Clark was jumpy for the next few days, fully expecting to see reporters anywhere he turned, not counting Chloe. He kept waiting for someone to leak that he’d been the one to save Lex and that someone had seen him use his powers to do so. According to Chloe, her contact at the PD said that the assassin had said that there was no way he missed Lex, that something had to have stopped the bullet. The cops, of course, weren’t taking anything the man was saying seriously.

Thank God.

He hadn’t told his parents about the near miss yet, though he wasn’t sure if it was because he’d taken such a chance of exposing himself, or because he’d done so for Lex Luthor. He couldn’t help feeling sometimes that if he hadn’t listened to his father so many times, that a lot of people would be alive or leading better lives. That if he’d used his powers to help folks, like he just had with Lex, that things would be so different for everyone.

But, as his mother always said, it was water under the bridge now and there was no use thinking it to death. Instead, he concentrated of finding another job, even asking Chloe about what she might have found at The Planet, at lunch a couple of days after the incident.

“You suddenly want a job there?” she asked curiously.

Shrugging, Clark replied, “I need a job somewhere.”

Frowning at him, Chloe demanded, “Okay, what gives? Three days ago, you didn’t want to budge out of the Luthor Corp basement. Not only that, you were convinced that no one would hire you? What’s changed?”

“Nothing,” Clark answered uncomfortably. He shifted back in the diner booth and continued, “I just need a new job, is all.”

She squinted at him suspiciously, but apparently decided to let it slide. “All right. I’ll ask Perry if we have any spots in Metro, but I doubt it. The only ones I know of are in, like, the advertising area doing pretty much what you’re doing now.”

“That’s great,” Clark agreed instantly.

“You are so weird. You don’t want to do data entry at Luthor Corp, but it’s okay doing it for The Planet?”

“I just need a change of scenery. And besides, you were the one telling me to leave, weren’t you?”

“That’s not the point.”

“Chloe…”

Throwing her hands up, Chloe exclaimed, “All right, all right! But don’t think that I don’t know that something more is going on here, and I will find out, Clark.”

Clark’s eyes rolled in exasperation. “I’m sure you will.”

Deliberately changing the subject, Chloe asked, “Any word yet on the mysterious rescuer of Lex Luthor?”

Funny how no one ever just said Lex, but always Lex Luthor, like it was all his first name. Shaking off the odd thought, Clark shook his head and replied, “Officially? No.”

“And unofficially?” Chloe demanded, leaning forward.

Clark grinned. “Ask me again in about three weeks.”

Groaning, Chloe pouted, “No fair! Come on, Clark, you can’t just sit on something like this! It could make me!”

“And it’ll still make you three weeks from now,” Clark replied firmly. “Trust me. No one’s going to get the jump on you about this.”

Clearly miffed, Chloe muttered, “Yeah, right. Not with Lois Lane on the case.”

Clark’s eyes widened and he exclaimed, “When did she start working at The Planet?”

“Yesterday. Perry lured her in from Gotham with this story,” Chloe replied sourly.

That put a whole different slant on it. Clark would have to ask Lex if he should maybe tell Chloe now instead of later, since Chloe was biased in Clark’s favor and would at least write something nice about them.

“Hello? Earth to Clark?”

Jolting out of his thoughts, Clark looked back at Chloe and asked, “What? Sorry, I was thinking.”

She grinned, agreeing, “I could smell the wood burning. I was just saying that I need to get back to The Planet before Lane takes the place completely over.”

“Oh, right,” Clark replied, signaling the waitress with something like dread. He really had to stop eating out like this, his budget was fast approaching zero.

To his surprise, Chloe snagged the bill when it arrived and informed him, “My treat. I’ll expense it by telling Perry that I have a source in Luthor Corp who I’m trying to persuade to give me inside info.”

Chuckling, Clark said, “Just don’t name names, okay? I don’t want to be out of a job before I have a new one.”

* * * *

Lex appeared calm and easy as his father entered his office, but really, he was frantically worried. There were only two reasons that such an unexpected meeting would be called and that would be because his father had discovered either LexCorp, or Clark. Neither situation was appealing, but to be honest, he was more worried about Clark, than the business.

And really, that alone told him how different from his father he’d become.

Sitting in the leather seat in front of Lex’s desk, Lionel smiled thinly at him and questioned, “So, Lex. How long have you been dating the hired help?”

Forcing a smile, Lex replied, “I’m not dating anyone right now, Father, you know that. Although I must say, Veronica made a spectacular offer the other night. I was almost tempted to take her up on it.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“I make it a practice not to sleep with snakes.”

Lionel was not amused. “Very droll. My informant tells me that you and this Kent boy have been seen together the last three nights. And that he came to your office about a week before the attempted assassination.”

That was when Lex knew his father was on a fishing expedition and relaxed. He and Clark hadn’t physically seen one another since the shooting. They had kept to phone calls for just this possibility. Shrugging easily, Lex replied, “Mr. Kent is an employee and an outstanding one. He was here on a business related issue.”

“Mmm. I see from his personnel file that that’s true. Sadly lacking in ambition, though,” Lionel observed.

Lex held onto his temper as he replied, “Some people find more to life than climbing the corporate ladder.”

“The pathetic, unimportant people.”

“Father, is there a point to you raking Mr. Kent through the mud when he isn’t even here to defend himself?” Lex asked mildly. “He is, as you said, unimportant and I can’t fathom why you thought we were dating. Not that it’s any of your business who I see socially.”

Lionel stared at him for a long moment, then said, “I’m here because of LexCorp.”

Double damn.

This time, he was well and truly busted, and he knew it. “Well, I was waiting for an…opportune moment to tell you, but I see that your spies have beaten me to it. What would you like to know, Father?”

“When it will be dismantled.”

“Never.”

“Ah. Then when it will be viable.”

“None of your business.”

“I see.”

Lex returned his father’s stare for an eternal moment, not going to be the first to speak. He could match and outlast his father any day of the week and he knew it.

Without a word, Lionel stood and walked to the door. Once there, though, he paused and stated, “Mr. Kent’s employment has been terminated. If you’re not very careful, Lex, yours will be as well.”

Inwardly seething, Lex maintained his silence. The moment the door closed behind his father, though, he called Clark’s desk. The phone was picked up by and unfamiliar voice and Lex demanded, “Who is this?”

“Martin Reynolds. Who is this?”

“Lex Luthor. Where is Clark Kent?”

“Ah, he was fired, Sir. By you.”

Swearing as he hung up the phone, Lex immediately dialed the untraceable cell that he’d given Clark.

“Lex?”

Relief flooded through him that Clark was even still speaking to him and he exclaimed, “I had nothing to do with you being fired, Clark, you have to believe me.”

“Well yeah, I didn’t think you did,” Clark answered, obviously surprised.

Just as surprised, Lex asked, “You didn’t?”

Laughing softly, Clark reminded, “We made plans for dinner tonight, remember? I didn’t figure that you’d fire me before canceling our date. That’s usually done first, isn’t it?”

Lex snorted. “I wouldn’t know, I’ve never done it before.”

“So um, you’re Dad’s pretty ticked, huh?” Clark asked hesitantly.

Knowing that he’d just played into his father’s hands didn’t make Lex any too happy, either, but all he said was, “Yes. But he doesn’t run my life, Clark, and I can reinstate you if you want.”

“Nah, that’s okay. I actually got an offer of two months’ pay, even though they didn’t need to do that. I’ll be okay while looking for another job. Besides, Chloe thinks she can get me one at The Planet.”

Unbelievable. Clark had serious grounds for a wrongful termination suit and he wasn’t even thinking about doing it. Smiling fondly as he relaxed into his chair, Lex asked, “And what would you do there?”

“Same I was doing at Luthor Corp, data entry. But it actually pays a little more, which would help,” Clark admitted. “I have an interview tomorrow.”

Hating that Clark wouldn’t let him help out financially, Lex only said, “That’s great, Clark, it really is. I’m sure you’ll get it.”

“I don’t want you calling anyone for me,” Clark warned.

Grinning, Lex asked innocently, “Who, me?”

“Lex…”

With a chuckle, Lex replied, “I’m just teasing. I already know how stubborn you are about making your own way. But don’t forget that tonight is on me.”

“I should hope so. I can’t afford Girardi’s on my salary,” Clark teased.

Already feeling lighter than he had since he’d talked to Clark the night before, Lex said, “So I’ll pick you up at seven at your apartment. And you’re sure that you’re ready to go public?”

There was a brief pause before Clark responded, “No, not really, but…it’s not like my dad raised me to be afraid of things and we have to face them sooner or later, right?”

Wishing that he could hold Clark and kiss away the uncertainty, knowing just how much courage Clark was shoring up for the public date, Lex murmured, “I’ll make it worth your while, Clark, I promise.”

“Jeeze, Lex, don’t…don’t talk like that when I’m in public!”

The breathy quality of Clark’s voice prompted a slightly evil laugh to escape Lex. “Just how embarrassed are you right now?”

“About fire-engine red. Thankfully, I have a newspaper handy. Oh! Not to change the subject…”

“Of course not.”

Clark ignored his interjection and continued, “Chloe said that Lois Lane started working at The Planet yesterday and that she’s looking into the, the shooting.”

“So I was, um, thinking that maybe I should tell Chloe what happened and about us. I mean, she’s like, biased, right? But could write an objective story because that’s what she does, but she’d also make it, you know, not, um, sordid. And jeeze, I have to tell my folks! My dad’s going to kill me.”

Following the rapid-fire change of conversation with Clark was hard sometimes. Grinning to himself, Lex replied, “Yes, tell Chloe and your parents. Do you want me to be with you when you do?”

“Only if you’re prepared for a run down on all things Luthor being evil,” Clark answered dryly.

“Well, not as if I don’t have first hand experience with it.”

“Lex, you are not evil.”

“No, but I think I could have become it, if not for that day you saved me,” Lex mused thoughtfully.

There was another silence and Clark replied softly, “Feel free to say stuff like that as often as you want, though.”

Lex smiled. “I will.”

Sighing, Clark said, “All right. I’m going to finish going home and then call my parents and Chloe. By the time you pick me up I’ll probably be in need of some serious cheering up.”

“That, I can definitely do,” Lex promised.

“Bye, Lex.”

“Bye, Clark.”

It was a long moment before Clark actually disconnected, which made Lex absurdly happy.

* * * *

Not being able to risk speeding back to the farm, in case Lionel Luthor was, for some reason, watching him, Clark picked up the phone to call his folks with dread. If he had time, he’d have driven out to the farm, but he’d never make it back before his date with Lex.

“Hello?”

“Mom, hi,” Clark greeted, extremely happy that she’d been the one to pick up.

“Clark? What’s wrong?”

Groaning silently at her instantly worried tone, Clark assured her, “Nothing’s wrong, I just wanted to call.”

“From work?”

Clark winced. “Ah, well, actually, I don’t work there anymore. I was fired.”

There was a long pause and then, “Jonathon! Get in here! Clark’s on the phone.”

Banging his head against the wall, Clark didn’t have long to wait before his father’s deep voice greeted, “Clark? Son? What’s wrong?”

“There’s nothing wrong,” Clark insisted.

“Clark’s been fired,” he heard his mother say in the background.

“Fired!” Jonathan exclaimed.

Clark took a breath and asked, “Can you just listen for a minute? Please? And put Mom on the other line so she can hear it too.”

“Martha, Clark wants you to listen in.”

“All right.” A few seconds later, “I’m here. Go ahead, Clark.”

“Okay, um, you know how you both told me that you’d support me no matter who I wanted to date, or who I got serious with, relationship-wise?”

“This doesn’t sound good,” Jonathan muttered.

“Jonathan, hush.”

Grinning briefly at his mother’s scold, Clark continued, “I um, I met someone. And he’s really great and I don’t want you to freak out about this, okay?”

“Clark, honey, we aren’t freaking,” Martha assured him, though her voice was strained.

Jonathan added, “We said that, and we meant it.”

“GoodbecauseLexLuthorandIhaveadatetonightandit’sreallyserious.”

There was a long pause before Jonathan asked, “Ah, Son? Could you repeat that a little slower?”

“I’m dating Lex Luthor.”

A long, long silence met his words and Clark cringed as he waited.

Finally, Martha questioned, “Ah, Clark, are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“Yes. And no,” Clark admitted. “I mean, Lex is everything I’ve ever wanted and um, I think you two know that. But, everything that goes with dating him…that scares me. Especially all the reporters. I don’t…I can’t risk being found out, but I can’t not see him.”

“You’re being fired has to do with this, doesn’t it?” Jonathan demanded.

Wincing, Clark agreed, “His father found out and wasn’t happy about the situation.”

“Lionel knows about you two?” Martha exclaimed.

“Uh, yeah, looks that way. But he’d have found out after tonight anyhow.”

“What’s tonight?”

“Tonight?”

D’oh. Clark took another deep breath and said, “Lex is taking me to Girardi’s to eat tonight.”

There was an even longer silence as they took the information in. Girardi’s was where the rich and famous and beautiful went to be seen and noticed. Clark honestly had no idea how he was going to make it through the night, but Lex had assured him that he would be perfectly fine there.

It was again his mother who broke the silence with, “Clark, honey, this really isn’t a good idea.”

“Mom, I know but, I can’t not see him,” Clark repeated. “Please be happy for me?”

There was a click and for a heartbreaking moment, he’d thought both parents had hung up on him. But then his mother said, “Your father just needs to take it all in, Clark. You know how he feels about the Luthors…”

“But Lex isn’t like his Father!”

“I know, honey, I do, but it’s something that he needs to think about.”

“What, what about you?”

She sighed and said, “It’s your life, Clark. We’re both just worried about what will happen if anyone gets hold of what you can do. And with reporters around you all the time, especially dating Lex, that’s a serious possibility. If he makes you happy though…”

“He does, Mom, really happy,” Clark said firmly.

She sighed again. “Then you need to see where this takes you and not worry about what your father thinks. I’ll knock some sense into him, don’t you worry.”

Relieved, Clark replied, “Thanks, Mom. Maybe, what if I bring Lex home over the weekend? Maybe if Dad actually meets him, it’ll be better?”

“Not this weekend, Clark. Give him some time first.”

“Okay,” Clark agreed, disappointed, but not surprised.

“Have fun on your date tonight and call me tomorrow to let me know how it went,” Martha said firmly.

Hearing the smile in her voice made Clark smile and he replied, “You’ll probably read about it in the entertainment section or something.”

“I’d rather hear about it from you.”

Still smiling, Clark promised, “You will. Bye, Mom.”

“Bye, honey.”

Clark hung up and then immediate redialed the phone, calling Chloe, who he knew was still at work. When she picked up with an abrupt, “Sullivan.” he teased, “That’s no way to answer the phone.”

“Clark!” she exclaimed, surprised. “What are you doing at home?”

He half-grinned and answered, “I was fired today for dating the boss’ son.”

Complete silence, then, “Run that by me again?”

It was just about worth it to hear the shock in her voice. Grinning outright, he repeated, “Lionel Luthor fired me because Lex and I are seeing each other. He actually made it look like Lex fired me himself, but it’s not true. Firing your chance to get lucky just isn’t a good idea.”

More silence. “Uh…”

Laughing out loud, Clark crowed, “I finally made you speechless!”

“Oh you did not,” she retorted, cross. “Start at the beginning, would you?”

Relaxing onto the sofa, Clark explained, “A couple of weeks ago, Lex bumped into me and remembered that I was the one who’d rescued him on the river five years ago.”

“Oh that’s right! I’d forgotten about that!”

“Yeah, well, apparently he didn’t,” Clark replied, warmth rising inside as he thought about Lex’s words earlier. “He said that when I didn’t come looking for a reward that day, it kinda changed his entire perspective. That was when he stopped following in his father’s footsteps.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah, I know.”

After a brief silence, she prompted, “And?”

Coming out of his reverie, Clark continued, “And I freaked when he showed up outside my cube late one night. I think he thought I was scared of him.

“Wonder where he got that impression.”

Ignoring the dry comment, Clark said, “That’s when he gave me the bike. I guess he wanted to impress me. Of course I returned it, which you know and gave me grief about. Then, about a week later, I was outside waiting for you when I saw the guy taking aim at Lex. I just…reacted without thinking. I ran to him and tackled him out of the way.”

“That was you!?” she squeaked.

Flushing a little, Clark confirmed, “That was me. Lex got me into the limo before anyone could snap a picture of me and pretty much bribed his entire security staff to keep my identity a secret.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“And?”

Clark could just picture her leaning on her desk, waiting impatiently for his next words. He grinned again and finished, “And he kissed me in the limo and I thought I was finally alive.”

“Wow.”

Chuckling, Clark repeated, again, “Yeah, I know.”

“You jerk! I can’t believe you were holding this out on me!” she exclaimed. “Forget the fact that I’m your best friend, I’ve been trying to set you up for months with eligible guys and all this time you were in love with Lex Luthor! I thought you were just obsessed with him, I didn’t know it was love!”

Clark rubbed his arm in anticipation of the punch to come and pointed out, “And if I had, you’d’ve brushed it off as a crush, like someone has on a movie star.”

“Well, yeah, okay,” she admitted. “But still!”

“So anyhow, after I got fired today, I asked Lex if we should tell you and he said to go ahead.”

“Lex knows about me?”

“You are my best friend.”

“Heh. Lex Luthor knows about me.”

Rolling his eyes, Clark prompted, “So what can I expect? He’s um, he’s taking me to Girardi’s tonight.”

“Oh. My. God. Did you warn your parents!?”

“Give me a little credit, Chloe!”

“Right, sorry. Let’s see. You can expect cameras flashing in your face, reporters following you home, harassing you every day for the rest of your life, unless you and Lex break up. Then it’ll only surface if he does something important and they want to try and get dirt on him.”

Clark groaned. “That’s what he said.”

“Well, it’s pretty accurate,” she replied, sympathetically.

“What about my interview tomorrow? Is this going to mess that up?”

Chloe paused for a moment, then said thoughtfully, “I don’t think so. The Planet’s pretty independent of the Luthor’s since Perry hates Lionel with a passion. I consider it a lucky day to get through one without a rant. It might actually give you an in, since you were fired. Perry’s got nothing against Lex, which is the biggest compliment in his favor, in my opinion.”

“Gee, thanks,” Clark said dryly.

She groaned. “Clark, come on, you know what I mean. All I’m saying is be on time and presentable, and you’ll get it, or not, on your merits. It’s not like you’re going to run into Perry himself. This is a data entry gig in advertising. So wait a minute. I have a very important question for you.”

Wary, Clark asked, “What?”

“I’ve seen your wardrobe, Kent. What the hell are you going to wear?”

* * * *

Lex pulled up in front of Clark’s fairly dilapidated apartment at five before seven. Once there, however, he found that the elevator was broken and he had to climb four flights of stairs. Making a mental note to buy the damn building and fix the elevator, Lex arrived at Clark’s door a couple of minutes late.

The door opened before he had a chance to knock, surprising him, and Clark instantly apologized, “I forgot to warn you about the elevator, sorry.”

Lex was going to brush it off when he noticed what Clark was wearing and the words died in his mouth. Black slacks, nice shoes, a deep green, fitted shirt that brought out his eyes and accentuated his body, and a leather coat hung over his arm.

Flushing, Clark asked, “Do I look okay? I can change if this isn’t appropriate.”

“No, I mean, you look…wow,” Lex replied, grinning. “You look positively edible, Clark.”

The blush intensified and Clark ducked his head in embarrassment. “You don’t have to say that.”

Reaching out to cup Clark’s chin, Lex tilted his head so their eyes met and murmured, “We’re going to have to work on that self-esteem problem, Clark. I never say anything that I don’t mean unless I’m talking to my father, and you are definitely not him. In the meantime, I’ll let the world reassure you just how beautiful you are when you read the papers tomorrow. Come here.”

A shy smile surfaced as Clark moved closer. Lex’s hand slid around the back of Clark’s neck to bring him in for a slow, deep kiss. It was amazing, the way Clark just opened up for him, practically begging for him to take control. And it was a test of his self-restraint not to simply overwhelm the shy welcome from this innocent. Because no matter what Clark had said about being in a relationship before, there was nothing of experience in his kisses.

That was a heady knowledge in and of itself.

Pulling back reluctantly, Lex smiled at Clark’s dazed expression and watched as those changeable green-blue eyes opened to meet his own. Brushing his thumb over the kiss-swollen lips, Lex promised, “Later for that. Time for me to introduce you to the world, Clark. Just be yourself, because they are going to love you.”

Clark flushed again and muttered, “Yeah, right.”

Putting his arm around Clark’s waist, Lex guided him towards the stairs and they headed out to dinner. The car ride was quiet as they just enjoyed each other’s company. Clark curled up against him and Lex had a hard time believing just how natural it felt to have his arm around the bigger man’s shoulders. When the car pulled up in front of the restaurant, Lex kissed his temple and asked, “Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be,” Clark agreed, pulling away.

Lex climbed out of the Towne car and waited for Clark to get out, then took his hand in a silent, yet definitive statement. Instantly, cameras flashed in the dark with blinding intensity. Lex led Clark the short distance to the restaurant door where they were ushered inside with alacrity.

Inside was, of course, quiet and calm, especially after the shouted questions for Clark’s name and their relationship status. The restaurant was silver and glass, gleaming and pristine, the wait staff dressed however they wanted, so long as it was fashionable and trendy. The only thing distinguishing them from the patrons was the discreet name tag they all wore.

Lex drew Clark close to his side, putting his arm around the other man’s waist in a proprietary gesture that was lost on no one. Clark was the only one present who didn’t know that such a simple form of affection could stake a claim as easily as a wedding ring.

Lex didn’t release Clark until they reached their table, loving the blush that highlighted the other man’s handsome features. He leaned close to Clark’s ear and murmured, “I am going to keep you blushing the rest of the night.”

Turning wide eyes to Lex, Clark hissed, “You wouldn’t!”

Lex just grinned and let him go, holding out Clark’s chair for him.

Groaning softly, Clark took his seat and Lex did the same.

Dinner was quiet and passed far too quickly for Lex’s tastes. As he’d expected, Clark charmed the staff with his honestly polite manners and genuine smiles. The maitre d’ came over halfway through the meal to talk to them and, a little to Lex’s surprise, Clark was able to do more than hold his own in conversation. Tucking away the knowledge that Clark was comfortable in these kind of situations, Lex joined the conversation about the current Mayor’s foibles.

As promised, Lex kept Clark in a delightful state of blush with plenty of innuendo to go with their meal. The wine probably helped, lowering Clark’s scant defenses despite the fact that the other man only had two glasses. It was heady wine, after all, and Lex doubted that Clark was used to drinking more than a $10 bottle with his friends.

Over the dessert that Clark had protested getting, Lex leaned forward and asked, “How’s it going so far?”

Smiling, Clark replied, “Better than I thought it would go. Just the, you know, maelstrom out front.”

“Mmm. Their appetites will be whetted for sure, seeing us like this,” Lex agreed.

Clark frowned. “Like what?”

In answer, Lex took his hand and rubbed his thumb over the knuckles. Clark’s eyes widened at the caress and Lex saw a shiver go through him. Practically purring, Lex murmured, “I can’t wait until we’re alone, Clark.”

Swallowing heavily, Clark said, “Uh…”

Lex laughed softly. “That’s what I love about you Clark, you’re very fast with the repartee.”

Exasperation glinted in the green eyes and Clark retorted, “Let’s see how you like the tables turned.”

Lex only had a brief hint of warning from the pure mischief in Clark’s eyes before a foot rose along his calf in a barely-there touch. Heat flooded through him, along with his own shiver, and it was Lex’s turn to swallow back desire.

Clark’s foot disappeared and his gaze lowered to stare intently at his delicate torte, another flush heating his face as he muttered, “I can’t believe I just did that! God, I hope no one got a picture or my Mom’s gonna kill me!”

Laughing out loud, Lex flashed him a grin and replied, “If they do, I want a real copy, not one from the paper.”

“Lex, just…don’t help,” Clark exclaimed, glowering. The glower held for all of ten seconds as Lex grinned at Clark, then humor resurfaced and the younger man shook his head. “You’re a bad influence, Lex.”

“The worst,” Lex agreed, still grinning.

The check arrived before Lex had a chance to ask for it, their waiter had probably noticed the footsie and correctly determined the next course of action was to leave. He signed the bill in a typical scrawl and stood, a little disappointed that Clark did too, taking away his fun of pulling out the chair for him.

Arching an eyebrow at him, Clark stated, the glint of humor still present, “I’m not a girl, Lex. You don’t need to get the door or chair for me.”

Lex grinned, a strangely permanent thing around Clark, and leaned in close to say, “I can definitely tell you’re not a girl, Clark, believe me. I’m looking forward to getting to know your…masculine attributes. But I still like doing things for you.”

“Oh God,” Clark muttered, his face heating brilliantly red again.

Sliding an arm around Clark’s waist before the other could protest, Lex led him back to the door, knowing the car would be at the curb when they arrived. Just as they reached the door, he asked, “Ready for your debut?”

Clark turned horrified eyes on Lex just as they exited the restaurant and hissed, “Lex!”

Stopping short, keeping his hand firmly anchored in Clark’s leather jacket, Lex held up a hand to the reporters who, eventually, stopped shouting. Lex could feel Clark about ready to bolt for the car, while simultaneously Clark clung to him. “Since you’re all so polite, I thought I’d give you an introduction. Everyone, meet Clark Kent. Clark, meet everyone.”

There was laughter from the crowd, but it seemed a strangely kind one to Lex. He nudged Clark and said in a stage whisper, “It’s polite to say hello.”

Clark glared at Lex before offering a half-hearted wave and saying, “Hi everyone. Please ignore Lex, he’s a frustrated comedian at heart.”

This time, the laughter was definitely genuine and loud. Nodding graciously, glad that they weren’t picking Clark apart, Lex agreed, “I had a tough audience growing up.”

“How’s Lionel feel about your new beau?” a woman called out.

“Ask me if I care how my Father feels,” Lex called back.

Another voice shouted, “Where did you two meet?”

Lex arched an eyebrow at Clark. “Clark? You want to field that one?”

“Well, uh, the very first time we met was five years ago, when I was living back home in Smallville. I um, I saved Lex’s life when his car went off a bridge and into the river,” Clark answered, turning pink again.

There were a flurry of questions but Lex held up his hand and announced, “Clark’s new to all you vultures, so we’re going to head out. You can take what you’ve got and run with it, or let Chloe Sullivan beat you to the deadline.”

There was a brief silence before a number of reporters bolted.

Clark shook his head in amusement as they walked to the car. He paused there to smile at Lex fondly. “You’re so devious.”

“But effective,” Lex pointed out, echoing the smile with one of his own and ushering Clark inside.

Once seated, Clark latched onto him with surprising force, taking control of their kiss for the first time. Lex gasped in surprise and Clark’s tongue pushed in, tracing along his palate and eliciting a shiver. Lacing his fingers through Clark’s thick hair, Lex returned the kiss and they wrestled for control for a long time before Clark surrendered with a shudder and leaned back in the seat so that Lex was half on top of him.

Lex could feel the hard length under Clark’s pants and rubbed deliberately over it with his own.

Breaking their kiss with a gasp, Clark moaned, “Lex, God…”

Pushing up on his hand, which was trapped between Clark and the seat, Lex just barely managed to reach the comm and ordered, “Penthouse, yesterday.”

“Yes, sir.”

Lex resumed his attack on Clark’s mouth, but slowed things down, feasting on it in depth. Clark sighed into it and opened to the gentle kiss. The kiss that kept going when they left the car for the garage elevator. Then kept going still on the ride to the penthouse, their breathing getting ragged. The kiss that grew frantic and continued as they stumbled into the penthouse, clawing at each other’s clothes.

Lex’s breath hitched when Clark actually ripped his shirt open and grinned at him, teasing, “You can afford another one, right?”

Swallowing heavily at the lust and love shining at him, Lex nodded and shrugged out of the remains of his shirt. “That’s for God damned sure.”

Clark yanked his own shirt and t-shirt off and Lex’s mouth practically watered at the sight of all that bare skin and those incredibly defined muscles. His fingers traced over Clark’s chest leaving a wake of goose flesh.

“Lex…”

Looking up into Clark’s eyes, he saw a glimmer of fear amidst the desire and smiled. “Do you trust me?”

Clark nodded without hesitation.

“Good. Because I’ll never hurt you,” Lex replied seriously. “I…I don’t know why but, I feel…connected to you, Clark. I can’t remember the last time something like this has happened to me, maybe it never has, but like I said before. This isn’t a fling for me.”

Cupping Lex’s face, Clark whispered, “Me, either. I love you, Lex.”

Lex’s heart stuttered at the barely voiced admission and pure affection and love rose within the heat of desire and need. Clark was special and he was going to have the rest of his life to delve into the mystery that was Clark Kent. Thank God. Smiling again, he turned his head to kiss Clark’s palm and asked, “Will you stay with me?”

Confusion surface and Clark replied, “I thought that’s where we were heading?”

“No, I mean, yes, but…will you move in with me?” Lex asked, holding his breath.

Clark’s eyes widened in shock and elation. “Are you, um, sure? I mean, you barely know me. What if we’re not really compatible? I mean, a lot of the personality tests say that you can’t even decide…”

Shutting up Clark by putting a hand over the other man’s mouth, Lex grinned and repeated more firmly, “Move in with me.”

Clark nodded, grinning against Lex’s palm and pushing his tongue against the skin.

“Okay then. Grand tour. Kitchen’s over there, this is the living room, spare bedroom over there, the bathroom is around somewhere, and this, is the master bedroom,” Lex announced, walking Clark backwards through the penthouse.

Laughing, Clark teased, “Remind me not to recommend you as a tour guide to the Metropolis Museum.”

Lex smirked. “The most interesting thing is in the master bedroom.”

“The bed?” Clark guessed.

“You.”

Clark flushed and muttered, “Would you stop making me blush already? People are going to think I have a skin problem!”

Laughing out loud at that, Lex wrapped his arms around Clark’s neck and kissed him again, still smiling. Teeth clacked against teeth for a moment, then they were back to deep kissing. Lex gasped in surprise to find himself lifted as easily as if he weighed nothing. His legs wound around Clark’s waist and strong hands held him up from below, coping a feel while supporting him.

Then they were falling onto the bed and Lex found himself on top of Clark, a very good place to be. Spreading his knees so that he was balanced on the bed, he waited as Clark scooted so that he was all the way on, except his legs. Once settled, he nuzzled at Clark’s chest, drawing the flat of his tongue over the smooth skin and outlining the muscles.

Clark shuddered and moaned his name.

His cock was already rock hard and they’d only just started. Kissing the warm flesh in little, tiny kisses, Lex made his way from collarbone to nipple and stayed there, sucking hard on it. Clark arched up, gasping, and Lex smiled as he moved to the other one. His hands were busy rubbing over Clark’s torso, feeling every groove and line of muscle, testing and pushing and caressing all of it he could reach.

“Oh God! Lex!” Clark gasped, just before he surged up and flipped Lex onto the bed, instantly covering him and sealing their mouths together.

It was a rare lover who could make Lex forget his skills, but Clark managed it effortlessly. Between the soul-stealing kisses and the light scrape of nails over sensitive skin, Lex was lost in sensation. Twining his fingers in Clark’s thick hair, Lex held him in place, devouring his new lover’s mouth with a need that he’d never before felt for anyone. The connection he’d always had with Clark from that day on the riverbank was sizzling between them.

The connection that made him think of legends and destiny.

Lex pushed at Clark until finally the kiss stopped and ordered, “Finish getting undressed!

“Right, clothes,” Clark agreed fuzzily.

They both squirmed out of their pants and boxers in record time and then Clark was on him again. Simultaneous moans filled the air as their cocks touched for the first time. Clark’s body was hot, already sweating, and felt great against his own. Lex’s legs spread and he wrapped them around Clark’s hips, pulling him tight and urged him, “Come on, Clark…I want you in me!”

For some reason, Clark hesitated as he struggled with his breathing. “Uh, can you, I mean, can you be in me instead?”

Lex could hear the worry in Clark’s voice and smiled, reassuring him, “You won’t hurt me, I promise.”

“Lex, I can’t,” Clark replied, miserable enough that his cock softened a bit.

Pushing onto his elbow, Lex kissed him lightly and said, “It’s okay, I’ll take you first, show you there’s nothing to be worried about.”

Relief skittered across Clark’s face and he nodded, rolling them so Lex was on top. Placing his knees to either side of Clark, Lex rubbed his ass deliberately over Clark’s cock and asked provocatively, “You sure?”

Groaning, Clark nodded.

Lex grinned. “All right. Turn over, it’ll be easier for you the first time…it is your first time with a guy?”

Clark flushed and admitted, “First time ever.”

Shock rendered Lex speechless for a long minute. It was only the sight of Clark’s embarrassment that brought him together enough to question, “I thought, you said you were in love before?”

“I was. She wasn’t. Or, she was, but it was always bad timing and she never really loved me, the real me, you know?” Clark explained, practically pleaded.

“Ssh, easy, it’s okay, Clark, I do love the real you,” Lex promised seriously. “I can see you, Clark, and I think you’re incredible, all the way through.”

A soft smile teased at Clark’s lips, but the anxiety in the green-blue eyes was still present. Lex did the best thing he could to ease it and took Clark’s mind off the whole subject by kissing him as deep and hungry as he could. Clark moaned into it, his arms sliding around Lex’s waist to hold him tight.

Lex pulled back and said, “Turn over now.”

They broke apart so Clark could get comfortable on his stomach and Lex could get lube and condoms from his bedside table.

When Clark saw what he was doing, he twisted around to say, “You don’t need the condoms.”

“Clark, I know you’re clean, and so am I, but I was…very active in my misspent youth,” Lex informed him, dry. “You don’t know what could show up, even years later.”

“You can’t hurt me.”

The simple positive statement caused Lex to frown. “Clark…”

“Lex, trust me, okay? You don’t need the condoms and, and I want to feel you in me,” Clark said.

It went against the grain, but it was Clark’s decision and Lex would respect it. He put the condoms back and returned to the younger man with the lube. Clark untwisted, facing front, and sagged onto the pillows, smiling. Setting it aside for the moment, Lex grinned wickedly and settled between Clark’s outstretched legs. He roughly massaged the twin globes and pulled them gently apart, blowing in the center.

“Lex!”

The grin widened and Lex licked over the hole.

“Ohshit!”

Lex swiped the flat of his tongue along the crack, eliciting a shout from Clark. When he pushed his tongue into the tight hole, Clark moaned and shuddered. It was different from the other times he’d done this, though Lex couldn’t pin down why; the taste or texture, something…indefinable. Shoving the scientist within firmly away, Lex just concentrated on pleasing Clark so much that he didn’t know which way was up.

That didn’t take long, from Clark’s whole-hearted responses. There were gasps and groans aplenty and Clark squirmed beneath him as Lex ate him out enthusiastically. He thought, vaguely, that he could easily grow addicted to doing just this. It wasn’t until Clark was keening desperately that Lex took pity on him and pulled back, panting from the exertion.

Picking up the lube, Lex squirted some on his fingers and coated them before pushing on inside Clark. It was so wet with his spit that the finger went in easily, despite the still-tight dimensions. Lex took his time, moving his finger in and out and in circular motions to get Clark used to it. Adding another finger, he repeated the actions and added a stretching one, scissoring the fingers with effort.

He didn’t find anything inside Clark that corresponded to a prostate, no matter how he searched and it worried him. Was this what Clark had meant when he’d said there was something physically different, or did it go even deeper?

“Lex, God please, please do something!”

Jolted out of his thoughts, Lex made a mental note to talk to Clark later about what exactly was going on with him. Knowing that it was going to hurt no matter how many fingers he used, or how long he took, Lex replied, “Okay, easy Clark. I’m going to enter you now, just relax.”

“Oh thank you,” Clark sighed.

Smiling, Lex moved into position, lining his cock up and slowly pushing inside. His cock met the expected resistance and Clark hissed in surprise as Lex worked inside Clark’s body. He moved slowly, shifting back and forth as the muscles slowly accommodated his girth. Clark gripped the metal headboard, fingers tight around the bars, and Lex leaned forward, putting his weight on his fists as he sank deeper and deeper into Clark’s body.

Finally, he was seated all the way, his cock buried within Clark, and Lex shuddered, barely keeping control of himself.

“Lex, please, I need, I need…”

“I know, I know what you need, Clark!”

Lex pulled out a little and thrust back in, and Clark gasped, his head arching back. Lex took his open mouth, plundering it with the abandon he couldn’t yet allow his body to entertain. He pulled out and pushed back in with longer and harder thrusts, but did so gradually, letting Clark get used to everything.

Clark took matters out of his hands, breaking off the kiss and pushing onto his knees, shoving back to meet Lex’s body. Lex shouted in surprise and bit his lip too sharply, drawing blood. From there, it was a maelstrom of body meeting body, Clark fucking Lex as much as Lex was fucking Clark and Lex was drowning in his lover, never wanting it to end.

There was a strange crunching sound when Clark shouted, his ass clenching around Lex as he sprayed seed all over the bed. Lex’s heart stuttered and he blanketed Clark, wrapping his arms around the other’s chest and humping into him as he came harder than he could remember having ever done so before.

Panting, utterly wasted, Lex couldn’t move as Clark collapsed onto the mattress, just following his lover down. It was a good long while later, when his breathing had quieted and his heart again beat at a normal pace, that Lex whispered, “You all right?”

Clark laughed, a tired but carefree sound as he exclaimed, “No, Lex, I’m way more than all right. I think I’m still in orbit.”

With a grin, Lex pulled his softened shaft from Clark’s body, instantly missing the connection of their bodies. That was when he noticed the headboard was crushed in two places, presumably where Clark’s hands had been. Surprise kept him rooted to the spot as he asked, “Ah, Clark?”

Drowsy, Clark replied, “What?”

“Just how strong are you?”

Clark pushed onto his elbows and groaned as he took in the damage to the headboard. Sighing, he flopped onto his back. “Really strong.”

More worried that Clark wouldn’t look at him than whatever else might be going on, Lex said, “Hang on, let’s talk under the covers.”

It took some rearranging, but they were shortly ensconced under the blankets with Clark resting on Lex, his fingers playing over the bare chest. Kissing the top of his lover’s head, Lex prompted, “Really strong?”

Sighing, Clark said, “Yeah. I don’t know how strong, exactly, we’ve never really found a limit. That’s, that’s why I was worried about hurting you, if I couldn’t control myself when I came, you know?”

Lex nodded slowly and brushed his fingers through Clark’s hair as he replied, “Smallville’s known for its share of…odd phenomena. How old were you when the meteors hit?”

“Um…about three?”

Which put Clark right in his development phase, practically a baby, Lex mused, fear a cold pit in his stomach. What else could be wrong with him? Will it shorten his life? Will he get some rare cancer from it?

“Lex, relax, I’m fine,” Clark assured him. “Not normal, but fine. I’ve never even been sick in my life. Well, only when I’m around those meteors. I’ve got like a, an allergic reaction to them or something.”

Breathing a little easier, Lex put two and two together and guessed, “That’s why your father’s so hell-bent on privacy. He didn’t want people finding out about your ability. Do you have more than the strength?”

“Um…yeah. A lot more, actually,” Clark admitted. “Like I can see through things, and I’m faster than cars when I want to be, and you could drop an anvil on my head and it would break before giving me a headache.”

Lex’s mind whirled with the information and he finally just shook it away. It didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was Clark and his abilities just made him even more unique. Smiling, Lex kissed the top of his head again and ordered, “Get some sleep. I think we’re up past your bedtime.”

“You…this doesn’t freak you out?” Clark questioned hesitantly.

Shaking his head, Lex replied, “It would take a lot more than that to freak me out.”

“How would you like to be freaked out?”

Lips pursed, Lex cautiously answered, “I’m kind of enjoying the glow, but if you want to tell me everything, then I want to hear it.”

Clark let out a shaky breath and whispered, “I don’t want any secrets, Lex, I lost my best friend to them. I couldn’t bear the thought that you could wind up hating me like Pete does now.”

“Hey, I’d never hate you,” Lex assured him, pushing onto his elbow to get a better look at Clark. “Doesn’t matter what it is.”

Meeting his gaze, Clark barely said, “I’m an alien.”

Lex blinked a few times before ordering, “Say that again?”

“I said, I’m an alien,” Clark repeated.

Lex rolled onto his back, stunned. “That’s what I thought you said.”

After a long silence, Clark asked, “Lex? Did you, should I go?”

Startled by the question, Lex tugged at Clark until he was once again in Lex’s arms. Holding tight, he stated firmly, “I never want you to leave me, Clark, never. If you do…I can’t even think about it. You’re part of me already. You brought me back from death, Clark, we’re connected like two people rarely are. When…when I think about us, I think about forever, and destiny, and the stuff of legends. Love is too small a word.”

Clark gaped at him for a long moment, then a brilliant smile rose on his lips and he kissed Lex joyfully. Laughing a little, Lex wrapped his arms around Clark’s neck and held him in tight again. Clark sighed deeply, and settled down, snuggling against him.

For a long time, Lex just listened as Clark fell asleep on him, taking in the deep, even breathing. It was a lot to digest and his mind was whirling with all the as-yet unanswered questions that were begging to be asked. Freaked out? Yeah, definitely. But not enough to even consider leaving Clark over it. It was intriguing and the scientist within him was practically bouncing in ecstasy.

Funny thing, though. If he’d found out about Clark being an alien before his lover had saved him on the riverbank, Lex was pretty sure he’d be a hell of a lot more freaked out. He wasn’t sure why, but he thought perhaps it was a good thing that he’d never found out that Clark had been the one to rescue him. He couldn’t even imagine what his reaction would have been, but it wouldn’t have been a good one.

Clark shifted in his arms, drawing his attention back to the present and Lex smiled. Eventually, he fell asleep to the soft breathing of his lover.

* * * *

Clark woke up sticky and itchy, but with Lex plastered on his chest like a second skin to make it all right. It was almost like even in his sleep, Lex didn’t want to let go of Clark and that sent a flush of pleased warmth all through him. Running his fingers lightly over the back of the bald head then down the spine, Clark sighed in deep contentment and closed his eyes again, drifting back towards sleep.

Chloe’s words rang unexpectedly through his head and Clark bolted upright, dislodging Lex entirely as he searched for a clock in the unfamiliar room: 7:43am.

“Do you always wake up like that?”

Looking over at Lex, who glared up at him from the floor, Clark burst out laughing. Trying unsuccessfully to stifle the humor, Clark cleared his throat and apologized, “I’m sorry, Lex, and no, I don’t. I just remembered that I have an interview in an hour and a half.”

Lex shook his head, but a smile teased at his lips as he stood and crawled back on the bed. “You know, I could just keep you as a boy-toy and you wouldn’t have to worry about earning a living.”

“Yeah, right,” Clark retorted.

Pouncing on him, Lex flattened Clark to the bed and announced, “I think you should skip the interview. Stay here and make me happy.”

Clark grinned. “You’re insatiable.”

“Pretty much,” Lex agreed, smirking. “What do you say?”

“Let me think about it…no.”

“Spoilsport.”

“That’s me.”

Lex gasped in surprise when Clark rolled them over and pinned him to the bed.

“Now then. Where’s the shower around here?”

“Find it yourself, working man.”

Eyes rolling at Lex’s mock-pout, Clark kissed him lightly and rolled off the bed, looking around. He spotted it easily and walked towards it, grabbing his boxers and pants on the way.

“Mmm…nice view, Clark.”

Unable to help himself, even after all they’d done the night before, Clark blushed.

* * * *

Lex didn’t try to delay Clark after that, knowing how anxious his lover was about the interview. Even when he came out of the shower looking absolutely drop-dead gorgeous in the clothes from the night before, Lex kept his hands to himself. They made out by the door on Clark’s way out, but aside from that, Lex was on his best behavior.

“I’m going to be stuck in meetings all day, but leave me a voice mail on how it went,” Lex instructed.

Clark nodded, grinning, and said, “Don’t strain yourself.”

“Very funny, Clark.”

Chuckling, Clark gave him one last kiss, on the nose of all places, and stepped into the elevator.

When the doors closed, Lex sighed and started getting ready for his own day. He’d already missed one meeting, but it was with a good friend, so that wasn’t a big deal. It had probably saved him a lot of ribbing over last night’s date with Clark.

He showered and drove to work in record time, thankful that the reporters weren’t lying in wait for him outside the office. Fortunately, they respected his privacy a hell of a lot more than they did Lionel’s, which might not be saying much, but they didn’t ambush him unless something important was going down. And while his social life made the Who’s Doing What to Who pages on a regular basis, the news reporters steered clear of that aspect of his life.

Picking up the paper that was waiting on his desk, Lex instantly fished out the entertainment section and, sure enough, there were pictures of Clark and himself going in and out of Girardi’s. Clark was exceptionally photogenic, which Lex had already guessed, and didn’t seem to have a ‘bad side’ for the camera to find. His expressions ranged from shy to humorous to fondly exasperated, depending on the moment and if he was looking at Lex, or not.

Grinning, Lex was about to close it up when a smaller photo caught his eye. It was just as they were getting into the car for the ride home and Clark had looked down at him with what could only be called love. It was an incredible shot, taken at exactly the right moment and Lex made a mental note of the photographer’s name: Jimmy Olsen.

* * * *

Thankfully, the reporters seemed to have mostly gotten what they’d wanted the night before because only a couple were hanging around his apartment and he ignored them as he’d raced inside. He’d been able to change into his interview outfit and get back out in record time and ducked out the back so he could speed down the alleys towards The Planet.

The Daily Planet was busy and big and Clark knew that he looked like the country bumpkin that he was as he gawked around the main office. He spotted Chloe almost right away, but she was busy arguing with a pretty, dark haired woman and he didn’t want to interrupt.

“You!” someone demanded sharply.

Clark turned towards the voice and found Mr. White standing a few feet away. Even if he hadn’t had Chloe’s constant description of the older man, Clark would have known him from pictures. He was a little older and rounder than the last set of pictures Clark had seen, but the eyes were sharp and intense, and he had a definite sense of power that only came through years of experience. “Ah, me?”

“Yes, you. What’re you doing here?”

“Um, I have a job interview.”

Perry squinted at him suspiciously. “Do I know you?”

Briefly thinking of the time he’d accidentally driven Mr. White off the road three years ago, Clark shook his head. They’d never technically been introduced, so Clark could answer truthfully, “No, Sir.”

“What’s your name.”

“Clark Kent.”

“Who recommended you?”

“Uh, Chloe Sullivan, Sir.”

“Cut the Sir crap, I work for a living,” Perry snapped. “Sullivan, huh? She’s okay. What about you?”

Confused, Clark repeated, “Me? Um, what about me?”

“Are you okay?” Perry questioned impatiently.

Still confused, Clark answered, “I guess so? I mean, I’m a little tired, but…”

“Children. All my reporters are children! How the hell am I supposed to work with this kind of crap?”

Clark’s eyes widened. “Reporter? No, Mr. White, I’m here for…”

“You can write?”

“Well, yes, but…”

“Do you have a passport?”

“Uh, yes, but Mr. White…”

“Good. I want you and Lane to hit that story in Canada about illegal dumping by Americans on their soil. You leave tomorrow. Lane!”

The woman that Chloe had been arguing with looked over at Perry’s roar and shouted back, “What!?”

“Get over here!”

Clark tried again with, “Mr. White, there’s been a mix-up here…”

“What?” Lois Lane demanded on arrival.

“Lane, Kent. Kent, Lane. He’s your new partner.”

“Partner! Perry, you never said anything about me working with a partner!”

“I was going to pair you up with Sullivan, but the two of you can’t say more than two words to each other without blowing up,” Perry announced. “Feel free to return to Gotham if this doesn’t suit you.”

She glared at him, but shut up.

“That’s what I thought. Show him the ropes. I’m busy.”

“Mr. White!” Clark exclaimed loudly.

That got both of their attention and Clark flushed at the combined scrutiny, instantly hunching down.

Impatient again, Perry demanded, “What is it, Kent?”

Taking a breath, Clark said, “Mr. White, there’s been some confusion here that I want to clear up.”

“Right. Salary. Well, you didn’t intern here like Sullivan, and you haven’t worked as a reporter like Lane here, so I can’t give you as much as them, but I can start you at forty-five thousand a year with health benefits.”

Through the shock, Clark vaguely thought, Chloe’s making more than forty-five thousand a year and she was going Dutch all this time? I’m going to kill her. Aloud, he just managed to squeak, “F-forty-five thousand? Dollars?”

Perry grimaced. “All right, all right. Fifty-thousand, but don’t tell Sullivan or I’ll never hear the end of it. Now get your ass to work. I’m busy.”

Watching him go, Clark felt a lot like he’d been sucked up in a tornado, only not as steady.

“So Kent. You got a first name?” Lois asked, snapping gum as she grinned at him.

Clark blinked at her a few times, still dazed.

“Yo, Kent. Anyone home?”

* * * *

Lex roared with laughter when Clark told him about the entire fiasco later that night. Clark halted his pacing to glare at his lover and snap, “It’s not funny!”

Still grinning, Lex gasped, “Yes, it is, Clark! How many people go in for data entry jobs and come out with a Metro Reporter position?”

“Lex, come on!” Clark wailed. “I’m not a reporter!”

Standing from the sofa, Lex joined him by the balcony doors and gripped his hands. Smiling with love and humor, Lex assured him, “You are, Clark. I’ve read some of your work, and even though it was unpolished, you have talent.”

Clark blinked at him in surprise. “You read my articles? When?”

Stopping short, Lex hesitated before admitting, “Well, okay, I didn’t just look at your personnel file.”

Pleased, Clark pointed out, “That’s really kind of stalker-y, Lex.”

Lex snorted softly in amusement. “You’re the only one I know who’d be happy about that. But my point is, that you have the talent and you should use it.”

“Lex, I’m not a reporter. Lois Lane and Chloe are reporters. They have training and education.”

“So you’re self-taught.”

“They have experience.”

“You’ll learn.”

“Lex! You’re not helping here!”

Rubbing the tense hands between his own, Lex brought them up and kissed the palms then ordered, “Clark, calm down. Take a breath, okay, I don’t want you to start hyperventilating.”

Feeling like he just might start hyperventilating, Clark did as instructed and took a few deep breaths.

Nodding in approval, Lex pulled him in close, wrapping his arms around Clark’s waist as he looked up and said, “You wanted to be a reporter in high school and you had the talent to become one. What stopped you?”

“It was…a few things,” Clark replied reluctantly.

“Like?”

Clark hesitated. “You’d have to know my Dad to understand, but, he’s a really private man. He didn’t at all approve of the idea of me being a reporter to pry into other people’s lives. Or the fact that it would put me in danger if I went for the stories I really wanted to go for. Or that I would be in the limelight if, if I actually made it as a reporter.”

Sighing in apparent regret, Lex observed, “He must really love us being together then.”

With a shrug, Clark answered, “This isn’t something he gets a say in, Lex. I love you and I’m never leaving you. He’ll get used to it, or not, but it’s not going to change things between us. And, and Mom said that she’d work on him. She’s pretty formidable when she wants to be. It was the only thing I ever really heard them argue about, me being a reporter.”

“So you didn’t become one to please your father,” Lex said slowly.

Clark nodded. “That was most of it.”

“Most?”

“Well, there was you, too. If I became a reporter, I wouldn’t be able to be close to you. I just…I wanted to, you know, protect you if you needed me,” Clark admitted softly.

Lex was silent for a long moment, then hugged Clark tight and whispered, “I’ve never had anyone say something like that to me before.”

Kissing the side of Lex’s throat, Clark held him just as tight and whispered back, “I mean it.”

“I know you do, but Clark, even though I love it, you don’t have to protect me,” Lex said, pulling back to look up into his eyes. “This is a second chance to do what you love and you can’t miss it this time. You have to take it.”

“But…what if I fail? What if I’m really no good at it?” Clark asked, fear fluttering through his stomach.

Gazing at him calmly, Lex pointed out, “You only really fail if you never try, Clark. Take a chance. Stop listening to your father and grab what you want out of life.”

And that hit the nail on the head, Clark knew as soon as the words were out of Lex’s mouth. He was still listening to his Dad. That stern, loving voice that kept warning him to stay off people’s radar; to keep a low-profile and hope the government doesn’t come a-knocking to look for the spaceship in the root-cellar. A shaky sigh escaped Clark and he offered Lex a wan smile. “It’s that obvious, huh?”

Cupping Clark’s face, Lex answered gently, “It’s obvious that your Father means a lot to you and you’d do just about anything to please him. And that’s pretty much how it should be, but you need to have your own life, too, Clark. Aside from that, you don’t honestly think that Perry White would hire someone off the street without having read anything they’ve written, do you? I’m sure Chloe showed him some of your work when she wrangled you the interview, even if it wasn’t for the interview you thought it was.”

“Well, it happened so fast, Lex,” Clark replied, frowning.

“Because he wanted to keep you off-balance.”

Wry, Clark confirmed, “He definitely did that.”

“If you honestly don’t want to do this, then just call tomorrow and explain. Or don’t show up. Not showing up on your first day is a great way to say you’re not interested after all.”

“No, I couldn’t do that…”

Lex smiled. “So pack a bag and get ready to fly to Canada.”

Biting his lip, Clark asked, “You really think I should do this?”

“I do,” Lex confirmed. “I think you need to do it, but it’s your decision, not mine and not your father’s.”

Clark could see how much confidence that Lex had in him and it buoyed him, gave him the feeling that maybe he could do this after all. He thought about all the dreams he’d passed over of winning awards and writing exposes that could do a lot of good, bring to light bad things going on all over the world. The dreams that were suddenly in his grasp.

Straightening a little, he smiled at Lex and said, “I’ll do it. I don’t know if I’ll really be any good at it, but you’re right. I have to give it a try.”

Smiling brilliantly, Lex exclaimed, “Great! Let’s celebrate! Last one to the bed’s a rotten egg!”

Clark laughed as Lex took off for the bedroom and called out, “We haven’t even had supper yet!”

“Eat me! I’m very nutritious!” Lex shouted back.

Amidst more laughter, Clark ran after him.