Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

Disclaimer: Not mine. And I wouldn't have to borrow them if the WB would take better care of them. Sheesh.

Spoilers for Crusade.

Martha knows they are meant to be friends.

As always, thanks to Melisande and SilverCat, my ever faithful betas.

Feedback is celebrated and drooled over.

~

"You want to do what?" Jonathan Kent stared at his wife, the glass of water paused half way to his mouth. She hadn't just said what he thought she had, had she?

"I want to invite Lex to dinner," she repeated.

"Why?" he said, putting the glass down.

"I'm worried about Clark's reaction when we told him how helpful Lex has been lately," she said as she cleaned up the kitchen counter. "I've never seen him so adamant about Lex being his enemy. Usually he's trying to talk us into believing in Lex, not the other way around."

Jonathan sighed. She was right. His son had been almost unrecognizable when he spoke about Lex, almost as if Kal El were back.

"I don't know if we should interfere, Martha," he said. "They can probably work it out on their own."

She nodded. "Maybe, but I think he needs to realize that not everyone has the opportunity that he does to have such a loyal friend. And they have been so close, Jon. I hate to see him lose that over some silly misunderstanding."

He shrugged. Neither of them knew exactly what had caused Clark to come home one night saying he and Lex were no longer friends. To be honest, Jonathan had not lost sleep over it. But Martha was obviously concerned. Concerned enough to interfere. This was a losing battle and he knew it. Once Martha Kent made up her mind there was little anyone was going to do to change it. And they called him stubborn!

"Ok, when?" he said, standing up to put his glass in the sink.

"I thought Friday night might be good," she said. "That way it can be a nice relaxed dinner, Clark won't have school the next day, and while Lex might be working on Saturday, it probably won't be too early."

"Fine with me," he said.

Martha stood up on her toes and kissed his cheek. "Thanks, dear," she said softly. "There is another reason I would like to have him over."

"What's that?"

"He was one of the main reasons that I didn't give up hope all those months when you were in a coma. He would come by and sit with me, he sent experts in to look at you.... He kept me going during that dark time, Jon. This is the least I can do."

Jonathan nodded and walked upstairs to change.

Martha watched him go, a speculative look on her face. If what she suspected was happening was true, her husband would have to get used to having a Luthor around. Well, she would see how things went at dinner.

~

"Be home early for dinner, Clark," his mother called out as he left for school. "It's roast, and we're having company."

"Ok, Mom!" he called back as he trotted for the school bus.

As he settled on the bus, he had plenty of time to think. It was pretty weird with no Chloe and no Pete there to razz him. So many changes, he thought as the bus pulled into the school yard.

He ran into Lana almost immediately. She almost seemed to be hovering at the front of the school waiting for someone. Her face lit up as she spotted him. "Hey, Clark!" she called out.

He stepped back involuntarily as the bright pink bundle moved towards him. "Oh, hi Lana," he said, wondering if it would look bad if he put his sunglasses back on. She had a smirk on her face that had him wondering what she was planning.

After about twenty minutes of non stop chatter, he knew all about her summer in Paris, the boyfriend who had followed her back, and her new wardrobe that seemed designed to show off a new tattoo on her back. While Clark listened politely, his mind was frantically casting about for a way to escape. She finally lost interest and wandered off, muttering about watching football practice later that day. Clark heaved a deep sigh of relief.

It was weird being back in school. Chloe was still in a hospital recovering from the attempts on her life. She was scheduled to be back the following week. Pete had moved away already, and Clark had not even had a real chance to say goodbye, although they had had a stilted telephone conversation once since Clark had come back from wherever Jor El had taken him.

A lot of what had happened in those months was still a blur to him. He remembered Jor El's voice over and over in his head, telling him how he had to abandon all that he loved and follow the plan. He remembered pleading with him about how much his family and friends meant to him. But it had been futile, Jor El had finally worn down his resistance and the man that had emerged from the rock wall had been Jor El's puppet. Except for the trapped core of Clark that had watched the events unfold with growing horror.

Then, black kryptonite - where had his mom gotten that anyway? - and he was free. Only to find that Chloe was dead, yet not dead, and her annoying cousin was snooping around. And Lex. Lex who was somehow much older with a more menacing air about him. Yet, he had been quite appealing, and for all his aloofness, he had still agreed to see Clark.

It had been a revelation when Clark had walked into Lex's study. Had Lex always been this sexy, this hot? Clark had had the strange urge to hug him, and had been half way across the room to do so, when Lex had reminded him of how they had parted. It had stopped Clark in his tracks. Had made him harsher than he meant to be. And now everything was fucked up. Even his parents - and had his father had a really bad head injury? because he couldn't fathom this one - were now on Lex's side.

He wanted, no needed, to make up with Lex, but how to go about it? And what were these new feelings that he seemed to have for him?

Clark got through the day ok, feeling a bit guilty about how relieved he was to not have to field Pete's alien comments anymore. He was a bit distracted by thoughts of Chloe still recovering in the hospital and by thoughts of Lex, who, according to his mother, had almost died of poisoning. Why was it that whenever he went away all hell broke loose? And what had happened over the summer to make his parents such Lex fans? He really needed to talk to Lex again.

~

Lex had been in the middle of a conference call when his secretary buzzed him that a call was coming through. "I can't be interrupted now, Melissa, just take a message," he said.

"It's from a Martha Kent, Mr. Luthor. She is on your list of...."

"Yes, all right, put her through," he interrupted her. Yes, as sappy as it was, Martha Kent was on the list of people who his staff had been told could interrupt him at any moment, for any reason. He put the conference on mute and picked up the blinking line.

"Martha, what can I do for you?" he asked, hoping it was actually something in his power.

"Lex, I'm just calling to see if you are available to come to dinner on Friday evening at the farm," she said warmly.

Lex paused. Dinner with the Kents? Well that was... unexpected. "Is there some sort of special occasion?" he asked.

Martha laughed. "No, dear," she said. "I would just like to see you and thank you for all of your support during the rough times I had recently."

Ok. So maybe it was dinner with just Martha? "I see. And will your husband and son be there too?" he asked.

"Of course, Lex. They want to say 'thank you' too."

Uh HUH. Well, unless he was mistaken the only thing the Kent men wanted to thank him for was for not living any closer than he already did. Still, he missed his chats with Martha. She had filled a void during those months that he hadn't known he had. Maybe he could get there early and talk with her.

"Let me check my calendar to be sure, Martha, but I think that will be fine. What time?"

"Dinner will be at seven, Lex. But you can come over earlier if you would like. It has been a while since we talked." Was he becoming more predictable, or was Martha Kent incredibly perceptive? He suspected it was a bit of both.

"I'll be there," he said.

~

When Clark got home, his mother was busy putting a roast in the oven and making mashed potatoes. He kissed her hello, and ran upstairs to change into work clothes.

He ran through his chores finding that he had gotten even faster since his time in the cave walls. Maybe his powers were growing stronger. He joined his father in the back fields and got the chores done post haste.

As they walked back to the house together, Clark seemed distracted, which was fine with Jonathan, since he didn't want to answer any of the "who's coming to dinner" questions that he was sure Clark would be asking at any moment.

In any event, the red Ferrari parked in the driveway pretty much answered that question. Clark looked at the car and then at his father. Jonathan shrugged and then stepped through the kitchen door, leaving Clark standing outside. Lex was here? Well that saved him a trip to the Castle anyway. Taking a deep breath, he stepped though the door after his father.

~

Lex got to the Kent farm at precisely five thirty. He had stopped at home briefly to change into the closest thing he had to casual clothes. Given the Kent propensity towards primary colors, he selected a dark blue sweater, a pair of designer jeans and black Italian boots. When he knocked at the kitchen door, he found Martha shelling peas, humming as she worked. She smiled when he walked in.

"Hello, Lex," she said, standing up and walking over to him. "I'm so glad you could come." She stood on tip toe and kissed him on the cheek.

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world," he replied, finding himself surprised that he actually meant it.

She sat him down and put him to work immediately. As he shelled peas he asked about life on the farm, Jonathan's health and about every topic possible other than Clark. Martha just smiled serenely and cooked, confident that her instincts were right. Lex was longing to make up with her son, and she knew Clark would come around. She just needed to get them in the same room and in a position where they would both take the time to listen to the other. They were both polite boys, neither would be rude while the Kent parents were around.

Lex had pushed up his sleeves and had been speaking quite animatedly about what his research and development department was working on, when the door opened to reveal Jonathan, dusty from the fields.

"Hey, Lex," he said politely as he kissed his wife. "I'll be right back. Let me go wash up."

Martha watched the look on Lex's face closely as Clark walked in close behind his father. He was trying to maintain a blank face, but she saw the smile start to form before he could suppress it. She turned towards the sink to rinse her hands.

"Hi Lex," Clark said.

She smiled at the conciliatory note in his voice. She had been worried that she would hear the same tone come from her son's mouth as had used to come from her husband's back when the word "Lex" had been practically a curse in the Kent household.

Lex's hands faltered in their mundane task for a moment and then resumed the repetitive motion. "Hello, Clark," he said politely.

After shuffling a bit, Clark mumbled something about cleaning up, and Martha said, "Dinner should be ready in twenty minutes, dear. I would appreciate it if you would set the table for me."

Suddenly mute, Clark nodded and bound up the stairs. At the top, he glanced back down and then superspeeded to his room for a quick change. He was suddenly interested in what his mother and Lex had been discussing.

"I'm glad you came, Lex," Martha said. "And I know Clark is too. He's been lonely. I think he misses you."

Lex raised an eyebrow. "You will forgive me, Martha," he said quietly, "but that seems hard to believe. He's made it quite clear that he wishes to sever our relationship. And he has so many friends that him missing one is unlikely."

Martha smiled. "It may seem like that, Lex, but trust me, Clark has few friends. He tends to form long term relationships with people, and he holds on to those friends for a long time. I am surprised that you didn't realize that, your being his best friend."

Lex froze for a moment, then shrugged. Martha still regarded him as Clark's best friend? Well that was... interesting. Standing up from the table and walking over to the sink, Lex washed his hands. Accepting a proffered hand towel from her with a smile, he said, "I suppose we'll see."

~

Dinner was surprisingly pleasant. Clark stayed mostly silent throughout the meal, chiming in only occasionally to ask for more food.

Lex looked remarkably well for someone who was recovering from being poisoned with a lethal dose of drugs, and more than once Clark's X-ray vision kicked in and scanned him looking for problems.

Lex found himself regaling the Kents with tales of his adventures in Egypt and Africa over his summer of searching. After a particularly animated description of Egyptian traffic laws that had Jonathan snorting with laughter, Martha stood up to start clearing dishes. Both Clark and Lex stood to help her. She smiled at them.

"Why don't you boys go out for a walk?" she suggested. "I think we all need a few minutes for dinner and dessert to settle, and you both need to catch up."

Clark nodded and headed towards the door while Martha returned the penetrating look directed towards her by Lex with a bland one of her own.

"Anyplace specific you want to walk?" Clark asked Lex as they left the house.

Lex shrugged. "We can pick opposite directions and meet back here in ten if you like," he offered, semi-seriously. "If my company is too distasteful."

Clark rolled his eyes. Ok, he supposed he deserved that. He had been pretty rude to Lex lately. "Actually, I'd like it if we could talk," he said. "I was planning on coming by the castle later, so this saves me a trip."

Lex kept walking. "What is there to talk about, Clark?" he asked. "You've made your feelings clear."

Clark sighed. He had known Lex would make this difficult, but could he blame him? "Can we just go up to the loft and talk for a bit?" he suggested.

Hesitating, Lex finally nodded and headed for the barn. Clark followed him up the stairs. They settled side by side on the old beat up couch that was up there.

Clark started talking almost immediately. "Look, Lex, I'm sorry. When I saw that room I just... well I went a bit nuts. I know your dad was trying to manipulate me and I just wish I hadn't gotten caught up in your family feud. Can we just start again? That room weirded me out, but if you need to keep that stuff then I guess that's ok."

After studying his perfectly manicured nails for a moment, Lex glanced up and then speared Clark with a look. "No, it's I who should apologize, Clark," he said softly. "That room was a bit over the line." He laughed, shaking his head. "I am a somewhat... compulsive person, Clark, as you know. So the mystery of what happened that day is quite compelling. But I need to just accept the miracle that saved my life and move on. I know that now. Knowing what happened is not worth losing your friendship, and I had already made the decision to stop wasting time on it. If you had checked a few days later there would have been nothing there. My father, as always, has impeccable timing."

Clark smiled. "Yeah, he's a piece of work all right," he agreed, shifting subtly closer to Lex. "So, is it ok if we start again? I want to be friends, Lex. After all, at the rate I'm going, I'm gonna run out soon."

"I certainly can't comment on running out of friends, Clark," Lex said, smiling. "Up until this evening I was convinced that I had managed to successfully get rid of all of mine. It's nice to get one back for a change," he said softly.

Clark relaxed more. Lex was willing to be friends again and that was all that mattered. Turning more fully towards his friend, he grinned. "So, how was your summer really, Lex?" he asked, touching Lex's arm.

Lex smiled and shifter closer. "Oh, the usual, Clark," he replied. "Someone tried to kill me, and I had yet another plane accident."

Clark nodded. "Oh yeah. I heard about that," he said. "Think maybe you need an alternate method of travel?" His hand unconsciously started stroking Lex's arm.

Lex laughed. "The thought had crossed my mind, Clark," he chuckled. "Either that or I need to consider getting my pilot's license." He shivered at the feel of Clark's hand on him, but didn't want to draw attention to the fact that he had noticed. Clark touching was good, and he definitely wanted to encourage it.

Clark tilted his head. "Well, you've always wanted to fly," he said softly, his fingers now moving in circular patterns on Lex's soft skin.

Lex licked his lips, and Clark followed the tongue movement, his mouth suddenly dry. He had forgotten how much that scarred upper lip had always fascinated him....

"You ok, Clark?" And wow, he was so busted! Lex was looking at him and had apparently been trying to have a conversation and here he was daydreaming.

"Uhhh... Yeah. Why?" And that was a profound response, Kent, he thought. Say something useful!

"Well, you're touching me," Lex said, glancing down at Clark's fingers that were still fondling his arm. "Not that I mind," he said hastily as Clark seemed ready to withdraw. "It's just... you were never this affectionate before. So I was wondering... why?"

"I... I just wanted to see if you're... ok," Clark blurted, then blushed brightly. "Mom told me that you had been poisoned over the summer. And I... I just feel the need to check. Sort of."

Nodding, Lex moved closer. "I'm fine, Clark," he said. "I have to take injections occasionally, but my immune system is gradually purging my body of the toxins. The doctors assure me that I should be normal soon." He laughed. "Well, as normal as I ever was."

"That's good, Lex," Clark whispered, eyes flicking back and forth from Lex's eyes to his mouth. What were they talking about again?

"I thought so," Lex asked, leaning forward slightly, looking deeply into Clark's eyes. He felt like he was falling headlong into Clark.

"I would still like to examine you myself, though," Clark murmured. "I think I need to check a few more places."

Another Lexian smile. "Feel free, Clark," he said softly. "One can never be too careful, after all."

At last! Permission. Clark leaned forward giving Lex time to back out if he wanted to, but Lex was leaning in too. And then, combustion.

Clark gathered Lex to him and slowly kissed that scarred mouth. Lex tasted so good, and Clark was quickly lost in the sensation of that agile tongue dueling with his. Lex's hands were everywhere, and they were both moaning loudly.

A quick angle change, and Clark was being expertly explored, opened. He whimpered as Lex apparently tried to crawl inside him via his mouth. Shifting closer, Clark started to rub himself against Lex. His cock, achingly hard, throbbed with want. Then, Lex broke away, panting.

"Clark. We have to stop... oh my God, your mouth..."

Clark smiled and buried his face in Lex's fragrant neck. A long slow lick had Lex shuddering. "Want you, Lex," he whispered, feeling the man in his arms tremble as the words went through him.

Lex's arms tightened around Clark for a moment, and then he groaned.

"Clark. Your parents are in the house a few feet away. They expect us back in a minute. We cannot start something like this now. There's not enough time.... shit, that tongue... to do this now."

Another slow lick and then Clark leaned away and looked at Lex. His friend looked well kissed; lips swollen and reddened, his eyes bright and shining with lust and something else that Clark wanted to explore further.

But, Lex was right. It was too late to do anything more that night.

Lex took a deep breath and ran a hand over his head. Getting to his feet, and smoothing his hand over his sweater, he said, "We need to get back to the house and I should be going."

And the Luthor mask was back in place. Holding out his hand, he pulled Clark up off the couch.

"Well, if you have to..." Clark looked like someone had kicked his puppy. Maybe he had been too forward? Maybe Lex had hated his technique? They were friends again, and hopefully soon to be more, but he didn't know if he could still just stop by the Castle at any time like he used to. He certainly hoped so. He had missed hanging out with Lex terribly.

As they walked back to the house so that Lex could say goodbye to Clark's parents, he said, "So you up for some pool this weekend, Clark?"

Clark nodded and smiled a heart stoppingly sweet smile, and Lex felt another piece of his heart melt.

"Sure, Lex," Clark replied, smiling as they walked into the kitchen. Lex had invited him over! Another chance to be alone and see what could develop.

"Mr. and Mrs. Kent, thank you for the lovely dinner," and as Lex was shaking his parents' hands, Clark was plotting how he could get to spend the entire weekend at Lex's. They would probably be ok with it, especially since they were the ones who had invited him to dinner. They had to see that they had just made up and would want to re-bond their friendship.

"You're welcome any time, dear," Martha replied, happy to see her son and his best friend back together.

"Mom, Lex invited me to his house for the weekend. Can I go?"

No one but Clark saw the start of surprise that came from Lex at that statement. As Martha and Jon turned to him he simply smiled charmingly and said, "It would give us a chance to rekindle our friendship."

The Kents quickly acquiesced, and Clark was grinning from ear to ear, contemplating his weekend plans.

"Walk me out, Clark?" Lex said finally, and the two left the kitchen, Lex waving as he stepped through the door. "Warn me next time before you do that, Clark," he said, once they were safely outside. "I almost gave it away."

Clark smiled and grabbed his hand as they walked the rest of the way to the Ferrari.

Watching from the window, Martha pursed her lips as she saw her son take Lex's hand. So, her suspicions were confirmed. She had wondered why her son had been so vehement when he condemned Lex. A lover's spat made sense.

"Jon," she said, eyes never leaving the two boys as they bid each other a tender goodnight, "I think the boys will be close friends again. This time, would you mind if we have Lex come to visit more often?"

"Sure," he confirmed, sipping his coffee at the table.

Martha knew she had some prep work to do before her husband would be on board with this development, but now that she had some lead time it could be done. She smiled as Clark waved forlornly at the vanishing sports car. Lex Luthor as a son-in-law? Well, things could be worse.

~Fin