Title: The Worst Case

Author: Christine and Carrie

Contact: QsMistress23@hotmail.com and CarrieDeMarchi@hotmail.com

Fandom: Smallville

Pairing: Clark/Lex

Rating: NC17

Spoilers: Eveything from both seasons one and two.

Archive: CLFF

Disclaimer: The boys aren't ours, we're not making any money off of this. We have nothing of value; so don't sue us, and we promise to give them back relatively clean. Although, I'd consider it worth it to run from the law for the rest of my life if I was with these two sexilicious boys. - Carrie.

Feedback: Is always welcome, so hand it over! =)

Notes: In response to the CLFF challenge: Challenge 6) Gruesome Level: Write a 50,000 (approx. 100 pages) word story in two months, featuring Clark/Lex action in any way you see fit. Any rating is okay. Starting date is: December 1, 2002 Ending date is February 1, 2003

Acknowledgments: Many hugs and smooches to Terra for betaing this monster for us, it was much appreciated.

Warnings: Mpreg, AU(sort of)

Summary: Lengthy separations are a bitch, especially when you're a pregnant, male alien.

'The Worst Case'

Having been sitting in the loft for almost an hour now, they still had not gotten too much work accomplished during that time. Succumbing to absentmindedly attempting to get anything written, Clark sat and listened to Pete talk about his latest girlfriend. The two of them had chosen each other as partners to work on a creative writing assignment on a nonfiction and/or science fiction piece of their choice. Sex was a strange thing to talk about between them, now that Pete knew his secret. His friend had all sorts of ideas in his head, of him getting girls pregnant, producing squirmy alien babies with tentacles and purplish in color. So, what else would they have come up with for their project? In the end, they had chosen an alien reproductive structure. As strange as it may seem as a subject to anyone else, it was right up their alley.

They had gotten off topic long ago and were now basically just hanging out, rather than working on their school work. Pete, surprisingly, still had a book open in his lap about human reproduction. Although he seemed more focused on reading gross descriptions about female innards than on their alien woman they were planning to create, Clark at least hoped he was retaining some of the information. At least they were still trying to get some work done on it. Clark sat on the couch, laughing at the picture Pete's words were creating in his mind. Folding the last side of his paper airplane up, Clark lifted it and looked at it appraisingly. He had torn a page of old notes from his school book to make the plane out of; you could still see his writing, although disjointed, on the folded paper. Hearing the low mechanical hum of an engine growing louder as it came nearer to the barn, Pete shut the book in his lap and sat up from his slouched position. "Ooh, sounds like your boyfriend's here!"

Clark laughed at the look on Pete's face, listening to the engine having been cut off, and the sound of a distant car door slamming shut carried through the barn. He threw the plane at Pete, still smiling, and hoping to keep the mood light while his two friends were in the room together. Pete was not exactly comfortable on the issue of Clark being involved with Lex as more than just a friend, but he had understood what Clark had told him about their relationship. It had made Pete feel better to know that, he wasn't sure he wanted to know Clark had been checking him out in the showers at school in gym class. He was not shallow, though, and he was not going to end his friendship with his best alien bud just because of said alien's sexual orientation.

Apparently, Clark had found that Lex was the only human male specimen on Earth that he found sexually appealing, and that also failed to make Pete feel comfortable about the situation. He didn't trust Luthors, and wouldn't want his friend to put trust in someone like Lex just to have it used and abused, then thrown away. Although still wary of Luthors, the more time he spent around Lex, and Lex and Clark together, he could see how much they liked and cared about each other.

"Clark?" He didn't want to tell him. In the four months that they had been together, there was never a single fight or disagreement ... or lengthy separation between them. Lex sighed as he made his way through the barn. He knew what he was going to ask, too; if he could come with him. 'No, Clark, you're still in school. You can't come.' That was all he had to say to him, but he doubted it would end at that. Clark would protest and say his grades were good enough. Lex really did not want to do this.

"Up here, Lex," Clark called back. Lex started up the stairs, steeling himself for the upcoming conversation. Holding back a sigh and putting a false smile on his face when he saw Pete sitting across from Clark. He knew it was going to be hard to break the news to Clark on this in the first place. Not to mention if he had to have Pete there as well, witnessing the sudden dive from a cliff that Clark's heart was about to endure.

"Hey, Pete," he said, smiling at the younger boy, and moving to take a seat beside Clark.

"Lex," Pete replied in a strained tone. It may not have come out as pleasantly as he knew Clark would have liked it, but at least he was trying.

Clark ignored the tension hanging between the two of them, and smiled at his boyfriend. "I thought we were meeting at your place later today? Not that I'm complaining about you being here, but what's up?" He asked, scooting a little closer to Lex to sneak in a little peck on his cheek. He tried not to show too much affection around Pete, he was just glad he hadn't lost his friend over everything already.

"I have something important I need to tell you," Lex began, turning to look at Pete for a moment. "In private," he finished.

Pete rolled his eyes, but got up from his seat on the hay covered floor. "I'll be outside, communicating with the cows," he said as he made his way to the stairs, walked down them and headed outside.

Clark let out a laugh at his friend before turning to Lex. "So, what did you need to tell me that's important?"

Lex turned slightly so he was facing Clark and took hold of his hand. "Clark, you know that I love you, right?" Clark didn't say anything, he just nodded. "Well, I found out a little while ago that my father is having some problems with one of his companies in London. Normally, he'd just have one of his flunkies go and take care of it for him, but this is a major problem. I can't go into much detail about it, but anyway," he paused, taking a deep breath at what he was about to say to his lover. "He needs to go over there personally and take care of it. The only thing is he doesn't feel secure enough to go by himself, so he asked me to go with him."

Clark frowned thoughtfully at Lex for a moment, wondering what was bad about that. "Well, that isn't so bad. I mean, I knew before we started our relationship that there would be times you'd have to go away on business for a while." He stopped talking as he took in the upset look on Lex's face, "What's wrong?"

"Clark, I'm going to be gone for at least five months," Lex replied, squeezing his lover's hand tightly, bracing himself for what he knew was coming.

Clark blinked his eyes a few times to clear away the sudden tears that threatened to spill forth. "Um, okay, I understand, I guess. When do you leave?"

"Monday morning."

Clark swallowed the lump that suddenly formed in his throat. "Lex, that's only two days away."

"I know, Clark. Believe me, if I had known sooner I would have tried to get someone to go in my place. It seems, how ever strange, that my father only trusts me to go with him on this last minute trip," Lex replied, clearing his throat. Did his father really think that little of his son's business ventures that Lex could just drop them at will to scuttle off to his father's side?

Clark let go of Lex's hand and stood up from his seat on the couch. "Let me go with you. This way..." he began, but found himself interrupted by Lex shaking his head gently.

"You can't, Clark." As much as it hurt to say no to him, it was what he had to do. "You're still in school, and you know your parents would never allow it. They've already been great to even allow us to be in a relationship. I doubt they'd approve of this."

"Lex," Clark said, tears finally spilling out his eyes, leaving streaks down his cheeks. "I...how..." He trailed off, unable to form any words coherently. The suddenness of the situation he found himself thrust into was taking its toll out on the younger man.

Lex moved closer to Clark and wrapped his arms around his lover. "Clark, I know. If it was up to me, I wouldn't hesitate to stay here with you, but my father needs me. Yes, he's been a royal pain in my ass since he moved in, but he's still my father and I have to help him." Lex sighed as he felt his young lover sob uncontrollably into his shoulder. "Love, we'll still be able to keep in contact with each other." Almost unsure of what he should do to reassure the other man, he rubbed tentative hands over Clark's back, "There's the phone and emailing each other and even the postal system."

Clark pulled away and brought a hand up to wipe it across his tear stained face. Nodding, he said, "I know, Lex. But we'll only have two days together before you leave and knowing your dad, he'll probably be trying to take up all your time."

Lex sighed and held his boyfriend closer to him. There wasn't really anything either of them could do about it now.

@>*~

Clark woke up earlier than usual and sped around his room to pick out the clothes he wanted to wear before getting into them. He had a bunch of chores he had to do today before he could meet Lex at the hotel a few blocks from the Talon. They had agreed to spend as much time as possible together before Lex had to leave for his extended business trip. His parents thought that the two of them were just dating and most of Smallville just thought they were really close friends. Only Pete and they knew there were more elements to their relationship then a few discreet dates here and there.

After Lex had left last night, he told Pete what had happened and how he felt. Pete tried to be there for Clark emotionally as best as he could, but their relationship still made him a bit uncomfortable so Clark couldn't really go into detail about everything. Pete had left an hour after Lex and Clark had gone back to his house to tell his parents what had happened. His father was still irked about the whole dating thing, but still trying his damnedest to be there for his son while his mother smiled sympathetically and hugged him.

Finished dressing, Clark sped down the stairs and out of the house, making it look as if there had been a gust of wind twirling through the house. Clark had to feed the cows, mend the fence surrounding the perimeter of the farm and fix the tractor. Of course, he sometimes wished they'd have taken the money Lex had offered them so they could simply buy a new tractor and never have to fix it again.

Using his speed the entire time, Clark finished with his chores in less then thirty minutes when usually it would have taken his father two days to do everything. It was a good thing he loved his parents so much or he would have run away a long time ago. There was just too much work for a seventeen year old to do. Running back into the house, Clark sped back up the stairs to his room, undressed and headed to the shower. He had twenty minutes to meet Lex and he didn't want to be late.

Coming down the stairs, he paused to say bye to his parents. His mother was in the middle of pouring coffee into a cup for his father. "Have fun, Clark, but remember to be home by midnight, okay?"

"Alright, Mom. Thank you for letting me spend these last couple of days with Lex. I'm sure he appreciates it just as much as I do. Lionel has been in a really foul mood since last night according to Lex," Clark said as he kissed his mom on the cheek and waved good-bye to his father before bolting out the door.

"I hope you know what you're doing, Martha," Jonathan said as he took the offered cup from her.

Martha took a seat next to Jonathan at the kitchen table. "I do. They're only dating, Jonathan, and Lex won't even be in the same country for the next five months. I think them spending a little time with each other until Lex leaves won't hurt anyone." Jonathan just grumbled into his coffee cup and took a sip.

@>*~

When Clark had gotten into the hotel, he made his way up to the floor where their assigned room was to be located. Alternately looking at the number on his key, to the numbers on the doors, he stopped at 204 and tested the door knob; he found it locked. He was almost afraid to think that Lex wouldn't be there, or wouldn't show up at all. He squashed those thoughts down and slid the key into the lock, and opened the door.

Stepping into the room, he smiled when he saw Lex was already there waiting for him. He shut and locked the door behind him as he tossed the key over to the dresser at the side of the room. He felt a rush of happiness and at the same time, doubt, at seeing his friend. He didn't want Lex to leave. "Hey," Lex said, getting up from his seat and meeting Clark half way. Lex pulled Clark into a quick but warm hug, before giving him a soft kiss.

Pulling back and taking Clark's hand, Lex led them over to the bed and sat on the edge of it. The next few moments passed almost in complete silence as they sat in each other's arms, looking almost sad. "Are you sure I can't come with you?" Clark asked, with a vague pleading tone to his voice. He didn't want to be without Lex for that long.

"Clark," Lex said, looking up into Clark's eyes, "I don't want you to compromise your academic marks for me." He took hold of Clark's hand, looking at him seriously. He hated to leave, too, but again it was what he had to do. Leaving his father alone at the castle was one thing, but alone across the Atlantic was another, especially now that Lionel was blind and even more untrusting of people than he was before.

Clark sighed, looking back at Lex and trying not to break out the puppy dog eyes. "All right," he said, reluctantly. "I'm going to miss you so much, though," he ducked his head and looked at his shoes, absently shuffling them back and forth against each other. "We've never been apart before."

"I know," Lex gently settled his hand on Clark's cheek, turning the younger man's head back towards him. "It'll be fine." He held Clark's eyes for a moment, making sure that he believed those words before saying anything more. "I promise, Clark," he said as he guided Clark's face towards his, pressing his lips softly against the teen's.

Clark sighed into Lex's mouth as he returned the kiss, letting his hands run up and down his lover's back. Lex pushed against Clark until he was lying on top of the younger man, barely having broken the kiss. Breaking apart only for much needed air, Lex sat up to remove his shirt, while Clark scooted further back on the bed, until the top of his head was just near the headboard.

Lex slowly lowered himself back on top of Clark, knowing his weight wouldn't hurt him in the slightest, but he didn't want any of this to be rough. Picking up where they had stopped kissing before, Clark raised his torso up off the bed to help Lex with the process of removing his own shirt. Tossing it to the side somewhere, Lex continued, alternating between his lover's lips and peppering kisses along Clark's jaw and neck.

Bringing his hands up, and back down Lex's back, he wiggled one of them in between their bodies, moving towards the fastenings. Lex moaned lightly into Clark's neck when he felt his zipper being drawn down before a warm hand slipped inside his pants. Lex moved his lips back to Clark's and gave a soft lingering kiss to them as he sat back on his knees. He reached for Clark's own button and zipper, becoming quite intent on having his lover's pants tossed aside as well.

Clark lifted his hips slightly, lifting Lex along with them, as Lex smoothed his hands over Clark's hips, drawing the younger man's jeans down to his thighs. Clark moaned softly when Lex's hand wrapped around his erection and stroked once firmly before letting go. Lex grinned down at him and stood on his knees to push his own pants down his own thighs. Lex rolled off Clark to lie beside him, pushing his pants the rest of the way off with his feet before shoving them off the side of the bed.

Clark sat up quickly and pulled his jeans off, letting them pile onto the floor in a heap before turning back to his boyfriend. Lex was lying on his side with his head propped up on his hand, smiling at him. Clark leaned over, lying himself back down as he started into another warm open mouthed kiss, letting Lex's tongue into his mouth as the older man pushed him onto his back again, climbing onto him.

Clark slowly spread his legs, moving them from underneath Lex, and letting the older man settle between them, gasping lightly as Lex's hard erection came into contact with his own. Clark lifted his legs enough to wrap them around his lover's lower back, hooking them there by crossing his ankles. Lex let up from kissing long enough to reach over to the side and grab the tube of lubricant from the top of the night stand. Clark pulled his legs forward, spreading his knees to the side and trying not to pull Lex down too far. Lex came back, tube in hand, and continued kissing Clark with as much passion as he could.

Lex broke the kiss once again, bracing himself on his elbows on either side of Clark's head as he flipped open the tube and squeezed a small amount onto his fingers. Pushing himself up, he reached his hand down between their bodies, seeking out Clark's opening, and pressing a finger inside once he came into contact with it. Gasping, Clark tossed his head back, pushing it into the bed at the feel of Lex's finger slowly pushing into him, finding his pleasure spot. Lex withdrew his finger, and rubbed slow circles around Clark's opening before replacing the one finger with two, scissoring them as fast as he could without denying his lover the pleasure he deserved.

Leaning down to resume their kissing, Lex removed his fingers from within Clark before sitting back on his heels. Clark unclasped his ankles and Lex gently lifted Clark's legs toward the younger man's chest. Clark grabbed hold of his legs behind his knees, opening himself wider as he watched through his parted legs to see Lex slick his cock with his lubed hand. Lex leaned down over Clark, lining his cock up to Clark's wet hole, and looking down into Clark's eyes before slowly pressing himself inside. At the slow insertion, Clark let out a soft moan, which Lex could vaguely make out the words 'love you,' as he pushed forward until he was all the way inside.

Planting a tender kiss onto Clark's lips, Lex wrapped his arms underneath Clark's shoulders and began to thrust, slowly at first, just little teasing thrusts that had Clark babbling incoherent nothings. Lex continued his slow, loving thrusts as he buried his face into Clark's neck, nibbling gently on the tanned flesh right below his ear. Clark let go of his legs, wrapping them around Lex's lower back, pushing every once in a while on Lex to make him go deeper, all the while mumbling his desire for the older man.

They continued making love until neither one of them could hold out much longer, the passion driving them higher until finally giving into it, Lex’s thrusting grew faster and faster into his lover. Clark moved his hands from around Lex's neck and brought them above himself, wanting to keep his strength away from Lex as the pounding strokes hit his prostate repeatedly. Hearing the sound of wood cracking breaking into the quiet sounds of their coupling, they laughed softly, and Clark flicked his tongue out of his mouth, sliding along Lex's chin.

Bending his head to latch onto the tongue, Lex drew it into his mouth and it developed into a deeper kiss before it broke, leaving them panting for breath. Lex rose up onto his hands as his strokes into Clark's body became harder and harder. Lex leaned to his left, noting Clark's occupied state with the headboard, and put his full weight onto his arm. He brought his right hand into contact with Clark's weeping erection and squeezed gently.

Clark's fingers gripped the wood tighter, providing a creak to accompany with his groan at the feel of Lex stroking his cock. He frowned slightly and grimaced as he felt his forehead become sprinkled with little splinters of wood. Lex kept his thrusting up, feeling the slow tingle in his balls as his orgasm made its way through his body. A twist of his wrist on Clark's cock, and the teen cried out in time with the headboard caving in on itself as his orgasm ripped itself from his body.

Lex lifted the cum soaked fingers of his right hand up to his lips, licking once, twice, before putting his hand back on the bed, leveling himself out again. He managed a couple more thrusts, becoming jerkier as he went on before giving in to the quivering and gripping muscles of Clark's body as they milked Lex's own orgasm from him. Collapsing onto Clark's chest, Lex lay there for a couple of minutes, focusing on regaining his breath, panting as if he just finished running in a marathon. He lifted his head weakly to see Clark covered in what looked like saw dust and a happy sated smile on his lips. Lex laughed unabashedly as he slowly pulled out of the warm depths of Clark's body and rolled over onto his side.

Clark sat up when Lex rolled off him and shook the wood shavings from off his head as best he could before lying back down and snuggling up to Lex's side. "It's a good thing I love you so much, Clark, or I'd have made you pay for a new headboard," Lex teased before letting out a yawn.

Clark quirked his upper lip in an amused expression. "I love you too, Lex. But it's your own fault." Lex playfully swatted at him before making himself comfortable, hoping that the next day would be as good as they could possibly make it before he had to leave.

@>*~

Sunday had gone very well, with minor whining and puppy dog eyes from Clark pleading to let him go with Lex. Lex was hoping he wouldn't break, and give in to Clark's wishes, knowing that Jonathan would come after him with his shot gun if he dragged his son off across the world. There had been a few tense times throughout the day, but all in all it had been wonderful. No interruptions, and time alone with each other; it was good. Even if the hotel wasn't their first choice of where to spend said time, it was better than nothing.

Meeting Lex early on Monday morning, Clark had almost made his lover late for the plane by delaying the departure from the hotel. After they left, Lex drove them to the castle to pick up a few things he wanted to carry with him personally. He had never been too keen on having his personal things carted to the plane along with the rest of his luggage. Clark had latched onto his hand the entire way, pouting whenever Lex had to let go to shift gears.

When six o'clock rolled around, Lex couldn't persuade Clark to go home; the younger man insisted he was going to spend as much time as he could before Lex was in the air. He only wished he could fly across the ocean with him, ensuring a safe trip. He couldn't bear to lose Lex now that he'd found him, and apparently latched on for good.

Pulling out the school and age factors of the situation again, Lex finally agreed for Clark to accompany him to the airport before having his chauffeur drive him to school. Clark had reluctantly accepted the ride to school, but part of him was just feeling lucky to have the lingering smell of Lex on the seat of the car. Good-byes and lingering kisses, along with promises of love were the last things they had together before being left equally alone for the next five months.

Clark sighed as he walked into Smallville High, noting Chloe's curious look moved from the car he'd gotten out of, and back to him before she sidled up beside him, walking into the school. "What's with the escort?" She asked, quirking an eyebrow and looking at him suspiciously. Sometimes she really could be annoying, but he shouldn't take it out on her.

"I was at the airport with Lex," knowing that she'd wonder why he was with the billionaire that early, even if it was just a friendly thing. "He left for Europe this morning." Yeah, males get up at five in the morning, superspeed through their chores and meet their equally male friend at the airport at six in the morning, saying good-bye to him. Hoping that she wouldn't think it was that odd, considering they were in Smallville. Darn, though. He didn't want her thinking he was a mutant who had become obsessed with Lex, or something.

"Huh," was her eloquent response. Letting out a sigh of relief, glad that she wasn't going to push it for at least right now, saying he'd see her later quickly before splitting away from her and trudging down the hall to his locker.

He groaned upon reaching his locker, opening it and shoving his homework that he'd finished up on Friday night into it. He sighed, moving to grab the book for his next class. Letting his head smack into the wall above his little storage place in the school before he frowned upon realizing how stupid what he just did had been. "Hey, Clark," he heard Pete call from the immediate vicinity behind him. "What's going on?"

Pete's locker wasn't too far away from Clark's when he saw the taller boy's attitude. Then after Clark's head hitting the wall seemingly on purpose, Pete grabbed his books and quickly made his way over to his friend. Clark felt a bit better that his friend was there, but not by much. He at least pulled his head away from the wall and surreptitiously eyeing it to make sure he hadn't pressed a Clark Kent's forehead shaped indent into it.

Hearing his friend's knowing chuckle at the action, Clark turned to face him, leaning against his locker and sighed, looking heart broken. "Hey," he said despondently, looking at Pete and trying for a weak, half-assed smile at best, but all that came out was a pathetic grimace.

"You don't look so good," Pete said, raising his eyebrow questioningly and hoping Clark could shed some light on what was bothering him, since he obviously didn't mean he looked physically ill. He knew Clark wasn't the most open person for sharing his problems, but he could at least attempt to draw something out of him. He knew there were only a few things that could make Clark's mood take this sort of nose dive; a fight with his parents, or a fight with Lex.

He scoffed half under his breath and tried to cover it with a cough, not wanting to upset Clark by his opinion of whom his friend chose for a boyfriend. Even when he was open to trying to get to know Lex, the times that the older man had made a bad impression were still outnumbering the good times. He just hoped it was nothing serious, and that Clark hadn't gotten hurt or anything.

Clark looked at him and sighed again, pushing away from the side of the hallway and starting towards his first class, maybe school would help him take his mind off Lex. Pete shook his head at his friend and followed, catching up to Clark. "So, what happened between you guys on Friday?" Not that he really wanted details, but if it was bothering Clark, then he wanted to help.

Clark shrugged and continued simply looking dejected and sad. "Nothing," Clark said, easily forgetting the great time he'd had with Lex over the weekend, and only focusing on the fact that they would never have a good time like that until Lex was back. That was a long time in Clark's book. "He left for five months starting this morning," he finished, turning into the classroom.

Pete sat down in his desk, which was opposite from Clark's in the aisles, "Man, that sucks." He could imagine that it would suck, if his girlfriend was going to be away for that long. Pete had no problem with it being Lex who was away; Clark would have more time for him, but he wasn't going to be selfish about this. He wanted to cheer Clark up, and not make a rift between the two of them. "But you can call and stuff, right?"

"Yeah," Clark replied, settling into his desk. Today was going to be a long day. He wasn't really in the mood for trying to concentrate on boring school work, or having to socially interact with anyone other than Pete and maybe Chloe today. Lana would be too self-obsessed to be able to sympathize for him, and he didn't want her to know about him and Lex. Chloe, well, she'd just pry into his life, wanting to know all the dirty details or something. Yeah, he'd just stick with Pete for the next few days, hoping he cheered up and was able to return to even his normal life; just without Lex.

Pete turned to his own books, sensing that Clark wasn't really up for anything more than sitting there bored and untalkative for the rest of the day. The bell rang, and Clark sighed as students began to enter the room. Today was going to be a long day.

@>*~

After having gotten off the plane, they had roughly twenty minutes before they reached the LuthorCorp's London headquarters complex. During the ride to the complex, Lex had been presented with new things to consider in the full briefing that he'd undergone during the ride to the complex. The problem was that several of those things he hadn't even been aware his father was involved. Surprised was not his response, more like... a feeling of having been kept in the dark on some town gossip. Nothing important that he should have known what with not being a chief executive for the company, but still feeling left out all the same, for some reason.

The problem his father had vaguely told him about had been bothering him ever since they left; a non-fatal injury was hardly something that Lionel needed to personally oversee. The real situation was much larger than what his father had presented to him on the previous Friday, an accidental injury to an engineer who was working some military bound equipment that the British Navy had commissioned them to build. Lex understood now why it was important for his father to make the trip overseas. Lionel didn't want to let any government officials into the small glitch they'd run into, so the problem would have to be resolved quickly. Lionel was unwilling to fall behind schedule. To remain on their set schedule, LuthorCorp must begin construction on a new ship.

Only hoping the damage to the company's operations could be repaired quickly, Lex was surprised that his father had given him control of the meeting. He was expecting to spend the trip bored out of his skull while having to tag along with his father. Even though Lex had barely been thoroughly versed in the situation, Lionel had simply sat back to listen. Ah, a test. It was the invitation for his son to join him as a partner in LuthorCorp coming back to the fore. A test to see if Lex would cut his father's throat and try to sweep LuthorCorp out from under Lionel if they were equals in the company.

Lex, knowing his father, wouldn't think for a moment that he could do that right away. Not while his father was watching him like a hawk because he was so emotionally charged by the idea. Lionel would assume Lex would want to take control immediately if he had a chance. The idea was one thing, but Lex knew he wasn't ready to have it all under his control, despite how much appeal that control held for him.

Ten models of the new design of the British's naval observational and alternately submersible ships were being constructed; very technologically advanced. It would be a good thing on LuthorCorp's records, and to draw other countries to try to bargain for them to divulge the blue prints. Another possible scenario, was for doing such a good job with the Britain's equipment, that other's wanted LuthorCorp's experienced technicians to handle the new machines' creation or conception.

"Since the British government has done the much appreciated act of granting us certain powers, and the authority to carry out this particular task, it is of the extreme importance to the company that we not let them down by falling behind schedule." Lex stood almost in place, knowing his father would sense his irritability if he began pacing incessantly back and forth in front of the conference table. Limiting himself to gestures as he spoke, "Punctuality, and all that, you know." He finished, smirking, and earning himself a few chuckles from the assorted businessmen in the room.

Keeping the tone of the meeting as light as he could, Lex continued throughout his explanation of the entire situation, making sure everyone knew what was taking place. "The bad news about this is ... there is no room to work on two machines simultaneously in Britain," Lex said, actually drawing a look of confusion from two men present. That made him glad that he was being thorough, and he only wished his father could have seen this. Perhaps not, though, since he was still rather fidgety.

He hadn't conducted business in Europe for Lionel before, much less himself, so he was tentative about cultural differences in speech and whatnot. Sure, he spent enough time in these countries to know all about those sorts of things, but this was business. "We've decided to push things aside in another location, and moving the materials for this project there, assuring that we won't fall behind schedule."

LuthorCorp would be stupid enough to have fallen behind on such an important contract. The British government was a good establishment to befriend at this point, and would be beneficial for Lex if he wanted to go international with LexCorp, using his father's and his own ties to them.

"Consequentially, LuthorCorp's main euro bases, particularly here in London, have been under stress with our London & Divisional Factories; they've slowed their production dramatically, threatening to drive profits down. And that, I don't believe, is productive to any of our futures."

"The move to Edinburgh, Scotland," he realized he'd never actually mentioned where they were moving a part of this project to. "Will be accompanied by Lionel Luthor, we've made this trip personally to handle the situation, sorting out the malfunctions in operations procedures that made this situation come about from the start. Also, cutting out any unnecessary expenses to bring production back up to its former levels, or even exceeding expectations. It would be duly noted in our books and the men responsible for it would not go unnoticed."

"We will not fail with this," Lionel said, standing up from his seat. "It must be flawless in the eyes of the public and government organizations from inception to finale." He reached into his pocket and pulled out his sunglasses. After settling them on his features, he faced the rest of the conference, "Make it work, we'll be counting on you."

The meeting concluded effectively with that final provided incentive from the boss of the multi-national corporation himself. Their discussions, and the reception of the records for them to go over personally themselves had all went over well and Lionel was pleased. Lex nodded courteously to the other men in the room before turning to his father's waiting form. Lex held out his arm for his father, "Dad?"

Lionel let a smile crease his face as he grasped onto his son's arm, being guided out of the room. Father and son quietly discussed the day's events concentrating mainly on the meeting, making their way downstairs. As they entered the public eye, their conversations drew to a halt, unwilling to have others listening in. After getting into their waiting car, they settled in for the drive back to the hotel.

@>*~

Once again guiding his father through the halls, they made it back to their room. Unlocking the door, he guided Lionel through, locking it behind himself. Still guiding his father through the room they made their way around the apartment, which was already becoming very familar.  The first time he had seen it, he had thought it so small compared to the castle but gradually he became use to it until the two bedroom apartment became that second home away from home. Not that anything would replace the castle but while here in London it would have to do. Really it wasn't that bad. It had a small kitchen area, the living room area was nice and big enough to also suffice for a temporay office when matters such as this required attention away from the rush of the corporate office.  Several couches lined it making it a comfy place for relaxing or for entertaining, not that he and his father had done much of that so far. His father's grip on his arm tightened as they neared his room where it lay on the otherside of the living area. Opening the door he left his father there knowing the old man could find his way now.

Some decorative modern furniture speckled the apartment, and no hotel room for Luthors would be complete without a bar, located along the other wall, near the door to Lex's assigned bedroom. He made his way purposefully towards it, leaving his father to blindly search his way to the couch. No pun intended.

"You know," he began conversationally, allowing himself a lengthy pause as he made a drink for his father, carrying it over to the older man, who'd apparently found a seat for himself. Lex settled into one of the chairs before continuing, "Scotland isn't fully self-governing, nor is it a sovereign nation yet. We'd better not have a fuck up there, or else we'd have even more serious problems with possible conspiracy ideas from the Brits, or breech of trust agreement law suits."

He sipped his drink, letting it coat his taste buds, and making a calculating expression grace his face before swallowing, seemingly approving. "Oh, Lex," he passed off the threat of what Lex had pointed out to him, "Don't worry. I'm ... proud of your efforts today in handling the situation." It sounded almost strained, but the fact that he had said it, and even more so that it seemed strained, was all the more reason to lean towards believing it.

"Although, now we should accompany the metals to Edinburgh. I think it would be best if we stayed in London, but made short trips over to make sure it's being set up correctly. We have no room for error on this project any longer." He was already irritated at this minor setback. He would be utterly angry if this fell through his fingers.

"Thanks, Dad," Lex replied, almost taken aback by his father's praise. He'd sought it for most of his life, but he had been hearing his father's approval more than he'd ever had in his life during the past year or two. At least it seemed to be a step in the right direction for their relationship.

Silence descended on them, before Lex decided to make a move. "You alright out here?" He asked his father, before continuing, "I'm tired and distraught and in need of rest. I'm sure you can fend for yourself while I have a nap."

"Oh, yes. Yes." He said, his voice riddled with irritation at being looked after, as he swatted the air in Lex's general direction. "Go ahead," he continued more gently, not so much dismissing his son as acknowledging his departure from his company, "I'll be fine." Lionel wasn't secure with his loss of vision yet, but he was getting better, especially around Lex.

Lex was the only person he trusted not to stab him in the back, even considering the ups and downs of their relationship thus far. Well, that wasn't exactly true. He knew Lex could be ruthless in business at times, but to over throw his own father, or have the company given to him; which would he choose? It would be a better option for them both if they kept the Luthor tradition of handing down the company. If Lex ever had any doubts about not being the heir to the billion dollar fortune of Lionel's, he need not worry.

Lex rolled his eyes at his father before excusing himself fully, going into his own room and locking the door. Now that his father was blind, he wasn't exactly going to worry about Lionel walking in on him, and seeing him nude in the slightest. Not like he would have cared before either way, but, you know.

He sighed, lying back on his bed. He'd been there all day, plus the time difference making it seem like he'd been there for a week, and he felt tired. To add to it, he hadn't even called Clark. He groaned. Not because he didn't want to talk to his boyfriend, but because he wouldn't want to get off the phone. Even if he was a multi-millionaire, he didn't want to rack up a huge phone bill for calling back to the United States.

He scoffed lightly, thinking that when he became president, he'd make sure he got free phone calls. Just so he could call Clark whenever he wanted to, from wherever he was. He sighed again, just imagining that Clark was sitting at home, glaring at the phone, daring it not to ring.

He would bet that his younger lover would sit up all night waiting for his call, but since he'd promised he'd call, he would. Wouldn't want Clark to glare so hard that he set the phone on fire by accident, would he? He was sure Jonathan wouldn't like that shock to his house's electrical system. Oh, Lex would pay for its repair, not as if Clark's father would take the offer.

Considering how the farmer was starting to warm up to him, it was a possibility that the older man would accept. Not that he wanted to have Clark set a fire on purpose just so he could use his money to spruce up the ol' Kent Farm house. He simply meant that he *would*, if it came to it.

Lex continued his musing on his relations with his boyfriend's father as he dialed the number to the Kents. Clark answered immediately, not even half a ring later with, "Lex?" Lex laughed into the phone still able to become amused at the teen, even in his physically drained state.

"What's so funny?" Clark asked defensively, a slightly confused pout crossing his features. Not like it would do him any good when his boyfriend was on the other side of the world, but he could still try.

Lex rearranged his body on the bed and snuggled down into his pillow as much as he could and still manage to speak coherently. "Nothing, Clark." He dismissed it, having been silly and unimportant. "How are you doing?"

Clark sighed into the phone before switching it to his other ear. "I'm doing okay," the pout sufficiently carried through with his voice, "I mean, it still sucks that you had to go, but I know why."

Lex frowned up at the ceiling as he listened to Clark's voice. "Clark, I told you this before," Lex never thought he'd reassure his lover enough with the rate they were going with this. "I'd have stayed with you instead of coming here if I had a choice, but unfortunately, I didn't."

"I know that, Lex," Clark replied, almost able to keep the whine out of his voice. He was trying; he was. It was hard with being away from him, though. "Let's not talk about it anymore. Anyway," he quickly changed the subject, letting his brain forget that they were a million miles away from each other. "How was your day? Jetlag caught up with you yet?"

"Like you wouldn't believe. I lost seven hours somewhere over the Atlantic. I feel like I've already been here for a week," he paused to let out a sigh, "And I'm beginning to rethink my career as a businessman after spending about two hours in a meeting."

Clark laughed. "Sounds fun." Even despite their separation, Lex managed to cheer him up and he was glad for it. He just hoped that he wouldn't slip back to his previous depressed state tomorrow.

"Oh, yeah. Oodles," Lex agreed sarcastically. "I'll make sure to take pictures to show you later."

Clark laughed again; Lex had said 'oodles.' "What time is it over there anyway?"

"Well, I'm about seven hours ahead, so it's about eleven here." Lex rolled over onto his side and glanced at the clock. Yep, it's eleven fourteen.

"Darn," he said before glancing down at his watch, "It's only four here. So, has your father been behaving himself?"

"Amazingly, yes," Lex replied, noting another quick subject change. "But it won't last long. I think the jetlag has gotten to him too. Tomorrow he'll be bitching and moaning about life in general again, I'm sure. How was school?"

"Same as it always is. Boring, homework up the wazoo and Chloe giving me the evil eye." Clark shrugged, and much like his pout, it wasn't carried through, leaving the motion pointless, but at least he knew he did it.

"Why'd she do that?" Lex asked, curious. He knew that Chloe had poked into Clark's life before, and it wouldn't be a wise decision to do it again, for her sake.

"Cause I was chauffeured to school," Clark said incredulously. 'Why else,' he thought, shaking his head. "She wasn't impressed, anyway. Plus, when she asked me about it, I told her I was seeing you off. I got the eye all day for it," Clark laughed, amused.

"Just be careful," Lex warned, and, yes, knowing that Clark didn't want to hear it, but it wouldn't hurt to say it again. "You don't want everyone knowing about us yet. Technically, you're still jail bait, so I could get into a lot of trouble. Even though your parents know we're dating."

"Lex, we only really dated for a week," he reminded his boyfriend. "Plus, we're..." He paused, swallowing. He tried to say it sometimes, but it just wouldn't come out of his mouth. "*Doing things*, now."

Lex chuckled quietly to himself. Trust Clark to make sex sound cute and adorable. "Yes, Clark, we are. But besides us and Pete, no one knows." It was just as well that no one *should* know. They both valued privacy and it would be terrible if it were to be invaded.

"I know that, Lex." The pout was back, and Clark really wanted to *do things* with Lex right now.

"Well, Love, I really wish I could spend all night on the phone with you, but we have an early meeting tomorrow and I'm very tired. I'll call you again as soon as I can, alright?"

"Aww, Lex," Clark whined, unable to squash his disappointment down, but giving in, because he knew he had to go. "Okay," he relented. "When?"

"I don't know, Love, within a few days hopefully." He hoped it wasn't too long. Days passing without some contact with Clark would majorly blow. "I love you."

"I love you too, Lex. Don't forget me now," he added, almost sounding worried.

"Never, Love," Lex said tenderly, making sure it wasn't taken lightly. "Talk to you later."

"Night, Lex."

"Good-night, Clark." He listened for the soft click that signaled the disconnection of the call before hanging up the receiver. After having undressed, he laid down in the bed, wrapping the covers around him, letting sleep claim his weary body.

@>*~

Clark woke up and stretched, groaning grumpily as he levered himself to a sitting position on his bed. He hadn't talked to Lex yesterday and it was horrible. School had been better, at least, but not by much. He grimaced at himself in the mirror above his dresser before trudging out of his room to the hallway. Martha, downstairs was glad that she didn't have to pull her son out of bed today. She knew he was having a hard time, though, but work had to be done. Glancing up at the ceiling above her when she he heard Clark's heavy footsteps around his room, she smiled and turned her attention back to her task.

The hallway being as far as he got and Clark stood leaning against the wall, bracing himself using his head. He didn't want to do anything but stay in bed today. He hiccupped softly when he pulled away from the wall before starting on his way downstairs. He didn't care about appearances this morning; he just wanted to eat and do his chores and possibly get a small nap in before school if he hurried.

Martha raised an eyebrow in passive attention to her son, hearing the steady paced footsteps stop in the hall. She frowned outright when she heard frantic stumbling back down the hall and seemingly into the bathroom. Well, when you gotta go, you gotta go.

Clark threw the seat of the toilet up only seconds before what little he'd eaten the previous day came rushing up through his throat. When he finished, he let his head drop with an echoing thud onto the porcelain. Moaning as he felt his stomach acids churning around inside him and slowly burning their way back down his body.

He looked thoroughly more miserable when he actually made it downstairs than he had when he first got out of bed. He slumped down into his chair at the table, and looked at his mother, who had trained a concerned eye onto him and his hair that was sticking up at odd angles.

It wasn't that he felt ill because of throwing up, just that he had felt miserable already and the vomiting hadn't helped. Martha brought over the plate she'd dished Clark's breakfast up on, and set it in front of him before pulling out a chair beside him. Sitting down, she watched as he slowly pulled the plate towards him and ate at just the same pace, and all the while looking like crap.

It was too quick of a trip for Clark in the bathroom, and the only other deduction she could come up with was suspecting that he had thrown up. He hadn't mentioned anything about it, though, so maybe she was wrong? He just hoped he could get over it. Not wanting to alarm his parents, Clark didn't mention to his mother that he had just puked his guts out.

Never think you can slip something past your mother, Clark. Martha was paying attention; it was her job. He had become more moody in the last few days then he ever had before, even for a teenager and their typical mood swings. He'd never really been *this* type of moody before. Maybe he was just upset because Lex was away?

They had never been apart for this long before, at least not without more frequent phone calls. What they had in public was as close to dating as they could get in a place like Smallville, knowing that they couldn't be openly affectionate without causing problems with the law.

Jonathan reached the top of the stairs leading up to the porch in front of their house. Pulling the door open, he walked cheerfully into the kitchen, smiling at his wife. He had gotten an early morning start on the normal everyday chores that had to be done before he had even eaten breakfast. Glad that he'd done it; now he'd have time for more relaxing things. "Morning, Clark. Sleep well?"

Clark finished chewing the food he'd shoved carelessly into his mouth before replying, "Eh, it was okay." Martha added talking with a full mouth to the list of unusual behaviors her son had shown in the short time he had been awake.

His parents waited for more from him, but all Clark did was scoop more food into his mouth, almost simply complacent to ignore them for the rest of the morning. Jonathan eyed his son for a moment, frowning at the disheveled appearance he presented.. "You know, sweetheart," Martha cut in when she saw that Jonathan was about to say something about their son's condition. "Lex will call again. I'm sure he's just been very busy."

Clark looked up at his parents to respond this time. His eyes looked tired and he seemed to be waking up a bit now that he'd gotten some food into him. "I know, Mom. It's only been two days since he last called," he tried not to let the hopefulness of another phone call from Lex show, but he failed. "I've just been a bit tired. I think I'm still getting used to him not being here, though." He sighed, finished with his breakfast, excused himself rather quickly and went outside to take care of his morning chores.

Jonathan followed Clark with his eyes until his son was out of the house and down the steps of the porch. Turning to his wife, he pursed his lips and let his forehead crease slightly before speaking. "Is it just me, or is something not quite right with him today?"

"I think he's just upset," she supplied her only explanation for the moment. She moved to clean up Clark's plate, taking it back to the kitchen and setting it on the counter beside the sink. "He'll get over it soon," she continued, pouring herself a cup of coffee and sitting down at the table across from her husband. "I hope," she added, taking a sip out of her cup.

@>*~

"Hey, Clark, wait up!"

Clark slowed his walk down the school hallway, which surprisingly wasn't too cluttered with bodies, and looked over his shoulder to see Pete a little further down the hall. "Hey, Pete," he said, sounding rather morose, but otherwise glad to see his friend. "What's up?" Perhaps there was some interesting news or gossip floating about that would improve his mood.

"You all right, man?" Pete looked at his friend, concern clearly written on his features. "You look like you haven't slept for days," he said, falling into step beside Clark.

"I'm fine," he replied. He had been saying that a lot lately, but it was a lie. Oh, well. Just another one to add to the web he was already weaving. "Just been a bit tired lately. You seen Chloe around?"

"Yeah, she's still in the Torch office going over next week's spread. Why?" Pete asked as he let Clark pass through the doorway before him, and following him into the class room.

"Just wondering," Clark shrugged before settling himself into his seat. "She said she wanted to talk to me. I don't know what about, but hopefully it's not about me and you know who."

"Yeah," Pete laughed. "She'd start asking you to set her up with interviews." Pete teased him about his relationship with the billionaire until the teacher entered the room and the class began. At least it drew a smile out of him, though.

@>*~

Clark walked down the hall towards the Torch office with a twinkie in hand. Since he had been feeling a bit nauseous earlier that morning, he hadn't been able to eat much at breakfast. It seemed his appetite was returning, now, and he was hungry. He'd caught sight of the vending machine from the corner of his eye, and was drawn towards it with a sudden craving for twinkies. After practically ransacking the machine of its content of all of the twinkies he could afford with his pocket change, he filled his pockets with what he couldn't hold in his hands. He turned and carried on towards the Torch to meet up with his friend.

After stuffing the rest of the confection made of nothing but sugar into his mouth, he crossed through the doorway and stopped right next to Chloe. She looked up from her computer monitor and smiled brightly at her friend. "Hey," she greeted him, swatting him playfully on the arm. "I'm surprised you actually stopped by; you've been avoiding me all week."

Clark fought the urge to look down at the floor as he scuffed his shoes against it. "Yeah, I'm sorry about that. I've just been busy with things at home and kind of got side tracked." She didn't look as if she bought it, but it was good enough for now. "So, what'd you want?"

"Well," she said, dismissing Clark and his never quite good enough answers, "I was wondering if you would hang out with me at the Talon for a bit. I need some coffee and a break from this stubborn article."

Clark set his bag down on the table in front of him and proceeded to rummage around inside for another twinkie. "Yeah, sure. Now?" He asked, unwrapping the small cake.

"Actually, I have to hand this other article I've completed in to Principal Reynolds before he leaves for the day. So, how 'bout I meet you there in, say, fifteen minutes?"

"All right, I'll see you there," Clark said as he tossed the wrapper into the waste basket and stuffed the twinkie into his mouth. After a small wave back to Chloe, he headed out the door.

Chloe watched him leave and shook her head in amusement when he was out of sight, turning back to her work. "I'm surprised he isn't as big as a house with all the junk food he eats," she muttered to herself as she walked out of the office and headed to the principal's office.

@>*~

Clark looked around, desperately trying to find an empty table once he'd gotten inside the Talon. It looked like the advertising for the two for one pricing had finally worked out for Lana. The Talon was unusually crowded for this time of day, especially since that whole mouse situation had run them all out of there a week ago.

Spying an empty table far back in the corner of the coffee shop, Clark readjusted his hold of the strap holding his back pack up on his shoulder. He made his way towards the table like a man on a mission. Just as he sat down in the booth and placed his bag on the ground next to his feet, he looked up to see Lana standing right beside him. He was slightly startled by the immediate attention he'd drawn. "Hey, Clark," Lana greeted him cheerfully. "What can I get you?"

He watched her stand there, waiting for his order with her pencil poised to write down his selection. "Um," he stopped to think for a moment. He hadn't been having a good time with doing that lately, and Lana wasn't helping. "Hot chocolate with triple whipped cream, please," he said, grabbing a napkin from the dispenser and fiddling with it. Chloe didn't help either, though.

Lana quirked an eyebrow at her friend and smiled. "Okay. One hot chocolate, triple whipped cream coming up," she said, smiling at him before turning around and heading back towards the counter to fill out his order.

Clark sat back in his seat, and let out a heavy sigh as he waited impatiently for Chloe to show. He didn't really want to stay at the Talon in case Lex called him tonight. He'd be *very* upset if he missed his boyfriend's call. It must have been almost ten minutes that he'd waited for his friend. It felt like it, at least. Just as he was about to give up and go home to sit by his phone, Chloe walked into the coffee shop.

He watched her look around for him and almost wanted to melt into the seat so she wouldn't see him. Darn, she saw him. Walking towards his table she plopped down into the seat opposite Clark and smiled at him.

"I almost thought you ditched me," Chloe said as she waved a hand towards the front counter, insistent that she draw Lana's attention.

Clark sighed quietly to himself and looked out the window to his side, rolling his eyes slightly. He really didn't want to be here right now. "Yeah, well. I said I would come and I did. What did you want anyway?"

"Like I said before," Chloe said, leaning forward onto the table between them. "I haven't seen you for a while and I wanted to spend a little time with my friend." Clark smiled tightly at Chloe before taking a sip from his mug of hot chocolate Lana had just set down in front of him. Chloe turned her attention from Clark to Lana. "I'll have a cappuccino, please."

Lana smiled down at Chloe before heading back to the front counter. Clark licked at a bit of whipped cream that had ended up on his upper lip. "So..." Clark began, raising an eyebrow at his friend and waiting for her to get to what she really wanted.

"So," she repeated, not particularly liking the defensiveness Clark was taking with her wanting to spend some time with him. Not caring whether Clark wanted to talk about what she did or not, she continued, "I want to know what's up with you and our resident billionaire."

Chloe frowned, concerned at the slight spray of hot chocolate that ended up across the top of the table between them. Clark coughed twice as he grabbed another napkin to wipe at his nose. "Chloe," he started firmly, "There is *nothing* going on between me and Lex. I don't know why you keep pushing this, or what you think you see, but we're just friends."

She didn't believe that for one moment, Clark realized, as she leaned back and folded her arms across her chest. "Uh huh. So, why'd you see him off to wherever he went if you two are 'just friends'?"

Clark sighed, feeling roughly between talking to a skeptical child, and simply wanting to scream. "Chloe, I'd have done the same for you or Pete if I wasn't going to see you for a long time," he said, taking another sip of his hot chocolate. Of course, he wouldn't have done it if they had left so early in the morning, but she didn't need to know that.

Well, she did actually believe what Clark had just said. She wasn't entirely buying his front, though. It was too defensive. "Right." Terse, but she didn't know what to say now. Clark remained seated with her in tense silence until he finished his drink. He said good-bye and waved to Lana courteously before he left the Talon. He had some phone watching to do, waiting for Lex to call.

@>*~

Lex sighed as he relaxed into one of the sofas that adorned the room. His father decided he'd have dinner without his son, so Lex was now free to work in peace. Lionel was with an assistant, so he'd be fine. The older man didn't want to spend the time joined at the hip as much as Lex did, so that was good. If it kept going like this, with Lionel not even with him, why was he even there? He'd be damned if he was going to spend the trip *actually* tagging along with no real purpose when he could be at home with Clark.

Setting his computer down on his lap, he started it up and signed into the wireless network. All of his computers were still wired into the LuthorCorp network. Maybe he should change it over to LexCorp? Though his father still owned and operated a lot of things in his life, if he didn't have to pay for internet service, he wasn't going to. It was no threat to him being on the same network as his father at the moment, so no worries.

Online, Lex logged into the LuthorCorp mainframe computer that served so many connected terminals simultaneously in the large complex organization that was LuthorCorp. He entered his user name and password, completing his access to the super user level, and opened the technical report on what went wrong with construction. Lex settled in to read, and he was just getting comfortably into it. Well, as much as you could comfortably get into this sort of thing, when he was interrupted by a little bloop signaling that he had received a new email.

Curious, since he barely ever got email that he wasn't expecting, he put his reading on hold and went to check the message. It was from Clark. He smiled and opened it.

'Dear Lex,

I really hate you right now. Leaving me here while you're off doing business and I'm stuck here alone and bored. Before you remind me about my age and school stuff, I just wanted to tell you I know all this already. I'm still mad at you, though. :o(  Nothing much is really happening except I'm lonely without you here. You know this really sucks, right? Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I still miss you and I'm here counting down the days until you come back. I love you lots!

Love,

Clark.'

Lex grinned at the message on his screen. Clark always managed to cheer him up, from his silly innocent smiles, to his dorky emoticons in his emails. He pressed the reply button and began his return message to his boyfriend. The two previous nights were good with the phone call to his boyfriend right before he went to sleep. He had been wondering when Clark would realize he could send email after email to him at any time.

@>*~

Clark exhaled the deep breath he'd taken as he leaned down against the fence post. He was trying, at least. His normal chores had gone okay, along with only minor complaining. Now he just couldn't concentrate. Jonathan had been looking at his son out the corner of his eye, wondering what was up with him. Just when he decided he'd ask what was bothering Clark, his son turned to him. "I'm gonna go to the house. I gotta pee," Clark said, almost desperate for an excuse to leave. His father nodded and he briskly made his way towards the house.

Clark watched until his dad wasn't looking before he changed course and zipped into the barn, and up to his loft. They were almost done with the work anyway, so Jonathan just shook his head when his son hadn't returned yet; knowing that Clark had been moody and lazy lately. He let it go even though that sort of attitude didn't belong on a farm with work to be done.

Lying on his couch in the loft, Clark balanced a plate of cookies on his chest. His mother had brought them up, attempting to lure him into conversation with them. He wasn't falling for it, though. He'd accepted the sugary goodness and shooed his mother back to the house. Martha had just frowned and tsked at him before reluctantly leaving. She had wanted to talk, but apparently he didn't.

Unaware of how late it had became, his quiet time was interrupted by footsteps coming up the stairs to his loft. Had he drifted off to sleep? Seeing Pete walking towards him when he opened his eyes, he wiggled himself back to sit up more.

Pete began to laugh, "Look at you!" He said, gesturing to his friend. Clark had the plate, now empty, and cookie crumbs scattered around his chest. He looked down at himself and absently brushed at them.

"What?" He asked, sounding almost angry to Pete. His friend shrugged and sat himself down on the chair at Clark's desk. Clark frowned at his friend when he didn't receive an answer, but he was drawn back to the plate in front of him. Martha had noticed he was craving more sugary things, and even if they weren't healthy for a normal person, that much sugar certainly wouldn't hurt Clark. If there was anything she could do to make her son happy, it was give him sugar.

Clark lifted the plate, checking to see if any cookies had migrated under it. He sighed forlornly when he realized he'd really eaten them all. He set the empty plate down on the floor and sat up. Looking to Pete, who was watching him incredulously, he asked, "Will you get me some more cookies?" He almost let the puppy dog eyes loose, but remembered this was Pete he was talking to.

Again, Pete laughed, drawing a slightly upset frown out of Clark. "What's with you?" Pete asked, leaning over to punch Clark in the shoulder playfully. Clark felt like he was sulking but he didn't care. He crossed his arms over his chest; Pete was laughing at him.

Okay, confusion had dawned. Pete cocked his head and looked at his friend. Clark had been acting weird at school ever since Lex had left, and it was beginning to be a little extreme. Being a moody teenager was one thing, but this was bad.

"You all right, man?" Pete asked, more concerned this time, he just hoped there were no meteor rocks around, maybe purple ones, that were making Clark act differently.

"I'm fine, Pete!" Clark snapped, "Now go away." Pete's eyebrows climbed high as he witnessed a moody and frustrated Clark flop himself back down on the couch.

"Alright, dude. See you at school," he wasn't going to argue with a moody Clark, or hold it against him. As he made his way down the steps, he just hoped this would pass and he'd have his normal friend back. At least as normal as Clark ever got when he wasn't acting like this.

Clark sighed into the pillow at the end of the couch and shut his eyes. Okay, so he'd basically told Pete to fuck off. That wasn't good, but he didn't really care right now. All he wanted to do was lay on his couch and eat more cookies.

@>*~

Jonathan sat down on the couch with his latest issue of 'Tractors Quarterly', trying to relax. The situation with Clark was getting worse and he didn't know what to do. He knew how his son felt about Lex, but this was taking it a bit too far. His son was getting moodier and lazier with each passing day. And what was up with the sudden sugar intake?

He sighed heavily to himself, removing his reading glasses as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Martha came into the living room and sat down next to her husband. "Everything okay, Jonathan?" She asked, putting a hand on top of her husband's and taking his glasses from him, setting them down on the coffee table.

"I'm worried about Clark," he said, "He's been acting very strange this last week and he doesn't seem to be getting any better." Jonathan frowned in concern, "Do you think he might have been exposed to red meteor rocks again?"