When the Kents first adopted Clark, it had taken Jonathan a few months to feel like Clark was his son. Jonathan had expected that it would take him a little while to connect with Lex.

But Lex wasn't what Jonathan had expected. He wasn't like Lionel at all, he wasn't rebellious, and because of Clark, Jonathan already thought of himself as a dad. For Jonathan, the biggest remaining obstacle to feeling like Lex was his son was that Lex seemed to have no interest in connecting with him. Lex clearly adored Clark like a brother, and he seemed to like Martha, but for the most part, he shied away from Jonathan.

With Martha's advice, and after a talk with Lex's therapist, Jonathan set out to change that. He stood across from Lex beside Onyx's stall. "How are you doing, Lex?"

"I'm fine," he said.

Jonathan nodded. "How are you liking the farm?"

"I miss my dad. But I like Clark."

"I'm glad you're okay with entertaining him."

Lex smiled.

"It's been nice to see you working so hard with the animals, too."

"I like the horses."

"I know. Come in here with me." He stepped into the stall with Onyx, and Lex followed.

Onyx poked her nose at Lex's arm. Lex smiled and reached around to stroke her neck.

Jonathan chuckled. "She's looking for this." He handed Lex a sugar cube.

Lex held the sugar in his flat hand, and Onyx licked it up, then pressed her head against Lex's shoulder.

Jonathan couldn't help but smile. "She likes you. Here, use this." Jonathan picked up a curry comb and handed it to Lex. "Circular motions."

"I know." Lex went to work. "She's my favorite. Can I ride her?"

"I don't see why not. Seeing as she's yours."

Lex's hand stopped suddenly, and he looked up at Jonathan. "What?"

"You heard me."

"But . . . but what about when my dad gets out of jail?"

Jonathan swallowed hard and took a gamble—he was certain Lionel would be given a long, long sentence, but if Jonathan was going to make this promise, he would have to follow through even if he turned out to be wrong. "Do you have stables?"

"Uh . . . yes."

"You'd take good care of her?"

"Yes."

"If your father gets out of prison, and if he's okay with it, you can still keep Onyx."

Lex smiled wider than Jonathan had ever seen, and he wrapped his arms lightly around Onyx's neck. "Thank you, Mr. Kent."

"Hey." Jonathan waited for Lex to look up at him. "Call us Martha and Jonathan?"

Lex frowned for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, sir. I mean . . . thanks, Jonathan." He leaned against Onyx's side again, and his eyes fell closed.

Jonathan gave Lex's shoulder a quick squeeze, then he went to tend to the other horses.