Chasing Shadows part 9 ~ Wheels In Motion

"I expect my stay in Smallville to be quite short," Lionel yelled to the helicopter pilot. "I also expect you to be ready for me to return to Metropolis at that time, not after you have finished dining with my son's hired help!"

"Yes, Mr. Luthor! I apologize for that, Mr. Luthor."

"I am not interested in your apologies. I want to be assured that you understand what I pay you for! If you want a union lunch break, then find employment with a union! Otherwise, you are on my time!"

"It is understood, Mr. Luthor! It won't happen again!" The pilot assured the senior Luthor for hopefully the last time, at least during this trip at any rate.

One time, one time! He made a mistake, and Lionel Luthor reminded him about it every time he stepped into the helicopter. How was he supposed to know that Mr. Luthor would be back in the chopper within five minutes after landing? He had been a new employee at the time, and went to get something to eat, figuring the man would be awhile. Luckily, the younger Luthor found him in the kitchen, and told him about his father waiting in the helicopter to return to Metropolis. That had been five years ago, and 'still' the man railed on him about it!

Being satisfied that he riled his pilot for no good reason, Lionel sat back for the remainder of the ride, letting his thoughts focus on more important things, like what he was sure was waiting for him in Smallville.

Megan told him over the phone that Miss Sullivan had attacked her after finding out about their lunch meeting, which was only mildly surprising, but not at all believable. Chloe Sullivan was known for many things, mostly sticking her nose where it didn't belong, but to be physically hostile? No, he needed to see proof of that for himself.

And yet, there was something about Miss Megan Hammond that made him want to believe her more-so than he normally would. She had been most endearing during their private lunch, and again at the private dinner he had arranged a few nights after. The young woman had literally purred for him, all the while retaining her fear that he may hurt her at any given moment. That in itself captivated him the most. Her fearful attraction to him was something he never had to deal with in a woman before, and he found her to be quite refreshing.

He had instructed her to retire to her room, using her injuries as an excuse, while he paid his son a visit today. He was also counting on Lex to want to see for himself, how the woman would react to being summoned, only to find both Luthor men in the same room. Lionel himself had to admit that his own curiosity on the matter was highly peeked.

XxXxX

"Dad," Lex declared, as his father walked into the library. "This is a surprise. What brings you all the way to Smallville?"

"Somehow I doubt my arrival is that much of a surprise, Lex. You know why I'm here. I want to know why you are trying to buy out the shares of LuthorCorp's board members. What do you think you would gain? They won't sell to you, and you know it. You've tried this trick before, son, and it failed!" he paused for a breath, then continued. "Or, perhaps you think you have a better chance this time," he stated, chuckling heartily to himself at Lex's previous futile attempts at a take over.

"So which board member is the pigeon?" Lex asked, keeping his expression impassive under his father's scrutiny.

"Oh, Lex!" he chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. "It doesn't matter which one made the call. It's simply the point that you can't accept not being good enough to beat me, no matter how hard you try."

"I thought I smelled something foul," Chloe announced, slowly making her way into the room with feigned stiff movements and a slight limp, her left arm wrapped in a fake cast from wrist to bicep.

"Miss Sullivan," Lionel addressed. "I heard about your unfortunate accident. I trust your injuries aren't too severe?"

"Oh, I'm sure you did more than just hear about it, Lionel. As for my injuries... well, I'm drugged up on pain killers at the moment, or else I wouldn't be able to move at all."

"Chloe, you should be lying down," Lex stated.

"Yea, I'll get to that in a minute, Lex. I just wanted to know if your father's visit today has anything to do with his tramp hiding upstairs."

"I beg your pardon?" Lionel said with an innocent air. "I have no idea what you're referring to. Would one of you mind elaborating, please?"

"Chloe," Lex said, his voice tinted with warning. "I said, I would handle it."

"I'm referring to your meeting with my room mate, you under handed piece of..."

"Chloe," Lex interrupted. "I will handle the business with my father. I think maybe you should go lie down, and rest."

She glared at him, pretending to be infuriated at his tone, and him dictating to her, the entire scene a pretense on Lionel's behalf. "Fine, Lex," she conceded snidely. "After all, you've handled business with your father so well in the past."

"It seems I have, yet again, offended your friend," Lionel stated after Chloe left the room. "Though, I have no idea what she is accusing me of."

"We both know you contacted her room mate with an attempted bribe, so don't insult me with your innocent airs," Lex stated firmly.

"Oh Lex, that was ages ago! Surely you don't think I've been at your door all this time! The girl took one look at me and ran away, I haven't contacted her since." Then after a thoughtful pause he added, "Is that what this is about? Your reporter finally found out about that after all this time?"

"Miss Sullivan misinterpreted something her room mate told her recently. She is under heavy sedation due to her injuries, and hasn't been herself. She seems to think you had met with Miss Hammond just before our coming to Smallville. However, you were in Prague most of the week in question, giving you a convenient alibi."

"Why, Lex, I had no idea that Miss Sullivan's injuries were so severe," he stated seeming sympathetic, and changing the subject. "If her accident occurred during my absence that would mean... she had been hurt over three weeks ago. Are you certain she doesn't require closer medical attention? I couldn't help but notice fresh bruises on the back of her hand, has she fallen, causing herself more injury?"

Lex chuckled to himself. "You never change, do you, dad? Drop the feigned act of concern; I've grown weary of it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting in ten minutes. Show yourself out."

"You realize, Lex," Lionel stated in a deep no nonsense tone, pausing at the doorway. "That you are setting yourself up, and dragging your brother along with you, into a no win situation. I would drop this insanity of a take over before one, or both, of you lose everything."

"I'll keep that in mind, dad. Enjoy your trip home."

XxXxX

"I expected to see you the other day," Lionel stated suggestively as Megan joined him at the private dinner table. He didn't need to further his inquiry, knowing Megan would tell him what he wanted to know without further prompting.

He had also fully expected her to meet him with 'possibly' a minor bruise, telling him it was almost healed, considering it had been nearly a week since the incident. He had not expected the colorful remnant of a true black eye to peer through her attempt to cover it with make up.

"Lex decided at the last minute that my staying out of site was a better idea," she answered calmly, having become more comfortable with Lionel's presence. "You know how much he scares me, and now Chloe is suspicious, too."

"What led to the hostility?" he asked, gesturing at her eye.

"Chloe questioned me about when you approached me when I first met Lex. While I was recapping it for her, she became agitated. I jokingly stated that it's not like I had lunch with you, and she misheard me, hence the enhancement to my face."

"Megan, why would you even joke about something like that? You know how suspicious they are of me to begin with, now they will watch us closer than before."

"Maybe I want them to catch me. I'm tired of all these lies, and the sneaking around."

"You can't possibly feel that way. No, I won't 'allow' you to feel that way. You agreed to help me, Megan, I would hate to see you get hurt because of a moment of insecurity."

"Are you threatening me, Lionel? Because, I have done everything you have asked of me so far, I don't warrant your suspicions. You know how he frightens me! I am scared to death that he's going to find out about us!"

He gazed into her brown eyes, and smiled at her indignation. Her becoming comfortable with him had alleviated her fear, letting him read her expressive eyes with clarity. He didn't doubt her for a moment. She had come to him for help, and he offered it, for a price of course. She had proved to be a most helpful ally against his son. And, a most enjoyable companion.

"It will all be over soon, I promise," he stated, sipping from his glass. "Now tell me, what devious plan is my son devising this time in an effort to take over LuthorCorp?"

XxXxX

"Will you tire of me when all this is over, Lionel?" Megan purred, slowly buttoning her blouse as she sat across from him in the limo.

"You surprise me at every turn, my dearest," he replied charmingly, adjusting his trousers. "In a most pleasing way. Let's just take things as they come, shall we?"

She moved sleekly from her seat to straddle his hips, her short skirt pushed up over her hips just as he had left it. She took his hand in hers to guide it between her thighs, her lips teasing his.

"Make me come for you, Lionel," she begged against his mouth. "I want you to know the power you have over me."

He forcibly grabbed her hair by the back of her head, and pulled her back to look in her eyes. They were engulfed with passion, his own desire remounting in response. "Oh, dearest Megan, I like how you inflate my ego," he breathed, pulling her to him to crush her lips with his passionately, his fingers slipping into her moist folds.

XxXxX

"Are you sure you're alright?" Megan asked once more with concern in her voice.

"Oh please, stop asking me that." Lionel dictated irritably, holding his arm across his stomach. "The last thing I need right now is to be coddled. I'll be fine, I'm sure it's just something I ate at dinner."

Megan moved to the other side of the limo, and fixed her clothes. She stared at him with apprehension, hoping he didn't suspect the reason of her growing anxiety.

"You truly fear my son that much, don't you?" he asked rhetorically, chuckling when she met his eyes with uncertainty. "I have noticed your increased nervousness as we draw nearer to Smallville," he explained, then held his breath against another pain in his stomach. He sat up and rolled down the window to see corn fields line the side of the road. "Driver! Pull over, I must step outside."

"Lionel, don't do this," Megan begged. "Surely, you can wait until we reach Smallville."

"Megan, life has it's ugly moments, and unfortunately so does the human body. Simply wait here for my return, and all will be well in due time."

She was almost in a complete sweat as he stepped from the limo to make use of the cover of cornstalks. Once he was out of sight, she rolled the window up, and retrieved her cell phone from her purse.

"We're less than an hour outside Smallville," she stated nervously when the call was answered.

"Your dinner went well I assume?" Lex asked confidently through the phone.

"I did what you asked, please, don't hurt me," Megan stated, making sure her voice sounded fearful, just as Lex instructed her to sound in case the call was recorded by Lionel.

"I'll see you shortly."

Megan placed the cell phone back in her bag, looking through the tinted window with renewed trepidation. The past few nights she found herself laying awake trying to figure out how she had gotten herself into this predicament. How she had gotten herself involved with not only one Luthor, but both of them. Her answer was always the same. She volunteered to help a friend. She allowed herself to become emotionally tied, and now played a game that would most likely get her killed by one, or the other. She rested her head back against the seat, closed her eyes, and regretted what she knew she had to do next.

XxXxX

A few long minutes later, but not before Lionel reappeared, a sports car pulled to a stop on the other side of the road. Megan stepped from the limo as Lex and Chloe headed toward her.

"Where is he?" Lex asked bluntly. Megan silently gestured in the general direction Lionel had taken, licking her lips fretfully. "Chloe, stay with her."

"No way! I'm with you! I wouldn't miss this opportunity for all your money!"

Lex turned around to look at her, ready to argue the point, when he noticed the camera clutched excitedly between her hands, her body practically bouncing in anticipation. With a resigned sigh, he quietly headed for the corn field, Chloe right on his heels.

XxXxX

"Who's there?" Lionel called, hearing someone approach through the cornstalks. "Megan? I instructed you to wait in the car! Now, do so immediately!"

The cornstalks were pushed aside directly next to him, a bright flashlight shining in his face.

"Dad, are you alright?" Lex asked. "Miss Sullivan and I happened to be passing by when I saw your limo on the side of the road."

"Now that's what I call getting caught with your pants down!" Chloe chimed smugly, clicking the camera repeatedly.

"Lex! For god's sake, get that woman out of here!" he bellowed from his squatted position with his trousers around his ankles. He motioned to stand, but realized the consequences that would have, then proceeded to look around indecisively as his bowels loudly loosened.

"Chloe, I think it would be better if you wait by the cars," Lex said in a soft tone.

"You don't have to tell me twice!" she replied with a look of disgust, instinctively holding her nose. She turned, and quickly headed for the cars.

"Lex, could you... please... give me a moment of privacy? I seem to have eaten something that terribly disagreed with me."

"It's not disagreeing with you, dad, it's doing what it's supposed to do."

"What do you mean? What are you talking about?" he grunted with discomfort.

"The laxative," he stated informatively. "Their main function is to clean the shit out of your system, it seems to be working just fine."

Lionel's eyes grew wide with realization. "Megan!" he spat accusingly.

"Oh, I wouldn't blame her too much, after all, she frightens very easily. But, you already knew that, didn't you?"

Lionel's body purging itself once again was more than Lex was willing to tolerate. "We'll discuss this further once you're back on your feet. Here," he said, tossing Lionel a box of tissues. "These may come in handy." He took a step backwards before turning in the direction of the road, leaving Lionel to take care of his business in private.

XxXxX

After what seemed like hours, Lionel finally appeared from the cornstalks looking very pale and lacking his usual confident airs. Megan instantly pushed past Lex, and rushed to him.

"Lionel!" she cried, throwing herself at his feet. "I'm sorry! I am so sorry! He made me do it! He said he would hurt me if I didn't do what he said. Please, you have to believe me!" she begged, grabbing at his legs with tears running down her face. "I 'begged' you to not let him bring me here!" she sobbed up at him. "I 'begged' you!" she repeated, slumping to the ground with wreaking sobs, her arms wrapped around his knees. "I didn't want to do it, honest, I didn't."

Lionel looked down at her as she pleaded for his forgiveness. Her face was streaked with tears and smeared makeup, her bruised eye showing more predominantly even in the dark. She 'had' begged him, that much was true. Even during their dinner earlier that evening she had expressed how fearful she was to return to the mansion, and had begged him to take her back to Metropolis with him. She tried to warn him in her own way, but he hadn't listened. He reached down and took her gently by her arms to help her to her feet.

"Get in the car, Megan," Lex commanded sternly. "My father knows I wouldn't harm you any more than he would."

"No!" Megan cried out fearfully, grabbing Lionel's shirt. "Lionel, please!"

Lex moved forward, reaching out to pull Megan away from his father. Lionel grabbed Lex's wrist, stopping him, and moved Megan closer against his side, embracing her with his other arm protectively as she trembled against him.

"You've had your fun, Lex, though I can't for the life of me think of what you expect to accomplish by this little drama." Wrapping both arms around Megan, he motioned forward, "Step aside, Lex, I will take what is mine, and return to Metropolis."

"Keep her," Lex said nonchalantly with a shrug, side-stepping out of his father's way. "She was always more trouble than she's worth to me anyway. Though, I couldn't figure out how you were paying her off, ...until now. I gave her credit for having better taste, I see I was wrong."

Lionel carefully placed Megan in his limo, then turned around to face his son. The expression on Lex's face gave him momentary pause, he had never seen his son's eyes so cold before. Chloe chose that moment to slip to his son's side. Lex draped his arm over her shoulders with an automatic reflex, his eyes softened ever so slightly, though his gaze never left his own.

'Oh my god, he loves her,' Lionel thought with realization. He knew they shared a fondness, along with their beds, but he never considered anything deeper was between them. His gaze slid to Chloe, knowing instantly by her defiant stare that she never told Lex about her occasional 'accidents' that he had arranged for her. All these years she had born his retribution all on her own, until recently. 'How could I have been so blind to not see this?' he thought regretfully.

"I suggest that you be careful in what you put your attentions toward," Lex stated threateningly.

"Then, we are of an understanding with each other, son," he replied with mustered dignity.

Lionel turned and stepped into the limo, the image of Megan rushing into his welcoming arms a brief flash as the chauffeur closed the door.

"Did we just do the right thing, Lex?" Chloe asked, watching the limo make an awkward U-turn on the narrow country road.

"That was the plan, Chloe," he whispered, as his eyes followed the tail lights of his father's limo. "Though, I'm having second thoughts concerning Megan's loyalties."

"She won't cross you, Lex, I know that for a fact."

"I hope you're right. Otherwise, I will destroy her along with my father."