Disclaimer: see chapter 1

A/N: Thanks a lot to my loyal readers. I appreciate your reviews and inclusions on alert lists.

Since most of you are Chlexers, today I'm posting two chapters to keep the installment balanced- there has to be a little Lexana but I believe you'll be pleased with how I've handled it.

Remember this is the first of two chapters. Enjoy !

Chapter 4: Night Falls Over Smallville

Lex and Lana's wedding was three days away, and the groom was talking on the phone with Sotheby's to make his final bid on an exquisite Renaissance madonna he intended to give Lana as a present.

" A hundred and fifty, Harris..., " he said on the mobile. " Go up to three hundred... I don't care if it sounds preposterous. I want it, Harris. Bid ! "

" Lex ? Am I disturbing ? " asked Lana from the doorway.

" No, no. Come in, " he said. " Is it ours ? Perfect. Have it sent to the mansion, " he whispered to Harris. "It's been a pleasure as usual, " he added, flipping the mobile shut. " Hello, beautiful, " he mouthed, walking round the desk and pressing a soft kiss on Lana's lips.

" I've got some wonderful news to share with you, Lex, " she said, wrapping her arms round his neck.

" You've made me the happiest man on earth, Lana. What could possibly add to my bliss ? "

" Lucas is coming to the wedding... "

" I know. He's my best man. He's promised to be here. "

" Yes, but he isn't coming alone. "

" Has he convinced this paragon of virtue to join him then ? "

" Do you mean his wife ? " asked Lana, stressing the last word.

" Wife ? Well, he's certainly beaten us. The last time we spoke he was besotted but still unmarried, " said a surprised Lex.

" You said he came over... when was it... ? Ten or eleven days ago ? "

" Yes, that's right..., " said Lex, eying Lana speculatively.

" He's been married for six months, Lex. "

" Six months ! Why would he keep this a secret ? "

" Well, I've promised them I wouldn't spill the beans, so you'll have to wait three more days to get an answer to that question, " she responded, standing on tiptoe to brush her lips with his.

" You're trying to distract me, Lana ? "

" How's it working so far ? "

" You can keep on trying to see if it works, " he answered, smiling broadly.

" Can I ask you a favour, Lex ? "

" Oh ! So all this was just a strategy to get me with my defences down ! Tell me... what is it ? "

" May I borrow your car, Lex ? Mine's at the mechanic... Something to do with the carburator. I need to go to the dressmaker's for the final fitting. "

" Why don't I drive you ? "suggested Lex, picking up the keys.

" No, Lex. You aren't supposed to see the dress until the ceremony. "

" I'll wait outside. "

" Well... you see... there's something else I've got to do and... it's a surprise, Lex. Pleeease, pleease... " she beseeched him. " I'll be careful. "

" You know you needn't get me anything, Lana. You've already given me the greatest of gifts, " he murmured, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

" Let me do this, Lex, " she pleaded.

" OK, you win, " he said, handing her the keys. " Drive carefully, Lana. "

" Wipe that frown off your face, Lex. I'll be back in an hour, " she finished, embracing him tightly and dropping a quick kiss on his mouth.

Lex had been on cloud nine since Lana told him she was expecting, and his usual protectiveness towards her was in overdride. It was difficult for him to control this urge to shelter her and the baby from harm. God knew he didn't want her to feel suffocated, but he had lost too many precious people in his life to risk losing her and their unborn child in the bargain.

Lana had had a lot of doubts about her relationship with Lex. Everything had happened so fast for her, or maybe she had been kidding herself and she hadn't wanted to see the signs that had always been there. She was scared to death. Scared that her love for him wasn't enough, of letting him down. What Lex felt for her couldn't be compared to what she once had with Clark- theirs was an innocent adolescent dream, and what Lex was offering her was grown-up passion. He said she'd given him the world, and whenever she looked in his eyes she believed him. Still, there were moments, when she was away from him, in which she didn't know who she was. Lana knew Lex would put the world at her feet, but she wasn't sure if she was enough woman to be with him.

Lex wondered if he shouldn't have stalled her somehow, asked for a chauffeur to come from Metropolis if she didn't want him to be in the way- but he had promised himself to curb his over-protectiveness. His musings came to an abrupt end the moment she turned the key in the ignition, and his silver Porsche burst in flames.

What do you think ? Did you see it coming ? There's more Chloe and Lucas a click away.