Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Disclaimer: Same as previous chapters.
Chapter 6
The next week was interesting enough as Andrew was enjoying his work on the Kent farm though he had a suspicion that the Kent’s were hiding something from him but he wasn’t going to press it, he was sure they were good people.
Lex also had Andrew study books about business, the art of war and even put him into a workout routine to begin to add some muscle mass to him.
Jonathon was keeping an eye on Andrew; first to protect Clark and second to see if Andrew was anything like the Luthors and he looked on curiously as Andrew seemed to know his way around a farm.
He walked over and said, “Andrew, have you worked on a farm before coming to live with Lex?”
Andrew nodded, “Yeah, my grandfather on my mom’s side had an Animal ranch outside of Sunnydale, Tucker and I had to go there every summer and help out until I was ten. Tucker hated it but I loved working with the animals.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Jonathon asked a bit curious about the answer would be.
“Oh, because,” Andrew said, “Sometimes surprises are good and also my grandfather said I was better with the animals than on the machines and hay and I wasn’t sure what you guys would put me to work on,”
“Yeah, you are. I was surprised when Clark told me that you knew how to milk a cow,” Jonathon said sitting down and gestured to him to sit down, after Andrew sat down next to him Jonathon sighed, “Do you miss your family?”
“Umm, maybe not my brother, Tucker as he’s a bit strange at times,” Andrew said, “But my mom and Mr Wells? Yeah.”
“Why did Lex take you from your family, did he give any reason to you?” Jonathon asked concerned.
“First of all,” Andrew said, “I know you dislike him but Lex is my brother and he’s been really nice to me even though he trains me constantly, he has me read these big books on business and Sun Tzu’s art of war.”
Jonathon sighed, “Well, tell him to remember that you still need to have some fun too.”
Andrew nodded and smiled and went back to work, Jonathon walked in and saw Martha making dinner, and she smiled and said, “How’s our newest farmhand doing?”
“Good, he has a bit of experience,” Jonathon said, “Especially with the animals and he doesn’t complain about the chores I’m having him do.”
Martha nodded, “Ask him if he wants to stay for dinner? I’m making ribs.”
Andrew was outside lugging a bag of feed into the barn when Clark came by and helped him with the bag, “Thanks,” Andrew said, “You think this place would have more farmhands.”
Clark smiled, “We never really needed too many farmhands here.”
“But it’s so big,” Andrew said, “I mean for you and your father to run alone.”
“Yeah,” Clark smiled, “So tell me, what Sunnydale is like?”
“Oh,” Andrew smiled, “Lex said it was like a cesspool covered in flowers to try cover up the stench of the town.”
“That’s seems a bit harsh,” Clark said shaking his head.
“But it fits Sunnydale,” Andrew said, “That place is evil,” and began to feed the animals, “I’m almost glad that Lex pulled me out of there.”
“What about your friends?” Clark asked, “You had some didn’t you?”
“A couple,” Andrew smiled, “Jonathon was actually pretty much my only friend, the other one was Larry but he stopped being so angry after he came out of the closet but before that he was pretty mean.”
Clark nodded and said, “Why don’t you call them?”
“Not sure,” Andrew said, “It’s been so busy this last week; what with me moving here and the evil fire making coach, I’ve been busy.”
Meanwhile at the mansion Buffy was getting uneasy, Giles was supposed to be here soon, like tomorrow.
Lex looked up and said, “Stop pacing Ms Summers, if you’re this nervous tonight then tomorrow you’ll be a wreck.
“Sorry,” Buffy sighed, “It’s just that Giles is really important to me and he was terrified by the fact that I was supposedly dead.”
“Understandable,” Lex said, “We all crave acceptance from our fathers or father like figures, right? And speaking of fathers; my father calls constantly, he seems interested in Andrew’s wellbeing and how he’s doing in school.”
“Why? Buffy asked, “I mean we told him that we were your servant’s, right?”
“Yes and perhaps he’s concerned about you two getting under the umbrella of Luthorcorp’s medical protection,” Lex said, “We have a great medical plan.”
Buffy shrugged, “Let’s hope that’s what it is, I’d hate for him to show up at school, give Andrew a big hug and say, ‘Guess what I found out?’”
Lex thought of his father doing that in public and began to laugh out loud at the idea of his father showing that much affection for anyone in public, he shook his head, “Ms Summers, you don’t know my father.”
“True but anyways thanks for letting Giles stay here Mr Luthor,” Buffy smiled, “It’s really nice of you.”
“Well anyways, I’m going to go out to get Andrew home,” Buffy said and walked out.
“I’ll go with you,” Lex said, “I do want to see how Andrew is working on the farm; Clark says he’s doing well on the farm.”
As they got into the car Buffy smiled and said, “Yeah, well it’s like this: he loves working on the farm because of his grandfather and he told me on the way home after the first night that he hadn’t done anything like that in almost five years.”
Lex looked at her and Buffy shook her head and laughed, “He used to help his grandfather on his farm but it was years since he had done it.”
“So, he hid his talent to surprise us?” Lex said, “I approve of that.”
“Well it’s not all fun and games,” Buffy smiled, “He’s working hard and, from what Jonathon says, he doesn’t complain about the jobs he’s been giving him.”
“Yeah,” Lex said, “The farm work will keep him grounded and the Kent’s are good people for him to trust and possibly make friends with.”
“He’s getting close to Chloe too,” Buffy laughed, “I think she’s trying to find out our stories but its more for fun, she likes a good mystery to solve.”
“She’s driven,” Lex nodded, “Perhaps we should let her on the secret so she doesn’t out Andrew as my brother.”
“Yeah,” Buffy said with a smile, “And let her have a heart attack or something like that.”
Andrew was waiting outside for Lex when Martha came out and sat next to him and said, “Still waiting?”
“Yep,” Andrew nodded, “Lex is usually punctual.”
“Well here, it’s the leftovers from supper,” Martha said, “And next time, stay in with us and have dinner with us.”
“I don’t want to impose on you,” Andrew smiled, “And besides, I just need a bath.”
A couple of minutes later Andrew saw his brother show up and he waved bye to Martha and jumped into the car.
Lex sniffed the air and said, “What were you working in today?”
Andrew smiled and said, “Manure, why?”
“Ah,” Lex said, “At least they’re keeping you busy,” he looked at the container and asked, “They’re giving you leftovers?”
“Yeah, its ribs. They wanted me to stay for dinner but I’ve never liked to impose, Lex,” Andrew said softly.
When they got home Andrew ran into the shower to shower off the grime and dirt of today’s work and he moaned as the shower felt so good, as he managed to scrub the dirt off and got clean, he got dressed and walked outside and looked at Buffy.
“Well, you smell better,” Buffy smiled, “Not like, well, you know.”
Andrew smiled, “I really like working on the farm, the Kent’s are nice people to work for and they put me to work.”
“Good,” Lex said, “That’s what I want them to do: to make sure you have a good work ethic.”
“Oh yeah,” Andrew said, “Time for me to read those big books again?”
“No, you’ve earned a break,” Lex smiled, “Just relax tonight, besides we should learn to enjoy ourselves every now and then, right?”
Andrew opened the package he got from Martha and started to eat the ribs and saw Buffy come in and he smiled, “So Buffy, when’s your friend showing up? Tomorrow?”
“Not sure,” Buffy sighed, “It’s just that I’m not sure what will happen with him and I’m not sure how he’s going to think of me here?”
“Do you want me to meet him with you?” Andrew asked, “After all, I’m going to make sure he doesn’t try anything.”
“It’s Saturday; don’t you have work with the Kent’s tomorrow, like all day?”
“No, for some reason they asked me to take the weekend off,” Andrew said, “So I can help you, if you want?”
“Sure,” Buffy said as she looked at one of the beef ribs, Andrew nodded and she started to eat too, “And thanks Andrew, it’s just that I’m not sure how Giles is going to take about me not wanting to go back to Sunnydale.”
Andrew shrugged, “It’s his problem, isn’t it? Does he have some legal hold on you?”
“Not really,” Buffy said, “I just don’t want to…”
“Make his life any more difficult,” Andrew continued, “Yeah, I understand.”
As they ate in silence, Buffy snapped her fingers and said, “There’s some sort of party going on Sunday night, you want to go?”
“Umm, no,” Andrew said, “Parties aren’t my thing. I went to one party and ended up nearly being having my head in the toilet for the whole night, twice, from being dunked in to it by a couple members of the football team and also someone spiked the punch, so tell me how that went?”
“Ouch,” Buffy shook her head and said, “Well, there were some parties I’ve been to in LA.”
Buffy laughed a bit, “Nothing bad happened to me but some of my friends? Yeah, their drinks were spiked and suddenly they were naked and who knows what happened.”
Andrew sighed a bit at what she said and smiled, “No, someone spiked the whole punchbowl and, well, everyone was sick after that; puking and vomiting. Larry was the only one who actually helped me; he took me back to his place and took care of me.”
“Larry Blaisdell?” Buffy laughed, “The same one who picks on the weakest members in school?”
“He never picked on me or Jonathon,” Andrew smiled, “But that’s because, well you know about Larry, don’t you?”
“No,” Buffy shook her head, “I was gone for a couple of months, remember?”
“Oh, then you missed it,” Andrew said snapping his fingers, “He came out as gay a couple of weeks after you disappeared and said that if anyone bullied anyone around him they’d pay.”
“Really?” Buffy laughed, “Larry came out? Did he ever tell you why?”
“Yeah,” Andrew laughed, “He said that Xander helped him come out by talking about his own struggle.”
“Hmm, this might have to do with why he grabbed Cordelia and kissed her repeatedly,” Buffy said to herself, remembering the time when he talked to Larry.
“Oh well, whatever happened Larry was happier,” Andrew said, “He came to me and Jonathon and apologised to us, even Cordelia apologised for mocking us and we became kind of friends after that, mostly us and Larry.”
Andrew yawned, “I’ve to go to bed, tired and plus I’m sure that Lex wants me to read some books tomorrow, so goodnight.”
She nodded and decided it was time for bed herself, as she walked past the library she saw Lex looking at some pictures. She walked in and said, “Hey, how’s it going Mr Luthor?”
Lex put the pictures down and said, “Fine Ms Summers.”
“That’s a beautiful picture,” Buffy smiled, “Who is it of?”
“My mother, Lillian,” Lex said, “She guided me for awhile and when she died my dad became distant.”
Buffy nodded, “Yeah, my father and I weren’t close either, especially after some trouble. He used to visit all the time but, over time, the visits stopped.”
Lex nodded, “Well, I’m sure Andrew was conceived while I was sent away to one of the many boarding schools I was sent too, his mother told me that she was working in Metropolis at the time and my father charmed her and she refused to let him have anything to do with Andrew.”
“Well, whatever happened,” Buffy smiled, “You’re doing good things now, for one thing Andrew’s happier now in Smallville than he was ever in Sunnydale, even with the work you give him.”
After Buffy walked away to get ready for bed Lex walked up and saw Andrew curled up, sleeping deeply. He shook his head, maybe he was better off in here as his own private investigations into Sunnydale’s past revealed a very disturbing level of accidental deaths in the town.
The next morning Andrew woke up and did his now regular morning routine that Lex had insisted on, though the early mornings were getting to him a bit he knew, Lex was doing what he thought was good for him and it was a bit better thanks to these morning exercises as he didn’t feel winded by exerting himself anymore.
Lex yelled, “Andrew, do you want to come with us to pick up Buffy’s friend?”
Andrew ran downstairs and shook his head and said, “I think I’ll get to those books you wanted me to read.”
“No,” Lex said, “Why don’t you have some fun today? Go rent some movies and relax.”
Andrew grinned and ran to the TV room and started to watch TV, Lex smiled, “Ms Summers, hand me the cell phone.”
Buffy looked confused as she gave him the cell phone and heard Lex say, “Hello Clark, if you aren’t busy could you spend some time with Andrew and make sure he doesn’t get into too much trouble? Bring Chloe along if you want to of course.”
“Oh,” Buffy smiled, “You don’t want Andrew to be left alone do you?”
“No and he needs to at least make some friends, I think,” Lex smiled as they left.
Meanwhile in Metropolis Lionel was sitting in his office wondering what about Andrew Wells seemed so familiar. He looked so familiar, those eyes were what got to him and he was sure he had seen those eyes before. He was going to investigate Andrew; he had to find out what it was about him.
TBC
A/N: Alright I’ve decided that the people who follow Giles will be Larry, Jonathon, Oz and Cordelia. What will Lionel’s investigations reveal?” I will also accept any suggestions on which episodes in season 1 that I should touch on. And I will accept any suggestions for pairings for the above four people and Giles.
Please rate and review.