Clark's Sacrifice
Part 2 by
MacGateFan
Disclaimers in Part 1

Lex woke up to a knock at the door. He regretted not checking who it was the minute he opened it. "What the hell do you want?"

Lionel Luthor acted shocked by his son's anger. "Is it wrong for a father to want to check on his offspring?" he asked, stepping around Lex.

Lex didn't know what to say to his Father. There he stood, accomplice to the murder of the woman he loved, grinning at him. "You're awfully quiet, son. I just stopped by to thank you for telling me that deep dark secret of your unique friend."

"What are you talking about?" Lex asked. "I never told you anything about…"

"Yes, you did. Oh, but then you probably wouldn't remember as you were drugged up to your gills while you were in the hospital. I'm sure you didn't mean to tell me about Clark Kent and his amazing abilities, or Phillip Vance's research."

Lex felt lightheaded as Lionel laughed and headed to the door. "Why are you doing this?" He finally managed to gasp out.

"Because I can."

Lex sank onto the couch. He needed to talk to Clark about this soon!

Clark had just finished changing Brianna's diaper when the doorbell rang. Chloe had gone into the office to write the article concerning Lana's death. Clark was still feeling the after effects of the Kryptonite so he agreed to let her deal with this one.

He was surprised to see Lex standing on the other side of the door, but let the man in. He took in the ex-billionaire's appearance. No, prison definitely hadn't agreed with Lex Luthor.

"Clark, it's good to see you," Lex said. He glanced down at Brianna. "She has your eyes."

"And Chloe's personality."

"You're in trouble."

"Tell me about it."

Clark moved away to let him in and invited him to sit. "Want a beer?" he asked.

Lex shook his head as he looked around the apartment. No doubt the colors were Chloe's influence. "I had a visit from my dad today."

Clark eyed Lex as he sat down. "You mean he actually came to gloat?"

If he wasn't holding Brianna, Clark would have broken something. Lex could just tell by the expression on his friend's face. He hoped he could calm him down by changing the subject.

"Where's Chloe?"

Clark took a deep breath. "At the Planet. Perry wanted her on that story."

Lex didn't need a reminder. "What made her chose to write under a pen name?"

"Lois Lane was Chloe's cousin. She always talked about being a writer for the Daily Planet," Clark said, smiling down at Brianna as she giggled. "Unfortunately, Lois died in a car accident with her Mom almost ten years ago."

"That had to be rough. I can see why Sam Lane dotes on her so much."

Chloe had just turned in her article and called Clark to let him know she was on her way home. She decided that she needed a latte and stopped by the nearest Starbucks.

If she hadn't been searching for change in her purse, Chloe would have seen that something extra was put into her drink…

Ten minutes later, she was on her way home, sipping her latte. It was then that she noticed the cab wasn't taking her home. The car came to a stop and a glance out the window revealed Lionel Luthor.

Chloe's heart jumped into her throat as she breathed to call out for Clark. Nothing came out. She stared at Lionel and then back at her cup when he pointed to it. So that's why it tasted funny!

Lionel opened the door. "What's the matter, Mrs. Kent, cat got your tongue?"

Clark paced back and forth. "Chloe should have been home by now. Perry said she left at six. That was 45 minutes ago!"

"Are you sure she didn't stop at Starbucks?"

Clark shook his head. "She still would have been home by now."

Lex stood up and took Brianna from the worried husband. "Go look for her. We'll be fine."

"When was the last time you took care of a baby?" Clark asked, eyeing him skeptically.

"Clark."

He relented. "Thanks, Lex."

Lex shook his head as the man zipped out of the apartment and into the night sky. "Brianna, you're Dad is a good man. Remember that!" He sniffed the air. "Nice one," Lex muttered.

Just as Lex finished changing her diaper, the phone rang. Thinking it might be Chloe, he answered. "Kent residence."

"Lex?"

"Mrs. Kent."

"Where's Clark?"

"He's out looking for Chloe. She's missing."

"What? Oh my goodness! Are you sure?"

"With everything that's been going on around here, we just know it. I'd bet anything my Dad had something to do with this." Lex took a deep breath. "God, I'm so sorry. My stupidity has gotten two of my friends in serious trouble. I didn't mean to tell him anything!"

"Calm down, Lex. I know you didn't. Is Brianna all right?"

He looked down at her. "She's sleeping soundly."

"Good. Jonathan and I are heading up there. Please take good care of my granddaughter."

"Will do, Mrs. Kent."

Chloe attempted to break free from the ropes, but having little success. She was still unable to talk and wondered just how long this was supposed to last. She knew Lionel Luthor had something insidious up his sleeve.

Tears fell from her eyes as she thought of Brianna. If Clark did find her, would they both be killed? Would Brianna grow up without parents? She hated thinking like that, but couldn't help it.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't see Lionel standing in front of her. "You seem upset, Mrs. Kent. Perhaps I can make you feel better."

When Chloe saw a subdued Lex entered, carrying Brianna, she wanted to scream. She shook her head as tears coursed down her cheeks. No, he didn't really bring her into this! She was just a baby!

"You're probably wondering where you husband is. I gave him a call, he should be along--" Lionel was cut off by a loud noise. "Ah, there he is now."

Chloe's heart was thundering in her chest. Clark was not going to do anything with his family and friend's lives on the line.

When Clark entered the room, he was only expecting Chloe to be there, but when he saw Lex and Brianna, his face turned a bright shade of red.

"Calm down, Superman," Lionel said with a laugh.

"Calm down? Luthor, you have my family and Lex hostage. Do you expect me to calm down?"

He nodded to the man behind Chloe. "In that lead box is a beautiful piece of green meteor rock. As long as you let me study you, everyone in this room is safe." Lionel glanced at his son. "Lex, doesn't this sound familiar? Didn't your friend, Dr. Vance do the same thing?"

Lex shook his head. "This is wrong, Dad, and you know it! The world needs Clark."

"Noble words, but not those of someone who claims to be a Luthor. I thought I could change you, but I guess I was wrong. Now, Superman," Lionel said, turning to face Clark, "do we have a deal?"

"I want Chloe, Lex, and Brianna out of here before I agree to anything."

Lionel gave in. "Very well."

The moment Chloe was released, she rushed to Clark's side. Lionel allowed them a few minutes alone. She was so upset that she couldn't say a word to him. She didn't have to, though. Clark could see her love in her eyes. He kissed her softly on the lips.

"I love you, Chloe. Tell Brianna I love her too."

As soon as they were led away, Clark felt the familiar sensation of the Kryptonite. Falling to his knees he knew he would never see his family again and that scared him more than anything Lionel Luthor could do.

Chloe held tightly to Brianna as she and Lex were forced out of the room. Lex glanced over at the goon who was leading them away. He caught Chloe's eyes and motioned for her to take cover.

As soon as he knew they were safe, Lex stopped and attacked the goon, who promptly dropped his weapon. He wondered where his Father found such idiots, but he wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

"Chloe," he said, picking up the gun and watching the man on the floor, "are you two all right?"

"Yeah," she replied. "What about Superman?"

He understood that he wanted to save her husband, Lex wanted to as well. "We can't fight them all on our own. I'm almost positive my Dad has more security around somewhere. We should get to the police and make sure you get home safely.

Chloe was about to protest, but she knew he was right. Brianna had to be taken to safety first, that's something she could do for Clark. After all, he was risking everything to keep them both alive, she would do the same.

Martha didn't think she could feel as much despair as she did now. The whole city had to know of the missing reports and their daughter. Perry White had arrived, with Jimmy Olsen in tow, to lend a hand.

The last time he spoke with Clark's parents, they were a bit leery of his intentions. "Martha, has there been any news?"

"Not yet, Perry," she said. "Jonathan is at the police station right now. He's hoping he can get something accomplished, but you know how scared this city is of Lionel Luther. Especially that he was able to murder a friend of Superman's.

Martha rushed to the phone the minute it rang. "Jonathan! Oh thank God! He's what? Of course. Perry here's. Yes, I'll let him know. See you soon!"

Jimmy looked expectantly at Martha. "Is everything all right, Mrs. Kent?" he asked.

"Chloe and Brianna are coming home."

"And Clark?" Perry wanted to know.

She shook her head. "He's being held as leverage to keep Superman there."