The Sins of the Father Part III
A Smallville Story By Merrie Thomas
Disclaimer: If wishes were fishes, then I'd own everything Smallville. Or something like that. Summary: Lex has been targeted by an assassin, and it's up to Clark to save him before it's too late. Characters: Any and all including Lucien Caldwell, my very own OFC. Author's Note: While this is not my first attempt at fanfiction, this is my first attempt at Smallville fanfiction, and I'm not entirely up to date on all things Smallville, so please be kind with your comments and criticisms. Thank you. Oh, and by the way, this is an AU story. Also, I've recently discovered that I am a Lex/Chloe shipper, so some of that obsession may come out in this story. You have been warned. ;-) Also, thank you so, so, much for your kind reviews!! They keep me motivated and writing new chapters for you all. Thanks again!!!!!! Rating: This story is rated PG-13 For violence and language.
Chapter Three
Chloe Sullivan knew something was up. Clark Kent, the very picture of the all-American super healthy farmboy, had been called in sick. Chloe racked her brain, but she couldn't ever remember another time he had been sick. He had been fine yesterday, he had been fine all week. What was going on? Considering herself a fairly decent reporter, she had learned to trust her instincts, and right now they were screaming at her. Something was not right at the Kent farm. She had tried to explain this to Pete, but he had blown her off. Chloe decided that there was only one thing she could do. She would call over to Clark's house after her first hour newspaper class, and find out just what was going on for herself.
Lucien watched the sleek black limo go through the gate to the Luthor estate with disgust. He had parked a safe distance away, his car obscured by trees. Adjusting the focus on the binoculars he was using, he watched Luthor himself walk calmly up the front steps. 'Bastard probably thinks since I missed I am going to give up.' That didn't matter though, he would not fail again. It will be a real treat to see him beg for his life. A gunshot through the head was too nice a punishment for him. Lucien was now resolved to kill him face to face so he could see it in Luthor's eyes when he realized he would die. 'It will be glorious.' He thought with a smile. His smile faltered however, as he noticed a second person getting out of the limo and following Lex into the mansion. 'It's that Kent boy. No matter. If he has sided with Luthor, he must die as well.' Lucien smiled and started making plans.
Clark couldn't help be awed by the Luthor mansion every time he entered it. Lex tried to downplay it, but there was no hiding the fact that it was pretty impressive. "Lex? He called out to his friend.
"Yeah, Clark?" Lex answered, halfway up the stairs to his bedroom.
"Try and make it quick, ok? I don't think you're safe here."
Lex smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Clark, but I'm not worried. I have a guard at the front gate, remember?"
"I remember I was able to slip through the bars and get past him." Clark returned.
Lex paused, remembering. "That is true. Alright, Clark. Give me a few minutes to take a quick shower, put on a pair of clean clothes, and pack a suitcase, and we'll leave."
"Ok. I'll be down here." Clark answered, glad to be given an opportunity to wander around the mansion again. A few more weeks of visits, and he might actually go through every room.
After a few moments, Clark found himself in the one room that he truly enjoyed being in at the Luthor mansion. The conservatory. It was filled to the roof with green plants and beautiful flowers. He never ceased to be amazed that something so beautiful would be locked away in a place as dreary as the Luthor mansion was. He vaguely wondered if Lex even knew this room was here. Lex obviously didn't take care of all these plants. Gardener, Lex Luthor definitely was not. Clark chuckled to himself at the imagined sight of Lex potting and watering plants in his usual black Armani suit. The image was just too weird. Even for a place such as Smallville. Clark casually wandered up and down the rows, stopping to smell the flowers he saw there. Orchids, Roses, everything. 'This one room could put Nell's flower shop out of business.' he mused in wonderment. He continued walking among the plants until he heard a throat clearing behind him. It was Lex.
"I didn't know I'd find you in here, Clark. Not too many people know about this place. Including those who live and work here."
"Really? Why is that?" Clark asked.
"I don't like other people in here. Except for the gardeners, of course. I'm afraid that I have a black thumb, not a green one. But don't worry, you can come in here if you wish."
"Why don't you like other people in here? What's wrong with it?"
"This was to be my mother's conservatory, Clark. She was the gardener. She absolutely loved all kinds of flowers. After she died, I had the best gardeners in the country fill this place with the most beautiful plants and flowers imaginable. In honor of my mother."
"I had no idea, Lex." Clark said softly.
"Not many people do. Not even my father. I'm sure he would consider it a terrible waste of money and resources."
"Why wouldn't your father like to have something to remember your mother, by?"
"My parents never got along, Clark. They would have divorced but it would have been bad PR. Also, my mother didn't want to lose me in the custody battle that would invariably ensue afterwards. As it is now, my father can't stand to be reminded of her."
"I'm sorry, Lex. That must be hard to live with."
"It's no big deal. It's been that way since she died. And I knew they didn't love each other when I was a child. But that's all in the past now. Shall we move out of here? I'm done showering and packing." Lex turned to leave. Clark didn't hesitate to follow, it was obvious Lex didn't want to stay in the conservatory any longer.
Clark knew where Lex was headed before they reached the door. The Library. Lex's domain and office. The one place in the castle where Clark knew he could invariably find his friend. It was where Lex felt secure. As he watched Lex sit behind his desk, he knew his friend was trying to re- establish the tight control he held over himself. Being in that room had loosened it just a little. "So," Clark began trying to draw the tension from the room and lighten things up a little. After a moment, he grimly remembered that such an act was not possible. An assassin had Lex in his sights, and would most likely stop at nothing to see his friend dead.
"You're wondering what to do now." Lex stated, breaking through his thoughts.
"Well, yeah." Clark white-lied. "I don't think you're safe here, Lex. This is the one place in which everyone knows to find you."
"Yes I know. That is why I packed the suitcase. I am planning on checking myself in at the nearest 5 star hotel for the night. I'll probably have to travel to Metropolis to find one, but that's no big deal."
"Stay at a hotel? Come on, Lex. You're not staying in a hotel." Clark said.
"I'm not?" Lex asked.
"No, you're not. As long as someone is after you, you are staying with me and my parents. No buts about it."
"But-" Lex started.
"What did I just say?" Clark interrupted. "Can't you just accept our hospitality for once? It's not going to kill you." Clark gave a kind of gasp at what he said. "I mean, of course it won't kill you, we won't-"
"Clark, it's ok. I know what you mean." Lex sighed. "You're not going to give up on this, are you?"
"Nope." Clark said with a smile.
"You Kent's are a couple of stubborn mules, I tell you. You and your father both. I don't know how your mother can stand it." Lex joked.
"Me neither. But remember, she's also a Kent. If she finds out you're planning on staying in a hotel, she won't give you any options either."
Lex sighed again. "Alright. I'll stay with you. I need to make a few phone calls first, and then we can go." Lex turned to pick up the phone beside him. He dialed the number without thinking.
"Lionel Luthor's office, Clarice speaking." a woman's voice answered.
"I would like to speak to my father," Lex told her.
"Ah, Mr. Luthor. I'm afraid your father is not here at the moment." The woman cooly informed him.
"Where is he?" Lex asked, annoyed.
"He is on a personal business trip through next week."
'A personal business trip.' Lex sneered. "Alright. Thanks for nothing." He hung up forcefully.
"Lex? What's wrong?" Clark asked, concern in his voice.
"It's nothing, don't worry about it." Lex said, waving his hand like he meant it. Clark wasn't buying.
"No, something's wrong. You're upset. Tell me." Clark insisted.
Lex sighed. "It's my father. He's on one of his 'personal business trips.' He'll be gone until late next week. He didn't feel it important enough to mention."
"What do you mean by 'personal business trips?'" Clark asked.
"Basically, he's out fucking some slut he barely knows." Lex said grimly.
"Oh. I'm sorry Lex."
"Why? I don't care. He can screw whoever he wants to."
"Why did you want to call him, anyway?"
"I was hoping that he could help me figure out who has a wish to see me dead. But he seems to have more important things on his mind."
"You were right in calling him, Lex. We need to figure out who is after you. I would have called your father as well. But not first."
"Oh? Who would you have called first? Enlighten me."
"Chloe." Clark stated.
"Chloe?"
"Yes, Chloe. Come on, Lex. She always seems to know what's going on around here."
"Ah yes, Chloe Sullivan, Smallville's own intrepid reporter."
"I think we should call her." Clark said, ignoring Lex.
"And tell her what?"
"The truth." Clark said, folding his arms across his chest.
"Damn it, Clark. You're going to call her no matter what I say, aren't you?"
"You know me so well." Clark said with a grin.
"Screw you." Lex said. Clark laughed and went to call Chloe.
A/N: This part was kinda short, sorry. I felt it needed to end where it did. The next part will be longer, promise.
A Smallville Story By Merrie Thomas
Disclaimer: If wishes were fishes, then I'd own everything Smallville. Or something like that. Summary: Lex has been targeted by an assassin, and it's up to Clark to save him before it's too late. Characters: Any and all including Lucien Caldwell, my very own OFC. Author's Note: While this is not my first attempt at fanfiction, this is my first attempt at Smallville fanfiction, and I'm not entirely up to date on all things Smallville, so please be kind with your comments and criticisms. Thank you. Oh, and by the way, this is an AU story. Also, I've recently discovered that I am a Lex/Chloe shipper, so some of that obsession may come out in this story. You have been warned. ;-) Also, thank you so, so, much for your kind reviews!! They keep me motivated and writing new chapters for you all. Thanks again!!!!!! Rating: This story is rated PG-13 For violence and language.
Chapter Three
Chloe Sullivan knew something was up. Clark Kent, the very picture of the all-American super healthy farmboy, had been called in sick. Chloe racked her brain, but she couldn't ever remember another time he had been sick. He had been fine yesterday, he had been fine all week. What was going on? Considering herself a fairly decent reporter, she had learned to trust her instincts, and right now they were screaming at her. Something was not right at the Kent farm. She had tried to explain this to Pete, but he had blown her off. Chloe decided that there was only one thing she could do. She would call over to Clark's house after her first hour newspaper class, and find out just what was going on for herself.
Lucien watched the sleek black limo go through the gate to the Luthor estate with disgust. He had parked a safe distance away, his car obscured by trees. Adjusting the focus on the binoculars he was using, he watched Luthor himself walk calmly up the front steps. 'Bastard probably thinks since I missed I am going to give up.' That didn't matter though, he would not fail again. It will be a real treat to see him beg for his life. A gunshot through the head was too nice a punishment for him. Lucien was now resolved to kill him face to face so he could see it in Luthor's eyes when he realized he would die. 'It will be glorious.' He thought with a smile. His smile faltered however, as he noticed a second person getting out of the limo and following Lex into the mansion. 'It's that Kent boy. No matter. If he has sided with Luthor, he must die as well.' Lucien smiled and started making plans.
Clark couldn't help be awed by the Luthor mansion every time he entered it. Lex tried to downplay it, but there was no hiding the fact that it was pretty impressive. "Lex? He called out to his friend.
"Yeah, Clark?" Lex answered, halfway up the stairs to his bedroom.
"Try and make it quick, ok? I don't think you're safe here."
Lex smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Clark, but I'm not worried. I have a guard at the front gate, remember?"
"I remember I was able to slip through the bars and get past him." Clark returned.
Lex paused, remembering. "That is true. Alright, Clark. Give me a few minutes to take a quick shower, put on a pair of clean clothes, and pack a suitcase, and we'll leave."
"Ok. I'll be down here." Clark answered, glad to be given an opportunity to wander around the mansion again. A few more weeks of visits, and he might actually go through every room.
After a few moments, Clark found himself in the one room that he truly enjoyed being in at the Luthor mansion. The conservatory. It was filled to the roof with green plants and beautiful flowers. He never ceased to be amazed that something so beautiful would be locked away in a place as dreary as the Luthor mansion was. He vaguely wondered if Lex even knew this room was here. Lex obviously didn't take care of all these plants. Gardener, Lex Luthor definitely was not. Clark chuckled to himself at the imagined sight of Lex potting and watering plants in his usual black Armani suit. The image was just too weird. Even for a place such as Smallville. Clark casually wandered up and down the rows, stopping to smell the flowers he saw there. Orchids, Roses, everything. 'This one room could put Nell's flower shop out of business.' he mused in wonderment. He continued walking among the plants until he heard a throat clearing behind him. It was Lex.
"I didn't know I'd find you in here, Clark. Not too many people know about this place. Including those who live and work here."
"Really? Why is that?" Clark asked.
"I don't like other people in here. Except for the gardeners, of course. I'm afraid that I have a black thumb, not a green one. But don't worry, you can come in here if you wish."
"Why don't you like other people in here? What's wrong with it?"
"This was to be my mother's conservatory, Clark. She was the gardener. She absolutely loved all kinds of flowers. After she died, I had the best gardeners in the country fill this place with the most beautiful plants and flowers imaginable. In honor of my mother."
"I had no idea, Lex." Clark said softly.
"Not many people do. Not even my father. I'm sure he would consider it a terrible waste of money and resources."
"Why wouldn't your father like to have something to remember your mother, by?"
"My parents never got along, Clark. They would have divorced but it would have been bad PR. Also, my mother didn't want to lose me in the custody battle that would invariably ensue afterwards. As it is now, my father can't stand to be reminded of her."
"I'm sorry, Lex. That must be hard to live with."
"It's no big deal. It's been that way since she died. And I knew they didn't love each other when I was a child. But that's all in the past now. Shall we move out of here? I'm done showering and packing." Lex turned to leave. Clark didn't hesitate to follow, it was obvious Lex didn't want to stay in the conservatory any longer.
Clark knew where Lex was headed before they reached the door. The Library. Lex's domain and office. The one place in the castle where Clark knew he could invariably find his friend. It was where Lex felt secure. As he watched Lex sit behind his desk, he knew his friend was trying to re- establish the tight control he held over himself. Being in that room had loosened it just a little. "So," Clark began trying to draw the tension from the room and lighten things up a little. After a moment, he grimly remembered that such an act was not possible. An assassin had Lex in his sights, and would most likely stop at nothing to see his friend dead.
"You're wondering what to do now." Lex stated, breaking through his thoughts.
"Well, yeah." Clark white-lied. "I don't think you're safe here, Lex. This is the one place in which everyone knows to find you."
"Yes I know. That is why I packed the suitcase. I am planning on checking myself in at the nearest 5 star hotel for the night. I'll probably have to travel to Metropolis to find one, but that's no big deal."
"Stay at a hotel? Come on, Lex. You're not staying in a hotel." Clark said.
"I'm not?" Lex asked.
"No, you're not. As long as someone is after you, you are staying with me and my parents. No buts about it."
"But-" Lex started.
"What did I just say?" Clark interrupted. "Can't you just accept our hospitality for once? It's not going to kill you." Clark gave a kind of gasp at what he said. "I mean, of course it won't kill you, we won't-"
"Clark, it's ok. I know what you mean." Lex sighed. "You're not going to give up on this, are you?"
"Nope." Clark said with a smile.
"You Kent's are a couple of stubborn mules, I tell you. You and your father both. I don't know how your mother can stand it." Lex joked.
"Me neither. But remember, she's also a Kent. If she finds out you're planning on staying in a hotel, she won't give you any options either."
Lex sighed again. "Alright. I'll stay with you. I need to make a few phone calls first, and then we can go." Lex turned to pick up the phone beside him. He dialed the number without thinking.
"Lionel Luthor's office, Clarice speaking." a woman's voice answered.
"I would like to speak to my father," Lex told her.
"Ah, Mr. Luthor. I'm afraid your father is not here at the moment." The woman cooly informed him.
"Where is he?" Lex asked, annoyed.
"He is on a personal business trip through next week."
'A personal business trip.' Lex sneered. "Alright. Thanks for nothing." He hung up forcefully.
"Lex? What's wrong?" Clark asked, concern in his voice.
"It's nothing, don't worry about it." Lex said, waving his hand like he meant it. Clark wasn't buying.
"No, something's wrong. You're upset. Tell me." Clark insisted.
Lex sighed. "It's my father. He's on one of his 'personal business trips.' He'll be gone until late next week. He didn't feel it important enough to mention."
"What do you mean by 'personal business trips?'" Clark asked.
"Basically, he's out fucking some slut he barely knows." Lex said grimly.
"Oh. I'm sorry Lex."
"Why? I don't care. He can screw whoever he wants to."
"Why did you want to call him, anyway?"
"I was hoping that he could help me figure out who has a wish to see me dead. But he seems to have more important things on his mind."
"You were right in calling him, Lex. We need to figure out who is after you. I would have called your father as well. But not first."
"Oh? Who would you have called first? Enlighten me."
"Chloe." Clark stated.
"Chloe?"
"Yes, Chloe. Come on, Lex. She always seems to know what's going on around here."
"Ah yes, Chloe Sullivan, Smallville's own intrepid reporter."
"I think we should call her." Clark said, ignoring Lex.
"And tell her what?"
"The truth." Clark said, folding his arms across his chest.
"Damn it, Clark. You're going to call her no matter what I say, aren't you?"
"You know me so well." Clark said with a grin.
"Screw you." Lex said. Clark laughed and went to call Chloe.
A/N: This part was kinda short, sorry. I felt it needed to end where it did. The next part will be longer, promise.