Chapter 6

Lex and Janet were driving towards Metropolis in Lex's Aston Martin. They traveled in silence. About one hour into the journey Lex began to feel weak. He knew that he wasn't going to be able to just shake it off this time. He pulled the car off the road and came to a stop.

"I cannot believe I am about to say this," Lex said weakly "but can you drive a stick?"

"Yes sir, I can," Janet replied.

"Good, you're driving the rest of the way," he said. Without waiting for a reply or even asking if she was willing, Lex got out of the car and stumbled around to the passenger seat.

"Mr. Luthor, you really need to let me take your vitals, I need to see if there is anything abnormal going on"

"Look Janet, I know that you are being paid to be concerned about my well being, and I'll make a deal with you. If you will just let me rest in the car and drive us the rest of the way, I will submit to any tests you wish to run when we get to the penthouse."

"Ok."

Janet pulled the car back onto the road and Lex tried to get comfortable in the passenger seat of his car. He was beginning to feel extremely light-headed and was having trouble breathing so he put his head back and closed his eyes in an effort to try and calm his body down. Within moments he was fast asleep.

Lex walked into the Talon to get a cup of coffee. He sat down in one of the armchairs towards the back. The waitress walked up to him and took his order promptly. A few moments later Lana was bringing his order to him on a tray. She took the mug of hot coffee and slammed it down on the table with most of it's contents splashing into Lex's lap.

"You shouldn't be here Lex, you know what's going to happen. It's all your fault." An angry Lana stormed off without giving Lex a chance to respond.

"What the hell is that about," he questioned aloud but before he had the chance to give it a second thought he was suddenly sitting behind his desk back in the study at the mansion.

A smug Lionel Luthor walked into room. "You shouldn't be here Lex, you know what's going to happen. It is, after all, your fault. They're going to kill you you know," Lionel let out a guttural laugh then left the room.

Suddenly Lex found himself in the Kent kitchen. After what had just happened with his father and the way he kept moving from scene to scene, Lex's body was starting to panic. He looked up to see Martha standing over the counter with a large kitchen knife. "Oh, Lex, you really shouldn't be here. It's all your fault and they are going to kill you."

Just then Jonathan walked into the kitchen. "They're going to make it hurt Lex. You're going to pay for all your sins. This is all your fault"

Lex's body was drenched with sweat. He was finding it hard to breathe. Suddenly he realized his surroundings had changed again. He was in the apartment he had set up for Chloe. He looked up and saw Chloe and Clark staring at him.

"I'm the only one that can protect her Lex, it's all your fault, and now you have to pay," Clark glared at Lex with fury in his eyes.

"You failed me Lex, and now you're going to die." Chloe raised a gun and aimed it at Lex's chest. She fired once.

Lex's body slumped to the ground and Chloe came to stand over him. "It's all your fault," she said with cold eyes.

Clark raised the gun and aimed for Lex's head, "It's all your fault," he said and squeezed the trigger…

Lex's body shot up in a panic. His hand was gripped over his heart. His body was drenched with sweat and he was having trouble breathing. He gasped for air and took in his surroundings. Oh my God! It was a dream. He grabbed the armrest of the car and tried to calm his body. Someone was speaking but he couldn't focus on the words.

"…okay? Mr. Luthor," came the panicked voice.

Lex realized that it was coming from the woman driving the car.

"I'm ok Janet," he managed to choke out, "just get us to the penthouse."

It may have been a dream, but you know that it's all true. It IS your fault, and they will never forgive you! Lionel is going to pay for this. Somehow, I'm going to make him pay. Oh, God! Chloe, damn it! She's still alone. How am I ever going to make this right?

Lex leaned back into the seat again and closed his eyes. His body couldn't take anymore. He let exhaustion take over and fell back asleep.

tbc