Jackson Latimer wasn’t anyone special.  He was born and raised in one of the many small town communities that surrounded the big city of Metropolis, Kansas.  Growing up in a farming community meant the probability of his family being farmers by trade was high.  In his case, the logic rang true.  His father inherited the Latimer farm from his grandfather, and his grandfather inherited it from his great-grandfather and so on, and so on.  It was a family thing, and luckily for Jack, he wasn’t an only child nor the only son in the current Latimer generation.

Jack was one of seven: three brothers, three sisters, him landing smack dab in the middle of the lot.  All the male Latimer siblings looked the same from their dark hair, brown eyes and sun tanned skin, taking after their father, where the girls took after their mother with blonde hair, blue eyes but the same tanned skin as the boys, gained from years of working the land.  Jack was the youngest of the boys, which thankfully meant he had three other older siblings ready to take over the farm when the time came, leaving him to pursue his sky-high dreams.

When he was little, Jack didn’t dream of being a police officer, or a fire fighter.  He didn’t dream of being a doctor or a teacher.  No, Jack’s dream came from a memory that to this day he hadn’t forgot.  He was five-years-old, it was the fourth of July, and his father loaded the entire family up in their old beat-up pick up truck to travel a full hour to see the air show put on for the holiday festivities in the next county.  The moment the first jet soared over their heads he was mesmerized and his eyes never left the sky once.  It was that day Jack knew when he grew up he belonged up there in the clouds flying high over the land and people he loved.  He dreamed of flying, and his dream had come true.

Of course, Jack didn’t fly loops in the sky in death defying stunts that made crowds gasp with excitement and fear.  No, Jack became just your regular, run-of-the-mill private jet and helicopter pilot.  While it may not seem as exciting as facing death with every nosedive toward the Earth, it was exciting in its own realm.  The fact that someone or a group of people trusted him, who for all intense purpose was a complete stranger, was exciting in and of itself to Jack.  People trusted him, a no name, no face guy, and he took their trust to heart.  It was his father’s influence, for that he was sure, and he was thankful that his father had instilled such values in him.  Those values kept him grounded, especially when he landed the job of a lifetime.

He was hired by Lionel Luthor at the tender age of twenty-five. When he was released from the elder Luthor’s employment a year later for reasons never fully explained as allowed by the employment contract he signed, Jack had never been so grateful in his life.  Lionel Luthor scared the crap out of him, and there was very little that could scare a man who flies a jet daily thousands of feet above the ground.  So, he cashed his severance check, took a month off of working to visit his family home, but he never had the opportunity of hitting the pavement to look for a new job because apparently what his parents always told him wasn’t true.  Opportunity does come knocking, and it came knocking in the form of Lex Luthor.

Jack was beside himself when the younger Luthor appeared on his parents’ doorstep looking for him.

“I have a job offer,” Lex Luthor stated as he ushered the man into the quaint farmhouse.  “I am in need of a pilot and…”

“Mr. Luthor, I…” Jack attempted to say but stopped when Lex interrupted.

“Please, call me Lex.  Mr. Luthor is my father and I am nothing like my father.”

Jack cleared his throat.

“Lex, I feel I should inform you that I was working for your father up until last month.  I was released from employment at his request.”

“I am aware of that,” Lex stated with a smile.  “Which is exactly the reason I am offering you this position.  My father hiring you in the first place speaks very highly of your ability as a pilot.  He only hires the best.  It is his loss that he let you go.”

“I don’t even know why I was fired,” Jack stated honestly and out loud.

“I wouldn’t concern yourself with that.  Sometimes, it’s best not to know why my father does anything,” Lex replied.  “With Lionel, it could be that you had your tie on crooked, or you were dating someone he had interest in, or because you wouldn’t go against the rules to appease him.  Whatever the case may be doesn’t really matter to me.  The question now is are you interested in my offer?”

Jack didn’t hesitate in answering.

“Yes, I am.”

“Good,” Lex said, offering his hand.

Before Jack had a chance to shake Lex’s hand, Lex’s cell phone rang. 

“Excuse me.”

Lex walked over to the other side of the kitchen, turning his back for privacy, but Jack could still hear Lex’s side of the conversation in the small kitchen.

“Hey,” Lex greeted in a warmer voice.  “No, I’m sorry, I won’t be able to make it tonight… Yes, I know I said… Listen, I will make it up to you.  How about dinner at the mansion on Friday, just the two of us… yes, that does sound nice.  I will call you when I get back.”  Lex paused to chuckle.  “Yes, I will.”

Lex hung up and turned back around.

“My apologies,” Lex said, extending his hand again.

Jack took hold and they shook.

“Welcome aboard, Jackson,” Lex said.  “You will find that LexCorp and myself are a much different employer to be working for.  You are familiar with the Luthor mansion in Smallville, yes?”

Jack nodded his reply.

“Good, meet me there Monday morning at nine, and we will go over all the necessary paperwork to set up your employment.  I have already received a clear background check, one very similar to what my father ran before hiring you.  Do you have any questions?”

Jack shook his head.

“Great,” Lex said.  “It was a pleasure meeting you, and please give my regards to your parents.  Their home reminds me of a friend’s place back in Smallville very much.”

With that being said, Lex Luthor exited the Latimer’s farmhouse and was back in his fancy sports car, zipping down the dirt drive in the same manner he had arrived.  Jack watched the billow of dust kicked up by the speed in shock of the turn his life had just made.  He wasn’t aware that not only would he be Lex Luthor’s personal pilot, but an investigator as well.

***

“You will work for me and me alone.  If anyone approaches you for side work, you will decline upon penalty of being released from my employment.  I assure you that you will be more than compensated for your time and shouldn’t need to look for outside work.  You will live here in Smallville for the time being.  I will provide you a comfortable apartment in Metropolis for the nights you will be required to stay in the city during business trips.  I will subsequently provide hotel accommodations for any and all long distance trips including international trips.  Should I relocate, you will also relocate to the same city I take residence in.  As I informed you, I have already received a cleared background check on you, and each consecutive year an updated check will be completed until your employment ends.  You will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement, which will extend for the rest of your life.  Are you agreeable to these terms?”

Twenty-six year old Jackson “Jack” Latimer swallowed hard, but didn’t hesitate in signing the employment contract or his reply.

“Yes, Mr… Lex, all these terms are acceptable.”

Lex smiled for the first time since their meeting began. 

“I am pleased to hear that,” Lex said, standing and walking around the glass desk.

Jack stood as well and shook the hand Lex offered.  This was the scariest interview of his life, but for some reason, Jack felt he could trust Lex, even when the population in general feared everything Luthor.

“Lex!”

Jack jumped at the exclamation as the study doors swung open and in walked a very tall, dark and handsome farmboy dressed in denim and flannel.  There was a sunshine smile beaming on the young man’s face who acted like he owned and belonged in the mansion just as much as Lex did.

Lex cleared his throat and quickly hid the instant smile that donned his face.

“Jackson,” Lex began, “this is a friend of mine, Clark Kent.  Clark, this is Jackson Latimer.  We were just going over the details of his employment contract.”

Clark’s smile faltered, and Jack received a weary and untrusting look causing him to swallow hard.  He suddenly had a feeling gaining Clark’s trust and approval was more important than gaining and retaining Lex’s.

“Relax Clark,” Lex said, stepping between them.  “I’ve already received a cleared background check.  You are looking at my new pilot.”

Lex turned to speak to Jack.  “You will have to forgive Clark.  Due to this past year’s circumstances, as you are probably well aware form the media circus surrounding the Summer’s plane crash, our trust in pilots has diminished greatly.”

Jack nodded, still feeling the heat of Clark’s eyes upon him.  He got the distinct impression that if he crossed either of them, his days would be numbered.

“Yes, Mr… I mean, yes Lex.”

Lex turned and put a hand on Clark’s arm.  “Clark, why don’t you wait here while I see Jackson to the door.”

Clark relaxed immediately upon Lex’s touch and nodded as a sheepish grin appeared along with a blush.

“Jackson,” Lex said, gesturing toward the study’s double doors.

And that was his first meeting with Clark Kent.

***

The brunette behind the counter smiled as he approached and Jack returned the smile in kind.  The last thing he expected to find in Smallville was a trendy coffeehouse in Egyptian décor, but it seemed Smallville was full of surprises.

“I’ll have a regular coffee, please,” Jack ordered as he reached the counter.

He wasn’t a man of fancy means.  Cappuccinos, Lattes and the like never really impressed him, but a good cup of coffee always hit the spot.

“A regular coffee it is,” the girl returned, repeating his order as she rang it up.  “You’re new here.  I haven’t seen you around before.”

“The name is Jack Latimer.  I’m Lex Luthor’s new pilot,” Jack supplied as he pulled out his wallet.  “This is my first day.”

“Lana Lang,” the brunette returned with a smile, introducing herself.  “I didn’t know Lex was looking for a pilot.”

“You know Lex?”

“He’s actually my partner, with The Talon,” Lana replied with a nod and gesturing around.  “I guess I just assumed he’d swear off flying for a while.”

Jack laughed.   “You may be right on that.  This is my first day, but I don’t have any flights scheduled this week at all.  Apparently I’m on call.”

“Sounds like Lex to me,” Lana returned with another smile and nod.  “But I don’t blame him after the crash.  That will be $1.50.”

Jack pulled out two dollars and handed them over.

“What’s with the farmboy?”

Lana took the bills, deposited them in the register and counted out his change before responding. 

“Farmboy?  You mean Clark?”

“Yeah, Clark Kent.”

Dropping the change in his hand, Lana shrugged her shoulders.

“There’s really not much to say about Clark, at least that he lets you know.  Why?”

“Nothing,” Jack replied.  “I met him the other day when I was signing my employment contract.  He seemed very… protective of Lex when he found out why I was there.”

Lana shrugged again.

“That is Clark being Clark, Mr. Latimer…”

“Jack,” he corrected.

“Jack,” Lana repeated.  “Let’s just say, Clark likes to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders and isn’t happy unless he is.  He saved Lex’s life the day Lex arrived in Smallville.  I guess you could say he feels responsible for that life now.  Anything else beyond that, you will just have to learn from Clark.  Why don’t you have a seat and I’ll bring out your coffee.”

Jack accepted his dismissal and took a seat as instructed.  It really wasn’t any of his business anyway, but he couldn’t help being a little curious.  What else did he have to do while waiting for his beeper to alert him of when he was needed?

***

Having coffee at The Talon became an almost daily ritual as long as he was in Smallville.  The coffee wasn’t the best in the land, but the atmosphere of the eccentric coffeehouse made up for what the java lacked, not to mention it being reasonably priced.  Whenever he entered The Talon he was always greeted with a warm smile, and after a month’s employment he no longer needed to place his order, the staff just knew. 

Jack had basically become a regular, and dare he say it, a local, which really wasn’t a bad thing overall.  He had grown up in a similar small community after all.  Smallville was almost like being home again, and it was comforting being accepted as one of their town’s own.

As Lana delivered his coffee the bell on The Talon’s door jingled, announcing a new customer.

“Hey, Lana!”

In bounced a perky blonde greeting Lana like she knew her.  The blonde had a wide toothy and gummy grin, and her eyes sparkled with mischief.

“Chloe,” Lana returned with a curious smile.  “What has you in such a good mood?”

“Nothing,” Chloe replied in a drawl that clearly divulged she was definitely up to something.  “Unless we are talking about a certain farmboy and his follicly challenged friend.”

Jack noticed Lana look from Chloe to him and back again, and he sensed apprehension in her eyes. 

“Ah, Chloe, have you met Jack yet?”

Chloe turned her attention to him, still smiling.

“Hey,” Chloe greeted.  “The name’s Chloe Sullivan.”

“Jack,” he returned, and for some reason he felt the need to tip his hat.  “Jack Latimer.”

“Jack is Lex’s new pilot,” Lana supplied with meaning he missed.

“Really?” Chloe’s eyes glinted cleverly.

“Yes, I started over a month ago,” Jack supplied.  “Chloe Sullivan… didn’t you have a column in The Daily Planet over the summer?”

Chloe’s smile faltered and perked back up in a matter of seconds, but it wasn’t as bright as before, and neither were her eyes.

“Yeah, but that is old news,” Chloe dismissed, taking a seat.  “It was me getting my foot in the door, but I’m not really sure that is the door I want it stuck in.”

Chloe didn’t elaborate much more than that and he let it go as she changed the subject.

“So, as I was saying,” Chloe continued, turning her attention back to Lana.  “I think I’ve finally devised a plan that will get those two together.”

Lana smiled politely at him and then turned back to her friend with a look of worry and concern.

“Um… Chloe, don’t you think we should talk about this later?  In private?”

“What?” Chloe questioned as if confused.  “Please, if anyone who is anyone has seen those two together and not figured it out, they are either blind or stupid, maybe even both.  It’s so obvious.”

“Chloe,” Lana tried again more firmly.  “I still think we should leave Jack to his coffee and talk about this later… at home.”

Lana was pleading Chloe with her eyes, and he was surprised to see Chloe slowly give in.

“Fine, whatever, we’ll talk about it later,” Chloe verbally yet sarcastically agreed.  “It was a pleasure meeting you Jack.  I’m sure we will be seeing each other around often.  They don’t call this town Smallville for nothing.”

Chloe smiled, winked and followed Lana back to the counter.  Things were getting more and more interesting around here.

***

During his first month in Smallville Jack quickly realized if he wanted to learn anything about anyone in the small town The Talon was the place to hang out, watch and listen.  On the days he wasn’t needed at LexCorp, he passed his mornings at the town’s coffeehouse observing, learning and getting to know the community.

“Lana, sorry I’m late,” a redhead in her late forties apologized as she entered the coffeehouse carrying a stack of pastry boxes.  “The oven quit working this morning and I had to wait and pray that Jonathan could fix it.  Luckily he did by six but that put me behind.”

“Oh, Mrs. Kent, I’m sorry to hear that,” Lana sympathized, taking half the boxes.

“Thanks, Lana.  Unfortunately, that means I don’t have your full order for the week, but I should be able to complete the order tonight and deliver the rest tomorrow morning,” Mrs. Kent continued, following Lana into the back kitchen.

Mrs. Kent?  Clark Kent’s mother, perhaps?

The two women returned through the same kitchen door, carrying on in their conversation.

“It’s okay, Mrs. Kent.  The pies you delivered today should get me through until Wednesday anyway.  I’m just sorry to hear about the oven.  Is it fixed permanently, or will you need to get a new one?”

Mrs. Kent sighed, her frustration evident.

“I’ve needed a new oven for the past two years.  Jonathan’s been able to fix it so far, but with the farm and a growing teenager, a new oven is pretty much at the bottom of the list.”

Lana nodded and gave Mrs. Kent a sympathetic look.

“Sorry, I’m sure if you mentioned something to Lex…”

“Lana, you know my husband’s stand on handouts, let alone handouts from a Luthor.  Remember the truck Lex bought Clark?  I was surprised Jonathan agreed to accept the deed to the farm when Lex presented it free and clear of debt.  It’s just better to not involve Lex,” Mrs. Kent explained. 

“It doesn’t have to be a handout, Mrs. Kent.  I’m certain Lex could arrange a loan…”

“Thank you for your concern, but you know my husband.”

“It’s only an oven, Mrs. Kent… why are men so stubborn?”

Mrs. Kent laughed, touching Lana’s arm motherly.

“Dear, you don’t know the half of it.”

“I don’t think I even want to know,” Lana returned and both women started laughing in a commiserating manner.

Jack blushed and averted his eyes when Mrs. Kent caught him staring, eavesdropping. 

“Have you met Jack yet, Mrs. Kent?”

Does everyone in this town need to know everyone?

“No, I haven’t actually, but both Clark and Lex have spoken very highly of him.”

He caught Mrs. Kent smiling as she approached his table.

“Jack is it?”

Jack looked up and swallowed hard.  Why did he feel he needed her approval too?”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Jack greeted in return as he stood to shake her hand.

“Oh, and he has manners,” Mrs. Kent teased.  “Please, my name is Martha.  While I may be old enough to be your mother, I am not that old.”

Her smile was warming making him feel more relaxed.

“Sorry,” Jack apologized.

“How are you enjoying Smallville?”

“It’s a nice town.  Actually, it reminds me a lot of home,” Jack replied.  “I came from a family of nine and grew up on a farm just north of here.  The familiarity is comforting.”

“Lex didn’t mention you were a farmer,” Martha stated, sounding disappointed at being kept in the dark about that fact.

“The operative word being were,” Jack returned with a chuckle.  “I enjoyed the work growing up, but it’s not what I wanted to do forever.”

Martha nodded knowingly.

“Yes, I understand.  I believe Clark feels the exact same way as you did back then.  Luckily for you, you had other siblings to take over in your place when you left home.”

“Oh yes,” Jack nodded.  “Sam, my eldest brother, he will take over the family farm when my father… well… when my father can no longer handle heading it I guess.  It was a relief knowing I wasn’t letting my father down just because I didn’t share the same dreams as he did, ya know?”

Martha nodded.  “I know all too well about letting a parent down.”

Every child faced decisions they knew could disappoint one person or another in their lives, so Jack didn’t press for the details behind Martha’s statement and her reluctance to elaborate on it.

“You should come by the farm Friday for dinner,” Martha suggested.  “I’m sure it would be nice to have a good home cooked meal being so far away from home.”

Jack made his gratitude evident by his smile.  Next to his mother, Martha seemed to be the kindest woman he’d ever met.

“Thank you, Martha, I would like that very much.”

His acceptance of her Friday dinner invitation had the woman all smiles.  Even Lana was smiling with pleased happiness.

“Well, I should be going.  I have another twelve pies to bake by tomorrow morning.  Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the oven makes it through the night.  I’ll see you tomorrow Lana, and Jack, it was nice meeting you.  Remember, dinner on Friday, Kent Farms, 5 P.M. sharp.”

“Yes Martha.”

Martha smiled again before taking her leave.  He was looking forward to spending more time with her and her family.  It would give him another opportunity to gather more information about Clark and Lex. 

***

When he arrived at Kent Farms, he was taken aback by how much it resembled his own family home that Jack was starting to feel a little homesick.  There were cows mooing and chewing in the distant field, chickens clucking and pecking in the pen around the henhouse, a corn field just beyond the cows swayed to and fro with the breeze and a yellow farmhouse almost the spitting image of his parent’s blue and white home sat majestically in the center of it all.  He may not have wanted to work the farm for a living, but he sure did miss it.

“Jack, I’m so happy you could join us this evening,” Martha greeted as she came up from behind him.  He could see a greenhouse off to the side where she obviously had been working when he pulled up the dirt drive. 

“Martha, thank you again for the invitation.  I almost forgot how much I missed home,” Jack returned.

“Well, you are always welcome back if you ever need reminding again.”

Her offer surprised and pleased Jack immensely.  He was virtually a stranger and yet she was welcoming him into her home with open arms like a long lost family member.

“You are too kind to offer such hospitality to someone you hardly know,” Jack stated.

“Well, Jonathan always said I had a soft spot for strays,” Martha said with a chuckle.  “I guess he’s right.”

“Who’s right?” A blonde man, around the same age as Martha asked, coming up beside her.

“Never you mind,” Martha replied.  “Jonathan, I want you to meet Jack, Jack, this is my husband, Jonathan.”

“Pleased to meet you son,” Jonathan greeted, offering a hand.

“Same to you, Sir,” Jack returned in kind, shaking the offered hand.  “I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but Clark doesn’t look a think like either of you.”

Martha smiled warmly but Jonathan grimaced next to her, attempting to smile but failing miserably.

“He wouldn’t,” Martha said.  “We adopted him when he was three-years-old.”

“Oh, I’m sorry…”

“Don’t be, we’re not,” Martha interrupted, looking up at her husband with love.  “He was a blessing to our family and we couldn’t love him any more even if he was our own child.”

Jonathan quickly relaxed after hearing her explanation and finally matched Martha’s happy smile.

“Speaking of the devil,” Jonathan said, squinting his eyes and looking toward the dirt cloud billowing its way toward the farm.  “Looks like Lex hasn’t learned his lesson.  I’m going back out to the field.  I’ll be in before dinner.”

Jonathan kissed Martha’s cheek and walked back between the house and barn before disappearing.

“Don’t mind him.  Jonathan and Lex have an… interesting relationship to say the least.”

“How so?” Jack inquired, curious for any insight to his employer.

“Lex respects Jonathan, looks up to him even and wants nothing more than Jonathan’s approval.  Jonathan… well Jonathan is a very stubborn man.  He refuses to give Lex what he wants more than anything because he thinks if he does that, Lex will stop trying.  It’s difficult watching a child yearn for a father’s approval and a father so unwilling to yield just a little to let that child know he isn’t hated.  Jonathan and Lex’s relationship is… interesting.”

“I’ll say,” Jack agreed.

When the silver Porsche was brought to a stop, it wasn’t Lex who popped out of the driver’s door.

“Hey, Mom,” Clark said with a Cheshire grin.

“Clark Kent,” Martha admonished with her hands resting on her hips.  “Don’t let your father find out it was you driving like a maniac.”

Clark grinned even wider.

“I tried to tell him, but he just wouldn’t listen,” Lex said defensively as he walked around to stand beside Clark.

“I’ll bet.”

Jack could tell Martha wasn’t buying the tall tale, but the gleam of happiness in her eyes told the tale of a happy mother.  Jack realized then that he was looking at Lex Luthor’s other family.

“Jackson,” Lex greeted coolly.  “I didn’t know you would be here today, but I understand Martha has cornered yet another soul needing a home.”

“Well, you didn’t seem to mind, did you?” Martha chided and to his amazement, Lex blushed a tinge of pink.

“I have always been grateful for your hospitality.”

Clark nudged Lex’s shoulder with his own and smiled.  Lex returned the grin with his own more subdued smile.  The exchange between the two friends was sweet, almost too sweet.

***

“Mr. Latimer, you are the last person I expected to find here in Smallville,” a familiar and raspy baritone voiced from behind him at The Talon’s counter. 

After three months of being employed by LexCorp, this was his first encounter with his former employer since his release from LuthorCorp’s payroll.  Lionel was the last person he wanted to deal with, and yet he had expected to run across the elder Luthor long before this moment.  Jack steeled his nerves before turning around to confront Lionel Luthor.

“Mr. Luthor,” Jack said, regarding the man dressed in a five thousand dollar suit, with a fake calm façade.

“Imagine my surprise when I discovered that shortly after your departure from my company that you were offered a position by my son,” Lionel said, stating what obviously they both knew.  “I trust you’ve been adhering to the confidentiality agreement signed when I first hired you.  I would hate to see you suffer any consequences from violating such a… trust.”

“I assure you Mr. Luthor, I take my job and trust very seriously.  Your secrets, as always, are safe with me, as are my current employer’s.”

“Very good, Mr. Latimer, very good, but you do realize how… useful you could be to a man in my position, how much you could gain being a man in your very own position.  I could make it worth your while.”

Jack was quickly reminded of the exact reason why he never complained or pushed the issue of being released from Lionel Luthor’s employ.  Any other person in his current position would have jumped at the opportunity being presented to them having been blinded by the dollar signs.  Anyone else would have jumped at the chance to bleed the man dry by feeling useful and invaluable, maybe even powerful, but none of that was true.  Lionel Luthor could never be bled dry.  Jack wasn’t useful, but Lionel would use him.  Jack wouldn’t be valuable, but he would be an expendable liability when push came to shove.  In the end, the only man with the power was Lionel.

No, Jack would never make that mistake again.  He would never trust Lionel Luthor again.

“I’m sorry Mr. Luthor, but I’m not interested in what you are offering.”

Jack turned around when he heard his coffee mug being set on the counter behind him.

“Thank you,” he said to the blonde waitress whom looked almost too young to be working.

Jack turned around to find an empty table only to be stopped by Lionel grabbing his arm hard, causing the coffee to slosh and spill over the mug’s rim. 

“You do not want to cross me, Mr. Latimer.  I will take your… hesitation in complying with my wishes as contemplation of my offer.  You will be highly rewarded, I assure you.  Whatever Lex is paying, I can double, and even triple if that is what it will take.  I can offer you protection if that is what you are worried about.  All you have to do is say yes, and the world could be yours.”

Jack looked down at the aged hand gripping his arm and pulled against the tight hold.  Lionel held a moment longer and then released his arm.

“Again, I thank you for the opportunity, but the answer is still no.”

“I won’t make this offer again,” Lionel warned.

“What offer is that?”

Jack had never wanted to bow down and kiss someone’s feet as much as in that moment.

“Clark,” Lionel greeted magnanimously with the creepiest smile Jack had ever witnessed on the man.  “I expected to find you here sooner or later.  You do have quite the knack for showing up at just the right time.  If you’re looking for your girl next door, I’m afraid she doesn’t appear to be here… or do your tastes now run more toward the inferior heir type?”

“I don’t know about inferior heirs, but I do know a bit about inferior fathers.”

Jack wanted to laugh but held his tongue.

“Tsk, tsk, young man.  What would your mother say about your lack of respect toward elders?”

Clark’s eyes hardened when Lionel mentioned Martha.

“My mother always taught me that respect is earned, regardless of age,” Clark returned hotly.

“What has my son been telling you to make you hate me so much?  After everything I’ve done for your family, I would expect a little more respect,” Lionel said, egging the teen on.

Jack was impressed by Clark’s cool exterior but could only imagine the anger brewing inside.

“I wish you never had anything to do with my family,” Clark stated evenly.

Lionel smiled again, shaking his head as he walked around Clark and headed for the door.

“You will remember that if I had never helped your family, they wouldn’t have you,” Lionel stated right before exiting The Talon without waiting to see the sting his statement made.

Clark’s hands were gripped into tight, white knuckled fists, and his breathing was heavy but not labored.  Jack had never seen Clark that angry before and was thankful that anger wasn’t specifically aimed at him.

“What did Lionel want?”

Jack jumped back, spilling more of his quickly cooling coffee.  Perhaps he thought too soon.

“Um… He… He was offering me a job,” Jack replied honestly but hesitantly.  His hands shook slightly as he turned to set his mug back on the counter.  He was going to need a new cup anyway.

“What kind of job?”

“Clark, I turned him down,” Jack insisted, not explaining the job offer.  “Honestly, he just wasn’t taking no for an answer.”

“What kind of job?” Clark repeated but his stance was a little more relaxed than before, but Jack could still see the anger seething in Clark’s vibrant green eyes.

“Basically?  He was expecting me to spy on Lex for him,” Jack replied.

“Damnit,” Clark cursed under his breath.  “Did he say what he was looking for?”

Jack shook his head.  “Sorry, but if you know Lionel as well as I do, you know he doesn’t divulge more information than one needs to know.  What you don’t know you can’t hold over him.”

“And you said no?” Clark asked, sounding vulnerable and needing reassurance.

“Trust me Clark, I worked for Lionel once.  I’m not about to make the same mistake again.”  Jack’s reply earned him a subdue smile.  “Lex is ten times the man Lionel will ever come close to being.  No money in the world could make me betray Lex’s trust.”

Clark’s smile brightened measurably.  “Lex was right in hiring you.”

It was his turn to smile.  “I will take that as your final approval of me.  I’ve been waiting for it, you know.  Would you like a cup of coffee?  I was about to have one myself until I was otherwise interrupted.”

Clark accepted his offer quickly.  Jack ordered and paid for two more coffees and joined Clark at the table by the window.

“Thanks,” Clark said, taking the mug and a quick sip.  “Listen, sorry for the way I overacted.  When it comes to Lionel…”

“Hey, when it comes to Lionel some may say you under-reacted,” Jack teased, trying to lighten the mood.  “Listen, I can understand where you’re coming from.  I was under his thumb for a whole year and escaped with very little repercussions.  There have been many before and will be many after who won’t be as lucky as me.  Lex is lucky to have you watching his back.  I couldn’t imagine being that man’s son.  I have to give Lex proper credit in that he is nothing like his father.”

Clark was beaming brighter than the sun shining in through the window, and Jack knew in that moment his assumption of Lex and Clark’s relationship was spot on.  They were more than acquaintances.  They were more than friends.  They were even more than best friends, but how much more?  Jack would venture to say neither Clark nor Lex knew the extent of their own connection.  By what Jack had observed, due to Clark’s age and Lex’s position, neither teen nor man had made any moves or declarations of their feelings, and that was a shame.

“What did Lionel do for your family?”

Clark stilled after his question was asked.  He couldn’t fathom what a big shot business man like Lionel Luthor could have to offer two of the kindest and most honest people in Smallville, but he figured the Kents must have been desperate if they had no choice but to turn to the devil for help.

“If it would make you feel any better in answering my question, you should know that you are included in my confidentiality agreement with Lex and LexCorp.”

“What?”  Clark questioned loudly before quickly scanning around the nearly dead coffeehouse with a blush of embarrassment.

“When Lex hired me, I was required to sign a confidentiality agreement with him.  You can understand the necessity of such an arrangement after today,” Jack began explaining, Clark nodding his understanding.  “Lex’s agreement covered any and all information about him personally, his company LexCorp and the Kent family.  I figure I can tell you this since you are part of the agreement.”

“My family?”

“Unless there is another Kent family Lex knows, but I remember the agreement specifically stated Martha Kent, Jonathan Kent and Clark Kent.  At the time I signed I didn’t know who any of you were, but it all makes sense now.”

“My family?” Clark repeated, wonder clearly expressed in Clark’s tone of voice.

Jack realized then Clark was either very naïve when it came to Lex’s feelings and regards towards Clark and his family, or had been denying his own feelings believing Lex didn’t return them, or maybe even both.

“I’m sorry, you don’t have to answer my question.  Whatever Lionel has over your family clearly is none of my business.”

“Wait, ‘it makes sense now’?  What makes sense now?”

“Can I give you a little advice?”

Clark nodded for Jack to continue.

“You should tell Lex how you feel.”

As expected, Clark’s face transformed into a blank mask.  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Listen, I know we’re not friends, and the only connection we have essentially is my employer, but I’ve been living here in Smallville for over three months now with a lot of time to pass and not many people to observe.  I’ve seen, I’ve heard, and I’ve come to the conclusion that you are about as important to Lex as Lex is to you.”

“We’re best friends, of course we’re important to each other,” Clark agreed yet in the same breath argued.

“Clark, in the time since his last wife tried to kill him, how many women has he dated or even entertained?”

Clark didn’t offer a response.

“You know as well as I do from the tabloids alone Lex knows how to party, and I’m not talking about the heydays of his youth.  He is a ladies man, was a ladies man, but since I’ve been here I can see the changes he’s made in his life.  Instead of nights out with the ladies, he’s usually with you.  I’ve seen you two:  here at The Talon, leaving the movie theatre on a Friday night, walking around town with no real destination in sight… heck, even at your own parents’ farm I could see how he feels about you.”

Clark blushed furiously for the first time since their conversation began and Jack inwardly cheered his victory.

“And I can see how you feel about him,” Jack informed, indicating Clark’s blush.  “Listen, what you choose to do with this information is your business, but if I were in your shoes… granted I’m not into guys like that, but if I were in your shoes, I would regret not finding out if there was something even more than being best friends.”

***

Agreeing to work for Lex Luthor was one of the best decisions he’d ever made.  The difference between Lex and Lionel were like comparing night and day, so much so that it was hard to believe the two men were father and son.  With Lionel Jack never knew where the man was coming from or what Lionel’s true intentions were, but Lex was always straightforward and upfront, and never had a hidden agenda.  Lex never asked him to do anything that was against his own logic or the regulations he was required to adhere to in order to remain a licensed pilot. 

Lex was definitely one apple that had fallen far, far away from the tree.  Jack had never been required to fly a plane without proper and regulated preflight checks.  Lex never required Jack to operate the plane as a scare tactic during business meetings by forcing nosedives until agreements had been made.  All Lex ever expected Jack to be was a pilot, what he had been hired to be, and for that Jack would always be grateful.

Another difference that wasn’t as important was the fact that Lex wasn’t a man that flew back and forth daily between big cities just because he could.  If he flew back and froth between Smallville and Metropolis three times a week that was a busy week.  Jack had always felt guilty about being paid a full-time wage for his part-time work, but had been reassured by Lex when he voiced his concerns.

“I trust you Jackson, it’s as simple as that,” Lex stated, not really assuring him or answering his question. 

“But Lex, it hardly seems fair to you or your company…” 

“Listen,” Lex interrupted, walking around the desk in the Smallville mansion study.  “I could hire some time share company that would provide me with flight options at the drop of a hat, but with you I know who will be flying me and I know I can trust that person.  Trust, in my book at least, has no price tag.  If anything, you are probably underpaid, but I thank you for your concern and questioning.  If anything, it only adds to the trust I already have in you.”

He must have played his cards right because that trust earned him eight straight years of steady employment, with many more hopefully on the way.  How could anyone in his position truly complain?

Jack shook his head as he walked down the sidewalk of Metropolis’ main street.  Lex had moved to Metropolis the same year Clark started attending classes at the city’s university.  The move didn’t surprise Jack in the slightest and adhering to his employment contract, Jack had moved too.  That move was five years ago, and after eight years of employment at LexCorp Jack was still enjoying his work and his life.  There was only one thing he wished for, and that was a woman with whom he could share his life and love with, just like Clark and Lex.

Stopping at a newspaper stand outside one of the many coffeehouses located in the greater Metropolis area, Jack purchased the current copy of The Daily Planet to peruse over a cup of coffee.  It was his day off and he was going to enjoy it to the fullest.

“Oh, excuse me, I’m really sorry,” Jack apologized when he turned and promptly ran into another pedestrian who had just exited from City Bean.

“Yeah, well maybe next time you should watch where you’re going,” the brunette woman returned, brushing off her skirt.  “Damnit, I just bought this.”

She was gesturing a lidless and now empty coffee cup in his face and glaring.  Jack recognized her immediately as Clark’s partner and wasn’t surprised that she didn’t recognize him.  Who would recognize the help anyway?

“I truly am sorry,” Jack stated again.  “I will buy you another, to replace this one if you’d like.”

“Damn straight you will,” she said, turning and walking back into the coffeehouse.  She didn’t even check to make sure he followed.

The morning was still early which meant a long line was already before them.  She stood in front of him with her arms crossed, tapping her foot.

“Um…” he attempted to say.  When she turned a glare back his way, Jack cleared his throat and plowed ahead.  “My name’s Jack by the way.”

She gave him a once up and down look, and finally relented her annoyed act, returning his gesture in kind.

“Lois,” she returned, extending her hand.  “Lois Lane.”

“Please to meet you Lois,” Jack said, shaking her hand firmly and smiling.  “You’re that Planet reporter aren’t you?”

He didn’t really need her confirmation to know.  He had been the one to fly Clark and Lois to New York for a LexCorp press conference three months prior.  It was after that flight that Jack was convinced she was the one.

Lois rolled her eyes.  “Great work, Watson.  How ever did you figure that one out?”

He couldn’t help laughing.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing,” Jack replied, still chuckling.  “I’m sorry, really, it’s nothing.”

Lois turned around to fully face him with her arms crossed against her chest defensively.

“Coffee or no coffee, if you are laughing at me I’m going to walk right out of here,” Lois warned.

He was able to get his laughter under control, but he continued smiling.

“Honest, I’m not really laughing at you, it’s just…”

“It’s just what?” Lois pressed, her foot tapping again.

“It’s just that you’re cute when you are playing hard to get.”

Lois’ eyes bugged out and she stuttered, trying to speak.

“Hard to… playing… now wait a min…”

“Next!” The counter girl called out.

Lois threw her arms down and her fists were clenched white-knuckled.

“Large non-fat double cappuccino!” Lois shouted her order as she turned.

The twenty-something college worker behind the counter jumped and paled slightly as she rang up Lois’ order.  He handed the clerk a five dollar bill, ignoring the fact that Lois had just ordered a drink two sizes larger than the one she had originally bought.

Lois’ glare toward him never wavered.

“Please keep the change,” Jack instructed the clerk.  It was the least he could offer for the girl’s trouble.

Lois moved to the order pick up counter and he joined her.

“I don’t play hard to get,” Lois insisted without turning to look at him.  “Perhaps you just aren’t good at picking women up.”

Jack laughed heartily again.  This woman was something else, which made him like her even more.

“Perhaps,” he agreed only to piss her off more.

“What do you want?” Lois inquired, spinning around to glare at him.

“Honestly, I’m only here to replace the coffee I caused you to spill,” he replied.  “Is there something else you want?”

Lois released a frustrated breath before turning back to the counter, exclaiming, “No!”

“One large non-fat double cappuccino!”

Lois walked up, grabbed her drink order, and stalked out of the coffeehouse without a thanks or even a screw you.

Yes, he definitely liked her, which is why he followed her to The Daily Planet building at a more leisurely pace.  He still didn’t understand Clark’s reluctance in setting them up.  She was a firecracker for sure, but he liked a woman who knew what she wanted, how to get what she wanted, and was able to speak freely damn the consequences.  Lois fit the bill perfectly, now if he could only get her to see that too.

The elevator doors were just closing as he entered the lobby of the second tallest building in Metropolis, LexCorp being the largest since the razing of LuthorCorp in the takeover of the century.  Lionel never saw Lex’s move coming because Lex swept LuthorCorp out from under Lionel’s feet the clean, easy and unsuspecting way.  Lex’s company simply grew to be more powerful than his own father’s, leaving Lionel with no other choice but to sell rather than lose everything.  Lex made the man a very generous offer, one Lionel didn’t deserve, and Lionel took it, citing ‘It was time for me to retire anyway.’ 

Jack quickly made his way to the perky redhead seated at the information desk.

“Can you please tell me what floor Lois Lane is on?”

“Twenty-third floor, Sir,” the helpful redhead replied with a brilliant smile.

“Thank you.”

Jack headed toward the elevators and waited for one of the three cars to return.  After the ride up to the twenty-third floor, it didn’t take long to locate his conquest.  Lois was animatedly gesturing with her arms, her voice rising higher and higher, while she was obviously relating her morning experience with a fellow co-worker.  Jack smiled inwardly when he realized it was her partner, Clark Kent.

“And then he had the audacity to say I was playing hard to get.  Can you believe that?  Me playing hard to get!”

Clark ducked his head trying to hide and stifle a laugh unsuccessfully.

“Can it, Smallville,” Lois ordered, which only made Clark laugh harder.

“I’m sorry Lois, but come on, I’m sure the guy didn’t mean anything by it.  He did replace your coffee after all.  He can’t be all that bad.”

Lois released a frustrated sigh.

“Men!  You all stick up for one another,” Lois accused, sitting heavily in her chair.  “Remind me never to tell you anything ever aga…” Lois paused when she looked up and spotted him.  “Oh no, not you again.”

Jack smiled innocently.  “The name is Jack, if you remember.”

“Trust me, I remember,” Lois returned, sitting back in her chair.  “Are you following me?  Isn’t stalking illegal?”

Clark laughed again and when she turned her glare toward her partner, Clark cleared his throat and returned to work.  The smile on Clark’s face remained.

“What do you want?” Lois questioned, returning her attention to him.  “I haven’t got all day you know.  If I am going to be required to call the police, I’d like to get it over with now seeing I have a deadline to meet.”

Clark snickered again and shook his head as he stood up and extended his hand, giving Jack a wink.

“Clark Kent,” Clark fake introduced.  “Let me apologize for my partner’s behavior.  She gets this way over spilled coffee.”

“Watch it Kent, or I will just have to conveniently forget about you the next time I’m given a big assignment.”

“She always threatens, but then she never follows through,” Clark stated quietly to Jack, but still loud enough for Lois to hear.

“Whatever,” Lois returned.  “Jake…”

“It’s Jack,” he corrected.

“Jake, Jack, whatever your name is, are you here for a reason or just to annoy me?”

“I’d watch your step if I were you,” Clark warned with a pat to his shoulder before returning to his own desk to answer the ringing telephone.  “Clark Kent, Daily… Oh, hey Lex… Lunch?  No, I have no plans… ha-ha, now I do.  Sounds great…” Clark chuckled quietly, mumbling something he couldn’t hear.  “Yeah, I’ll meet you out front at one… huh?  Yeah, sure thing.”

There was a moment’s pause after Clark hung up the phone before he turned to speak to Lois.

“Lex sends his regards.”

“I’m sure he does,” Lois returned evenly.  “Tell me again why you are still friends with that man?  Haven’t you learned by now that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree?”

Clark snuck a look at Jack and sighed heavily, rolling his eyes.  Apparently this was a discussion the partners entertained frequently, much to Clark’s dismay.  Jack realized then that Lois didn’t know a thing about Lex other than his last name being Luthor, which in turn meant she didn’t know that Clark and Lex had been dating for the last six years. 

“Lex Luthor?” Jack inquired, only to be part of the conversation and drag Lois’ attention away from Clark.

“You know him?” Lois asked.

“I know of him, doesn’t everyone?”

Lois snorted.  “The lucky person in life is the one that doesn’t have a clue who any Luthor is.”

“Lois, he’s not his father,” Clark stated defensively.  “You don’t even know him.”

“I know of his kind,” Lois argued back, and then turned to Jack with a gleam in her eye.  “What about you Jack?  What’s your take on the infamous Lex Luthor?”

Jack remained silent for a moment, thinking of an appropriate way to answer her question.

“Um… I’m not quite sure.  I don’t really know him personally.  It’s not like the man is an open book or anything.  He seems nice enough…”

“Oh my God, there are two of you!” Lois exclaimed in fake horror.  “Where are you from Jack… no, wait, let me guess.  You’re from some two-bit town where you were raised on a farm wearing nothing but denim and flannel, believing in giving everyone the benefit of the doubt and all the mumbo-jumbo crap.  Am I correct?”

Jack felt the blush rising on his cheeks and cursed quietly.

“Who knew there were two Smallvilles?”

“Smallville?” Jack asked, looking at Clark in hopes of diverting Lois attention away from him.

“Yes, my partner here hails from Smallville, which is where he met Lex Luthor, and I’m fairly certain where he was brainwashed into trusting the man for life no matter the cost,” Lois answered for Clark.  “Really Clark, when are you going to learn to think for yourself?”

Clark turned a look on Lois that even Superman would have shied away from.  The tension in their little corner of the room was thicker than any pea soup he’d tried.  How these two worked together without killing each other was a miracle in and of itself.

Jack cleared his throat loudly.  “Do you want to have lunch with me?”

Lois’ eyes bugged out.  “What?”

“Lunch, would you like to meet me for lunch?  I hear your partner will be otherwise occupied, and we all are human here and need to eat.  It would be my treat, of course.”

“Of course it would be your treat,” Lois threw back.  “Where?’’

“Wherever you would like,” Jack returned, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

Lois remained silent, picking at some loose nail polish as if she was bored.

“Fine, but only because we are human,” Lois finally replied, grabbing a business card and pen, and handing them over to him.  “Write down a number where I can reach you and I will call you when I’ve decided where to go.”

Jack accepted her stipulations and quickly jotted down his cell phone number.  When he handed the card and pen back to Lois he smiled sincerely and received a small yet quick smile in return.

“Thank you, Lois.”

Lois shrugged her shoulders and grabbed a file from her desk.

“Listen, I’ve got to go see Jimmy about a photo I need.  When I get back, I expect you to be gone.  I have a deadline to meet after all and if I don’t meet it, no lunch.”

Lois stalked away from her desk like a woman on a mission.  When she reached the third cubicle over, she chanced a backwards glance and blushed furiously when their eyes met.  He couldn’t help chuckling as a flustered Lois Lane nearly bee-lined it right into Perry White.

“I’d like to say you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into, but I have a feeling you know exactly what you’re doing,” Clark stated absently when Jack looked back at his employer’s boyfriend.  “I’m sorry I’ve been reluctant in setting you two up.”

“I’m not,” Jack replied honestly.  “She never would have gone for me otherwise.”

“The scary thing is that you’re probably right,” Clark agreed, smiling and laughing.  “But I am sorry.  After everything you did for me back in Smallville, I owed you this.  I just didn’t think…”

“It’s okay, Clark.  Like I said, she probably would have laughed in both of our faces if you tried to set us up.”

“You’re a brave man, Jack,” Clark said.  “When do you plan on telling her you work for Lex?”

“When do you plan on telling Lois you and Lex are dating?”

Clark grinned wider.  “Point taken.”

“Listen, I better get going,” Jack stated, looking at his watch.  “You heard what Lois said.  I got her to agree to a date, and I don’t want to screw anything up.”

“Honestly, I think you’ve intrigued her enough that nothing could screw this up.”

“You think?”

“Trust me, the only other person to intrigue her this much is Superman.  He may thank you for this in the end for distracting her.”

Jack couldn’t help laughing at that comment.  “Really, what does she see in that guy anyway?  I’m mean nothing against him, but if you asked my opinion, I just don’t think she’s his… type.”

“Type?”

“You know, she’s strong, bossy, and definitely female,” Jack stated.  “No offense, but I actually think he’s got a thing for Lex.”

Clark eyes widened in shock. 

“Not that you have anything to worry about, mind you.  Lex is pretty much taken with you and doesn’t notice anyone else whether you’re in the room or not.”

Clark’s laugh was a little forced, but he agreed nonetheless.  “Right.”

He too would be a little jealous if Superman showed interest in the person he loved let alone dated.  Luckily, Superman didn’t care to give Lois the time of day other than for interviews.  In the end, Superman’s loss was his gain.  In the end, Jack hoped that gain ended in love, just like it did for Clark and Lex.

End