AN: This is it...! The last chapter! The ending was always meant to be this way. Its just me, giving Clark Luthor SOME hope that he could become the Clark we all know and Lois loves. I thank you for taking this ride with me, despite your views on the episode and especially in spite of them. I personally loved the episode. I feel it is one of the best episodes in the series. But not everyone felt that way, and I can understand why. So this is just as much for you guys as it was for me. I hope you enjoyed it... and now... The final chapter of Redemption...

Chapter 5: Redeemed

He entered the coffee shop and frowned. Everyone looked back at him and glared. He was used to being hated. But for the first time in his young life it actually bothered him. When she stepped up next to him, she took his hand in hers. He looked down at her and it was her smile that encouraged him to continue.

The road to salvation was not an easy one.

He'd learned that lesson the hard way.

And if he could just right one wrong he knew he'd be redeemed.

He walked up to the counter and placed his hands on the cool glass. Lois wrapped her small hand around his arm.

"Excuse me."

The older red head turned toward him and gave him the brightest smile he'd ever seen. Her blue eyes twinkled. He'd never seen what Martha Kent looked like, but he knew it was her. It just clicked inside somehow. This woman was supposed to be his mother. And for the first time, he felt jealous of his counterpart.

"How can I help you, Mr. Luthor?" she smiled. It was a smile that reached her eyes. You wouldn't think that this woman was plagued with poverty. She didn't let that show. She looked truly happy. And for a moment Clark wondered if he was doing the right thing. He felt Lois squeeze his bicep and knew it was.

"Are you Martha Kent?"

"Yes," She smiled. "How do you know who I am?"

"Well, you're kind of famous," He smiled softly. It was the first genuine smile he'd ever shown a stranger. Even if this woman didn't feel like one at all. There was something so familiar about her. And there shouldn't have been. She eyed him suspiciously so he quickly recovered. "For the coffee. I hear it's the world's best."

She recovered gracefully and gave him her beautiful bright smile again. He felt an ache in his chest. It was an ache he couldn't name but had felt very few times in his life, once when Lex died and twice in the last couple of weeks.

"Sure. What can I get you?"

"Surprise me." He smiled.

Lois stepped in and ordered for them. He thanked Martha Kent and took the offered drinks in his hand. Lois and he sat on the far end of the coffee shop studying the place.

"I can't believe I never came here despite visiting Chloe all the time," She laughed. "This coffee is amazing."

"I can't believe I never came here despite living in Smallville all my life." He countered and she laughed softly letting him stump her for once.

"So…" Lois started when she placed her mug down and folded her arms on the table. "What are you waiting for? We didn't come all the way out here for the coffee, Clark."

"I know…" he looked at her. "I just need the right time."

"There's never going to be a right time." She reminded him. "It's now or never."

He gazed back at her. Stretching his arm across the table he took her hand in his. He lifted it toward his lips kissing it and smiled. "The right thing and the hardest thing are really the same thing, huh?"

She nodded. "I'm only here as support. I can't do this for you. It's all you now."

He nodded.

"Go." She signaled him toward the counter. "I'll be right here when you get back."

He smiled. Because she wasn't just promising to wait for him at that booth while he finished. She was promising so much more. That no matter what, no matter where he went, or how far into the darkness he'd gone. She'd be waiting for him. Waiting for him to come home…to come home to her.

He squeezed her hand for support and when she squeezed back with a smile, it was all he needed to stand up and do what he'd come all the way back to Smallville to do. Back to where it all began. Back to where one wrong set off a domino effect of a million wrongs. If he could just right that first wrong, then he'd be okay.

He couldn't take back the life he'd led, as much as he'd wanted to. But like Lois said, he could work toward a better future. One full of promise and love and hope, and this was the first step.

He reached the counter once more. Martha Kent noticed him and greeted him with a smile. He wondered how many of those smiles had been directed toward Clark Kent when he was growing up. He'd only just met her and her smile was infectious. He grinned back at her.

"Is there something wrong with your coffee?" she asked with worry in her tone but her smile never faltered.

He quickly shook his head to ease her worry. He wasn't coming baring bad news. For the first time in his life, he was coming with good news. At least it would be good if they accepted his proposition.

"The coffee is perfect actually," He smiled. "The best I ever had."

"Good," She nodded with a smile. "What else can I get for you, Mr...?"

"Please," He stopped her. "It's Clark."

"Clark," She nodded and winked with a smile. "You know, that is my maiden name."

He grinned. Because even if it were just a name, he did have some sort of link to this woman. And that made him happier than he ever thought possible. "I've always wondered where my father got it from."

"Your grandfather and my father knew each other," She nodded. "Small town."

He nodded understanding. And he wished again it had been the Kent's that had found him that day.

"So what can I do for you, Clark?" she asked again.

"Is your husband around?" he asked. "There's something I'd like to speak to you both about."

"Well, Jonathan is working but he should be back soon…"

As soon as the words had left her mouth the bell above the door chimed and Clark saw the smile that overtook her face. He knew her husband had just walked in and he admired the love he saw in her eyes. He'd never seen anything like that growing up. And for the first time, instead of being jealous of the other Clark, he was happy for him, because at least one version of him had this growing up. It was better than no version knowing this kind of love. Clark Kent was a lucky man, in more ways than one.

Martha greeted her husband. "Jonathan. This is Clark…"

"Luthor," Jonathan Kent eyed him suspiciously. "Yes. I know. I thought you'd left town for good."

"I'm back now," Clark tried to smile. He could feel the authority in the other man. It wasn't the same authority Lionel had. It was a kinder authority. This man could have been a great leader one day had fate given him the chance. And Clark only hoped he could bend destiny a little in their favor. "I have proposition for you Mr. Kent."

"A proposition?" Jonathan asked with more suspicion. "What kind of proposition?"

"Your wife just served me the best coffee I have ever had," Clark continued. "My father is no longer around and I've decided to leave all of his properties and fortune to my sister. I'm currently looking to break into my own business ventures."

"I don't understand."

"You both have made The Talon what it is," He continued. "I understand you lost your farm a year ago…"

"We were evicted," Martha nodded. "Jonathan had a heart attack and we had to hire an extra set of hands to help take care of the land. Eventually we couldn't make ends meet. We lost the farm almost a year and a half ago."

"What if I told you I could buy back your land?"

"Mr. Luthor…" Jonathan started to protest.

"The deed will be in your name of course," Clark smiled. "I'm not exactly a farmer."

"We couldn't let you," Martha was saying. "The debt is too much. How would we repay you?"

"That is where the business proposition comes in," Clark smiled. "I want to franchise The Talon."

"Franchise?" Jonathan asked. "You mean build more?"

"Yes," Clark nodded. "The coffee shop business seems to be booming. And I believe The Talon could be a very strong competitor. Of course, you and Martha will both be on the board of directors and this establishment will be known as the home base being that it was the first one. Which you and Martha will both own legally."

"What's in it for you?"

"I know you're good people," He said. "And circumstances have not let you thrive. I want to change that. Please, let me help you."

Jonathan and Martha both looked at each other. Jonathan was a little concerned and it was noticeable.

"I'm not my father, Mr. Kent," Clark said causing the older man to look at him. "I know my reputation and last name follows me. And it always might. But I'm not him. Whatever he did. I won't do the same."

"Just…there's plenty of people in this town who could use your help. Why us?"

Clark eyed him sincerely. "Because I know you both were meant for a better life than the one you're living. I'm going to rebuild Smallville. Bring in new jobs. Everything my father could have done but didn't, I will do. I have to make up for his mistakes…and my own."

Jonathan nodded. He could understand that. He liked honesty. And he could tell that the young man before him was being honest. He held out his hand. Clark saw his outstretched hand and smiled. He took it in his and shook it firmly.

"Would you both come with me?" Clark asked. "There's someone I'd like you to meet."

Jonathan nodded.

"Is that your girlfriend?" Martha smiled walking around the counter. "You both make a lovely couple."

"Not yet," Clark grinned as he watched the woman sitting in a corner booth currently sipping his coffee. "But maybe one day."