Chapter 2 [Luthor Mansion—Five Minutes Later]
Activity buzzed about Mansion and Estate on that day no more or less so than any other. Servants hustled about to Duty's tune. Kitchen brought in Deliveries and prepared Meals. Maids cleaned rooms. Butlers responded to the Masters' respective requests. Security patrolled for Safety's sake.
Well, most of Safety's sake anyway….
Lex leaned back behind his desk. His hand raised Mug to his mouth. Coffee's draught eased his mood. Reports of Lionel's blindness caused LuthorCorp's Bearish dip on Global Markets. The Talon struggled but managed to keep its head above water. Lionel stewed in his room. Jonathan's Cold Shoulder toward his assistance and good will burned in his craw. And then, there was Clark.
Clark….
He rubbed his finger under his chin. Contemplation sliced away at layers previously unseen. To call his friend's behavior over the previous two days uncharacteristic was the Understatement to Beat all Understatements. Before, he'd treasured Clark's homespun farm boy/Boy Scout/Knight of the Plaid character. He genuinely looked out for the Farm Boy in every regard as the Honest Yin to his Luthor Yang. Clark's naivety seemed almost endearing. In many ways, he looked at the kid as a younger brother.
Secrets, however, nagged at Lex. The crumpled car from the bridge defied Investigation's probing. Roger Nixon insisted that Clark hid something. Dr. Hamilton concurred. Miraculous Events seemed to pop up around Clark. Accidental Fires and Damage seemed to follow Clark as well. Pipe Repairs, Air Conditioning Refrigerant Leaks, Twisted Ducts and, of course, the Infamous Fires months before. The Shoved Pool Table trapping corrupt Federal agent really raised his radar. According to Lionel, he'd heard only Clark and the agent in the room at that point. Clark couldn't have shoved that pool table by himself. He'd have to see the security footage for himself even if it would take a week for him to order it. He took another draught from his mug.
Insistent Knocking disturbed his reverie. He glanced up to find the object of his pondering standing just outside the door. Ask and you shall receive. Not for the first time, Lex marveled at Clark's ease of getting around State of the Art Security and Trained Guards. "Clark. Just the man I was thinking about. Come on in." He motioned him inside. "Jenkins just brought some coffee. You look like you could use a mug."
"Thanks, Lex." Dejection sagged across Clark's face and shoulders. He set Discarded Bouquet on the end table. "This afternoon's been kind of harsh. You know?" He poured himself a coffee. "I really needed this. Thanks. I've been kind of making the rounds."
Lex nodded. "I can imagine." He could see Clark, much as Lana had done after Nicodemus, falling all over himself to apologize to everyone. "You ruffled some feathers out there to say the least. The bad boy experiment was rather interesting to say the least." He glanced at the flowers. "You tried with Lana?
Clark threw his hands up in the air. Exasperation increased his pacing. Somehow, he kept a normal pace. "Oh I tried! I was trying to apologize to her! I brought her flowers! I wanted her to understand." He took a nervous gulp from the mug.
Lex nodded. Experience taught him that the two teens in question cared about each other. However, a certain Farm Boy wanted everyone to trust him, give him a wide berth and trust. Trust with said guy and his parents seemed to be a one-II did what I way street. In addition, said girl had questions needing answers. Patience seemed to fray especially after Twisters, Fires and now Behavior. "And she wasn't having it, right? I know the feeling, Clark."
"Lex, I really don't need this right now!" Clark set the mug down.
"Clark, trust is a two-way street. You and your folks aren't exactly the most open and trusting. For the past year and a half, you and I have been circling this discussion. Want some advice?" Lex raised an eyebrow. Somehow, Patience reined in any urge to stick the point deeper into Clark.
Clark really wasn't in the mood. Emotions gushed all throughout his mind akin to Leaking Hose spraying Water all over. He felt as if his feet pressed down on meteor rock and glass fragments. He discerned Edge to Lex's voice. "At this point, Lex, I'll try anything." Concession seemed to sap Resolve.
"Relax, Clark. I'm not my father. I'm not looking to sink your future as much as your Dad and Pete Ross seem to think so." Incredulity scoffed at Aforementioned Pair's attitude. "Hey, you saved my life. Remember? I'll admit it stung when your parents sent the truck back. But then, I figured something out. Your Dad doesn't want you expecting rewards for doing the right thing. That's really something to consider."
"That's what he said!" Clark perked up. Relief lightened his heart ever so slightly. "So you understand?"
"Oh, I understand." Lex ran his hand across Desk's smooth surface. "Your Dad's right about that. I envy that about him. Of course, the inverse is also true. You can't keep stringing people along, evading questions and expect Trust either." He shook his head. "I don't know if you remember this. Do you know that you offered to tell me everything about yourself? Right here where I'm standing."
"I…did?" Shock and Surprise stiffened Clark. His eyes went wide. He knew the red rock had suppressed Inhibitions' hold on him. Still, to make such offers? I must really have been far gone! "Well, there's not much to know, Lex. We've been over this."
"I know, Clark. Still, you have the most amazing luck. I mean you survive my car and the bridge. Then, you routinely evade my security. Somehow, three fires broke out around you. Do you know that the door knob here burned Desiree's hand? Now how did that happen, Clark?" Lex shrugged. "It was her, your Dad, you and me in here." He pointed at the knob. "Now that is a mystery, Clark. How does a metal door knob spontaneously heat up like that?"
"I don't know, Lex." Clark shrugged. Panic spun his mind. "Maybe she had that torch in her hand? Dad was out cold. I was trying to keep you from burning to death. She panicked when I did that. She ran for the door and forgot that the torch was in her hand. I'd say the torch burned her."
Skepticism raised Lex's eyebrow. He didn't really buy his friend's theory. Still, given that Clark had saved his life again, he was prepared to give a touch more rope to the situation. Irritation and Annoyance burned at (yet another) evasion. "Just remember, Clark, a relationship needs trust and honesty to flourish." He locked eyes with the younger man.
"Lex, look. This has to do with my Dad, Pete and Lana. Can you keep this between us?" Clark cleared his throat. "I just want to get this off of my chest. I'm trusting you with it." He shook his head. He really didn't want to talk about them behind their backs. Still, he needed to let Lex know he trusted him.
Lex decided to humor Clark. While he wanted the Desiree question and Kal's promise followed through on, he'd take any token of good faith at the moment. "Trust. Okay. I'll bite. It's a good first step."
Clark rubbed the back of his neck. He struggled to put words together in his mind. "Okay. You know how they were during the Nicodemus stuff last year? I tried to help them. I know they don't remember what happened. They couldn't control themselves. I stood by them afterwards. Of course, I'm going to stand by my Dad. Lana and I had a pretty intense moment. She left me there and I got caught by Principal Kwan. Still, I didn't say accuse her or get in her face. She embarrassed me. I didn't tell her about it."
Lex understood his gist. "And now, you want the favor returned? Clark, not everyone can do that. It's part of being human. At least, you returned my car in relatively good condition. It's kind of like what your Dad said about the truck. Just because you helped someone doesn't mean the favor's going to necessarily be returned. Your Dad will come around. I'm sure your Mom's on your side, Clark. Lana's hurt and rejected. I heard you blew her off for another girl. Jessie, right? That's pretty low. I know you were out of your mind but it was still low. Maybe you need to explain that to her? Then, you're going to have to tell her what she did."
"Yeah. Mom and Dad…." Clark started.
Lex rolled his eyes. "Look, Clark. I realize that you aren't exactly the Poster Boy for Rebellion. All right? Let's make this black and white. You love Lana. Right?" He took a gulp from his coffee.
"Lex." Clark squirmed at getting caught between his parents and Lana in this discussion.
"Just answer the question, Clark. Yes or no." Lex frowned. Impatience showed on his face. "It's really simple."
"Of course, I love her, Lex. I…" Clark wanted to grab something close at hand and pitch it across the room at that point.
"Then you tell her what you just said to me. Believe me, I know Lana's aware of what she did under the Nicodemus flower's influence. She apologized to me at least three times. I can well imagine how she came on to you at the high school given how you two feel for each other. Just. Be. Honest." Lex's phone went off. He checked it. "Sorry, Clark. I have to take this. Maybe we can talk in a day or two? Remember to just be honest. Have a good night."
"Thanks, Lex. You too." Clark sighed. Rather than Resolutions, Quandaries seemed to multiply even further.
There might be no winning this one….
