Chapter 8 – Finale
Summer coughed. Smoke was everywhere. Dozens of unmarked vans, sedans and about a dozen state cruisers surrounded what was left of Lex Luthor's car. She noticed an air ambulance descend nearby. Is Lex still alive. The FBI's lead agent said some sort of explosive device must have been triggered. Maybe a timer activated by the ignition. Details were still sketchy. She spotted GCTV's Live Eye satellite truck. She was covered in soot and her hair was all over the place. She had to focus. She called over the cameraman and seized the microphone.
"This is Summer Gleeson, GCTV News. We are now at the site of what appears to be an attempt on the life of Lex Luthor, heir to the Luthor family. FBI agents have confirmed that an explosive device was responsible. I understand that Luthor, the son, has been taken via chopper to Metropolis General. He is in critical condition. Clark Kent, the mild-mannered farm hand who saved Bruce Wayne's life only last month is now credited with shielding Lex from the force of the explosion ..."
"Keep going," her field editor ordered, "you've just been picked up by the national network."
Lex woke up. I must be in a helicopter. "His blood pressure is stabilizing." He felt a neck brace around him. "Hang in there Lex." Was that Clark? The -whirr- of the copter lulled him to sleep. He awoke again. Bright lights. A surgeon's table. "He has a punctured lung, broken ribs ..." A nurse placed an oxygen mask on him. What's going on? His eyelids drooped. Then nothing.
"Lex? Lex ..." He squinted. A silhouette. Focus. Clark. My friend.
"This better be a private room," Lex coughed. Clark chuckled, but Lex wasn't joking.
Clark continued. "Your attorneys took care of everything. Your own room, personal physicians ..."
"The best that money can buy." It was Chloe, who actually looked worried. Lex saw someone else enter the room. Clark and Chloe looked at each other and exited the room.
"Father?" Lex hoped. The tall figure hovered over him. It was Bruce Wayne.
"I'm afraid your father is mid-flight over the Alps. I've told my people to contact him when he lands in Geneva."
Lex felt a twinge of guilt. He was on that highway racing to destroy any link between the Luthors and the failed hit on Bruce. There was no way of knowing if Father truly had a part in the plot, but the explosion guaranteed that the Luthor name remained untouched. Now Bruce was making sure he was alright. How ironic.
"The feds say someone tampered with your car's ignition. I'd suggest you stick to armour-plated limousines for the time being." Bruce patted Lex's shoulder and left. Clark and Chloe were waiting outside.
"I can't believe you're even here?!" Chloe exclaimed. "The Luthors may have had something to do with those gunmen in Gotham!"
"Everything is circumstantial. I don't dwell on –what-ifs –." Bruce declared. Luthor's army of lawyers managed to get the injunction against the FBI's document seizures. The government is appealing, but for now, Luthor Corp. can't be implicated.
"But what if things turned out differently?" Clark asked.
Bruce looked at him. "My people in Switzerland were instructed to have Lionel's jet grounded in Geneva. Mr. Luthor would have been a guest of the Swiss authorities. Within the hour, I would have initiated a billion-dollar lawsuit designed to cripple Luthor Corp., its partners and associates. I hope the media reports turn out to be baseless rumours."
Bruce said his goodbyes and left to manage the fallout in Gotham City.
"How are you holding up?" Chloe put a comforting arm around Clark.
"The last few months have been – interesting," Clark replied. I'd rather not get into the whirlwind of emotions I've gone through since that fateful trip to Gotham City.
He's closing up again, Chloe thought. Why does he do that: shut me out whenever I try to get close? God, he's just like Bruce Wayne sometimes.
"I'll get you a coffee?" Chloe got up.
Clark was now alone. But not for long. Summer Gleeson walked in – apparently straight from the front in Smallville.
"I'm working with the Planet on an exclusive report," Summer explained.
Clark saw her nationwide coverage – and how the Kansas farmboy became a hero again. "Must be nice for you. My friend's in the hospital and you have your career-making story." He looked away from her.
Still protecting your friend, hmm, Clark? "You do realize that the files – files implicating Luthor Corp and anyone associated with it – are still missing. Luthor has the injunction, but someday the truth will be uncovered."
She sat down beside him. "The Luthors only look out for themselves, Clark. I know he's your friend, but I don't think he deserves your loyalty. What if the evidence does point to some sort of cover-up. If Lionel, or even Lex took those files, that's obstruction of justice."
Clark would not accept that possibility. "Maybe he panicked. He's human. The pressure maybe was too much for him. Do you realize how alone he is? His father can't even be here!"
Summer shook her head. "All I'm saying is friends should be honest to each other. Can you truly say Lex has been honest to you?"
I haven't been honest with him, either, Clark admitted. Chloe returned with two coffees. Oh – it's HER. She smiled at Summer. Well, a half-grin that said 'Hi, I'm not a fan of yours. Better leave now'
Summer smirked. She knew right away that Ms. Sullivan was protective of her classmate. How cute.
"I'll be in touch with you, Clark. For a follow-up."
I'm not looking forward to that at all, Clark thought.
"So how are you heading back?" Chloe asked.
"The feds said they could drop me off on their way back to Wichita. The Metropolis field office will take over the investigation from here." Clark had just about enough of big-city intrigue. Smallville, despite its size, suited his life now. "I'd better check on Lex." Then he hugged Chloe Sullivan.
Chloe hugged back. Poor Clark, he's gone through so much. She went back to another sleepless night at The Daily Planet. Tomorrow's edition would be expected to set the standard in American print journalism.
"With files from Chloe Sullivan," Chloe smiled.
[Outside Metropolis General Hospital]
Summer Gleeson walked outside to hail a cab. She turned a corner and walked into the last person she wanted to see right now.
"Excuse me, miss." It was Bruce Wayne.
Summer had nothing to say. Her mind was awash in memories of the past year. Interviewing Bruce in NYC. The first date at the UNICEF gala. Skiing in Lake Placid – and Bruce making hot chocolate in the lodge. 'Why don't you open up to me' she had asked mere weeks before the dreaded public spat at the Gotham Symphony. 'Summer, we need to talk' The break-up on the pier. Having to call a cab in tears. Giving Alfred a parting hug as he delivered the last of her things. 'Take care of yourself, Ms. Gleeson' he had said.
"I've got work to do for the Planet," she stated.
Bruce nodded. "You're ok?"
"Yes. May return to Smallville later."
Bruce face flinched. Great, Summer thought, another member of the Lex fan club.
"Clark is my friend," Bruce said. "Let him be." Clark doesn't have to get involved in this mess.
"And Lex?" Summer challenged.
Bruce answered. "Let the chips fall where they may. The Luthors may have a feud with me. I have nothing against them."
"For now," Summer added. She knew Bruce Wayne better than that.
Bruce wouldn't bite. "I'll have a press release for GCTV by tomorrow." Is that it, Summer asked, we talk through spokesmen and PR hacks?
"Alright then." Is this going to end, Summer wondered. She turned around and hailed a cab.
"I'm sorry, Summer. About everything." Summer mouthed 'Me too' and turned around. He was already gone.
The cab driver asked her again. "Where to, miss?"
"The Daily Planet." She was on the brink of the greatest story of her career, yet all she could think of was that chilly November in New York. 'Would you care to join me at Carnegie Hall tonight?' Bruce had asked. In that one moment, she saw Bruce Wayne drop his guard. To her.
She wiped a tear from her eye. Take care, Bruce. Goodbye.
THE END
Summer coughed. Smoke was everywhere. Dozens of unmarked vans, sedans and about a dozen state cruisers surrounded what was left of Lex Luthor's car. She noticed an air ambulance descend nearby. Is Lex still alive. The FBI's lead agent said some sort of explosive device must have been triggered. Maybe a timer activated by the ignition. Details were still sketchy. She spotted GCTV's Live Eye satellite truck. She was covered in soot and her hair was all over the place. She had to focus. She called over the cameraman and seized the microphone.
"This is Summer Gleeson, GCTV News. We are now at the site of what appears to be an attempt on the life of Lex Luthor, heir to the Luthor family. FBI agents have confirmed that an explosive device was responsible. I understand that Luthor, the son, has been taken via chopper to Metropolis General. He is in critical condition. Clark Kent, the mild-mannered farm hand who saved Bruce Wayne's life only last month is now credited with shielding Lex from the force of the explosion ..."
"Keep going," her field editor ordered, "you've just been picked up by the national network."
Lex woke up. I must be in a helicopter. "His blood pressure is stabilizing." He felt a neck brace around him. "Hang in there Lex." Was that Clark? The -whirr- of the copter lulled him to sleep. He awoke again. Bright lights. A surgeon's table. "He has a punctured lung, broken ribs ..." A nurse placed an oxygen mask on him. What's going on? His eyelids drooped. Then nothing.
"Lex? Lex ..." He squinted. A silhouette. Focus. Clark. My friend.
"This better be a private room," Lex coughed. Clark chuckled, but Lex wasn't joking.
Clark continued. "Your attorneys took care of everything. Your own room, personal physicians ..."
"The best that money can buy." It was Chloe, who actually looked worried. Lex saw someone else enter the room. Clark and Chloe looked at each other and exited the room.
"Father?" Lex hoped. The tall figure hovered over him. It was Bruce Wayne.
"I'm afraid your father is mid-flight over the Alps. I've told my people to contact him when he lands in Geneva."
Lex felt a twinge of guilt. He was on that highway racing to destroy any link between the Luthors and the failed hit on Bruce. There was no way of knowing if Father truly had a part in the plot, but the explosion guaranteed that the Luthor name remained untouched. Now Bruce was making sure he was alright. How ironic.
"The feds say someone tampered with your car's ignition. I'd suggest you stick to armour-plated limousines for the time being." Bruce patted Lex's shoulder and left. Clark and Chloe were waiting outside.
"I can't believe you're even here?!" Chloe exclaimed. "The Luthors may have had something to do with those gunmen in Gotham!"
"Everything is circumstantial. I don't dwell on –what-ifs –." Bruce declared. Luthor's army of lawyers managed to get the injunction against the FBI's document seizures. The government is appealing, but for now, Luthor Corp. can't be implicated.
"But what if things turned out differently?" Clark asked.
Bruce looked at him. "My people in Switzerland were instructed to have Lionel's jet grounded in Geneva. Mr. Luthor would have been a guest of the Swiss authorities. Within the hour, I would have initiated a billion-dollar lawsuit designed to cripple Luthor Corp., its partners and associates. I hope the media reports turn out to be baseless rumours."
Bruce said his goodbyes and left to manage the fallout in Gotham City.
"How are you holding up?" Chloe put a comforting arm around Clark.
"The last few months have been – interesting," Clark replied. I'd rather not get into the whirlwind of emotions I've gone through since that fateful trip to Gotham City.
He's closing up again, Chloe thought. Why does he do that: shut me out whenever I try to get close? God, he's just like Bruce Wayne sometimes.
"I'll get you a coffee?" Chloe got up.
Clark was now alone. But not for long. Summer Gleeson walked in – apparently straight from the front in Smallville.
"I'm working with the Planet on an exclusive report," Summer explained.
Clark saw her nationwide coverage – and how the Kansas farmboy became a hero again. "Must be nice for you. My friend's in the hospital and you have your career-making story." He looked away from her.
Still protecting your friend, hmm, Clark? "You do realize that the files – files implicating Luthor Corp and anyone associated with it – are still missing. Luthor has the injunction, but someday the truth will be uncovered."
She sat down beside him. "The Luthors only look out for themselves, Clark. I know he's your friend, but I don't think he deserves your loyalty. What if the evidence does point to some sort of cover-up. If Lionel, or even Lex took those files, that's obstruction of justice."
Clark would not accept that possibility. "Maybe he panicked. He's human. The pressure maybe was too much for him. Do you realize how alone he is? His father can't even be here!"
Summer shook her head. "All I'm saying is friends should be honest to each other. Can you truly say Lex has been honest to you?"
I haven't been honest with him, either, Clark admitted. Chloe returned with two coffees. Oh – it's HER. She smiled at Summer. Well, a half-grin that said 'Hi, I'm not a fan of yours. Better leave now'
Summer smirked. She knew right away that Ms. Sullivan was protective of her classmate. How cute.
"I'll be in touch with you, Clark. For a follow-up."
I'm not looking forward to that at all, Clark thought.
"So how are you heading back?" Chloe asked.
"The feds said they could drop me off on their way back to Wichita. The Metropolis field office will take over the investigation from here." Clark had just about enough of big-city intrigue. Smallville, despite its size, suited his life now. "I'd better check on Lex." Then he hugged Chloe Sullivan.
Chloe hugged back. Poor Clark, he's gone through so much. She went back to another sleepless night at The Daily Planet. Tomorrow's edition would be expected to set the standard in American print journalism.
"With files from Chloe Sullivan," Chloe smiled.
[Outside Metropolis General Hospital]
Summer Gleeson walked outside to hail a cab. She turned a corner and walked into the last person she wanted to see right now.
"Excuse me, miss." It was Bruce Wayne.
Summer had nothing to say. Her mind was awash in memories of the past year. Interviewing Bruce in NYC. The first date at the UNICEF gala. Skiing in Lake Placid – and Bruce making hot chocolate in the lodge. 'Why don't you open up to me' she had asked mere weeks before the dreaded public spat at the Gotham Symphony. 'Summer, we need to talk' The break-up on the pier. Having to call a cab in tears. Giving Alfred a parting hug as he delivered the last of her things. 'Take care of yourself, Ms. Gleeson' he had said.
"I've got work to do for the Planet," she stated.
Bruce nodded. "You're ok?"
"Yes. May return to Smallville later."
Bruce face flinched. Great, Summer thought, another member of the Lex fan club.
"Clark is my friend," Bruce said. "Let him be." Clark doesn't have to get involved in this mess.
"And Lex?" Summer challenged.
Bruce answered. "Let the chips fall where they may. The Luthors may have a feud with me. I have nothing against them."
"For now," Summer added. She knew Bruce Wayne better than that.
Bruce wouldn't bite. "I'll have a press release for GCTV by tomorrow." Is that it, Summer asked, we talk through spokesmen and PR hacks?
"Alright then." Is this going to end, Summer wondered. She turned around and hailed a cab.
"I'm sorry, Summer. About everything." Summer mouthed 'Me too' and turned around. He was already gone.
The cab driver asked her again. "Where to, miss?"
"The Daily Planet." She was on the brink of the greatest story of her career, yet all she could think of was that chilly November in New York. 'Would you care to join me at Carnegie Hall tonight?' Bruce had asked. In that one moment, she saw Bruce Wayne drop his guard. To her.
She wiped a tear from her eye. Take care, Bruce. Goodbye.
THE END