Title: End Scene

Chapter Completed: January 23, 2003

Lex dropped a heavy piece of paper on the desk in front of his father, "here."

"Lex? What's this?" he felt out along the oak plane to find the offer, feeling the folded paper.

"Ownership to the Smallville plant," the younger Luthor stood solidly directly opposite of him. His features stern like in a business meeting, prepared to close a deal. The only language his father understood, and respected.

Lionel's face played with amusement, "I appreciate it, but must inquire as to why it has been dropped into my lap this morning."

Taking a deep breath, he didn't want any emotion to slip through his words, "Consider it payment for Doctor Clarkson's debt."

Lionel raised his eyebrow and drummed his fingers on the desktop.

"And to release Anna from you…" the rage and vile clung to the last word, "arrangement."

The amusement spread over the other man's face as he leaned back in his chair, "I wondered where your interest lay in this. Quite the girl," his fingers moved up to stroke his lip in thought, like recalling a fond memory.

Lex could almost be sick at the way his father's mind worked and out raged at the way he used woman, victimised them like his mother, "Stop." He couldn't take the absolute smugness of his face and manner, "Just take it," he pushed the contract closer toward the other man, "and forget about Anna."

Leaning forward now, he continued, "Why so adamant Lex? Do you care for her? Our little Anna. One quick frolic in the sheets and its love," he teased like a child jealous of someone who had taken away his toy. He took his son's stillness and silence as an agreement, confession. "It's not love, you don't love her," he informed him, "You are a Luthor, incapable of love. She is just a possession. An object. You're just like me Lex. When you saw her for the first time you had the same thought, the same desire I had. You wanted to possess her, own the object."

Lex shook his head, he wouldn't listen to this, wouldn't believe it. He walked away, his steps squeaking on the floorboards.

Lionel tossed the folded paper in this direction, landing at his feet, "You are a Luthor Lex; a collector. Remember that." He smiled to himself.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Lex entered the small building populated by students. He made the trek toward the last room on the third, and top, floor creating the same commotion of giggles and whispers that his presence usual did. Part of him loved the attention from the groups of girls, the other amazed at how immature college kids could be. He knew high school-ers that were more matured.

He unlocked the familiar door, with his key, and entered. She was playing her music loud enough to fill the unoccupied room with noise while she was in the shower. He smiled at knowing her habits…broader still at the image of her under the water's spray.

Circling around the room he turned down the stereo just enough to hear the running water – that was as close he got to making himself at home in her dorm room. He had set her up here, pulled the few strings he had to get her a placement in the middle of the semester, but was always lost in his head if he was to be "at home." Contracts, meetings, bills, payments. His thoughts cleared, or at least quieted at the sound of the tap turning. All attention was drawn to the small bathroom door.

Anna stepped out, her hair wrapped up on her head in a towel, one also clung around her still damp body.

"Lex," she sang out in surprise, smiling she rushed over and wrapped her arms around his neck, "You haven't been here in weeks."

"I'm sorry," he wrapped his arms around her waist, not caring about ruining his suit with water, and kissed her lips – a kiss that made her forgive him and made them both want more.

She smiled, with a devilish twinkle in her eyes. "Missed you," she purred in his ear making him shiver.

He tightened his hold on her, but before he could speak his father's words echoed through his head: "She is just a possession…You are a Luthor Lex; a collector." His eyes clouded, he was reminded of what he really was, he squeezed his eyes closed.

The End

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

A/N: thanks to my loyal readers…really appreciated the reviews and knowing that someone else was reading it. The Anna Clarkson Saga will be continued in the sequel 'The Handmaid's Tragedy' Coming soon!