Disclaimer: Like I'd admit to Lana anyway.

Author's Note: I'm disappointed; you all seemed to think I'd break up Lex and Chloe.  If you read 'Taste in Men' surely you must've realised I'm a 'shipper.  I'm meant to be doing essays, but I don't want to aren't you lucky.

Chapter 3: Denial is Not Just a River in Egypt.

"What?"

"You heard."

"Right, you would be my erm…"

"Sister, yeah."  Catherine spoke slowly not wanting to push Lex any further, his cool façade was gone and he looked in line for a full-blown panic attack.  "Okay, Lex breathe, easy, I know it's hard to accept but think and we can continue."

Gaining his composure once more, Lex looked at the girl across from him.  "Right, let's see, do you have any proof?"

"No, I travel across the Atlantic to meet a complete stranger and announce we're related with my winning personality as collateral.  Do I look like an idiot?"  She reached down and pulled an old manila folder from her bag, she tossed on the desk.  "Here, that's the original paternity tests, they commissioned them separately as well as getting an independent set done.  Two years ago, just before she died, my mother convinced him to do another round of tests just to be sure, scientific improvements and all.  They confirmed the original findings."  She saw a look in Lex's eye and answered his unspoken question.  "Neither of them wanted the results you see there, even when she first found out she was pregnant my Mum was trawling her mind for a one night stand she could pin it on."

"So why are you here, he won't cut you in on the business, he would have told me about you otherwise."

Catherine laughed and Lex looked puzzled.

"Oh, that's too good."

"What?"

"Me, want a measly share in this, I own a very lucrative string of breweries, vineyards, distilleries, off licences, and bars.  When people can't afford what you try and sell them, they turn to me.  Well, they will in a few years when I actually inherit."

"But what if your stepfather runs it into the ground or steals the profits?"

"He won't he's locked up in legal stuff, I basically employ him to run the business until such time as I am ready to take over."

"Then, if you don't mind me asking, why are you here?"

"Truth be told, I don't have a clue.  I guess I'm trying to, my God this is a cliché, 'find myself'."  She used air quotes.  "Look my Mum died, I discovered my father was the equivalent of Satan, and I have a brother I've never met, who probably won't even believe we're related.  Hell, I find it hard to believe we're related."

"Obviously, I'll want to investigate for myself."

"That's completely understandable."

"Well, if you meet me at Cadmus Labs, just outside Metropolis, tomorrow at noon we'll draw blood for the tests.  In the meantime I'd like information about you so I can run a background check."  Lex was surprised by his honesty, usually he'd be sneakier about this, he just felt that there was a strong possibility she was telling the truth.

"Okay, my full name is Catherine Olivia Cartwright and I was born on 18th September 1982, I studied under the name Olivia Manchester until I was 18 when I had all my documents officially changed back to Catherine Cartwright.  My mother's name was Juliet Marie Manchester, nee Cartwright, and she married my stepfather, Steven David Manchester in June 1988, the 3rd I think.  I studied at St. Mary's Catholic Girl's school from the age of 4 until the age of 10 when they finally decided I was too much trouble, I accidentally broke another girl's arm, but I'd been in trouble on and off and had a tendency to answer back.  I spent the next 4 years changing schools frequently my record was three months, and the shortest time was three hours.  At the age of 14 I met a teacher who 'changed my life', I answered back and got put on the debating team, I got into fights and was taught judo, every time I acted out he found an activity that gave me a more productive way of channelling my aggression.  I knuckled down, worked hard, and didn't go out and I passed my GCSEs and A-levels in two, rather than four, years, I had private tutoring of course.  I went to Oxford at 16 rather than 18 and took a yearlong sabbatical halfway through my course to travel with my mother when she discovered her cancer was terminal.  I graduated with first class honours and was valedictorian of my class, through sheer hard work, not natural talent.  Graduation was 6 months ago and since then I have been learning the ropes at the company in order to take over no earlier than my 22nd birthday.  Which is in just over two years.  Is there anything else you'd like to know?"

"Not at the moment, the next step is the DNA tests tomorrow.  If they show what you say to be true I'll then confront my father.  I'll see you tomorrow Catherine."

"I only hope they show someone's playing a sick joke, no offence but I don't think I want to be a Luthor."

"None taken."  I don't want to be a Luthor particularly.  "Tomorrow, Cadmus Labs, at noon."

"I'll see you then Lex."  Said Catherine lifting her bag and walking to the door.  "Goodbye."

"Goodbye."  Lex watched as she walked down the hall to the lift.  He was fairly certain she was a Luthor, either that or her stepfather was as cold-hearted as his father.  He walked back into his office and thought.  "Miss. Stevens?"

"Yes, Sir."  Came a reply over the intercom.

"I have some business to take care of, please inform anyone who calls I have left for today and they can contact me tomorrow, anything really urgent can be handled by Gabe."

"It can't I'm afraid Sir, he's in California for another week yet, sorting the problems at that plant."

"Of course, I just forgot.  Hand them over to whoever's in his place, and divert any calls from my father to my mobile."

"Very well."

Lex stood and left through the fire escape hidden in a dark corner of his office.  He went down and got into his Porsche.  He only had one thing on his mind: talking to Chloe.