Martha took one look at Clark's face and knew what had happened. Her son might think that he could hide his emotions, but that wasn't actually something he'd mastered yet. Thank God. She was also thankful that Jonathan was in town and Clark could lick his wounds in private. At least until she got hold of her husband to warn him off.

"I've got dinner ready if you're hungry," she offered at last.

Clark shook his head. "Not really. Where's Dad?"

"In town. I forgot we were out of light bulbs and the one in the bathroom blew."

"Oh."

When it looked like Clark didn't know what to do next, she suggested, "Why don't you help me with the potatoes? I've got five pounds to get ready for the fund raiser."

Clark nodded and started towards the table where two baskets of potatoes sat waiting.

She watched as Clark sat and silently started peeling at less than regular speed and thought, Oh, Clark, I'm so sorry.

She squeezed his shoulder in passing and he gave her a forlorn smile before returning to his peeling. Martha sighed to herself and picked up a knife, sitting silently beside him. It was roughly a half hour later that she heard the truck pull up out front. She left her portion of the potatoes and went to head off her husband. They met up on the porch where she said, "Clark's home."

Jonathan tensed. "And?"

"And it didn't go well."

"Damn."

"And you are not to say a word about it."

"Martha..."

Holding up a finger, she warned, "Not one word, Jonathan, I mean it. If Clark wants to talk about it, then fine, but you are not to bring it up."

With a sour expression, Jonathan complained, "I suppose this is under penalty of sleeping on the couch."

"Indefinitely," Martha confirmed.

"Fine, but..." Jonathan's voice trailed off when a familiar engine roared down the driveway.

They turned to find Lex's Porsche parking behind Jonathan's truck, then the man himself got out. He looked at them with what could only be called an uncertain manner.

Martha cautioned, "Jonathan."

Grim, he assured her, "I'm not going to kill him, Martha, just maybe hurt him a little."

"Jonathan Kent!"

Lex had arrived by then, staying out of range, obviously seeing what kind of mood they were in. "Mr. and Mrs. Kent."

Stepping forward, Martha greeted, "Lex, this isn't a good time for you to be here."

"If I could just talk to Clark..."

"You've talked enough," Jonathan snapped. "I don't know what happened between you two, but I want you off my property now!"

Frustrated, Lex exclaimed, "What happened was that I reacted badly and Clark left before I could even come to grips! You must understand that someone would need more than two seconds to accept something so massive!"

Martha could picture exactly what had happened. Both boys had probably over-reacted and now Lex was trying to fix things. After a long moment of scrutinizing the earnest, slightly anxious expression on Lex's face, Martha said, "Wait here. Jonathan, let's let the boys settle this."

"But Martha..."

"Now."

Grumbling to himself, Jonathan nonetheless preceded his wife into the house.

Martha aimed for the kitchen, but Clark was already entering the living room. She smiled at his expression, so close to Lex's, and encouraged, "Go on, Clark. Talk to him. And don't forget that all of this is new to Lex."

Clark nodded and went outside.

"Martha, what are you doing?"

Looking at her husband, Martha sighed and answered, "Helping our son to be happy, I hope."

* * * *

The first words Lex spoke were, "Clark, I'm so sorry!"

Clark hesitated, then said, "Me, too."

Startled, Lex asked, "For what?"

"For everything! For lying to you, for hurting you with the meteors when I got here," Clark explained, miserable.

Lex crossed to him and reached out uncertainly. Clark took his hand and a sense of relief enveloped Lex as he said, "That wasn't your fault and I shouldn't have said it was, either."

"You were just being honest."

"No, I was reacting without thinking," Lex corrected firmly. "You shocked the hell out of me, Clark. As for lying to me, well, it does hurt that you didn't feel that you could trust me. On the other hand, I guess I've disappointed you enough times that it's understandable."

Clark's hand tightened briefly and he said, "I wanted to tell you."

Lex smiled faintly. "Then that'll have to do. It's the thought that counts, right?"

"So...what now?" Clark asked.

Using their joined hands to pull Clark close, Lex answered, "Now I think we should seal the bargain with a kiss."

Clark cocked an eyebrow at him, a smile teasing across his lips. "We have a bargain?"

"No more secrets or lies between us," Lex replied seriously.

Clark's smile grew as he agreed, "None."

Lex reached up with his free hand, cupping the back of Clark's head to draw him down. The kiss was slow and deep and he reveled in the heady feeling of being in love and having it returned.

Having been wooed and won despite himself wasn't nearly as irritating as it should have been; not with Clark Kent as the suitor.