Author's Note: Sorry about taking so long to update. It would have been sooner, but my computer decided to randomly delete my half-written third chapter. UGH! Needless to say there was a lot of swearing! Anyhoo, here's chapter three and I'm already working on four so hopefully it will be up in no time. And thank you to all my reviewers who have left me such awesome reviews, it keeps me going. Now, onto the story…

2010

Daily Planet…

"And you, Mrs. Kent. At least we know that he won't be slinking away only to pop up later with some evil plan. If he keeps at you like he's promised to," Martha cringed but Chloe kept going ruthlessly, "we might have a chance to figure out what he's up to."

"I don't want to just wait around if there is something I can be doing." Martha said, frustrated with the whole situation. "That's actually the reason why I'm here. I want to ask you a favor."

"Anything you need."

"I want you to write an article detailing everything that Lex threatened me with. It will be an exclusive, not to mention explosive, story that you alone will get to investigate."

"That would make for a sensational headline, I can just see it now: 'Governor Threatens Senator'." Chloe said, enthralled with the idea of writing such a story.

"You're the only person I can trust with this, or anything else for that matter." Martha confessed quietly. "Please Chloe."

Chloe felt a pang of guilt when she realized she had to be the one to burst Mrs. Kent's bubble. "Mrs. Kent, it's too dangerous. Who knows how Lex would react when he finds out what we did. Especially now that he's governor, and any bad press could hurt his reputation."

Martha's shoulders slumped. "I'm sorry Chloe, I should never have asked you to do this. I didn't mean to get you involved in this." She was on her feet quickly, heading toward the door.

Chloe pounced up and blocked Martha's path. "Whoa, I was involved in this a long time ago. And its not me that I'm afraid for; its you. Lex is capable of a lot more than just evicting you."

"I know. I just feel so helpless."

"Me too, but at least we have each other. The best we can do is keep an eye on Lex and if he does anything that could be considered evil genius worthy, then I'll write the article. Bur for now, let's go to lunch because I'm starving!" Chloe said brightly.

Martha was glad that Chloe had led the conversation away from Lex. The two women made their way down to the first floor and as they walked out into the sunshine, Martha felt that everything would work out. Later she would realize how wrong she was.

2012

Wedding Day…

"I find it convenient that you married my father."

She couldn't not respond to that. "Isn't it?"

He took a menacing step toward her and she backed up just a smudge. His predatory smile told of his pleasure of having so much power over her. Anyone who knew Martha Kent (Luthor now) did not know her to back away from anyone. But Lex wasn't just anyone, he had managed to dig his claws into her and she didn't know how to shake them off. That was one reason why she had finally agreed to marry Lionel.

"Do you know what I realized, out there, watching you marry my father?" He waited for her to respond, but she remained silent. "You need a man in your life who can take care of you. It's like you're afraid of living on your own."

"I'm afraid to end up like you." She retorted angrily, then took a deep breath to calm herself. "Besides, if there weren't men like you I wouldn't have to depend on good men to protect me." As soon as the words were out she knew that he would pick them apart.

He gave a short, barking laugh. "You're calling my father a good man?"

"Better than you." She responded darkly. The headache she had been feeling was now building.

"That may be true, but it doesn't matter at this point." He said.

Martha had backed up to within a few inches of the wall and realized now her mistake. She had essentially trapped herself between Lex and a wall. Story of her life. She could try to make it around him, but somehow she doubted that he would let her get by him so easily.

Switching gears, Lex said, "You look beautiful."

"It's amazing what money can do." Martha responded dryly.

"You were beautiful before my father draped you in money and expensive clothes." Lex returned smoothly, maybe a little too smoothly. He looked her up and down in a voracious glance. She had opted not to wear a wedding gown, but the three piece skirt suit she was wearing had cost just as much as a dress would have. Somehow, the thought of wearing a wedding gown made her feel as though she were trying to erase the memory of her marriage to Jonathon. And that was something that she would hold onto for the rest of her life.

"Thank you Lex, but this is hardly appropriate talk right now." Or any other time, she wanted to add. "Not with my husband – your father, standing just outside."

He chuckled softly as he moved closer, so close in fact that Martha could smell the scotch on his breath. It wasn't strong, but just the fact that he was that close sent chills down her spine, and set her on edge.

"Do you think that by marrying my father, you're assured of protection?" He asked in a voice that spoke of his disapproval. "Because if that's the only reason, you have made a grave mistake."

"I seem to be making a lot of those lately. But this is not one of them." She asserted strongly. She was tired of him making her feel like nothing more than a pawn in his game with his father.

She hadn't thought that her simple response would anger him the way that it did. He practically charged at her and only stopped when her hands were on his chest, pushing him back.

"Lex!" Martha said in surprise, anger, and a little fear.

He was breathing hard and visibly had to collect himself.

"I'm sorry." That simple admittance nearly knocked Martha over. Lex never apologized, especially to her. "It's just so hard to imagine that you're actually happy with my father." He choked when he mentioned his father, but he got his message across nevertheless.

"I don't know what you want me to say Lex. You brought it on yourself because I would never have gone this far if you hadn't pushed me into it." Martha said softly. They were still standing so close that she could easily reach out and touch his face. For some ungodly reason that's exactly what she wanted to do. The look in his eyes was vulnerable and she could see that all he wanted was for someone to understand him; something that Martha could never do.

He stepped back and looked over his shoulder as if he could see through the wall, and view the people still milling about the church.

"The media must be having a field day with this."

Martha shrugged. "It was bound to cause a stir."

Lex chuckled lightly. "Senator marrying one of the richest men in the world ought to do that. However, I didn't see hardly any reporters or photographers during the ceremony."

That's what was so hard about carrying a conversation with Lex. One minute he was angry, the next he was seductive, flirty, and then he would change into the charming billionaire he was raised to be. It was always emotionally draining for Martha to keep up, but she did so out of determination.

"That's because I only allowed one to cover this story. Someone whom I trust explicitly."

"Chloe." Lex said shortly.

"Good to know that you haven't forgotten about her." Martha responded. In truth, she had hoped that Lex would have somehow forgotten about Chloe. Too bad.

"How could I? She's been a pain in the ass since the first day that I met her."

Before Martha could respond there was a knock on the door. Chloe poked her head in and surveyed the scene before her. Martha was backed up against the wall with Lex standing so close that anyone else would have assumed they were in a compromising position. Chloe knew better though.

"Mrs. Kent – I mean Luthor, do you have a minute?"

"I always have time for you Chloe. Goodbye Lex." Martha said pointedly.

Lex looked between the two women and started to walk out the door.

Reaching Chloe he said, "Chloe, nice to see you."

She nodded and stepped away from him. His presence seemed to have the same effect on both the women.

"See you at the reception Martha." Then he was gone.

The tension in the room eased immediately and Chloe blew a huge sigh. "Thank God, I don't know how much longer I could have stood to be in the same room with him."

"Chloe, you were only here a moment." Martha laughed.

"Yeah, which reminds of how strong you are. How can you stand it, him being around you so much?" Chloe shuddered dramatically and Martha had to laugh, but she sobered quickly after reviewing in her mind what just happened between her and Lex.

"I do what I have to."