Disclaimer: Not mine. Not sure who they belong to exactly, but definitely not me, mores the pity.

This story came upon me like a cross between a sledgehammer and a leech. It bashed me over the head, and then refused to let go until I had finished writing it. I had fun writing this somewhat AU story, and I hope you enjoy!

Rating: PG

Warnings: None

Summary: How far would Lionel go to extend his own life?

Changing Minds

Lionel Luthor stood in front of the floor to ceiling windows that graced his penthouse office in Metropolis and watched the sunset. His body formed a malignant silhouette to anyone unlucky enough to enter the room at this moment.

The phone rang, and even before he checked the caller ID, Lionel knew who it had to be. "Yes?" he answered brusquely.

"Mr. Luthor?" His doctor's voice was very young. He always seemed very brisk and eager. It was a trait that Lionel found annoying rather than endearing.

He waited, not bothering to confirm his identity. Who else did the idiot think would be at the other end of this number?

"We...uh, we got back your test results..." the young man hesitated.

When it became clear that some sort of feedback was necessary, Lionel felt what little was left of his patience snap. "And...?"

"I'm sorry, sir. The tumor is malignant. Now," and his voice picked up speed, "although it is inoperable, there are other options to consider. Chemotherapy has been successful in some..."

"Thank you, doctor, that will be all." He hung up and set the receiver down without looking at it, his eyes seemingly fixated on some distant point in the Metropolis skyline. He remained motionless for almost ten minutes as the room grew dark around him in an unwanted metaphor. Abruptly he turned away from the windows and turned on his desk lamp. The days always grew shorter in the winter time. Midway through his forties, he really should know that already. Sunset was inevitable, as was his eventual demise. But perhaps one of them could be stalled.

He tapped his intercom. "Michelle? Direct a call to Dr. Elaine Rushfield for me."

In moments the familiar voice came over the line. "Mr. Luthor. This is unexpected." Perhaps she was glad. Perhaps she was distressed. Perhaps she was neither, but her tone was flat, giving nothing away, as always.

"Elaine, I understand that your attempts to get further funding for that little...project of yours have all been completely stonewalled. People can be so backwards thinking sometimes, don't you agree? Human cloning is inevitable and beneficial as surgery. Only the small-minded would still consider that barbaric. You live in such a difficult time for progressive people."

He wished he could see her face. Had she paled? Bit her lip in surprise? Given any sort of reaction? There was no way for him to know. Her voice was as collected as ever.

"Mr. Luthor, you're a busy man. I'm sure you didn't contact me to discuss the sad and primitive state of our culture."

He laughed. "Direct as ever. Actually, Elaine, I have something between a favor to ask you and an opportunity to offer you."

"An intriguing combination, even coming from you."

"I want you to meet me for dinner tonight so we can speak of this more securely. Are you free at eight?"

They both knew she would agree even before she answered an affirmative.

"I'll send a car to get you."

To be continued...

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