WARNING! Sadness in this chapter. I'm warning you, if you need tissues,
get them NOW! Also, this is NOT, I repeat NOT slash. I have nothing against
it, I've read some.. but this is NOT in any way, shape or form slash! Just
to be clear about that.
Disclaimer : See first chapter.
Chapter Seven : Confrontation
Lex sat on the floor of his father's den. His hands trembled slightly, 'how could this be true?' he asked him self.
He had read the information three times now, still not believing it. How could his father have cancer?
Lex stood up, he was going to put the folder back in the draw when he saw his father in the doorway. He froze, how could he explain this?
"I guess I owe you an explication, since you found the folder." Lionel's voice was soft, haunted almost. He sounded old, older then Lex had ever heard him sound.
"Ho-how much time do," Lex paused, he could not finish asking, on the one hand he wanted to know, needed to know what was going on, but a part of him did not want to know.
"I have?" Lex could only nod as his father finished his question.
"To be honest with you, Lex. I don't know. Come, Lex, let us sit and talk, I have a lot to explain to you." Lionel moved to sit on the large couch in the middle of the room.
Lex followed, in emotional turmoil. He had not idea why he was feeling this way. He and his father had never been close. And the way Lionel was acting, this was not the Lionel he had been dealing with over the last three years. No, this was a man who was unpredictable. Lex had no idea what to expect.
He slowly made his way to the couch. He sat down on the far side, away from his father just in case this was on of those times Lionel got his son to play right into his hand and he started ripping him apart.
Father and son sat together, staring at one another. Neither knew how long, finally Lionel broke the silence.
"You read the hole file?"
"Yes."
Lionel sighed softly, their was no easy way to do this. He was still coming to termes with it himself. Before he could think of any more to say Lex began speaking, he had found his voice again,
"Is this why you wanted me to come back here, dad?" the question was spoken is more of a whisper. Lex was clutching a pillow to his chest. Lionel could already see the toll this was taking on his son. It was slightly better then when he was told of his mother's condition; breast cancer. But not much better.
"It's not been easy for me to deal with this, son. I will never accept it. In that respect, your mother was a much stronger person than I am. I did not know how to tell you, the way I've been acting, it's because of the medications, the abuse that is. You must know I would never have done that were it not for the drugs." Lionel had gently placed a hand on his sons chin, turning his face so they would be looking into each other's eyes. He needed to tell Lex how much he loved him, he was his son and there was nothing to ever break the bond between father and son.
The first time he ever saw, Lex he knew nothing would break that bond. But when Lillian died, he could not let Lex get close to him, losing one parent was bad enough, losing two, Lionel did not want to think about how that would effect his son.
"I know, at least, I never really thought you would do that to me. It's just that it has been coming on so slowly over the years I thought you might just be cracking from the stress."
"Luthor's don't get stressed, it's a weakness, Lex you-"
"Don't, dad, just don't say it! You have cancer for God sake and your lecturing me about being a Luthor?" Lex was on his feet.
"Lex, I- I can't deal with it. I've been living with this for four years now. I was raised to never admit defeat. I was in remission for a year and a half but," Lionel stopped talking for a moment, dropping his voice to just above a whisper and letting out a long, pain filled sigh, "it's back."
Lex's legs finally gave out and he fell back into the couch.
"It's amazing to me." Lex said to more to him self then his father.
"What is, son?"
"I never liked you. I've been blaming you for mom's dead, for not being their for me. Even for ruining the one thing I wanted above all other things, love. I've been blaming you for Chloe leaving but now that your," he stopped to breath, "now that your sick, I feel a sense of loss. I never wanted to around, but now I can't image life with out you."
As Lex spoke his father moved across to sit beside him. He had placed a hand on his son's shoulder but and now moved to the back of his neck. He gently pulled Lex to him and began rubbing soothing circles on his son's back. They remained thus, drawing strength and love from the simple embrace.
After a while Lex looked up,
"So, what are we going to do now?"
"We?" The concept of 'we' to Lionel was quite foreign. The only 'we' or 'us' there had ever been was he and his wife.
"As you have always told me, Luthor's don't take no for an answer. If your going to fight this, them I'm going to be here."
"Lex, it's not that easy. I don't want you to go through this, I did it with your mother, being on the out side is almost worst then-"
"I want to dad, I need to."
"I've gone off the drugs that make me lost self control so the abuse will never happen again." Lionel said it more to him self then to Lex, Lex could only nod.
"Just one thing, dad, can you please do something about the wig? It's way to much hair for a man of your age."
"My AGE? No, Lex, I'm leaving it just like it is."
They talked for a long time. Discussing matters of the heat, feelings that had been locked up for years. They spoke of Lillian.
At around one in the after noon (six hours later) they finally stopped. Lionel had a board meeting and Lex had his own plans. Even in the mists of this personal tragedy, they gained something the both felt was lost forever; the bond of a father and son.
Lex and gotten what he wanted. Lionel was allowing him to come and go as he pleased. With the one condition that, if something does happen to Lionel, Lex would take over Luthor Corp.
0o0o0o0o That Afternoon 0o0o0o0o0o0o
Being a Luthor had it's perks. For example, it was very easy to get whatever was needed, be that legal or not, so legal. Today's goal, the e- mail address, unlisted phone number, work number and license plate number of one, Chloe Sullivan.
Lex was on a mission, he was going to get her back.
0o0o0o0o Daily Planet 0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Chloe had arrived twenty minutes early for the job interview. She wanted to be early for once in her life, if their was any change of getting a job she needed to be on time.
She had decided on her five articles. Their was the one about the lack of school funding, the class rings, anti choice health teacher that was also very sexist, crime rate in Smallville and the effect on Smallville with the addition of Luthor Corp that she had written after moving their herself.
"Miss. Sullivan, Mr. Davis, will see you now." Women in her late thirties told, Chloe.
"Thank you." 'OK, I'm not going to panic, I'm not, it's just a job interview with the most prestigious news paper in the city. Some of the greatest journalist have worked here and it's the hardest paper to get a job at. OK, not going to panic, not going to- crap. Panicking, very much panicking.' Chloe thought as she walked into the office.
I was a very intimidating room. Dark brown walls, a dark wood desk was placed about five feet from the window, two chairs were set in front of it. The decor looked like it was a mix between India and China with some Southwestern mixed in for spice.
Mr. Davis was a tall man. He looked as if he weighed about two hundred and fifty pounds. None of that was fat. 'He must live at the gym.' Chloe thought.
"Well, why don't I have a look at the writing samples you've brought with you, Miss. Sullivan."
'Well, he gets right to the point.' Chloe thought as she handed over her folder of notes, articles and reference list.
"Oh, please take a set." "Thank you."
Chloe sat down in one of the two chairs that was slightly off to the side. Well as off to the side as they can be in this room. Chloe had never felt this nervous before. This was her childhood dream and if she messed it up, well, that was not the thing to think about.
"Very good. Intriguing. Different." After about ten minutes of that, Mr. Davis was finally done.
"Miss. Sullivan, this is very good but I must ask, in the brief biography I have about you it states you father was Lex Luthor's plane manager. It also says that you once had the privilege of interviewing him for the Torch. Why have you not included that as one of your three articles? Surly you must know how hard it is to get one-on-one interview with Mr. Luthor."
'Oh shit!' Chloe thought 'OK, was really calming down, back to panic. Must get job on my own. Must.. OK, breath.'
"Yes, I was given a wonderful opportunity to interview Le- Mr. Luthor. However, their was a robbery at his home that night and we were unable to complete it." Chloe told him.
"Yes, I am of course aware of that. What I was refereeing to was your most recent article. I have a copy of it here from Mr. Luthor. It's only part of the piece but very well written. This is your work is it not Miss. Sullivan." Mr. Davis asked as he handed Chloe a copy of the article in question.
Chloe gasped slightly. This was it, this was the article Lex let her write that morning. But how on earth did the Daily Planet get a copy of it. Mr. Davis had said that Lex set it to him. Why would Lex be helping, and at this cost.. surly he would know better then to do this.
"Yes it is mine, Mr. Davis. I'm so sorry you found out about it in this manner. I never intended to show it to anyone." Chloe said, she was some what distraught and still staring at the papers she held.
"Well, I know we are always looking for good reporters and having someone on our staff that had interviewed Mr. Luthor would be lovely. So, here is the paper work and if you'll just sign here I'm sure we can set up an office for you soon." Mr. Davis said as he shoved a pieces of paper in her face.
"Mr. Davis, I do not want this published."
"No, I'm sure not in it's current form. Once you have the rest done we can go from there."
"I'm sorry you seem to be misunderstand me. I do not have the permission of Le- Mr. Luthor nor do I believe I could obtain it."
"You know, the first time I was willing to write it off as a slip, but you are aware, are you not, that you have almost called Mr. Luthor by his first name. Is their more to this then your letting on?"
'Mind your own bees wax.' maybe not, "It's of a personal nature that is in no way reverent to this conversation." 'Really hoping he does not read to much into that.'
0o0o0o Chloe's New Office 0o0o0o0o0o
It was a small, windowless office just down the hall for the lunch room and adjacent to the mall office. In it was a small desk with a computer and twenty seven boxes of papers to be filed and sorted. "Personal nature" and "none of your business" did not go over as well as she hoped. Chloe plopped down in the nearest chair, surveying her new office. It was not even up to the quality of the Torch but it was the Daily Planet!
She got up and went to the top box. Opening it she was shocked. Inside their was a bed of orange, while and pink rose petals. A piece of paper sealed with a wax stamp and the letters LL was in the center.
Chloe opened it up expecting it to be a prank. It read,
"Dearest Chloe,
I can only image how angry you must have been with me when your father lost his job to the game my father and I have been improving over the years. That day was his shining example of what can happen when I let my guard down. I am not writing this to make excuses. I can only hope you will let me try to make up for some of what has so effectively ripped us apart.
I miss you very much. I've spoken with my father, we talked for a long time. Their is some thing of great importance to him as well as myself behind his reason for dragging me to Metropolis.
I only just found this out, today in fact. When I found out that you were going to an interview at the Planet, I knew that was the best way to start making it up to you.
Please do not be mad at me for showing Mr. Davis that article. I knew you would get the job with or with out it but I needed to make sure. I did that for us. I need their to be an us.
If you only knew how much I've missed you and thought of you since that day.
When you leave at four, please come to the Cafe Imagine. I've included a map of where it is. They have the best coffee in town and I'll be their. Please, Chloe I need to talk to you, to make up or break up forever.
Love,
Lex"
0o0o0oo TBC..... 0o0o0o0o
*Rocking back and forth on heels* It's long!!!! What did you think?? Please press review and let me know!
ani : So happy you've found it! Thank you so much for the review! Now, I've thought about Lionel with pink hair.. it's a little to Alias but it would be funny. (Side note, I was able get someone to dye my hair Hot Hot Pink. It was very funny, I enjoyed it. But I'm now back to blond.) Hope you are OK with the reason behind his wig. :crossed fingers: kris : Thank you for your review! I love hearing from people!! Thanks again to all the wonderful people that have reviewed! It keeps me typing faster!
Disclaimer : See first chapter.
Chapter Seven : Confrontation
Lex sat on the floor of his father's den. His hands trembled slightly, 'how could this be true?' he asked him self.
He had read the information three times now, still not believing it. How could his father have cancer?
Lex stood up, he was going to put the folder back in the draw when he saw his father in the doorway. He froze, how could he explain this?
"I guess I owe you an explication, since you found the folder." Lionel's voice was soft, haunted almost. He sounded old, older then Lex had ever heard him sound.
"Ho-how much time do," Lex paused, he could not finish asking, on the one hand he wanted to know, needed to know what was going on, but a part of him did not want to know.
"I have?" Lex could only nod as his father finished his question.
"To be honest with you, Lex. I don't know. Come, Lex, let us sit and talk, I have a lot to explain to you." Lionel moved to sit on the large couch in the middle of the room.
Lex followed, in emotional turmoil. He had not idea why he was feeling this way. He and his father had never been close. And the way Lionel was acting, this was not the Lionel he had been dealing with over the last three years. No, this was a man who was unpredictable. Lex had no idea what to expect.
He slowly made his way to the couch. He sat down on the far side, away from his father just in case this was on of those times Lionel got his son to play right into his hand and he started ripping him apart.
Father and son sat together, staring at one another. Neither knew how long, finally Lionel broke the silence.
"You read the hole file?"
"Yes."
Lionel sighed softly, their was no easy way to do this. He was still coming to termes with it himself. Before he could think of any more to say Lex began speaking, he had found his voice again,
"Is this why you wanted me to come back here, dad?" the question was spoken is more of a whisper. Lex was clutching a pillow to his chest. Lionel could already see the toll this was taking on his son. It was slightly better then when he was told of his mother's condition; breast cancer. But not much better.
"It's not been easy for me to deal with this, son. I will never accept it. In that respect, your mother was a much stronger person than I am. I did not know how to tell you, the way I've been acting, it's because of the medications, the abuse that is. You must know I would never have done that were it not for the drugs." Lionel had gently placed a hand on his sons chin, turning his face so they would be looking into each other's eyes. He needed to tell Lex how much he loved him, he was his son and there was nothing to ever break the bond between father and son.
The first time he ever saw, Lex he knew nothing would break that bond. But when Lillian died, he could not let Lex get close to him, losing one parent was bad enough, losing two, Lionel did not want to think about how that would effect his son.
"I know, at least, I never really thought you would do that to me. It's just that it has been coming on so slowly over the years I thought you might just be cracking from the stress."
"Luthor's don't get stressed, it's a weakness, Lex you-"
"Don't, dad, just don't say it! You have cancer for God sake and your lecturing me about being a Luthor?" Lex was on his feet.
"Lex, I- I can't deal with it. I've been living with this for four years now. I was raised to never admit defeat. I was in remission for a year and a half but," Lionel stopped talking for a moment, dropping his voice to just above a whisper and letting out a long, pain filled sigh, "it's back."
Lex's legs finally gave out and he fell back into the couch.
"It's amazing to me." Lex said to more to him self then his father.
"What is, son?"
"I never liked you. I've been blaming you for mom's dead, for not being their for me. Even for ruining the one thing I wanted above all other things, love. I've been blaming you for Chloe leaving but now that your," he stopped to breath, "now that your sick, I feel a sense of loss. I never wanted to around, but now I can't image life with out you."
As Lex spoke his father moved across to sit beside him. He had placed a hand on his son's shoulder but and now moved to the back of his neck. He gently pulled Lex to him and began rubbing soothing circles on his son's back. They remained thus, drawing strength and love from the simple embrace.
After a while Lex looked up,
"So, what are we going to do now?"
"We?" The concept of 'we' to Lionel was quite foreign. The only 'we' or 'us' there had ever been was he and his wife.
"As you have always told me, Luthor's don't take no for an answer. If your going to fight this, them I'm going to be here."
"Lex, it's not that easy. I don't want you to go through this, I did it with your mother, being on the out side is almost worst then-"
"I want to dad, I need to."
"I've gone off the drugs that make me lost self control so the abuse will never happen again." Lionel said it more to him self then to Lex, Lex could only nod.
"Just one thing, dad, can you please do something about the wig? It's way to much hair for a man of your age."
"My AGE? No, Lex, I'm leaving it just like it is."
They talked for a long time. Discussing matters of the heat, feelings that had been locked up for years. They spoke of Lillian.
At around one in the after noon (six hours later) they finally stopped. Lionel had a board meeting and Lex had his own plans. Even in the mists of this personal tragedy, they gained something the both felt was lost forever; the bond of a father and son.
Lex and gotten what he wanted. Lionel was allowing him to come and go as he pleased. With the one condition that, if something does happen to Lionel, Lex would take over Luthor Corp.
0o0o0o0o That Afternoon 0o0o0o0o0o0o
Being a Luthor had it's perks. For example, it was very easy to get whatever was needed, be that legal or not, so legal. Today's goal, the e- mail address, unlisted phone number, work number and license plate number of one, Chloe Sullivan.
Lex was on a mission, he was going to get her back.
0o0o0o0o Daily Planet 0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Chloe had arrived twenty minutes early for the job interview. She wanted to be early for once in her life, if their was any change of getting a job she needed to be on time.
She had decided on her five articles. Their was the one about the lack of school funding, the class rings, anti choice health teacher that was also very sexist, crime rate in Smallville and the effect on Smallville with the addition of Luthor Corp that she had written after moving their herself.
"Miss. Sullivan, Mr. Davis, will see you now." Women in her late thirties told, Chloe.
"Thank you." 'OK, I'm not going to panic, I'm not, it's just a job interview with the most prestigious news paper in the city. Some of the greatest journalist have worked here and it's the hardest paper to get a job at. OK, not going to panic, not going to- crap. Panicking, very much panicking.' Chloe thought as she walked into the office.
I was a very intimidating room. Dark brown walls, a dark wood desk was placed about five feet from the window, two chairs were set in front of it. The decor looked like it was a mix between India and China with some Southwestern mixed in for spice.
Mr. Davis was a tall man. He looked as if he weighed about two hundred and fifty pounds. None of that was fat. 'He must live at the gym.' Chloe thought.
"Well, why don't I have a look at the writing samples you've brought with you, Miss. Sullivan."
'Well, he gets right to the point.' Chloe thought as she handed over her folder of notes, articles and reference list.
"Oh, please take a set." "Thank you."
Chloe sat down in one of the two chairs that was slightly off to the side. Well as off to the side as they can be in this room. Chloe had never felt this nervous before. This was her childhood dream and if she messed it up, well, that was not the thing to think about.
"Very good. Intriguing. Different." After about ten minutes of that, Mr. Davis was finally done.
"Miss. Sullivan, this is very good but I must ask, in the brief biography I have about you it states you father was Lex Luthor's plane manager. It also says that you once had the privilege of interviewing him for the Torch. Why have you not included that as one of your three articles? Surly you must know how hard it is to get one-on-one interview with Mr. Luthor."
'Oh shit!' Chloe thought 'OK, was really calming down, back to panic. Must get job on my own. Must.. OK, breath.'
"Yes, I was given a wonderful opportunity to interview Le- Mr. Luthor. However, their was a robbery at his home that night and we were unable to complete it." Chloe told him.
"Yes, I am of course aware of that. What I was refereeing to was your most recent article. I have a copy of it here from Mr. Luthor. It's only part of the piece but very well written. This is your work is it not Miss. Sullivan." Mr. Davis asked as he handed Chloe a copy of the article in question.
Chloe gasped slightly. This was it, this was the article Lex let her write that morning. But how on earth did the Daily Planet get a copy of it. Mr. Davis had said that Lex set it to him. Why would Lex be helping, and at this cost.. surly he would know better then to do this.
"Yes it is mine, Mr. Davis. I'm so sorry you found out about it in this manner. I never intended to show it to anyone." Chloe said, she was some what distraught and still staring at the papers she held.
"Well, I know we are always looking for good reporters and having someone on our staff that had interviewed Mr. Luthor would be lovely. So, here is the paper work and if you'll just sign here I'm sure we can set up an office for you soon." Mr. Davis said as he shoved a pieces of paper in her face.
"Mr. Davis, I do not want this published."
"No, I'm sure not in it's current form. Once you have the rest done we can go from there."
"I'm sorry you seem to be misunderstand me. I do not have the permission of Le- Mr. Luthor nor do I believe I could obtain it."
"You know, the first time I was willing to write it off as a slip, but you are aware, are you not, that you have almost called Mr. Luthor by his first name. Is their more to this then your letting on?"
'Mind your own bees wax.' maybe not, "It's of a personal nature that is in no way reverent to this conversation." 'Really hoping he does not read to much into that.'
0o0o0o Chloe's New Office 0o0o0o0o0o
It was a small, windowless office just down the hall for the lunch room and adjacent to the mall office. In it was a small desk with a computer and twenty seven boxes of papers to be filed and sorted. "Personal nature" and "none of your business" did not go over as well as she hoped. Chloe plopped down in the nearest chair, surveying her new office. It was not even up to the quality of the Torch but it was the Daily Planet!
She got up and went to the top box. Opening it she was shocked. Inside their was a bed of orange, while and pink rose petals. A piece of paper sealed with a wax stamp and the letters LL was in the center.
Chloe opened it up expecting it to be a prank. It read,
"Dearest Chloe,
I can only image how angry you must have been with me when your father lost his job to the game my father and I have been improving over the years. That day was his shining example of what can happen when I let my guard down. I am not writing this to make excuses. I can only hope you will let me try to make up for some of what has so effectively ripped us apart.
I miss you very much. I've spoken with my father, we talked for a long time. Their is some thing of great importance to him as well as myself behind his reason for dragging me to Metropolis.
I only just found this out, today in fact. When I found out that you were going to an interview at the Planet, I knew that was the best way to start making it up to you.
Please do not be mad at me for showing Mr. Davis that article. I knew you would get the job with or with out it but I needed to make sure. I did that for us. I need their to be an us.
If you only knew how much I've missed you and thought of you since that day.
When you leave at four, please come to the Cafe Imagine. I've included a map of where it is. They have the best coffee in town and I'll be their. Please, Chloe I need to talk to you, to make up or break up forever.
Love,
Lex"
0o0o0oo TBC..... 0o0o0o0o
*Rocking back and forth on heels* It's long!!!! What did you think?? Please press review and let me know!
ani : So happy you've found it! Thank you so much for the review! Now, I've thought about Lionel with pink hair.. it's a little to Alias but it would be funny. (Side note, I was able get someone to dye my hair Hot Hot Pink. It was very funny, I enjoyed it. But I'm now back to blond.) Hope you are OK with the reason behind his wig. :crossed fingers: kris : Thank you for your review! I love hearing from people!! Thanks again to all the wonderful people that have reviewed! It keeps me typing faster!