9. Reaping the Whirlwind
LEX
The beam shifts, drops another foot.
Fucking italian shoes sliding against the floor, and that's blood they're in. Mine, his, and I can't see properly, daren't take my hands off the wood.
This isn't fair. I've made the decision to be a good guy. Drop to put my shoulder under the pillar, try and reach round to drag him out.
"My son..."
"Shut up and help, Dad."
Luthors don't work well together. He's pulling at my leg, and I can't shake him off to get a decent grip.
I can't carry this all by myself.
I don't know how Jonathan Kent came to be here, but suddenly, he's there, putting his shoulder under the beam, pushing it to one side, and we lift some of the weight.
JONATHAN
I don't know what happened that night in Metropolis. Clark never told us, though I have my suspicions.
I've wondered since - how close did Lex come to leaving Lionel in there? Would I? Now I get to find out how strong my principles are.
Lex is trying to lift Lionel out from under a pile of masonry. Fighting, and I wouldn't have expected that. The little shit I was chasing has flung himself out through the front doors, and even as I'm about to go after him, he's picked off his feet and disappears. Something inside the house -gives-, I feel it through the floor. And I'm fighting to close the doors on the madness outside, even as windows shatter all along the front of the house.
The first time I have ever seen Lex under less than perfect control. Even when he was holding that pistol in my face, he didn't pull the trigger. I'm the one who reacted there, and that leaves a bad taste. He's losing.
Can I stand here and watch him watch his father die, because there are some things even a Luthor can't do?
Could I face Clark if I did?
Clark would hold up the whole damn house if he had to. Lex is just a man.
So I put my shoulder under the wood. Working together with Lex Luthor. He gives me a blank dazed look, his face half-blood, gets both arms under Lionel and heaves him backwards.
The beam drives into the floor, a shower of brick and plaster, and we fall back.
The second time Lex has saved his father's life.
LIONEL
Red hair, and for one second, I think it's Lili. But it's Martha Kent, stumbling in through the doorway, checking her husband for damage.
Where is my son?
Alive, and sitting, staring into space. Thinking. I can no longer predict what he will do. Push a man enough and you will find the source of his strength and his weakness. What will he fight for?
This town, these people. One small girl.
I don't see her here.
Have I broken them?
"Lex."
He doesn't respond until the third call. Not because he didn't hear me, but because he is preparing himself. Lili's eyes, but cold and hard. Blood has caked around one, giving him a demonic aspect. Some flicker of expression, when I put out a hand, take his shoulder. He hates to be touched, but I need to know that he is real. Alive.
"I can't raise contact with Metropolis." he says. "You'll have to use the local facilities and whatever team you have with you."
I have no feeling in my legs anyway. And apart from shock, there is no other pain. I continue to hold his shoulder.
"Are you hurt?"
"Dad, there's no press here to see the act." Shrugs me off. He looks exhausted, but still defiant. "Let's get down to business."
In the ruins of his home, his life, he still spits at the lightning.
"So...I owe you the plant for saving my life?" Watch him closely. "Lex, you can walk away from this place. Come back to Metropolis."
"No." Jaw set. "You cannot rip this town apart to get even with me."
LEX
One last breath.
"But if you leave the plant running, I will come back."
Faust and Mephistopheles. I will sell my soul for this fucking cow-town and they will never know.
A very clear bargain. He leaves this town alone. And gets me. What he wants. The obedient and dutiful son. The Crown Prince at his father's side.
The biggest threat to everyone's safety has always been me.
Clear mocking eyes. I meet his gaze calmly. It's over. I've lost. But I don't have to take anybody with me.
He's laughing. The bastard is laughing at me.
"Christ, I wish I had fucking killed you in the hospital!" That comes out too loud, and both the Kent's hear it.
"Lex, Lex...Do you really think to bargain at a time like this?"
"I think it's an excellent time to make a deal." Jonathan Kent. He would definitely like me out of everyone's life. His wife comes out of the shelter of his arm, and draws me back by the shoulders.
MARTHA
The light snaps out and the ship hits the floor with a dull thump. The images in my head go out, leave me dazed and blind.
Clark's world. I have seen a piece of his past. I always felt that he must have been loved - he clung to us so trustingly. Now I can feel that love and reassurance, and a terrible sadness.
Another thump, from somewhere above me, and I have to find Jonathan.
This house wasn't built for this place, shaking itself apart.
Jon, covered in dust and blood. None of it appears to be his own. Lionel, a torn rag-doll caricature of his normal self, laughing. And Lex, looking like nothing human. Spitting out terrible words that show the dark heart of their family.
I check him for damage, too. He doesn't want to be fussed over, but I have had years of dealing with the Kent men, and God knows, they can be stubborn. He finally submits, shocked, after I slap him. He's been pushed to the edge of endurance - we all have.
Jonathan squats down to an eye level with Lionel.
"Your boy just saved your life. I think the least you can do is listen to him." It would be quite reasonable, without that ugly little sentence that we both heard.
"I am listening. He's bargaining with what I already own."
Lex tenses up.
"You do -not- own me!"
"Did he tell you how my back got broken, Jonathan? That your son did it?"
I can't hold back a sob. Remember the children flying off in the car that night, Clark bringing Chloe back some hours later, uncharacteristically silent. The tense faces as they watched the news.
"Tell them why, Dad. Tell them about the cameras."
This isn't how normal people are. Spying and cameras. Guns at midnight, and secret laboratories. Bargaining with their lives. Blowing up trucks with teenage boys in them, just to find out what happens.
"Why would they be interested in your bedroom exploits?"
Bedroom exploits. That means...I can fully understand why Lex might want to kill this man. My skin crawls. Jon looks sick and furious in equal measure. Poor little Chloe. Lex goes very still.
"Enough." he says. Absolutely cold. No emotion. "What will it take to make you leave these people, this town, alone?"
"Now I know that you value their welfare?"
JONATHAN
The snick-lock of the shotgun is shockingly loud, even above the storm.
Lionel can't believe it as the barrels go up under his chin.
My wife has become an avenging fury.
"You evil low down piece of shit, Lionel."
I taught Martha to handle a gun. She had no idea when she left the city, came out to the country, what life on a farm would be like. But she put up with it, put up with me. I forget sometimes what she's like when she's roused. Now our lives, our home, our son, have been threatened. Grabbing her could make the gun go off, and no-one could miss at that range. Lionel knows it. Real fear in his eyes, and a wary respect.
"Mother love." he murmurs. "The most powerful force in the w..."
"Shut up." She jabs the gun forward. "Listen to me. I've had enough of this idiocy. What will it take to make you go away, Lionel? Bargaining doesn't work. Do you understand threats?"
"Very well."
"Good. I want you to leave this town alone. I want you to leave your son alone, because I think he's taken about all a man can. I want you to leave my son alone, because if you don't, I swear I will blow your goddam head off. Do you understand me?"
"Perfectly."
She eases back a little bit.
Lex looks at me, nods once. I take Martha round the waist, he whips out a pale hand, pulls the barrels up. Deafening blast.
It makes its point. Martha collapses into tears. My wife just tried to assassinate Lionel Luthor in front of his son. Third time the charm, because the bastard is still alive.
Lex is sprawled out on the floor. Lionel makes hoarse noise in his throat, reaches for him.
"Lex!"
LEX
The beam shifts, drops another foot.
Fucking italian shoes sliding against the floor, and that's blood they're in. Mine, his, and I can't see properly, daren't take my hands off the wood.
This isn't fair. I've made the decision to be a good guy. Drop to put my shoulder under the pillar, try and reach round to drag him out.
"My son..."
"Shut up and help, Dad."
Luthors don't work well together. He's pulling at my leg, and I can't shake him off to get a decent grip.
I can't carry this all by myself.
I don't know how Jonathan Kent came to be here, but suddenly, he's there, putting his shoulder under the beam, pushing it to one side, and we lift some of the weight.
JONATHAN
I don't know what happened that night in Metropolis. Clark never told us, though I have my suspicions.
I've wondered since - how close did Lex come to leaving Lionel in there? Would I? Now I get to find out how strong my principles are.
Lex is trying to lift Lionel out from under a pile of masonry. Fighting, and I wouldn't have expected that. The little shit I was chasing has flung himself out through the front doors, and even as I'm about to go after him, he's picked off his feet and disappears. Something inside the house -gives-, I feel it through the floor. And I'm fighting to close the doors on the madness outside, even as windows shatter all along the front of the house.
The first time I have ever seen Lex under less than perfect control. Even when he was holding that pistol in my face, he didn't pull the trigger. I'm the one who reacted there, and that leaves a bad taste. He's losing.
Can I stand here and watch him watch his father die, because there are some things even a Luthor can't do?
Could I face Clark if I did?
Clark would hold up the whole damn house if he had to. Lex is just a man.
So I put my shoulder under the wood. Working together with Lex Luthor. He gives me a blank dazed look, his face half-blood, gets both arms under Lionel and heaves him backwards.
The beam drives into the floor, a shower of brick and plaster, and we fall back.
The second time Lex has saved his father's life.
LIONEL
Red hair, and for one second, I think it's Lili. But it's Martha Kent, stumbling in through the doorway, checking her husband for damage.
Where is my son?
Alive, and sitting, staring into space. Thinking. I can no longer predict what he will do. Push a man enough and you will find the source of his strength and his weakness. What will he fight for?
This town, these people. One small girl.
I don't see her here.
Have I broken them?
"Lex."
He doesn't respond until the third call. Not because he didn't hear me, but because he is preparing himself. Lili's eyes, but cold and hard. Blood has caked around one, giving him a demonic aspect. Some flicker of expression, when I put out a hand, take his shoulder. He hates to be touched, but I need to know that he is real. Alive.
"I can't raise contact with Metropolis." he says. "You'll have to use the local facilities and whatever team you have with you."
I have no feeling in my legs anyway. And apart from shock, there is no other pain. I continue to hold his shoulder.
"Are you hurt?"
"Dad, there's no press here to see the act." Shrugs me off. He looks exhausted, but still defiant. "Let's get down to business."
In the ruins of his home, his life, he still spits at the lightning.
"So...I owe you the plant for saving my life?" Watch him closely. "Lex, you can walk away from this place. Come back to Metropolis."
"No." Jaw set. "You cannot rip this town apart to get even with me."
LEX
One last breath.
"But if you leave the plant running, I will come back."
Faust and Mephistopheles. I will sell my soul for this fucking cow-town and they will never know.
A very clear bargain. He leaves this town alone. And gets me. What he wants. The obedient and dutiful son. The Crown Prince at his father's side.
The biggest threat to everyone's safety has always been me.
Clear mocking eyes. I meet his gaze calmly. It's over. I've lost. But I don't have to take anybody with me.
He's laughing. The bastard is laughing at me.
"Christ, I wish I had fucking killed you in the hospital!" That comes out too loud, and both the Kent's hear it.
"Lex, Lex...Do you really think to bargain at a time like this?"
"I think it's an excellent time to make a deal." Jonathan Kent. He would definitely like me out of everyone's life. His wife comes out of the shelter of his arm, and draws me back by the shoulders.
MARTHA
The light snaps out and the ship hits the floor with a dull thump. The images in my head go out, leave me dazed and blind.
Clark's world. I have seen a piece of his past. I always felt that he must have been loved - he clung to us so trustingly. Now I can feel that love and reassurance, and a terrible sadness.
Another thump, from somewhere above me, and I have to find Jonathan.
This house wasn't built for this place, shaking itself apart.
Jon, covered in dust and blood. None of it appears to be his own. Lionel, a torn rag-doll caricature of his normal self, laughing. And Lex, looking like nothing human. Spitting out terrible words that show the dark heart of their family.
I check him for damage, too. He doesn't want to be fussed over, but I have had years of dealing with the Kent men, and God knows, they can be stubborn. He finally submits, shocked, after I slap him. He's been pushed to the edge of endurance - we all have.
Jonathan squats down to an eye level with Lionel.
"Your boy just saved your life. I think the least you can do is listen to him." It would be quite reasonable, without that ugly little sentence that we both heard.
"I am listening. He's bargaining with what I already own."
Lex tenses up.
"You do -not- own me!"
"Did he tell you how my back got broken, Jonathan? That your son did it?"
I can't hold back a sob. Remember the children flying off in the car that night, Clark bringing Chloe back some hours later, uncharacteristically silent. The tense faces as they watched the news.
"Tell them why, Dad. Tell them about the cameras."
This isn't how normal people are. Spying and cameras. Guns at midnight, and secret laboratories. Bargaining with their lives. Blowing up trucks with teenage boys in them, just to find out what happens.
"Why would they be interested in your bedroom exploits?"
Bedroom exploits. That means...I can fully understand why Lex might want to kill this man. My skin crawls. Jon looks sick and furious in equal measure. Poor little Chloe. Lex goes very still.
"Enough." he says. Absolutely cold. No emotion. "What will it take to make you leave these people, this town, alone?"
"Now I know that you value their welfare?"
JONATHAN
The snick-lock of the shotgun is shockingly loud, even above the storm.
Lionel can't believe it as the barrels go up under his chin.
My wife has become an avenging fury.
"You evil low down piece of shit, Lionel."
I taught Martha to handle a gun. She had no idea when she left the city, came out to the country, what life on a farm would be like. But she put up with it, put up with me. I forget sometimes what she's like when she's roused. Now our lives, our home, our son, have been threatened. Grabbing her could make the gun go off, and no-one could miss at that range. Lionel knows it. Real fear in his eyes, and a wary respect.
"Mother love." he murmurs. "The most powerful force in the w..."
"Shut up." She jabs the gun forward. "Listen to me. I've had enough of this idiocy. What will it take to make you go away, Lionel? Bargaining doesn't work. Do you understand threats?"
"Very well."
"Good. I want you to leave this town alone. I want you to leave your son alone, because I think he's taken about all a man can. I want you to leave my son alone, because if you don't, I swear I will blow your goddam head off. Do you understand me?"
"Perfectly."
She eases back a little bit.
Lex looks at me, nods once. I take Martha round the waist, he whips out a pale hand, pulls the barrels up. Deafening blast.
It makes its point. Martha collapses into tears. My wife just tried to assassinate Lionel Luthor in front of his son. Third time the charm, because the bastard is still alive.
Lex is sprawled out on the floor. Lionel makes hoarse noise in his throat, reaches for him.
"Lex!"