the young man. Clark had beamed at Lex for the rest of the day at the promise, now it seemed that Lex would have to chase the young man down to even speak to him about his recent behavior with Desiree. The next few days for Lex where filled thoughts on Clark and work, Lex was glad that Friday came and the report that his father had asked for was currently on it's way to his father in Metropolis.
In a different part of town Martha and Jonathan Kent sat at the kitchen table talking about their plans to visit their son in the hospital.
“Jon, we need to visit him everyday.” Martha said while looking at her cup of tea.
“I know that Martha, it just that with only one car it may be hard to deliver the produce and have the truck in Metropolis.” Jonathan with the practically that he usually stated the obvious in.
“I know that is why I think we should get a second car. I could use it to go and take care of Clark every day and you can still use the truck to make deliveries.”
“Honey, you know we don't have the money for a second car.”
“Well, I guess it is time we ask the bank for that loan again. We need the car and so we are getting it. I refused to have Clark sitting in the hospital by himself because you need the truck for deliveries. We go tomorrow and get a car that is final.”
“Okay dear, we get a car tomorrow.” Jonathan then sighed at the thought of the troubles that were coming from staying in Smallville. Both Martha and Jonathan were startled out of their thoughts from the phone.
“Hello” Martha answered.
“Mrs. Kent, it's Michael Azure.”
“Oh, hello dear.”
“Hello to you too. I was calling to ask a huge favor from you.”
“And what would that be?” Martha asked skeptically.
“Is there any way that you could work for my father until we find him a replacement? I am about ready to pull out my hair from working with him.” Michael said with a small chuckle in his voice.
“Work for you father? Would I have to stay in Metropolis?” Martha said will watching Jonathan's face as she asked the questions she had.
“Well that would be ideal, but I can understand if you don't want to. And by the way, how is Clark?”
“Not good, dear. Clark has leukemia he was checked into the hospital this afternoon. I am worried about not being close to him though.” Martha confessed to Michael.
“Well my mother works at the hospital as the Associate Director for the Cancer Center; she could go and check on him, if you would like that?” Michael spoke in a quiet whisper. He was sad that the amazing young man that he met before could have such an unfortunate diagnosis.
“That would be great, it's not like we can call him since we forgot to get the phone number for the room.” Martha began to sniff as she said that. She thought that she was a horrible mother for not remembering to get the phone number to her son's room that he was likely to take up residence in for the next few months.
“I will have her call you so that you can talk to Clark then. I know he wouldn't feel comfortable calling home so I will tell her to call. Everything will be okay, Mrs. Kent.”
“Call me Martha, if I am going to work for your father.”
“So that it a yes then?” Michael asked hopefully.
“That it is. That way I am closer to Clark and I am bringing in money that I have no doubt that we will need.” Martha said while staring at her husband. She could see that he wanted to balk at the thought of Martha out of Smallville for any period of time, but with the thought of extra money for Clark he shut his mouth with a snap.
“Well then, I will be by on Saturday with a car for you.”
“A car?” Martha squeaked.
“Of course, my father will no doubt want to hang on to you as soon as he meets you. A car is just part of the benefits.” Michael said in his no nonsense type of way.
“Well if it is alright with your father, than I don't see why I couldn't accept it.” Martha had to cringe for a moment at the thought of Clark and the truck that Lex had given him as a thank you gift for saving his life. She only hoped she didn't get the same lecture that Clark did from Jonathan; she could see that he was already gearing up for it.
“Well I guess I will see you Saturday morning. I will no doubt hear from you again soon. My mom will stop by the hospital again tonight, so you should be hearing from Clark soon as well.”
“That is fine with me. Thank you Michael and good night.”
“Good night, Mrs. Kent.” Michael said and hung up the phone. As soon as she got off the phone Jonathan started his ranting.
“Martha! We can't possibly accept a car from them.” Jonathan while he stood up from the kitchen table.
“And further more, I will not have you driving to and from Metropolis everyday.”
“Well then, it sounds like I will have to move to Metropolis then, doesn't it?” Martha said in a cool tone that made Jonathan realize that he was in hot water.
“Martha!” Jonathan had no real response that would not land him in the doghouse for the evening.
“Yes?” Martha queried to her husband. She loved the man dearly, but there were times where the man's pride got in the way for the betterment of the family. It would seem that this was one of those times.
“You can't take that car and you can't drive back and forth to Metropolis. It just isn't safe!”
“And you would rather I let Clark stay in the hospital by himself for the next who knows how long, because you refuse to take something that someone is offering us?”
“It's just that they will want something in return….” He didn't get to finish his thought before Martha jumped in.
“Right! That would be the idea of working for the Azure family. It is how the rest of the world works that don't own a farm or run their own businesses, Jonathan you will not talk me out of this!” Martha said as she stormed upstairs to go and get ready for the night. Jonathan could only sigh at the outcome of the conversation. He was always hesitant about getting help from any one since his one try with Lionel Luthor. The man had literally screwed the town over with the purchase of the Ross creamed corn plant, after explicitly saying that he would not and then giving Jonathan a new tracker to shut him up about any waves he would cause. Workers had been laid off and many were with out work for months, and Jonathan had never left the same about asking for help or receiving gifts since then. Jonathan shook his head at the thoughts that his head was taking. Michael Azure had in no way proven himself to be like Lionel Luthor. Lex Luthor on the other hand was something that Jonathan could not figure out, he had waited for the young man to show his true colors like his father, but Jonathan had yet to see the evilness that was behind those steel blue eyes. Jonathan had to wonder what had happened between Clark and Lex, but knew better than to pry, it wasn't that he didn't like Lex it was nothing like that, it was he was afraid that he would hurt his son in the hardest way, with his heart. Jonathan wasn't a total village idiot; he had seen the way the two young men interacted and how comfortable they were with each other's presence.
Jonathan was jolted out of his thoughts be the phone ringing. The only person that would call that late at night was Lex and being that it Lex had been told that Clark wasn't here, he had no idea who it was.
“Hello?”
“Hi, dad” Clark said sheepishly over the phone.
“Clark! It's great to hear your voice.”
“It wasn't that long ago that you left here.”
“I know, but we still miss you. Let me get mom down here and on the call too.”
“Okay” Clark said as he waited for Jonathan to retrieve Martha. There was a bit of rustling on the other end and then a breathless Martha picked up.
“Clark” Martha said as if she had just ran a marathon.
“Hi, mom” Clark said while trying not to listen to his mother pant on the phone.
“How are you doing dear?” Martha asked as she caught her breath.
“I'm okay for now. Sasha Azure came by to check on me. Have you spoken with Michael?”
“That I have. He asked me to temporarily be his father admin, until they could find a new one. I personally think it is a wonderful idea. I will be closer to you and bringing in money for the family.” Martha raddled on about the job for a bit longer as well as Jonathan talking about the big homecoming game that weekend, before Martha made a shooing motion to Jonathan that she wanted to talk to Clark in private.
“Clark?” Martha asked as she saw Jonathan made his way into the living room.
“Mom?” Clark answered back.
“Well, I don't know how to say this, but Lex was here at the farm when we got home and he was asking about you. I'm not sure what he wanted, but we told him that you were not here and that we would tell you that he stopped by.” Martha said and then held her breath. She had no idea on how Clark was going to take that piece of news.
“Lex, asked about me?” Clark asked shocked, he had figured from the way that things had gone weeks before that Lex would be cursing the Kent and Clark's name specifically.
“He sure did, sweetie. He wanted I think at first to yell at you about Ms. Atkins, but your father and I told him that your friendship with him was more important than Desiree Atkins.”
“What else did he say?” Clark asked while hanging on to the edge of the bed.
“Well he asked if you would be at homecoming and we told him no, he said that he thought it was odd that you wouldn't be there with Lana. If he asked that, he must have believed some of what we said.”
“I…I really hope he did mom. I miss him you know?” Clark said and Martha knew that he son was blushing from the confession that he had just made.
“I know you do honey, but you need to remember that there are things that you two need to work on in your friendship, before you forgive him.” Martha wanted to say more, but knew better than to even try and open that can of worms with Clark still is some sort of denial about his true feelings for Lex.
“I know, but it is just so hard to talk to Lex about things that we had sort of built a wall around. I don't know if he would be able to forgive me that I didn't tell him right away or if he would be angry with me being adopted from a different country. I know when I brought up the subject to Pete, Chloe and Lana one day they totally freaked out on me. Said that any one that brought a foreigner into the country was a terrible person. Then Chloe went on to say that it wasn't fair if the kid grew up here, because they were not an American and was taking jobs away from True Americans once he or she grew up. I wanted to cry mom! How do you tell the one person who is your best friend, that hey your friend is a foreigner freak. I just couldn't do it….. I still can't if truth be told.”
“I know that honey, and I think that this is part of the problem between you and Lex.”
“I hope we work it out mom, because I wish I could talk to Lex about stuff. He would make me feel normal, I know he wouldn't pity me and that is what I like about Lex so much mom. He makes me feel like a real person, not like he is just listening because I happen to be speaking like Chloe, Pete and Lana do.” Clark said as he began to cry silently.
“Clark” Martha said in a soothing tone.
“Yeah”
“Get some sleep. I will be at the hospital tomorrow morning.”
“Okay mom, tell dad that I love him okay?”
“That I will. Good night honey.”
“Night mom” Clark hung up the phone with Martha still hanging on to the receiver on the other end. She couldn't believe how emotional Clark had gotten about the Lex situation. She had always had the feeling there was bound to be more and when the friendship dissolved she had wondered how badly it affected her son. Now she knew, it had broken his heart whether he wanted to admit it or not.
The next couple of days for the Kents were spent driving to and from Metropolis every day. Martha would be glad once Michael came by with the company car that she would be given. Jonathan was beginning to get on her nerves with all of his complaining about not having the truck available to him. It seemed that one night on the sofa solved all the problems between Martha and Jonathan.
Saturday morning dawned with a chill that had Martha pulling on the coat that she had on closer to her. She slowly made her way to the barn to gather the last of the belonging that sat in the “Fortress of Solitude.” Clark had told Martha, that she could collect all of the things that he used up there and box them up, that he would gladly take them there at the hospital. As Martha finished packing the books and other items she thought Clark would want, she heard the unmistakable sound of an engine pulling into the driveway. Martha's first thought was Lex, but being that the car that sat out in the driveway was something that you would not be able to pay someone to see Lex in, Martha's next guess was a visitor to the farm. Martha made her way out of the barn with Clark's boxes in hand. As she made her way to the house she could hear Jonathan talking to someone in a pleasant tone. Martha set the boxes on the back porch and made her way to the front of the house to see who was there. What greeted her was Jonathan talking to Michael Azure, Martha smiled a little at the thought of Michael driving out to visit them. Jonathan saw her before Michael noticed her company.
“Martha!” Jonathan said waving his hand for Martha to come over.
“Hello” Martha said by way of greeting.
“Martha good to see you again, although I think you already knew that.” Michael said by way of greeting with a slight smirk on his face that reminded Martha of Lex.
“You too, so what brings you to Smallville?” Martha said with a grin, while playing along.
“Ah, Smallville just what the name implies and just a little too small for my tastes. It seems my father has decided that Mrs. Kent will be his permanent personal assistant. So I figured I would get out the old man's hair a bit, I volunteered to come and drive the car out to you, he of course insisted that I was to take the helicopter back as soon as I delivered my goods.” Michael said while pointing to the BMW 760Li in blue metallic. The Kents looked at the car as if it was a UFO.
“That is mine?” Martha asked as if she did not hear the explanation.
“Of course, dad seemed quite taken with the idea of actually having a competent assistant that he went full stop for you. He has been on the phone non-stop since Wednesday getting things ready for you, then when I let him know that you were to be the temp, I about got slapped when he found out your qualifications and wanted to know why he didn't have you as a permanent addition to his staff. It's amazing he got any work done for the last few days.” Michael said while laughing.
“So that….that car is mine? What else should I expect?”
“Well the car is yours or the family's, which ever you choose. I don't know what you are to expect. I just made sure that whatever he did got done. Sorry.”
“Quite all right, how about you come in and have some tea?” Martha said as she made her way to the door. They did not make it far before they hear the sign of another car pulling up in the driveway. Martha knew the minute the car pulled up that it was Lex. There was only one person in town that owned a Ferrari F355 in midnight blue. It seemed that Lex had noticed the not so subtle BMW driving down the main drag of Smallville and had taken it upon himself to find out its owner by following the car to its destination. The three people on the porch stopped their approach to the door to see the person get out of the car. As Lex jumped out of the car, a smile on Michael's face bloomed. Martha saw this and began to frown. Martha watched as Lex approached and then shook Michael's hand as if he knew or was at least an acquaintance of his.
“So Azure, what brings you to Smallville?” Lex said standing next to Michael with a small smile on his face.
“Doing my father's bidding, it's what I do best.” Michael said while chuckling.
“And what bidding would that be?”
“Ah, that I can't tell the scion of LuthorCorp, now can I?” Michael said while shaking his figure at Lex.
By now Martha was horror stricken and just plain unhappy. She had the feeling that Clark's secret about being in the hospital wouldn't be a secret for too much longer.
“Stopping at the Kent Farm I see? With all the Kents….well I correct myself, not all the Kents present and accounted for.” Lex said and then frowned when he saw that again Clark was not available. Lex turned to the two Kents present and asked:
“Where is Clark?”
“Well…” Martha started only to be overrun by Jonathan talking.
“Clark is not here as you can see. Why don't we just leave it at that?” Jonathan said while looking at Lex with a hard gleam in his eye. Jonathan knew just that Lex would and could get Martha to talk and he was trying to put a stop to it before he got to far. Michael watched the scene with a questioning look in his eyes. He couldn't seem to understand why the Kents would not tell Lex where Clark was; he thought that it was almost as if they were hiding it from him. He cut in trying to break the tension.
“You know the Kents?”
“Of course, everyone in this town knows at least one of the Kents. I just happen to know all three.” Lex smirked at Jonathan already figuring out a way to get more information out of Ma Kent.
“And how may I ask do you know the Kents, Azure?” Lex continued on in the short silence that had taken place.
“Well Martha is going to be my father's newest personal assistant.” Michael said as if it seemed to be a running joke about his father and the personal assistants that he went through.
“And how did you even find Mrs. Kent?” Lex said while trying to figure out if Azure Interprises would be bold enough to go to a farming convention.
“I met her and her family at Chi…” Michael was cut off my Martha.
“Michael, Lex why don't you come in for some tea?” With that being said Martha and Jonathan tried to finish their walk into the house and to the kitchen. They could only make a few paces before they heard someone gasp behind them. As they turned they saw Michael staring at the horse in the distance making its way over toward the Kent Farm. Only one person would be attention seeking enough to ride their horse over to the Kent Farm, Lana Lang. Lana rode up peacefully on her horse, but Martha could see the ever-present gleam that she had whenever she was in thought she was in the presence of Clark. There was just something about that girl that made Martha want to slap her sometimes.
“Is that a horse?” Michael squeaked amazed, he knew that people had farms and horses but for people to come over while riding a horse was just plain amazing and a little crazy.
“What else would it be?” Lex asked sarcastically. He wondered if he was like this the first time he was Lana riding her horse over to the Kent Farm on occasion. He had been bred in money, but there is just something to be said about the small town atmosphere you get when someone rides his or her horse over to your house for a visit. Then again, there is something to be said about people living on farms and not in castles.
“Lex, I know what it is. I just didn't expect some one to just come over on it like they live in a world before cars.” Michael said defensively. He was angry at the implications that Lex was making about his intelligence. That was one thing you always had to be careful with when dealing with Lex Luthor. The man was a genius in the truest sense of the word, but there were times when you wondered if he said things to get a rise out of you or if he just didn't think before he spoke. Michael believed it was the former; Lex just wasn't raised to not think before speaking. Lex didn't get to respond because Lana had made her way over toward the group of people standing out in the driveway.
“Mrs. Kent”
“Lana, is there something I can help you with?” Martha asked in her best happy voice. She was less than happy right now, but she would not let the three young people know that.
“Oh, well I was just stopping by to let you know that the booster club wants the chaperons to be at the gym by 7:30.”
“I will make sure that I am there, Lana. Is there anything else you need?” Martha could only hope that she did not say Clark's name while the in the presence of two people who seemed to take a special interest in him now.
“Oh, well have you seen Clark? I wanted to talk to him about an assignment we got the other day, but I haven't seen him in town. Is he here?” Lana said while looking around atop her horse.
“Well, Clark isn't here at the moment I can tell him that you stopped by when he gets home. Is that alright, dear?” Martha said while trying not to grit her teeth. This just wasn't going well at all. Lex looked more than interested on the disappearance of Clark, while Michael looked curiously at Martha.
“Mrs. Kent, if I may be so bold to ask when was the last time you saw Clark?” Lex asked skeptically. He knew that the Kents had their own brand of secrets and that those secrets had put a strain on the friendship between Clark and himself. He was curious as to why Mrs. Kent and Mr. Kent seem to get nervous whenever someone mentioned Clark.
“I saw Clark…..” Martha said while pausing just enough for Jonathan to jump in.
“Luthor don't worry about when we last saw our son. We saw him and that is all you need to concern your self with. Now was there another reason as to why you are here? Last I heard you didn't want Clark in fifty feet of you or Miss Desiree Atkins.” Jonathan figured that he would put a stop to the interrogation right here and now. If anyone wanted to know where Clark was in this town, they were going to have to fight for it. They had made it perfectly clear in the weeks following the blow up with Lex how they felt about Clark.
“I must concede that point, but some things have been brought to light that make me believe that what I have done to Clark is wrong.” Lex said while placing his hands in his pockets. He didn't want to talk about this with Lana Lang sitting on her horse like the princess of Smallville.
“Oh crap!” Michael burst into the conversation.
“What, dear?” Martha asked concerned she would be happy for any and all distractions at this point in time.
“My helicopter will be here in five minutes and I need to get to Ridley field.”
“We'll take you dear.” Martha said agreeable.
“No, Mrs. Kent I can take Michael.” Lex responded.
“No, he came all this way to drop off the car the least I could do is drive him to Ridley field. So if you will excuse us all, I have a guest I need to drop off at Ridley field.” Martha said as she dragged Jonathan toward the car. Both Lex and Lana were left standing as Martha drove the car off with Michael and Jonathan both in the car. Lana turned toward Lex as soon as the car was out of viewing range.
“Why do you want to see Clark?” She asked with a hard edge in her voice.
“He is my friend is he not?” Lex questioned back. There was just something about Lana Lang that always riled him up, especially when it dealt with Clark.
“He is as far as I know, but he is my friend also. I was his friend first, if you recall.” Lana threw back at Lex, she had seen the way Clark was acting the weeks before, she of course was all too happy to have Clark follow her around instead of Lex.
“He may have been your friend, but that doesn't stop me from being concerned about Clark.” Lex stated as if Lana was dense. He knew from experience that when Lana came calling that Clark would go running, he had always hid his hurt when Clark had to go and see Lana, but now that he had a feeling that something wasn't right with Clark he was going to fight for the farm boy.
“You, being concerned about Clark? That is a first.” Lana said while looking down at Lex.
“Are you implying that I am not truly concerned about Clark?” Lex threw back to her. He had to see where she was going with this thought. He had a feeling in his gut that she was right in some way about his concern about Clark.
“Yeah, I would have to say that you are truly not concerned about Clark. If you were you would have stopped this obsession that you have over him and his secrets. We all know he has them, the whole town knows for craps sake, but some of us are willing to let them slide for the time being.” Lana said smugly. She knew that if given enough time with Clark that she would get the secret that the Kents have been hiding for years and to top it off she would get Clark away from Lex.
“I must admit that you almost sound genuine in your regards to Clark, but I know for a fact that this is not the case. I will concede to wanting to know more about Clark, but I am willing to wait if need be. Do not concern yourself, with things that you know nothing about.” Lex said with a hard edge in his voice. Lana Lang always brought the worst out in him, especially since she was the object of Clark's affections.
“Whatever, Lex! You just remember who holds his heart.” Lana said before kicking the horse to get it to a quick trot. Lex could only mutter under his breath about the reasons for not killing the dark haired girl and the reasons where looking thinner and thinner. Lex noticed that he stood on the Kent Farm alone and for the first time since this morning, he had to wonder where in the world Clark Kent was and what was going on with the young man that had stolen his heart.
The ride from the Kent Farm to Ridley Field was filled with questions the moment that the car pulled off.
“Mrs. Kent if you don't mind me asking, what in the world just happened?”
“Nothing, absolutely nothing.” Jonathan said as he made clear that they didn't want to talk about the conversation that had just occurred. Martha watched the front windshield with a serious air about her. She needed to decide whether or not she would tell Michael the truth or if Jonathan's response was going to have to do. She decided that if she was working for the young man's father that he would understand the need for privacy on the issue.
“Michael, you need to understand one thing.” Martha said as she drove to Ridley Field for the silver haired young man.
“Yes?” Michael answered skeptically.
“What I tell you here in this car, you must never repeat to Lex. Do you understand?”
“You have my word Mrs. Kent.” Michael said truthfully.
“Then call me Martha. I will keep it short, but understand if you want to know more you have to ask Clark. Clark has leukemia, but you already knew that, what you don't know is that Lex Luthor has no idea that Clark is sick or even that he is in Metropolis in the hospital as we speak. And Lex Luthor, I would have said a month ago was my son's best friend. What happened was that Lex decided to believe someone woman over Clark, and the friendship that had the makings for so much more is now gone. I am not quite sure on why Lex has taken a sudden interest, but that has never led to anything good for Clark.” Martha said looking at her hands on the steering wheel and shaking her head. She had admitted at least to herself that her son and Lex Luthor were meant to be together forever. It was just the way two interacted with each other that made her realize this.
“I don't understand?” Michael asked still confused. It seemed that the conversation that was had just a few minutes earlier was deeper than what she was letting on.
“Clark has always been a private person, you saw how he acts. There is a reason why he is like that; he was adopted from a different country. His friends and this town have made it known about how they feel about “foreigners” in their country. Clark can't fight with them, because that would let them know that he is one of those “foreigners” that they are not fond of. I refuse to have my son raked over the coals, by the idiots of this town so that Lex Luthor can feel better about the secrets my son's has. Lex was his friend and he chooses to listen to a girl instead of Clark. It worries me that Lex is interested again; it could hurt Clark more than before.”
“I won't tell a soul Martha. Clark secret is safe with me. I just wish that Lex would get his head out of the sand on this one. He is losing a very good person, and if he thinks that this woman is worth that then I guess I will just have to let him do that. Thank you for sharing your secrets with me.” Michael said as they pulled to a stop at Ridley Field.
“Just remember to not let Lex talk you into telling Clark's secrets. I have no doubt that he will figure out that you know something and he will want to know that something and soon.” Martha said as she watched Michael get out of the car and walk over to the waiting helicopter.
“I will, and I will see you, Martha on Monday. Have a good weekend!” Michael yelled over the noise coming from the propellers. Jonathan and Martha watched as Michael flew off back to Metropolis, with a heavy heart. They knew that they wouldn't be able to keep the secret whereabouts of Clark for too much longer; they just hoped that they would be able to keep it from the one person who could break Clark's heart with his disapproval, Lex Luthor.
Hours later found the Kents at the farm, with Martha getting ready to go to the Homecoming Dance to help out the Booster Club table. She had to wonder why she has volunteered in the first place, since she knew that Clark would be especially embarrassed because his mother was working the Booster Club table, she was glad that Clark wouldn't be at the dance she was also disappointed that Clark would not be able to dance the night away with the girl of his choice, if he has asked someone to go with him.