Note: Guys, I really am sorry this is taking so long. Things got seriously busy at work so I've not had time to get this exactly the way I wanted. Hope you enjoy! Thanks so much for the continued interest and support! Would LOVE to hear your thoughts!! :)

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Chapter 10

"Oh, my God." Lois' surprise was genuine. And instantly turned to cautious apprehension. "You're…you're…"

"Liam Luthor…" An enigmatic smile touched his lips as he bowed low before her and tilted his head in recognition, never once deigning to lower his gaze from hers. "…at your service."

Though his words were of welcome, the dangerous glint in his icy blue eyes reminded her of a hungry predator that had just spotted his latest prey. A shiver ran down Lois' spine. She'd been in the presence of men like this before. Men who said one thing, but felt another. Men with smiles so sweet and words so enchanting, you'd never suspect the dagger being aimed at your back. Or the gun to your head.

Consummate politicians. Dangerously enticing dictators. Murders, thugs and thieves draped in the protected cloak of diplomacy.

Men obsessed with ruling the world.

Liam Luthor was such a man.

Lois tried to dismiss the panic punching her in the gut. Tried to ignore the number of armed guards silently filling the room. Tried to focus on the issue at hand.

Hold on, Smallville. Not even a Luthor's gonna stop me from getting back to you...

Though the League had welcomed her like a conquering hero, it was clear Liam Luthor would be less generous. And more ruthless. Much, much more.

"Luthor? As in Lex..." She didn't need to ask to know. A 3009 version of the very same was standing in front of her.

"Naturally." He affirmed, his chest puffing out proudly. "I am a descendant of the same, yes."

"Of course, you are. No one wears bald like a Luthor." Fully back in control, Lois' eyes flashed with determination. Her hands landed on her hips in an act of defiance. "So. You the man in charge here?"

"It would appear, Miss Lane…" Luthor smirked, his gaze sweeping over her in obvious disdain. "…that the history books have you all wrong."

"Oh, really? In what way?"

"You actually are sharper than you look." He mocked.

She felt rather then saw the members of the League shift uncomfortably behind her. It sent a ripple of uncertainty through her. This was definitely not a situation she'd been warned of or even mentioned. She didn't even know a Luthor still existed in the world let alone held the power of her destiny in his grasping, soiled hands.

A lot of little things clicked into place. These rules handed to her by the League. The often exchanged looks between the three. The caution exerted in keeping her safely hidden. In telling her everything occurring in her world and what was only necessary in theirs.

She got the distinct impression, on this one at least, she was flying completely solo.

Lois, please be careful. It was Imra's voice. He is not our friend. We, in fact, believe him to be an enemy, though we cannot prove it yet. We are as bound by his rules as you. Even more so. Unfortunately, in his presence, we cannot help you…

So she'd been right. She was on her own.

Well, in which case, there were two ways to handle the situation. She could acquiesce, grovel, plead. Or fight for what was rightfully hers.

The decision wasn't difficult.

Lois Lane always had been a fighter.

And Clark Kent would always be hers.

She heard Imra's sigh of resigned pride echo through her as Imra's powers clearly read Lois' intentions.

We will gladly follow you then. Wherever your decisions take us…

Lois' shoulders squared. Her chin jutted out in defiance. "In that case, Mr. Luthor, I have a bone to pick with whoever runs this time travel circus of yours."

"Really? As I am that man…" His lips tilted knowingly, his voice lowered tauntingly. "…do tell, Miss Lane."

"These rules…not really working for me. See, I want to go home. To my time, to my world. And you…" She pinned him with a knowing look. "…seem to be keeping me doing just that."

"I'm keeping you from Clark Kent, you mean."

"Yes. That too." Lois confirmed, her voice hardening. Her gaze gauging. "I'm sure you know enough about our history to know I belong with him."

"Yeees, I do know about history." The statement was non-committal. Placing his hands behind his back, Luthor's chest puffed out once more as he rocked back on his heels in apparent contemplation. Then he amended. "Well. The current one at least."

He paused to let that sink in. "Thing is, Miss Lane, I've never been a fan of your history."

"My history." Lois repeated with an upraised brow. "I take it things would be different in yours?"

"Oh, yes. Very different." Liam confirmed with a wistful purr. "See, I think your history is lame. It's riddled with weakness and tainted with impurities." A disdainful gaze swept over her.

She ignored the implication of that look.

"Tough. History is history."

A low chuckle filled the room. "Not when you can change it. Which, as Minister of Travel, I just happen to have the power to do. And now, with you in my grasp…" Taking a step closer, Luthor leaned into her, his voice lowering to a dangerous whisper in her ear. "…I also have the means."

Lois swallowed hard and desperately tried to keep the anger boiling inside from making it to her voice. "Yeah? Wanna fill me in on what changes you'd make?"

A smirk. A sigh. He pulled back, his icy stare cutting through her. "Why, the heroine, of course."

Her gaze snapped to his in defiance. "And who would you cast in that role?"

His only answer was a smirk. And the snap of his fingers.

Sixteen armed guards stepped forward. Instantly on alert, Lois and the others tried to back away. With one nod of Liam's head, they were surrounded. Blocked. Seized.

And as the Lois and League were dragged out of the room kicking and screaming, Lois could hear his answer whispering through her mind like a resonating echo.

"Certainly…not...you."

Tbc…