Disclaimer: see Chapter 1.

Here's the second chapter in this installment.

CHAPTER 14: Treading Softly

Despite his reservations about the wisdom of staying at Marion's, Lex let himself be talked into occupying the guestroom across Lana's. The morning had been pretty full of surprises, and with Chloe's arrival, he had had to put off the conversation he was so eager to hold with Lana . Accepting Marion's offer would give him time to catch up on some sleep where he felt actually welcomed and, at the same time, would bring him closer to Lana. It would be the first time they would sleep under the same roof, and he felt like a lovesick teenager. He couldn't wait to be alone with her to talk about what he thought he had heard her say before the FBI took him away. In fact, her words had caught him unawares, so much so that he thought he had dreamt the whole thing. He needed to know whether she had meant it, but he didn't want to press the issue, so he approached her carefully.

"Lana, I'm sorry to have put you through all this. "

" It not like you've planned it, Lex. I know you'd never do anything to hurt me- at least, not consciously. I'm worried about you, Lex. "

" I can't lie to you, Lana. Until Chloe turned up with the results of her research I felt I had a very slim chance of proving my innocence. She's really lifted my spirits and I have you to thank that for. "

" You don't resent my calling her, do you ? I had my doubts about contacting her at first, taking into account she's Lois' cousin but, then, I remembered you'd told me your father couldn't buy her off and... "

" It was the wisest thing to do, Lana. The new evidence she's mentioned may be the trump card they've got, but tracing the FBI agents' phone calls and bank accounts was a stroke of genius. Now, we know where to start. "

" Lex ? " asked Lana hesitantly.

" Yes ? " he answered, wondering if she'd refer to the kiss she'd given him before the agents took him away. "

" There's something that's been bugging me... "

" What is it ? "

" The disc you slipped into my pocket... What does it contain ? It must be something really important to you, considering it's the only thing you wanted to protect from the FBI. "

" Have you still got it ? "

" Of course. I asked Marion to put it away in her safe. "

" Perfect. As to what it contains... suffice it to say that if it fell in the wrong hands, it might bring about death and leave many people unprotected. I know we both agree that the trait we most value in a human being is honesty, Lana. Trust me, it's not my intention to hide anything from you but knowing what's on that disc would only put you in a vulnerable position. Having such knowledge would give you the power to hurt someone you still care a lot about. "

" Who, Lex ? If I can't know the whole truth, at least give me that. "

" The man you're still in love with. "

" What makes you think that ? "

" You mean... what makes me think you could hurt him ? "

" No. Lex. What makes you think I'm still in love with him ? "

"The way you look at Lois every time you come across her. "

" Do you think I'm jealous ? "

" Aren't you ? "

" I thought I had made myself clear when I said goodbye to you last time, Lex. My affections lie elsewhere. "

" Do they ? "

" You should know the answer to that question by now, " she said, wrapping her arms round his neck.

" I just needed to be sure I hadn't heard wrong the first time, " he added with a smile.

" Have I ever told you you have a beautiful smile, Mr Luthor ? "

" Do I ? " he asked smiling broadly.

" Are you fishing for compliments ? "

"It doesn't hurt to try, " he added, lowering his head to meet her lips.

" You're very good at distraction techniques, Mr Luthor. But I haven't forgotten what we were talking about. Has the information on the disc got anything to do with the secret Clark's never wanted to share with us ? "

" It has. "

" Well... if I've lived so many years in the dark, I can certainly wait a little bit longer. Besides, we've got bigger fish to fry, Lex. "

All in all, Lex believed he'd managed the situation pretty well. Still, he didn't kid himself for, knowing Lana as he did, sooner or later he'd have to confide in her. Keeping secrets from her had cost Clark her love and trust, and he wasn't going to let that happen to their budding relationship. He wasn't ready to lose the only woman he'd ever loved besides his mother.

Did the chapter confirmed your assumptions about what was on the disc or not ? Are you willing to find out more ? Leave your review !