Part 3
Lex Luthor smiled across the table at the plump businessman--a cold, shrewd and very calculated smile. "Thank you, " he said in a tone similar to his smile. "I really do have to go now," he added, reaching forward to shake the man's hand. The man's handshake was similar to his appearance: plump and clammy. But also deceivingly confident, which was what made Lex smile the most... the assurance that both of them knew what they were doing. Their waiter returned with the bill, which Lex indicated should be put on his tab.
"Mr. Luthor--" the businessman spoke up, only to be cut off by a slight frown from Lex. He had his wallet half out of his inner jacket pocket.
"Please, call me Lex. 'Mr. Luthor' is really my father's title. And besides, after today, we really ought to be on a first name basis, don't you agree?"
"Yes, of course. Lex." They shook hands again and left the restaurant, both of them headed in opposite directions.
As he made his way back to his spacious penthouse apartment, Lex couldn't help but smile--a genuine and very amused smile. He wasn't surprised that his father had enemies on his own board of directors. He'd expected that every bit as much as he expected the clear Kansas sky to be blue. However, he found it immensely amusing that those same enemies were more than willing to hear him out. Word was silently spreading--the last two of them had come to him of their own accord. He hadn't needed to seek them out.
At the same token, he'd been slowly courting a few of LuthorCorp's investors and key share-holders. The time was almost ripe, and Lex could taste the fruit of impending triumph.
Back at the penthouse, he poured himself a drink and picked up his cellular phone. Before he could press a button, however, it rang. "Lex Luthor," he said after the first ring.
::What... were you sitting there waiting for the phone to ring?:: a familiar, laughing voice responded.
"Very funny. If you must know, I was just about to call you."
::My lucky day.::
"More like mine. I closed the deal with Jameson today."
::Sooner than expected. Good.:: There was a pause, and in his mind, Lex could see Bruce's dark face working thoughtfully. ::You don't think it was too soon, do you?::
"You're thinking things are happening too fast? Bruce, it's been over a year. I'm more than ready."
::I know... I just... don't want us to be too hasty. I'd hate to slip up now.::
Lex chuckled. "We won't--trust me."
::You know I do. However, I don't trust your father. Any of those board members could be spying for him.::
They'd discussed this before, after the first board member Lex approached agreed to meet with him. "It's a chance we'll have to take, Bruce, though I doubt it at this point. Most of these men have genuine cause to hate my father. I'm merely playing on their prejudices against him."
::What are your plans for tomorrow?:: Bruce asked, suddenly changing subjects. His voice was instantly low and intimate, making Lex's breath hitch slightly. ::I'm in Smallville right now,:: his lover hinted broadly.
"Now I wish I hadn't made plans," Lex said, only half jokingly. "Dad and I are taking in a baseball game."
::Isn't it a little too late for father-son bonding?::
Lex smiled a little, imagining the dark eyes which would have been smiling back at him. "More than a little, but I would hardly call this bonding. At least not honestly. More like a PR opportunity." Lex explained that he'd arranged for his father to be at the first home game for the Little League team LuthorCorp sponsored. His father was dead set against it, but had given in when Lex agreed to go as well.
Bruce laughed at this. ::Enjoy the game.::
Lex hadn't thought he would. It was more like the ultimate opportunity to take his father's "united Luthor front" and throw it back in his face. There was nothing united about the Luthor family. His father had forgotten that recently, but Lex was now determined to remind him why that was. On second thought, that in itself could afford him a few moments of enjoyment.
*&*&*&*
"I fail to see why we both have to be here," Lionel Luthor commented during the second inning. The LuthorCorp sponsored Giants were down by two runs, and the CEO looked incredibly out of place seated on the worn bleachers in his Armani business suit. Lex had opted for a more casual look--blue jeans and a dark tee-shirt, topped off with a team ball cap on his bald head. He'd brought one for his father, as well, knowing full well that it wouldn't be accepted.
"I told you before, Dad," Lex said as he politely applauded the first Giant batter to make it past second base the entire inning. "It's good for our image. Besides, I thought you said you wanted to show the world that we are as one."
"Are we, Lex?" Lionel countered, doubt shrouding his face. "I find myself wondering where your loyalties lie."
"You know I only want what's best for LuthorCorp, Dad, the same as you."
Lionel made sound that came close to a 'harrumph' and turned his attention back to the game.
At intermission, Lex had arranged for his father to announce the winners of the fund-raising raffle the kids had launched to get new uniforms. LuthorCorp had promised to match their efforts dollar for dollar. Lex smirked as he father delivered that little tidbit to the crowd of parents and visiting spectators, remembering how much his father had complained about flushing good money down the toilet. Public relations, however, was a powerful weapon, and one Lex knew how to wield well enough to make his father squirm. "If we're spending money on the public," he'd told his father "it will draw people's attention off our recent loses. Like the crap factory and Grant Tech. It will give the impression that we're still on top of our game."
Lionel, of course, had argued that they shouldn't need to give any such impression, and if they did, it was largely Lex's fault. Accusations aside, he still caved to Lex's pressuring. It was a small victory, but one that reminded Lex of how far he'd gone in one year's time. LuthorCorp was already more his company than his father's. Even in his father's mind, it seemed. That would make what came next all the easier, he thought with a smirk.
"Lex?" the astonished female voice broke through his thoughts and Lex turned to see Chloe Sullivan walking towards him. She was followed by an older-looking young woman with dark hair and brown eyes. She vaguely reminded him of Lana.
"Ms. Sullivan!" Lex beamed at her. "Fancy running into you here."
"I have a cousin on the team," Chloe explained. "I've been to every game so far."
"Have you?"
"Yeah. Actually, Perry's been letting me submit reviews of the teams for the sports department."
"I thought you wanted to be an investigative journalist," commented Lex.
"Oh, I still do, but Perry say it's good to diversify and get all the experience I can."
Lex nodded. "And you are?" he asked, directing his gaze to her friend.
"Oh! Where are my manners?" Chloe blushed. "I was so amazed to see you, I didn't even think to introduce you to Lois. Lex, this is my cousin, Lois Lane. She's interning at the Planet this year, too." She turned sheepishly to Lois. "I told you I knew Lex Luthor personally."
Lex laughed at Chloe's tone, which suggested that Lois had not believed her. "Having trouble convincing the unwashed masses?"
"Only a little. So... what are you doing here?" Chloe asked when Lex motioned the two young women should sit down with him.
"Putting in a public appearance with Dad," he replied, nodding in his father's direction. Lionel was starting to wind up the raffle announcements. "We're team sponsors." He paused, watching her expression as she filed this information away in her mind. "Speaking of fathers... how's yours, Chloe?"
"You know Uncle Gabe?" Lois asked. Lex smiled at her surprised tone.
"Dad was one of Lex's plant managers, Lo-Lo."
"We worked very closely together while I was in Smallville," Lex further supplied. "I have only the greatest respect for your uncle." Chloe seemed to puff up a little at this, as if she were proud of her father for making such an impression on his employer. The truth was, in the short time Lex had known the man, Gabe Sullivan had taught him something his father never had been capable of--how to understand his employees. How to get down on their level and anticipate their needs as well as that of the corporation they served.
Lex invited the girls to stay with him even after his father returned. Lionel was more amicable around them, for one thing, and for another--Lex just wanted the company of someone he didn't feel the need to pose for. He knew Chloe Sullivan well enough that casual was just fine with her.... even if he was certain their encounter would wind up in an editorial for the Daily Planet's sports section.
Lex Luthor smiled across the table at the plump businessman--a cold, shrewd and very calculated smile. "Thank you, " he said in a tone similar to his smile. "I really do have to go now," he added, reaching forward to shake the man's hand. The man's handshake was similar to his appearance: plump and clammy. But also deceivingly confident, which was what made Lex smile the most... the assurance that both of them knew what they were doing. Their waiter returned with the bill, which Lex indicated should be put on his tab.
"Mr. Luthor--" the businessman spoke up, only to be cut off by a slight frown from Lex. He had his wallet half out of his inner jacket pocket.
"Please, call me Lex. 'Mr. Luthor' is really my father's title. And besides, after today, we really ought to be on a first name basis, don't you agree?"
"Yes, of course. Lex." They shook hands again and left the restaurant, both of them headed in opposite directions.
As he made his way back to his spacious penthouse apartment, Lex couldn't help but smile--a genuine and very amused smile. He wasn't surprised that his father had enemies on his own board of directors. He'd expected that every bit as much as he expected the clear Kansas sky to be blue. However, he found it immensely amusing that those same enemies were more than willing to hear him out. Word was silently spreading--the last two of them had come to him of their own accord. He hadn't needed to seek them out.
At the same token, he'd been slowly courting a few of LuthorCorp's investors and key share-holders. The time was almost ripe, and Lex could taste the fruit of impending triumph.
Back at the penthouse, he poured himself a drink and picked up his cellular phone. Before he could press a button, however, it rang. "Lex Luthor," he said after the first ring.
::What... were you sitting there waiting for the phone to ring?:: a familiar, laughing voice responded.
"Very funny. If you must know, I was just about to call you."
::My lucky day.::
"More like mine. I closed the deal with Jameson today."
::Sooner than expected. Good.:: There was a pause, and in his mind, Lex could see Bruce's dark face working thoughtfully. ::You don't think it was too soon, do you?::
"You're thinking things are happening too fast? Bruce, it's been over a year. I'm more than ready."
::I know... I just... don't want us to be too hasty. I'd hate to slip up now.::
Lex chuckled. "We won't--trust me."
::You know I do. However, I don't trust your father. Any of those board members could be spying for him.::
They'd discussed this before, after the first board member Lex approached agreed to meet with him. "It's a chance we'll have to take, Bruce, though I doubt it at this point. Most of these men have genuine cause to hate my father. I'm merely playing on their prejudices against him."
::What are your plans for tomorrow?:: Bruce asked, suddenly changing subjects. His voice was instantly low and intimate, making Lex's breath hitch slightly. ::I'm in Smallville right now,:: his lover hinted broadly.
"Now I wish I hadn't made plans," Lex said, only half jokingly. "Dad and I are taking in a baseball game."
::Isn't it a little too late for father-son bonding?::
Lex smiled a little, imagining the dark eyes which would have been smiling back at him. "More than a little, but I would hardly call this bonding. At least not honestly. More like a PR opportunity." Lex explained that he'd arranged for his father to be at the first home game for the Little League team LuthorCorp sponsored. His father was dead set against it, but had given in when Lex agreed to go as well.
Bruce laughed at this. ::Enjoy the game.::
Lex hadn't thought he would. It was more like the ultimate opportunity to take his father's "united Luthor front" and throw it back in his face. There was nothing united about the Luthor family. His father had forgotten that recently, but Lex was now determined to remind him why that was. On second thought, that in itself could afford him a few moments of enjoyment.
*&*&*&*
"I fail to see why we both have to be here," Lionel Luthor commented during the second inning. The LuthorCorp sponsored Giants were down by two runs, and the CEO looked incredibly out of place seated on the worn bleachers in his Armani business suit. Lex had opted for a more casual look--blue jeans and a dark tee-shirt, topped off with a team ball cap on his bald head. He'd brought one for his father, as well, knowing full well that it wouldn't be accepted.
"I told you before, Dad," Lex said as he politely applauded the first Giant batter to make it past second base the entire inning. "It's good for our image. Besides, I thought you said you wanted to show the world that we are as one."
"Are we, Lex?" Lionel countered, doubt shrouding his face. "I find myself wondering where your loyalties lie."
"You know I only want what's best for LuthorCorp, Dad, the same as you."
Lionel made sound that came close to a 'harrumph' and turned his attention back to the game.
At intermission, Lex had arranged for his father to announce the winners of the fund-raising raffle the kids had launched to get new uniforms. LuthorCorp had promised to match their efforts dollar for dollar. Lex smirked as he father delivered that little tidbit to the crowd of parents and visiting spectators, remembering how much his father had complained about flushing good money down the toilet. Public relations, however, was a powerful weapon, and one Lex knew how to wield well enough to make his father squirm. "If we're spending money on the public," he'd told his father "it will draw people's attention off our recent loses. Like the crap factory and Grant Tech. It will give the impression that we're still on top of our game."
Lionel, of course, had argued that they shouldn't need to give any such impression, and if they did, it was largely Lex's fault. Accusations aside, he still caved to Lex's pressuring. It was a small victory, but one that reminded Lex of how far he'd gone in one year's time. LuthorCorp was already more his company than his father's. Even in his father's mind, it seemed. That would make what came next all the easier, he thought with a smirk.
"Lex?" the astonished female voice broke through his thoughts and Lex turned to see Chloe Sullivan walking towards him. She was followed by an older-looking young woman with dark hair and brown eyes. She vaguely reminded him of Lana.
"Ms. Sullivan!" Lex beamed at her. "Fancy running into you here."
"I have a cousin on the team," Chloe explained. "I've been to every game so far."
"Have you?"
"Yeah. Actually, Perry's been letting me submit reviews of the teams for the sports department."
"I thought you wanted to be an investigative journalist," commented Lex.
"Oh, I still do, but Perry say it's good to diversify and get all the experience I can."
Lex nodded. "And you are?" he asked, directing his gaze to her friend.
"Oh! Where are my manners?" Chloe blushed. "I was so amazed to see you, I didn't even think to introduce you to Lois. Lex, this is my cousin, Lois Lane. She's interning at the Planet this year, too." She turned sheepishly to Lois. "I told you I knew Lex Luthor personally."
Lex laughed at Chloe's tone, which suggested that Lois had not believed her. "Having trouble convincing the unwashed masses?"
"Only a little. So... what are you doing here?" Chloe asked when Lex motioned the two young women should sit down with him.
"Putting in a public appearance with Dad," he replied, nodding in his father's direction. Lionel was starting to wind up the raffle announcements. "We're team sponsors." He paused, watching her expression as she filed this information away in her mind. "Speaking of fathers... how's yours, Chloe?"
"You know Uncle Gabe?" Lois asked. Lex smiled at her surprised tone.
"Dad was one of Lex's plant managers, Lo-Lo."
"We worked very closely together while I was in Smallville," Lex further supplied. "I have only the greatest respect for your uncle." Chloe seemed to puff up a little at this, as if she were proud of her father for making such an impression on his employer. The truth was, in the short time Lex had known the man, Gabe Sullivan had taught him something his father never had been capable of--how to understand his employees. How to get down on their level and anticipate their needs as well as that of the corporation they served.
Lex invited the girls to stay with him even after his father returned. Lionel was more amicable around them, for one thing, and for another--Lex just wanted the company of someone he didn't feel the need to pose for. He knew Chloe Sullivan well enough that casual was just fine with her.... even if he was certain their encounter would wind up in an editorial for the Daily Planet's sports section.