(Hey guys, thanks for the nice reviews, they certainly keep me going, and sorry about the cliffie. But, I think you'll enjoy this chapter^.^)

Angels or Devils

Chapter 3

One minute she was expressionless, confused and utterly astonished; the next, she found herself on the passenger seat of a jet black Porsche. Lana had been lost in his gaze, allowed the words to slip her lips without questioning his motives or her own feelings, and then... she had interlaced her fingers with his, joining him to Metropolis.

In the morning, they started their drive to the cosmopolitan city of wonders. Both avoided the meaning to this trip and their relationship altogether. Instead, they enjoyed each other's company, talking about past adventures and humorous opinions about the people they knew. Inside, however, their hearts burned with the truth– the truth that was wrestling for escape– while their thoughts ran ramped with questions and insecurities. Yet, this moment, as the wind hit their faces and their smiles were a permanent feature, could not be bothered with difficult soul-searching.

"So, where are you going to be taking me once we get to Metropolis," asked a curious Lana, who in all honesty couldn't believe she was going to be alone with Lex for a whole week. "I hope it'll make my one week of vacation worthwhile."

"Am I hearing correctly? Is Miss Lang actually doubting my abilities to add some excitement to her life?" Lex smirked, taking a glimpse of her reaction from the corner of his eye.

As Lana considered his last remark, she remembered her conversation with Lex in the balcony during the graduation party. She remembered the look in his eyes, the closeness they had shared... and his whispered words which had caressed and tingled her skin. She suddenly realized that he was right... the answer was right in front of her. "No... I can never doubt you."

Taking in her words, he reveled in them, finding that it brought emotions he had never once felt, but feared to pinpoint. For now, it was just perfect taking comfort in her trust in him. He smiled tenderly, looking ahead at the radiant lights from the Metropolis skyline, as he rested his hand on hers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Once they reached Metropolis, Lex had them check-in at a prestigious hotel. He had thought about having them stay at his apartment, but reconsidered it to avoid any awkwardness or discomfort between him and Lana, especially when neither knew what was happening to them. So, Lana received her own suite, which was indeed quite a sight. She was in absolute awe of its decoration and grand space. It was nothing like Smallville standards. If she'd have to stay there everyday, she wouldn't have minded. But as it was, Lex already had reservations for them at a classy restaurant with a jazzy atmosphere. He had said it would be a dinner celebration of her first day of vacation in Metropolis.


Lana was truly excited about hitting the city at night. She had always wanted to breathe in the air of a sleepless and noisy Metropolis. Finally, she was getting the opportunity to do so, without the supervision of an adult or the guilt of being too young to do so. Tonight, she felt like a woman, and she was certainly dressed like one. Lana wore a strapless black dress, covered in light dashes of glitter, with a matching thin coat... everything accentuated her beauty and feline curves. She was no longer Smallville's princess, but the black widow in disguise.

With her hair held neatly up, she headed down to the lobby where her 'date' was waiting. Lex, as usual, looked handsome and deadly sexy in his tailored black suit and crimson buttoned-dress shirt. Lana couldn't help but notice how damn attractive he looked. But, she stirred from her stare as she began to feel his heavy gaze on hers.

"Lex?" Lana called for his attention.

In the very background of his mind, he heard a small voice call his name, but he couldn't decipher it since he was too busy admiring the beauty that stood in front of him. Lex had no idea that she could look so excruciatingly sexy... beautiful, he always knew she was... but overwhelming seductive and sexy was new to his eyes. Hearing his name again, he finally shook himself out of the daze. "I'm sorry, Lana," he managed to mumbled as he attempted to clear his throat. "You look gorgeous."

Lana's cheeks turned slightly red, "Thank you, Lex... now, shall we go?"

"Oh yes, of course," he smiled as he gently took her hand and led the way outside.

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All eyes were on them when they reached the restaurant. As they passed the tables, people's whispers and gasps of surprise surrounded their every move, especially those of Lex who seemed to withhold an unseen glow of pleasantry. The couple ignored them, quickly finding comfort in the obscure area of their table. They ordered their desired drinks and food almost immediately, as expected since it wasn't just any ordinary man dining... it was Lex Luthor, a figure who could break or make a business.

As they waited for their dinner, Lana and Lex silently gazed deeply at each other. While Lex admired the company he was in, the woman who sat in front of him, started thinking of how right it felt to be with him. She couldn't deny her feelings any longer, no matter what he thought of her. Lana thought about the time they had spent together, the number of years they had gotten to known each other, and somewhere in between she had slowly fallen for the man who had always been there for her, one way or the other. There had always been this powerful attraction, unfulfilled sexual tension, but most importantly, this unique connection between them that kept pushing them together, urging them to embrace their souls and hearts.

"Lex... I can't take it anymore," Lana's voice broke the silence in an exasperated tone.

Nerved by her comment, he furrowed his eyebrows, "What? What is it?"

She swallowed her insecurities as she inhaled courage. "I don't know exactly what's going on between us. But, what I do know is that I can't ignore my feelings anymore... I can't... I can't," she stammered as she realized the difficulty of the truth. "I just can't ignore the fact that I think I'm falling in love with you."

Her words struck Lex's body thunderously, ringing in his ears as his heart began beating faster. He had heard those words before, but they had never had such great effect. Of course, he knew it would be different... it was Lana, after all. The young woman who had stolen his heart, but could he admit it? If he did, he would have to commit to an angel who he could never bear to hurt, who would have all control of his emotional faculties... ultimately, he would lose control. How would their future be? Could she stand to endure the scrutiny of others?

There would be serious consequences if they were to be intimately involved, and Lex knew it... but as he stared at Lana's glimmering eyes with hints of unshed tears, he realized he had to decide whether he could take the chance like she had. Honestly, he didn't know, there were too many questions clouding his thoughts, competing with her words.

"Lex," her voice quivered, urging him to respond as she gently touched the side of his face with the back of her hand.

Lex closed his eyes, feeling the warm caress of her hand calling him unto her. With still so many queries aching in his head, he decided to the only thing that would save them at the moment. He leaned in and softly pressed his lips against hers, gently nibbling at them, urging her to part her mouth. Lana allowed him entry, deepening their kiss as their tongues delicately and slowly wrestled with each other. It was truly perfect, exquisite yet sweetly new.

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Next night...

This night was going to be different. Lex had spent the whole day at the Luthor headquarters, dealing with business. He had taken this opportunity to give himself some time to think about what had happened the night before. After they had kissed, he had managed to avoid the subject until he had everything figured out. Unfortunately, he hadn't yet. But the next day, while Lana went shopping, Lex went to his office in attempt to figure out his feelings. He had been so self-absorbed with the situation that his father had reprimanded him plenty of times for his lack of focus.

"What's wrong with you, Lex? Is Smallville's useless business so demanding you can't concentrate on the real business at hand?" Lionel had angrily scolded his inattentive state.

Each time, Lex would have to come up with some excuse. Because of this, he soon realized that his feelings for Lana wouldn't just disappear. They would relentlessly affect him. So, obviously, something needed to be done.

Lex had called Lana earlier, telling her that he would pick her up at eight. She had asked where they were going, but he was simply short with her... that had scared her. In fact, she was pure nerves by the time he had picked her up. In the car, they were silent, Lana wouldn't dare say a word... she had said enough last night. Lex was just expressionless.

Finally, they arrived at an artsy-looking venue, it was Café Dario. From the looks of it, the café wasn't as sophisticated as the restaurant they had been. It was moderately spacious, a stage mostly took up its space, with dark lighting, holding a creative, yet cynical aura. Lex led Lana to a table near the stage. Once seated, her handsome companion took a hold of her hand, leaned into her ear, "Understand that this isn't something I do often. Yet, when I am with you, I feel that I have to do more than the ordinary to prove myself to you."

"Lex, you don't-" Lana tried to explain.

"No, I have to. There aren't many people who can look at me and see me as who I am, and nothing else." Leaving those words to linger, Lex stood up and disappeared behind her... she didn't see where, Lana was too stunned and fearful of what he meant.

All of a sudden, an indigo spotlight graced the stage. With no introductions needed, Lex walked into the light as all eyes directed their gaze unto him. Lana was startled to see him there, even more when he began to speak.

His icy blue eyes were pointedly focused on Lana. His voice was smooth, confident... and intensely sensual,

"Batter my heart, three-person'd God; for you
As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;
That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend
Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
I, like an usurped town, to another due,
Labor to admit you, but O, to no end;
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
but is captiv'd, and proves weak or untrue.
yet dearly I love you, and would be loved fain,
But am betrothed unto your enemy.
Divorce me, 'untie or break that knot again;"

Lex walked off the stage, closing in the distance between the raven-haired beauty and him. He gently grabbed her hand and stared deep into her eyes,

"Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor even chaste, except you ravish me."


("Holy Sonnet XIV: Batter My Heart, Three-Personed God" by John Donne)

(Spoiler-fic warning: Angst is nearing in~.~)