Disclaimer: The characters and setting are not mine.
Chapter 4
Clark stood in the doorway of the Talon watching Chloe and Lana across the room. At first it looked like they were fighting, but now they were embracing. I wish I could have talked to them separately. He took a breath and walked over to join them.
"I know keeping it from you was wrong, but I was afraid of loosing you, and it was good to be the one he confided in again."
Lana took Chloe's hand. "He's always been able to talk to you. Why were you afraid?"
"He loves you." There was a new pain in her voice as she gazed at Lana.
"I'm sorry, Chloe, Lana." They looked up to see him standing behind them. "I'm sorry for how I acted in Metropolis. I know I messed things up."
Lana shifted closer to Chloe presenting a unified front, "I want to say it wasn't you, but we don't really know who you are."
"I was trying to protect you both."
"From what?" Chloe asked.
"The only thing that keeps hurting us is you, Clark."
Chloe looked from one to the other, and was about to back out of the conversation when Lana grabbed her hand.
"You choose me, but then you leave and make Chloe keep your secret from everyone."
Clark took a step back at the expressions on their faces, "Thank you for keeping my secret, Chloe. Lana, you're right I can't keep doing this to you both."
"Then don't." Lana turned to face the counter putting her hands on the cool surface. She was shaking with anger. Chloe laid her hand on Lana's shoulder and looked up into Clark's face.
"That's what friends do for each other, Clark." She frowned. "What else is bothering you?"
He pursed his lips shaking his head, "I can't talk about it yet. You'll know soon." He turned to go.
"You're not staying?" Chloe accused. Lana turned to see his face as he answered.
"Yes, I'll stay if everything works out."
"Clark, you can't keep running away. Sometimes you have to stop and face your demons."
Lana blinks away moisture from her eyes and turns away from them again, "When you decide let us know."
Clark took that as his cue to leave. Looking back he watched Chloe rubbing circles across Lana's back. The brunette's head rested in her arms on the counter, and the blonde shifted closer to continue their conversation. Clark sighed waling back out onto main street.
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Lex had a very productive morning for someone who was supposed to be dead. The briefcase he had with him contained several documents that were being distributed through public records. Lana was now the majority owner of the Talon but LexCourp's share was the second largest. The property belonged wholly to her. The Kent's debts had been paid off, and their farm was again theirs in full. He now was the owner of Metropolis United Charities which had handled Clark's "adoption" and now Claire's as well.
There were several things he needed to do: deal with Helen, sell, auction, or donate many of his extravagant possessions, fill out Claire's birth certificate, and find out what else his father was hiding. Several of these tasks would require Clark's help or input so to that end he was returning to the farm. As he pulled up beside the barn he saw Clark getting out of the family truck.
"Hey, you're back." Clark's smile wasn't as easy as usual.
"Is everything ok, Clark?" Lex laid a hand on his friend's shoulder.
Clark shrugged, "I just saw Chloe and Lana in town."
"They're not as welcoming of the prodigal farm boy."
Clark led the way into the house. The space was too quiet. He looked up searching the second floor. "They're not in the house."
Lex was watching him, "You're using your x-ray vision." He chuckled, "I always used to think you had something in your eye. Can you see inside the barn from here? They might be in there."
"Yeah, sure." Clark scanned the outside and he froze. "I told them to leave me alone."
Lex seriously considered asking if Lana and Chloe were outside, but he did know from Clark's tone and posture that the situation was much more serious. "Who's out there?"
Clark sighed, "These guys I knew from Metropolis. One of them got me to steel something for him—from your father." Clark bit his lip turning repentant eyes on Lex.
He shrugged, "What was it? That's probably what they want."
"I don't know." Clark flashed up the stairs and back. He held out a white container about the size of a toothbrush holder. "Here it is."
Lex took the case and opened it. Gingerly he lifted the glass cylinder holding it up to examine the red liquid inside. "No wonder Dad wants it back especially since we have—Claire!" Lex's blue eyes widened as he looked back at Clark.
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Clark walked into the barn first. "Mom? Dad?"
"Yes Kal?" Morgan Edge stood holding Claire in his arms. "Sorry to bother you, but I wanted to meet the parents."
"Mom?" Clark asked calmly ignoring the man. His mother was tied up but not injured. A man stood beside her with a gun.
"Son," Clark turned to look at his Dad, "It's ok, don't do anything."
Edge took a step back keeping the baby out of Clark's reach, "Now I know you're quick, but you can save all three of them."
Clark nodded, "Give me the baby, and we can go get it."
"Sorry, Kal, but I'm not taking my chances."
"Looking for this?" Lex asked stepping into the barn holding the blood sample in his hand. "I suggest you bring—my daughter." Where did THAT come from? "I'll give you what you came for."
"Fair enough," He approached Lex holding out a hand. "Just don't do anything foolish, or I might drop her." They made the exchange. "Have any idea why your Dad wants this so bad?"
Lex grinned as if people weren't tied up to either side of him, "Your guess is as good as mine."
"Hmm." The thug walked out of the barn. He turned looking back at Lex, "Congratulations, she has Lillian's hair." Then he walked out of sight.
Lex looked down at the little baby whose hands reached toward the light. His eyes followed up to the firry wisps decorating her fragile skull. How did I know? Why would Dad use my genes? Is it true?
"Why are the two of you still here?" Clark asked looking from one gunman to the other.
The black man by his mother smirked. "Insurance purposes—when the deal's done Edge will call. If all goes well we'll leave."
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[A/N: Have you ever wondered how Morgan Edge got to Metropolis so fast? They make it seem like it's happening all at once. Isn't the drive usually three hours?]
The limo pulls up to the docks and Lionel Luthor steps out with his security hovering a discrete distance.
"Extraordinary how the smell of creosote and algae can take you back thirty years isn't it?" Lionel strolled over to stand beside his old friend.
"A lot of memories buried here."
"Yeah where they belong." Lionel looks at him expectantly. "Don't tell me I've come all the way out here for nothing."
"No," Edge hands the paper bag to the businessman.
"Intriguing presentation." Lionel opens the bag.
"It's not the packaging that's important."
Lionel chuckles humorlessly.
"Unless you don't trust me."
"Trust, you? Trust has never had anything to do with our friendship." He passes the bag back to Edge and walks to his limo. A window rolls down and he passes the vile to a waiting woman. She confirms that it is the same as the sample they had before.
"It's like this blood is liquid gold." The crime lord observed. "Isn't there more where that came from?"
Lionel opens the door to climb into the luxury car, "Unfourtunatly the source is a mystery to me. My contact turned out to be… let's say uncooperative."
"Well there are ways of making them talk." He reached out to close the door for Lionel. "Oh and congratulations. I met your granddaughter today."
Lionel looked up sharply, "Did you also see Lex? I've been trying to find him since his rescue."
"Lionel, I can bring them to you."
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Back at the Kent barn the scene was still tense. Clark stood where Edge had left him; arms crossed and watching the gunmen. Martha and Jonathan were stilltied to opposite sides of the building. Lex held Claire safely in his arms, and she was entertaining herself by ridding him of his buttons. Once each came free of the threads he promptly put it in his pocket so she wouldn't swallow it.
Their long-haired assailent's phone rang. "Yeah… Yes sir…" He closed his phone. "That was Edge. He wants us to bring the son and the kid to him."
"I think Dad can pick up a phone if he wants to arrange a face to face."
"Look here rich boy." The dark skinned thug walked toward Lex. "We do what the boss says."
"What astounding company loyalty." Lex smirks backing out of the barn door.
Several things happened at once. The coats of the attackers blew in a breeze. Martha Kent disappeared from the barn. Jonathan Kent pushed himself up and into the one who'd been hovering over him. His gun went off as he fell to the ground aimed at Lex and Claire.
Lex turned his back shielding the baby. He shivered feeling the weight of Clark behind him. The moment was long enough for him to feel two exhales of hot moist air on his neck before Clark moved around him tugging Claire from his grasp. Lex spun back into the fray pulling Jonathan to his feet.
The two men now devoid their weapons thanks to Clark's speed separated. Lex worked to find the edge of the tape binding Jonathan's wrists. The curly haired attacker jumped in from behind fastening his arms around Lex's throat as the other went after Jonathan. A well aimed blow from behind with a shovel took care of Jonathan's attacker. Unfortunately that gave the other man a chance to start dragging Lex backward.
Marthat Kent used the sharp edge of the shovel to cut her husband's binds. "He has the baby, and he's taking her someplace safe."
Jonathan yanked the tape off his wrists turning to the man struggling with the young Luthor. "Let him go. Your guns are gone. Your friend is down. You're not leaving this farm with Lex."
"You're wrong because that beast of a son of your's isn't here to stop me, or take this." He pulled a knife holding it to Lex's neck.
"Yeah, now they'll let you go." Lex encouraged sarcastically. "You've tied them up, threatened their lives, and insulted their son."
"Lex be quiet." Jonathan warned.
Lex smirked unable to stop himself, "Yes, Dad."
Apparently Lex's humor was contagious, "That's Mr. Kent to you, Alexander."
Ignoring the two men the thug said. "Lady, put the shovel down or this rich brat with be painted in red." Martha nodded dropping her weapon. "Hey, get up!' He yelled at his partner on the ground. The other man got shakily to his feet holding his head between his hands.
"Lionel's not going to be happy that you threatened his son." Martha reasoned.
"Wouldn't have to if he came quietly."
Jonathan shoved the unsteady man forward pushing him into Lex and his attacker. Lex hissed s the cold metal sliced into his throat, but managed to force the arm away from his face. Rolling away he pinned the arm down as Jonathan pounced on the man throwing punches. Martha stood over the second man who'd struggled free of the tangle of limbs, and was still holding his head.
Lex pulled away; holding pressure on his neck. "Mr. Kent, you can get off him." Gasping he looked over at the two men on the floor. "Can you get the guys phone?" The farmer handed it to him. Lex dialed a familiar number.
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Lionel stood waiting beside Morgan when his phone rang. The business man answered. "Luthor… Hello Lex… I'll let him know… Oh, and Lex, I'm looking forward to seeing that alleged grandchild of mine." He closed his phone smirking, "It looks like you're going to need some new lackeys Morgan. You should find better help next time." He slid into the limo closing the door and leaving Morgan standing on the docks.
A/N: Ok, so I've changed several things to the plot of "Phoneix" Morgan Edge doesn't know that "Kal" is the cource of the blood, and I'm planning on keeping it that way, but he may find out his weakness at some point. I hope it wasn't confusing when I moved from place to place; I tried to make it clear where we were. There are plenty of twists ahead so keep reading, and a review would be really nice.