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?

The room was dim, lit only by candles on the table. Under other circumstances it might have seemed like a romantic evening. Elaine wasn't a beautiful woman, but she was what most people would call 'striking.' Short blond hair would have framed her face in gentle waves if she hadn't had it pulled back into a no-nonsense bun. Large brown eyes were her most attractive feature. A smatter of freckles across her nose made her seem younger than she really was, and far more innocent.

"Do you need salt for your steak?" Lionel asked as the servant who had brought them their dinner shut the door behind him.

"It's perfect as is. Your cook is a miracle worker," Elaine replied with a sweet and insincere smile. This was an old game to both of them.

She hadn't really changed a bit in any of the important respects. Lionel still remembered her as the fierce adolescent she had been when he first met her, all long graceless limbs and cold inquisitive eyes. He had known her for well over half her life, and while he wouldn't go as far as to trust her, he had full confidence in her abilities, and (just as importantly) in her discretion.

"You're wondering why I asked you here."

"I'm enjoying my steak. A poverty-stricken neurosurgeon like me can't afford to keep a cook," she teased.

"You've had a remarkably successful practice; really made a name for yourself. I can't pick up any magazine with new discoveries about the brain without running into your name somewhere, usually as the pioneer in the latest line of study. Congratulations on your recent success with...what was it? Cleo and Patty."

She looked blankly at him for a moment, then laughed. "Oh yes, subjects 423 and 425. My lab assistant named them. Bright young man, but a touch of the sentimental."

"Does sentiment last long in your line of work?"

"Not as a rule. And thank you. That brain transplant was a small step forward."

"So modest. You single-handedly rewrote the rules of surgery. Both subjects alive and seemingly unharmed, just in one another's bodies. It seems like something from science-fiction come to life."

"I think the assistants who clean the monkey's cages would object to your calling anything about this fictional. There was the expected difficulty in gaining motor control, and both repeatedly excreted at...inopportune moments."

"But both subjects have completely gained back all previous functions?"

"Completely, and have seemingly adjusted to their new existence without any apparent trauma."

"Incredible. It's sad that you can't get funding for the next obvious move of performing the same surgery on a pair of willing human subjects."

"People's emotions get in the way of such a radical step."

"But you yourself are untroubled by the idea?"

"I'm a scientist, Mr. Luthor."

"I'm a businessman, Elaine, and I have a proposition for you."

She raised her eyebrows. "Oh?"

He hesitated for the first time during their conversation. "I've recently learned that I have lung cancer Elaine. And it is inoperable."

There was a long silence.

"However," he began again, "while this body may be doomed, who is to say I can't simply switch to another? With your help, of course."

"Mr. Luthor...I don't have to remind you that this surgery has never been performed on human beings, and that such a drastic..."

He held up a hand for silence. "I'm aware of the risks, Elaine, but my death by cancer within the next few years is a certainty."

"Even if you are willing to take all the risks, there's still the problem of finding another willing subject. You know that subjects 423 and 425 were sisters? I need a close genetic match, and of course the same blood-type, or else the body will reject the foreign object, in this case your brain. So unless you have a brother I've never heard of..."

"Does it have to be a sibling?"

She stared at him, her lovely eyes wide with disbelief.

He smiled at her shock. "I believe you've met my son a few times, Elaine. We both have AB positive blood, and half of his genes are mine. Wouldn't that be a close enough match?"

"How..." she took a deep breath. "How does Lex feel about this scheme?

"Ah well, I haven't really spoken to him recently."

She nodded slowly. "You do understand that the average mind would regard this as a complicated form of murder, Mr. Luthor?"

"But neither you nor I are possessed of what could possibly be considered an average mind." He reached across the table and took her hand. "Elaine, this is the opportunity of a lifetime for you. You'll never get another chance."

He could almost see her mind racing as her ambition battled with what was left of her morals. "I...I'll do it," she said at last.

"I thought you might." He poured the wine and raised his glass. "To progress."

"To progress," she whispered.

To be continued...

Feed the writer! Do a review! :-)