Disclaimer: all Superman and Smallville characters belong to DC Comics and Gough & Millar. No Infringement's intended.

A/N: This story is set after " Exodus " ( Season 2 ) and makes reference to Seasons 3 and 4. However, it presupposes that Lana left Smallville by the end of Season 2 and, therefore, she ignores what's happened to Lex while she was absent from town.

There'll be an important four-chapter flashback in the middle of the story which will explain the title of this fic. I believe they're some of the most tender chapters I've written so far, and they were inspired by Lex and Lana's conversation at the stables on " Metamorphosis " ( Season 1 ).

Here are the first two chapters of my new Lexana fic. Enjoy ! And remember, positive and negative reviews are welcome; they encourage me to keep on writing. If you're willing to go on reading this story, don't forget to leave your comment when you finish reading.

" INVISIBLE FRIEND "

CHAPTER 1: Leaving

Smallville-2003

A fortnight had gone by since Lana's trip to Metropolis in search of Clark. It had been a journey to heartbreak and desolation for being turned down by the farm boy whose love she thought was hers, had left her abandoned once more. For the umpteenth time in her life she had been deserted by those she depended on- Clark, Chloe, and even her constant friend and partner Lex.

Chloe's betrayal had definitely been a stab in the back. The girl she had considered her best friend, as well as Clark's, had known all along where her boyfriend was and had chosen to keep her in the dark. Chloe should have known better than to lie to her- Lana had never liked lies and half-truths, least of all when they were told by people she regarded as close.

Unlike Chloe and Clark, who had taken the conscious decision to give her the cold shoulder, Lex had been a victim of cruel destiny. Just like her parents, who had been ripped from her side by the meteor shower, Lex was taken away by a tragic accident- a plane crash when he was on his honeymoon with Helen. His death and the knowledge she now had nothing to tie her down to Smallville, convinced Lana it was time to leave behind the town where heartbreak had started.

Although she still had a sizeable portion of her parents' insurance policy and a respectable amount of money she had managed to save thanks to " The Talon " partnership, there was a major hurdle on her road to independence: she was just seventeen and hadn't graduated from high school yet.

Convincing Nell to accept her plea for emancipation was no easy feat. However, the fact Lana had supported herself financially for over a year helped her before the judge; her aunt had no way out but to abide by the court's decision. Now, there was only one more tie to sever, and she could fly away.

Knocking at the door of Luthor Mansion like so many times in the past, but knowing she wouldn't find Lex in his study as usual, made Lana hate his widow for having survived him. Still, if she wanted to cut herself loose, she needed to face her one last time.

" Mrs Luthor, Miss Lang to see you, " announced the butler.

" Show her in, Stevens, " said Helen Bryce.

" Good morning, Helen, " Lana greeted her, feeling the bile rise up on seeing the widow sitting at Lex's desk.

" Good morning, Lana, " answered Lex's wife, trying to hide the displeasure she felt at her visit. She had never liked her husband's association with this girl because she had often sensed Lex regarded her in a special light. " What can I do for you ? "

" I'm here on business, Helen. I'm planning on leaving town and, taking into account you're my partner now, I thought it was the right thing to come to you first. I'd like to sell my share of ' The Talon' to you. "

" What makes you think I'd be interested in buying ? Lex's investment in your little coffee shop was a sentimental gesture of his. It's hardly a profitable branch of Lexcorp. "

" I've heard you're closing down some of the plants. Is that true ? "

" You've heard right, Miss Lang. The quaterly numbers didn't come up to our expectations. "

" What about the employees and their families ? " asked an outraged Lana.

" Lexcorp's not a charitable organization, honey. "

" Lex would have never left people in the street. How can you do this ? You're destroying everything he worked so hard to build ! " exclaimed Lana, glaring at the widow.

" Lex's no longer here, Miss Lang, and I've got the right to do what I damn well please. "

" I know we can longer pretend we've ever liked each other, Helen. You must agree we've barely tolerated each other for Lex's sake, so I'm only going to ask you one more question. Would you be willing to let me find a buyer for ' The Talon ', someone who could purchase both shares of the business ? " asked Lana, making an effort to master the rage that was threatening to get the best of her.

" Suit yourself, Miss Lang. The sooner I get away from this hole the better. "

" All right. I'll send my lawyer with the papers to sign as soon as I get a buyer. Goodbye, Helen, " said Lana, slamming the study door behind her.

" Steady, there, Miss Lang, ' said Lionel Luthor, grabbing her by the arms to prevent her from falling after she inadvertedly bumped into him on her way out." Is everything all right ? "

" No, everything's not all right, Mr Luthor, " barked Lana, looking towards the study. " Your son deserved a lot better than marrying a blood-sucking bitch. "

" Don't worry, Miss Lang. Everyone gets their just desserts sooner or later. "

" I won't be staying to see her destroy everything. Once I get a buyer for ' The Talon', I'm out of here. "

" And where are you going, if I may ask ? "

" Far, Mr Luthor, as far away from Smallville as I possibly can, " she said passionately before walking away from the mansion, never to come back again.

What do you think of the exchange between the two women in Lex's life ?This isn't over.There's another chapter a click away.