Author: David
Email: cameraman_dc@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, it does not belong
to me. I am in no way associated with the WB, Gough, Millar, Siegal,
Schuster, Bob Kane, or DC comics.
Summary: A future ally pays a visit to Smallville.
Rating: PG-13
Feedback: Go For It!
Part 1
Clark walked up the drive leading to Lex's mansion. Lex had called him earlier, telling him that he had something important to discuss with him. In the weeks following his first meeting with Lex, Clark had found himself befriending the young man even though the two of them didn't have that much in common.
Clark knocked on the door, which was promptly answered by the butler.
"Hi," Clark said. "I'm Clark Kent. I'm here to meet with Lex Luthor."
"Aw yes," the butler said. "He's expecting you in the study."
Clark made his way through the corridor to the study where he found Lex playing pool.
"Clark," Lex greeted. "I'm so glad you could make it, you got here pretty quick."
"Well I just ran," Clark said shrugging his shoulders.
Lex chuckled as he walked over to a table, picking up an envelope.
"So what's so important," Clark asked.
"This," Lex said flinging the envelope to Clark.
Clark caught the envelope in his hand curiously looking at it. Upon opening it Clark's eyes widened.
"Are you kidding me?" Clark asked holding up two concert tickets. "Carlos Santana."
"I kid you not," Lex said rubbing chalk onto the tip of his cue stick. "His concert is in two weeks at Metropolis."
"But I thought it was sold out?" Clark asked.
"It is," Lex replied. "But I've got my ways."
"So when are we going?" Clark asked.
"Oh I'm not going," Lex said lining up his cue stick.
"Well then who's the second ticket for?" Clark asked.
"Who do you think?" Lex said striking the cue ball.
"Oh no," Clark said shaking his head.
"Oh yes," Lex said as he watched the eight ball sink into the corner pocket. "Lana's been going through some tough times. She needs something to lift up her spirits. And a concert by one of the world's greatest leading guitarists as well as a night in the city in the company of one Clark Kent might just do the thing."
"I can't...," Clark said.
"Why don't you just grow a pair and ask her?" Lex asked.
"Because she's dating Whitney," Clark responded.
"Then take her as a friend," Lex said moving around the table. "If it'll make you feel better."
"I just...I...," Clark started.
"Trust me Clark," Lex said putting up his pool cue. "Whitney's got nothing on you when it comes to Lana."
As Clark and Lex walked down the hall to the front door, they noticed a group Lionels advisers waiting anxiously outside his office.
"What's going on?" Lex asked.
"Your 3' o'clock is here," one of the advisers mentioned.
"Let me guess," Lex sighed. "The boy scout?"
The adviser nodded and simply went back to talking with the others.
"Who?" Clark asked his brow furrowed.
"Why you guys just milling around out here?" Lex asked.
"You're father is meeting with him personally," the advisor said.
Lex angrily threw open the doors to the meeting room. Upon entering the room Clark noticed Lex's father Lionel sitting across from an slightly older man. Between the two the conference table was strewn with a vast array of documents.
Clark noticed a third person in the room, a young man staring out the window of the conference room with his back to them.
"Lex if you would wait outside I'll be with you in a second," Lionel Luthor said.
"Oh no Dad that's quite all right," Lex said sarcastically. "Why don't you continue discussing the operation of the plant that you put under my control of."
Lionel continued speaking to man seated across from him, ignoring Lex.
"If my proposition may seem complicated...," Lionel started.
"There's nothing complicated about what you're proposition," Lucius said. "You want to expand LuthorCorp Fertilization Plant by purchasing Wayne Enterprises Dairy Plant. It's the same distance from Smallville only in the opposite direction."
"It is to my understanding that Wayne Enterprises no longer expresses interest in keeping the dairy plant open," Lionel said.
"Yes it is true that Wayne Enterprises is planning on closing down the factory in several years," Lucius said. "And if anyone is interested in purchasing the plant before said time of closure then that's okay."
"Then there shouldn't be a problem," Lionel said.
"However there are other issues surrounding the fate of the factory," Lucius said.
"Such as?" Lionel asked.
"Well there are the employees," Lucius said. "Upon closure of the dairy plant, Wayne Enterprises plans on fully compensating them, as well as securing them new employment with other affiliates of Wayne Enterprises. If Wayne Enterprises were to sell the plant to LuthorCorp all those employees would no longer be under the employment of Wayne Enterprises, so all those offers to the employees would become null and void."
"So what would you suggest?" Lionel asked.
"That you keep employees currently working at the dairy plant," Lucius said. "Full Benefits and a sense of job security."
"Out of the question," Lionel said.
"And then there is the matter of safety regulations," Lucius said flipping through some pages.
"Excuse me?" Lionel asked.
"Well it would appear that LuthorCorp Fertilizer plant is under investigation for many claims of accidents as well as exposure to chemicals that are harmful to the enviroment." Lucius said. "We would like to make sure that our own research team made monthly checks of the plant to ensure the safety of the employees as well as the environment."
"This contract will outline the aspects of the deal," Lucius said as he slid some documents across the table to Lex. "Just review it and let us know what you think."
Lionel briefly glanced at the documents.
"I hate to be the bearer of bad news," Lionel said. "But as far as the employees go, I cannot guarantee complete job security. LuthorCorp is like any other corporation, there are layoffs and downsizes all the time. And as for these so called safety precautions, I can assure you that LuthorCorp can handle any problems should they arise."
"What do you think Bruce?" Lucious asked turning towards the young man staring out the window.
Clark watched as the young man staring out the window turned his attention to Lionel and Lucius. Clark had almost forgotten that he was there, having been silent during the entire meeting. Immediately Clark took notice of the young man's appearance. He was Lex's age with short dark hair. Wearing an expensive business suit, he was of average height and build.
Bruce stood there for a moment, his face took on the look of deep contemplation before finally answering.
"Lucius I think we should give Mr. Luthor time alone to think about our offer," Bruce said.
"I couldn't agree more Bruce," Lucius said putting the documents into his briefcase.
Lucius left the office, while Bruce stayed behind and spoke briefly with Lionel.
"You should really accept," Bruce said.
"If you think for even a second that LuthorCorp will be intimidated by Wayne Enterprises," Lionel said tossing the documents onto the table. "Then you've got another thing coming."
Bruce gave a slight nod and left the office, as he was leaving he noticed Clark and Lex to which he both gave a nod before exiting the mansion.
"Who was that?" Clark asked perplexed.
"Only America's biggest boy scout," Lex said. "Bruce Wayne."
Clark and Lex moved to window as they saw an elderly man wearing a chauffeur's outfit open the door to a limousine for Bruce to get in. After Bruce was in the elderly man moved around the limo and got into the drivers side.
"Shall we be heading back home young Master Bruce," Alfred said as he started the limousine.
Bruce looked at the window at Luthor Mansion before replying. He knew Lionel was in a pinch and need the dairy plant, he knew that Lionel would eventually cave and sign the deal. But also knew that Lionel was a difficult man and would be hard to budge on the offer. He had to be sure the that what happened was in the best interest of the dairy plant and its employees. His father would have done the exact same thing.
"No Alfred," Bruce said. "I think I'd like to stay for a while."
TBC...