Chapter Ten: Back To One

Things between Lex and Lana remained borderline tense for several days. They continued to go to work together, but instead of going out to lunch, they just met at his office and ate there in order to avoid the press. If their passion had cooled somewhat, their communication hadn't at all, and Lex was relieved to see that they were beginning to be able to talk to each other much more freely.

It was cloudy and raining outside on a Thursday when Lex decided it was time to tell Lana about his future plans. "I've been thinking of maybe running for State Senate," he said. He actually felt a little nervous about the move, but only in how it might reflect on his relationship with Lana. He didn't want to mess that up.

"Oh," she said in surprise. She swallowed a sip of tea and then looked up at him. "When did you decide this?"

"Well, it's not really decided for sure. It's something that I've been thinking about for a while, and I wanted to know what you thought."

"Hmm," she said. "I guess I'm not surprised. You did say once that you wanted to be President." They laughed a little.

"Yeah, I guess you would remember that."

Her expression turned thoughtful as she mulled his news over. "Well, you do have a lot of leadership qualities." she said positively. "Would this be for the upcoming election?"

"Yeah."

"So soon?"

"Well, the time is right for change Lana."

"I suppose that's true. The press will get a kick out of it."

"Yeah I guess they will. Something new to write about." He smiled at her, and placed a hand over hers. "I'll feel better about announcing my intention to run if I have your support."

She gave a small smile and nodded. "You have it," she said.

The day before Lex announced his candidacy, the Metropolis police finally received a court order for a sample of Lana's DNA. Their lawyers had held them off as long as possible, but with even the news articles expressing concerns, they couldn't hold back the dam any longer. After the hair found on Genevieve's body was identified, Lana was officially called in to give another statement.

"Lana, we want to ask you some more about Jason Teague. Now, when did you say you last saw him?"

"Several weeks before the meteor shower."

"Do you recall the exact date?"

"No, I'm sorry." Lana was much more calm the second time around, and she didn't appear nervous at all. Lex knew that she was, but was glad that she was hiding it so well.

"Do you have any idea how some of your hair might have ended up in his apartment?"

"I visited quite often when we were seeing each other."

"Yes, but that was several weeks before he died, correct?"

"Yes."

"Then how did it get there?"

"Now hold on," the lawyer piped up. "She already told you that she visited often. That's how it got there."

"Well then why would it still be there?"

"He was a college boy, maybe he didn't clean up after himself?" the lawyer asked. The police nodded, and turned back to Lana.

"Miss Lang, will you remind us of when you last saw Genevieve?"

"It was in February."

"Do you recall the exact date?"

"No."

"And what was she doing again?"

"Jason had just gotten into an accident, and she came to the hospital to see how he was."

"What kind of accident was he in?"

"He was attacked in his car."

"Who attacked him?"

"A boy from my school."

"Did you know this boy?"

"No."

"You filed a similar report of being attacked in the same way on February 6th. didn't you?"

"Yes, it was by the same boy."

The lawyer leaned forward again and sighed. "Why are we wasting time on this? She filed the report, you have the details already. I don't see how it pertains to this case. My client won't answer any more questions about that."

"Miss Lang, we found a hair of yours on Genevieve's body. How do you explain that?"

"I can't."

"And just for clarification, were you with Mrs. Teague when she died?"

"No."

"The hair that we found was partially in the chest wound that killed her. It looks to us like it was on her body, and got pushed in by the murder weapon."

"Alleged murder weapon," the lawyer growled.

"Yes. The hair itself had been pulled out by the root."

Everyone went silent. Lana's face remained impassive, and she sat up straight. "I can't explain that," she said. "I hadn't seen her in months."

"Miss Lang, where were you on the night of Genevieve Teague's death?"

"She was with me," Lex piped up. "She arrived from school at 4:30 and stayed there for the rest of the night."

"And can anyone confirm that fact?"

"The front gate of the mansion keeps records of who comes and goes," he replied. He'd already had her alibi added to those records the night of the murder.

"We've been informed that there are several news reports. . . "

"That's it." said the lawyer, rising from his seat. "She's done talking. We're not going to sit here and chit-chat about gossip running around in the media." Lana and Lex both stood to leave.

"Don't leave the state," the officer said as they were leaving.

As soon as they returned home, Chloe Sullivan was there to meet with Lana. Unfortunately for her, Lana was not in the mood for guests. Rather than running off to be alone with her, Lana accompanied Lex into his office, with Chloe following.

"So, what's new?" Lana asked her. She was tired, and no doubt agitated from the police questioning.

"Why don't we go somewhere and talk?" Chloe asked, looking over at Lex. He poured himself a drink, and handed one to Lana as well. Chloe looked surprised to see her drinking. "Okay, isn't it a little early for that?"

"Sorry Chloe it's been a really long day." She kicked her shoes off, and sat down on the couch, resting her head on the back. "What brings you to Smallville?"

Chloe glanced at Lex again, and then looking awkward, she sat next to Lana. "I just wanted to see how you were doing with all of the press on your back."

Lana groaned and shut her eyes briefly. "It's a nightmare. Everywhere I go they're there, yelling at me and taking pictures. It's awful."

Lex decided to make his exit. "I've got a few things to check on, I'll let you ladies talk," he said. He placed a hand on Lana's shoulder and was surprised when she reached up and gave it a squeeze.

Later, when she was taking her bath, Lex played back the security tapes to see what was said.

"Lana what is going on?"

"What do you mean?"

"My contact at the precinct says that you're being investigated by the police for murdering Genevieve Teague."

"I'm sure a lot of people are being investigated."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I didn't think it was important. I've given statements to the police quite a few times over the past couple of years."

"I think it goes without saying that Metropolis police are a little more dedicated than your average small town cops, Lana," Chloe said looking horrified. "And this investigation is going beyond the run of the mill Q & A. They really think that you did it, and that Lex covered it up."

"That's not true."

"Is it?"

"You know that it isn't!"

"Well, no I don't know, Lana. You've been doing a lot of unusual things lately."

"Unusual like what?"

"Like Lex. Since when are you and he a couple? Since when do you drink brandy at noon, and get hounded by paparazzi?"

"I can't control the press Chloe. I wish I could."

"And? You just told me not too long ago that you weren't sure if being with Lex was the right thing to do or not. Why are you still here?"

Lana sat up straighter, and though Lex couldn't see her face, he knew that she was getting mad. "I was venting. The story that came out in the papers was upsetting, and I wasn't sure of anything that day."

"And you're sure now?"

Lana said nothing.

"Lana?"

"Yes."

"So you're a couple?"

Pause. "Yes."

"Do you love him?"

Lana stood up out of her chair. "Chloe I've already been interrogated enough today, and I'm really tired, so I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

Chloe's mouth dropped open, and she stood next to Lana and said something low that Lex couldn't hear.

"I don't know how I feel about that anymore," Lana replied. Chloe just stared at Lana for a moment, and then picked up her purse to leave.

Lana hadn't said anything to Chloe that could be used against her, and for that Lex was pleased. He tried not to get too excited over the confirmation Lana had given about their relationship status, and also wondered about what her answer was about whether or not she loved him. Regardless, he was beginning to think it was possible that she would eventually, and that was enough for now.