Clark's POV:

I noticed Lex's Porsche sitting int the driveway once again as I got off of the bus Wednesday afternoon. I walked passed the silver Porsche and into the house.

My Mom was at the stove starting dinner.

"I see Lex is here again," I commented as I put my books on the counter and headed for the refrigerator to get a drink. Lex had stopped by Monday night to start talking things over with Dad about next spring and had been here when I got home yesterday too.

"Yes, which means your going to have to do your chores at a more normal pace again," my Mom told me.

"How long has he been here?"

"Most of the day, actually," Mom told me. "Actually your Dad was trying to teach him how to bale hay earlier this afternoon," she said with an amused smile.

"That must have been entertaining," I commented remembering my own experience at learning that particular task.

"Yeah, but you have to give him credit for attempting it," she told me.

"Well, I'm going to take my books upstairs and then get started on those chores," I told her.

I went upstairs and sat my books down on my desk in my room and then headed back downstairs. As I made my way out to the barn I glanced in the direction of the field that my dad had said he was going to start preparing for the winter. He was indeed out there working but he wasn't alone. I saw Lex sitting on top of the nearby fence to the pasture. He was currently writing something down in a folder. I couldn't help but think of how out of place he looked.

I went and fed the chickens. As I was walking back from the barn after doing that a limo pulled into our drive.

'Speaking of out of place' I thought as I watched the limo come to a stop and Lionel Luthor got out.

"I'm looking for my son," Lionel said to me.

"Out in the field," I told him pointing in the direction. "I can go get him if you want," I said looking down at the shiny black dress shoes that Lionel wore.

"Not necessary," Lionel said and then started out toward the field.

'He'd probably just throw the shoes away and buy a new pair', I thought as I went back to my chores.

Jonathan's POV:

I couldn't believe the amount of interest Lex was actually taking in this project. I figured he just provide the money and then stay out of it. That wasn't the case. He had actually spent the last two days with me on the farm trying to learn more about farming operations. Lex had actually tried helping me out with a few things. "Try" being the key word in that sentence. Still I had to give him credit for trying.

"You look a little out of place, Lex," I heard a familiar voice say. I looked up to see Lionel Luthor approaching Lex.

"I could say the same thing about you, Dad," Lex replied evenly closing the folder he had with him but otherwise not moving from his spot on the fence.

"Nice shoes," Lionel commented.

"What can I say, it's a new fashion statement," Lex said. Even I had to admit that the sneakers looked out of place with the slacks and polo shirt that Lex was wearing. Out of place but practical.

"Lex what is it that you are trying to prove?" Lionel asked him dropping his voice lower but not low enough for me not to hear what he was saying.

"I don't know what you're getting at Dad," Lex said. I had no idea what was going on but Lex's tone unnerved me a little bit. It lacked all emotions. I couldn't understand how someone could cut themselves off from their feelings like that.

"This little charity act business deal you have going here," Lionel replied indicating the farm around him. "We both know that if you really wanted to getting into the farming business there are other farms around here that would have been a better choice from the business point of view, and yet you chose this one. One which you knew I was interested in for other reasons."

I knew I shouldn't have been listening to their conversation but I was letting curiosity get the best of me. I hadn't known Lionel Luthor had been interested in my land. Come to think of it though I shouldn't have really been surprised. Lionel tended to buy anything he could get his hands on."

"My world doesn't revolve around you, Dad. I had other reasons for picking this farm. The fact that it thwarts one of your little schemes is just an added perk," Lex told his father with a smile.

"What are you planning on doing Lex, become part owner in any land around he I show an interest in just so I can't buy it?"

"No, just this land."

"Why, Lex."

"The Kents are my friends. Lets just say I don't want to see you do to them what you've done to so many other people."

"Jonathan Kent hates anything to do with the Luthors and that includes you," Lionel Luthor told him. I cringed at the words knowing how accurate they were. Although I was trying to change my feelings on that subject.

"At least I know where I stand with him Dad," Lex told him getting down from the fence.

I could see the fury on Lionel's face now. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him take a step toward Lex. I gave up the pretense that I wasn't listening to their conversation and took a step toward them. I wasn't about to let this little battle of wills turn into a physical fight. Not on my land.

"Careful Dad, you have an audience," Lex said nodding in my direction. "Remember you'll want to be able to maintain plausible deniability.

Lionel looked back at me and then back at his son.

"We'll talk about this later," he told him.

"Sure we will Dad," Lex said. "Have a good day," he added as Lionel started walking back toward the driveway and his waiting car limo.

I wasn't completely sure what I had just witnessed but I knew this much. It wasn't just that Lionel thought Lex had made a bad business deal. There was something more going on between these too. I had the feeling that I had just witnessed a battle in a private little war. If that was the case there was no doubt in my mind who had just won that battle.

Without a word between us Lex and I started walking up toward the barn, Lex helping me carry some things. There was something on my mind but I was trying to figure out if I could bring it up or not. I finally decided to go for it.

"So if your father hadn't been interested in this land would you have still made that proposal?"

Lex stopped walking. I took a few extra steps before turning back to face him, wondering if he would answer.

"I know what you would like me to say, you'd like me to say that yes I would have still made the proposal even if my father wasn't involved but to be honest I can't tell you that because I don't know if I would've or not," Lex told me. "I wish I could tell you something definite but I can't."

I watched as he walked past me, turning to watch him continue his walk to the barn. He was right that had been what I wanted him to say. Somehow though, I was more satisfied with the answer he had just given me. Maybe because he wasn't just telling me what he thought I wanted to hear.

With a sigh I started walking toward the barn. There was definitely more to Lex Luthor than the name implied. More to him that I didn't see but that maybe Clark did.

The end.