Title: Power Play

Chapter Finished: December 12, 2002

"Lionel?" Anna poked her head through the massive doors into her Lord's bedroom, giving a series of short, sharp knocks.

The entire room seems over sized and posh. Even to her, and it was not like she had it all that bad at home. She had been comfortable in her life, her previous life as it now seemed.

He sat on the edge of his bed, rubbing his hand over his face, awakening his senses. At least the ones that worked, the ones that had not quit on him. He hated feeling the least bit inadequate.

"Anna," he beckoned her in with a wave of his hand.

"Good morning," she tired to sound as normal as possible, but every scene that she had lived here seemed so unnatural, unnerving, uncomfortable. She carried in the morning tray of coffee and toast, placing it on the side table, "What's on the roster for today?" She always made it a point to sound cheerful.

"Business," he replied dryly, reaching rhythmically for the coffee cup.

She continued with the routine, walking over to the extended wardrobe. Opening the doors, flipping through the contents she always had a flash of the Emperor's New Clothes, "Which suit today?"

Lionel had brought himself up off the bed to stand behind her, "Let's not make this such a formal engagement," he leaned closer to her, smelling her hair.

She stiffened. This was different. She must have misinterpreted *that*. She turned to face him, "Armani?" she offered.

"Strawberry?" he returned after a moment's reflection.

"Wha…what?"

"Your hair," he continued, "It's scented," he inhaled again, "strawberry."

Anna nodded slowly, then remembering he could not see her response replied in a drawn out, "yyeess."

He reached for her face again like before, caressing her. Lightly he traced out her face, trailing his fingers down her cheek and across her lips. But his hand did not stop at her chin or neck, he continued down toward her breasts.

"Mr. Luthor!" she pushed him away.

He grabbed hold of her wrist, she went stiff, "Lionel," he repeated more like an order. He pulled her closer with one tug on her arm. Any images Anna had of him being diminished were erased.

"You know why you're here," Lionel's words came out in a hiss.

She tired to pull back, meeting his strong resistance, "To pay…to pay back my father's debt," she was defensive but shaken.

He tightened the space between them, speaking in a husked whisper, "Any. Way. I. See. Fit."

She shuttered. Her heart raced under her chest. Not in excitement, but the fear of powerlessness as he closed the space between them. His lips assaulting hers.

Anna had gone completely ridged, not even moving to breath. Not daring to.

Lionel pulled away, a feeling of being jilted by her lack of response, but determined to exorcise his disdain. He stepped way, dismissing her and the scene, "The dark Gucci," he replied to the pervious question, going back to the waiting coffee, "Go get yourself ready for the day."

Her head throbbed as tears welled in her eyes. She felt dizzy and sick and worthless. "Yes," her voice was as shaken as she felt, cracking as it left her mouth. She followed the instructions, taking out the suit and its accessories and laying them out for him before leaving the room. She fought back the unbelievable need to sob out as she staggered out into the hall. She had had men make advances for trade before, but never one that she could not say no to. She always had the ability to defend herself, but not now. Not with Luthor. She pressed her forehead against the wall, letting the cold stone soothe the burn of her skin and the sting in her eyes of humiliation.

"Anna?" Lex had been on his way to his father's room, "Are you alright?" He put his hand on her back.

She jumped back, wiping her eyes and speaking in a haggard breath replied, "fine."

His brow knotted, he didn't buy it.

"Good morning Lex," she swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat and forced a smile before continuing her path to her quarters.

Lex watched her. He had seen his father reduce many people to tears before, usually with a raised voice or corporate action, or even by completely ignoring them, but there was something different with this. With her. It raised his curiosity.

"Morning dad," he stepped into the room, not bothering to knock.

"Lex," Lionel replied indifferently, finishing the buttons on his shirt.

The younger Luthor circled the room, stealing a piece of toast off the tray and settling on the edge of the bed.

"I'm assuming you are here for more then exchanging morning pleasantries," he picked up the matching tie.

"So much for the father-son bonding," Lex brushed the crumbs from his hands. He watched his father attempt to tie his tie, "But actually I do have a question," he rose and began assisting.

Lionel thought about swatting away his aide, but was intrigued to see what had spiked his son's curiosity. He raised an eyebrow.

"Shouldn't Anna be helping with this?" Lex finished the knot.

"I doubt that was your inquiry," he felt the tie assuring it was centred properly.

" Tuché," Lex began walking around the room, "Why her?" he shot out, "Why hire her?"

"I'm sure you've raised this question to Miss Clarkson herself."

He nodded, "Said she is saving for college," he carelessly flipped though a book.

Lionel's mouth twisted upward, forming an evil grin, "and that didn't satisfy you?"

"You always taught me to never accept the first offer dad," Lex turned now to face his father, even if he could not see the gesture, "So, why not hire someone more qualified?"

"I'm blind son, not dead," he slipped into his suit jacket.

Lex was taken aback by his father's cryptic reply. But in truth, nothing Lionel ever said was to be taken at face value, there was always something else hidden in it.

"If you're finished here, I have some business to attend to," he took up his cane, "I think I'll take Anna with me…for company. Those long drives to Metropolis are lonely." He put on his son glasses and began down the hall.

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A/N: I am working on this…although it seems to be going a bit slow for some reason. I think I just have too many ideas….*shrug* Please let me know what you think.