Title: Appearance (working title)

Author: LL

Disclaimer: Okay, I do not own the show or any of the characters in it. They belong to their rightful owners, whom ever they are, and I won't bother with the looking it up.


Rating: PG13 for a bit of language.

Pairing: It's all part of the surprise isn't it?

Category: Drama

Spoilers: Nothing major, Stray, a bit of Leech and Heat, and an indirect reference to Nicodemus. I don't think there are any other spoilers, but I will probably add them on later once I remember them or once I have completed the story.

Summary: Someone from Lex's past interrupts Lex and Victoria's wedding. Who is it? And what is his/her connection to Lionel and the rest of the Luthor family?

Author's Note: This is my very first fanfic, so I really hope everyone likes it. English is not my native language, so my apologies for any mistakes I made or just my bad writing. This story takes place about five years from now, when Chloe and Pete have become friends with Lex. The whole gang is attending Metropolis University.

"" – speaking

'' – thinking

~ ~ – flashback

Chapter 1 – The Call

Lionel Luthor sat in his office chair, contemplating what he should do next. His dark glasses stared at nothing in particular as he poured himself a stiff drink. Finally, he walked over to the telephone and dialled a familiar number.

"Hello?" Answered a young female voice.

"Hello my dear, it's Lionel. How have you been?" For a split second, someone could have sworn that Lionel's voice was softer than his normal degrading tone.

"Lionel!" The woman answered warmly. "I haven't heard from you in a while, is everything alright?"

Lionel frowned, "Obviously you haven't heard the news."

On the other end of the line, the young woman began to worry. "Did something happen? Are you all right? Is this about Lex?"

'So I'd been right.' Lionel thought. "I'm afraid it's Alexander." He answered gravely. "He's getting married……" "Married?" the woman asked doubtfully. "But that's great. It's time he settle down with a nice girl."

"But you see……he's marrying Victoria Hardwick."

"Victoria?!" the young woman's eyes grew wide for a moment. "Why is he marrying Victoria? She backstabbed him once before. She can't be trusted, he knows that." She screamed. Several people passing by her office raised their eyebrows at her, but she just ignored them. She was too focused on the problem at hand. "And why didn't Lex sent me an invitation, or at least called?" She ranted for a while longer about Victoria not been good to Lex, and how Lex didn't tell her about the wedding. And Lionel just allowed her rant for a while, knowing she'll finish soon enough.

"My informant tells me Victoria threw your invitation into the fireplace. Obviously she doesn't want you here." Lionel mused to himself. 'A condensed version of the truth, but it will do.'

"That little witch!! If she doesn't want me there, then I'll certainly be there." She was determined to reveal that woman for what she really is. "When is the wedding?" She added with a hint of curiosity and a smirk on her face. Lionel could hear her smirk over the telephone, and he smirked too. 'I knew there was a reason I liked her.' Lionel thought. 'She's up to something.'

"The wedding is tomorrow, or should I say today at ten my dear." Lionel answered smoothly. The young woman gave an exasperating sign. "It's four in the morning here. Why didn't you call sooner? I sincerely hope that your jet is prepared to pick me up." "Of course my dear, everything is arranged." With that the young woman slammed the phone down.

'All is going according to plan. You will break up my son's up coming marriage my dear.' Lionel thought while sipping his drink. 'You might be the only one who can talk some sense in him. God knows he won't listen to me.' He took his last sip from the crystal glass and smiled to himself. 'Everything might turn out just as I wish.' Taking his cane in one hand, he slowly walked to his bedroom. And for the first time in days, he slept with no worries.

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Reviews would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading. : )