Title: Secrets
Author: Malana
Email: Malana@mac.com
Series: Truth, Justice, and the American Way
Pairing: Willow/Clark Kent
Disclaimer: I don't own Smallville or Buffy
Note: This is modeled after the style of Jinni's many When I Woke Up series. The story is written with her permission. This is a response to a challenge by Charley. Jinni is answering the Challenge with a Lex pairing, I'm doing it with Clark.
Spoilers: Through Chosen for Buffy. In Smallville anything up to The Truth is fair game. Things go AU near the end of season 3

This is so weird.

I'm sitting on a plane right now.

Okay, so that isn't the weird part.

The weird thing is I'm flying to Smallville, Kansas on a private jet.

Lex Luthor's private jet.

My husband is friends with Lex Luthor. One of the richest guys in the world, and he's friends with my 18-year-old husband.

I'm still dealing with that one.

Buffy and Xander are pissed at me. Clark's friends don't seem too happy either. I think that everyone thinks we're crazy.

I can understand that.

I kind of think we're crazy too.

But, sane or not, we decided to give this marriage a go.

When I pulled Xander and Buffy out of Clark's room, they immediately started to freak out. Especially, Xander. He may not have Slayer strength, but Clark didn't even blink when Xander punched him.

Buffy and Xander accused him of being a demon. It took everything I had to convince them that he isn't. I didn't tell them that he's an alien. Not only would they think I was crazy, but it's not my secret to tell.

Then Clark stuck his head out and said he wanted to talk to me.

I figured that he wanted to discuss divorce options.

I was wrong.

He laid out his plan. We'd give it six months. If I turned out to be pregnant, we'd give it 9. After that weÕd decide whether or not we should stay together.

My first thought was that it was one of stupidest plans I'd ever heard.

My second was that I had to agree to it.

I don't know why, but the thought I getting a divorce bothered me. Maybe things would work out. And if not, we'd divorce then. But at least we'd have given it a try. That seems important to me somehow.

Now I'm going to Kansas to meet the parents.

I wonder if they'll hate me.

I'd hate me.

Clark has been repeatedly assuring me that his parents are great, but I'm still nervous as hell.

I got drunk and married their 18-year-old son. That doesn't exactly lead to happy parental feelings.

I drum my fingers on the arm of my seat. Clark is near the back of plane, having what must be a rather intense conversation with his friends. I know they're only a few years younger than me, but it seems like more. Watching them, I'm reminded of Buffy, Xander and I in high school. And that seems like it happened almost a lifetime ago.

"Mind if I join you?"

I look up to see Lex Luthor standing beside me. "Please, Mr. Luthor. Have a seat. It is your plane after all."

He smiles and sit down, "Call me Lex. After all, you are my good friendÕs wife. There's no need to be formal."

I smile a little. "Lex."

"I know it's probably not going to help, but you really shouldn't be so nervous. The Kents are good people. They won't blame you for this."

"I find that I little hard to believe."

"Trust me. I'm the one getting blame for this. And Clark too. But mostly me. Jonathan Kent isn't exactly my biggest fan. And I am the one who thought up the Vegas trip. Not to mention the fact that I provided fake IDs"

I sigh and shake my head. "I can't believe I'm doing this." I glance back to make sure that Clark is still occupied. "What can you tell me about Clark?"

"Clark is a good guy." Lex pauses for a moment before saying more. "That's honestly the best way I can describe him. He's the hero type, always swooping in to save those in need. But he can be... oblivious."

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"Don't get me wrong, Clark has nothing but the best of intentions. But he's not always aware of how his actions affect others. People have gotten hurt in the past."

"So, basically my husband is a big dummy?"

Lex smirks. "Well, those aren't exactly the words I would use."

"Hey, I've been in relationships with worse."

"I must admit. I'm surprised that you and he are staying married."

"So am I."

"You don't exactly strike me as the farmer's-wife-type."

That's true. I'm more of the killing-demons-with-my-witchy-powers type. But I can't exactly say that to Lex.

"I don't plan on being a farmer's wife. I'll do freelance computer work. Clark said he was already planning on taking year off before going to college. We'll just be living on the Kent farm until we can find an apartment."

"If you need any help, I'm always ready to assist my friends."

I look at him for a long moment, not really knowing what to say. Lex is just so...so smooth. I don't quite trust it. "Thank you, Lex. But I've got plenty of money. Between the account my parents set up, and my own computer work, I'll think we'll be fine."

"Well, I hope it works out for you."

"Thanks. Are you married?"

Lex smiles grimly. "Not anymore. My wife tried to kill me."

Way to go Willow Nothing like making things incredible awkward. "Oh, god. I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Lex says, waving away my apology. "These things happen."

I raise my eyebrows, "These things happen? Have you married a lot of people who've tried to kill you or something?"

"Well, having it be my wife was a new one. But threats on my life are nothing new. I am a Luthor after all." Lex glances at his watch, and then back at me. "We'll be landing pretty soon."

Clark finishes his conversation with his friends, and walks up to us. "Hey, Lex. Could you give us a few moments."

"Of course."

Lex moves to another seat, and Clark sits down.

"Hey. Are you ready to meet them?"

I shrug. "I guess."

"Look, Willow. I know we agreed to give it a few months. But you can't back out of it any time you want. I'll understand."

I smile at him. Whatever else he may be, he actually his quite sweet. "I know, Clark. But thank you."

With that, we lapse into silence. Oh god. I can't even keep up a conversation with him. How is this ever going to work?