Chloe stepped inside the office of the Luthor mansion. Lex had so easily offered it to her when she needed to think, or to be alone. He'd also said that he would be there to talk if she needed him. Chloe looked at the décor of the room. Everything was rather modern except for the masonry. This castle was ages old. She spied katanas, swords, and other weapons of ancient warfare hanging from the walls. It was slightly morbid, but Chloe could deal for a little bit of silence. She had been here before, but never had the time to stop to look at the surroundings.

Lex sat down in his chair behind his desk. "Admiring the décor?" he asked. It was my father's idea. My family has always had a history of love of war. It shows between my father and I." He looked at Chloe. "Do you need to think now? I'll leave if you do."

"Oh, no, Lex." She looked at him. "I'd much rather have someone to talk to right now. I'm not really in a reflecting mood." She walked over to the nearest shelf and picked up a book. "The Complete Works of Shakespeare," she read aloud. "You and Lana would get along quite well."

"My family has a love for poetry as well. Mine just shows up more often in rhyme schemes. My father can douse you with witty quotes and clichés."

Chloe smiled and opened the book to a random page. "Ah, Romeo and Juliet. We did this in class last year." She closed the book, keeping her place with her fingers. "Two households, both alike in dignity-"

"In fair Verona where we lay our scene." Lex smiled. You memorized it.

"The Prologue at least. It's still been a year, though."

"It seems that you like poetry too."

"Somewhat. I've never really gotten into it, but when I read it, I get involved and want to know more about the certain qualities of a poem." She put the book back on the shelf. "Call it reporter's instinct."

"Call it intellectualism." Lex got up from his chair and moved to stand behind her. "That's one great quality I like about you. You always want to find out more, to get to the bottom of things. You like to dig down to the bare bones of it all, and work your way outward from there."

Chloe thought for a moment, and turned to face him. "You are quite into the flattery today, and have been nice enough to lend me your office when I feel the need to think. Is there something more you aren't telling me?"

Lex smiled. "I want you to help me, Chloe."


Chloe was still shocked a week after Lex had asked her to help him uncover the facts concerning his father's swift movement to put his only brother that was alive into adoption. Lex had told her about Lionel's betrayal of Lillian with the woman that had recently come to town inquiring about Clark calling him 'Lucas'. She was sorry she even found that woman. Lex asked her to try and track down any remaining adoption papers through the adoption agency and through her contacts. He had a feeling that his brother was still alive, although his father said he was dead.

Chloe had taken the offer, but without bringing up facts first. She knew the consequences of messing around with something that Lionel Luthor was trying to cover up. It often had a deadly end to it all. However, Lex promised his utmost protection around everything she would do.

She began her search the day after Lex asked her to help him. The agency that Lucas went through was the same one that Clark had gone through as well. She pulled up the site her contact had given her, and put in the password. Only one record came up. It was Clark's. Chloe knew that two adoptions had gone through the agency, and only two.

Where was the other record?


Chloe walked into the office. Lex was sitting in his chair, and looked up at her as she came in.

"Chloe. Have you found anything?"

"I'm sorry Lex, but I have found absolutely nothing." She put the papers she did have down on the desk in front of him. "My contact gave me access to all records that had gone through the agency. Not one comes up for Lucas."

"How can that happen though? There were only two adoptions."

"It looks to me like someone is trying to cover their tracks. Or someone is trying to cover it for a reason."

"I wouldn't doubt that it's my father." Lex sighed, and put his head in his hands. "He always has something to do with everything."

Chloe walked over to Lex, and put her hand on his shoulder. "We won't give up, Lex. Not until we find him."


Lionel listened intently to the conversation. He was glad that he put those bugs in the office. It proved to be rather successful once again. And Miss Sullivan had proved to be very resourceful in getting her information to Lex. She could prove to be a very valuable asset. He walked over to the table, and filled himself a glass of scotch. This would prove to be interesting. He would involve Lex in his little game. He walked over to the phone, picked it up, and dialed a number. A gruff voice answered on the third ring.

"Mr. Luthor?"

"Where is Lucas now?"

"We're monitoring him safely in Edge City, sir."

"Good. Put the adoption papers back online."


Chloe rarely had any time to do much more work on the case of Lucas in the following days. She had Torch deadlines, school projects, and a deadly research essay that was due in the upcoming days. Where had all her time gone?

Footsteps sounded in the doorway. She didn't look up. She was too busy furiously typing away at her computer. "Clark, leave your articles by the copier. I'll review them this afternoon."

"Well if I had any articles, then I certainly would turn them in for you."

Chloe looked up, and smiled at the familiar face. "Lex. What brings you to the Torch?"

"I was just wondering if you had found anything else. I haven't seen you in a few days."

"To be completely honest with you Lex, I haven't done anything to find anything else. I've been so busy…"

"Don't worry," he said. "I understand that there is more to life than doing a favor for me."

Chloe smiled. "Thanks for understanding. Would you like to try to find anything now?"

"Sound's like an idea." He grabbed a chair and sat down beside her.

Chloe dug around in her desk drawer for a moment before fishing out a small piece of paper. "Here it is," she said to herself. She typed in the address for the agency, and typed in the login and password as stated on the piece of paper. The web page loaded.

"Woah." Chloe was shocked for a moment, then refreshed the page.

"What is it?" Lex asked.

"I think it just glitched on me." She watched as the web page loaded again. "No way…" she said.

"What is it, Chloe?"

She turned to look at Lex, then pointed to the screen.

It read: 'adoption papers: Clark Kent, Lucas Dunlevy.'