Note: I'll be wrapping up this fic in the next few chapters. Look for the wedding soon!


Metropolis: Luthor Penthouse

Sunday, July 4th

6:35 P.M.

"Would you like a cup of tea?" Lana heard Lex Luthor ask her as she studied the extravagant interior of his penthouse. Artifacts and exotic imports from all over the globe were scattered around the spotless room. The windows held a spectacular view of the setting sun. Lana crossed the room to look at the sunset and wished she was back at home in Clark's loft, watching the pinkish orange sun set.

"No, thank you," Lana said, declining Lex's offer of tea. She turned around and watched him sit down on one of the leather seats. She paced the room and sat in the seat across from him, folding her hands in her lap nervously.

"It's been a while since we've met," Lex said with a small smile, leaning a bit closer.

Lana politely returned the smile and twisted her hands in her lap. She watched as a different kind of smile crossed his facial features.

"Congratulations on the engagement," Lex said suddenly, gesturing at the ring on her marriage finger. "Who's the lucky guy?"

Lana cleared her throat and looked down at her ring. "Actually, it's someone you were once very closed to—Clark."

"Clark Kent," Lex repeated with the same strange smile on his face. "You and Clark have been in love since forever—I guess it's only natural that the two of you would get hitched."

Lana nodded, not really knowing what to say. She took a sip of the tea that was brought in even though she had declined the offer.

"So…what am I doing here, Lex?" Lana asked, setting the cup down, wanting to be back in Smallville already. She desperately wanted to check on Clark.

"I don't know, why don't you ask yourself?" Lex said with a hint of mystery. He stood up and walked over the floor-to-ceiling window, his hands in the pockets of his pants.

Lana frowned, not wanting to play any more games. Apparently Lex sensed this and motioned one of his many assistants over. He muttered something and the assistant nodded, leaving the room. He returned a moment later with a pen and a checkbook in hand.

"So, how much do you think a new house would cost in Smallville, Lana?" Lex said, looking at her expectantly.

"What?" Lana asked, confused.

"A new house in Smallville—unless you and Clark are planning to live elsewhere," Lex said, holding the pen above the checkbook, ready to scribble down an amount.

"Lex─"

"Lana, please, it's a wedding present for you and Clark."

"Lex, I can't accept─" Lana began, but stopped because Lex had dropped a check for ten thousand dollars in her hand.

"It might not get you a house, but it'll get you a horse—you still ride, don't you?"

Lana nodded and then mentally slapped herself for visualizing a white horse. "Lex," she practically shoved the check back at him, "I—Clark and I can't accept this from you."

"Lana, I insist," Lex said, not taking 'no' for an answer. He was now standing next to the chair she was sitting on.

Lana ignored him and placed the check on the coffee table, having every intention of 'forgetting' it. "So, that's it? That's all you wanted me here for?" Lana asked, doubting that was the reason he had invited her to his penthouse—he wanted something, something valuable to his company or personal interest.

"My, you weren't always this curious," Lex said, sitting back down. "Did Clark's journalistic instincts wipe off on you?"

Lana smiled cautiously. "No…I've just gotten smarter to know that some people, when they give, they want something back in return."

"Ouch." Lex placed a hand over his heart in mock hurt. "True, but it still hurt."

Lana didn't laugh along with him. Something about him had suddenly changed. He wasn't the amiable guy that had invited her to his penthouse and had offered to fly her back to her home. He was now someone darker, looking for something to gain from this meeting.

"Lana," Lex leaned forward, his hands together, "I want to know the connection between you and that man in that blue and red ski mask—is he someone you know? A friend?"

Lana stared at him. Her whole image of him as a caring old friend had suddenly shattered. "I don't know what you're talking about…."

"You know exactly what I'm talking about." His tone and demeanor had changed.

Lana shifted uncomfortably in her chair, feeling like she was being interrogated. She wouldn't be surprised if he had hidden cameras recording every word she had said and was about to say.

"Why did you defend him?"

Lana frowned, beginning to feel her resolve to stay cool ebb away. "What is this, an interview?"

"Why did you defend him?"

Lana lost it at that moment. She stood up aburptly. "I defended him because he didn't deserve to die! You just wanted him killed off because he badmouthed you and LexCorp in front of a huge crowd of people and the reporters!"

Lex blinked, seemingly coming out of a trance. "Well, I guess it's time you head back now. I wouldn't want Clark to worry." He stood up and held out an arm to indicate that Lana go ahead of him.

"I guess it is," Lana said coldly. She glared at him unbelievably and stomped out of the room, not bothering to wait for him. Just like she had planned, the check was forgotten, but not purposely.

Behind her, Lex Luthor could be seen muttering a few words to his assistant who was to accompany Lana on her trip back to Smallville.

Lana heard the double doors of the room close and turned around. If she had x-ray vision like Clark, she would've seen Lex Luthor making himself comfortable in a seat and switching on the plasma television to see a replay of his and her conversation.