Smallville and its characters are owned and copyrighted by DC Comics and Tollin/Robbins Productions.

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Clark didn't understand what everyone had against Lex. The man had personally tried to bail his mom and dad out of debt and paid for the farm that dreadful summer when Clark hadn't been himself. He'd helped Chloe escape certain death at the hands of Lionel and even let the man who had tried to kill him on numerous occasions live with him when he'd gotten released from prison.

Now with a second meteor shower decimating the town and the Kent farm, Lex was generously offering Clark and his family sanctuary until they could rebuild. His father stubbornly refused, willing to live among the rubble of their former farm house than in the comforts of the Luthor mansion. Well Clark had had enough. He was eighteen and about to attend college. He decided it was time to make his own decisions. Of course his announcement that he'd be staying with Lex until Kansas AM reopened and their house was rebuilt was met with strong opposition. Even Lois, who barely knew Lex chimed in.

Clark would have packed his things, except there was really nothing left to pack. He showed up on Lex's doorstep with just the clothes on his back. He was eagerly let in and shown to his quarters. Lex was in meetings but had let instructions for his house staff in case the Kents had shown up.

Clark inspected his spacious bedroom with private bath and sitting room. He felt really guilty for the hell he'd put Lex through over the last year. He hoped that his stay could help mend their friendship and prove that he did trust Lex, even though he still wasn't sure about sharing his secret.

A knock on the door drew Clark from his thoughts. He cleared his throat and struggled over whether to say come in or enter. He settled for, "It's open."

Lex sauntered in, looking around and nodding his approval. Clark assumed he'd been to busy to inspect the living arrangements earlier.

"You're finding everything okay?"

"Yes, thanks Lex. You didn't have to go through all this trouble," Clark said, noticing the fruit basked on one of the end tables.

"No trouble at all Clark. You and your family took me in when I was in need. Are your parents settling in okay?"

Clark shifted his eyes down towards the carpet and hesitated before speaking.

"They're not...the thing is Lex..."

"It's okay Clark. I wasn't really expecting any of you to show."

That hurt Clark the most. The man had helped them keep Ryan when Dr. Garner was after him, offered numerous times to foot medical bills. He'd proven himself time and time again. Clark didn't know how to apologize for his families ungratefulness or his own.

"I'm sorry Lex and I really do appreciate what you're doing for me."

"Like I said Clark, it's my pleasure. I have to finish up making a few phone calls but I'll see you at dinner," Lex said with a half smile.

"That'll be great," Clark responded, offering up a genuine smile of his own.

"See you at seven then."

"It's a date," Clark blurted out but Lex was out the door before he could correct himself.

Clark wandered over to the dresser not really knowing why. He scanned it with his eyes and saw that each drawer was full of underwear, shirts and jeans. Clark opened each one and noted that all the sizes were correct. He wouldn't let his mind linger on how Lex knew exactly what size boxers he wore. He simply ran his hand over the clothing, smoothing them out in the drawer before deciding to shower and change before dinner.

He put on a pair of khaki pants and a denim blue shirt and slippers. He combed his still wet hair back and headed downstairs towards the dinning room. Lex looked startled when Clark entered.

"Clark?" He asked, as if he wasn't sure.

"In the flesh," Clark smiled. "Is something wrong?"

Lex shook his head no but Clark knew he wasn't being honest.

"Lex, if I'm going to stay here with you, we've got to be truthful with each other." Clark knew he was being a hypocrite by daring to utter those words but he hated to see Lex looking so miserable and wanted to know what had caused it.

Lex smirked at first and Clark couldn't maintain eye contact with his former friend. He could almost read Lex's accusations in his steely gray eyes. The eyes softened a bit and for the slightest of seconds his lips trembled before an impassive look replaced it and his mouth pulled into a thin expressionless line.

"My dad was wearing that same outfit when he stole your body and tried to kill me." The words were delivered with no emotion.

"I'll change," Clark offered immediately, already beginning to unbutton his shirt before he even turned to leave.

"No," Lex nearly shouted. "It's okay," he add softly. "It might even be therapeutic." The last was said with a pinch of sarcasm.

Clark found himself standing indecisively, one hand still working the third button on his shirt.

"Please sit. I don't want your first night here marred by my family drama."

Clark moved slowly towards the table, his hand still clutching the button of his shirt. Lex sat at the head of the table and Clark sat adjacent to him. An elaborate meal was brought out. It was clear that despite Lex's claims that he wasn't expecting them, he'd gone out of his way to make preparations. Clark smiled, glad he made up his mind to come. In a small way, he felt like he was doing Lex as much a favor as Lex was doing for him.

Conversation was stilted and awkward. They'd barely spoken over the last year and most of the time it was in anger. Lex asked Clark about school and his plans and Clark rambled on about journalism and school, gladly willing to keep the uncomfortable silence that threatened to overtake their evening together at bay.

After dessert, they played a game of pool, slowly falling back into some semblance of familiarity. A phone call for Lex ended the evening. Clark excused himself and went to his room. He made a promise to himself that he wouldn't spy on the billionaire and accept his hospitality at face value. He instead watched a little television and considered calling Chloe. He decided to put that off until morning. He wasn't ready for another lecture from the girl who's life Lex saved on being cautious. Instead he called Lana. She had left for Metropolis University after the meteor showers.

As much as he hated being reminded of her parents death in the previous one, he knew the whole affair must have been pretty upsetting for her. Her fiancée Jason was killed along with his mother. They'd both been in town for the graduation and to start making plans for the wedding. Lana had stayed in the apartment over the talon for a while but the place simply held too many memories for her. As soon as her dorm was available, she left.

"Hey, it's me," Clark said once she answered.

"Hey Clark, how's life at the Luthor mansion?" Clark could hear the teasing smile in her voice.

"Let me guess, Chloe told you."

"And Lois," she added with a giggle.

"Go ahead, let's hear it," Clark sighed.

"Hear what, my wish for you and Lex to stop dancing around each other and admit that you have feelings for each other?"

"Lana," Clark chastised, flopping down on his bed and smiling.

"Well if nothing else, I'm glad you finally got a backbone and stood up to your father."

Clark pulled the phone away from his ear. He wasn't sure he was talking to the same Lana Lang who had stayed in an abusive relationship with her jock boyfriend throughout high school. Her only out was that during a frat initiation, Whitney had choked to death on a few goldfish.

"I see college life is agreeing with you," he laughed.

"I hope Luthor life agrees with you. Seriously Clark, don't blow this. It's clear that Lex cares for you. If you feel the same, be honest with him."

Somehow Clark got the feeling that his friend meant more than just sharing his feelings with Lex.

"We're still feeling each other out. It will take some time."

"I'm sorry, did you just say you were feeling each other up?" An uncharacteristically hearty laugh followed her question.

"Lana, what's gotten into you?" Clark laughed back.

"Life Clark. It's too short to waste mourning what you've lost. Just remember what I said. I gotta go. Someone's at my door."

"Goodnight Lana and be good."

"Goodnight Clark and be bold." She hung up before Clark could reply.

A light tap on his own door had Clark sitting up and checking his hair. "Come in," he answered this time.

"I brought you a night cap," Lex said, carrying two drinks in his hand. "I know you're underage but since you're not planning to go out driving, I thought it would be okay."

"Thanks," Clark grinned, standing to meet Lex half way.

"Sit, sit. I won't stay long. I have a long day scheduled tomorrow and I need to get an early start. Melinda sets out breakfast between six and eight. After that, you're on your own."

"That's fine. I'm used to getting up early," Clark reminded, sipping his drink. He could never understand what Lex and his father enjoyed so much about liquor. It tasted awful to him, but in keeping with his being a perfect house guest, he swallowed down the liquid in a few short gulps.

"Perhaps I'll see you at breakfast then." Lex smiled a disconcerting smile and polished off his drink, extracting Clark's glass from his hand. "Pleasant dreams."