Young Clark Face Claim: .
Lex Face Claim: .
….
Lex felt like he was going to be sick.
He'd been hanging here for ages, upside down, wrapped in a straitjacket as sweat poured from every pore on his face.
And then he heard the door open.
"Let me go!" he ordered, wincing a bright light suddenly hit him in the eyes, "What do you want from me?!"
It was hard to prevent himself from whining, hoping it would stop the Alpha standing opposite from hurting him any further.
"The truth…" The other man muttered, "… I just want the truth."
METROPOLIS…. THREE YEARS AGO.
"Can I see some ID?"
Eighteen-year-old Lex Luthor smirked at the door-staff, arching his back slightly and rolling his eyes, "You must be new here."
Inside the club, another member of the door-staff stepped forwards. "Hey, it's okay, let him through."
As he was let through, Lex beamed at the man who'd waved him through, handing him a few notes of money, "Thanks, Kasich."
The beta shrugged, glancing at the omega female who had come in with Lex, "No problem…." He then gestured at the woman, "… She's cute."
"She's engaged."
As they headed further into the club, Lex gestured at the stage, where partially nude, painted woman danced to the beat on the stage.
"What do you think?" he asked the woman.
"… It's loud!"
Lex then turned to Kasich, "How's the VIP room tonight?"
"I think we can make some room for you!"
Lex handed him another 100 dollar bill, before he and his friend headed up the stairs.
"I hope you didn't feel obligated to entertain me?" The woman chuckled, "Jude's only gone for a couple days."
"I don't believe in obligations…. Besides, your fiancé did me a favour. I wasn't looking forward to a night out on my own."
The woman glanced at all the Alphas and betas staring at Lex, before shaking her head and rolling her eyes, "Something tells me you wouldn't have been alone for very long."
Lex laughed, gesturing at the bartender, "Two apple martinis!"
"Coming up!"
As they took a seat at the bar, the woman pulled a little bit of cardboard out of a bowl, "'Zero consequences?' she questioned, "That's quite a promise."
The tone was teasing, and Lex couldn't help but smile, "Only if it's kept…." The martini's arrived and Lex raised his in a toast, "To my good friend Amanda on her engagement. Cheers."
"Cheers."
They both took a sip of the drink… and then Amanda seemed to spot something out of the corner of her eye, causing Lex to frown. "What is it?"
She put her drink down and moved away.
"What are you doing?"
Turning in the direction that she was walking, Lex winced…. Her Alpha, the man she was engaged to was sitting on a sofa and allowing two other women to fawn all over him. He rushed to catch up her, just in time to see the Alpha spot the omega he was engaged to.
"Amanda!"
"You said you had to go away on business!" she exclaimed
"I can explain, okay? Just wait!"
But Amanda wasn't going to wait. She wrenched the bonding ring off of her finger and threw it at her Alpha, ignoring his protests.
"Amanda, wait a sec I can explain, Amanda!" He then put a touch of Alpha command into his voice, "Just wait! Amanda!"
But it was too late… she had already stormed away.
The Alpha then spotted Lex and growled at him, "You son of a bitch! You did this on purpose!"
Lex rolled his eyes, "Oh yeah, I made you cheat on my best friend… get over yourself…. Amanda deserves better."
Without waiting for an answer, Lex raced after Amanda, pulling his best friend close to him as she sobbed bitterly into his shirt.
And then someone grabbed him by the shoulder.
Amanda's Alpha pulled him around and punched Lex in the stomach, ignoring the shocked and disgusted gasps around him.
The two grappled for a time, before Kasich tried to intervene, pushing the Alpha away before checking that Lex was okay.
Only for the Alpha to pull out a switchblade. The man darted forwards, stabbing Lex in the side, prompting Kasich to turn around, pulling out his gun… and firing twice into the Alpha's chest
Amanda screamed as her ex-fiancé fell to the ground, blood starting to stain his shirt as he stopped breathing.
Lex wanted to apologise… but he didn't know what to say, simply going to his knees beside her as her pre-bond shattered.
PRESENT DAY
"Liar!" The Alpha attacking him growled, "That's what it said in the papers, but that's not what really happened!"
"It's the truth!" Lex begged, "Read the police reports!"
The Alpha started to spin him around, making the nausea intensify. "I know you covered it up… I don't know how you did it, but you're gonna pay."
"W-Who are you?"
The spinning stopped as the Alpha smirked at him, "Don't you remember? You killed me." He moved into the light, the smirk widening as Lex saw his face.
The same face of the Alpha who'd died all those years ago.
The Alpha held up a small gun and aimed it directly at Lex's head, "Daddy can't save you this time, Lex."
…ONE WEEK EARLIER…..
"So, I understand that Lex Luthor has a stake in this project."
Lana glanced up at Jude, the Alpha was applying for a job in the new building…. He was handsome enough, but there was just something… off about him.
"Yeah, he's one of the owners." She answered cautiously, just in case this Alpha was one of those 'creepers', the ones who hang around rich omegas until they had a chance to strike, "Why? Do you know him?"
"A lifetime ago in Metropolis."
"Must have been interesting."
"Well… let's just say there's a reason he's in Smallville."
Lana frowned as Jude continued, "You know my advice? Stay away from him. When Lex gets involved, things usually turn out badly."
….
Tapping his fingers on the steering wheel, Lex pulled into the nearest parking space outside of the old theatre, pulling out his phone as he came to a complete stop.
Clark had to do a research project on Lana for his English class and was freaking out because of it.
Ah, the problems of teenage boys…. And then Lex vowed never to think about Clark just being a teenager again… it made him feel like a cougar.
Slowly, he got out of the car, startling when he felt a hand on his shoulder. When he turned around, he scowled at the beta behind him. "What are you doing here?" he asked, glancing around in concern, "We had an understanding. After that night, we were never to have any contact!"
"I saw him, Lex!" Max Kasich exclaimed.
"Who?"
"Jude."
Lex was silent for a time, before shaking his head, "We both know that's impossible."
"Listen to me! He's alive. Everywhere I go, I see him. He's stalking me!"
"Kasich…" Lex placed his hand on the beta's shoulder, "… Calm down."
"I'm not crazy!"
"I never said you were… Now, did this man say what he wanted?"
"Yeah…. The truth."
Lex frowned… and then he spotted Clark walking up the streets towards them.
Clark couldn't know about this.
"Listen…." He pulled a key out of his pocket and shoved it into Kasich's hands, "… I keep an apartment in the city. It's very secure. You stay there and wait for my call!"
Kasich nodded, allowing himself to be pushed away as Lex rushed over to Clark.
"Hey, Lex!" Clark greeted eagerly, glancing at a retreating Kasich, "Who was that?"
"Just an old friend, nobody to worry about."
Clark seemed happy by the frankness and beamed at the omega, not giving the strange man another thought as they entered the old theatre.
"I hear we sprung a leak!" he stated, listening to the water hitting the ground.
Lana didn't respond…. Her eyes were wide as she glanced around the room, as though looking for something… or someone.
"Is everything all right?" Clark asked in concern.
She nodded, "Just a little weirded out."
"Relax, it's just a leak."
She shook her head at Lex's teasing tone, "No, a friend of yours came by, applied for the assistant manager position. He told me to stay away from you."
"What was his name?"
Lana walked over to the desk and picked up an application form, "Jude Royce."
Slowly, Lex took the application off of her and stared down at it, his eyes focused on the name.
Clark frowned at the paleness in Lex's skin, "What is it, Lex?"
"… When did he leave?"
Lana glanced at the door, "Just before you came in."
Silence.
Before Lana could ask any further questions, Lex strode outside, his entire body tense even as Clark raced after him. Sensing the omega's distress, Clark placed a hand on his shoulder, "Lex, who's Jude Royce?"
"Trust me, Clark, I have no idea who Lana met today but it couldn't have been him…." Lex pulled himself free of the grasp and headed to his car, "… Don't worry about it, Clark. I'm not."
Clark didn't believe him, but nodded anyway, turning to head back inside…. Until the heavy metal music started playing at top volume, setting off alarms and causing everyone to glance at the source.
Lex's car.
"What's going on?!" Clark fought to be heard over the music, trying not to listen too deeply as the word "KILLER!" was sung/shrieked over and over again.
"I don't know!" Lex was clearly panicking, his face paling as the word KILLER was screamed at him.
Unwilling to deal with it any longer, Clark used his X-ray vision to scan the car, quickly spotting something under the dash…. Almost like a small voice recorder that was wired into the speakers.
"Feel under the dash!" he yelled out to Lex, watching as the omega nodded in understanding, feeling the recorder quickly and yanking it away, the screaming immediately stopping.
"Looks like someone decided to get creative while I was inside." Lex sighed, wincing as he rubbing at his ear, a ringing echoing in them.
"What were the screams?"
"I assume it's someone's twisted idea of a joke…" Lex glanced around, a light flush appearing on his face, "… And a successful one. We've managed to draw a crowd."
"Lex- "
"- Clark, this really doesn't concern you."
Before Clark could question any further, Lex pulled out of the space and headed off into the distance, leaving a stunned Clark behind.
…..
As if the day wasn't frustrating enough, Clark made his way home, only to find that Chloe was questioning his parents about his adoption…. All for her project.
And his parents looked uncomfortable with this.
"Shoot…." Chloe muttered, "…I'm out of tape. That's okay, I've got some extra C-90s in my car. I'll be right back!"
As soon as she left the home, Martha leaned forwards and frowned, "Chloe's researching your life for a school project?"
"When did that happen?" Jon asked.
"We just got the assignment today! I didn't know she was gonna go Mike Wallace!"
Jon sighed, "Look son, we don't mind talking about you but if she starts asking questions about the adoption- "
"- What about the adoption?" Clark frowned, "Is there something I should know?"
There was a brief moment of silence, before Jon shrugged, "Well, of course, we had to make up a story but it's more complicated than that."
"Let's just say it's a subject we would rather not have anyone explore." Martha explained, a weak smile on her face… and a story behind her words.
Before Clark could question her any further, Chloe came rushing back into the room, "Sorry… Am I interrupting?" When Clark shook his head and turned away, Chloe spoke up again, "Clark, now that you're finally spinning in my orbit I have a couple of pertinents for you too!"
"A- Actually, this is just a pit stop for me…. I'm on my way to meet Lana to work on my paper."
Chloe frowned at him, "You know, Clark, not to strike a paranoid note, but are you avoiding me?"
Casting a nervous glance at his parents, Clark shrugged, before moving towards the front door "Tomorrow, I promise!"
…
"So, how does it feel?"
Lana glanced up at him and frowned, "Feel?"
"To single-handedly bring the Talon back from the brink of becoming a parking garage?"
At the Alpha's gentle teasing, Lana chuckled, "It's nice, you know, being counted on, having responsibility. People treat you differently."
"Like you won't break?"
She nodded, "I finally feel like I'm shedding that fairy-princess costume… breaking out of that traditional omega shell… like Lex!"
Their relationship was so much better now that Clark saw them as friends and only friends… and now that she'd stopped wearing that necklace.
As Lana readjusted the 'opening soon' sign, they heard a car pull up to the sidewalk behind them. Judging from the expensive nature of the car and the personalised number plate, it was Lex's… only confirmed when the omega stepped out and smiled at the pair.
"Lex, what are you doing here?"
"Contractor called." Lex sighed, "Said he had an estimate, wanted me to meet him here."
'Fair enough' Clark and Lana shrugged, before they all headed into the building… only to see a man lying the ground, only just stirring to consciousness.
"What the hell?" Lex muttered, as they all rushed over.
"Are you okay?"
The man nodded shakily, as he was helped to his feet, blood oozing from a wound on his forehead, "Yeah… I came in the back door and some guy jumped me and forced me to let him in and bashed me over the head."
"Did you see his face?"
"N- No."
As Clark glanced around, he spotted a present sitting on the reception desk, "Look."
"T-That wasn't there when I locked up…." Lana stammered nervously, "…. I-I'll go call the police."
As she rushed off in one direction, Clark walked a little bit closer to the present, quickly catching sight of an envelope on top…. A letter that had Lex's name written on it.
"Lex, your name's on it."
Lex frowned at this, moving to stand next to Clark and he carelessly ripped open the envelope. Inside, was a piece of card with two words written on it.
"Zero consequences" Lex shook his head in disbelief and turned his attention to the present. Slowly, he removed the lid of the box, only to stumble back in shock, his face growing pale as Clark instantly went to support him.
Mind you… Clark felt like he was going to pass out himself.
Inside the box, was a human hand… a human hand with a ring on the pinky finger, a diamond studded K on it.
Kasich's ring.
…
The police were there in less than half an hour, immediately sealing off the crime scene and taking statements from everyone.
As Lex was giving his, Clark moved over to the other omega, knowing that she would be finding this hard as well.
"How you holding up?" he asked her.
"I was fine until it showed up."
"… Yeah, stupid question."
Lana took a deep breath and shook her head, "What kind of a sick person would do a thing like that?"
"I don't know…" Clark glanced up at Lex, who was clearly still shaken by the event, "… But I've never seen Lex so freaked out before."
"Join the club… That guy warned me. He said everything Lex touches ends badly. How much do we really know about him and his past?"
Before Clark could say anything, scold her about believing complete and utter strangers over someone who was trying to help, Lex walked over.
"I want you both to know how truly sorry I am about this…." He apologised, giving Lana sympathetic and reassuring smile, "… I promise this won't affect the grand opening."
Lana was not amused, "We're going to be infamous before we even open the doors." She sighed wearily, before pushing herself to her feet and storming away.
Clark felt so sorry for Lex, who looked completely dejected as he took a seat beside Clark, burying his face in his hands, almost in defeat. "Do you know who he is? The guy in the… You know?"
"Max Kasich…. And yes, I knew him a long time ago in Metropolis."
"Do you have any idea who might have done this to him?"
"Not at all."
There was a brief moment of silence, before Clark spoke up again. "What about your old friend Jude Royce?"
"I doubt it could have been him, Clark."
"Why?"
"Because he's been dead for three years."
…
The comment haunted him until the next day, when he was being interrogated by Chloe once again and Pete was blabbing about the time he threw a kid through a door.
Great… something for Chloe to latch onto
"Clark, any comments?"
Clark tried to play it off, "Well, we were, you know, 6 years old…. Twice our size was three feet tall."
When Chloe turned to Pete, obviously hoping to ask him further questions, only for him to hold his hands up in surrender. "If you really want to dig up ancient history, ask the source. I've got an appointment at the student store."
"Have fun." She then turned to Clark and smirked at him, "And so the mystery that isn't Clark Kent deepens."
"Mystery?" That didn't sound good.
"Yeah.." She moved to the desk and grabbed a file, "Since you continue to play obstructionist I've had to find information through other means." Before Clark could say anything, she continued, "I found that your adoption was done through Metropolis United Charities, but this is the strange part. They were in business for six months and from what I can tell, yours is the only adoption they handled!"
Clark stood there in shocked silence for a few moments, before shaking his head in dismay. "I can't believe you did this, Chloe."
"…You didn't know?" When Clark shook his head, she shrugged, "I just assumed that your parents would have told you…. I mean, weren't you interested?"
"Why would I be?! My biological parents are either dead or didn't want me….You're prying into my private life!"
"I was just trying to be thorough!"
"This is a class project!" Clark knew he was slowly losing his temper, "I spent an hour yesterday with Lana, that's it! That's all I needed…. I'm not some mystery for you to solve!"
As he stormed past her, he felt her fingers brush against his arm as she tried to stop him, only for him to continue, ignoring her protests. "Clark, I- "
But it was too late, he was already gone.
…..
"If you can pop that punching bag, I'll be impressed."
Lex wasn't in the mood for Mercy's deadpan sense of humour and continued to hit the bag over and over again. "Just tell me what you found out."
"According to the doorman, Kasich never made it to the apartment in Metropolis."
Lex winced, "What about Royce?"
"His parents died when he was young…. Car accident. He was an only child, inherited everything."
"And Amanda Rothman?" Lex was concerned for the woman who had once been his best friend, "Have you tracked her down yet?"
"She moved, left no forwarding address…. When's the last time you spoke to her?"
"… About three years ago." She had been heartbroken by the death of the man who had once been her Alpha.
"I'll go wider, but it could take some time. It'd help if you tell me what's going on."
"No, it wouldn't!" Lex snapped, "You're my head of security. You find her and warn her she could be in danger…. That's all you need to know."
Mercy tensed as Lex treated her like any other employee, before storming out of the door, growling as she went.
Lex started punching the bag again, his thoughts turning back to that night almost three years ago.
***********Flashback***********
Lex pressed down on the bullet wounds as Amanda sobbed beside him, cursing under his breath as the blood continued to ooze out of the wounds, ignoring his own stab wound as he tried to save the Alpha who had attacked him.
"Make a path!" he heard someone call out, pushing past the nosy gawkers, "Police! Excuse me, excuse me! Police!"
Kasich stepped in front of the officer, stopping the man in his tracks. "Who are you?"
"Detective Sam Phelan, Metropolis P.D… Are you what passes for security in this zoo?"
"Yeah."
"Don't go anywhere. We'll talk."
Pushing himself to his feet, accepting that it was too late for the Alpha, Lex moved away from Amanda, accepting the hanky that Sam handed him, pressing it to his wound. "Thank God you're here." He whispered to the officer.
Sam smirked, "Lex, Lex… You really put your foot in it this time. Tell me exactly what happened." Seeing that the omega was starting to panic, Sam slapped him on the back, "Hey, if you fall apart on me, I can't help you! Now what went down?"
It all flashed through Lex's mind.
The Alpha drew a switch-blade and stabbed him.
Kasich pushed him away… as Lex grabbed for the man's gun. Kasich and he fought over the weapon… and then the trigger was pulled, the bullet striking the attacking Alpha in the chest.
When he relayed this to Sam, the officer listened to every word carefully. "That's exactly what happened?" When Lex nodded, Sam grinned, "Good… Here's how it's gonna go. You were never here. Your name will not appear in any papers or the police report."
"How?"
"That's what your daddy's money's for…. This one's gonna cost him."
"What about Amanda?" Lex asked, turning his attention to his best friend, who was still crying over the body.
"… I'll take care of everybody's story but you are never to see her or talk to her again. You got it?"
"But, she's my best friend!"
"You're a Luthor…. You can always buy a new one." He then pulled a small card out of his pocket, "Call this guy, he'll take care of your shoulder. No emergency rooms…. All right, get out of here."
Slowly, still in a state of shock, Lex moved towards the crowd…. but not without one last look at Amanda, who was staring at him.
She knew what was about to happen.
*********End Flashback************
Lex couldn't help but think about the look on his best friend's face…. the betrayal.
He hit the punching bag even harder…. And then he felt the cold steel of the gun muzzle against the back of his head.
When he slowly turned around, he winced at the sight of Jude Royce behind him.
The Alpha smirked, "Nothing to say? I thought Lex Luthor had all the answers."
As the gun was pressed to the underside of his chin, Lex straightened up and growled at him, "Look, you twisted son of a bitch. I don't know what you want, but- "
"I wanna know what happened at Club Zero!" Jude yelled, digging the gun in further, and smirking at Lex's wince of pain, "The cover-up…. "The Alpha pressed his hand against the omega's chest, before moving it up to press his thumb against the area where a traditional mating bite would go, "You know the cop? The one on the report? Phelan? He's dead…. It seems that you were somehow involved in that too…. I find that very interesting."
"… Why don't you kill me now?"
"Uh… Because it's more fun to watch you suffer?"
…..
Clark sighed wearily as he made his way through the gardens of the Luthor mansion, heading towards Lex's personal gym… and then he heard a strange voice coming through the door.
It didn't sound like any of Lex's bodyguards…. Mostly because they were all female and dangerous.
"Knowing that at any moment, bang! Tell me…." Clark heard a gun cock, "… What really happened?"
The voice sounded threatening… far too threatening for Clark to be comfortable with. He wrenched open the door and raced inside, calling out for the omega, "Lex! Lex, you all right?"
The omega was standing near the punching bags, his face really pale as he stared off into the distance, frowning as though he expected someone to be there. When he heard Clark's voice, he turned around and tilted his head in confusion, "Clark…what are you doing here?"
"Your office told me you were here…." Clark glanced around, also expecting someone else to be in the room, "I thought I heard someone else?"
Lex was clearly panicking but shook his head anyway. "No. I'm all by myself."
Clearly a lie, but Clark decided to let it go. "I-I looked up Max Kasich…" he nervously muttered, "… I know what happened at Club Zero. That he shot and killed Jude Royce…. Everyone fits into this except for you."
Lex didn't look him in the eyes.
"What's going on?"
"Please, Clark…." Lex begged quietly, "… For our friendship, I'm asking you to stay out of this…. Some secrets are better left alone."
…
"Clark! Come on, son, the cows aren't gonna feed themselves!"
Clark resisted the urge to groan… he just wanted to lie down and sleep. Lana was stressed, Chloe was nosy and Lex was clearly in trouble.
"You have a late night?"
He had to play off his night of worrying, "I was helping Lana. She's not gonna let the whole body-part incident delay the opening of the Talon."
Jon scoffed, "That's what happens when you get into business with somebody like Lex Luthor."
"Hey!" Clark glared at his Pa, "If it wasn't for Lex, the Talon would be a parking garage!"
"Son, he casts a very, very long shadow… I just want to make sure none of you kids get hurt, that's all."
"The past is in the past… The best we can do is look to the future."
Jon was silent for a short time, before nodding and sighing wearily, "All right, you got me…. Speaking of that, how's Chloe's paper coming along? I assume she's done with her interviews?"
Ah… that was another one of his concerns. "I'm not sure."
"Look, Clark, if she mentions anything to you about peas, I'm sorry. It's the first thing that came to mind."
"And if she mentions anything to me about the Metropolis United Charities?"
Jon turned to him, frowning and shaking his head, "I used to think perseverance was an admirable quality."
"… Since I learned the real truth, I hadn't thought about the adoption. Dad, Chloe told me the agency you used was only open six months and I was the only kid adopted!"
Jon looked like he wanted to talk about nothing else, but he sighed wearily and started to explain anyway, "Look, son the process is a really tough one even when you go through normal channels…. With you, it was just a little more complicated, that's all."
"Is everything legal?"
"Yeah, it's legal, it's just…" Jon winced, "…. Well, it required a higher level of access than your mother or I had."
Clark frowned, "What does that mean?"
"… Let's just say it's a long road between what's sitting in our storm cellar and what's written on your birth certificate." Jon suddenly paused, staring off into the distance and frowning, "You hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"The whole herd's just over that rise…. We ought to be hearing something."
Together, the pair raced to where the herd where meant to be, only to stop in their tracks in shock.
Scattered all over the field where the cows…. And they were all dead.
….
In less than an hour, the police and a hazmat crew were at the scene, with Martha and Jon staring off into the distance in shock…. The cows were a large part of their income and now it was all gone.
And the reason behind it was obvious… Luthor-corp vats of probable toxic waste had been dumped near the site.
Chloe, as usual with her and her curiosity, was eagerly snapping pictures of the scene, seemingly oblivious to the grief the Kent family were going through. "What do you think happened Clark? Why would Luthor-Corp dump their stuff here?"
Clark remained silent, watching as an official Luthor-Corp vehicle pulled him, with Lex sitting in the passenger seat, worry on his face.
Sensing the upcoming tension between Clark's parents and Lex, Chloe winced. "I'm gonna go take from some different angles."
As Lex got out of the jeep, he glanced over at Cark, who gave him a reassuring smile (or at least he hoped it was). The omega then spotted Martha and Jon… and slowly made his way over.
"Mr. and Mrs. Kent, I have no idea how this could have happened… but I'll do everything in my power to find out."
Silence.
"… And I'll pay for your livestock, of course."
Jon scoffed, "You think that's how you solve everything, don't you, Lex? You sprinkle a little money on it and hope the problem goes away." He turned and glared at the omega, before pushing the younger man to one side, almost causing Lex to fall to the ground, "Well, obviously, some things are a little more difficult than that!"
Once they were out of earshot, Lex whined in frustration and slammed his hands against the wooden fence, pressing his forehead against the damp wood and groaning.
Clark slowly made his way over, hesitating and placing a gentle hand on Lex's shoulder as the omega slowly twisted around to face him.
"I didn't think it was possible to fall any further in your father's eyes…." Lex whispered, the exhaustion clear in his voice, "… Obviously, I was wrong." He quickly glanced over at Clark and sighed wearily, "I'd never intentionally allow something like this to happen."
"…. Does this have anything to do with Club Zero?"
"… I think so."
"You need to tell the authorities everything you know. This isn't just about you anymore." Clark knew he sounded harsh, but his parents were devastated at the loss of their cows… this need to end, and soon.
…..
Lex watched as Clark walked away, his grip tightening on the fence.
" …"
He turned to the police officer, who was also giving him a disapproving look,
"… the C.E.P. Guy needs to talk to you…. He's over there."
Lex really didn't want to leave, he wanted to tell Clark that everything was going to be okay… but he needed to get this all cleared up with the officials and quickly.
However, when he walked up to the man, the face of Jude Royce stared back at him. "Looks like a black mark on your company's environmental record."
Refusing to be intimidated again, Lex straightened up and tried to push past the Alpha, "I'm gonna walk over and get the sheriff."
Jude grabbed him by the collar and sneered at him, "And tell him what?"
Before Lex could answer, a taser was shoved into his side and he was thrown into the back of the truck... where everything went black.
….
Clark hated this feeling, this feeling of helplessness and panic.
Lex wasn't answering his phone…. Lex never ignored his texts and calls, never for this long. Which is why he tried the mansion (no answer) and now he was trying to get a hold of the man at his office.
"Just tell him that Clark Kent called… Thank you."
As he hung up the phone, his Ma was there, a concerned frown on her face. "Who was that?"
"I'm trying to reach Lex. He's not in the office. He's not at the mansion and his cell phone goes straight to voice mail!" Clark buried his face in his hands, took a deep breath before sighing wearily, trying to keep his instincts under control, "Where's Dad?"
"Still supervising the removal of the cows."
"…. Lex said he'd pay for that."
"Clark, this isn't just about money. We don't know what kind of health threat this poses to us or to our neighbours!"
His Ma sounded annoyed, so Clark immediately went on the defence. "I don't think this is Lex's fault…." He headed over to the table, where a collection of old news clippings lay, "… I think someone is trying to set him up because of what happened at the nightclub! Look!"
Martha was silent for a short time, before shaking her head, "Until this is cleared up, I don't- "
"- Lex has always been a good friend." Clark quickly interrupted, knowing what his Ma was trying to say.
"I know. I'm usually the one who defends him but there are some things in his past that are a little shady!"
"… I thought that in this family we don't look at the past."
"Clark, I grew up in Metropolis, I know the Luthor world…. It looks glamorous and fun, but the kids grow up too fast and they can get into trouble, Alphas think they can get away with everything because of their status and Omegas try and use their bodies to get away with the same crimes."
"Ma! Lex wouldn't- "
"- Whatever's happening to Lex is starting to affect you. Body parts in boxes and poisoned cows? This isn't normal."
Clark shook his head in disbelief, "What do you want me to do? Cut him out of my life?!"
"No, I want you to cool it off for a while until we know what really happened! Your father and I just don't want to see you pulled into his problems."
There was a brief moment of silence, before Clark started to back away, shaking his head. "Ma… I know Lex wasn't responsible for this. I'm not leaving him when he needs me, that's not what… that's not what a good Alpha would do for his omega."
"You don't know that he's the omega for you!"
"Yes, I do!"
Martha looked stunned at his conviction, eyes widening as Clark visibly tried to relax. "Yes I do Ma…. I know Lex is the one for me and if you and Pa can't understand that…. Then maybe you don't know me as well as you should."
…..
"Can I talk to you for a second?"
Clark glanced at Chloe, giving her a quick glare before heading to the stairs as she followed him.
"How you doing?" She asked, not reading the clear signals.
"….. That depends if it's on the record or not."
"Okay, I deserve that! Look, I didn't mean to ambush you with the whole adoption agency thing."
"Hey, you saw a story and you went right for it. That's what journalists do."
"You're right…. But I didn't think about how it would hurt you." She sighed as Clark still refused to look at her, "And, you know… as much as journalistic instinct rebels I'd rather have a friend than a subject so I'm dropping the whole thing."
There was a brief of silence, as Clark turned to her and gave her a small smile. "Thank you."
She beamed in relief, "… Can I ask you a question? Totally off the record of course…." When Clark nodded, she leaned forwards, "Do you ever wonder about your biological parents?"
"… Every day of my life."
Chloe nodded in understanding, glancing around the loft area, before her eyes landed on the news clippings that Clark had printed out. "Looks like I'm not the only one doing some digging…. What's Club Zero?"
"… Part of Lex's past he asked me to stay out of."
Chloe gave him a knowing smile, before her eyes widened in realisation and she reached into her bag, "By the way, I brought by some pictures for your parents. I figured they could use it for insurance purposes and stuff…." She then headed towards the door, "… I'll see you later. I gotta go."
Examining the photos, they all seemed pretty normal… until he saw the photo of the environmental officer… and how similar he looked to the man who was killed at Club Zero.
"Chloe!" He called for his friend to come back, holding up the two pictures for her, "… it's the same guy."
Chloe frowned, "Wait, but he's- "
"- Dead."
….
"Help!" Lex screamed at the top of his lungs, as he hung upside down, his arms trapped through the use of a strait-jacket, "Somebody! Help! Help! Somebody! CLARK!"
…..
Clark was seriously starting to panic now.
He had to resist the urge to just go out, smashing down walls and doors and look for his omega himself.
Wait… when did he start think of Lex being his.
"No word from Lex…." He hung up the phone again, "… No one's spoken to him since this morning."
"I pulled our alleged dead guy's license." Chloe reported, "It's registered to a John Smith….Original. He has an address in Metropolis and does not work for the C.E.P."
"How'd you do that?"
She beamed at him, "I hacked into the DMV database. Sometimes persistence is a good thing."
But Clark wasn't worried about that, already moving to the door, "Call Metropolis P.D. Have them go to that address."
"What's going on?"
"I think Lex is in serious trouble."
…..
"You ready to talk?"
Lex groaned under his breath, trying to turn his face away when a bright light practically blinded him.
"You're finally where you should have been three years ago…." Jude continued, "… Exposed in the spotlight."
"What do you want from me?!" Lex begged to know.
"… The truth about Club Zero."
…..
Clark heard the sirens before he saw the crowds gathered around the house…. And the body that was being taken out of it.
"Kasich…." He muttered under his breath, knowing instantly who the body was (the x-ray vision spotting the missing hand helped a little). Catching the attention of the cop, he pushed through the crowd, "Excuse me, did you find anyone else in there?"
The officer, although he looked slightly confused, shook his head.
Clark sighed, "Well… Do you know where I can find Club Zero?"
"You're six months too late, kid."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, it closed down…. It was an old warehouse on 78th and Main."
Well… at least he knew the address now.
…..
"Liar! That's what it said in the papers, but that's not what really happened!"
Lex gritted his teeth against the feeling of the blood all rushing to head, the pain of being suspended by his legs starting to get a hold of him.
"It's the truth!" He knew he was starting to lose him calm composure now, "Read the police reports!"
"I know you covered it up…. I don't know how you did it, but you're gonna pay."
"W-Who are you?"
"Don't you remember? You killed me." Jude stepped into the light and pulled out a gun, aiming it at the omega, "Daddy can't save you this time, Lex."
There was the loud BANG of a gunshot as Lex flinched violently… but there was no pain. When he opened his eyes, Jude was on the floor… dead by the look of it as someone else stepped into the light.
This man looked familiar as well.
The man clicked a button, turning on lights and loud music to reveal their location to be Club Zero.
Great.
"No more games, Lex." The man whispered, "It's time for the truth."
He then aimed the gun at whatever was keeping Lex suspended to the ceiling, firing once and sending Lex crashing to the ground. The relief of finding himself not upside down must have jogged Lex's memory a little bit… because he suddenly knew who the man was.
"I know you…." He whispered, still trying not to let out an Omega whine, "… You're the contractor from the Talon."
"That's my day job." The beta chuckled, kicking Lex in the side.
"Who are you?" Lex groaned, trying to roll away from the kicks.
"Amanda never talked about her family?"
Thinking back, Lex desperately tried to remember past conversation with the woman who had been his best friend, "S-She said she had a brother in Central City…He was in prison. She was the only person who kept in touch."
The man nodded, "She was my lifeline when I was inside…. I never had a rich daddy to keep me out of jail."
"I don't understand…What do you want?"
"What do I want?" The man's hand darted down, grabbing Lex by the neck and pinning him against the floor, "What do I want? I want vengeance for my sister!"
Lex suddenly got a horrible feeling, "W-What do you mean?" he managed to cough out, "W-W-Where's Amanda?!"
"… She's dead, Lex. She committed suicide a year ago."
Was it possible to hear a heart break? Lex could have sworn that he heard his do exactly that. "I-I never knew." He whispered.
"That's because you cut her out of your life. She was never the same after Club Zero… Jude's death devastated her. He was the love of her life and you took all that away!... She had nothing to live for."
Lex glanced over to the dead form of Jude Royce, finding himself very confused. "W-Who's that?"
"Lucky break." The man seemed quite pleased with himself, "Couple weeks after Amanda's funeral, I walk into a greasy spoon in Bludhaven and there he is…. I couldn't believe it. Short-order cook flipping burgers." He shook his head and chuckled, "You know how they say everyone in life has a double? I had to look twice…. I figure if he can fool me, he can fool you."
"…. Why'd he do it?"
"He was on parole, needed the money, and that's when I got the idea…. You ruined Mandy's life, I'd ruin yours. Mandy's finally gonna get the justice she deserves."
As the beta pressed the gun to his head, Lex knew he couldn't remain silent any longer.
It was time for the truth.
"You were right!" he cried out, "You were right! The newspapers, the police reports, what I told Phelan. They were all lies!" He took a deep breath and glared up at the man, "You want the truth? I'll give it to you."
****************Flashback***********
The Alpha drew a switch-blade and stabbed him.
Kasich pushed him away and pulled out his gun…. But was knocked to the ground.
Jude glared at Lex, preparing to strike again…. until there was the sound of a gunshot and a bullet wound appeared in the Alpha's chest, sending him falling to the ground.
But Lex didn't have a gun in his hand.
When he turned around, his eyes widened as Amanda slowly lowered the gun, tears in her eyes.
******************End Flashback**********************
"No, no, no!" The man snarled angrily, "You're twisting it again!"
"That's what happened! That's what happened!" Lex begged, "Amanda pulled the trigger. She shot Jude. I was just trying to protect her! The law doesn't take kindly to omega's killing their legal Alpha's, not matter what they did!"
"I'm through with you, Lex!" The man snarled, grabbing Lex by the collar and pulling him to his feet, pushing him up against the empty fish tank and aiming the gun at him.
"Killing me won't bring Amanda back! None of this can change what happened!"
The man shook his head and cackled, "I don't care…. After tonight, you'll never hurt anyone else. You can't escape your past, Lex."
Seconds before the man pulled the trigger, Lex jerked to the side, allowing the bullet to hit the tank…. Meaning that Lex was leaning on nothing.
With a shocked cry, Lex fell from the balcony, heading towards the ground below.
….
Clark flung the door open, just in time to see Lex falling to the ground.
"Lex!" he yelled, racing forwards and catching the omega neatly in his arms, placing him on the ground, racing up and taking care of the armed man up above, and racing back down, before Lex even knew he was there.
"Clark! Get down! There's a man with a gun up there!"
Clark couldn't help but smile slightly at the worry in the omega's voice, gently helping Lex to his feet and freeing him of the strait-jacket, before gesturing up to the balcony, where the unconscious man could be seen, "You mean that guy?"
"… You never fail to surprise me." Lex sighed in relief, allowing Clark to pull him closer, "How'd you find me here?"
"…. With a little help from my friends…. Now we need to get you to the hospital."
….
Almost a week later, at the opening of the new Talon, just after Lana had walked away with her new picture of the Talon cinema in the old days, Clark came face to face with Lex again.
He was ashamed to admit it… but his Ma's words were weighing on him slightly.
"I get the feeling you're avoiding me, Clark."
Clark slowly turned around and tried to give Lex his best reassuring smile, eyes scanning the omega from head to toe in concern.
"I was… just thinking." He managed to force out, frowning when Lex glanced down at the floor, an ashamed look flashing across his face.
"Let me guess…. You think my dark past is gonna rub off on you?"
Before Clark could even think about responding, Lex was already trying to defend himself, "I was trying to protect Amanda! My father wouldn't raise a finger to help her but I knew he'd do anything to save his only son!"
"So, you took the fall and everything was covered up… Is that really what happened? Is it the truth?"
Lex was silent for a time, before sighing wearily, "The truth is, I'd do anything to protect my friends."