Your reviews have all been so kind. Thank you so much!
I can't post this without a thank you to LaCasta who has been so patient with this chapter and its multiple versions. :D
The Missing
Chloe had met Lucas Luthor several years before and had taken serious note of the dangerous air he cultivated. He seemed to have no morals at all and delighted in baiting people. Chloe still didn't know the details but he'd been involved in a battle between Lex and his father. Shortly after, he had unceremoniously disappeared. Lionel, who had never denied paternity, hinted that he was hidden for his own protection. During his brief visit, Lex had introduced him to Clark and consequently, Chloe had researched his unpleasant childhood. She had felt sorry for him, as in his case, the foster care system had not been kind.
A couple months ago, the Daily Planet had run a story of a reunited Luthor clan. The youngest son had apparently returned to the Luthor fold. Lionel Luthor had always claimed to believe strongly in blood ties and he was trying to reconcile with his younger son. She supposed that Lionel had set out to test Lucas, and in a top secret facility, any unforseen embarrassment would remain well hidden. One thing was certain, if love existed between any of the Luthors, it was not a kind that Chloe could recognize.
She recalled that Lucas had not seemed to be particularly fond of Lex and had treated Clark with enmity because of their friendship. How had he reacted to finding Clark here? She looked at the psychiatrist as she spoke and tried to picture the events as she was telling them. She had met both Desiree and Lucas and the combination of the two could not have been good.
Nora's story started with the arrival of Lucas Luthor and Chloe pictured the young man as she'd known him a few years before. Handsome, fit, aggressive, definitely a Luthor. He had been in control of Cadmus labs for a few months but this was the first time he'd bothered to visit them. Chloe was aware that the lab had originally belonged to Lex. Several years before, however, in the constant battle ground that was the Luthor family, Lionel had regained control of it in a coup that rivaled his take over of the Kowachi caves. Lucas was to prove himself with its management but had little interest in doing so.
He did however, have considerable interest in his brother's former wife.
Lucas Luthor had walked in wearing black leather, oozing confidence and attitude. Nora recounted how he'd sat on the corner of her desk rifling through her papers and asking annoying questions. He'd wanted to know more of the daily tests being conducted here. He made inquiries about each of the mutants but it was obvious his interest was in Desiree Atkins. Apparently he had been instrumental in having her transferred here.
Dr. Halton had come in to welcome him. They spoke to each other with some familiarity. Lucas knew of Halton's research and appeared to have been involved in allocation of funding. John was working on harnessing a milder version of her mutated pheremones. Some idea of being able to sell sex appeal. He'd made greater headway, however, with a preventative treatment. Immunization to her charms would be easier to achieve than harnessing her effects. Lucas was looking for progress but it seemed to be a low priority. He was impatient to actually meet her. Dr. Halton volunteered to take Lucas to her.
Looking through the window of the cell, Lucas commented on her beauty even without any pheremone intervention. Halton had provided them both with a mask and they'd all gone in to see her. Lab policy insisted that a female staff member accompany any males in close contact with Desiree. As women were never targeted by her pheremones, it was a practical precaution.
When she came across the room to greet the men, she had held them captive with the sway of her hips. She'd moved in close and ran her fingers down Lucas' chest giving him a breathy Hello.
Lucas had wanted to be left alone with her but Nora had explained that five minutes would be enough to create havoc. A brief battle of wills had followed but Nora was adamant. The risk was too great, and Lucas had capitulated.
As a result, Lucas and Desiree had ignored Nora's presence, while Dr. Halton had left. Nora was able to recall the conversation in fair detail. Chloe watched Nora pace as she relayed their words almost verbatim. Having had this conversation spark a few more questions than answers for the psychiatrist, she had remembered it fairly specifically.
It wasn't hard to imagine Lucas' sneering as he broke the ensuing silence. "So you are the woman who once held Lex Luthor in the palm of her hand. My, how the mighty have fallen." He had been baiting her, possibly looking for weaknesses.
Desiree showed no remorse and she seemed surprised that Lex had a brother. Claiming he was much more handsome, she had tried to flatter him by comparing him favorably to his brother. She had touched him suggestively and asked, "What can I do for you?"
Lucas inquired if she was planning to do for him what she had done for his brother.
She replied that it depended on the context. For a time Lex Luthor had been a VERY happy man, perhaps for the first time in his life and she claimed to have given it to him.
Lucas had snorted and casually reminded her of her attempt to kill him.
Desiree's reply was flippant. "Well, if you can't stand the heat..." She continued to touch him and hinted that he would not be so easy to control, perhaps in hopes of flattering him into letting down his guard.
Lucas had shrugged her off with the derisive observation that he was not as vulnerable as his brother.
Nora was sure that at this point, Desiree was being sarcastic when she agreed that he didn't need anyone.
Lucas had agreed. Growing tired of her veiled taunts and cloying compliments he'd caught her wrist, holding her still to assure her undivided attention. Once he had it, he played his hand.
It would seem that in endless competition with his brother, he was working to gain respect at LuthorCorp and had no intention of starting small at some invisible lab. He needed to cement his position in the power struggles inherent in a large corporation. From what Clark had told her and reading between the lines of Nora's account, Chloe thought it possible he wanted some form of approval from his father as well.
Chloe stopped herself from speculating and refocused on Nora's voice.
"Lucas wanted Desiree to control some billionaire in Gotham whose company was in direct competition with LuthorCorp. He was willing to turn her loose with a female watcher and a temporary identity. If she performed according to his plan, he promised her freedom."
Chloe had difficulty believing anyone would try something like this and she was shaking her head back and forth slowly in unconscious denial as she interrupted the psychiatrist's story. "How on earth could he expect to control her?"
Nora shrugged. "I'm not entirely sure he could, though he seemed to think so. He'd done his research, anyway. Part of her profile indicated that sex was not just her weapon, it was also her obsession. Her forced abstinence in the women's prison and lack of contact at the lab had made her... hungry. You could see it in small gestures like the way she ran her hands down her body as if smoothing a tight dress. Her hands were in constant motion, always touching herself. As soon as any man entered her cell, she would move that constant touch to him. We'd discovered her desperation early on and knew it made her more difficult to control but Lucas seemed unconcerned. This was an offer she couldn't refuse. It was a chance at human contact, a much desired alternative to her current situation."
"He offered her the possibility of a new identity if things turned out to his satisfaction. She would gain control of this billionaire and help destroy him in exchange for the freedom to go on her way. Lucas did not seem to care that he would be letting a dangerous criminal loose on society. This bargain did, however, hold the threat of destruction if she tried to double cross a Luthor. There were also no guarantees that she could trust him either. Desiree's desperation may have caused her to seal the bargain quickly but it didn't make her stupid. She requested a favor as a sign of faith between them." Nora uncrossed her arms and walked over to Martha who continued to watch her son as if the conversation behind her had not occurred.
Chloe got up to join the others. Both women were looking at Clark as he lay on the bed seemingly recovered and sleeping. She put her hand on Nora's arm forcing her to turn back and meet her eyes. Chloe had a sinking feeling hit the pit of her stomach. Almost sure of the answer, she still had to ask. "What was Desiree's request?"
"Only one man had ever resisted her and she couldn't let that go. She wanted Clark Kent."
I can't post this without a thank you to LaCasta who has been so patient with this chapter and its multiple versions. :D
The Missing
Chloe had met Lucas Luthor several years before and had taken serious note of the dangerous air he cultivated. He seemed to have no morals at all and delighted in baiting people. Chloe still didn't know the details but he'd been involved in a battle between Lex and his father. Shortly after, he had unceremoniously disappeared. Lionel, who had never denied paternity, hinted that he was hidden for his own protection. During his brief visit, Lex had introduced him to Clark and consequently, Chloe had researched his unpleasant childhood. She had felt sorry for him, as in his case, the foster care system had not been kind.
A couple months ago, the Daily Planet had run a story of a reunited Luthor clan. The youngest son had apparently returned to the Luthor fold. Lionel Luthor had always claimed to believe strongly in blood ties and he was trying to reconcile with his younger son. She supposed that Lionel had set out to test Lucas, and in a top secret facility, any unforseen embarrassment would remain well hidden. One thing was certain, if love existed between any of the Luthors, it was not a kind that Chloe could recognize.
She recalled that Lucas had not seemed to be particularly fond of Lex and had treated Clark with enmity because of their friendship. How had he reacted to finding Clark here? She looked at the psychiatrist as she spoke and tried to picture the events as she was telling them. She had met both Desiree and Lucas and the combination of the two could not have been good.
Nora's story started with the arrival of Lucas Luthor and Chloe pictured the young man as she'd known him a few years before. Handsome, fit, aggressive, definitely a Luthor. He had been in control of Cadmus labs for a few months but this was the first time he'd bothered to visit them. Chloe was aware that the lab had originally belonged to Lex. Several years before, however, in the constant battle ground that was the Luthor family, Lionel had regained control of it in a coup that rivaled his take over of the Kowachi caves. Lucas was to prove himself with its management but had little interest in doing so.
He did however, have considerable interest in his brother's former wife.
Lucas Luthor had walked in wearing black leather, oozing confidence and attitude. Nora recounted how he'd sat on the corner of her desk rifling through her papers and asking annoying questions. He'd wanted to know more of the daily tests being conducted here. He made inquiries about each of the mutants but it was obvious his interest was in Desiree Atkins. Apparently he had been instrumental in having her transferred here.
Dr. Halton had come in to welcome him. They spoke to each other with some familiarity. Lucas knew of Halton's research and appeared to have been involved in allocation of funding. John was working on harnessing a milder version of her mutated pheremones. Some idea of being able to sell sex appeal. He'd made greater headway, however, with a preventative treatment. Immunization to her charms would be easier to achieve than harnessing her effects. Lucas was looking for progress but it seemed to be a low priority. He was impatient to actually meet her. Dr. Halton volunteered to take Lucas to her.
Looking through the window of the cell, Lucas commented on her beauty even without any pheremone intervention. Halton had provided them both with a mask and they'd all gone in to see her. Lab policy insisted that a female staff member accompany any males in close contact with Desiree. As women were never targeted by her pheremones, it was a practical precaution.
When she came across the room to greet the men, she had held them captive with the sway of her hips. She'd moved in close and ran her fingers down Lucas' chest giving him a breathy Hello.
Lucas had wanted to be left alone with her but Nora had explained that five minutes would be enough to create havoc. A brief battle of wills had followed but Nora was adamant. The risk was too great, and Lucas had capitulated.
As a result, Lucas and Desiree had ignored Nora's presence, while Dr. Halton had left. Nora was able to recall the conversation in fair detail. Chloe watched Nora pace as she relayed their words almost verbatim. Having had this conversation spark a few more questions than answers for the psychiatrist, she had remembered it fairly specifically.
It wasn't hard to imagine Lucas' sneering as he broke the ensuing silence. "So you are the woman who once held Lex Luthor in the palm of her hand. My, how the mighty have fallen." He had been baiting her, possibly looking for weaknesses.
Desiree showed no remorse and she seemed surprised that Lex had a brother. Claiming he was much more handsome, she had tried to flatter him by comparing him favorably to his brother. She had touched him suggestively and asked, "What can I do for you?"
Lucas inquired if she was planning to do for him what she had done for his brother.
She replied that it depended on the context. For a time Lex Luthor had been a VERY happy man, perhaps for the first time in his life and she claimed to have given it to him.
Lucas had snorted and casually reminded her of her attempt to kill him.
Desiree's reply was flippant. "Well, if you can't stand the heat..." She continued to touch him and hinted that he would not be so easy to control, perhaps in hopes of flattering him into letting down his guard.
Lucas had shrugged her off with the derisive observation that he was not as vulnerable as his brother.
Nora was sure that at this point, Desiree was being sarcastic when she agreed that he didn't need anyone.
Lucas had agreed. Growing tired of her veiled taunts and cloying compliments he'd caught her wrist, holding her still to assure her undivided attention. Once he had it, he played his hand.
It would seem that in endless competition with his brother, he was working to gain respect at LuthorCorp and had no intention of starting small at some invisible lab. He needed to cement his position in the power struggles inherent in a large corporation. From what Clark had told her and reading between the lines of Nora's account, Chloe thought it possible he wanted some form of approval from his father as well.
Chloe stopped herself from speculating and refocused on Nora's voice.
"Lucas wanted Desiree to control some billionaire in Gotham whose company was in direct competition with LuthorCorp. He was willing to turn her loose with a female watcher and a temporary identity. If she performed according to his plan, he promised her freedom."
Chloe had difficulty believing anyone would try something like this and she was shaking her head back and forth slowly in unconscious denial as she interrupted the psychiatrist's story. "How on earth could he expect to control her?"
Nora shrugged. "I'm not entirely sure he could, though he seemed to think so. He'd done his research, anyway. Part of her profile indicated that sex was not just her weapon, it was also her obsession. Her forced abstinence in the women's prison and lack of contact at the lab had made her... hungry. You could see it in small gestures like the way she ran her hands down her body as if smoothing a tight dress. Her hands were in constant motion, always touching herself. As soon as any man entered her cell, she would move that constant touch to him. We'd discovered her desperation early on and knew it made her more difficult to control but Lucas seemed unconcerned. This was an offer she couldn't refuse. It was a chance at human contact, a much desired alternative to her current situation."
"He offered her the possibility of a new identity if things turned out to his satisfaction. She would gain control of this billionaire and help destroy him in exchange for the freedom to go on her way. Lucas did not seem to care that he would be letting a dangerous criminal loose on society. This bargain did, however, hold the threat of destruction if she tried to double cross a Luthor. There were also no guarantees that she could trust him either. Desiree's desperation may have caused her to seal the bargain quickly but it didn't make her stupid. She requested a favor as a sign of faith between them." Nora uncrossed her arms and walked over to Martha who continued to watch her son as if the conversation behind her had not occurred.
Chloe got up to join the others. Both women were looking at Clark as he lay on the bed seemingly recovered and sleeping. She put her hand on Nora's arm forcing her to turn back and meet her eyes. Chloe had a sinking feeling hit the pit of her stomach. Almost sure of the answer, she still had to ask. "What was Desiree's request?"
"Only one man had ever resisted her and she couldn't let that go. She wanted Clark Kent."