Chapter 17
The coach pulled out of the stable complex with Lex, Lana, and Nicholas inside. A driver and an assistant handler were riding up front, directing the team of six horses. The coach looked more reminiscent of something from the Victorian era than from an old western movie. Victorian except for the gaudy paint scheme rather than a somber black. One of the big surprises since they had arrived was the extensive use of bright colors. Even most of the statues were painted in flesh tone colors rather than maintaining the cold, sterile marble seen in modern museums.
The interior of the coach was fitted out with facing seats, very comfortable and plush, finished out with exotic leather obviously from no mere cow or horse. Lex and Lana had taken the aft, forward facing bench while Nicholas sprawled on the other. The interior was lit by only two small lamps near the doors rendering Nicholas only an indistinct blob to Lex and Lana except during the brief flashes of lightening. The side windows were open for air and light, but could be covered with leather side curtains, if the weather turned inclement.
Lex turned to Lana and asked, "How are you holding up?"
Lana gave him a wane smile that was difficult to discern in the dim interior of the coach under the darkening skies. "Okay, I guess. I am just really ready to go home and every minute home seems to be getting farther away. We passed through the portal, what two days ago, and it already feels like we have been here for weeks. The first day we just thought we were in California or Mexico and could be home in a few hours. The second day we find out we are stranded 2000 years back in time, but we may be able to quickly find the Professor and be on our way home. Today we have barely started on a journey to Rome and getting home looks to be weeks, if not months away."
Lana's eyes started to well up and Lex was afraid she was about to cry. To try and lighten the mood he said; "Well, at least you have shoes." He lifted his bare right foot and wiggled his toes. "We never stop in one spot long enough to find boots for my big feet."
The attempt at a smile this elicited was hardly more than a quiver. Lex decided getting this out of her system might be what she needed to get through the days ahead. Lex turned more fully towards her and slowly lifted her chin with one forefinger until she was looking into his eyes.
"I know I am not Whitney or even your aunt Nell, but I would be happy to hold you, if it would help." Lex said quietly.
Lana gave a small nod and moved to rest her head on his shoulder. As Lex put his arms around her she suddenly felt like the 16-year-old girl she really was. After the past few months of business dealings over The Talon, Lex had gradually stopped thinking of her as some high school kid, but more of a peer. Certainly, more of a peer than Clark or Chloe. Yet Clark and Chloe were the ones thriving here and Lana was the one who would benefit from his support.
Lex could feel her silent weeping and hugged her a little tighter while slowly caressed her hair. "It's okay," he whispered. "Just let it out."
This was not the first sobbing woman Lex had held in his arms, but somehow this time was different. Lex had dated a lot of models and actresses and debutantes in his days in Metropolis. Several of them had ended up in tears over something they had wanted from Lex that he was unable or unwilling to give. With Lana it was different. Oh, it was his fault for bringing her to the meeting with Professor Carey or she wouldn't be stuck back here, but she didn't seem to hold that against him. No, rather than blame him she just appeared to chalk it up to normal Smallville weirdness. While he sat there slowly rocking her, Lex realized how different she was from all of the women he had dated. She wasn't after him for his money or out to stab him in the back over some business deal. Rather she had her own interests and just wanted him to treat her fairly in the areas where their lives overlapped. Lex found this very refreshing and suddenly knew there would be a big hole in his life when they someday went their separate ways.
After a few minutes Lana's tears stopped and she wiped her eyes. Hugging Lex a little tighter, she whispered; "Sorry to be the weepy female, I wish I was stronger like you."
Lex moved the hand that had been caressing her hair until his fingers were intertwined with hers. "I'll let you in on a secret, I am not that strong either."
"I can't imagine you weeping, Lex."
Lex shook his head. "Unfortunately, I am not a weeper. I am a screamer. It is very embarrassing to have the servants pounding on my bedroom door in the middle of the night because of my screams. Eventually, I had to move to a bedroom at the far end of the mansion from the servant quarters." Not wanting to sound too dark and brooding he tried to inject a little levity. "You can't imagine the hush money I had to pay some of them to keep it from the papers."
Lana felt Lex's need to talk and settled her head a little closer to his ear; "What are your nightmares about?"
Lex hadn't talked about this with anyone since the stupid psychiatrist his father had brought in four years ago. But sitting there with Lana in his arms he felt like talking. "My Mom. In some ways you seem luckier than me. I mean it is sad you lost your parents, but at least it was quick and painless. And you were probably too young to have much memory of it. And you have Nell. My mom died when I was 14 and it was one of those slow lingering kinds of death. At the time I tried to do everything I could to help her, but nothing was enough. My nightmares involve losing her in a variety of different ways where if I was a little stronger, faster, smarter, I could have saved her. God, I miss her."
"I wish I had met her. Tell me a little about her," whispered Lana.
Lex closed his eyes and leaned his head back; "She was tall with beautiful burnt copper hair and sparkling green eyes. She dedicated her life to charities that helped people, perhaps to balance out my Dad's karma. Not that my Dad was as ruthless back in those days. Mom was the Yin to my Dad's Yang and when she was gone there was nothing to balance my Dad's life."
"But this isn't about my Dad. I remember one time when I was nine, a few months before the meteor shower. My allergies had a severe flare-up and we had gone to Phoenix for the clean, dry air. Of course, she immediately checked around and it turned out former President Carter was in town starting up another of his 'Homes for the Homeless' projects. My mom and I spent three weeks helping build houses. I was just a kid, but I carried tools and did a little painting. It was one of the happiest times of my life."
Lana snuggled a little closer and sighed. "It sounds like you were the lucky one. I don't really have any memories of my parents except that picture on the cover of Time."
Lex felt more comfortable and relaxed than he had in a very long time. Usually he was so careful and controlled, considering every word and its implications before uttering it. But at this moment, the words just flowed out of his mouth without his thinking about them. "I wish I could talk to one of the women I have dated the way I can talk to you."
Without thinking about it either, Lana responded, "Maybe you have been dating the wrong women."
As soon as the words were out of their mouths, they both tensed, as the implications of what they had said sunk in.
Lana tried to relax, putting her head back down on Lex's shoulder. Was she really interested in Lex? Previously, their relationship had always been strictly business. He was always so focused. She had seen some of the stories in The Inquisitor about his wild Metropolis lifestyle, but had never seen a wild side or even a personal side before during his year in Smallville. Just the calm, unflappable businessman.
But he did have a personal side with heartaches and fears just like her. And apparently, she was the first one he had ever felt comfortable confiding in. Was there a real connection here or just two souls lost in time looking for some momentary comfort?
What about Whitney? Was he really what she wanted or needed? The past few months running The Talon had really opened her eyes. She enjoyed the challenge of running a business and looking forward to the next bigger challenge. Oh, she didn't have any burning desire to conquer the world like Lex or his Dad, but still she knew the best times of her life would always be somewhere out in the future.
Lately, when she was around Whitney she kept having this mental image of him twenty or thirty years in the future. What she saw was a future Al Bundy, the guy from 'Married with Children'. Someone whose high point in life was high school football. Would she be happy with someone whose life peaked somewhere in the past rather than somewhere out in the future?
At the same time, Lex was also pondering the unexpected turn in the conversation. Ever since he had agreed to take over the plant in Smallville, he had been going through a metamorphosis. Gone where the days of partying all night, every night. When was the last time he had stayed up all night that wasn't work related? And work. Before accepting this assignment it had never been important to him, but now it did matter. Most of the families in Smallville, either directly or indirectly, depended on him for their livelihoods. When he first arrived, the job was all about proving something to himself and perhaps, though he hated to admit it, to his father. But now he really cared about the people who worked for him. Before he arrived in Smallville, he never would have believed he would have many sleepless nights worrying that if he screwed up, people would lose their jobs. Was this from being around people like Lana and Clark and even Clark's parents? Or was it just a sign he was finally growing up?
All he knew was that he had more happy memories from the past year than all of the other years, since his mother had died, combined. And Lana had been a part of a lot of those memories. Of course, a lot of those times had been spent talking with Clark about how Clark should take the initiative with Lana. Perhaps all those conversations had been working on Lex's own subconscious. Certainly all of the women from his Metropolis days had lost their luster. Was it because he had been subconsciously focusing on Lana?
Now that he had opened his eyes and looked consciously at Lana for the first time as something more than a business partner or Clark's friend, what did he see? A smart, astute person who could be a formidable business leader when she had a little more experience. But business wasn't her whole life; she also found time to help others. Several times since they had started The Talon, she had hosted charity events, something that never would have occurred to him. Charity Events. Is that really the key? Is it that none of the women he had dated in Metropolis ever measured up against his subconscious standard of his mother, but in some way Lana did?
Finally, after several long, uncomfortable minutes of silence, Lana quietly spoke. "I don't know why I said that, but" and here Lex started to interrupt, but Lana just covered his lips with a couple of her fingers. "No, Lex, something important just happened. When my words first came out,
they were meant to be supportive. But they were like throwing a light switch and when the lights came up the room contained some new and unexpected treasure. I don't know if it is something real or the result of the conversation or just the 'only man on the desert island' syndrome. However, it looks like we are going to be spending a lot of time together for the next few weeks. I don't want to give up the closeness we have had for the past few minutes. It feels like my sanity and maybe my soul depend on it."
Lana paused for a moment, fearing she had gone too far. When she started to continue, this time it was Lex's turn press his fingertips lightly to her lips. He intended to speak, but for a moment he focused on the softness of her lips. Before the delay became unbearably long, he pulled her closer so he could whisper in her ear. "You're right. I feel some thing, some connection, happening, too. Since it looks like we have a lot of time, I would love to spend some of it holding you and talking. There are things I suddenly feel the urge to get out, talk about, and try to work through. My mom. My life. My dreams and goals. And you. I would love to listen to you. Big things. Little things. Whatever you would like to share."
Lana nodded so he could sense it through his fingertips. And she felt her eyes start to tear up again, but this time from happiness. This moment she felt truly happy for the first time since they had found out they were lost in time. She realized Lex might turn into her closest friend. If it led to something more, that might be okay, or even wonderful, too.
Lex felt her body relax against him. When she turned her head slightly, her damp cheek touched his. He instinctively knew these tears were different and it lifted his heart. Perhaps together they could get through this adventure. If he was lucky, he might find a way past some of his fears and nightmares. If he was really lucky, he might have just found something more.
For a long while they just held each other tight, relaxing to the gentle swaying of the coach from the smooth Roman road.
End of Chapter 17
The coach pulled out of the stable complex with Lex, Lana, and Nicholas inside. A driver and an assistant handler were riding up front, directing the team of six horses. The coach looked more reminiscent of something from the Victorian era than from an old western movie. Victorian except for the gaudy paint scheme rather than a somber black. One of the big surprises since they had arrived was the extensive use of bright colors. Even most of the statues were painted in flesh tone colors rather than maintaining the cold, sterile marble seen in modern museums.
The interior of the coach was fitted out with facing seats, very comfortable and plush, finished out with exotic leather obviously from no mere cow or horse. Lex and Lana had taken the aft, forward facing bench while Nicholas sprawled on the other. The interior was lit by only two small lamps near the doors rendering Nicholas only an indistinct blob to Lex and Lana except during the brief flashes of lightening. The side windows were open for air and light, but could be covered with leather side curtains, if the weather turned inclement.
Lex turned to Lana and asked, "How are you holding up?"
Lana gave him a wane smile that was difficult to discern in the dim interior of the coach under the darkening skies. "Okay, I guess. I am just really ready to go home and every minute home seems to be getting farther away. We passed through the portal, what two days ago, and it already feels like we have been here for weeks. The first day we just thought we were in California or Mexico and could be home in a few hours. The second day we find out we are stranded 2000 years back in time, but we may be able to quickly find the Professor and be on our way home. Today we have barely started on a journey to Rome and getting home looks to be weeks, if not months away."
Lana's eyes started to well up and Lex was afraid she was about to cry. To try and lighten the mood he said; "Well, at least you have shoes." He lifted his bare right foot and wiggled his toes. "We never stop in one spot long enough to find boots for my big feet."
The attempt at a smile this elicited was hardly more than a quiver. Lex decided getting this out of her system might be what she needed to get through the days ahead. Lex turned more fully towards her and slowly lifted her chin with one forefinger until she was looking into his eyes.
"I know I am not Whitney or even your aunt Nell, but I would be happy to hold you, if it would help." Lex said quietly.
Lana gave a small nod and moved to rest her head on his shoulder. As Lex put his arms around her she suddenly felt like the 16-year-old girl she really was. After the past few months of business dealings over The Talon, Lex had gradually stopped thinking of her as some high school kid, but more of a peer. Certainly, more of a peer than Clark or Chloe. Yet Clark and Chloe were the ones thriving here and Lana was the one who would benefit from his support.
Lex could feel her silent weeping and hugged her a little tighter while slowly caressed her hair. "It's okay," he whispered. "Just let it out."
This was not the first sobbing woman Lex had held in his arms, but somehow this time was different. Lex had dated a lot of models and actresses and debutantes in his days in Metropolis. Several of them had ended up in tears over something they had wanted from Lex that he was unable or unwilling to give. With Lana it was different. Oh, it was his fault for bringing her to the meeting with Professor Carey or she wouldn't be stuck back here, but she didn't seem to hold that against him. No, rather than blame him she just appeared to chalk it up to normal Smallville weirdness. While he sat there slowly rocking her, Lex realized how different she was from all of the women he had dated. She wasn't after him for his money or out to stab him in the back over some business deal. Rather she had her own interests and just wanted him to treat her fairly in the areas where their lives overlapped. Lex found this very refreshing and suddenly knew there would be a big hole in his life when they someday went their separate ways.
After a few minutes Lana's tears stopped and she wiped her eyes. Hugging Lex a little tighter, she whispered; "Sorry to be the weepy female, I wish I was stronger like you."
Lex moved the hand that had been caressing her hair until his fingers were intertwined with hers. "I'll let you in on a secret, I am not that strong either."
"I can't imagine you weeping, Lex."
Lex shook his head. "Unfortunately, I am not a weeper. I am a screamer. It is very embarrassing to have the servants pounding on my bedroom door in the middle of the night because of my screams. Eventually, I had to move to a bedroom at the far end of the mansion from the servant quarters." Not wanting to sound too dark and brooding he tried to inject a little levity. "You can't imagine the hush money I had to pay some of them to keep it from the papers."
Lana felt Lex's need to talk and settled her head a little closer to his ear; "What are your nightmares about?"
Lex hadn't talked about this with anyone since the stupid psychiatrist his father had brought in four years ago. But sitting there with Lana in his arms he felt like talking. "My Mom. In some ways you seem luckier than me. I mean it is sad you lost your parents, but at least it was quick and painless. And you were probably too young to have much memory of it. And you have Nell. My mom died when I was 14 and it was one of those slow lingering kinds of death. At the time I tried to do everything I could to help her, but nothing was enough. My nightmares involve losing her in a variety of different ways where if I was a little stronger, faster, smarter, I could have saved her. God, I miss her."
"I wish I had met her. Tell me a little about her," whispered Lana.
Lex closed his eyes and leaned his head back; "She was tall with beautiful burnt copper hair and sparkling green eyes. She dedicated her life to charities that helped people, perhaps to balance out my Dad's karma. Not that my Dad was as ruthless back in those days. Mom was the Yin to my Dad's Yang and when she was gone there was nothing to balance my Dad's life."
"But this isn't about my Dad. I remember one time when I was nine, a few months before the meteor shower. My allergies had a severe flare-up and we had gone to Phoenix for the clean, dry air. Of course, she immediately checked around and it turned out former President Carter was in town starting up another of his 'Homes for the Homeless' projects. My mom and I spent three weeks helping build houses. I was just a kid, but I carried tools and did a little painting. It was one of the happiest times of my life."
Lana snuggled a little closer and sighed. "It sounds like you were the lucky one. I don't really have any memories of my parents except that picture on the cover of Time."
Lex felt more comfortable and relaxed than he had in a very long time. Usually he was so careful and controlled, considering every word and its implications before uttering it. But at this moment, the words just flowed out of his mouth without his thinking about them. "I wish I could talk to one of the women I have dated the way I can talk to you."
Without thinking about it either, Lana responded, "Maybe you have been dating the wrong women."
As soon as the words were out of their mouths, they both tensed, as the implications of what they had said sunk in.
Lana tried to relax, putting her head back down on Lex's shoulder. Was she really interested in Lex? Previously, their relationship had always been strictly business. He was always so focused. She had seen some of the stories in The Inquisitor about his wild Metropolis lifestyle, but had never seen a wild side or even a personal side before during his year in Smallville. Just the calm, unflappable businessman.
But he did have a personal side with heartaches and fears just like her. And apparently, she was the first one he had ever felt comfortable confiding in. Was there a real connection here or just two souls lost in time looking for some momentary comfort?
What about Whitney? Was he really what she wanted or needed? The past few months running The Talon had really opened her eyes. She enjoyed the challenge of running a business and looking forward to the next bigger challenge. Oh, she didn't have any burning desire to conquer the world like Lex or his Dad, but still she knew the best times of her life would always be somewhere out in the future.
Lately, when she was around Whitney she kept having this mental image of him twenty or thirty years in the future. What she saw was a future Al Bundy, the guy from 'Married with Children'. Someone whose high point in life was high school football. Would she be happy with someone whose life peaked somewhere in the past rather than somewhere out in the future?
At the same time, Lex was also pondering the unexpected turn in the conversation. Ever since he had agreed to take over the plant in Smallville, he had been going through a metamorphosis. Gone where the days of partying all night, every night. When was the last time he had stayed up all night that wasn't work related? And work. Before accepting this assignment it had never been important to him, but now it did matter. Most of the families in Smallville, either directly or indirectly, depended on him for their livelihoods. When he first arrived, the job was all about proving something to himself and perhaps, though he hated to admit it, to his father. But now he really cared about the people who worked for him. Before he arrived in Smallville, he never would have believed he would have many sleepless nights worrying that if he screwed up, people would lose their jobs. Was this from being around people like Lana and Clark and even Clark's parents? Or was it just a sign he was finally growing up?
All he knew was that he had more happy memories from the past year than all of the other years, since his mother had died, combined. And Lana had been a part of a lot of those memories. Of course, a lot of those times had been spent talking with Clark about how Clark should take the initiative with Lana. Perhaps all those conversations had been working on Lex's own subconscious. Certainly all of the women from his Metropolis days had lost their luster. Was it because he had been subconsciously focusing on Lana?
Now that he had opened his eyes and looked consciously at Lana for the first time as something more than a business partner or Clark's friend, what did he see? A smart, astute person who could be a formidable business leader when she had a little more experience. But business wasn't her whole life; she also found time to help others. Several times since they had started The Talon, she had hosted charity events, something that never would have occurred to him. Charity Events. Is that really the key? Is it that none of the women he had dated in Metropolis ever measured up against his subconscious standard of his mother, but in some way Lana did?
Finally, after several long, uncomfortable minutes of silence, Lana quietly spoke. "I don't know why I said that, but" and here Lex started to interrupt, but Lana just covered his lips with a couple of her fingers. "No, Lex, something important just happened. When my words first came out,
they were meant to be supportive. But they were like throwing a light switch and when the lights came up the room contained some new and unexpected treasure. I don't know if it is something real or the result of the conversation or just the 'only man on the desert island' syndrome. However, it looks like we are going to be spending a lot of time together for the next few weeks. I don't want to give up the closeness we have had for the past few minutes. It feels like my sanity and maybe my soul depend on it."
Lana paused for a moment, fearing she had gone too far. When she started to continue, this time it was Lex's turn press his fingertips lightly to her lips. He intended to speak, but for a moment he focused on the softness of her lips. Before the delay became unbearably long, he pulled her closer so he could whisper in her ear. "You're right. I feel some thing, some connection, happening, too. Since it looks like we have a lot of time, I would love to spend some of it holding you and talking. There are things I suddenly feel the urge to get out, talk about, and try to work through. My mom. My life. My dreams and goals. And you. I would love to listen to you. Big things. Little things. Whatever you would like to share."
Lana nodded so he could sense it through his fingertips. And she felt her eyes start to tear up again, but this time from happiness. This moment she felt truly happy for the first time since they had found out they were lost in time. She realized Lex might turn into her closest friend. If it led to something more, that might be okay, or even wonderful, too.
Lex felt her body relax against him. When she turned her head slightly, her damp cheek touched his. He instinctively knew these tears were different and it lifted his heart. Perhaps together they could get through this adventure. If he was lucky, he might find a way past some of his fears and nightmares. If he was really lucky, he might have just found something more.
For a long while they just held each other tight, relaxing to the gentle swaying of the coach from the smooth Roman road.
End of Chapter 17