Working as a behavior analyst with the FBI, I have had the opportunity to observe people's behavior. I can usually tell what a person is like after meeting them. It was during the course of my work that I came across a most unusual pair of gentlemen.

My latest assignment was to investigate the kidnapping and attempted murder of Lex Luthor. The suspect was an escaped mental patient from Belle Reeve who claimed that a spaceship, of all things, came down in the last meteor shower and that aliens killed several police officers. I had a chance to talk to the suspect after his arrest and to tell the truth, I am not quite sure what he saw. He saw something but from the descriptions he gave, it was really hard for me to believe that people could shoot lasers from their eyes. During the course of my interview with the suspect, he continued to mention that Lex Luthor had something to do with the spaceship (which would account for taking him hostage). After completing my interview, I quickly typed up my recommendations for the treatment and handling of the suspect for the Bureau and the local authorities. Then I set out to locate Lex Luthor. It was actually easier than I thought. Mr. Luthor was still in the hospital being treated for dehydration and a gunshot wound.

After completing my interview, I quickly typed up my recommendations for the treatment and handling of the suspect for the Bureau and the local authorities. Then I set out to locate Lex Luthor. It was actually easier than I thought. Mr. Luthor was still in the hospital being treated for dehydration and a gunshot wound.

While speaking to his attending physician, I observed the foot traffic in the halls of the hospital ward. I noticed a young man sitting in a chair in the waiting room. He was hunched over, his arms wrapped around himself while his shoulders were shaking, as if he were trying to contain the movements. His body movements alone led to me to believe that this young man had just experienced something horrendous. However, it was his face that really told the story. His face looked drawn and shadowed. Tears streaked down his cheeks unchecked. From what I could see of his eyes, they were red from the tears but they also held a depth of untold pain in them. I interrupted Luthor's physician for a moment to inquire who the young man was. I was told that the young man in question was the one that had brought Luthor to the hospital. His name was Clark Kent and had at one time been friends with Luthor. I thanked the physician for his time and started to make my way to the elevators. My mind was categorizing things and events as I walked.

Something was seriously wrong with that young man and my instincts were telling me it might have had something to do with Luthor.

I found myself at the Talon, the local coffee shop a little while later. I was sitting at a table off to the side trying to enjoy a cup of coffee when in walked Clark Kent and some young woman. From the looks of them, they appeared to have been in some kind of accident, their clothing torn and singed around the edges and hair askew. They walked over to a table and a waitress brought them something to drink. They started talking in hushed tones, the girl raking her hands through her hair in frustrated motions. Whatever it was that they were talking must have been intense. Kent's eyes seemed to glow in anger and his body radiated rage. The girl seemed to shrink in fear of his reaction to what she was telling him. Then their voices started getting louder.

"What do you mean he talked about me?" Kent yelled.

"Clark keep you voice down," said the girl.

"Lana, Lex is my friend," he said.

"I know, that's why I was afraid to tell you," she said. Lana, as I learned, continued talking.

"We were in Lex's panic room after he was shot for so long that he got delirious. He was touching my hair, saying how soft it was. I was telling him to hold on because I knew you were coming to find us. When I mentioned your name he started saying how soft your hair was and how sorry he was for hurting you," she said.

Kent looked shell shocked at the mention of his hair texture. "He talked about my hair being soft" he asked.

"Yeah he did," she replied.

"Lana, I have to go back to the hospital," he said, rising from his chair.

"Do you want me to come with you," Lana asked.

"No. This is something that I have to do on my own. Besides you need to have someone look at those cuts for you," he replied as he walked toward the door.

As he left, I watched Lana's face crumble and the tears fall from her eyes. I left after I finished my coffee because it was obvious to me that this girl was suffering from a broken heart, broken by the relationship between Clark Kent and Lex Luthor.

Things were starting to make sense now. I made my way back to the hospital as I needed to speak to Luthor before I could file my final report.

I got to the hospital about a half hour before visiting hours ended and was shown to Luthor's room. The sound of voices prevented me from barging into the room. The voices were a little muffled by the door being closed but I was still able to make out two different voices speaking.

"You almost died," said a voice that I recognized as belonging to Clark Kent.

"But I didn't, thanks to you," the second voice said. I could only assume that the voice belonged to Lex Luthor as I had not had to privilege of talking to him yet.

"There was so much blood. I thought I had lost you," Kent said.

"I have to admit, I was little worried about that myself. However, I have been assured by my physician that the bullet did not do any major damage to any internal organs. In fact, I should be able to go home tomorrow," said Luthor.

My eyes widened at hearing that piece of information. I've seen quite a few people with bullet wounds similar to Luthor's and none of them were released from the hospital after just 24 hours. Nevertheless, I needed to speak to Lex Luthor so I knocked on the door.

"Come in," someone said.

"Agent Lutz, Mr. Luthor," I said as I walked toward the hospital bed with my hand outstretched. "Behavioral Analyst for the FBI, I need to ask you some questions about the man who held you hostage, Mr. Luthor."

"Of course, Agent Lutz. This is Clark Kent, a friend of mine," Luthor said indicating the other person in the room.

"Mr. Kent," I said offering him my hand.

"Call me Clark," he said, firmly shaking my hand.

"Pleasure to meet you Clark," I said.

"Now how can I help you Agent Lutz," Luthor asked. "I have already given a statement to the police."

"I'm aware of your statement, Mr. Luthor. I just needed to clarify some things. What can you tell about your assailants' behavior," I asked.

"Agent Lutz, the only thing I can tell you about my assailant is that obviously he is in need of serious psychiatric counseling," Luthor said.

"Did he say anything specific?"

"He said that he was looking for something that he claimed I had. Unfortunately, I have no idea what he was talking about," he said.

"Agent Lutz, what's going to happen to him," asked Clark not looking directly at me.

"Officially I can not talk about the case. Unofficially I can say that he will not be holding anyone hostage for a long time," I replied.

"That's good to know," Clark said looking over at Lex. His eyes seemed to focus only on Luthor.

"Will there be anything else, Agent Lutz? Clark and I have some things to discuss before visiting hours are over," Luthor asked.

"Actually there is something else," I said. "Clark, can you tell how it is that you were able to get to Mr. Luthor in his panic room?"

"Lana Lang opened the door for me," he said.

"And how did you know that Ms. Lang and Mr. Luthor were in there," I asked.

He started to say something when Luthor put his hand on Clark's arm to stop him.

"Agent Lutz, I believe we have answered all of your questions. If there is anything else you need to know, please feel free to contact my attorneys" Luthor said crossing his chest with his arms.

Apparently I had worn out my welcome.

"Thank you for your time gentlemen," I said. "I'll be getting back in touch with you within the next few days if I need any more information."

"We'll be at Kent's Farm if you need to speak to Lex again," Clark said.

"Kent's Farm, right," I said as I turned to walk out of the hospital room. I closed the door behind me but I did not leave immediately. Something told me to stand there just a little while longer. A few minutes passed before I heard their voices again.

"I thought I made it clear that I was going to go back to the mansion tomorrow," Luthor said.

"Lex, I almost lost you today. Please. Stay with me at the farm at least until I know you're healed," Clark pleaded. "That way I know that nothing else will happen to you and Mom can fatten you up a little."

"Your mother has been trying to fattening up for two years Clark. If I haven't gained any weight by now, then I don't think I'll ever will," Luthor said. "Besides, I thought you liked the way I looked." 

"You know I do Lex," Clark said. "But you know how Mom is. She's just thinks you need to gain a little weight. So she keeps trying to feed you."

"I know Clark," Luthor said. "And I appreciate all the trouble she goes through. But if she keeps trying to feed me, I'll never fit into my tuxedo for our wedding next month."

"Well," drawled Clark, "we can always find ways to work off any weight you'll gain."

"Shame on you Clark Kent," said Luthor laughing. Clark's laughter joined in for a minute before giving way to the sounds of lips meeting in a kiss.

My hunches were correct. There was something going on in Smallville. Fortunately it turned out not to be a U-F-O but L-O-V-E.

End