"There for Each Other"

A Story by CoolNick44

Season 5, during "Reckoning":

Lionel Luthor was sitting in his office at Luthorcorp. It was dead quiet. None of his opera records were on, and he certainly wasn't going to be listening to any sort of news coverage where pundits and anchormen were tearing apart his own son to the joy and applause of the home viewers. While it was in no one's best interests to have Lex elected to public office, Lionel still wanted Lex to realize the error of his ways and turn his path around. Unfortunately, he couldn't be there to talk to Lex because he had to try to talk to Jonathan Kent and make him realize his true intentions. That hadn't gone well at all. He sighed, and sipped from his glass of scotch. He got up and stared out at the Metropolis skyline. He shouldn't have gone to Martha with the offer of a campaign contribution. He should've gone to Jonathan and explained himself up front instead of giving him the impression that he was conniving to put him in his pocket. But it was easier to talk to Martha. He knew her. Regrettably, she didn't know him, or at least who he is now. Lionel realized that any attempts to strike up a friendship with Martha wouldn't work. Her opinion of him was justifiably bitter after how he had tried to manipulate her three years ago. He had a mission. He couldn't afford to waste time deluding himself with notions of friendship. He knew that he was past that.

The silence in the room was shattered by a very fast knocking on the doors. Lionel set down his glass. "Come in."

His assistant entered the room. "Sir, the news is saying that Jonathan Kent just died."

Lionel couldn't respond. He nearly ran out of his office and into a room where there was a television on. He froze as he saw the breaking news banner. The reporter onscreen was talking. "We repeat, the recently elected senator has died at his home in Smallville just hours ago. His wife and son have not been available for comment, and details are scarce as to the nature of this tragedy."

Lionel collapsed into a nearby chair.

A few days later:

It was snowing at the funeral. There were dozens of attendees, but Martha and Clark Kent were the only family there. Lionel stood in the back, where it was least likely he would be noticed. He spyed Lex standing farther away than he was, and he thankfully didn't notice Lionel. Soon, as the mourners began to depart, Lionel slowly stepped forward and stood next to Martha. He could see the tears that had streamed down her face. He wanted to do anything; touch her shoulder, her hand, but he didn't. He would detest himself even more if he interrupted her grieving with his presence. He vanished into the background with the rest of the group, but not before he saw Clark throwing a handful of dirt on the coffin. This was all his fault. He had compromised his mission, and the consequences would never fade. All he could do was leave.

Three years ago:

Lionel sat in his son's office at the mansion, nursing an ice pack on his shoulder after the helicopter incident yesterday. He was listening to Martha finishing up telling him about her plan to fund research into Byron Moore's condition, the young meteor enhanced man who had nearly killed him.

"The papers will be here tomorrow for you to sign," she touched his hand, which was holding the ice pack. "I'll see you in the morning." She left.

Lionel smiled. She was actually a very savvy businesswoman. She just needed a little molding. He was looking forward to enjoying this newfound sense of familiarity with her. He knew his son was in the room, and he chuckled. "All right, Lex. I can feel your smirk from here."

Lex laughed. "You better watch it, Dad, or your new executive assistant might start rearranging all your priorities."

He highly doubted that. His priorities were arranged very well. Martha Kent, on the other hand... well, that would be addressed sooner or later. Lionel knew that his sense of priorities would never be influenced by Martha. He was always in control. The nagging feelings in the back of his mind weren't taken into consideration.

This story is going to have relatively short chapters at times, but there wil be lengthier installments when they are called for. In the meantime, please review! Reviews are the writer's bread and butter.