Chapter 3

Lex Luthor was certainly not the most qualified person in the world to talk about how to treat women. His recent experience with a murderous ex-fling, still fresh in his mind, had made that all too clear to him. Even more convincing was Clark Kent's visible disappointment in a friend for whom he had a diminishing amount of respect when the maturing farmboy had discovered the raunchy rap sheet of the young tycoon he had once admired.

Yet perhaps that was why Lex was sitting alone inside his rebuilt Scottish castle pondering over whether or not he should put the evidence he had in his hands to their logical use. Perhaps it was a form of atonement. He had flipped through the dozen or so photos so many times he hardly paid attention to what he was actually seeing. Instead, the focus in his eyes was on a seemingly elusive decision he had to make rather than a tangible external object.

Lex Luthor had before him the records of Jason Teague's night out at a Metropolis pub. Jason's behavior, as the pictures testified, would've seemed completely out of character to a more naïve observer. But to the forever skeptical Lex Luthor, they were only a confirmation of his suspicions. You can only hide your true nature some of the time¸ Lex mused as his eyes once again grazed over pictures of Jason French-kissing a rather voluptuous blonde at the club, then continuing the passionate make-out session in what he thought was a private nook of the club, and finally exploring her figure avidly with his hands. The last picture showed the couple beginning to rid each other of their clothing in Jason's car.

As soon as Clark had shared his knowledge of Lana's secret relationship with a legal adult and how Jason had followed her back to Smallville, Lex immediately became concerned. Clark may have been naïve enough to believe that Jason had sufficient genuine affection for Lana despite his seniority, but Lex Luthor knew better. Without hesitation, Lex had dispatched one of his many clandestine staff members to "keep an eye" on Teague.

Lex felt an odd sense of duty towards Lana, almost as if he were an older brother to her. So, when the pictures and the notes arrived on his desk, he had wasted no time in taking action. In retrospect, perhaps it wasn't the best course of action, but at the time he thought it was the best way to minimize the emotional pain that Lana was almost sure to endure if she found out the hard way.

Lex had promptly reported Jason's relationship with Lana, thereby making the authorities put pressure on Jason to break off his ties with her. Meanwhile, Lana would obviously be hurt when Jason was forced to break up with her, but at least she wouldn't feel cheap and used like she would if she knew he truth. In all likelihood, or so Lex had thought, it would be easier for Lana to get over it.

But it hadn't quite worked out that way. To Lex's surprise, Jason remained stubbornly at Lana's side, putting on a frustratingly good pretense of being a victim who was determined to overcome all obstacles for love. In one last attempt, Lex offered Jason a job at LuthorCorp. Jason Teague, in all truth, didn't even really need an interview, though he attended one. Lex had every intention of giving it to him. Once he had Jason under his wing, Lex would use the job as collateral to "persuade" Jason to either come clean with Lana or clean up his act.

But then, the nightmare-inducing virus had struck and disrupted his plans. Now, Lex was almost out of options. He had to either present the evidence to Lana and tell her himself or wait for the whole relationship to blow up in Lana's face when she inevitably catches Jason in an act of infidelity. Either way, a girl who had already been through enough to put the average Jane in therapy for years would be in for a real emotional pitfall.

"It's a tough decision, ain't it," a gruff voice interrupted his thoughts.

Lex looked up with a start to find a slightly stocky man with a natural expression that reminded him of Morgan Edge standing over him in a trench coat. Two burly henchmen flanked the imposing figure.

"Who are you?" asked Lex with his usual calm yet somehow intimidating tone. "I'm not the type to allow total strangers into my home."

The stocky man chuckled arrogantly. "I've never seen you so young, Lex! Don't you remember me?"

"I think I would remember someone with your disposition," Lex observed dryly.

The man shrugged with a nonchalance that Lex found disconcerting. "Who am I kidding? You can't remember a person you haven't met yet." He extended his hand. "Vincent Edge."

"Any relation to Morgan Edge?" Lex asked, tempted to role his eyes at the stranger's wry attempts at small talk.

"You always were a blunt one, Lex. Even in your youth, apparently."

"Do I know you?" Lex asked, annoyance creeping into his tone.

"No," Vincent said with his contemptuous nonchalance. He then grew serious. "But you will." He snapped his fingers, and his two henchmen subsequently drew out matching pistols and aimed them straight at Lex.

Lex showed no fear. "How did you get past security?"

Vincent snarled. "By methods you have yet to invent."

"I don't have time for this. Whatever business you have with me, just state it. After all, it's not like I seem to have much choice in the matter."

"Then listen up!" Vincent barked. "We know you're thinking about giving a certain young woman information that will no doubt prompt her to end her relationship with Jason Teague. We're here to make that decision a lot easier for you."

"I hardly see how a teenager's relationship should be of any import to men such as yourselves," remarked Lex coolly.

"You don't have to," Vincent said sternly. "All you have to do is keep that gigolo's antics to yourself! If you do, we won't see each other again for another…oh, about thirteen years. If not, we shall be dropping by…much sooner than that."

"Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?" Lex almost snarled.

"Oh, I do. I know how your mind works, Luthor. And let me assure you that we have ways of outsmarting even your most talented legal minions. The fact that we so easily bypassed your security measures should testify to that."

"And if I go to the police?"

Vincent once again chuckled arrogantly. He pulled from his trench coat a stack of photos and, stepping behind Lex as his henchmen gestured at him to sit still, held them in front of his face. "Two can play the P.I. game," he said. "My, my! You're not exactly a picture of techno-ethics, now, are you, Luthor?"

"You're blackmailing me?" Lex queried, making more of a statement than a question.

"I figured what better way to tie Lex Luthor's hands than to use his own methods against him."

"I have never blackmailed anyone."

Vincent Edge nodded. "No, you haven't…Not yet." He snapped his fingers, and his two muscular henchmen approached him with their pistols. One put the barrel of his gun to Lex's head. "I woudn't assume any ignorance on our part, either. We have what we call nanocameras planted in all the logical places you'd go. They go beyond what even the top experts would be able to detect."

Lex remained as calm as he could. He was not about to give them the satisfaction of seeing any trace of fear or weakening resolve on his countenance. "How do I know you're not bluffing?"

Vincent smiled with evil pride. "Perhaps we forgot to give you a glimpse of exhibit number fourteen." He pulled a from his packet and presented it to Lex.

Lex's eyes fell upon the picture, and though his face didn't twitch. Inside, his mind was racing. At the root of his thoughts was one question: How?!