"We need to talk." Martha said as she stood up, automatically smoothing out her skirt.
Lex followed her movements hungrily and then in a few long strides had her pinned up against the wall.
"We most certainly do," he said before his lips claimed hers in a bruising kiss.
His hands found their way to the buttons on her shirt and began to hurriedly undo them, all the while not taking his mouth off of hers.
"Lex, we really do need to talk." Martha managed to get out between gasps for air. His mouth was now making a trail down her neck and once he had successfully managed to get her shirt off he began to place deep kisses on her collarbone. She pushed against him gently and when he didn't stop she used a little more force. His head snapped up and his eyes were clouded but suddenly they became angry. Martha and Lex looked each other in the eyes as each tried to gauge what the other was thinking.
Lex was thinking about how she had knocked him unconscious. Now he had the opportunity to punish her for that. He knew that she knew what he was thinking when he saw the fear enter her eyes. Her hands shook slightly and her breathing became labored.
"Before you do anything, let me explain why I'm here." Martha said. She put her hands on his shoulders in order to push him back a step but he had other ideas. His hands brushed hers aside and he grabbed her shoulders.
"I don't particularly care about that right now. I'm only concerned about getting you back on that bed where you should have been all along." His breathing had also become heavy and his fingers were digging into her skin. He swung her around with her back to the bed and pushed her roughly down onto the soft mattress. She bounced up and down before he straddled her, using his weight to keep her down.
"Please Lex." She said softly and that caused him to stop his hands from pulling her skirt up and over her hips. He was in such a rush that he didn't care if she was fully naked or not.
"Alright, let's talk." Lex conceded but stayed exactly where he was; straddling her waist.
"Couldn't we sit somewhere more comfortable?" She asked hesitantly.
"I am comfortable."
She sighed and realized that he wouldn't move because of the simple fact that he was enjoying this.
"I came here to strike a deal with you."
"What could you possibly have to offer, besides Clark, which would interest me to 'strike a deal' with you?" Lex asked haughtily.
"Me. I'm offering myself." Martha said.
"That's interesting considering that I already have you. And I don't plan on letting you go anytime soon." Lex pointed out. He considered the conversation over and so proceeded to hike her skirt up. She stopped him with her hands lying gently on his chest.
"That may be true, but this time I would come willingly."
Lex squinted his eyes and thought about what she had said. "That would be quite a pleasant change, but what's the catch? What do I have to do in return for your cooperation?"
"You have to stop the bombings. You have to stop these absurd killing sprees that you're so bent on. If you agree to stop what you're doing I will agree to stay here. And it would be on my own free will. You won't have to worry about me leaving, escaping, or being rescued. As long as you keep up your end of the deal I'll stay here."
It was Lex's turn to sigh. "I don't know about that Martha. What you're proposing may be impossible. You see I love what I do. But on the other hand I love having you here."
Martha waited, not even realizing that she was holding her breath. This was the moment that she had dreaded since deciding to come here. He could say no and then turn around and keep her there anyway, and then all of this would have been for nothing. He stood up and looked down at her. His eyes were hooded and she had no idea what he was thinking.
"I guess I'll have to think about it. But in the meantime…" He let his sentence hang as he bent forward and kissed her hungrily.
Two Months Later
Martha ambled around the mansion restlessly. And truth be told, she was also bored. It might seem as though being mistress to the man who ruled the world would be all glitz and glamour, but it wasn't. Especially when he treated you as a prisoner and wouldn't allow you to go anywhere without him, and even more so if you happened to hate him.
Lex had agreed to the deal and the bombings and excessive killings were stopped. Oh there were still plenty of killings but it had been cut back quite a bit. Lex was also happier than his staff had seen him for a long time. Why shouldn't he be? He had the world in the palm of his hand, and he had Martha willing and ready for him when he got home. The only kink in his well laid out plan was Clark. Her wonderful son was wrestling to get the world out of Lex's clutches and give it back to the people.
Thinking of Clark, Martha made a mental note to send him a letter, well actually an update. They had made their own pact that if she was to stay with Lex that she send Clark regular letters to let him know how she was getting on. That way he wouldn't barge in and steal her away again. Lex had grudgingly agreed to the letters because he didn't want to lose her again; he knew that Clark could rescue her anytime he wanted to.
She walked toward one of the smaller offices, intent on writing her weekly letter. She opened the door and stepped into the room and flipped on the lights. She sighed when she realized just how lonely she was yet again. It seemed as though the only people she talked to was Lex, Clark and various staff members. And she hadn't actually spoken to Clark face to face since she had come back to Lex.
Pulling out a piece of expensive paper and an equally expensive pen, she began her letter. She always kept out the fact that she was miserable. It wouldn't do to make him worry needlessly. He had bigger concerns to deal with than to worry about her. Without warning tears began to trickle down her cheeks and she took a deep breath to calm herself.
Lately she had been emotional and her moods would swing back and forth. The worst part was that she had no idea why. It wasn't as though she were under anymore stress than she had been for the past seven years. In all honesty she should feel happier now than ever because Clark was back. But no, her emotions were all over and she couldn't keep them under control. Just last night she had started crying without warning. Lex had been taken aback by it and she had felt slightly embarrassed and that had only made her cry harder. So she had disentangled herself from him and ran to hide in the bathroom.
Her cheeks burned at the memory. Deciding that it was pointless trying to write the letter she walked out of the office and made her way out to the gardens. They were beautiful and this was one of the few places she felt like her old self. And that, at times, felt like something she had left behind.
Again her mind took her back to the memories of the times that Lex had made love to her. When did she start to call it 'making love'? The moment she realized that she enjoyed it, that's when. She knew that it was wrong but couldn't bring herself to feel bad about it. And was it so wrong to let herself enjoy the pleasure that Lex so expertly gave to her? She found herself looking forward to the nights now, instead of dreading them. She still hated him and could barely stand to talk to him. But come night time, or any time that he deemed appropriate for them to have sex, and she was a different person.
"I thought I'd find you here."
She turned to find Lex standing a few feet away. She had been so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't hear him approach.
"You're home early. I thought you'd be gone until late." She commented as she made her way further into the lush garden, hoping in vain that he would just leave her alone.
"I did too." Lex responded and then walked quickly in order to catch up to her. "But I wanted to get home so I could check up on you."
She laughed dryly. "As you can see, I'm still here."
"That's not what I meant. I wanted to make sure that you were alright considering what happened last night. Is there anything you want to tell me?" He halted his steps and she followed suit.
Martha looked him in the eyes, trying to figure out what he meant to gain by that question. Was there anything wrong with her? She didn't think there was, other than her emotions being out of whack. So she just shrugged and said no.
He rubbed his head and she had come to know him well enough to know that it was a sign of frustration.
"Are you sure nothing is wrong with you?" He asked again.
"Yes. Do you want something to be wrong with me?"
"Absolutely not. I'm just worried about you." He admitted.
Her eyebrows raised in surprise. "Lex Luthor actually worried about someone. Wow."
"It's not just someone Martha, it's you. And I don't like the fact that you seem so unstable."
"So that's what you're worried about. You think I've gone crazy. Well let me assure you that my mind is perfectly stable." She patted his arm reassuringly and made to step away. He caught her hand gently and stepped up to her.
"I have to confess that that's not the real reason why I'm concerned."
She suddenly got a bad feeling about what he was going to say. However, he just turned and started to leisurely walk forward. She followed hesitantly, unsure of what to say or do in the face of his developing concern for her. Watching him gingerly bring a flower to his nose and breath deeply of its fragrance, Martha couldn't help the anger that rose in her.
"So what is it? Why are you so concerned for me?" Her words came out harsh and accusing. He faced her with a look of surprise.
"Such vehemence over a little affection."
"I'm just confused. One moment your professing the utmost concern for my well being and the next your off smelling flowers as though nothing is bothering you." Martha replied.
"It's nothing to get worked up about. You need to calm down." Lex held up his hands in a soothing gesture.
Martha realized that she had over reacted and she felt a blush creep up her neck and stain her cheeks. She refused to acknowledge it and forced herself to calm down before she made the situation any bigger than it needed to be. Lex was just concerned, so why was she making it such a big deal?
Because Lex Luthor never showed concern for anyone. And the fact that he was showing it now made her wary. Add to that her unpredictable emotions and you got one confused woman.
She stood there with her lip between her teeth, thinking deeply. Lex was watching her intently, thinking about how scary it was that he had such deep feelings for her. He kept telling himself that it was just lust, but now it had turned to something else. He actually cared about her and that's what was so scary about this whole thing. If she ever left him, or was taken from him, he didn't know what he would do. The three months that she had been gone had been the most miserable of his life. He didn't want to even think what it would be like without her.
That's what made what he was planning that much harder.
"Lex I'm going inside, it's getting close to dinner." Martha said, which pulled Lex back to reality.
"I'll join you." He took her arm and the gesture brooked no room for arguments. He knew that she could barely tolerate his presence. But the fact that she was now coming willingly to his bed made up for it. He smiled when he thought of how she was finally starting to enjoy the extra effort he had put into giving her all the pleasure he could. Thinking of that he felt himself hardening and could think of nothing else other than getting her back up to the bedroom. He pulled her into a heated kiss and felt her respond just as passionately as him.
Martha wasn't surprised by his kiss but by her response. Suddenly she felt herself wanting, no needing him. The feeling was so strong and swift that it startled her.
"Let's get out of here and back inside." Lex said as he broke away. He kissed her neck and nibbled gently on her ear lobe. She made a deep moaning noise that only turned him on further.
"Who says we need to be inside?" Martha questioned. Her voice was low and husky and Lex looked at her a little shocked. She smiled seductively and he wasted no time in stripping off his shirt. While he was busily taking his pants off, she was slipping her skirt off and was just starting to unbutton her shirt when his hands viciously ripped it apart instead. The buttons went flying into the grass and Martha briefly wondered if they would ever be found.
Lex's mouth traced kisses along her collar bone and then down to the tops of her breasts. He reached behind her and unclipped her bra and she shrugged out of it, in a hurry to get naked. Immediately he took one of her breasts in his hands and she sighed with pleasure. She reached over to his pants and unzipped them, hands shaking in anticipation. She managed to get his pants and boxers off and then quickly discarded her own panties. He lowered her down to the ground and her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist.
Lex drove into her with one swift thrust and she bucked under him, arching her back in pleasure. He took one of her nipples between his lips and a moan tore from her throat. His pace was slow and sensual at first, but soon he was pumping into her faster and harder, racing toward climax. Martha reached hers first and let out a low scream with Lex following quickly. They lay in a sweaty, exhausted heap of entangled limbs.
Lex could hardly believe the way that he had lost control. Normally he took time and attention to make sure that Martha felt great pleasure, but they were both in such a hurry to get gratification that he had just simply lost control.
This was always the most awkward part for Martha – the aftermath. She didn't ever know what to do or say, if anything at all. So Lex would usually throw his arm over her and fall asleep and she would lie awake and question what she was doing. Sure she had made a deal with Lex, but did she have to enjoy it so much?
Before she got too far into her thoughts, Lex spoke.
"I can't believe that I thought you would lose your sex drive." He mused out loud. As soon as the words were out he realized his mistake.
"What exactly does that mean?" Martha asked with deadly quiet.
Lex knew that his careless musing could seriously jeopardize everything that he had carefully planned out.
"Nothing." He replied lamely. Crushing Martha closer to his body, he hoped that she would let it drop. No such luck. She pushed away from him and scrambled to her feet, reaching over to grab her shirt. Hastily she threw it on and then remembered that the buttons were somewhere in the grass. Getting frustrated, she pinned Lex with her 'I see through you' stares.
"I know you Lex, and you never say 'nothing'. You always spin an elaborate lie, no matter how ridiculous you might happen to sound."
"I don't know what you're talking about." He returned stubbornly.
"You know damn well that I won't let this go. You had better start talking or I'm going to leave."
"No you won't. We have a deal."
"Watch me." Martha shot back and started to walk away with as much dignity as she could considering that she was completely naked except for the buttonless shirt she had on. Lex got up and caught her arm. His lips were compressed in anger which was directed at himself.
"No, I'll tell you." Lex stood there with his hands on her shoulders, waging an inner battle.
Martha raised her eyebrows. "Now or never Lex."
He sighed heavily and opened his mouth to talk but nothing would come out. Clearing his throat he tried again.
"I don't know how to say it so I guess I'd better just come out and say it." He licked his lips nervously, dreading her reaction. "The reason that you feel so emotional lately is due to the fact that I've been using an experimental fertility drug on you."
"Honestly Lex, you could have done better." Martha rolled her eyes, a disbelieving smile on her face. It disappeared when she saw how serious Lex's expression was. "Wait, are you telling the truth?"
"Yes."
The earth seemed to spin and Martha was at a loss for words but caught onto one of her thoughts and spoke it out loud. "But I can't get pregnant, you know that."
"That may have been true years ago, but with today's scientific advances you can conceive. We both know that you've wanted a child of your own for as long as you can remember." Lex responded eagerly.
"I have Clark."
"He's not your own."
"That doesn't matter. I love him as though he was my own."
"He's an alien Martha. Don't you want a normal child? One to raise as our own."
Martha opened her mouth to rebuttal but was caught by what he said.
"Wait, what do you mean by 'our own'?" She saw the look in his eyes and her hand flew to her mouth. "My God, you want me to have your child."
Martha began to shake slightly and Lex tried to pull her into an embrace. She pushed away from him and took several steps back. He watched her go, desperately clinging to the hope that she would agree to doing this.
"So this is the reason why I've been having these horrible mood swings and sex drives." She stated, thinking out loud.
"I'd like to think that I had something to do with that." Lex responded cheekily. She just glared at him.
"I can't even think of how to start naming all the things that are wrong with this." Martha pointed out after a moment of silence. "I guess I could start by asking you why. Why me, and what could possibly drive you to want to have a child with me?"
Lex blurted out his response before he could stop himself.
"Because I love you."
A/N: Next chapter is started and I'm sorry about the delay on this one, I caught some kind of flu bug. I'm better now and back to writing. As always thank you thank you thank you for the reviews!