"Back up right now young man. Details."

Clark sighed. He should've known that he wouldn't get away with just sailing out. Facing his mother, he explained, "Lex has a horribly long and awful board meeting that's going to take up most of his Saturday. I was going to go to Metropolis and surprise him."

"And just assume that he won't mind you popping in unannounced?" Martha asked. "Clark, he has other people in his life that demand his attention. I know that he's your best friend, but he has a business to run and I don't think you realize just how much that involves. You can't keep taking up so much of his time."

Which, of course, made him feel guilty for assuming that Lex would just drop everything like he usually did, even with the change in their relationship. Sighing, he agreed, "You're right. I didn't think it through."

She gripped his shoulder with a smile and said, "You're heart's in the right place, Clark, and I'm sure he'd be happy to see you any other time."

"Yeah."

"Why don't we go to the movies Saturday night? Just the two of us?" she offered. "With your father at that co-op meeting the next few days, I'm free."

But Clark was definitely not in the mood for a night out with his mother, so he shook his head and asked, "Maybe another time?"

Nodding, Martha agreed, "Another time."

He left the kitchen unaware of the worried look she cast at his back.

* * * *

Tapping on the keyboard at a normal pace, Clark grinned at the screen as he placed the order for rare orchids that would take most of his allowance. He wanted to write a personal note, but that would require going to an actual florist shop and Clark knew that the last thing either of them needed was gossip about him sending flowers to Lex Luthor. Especially given the nature of the message he was writing.

He finished entering the credit card information, glad that his parents had trusted him with one, and winced at the total. Scratch that. It was going to take all of his allowance and next week's, too. Still, it would be more than worth it. Since it was a plant, it was something that wouldn't die; well, assuming it was taken care of, which Clark was sure it would be.

He only wished that he could see Lex's face when it was delivered.

* * * *

"Come in!" Lex barked sharply at the interruption.

The door opened and a delivery person came in bearing an orchid plant. Lex's jaw dropped a little before he recovered enough to glare hard at the others in his office. They suddenly found something to occupy themselves with as he took the plant from the woman.

Opening the card with a frown, Lex flushed at the message:

As rare and beautiful as you, but not nearly as perfect.

C

Lex looked at the woman who had delivered the plant and pulled out a hundred-dollar bill and held it out to her. "Do you know how to take care of this plant?"

She nodded, wide-eyed and wordless.

"Write it down, in detail, over there. Everything from how much sun it needs, to any kind of food I should give it, and the best kind of soil," Lex ordered, giving her the bill.

Taking the money from him, the woman moved to the desk he'd indicated and started writing.

Lex hesitantly breathed in the delicate scent of the blossom and thought, God, Clark. What are you doing to me?

* * * *

"Clark! It's for you! It's Lex!"

Clark grabbed the phone beside his bed and said, "Got it, Mom!"

There was silence until the click of the other phone disconnected, then Lex said, "I got your gift."

Smiling, Clark asked, "And?"

"And it was definitely the highlight of my day," Lex answered warmly. "Of my week, come to think of it. The others were eaten alive with curiosity as to who would send me something so exotic, and how you knew where I'd be, and when to deliver it. They didn't dare ask, of course. Aside from the entertainment value, it was, quite simply, breathtaking. Thank you, Clark."

Clark flushed at the honest pleasure in the other man's voice. "I'm glad you liked it. I wanted to come to Metropolis, but Mom reminded me that you've got other people to think about besides me."

Regretful, Lex said, "I wish I didn't. I'm swamped until next week sometime."

"Really?" Clark asked, disappointed.

"Yes. And I won't have any time to even think about going to Smallville, let alone actually go. I'm heading for Gotham City on Monday to discuss a possible joint-venture deal between Wayne Industries and LexCorp," Lex explained.

Perking up a little, Clark said, "That's a good company. Bruce Wayne does a lot of charity work and his employees all have shares."

Lex chuckled and asked, "Have I sucked you into reading the business page, Clark?"

"My Dad was talking about it," Clark explained. "Though I'm sure, with the right incentive, I could be convinced to start reading the business page."

Lex's voice dropped as he inquired, "What kind of incentive?"

"A kiss?"

"God. I would love to have you right here for exactly that. Unfortunately…"

Sighing, Clark finished, "You have to go."

"I do. Thank you again for the orchid, Clark, it's beautiful. And I am personally going to take care of it."

Clark laughed and said, "I should be worried. You've got the blackest thumb of anyone I met, despite the ranch experience."

Joining in with a chuckle, Lex protested, "I got explicit instructions, so I doubt even I could kill this."

There was a brief silence, then Clark repeated, "You've got to go."

"I know." There was another silence before Lex sighed again and said, "All right, I'm hanging up now. I'll call you during the week."

"When do you get back from Gotham?"

"Wednesday."

"Call me then. I'll be home."

"All right. Bye, Clark."

"Bye."

Clark listened to the other man's breathing, waiting. Finally, after another minute or so, the line was disconnected gently. Sighing, Clark replaced his own phone and stared at the ceiling.

It was going to be a long week.

* * * *

Listening to headphones that blasted a hard-edged song, engrossed in a quarterly financial review, Lex didn't hear the knock at his door until the person on the other side was pounding on it. Yanking his headphones down, he shouted in irritation, "Come in!"

His personal assistant entered, escorting a delivery person wheeling in a crate. Arching an eyebrow at the whole scene, Lex got to his feet and motioned for the man to open it.

The top was pried off in short order and he saw a card on top of the straw. Reaching in, he pulled out the small envelope and took out the card:

This will keep you safe when I can't.

C

Oh God, Lex thought, sliding the card into his pocket and delving into the straw. He encountered metal and had to use quite a bit of strength to pull the thing out. For a few seconds, he stared at it in confusion, unable to figure out what he was looking at, then laughed out loud.

Several horseshoes had been welded together to form a chain.

Still grinning, he set the heavy object on his desk and fished out a twenty-dollar tip to give to the deliveryman. He didn't need instructions this time, after all. Turning to his assistant, he pointed to the spot above his door and said, "Find someone to hang that up, just there."

She nodded, giving the metal a curious look before leaving.

Shaking his head, Lex sat back at his desk and picked up the phone to call Clark. Before he could, however, his office door opened again and his father walked in. Naturally, Lionel's gaze immediately fell upon the gift still laid out on the desk.

With an arched eyebrow, Lionel observed, "I didn't realize that your taste in art had so deteriorated, Lex."

"It was a gift," Lex replied.

"Yes, well, that explains a lot right there," Lionel murmured, sitting in the chair by the desk.

Lex eyed his father for a moment, then asked, "Was there something you wanted?"

"I understand there's someone new in your life. Though from this, I can only guess at the quality of your latest conquest."

Lex couldn't help the stiffening of his spine at the insult to Clark, but didn't rise to the bait. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

"Yes, I suppose so," Lionel observed. "Still, I was wondering if it was serious. Should we expect another whirlwind wedding?"

Lips tightening, Lex said, "I seriously doubt that, Father."

"That's too bad. I was rather looking forward to the pitter-patter of little feet."

"I'm sure that Lucas has some heirs running around somewhere that you could dangle over your knee," Lex pointed out with a faint sneer.

"Don't be ridiculous," Lionel snapped. He stood and continued, "You may not like me, Lex, but we are still family. As a Luthor, certain things are expected of you. Getting married, and yes, having children, is part of those duties."

Looking calmly at his father, Lex stated, "You have no say over if I do either. Get used to it. Father. Now, is there anything else?"

The look they exchanged was as far from familial as a look could get, but Lionel got to his feet. "No. We'll continue this discussion later."

"No we won't," Lex called after his father's retreating back.

When the door closed behind the older man, Lex breathed a long sigh of relief, relaxing the tension. Feeling somewhat superstitious about calling Clark when his father had just left, as though perhaps the man had put another bug in place, Lex stared longingly at the phone but didn't pick it up.

* * * *

Feeling somewhat sick to his stomach, Clark stared at the night sky and wondered why Lex didn't call. He should have received the gift hours ago. Inside, he knew that the reason Lex didn't call was because he'd hated it and was trying to think of a polite way to tell Clark. Except that was practically impossible, given that it was handmade.

"Hey, your mom said you'd be here," Chloe's voice said from below.

Clark jumped, wondering why he hadn't heard her approach. Shaking off the depression, he forced a smile at her approach and replied, "Just thinking."

Chloe leaned against the loft wall and questioned, "About?"

"Nothing much," Clark said.

"Oh yeah, I believe that. You've been moping for almost two weeks now. Could that possibly have to do with the fact that a certain millionaire playboy hasn't been in town for the same amount of time?"

Though his stomach lurched, for an entirely different reason than before, Clark keep his face mild. "Well, it is quiet without Lex around, but that's not the reason."

Crossing her arms over her chest, Chloe demanded, "Were you ever going to tell me? Or was this going to remain another of your deep, dark secrets?"

"Ah, tell you what?"

"About you and Lex! God, Clark, I can accept that I'll never completely understand you, but this is something that's mind-blowing!" Chloe exclaimed angrily.

Desperation clawed at his insides as Clark denied, "There is no me and Lex, except as friends. I don't know where you got that crazy idea."

In his face, Chloe snapped, "Bullshit! I saw the two of you at the Talon, the night before graduation. Maybe everyone else is blind, but I'm not. Don't you trust me?"

Clark nearly melted at her hurt question, but steeled himself against it. Too much was at stake for him to reveal anything. It wasn't just his life, it was Lex's, too. "Chloe, look, we're not sleeping together, I swear."

Which was true. For right now, at least.

She stared at him suspiciously. "You're not lying?"

"I'm not lying."

The suspicion didn't completely leave her eyes, but she did back down as she said, "All right. Because you'd tell me if you were, right? I mean, finding the love of your life in Lex Luthor, of all people, is…"

"Front page news?" Clark finished pointedly.

Chloe shook her head and corrected, "A miracle. Having your best friend be your true love? That's a dream come true. And I swear, Clark, something like this would never pass my lips to anyone. Not even Pete if you didn't want me to tell him."

Feeling ashamed of his lack of trust, Clark pulled her into a hug and said, "If something like that happens, you and Pete will be the first to know. I promise."

Grinning, she poked him in the chest and ordered, "You'd better! Hey, do you want to go get some caffeine? No school means no curfew, right?"

"Not as early a one anyhow," Clark agreed with a smile. "But no. I'm just...I need to think about some things."

"Well, if you need to talk, you know how to find me."

He nodded and said, "Thanks. Night, Chloe."

"Clark? Lex is on the phone," his mother called from the barn door.

Chloe arched an eyebrow at him and mouthed, 'Call me tomorrow!'

With a grin, Clark nodded and walked her out of the loft, parting company from her in the driveway. He jogged inside and took the phone from his mother, smiling and saying, "Thanks."

She hesitated, then returned the smile and left the room.

Putting the phone to his ear, Clark greeted, "You hated it."

"What? No! I loved it," Lex instantly denied, startled. "I couldn't call right away because my father was here. Then I got sucked into a damn emergency meeting because there was an accident at one of the plants. You thought I hated it?"

Clearing his throat, Clark answered, "Well, yeah. I mean, it's corny, right?"

There was a warm chuckle from the other end as Lex pointed out, "There is a reason why I call you farm boy. But I don't think it's corny and I do love it. It's…you, Clark. But you have to stop giving me gifts, especially when I can't give you anything in return without your father jumping down my throat."

"This from the man who gave me a truck after knowing me one day," Clark said, feeling much, much better now that he knew Lex didn't hate it. He suspected that he was being ridiculous about the whole thing, but couldn't help himself. Lex's opinion meant a lot.

"That was different. You saved my life."

"It's not different. You saved mine."

There was a pause before Lex stated, "I don't remember saving your life, and I'm pretty sure I'd remember that."

Taking a quick look around for his mother, Clark answered softly, "You saved my life by taking me seriously, Lex, by being strong enough to send me home that night and giving us a real chance at something. Don't think that I haven't realized how much courage that took."

Lex breathed shakily and said, "Clark…I don't know what to say."

"It's okay," Clark assured him quickly. His voice lowered, even though his mother wasn't around. "I know you still don't love me. I'm just saying that…I do love you and I'll wait as long as it takes. And if you can never give me anything but friendship, I'll be happy with that."

"Clark…I, I have to go," Lex said finally, a catch in his voice.

"Sure. Talk to you later?"

"Of course. Ah, I'll be in Smallville on Saturday. Stop by."

"I will. Night, Lex."

"Good night, Clark."

Clark hung up the phone and sighed deeply, butterflies swarming in his stomach as he realized that Lex hadn't agreed with the statement that he didn't love Clark.

* * * *

Running a hand over his head, Lex replaced the phone and groaned. What was he going to do now? There were so many reasons that this was a horrific idea, not the least of which had been in his office a scant three hours ago.

But maybe…maybe there was at least one good reason to let himself trust someone, one more time? One last time?