Notes: Thanks to Sparklyme and UltimateMother for the feedback!

Ruby Truth - Valentine Michel Smith

Lex entered the room, eyes adjusting readily to its charcoal milieu. He fingered the light switch and immediately discerned the bookcase was no longer flush against the wall. Propelled by the intrigue of it, the incongruity of someone finding and apparently accessing the panic room, Lex stepped forward.

The inspection revealed something was indeed amiss. Lex stretched out a hand, reaching for the edge of the bookcase. In spite of being mildly ajar, it wouldn't budge. He walked briskly to the alarm and punched in the code. Maybe the hydraulics would help.

The code failed utterly.

Lex backtracked, scanning the room for an appropriate lever. Until –

The room went dark.

Lex felt his breath catch. He hesitated, though shifting the instant he felt a warm hand upon his neck, fingers brushing teasingly just below his ear. "Clark?" The question came via whisper.

He hadn't time to blink when dimmed lights rose, revealing Clark sitting flirtatiously on the bed's edge, and a good six feet away. "If you don't wanna come to the party –"

" – you felt obligated to bring the party to me." Lex averted the hungry gaze before him.

"Like I really had a choice."

"There're always choices, Clark. Some are bad, some are good, and some remain questionable in spite of the passage of time."

"Sounds like a conundrum."

"Wrapped in an enigma."

"Come. Sit."

"Given the circumstances, I don't think that's advisable."

Clark leaned forward. "Then," he said, licking his lips, "what do you advise?"

"Right now? Frankly, I'm not sure."

Clark placed his hands patiently in his lap. It was Lex's first good look at the ring. He'd seen it earlier. It stood out rather conspicuously on a farm boy not given to flash. "Nice piece of jewelry." The ring provided Lex's cue to sit. A perfectly timed decision given that Clark was considering forcing him down on the bed. "Not bad for high school adornment."

"What'd you mean?" Clark's tone was defensive. "I think it's great!"

"Ruby's fake though." Gently, Lex took Clark's hand, pulling it closer to get a better look at the ring. "Looks like a subpar piece of glass – or even a cut meteor fragment."

"You can tell?"

"Just by looking. If you want to know something, sometimes, all one need do is open his eyes."

A long pause followed.

Clark rose, sighing audibly. Apparently, Lex didn't want to play. Masking his disappointment, Clark shifted. There would be other opportunities. Clark would make sure of that.

"Well, guess I should get back to the party."

Lex's fingers skimmed the small lead box in his jacket pocket. "Yes. Sounds like a good idea."

Clark's lips twisted into a half smile. "You don't know what you're missing."

"I'm sure," Lex temporized as he weighed his options.