The door to the Beanery swung open. The white clad figure strode in, stopped, surveyed his surroundings, tipping the shades down a bit - obviously looking for something - or someone. Steely grey eyes swept over the crowded café - finally settling on Clark.

It almost seemed to Clark that people parted, consciously, moving to get out of the way - allowing the tall, lean man to walk in a straight line from where he'd stopped to the table Clark was occupying. Clark caught himself doing a full body sweep. White shoes, white slacks, white jacket, white… no wait - the shirt wasn't white. It had a very light lavender sheen to it. The top of the shirt unbuttoned, revealing pale skin. Soft mouth turning into a toe-curling smirk, eyes glistering above the rim of the shades.

"Clark." Not really a question, not a statement, the voice just a little dark with the knowledge of what Clark was doing.

"Lex…" Clark swallowed hard. He didn't normally feel this awkward around his friend. He watched with a little fascination, as Lex slid elegantly into the seat across from him. Lex pulled off the shades - once again taking a look around the place.

Clark watched with silent worry as Lex openly studied Whitney and Lana, how first one eyebrow rose, then the other followed - until both dropped back down and the attention was turned back at Clark. He squirmed a little, as Lex's smile returned, even wider than before - almost feral.

"So… Clark." Soft voice raising the hairs on the back of his neck. "Got any… interesting plans for the afternoon?"

Clark felt his brain trying to connect with his speech center, to feed it the necessary bits for an answer. No Lex, just chores. "No, not really - any suggestions?" Hey, you've got chores to do!

"No… chores that have to be done?" Eyes unreadable.

"No." Yes, dammit. Obviously his brain's attempts at controlling his responses had been futile.

The grey eyes seemed to shine with an unearthly light of their own. "Good." Lex smiled. "Wanna go for a ride?"

Clark tried to ignore the suggestive undertones of the purr. The silky texture of Lex's voice sent strange chills up and down his spine. "Yeah, sure," he heard himself reply. 'Mom and dad are gonna kill me. Well dad is, I'm sure.' He shook his head, hoping that Lex might offer an explanation later, as to why he was acting so strange.

Lex didn't wait for him to stand. He got up himself, took a few steps, turned his head a little and continued, very low: "Are you coming? Or are you waiting for the angels to accompany you with a fanfare?" The last comment was delivered with a tilt of the head and a mysterious smile.

"Um yeah, coming." Clark frowned. Lex seemed to be behaving very odd. Clark stood and stared to follow his friend out, almost coming to a dead stop after two steps. How could a man walk like that without anyone even looking or commenting? No one seemed to notice the way he sauntered across the room, hands in the pockets of his pants, causing the already form fitting white slacks to practically hug his ass. And Clark caught himself wondering if he was even wearing any underwe… 'Oh fuck! Clark Kent, you did not just wonder what kind of underwear your friend wears. Or even worse - if he was wearing any at all!'

Clark kept going though, lost to the world in his thoughts. He hadn't noticed that Lex had stopped by the door, to allow him to catch up. Which meant Clark bumped into him - hard.

"I… I'm sorry." Clark felt his cheeks heat.

"No need for that… Clark," Lex responded with a chuckle. "No need at all."

Clark was pretty sure that if he hadn't been blushing already, this would definitely have done the job.

Once outside though, Clark had no trouble putting his sudden awkwardness around Lex into the back of his mind. The car. Wow, just… wow. Sleek, black design, the promise of raw power beneath, of speed. Even though Clark was sure that it was no match for his own speed or the feeling of freedom he felt, it would probably come very, very close. It would be a thrilling experience to do this - especially with Lex. Behind the wheel seemed to be one of the few times Lex was able to put his serious façade aside and just enjoy. And Clark was more than thankful for being able to share the few moments of joy with him.

As Lex slid down behind the wheel, getting ready to go, Clark noticed the license plate. It wasn't the usual LEX, LUTHOR, LXLTHR or whatever name Lex fancied when buying cars. Just plain 666. Clark frowned. This reminded him of something. He shrugged, perhaps it wasn't so important and it definitely didn't feel important when he took his seat next to Lex, who was revving up the engine with a pleased grin on his face.

They quickly put the town behind them, the landscape whooshing past. Clark closed his eyes and enjoyed the vibration of the car, even if it did seem like Lex was driving even faster than normally. Driving like this - in a fast car with no cares in the world - sitting right next to Lex, Clark felt more himself than he ever did at school. No need for a mask, nothing making him feel like an awkward geek. Times like these, he wished time would stop and they could drive on forever. He allowed himself to drift off into a rather pleasant fantasy. What wouldn't it be like if he could ever find the courage to ask Lex to borrow a car. Then take Lana for a ride like this - only - not as fast, of course. Drive until sunset, get out of the car, enjoy the sight of the setting sun, lighting the horizon with fire… Clark sighed contentedly. Maybe even kiss, touch. For a second something seemed to distort his fantasy, and the imaginary feel of soft curves beneath his fingers turned into a lean muscled chest, well-trained abs and the lips felt odd against his, no longer as soft - and in many ways so much stronger, so much more of a turn-on.

"So, what are your heart's desires?"

The soft voice seemed to caress every inch of his body and mind. Clark's eyes flew open and heat rose to his face. How the hell had that just happened? He quickly pulled his backpack up into his lap, faking a search for something, while his mind raced to come up with an explanation why his jeans were suddenly so tight. 'Keep the backpack in your lap,' he told himself wisely.

"Well?" Lex turned his head a little, dividing his attention equally between Clark and the road. Which made Clark more nervous, he couldn't really tell. Lex paying attention to him or his lack of attention to the road? A small voice in the deepest, darkest parts of his mind muttered something about the former.

"My …heart's desires?" Oh, brilliant little pause, Clark - so much for not making Lex suspicious. "Apart from fast cars?" he answered innocently.

"Yeah, apart from my fast cars."

Clark decided that he did *not* want to get into this conversation, especially since he hadn't missed the *my* in Lex's answer. But still…"Lex, why do you ask?" Silence was all he got. "Lex?" The strange chuckle from his friend sent chills down his spine.

"No." Plain and simple _No_.

"No what?" Clark was beginning to think that maybe, just maybe Lex had finally snapped. Had been hit once too many times on the head. Either that or Clark had been transported into some alternate universe, where everything seemed slightly off beat.

Lex didn't answer, he simply let the car slow down until they came to a stop - out in the middle of nowhere. He pushed open the door and went to stand in front of the car.

Clark wasn't sure of what to do. He could *feel* Lex's gaze through the windscreen and Lex's shades.

This was getting odder by the minute, but he understood that he'd get no answers unless he got out of the car. So Clark fumbled with the handle. Why did cool cars have to have such weird doors? He finally got it open and went to stand in front of Lex, slightly comforted by the heat from the hood of the car behind him. "Well?" A smile that reminded Clark of the Cheshire Cat unfolded on Lex's face.

"I meant, no, I'm not Lex."

"Right." Clark rolled his eyes. And there he'd thought things couldn't possibly get any weirder. Someone must have heard his thoughts, because nothing could have prepared him for what came next.

"The Devil, at your service."

A sweeping bow startled Clark enough to make him take a step back, closer to the car. "Lex, are you sure you're ok?"

A snicker escaped his friend. "Ah, I see you don't believe me." He tapped his bottom lip lightly, thoughtful. "How to convince you? Hmmm." Eyes piercing Clark, who took another step back, almost stumbling, as his calves hit the fender of the car. A sudden rush and Lex was standing close to him, closer than ever before - making Clark swallow hard.

"Would Lex do this?"

Clark suddenly found himself pinned to the hood of the car, held down and kissed long and deeply. Oh. Wow… A second later he was pulled off the hood, back on his feet.

"Well, would he?"

"I… I'm… not sure?" He really wasn't. How could he be - the only thing taking up his thoughts was the tingling feeling of his lips. God! Had Lex just kissed him? What should have freaked Clark even more was the fact that he'd actually… liked it.

A deep sigh. "I guess you'd have your doubts. Hell who wouldn't?" A snicker. "Considering the way the guy undresses you with his eyes every time you enter the room."

Clark blushed furiously. Oh, he'd noticed that. He'd just chosen to… tried to… ignore it.

"I guess I have to be more… theatrical." A schwoosh - a wide sweep of an arm and Clark had to blink, not quite believing what he saw. In front of him stood a man, dressed in red and black, a black cloak billowing around him, though there was no wind. The face still wore a familiar smirk, familiar features, eyes blazing. Clark chuckled suddenly, surprising even himself. A goatee?

"What?" The… Devil sounded a little suspicious.

"The…" Clark cleared his throat, trying not to go from chuckle to undignified giggle. "The George Michael look - well, it looks really weird on you."

"Hey!" A little hurt? "It's not my fault that some people have style, now is it?"

"Um, no." Clark gave his most apologetic smile - as much as he could manage without starting to laugh again.

"Ahem." The Devil closed his eyes in concentration. "Where was I? Oh yes, the introduction." Eyes flew open, swirling with fire and he began with a booming voice: "I am Prince of Darkness, Ruler of the Underworld, Beelzebub, The Horned One, Tempter of Immortal Souls." He slid closer to Clark. "Or Temptress if you prefer."

Shifting body and soft curves pressed against Clark. And it wouldn't really have been so bad, if it wasn't because the Devil was still showing Lex's features. Clark tried to ignore it, failing miserably when the Devil shape changed once more. White dress back, shining in the sunlight. Clark swallowed hard and closed his eyes when the body pressed impossibly closer. No longer soft and curved. All muscles and sharp angles and he felt - as impossible he'd thought it to be - his body reacting to it.

"I had a feeling you'd prefer this shape." Voice husky and full of strange promises.

Clark forced his eyes open when the Devil's voice trailed off. And quickly covered his crotch. The Devil kept staring at his hands, like he had x-ray vision himself. Eyes half closed, licking his lips.

Grey eyes looked up and another Cheshire Cat grin grazed the still too familiar face. "So, you *do* prefer this version of temptation."

Clark shook his head, trying to clear it. It was hard - hell, *he* was hard. And all it had taken had been the Devil posing as his best friend, looking like Lex, smelling like him and… feeling… like Clark imagined he would.

"So," a soft purr in his ear. "Your heart's desire?" Hot puff of air whispered against Clark's flushed skin.

Think of anything but… anyone but… Clark desperately searched his mind. Right. "Lana."

"Lana?" A frown. "Are you sure?"

Clark nodded eagerly, hoping that he'd be able to remove his hands soon. Not much of a chance with the Devil standing this close.

Then he backed away from Clark. "I… well." Thoughtful expression. "You're sending some awfully mixed messages here." Another frown.

Clark blinked. No he wasn't… was he?

"…three wishes."

Clark was pulled out of his confused thoughts, as the Devil adopted Lex's business voice with perfect intonation and all. "What?" Wishes?

"Three wishes, Clark, pay attention."

"And I get those for free?" Maybe this wasn't so bad after all.

"Oh yeah, out of the evil of my heart," the Devil snorted. "Nothing's for free, kid. It'll cost you your soul, that's all" A smile curved the thin lips. "It's not like you'll need it forever."

"I'm kinda attached to it," Clark answered, wary, now more than ever.

"Not now, silly." A deep, ominous laugh. "When you leave this forsaken world someday - for good.."

"Ah. Ok." 'My heart's desire? I can do this, I can pull this off.'

Paper appeared out of thin air. "Sign here, right on the dotted line." The Devil waited as he took the paper and the proffered pen, turning to use the hood of the car for desk. As soon as Clark had finished the 't' in Kent, both pen and paper disappeared again. "And the first whish?" Body once again close to Clark's.

'Why does this sound so familiar and how come I just *know* I'm gonna regret this?' "My first wish… to help me get Lana." Clark just had to make that clear.

"Yeah," face unreadable, "to help you get… Lana."

"I wanna be cool and popular." Clark doubted that could ever go wrong. Lana like Whitney, and Whitney was cool and popular.

"Say the magic words." Lips pursed and voice steady.

Clark shivered when warm breath tickled his ear and nearly jumped when the Devil nipped at his earlobe. "I… I wish…" Clark was aware of his breathing getting faster. "I wish I was popular and… and…" Oh God! "And co… cool." There, it was said.

"Your wish is my command." A hand slid across his belly, rubbing soothingly. "Close your eyes." Whispered demand in his ear.

Clark closed his eyes, feeling darkness envelope him, hold him…

TBC in part 3