Chapter 23
Much to Lana's chagrin Chloe had as yet, managed to uncover any useful information concerning Desiree Atkins-Luthor also known as Alison Sanders. With no other ideas Lana decided it was finally time to tell her parents.
"Lana, why didn't you tell us earlier?" Martha asked.
"I don't know," Lana replied. "I guess I thought I could figure this one out myself."
"I don't know what we can do for Clark," Jonathon said. "It's not like it's against the law to sweet talk your husband into making a bad business decision."
"Yeah but trying to seduce a teenage boy is," Martha said.
"Mom, it's his word against hers," Lana said. "Chances are they're gonna think Clark's just out to get revenge."
There was a knock at the door and Jonathon got up to answer it. It was Sheriff Ethan Miller.
"Ethan," Jonathon said in surprise as he opened the door for him. "What can I do for you?"
"A teacher down at the school, Mrs. Luthor, claims she saw Lana set her car on fire. That's three suspicious fires in as many days Lana, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to take you into custody until we can get this all sorted out." Ethan said as he pulled out his handcuffs.
"Mom, Dad, there's got to be some sort of mistake here," Lana said.
"Lana I want you to do what Ethan says," her father instructed her. "We'll figure this thing out. I promise."
Lana reluctantly turned around and let Ethan slap the cuffs onto her wrists. Even though she probably could have snapped them apart, Lana had never felt more contained in her entire life.
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Lana had to spend the night in jail, she'd never felt more humiliated in her entire life. She got her first visitors, Chloe and Clark. Lana wasn't entirely sure how she felt about seeing the two of them together but she hoped that it meant they had worked together to help her.
"Sorry we couldn't bake a cake with a file in it for you," Chloe said. "How are you doing though?"
"Besides being accused of being a serial arsonist and having to spend the night in a prison cell, I guess I'm alright," Lana replied.
"We've got some good news though," Clark said. "Chloe and I did some digging on Alison Sanders."
"And what did you find?" Clark asked hopefully.
"Apparently the vixen formerly known as Alison was rather popular with the boys as a teenager," Chloe said. "She was with her boyfriend when the meteors hit."
"The ledger doesn't cover it," Clark said. "But I'm sure you have a pretty good idea as to what they were doing in the truck by the lake."
"A couple of weeks later the boyfriend lost it and murdered her parents," Chloe continued. "Desiree inherited everything."
"Fast forward five years, Desiree is now a teacher. She marries a wealthy shipping executive," Clark said. "Only to see him offed by one of her moonstruck high school students."
"Same confession, same denial six hours later." Chloe said. "It's the classic black widow scenario. Only after murder number two this widow had the misfortune of being heavily invested in dot com stocks. After she lost all the money she decided to go after Lex."
"So she was trying to seduce me to kill him," Clark finished the tale.
"Okay," Lana said. "But that still doesn't explain anything. How was she able to do it?"
"Pheromones," Chloe replied. "She was in the throes of major passion when the meteors hit. If her Pheromone levels were enhanced, she could get a guy to do whatever she wants. Lucky for us Clark Lang seems to be immune to some members of the opposite sex."
"Hey I was tempted," Clark said. "But um…"
He looked from Lana to Chloe unsure about how to continue. Both of them looked at him anxiously.
"I don't how I resisted," Clark said. "But I did."
There was a rather awkward silence as they all kept looking from one another. None of them wanted to admit that an odd love triangle existed between them.
"Time's up you two," Sheriff Miller said breaking the silence.
He led Chloe and Clark out of the cell area.
"Hey I think my dad may have gone to go see Desiree," Lana said.
"Let's hope he's got ice water veins like Clark here," Chloe replied.
Lana watched feeling helpless as the door was locked once again. She looked around until she noticed an alarm box located over one of the light in the hallway. Lana was given an idea.
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Not that much long after the fire alarm in the Police Station went off. Ethan jumped up from his desk and ran to the cell block. The alarm box across the hall from Lana's cell was on fire. He quickly unlocked Lana's cell.
"I gotta get you out of here Lana," Ethan said. "Stay close to me."
He turned to look back at the fire and when he turned around Lana was gone.
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At the Luthor mansion Lex was looking over the will that he had recently signed. It stated that upon his death everything would go to his wife Desiree.
"We need to talk," Lex said to his wife.
"About what Lex?" she asked sweetly.
"About everything," Lex replied. "Ever since I met you I feel like I've lost all sense of judgement regarding my friends, my business and suddenly I don't know why."
"Well it's too late for second thoughts Lex," Desiree said. "The papers have been finalized. Everything you own is mine."
"You only inherit in the event of my death," Lex said.
There was a pause as Lex expected Desiree to say something. She didn't say anything.
"Were you planning to kill me?" Lex asked.
"No," Desiree replied.
She walked over to the door that led out of the pool and opened it. Jonathon Kent came in his hunting rifle in hand.
"He is," Desiree said.
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"I know you Mister Kent," Lex pleaded. "You're not a murderer. Please put the gun down."
Lex tried to subtly reach for the phone to call the police. However Jonathon noticed the move and shot the phone destroying it. He re-cocked the rifle.
Suddenly Lana came bursting through the doors that led to the hallway, "Dad don't!" she yelled.
But Jonathon Kent was beyond reason. He aimed the rifle and fired directly at Lex. Lana used her heat vision to melt the bullet before it was able to get to Lex. She hoped that neither Desiree nor Lex would notice. Lex hit the ground as he dove to avoid a bullet that never even reached him. Undaunted Jonathon reloaded the rifle and stalked Lex, determined to kill him. Lana grabbed her father's arm.
"Dad, you can't do this," Lana said.
She tried to pull her father away and accidently banged him head first into a nearby bookshelf. Jonathon slumped to the ground unconscious.
"Dad, dad are you okay?" Lana asked worried.
Lex picked himself up off the ground and decided to go after Desiree himself. She grabbed a bottle of liquor to defend herself and smashed it on Lex's back. Lex bent over in pain offering her the opportunity to ignite the alcohol with a barbeque lighter, which she gladly took. Lex screamed in agony as the flames licked at his back. Lana immediately jumped to action and pulled a curtain off one of the windows and smothered Lex with it. Desiree tried to make a run for the door while Lana was busy with. However Lana had one more ace up her sleeve. She used her heat vision to superheat the doorknob. When Desiree grabbed it, it burned her hand and she howled in pain. Lana made sure the fire was out and Lex was okay. It seemed the problem was finally over.
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Back at the Kent farm things were back to normal. Martha and Lana were baking muffins in the kitchen.
"I just got off the phone with Ethan," Jonathon said. "Thanks to Lex's statement the arson charges have been dropped and I'm sure that will be the last we'll see of Desiree Atkins."
"What about my escape?" Lana asked nervously.
"Well considering your age and that you saved Lex Luthor's life," Jonathon replied, "They're willing to let you off with a stern warning."
"So do you remember what happened?" Martha asked.
"Let's just say that Desiree had powers of persuasion that far exceed those of a normal woman mom," Lana replied for her father.
"Thanks honey," Jonathon said. "And now Mrs. Kent if you are finished here I would like to take you out for dinner, solo; if you don't mind Lana."
"That's quite alright with me," Lana said. "You guys deserve it."
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Lana was lying in the hammock up in her loft reading a book.
"Lana," Lex said coming up the stairs. "I was hoping I'd find you here."
"Hey Lex," Lana greeted. "How are you feeling?"
"Well thanks to you I've got no serious injuries," Lex replied.
"I meant emotionally," Lana said.
"Like I'm waking up from a bad dream," Lex answered.
"You loved her didn't you?" Lana asked.
"I thought I did," Lex replied. "I filed for an annulment which my lawyers tell me should be finalized in a couple of days. I'll let the police deal with Desiree."
"And then what?" Lana inquired.
"I'll try and be more cautious." Lex said. "Look I'm sorry I accused you of being jealous. I guess in all my passion I wasn't thinking logically. I let it get the best of me, I won't make that mistake again."
"We all make mistakes Lex," Lana said. "I don't think having passion is such a bad thing."
"You're right," Lex agreed. "Passion for life, love, work and friends is a great thing. As long as you keep in check. I was out of control. I should take a page out of your book."
"What do you mean?" Lana asked.
"You, you're always so sure of yourself. You don't let your emotions get the better of you." Lex said.
"You don't know that," Lana stated. "I've made my own mistakes."
"We all make mistakes Lana." Lex said. "We're human."
Lex turned and walked down the steps out of the loft.
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Please Read Over:
Well that's the end of Heat on to Duplicity and all its THE SECRET IS FINALLY REVEALED glory. But will Pete learn the secret? Or will it be Clark? Or Chloe? Or some whole new character? You'll just have to keep reading to find out.
Just another one of the usual reminders that if you want to talk to me about the story or Smallville in general. Go on IRC to the otherside servers, irc. (Port 7000) or irc. (Port 7000), channel #smallville. Hope to see some people there. If you're looking for an IRC client I would recommend X-Chat although there are many other options out there. Really, please go there to discuss any questions answers will be a lot more direct. That and it gets kind of boring talking to the same two people all the time, I need fresh opinions. Look forward to seeing some of you there.