All right, here's the next installment. I hope this is long enough for you.



Reflections – Part 5



Clark didn't know what to say. And before he opened his mouth a loud screeching sound was heard followed by the sound of dust being turned up. Clark turned sharply to see Lex Luthor pulling up far to fast. Hadn't he learned anything about speeding and cars? Clark narrowed his brows nearly looking through the car.

Lex had been glad to find the two here. He had hoped to surprise them. He called Nell earlier to find out where the pair were and was excited to find that they had gone out for a walk. Pulling up sharply he noted Clark's annoyed look. 'Had he interrupted something? No matter they would have ample time to catch up on whatever it was.' Hoping exuberantly out of the car he walked up to them smiling generously.

"Well, well, isn't this a touching scene?"

Clark felt a little uncomfortable. He also wondered what the heck Lex was doing here.

Lana looked at him in a tolerable fashion. He was much too cocky for her liking, but it seemed to work for him.

"I'm glad to find you here, I've been looking for you all over the place."

Clark didn't want to sound rude, but he was too confused to care that much. "Lex, what are you doing here?"

Glancing at Clark, he smiled saying, "I came to offer you a gift."

"You've been looking for us for that? How flattering," Lana remarked.

"Yes, I know."

"Uh, he has his moments," Clark responded catching Lex's attention. "What did you have in mind?"

"Well, it's a surprise. Why don't you two hop in the car and I'll show you?"

Clark and Lana stared at each other a little bewildered. They didn't know what Lex was up to but their curiosity was getting the better of them. Lana spoke first.

"I don't know Lex. Nell may be expecting me soon."

"No she won't," Lex clipped back. Then he added smoothly, "I talked to her already. She knows you're with me."

Clark was really starting to wonder what Lex was planning. Probably some scheme to get him and Lana together. 'He's relentless,' he thought. "Okay Lex, how long will this take?"

"Oh, ye of little faith," Lex quipped. "Not long," he lied. "Not long at all."

"Alright then," Lana added. "Let's get this over with shall we?" Lana walked brusquely by Lex toward his car and proceeded to get inside.

Clark, with raised eyebrows, followed quickly.

Lex, smiled even more. He liked it when women got sharp with him. For some reason, it always excited him. Following the pair he walked toward his car and determinedly got in the front seat. He turned on the car and changed gears. Placing his hand on the back of the passenger seat he shifted so that he was looking behind him. Smiling at Clark and Lana, and also noting how Clark got in the back with Lana while still trying to look innocent, he pulled off swiftly.

Driving as quickly as possible making sure to round the sharpest turns as quickly as possible to jar his backseat passengers.

"Lex, slow down!" Clark said. He didn't want any more accidents to occur, especially since he was the only one in the car guaranteed to walk away unharmed.

"Well, you to get this over with didn't ya? I'm only trying to keep up my end and get you there as quickly as possible," he said, while turning another corner.

About 2.3 minutes later they arrived at their destination, the Luthor ancestral home. Hoping energetically out of the car Lex strode confidently toward the door without looking back. He knew they would follow him dutifully.

Clark looked toward Lana saying, "Are you alright?"

She looked at him warily and responded a little unsure, "Yeah, I'll be alright."

Clark wanted desperately to take Lana in his arms and carry her the rest of the way. But he merely ducked his head down as he got out of the car.

Lana waited a few seconds more to steady herself. Then she got out of the car and joined Clark, who had been waiting for her.

They walked toward Lex's home feeling as though they had been set up. When they reached the home Lex was not there, but the door had been left open. They walked in scanning the rooms for a sign.

"Come on in! I'm over here."

The two glance at each other knowing they had been duped. They head toward the voice and find Lex in one of his luxurious rooms grinning as like the cat that has caught the elusive mouse. "Come in don't be shy. It's in here."

Lana entered first with Clark close behind. Lana's mouth dropped. Clark was also surprised and a bit amused by Lex's latest plan. Against the far wall of the room were two outfits. A stunning red-and-black dress glittered in the setting sun atop a model. Next to that stood a handsome tuxedo, also in red and black.

Clark spoke, "I don't understand, Lex. What is this?"

"Well, Clark, let's just say that once I found out how your 'non-date' kinda ended. I felt like I had to make up for it somehow."

"But Lex, that had nothing to do with you," Lana answered.

Lex raised his eyebrows as if to say, 'Really? I didn't know that.' "Call it a weakness. But I really thought I should do something for you."

"A weakness, right," Lana said, completely unconvinced.

"Awe come on. It'll be fun. Just get dressed and the limo will be here to pick you up in an hour."

This time Clark's expression changed to one of disbelief. "Lex where are you taking us?"

"Just to that little bistro down the way," he said with a wink. "Clark, trust me. I'd never steer ya wrong."

"And I suppose you let our parents know already just where we're going?"

"Oh, well, Nell knows. But I wasn't able to get in touch with your parents Clark."

"They're not home. They're at a museum today."

"Experiencing culture and art, what a trip? So I guess you don't have anyone to ask then do you. You'll just have to come along then."

"I wouldn't feel right doing that."

"Then leave a message," Lex said as he tapped his watch. "You don't have that much time. You better start dialing."

Glancing at Lana for approval, she shrugged. There was nothing she could do if Lex told Nell that she wouldn't be home. She left it up to him.

"Alright," Clark resigned.

"Great! Here, use my cell phone," Lex said as he pulled his cellular out of his jacket pocket. He handed Clark the phone thinking that this was going to be a fun night to say the least.



###########



Brianus and Legal sat at the long table with multiple papers laid out accordingly. It looked like a big mess. Brianus looked stressed as he tried to sift through the material in an organized fashion. As soon as he thought he was making some headway, Legal would toss another stack of papers at him. Brianus could swear that Legal was enjoying this a little more than necessary.

Brianus held his head carefully as he scanned the last bit of papers Legal threw his way. He was starting to get a headache, and the words seemed to be running together as of late. He didn't know how much more he could take of this. Glancing up, he saw that Legal was patiently glaring at him. He had to put a stop to this before he went insane.

"Legal, what exactly are we looking for?" Brianus tried his best not to sound stressed.

"Nothing." And at Brianus's look, "and everything." He continued. "What you have in front of you is the life of a young boy, nothing special, right? Well at first glance you'd be bored, you'd be wrong, but you'd be bored. You have no idea why we are after this one. You have to know his weaknesses as a human before you can properly prepare for him. Tell me what you have learned."

Brianus looked at him a bit puzzled, 'why had he chosen to use the word human?' "Well, we know that he is very family-oriented. He can definitely be reached through his parents. His friends are also very important to him; they may be assets as well. He does well in school, does his chores regularly, and basically doesn't stand out as anyone we would be interested in." Brianus was a little upset. He had been told that this kid was special. He hadn't been informed in what way they found him special, but he was expecting a bit more than this.

"Calm yourself, Brianus. There is a great reason to interested in him." Legal threw a final folder at him. "Open it."

Brianus slowly opened it and immediately began to perk up. With renewed exuberance he began to sift through the papers and the photos. "These are amazing," Brianus remarked. Picking up one photo in particular he asked, "What is this?"

"That, Brianus, is a blur," Legal smirked.

"I know that, but why is it in here?"

"That is just one of the examples of the subject's speed."

Brianus's jaw dropped as he returned to look at the picture that had initially been on top of them all. Lifting it out of the folder he stared transfixed at it. "Is he really lifting this truck?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"We don't really know how he does it. Other than the fact that he is an alien, we don't know how his powers developed."

"Alien? Like, little green men with antennae?"

"Brianus, don't be daft! Does he look like a 'little green man?!' Do me a favor and save your brainless, dim-witted comments for your own mind."

Brianus was a little surprised by the outburst but regained his footing quickly. He briefly nodded in assent.

Sighing, Legal collected himself. "This is precisely why I had you look at his file before you knew his secret. It is very important that we keep our minds clear of confusion. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Legal."

"Alright, then let's begin."



I always stop at the best moments don't I? ( Well that's it for that chapter… R/R always welcome!