The car ride home was comfortably silent. Classical music- Rhian's request- played softly. Clark alternated watching the scenery and the newest member of their family. She seemed like quite an interesting girl. He wished that he could know what was going on beneath the calm mask she had arranged her features into.

Up close, her appearance was much more striking. She would be a heartbreaker when she grew up. The thought of her with a beau already roused protective instincts within him. No one was going to hurt her on his watch! In any way.

Maybe adding her to their family would make things better. From one point of view, it was a bad move- she was more vulnerable than either Martha or Jonathan. From another, it was the perfect thing. Why would Martha and Jonathan risk an innocent child?

Some of his happiness faded. It wouldn't be easy. Eventually she would find out. How could she not, living with him? Chloe and Pete had both found out and he feared that with Lex and Lana it was only a matter of time.

She was young but that didn't mean she couldn't handle things. She had been through more than most people he knew. If she knew sooner, perhaps she could adjust to the knowledge more easily? He hadn't talked about it with his parents.

"I have something to show you when we get home," he announced. Rhian turned to him, her expression one of pleasure and curiosity. Martha glanced back at him with wide eyes. He met her gaze firmly before turning to Rhian. "We're almost there."

He pointed out the various landmarks of Smallville. The girl listened with polite interest to everything he said. At last they pulled in. "It's nice," she murmured, pressing her face to the window to get a better look at the Kent farm.

The car halted. "Would you like to see your room first or what I have to show you?" he asked. Rhian pursed her lips thoughtfully.

"Show me the surprise first," she finally declared.

"We'll take her things to her room," the unsuspecting Jonathan said as he stepped out of the car. "Come on, Martha!"

The woman spoke to him in a quiet, intense voice. Clark decided not to eavesdrop. Rhian followed him towards the storm cellar. He opened and stepped inside. The girl paused for a moment, hesitating before clambering in after him.

He flicked on the light. The girl gasped, staring at what he had meant for her to see. "Do you know what that is?" he said.

"It's a spaceship," she whispered, awed.