Chapter 7

Lex looked over at his father after having a very slight sleep. He had never spent more than 5 minutes of alone time with his father and even that was usually about business. Being down here alone with the man he considered an enemy was uncomfortable to say the least. He didn't trust him. However it was Lionel who spoke first.

"Lex, what do you think of me?" he asked.

Lex was shocked. What an odd question. Also, it was something he had never thought about really.

"Why do you care? As long as the press think your great, you'll get along fine," he replied.

"Lex, contrary to your opinion, I do care about you. You are my only son and you are important to me, even if you were a pain in the ass back in metropolis."

"Dad, you've been down here too long. You're loosing your mind. You have never cared one bit about me," said Lex, disturbed by his father's odd behaviour.

"Lex, I love you."

That was too much for Lex, he had to look away. He felt sick at the revelation. His father started laughing like a lunatic. Then, when he thought more deeply on it he realised something was wrong. Before he had time to dwell on that thought a siren rang out through the building.

* * * * * *

Clark and the others where about 5 meters away from the door when the siren rang out. They almost lost there cool but realised that they would have to be even quicker now; there was no time for stalling. The group had split a while back. Grianne and Jason had gone to get the ship. The idea was that all they had to do was touch it and Jason could Apparate them back to his brother ship in hand. Clark hoped it had worked. He approached the door silently, expecting there to be guards but found only a small lock. Something about this wasn't right. However, they didn't have time. He would just have to take the risk. He knocked down the door to find Lex and Lionel tied to chairs in the middle of some sort of old boiler room. Two guards came round the corner and Clark left Kyle to deal with the captives while he dealt with them.

* * * * *
*

The door flew of its hinges unexpectedly, narrowly missing Lex. Clark and Kyle stood in the doorway. Kyle came in without hesitation and began to untie the ropes.

"Lex," he spoke in acknowledgement.

"Didn't think I'd be seeing you again," said Lex stretching, his body grateful for the space.

"You're not going to be gotten rid of that easily."

Kyle went over to Lex's father and released him. Then he helped Lex out of the door. Two guards lay unconscious on the floor and Clark was stood waiting for them.

"Lionel may need some help out." Kyle began.

Clark nodded and headed into the room. Lex and Kyle made a steady retreat for the exit.

* * * * * *

"Mr Luthor," Clark said.

The sirens had stopped and the silence had turned eerie. Lionel sat still in the chair and the shadows hid his face. As Clark took a step further the light from outside lit up his features to reveal that he was smiling. This wasn't a smile of relief or a gratification it was evil. Lionel stood up and reached his hand inside his pocket.

"Mr Luthor, we have to get out of here."

When Lionel did nothing, Clark started towards him, but no more than two steps away, he fell to his knees. Immediately he gasped in intense pain as Lionel pulled a flask filled with a green substance from his pocket.

"You kids shouldn't have come back. You know what they say 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer', and I've kept you closer than anyone. Now I'm just going to have to kill every one of you."

Whatever was in that flask, it was worse than the meteor rocks. He could hardly move, hardly breathe. His knees gave way and he was sprawled over the floor.

"I did a lot of tests on the meteor rocks and I managed to work my way down to its purist form. All I have to do is pour one drop of this onto your skin and you will die." he said his face right next Clark's," . a slow and painful death.

He raised the jar over Clark's head.

"Any last requests?"