Once again Lex is alone in his study, still unraveling the mystery of Ms. Peyton in his head. He seems lost in his laptop, examining Audrey's property records, in comparison to his fatherís recent real estate acquisitions.

     He instinctively closes the computer as he hears a soft knock, followed by the opening door.

     "I asked not to be disturbed" Lex firmly says, annoyed by the distraction.

     "I'm sorry Mr. Luthor, I...I'll come back" Audrey says, obviously embarrassed for her unannounced visit. She turns to leave the room, her head down, unable to look at him.

     Lex is out of his chair, standing beside her before she can even reach the knob. Placing his hand on her shoulder he urges her to stay, offering her "Please, call me Lex."

     Lex. The name she had so often said in the company of love, in intense moments of passion and in candid moments of friendship, now caused her pain to utter. If she was consigned to be Ms. Peyton in his world, he would have to stay Mr. Luthor in hers.

    Turning to face him, she is instantly greeted by his outstretched hand. "We didn't get to formally meet last night" he begins, his eyes overflowing with his desire to meet her. "I hope you are feeling better today" he adds.

     Audrey shakes his hand, the reunion of their flesh fueling the roller coaster of emotions she has ridden since the day his mind was closed to her. The warmth of his skin igniting the flame of desire within her, yet the nagging reality of what had come to pass caused his flesh to sting her. A bitter reminder of all that she had lost.

     Closing her eyes she takes a deep breath, hoping she can disguise her feelings towards him, and say what she came to say.

     "Are you okay?" Lex asks, her inner struggle evident on her face.

     Pulling herself together, she smiles, answering "I'm fine. Thank you."

     "Please have a seat" Lex says, his hand showing her towards the couch.

     "Would you like a drink?"

     "Orange juice would be great, thanks" she says, sitting down.

     Her fingers graze across the leather couch, it's softness welcoming her to a part of his world she had never seen.

     "I wanted to personally thank you for the painting you sent me" Lex says, setting down the juice in front of her, taking a seat in the arm chair.

     "That's the reason I'm here, I had hoped it reached you safely" Audrey says, taking a sip.
The presence of the juice in her throat enabling her to continue her anonymous charade, ridding her of the lump in her throat.

     "It's an extraordinary piece, I'm honored to have it in my collection" Lex says, his words of praise having the opposite affect on her.

    She had painted the piece the first night they shared together. Her freedom of expression unhindered, able to flow freely, inspired by the moments before and after she gave herself to him. In the quiet hours before dawn she created it, caressing the canvas with colors that seemed  more brilliant thanks to her new palette his love provided her. Watching him sleep, she completed it, anxious to give him another piece of her.

     He fell in love with the painting, so much so that he insisted it be hung in her gallery near the  terrace where they first met. He said he wanted it to be somewhere that every time they looked at it they would remember where it all begun.

     She had sent it hoping he would be able to remember.

     Lex, curious as to what the connection is between Audrey and his father asks "Is there any particular reason why you sent it to me, instead of displaying it in your gallery?"

      "I had read that you collect art" she begins. "It's a very special piece to me. I wanted it to go to someone who would appreciate it" she says, hiding the truth impeccably.

     Lex leans towards her, placing his hand on her knee, his eyes sparkling as he looks into hers. "I hope you'll give me the opportunity to repay you for the gift."

     The look in his eyes as he casually touches her skin drives a knife into her heart. Although she longs to still be object of his affection, the distance in his touch, the lack of true feelings behind his stare, can serve as a reminder that she is a perfect stranger to him.
 
 
 

******
 
 
 

     Lex's advances toward her could not be welcomed or returned. For as much as she wished they could start all over again, she knew that lightning seldom struck the same place twice.

     Powerful men like Lex Luthor often had casual affairs, obtaining women by flashing their assets, using them as arm decoration and one night stands. The first night they met she had feared his advances towards her were simply that. A shallow game by a powerful man, toying with the heart of a vulnerable woman. By some magical twist of fate Lex was interested in much more that night. He was interested in opening his heart and life to her, and thatís exactly what he did.

     She would rather live forever with the memory that she had been the exception in his long list of women. The lack of connection in his eyes when he looked at her now proved to her that now she was only the woman he knew as a benevolent artist from Metropolis. A woman perhaps he would play with and tease, but she could not hang onto the hope that he could lower his guard again to a world of happiness.

     So Audrey was able to walk out of the mansion able to stand tall, able to listen to her head over the pangs of her broken heart. She could not allow herself to go down a path she knew would be destructive. The walls they had once broken down between them had been built back twice as thick. She was not powerful enough to break them down alone. She and Lex would have to remain separated for their own protection, even if it meant she would have to live the rest of her days without being loved the same way by him. She would respect the memory of what they had, to enter into anything less would hurt too much.
 
 
 

******
 
 
 

     Sunsets were always a beautiful site when viewed from the loft of the Kent barn. Chloe stood admiring the colors of God's canvas, her blonde locks and pink cheeks glowing. As breathtaking as the sunset was, her glow was most radiant from being able to stand by Clark's side.

     As much as she wished this moment in the twilight could move towards a place with him she had visited in her dreams, she knew she had come to deal with a more pressing issue. Chloe had become a master at pushing back her own emotions to protect another's, and this day would be no exception.

     "Where's the Kent Farm Artist Laureate?" Chloe asks with an inflated grin, hoping desperately to hide her feelings.

     "Actually," Clark starts, "she went to see Lex."

     Chloe snaps her attention up at Clark, "She did?"

     "Yes, I guess she figured she owed him an explanation for last night" Clark says, taking a casual glance into his telescope.

     "Clark" Chloe says, grabbing his attention with her hand in front of the lens, "I really don't think they should see each other again."

     "Why, what's up?" he asks, his attention now focused on planet Chloe.

     "Lex's condition isn't exactly permanent, Clark," Chloe says, her doe eyes wide with worry.

     "What do you mean, Chloe? How could that be?" he asks, hoping this is another logic leap of her's.

     "I did some research today and found out that the procedure can only really hide past events, not completely erase them" Chloe says, the look on her face telling Clark this is real.

     "It generates walls, hiding select memories in the subconscious. Something as simple as a smell, a place, a sound could trigger a memory. Just being around Aubrey could cause everything to come flooding back."

     These words strike fear into Clarkís heart.   If there was one positive element of the torture Lionel inflicted upon Lex, it was that the knowledge Lex had discovered about Clarkís secret, his powers, had been buried.  As much as Lex regaining his memory could hurt Lionel, it could also hurt Clark. To protect Lex from his father, Chloe and Clark would have to find a way to keep him away from Audrey.

     Sadly though, in doing this it meant dividing Lex from someone that truly made him happy. Perhaps the one glimmer of light that had ever shown into his dark life.

     "If Lex were able to recall the truth about his grandparent's death there's really no telling how far Lionel would go next time to protect the secret" Chloe says, fearful for Lex, and the secret she holds within herself.

     Clark knew what Chloe said was right. Lionel had done the unspeakable to his son, and was sure to take an even more permanent step should the need arise. Clark wasnít sure how things had gotten so complicated.
 
 
 

******
 
 

     Lionel sweeps through the double doors of Lexís private study, uncharacteristically dressed in a deep red sweater instead of his sweeping long coat.

     "Even God took one day off, Son" Lionel bellows, making a line for the scotch.  "It's Saturday night, Lex, perhaps you could emulate Him."

     Lex slides the lid of his laptop down, almost annoyed at the sight of his father.  "Donít tell me, Dad, that youíve dropped by to watch the Saturday movie on ABC?"

     'I haven't the faintest idea what that is, but I do worry that the rift between us has widened into a trough," Lionel speaks into this glass of scotch.

     "I thought you wanted it to be a trough, then you could pitch me in it."

     "Why do you persist on inventing ways to cut me, son. I have simply noticed that it has been quite some time since we picked up our swords and sparred."

     Lex couldn't help but smile.  He knew that although fencing was never involved, he and his father sparred regularly.  Or, perhaps, was Lionel also aware of this fact, and the metaphor wasn't as sharp as Lex originally thought?  Either way, Lex was not in the mood.

    "Well, perhaps we'd have had more tender moments if every event we shared didní' involve some type of combat," Lex tries hard to not allow his eyes to roll back in his head.

     "You would have been happy attending the opera? Or an art exhibit?" Lionel asks slyly.

     Lex knows exactly where Lionel is going with this.  Lionel's last sentence had barely slid ut from between his lips when his body slid across the room to Audrey's painting.

     "What is your fascination with that painting?" Lex has to ask.

     "I'm intrigued, by this lonely little piece, not so much by its craft, but by who could have possibly given it to you. It seems a little personal to be a gift from a business associate."

     Lex is tired, and not in the mood for this particular sparring match.  "Dad, I suspect you know the answer to that question, but I'll answer it anyway. It was a gift from the artist herself."

     Lionel purses his lips, hoping Lex will expand on his answer.  If Lionel is forced to continue his interrogation, he may tip his hand.  However, if Lex will tire of the silence, Lionel can play his ace later in the game.

     "Sheís quite a remarkable woman," Lex finally says, taking Lionel's bait.

     "Is she?"

      "Besides being talented, sheís attractive and she makes a mean Gespacchio," Lex practically shivers at the thought.  He, in fact, doesn't know why he said that.

     Lionel turns to this, the questions ringing through his head evident by his raised brow.  Lex usually has a very good poker face, but the shock and amazement over his last words is evidently a puzzle to the younger Luthor.

     "Gespaccho?" Lionel asks.

     "I don't know why I thought of that. But, when I thought of her right now, I tasted gespaccho."

     Lionel's lip curls. "That's odd, son."

     Whatever Lionel was after, Lex fears he may have just given him.  What's more perplexing, is that Lex doesn't know what he just gave.

     "I'm sorry, son, I'll have to take a rain check on that, what did you call it? ABC movie?"  Lionel doesn't wait for the answer, he leaves the room abruptly.
 
 
 

*****
 
 

     The crackling sizzles springing from the cast iron skillet were a welcomed sound in the Kent kitchen. The aromatic celebration dancing through the air tickled the noses of everyone in the house, announcing in the best way that breakfast this morning was being made by the master.

     Martha's new relationship with Audrey had divided her attention from her family and work around the house. For the last several days she felt it necessary to comfort Audrey, and try to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding her. However, the time Martha spent with Audrey revealed to her a piece of herself she didnít realize was missing. It was refreshing to be able to discuss her feelings about Clark and Jonathan with another woman freely. She felt like a dormant part of her was finally blossoming, and it felt good. It felt good to be needed by Audrey, but this morning it felt wonderful to be needed by the men in her life.

     Martha is buzzing around the kitchen, buttering the toast, topping off the stack of pancakes with warm maple syrup, setting the table for breakfast.

     "Clark. Jonathan" she shouts, dusting the flour from the pancakes onto her apron. "Breakfast is ready!"

     Audrey comes into the kitchen carrying a jar of preserves, looking as sunny as the morning. The worst was over. She had faced Lex, and was able to do it without shedding a tear. Perhaps she could move on.

     She would always carry with her the memories of what she had in Metropolis, what she had with Lex, but looking back was no way to move forward. Today she would start picking up the pieces of her shattered dreams, and begin building her new life.

     "Everything smells so wonderful" Audrey says, carrying the plate of biscuits over to the table.

     Jonathan comes into the kitchen, following the plate of biscuits with his eyes, able to snatch one and steal a bite without Audrey noticing.

     "Good morning ladies" he says, sitting down.

     Martha passes him a sly smile, noticing the crumbs down the front of his flannel.

     Audrey brings him over a cup of coffee, relishing the simplicity of a laid back family breakfast.

     "You look nice this morning" Jonathan says, noticing the color in Audrey's cheeks.

     "Thank you" she says, blushing. This was the first time Jonathan had really let his guard down around her, and it felt nice to feel welcome around the man of the house.

     All eyes move to Clark as he enters the kitchen holding an enormous bouquet of white roses.

     "Where did those come from, Clark?"  Martha asks, putting down the plate, taking time to smell the beautiful flowers.

     "Someone just brought them to the door" Clark says, placing them down on the counter.

     Audrey knew instantly the delivery was for her, and she knew who it was from. White roses were her favorite, and Lex had a way of always finding the most beautiful ones to ever bloom.

     Martha's curiosity lead her to the card nestled down within the blooms. "Audrey, they're for you."

     Audrey takes the tiny envelope from Audrey, and moves towards the doorway to open it privately. She peels it open, revealing the chinese proverb written inside:
"Tell me and I'll forget; Show me and I may remember; Involve me and I'll understand."

She closes the card, the color in her face draining away.
 
 
 

******
 
 

     As much as Jonathan tried to live by the example set down by God, this Sunday there was far too much work to be done to rest. Unfortunately he had already lost almost an hour of precious daylight searching for the tractor keys, that had somehow slipped out of his pocket while he was working in the barn.

     Thank goodness for Clark, especially on days like today. His X-Ray vision seemed tailor made to help find such needles in a barn full of haystacks.

     "Clark, son, do you mind looking around for my keys" Jonathan asks, already exhausted. The strain of a seven day work week evident on his face.

     "But Dad" Clarks says, hoping his father can read his eyes.

     Jonathan had laid down the law. Clark was not to use any of his abilities near Audrey, and she was only a few paces away, carrying in some clothes in from her car.

     Jonathan looks around, the coast is clear. He nods Clark on, besides his X-Ray vision isn't something she could really see him use anyway.

     Clark focuses his eyes, scanning around the barn, searching for the keys. Jonathan had done a good job at misplacing them. This wasn't going to be an easy fix, even for Clark.

     Clark locks his eyes, concentrating on taking in every square inch of the barn. He didn't break despite the tapping on his shoulder, he whirls around and sees a skeleton waving a pair of keys.

     "Thanks, Clark, but I found them," Jonathan smiles.

     Clark almost allows his eyes to relax, but something beyond Jonathan focuses his attention.  Bent over her car, is Audrey.  However, that's not whatís caught his attention.  It's the movement, seemingly from inside of her that fixates his eyes on her.  If it wasn't for the film they just watched in science class, he might not have noticed what it was he was looking at. Clark knew exactly what he saw, a tiny beating heart.