I think you're talking to me in your opening note. Sorry for the delay.
I think you've captured Clark's motivation for facing his own fears. "If I’m too afraid to walk through that door and eat a meal with you, then they’ve already won." He's letting himself grow!
What still nags me a bit is the fear of putting the people of Smallville in danger of further inquisitions from Bureau 39. But I think maybe what he's realized is that they've been defending him all this time anyway, and they're going to keep doing it regardless. So why not give them the chance to have some questions answered, while he gets a chance to feel home again?
