Romeo and Juliet, Act III
Author's notes:
Thanks to beta-reader Jaded.
This chapter dedicated to my imaginary friend, Celtic, and to Miss Windy, for providing the necessary angst.
I wasn't going to put in any notes until the last chapter, as I already have five pages of notes and sources. However, I just had to thank everyone for all the yummy feedback. I started it only to entertain myself, and I never thought anyone but my geeky RL friends would read it!
I'm glad you are enjoying Pete and Lana. Funny how the characters I find least interesting on the show became the best characters in this story. I don't know how that happened. My muse works in mysterious ways.
So, I suppose this is the time to warn those who haven't already figured it out that I am following the plot of the original play scene-by-scene, and the full title of the play is "The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet." As those familiar with the play may recall, the tragic part begins right … about… here:
Act III, Scene i
Outside The Talon, late afternoon.
The following afternoon, Chloe stopped by the Talon at the end of Lana's shift to offer her a ride home. Lana had walked in because the morning had been cool, but the afternoon was uncomfortably hot. "Thank god this day's over," said Lana as they were leaving. "This weather is making me really cranky. I was starting to snap at the customers."
"You're kidding!" exclaimed Chloe. "I should have come by earlier! I'd have loved to see you snap at a customer. I can't even picture it."
"I guess you haven't been around me when the air conditioning is out."
"Bet you're exaggerating," said Chloe, "but it's true that everyone I've spoken to today has seemed crabby."
Heading towards Chloe's car, they spotted Pete on the opposite side of the street, walking with his shoulders hunched and glaring at the sidewalk. Lana instinctively took a step back, but Chloe waved him over.
"Pete! Over here!" she called. He approached them, looking like a thundercloud.
"Gentlewomen," he said, "Good-den. A word with one of you?"
"One word with one of us?" laughed Chloe. "Couple it with something; make it a word and a… something else."
"Chloe, I'm really not in the mood for this today. Thou consortest with Lex -"
"I wouldn't put it exactly that way," Chloe remarked.
Lana looked around. "We talk here in the public haunt of men. Either withdraw unto some private place and reason coldly of your grievances, or else depart; here, all eyes are on us."
"Oh, let them look," scoffed Chloe. "The A.C. is out in the Talon; we're just as well off out here. Hey, here's the man himself."
Pete turned as Lex's car pulled up and Lex emerged from it, looking as if the heat of the day was nothing to him.
"Lex," Pete addressed him without preamble, "the love I bear thee can afford no better term: Thou art a villain."
"What? What did I do now?"
"What did you do? You did Clark, apparently. I know you were with him last night – all night!"
"Oh. Well, yes, that's true." Lex might have been turning a little pink. Chloe tried a cat-call, and Lana elbowed her in the ribs. "But I don't know how that makes me a villain," Lex continued, "and I don't know why you care, Pete."
"I care because he's my friend, and you're a Luthor!" Pete snarled.
"Yesterday it seemed like -"
"Yeah, well, yesterday I didn't know I was giving you the go-ahead to run and defile him that very minute!" Pete was shouting now. "You've got him all turned around! You can't be trusted, but he's not thinking straight and he won't listen to me!"
"Pete, you're like a brother to Clark. That's not going to change. And because of that, the reason I have to love thee doth much excuse the appertaining rage to such greeting. Villain I am none. Therefore, farewell; I see thou know'st me not," Lex concluded, and started to turn away from Pete.
But it was not to be. Pete grabbed Lex's sleeve, making Lex turn back to him. "Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me! Therefore -"
"I do protest!" Lex cut in. "I never injur'd thee, but love thee better than thou canst devise. Be satisfied with that!"
"Hey, you guys-" began Chloe, moving between them.
Pete was short, but he was younger and more muscular than Lex, and fueled with fury. If he'd bothered to think, he still would have thought he could have taken Lex in a fight. But he didn't think. He never even thought about any potential lawsuits as he hauled off and swung at Lex with all his strength. Lex only had to take one step back to be out of Pete's range, but Chloe stumbled between them and Pete's fist connected with her jaw instead. As if in slow motion, Chloe lurched forward, and as slowly as it seemed to be happening, neither Lex nor Pete could catch her before her head struck the edge of the U.S. mailbox on the sidewalk.
Pete and Lex could only stare for a moment. It was Lana who rushed to Chloe, who was lying unmoving on the pavement, blood spreading from underneath her head. "Call 911!" she screamed. Lex pulled out his phone and dialed while Lana tried to revive Chloe without moving or touching her too much. "Chloe? Chloe!" Tears of panic were springing to Lana's eyes. She turned on Lex and Pete. "What have you DONE? A plague on both your houses!" she sobbed.
Pete looked stricken. "You don't think she's – is she breathing?"
"No! No she's – oh my god, what have you done?" Lana collapsed in sobs next to Chloe's still form.
Lex lunged at Pete.
Stronger Pete might have been, but football isn't street-fighting, and by the time the ambulance arrived, Pete wasn't moving any more than Chloe was.
Act III, Scene ii
The Kents' Livingroom
Clark waited up for Lex to call, pretending to watch some old movie. Lex was supposed to call when he was home from work, and ten o'clock wasn't unusually late for him to be working, so it wasn't until about ten-thirty that Clark tried calling him at his office at the plant.
Voicemail.
He tried the mansion, and was told that Lex hadn't come home yet. Probably driving, then.
He tried the mansion again at eleven. Still no Lex, although the staff member who answered sounded as if something might not be right, which put Clark on alert. He tried Lex's cell phone. Voicemail.
Should he call the hospital? The police station? Lana? Lana saw Lex nearly every day at the Talon. Was it too late to call? He called.
Lana was awake, although just from the way she said Hello, Clark could tell she was upset. "Lana, what's wrong?"
"Clark? It's – has anyone called you?"
"No, no one. What is it? You sound like you've been crying."
"It's Chloe," Lana said hoarsely. "She's in the hospital, in a coma. They don't know-" she swallowed.
"What happened?" Clark demanded, already putting his shoes on for a run to the hospital.
"It's – it's crazy, Clark. Pete was mad at Lex, and he tried to hit him, and Chloe tried to stop him, and-" she choked.
"Pete? Where is he?"
"He's at the hospital too; his ribs are broken. Um, three of them. There was internal bleeding, that's why he's still there…"
"Is Lex all right?"
She drew a shaky breath. "Clark, Lex is in jail. He was still hitting Pete when the ambulance came."
"What?? Lex? Broke Pete's ribs?"
"When Chloe wasn't breathing – Lex lost it. He just attacked."
"But why? If Pete hit Chloe by accident …"
"I don't know, Clark… He just…"
"O serpent heart, hid with flowering face! Did dragon ever keep so fair a cave? Beautiful tyrant! Fiend angelical! Dove-feather'd raven! Wolfish-ravening lamb! Despised substance of divinest show! Just opposite to what thou justly seem'st, a damned saint, an honorable villain! O nature, what hads't thou to do in hell when thou didst bower the spirit of a fiend in mortal paradise of such sweet flesh? Was ever book containing such vile matter so fairly bound? O, that deceit should dwell in such a gorgeous palace!" cried Clark. "Pete was right all along – I should never have trusted Lex!"
"There is no trust," agreed Lana. "No faith, no honesty in men; all are perjured, all foresworn, all naught, all dissemblers. These griefs, these woes, these sorrows make me old. My parents, Whitney, now this! Shame come to Lex!"
"Blistered be thy tongue for such a wish!" snapped Clark. "He was not born to shame! Upon his brow shame is ashamed to sit, for 'tis a throne where honour may be crown'd sole monarch of universal earth. O, what a beast I was to chide at him!"
"What? You just said - "
"Never mind. Lana, I'm going to the hospital. Then I'm going to visit Lex. Do you want me to pick you up?"
"You can't; visiting hours are over at the hospital, and probably at the jail. I'll go with you to see Lana and Pete in the morning. Lex … well, he should be out on bail tomorrow. If not, you can see him at the courthouse. I'm not going."
Act III, Scene iii
Lex's mansion in Smallville
"Lex."
"Dad. I take it you heard everything from the lawyers."
"I did. Lex, you haven't done anything like this since you came to Smallville. Are you reverting to your old ways?"
"No. And you weren't there, so don't lecture me."
"Listen, come back to Metropolis. We'll figure something out."
"I'm not leaving Smallville, dad. There is no world without Smallville walls but purgatory and torture itself."
"O deadly sin! O rude unthankfulness! Lex, this is a very small town. Everyone already knows what happened. There's no reason for you to stay here, son. You won't be crossing state lines; you can come back for the trial. Come back to Metropolis with me for now. This is dear mercy, and thou see'st it not."
"'Tis torture and not mercy; Heaven is here, where Clark lives."
"Thou fond man, hear me speak a little…"
"O, thou wilt speak again of Metropolis!"
"I see then that madmen have no ears."
"How should they, when that wise men have no eyes?"
"Low blow, Lex. Well done. But let me dispute with thee of thy estate."
"Thou canst not speak of that that thou dost not feel. When thou were as young as I – Strike that; you wouldn't have understood even then."
There was a quiet knock at the open door. Martha Kent stood there, showing some trepidation. She was one of the few people acquainted with Lionel Luthor who did not fear him. Awkward social situations, though, made her very anxious.
"Martha!" exclaimed Lionel. "What a surprise! I wasn't sure I'd see you again after you left my employ."
Martha smiled politely.
"Come in," said Lex. "How's Clark?"
Martha's smile grew warmer. "He's all right. Worried about you. I asked him to stay away until I spoke to you. If …" she glanced at Lionel.
"It's all right," said Lex. "Whatever is said in the mansion seems to get back to him anyway. You might as well speak freely."
"Thank you for that gesture of openness, Lex," Lionel remarked with only the barest hint of malice.
"Any time, dad. Mrs. Kent, please go on."
Martha was hesitant, but she plunged ahead. "It's this thing with you and Clark… You know, last night …" she cast her glance at Lionel again.
"He knows all about it," said Lex, "although I didn't think you did."
"I'm his mother," Martha stated, by way of explanation.
"Are you bothered?" Lex asked with real concern.
"I… I'm not thrilled. But Clark is seventeen and these things happen. Usually with girls, but … well, that's not why I came here, really." She sighed. "It's Jonathon. He had that triple-bypass, and his heart isn't as strong as it was, and you know how he feels about…" Her eyes cut back and forth between Lex and Lionel. "Well, you're a man and you're… I hate to say this, but you're Lionel's son, and I'm worried what might happen if he finds out." Having said her piece, Martha seemed to back away, although she didn't actually move.
Lex smiled and went to her and took her hands in his. "It'll be fine," he told her. "Subtlety. It's my thing; you know that. We'll be careful. I'll be careful."
Martha was relieved, if only that the confrontation was over. "Thank you, Lex. I'm sure you will. I just needed to be sure you knew the risks. Lionel … it's been nice seeing you." She turned and left as quickly as etiquette would allow.
"Well, well," said Lionel. "You've got the mother on your side. This should be a piece of cake."
"Get the hell out of here, dad."
"I'm leaving. I just need to make one more thing clear to you: What you did to Pete yesterday; that was unacceptable."
"I know, dad. I just spent the night in jail for it."
"You know that's not what I meant. It showed weakness you can't afford to show. You can't let your opponents know you're that easy to trigger. It gives them far too big an advantage."
"I understand, dad. Now if you don't mind, I'm really tired."
"Metropolis, son. Think about it."
"Good night, dad."
Act III, scene iv
The Talon
Lana had finally dragged herself into work early in the afternoon. It was a slow time of day, especially in the summer. When Martha Kent walked in, Lana was happy for the company for a fleeting moment before she realized that Martha could only be here to talk about Clark and Lex. Lana had no idea what was she supposed to know about it.
"Coffee, Mrs. Kent?"
"An iced coffee would be nice. Thanks."
Martha seated herself at the bar while Lana prepared the iced coffee. "Things have fallen out unluckily," Martha said.
Without warning, tears stung Lana's eyes again. "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Kent. I should have been able to stop them-"
"Oh, it's not your fault, Lana," Martha soothed. "It's not anyone's fault. Pete couldn't help being angry, and Lex was only upset over Chloe. I just wish … I wish Clark had fallen for someone else. Someone we've known longer."
"A girl?" asked Lana, with an impish smile.
"That too." Martha couldn't suppress a grin. "You know, for the longest time, I thought you and Clark…"
"I did too, for a while," said Lana, "But it looks like I'm not exactly his type after all."
"Well, he's seventeen. People experiment. You never know. This could be just a passing thing, Lana."
Lana shook her head and smiled. "Are you tying to convince me or yourself?"
Martha laughed. "I'm not sure. But given our history with Lionel, it's really … I hate to say inconvenient, but it really is. Things would be so much simpler if it had been, well, you."
"I understand," said Lana. "But things could still work out for them. Like you said, you never know. Clark is only seventeen, and Lex isn't exactly an old man set in his ways either. Anything could happen."
"And probably will," agreed Martha.
Act III, Scene v
The loft of the Kents' barn, late that night. (Actually, early the next morning.)
"Do you have to go already? It's nowhere near light out." Clark lay on the old couch, under a blanket which he didn't need but had brought to the loft for Lex's comfort.
"The birds are up," said Lex, looking for his shirt. "It's got to be nearly dawn. Your dad will be up looking for you any minute."
"Birds? It was the nightingale, and not the lark, that pierc'd the fearful hollow of thine ear."
"Nice try, Clark. There are no nightingales in Kansas."
"You can't be sure of that," countered Clark, pulling him back down to the couch.
"I can be sure your father will be up soon, whether there are nightingales singing or not. Come on, let me go." Lex set to work extracting himself from Clark's arms.
"You don't really have to go to Metropolis, do you?" Clark pleaded.
"It's the best thing for now." Lex had managed to get his arms free and was struggling into his shirt.
"For how long?"
"I don't know. Where's my tie?"
"How long, Lex? Until the trial?"
"This won't go to trial. We'll settle. Shoes …"
"That's not what I asked, Lex," Clark said sternly. "In fact, you're really working to avoid the question. How long will you be in Metropolis?"
Lex sat back on the couch and sighed. "I don't know Clark. But it could be a long time. There are…"
"Don't tell me there are complications. Just tell me what's going on. Since we're sleeping together, I'd think you'd feel close enough to tell me why you're going out of town, and for how long."
Lex studied him a moment before answering. "Your mother came to see me. She told me your father's heart isn't very good."
"He had that surgery – it's been fine -"
"Apparently not that fine. She's worried. I told her we wouldn't let her find out about this, but look at us now – he could be up here at any moment." He paused. "I think it would be best if I stayed away for a while."
Clark stared, wide-eyed. "They told me his heart would be fine."
"I'm sure it will be," said Lex, "If we don't give him a heart attack in the immediate future."
"You don't think finding out I'm gay would… No, he can't think like that!"
"I don't know what he thinks about being gay, Clark, but I know what he thinks about me. And my father. And I'm almost sure I know what he'd think about wandering into the loft and finding me here with half my clothes on – or worse."
Clark slumped back. "You might be right. I can't believe they didn't tell me …" He shook his head in disbelief. "I need to talk to them. But do you really have to go all the way to Metropolis?"
Lex laughed. "Where else would I go?" He reached out and ruffled Clark's already ruffled hair. "I'll be back. Don't look so sad."
"Art thou gone so, my lord, my love, my friend? I must hear from thee every day i' the hour, for in a minute there are many days. O, by this count I shall be much in years ere I again behold my Lex."
"I'll call every day. And I'll be back, I doubt it not; and all these woes shall serve for sweet discourses in our time to come." Suddenly he looked out the loft door. "But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?"
"That's the kitchen light! They're up!" said Clark. "Get dressed, get out of here!"
"That's what I was-"
"Go!"
Once he'd shooed Lex out of the loft, Clark used his speed to dress himself and raced to the kitchen, then tried to enter nonchalantly. His mom was starting on the coffee.
"Clark!" His mom said. "You slept out in the loft?" Then she blushed, for what seemed to Clark to be no discernable reason, until she added, "Was Lex over?"
"Oh," said Clark. "Yeah. Um… he stayed over."
His mom sighed and set down the coffee pot. "Clark, I know what's going on with you and Lex. Well, I don't know exactly, but… I'd just like you to keep it private. Do you know what I mean?"
"You mean don't let dad find out," he said, ducking his head." Lex told me about his heart. Mom, I can't believe you didn't tell me!"
"I'm sorry, sweetie. I think it just needs more time, and I didn't think anything would come up that…"
"Mom, this is Smallville. Something always comes up."
"You're right, Clark. We should have talked to you about it a long time ago. But I didn't just mean that you shouldn't let your father find out about you and Lex; this is a small town. If anyone knows, it will get back to him. I'm asking you to just… be really careful."
"I will, mom. And I know Lex doesn't want anything to happen to dad." He crossed the kitchen and hugged her. "Don't worry about it. Lex is going back to Metropolis for a while, so we have time to ease dad into the idea, if we have to. Everything's going to be fine."
