Reckoning Redux

Title: Reckoning Redux
Pairing(s): Actually Clana, but really it's all about the Clex. Obviously :p
Spoilers: up to Season 5 'Reckoning'
Category: episode-related, angst, drama
Rating: PG
Summary: A re-write of the end of 'Reckoning'. Lana didn't die in the car crash, causing our two favourite erstwhile best friends to convene at Metropolis hospital, where a spontaneous decision alters their future completely.

For a second Clark is completely paralysed. All the joy and bustle of his father's celebration party fading in an instant as his mind fills only with the tinny, yet all to real, sounds erupting from his cell - Lana's terrified screams and a faint voice only Clark's ear could pick up yelling *Lana, watch out!* Lex. Unmistakeable, despite the rapidly deteriorating reception. Clark has spent too much time listening to that voice to possibly mistake it now. And that's what has Clark paralysed, more than Lana's dying cries. Because he's heard Lana scream before, plenty of times, and never felt anything like the pure horror he feels now, never believed for a second that it might possibly be her final breath, because he always knew he'd make it before that could happen. That was how it worked. Lana screamed. Clark saved her. But this time Lex is there, also screaming, his voice raw and desperate and completely out of control in a way Clark has never known, and suddenly nothing is certain. Nothing at all.

A second later Clark is skidding to a halt in front of the twisted wreck that was Lana's car, panting like he actually felt the impossible number of miles he's just covered in no time at all. Some part of his brain registers this is because he's been holding his breath. Another part, the one connected to his super-hearing, notes the almost unperceivable sound of another person gasping and realises Lex is right behind him. This should make Clark afraid, and angry, because there is no way he's coming up with an explanation for a literal appearance out of nowhere like that, making him well and truly found out, and goddamn Lex and his obsessive pushing for the truth anyway, isn't this whole situation a result of that?

But that's when all his usual responses towards Lex these days disappear as Clark finally takes in the situation. Lana's car is wrecked. Lana was inside the car. Lana was too concerned about Clark's secret to think of her own safety. And now, oh god, Clark can see Lana lying on the broken glass of the windshield. Her body apparently equally broken, and bleeding. Oh god, so much blood. This is all my fault. I should never have let Lana get involved with me. What was I thinking?

"No..."

Numbly Clark moves towards her, falling on his knees and reaching blindly towards her face, hand shaking. Searching for warmth, for life, for anything to remove the cold ache setting in his stomach. His fingers find only blood.

Behind him Lex has been quietly hyperventilating, memories of childhood asthma resurfacing with a pain almost literal. He has been ever since he skidded away from the bus, avoiding yet another near-death experience. For one gut-wrenching moment re-living his first day in Smallville, looking into Clark Kent's eyes for the first time before crashing off the bridge into the river below. This time, though, when Lex came to his senses the other party involved wasn't as unscathed as he and Clark were last time.

During the past five years in Smallville, flirting with death has been practically as natural to Lex as breathing. He's almost come to enjoy it - death, deception, Clark, all part of the twisted game his life is turning into. Which is why he's cursing himself under his breath right now, when he actually has breath to use that is. Cursing himself for his weakness. He's too emotional his father's always saying, and it's true. He still cares far too much - he cared about losing the Senate race enough to get drunk, he cared about Lana's engagement enough to get angry and he wanted someone to care about him again enough to allow Lana's involvement in his secret spaceship project in the first place. And if it hadn't been for that she'd never even have been at the mansion tonight, let alone driving recklessly back from it.

Most importantly though, Lex still hasn't kicked the habit of caring about other people, sending him into physical shock at the sight of the destruction before him. The way he's breathing it's a wonder he even managed to yell Lana's name. Because as much as Lex can flirt with death and get away with it, other people aren't always so lucky. Oh god, oh god, oh god. This is all my fault. I should never have let Lana get involved with me. What was I thinking?

It's Clark's arrival that clears his mind and completes the sobering up process. The blatantly unnatural manner of his appearance prompting a final gasp as Lex's mental faculties come back online. Watching his former best friend, now sometime friend maybe, disregard all attempt at deception by embedding himself within a sea of broken glass, not so much as flinching as he falls forlornly beside his recent fiancée, Lex ironically doesn't care what Clark's secret is. This moment has taken them beyond that. The games they've been playing the past couple of years are no longer important, all that matters now is the girl caught in the cross-fire.

Behind them, passengers from the bus mill around slowly and uncertainly while a truck pulls up. Jonathan hurries out without bothering to close the door behind him, a look of horror crossing his face as he takes in the scene.

"Clark..." he mutters, moving towards his son.

On the ground Clark barely registers his father's voice. Too shocked at the sight of Lana's blood on his hands. A hand grasps his shoulder and Clark turns weakly. But it's not his father kneeling beside him on the glass. It's Lex. Sober and composed, with eyes slightly fearful, but focused.

"Clark, move back" he says softly. Affected by the command, Clark obeys; glad to be told what to do.

Very carefully Lex places two fingers against Lana's neck. Jonathan joins them on the ground, wrapping an arm around Clark, whose eyes are starting to gloss with tears. Both men watch fitfully as Lex closes his eyes and sighs. He turns towards them, reaching for his cell phone.

"She's still alive." Flipping the phone open he starts dialling a number. "I'm no doctor but her pulse seems strong. Which is a good sign. I'll get a medical team out here right away..." Lex moves Lana's twisted arm into a more comfortable position as he stands up, phone to his ear.

Wiping his eyes on his sleeve Clark moves back to place his hand over the arm Lex just repositioned, stoking it gently while Lex makes demands of his employees. Looking up he catches Lex's eye for a second, and for a second their eyes mirror each other in the first agreement they've had in a long time. Thank god.

Clark sat quietly in the waiting room of Metropolis General Hospital. Time was acting strangely for him just then, but apparently Lana had been rushed into surgery less than twenty minutes after the crash. Any later might have been fatal. As it was the doctors had been able to stitch her up, replace her lost blood, fix a broken right arm and a whole array of other things doctors did in these situations that Lex had them explain in detail, listening avidly, asking questions and generally making damn sure Lana was getting the best attention possible.

Clark couldn't keep up with all the medical jargon, so he'd stood to one side and let Lex and Jonathan deal with it. Not that Jonathan fully understood everything either, but his heart condition had seen him in hospital himself enough times recently to pick up a few things. All Clark needed to hear was the simple, yet beautiful, "she's going to be fine," and he'd sat down gratefully, relief washing over him. It'd been funny really, seeing his dad and Lex, recently rival candidates for Senator, and more generally two men usually so at odds, both standing together intent on the same goal. If that goal hadn't involved fixing a broken Lana Clark might have smiled, recalling earlier times.

:: If it's not too presumptuous, I'd like you to just consider me part of the family :: Lex had said once, after his miraculous return from the dead. Three months rotting on a deserted island, there must have been so many other things he needed to sort out, yet the Kents and their farm had been one of his top priorities. Part of the family. He really had been. Long before he'd put the request into words. Family enough to turn up on their doorstep looking for shelter when his own father turned his back on him. Clark had valued Lex's presence in his life more than he ever really understood, but over the last two years they'd drifted so far apart Lex might as well still be on that island, oceans separating them. With a sharp pang Clark realised this hurt him as much as the discovery he'd been losing Lana had. There'd been only one way to cover the ground between him and Lana, and it'd been terrifying, making the long trip to the Fortress, to the truth, desperately hoping for her acceptance, her forgiveness.

Could he possibly cross the distance to Lex the same way? Would it even be enough? And considering Lex's recent involvements - Level 3, the Leviathan project - could Clark even trust Lex with the truth? He hadn't thought so, especially not after Lex's secret filming of the Level 3 break in - another example of the man's persistent curiosity. That had led to a fistfight, which Clark thought would free him of Lex forever, but no matter how often Clark told himself Lex was a liar and manipulator and not to be wasted time on, not caring about the man always proved harder than anticipated. Deep down, in places Clark tried to avoid, his greatest fear was probably the thought that everything Lex did was really a result of Clark's failure to trust him - it was the fear that if Lex ever did learn the truth, Clark would look into his eyes and see nothing but condemnation. :: A true friend would never lie to me :: Because Lex didn't forgive as easily as Lana, he'd been stabbed in the back too many times, and it wasn't like Clark could distract him with a diamond ring, hand-made or not.

"Here you go son,"

Clark looked up to see his father holding a small, steaming plastic cup towards him. Lex had gone.

"Thanks," he muttered, holding the item gently and taking a sip. Coffee. Bad coffee. Clark made a face. Jonathan smiled; glad to see his son starting to act normally again.

"Yeah, I know, it's awful, but it was either that or some ridiculous herbal concoction, the machine was out of everything else. Metropolis," he finished with a shrug and small smile.

"Well, the stuff at Smallville Medical Centre is hardly any better," Clark responded, placing the offending cup on a small round table next to his chair. "Where's Lex?"

"Gone to enquire about flying some specialists in to get a second opinion, and also get someone to sort out the crash site and such," Jonathan waved his arm vaguely towards the door on the right.

"Specialists?" Clark repeated, panicking. "Is there something wrong? Does Lana need specialist care?" Maybe he should have paid more attention to the details after all...

"No, no son, it's nothing like that," Jonathan assured him quickly. "The doctors here are very competent and explained everything very thoroughly, Lana's in good hands and she's going to be fine. It's just, you know Lex, he always has to go one better whenever he can. No doubt he's feeling guilty for the part he played in all of this," Jonathan's face grimaced in disapproval. "Drinking and driving like that, it's a miracle both of them weren't killed!"

Clark kept silent. True of course, Lex was responsible for what had happened. But then there was easily blame to share. Besides, without Lex taking control of things Clark had no doubt things would have been much worse. God, he hadn't even been physically involved and he'd fallen apart, how Lex had the strength to organise the helicopter, the doctors, everything, while surely as twisted with guilt and horror as Clark - it showed in his eyes - the young farmboy just couldn't fathom.

There was a click as the door to the right opened and a rather shaken Martha walked in, followed closely by a tear stained Chloe. Martha ran straight over to her son and wrapped him in a tight hug. Clark responded gratefully.

"Oh sweetie..." Martha whispered, stroking his hair.

Chloe walked over to Jonathan.

"Is she?... Lana, is she...?" her voice broke and she put a hand to her mouth.

"She's going to be fine," Jonathan said confidently, prompting a relieved look from both women. "She lost a lot of blood so the doctors need to keep her here for a week or two while she recovers, and her right arm's been broken in a couple of places so she'll have to keep it in a cast for a bit longer. But, she's going to be fine," he repeated for emphasis.

"Oh, thank god," Martha breathed, releasing her hold on Clark and smiling at him. Chloe nodded, smiling too.

"Yeah," Clark agreed, sniffing a little and wiping at the tears the embrace had released with his sleeve. "They say she was really lucky to... to walk away with just the injuries she did, she could have easily been..." he stumbled over the words, eyes watering again. This much he'd heard the doctors say, it was one of the reasons he'd stopped listening. An actual Smallville miracle with no Clark Kent intervention, just thinking how easily things could have been different made Clark's heart ache painfully.

Martha wrapped her arms around him again and Jonathan put a hand on his shoulder, while Chloe moved to stand in front of them.

"It's not your fault you know, Clark," she said.

Clark looked up, pulling away from his mom unhappily.

"Isn't it?" he asked. "If I'd just... if I'd been with her this wouldn't have happened. We just got engaged today, what was I thinking leaving her alone? I shouldn't even have wanted to leave her side..."

"Oh, no Clark, no," his mom interjected. "You can't be with someone twenty-four-seven. Even people you love. You couldn't have known what was going to happen."

"But I should have thought about it, Mom," Clark protested. "I should have known to be extra careful now that she knows about... the truth about me. It makes life more dangerous for everyone, I should have thought..."

"Clark," Jonathan said firmly, gripping his son's shoulder. "This was just an accident. A tragic one, but an accident. It wasn't your fault and it probably would have happened regardless of what Lana did and didn't know. If anyone's to blame it's Lex Luthor and his careless driving..." Jonathan's tone became heated.

"No, Dad," Clark interrupted, strangely sharp. Because if Lex was to blame that didn't absolve him at all - ever since that day on the bridge their lives had been unavoidably connected in some way, Clark seemed oddly sure of that now. If Lex was to blame - it was still partly due to Clark. "If it's really not my fault then you can't blame Lex either, he never meant for this, no one would mean for this to happen. And Lex has really been great, with the doctors, and everything..." Clark really didn't know how to continue a train of thought involving Lex, so he decided to change tact and end on the one truth he was sure of. "God Dad, when I saw her lying there, I just, I didn't know what to do, I was so scared."

"I know, son" Jonathan nodded in understanding, remembering the pure terror overwhelming his mind when Martha was injured in the last meteor shower. He squeezed Clark's shoulder.

A short heavy pause fell over the group, broken by Chloe clearing her throat.

"So, is she, is she awake?"

Clark closed his eyes for a second - it was time he got a hold of himself. He'd seen Lex do the same thing when he was upset or angry, take a moment to get his body and emotions back under control. Clark wondered if Lex knew exactly how much he'd influenced him over the years. Opening his eyes, Clark managed to look steadily at Chloe.

"No, she's sleeping right now and the doctors gave her a sedative. They don't expect her to wake up till morning."

Chloe nodded. "Okay. So, what are you going to do?"

Clark shrugged and managed a smile.

"Um... I don't know, I hadn't thought about it. I haven't really thought about anything practical since the crash," he admitted, proud at referring to the accident without breaking down.

Chloe and Martha both smiled motherly.

"Well, you know if she's not going to wake up till morning, you should go home sweetie," Martha said. "Get some rest, you must be exhausted."

Clark did feel drained, but he shook his head. "No," he said, relieved to find his mind working again. "The doctors think that, but there's still a chance isn't there? I think I'd rather stay here and be close, you know?"

The others nodded their understanding.

"If that's what you want, son," Jonathan said. "I'd like to stay with you, but..." he sighed, looking uncomfortable. "There are issues I'll need to look at, being Senator now. I gave Lois a call earlier putting her in charge, but there's only so much she can do and..."

"It's alright Dad," Clark squeezed the hand on his shoulder. "You have important saving the world duties to get to, I understand. It's fine, really, there's nothing you can do here so you should go. You too, Mom," he added, turning to Martha. "I'm sure Dad would be lost without you."

He grinned and Martha quickly mirrored the gesture.

"Hey," Jonathan protested weakly.

"Are you sure, Clark?" Martha pressed. "Because I can stay if you need me." She looked to Jonathan for confirmation and he nodded.

"No, it's fine, Mom," Clark assured her.

"Yeah Mrs. Kent, don't worry," Chloe added with a small grin of her own. "Besides, I'll be here to keep an eye on him."

"Chloe, you don't have- " Clark started.

"I know," Chloe said, sitting down on the table beside him. "But honestly, who could resist spending the night here? I mean just look at the glamour of the faded blue wallpaper, the sturdy yet bland chairs and..." She noticed the cup on the table next to her. "Oooh, and hey is this coffee?" She picked it up. "See? I'm right at home." She beamed, taking a huge sip, which quickly turned to a splutter.

Clark laughed. It felt like the first time in years. "Yeah, right at home. I can see. Well, I guess I shouldn't deprive you if you're so desperate to stay. I can even get you more coffee."

His lips curved with mischief and Chloe made a face.

Martha and Jonathan shared a smile of relief - Clark was going to be okay, they could leave without worrying about him. It had been a difficult time, but the worst was over.

Clark woke with a start, looking quickly over the hospital room Chloe's nagging had gained them access to for the night. Lana was lying peacefully on the bed, right arm in a sturdy blue sling, the other attached to a drip. The scratches on her face had been cleaned and were much less severe than they'd looked at the crash site. She was practically back to her usual, beautiful self already. In a chair on the other side of the bed Chloe was napping in an uncomfortable position - the result of many nights practice asleep at a computer screen.

Clark smiled at the two of them - safe, peaceful - and wondered what had woken him. Looking round he noticed the door to the room was slightly ajar. Wide awake now anyway - he didn't need so much sleep these days - he got up, shrugging off the formal black jacket he'd been wearing at the party that someone - Chloe - had draped across him while he slept, and went outside, giving one last, careful look at the girls before shutting the door quietly behind him.

Turning round he registered another presence near by and noticed Lex sitting down on one of the chairs a little way away. Like Clark, he was still wearing the clothes he'd had on during the crash - a light blue shirt and tailored black pants. Despite everything they were still somehow immaculate. Clark hesitated, then slowly walked over and sat down beside him.

The two men were silent for a moment. Then Lex took a breath and turned to the young man next to him.

"I just came to check everything was okay. I didn't realise you were there, I'm sorry if I woke you."

"I guess you did, but it's okay. I didn't mean to fall asleep anyway. Staying awake at someone's bedside is harder than they make it look in the movies."

Clark smiled and Lex's mouth curved slightly in return before he looked away.

"Dad said you were calling in specialists?"

"Yeah. Just to be certain. Lana didn't... she didn't deserve this. I'd hate for something to go wrong because one doctor made a mistake." Lex looked down, hands clasped over his knees. He looked tired, Clark noticed - spending half the night making medical arrangements while battling intoxication would do that to you, he supposed.

"It's not your fault, Lex," Clark said softly, surprising himself. He'd never had a problem chastising Lex before, and now his fiancée was in hospital partly because of the guy. Clark should be swimming in righteous indignation. But seeing the tiredness, the guilt, etched all over Lex's face - a revelation the man never usually allowed - it seemed to Clark that Lex was broken. Not physically like Lana, but somehow equally as damaged. Maybe that too was Clark's fault.

Lex looked to him in surprise, his face clouding as though suspecting a trick. He'd lied by saying he didn't think Clark would be here. He and Lana were engaged now, where the fuck else was the boy... man, going to be? Truthfully, he'd wanted to find Clark, and find him awake, because he wanted his anger, his pain. Lex wanted condemnation - a sharp, quick penance for his sins, maybe even another punch to the jaw. Hopefully then he could get on with his life, stop worrying about his part in the accident, stop caring about the face behind the mystery that was Clark Kent. These days, Clark's anger towards him was as constant as a steel wall, and just as strong, pushing him away. But now, just when Lex was ready to be pushed over the edge, it seemed that wall was starting to crumble. Not knowing what to say Lex shook his head, possibly in denial, possibly just in confusion, he couldn't tell.

"It's not," Clark insisted. "And you've been great, helping us and everything. I... I don't think she'd have made it without you..." I don't think I'd have made it without you.

"Clark," Lex started, giving a humourless laugh. "If it hadn't been for me she wouldn't have needed help in the first place. It was my... stupid, drunken actions that forced her car into that bus."

"Maybe..." Clark agreed slowly. "But if it hadn't been for me, she probably wouldn't have been driving away from you like that anyway."

There was silence as Lex took this in - Clark was admitting Lana's speedy exit had been to safeguard his secret. More than that, Clark was admitting a secret existed. And still no condemnation. It seemed even the wall's foundation was slipping - the rules of the game were starting to change. Lex had to get some control back, had to see how things stood. So he decided to be direct, force Clark into a decision.

"Clark," he began, fixing the other man with a patented Luthor stare. "At the crash site, when you arrived..." Clark's eyes looked down for a second, but came back quickly and held Lex's gaze. "It was as if you, just appeared, out of nowhere... how do you explain that, Clark?"

Clark shifted in the seat. He'd forgotten how intense Lex's interest in him was. Nothing like the caring curiosity of Lana - curiosity laced with sharp, fiery hurt each time he failed to trust her. No, Lex's interest went beyond that - it was a cold, deep desire to penetrate; and Clark's distrust didn't just hurt, it tore at Lex; as if destroying a central part of his life. :: There's a darkness inside me I can't always control... your friendship keeps it at bay :: But could the truth really help Lex now? Or would it just force him further into that darkness?

Lex watched Clark's obvious discomfort with satisfaction - it was good, it meant he'd caused an inner struggle, he was achieving the control he'd been seeking. Which was why Lex was surprised to find himself relieving Clark by talking again.

"Of course, I wasn't quite myself then," he was saying. "Over half a flask of scotch has the tendency to alter your perceptions somewhat. For all I really know you could have arrived with Jonathan in the truck, I could've been mistaken about your apparent materialisation..." Clark relaxed a little and Lex cursed himself for offering the man a way out like that, for the unbidden relief he felt at seeing Clark out of pain.

Clark looked down, shrugging lightly. "Yeah..." he muttered. With Lana he'd been prepared, he'd practiced his revelation for days, but Lex had him on the spot. Like he always did. And lying about himself had been drilled into Clark all his life. "I... I guess you could've been..."

Lex nodded, standing up abruptly. The wall was back in place, the game hadn't changed. At least, not for him. Lana, when she recovered, would no doubt reap the benefits of being one of the major players, but Lex was staying where he'd always been - the other side.

"Well, since everything's okay here I guess I should be going." Breathing deeply he wiped the emotion from his face, even managing to erase some of the tiredness. "Lana told me about the engagement, by the way. Congratulations." And if he kept his voice level and cold like that he could almost convince himself it was contempt he was feeling, not jealousy. Turning his back on Clark's hurt face, Lex started walking down the corridor.

Clark watched him unhappily - each loud, echoing step making the chasm between them painfully wider. He looked towards the room where Lana was lying, peaceful now but so nearly lost forever. The thought sent a hot jolt of courage up his spine. He'd been given one reprieve today already; he couldn't just sit here and hope for another.

"Lex!" He was out of the chair before he knew what he was doing - faster, perhaps, than should have been possible.

When Lex looked at him, the utter shock on his face was almost comical. That was when Clark realised he'd grabbed the other man by the shoulder - close, intimate - as if the distance between them had never happened.

"Clark?" Lex asked, seeming torn between pushing Clark away, or embracing him closer.

"Do you ever wish you could go back in time?" Clark asked, suddenly breathless, continuing before Lex could even begin to consider the relevance. "You know, change things to how they used to be? Because, sometimes I... I miss the way things were. With us. Do you think we can ever go back to how we used to be?"

Lex looked at Clark's earnest face and realised his answer to this question, absurdly phrased as it was, might possibly be the most significant one he could ever give. His reply could gain him victory, or plunge him into defeat. If he could just get this right, things might just start to shift in his favour. But before his mind could calculate the variables and determine the best answer, he was already replying, the heart-breaking sincerity of Clark's plea forcing Lex instinctively into his first response - the truth.

"I miss how we were too Clark, more than you realise."

Lex sighed - it was more than he realised too sometimes.

"But you can't go back in time, that's not how it works. We can only move forward, dealing with the changes in our lives as best we can. Things will never be how they used to be..." Lex cut off, looking down in regret. When he looked up again he was surprised to find the same feeling mirrored plainly in Clark's eyes.

"No, I guess not," Clark said sadly. But he misses it too. Maybe there's still a chance. Maybe...

Slowing releasing his grip on Lex's shoulder Clark took a deep breath and looked directly at him, diving into the deep blue of the other man's eyes. "But I can't let them stay as they are. Not anymore..." he stated evenly. "Are you busy right now?"

"Why?" Lex asked, cautious of the sudden gravity in Clark's tone.

"Because there's something I need to show you... You have a car outside right? Come on..." Clark pulled at Lex's arm, not giving him the chance to say 'no.' Both of them knowing he didn't have to.

Stepping outside revealed Lex did indeed have a car ready, despite coming to Metropolis in a helicopter. It was his silver Porsche, which Lex's chauffer had run up from Smallville while Lana was in surgery. He didn't mention this to Clark though, and Clark accepted the car without question, saying simply "Get in".

Lex sat, hands on the steering wheel, and turned to look quickly at Clark, noting the other man's breathing had become slightly erratic.

"Where are we going, Clark?" Calm, emotionless - he couldn't let his excitement get the better of him. No doubt he'd only be disappointed.

"Smallville," Clark replied, voice more or less steady. "The Kawatche caves."

Lex looked straight ahead as he started the car, hoping not to start hyperventilating again.

Lex was silent as they crossed the cave floor to the once hidden chamber. The one where the two aliens from the meteor shower had almost strangled him earlier this year. For once his silence wasn't calculating, Lex was simply speechless. He'd expected Clark to back out of this long before they reached Smallville, yet here they were. As they entered the room Clark moved to the far side of the octagonal stone - resting his hands softly on the edge he looked up at Lex, who paused on the opposite side. A moment of silence passed as the two men watched each other. Silence never felt as significant to Clark than between him and Lex.

"After the meteor shower you said you saw this chamber filled with light, with me at the centre," Clark stated.

Lex nodded his agreement; it was a moment he'd never forget. The golden light washing over him and Chloe, the figure in the centre, perfect, practically angelic, everything he'd wistfully imagined Clark to be in those first few months of friendship - before the lies and deception started to rip the naïve imagery apart. Neither would he forget the subsequent conversation Clark was referring to. Both of them standing in the ruins of the Kent barn, Lex begging Clark for the truth so desperately he might as well have been on hands and knees, Clark's denial leaving Lex's faith in him as broken as the building around them. He'd sworn that day never to waste any more time or emotion on the younger man ever again. He'd failed.

"You told me I was wrong."

There was a pause while Clark gathered strength. "I lied."

Another pause, and the phrase seemed to echo round the room. Eventually Lex nodded.

"I know."

Clark started a little and Lex smirked.

"You're a terrible liar, Clark," he explained, matter-of-fact. "Of course I knew you were involved in what happened here. You're always involved. Did you honestly think a simple denial from you would satisfy me? I mean, god, Chloe ended up somewhere in the fucking Yukon, I nearly died when those beings came here and almost strangled me." Lex gripped the stone with both hands, fighting the swelling tide of anger inside him. "I came back here to try and work it out myself, naturally, but no matter how close I get, your secrets, as always, elude me, and there was nothing here but stone and rock." Slipping his hands off the stone edge, he leaned across it, clasping them together instead, eyes piercing as he stared Clark down. "So tell me Clark, what is it you have that will show me something here I haven't already examined to the fullest extent?"

Clark swallowed, but held Lex's gaze. Reaching in his pocket he pulled out the octagonal, metallic disc he'd taken to keeping with him at all times.

"The key," he said softly.

Lex's eyes focused on the disc - clouded with interest perhaps, but not surprise.

"I found that here the first time. Those creatures took it off me. How'd you get it?"

Lex didn't really expect an answer - he was sure the disc had passed in and out of both their hands so many times now the specifics didn't even matter. Clark gave him one anyway.

"I took it off them," he shrugged.

Lex stared at him - those aliens had destroyed almost a whole squadron of police, what did say about Clark that he'd faced both of them, apparently successfully?

"What happened to them?" Lex asked finally.

"They're gone," Clark replied. "Don't worry, they won't be hurting anyone again."

Lex scanned Clark's expression carefully, looking for any sign of the potential to kill he seemed to be implying. Clark's beautiful face stared back at him, clouded now with worry and sorrow and more trouble than his age should allow for, but still, Lex felt sure, untarnished by murder - whatever else he was, Clark was no killer. Lex was relieved. Despite Clark's lies, even now Lex couldn't help thinking of him as somehow innocent, he'd hate Clark to lose that by getting blood on his hands.

Part of Lex wanted to take the matter further - find out just where those two monsters had gone. But this wasn't about them - it was about Clark. And Clark mattered more. He always had. So Lex accepted the statement with a short nod, walking slowly round the stone to stand by Clark's side.

"So if it's a key, what's it unlock, Clark?" Lex asked, fixing Clark with a gaze intense enough to be tangible. Holding the gaze once more, Clark reached out and grasped Lex's hand tightly. No going back now

"This," Clark whispered, slipping the disc neatly into the stone.

There were a couple of seconds of utter confusion that Lex, rather melodramatically, thought felt a little like drowning, making him instinctively return the grip Clark had on his hand. Then everything came back into focus, and they were somewhere else entirely. Somewhere white, and shining and, oh wow!

Letting go of Clark, Lex turned a full circle, everything else momentarily forgotten as he gazed in wonder at the structure around him.

"Where are we?" he breathed.

"Somewhere in the Artic, I think..." Clark replied - it wasn't what Lex meant, of course, but Clark wasn't yet sure how to begin with everything else.

Lex shook his head. "Clark, I've been to the Artic. I never saw anything like this... What is this place?"

Too impatient to stand still, Lex moved passed Clark to inspect the crystals behind him, running a hand over one gently.

Encouraged by the sudden lack of hostility, Clark actually smiled a little. And of course he's already been to the Artic. He's Lex Luthor. He'd probably visited all seven continents by the time he was five.

"Um... it's called The Fortress of Solitude and it's, ah, kind of a new feature around here..." Clark started.

"Hmm..." Lex muttered, following the length of crystal with his hand until he was crouching on the floor. Clark was both shocked and amused to realise Lex wasn't even listening to him. "God, these crystals form the entire structure, don't they? They're even embedded in the floor..."

Clark gave a light shrug - he might as well follow on from Lex's current interest, he supposed.

"The structure's based on the natural terrain of Krypton, apparently..."

Behind Lex as he was, Clark didn't see the other man frown.

"Krypton..." Lex repeated, turning his head. "My father mentioned that in his coma. What is it?" He stood up gracefully and looked to Clark expectantly now - because here, in this new, pure, white setting, having Clark actually answer his questions suddenly seemed far less implausible.

"It's, um... a planet." Clark voiced, his usual unease resurfacing as they edged closer to the heart of the matter. "Or, it was. It's kind of destroyed now."

Lex opened his mouth, intending to ask how Clark knew all this, but realised, suddenly, he wasn't sure he wanted to know; he didn't think he was going to like the answer. He tried to veer away from Clark instead.

"Their home planet?" Clark hesitated a little before nodding. "So they came here looking for a new home?" Lex theorised, continuing before Clark could refute him. "Does... did this place belong to them?"

"No, this... ah..." Clark shifted his gaze for a second and Lex realised this was it, this was the moment he'd dreamed about, the moment when Clark told him everything, the moment he'd recently begrudged Lana for already experiencing. But instead of feeling triumphant, elated, he remembered the feel of hard, inhuman hands gripped around his neck, remembered Lana collapsing, terrified, on the road in front of him, remembered the sinister black ship they'd both been working on that not so long ago had mysteriously disappeared, and suddenly felt very cold.

"This belongs to me... Krypton... it was my home planet too," Clark finished, holding his breath as he waited for Lex's reaction. This is it, forgiveness or damnation.

In the end Lex offered neither. His breath hitched slightly, and he took a step back, standing very straight.

"Then, you're one of them," he said - because how else could anyone face those things and survive? He was working with them. Another memory resurfaced, something else the aliens had said, a name. "You're who they were looking for... you're Kal-El." His eye's widened a little.

Clark frowned. Is that fear in Lex's eyes? And why the obsession with the other Kryptonians? The others were no more than another neutralised threat to Clark, they were gone and could be forgotten, why they should be of interest to Lex now Clark couldn't fathom. After all, they had nothing to do with him. Except, well yes they had been looking for him...

"Yes," he replied, still trying to understand what Lex was getting at. "I'm Kal-El."

Lex was trying very hard to remain impassive, he was usually so good at it, but it was difficult now, now the wall between them had finally come down. He felt bare, vulnerable, and mostly - stricken. He'd known Clark was involved with the recent meteor shower, that he'd known more than he was saying, that there was something more than human about him. But this was Smallville, there were a variety of reasons why someone might be a bit different, scattered all over the place in the form of glowing green rocks. To think that Clark, his Clark, who'd pulled him so carefully out of the river, saved his life all those times, was actually one of those monsters... He'd hated Clark for holding back on him, distrusted him for lying, but it had never occurred to Lex until now to be afraid of him.

"Why did you bring me here?" he asked quickly.

Clark tilted his head in confusion.

"To tell you the truth, it's what you've always wanted isn't it? Proof of your suspicions?" Clark remembered Lex discovering his secret two years ago, before Lionel's electroshock therapy had removed the knowledge. :: I was right about you all along Clark :: He'd looked hurt, but pleased - nothing like the suspicion he was showing now. Clark wished again, as he often did, that he'd been just a little quicker at freeing Lex from Belle Reeve.

"I see..." Lex wondered vaguely if Clark could be mocking him before taking him down. He had that perplexed farmboy look about him Lex had always found endearing - that he'd been misreading it so badly all these years seemed faintly ludicrous. But then, maybe killing Lex wasn't the plan at all. Lana hadn't shown any sign of fear at the mansion. Maybe Clark's race had some special alien ability that forced others' co-operation. Mind control perhaps? "So what happens now Clark... Kal-El? And where exactly are the others?"

"No, don't call me that, it's not who I am, not really," Clark ducked his head uncomfortably. "And Lex I told you, the others aren't..." Clark paused, the reason for Lex's behaviour suddenly clicking into place. "You... you think I'm working with them... that they were looking for me because... god," he breathed, looking at Lex both in horror and shame. "Is that really how you see me? Like... like some kind of conqueror?"

Seeing Clark so obviously upset, Lex felt his shoulders sag a little in relief - despite what the others were like Clark was no alien destroyer, Lex hadn't misjudged him after all. In true Luthor style though, instead of admitting his mistake Lex became angry at the object of it.

"What the hell else do you expect me to think, Clark?" he yelled. "You bring me here in the middle of the night, alone, in secret, and you tell me you're... you're one of those fucking monsters that killed half of the Smallville police force? God, for all I know you'd brought me here to silence me for getting too close to discovering your, I don't know, plans for alien invasion!"

"Alien invasion?" Clark repeated, aghast, moving closer in the vain hope it would make the other man understand him better. "Lex, how many times have I saved your life? And you honestly thought I was planning to kill you? God Lex, I..." He shrugged rather helplessly, feeling out of depth. This was a turn Clark had never expected the conversation to take. "I brought Lana here too you know, you must have realised that. What? Did you think I... I somehow arranged the crash to silence her too?" His voice broke a little. "I'm... I'm not that good an actor Lex, you said yourself I was a terrible liar..." he ended pathetically, raising his hands for a second, intending to grab the older man's shoulders, before thinking better of it and letting his arms hang uselessly by his sides instead. He turned away with a sigh.

Lex swallowed, Clark was so close now the older man could feel his heat - it made him realise for the first time exactly how cold it was in this place, and he was only in a thin cotton shirt. He tried to convince himself it was the cold, and not the sudden, unbidden, desire to comfort, that made him want to reach out and embrace the hurt and lost looking man before him.

"Yes, I said that, but I've been wrong about you before..." he began, but then he remembered Clark's dejected form kneeling beside Lana's body earlier. "But no, I... I know you'd never do anything to hurt Lana."

Clark looked back at him, not angry anymore, just very sad.

"But you thought I might do something to hurt you."

Now Lex looked away, closing his eyes briefly. He suddenly felt very drained and when his eyes opened again he kept them away from the other man.

"We haven't exactly been on the best of terms recently. It wasn't so long ago you were charging into the mansion trying to kill me you know."

Clark lowered his head with a sigh. Lex meant the time Clark was infected by that strange silver kryptonite. They both knew Clark hadn't really been himself then, but even so, it hardly helped him seem less dangerous right now.

"I know," Clark whispered, moving away and resting his hands on the panel of crystals - being close to Lex at the moment was proving painful in ways he didn't understand. Lex turned to watch him. "But that's not what this is about. There's no, alien invasion, or if there is I'm not part of it. The other Kryptonians, they did want me to be, but I couldn't... and then they wanted to kill me as much as anyone else. I just brought you here so you'd know the truth Lex. I thought maybe..." He turned, shaking his head. "It's just, I nearly lost Lana tonight, and it tore me up inside thinking about how close I came to never seeing her again, never hearing her laugh or, just, just being with her." The eyes that looked up into Lex's were shining. "And I thought, hasn't that already happened? To us? I remember when we used to laugh Lex, when we used to hang out together. After everything that's happened, is it wrong to want that again? Is it maybe possible? Or does the Lex Luthor I was friends with not even exist anymore?"

For Lex, still tired from the night's events and not even fully recovered from his drinking spree, the emotion Clark was projecting was too much. He felt his mask of impassivity, weak already, start to slip. God, are my eyes watering too? He had to get out, think about all this properly, it was impossible to concentrate here. What is it about Clark that always breaks through my defences like this? He raised a hand, closing his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose - seemingly dispelling a headache, really fighting back tears.

"You know what, Clark?" he muttered wearily, raising newly dried eyes to the other man. "Right now, I don't know. I don't where the Lex Luthor you knew is. Maybe he's in the same place as the Clark Kent who was constantly assuring me he had nothing to hide, who insisted the existence of aliens was a foolish idea..." Lex watched as Clark accepted the condemnation with a nod, like he'd been expecting it. Lex almost longed for the boy, man... alien's, usual volley of righteous indignation; at least Lex knew how to handle that. "How do you get out of here?"

"Um, the crystal on the far side there," Clark pointed automatically. Lex immediately walked over.

"This one?"

"Yeah, you just touch it and..." Clark began dully, but before he could finish Lex had reached out his hand, grabbed the crystal and disappeared. Clark stared dumbly for a second before grabbing the crystal to follow him.

Back in Smallville Lex was already heading outside the caves and towards his car.

"Lex, wait..." Clark called, running up behind him.

"It's been a long night, Clark," Lex said, hand on the car door. "I've seen what you wanted to show me, and now I'm tired and want to go to bed." He opened the car door and sat down. "I assume it won't be a problem for you if I don't offer you a ride back."

Clark's heart sank at Lex's steely expression and icy tone. Damnation then.

"No, it... it won't be a problem." Lex nodded in acknowledgement, though he hadn't been asking a question, put his car key in the ignition and reached for the door. Spurred on by desperation Clark held it open, trying to make him stay. "But Lex, wait, I mean, you don't even know all of it yet. Don't you want to know what I can do? Don't you have any more questions at all?"

Lex paused, fixing Clark with a blank Luther stare.

"Alright Clark. I do have just one question." Clark waited expectantly as Lex paused. "Did I hit you with my car that day on the bridge?"

Clark frowned, why would Lex even need to ask now?

"Lex, surely you..."

"Just answer the question, Clark!" Lex interrupted, not really sure why he was pushing this, after what he'd learned tonight the answer was obvious, but he still needed to hear it, needed to see Clark's beautiful, lying mouth form the words.

Letting go of the car door Clark took a breath, remembering a night at the farm when Clark had offered Lex a hammer to hit him with, remembered leaving the other man alone and deceived in the dark, and thought perhaps he understood why Lex wanted this after all.

"Yes," he said clearly. "You hit me. You hit me at 60 miles per hour, and I ripped open the top of the Porsche and pulled you out."

Lex's expression softened, just slightly, and his mouth flickered in what might briefly have been a smile.

"Thank you," he said quietly, before shutting the car door and speeding away. In the dust behind him Clark didn't move, just stood and watched as the car disappeared beyond the horizon, wondering why his heart was pounding quite so painfully.

A sharp ringing from his pocket brought the world back into focus again, and he grabbed his cell. The screen was broken from when he'd dropped it after Lana's frantic call - a lifetime ago now. Not such a problem really, considering he was lucky Chloe had found the phone at all and brought it to the hospital.

"Hello?" His voice seemed oddly distant.

"Clark? Where the hell are you?" Chloe berated. "Honestly, you picked the picked the wrong time to go to the bathroom." She chuckled a little. "Guess who's awake early and asking for you?" Clark could practically hear her grin. "Only your fiancée, better get back in this room pronto, mister."

Clark gave the place Lex's car had been one last look before turning his full attention to the cell.

"Sorry Chloe, tell Lana I'll be right there." He hung up quickly and sped back to Metropolis, not bothering to enlighten Chloe as to his actual whereabouts. He wanted to keep what had passed between him and Lex private, for now, at least until he'd determined exactly what it had achieved.

Not yet out of Smallville Lex was driving aimlessly. He recognised the bridge as soon as it came into view and he wondered if he'd been heading for it subconsciously. Half way across he stopped the car, looking out at where Clark had been standing the first time he'd seen him. Where Lex had driven into him at 60 miles per hour. Because it was true. Clark had admitted it. He'd lied to Lex for years, but not tonight. Tonight he'd ripped the wall between them away, just like he'd done for Lana earlier that morning, just like he'd ripped the roof of Lex's Porsche all those years ago. And Lana had agreed to marry Clark because of it; she'd forgiven him, completely.

Lex folded his arms across the steering wheel and rested his head on them, five years of pent up emotion bursting out of him in a flurry of hot tears. Resisting the temptation to sob, Lex quietly relished the liquid emotion on his cheeks, because he just didn't know what else to do. He should be hating Clark right now, plotting his revenge for all the pain and confusion the fucking alien had put him through over the years. But he couldn't. Because for one rare moment in Lex's complicated life he was faced with a simple and undeniable truth. And the truth was that Clark loved Lana, and Lana loved Clark, loved him so much that she forgave him all the pain and confusion he'd caused, couldn't stop herself, because she loved him. The problem was that, goddamn it, Luthor upbringing or not, so did Lex.

"Clark... Clark..."

Clark blinked, breaking his train of thought, and turned to the voice distracting him. Lana, her right arm still wrapped tightly in its blue sling, was offering him a steaming mug of hot chocolate, whipped cream piled generously on it's surface.

"Hey," she said, grinning. "Guess we lost you for a second there."

"Sorry," Clark muttered, taking the mug and the kiss Lana gave with it, distractedly. "I was just thinking..."

"Oh yeah?" said Chloe from the other side of one of the Talon's more secluded tables. "Well I hope it involved wedding plans, because you know that thinking about anything else right now is strictly forbidden, right?" She grinned, sipping her cappuccino as Lana moved into the seat next to her fiancé. "Isn't that right Lana?"

Lana laughed, and Clark smiled with affection - despite the sling Lana looked healthier and happier than she had in a while. He was just sorry he couldn't seem to match the feeling.

"I don't know Chloe," Lana smiled, taking hold of Clark's hand. "It seems a little unfair to make the wedding the only thing he can think about."

Clark gave Lana's hand a squeeze, trying to bring himself back to reality.

"Thanks Lana," he grinned. "I was beginning to think the wedding Nazi over there had taken all control away from us."

Chloe wrinkled her nose at him.

"Although..." Lana said slowly, looking mischievous. "She does have some pretty good ideas." Chloe smiled again, eyes twinkling. "Maybe, if we made every other thought about the wedding, I think that sounds fairer." She nodded her head in mock seriousness. "What do you think Chloe?"

"Oh yeah," Chloe agreed quickly. "That's completely fair. So what were you thinking just then Clark? Just so we know if the next thought should be the wedding or not."

"Um..." Clark paused, then shrugged. "Well, it wasn't about the wedding, so I'll be sure to focus my next pensive moment on that for you. Though I'm beginning to think this whole conversation is just so you guys can say the word 'wedding' a bunch of times," he ended, raising his eyebrows. The two girls looked at each other guiltily and started giggling.

Clark watched them with a smile, but his eyes were troubled - what he hadn't told them was that he'd actually been thinking of Lex. It was over a month now since his second revelation at the Fortress and Clark hadn't seen or heard from the other man once in all that time. There'd been plenty of flowers from him for Lana and the requested specialists duly arrived, fully paid for, with an attentiveness bordering on annoyance, but no actual contact from the millionaire himself. Clark was certain it wasn't due to lack of concern either, because the hospital staff said Lex phoned in regularly to check on Lana's progress.

The persistent absence was quite frankly baffling - Lex was never one to shy from confrontation and Clark was sure the two of them were now long overdue one. He supposed, if Lex was as mad as he'd seemed driving away that night, he might be trying to cut Clark out of his life altogether - and Clark could hardly blame him for it, he'd tried to do the same with Lex after finding his secret room after all. But even so, Clark had expected some form of communication at least, even if it was just a final goodbye.

"What's all this about then?" Martha asked, arriving at the table with a smile and nodding at the two giggling girls.

"Oh, it's nothing Mrs. Kent," Chloe smiled. "We were just, you know, discussing the wedding."

"Yep," Lana added. "Just making wedding plans."

They both erupted into another round of giggles and Clark rolled his eyes good-naturedly.

"Hey Mom, weren't you going to go with Dad to meet the Major or something today?" he asked.

"Not till this evening," Martha explained, proud at the interest her son was taking in Jonathan's work. "I'm meeting them both for dinner, your father's making a real effort not to involve me unless it's necessary, you both know how much I enjoy having my own job."

Clark smiled; it was good to see his parents getting along so well again, Jonathan's decision to run for Senator had meant a lot of changes for the family, especially Martha, who hadn't always supported the decision. It seemed her and Jonathan were really starting to work things out now though.

"Hey Mrs. Kent, you busy right now?" Chloe asked. "Want to help us plan?"

Martha looked round the now deserted coffee house for a moment - the end of lunch having prompted a current lull in business.

"Oh, you twisted my arm," she grinned, pulling a chair up next to Chloe. "Have you thought about flowers yet?"

"I did have a few ideas..." Lana started, letting go of Clark's hand to lean into the conspiracy-like huddle the other women had started to form.

Clark shook his head, whenever the three of them got together now they'd taken to doing this - he found it easier and safer just to let them get on with it. Besides, he wouldn't know how to plan a wedding to save his life, or anyone else's in fact. He was just hoping Smallville wasn't going to create an evil kryptonite infected wedding planner any time soon when his ears picked up the sound of a Ferrari pulling up outside. Only one person drove a Ferrari in Smallville and Clark instantly turned his head to the Talon entrance.

Noting the sudden moment Martha turned to her son in concern.

"Something wrong, Clark?" Things had been peaceful for a while now, but this was Smallville and Martha knew danger should always be prepared for.

"Ah, no," said Clark, shaking his head with a sigh. "I just, thought I heard something..." His gaze flicked back to the entrance but there was still no sign of Lex - perhaps he was going somewhere else in town.

"Well, what do you think about tulips?" Lana asked sweetly.

"Oh, I... like them?" Clark ventured.

Chloe shook her head. "He's hopeless, really. He'll like anything we tell him to..."

Outside, Lex was tapping the steering wheel of his Ferrari nervously. He knew Clark had to be in the Talon, because he'd already checked Metropolis hospital and the Kent Farm, and there were few other places the man tended to hang out. It was this certainty that prompted Lex's tapping - because hitherto he'd simply been looking for Clark, now Lex was rapidly approaching the moment when he actually found him, and if he actually found him then he'd actually have to confront him.

Irritated at his uncertainty, Lex suddenly wrenched his hand off the wheel and got out of the car, walking quickly to the Talon's entrance. Once inside he spotted Clark and the girls immediately, took a short breath, and made his way slowly towards them. Lana and Chloe had pulled Clark so successfully into the flower conversation that the Kryptonian failed to notice the other man's arrival. Martha spotted Lex first.

"Lex, hello," her smile was warm but a little weary, as everyone was of Lex these days. Clark's head snapped up in surprise.

"Mrs. Kent," Lex nodded. His eyes fixed on Clark briefly, but moved to focus on Lana. "Lana," he started, with a small smile. "I'm glad to see you look so well. The hospital told me you'd checked out earlier than expected." He looked worried at the thought.

Lana gave him a charming smile, which disarmed Lex somewhat - he'd been expecting a frostier reception all round.

"Yes, I was tired of being cooped up in there. Don't get me wrong, I was treated wonderfully," she added hastily. "But there's only so much hospital you can take, you know? And really, I feel fine now, don't worry."

Lex let out a small sigh of relief. "I'm glad," he said, sincerely. "And about what happened, I really am truly sorry, I never..."

"It's ok, Lex," Lana cut him off. "We don't blame you, it was an accident, you don't have to apologise." Next to her Chloe looked a little dubious. "Besides, you've done enough for me already, really."

Lex nodded, though his expression seemed to mirror Chloe's.

"Did you want something, Lex?" the budding reporter asked coldly. Lana and Martha frowned at Chloe's tone but didn't berate her.

"Actually, yes," Lex said. "I was hoping to borrow Clark for a while."

It was the quiet, curious bafflement following the request that made Lex realise the others didn't know. He looked at Clark in mild surprise.

Clark stood up, perhaps a bit too quickly.

"Yeah, sure" he said, moving round the table.

"No, wait," Chloe interjected. "What for?"

Lex raised his eyebrows at Clark questioningly and met with a nervous 'caught in the headlights' expression - an obvious desire for secrecy that puzzled Lex, but suited him just fine.

"Don't worry," he assured Chloe. "I promise to bring him back."

"Yeah, don't worry Chloe," Clark added, shooting her an 'I'll explain later' look he hoped he'd think something up for later. "Lana, you're okay right?" he frowned, mentally chastising himself for not thinking about her sooner.

"Of course," she nodded.

"Okay. Well, see you soon." He looked back to Lex, who nodded, and they both headed outside.

Back at the table the three women looked at each other.

"Oookay, what was that about?" Chloe asked perplexed.

"I don't know," Martha replied, shaking her head. "Clark and Lex haven't exactly been very close recently."

"And, considering some of the things Lex has been doing recently, with good reason," Chloe said warmly, thinking of Arthur Curry and her and Clark's escapades at Level 3.

"I know," Martha said quickly. "But even so, despite what Clark might say, I think it hurts him sometimes, the way their friendship has faded."

Lana nodded. "It hurts Lex too," she added quietly, remembering a dying Lex in the mansion safe-room telling her about his dream - one where he and Clark were friends again. "I'd like to think maybe they can work things out between them, I think it'd be better for both of them."

Lex leaned over to Clark as they walked in tandem to the car.

"You didn't tell them," he observed, oddly accusing. Clark gave him a sidelong glance.

"I didn't want to worry them," he said briefly.

"Ah," Lex nodded knowingly, reaching for the Ferrari door. "And I'm a worry."

Clark looked at him from the passenger side.

"Yes. Sometimes quite a considerable one," he said frankly.

But it was an excuse, not a reason, for his silence - because Clark didn't really understand either. He'd honestly intended to tell the others everything as soon as Lana was better, but in the end, with Lex so obviously absent and apparently no immediate threat, keeping it to himself had been the easier and, strangely, most desirable course of action.

Lex nodded again, amiably, like Clark had just mentioned the weather. "Get in."

As Lex started the ignition, Clark looked at him curiously. Lex didn't seem angry - he didn't even seem unfriendly.

"Where are we going?"

"I've got something I need to show you," Lex said, repeating Clark's phrase from the night of the crash. He flashed Clark half a smile.

Clark walked down the corridor of the LuthorCorp building uneasily. Back in his usual plaid - chequered red today - and jeans, he was feeling out of place. Especially since Lex was his usual image of sophistication in a black shirt and pants.

"Lex," Clark started, suddenly thinking of something. "This, thing, you need to show me, is it to do with the black ship you've had hidden away since the meteor shower?"

"No," Lex replied, not even flinching at Clark's mention of the, supposedly secret, project. "I figured Lana had told you about that by now, especially since it is, I suppose, directly connected to you." He paused as they reached an elevator, looking at Clark expectantly.

Clark nodded. Actually he'd found out about the project before the engagement, when Lex was held hostage at the mansion by those cops who'd wanted the spaceship themselves. Lex had taken a bullet for Lana that day, but Clark had been too jealous of her and Lex's relationship, too obsessed that Lex was manipulating her somehow, to fully take in the courage and selflessness of that act. "She even gave me files," he admitted. "You didn't really learn much from it."

"Well, we might have done if it hadn't mysteriously vanished a few weeks ago," Lex replied dryly. "Anything to do with you?"

Clark shook his head indifferently, making Lex frown. The older man looked thoughtful for a moment, on the verge of saying something, when the elevator doors distracted him by opening with a gentle 'ping.' His previous thought apparently forgotten, Lex stepped confidently inside, taking a security badge from his shirt pocket as he did so. Clark followed, rather less certainly, and watched as Lex flashed the badge before a security panel on the side wall, then pressed his thumb carefully against a reader. The doors closed instantly and the elevator started moving up.

"That's a lot of security," Clark commented. Lex tilted his head in acknowledgement but kept silent. When they finally stopped the display read '33.1.' Clark frowned, nothing involving LuthorCorp and a secret level ever seemed to end well. "Lex?" He queried wearily as the doors opened.

Lex turned, his eyes softened slightly in understanding - he knew the stigma attached to LuthorCorp secret projects, and it wasn't exactly unjustified. "Come on," he said, trying to sound at least vaguely encouraging as he stepped into the sterile, white corridor in front of them. Hesitantly, Clark followed.

They passed a variety of rooms as they walked and Clark caught sight of stacks of test tubes filled with different chemicals and odd-looking tables and chairs with straps on. It was, quite frankly, like something from his more vivid nightmares.

"What is this place, Lex?" Clark failed to keep the apprehension out of his voice.

"What does it look like?" Lex asked.

"It... it looks like some kind of secret laboratory..."

Lex nodded. "That's because it is," he stated. Clark stopped dead. Lex took a few more steps before noticing the other man's absence and turned to look over his shoulder.

"And you're bringing me here because...?" Clark asked, voice and body tense.

Lex paused before answering, unable to resist the momentary gratification Clark's fear provided - reprisal, perhaps, for what he'd suffered at the Fortress.

"Don't worry," he said slowly. "I'm not intending to make you an inhabitant."

Clark continued to stare at him wearily. All previous fears about Lex, hitherto dampened by Lana's accident, suddenly resurfacing. God, I was a fool to think I could trust him again, how could I have been so stupid?

Under Clark's hard and all too familiar glare, Lex's own face softened and he moved back, putting a hand on the young man's shoulder.

"Look Clark, really, contrary to popular opinion as it may be, I don't make a habit of experimenting on people without their consent. I just want to show you..."

A loud, sharp, popping sound from round the corner made Lex pause, then sigh, then roll his eyes.

"Did you hear that?" he asked, a strange, out-of-place annoyance in his tone.

Clark's brow furrowed, more with bemusement now than fear, and he nodded. Lex shook his head briefly and made his way to the end of the corridor, heading to the source of the sound. Clark hurried after him, only to find Lex staring intently down an identically white, and empty passageway.

"That's, odd..." Clark muttered. "I thought it came from here too."

Lex glanced back at him for a moment, obvious irritation now clouding his face. "It did," he muttered, gaze returning to the empty corridor. "Clara," he berated. "I know you're here. Your gum gave you away."

Clark wondered for a second if Lex might have finally, actually, lost his mind. Then, as though in deliberate defiance of logic and sense, a small, pink, bubble gum balloon started to form from the wall on the right. Part of the white plaster around it shimmered, like a puddle disturbed by a stone, and eventually settled into the shape of a young, blonde-haired girl in a white T-shirt and jeans. She couldn't have been more than 11.

The gum burst and the girl started chewing it again slowly, eyes bright and nervous as she raised them to Lex.

"Ooops," she said.

"Ooops to being in a restricted area, or just to being caught?" Lex asked, his own eyes flat and stern as he looked down at her.

"Um..." The girl - Clara - frowned, thinking deeply. "Both?" she ventured.

Lex turned his head, face softening a little as he breathed another sigh through his nose. "Never mind. How did you even get here? Last I checked, the doors were still security locked."

"Yeah, but your security sucks. Phoenix's always saying so. I just sneak past lab guys when they open the doors. They never see me." Clara smiled a little, sounding proud, before the older man's gaze caught her again, forcing her head down. She scuffed the smooth, plastic tiles lining the floor with her sneakers. "I wasn't gonna to do anything, just look round. We're supposed to practice our powers here anyway right?"

"That's not..." Lex began, but Clark cut him off.

"What do you mean 'we'? Are there others like you here?" he asked. He'd figured this place to be a secret project akin to the unethical, and usually illegal, ones Lionel had set up over the years. Where this young, and not exactly unhappy, girl fit in he wasn't sure. Unless she's one of the experiments.

"Oh sure, there are loads of us, coming and going all the time," Clara stepped over to Clark, glad of the distraction from Lex's glare. "I'm Clara, I've got this chameleon-like power, see," she placed her hand on Clark's shirt and it started taking on the same red and white chequered pattern almost at once. Clark looked suitably impressed, but after a couple of seconds she pulled her hand away. "Ouch. That's kinda a difficult pattern to mimic. I haven't completely got the hang of it yet," she muttered, rubbing her hands back to their original flushed pink. "Do you have powers too, have you come to stay with us?"

"Um..." Clark started.

"Clark's just visiting," Lex supplied. "I was going to show him the rest of the lab, but since you're here we'll have to take you back to your quarters first."

"That's okay, I can go myself..." Clara tried, but Lex silenced her with a look. "Okay, okay," she muttered, turning to Clark again. "The lab's boring anyway. You want to see the games room, it's the best. Come on." She started heading down the corridor.

Clark glanced at Lex, eyes questioning. He was confused but definitely more at ease now, Clara's friendly banter having soon taken the edge off the surroundings.

Looking a little put out Lex indicated they should follow her.

After a few more corridors, and a few more rooms with complicated looking equipment and official looking people in white coats, they reached a door with a security lock on it. A quick swipe from Lex's security card had it open, and the difference on the other side was striking. The most obvious change was the lack of white - the lights in the ceiling were a warm yellow and the walls covered with a light blue paper. As he stepped through the door Clark realised the floor was also carpeted.

"Okay," Lex said, stopping just inside and addressing Clara. "You know your way from here, get going."

"No way!" Clara responded. "Your friend's visiting. I should show him around."

Lex paused at that - taken by Clara's innocent use of the term 'friend.'

"Yeah, come on Lex," Clark added, tone oddly playful as the young girl started affecting him too. "I wanna see the 'games room'" He gave Lex one of his famous, Clark Kent, sunbeam smiles - the kind Lex had missed so much, and the older man couldn't help but submit.

"Alright," he agreed, tone defeated, but as he shut the door a small smile played about his own face as well. It was ridiculous really - Clark and him were on such thin ice there was a good chance they might not even be on speaking terms after today, or worse, yet here they were, suddenly friends again because of the naive phrasing of a young girl.

Clara, who was watching Lex, grabbed Clark's arm in sudden excitement.

"Hey, you see that?" she grinned. "He's smiling! We hardly ever see the boss smile. It's a shame you're not staying Clark, there's a competition going with a prize for whoever gets him to smile. We put money in each week. We're up to thirty-five bucks now. But you can only claim if you stay. Come on, games room's this way..."

When they reached it the games room certainly lived up to Clara's definition. It was incredible. Rather like a collection of the best parts of Lex's mansion with some significant additions. There was a selection of pool tables, a table tennis table, an area with seats around a plasma TV, and through a door at the far side Clark saw a swimming pool and what looked like an area with gym equipment.

What affected Clark most though wasn't the room itself, but the people using it. And there were a lot of people. A lot of relaxed, happy looking people. He didn't know a lot about Top Secret Evil Labs of course, but Clark was pretty such they didn't look like this.

"Hey, Bobster!" Clara walked over to a kid playing cards with two others on a small table to the right. "Lookit who I got to come visit." The boy, who looked about 20 with short dirty blonde hair, raised his head in a mild expression of interest and Clara nodded smugly at the door, where Lex was standing quietly next to Clark.

"Boss?" Bobster looked surprised. "Haven't seen you in months. Figured you'd decided we were too low class to mix with these days."

"I've been busy, Robert," Lex said calm as ever as he walked over. Clark followed rather self-consciously, but after a few curious looks the others in the room simply turned back to what they'd been doing with an out-of-sync collection of shrugs.

"Anything to do with the crazy twins and electro-guy?" asked a kid from across the table. "They're not coming back are they? They freaked me out," the kid rubbed a hand over his face and Clark noticed his nails were unusually long, and pointed, and, were his eyes tinted yellow? Wait, crazy twins and electro-guy? Those sound like the mutants who held Lana and my parents hostage. Clark frowned slightly at Lex, who acknowledged the disapproval with small nod, apparently in acceptance.

"No, they aren't coming back," Lex told the yellow-eyed kid, who looked visibly relieved. "They were taken care of weeks ago, that's not what's been keeping me busy."

'Taken care of' sounded kinda ominous to Clark and he hoped Lex was talking about how the men had been locked up in Belle Reeve like the Sheriff had told him was happening.

"No, I know what you've been up to," Bobster said, leaning back in his chair. "You've been running for Senator. Hear you lost. Guess you're not as above us as you think"

Lex gave him a dry smile. "I think I'm still above you." Clark watched the exchange with increasing surprise. Is Lex teasing?

"Whatever," Bobster replied. "I still beat you at poker."

"You still cheated. Now if you don't mind, Clark and I have other places to be." Lex finished, nodding Clark back towards the door.

"Hey, I was showing him around," Clara pouted.

"You were showing him the games room. He's seen it. Now there are other things we have to discuss," Lex said, tone heavy, and Clark sighed inwardly. With everyone so at ease here he'd almost forgotten the true gravity of the situation. This was still a secret project, he still didn't really know what was going on here, and he and Lex were far from at ease with each other - yet. He flashed Clara a smile of apology and made to follow Lex to the door, when a smooth, foreign voice spoke from behind him.

"Mister Kent. I never expected to see you here."

Clark whipped round. Mikhail, former Smallville high Russian exchange student and attempted murderer of Chloe, was leaning casually against one of the pool tables, a white towel wrapped round his neck indicating he'd just come from the gym.

"Mikhail," Clark tensed, eyeing the man with obvious distrust. "What are you doing here?"

Mikhail chuckled.

"Ah, still so righteous," he mocked. "I am living here Mister Kent. I have nowhere else to go. My home has been ravaged by war and you and your reporter friend ensured the only place here that will shelter me is a prison cell."

"You were controlling people against their will!" Clark retorted. "Just to make a profit on your gambling business. And you almost killed Chloe."

"Is true," Mikhail admitted, blatantly indifferent. "I did what I had to, to survive. I needed money, so I used my talent to get it. Until you stopped me."

"Is that why you're here? To find a way to get your 'talent' back, so you can go back to manipulating people?" Suddenly the whole place seemed dangerous again. How can Lex even think about helping this man?

Behind Clark, Lex cleared his throat, stopping the Russian replying and making Clark turn. The younger man's heated expression had no trouble switching focus.

"Clark, we should go," Lex said evenly. "Come on."

Clark hesitated, glancing back at Mikhail. The other man smiled at him, looking darkly amused by the proceedings.

"Come on," Lex repeated, grabbing Clark with a look that said argue with me later, but not here.

"Fine," Clark muttered, walking past Lex to the door. Behind him he heard Clara and some of the others start questioning Mikhail in excited whispers.

Out in the corridor Clark turned to Lex furiously.

"Why is he here Lex? He's dangerous, he almost killed Chloe! He should be in jail."

"He also has an impressive gift that could prove extremely beneficial given the correct application, Clark," Lex responded, ignoring the other man's anger.

"Then you are trying to give him his powers back!" Clark looked aghast.

"I'm trying to harness his ability so as to make it useful for society. That's what this place is designed for." Lex headed back to the security locked section of the facility. "Every single person in that room has some kind of paranormal ability, Clark, some of them because of infection by Smallville's meteor rocks, others like Mikhail as a result of natural talents, and almost all of them had no real way of controlling their abilities, or understanding them, before coming here." When they reached the door Lex swiped it open with his card and kept walking, in step behind him Clark still looked disapproving but kept quiet.

"A lot of them have already spent most of their lives in and out of prisons, or mental institutions like Belle Reeve, because they've been unable to control their powers and society hasn't understood them enough to help."

They reached a door to a smaller, darkened room that the filling cabinets showing through the window proved to be an office and Lex led the younger man inside. He flicked a light switch on the left with practiced ease, illuminating the simple wooden desk opposite, complete with computer, printer and wireless telephone. Here we go.

"So you're saying this place is really some kind of, what, rehabilitation centre?" Clark said, face creasing with scepticism as he stepped through the doorway, the heavy-set steel door swinging shut behind him.

"That's part of it, yes," Lex nodded, crossing to the desk and lifting a plastic, ring-bound file from the top of it.

Clark paused for a second. Considering some of the troubled people he'd encountered infected with kryptonite, a place where they could get together to try and understand their new powers didn't seem such a bad idea. But this didn't strike Clark as being as simple as that. He shook his head.

"That doesn't wash, Lex. If that's all this was about then why keep Mikhail here, he knew exactly how to use his powers, and how to abuse them. And if this place is doing society such a service why the secrecy? Why doesn't LuthorCorp just fund it publicly?"

"Firstly," Lex started, leaning against the desk, the hefty looking file still in his hands. "Have you seen how kids who are different are treated in the public domain?" He raised his eyebrows at Clark with a hint of disapproval. "They're treated with distrust, fear and sometimes even outright hostility. The people here don't want to advertise themselves to the public; they want to hide from it. I'd think you of all people would understand that."

Clark scanned Lex's face, wondering if the other man was using his newfound knowledge to manipulate him in someway. But Lex's expression was business-like and completely serious, and Clark had to concede the point; if a public facility for superpowered people did exist he knew he'd hardly be rushing to sign up to it.

"So, you're saying you're protecting these people?" he asked, not unkindly.

Lex inclined his head with a small shrug. "Them, and society from them. Yes."

"That still doesn't explain Mikhail, Lex. He hardly needs the protection," Clark noted. "And what about those thugs you sent after me and my parents?" His expression hardened. "I notice you haven't kept them here to keep society safe."

Lex took a breath - time to finally come clean. My turn, he thought wryly.

"You're right, of course," he stated, looking at the file in his hand uncertainly, as though suddenly unsure what to do with it. After a second he looked up again and held it out. "Not everyone admitted is here for purposes of protection."

Clark took the offered folder instinctively, frown curious now, as opposed to purely hostile. This is serious, probably dangerous, but he's standing there just telling me about it. What does that mean? He opened the file carefully and started to flick through, slowing moving to lean against the desk himself.

"I had certain people brought here, people like Mikhail, with the intention of attempting to harness their powers for... military purposes. Although a lot of experimentation into that was, until recently, conducted separately at Level 3," Lex explained. Clark kept his head down. "That file contains a list of everyone involved in that process and the results so far. It comes to about 57% of the total number in the facility."

Clark gripped the file tightly, only just stopping himself from ripping the thing. He'd managed to take in the names and pictures of a couple of subjects, followed by an extensive table of some kind, before what Lex was saying made him lose focus. He couldn't tell what was affecting him the most, his anger or his fear. Lex was standing there, calmly explaining how he'd secretly been developing living weapons, two of which he'd apparently set free on Clark's parents and Lana, without any outward show of remorse. Clark was torn between punching him and running away very very fast. But then realised he'd tried both of those already, unsuccessfully, so he stood very still and tried to process the information instead. After recovering from the initial shock one thing stood out in Clark's mind.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because..." Lex swallowed. "Because I'm afraid, Clark."

Clark turned his head in surprise, but Lex was looking straight ahead and away from him.

"I've seen a lot of, crazy stuff, in the past few years. Shapeshifters, people who can walk through walls, hormonally powered women, vampires, witches..." He waved a hand. "The list goes on. And I swear, I least 80% of the time they were trying to kill me specifically. I can't be certain of course, I haven't made an exact study but... in any case, it was enough to make me realise that with all these super-human threats, the world needed some super-human protection."

"So you decided to create a paranormal army?" Clark asked, tone somewhere between scoffing and accusing. "You don't think that sounds like a bit of an overreaction?"

Lex looked at Clark like he'd just said the earth was flat.

"Army?" he repeated, shaking his head. "Hardly Clark. I don't think the people here could form an army if their lives depended on it, and I have enough trouble making them obey 'no access' signs, let alone being able to lead them into battle. I'm not trying to make soldiers - most experiments here are attempts at reducing these people's powers to weapon form. So far there's been no real success, except earlier this year with an underwater mine. But you know all about that, of course."

"If you mean that piece of machinery you were trying to sell to the marines, the one that destroyed all marine life within three kilometres, then yeah, I have a fair idea," Clark muttered back, recalling the lengths he and Arthur Curry had gone to to stop it. "Not seeing how killing fish is supposed to make the world safer, Lex."

"The dead marine life was an unfortunate side effect," Lex replied, a little defensive. "The machine was intended to destroy only specific targets. Though I'll admit my... enthusiasm at actually succeeding in harnessing a power in some way may have clouded my better judgement in that instance, made me act too quickly without assessing the full effects of the equipment. Although your fishy friend's antics hardly assuaged my fears of mutant threats."

"Arthur never hurt anyone," Clark protested.

"That I was aware of," Lex retorted. "And what I did see of him convinced me he was more inclined to violence than reason."

"No, you're wrong, Lex," Clark insisted. "He's hot tempered sure, but he's a good guy. He just wants to protect the environment, he would never, actively attack anyone."

Lex nodded, possibly in agreement, and pursed his lips.

"Funny how easy it is to misjudge someone when you don't know the full story, isn't it?" he said, staring intently. When Clark failed to respond beyond a frown, Lex continued. "Until the recent meteor shower this was really little more than a side project with no specific purpose. But afterwards a new and significantly more aggressive threat had presented itself."

A pause.

Then Clark looked down, green eyes losing their shine as he cottoned on.

"...alien," he surmised, tone subdued.

Lex nodded.

"Work here suddenly seemed more important. But if you're fighting a specific enemy you need details about them. I managed to obtain the ship, but extracting information from that took time. Time I didn't know if we had. Whereas you..." He sighed and shook his head in frustration. "You were holding back, hiding something. I knew there was more to you than you were saying, and I thought... I thought maybe they'd got to you somehow and were forcing you to protect them. I never suspected you were actually..." Lex closed his eyes for a second, berating his stupidity. "Anyway, I knew you'd never trust me enough to tell me the truth, to let me help you, but I thought maybe if I forced your hand, tricked you into revealing your abilities, then you'd have to tell me what you knew."

"So you had those guys to force me to break into Level 3. While you were watching..." Clark frowned, assessing this new motive.

Lex nodded, his expression was blank but Clark thought his eyes looked sad.

"They'd been evicted from Level 3 weeks ago for aggressive and un-cooperative behaviour. They're not the kind of people I generally work with, and certainly not the kind I allow to stay here, but I thought they'd be just the thing to spur you into action."

"And what about the others, Lex?" Clark asked, voice low. "My parents? Lana? Was it worth risking their lives just to find out what I knew?"

Lex raised his eyes to Clark's slowly, gaze piercing. "I was expecting an alien invasion, Clark," he said evenly, tone deadly serious. "Two of those... your people, killed almost an entire squad of police. I could hardly imagine the damage an entire race might accomplish. I didn't want to harm your family, or Lana, but if endangering a few people's lives is the price for vital information to save thousands, then yes, I think it's worth it."

Lex's sincerity left Clark speechless, because it was obvious the other man truly believed what he was saying. And Clark didn't know how to argue with that. Wasn't even sure if he should.

"Besides," Lex continued when Clark remained silent. "I figured it was a calculated risk. You'd succeeded plenty of times before in the face of worse odds. I was certain you'd make sure no one was in any real danger." Lex frowned. "It turned out I was wrong... Why was that?"

Clark reached instinctively for a lie, before he realised with a shrug there was no longer any point.

"You just had bad timing," he answered truthfully. "I was temporarily without my powers. Like a regular human. That's how I bled when you hit me."

"Temporarily...?" Lex's business-like expression slipped and was replaced by simple curiosity. "How?"

Clark was glad to change the subject for a moment, even if it was to his alien origins.

"A punishment of my father's when I failed to live up to his expectations." He smiled ruefully. "Funny thing is, I would have been perfectly happy to live that way for the rest of my life. The real punishment was getting my powers back."

"Your father?" Lex repeated, utterly perplexed. "I always knew Mr. Kent was a big influence on you Clark, but I never thought..."

Clark gave a short laugh. "God I don't mean... I'm talking about my biological father. Well, kind of..." Lex just looked at him, face clouded. "His name's Jor-El," Clark explained helpfully. "He speaks to me through the Fortress somehow. He used to use the caves, but I guess they're kind of redundant now," Clark shrugged. "I don't really understand it to be honest. It's not actually him, he's dead now, like all the others, but..."

Surprisingly, Lex was nodding. "I get it," he said, expression clearing. "Some kind of automated response system. It must have something to do with advanced computer programming or holographic systems..." His eyes took on a thoughtful, far away look. "It must be incredibly advanced if it has enough power to affect you physically," he muttered.

"Um... yeah," Clark agreed uncertainly.

The younger man's voice brought Lex back into focus and he blinked.

"Sorry," he said. "That's not really the issue right now is it?"

"What exactly is the issue, Lex?" Clark asked frankly, too tired to be angry or even worried anymore - it felt like he'd swum a thousand oceans since stepping from that elevator. "Why are you showing me this place? Explaining it?"

Lex curved his lips in a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Tit for tat, Clark," he said. "You told me your secret. Now I'm telling you mine. That's fair, right? Besides, this way you can be assured of your safety. If it ever got out LuthorCorp was running a secret project like this it would be devastating for the company. So..."

"I know you'll never reveal the truth about me, because you know I'll be able to expose you," Clark finished. The understanding left him strangely unsatisfied.

"I thought my word on the matter probably wouldn't be enough," Lex said, eyes hard - but whether with anger or hurt Clark couldn't say. "You can, of course, keep the file."

"So, this part of the project," Clark indicated the file. "The military research. You're going to continue it?"

"Of course."

"But, why?" Clark asked. "You've got the truth you wanted now. There is no invasion, there's just me."

"Really, Clark?" Lex asked, sceptical. "Isn't that what you thought when the black ship landed as well? How much do you really know about your people?"

Clark frowned. Lex had a point. The other Kryptonians had been a complete surprise and then of course there was Milton Fine - another danger from his supposedly dead planet, almost killing Clark's mother and releasing a Kryptonian criminal before Clark had managed to stop him.

Lex nodded, Clark's silence answering for him.

"And besides, even if your world isn't a threat," he continued. "If there's one alien race out there, who's to say there isn't more? And that's without considering the more unstable mutants that are almost certainly still at large here on Earth. The world still needs protection, Clark.'

"And you've decided to take on the job single-handed?" Clark asked, unsure if he was shocked at the lunacy of the idea, or in awe of Lex's determination.

"No one else is willing to believe me," Lex replied with a shrug. "And besides, I haven't found anyone I've thought capable of helping... so far."

Lex ran his eyes over Clark, a crease of thought darkening his face for a moment, and Clark opened his mouth in surprise. He's not implying what I think he is? Is he?

"Anyway," Lex said, moving from the desk with a blink and opening one of the filing cabinets to his left. "Now you know the truth Clark. All of it." He pulled another plastic file from the cabinet and closed it. "Here." He held the file out and Clark reached over to take it, closing the military one as he pulled back so he could place the new, significantly larger one, on top. "To complete the collection. That's a list of everyone who's been admitted to the facility since it was created. What you do with the information now is up to you."

Lex leaned against the cabinet and crossed his arms, watching Clark tensely - He'd completed what he'd set out to do, all that remained was to wait and see what happened.

Clark looked down at the folders in his hands, thinking hard. He had no doubt Lex was offering nothing less than what he himself had presented in the Fortress. Possibly more, even, because Clark got the distinct impression Lex would die for this project. This was no personal secret, this was about saving the world, as far from Lionel's petty experiments and Clark's suspicions as possible. The thought of mutants being used to create weapons still sent a shiver up Clark's spine, but he was finding it increasingly difficult to simply write it off as wrong. He needed to know more.

"These people," Clark began, looking up at Lex intently. "How do you find them? How are they admitted here?"

Lex searched Clark's eyes carefully, as though seeking the other man's thoughts there. "Like I said before, most of them are in jails or mental institutions when we find them. In some cases certain unexplained happenings in their daily lives might be enough to draw attention to them."

"And then what?" Clark persisted. "You just, pick them up and bring them here? Categorise them into military and non-military depending on their abilities?"

Lex flicked his lips in sad half-smile.

"I really have fallen that low in your esteem haven't I?" he asked rhetorically - no condemnation, just a weary sense of resignation. "No Clark, no one's forced into coming here. Admittance is voluntary. And people can leave whenever they want. Sometimes, if someone's deemed too dangerous for release then restraint may become necessary, but it's not generally implemented. Any involvement in military experimentation requires written permission from the subject in question, and they have to be of age. Which is why there is a security lock on the door between here and the living quarters, and why Clara doesn't have access here."

Clark looked down with a nod, slightly ashamed. "Then everyone here... they're here because they want to be," he muttered, more to himself than Lex. "Because it's safer than being anywhere else..."

Lex watched Clark debate in silence, struggling to maintain his calm, business-like demeanour and ignore the sudden ache for approval in his heart. Please understand Clark, I don't want to be at odds with you anymore. I never did.

Clark looked up, more open than Lex had ever seen him.

"Lex I... I don't know what to think about all this," he said honestly. "Labs have pretty much been my worst nightmare since I found out the truth about myself, and ones that not only experiment on you but try and make weapons out of you? That's got to be the ultimate high on the fear factor..."

Lex opened his mouth - intending either defence or apology, he wasn't sure which - but as it was he presented neither, because Clark continued.

"But, I can't help thinking... those people back there... this place must do a lot of good. I mean, what if Ryan had been here instead of Summerholt? Maybe he wouldn't have..." Clark swallowed, a shadow of persistent grief crossing his face. "And Alicia too. I think she would have liked it here."

Lex meant to be quiet, he really did, but curiosity got the better of him.

"Alicia? What does she have to do with this?" He'd never known much about Clark's, now deceased, Vegas wife - only that she'd meant a lot to Clark in the end, obsessive tendencies not withstanding. He had been stupidly put out, though, that after making Clark his best man, twice, the kid had run off to get married without even telling him.

"She had meteor powers too," Clark replied. "She could teleport." He smiled fondly. "She really enjoyed it, but her doctor at Belle Reeve, he tried to 'cure' her by making her repress her power. I thought it was for the best, but maybe...maybe this would have been better."

Lex didn't know what to say. Ever since the crash Clark had been a constant source of surprise. Today, Lex had expected Clark's anger, his shock, his fear and even his confusion. But this wistfulness was something Lex hadn't planned for. In the end he took the opportunity to say something he'd wanted to before but never really been able to.

"I heard what happened to her Clark. I'm sorry, I know you cared about her a lot."

Clark gave Lex a small smile and a closeness passed between them that neither had felt in a long time.

"Are there any, experiments, going on right now?" Clark asked eventually.

"Probably," Lex replied.

"Can I watch?"

Lex felt himself once more in the throws of surprise. He shrugged.

A few minutes and corridors later, and they were walking into one of the labs, Clark still holding the two files Lex had given him. Inside, a middle-aged man in a white coat sat at a computer before a glass screen. He looked up when Clark and Lex entered and immediately jumped to his feet.

"Mr Luthor," he stammered. "I wasn't expecting you."

"I know," Lex said calmly. "Don't worry, I'm just visiting, you haven't done anything wrong. Please continue, and while you're at it, explain to our guest here exactly what you're trying to do." He waved a hand at Clark and the man sat down again, not particularly pacified. Clark was, as always, impressed at how easily Lex slipped into a formal demeanour.

"Well... err..." the man began. "This particular subject has the ability to influence other minds through the medium of a computer." He indicated to behind the glass screen where a young woman with thick, black-framed glasses was working on a laptop - wires trailed from her temples into a variety of complicated recording devices on the floor beside her, which were in turn attached through the wall to the scientist's computer. "We're trying to isolate the ability so it can be replicated in a computer system without her input. Previous attempts at analysing the files she affects have proved unfruitful, so we're attempting to analyse her brain patterns while she works instead. It's possible they might be reducible to electronic data which we can then project through a computer."

The man looked at Clark, seemingly for approval.

"I see," Clark said, nodding in a way he hoped was encouraging. The man visibly relaxed at the gesture and returned to the computer screen. It was filled with moving lines and a table of numbers Clark didn't understand. Every now and then the man would make some notes on a small writing pad.

"How long has she been working today?" Lex asked, looking through the glass. The woman smiled brightly as she typed.

"About three hours straight now." The man in the white coat shook his head. "Goodness knows what she's actually working on. I just hope none of her e-mails get passed the security block again. It was a nightmare trying to clean up last time, all those guards running round convinced a crazed Mickey Mouse was after them..."

Lex chuckled slightly while Clark looked at the woman again, something triggering in his memory. Mind controlling e-mails?

"Wait," he said, looking at Lex. "Is that... Molly?"

Lex raised his eyebrows at Clark, possibly surprised he'd remembered. "Yes, Molly Griggs, former patient of the infamous Dr Garner. After I proved the more dubious and unethical aspects of the good doctor's practice her loyalty wavered and she agreed to work with me."

"Was that before or after you decided to enlist his services?" Clark asked, a light frown forming between his eyes. Lex hesitated before replying.

"Before," he said quietly. "I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to work with him."

"Was that 'worth it' as well?" Clark wasn't condemning this time, he'd only ever been concerned for Lex during his time with Dr Garner - the doctor's 'treatment' had involved immersing Lex in kryptonite after all.

Lex's eyes dulled as he flicked them over Clark, recalling how weak and helpless the younger man had been trapped in Garner's memory tank.

"No," he admitted. "Not that time."

They turned back to watch Molly behind the glass and saw her paused in her typing to look over the screen, laughing quietly at whatever she'd written there.

"Why the glass screen?" Clark asked.

"A two-way mirror," Lex answered. "It means we can watch without her seeing or hearing us. It prevents us being a distraction and helps her concentrate better."

"She looks..." Clark paused, trying to pin down just what was different about her.

"Happy?" Lex supplied. Clark blinked at him, and then at Molly, noticing a warm flush in her cheeks and sparkle in her eyes he certainly hadn't seen at Summerholt. Clark nodded. "I can't say I'm the perfect judge," Lex continued, "but I've heard actually mixing with other people can do that to you. Especially if they're like-minded, or in a similar situation. Apparently Dr Garner tended to hide her away from others in a way that wasn't exactly healthy."

"And since she's been here she hasn't... um..." Clark stumbled, unsure how to phrase his concern. Lex helped him out again.

"Sent out any killer e-mails?" he said. "No. Campaigns to villainize Disney aside, she hasn't expressed any desire to control people like that since she got here. Actually, she feels bad about the guy who was killed over the Dr Garner business, the man at the Daily Planet? Once she realised her actions weren't as morally justifiable as she first supposed she asked if I thought she should go to the police. I told her she'd be of more use making up for her crimes by helping out here than rotting in a jail cell."

Clark creased his forehead - a reflexive gesture, displaying unconscious disagreement. But then he looked back to the happy, relaxed woman before the computer - practically unrecognisable from the Molly he'd known - and he shook his head.

"So, you've been running this place ever since way back then?" he asked.

"Actually that was about when I decided to set it up," Lex explained. "I needed a place to house Molly and research her power- make sure the 'treatment' Dr Garner had subscribed for her hadn't actually been damaging in some way- and Molly tipped me off about some other patients at Summerholt she thought might benefit from my help. Once I'd got them together I just kept going."

"So, that means you've been conducting military research in secret for almost two years now?" Clark was surprised Lex hadn't had more success.

"No," Lex answered. "That part of the project's only been active for just over a year. I'd considered it from the beginning, but it wasn't until Lana's rampage as Countess Isobel that I decided to set it up properly. That's in the second file if you don't believe me," the older man added. "It lists all the experiments people here have been involved in, and when."

Clark opened the file automatically and saw Lex was right, each name had a list of experimental procedures beneath it, with dates labelled neatly beside them. But that wasn't nearly the most interesting part of it.

"Lex," he said, lifting his head in surprise. "The first name on this list is yours."

A soft smile crossed the other man's face.

"As you know I'm not entirely unaffected by Smallville's meteors. I figured if I was planning to test others infected I should at least be tested myself first."

"What did you find out?" Clark asked, honestly curious.

"Nothing I didn't know already," Lex shrugged. "Elevated white cell count, mildly accelerated healing. No sign of any active power." Lex seemed disappointed and Clark couldn't help sympathising. It must be a blow being connected to people with all these different powers and not having any yourself. "Fortunately though," Lex continued. "No sign of any adverse mental affects the meteors can sometimes cause. Though I do wonder at times if maybe I'll wake up one day and discover I've become a psychopath without noticing." He sighed, only half joking.

"What makes you think it hasn't happened already?"

Lex turned sharply and met a sly smile. And suddenly it was five years ago and he was back at the Kent farm, insisting he wasn't a bank robber :: I know Lex, a criminal mastermind would have worn a mask :: As the memory of Clark's smiling face blended into his current one, Lex found himself relaxing into gentle laughter, a chuckle from Clark mixing with it beautifully.

"Holy cow," a surprised English voice exclaimed behind them. "There were rumours you were smiling, but actual laughter? When did hell freeze over, Luthor?"

Still smiling, Clark and Lex turned to the lab door, the scientist glancing over with them. Deciding the intruder wasn't worth his time he went straight back to making notes.

Leaning casually against the doorframe was a woman with long black hair, tied neatly in a ponytail. She wore a short black skirt with knee high boots and a tight-fitting red T-shirt. Her hands were covered in black, fingerless gloves.

"Ah, Phoenix," Lex muttered, with the resignation of someone irritated too many times in the past to care now. "You do know, of course, that this is a..."

"Restricted area, authorised personnel only, and so on and so on," the woman parroted. "Yeah I know. What can I say? You really need better security." She shrugged, flashing a challenging grin. When Lex failed to reprimand her she walked over, eyeing Clark up and down.

"Who's the kid?" she asked, stopping in front of them. "I've never seen you bring visitors before."

"Not that it's any of your business," Lex said. "But this is Clark, he's..." Lex paused, giving Clark a sideways look. "He's a friend," the older man finished, relaxing as Clark smiled at the description.

"A friend," Phoenix repeated, her eyes flicking over Lex in an oddly calculating expression. "Right." She turned back to Clark and held out her hand. "Well, Clark, pleased to meet you. I'm Phoenix."

"Um, hi" Clark said, extracting his right arm from the files to shake her hand. "Phoenix? That's an interesting name, is it-"

"It's what I'm called," Phoenix cut him off with a shrug.

"Ok," Clark said, smiling politely. There really are some interesting people here. And suddenly Clark wasn't afraid of the place at all, just very curious. "Erm... do you mind if I ask what it is... I mean, why exactly..." he stuttered, not wanting to be rude.

"What I can do that's got me hanging out in this place?" the girl prompted. "Why'd you want to know?" She moved a little closer, biting her lower lip suggestively.

Lex shook his head. "Phoenix is empathic," he supplied. "She can sense other people's emotions."

"Only one of many talents," Phoenix amended. "My others include lock picking, knife throwing..." She leaned over, putting both her gloved hands on Clark's shoulders. "And seduction," she whispered, grinning like crazy as she ran a hand down Clark's left arm. He clutched the files a little too tightly to his chest in response, face tensing in muted panic.

Stopping at Clark's left hand Phoenix found a small band of silver on his ring finger - a gift from Lana. Since his experience with red kryptonite Clark tended to avoid jewellery, but Lana wanted to get him something for their engagement, so in the name of love and equality he'd gone with her to the jewellers and they'd picked the ring out.

Phoenix stroked it now in mock sorrow. "Oh, but you're already taken," she said, tilting her head towards Lex. "That must be, upsetting, for some."

"All right, Phoenix," Lex interjected quickly. "You've had your fun. Now you know you're not supposed to be here..."

"Alright, alright," Phoenix muttered, letting go of Clark, who looked extremely relieved. "No need to get pissed. I'm only here because Mikhail wanted to know how long Molly was going to be." She headed for door to the other room, making the scientist leap up.

"Wait," he said rather desperately. "If you go in now it will affect the results."

"Come on Doc," Phoenix responded. "It's been three hours, how much data do you need?" She opened the door and walked in without a second thought. The man stared after her open-mouth for a second, before starting to pack up his equipment.

"I offered to stop after an hour," he muttered to himself. "She was the one who wanted to keep going..."

Clark felt sorry for him - he was clearly used to working in much stricter, more controlled conditions.

"I don't know about psychotic," he said to Lex. "But I get the feeling it helps to be a little crazy working here."

Lex smiled. He was getting the distinct impression, despite the deviations from his plan, things were incredibly working out for the better. "Well, at least here I know the temperature's never going to fall below zero," he ventured, testing if Clark's secret was equally open to mocking.

Clark grinned brightly, a happy relief washing over him as he realised Lex was still the friend he remembered. I never needed to go back in time, he thought the Lex I knew was here all the time, I just stopped looking.

"I'm glad you brought me here," he said seriously. "I think, if I'd found out about it some other way I," he shrugged. "Well, I probably would have jumped to the wrong conclusions." That you were becoming your father. Becoming my enemy. When really, we're on the same side in the end, aren't we?

Lex nodded, still smiling, but the eyes meeting Clark's were sombre. "I could say the same thing," he said.

"I'm just sorry it took Lana almost dying to get us here," Clark added, heavy sorrow tugging at his face and lowering his shoulders.

"Well, they say tragedy either tears people apart or brings them together," Lex stated, and Clark's heart lightened at the familiar, lecturing tone. "I hope for us it'll be the latter."

When Clark looked back at him, Lex's expression was for once completely readable and unconcerned with secrets or business - it was the look of a man desperately alone and missing his friend.

"Me too Lex," Clark nodded. And he meant it.

Later, in the games rooms, Phoenix and Molly headed over to the card table and its current two occupants.

"You've got to have the wrong guy," Bobster was saying to Mikhail. "You saw how he was when they left. He was furious with the Boss."

"No, he was furious with me," Mikhail amended, a little proudly. "And anyway, what Mister Kent feels was never the issue, it is Luthor I am betting on,"

"And you're about to find out just how sure a bet that is," Molly added, slipping her hands on the back of his chair, while Phoenix slipped into a seat between the two men. "I could certainly do with the extra cash,"

Mikhail smiled at her confidently.

"We will see. Phoenix?" He looked at the other girl; usually dull eyes for once bright with expectance.

Phoenix leaned over the table, crossing her arms. "You're sure this Clark kid's the guy you two mean?" Across from her Mikhail nodded.

"Yes," Molly added. "It's definitely him."

Phoenix paused, grinning slyly as she let the suspense build.

"Then I'm sorry, Molly," she said finally. "You're down fifty bucks. Luthor's got it bad."

"No!" Molly exclaimed, pushing against Mikhail's chair in irritation.

"Hey, I know what I feel," Phoenix said, leaning back smugly.

Mikhail chuckled as Molly pulled some notes out of her pocket and handed them to him with a sigh.

"Wow," Bobster breathed. "Who'd have thought? What did you say he was Molly? Just some Kansas farmboy?"

"Ah no," Mikhail shook his head. "Mister Kent is much more than that. Believe me."

On the sofa in the barn loft that night, Clark was reading through 33.1's military file with interest. One woman involved could create an impenetrable force field round herself and Lex's scientists were trying to replicate the ability in tranquilliser darts, hoping to use them for containment. Clark was just thinking how often something like that might have been useful for him, when he heard footsteps on the stairs. He quickly hid the folder out of sight behind a cushion.

A few seconds later Lana appeared.

"Hey," she said with a smile.

"Hey," Clark repeated, walking over and giving her a small hug, careful not to hurt her arm.

"I haven't seen you all day since you left with Lex, are you okay?" She looked concerned.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine," Clark assured her. "I've just been, you know, thinking."

"I'm guessing not about the wedding," Lana joked. Clark ducked his head, smiling slightly. "That's okay. I promise I won't tell Chloe."

"Thanks."

Lana grinned and walked over to the window, looking out at the stars. After a moment Clark joined her.

"So," Lana started, a little too brightly, as though she'd rather avoid the subject about to be broached. "You know everyone's been talking. What was it Lex wanted you for?"

Clark stared at the night sky as he wondered what to say. He really should tell her the truth now, he knew that, the others too... but he and Lex had established such a fresh, fragile bond earlier, and Clark didn't want to risk it breaking under other people's opinions. No, this wasn't the time. He'd tell them, of course. But not yet.

"Oh, he just, wanted to tell me how bad he felt about what happened to you, and that it made him realise the more important things in life," Clark said, not looking at Lana. It wasn't a total lie, he supposed. "He wanted to know if we could give our friendship another try."

Lana put a soft hand on his shoulder. "What did you say?"

Turning to look at her, Clark shrugged and smiled. "I said, 'sure.' I mean, I've been pushing people away long enough, right?"

Lana beamed at him. "Clark that's, that's great. I know Lex has been involved in a few things you might not have agreed with recently, but deep down I believe he's still a good man. I'm sure you'll find a way to work things out together" She wrapped her arm around his neck and pulled him into another hug.

As he wrapped his own arms around her carefully, Clark eyes flickered over to where he'd hidden the 33.1 file. "Yeah," he nodded. "I think maybe we will."

——end credits——