“Where’s Jim?” Lex asked, stretching sensually on the bed.

Blair pulled him into his arms. “Outside spying on Clark. I told you not to tell him where he lived.”

Lex chuckled. “It’s not my fault that Jim finds him so fascinating,” he replied burying his face against Blair’s really warm neck.

“It’s not even that. Jim says there’s something odd about Clark.” Blair replied, gently stroking Lex’s bald head. “And it’s driving him crazy not knowing what it is. Lex?”

“Hmm?”

“You really have a thing for purple, huh?”

“How can you tell?”

“Well, I think the purple satin sheets, purple comforter, purple pillow cases, purple rugs, purple towels-shall I go on?”

Lex smiled up at the curly-headed man. “Hmm, no I don’t think you have to. Yes, I really like purple.” He shrugged his shoulders sheepishly. Just then the phone rang. “Let the machine get it. I’m on holiday.”

“Lex, this is your father. Pick up. Pick up, Alexander. I know you’re there. I do not like being ignored. Alright fine-I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”

Lex made a wild grab for the phone after hearing that, missed and landed on the floor in an inelegant, naked sprawl. “Damn.”

Blair looked over the edge of the bed. “Are you alright?”

“Hmm, fine. Pride’s hurt though. Well, that and my butt. I never realized how hard this floor was.”

“Not to worry I won’t tell Jim. Wanna come back up here where it’s warm?”

“Yes,” Lex replied, accepting Blair’s hand. He was quickly gathered into Blair’s warm arms once more.

“Lex, is there something you want to tell me about your father? The bond is chiming violently in warning.”

“I ah…”

“You can’t keep secrets, Lex. The bond won’t allow it.”

Lex sighed heavily. “Damn. Alright. Shouldn’t Jim be here, so I don’t have to repeat it twice?”

“Yes. Call him.”

“He’s way on the other side of the castle.”

Blair cupped Lex’s face. “Jim is a Sentinel. Call him. He’ll hear you. Or use the bond. Reach out to him he’ll know.”

“Are you sure?” Lex asked skeptically.

Blair kissed him gently. “Reach out through the bond and see.”

Lex closed his eyes. He followed the invisible thread he’d come to recognized as Jim over the week they’d been together. Immediately he felt a response. It was like being gathered in big, burly arms and held close. Lex opened his eyes and smiled at Blair. “He’s coming,” he replied, his voice filled with wonder.

“See I told you.”

“Will I be able to do the same with you?”

“Yes. We will always know where the others are at all times.”

Suddenly the door burst open. “Do you know I just saw Clark lift a tractor? Damn, that boy’s odd. Okay, what’s wrong?” Jim asked, hurrying over to his Guides, carefully checking them out.

“Lex. Lex is worried,” Blair told Jim carefully.

“Why?” Jim asked gathering his newest Guide into his arms. Lex allowed it, knowing he wouldn’t be able to fight his Sentinel even if he wanted.

“His father is coming. He’ll be here in half an hour.”

Jim cupped Lex’s face in gentle hands. His new Guide looked so young, so vulnerable, so lost. “Open your thoughts to me, Lex,” he told him quietly. Jim didn’t want to waste time with words. Immediately Jim was flooded with images of a cold man unwilling or unable to offer his only son what he wanted and needed the most. Jim growled menacingly. Immediately backing off when Lex flinched. “It’s alright Lex. We will give you all the love you could possible want or need. While we’re doing this I want you to give me the images of everyone who has ever caused you pain.” Lex resisted for a moment. “Lex what did I tell you about fighting me?” The Sentinel gave a smile that could chill the dead. “I’m not going to hurt anyone. Maim a little, but not hurt. You are ours to protect and cherish. Release the images now, Lex. Don’t make me go digging for them. That might hurt and I really, really don’t want to do that.”

“B…but, Jim?”

“No buts. Release the images.” The Sentinel’s voice brooked no argument and Lex did as he was told. When it was done Jim turned toward Blair. “Did you catch that.”

“Yes,” Blair replied, wrapping himself around Lex who was shaking violently. “Easy, Lex. Everything is going to be okay.”

“B…but, Blair.”

The curly haired man shook his head. “No. No buts. We need to deal with anyone who could possible threaten the bond. Anyone. That includes your Father, Clark, this Lana person, Chloe and Jonathan Kent.”

“B…But they don’t threaten the bond. Do they?”

Blair nodded. “They do. Jim while we’re add it we need to check and see and see why Lex thinks he’s not in the light and repair the damages caused by his Father.”

“Yeah, might as well. Lex?”

“N…no. No,” Lex replied, hastily trying to get off the bed.

“Stop,” Jim commanded loudly.

Lex had no choice. He stopped. Held in place by the strong arms around him and the unmistakable pull of the bond. He fell back on the bed with a whimper.

“Lex, look at me.”

Lex shook his head. “N…no.”

“Why?” Jim asked softly. Wrapping himself protectively around his trembling Guide.

“B…Because once you know what I’ve done you won’t want me for your Guide or to be anywhere near you.”

“That can’t happen, Lex,” Blair told him.

“It can. It can,” Lex insisted. “it’s been great this week. I’ve loved every minute of it. I’ve never felt so safe. So loved,” He sighed sadly. “It was good while it lasted I suppose. Alright, take what you want, I won’t fight you. See for yourselves what a terrible person I am.”

Into the bond Lex released the darkness, the fear and loneliness. His heart and soul crying at the rejection he knew was coming. The rejection that was about to blow his new world to pieces.

Done the room was filled with silence as he waited and waited and waited. Finally unable to take anymore he looked up, blue eyes filled with tears. To find Jim and Blair regarding him quietly. Blair was the first to break the silence.

“Well Lex, that was interesting. Sit up and give me your hand.”

“Why?”

“You’re about to find out why you no longer need to fear the darkness. Give me your hand,” Blair repeated again.

Lex did as he was asked. His other hand taken by Jim. With Blair and the Sentinel linking their free hands. Suddenly the bond flared to a level Lex had not experienced the week they’d been together. In it he found love, acceptance and healing. In spades. Overwhelming him by it’s depth, by the time Blair and Jim were done Lex was sobbing helplessly in his Sentinel’s arms.

“You don’t hate me?”

Jim carefully wiped the tears away. “No, Lex.”

“You should hate me.”

“No, Lex. I don’t hate you.”

Lex met his Sentinel’s eyes hesitantly. “W…Why not? By now everyone else has run out the door screaming bloody murder at what a rotten person I am.”

“I’m not everyone and neither is Blair. And you are many things my skinny little Guide. You are warm, generous, loving, protective of your friends. You can be ruthless, cunning and devious. You can lie with the best of them and deceive to gain your goals.” Jim smiled at him taking the bite out of his statement. “In other words, you are human, Lex. As human as Blair as human as me. Not your odd friend Clark though because I have no idea what he is. Good and bad all mixed in. Do you understand what I’m telling you, Lex?”

“Yes. I think so.”

“Good,” Jim told him kissing his forehead. “I want you to listen to me and take what I tell you to heart. Do not-I repeat, do not try to pull any of those stunts again. We will know it through the bond and there is no place where you can run where I won’t find you. And when I catch you, I’ll tan your hide so good you won’t be able to move for a week. Do we understand one another?”

Lex smiled shakily up at his Sentinel. “Yes. Tanned hide?”

“Yes. With you not being able to move for a week,” Jim replied, wiping the tears still coursing down Lex’s face with his thumbs. “You need to get yourself ready your father will be here in about ten minutes.” The Sentinel picked up the increase in his new Guide’s heartbeat. “Steady. Everything’s alright. Let’s see what he wants and then you can take us on another tour of Smallville and maybe we could stop at your coffeehouse again before we go to Metropolis to celebrate New Years Eve.”

Lex nodded turning to his fellow Guide. “Blair? Do you hate me?” He said in a small voice.

Blair shook his head. “No, Lex. I could never hate you. There are things we all do that are wrong, but we learn from our mistakes and move on. It’s time for you to move on.”

“With you and Jim?”

“Yes,” Blair replied. “you’re a part of us now. Nothing and no one can separate us.”

Lex smiled. Really?”

“Yup. I think you might want to wash up a little. You wouldn’t want your father to see you all red-eyed. Hey?” Lex turned back to look at him as he made his way to the bathroom. “Maybe once we’ve dealt with your father we’ll have time to play on your big, comfy, purple bed before we go to Smallville.”

“I don’t know, we haven’t really got up from the bed all week. You sure you want to spend more time on it?” Blair wiggled his eyebrows at him. “Oh, okay. Yeah, I’m game. Is it my turn to be on top?”

“Hum, yeah I think it is.”

“Cool,” Lex replied, bouncing off toward the bathroom.

Both Jim and Blair watched him go smiling. “I think your bounce has rubbed off on him, Blair,” The Sentinel chuckled. “as well as your speech patterns.”

“Hmm. You complaining?”

“Never,” Jim told him, giving him a gentle kiss.

“What are we going to do about Lionel?”

“Lionel is going to cause a problem. I think I may need to call in the big guns,” Jim said, reaching for his cell phone.

“Where are they?”

“About ten miles outside of Smallville.”

Blair nodded happily. “Cool.”

***

“Well, Father to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?” Lex asked. His ever cool, collected self, now. If still a little red-eyed.

“You didn’t answer you phone,” Lionel replied as he walked arrogantly into Lex’s study. Followed by four of the biggest bodyguards Lex had ever seen.

“Perhaps that was because I did not wish to be disturbed. Did you ever think of that?”

Lionel eyes flashed coming toward him angrily. “I will not tolerate that kind of attitude from my son.”

Jim easily inserted himself protectively in front of Lex. “I don’t think so.”

“And who the hell are you?”

“I’m Lex’s Sentinel,” Jim growled menacing.

Lionel’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Sentinel?”

“Yes,” Jim growled again.

“Lex when did you acquire a Sentinel?”

Lex peeked out from in back of Jim. “I didn’t acquire him he acquired me.”

“Luthor’s do not get acquired, Lex. Didn’t I teach you anything?”

Lex came out from in back of his protective Sentinel. “You taught me a great many things, Father. Not much of what I wanted to learn though.”

Lionel blue eyes flashed angrily once more. “You are an ungrateful child, Lex.”

“Yes, Father. So you keep telling me. What do you want? Perhaps to spend the holidays with your only child?” Lex asked sarcastically.

Lionel raised a hand dismissively. “No, Lex. You are no longer a child who need to spend time with your Mommy and Daddy.” Jim growled at Lionel when he felt the flash of pain in the bond the comment caused. “I suggest you call off your guard puppy, Lex before I have someone put him to sleep.”

Blair suddenly moved forward from where he’d been quietly watching. “I’d like to see you try.”

“And who the hell are you?”

“I’m Blair Sandburg, the other Guide.”

Lionel tisked. “Lex, Lex, Lex. You are quite the deviant, aren’t you. How many in your harem, Lex? Two, three, four?”

“I think you’ve said enough, Luthor. It’s time for you to go,” Jim said angrily.

“This is my castle. No one throws me out of my castle.”

“I can and I will,” The Sentinel declared calmly.

“By what right?” Lionel replied, with bored arrogance.

“By right of the Sentinel. By the simple fact Lex is my Guide. By the fact that everything that is his, is mine and mine his. Lex belongs to me-mind, body and soul that also includes all his belongings, including this castle.”

“How dare you,” Lionel sputtered.

Lex turned surprised blue eyes toward his Sentinel. “Really? How come you didn’t mention this before?”

Jim looked over at Lex. “Yes, Lex. It is a Sentinel law as old as time. And it never came up.”

“Don’t I get a say?”

Jim ran a finger over Lex’s cheek. “No. You lost that the moment I chose you for my Guide and you accepted. I would never take your things from you, but I don’t have time to discuss it with you. We need to deal with your father. Later?”

Lex nodded. There was something about the look in Jim’s eyes that inspired trust. He would trust his Sentinel in this. What help greatly was the bond, it told him that his Sentinel would never hurt him in any way. He would trust it in this, their first battle.

“Lex, we can fight this. I’ll find a way of getting you free of another mess you’ve gotten yourself into. No matter the cost.”

“I don’t want to be free,” Lex told him softly. “I love my Sentinel, very much and am quite happy with the way things are.”

“Oh, Lex,” Jim said softly. “Thank-you.” He added, trying to clear his throat. Deeply touched by the trust Lex was showing him.

Lex smiled shyly up at his Sentinel. “I know it’s not quite the time to bring that up but I just realized it.”

Jim nodded. “We’ll talk about that as well. Let’s take care of your father, shall we?”

Both the Sentinel and Guide turned toward Lionel who was visibly fuming. “I will not allow it.”

“There’s nothing you can do. The bond is in place and rock solid. There is nothing you or anyone can do to change that,” Blair replied, moving closer to Lex. Not touching but close enough for a show of solidarity.

“I will find a way?”

“It is a free country. Do as you see fit. As will we,” Jim told him firmly.

“What does that mean?”

“Blair, would you let Simon in, please?”

“My pleasure,” The curly-haired man replied as he went to the door walking gingerly around the four bodyguards.

A talk dark man with gold-rimmed walked in followed by a dozen men in dark uniforms. “Hello, Simon. I’m glad to see you,” The Sentinel told him.

Simon nodded. “Jim. Is this the troublemaker?” He asked motioning to Lionel.

Jim nodded. “One and the same. Will you explain a few hard truths to him please? He doesn’t want to see reason.”

“Mr. Luthor, I am Simon Banks. I head the Headquarters for Sentinels worldwide.” Simon said, moving forward offering his hand. Lionel looked at it, but didn’t take it. “Okay,” Simon replied, letting his hand drop. “I hear you have a problem with you son being Guide to Jim here.”

“I will fight with all my money and power to separate them.”

Simon pulled out a cigar. “I’m sorry to hear that,” He replied, lighting it carefully.

“And what pray tell, is that suppose to mean?”

Simon pulled out a paper from his jacket. “Here you go” he said handing it to the senior Luthor.

Lionel opened it. “A restraining order?”

“Yes. You are forbidden to come within a twenty mile radius of your son, Lex. You can not call, fax, e-mail, smoke signal or generally harass or annoy him for any reason.”

“You can’t do that, I’m his father,” Lionel yelled angrily.

“You lost that right when you denied the rights of his Sentinel.”

“What?”

“You could have kept your rights as Lex’s father until you said you were going to fight the Sentinel and Guide being together. You cannot do that by any legal law on the planet. For the simple fact, Jim is worth thirty of you. Even with all your money and power.”

“I’m worth 40 billion,” Lionel said arrogantly. “are you saying he’s worth more than that?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. You can call your lawyer, if you like”

Lionel snapped his fingers at one of his bodyguards who quickly took out a cell phone. In the meantime Simon moved over to where Jim stood. “So when are you coming back to Cascade?”

“I don’t know, Simon. It all depends on my new Guide. Oh, I haven’t introduced you to Lex. Lex, this is Simon Banks, my boss.”

Lex offered his hand, which was warmly shaken. “Nice to meet you, Sir.”

“Nice to meet you too, son,” Simon told him with a big smile. “Interesting father you got there.”

“Yes, I know,” Lex sighed softly as he looked over at his father who was arguing angrily on the phone. “Can he break my bond with Jim?”

“No.”

“Are you sure? He’s very powerful,” Lex asked skeptically.

Simon’s dark eyes looked at Lex appraisingly. “Why? Do you want to break it?”

“No. I was justing wondering.”

“I’m pretty sure that Jim and Blair have already told you that the bond is unbreakable once it’s in place. Don’t you believe them?”

“It’s not that I don’t believe them, it’s just that everything good in my life had either died or been taken from me,” Lex said so softly Simon strained to hear him.

Jim pulled Lex in to his arms. “This can’t, Lex. Your father has to realize that as well as you.”

“I feel so good when I’m with you and Blair. I feel whole, not so lost and alone,” Lex said, rubbing his face against Jim’s warm flannel-covered chest. A sudden crash made him flinch.

“Steady, Lex. That’s just your father throwing his cell phone against the wall,” Jim told him chuckling.

“This isn’t over,” Lionel hissed as he marched out of the door followed by his bodyguards.

“Okay, another crisis averted. Do you want me to leave the Sentinel Guards?” Simon asked, taking a heavy puff of his cigar.

“That would probably be a good idea until we know what Lex’s father plans to do next,” Jim replied.

“Alright. I’m heading back to Cascade. I’ve got a pile of paperwork to do. As well as assignments to dole out. I need to know when you’ll be back. As well as when Lex can go into training,” Simon told the Sentinel.

Jim rubbed Lex’s back comfortingly. “Hmm, like I said earlier, I’m not sure. My Guides come first. And Lex here needs time to ajust.”

Blair who had been watching the drama spoke for the first time in about ten minutes. “Simon, can I ask you a question?”

Simon rolled his eyes. “Damn, a question. It’s going to cost me something for sure I just know it,” He sighed heavily. “Alright ask.”

“Does Lex really need to go in for training? I can do that here. I’ve already been certified to teach all about Sentinels. Have the twenty certificates on the wall back in Cascade to prove it.”

“Yeah, yeah. We all know that every Guide on the planet comes to you for training, but if this is a ploy to get a raise, you can forget it. I’m barely making ends meet as it is and with the budget cuts…”

Blair shook his curly hair. “No, that’s not what I mean. I’ve been certified-can’t I train Lex here? In the castle? In Smallville? Lex really likes it here and frankly, so do I.”

“What about Jim?”

Blair smiled at the listening Sentinel. “I think Jim likes Smallville too-it’s got its charm. Can’t Jim use the castle and Smallville as his base of operations? At least for alittle while? Until Lex is more at ease with the bond? Then we can discuss what to do next.”

Simon thought about it. “I don’t see why not. Alright. You have two more weeks of bonding time left. Then I’ll give you a call about your next assignment, Jim.”

“Alright. Thank-you, Simon.”

Simon waved his hand in the air as he made his way to the door. “No problem. See you guys later.”

“Say ‘Hi’ to Daryl for us,” Blair said as the door closed.

“Will do,” Simon’s voice echoed through.

Jim pulled Lex away from his slightly. “See, no violence, not to much screaming and yelling, at least on our part.”

Lex smiled up at his Sentinel. “You handled that very well.”

Jim rubbed Lex’s eyebrows with gentle thumbs. “Yeah, huh?”

Lex moved into the carress with a small murmur of contentment. “How did you know my father was going to cause trouble and where did all those men come from?”

“When a Sentinel bond a Guide for the first time, it’s critical that there not be to many outside influences. When it became known I’d found another Guide, Simon and the Sentinel Guard came down to make sure we weren’t disturbed as the bond solidified and settled. As for your father-well what Simon had was a standard form. His reaction is quite common.”

“Hey, lets forget about that. Don’t we have something to do?” Blair chimed, running a comforting hand over Lex’s back.

“Yes, weren’t we going on a tour of Smallville before heading to Metropolis for New Years Eve?” Lex asked, losing himself in the unconditional love and support being given.

“Yes, but I remember something about a romp in your big, purple bed,” Jim replied, immediately getting a sense of excitement from his two Guides.

“Race you,” Blair challenged Lex.

“Luthors don’t race,” Lex told him snootily.

“First one to the bedroom gets Jim first,” Blair replied, wiggling his eyebrows at Lex.

Like a shot both Guides took off, echoes of laughter bouncing off the castle walls as they fought each other to get to the bedroom first. Jim followed them at a more leisurely pace. “Dumb Guides have no idea,” he said to himself, chuckling softly. “who they’re dealing with,” He added unbuttoning his flannel shirt as he went.

He entered the bedroom to find both Lex and Blair on the bed waiting impatiently for him. Jim pulled his shirt free of his pants watching with a smile the way their eyes widened appreciatively.when he dropped it to the floor.

“Hello, Guides,” he said, slowly walking toward the bed.

***

“Lex, I’m telling you that the world is a kalidscope of colors. The world does not live by purple alone,” Blair was telling his fellow Guide as they got out of Lex’s grape-colored Hummer.

Lex winced slightly as he got out. “I know that, but I like purple.”

Jim smiled when he noticed the wince. “Are you sore, Lex?”

Lex turned to glare slightly at his Sentinel. “You damn well know I am. And it was my turn to be on top.”

“You were on top,” Jim replied, smiling unrepentantly.

Lex opened the doors to the Talon. “I was suppose to be the topper not the toppee.”

“Technicalities, Lex. You had fun didn’t you?” Jim asked as he lead Blair into the coffee house with a gentle hand on his back.

Lex got a smile on his face that could almost be described as dreamy. “Oh, yeah,” Remembering how he’d rode Jim for what felt like hours. With the Sentinel deep, so deep inside of him it almost felt like they were one person. “but it was my turn to take you.” He complained half-heartedly.

“You did and I thoroughly enjoyed it. And you Blair-how do you feel?”

“Hmm, my butt quit throbbing about twenty minutes ago.” Blair looked up at his Sentinel suspiciously. “Are you taking Viagra or something?”

Jim looked at him smugly. “Nope. That was all me and my appreciation for my two beautiful Guides. Hmm, I smell donuts-especially buttermilk donuts. Hey-Lex, they got muffins. What kind do you want?”

“Don’t want a muffin.”

“Eat a donut then.”

Lex looked up at his Sentinel. “No really. I’m not hungry. I don’t want anything but maybe some coffee.” Signing inwardly-knowing he’d already lost the battle. Jim was forever trying to get him to eat.

“Okay, one banana nut muffin and coffee coming up. Blair what would you like? I smell different likes of teas.”

Blair smiled at aggrieved look on Lex’s face. “Hmm, banana nut muffin like Lex and a cup of herbal tea-doesn’t matter which.”

“Okay. Find us someplace to sit. I’ll be right back.”

“How’s this?” Blair asked Lex choosing a table near the door.

“That’s fine. Why is Jim always trying to get me to eat?” Lex asked, sitting down carefully. Oh man, was he ever sore.

“Because he says you’re to skinny. And it’s a Blessed Protector thing. Just eat the muffin and make your Sentinel happy,” Blair replied, sitting down just as gingerly.

“Oh, alright, geez,” Lex said, rolling his eyes, but pleased that his Sentinel was thinking about him. “So what did you want to do tonight?”

“Whatever you like. I kinda like the idea of dinner and dancing. But I’ll be just as happy spending the time with just you and Jim in your penthouse.”

“I can always have food catered in and we can dance there if you want. It’ll be quiet, intimate.”

Blair nodded. “That’s cool. We can ask Jim if that’s okay with him when he comes back.”

“Hi, Lex.”

Lex startled slightly, lost in conversation with Blair. He looked up. “Hi, Clark. How are you?”

“Fine, thank-you. I haven’t seen you around for awhile.”

“Yes, well I’ve been busy. How are your holidays so far?”

“Nice. Was Santa good to you, Lex?”

Lex smiled looking over at Blair and then up at his Sentinel as Jim brought the drinks and food. “Better than I ever though possible.”

“Have a seat, Clark,” Jim said as he laid the muffin in front of Lex motioning for his Guide to eat.

“Hmm, okay,” Clark replied, sitting in the free chair. “What are your plans for New Years Eve?”

“Well, I think Lex and Blair want to go to Lex’s penthouse in Metropolis.” Jim replied straddling a chair.

“That’s cool,” Clark said, green eyes widening in surprise. He’d never been invited to the penthouse.

“Hey, Lex, how are your holiday’s going?”

They all turned to watch as Chloe and Lana walked up to him. “Very nicely, thank you, Chloe. Yours? Hello Lana.”

“Good. Who are your friends?” Chloe asked, eyeing Jim and Blair.

“Ever the reporter, Chloe? I’d like you to meet Jim Ellison and Blair Sandburg. Jim is a Sentinel and Blair is his Guide,” Lex told them with a small smile.

“Lex,” Jim growled at him softly. Earning a startled look from the teenagers.

“Okay, okay,” Lex said hurriedly. “no secrets. Jim is also my Sentinel.”

“Lex, you’re bonded to a Sentinel?” Chloe said in surprise.

“Hmm, yes,” Lex replied, taking a careful sip of his very hot coffee.

“That’s so cool. Can I have an interview for the newspaper? I bet your dad’s having a fit.”

“No and yes he is.”

“Come on, Lex. As far as I know there are very few Sentinels bonded to two Guides? One little interview, please.”

“No. Go find some mutants for your Wall of Weird and leave me alone, please,” Lex said testily.

Not offended in the least Chloe looked at Jim and Blair. “How about it Mr Ellison, Mr Sandburg?”

Jim shook his head, while Blair nodded. “I’ll do it, but not till after the holidays.”

“Cool. See, Lex-not everyone’s a partypooper like you,” Chloe said, sticking out her tongue at Lex.

Lex smiled. “Oh, very grown up, Chloe.”

“I’m not a grown-up yet I’m only sixteen.”

“Oh-that explains it. Go play with your dolls then.”

“Okay. I’ll give you a call next week Mr Sandburg?” Blair nodded. “Cool. Coming Lana?”

“In a minute. I need to talk to Lex.”

“Alright. Bye everyone.”

Lex looked up at the petite brunette expectantly. “What did you need, Lana?” He sighed inwardly. The only time Lana came near him was when she needed something that nobody else could or would do.

“Not now, Lex. Lana is it?” Jim asked the girl standing by their table.

“Yes. But I was wanted to talk to Lex, not you,” Lana said with her usual arrogance.

“When you talk to my Guide you talk to me and I said not right now. Go away little girl before you make me angry.”

Lana gave a tight smile. “What, you talk for Lex now?”

Jim narrowed his blue eyes giving Lana a look that had scared Lex out of three years growth when it’d been aimed at him. “Yes. And you will not take that tone with me or my Guide ever again. If you do you’ll not like the consequences And I don’t give a f…fig if you’re only sixteen. Do we understand each other?”

Lana paled. “Y…yes.”

“Good. Go away now. Do not try and contact Lex in any way shape or form until I say so.”

Without a word Lana turned and left.

“Don’t you think you were being a little harsh with Lana?” Clark asked, almost angrily.

Jim turned toward him. “Don’t involve yourself in this, Clark. Because I haven’t dealt with you or your father yet.”

“Jim…”

“Don’t, Lex. I want you and Blair to wait for me in the Hummer.”

“No, Jim. Please.”

Jim reached out and ran a gentle finger over Lex’s pale face. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to hurt him. I just want to have a few words with him and it’s better if you weren’t here to hear them. Go. Listen through the bond, if you have to.”

The Sentinel watched his two Guide leave the Talon before turning back toward Clark. “Alright Clark-now that Lex has a Sentinel it opens a whole new playing field.”

“What does that mean,” Clark asked softly, trying to make himself as unthreatening as possible.

Jim smiled at him. “Don’t try that, Clark. It won’t work. I saw you lifting a tractor this morning.”

Clark paled. “That’s impossible. I didn’t lift a tractor this morning.”

“Yes, you did. I’m a Sentinel. If you don’t know what that is I suggest you look it up.”

Clark sighed unhappily. “What do you want?”

“It’s simple, Clark. For some odd reason Lex likes you. I could stop that friendship, but I won’t. I’m telling you now that you are not to involve Lex in anything life threatening ever again. If you do and my Guide gets hurt you will answer to me. What you thought Lex would do to you is nothing compared to what I’ll do to you. And I know your secret. The secret you’ve been trying to hide from Lex for the past two years. He knows by the way.”

“H…he knows?” Clark paled even further.

“Yes, he knows and doesn’t care. He’s got other things to keep himself occupied with now.”

“You and Blair?”

“Yes.”

“Where do I fit in on this new playing field?”

“I told you. I won’t keep Lex from seeing you, if he wants. You are his friend and despite everything you’ve done to him you’ve looked out for him and kept him from getting hurt to badly. For that I am grateful.”

“You can’t keep me from seeing Lex,” Clark said softly, green eyes wide and beseeching. Lex was his friend and he would miss him a great deal if he couldn’t see him again.

“I could. I will do whatever it takes to protect my Guide and keep him safe. All of him Mind, body and soul. Which brings me to your father.”

Clark’s green eyes flashed. “Are you threatening my Father.”

Jim smiled. “Settle down, farm boy. It’s just a friendly warning. If your father insults Lex because of his last name again I will deal with him accordingly. That’s it. See it didn’t hurt abit.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t include my mother in all this,” Clark said bitterly.

“Why should I? Lex likes her. A lot.”

Silence for along moment before Clark spoke again. “I’m glad Lex found you.” He said smiling tentatively at Jim.

“Yeah, so am I.”

“He’s needed something for along time. Something I couldn’t give him.”

“He has it now,” Jim replied, tilting his face to the side as if listening to something. “Lex says to come to the castle day after tomorrow. He’d like to spend some time with you before you have to go back to school.”

Clark smiled again. “Really?” This time happily.

Jim returned it. “Yeah. You’re his friend and he loves you. It’s to bad your Dad didn’t let you keep the truck Lex gave you for saving his life. It’s beautiful.”

“Yeah it is,” Clark replied wistfully. The Sentinel tilted his head again after a moment he chuckled softly. “What?” Clark asked curiously.

“Lex just told me he’d buy me a truck if I wanted one.”

“Are you going to take him up on it?”

“Hell, yeah. If my Guide wants to, he can spoil me all he wants. I’m not going to complain.”

“I wish my parents would let Lex spoil me.”

“You‘re what- almost eighteen?” Clark nodded. “Lex can take you shopping on your eighteenth birthday. I’ve got to get going. Blair just reminded me about our New Year’s Eve plans. See you around kid. Oops, Lex wanted his muffin. Skinny little Guide needs to eat a lot more.” The Sentinel said, coming back for it and for Lex’s coffee. Sticking his forgotten buttermilk donut in his mouth before grabbing Blair’s muffin as well. He left the Talon.

Clark watched Jim leave with a small wistful smile on his face.

***

Twelve o’clock midnight found both Guides wrapped around their Sentinel swaying gently to the music coming out of Lex’s expensive stereo system. It had been great night. Lex had gone all out in getting a celebration feast together for them. Jim had drawn the line at the caviar. He couldn’t bring himself to eat fish eggs and promply turned his Sentinel nose up at it. He had thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the exotic meal though.

Stuffed on rich food and expensive wine they now swayed together slowly enjoying the closeness and comfort they readily fed to one another through the bond.

Jim pulled Lex away slightly. “Are you having fun, Lex?” He asked softly, gently stroking Lex’s almost nonexistent eyebrows with his thumbs.

Lex smiled up at him. “Oh, yes.” He looked away for a moment before meeting his Sentinel’s eyes almost shyly. “Do you remember when you said back at the Talon about my spoiling you?”

“Yes, Lex.”

“I want to start now. I’ve got a present for you and Blair.”

“Really?”

“Hmm, can I go get them?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm, well you’re going to have to let me go,” Lex said smiling.

“Oh,” Jim replied, reluctantly letting his Guide go.

Lex went to his desk and drew out two velvet covered boxes. Slowly he made his way back to the two waiting men. He carefully offered them, waiting silently.

Jim opened his first. “Lex, it’s beautiful. When did you have the time to get this? How did you keep this silent through the bond?”

Lex went to stand close to his Sentinel. “Two days after we bonded. I don’t know how I was able to keep it from you. Probably because the bond had not solidified yet. The rest of the time I was so busy with you and Blair I didn’t think about them. What do you think? Do you like it?”

Jim pulled the simple gold band out. It shone brightly in the candlelight, the only source of light in the room. “It’s beautiful, Lex. But why?”

Lex shrugged. “I wanted you to have solid prove of my devotion and love for you and Blair.”

“It’s beautiful, Lex,” Jim repeated, putting the ring on.

Lex turned to his fellow Guide. “Blair?”

Blair had already put the ring on and was admiring it. “I second what Jim said. It’s beautiful. Where’s yours, Lex?”

Lex reached into his pocket and pulled an exact duplicate of the other two rings. “Here.”

“Let me put it on,” Jim told him reaching for it.

His Sentinel carefully sliding it onto the ring finger of Lex’s left hand. Pulling him close he murmured softly, “Mine.”

Lex sighed contently. “Yours.” Feeling Blair move closer as well. “Both of yours.”

“Happy New Year, Lex,” Blair told him rubbing his back warmly.

“Yes, I really think this year it will be,” Lex replied.