A/N: Thanks as always Dreamcreator for your review. Here is the end of episode 4 "Slumber" of season 3. I've a couple of scenes that change things up from the episode. I'm already almost done with episode 5 "Perry." I think I have one more chapter to go there.
Disclaimer: Claire's mine—sadly her family and home are not. They all belong to someone else.
Chapter 9
Clark gasped and sat up on his parents' couch. The first thing he saw was his mother.
"Mom, Lex is in trouble!"
He jumped up and streaked to the house, and up to Lana's old room. He found Sara still unconscious on the bed. Then he looked down and took in the sight of Lex on the floor smeared with red.
"Lex!" Clark knelt in the sea of water, blood, flower bits, and glass shards.
The bloodied man was able to turn his head to the side so he could speak. His voice was a resigned sigh. "Clark, go save Lana."
"Lex, I'm not leaving you and I won't let you die this time." Clark's voice was raised in panic.
What does he mean THIS TIME? Lex groaned. "As touching as this is we both know I'm not your damsel in distress. Now go be Lana's hero Clark. You're better at it than I am." Lex tried to smile, but the expression morphed into a grimace.
Clark closed his eyes in agony. Why is it so hard to leave him? "You managed being the hero with Claire."
Lex sighed. "I'm not bound to Lana the way I am to Claire—or you. Clark, you can save Lana and be back in five minuets. Go."
Clark ran uncertain fingers down Lex's cheek. His green eyes bore into Lex. "You are important to me in more ways than Lana could ever be. Remember that."
He got to his feet and walked to the window. Using his x-ray vision Clark scanned the tree-line. Through the trunks and branches Clark found Lana in her car with Nicolas standing clear. The skeleton tossed something into the air and Clark ran. The object arched through the air, and Clark flashed passed scooping the lighter into his hand. He came to a stop behind Nicolas Conroy.
"Looking for this?" The man turned and Clark closed the lighter and tossed him into a tree. Then he used Lana's phone to make a call to 9-1-1 and left the scene. He returned to Lana's old house to find his parents already there. His father held Claire while his Mother was picking glass out of Lex wounds.
"I'm going to have to get a medical degree before this is all over Lex." Martha chided as she picked at the debris from the fight. "You really should have a doctor look at these."
Lex chuckled weakly. "I assure you funding won't be an obstacle if you choose—"
"Lex, I'm serious." Martha interrupted.
"I'll be fine Mrs. Kent. I don't want my father finding out about this incident."
"If you were unconscious when we found you we'd have you at the hospital by now." Jonathan remarked as he walked over to look down at the unresponsive girl. "So this is who all the fuss was about."
"I just hope she'll be safe now." Martha looked up from her work. "Clark! Is Lana alright?"
"I've got to get back there to see Sheriff Addams. I just had to come, and check on Lex first."
Lex, whose forehead rested on his knees, answered. "I'm in good hands Clark. You should get back to Lana."
"I will." Clark agreed. "I'm just going to clean up this mess first." He quickly darted home for supplies and cleaned the floor and everywhere else Lex's blood touched. Then he kissed his Mom on the cheek and Claire's forehead before running back to wait for Lana to be officially saved.
CK/LL-CS/LL-CK/LL-CS/LL
That night Clark visited Sara in the Smallville Medical Center. He carried another bunch of lilacs and smiled at the sight of her awake for a change. "Hi Sara, how are you doing?" He held up the flowers. "I've brought you lilacs before, but you can actually enjoy these."
An uncertain frown formed on her face. "It's Clark? Isn't it?"
"I didn't think you'd remember me." He smiled and put the flowers on a tray at the end of her bed.
"Yeah," her lips twitched upward for a second. "We've been through so much together even though we've never officially met." She shook her head. "I still don't know how I got in your dreams."
"The important thing is that you're safe and awake."
"You're obviously a very special guy… I saw some of the things you're able to do."
There was a beat of silence as Clark made up his answer. "Well, in our dreams we're all super."
"It's just…" she looked down at her lap. "I know it's none of my business… and that dreams are usually private."
"No," he turned and grabbed the seat near the window. "I'm curious to hear your perspective." Clark lightly clapped his hands together once. "What'd you see?"
"I see someone who loves and respects his parents; someone who adores his baby daughter, and someone confused but in love, and who resists his feelings. It looks like what you feel for… Lana… is being overwhelmed for your new feelings for your best friend. Clark, take it from someone whose been trapped for six years—if you love him that much go for it."
"It's more complicated than that, Sara." I don't think people would be as open as my subconscious wants them to be.
She shakes her head. "I only know what I saw. I may have been there, and even Lana played a part, but Lex is the man of your dreams." She smiled weakly and looked away.
CK/LL-CS/LL-CK/LL-CS/LL
The loft was lit only by the couple of lamps in the warm night. Clark sat at his desk and spun the hi-lighter in his hands. Lex sat on the warn couch with a packet of papers in his hands. He glanced over at Clark.
"What were the main grievances the colonists had against King George that contributed to the American Revolution?" Lex held his place in the study guide with his index finger. Clark stared at the rafters instead of his closed textbook.
"Taxation without representation," Lana answered as she appeared on the steps. "Sorry to break up the study session, but can I borrow Clark for a minute?"
"Sure," Lex smiled, "and Clark she hasn't sufficiently answered the question. I'll be waiting for your response." Lex leaned back carefully into the couch so he wouldn't bump his bandages.
The two teens walked just outside the barn. Clark turned on the lights for the main floor. The evening was still warm, but it lacked the edge of the sunny hours. Lana grinned up at him.
"So, how's history with Mr. Luthor?"
Clark shrugged. "It's very specific, but I have my makeup exam tomorrow so every bit helps. How are you feeling?"
"I feel kind of stupid actually." She laughed and looked away.
"Why?" Clark put his hand on her shoulder. "What you did was very brave. You saved Sara's life." Did I just sound like a big brother? Is that how feel about Lana?
"Yeah, but I almost lost mine, and Lex's in the process." She glanced up in the direction of the loft. "Its lucky you got there in time to save us both. I don't think you would have forgiven me."
"You believed in me when I thought I was crazy. It was the least I could do." Clark processed her last statement. "What do you mean 'forgive' you?" His brows formed a line above his eyes.
"If I made you choose between saving me and him." She turned and walked a few paces away. "So, I talked to Sara today. All she could talk about is you." Lana turned a frown at him. "Clark, why did she ask me about Chloe?"
Clark's eyes widened, and his mouth came open to respond, but it took him a moment to collect his thoughts. "I… didn't say anything about her… or you… It's just… you guys… have been really… close, and…" With a sigh he trailed off putting his hands over his face. "I wasn't trying to lead her that way. It just kind of came up in my dreams."
Lana blinked. "What happened?" She made a face. "Don't tell me this is some fantasy of yours—" her voice rose in anger.
"No!" Clark held up his hands. "Chloe—in the dream—just said you were… together. I also kind of saw… her kiss your cheek… the other day." Even in the darkness it was obvious his face was flushed.
Lana grinned and dipped her head. "Yeah, I thought you were too tired to notice, and I think she just wanted to claim me. It's hard for her when guys stare at me all the time."
"Worse if it's her best friend." Clark finished the thought. Lana nodded and pouted her lip.
"You're not going to—tell anyone—are you, Clark?"
Clark answered by coming over and wrapping his arms around her. He kissed the top of her head and grinned. "I'd never—Lana, your secret's safe with me."
A voice drifted down to them from the loft window. "He's very good at keeping secrets Lana, and well, I'm learning from the best." Lex leaned casually against the wall with his arms crossed.
"I should go." Lana smiled at Clark. "Chloe's waiting for me at home." She started to walk back to her car, but paused. "Just so you know we're not official or anything. We're still trying to figure things out together."
"That's a good place to be." Clark said from the doorway of the barn. "I'm here if you need to talk—either of you."
"I appreciate that—night Clark, night Lex." When her back was turned Clark zipped up the steps and stood beside Lex watching her leave the farm.
"You're taking this surprisingly well." Lex fixed his cobalt eyes on Clark's profile.
"I abandoned them this summer—it's only natural they—got closer." Clark met Lex's inquisitive gaze. "I'm just glad something good came out of those three months."
Lex nodded. "Closer yes, but I wouldn't expect you to be open to—that kind of relationship between two people of the same sex."
Clark sighed and examined the floorboards. "Mom is from Metropolis and she's been friends with a few… same-sex couples for years." He shrugged. "Dad—well raising an alien makes you a little more open minded."
Lex hesitated but managed a sarcastic tone. "I wouldn't expect him to be thrilled if said extraterrestrial came out to him anytime soon."
Clark bit his lip and turned back to his desk. "I suppose not." He sat down in his chair, and his eyes plead. "Lex, can we get back to American history?"
Lex kept his voice steady. "Of course we can, Clark."
CK/LL-CS/LL-CK/LL-CS/LL
The following week gave Lex's injuries time to heal, and time to consider his father's words. He kept a close eye on his interim CEO Mr. Sullivan, and his plans for expanding LexCourp were slowly being started. If going through this evaluation was all it took to gain Lionel's trust then he could do that—after all it was only five sessions.
Lex kept that in mind as he parked his blue Ferrari in the garage under LuthorCourp. A ring from his coat signaled that someone from the Kent household was calling. Lex smiled indulgently as he hit the green button.
"Lex here."
"Hey Lex I'ts Jonathan."
"Good morning Mr. Kent. Is everything alright? Usually Mrs. Kent calls me this time of morning."
Jonathan's laugh came through the line. "Martha's a little busy. Claire mastered rolling over this morning, and managed to break the bars of her crib in the process."
"Is she still in Kansas?" Lex asked off handedly.
"So far she doesn't have Clark's speed. It took him a few years with us to develop that ability. Martha just wanted me to let you know."
"Thank you, Mr. Kent. I appreciate you keeping me in the loop. I'm in the Lion's Den right now, and I have a meeting with him."
"No problem, and be careful not to be eaten alive."
"I will. Bye Mr. Kent." Lex disconnected the call and got out of his car. A brisk walk and an elevator ride later, he was on the top floor of the tower. The frosted glass doors swung to admit him, and he found his father at his desk as always.
"Lex, it sounded urgent."
"I'll complete the five session psychological profile, and I've decided to submit to a full battery of psychological tests." He strode into the office and kept his eyes trained on his rival. He could play his father's games.
"Why the sudden change of heart?" Lionel sat back in his chair with a bemused smirk.
"I realized that I was dealing from a position of fear, and you can sniff that out like a bloodhound."
"It's a gift Lex, and very useful, but why are you really doing this?"
Because I want access to those files about my daughter, and all the things you're involved with. Lex kept his features smooth. "I know that if I'm ever going to prove myself your true heir I have to deal from a position of strength. I have nothing to hide." But I know you do, Dad.
"So who's the good doctor?"
"Sherrill Foster." (A/N: I changed the first name from 'Claire' to prevent confusion.)
"Good credentials and she's written a few books. I'm sure she'll be able to handle any problems that may arise."
Lex considered his father's words for a moment. "That island didn't make me crazy, Dad."
Lionel got to his feet projecting his false concern into the space between them. "No, Lex, I don't believe that. It will be good to have it in writing just in case." Lex shook his head and turned for the door. "Oh, and Lex—when you're rich you're not crazy—you're eccentric."
A/N: First, YAY I'm finally done with "Slumber"! I have the next few chapters written, but I'm not updating right away. I want to give people a chance to read and consider this chapter before I move forward. Besides I want to give it another read to check for mistakes. Let me know what you think.
