"Clark, can I talk to you for a second?" Martha asked.

Clark continued shoving his lunch into his bag and replied, "Sure, Mom. What's up?"

Hesitant, Martha said, "I was thinking…maybe you shouldn't be spending as much time with Lex as you are."

Clark's hands froze for a long moment, then he finished putting the fruit in and zipped it up. "Why not?"

"It's not very healthy to spend all your time with one friend, you need to spend time with everyone."

"I see Pete, Chloe and Lana all day at school. I hardly see Lex, just a couple of times a week," Clark pointed out.

"But you're there all day when you do," she countered.

Frowning, Clark asked, "Why are you suddenly against my friendship with Lex?"

"I'm not," Martha protested. "I just think you should cool off a little is all."

Shouldering his backpack, Clark looked at her for a moment. "You want me to stop going over altogether, don't you?"

Wishing he wasn't quite so perceptive, Martha sighed and replied, "Just for a little while. If he's your friend, then he'll understand that you have other things going on."

Clark shook his head. "I'm not going to just drop him, Mom. Not unless there's a really good reason, and you thinking I need to spend time with my other friends isn't it."

Martha sighed as she watched Clark leave, late for the school bus.

"One of these days, he's going to make it."

She chuckled ruefully at Jonathan's comment but shook her head. "Not likely when it only takes him five minutes to run to school."

Jonathan grinned and pulled her close with, "Probably true. And what are you doing today, Mrs. Kent?"

Forcing the conversation with Clark to the back of her mind, she smiled up at him and answered, "I have some deliveries to make. Clark's doing that after-school project, remember?"

"That's right," Jonathan agreed, kissing her lightly. "What say we get a late start too?"

Martha blushed and pushed at his chest. "You haven't been sniffing any strange flowers lately, have you?"

With a laugh, Jonathan patted her backside and answered, "Not that I know of. And you avoided the question."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down. "How's this for an answer?"

* * * *

"Morning, Chloe! Morning, Pete!" Clark greeted, sinking into the open chair beside them with a broad smile.

"Someone's in a good mood," Chloe observed with a grin.

"What's not to be in a good mood about?" Clark countered.

Pete snorted and replied, "Missing the bus for the fifth consecutive day this week?"

"Yes, but tomorrow is Saturday. No bus to worry about."

"True. There is a slight problem with our project, however."

Clark groaned at Pete's statement. "Oh, come on! We've been working on it for weeks now!"

With an evil chuckle, Chloe said, "That's what you get for letting Pete take care of the computerized end of things. He's worse at that than you are at not tripping."

Pete made a face at her. "Very funny. And this isn't my fault. The hard-drive crashed, remember?"

Dismayed, Clark demanded, "It's all gone? All the research?"

"I have two words for you boys: backup disk."

She ran when Pete made a grab for her, her laughter teasing as she continued on her way down the hall.

"You know, if I didn't like her so much, I'd kill her," Pete observed.

Sighing, Clark asked, "All of it? Gone?"

Pete clapped Clark sympathetically on the back and said, "Time to start from scratch, my friend. I think it's going to be a caffeine enriched weekend."

* * * *

Feeling unusually happy, both with Jonathan's recent behavior and the quiet peace of her currently empty house, Martha picked up the phone and answered, "Kent residence."

"Mrs. Kent, hello. It's Lex."

Amazing how fast the good feelings disappeared when the man you suspected of seducing your son called. "Hello, Lex. What can I do for you?"

"I was looking for Clark. He was going to come over today, but hasn't shown up."

Oh he was, was he? she thought darkly. Funny how Clark had failed to mention that to them. "He's at Pete's all weekend. They have a project due Monday and all their data crashed Thursday night."

"I see. Would you tell him that I called?"

"Of course," she agreed, having no intention of doing any such thing.

"Thank you. Good bye, Mrs. Kent."

"Good bye, Lex," she replied, hanging up.

Taking a breath, Martha let go of the hostility that had slowly been developing since she'd overheard Chloe and Clark talking in the barn earlier in the week. Chloe might have bought Clark's evasion, but Martha was too well schooled in her son's ways not to hear what he hadn't been saying.

* * * *

Annoyed, though of course Clark hadn't planned for his project to go south, Lex glared at the phone. The degree to which he'd been looking forward to Clark's visit, through the endless business headaches that had been plaguing him the remainder of the week, was a problem. He was supposed to be putting the brakes on this…non-relationship, not encouraging it.

The other problem was Martha, apparently. He didn't know what was behind her sudden cooling towards him, but it made him nervous. Clark wouldn't have been foolish enough to talk to her about what was…ah…what wasn't going on between them, would he? Lex knew that Clark told his parents everything, whatever that everything encompassed, but this would be a little over the top, he was sure.

And what was he doing moping about this anyhow? He was the one who was supposed to be the adult. Sighing, Lex opened one of the financial reports and tried to get some work done.

* * * *

"Come on, man, you're not even concentrating," Pete complained.

Clark jumped a little at the exclamation, then half-smiled at his friend. "Sorry, Pete, other things on my mind right now."

"Like Lex?"

Frowning at the irritation in Pete's voice, Clark answered, "I thought you were over not liking him."

Pete shrugged and played with the pen in his hands. "I am. Sort of."

Eyebrows arching, Clark asked, "Sort of?"

"I can't help the feeling that he's just after your secrets, not your friendship."

Wondering how many times Lex had to help people in this town for the man to get a break, Clark leaned towards Pete, staring at him earnestly. "I know that he's got his faults, but he's not trying to use me. He's come through for me more times than I can count, Pete, you know that!"

"I do. But I also know that he's a Luthor and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," Pete said stubbornly. "I mean, why's he want you for a friend anyhow?"

Clark stared at Pete in disbelief, almost as shocked at hearing it, as Pete was by saying it from the look on his friend's face. Anger surfaced and Clark's jaw clenched dangerously tight. Turning from Pete to make sure he didn't do something he'd regret, Clark started grabbing books as he said, "You know what? I don't need to hear this. Lex is my friend. It doesn't matter why and to be honest, I'm glad he is because he's never let me down."

"Clark, wait!"

Clark kept packing up his bag.

"I'm sorry."

Hitching the bag on his shoulder, Clark said, "I'm a little tired of hearing you say that. If you'd just give him a chance, a real chance, and get to know him, you'd see that he's nothing like his father! And the fact that he isn't, that says a lot about his character."

Pete sighed.

Clark ran a hand through his hair and said, "I'll finish up my part at home and swing by tomorrow night to combine the data, how's that?"

Getting to his feet, Pete walked to the front door with Clark and said, "Yeah, okay."

They stood there awkwardly for a moment, then Clark left.

* * * *

Walking at a normal pace, Clark headed not for home, but for the castle. The long walk from Pete's to Lex's had given him time to think. Even though he knew that Pete hadn't meant to hurt him with what he'd said, he had. It reminded him of just how many people couldn't stand Lex, even though they knew nothing about him. It also reminded him of how people saw him, even Pete sometimes: as a country bumpkin who couldn't go more than an hour without tripping over his own feet.

Lex had never looked at him like that. There had always only ever been friendship, affection, a teasing amusement on occasion, curiosity, and of late, passion. He'd always felt strangely at ease around the other man, knowing deep inside that they each had their secrets.

Unlike everyone else seemed to think, Clark wasn't blind to Lex's darker nature. There was a lot that Lex was capable of, a lot that Clark would probably be horrified to find out about. But that was Lex before coming to Smallville. Since they day that Lex had literally crashed into his life, the other man had only done his best for Clark and those he cared about.

He heard the familiar purr of a foreign engine and looked up from the road to find the silver BMW coming towards him, slowing down as it reached him. The passenger's side window slid down and Lex leaned over, smiling as he asked, "Need a lift?"

Clark grinned and said, "I'd love one!"

Lex pushed the door open and Clark got in, settling his bag on the floor.

"Your mother said you'd be at Pete's all weekend," Lex questioned lightly.

Sighing, Clark answered, "I was going to, but we had an argument. I'll finish my part and we'll hook up tomorrow to put it together."

"Home it is, then."

"No!" Clark exclaimed.

Arching an eyebrow at him, Lex repeated, "No?"

"I just…I don't want to go home right now," Clark muttered.

"You're reluctance to go home wouldn't somehow be connected to a distinctly icy tone coming from your mother when I called earlier, would it?" Lex asked.

Clark groaned, thumping his head against the window.

Dry, Lex commented, "I'll take that as a yes."

Twisting in his seat, Clark exclaimed, "I don't get it! Just out of the blue, she suddenly decides that I need to spend more time with my other friends. Or at least less time with you."

"And you didn't tell her anything about us."

"No!"

Lex gripped Clark's shoulder and ordered, "Relax, Clark, it's all right."

"First Chloe, then Mom, now Pete. It seems like everyone has it in for us," Clark sighed.

"Chloe? What about Chloe?"

Clark flushed and looked away from Lex. "She ah, she saw us in the Talon last week and put two and two together. I told her nothing had happened between us, which is technically true, and I'm pretty sure she believed me."

"Wonderful." Lex's fingers tapped on the steering wheel as he thought. "All right. We'll just have to do what your mother said."

"What?"

Calm, Lex stated, "The best thing to do is to put some distance between us. That'll throw everyone off, especially Chloe."

"But I don't want to!" Clark protested.

Lex's hand shifted to cup Clark's face and he stared into the distraught blue eyes seriously. "I don't either, but I won't risk you, or your happiness."

"Lex…"

"No, Clark, it's for the best. Aside from reassuring your mother, it'll give you time to think about all this."

"I won't change my mind."

Grinning suddenly at the stubborn tone, Lex stated, "I didn't think you would, but it will give you a chance to understand the consequences. What you experienced the last few days is nothing compared to what would happen if and when we officially got together. And don't forget, Clark, no matter what you decide, I'll always be your friend."

* * * *

God. How trite could he get? 'I'll always be your friend.' It sounded like something from a Hallmark card.

Watching Clark as he walked through the misty rain towards the farmhouse, Lex was rewarded for his patience when the young man turned to look back at him. He only had a few seconds to memorize the sight because the front door opened and Martha appeared. The look she shot him could only be described as warning before she dragged Clark inside.

So. Somehow Martha knew what was almost going on. It didn't really surprise him, given that she was as perceptive and sharp as her son. It threw a few wrinkles in the works, but didn't really surprise him.

Putting the car in gear, he backed out of the driveway.

* * * *

Clark was as miserable on the following Thursday as when Lex had dropped him home the Saturday before. His mother had been thrilled at his announcement that he was going to do as she wanted and not see Lex for a while. His father had been confused, but remained silent on the subject. Upon going to Pete's that Sunday, he'd discovered his friend as unwilling to bend on the topic as ever, despite his apology. His misery had been completed with the arrival of a downpour scheduled to stick around all week.

The familiar click of Chloe's shoes alerted Clark to his friend's ambush. Even though he hid a little deeper in the library stack, she stopped on the other side of the bookshelf and squatted down peering at him through the books. "What's up with you and Pete?"

"Nothing," Clark answered shortly.

"Uh huh. Don't go anywhere."

Tempted to do just that, Clark nonetheless stayed put until she circled the aisle and approached him. Morose, he continued to doodle on the back of his notebook while she sat on the floor beside him.

"It always helps to talk about things," she offered.

"Pete was a jerk and I called him on it."

Startled by his vehemence, Chloe just looked at him for a minute before pursing her lips thoughtfully. "See now, that's interesting because when I asked Pete about it, he said that you were being stubborn and unreasonable."

"Right. About him being a jerk," Clark repeated.

"Clark, you guys have been friends since like, kindergarten," Chloe exclaimed. "You're not going to let something maybe slide on occasion?"

Shaking his head, Clark said, "Not this."

Chloe sighed. "All right. Look, you want to walk me to my car? It's getting dark out."

"Sure," Clark agreed, getting to his feet then helping her up.

They made it outside without another word, much to Clark's relief, and he held the umbrella while she dug out her keys and got inside.

"Don't let it go too long, Clark," Chloe said, gazing up at him. "He's a good guy, but he's a guy. None of you knows how to give an inch."

Lex does, Clark thought, feeling a sliver of pain through his heart. Aloud, he agreed, "I won't."

He watched her go, then started on his way home. A delivery truck stopped by him and the driver rolled down the window, asking, "Mr. Clark Kent?"

Frowning, Clark nodded. "Yeah."

The man held out a package and a clipboard to sign, which he did, struggling to keep the umbrella over everything. Done, he handed the forms back to the man who waved and rolled the window back up before driving away.

Flipping the box over, he recognized Lex's distinctive sprawl and his heart beat faster. Tearing it open, Clark found a small cell phone inside with a note taped to it: Press #1.

Simple enough, he thought. Doing so, he held the phone to his ear and waited.

"It's about time you called," Lex answered from the other end.

Grinning, feeling good for the first time in almost a week, Clark teased, "What about cooling down a little?"

"Fuck it. I can't seem to go more than a couple of days without hearing your voice before I start firing people."

Clark laughed at the declaration, then frowned and asked uncertainly. "You didn't really…?"

A short bark of laughter sounded on the other end as Lex replied, "No, I didn't. I figure this way, as long as your parents don't find it, we can talk whenever we want and they'll never know."

"It's good to hear your voice," Clark admitted softly.

"Yours too," Lex agreed. After a pause, he continued, "The other thing is that I have to go to Europe for a few weeks."

Dismayed, Clark demanded, "What?"

"I know. There's no help for it, though. That plant accident last week spark a whole bunch of problems and I really need to take care of it personally."

Clark sighed. "Really?"

"Really."

"But this phone will reach you there, right?"

"Absolutely. Any time you need to talk to me, just press the speed dial. If I can't pick up, leave a message and I will call you back at the first possible minute."

Clark adjusted the umbrella when some cold raindrops hit the back of his neck to slide down his shirt. "When are you leaving?"

"I'm on my way to the airport now, unfortunately."

"And you don't know when you'll be back."

"Not yet. You'll be the first to know."

"Clark!"

Clark looked over at Pete's shout, managing to hide the phone as he did, and told Lex, "Pete's here. I have to go."

"All right. Take care, Clark."

"I'll miss you," Clark said wistfully.

There was a sharp sound, like a sigh cut off, from the other end before Lex echoed, "I miss you." and hung up.

Clark tucked the phone into his pocket, glad it was a new, slim model that wouldn't show. Pete stopped his parent's car beside Clark and asked, "Are you still mad?"

"Yeah," Clark answered. Remembering Chloe's words as Pete's face tightened stubbornly, he added hastily, "But I'll let it slide if you do one thing for me."

Frowning at Clark suspiciously, Pete questioned, "What?"

"Keep an open mind about Lex," Clark replied urgently. "It's really important to me."

After a moment, Pete nodded reluctantly. "All right. Hey, get in before you catch pneumonia or some alien version of it again."

Relieved that at least a truce had been called, Clark moved around to the other side, folded up the umbrella and got in. At this point, he'd take what he could get.