Title: You Set Me Free

Chapter Completed: October 5, 2003

Anna Clarkson paced nervously within the mirrored elevator. Why had she come here? It certainly wasn't for that Lucas kid. She had unknowingly reached up to collect the chain around her neck. The two tiny gold hearts rested in her palm. No, the only reason she was here was for Chloe. She promised to come by Metropolis to help the blushing bride prepare for the Gotham wedding…but here she was riding the elevator to the top of the LuthorCorp building. Visiting Lex wasn't part of that.

The elevator dinged, announcing her arrival on the thirtieth floor. The only way out was down. She stepped onto the floor, an executive style reception, holding her breath in nervous anticipation. Frosted glass patricians, beautiful redhead behind the desk and a giant LuthorCorp symbol on the welcoming wall. Certainly Lex had arrived. Then why did she feel so saddened by it?

Why had she come here? She always had a way of popping back up in Lex's life, and here she was doing it again. God, she hadn't even called him when his father died – but any words of sympathy for that creature's death would have been false. But in the least she could have called and not stayed away for so long…

"Can I help you miss?" the petit redhead looked up from the desk.

She looked up at the women and shook her head. There was no way that woman could help her.

Anna turned, to have the evaluator open in her face. For a moment her heart stopped.

But Lucas stepped out.

"You came," he smiled – not friendly or warm by knowing and possessive.

She had seen that look before. It ran a cold shiver down her spine, hardening her resolve. "I know LuthorCorp is a prestigious corporation. I'm not a fool Lucas," she addressed only the employment aspect of their conversation.

He nodded, his lip curving into a smirk, "Did you speak to my brother then?" He leaned against the wall in a way that blocked her from being able to leave.

She looked at him for a moment, studying. So very much like Lionel, but harder, much more crass than cunning. "No," she replied coolly, "I have another meeting right now." Which was true, she was supposed to meet with Chloe right then, but had foolishly gone there.

He watched her. Catching the slight nervousness about his brother. His curiosity perked. Stepping out of the way he added, "Hopefully I'll get to see you again."

For some reason the comment made the girl shiver as she quickly pressed the button, hoping for an escape. As Lucas sized her up she remembered the fear of Luthors that Lex had banished.

As she entered the elevator and turned to begin her descent Lex stepped out of his office. The pair locked eyes across the foyer.

Then the door closed.

Lex shook his head. It couldn't have been her, could it? He was convinced his mind, like most everything else, was playing games with him. Taunting and teasing. It was all just a reaction to thinking about the girl since yesterday when Chloe had mentioned her name. After nine years of non-existence she wouldn't just pop up.

"Heather," he addressed the receptionist, "Did you speak to the woman who just left?" he motioned to the elevator with his chin.

"No sir," she smiled brightly and adoringly at her boss. Sure he had a quick temper, and an evil reputation, but that didn't stop the spinster from her Cinderella dreams, "She only spoke to your brother."

He nodded, brow knotted. "Get me Miss Monroe on the phone," he wasn't even looking at her, but starring at the closed metal doors. Before nodding and returning to his office. Mindy Monroe would serve as a distraction for his troubled mind right now.

Lucas watched this with general interest. His brother was always a secret puzzle that he loved to solve, or play with – something to fill the time really. And to give him leverage. Some secrets just didn't like to be discovered and that always gave Lucas more room to move within the family corporation. As he saw it there was something between the two. And Lucas was sure it would be something to use against his darling brother.

************

Anna let out a haggard breath as the elevator moved. She felt like she was back in Smallville – both the grand and the horrid. Possessed and free. Dead and alive. All from laying her eyes on him for two seconds.

Lex Luthor.

It had only been a moment but her life threatened to fall in around her. The thing was, she was willing to have it all collapse to stare into those steel blue eyes again. Not to mention touch… No matter now hard she fought it she still loved him. But she would keep fighting it. She had to. She had promised herself…and swore it to Lionel. The elevator dinged again, ground floor.