Clark looked at the housekeeper in dismay. "What do you mean, he's gone?"

Her smile was sympathetic, as if to say, "They're rich, who know why they do things?" But her words were, "He returned to Metropolis yesterday, Clark. He did leave you something though. Wait just a moment."

Nodding, Clark shifted impatiently from foot to foot until she returned with a small box. He took it with, "Thanks."

"Say hello to your folks for me."

"I will," Clark agreed absently, walking back to the truck.

Inside the box was a note and a gold coin, just like the one Lex's watch.

Clark,

I'll paint you into my life, even though I know you can't be there in reality.

Lex

Oh no! Lex thinks... Clark's eyes closed painfully as he realized that Lex thought they were over. That Clark had been trying to figure out a way to break up. Probably for some lame reason like not wanting to disappoint his friends and family. Clark sighed and thought, Well, when Lex jumps to conclusions, he really leaves the boat behind.

Clark climbed into the truck and drove home, wishing he'd actually run there, because it would've taken less time to get back. Shoving the box in his pocket, Clark rushed into the house shouting, "Mom! Dad!"

"In the kitchen!" his mother called back.

Taking a breath, Clark walked into the other room and found both his parents at the sink. He grimaced at the smiling evidence that he'd interrupted them and said, "I need to talk to you."

Frowning, Jonathan motioned towards the table. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing," Martha questioned, sitting.

Clark looked at them for a moment before admitting, "Well, you'll probably think so, but it's not."

"Why don't you start at the beginning?" his father suggested.

"Probably easier to start at the end," Clark muttered. At their worried frowned, he stated, "I'm in love with Lex."

They exchanged a measured look and Clark began to suspect that he hadn't been as good at hiding how he felt as he'd thought.

"Son, I know that this is a, ah, difficult time for you," Jonathan began. "Things are very intense and chaotic for any teenager, but especially for you. Someone like Lex, well, I guess he's different from what you're used to. It's...probably to be expected that you'd, ah, feel strongly about him."

Clark shook his head and countered, "That's not it, Dad. I love him, like you and Mom love each other."

Jonathan winced and Martha said hurriedly, "Honey, Lex is a very influential man, charming and sophisticated. I'm sure that..."

"You're not listening! I'm, I'm really sorry, but this isn't a phase and I know you hate it and are probably disgusted with me and all, but I couldn't lie to you anymore. I'm just so sick of lies and secrets."

"Oh, Clark, honey no," Martha exclaimed, rushing over to him. She hugged him tight and continued, "We're not, not disgusted, especially not with you!"

He returned the hug, relieved. "Really?"

"Of course not," Jonathan stated firmly. "But son, Lex? I mean, okay, the ah, the not liking girls I can sort of, well, understand. But Lex?"

Clark pulled away from his mother and confirmed, "Lex."

"You haven't told him about yourself, have you?"

Shaking his head, Clark answered his father, "No. I wanted to tell you about us, first."

"Well goo. Then nothing irreparable's been done," Martha replied.

"But I'm going to tell him."

"Clark..."

"Honey..."

Getting to his feet, Clark said, "I trust him. He won't hurt me. He loves me."

With a pained look, Jonathan pointed out gently, "What if he doesn't love you enough, Clark? You can't risk this. You can't risk yourself on a maybe, and that's putting a positive spin on the whole situation."

"Your father's right, Clark."

"I'm telling him," Clark repeated. Feeling somewhat desperate at their twin looks of dismay and fear, Clark exclaimed, "I have to trust him. Don't you see? If I can't trust Lex, when I know that he loves me, I'll never be able to trust anyone!"

When their expressions only saddened, Clark's heart fell.

"I know it seems that way," Martha said at last. "But Lex...it's just Lex, Clark. You'll find someone in your future that you can trust."

"But Mom, you like him," Clark protested.

She nodded. "But that doesn't mean I would trust him with your secret. I don't."

Realizing that they were never going to agree to this, Clark stated, "I'm going to Metropolis and coming clean with Lex."

Jonathan shook his head. "You can't."

"I am."

"Clark, please think about this," Martha pleaded.

"I have!"

"Not enough," Jonathan snapped angrily.

His own temper flaring, Clark exclaimed, "I'm not a kid!"

"Then stop acting like one!"

"You don't care what I think. I'm leaving."

Jonathan grabbed Clark's arm to stop him, but Clark yanked his arm free and ran out of the house at full speed.

* * * *

Lex stared futilely at the computer screen. He may have left Clark in Smallville, but banishing the young man from his thoughts was far more difficult.

"Mr. Luthor?"

Coming out of his fog, Lex pressed the intercom and replied, "What is it?"

"Clark Kent is here to see you."

Oh, shit! Just what he needed.

"I'm not leaving until you see me, Lex!"

Groaning, Lex paused another moment then ordered, "Send him up."

When Clark entered the office, Lex was composed and had even summoned annoyance at the visit. Why was Clark dragging things out when it was obviously no good between them? Clark's anxious expression remained after seeing Lex, and he stopped in front of the desk. Lex arched an eyebrow at him and greeted, "What can I do for you, Clark?"

"I told my parents!" Clark blurted.

Shock wasn't something that Lex subscribed to, but it certainly fit in this case. "You what?"

Nervous, Clark repeated, "I told my parents. About us. That I love you and you love me."

Wondering when he'd entered The Twilight Zone, Lex was glad he was sitting. "And?"

"And they weren't thrilled, but not for the reasons you're probably thinking," Clark answered, plainly miserable.

Not thrilled was probably the understatement of the century from the way Clark wouldn't meet his eyes. "Clark, I can't believe...you didn't have to do that!"

Clark's head snapped up and now there was determination mixed with the misery. "I did. I'm sick of the lies and secrets. And, and I have something to tell you, but I'm not sure how you'll take it, and I'm scared to tell you."

The rush of words affected Lex deeply, as did the honest fear on Clark's face. He stood and crossed to the younger man, gripping his arm. "You can tell me anything, Clark."

Staring at him intensely, Clark asked, "Can I, Lex? Really?"

Why did it suddenly feel like he should say no? Lex shoved away the uncertainty and stated firmly, "Yes."

"Is it safe to talk here?"

For Clark to be worried about recording devices sent a sliver of uneasiness through Lex, but he replied, "Yes."

Looking sick, Clark said, "I didn't want to keep this from you, you have to believe me. My folks, well, you know, and they're real protective of me."

This was definitely not news. He gripped Clark's shoulder and replied, "I know, Clark, and it's okay. I understand."

Sighing explosively, Clark stepped back reflexively as he said, "I'm an alien."

Lex blinked.

Alien.

Not mutant.

"I was a toddler when my birth parents sent me here. I don't remember anything from before, but we've found out a few things. And...I'm pretty much indestructible. Bullets, knives, explosions, whatever. I can't be killed unless one of those green meteorites is around. That's the only thing that can hurt me. Physically anyhow."

Without thinking, Lex stepped back from Clark to process everything he'd said.

An alien?

"Lex?"

Lex looked up at Clark's hesitant question. All kinds of thought and emotions flitted through him, too fast to really classify or even experience fully. He sighed shakily and said, "Clark...I don't know what to say here."

Clark flinched as though struck. "You said I could tell you anything!"

"I know, but Clark, this is...this is unbelievable!" Lex exclaimed. A tremor ran through him, though he wasn't sure which emotion it represented; fear or anger. "An alien? And all this time, not a word to me! If nothing else, we were friends, Clark! I thought, I thought you were some kind of mutant brought about by those damned rocks. But you actually...fuck! Clark, you caused all of it!"

This time, Clark staggered back at the furious edge to Lex's voice, hands clutching his stomach and he whispered, "Lex, no..."

Swimming in emotion, Lex turned his back, struggling to get control. He had to get control or he'd say something unforgivable. He didn't want to hurt Clark, knew that Clark wasn't responsible for anything. He just... "Clark, I just need to get a handle on..."

Lex's words stopped, because when he turned around, he was alone.

Clark's stricken face taunted his mind's eye: the wide eyes and pallor, and way those strong, loving hands held his midriff as though trying not to throw up.

"Oh shit. What did I do?"