Back…after more than 2 years. But hopefully I'm back for good!
Chapter 7
Two Weeks Later
Luthor Mansion
Lex sat reclined in his chair, feet up on the desk. He held a cordless phone to his ear and yelled angrily
"Malcolm, I told you to keep Project Ghost under the highest security level! Now that idiot Bryce's face is plastered across the front page of the Daily Planet. That is NOT my idea of top secret."
He paused and listened to the buffoon's blundering reply.
"No, you're playing by my rules now. You're whole operation is to be moved into one of my private labs and you will be under the authority of my scientists. You're on my leash now. Oh…and one more thing Malcolm, if the police find out that LuthorCorp funded your research, that leash will become a noose. Goodbye."
A mail icon popped on his screen, an email from his secretary. She had authorized the purchase of another meteor rock, bought off a farmer. At least something was going well today. Lex looked up as the door swung open and Lana walked in.
"What are you working on Lex?" Lana asked, sliding onto the edge of his desk.
"Boring work things. Just going over the quarterly earnings." He lied easily, with a smile. He got up, stretched and gave Lana a quick kiss. "You should start getting ready honey; don't forget about the Holiday Charity Ball we have tonight."
"A chance to be shown off next to the great Lex Luthor. I'll go shower." Lana teased. She got up and strode out of the room.
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Metropolis
Clark rolled his eyes as Lois obsessed over which tie-shirt combo suited him the best. She held what seemed to be the 300th shirt up to his chest and shook her head,
"Purple is not your color, Smallville." she proclaimed.
"Lois, I've known that all my life. We already got a suit, four shirts, and three ties. I have some of my dad's old clothes, I'm all set for work now."
"Clark!" she said exasperated, "Where's the fun in that? Shopping isn't a get-in and get-out operation. It's about the process. But your right, we should go. We have to cover Lex's Charity Ball tonight. Bunch of baloney if you ask me, it's just to look good for the press." Clark frowned, he had tried not to think of Lex since that fateful night a few weeks before. Would Lana be there he wondered? He realized with a pang of sorrow, that he missed her. At the same time, he hated her. The two emotions swirled in his chest and he stood lost in thought. "Hey Smallville, wake up!" Lois shouted.
Clark shook himself and gave Lois a smile, saying "Sorry Lois, I guess I just drifted off for a second there. Let's go." He paid for the clothes and they headed for the door.
"What's wrong Clark? I know you and Lex aren't exactly the best of friends anymore but I've never seen you look that upset," Lois probed.
Clark spoke haltingly "Lois…when I broke up with Lana, it wasn't because…well it was because I…I caught her with Lex. That's the real reason."
Lois felt her heart go out to Clark. She had watched him pine over Lana for years and finally win her over, only to have her destroy his trust. "Clark, I didn't realize. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry. I know it hurts, I've been there before, but it looks like she's not the type of person you want to be with anway," she reasoned.
Clark heard the truth in Lois words. He had wanted Lana for so long that when he finally was with her, he had kind of forgotten why he wanted her in the first place. "Yeah, you're right. That's the past, I'm all about the future." he said. He held the door open for her, and they strode out into the frosty December air.
Lois teased, "Clark Kent, Man of Tomorrow! Enough about with the gloom, there's an open bar tonight, I don't care who is footing the bill. Meet me at 8 o'clock at the door." Clark smiled and gave her a wave as they set off in opposite directions. He walked home slowly, enjoying the walk. He had come to love the city. It was so large, so complex, millions of people traveled its streets every day. Of course, he missed the fields and woods of Smallville, but he could visit them easily enough. He arrived to his building, took the elevator up, and let himself into the apartment. Jimmy was eating in the kitchen, reading the paper.
"Hey CK! What's up?" Jimmy said.
"Lois talked me into spending my first year's salary worth on dress shirts," Clark sighed,
"but she was right, I do need to look professional at work."
"Lois is big on shopping," Jimmy agreed. "Hey, some friends of mine are going to be in town tonight, you want to come out with us?"
"I wish, sorry Jimmy. I have to work tonight. Mrs. Lamar is sending Lois and me to cover Lex's Holiday Charity Ball." Clark replied.
"Bummer man, see ya tonight" said Jimmy. Clark headed into his room and laid his bags onto the bed. He undressed and showered, and headed back into his room. He chose a dark blue shirt and a red tie that Lois had picked out for him. He slid on a black sport coat and checked the time, 8:05. He walked quickly out the door, yelling goodbye to Jimmy in the next room. He ignored the elevator and walked into the stairwell. A quick scan let him know it was empty, and he vaulted over the edge and fell twenty floors to the bottom. He sped out the door and through the darkened streets. He arrived outside the club and saw Lois, facing the other direction, leaving a message.
"Clark, where are you! You were supposed to be here five minutes ago!" she hissed into the phone. She whipped around and was startled to find Clark standing there, grinning handsomely in his new suit. "Clark!...you look good. But you're still late, let's go!" she exclaimed.
Clark extended his arm towards the door, "Shall we?"
