"Follow me." Clark told Chloe as he slipped his way through the iron bars
of Luthor Manor's front entrance.
"Are you sure this is legal?" Chloe asked suspiciously as she obediently followed Clark, pressing her body through the thin bars.
"I don't know." Clark shrugged. "I do it all the time. Lex never told me not to."
"That makes me feel a lot better." Chloe quipped sarcastically. Clark could tell that despite the sharp tone the girl was using that Chloe was really worried about Lex. "How are we supposed to make it past the staff with out being noticed?" she asked flipping her blond hair back away from her face as she gazed up at the enormity of Luthor manor. "I hope you don't expect Lionel to just let us in."
"Actually I hadn't thought about it. I am just used to always being allowed in." Clark said a little hesitantly rubbing the back of his neck in thought. "What do you think we should do."
"We might as well try the front door since we are already here." Chloe suggested gesturing towards the doors. Grabbing the large brass knocker, Clark signaled his presence with a loud thump. A moment later a tall man Clark quickly recognized as Lex's doorman replied to his knock.
"My apologies Mr. Kent but Mr. Luthor senior has just ordered that no visitors be admitted into the manor today. Young Mr. Luthor is a bit under the weather and he needs his rest."
"What's the matter with him?" Clark asked quickly.
"I am not at liberty to discuss Mr. Luthor's health with anyone." The lanky elder man stated sympathetically.
"Come on. You know who I am. Lex is my best friend. I need to know if he is okay." Clark's stated quickly, his voice tinged with a fierce desperation. Clark ran a large tan hand through is dark hair in frustration. Things were not working out as easily as he had hoped.
"What's going on here?" A loud voice boomed behind the doorman who jumped in response.
"Nothing sir." The man quickly replied stepping back away from the door to reveal the two uninvited guests. "Just a few of Young Mr. Luthors acquaintances here to inquire on his welfare."
Lionel snorted when he recognized the duo. "You two again. You are wearing my patience very thin today young man. Please evacuate the premises before I have to call my security to remove you."
"No! Wait! Please tell us. Is Lex going to be okay?" Clark looked over at Chloe's face, startled by her sudden outburst. Her question came out as more of a plea then an inquiry. Lionel responded to her wide-eyed desperate gaze with the same look he might give a cockroach found in an expensive meal.
"If you are really interested in the private lives of the Luther's let me suggest to you, young lady, that you take up a subscription with the Inquisitor and leave my family alone. You children may have been able to charm my son but don't think for a second you can work your magic on me so easily. I can see through your bullshit." Lionel spit out the last words with pure venom gesturing towards the shocked reporter.
"What's the matter with him?" Clark asked Lionel quietly, stepping up bravely towards the imposing man. Lionel Luthor didn't even glance in Clark's direction as he moved away from the large double doors. "What's the matter with Lex?" Clark asked again, his voice a little louder as he followed Lionel into the castle. Lionel paused in his steps, looking over at the inquisitive youth with a bothered expression.
Clark met his aggrivated gaze with a sincere stony glare, prepared to hold the eye contact for as long as the billionaire was willing to play this game. "Lex is my friend and I am not leaving until I know what is the matter with him."
Lionel continued to stare into Clark's innocent eyes, searching the youth for any signs of a hidden agenda or weakness. Finding none Lionel was surprised. Letting his eyes drop from Clarks Lionel shifted his gaze over to Chloe. "So you two think you are my son's friends, huh? What makes you think he gives a shit about you?" Lionel asked, his lips twisting up in a very familiar smirk.
"Don't try and play your mind games on me Mr. Luthor. You're not the only one who can see through bullshit and I am not here to mess around. I am here to find out if a friend of mine is okay." The edge in Chloe's voice was razor sharp and it cut through the tension like butter. Her voice softened after that, becoming more feminine as she continued. "Please let us see him. I need to know that he is okay."
Lionel was silent for a long moment regarding Chloe with intense curiosity. Finally Lionel turned away from the two, looking over at his doorman. With great authority he spoke. "Allow these two children in for now but do not talk to them." Lionel warned giving the servant a severe scowl before looking back to Clark and Chloe. "Come with me." He commanded in a tone that suggested that defiance was not an option.
Lionel was silent as he lead them through the maze that was his home. Clark and Chloe stood very close to each other, drawing on each other for support as they marched their way up several flights of stairs. As they reached the top Lionel excused himself and began talking to a man Clark recognized as Lex's unofficial doctor.
The discreet doctor looked like a cross between a biker and an old hippie. He was the exact opposite of the man standing across from him. Lionel Luthor in his impeccably tailored designer suit talked to the doctor with a very somber look on his face. After a brief discussion the doctor picked up a brown paper bag from a nearby counter top and exited the room. After the man was completely gone Lionel looked over at Clark and Chloe and gestured for them to come closer.
As they tentatively approached him Lionel gave Clark the most severe look he had ever seen. The look almost stopped him in his tracks. If it was not for Chloe walking so confidently next to him Clark didn't know if he would have been able to continue.
"You claim to be my son's friends." Lionel said with a sigh. "Is that true?" Both of the Smallville high students nodded simultaneously.
"Good. I want you to know that I have strived for the last twenty-one years to teach Lex not to put his trust in others, people like you two." Lionel paced in front of the two teenagers, his hands clasped tightly behind his back. "Sadly he has defied me by forging a companionship with you. While this makes me angry, today I may have need of that friendship. I like to believe that I didn't raise a complete idiot so I am going to assume that you two are trustworthy. Can I trust you two?"
Chloe and Clark once again nodded in reply to Lionel's question, both stunned by the powerful mans candor. "Good. What I am about to tell you is never to leave this room do you understand?" Clark began to nod but Lionel quickly interrupted. 'No I want to hear you say it."
"I promise I won't tell. Just let me know what's wrong with Lex. Is he sick? Is he dying?" Clarks worried tone began to escalate as he prepared himself for Lionel's reply. Chloe's earnest expression matched Clarks as they gazed at Lionel with dread and anticipation.
"Its nothing so dramatic." Lionel said with a wave of his hand. His demeanor quickly shifted into a business like tone. "My son has unfortunately over the years developed quite a nasty addiction to a drug called heroin." Clark and Chloe both blinked in surprise, glancing at each other in confusion. This was not at all what they were expecting.
"Is Lex all right? Did he overdose?" Chloe quickly asked. Concern and curiosity shone in her eyes like a light. Clark knew the reporter in her screamed to know the story behind this scenario but he was also a little surprised to see so much genuine worry in her sudden expression. Clark did not think that Chloe cared that much for Lex.
"He is not going to die, if that is what you mean." Lionel admitted flatly. "It was close. He is stable right now but the next few days will definitely not be easy on him." Chloe's eyes brimmed with shocked tears. "Don't be so sympathetic little girl. Alexander brought this on himself."
"Can we see him?" Clark asked hesitantly.
"Yes. Go ahead but I am afraid he won't make very much sense right now. He is heavily drugged and out of it. Don't expect an intelligent conversation." Lionel stated motioning towards a large door to their right. Chloe and Clark nodded to Lionel and walked towards the room.
Clark slowly pushed the heavy wooden door open. In the dim room the only light was a small desk lamp that revealed the motionless body of his friend lying in the middle of a huge king sized bed. Lex seemed so extremely small and fragile lying there that Clark suddenly wished he could snatch his friend from this place. Clark felt the urge pull Lex into his arms, to support his friend and keep him safe from his father's evil clutches. Clark wanted to take him away from his horrible life and put him into a loving atmosphere. One where he wasn't constantly insulted and trapped in the middle of vicious mind games. Lex barely ever talked about his relationship with his father but the few things he did mention were enough to make Clark want to hurt Lionel with all his might.
Lex's pale sickly form looked so lost and alone. There was something very terrifying about seeing Lex Luthor so out of it. It was almost unbelievable. The moment seemed unreal, like a bad episode of the twilight Zone. What was really startling though, Clark thought, was Lex's smile. His lips were twisted in an expression that looked dazed, like he was very, very tired.
Clark made a promise to himself in that moment. A promise that he would help Lex through this and that he would do everything in his power to prevent it from ever happening again. Staring down at the peaceful looking form Clark swore that no matter how hard it was be for him that he would make sure that Lex never felt alone again. He would be sure that his friend always felt loved and appreciated. He would help guide him to becoming less like his father and more like the compassionate individual that he strove to be. Then maybe one day Lex will be able to love without feeling guilt. With Clark's help maybe Lex could be a better person. Maybe.
"Are you sure this is legal?" Chloe asked suspiciously as she obediently followed Clark, pressing her body through the thin bars.
"I don't know." Clark shrugged. "I do it all the time. Lex never told me not to."
"That makes me feel a lot better." Chloe quipped sarcastically. Clark could tell that despite the sharp tone the girl was using that Chloe was really worried about Lex. "How are we supposed to make it past the staff with out being noticed?" she asked flipping her blond hair back away from her face as she gazed up at the enormity of Luthor manor. "I hope you don't expect Lionel to just let us in."
"Actually I hadn't thought about it. I am just used to always being allowed in." Clark said a little hesitantly rubbing the back of his neck in thought. "What do you think we should do."
"We might as well try the front door since we are already here." Chloe suggested gesturing towards the doors. Grabbing the large brass knocker, Clark signaled his presence with a loud thump. A moment later a tall man Clark quickly recognized as Lex's doorman replied to his knock.
"My apologies Mr. Kent but Mr. Luthor senior has just ordered that no visitors be admitted into the manor today. Young Mr. Luthor is a bit under the weather and he needs his rest."
"What's the matter with him?" Clark asked quickly.
"I am not at liberty to discuss Mr. Luthor's health with anyone." The lanky elder man stated sympathetically.
"Come on. You know who I am. Lex is my best friend. I need to know if he is okay." Clark's stated quickly, his voice tinged with a fierce desperation. Clark ran a large tan hand through is dark hair in frustration. Things were not working out as easily as he had hoped.
"What's going on here?" A loud voice boomed behind the doorman who jumped in response.
"Nothing sir." The man quickly replied stepping back away from the door to reveal the two uninvited guests. "Just a few of Young Mr. Luthors acquaintances here to inquire on his welfare."
Lionel snorted when he recognized the duo. "You two again. You are wearing my patience very thin today young man. Please evacuate the premises before I have to call my security to remove you."
"No! Wait! Please tell us. Is Lex going to be okay?" Clark looked over at Chloe's face, startled by her sudden outburst. Her question came out as more of a plea then an inquiry. Lionel responded to her wide-eyed desperate gaze with the same look he might give a cockroach found in an expensive meal.
"If you are really interested in the private lives of the Luther's let me suggest to you, young lady, that you take up a subscription with the Inquisitor and leave my family alone. You children may have been able to charm my son but don't think for a second you can work your magic on me so easily. I can see through your bullshit." Lionel spit out the last words with pure venom gesturing towards the shocked reporter.
"What's the matter with him?" Clark asked Lionel quietly, stepping up bravely towards the imposing man. Lionel Luthor didn't even glance in Clark's direction as he moved away from the large double doors. "What's the matter with Lex?" Clark asked again, his voice a little louder as he followed Lionel into the castle. Lionel paused in his steps, looking over at the inquisitive youth with a bothered expression.
Clark met his aggrivated gaze with a sincere stony glare, prepared to hold the eye contact for as long as the billionaire was willing to play this game. "Lex is my friend and I am not leaving until I know what is the matter with him."
Lionel continued to stare into Clark's innocent eyes, searching the youth for any signs of a hidden agenda or weakness. Finding none Lionel was surprised. Letting his eyes drop from Clarks Lionel shifted his gaze over to Chloe. "So you two think you are my son's friends, huh? What makes you think he gives a shit about you?" Lionel asked, his lips twisting up in a very familiar smirk.
"Don't try and play your mind games on me Mr. Luthor. You're not the only one who can see through bullshit and I am not here to mess around. I am here to find out if a friend of mine is okay." The edge in Chloe's voice was razor sharp and it cut through the tension like butter. Her voice softened after that, becoming more feminine as she continued. "Please let us see him. I need to know that he is okay."
Lionel was silent for a long moment regarding Chloe with intense curiosity. Finally Lionel turned away from the two, looking over at his doorman. With great authority he spoke. "Allow these two children in for now but do not talk to them." Lionel warned giving the servant a severe scowl before looking back to Clark and Chloe. "Come with me." He commanded in a tone that suggested that defiance was not an option.
Lionel was silent as he lead them through the maze that was his home. Clark and Chloe stood very close to each other, drawing on each other for support as they marched their way up several flights of stairs. As they reached the top Lionel excused himself and began talking to a man Clark recognized as Lex's unofficial doctor.
The discreet doctor looked like a cross between a biker and an old hippie. He was the exact opposite of the man standing across from him. Lionel Luthor in his impeccably tailored designer suit talked to the doctor with a very somber look on his face. After a brief discussion the doctor picked up a brown paper bag from a nearby counter top and exited the room. After the man was completely gone Lionel looked over at Clark and Chloe and gestured for them to come closer.
As they tentatively approached him Lionel gave Clark the most severe look he had ever seen. The look almost stopped him in his tracks. If it was not for Chloe walking so confidently next to him Clark didn't know if he would have been able to continue.
"You claim to be my son's friends." Lionel said with a sigh. "Is that true?" Both of the Smallville high students nodded simultaneously.
"Good. I want you to know that I have strived for the last twenty-one years to teach Lex not to put his trust in others, people like you two." Lionel paced in front of the two teenagers, his hands clasped tightly behind his back. "Sadly he has defied me by forging a companionship with you. While this makes me angry, today I may have need of that friendship. I like to believe that I didn't raise a complete idiot so I am going to assume that you two are trustworthy. Can I trust you two?"
Chloe and Clark once again nodded in reply to Lionel's question, both stunned by the powerful mans candor. "Good. What I am about to tell you is never to leave this room do you understand?" Clark began to nod but Lionel quickly interrupted. 'No I want to hear you say it."
"I promise I won't tell. Just let me know what's wrong with Lex. Is he sick? Is he dying?" Clarks worried tone began to escalate as he prepared himself for Lionel's reply. Chloe's earnest expression matched Clarks as they gazed at Lionel with dread and anticipation.
"Its nothing so dramatic." Lionel said with a wave of his hand. His demeanor quickly shifted into a business like tone. "My son has unfortunately over the years developed quite a nasty addiction to a drug called heroin." Clark and Chloe both blinked in surprise, glancing at each other in confusion. This was not at all what they were expecting.
"Is Lex all right? Did he overdose?" Chloe quickly asked. Concern and curiosity shone in her eyes like a light. Clark knew the reporter in her screamed to know the story behind this scenario but he was also a little surprised to see so much genuine worry in her sudden expression. Clark did not think that Chloe cared that much for Lex.
"He is not going to die, if that is what you mean." Lionel admitted flatly. "It was close. He is stable right now but the next few days will definitely not be easy on him." Chloe's eyes brimmed with shocked tears. "Don't be so sympathetic little girl. Alexander brought this on himself."
"Can we see him?" Clark asked hesitantly.
"Yes. Go ahead but I am afraid he won't make very much sense right now. He is heavily drugged and out of it. Don't expect an intelligent conversation." Lionel stated motioning towards a large door to their right. Chloe and Clark nodded to Lionel and walked towards the room.
Clark slowly pushed the heavy wooden door open. In the dim room the only light was a small desk lamp that revealed the motionless body of his friend lying in the middle of a huge king sized bed. Lex seemed so extremely small and fragile lying there that Clark suddenly wished he could snatch his friend from this place. Clark felt the urge pull Lex into his arms, to support his friend and keep him safe from his father's evil clutches. Clark wanted to take him away from his horrible life and put him into a loving atmosphere. One where he wasn't constantly insulted and trapped in the middle of vicious mind games. Lex barely ever talked about his relationship with his father but the few things he did mention were enough to make Clark want to hurt Lionel with all his might.
Lex's pale sickly form looked so lost and alone. There was something very terrifying about seeing Lex Luthor so out of it. It was almost unbelievable. The moment seemed unreal, like a bad episode of the twilight Zone. What was really startling though, Clark thought, was Lex's smile. His lips were twisted in an expression that looked dazed, like he was very, very tired.
Clark made a promise to himself in that moment. A promise that he would help Lex through this and that he would do everything in his power to prevent it from ever happening again. Staring down at the peaceful looking form Clark swore that no matter how hard it was be for him that he would make sure that Lex never felt alone again. He would be sure that his friend always felt loved and appreciated. He would help guide him to becoming less like his father and more like the compassionate individual that he strove to be. Then maybe one day Lex will be able to love without feeling guilt. With Clark's help maybe Lex could be a better person. Maybe.