"We go in as quiet as we can." Agent Hardy hovered over an aerial shot of the warehouse. "Infrared shows her here. This person hasn't moved in hours, not one inch, but people come and go and walk around."
"Guards," Clark said.
"It's gonna get bloody."
"Just get me to her, then get out of my way. I don't care what you do with Luthor. Lock him up. Kill him. Whatever it takes."
"Clark, if Luthor is as nuts as you say he is, you should be prepared for the worst."
"So should he."
—
Clark split off from his group. He didn't tell Hardy, but he saw a hidden door at the back of the room in that satellite image. That was the way he was getting into that room. The guards would never expect it, and he'd get to Gwen before the others.
He eased the door open and shot one guard before he had a chance to turn around. The other guard fumbled for his gun, and Clark took him out.
Gwen screamed, the sound muffled. He knelt by her feet to untie her. He took the gag off first.
"Are you hurt?"
"No. Clark, Luthor is insane."
"I know. Let's get you out of here."
"Going so soon?"
Luthor's voice stopped Clark cold as he finished untying the ropes holding Gwen to the chair.
"You got what you want. Me. Let Gwen go."
"You expect me to believe you snuck in here to let her out first, then turn yourself over?" He tsked. "I don't like lairs, Kent."
"Liars? How about you lying about having people in that shipment?"
"Ok. I understand the confusion. I don't like when other people lie to me. Is that clearer?"
"Crystal. Still… she didn't do anything. Let her go."
"Clark, no." Gwen stood behind him, gripping his arm.
"I'm turning around to talk to her. Ok?"
"Yeah, sure. Just keep your hands up. I know you have a gun."
Clark sighed, but put his hands up as he turned around. He whispered to Gwen.
"While I'm blocking you, run out that door. Follow the hall and it will lead you to the FBI team at the entrance."
"Come with me."
"I can't right now. I need to get you out safe first."
"Clark—"
"Do you love me?"
"Yes. Please—"
"Then listen to me. I love you. Get out of here. Now."
—
Gwen fought tears. She knew Luthor would kill Clark. She couldn't leave him. She looked down to take a breath, and saw Clark's gun in his waistband.
She moved before she could think. Shielded from Luthor's view by Clark's massive frame, she grabbed the gun, flipped the safety, and reached around Clark. She pulled the trigger until the bullets ran out.
Clark pulled her to the floor after she got off the first two shots, and she just kept shooting as they dropped down.
Luthor pointed his gun, but never got to fire. At least one of her shots hit him in a spot that dazed him enough to check his injury. He dropped to his knees.
"Looks like you and your woman are equally ruthless, Clark."
He lifted his gun, but Clark was faster. He grabbed it from Luthor's hand.
"No, she's a survivor. But I'm ruthless."
Clark put the gun to Luthor's head and pulled the trigger.
Gwen covered her ears. When Clark turned around, he looked defeated.
"I'm sorry, Gwen."
She got to her feet, a little shaky, and rushed to Clark's arms.
"You saved me."
"I never wanted any of this to touch you. I gave everything to Bruce, I was going to surprise you this weekend."
"You did what?"
"I gave it all up. I went legit."
"I thought you said it was impossible?"
Clark looked at Luthor's body.
"I thought I'd found a way. But Luthor made me realize—"
"Luthor was a madman. He was jealous and wanted revenge for something."
"I set him up with the cops for one of his shipments."
"You did?"
Clark nodded, and Gwen wrapped her arms around him.
"Take me home."
—
Gwen took the hottest shower of her life. Clark's friend in the FBI quickly took their statements, and let them go with a caveat to Clark that he stay legit, and not leave the country for a little while.
Gwen replayed what she'd done in her head. She hadn't actually taken his life, but she'd shot a man. Actually shot him.
Then she remembered Clark's face. The sadness over her witnessing him in his violence. She hurt for him.
In the living room, Clark was already changed into his sweats. He stood when she came in.
"You ok?"
"I'm ok," she said. "Can we talk?"
Clark nodded and led her to the sofa. She didn't let go of his hand once they sat.
"Did you really get out of the criminal parts of your business?"
"I did. I struck a deal with Bruce and oversaw the takeover so no one would see me as a threat. It was all done openly among other leaders and customers."
"But Luthor…"
"He wanted revenge against me for the cops. His business isn't big enough for anyone to make a power grab. He had no successor. I already talked to Bruce. I swiped Luthor's customer files from the FBI. Bruce will notify them as a heads up and let them know the intel came from me, and that he's willing to take them on as clients, no drugs or people. That should help smooth things over."
"You're really out?"
"I'm really out."
"You did this for me?"
Clark brushed his thumb over her jaw. "I'd do anything for you. I love you."
"I love you, too, Clark."
"I wanted to have dinner and surprise you on Friday with this. But the fact that you can sit here and tell me you love me after what happened today…" Clark reached into his pocket as he stood, then he got down on one knee. "Gwendolyn Barker…" Her hand flew up to her mouth and she gasped. "Would you honor me with your love for the rest of my life as my wife?"
Gwen flung herself at him so hard that he toppled over onto his back, and he pulled her with him.
"Yes!" She kissed him. First his lips, then down his jaw. "I will absolutely marry you."
Clark rolled them over so that he was on top, and he pinned her wrists to the floor. He took a deep breath, then slowly kissed his way up her neck to her lips.
"This for the rest of my life?" Gwen ran her hands through Clark's hair when he released her wrists. "I definitely got the better part of this deal. Didn't even take the whole year."
Clark smiled down at her.
"Let's have the wedding on that date. That one year mark. The day I asked you to open yourself up to me."
"Isn't that a bit close to have a wedding planned?"
"I can get it done.
"I'm sure you can." She ran her fingers over his face. "I love it."