Disclaimer – I don't own anything or anyone… sadly enough.

Chapter One

Lex couldn't hide his disappointment at the sight of his father's limousine parked right outside the ancient front doors. As always, Lionel Luthor had completely disregarded his son's request to be left alone, he had made his visit anyway. As Lex got out of his car and looked up at the house, he sighed deeply; twinkling lights of white gaudily framed the doorway and every window and Lex dreaded to think of what he would find inside. He pushed open the heavy wooden doors and entered his home; the mansion sounded busy although the hallway was eerily empty. Lex surged forward, following the noise through to the dining hall where he found his father orchestrating a hundred people; waiters, chefs, florists and who knew what else. On Lex's entry, they scattered like frightened rats and Lionel turned around to face him.

"Happy birthday, son," he said, stepping forward and slapping Lex on the back before ushering him over to the beautifully set dining table. No more physical contact; Lex always imagined he would burn his father's skin if they touched for longer than a second. "I've arranged a small soiree in honour of the big day,"

"Gee, thanks Dad," said Lex sarcastically. He hated his birthday more than anything on this earth and always ensured he spent it alone with a bottle of single malt and a good book. He had certainly not wanted any of this; dinner, a party, company. "Dare I ask who is attending this soulless shindig of yours?"

"Lex," said Lionel, an admonishing tone to his voice. Lex turned to face him and arched an eyebrow. "Just a few business associates of mine and a handful of those friends that you have made here; Miss Lang and the ever-charming Miss Sullivan,"

"Clark?" asked Lex, a little more hope in his voice than he had intended to give away. His father nodded briskly and walked to the drinks cabinet, pouring himself a small measure of whisky and literally throwing it down his throat. "And the purpose of this evening?"

"I thought your birthday would provide the perfect opportunity for an informal gathering of the new Luthorcorp associates. Relaxed surroundings, good food, flowing alcohol," Lionel smiled to himself slightly. "You miss a lot of our new business while you're holed up in this delightful little backwater," The real reasons behind his father's seeming kindness hit Lex a little too quickly; the more relaxed businessmen became, the more relaxed their tongues become.

"I see," nodded Lex. "The perfect fact finding mission, get your associates drunk and see what truths come tumbling from their lips,"

"Now son, I said no such thing," smiled Lionel. "However, if anyone were to start talking then it certainly would be of benefit to the company to report on any weak links as it were," Lex nodded as his father spoke, he had learned long ago that it gave the impression he was listening. Lionel's booming voice had given a certain gravitas to his speech; Lex had often wondered if his father fancied himself as the leader of an army, dispensing battle strategies and war stories to the platoon. He glanced around the room briefly in the ensuing silence as Lionel checked through papers handed to him by one of the many cloned waiters. There were white flowers in every vase in the room; they reminded Lex of death. White lilies on his mother's bedside table, white lilies on his mother's coffin. He swallowed hard and focused his attention on the table, the best china and silverware was set before him; it would appear that Lionel had made every effort for the party. Lex could only wonder what secrets the new business partners were hiding if such an extravagant smokescreen was being created for them. And why had Lionel invited Lana, Chloe and Clark to these games? Was it an attempt to smooth things over between father and son, prove to Lex that he did have some interest in his life away from the business? It didn't matter. It was nothing but a ruse and Lex was far from impressed. Today was a day of isolation; he would not play along to his father's wishes or be forced into any position of authority.

"So Dad, what time are these guests of yours arriving?" he asked. "I really should change if there's time,"

"There's time," said Lionel, waving Lex away. "It's a black tie dinner though, Lex. Everyone had been informed," He turned back to the secretive whisperings of the waiter; Lex was beginning to feel worse. Not only an unwanted birthday party but a black tie affair to boot. He left the room in a maelstrom of adolescent temper, slamming the door behind him and running up the staircase to his bedroom. He would have happily locked himself in if he didn't know his father would have a locksmith out to release him within minutes.

He showered briefly, relishing the silence of those five minutes as water gushed out and drowned him. He dreaded the thought of returning to the world of business, even when it had been decorated so nicely. He dressed quickly, one of his many tailored suits in navy blue; he didn't wear a shirt but a light sweater beneath his suit jacket. There was no way he was wearing a shirt and tie to his own birthday party, no matter how farcical an occasion it was. He walked slowly down the stairs, dragging the time out as much as he could, he felt a lot calmer than when he had first arrived home and knew that the shower had blasted away most of his annoyance. As he passed the telephone, he considered calling Clark and warning him and the girls away from what was promising to be nothing more than an exercise in good management from his father. He was pondering the decision when Lionel burst into the hallway through the double doors; his long black coat flowing out behind him like a cape.

"I'm sorry, Lex but something's come up. I'm needed in Metropolis as soon as possible. I'm sure you can handle things from here on in," Lex watched as Lionel walked towards the main entrance doors, shouting back over his shoulder as he went. "I expect a report of the success of this evening to be forwarded to my office. I left your gift in the study, you can open it later," And with a heavy slam, Lionel Luthor had walked out of his son's birthday party, a party that he had fully organised and paid for against Lex's wishes. Lex didn't know why he felt surprised, it was to be expected. Lionel had always had a penchant for lavishing money and gifts on Lex but never sticking around long enough to enjoy his son's pleasure. Lex had stopped gaining pleasure from his absent father and his meaningless gifts too long ago to remember. He wandered into the study and found the small box that sat next to his laptop. He pulled the red ribbon away and lifted the lid; inside lay a small book of poetry, it looked ancient from the faded cover and creased spine, Lex wouldn't have been surprised if it was a first edition. He picked it up and thumbed through the yellowed pages, he sighed deeply, there was nothing here that he hadn't seen a hundred times already. Glancing down, he caught the silvery shine of a set of car keys; abandoning the poetry, he picked them up idly; just what he needed. Another Porsche. It was utterly depressing that this was the extent of his relationship with his father; useless gifts, unwanted visits.

He glanced through the window, watching as Lionel's limousine passed smoothly through the open gates of the manor. The gates remained open as the first guest arrived, a large silver Aston Martin similar to Lex's own pulled into the driveway. Lex moved from the study through to the lounge; he was secretly pleased that Lionel had hired so many aides for the evening; it gave him ample opportunity to indulge in a glass of scotch before dinner. He wished he had some idea of his father's plans, what details of a dinner party could he possibly want reported? Lex was still thinking over the benefits of withholding the details from Lionel when he heard one of the hostesses greeting the first guest in the hallway and offering to show him through to the study. Showtime.

The doors swung open and a man of his father's age entered the room, immediately offering an outstretched hand to Lex. He shook it firmly, combining it with his best business smile and introducing himself.

"Lex Luthor," he beamed. "I'm afraid that you've just missed my father. He's been called away on a pressing matter,"

"No worry," said the man, a faint Texan lilt to his voice. "I'm Jake Phillips, I understand it's your birthday, young man," Lex nodded, he was used to being patronised by the older members of the company, convinced that Lex was a perfect, shining example of nepotism and far too young for their world. Jake sat down in one of the leather chairs next to the fireplace while Lex poured him a glass of the lesser brand of scotch, feeling no remorse for his snobbery. "Lionel thought it would be advantageous for us to meet with you; I'm sure he's informed you of his desire to promote you to head of the new division,"

"Actually, he hadn't mentioned it but tonight is starting to make a little more sense," said Lex, sitting opposite Jake with his own drink in hand. He sipped it slowly, enjoying the lingering, warm burn at the back of his throat. "My father has been so busy lately; he's obviously neglected to inform me of these changes to the business. What exactly is this new division?"

"I'm sorry, Lex. I think maybe I should leave the nitty-gritty to your father," said Jake quietly, obviously aware that he had made a mistake by mentioning the changes at Luthorcorp. "I had no idea you were so ill-informed,"

"You would be surprised, I'm sure,"

"So," he coughed, a little uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. "What time are the others arriving? Soon, I'll bet,"

"I would assume so," sighed Lex, hearing a car pull up on the gravel driveway and wondering just how long this torture would have to endure.