Chapter 25

"Recruit"

Richard stormed out of 'The Daily Planet' and to the sidewalk in time for a limo to pull up in front of him. Richard looked at the window as it opened to reveal the person sitting in the backseat of the car.

"Lex Luthor?"

"You know me," Lex said.

"Who doesn't. I recognized you from pictures I saw in news papers, magazines and television,"

Richard replied absentmindedly.

"Are you alright? You seem like something is bothering you," Lex played along.

"I had an argument with my uncle," Richard answered.

"Well hopefully it won't affect you too much to have a conversation with me."

"A conversation? About what?"

"Well, to be honest, I came here in hopes of finding you. I know you're working for your uncle Perry, but I would like to hire you to work for me at 'LuthorCorp'."

"Me? Why?"

"Last time I talked to your uncle he had a lot of good things to say about you. He told me you were an excellent writer, but you probably wanted to make your own way in this world rather than have people think you became a writer because your uncle was the editor of a newspaper and gave you a job. So that got me to thinking that maybe 'LuthorCorp' could be your way of making it in the world. You could write reports, work with my assistant, whatever you want."

"Sounds good, but-"

"But what? Why don't you come have lunch with Otis Newman, my assistant, and me and we'll discuss this there in private."

"Yeah, okay. Where do you want me to meet you?"

"Meet me? No, get in the limo, leave your car here. I'll have my driver bring you back after lunch."

"Okay," Richard said hoping in the limo with Lex and Otis and driving off.

"Great," Lex said. Closing the door behind Richard.

"Hey, Clarky," Lois called running down the stairs and into the living room where Clark was sitting with his mother and Linda. "Guess what Chloe just told me."

"Chloe?"

"Yeah, I just got off the phone with her."

"I don't know. What did she say?"

"They just saw Richard White and apparently he's really angry about Tuesday night, he was at 'The Planet' complaining to Perry."

"Who's Richard White?" Linda asked.

"Our bosses nephew," Clark replied.

"Why is he so angry?" Martha asked.

"Because I had a date with him and I blew him off to leave with Clark. A devastating hit to his super sized ego," Lois explained.

"I see," Martha responded. "You left with Clark?" Martha raised an eyebrow and looked at the two.

"No!" Both Lois and Clark said at once.

"Mom, it's not like it sounds."

"Mrs. Kent, we didn't leave 'together', we just left the restaurant together."

"That makes much more sense," Martha said sarcastically.

"I thought she didn't like you?" Linda whispered to Clark.

"She doesn't," Clark whispered. "We had to go pick Pete up at the airport, Mom. That's it. that's why we left together," Clark explained.

"Clark why were you on Lois' date to begin with?" Martha asked.

"Yeah. Why were you there?" Lois asked.

"Because you invited me to join you," Clark responded.

"I know that, but why were you at the restaurant?" Lois inquired.

"Can't a guy have lunch at a restaurant?"

"Yeah, but why were you at the restaurant Richard and I were at? You came to watch out for me, didn't you?" Lois questioned.

"No," Clark said.

"Yes you did. You knew where we were going to be and you showed up there."

"You got me," Clark smiled uneasily.

"Or you were jealous," Linda whispered to tease Clark.

"Linda," Clark whispered giving her a warning.

"Sorry," Linda laughed.

"Hey, Skippy, you know what else Jimmy told me," Lois said.

"I thought you were talking to Chloe?" Clark said.

"I talked to Jimmy too. You know how he's attached to Chloe's side lately."

"Yeah. So what did Jimmy say?" Clark asked.

"Since we left Metropolis on Wednesday Superman hasn't been seen," Lois said.

"Really, what a coincidence," Clark played dumb.

"Do you have anything to tell me, Clark?" Lois pressed.

"Yeah actually," Clark said. Lois, Linda and Martha looked at Clark questionably.

"What do you have to tell me?" Lois asked.

"I'm not going to be here Friday night or all day Saturday, and neither is Linda," Clark replied.

"Oh," Lois said a little disappointed. "Where are you going? Can I come with you?"

"No. You can't come," Linda said quickly.

"Linda," Clark hissed. "Lois it's a family thing. Our parents asked us to stay with them a night and spend the next day with them. But it's only for a day," Clark said.

"Yeah, family is the most important thing in life. Spend all the time you can with them, or else you may regret it when you can't. Maybe I can meet your family next time you go visit them," Lois smiled.

"Yeah," Clark mumbled knowing he would probably never let Lois meet his parents. He looked at Lois, it was clear she was now thinking about her own family. Since the General blamed Lois for Lucy's disappearance, whenever someone mentioned family around her she got quiet, which was highly unusual for Lois Lane. Her father was still trying to persuade her to go to Europe with him in search of Lucy and Lois was still refusing which made Clark happy. He didn't want her to go, he didn't know what he'd do if she left.

"Yeah, well you two aren't leaving until tomorrow night so why don't we go do something fun," Lois suggested breaking the silence.

"Yeah. What do you want to do?" Clark asked.

"I don't know," Lois replied.

"Let's take Linda out to do something fun."

"Fun? What is there 'fun' to do in Smallville?" Lois asked.

"Well, we could go swimming at 'Carter Lake' and then 'The Talon'," Clark suggested.

"Sure. Do you want to do that Linda?" Lois asked.

"You're actually asking someone else's opinion," Clark acted shocked. Lois turned and hit Clark in the arm then turned back to Linda.

"Well?" Lois asked.

"I don't have clothes to wear swimming... Or anywhere for that matter," Linda said.

"Right," Lois said looking at Linda who was wearing one of Lois' t-shirts and the same white pants she was wearing when Clark and Lois had found her yesterday. "Okay, here's what we're going to do. We're going to go into town and buy you some clothes, then we'll go to 'The Talon'."

"But, Lois, I don't have any money," Linda said.

"That's okay. Clark will pay for you," Lois volunteered.

"I will?" Clark asked.

"Don't worry, Smallville. I'll help."

"So will I," Martha said.

"Great, so we're going shopping," Lois said.

"Great," Clark mumbled.

"Shut-up, Smallville," Lois smiled.

"I hope you like this restaurant, the food here is excellent," Lex said as him, Otis and Richard entered 'Le Rouge'.

"Have you eaten here before?" Otis asked.

"Yeah, Tuesday," Richard retorted.

"We can go somewhere else," Lex said.

"No, this is fine," Richard insisted.

"Were you here with Lois Lane by any chance?" Lex asked.

"Yeah, I was," Richard nodded.

"I thought so. You were here on Tuesday night, I saw the two of you when Lana and I were leaving," Lex lied.

"I think you mean the three of us," Richard spat out.

"Three?" Lex tried to sound confused.

"Yeah, Lois' friend Clark Kent intruded on our date," Richard explained.

"That sounds like Clark," Lex said.

"You know him?" Richard asked.

"Know him? We used to be best friends until he broke up with Lana and she and I got together."

"Really?" Richard asked.

"Yeah. When he first found out Lana and I were together he started showing up everywhere we were. He'd invite himself to join us, it was very annoying. Clark get jealous of the women he cares about easily. He was jealous of Lana and me, Chloe and Jimmy, and now Lois and you. It's kind of pathetic," Lex said.

"That sounds like Kent to me," Richard said.

"It's just his personality," Lex said.

"Can't blame him for that," Otis said.

"I can if he ruined my date," Richard retorted.

"He ruined your date?" Lex asked.

"It's kind of sad, Lois and I have this real chemistry, and he made Lois leave with him."

"Really?" Lex fueled Richard's anger.

"Yeah," Richard said.

"Clark's always wanted what he can't have," lex said.

"Well too bad. Lois Lane is one thing he can't have."

"What are you going to do?" Lex asked.

"I'm going to ruin Clark Kent's life."

"How?"

"I don't know. I'll figure something out. After all he is just a man," Richard smiled.

"I'll help you," Lex said.

"Why?" Richard asked suspiciously.

"Because Clark Kent has interfered in my life more than enough times," Lex replied.

"How can you help?" Richard inquired.

"We have to hit Clark where it hurts the most."

"Which means?"

"Exposing his secret. He's hiding something big and he's afraid of anyone finding out. Especially Lois."

"What's his secret?" Richard asked.

"I don't know. He never told me," Lex answered.

"But we will find out," Otis piped in.

"Alright. I'll help you if you help me. Deal?" Richard asked extending his had to shake Lex's.

"The fall of Clark Kent begins," Lex smiled evilly as he shook Richard's hand.

"You're finally ready," Clark said as Lois and Linda came down the stairs.

"Smallville, we're girls," Lois said.

"Lois, you're usually ready in fifteen minutes or less, and Linda, she only has one outfit to chose from," Clark said.

"I know, and if this were normal circumstances I would have been ready in a few minutes, but Linda and I both needed to get ready so it took a little longer."

"Let's just go," Clark said heading to the door. Just as Clark reached for the door knob the door opened to reveal Lionel. "Lionel."

"Hello Clark, Miss Lane," Lionel smiled.

"Mr. Luthor," Lois replied.

"And who is this?" Lionel asked looking to Linda.

"I'm Clark's cousin, Linda Lee."

"Biological cousin I take it," Lionel said looking to Clark.

"Yeah, she's my dad's niece."

"I'm glad you found a member of your family," Lionel said.

"Yeah, me too," Clark nodded.

"Where are the three of you off to?" Lionel asked.

"We're going shopping," Linda answered.

"Shopping?" Lionel asked.

"Yeah. Linda doesn't have any other clothes here so Lois and I are going to buy her some," Clark answered.

"Nonsense."

"But she's my cousin, I'm responsible for her," Clark said.

"You two don't have to spend a penny. Here take my credit card, buy whatever you want. If you, Lois or Linda want anything don't hesitate to buy it. No matter what the price," Lionel said.

"Mr. Luthor that's very generous, but-" Lois started.

"We can't," Clark finished for Lois.

"Exactly," Lois said.

"No, I insist. Clark you're like a son to me. You're part of my family, I want you to get whatever you want," Lionel put the credit card in Clark's hand.

"You're sure?" Clark asked.

"Absolutely," Lionel said pushing the three out the door. "And pick up something nice for your mother while you're out."

"Sure," Clark smiled.

"Clark, money is no object," Lionel said shutting the door.

"Lionel," Martha said as she came down the stairs.

"Hello, Martha."

"Are the kids gone?"

"They just left."

"So you met Linda?"

"Yes. She seems nice. She reminds me of a young Clark."

"So what are you doing here? I wasn't expecting to see you today," Martha stated.

"I know you weren't expecting me. That's why it's called a surprise. I came to take you out, my helicopter is waiting to take us to Metropolis for dinner."

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

"Okay. I'll go change. I'll be right back."

"I'll be here waiting," Lionel said as Martha went upstairs.

"Sullivan, Olsen!" Perry called as he barged into the news room of 'The Daily Planet'. "Someone's car was just stolen in 'Suicide Slum', I need the two of you to get down there and see if Superman is going to show up. Go!"

Chloe and Jimmy sprung into action. They ran downstairs and out of 'The Daily Planet' onto the sidewalk. A black limo pulled up as Jimmy tried to wave down a taxi. Chloe watched the limo intently as Lex and Richard got out, shook hands, then Lex got in the limo and drove off again.

"Chloe," Jimmy said getting in a taxi.

"Richard?" Chloe asked.

"Hi... Chloe?" Richard asked.

"Yeah, what were you doing with Lex Luthor?" Chloe questioned.

"Just getting acquainted," Richard sneered. "Not that it concerns you."

"You're right, it doesn't concern me, and it better not concern Lois, Clark or Jimmy either," Chloe warned.

"Chloe, come on! We have to go!" Jimmy called.

"Right, I'm coming," Chloe said. "Bye Richard." Chloe climbed into the back of the taxi with Jimmy.

"Okay go," Jimmy told the driver then looked to Chloe. "What was that?"

"I don't know. I have this feeling that Richard and Lex are going to hurt Clark and Lois," Chloe explained.

"Well, we'll warn C.K. and Lois before they have a chance to do anything. Try not to worry, I'm sure it's nothing," Jimmy reassured.

"I hope you're right."

"I wonder if Superman will show up," Jimmy said looking out the window.

"I doubt it," Chloe whispered knowing Clark wouldn't be there.

Lana entered the den of the Luthor Mansion to answer the phone as it rang. "Hello?" She asked as she grabbed the phone.

"Lex. What is it?"

"Who?"

"Richard White. Isn't he Clark's boss' nephew?"

"I see, so he's your new recruit. It seems like you're forming an army of people who are willing to hurt Clark."

"Lex, wait. Explain to me why Richard hates Clark."

"What? Really?"

"It doesn't sound like Clark."

"That's true, he can be pretty jealous, and he is in love with Lois so I guess that would make him willing to do anything."

"Okay. I love you Lex."

"Bye," Lana hung up the phone and took a seat on the couch. There was a knock on the door. "Come in," Lana called.

"Ms. Lang," Donald, a member of the Luthor Security Team, entered the den.

"Yes Donald?" Lana asked the tall, grey haired and grey eyed man.

"There's a Mr. Tyler here to see you. He says Mr. Luthor assigned him to come here. Do you want to see him?"

"Okay. Send him in," Lana instructed. Donald left the room and Mr. Tyler entered. Mr. Donald was about 5'10", with light brown hair which he wore in a crew cut. He had dark brown eyes, they were so dark you could barely see his pupils. He wore grey dress pants, a white polo shirt, a black sports jacket, and black shoes. "Mr. Tyler," Lana started.

"You can call me by my first name, Mr. Luthor does."

"What's your first name?"

"Ted."

"Alright, Ted, what did Lex send you here for?"

"I work for Mr. Luthor's security team in Metropolis. He approached me this morning and told me to come here. He said I'm to pose as a bodyguard 'you' have hired to protect you from Mr. Luthor himself," Ted said in his deep voice.

"I see. It's part of his plan to trick Clark, right? Another of Lex's recruits."

"I guess so Miss. Lang."

"Well I'm going into town shortly, so I'll need your services. Until then make yourself at home," Lana instructed.