The Gambler

Lex got up from his chair when he saw Pete entering his office and went to greet him with the smile.

"Pete! Long time no see…" said Lex as he shook his hand.

Pete looked very uncomfortable, but managed to put on a smile.

"Hello Lex…"

"Please come… sit…" said Lex as he pointed to the chair in front of his desk."

"Imagine that…" mused Lex. "We haven't seen each other for almost 16 years and I find out you're working for one of my newly acquired companies…" said Lex with a chuckle.

Pete was feeling very nervous. Nowadays he only knew what the media said about Lex and what Clark or Chloe would say about him. He almost had no idea who this man really was.

"Lex… I don't mean to be rude, but why did you invite me all the way here… from what I know, it's harder for someone to meet you than it is the president…"

Lex chuckled. "Whoever said that obviously has never tried to meet the president… believe me, it's much harder… But to answer your question, I know how people react when the company they work for is bought… They fear for their jobs… it's a natural reaction… well knowing this and after seeing how your company was doing, I decided to talk to you in person… for old times sake…"

"Oh… thanks… I guess…" mumbled Pete, still not sure of where this is going.

"Well Pete… I wanted to personally assure you, that you have nothing to fear… In fact after consulting with some of my colleagues… I think I have some very good news to give to you…"

Pete looked at Lex curiously. "What do you mean?"

"Pete… your branch, was doing better than any other KIA dealership in the country. Not only sales- wise… but your organization of the place, is just amazing… such efficiency is hard to find nowadays… Plus everyone in the company speaks very highly of you…"

Pete couldn't help but smile with everything Lex was telling him.

"Umm… thanks Lex… I try my best…"

"I know you do… which is why we're thinking of making you the West Coast manager, of KIA." Said Lex with a broad smile.

Pete was stunned silent. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. "Did you just say West Coast manager?"

"yes I did… we're going to make the company a bit more centralized and we're planning on opening the West Coast Headquarters here in Washington… so I think it's a major opportunity for you… plus you won't have to relocate."

Pete had a wide smile on his face as he almost stammered. "I… I don't know what to say… I mean I didn't expect anything like this…"

"Well just say yes…" said Lex with an amused smile.

"Yes. Of course I agree… Oh My God… I can't believe this…"

"I've got to tell you though… The headquarters will become operational in about 5-6 months, so until then things will remain as they are… I hope that's ok…"

Pete found himself extremely happy. A day ago he was afraid of losing his job and now he found himself with a promotion he never would expect.

A month later

Pete waited outside Lex's office for the second time in a month. He thought about how things change so dramatically. Back in his younger days he couldn't stand Lex, a month ago he was waiting here dreading of what he would hear and now he felt a strange of satisfaction, that he was meeting Lex Luthor personally for the second time in a month. His partner was very impressed for sure as were many other employees in his company. And he hadn't even told them about his impending promotion yet, thought Pete with glee.

He entered Lex's office with sure steps and he went and shook his hand warmly.

"Hello Lex…"

"Nice to see you again Pete… Take a seat… I wanted to discuss with you any ideas you might have about the new headquarters we are planning."

Pete was caught by surprise. "Really? … Umm… you caught me unprepared… how much time do we have?"

Lex smiled. "Don't you worry about that, I'm free all the way to the afternoon, so I'm all yours…"

They spent the next two hours discussing of ways to make the new headquarters work more efficiently, and Pete never felt more needed and more useful in his life before. He really felt like his ideas were appreciated and actually needed. It was very satisfactory for him to say the least.

After they finished talking about the headquarters, Lex changed the subject.

"So how is Clark, Pete?"

Pete looked uncomfortable. He knew that Clark and Lex were on opposing sides for the past years, and he wished he wouldn't have to pick a side.

"He's ok…"

"I know about his divorce Pete…"

"Well… yeah… that of course has put him down a bit…" admitted Pete.

"Look… I know that you must feel uncomfortable… what with Clark always going up against every single move I make with Luthorcorp, but I'm planning to put a stop to it…" said Lex with a smile.

Pete looked at him worried. "What do you mean?"

"I plan on making Clark an offer… I want him to join me along with a friend of his…"

Pete smiled. "Clark joining Luthorcorp? I… I don't see that happening Lex."

Lex chuckled. "Well… it will be hard convincing him that's for sure… But I'm really curious Pete… what's your take in all of this?"

Pete squirmed uncomfortably in his chair. This was exactly the kind of question he was afraid of. "Well… I …"

Lex interrupted him. "Listen Pete… You have nothing to worry about. You can speak as openly as you want. I won't hold your views against you. Besides, I'm a business man… I wouldn't lose such an important employee just because he didn't see things the same way I did…"

Pete sighed and tried to relax. "Well… I'll just say that I can see where he's coming from."

"Really? What do you mean exactly?" asked Lex inquisitively.

"Come on Lex… You're a smart guy… You know how Clark was raised. He could never agree with everything you did or I did for that matter. And to tell you the truth I can't blame him and I'm glad there are still people like Clark in the world."

"So you think I'm a tyrant, out to conquer the world?" said Lex chuckling.

"Well I wouldn't phrase it like that, but let's face it… you're taking over businesses with the speed of sound, and you're already the biggest corporation in the world."

"And that's bad why?"

"Well… "

Lex interjected. "I mean… Have I put more people out of work than I've given jobs to? No. Isn't the development rate in all the US higher the last 5 years largely thanks to Luthorcorp? Yes. Haven't I been giving in charities twice the sums all other organizations give put together? Yes. So where exactly is Clark's morality insulted? Because Luthorcorp is also in arms manufacture? Or because certain subsidiaries of mine have from time to time bended the rules a bit without my knowledge?"

"Look Lex… I'm not saying otherwise… But you have to admit that so much power given to one man is not always the best solution, is it?"

"Why not? Pete from the beginning of time people needed leaders. People above the ordinary who could carve a path into the future! In ancient times the strongest one of the tribe would always be considered the leader to guide all the rest. You think that just because so much time has passed, people all of a sudden don't need leaders? But they still look for leaders every day of their lives. Be they politicians, Hollywood stars, Musicians, public figures they can turn to for guidance!"

"You may be right with this, but don't forget Lex that your father gave you Luthorcorp!"

Lex chuckled. "You're right… I'm not one of those "from rags to riches stories". But do you know who Philip the Second is?"

Pete looked at him strangely. "Umm… not sure who exactly he was, a Greek general or something?"

Lex smiled. "Close but no prize. Do you know who Alexander the Great was?"

"Of course."

"You've proven my point Pete. Philip was Alexander's father, and he was the one who turned Macedon into a powerful kingdom. He also organized the army that Alexander later used. He was a great King and a great general, there is no doubt about that. But he wasn't Alexander. Alexander took the strong kingdom of Macedon and made it into the greatest empire the world has ever known. He is the one people remember!"

"Ok… you are right with this, but still in your quest for creating this great empire with Luthorcorp, other companies and people have to be defeated, isn't that right?"

"Yes but if they are defeated it means, that they were not fit to lead! I do not destroy Pete! I do exactly as Alexander did. I incorporate, providing better leadership and a better future."

Pete could see the reason behind what Lex was saying, as he himself had felt the effects of Lex's leadership, but the way he spoke about himself scared him a bit.

"Even Superman… He has meddled in my business far too many times, but I've got to hand it to him that he is one of those rare individuals fit to lead. What I don't appreciate though is that instead of embracing that fact and acting like a true leader to the people, he acts like a hypocrite."

Pete now was confused. "How do you mean?"

"He has publicly accused me many times that I try to control people's opinions and lives, when he himself does exactly the same. He plays God. His word is gospel to many simple folk, simply because of who he is and what he can do. Isn't that swerving the opinion of people? And he also interferes whenever he feels something is wrong. Isn't that controlling people's lives? I mean… what happens if he eventually starts believing that the US government is doing something wrong? Will he interfere there too? If he acted more like a leader and embraced that role, I would be all for him! I would definitely want him by my side!"

Pete remained thoughtful trying to take in everything Lex had said. He admitted to himself that he was indeed a bit confused.

Two days before the accident in Nevada…

Pete was staying in Metropolis for a couple of days. He was visiting some clients of his and trying to set up a new Network for the new beginning he was about to make. Lex called him and they arranged to meet, in Luthorcorp Plazza.

Pete entered Lex's office very upbeat.

"Morning Lex…"

"Pete… always a pleasure." Said Lex with a smile as they shook hands.

"So… Pete how's the networking going?"

"Very good actually… I'm pretty excited about it to tell you the truth. It's going to turn out way better than we anticipated."

Lex smiled satisfied. "That's always good to hear. Pete… I have to request a favor… It's not something I ask with a light heart, but I think you might be able to help."

"Shoot…" said Pete with a smile.

"Well… Pete… I want you to convince Clark to talk to Superman."

Pete widened his eyes in surprise. "What?"

"I know he is supposed to be your best friend and I'm sure he's told you a lot about Superman… I just want a chance to present Superman with my offer. Nothing more."

"Lex… I… I don't think I can…"

"Pete listen to me… I've already talked to Clark and he said he'd consider it. I just want you to give him a little nudge. I'm not asking you to do do anything wrong here… I just want a fair chance to explain to Superman what my plans are and what I envision."

"Please… Lex… don't put me in this position…" said Pete feeling very uncomfortable to be put in the middle of something like that.

"Pete… I'm not pressuring you. If you don't want to do it… don't… but just imagine what the possibilities are here! Me and superman together. All I'm asking is to consider it…"

An hour after the accident in Nevada.

Pete was packing his bags and getting ready to return home when he was interrupted by a phone call.

"Hello?"

"Pete!" Lex was on the other end and it was clear that he was very upset.

"I'm sorry to do this man, but I'm forced to this!"

"What do you mean Lex?"

"Remember what I asked you to consider two days ago? Well… time's up! I'm sorry Pete but it has come very imperative that I meet Superman today! I think that someone has convinced him to work for them and he is really hurting me… I need to see him now… I don't care how you do it, I don't care what you do… I want you to convince him to consider my offer and join with me! And I'm also afraid of what I will have to do with Clark now."

"Lex What do you mean?"

"Superman has averted an accident that happened this morning and the news are already linking me to the accident. If as I imagine someone put Superman to this, then they will surely try to make it seem as though I was to blame for all that and I was somehow involved, which of course will mean that Clark will surely try to write a story about it. I will not have any of that."

"Lex… This is crazy…. I can't…"

"Pete… as I told you… I'm sorry but there is no question about it… I will see him tonight… I don't want to stoop so low as to use threats Pete, as I thought we were seeing eye to eye this past month, so please don't force me to use threats. Just find a way to do it. If you require any kind of help, visit the lab we have on Luthorcorp plaza. The head scientist there, Jason, will help you in any way that he can. We have been studying certain things about Superman and you might find things that will help you there. Pete… I'm counting on you… as is your family…" with that Lex hang up.

Leaving Pete in a panicked state and not knowing what to do. He knew that there was no way he could get the position Lex had offered him, if he didn't do as he asked, and he also feared what else Lex would do. He also feared of what Lex could do to Clark. But how could he convince Clark to go see Lex. There was no way he could do something like that. There was no way that everyone could come out on top. Unless he put his money on a wild card. Someone who could consider Lex's proposal and if worst came to worst, wouldn't hesitate to do what was necessary to protect himself and those close to him. And that someone was Kal – El.

To be continued...